WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=pcFar8KdOEM

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: pcFar8KdOEM):
- 00:00:00: Initial Discussion & Naragansett School Committee Meeting Called to Order
- 00:02:56: Committee Reorganization: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary Selections
- 00:05:44: Appointing Representatives to CAPS & Keystone Collectives
- 00:07:04: Designated Member for Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrants
- 00:08:24: MASC Delegate Appointment Discussion and Prioritization
- 00:10:20: Legislative Representative, CPAC Liaison Assignments Deferred
- 00:13:20: Heather Nura Appointed as Student Advisory Council Liaison
- 00:14:08: Discussing Preliminary Schedule and Teacher Recognition Request
- 00:15:59: Teacher Mary Ballard Recognized as James Madison Fellow
- 00:21:28: Regular Business Begins & Opening up Public Participation
- 00:22:20: Public Comment: John Valentine Speaks on Town Finances
- 00:27:12: FY26 Review Deferred, FY27 Budget Update and Scenarios
- 00:37:31: Clarifying Regional School Budget and School Choice Impacts
- 00:38:54: School Choice Impacts on Vocational & Analogue Students
- 00:43:33: School Choice Openings Approved for Grades 5, 6, and 9
- 00:52:31: Superintendent Evaluation Process and Timeline
- 00:54:56: Curriculum and Instruction: Portrait of a Warrior
- 01:03:57: Early College Program Pathway Partnership Review Results
- 01:10:14: Integrated Monitoring Review Process and Civil Rights
- 01:11:51: Special Education Policy Revision Approval and Implications
- 01:17:07: Approval for Plumbing Courses on the Revised Studies Program
- 01:18:17: Updates: Upcoming Senior Week, Memorial Day, Graduation
- 01:23:59: Closing Remarks and Motion to Adjourn the Meeting


Part: 1

1
00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:28.039
[ __ ] basically those >> um I like it when we actually got several honories for we have several just right.

2
00:00:29.599 --> 00:00:57.280
Is that right? >> Yeah. Yeah. I always know because I always say, you know, there's like someone in something fully blew up in here. I love that. I think that's neat. I don't think you can get too

3
00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:48.399
that's neat. I mean outside. Yes, that's what I was talking about. I think we have to do the papers. >> I want regular business. >> I'm sorry to interrupt. >> I don't want to be so crazy that nuts.

4
00:01:48.399 --> 00:02:21.120
They don't say >> then >> she she's getting a little happy with she >> glad to know that G still works. >> I am ready when you're ready. I would like to call this meeting of the

5
00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:37.440
Marans Regional School District School Committee to order. If you would all please rise for the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation

6
00:02:37.440 --> 00:02:56.560
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. As a reminder, this meeting is being livereamed at Huntington and it's available to view on YouTube. Um, so because this is our first meeting after

7
00:02:56.560 --> 00:03:11.680
the Templeton and Philipsson town elections, um, our first order of business is the reorganization of the committee um, as required by policy. And so it starts with the nomination of the chair. Anyone like to make a motion?

8
00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:26.640
Yeah, I'd like a motion Jennifer Smith to be the chair of Narville High School. Second, you would like >> So motion by Sean. >> Motion by Sean. Second by I think. Any questions or comments?

9
00:03:26.640 --> 00:03:42.879
>> Seeing none, all in favor? >> I opposed abstained and I say yes. So that is unanimous including myself voting for myself. Um, would anyone like to make a motion

10
00:03:42.879 --> 00:04:01.280
around the vice chair? >> Sean case. >> Oh, I would rather nominate. >> We have a motion on the floor, which I believe needs to be seen. >> I think we wouldn't put Elizabeth on the stand. >> I would be willing to serve in that this

11
00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:17.840
year. So I would entertain a motion to nominate Heather Namzura as vice chair of an arrogance regional school district school committee. >> So moved. >> Motion by Sean. >> Second. >> Second by Hank. Any questions or comments? >> Seeing none. All in favor.

12
00:04:17.840 --> 00:04:34.240
>> I appreciate you though. It's very nice of you. Thank you. >> Stay and I say yes. So that is unanimous. >> Senator closer. >> I know. I'm moving my way down here. You know >> maybe next time. How about that? this way to my right to be on it. So, you

13
00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:53.040
know, let's be within the corner. Apparently, that's what happens. >> Oh, gotcha. >> Understood. >> Get you there. >> Lucky. >> All right. I would entertain a motion to appoint Dr. Christopher Cavan as the secretary of the Naraganser Regional School District School Committee. So,

14
00:04:53.040 --> 00:05:08.960
move. >> Motion by Sean, second by Hank. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, all in favor? I >> opposed. Abstain and I say yes. So that is unanimous. >> I would entertain a motion to appoint

15
00:05:08.960 --> 00:05:25.840
Susan Vernney as the assistant secretary of the Narroans Regional School District School Committee. So moved. >> Motion by Sean. Second. >> Second by Heather. Any questions or comments? Seeing none. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstained.

16
00:05:25.840 --> 00:05:44.000
And I say yes. So that is unanimous. Um this one we always have a little bit of conversation around. So the next the next few are the next two are um caps and keystones. So these are educational collectives. Um historically Dr. Castant

17
00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:59.759
has served in that capacity just out of recognition that um these are often things that occur meetings that occur during a school day and it can be harder for school committee members to do those when they're you know at their other jobs um that they hold. Um if someone

18
00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:16.000
has an interest in this speak up otherwise I will open the motion um because Dr. Civan is always thrilled when nominated. I would entertain a motion to appoint Dr. Cassavan as the FY27 CAPS district representative.

19
00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:32.479
>> So moved. >> Motion by Sean. Second. >> Second by Heather. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, all in favor? I >> opposed. Abstained. And I say yes. So that is unanimous.

20
00:06:32.479 --> 00:06:48.160
I would further entertain a motion to appoint Dr. Cassavan as the FY27 Keystone Educational Collaborative District Representative. sold. >> Motion by Sha, second by Heather. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, all in favor?

21
00:06:48.160 --> 00:07:04.720
>> I opposed. And I say yes. So that is unex. >> Um we next have the uh school committee member who signed us the payroll and accounts payable warrants. Um

22
00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:21.520
historically that has been me. um I don't mind continuing to do that if it's so desired. Um but if there is someone else um who would love you to go down and sign um the paperwork um it's not too heavy a lift. Um they they do a good job of giving me advanced notice and I

23
00:07:21.520 --> 00:07:36.880
let them know when I can make it in. Um but that's how that works. Elizabeth's bond you would have to um abstain from that. Yeah. >> Exactly.

24
00:07:36.880 --> 00:07:54.160
All right. Um, so I'm welcome to it. Then I would entertain a motion to appoint me, Jennifer Smith, to be the designated member of the school committee to sign payroll and accounts payable warrants for FY27 as per mass general lob um 7116A.

25
00:07:54.160 --> 00:08:09.120
So move >> motion by Sean second. Second by any questions or comments? >> Seeing none, all in favor? >> Opposed? and the so that is yes

26
00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:24.080
>> oh few uh thank you so there's uh four yeses and one absential for majority which is fine for this one thank you um

27
00:08:24.080 --> 00:08:42.080
masc delegate appointment um so as a reminder this is the role um where as uh the school committee and as MASC sets the legislative priorities for the year. Um someone goes to the meeting to

28
00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:58.880
represent um Naragansa Regional School District on those legislative priorities um and has a vote in what becomes part of the legislative um actions for the Massachusetts Association School Committees. Um it is a good way to learn

29
00:08:58.880 --> 00:09:16.640
about the process and how it works. Um Heather has done it in the past. Um we did uh miss this year due to some some personal conflicts and um different priorities at that time. Um but I would like to make sure that this is settled for next year. Um

30
00:09:16.640 --> 00:09:31.519
is there anyone who wants to volunteer and then further um this is also one where it has changed partway through the year. If someone finds so like hey this isn't something I can do any longer we can redis and reappoint someone. That's not something where once this is set,

31
00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:49.600
it's for the for the next year. >> And it's not anybody's radar. I'm happy I can continue unless, you know, life goes as ill planned this year. I'm hoping to be able to get away from my family and go. Um, but we we never know.

32
00:09:49.600 --> 00:10:04.880
Then I would entertain a motion to appoint Heather Nzura as the MASC delegate to represent Narroance Regional School District School Committee at the MASC 2026 delegate summit. >> So moved. >> Motion by Sean. >> Second. >> Second by Hank. Any questions or

33
00:10:04.880 --> 00:10:20.720
comments? Seeing none, all in favor? >> Opposed? Abstained. And I say yes. So that is unanimous. Um the next one is um the next two

34
00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:35.920
actually. So there was a couple capacities in which the Narroans Regional School District is expected to have a liaison who um who interacts and I forgot to put PTO on here again. I will do that for next time.

35
00:10:35.920 --> 00:10:52.160
>> And legislative representative >> that >> I will do that the >> representatives on here. >> Oh, I just skipped it. Um so so legislative representative le isn't an RSD CPAC and student advisory council. So legislative representative um

36
00:10:52.160 --> 00:11:08.720
essentially that makes someone responsible for keeping the school committee updated on any legislative actions that could impact us potentially. Um Danielle served in that capacity in the past um because actually that was something she had to do for her job anyways. Um and so she would just

37
00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:23.839
take the work she was already doing for her job and present it here. Um technically, um she is still part of the school committee because um she she got enough writing votes, um which I'm not sure if she's excited about, but she got enough writing votes that she's back on

38
00:11:23.839 --> 00:11:40.720
the committee. Um and but at the same time, I know that one of her her challenges was that she was um feeling pressed for time, so it might be good if someone else was willing to take that on at this time. This is also one that is not one that we have to assign today.

39
00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:58.880
So, if we want to just suspend it until we have more school committee members sitting around the table, that could also be our our decision. And since everyone is leaping to action, I'm going to suspend it, but I will send out an email to say to let everybody

40
00:11:58.880 --> 00:12:15.920
know what this is. Um, and we will need one meg around the table to sign up for that particular one. Um the next one is liaison to CPAC which is our um someone help me special education parent

41
00:12:15.920 --> 00:12:32.399
advisory committee. Did I get it? >> Um so this person um does not can attend the meetings if they're available. The other option is just to um have a close connection with the person who runs those meetings and to make sure that they're reporting out to the school

42
00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:49.279
committee any activities they're having in this space. Um, often there's someone who sits on the committee who has a particular passion for special education and usually it's that person who speaks up. Um, again, this is one where we can either assign it tonight or we can suspend it. It's not essential for us to continue to business. Um, so because I

43
00:12:49.279 --> 00:13:05.680
know that we have um Danielle from Phil wasn't able to feed here. And we also have someone from Templeton who was not sworn out on time yet. So we have a couple more members to spread out some of these responsibilities. So, do we want to

44
00:13:05.680 --> 00:13:20.639
attend this one tonight or do we want to suspend it for this? >> Suspend it. >> Um, student advisory council. Um, you had spoken to me on the side about being in trust in this one. Is that still the case? >> Yeah, I think I can take this one. >> Okay.

45
00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:36.639
>> Um, so since you had already, um, volunteered um, I entertain a motion to appoint Heather Nura as the liazison to the student advisory council. >> Motion by Sean. >> Second. >> Second by Hank. Um any questions or comments?

46
00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:51.920
Seeing none, all in favor? >> I opposed abstained and I say yes. So that is unanimous. Um so I'll send out those other two along with details around the PTO so that everyone can consider those in the in between. If you have questions about any of those

47
00:13:51.920 --> 00:14:08.399
positions, you can either um follow myself or you can call central office for more information if you want to better understand. Um, the next item does not require any votes. Um, and I did not have an opportunity to speak with Susan about this, but I did want to start putting

48
00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:25.600
down if we were to keep a very similar schedule to this year. Here's what that schedule might look like just so that folks can start thinking about dates and timelines um for next year's schedule, next school year schedule. So, right now we're still in FY26, but for FY27, here

49
00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:41.680
are some of the dates that I'm thinking of. So, what I'll do, Susan, is since you and I didn't have a chance to connect on this, if you want to confirm that these work for central office >> um by the next meeting, um then we can uh confirm those with school committee members, but this is your official

50
00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:55.920
notice to let me know if there's any dates that you immediately see. Um but absolutely will not work for us. Um I did try to double check against, you know, school year calendars to make sure there were no meetings booked during school vacations. I try to check against

51
00:14:55.920 --> 00:15:12.560
holidays. I am human and I am imperfect. So I know that I have missed out before. Um so if anyone does see anything, please don't hesitate to speak up. Um I also tried to note um like in January um we usually do the first and the third Thursdays. However, the first and the

52
00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:28.480
third Thursdays January um tend to fall very awkwardly. Um, so like the first Thursday is like two days after everyone's back from Christmas break and so there aren't it's not a good day to have a meeting with so many everybody trying to get back into the swing of

53
00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:43.839
things. So instead we try to hold it on the second Thursday. Okay. Um, so before we move into regular business, I wanted to ask the committee if they wouldn't mind. Um, we have a teacher to recognize this evening and to

54
00:15:43.839 --> 00:15:59.440
be respectful of that teacher's time. Um I was wondering if you all would allow um Dr. Cassavan to speak about that teacher recognition in between our um reorganization of the committee and our regular business. Does anyone post so

55
00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:21.360
great? So >> madam chair um malar would you come down to the seat of honor? >> Um madam chair so Miss Mary Ballard has been selected as a 2026 James Madison fellow. Now you may wonder what is a

56
00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:37.519
James Madison fellow and I'm about to tell you. The James Benson Fellowship is an extremely competitive national award that recognizes outstanding social studies teachers who are dedicated to teaching and learning the US Constitution promoting civic engagement. To receive this fellowship, prospective

57
00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:55.440
fellows must apply, earn nomination from colleagues, and are ultimately affirmed in the US Congressional Committee. The fellowship is a bipartisan foundation started by Senator Ted Kennedy, Orin Hatch, provides scholarships and financial support for promising outstanding teachers such as Why? Um,

58
00:16:55.440 --> 00:17:11.679
teachers of the US Constitution. So, you may have seen a wonderful write up in the Gardo news. I think that they did a very nice job. Um, because we always check those for accuracy. Don't you know? Um and so when um of

59
00:17:11.679 --> 00:17:26.959
course it all when we had of course been notified that Mary had won, but we wanted to wait for the news to kind of hit the newspapers and of course the the timing couldn't have worked out better. Um so we're just honestly just so so

60
00:17:26.959 --> 00:17:42.480
proud of you know Mary and all the work that she's done, but we wanted to have her here today so of course we could just lavish her with great compliments. Uh but also to uh if you haven't met Mary, you know, it gives you the opportunity to do that and give um Mary

61
00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:58.559
some time just maybe to explain a little bit of what the process was and um go from there. >> We'll let you talk first >> and then we will lash your prayers. >> I started my application process months ago. I was only first aware of this

62
00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:13.760
fellowship because um the high school principal Kobe Young was a fellow and that's how I became aware of it. and with his support and Molly's as well, I was granted this fellowship. It was a really lengthy application process that

63
00:18:13.760 --> 00:18:29.120
I told nobody I was applying to except for Colby and Molly because I needed letters and it was so many essays about the Constitution and

64
00:18:29.120 --> 00:18:46.960
I didn't get my hopes up because Colby also was making me aware of Massachusetts is a competitive state because of our background. But I was successful and I'm very excited. I'm going to be attending Gettysburg College from

65
00:18:46.960 --> 00:19:03.360
Pennsylvania because it's a fully online program. So I'm planning to start this summer with my first course and it also has a 4-week summer institute that takes place next summer at Georgetown University in DC. So I'm really looking forward to that. I think that's all the

66
00:19:03.360 --> 00:19:19.200
information I have right now on that. Excellent. >> So it's a very big deal. Um she's she's playing it down a bit. Um, so I uh Colby had told me uh on several occasions how many folks applied for this and of course year to year the

67
00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:36.240
numbers could change but hundreds um at least thous folks apply from what I understand. So um in some in some of the other and so I just wanted just to recognize what a tremendous find this is and really um just kudos to you.

68
00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:52.400
I guess it was quite like you said it was quite a quite a process. It took me months to apply and it was like the day of and I kept reopening the application and to reread and like constantly changing things. So yes, it was a lot that sounds like a process. Well,

69
00:19:52.400 --> 00:20:09.200
congratulations. I mean, you know, to to all first have the courage to put yourself out there like that and then pull together all those materials, that is no small amount of work. Um and as I recall, um you also happen to I don't know how to plan some trips around here.

70
00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:25.360
Um I believe you have come and spoken to school committee about planning some uh trips and experiences for students. So um let me just say that um I see that work and congratulations to you. I hope you are celebrating. This is a big deal.

71
00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:42.080
Um and enjoy that time. Enjoy this you know special opportunity. Thank you. She has requested that for at least the next year that she be referred to as fellow. >> Oh, she I it's come to my attention that >> believe that when she says it

72
00:20:42.080 --> 00:21:01.840
>> I believe that safer now now to call her fellow. >> Oh, okay. All right. This news to me. >> I've got Mr. Gardner News over here as well. So, >> as I say, it's a service. >> Yes.

73
00:21:01.840 --> 00:21:28.880
Well, thank you so much for coming tonight. We really appreciate and we're really excited for you. So, congratulations. >> So, moving into our regular business this evening, um we are moving over the meeting minutes of May 7th. Um those

74
00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:47.200
meeting minutes are a tad longer um than our typical meeting minutes with the number of folks that we had in our last school committee meeting. Um if we will let Susan have a little bit more time um to run through those which moving in um so do we have those

75
00:21:47.200 --> 00:22:03.520
tables this evening? I do. I don't see any. All right. So we will move right along. Um our student representative is not here this evening. Um, we do have a few folks from the public here and so I would open it to public participation.

76
00:22:03.520 --> 00:22:20.799
Um, just for this evening, I will limit it to 12 minutes, 3 minutes per person or group. And just as a reminder, the way that public participation works at our meetings is that it is an opportunity for you to speak to us. It is not like a question and answer situation. So, um, more than happy um,

77
00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:42.480
to hear from our public. Um, I will ask Heather to be my timekeeper. Um, if anyone would like to speak >> and if you could just state your name at time so that we have that. >> Uh, John Valentine, Templeton Mass.

78
00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:59.039
>> So, I'll speak briefly because I only have a brief time, but u, thank you for your time. I just wanted to go over that. you know, I'm learning the whole town process in terms of town meeting, school committee powers, select board powers, and all that good stuff. So, I find it very interesting and and

79
00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:14.240
shocking all at once. Um, no luck. >> So, as you all know, um, Templeton is a rural, low and moderate income community. Um, not with a limited tax base, and it's certainly not Newton or

80
00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:30.320
Cambridge. Um, the override, as we know, failed. the people of the town have spoken. I'm surprised that only 24% of the town turned out for such an important election, but I guess these are the times that we're facing. I don't

81
00:23:30.320 --> 00:23:46.960
know. Um, but I was also surprised if you do the math a little bit that a thousand roughly about a thousand students from Templeton attend the regional school. And if you basically say divide that by two for

82
00:23:46.960 --> 00:24:03.679
about 500 kids per family uh 500 kids for for uh for two kids per family. So that would equate to 1.7 parents given that there's single you

83
00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:19.279
know um parenting homes. So that would ballpark generally not non-scientific to about 850 parents that' be eligible to come to the school and vote for a proposition

84
00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:35.279
uh for the overrides and only 400 for the town voted for that. So it's non-scientific and just food for thought. Throw that out there. Um, in terms of the school committee has immense powers over the town in terms of

85
00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:52.880
the school budget. The town is powerless in terms of what your what your budgets are. So that was very shocking to me. So of course as a citizen of Templeton, I ask that you be reasonable about it and let me know when I'm coming up short.

86
00:24:52.880 --> 00:25:10.960
Um, so again, when we go back to fiscal year, and I know the school process budget is is extremely complex, but if we just sum it down, keep it simple, what the budget was last year, what the

87
00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:31.440
budget is this year, bottom line ended. Um, that's all we could ask. So, from what I could see, fiscal year 2026, $8,787,000 was the budget. And then fiscal year 27 is 9,900

88
00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:48.320
$6,981. So, for about a $1.1 million increase over 26 for about a 12.74% increase. >> Yeah, you're in time. >> Okay. >> Okay. Could I have 30 seconds more?

89
00:25:48.320 --> 00:26:05.440
>> Anyone check to that? >> So, let me do this first. Let me evaluate whether or not there are additional folks looking to speak this evening first. It is at the discretion of the chair to allow for additional time. Um, but is there anyone else from the public looking to speak this evening? Because I would want to give you a chance first before I give an

90
00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:20.480
additional 30 seconds and I will absolutely have that set of time. >> Yeah, Mr. 12. I can't I can't see your Are you looking to speak this evening? Okay, >> I am mine. >> All right. Um, seeing as no one else is looking to speak, I'm happy to add an

91
00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:36.559
additional 30 seconds to the clock. >> Okay. So, essentially, if if we ask for a 5% increase to the budget versus the 12.5% that be $39,000. And at the end of the day, we need to

92
00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:53.360
stick to the budget. There's no money. There's nothing else left for the town. There's nothing left where there are firefighters, policemen, libraries, senior center. I think we could we could um work

93
00:26:53.360 --> 00:27:12.559
together to accommodate everybody and still be on time and budget. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um so we do actually have budget updates next. So I will talk a little bit about um the letter that Dr. has got sent out. But first, do we have

94
00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:29.360
anything wrong with FY26? I'm thinking no. I know um Amory is um still out. Um so we will move past that. And so for FY27 um so I'll I'll share I'll share what I have been sharing for those folks who have reached out to talk to me

95
00:27:29.360 --> 00:27:46.159
because the the budget process is um complex to say the least for regional school district. Um so essentially um essentially the school committee um is has representation from both towns and

96
00:27:46.159 --> 00:28:03.520
has to pass a budget by a 2/3 vote um certify a budget by March 30th of every year. Um we then uh you know we then had an additional meeting on March 7th and certified a budget that was cut by $1.3

97
00:28:03.520 --> 00:28:20.720
million. Now, on May 6th, which is the day before that date, Philipson had a meeting where the motion was made on the floor to um give to approve a school budget that was a 2.5% increase over FY26.

98
00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:35.760
That did pass at Philipsson Town meeting. So then on May 7th, the school committee had a meeting and it certified a new budget amount that cut $1.3 million from the level service budget that had been approved on I'm going to say in March um just so I can't remember

99
00:28:35.760 --> 00:28:51.360
the days. Then at Templeton Town meeting, um there was a motion made on the floor for um what's called a level funded budget, which is where the FY26 budget would be the same as the FY27 budget. And that

100
00:28:51.360 --> 00:29:09.440
budget ultimately failed um by qu by a significant margin. Um that then returned us to the original motion which was for the budget that the school committee had certified on May 7th um which represented the $1.3 million increase. Um and so that is right now

101
00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:26.559
the situation we have is that the school committee has certified a budget um le that is the service less $1.3 million. The town of Templeton voters have ser have further voted for a school budget

102
00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:43.279
that is um level service less $1.3 million and Philipston has voted a budget that is only a 2.5% increase. So since we have two different budget scenarios at play um that triggers a couple of things. One is that because

103
00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:59.919
the school committee certified a lower budget, Philipsson now has the right to hold an additional town meeting um to decide whether or not to have a special vote about the newly certified school committee budget. So um so they have 45

104
00:29:59.919 --> 00:30:15.679
days, if I remember correctly, to determine whether or not to have that meeting and then to hold that meeting or to schedule that meeting, I should say. um that we have sent a letter to Philipston. I'm I I was not copied on any response. I'm assuming there has not

105
00:30:15.679 --> 00:30:31.360
been a response at this. They don't they uh their select board meets every other Wednesday. >> Okay. So, we're expecting up there week. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Um so, we may receive a response for them before the next meeting. Um and

106
00:30:31.360 --> 00:30:49.039
so they they could either hold that meeting and vote on that budget. Um if they vote on that, if they have a vote on that budget and they vote yes, then that closes out the budget situation for FY27 and we have a final budget. If they

107
00:30:49.039 --> 00:31:05.200
have a town meeting and they vote either another budget amount or no, I guess um another budget amount, um then that would then trigger a district-wide meeting. Um and then we would have a meeting within the district that

108
00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:21.039
includes both residents of Templeton and residents of Philipston and there would be a another vote on the school budget. Um so of that of that those collective town members. The other scenario is that Philipsson could decide to take no

109
00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:37.279
action within that 45day period which would also trig trigger that districtwide meeting. And so right now, um, those are the scenarios that are in front of us and those are the scenarios that are being considered. And so, um, we're in a little bit of a waiting

110
00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:53.039
period right now while we wait to hear back from Fullston one way or another. Um, if we don't hear from them, we will wait out the 45 days. Um, and the district-wide meeting will be scheduled to date and then everyone would recollect. And yes, as part of that, it

111
00:31:53.039 --> 00:32:08.640
would we would certainly be discussing um not only the school budget and what would or wouldn't be funded under that scenario, but then it would be responsibility of those voters to understand the residual impact of that

112
00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:24.320
budget. Um and certainly we talk about that at this table all the time. So is there anything that any of my fellow school committee members should add around the budget? Um that's where we are in this moment. Um and that is the

113
00:32:24.320 --> 00:32:40.320
reason why Dr. Cassand did reach out to the gardener news because they had indicated um incorrectly how a regional school budget works um which added to a lot of confusion and there's a there is an abundance of confusion right now out

114
00:32:40.320 --> 00:32:55.679
there and so you want to make sure that accurate information is getting um to voters to understand what happens next. Madam Chair, I'll just echo that and I and I have to say that between

115
00:32:55.679 --> 00:33:12.480
um the town of Tston, the town administrator and just I you know the school committee, we've we put a lot of information >> a lot and again I'm not suggesting that everyone should go on Facebook, should be on Facebook, but if if Facebook is

116
00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:29.840
the kind of the place you you you gain some information, there was a lot of information pushed out there and I'm talking about legitimate information like like this is what this is for. This is what this is for. This is what this is for. I don't know what the disconnect was quite frankly. Um we u I will I

117
00:33:29.840 --> 00:33:45.840
shared um I think with you Madam Chair that I had um a couple of area superintendents tell me that after the meeting that they saw a spike in school choice out or from our our our kids school choicing out in order to I guess

118
00:33:45.840 --> 00:34:02.159
you know kind of >> town meeting or or the >> no actually the election sorry I'm sorry the election and because folks thought that the overrides were tied to the budget like intimately it was a very confusing time for many. I don't know why that I I don't know.

119
00:34:02.159 --> 00:34:18.879
>> I think it's difficult to follow. >> It's difficult to follow. I I will say that that's why the letter went out, you know, my level went out which was far longer than I generally write. >> So that's the kind of feedback that we that we received. um we do point them back to the either to either website or

120
00:34:18.879 --> 00:34:34.480
to whatever documents um that was out there and we we point them to some of the Facebook posts of like this is what this override was for, this is what this override for, this is what this was for. So it always it just stands um as another example of just putting out I

121
00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:49.919
guess more information, clearer information. Uh you know I you know we're not quite sure um what the answer is all the time. I I would say and I don't speak for you know town administrator town but I

122
00:34:49.919 --> 00:35:04.800
think some folks were confused >> nothing I don't think I know because just given the information they thought so so >> and just to add a little color to that just for clarity for folks who were sitting in the audience tonight uh so so

123
00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:21.280
essentially um what the gardener news had put forth was that we were going to be operating under a level funded budget if I had the numbers correct. Um, and under that scenario, we had already communicated that um, due to the

124
00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:37.839
tremendous number of cuts that we would need to make that that would impact our ability to continue to support athletics and extracurricular activities. And so our budget for um athletics and extracurricular activities along with many other things, additional staffing

125
00:35:37.839 --> 00:35:53.839
positions, um addition, you know, the MVP program, the Thrive program, um that all of those would have to additionally be cut in order to meet that budget amount. And so that is what triggered the school choice out. Um because I've heard from multiple

126
00:35:53.839 --> 00:36:11.040
parents that if Narro Gansit is unable to fund uh if Narans is unable to fund extracurriculars both athletics and uh extended extracurriculars um for FY27 that they will be school choicing their children out of this district. The

127
00:36:11.040 --> 00:36:25.920
reason that that is a problem is because we pay money to send kids to students to schools outside of our district. Um just like we receive money in if if kids school choice in, we have to pay money

128
00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:40.720
if they school choice out. And so that would take an already tenuous budget situation and make it even more dire and might require even more cuts that we cannot yet anticipate in order to pay for those students who are school

129
00:36:40.720 --> 00:36:57.359
choicing out. And so that is absolutely something that goes into our decision-making about what budget we are certifying as a school committee because of those extended financial situations that become very difficult to predict. And let me tell you there are schools

130
00:36:57.359 --> 00:37:14.000
around us who are actively advertising um to be a school choice destination um like having open houses to try to attract students to school choice into them. So there is no lack of other school districts that are willing to

131
00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:31.839
take um students in a school choice situation. They would happily take those additional funds into their schools. Uh so so thank you for adding that because I think that is information that um in in the list of complexities of school

132
00:37:31.839 --> 00:37:48.320
district budgeting or school budgeting in general but then especially for regional school districts that's information that is another nuance that is hard to get out. Um so um moving on to anything else for FY27

133
00:37:48.320 --> 00:38:05.760
budget. No, for the north. >> Okay. >> So, um, Amry is not here this evening. I do see some attachments on the business manager's report. Is she hoping um you're going to go through this in herstead or do you want to just suspect that until

134
00:38:05.760 --> 00:38:21.760
>> Yeah, she said that pretty much >> it's pretty much in there. We want to go through it. All right. Um so for um knowledge of folks sitting at this table um so what I'd suggest is um >> go through I'm just going to remind I

135
00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:37.280
forgot just to put this reminder out at the beginning our camera does pick up everyone's conversations um and it will be on YouTube um so just an FYI um so so the items in here if you go through them and if there are any questions for Annie

136
00:38:37.280 --> 00:38:54.640
um we can certainly you can certainly follow up at the in between um when she's back online. Um or conversely, we can suspend those questions for our next meeting. Okay. >> Okay. Speaking of school choice, we have some additional um discussion around

137
00:38:54.640 --> 00:39:11.040
school choice for next year. Um so, just to remind everyone um every year around this time, we take a look at what potential um openings we have for school choice for students to school choice into the district. Um this is just part

138
00:39:11.040 --> 00:39:28.880
of our yearly process. Um and so what Dr. C does is he speaks with um the administration um to determine where might we have spaces for this. Yes, of course. Depending how those go with the budget, we may see

139
00:39:28.880 --> 00:39:44.480
a decrease potentially if people want to school choice in but it is something we always look at. Sean? >> Yeah. Um I may ask a school choice question at this point time. Yeah. Um what if if we choose not to school choice what are the impacts on mine tech students and

140
00:39:44.480 --> 00:40:00.320
um we'll say the analog school student that was a questions on this >> so those are disconnected topics so if a student if a student is accepted to a regional school district that is not considered school choice >> okay so they apply to get to those

141
00:40:00.320 --> 00:40:17.599
>> vocations sorry vocational say that um who says regional but it's regional vote yeah regional vote So if votes apply to a regional vote school um then that is an application to an external school and that is regulated under chapter 74

142
00:40:17.599 --> 00:40:34.880
um and so is is separate altogether. So for example Templeton and Philipston approved budgets distinctly for that vocational school that reserves a certain number of seats for Templeton and Philipston residents. Um, as a quick reminder of the situation with the Nova

143
00:40:34.880 --> 00:40:50.160
student, that is not something that is regulated by the school district. That is a statement that I saw on Facebook within the past week is that that's under the school district. It is not. That is a completely separate situation. Um, that is also regulated by chapter

144
00:40:50.160 --> 00:41:07.920
74, which is that if the local regional um vocational Thank you. vocational school does not offer the program that the student wants that that student then has the right to apply to regional districts, regional vocational schools,

145
00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:24.720
my goodness, regional vocational schools that do offer the program that they're seeking and then should they be accepted into that program, it is then the obligation of the town to pay for that student to attend. And so that is why that has been on the ballot. And just as

146
00:41:24.720 --> 00:41:40.240
a reminder to everyone, that student is now a senior and so that is the last time that that will be on the ballot um for Templeton for this specific student. Could this happen in the future? Yes. I think looking back in the archives, we only found one other historical

147
00:41:40.240 --> 00:41:56.240
situation where this had this law had been put into it >> to the same school >> to the same school. >> To the same to the It just happened to be to the same >> um Yeah. same school. That's perfect. I appreciate that answer is people ask

148
00:41:56.240 --> 00:42:11.680
school choice impact that and I said leave it as an implication process but it's certainly worth the exercise to have the conversation. >> One of the ideas not ideas but one of the ways that we tried to explain it is that if you go to the town meeting it's a you know Monty Tech is a separate

149
00:42:11.680 --> 00:42:27.440
warrant. So um meaning that it's an appropriation to Templeton is part of the you know the net that uh money tech offers right services. So so it's a whole other

150
00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:44.000
appropriation. So you yeah it gets confusing because when people go to different schools they they just seem to think that it's just automatically school choice when it comes to vocationals. It's not. And I also just want to add that um truly the agricultural you know aspect

151
00:42:44.000 --> 00:43:00.319
of it is is where we see this coming because Monty Tech offers everything and anything that any other uh I'll say traditional vocational school if there's a better word for that I apologize. It's when it's the agricultural piece is what Monty Tech

152
00:43:00.319 --> 00:43:16.720
doesn't offer at all. And so this is where it gets into that um into this type of situation. And so if somebody were to come and say look I want to be an electrician but I don't want to go to Monty Tech I want to go to name a vocational school they don't have the right to do that because Monty Tech

153
00:43:16.720 --> 00:43:33.920
offers it. It's like as you said about a chair that they don't. So it it boils down to the college department. >> Yes. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. >> So looking at school choice in for um FY27. >> So uh thank you madam chair. So it's

154
00:43:33.920 --> 00:43:50.400
obviously this is a this is a year in which it's on on many levels almost honestly never you know budget aside um you know it's one of those situations where it's a it's kind of a you know going to thread the needle. So as I've

155
00:43:50.400 --> 00:44:05.200
said on many occasions um close to a decade ago if not more uh x amount of teacher salaries were put into school choice. Okay. For and so they've

156
00:44:05.200 --> 00:44:22.560
they've lived there for well for a decade or so. So they are being paid out of the school choice revolve account. So we have we we've always um had an excellent ratio school choice in to school choice out. I go back I hearken

157
00:44:22.560 --> 00:44:38.960
back to the days we had 250 school choice kids in and 90 school choice kids out. I mean back in those back ways that is of course not the case any longer um we're almost break even. So we we we traditionally try to find a space to

158
00:44:38.960 --> 00:44:56.079
which we are at least replacing the number of school choice students who are graduating. Right? So the class of 2027 2026 going fast forward is 18. There are 18 school

159
00:44:56.079 --> 00:45:12.800
choice students who are seniors right now who are going to graduate and off they go. So, we're trying to find, you know, the opportunity to quote unquote replace those because we we have to keep that that that ratio, right, of the balance, at least the positive balance

160
00:45:12.800 --> 00:45:29.359
from out uh to in to out um as positive as we can. So, going back to the budget, obviously, what we've had to look at is okay. the elementary school is is not something that um that I'm willing at

161
00:45:29.359 --> 00:45:45.680
this point to even discuss just given that if the budget should not pass that five or a total of a total of six elementary teachers would be would would be cut and those numbers would be high just in general. So without any kids

162
00:45:45.680 --> 00:46:00.400
being added class size would be around 26 20 27 depend. So what we did is uh we looked ahead and so what I know is that so when I say this um and thank you for keeping me on

163
00:46:00.400 --> 00:46:17.359
keeping me on track because I will often forget to say the word rising as as we know that I you know if I talk about the fifth grade I'm talking about the rising fifth grade the rising sixth grade not the current because we're looking we're looking ahead.

164
00:46:17.359 --> 00:46:34.160
If I fall, I'm sure someone will um get me back on track. So, the rising fifth grade, the rising fifth grade uh currently has 104 total students in it. Um and we look at what the middle school

165
00:46:34.160 --> 00:46:48.720
numbers are now, right? In the middle school, there are around about 115 and one is closer is over 120. So we would um I recommend that we add eight school choice students to the rising

166
00:46:48.720 --> 00:47:05.359
which is the class of uh the class of 2034. So the rising fifth grade in the class of 2034 add eight to that I as again I just said that there is approximately

167
00:47:05.359 --> 00:47:20.800
when I say approximately it changes sometimes daily but there's 104 students right um the rising sixth grade which is the class of 2033 um recommend or I recommend that we add

168
00:47:20.800 --> 00:47:37.440
eight to that group to that class and tradition Traditionally, what we always do is we look at the rising ninth grade um because inevitably what happens is that well at least 20 or so kids go

169
00:47:37.440 --> 00:47:54.079
to Monty Tech if nothing else, right? So we know that we're going to lose 20 21 kids to Monty Tech. Um and what we try to do at that point is not not student for student but certainly that gives us an opportunity um to uh add school

170
00:47:54.079 --> 00:48:14.000
choice students there seats there and I would recommend at that point uh tw 10 10 to the rising ninth grade which is the class of 23rd caveat that if if in fact oh

171
00:48:14.560 --> 00:48:29.680
The other variable of course is the apartments. Um, we don't talk about it much because I don't want to make that a political football and I it's it is what it is and we don't know exactly we're not going to sit there and you know and make up numbers of what who what the uh

172
00:48:29.680 --> 00:48:45.599
population of humans that will be there. Um but that is something on our you know in our mind and so we we have to balance that and so regardless u of where you know or how many students there we

173
00:48:45.599 --> 00:49:00.960
feel comfortable that we would be able to absorb them um at any grade level. Of course, the if the budget doesn't pass, it creates a it creates a a different or dynamic at the elementary because it'll already be at pretty high class, you

174
00:49:00.960 --> 00:49:17.200
know, student per teacher levels. But, um, that's why, you know, it's it's it's prudent not to even um even consider that right now. And if the committee would want uh to take that up, I wouldn't recommend it unless you know

175
00:49:17.200 --> 00:49:34.000
the budget passes and those uh those teachers are those positions are back and then we can talk about what the class sizes are at that point in time. just to kind of give I always generally give this somebody usually always asks um that the current number of school

176
00:49:34.000 --> 00:49:50.319
choice students in the elementary um that's like classically school choice students uh there are only 10 there only 10 school choice students um out of a total of as of May uh 559

177
00:49:50.319 --> 00:50:09.760
549 so so Um, so there >> questions. Now you might say, well that's more than 18. 10 + 8 + 8 that's more than 18. what

178
00:50:09.760 --> 00:50:26.960
we know um especially in the ninth grade and and other grades, we already have kids who have already committed to private schools uh to some students are school choice here now and we know that they're going to go back to their I'll call them their home schools, right? They're where they live. We know this

179
00:50:26.960 --> 00:50:40.640
they they don't show up on the school choice reports because um you know they'll they'll disappear they'll disappear off our school choice in um records but we know that those those kids have already notified or talked

180
00:50:40.640 --> 00:51:00.559
about their parents have told us what >> so just you know to repeat what Dr. passive said um we we focus in because we do have quite a few things that are still funded by school choice and so we want to make sure that that is is funding that we preserve. Um, it's

181
00:51:00.559 --> 00:51:16.319
always something we're looking to eliminate to, you know, move it so that it's not, uh, I'm going to say ongoing items, but rather one-time items that get funded out of that. But, um, it's a long-standing process, and our big achievement was moving insurance out of

182
00:51:16.319 --> 00:51:33.599
school choice. Um, but, you know, we it's it's continuing to be a financial process to leg to move things into the drone fund, and this was certainly not the year for them. Um, so I'll put a motion on the floor and if there are is there any remaining discussion then we can have it at that

183
00:51:33.599 --> 00:51:49.760
time. So, I would entertain a motion to um to approve school choice openings as recommended by the superintendent,

184
00:51:49.760 --> 00:52:07.440
including eight for rising grade 5, eight for rising grade six, and 10 for rising grade 9. >> Motion by Sean, second by Heather. on clarity that is for the 2026 to 2027

185
00:52:07.440 --> 00:52:31.119
school year. Any questions or comments? Seeing none. All in favor? I >> opposed abstained and I say yes. So that is unan um mostly for our newest member. Um so the rest of us um have some awareness

186
00:52:31.119 --> 00:52:46.640
and exposure to this. Um but Elizabeth we do that during June um every year we do an evaluation of um um this year will be the formative assessment. Am I remembering that

187
00:52:46.640 --> 00:53:02.559
correctly? Formative because we did a summitative last year. Okay. So this will be the formative assessment which is I'm going to say the two-year check-in um one-year check-in. Thank you. Sorry. the one-year check-in um and then it's the summitative for the

188
00:53:02.559 --> 00:53:18.480
two-year and that aligns closely to the goals that are set by the district. Um and so it is a public process um and so what I typically do is put together um so Molly and Dr. Hassan put together

189
00:53:18.480 --> 00:53:35.200
uh materials for school committee members to review that showcase the exact work that's been done against each of those goals. It is up to the school committee to review those materials and give feedback as to how um sufficiently

190
00:53:35.200 --> 00:53:51.920
Dr. Cavan has delivered against each of those goals. In the formative space, it's recognized that um those those goals have not been fully realized yet. There's additional work to be done. So, just keep that in mind. Um we do include a space for new committee members to um

191
00:53:51.920 --> 00:54:08.559
say basically too new to respond. understanding that um you are drinking from a fire hose when you first get onto this committee and there is a lot to learn. Um and so several of some of our school committee members, new schooly members choose to just not add comments

192
00:54:08.559 --> 00:54:23.440
at this time, then we do encourage them to review the material because it helps get up to speed on a lot of activities here at the district. Um other times they choose to respond. I accommodate both. Um we then go through that in public. I do share all of the feedback

193
00:54:23.440 --> 00:54:40.800
publicly um because that is part of what we are expected to do and then there's a conversation with Dr. C. So just to give you that back I mean for those of you who have also been through the process would you add anything to what I have stated? Okay. Um so we can expect um that that will go

194
00:54:40.800 --> 00:54:56.160
that we will use our two meetings in June to go through that. All right. I get to stop speaking for a while. Um, so I will hand it over to uh Molly. Um, am I assuming you're doing portrait of a warrior? >> Yes.

195
00:54:56.160 --> 00:55:13.200
>> Right. >> Um, I actually are we on we're on the >> You can So, so just to be clear, under curriculum instruction, the agenda items are portrait of a warrior, early college pathways partnership review, um, an updated program of studies, and

196
00:55:13.200 --> 00:55:27.920
integrated monitoring review. if there is a border that works better for you. Um, I don't think anyone at this table would mind if you move things around to what is most convenient. >> Okay. >> Well, as much as you know I love data, I also love good slides. So, I have slides

197
00:55:27.920 --> 00:55:44.400
to keep me on track tonight. Um, to start off with, um, I just want to share some context on what portrait really it's portrait of a learner or portrait of a graduate. Um, but of course, we put our spin on it here at Gancet and we are rebranding it as portrait of a warrior.

198
00:55:44.400 --> 00:56:01.760
Um but essentially this is a process uh in which a district will go through usually a high school but we wanted it to be more collaborative and collective of our entire district. So we did it districtwide. Um but it's typically a process that that districts will go through to develop a collaborative

199
00:56:01.760 --> 00:56:19.119
vision of of what student success looks like beyond high school. Um and so it usually includes um transferable skills, attributes um and dispositions that we want all students who graduate from NARGNet to possess and take with them as they move on um through college career

200
00:56:19.119 --> 00:56:33.440
um or whatever their pathway looks like when they leave us. Additionally, it's a requirement through NEAS to earn a NEAS accreditation for your high school. And so we have been this year going through our accreditation process and one of our

201
00:56:33.440 --> 00:56:48.880
findings um that we knew was coming was that we don't currently have a portrait of a learner or graduate. Um and so one of our action steps has been to develop that which you see represented also in our strategic plan and one of Dr. Casm's

202
00:56:48.880 --> 00:57:04.000
and my uh goals for this year as well. Um so interestingly this process has been around for a long time. This year, um, Governor Healey's, uh, K12 graduation council also took

203
00:57:04.000 --> 00:57:20.160
this work on and developed, um, a vision of a Massachusetts graduate at the state level. So, we had a lot of questions about that. Basically, you know, can schools adopt this now? Um, does this supersede a school district creating a portrait of learner, portrait of

204
00:57:20.160 --> 00:57:36.559
graduate? And the responses we got from Nias specifically were, "Nope, you still need to complete your own, but please connect and tie it to this newly developed, um, vision of Massachusetts graduate." So, we did just that. Um, and so the work that we did, uh, the process

205
00:57:36.559 --> 00:57:52.559
we followed, we started in November, um, and we just finalized our portrait of a war group, um, about gosh, two weeks ago maybe. Um and so it started in November with a representative team kind of researching different processes that

206
00:57:52.559 --> 00:58:08.640
districts have followed both in the Commonwealth and in other states to go through um and engage stakeholders in the process. We u looked at sample surveys that other districts had sent out. Um and in December we developed um with our administrative team and our representative teacher leader team

207
00:58:08.640 --> 00:58:25.119
developed a survey um that we then sent out to the community. In January, we surveyed stakeholders. Um that included students, families, community members, um higher ed partners that partner with us through our early college program as

208
00:58:25.119 --> 00:58:40.880
well as industry partners who work with us through our internship program because we wanted those voices represented as they often connect our students to internship placements or um otherwise. And so we gave that survey in March. We analyzed the data. We really kind of were looking for what were the

209
00:58:40.880 --> 00:58:57.520
patterns and trends that our larger community is rep is wanting um in this vision and then we drafted a portrait of a warrior. We sent that draft to all of our schools so that our full faculty could get eyes on that and do feedback on that. We did receive some feedback,

210
00:58:57.520 --> 00:59:13.280
made some um some small tweaks and adjustments and we just in uh earlier this month have finalized our portrait of warrior. So I'll present that to you tonight. Also, I wanted to say that we are not quite done in the process. We are planning um in early June to work

211
00:59:13.280 --> 00:59:28.400
with some of our student council members to make a promotional video to help roll this out with our students. Um and we will be using some of the um beginning of the year professional development time at the beginning of the year to roll this out with staff and help support them and then rolling this out

212
00:59:28.400 --> 00:59:43.599
with students as part of their um social emotional learning lessons on character development to kick off the school year across 12 grade levels. Um and so with that said, I want to just give you a quick um update on who responded and gave feedback on that survey. Um we

213
00:59:43.599 --> 01:00:00.480
received 170 responses from the community. of those responses, exactly half of them came from parents or guardians. Um, with, uh, the next, you know, most coming from students and staff members. Um, and then you can see, uh, community input. We had some higher

214
01:00:00.480 --> 01:00:17.760
ed partners as well as business industry partners, um, that provided feedback. They were asked specifically about the skilled attributes and dispositions that are listed here on the screen. In addition to that, they also had open response um uh opportunities to give

215
01:00:17.760 --> 01:00:35.359
additional feedback on things that were not represented necessarily on this list of which we found some interesting patterns of trends that have impacted um what we've developed. To give you just a quick quick highlight of the data, these were the top 10 um high scored

216
01:00:35.359 --> 01:00:50.559
competencies or attributes or dispositions coming out of that survey. And so our team um used that to really say, you know, how are we going to develop this vision? Um and excuse me for skipping around, but this should be attached to your agenda. Um but this is

217
01:00:50.559 --> 01:01:06.720
what our team has developed and has adopted as a portrait of a warrior. And so I this is a little small on my screen, but I'd like to just read you the opening statement. Um we believe that each narcans student is a warrior. A warrior leads with character by demonstrating respect, acting with

218
01:01:06.720 --> 01:01:22.799
responsibility, and making ethical choices that positively impact their community. Warrior learners embrace challenges with a growth mindset, applying critical thinking and perseverance to overcome obstacles and achieve meaningful growth.

219
01:01:22.799 --> 01:01:38.559
Warriors communicate with kindness, show compassion and empathy, demonstrate social and emotional awareness and expressing themselves clearly and confidently with purpose across diverse audiences. Preparing uh sorry, prepared and resilient, an arrogance at warrior is

220
01:01:38.559 --> 01:01:54.799
equipped by navigating the everchanging world with confidence, purpose, and integrity. And you can see our three big essentially, you know, buckets here that we'll be focusing on with our students are leading with character, embracing challenges, and communicating with

221
01:01:54.799 --> 01:02:11.200
kindness. And you'll see underneath those there's some more specific um indicators of what that looks like in practice successfully with for students and I should say staff, our whole community. Uh and so we will be we will be focusing on that with our staff to support them in rolling this out with

222
01:02:11.200 --> 01:02:32.640
our students for next year. And we will be checking that box for RDS accreditation on top. Uh so I do want to just give space for any any questions or feed. >> Do you want to speak? You have you have that smile that you get on your face.

223
01:02:32.640 --> 01:02:48.000
>> No, I I think this is this is I mean it's got to be meable because it's got to go to me ask, right? I that is the whole idea, right? And so I just sit here and I ask myself questions like how do you measure persistence and you know just things of things things of that

224
01:02:48.000 --> 01:03:03.200
nature. So this is this is great. I'm excited to see what the five-year turn. >> We've actually had convers we started some conversations around that with our teacher leaders. But one of the things we talked about doing to help develop the roll out is thinking about when we are introducing this, how do we create

225
01:03:03.200 --> 01:03:19.760
this in the term of a learning target with measurable success criteria so that students know what actions are associated with these um dispositions. So, I appreciate that you brought that up uh because we have started that conversation with with our teacher leader team to say, you know, how do we make this more tangible for students as

226
01:03:19.760 --> 01:03:38.400
well. >> Excellent. Thank you. >> I do want to give a shout out for the graphics. Um our high school principal, Kobe Young, worked his magic on the graphics. So, I I need to give credit where credit's due because you if you look at that, you'll know I had nothing to do. >> It's not

227
01:03:38.400 --> 01:03:57.200
strong. Well, thank you to for making it beautiful and thank you to the whole team from looking forward to hearing about this. Thank you for your time. >> Excellent. Um, next up the our Lily College program um is is approaching its

228
01:03:57.200 --> 01:04:13.039
pathway partnership review. And so what is this exactly? um when we receive a designation from from DESIE from the state to have an early college program that designation is good for 5 years. We are approaching the end of that 5-year

229
01:04:13.039 --> 01:04:30.880
cycle where we will need to apply for new designation. So it doesn't mean our early college program is going away. It means we have to go through a process to assess what's working and what we might need to tweak to heat the designation and apply for designation um for another 5year cycle. And so as part of that

230
01:04:30.880 --> 01:04:47.599
process, DESIE contracts with an outside agency called American Institute for Research or AIRIR. They also use them for um when schools are under school improvement plans. That same company does audits with schools for that. So they're involved with Desi for a couple of things. Um and so basically it's a

231
01:04:47.599 --> 01:05:03.920
team that comes in and they assess your early college program and your partnership with your higher ed partners. For us, it's partners because we work with two colleges, universities. Um and so there are five guided principles which you'll see here on the board. Equitable access um guided

232
01:05:03.920 --> 01:05:19.440
academic pathways, enhanced student supports, connection to career and effective partnerships with some indicators uh sprinkled underneath each of those. So they come in, they spend um a full day on our campus. They interview and meet with students who are enrolled

233
01:05:19.440 --> 01:05:35.839
in our early college program. They talk to um parents or guardians of students in our program. They talk to teaching staff. They talk to administrators. they meet and talk with our higher ed partners um and they really are trying to assess these uh these five indicators or areas um and they also come in and

234
01:05:35.839 --> 01:05:51.839
observe some of our early college classes both here and on campus. So to give you a little bit of context about our program uh we currently serving 45 students in our early college program. We have two higher ed partners. They are Fitsburg State Mount Wus. Um we are

235
01:05:51.839 --> 01:06:08.079
offering at this moment um eight courses for early college for a total of 24 credits and those courses are offered through three pathways. They're liberal arts um information technology build business and finance. We do have anou with our teachers union that we will not

236
01:06:08.079 --> 01:06:24.160
offer any courses through early college that would compete with courses we currently offer through our program of studies to avoid any conflict where students are going to be taking college classes in lie of a course with teachers here essentially. Um currently the instructors are all employed by um the

237
01:06:24.160 --> 01:06:41.039
college the two colleges our higher ed partners and we are now providing classes for students here on site in the ka as well as a few courses that um some of our students have the option to take on the college campus and they happen during the school day. Um this is very much a summary of a lengthy report that

238
01:06:41.039 --> 01:06:58.319
we received from our review. Um but essentially what you'll see here is that we are marked green or establishing in four of the five indicators. So we are we are meeting the expectation for the majority of our early college program. Where we have a little bit of work to do

239
01:06:58.319 --> 01:07:14.079
where we're developing is in equitable access. And so while I while I would prefer to just talk about all the great things happening I want to tell you why we are developing in that area. One of the things they look at, one of the indicators for equitable access is looking at the demographic data for the

240
01:07:14.079 --> 01:07:30.319
students who are enrolled in early college in comparison to our district's overall demographic data. And we have a gap in two areas that they've highlighted. One, you can see right here, lowinccome. We do not have the same representation of the percent of low-income students enrolled in early

241
01:07:30.319 --> 01:07:47.520
college as we have as a district. and also students with disabilities. We have a lower population of uh percent of students enrolled in early college that doesn't necessarily match with our representative population. What's interesting is our program was designed with two main goals in mind. One being

242
01:07:47.520 --> 01:08:03.359
support firsttime collegegoers. The second was supporting students with disabilities. So, we recognize that we do have a gap there and we are working through our um enrollment processes and through our outreach to students and families to try to target those

243
01:08:03.359 --> 01:08:17.520
populations a little bit more intentionally. The other piece of feedback we received which is not something we have direct control over is we received feedback under this area that there some parents and students reported that the application process

244
01:08:17.520 --> 01:08:34.239
was challenging because depending on if they're taking courses with Pittsburgh State or Mount Wuset the applications are different because they each have their individualized applications to enroll students. And so, uh, we've given that feedback to our our higher ed partners and we're seeing if there's,

245
01:08:34.239 --> 01:08:53.480
uh, some ways we can align their application process, but those are applications that are separate from the school district. Um, so it just caused a little bit of confusion because they were organized differently or asking for slightly different information. Any questions about our

246
01:08:54.560 --> 01:09:10.799
>> No, I just want to say that I I appreciate that, you know, we celebrate things that are our big achievements here like our our teacher um but that we also sit down and talk about, you know, hey, where are some areas that we need to improve and what is it that we need to be working on so that we are focusing

247
01:09:10.799 --> 01:09:25.920
our time and attention to create those equitable opportunities. I see you had a question as well. Yeah, this data is based on second two years 11 and 12 or >> um this is the say that again. >> So I'm trying to figure out is this just

248
01:09:25.920 --> 01:09:42.319
data based on the senior year of high school or >> No, uh this is our junior and senior population because we serve juniors and seniors in the program. Yeah, thank you for asking that. >> Um and I I would add too that um we will be using the feedback to support our applicants. So next year we'll be

249
01:09:42.319 --> 01:09:58.960
needing to apply for a new designation for the early college program because we received the design designation in February of 2025. So there'll be a team of folks here that will be working on uh that application process with our higher end partners. They've been incredibly supportive of our of our work to apply

250
01:09:58.960 --> 01:10:14.159
and to reapply. So looking forward to that. Um in addition to that, I feel like this is reviewheavy, but this is just an FYI. Um so every 6 years caveat every 3 years

251
01:10:14.159 --> 01:10:31.120
really um DESIE goes through a monitoring process for all public school districts to um monitor your integrated systems. Um and so what's now called the integrated monitoring review or IMR process, our district is approaching

252
01:10:31.120 --> 01:10:46.239
that next year. And so what that means is it means that the district has to collect and submit a variety of information related to civil rights and special education. Um and we have to show what our policies or practices or

253
01:10:46.239 --> 01:11:04.320
um um documentation is in relation to a set series of criteria for each of those. Um and so the civil rights indicators we are submitting by the end of May this year. So I I'm leading that work this year. um and we are on track to get that submitted. We are collecting

254
01:11:04.320 --> 01:11:20.320
information about student time on learning and handing what's in our handbook and our athletic policies um on our facilities uh things like that. Next year they will be on site to review our special education program. So, we will be submitting indicator information

255
01:11:20.320 --> 01:11:36.320
related to special education practices and policies as well as student records. And then they come on site, they review student records here um and they follow up on anything they have questions about with what we submit. And then the outcome of that is they give us a report on whether or not we are meeting those

256
01:11:36.320 --> 01:11:51.760
indicators. And if we are not, we have to put an action plan in place to make sure we are in compliance for civil rights and special education indicators. So, I'm just giving the committee that information because we are mid-process right now for assessing and um and updating where we are in civil rights,

257
01:11:51.760 --> 01:12:07.440
but that would be, you know, coming up next school year. Any questions? >> Okay. Program of studies. >> Lastly, um in your packet, you have a revised program of studies document. Um I know the committee has already

258
01:12:07.440 --> 01:12:23.920
reviewed and approved our program of studies. And as I was presenting it last time, I realized in the moment that I forgot to add um some updated descriptions for new potential new courses for next year. So on page 39, what you'll see um is the addition of

259
01:12:23.920 --> 01:12:41.280
two course descriptions for plumbing courses. Um one would be for plumbing for grade 11 students. The second would be for plumbing for grade 12 students. Um, while we are still um unsure of whether or not our MVP program will

260
01:12:41.280 --> 01:12:57.360
continue in the same capacity and if we will be able to add plumbing next year, because of the advanced preparation it takes for us with schedules and enrollment of students and things like that, we would need this approved in order for us to move forward to plan as if we were going to be um offering

261
01:12:57.360 --> 01:13:14.400
plumbing next year. We are on track with the grant. We have completed our component of the grant and Desi will be on site at Monty Tech next Friday to do the facilities tour and look at the physical space which is the last step um in the grant process to to earn the

262
01:13:14.400 --> 01:13:30.480
plumbing designation for MVP. >> And can you just remind us what that grant covers cuz I know that there's some things in MVP are covered by a grant, some things are not. Depends on which year you're in the program and so forth. >> So the grant right now is actually not a it's called a grant. Jesse calls it a

263
01:13:30.480 --> 01:13:47.760
grant, but it's not a grant that has any money tied to it. The grant is for a designation. The designation allows you to operate the program. If we receive the designation, we then become eligible to apply for what's called the implementation grant, which does have money attached to it. Um, and we we plan

264
01:13:47.760 --> 01:14:04.080
to write that if we receive the designation. That money would be used to help primarily to help fund the teaching position here that provides um academic instruction to students when they are on their their campus week here for academics um while the other cohort is

265
01:14:04.080 --> 01:14:20.159
at Monty Tech receiving the book tech um instruction. It'll also include funding to help support the implementation costs for Monty Tech to get teachers up and running because they're hiring new staff to get that program started as well. And there are there's a little bit of funding we believe that will be set

266
01:14:20.159 --> 01:14:36.960
aside for us to apply for to support um materials costs to help with that. So on the Monty Tech side, that's a lot of equipment, right, to get a plumbing program up and running. Um so they would be using some of that funding for equipment and we would be using some to support um you know academic materials

267
01:14:36.960 --> 01:14:54.000
here to support the the students. >> Madam Chair, just as a as a add-on um we received um um an email from the Department of Ed really kind of called us to a meeting yesterday in regards to

268
01:14:54.000 --> 01:15:10.719
where we stood with the MVP program. So we talked with Latoya um and who was our handler for this area in general for many things but the CTB but also Lisa Weinstein who is and so they wanted an update in terms of what

269
01:15:10.719 --> 01:15:28.000
was our status and we we simply just gave it to them as said well just as you explained the budget process we explained everywhere around and so they were they were a little bit dismayed because I think what it does is there um it it does affect fact whether or not

270
01:15:28.000 --> 01:15:46.080
the plumbing program in general I the sense I got looking to Molly but is that you know because you walk you walk in with I have 18 Garner has you know this Fitchburg has X and they look at this so they were you know you could tell that they were concerned they were going to

271
01:15:46.080 --> 01:16:01.600
as we were told going to report up which is really only the commissioner who will be here tomorrow um but to because he is this is one of is this is his project but he really is invested in

272
01:16:01.600 --> 01:16:18.000
diversifying just our you know becoming more of a colle collaborative in these areas. So it we had a conversation I want to make sure I was I was going to say in my superintendent report when I we got up to other things but um it was about an hour conversation. They understand they understand where we're

273
01:16:18.000 --> 01:16:35.520
at and that they'll hold they'll hold on until well they have to in order for us to um whether we're going to be part of >> so just to repeat that back to you is if am I hearing you correctly that if for any reason we have to cut MVP and can no

274
01:16:35.520 --> 01:16:50.159
longer participate funding that it actually places the larger program at risk. >> They they may go so far as to say that. But I don't want to they >> cuz I want to make sure >> because the application >> Yeah. >> we all had to obviously put in our application. So as as they figured out

275
01:16:50.159 --> 01:17:07.440
at the state level x amount of kids from it would have been in a plumbing program, right? Okay. >> So I I could what we gleaned from the conversation that it just kind of now >> it throws off >> it throws off their >> Yeah. >> What you know what the application process looks like, right?

276
01:17:07.440 --> 01:17:25.120
>> Yeah. So, um, no, I didn't get the sense that it would that it would absolutely tank it. Um, they just wanted to make sure that our seniors were going to be our rising seniors were going to be able to complete >> Yes. >> the, uh, the program. I think that truly was one fee of their important, you

277
01:17:25.120 --> 01:17:41.440
know, kind of questions to ask. So, but we did that yesterday. >> Okay. >> So, coming back to the program of studies, um, we'll put a motion on the floor and then we can discuss. I would entertain a motion to approve the updated 2026 to 2027 program of studies

278
01:17:41.440 --> 01:17:56.640
as written. >> Motion by Sean, second by Heather. Any questions or comments about those updates? Seeing none, all in favor? >> I oppose abstain. And I say yes. So that

279
01:17:56.640 --> 01:18:15.480
is unanimous. Thank you. All right. So we've concluded curriculum and instruction updates. And thank you because I know that these have kind of been piling up, but we've had a lot of big agenda items lately. So, appreciate um all of the updates. Um so, Dr. C, I would hand it over to you.

280
01:18:17.920 --> 01:18:33.760
>> Oh, I know your big one move to the front. >> Yeah. So, senior week is coming up. >> Yeah. So, we've we've got senior week all the everything's going to happen the next week um starting on Monday. So, we've um the the seniors had their last

281
01:18:33.760 --> 01:18:50.400
technically their last day of school was yesterday. Um and they are well they're they're gone today. They're gone for their other on their field trip. Um they left this morning. >> What time did they left early this morning or? >> Yeah, early this morning.

282
01:18:50.400 --> 01:19:04.800
>> I couldn't remember if it was early. So, they they're on their way. Um so, again, it's now they're just in the you know, the graduation. um >> they're in the festivities. >> Yeah. So, uh they're they're there and we're we're we're excited to um send

283
01:19:04.800 --> 01:19:22.719
them off in a week or or so. Um but yeah, so it's going to be very busy here. I think the other pieces that we have the commissioner of education coming tomorrow. Um he's coming uh with really two things in mind. Um, one, um,

284
01:19:22.719 --> 01:19:37.760
what I think drew him to central mass, quite frank, is that the regional association, Mars, um, was looking for a central place in order to have to, you know, to engage the super um, pardon the commissioner. Um, we are pretty central.

285
01:19:37.760 --> 01:19:53.360
Um so uh this is where the meeting will happen but the first say 45 55 minutes of the visit itself um will be just showing off neurogansit which is absolutely my most favorite thing to do and I'll be doing that tomorrow.

286
01:19:53.360 --> 01:20:11.679
There'll be classroom visits. They'll meet with of course dignitaries >> uh you know teachers um staff etc. It'll be very fairly quick, but the last part of the meeting, last part of the day, I should say, is really the Mars meeting.

287
01:20:11.679 --> 01:20:29.280
Um, former superintendent Steve Heman. Um, you know, you just can't shake that [ __ ] right? So, he's um he's actually know we're very we're very thankful for all the work that he does advocating for narcans always, no matter what capacity he's in. So, he really was the impetus

288
01:20:29.280 --> 01:20:45.440
um to getting everything to have big gear. Um he's only called 38 times four days, you know. So, no, we're very happy. Again, we're we're proud of that. He'll be in the area to see not only Naransit um but he's going to Fitsburg twice. He

289
01:20:45.440 --> 01:21:00.480
he's going to go to first um he starts at Fitsburg High. Um will come here and then he'll go back to look at the MVP program. Uh so he's kind of he'll zigzag back and forth and then he'll um head

290
01:21:00.480 --> 01:21:18.000
back back to Boston. So uh we're we're we're pretty psyched about it. We're um um again I don't think it's I don't know that the commissioner event has ever come out this area to this area. I don't know that. I I defer to you know to those who have been here longer than I but um it's a pretty big deal.

291
01:21:18.000 --> 01:21:33.280
>> Seriously they have >> everyone turning in a new uh high school. >> Oh okay. Okay. Yeah. Good. So, it'll be the second time. So, that's good. Right. So, we're we're pretty sites. Um

292
01:21:33.280 --> 01:21:49.920
again, I'm trying to think of Oh my gosh. The Memorial Day. Gosh, of all the things, right? So, most important thing is Memorial Day. So, when normally we have it all in one day. Usually, we have the elementary version, which is, you know, hundreds of people go out onto the athletic field and of course our kids

293
01:21:49.920 --> 01:22:05.840
come, you know, from the elementary. So um and then we have really I think it's I think it's a very memorable and beautiful ceremony in the high school gym for Milan High School. So the Milan High School um Memorial Day program will

294
01:22:05.840 --> 01:22:22.560
happen tomorrow traditionally as it does traditionally I should say. And then on Tuesday, the elementary will have their moment um there, you know, to uh as I described and folks, we're very candid with

295
01:22:22.560 --> 01:22:40.000
people. I this letter went out months ago, but why we did this is that we just did not want with all the folks who are coming here for all the different reasons. It's just um it's just too busy for our little area. the police have a difficult time

296
01:22:40.000 --> 01:22:54.719
enough for folks parking all over the place for the elementary. So figuring we split them up giving as much parking space as canly possible and so when I say we're excited we are we all understand what Memorial Day is for and

297
01:22:54.719 --> 01:23:10.800
and our kids absolutely Mr. to has been probably part of several more more sever of those um know that our kids absolutely do understand the difference. Um they understand the importance of Memorial Day. Um so it's one of the most

298
01:23:10.800 --> 01:23:27.600
proudest for as far as I'm concerned the proudest I am of this district when we do recognize both Veterans Day but especially Memorial Day because we do it absolutely incorrectly here. Um, so we yeah, we have a busy we have a busy, let's call it 10 days ahead of us with

299
01:23:27.600 --> 01:23:42.960
all kinds of different things. Thank you for >> Thank you. >> I know um my daughter is busy uh memorizing her poem. So I know your daughter is doing the

300
01:23:42.960 --> 01:23:59.840
same. There will be our daughters are in the same class. All right. Um, so there there's no surplus items succeeding, so we will pass over that. I do not have any items not reasonably anticipated.

301
01:23:59.840 --> 01:24:18.719
Um, subcommittee reports. I don't think we have anything there, so I'm going to pass over those. We have no correspondence. Our next meeting will be Thursday, June 4th at 5:30 p.m. And um I

302
01:24:18.719 --> 01:24:35.600
had seen a letter from the lawyer. Do we need um our executive session or are we is it was it just >> Yes. Um no, I we don't we don't at this point. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Um we anticipated maybe needing it, so we left it on. Um

303
01:24:35.600 --> 01:25:00.639
and so I would entertain motion to move. Second motion >> by Sean, second by Hank. All in favor? >> I say yes. So that was unanimous. Your meeting. Thank you so much everyone. >> I'm back. I'm back to my monthly days.