Good evening everyone. Calling the August 19th Norfol School Committee meeting to order. Welcome back everyone. I'll start our meeting as I always do by reading our mission statement. The Norfick Public Schools offers a safe, joyful, and challenging learning environment that meets the needs of our
diverse students. Through school, family, and community partnerships, we provide an education that inspires lifelong learners and cultivates caring and productive citizens of our everanging world. Have a roll call, please. Peter Schwala, >> Lauren Vivas, um I was about to say
Grace. >> I was going to say Grace Champagne. It was a hybrid. Madora Champagne. Promise. >> Please shall >> Next on the agenda is public comment. We did not have anyone speak speaking tonight, but looks like no one wants to. So that's great. Moving on to
correspondence. We have no correspondence to report tonight. Just one item for me on the chair report. We have to approve some gifts. Um, looking at exhibit one, the first gift is in the amount of $3,226.80 from the Norfol PTO and that is for
Scholastic Books for HOD. The next one is also from the Norfol PTO, $1,28711. Um, they are for math manipulatives for HOD. Again, from the Norfol PTO in the same amount of $1,28711. Um, math manipulatives for Freeman
Kennedy. Then we have a gift from Vision Inc. DBA Okconor Studios in the amount of $223.35. If you remember, that was the gift from last meeting. We weren't sure what it was. That is the profits from our um school pictures, the company that we
use. And so we are going to put that into the gift account to offset field trip costs. So looking for a motion to approve all the gifts as stated. So moved. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? I >> uh thank you very much to the Northfor
PTO and to Okconor Studios. All those in favor? >> I I to you. >> All right. Great. So, um the first item that we have on the agenda tonight is uh we have over the summer hired several new administrators in the district. Um
some of them started with us late spring and others uh started with us on Monday um or yesterday. So, I wanted to before we start the school year have a chance to introduce to the school committee our new administrators. Um, I'll go through each one and then we put them first on the agenda because we have a very busy
new staff orientation tomorrow morning so they can meet you, greet you and then head home because they have to be here really early. So, first um as you know, Victoria Sana resigned in the end of June to take another position. She was our assistant superintendent. We
restructured that position and we are welcoming Katie Young who is in the audience to as our new director of curriculum. Uh Katie comes to us from AD uh North Attboro correct. Okay. Um she has been the director of math and science there for the past couple of
years. Prior to that served as a math specialist in Foxboro uh for a number of years actually. Katie worked I hired Katie many many years ago as a fourth grade teacher um when I was in Foxboro. So, she started yesterday and will be working and actually worked hard today
on solidifying PD for our staff for the opening day and uh meeting with math specialist. Uh she'll be meeting with them tomorrow to finalize uh plans for the math roll out. So, welcome to Katie. >> Thank you so much. I'm really really glad to be here. This has been
a career goal for a long time to land in my own community that I live in and just love so much. So, I appreciate everyone's faith in me and I I uh look forward to working with everybody. >> Great. So, welcome to Katie. Um Tim, is Tim running around trying to open the
doors? All right, I'll come back to Tim. Our new facilities director is working on fixing the doors that weren't open for everybody tonight. So, um returning to HOD in a new role, we have Kristen Gaffoon, who was the prior assistant principal for the H. olive day school and uh beginning in July transitioned
into the new role as the principal. So uh Kristen many of you know is a familiar face but you've probably been hearing from her all summer if you have children at the age of day. Um I think both students and staff and families alike are we're all excited to welcome Kristen to her new role. So Kristen,
>> thank you so much. It's an honor to take on new role at HOD. Um, I'm grateful. I'm super excited for a great school year with the little ones. Thank you so much. And then next to Kristen, we have Rebecca Austin who uh was recently hired
into the role of assistant principal for the age of day. Kristen had a search committee that interviewed candidates over the summer. Um, Rebecca is coming to us um with experience in the role as an assistant principal for a charter school. Correct. Um, and uh has had lots
of experience working with our younger learners. So we are excited to welcome Rebecca and again trial by fire. She started yesterday morning um and spend the morning and the day in an administrative repeat retreat with uh myself and with our leadership team. So today was her first day actually at the
holiday. So welcome to Rebecca. >> Thank you very much. I'm super excited to be here. >> Great. >> Um we hired uh two other new people that started. Uh we have as you know we had Roxan Berdau retire after I don't want to say I think it was over
35 years significant period of time here in the district. She was our prior human resource director. Um we did restructure the business office and HR office and we hired a business specialist uh an HR specialist and a business specialist. So
Joe Raola uh is our new HR specialist and she began with us on July 1st. Um, talk about a time of year to start in a new HR role. She has been onboarding people left and right and coming with appointment letters and contracts and it's it's definitely Corey's and everything. It's been very busy, but um,
we are thrilled to have Jill here. She came to us from Bellingham, uh, worked in the central offices in Bellingham and has a lot of HR experience. Um, has her degree in HR, uh, her sherm certification. So, uh, very well qualified and we're excited to have Joe with us. So, >> thank you for having me. Um, it's been
great. from such a great district and the the door in town. Um I've been going to the Wednesday um farmers market. Um very jealous. my talent. Oh my god. Um, but Roxan um did an amazing job in
the HR department um setting it up and so I'm looking forward to taking the reigns and um bringing some changes and um streamlining to come. >> Great. So, welcome to Jill. And then
Ally Hamilton was the uh for the last three years, >> two >> two years uh this the main office secretary at the Freeman Kennedy School. Um Ally has a background in business and finance um and has uh a lot of experience working with state uh with
the state with around grants and um budget development. So Ally transitioned in on July 1st and she did two roles for actually two roles for the end of the year. She supported the Freeman Kennedy office and then ran down and and supported the business office. So, she
started officially in April. Correct. Was it April or May? >> April. >> April. Um, and then full-time in our office now that schools closed and she is running the business office. So, welcome to All Hi Hamilton. >> Thank you. Thank you for having us here tonight. Been a very busy summer. We're looking forward to the school year
starting. >> Yeah, that's right. Summer also is a a busy time in the business office because all of our materials, all of our ordering, all of our grants and a year finance report. So again, it's a little bit like drinking from a fire hose for for everybody that's just joined us this summer, but um have done a great job and
it's a wonderful team to work with. Um Tim Shannard also joined us. Uh Matt Malridge left the district, went to work in Denim, and Tim joined us as our new director of facilities uh back in what was your start date, Tim? I can't remember.
>> May 5th. Um and he has been on board all summer leading our facilities team with many capital projects. He will be giving an update a little bit later in tonight's agenda about the accomplishments the facilities team has made. Uh Tim came from a a similar role
uh in North Attboro prior to this and um uh has been doing a great job and we're we're thrilled to have Tim here for us. Um and I think you guys met him when we talked about solar panels. So um but not officially. So welcome to Tim.
[Laughter] >> Great. Um, so thank you all for coming and for meeting the committee. Feel free. I know you have very very busy inboxes and lots going on. So you're welcome to stay, but you're also welcome to go. So thanks for thanks for joining
us tonight. Um, next thing I have for you tonight is our uh, school readiness update. Um, so as I said, it's been a really busy summer across the district. Uh, we had a lot of students in the district. So, we have been running programs in
partnership uh at the Norfolk Recck Department. So, we've had a lot of kids engaged in WCK programs here. Um we also have had summer uh tutoring and some special education programs running all summer. So, it's been busy with lots of students in and out. Um our district
administrators, as uh I just said, have been uh involved in search committees. So, we were filling the director of curriculum position, the assistant principal position, um classroom teaching positions. So, they've been working hard uh to make sure that we're staffed and uh ready to open. We have um
our district math coaches who have worked with Victoria uh Selana have really stepped up over the summer. They've filled the gap with her absence and they have been coming in to inventory the math materials that are coming and arriving. uh making sure all teachers have what they need, supporting
the plans for the opening PD day um and and developing some uh recommendations for to help teachers uh launch the new year. So, they have been here and busy. Um we'll also be at the new staff orientation tomorrow to talk a little bit about the new math program. Our
facilities staff have been working hard to clean and get both schools ready to open. They're in great shape. Um we weren't able to do a tour earlier tonight, but if anybody is interested, happy to. um tour the facilities with you. Um they did do uh one major project
over the summer. Uh the HL day playground playground surfacing was tired in need of significant repair. Um we saved quite a bit of money by doing that inhouse. Um so uh Tim and his entire team did the surface replacement under the direction of a rep from Smarty
Systems. Um it looks great. They were doing some finishing touches today, but that is complete and ready to go. Um, our secretaries have been enrolling new students, getting bus routes established, um, and and again onboarding new staff members, um, all
kinds of things that have been happening. At this time, all of our classroom teaching and, uh, general teaching positions have been filled. We have, uh, the new administrators who I introduced to you earlier this evening. And the only open positions that we have at this time, we are still looking for a
part-time food service assistant. our sack program and we've talked about this before. We we struggle with staffing for that. We have all year last year were unable to hire an extended day site coordinator. We in the past have had one at Hol Day and one at FK and that factors into the number of students we
can bring in. Um Tony and I talked and restructured that and we're going to we're advertising for one site coordinator shared between the schools at a higher salary rate. Um hoping to draw a candidate, but that is still currently open. Um, we're also still looking for a couple of assistants for
the extended day program. Uh, we hired our permanent building sub from the Freeman Kennedy into a classroom teaching position. Uh, so we are still looking for a per permanent building sub and then a part-time technology support position. Um, that we started advertising in July. We have not um been
able to secure a candidate as of yet. So, we continue to advertise for that. Um, other than that, we have all of our positions are filled. Um, I think we were I was really really impressed with the caliber of candidates we were able to recruit for those open teaching positions. I'm excited to for the new
staff orientation tomorrow to uh get to spend some time with our new new teachers and new par profofessional staff members. Um over the summer the tech team again we only have three full-time employees that work with the technology team. They were pretty much straight out. We had
several large projects that went on. Uh one was the upgrading and installation of a new um public announcement system at the HL of day school and upgrades to the uh system here at HL of day. We also um the old Blackboard connect which is the emergency message system where you
get calls from me saying there's no school today because of the weather. Um that whole system had to be replaced and so we onboarded a new system called XR messenger. Um so they had to do all the background work with you know importing all the data making sure that runs. So, they got that all set up. Um, we did
have some security camera equipment that needed to be repaired, um, that was damaged during snow removal, uh, that they were able to take care of. Again, we have over a thousand pieces of laptops, equipments, um, iPads, all of which were brought in, upgraded, serviced, screen repairs, all of that
kind of work. Um, and then all of our almost all of our curricular programs are softwarebased. And so, we have the new Amplify. They had to set up staff and student accounts for all of those um, software programs. We're using a new um password management system that to make it a little bit easier for students
so they don't have to have separate passwords for everything. So they also worked on uploading that. Um so they've been busy. Uh student enrollment, we have registered quite a few new students this summer. At the Freeman Kennedy is pretty consistent with past trends. We've got about 12 new students
entering. Last year it was 13. Um so that's pretty consistent. Each holiday of day we have 16 new students that have registered. uh which is about double what we had last year. So um it's interesting we still are seeing a decline in the K enrollment. So that hasn't really rebounded uh the way that
we expected. I have had more requests for homeschooling for kindergarten than we've had in the past. Under Mass State law, they are not you're not required to have an approved homeschool plan for kindergarten unless your child is six before the start of the school year. So
um we've had a few of those. Um, but we have had more kids entering first and second grade. Um, so 16 students overall. Last year we had eight. Um, I I'll continue to update the school committee over September and October with regards to enrollment status because it seems to be um sort of
steadying out, but we'll we'll watch that closely and I'll fill you in. Our new staff orientation is scheduled for tomorrow. Um, and we will be welcoming all of our new teachers, pair professionals, and any new subs to the district are invited to attend. The morning we spend a lot of time going
over just um HR technology um orientation. We do an overview of classroom management expectations the two primary curriculum programs. So amplify math and the um HMH uh literacy inter reading and into literature. Um and then the afternoon we divide and our
classroom teachers and professional positions spend time with their mentors um preparing for opening day going over the first weeks things like that. And uh Jill and I um Jill just stepped out, but Jill and I will be meeting with the Paris and new subs to go over some information that's important to know
about working in Norfolk. Um so we have that set. Um we also did, as I said, have an administrative retreat on Monday with all of our new administrative staff, um department heads for SAC, food service. We have a new assistant director in food service as well. Um it
was a really it was a great morning. We had a consultant come in and we really worked on team building, getting to know each other, and then strategies for building effective communication. Um, we had to I'll I'll share the video at a later time, but we had challenges that we had to work through, and then we talked about how we could learn from
those and carry that over to um planning and collaborating and being creative and innovative. Um, so it was a great day. Um, and then opening day for staff is scheduled for Monday, um, August 25th. We are going to begin with our opening comments, introductions of new staff. We
have some um activities that I can't disclose at this time because it's a surprise for our teachers, but we have some morning activities and then in the afternoon per the contract, the teachers have time to work in their classroom um for the second half of the day. Anybody from the school committee, you're always welcome to join our opening comments. I
know Lisa will be sharing some uh opening remarks, but anybody is welcome to come and and have coffee if you uh want to be part of that day. So overall, I think at this point, our schools are in great condition. We're we're well staffed. We're well prepared. Um and we're ready to welcome our students
back. So happy to take any questions that anybody might have or um and at our next meeting, I'll at you on how the opening of school went. So, but I think we're really in good shape. I have a quick question. Sure. you had indicated an uptick in appro I just want to make
sure I understood it correctly that if a child is six before the start of a school year you have to approve a homeschooling plan >> wouldn't those children have been K eligible last year >> they would have but we have some some parents so you're required to enroll in school as of your the the school year
following your sixth birthday in Massachusetts >> that is basically the question >> so some families may have chosen not to send their Keligible students in and kept them out a year and now are deciding to homeschool for kindergarten. Um, so they're not going right into you can be six and start in kindergarten, but if you're six before kindergarten
starts, you do need an approved home school plan. Does that make sense or did I just >> No, you that is ex that was how I was understanding it. It was more the question surrounding eligibility for like >> So I guess my question then would come back to should >> this this is more for my I'm just
curious now. >> Yeah. Should those families elect to then have their children reenter the public schools, they would enter in first grade, >> but they would be seven in first grade. Like that they
>> it would still be meet the age requirement. So entering kindergarten, you have to you in order to enroll, you have to be five by September 1. >> Oh, no. I'm aware. I have a September 5th birthday, >> but we do have kindergarten students that turn six by September 1 that are just entering. Sometimes families
decide, you know, their child might be young or still napping or they don't feel they're ready and they start the following year. So, it's not um unusual to have a handful of students >> delaying it more. I mean, in my mind, it felt like it was delaying it more than in that scenario, but it's not. >> Not really. It's usually kids with late summer birthdays. Okay. Um you know,
August end of August birthdays. Um but we do have some five and six year olds in kindergarten. And and this is the first time that I've had multiple um kindergarten eligible students apply for homeschooling. So that's a little bit different. >> Okay. Interesting.
Any other questions? >> Sounds like we're well prepared for >> we're good to go. Ready to go. Uh next thing in your packet is the flu vaccination clinic. So this is uh per policy. If we are partnering with any outside businesses or agencies by
policy, school committee has to approve the event. Um, Walgreens and Norfolk has for years offered an on-site flu uh and vaccine clinic for our staff members or staff members families. Um, I think I've been here for 14 13 or 14 years and they've been here every year. So, it's
not a new event. Um, we have a proposed date. They're willing to come on Thursday, October 22nd. Uh, it is they come to the Freeman Kennedy School Health offices and then after school, any staff member that wants to come to get their flu shot can come over and do that. It's usually busy. Um we have a
lot of staff members and and family members that come that day. So I am looking for a vote to approve Walgreens um coming to offer a flu vaccine clinic on site on uh October 22nd. So moved. Second. Any further discussion or
questions? All those in favor? >> I I >> I um next in your packet is a the quarterly update from the BICO collaborative. Again, BICO is the um collaborative that Norfolk is a member
of it. It there's 17 BICO communities. Uh they provide specialized programming for students with unique special educational needs that we're not able to necessarily meet in district because we don't have sufficient numbers to offer programs. Um under the law, we are we
approve and and review the BICO budget every year and we did do quarterly updates. So, um this was sent by the BICO director. Some things to highlight. We had been concerned a couple of years ago that enrollment was dropping in BICO and so they were having to increase tuition. If we send an a child out of
district to the BICO collaborative, we get a significant discount as a member. So most of our students go to a collaborative prior to a private day placement. Um we were worried about the viability, financial viability because SpIO runs on tuition. Um but they've done a lot of work uh in order to kind
of expand and build programs to shift to the changing needs that districts have. Um, and I think we saw the benefit of that last year. We saw more students, uh, referred and more students enrolled. Um, at this point, um, we've been asking, the board of directors have been
asking for more data around, uh, students that are offered a placement that don't accept a placement. Um, as well as students they aren't able to accommodate. So, we can try to determine are do we need to develop different programs? Are there different needs that um, aren't being met? So, they they
included that in the report for you. And then some highlights of things that they've offered. Um the uh uh they did have a disability awareness fair at one of their schools. Um they did like we went through the Desi collaborative program review, the compliance review
that looks at federal and state compliance with um special education laws. Um collaboratives have to do that same process. So they did complete that last year. They are awaiting the report of findings. So I'll share that with you when we receive it. Um but they've done some really nice work. Um they also
moved a program into a public school in Wal uh Walpole. Um and that program and that school was renovated and we're leasing space there. So um one of the BICO programs is now housed there. So happy to answer any questions that you may
have, but that's all of the details on all of those things are included in the BICO report. All right. Next, um, we had talked about, uh, through the budget process the need to increase our substitute rates to make them a little bit more competitive. We've had difficulty
filling sub positions. Um, we had hoped to be a little bit more ambitious, but we weren't able to because of budget. So, these rates in uh, reflect a slight increase from last year. Um, to again, I think they're consistent with the market. Um, they don't really put us
ahead of the market um, but they will help us keep uh, keep competitive. So, we're proposing the uh changes of rates that are in your packet, and I'm looking for a vote to approve the new rates. >> So, moved. Second.
>> Are these based on an 8 hour day or a six-hour day, or what's the >> they're different for different positions? So, uh teachers are um 8:20 to 3:20. Our par professionals are seven hours, but it's a half hour unpaid lunch. Um so, it's six and a half hour
workday. And you said this puts us kind of in the middle. >> It keeps us current with the market. It doesn't give us a a significant advantage. We just can't afford to fund that this year. But it does keep us if we don't make a change and adjust the rates, we will be behind. Um and for
most of the subs that we have, they are in multiple districts because we don't have daily work. So if if they're paid more and we can't stay competitive, then we have an even greater need to fill. >> Any other questions? All those in favor?
>> I I >> All right. Great. I'm going to turn it to Tim who is going to come up. Uh you got to come up to a mic, Tim, and he will give you a a brief update on facilities. Hey, everybody. All right. So, I usually
keep my uh sections pretty quick, so I'm going to run through some stuff. we're doing some things we're going to finish before we get going for the school year. And if you have any questions on anything, just let me know and I'll be happy to answer to the best of my knowledge. Um, so over at HOD, as Ingred
had said, we did finish the uh Smarty Surface uh playground resurfacing. Um, we finished that today. We got a couple little things that we're going to tweak over there and clean up the playground before kids come in, but um, as far as we are concerned, that project is open
and complete. So, um, we also have a playground in the back. It's part of the Kundai forest. Um, we did a little refresh with the wood chips back there and relayed all the matting down so that's a little cleaner for student use
and community use. Um, we just started today the prep for the HOD boiler project. So, we have both boilers will be out by the end of the week and then we're going to have the new boilers in the building. Um we're planning to have them in before kids start, but that
project will be ongoing through the beginning of the school year, but we'll be um ready for heating season in October. Um as is normal, we did our summer cleaning at both schools, which is
stripping and waxing floors, carpet cleaning, deep cleaning the classrooms. We're in the process of doing the gym resurfacing in this school right now. Um, we finished our landscape cleanup yesterday at this building. We got a little bit more work to do over at HL
day. And then we still have a few things. We have to finish do some patching at the Freeman Kennedy playground. Uh, we're having some issues with that surface, which is another project that we're continuing to work on. um did all of our mechanical HVAC PMS
for the spring and we're getting ready to start doing the boiler PMs for this building. We're going to have brand new boilers at HOD so ready to go there. And then uh we just did our safety inspections with um the building and fire departments and we passed without
any issue there. So we are ready for kids. So any questions? >> Okay. >> No, thank you. Great. >> Yeah. Thanks, Tim. >> Have a good night, everybody. >> Great. >> Um, next on the agenda, I wanted to
update the committee on the status of the Bayate Emergency Shelter. Um, as you know, it was scheduled to close over the summer and it has closed. They are fully offsite and off premises. There are no remaining families. Um, that closed at the end of July. All of the families
that were remaining as of the date that the shelter closed were um able to find permanent housing. So, there were no families that went from this shelter to another shelter site. Um, as a result, there are no families that would be eligible to return to Norfolk Public Schools through the Mckin Vento Homeless
Act. Um, so we anticipate uh we do not anticipate that we will be transporting or having um students return. Um, everyone was permanently placed. Um, we are also going to be receiving the second payment in August. We don't have the final amount. We just know that it's
scheduled to be coming shortly. So I will update you on what we receive. That funding should come in um in as I said at the end of August. So uh that's scheduled and we also had worked with the town on um I had worked with the department of ed to expedite the um
reimbursement for transportation for the Mckin Vento transportation. Typically it's a year out. You receive it the following uh we would be getting it in May. Um but because of the emergency circumstances uh we were able to get them to agree to fund that uh in a quicker turnaround. We worked with the
town so that the they set up a separate account. It's overdrawn at this point. So when the money comes in, it will go directly back to the town to to close that rather than being held against our budget. So um that is uh where we are with the shelter. Any questions on that one?
>> Is that final expense you were referring to that's coming in August that's all transportation? >> No. So, we received a reimbursement of $104 per day per student. Um, and that comes in multiple payments. So, we received a payment in uh one in November, one in March, and one the
final payment comes in August. So, that $104 a day um is additional money coming into the district that can be used to offset, you know, future costs. It can be carried into next year related to educating students with um like needs. So, that will be coming in shortly. Um
the transportation was separate because under the state law, if we have a child that becomes homeless, we have to pay for transportation back to their school of origin. Um we don't have a budget line for that. So we paid the cost out of our operating budget. Um the town agreed to set that up as a separate
account knowing that the reimbursement would be coming in so that we weren't spending previously allocated budget funds. So that account is overspent knowing that the the reimbursement will go directly to the town. So those two things are coming in in August. >> 104 per day. Are there restrictions on
how >> there are some, but they're fairly uh general. >> Okay. >> So we may use it to offset, for example, the salary of one of our current EL teachers and then be able to reallocate some operating budget money elsewhere. So we'll know that uh what that final
amount is hopefully soon. Um budget update. Just wanted to let everybody know uh at the last meeting I shared that some of our entitle federal entitlement grants were currently held um uh and were not available. Title one was authorized but title 2, three and
four which we typically apply for. Most are about $10,000. It's about 30,000 in total um a little more than that for um title 2. Uh those were held for federal review. They've since been released. So the funds are now available for us to apply for. So I will be submitting those
entitlement grants. Um as I shared before title one we typically use to offset the cost of our um math coaches and our uh math par profofessional support. Uh title two is a teacher quality grant. We will probably be using that to focus on funding for uh
professional development and support for the new math program and to fund the math review committee. Um title three is a regional grant and that is um uh targeted was funding the ELPAC and tutoring services. That's what that um fund allows. And then title four is uh
uh allows. We used it last year for safe and uh uh training for safety and lockdown training. It is part of uh safe schools as part of that grant. We do have mandatory uh suicide prevention training. That is something we have to do this year. It's every three years. So I expect that grant will help offset
some of those costs. So I will be writing and submitting those grants. But we are back uh to where we anticipated being with uh throughout the budget season in terms of receipt of federal funding. Any questions on that? All right, the last one is we saved the
best for last of my part. This is exciting. So, as you know, last year we um well, I would say the last seven years, we've been working on a potential plan for uh expansion of the Freeman Kennedy to offset the continued growth
in enrollment. Um as I said, next year we have nine second grade classes. We uh have enrolled more second graders, so thank God we added that ninth class um because we'll be we would have been way over the policy limit. Uh but enrollment continues to grow across the district. We have gone through multiple iterations
of applying to MSBA for grant funding to offset the cost of a building project. After three years of applying or might even been four years of applying for, we went forward to the town and asked for funding through the town only for a feasibility study. Completed that full feasibility study, move forward and
unfortunately uh were unsuccessful at the ballot in securing funding for that project. um you know difficult times. I think most people were concerned about the impact on taxes in a tough economy with inflation. Um so after that the building committee met and talked about next steps. Uh we recommended trying one more
time to apply to MSBA. Um the school committee voted to allow us to submit that application as did the select board. Um I wrote the application for that grant. Um we had additional supporting evidence to submit with the grant this year because we had the full 250 page feasibility study. um all the
content that we have on the um website for the building project. Uh so we reapplied and we I got a call Friday that we are being heavily or strongly considered. We're in the finalist phase. We have never gotten there before. So this is huge. They are coming with their
team of senior engineers and project design uh review panel to the building on September 11th. Uh they'll tour both facilities. They will meet with a team. We have um the the current town manager um a member of the select board, the two
building committee members from the school committee, both principles, special education director, um two f members of the facilities team. They gave us a list of who they want to be part of that. It's going to be a working meeting. Um and it's the final stage of review of the potential projects. Um if
we make it through that then the following week they will be recommending districts to offer funding to um to their board and their board will be voting. Um so if we were selected um the reimbursement rate in the past has been about 52% of project costs which would
cut a $40 million project in in half uh more than in half. Huge opportunity for us. So fingers crossed. I will update you after the September 11th visit of where we stand. But it sounds like the turnaround vote for the board is very shortly after that time. So exciting
news. So stay tuned. Hopefully we get through that last hurdle. Um but it is really exciting. >> Do you know historically with like that last hurdle are do they cut out a bunch of applicants that have made it to that round? So, they didn't tell us how many final site visits they're doing, but uh
it did not sound like I mean they're they're committing the resources of a of their full project. So, I don't I think the impression I got was that we have really good odds um at this to make it to this stage. >> Um so, fingers crossed. >> Awesome.
>> And that's what I that's all I have for you tonight. >> Well, congrats. Thanks for >> Yeah, it's exciting. Really exciting. >> Everybody just don't jinx it. >> Yes. Everybody knock this wood. >> All right. Thank you. Sure. Moving on to
new items. We have a school partnership application from Scouting America. Um I think with the It's all right with everyone else. We should get a motion on the table to approve them as a school partner. Then I will read their
application. Then I'll read our school our criteria and then we can talk about it. Provide the history. >> Does that work for everyone? >> That sounds great. >> All right. Looking for a motion. >> I move uh to approve the application as laid out in exhibit 5 submitted by
Scouting America. >> A second. Okay. Okay. So, I'm going to read what they wrote. Um so, Scouting America Mayflower Council serves 63 communities south of Boston including Northark, Massachusetts. We work with community volunteers to provide the Cubs program through pack 80 for boys and
girls in grades K through 5 and the scouts BSA program for boys aged 11 to 18. And the next question, that's who they are. The question is, describe how the organization's individual's purposes align with assisting the MPS and school committee in achieving the mission to provide an education that inspires
lifelong learners and cultivates caring and productive citizens of our everchanging world. Scouting America through its local units such as pack and troop 80 in Norfor is deeply aligned with the mission of the Northfor public schools and the school committee to provide an education that inspires
lifelong learners and cultivates caring and productive citizens. Our national mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the scout oath and law. Locally, PAC and Troop 80 provide Norfolk youth with year-round opportunities to develop leadership,
citizenship, teamwork, and serviceoriented mindsets through hands-on learning, community involvement, and outdoor recreation. Our programs complement classroom education by building essential life skills such as responsibility, perseverance, and respect for others. Skills that directly
support students in becoming engaged learners and cash compassionate community members in a rapidly changing world. We aim to support families and educators in nurturing the character and potential of every child, reinforcing the shared goal of preparing youth not
only for academic success, but also for lifelong contribution and leadership. And then a description of any planned and anticipated activities that may occur during the upcoming year. Councilwide fall and spring recruitment programs, usually in September and October and in March and April. Both the
pack and troop meet monthly and have events that support the mission of each program throughout the year. So that is their application and their answers to the questions. And then looking at the criteria of what makes a school partner, we're looking for partnership, a two-way
benefit to both parties, working together or separately towards accomplishing a shared goal. The organizations school partners proposal establishes a direct educational benefit to the Norfol public schools. their organization's purpose is aligned with the Norfolk Public Schools mission and
then considerations when approving an application. Is an official partnership really being sought or is the partnership necessary for the desired results of being sought by the organization? Most organizations want to get more information out to school children for events that may be of
interest to parents and children. However, an organization need not be a school partner to get this information out. non-school partners are able to get the message out to parents via postings to the community news section of the NPS website also included in the weekly district news or an or perhaps the
organization may not realize they are able to get their message out and under the impression they must be a school partner to get a message out. Questions to consider is the proposed partnership meaningful? How often and how much work do the parties do together? What does the NPS gain by the existence of the
organization or lose if the organization does not exist? Does the organization fulfill a gap or need that NPS is not able to provide like advocacy, boosters or enrichment, tutoring, facilities, maintenance, sharing and student services? And does the partnership proposal establish a meaningful
educational benefit to the Norfol public schools? How is the work going to be per performed in the proposal directly related to the mission of NPS? How is the work to be performed in the proposal directly related to the strategic plan of NPS? So that is really what we need to think
about when approving school partnerships. So the motion is on table. I don't know if you have anything to >> I I can say um what the history was around school partnerships because I think it it might be helpful. So this policy was actually developed before I
started in Norfolk. Um but what the the school partnership um the reason it was developed in the beginning of the school year traditionally many outside organizations want to send information about special programs that they offer to the parent
community. So whether it's an art program um various sporting leagues um music enrichment all kinds of funers those kinds of programs that are offered locally. Um so they would send information out to uh parents through student backpack flyers or through um
our connected email system. Um the feedback that the school committee and the the uh superintendent received at the time was that parents did not want outside organizations directly marketing to students. um the school committee as a result had to think about how they
were going to manage that because you can't arbitrarily say yes this organization can no this organization can't because then you have a a discrimination issue. So the way that they approached it was to establish school partners. School partners um are
allowed to send information through school resources. So either through Backpack or through uh the connected system directly emailed to families about events or things that they're sponsoring. The criteria was that these organizations have to exist to provide a
direct educational benefit to the Norfolk Public Schools, not just to students that participate in the organization, but to the school system as a whole. Um there has to be an ongoing working relationship. Um and as a result of that, then they are allowed
to use school resources. So, um, that was the criteria that was established. In addition, school partners have discounted rates for facility rentals. So, if they're doing a program here, they're able to do that at a discounted rate. Um, for facilities rentals, all
nonprofits also get discounted rates. So, you don't have to be a partner necessarily for uh discounts on on facilities rentals. Um, agencies are also able to send material. They're able to post flyers on the community bulletin boards in school or on the community news section of our website, but it
can't go directly to to students. So, the only thing that really, if you have a school partnership, you're allowed to do that is different from other organizations is use our direct email system to send information or to give flyers to students to take home directly. Um, we have very few school
partners. We have the Norfolk PTO who as an organization exists to support the Norfolk schools. We have the Norfolk CPAC. Um CPAC is under state law uh a requirement. They're an advisory board, parent special education advisory council um that report to school
committee and support programs for our parents. We also have NCL, the Norfolk Community League. Um historically Norfolk Community League has they offer teacher grants. So teachers write grants to fund special projects. Um they have provided funding for parent seminar
series and workshops. Um in the past they did an internet safety program for Norfolk parents in partnership with the technology um uh team. Um they also have supported uh uh resources for student emergency um planning and emergency
kits. So portions of their fundraising every year are reinvested in the Norfolk Public Schools. Um typically the communication they send out is around those fundraising events. Uh we have the King Phillip Music Association who comes down and they uh do um uh concerts for
our students. They also do an instrumental sort of overview for students to help them select if they want to participate in the band as they enter the the um the uh the regional middle school. Um so we have uh that group and then we have the Norfolk Recreation Department who you know um
works very closely with us. They have worked to develop programs to offset um the shortage we have in sack for before and after care. So they've offered morning programs on days when we have high enrollment in sack. Um they ran the remote learning centers for parents during uh the co closures. Um so we have
that partnership as well. Um I think we have uh who am I missing? Norol Norfolk Lions um who also provide support and and resources for families that are struggling. sometimes temporary heating assistance. Um, uh, they have an
eyeglass program. Uh, they have also run, uh, uh, different writing contests and things with the schools. Um, I believe those are the only existing current school partners. Um, so that's sort of the history of where it came from. And the benefits again is just the
direct email connection. Um, as opposed to the community bulletin boards. Um, the they're all nonprofits are in the same category as school partners as far as facilities rental rates and see NCV. Oh, NCTV is our other partner. I'm so sorry. They're here filming us
tonight. They film all of our meetings and they broadcast uh at no charge to us. So, thanks partner for for that. >> So, if anybody has questions, I'm happy to answer. >> Any thoughts? >> Uh I have some thoughts. Um, as a parent
that has been involved in scouting for 11 years, um, and the parent of a proud Troop 80 member currently who has taught citizenship in the community, whose husband has taught citizenship in the nation, I think scouting is a great benefit to the community as a whole. I
don't know that it this application meets the criteria for a school partner. Um, I I I I think that it is It opens the it opens the door, I think, for what this policy was designed to
avoid, however I may feel personally about the organization applying, which is um kind of a deviation from the stick, the strict school-based true two-way partnerships. Um I would say as someone who's again a scout parent, I've
seen a two-way partnership in the kids I encounter through scouting who are educated very well here. And then I have a very light lift when it comes to teaching citizenship in the community. But um you know and I think vice versa you get you know wonderful individuals who are community based and and oriented
towards volunteerism and and that's wonderful for a school system. But I don't think that it benefits the school district as a whole the way the policy intends a partnership to benefit the school district as a whole. >> Do you thought? Um what about uh we have
Girl Scouts organization in Norfolk. Are they >> They're not school. We only have those those six uh or eight school partners that that were mentioned. They have applied before um and they were not um granted partnership, >> but as a nonprofit, they would as well receive.
>> Yeah, they can still put information up on the community boards. They do sometimes send things to post on the on the website um uh and do things like that, but they were not um given a partnership for the same I think reasons. >> I think some of my feelings about it too are informed by the experience we had
last fall um with an outside organization coming in and >> fundraiser. It it it felt a little different than the other school partnerships that you know we have and and the >> feedback kind of concern emerged around concern just around an overabundance of
communication and emphasis on um not necessarily school related topics and activities >> and correct me if I'm wrong you have to pay to be a part of the membership of scouting correct >> okay >> I believe I don't know I'm sure and I
know scouting And like recreational sports are pretty different in that, but I see it kind of in the same ballpark. Like if the soccer league kind >> um applied or the basketball league applied, um >> we did have a soccer league apply, I think last year, that one in partnership. >> Yeah. I just see it kind of in the same
track as that as you know, the children and the parents have to pay to be a part of the organization and in turn, you know, you can filter out um the information to the parents trying to get them to. So >> yeah, I feel like you do kind of conflicted by it because my kids had
such a great experience. >> No, it's Yeah, wonderful organization. >> You make great friends. You you learn so much. Uh so I don't think that's the question, but I also understand the intent of the policy. And I also understand the challenges of
reaching out and actually um accessing the community and accessing all accessing all the students and >> letting families know this exists. this is a great program. >> Um that is >> difficult. I know there was talk of but potential community
>> talked about um and I know Holiday Day last year did a community resource fair um on the night of open house where different groups could come and have a table in the gym and anybody who is interested again we're not sending but parents could opt to go and gather more
information. Um we have a brand new principal and a brand new assistant principal and open house is coming up very quickly. Um, so I'm not sure where they are in that, but we have talked about and when we uh met with the parent group that was working on the equity committee, we talked about having trying to do a resource fair. So that is
something that I think we're very interested in pursuing. Um, and that is uh I know we did a wellness fair with local um groups last year that Pearl coordinated, but trying to find an event where we could have um different organizations present and families could
come and learn more about what's available in the community is something we could is something we're interested in pursuing and considering. I think that's a great idea and it would be a great fit for you know partners like these um where families especially kind of entering to the school system are
unfamiliar with everything that >> or how to access or where to find information >> where to even register or enroll. There's so many people who miss the deadlines to enroll because they don't know about it. So just kind of making it more accessible and information.
>> All right. Any other thoughts on it? All right. So, the motion was to approve the application as a school partner as written. So, all those in favor, all those opposed say nay. Nay.
>> Nay. >> And >> I feel bad. >> I do too. I I wish uh I but I I understand the intent of the policy. I'm hoping we can think of creative ways to get their message out there and get other
organizations. I think the >> like a resource fair or something. >> Yeah, the resource fair is a great start at community day. So, I don't know if that's still a place where scouting advertises, but I literally signed my 5-year-old up at community day. So, >> yeah, that's another great a great
avenue. And I um there is some transition happening at the town level, but that is also something that they can partner with us because we've talked about having a a way for families to uh you know new to town be able to get information about what services are are local. So um once that uh new hire comes
in and they've stabilized that, I will reach out again. >> Right. Okay. I'm wondering if it makes sense to put together a standard response. I can help craft it to to organizations in the community who do apply just letting them know what they can do even if they're not a partner
>> with do usually send that information but yeah I think that's I actually think this policy as a whole um again it was developed prior to my coming here and I do think it's it's maybe um verbose and and maybe could be simplified and clarified a little bit. So it might be a good thing for the policy committee to
start with uh one of the policies we look at early on. Great. Right. Then the school committee minutes are in your packet for our July 8th meeting. So looking for a motion to approve the minutes as written.
>> So moved. >> Second. Further discussion. >> All those in favor? >> I I >> I. >> And then our next school committee meeting is Tuesday, September 9th. It's still about sure.
And then I know you most likely will need to be at that September 11th meeting and there will be a meeting coming up for initial paras in September, the initial meeting with the Paris. >> Yes, I um received a proposed date this
afternoon. So I'll send it on to you. I think it was the 25th um but I have to go back. It came in late and I was running out the door. With that in mind, with so many dates in September, I would love to do the retreat with all of you, but I also know that people are
extremely busy right now. So, thinking of pushing that off until things we start the year, we kick off, everyone kind of knows their schedules. Uh, cuz I don't want to overwhelm everyone. But, so something's still on the radar, but I don't think it's September. I think now you have three dates. >> Yeah. I mean, and it was questionable
whether I was going to make that any so I mean and the world doesn't revolve around me. >> So, >> I think it might make sense to to delay a little bit. Yeah. >> And then also if we have a lighter agenda, we can weave some of those items into the agenda talk.
>> Sure. >> Right. Does anyone have anything else? >> No. >> All right. Move for a motion to move. >> Second. All those in favor? I I Okay.