Uh it's 6 o'clock. We're going to call uh the Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 school committee meeting to order. Um first up is the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Here he comes. Okay. Uh all right. First, uh the meeting is being recorded by Norton
Media and um if anyone else is recording, please just let us know. Uh first up is the public comment period. Um anybody here for public comment? Okay. Excellent. Uh next up is
vote to approve the minutes of the April 30th, 2025 um open session meeting. Um, did everybody get a chance? Yes. Any comments? No. Good. Okay. Uh, I'll entertain a motion to approve the
minutes of the April 30th, 2025 open session meeting. So moved. Second. Okay. All those in favor? Sorry. Sorry. First night doing this one. I fantastic. I'm going to pass it over to
Dan now that he is here. Take it over. That was fantastic. Great job. Oh, you know back to me anyway, so it doesn't really matter. So, uh, my apologies for being late. Um, Lawrence SC. All right.
I have reviewed the following. Um, school expense warrant April 30th, 2025, 190,447 and 1 cent. and the school payroll warrant May 1st 2025 for 1,12569148. Um I wish to um I have reviewed and approved and I wish to
enter that in public record. Thank you. Thank you. Next is the student representative update. All right. Uh good evening everyone. Um from the middle school. Nope, just kidding. From the K. Um all of our students just
finished up their math mcast testing last week in fifth grade. completed the science, technology, engineering MCCAST yesterday. As I mentioned before, our students left our MCCAST days as they start the day with outdoor recess, then snack, then testing. Then they go to their regular lunch and recess, a second one, and we move their schedule around
so they have their special in the afternoon. Our students have done an excellent job taking their time, writing out their thinking, checking their work, answering all parts of all questions, and doing their best. That's all we ask, and we hope it reflects in our scores. Last week was teacher apprec appreciation week and we cannot thank
our teachers and staff for everything they do for our students and what an awesome lunch in RAP open for them. The fifth grade students start their transition to the Norton Middle School this week as Mr. Hayward guidance counselor Miss Octous and several student representatives visited their classrooms this week to give them a
sense of what middle school will be like. Then next week our fifth graders will head over to MMS for play and a tour. It it is always a great day for them to help transition to sixth grade. Um, from the LG, our upcoming third grade students from LGN and JCS have
many things planned as well as our transitioning third graders who are coming up next year in the coming weeks. They plan for a step up day. There is a family informational night and Mr. Gay and Miss will make their yearly visits to each third grade classroom to talk with them about their transition to the L. Our fourth graders will also check
out the second and third floors for where they'll be for the next year. From Memorial Day, our students will be doing readings throughout the day to help our students remember and understand why Memorial Day is so important. It's not just a day off or a reason to barbecue. There are many more events we fill you
in as we get closer to the end of the year, including field day for both grades, fifth grade, walling museum, field trip, arcade, PTO, buy one get one, free salastic book fair, and more. We have a lot of work um to a lot to look forward to. Um and then this is
actually from the JCS. from the go ahead. Uh last Thursday, the JCS community held our annual JCSC turtle day to honor JCS by learning the history of our school, sharing why our school was named the Joseph C. Solom Elementary School and almost 50 years ago. And to celebrate our sea
turtle mascot, we encourage and invited all students and staff to wear their JCS gear or JCS purple to school as we celebrate with a variety of activities like school assemblies. The JCS museum is is set up in the library highlighting artifacts and featuring schools and
farming pictures and tools. AC turtle scavenger hunt is set up all around the first floor for students. A third a third student versus staff volleyball game and absolutely gorgeous bullet boards across from the main office to showcase the work the JCS community has
done to help injured in cold stone sea turtles. At the LG we are finishing up math mcast this week with third grade. They have worked really hard and tried their best during each session. We are very proud of them. They will be heading to Plymouth Plymouth Pot on their annual
field trip at the end of the month. Um, our kindergarters enjoyed a visit from barn babies. They had an opportunity to interact with goats, chickens, and pigs. A fun time was had by all. Our second graders enjoyed a field trip to Cer Park Zoo last Friday. Rainy weather didn't dampen their spirits as they got to see the most extraordinary animals. Finally,
our first graders are taking a field trip to Oknol this Friday to enjoy the great outdoors, hoping for good weather. And then from the middle school tomorrow, NMS welcomes a guest speaker, Quinton Champion, who to address all three grades about issues relating to mental health. May is mental health
awareness month. And all our guest speakers is sponsored in part by Cynthia and Michael Presan and all the people at the Sarah V Sarah's Village Foundation. On Friday of this week, MS will be holding our best day ever celebration in the front of the school. The best day acceleration is a schoolwide reward for all the work put in by students and
families on our fundraiser earlier in the spring. Students are rewarded with several large inflatable attractions, Kona Ice, music, games, and prizes. Next week on Monday, NMS welcomes Janet Applefield once again to come and speak to our students about her experiences as a child survivor of the Holocaust. Miss
Applefield has been coming to NMS for many years and her visits is made possible on an annual basis by the Northern Cultural Council. Drama Club is in the final stages of preparing for their production of Annie happening next week. Announcements purchase everyone to buy tickets and come out to see what
promises to be an excellent show. Shows are seven on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. And then lastly, Nort Middle School is pleased to announce that the following students have been selected as the NEMS distinguished students for the 2025
2026 academic school year. Satie Burton, Morgan Legendry, Alex Bang, and Lucas Delisley. Congratulations to these students on being selected for this honor. And then lastly, from the high school, Nor High School is gearing up for their final month of school. AP tests are winding down. The spring band
and chorus concert is tomorrow, May 15th. Students start their spirit week on Monday by dressing up as a senior slump. Uh once seniors leave, juniors will have spirit week starting Monday, June 2nd to move up to the role of seniors. One of our most beloved field trips is coming up in just a couple of weeks and then Mr. Paul will lead some
history honor society students to take the elementary school classes on a tournament. That's all I have for you today. Um so we're we're going to deviate slightly from our agenda and we're going to ask Antonio to come up to the podium please. So Antonio has been our representative
for 3 years now and this is his final meeting with us. Um he will cheer later. Uh we will appreciate him. Um he has brought some a lot of good insights uh a lot of good reports and has kind of
changed how the representatives interact with us here. So we do have a little something for you. So I'm going to have Dr. Rome join you up there. And I have to say that was quite the report for your last one. My gosh. I
think that was everything at once. Definitely. I think the longest one you had. Always respond. That never happens. I love that you just called them out like that, too. So, we just have a little thought for Antonio. Antonio will be joining um the
Bridgewater State University Bears next year. So, we have a sweatshirt for him. So, thank you so much for taking the picture. So, thank you. Of course. Thank you. Any final words?
Thank you and goodbye. All right. Next um is slowly becoming one of my favorite nights of the year on our student spotlight is when we find out who represents the senior class as the saludiatoran this year and
validictorian. So Dr. O'Neal. Okay. Thank you. Uh well tonight I have the honor of actually recognizing two students who are in a statistical tie for the saludiatoran. if you do know
what it's like. Um, and that is Nora Wattress and Sylvie Santos. Come on up. I don't ever recall there being a statistical statistical tie for one of our um, you know, top students. And Mr. Cersei is you know, shaking his head as
well. Um, so congratulations to you both. It's such an unbelievable accomplishment. and I'm going to take you one at a time to kind of share about your work with our audience. So, I'm going to start with you, Nora. Uh Nora is a motivated and diligent student, constantly pushing herself to achieve
her best. Her ambition and conscientious nature are evident in everything she undertakes both in and out of school. Her dedication is not only recognized by her family, but also admired by her peers and teachers alike. Norah's natural leadership skills shine through
her roles such as serving as the varsity captain of the NHS track and field team. Her long-term goal is to become a biomedical engineer and she is determined to advance medical science. Norah has embraced challenges through her high school career by enrolling in
various advanced placement classes including AP Calc, AP computer science, AP psych, and AP Spanish. She has a particular aptitude for mathematics which is demonstrated by her receipt of the prestigious Renolier Medal in 2024
for outstanding achievement in math and science. Beyond her academic achievements, Nora has also excelled in extracurricular endeavors in holding leadership positions such as vice president of the math honor society and historian for the na national honor
society. and Nora will be attending Rancelier Polytenic Institute me majoring in engineering. Congratulations, Nora. So, I think what we'll do is I'm going to give you your certificate and then you'll stand while Zoe also gets her little thing and then we'll invite
um the families up to take some pictures. So, there you go. Congratulations. This has been practice. All right. So, are you ready? Okay. All right. Zoe Santos is an exceptional student whose passion, humor, and caring
nature have left a memorable mark on our school community. As a dedicated student with a love for mathematics, Zoe has set her sights on pursuing a major in accounting. Zoe's academic journey is a testament to her determination. She has consistently
pushed the boundaries of her education by enrolling in rigorous AP and honors courses during her time at Norton High School. This year, Zoe is taking AP Computer Science, AP Calc, and AP Economics. Zoe earned the prestigious Presidential Award of Academic
Excellence in both business and math, as well as the AP Scholar with distinction award. Remember when we did that earlier this year? These distinctive awards are a reflection of Zoe's academic excellence. In addition, Zoe has been part of eight honor societies and was even named vice president of the honor
Spanish society. Beyond the classroom, Zoe is a natural leader and an inspirational figure among among her peers. As a captain of the Norton High School soccer team, indoor track and outdoor track teams, she embodies a spirit of teamwork and perseverance. Zoe
will be attending Quinnipic University where she'll be majoring in accounting and in November was signed on to the Quinnipiac truck team. Congratulations, Zoe. push the three of us together and then we'll have families. Huh? All right. We ready?
Thank you, Mr. Pul. So, that's how you got All right. So, families here tonight. Yes. All right. So, maybe Zoe with mom and then maybe everybody together. Yeah. And then like what was Zoe? Mom and dad and then Nora
with mom and whatever works. Stopating. All right. Next. Next. All right. Everybody together. One thing. You want to go in there? That's all right.
Sorry. [Applause] And now I have the honor of introducing our valadictorian, Jacob Barry. Come on up, Jacob. Jacob Barry is a highly motivated, ambitious, and responsible young man
with an unquestionable work ethic. Wow, it's a pretty good first sentence, right? He's in the process of completing a highly rigorous program and has taken a multitude of honors and AP courses. Jacob has been able to maintain a 4.8 GPA and is currently ranked number one
in the class. Jacob's academic success has allowed him to be on the highest honor role consistently and he is a member of the National Spanish Honor Society which he's also president of. Jacob was the 2024 recipient of the academic award for excellence in science
and history. In 2022, Jacob earned the academic achievement achievement award in business and he has been class president for all four years of high school. Jacob's leadership skills go beyond the classroom as he utilizes these skills
within his roles as as a boy scout, an Eagle Scout if I remember correctly, right? Congratulations. Jacob not only values education, but he has been a valuable student voice in the school community and student government. He is a student that others strive to emulate and has been a positive role model for
his peers. Jacob will continue his academic pursuits as he attends Dartmouth College where he will be majing majoring in government political science in the fall of 2025. He will undoubtedly excel in this new chapter and make a lasting
positive impact just as he did at Norton High School. And here is your certificate for validictorian. Congratulations. All [Applause] right, mom and dad are here as well. [Music]
Sorry. You guys together in Sure. Thank you. [Applause] Um, congratulations to you all. It's uh remarkable accomplishments. I feel like some of you have been at more meetings than some of us have in the last couple
years. Um, and it's a true testament to your hard work both on and off the field. So, congratulations to you all. Anyone else? Uh, I just want to echo what Dan said, but also your families, too. What amazing support systems that you have and the teachers you've had
along the way. So, just wonderful and congratulations and best of luck as you move on from Norton, but always remember us. And this is just the beginning of the celebration. So, we're looking forward to graduation and class night and everything else with you all.
Congratulations. You have all represented Norton High School very very well in your years with us and we couldn't be prouder. Um our next item is vote to approve the Nordon custodial contract local 1702.
Okay. Uh so before you tonight, you have the um MOA for the 20 uh from July 1st, 2025 through June 30th of 2028 for the Norton custodial unit. Um and as you can see,
there are a few updates here. They're all um highlighted in red. Um we tried to um right now the Northern Custodians Association has like three different groups within their organization based on dates of hire and so we tried to
clean up a lot of that language and um so it wasn't confusing for people based on um where they were and um thanks to Nick who sat on this group with us. So appreciate that. Um and you just need to vote on it.
Yeah. Any questions, comments? Uh just a quick shout out to the custodian union. Uh I think we met with them quickly three times. Um they came, you know, ready, prepared, and uh couldn't have asked for an easier, smoother negotiation with
them. Okay. All right. I will entertain a motion to approve the contract between Norton Public Schools and Norton Custodial Union as presented. So moved. Second. All those in favor? I
Okay. Next is discussion and vote on student parking fee with Mrs. Hatfield. Um so we are looking to increase the current parking fee at the high school for the um student parking spots. Um it is currently is $25. It has been at for
several years and um we're hoping to increase it to $75. um for next year starting FY 26. Um this is due to the rising cost that are associated with maintaining the parking lot um which is repainting the lines and
numbers. It's also um we use it for um the maintenance when it comes to the snow and ice removal and just to keep up with the rising cost. We're hoping to um increase it. Um we also did some comps of the surrounding areas and the
communities that do have a fee. here um on the lower end both. Um when was the last time this was changed? And I believe last time did it go down at some point? Yes. Um initially, I believe a while ago it was
about $100 and we had a significant amount of money in that um account because it can only be used for parking in that in that lot. Um so we are down pretty low at this point.
Um it's you know also one of the other things is you know parking is privilege and sometimes if the high school feels that a student should not be able to bring their car as part of progressive discipline it's not losing out too much when it's only a $25 fee. Um those of
you who are at the high school often um may notice that we've got some beautiful um orange barrels wrapped around one of the poles um at the top right hand corner of the lot. um would like to put something more permanent there as well and this increase will allow us to do that.
Questions? Um we got a few. One, how many parking passes do we sell on average? Um currently it's about 180. Okay. And then that money goes is it go does it go to a revolving parking lot
account? Yes. It's a portion of facilities, but that money can only be spent for that long. So, what's the quick math? What's what would the increase give us from one? Um, so right now we bring in around
um 4,000 a little over and it would be up to 13 over there 2,000. Okay. And then uh what was my and then Jen, you were saying we can take away privileges. So here's my thing that I don't like about parking passes. If
you're charging someone to park, why can we take away a privilege? Cuz it's not a privilege to pay for it. Correct. Correct. But there's also no skin in the game if you know students aren't paying too much. So I mean ultimately having the right to park your car at the high school is
something that you know people pay for. We could say that if there's a behavior issue, you're you're not allowed to have that right for the following year or something along those lines if people were inappropriate in the parking lot, which does happen from time to time. Um, and you know, donuts and you know,
being reckless as you know, sometimes happens. So, that's something that we could consider as well. Does staff pay? Staff do not pay. I'd make a motion to say no, but that's all I have for discussion
points. Okay. Um, entertain entertain a motion to approve the price increase as presented. You have to take it. You can vote no against it. Okay. So move. Is there a second?
Second. All those in favor I I sorry oh sorry I sorry I know sorry mask right next is review and vote on school committee meeting dates
okay so um these Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. uh here again in the crane meeting room unless noted otherwise. Um typical calendar for the events we try to meet twice a month. Um there are some months in this proposal where we only meet
once. So for example in November um as well as February. Um but we would also have in February we typically have our Saturday budget session in there as well. Um, and this would entail the school committee traveling to each of the five schools at the beginning of the
year. Um, we do a little bit of a tour. Um, so they you guys can see the schools and hear from the principles. Um, but this is our um, proposal for the upcoming school year and we try to miss those nights where we had open house or
other things as well. Okay. Any questions? Entertain a motion to approve school committee meeting dates for 2526 school year. So moved. Second. All those in favor?
I thank you. Next is review and vote on elementary and middle school student family handbook updates. Mr. Haywood and Dr. O'Neal. If our um saludiatorans and validatoran would like to leave, you're certainly
welcome to do so. You do not have to hang out with us all night. Go celebrate. [Applause] Um well as hopefully you reviewed the changes I've submitted in the packet I can answer questions or provide a rationale which I did in the packet. So
for audience members who don't have it in front of you it might not make total sense but there were several pages of changes most of which I think are routine and not really earthshattering. Uh some of it for the most part is to align our practice with our policies and
how they're actually enacted. Um on page one, it has to of the uh recommendations was under student absences. Um it's very difficult to replicate what happens in a classroom. In fact, that's where all the magic
happens. We tried that. it was called co. So attendance is important and it's next to impossible to have my teachers duplicate that. So this request of belief that work can just be given at the end of the day or sent is not really practical. At the middle school we have
a couple of things um some that have been longstanding like our ICE which is in our master schedule our intervention correction and enrichment block um in which students can meet with teachers get work that they need to make up get some support to do that. We also have
recently I think was included in the last previous contract was the office hours for all secondary teachers middle school that we post. Teachers tell me what the days are. We post that at the beginning of the year. Parents can link to it on the website. It goes home monthly in our newsletter which is a
thing. So you can sign up. So we do have many vehicles to support makeup work. Our broader policy talks about you have as many days if you were out three days upon your return you have three days plus an additional day to get that work done. So you'd have 4 days after you
return if you were absent for 3 days to do that work. It's just not practical. Homework too if you remember it's like homework used to be I would say vastly different from 15 years ago when you handed out papers. When I was a teacher I wouldn't let the kid leave the room with a piece of paper cuz I would never
see it again. Nor would they. Now many much of the work is done on computers and homework has for many of the subject areas has kind of evolved into said a nice practice of giving kids time finish what you haven't finished at home but there's really not necessarily as much
homework as people think there are which is why I struck that from our policy um homework is not a lot of times it's just extended time to do that great stuff that's happening in the classroom that again can't be replicated just on the
spot. But I also want my teachers to be responsive to what's in front of them. Often times you don't know what's going to happen on Thursday of the week. And I don't necessarily want them to know that. I want them to be responsive. And if they have to retach a lesson or go over something, it's going to change where that where they're at on
Thursdays. So again, this was uh this things related to absences had a lot to do with just aligning to our practice and updating things related to Google Classroom, which when these original things um we just didn't have that. And I think at this point it's so broadly
adopted that we can start putting into the handbook as you know that's our practice. Um okay teaming is another thing a lot of times we have questions about uh you know what team is my child going to be on? We're doing more cross teaming now than we've ever done before. But I
wanted to put into there a little insight into the process of deciding teams and the various factors that go into that. Uh so I kind of just put a rationale right into the handbook. Um that you know we can't necessarily always do it about friendships. Social
relationships are important at school. I actually want kids to have friends at school and be social. It's a big part of it. However, um you know that can't be the deciding factor. We we do a lot to break down clicks. I can't be a party to creating them. And then the perception
that you have a winning team and a losing team and if we get on that team, that's the team to be on. So that's really not not a deciding factor. We do uh while we don't solicit information, we do welcome information about a child like, hey, my child would learn best
with these types of teachers, whether it's a lot of structure or people who might have training in this thing. So, we do take into account that stuff when it's delivered to us, but we don't solicit it. Um, because keeping track of the web of the friendships of
12year-olds, it's ever evolving. We can never keep track of it. Kids who leave fighting on Friday are holding hands on Monday when they walk in. Uh, so that's very difficult. So, we just put some stuff in there about that because that's a big uh thing at the start of the year.
Uh, discipline guidelines. Uh we had something in there related to um penalties occurring after May 15th that would be subject to a suspension could carry additional penalties related to end of the year celebrations and so on.
Um just to try to maintain order as kids get like eighth grade itis senior itis but for eighth grade and things like that. Um but we you know the school year has been ending early. We haven't had as many snow days and some of these things are getting moved up. So, we want to
move that date to May 1 to leverage all the great things that we do above and beyond the curriculum in the classroom. And because of the law chapter 222, which changed our what you can be suspended for, um, we needed to change
that language that it's not only suspendable offenses, um, but, you know, we're putting it under the brother umbrella of alternative discipline measures that we take at the school. Um, below that's a small update, course offerings, uh, just
some stuff to do with our schedule. Um, necessary edits prior to printing. Now, the biggest change is the good standing policy. It's something that's has not been in place at the middle school in my 11 years. Um, something that when I was a high school principal, we did do for
seniors with senior privileges and things like that. So, I'm somewhat familiar about the power of it, about the effectiveness of it. Um and uh some of the rationale is we want to leverage all the opportunities and events and different things that we take place to maintain order in the
school and academics and attendance. So there's a three-part rubric as to what could make you fall out of good standing. Um again attendance is a big issue even talked about earlier in the policy like being there is so important.
Um so trying to encourage good attendance amongst students. Um academics academic achievement and you know um you know failure and things like that and passing problems on to the next grade. Um it's an inescapable truth that
the student is the most important part of their education. And in fact I always talk to Mr. the goal scene at the end of the school year. Since we don't correct any papers, we don't grade anything, how do we know we're successful? And basically the the short answer to that
is that when that student walking out on the last day of school in 8th grade care more about their education than their teachers and even their parents do. And if they can hit that going into high school, we're in a really good spot. So academics is important. And then uh
finally, behavior. So those three key ingredients uh individually for a student but also our school as a whole are so important. So we want to have some type of good standing policy. Um as far as the numbers there are some things there that you know um interested and
involved readers like yourselves would see like there's some to be determined which you probably don't want to vote on something that says TBD. I get it. But what we really want to do is one establish it in the handbook and then look at data from this past year at say the two or 3% of students and we have a
very powerful tool called Panorama that the district pays for probably still underutilized. We're getting better at it all the time where we can easily call this data and then really try to develop a rubric. Those numbers would be announced. People by default would be in
good standing. So if the pilot takes a while to get up and running, everyone just remains in good standing like they are now. Technically, we don't have a policy, but everyone's in good standing, can attend everything, and so on. And then if we want um look at that data and run those numbers, we can announce to
the community, this is the good standing rubric. Here are the numbers. We're going to implement it starting term two. maybe give a dry run on term one because again you don't have the academic or attendance behavior really till for us until December one the end of term one
and then you'd have term two so we could run it say if we were active right now uh this is where you would be and then term two and then um you know have the numbers and frequently there's stuff in the handbook right now currently that we
I would say uh enforcement I'll Give you an example. We had you can't have earbuds allowed in the school and headphones. Recently, I met with staff uh team leaders and they gave me feedback that we didn't have real consistent enforcement. So, it was
a thing. So, we sent home an email clarifying our enforcement around that policy. We've always had it in the handbook. We just clarified the enforcement. I envision us doing something similar like that. But this is kind of a complex thing that I would like to get on the handbook, do the
data, and then just like with the policy with the earbuds, gives parents and students ample warning, kind of do a dry run term one in practice and enforcement term two and then hopefully effective and serving us well in term three. Um I
think it will go a long way. Uh some of the restrictions down there um could be school dances at the middle school. We don't have as much as high schools do, but we have school dances, athletics. As a spectator, kids love going to those games and um if we can encourage them to
love the their schoolwork and attendance and respect their teachers as much as they love the games, that would be great. Assemblies, field trips, uh socials and other festivals, participations in clubs while not in good standing. The other important thing uh class celebrations and so on,
privileges, incentives is that um and also in the policy it talks about restorative pathways back to good standing. Again, it's really leveraging carrots and sticks to get the most out of individuals in our school. So, uh we put in there restorative pathways back.
It's not like a hard and fast. If you fall out of good standing, you meet with your team of teachers. You develop a plan. You make agreements like if it's an attendance issue, you know, for the rest of this term, you're only going to, you know, have fewer than this many absences. Um, so you can kind of set
goals or academics. You'll attend after school extra help sessions. You'll complete makeup work. Uh, behavior, you won't have referrals to the office. Um, so we provide pathways back within there. And um yeah, that's about it. So
I can answer any questions you may have. So I have I have two questions and I think one of them you might have touched on but I want to clarity on it. So when we're talking about the social suspension athletics as a spectator, are we also anticipating athletes themselves
possibly? Uh no because the there's welldeveloped policies by the MIA which our middle schools fall under related to how many subjects you fail and so on. There's also a bit of a monetary commitment to that. You know, if they fall out of good standing, I mean, some
of it would overlap naturally if you if you're in not in good standing because of attendance and you're failing classes, chances are you might not qualify for the team anyways and the coach might not be counting on you and coach coaches can remove players easier than principles can. But there's already
developed policies with the MIA, so I didn't want to delve into that. And again, our sports, one of the reasons why I really like the growth of middle school sports, we might have 15 kids on a softball team or a basketball team. I have a 100 kids after school. So sports really do benefit our entire school
community, not just the athletes, but that's a very small section. This is kind of a broad policy for everybody. So the second, and again, I think you touched on this, so just a little bit of clarity. So if if it's within say a season called basketball and they're not
in a good standing at the beginning of that term, if they go through the process with their teachers, with you, they can then not necessarily miss the whole season of spectating, but they don't miss like a week while they're kind of building their agreement. We Yeah, we don't want it. So you you never
want to develop a policy so rigid that it causes a student to give up. The whole idea of this policy, the the real philosophy behind it is to motivate kids and to get them to want to do these things and meet these marks. It's not
about sorting kids into bad piles and good piles and good standing and bad standing. It's about motivating kids to move what wherever they are, whatever status they're at. So that could be in flux during the thing. Again, meet with your teachers, come up with an
agreement. Um if teachers say this kid's working hard, we want to, you know, do that to motivate them. It's meant to motivate, not to exclude. Okay. Okay. Any other questions? Um so I think just to piggy back off of um what Dan was saying um in terms of monetary um aspect
of this. So I do know that field trips are paid for as well as after school um activities. Yeah. Um so I'll give you your money back. No. Well, this is not for anybody. It's like you want the money back. Right. But that that's that would be the only the only um
stipulations if not to raise funds, right? I mean the field trip is a onetime thing. So I get like you know the participation in the clubs if it is they get back in good standing they can go back to participating in the club. So that that's one thing but like the field trip that's a onetime deal. So you know I'm just thinking about like you know it
was like $180 or something to go to New York. So we we return money this year to someone. Okay. Okay. We return money this year. Um, you know, sometimes that we can do that. I I'll return the money. Okay. We just curious of what the what the mindset was when it came to that
part. For for us, for this policy, we return the money. We've done that in the past with different things. Um, it's it's kind of cumbersome for Christine to get it back. It has to go through town hall, but our intention would be to return the uh money. Uh, we don't need it that much. I'd rather have the kid,
you know, work and get in good standing. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. So, for something like a field trip, they like we'll use New York like they're not showing up the day of the New York trip to town and they can't go like they've been given the opportunity. They would
be well, so the dates the dates and the parameters around that would be the terms. So, like September, you know, one everyone's in good standing. No one has grades issued yet. No one has caused any trouble yet. It's 8:30. Give time. Okay.
Okay. So, no one's caused any trouble yet and attendance is pretty good. So, it's really after term one that we would get those data points and it would be for term two and then for term three, the end of the year. Um, you can't carry good standing over uh over the summer.
Everyone starts with a clean slate. Okay. Um, but yeah, so there would be a number. Nick, did you have something? Uh, yeah. I guess Vinnie in in your why wouldn't the if they were bad standing after the spring June whatever why would
we allow them to be in good standing again? Uh because uh again to the philosophy of something like this especially at the middle school level it's the restorative part and providing a pathway back. So if you have some if we have something that students like one
of the things even like Chromebooks we knew kids loved technology and they were already engaged with it so we paired our curriculum with that because they like technology they were engaged with Chromebooks so how can we kind of match up with that again if you like these things and we can leverage them can we
do that with your behavior with your attendance so um you will have to do that and that's why we put right in there uh right in the handbook book uh a pathway back and that would tie in with like stuff that we work with Dr. Akaman on like intervention plans. It's an
intervention plan. A lot of times you think about it as getting math help or doing extra help after school, you know, with fractions and decimals or working on a project, but sometimes behavior, attendance, those need interventions, too. This would be a tool to work out an agreement or a plan and then stick to
it. Um some kids uh you know have become um you know it's unfortunate and it's what we're trying to change but aca academic consequences they they've become immune to you know behavioral consequences. So when consequences don't
work you have to leverage stuff that they like. And again the toughest kid to deal with is a kid that's not involved not engaged. So when I find out they like going to games, even if they're not on the team and they're doing it well, we have to find a way to leverage that and not to, you know, cut them off, but
to find, okay, you're not in good standing. We need you to do this so you can go to those um activities that you like or participate. So that we would have that even in term three. I mean, in fact, if we didn't have that, this policy would do the exact opposite
cuz I have a bunch of people who were totally checked out at all and saying, "And I got nothing to lose." That's the last kid that I want in the building, the nothing to lose kid. Oh, sorry. I was just going to pick that, too. I think starting clean slate,
too. Um, in theory, like if they are on a team where they are heavily influenced by their group of friends or whatever and then the following year starts and they're separated and they're on a different team and now they maybe have more opportunity of just being themselves and not following through. You know, clean slate is always a good
way to to start things. I just worries me a little bit that I can pitcher that the end of the year is probably a little crazy. Kid's trying to, you know, nice weather, kids trying to get out of there. That if there's, you know, to get to a a situation where they're in bad
standing and then they know they have a clean slate. Like my thing is I absolutely love this. Yeah. But I would almost like just be a little cautious of that. My next question anyway though was like I I don't think we're allowed to carry penalties over like it's not a matter of like a decision. So this isn't
a penalty, correct? Well, we're not allowed to um carry over. I mean, it's not a penalty, but it's like kind of a ranking because I'm I'm leverag I'm holding over discipline that ended the previous year in academics. So, it's something that went out allowed. I I I
don't disagree with you in some ways. In fact, I wish kids could carry their good reputations forward. I wish I could be like this kid. Hey, you get this kid and they're everything else. And um so it's it's kind of tough that we give everyone a clean slate. I don't feel bad for the
kids who who maybe misbehaved and maybe you know that could be leveraged even further. I feel bad for the kids that work all very hard like the kids we had here and we say hey you got a clean slate. If I was that kid be like clean slate I must have my back. So I wouldn't have a clean slate so I would be up here
but anyways. No. And then how do you how do you anticipate this or or what is the tie back to PBIS? Um it's uh PBIS is um kind of like a schoolwide and an individual thing where you're kind of recognizing and
acknowledging really like the 80% of our kids 80. So you have a smaller like 5% of the kids that are causing trouble that might fall into bad standing or like on that cusp and then you have 10% of the kids like again the kids who were just here and uh Antonio and Benson and
all the kids and they're out here. Then you have 80% of the kids that kind of pass through our school do everything that's expected of them really make the school hum when the teacher walks open up your Chromebooks and they open them up and it's not you know captain of the football team or start the drama play but they really make our school hum and
things go along and PBIS is just acknowledging and recognizing them meeting expectations. You know excellence is often doing ordinary things extraordinarily well and that's really what I think makes the middle school good. We do kind of ordinary things. We just try to do them really
really well. And uh that's what PBIS is. This is a little bit not totally like that because again it's really um getting at that 5% that bubble that we need to like start to leverage stuff because they become immune to academic
and behavioral penalties. My last question is the restorative pathway back. Who is the final? Someone's got to be the final decision maker. Would that be like, you know, principal Goldstein, vice principal Goldstein, you guidance kind of that
like um I would uh you know, no one's smarter than the room. I would let the team decide that the people who are working with those kids, who have worked with those kids, who will be implementing the plan, I'd always like to to know about the plan,
but ultimately I would prefer to defer to the staff that's working with them. But again, we, you know, and I, myself, Mr. Goldstein, kind of give parameters, but with parameters, I give permission to get stuff done for kids. I don't, you know, try to micromanage everything. My staff may or may not like that. I just
say get it done and most part they get it done. And then what about buy in? Do we do the teachers, you know, is there buying from the teachers? Did the students kind of how was this happen? I I met with team leaders who then met with their teams and discussed the policy and brought some feedback to me.
Um, I then implemented that feedback. I don't really run everything by referendum, so I didn't take an up and down vote amongst the teachers. I run it by consensus building and then, you know, frankly, my expertise.
Anybody else? I absolutely love it. Great job. Thank you. All right. Do you would you guys like to vote on the um middle school handbook first and then we'll Can I just make one thing before we start voting on the handbooks? I asked Jen if we could look
at a district-wide cell phone policy as well. Um so I I would like to make if we start making motions just make it a fact that so we do have a district-wide cell phone policy currently. It's JN Da
um and it's off and away. That was what was approved and let me look at the date. uh 2022. So, I know that um there is a policy or a practice, I don't want to say the word policy because you guys write policy. Um there's a practice at
the middle school in regards to cell phones, but would you just be willing to share what that is? Yeah. Um students are allowed to have cell phones and are allowed to use them. Um teachers can't play cat and mouse all day with what's going on with the cell phone. uh we have
it that a teacher can ask at any time to confiscate a cell phone if they believe it's interfering with their ability to teach or students ability to learn an entire class or a single student. Um Mr. Going we know better how many writeups we get related to cell phones and again
sometimes our in we have it in our handbook and sometimes you know frankly we have to tighten up our our enforcement around a policy and that's where you'll hear stories and this and that. Uh sometimes teachers allow kids to use it. that I had a kid uh a class that I was covering and the teacher sent
along a note. He can uh you know he listens to the audio book and looks along on his phone. Okay. All right. You can use it. So kids can carry the devices but again we don't want it to interfere with teaching and learning in the building. Um sixth grade has far less problems cuz few of their students
even have the devices. I know my daughter's in sixth grade. She's not watching. Not watching anyways. for the Celtics and stuff, but you're not getting enough home for a while. Um, when you get to 8th grade, it's a lot more. So, those teachers will probably have a different take on it, but we
don't, you know, I I think they're they're they do interfere with teaching and learning in the building. Makes for a much louder lunchroom. During co when we had the phones, it was very quiet. Not just cuz they were separated, but they would look at their technology. probably hamper their social skills and
we have to do a lot because you know they're middle school. Um yeah, that's kind of the policy practice. So you're going to see something in the elementary handbook tonight that talks about technology devices. Um and then I know Dr. Dolman and his team have been um trying to put
something more concrete into the handbook for the upcoming year as well. What we can do is we can bring back the cell phone policy that we currently have if you guys want to see that. and and take a look at it. We can happy to do that. Um
yeah. So I I guess the point then is we can vote on these as is if you will and then we can always just revisit the cell phone policy and if the if the cell phone policy if we change it or keep the same or whatever it may be it would over go over these handbooks anyway. Correct.
So we would adjust the handbook language to fit the new policies. Yeah. And you know we used to print handbooks. We don't do that anymore. Um, it just goes up online or as an attachment in principal's emails. So, it's a little bit different in terms of like needing
to have it done at a certain time. So, we can bring that back if the committee would like us to. All right. So, entertain a vote to approve the middle school handbook updates as presented. So moved.
Second. All those in favor? I. Okay. Uh, next is elementary. Okay. Um, so I'm going to go over the elementary changes with you tonight. Um, since this does cover all three of our elementary schools, um, Little Lancers does have
their own independent um, handbook, there are no changes other than dates in that. So that's why it's not in front of you. So we have um, two changes in the handbook for elementary students. The first one is on page 10. It is personal technology device um slashvaluable and
fad items. Um so I think the word fad is kind of funny but I'm thinking like I don't know or like fidget spinners or things like that. Clearly showing my age here. So um talking about the you know
understanding of the fact that technology is an integrational part. Um, however, we are asking students at JCS and LGN to not bring any personal electronic devices and or accessories to school. Um, sometimes it's not necessarily cell phones at these lower
grades, but it might be like a Nintendo Switch or some other um gaming device that um kids are bringing with us. Sometimes we see iPads. Um, so we are asking um that students not be allowed to do that. Um, at the Yell School, uh,
we do have students in grades four and five with cell phones. Um, Mr. Hayward mentioned his daughter Giana in sixth grade does not. Um, however, my sixth grader, who's the youngest at my house, does, so it's a little bit different. Um, so, uh, at the Yale school saying
that it must be in their backpack, cubby, or locker during the school day. Um, and then of course that the district is or the school is not responsible for any loss or damage items. Um, that is number one. Number two um is on page 31 and it is
about class placement. Um and this is something that um we deal with every single summer where parents have a particular uh request for a teacher. Um and so we just wanted to put something in writing that there, you know, we use a we have a process for selecting
students and putting students together in the classroom. um we want to take into factors into consideration such as learning styles, classroom performance, their peer relationships, etc. Um we welcome input from families when it comes to their child's placement.
However, we will not um consider specific uh staffing requests. So happy to answer any questions about those. So there's not any way to put like a specific date on
class assignments, right? Cuz I know you know some some schools are sometimes earlier, some are later. And I mean I remember years ago you got your teacher or the next year when you walked out. Yes. So um we typically try to have placements out around August 15th. It's
not a date that's set in stone, but we do try to have them all out at the same time. Um all elementary buildings will typically um send out the emails to families on the same day. Middle school does theirs around the same time and high school schedule
is typically the last to happen when you walk in day one. Um but yeah, so and again we sometimes we have staff changes over the summer. We get you know new students enrolling. Um we have things that need to be switched at the last
moment. So, um, we we try to not send them out until, um, you know, mid August. Any questions? Entertain a motion to approve the elementary school handbook as presented.
So moved. Second. Second. All those in favor? Thank you. Next is district alignment discussion and vote. Dr. O'Neal. Okay. Thank you. So, um, tonight I have some information. And this started out as a
school start time conversation and then we, you know, discussed the fact that if we're going to do this and do this right and do it once um for now that we really need to look at other items and discussed um looking specifically at the
way that our um lines are drawn in our community between JCS and LGN, looking specifically at school start times and also looking at the ways that our schools are set up in terms of grade levels. Um so at the request of the m
committee I you know did some background work and some digging um and spoke with three different companies um around around a um district alignment study. Um what I had shared with each of them is number one I shared the um you know
interesting setup that norm public schools currently has in terms of LGN and JCS starting at such significant times. Um we have the yellow school where you're either coming in fourth grade or you're leaving in fifth and it's a quick um two years there and then
you know the way our high school and middle schools are set up and you know ultimately we're looking for a process that will triangulate the consultant with our leadership team but also with that existing working group that we
already have formed that has done a lot of this work so far. um and coordinate that with you know frequently reporting to not just the school committee as the you know board who will be making the ultimate vote and decision on what we move forward with but also with the
community as well. This you know when you start talking about changing start times and you start talking about redrawing district lines that is something that people get very passionate about. Um, and the other thing that I was really clear with this
committee or with, you know, these three different consultants about was that it's really important for someone from NORN, whether that that's myself or the school committee to be the voice in the face of this work. Um, I think we um all know that, you know, having someone come
in from the outside as a consultant that there is a level of mistrust um or, you know, that they're being sold something. And so personally I feel really strongly about being the face of whatever this might be. And so you know engaging with
a consultant looks a little bit different from that perspective. You wouldn't necessarily need someone here with us at every meeting at every forum at every task force. So um that's kind of where these quotes are coming from.
So I have three quotes for you. I have um Dillinger research and applied data. Um this is more of a um alakart approach is probably the best way for us to consider it. Um after conversations with
them they are they recommended doing more of an hourly rate um because we have started some of this work. So um we have some survey data and we have some transportation information and we have feedback from families. Um so they would
support us with the project management piece, the you know pulling of all of our enrollment data and taking a look at what trends are coming down the you know down the road for us. What building is coming, take a look at our current lines
and metrics and then also doing this um geo mapping which is I think the area where I basically said yeah no that is not my area of expertise. They have um people that work within, you know, all three of these companies that are able
to um take a map of Norton. We show them where our lines are. We give them addresses of our current students and their grade levels and they put all of that together into um very technical map for us to be able to project out what
any changes would look like o over the next few years. um that would be at $140 an hour and they're looking at 75 to 150 hours. Um they've worked with active Boxboro and over and greater New Bedford vocational
technical high school. Um and as you guys know with the vocational technical high schools that's like looking at seven or eight communities altogether. Um I have a second uh proposal here for you tonight from Ross Habar Associates. Um this is more um as
I shared with you, Dillinger is a little bit more like we decide as a team what we need them to work on for us where Ross Haver is more of an overarching proposal. Um they would look specifically at our enrollment data, the
use of our current facilities along with the grade level groupings that we currently have um school groupings and then the bell time and transportation. um they would you know start with the data collection components really looking at the our demographic analysis
redistricting looking at attendance equity and transportation and the goal of both companies is to really help us look at what our resources are and what is the best long-term solution for Norton based on this work um Ross Habber
is it's a total project cost of 19,500 um they've most recently worked with Attabaro public schools and Stone um and you have their proposal there. And then the third company that I work um I spoke with um and I don't have a
full proposal from them and you know I'm going to share why um is the Sandborn map company and they were actually recommended to me by Watertown Public Schools um and their full f their full project cost was between 90 and 110,000. Um, so I said, "Thank you so much for
the information." And we hung up. Um, so, um, ultimately, and I'll be really honest with with, you know, with the audience here and with the committee, I don't think there's a bad approach here for for either of these
companies. I think they're both extremely reputable. Um, Dillinger is based out of Connecticut. Ross Haber is based out of New Jersey. Um, they have done work in Massachusetts. they have been extremely um responsive to what I said our you know challenges were. We
talked about budget. We talked about transportation. We talked about the fact that you know our current model for school start times. We've been doing this for 21 years and it's not working and we need to make some changes. Um, part of me really likes the alle
cart approach of Dillinger because potentially we could need less than the 150 hours and really be able to tailor the work that we want them to do. Um, when you look through their proposal, there's a little bit more in terms of
engaging with the community. Um, but then I could also argue for Ross Haver because quite honestly, you know what it's going to cost up front and I mean ultimately I'm happy to answer any questions that are here. Um, and I think I don't think there's a bad decision for
us here. Um, Christine actually um was attending the uh Mass Association of School Business Officials conference earlier today and attended a redistricting session and um she definitely has details that she can share with you. Um but the the primary
thing that people were saying is like the geom mapping like that is really important to have someone who is a professional that is able to do that work for you. Um and that you know I think ultimately these two first quotes that we that we have here um will help
us get this work across the finish line. That is the problem that we've had with I mean we've talked about school time start times like when Joe was here and prior to that as well. um this is the next step for that work. We haven't had someone come in and and do that um the
mapping and the and the predictions. So those are my thoughts. Happy to answer any questions that the committee has. Um both of these companies they both do geom mapping. Yes. And then they both will look at
facility usage and like Yes. How we've kind of discussed the best what is the best approach. Absolutely. Yes. Both. I mean, really all three of them, but I'm pretty sure that last one's not a contender. Um
um but yes, they will the the the system and output will be very similar. Um you know, I spoke with Keith Tivera from Andover. We had a great conversation about his work um with Dillinger and then I also spoke to Dave Sawyer from
Albero um and he had great things to say about Ross Hever. Um ultimately the product will be very similar. Um it it's just really do we want to go with something that um you know as I said I think it's important
for us to be the face of this work. So when you look at Ross Gver's proposal, there's really nothing in there at all about, you know, engaging with the community and shareholders where Dillinger does talk more about that. And I think if I was to pick something and
having that company help us and support us maybe with analyzing some of the data that we already have collected from the surveys and helping us say okay what other information do we need perhaps from staff or from families and helping us to put together those presentations
would be beneficial where I don't think you would get that um from Ross either. Um, so looking at looking at these, so with that hourly rate, if we went to the maximum of the 150 hours, it would be $21,000 versus the Rosa guarantee of
$1,95. So it's really, you know, a risk difference of $1,500. Um, I like the idea of the fact that, you know, we do have a group of people that have been doing the work, um, you know, which shouldn't be just dismissed and disregarded. So the fact that
Dillinger is looking, you know, would take that into consideration, um I think would be appreciated. Um so those that's just and I I and again I went through all of the information of Dillinger yesterday. Um and it seemed rather
comprehensive. Um which I thought was really good. um looking through quickly at what we have here for this goal from uh Ross Habber, it's literally just a list of hey here's where we've worked and so um I don't know my my opinion is
I I prefer Dillinger over Ross Haber but that's just me. Well and I and I think with with Dillinger to your point is we we've started the process and then we realized that we need a little help. So now we have to find the help and find
the qualified people that you know can help us do that. And it and it seems like you know Dillinger is willing to kind of work with us and say all right well here's what we think but what do you think about what we're trying to show you versus the other company seems
like they'll be like here you go this is what we recommend and we don't maybe have a voice in the room. So that's kind of where I was thinking. So, I mean, I I think, you know, I don't want to say $1,500 isn't isn't a lot, but I would think because we've started the process,
we could cut down on those on those hourly rates because we've done some the work. So, I think there there could be a closer gap on that final total. If if we're giving someone $20,000, we're sure as hell going to have a voice in the
room. Yeah. So, I don't necessarily I I don't know. I'm kind of I personally when I'm again we just did get the Ross Haber one tonight but like when I'm looking at this they have obviously a ton of different schools that they've worked with across New England and New Jersey. The no add Stone
Stone is one of our which is kind of weird but it's one of our dark districts um in terms of town and and you know management of town if you will. Um I mean you have to to me they have all the information that Dillinger has. I don't
know if I'm sold on making a call right now on this in terms of spending the money because that's my first question. How are we paying for this? It would have to be through school choice. Okay. And then um and in terms I mean I don't mind the
alocart. What I don't like about the other card is you're going to have if we I feel like sometimes when you do it that way, yes, you can save a little bit of money, but I also feel like things can kind of get left behind a little bit cuz unless someone's really engaged with exactly what's going on, it does put
more work on on the district and and admin and school committee and principles and everybody else a little bit more. Um, you know, and I think to, you know, Lara's point, 75 to 150 hours, that's, you know, almost $10,000 difference. That's a pretty chunk of
them, you know. It's it's a big number one way or another, you know. So, I I don't know. I'm like I don't know if it's best to have a rep come in, kind of get to get to know these companies a little bit better. Um, I know we obviously want to move on quick. However, uh I just feel like with a with
a thing that can really really dictate what our schools look like, what this town is made up of is going to affect everybody in town one way or another pretty much. I I wouldn't want to jump into something without having 100% confidence in one of these companies.
And quite frankly, I don't right now. So, one of the other things, and I don't want to speak for Christine, um, is, you know, talking with different companies, it doesn't really matter which group you work with or or what, cuz there were other groups there today that she saw as
well. Um, it's a huge amount of work. Like this, what did they say? This was the worst experience of their life. So, I mean, that sounds like a great time. Um, so I think that, you know, regardless and and we, you know, if we
want to bring people out, we can certainly do that. I think at least Christine and I have had the conversation that this is going to be a huge amount of work for us. And theoretically, it's probably going to be June through December for us to really
work with either company to get them the data that they need to do our due diligence when it comes to the community um to get feedback to, you know, and and then bring something to you that we feel comfortable with. So, it's
really it's definitely a lot, but that's okay. So, and I again, I think that's my point with that all cart. I feel like there's going to I feel like there's going to be so much that needs to be put back on us. And quite frankly, like we've had this
conversation multiple times that like this isn't our specialty. We're, you know, you guys' job is to educate children, not to be drawing geo maps of the town. So, like I feel like at some point it is just best to hand it off to the professionals. Obviously, we need to make sure either company is going to
understand that We're controlling the money and we're controlling the the you know h how we want how involved we want to be. If we want to be involved with community forums and admin teams and school committee meetings and everything else, they're going to have to you know adapt
to us. Um, so I I guess that's my only kind of my thinking here is is I would almost rather be locked into a contract cuz what if all of a sudden Dillinger, you know, they're anticipating 75 to, you know, 150 hours, but just like a lawyer, we know how that can go in terms
of um, you know, and the only thing I would say about the set quote is that I think if we're asking Ross Heber to do more when it comes to helping us plan the community forums or or look at that data, I think that's going to cost us
more. Mhm. So, I mean, I'm more than happy to have people come out and chat with us. I I don't know if other people have thoughts as well. Um, but of course, we'll proceed however the committee feels is is best. So, my initial thought, you
know, do we want to table this for a meeting so members can reread these com cuz we just got one today at the last minute. So that was kind of where I was leaning is if the members kind of want to take a little bit of time maybe we can push us to the next meeting and take
more time. Yeah. And that way if members have any questions we can prepare and if that involves going to the company and getting those answers. Yeah, we can do that. We do that. Yeah. I mean is that something obviously we can't discuss it between the five of us and you know that way but would there be something that we
would have a line of communication? I mean, so to the company themselves, obviously. So, if you would like to, we could do two things. We could have both companies present at our upcoming meeting on the 28th and have all five of you there, or you could select two of
your members to um represent the committee and we could do something offline in between. Well, and and that kind of gets into the questions we were just having is do we want to turn this over to the professionals, which is select one of
them, or do we want to, you know, talk to them and and kind of nitpick and get So, it's like we're back at square one with we need the professionals, but we want to have a say. So it's like we can't keep pushing it down because and unfortunately this is something we've
been kicking down the road because we keep finding new things. So we're going to have to you know my recommendation and if members want we kind of take a couple of weeks if any individual members have individual questions they
can you know send them to to Dr. O'Neal. Maybe we get a little clarity and then maybe we revisit the vote at the next meeting. But I I I want to I want to be cautious and say at the next meeting there should be a vote because we have to start getting involved in the
process. Yeah, I agree. I think that we've reached a point where we have to bring somebody in because again this has been a discussion for how many years? A lot, right? 21. Yeah. Like 20 20 plus years, right? So I think that
we've definitely reached the end of that rope. Um, you know, I understand Nick's concerns about the alakart. Um, but I would also counter with the fact that, you know, we we have control over that alakart as well. I would think I don't
think this is just them saying, okay, we're just going to cherrypick this, this, and this. So, you know, I think that we we do have to have a level of trust of the people that are doing all of this work. Um, so I mean I'm happy to move it to the next meeting, but I definitely don't think we should be going any further than that so that the
work can be done so that we can be prepped and ready to go. Yeah, I completely agree. I think with a little bit of time we can usually probably narrow one of these companies down pretty quickly. Okay. So the so the committee has homework. Um, but our next meeting is Monday. Oh no, we have to do
the 28th. Do the 28th. Cuz that's a quick one before town meeting. Oh, probably. So, if the members want to read through the literature, come up with any questions for Dr. O'Neal, we will table this discussion and revisit this vote at
our next full meeting, not before town meeting. Thank you. Um, all right. Any other business not anticipated? Dr. Um, I just have a couple things.
Tomorrow evening um in May 15th is the Norton High School um spring concert. Um I hope you will consider coming out and watching our talented students. I'm going to be there. And then class night will be May 29th at Norton High School
at 6:30 and then graduation June 4th at 6:00 p.m. at the Exfinity Center. So got some fun weeks coming up. Um as was casually mentioned uh Monday is town meeting. There is surely going to be some exciting articles. I encourage
everybody to go and entertain as is your right to vote. Jen, is there anything that's on for schools that is pressing that which may be highly quickly? Um other than our budget, um we have no other warrants um on the
town meeting for this upcoming um town meeting. However, um our budget is there. Um, and I think I can say this. Um, at a recent finance committee meeting, they voted to move $500,000 from stabilization to the school
district budget. Um, that is something that's really really important for us. Um, we will still be just shy of level services um even with the 500,000, but if we do not get the 500,000 um that puts us significantly in the hole for
the upcoming school year. So, um, we appreciate everyone's support. Um, I just have one quick thing. I just want to mention, uh, probably should have done this at the beginning, but it's all right. Um, just Ed Podfin. Uh, I know we've worked for Norton for many
years as a coach. Um, you know, in multi- youth sports or whatever, he passed away unfortunately. Uh, so I just want to take a quick second to remember Ed. That is it. Thank you. On a on a lighter note, um sorry, uh next week uh in the middle school, um you know, uh they're
performing Annie for those three nights. So that's um you know, if you get a chance to go and check that out, I'm sure that'll be a good show. Entertain a motion to move. Second. All those in favor? I have a great night. Thank you.