All right, folks. It's 6 o'clock. We're going to get started. Pledge of allegiance. The flag is behind everybody. >> I pledge algiance 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. >> All right, folks. Um, just so everybody is aware, the meeting is being reportified in the media. Um, so if you are recording or intending to record,
please just let us know. Uh, we're going to go a little bit out of work tonight just because we have some prior commitments for staff and students that are here tonight. So, we're going to start with recognition of Eric Wallace for the grand marshall of the Veterans Day parade. >> Thank you. Good evening everyone. Um,
tonight I am very proud to recognize Mr. Eric Wallace uh who is a social studies teacher at Norton High School and has not only a social studies teacher at Norton High School but also a proud Norton High alum um and longtime social studies teacher here in Norton and a
good friend. Um this year Eric was selected by the Norton Veterans Council as the grand marshall of this year's Veterans Day parade. Now Mr. Pace himself is not a veteran. However, the work that he has done for the veterans
in our community is absolutely incredible and 100% um deserves this recognition. He was chosen for this honor in recognition of his ongoing commitment to honoring and supporting veterans through his work
at Norton High School early on. here. He plays a key role in organizing the the Earth Church Award and Memorial Day assembly, helping students understand the remembrance and service. Additionally, Mr. is the leader.
student spotlight for MCCAST recognition with Dr. Stand up for these so that way students can come up and get their award and be recognized. I'm trying to figure out maybe we'll all stand over here and then Benson maybe you can >> get the pictures that way.
>> All right. So, tonight I am very very proud to recognize a group of outstanding students for their exceptional academic achievement on the spring 2025 MCCAST assessment. Uh these students earned a perfect score on an
MCCAST exam which is an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects their hard work, their determination. Oh, thank you for moving on. I appreciate that. >> We don't want to bear right. Um and a deep understanding of the academic material. The MCCAST
assessments are rigorous, requiring students to analyze complex tech complex texts, apply math and science concepts, and demonstrate their reasoning through written responses. Achieving a perfect score is truly remarkable
and speaks to both the to the students efforts. At this time, I'm going to call each student up by name to be recognized. So, when your name is announced, please come forward to receive your certificate. and we'll take a photo to celebrate your achievement as well. So, the first person that I'd like
to recognize for a perfect score on the 2025 English language arts and CAS exam is Emilyn here. Oh, >> it's a video. >> Oh, sorry. That hurts too. I'll leave that to a professional. You'll have that forever. Dad's going to
take a picture. Uh, the next person, uh, perfect score on this 2025 ELA MCAST, Savannah Freyo. Yeah. >> Next up, I believe she's not here to join us tonight. Aaliyah Hawkins Cro.
Um, also not able to join us tonight, Leah Scadoli, who is also our um, student, one of our student representatives. So, congratulations to Leah. And then Megan Smith, who is unfortunately not able to join us tonight. Um, congratulations.
I'm pretty sure the rest of you are here. So, Samuel Fudge, a perfect exam, perfect score on the 2025 math empath. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. Uh, congratulations to Broen Kelly.
>> We'll do one right here. >> One, two, jump. Go quickly, right? Very cool. Uh, an award for Jeffrey Michael. Perfect score on the spring 2025 and >> finally, last but certainly not least,
congratulations to Braden Powers. Amazing job. >> Oh, hold on. >> I think it's important to recognize how truly special this is. These assessments are very very um challenging and complex and to have this many students with
district have perfect scores is really amazing. So, um, MCAST is just one way that we take a look at student achievement, but I think it's really important for us to recognize what students do well. So, thank you all so much. Congratulations. >> Um, as is customary, don't feel like you
need to stay for the rest of your >> join me right after. Sorry. I'll push you down. >> Next item agenda which is our public period. Uh those who wish to address the meeting shall state their name and
address. Uh people who are a staff member, please state that as well. Public comment shall concern only items within the scope of the school committee's authority. Speakers will be allowed three minutes may not present their time to another.
Anybody wish to address the meeting? >> Are we cleared out? with my voice. >> Come on down. >> My voice is already straining. >> All right. Next, we have to review the minutes of the October 29th open session
meeting. Has everyone had a chance to read this? >> Yes. >> Are there any questions, comments, concerns, or >> All right. I will entertain a motion to approve the minutes as president. >> All those in favor.
Uh next is the warrants. >> Uh I have reviewed the following. School expense warrant October 29th 2025 87,7417 cents and the school payroll warrant
October 30th 2025 1,156,63151 cents as reviewed and approved and wish to enter them into public record. >> Next we have student rep update. >> Hi everyone, I'm over here. Um, so this
week we asked our schools to share how they've demonstrated kindness and generosity toward families in need and the Norton community as we enter the season of giving just because we also know Leah and I there we know there are a lot of students and their families um struggling right now. Um from the middle
school um they are gearing up for their annual turkey carnival um which will take place on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Um, this event began as the turkey shoot where students made foul shots for donations benefiting the Norton Cupboard of Pineex about 10 years ago. It evolved into a carnival style
event um giving students the chance to participate in various games and activities for a small fee or canned good donation while supporting the cover of kindness. In recent years, the event has raised more than $1,500 and filled eight to 10 large boxes of food each year. It's a wonderful tradition that
continues to make a real difference in our local community. Special thanks amil Miss Butler and the students of Stukal for leading this effort. In other news, Norton Middle School recently welcomed Jesse Green, a renowned shall artist and teaching personality um who spoke to our
eighth graders about following their dreams and staying true to themselves. His visit has become an annual favorite among students. Um our sixth grade classes also celebrated um Rald Doll day with cross umcurricular activities inspired um by his classic works and
many students on staff dress as their favorite characters. Finally, our fall sports season has wrapped up with great success. All teams finished at or above a 500 record and our student athletes and coaches have much to be proud of. And then from the Yale as we enter the season of giving, students and staff
have been showing generosity and gratitude in a number of ways. This month, our school collected stuffing for the personal best karate food drive and toys for the Norton holiday toy drive. We've been emphasizing to students that there are always others who may be in need and that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Our
PBIS trait of the month is gratitude. Each morning on fifth grade announcement crew shares reflections, quotes, and student stories about how to share gratitude in their daily lives, helping to reinforce this important value across our school community. Um, and then in other news, this Friday, the Hey PTO in
partnership with the Unlikely bookstore in Planeville, um, w'll welcome author Owen Couler to share his new book, Firefox Moon. Best known for the Artemis Fowl series, Mr. Culer will present 12th grades, sharing his writing experiences and signing books for students. We're
grateful to our PTO for providing this incredible opportunity. And finally, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, our PTO will host the always popular anything but a backpack favors the creative carrying um get creative carrying their belongings in anything but a backpack. Thank you.
>> Thanks, M. >> Uh next we have opening remarks with Mr. Paul. >> I'm going to apologize. I'm not in great voice tonight, but I will do the best >> best that I can. Exactly. Um, so I'm
excited to share my opening of school remarks with you in my second year of principal here at JCS. Uh, a side. It's been a very busy and successful beginning of the school year. And as we're nearing the close of the first trimester, I'd like to share some of the highlights with the school.
So because of all the hard work of our teachers and staff and the support of our students families, everyone's comfortable with the daily routines and expectations. So when I stop and visit classroom, there's a lot of active learning taking place across all the grade levels and programs. Um in her
second year at JCS, Maria Blackburn has become a strong leader for the Little Lancers program and she regularly meets with the entire preschool team and communicates with families above and beyond the messages that I send out. So we have some JCS families who receive my message messages every week. Basic
school also gets other information from Mrs. Black. Um so we're really fortunate to have her leading our little Lanches program. So um JCS values a school culture that focuses on being kind, being safe, being respectful, and being responsible. Every
day that costume rocks. It is excellent while still having fun as we learn together as you can see. Um, so one of the ways that we have fun is through our morning announcements each and every day. And so like our sister school at the LG, we've shifted to video announcements um that include weekly se
uh segments like tasty tidbits with a catchy theme song of Mr. Place. So I have to do Mr. Place credit. I have to play this for you. So he composed and recorded this all on his own and it's an earworm for the kids. works.
Exactly. So, every Monday and Friday, um, we do a tasty tibbit in partnership with Chartwells. And so, we lead into it with this little slide with that jingle. And it really has become an earworm. And if you listen really closely, you can hear Mr. place whisper in the background
at the end tasty. Exactly. And so the kids the kids like giving them a hard time about that which is which is really great. Um and so in our announcements as well we do daily student staff birthdays monthly PBS goals and so it was really interesting to hear the y'all talk about
gratitude. That's actually the trait we're working on this month. So families got information about that. We're talking about that as a school. We're also working. We had a really successful October in our cafeteria focusing on one thing. We felt like instead of trying to
focus on so many things in the cafeteria, one thing, it was teaching kids to be self-reliant, responsible, cleaning up after themselves. And you would think that that's something that all kids would know and be comfortable with, but it's not necessarily the case. And one of our new custodians, um, Mr.
Jason, as the kids like to call him, they've really become connected with him. And so we attached it to how would you feel that Mr. Jason's picking up these things that you just kind of left. And so they really made a connection about, oh no, I don't I don't want to do that to Mr. Jason. And so we really
developed that kind of inherent responsibility. And so this month working on keeping our hands to ourselves. Um mostly just friendly keeping our hands ourel in line. You know, kids love when they're waiting in line, touch each other, poke each other. We're kind of working on those things. So those are some of the things that we
do. Um the other thing um is so some of you know I was a music teacher a long time ago on a galaxy far far away and in my prior school which is much smaller every Friday morning we had an assembly to start the day or start to end the week rather and we sang a silly song
can't really do that JCS it takes a good 15 minutes to get kids in and out of anywhere so we've been doing video silly songs not every week um so I I apologize to some of the parents if your kids are singing the swimming pool song I'm really sorry but um we've been just doing things like that which has been
great. And then third graders have been recording in their classroom uh the pledge. So you see third graders recording themselves and we've been adding that in with the hope that other grade levels be able to do that soon. When we're doing it on the PA, it came down. Um but our PA is a little bit old.
It's not a great vehicle for that any longer. And this gives our classrooms much more flexibility. So let's say Miss Lauren's classroom when we were doing the announcements, they were in the middle of doing something. It's not great for four-year-olds necessarily. You have to stop everything. So, this
gives flexibility to say our class, we can do it this time. Our class can do the other time. So, it's it's really work. So, we did make a a change to our daily master schedule this year. And um some of the reasons behind it were some of
you may or may not know that the specials that the kids have art library music and technology at the end of the day whoever had uh special at the end of the day they miss 10 15 minutes of that every single day and it's just the fact that we have a large school it takes a
good 15 minutes particularly for kindergarten to get them moving ready to go and so um Mr. place actually brought that to the attention of some of the administration a few years ago and so we made a change. Um like any change nothing is perfect but some of the
things that we did was um we reduced the number of lunches. So we had four lunches a day. So essentially for 2 and 1/2 hours every single day we did lunch which meant that staff couldn't do other things. Uh myself, I was in the
cafeteria and so we reduced from four lunches, not including prek to three lunches. PreK still has a lunch in the cafeteria from 11 to about 11:25. One of the things that we did this year, which is nice, believe it or not, 30 minutes is too long for lunch, particularly for
prek. So, we shorten it and that's I think has been fairly successful. Thank you. Um, also too, we were able to by moving and Danielle could certainly attest to this, but I'm not putting her on the spot. Um, specialists, they didn't have a prep time that was alto
together. And they also didn't have a single minute between their classes, so they had seven classes per day. They didn't have a minute to break down or set up or or use the restroom. And so now we have five minutes in between the special classes making the transitions
easier um because of this change. We've also been able to based on some of the new staffing, we're offering um PE to prek now, which I think has been a big hit. So some um some of our kids are really excited to see Coach T. I believe that's what they're calling her. Yep.
Every week. And uh we just recently started a twoe rotation of library for prek, K, and first grade. So bringing back some of those things that our younger grades have been missing particularly last year I believe. Um and then like at any schedule there are drawbacks that we're working on. And so
the curriculum leaders and I we meet on a monthly basis and one of the things that we're talking about is some of the things that don't work so well. How can we kind of look forward to next year to try and maybe address them? But I'm I'm going to use a quote that Dr. Acriman says all the time. We need to be careful
of not letting perfect get in the way of good and knowing that no schedule is ever going to be perfect. And so we want to try and do the most amount of good with our schedule knowing that not everything's going to work very. But that was a significant change this year.
Um community is a big theme at JCS as it is at really any school. And so um we continued our tradition of inviting veterans and family members and also community members into our Veterans Day ceremony. So, my understanding, and Jen, you can correct me if I'm wrong, is
since we've been having the ceremony, we've never had to have it inside until this week. Okay. >> Um, but the kids did a fantastic job being respectful, coming in, really paying attention to the veterans. We um
asked the kids to come sit with their family members, introduce themselves, talk about what it means to be a veteran. My own father was a Vietnam veteran, so it means a lot to me. I wish he were here. he could come to the assembly to meet the kids. Um, but it was really great to see that. The
unfortunate thing this year is where it fell. Our prek students weren't able to participate. Last year they did outside. So hopefully next year we'll go back outside and it'll be on a day that that prek is here. Um, I think the other thing that we talk
about all the time in terms of community is just um parents. And you'll notice that not only do we have some community members, but we have parents and we had active duty parents who weren't sure they could even wear their uniforms because the government shut down and the last minute they found out they could.
So we had kindergarten friend here with her dad from the Air Force which is really impressive for kids to see. And then um Mrs. Farley I I would like you to see that that is here. So, you know that a big part of our community is connecting with the sea turtle hospital
and doing things for the sea turtles. And so, our kids last year, they not only worked with m Mrs. Farley, Mrs. Salah um on designing these crates and these materials, but we raised funds to be able to support the sea turtles. Um, and then of course we had Mrs. Farley
out pushing a cart during the Chartwell's parade on Halloween weekend. And so giving back to community back to community and participating is big at JCS as well. Teachers are continuing to spend a lot of time collaborating within the grade level teams and successfully implement
our ELA program into reading in its second year. As we know, it takes at least three years to fully implement any new curriculum program effectively. And our school is building on the work we started two years ago when Norton adopted Stepping Stones as our elementary math program. Um, and of
course we're still using purposeful people from Character Strong as our social emotional group. Um, as a school we share the monthly character trait um that we're working on, including age appropriate ways that we're teaching preK through third grade these traits. Um, and mastering all three of these
programs is a significant factor in the success of all of our students. um by using our par professional staff in a creative way, we've been able to provide some regular common planning time for K through three grade grade level teachers this year, which is something that JCS
hasn't been able to do for quite a long time. And again, it's not perfect, but we don't want to let perfect be the enemy of good. We're able to start that and we need to also look at ways to make sure we're working with our prek staff and making it work better for next year.
Um, and so you saw some of the professional collaboration with our staff. Um, I didn't realize last year when I started JCS what a big deal Halloween is and the costumes and so just the participation >> talk to the high school. >> Yeah. So I heard I heard I'll have to
take a turn. >> But just the um just the joy that staff have in kind of commun uh competing on a on a nice level on a friendly level. The first grade won the contest. They actually dressed up as a car wash. >> Each one of them a part of the car wash
complete with bubbles and rotating brushes which was very impressive. Uh kindergarten we're tasty tidbits by which is very impressive. >> Um and then you know professional development Dr. Arian is is is really
working hard in this along with Dr. Neil and Mrs. Russo and everyone else at the district level. So like last year, the district's providing teachers with time to work together as teams during our PE days with focuses on looking at student learning goals, discussing approaches to
analyzing student data, and beginning to learn a new high impact teacher teams framework. Um so the framework is providing us some common structure and language to setting these targets and using the assessments to see how students are doing um progressing toward
the targets. It's all brand new, but many of the activities we're doing are things that teachers already do. So, it's just might be adjusting the language you're using, adjusting the perspective. Um, but it's kind of nice to be starting something across the district. So, a team of our teachers,
including myself, um, and administrators and teachers from all five schools participated in 3 days worth of training. We're working on any teachers that miss that, the curriculum leaders, giving them an opportunity. So, that's been really nice together. Um, we had a really interesting opportunity for our
third grade students. We have a third grade parent who works for Boston Dynamics. So, if you've ever seen some of their robots, he brought one of the spot robots to show our kids what it could do. >> It was very It was very cool.
>> Yeah, it was really, really neat. Um, and so it was a real nice sort of real life, hey, this is why it's important to learn math. This is what it can do if you're good at math later on in life. You know, we really focus on reading
skills and writing skills with kids, but math is also important. I'm a dad to a engineering student, just graduated from DEU last year, and so it was really cool. You can see just the looks on the kids' faces, how impressed they were with that robot, which is pretty neat.
Um so our school parent organization is building um this year on what they did last year. It was a brand new board last year. So um you know activities, fundraising and projects to benefit our students. They've helped welcome our kindergarten students last year and this year. Uh they supported our teachers
during conferences with an amazing dinner both years. Lots of leftovers the next day. They already organized our first book fair of the year. and um they support their supporting teachers and students by working out how to purchase Scholastic News for our grade levels. So
that's something that grade levels have had in the past, maybe not in the in the the past few years, but getting that resource back into classrooms. Um in addition, our SPO has funded the improvement of our existing playground swings. And we're adding two fully accessible swings. So not just the
swings themselves, but the traffic path to the swings. So, if there's a student that's in a wheelchair, has mobility challenges, they will be able to easily get to the swings. Um, and so that project will be starting shortly, which is which is great. So, we're really um
fortunate to have the support of SBO and we're looking forward to continuing with them. Um, and then a goal that we had last year, it's continuing goal of mine personally, but our teachers do a great job of it. Um, I'm fortunate. I get to see all the communications that teachers send out through Parent Square. I see a
ton from our prek friends here. A t. No, that's wonderful. That's not something to fringe. I think that's amazing how well you communicate and share positive things happening in the classroom. Um, but that's something that was a goal for me because I think it's crucially
important for parents to know what's happening in the school, know what to what to expect, know what's upcoming, and also to know when something happens that might be concerning and that we're really transparent with you. So, we're continuing with that. Um, so, you know,
I sent out a weekly turtle talk very similar to to Marty's. Um, is it things to yell about? I can't remember. >> Yeah, he's got that very, very cute um acronym. >> Um, but we do things like that. >> It was established prior to, >> so he took it up and ran with it because
his Instagram account for the school is terrific. >> Yes. >> But, um, we also make sure those are posted on the website for parents. We have an active Facebook page for the school. We have an Instagram account this year. So, we're always looking for ways to keep our families updated and also two-way communication. Parents
actually do use parents square to contact and reach out to teachers and also myself, which is a really great tool. Um, and so just in closing, it's been a busy positive first few months of school. We're looking forward to a terrific year of learning together. And
any questions? My voice is barely making it, but I'm happy to answer questions or any of the staff here will answer them for me. Um, no, I just I want to thank you for your flexibility. I know we kind of had to change things up at the meeting. So, um, we appreciate being able to kind of
switch to stay here. So, >> uh, you know, for me, this is always a good night to step out to the elementary schools cuz my my youngest is now a senior at the high school. So, I never really get to, you know, see what's going on at the I don't get all the
newsletters. So, um, for me, you probably don't want to read them all that way. um you know just to hear and see what's going on at the schools that you know gave so much to my kids that have gone through the system. So it's nice to see that things are evolving and and and a
lot of positive changes due to the leadership changes and you know we have the right people in the right spots and and that shows with the culture changes that we see. >> Honestly I appreciate your kind words honestly the what drives all this work
are teachers and staff. you know, I can't do anything by myself. In fact, there there's nothing I can do by myself. And so everything that we do, and I'm sure all the other principles will say exactly the same thing, it's because of our our wonderful teachers and staff. And when I say staff, that
includes our custodians, our school secretaries, everybody who's part of our school, our cafeteria workers, um you know, their friendly faces that kids see on a daily basis that provide them food that they may or may not get at home. So, I think everybody deserves that the
credit for >> uh I just want to say thank you for putting all of this together like that every school kind of does these nights a little differently and um I think this was really thorough. I think you went through all of the things and and even
the new stuff. Um so I really appreciate all the time that you put into doing this. Um, and then I just have to say I went to the JCS as a child. Um, so I have fond memories of of this place and the teachers and the environment and the
fact that Halloween is still such a huge deal and I was lucky enough to be here on Halloween volunteering and um the you walk in that day and you just feel the vibe. It is um unmatchable. It's it's
wonderful. And um I just thank you to the staff that continue to do all of um the wonderful things around the holiday and just make it such a fun day for the kids and um and I think the staff have fun too, you know. It's just um
>> more fun than the kids. the um so yeah so just you know a shout out to them for for just what a wonderful day and uh and and just overall like you know I'm very thankful for my kids to be attending norm public schools but especially I have a very
fond spot in my heart for JCS >> thank you everyone I appreciate it >> thank you both >> next we have an update on contract negotiations relationship. >> Um, so the only thing that I want to share with the committee is that last
Friday I sent out um an FAQ document uh to staff um districtwide just to kind of hopefully um clarify some questions around things that kept coming up whether we heard them in negotiation or um people caught me in the hallways as I
was visiting schools. Um I hope that that was a good clarifier for people. And then of course if there are other questions about anything that um you know reach out ask because I think that's the best way for us to all to share information. Um and I'm going to
turn it over to Jesse. Uh so I have a letter I'm going to read aloud and then this will obviously be um posted with all of our school committee. Dear Norton residents in Norton public
schools community, at the October 29th, 2025 school committee meeting, representatives from the Norton Teachers Association presented a letter accusing the committee of falling short in its bargaining obligations and implying that we have not worked cooperatively with
the Norton Teachers Association in contract negotiations. These statements are inaccurate, misleading, and do not reflect the reality of ongoing negotiations. As a result, we are taking this opportunity to present a more accurate portrayal of where negotiations stand
and the progress we have made together with the Norton Teachers Association. After beginning negotiations on November 7th, 2024 by negotiating an agreement on ground rules, we formally met with the Norton Teachers Association at least 15
times, and the superintendent has met informally with Norton Teachers Association's local leadership on many other occasions. Over the next three sessions after November 7th, 2024, the Norton Teachers Association presented 41
identifiable proposals, while the district presented 16. As of now, 29 of the Norton Teachers Association's proposals and 10 of the district's proposals have been resolved, either agreed or withdrawn, through the good
faith bargaining efforts of both parties. The committee has more than met its bargaining obligations. With respect to the specific issues highlighted by the Norton Teachers Association, here is where those issues stand. Number one, paid parental leave. The school
committee has offered the Norton Teachers Association 10 fully paid parental leave days above and beyond existing sick and personal leave. This offer for was for employees who have been in the district for at least one year and has a maximum cap of $65,000
per fiscal year. Under the previous contract, employees were cover could cover their 12-week family and medical leave entitlement with paid time off in the form of acred sick leave. The offer of paid parental leave is an entirely new benefit in
Norton. The Norton Teachers Association initially proposed eight weeks of paid leave before using acred sick leave. The Norton Teachers Association has not responded to the current offer. Number two, fair pay. The committee has heard the Norton Teachers Association call to
make teaching in Norton more enticing, offering to raise starting teacher salaries from 48,775 in fiscal year 25 to $58,572. In fiscal year 26, this would result in an increase of 20.09%
for new hires. The new scale would be implemented to ensure that every teacher would receive an increase in pay from their fiscal year 25 salary. In the second and third years of the contract, the committee has offered cost of living increases of 2.5% and 2.75%
which are generous in the context of the economic difficulties facing the town and school budgets. The committee has also offered the Norton Teachers Association the opportunity to earn additional pay by adding a professional development day. The extra pay would be
one day's pay or 0.55% beginning in the year the day is implemented. The committee's pay proposals would increase the teacher payroll, including cost of living increases and step increases, but excluding increases to stipens and
longevity by more than 16% by the end of the three-year contract. These are significant, fair, and sustainable improvements that recognize the value of Norton educators while protecting the financial stability of our town. Number three, paraprofessional benefits,
job security, and layoffs. The committee's proposals on job security and layoffs have sought only to match paraprofessional introductory period to that of teachers and add terminology to the layoff provisions that mirrors the words in the state statute. Over the
past several years, the committee has worked to enhance the pay and working conditions of paraprofessionals, including substantial pay increases in the last round of bargaining. In this round, the district has enhanced paraprofessionals access to leave benefits. Although paraprofessionals are
not eligible for the federal family and medical leave act, FMLA protections. We have offered enhanced benefits similar to FMLA. And we have also increased class coverage pay and long-term sub pay, and we have removed restrictive
leave policies. These changes demonstrate our commitment to supporting every member of the Norton Public Schools team. The Norton School Committee has consistently approached negotiations with professionalism, respect, and a deep commitment to our educator, staff, and students. We remain
dedicated to reaching a fair agreement that honors the important work of our teachers and staff while maintaining the fiscal responsibility our community expects. The contract package currently on the table, which includes numerous enhancements requested by the Norton
Teachers Association, represents a fair and thoughtful offer that deserves genuine consideration. We have tremendous faith in and respect for the educators of Norin, whose dedication to students and our community is at the heart of everything we do. As
negotiations continue, our focus remains on addressing the issues that truly matter to our Norton teachers and staff, those that strengthen teaching, learning, and the student experience. While we recognize that external organizations, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association,
may offer guidance and support, it has become evident that the Massachusetts Teachers Association's involvement is influencing this process in ways that do not reflect the collaborative spirit that defines our district. When negotiations conclude, the lawyers and
union representatives will move on, but we will remain here together as one school community. It will be up to us to repair, reconnect, and move forward with the trust and collaboration that make Norton such a special place to learn and work. Let us be clear, the Norton School
Committee continues to negotiate in good faith. We are offering meaningful improvements in compensation and benefits while ensuring that any agreement remains sustainable for our community. We will not be misrepresented, pressured, or drawn into external political dynamics. Our focus
will remain where it belongs, on the students of Norton and the continued excellence of Norton public schools. We appreciate the continued trust and support of our community as we work to finalize an agreement that is fair, responsible, and right for Norton.
Sincerely, the Norton School Committee. Anything else? >> Next, we have the first reading on the ADA background checks policy commissioner. >> Exciting stuff here. Um, so for all of
you, um, ADA, um, is our current background check policy. Uh and the way that this currently works is that um anyone who is coming to be employed by North public schools must go through that for a check process which is done
every 3 years. Um and this is also for volunteers as well. Um what is currently being recommended is that we also implement the um sex offender registries board um which is called the sorry s o r
i um sex offender registry information um which would give us information around anyone that may um be currently registered um under this category. It's it's very interesting to me that we go through this query process and none of
these things are actually included and it makes me a little uncomfortable quite honestly. >> Why wasn't that included on >> Exactly. >> twice a year. >> Right. So because they're different um databases you have to um actually run them separately. So the query is
actually only for anything that happens in Massachusetts. That is why um all school employees also do the fingerprinting. And now um this this adding the the story as well. Um so both um Pam Anderson and Lori Kazati in uh my
office have participated uh in training um reviewing the process for setting up access um and how to use the um the the registry itself. Um and once this policy is um approved by the committee, we can
actually um do a batch run for all current employees, which is which is great. Um but then obviously anyone that would be applying or um volunteering in the future would go through this process. Um so the policy updates um on
file a DDA um are simply adding the information on the sex offense sex offender registry information um and including the story as part of our background checks as a school community.
There's also in your packet um an information uh a quick little um flyer from um the state board is law. So happy to answer any questions on that. >> Would current
volunteers do? >> So we would be able to do a a batch for everybody all at once. >> That would go. >> Yeah. So anyone that we have a current on that's actually is it the same information and then you just send it? >> Yeah. >> That's wild. This doesn't
>> isn't it? >> It makes you ask like but the more you ask questions the more you're like I don't understand how these things don't connect. >> Um but it's you know state databases which I guess if they all
connect then what do we all do with all of our free time. >> Exactly. Um so happy to walk you through any of um anything more specifically. Um but really the language is just adding um the story to this as well.
>> Just seems like we're catching up with all policies which could have been in place many years ago. >> Yep. And so this the story is actually a new offering for um the policies. So >> yeah, I said I have it's wild. Yeah.
Lots of people, lots of Hampton people are talking about it right now. >> Yes. >> So I actually have to go through this at work. So I have to do it for five different school districts and 40 different employees and it all has to be done separately for each individual
district. So this takes this takes few weeks. >> It's our transportation company doing this for their own. I will staff with um I'll double check. Yes, they have too. Yeah, >> you should have records. >> Well, I'll get you clarification on
that. >> Oh, nodding your head and saying yeah, we're good. >> We'll confirm for you. Yes. All the transportation people are Corey. Well, they're defin
not um yet a requirement for um >> K12. Um but districts are starting to adopt it. >> And then if if because we have blue, right? Yeah. If they don't, can we can we soly them or require them to be sor? >> So if it's our requirement,
>> Yeah. then >> next is acknowledgement and vote to accept equipment donation. >> Um so we are seeking again I'm sorry approval for donation of equipment um for here the JCS elementary school. Uh
the donation is a large paper cutter that is valued around um roughly $200. Um, it will be used in the teachers from here. >> Uh, entertain a motion to accept the donation for the JCS. >> So, second.
>> All those in favor. >> Thank you. >> Uh, next is the budget budget time. enthusiasm here to talk about >> that time of year's favorite. >> Oh.
>> Um so like I've done in years past of sharing the overview of the break 27 budget timeline. Um our process has officially began this week with the budget development documents that was sent out to all the school um principles and um administration. Um this starts
the annual cycle of planning for all of our priorities um in the district. The budget requests will be due to us in the business office by December 10th. In between December 10th and the 15th, Jen and I will meet with each administrator
in um school to review any submissions and discuss any um specific needs or adjustments that the school has. um from December 18th through the 16th um so roughly about a month um we'll review all the requests and start preparing um
all the materials that we need for school committee's consideration and the first budget presentation is scheduled for January 28th followed by a tenative budget workshop on um February 7th and um public hearing and budget vote on
March 4th >> right around the corner everybody's favorite time here I think it's crazy because we're still trying to, you know, finalize this year's budget with certain things and um still have to get ready for FY20.
>> Feeling >> um I'm just going to go out and say, you know, thank you, pre thank you to everybody involved in this process. Um it never gets easier. Um, but it seems like year over year there's always challenges and half the time it's an
uphill battle in the moment. Um, so thank you to everyone partaking in this. Um, it will kind of all be along for the ride to see what this year looks like. >> Any other questions? >> Do we um we want to just check next
meeting when maybe potentially all of us are here and that Saturday. >> Yeah. Oh yeah. >> Yeah. Right. But I just don't know if we want to like >> um I feel like we did we did do a Saturday this year and then the past we've done like a Wednesday night. Um so
really it's what works for the committee. Yeah. >> Um but yes um I'll make a note for us >> to set that date um when we meet at our next meeting. I was just wondering if there was a plan for um know we had the the district
realignment or whatever the gas company. We're still actively working with them. Um Christine and Brian actually did some classroom visits earlier this week and looking at spaces um and they're running a lot of numbers and projections for us right now. So, um, hopefully we'll have
something a little bit more solid in the next few weeks and then perhaps we can do an update in December as lines and then maybe an update in January. >> Yes. Thank you all. Have a good night. Thank you.