Hey everybody. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hi everyone. Uh, welcome to the July 7th meeting of the Plymouth School Committee. I call the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Can we all join in the
pledge of allegiance? Uh, stand if you're able to. 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. Um, since we have a small group tonight, I will go ahead and read the land acknowledgement unless anybody else wants to do that. Um, we acknowledge that we are meeting on the unseated ancestral homelands of
the indigenous people whose enduring presence we humbly recognize. We honor the Wanoeag people as the original stewards and the Herring Pond Wanoag as the surviving tribes indigenous to these lands. In our commitment to lifelong learning, we acknowledge historical
injustices to the native people of this land and vow to educate ourselves, our community, and our students on the first peoples and the hardships they endured. We offer this as a small but essential step towards building a culture of truth, respect, and accountability.
Um, moving on. I we don't have any students uh because it's summertime. So, um I don't know if we have anybody waiting to comment from the general public. I just want to remind people that um we have a time limit of 3
minutes and we do not respond to public comment, but we're happy to listen to what you have to say. I think I see Dale raising his hand. and I'm unmuted. Can you hear me? Yes. All right. Good evening. Uh for the
record, my name is Dale Weber and I am the president of the Collective Bargaining Relief Association with the acronym of COBRA. I'm joined tonight by Vice President Butch Mashado, treasurer Beverly Mass and Secretary Marsha
Sheridan, along with union stewards Karen Eaton and Megan Ricardo of the 55 member cafeteria unit of the PM schools and stewards Carrie Hardy and Dorene Clark from the 80 member first student bargaining unit of the school bus
drivers that we also represent. It appears to be a Cobra night at the PLA school committee tonight as we're discussing both transportation and food service issues. So as you consider your next move or moves on these matters of school bus transportation and food
service administration, please understand that these issues were not or are not under the control or any fault of any Cobra bargaining unit member, but we no doubt will take on some form of impacts from the actions
that have been taken or that you may take this evening or in the days to come. Please consider in your due diligence the sense of pride and ownership our members perform each day to the Plymouth public schools and the taxpayers and
rateayers of our community and our strong desire to continue those roles with minimal impality. Though we do not have a right to demand any bargaining over the decision to outsource management of an entity, we do have the right to demand bargaining over
all aspects aspects of the change from an employee supervisor to a contracted supervisor or a change from one contractor to another or any joint venture or revision back to the system in place years ago. that constitute or
impact mandatory subjects of bargaining as outlined in the law and we reserve all rights in that regard. We do want the committee to know that we appreciate the communication from administration on these matters and we look to that to
continue as we all proceed in these serious and sensitive issues before you tonight and we wish you all the best in your deliberations. Thank you for your time this evening. Thank you. Do we have anybody else that
wants to speak at public comment? Okay. Seeing no one, I would move on to uh our first issue of the night. Uh job descriptions, uh adoptions, amendments, and reviews. Yes. Dr. Rogers, you speak to that?
Sure. So, there's two um new job descriptions. They actually are pretty much the same job description. Um so, over the last several years, we've added um many more board certified behavior analysts to our team. So, I think uh right now we're at seven or eight. Um
and looking at their job description from previously, it was very outdated. Um so, this job description really um updates sort of what they do for our teachers and our students. um the biggest difference between the two of them and so we're seeing a growing number of BCBAs who don't have a
teaching license. So in other words um they're psychology majors who then get their master's degree in applied behavior analysis and so their certification is a little bit different um and therefore they're not able to contribute to MTRS in the same way a
level one BCBA is. Um so that's the only distinction between the two. Um and so we wanted to just clarify that. Um we did just hire one of our BCBAs who um is in this sort of realm where she was a
psychology major um and then has her masters in applied behavior analysis. So she would contribute to town retirement versus MTRS. So that's the only difference between the two of them. Okay. Do we have any questions from anybody?
Um, so this is an action item. I don't know if anybody wants to make a motion to accept or um or take any other action on these job descriptions. I can make Miss Haywood.
Okay, perfect. Um, I make a motion to accept the um job descriptions as uh as presented. Perfect. Do we have a second? Mr. Morgan, I'll second it.
Perfect. Um, as we're online tonight and know what not everybody has access to the same technology, we're going to do a roll call. So, I'm just going to do it in the order that I see people. Mr. Mr. Armageddon, Mr. Morgan, yes.
Miss Haywood, yes. And I vote yes. Uh, do we have to vote separately on both job descriptions? I think the motion was made on behalf of both job descriptions. I thought it was too. I just wanted to make sure. Yeah, I think that's
perfect. Thank you. Great. Okay. Um, next on our list is a transportation report. Dr. Blaze Dell. Thank you very much. Um, a few weeks ago, um, we h we conducted overall we
conducted two two studies. Um, they kind of came at it from different points of view. Um, so few weeks ago we heard, um, from Rich Lee. Um tonight um in the packet you will see that there is the transportation study that was conducted by MA MAPT which is Massachusetts
Association of Pupil Transportation. Um I'm just going to highlight some of the the key pieces in that study. Um and as we know this study was kind of started because we have two years left um on our current contract. um some of the districts around that are opening
current bids are seeing extreme increases in some of their their when they open up some of their bids and I'll I'll point out some of them this evening that were in the report. So I'll just go through some of them and then feel free to ask any questions and I can um if we need clarification I can go back to to
MAPT and get any clarifications as well. Um so this study was conducted a little bit differently. Um they started by looking at all of our roots. They looked at our route times. Um, oh, and before I go further, it's only for yellow buses. They did not look at at special ed transportation. It was just yellow
buses. Um, they looked at route counts, how many kids were riding the buses. Um, they looked at dismissal times. They looked at student population and trends in student population. Um, they looked at our current contract. Um, they looked at per pupil cost for trans student transportation. Um, then they conducted
some surveys, some actual interviews. Um, they conducted an interview with myself, um, Dr. Campbell, um, several principles, the first student transportation manager, um, and then they conducted a Google survey of of all the different principles. Um, and really
what they they found, um, was that bus route indicated there was an overall average ride time of 40 minutes. Um, buses operating at about 51 capacity. Um, as Rich Lee said that they really like that at 75%. Um, and for vote
transportation reimbursement, it really needs to be at that 75%. Um, at elementary, the average ride time is 41 minutes with 56% capacity. Middle school is 35 minutes at 51% capacity and high school is 43 with an average of 46%
capacity. Um, they did find some issues. Um, one of them are bus delays. Um, primarily after school. Um, talked a little bit about discipline. um talked about training and discipline. Um they really talked a lot about timeliness of
buses. Um one of the things that came out is looking at routes to see if any can be adjusted to get buses to school in the afternoon on time. Um looking at how do you get a faster dismissal, getting buses to campus on a timely manner, and then once the buses there, how do you get the kids out quicker? Um
for some particular schools, um again, they they talked about light ridership is a concern. Um, but really when they looked at the routes, they really found that they were as efficient as possible based upon the data that was presented and also when they looked at the total
mileages and the times traveled that each bus does on a daily basis. Um, they talked a lot about localizing bus stops. So, there's not a lot of bus stops um cuz if you're under I think it's 200 feet or something like that, it really causes um drivers to get upset because
the the bus is stopping so frequently and it's really just not safe to do so. Um they talked a little bit about that some dismissal times don't allow for timely arrival um more in the afternoon. In the morning it's not so much of an issue for the buses arriving on time. Um
and one of the things they did talk about was the district could consider taking transportation operations inhouse. Um but they really have to weigh all the different pieces of transportation. Um, and that kind of gets into the I'll talk a little bit about that in a minute, but they really kind of went in depth in regards to some
of the things that need to be considered. They didn't go into as depth in regards to costs per se as the other report did. Um, but again, they mention all the different pieces that we really would need to consider. Um, again, looking at roots, they they talked a little bit about instituting
rolling dismissals. I know we did that at Plymouth Middle School, I think two years ago or a year and a half ago, I think we implemented that. Um, so it's getting kids out as soon as the buses arrive. Um, they also suggested looking at the district-wide bell schedule, and that's something that Rich Lebree looked
at too, and then you don't necessarily make that decision based upon transportation. It's really an education decision, but um, it it does cause issues. Um, one of the things that they did talk about was, as we were talking about is our contract expires in two
years. Um, it could cont one-year options, so it could expire. you've already voted for next year. It could expire at the end of next year. It could expire um at the end of the pre the next year after that if school committee were to vote next school year. Um but what they did say is Hudson just opened a
contract and approved a contract with First Student and it was 51% over the previous year's rates. Um they looked at Bedford Public Schools. Um that was an 8.2% over the previous year rates once they opened the bid. Um Dartmouth just
opened a transportation and they it was a 26% increase over transportation cost over the prior one. Um so some of the increases that Rich had had talked about with that range are really being seen um around here and in Western Mass as well.
Um they did talk about if you if we decide between contracting, which we're currently doing doing, and owning our school buses, um there's a lot of factors that we have to make sure that we look at. um looking at financial, operational and human re and human resource factors. Um he she talked about
contracting is is predictable costs. Um it there's less administrative burden, but there's also limit of control. Um owning a fleet, there's some flexibility and some potential cost savings over time, but there's a significant investment and expertise upfront that
you have to get going. Um, and like I said, the things that they talked about if we were to take it over, um, looking at financial costs, employee benefits, management, liability, purchasing or leasing vehicles, salaries, technicians, where do you park the buses, um, to just
name a few. Um, and then finally, just one of the things that they did say is, and this again kind of goes along with what Rich had said last the couple weeks ago, is we could go out to bid to help make a final decision. And if we go out to bid early, um, we could see where that comes in. That could help us make a
determination of what an if we were to take it over, if there are any savings or if we were to go out to bid early, we're kind of bidding against ourselves. So, it's giving us that information. So, then it also helps us make a determination of whether or not we continue to contract. So, um, that going
out to bid early could help us in the long run as well. Um, again, we talked a little bit about hearing bid prices. So if we So there's some buses that are only used for two tiers and there are some buses that are used for three tiers. Um we talked about that, but historically what that's done is it's
actually increased we've seen increased rates when when school districts do that. So that was not necessarily a recommended idea. Um and then one of the things that they they did say is um our current rate is either in line or sometimes lower than some other
districts as well. Um so that's kind of a quick overview of of that. of that uh final report from MAT. So I don't know if anybody has any questions or any discussion points that they wanted us to research and and do more in the future.
Does anybody have any questions for Dr. Blazelle? Miss Haywood. Um thank you uh Dr. Blazale uh for that report. Uh so it it was quite varied like there was the percentage of between
20 and 50%. What, and I know you don't have a crystal ball, but what do you maybe perceive could we possibly incur? That's a good question. I'd have to do a little bit more research into that. Um,
I know in Rich's report, what he he kind of based it on was a 12% increase um that first year. Um, and if we were looking at that and he was just kind of again looking at different different districts around. Um, and then so the first year it would cost us a little bit
more and then the second and third year it was only he was only calculating about a 3% savings. Um, so I I mean I like the idea personally of going out to bid early to kind of give us an idea to help us make that any decisions. Um, and
who knows, a contractor could come back and it could be drastically in our favor. Um, because taking over buses is a is significant. Um, it it's it's not something that it that we could make the decision today and have it go into
effect. And I mean, this is this would be a a year or twoear process in order to regards to get it fully implemented and do it right. Thank you. Anybody else?
I have a few questions. Um, if nobody else has anything, um, kind of along with Bedna's or Miss Haywood's question, um, was there any correlation between the size of the district and the increases? Like because
we're a bigger district, would there be and it would be a bigger contract to lose? Does it seem like there's any correlation with a bill with like desire to negotiate? I don't know that answer, but I can actually I'll reach out to Rich and I can ask him to see if he can pull some
of those numbers to see if he has some of those. Okay. Um, and then when you talked about full-time staff, like they they had a recommendation in there for full-time staff and then maybe like moving between different departments in order to offer
a full-time job. Uh, I didn't know if that was something that we would realistically consider and if so, um, how big of an impact would th those additional benefits be? Um, I think if we if this was something
we were to overtake, I I don't think there would be anyone that we would want to make sure these would be people that would have to be dedicated to this. This isn't something that we could have them go between different departments. They would they would have to be focused on transportation. I mean, at the minimum
in talking to Rich and just kind of seeing the operation, I we have two people already who are dealing more with internal transportation in regards to athletics and field trips um and some special education and homelessness transportation. I I wouldn't suggest we
touch them. They would stay. But then I would think if we were looking at in-house, we would need at least a transportation coordinator, we would need a route person that does routing and a dispatcher at the very minimum that that would be their focus. Um, and that's really what they have over at the
the first student office currently. Um, so I wouldn't I wouldn't change that. Um, benefits, um, it would it would vary. I mean, if if someone was on the family plan right now, it's costing the um we would have to do a little bit more study in regards to the percentage of
people that take benefits. And so in order to get a full idea in regards to what number we would be looking at, um I probably would think that we're probably going to be looking at the 50% rangeish. Um based upon some of the other numbers that we currently have, but we would if
this is something that we were going to pursue, we would dive a lot deeper into this in regards to what more information that we would need and and really the figures. And I would we would do more visits. Um Worcester had had taken it over. There's a couple other districts that have taken it over that I I don't
necessarily know if I would I would go visit because I don't think it's it's necessarily turned out the way that we would hope it would. Okay. Um and then they had brought up something about the safe routes to school. Um it
seems like a lot of those things were probably already doing. Is are there things we could be doing differently? because that seemed to be mentioned a few times, but I think a lot of it seemed like what we're already doing. Yeah, I know. Um, and Dr. Campbell, correct me if you're wrong because I um
but I know that um Cold Spring has gotten involved quite a bit with the safe route for school. Um I know Hedge has done some as well. I know both of them have done like a walking school bus at times. Um and so I think they've they've gotten a little bit involved. I know that I believe both of them have
come out and looked at both of their areas to kind of help with some safety issues as well. Um I think they did some work at PCIS. I know at South Elementary we had them out to kind of take a look, but we didn't necessarily have the sidewalks to kind of help with the the walking piece of it. Um I don't know if
there's any other schools, but I know you're correct. And West Elementary was another one that was explored, but I know we're looking at getting sidewalks on Route 80 and um but yeah. yet that we definitely have um done work on safe roots u work over the years and um but
to to Dr. Blazedell's uh earlier comments regarding like this is something certainly this is more of anformational item tonight of course but I think to Dr. Blood Stell's point, I think it's worth probably worth going
out to bid early just to get a sense of what we would be dealing with before even considering anything of such magnitude because as Adam said, this is a this is a significant um investment. It's a significant um process and it's
something that certainly would take multiple years, but so that's something I think we certainly can consider. I think as we start the next school year, I think given our light attendance tonight, it would be beneficial to add it again to the agenda for next time so
that we can talk about maybe starting that process or see people's ideas so that we have the whole committee here to discuss it. Absolutely. Um, all right. That's all I have. I don't
know if anybody else has anything else. Okay. Uh, next on the agenda is the food services recommendation. Is that you, Dr. Campbell? Yes. Thank you very much. Um, so this one um is a little bit more timely and and I'll explain that uh in a moment.
But, you know, um as was as was mentioned in public comment, we you know, we're talking about transportation tonight, but we're also talking about food services. Uh, one thing that I would like the committee to allow us to do, um, I would recommend that we
explore, again, this is an exploration of the possibility of contracting just for the administrative side of food service operations for the upcoming school year. Um, and I want to stress that this proposal would not affect our current food service employees, our our
existing contracts, you know, all of them whom would remain in place under existing contracts, you know, as valued employees of the Plymouth Public Schools. So this approach would solely involve contracting for administrative
oversight with our goal of strengthening our efficiency, our compliance, operational supports um in what is really an increasingly complex um and regulated area. So there are some benefits I believe to exploring this. Um
one I think um compliance requirements, audits, um greater support with planning, procurement, cost controls um and data analysis and reporting that that would come with such a such a
contract. But um so I would I would ask that we consider opening again the RFP process is something that once you initiate it doesn't mean that you need to go through um to the to the end and actually commit to it but I do think
it's something worth considering. So if we you know issue an RFP um which I asked off Dr. to Blaze Dela do a while ago because of the timeliness of it. Again, it's not something that um we can always pull it away. We don't have to follow through with anything
necessarily, but it is a timely thing because here we are July 7th, school starts August 25th, kids coming on the 27th. Um and we want to make sure that we have things in place administratively for food services. Um so that RFP would
remain open until the 29th at noon and at that time uh we would screen the submitted proposals and evaluate their alignment with our priorities which again is the administrative function of
food services and our operational needs. Um it would be helpful if the committee would so um you know agree to this uh for a school committee member to sit in on that 29th um review
um in that screening process and and Dr. Blazelle can speak to that in a moment if you have questions regarding that. Um and if we were if if going through that process on the 29th that that the group felt that there was a particular vendor
um that was worth a recommendation to the committee. Again, this is very timely. We would need to schedule a brief school committee meeting uh by August 4th to conduct an official vote. Um Adam has been working with Department
of Education on this quite a bit. Um and it's very timely obviously. Um I I would also you know I would I would request that we you know tenatively tentatively plan um if we you know so move this
recommendation to tenatively plan a quick 15minute meeting on August 4th just to to hear the results of that um should a recommendation be made. Um Dr. Dr. Boy, I don't know if you want to
add anything regarding that RFP process or just open it up to any questions, Mrs. Jackson. Sure. Um, just if you the RFP process is quite in-depth. Um, one of the things we really had to do is we had to gather a lot of documents and a lot of details
and a lot of data in regards to finances, um, student lunch counts, um, previous reimbursements, um, other contracts that we have with other other schools, um, and really look at the what we have as a whole. Um, one of the
conversations that I had was is with one of the food service companies is is really in regards to inventory. Um, as you know, we're doing quite a few different things with the cafeteria as it is. Um, but one of the things that that we don't necessarily have the capability to do is really the the food
inventory as as well as we had hoped to kind of keep track of what's coming in the door and out the door. Obviously, we do our orders, but um there's a lot that that still remains. Um, when we look at some of these food service management companies, they have the ability to kind of look at the the food inventory a little bit better than we do. They have
some of those mechanisms. Um, one of the questions that's come up recently is who else around um is dealing with a food service management company. Um, some of the local ones just so where we're aware are Dbury, Bridgewwater, Rainom, Wayouth, Rockland, Randolph, Brockton,
Norton, Norwood, Bourne, Fair Haven, Somerset, Berkeley, um, Don Rahobit has one as well or those are some of the ones that have a food service management company as we speak. Thank you. Uh, does anybody have any
questions? Yeah, I have a question. So, my my first question is, was this ever considered in the past? It was not in my in my 17 years here. It has not been. I think we saw um
as we had um our both of our you know as our administrative changed one through retirement and and in the situation that we've been dealing with recently saw this as an opportunity to reflect on um how we've managed it administratively
um and see if you know we could reconsider that moving forward. No, I mean I I I agree with looking at, you know, possible ways uh to manage anything uh more efficiently and better.
Um what I want to make sure of is that, you know, we all are aware of the incident that occurred and you know, we we want this to be a a decision that isn't just a knee-jerk reaction to something that occurred, right? We want it to make sense for the long term. um
you know regardless of any scenario that's a what if that could come up right we want to make sure it's a school district not just because we you know we had an incident and I think that's when you approach an RFP to outsource
anything you got to look at all factors not just one that recently occurred so I think as long as we do that um you know it's there's reasons for change and sometimes there you know occurrences that you wish didn't happen, right? Um,
but you you still could adopt a change. So, as long as we go down that road, I'd be uh, you know, in favor of looking at a possibility, but not not doing something just to say, "All right, because of this issue, this is what we have to pursue." I think that's where we
got to stay focused and levelheaded and say, "All right, let let's consider the pluses and the minuses, not just the incident that happened." So, um, yeah, absolutely. I'm glad you brought it up. No, thank you for that. And if I may, Miss Jackson, just uh and I totally agree with that. This isn't, you know,
we don't want to do things just as a knee-jerk reaction. It's but there is an opportunity um given the change in administration in food services um and to explore and through that RFB process and the ratings there's a lot of um
qualitative information that will be gained through that process to see you know what kind of measures are in place what kind of systems do they have that will make us feel um good about like our administrative functions in food services as well so it's certainly
something that I think again it's something that would would be worth exploring because we have the opportunity to do it not necessarily commit to it but um one thing to just that we need to be mindful of um is if
we don't go in this direction um we will need a director which means that we would need to post that position we would need to start an a committee uh through Mr. Chopi's office um as we do with all administrative functions and um
get that process going sooner rather than later because of you know the eventual you know hypothetically if we were to go with a director internally um we would want to make sure that they were in place for the start of the school year. So that would need to be
done um probably simultaneously if that was the the the will of the committee. That was going to be my question. uh if if we decide not to go in this direction, are we trying to weigh options at the same time or are we uh or
are we thinking that this is what we're going to explore and waiting to uh to explore the option of hiring somebody else? And would it benefit us to bring in somebody to speak to from food
services like Patty Callahan or somebody else to weigh in on like what they see as possible pros or cons just to get an you know employee view. Yeah. So I think to your first question
Mrs. Jackson, I think that we would need to initiate that process probably tomorrow. I would suggest and and Eric can speak, but we I think we would want to post for the director and say anticipated um and see what what we receive and go
through that process and then do some um it gives that would give us time. Again, we're going to have to go through that process. But I think if we want to do it right and we want to be informed, we can say, "Okay, we we've gone through, we've looked at um privatizing the
administrative side, uh what that would look like, and then here are the ex here are the candidates for consideration." So, it would allow us to to sort of weigh both options and also to kind of do some homework regarding people's experiences. And when I asked uh Dr. to
blaze to initiate this RFP process. We were very clear that this was solely for the administrative function that we are not looking to privatize all of food services. I would never do that. That would that would be the last thing that we would do. So we would want to speak
to people who have that just function in that capacity similar to the one that we would be seeking. But it would allow us to kind of weigh both options and get some feedback along the way. Thank you. Welcome, Miss Haywood.
So, just to be clear, if we were to vote on this this evening that um we are not only voting on just an exploration, but or we are voting on exploration, but in the meantime, there will be this simultaneous action to actually look for
a director as well. I would suggest that given the the timeliness. Okay. Ju I just want to be clear about it. Thank you. And the other just to kind of also add to that the when we put out that RFP um
we also can define the length of term for that. It's an initial one-year contract um that can be extended kind of like the option years and the transportation contract. So, it could be a one-year if if this wasn't to work out and we wanted to look at a director later on um because of the time the
short timeliness on on timing in regards to hiring that that could be an option as as well too. So, it it that RFP initial contract is a one-year length of time. Yeah, I I would I think that's the sound approach. you should almost go with a
fractional, you know, food service director if you contract it out because, you know, the the time for us to to post the job and get qualified candidates in, you know, if we're not doing that simultaneously with
putting out an RFP, then we've kind of said which direction we're going, right? um you know so I I think with the you'd want a stipulation that it is you know it is short because we haven't
figured out what we want to do and we are going to run up against the start of the school year. So I think there's a couple factors here. There's you don't the job and say you're looking and then you create an RFP, you've kind of already said what you're doing, right? Um,
but if you enter into an RFP, you want to, I think, you know, have sort of a beta period where, you know, because then you could start your job search if you find out, you know, this this interim approach outsourcing the the management of it isn't working. Um, I
know there's a lot of moving parts, but I just want to protect our decision making. Anybody else questions? I I only have one more question if nobody else has anything. Um, when we talk about a one-year contract, would we
then have to be concerned with some of the same things that we're facing with transportation like um salary increases or something like that for administrative roles if we're not setting out a longer contract? or is that not something we have to worry
about with food services in the same way we do transportation? I think the way the RFP is originally design like where it's it's it's specified in the RFP. It starts as a one-year um and that's that's really coming from DESIE. That's we we didn't
put I didn't put it together that way. I'm it's it's the way that Desi sets it out. Um, so I don't think we would have to worry about those same concerns in regards to transportation because transportation you're also dealing with things like capital. Um, where the longer you have a bus, um, the longer
your contract is, if a company's putting out the capital to buy to buy a bus, they can take the cost of that bus and spread it out out over a longer period of time. So, normally if you're looking at a three-year um when Gary Cson did that contract, if you're looking at a
three-year contract, your costs are probably going to be higher um because if they if you're requesting new buses, they're only going to look at the cost of that bus over 3 years versus if it's 10-year contract, they can spread the cost of that bus out over a longer period of time. Um, so we're not
necessarily dealing with this type of capital. We're only dealing with really the capital that we're looking at is is food, but that's a it it it comes in and goes out the door. And then the management piece is a lot of times from talking to some of these companies, it's it's people that they have from within
that they would use and that are currently employed by them most likely is what they said. Thank you. Anybody else? All right. Uh this is an info action
item. I am hearing most likely action item. Uh I don't know if anybody wants to make a motion. Can I can I give a recommendation for the motion? Of course. Um so my recommendation would be to allow us to to continue with the
RFP um process as stated earlier as well as post an anticipated director position so that we can evaluate both options. Thank you.
Do we have a motion? I'm comfortable with that motion, Mr. Smaged. And then Mr. I'm comfortable with that motion if we want to word it that way. I didn't I didn't write it down, but it's uh it leaves us, you know, in the spirit of
what we're trying to accomplish a couple options, right? Yes, Mr. Morgan. I'll second the motion. Thank you. So, uh, just to make it clear
from Mr. what Mr. Smuragus is saying, the motion was to, um, continue with the RFP process and to simultaneously um, and to simultaneously look for food services director. Uh, I'm going to
start with Mr. Mr. Settas is a roll call. Yes. Mr. Morgan. Yes. Miss Haywood. Yes. And I vote yes. So, uh, it's approved.
Thank you very much. Next on our list is a fundraising report. Is that you, Mr. Blaze? Uh, Dr. Blazeell. It is. Thank you. Busy night. Busy night. That's all right. Um so tonight in your packet you will see
the the FY25 fundraising report. Um as you know we are still looking as we go through that report we are still seeking some numbers from several different schools around the district. Um but at at this moment in time um when you're looking at their the different
fundraisers that have been run um we brought in just under $458,000 um with a net of about $261,000 um for an ROI based basically about 62.5%. Um and as we know these these run all
sorts of different different events um student activities um student trips um field trips totally across the board in regards to what these help run that's in addition to to what our budget um funds um one of the the comments just in reg questions I know that might come up is
obviously in regards to EdTV um their fundraising was 6950 for the year um that was their growth that was all sponsors so really that wasn't it wasn't it was kind of like a net. But what what they did is in regards to that was just that $7,6,67
um that was really the cost of the awards night v awards. Um so what they brought in for sponsorships went right out the door um for the that. So it was an expense right away. So the sponsorships just about covered what they what they
charge for the pay for those. Thank you. Any questions? Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Dr. Blaze. I don't know why I keep saying that. All right. No problem. Thank you. All right. Next, we have the
superintendence report. Dr. Campbell, thank you very much. Uh, brief but uh important. So, it's all regarding uh state and federal funding. So, as many of you probably already know at this point, the FY26 budget was sent to the
governor and the legislation has enacted the state budget which includes several key investments in public education for Massachusetts. Just highlight a few of those. Chapter 70 probably being the most significant uh increasing chapter
70 aid by 497 million. Um, so the increasing that minimum new aid that was $30 per student to $150 per student in FY26. So, um, good news there for us. Uh, additional good news, circuit
breaker reimbursement funded at 485 million to the Commonwealth to go along with 190 million from the recently signed fair share supplemental budget, which is the millionaire's tax. um total of 675 million for FY26
and the school meals reimbursement at 180 million for universal free school meals. Uh and another one that I think could benefit us quite well um I'll see is the capital grants program for CTE school opportunities. So again, the fair share's supplemental budget included
$100 million for grant programs to expand career and technical education opportunities and at least $ 35 million of that 100 million must be directed to comprehensive high schools. So that's something we look forward to. Um on the
federal side of things, there are a few things that we are aware of. So, first title one uh which really goes towards our title one programs in our schools to support um those schools title uh 1A 1D
Perkins McKini Vento and IDA which is a special education. Uh the state received award notifications on July 1 for those grants. uh the state allocation amounts uh were consistent with the previous year's amount and the state will now
start to work to review the grants and award notifications and calculate that the local education level on those. Um there are other grants that remained uncertain. Um so the office of management and budget which um you're all familiar with has delayed the
release of some key formula funds under the ever every student succeeds acts um and the workforce investment and opportunity act um specifically um is is a lot of money um so title 1 C for
migrant education um those program that that is on hold as of now 375 million Uh, title 2A, professional development, which we receive a good amount of that money, 2.2 billion. Uh, title 3A,
English learner education, $890 million. Um, and title 4A, student support and academic enrichment at $1.3 billion, as well as 4B, which is um 21st century community learning centers at 1.4
billion. And there's also um on hold adult education and family literacy title two money of a total of 729 million. So these grants programs are typically released on July 1st to align
with our local planning calendars like the other ones that I mentioned that were funded. However, um the OM has currently um is currently reviewing the release of those funds to ensure that they align with the president's
priorities and department's statutory responsibilities. And that's a quote from the letter that we received. Um so on June 30th uh the states received communications from the US Department of Education stating that given the change in administrations the department is
reviewing those funding sources or the grant programs that I told you are on hold um and decisions have not been made concerning those submissions and awards for the upcoming year. Um and then in a separate correspondence, the US Department of Education also communicated they are withholding funds
for integrated English language and civics education programs as well as adult basic ed programs. So um while this leaves us in great a great deal of uncertainty, what seems clear right now is these grant programs will at the very
least be delayed this year. But the Department of Ed um probably an hour ago actually in a commissioner's update uh sent a communication saying that they will continue to communicate to the US Department of Ed about the importance of these funds and will work with state
leadership and others across the country to try to gain access to these funds. In the meantime, Desi has advised superintendents and executive directors of collaboratives to develop a plan for the possibility that their districts and schools will not receive these federal
awards. for FY26. Um, so we will certainly keep you posted of that. Um, in terms of the total amount dollar amount, I don't know if I don't want to put Dr. Blaze Dell or Dr. Rogers on the spot. I know that 2A is
probably the biggest one for us in that. It's probably a little over $100,000. No, more than that. Um, have to look at the allocations from last year to pull that up, but you know, it's it's a significant amount of money. Um and we've we've kind of went into this
anticipating this. So um we'll do our due diligence to make sure that any carryover funds are used as well as you know you know the the people associated with any of those grants will be maintained and we'll make sure that that
happens. Um, so that's what I wanted to say regarding the grants. And then again, just to stress and I can send out a communication if we could try to do a meeting on August 4th, 15minute meeting remote. Um, just to kind of give an update and see where we are with that
RFP process as well as the director um, search. Um, that would be great. And and I will send out a like a a business reminder of that tomorrow to the entire group as well. And that's all I have uh for an update. Uh Mrs. Jackson, happy to
answer any questions related to it. Does anybody have any questions? No. Thank you very much. Uh hopefully what we're receiving from the state will offset what we're not getting from the federal government. So keep our fingers crossed for that.
To that point, I'm glad you mentioned that. That's a significant amount of money. Uh that would be um much like last year when there was a supplemental appropriation to chapter 70, we went to town meeting in the fall to receive that. Uh the the town side is also going
so there's some funds. The state is is being generous to municipalities, schools. So there will be I think uh an opportunity to to correct um that. So it's while it's disappointing and and
concerning I think for the coming year um certainly it's less of a um eminent concern um but you know moving forward this is something that may affect us for FY27.
Yeah. Thank you. You're welcome. Um and I I want to note your point on the August 4th meeting. Um, I can't agree to be there. So, that would only leave us with three people because I'll be in Japan then. So, I think it's
better to send it out to the group and have them make a decision and then post it than to try and vote on it now because there aren't enough people that would be able to make it. Of course. All right. Thank you very much, Dr. Campbell. Thank you.
Um, we have a couple of letters tonight. Uh, Mr. Morgan, I don't know. Uh, we have two letters. One from the community donation DA Ricardo and Sons Builders and then
I can read that letter. Um, thank you, Mr. Morgan. Sure. It's um, uh, to DA Ricardo and some builders um, from the, um, Sarah Vendetti, interim um, science coordinator. Uh, dear Miss
Ricardo, thank you very much for your generous donation. The check for $5,000 public schools for use in the global studies program Milan early exchange represents an astounding act of kindness. You should know that the money your organization provide will to use to
pay for program costs to travel for at least four families who can afford uh the trip uh from the public schools and myself are grateful for your commitment to our community, our students and educational experiences. Thank you, Mr. Morgan. Thank you for the
generous donation. Um, and then we have one more regarding uh community donation for uh PECC field day shirts. Yep. I'm bringing that up as we speak. All right. Um, this is from the Plymouth
Early Childhood Center here, members of the school committee, staff, students, and PTA the Plymouth Early Childhood Center would like to send our thanks to the generous members of our community who sponsored this year's field day t-shirts. We are grateful to the following businesses for their support.
Uh Pithful Tuxet Museums, Kings Construction, Renovations LLC, Skin by Sarah uh Beauty Studio, Pilgrim Fence, Sweet Grace and Company, and CG Silk Screen, Silk Screen and Embroidery. U
their contributions help make field day a special and memorable event for our students. We thank them for generosity and support. Thank you, Mr. Morgan. Um, next we have comm community uh
committee member reports. Does anybody have anything? Okay. Uh, Mr. Morgan, building committee. Do you have anything for that? Uh, no. Building committees meeting this week and uh, no updates on the master planning committee as well.
Thank you, Mr. Morgan. Uh, personnel reports. Mr. Chi. Hey, good evening. Um I do have just a a few to share with you. We had six certificated appointments. Uh we did approve five medical leaves and then we
have accepted 10 resignations. Thank you. Um do we have any unfinished business? Any new business? Okay. Uh next is the approval of the consent agenda. Does anybody have
anything they want to remove or comment on regarding the consent agenda? Okay. Uh, do we have a motion? I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Thank you, Mr. Morgan. Do we have a second? Second.
Thank you, Mr. Sarmagettis. Uh, I'll do a roll call. Mr. Sarmagtus. Yes. Mr. Morgan. Yes. Miss Haywood. Yes. And I vote yes. So the consent agenda is approved.
Uh and if there is nothing else, I will adjourn the meeting tonight at 7:56 p.m. Thank you all for coming. Enjoy the rest of your July month. Thank you. Thank you everyone.