I will call to order this meeting of the Somerset Berkeley Regional School Committee at 6:01 p.m. Due notice having been posted. Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium. Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings
or transmissions may be made, whether perceived or unpersceived, by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible. We'll do a roll call of members present. Miss Ferrer >> present. >> Uh Mr. Pastnac >> present. >> Miss Solomon >> present. >> And the chair is present. Also with us
this evening our superintendent of schools, Dr. Jeffrey Skoonover, our chief financial officer, Raquel Pelerin, our director of special education, Meg Ashton, and our recording secretary, Robin Ho. Uh could you please rise for the pledge? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you everyone. Please note that the next regularly scheduled meeting of this committee will be held on Tuesday, May
5th, 2026 at 6 p.m. here in the Somerset Berkeley Regional High School Library. First item on the agenda this evening under student teaching and learning was a update from our student reps. Um I don't know, did they pass anything on to you, Dr. Okay, we'll um catch up with
them next time. It is a busy time of year, spring sports and such. Um the next item on the agenda is recognition of our March visionaries. The committee would like to commend the following students. Hazel Aken, resilient. Sarah
Ducet, empathetic. Troy Faria, resilient. Olivia Harden, digital citizen. Theo Murphy, independent. Khloe Paratt, academic. Paisley Sylvia, academic. And Luke Tibnan, respectful.
Congratulations to those students. The next item on the agenda is public input on topics on the agenda. Is there any public input this evening? Okay, you have perfect timing. I need a student representative. Just
kidding. She's not here. She has a she so she's not coming. >> Okay. All right. Um the next item on the agenda under new business is to discuss and act on the
2026 2027 school choice participate participation. You received a memo from Dr. Skoonover with information about that. I don't know if you want to elaborate. I tend to give you a little bit more information than what you need, but just to show to provide some background about
what the projected enrollments are for next year. Um, so we currently have 888 students uh attending summers of Berkeley right now. Uh we are forecasting an incoming uh grade nine
class of 203 students. That is assuming we have 15 school choice seats. Uh but I I provided some information just about what we currently know from Berkeley Middle School and Storm Middle School as
uh the vocational schools recently had their lotteryies. Uh so we are projecting out of the 185 students who are currently attending Somerset Middle School uh that we will be receiving uh 146 here. Uh that's after the 36 typical
students who attend Diamond and three who we know are going to Bristol Aggie at Berkeley Middle. They have a combination of uh their resident students and school choice. 84 in all. Uh 42 of those of the resident Berkeley students will be attending summers of
Berkeley. And I gave you some information regarding uh how many are going to Bristol Plymouth um Bristol Aggie and some other private schools. Uh so with those two, the 146 and the 42,
um we're forecasting 188 students from Somerset in Berkeley. And um there are of the 14 school choice students right now at Berkeley Middle School, five of those have been grandfathered in um to
the system before the school choice uh rules changed several years ago. So they uh if they can come directly here without having to go to into a lottery. There are four other school choice students at Berkeley Middle School in 8th grade who would have to go into the
lottery since they came in after that that date whenever that was. Uh so my recommendation is as uh we've done in the past 15 school choice students uh bringing us to a total grade nine of
203. And I'm always concerned about overrelying on school choice. We've seen some districts who do that and then if something changes, it's just um it's not something I'd like to do. I think the 15 per year has worked
well for us now for 10 or more years. Uh so I would recommend maintaining that same system. >> Thank you, Dr. Are there any questions or comments from the committee? I just have a question for clarification for this first time I'm holding this. Um,
>> so you have five grandfather >> Yes. >> BMS students and then four additional. So you're saying that's >> well >> there's a separate set of dates for the school choice in um Berkeley. Is that
>> uh so about I don't even know how many years ago. I'm guessing six or seven years ago. Uh the school law school choice law changed up to that point. School choice students in any feeding feeder school automatically
uh were accepted into the high schools. Um, and then once that changed, it it grandfathered those in who are already enrolled as school choice students, but any future school choice kids have to enter the lottery like everyone else.
So, of these nine students in um at Berkeley Middle School who are school choice who want to come to Somerset Berkeley, five are automatic. The other four have to go into the lottery along with the applications of all other school choice students who want to come
here. So the five automatic and then that'll leave 10 seats for the lottery for a total of 15. >> So the five will be automatic anyway even if we didn't. >> Yes. They come here >> the five >> and then the other 10 seats are just for
anyone. But would those four students get preference? >> They would not get preference. No. Has to be in a lottery. All right. Any other questions? >> Okay. Um, in that case, I would
entertain a motion to allocate 15 grade nine school choice seats for the 2026 2027 school year. >> Second. >> Second. >> Motion by Miss Ferrer and seconded by Miss Ashley. Anything further on discussion hearing? None. All those in
favor? I opposed. So voted. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is a citation for Kelly O'Brien. Um, unfortunately, Kelly couldn't be here this evening for her last meeting. She had a work commitment. Um, but Miss
Ferrer is kind enough to read the citation into the record for us. Yes. At a meeting of the Sunset Berkeley Regional School Committee on April 7th, 2026, a citation was prepared, signed by members of the committee, and voted inscribed in the permanent records. Whereas Kelly O'Brien has served as a
valued member of the Somerset Berkeley Regional Committee for the past four years. And whereas throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated commitment to the students and staff of the Somerset Berkeley Regional School District with particular care and attention to the condition and improvements of the district's athletic
fields. And whereas her efforts have contributed to the maintenance and enhancement of facilities that support student activities and the overall school experience. And be it hereby resolved that the Summers at Berkeley Regional School Committee extends a sincere appreciation for her service,
dedication, and thoughtful contribut contributions to the school committee and wishes her continued success in her future endeavors. Thank you. You're welcome. Um I would entertain a motion to adopt this citation as prepared for Kelly O'Brien.
>> So moved. >> Second. Have a motion by Mr. Pastnack and seconded by Miss Ashley. Anything on discussion? All those in favor? I oppose. So voted. The next item on the agenda is the
annual appointment of the superintendent to the reads collaborative board of directors. There's an item in the folder I think around that. Um, and this is
standard annual operating procedure. I don't know. Is there anything you want? >> It just it's just funny already uh approving things for the 2627 school year, but yes, this is a a standard procedure for the school committee. >> Question.
>> Okay. Then I would entertain a motion that Dr. Jeffrey Skoonover be appointed to serve as the Somerset Berkeley Regional School District's representative on the board of directors of Reeds Collaborative in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40 section 4E as amended by chapter 43
of the acts of 2012 for the 2026 2027 school year. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Miss Ashley and seconded by Mr. Pastnack. Anything on discussion hearing? None. All those in favor? I opposed. So voted.
Thank you very much. Next item on the agenda is a superintendent's update. Dr. Spoon. >> Okay. Uh couple of uh nice items to start. First of all, congratulations to our health occupation students of America, our HOSA club, uh who recently
competed in the Massachusetts competition. Uh we have 20 students who will be attending the international competition in Indianapolis in June. Um so congratulations to those 20 students.
There were multiple first place uh winners uh a number of students who placed. Uh we have one student uh Grace Tweety who was elected to represent Massachusetts on the HOSA executive board. Uh so congratulations to those
students to and and thanks and congratulations to Miss Bern Miss Bernston and uh Miss Littlefield for teaching them and advising them and and Miss Alivera uh for another project lead the way teacher. Uh we've talked about
the in um the innovation pathway in biomed and just the incredible success that they've had. uh we've gone from 60 some 64 students I think uh just four
years ago to 169 students currently. Uh so we've seen incredible growth in that program. There's so much interest. So uh congratulations to all of them. Uh I want to let you know that Congressman
Aenclaus will be uh visiting the high school later on this week. uh having a uh student town hall meeting with a number of our students and he'll also be meeting with some of the adults before that event takes place. So, we're
excited uh to host him here. Uh and today, uh Representative Thurber hosted our championship field hockey team up in Boston. They visited the state house. They had their own championship duck tour. Um I think it was a little cold. I
don't know how uh hopefully they were well dressed, but thanks to Representative Thurber for posting our students up there and celebrating their achievement. I I Mr. Francis told me that they had a great day. Uh speaking of sports and Mr. Francis, um I did uh
before our capital planning meeting went outside with him just to uh check out the baseball field. As you may know that because of the the work that was done this past summer, the outfields are absolutely amazing. With all the rain that we've had, there's been no gathering of water. It's draining
beautifully. The infield has been a little wet. Uh so there's been some work that's been done there. Uh this week, uh more work I think on Thursday. There is a game tentatively scheduled for tomorrow. We're hoping that maybe the
winds uh today will dry it up and they can play, but we'll have to take that on a day-by-day basis. Um, but the work is there and uh whatever still needs to be uh completed on the infield this week just to dry it up more will take place.
Um other than that, everything else is looking great out there. Uh and in addition to that just on your agenda um sharing with you a few appointments and some resignations uh typical
um positions that we we tend to see each month. Next item on the agenda is to discuss and act on budget. Walk us through. >> Yes. Um there are a total of 16 budget
amendments. Um what these are meant to do is cover the overages in the line items or the function code line items that exceed 10,000 or 10%. Um we did go deeper in to try to get most of the variances and if and when these are
approved um we can update the budget document to reflect the changes in the 26 budget which will give you that better alignment when you're comparing that to 27. Um we do intend to come back with any future um budget amendments
that we have from now until the end of the year that accelerate our plan. At that point those um amendments would not be in the in the final budget. The description of the amendments is very questions.
In that case, I would entertain a motion to approve the uh budget amendments as outlined in the number. So move second motion from Miss Ashley Square. Any further discussion
hearing? All those in favor I opposed. So voted. Um next on the agenda is a continued discussion of the 26th 27th budget. Last meeting first annual budget.
The entire budget document is now pulled together. Now that the financials have been approved. Um like we had just said we will update it with the budget amendments for um the financial section 2016 but the whole um complete document
is in the folder for your your review that's been shared with the um >> it has >> administrator. Yes. hand their letters for the assessment. Does anyone have any questions?
Okay. Um, thank you. It's been so long since we've seen you talk about a whole week. Thank you for all your work on that. It's much appreciated. Um
the next item on the agenda um is this um is to approve um the Sergeant Brian Cordderero Memorial Fund Scholarship and then this is pretty standard whenever there's a new scholarship only
it just comes before the committee for approval. Um, so you can see the the form in your folder. Does anyone have any questions? >> I'd just like to make a comment. Um, Sergeant Gdera was a very wellrespected
member before police department. um of course a very tragic passing. Um and he was really always you know a great community member too and he cared deeply about his community and the schools were a big thing of his and um I think this
is a great honor to have this scholarship and his name and I just wanted to make that known. >> Thank you Mr. President. I'll just um for everyone's benefit, I'll just read aloud um in the form. It said, "Brian was loved by many and was very proud of
his military service and varied public safety roles. Brian was also very proud to be a Somerset High School graduate and was very much a people person. This scholarship will do him proud. So, we're grateful um that we can
support our students post-secary um endeavors um in a way that honors his memory. So, thank you to everyone for that. Um I would entertain a motion to establish the Sergeant Brian Cordderero Memorial Fund Scholarship.
>> Second motion by Mr. Pastor, seconded by Miss Ashley. Anything on discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I >> opposed. So voted. Um the next item on the agenda is the capital planning subcommittee update. I
think you just met. We did just me. We had a first meeting at 5 and we talked about uh we looked over the past uh the one from 2019. Um Mr. Carrero was here, Mr. Coro was here to talk with us. But where we
landed is we're going to look into doing an assessment to have somebody come and actually look and see what needs to be done, what the life expectancy is so we can have a better plan moving forward. So, um, they're going to work on that and then we'll probably come back next month with some information as to what
costs will be for the committee to discuss and see if that's something we want to fund. Okay. So, So that's it. >> All right. We look forward to your update. Thank you.
>> Um, next on the agenda under other matters and information, uh, updates, Miss Solomon, are there any updates from Berkeley? KW. >> Um, our last meeting was the budget presentation, which
I don't think I need to delve too deep into. Um, I've stated before, um, they've requested a 6% cut across the board for for everyone, which obviously is is not great. Um, so it wasn't a fun
presentation necessarily. Um, there is an override on the ballot, I think I mentioned as well. Um, 4.8 million for the override amount. Um, and our elections are on uh, 59 uh, May 9th. Next week's school committee meeting,
the um superintendent intends to list the specific proposed cuts should the override um not pass. We're talking she's saying between 10 and 15. Um our next meeting will have those specific cuts.
It's not news from Berkeley, but that's that's our update. >> Um that is that next Monday? >> It's the 13th. So Monday. Yes, thank you. Um, any updates from Somerset?
So, Somerset is still working on our budget and we actually have not taken a final vote on our budget um, and had our public hearing. I believe that's our next meeting. Our next meeting is also
after the election, so we'll be reorganizing. So, this might be my last meeting. We don't know don't know until we get to the meeting who's going to be sitting in these seats. Um, so I just want to thank you all for allowing me to fully participate in this committee. And
um, you know, hopefully if if I'm not back next year, hopefully I'll be back someday. Um, and and otherwise, you know, you'll see me on the other side for sure. Well, we'd hope to have you back to bring a lot to the committee.
>> Both both of you. >> Thank you. >> Your elections aren't in >> No, ours elections aren't until May. So, I probably >> You may see me again. I won't see. >> Have a state of execution. >> Yeah, I'm not liking those updates at all,
>> but we understand. But, um yeah, see you either way. Um Okay. Um, anything else? That's good on updates. All right. Next item on the agenda. Topics not anticipated by the chair.
Um, I have one. I'll probably just mention it as an action item for a future meeting, but I have nothing else. >> No. >> Um, so the next item is action items for future meetings. Just at um the HOSA
advisors reached out to us with the good news that Dr. just going over shared they are also um looking for some financial support to help with the trip to the international competition in June. Um we didn't feel like we get that
request in time for this meeting. It came up sort of last minute and we wanted to make sure the committee had time to consider that. So we'll we will agenda that item for the um for the next meeting >> which will still give time to >> yeah the trip is not so June
>> right and we actually have to approve the trip as well so two pieces so that'll be on the agenda for the next meeting >> um >> and I recall we gave them some financial support last year correct so >> hosa deco y
>> be nice to kind of have those totals from last year Okay, we can do that. >> Um, does anyone have anything else they want to agenda for the next meeting? >> Maybe we should do capital improvements, too. So, hopefully if we have that information, we can put that before to vote for.
>> Okay, I'll let Robin know. I know I mentioned before, but um our onsite for our um integrated monitoring review uh is next week. So, I told Robin if we put it on in May, I'll be able to give you a lot more information based on their on-site
um and what we're working through. So, I can do an update on that in May. >> That'd be great. >> As always, if other items come up, just please let us know. >> Uh we have our bid opening for the uh uh
track resurfacing on April 15th. So, I'll have an update uh for you with whatever. >> Fabulous. All right. Um, next item on the agenda. Um, if
there are no objections, we'll take them as a batch. Um, I would, um, entertain a motion to approve the March 3rd, March 12th, March 16th, and March 31st, 2026 open session
minutes as presented. >> So, second motion by Miss Ashley, seconded by Miss Ferrer. Anything on discussion hearing? None. All those in favor? >> I opposed. So, voted. Um, next we have some executive session
minutes with, you can see redactions are highlighted. Um, I would entertain a motion to approve the executive session minutes of March 3rd, 2026 as presented and to release them with redactions. >> So moved. Second.
>> Um, motion by Miss Ashley, seconded by Miss Ferrer. Anything on discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I >> opposed. So voted. Um and then um next I would entertain a
motion to enter into executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws chapter 30A section 21A3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating
position of the public body and the chair so declares American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Administrative Assistants and Custodians. And I would note that the committee will not return to open session. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Motion by Miss um Ashley. I have a
second. Mr. Pastnack. I think we'll do a roll call. Um all those in favor? Mr. Pastnack. >> I. >> Miss Ferrer. Hi. >> Miss Ashley. >> I. >> Miss Solomon. I >> And the chair votes I. Okay.