This government meeting is brought to you by Eastworks and our local cable subscribers. Okay, Jen, can you take and just take notes on Oh, I got to wave. I Oh, there we're on. Okay. Um, just take notes on motions and
all that just so we have those. You know what I'm saying? Just in case. >> Yes. >> All right. So, John made a motion to approve the minutes. Is there a second? >> Okay. >> Anybody want to say Okay. >> Sorry. >> All right.
Is there any discussion? >> Zoom link. Um after that I don't think so. >> All right. Well, hearing none. All in favor? >> I >> oppose.
>> All right. So, is that a unanimous I >> in the middle of something? Yes. Yes. Okay. >> Yes. Sorry. >> All right. Good. Let's go. Okay. Public comment. Is anybody who is here? Does anybody wish to say anything? >> Are you just here for a good time? >> Oral support.
>> All right. Um, Warren, we did electronically. Veto, you got any announcements? >> I do not. I get Well, actually, I I passed out some MASC correspondence. >> Yeah, thanks for that. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. Um, so that's not going to work,
right? All right. Well, we tried. Um, all right, Alisa, principal's report. >> Okay, pretty short report this month. Um, we have 481 students, which is the same as last month. However, we had a couple pluses and a couple minuses, so it equal it equal it out. We continue to
have two out of district placement and one drop in. Um, MCCAST testing has begun and by the end of this week, all grades three through six will have completed the first session of ELA or session one and two of ELA. Uh, math testing begins April 28th.
Uh, we have a couple makeup. So, there were students in grades three through six who were absent during testing, which we will catch them up before the uh, window closes. And then some upcoming events. Grade six students are going to be attending a district-wide dance this Friday at Norris. Um, I think
I believe it's at 6 o'clock. Should be nice. And so the students in Williamsburg, West Hampton, and Chesterfield, Goan have also been invited. They're grade six students. Um, our sixth grade students will also be attending the expo night at Hampshire Regional um on April 14th. This event is
for current sixth graders and their parents. They go to Hampshire building, meet teachers, learn about uh what the school is all about, and they have time to meet and interact with other families, talk to teachers, admin, and counselors, and the tours are led by the student council. Um, it's really great,
and kids are looking forward to it. and our school vacation is the week of April 20th to the 24th in case anyone was not aware. Any questions for Alisa? >> Okay, thank you. Superintendent's report. >> Just an FYI that the uh 2526
Student Opportunity Act uh progress report was due April 1st. I submitted it uh at the end of March and once it is approved by DESIE, it will be posted to the website. Um my the superintendent
evaluation documents are in the folder. I am sharing it with each of the school committees uh this month so that they are able to take a look at them and there'll be further information coming from the ADC. Um there's a few resources that I wanted to
share uh similar to the uh the the resources I've shared previously around school funding, budgets, etc. And it's really just uh for for your information. One's from Mars, one's from uh rural at rural school funding and uh the last it
was just an interesting article I read from uh I think it was from Boston, maybe the globe. Um but it was just an article that I read about school funding formula and the need to at least from the perspective of the writer and many
who uh agree with that writing is that uh the school formula school funding formula needs to be redressed uh based on how most districts across the commonwealth are are uh suffering right now. Um and then the last piece uh DEF
uh are three sets of documents that focus on the work that the the central office has done uh in most specifically with the business office, the uh director of people services and the curriculum instruction assessment
director. And I just I I I am really proud of the work that is being done in those offices, the collaboration that um each of those department heads um puts in place every day to make sure that we're getting the work done and improving and making sure that we're
moving forward in a positive way. And those documents just kind of sum up that work. Um, I printed up the the documents from from Michael and from Amy uh because they were kind of more bulleted and and a little more streamlined.
Unfortunately, the uh scope and pervasive issues that are faced by the business office, those documents are pretty long. So, I did not print them, but they're available for you to take a look at and really to capture the work uh and give kudos to from my perspective the team that um that that I'm really
proud of and the work that they've done. Any questions for veto hearing? None. No chairs report. Nothing new to tell you. Hampshire regional Jen.
Um the big hot topic of the evening at our meeting on Monday was the um Hampshire trust information and the fact
that we will have to give well they're staying in the trust that we know but because the plan changed and is no longer no co-pays no deductibles the um there's technically a savings to this verse what the other plan was
for the everyone I guess. So 25% of that savings has to be given back to the teachers or >> the members >> all of the employees that are part of it cuz that includes like central office and everything. Um so we just talked about that and what that number is.
Total it's like a little shy of $30,000 that will go back and then they have a committee and they will decide with a bunch of different representatives how that's going to go back. Most likely in a fast FSA >> FSA >> FSA um but that was not in the budget
that was approved. So that money will be coming out of some other fund eventually and about excuse me $900 of it will come to us um for central office's part. >> Any questions for Jen? >> So it's not an increase to the budget
though, right? Because it's a reduction in the cost. Therefore the savings. It it is because when we did our budget, we built in the number which was the 12 point something% increase, but so we have that increase in there,
but because it wasn't a 16% increase, even though that was never even on the table allegedly. I don't know, trust me, the math doesn't math, but Massachusetts general laws say this is how it has to go. So this is how it's going. So the >> there's a bill coming here >> for $900. $900,
>> but the whole 30ish or 28ish,000 minus the SP part of central offic's piece, which is only like $2,500, is going to come out of school choice or some other funds that we can find because it is not built into the current budget that we approved.
>> Any further questions for >> Did I explain that correctly? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Um PTO has not met yet. Uh they meet um next week. So I'll tell you about that in May. School council. >> Yeah, we met yesterday. Um so we're in a
bit of a holding pattern for people in the room who don't yet know the school council. One of our tasks to work on the school improvement plan. And um because there is a large portion of it that deals with our interventionist strategy, we're in a bit of a holding pattern. Um
Alisa is going to continue to work with her team and see what we can do. Uh one of the things that you know we we talked about the budget um Alisa shared with us that she's getting a lot of support from central office which is fantastic and
you know I think there's a lot of opportunity with the school improvement plan to for next year for PD and some other opportunities. I've just had school council today for the high school and a lot of their PD has been focused on what's in the school improvement
plan. So I think we have a lot of opportunity there to incorporate it as part of the strategic objectives of the school. We just holding pattern. >> Perfect. Do you have anything to add? >> Nope. >> Anybody have questions about school
council? >> All right, Dylan CES. >> Uh they've hired an interim director to carry through to July 1st when Dr. honor I believe starts um as the new full-time executive director of CES. Our next
board meeting is May who? >> Any questions for >> Dr. Dr. Bonner? >> Oh, captain superintendent. >> Captain for a second. I thought I heard a >> I did too. >> I am way down here in the chief seats.
Oh no, >> pull it together. >> Uh the we're just it's pretty much all about the budget and um going along and there is a select board will meet on Tuesday night. I believe Tuesday night,
the select board will take a preventive step forward and schedule another special town meeting probably for the second to last week of June just to get notice and reserve the date. Someone should be in touch with Norris about securing the cafeteria for that.
>> May second. >> No, no, no. Another a secondary a second special town meeting in the month of June. >> Okay. >> Depending on how votes go. >> Okay. >> Just to put the placeholder out there. Got it. >> So, >> okay. Is that it? Any questions for John?
>> All right. Okay. So, um we had hoped to have this on the screen. Internet's not cooperating. So, the next piece of what we're going to be talking about though, there are paper copies up here. So, if you don't have one of these yet, if you want to come grab one.
Um are you guys all Does everybody else have one? And we have them in our packets. Okay. So um since our last meeting, the select board made some decisions about what the
budgets are going to be that are presented at town meeting. So the way they are doing this is there's going to be what they're referring to as the base budget, which would be um basically if no override passes, this is the budget. And then there are two
override options. So, there's one option um one budget option that would in include a one around a $1.9 million override and a second option that would include a $2.5 million override. In the base
budget, Norris would receive level funding from the town. So when you look at your packets, um what you'll see is that level funding from the town requires additional cuts
at Norris because costs go up. So if you're getting the same amount of money in order to make that work, you're going to have to um make some decisions. So at this point though, I am not going to do all the talking. I'm turning it over to Alisa and Veto, and they're going to start
with the possibility number one. um explaining the cuts and then we'll go on to the other the next couple of pages. >> Okay. >> All right. So, yeah, the level funding getting 187,162. Um so, we would have additional cuts. On
the left side of that slide, you can see what we did cut already for this school year for 2025 26. The kindergarten teacher, the grade 1 teacher, 2.8 8 paras um art teacher, math interventionist, reading uh reading
intervention teacher went from 1.0 to8. That's one person, but we had two full-time and now we have 1.8. Um we had two full-time nurses. Now we have 1.5. And then an admin assistant in the office, we had two full-time people. We
have 1.5 and one full-time and a halfime. And then we reduced OT occupational therapy by 0.25 and we reduced speech by 0.25. We also cut all um supply lines and
professional most prof professional development was about $20,000 between the two. So if we have to cut an additional $187,45, we would be um cutting the preschool paras from 5 days a week to 4 days a
week. They work four and a half days. So they would cut that half day on Fridays. Another paraprofessional that point8 reading interventionist. So we would have only one full-time reading intervention teacher at Norris. The vice principal's position would be cut to 190 days rather than working through the
summer. So she would go down to 190 days and the teachers work 182. So just to say that leaves me not it's not about me but just in thoughts. We spend a lot of time together planning professional development schedules for students,
schedules for uh teachers, the master schedule, recess, lunch, specials, all those things. Um a half of a custodian position and speech would go from 2.25 um positions to 2.0. And then anticipated saving from new hires. And
when we say new hires, it's because we have three notable um retirements happening. So, there are three definite retirees happening um for the start of the school year. So, when I hire new people to take those positions, we're anticipating $15,250
in savings. So, that that gets us to the 18745. >> Okay. So, committee, any questions on this list, >> Jan? So this is less cuts than the
original when you said >> correct for the for the beginning part of this year for several weeks. Um >> when we had our first >> when we had our budget hearing >> hearing it was 500 correct thousand >> correct for that's what I was told. >> So the town changed their side and it's
only this one. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Select board and finance committee had a meeting. They worked together and the decision was that if the override fails, Norris would still get level funding. >> Still requires cuts, >> right? >> But it's not >> not as deep as we thought.
>> Not as deep as we had thought, but still significant positions. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. And I think it's important to to say that we want to make sure that the information we're putting out to the community uh provides them with everything they need to make a decision
make a decision in their best interest of their of their theirelves, their families, their children, etc. But we can't forget that in 2526 we sustained these cuts and lost the services that are outlined there. Right.
>> And so if there is no override passing, then these additional cuts are really going to take those services away and we're we're going to be in a a very dire situation within the school. And I just
in in my role as a superintendent, I just want to make sure that everybody has the correct information. And I know that there was there was some perception out there that oh, there weren't a lot of cuts or a lot of people didn't leave, but there were plenty of cuts made and
the effect was was pretty profound on the services that students are receiving. >> And the other thing to to piggyback on that for the cuts that happened in 2526, every one of these was a filled position. Correct. So this is actual
positions where service was being provided and they were eliminated or reduced. And for the for the potential um reductions if the overrides don't pass, it's the same thing. All of these positions are filled and so this would
be a further loss of actual service at the school. Um so I just want to be sure that's clear to people. And you know, I can also say that because of these cuts this school year, we lost
very talented people that were already working at Norris because their position was reduced. Speech person left, admin assistant left, nurse left, and our math intervention um two math intervention people are gone because their positions
were eliminated. Um, and then our reading intervention teacher ended up retiring this school year because her position was also reduced. So, it's it's it's if people think that nothing happened, we are doing what we
always do but with so much less and it has made a profound impact on the whole school community. And just to speak to the reading thing, I mean, we talked about this last time that with no read, I mean, around 50 children receive reading intervention.
That was with 1.8. So if the override does not pass and we're down to one person, I don't I don't know that one person can help can service the needs of 50 children, >> right? >> So the numbers of special ed students will increase if we are not able to do
interventions. >> Okay. >> It makes the classroom teachers job a lot more challenging too. Yes, >> for for all of them. Larger class sizes, less intervention, it's just more differentiation required. It's difficult.
>> It's more challenging for the kids, too. >> Absolutely. >> Like they're not getting And I've seen it with some of my kids, one of my kids at home. It's a much different kid that comes home in a class of 21 than that came home in a class of 15 or 16 last
year. like it's a much different I mean not for all children you know but one of mine is definitely more negatively affected than the other. Okay. So, we're going to move on to possibility number two, which is
um the roughly $ 1.9 million override. Um and this would allow for partial restoration of service to Norris. And again, Alisa Veto, this is you. >> Okay. >> So, Oh, go ahead. >> Yeah. Yeah. Before you get into the specifics, I I just want to mention the
um the work and the conscientious attention to detail that the select board did. John, in your role of wearing two hats, keeping the the kids in the forefront of uh the select board's vision and the finance committee's vision is appreciated. And so I that
needs to be said. Um, so, uh, it I think people really looked at what had been in this school year, what could be if the overrides fail, and then the possibility of an override and what
could be done to bring back or restore what's been lost is uh, hugely important. And the recognition from the select board and the the finance committee is just just huge, and we appreciate it. Thank you. So, this is a $1.9 million
override and this is not $1.9 million just for Norris. This is a town override, correct? Okay. >> So, you are so funny. >> Good clarification. >> No cap. >> We know people are confused sometimes.
If we were to be successful with the $ 1.9 million override in town, we would be able to um the town contribution to the FY27 Norris budget would be 6 million504136. And the positions that we would be able
to be restored from the cuts that we saw on the first slide on the left side that went away for this school year would be a full-time math math interventionist, art teacher. And I have to say I did receive a lot of feedback from uh parents, teachers, and service providers
how important art is for our students, especially in the early grades with fine motor and visual learning. Um the point8 reading interventionist would go back to 1.0. 0 reading intervention and kindergarten teacher and a kindergarten pair professional. >> So we'd be back up to four sections of
kindergarten. >> It's Yep. It's a partial restoration of cuts, but it's not a full restoration. So >> So that would bring reading back to 2.0. >> Right. >> Okay. >> And we'd have math intervention back in the building. >> Correct. >> And >> one >> one full time.
>> One full time. Yeah. >> All right. And then the next slide is if the $2.5 million override pass. And just before you before we go on, I just want to be sure this is clear. So there's a $ 1.9 million override
question and a $2.5 million override question. Those are two going to be two separate questions on the ballot. They are independent items. So you you can ch you can vote on both of those things. If both of them pass, we don't we are not
talking about a $4.4 million override. If both of them pass, the higher number prevails. So, just want people to understand that only if if two pass, only one of them gets enacted. And if one passes, that's the one that gets enacted. And if neither pass, neither of them get
enacted. So, just to get that out there to eliminate confusion because we have found that sometimes people are confused by the directions on a ballot. So, Kim, qu Oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> Go ahead. Um, just to say that it before it gets to the ballot, they both need to
be said yes to at town meeting. If only one gets said yes to at town meeting. Correct me if I'm >> Yeah, you're right. Yeah. >> Then only one will then get on the ballot. >> Right. >> Yes. >> So, both the 2 or 1.9 and the >> require the town is that a 2/3 vote,
John? >> So, that that's what I was going to say. Town meeting is a 2/3 vote. ballot is the 51%. >> Right. I'm just saying though if >> y >> at town meeting everyone says no one we don't get two/3 of a vote for the higher one that won't be on the ballot.
>> Correct. >> Do we need a 2/3 for the base budget now too because it includes stabilization >> because it doesn't require ballot action. >> But stabiliz Dave stabilization. >> Well that's that's a different that would be the reason for it but it all depends how it gets presented.
>> Okay. All righty. Okay. So now possibility three, the $2.5 million override passes. >> Okay, there's a $2.5 million override at the town. A full restoration of 2026 cuts um which were approved by
Southampton School Committee on March 11th. The town contribution to our budget for FY27 would be 6,75437. positions to be restored plus professional development and those supply lines would be the kindergarten
teacher and the kindergarten parah grade one teacher art teacher math intervention uh refer re return to full-time reading intervention return to full-time nurse and then so there'd be two reading intervention teachers two full-time
nurses and return to the fulltime admin assistant so there'd be two admin assistants it's back to where we were a year ago 1.8 8 pair professional um and full restoration of OT and speech services from what was cut from last year to this year and the restoration of
the PD and supply lines as I mentioned above. So we would be back to where we were, >> right? >> So we're not adding any positions, >> right? >> We are we are this is as it is described a restorative budget, >> correct?
>> And these will be the restorative moves that were made. >> Are there any questions? >> Yeah, just looking backwards, we have the fiscal year 27 total budget or town contribution budgets for possibility three and possibility
two. Do you happen to have the number? for the >> for the level funding. Yeah. >> Yes. 5859-582. And I mean just double >> memorized. >> I do. I have it memorized. >> Say it again. >> 5,859,582, but I've said it so many times I can
just >> Yeah. >> Um, so Elisa, we don't need an additional parah for first grade if we're adding a first grade teacher. So the kindergarten classes have classroom
paras that are not tied to IEPs. So that's why if a kindergarten classroom comes back, we have to add a parah back. >> Um and uh art teacher versus steam teacher. Can you talk about that? Because we did talk a lot about steam. >> We did talk a lot about that. So
although I am fully in support of a steam position for Norris School and I think would bring us to the 21st century with skills and things that our students do need and would love to have. Um I did take the feedback like I said from parents, teachers and service providers
about the necessity of having art back at Norris. Um and I just lost my train of thought. Oh, so when we talked about the steam teacher, we also talked about it being grades I think it was 3 to six or four
to six. It wasn't the whole school. So if we replaced the art position with the steam teacher, it wouldn't be steam the way we want it. It would be a steam teacher doing specials for 45 minutes from K to 6. You're not going to get what you want out of a a teacher doing
that. It's not enough time. >> Yeah. The proposal as it was initially drafted um was in line with what the elementary schools were doing uh in Williamsburg, uh West Hampton and um uh
and uh New Hingham and that model wouldn't fit the numbers at Southampton. So the way Michael uh devised that plan when we when we profered it was that the the library teacher would be doing K12
um for steam and then the steam teacher would be doing three through six and there there would also then still be an art teacher as a special doing doing their thing. So the model just didn't work the way an art teacher would work
in the specials. So we determined based on the feedback that was received and the fact that it would be an incomplete model for steam that the best way to go would be to fully restore what was cut and then as we move forward uh keep a
lookout for grants and how we might be able to bring steam forward in a future budget. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> John, did that answer your question? >> That answered that one. Yeah. >> Do you have more? >> I not a question. And I have a comment that I want to make after discussion.
>> Okay. Well, we're not I mean we don't >> if everybody else is done >> we don't have to approve anything because this is you know the administration chooses how to deploy the funds. So go ahead. >> Okay. So, I think part of the at least my plan,
not that you guys need to go along with this, but one of the reasons why I want to get the date of the special town meeting added to it because it would be my intent to take no action on the base budget to pass over it >> at the regular town meeting. >> Yeah. And wait for the ballot to happen
and uh determine what we need to do then. potentially we'd have to come back anyways depending on what happens because the fourth question is going to be the Hampshire regional budget. >> So we're the first one out of the gate. Those two questions I would encourage
people just pass. Let's schedule a meeting before the end of the year, see how the override questions go and then we can come back and address. And my reason being is as a citizen, I may want to exercise my rights for uh amendments
to the base budget, but I'd be we'd be in a better position to defend those after the 6,200 residents are allowed to vote on the override questions. >> So legal ramifications, if it's a >> take no action,
>> you take no action, you defer to a future meeting, which is you can do. We're going to schedule a future meeting prior to June 30th, >> which is >> which deadline >> in the event that Hampshire Regional Budget fails to pass in two out of the five communities,
>> we would have to have anyways. >> So, we put that calendar placeholder out there >> and we come back and we meet again with our base budget. We'll now know what the outcome of the overrides are and we can make a decision. you know where where does the group want to go to move the
money if we're going to move it at all or we just accept the base budget as is >> even so can I ask a question on that so even if the base budget is approved and then override doesn't pass can that be
revisited >> it would be difficult to do that >> so you're saying >> because you've already you've already t the legislative body the town meeting has taken action So you're saying if the base was passed over at town meeting and you waited till
the override questions were voted on >> and still have a meeting within this calendar year within our >> year. So so you walk out of the May 2nd meeting without a fiscal 27 budget yet, >> right? >> But you wait to see what happens with the overrides and then you go and have a
vote on the budget. >> Yeah. whether it's it's still the one the select board put forward or perhaps the select board there might be other discussions there might move buckets of money around >> I >> all right well that so that's that's a
>> I think that's a bad plan >> town meeting thing right I mean we don't have to do anything about that here right just your >> educating just a preview of things to come so in other words May 2nd is going to be interesting everybody come everybody should come
anyway way. Yes. All right. Um, >> and the last reason why to do this is because town meeting is May 2nd. On May 1st, >> the they close open enrollment. We will have no idea of the potential
>> savings or additional expenses >> that are incurred with that. So, it we don't have the data point to make the decision on May 2nd >> in my opinion. >> All right. So, that's a stay tuned. So if the over if one of the two overrides passes
that budget would stick and there'd be no need to revisit the budget. >> Correct. The only reason we'd then have to have the special town meeting is should should two out of the five communities on Hampshire regional. >> Right. Cuz so I just want to be clear though that folks voting for the override and the budgets that are presented with the
override budget shouldn't be overly concerned that the the budgets they vote for on the ballot will all of a sudden be changed. >> No, those will be locked in. >> Okay. The only hidden not locked would be the base. >> All right. >> Actually taking a page out of West
Hampton's book. We are just late to set the dates. >> Right. Right. So, bring the popcorn. Um, Don, did you have a >> Well, I did have a question and it was just between now and your town meeting, what information is going out to
residents from this document? Is this document going out? >> That's public. So, yeah. I mean that so >> is it can it be um like I think Dylan's question was an important one and it's one that I had right off the bat in looking at this. This is the first time I've seen this and um
>> do you want me to add the um >> the fact that Yeah. >> what the dollar amount is? >> Yeah. What is the >> Yep. >> What is the dollar amount here at the first one? What is the dollar amount there? And then um I think that I think it is somewhat
confusing on the anticipated statement from new hires. That's confusing because we're not really hiring more people, but it gives you the impression that you are. You're just saying the the different salary three people hired, but you're not going to be there to answer
the questions. I mean, you will be at the town meeting if that question comes up. No, she won't. But if not, I think saying anticipated savings from new hires is going to be a lot. >> Yeah. All right. Replacement hires. >> Yeah. >> Retirement. Retirement. >> Savings. >> Retirement savings.
>> Retirement savings. I think about that. >> All right. We can do that. >> And the other thing is I know the um for all the right reasons, central office has kooed color printing. But could we get this printed in a PDF in color? >> Well, this was our files. It's not our
thing. Yeah, it this is just um like gray or something. Anyway, I it was going to be for ease of putting it up there and then that didn't happen. Yeah, we can um we can >> I'll make it pretty. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, it's the same file we've been working with. >> I'll add that number. >> Um
>> we'll change it to say retirement savings. >> Retirement savings. >> Make it pretty. And then when we do that, we'll save it as a PDF and link it places. You know, only the chair can authorize a community a school system email distribution that
this be under the chair signature that this be shared with the school network of parents. >> The chair is allowed to do that. >> Only the chair can instruct the building principal to send that communication. >> The building Oh, the building principal sends it. But the chair but the chair has authorized.
>> It's under your signature >> in a public meeting. I can just say go ahead and do this. You want this released to the public body. >> Okay. So building principle. >> So I would do it in color >> once this is once this has m been you know those updates have been made and
veto has made it look attractive. Um >> to be yellow one gold please. >> The chair of the school committee authorizes you under my signature to disseminate this to the school community. >> Thank you. >> All right. We all know Mrs. Carmichael is going to do it but
>> I don't Mrs. Carmichael. Please, Senator, >> I'll share this document with you post days. >> The power of the chair. >> I had no idea that I could do that. >> Me neither. >> Here I am, my penultimate meeting and I'm finding out I have all this power. Holy cow.
>> All right. Um, so there that that's it for that. So, um, thank you. I for one would just like to echo some thanks and words of appreciation to the business office, to Don, to Vito, their team, to
Lisa, you know, especially the the the additional issues that are going on, you know, and um I have held back at some point. I am going to ask how the school bus got damaged, but it doesn't need to be discussed tonight.
>> You mean the bus that broke down today? >> No, the little red van that the back doors came down. Uh oh. >> Oh, >> you know, somebody hit our fire truck. >> You ought to answer. >> It wasn't me. >> Everyone's looking at me like I might
have something to say, but I promise you it wasn't me. >> All right. Anything else? You good? >> No. >> All right. Business administrator, you're up. Okay. >> Um, let's see. >> Do you have that paper you need me to
sign? >> Yes. >> So, last, um, I think it was last month, we did a line item transfer in the amount of 173,560 and some change. And Kim is just going to sign that. And um the in your packet
is the current expenditure report. And from that expenditure report, you can see that there are a few lines that are over budget. And um we are committed to taking care of those right away. And as a result, we have um another set of uh
line item transfers tonight. And um that I'd like to review with you. And here they are. Thanks. >> Was that a shot? Is that a shot? >> No. >> Thank you. I knew I heard something follow.
>> Um, okay. And so I think the first set is just um a reordering of the budget in the uh let's just see what page that's on. On page one on the second line um it it looks like we're under budget. It's
not that we're not paying everybody. It's that um there is one person in there whose whose um salary is split. It's split between their and sped administration. So we're just moving it. We're moving the budget that showed up in the um admin assistant. There are two
people in there and um part of that is just going to go back down to the sped administration and part of it is going to go to sub call-in because this one admin does a number of things or two admins do a number of things and we're just aligning the budget. So there's no
difference there. It's just an alignment. And then the next one is for custodians. Um, and you'll remember from last time we had about 400 and something uh 400,000 budgeted for sped um sped
services out of district tuition in particular and that hasn't come to fruition. So we have some money in that line that we are redistributing to those lines where we are over budget. And um this one is not that custodians are working any differently. It's just that
um not all of the of their work was budgeted. So, for example, there's regular pay, then there's um uh differential pay, shift differential pay, and overtime. And some of that just didn't get in included in the budget originally.
>> And the only only only time that custodians are ever getting overtime is with the snowstorms, just so everybody knows. >> Yes, we had a couple. >> Yeah, we had a few few of those. And so, this is just this is just realigning it. It's not that they're getting paid more, it's just that they were not included in
the budget. No um implication to Elisa, but to our office. So, we're making that adjustment. Um and those are the only two there. There are a couple of other lines that um we are looking into and we'll bring those back next month. Um
but overall, the budget is on track and um we're in much better shape, you know, this year than in the past. So, that's really all I wanted to say about that and I'd look for um a vote and a signature. >> Move to approve line item transfer fiscal year 26 dated Wednesday, April
8th, 2026 where debits and credits equal $21,480.91 as presented. >> Second. >> All right. So, moved by John, seconded by Margaret. Is there further discussion? Any questions?
Okay. Hearing none, all in favor? I >> Okay. >> Opposed. >> All right. >> And then the other is just an update on the end ofear report. Um the end ofear report um from the central office's perspective was done last week and
because of the way things are budgeted um there are some things that are budgeted on the town side and we're waiting for some information back. People are working on that. um in particular the um the salary the uh benefits are on the town side but
they're for school pe for you know school employees and the end of year report slices and dices things a certain way so we need to get that information that information isn't easily accessible it's not tracked that way um in the town
and so Megan and her team have had to do a little extra work to try to extract the information in the format that's required on the end of year report. Um so I don't know that. Yes. So that's that. Um we had a meeting with Desi
today and um and they committed to restoring the state aid when we as soon as we get that um in. So I think everybody understands the urgency and as soon as it's it can be done it will be done. Then the other thing um that I
want to mention is that um there's Mckin Vento uh rules that indicate we can get 100% reimbursement for any transportation costs that we incur for Mckin Vento for homeless students. And I don't know that
with Amy Drake who I always say she tracks things right down to the Nat's eyeball. we have um that information and we'll be submitting that and that will be um a reimbursement that I don't think we have um necessarily done in the past. I don't think those records were quite
as as tidy. So, I think those are two pieces of good information. We're moving forward. We, you know, collaborated with um the uh town offices and we're we're getting that done and I'm hoping with new things in place. We've had our first quarterly meeting. we're um keeping up
with the line line item transfers. We're reviewing the uh information more timely and that next year the end of year reports should be um submitted in a timely fashion. So, so we don't expect any impact to state aid next year. Um
hopefully I know that's recorded so we'll try to live up to it. Okay, that's it for now. >> Anybody have questions for Don? >> Thanks, Don. >> Thank you as always for everything. Okay. Um, all right. Policy. We have nothing to talk about tonight, but Jen,
are you going to have something next month for >> I will have a policy for us to do a first read on for the cell phones and all personal electronic devices at school. M our what you call it um the
association of school committee still has not put out like their you know like I don't want to say draft but like suggested policy but I have looked at a bunch that they of the schools that share all of their policies on their website and it's just going to be very
basic and mirror what is already in our handbook that all cell phones all watches smartwatches like all of those things need to be put way turned off. And the only question I guess I have for possible
debate or in other information or feelings about is do we want to or does it I don't know on the policy that we have on the handbook um include the bus cuz some of them include the buses where the kids aren't allowed to use their phones and stuff on the buses. I have
heard that there are incidents that have occurred like with kids doing things with phones on the buses. I don't know if that's necessarily things out of our purview of control and something we're added to the bus drivers kind of whatever.
>> So just throwing that out there for anyone else's. >> Well, you could bring it with the suggested language and then that could be a point of discussion. Yeah. So, we'll get that on um for next month because if we do a first read in May, then the committee can do a second read
and possibly approve a policy for June so that you can start the school year with a policy in place. >> Right. >> Okay. Any questions to Jen on that? >> Right. Um we're going to skip the softball field for now. Um okay, so the
next is the negotiations subcommittee update. This isn't really an update. I just didn't know what else to call it. Um so we are in negotiations with the um teachers, administrative assistants, pair professionals and custodians
and um I believe that those negotiations will continue past the election and that only matters because um I am one of the two negotiators and I am not seeking re-election. So,
we talked to council about the best way to have a smooth transition from um one negotiating team to another negotiating team and she said that we could appoint a third member to start coming to the
meetings with us and being um a participant at the table so that they have some some experience with it and it's a smooth transition for swapping one person out for the So, with that said, I know John will
also no longer, unless you've changed your mind, you won't be on the committee anymore either. Is that correct? >> That's is correct. >> Okay, just making sure. So, um >> I have a question. I have a question. >> I nominate Jen.
>> You can ask your question second. So, Margaret nominates Jen. Is there a second? >> We can discuss. So, we're not taking a vote yet. So, somebody just >> Second. >> All right. What is your question? >> So, putting three people at the table at the same time, does the committee have
the ability to um bar any tenative agreements, any tenative actions, anything? Or can we make sure that one of the existing two doesn't go? >> We could we could do that either way. Kimberly said it was okay because I did
I had the same concern and she said that because >> she explained it. Do you remember what the explanation was? a silent observer. >> She could she could be a silent observer and then she's not participating in anything. At least she would see what was happening so she'd understand what
the job is when she gets there. >> We can do it that way. That's >> Yeah. Kimberly said that some school committees have their entire committee there and don't take action at those meetings. They take action at a school committee meeting in executive session. >> So we could do so so there are ways we
can do it. Um, our next session is on Tuesday, so I can get more clarification from Kimberly about like if there's a what she what the best approach is, but the silent observer thing would work because the whole point of this is for her to not be walking in cold,
>> right? So the so that the the union as well gets a, you know, sees a familiar face, >> right? >> Is it so there's a session on Tuesday and you referenced that Kimberly would be there? >> No, I didn't. I can just talk I can get in touch. Gotcha. All right. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, we've been doing this without council present.
>> Yep. >> All right. So, is there any further discussion? >> Okay. Hearing none. All in favor? >> I >> I opposed. Jen, >> I'm going to abstain. >> Oh, >> John's going to abstain. >> Oh, wait. Do I have to write this motion
down? >> Yeah. So, >> you got to vote for yourself then. >> I I won't be on the committee when this >> vote for myself. >> I don't want to take a position on it. >> Not possible. Well, I won't be on the committee either, but three of us have to vote in favor for it to happen. So, >> I'll vote in favor. I
>> Thanks, Dylan. >> So, just >> so it's a four yay, zero, nay, and one abstension. Margaret made the motion and John did the second. Okay. All right. So, 3:45 at Norris on Tuesday. Be there.
>> Be talked about. >> Hm. I said or be talked about. All right. Um I don't have anything else under old business. Um so new business. Thanks, John. >> Thank you. >> All right. School of choice vote. So we take an annual vote about whether we
want to continue being a school of choice. And I think that's all we're doing tonight. Alisa, is that correct? We're not doing openings or anything because we don't know. We're not going to talk about number of openings because we don't know how many classrooms because we don't know if an
override is going to pass. So the ability to possibly bring in any for for those children will depend on that outcome. But we can vote to continue to be a school of choice if that is what we so choose. >> Do you have a question, John?
>> Yeah, I was just wondering if we have any current students that would have kindergarteners coming in for next year, siblings. >> Yes, we have five. >> Okay. So there are five students who are would be entering kindergarten as school
of choice siblings to other students who are already there. Um, which is going to be really tricky because when I think about it, I don't want to break up families, but I think that, you know, my third grader, my sec, two second graders and a first grader
who have brothers or sisters that want to come, the parents would probably pull their third grader, second grader, or first grader out so that their kids can stay together and go somewhere else. Um, so then we lose the five kids that are already up in the
grades and we lose the potential new five, >> right? >> But I also understand that we're in a a budget crisis right now. So, >> right. >> So, two two things. Even even if we were to vote to stop being a school of choice, >> everyone who's here,
>> siblings coming through the process are still granted the ability to come in. >> I don't believe so. Are they? >> I believe you got to let it run out. But secondly, if the overwrite fails, we're not restoring the kindergarten. So we the stop gap would be is there's no
seats. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. That's that's the thing. That's why we're not trying to do anything now with adding. >> But no seats means five less anything because we don't know how because like you said, they're most likely going to take those. >> So you want to continue being a school
of choice. >> But just one more thing in in the past we've we've done this in a two-step process. It's we take the vote and if we want to then administration comes back usually a month later saying this is my recommendation for the seats at this moment to approve >> but a month later we still won't know
whether the override passes because our next meeting is May 13th that mean pass the 19th >> oh my gosh you are an evil evil man what did he say or does he want that >> well well you could you could delay the
May meeting of the school committee until after the 19th >> he just wants this to be his last meeting. >> Oh, wow. >> Wow. >> Wow. >> He is dumb. >> Okay. So, well, we can I can think about that, I guess. >> So,
>> but do we want to do we want to take a vote on being a school of choice? I >> don't think we actually technically need to, but >> yes, I say we do be a school of choice. >> I don't think we >> You're supposed to re reaffirm it annually. >> I thought it was if you withdraw from it, you're supposed to take a vote. You
have to pass a resolution to withdraw. But >> well, we can reaffirm. >> We have to by June 1st. >> We have to reaffirm it. >> Reaffirm it. Okay. >> All right. So, does anybody want to make a motion to reaffirm that Norris is a school of choice? >> So moved. >> All right. >> Second. >> All right. So, Dylan made a motion and
Margaret seconded. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> Okay. Sorry. Are you I Are you a >> You're an I. All right. And you're opposed? >> I am. >> All right. Well, I'm an I. So, four to
one. >> Too many unknown factors at this point in time to continue to commit to that. If the data points would change, I would reconsider my vote. >> Okay. May 20th. It is just All right. Um out of state field trip.
Yes. Um, we would like to take the sixth graders to Sunny's place on June 17th and Sunny's Place is in Connecticut. >> Connecticut. >> Motion to approve out of state travel for said purpose. >> Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Does anyone have any questions for Lisa? >> You get to go. >> Can I go? >> Nikki said no. All right. >> The boss says no. >> Hearing no discussion. All in favor?
>> I >> I >> opposed. All right. Motion carries unanimously. Gift of $2,000. Okay. So, the Women's Club of Southampton has kindly donated $2,000 to North
School to be used in with tech to purchase technology. Hey. >> Um they gave us a nice check and um they raised this money and wanted to come and give it to us for something that we needed and after having a nice conversation with me one day, uh they
proposed giving it for technology purposes. >> Nice. >> So, um we would like to spend the $2,000 on technology at Norris. I'll work with my technology Mr. Silva to come up with a couple iPads or laptops and um we would put it in the gift revolving
account and spend it through there. All right. >> Is there a motion to accept the gift? >> We have to do a motion for the gift. >> Is there a second? God damn. >> All right. So, John made the motion. Dylan seconded to accept the gift of $2,000 from the women's club. Any
further discussion? All in favor? >> I >> opposed. All right. Carries unanimously. Is there anything that we don't have on this that we needed to discuss under new business? Jen, >> not really discussion so much as um I I should have talked about it at Hampshire
Regional Park, but I forgot. Kathy Tibida, wait, is that her last name? >> Yeah, I get them confused. Um went to the day on the hill for the school committees um last Monday and she brought this back for us.
Um it's a lot of information about budgets and funding and some points of interest. It's for you, Kim. But the part that I wanted to share more is that she did stand up and say like we're going through our budgets with fine tooth combs, you know, and we're really
eliminating the most we can from the areas that we can to but still contain and keep the core services we need for the kids and whatever. And she said this to she said a senator or representative whoever was there and she goes, "Is the state doing
the same?" And whoever it was, I don't know, man, woman, I'm not sure, goes, "No, we're not doing that." Like, in front of everyone said very frankly, "Nope, we're not doing that." Like, "We're just going to do whatever we want and we're not like basically, you can just scrimp and
scrape and we're just going to put back forth whatever budget we want. Doesn't matter." And she was like in awe that someone actually she like didn't know what to say to that response. She's like, >> "Yeah, >> okay, great. So >> maybe write to your uh representatives
and say they need to take a closer look at their own budgets. >> Oh, thank you. Here I didn't give these to John. You take those with you when you go back. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Um so as far as I'm concerned, that's it for the public meeting unless anybody else has anything. John, go ahead. >> Yeah, just real quick since you might be
moving the May meeting. >> My god. you know, this this may be my last meeting at as a North School Committee member for seven past seven years and uh you know, I think the most difficult thing was 7 months into it, somebody convinced me to be the chair
and 30 days later CO hit. >> So, it's it's been a interesting ride and I've enjoyed I I have enjoyed most of it. Um I really love the negotiations. That was my favorite. I wanted to make sure you guys experienced
it. But um I wish those remaining all the best going forward and uh I have no doubt that another caring parent or parents will step forward and fill our seats. >> Well, I will say
thank you for your service. I think you've been a very strong advocate for the town as a whole and specifically for Norris. and I'm glad you're still on select board to um your financial
understanding is critical to that board. It's been really important to this board and um thank you >> and I have been given the green light tomorrow night to nominate myself for Hampshire Regional. >> Shut up.
>> I am not going on any subcommittees. I will be a committee member Monday nights for the meetings >> for Southampton. Sorry I said that and I was shocked. >> Wow. >> Are you feeling okay? >> Patt Patty. No, Patty told me to do it. >> Oh, Patty gave me the green light.
>> Oh, yeah. That's the green light. >> Mrs. Lumber wants to be home alone on Monday nights. >> Wow. >> Oh, this is going to be so much fun. >> You guys are going to have a blast. >> Thank you. >> I want the seat next to Veto. >> That's Dawn's seat. All right. I just
want to say I just want to say thank you, John, for all of your help, support, and your um >> um consistency and you're all, you know, you were always here. This year was a little different, but you know, you always showed up and you always had the kids' best interest in mind and I
appreciate all the work you've done for the kids and horse. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And I'll say as a fellow COVID chair, COVID times chair, being in the trenches, um it was >> challenging, >> very challenging, but you always rose to
the occasion and it was something I appreciated. So, >> thank you. >> Thanks for putting up with me as a public member of the audience. >> Yeah, >> I think we should rewatch some of the co for the for the people who are here from the public. We have several more copies
of this. If anybody wanted any to, you know, I know there's going to be a blast going out because the chair apparently can authorize that. Um, but if anybody wants another paper copy, please come help yourself to this. And then we're going to go into executive session. So, make up your minds cuz if you want one, get it now cuz that door is going to be
closing in a moment. >> What night? >> Knew the chair had so much power. >> Half of it. 58. >> No, I'm going to turn something. I have it. >> Dylan has it. You wrote C. >> I don't know what it was. 5589,
>> but Dylan has it. >> 58 59 58. >> I think that was it. Kim's got it. >> 58 59. >> Oh, 58. >> 582. >> You got it right. >> 58 59 582. 58 59 582.
>> Perfect. >> So, we add that. >> Somebody play some numbers. >> Come on. making you want this. >> Madam Chair, >> yes, >> we actually haven't taken the motion. I think we're saying live broadcast to people with that. >> Okay, where's that going? >> Darling,
>> look at the look at the third slide. >> Get up. >> We actually have to read the lunch. >> Yeah. So, you see how it says right there? So, we want to just copy that. >> Copy that. I make a motion that we move to executive session under CHA MLG
chapter 308 21A3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on bargaining bargaining or litigation >> the position of the public body and the chair so declares >> the chair does declare >> and I ask that we include the superintendent and the principal in our
executive session >> and the purpose of the executive session is what the last line >> she read the whole thing >> I read the whole thing oh Southampton Teachers Association teachers, parapressionals, administratives, and custodians. >> We will not be returning to open session. >> Second. >> Okay. Roll call vote.
>> Umber I >> Larson I shot I >> Johnson I. >> All right.