This government meeting is brought to you by Eastworks and our local cable subscribers. To our friends at East Hampton Media. >> Okay, the cameras are rolling, folks, so I will call the meeting to order at 6 pm. This is the regular monthly meeting
of the Southampton School Committee. All right. Minutes are in your packets. >> I move to approve the minutes of April 8th, 2026. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor?
>> I >> I >> I All right. Boom. Um, there is no public here for public comment. Warrants are handled electronically. Any announcements or correspondence? >> I don't think so. >> All right, Alisa, you're up. >> Yes. So, the principal's report, we have
481 students, which is the same number as last month. Our enrollment has not changed. Um, some of the school events of late have been the fourth grade um explore project for social studies, which was displayed in the cafeteria.
Many many parents came and attended. It was really great. Also at third grade, the magnet project, which is um a science, technology, engineering project that they do. Um parents, many parents came in right before April vacation. The Southampton Fire Department has been visiting classrooms in K through three,
which has been excellent. Um fire chief Vasi came by and then I cannot remember the two firefighters named that come, but they are doing a really great job. Mrs. Ashley has volunteered to provide a drama club this year to interested sixth graders. They
have been meeting um I think twice a week and they will be presenting to our school and parents uh later in May. Grade three went on a field trip to Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Our MCCAST testing continues. I think last month we had just completed ELA. We're wrapping
up math and we started um science technology today and we will wrap up on Friday with everything and just makeups next week. Our FastBridge interim assessment for reading and math has been um ongoing for the past week and a half.
We'll have all students complete by the end of next week. And then upcoming I don't like to say every single thing that's happening because I'm kind of a little weird when it comes to field trips like putting it out there in the world about where kids are going to be. So, I'm just going to say uh PTO is
hosting bingo this Friday night at Norris at 6:00 and then our K to6 spring concert outside in the field is May 27th and Quidditch is scheduled for June 3rd and then I'll update you once they go on the field trips after. >> Any questions for Lisa?
>> Is this the same HG presentation that they've been doing for the last several years? >> Yes. >> My kids always come home with the best stories from >> Oh, yeah. >> from those. >> Oh, I didn't say the HG. I skip right over there. Yeah, Hyo Gas and Electric um does serve as part of Southampton.
So, as part of that, they come and do gas and electric safety for all students, usually K three. Um Mr. Ouch. And don't put the fork in the toaster and don't use the haird dryer by the running water. Things like that. And you know, if the baseball goes over the
electrical fence out in the field, you're not going to jump over and get it. You know, all those things. It's really good. It's really good. All the things that kids need in order to be safe. Thank you. Moving on to the superintendent. >> Uh two points that I wanted to bring to
the attention of everyone. Uh the MASS school finance analyzed the uh House Ways and Means Committee uh budget and uh the analysis was interesting. Uh the governor's preliminary and House Ways and Means budget of course is just the
first couple steps as we move through the process. But I like to share the resources that could be come to me with you. Uh the second is from Desessie actually and it has to do with the safe schools program for for our LGPTQ
students and it's important for us to recognize that um all of our students need support, need recognition and DESIE is putting resources, training um and uh assistance out there to all the
districts to make sure that all of our students feel supported. Uh, so I wanted to share that with you. Also, >> any questions for Veto? >> No, I do I do want to actually add so I was on a P flag uh conference call last night that's for
parents of uh gay and lesbian trans kids and the director of the safe schools program was on there. And they're also doing more work with the intersectionality between being queer and trans and um being bipac
or being neurodeiverse. And so they're really expanding their program to understand that kids are not just a thing. They are many things and have many identities which is really nice to hear. >> Thank you. There is no chair's report.
here regional. >> Um, we had an audit presentation last week. Um, as far as they said, I mean, I don't speak auditor cuz that's foreign language.
Um, but they said they had a clean, what's the word they use? Clean. Um, >> yeah, clean. No, clean something. Clean proposal. Clean. I don't know. But basically, it was just more of the same stuff from the 2024. This was the I mean
the 2023 audit when previous administration was in charge and they found pretty much the same kinds of things of you know having to really dig through to get the numbers they need to get. Opinion, that's what they call it, a clean opinion.
>> That's right. Yeah. Um, and so they're hoping that it'll be better come when they start this 2025 one because the current admin will have been there and working on ironing things out. Um, and then the only other thing we talked
about was offering the flex flexible spending account to the employees that are still in the trust at the high school and central office and Does that go for um the go people too?
What are they? >> Uh the Yeah, the other region. >> The two regionals. Yes. >> Um and so the like $2,800 $28,000 will get split up between people and the plans they have or whatever on those accounts. That's it.
>> Okay. Any questions for Jen? Okay. So, I went to PTO last night and let's see. They approved um a bunch of funding for buses for field trips. They have some activities coming up. They
also So, I don't know if you all remember, but last year when the override failed and therefore all of the classroom supply lines were cut at Norris, the PTO ran a back the budget fundraiser on Zephy. And um
long story short, most of those funds have not yet been spent. So, um, last night the PTO made the decision to gift to the school the funds that remain, which is $9,80.90.
>> So, yep. Really truly, they had they had spent very little of it. So, what's going to happen? Has something changed since last night? >> Nope. I was just going to say at some point maybe we can say why we think the funds weren't spent so easily just so that people understand.
>> Right. So what happened was um PTO held on to the funding and they had thought that teachers would put in requests for funding for their classroom supplies >> like they do for the things that they approve now for like field trip buses
and stuff like that. But the reality is that when teachers need something for their classroom, they don't have time typically to wait to go through the PTO process. So what we're doing instead is what they're doing instead is the money is going to be given to Norris and
deposited to the gift account and then Norris will handle that money as if they as if it was classroom supply money and so the teachers can follow their regular process for ordering things through the office. So that is what they're going to do. it will expedite it. Um it is what a
lot of people thought was going to happen months ago and so now that is that was the decision that was made. So um somebody remind me that under new business tonight we can do it now. What the heck? >> Am I allowed to do what I want?
>> I may I may have mentioned gift account last night but is it the general fund? >> I don't know. It has to go somewhere and once you get the check, you can figure out where it goes. But it has to go to it has to come through through the treasur's office and it will be credited to Norris somewhere whether it's cost to
the cost and surprise supplies or to the general fund whatever general fund. >> You want it's probably a revolving account. >> No, you want a revolving account. You don't want a general fund >> because I'll spend money with then revert back to the temp. >> All right. So, so Oh, yeah. So, the revol gift the revolving gift account.
So, we need a motion to accept a gift from the PTO of $9,80.90. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. So, Dylan, any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor?
>> I. And thank you, PTO, for raising that money. Thank you. Thank you to all of the people. >> Thank you, community. >> Yeah. who donated to I know that a lot of people who no longer have children at Norris and who don't typically donate to PTO things anymore because that time of their lives is over. Um I know a lot of
people in that category donated to that fundraiser. So as Jen just said, thank you Southampton community for that. All right. Um and what else? Was there anything else about PTO? Oh, so almost all of their terms are expiring.
So they desperately need people to step up and take over. Um so if anyone you know watching this is interested their next meeting is June 9th and that's it. School council was cancelled, right? >> It was it was cancelled. Uh when is when
is June 9th? Um so the new committee will have to name a representative. I can stay on as a community representative because we don't have one of those. So that's that's an option for you. >> Thank you. Required
>> collaborative >> having that next meeting May 27th. >> Okay. And the only select board update I could say would be in case anyone didn't know there's an election happening >> and you have until May 19th to vote. You have seven days.
>> All right. Um I don't think we have any line item transfers. We do have an expenditure report here. Vita, is Don coming tonight? I thought she was unavailable. >> She's not. >> Okay. So, this is an expenditure report. >> This is an expenditure report and um I would suggest there's an opportunity to take a look at it. Um if we have if you
have any specific questions, we can >> email Don. >> Email Don and we'll get some answers. I know her intent is uh that in the June meeting, we'll take care of the transfers and >> Sure. >> Can I general question which you may know the answer to? >> Sure.
>> Where are we at with the with the fiscal 24 that was getting the holding up of state funds? Has that been resolved? >> The end of year report was submitted. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> It's been submitted. So, has has the chapter 70 funding been released? >> We we were told that the um uh the when
they were turned in that uh they would be released. >> Okay. >> Now, I I haven't confirmed that with the the town, but >> I have no reason to doubt it. >> Okay, that's good. All right. So, if when you've had a chance to look at this, if you have questions, email them. >> Great.
>> All right. Um All right. First read policy G J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J J I C D courtesy of our friend Jen Johnson. So um I have to put So Jen, after tonight we're going to at the bottom of this
we're going to put first read and the date. >> So when you have the doc, you have the original so you can go back in and add that. All right. Um, so this is um first read of a new policy. Do you
want to talk about this, Jen? You're the one who >> Yep. So, I mean, I think we can all agree that the state government moves at the snail's pace. So, they had thrown out this whole, oh, bell to bell, like no one can have technology outside of what
they're using. And yet there's still no real, correct me if I'm wrong, back here. Um, I did not find any like model policies in our like um, MASC drive thing. I looked at other schools
that have cell phone policies. I looked at our handbook and it basically is just with a few extra pieces added from what says in our handbook um that any electronic personal devices, cell phones, smartwatches, which I know a lot of kids wear smartwatches at school, so
like that might be a new thing for parents to really like um think about. >> Yeah. And I think that sometimes well we call them smart watches. I don't know if it makes it smart if you if you're connected to the internet. And I
think that's what becomes a problem is you see the kid with the smartwatch on at lunch or whatever and you say, you know, you can't have that watch. It's you can't text, you can't call, it's just a watch. >> So I don't know if we need language, >> right? So that's So this is here because
I also didn't know some schools and I also think the intent of well I shouldn't say that. I don't know what the tent of the bell to bell is, but some school policies included the bus for u for options cuz I know it had seen like kids are taking videos and
stuff of other kids and posting stuff of other kids from on the bus. So like this is just a very like simple first draft. I wanted everyone to see like what it was and then if we think things should be added or taken out, we can move from there.
>> Great. But my personal opinion is I'm I'm I think that so much of what happens is on buses. I think it would be good to include that in that
once you're on the bus and when you're on the bus at the end of the school day that is still considered school time, you know, for ter in terms of this or I don't know be I don't have a kid in the school. Maybe it's hard for them, but I just videos and stuff and and
shenanigans on buses. I don't know. That just makes me feel like >> I agree. I just don't know the practicality or the way you would go about policing that. >> Has Kimberly looked at this?
>> No, I haven't sent it to her. No. >> All right. So my recommendation before the next meeting would be to send this to her and to ask her the question about do do these typically include you know the bus and if so what's the language because she's really good at she knows
so she works with so many districts that I think she could give you >> guidance on that. >> So that would be my recommendation. Um, I also have a question for so if they do happen to have their devices out and the
teacher or school staff takes that, why is the caregiver picking it up as opposed to the child at the end of the day? >> Is there a specific reason >> and say that the rule is no no phones out during the school day and your child broke the rule so we need you to come to
the office to pick up the phone. >> And so that serves as a deterrent. It is a deterrent. Okay. >> I was going to say that is in our handbook. >> Yeah, that's in the handbook. >> Okay. >> Um, you good? >> Uh, yeah. I No, I agree. I think with
sending this to Kimberly, she may have language to kind of tighten to, you know, if if there's stuff specific to that. >> The bus stuff we may, if we do want to do bus stuff, I think it might make more sense to review our bus conduct policy >> and if we want to include that there. My concern obviously is the is the
enforcement piece because there was a lot of discussion previously about having bus monitors for behaviors on buses and we couldn't afford to do that. So expecting bus drivers to be policing phone usage is I don't know how they do their job to begin with. I have three kids in the car screaming and I'm almost ready to drive off the road sometimes.
So >> how they do it at 52 is amazing to me. Um >> but uh my other suggestion would be for this is for the last line of rather than emergency situations as determined by staff. >> Mh. I would do other situations by approval of administration. Personally,
I think just because staff becomes unclear and I think the union is going to be um the teachers association may not be wanting to be the ones giving exemptions for personal electronic device usage. >> Okay. >> As determined by administration, you're saying
>> if if administration, we can have the conversation with administration separately, too. But I think that's >> and one of the other things I was thinking about is we >> I wasn't sure how to put in words what like no one had a really good um set of wording for like exceptions to these
rules cuz I know there are kids that have them for you know insulin monitoring and stuff like that. So I know there's obviously needs to be exceptions. I just wasn't exactly sure how to put that in. >> I'll type some stuff up and send it over to >> Right. I was thinking of a child who needs to have that distraction on the
bus in order to stay regulated sort of on the bus maybe with headphones on and watching a video on an iPad. We've allowed that before. Um they don't have access to >> internet to do other things. So it's it's been okay. So if we have to tighten
that up >> again I think Kimberly could probably lead to that language too. >> Correct. >> Yeah. whether it's right, wrong, or >> right. >> And then the state may come out with a a law that >> Right. Exactly. whenever they decide. I mean, because >> never happened before.
>> Again, I looked at that and searched that up and it still says that it's supposed to be taking into effect for the 2627 school year, but there's still no direction >> and it's been voted on and that's it >> as to what it's supposed to be. So, I don't know.
>> Okay. Well, Jen, thank you for your work on that. Um, so add that to your list of things to do next month. Um, can't wait. >> No updates for me. >> Okay. Um, on the field thing. Okay. All right. So,
we'll go to new business. Um, we have every year we have to re-up our agreement with the Dupair Law Office. In your packet to the back, the last page is the standard retainer that we've been signing since God was born. And um
the school committee chair can sign it if the school committee approves continuing our relationship with the law firm. >> Why are these things so wordy? I'm going to ask the lawyer in the group. Is
desirous of receiving? >> Do you No comment on that one. Um we're paid by the letter and by the syllable. So >> okay. All right. >> You know, >> I would like to point out, >> could be my point. I was like, we're played by the character here.
>> I will point out that the um the retainer amount of $400 per month is the same retainer that we've had this year. So, there's no increase. I I don't know for certain, but typically when you when you get language like desirous of if you dig back to some case from 1947, there's
some contract dispute and the question was whether or not there was a desire whether or not the law firm was desirous in representing the I have no idea, but typically when you language like that, it's from a >> nails on a chalkboard for me.
>> So, is there a motion to approve? >> I'm still reading this. >> Okay. I move that we approve the retainer agreement in by and between the William Norris School and the Dupair Law Offices PC and authorize the chair of the school
committee to sign on behalf of the committee. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> Desirus. >> Are we desirous of this? We are desirous of this life. Yes.
>> All right. Oh, Dylan. >> That was funny. >> All right. >> All right. Um, >> can I break a record? >> Don't mess with her mojo. Just let it go. Let it go. >> We're just lucky. It's a light It's a
light agenda tonight. Ato, I'm going to have two documents that I will have signed. Okay. >> Do not leave this meeting without said documents in your hand. >> You got it. >> All right. Um, next up, so actually before we do the chairperson thing, one the other thing, um, it's that time of
year again where we have to approve um, medication delegation. That is the thing that allows non- nursing staff to be trained in stopping >> PTSD. I know to be trained in
administering um medication to students so that for example on a field trip a teacher you know if there's a student who's has medication at a certain time of day the teacher can administer it. It also allows non non- nursing staff at the school to administer an EpiPen if
there's an emergency that kind of thing. Um the school this chair of the school committee signs the Medell form. However, it has to be with a vote of the school committee. So everybody okay with Norris being a Medell school next year? >> Absolutely.
>> Okay. So somebody make a motion. Dylan, you're good at the wordy things. Go ahead. >> Oh gosh. Uh I move that being desirous of >> a medication delegation school. uh that
I move that the we designate Norris the William Norris school as a medication delegation >> medic medication delegation >> school. >> Yeah, it's fine. >> Yep. >> Second >> and and give the chair the >> and give chair the authority to sign the delegation on behalf of the committee to
approve said delegation. >> All right. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> I All right. Vita, do you want me to sign this or do you want me to do it on the dock hub that I got? Which which is preferable? All the other signatures are there, right? >> Yeah. Um, yeah. Yeah, they're printed. All right, I'll do it that way then. All
right, this is my last official >> Wow. >> school committee signature. >> Oh, you know you're not. >> That's what you think. >> Yeah. 10 years from now,
>> you're going to be on speed dial and in my ear. >> All right. So, I'm going to stand up right now and just give you these. Here you go, Dr. Why? Thank you. >> Secret naming. >> All right. Now, so the next thing is naming an interim chairperson. Um, as
you all know, Margaret and I are done um at 8:00 on Tuesday night. So, um I was thinking we need an interim chairperson for a couple of reasons. Um for me, the biggest one is that we need someone who is authorized to sign
payroll prior to you guys having your reorganization meeting. So that's number one. And number two, um it would be good for central office to have a contact person to deal with, you know, in getting the agendas ready and stuff like that. Um again, prior to your
reorganization meeting. So with that in mind, this is why I'm saying that we should appoint an interim chairperson >> June 10th. Um, >> I nominate and move to appoint
Jen Johnson as interim chair effective >> May 19th. >> May 19th at 8:01 p.m. >> I second that. Darn it. I'm going to second something. Is there any further discussion? >> Okay. All in favor?
>> Iay. >> Good luck. Thanks so much. >> Congratulations, Jen. >> And then Jen, honestly, also thank you. You know that we will talk and I will I will make sure you know everything you need to know going into this grand adventure.
>> Yes. And before you guys go and we sign off, >> thank you both. >> Wait, we're really done. Done. >> We're done. >> Well, we have we have an executive session. >> I know, but this is where I went off the record. I know John's not here, but I want to thank him for his many many years of dedication to the school committee um guiding this committee
through COVID, which was no uh light task, easy task. >> Um and and to both Kim and Margaret for their years and years of service, not just this term, which which I think could be saying pulling you guys out of the bullpen, but that that must be over a decade each of volunteer service to
the schools of of Southampton and the Hampshire Regional School District. um your guidance, your wisdom has never been um has been fully appreciated and never been uh taken for granted and uh we will miss you dearly dearly having you around these community on this
committee not only as as colleagues but as I think we've become friends and and thank you and we will miss you dearly. >> You're here. >> I had that. >> Thank you both. >> Thank you very much. >> It will be a very different scene next year without you guys. >> Yeah, I will see. You know, it's um just
come in and see. I was willing to run again if we didn't get enough people. >> So it isn't this is not a lack of commitment to the school. So anyone who's listening, >> it's been 12 years. Um people stepped
aside 12 years ago and 3 years ago so that I could do this. And I think that's important. It's been great fun. It's been extremely hard at times. I've made lifelong friends and I'm just proud.
>> Yep. >> Anything else from the chair before we uh >> I feel good about the people who are coming in. I feel good about the people who are staying. Um,
I'm particularly grateful to Veto and the team he's put together at central office because I think that um, you've made tremendous strides in taking care of some things that needed to be taken care of and I feel like the
district is in really good hands. And I'm not going to say anymore because while I know it's time for me to go, I'm getting a little bit clumped. So, with that said, um,
thank you. I didn't say that. Thank you all. This was our grand adventure and we did it, right? >> We did it. >> All right. So, I know we have an odd definition of grand adventure, >> but anyway. All right. >> Do we need to do a anything about the
negotiating committee prior to our next organizational committee? >> I It depends on when you're going. So, all right. So, here's I am trying like heck to not say, "Okay, you should be doing X, Y, and Z." Even though it's not my thing anymore, but >> you should be telling me to do X, Y, and Z.
>> I was thinking because it's the two of you. I'm wondering if you want to have your reorganization meeting earlier than you normally would. Um, otherwise, you get some time there where nobody has committee assignments. No, you know, >> I just didn't know if you had a date set
between them. Do you have a date set for you? A negotiation session cuz Jen May 27th the last negotiation session and she's taking over but she needs a partner. So when is it? >> I'm I'll double check an email with
Elizabeth but tentatively it was the 27th. >> So Dylan, do you want to be named as the other member of the negotiating team? >> Even if you have to change the date. >> Yeah, sure. >> All right. So Margaret, you want to make a nomination there?
>> Oh, yes. I nominate Dylan to be on the negotiating committee. >> Jen, >> I second that. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I I can. >> Yeah, that you can. I'm sorry that you can,
>> but I mean, I'm not happy that you can, but I'm happy that you can. >> All right. Now that we've taken care of that, we need a motion for Mass General Law Chapter 3A >> 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 which I do. This is for negotiations with the Southampton Teachers Association, teachers, paras, administrative assistants and
custodians. Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. Roll call vote. >> Um, can we amend that motion >> to include veto in Alisa? >> And we will not be returning to public session. >> And we will not Oh, Jesus. Okay. And we will not be returning to public session.
All right. All that stuff. Larson. I >> shot I. >> Johnson. I. >> All right. East Hampton Media. We're done with the public stuff. Thank you.