All right, welcome everybody. Um, I'm Glenn Pastor, vice chair of the Swans School Committee. We are in our regular session of Thursday, January 22nd, 2026. It is 6 o'clockish. Uh, we are at Swansky High
School, 200 Essex Street, room B129. and thank you for joining us or watching us on video, whatever you choose to do. And if you would like to, please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge of 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. All right. Um, Miguel, do we have any public comment
out in the internet land? >> I don't see anybody with their hand raised. >> Okay, I'll keep an eye out. >> Please do. Um, anyone in the room? Don't be shy. Okay. Um, all right. We're
moving on. Uh, committee comments. Sasha, let's start with you. Um, there haven't been any updates so far. I don't think this week is midterms week, so it's been quite stressful, especially for me and Leah. We are juniors. We're
going to be seniors next year, so grades are really important this year. >> Sasha, hold on one sec. I don't think her mic is working up there >> for you. >> Thank you. Go ahead, S. So, as I was saying, um Leah and I were
juniors, so grades are really important this year. Um but other than that, nothing significant I would say has happened. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I wouldn't say um too much has happened. I know break happened and we
haven't been here in a while, but um I would say in the beginning of January, the DECA event occurred and it was really successful. Um, so congratulations to the people who get to go to states now. >> Excellent. All right. Um, just for everyone's knowledge, do can you give a
little I don't I don't I know what Jack is, but you want to just >> So, it's like a business club and when you go you go to a hotel and you basically have like a mock interview and you have to you get a problem and then you have to solve it and you have like 30 minutes with your partner or if
you're a soloist to solve it and then you present your ideas to like a judge and if you do really good you can qualify for states. >> Great. Who's the um um proctor? Who's the >> Mr. P? Mr. Perichek. >> Excellent. Um I know it's a great program. One of my kids did it way back
in the day. All right. Thank you. Um John, >> no, no specific comment, but um just given that it's midterm week, um I don't think we should hold the student reps here for the whole Yeah. For the whole session, but um whatever is appropriate.
>> Yeah. Why don't we do seven o'clock, guys? All right, Miguel. Um, I'll say last night was interesting. Hopefully we'll move forward. Um, but very excited for tonight's information.
>> Great. Thank you, Miguel. Um, from my perspective, um, a couple things. One, I think this is the third or fourth time I'm going to say this. Um, Swampska Public Schools is here to educate each and every child who
lives in district. We don't ask questions as long as they live here. It's none of our damn business. And we will do whatever we need to do to educate each and every child. Anyone has a comment on that online, feel free to
drop me an email. Happy to chat with you about it. Anyways, um I also found last night enlightening and I know there are a few questions out there that we will get uh answers for and we actually have answers to the two
main points that I will be sharing with various members of the select board finance committee as well as the town administrator. I also am looking forward to tonight. Um and that's what I have. Um any committee comment? Uh, we already
did that. Sorry, I can't even tell. So, I think now, uh, reports and discussions, I will turn it over to Mr. Kishman. >> All right. The only thing that I have before we get into the presentation is that I believe you were all invited to the January 28th give and grow dinner.
Mr. Lewis used to do it at the middle school and now he's brought it to the high school. So, it's a great event. So, January 28th um, from 5:30 to 8. If you need any more information, you can certainly just let me know. But 5:30 to 8, the the students put on a
wonderful dinner and the funds go to the Anchor Food Pantry >> and it's here. >> Here this year. Yep. >> Excellent. >> Changing venues. So, >> All right. >> All right. >> Taller students. >> It's supposed to support my brother's table. >> And my brother's table. Okay. >> Excellent.
>> All right. That sounds like a fantastic. >> All right. And now let's let's get to it. Let's do the we going to do the budget presentation. So >> um before you go there, Cheryl, so with um with the budget presentation, um
please stop committee members at uh that would include um student reps as well. Uh at any time, please feel free to stop, ask the question. Um that's what this is that's that's what this is all about. This is this is the school department's opportunity to present the
school committee um budget. And with that, Miss Stella, the floor is yours. >> I'm actually going to take the first slide. So, >> our philosophy and priorities. So, while we understand the financial constraints of the town, we are extremely proud of
all the work that's gone into this budget and also the work that we do day in and day out with our students K to prek to 12. And we this budget's anchored in fiscal responsibility. However, our focus is student success.
Um, we are focused on key areas of growth and being mindful of having a high return on investment for our taxpayers. Every public dollar spent will be leveraged to its fullest potential. All to ensure that our schools continue to be the cornerstone of Swampscott. It's not lost on me or
anybody else. Shouldn't be lost on anybody else. People move here in large part for the school system and I want them to realize they've made a very smart investment by entrusting us with their children. This is a bottom up budget and while it
certainly is dependent on the demographics and state and federal mandates aligned with our strategic goals for the district, um we were able to make some efficiencies moving forward such as a MLL teacher at the districtwide administrative support at the elementary
school, our transportation of a one bus at the MET pro mech program and also So, one of the outside providers for our alternative pathways. So, does anybody need any just to be specific if you're looking for it? Um,
our MLL numbers have dropped not just in Swampscott, not just in say in the whole country. And because of that, we're down to 92 students this year, which enabled us to sort of look see that efficiency. Um the Meco PUS there's 53 students in the MECO program currently and there are
sort of other towns like size that made this adjustment. Lynfield, Foxboro, Brainree, Cohasset, Dova, Sherburn programs like that that have that same range of students have the kids on one K to2 bus. Still the late bus is still in play. There's still a bus monitor but
we're going to one bus for the K to2 students in the morning and in the afternoon before the late bus. our admin assistant at the elementary school. We have systems in place. We have procedures in place. The elementary school is up and running and thriving.
And we believe that we can have two administrative assistants at the elementary school instead of three. And our after dark program is currently $65,000 for eight students. And we want to invest in our continue to invest in our pathways here at home high school.
Okay. Great. Next slide. This these decisions and reallocations have made us continue to allowed us to continue to build our MTSS systems, our multi- tiered systems of support. Add an additional teacher at SMS for in fifth
grade which has been an issue for um we have high rising class sizes in the fifth grade and it's such a transition year. We want students to be successful in the fifth grade. So adding an additional teacher there. This is also enables us to have a health teacher at SMS that we've talked about for a long
time. Continue to build our innovation pathway system uh pathways at Swans High School. Investment in our current pathway pathways, but also investing in a new one, our third pathway, TV, media, and arts. And continued investment in
professional development in high quality instruction instructional materials. future needs that we could be looking for. Increased leadership capacity with our administrators, continued investment in high quality instruction materials, continued growth of those pathways,
their consumables, investing in, we talked about perhaps a teacher pathway down the the road. Um, again, we want to keep our students here and have something for all of our students to feel um the reason they want to come to school in the morning. And for some of those students, it's those pathways.
um looking at our state competency determination requirements for high school graduation, possible expansion of AP classes and electives at Swampscott High School with the program of studies and again I I would say sort of the non-negotiable we have to continue to invest in MTSS um throughout the
district. >> Um Mr. Cal just for those who are watching um why don't you just can you just explain what MTSS is? >> Yeah, so multi-tered systems of support. It is a essentially we want to make sure that every student is getting what they
they need. Um we want to have right now we have K through six we have a system where students are getting additional support um if they need it. They also we have classes that kids will are have stretch groups. So if you're a highf flyier
student you're getting what you need. If you're struggling in a certain area you're getting what you need there as well. Well, I think that's something parents have really responded to um extremely well. I think for a long time, as I can say this as middle school principal, we used to get the sort of what are you doing for our high-flying students and now we have the answer and
we're looking forward to bringing that K through seven next year, K to8 the year after that and then eventually to the high school. >> Great. Thank you. >> Um we have some highlights across the district. Um, I know Miss Samborn was here a few weeks ago and Miss Mter and and Miss Otto before that, but just to
reiterate some of the things they talked about, the behavioral support systems at the elementary school and the academic interventions, the steam integration, our targeted instruction groups, the TI groups that are linked with the MTSS that we talked about, the crossrade collaboration. One of the great things
that comes with the new campus model with the elementary school being right next to the middle schoolers, our kids are going over to the elementary school and reading to their classes and we can really partner with those two schools. Mrs. Otto presented on the open house at Swans High School. Again, developing that culture of excellence, expanding
opportunities for all of our students, having that identifiable spirit, strong academic growth and inclusion for all, all while sort of feeling that sense of pride still that they belong in this high school and that it means something to them while having that district-wide commitment to core that does not go
away. The community, opportunity, respect, and equity for everybody. Um, >> so before you go, um, anyone have any questions on budget philosophy, philosophy or priorities? >> I think one thing just to maybe point
out is um if since we're getting that teacher at the middle school to make them appropriate class sizes, like what are the class sizes look like? So kind of people know. >> So right now we're looking at class sizes at 25. It's and and that's before usually we'll get people moving in in
the summer as well. Um but CL 25 for a fifth grade classroom is tight. >> Yes. >> So we're trying to get them back into that 20 to 22 range. Yes. >> Ch. >> Not at the moment. >> Okay. Um I'll just say that um you know
the first time you know writing a budget and you know the philosophy and the priorities this is great. I'm happy to hear that. Um we dug down dug down hard about areas of efficiency. Um we've identified
more efficiencies and that's great to hear and I appreciate that and uh that's what I have. >> All right. So um I just want to give everyone an overview of what our process and timeline is for building this
budget. Um, you know, we really start this process in October with the budget subcommittee. Um, and then we work with district leadership throughout November. Um, beginning of December is when we we have meetings with the leadership team and really go through all their requests
and their budgets. Um, and then end of December is when the budget book goes out to the school committee. Um, we presented our capital projects on January 12th. Uh last night was a mini financial summit. Um and then we're here
tonight. And so as far as kind of next steps as we look forward with this budget, February 5th will be the actual public hearing school committee vote. Um we will be responding to the finance committee questions around beginning of February. February 13th, uh we'll send
the budget to the town administrator as required. And then uh sometime in March uh we present the budget uh to finance committee and then we have Mtown meetings. So I I highlight this just so people can see that we really start this process in October
um which is you know pretty far away from May uh when the actual town meeting vote is. So it's a it's a lengthy process. It's a lot of back and forth with all of our um department heads and the leadership team. It's a very collaborative effort um as well with the
school committee. Um and that's just a little overview. So um our budget is increasing by 3.96% or 1.35 million. Um just a reminder that 80% of our school budget is compensation
and within that 71% of it is governed by CBAs or collective bargaining agreements. Uh we have 6.6 6 million in uh capital that we have requested by the town and we anticipate using about 4.6 million uh out of our revolving funds
and circuit breaker. Um the one cost center that I do want to highlight as you look at this that'll probably stick out for many is the administration cost center. That cost center is increasing by 18.35%. And that is in large part due to our
salary reserve. If the committee might recall last year, we utilized the salary reserve uh last year because we were in collective bargaining. And so that's where we house all our um raises for collective bargaining, but we also use
that salary reserve line for potential lane changes. So we get the list of anticipated lane changes for next year and then in uh September by September 1st is when they have to provide all the actual documentation.
And so all of the money for what we project will be lane changes for next year sits within the administration cost center. And so this year we had 71 lane changes submitted as anticipated for next year. Our average has been 47. So
this is quite a bit higher um than than typical um than we've typically seen. And then so that makes up the vast majority of that administration cost center. And then um non-union salaries which covers a variety of positions um
career counselors, kindergarten aids, crossing guards um and then our administrative team. And then the other um cost center that I want to highlight that's increasing um fairly significantly is our school facilities.
And that is because we have a new supply contract for gas which is going up 11%. And then we have a a supply contract as well for electric which is going up 23%. So that's really what's driving uh that
cost center as well. >> Can can I just stop and ask a question? Um, can we talk a little bit about the lane changes and although that those numbers are high, what we did during negotiations to make it to give
everybody um especially the finance committee some cost certainty going forward? >> Yeah. So, um, during negotiations, one of the big things that we were able to negotiate, uh, with the union and and they were amendable to was that
an individual, no matter how many credits they might take and submit, can only actually move one lane change per fiscal year. And so, previously, somebody might be in a program and they might be, I'm just going to make this
up, masters 15. and perhaps by the time September rolls around they have completed 30 credits. Well, previously they could go from M's 15 all the way up to M's 45. So, two lane changes. Now,
they would only be able to in one fiscal year go from M's 15 to M's 30, which is is um significant for us as a district. >> Great. So, just so everyone's aware, that was a it's a big win for the school district. Um, that just came from the
really great work that we all did with the um SWAT Education Association uh in the bargaining committee. >> Um, one thing I will ask is could you define what a lane change is? Um, I know
some people may not know and a new committee member. >> Sure. So, a lane change is when um an educator um goes to school, gets additional schooling um and is growing professionally, they get credits um for
the classes that they take and then once they hit a certain number of credits, then they can move up into the next level of salary. Um and that's why they call it a lane change because in a
teacher's um grid there are steps which are for each year of service here and then within that lanes. So each lane when they get the next um educational um accomplishment can move into that
next lane which then pushes them into a different effectively a different salary band or range if you're in private sector. Um, so and this is truly their only way. There's no promotions for a teacher, right? They don't exist. You're
a teacher, your teacher. And so this is equivalent to somebody in private sector either through their performance or through their education receiving a promotion and now being into a new salary range. >> Thank you. And and it sounds like it's
also good thing for the school overall since they're getting kind of continued education bringing that into the classroom. >> Yep. Absolutely. Um and then the last thing I just really want to mention um on this slide is that
um and I know it was discussed last night um this year we are not going to request from the town that our utilities be funded through free cash. We have built within this budget the um utilities for um the elementary school.
>> Great. And so then that would make whatever that was signed the last couple years a move point. >> Correct. >> Thank you. >> Um >> I was just going to also going to add the 396 when we talked about how we are committed to sort of being mindful of
the financial constraints of the town and being mindful of every single tax dollar. When you look at the other towns around us that we've um collected information for, there's nobody else that we can find that's below below four. So, we're coming in at 396. If you
look at Lynfield, they started off at 49. Select board said 37. School committee said they'd land at 43. Sus is 7.8. Stone 16.6. Hopington 5.84. Hamilton Wenham 5.91. Manchester Essex
7.40. Salem between 485 and five. So again, we're really proud of the work that uh went into this and we are mindful of the budget constraints as well. >> Great. And just to to clarification about Sorry about
>> Sorry everybody, I've been under the weather for a bit. Um Stonem is that number is due to an override. >> An override. Yeah. And there's a number of towns that are asking for overrides. >> Great. Thank you. >> All right. So, um, you know, we really talk about our budgets and cost centers.
Um, and that is how the the school committee, uh, votes the school budget. And so, you know, this kind of gives you a sense of what percent of our budget, um, lies within each cost center. And what I think is really important to note
is that the cost centers that are directly kind of related to students educating students. So our district-wide cost center which includes you know software crossing guards nurses um and
our general and special education cost centers account for 87% of the budget. Um and so as you can see that you know the majority of our budget is going to the students themselves not to you know
overhead or utility bills or or things like that. It's direct student um contact. So next we're going to go into um as we move through the presentation. This is something that we always really look at every year and kind of, you know, while
one data point doesn't tell a whole story, looking at a few of these data points that Desessie, uh, puts out can sometimes help guide us a little bit in our decisions. And so, um, the school committee might recall these are the peer groups that we use during
bargaining. And so those are the ones that we um will you know kind of benchmark ourselves against so to speak when we look at the DESIE data. Um the most recent DESIE data available is 2024. They won't come out with 2025 until July. And so the first um data
point here um that we look at is average teacher pay. Um when you look at our peer groups the average is 92,886 and Swamp Scott's average is 91,473.
So um you know I think this is again kind of in the ballpark of when we go into bargaining where we want to be right kind of middle of the road. Um we're not beating the average but we're not so far away either that we feel like we need to make um large adjustments.
And I think this is, you know, we'll continue, obviously, we continue to track this and we continue to look at this. Um, but, um, that's kind of where we land on the average teacher pay. And then as we look at, um, our enrollment, um, this is always kind of
another again data point to look at. Um, but I think we've talked about this quite a bit, but as you look at the data, you can really see that um, you know, students with disabilities have increased 8 and a half% since um, FY17,
high need students 11.7% and lowincome students 6.3. So, you know, we we talk about the changing demographics here and how our student population looks different uh today than it did, you know, um way back in 2017.
Um and this this data helps support that. >> Um this these two slides are really interesting. Anyone have any questions about these two slides? >> Just how are we defining high needs here on the slide? >> It's a it's a desi definition. We don't define it desi does. Do you have any
idea what the definition is? >> J and just remind everyone of your name in case we don't know you. >> Um, stand here. >> Yeah, whatever you want. >> Um, my name is Sarah Kent. I'm the director of teaching and learning. The definition of high needs is a student
who is either a student with disabilities, a multilingual learner, or a lowincome student, or any combination thereof. They can have one of those attributes or three. >> Any combination of two. >> Great. Thank you. Thank you.
Um this is a graphic that we have looked at over the past few years that really allows us to look at how is our enrollment changing as a district and then mapping how our FTEES also um our mapping in conjunction with our
enrollment. And one thing I do want to point out this is the data for 2026 as of October 1st which is the official report. Since that official report on October 1, the district has seen a net increase of students of eight already.
So um a slight tick up uh from what you see here on this graph. Um as you can see that you know we really as we went into um you know post pandemic we had SR funding enrollments dropping um and the
FTS were increasing as you know the committee all knows um over the past few uh fiscal years you know we've worked to reduce overall FTES especially as that ESSER funding and and all the other pandemic grants went away we just didn't
have um the money to support a lot of those positions. Um and we've really leveled out um and in fact we're a decrease of one FTE with this budget overall at this point. Um so >> I was going to say about enrollment. Um
as a lot of you know that enrollment all over the state is down. Public school enrollment still there was a article in the Boston Globe that it's at a 30-year low. There's been articles about towns around here. I I know Danvers, Beverly, they they talked about how they could be
facing their lowest enrollment in ever. I know Marblehead had an article about them being down. We are, if you look at I know we report on the October 1st, but if you look at our June 30th report, we're actually plus 34 from last year students. Um, so I feel like we are again on the rise of with enrollment as
well. >> And Oh, go ahead. Okay. I was just going to say, you know, as if our enrollment can tick up, that helps to increase our chapter 70 funding as well, too. So, there's a um financial benefit to the
town and school as well as it relates to that, >> right? I think that's an important thing for us to say to the community is that um we have managed to increase our enrollment. >> Yes. >> And I think that speaks volumes to a uh
a new elementary school. >> Absolutely. >> Uh b the hard work at you know candidly a middle school building that needs to be replaced but the exadministrator and all the staff there and then it speaks volumes of what's going on up at this
building. Um new leadership, new vibe, new energy. I think it's amazing that we can share that with this community. >> Absolutely. >> I'll just add to that that Also good to see that we're not like cutting a bunch
of teachers or anything like that since that's kind of what you've been reading with some of our neighbors. >> Um that they're going to have to do massive layoffs, but we've been able to meet our demands with what we got. And I think, you know, also Jason talked
about this earlier, but you know, we were able to make certain investments and and add certain things, right, to this budget while actually overall decreasing by an FTE, which um we know that, you know, for the town, we're the
largest user of their health insurance, right? So, if we're adding FTEES, that is impacting their budget negatively. Um, and so it's also part of our commitment to the town when we're looking at what what we're going to
invest in. We always really have that in the back of our head as a school district as well. >> So we're down to one headcount and then a little bit in health in the health savings. That's right. Um, so this graph just gives you a sense
of what our overall state aid and and state assessments have uh looked like over the past handful of years. Um, and I think something to really note here, as you can tell graphically looking at that, and and we've seen this, um, as
well, is that, um, since FY23, our school state aid, so not the town aid, has increased by 16%. And again, that's a direct result of, you know, the chapter 770 funding formula, but also the fact that our enrollment, you know,
while it dipped and then has started to to come back up again. Um, something else that um, you know, obviously impacts um, the district, but the town overall is our assessments as well. Um, and so the assessments, including our
assessment for Essex Northshore to send our kids there, have decreased by 18% um over that same time period. And so that results in an overall net increase of state aid to the
town since FY23 of 34% or 1.18 $1.1 million. So, um I think that's really important to highlight that um some of the things that are happening here in the schools are also resulting in an
overall uh significant increase in the state aid that's coming in for schools. >> So, would this then kind of tied to the pathways program where we're kind of potentially keeping some of the kids here instead of going elsewhere that may
have the equipment or uh teaching. >> Yeah, I think that's part of the puzzle. I think it's like Glenn said, I think that it's has a lot to do with the new elementary school. I think it has to do with the reputation of the middle school and the work that's happening at small high school as well. So, >> it's all those things and um all things
we're very proud of. So, it's good to see that the community is kids are coming back and and people are moving here because in large part because of the schools. Um the next data point that we always look at with DESIE as well is our net school spending. Um you know and we
talked about this a bit uh last year but you know there's net school spending and per pupil. Net school spending is really supposed to indicate well two things. One there's a required contribution by the town. Um, Swampscott has always funded well above the required
contribution. Um, and effectively that required contribution is the state saying this is this should be your ability to pay for your portion of the school budget. And so we do the
same exercise. We take our peer groups. we see what their net school spending is as a percent of their budget, how much they're over or under, which um I don't know of really many that are under and in fact that that would be that's problematic. But um the majority
of uh districts spend well above uh a net school spending requirement. And as you can see, the average for our peer groups is 56% above that requirement. And for 25, um we're at 43%.
>> Anyone have any questions about that? >> It's great to see that we're under the average. Yeah, I um this is always a catch 22 for me. You know, I look at, you know, everyone compares us to
Marblehead and they're 70%. >> Mhm. >> That's a lot of money for the school district. And I think this is one area that I certainly probably won't happen in my lifetime, but I would certainly like to
see us get at least to the average. As I talked about before, uh the next thing we really look at is our per pupil expenditures. Um and again, this is the most recent Desi data that we have available to us. Um as you can see, uh
we're again slightly below our peer groups when it comes to what we're spending per pupil. we're at 21736 and the average is 22,549. And so that just takes, you know, all of our it takes our average enrollment and
it takes every single um expense that we that I report out to DESIE from any and all sources. Um and the only things it excludes from this calculation are um what they call community services
which we don't have expenditures for that. Uh fixed assets if we we repurchased fixed assets which you don't and then debt service which we do have um and that's associated with any of our capital that we submit. Um those are those things that they exclude from the
calculation but everything else is included in the calculation. So refresh my memory on this number. Um that includes special ed, general ed, that's that's the average. >> It's it's everything in district, out of
district, >> right? >> Every sing literally every expense. >> I remember last year there were a lot of questions, you know, comparing us to like Lynfield, for example. It's like, hey, how come we're $1,300 more? And a lot of those factors like special event, like some other things that could vary
year to year aren't obvious when you look at this, but um you know they they are part of the kind of the math thing here, right? >> Yes. Yeah. Absolutely. >> Right. And I don't know if you recall when we actually dove into that after that question was raised
there was two things that Lynfield was far under us on their per pupil when you do into the category and that was health insurance and the retirement obligation which you know obviously we don't have control over that.
>> Thank you. So, next I'm going to just kind of go through um just some budget highlights uh by location, really talk about, you know, what's what's happening with each school and their budget. Uh the elementary school budget is only
increasing 1.6%. Uh the the main reason for this is two well two main reasons. One, we're starting to see some efficiencies there at that school, which we thought we would and we are. um as Jason talked about the MLL. Uh and then secondly, we
have a group of students that will a large group of students that are actually shifting from elementary next year up into middle school. So when we get into middle school, you'll see their budget increasing a bit higher. It's because the resources associated with those students are shifting from the
elementary school and moving up um to the switching from elementary to u middle school. Um some other areas where we saw some efficiencies was we did reduce uh one of our contracted cleaning um individuals at um the elementary
school um the reading curriculum. I don't know if the committee recalls but we rolled out a new reading curriculum um and the payment for that uh next year is significantly less than uh previous years. And then um we have budgeted for
Clark maintenance expenses only which is per our current agreement with recreation but we've not included anything for utilities because we're assuming that you know the recreation department will continue in that space. It has seemed very successful seems to be going well and so it didn't make
sense for us to build something into the budget that we really had no anticipation of needing. >> Can I ask a question? Uh, Max, I don't put you on the spot here. Um, I I think that's a great assumption that we're making. Um, as a facilities director, is
does that meet what your thought process is as well? >> Yes, it does. I mean, I I can't speak for the recck department, but it seems to be uh going quite well in my opinion. >> Thank you. Thank you.
And then as we talked about with the middle school, the middle school is increasing 6.4%. Again, the vast majority of that is the resources that are moving up from the elementary school. As Jason mentioned earlier, we this budget does um have a planned uh
1.0 fifth grade teacher again to maintain those class sizes. Um and then we talked about the addition of the uh health teacher as well. Um, any questions about the middle school? >> I'm happy about the health teacher.
>> Yes, I'm also happy about the health teacher. >> Yes, I think we're all in agreement on that. >> Yeah, ju just so the community knows and and why we're smiling here. Um, this is one area that I think everyone on the school committee for several years has
wanted in the budget and we just have not been able to get there. And with the efficiencies done by the admin department, the business department, we've been able to add what we think will have an immense impact at the
middle school for all students um within the small school middle school. So I am incredibly pleased that we could have that this year. >> All right, moving on to the high school. the high school is increasing by um 5%
as um you know Mr. Calishman mentioned we are that is due to our investment in our pathways. So it's an addition of a teacher our innovative pathways grant initially was covering a portion of our career counselor. That portion of the grant we
can no longer fund the career counselor through it is a requirement if we have the pathways to have the career counselor. So that has shifted from the grant into um our budget. Um there are some science needs that they have at in their laboratory looking to replace some
microscopes there. Um again consumables for innovative pathways. You know as we talk a lot we really want to invest here in the district. So you know we can slowly um maybe bring students back either the less utilization of after
dark or through Essex Northshore. Um, and then just generally, you'll see this throughout, but the utility costs that I spoke about earlier on the supply charges, um, that's impacting all the different schools and, uh, as well.
Any questions on the high school? >> Think we're good. >> And so, this is kind of a roll up um, because there's no neat category to put uh, districtwide and our preschool expenses in. uh this is increasing 3.6%. The main driver of this is that salary
reserve line that I discussed uh earlier today or earlier tonight. Um this this includes kind of expenses that we see across the district but then also within our central office budgets. One thing
that um special education department has seen an increase in is the number of translations and the cost of translations. Uh so that's impacting this number. Uh we also have a lot which is great a lot of new teachers to the district. Um and there's a requirement
um to have mentors for them. And so that that budget has increased for us as a district overall. And then this budget obviously includes our out of district tuition and transportation. I just want to remind everybody that when we build this budget in November, that is what we
are basing those dollars on. Uh I know we've talked about it at length but between November and next summer that number can fluctuate drastically. Um which is why you know we
have things like circuit breaker the special education reserve fund. Um those are those are reasons why we have those. >> Okay. So again, we want to thank everybody for their investment in Swam Public Schools. With this budget, again,
this fiscally responsible budget, we feel that we can improve the areas we need to improve on, enhance our programs, and ultimately support our kids. Um, which has a impact on the greater Swans community. Um, we're focusing on maximizing the usage of all
of our funds and I am committed to making the school system a place where all of our um, community members know that they're welcome and feel proud to be a part of. So, with that, we have a little >> have a little video.
The music works. H. The music's not gonna work. >> No, the music's not working. >> Yeah, it was better for music. >> Just imagine the music. >> Imagine the music. Exactly. >> We could sing for you. >> But it's just a few highlights across
the district. Um, again, that was an example of uh one of our middle school students going back down to the elementary school, which is a great opportunity for all of our kids. With that, we'll take any other questions.
>> Um, as that plays, um, any questions from anyone? Sasha, anything? >> Okay, I know I have to ask. >> Leah, >> no. >> Okay, Miguel. >> Um, no questions. Um, it looks great overall
that we're kind of not going to be asking for any free cash money um as it is and that we're doing very well compared to other districts uh for this budget as well. So,
>> yeah, thank you for the presentation. It sounds like, you know, as usual, you know, everyone's taking a very conservative approach here, very thoughtful, how the money is getting spent uh and budgeted. Um, is there anything here that,
you know, you know, we're in a snapshot in time right now. Is there anything that, you know, maybe will keep you up at night worrying about, you know, as we go into the new fiscal year? I guess the only thing that keeps me up at night is that if we're going to bring people on board like a health teacher, I
hope it's not just for a year or or two. So, anybody that we hire, I want to I want them to stay here and I wanted to keep them employed. So, um that's the only thing that would worry me. I guess >> I the only thing I would say and I think we're a little bit protected for next year, but we all know what's happening
at the federal level. Uh as we talked about last year, we had anticipated a decrease in title one funding. We saw that decrease um you know so those revenue streams that we have always been somewhat
guaranteed um or you know could be in jeopardy um to a certain extent. Um so you know we try to keep a breast of what's happening um but ultimately um you know obviously
it's out of our hands >> right um for me and thank you very much for the presentation was great um I appreciate all the answers to our initial questions >> um some nicer than others I think but that's okay I appreciate that um
something that has struck me the last several years is just the change of and I think a positive change in population of our community and um so when I see increased translations and cost of translations um can you just delve in a little bit
more to what that actually means to the community and what it means like is that literal people that we need to um translate into language they can understand or is it something different it is >> yes it's literally translating any level
of document verbally or in written. >> Great. Okay. Um the other thing I think I'll I'll say is you know one of the ch and I know everyone has said said this this evening. One of the challenges that I think we have on the school department
and I think it's across the state every school committee is we have to make a budget early >> and there are just things we don't know and even come September there are things we just don't know and you know I know
uh Martha you do your your darnest to kind of figure out what's going to happen but at the end of the day we can all we can do is really make a really good educated guess, >> right? >> And you know, especially in the summertime when families move in, um,
you know, we, and I mentioned this last night, we we treat everyone with complete and other and utter respect and privacy. And privacy to me is the key word. I said this last night is we need we have to make sure that we protect
any child and any family that comes into this district. So, I really appreciate, you know, kind of you doing your best shot on the number. Just want again the community to know there are certain things on the school budget and it's the only budget that I think says this. There are certain things we just don't
know today, January, whatever today's date is. I've completely lost track the last couple days. So, things are going to change. If we're lucky enough that some things go down, we will scream that at the moon. That doesn't happen very often. Although I remember reading in
Lynfield they did have a little bit of a dip in their special proposed or anticipated special education cost. It's kind of how they could bring their number down. But I just want to say one last thing. The budget number is going to be the budget number is going to be the budget
number. And we can argue and go to the floor of town meeting and sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. But the budget number is impactful for students. That's how we come to this budget number.
How do we educate the students? If the budget number ends up being lower, that impacts the students. The budget number ends up being higher, that impacts the students. So, that's where I stand on this. I
think this is a very fair budget. Um, I think the administration and business department heard what the school committee was saying. We we want to work with everyone on the town side. So, we are we were determined to keep that
number as low as it could go without impacting students. Thank you very much. Great job. >> All right. >> Thank you. All right,
moving on. Subcommittees, unless you have the any anything else to share, superintendent? >> No, I was just going to thank Miss Stellar again and the whole team because it was such a collaborative process. every everybody was involved in making
sure that we um came to this this number and this percentage that it was again within the financial constraints of the towns but also allowing us to make our schools the best possible place that we could go. So >> great. Um any subcommittee reports? Anything at all? No, I don't think so
either. Um I guess my only question and I know it's a little bit far away. Um we do have a placeholder for a February 12th meeting. Um, do we think we're going to need that? Um, what's your thought process? >> That's only if for some reason you the
committee is unable to vote the budget on the 5th, then we would have to have it on the 12th um for for whatever reason, right? If that so that's why that placeholder is there because we have a date we must send the budget to
the town ministry. >> Okay. All right. So, we'll leave it the way it is. I just wanted just to ask. Um, all right. Well, skipping right along, we're going to go with uh to actions and votes. So, we have uh one donation and one
regular session minutes. And we'll do one vote at a time. Uh on the donation side, uh Swans Elementary School, the Boston Bruins Foundation, uh 100 Causeway Street in Boston. Again,
the Bruins Foundation, uh, they gave $10,000, about $3,000 worth of Franklin Sports Equipment and a check for a little under $7,000. I'm going to read this. Um, I know we talked about it, but just to put it in the public record, uh, the Be Fit to Win
It contest is to promote health and wellness education in local elementary schools. Winning schools will receive a B fit assembly powered by National Grid and supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, plus a donation
towards health and wellness education. 10 winners will receive $10,000 donation. One outstanding entry will receive $100,000 grand prize to the Boston Bruins Foundation.
And to all who are involved in this, thank you doesn't seem strong enough, but thank you. Each and every dollar will go to student wellness, and we really appreciate your donation and
selecting of our fantastic community. So, with that, can someone make a move, a motion to approve this donation? I make a motion to approve the Bruins Foundation donation. >> Second. I'll >> second.
>> All those in favor? >> It carries unanimously. Um Whoops. Sorry. Rid of my finger. Um now we have regular session minutes of January 8th, 2026. Um anyone have any questions?
Okay. Can someone make a motion to approve? Make a motion to approve the regular session minutes of January 8th 26. >> Second. >> Uh all those in favor. Okay. Passes unanimously. And unless anyone has
something to say forever speak your peace. We will adjourn. Can someone make a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. Second. >> All those in favor. >> Goodbye. Thank you for joining. Any questions out there? Let us know.