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Good evening. The Finance and Law Subcommittee will come to order. I'll start with roll call. Mr. Shavs. >> Present. >> Chairman DeMello, present. First item on the agenda, we have disposal of surplus items. Two Hamilton Street textbooks, Superintendent. >> I'll refer that to

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I believe this is Ms. Almeida's first meeting with the Finance and Law Subcommittee, so welcome to the Finance and Law Subcommittee, Ms. Almeida. I'll defer to you. >> Thank you. >> So, if I if I could just I have a quick handout just hand hand everybody out.

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>> [clears throat] >> And if I could just read a quick memo that I wrote for you. >> Please, absolutely. And sorry, I should have welcomed you, but since you've been here already a week, I thought you were already part of the family, which you are, but took you for granted. I'm so sorry. Welcome. >> do appreciate that. Thank you. >> Welcome.

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>> So, I So, today is my eighth day here in town, so I just wanted to give you guys give everyone a quick quick update. So, members of the School Committee, I'm pleased to provide the School Committee with an update on my first 2 weeks as the Director of Finance for the Taunton Public Schools. My primary focus has been assessing the

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Business Office's current staffing resources, financial procedures, and operational systems, including the work necessary to complete the FY26 year-end closeout accurately and on schedule. Based on my experience overseeing school finance operations in my previous district, along with my prior work as an

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auditor, I'm very comfortable and fully capable of directing directly overseeing the work. I have been extremely impressed with the knowledge, professionalism, and commitment of the Business Office staff. With their support and my guidance, I am confident in our ability to manage the

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district's financial responsibilities effectively and maintain strong internal controls, compliance, and accountability. I have also spent considerable time meeting with Superintendent Cabral and members of the leadership team to better understand the district's

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priorities, current initiatives, and operational needs. Those conversations are helping me develop a better understanding of how the finance office can best support schools and departments across the district. In addition, I have met with the city's

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city of Taunton's business team and CFO Della Russo to strengthen communication and collaboration between the city and the school department. I have also begun visiting schools, including the Hamilton Hamilton Street site, and touring the city to become more familiar with our fac- our

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facilities, neighborhoods, and the community that we serve. My first 2 weeks have been reinforced but have reinforced my confidence in the strength of the team and the systems already in place. I look forward to continuing the

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assessments, supporting the FY26 closeout, and working collaboratively to strengthen the district's financial and operational practices. As this work progresses, I plan to provide the school committee with regular updates on both the FY26 closeout and my entry work, including

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our our progress and emerging priorities. I am very excited and honored to be a part of the Taunton Public Schools, and I look forward to working closely with the Finance and Law Subcommittee and with the full School Committee. Thank you. >> Excellent. Thank you so much. You've accomplished so much in just 8 days.

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That's great. So, um for the item on the uh agenda item number one, two Hamilton Street textbooks, do you want to take that, Mr. Almedia? >> Sure. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. So, in this with this agenda item, we have several items that we're disposing of surplus here. Um

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all items are valued under $5,000. Um there are How would you like to take them? One at a time or would you like to take them as a group? >> Yeah, I guess you can identify the uh the location and the quantity and maybe the estimated value will be sufficient cuz I think all the descriptions are the same.

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>> Absolutely. So, the first item is uh it's from 2 Hamilton Street. They're books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. There are 75 in a box. They're in poor condition and the estimated value is $150. The second item is also at 2 Hamilton

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Street. Same description, books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 27 in a box, poor condition, estimated value $42. Third item, similarly at Hamilton Street. Uh books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 32 in a

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box, uh $160 estimated value. Next item, 2 Hamilton Street. Books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 50 in a box, $100 estimated value. Next item, 2 Hamilton Street. Books,

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fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 40 in a box, uh 100 $120 estimated value. Next item, 2 Hamilton Street. Books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 75 in a box, estimated value $150.

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Next item, 2 Hamilton Street. Books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 31 in a box, $153 estimated value. Next item, 2 Hamilton Street. Books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 27 in a box, $108 estimated

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value. Next item, 2 Hamilton Street. Books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 40 in a box, uh estimated value $100. And the final item, uh 2 Hamilton Street. Books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and

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paperbacks. 25 in a box, estimated value of $50. >> Great. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Yeah, so noted. This condition is poor on all of these different surplus items. What are the wishes of the committee? >> I make a motion that we dispose of all

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of the surplus materials just listed following the appropriate protocols that we normally do. >> Excellent. I'll second that. All in favor? I opposed, eyes have it. Thank you. And the next item on the agenda, we have a bills payable. We'll start off

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with FY16 in the amount of $1,073,280.02. And before um we get to questions, Mrs. Shaws, if you don't mind, I would like to pull one item out of this warrant and vote on it separately. So, uh the item I'd like to

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pull out, and we can actually do that right now, is uh appears on page 14. And that is to Pride Ink. It's voucher number 27848 in the amount of $7,936. I'm going to pull that out and vote on

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that and uh record myself as present due to the fact that I serve as co-treasurer and I'm on the board of directors. >> So, I make a motion that we pay for the Pride amount of $7,936. >> Wonderful. All in favor? I I uh present,

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eyes have it. Thank you so much. So, the remaining remaining warrant will be in the amount of $1,065,344.02. What are the wishes of the committee? >> I make a motion that we pay for the 1,000 I mean, 1,065,344.02 on discussion.

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>> Absolutely. On discussion, Mrs. Shaws. >> Okay, I have two questions. The first one I have is on page one. Um it's for $7,680 for New England Glass and Mirror. I just wanted to know um what that was for.

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>> Sure. So, it was a removal of a window and an installation of a door at the art area in Chamberlain. >> At Chamberlain? >> Yes. >> And door. Chamberlain. >> I can further elaborate on that. Um

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they're reconfiguring the art space. It's a very large room, so they're going to create uh two classrooms by adding this door. >> Oh, excellent. Nice idea. >> This was work that was commissioned prior to Mr. Almeida starting. >> Okay. Excellent. And the second one I had was on page five. Um

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Con Valisa LLC, it was for professional development for 30,000. And I just wanted to know what per development that was. >> So, it's for June services that they provided. Um and Confianza, I believe,

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is um an ELL. They They help They help to support the ELL department. >> Yeah. >> Um and so, I believe they just provide training and help with the curriculum that they're supporting the curriculum that we have in the district, I believe. >> Okay. That's all I had tonight. Thank

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you. >> Great. Thank you. I have uh just two items also, Mr. Almeida. On page number three, um the actual uh voucher um There's no voucher, but anyway, it's the Baystate In- Baystate Interpreters

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Incorporated. >> Starts on page two and ends on page three for the amount of 24,574.99. >> Sure. So, that that um those services are for interpretation, for calls, and for translation. And so,

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I've already uh begun discussions with Superintendent Cabral on this because in in Fall River, we used a different vendor for the service. And so, I I'm familiar with Baystate cuz we've used we we've used them on and off in the past. Um, but we do have a an on the

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service that's called LineBridge in Fall River that we use that um, it's it's essentially a call you make a call and you talk to them over the phone and it and the service is pretty I would say it's pretty it's effective and we've had we had good it was a good response in Fall River.

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>> Sure. >> And so it's something that we're looking into. Um, I'm starting to look into to potentially move you know, look at it for the future. But in addition to that um, the funding for this is coming out of the emergency shelter grant. >> Sure. And now I know Superintendent we

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we have some software that does all our translations as far as I don't know how many languages it's capable of translating. Is this similar is this the same company or? >> No. This is So you are you are you referring to like Parent Square, Mr. D'Amour?

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>> Uh, I don't know what No. >> Parent Square does translate. >> It does. >> Right. So this this would be >> DocuSign, was that any do with that? >> No. No. >> This would be if there was a say there was a say a guidance counselor had to call home on a student or if there was a team meeting and a parent needed to attend we would use

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>> Okay. >> Baystate to interpret for the parent at the meeting. >> And I know they've come to our community outings, too. >> Correct. >> Sure. Okay. All right. So that's great uh, Mr. Almeida. I appreciate Yeah, if you can look into that. Are we contracted with this company for a set time frame? >> We go year to year.

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>> Year to year. Okay. So we can possibly move something. Great. Savings opportunity and great services my ringing to my ears. Uh, last item is page 18. Uh, let's see. The item is uh, Stoneham

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Chandler & Miller. I know that's our law firm, but the amount of $9,935.68. >> Could give me a >> Sure. So um, they that is for June services that they provided. Um, the from what I've accumulated from the

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department, July to May totaled 85,965.92. And with this um with these invo- with these three invoices totaling 9,935.68, it brings us to a total of 95,901.60 on the year for Stoneham Chandler and

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Miller and Miller. >> Is this uh still due to collective bargaining or anything like that? This These amounts? Cuz I don't think we have any collective bargaining this year. >> No, these would this these would have This would have been all personnel related. >> I'm sorry, Superintendent. >> This would have been all personnel related.

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>> Okay. >> All right. >> Good. And I think that's it. So, motion's been made and seconded. All in favor? >> I. >> I. Opposed? Eyes have it. And the next item and final item is bills payable for FY27 in the amount of $94,549.88.

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Which is the committee? >> I make a motion to that we approve this in the amount of $94,549.88. >> I'll second the motion. On discussion, do you have anything, Mrs. Chandler? >> No, I'm all set. Thank you. >> Okay. I just have one item, page two, MASC for $1,100,

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school committee expenses. Is that a membership? Uh >> It's MASC. >> Yes, it's our online policy. It's our annual renewal. >> Okay. But we just spent um I think what, 10,000, Superintendent, on something?

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>> 10,000 was to review the policy manual. >> To review the policy manual. And this is What is it again, Mr. Almeida? I'm sorry. >> This is the I believe these are their annual dues, I believe is what it is for the for the for the school committee. >> This is to host the policy manual on their website.

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>> Okay. And I thought the dues were like 7,500. For MASC. >> The dues are 7,500, but to host the policy manual it's an additional charge of 1,100, and to review the policy manual it was a $10,500 charge. >> All right.

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Okay. Uh all right. Uh motion's been made and seconded. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Eyes have it. Motion to adjourn. >> Motion to adjourn. >> And uh I second that. All in favor? Aye. We are adjourned. Thank you so much. >> All right. Good evening, everyone. Welcome. Thank you for joining us. I

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call the meeting to order. And if you could please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all. >> Oh, say can you see by the dawn's [singing] early light, what so proudly

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we the twilight's last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright [singing] stars through the perilous fight, [singing]

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o'er the were so [singing] gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night

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>> [singing] >> that our flag was still there. Oh, say, does [singing] that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the [singing] land

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of the free and the home of the brave. >> Mrs. Feeney. >> Lord, as we begin this session, let us acknowledge your goodness and mercy and ask your blessings on all our

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deliberations. We thank you for this opportunity to be of service to our community and to the young people entrusted to our care. And if you could please just remain standing for a minute. Um I [clears throat] Many of you are aware I I don't know if all of you got the

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message, but Attorney David Gay passed away. We don't have any information on anything right now and Mr. Cabral and I thought that because he had been affiliated with the School Committee and the city for so long, we would at least try to pay him some homage before all

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the other stuff comes out. He said to me, "Well, you've known him 30 years you've been on the School Committee." And I went "Oh my god, I've known him longer than that. My husband was a lawyer and they never practiced the same kind of law. My husband was a criminal attorney and David was more on the

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softer side of things. So, um but I've known him for a very long time. I remember him and I spent 21 years in town West Little League. David Gay was always co- he coached the Yankees. His two sons were there. Uh he was dedicated to everybody. He helped every kid. He

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did so much so much for the city. And I just wanted to acknowledge that as well as all the help he was to us on the School Committee and you never had to say Ne- David never said anything like, "I'll get back to you next week." cuz he always seemed to have the answer. So, I

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wanted to attribute um give this attribution to this who I considered a very good man. And there's no doubt in my mind where he is right now. He had a a tough out with what he went through, but he's always been a good human being, and I just wanted to impart that with

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the committee. And Mr. Cabral, I'd appreciate it if you said something also, or anybody else. >> Uh it's um I'm humbled and honored. Uh I got to meet David 25 years ago as an assistant principal, and he not only was our legal counsel, he also became a dear friend.

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Uh just a great human being, uh integrity, vulnerability as a leader. Uh he just exemplified everything you'd expect in in a in a human being. Great family man, uh community person, a very civic-minded. Loved this country, loved this community, loved this family, and

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uh he really loved his work as well. So, um it's today's a hard day. Thank you. >> It is, and uh you know, I had the privilege of working with David um when he was our assis- city solicitor. Um and you know, this community knows

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David well, and he leaves an extraordinary legacy of service, commitment, integrity. It would be hard to list all of the organizations David was involved in and supported, and all of the wonderful things he's done

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throughout his life. He has he is just um a shining example of commitment, service, dedication, and he also proudly served his country um in the armed forces. Uh we you know, this earth was this world was blessed with David Gay, and we are

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all um you know, sad to see him go, but he leaves a legacy in Taunton that will never be forgotten. >> A moment of silence. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> These don't get any easier. Seems like every time you turn around

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it's somebody else. I'll I'll do the roll call. Yes, please. >> Um, Mr. Polansky. >> Present. >> Dr. Cabral. >> Present. >> Ms. Santos. >> Present. >> Mrs. Fagan is present. Mr. Laura. >> Present. >> Mrs. Mullen.

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>> Present. >> Mr. Vieira is absent. Mrs. Shaw's, chairwoman. >> Present. Thank you. >> And oh, I forgot the mayor. >> Present. >> Pursuant to Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, this meeting is being recorded and live-streamed via YouTube. The recording

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will be made available to the public on YouTube via a link on the district website as soon as practical. I also ask if anyone else is present is recording to please notify us now. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Shaw's.

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Approval of the minutes from July 8th, 2026. >> Motion to approve the minutes July 8th, 2026. >> Second. >> Second. >> Motion and second for approval. Seeing no discussion, all those in favor. >> Aye. >> Opposed? None opposed, so voted. We do not have a student advisory committee

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report this evening. Is there any public input this evening? No public input, so we go to E, announcement of released minutes for executive session on June 3rd, 2026. Chairwoman Shaw's. >> Thank you. Um, an announcement of

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releasing the minutes the executive session of June 3rd, 2026 has been made public and is now on the district website. >> Okay, thank you. Uh, superintendent's report, Superintendent Cabral. >> Thank you. As I begin my report, I'd like to welcome our guest of honor to

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the podium. So, could Alexandria Pettit please make her way to the podium? And as she makes her way to the podium, I just like to share some brief remarks before she shares some brief remarks with the committee and then obviously comes around and gets to shake all our hands. So, I am super excited, I should say ridiculously excited, to welcome

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Alexandria Pettit as the new head coach of the Taunton High School Girls BASKETBALL PROGRAM. >> [applause] >> ALEXANDRIA IS ALREADY PART of our school community school community as an eighth grade English teacher at Taunton High School. She is a former very impressed here a former Division II

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student-athlete and team captain who has coached at the collegiate level and is and recently led Middleboro the high school basketball program. She understands that athletics are an extension of the classroom and will emphasize accountability, teamwork,

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discipline, and personal growth. We are all excited to have one of our own educators leading the next chapter of the Taunton High School female basketball program. Welcome to the team. >> Welcome. >> [applause] >> Thank you guys. I appreciate it. >> Oh, one more. Thank you.

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>> Thank you. I appreciate it. Um, I just want to say thank you guys for this opportunity to serve as the new head girls basketball coach at Taunton High School. I'm extremely excited. Um, I truly feel honored and as I said excited about the opportunity to lead this program and to help them these student-athletes grow to become better

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young girls and to become better young women both on and off the floor. Um, I appreciate the confidence you guys have placed in me and I look forward to representing um, Taunton girls basketball program in Taunton High with hard work, um, pride, and integrity. Uh, together I hope we can continue to build

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a program that we as a community are proud of. I just really thank you guys for allowing me to have this responsibility and I'm excited for this year. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I hope you have boys. >> [laughter]

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>> I'm sorry. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Good luck. >> Thank you. Division II, huh? >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Good luck and great success. >> Thank you. >> Good luck. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Again, we are all excited and we know that the program is in great hands. Uh next I just like to give a quick

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update uh regarding the Massachusetts uh executive conference that I attended last week. I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that one of our own, Danielle Cur participated on a statewide panel on early literacy as an equity strategy, highlighting Taunton's efforts to strengthen instruction and improve

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outcomes for all students. I also participated on an anti-bias panel that was led by Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, where I shared our district's work around equity, inclusion, and belonging. Danielle and I were both invited because the innovative and powerful work happening throughout the Taunton Public Schools. These

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opportunities continue to reinforce our standing as a leading district in Bristol County and also across the Commonwealth. I think as many of you learned uh through an email or text that I shared last week, Governor Healey has proposed a $100 million in supplemental funding reserve for

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Massachusetts school districts. This proposal would provide approximately $112 per student in additional one-time funding. I want to reiterate this is not part of our Chapter 70 allotment. This is outside of the Chapter 70. It will not be rolled

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into our Chapter 70, which means this will not factor into FY28. Okay, so this is one-time money that has to be spent in FY27. Uh based on our current enrollment on the DESE website, uh we would receive approximately $930,000 in additional funding.

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Again, this funding is not yet guaranteed and must still be approved by the legislature. Let Yesterday I spent some time writing letters to our legislatures and our representatives and our senators asking for their support of this additional funding. We will continue to We will continue

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advocating both at the local level and at the MASS level and at the U- Urban Superintendents level that this funding will be allocated and the nearly $1 million additional funding will help address staffing, literacy, instructional materials, student supports, as well as critical other

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critical needs. In the near future, uh director of finance Kevin Almeida, so also enjoying his first meeting with us, so welcome. >> [applause] >> In the near future, I think it would be wise for Mr. Almeida and myself to schedule meeting with the finance and

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law subcommittee to discuss some ideas and how we think would be best to leverage this one-time money to best prepare us for fiscal 28 and fiscal 29 and beyond. So, that'll be happening in the near future. We've already uh had some brief discussions on how we feel this funding can be best utilized.

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And I thought the timing of my last uh item on the superintendent's part was timely considering public input from last week. So, the Taunton Public Schools does provide ongoing bullying professional development in bullying support for our students and for our educators. Uh and that work takes place

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out of the office of Stephanie Hoy, our director of student services. So, Mrs. Hoy, continuing along that path of continuous professional development and growth for our students and staff, she will expand our partnership with the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University, which is uh called MARC. MARC will

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provide age-appropriate bullying prevention and digital citizenship presentations throughout the district. Programming will reach students at every elementary and middle school, as well as all eighth grade students in Taunton High School. MARC will also provide a workshop for parents and caregivers. This initiative

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will help students better understand bullying, cyberbullying, healthy relationships, and responsible online behavior. And this professional development also builds upon the professional the professional learning MARC has already provided to our staff and supports of commitment to it supports our commitment

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to safe, welcoming, and respectful schools. And with that, that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Superintendent Cabral. >> Thank you. >> Administrative business G, we're going to the staffing report. I think that's just informational.

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>> purposes, and you'll get your first official staffing report on staffing as we prepare for the new school year in August. >> Okay, thank you. And number two is creation of a special education subcommittee for discussion.

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And I will open that up for discussion. >> I have that. Um, thank you. Um, so I I did reach out to Superintendent Cabral and and Chairperson Childs to put this on the agenda and um for a couple of reasons. Part of it was through our policy work. Um, um,

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realizing as far as what we could possibly do with subcommittees or and it doesn't have to be a subcommittee. It could be an advisory committee. It could be a task force. Um, but also I was thinking about the parent advisory boards that we do or do not have and I thought specifically of SEPAC especially. I know that they

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haven't necessarily been all that active lately. Um, but I was also thinking about some of the the public input regarding um some issues right regarding special needs students and such, but also and this speaks to what you brought up as far as Maura Healey. I just want to make a

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point if I can. I thank you for reaching out to the state reps senators. We can all do that. I've already reached out to state reps Lisa Field to support that $100 million. So I think all of us can do our part to do that. Um, but seeing that there are going to be some budget issues and then there is a piece of

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legislation that is special for for special education. I thought all of it could be kind of That's kind of where I kind of started brainstorming this idea. Um, so and I I just did a little research. Again, I don't necessarily have it all figured out in my head, but there's um

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I did some research as far as other schools that have done something similar. So in Bridgeport um public schools in Connecticut, they created a special ed task force in 2025. Um, and this is collaboration among educators, administrators, and community members. Um, in Maryland, I have a

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printout. They have a special education citizens advisory committee, which is a SEACAC. That's the abbreviation, but parents can be included, school leaders, obviously us as school committee members, administrations, teachers, so on and so forth.

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Um and so these are just a couple of things to say that California has one as well, and I think DESE has a required one as far as the special education as far as the retest force, but um so I just wanted to open up a discussion about the possibility of setting a setting up some kind of um sped advisory committee. Um honestly to

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help with communication, especially with SEPAC. Um I know that they've been having some issues organizing and things like that, but there's been a lot of concerns about uh feeling comfortable coming forward, things like that, but also with administration, with us, whoever wanted to be involved, but teachers and parents as well. So,

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um I just I kind of wanted to just open that up to discussion. >> Okay. Thank you. Dr. Della. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh I I think my colleague here to my left, uh Ms. Sandison, has a great point. I think we should definitely formalize this as a subcommittee and not a task force. I I

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think there's more emphasis and more uh how should I say, appeal to the citizens to reach out to a subcommittee uh than just a you know, a task force, I think in the back of my mind. So, I I propose absolutely uh uh making a motion to set up a special

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education subcommittee, uh and then we can create leadership if uh if my motion passes. That's my motion. >> Thank you, Dr. Della. Okay. Any further comments? >> Can I just get clarification as far as what this subcommittee would be looking

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at? And what the subcommittee would be responsible for? >> Well, that's still again hasn't really been fleshed out yet. I just wanted to open up the communication, and I think if once we do set something up, we can start thinking about, all right, what do we want to look at? What do we want to focus on? Um again, I'm just I really just want to

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focus on collaboration and transparency. And and just making sure that parents feel heard, teachers feel heard, and obviously administration has, you know, ability to collaborate with the community members as well. So, it hasn't all been fleshed out. Again, this was just an idea I had in my mind and I just

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wanted to, you know, obviously, if anybody has any concerns or any questions or things that they would like to see done with it, but I mean, I think those are things that we can all work on together to figure out. >> Mr. Polansky. >> Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh,

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yeah, uh, Miss Santos, I think that I think that's a great idea. Um, I think any anything that we could do uh, to put more focus on this would be great. So, I I totally support the idea of a subcommittee, but I guess I would also support the idea of a task force. And I think what I like about the task force

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is it could officially involve community members as well. A subcommittee is just the school committee. A task force is administration, teachers, students, parents, what have you. So, maybe we could even consider doing both.

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Um, >> Yeah, and I agree I don't honestly know. Task force feels very militant to me when I hear task force. >> Community input team, maybe? >> I kind of community input team cuz I know we have those or like an advisory board or something like that. And again, we can play with the language, but I

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agree. I mean, my what I envision is more collaboration, not necessarily just school committee members being part of that as well. >> Okay. Mr. Laura. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. That's that's fine and I'm I go with that. My only concern is should it be not more appropriate to get

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an input advisory committee to formulate a task of individuals of how this will be approached. And like if you if you create a subcommittee within our board, that's usually three members and that's established

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uh, beforehand before you have the input from all the people that we're looking to incorporate or to collaborate with. So, that I would like to see that first if it's all right to see input from our specialist in that field,

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uh reach out to the community, see who would like to participate, and then have them have the input to saying, "Let's put this together." Whether it's a task advisory or subcommittee with the advisory committee.

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>> Jared Chaves, uh well, you haven't spoken yet, so. >> Um I agree with Mr. Laura. I think that I like the idea of a task force, so we could figure out what is the objective of what they're going to do. If it's just three people on a

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subcommittee, I don't I I don't know if we would get thing anything that you want to get done, would it really get done with just a uh you know, a small little group? And um and the task force at least would let us know is there a need?

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Is there a need for us to to to do something? Cuz I know the special ed laws are very restrictive on what can and can be done. So, how can we support that? You know, I would like to see more of a maybe community input since we don't

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like the the task force. Where at least parents would feel like they've been heard. Is that different from CPAC? >> Well, I was I'll wait till I'm called on. >> Okay, cuz that's what I I'd want to know, like whether or not is is that what we should be part of instead, where that's already established. Would it

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make more sense for some of us to be part of that? >> And honestly, that was part of my >> Sorry, not to go ahead. >> No, no, you're >> Superintendent Cabral, did you want to weigh in? Okay. >> Dr. D'Amelio? >> Yeah, and and not to minimize the task force, exactly my train of thought is we have CPAC, even though they don't come

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to dance with us, we can go dance with them. Uh I I think we need to outreach to them and and hold our meetings, which we haven't been doing. And uh it's not to minimize the task force. I mean, it's a great idea, but I remind the committee members that in our organizational meeting, we set up a space committee, we

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set up a community involvement subcommittee. So, we have all this already in place. So, we just have to get it going. So, I mean again, you know, yeah, task force is great, but we have a CPAC organization

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and again we invite them to dance, they don't come. We can go ask go pick them up, I guess. So, that's where I didn't want to minimize task force, but my motion on the setting of the special education subcommittee still on the floor. So, we didn't get a second. Second. >> Second.

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>> Okay, so there's a motion and a second. Miss Santos. >> I I just to to the chairperson Charles, I I really into yours. I definitely think that we should try to maybe reach out to CPAC first. That might be a good place to start. Again, I think um as far as I know, I think they are trying to

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reorganize. So, I think if we try to reach out to them as you said that we can actually kind of better collaborate and kind of help them organize in that way. Um so, I just wanted to add that. >> Question. >> Mr. Laura. >> I believe Miss Fagan had her hand up before I did.

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>> Yeah, I I'm sorry, Mrs. Fagan. >> Oh, that's okay. Um my my concern with that is sometimes I see a duplicity in effort for all this. I know how hard it is to try to set up a subcommittee meeting with three of us. And this one's here and that one's

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there. I we've been going back and forth about athletics and you know, now now our athletic director is out of the country. So, when he comes back, we'll have to do something, but then somebody's going on a trip or somebody's here or somebody's there. I just find it difficult to do that. We

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already have a lot of subcommittees and I think we can cover this in one of the ones we've had before. We've managed to do pretty well without doing that, but all these things are somehow in other subcommittees also. And with that, it's just just where I feel about it. >> Okay. >> May I?

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>> Mr. Laura. >> Miss Santos, I think you indicated that Desi has a certain format or requirement to have these kinds of of groups. >> a law. It's a Mass General Law. >> And they Do they consist of parents, >> Yeah, but

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that's statewide. It's not necessarily community-based. So, that's like the state of Massachusetts advises we record. >> Thank you. >> can look at that and see we can maybe mirror something like that. >> That's >> I did look at it kind of briefly, to be honest with you, but it is a Mass General Law that there needs to be one

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in the state of Massachusetts. So, I think that's just kind of obviously this should be a little bit more based on our community, um, rather than something that state up. >> Thank you. >> use it as possibly >> Appreciate that clarification. >> Mrs. Mullen.

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>> Um, so I was just going to say I had gone to some of those meetings when my daughter was younger. Um, I do think it's super important for parents to kind of have that education. They offer different workshops and things. Maybe we look at

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if a subcommittee is formed here, kind of leading kind of policy or different meetings, different workshops that we can kind of work together with them on. I do think it's a very relevant topic. It's

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We keep hearing it. Um, I I know firsthand what I dealt with and um, I do think it's important to have the families involved and their voice heard as well. >> Dr. Mullen. >> Thank you, Mayor. Well, I just need to

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respond to my colleague regarding the athletic subcommittee. I mean, since it was mentioned I'm a member of the athletic subcommittee, trips were mentioned not being able to get together. Uh, with all due respect, I've been asking for an athletic subcommittee meeting since March, uh, and now we're in August almost and

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it's not due to my absences cuz I have not missed a meeting of the school committee even if I'm traveling abroad. So, you know, referring to not getting together three members and specifically mentioning the athletic subcommittee, I had to mention that publicly. Thank you so much. >> You're welcome.

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Chair Schaps. >> Thank you. Um just on my colleagues um talk about we have a lot of subcommittees. Well, one of the subcommittees we do have is special programs. And right now special programs doesn't have anything that they're focusing on. So, that could be something that is sent to special programs cuz the

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last um year we were working on the new website and and um you know, the transition to that. I don't We don't have anything on the books right now for special programs. So, we could refer it to that subcommittee as opposed to creating a brand new subcommittee if you wanted to.

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>> Okay. Yes, Superintendent Schaps. >> Just for informational purposes. So, I think as of now we have 11 subcommittees. Uh some of the subcommittees that we have, there is some crossover or there is you could say potentially some duplication.

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So, I would be very mindful when creating a new subcommittee, does it touch upon some of especially of the topics that the subcommittee is going to be discussing, does it touch upon the curriculum subcommittee, does it touch upon special programming, does it touch upon specialization, does it talk touch

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upon long-range planning, does it come upon rules? So, when we create a new subcommittee, just be mindful that you already have subcommittees in place that could address specific issues that do come up. And two of the new subcommittees that we did create have yet to meet. So, it does go to the point that again, we have a lot of

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subcommittees. A district much larger larger than us by 4,000 students has nine subcommittees. So, again, because a lot of what you had with some of these vague subcommittees address those concerns. I would also be very mindful cuz you don't want to step on toes and

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and again, Mrs. Moynihan has worked very hard to bring CPAC before us twice a year, which I believe they're supposed to present to us twice a year. And for whatever reasons they they have it. I would just be mindful that we're not stepping on their toes or doing work uh

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by forming a task force or a community input team or a subcommittee that's work that that the CPAC group should do or should lead. And I know you guys don't always see how the sausage is made behind the scenes, but Mrs. Moynihan and Mrs. Boyd and sometimes Mr. Barada, they meet with a a focus group of the TEA to

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talk about special education concerns. And we do have our joint labor management meeting. Sometimes special education concerns come up then as well. So again, just want to be mindful that we do have systems in place to address these concerns, but again, we're just providing you with some context so that you can make an informed decision.

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>> Thank you. Uh Mr. Polawski. >> Thank you. Uh point of information. What exactly is our process of creating a new subcommittee, and what is the process of dissolving a subcommittee if we later on found it was redundant or

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unneeded? >> So, historical? >> Mhm. >> I mean, not policy, historical, is creation of any new policy uh subcommittee in the past has been referred to rules. >> Okay. Okay. And would it be the same for dissolving? So, like like let's say we

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looked at our So, if we made this if we went forward with this proposal, we would now have 12 subcommittees. So, if down the road we decided, you know what, out of those 12, maybe three of them are not necessarily needed because we've covered a few things, is it the same deal? Would we make a motion to dissolve

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uh a subcommittee and refer it to to rules? >> Yeah, I mean, again, the reason why we usually refer something to to a subcommittee is to do the study. >> Yeah. >> Right. And then come back before the full group with an to make an informed decision with all the facts. Here are the pros, here are the cons, and then you can vote on it. And you trust that

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subcommittee to do their due diligence. So, that would be an appropriate uh mechanism. You could put it on the agenda, have a discussion. If the committee doesn't feel strong enough to vote at that time, they want more information, refer to the sub. If the committee feels strong enough to take action, then there's no reason why you

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can't take action. >> Dr. DeMelo. >> Mayor, uh based on that information, Superintendent, I would withdraw my motion as the uh the second uh person that seconded would also withdraw his second and refer it to rules.

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>> I withdraw my second. >> So, the motion would then be to refer the creation of a special education subcommittee to rules. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Okay. So, there's a motion and a second on the floor. Mrs. Spagan, did you want to be recognized? >> Well, are we going to vote on that

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first? >> Well, it's on discussion, so I didn't know if you wanted to be recognized now. >> Oh, I just I just wanted to uh to say Dr. DeMelo, that wasn't a swipe at you. I was just saying a lot of times somebody's got things going on all the time, whether it's vacation. That was not a swipe at you about that. We had a

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tough year losing 2 weeks of school with between February vacation and snowstorms, so I think the whole year was kind of off a little bit, and it was just that we had we were doing contracts and all that other stuff. It just got kind of lost in the shuffle. But I it wasn't a wasn't meant to be an attack on

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you, and I'm sorry you took it that way cuz I wouldn't do that to you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Spagan. Mr. Lara. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. So, once referred to rules subcommittee, do they then meet with the community leaders, the special ed

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director to determine how to move next? Or would they just based upon the information given, they say, "We hereby now form a new subcommittee called the special education subcommittee." Uh what's the procedure?

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>> Uh I'll let you answer that, Superintendent. >> it just so happens, Mr. Lara, you happen to be on the rules subcommittee. >> Correct. [laughter] >> With Mrs. Santos and Mrs. Chavez. >> Yes. >> So, obviously we would We would We would We would schedule a meeting with agenda items, collect some

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information, and then discuss who from the administration that you would want to bring in. Obviously, I think this director of special education would make a lot of sense to have at the table, and then we can talk about you know, you can make a discussion have a discussion. It might not get resolved in one meeting because there might be

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some fact-finding that's going to take time for us to gather. >> Yeah. >> And so, these are all details for the rules committee to discuss once it is referred. >> But, just one more comment. >> Makes sense. >> Um in the policies again, we've just gone through all of the policies. In the

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policies, it's in the section B. We can create a subcommittee, we can create a task force, we can create an advisory board. It says it in the policies. So, um I am fine with doing that and again, but I just want to clarify that I'm not doing this to step on anybody's toes and it is no way a criticism of anything. It

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is just more of trying to I mean, this is my third year going in my third year or my midway through my third year, I've heard a lot of things. So, it's just I just want again, this is all in the spirit of collaboration and transparency. It is in no way to say the people who are in charge aren't doing the the job that they're knowing. So, I

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just I just wanted to clarify that. >> and my point my point, sorry, my point is just to make sure that we have those conversations with these individuals cuz I don't want CPAC to hear about this without hearing from us what we're trying to do. So, again, it has nothing to not trying to say we're stepping on toes. It's we have to have those

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conversations so people understand why we're going about this. >> Okay, so there is a motion on the floor to refer to the rules committee discussion and consideration of creating a special education subcommittee. There's a second.

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No further discussion. All those in favor. >> I. >> Opposed. None opposed, so voted. Number three, extended day for high school age students with disabilities and the that has been put on for discussion. >> Yeah, this is just this is an item that

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I as I go into as I discuss the matter that I would suggest that the outcome be that we that we refer this matter to the special programs subcommittee with Mrs. Shaws, I believe is the chair. Uh there was there's been some conversations and uh I think the caregiver who I had a

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conversation with is in the audience uh about providing extended day service to students at the high school with students with disabilities. So again, that's I think that would be something that we can entertain and talk about whether extended day or when we eventually put the RFP out if we incorporate that into an RFP as far as

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providing extended day services for special needs students who are high school aged. >> Okay. >> Motion to move to special programs extended day for high school aged students with disabilities. >> Second. >> Motion and second. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? None opposed, so voted.

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Discussion on Taunton High School track and public use. >> You want this one, Don, or you want me to take it? >> I can do it. >> Okay. >> So a gentleman reached out to me who lives in the area, is in the community, and he was concerned that the Taunton High School track isn't open during the

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day for the community to use. And he had said in the past he was doing the track at BP, but BP has had all the constructions. He's gone to some other area schools like BR that has been open. When the weather was nice, he was walking this area here, and then the

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construction started in all of the sidewalks. So he's like he keeps getting moved on where he can walk. So I had sent that to Superintendent Cabral to to discuss whether or not this is something that we wanted to do given

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the you know, how good the grounds are and leaving it open could leave ourselves open to possibilities of of you know, some vandalism. And if not, could we come up with some other other ideas on allowing someone to walk in the campus itself. And Dr.

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Cabral had come up with maybe um, the the actual outside of the campus, not the track itself, but the actual campus with like mile markers, so that people did cuz a lot of people do walk around the high school, that they would be like some mile markers and maybe some little stops where they could do

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different activities, um, as opposed to opening up the actual track, but we wanted to bring this in front of the school committee and let you guys decide whether you want what we wanted to do. >> Okay. Dr. DeMello. >> Absolutely. I I could go two ways on this, refer this either to, uh, long-range planning and school

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properties or to the athletic subcommittee or both, uh, to better understand our campus and what we can do. So, what would be the appropriate >> I think long-range planning would be the most appropriate. >> Okay, so the motion would be to refer this to long-range planning and school

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properties subcommittee. >> Second. >> So, motion and >> Long-range. >> Second motion to refer this topic to long-range planning committee and seconded. All those in favor? >> Aye. >> All right. Opposed? Not opposed, so

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voted. And last under administrative business is use of school buildings as polling locations. >> Just informational purposes and I've already been in contact with the Mr. Pacheco regarding additional police details at all of the locations on uh,

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September 1st as school will be in session. >> Okay. >> Okay. All right, so we will go then to subcommittee reports. We have finance and law, Dr. DeMello. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, the finance and law subcommittee, uh, consisting of Mrs. Chaves and myself as chair, met earlier this evening. Uh, the items for

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discussion were items one, disposal disposal of surplus items. Uh, the all the items are located at two Hamilton Street. Uh, the description of items are the same, books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies and paperbacks. The

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quantities range from 40, 27 to 100 per box. The estimated values did not exceed $150, I'm sorry, $160 and the motion was made and seconded to refer it to the proper channels of disposal to

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conform with the Massachusetts General Law and Taunton Public Schools in the City of Taunton laws in place. That passed unanimously. And before I go on to bills payable, we had the pleasure of welcoming Mr.

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Kevin Almeida, Director of Finance. And on your desk, he submitted a letter that he read. If you don't mind me reading, you don't have a microphone here, no? You do? Okay. Well, Mr. Almeida, why don't you read your letter? Be nice. Thank you.

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>> Members of the School Committee, thanks for having me. I'm pleased to provide School Committee with an update on my first 2 weeks as Director of Finance for the Taunton Public Schools. My primary focus has been assessing the business business office's current staffing resources, financial

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procedures, and operational systems, including the work necessary to complete the FY26 year-end closeout accurately and on schedule. Based on my experience overseeing school finance operations in my previous district, along with my prior work as an

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auditor, I'm very comfortable and fully capable of directly overseeing the work. I have been extremely impressed with the knowledge, professionalism, and commitment of the business office staff. With their support and my guidance, I'm confident in our ability to manage the

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district's financial responsibilities effectively and maintain strong internal controls, compliance, and accountability. I've also spent considerable time meeting with Superintendent Cabral and members of the leadership team to better understand the district's priorities, current initiatives, and operational

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needs. These conversations are helping me develop a broader understanding of how the Finance Office can best support schools and departments across the district. In addition, I've met with the city of Taunton's business team and CFO Della Russo to strengthen strengthen

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communication and collaboration between the city and the school department. I have also begun visiting schools including Hamilton Street and touring the site the city to become more familiar with our facilities, neighborhoods, and communities we serve. My first 2 weeks have reinforced my

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confidence in the strength of the team and the systems we already have in place. I look forward to continuing this assessment, supporting the FY26 closeout, and working collaboratively to strengthen the district's financial and operational practices. As this work

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progresses, I plan to provide the school committee with regular updates on both the FY26 closeout and my entry work including our progress and emerging priorities. I am very excited and honored to be part of the Taunton Public Schools

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and I look forward to working closely with Finance and Law and the and the full School Committee. So, thank you. >> Okay. >> Excellent. Thank you ONCE AGAIN. WELCOME. >> [applause] >> SO, NOW WE REVERT TO ITEM TWO ON bills payable. The warrant for FY26 was in the

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amount of $1,073,280 and two $280.02 and we had to split the warrant. We made the first warrant payable in the amount of $7,936. The reason that is is because it's to Pride Inc. and I serve as co-treasurer

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and on the Board of Directors. That motion passed one Mrs. Shaw voted yay. I voted present, so the motion did pass to pay $7,936. The second part of that warrant was for $1,065,344.02. There were numerous questions asked by

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Mrs. Shaw and myself and Mr. Almeida had a grasp on every item without hesitation. Very impressive. The that motion passed unanimously 2-0 to pay the warrant in the amount of $1,065,344.02. The second item on the warrant was for FY27

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bills payable $94,549.88. There was just one question asked and answered by Mr. Almeida once again, and that vote passed unanimously to pay the warrant in the amount of $94,549.88. And we concluded the finance and law, and the motion to adjourn, and my

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subcommittee is complete. My subcommittee report is complete, sorry. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Move to accept the report and the recommendations set forth as presented by the committee. >> Okay. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion second. Any discussion? >> I'd like to ask if I see should vote

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present. >> Uh yeah, I'd like to record my vote as present. Part of the motion. >> It's You all set with this thing? Um so there's a motion and a second. Mr. Ploski's voting present. All those in favor? Opposed? Not opposed, so voted.

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All right. There is no new business listed. Uh we just have the action item update. I don't know if you need to address anything on that. No? No press here. Motion to adjourn. >> All right. Second. >> Motion second to adjourn. All those in favor?

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Not opposed, so voted. Thank you, everyone.