Committee should come to order. Uh I'll start with roll call. Mrs. Shavs >> present. >> Uh Chairman Dlo present. First item on the agenda, we have disposal of surplus items. Uh two Hamilton Street textbooks. Uh superintendent. >> I'll refer that to uh I believe this is
Malita's first meeting with the finance subcommittee. So, welcome to the Finance and Law Subcommittee, Mr. Amita. I'll defer to you. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Uh, so if I if I could just I have a quick hand out just to hand everybody out. >> And if I could just read uh a quick memo
that I wrote for. Absolutely. If you don't mind. 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 uh took you for granted I'm so sorry >> it's okay I do appreciate that thank you >> welcome >> so I so today is my eighth day here in
Taton 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 two weeks as a director of finance for the Ta public schools my primary focus has been assessing the business office's current staffing resources financial procedures
and opation ational 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 auditor, I am 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 district's financial responsibilities effectively and maintain strong internal
controls, compliance, and accountability. I have also spent considerable time meeting with Superintendent Cabraw and members of the leadership team to better understand the district's 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've met with the city's city of Taton's business team and CFO Delaruso 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 facilities, neighborhoods, and the community that we serve. My first two weeks have been reinforced
by have reinforced my confidence and the strength of the team and the systems already in place. I look forward to continuing the assessment 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 our pro our progress and emerging priorities. I am very excited and honored to be a part of the Taton 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 eight days. That's great. So, um for the item on the U agenda item number one, two Hamilton Street textbooks. You want to take that, Mr. Alita? >> Sure. Thank you.
>> Thank you. So, in this with this agenda item, we have several items that we're disposing of surplus here. Um, all 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 would be sufficient because I think all the descriptions are the same. >> Absolutely. So, the first item is uh is from two Hamilton Street. There are 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 two Hamilton 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, biography, and paperbacks. 32 in a box. $160 estimated value. Next item, two Hamilton Street books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 50 in a box, $100 estimated
value. Next item, two Hamilton Street books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 40 in a box. 100 $120 estimated value. Next item, two Hamilton Street books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and
paperbacks. 75 in a box. Estimated value $150. Next item, two Hamilton Street books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 31 in a box, $153. Estimated value.
Next item, two Hamilton Street. Books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 27 in a box, $108 estimated value. Next item, two Hamilton Street. books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks. 40 in a box. Uh, estimated
value, $100. And the final item, uh, two Hamilton Street books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, and paperbacks, 25 in a box. Estimated value $50. >> Great. Thank you so much. Thank you. Yeah. So, noted this condition is poor
on all of these different uh surplus items. What are the wishes of the committee? I make a motion that we dispose of all of the surplus materials um 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 with FY26 in the amount of 1,73,2802. And before um we get to questions, Mrs. Shaz, 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 pull out, and we can actually do that right now, is uh appears on page 14, and that is to Pride, Inc. It's voucher
number 27848 in the amount of $7,936. I'm going to pull that out and vote on 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 eyes have it. Thank you so much. So the remaining vow remaining warrant will be in the amount of $1,65,3442. What are the wishes of the committee?
>> I make a motion that we pay for the 1,00 I mean 1 million65,3442 on discussion. >> Absolutely. On discussion, Mr. Sh. >> Okay. I have two questions. Sure. >> 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. >> Sure. So, it was the removal uh of a window and an installation of a door at the art area at Chamberlain >> at Chamberlain.
>> Yes. >> And door. >> I can further elaborate on that. Um they're reconfiguring the 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 Ma starting. >> Okay. Excellent. And the second one I had was on page five. Um, Conisa LLC. It was for professional development for 30,000 and they just wanted to know what
development that was. >> So, it's for June services that they provided. Um, and Confiance, I believe, is um an ELLL. They they help to support the ELLL 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 you. >> Great. Thank you. I have uh just two items also, Mr. Almita. Sure. on page number three. Um the actual uh voucher
um there's no voucher but anyway it's the Bay State Bayate interpreters 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 I've already uh begun discussions with Superintendent Cabraw on this because in in Fall River, we used a different vendor for this service. And so I I'm familiar with Bay
State because we've used we we've used them on and off in the past. Um, but we do have a another service that's called Lionbridge 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 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 >> 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 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 >> So you are are you referring to like Parent Square, Mr. Devel? Uh I don't know what >> the parent square does translate. >> It does. Right. >> So this this would be >> What about the docu sign? Was that anything to 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 there was a team meeting and a parent needed to attend. We would use >> Okay. >> Base date to interpret for the parent at the meeting >> and I know they've come to our community outings too. Correct. >> Throughout. Okay. All right. So that's great Mr. Amid. 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. >> 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 Stonem Chandler and Miller. I know that's our law firm, but the amount of $9,935.68. Give me a >> Sure. So um they that is for June
services that they provided um the from what I've accumulated from the department uh July to May totaled 85,96592 and with this um with these in with these three invoices totaling 9,93568
it brings us to a total of 95,9160 on the year for Stonem channel and Miller. Is this still due to collective bargaining or anything like that? This these amounts >> because I don't think we've had any collective bargaining in June. >> No, these this these would this would have been all personnel related.
>> I'm sorry, superintendent. >> This would have been all personnel related. >> Okay. All right. Good. And I think that's it. So, uh motion's been made and second. All in favor? >> I >> I opposed. Eyes have it. And the next item and final item is bills bills
payable for FY27. the amount of $94,549.88. Wishes of the committee. >> I make a motion that we approve this in the amount of $94,549.88. >> I'll second the motion on discussion. Do you have anything, Mr.
>> No, I'm all set. Thank you. >> Okay. I just have one item. Page two, uh, mask for $1,100. Uh, school committee expenses. Is that a membership? Uh, >> yes. It's our online policy. It's our annual renewal.
>> Okay. Look, we just spent um I think what 10,000 superintendent on something. >> 10,000 was to review the policy manual. >> To review the policy manual and this is what is this again mid? 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. >> Okay. And I thought the dues were like 7,500 for NASC. The dues are 7,500, but to host a policy manual, it's additional
charge of $1,100. And to review the policy manual, it was a $10,500 charge. >> Good. All right. Okay. Um All right. Uh motion's been made. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Eyes have it. Motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn.
>> And uh second that all in favor? I we are adjourned. Thank you so much. Everybody ready? >> All right. Good evening everyone. Welcome. Thank you for joining us. I call the meeting to order. And if you could please join us in the pledge of allegiance.
I aliance 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.
Oh, say can you see by the dawn early [singing] light what so proudly we held at the twilight
last gleaming who brought stripes and [singing] bright stars through the perils [singing] Oh, last fight. Or the ramparts
we watched were so gallently streaming. And the rockets red glare. The bombs bursting
in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does [singing] that star
spangled then wave or the land of the free and the home
of the brave. Mrs. Lord, as we begin this session, let us acknowledge your goodness and mercy and ask your blessings on all our 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, many of you are aware, I I don't know if all of you got the message, but attorney David Gay passed away. We don't have any information on anything right now. And
Mr. Cabraw and I thought that because he had been affiliated with the school committee in the city for so long, we would at least try to pay him some hobbage before all 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 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
Taton West Little League. David Gay was always co coached the Yankees. His two sons were there. Uh, he was dedicated to everybody. He helped every kid. He 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 never David never said anything like I'll get back to you next week because he always seemed to have the answer. So I 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 very tough out with what he went through but he's always been a good human being and I just wanted to impart that with the committee and Mr. Well, I'd appreciate it if you said something also or anybody else. >> It's um I'm humbled and honored. Uh I
got to meet David 25 years ago as an assistant principal and u he not only was our legal counsel, he also became a dear friend. Just a great human being. Uh integrity, vulnerability as a leader. Uh he just exemplified everything you'd expect in in in a human being. Great
family man, community person, very civic-minded. Love this country. loved his community, loved his family, and 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 when he was our city solicitor. Um and you know, this community knows 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 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 all um you know sad to see him go but he leaves a legacy in Taon that will never be forgotten.
>> Moment of silence. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. These don't get any easier. It seems like every time you turn around it's somebody else. I'll do the roll call. >> Yes, please. >> Um, Mr. Powski >> present.
>> Dr. Dlo >> present. >> Miss Santos >> present. >> Mrs. Fagan is present. Mr. Laura >> present. >> Mrs. Mullen >> present. >> Mr. Vieira's absent. Mrs. Shabs chairwoman >> present. Thank you. Um,
>> oh, I forgot the mail. >> President, >> pursuant to Massachusetts open meeting law, this meeting is being recorded and live streamed via YouTube. The recording 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 presenting to please notify us now. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Shaves. Approval of the minutes from July 8th, 2026. Motion to approve the minutes of July 8th, 2026. >> Second. >> Second.
>> Motion and second for approval. Seeing no discussion. All those in favor? >> Opposed? None opposed. So voted. We do not have a student advisory committee report this evening. Is there any public input this evening? >> No public. >> No public input. So we go to E.
Announcement of released minutes for executive session on June 3rd, 2026. Chair Sha, >> thank you. Um an an announcement of 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 Cabraw. >> Thank you. Uh as I begin my report, I'd like to welcome our guest of honor to the podium. So could Alexandra 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 Alexandria Pettit as the new head coach of the Ton High School girls basketball program.
Alexandria is already part of our school comm school community as an eighth grade English teacher at Ta High School. She is a former very impressed here, a former division 2 student athlete and team captain who has coached at the collegiate level and is re and recently
led middle the high school basketball program. She understands that athletics are an extension of the classroom and will emphasize accountability, teamwork, discipline, and personal growth. We are all excited to have one of our own educators leading the next chapter of
the Taton High School female basketball program. Welcome to the team. Welcome. [applause] >> Thank you guys. I appreciate >> Oh, one more. Thank you. 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 Taton 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 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, Taton girls basketball program and Taton High with hard work, um, pride and integrity. Uh, together I hope we can continue to build 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. [laughter] >> Vision too, huh? >> Thank you. >> Good luck and great success. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Again, we are all excited and we know
that the program is in great hands. Uh, next I'd just like to give a quick 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 Kerr, participated on a statewide panel on early literacy as an
equity strategy, highlighting Taton's efforts to strengthen instruction and improve outcomes for all students. I also participated on an antib-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 impactful work happening throughout the Taton public schools. These 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 a text that I shared last week, Governor Healey
has proposed $100 million in supplemental funding reserve for 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 aotment. So this
is outside of the chapter 70. It will not be rolled into our chapter 70 which means this will not factor into FY28. Okay. So this is onetime money that has to be spent in FY27. Uh based on our current enrollment on the DESI website,
we would receive approximately $930,000 in additional funding. Again, this funding is not yet guaranteed. It must still be approved by the legislature. Yesterday, I spent some time writing letters to our legislators and our representatives and our senators asking for their support of this additional
funding. We will continue to we will continue advocating both at the local level and at the MASS level and at the UP urban superintendent level that this funding be allocated and the nearly $1 million additional funding will help address staffing, literacy, instructional materials, student
supports as well as critical other critical needs in the near future. uh director of finance Kevin Alma. So also enjoying his first meeting with us. So welcome. [applause] In the near future, I think it would be wise for Mr. Alita and myself to
schedule a meeting with the finance and law subcommittee to discuss some uh 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 and we've already uh had some brief discussions on how we feel
this funding can be best utilized. And I thought the timing of my last uh item on the superintendent report was timely considering public input from last week. So the top public schools does provide ongoing bullying professional development and bullying support for our students and for our educators. Uh and
that work takes place 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 MARK. Mark will provide age appropriate bullying prevention in digital citizenship presentations throughout the district. Programming will reach students at every elementary and middle school as well as all eighth grade students at Ton High School. Mark will also provide a workshop for parents
and caregivers. This initiative will help students better understand bullying, cyber bullying, healthy relationships, and responsible online behavior. And this professional development also builds upon the professional de professional learning Mark has already provided to our staff and supports of commitment to it
supports our commitment to safe, welcoming, and respectful schools. And with that, that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Superintendent Cabrell. >> Thank you. Administrative business G. We go to the staffing report. I think that's just informationformational
>> justformational 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. And I will
open that up for discussion. >> That um thank you. Um, so I I did reach out to Superintendent Cabraw and and Chairperson Shouse to put this on the agenda and um for a couple of reasons. Part of it was through our policy work um 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 CPAC especially. I know that they 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 regarding special needs students and and such, but also and this speaks to what you brought up as far as Mara Healey. I just want to make a point if I can. I thank you for reaching out to the state
rep 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 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 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 print out. They have a special education citizens
advisory committee, which is a SEC, that's the abbreviation, but parents can be included, school leaders, obviously us as school committee members, administrations, teachers, so on and so forth. Um, and so these are just a couple of things to say that California
has one as well and I think Desi has a required one as far as a special education advisory task force. But, um, so I just wanted to open up a discussion about a possibility of setting setting up some kind of um, sped advisory committee um, honestly to help with
communication especially with CPAC. 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, um I just I kind of wanted
to just open that up to discussion. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Dr. Dilla. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh I I think my colleague here to my left, uh Miss Santos, has a great point. I think we should definitely formalize this as a subcommittee and not a task force. I I think there's more emphasis and more um
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 education subcommittee uh and then we can create leadership if uh
if my motion passes. That's my motion. >> Okay. Any further comments? Can I just get clarification as far as what this subcommittee would be looking 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 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 wanted to, you know, obviously if anybody has any concerns or any questions or things that they would like
to um see done with it, but I mean, I think those are things that we could all work on together to figure out. >> Mr. Palowski. >> Uh thank you, Madam Mayor. Uh yeah, 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 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. Um, >> yeah, and I honestly I don't task force feels very militant to me when I hear
task force. Um, so I >> community input team maybe >> I kind of community input team because I know we have those or like an advisory board or something like that. Again, we can play with the language, but I 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'm I go with that. My only concern is should it be normal or appropriate to get 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 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. 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. Jared Shavs. 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 subcommittee, I don't I I don't know if we would get things anything that you wanted to get
done, would it really get done with just, you know, a small little group? And um and the task force at least would let us know is there a need is there a need for us to to to do something because 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 like the the task force >> where at least parents would feel like they've been heard. Is that different
from CPAP? Well, I was I'll wait till I'm call. >> Okay. Because 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 make more sense for some of us to be part of that group? >> And honestly, that was not to go ahead.
>> No, no. >> Superintendent Carl, did you want to weigh in first? >> Dr. Dlo. >> Yeah. And and not to minimize the task force. Exactly. My train of thought is we have CPAC. Uh even though they don't come 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 set up a community uh uh uh >> involvement uh uh subcommittee. Uh 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 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 uh setting up the special education subcommittee is still on the floor so we didn't get a second >> okay so there's a motion and second miss Santos >> and I I just to to chair person Charles I I really in to 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 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 >> question, >> Mr. Laura. >> I believe Miss Fagan had my hand up before I did. >> Yeah, I >> I'm sorry, Mrs. Fagan. >> Oh, that's okay. Um my my concern with that is sometimes I see a duplicity and
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 there. I we've been going back and forth about athletics and you know now now our uh 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 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 the way I feel about it. >> Okay. >> May I >> Mr. Laura? >> Miss Sanders, I think you indicated that Desi has a certain format or requirement to have these kind of of groups.
>> It's a law. It's a mass journal law. Are they do they consist of parents, >> community? >> That's statewide. It's not necessarily community based. So that's like the state of Massachusetts report. >> Thank you. >> We can look at that and see we can maybe mirror something like that.
>> I did look at it kind of briefly to be honest with you, but it is a mass journal of law that there needs to be one 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 scale. >> Thank you.
>> We could use it as possibly. >> Appreciate that clarification, >> Mrs. Mullen. >> 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 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 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. Dilla.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Well, I I just need to respond to my colleague regarding the athletic subcommittee. I mean, since it was mentioned, I'm a member of the athletic subcommittee. The trips were mentioned not being able to get together. With all due respect, I've been asking for an athletic subcommittee meeting since March. Uh, and now we're
in August almost. And it's not due to my absences because 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, Chair Shuffs. >> 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 because the 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 to that subcommittee as opposed to creating a brand new subcommittee if you wanted
to. >> Okay. >> Yes, superintendent. >> Just forformational 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. 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 spatialization? Does it talk touch 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 subcommittees. A district much 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 because we don't want to step on toes and again Mrs. Moahan 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 haven't. I would just be mindful that we're not stepping on their
toes or doing work uh 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. Moahan and Mrs. Hoy and sometimes
Mr. Barata, they meet with a uh a focus group of the TEA to 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, just providing you with some context so that you can make an informed decision. >> Thank you, uh, Mr. Powski. >> 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 unneeded? >> So historical >> I mean not policy historical is creation of any new polic 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 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 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. You trust that subcommittee to do their due diligence. So that would be an appropriate uh mechanism put 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 can't take action. >> Dr. Mayor, uh, based on that information, superintendent, I would withdraw my motion if the uh, the second uh, the person that seconded would also withdraw his second and refer it to rules.
>> 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, a second on the floor. Question, did you >> want to be recognized? Well, are we
going to vote on that first? >> Well, it's on discussion, so I didn't know if you wanted to be recognized. >> No, I just I just wanted to uh to say, Dr. Dlo, 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
tough year losing two weeks of school with between February vacation and snowstorm. 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 it wasn't meant to be an attack
on you and I'm sorry you took it that way because I wouldn't do that to you. >> Thank you, Mr. Fagen. Mr. Laura, >> thank you, Madam Mayor. So once referred to rules subcommittee, do they then meet with the community leaders, the special
ed 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. What's the procedure?
>> Uh I'll let you answer that superintendent. So, just so happens, Mr. Lara, you happen to be on the rule subcommittee, [laughter] >> correct? >> With Mrs. Santos and Mrs. Shave. Yes. So, obviously, >> you're doing a great job. >> We would we would we would schedule a meeting with agenda items, collect some
information, and then discuss uh who from the administration that you would want to bring in. Obviously, I think the director of special education would make a lot of sense to have at the table, and then we can talk about um know, you can make a discuss, have a discussion. it might not get resolved in one meeting because there might be some factf
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. >> Just one more comment. >> Um in the policies again we've just gone through all of the policies in the 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 is just more of trying to I mean this is
my third year going into my third year and 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 that people who are in charge aren't doing the job that they're knowing. So I just I just wanted to clarify.
>> Yeah. And my point my point sorry my point is just to make sure that we have those conversations with these individuals because I don't want CPAC uh 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 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 uh discussion and consideration of creating a special education subcommittee. There's a second. 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 that has been put on for discussion. >> Yeah, this is just this is an item that I u as I go into as I discuss the matter
that I would suggest that the outcome be that we re that we refer this matter to the special programs subcommittee was Mrs. Shabs I believe is the chair. uh there was there's been some conversations and I think the caregiver who I had a conversation with is in the audience uh about providing extended day
service to students at the high school with student 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 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 age students with disabilities. Second >> motion and second. All those in favor? >> Opposed? None opposed? So voted. >> Discussion on Taton High School track
and public use. >> You want this one, Donna? 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 Taton High School track isn't open during the 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 where the weather was nice. He was walking this area here and then the 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 Cabraw to to discuss whether or not this is something that we wanted to do given 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. um um Mr. Carell had come up with maybe um marking the the actual
outside of the campus, not the track itself, but the actual campus with like mile markers so that people did because a lot of people do walk around the high school that there would be like some mile markers and maybe some little stops where they could do 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. Dlo. >> Absolutely. I I I could go two ways on this. refer this either to uh long range planning and school 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 >> school properties. Okay. So the motion would be to refer this to long range planning and school 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? >> Opposed? None opposed. So voted >> and last under administrative business is use of school buildings as polling locations.
>> Justformational purposes and I've already been in contact with Mr. Pacico regarding additional police details at all of the locations on 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. Dlo.
>> Thank you, mayor. Uh the finance and law subcommittee uh consisting of Mrs. Shaves and myself as chair met earlier this evening. Uh the items for 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 quantities ranged from 4027 to 100 per box. The estimated values did not exceed $150, I'm sorry, $160. And the motion
was made uh and seconded to refer through the proper channels of disposal to com uh conform with the Massachusetts uh general law and Taton public schools in the city of Taton uh uh uh laws in place. Uh that passed unanimously. And
uh before I go on to bills payable, uh we had the pleasure of welcoming uh Mr. Kevin Almea, director of finance. And on your desk, he uh submitted a letter that he read. Uh if you don't mind me reading, you don't have a microphone there. No,
>> you do. Okay. Well, Mr. Alita, why don't you read your letter? Be nice. Thank you. >> Uh members of the school committee, thanks for having me. Uh I'm pleased to provide the school committee with an update on my first two weeks as director of finance for the town public schools.
My primary focus has been assessing the business business offices 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 auditor, I'm very comfortable and fully capable of direct 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 am confident in our ability to manage the district's financial responsibilities effectively and maintain strong internal controls, compliance, and accountability. I have also spent considerable time meeting with Superintendent Cabraw and
members of the leadership team to better understand the district's priorities, current initiatives, and operational 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 Taton's business team and CFO Delaruso to stren strengthen 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 two weeks have reinforced my 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 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 TAN public schools, and I look forward to working closely with the finance and law and the and the full school committee. So, thank you. >> Excellent. Thank you once again. Welcome. [applause] So now we revert to item two on bills
payable. Uh the warrant for FY26 was in the amount of 1 million73,280 and2 $2802 and we had to split the warrant. Uh 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-reasurer and on the board of directors. That motion passed. one. Mrs. Shaz voted yay. I voted present. So, the motion did pass to pay $7,936.
The second part of that warrant was for1,65,3442. There were numerous questions asked by Mrs. Shaz and myself and Mr. Almeida had a grasp on every item without hesitation. Very impressive. Uh that motion passed unanimously 2- nil to pay
the warrant in the amount of $1,65,3442. The second item on the warrant was for FY27 bills payable $94,549.88. Uh there was just one question asked and answered by Mr. Almea once again and that vote passed unanimously to pay the
warrant in the amount of $94,549.88 88 and we concluded uh the uh finance and law and the motion to adjourn and my uh 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 on discussion. >> Yeah. I'd like to record my vote as present. part of the motion. >> Are you all set, Mrs. F?
>> Yep. Yep. Okay. All right. Um, so there's a motion in a second. Mr. Pilowski is voting present. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. None opposed. So voting. >> 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. Nope. No press here. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> All right. Second. >> Motion. Second to adjurnn. All in favor? Not a post. So voted. Thank you everyone. >> Thank you.