Hello everybody. Good evening. It's seven o'clock. Welcome to the school committee meeting, Westfield Public Schools of May the 19th. Oh, I did. Ready? I looked over. It looks dark in me. Do you need light? Every time I hit a light back here. Sorry. Like to start with, I don't know if I have. Take your time far. Want this one? Yeah, we need another. I don't have that. Here you go. Oh, I do. Okay. Sorry. It's all.
There's Jeffrey. Go here. Kathleen Hillman. Here. Joe Sullivan. Here. Heather Sullivan. Here. Mike Terrell. Here. Tim O'Connor. Here. Chairman McCabe. Here rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. My pledge Allegiance to the flag. The United States, America to the Republic. If you guys will gimme just a second here. Um, I'd like to open up the floor to public participation that'll last for a period of 30 minutes. Anybody would like to address the school committee
on a topic of their choosing? Please feel free to do so. Each person who addresses us, we'll have up to three minutes on the topic of their choice. Anybody would like to address the school committee? Come on up. Can you do us just one favor, just say your name and your address. Hello, my name is J Bryn and I live at 36 Casus Street. Thank you. I'm a freshman student of the Westfield Technical Academy and also class President of 2028. As you are aware, placement in WTA A is very competitive. There's only a select amount of students that can make it into the school. You have to take an interview, have good grades, good behavior, and ultimately get accepted.
WTA a's wait list is the largest it's ever been at around 60 students waiting to get in. What surprised me this year was lack of interest and participation amongst my peers for both student council and Key Club. As a matter of fact, for the majority of this year, I've been the only member of student council. I'm aware that the high school has over 200 active members for these clubs. Luckily, we've had two enthusiastic teachers that are willing to invest their time in these extracurricular activities. At WTA, Mr. Davenport is in charge of the afterschool clubs. While Ms. Deland has taken on the responsibility of setting up all class officers, we were scheduled
to have our first class meeting on Thursday, May 8th to introduce ourselves and vote on a class logo. Although it was advertised for weeks, the event got canceled just moments before starting. I later discovered that just 10 minutes before the event, Mr. Land was informed that she'd be let go next school year due to budgetary cuts. Mr. Land is an ELA teacher that came into the school system just a couple years ago and she's been volunteering her time to help build our school community. Not many teachers are inclined to maintain these positions, but she cares to continue supporting us. We don't even know who'd replace her, if anyone at all. We only have two teachers that are constantly striving
to make a positive impact here at WTA and it would be ashamed to reduce that number to just one person forcing Mr. Davenport to run everything by himself. Our school just held a talent shell last month. The whole event wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Ms. Deland. Please reevaluate the budget to keep Ms. Deland because we need more staff like her that's willing to go the extra mile and invest their time in the success of our student bodies. Thank you. Thank you. Hello, good evening. My name is Tori Hovan and I live at 20 Murray Avenue. Um, I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you this evening regarding the child Development
Pathway at Westfield High School. Um, as we know the need for preschool as access remains significant, many families in our own district are actively seeking high quality early childhood education and current capacity does not meet the demand. Supporting this program helps meet the need while also providing our high school students with real world career and college aligned experiences in education and child development. I encourage you to explore the possibility to restructure the child development pathway at Westfield High School. Should this become necessary. The proposal includes one teacher teaching all three courses within the pathway.
The prerequisite courses would be scheduled in the morning while the laboratory preschool would operate in the afternoon. The structure would ensure the continuity of learning for our students while maintaining important service for families in our community. While I believe that the current structure of the program is effective and valuable to both our students and the community, I understand adjustments may need to be considered in the event that restructuring becomes necessary. This would allow the program to continue in a meaningful way while we work towards Chapter 74 funding. I respectfully encourage you, the district
to prioritize funding and support this program, not only to sustain educational opportunities for students, but also to continue serving families who depend on an early childhood education. Thank you for your time. Thank you, chair. Good evening. My name is Abigail Gillo and I live at 1 0 1 Birch Bluffs Drive. I'm currently a junior enrolled in the child development program at Westwood High School. I'm a second generation teacher as my mom parti participated in the program years ago and I plan to pursue a degree in education. This program isn't just a pre preschool class with small chairs and children finger painting.
It is an opportunity for growth and learning for everyone involved. For students like me, it's a hands-on educational experience. We don't just learn about teaching in a book. We get the chance to actively plan lessons and bring them to life with all of the preschool students. This experience prepares us for our future careers in education, psychology, nursing, and more. It teaches us patience, responsibility, and leadership, which are skills we can use throughout life. The preschool is the highlight of my day. The benefit also extends to our preschool students. The students learn to be kind, curious, and confident along with the basic preschool lessons.
They build relationships with their peers as well as the other student teachers. They have a chance to visit the other areas around the school, including the music room and the culinary room. Choosing this closing this program would hurt more than just a classroom. It would take away real world learning opportunities and strip our school of unique decades long program. Everyone talks about preparing students for the future and this Children's Corner Preschool is the future for Westfield High School Education. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Hi, my name's Casey Kalo and I live at 18 Sherman Street Extension. I'm currently a junior at Westfield High
School in the child development program. When I was in eighth grade, I had my decision made on the high school. I was going to Westfield Technical Academy. Though I've always wanted to be a teacher, I knew of nothing in high school to prepare me for that. So I applied and had my interview later that week. That was all until a guidance counselor from Westfield High School came and talked to us about the future pathways we may take there. She began to talk about the child development path and I loved it. After a few days of thinking, I immediately knew I had to switch my high school path. The morning of my interview for Westfield Tech, I canceled it. I decided I was gonna Westfield High School, take two years of child development and of each eventually teach real preschoolers junior and senior year.
I'm now a junior and I've made it so far in the program. It would be devastating not to finish it. Along with that, I've been seeking with some underclassmen who have not yet had an opportunity to experience a preschool. This is so upsetting to them. Sophomores have spent the past two years in child a development courses preparing and putting in the hard work to get them ready for the next two years and really be able to put their skills to work. Teaching with Children's Corner preschools over been overall been so impactful and better than I could have ever imagined. The sport we are given is unmatched from positive feedback to giving us ways to improve every single day. I cannot imagine not teaching the preschool every week from planning and preparing lessons. Seeing the come to life is so rewarding though Ms. Porter m
so Deic have had a great effect on me. The kids do every day as well. It's so amazing to see each of their individual growth and watch your personality shows that you run on. Working them with them each day has taught me a completely and different new understanding of Children. Children's Corner Preschool is a joyful and positive environment, and I'm for forever grateful for their experience and everyone who played a part in it. Thank you. Thank you. Sadie. Before you go, can I offer suggestion to the folks that are doing the public participation? Is that you just slow down your tempo just a little bit because what you're saying is important and it would be good if we could catch the what you're, what you're saying.
So if we could just bring it down just a little bit in speed. Be great. Sadie. Hi, my name is Sadie Sole. I live at 15 Meadowbrook Lane. When I first started high school, I wasn't sure if I even wanted to go to college, but then I started helping out in the preschool here at our high school. Being with those little kids made me see things differently. I loved helping them learn and seeing them get excited about new stuff. It made me realize I actually wanna learn more about how the kids grow and how to teach them best. So now I'm thinking college might be pretty cool. After all, it's not just about school. It's about learning how to do something I really care about. I highly encourage you to think about
where our money is best spent and think about the Children's Corner Preschool and how it has changed many lives. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody Else? Jessica Britton 36 Casser Street 2025 is another election year for many seats. Everyone prioritizes that. We put the children first in the community, but sometimes we don't walk the walk that we talk. We need to focus less on aesthetics and invest in more practical needs of the children of Westfield. Last year, I opposed the $11.1 million bond
for the synthetic turf fields to be built at Westfield High School. It wasn't that I didn't believe the children should have updated fields, which can be done by getting creative with natural grass alternative strategies, but it just doesn't make sense to take on more debt. I'm sure you're all familiar with the song Mo Money Mo Problems and Bond for what? $11.1 million holding back another $1 million in free cash for stadium bathrooms
while the Westfield High School that, let me remind you, is only valued at $11.4 million that every student at Westfield High School utilizes is so run down and dilapidated that it's infested with mice, cockroaches and buckets are placed in the stairways to catch the water leaking when it rains. And don't forget the bathrooms at the WTA. They are still destroyed. How many years ago? 2019. That's six years ago. How many bathrooms are available for use?
I'm sure that isn't up to code either. I think the parents watching tonight need to start thinking about what I'm saying in getting vocal. We are spending too much money on the wrong things and not enough on the right things. Yes, we can get a new athletic field for a lot less money than $11.1 million in PFAS laden laden turf fields that will poison the powder Mill Brook area. Again. Yes, we can fix the bathrooms at WTA that were, that will be enjoyed
by all the students attending the tech. Yes, we can fix the poor sanitary conditions at the Westfield High School that affects every student at the high school. Yes, we can rework the numbers to all of the above and save the teacher's jobs at the tech. These four big budgetary problems can all be corrected with sound planning and focusing on prudent fiscal spending, not razzle dazzle. We are heading towards hyperinflation and the taxpayer is not going to handle you raising taxes
to bond for a comprehensive high school because you let the two high schools under your watch go to waste. Thank you Ms. Red. Thank you. I have another paragraph, but thank you. We're not Mr. Extending public participation. I didn't get a motion to that effect, so, okay. I don't know what that, And this is how it works When we don't agree with that, This is how it works by the rules, Ms. Britton. No, you do. Next person think it Quite often when it's favorable. When a, when a motion comes to me, I'll deal with it. But I didn't get a motion, did I? Thank you. Anybody else?
Sure. I think it's, are you on there? Yeah. Fabulous. Um, Jennifer McCafe. Thank you. 11 High Street. And just to continue, um, we are heading toward hyperinflation and the taxpayer is not going to handle you raising the taxes to bond for a comprehensive high school because you let the two high schools under your watch go to waste. Know your audience that you are preaching to. And since Westfield Gas and Electric pledged to give you 1 million every year for the next 15 years, then we should be looking at cost-effective approaches to achieve all of these goals without going into further debt or overtaxing the citizens.
Just because some people want their name on a fancy plaque for their legacy. Your legacy is the success of your community. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Hello? Uh, Kim dangelo 19 Hawk Circle. Uh, there's been a lot of discussion over the last few meetings expressing the incredible importance of the Children's Laboratory preschool at Westfield High School to both the preschoolers and the high school student teachers alike. Not to mention all the brave high school students who have come before you to speak of their experiences. I'm proud of you guys. Uh, but what we've not discussed yet are options for sustainability.
While there are many programs on the list of budget cuts, this program has a potential funding stream that as admitted in previous meetings, has not been explored as of yet as confirmed by our superintendent. Not only could this program be funded by Chapter 74 funds, he also endorses that the program is currently led by two educators who have the passion and determination to successfully meet the requirements to ensure its success. I agree with that. To cut the program this year when we're finally in a position for true sustainability would be a cost loss to bureaucracy and time limits. Without an actively functioning program,
we would not be eligible to qualify for these monies in the future. I strongly request that you consider allocating Funds for short term longer to allow for a truly remarkable gain. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Seeing none. Moving on to Westfield Technical Academy. Hi, my name is Brady LaPage. I'm a senior at Westfield Technical Academy and I live at 20 pheasant Run in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Uh, on May 1st, second, and third, 32. WTA students from 11 shops participated in the Massachusetts skills USA competition against some
of the state's best career technical students Skills. USA Massachusetts is the largest chapter in skills. USA with more than 32,000 members. Four WTA students earned either a gold or silver medal. Junior Wyatt Lee won a silver medal in computer programming Junior Loop Faith Foley won a silver medal in auto collision repair. Senior Nolan Lucic won a gold medal and diesel equipment technology and Senior Brady LaPage won a gold medal and internet. Thanks. Smart Home. Our two gold medal winners are heading to Atlanta, Georgia from June 23rd to June 28th
to compete in the national championships. Our aviation shop will be holding their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 29th at 10:00 AM The ceremony will take place at the aviation hangar at Barnes Air National Guard Base. The 104th fighter wing will be parking an F 15 fighter jet by the hangar to be used as a backdrop for the ceremony. Tiger's pride, our student run restaurant will be open this Thursday and Friday for your dining pleasure. Last week, the pride hosted their monthly veterans luncheon and this Veteran's luncheon was sponsored by her friends at El Electric. Tomorrow May 20th, four
of Westfield's finest female varsity athletes will be honored at the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association. Celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day from Westfield High School, Lauren Connor, who played golf and ran indoor and outdoor track. And Kaitlyn Ruth who played volleyball, basketball, and softball from Westfield Technical Academy. Emma McGillis, who played soccer, basketball, and softball. And Gianni Rios who ran cross country and played basketball and softball. Congratulations to these ladies on receiving this honor and for representing Westfield's High Schools.
Students from Construction Collision, it and Graphic Arts will be visiting Southampton Road Elementary School on June 6th. These students will be visiting with fourth graders to showcase their shop and to present possible career pathways. It's never too early to start recruiting tigers for WTA. Additionally, all of our shops will be setting up their road show displays at the Westfield Star Fires game on June 11th. This is a chance for current seventh seventh graders at Westfield Middle School to tour the displays and start thinking about WTA as a possibility. Recently, 32 WTA students toured Mez Tech. Our students were invited
to come see possible career pathways that Mez Tech has to offer. MES Tech invited our students to help reestablish a partnership with WTA to help students wanting to enter the trades, get a start on a career after graduation. A big thanks to Meds Tech for being another local com company wanting to help out our students with their careers and their futures. The second annual Staff Rock Paper Scissors Tournament has wrapped up with the final four being held in front of the entire school. At the recent talent show, school Resource Officer Turon made a grand entry riding in on a hoverboard with police lights flashing
and the tuned bad boys blaring on the speakers Who was then soundly defeated in the semi-finals by Ms. Reky, one of our long serving office secretaries who merged as the winner and received the coveted trophy. The trophy was made by a couple of our manufacturing students. A huge shout out to WTA a's varsity baseball team. This year's team has had quite a season that will include a post-season play. They have clinched the Tri-County North League Championship with their current 14 two record. The team will most likely be the number two C in the upcoming C-Class Western Mass playoffs.
They're waiting to hear if they're going to be invited into the Massachusetts State Vocational playoffs as well. The team is currently eighth, the eighth ranked team in Massachusetts Division five rankings and could host a state playoff game. You're invited to follow WT a's social media for updates on their upcoming schedule and even come out to catch some high school playoff baseball this spring. WTA received 252 applications for next year's ninth grade class. And this is a record, the highest amount of applications we have ever received. 169 acceptance letters have been mailed
to those students selected for WTA a's freshman class of 2029. This too is the highest number of students ever to be offered a place in the newest place to be WTA. Thank you for your time school committee. Thank you Brady, and congratulations on your gold medal. Brady's well deserved luck. I'd like to make a motion for the approval of the school committee meeting minutes, uh, the special meeting. April 28th, 2025. Second Motions been made and seconded. Is there any further discussion saying none all is in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. I give motion for the approval of school committee meeting minutes,
regular school committee meeting of May 5th, 2025. Second motion. Motion been made. And second, is there any further discussion? Sorry about that. Saying none. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried. I'd like to make a motion for the acceptance of the Westfield Public School's fiscal year 20 25, 20 26 Budget in the amount of $75,816,339. Second. Been made second. There Any further discussion? I have. I did last time. Yeah, I
Go ahead. 'cause I'll I'll talk about it. Yep. Alright. Um, you'll notice, or or if any of you have the agenda in front of you, um, the number that I just said is $250,000 more than what was on the agenda. Um, if you'll remember the last meeting two weeks ago, uh, we tabled this vote because there was, um, a $250,000 earmark initiated by Senator Vela backed up by Representative Pease, by the way. And also, um, conversations have been had in the last two weeks between all of us about that $250,000.
It passed the Senate after we talked about it on that Monday night. Uh, it is currently in reconciliation, which is when the Senate and the House get together, they mishmash a whole bunch of things and come out with a final number that can be approved. One of the major questions we had at that point was if this $250,000 is approved, do we get it immediately or is it like everything else we get with a state budget? Uh, we don't get it for six months. Um, I was told as soon as it comes out of reconciliation, the governor signs it, which she will,
it is in our bank account immediately to use. Okay. So before that is, uh, considered mm-hmm. I just wanna bring up a point of order. Mm-hmm. That money can't be in our budget. It would go to a special revenue account. So it should be dealt with separately, not within the budget itself. So when you get an earmark, just so everybody knows, when you get an earmark, it goes into a special revenue account. It's contained in the special revenue account. It is not part of the budget. So I would accept the motion to amend it back to the original number of 75 million 5 66 66 3 90, no,
3 39, 3, whatever the number is, whatever the number is. So moved. Is there a second? Second. The the reason for that is Mr. Sullivan's correct. Well, everything that Mr. Sullivan said was correct. There's no question about that. The issue is how does the money get drawn into the system? So the money that gets drawn into the system on a state earmark is not drawn into the general fund budget. It's drawn into a separate account and dealt with as the separate account goes. So everything he said was exactly right, but I think that technically the actual number
for the budget is a little bit different. Is there any other questions on that? That's gonna, I, I I have to ask the question. Go ahead. Are you gonna guarantee that $250,000 goes to the school department? Am I gonna Yeah, It's going into that. Well, I mean, if it's going into a special revenue account that goes to you No. As the city, as the mayor. Not as the chairman of the school committee. As the mayor. Yeah. So, so that money will need to be transferred over to the school department? Correct. Mr. Barry? So we've received various earmarks in the past, and the way we've always done it is they come in, we approve them like a grant,
and they're set up a special revenue account on the school department side, not the city side. So it'll come into the school department and we'll set it up like a grant From Desi usually goes through Desi. It does. Right. We signed a contract with Desi. Okay. I'd never get my fingers on it, if that's what you're asking. No, I I I didn't know, I didn't know that process. Right. But, and I thought it was Correct. It's a special revenue account, so it shouldn't be in the budget number. Okay. Dr. Gunther, The question is just that, just to make sure I'm fully tracking, is that that won't show up as whatever we end up, we will be able to use that $250,000 'cause it's earmarked for Westfield Public Schools
and whatever we put that towards will not show up in our operating expense. Exactly. It'll be treated as an offset. Similar to CPPI, title one, all of the Other grants, like when we got the earmark for the science labs, it was a separate fund of money that I set up just like a grant. We spent it separately. It didn't show up in the operating budget. Okay. Okay. Thank you, Shannon. Thank you Else. All those in favor? Uh, no. I'm sorry Ms. Sullivan? No, I got that. I pulled it back. Um, but Tim, is there a question over here? Did I miss anything? I, I, I, I guess I'm a little confused right now.
Um, I, I think every, obviously everybody sitting here wants to find out where that $250,000 is gonna go to. Um, and I don't know if people want to talk about that. Um, but I guess that would be the question I'd ask is, 'cause two weeks ago we talked about certain things in the budget that could be saved, may not be saved. Nothing. Not everything can be saved as long as everybody understands that. Um, but I think people are gonna ask questions about where the superintendent thinks the money should go to. And I think that's my first question is where, where's that money gonna go to?
So, but I'm still a little unclear. I mean, I'm actually, I'm not unclear. I'm very clear, to be honest with you. I'm crystal clear. The money that we should be voting on Yes. Is the money for the general fund to the school department budget, which is a 75 million, Whatever that number is. I think I can ask a clarifying question that gets at your point, Mr. Sullivan, which is what? So we have our budget packets here. Um, I assume that there is $250,000 that was budgeted for here. That is basically going to come out
because it is going to be funded through this offset. And then, then there's another $250,000 that we are going to spend on something on instead. And I think that that's really the heart of the question, is I, I'm sure I'm mildly curious what's coming out. I don't think that's what people are here for. I think you're talking about that, that made it a little bit more murky. So if, if, if I may, if you have a $250,000 earmark and we're scheduled to get it, and we have every reason to believe that we're going to get it, is there going to be room within the budget to pull stuff up to use the $250,000 earmark
that will come out of the $75 million originally proposed book Yes. Or secondarily proposed budget? I think the answer to that is very clearly yes. And I think we're gonna get to that in just a second. And to answer Mr. Sullivan's point, I have no intention of using the $250,000 for anything else other than what its intended purpose on the earmark is. So I'm not gonna be buying like pictures for my office. It's not happening. Okay, Mr. Raki. So I think to piggyback off what Dr. Gunther said, so right, we're gonna take $250,000 worth
of expenses that qualify for the earmark out of this. Yes. And then you, so that'll pay, the earmark will pay for that, and then it frees up $250,000 elsewhere. Now, the downside of this, that should be pointed out is very clear. Everybody knows what we're trying to do. I mean, everybody on the planet's kind of got this figured out. What we're trying to do. The problem is it will not affect us positively next year because as everybody has seen in the general fund budget, when we use extra money to offset an expense side, so we can call it a revenue,
it causes problems. And that's exactly where we are now. So I just want everybody be aware, everybody understands what we're trying to get accomplished here tonight, but it will cause us significant issues next year. And if we're willing to accept those significant issues next year, then vote accordingly. Is that a fair statement, Mr. Sullivan? Yeah. Can I, can I add to the statement? Sure. Of course. I just wanna make sure everybody also knows that the $2 million of school choice money that we took out to balance this budget isn't going to be there next year either, because that account is as low as I've ever seen it.
And I've been doing this for about six, seven years. So the mayor's absolutely right. This 250 is a one-time deal. The $2 million from our school choice is a deal. So next year when we're sitting here, we're gonna have this whole conversation all over again. And to the mayor's point, it may be worse. And he's right, he's 100% right on this. So, So, um, I view my role as the, uh, chairman of the school committee and as the mayor is to make sure that the city and the school department has a, um, budget
that they can work with. The budget that we've submitted and agreed upon in terms of the number is about a 4.6% increase in spending year over year. That is more than any other budget by probably 2% of any of the other 26 departments that we have. So it isn't as if we're not trying to pay attention to what the problem is. We, we've got the problem. The question is, how do we come up with an equitable solution if we don't have $2 million as an offset next year from school of choice? We don't have any, we simply don't have that money to use as an offset. What are we going to use in replacing
that revenue piece next year? And is it gonna be worse? I don't, I don't know the answer to that, but I know that everybody sitting here at the table, unquestionably even I'm, I'm not gonna go into that other story that we heard earlier. Every single person here sitting at the diocese trying to work in the best interest of our kids. My role is the budget side. We are supposed to, as school committee members, hire and fire the superintendent and the bus, excuse me, finance director, got an upgrade, and the finance director, and make sure that our school department policies are in line with our mission and the policies of dsi.
That's our job. The job of where the individual pieces of the puzzle get placed on a day-to-day operation, rest with Stefan, Shannon, Mike, Christine, Suzanne, anybody else I'm missing? That's the central office team. So I wish you guys the very best. Now, would you like to have your comments? So first, do you wanna say we're, so we are moving that money. Mm-hmm. And, and I don't want to say it's only, but it is only 250,000 and all of the positions that people want restored, we simply can't do based on the budget that we have. Um, so we, our team over the last week
and conversing with a few others as well, looked at as a top priority. Our kids, right. That's our focus. That's the, our district focus is kids. And, um, as much as we want all of the positions restored, and I wish I could wave a magic wand to do that. That's not in our, in our, in our ability. So we try to come up with, with creative type solutions to, to some of our issues. Um, the first thing that we thought would be, um, you know, we had moved our literacy assistance to the libraries at the elementary level. And we think that our literacy assistants work in small
group of students who are challenged readers. And to take that time away from our kids feels wrong to get, I mean, if our kids aren't able to read at elementary and then they keep working through the system, it, it's not gonna be good for them. And they're gonna be, they're not gonna be met with success as they move forward. So we would like to, uh, put back the library paraprofessionals at four of the elementary schools so that the literacy assistants can do their job in working with our struggling readers. You got, do you have a dollar amount on that? 110,000? One 10. One 10. Nice.
Uh, the other area we looked at is, you know, and, and again, I want to, it, it, it does, uh, look with reading, and I, I think I said this comment to someone earlier, A lot of our reading scores are very good, but there are a number that aren't, and we can't fail those kids. Um, and one of the ways to do that is improving instructional practices and having co-teaching models and having, uh, interventions which we are able to maintain. So, but I think, um, when we talked about the effect that our two elementary coaches have, which is typically their only support,
uh, for teachers there. Whereas on the secondary level, we have supervisors, but we don't have that on the elementary level. Um, and the impact that I've seen these two coaches have on not only kids, but our staff and our whole district, um, we looked at restoring, um, the two coached positions, STEM and re and ELA at the elementary level. And that would be the other 140,000. We came up with an idea, uh, you know, I don't wanna close the children's corner. I don't, I don't think anybody in this room does. Our reality is, is that our funding, uh, issue is exists. So we have found a way to at least con to continue to offer,
uh, sections of child development and then work with the career center at Westfield High School to place these students in preschools across our district, with our kids, with our teachers and our staff where they are always willing to help. In fact, we have many high school students that do that. Now, a couple weeks ago I was there and one of the kids was picking up spilled cereal that a kid, you know, but they were still working and they were engaging with students. Uh, one of the things we'd also like to do is, uh, if there is any CPPI expansion opportunities, which we think might be coming down the road, we would like
to apply for additional preschools at the high school. But that won't happen for next year. And the chapter 74 process is actually a two year process. And you have to have a full day program running in order to be considered. And chapter 74 is kinda my thing. So I understand how it works. It takes a while. It's not immediate. You have to have a fully functioning program before they'll even come in to look at your space to tell you you need more space and other recommendations that they'll make. Any questions there? 'cause I do have one. Was Chapter 74 ever asked or explored for that program previously? We looked at it before, uh, the pandemic, when there was,
there were more capital skills grants available than there are now. We were going to apply for capital skills to start that program so that we can get the equipment that you need, everything. 'cause FEI has stringent requirements in order to have a Chapter 74 program. So yes, that, that is That 20 19, 20 20, somewhere 20 19, 20, I think maybe 20, right in that rain wheelhouse and then covid Hit. So did it get off the ground or did it fail? It didn't meet requirements. What happened with it? Um, We didn't, um, we didn't do it. Uh, we didn't have the opportunity to move it it forward. Okay. While you're talking chapter 74, with
that program, what, what are the requirements from DESI that that has to be in place for that to move forward? Do they, does the program have to be running or can we just come up with it and apply for it to, this is to running is what we wanna Do. It needs to be, when we did cabinet making, for example, yeah, where it was already running when we did, uh, programming and web, it was already running. So it was a matter of them coming in and why, uh, certifying an existing program. They also, but they have other rules as well. So there's safety requirements. I mean, I know that it would seem silly, but we would need eye wash stations. We need all these things in there
because they're regulated by osha. And so therefore, there are a lot of things that come with that. There's also a square footage requirement per kid, per student that's enrolled in the class. So including the preschooler. So it would be, um, it would be a challenge for sure. We would need a, a skills grant to do it. But the other thing is, is at least if our students are able to go out to preschools that we have, or the Boys and Girls Club preschool program, or the YMCA preschool program, they'd still be getting the interaction with the students while having some of their prerequisite court work coursework to get them there. It's the best solution that we could come up with
otherwise, to restore the program, would've taken all of that. And I, I, I felt strongly, my team felt strongly that we need to prioritize kids reading. Dr. Gunther, just so you talk about a potential future of expanding the, our district pre-K there, do you envision a world where if we were able to place a pre-K classroom or two at the high school, that you could do that along with meeting the chapter 74 requirements? I to I do get that program ultimately sustainable. I believe we might need more space, actually, but, um,
but I think it can be done. I think if we have a, if we were say, to get some CPPI grant funding or another capital skills grant comes along the way, and you do have time to spend those. So, but if a two CPI, I would love to add two CPPI classrooms and get those trans, uh, transferred into chapter 74 classrooms so students would leave with what they need to for early childhood. Um, I wish there was a better solution. I do. I, I don't know. I mean, I think we came up with something to hopefully get the kids that experience. If they want to go into education, they'll be in a classroom with one of our skilled teachers. It's not like, um, they're going into some random place.
They're going into a place where we know there's, uh, standards and, and quality instruction happening. Mr. Salt. Yeah, I, everybody, I don't want to go off topic if this, if No, I don't see any hands up. I, the, the one that I have advocated for, I've had conversations with, with the superintendent about, and have had people call and email, um, was the, the manufacturing job at the tech academy. And we, we, I I, I think it needs to be laid on the table. Why that's not on your list right now. I mean, You mentioned it's a matter of numbers. I mean, we would have four teachers for 40.
There's 42 students in a program that has a possible 64 seats when the numbers go up, I'd be more than happy to en and we're not in a budget crisis. I'd be happy to entertain adding that fourth teacher back. I understand the value of that. Mm-hmm. I understand the value of manufacturing in our community. I appreciate the value and what that program has done for so many of our kids right now, enrollment is low. And, you know, we have our, our business technology program at the Tech academy. That enrollment got so low that we ended up closing the program because it became, it cost more to run than it was
for the students we were servicing. So what we did instead is we applied for, and received yesterday, um, an innovation pathway designation for business and finance at Westfield High School. So there is a business and finance pathway that we're gonna be starting there for students who are interested in doing that. We're, again, trying to be as creative as we can to try to fill in these gaps we, we know, um, but I also have to work within the budget that we have. Mm-hmm. Can I do a little follow up on that? Um, one of the problems that we're experiencing, manufacturing technology, and I've been part of probably six meetings over the last
maybe three weeks relative to manufacturing. Technology is a marketing problem. So, you know, it's not really sexy to think about your grandfather's pulling, you know, pulling, uh, The manual LA All day, right? But there's, there's much more involved in manufacturing technology than just that, right? So we have, uh, enlisted the help of a couple of mayors in the region, some secretaries of education, some folks at Westfield State University, and, uh, Stefan S's office to try to see if we can't come up
with some sort of, uh, innovative marketing to help us get the image of manufacturing back up to where it is. So if the number hits 64, then the math equation becomes pretty easy. But at 43, it, it, it's a difficult, you know, it's just a difficult task. And, um, I was with, we, we listen to the folks that came to Westfield Middle School, um, the other, you know, last month, I guess. Um, and I reached out to a couple of those people. It was middle school where, what is it? I don't know, wherever I was. Um, and we reached back out to those folks
and we said, look, you guys are, we are your problem. You are our solution to the problem that we would like to be your solution for. So hopefully, uh, the Western Massachusetts Tool Manufacturing Association will get together and they'll kind of figure out, um, really what we should be doing in terms of Instagram and, um, TikTok and all of the different formats too, to self-promote, if you will, uh, manufacturing technology. And that's ongoing. We have a meeting in the end of the month. June 5th. June 5th. So anyway, I
Just, it's not forgotten. Let's put that Mike, I think Tim, yeah. Um, Mr. O'Connor, I, I don't think we can forget, and I don't think we have that the manufacturing companies in the area have invested quite a bit in the, in the manufacturing part. The tech Academy advisory boards are very, very active, very involved. But I think this is a, another layer that is kind of in front of us that we haven't talked about is that in, in a particular situation, um, there are not a lot of females in a, in a male dominated manufacturing program.
And, and so we have to encourage that as well. And I think part of the challenge here is that the system, um, I think with its rigid staffing requirements sometimes limits the flexibility to make an adjustments to staff, um, that you otherwise might make in, in, in my opinion, it's a situation that's right in front of us. Um, so it's, it's, it's a couple of different things that we should really be focusing on. Not only how to, uh, Tamara's point and others, um, bring manufacturing in more into the
picture, but also seeing if we can continue to have a, a female presence in, in that area as well. I know just being the principal there and I, and, and knowing that, uh, there were quite a few, uh, females who would go through that program, what Desi calls non-traditional, but they're all kids to me. But, um, and, uh, I've done very well for themselves. And I think what people understand is manufacturing can result in a very lucrative career. Um, I, I can't tell you why the numbers are as low as they are. There's, I just heard, uh, for the first time as you a 1 69 class accepted,
that obviously is gonna increase some numbers somewhere. It'll be interesting to see what happens after that and where they go back to Mr. Sullivan. You just mentioned it, the 1 69 coming in, and I'm looking at the principle right between you two. Is there any way to know what number of the 1 69 would sign up for manufacturing? I don't know when you asked that question. I mean, we, it's so, it's funny to me, and I can answer only because I was there too. You know, everyone comes in, I think I want this shop. This shop and that shop. Yeah. Then they do the one days, then they do the one weeks, and about more than half pick none of the shops they told you they wanted Right. On day one. So it's really hard to predict. Okay.
I think, and I, and which is why we do the one days and the one weeks, by the way, because you think it's something you might want to get into, oh, I really want Allied Health. Wait a minute, I have to deal with Blood X going to the next shop. You know, so there, there's, there's a lot of that. It's tough to ask a 14-year-old what they wanna do for the rest of their lives. One quick question, just on the numbers. Um, the, uh, I, I didn't hear your second number. Uh, between, we had four library paras, I think you said That was one 10. Mm-hmm. Uh, that was one. 10 and two. And the two, uh, coaches. Coaches is the Rest one stem and 1 1 40. Um, and that was one 40? Mm-hmm. Okay. I, I misheard you.
Thank you. I wish we had more. Anything else? Okay. So can we have two different motions? One is For, excuse me, can I go back to the, I just want to come back to the sustainability point for a second. Go ahead. Um, because for everybody that's been following along, like I am very thankful for Senator Vli. Obviously we're getting this $250,000 also to echo the point. Yes. Very, very thankful. Thank you, Senator Vilis. Um, but this did not solve the chapter 70 problem. And so, like all of the advocacy that we've been doing
around chapter 70, I just, I cannot leave this conversation without restating that that work needs to continue. And, you know, thank you mayor for digging into that gap between the levy limit and the re revenue. And like, I, that's gonna have to continue to be a conversation again, because I, I just hope that we are, that we're not waiting until March to. So, um, let me just do a little follow up on that for everybody in the room so we kind of know where we're at. Um, last week I was at the legislative government govern, governor's, I'll get it right. Advisory committee of which I am the, um,
district two leader. So the district two leader means I have, um, basically from Harvard to Brattle Barrel, straight up the Connecticut Valley corridor. And all we talked about was chapter 70 and Chapter 74 and transportation expenses. So the Senate has within its supplemental budgets, um, some remedies along those lines, but they will not come fast enough in order for us to actually take advantage of them. And we'll, we'll see what happens with them, um, later on. My understanding is that those supplemental
budgets are due tomorrow. So I think it's, it's tomorrow, right? Um, so, um, it's not, none of it's good news, but it's kind of around the clock that we're trying. Anything else you'd like to add? I have one more question, Mike. Sure. Um, so we recently shared with the, with the committee, recently received, uh, a very positive update letter from any A SC regarding the accreditation at the high school. Yes. And, um, there's a, a list of things that you shared with me, thank you. Um, that constitute, uh, significant
Substantial, substantial change. Substantial, What is it? Substantial change. Substantial change. Um, one of those things, well, one of those things is, uh, significantly decreased funding. Um, so there's a lot of things that are worded that are diff difficult to interpret in terms of what, what does that actually mean? Yeah. We will follow up in the ass to see. I mean, it doesn't hurt to inform 'em where we are as well. Okay. So, so you don't anticipate that any of the cuts that we're making will fall into a, We'll affect that a Substantial, uh, change Category? I don't think so. But we'll double check and make sure.
Sure. Mr. Dza is here. We Will follow up on that with our rep. Okay. Alright. Thank you. Any other questions? Oh, yeah, sure. Yep. So, um, I'm not, this isn't a question. Uh, this is basically a statement for all the people who have been doing all this work. Um, I don't think anybody really understands the depth of what you all are doing and how playing around with, and I say playing very loosely with these numbers and how important and how much it affects all of our lives, whether it's, you know, the students, um, the future
of our city, the whole thing, what's important to notice is that I don't think anyone in here is sitting there saying, I, let's see if we can do a minimal job here, or let's see if we can, you know, I just want people to understand that what I do see is making difficult decisions and coming up with some kind of solution might not be the ideal solution, but it's a solution nonetheless. Not go home, forget about it. But hey, we might have an opportunity to place some of these students in these different programs.
Perhaps it would mean, mean we could have more students participating versus a small group. Um, I think it's just important to see people coming to the table and trying to work rather than point fingers at each other and say what we're not doing well. I don't think anybody in here isn't working hard. And, uh, you know, there's a lot that goes into educating our students and they're all very different. And I just, I think that we all need to be mindful of what we're doing and how we speak to each other, and how we are being part of a solution together, rather than being adversaries.
It's really, it's, it's, it's difficult for me to sit here sometimes and, and, and watch that we wanna be the right example to the students we're teaching. So let's do that. So I appreciate the work you did. I appreciate the, all the work you guys have all done. And I don't always agree with everything and you know that, but I appreciate you coming to the table and putting these things, important decisions, doing it the best way you can. So thank you. Thank you, Mr. O'Connor. Yeah. Um, and, and on top of that, um, this year in particular, there's been a lot of, a lot of people advocating
for their positions or their cause or their programs. So I know that's not an easy thing to do in, in many of the people in here who've participated in public participation and we've had others participate in public participation. I wanna say thank you for the voices, uh, that you've provided in support of your, of your program. Um, it's important for us to get that feedback and that input. Um, and just a couple of things. And I know it's not easy to get up and speak in front of people and I thought everyone did a, a really, a really great job,
um, with the, the children's development program at the high school. I think we were in the education business. So I encourage how that, how that program needs to continue to develop. We have to make sure that we're not putting up any barriers, uh, for the students who are interested in education. 'cause I know it's cliche, but they are a future and for the, you know, it's Why we bought vans years ago so we can even transport them to where they need to go. I get it. Yep. Um, what I would, what I would like to see is however, those, those new, um,
programs are developing, maybe if there could be some student representation in the meeting, uh, you know, in terms of how you're looking at putting the, the district's children's program together going forward and being creative about things. Uh, maybe get some input from the students who are in the program, you know, as, as, as we're looking. And, um, I appreciate the, the support in the technology area. Um, I think Mr. Rell said it, I, you know, if we're not, if we're not moving forward, we're moving backwards. So I thank you for that point because we did, so in the budget proposal that we have,
we have a position for data specialists because the one we currently have is retiring and data with DESI in particular, but with everything is clearly important. It guides our work moving forward. Um, so we have, uh, decided not to fill that position and reinstate a technology director position who is going to supervisor, sorry, who is going to, uh, also work with, with, uh, with the data. And I think what, when Mike, Mr. Trail said that, I think it is important, we, I mean, I dunno how we were even thinking we were gonna survive without that. Um, but when you have to make cuts at some point
and you see the vast number, I mean, we were looking at 5 million and to come up with that number of cuts is, is impossible. Yeah. And last, just for me, I appreciate, um, as Ms. Sullivan said, all the work that's been done with this, it's not easy, but with, with sustainability, um, that it's gonna be a problem in the future. You know, I think we're all need to know that, but we've dealt with that. I mean, we, we, I think this year's been a, um, you know, a very difficult year for all the reasons we know that have increased costs. Um, and, you know, we didn't talk about the circuit breaker.
We gotta make sure that we're, you know, we're, we're really focused on that as Well. So what I'm seeing, and, and it's interesting 'cause the mayor referenced this before, is that both the House and the Senate wanna reimburse circuit breaker at a higher percentage. It's supposed to be 75. They've only been doing 44, and that's not close to 75, at least in my book. So, um, they are trying to increase that, but they haven't increased the chapter 70 number to, So when you guys, and I mean the folks that are in the room and you're doing advocacy work and you're trying to have your voices heard, chapter 70
and chapter 74 are the two key elements of any school resource. So we're the local folks that are just trying to make the numbers work kind of thing. And as best we can, it's, no, it should be no coincidence to anybody or no surprise to anybody that I'm calling these kids by name 'cause I know them. When you advocate, you really should be advocating to your senator and to your house reps and not by name. Again, I'm, I'm gonna say it again as a cautionary tale, not by somebody's name, not by, you know,
somebody's specific description, but the advocacy needs to come from the people who created the problem. Now, I have to be very careful about the way I say that. 'cause this is a political football. But if you say is the state legislature that you are going to fund 75% reimbursement to cities and towns, then live up to your word. It's that simple. If I tell you that I'm gonna write you a check for a hundred bucks, it's gonna be a hundred bucks, not $44. It's not gonna be $73. So the difference so
that everybody knows in the 75% versus the 44% is $1.5 million. Now that $1.5 million into, or added onto this budget is a really good number. But that's where the advocacy really has to be. It's great that it's here. Um, and I, again, I'm sure every single member here has read every email. We've listened to all the stories. And I don't mean that disparagingly, we've talked, we've responded, I've responded to every single email I got.
I got off the phone with three different people today about a certain position. But when you explain the issue and you break it down to the actual facts and not the emotion that's driving the facts, it's, it's tough to make these cases for these individualized collective things. So if your advocacy is going to be someplace, and it should be, it should rest with the people who have the issue. And it's not the local government that created the issue. We have to take what the issue is and make the best of it we can. And I'm not blaming them. I'm just saying, if we expect change, true change,
then we must go to the people who can effectuate that true change. That's about as close as the political statement. I'll get Bo Um, I just want to piggyback on what Ms. Sullivan and Mr. O'Connor said too. Um, it, it's a lot of hard work and I know it's not just the two of you. It's everybody over at that table. But quite honestly, the, the mayor needs to be thanked because the contribution from the city this year was more than it's been in the last four, I believe it was at least. And, and that's just the numbers I had in front of me. Um, so that number helps to prove the mayor's point
about the advocacy portion of this, this $250,000 was brought by everybody who contacted Senator Vilis and trust me, he said his quote was, and they came out in droves. So if you came out in droves for this $250,000, now go to the $1.5 million that the mayor's talking about with the circuit breaker money, with the chapter 70 money, with the chapter 74 monies. All of that, um, would make a huge difference. Um, so it, it works. People listen.
Um, especially him, he's been very responsive to not only us, but I know he is been responsive to his constituents, quote unquote so. And the governor too. Yeah, I mean, the governor too. I mean, it's, she does the initial, or whoever's in the seat does the initial budget for the whole state, and then they kind of work off of that. So if there's not anything big in her budget or the governor's budget at the time, there's really not gonna be anything added by the house or added by the Senate. It does go to the top. I got one question for you before, uh, unrelated somewhat to this,
the 250,000 you took out of capital that will be replaced by this earmark, is that, can that money be up to discussion before you assign it, before you just put the 250 back to exactly what you took out? Can we talk about where that two fifty's going? I'll give you the example. Like, 'cause I had a conversation with Mr. Terrell, that technology line, I, I, and I, I think, I don't wanna speak out of turn, but there was only $50,000 in that line that's not gonna buy anything. I would like to see that number, at least go to a hundred
and figure out the other part. I don't know the other $200,000 you took out of capital, but if that's what I want, I can, we have the conversations before that is just spent. I mean, we'd really be cutting other things within the budget to do that. I, and We, we did it with this one. I, I would just like to find out where, where that came from and if there's a, a way to rearrange that. Money's going back in. It may not, but I would like to have the conversation. Okay. Please tell me, I am just glad that you have, you're looking forward and you're not looking back anymore, that you're looking forward to positions
that should be restored, especially when it comes to our students reading. I think that is paramount. 'cause without reading, you have nothing. And, uh, you know how I am for the Children's Center. I want that. Like my soul wanted it. So I really want, I still hope that those students can be, can be educated with other students. I know Abby who spoke and she did, her grandmother's always talking about picking her up at Highland and going there and how happy Abby is to go there to teach the students.
So I think we really need to think about the students, which you have. And I thank you for that. 'cause that's where my heart is with the students. Thank You. Anybody else? Well, I'm just gonna say, and, um, what Ms. Tillman said about the, um, the reading. I mean, that, that's where our focus has to be, you know, and, and, and I, I think making sure the literary assistants and are doing their jobs as interventionalists and, and not Stacking books, stacking Books, agreed books. Right. I mean, and, and so I think, um, I do think it's a start to, to build on.
Um, and I appreciate the, um, the focus on that as well. Can I just Sure. The coaches that came in to speak with us, they said that they had waiting lists. And that breaks my heart because I would wanna see everybody get a chance to, for their expertise. Okay. So the motion on the floor is to vote yes or no to a school department budget for FY 26 of $75,566,399. 39 39.
I've got two different numbers, so, okay. I Have 39 2 I You have 99. 99. Yes. I'm gonna go with Shannon's number whenever she finds. What do you have, Shannon? So I have it on a PowerPoint. It's 39, but I have it in the original number. 7 5 5 6 6 3 3 9 3 3 9. So, so I gotta kick in the 60 bucks. I will. That's what It's on the narrative. Bo Sullivan. Yes. Heather Sullivan. Yes. Mike Terrell. Yes. Jeffrey Gunther. Yes. Kathleen Hillman. Yes.
Tim O'Connell. Yes. Chairman McCabe. Yes. Um, Thank you very much for all your hard work. I, we really appreciate it. Um, there is something else. I I'm going to unfortunately, thank you, Shannon. Thank you. The speaker left. Um, but I am gonna address something that was said. 'cause often in public speaking, people talk about facts as, or talk about topics as if they're facts. And sometimes their facts aren't really the actual facts. So I'm going to speak about the athletic fields. There is not any money being used by the school department to prop up the athletic fields.
The $11 million turned into a bond for $15 million, and the Westfield Gas and electric is footing the entire bill. There is a $1 million, um, purchase of free cash, or not purchase of free cash, an allotment of free cash to put in correctly sized concession stands. And, uh, ladies and gentlemen's rooms, AKA bathrooms. So, um, that is the total sum of the amount that's being put into the city to prop this up. And the true fact of the matter is, which I think everybody knows, is that when you go
to school, you're supposed to have school pride. You're supposed to be proud of the institution that you are representing. And when you're playing on the certain circumstances that we have now, that is the school department's responsibility, not the Westfield Gas and Electric's responsibility to provide suitable playing fields for our kids, not for today, but for the next successive generations. And that's exactly what the g and e step forward to do. I'm proud of being part of that movement, and I will never look back on it.
Hopefully the shovels will be in the ground by September of this coming year. So I just wanted to correct. It makes me a little warm, but there, there we have it. Next item. Thank you for saying you wanna pause. You wanna take pause? Motion to motion to recess. Motion To recess. Five minutes. Second. Second. And all in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion. Ralph, will you stay a second? Don't leave. Don't leave. Will you stay a second? Don't. So she, everybody else I'd like to call the, uh, Westfield School Committee meeting back in the second
item number six, Mr. Solo? Oh, yeah. I'd like to make a motion for the acceptance of a foreign exchange student to attend Westfield High School for the 20 25 20 26 school year, uh, to accept Faruk Azoff of, oh God. Stan. Stan. Sure. Thank you. You should make these motions every time. Uh, as a foreign exchange student at Westfield High School for the 25 26 school year, pending the receipt of his JI Visa. Second motion been made. And second, is there any further discussion?
Ms. Clark, do you wanna say anything or are we good? Uh, Personal privilege. Sure. Thank you. Um, I, for 25 years with students, and I know for all of you, it's just a name. You see a name and you say, yes, the court on behalf them and all of that. But what you don't understand is what they take back to their countries. So what they take back is on their resume and other social media pages where they say they have been students at Westford High School. That to me is important.
They go back and they are politicians. They are lawyers. They're word known doctors. They are teachers, they are nurses. They actually, today I left Yale today to come back to this meeting because my Japanese exchange student graduated from Yale Law School. Wow. Wow. Congratulations. So That is what, Hear That's good stuff. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Leslie, thank you for everything you do. Okay. You're great. I like to give you tons twist. Well, I like it, Mr. O'Connor.
Well, I was going to, uh, say that, Leslie, thank you. Because, um, without you or people like you who take in the students and provide the support that they need to matriculate through the exchange program, uh, easier said than done. So thank you for all the years that you have been involved with that. And it's clearly made a difference. So, and A lot of other, And, and a lot of others as well. Thank you. Any further discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Item seven,
I'd like to make a motion for the approval of school choice openings for the 2025 2026 school year. Second motion been made. And second, is there any further discussion? Dr. Gunther, Christine, she, Dr. Shea, you wanna come up? Yes. No, not her. Christine, not Christine. School choice, school choice numbers. Choice School Choice. It's a, it's a pretty, maybe I'll ask the question and then see if anybody's comfortable answering. Go ahead. Which is, uh, just can you just confirm the, the max grade, like school capacity assumptions made or grade level?
Like essentially, how did you arrive at these numbers? What assumptions are you making? And where are we, where are we capping at this level? Nobody's taking that. No. Mike, no. Dr. Wars wants to give it a shot. Alright, Come on Dr. Morriss, this is the easiest One I'm Gonna answer. I would humbly recommend that maybe you wanna punt this till next meeting once, Dr. I mean, excuse Ms. The superintendent Zeki is back and 'cause he has all this information And can wait, can wait, can It wait? Yeah. What? I don't think so. It's two weeks. So I think It, he left for one second. If you need I Does anybody over there?
Isn't it June 1st? Is there something about June 1st as numbers have to be in? So June 1st, school committees need to vote to become a school choice district. But the default according to state law is that you are a school choice district. So unless you want to vote not to be a school choice district, that you do need to do by June 1st. Okay. Oh. So if, if that's what you're considering doing, you absolutely do need to vote tonight. If you are going to continue accepting school choice students, which I think my colleague Barry would strongly advise that we continue to be, uh, then I would You can wait. Take that step to wait. I, I have no, I have no concerns about
being a school choice district. I just, I know that there have been a few, a few people who have asked about questions in terms of class sizes and staffing level. A couple of our elementary schools. And I'd like to make sure that the numbers here that were clear on what the class size assumptions are. No. So would it be fair to, um, vote on it now and if you have further questions, we can put it on for revisit this next time. Revisit. Yep. Can that sound good? I'm comfort with that. I can I just ask? Sure. Of course. I don't understand. Or can you explain to me what with a 10% vari, uh, variances variance?
I didn't see that. I don't know what that is. What does that mean? Go ahead. We, if I can, I believe we do this every year, uh, just with that high school number because of the size of the high school, the amount of students at the high school, that 40 could be 44. Um, so there's, we build, he does this every year. He builds in 10% either way. And I think the other complicating factor at the high school level, if there's course selections. So at the elementary school, you're in second grade, we have three second grade sections. A seat is predictable. Where at the high school and there's course selection, it shifts because you can't necessarily predict the schedule
of a 10th grade student and what electives there are seats for or not. And you know, whether they're in which math class they're in. So there's a level of complexity with all due respect to the elementary level that grows significantly when you're making course selections that are less predictable than they are when they're in elementary. Okay. Does that help Status? Yeah, I'm set. Yeah. Okay. Any further discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you for your explanation, Dr. Morrison. For your guess for your good guess qualified guests. Westville High School school trip.
Oh, sorry. I'd like to make a motion for the approval of a Westville High School trip to the New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, Connecticut. May 27th, 2025. Second Motion been made. And second, is there any further discussion saying none. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. I second. I second. Oh, see, I had him confused. I got it. Thank you. Mr. J I'd like to make a motion for the approval of the homeschool application number 1 95 for the 2024.
2025 school year. Second. Now it's Dr. Shea, isn't it? Yeah. See, I got a second. Motion has been made and seconded. Any further discussion on the home rule application number 1 95. Excuse different than home rule saying none. All those in favor opposed? Motion Carrieds. Item 10. Okay, it's me. Um, all these four that we're going to be talking about tonight are first reading by title only by, um, these are the ones about sexual harassment
and we needed to go back to our old ones. So these four will be our old ones that will be reinstated. So I'd like to make a motion for first reading for AC non-discrimination policy, including harassment and retaliation. Second. Motion be made. And second, further discussion. Say none. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried. Okay. The second one is ac. I would like to make a motion for a first reading by title only of AC dash R non-discrimination policy,
including harassment and retaliation. Second. Motion member made. And second, is there any further discussion saying none. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. I'd like to make a third one a motion, A motion for first reading by title only of a c, a non-discrimination on the basis of sex. Second Motion by made and seconded. Is there any further discussion? Saying none. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. I'd like to make a motion for first reading by title only
of a CAB. Sexual harassment. Second ion motion has been made and seconded. Any further discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Thus, now we have to resend the ones that were instituted. Um, that, so now we have a substitute for it. So now we're gonna resend the following. Um, a motion to resend ac non-discrimination policy, including harassment and retaliation. Second. Motion been made and seconded by Mr. O'Connor.
Any further discussion? Just a quick question, Mr. Terrell. Is there like a version that we should be Rescinding? We are up at the top. The first, the first readings were for the old ones. No, I understand. 'cause we had new ones put in and so now we're resending the newer ones that were done like in October. That Okay. I I, my question comes in that they're named exactly the same. So that, that's my And there's no value, there's no version number. That's my, But one is the regulation Propose that we amend that to include
that we're rescinding the ver that we're rescinding file AC non-discrimination policy, including harassment and retaliation approved on November 18th, 2024. That works. That would be good. Yeah, sure. November 18th. November 18th, 2024. Yes. So let's vote on the motion as amended. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Okay. Um, I'd like to make a motion to resend, uh, policy number ACA a non-discrimination on the basis of sex on December 2nd, 2024.
Second. Well done. Motion been made and seconded. All those in favor? A. Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Same One. Okay, I agree. I, Kathy, I'd like to make a motion to resend a CAB sexual in sex based harassment and retaliation. That was November, December. Still approved. December 2nd, 2024. Second Motion made. And second. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carries. Perfect. Now I don't have to worry about those.
Okay. That took prior to moving into item 12. I don't know how long council person Figy has. Um, did I miss something? Hold on just a second. Did we get 'em all? Did we Do all four? Did We do all four? Yes. I thought we missed. I thought we did all four. I thought we missed. We missed C. Oh, How about C? Let's go back to C. C just for Csof. Let go Back just to make sure we nail it down. D Oh, I thought we did them all. D Okay. D, DI thought we did D, D, ac A, BI said CI don't think we did C then.
Yeah, I thought we did. We'll go back. Okay. I'd like to make a motion to resend a CA non-discrimination on the basis of sex, which was passed on December 2nd, 2024. Motion beam made. And second, is there any further discussion saying none all is in favor. Aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried. So that's A, B, C, and D all carried as motions. Not Necessarily in That. Not necessarily in that order. It might be A B, D, C, but that's, That's exactly what It was. So, um, I'm going to take a little liberty with the chair.
I don't know what, uh, Mr. FI's schedule is, so I want, just wanna make sure that, um, I say thank you to him publicly. Um, we have been working as transparently, this is probably the most transparent budget process ever in the history of mankind for the school committee. Wow. Is my guess. Um, we have been trying to be as upfront and open with it, and I just want to thank you for your advice and some of the stewardship that's gone on behind the scenes. And I hope it continues to carry over through the, the city council as we get closer. So thank you very much for all that you've been doing. Thank you, Ralph. Thank you, Ralph.
Okay. Item 12. I'd Like to make a motion for the approval of the, No, we're tabling this. That is that the, I'm looking at both of them and trying to figure, yeah. So the, I I think I would accept the motion to table item 12. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to table item 12 on the agenda. Second. Motion been made in second. It, there is no further discussion. Mrs. Sullivan, can you call the rule? Yeah. Who, who do you have as Second? I have, uh, Timbo. Bo. Tim, uh, Sullivan, uh, O'Connor.
Kathleen Hillman. Yes. Bo Sullivan. Yes. Heather Sullivan. Yes. Mike Terrell. Epstein. I forgot. Well done. Um, Jeffrey Gunther. Yes. Tim O'Connor. Yes. And Chairman McCabe? Yes. Item 13. I'd Like to make a motion for the approval of the memorandum of agreement between the Westfield School Committee and Afs Me Council. 93 Local 3 46 A-F-O-C-I-O. Second motion been made and seconded And authorized the mayor to sign behalf of the committee. Love it. Thank you both. Sneak that in. Sorry.
Any further discussion? Saying none. Mme. Sullivan. Um, Bo Sullivan. Yes. Heather Sullivan. Yes. Mike Terrell Abstain. Jeffrey Gunther. Yes. Kathleen Hillman. Yes. Tim O'Connor? Yes. Chairman McCabe? Yes. Item 14. Thank you. I'd like to make a motion for the approval of non-contract benefits. Second. Motion Maiden. Second. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Mr. Sullivan. Heather Sullivan. Yes. Mike Terrell. Yes. Jeffrey Gunther. Yes. Kathleen Hillman. Yes.
Bo Sullivan. Yes. Tim O'Connor? Yes. Chairman McKay? Yes. Motion passes. Um, just gonna report on the weekly signed warrants. Can I do that next? Sure. Mm-hmm. Sounds good. That was a good spot for it. We're getting to, I think, um, May 2nd, 2025. 26 batches totaling $641,472 and 58 cents. May 9th, 2025. 22 batches totaling $668,302 and 49 cents. All read. I'd like to make a motion for the acceptance
of the Westfield Public School's financial statements as presented. Second. Motion been made and seconded. Is there any further discussion on the financial statements? Good evening, everyone. Think So. I have a few things to point out. Um, first on the expense side, on page three, um, you will see that on the workers' compensation and unemployment line, I have that money usually all fully encumbered. Um, and then we do ID charges from the city back from us. Um, so that money is funds
that I definitely have freed up now to help cover our personnel deficit. So I'll be transferring those to the personnel side. Um, I'm actually hoping that our unemployment numbers have been really low the past couple of months, so I'm hoping I'll actually have a little more funds there. Um, to transfer to the personnel side on, on page four, um, heating fuel and utilities, again, projections from g and E have not changed. Um, ACS to just go on on the 15th of May. So depending on how the weather goes, obviously is how the electricity goes. And finally, page 32, um,
as we get into special education and transportation, you'll see on the transfers coming up next. Um, they're all related to these lines. So special education contract services is in a deficit that is our Stepping Stones line. Um, tuition's in state also in a deficit, but we have funds available in tuitions at outta state schools on the next page. Um, and then, um, thanks to Joanne Lemin, our grants manager, she was able to free up that $500,000 on the two 40 grant for us to cover some transportation expenses there. So as you can see in the special education in district
transportation line, we have no more money encumbered. Um, obviously we still have bills to pay. We were only paid through March, but we'll be paying those through the purchase order that's now on the grants. Um, so that actually, we now have $750,000 freed up on that line to cover the deficits in the other lines. Um, and the additional money there is because we are only using 18 out of 22 minivans, sorry, mini buses, um, this year. So that saved us some money on the contract in general. And then finally, the gasoline and diesel line. You'll see on the transfers that $113,000
for the first year since I've been doing this. Um, we don't have to pay any money. Um, we're actually receiving money back from our bus transportation company, Reky based on fuel prices. So that $113,000 is freed up. Um, and I'm able to transfer it to help cover some of the, the issues we have in the transportation lines. Well, That's good. Wow. It's good news. That's good news. Yeah, that's good news. So that's all I have on the expense side. Any questions on the expense side about the personnel side? Miss, if it's not good news, can we just skip it? It's a good strategy. So personnel, I'm not gonna go line
by line, I'm just gonna talk more in general. I'm obviously keeping track effort, every payroll, um, you know, line by line and forecasting where we're gonna be. I'm still forecasting a pretty significant, um, deficit on the personnel side, but now, um, you know, things are looking more positive on the expense side that I've freed up some funding that will be able to cover that. Um, and it's looking more positive that I'm not gonna have to use school choice to cover any kind of deficit, so. Oh, good. Oh, thank you. I think we should end there. Well, not without my transfers next Drum roll please. Can I ask? Sure. So what,
since you're talking in the big umbrella, what, what is the portion of the personnel side that is the biggest headache right now? Like, what has happened throughout the year that has caused the So it's definitely, you know, we've talked a lot about the addition of one-to-one paraprofessionals has been problematic. Um, there were a few other positions that we did add at the beginning of the year that has been problematic. Um, I know we've talked a lot about special education in general. There were positions that we had planned to fill internally, which we were able to hire some like, um, speech. And we planned to see savings on our Stepping Stones contract to be able
to cover those positions. That did not happen. The Stepping Stones contract was actually in fact over the line budget. Um, so, you know, that's, that's funds I had to absorb there. So I, I guess the point I'm trying to make is these are, these were essential things that needed to have happen Oh. During the School year. Sure. And it's, and another thing I, you know, I was looking at it again today, our short term subline is, is problematic this year. Um, you know, and that hasn't always been the case, so, okay. I'd like to add to the comments of Mr. Sullivan. Um, remember the, the million dollar Creek that we talked about, those items
that were added into the budget in 25 that were not part of the budget in the beginning of 25, were necessary in order to fulfill mandates that have come from the state. So specifically in the one-to-one situation, it is why I'm desperately nervous about putting money into a program is one time. So now we're 25% of the way even before we got out of the gate to the million dollars that we met. And I'm hoping though that we don't see that million dollars again. Mm-hmm. 'cause we've right sided the creep, if you will.
Mm-hmm. So, um, we'll see what comes, see what comes, and we're all brave enough to stand with our feet in the fire. So, anything for Mrs. Barett? Thank you for Everything. Thank you. Um, Mr. Sullivan acceptance of the school financial statements. Mike Terrell. Yes. Jeffrey Gunther. Yes. Kathleen Hillman. Yes. Bo Sullivan. Yes. Heather Sullivan. Yes. Tim O'Connor. Yes. Chairman McCain. Yes. Thank you very much for that. How about some transfers? I'd like to make a motion for the, uh, a budget transfer, the amount of $392,859 from account
5 7 2 2 3 3 3 0 5 3 3 special services transportation, sped in-district transportation to account 5 7 2 8 4 3 3 0 5 3 3 0 0. Regular transportation pupil transportation. Second Motion been made in second. Is there any further discussion? I think it's already been explained. Can I just make one? I did, sure. But I did, I am missed to not thank Pam Kaki, who's back in transportation, helping us with this. Um, she has found errors on bills from Vanpool that have saved us, you know, tens of thousands of dollars.
Um, she jumped in and, you know, helped make sure these bills were right and that we had what we needed to on purchase orders. So I just can't thank her enough for what she's done to help this. Agreed. Um, and not to disparage anybody who was working there. Of course not. No, no. I know, I know. I just, I just wanna make sure it's said, you know. Um, so yeah. Okay. Any further questions? Ms. Sullivan? I figured you Ms. Sullivan. Item 17. Oh, we gotcha. It's freezing Here. I'm just finishing my conversation. Sidebar here. Okay. Sorry to interrupt.
Yes. Kathleen Hillman. Yes. Hello. Sullivan? Yes. Heather Sullivan. Yes. Mike Terrell? Yes. Uh, Tim O'Connor? Yes. And Chairman McCann? Yes. Um, on that transfer on 17, just as a topic of discussion, um, monopolies are not legal in the state. Actually, they're not legal in the country. So I have asked, um, I was with, uh, the state auditor at an event on Saturday evening. Um, and I will be asking the Attorney General to take a look at how we handle school transportation moving forward because it's,
it's an interesting, it's interesting. I'm not, again, no fingers being pointed, but that really needs to be a side note that that contract is up again this year for Adam, just Of course it is. And how many bid will we get? Go ahead, say it. One. One. Okay. Next item. I'd like to make A motion for the approval of a budget transfer of $67,422, $420 and 47 cents from account 5 7 2 8 4 3 3 0 dash 5 4 8 0 1. Regular transportation, gasoline, diesel
to account 5 7 2 8 4 3 3 0 dash 5 3 3 0 0 0. Regular transportation, pupil Transportation. Doug, any further discussion? All, excuse me, Kathleen. Yes. Beau Sullivan. Yes. Heather Sullivan. Yes. Mike Terrell. Yes. Jeffrey Gunther. Yes. Tim O'Connor? Yes. Chairman McCabe? Yes. I'd like to make a motion for the approval of a budget transfer the amount of $357,375 from account 5 7 2 2 3 3 3 0 dash 5 3 3 0 1 0. Special services transportation,
sped in district transportation to account. 5 7 2 2 3 3 3 0 dash 5 3 3 0 1 1. Special services transportation, sped out of district transportation. Second Motion's been made. And second, is there any further discussion on this item? Same on Ms. Sullivan. Bo Sullivan. Yes. Heather Sullivan. Yes. Mike Terrell. Yes. Jeffrey Gunther. Yes. Kathleen Hillman. Yes. Tim O'Connor? Yes. Chairman McCabe? Yes. I'd like to make a motion for a budget transfer in the amount of $34,115
and 1 cents from account 5 7 2 8 4 3 3 0 dash 5 4 8 0 1. Regular transportation, gasoline, diesel to account 5 6 5 2 3 2 3 2 5 3. Special Education professional contractual services. Thank You. Motion been made. And second, is there any further discussion on this side? Seeing none, Mrs. Sullivan. Heather Sullivan. Yes. Mike Terrell. Yes. Jeffrey Gunther. Yes. Kathleen Hillman. Yes. Bo Sullivan. Yes. Tim O'Connor? Yes. Chairman McCabe? Yeah. I'd like to make a motion for a budget transfer the amount
of $38,014 and 36 cents from account 5 6 5 2 3 9 2 5 3 2 0 3 tuitions to out of state schools to account 5 6 5 2 3 9 1 0 5 3 2 0 1. Tuition in-state Second. Motions been made in second. Is there any further discussion? I just wanna say thank you to Pam and welcome back. Yeah. Yeah. Mike Terrell. Yes. Jeffrey Gunther. Yes. Kathleen Hillman. Yes. Bo Sullivan. Yes. Heather Sullivan. Yes. Tim O'Connor. Yes. Chairman McCabe? Yes.
Thank you. Thank you. I'd like to make a motion for the acceptance of the following gifts and donations Donated to the Westfield Intermediate School. From Box Tops for Education in the amount of $41 and 90 cents for use, uh, uh, educational purposes. Gift account to the West, donated to the Westfield Middle School from EPN Travel Services Incorporated Festival of Music Music in the parks for $850 for to be used for educational purposes. Gift account to donated
to the Westfield High School from Ken Gustafs in Westfield, Massachusetts. Donation of West Paul Guitar. Valued at $1,499 to be used for the WHS Band, uh, donated to Westfield Technical Academy from an anonymous donor to the, uh, Westfield Technical Academy Foundation. $400,000 for cabinet making program, uh, to be used in the educational purposes. Gift account, uh, from Vincent and Eileen Florick, Pinewood Lane, Westville, Massachusetts in the amount of $25, uh,
to be used for the skills. USA club and an anonymous donor. And the amount of $2,000 for use in the skills. USA club donated to the Westville Public Schools in memory of Helen Gale O'Connor. Midgley, uh, from the following people in the following amounts. Lisa Baxter of Southwick and the amount of a hundred dollars. Lori and Donald Burridge of Westfield, Massachusetts in the amount of a hundred dollars. Roberta Blitzer, Suffield, Connecticut, the amount of $10 Stefanski from Montgomery, Massachusetts in the amount of $50. Francis Kelly from Westfield,
Massachusetts in the amount of $50. Margaret O'Connor from Westfield, Massachusetts in the amount of $50. Debbie and Gregory Clemens from coming C*****g, Georgia in the amount of a hundred dollars. Heather Sullivan from Westfield, Massachusetts in the amount of a hundred dollars. Rick and Lisa Sullivan from Westfield, Massachusetts in the amount of a hundred dollars. Sheila and Michael Zula, uh, from Westfield, Massachusetts in the amount of $25. Mike and Aaron Terrell and Jennifer and Jim Cluey are from Westfield, Massachusetts in the amount of a hundred dollars. Timothy and Theresa O'Connor from Westfield, Massachusetts in the amount of $250 and Davies's Life
and Health Incorporated from Springfield Mass in the amount of $75 to be used in the Westfield Public School's general gift account. Second, Why don't you made second? Is there any further discussion? Yeah, I just wanna say that the donation, um, with my name on it is from the school committee. We did a few things and this was one of 'em. So I just wanted to let you all know that that wasn't just from me. It was just my name on the check. Um, so we all, uh, did a little bit for them and we just wanted to make sure that everybody got the credit. Mr. Sullivan, Just real quick, um, the, the, uh,
Westfield Tech Academy Foundation for the cabinet making program, the $400,000, that's one we have previously talked about, came from the Clark Foundation, um, out of Washington dc uh, in memory and in honor of, uh, Carmine del Gcio, um, who, uh, was a cabinet maker here in town. And he wanted to, uh, continue that program, uh, and actually start that program and is qualified for Chapter 74 monies now. So, um, we certainly appreciate, um, all the work that he and his sons both did, uh, to get that, uh, donation, uh, fast tracked to get it here and, uh, help out that program
Before Mr. O'Connor says anything. I'm gonna keep it light that Kenny Gustafson's got a pretty cool system. That was Good. Right? Throwing that out there. That's pretty cool, Mr. O'Connor. Well, thank you know, I just wanted to thank everybody, um, uh, for all the kindness and the generosity and, uh, very meaningful. So thank you from our entire family and, and thank uh, to all the other folks who donated, uh, to the Westfield Public School System. Very generous. Thanks Guys. Yep. Mr. Sullivan, you wanna accept them?
I'm going to accept them. I just wanna just say that we Get the tears outta your eyes. Yeah, I'm big. It's okay. It's fan. Jeffrey Gunther. Yes. Kathleen Hillman. Yes. Bo Sullivan. Yes. Heather Sullivan. Yes. Mike Terrell. Yes. Tim O'Connor. Yes. Chairman McCabe. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, superintendent's updated, obviously, uh, he's not here, so we're gonna skip that portion. Mayor's update. There are two things that I'd like to mention as, as we go through this process together. I wanna thank Matt Roth, by the way, for his help
and support throughout this budgetary process. Um, on behalf of, uh, the Westfield Faculty Unit. And Brady LaPage was very cool and collected when he was up here talking about the skills challenge. What he didn't mention was he'll be defending his gold medals at National. Um, so he's a two time gold medalist, so hats off to them. And the other four medal, uh, the other, excuse me, the other three medalists from, um, Westville Tech Academy. It's really, really well done. So that's, that's gonna be it for me about a school committee update. Um, I just wanna say I attended all shouted out at the
high school and Luke did a great job presenting, presenting himself as Elvis. And I was surprised that there was a technical student who appeared in the play at the high school. So the collaboration was there and I was greatly surprised by that. It was fabulous. Awesome. Anybody else? Yeah, I would like to, Sure. Mr. Sullivan. Um, I just want to, it's 'cause it's somebody you have, uh, come to know quite well. Uh, today we found out here at the, uh, at the Boys and Girls Club. So this is kind of a, a personal one for me,
but Gianna Bezo, who was our Youth of the Year, qualified twice for the National Arts Program, uh, was won a third place, uh, a week ago, two weeks ago, um, in the, um, performing arts. So she was a third place winner nationally. She found out today, she's a first place winner. She's the national champ, uh, in the visual arts portion for 13 to 15 year olds, I believe it is. So, um, she's had a couple good weeks. Um, and I just wanted to, uh, congratulate her, uh, on everything she's done in the past. Uh, about a month and a half since she
was named youth. She's Quite the Renaissance girl, right? I mean, she does like all kinds of things. She can even pedal a bike. She set the bike bike. She came out to the mayor's bike ride and I had a chance to, uh, have a conversation with her and, um, about, 'cause she's, she's shy. I mean, she, she's shy, but she's overcoming her shyness. And I told her to take advantage of every opportunity. Uh, really, really nice kid. Um, one more, oh, one more mayor's update. Sorry, I forgot. I, I will be remiss if I didn't say happy anniversary to Jennifer McKay today. Happy you. We forgot right now. You forgot.
Is our 35th wedding anniversary and I am here for you guys. You forgot. You had to be reminded to say that today. Today. No, No, it's all good. Still make a bad choice. Still got it. 35 years. That's how it's, don't worry. We'll get you in September. Tim? Uh, Tim, did you have something? Or you good? That was it. I was gonna wish you a happy anniversary. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, next up is, uh, what subcommittee reports saying. None minutes more. None. I like the way this is going. The next regularly scheduled school committee meeting is
June the second, 2025. Motion ajour for another motion. Second motion been made. Tim and Bo. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Thank you very much for all the work.