Good evening. My name is Jim Rurak. Uh co-chairing this with Frank Cousins and we're going to turn it to Moren for a moment and then we're going to take it and do a round of introductions and a few comments. >> Great. So, thank you everyone for being
here today. This is a volunteer um opportunity to really shape uh regional vocational school in our region and really think about the workforce for this region and think about our kids. You know um as all of you know the last project failed um but we all know we
need to do something here at Whittier um so that we can continue the great education that our students are receiving here. Um so again my name is Marin Lynch. I am the superintendent here at Whittier Tech. I have been here 20 years. I know I don't look it, but I've been here 20 years. Um, and this is
my 10th year as superintendent. So, I really welcome you. Please know that you can call me, you can email me, I will get back to you right away. I want to make sure that you have all the information that you need for this school building committee. So, thank you again for being here and I'll turn [clears throat] it back to the chairs.
>> Thank you. Uh, I'm very pleased to be here. I will do my very best to be fair and give everybody opportunities to speak because I believe that that's the best way for this committee to do its job. Right now, I think what we'll learn
from this evening is that our job is to wait and be prepared, but to be prepared in such a way as to be ready to move if and when we have the chance, which I think if we are prepared, we'll have a better chance than if we're not. And
Marin is going to outline that tonight. U I was once a college educator. [clears throat] Both my children have found meaningful employment in the trades.
I want this to work. >> Thank you, Mayor. Uh my name is Frank Cousins. I live in the city. New reports. Uh my pleasure to um be asked to be on this committee to um to work with all of you. Um I'm a big listener. I've always try to be. Um my last um
work was in the city of Gloucester. I was the chief administrative officer and we were fortunate enough to um get a school project across the finish line, get the building opened, and it was a great honor to me to be participating in that. So when I got asked to do this, I thought it'd be fun to work with all of
you. And uh we're going to uh as the mayor said, take our time uh listen to everybody's input and try to really work together as a group and I think it'll be a very successful project and I'm looking forward to it. So thank you. >> Why don't you hand it off that way? Okay. [snorts] >> How you doing? I'm Scott Wood. I'm the
chairman of the Woody Votech School Committee. Uh it's nice to for those that don't know, it's nice to meet you all. Look forward to working with you. >> Hi, I'm Patrick Hefernon from Newberry Select Board and I was just elected this past spring. very new to all this uh very new this whole process. Full
disclosure, I'm also on the Triton school building committee as well. So hoping that um everything that I'm learning from one committee I can share with the other and back. Hi, I'm John Mitchesen on the city council um in Haveril and um I'm very
interested in making sure that the kids that haven't been able to get into Woody Votech will now have an opportunity moving forward. Thank you. >> Hi, Kevin Bo. I'm the um Whittier School
uh committee member from West Newberry. Robert Hardy, um, plant facility manager at Woody Techch, uh, he hav resident and I've been employed here for about 10 years and I'm excited to be on this team. >> I'm Bernard Cullen and I'm chairman of
the Rally Water Board and I the Rally rep. >> Hi, I'm uh, Michael Coburn Salsby selectman. I'm also for disclosure. I'm also on the Triton with Patrick build committee. I also have been involved since the failure of the first project
involved with all the discussion with all the municipal leaders. So I I have a lot of institutional knowledge where why we are where we are today. Um I hope to bring all that knowledge that I have gained in the past two years working with all 11 communities to bring any you
know discussion that may have already taken place and we want to work with all of you and find a path for our children. And as I was sitting here before I came in, I saw all the young people coming in after graduating high school. There's a lot of people. This school is very important for our region and I want to
find a path forward for it. >> Hi, I'm Chris Leanis, principal assistant superintendent at William Tech. I've been in this building for 20 plus years and um it is an amazing building and the best part about this building is the culture [clears throat]
and the kids and the staff. Mike McCarthy. I'm the executive vice president at Northern Essics Community College and I'm just really excited to be part of this process and thank you for including >> Hi, I'm Jen Ball. I'm the chief of staff at Northern Essics. Um I'll echo my thank you very much for including us and
happy to be part of this group. >> Hi, I'm Amanda Crosby. I am a vocational technical coordinator here at Whittier Tech. Um I've been here for over 10 years. Um and I also see any oversee anything related to adult education. [clears throat] My name is Dick Early Jr. I represent
Haver on the school committee. I've been on here 25 years and I'm here to help the kids and try to get this thing to the finish line. Thank you. >> Hi, I'm Carol Sullivan. I am the IPS [snorts] uh school committee rep to the Woodier
school committee. Before I retired, I was director of career tech and I've been in tech ed for 34 years and I was involved in building tech. So we did that building project that works with the architects and tech teachers and design on their programs.
>> I'm Tammy Dent, the controller at Whittier Tech. I'm a Hel resident and I've been here I'm in my 19th year here at Whittier Tech. >> Hi everybody. I'm Cara Cosmos. I'm the business manager here at Whittier Tech. This is my 13th year here and this is my
fifth building committee that I will have participated in in my 29 years in school finance. >> [cough] >> Adam Haywood, town of Groveland Finance Board. Um, recent, my son was a recent graduate of
Whittier in 2023. Very important. I got two more coming up that I'd like to see go here. And to echo uh what the chair had said, I am the vocational school success story. Having graduated and worked my way up construction project
management for 30 years, I hope to bring some of that expertise to the table. Hi everybody. Uh my name is Jonathan Seymour. I'm currently executive director of operations at the Pucket Regional School District. I live in Marramac. I was the chair of the Pucket Regional School Committee uh building
committee when we built our building and I spent most of my career in secondary education. So happy to be here. Look forward to working with all of you. >> Hi, [clears throat] I'm Mary Ellen Dy O'Brien. I'm a retired um nurse of 47 years. I had a great professional
career. I raised four daughters, one of who went here and was an a very successful graduate in the culinary program. And um I also spent my last 20 years of my nursing career as a city counselor in Haveril.
So my interest like I think most of us is opportunities for children and that is the most important thing. Thank you. the rest of the evening goes that well we'll be done by 7:30 [laughter] >> um I'm just sitting here in in awe of
the team that has been put together here today there's so much uh institutional knowledge knowledge of our region um you know your your past work has really and I'm just really excited I think this is going to be an amazing committee um and and I love that most of you talked about
kids because that is what is the most important part of of everything that we do here at Whittier. So, we're going to get right to work. The MSBA timeline. This was a letter that was sent to us uh I believe it was December December 18th. Um and this was when we
were invited into the eligibility period with MSBA. Um so these are the deliverables that are due to MSBA. Um so the initial compliance certificate has been sent in. Uh the school building committee as you can see we have um and
have had that approved by MSBA. The educational profile questionnaire I'll show you that in a couple of minutes. Um online projection uh enrollment projection that was something that we worked through um pretty significantly with the municipal group. um you know
there there are some issues with enrollment right there are some cities and towns that their school age population is going down and going down at a significant rate and then there are other places where it's going up or staying steady. So trying to find that
right spot for 11 communities. This is a regional school um and looking at how that would affect the region and in the moment numbers. So those are some of the things that we we talked about the municipal group. I think that group decided that 1500 was a number that they could live with. Um, you know, I will
tell you that when we went to MSBA, the last building project, and I promise I will stop talking about the last building project because I start to feel sad and upset, but um, the last building project I asked for an enrollment of 2400 because I wanted to do what Mr.
Mitchson said and accept every student that applies and they said absolutely not. that that would really hurt the the region and hurt the regional schools. Um, so they did get us we're at 1280. They did say that we could go up to,400.
When that school building committee sat down and looked at the cost between 1280 and,400, they thought it was cost prohibitive to add those 120 seats. That will be up to this committee as we move forward as to whether that that is cost prohibitive or something that we want to
move forward with. Um, but we do have a meeting with MSBA. They've set the date on January 28th to look at enrollment with us and um they'll look at they'll look at um populations within each city and town. They will look at possible building projects that are happening in
each city and town. They'll look at they'll they'll take a whole overview um within our region and come back to us and then we'll we'll kind of negotiate a number with them um when that when that time comes. So the eligibility period, our
eligibility period started on August 1st. Um so we have 270 days to complete that this eligibility period. And please if you have any questions, just stop me and ask the chair who can answer I can answer a question, but I I feel like
this is an opportunity to really make sure that everybody's on the same page as we move forward. So um the eligibility period started on August 1st. As you can see, those are the things that the that that list of to-do items. That's what we're working through
right now. Um the local authorization, the maintenance documents and enrollment certification. Um I spoke a little bit about enrollment. Carara, right? Cara and Bob are working through the maintenance documents. Those maintenance documents, they want to look at um capital, if you have a capital plan, how
you're fixing your maintenance, how much those things are costing. um and they will give you points back for MSBA reimbursement. And I can tell you the last time we received the most we could receive um for reimbursement. So it's a it's a big report that we want to make sure that we do thoroughly um and
accurately. And then the local authorization of funding um this is to say that you know we're looking at a feasibility study. It's going to cost2.5 million and are we ready to move forward with that? and does the school committee approve us moving forward with that with
that kind of expense and then the board of directors will move us forward into the feasibility stage once we are complete at that April 28th date. Are there any questions about any of that?
>> All right. So the >> question local authorization who's doing that >> the school committee >> okay local school committees >> our school committee will vote as to what >> our school >> yep so um we've been working
>> on that >> doesn't >> please go ahead >> sorry doesn't the spendure has to go through our town meetings that has to be voted at town meeting right >> the budget so that's one thing that we have actually a meeting with MSBA on Monday as long long as the school
district has the funding for for the feasibility study. Um, but that's something that we're going to talk to MSBA about because we told them we won't have a budget by April 28th. We won't have a budget probably till July 1st. >> Um, and if that would be okay. So, that's that is a meeting that we have
with MSBA on Monday. [clears throat] >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um, so, >> excuse me. Currently, where is the $2 million coming from? >> Well, it would come from the cities and towns. Um there's been some discussion about Northern Essex Community College
um possibly um providing some funding. So again, those are all things that I'm having a meeting with MSBA on Monday to kind of iron out um whether we can do all of those things. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> And our role would come after that happens.
>> Correct? Everybody understand that? I wasn't completely clear on that myself, so I appreciate all of this clarification. I did do some homework beforehand, but I know there's been a lot of background discussion, but we don't have any action items other than
getting ready until an appropriation is made to do a feasibility study. Then we get involved in choosing a contractor, >> right? >> Correct. All right. >> That's when you would be hiring your your own project manager. >> Correct. >> Um and design team. [clears throat] >> So um so we have been working um I I
think um Mr. Cover mentioned uh for the last year year and a half um trying to lay the groundwork to get to actually where we are today. Um and so um you know we have set up a website u building the future
of woodier tech website. I'm going to bring you to that that website now. Um so this is information that is on our website right now that you can access. Um MSBA documents. These are the documents that we were just talking about. the educational
profile questionnaire. Um you just click on that and then here is the questionnaire that we have submitted to MSBA. Um and this is looking at um enrollment of students. It's looking at possible programs that we would be looking at. Um it's looking into how we
run our school and then possibly how we would want to run our school. especially looking at the possibility of working with with Northern Essex Community College and what that might look like if if we do in fact do that. I think it's important to say that MSBA has been pretty clear with us. They want us to
look at four different things. They want us to look at um building over at Northern Essex Community College, a new build building over at Northern Essex Community College, building here at Whittier Tech, a renovation and addition here, and then just a renovation. So, there are four options that we will have
to work through. um through the feasibility study. Um so that's >> chair. Can I add something to that? >> I'm just help trying to help Moren remember everything. But we also all 11 communities also signed a letter asking
that we could take the original one from the past project some of that calculations and just replay with the numbers that to date that would change. Correct. >> Right. So, the municipal leaders um have written a letter that I will be sending
out to MSBA tomorrow. Um Mike found a couple mistakes. So, thank you, Mike. Um I'm >> just trying to help you. >> I appreciate it. I appreciate it. Um sending to MSBA saying, you know, the the old feasibility study isn't that old. And can we look at those numbers
and project an increase in cost on some of those fe on some of those things? because really I would say that the municipal group really felt like you know they want to be good stewards of the taxpayer dollars and to do the whole study over when the study is not old um
doesn't seem like a a smart thing to do. So, um they have drafted up a letter. Um I have sent it to uh everyone at this point and I will be sending that to MSBA tomorrow. Um and hopefully we will get a response. Um I I would say that we will
get a response pretty early uh if not before the beginning of the new year um right after. So we will know that's really where the cost of a new feasibility study will will make a difference, right? if if it's a full one or if it's um we can use some of the
information from the last one. >> Please m >> um so which feasibility where where would I find a copy of that feasibility? >> Oh, it's pages long. So >> I went through all the documentation. So
I know there's a lot of it, but yeah, which feasibility? >> I I actually don't think it's online. I'll have to get that back online. Um but our the last feasibility study that when we worked with um left field >> left field [clears throat] >> yes
>> would you repeat that for everybody what was the name of the study >> so how do we identify the study >> project manager was left field for the last building project left field >> we playing baseball or [laughter] >> it's really left field it's all one word
>> okay [clears throat] >> and not just joshing >> is that how it's spelled >> yes >> that's why I asked Okay. Thank you. >> The way it sounds. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Would you make sure that you're really speaking as we could hear you, Mr.
Cullen, but I are we on firstname basis? >> Is everybody okay with that? Chair, please. >> All right. Well, >> I'm oldfashioned. I I usually ask that first thing at a meeting. So, Dick, >> please put microphone close.
Moren, what was the maximum last time? 65 or 70% that they that they would pick up the >> reimbursement rate. >> Yes, >> it wasn't. I'll have to go back [clears throat] and But it wasn't that high. >> No, but >> the maximum they have, but we were in
the low 30s, weren't we? 30%. >> Uh, I think we're like high 30s. Okay. What What our final reimbursement rate? >> Say that question again, Dicky. One [clears throat] more time. >> What it is is is the reimbursement what the state has and I heard it was 65%
possibly 70 in communities but ours shrunk all the way down under 40%. >> Why? >> Um so we're talking about the old building project. >> No, but still it's numbers. It's percentages. >> Um so the old for the the building
project um so let's say district spaces those are not reimburseable. So, the superintendent's office, the school resource officer space, um most of those spa, the curriculum office, the business manager, all of those spaces are non-reimburseable to MSBA because
they're district spaces. So, there was some of that um >> I mean, I could the site work, wasn't the site work put off to the side, too? >> The site work was pretty significant, too. And a lot of that wasn't reimbured us on that either. If I remember, you
have your own water system. Is that in part of the project? >> We have our own wastewater treatment program. So, >> is that part of the project? >> I don't believe that that's reimburseable with MSBA as well. >> Right. So, and that's got to be >> Yeah. So, you know, there were many
things because of this is a regional school and has regional elements. Um, that's where where some of it and you know, we can do a lot of comparisons as we move forward. I think that is one of the um the things that with Northern Essex space is you know if you out here
at Woodier Techch it's a swamp out there right and so the buildable space was very difficult um and we're hoping that Northern Essics has much much better buildable space >> it's on shore >> yeah and it's on tour >> please
>> okay um so the other thing that we went through um was the MSBA chapter 74 uh vocational technical information. So, this is looking at our chapter 74 programs and any programs that we um would like to look at or possibly um
move forward with. So, um some of the new programs that we um are putting out there, it's not that we're definitely going to move forward with them, but we want to research them before we move forward with the new building project uh was criminal justice and public safety, environmental science, sustainability,
facility maintenance and management. Um information uh sorry, robotics, automation, engineering, and vet science. So, those are our chapter 74 programs that we're going to research um over the next year or two to see if those are are programs that we want to
look at. Okay? And again, all of this information is on our building the future website. And then this is the letter that was sent on December 13, 2024. Um this is
really our roadmap of how we are moving forward with this project. So um I think it's important to say um you know they wanted to have a letter from the municipal leader saying that they were ready to move forward with with eligibility before we could move into
eligibility. That's why we didn't start till August 1st. um the cities and towns all did move forward with that and I I think there was some excitement. We had a you know little thing out on the um field with everybody's picture because it was a big event. It did take us a while to get there but all the cities
and towns were behind this um moving forward into eligibility. Um some of the other things that I think are important. Um so um amend as may be needed the existing vocational agreement. Support
the district during feasibility phase to examine both the existing Whittier site along with the Whittier tax site um at Northern Essex and proceed with understanding that a feasibility study conducted in connection with this eligibility period will not be eligible for MSBA reimbursement.
Um, further down, um, the school building committee. The district must provide a letter signed by the chief executive officer of each city and town that of who they chose to be a part of this school building committee. Um, the educational profile questionnaire and that's something that we worked with Northern Essex Community
College. We also used the Donahghue Institute report that was done um last year as well to um to drive some of that um work. The online projection again looking at the UMass Donahghue
Institute. Um and then uh the ability for the the district to complete all the requirements within the 270 days doesn't guarantee the invitation into the MS. Hi Orlando. Um I think it's important to also note that in order for us to move into
schematic design, so we are in eligibility. I know it gets a little confusing with all the different we are in eligibility right now. we will move into feasibility and then we will move into schematic design. We cannot move into schematic design until any amendments of the
regional agreement are complete. So that's going to be really important and that's why that work of the regional amendment committee has begun to start. >> Can you explain that a little bit? The u the regional um the committee to >> Sure. It's on on the slide.
>> No, I Okay. I didn't want to get ahead of myself, but >> I think it's next. >> Yeah. Oh, maybe it's not. Um, so module one, you know, this is what we've been talking about over the last little bit. Um, again, it's pretty much a road map of the work that we need to complete
over the next um few months. Module two is forming that project team, looking at our OPM, and then um looking at um professionals for and that would be require the um request for services. That's really where Tammy and Cara come
in making sure that we are doing that properly. Um and then you know I know um Triton has recently gone through this process as well um looking at an OPM and and the process will be you know it's a pretty um detailed process that you need
to follow. It probably will be a subcommittee of this committee that that ends up choosing who that OPM is. Um but that really is in my opinion one of your biggest decisions that you make u moving into this. So the regional amendment committee um
>> morning can I just ask a quick question. So are we but maybe this is a question we'll take offline some but are we operating under the assumption that the district cannot use the previous OPM
>> or that the district is just being forced to do a new procurement. >> I think the district would have to do a new procurement. Okay. >> Um I don't think we could automatically go with the OPM. Yeah. >> No. I pardon me for thinking efficiently. >> Yes. >> I'm just
>> Does everybody know Orlando PCO? We did introduce I'm new so I assume that nobody knows anybody but I know some people but I just wanted to make sure he just came in Orlando. >> We've all We've all bounced around the same circle for a while. [laughter] >> Not a new project. >> Learning as I go.
>> Yeah. Or Orlando has been a part of the municipal groups as well um along with Mike. So he's been he's been here from the beginning right through this process. >> Um so the regional agreement amendment committee um this work um so there'll be
one voting representative from each city and town. The municipal leaders did ask that um it be them that you know they really want felt that that group who has worked together for the last year um should just continue that work moving forward with the regional agreement. Um
they have been sending me their um their nominees. Um I I think I've asked for it to be by December 1st so I can bring it to my school committee on December 10th for their vote. So um I think at this point I have almost everybody's I think I'm missing a handful of people. Um but
then once we get going on that that group I think is meeting um help me out Mike. Was it December 17th? >> Yes. >> Yes. So December 17th that group will be meeting at Northern Essex Community College to start that work. Um I will tell you that the regional
amendment committee has their work cut out for them. It's a lot of work. Um so um trying to make sure that everybody um has a say in in the within the loving communities um and feels comfortable with that regional agreement and then um
we will bring it back to the school committee. The school committee will vote on it. They will bring it we will bring it to DESIE. then it will have to go to each city and town um for approval of of that um agreement. So this is going to be a long process. It is I say
all the time this is going to be a marathon. This is not something that is going to get done quickly. Um but I have a lot of faith in the people that are working on this. They know how important it is for us to get moving on it. Um and so they're not wasting any time. I think our school committee meeting is on
December 10th and they've set up a meeting for December 17th. So, um, any questions about that? I will say four school committee members can be are going to be on it, not necessarily voting members. Um, but we do think it's important that the communication between
the school committee, the regional amendment committee, this group, you know, everybody's got to be talking the same language and moving in the in the same direction. Um, that's going to be really really important because, you know, it it's all of you that are going to have to go back to your cities and towns and explain what this project is
all about. um and you know let them know that the work has been done um as we move forward u on a vote >> when it goes back to the cities and towns how will they determine yes or no will that be by the officials [clears throat]
in the cities and towns or is there a vote that has to happen >> I think the city council can vote and I think the town each town will have it in their town meeting >> body >> whatever the whatever the determin judicatory body is [clears throat] will determine it in the town thank Thank you.
>> So, it will be quite a long process. >> Dick, >> I have a question. [clears throat] >> How does everybody here feel having a Zoom meeting versus a live meeting? >> Live meeting is preferable to me.
>> Myself, [clears throat] I like to feel in touch at live meetings, but it's something that we it's got to be talked about soon. next steps and action items. [laughter] >> Well, I think that having the availability of Zoom under certain
circumstances would be nice >> um because we had that available to us as uh Haveril City Council and certainly COVID gave us a whole new level of understanding of it and if you're using it for the right reasons, >> you know, you're still building it.
>> You're still able to participate and know what's going on. building a very very expensive building here. >> That's right. But I [clears throat] mean I prefer being in person but I I if something happens and the only way I can be here >> is because I can zoom
>> then you know life happens. I've got four kids. Life happens. >> That's all I'm gonna say. >> Mike, >> how about a hybrid model? >> Yes, we can certainly do that. Well, let's hope nothing happens
>> that will keep us from joining together, but it does seem that most of us would like to be here uh and involved as much as we can. So, I agree that if it does happen, >> yeah, >> we'll work to [clears throat] make a meeting happen, but let's hope nothing happens that makes that happen.
>> Is that clear? Thank you. >> Um so, next steps and action items. Um when um Mr. Roorak and Mr. Cousins and Mr. Wood and I met um we discussed the possibility of having a tour of the building. So you because I know many of you have never really toured our
building, especially with the kids. I think that's really important to see what's going on with our kids and the work that that happens here at Whittier. Um so we we came up with a couple of dates. We understand that some of you work and cannot come during this the day and we thought maybe we would do a tour
at night um before our next school building committee meeting. Both Frank and I asked for this because we hadn't been acquainted with the building recently. I think I went to a open house maybe 10 years ago and uh but
I'd like to hear from the facilities people and from Moren, you know, why the need for all of this. Um I'm not I'm not sold before I came in. But I I believe that in a totally vocational education, but the particular way in which we do it
and promote it, I'd like to see I'd like to see and feel this building and hear from the facilities people, you know, what the needs are. And I think for a lot of us, if we see those needs, we're going to be a lot more convinced that we need to do this. But I need to be
convinced as well. And uh I hope that some of you are in that same position and would want to would want to have a tour. Um and Moren's volunteered if somebody can't make an 11:00 time on either the 13th or the 15th. We said
>> uh that she could conduct a tour after hours after business hours for people whose work schedules would not make that uh possible. But the better thing would be to to be here when we see some of the life and as it's been described the culture of the building
in action. >> January. So, in the meantime, uh just one moment, please. Just in the meantime, u we're going to ask people which one they would prefer. Do you want to try to do that now and see how many could come on the 13th,
>> which is a Tuesday? >> Tuesday. Okay. How many the 15th only? 15th only. >> 15th only. Uh, how many could come on the 15th as well as the 13th?
>> That looks to me like the 15th is the is the better of the two. Then we'll try it for the 15th. Some of you probably don't need to do this. So that's a fair good fairly good sample of this group who would like to. Yes, sir. I I Is this about this item of the Okay.
>> 115 a holiday >> 15th. >> It's a Thursday. >> Thursday. >> Martin Luther King Day, isn't it? It's the That's always on a Monday, isn't it? >> Monday celebrating it on Monday. >> Monday the 19th. Monday. >> Yeah. The 19th. Thank you though. [clears throat] Appreciate that, Mr. Bernie.
>> Yes. Um I was interested in actually [clears throat] so I've been around the building so I'm familiar with this building, but I'd be interested in seeing best-in-class >> see what Bernie could hear. best-in-class building in the votech area like Essex Aggie or whichever one
is basically viewed as a best-in-class comparator. >> I think that's a great idea and I think that we [clears throat] should probably do our own tour here first and then put that on the agenda. We could um pick a couple in the state and go out and visit
them. Get a bus and all ride and and take a tour of them. I think it's a great idea. Whenever you build a police station or fire station, go out and look at them. Same thing here. So, we we clearly could accommodate the committee and do that. And I think we should do that. It's a good question. >> But I think we should do our own tour
here first and then look at everybody's schedule again and and get out and uh go around the state and see where we want to go. Um superintendent can put some um schools together for us and we can tour them. It's a good idea. >> Everybody comfortable with that? >> So, uh
>> I'm sorry. or something. >> Everyone's comfortable with going out to look at other vote schools in the Commonwealth somewhere. >> Yeah, >> that'd be a good field trip. >> Good. >> We did that before. >> Well, I think it would be great. Uh, Dick,
>> so the 15th at 11 >> and then uh anybody who would like a tour who cannot make it on the 15th, please contact Moren directly. Is that fair enough? >> That's great. And on the 15th, I'll have a light lunch for us and wear your walking sneakers um because it's it's a
big building and I do want you to see um as much of it as we possibly can. And you know, really I'll have Bob, you know, the facilities director really um >> Thank you. >> You know, part I think part of the the struggle for us is we we do have a lot of pride in the school and we we want to show off and um sometimes we're not
showing you the things that that need to get fixed because we're proud of all the other work that we're doing. So Bob will definitely highlight the the to-do list for us. So thank you Bob. >> Best practices. >> Anything not yet covered? >> Next school building committee meeting.
So um no, there's not much for this school building committee to do until we we get into that feasibility study. But I do think it would be really important for us to touch base um again to see where we're at and what we're doing especially with the um regional amendment committee
and with the school committee and um our allocation for the feasibility study and then also finding out from MSBA as to whether we can use some of the last study um for this for this new project. So um you know I don't know what you are
looking at for a time for another school building committee meeting. the the um who had the question about enrollment this this evening you >> well I did and I do h have another question but I was going to save it >> well >> of the new business part of
>> the the reason I asked that question was I think that should be an agenda item to for you go over enrollment and explain um the different options and I'll let you piggyback on if you like go right ahead >> I would love to [snorts] um so I I think
That is a real um important step. Now, have you already decided what that number is for enrollment? >> We put in 1500. >> So, you put in >> So, MSBA, we have a meeting with them on January 28th. They will tell us whether
that's a target number or not. Um I the last building project they they told us, 1400. >> Okay. So, the committee isn't going to have any input into into that. the municipal leaders did when we all gathered all the 11 cities and towns, they they felt comfortable with with
1500, >> right? But we're on the building committee, right? And this is going to drive the size of the school. >> And we have um you know factors um pointing in in both directions, you
know, depending on what the needs are for the the various towns uh as well as the city. Um, and so I I I think we need a serious discussion about that and that we have at least an opportunity
to to address it. To me, that's one of the most important aspects of this building committee, right? It's not just about, you know, concrete and and wood and and so forth, but really it's what's important. As my former colleague on the
city council said, >> what what's the best thing for the kids? >> I think though just for >> excuse me, excuse me, mayor Scott asked has given a hand just give me a hand signal and I'll make a count. Okay. Uh Scott and then
>> Jonathan and >> I uh on that topic I I agree with councelor Mitchson on that. I I've been a part I think this is the fourth or fifth building committee I've been a part of. Generally, it's the building committee that decides the enrollment. So, while I respect the municipal leaders coming up with that number, um I
I don't feel like that that should be something that we're not discussing here as part of the decision-making process. So, to me, that's kind of backwards on how the decision-m process usually works and how every building committee I've ever served on, how the decision-m
process uh works. So, um I didn't know that. That that's a concern of mine. I I I did not know that that the municipal leaders had already came up with a number. Generally speaking, the building committees look at that, look at different options, come up with a number, and that's how it's done. So,
this would be completely different uh than the operations I've seen ever done before. And and I and I do have significant concerns about that if that's not a discussion that we're going to even talk about that it's already been decided and we're not going to even take that up. I I I have a big problem
with that. Jonathan. >> Yeah. I was curious what's the current enrollment at Wood here? >> Uh 1288. >> 1288. And >> I mean in my experience like it is an it's a really really important thing because it will drive square footage of the building
>> and in my experience as well like it's based on the sort of demographics and it's really the MSBA's call as to what that's going to be and I think the role of you know Moren and whoever is to advocate. I remember going to the MSBA and advocating for a larger number. here's our data, you know, the number
should be bigger. They gave us a little bit bigger number. So, I think certainly advocating for that, but you know, as MSBA, every square foot is money to them, so they're going to keep that as tight as possible. But, um, you know, again, I want to see more students be able to access an education at a place like this, too.
>> I think earlier on, Marielle, in a moment that Marina mentioned that she had pushed for 2,000 at one point, there was a real push back 2400. So, uh, she's on our side in a sense, but there must have been something going on as well that we need to hear about. Mary,
>> do one more. It's encouraging to hear that you're going to get the opportunity to go there, you know, and advocate for the number that you think and perhaps we can give, you know, give you some things to argue with, right, and some data uh to help you support your argument when you get, >> right? But we also here need to be aware
that this municipal group is counting dollars at the same time students. uh and there are limits on all communities ability to pay but so we [clears throat] have to work together with them uh on this set please. >> My concern was because they had
discouraged her in the past and the fact that so much of this building because of the kind of building it is and what it supplies for services aren't reimburseable that that's where the money thing gets
very very it. So, how do we convince them that this is a value? Because obviously they look at a building like this and they're not going to reimburse the way they reimbured us in Haveril for the schools we've done.
This is a whole different equation and we have to keep that in mind and the burden that goes onto these communities. >> Michael and then John. >> Yes, chair. Uh just to give you some background, I'm sure Orlando and Moren were um you know say the same. [cough]
We were told we could only have 1,400 and the municipality group actually asked for 1500. So we asked for more than what the MSBA is even going to allow us to do. So the the re their um all the municipal leaders we all agreed that we wanted to try to get more
students >> and that it wasn't an arbitrary number we came up with. Orlando was there, Moren were there, and we were trying to get more students, what the MSBA is going to allow us to have. So, it wasn't the opposite that we were trying to lower the students because of funding. It was because MSBA is going to stick us
at 1,400 and we are trying to get more students. >> John, then Alando, then Scott. So, um, basically if we follow that process, right, we're know we know that we're not going to be able to address Averil's
needs. And and so to me, that that's a good first step in in the building committee process, right? to figure out what makes sense to all of the various communities
um you know all 13 communities because we have different perspectives. In fact, that's probably why you know there it's been difficult in the past to come to an agreement. Um so I I think this is probably the
most basic thing that that we do um here. Um so let's say we do come up with 1,500. How many do we really need? >> We need 2400 to take every student that applies. But MSBA,
>> um, that's not a an argument that they're they're taking on. It's really looking at the the population of the 11 communities and, you know, what we are and how our growth is compared to what other school districts are currently
dealing with. So, it's not just one community. There's we have to take into consideration the 10 others. >> Well, I just wanted to sort of echo what was said and and sort of explain it in a
way where the the municipal leaders when they got together and this was after some long consultations with our own school departments. there seemed to be a push to Yeah, I'll say there seemed to be a
little bit of a push to limit the enrollment number um because of the impact it could have on the other school districts. I think we we also had to say, well, what is our fiduciary responsibility to the kids that go to school here? Because we have
to really take the position that they're all our kids, right? It's not a Georgetown high school kid, an Essex Tech kid, and uh in Georgetown's case, because we sent 23 kids there, we send 59 here now, give or take, >> somewhere in there.
>> So, we're looking at this in totality in terms of how it impacts the school districts. And so, the original number clearly wasn't meeting the demand, right? If the demand is the number of applicants
then and we're only letting in I would say if we're looking at 2400 a little over 50% of of the true demand understanding that MSBA wasn't going to
give us 2400. We sent the signal that we want more. If MSBA comes back and says you can do 2,000, I think the position of the municipal leaders will be okay, let's re-evaluate that. But when we were told you're not going to get more than
1,400, I think the push was all right, let's just just move the needle a little bit and see what happens, which is now where where we are in terms of Moren having a meeting, which may or may not be more fruitful.
But I I don't think the goal was to ever oop or undermine a school building committee that didn't exist at at the time. >> Scott and then John Mitches. >> Yeah. I I I just had a follow-up question because uh I think Orlando and Mr. Coin said it that the MSBA said 1,400.
So I'm confused that they already came up with that number before >> previous building project. So, we're talking about a pre We're not talking about So, we're going back to that one because that would be very confusing to me if the MSBA came up with a number now without us looking at anything or
options. The way that I've always done these in the past is you're looking at multiple options. Maybe there's an option for 1,200,400 and 1,800. You look at those different options. You debate it. Um, so I'm a little confused why we would take what
they said three or four years ago uh for that project and apply it to this project on the enrollments. I guess >> do you want to answer a chance to answer and then John and then Bernie after >> I want to speak for the town leaders but
um many of our towns I can tell you their school age population has gone down significantly in those three or four years. >> No, no, I understand that. I'm just trying to figure out why we use the number from three or four years ago to apply it now without potentially looking at what our options are before
submitting a number. >> I think we did look at the options. So the option right now is we have,288 students um at Whittier Tech. The option for the past school building project the highest they would let us go was 1,400.
Um so when we look at that 1400 three or four years ago and look at what's happening now in some of our communities the school age population in many of our high schools has gone down significantly. So in meeting with the the town leaders they felt like in in
Haveril like we could go up to 1500 and it wouldn't hurt the other cities and towns by by doing that. Um, if anybody else wants to, >> we're going John Mitchesen, Bernie Cullen, and then Mike from Salsbury. >> Yeah, I think we're kind of doing it backwards.
>> Yeah. >> Right. Um, and I'd like to see those numbers, you know, that point to what we think we need because, for example, I've got a new buddy that I just met tonight
from Newbury who's on the Triton. Um, >> school building committee, >> school building committee. And we both said the same thing. Um, that wouldn't it be nice, right, if we could coordinate
the Woodia effort here with Habil High, Triton, and all the other uh communities, right? to see how we could share the load so that at the very end of this we we come up with a plan that
works for the kids. I I don't get it that we're that we're not going to have any input into that. >> I mean, we can certainly have another meeting and and talk about enrollment. >> You know, I can tell you that and we can talk to MSBA. That meeting is in January
28th. Um I I think I I'll go back to what what what Jonathan said is that it's very prescribed with MSBA. There's not a lot of wiggle room that we will have with them. They they look at the data. They look at all the cities and towns and schools and and my feeling is
right now we will have to advocate really hard for 1500. >> I I just want to add >> I think we need some da d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d da. I think we probably would like to have a presentation from the school uh building
authority about enrollment and I think everyone around the table has a lot of questions about enrollment and I think we've got to at least vet those out and answer those questions and and I think it's important from what I've heard from everybody around the table. So, I think that's what when I [clears throat]
brought this up, the word enrollment, um I think it's important we get some additional work on it. Um Moren >> for the >> Yes. Um I'd just like um I've been looking at this question previously. Um
in the 11 local communities, only one is showing material growth in student population and that is Haven. And that's significant growth as well. All the other communities are either flat or they are declining significantly
and the declining significantly is um if you're I don't think anybody is anybody from Georgetown here >> all I know is Georgetown >> um >> it's a problem you you're right in terms of actual numbers of students in the
school system is getting to that tipping point situation where [clears throat] you you'll lose even more students because you can't support the athletics, you can't support a lot of activities just on the sheer numbers of of students.
>> Yeah, there's there's definitely been a programmatic issue at Georgetown High School due to [clears throat] the lack of students um for a number of reasons, but this freshman class in particular was the smallest of the four. While next
year's class may be somewhat bigger, we do expect the current seventh grade class to be closer to what this class is. So even if you have a good year, our overall trend is I think going to go down sharper than most of the other
communities in the world. [clears throat] >> Yeah. So it's a I think it's a there's a big problem and it's a dynamics problem in the sense that >> as you as you push on one thing or as you expand on one thing that other issues um pop up. >> I I guess one of the
>> excuse me I I want to be able to but we do have another person who's got priority but I' I've done this because there was a question asked to Orlando not not normal that not normal procedure but that would be the time for it to be answered. So would you close that off and then Mike is going to
>> Sure. No, I guess I would say is one of the things we have to struggle with in this process is does our enrollment issue locally, [clears throat] how much of a burden should that be borne by Whittier? And if we have a
local demand for that product, we should be advocating as much for those students as we would for any other. And so there is a problematic dichconomy there for us and I think this process will help us filter
that out. Okay. But I think we you're right, we need clear answers if we're going to convince our taxpayers to foot the bill. >> Mike, let me ask one question to uh Moren. Can can we get a sense of what the ratio is from all of the communities
individually of applicants to those who are accepted? I'm not asking you to rattle it off right now, but can we get a g a general sense of that at some point? If you want to get if we can get that now, would the committee like to have that
>> uh >> and then Mike, >> it sounds like we want to have a meeting and I can certainly bring all of that information and go over that information. I can go over also the um significant um cost differential for the last
project um and why the the school building committee chose to stay with the 1280 versus going with the 1400. It was a significant increase in cost for that 120 kids. So I think those are things that are are really important to
be thinking about um because at the end of the day, one of the things I heard loud and clear was the cost of the project. Um, and I do think that there are ways that we can be creative [clears throat] with if if we end up working with Northern Essics, there are ways that we can be creative to expand
enrollment without necessarily expanding a school building. >> Jonathan, >> um, Mike and then Jonathan. >> Excuse me, Adam. Right. >> No. >> Well, Adam, >> he was first. >> He was first. Okay. So, Mike, Jonathan, and then Adam. So please
>> I I just want to stress that all the municipality leaders all agree with what's being talked about. Orlando contested that and so can Morin. We wanted more students, but there's multiple factors in that. >> Um I think the rack needs to get ahead of us on this before we start picking any
students, you know, final numbers because that's what's going to determine what each community is going to have to pay. So Mayor Mayor Barrett was very clear that she wanted more students. Raleigh and a Newbury Newport were very clear that they didn't want any more
students. So there's a lot of communities that had different talks, but I think the re the rack has to get in front of us because it's all going to be tied to the capital improvement cost. So, you know, every all 11 communities were very clear and everyone negotiated
in good faith, but I think the rack needs to get ahead of us before we start trying to pick how many students that we're going to look at. I felt that way during the the debate that we had. [clears throat] But again, it's, you know, we did try to get more students and Moren when we sent that letter of
the 11 communities that signed, Moren had to give a number. MSB wanted that number at that time. >> So, I don't think the MSB is going to move much. And I also think the rack's got to get ahead of us on this matter because because the end goal is to get this project approved. If we go like you
know learn from our history went too big too big of a number it got killed. So we also got to be remembering that when we're talking about students the students number of students is what cost makes the school cost more money. >> So as we had that conversation I think it's really important we got to remember
that. >> And by the rack you mean the >> municipal leaders >> agreement. Sorry I'm I'm using acronyms that >> I just didn't know whether everybody knew it in our head. I'm I'm getting I'm getting all this in my head as I go here too at the same time. Jonathan and then Adam. >> Thanks. You know, if you wait long enough, most people make all your points
for you when [laughter] So, you said a few things I wanted to mention on but I, you know, I think there's a we're early in the committee and I think we want to make sure that we can be like, you know, all on the same page about stuff and I think if people want to hash out this number, then we probably should meet before the 28th and like look at the data. But ultimately, I
think we're all saying the same thing. We're all saying we want more students and I think you're going to go and advocate for more students and we're going to get the biggest number [clears throat] that we can get. But we do need to be realistic. The MSBA realizes our communities just rejected a a very expensive project and that you know if you had 100 less students,
square footage less, whatever it might be like those things are all connected. So I do add I mean I would support the idea of like let's meet and hash it out and I think we're going to advocate for the biggest number and then we'll see what we get. And I think that decision is going to be made way before the rack gets to do anything because that
decision is gonna be made like in January. >> So >> Adam, >> yes. So I guess I'll pick up the pieces here. Uh he got most of it. He got he got the other half of it. But the other thing we need to keep in mind is you know we're not building this school for this year or next year. We're building this for the foreseeable future. I mean
we're talking 50 years if you know this I understand there's a balance of cost benefit for for the smaller communities. Groven obviously being one of them, but if the seats can be filled by someone, you know, and maybe 10 years down the road it's Groven maxing it out and
Haverly intending anybody. >> Yeah, I think there's some level of that that needs to be um thought about as well as we do this. But I agree with Jonathan like this conversation we should absolutely have this before um anything goes.
>> Okay. So, uh, just a question for I think Moren, anyone in the room. Back when I was doing this, there was a group called NZDC that did enrollment projections for the public schools. Is there a similar group that does that for technical vocational technical schools? >> They still you you have to contract with
them, but they they still do that. But, um, you know, we used a lot of our data when we looked at admissions. I mean, Cara can speak on this a little bit um even more than I can. When I'm looking at um applications for for last [clears throat] year of April of 2025,
we had 659 applications for 330 spots. If we were to have a school for every student that applied, we would be looking at a school of 2,636 students. um when I brought the number back up to again when I brought that number to MSBA the last building project
and said 2400 because I too want every kid that wants a vocational education to get a vocational education um they said no you can have 1,400 max and when we looked at the building project at 1280
verse 1,400 it was cost prohibitive to even increase by that 12 20 students. So, I will bring that information um to our next when we have a meeting to go over that information. Um but you know, the municipal leaders, the the town
managers and mayors um that this was a number that they they they felt comfortable with. Um and at this point, you know, we want to make sure that people are are comfortable with the numbers. >> Michael, >> mine's pretty simple. I just want to say thank you to Marin and the M leaders and
those that did this work to pick the number because it was due >> October 30th. We hadn't met yet. We had committee. So I don't think it was meant to any purpose. It had to be submitted. >> So thank you for all the efforts you guys all did on
>> So is there flexibility? >> I So I'm having a meeting again. There's flexibility until that January 28th. >> All right. So >> Okay, Cara. And then just like to kind of go off of what Moren said. We I
was in those meetings with her. I was in all of the building committee meetings and we actually had a couple of enrollment meetings if I recall correctly and she wanted 2400. She wanted every kid that applied. They said no way. Then we we kept going back and forth. I think what this group may not
understand is they see a lot more data than we do. They know every single project in every single one of our communities that's going on. They know all of the debt service. They have looked at enrollment for the past 20
years. They know which buildings they have funded. They know which buildings are in the process of being funded. And so I think what they're looking at is we're looking at us. They're looking at the whole picture and they're saying, "Well, wait a minute. We're putting money into this school district and this
school district and this school district and we don't want to be putting money into that school district that's going to have a new school and then have nobody there. And so they're looking at it from a a very different perspective. And while I I agree with what everybody says here because Moren and I definitely
advocated for as many kids as want to come here, in the end they will tell us the enrollment. We may not like it. We may not agree with it, but they are very prescribed. They have a lot more data than we do. They have different
reasonings for why they do what they do. And they will actually say to us if they like 1500, they will tell us. If they don't like 1500, we will not get 1500. >> So, I just wanted to say that there's a lot more that goes on with them, you
know, that that everybody here may not realize. the data that they have is huge. >> Karen has a point. >> Yeah, just um piggyback on it. Maybe you know we start a discussion. I think probably be worthwhile to have someone come out from school building committee
if possible. >> I don't think >> they won't do that. >> I don't think you're ever going to get that. >> No, we ever get it. But we just need >> to answer your question. I I've never had I've never had a state >> What are they afraid of? >> Let me just say this. I've never had a state agency ever tell me they can't come out and see me. So maybe it's just
going to lock them up. But uh but [laughter] you know, but uh >> I understand. But I think people around the table need to have that that the way you put it, it's going to be answered. So that's a problem. >> All right, we got Jonathan Bernie and then
>> Evan Jonathan, John first. Thank you. >> Yeah. So, uh, I definitely understand the process and and that they're looking at the bigger picture, >> but let's figure out what we think we really need, right? Don't you think
that's a solid place to start? And then secondly, I want to um piggyback on what um Moren Lynch said, you know, and she mentioned that Northern Essex, you know, may be able to handle some of the load,
right? But I think we believe and I don't want to speak for you. >> All right. That it it's going to be, you know, a combination of uh help that we're going to get. We're going to get it from some of the high schools.
Uh for example, the the superintendent at Haveril High is dying to be able to fill some of those gaps. And um and I know Northern Essex is as well had a discussion uh with the
president uh on that. And so you know we might be able to bring the number down by working it that way. Um but at least we'll have something solid to stand on. else. We're gonna
spend a lot of time on a on concrete, you know, without really understanding uh or having our communities understand what we really need. And if the MB if the um state comes back and says, you know, you can only have 1,400, fine.
But what I'm saying is let's at least understand our communities what the needs are and um and maybe to that meeting um invite well it might have to be a separate meeting because of the number of uh superintendent
but I suspect all of them would like to um also take on some of the responsibility because they know their kids that the two to 300 kids in Haveril that don't get in every year they go back to Haveril High School and they
want to do vocational training and and the U superintendent of Haveril I I can only speak um for based on what she has said at past meetings you know they're very interested in in filling any of
those gaps um that may be out there because it's the kids first that's what we should be thinking of how do we make sure that our kids who want to have vocational training and not end
up in a minimum wage job, right? That really should be uh the bottom line. And if if the state comes back, so be it. But at least we know what we need. That that's my mayor. That's a lot. Mayor,
>> don't don't pin that one on me again, [laughter] >> Mr. Chairman. Hey, you did a fairly good job. >> A fairly good job. You're that >> so did you. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> Bernie. >> Uh, yes. Um, this is complicated. I
think the idea of of having a working session to address this issue makes a great deal of sense. There's a lot of data um and a lot of conundrums. So, for example, I do have the um data from the
applications. Moren shared that with me after when I made a request. Um, for Havville, for example, 82% of the eligible eighth graders applied to Whittier.
82%. So, accepting all 82% is going to create another issue for for Havil, I would imagine. [clears throat] Um on the on the same token given the 11 communities um only eight 8% of the
eligible students in Newport applied to to Whittier. So there's this huge variance between um between the communities and that's one of the underlying issues. It's one of the complicating factors for the
regional agreement that needs to be worked through and it's why I was pushing so hard. Some may have sort it as being rude, but um to to get the rack in place in order to
address these issues because these issues also apply to that regional agreement as well as the the scope and the um and the functions of any new any new building. So I have this data. I can bring it up to the the chairman and it
can be shared if necessary. So, let's take a couple more, Kevin and Dick. And then let's talk about an agenda for the next meeting. Um, we're all we'll do is we're not making a decision about this tonight. It is not on our agenda. We'd
have to suspend the rules to do any type of a vote. I don't think we're in a position to take a vote relative to this, but we are in a position to commit to another meeting and then to request uh what we need for that meeting in the
way of information. Uh so Kevin and then Dick and then let's get to the idea of a of a date and then requests from individual members about the type of information they think they need to make a decision or advocate on things of this nature. Uh Kevin,
>> uh yeah, just a quick question on the well and a statement on the 28th meeting. I mean, what is this officially? Is it MSBA meeting with just the administrators of Whittier or we are they meeting with the school building committee? >> Uh so in the last time it was with the
administrators. So they had a team of people with MSBA that went over the data. Um, >> so shouldn't it be I mean I guess my question I mean shouldn't it be a meeting with the school building committee? >> I I can ask them that that's not how it it has been or my knowledge of it ever
being at another district. So >> and I guess to build on everybody's uh points starting with Cara yes the school [snorts] building authority has lots of data and I'm surprised that they're not talking about data about our future needs of our kids
in our economy. um you know what are our workforce anticipations? We all know that vote schools are you know severely um with weight lists and there's severe demand. So, you know, limiting the
program to, you know, current enrollment or just bumping it up 5% is an unacceptable thing statewide as a policy. And but to John's point and every there are other tools out there
and and and you're right we are in a conundrum and and part of that is you know there are you know vote grants that could put light industrial buildings on a property of a high school um comprehensive high school
with a partnership that they have actually out in central Mass right now. There are different innovation programs that our smaller communities can fill in different needs and demands.
So you know part of this assessment and part of this working group I mean the bigger idea of the superintendence and etc etc is actually trying to do that assessment of our global needs in how we
put a big as big a fix as we can with a vote tech and then supplement it where we need to supplement it in our region. This is really what we're talking about. Our economy and this and that. Our region is the big winner here. [snorts]
>> Thank you, Dick. >> Couple quick things. Mr. Midgetson, you said fill a gap for Havalo. What did you mean by fill a gap? >> That they um may be able to um provide,
you know, u CTE classes in some other areas. Um, you know, of course we're going to have to lobby uh for that to happen. They can do that now, Haveril High School, but generally they have to go through a process and prove that
Woody of Tech does not have the capacity. Um, so it's none of this is e easy, >> right? The easiest thing to do is just not even care about, you know, the two 300 kids. And the reason why reason why
I asked that I've been here 25 years I've got all those numbers most of your towns decreases increases a just got 20 more kids in here. I had parents coming to me in the fifth grade sixth grade getting ready to come into here. We've
got a new policy in place for admissions which I believe is going to create a lot of problems. somebody with and I was at the open house and it was a good a lot of good questions and I think I've missed out on 25 years I missed one year I didn't get
to that meeting with the superintendent and had somebody there all A's 100% never missed a day all eight years and might not get in here and that's that's very concerning
to me but yet there's nothing we can do about it because the Boston wanted they wanted this new process. We're going to try it and hopefully it works out. How many not to put you on a spot, how many have applied now? 400 500
>> I think we're just at 400 right now. >> So when we get seven and 800 kids going to be pretty tough and I'm going to tell you why. I called I talked to 30 or 40 parents a year with the kids.
A lot of it comes to tutoring in the past, blah blah blah. Going to school, not missing 20, 30 days. Now you can miss 40, 50 days. But, you know, I have a problem with it because it's not going to be fair for the new kids coming in.
But we got to play the cards with doubt. The new policy for midterms comes into effect for December 1st. I think the applications are done and we're going to be picking them sometime in December. They could be 10. There could be 20 seats available
this year. How many did we uh accept? 290. >> Yeah. >> And >> 375 we >> three. All right. 3 390 with 375. How many showed up >> on the October? What? >> 330 or so, >> right? So there's 30 or 40. The reason
why I'm asking that question, I called 10 parents. The kids that did not get in this past time, not one want to coming in next this December. They don't want to apply. They're at the high school. They're content. So, I don't know where
this is going to go with the future be for the, you know, the new kids coming in. But hey, we'll just get 20 more. I think our October number was up 20. Half the school, half the communities went down.
No, five went down. five stayed the same and two or three, you know, leveled off. All right, it all comes down to money. The longer we wait, the more these costs are going to go up. I was in I was in Boston two weeks ago,
talked to somebody in Lexington, $660 million school they want to put up at the high school. These prices are not coming down. It'd be nice if we could do something down the northern Essics for a lot of reasons, especially money. We're on the state's property. You know, maybe
they'll have some consideration for us instead of bringing us down to 32%. You know, pick up 70 80% of the tab, but it's all going to come down to money, you know? I mean, we can look at all the stats we want.
We got to play the things that are in front of us right now. All right. It cost a lot to put somebody through here. I worked on this property in 197273 driving a truck. This school was built
unbelievable. It's all concrete. School in Haveril that was built 30 years ago. Constantino school maybe 35 years ago it was built. They're replacing it now. Preventative maintenance. I think we've done a great job here, but we're getting outdated on
a lot of things. The boil is the electrical. We can't replace any of it because I don't believe they have any parts for half that stuff, you know. So, that's where we stand. It all comes down to the dollars, cents, and how many kids we're going to get in here. I'd love to see two, three,000 kids in here. Try to
call a plumber right now, unless you know somebody. Try to get electrician. Try to get a carpenter. Try to get a mechanic. It all starts in a technical school. >> Thank you. >> All right, then let's The meeting I think that we want is prior to January
28th. That's the uh the one thing we've concluded. Whether we have a chance at that meeting or not, we can't have a meeting after it. So, what works before that? >> Don't matter to me. I'm looking to Moren for that because
as the fir give the first take a moment I mean but just to fill it in with some chatter I I'm incredibly impressed with the concerns and the diversity of perspectives that want to do the best for the students.
And it's not easy. Uh when I was in high school, I'll tell you when in the 60s, kids who were didn't think they could make it >> in the high school >> were sent not here. It was downtown
Haveril on on Windgate Street >> trade school >> and [clears throat] it was a trade school and the high school was the place where the and how was it happened? They were they were guid the guidance counselors said this is the right place for you. That's the right they were looking to put students in the proper
setting. They made mistakes but the idea is to for the proper setting within which a student can flourish and not fail. And as I've been sitting here thinking and um it getting the proper setting it's going to be difficult with
that new enrollment procedure or acceptance procedure. uh a lot of students they get in and it may not be the appropriate place for them. That's a tough one. Um to increase the number may sound good but it may create more chance for failure for some people but on the
other hand it may be the more chance for success for others. So this is a very difficult uh discussion and not having had it would have been a failure of this committee. So, I'm glad it came up because uh the concern that we've
expressed here is where we should be living within the means that are given to us because we can't build it on our own. We need the state uh reimbursement may need some, you know, and cooperation from Northern Essex Community College.
Uh we have to work with our partners and our benefactors uh to do the best we can. We're not going to come up with perfection. I guarantee you. But we can do better if we work together like we did in this round of discussion. Was that enough time to come up?
[laughter] >> I could go on another five 10 minutes if you but I won't. >> Uh does Thursday December 11th >> like to do it before the holidays? >> Can we do that before the holidays? December 11th. >> I don't care. It doesn't matter. >> I think we have to. Yeah,
>> I can. But the rest of the committee can I can't do it. >> I don't have it as a Really? Isn't that funny? It's in my calendar. >> What do you have? >> Is that the sports? >> 6:30. The same time on the 11th. Is that what you want?
>> All right. There's another date. >> It could be the same time. >> Well, who can who can make the 11th? Just see the Let's do poll around the room. >> I can do the 9th, too. Tuesday. >> I can do the 9th. >> Can I just clarify some times? So, we're
on 6:30. >> 6:30. >> So, we've got a good group for the 11th. How about the 9th? We can do the 9th. >> Doesn't matter to me. >> Looks like more >> city council. >> City, >> city councils.
>> Okay. So, we'll have to stay with the 11th and Okay. Is majority comfortable with the 11? >> Sure. It doesn't matter. >> Okay. >> Should we have a representative from Northern Essex who can make it that day? Neither of you. Um, >> we'll take good notes.
>> Okay. It's unfortunate, but uh it seems like that's what it is. Now, uh, let me ask a question, Mike, and then go to you. Uh, be thinking now what information you would like that is reasonably being able to put together by the 11th.
I like to I'd like to know a lot of things. I don't think we'll get it. Yeah, >> Mike had a question. I just wonder um does it help for some of the does it help you if it's hybrid to get to be able to attend
>> on the 11th I just was offering the hybrid model maybe may help everyone get here at conference conference >> he's at they're away at a conference so they'll all be away at a conference >> I just didn't know if they were >> if it's an option >> let's go back to
Go ahead, >> Bernie. Can we go back to you? I'm sorry. >> All right, we'll take a minute. We'll go to Kevin. Kevin, welcome to the collabor. >> The purpose, the purpose for this committee to discuss enrollment basically. >> That's correct. We want to all get a grasp.
>> Bring in any other There was talk about bringing in other people if they wanted to comment, other superintendent, members of Iraq. I don't know if there was >> for audience purposes or it's it's an open meeting. It's an open meeting. That's fine. >> I I have to say that municipal group,
that's the number they landed on. And like if >> No, I just said there was some talk. >> I would really encourage them to attend the meeting and and explain why they this wasn't a Marin Lynch number. >> Spirit of transparency. >> This was a number that they comfortable. >> The other thing we'd like is to find someone from the school building
committee to come up to that meeting if possible. So if they say no, fine. But that's not >> go to MSBA meeting. >> Yeah. To come up and and help us with this. There was a lot of questions around the table about that. >> It's an online >> Well, if we get them online, we'll take it and plug them in. That's fine. But I
think people have questions and we want to try to get them answered. I think it's important. >> Mike, I'm sorry. >> Did you have good? >> So, does anybody have any requests for particular types of information?
>> Just what you submitted already, right? all the demographic information you submitted, enrollments, projections, you know, >> does everybody have a a table of the funding formulas as they are now so that we know what the what the uh rack
committee is dealing with? >> Oh, from your agreement. >> Yes, >> they have. >> They have that. All right. >> We should probably just leave on the agenda, maybe put on the agenda just updates from the rack. >> Yeah, >> they won't have a meeting by then. No, I don't think we are scheduled.
>> Yeah, that December 17th is your first meeting. >> Sorry. I'm sorry, ma'am. What's your first name? >> Hi, Carol Sullivan or Carol. >> Carol, thank you. Go ahead. >> Should we see if we can get some population figures of our students from
our channels as they're going on projections? >> I think >> we have all of that. >> We'll get that all out to you before the meeting. Yeah, >> we had someone else. Bernie, >> right there. There are a couple of
Jessie has a number of >> I'm sorry. Can you speak into the mics? We got >> Sorry. Desie has a number of reports that um speaks to the application process and that also indicates in that data the the numbers of eligible students from the various communities as
well. That's where I got my numbers. So I can share those links if Morin probably already knows all about it. >> That'll be fine. We'll share that. Mike >> uh through you co-chairs. Uh I don't know if you guys want all the letters that their the working group sent to
MSBA. So maybe some of the people who have not seen those letters may help them understand where their municipalities were coming from on a lot of the discussions that we were talking about. That's through the chair. I don't know if you want to share that information. Do you have the documentation?
>> Mike, explain what letters >> the letter that the all 11 communities signed to send send the MSBA. Also, like Mike said that we were we had to come up with a number, why we came up with that number because we sent all that to the MSBA. So maybe some of you know people
who did not get that information may help them understand. >> Okay. >> Where all of us were coming from in the discussion. >> Anything around enrollment, we'll put together in the packet for everybody. take all the suggestions that were given around the table tonight about that. >> So, we'll do that, Mike.
>> Thank you. >> Just, you know, FYI, we do have a sports banquet that night, so it'll be a little bit more packed in that area. We do it's held at 6 p.m. in the gymnasium. So, just we're down here, just be aware
coming in that night. >> Good. Thank you. >> Very quick. Um, so we are going to invite the superintendent and let them know that we're having the meeting.
>> If you'd like I'm I'm if I'm not sure >> their role in this. >> Yeah. >> Their role. I I I was just gonna with the well if you want to answer what their role is I >> I'll finish
>> just to get an idea for um you know what their plans are uh for the future you know if they wish to uh share them but especially their um eagerness to um you know fill in the gaps that we can't meet
here at Woodyotech and I think that'll help us in coming up with with a number. Um, at least we'll have a better idea. Let let's put it that way. >> John, that may be Hav School Committee night. It's the second Thursday of the
month. >> Okay. Like >> I I I can't speak for Havil, but I can tell you Moren could probably I don't think any superintendent is going to be okay with taking students out of their school
systems. I'm sorry. >> [laughter] >> Because because all I have to say all I have to say is that's how they get reimbursed for their for money. >> Our goal is to put them in. >> So leave them in school system >> theiro host community school systems.
>> Okay. I thought you were saying they they're going to come in and say, "Oh yeah, take all my students and I'm going to be okay with that." >> No, they've already said that. But [laughter] >> Okay. >> All right. So December, >> I do have a question. >> All right. Quickly Scott and then Mary. I'm not sure. I understand.
>> Excuse me. She was he was first and you're right with you. >> Um just real quick agreed with council mentions most of the night. Um but I'm not sure what the superintendents of the other communities would add to this process. I think they don't really have a [clears throat] role in this. Uh I
think there's various competing interests there unfortunately to some degree as well. Um I'm just not sure that it adds anything to the to the process. Um, you know, I I just I I don't understand the the the real logic
behind that one. >> Mariel, >> and I'm not sure what you think a a high school, not just Havil High, but Pentucket, Triton, what gap are you talking about? What do you think they could do? What when you look at the programs here?
>> Yes. >> What do you see that they could do >> without these kinds of um equipment and and such? I think will be able to uh determine their eagerness and and what what they're >> they they are
>> this is my problem with eagerness. Eagerness. >> Well, [clears throat] you're saying they're eager. You you say they're eager to do what? >> They have with what? >> They have CTE programs already, right? >> And what are they?
>> That's what I'm I don't understand what you you say CTE. They have a lot of they have some similar programs that Woodier has, but not the hands-on vocational training. >> So that's where I think >> and >> I I I'm not sure that I I'm following
you in a positive way. >> Yeah. So they've been asked I mean they've asked in the past right to be able to um you know possibly you know provide some of those vocational training if if there's a need if Woody
Votech is is filled and we we'd probably have to go back and work with the state on that because right now they make it uh very difficult uh for that to happen right >> but that's today. All right, I'm I'm going to call for a cut off point here.
Can I >> bring up one point real quick because I think it's important. >> How it >> half a point. >> They Well, they can't run competing programs with Woodier Votech. >> So, they're not eligible for reimbursement to do that. If Woodier Votech is running the program, they
can't run a competing program with it and be eligible. >> All right. Well, let's keep our, you know, keep our eyes open and see what's going on around us. But what we have to do here is come up with the questions and seek the answers that uh will help
us build the best possible school we can with the limits that we have uh for communities involved, all of the students and for the taxpayers that are going to foot this bill. So I thank you all and wish you a happy Thanksgiving. >> Uh the next meeting is on um
>> December 11th. Is everybody comfortable with the seating arrangement? I'd >> ask you sit next to my buddy Bernie. >> There we go. [laughter] >> A motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All right. >> All in favor?