So some coaches do track that to see if that helps you know for their because a lot of times it does prove that when they're in season they actually do better in academics a lot of times. So, some of our coaches do pull that data. Okay. I appreciate all the uh work you guys have done to um reduce the barriers for students because I think that's a big issue when it comes to uh that extracurricular activity, especially when it comes to activity buses. I know like when I was a student, it was tough for me to find a time to get home after if I was going to join a club or something. So, so I appreciate all that. uh when it comes to the um angel fund uh the the the barriers when it comes to financial opportunity for students was was low which was good to see.
It's such a benefit for all of us. And then just finally, I just want to mention the collaboration 6 to 12. I know you've really invested in that and we're looking forward to growing that so that we really see that vertical that vertical articulation prek to 12, but it's about the folks that are out in the buildings, you know, Dr. T-Bolt working alongside um yourself, Sarah, and I know at the high school, but we're looking forward to really watching that grow. And then I'll just finally mention to you, Mr. Rossi, I agree. We need a new school. All right. We need new schools. Need new schools. Agreed. Schools. And I think um real quick and I we'll get out of your way because I think we're over on time, but um Dr. Tibo is going to take the playbook initiative team. I think they're going to come here.
Um how does the angel fund operate? Like how how do we fund it? Is that can community members donate to it? So the angel fund actually started in 2019. So, in 2019, we were able to work with the um education foundation and our community and leaders in the district to be able to do an initial opportunity for community members to donate money to the angel fund, which is then primarily for activities and opportunities, right, that are not covered by a fee waiver. So, it could be for paying for a summer school or it could be because they don't have the money to pay for a yearbook. And so, then it's really like a case- by case basis like through our counseling department and um other teachers like case managers from the special education department that are able to like know a student's story and where students may need help.
Correct Dr. Tibo? And present. And um there are there are 30 members. Um, and actually we got to dwindle it down a little bit because 17, I think we're going to have five come here, but 17 actually volunteered and and want to. Um, so again, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Excellent. That was great. Does anyone want to make a motion to approve the middle school improvement plan? I'll make a motion that we approve the middle school improvement plan. Second. All in favor? I opposed. Unanimous passes. Nice. And now we're in old business, the FY26 budget. Dr. Sabin Magcguire, would you like to start us off? I would like to do that. Thank you so much. So, first I I think it's really important that we begin by reaffirming, at least for myself, personally, professionally, and on behalf of the committee and the district itself, how deeply we value our teachers.
And then they're able to fill out that fund. And so then they're able to do that application and access things that they wouldn't have been able to access because they're not covered by funding through the school to offset those costs for your extracurricular activity or like items, right? So if you want to buy the extra apparel or how I just mentioned like um the yearbook or a prom ticket or a homecoming ticket, things that are outside of maybe their budget and they want to be able to attend, we're able to help with. And so right now, I know the education foundation is going to be um cooperating with us because our funds for the first time since 2019. We were so fortunate to receive that money and then we went through COVID and so we weren't using it quite as much and then things have finally like gotten back to complete normal and people are accessing it and using it so much more.
If there is a perception that the recent budget and particularly the reductions at the classroom level reflect anything less than that, then I acknowledge that's a serious shortcoming and the way that we've communicated that to the school community because there's nothing more important than our educators who are forwardfaced, studentf facing and with our students um every single day and we recognize the importance of that throughout the past two years. We have consistently emphasized that decisions to eliminate positions, they're not made lightly. Those are really difficult decisions and they're not in conversational tones. They're hard decisions made behind closed doors. And we recognize that these decisions, they affect real people. There's a person at the end of the decision that we're making and we know that that affects their families. And I just want to be clear, we approach this with great care. It's we we approach it with gravity and with compassion.
So, our funds are actually going to be depleted. And so, the education foundation is helping us find avenues to replenish those funds because it is a critical fund that is utilized to help whether it's that extracurricular summer school opportunity for academics or whether it's the prom night experience that they can remember for, you know, forever and be involved in activities. So, the angel fund has been a really critical fund that's really helped a lot of our students access things that they need to that they wouldn't be able to access otherwise. So, I hope that answered it. You know, I'll just add this time of year with like senior events, uh, homecoming time, stuff that, um, maybe isn't completely necessary for a student to do, but honestly is kind of like a foundation of like their high school experience and being able to do things with their friends and and to do these fun things that's part of the traditional high school experience.
Um our responsibility is not only to those whose positions are directly affected but also to the impact that those kind of decisions have on school culture at the school level, at the classroom level, and really at the district level. And we know that. Um and I just want to acknowledge that I understand the concerns that are raised and I and we all take them seriously. It's important to us that our community knows that every budget recommendation that has been made is grounded in what we believe is in the long-term best interest of the district and the people it serves. And that doesn't mean that this year's budget reflects what we believe is the long-term best interest of the school. We believe that that's the short term and there is a long longerterm goal here. We recognize that this budget does not meet all the needs of our schools, our teachers, and most importantly, our students.
That's where we see a lot of the students putting in um, the request for the angel fund. So, kind of the big times a year for us are like in the fall um, around homecoming and then towards the end of the year. Um, and certainly we want to be able to grant those so that the students can participate, be with their friends, have those experiences. Um, and I'm proud to say for for just about every every request that we get, um, we're able to we're able to grant those so students are able to participate. And I just have to make one more connection because we were talking about barriers and language barriers and like the financial pieces. So, one thing I'm really proud of this year, like working with our equity team, there were some requests to help pay for some credit recovery for some of our EL students to be able to go to summer school.
We know that that's true. I would like also and importantly to address some recent comments that have implied that certain segments of this community might not fully appreciate the the importance of our schools and suggested that some residents may not see the need to invest in them. And while it's appropriate and indeed it's necessary for us to examine our budget with care, it is equally important to reaffirm a core truth that defines this town. Dartmouth is a community that I believe deeply values its public schools. What I've learned in my time, two years here in Dartmouth, is that there is in fact a great deal of care and pride here. And that regardless of one's place in life, whether you're raising a young family here, you're enjoying your retirement, or you're just beginning to establish roots, there's a shared understanding that the future of this community is shaped by the legacy that we choose to leave.
So, that's awesome. Like, we're able to provide the students that registration fee that they need to be able to go to summer school, to be able to acquire more proficiency in um English here. And then that also will hopefully help connect students right to more activities and feel more confident by being involved in our things at Downer South and North. So, it's all a win-win. I think back to registration though, I think that's great to hear. I think from my experience in my daughter in high school that the coaches and and activity leaders do a great job of promoting if you can't afford something like they you see that all the time. And I just think the community, people who can afford to help if they knew kids, I 100% see what you're saying, buying a yearbook, getting a prom dress, getting a prom ticket.
Our schools are not a separate part of Dartmouth. They are the heart of Dartmouth. We are proud as a community to invest in children. That's what our schools do and that's what this community does. Not just because it affects or benefits our students today because it reflects who we are. Forwardthinking, united, committed to building a stronger future for all. Schools strengthen strengthen our local economy. Many of our educators, as a matter of fact, live here. whether whatever position they hold are people who are working in our schools. They support property values. They the our schools do attract families and businesses and they foster the kind of civic engagement that make communities thrive. And that's what we want for Dartmouth, a thriving community. I would also respectfully challenge the idea that there's any community, especially not Dartmouth, that doesn't understand the value of public education. Again and again, I've seen this town show up.
Like, I don't know if that's something I know there's a line item in registration for the foundation, but I think if community members knew that there's a fund and it's getting depleted and here's what it's for. I think our community would there'll be another push for that. That's great. So, and when it opened the first time, there was overwhelming support. Yeah. Great. So yeah, we just haven't had to do a drive since then. Yeah, which was fortunate, which was fortunate, but then now people are also staff members are becoming maybe more aware of it again as like people are it seems strange, but it feels co seems so long ago now, but at the same time, I feel like there's more questions, right? Because people are becoming again more comfortable for like everybody to be involved. So I feel like it's more resurfaced. And when you brought up that question, it made us think as we are analyzing the data and really dissecting it, there's a lot of parts that we're really proud of.
I've seen this town show up for school con concerts, for musicals, for athletic games, for budget hearings, for classroom events. The people of Dartmouth understand strong public schools are not just a benefit for some. They are a public good that strengthens us all. Maintaining the integrity of our budget process is important, and we need to uphold the community's trust. The residents of Dartmouth have shown their commitment to schools over time. And while it's necessary to review our budget with care and diligence, as I believe that we do, that the committee does, that um I certainly know that Mr. Kylie does, and I have the utmost faith and confidence in in the budget that's been developed here. At the same time, do I think it 100% meets the needs of our students? I do not. Um please make no mistake about it, though. when we make difficult decisions that impact people's lives and in turn the experiences for our students and that is true.
So when those numbers are really low that transportation, these are things are pretty low. It's because of things that have already been put in place. So this angel fund's been since 2019 and it's been community that it's it's being utilized and maybe that's why that number is so low. And if it wasn't, it may be a lot higher. Same with the transportation a few three years ago. They added that activity bus and now that number is is low. I don't know what that data was four years ago, but now we kind of know and we're kind we're really happy with it being open. Yeah. Is there an easy and discreet way for kids to access the angel fund? Yeah, there's um so there's an applica there's an application on the website, but usually students have conversations with an adult that they know in the building, whether it's their counselor, case manager, coach, teacher that they're connected to, and they're able to have those conversations.
We know this and we do all we can to protect our students because they're our most important asset. Um so this isn't about balancing numbers but numbers have to be balanced, budgets have to be balanced. It is about safeguarding our students. We're entrusted with this community's resources and it's our responsibility to use them wisely, but not just for today, for the generations to come. So, I just like to continue to have open, respectful dialogue and um felt that it was necessary to address some some um comments that were made about whether or not the residents of Dartmouth or all the residents of Dartmouth really truly valued um the public schools here. And I just from what I've seen um I just don't believe that to be true. I would say that there is a huge investment in this community, in our public schools, and and as far as, you know, the recent eliminations of some of our teaching positions, um those those hurt.
and then the adult is able to kind of guide them to find it, you know. So then it all happens that way. But I feel like it's always through a caring conversation that connects them easily to where that link is on the website. Any other comments or questions? Thanks very much. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Tonight is a night of feedback uh and going through that and looking at how that shapes our work as a district and how it will shape our work for next year. Uh you can see that is a subset of it here and the activities in athletics and kind of gives you a deep dive into that work. We're going to step back to kind of the 30,000 foot view and look at what our work will be focused on for the next school year holistically as a district and how we come to that determination and recommendation to the board as to what it should be.
They do. They're painful. Um and at the same time, I know the committee feels feels that. Uh none of this is being taken lightly. We care for our teachers. That's what we're about. our teachers uh care for our students and and that's our job to do the best we can to protect them. And at the same time, I just want to emphasize that this is not the perfect budget. We knew that when we presented it and if somehow we didn't um project that publicly and I apologize. That was not our intent at all. We deeply value the educators in this school district. And so I just wanted to make that statement and um and share that with the committee. And again, I so appreciate the committee support during what's really been challenging uh budget season. And Mr. Kylie, I don't know if you want to add anything.
Uh to back up a few years ago we uh wrote a new strategic plan. uh last year uh we worked on identifying measures within that. This year uh as you saw in this last presentation was a focus on looking at those measures and data inside of it. And one of the things that we know about high-erforming school districts, which we are and should continue to be and be better at, is that they focus on one thing at the highest level at a time. We can do many things in this district, but if we really want to move the needle on something and make a difference, it's going allin on something. As the superintendent, it really makes no difference to me what that thing that is that we all go all in on, but it's got to be a thing that we prioritize and really work diligently on improving.
It's it's tough to add much to to that. And we we really do feel that way. Um Dr. Save Maguire and I attended uh the joint meeting of the select board and the finance committee last Monday. Um it was an interesting meeting. We were invited to attend but really had no expectation as to you know what the rationale was for us attending. Um, we made essentially like we made it to the podium once relating to uh grant um a potential proposal to add a grant writer um for the town. And then um we responded explaining briefly the fact that we didn't uh you know that that that wasn't something that we would propose from our end. We we do write our own grants and you know have several very talented people some of whom are in this room um who really take the lead on on a lot of the grants that we write.