What I should say is more availability for sports which I'm associating with inter mural and less availability. Fair. I would say generally speaking, yeah, there we do have sports like cross country that are in essence like no cut sports. Yeah, I did cross country make reductions for safety, but everybody participates for the most part. Yeah. No, I mean that was my experience running cross country. Everybody got to participate. It was uh Yeah, I I enjoyed it. Um but the anxious generation goes through my mind. Um because you and I have had that conversation, Jeff, about um after school activities uh and kids who come home and they jump on their devices um and the parents don't necessarily want that, but they don't really know what the alternative is. I mean, by the time that by the time the kids get to fifth or sixth grade, I think a lot of them don't even really want to go to the Y after care anyway, but they will.
Um, typically with magnet schools, uh, the runs are long longer anyways because of the nature of picking up students from the span of the city as opposed to one geographical area. So, we'll monitor that in bulk. Um, we'll also going to closely monitor. Um, I know that there's a lot of uh, you know, some consternation on the parent side about combining the two age groups. Um, but that is something that's very common across many districts. I've spoken to many superintendent um on it and um what they noticed was that the u the behavioral issues that they've had in the past usually were more on the middle school side tend to decrease in the presence of some of the older students. Um the run would combine grades 6, 7, and 8. And then 10, 11, and 12. No 9th grade graders would be on the bus because all 9th graders go to Danbury High School.
And I think that the the choir coming in uh and I don't want to speak for Wacko, but I I I think that them coming in was like such a success and such a nice thing for everybody, right? Like for parents, for the students, for all of us that were there witnessing it. Um it's just making probably everybody think of more opportunities to do more of that, like let the kids go in there and be showcased on TV. Um in addition to even coming in here, you know, I think this kind of follows on to if you remember last year when we had the uh the the mistake where we didn't get coverage for the students in here and then uh Wacka went to Warren and did something, right? I think this is just a building tried to record with their phones or something, right?
Congratulations. Couttori Marie Wait, Sydney Shauna Ward Cole J. Waterman, Brendan Michael Waters, [Music] Jane Abigail [Music] Weaver. Her diploma will be given by father lead mechanic Jay Weaver. Robert Iago Welch [Music] Bridgette Ivy White. Congratulations, Erica Marie Whitehead. Jada Irene Wilson, [Applause] Catherine Joe Win, [Music] [Applause] Sheay Joseph Wolf, Elio R. Daniel Zarima, Carara Adeline Zak, Olivia Renee Fredo, Nora Helen Kle. [Applause] [Music] See if I can move this [Music] myself. Our final speaker has had a storied career at Essex Tech. He is a standout in the information technology services program. He is a Skills USA state vice president, the founder and chairperson of the Essex Tech Student Council, and the student representative for our school committee. In addition, he has been a member of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Student Advisory Council, a peer mentor, a peer mediator, and a student athlete.
There's still something to do. There can be still some, you know, activity for them. If you don't have uh if you don't have kids who live next door to you, um you're not going to necessarily have somebody for them to just chat with or hang out with, play, do whatever at whatever age. Um, yeah, I think I I mean I I would want to hear more about it, but I'll just put myself out there saying the idea of uh when we're talking about the busing, the potential of changing athletics, the design of the athletic program. I'm open to it. I'm not advocating for it by any means right now, but I think that there could be some merit to it. Um it could be potentially more upside than downside. Yeah, I I think you know it's easy to say um the reduction of inter school intercolastic athletics at DOD is the worst thing that could ever happen.
So, um, you know, we'll be sending an official letter out to families to make them aware and then I've offered to, um, go into the PTO at Westside, um, in their next PTO just to talk to any parents who may still have concerns or have questions about about the process because it is a change and a departure from what we've done in the past. Right. And that is it for my superintendent report. Any standing committees want to report at this time? Miss K. Um, I'd just like to report out on the policy committee. We um we just had a little uh scheduling um mixup and our policy meeting that was uh planned for this evening is going to be happening June 2nd at 6 p.m. and it will be via Zoom. So uh I hope that all the policy committee members can make it. I did text you about it.
But but I think it ended up being better that they went and did a a special on them. So I think it is kind of special for them. The kids were really excited about it and it was very professionally done and they do such a great job over there. So anyhow, um I'll just add my support for it too. I think it things we talk about better community Um, I think while it's not the exact same thing as we've talked like showcasing our successes at the district, I think it's a great opportunity to show the successes of our kids important sort of talking about it as a structural showing how special they are and their unique talents and all that. I think would support you doing it. I think if there's an a time when you're not able to else from the committee who can pinch it for you.
He will attend Wentworth Institute of Technology in the fall to pursue a computer science degree and they will be lucky to have him as were we. Please join me in welcoming your class of 2025 president Acro Machini. Good evening, Essex Northshore families, staff, school committee, guests, and most importantly, the class of 2025. [Applause] Before I begin, I'd like to quickly take a moment for our classmates to look at the people directly to their left and right. The people have cheered us on, lifted us up, and stood by our side. Their unwavering support is the base of our success, and they deserve a quick thank [Applause] you. Next, I'd like to shift our look to the faculty section. These remarkable educators have guided us with wisdom, passion, and a long rope of patience. Without them, we would not be walking this stage moments ago.
I I think um you know there are pros and cons to pretty much anything that we're talking about here. Um and it depends from where you sit, right? Like and so that's why it's important to engage the community and have some conversations about these things and get feedback. Yeah. Yeah. No, I totally appreciate that. I do. Um yeah, I'm just again like the changing start times. All I'm saying is I'm open-minded to it. Yeah. And thank you for starting the discussion. Sure. Um, so I'm going to go into our next we have three proposals left, but I these are all proposals with a two-tier bus system. So again, we're the three tier system. Um, but I'm going to show you three would say the cost implication on all of these is heavier than what you've seen in the previous two proposals. Uh but in this first proposal, what is happening in proposal C is that we are aligning all of the elementary schools to an earlier start time so that their start times are the same and then having a later high school start time.
So uh this is your official notice. Thank you. Okay. No one else. Um Mike, do you have anything that you want to bring to the door concerning um the budget or finance? Mr. Jell is not here. No, I don't think so at this time. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Action item A. Michelle. I know. I was just looking at it. There we go. I didn't see the I still don't see the A. There we go. Sorry. um motion that the board of education accept the April 2025 financial report as recommended by the finance committee and in accordance with 25-95. Motion made by Michelle. Could I hear a second? Seconded by Kate.
Awesome. Let's go forward. Perfect. Thank you. Okay. Uh school committee summer retreat dates. Um Jim can weigh in, but I'll just start too, but I know Jim put out some possibilities. The one where most of us were available, Marcy is not available. And I know it's like such an important meeting that we try to only do it when everybody is available. And I don't know if that's ever going to happen, but also, you know, budget is a big part of what we need to talk about and Marcy is such a great contributor in that area that I for one, you know, would love to have make it possible for her to be there. So, in order to do that, we need to come up with another potential date. And um we talked I asked Jim, Mark and I asked Jim about, you know, how important is it that it even happens this summer?
I'd like to especially thank Miss Batser and Mr. Norton who have not only shaped my experience in the IT program, but have also taught me lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. Happy retirement, Miss [Applause] Batser. People may look at our generation as lazy, distracted, and not ready for the real world. When I look at the 419 graduates seated before me, graduates of the top career technical agricultural education institution in the Commonwealth, I see something completely different. I see passion. I see hustle. I see a generation that does not just rise to the occasion. We create the occasion. We also have the results to show for it. We made history in Skills USA with the most state gold medals ever as a class. We shattered records in DECA with the most international competition qualifiers than any class before us. We launched the first ever student council and chapter of the Dirty Hands Club.
So all elementary schools start at the same time and DD and the high school start at the same time. The cost of running a model like this where we're reducing the number of tiers and aligning school schedules based on the the age range of the child um is $950,000 above the baseline cost. Uh that is because in tier 2, which is the Treasure High School and Dodd tier, you'd be having to run 49 buses, which is 13 buses over what we're currently running in our max tier. So that is really why there's such a cost increase to doing this. But um you know the tears condense, people have the same school time, job shifts a little bit later. Um this is the most cost ineffective of the proposals that I'm going to lay out tonight. The two the two next two-tier models are more cost effective, but this is what this would look like um if we tried to align age ranges.
Any questions concerning the motion? Seeing none, I um all in favor could I hear I oppose. Motion self-care action item B the 202425 budget. Make a motion that the board of education authorize the chief financial uh officer to make uh year end line item adjustments to the balance of 2024 2025 budget as recommended by the finance committee. Motion made by Al. Could I hear a second? Seconded by Teresa. Any question concerning the motion? All in favor? Could I hear I? I oppose. Motion so carried. Julie action item C.
Because if there's nothing urgent that needs to get settled before September, um could we start the meeting after start finding dates after the summer if we really can't come up with a week when we're all in town? Um so, we talked about potentially September. Um I did chat with Marcy today. her suggestion was maybe end of June. Um, while we're still things are still fresh in our mind and we have data and whatever. I I know Mark's away for some of those dates. So, I mean, this could go on. Um, but I guess we should at least try to expand our time frame a little bit and see if we can't find a date that includes everybody. And so, I don't know how you all feel about that. I want to add to that. So, when we we sat and talked Jim about the agenda setting, right?
We uplifted advocacy through Lasso Women's Empowerment Club and Best Buddies. We reached new heights in the workforce with the highest co-op participation rate in school history. We harbored leadership in FFA with a state officer and gave our all 110% to every single opportunity that came our way. And we also finally got the Larkin Cottage built, which is proof that miracles really can [Applause] happen. But even with the long list of accomplishments, we know this truth. There's always room to work harder, reach higher, and be better. That's what vocational education has taught us. Because when great is possible, good is never enough. In the long run, no one's going to dwell on the moments where you fell short. What they'll remember, and what you will remember, is how you responded. It's not failure that defines you, but the fire you find in yourself to rise, rebuild, and keep moving forward.
Yes, Tim. Yeah, thank you. Um uh so I I understand and St. Bridges although to understand those I'm looking at three and five buses with no times on them. Is that just they're sort of outlier? So you're just putting them to the side. Yeah, I'm putting them to the side because they are they are a little bit later. There's like a little bit of flexibility there. Not a ton. Um but they don't start as early as this this early tier. Um but we do have to consider them in the overall proposal. So, all right. And so, Will Wyman Hall is similar to Will Cox in that it's a it's got a technical or an agricultural school there or so we send a good number of kids over there and provide the busing. Correct. Okay. And those are I'm just taking are those the small buses or the the 70 they're not 72 seat buses, are they?
Motion that the board of education has set for second reading in adoption in a adoption policy 5144.12 restoration practice response and recommended by the policy committee and in accordance with 25-96 any I need a second to the motion seconded by alarm any questions all in favor of the motion I say I I oppose motion. So carry K policy D. I'll make a motion that the board of education revoke policy 5131.91 bullying as recommended by the policy committee and in accordance with exhibit 25-97. Motion made by Kate. Could I hear a second? Seconded by Al.
Um we we started to have that discussion about was there anything that we need was there in the middle of that really didn't feel that thing except budgeting. So we kind of realized that was thought focal point of discussion thought you know what doing that September which is just an earlier lead in to the budget than we typically have that probably works well working on budget. So, well, and I would imagine it then gives because one of the things about doing a retreat in June is most of the time Jim and and others want some time to prepare for the things we're going to discuss. And if it's a little piggy piggybacked on the end of the year, then they probably don't have the ability to prepare. Right. Right. Need a a break and a to get refreshed and everything. It's been a lot this year.
That's what shapes your story. And that's what shapes a legacy. As if high school wasn't enough, we know life will get harder. When you grow tired and when doubt creeps in, remember how you got here through grit, late nights, and early mornings. And if you ever need a reminder of how unpredictable life can be, we can think of our senior sunrise, future plans barbecue, and the hundred other events we got rained out on this year and almost this graduation. We were able to learn that sunshine is a state of mind. As we smiled, took photos, and made the most of it anyways, like we always do. You've already proven that the light of ambition drives out fear. So, choose growth over comfort and action over hesitation. And if you're ever feeling burnt out, just remember that LeBron James is still in the MVP conversation at 40 years old.