by how much the school could hold, how much grade levels could hold, and then how many how much special programs could hold like special education or gifted ELLL. Uh the numbers that we're using in this um uh recommendation have not changed uh for the last couple years. Uh and so we will treat any student that does not if you live in our boundaries, it doesn't matter if that capacity you get to come. But if you're outside of our boundaries and we're at capacity, uh then you'll be placed on a waiting list. If if uh uh room opens up then we would look to to allow you in. So I'd recommend approval as presented.
And there's a there's a fine group of people sitting on the back area there. And um we at this time, it's a little after 7:30, I'd like to uh have them all come up. Uh these are our Boston Marathon runners who will be representing the town of Ashland in this coming year's uh Boston Marathon. These are the folks who toil 26.6 miles. >> I'm sorry. 26.2. I just added 4/10 of a mile. That's okay. >> That's a lot. >> We'll bring it. We're going to we're going to we'll we'll >> No, we'll do the 410. >> I'll do the 410 and you guys can pick up the two 4 point. Yeah, 26.2. That works for me. Uh hey, what do you want for a 70 year old? That's not you know. Anyway, uh if you folks come on up um if you come by the podium and introduce yourselves, that would that would be great.
Um they um they did suggest that we do go out to bid for those projects. They also um recommended that we do a design bid build RFP for that. So we would put out an RFP for the design services and then engage with those services and then put out a second bid for the um the build part of that. Um and and their their thinking was that we may get better pricing that way. So we will proceed with that. >> Thank you. Okay. Any other questions? All right. Take it away, Emily. >> Thank you. Okay. So, the National Honor Society is hosting a blood drive next week for VHS students and staff, and they're collaborating with Red Cross, and this is the second one this year. >> What day? >> Um, it's the 12th right now, but it might have changed due to the snow day.
I don't see any other questions, so I will ask for a motion to recommend, uh, that we revoke policy 5141.34, TB testing of students and personnel, um, and send that vote to the board. Motion made by Minnie. Is there a second, please? Second. Uh, thank you, Wanita. Uh, all those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. I.
Um, an excellent idea. I second Allison's ask. >> Let's just do it. >> I mean, it would be nice. >> Did we learn about a little bit more about the DDA's percent for our program when they joined us a few months ago? We did. >> Yeah. And then I know they have at least two in addition to the project that you're talking about that are ongoing. They have one in in the Kerry Town area that I was on. >> Right. Right. and they also have like a way finding one. And so it would be nice to get kind of updates as far as how those are going and what the timelines are on those. >> We can make room at every meeting for one organization to come. They have a standing place on our agenda. So they can come and they can talk about whatever they want to talk about.
>> Okay. >> Yes. >> That really falls under the site council's >> Yes. >> determination where it's needed. Okay. >> Yes. I just >> And I'm apologize. It doesn't look like it was attached, but it was turned in. Okay. U Mr. D, you can send that to us after. >> Um, any other questions for the tax credits? I know it's pretty new beyond anything. >> Go ahead. >> Yeah, I was just curious like if we have if there was is that just like if people were interested in like donating to a specific part of a pro like developing new programs within the school, is that kind of what that would be used for? It's typically it's used for like if I make a donation and I I do for um a school. I just put where it's needed the most. That that's what I was explaining.
Um so estimated months it would cover for health insurance is about 12 months or so if you had 10 a $10,000 payout after all the taxes get p taken out. If you're going to go on to the cheapest ASRS plan, just the premium alone is going to pay about 12 months or so. Um obviously the other thing too, you're going to pay that 7.65% um in Medicare uh Medicare and FICA taxes as well. Want to go to the next slide? So let's talk about the prime plan a little bit. So the prime plan is going to be the medical trust. So this is going to be um we do what's called an exit interview. So an exit interview is how we make the determination between these two different options. So with this being an employer contribution, it becomes an employer plan. We have an exit interview with every retiree.
>> Any questions? >> No. If not, I'll take a motion. >> I move to approve the estimate the estimated of excess capacity I can't even talk. For open enrollment acceptance for the 2026 2027 school year as presented. A >> second. All in favor? >> I motion carries 5 to zero. >> Okay. 8.2 discussion and possible action regarding changes to policy as recommended by the ASBA and policy advisory 960. Second reading. >> Yeah, this is just a simple policy. They just wanted to remove uh June 20, 2016 out of the policy um because it's no longer uh applicable. So, I would just recommend approval as presented.
>> Line up at right by the podium and then we have time introduce yourselves and >> go first. Don't worry. won't you won't get shocked. >> We're really nice people. >> Yeah, we really are. >> Uh hello, my name is Talita and I'm one of the runners running this year. Um I I don't know if you remember me from last year. >> We do. >> Yeah. I I I was selected to run last year, but I had to defer because I got pregnant. And then life unexpected turned back to me and we lost babies with in the middle of the pregnancy >> in May and my husband he put his name in the lottery to run this year and he got selected. >> So it I was thinking that maybe I could get back running because he was selected. So I tried to take back my deferral and it worked.
So, um, I but I'm pretty sure it's the 12th. And next week, some of our spring sports have are having their preseason meetings. So, like I know winter sports are coming to an end. And the BHS spring musical of High School Musical is being put on next week from March 12th to 15th at the High School Auditorium. The shows are at 7 PM for March 12th through 14th and 2 p.m. for the for Sunday, March 15th. And there's themes for every night for the audience to be a part of. So the 12th opening night is Wildcat welcome where wear red and white. March 13th is auditions night. Wear a high school musical costume like you could dress as a jock or cheerleader, etc. Um, the 14th is get your head in the game, so you could wear sports and athletic gear and stuff like that.
Any opposed? All right. Thank you very much. Moving on. Policy 5141.5. Okay. Uh, the next policy is 5141.5, which is suicide intervention and prevention. Um, I want to call to everyone's attention that this is meant to be the higher level policy, um, and then there we are currently working on updated revisions to the regulations to spell out more specific scenario situations. Um, but the intent of this policy is to make sure that we clearly communicate, um, that we must take student safety and threats of harm, uh, to themselves, for example, extremely seriously, and follow a protocol which includes parental notification, includes outreach, um, to mental health services and support, potentially, um, like a 211, um, mobile health services, uh, or utilizing, um, the national suicide uh, prevention hotline, um, and that we take these matters very, very seriously. It further details, um, that we must have, um, uh, a a screener if a child is in need of an assessment, um, and currently that screener that is being utilized in in, uh, district is the Columbia Suicide Screener.
But I agree with that. I would be I would be perfectly fine if they wanted to send us a memo updating and didn't want to send a human. I obviously a human to talk to us and answer a question would be great, but like just a memo update would be even suffice to me. I don't know. >> True. >> Okay. Since we're How about this? What I'm going to do is I'm going to go ahead and send you guys a call for agenda items. Um, we're we're a little bit early for next month and I want you guys for these next two 3 weeks just think about anything that you guys would uh uh any any ideas that you guys have for our our meetings and stuff of that nature. uh and see also if you come up with anyone that you would like to to invite and then uh during our agenda sess uh setting meeting Mary Sarah and myself can narrow down the agenda and finalize it.
So that way the school can decide with the site council. they can have a meeting and they say, "Oh, um, we have an educational field trip that the school probably or it's not in their regular budget and they can use a tax credit only if it's an educational field trip. Um, if it's designated like they have designated athletics or a specific sport or library, there's been donations to mental health. Um, so in those cases, that's what they need to be used for, >> but it's up to the donor. And typically, um, because we do have that ability for them to pay online, they just put where it's needed the most, so they leave that up to each site, >> which I think is pretty cool. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> And then, Mr. Diaz, just for for the record, I think that the board had asked before on seeing a plan for use if there's if there's opportunity for the sites to be able to work on how do we utilize the funds.
Takes about 10 to 15 minutes. It's a phone call. This is where we uh determine if they need the money to go into the prime plan or into the 403b. Um it's an it's an employer plan. So the employer has to make the determination. The reason we like to talk to the uh employees and we make it mandatory for everybody to talk is so they can say what their situation is. The people that we talk to, the retirees that we talk to on these calls, 99% of the time coming into these, they know exactly what they want to do with that money. So, you're not you rarely run into someone who says, "Gosh, I don't know if I want this money to help pay for my health insurance or if I just want to uh put it into my tax deferred account." Most people will know, hey, I'm looking at $1,000 a month for health insurance.
>> Any questions on that one? Okay, I'll take a motion. >> I make a motion to approve the changes to policy DIE as presented in policy advisory 960. >> I second. >> All in favor? >> I motion carries five to zero. 8.3 discussion of possible action regard regarding CHS and CTE CTE and CMS classroom renovations. Madam Chair and members of the governing board, I'm excited to bring this recommendation to you. This is an opportunity for us to make an impact on the learning spaces in four areas. Uh three at the high school and one at the middle school. Um, I've listed those items out, but before we get to those, just want to give uh a huge thanks to a few people. First, Mr. Scragum, who really uh brought these to our department to uh uh help make this happen. He had visited with his teachers and saw what the needs were and came with came with a proposal and really took it from there.
I was able to do that. So I'm running this year with him. So we are running as a family. >> Nice. >> And >> Oh, that's wonderful. >> That's our story. Susan has a wonderful story. Oh >> yeah, that's our story. So we are running together this year in memory of our our twins and also >> uh getting back to the community because we appreciate a lot Asha and all the program because >> help people and help helped us too. So yeah, >> very nice. >> Thank you for sharing that. Thank you for sharing that. >> Thank you. >> Hello everybody. My name is Sam Thirstston. I live up on stage stage coach drive. Um been a resident of Ashlin since uh 2020. Um and grew up in in NICT. I've always gone to the Boston Marathon every single year. I've been endlessly inspired by it.
And the 15th is throwback show, so you can wear Y2K stuff. So that should be exciting. I hope everyone participates. >> A great idea. Shout out to whoever came up with those. Awesome. >> Well done. >> Um, so junior prom is coming up on March 27th and the spring pep rally is coming up soon with March Madness tournaments and that should be in late March. And I know this was brought up again, but Athletic Advisory is hosting the Polar Plunge Saturday, March 21st at Kanderwood Lake to raise money for the Special Olympics. So, please donate if possible. And so, 10 a.m. is the registration and 11:30 is the plunge plunge. And then those awards are after the plunge. Um, >> you're going to be plunging. >> Yes, I am. I'm going. I'm Yes. So, I'm excited for that. >> Um, and I know that the boys hockey has a states hockey game tonight.
Um, all of our people services staff have been trained on that screener, uh, to utilize. The purpose of that is if a if a child, um, is displaying any, um, self-harm, uh, either statements or actions, it helps them to assess the severity of that, and and helps to uh, then, uh, dictate what the appropriate intervention would be. Um, and so, uh, this policy is meant, uh, to talk about both our obligation to students are and our parental notifications, as well as the utilize utilization of, um, uh, an approved screener that supports, uh, student mental health and well-being. Questions from committee members. Okay, I don't see any. Um, uh, this is a very important, uh, important thing for us to be paying attention to, and to have, uh, actual metrics by which to measure, uh, will really hopefully help our staff as they keep an eye on our students and assess them for this.
Um, >> great. >> But so yeah, let's if everyone's on board, I'll do a call for agenda items. Take the next two weeks to to think uh think about who you would like to um invite to kind of speak to us or like Allison said, request a memo. I think uh maybe some organizations will uh um would like the option. >> Do you need another the idea that Allison put forward? Do you need us to reiterate that or is that good enough that we can just suggest it at a meeting like this that >> so let me just get um get a sense of uh to to ensure my understanding is correct. You guys are thinking about adding a essentially a blank slate to the agenda that that will allow any form of organization just uh the ability to talk uh about the the public art project that they may be doing in the city.
Not that I wouldn't not that I would say let's try and build it up but I think as a donor I would look at that and say well I'm donating and they don't really utilize the fund so why would I keep donating and this is just me thinking maybe it's not how they look at things >> I can tell you why I can tell you why. So, uh, you probably don't pay state taxes, >> correct? >> But I do. And so when when you pay, like if you pay or donate $200, then the person that's donating, if they pay taxes, they also get a tax credit dollar for dollar. So there's a benefit. So that's $200 that goes doesn't go to the state, it goes to the educational organization. Okay? >> So that's why people do continue. um they have the ability to to donate through April 15th for last year.