>> Any other comments or questions? No. All right. Well, thank you so much for the presentation and for the savings. It's great. All right. And this is a resolution and I'm looking for a motion. Second. >> Um move to adopt resolution 25-16. >> A second. All right. And this is a roll call vote. >> President H. I. >> Trust. I >> trusty Brewer. >> I, >> Trusty Boak, >> I. >> Great. The resolution passes. Thank you so much. And next up is board policy 3515.4. >> It is recommended the board review and approve board policy 3515.4, recovery for property loss or damage, for a first reading. And so this um is also updated based on a new assembly bill um that will put uh it reflects current limits on what parents and guardians can be liable for in terms of any property damage done by students.
So unfortunately, we're not making the progress we want yet um there. Um just a quick professional learning update, try to give that as much as possible. I always talk about that year two three program that happened this past week. We had 22 folks from Mendon-Upton and Milford with us visiting our our classrooms across the district. On Monday, we had about 28 of them last week. We have got a number of our educators visiting Milford uh tomorrow. Um one of the most exciting things about that program in particular is is we have a great relationship with them in terms of our our EL folks going to see the amazing work that happens in the EL program in Milford and Christy Arnold actually is planning on joining them tomorrow so she can go and and see what's happening in Milford as well. And they have a wonderful preschool program too.
And I guess this is more for Andy. Is it realistic to aska of a business manager to also write grants? >> Uh I'd say it's really not common, but it's not saying it's out of the realm of possibility. I mean I we've got staff on our team that actually write the entitlement grants uh that you know Mr. Sullivan does for here. But as far as the actively seeking out grants and writing grants, there's schools of thought and I, you know, I hear what member Goodwin is saying and it's not at all wrong or incorrect. It's just some of the things that some I go back to my audit days. Um, are these grants that we're seeking going to be used to enhance our existing programs? Are they creating new programs that would then divert from the attention of what it is that we're all about?
The expanded learning time grant was a phenomenal grant that this district received and it brought in a lot and created a lot of programs, but uh what is out there and then does it then potentially divert from the other things? And again, that's beyond my purview as far as even a business manager goes, but long answer to your question is business managers I can tell you do not do a lot of grant writing. Okay. They help out with the grant management side of things as far as a financial side, but because you're talking about you know, writing what it is as far as educational goals and objectives, you know, we're numbers people. So. Thank you. Remember the name. The day that Superintendent Judith Wole canceled the ELT grant was the day that I decided to run for the school committee. I come from the flagship school of that grant.
And it also um prohibits us to collect um damages from any current or former student that might be unhoused or be in the foster care system. It's I'll make a motion. I did have a comment though. Um I'll make a motion to to review and approve the board policy. If I have a second, I can share my comment. >> Okay. >> I'll second. She >> So this this did come up once uh at the uh at the uh when I was part of the music boosters. Um so we have we have a large inventory of um of musical instruments that students are take home and there was a question about what happens if uh if it gets broken >> and there was a contract that was um you know like unofficial contract between the student and the and the and the school side that was that said you know you're liable for this and you're in case of any damage you're >> but we could not enforce it >> right we cannot So we are we are incurring loss because there's >> so so does this reaffirm that if the if the student breaks it so we cannot just we cannot go after them basically we cannot say that we we cannot no longer have that contract saying that we we we expect you to reimburse us for the >> depending on their circumstances and I know this is in our business services division so I think it also depends on the situation.
Um so the opportunity for our our preschool teachers, especially the ones in the specific programming models for are able to go see what's happening in Milford. Uh other quick things, talked about MTSS processes and procedures are well underway. That's been our major goal this year is is sort of honing in on the process and the procedures that we have. That's our goal for our next meeting is to really leave our MTSS meeting with the district-wide folks to say, this is what the process looks like for every building, for every uh school meeting that that takes place. So, they all look the same and we're all uniform. And also, I touched upon the fact that we're utilizing our Open Architect platform and we've made some really good progress in that. I I looked at them the other day and there are a ton of folks throughout the district who are using that to be able to track some specific initiatives that are happening so we can really look at data and see how students are improving based on some specific goals that have been set.
Now, I'm I'm going to make the assumption because I know of Miss Member Goodwin's experience that she's not talking about diverting attention from the thing, but it's just a matter of the the goal of what it is that these other grants are. The expanded learning time grant was a phenomenal grant that this district received and it brought in a lot and created a lot of program stuff but uh what is out there and does it then potentially divert from the other things and again that's beyond my purview as far as even a business manager goes but long answer to your question is business managers I can tell you do not do a lot of grant writing >> okay >> they help out with the grant management side of things as far as a financial side but because you're talking about, you know, writing what it is as far as educational goals and objectives.
The school that I came from before Massachusetts was the one that really created that grant and got it off the ground and so I'm very familiar with that grant and had been a recipient of its uh many uh wonderful advantages uh for several years. So, when I saw that they gave away that grant without talking to the community, without having listening sessions about that, I became very angry and that is why I ran. Um I took a course with Kate Martini from the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials and we took a how to hire a school business officer course and one of the things that they suggested was that we specifically ask about grant writing. So, that is where that came from and that is um why we talked about it and have asked candidates if they have experience with it and every candidate we spoke to said yes and it wasn't a problem.
Many I think this is more applicable to largecale damage when we're looking at property damage because we've had that happen in the past as well uh with um the kitchen cafeteria doors right being damaged because of uh students and things of that nature. So, but you can clarify. Uh, >> so yes, we we can still have them signed contracts. Um, um, it's not 100% enforceable. Um, but we do still make them sign the contracts. Um, we also do it for um, Chromebooks as well. Um, so that they're aware of, you know, if any damages, they can be held liable. It's just like if they were to damage a textbook, we would still request if they, you know, um fix or repair or not um payback that that >> it's part of the school materials. Yeah. So that yeah, that falls under like their instructional materials um >> requirements.
Um Safety Committee uh met recently and uh our focus right now um is is less on crisis intervention techniques because we've done a lot of that work and now we're looking at what happens after the aftermath of a potential crisis incident and we are looking at our reunification procedures. Um we are utilizing uh some great some great tools that are there from our Raptor Support Team that we have uh as well as the Safe Schools. And uh we are going to be working in conjunction the police department and fire department as you always do to determine an on-site um local community venue for any potential reunification that would have to take place. Um Flag Day, I'm sure I'm probably stealing some of Abichek's stuff, but Flag Day at the high school on March 13th at 10:30, always a wonderful event uh where we celebrate the many different cultures that are represented in Ashland High School.
You know, we're numbers people. So, >> thank you, >> member Den. The day that Superintendent Judith Hoo cancelled the ELT grant was the day that I decided to run for the school committee. I come from the flagship school of that grant. The school that I came from before Massachusetts was the one that really created that grant and got it off the ground. And so I'm very familiar with that grant and had been a recipient of its uh many uh wonderful advantages uh for several years. So when I saw that they gave away that grant without talking to the community, without having listening sessions about that, I became very angry and that is why I ran. Um, I took a course with Kate Martini from the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials and we took a how to hire a school business officer course and one of the things that they suggested was that we specifically ask about grant writing.
Um I do believe um we're now in the many millions of dollars of grants, is that correct Assistant Superintendent? Do you know what the amount is so far? Last time we talked it was like 2.5 million or something like that. >> to say, I think the last report that we had done in it last fall was 2.4 million over a 16-month period. Yeah, and there was a time when uh former superintendent Pat Nodden, when she was the assistant superintendent, got $5 million worth of grants. Um this is something that we cover, and I'm I'm not opposed to having positions for the things that we need. Like, let's pay people to do the things that would most benefit us. But, we also have people making a lot of statements about how they do not like the money that we're paying for the administration. The administration is making their money over you know, they're already making their money by writing grants.
This is more like I said larger scale >> property damage. >> Okay, good. Thank you. Just wanted to get that clarification. So, >> all those in favor? I >> I All right. And the board policy passes. Um, next up is the new board policy 3530. It is recommended the board review and approve new board policy 3530 risk management um insurance for a first reading. And so this one is also updating language regarding um timelines for reporting to the board any riskmanagement activities. Um it's recom it's recommending that it now be done twice a year periodically to provide the board an update on where we stand as a district in terms of of risk and our insurance liability updates. Okay. Okay. Move to review and approve board policy 3530. >> A second. >> All those in favor? I >> I All right. Great. And next up is board policy 3580.
If you have an opportunity to attend, I encourage you to do so. It's at 10:30 uh on the 13th. A a great event where it's for our our whole entire high school community. And Literacy Night, one of the things that I'm most proud of at the Warren School. It's something that we started quite a few years ago. Um not so sure that parking lot can maintain it, but it's a it's a wonderful event and that is happening on uh March 18th. So, give a plug to Warren. I had the pleasure over the course of the last week to read a story to every uh every student at the Warren school. I went into each classroom and they asked me to read if I could build a school. Uh and I read that to all of the kids and they are now going to present me with their ideas on what their fantasy school would look like.
So that is where that came from and that is um why we talked about it and have asked candidates if they have experience with it and every candidate we spoke to said yes and it wasn't a problem. Um I do believe um we're now in the many millions of dollars of grants. Is that correct assistant superintendent? Do you know what the amount is so far? Last time we talked it was like 2.5 million or something. I was going to say I think the last report that we had done on it last fall was 2.4 million over a 16-month period. >> Yeah. And there was a time when uh former superintendent Pat Node when she was the assistant superintendent got $5 million worth of grants. Um this is something that we cover and I'm I'm not opposed to having positions for the things that we need.
So, I just don't really see why in this particular climate, when we're about to hear probably about how we don't have enough money to do anything, is what I'm guessing is about to happen in 10 minutes. Um why we would want to hire grant writers. So, I just don't see what the problem statement is. So, I guess I'd like to hear what what is the problem? What is the specific target amount that you think that you could get a grant writer to go for? Um what kinds of grants would you want them to go after? What you grants come with stipulations. So, you could get one, but it could mean that you have to do X, Y, and Z in order to maintain it or deserve it or you know, satisfy it. That also takes maintenance and awareness. So, I think that it's a fairly nuanced problem, and I think that we have what we can get covered, and I think that I strongly trust our administration to continue to go after the grants that will benefit our community the most.
>> It is recommended the board review and approve board policy 3580 district records for a first reading. Um, this one also updates language to include um actions uh related to cyber security breaches. >> I'll move uh move to review and approve board policy 3580. >> Is there a second? >> Second. All those in favor? >> I. >> All right. Great. That policy passes as well. Next up is C1, board policy 5020. It is recommended the board review and approve board policy 50/20, parent rights and responsibilities for a first reading. Um, this policy also is updated based on the new court decision for Mohamad versus Taylor. So, uh, making sure that we've noticed parents of their opt out, um, options, which has already been updated and done in our annual notification for parents. >> I move for approval. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I.
So, they have uh templates that were created for them where they're going to be drawing their plans or writing And you know, I I thought of that today. But again, it's just another one of those wonderful ways to get students thinking beyond the typical way we think. And I I look forward to seeing their fantastic ideas. Um when they when they see me on the 18th. Sorry. I just want to make sure he was okay. His office is right next to mine. He knows how bad it is at times. You're all right there, buddy? Okay. Sorry, Mike. Continue. >> I'm done. Oh, you're done? >> I'm done. >> Okay. Yes. Unless there's questions. They usually are from Paul, but we'll see. Not tonight. He He just made a very brief comment, so I figured I would throw one back. Yeah. Um I can't handle the darts.
like let's pay people to do the things that would most benefit us. But we also have people making a lot of statements about how they do not like the money that we're paying for the administration. The administration is making their money over, you know, they're already making their money by writing grants. So, I just don't really see why in this particular climate when we're about to hear probably about how we don't have enough money to do anything is what I'm guessing is about to happen in 10 minutes. um why we would want to hire grant writers. So, I just don't see what the problem statement is. So, I guess I'd like to hear what what is the problem. What is the specific target amount that you think that you could get a grant writer to go for? Um what kinds of grants would you want them to go after?
And if there are some that are out there that we need to get, I'd like to see a detailed description of those and the likelihood that we could get them based on the salary required to hire a grant writer. Thank you. All right. Any other comments, questions? Are you ready to vote? Let's Oh, are we doing a vote? Does this require a vote? Well, uh This isn't formulated as a motion per se. >> It wasn't formulated as a motion. It was less formal to It was a temperature check to see what the will of the committee was before saying, "Yes, we the subcommittee are directing the superintendent to include this in the budget." So, could it a less formal vote? Like a straw poll? Yeah, straw poll. Okay. But do we have a number first? I mean, if we're asking And we don't even have a number of what this would cost, so.