So, it it's it's a complicated puzzle. You guys all know that, but Well, we might select the number that they begrudgingly agreed to and not the Maybe not begrudgingly agreed to. They fully supported it. They were very good about it. But the FinCom Berlin FinCom was They were split. Two two. Two two. So, what does that mean? A failed vote or Yes. It's not considered not supported, but they were very good last year at the meeting at standing up and acknowledging that it was a two two. They did the same thing last year. Oh, so it's a >> They were very nice about standing up and acknowledging that it was two two. It was not like a fail. And and I can't stress enough they asked really thoughtful questions. It it gave credibility to the work that we did here, right? They really did. Um so, I I have to acknowledge that.
However, I would you know I don't want to speak out of turn. >> Well, we're behind April. we are and that and that was brought up and and we still want to make sure that we have enough time for open enrollment to hopefully start by May 1st. >> So I'd like to ask you to advocate on behalf of the board of education >> that at this particular point we don't feel that we can comfortably make a change without chaos. We have and I believe again I only want to speak for myself but I have >> you're also advocating for >> well I'm sorry I only want to speak for what's been talked about in that meeting >> for because we haven't voted on that but that has been the discussion. Okay. >> It is very very much leading like we will be staying with you with the incumbent carrier.
And so, what we are proposing is how do we adequately ensure that we have some level of fiscal sustainability for things that we actually have control of versus what we don't. And I get and I get where you're coming from, Rachel, in terms of understanding the pictures, but I also want to put us back into what do we control in terms of our funding streams? Yeah, I >> Can I just say something to maybe clarify? Sure. So, I think what Rachel's trying to say is that if we sit here tonight and we ask the town, if we decide to go with 1B, and so we're asking the town to come up with the 70,000 out of their free cash, after they get reimbursed, the town the town will actually have maybe spent under 35. under 35,000 because they anticipated reimbursement that the town would receive would be 41,000.
I sat for hours in some other town meetings and no one asked me any questions about some of these things, which was which was difficult for us as well, too, but very thoughtful questions from Berlin about what would this look like for a reading specialist? What would this look like for the for the coaching model as well? Yeah. So, so in Berlin they have So, the Select Board FinCom seven people total they would recommend or they would recommend something at town meeting. So, what is that? Some five of the seven actually are in support of this number, so. So, it's a mess. I mean, it's it's not necessarily that cuz they're split on different boards, but of the seven people who are giving a recommendation, five of them. Yeah. So, I mean, every single email I can identify about how we our children have used the adjustment counselors and then more and more in need over the elementary and it was not addressed in the elementary it gets worse in the high school.
>> Good. >> Yes. So >> I would be shocked if we Anna I see you over there like oh my god. >> I got you. I got you. No, we had we had the United Rep out. Um we Oh, the other thing that I wanted to add is that we were really looking at some programs and services to increase what we're offering to our employees as well as being conscious of um our claims and and what those are looking like. really looking for a win-win of what we can offer the employees on the plan as well as looking out for the taxpayers of you know 20% increases year-over-year is really not sustainable for anybody. So really a lot of the focus of that conversation was on how we can still meet all of the needs of our employees and also meet the needs of the taxpayers in town and and find that that blend.
We're just trying to figure out if that is a a I don't know. Yeah, I'm I'm sorry. I really want to understand the question, but I feel like we're like in parallel and I'm just not getting it yet. So, the assessment charge comes to the school's budget. The revenue goes to the town. So, the town would receive whatever reimbursement they're entitled to, they receive it. But I I I guess I'm not understanding the 35, 41 difference. >> So, I think what cuz I'm trying to follow along. So, I think what they're saying, Shannon, is that we're only at we're asking for 70, but the town is going to get 41 thousand back. And so, And if we're effectively billing the town, if we're adding our to our request the cost of the charter students, which I believe is closer to 76K, um but if we're asking the town for that money, then understanding what of that money they're reimbursed for seems very relevant to the conversation about how much money we're asking the town for.
So, I feel that and I don't argue with any of that. Um you know, I think to cancel out the paras in kindergarten for an ELA coach is like it doesn't make sense. You know, we're we're hiring a new superintendent who literally lectures around the country about ELA and reading. Um so, I don't know if next year is really the year to also bring on an ELA coach, which we literally hired a superintendent for that knowledge in that area. This is what we said at the March 10th meeting and then we added it on. No, [laughter] we had this conversation I know, like yes, I know he's the superintendent, but I was hoping that he would share that knowledge with us and not just the nation. So, So, I would like to bring that up again. I mean, he probably will, right? He'll probably absolve it.
So >> thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. Okay. And then uh Mr. Sparker, any update from the PTO's? >> I do. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Uh, I'll start with Cherry Brook. So, they hosted the Scholastic book fair in March. Each child went home with a book and teachers had at least three books from their wish list granted and they were also able to fulfill the library's wish list and raise about $4,000 for the PTO. Uh, their hospitality committee fed staff during conference week, including a mobile soda bar, which was a big hit. PTO and volunteers assisted with the ReadAcross America week with decorations and a school readaloud with the theme blast off with a good book. Also, a generous donation from the Cranshaw family allowed the PTO to purchase the readaloud book for each classroom and the library. Um, at CIS, they uh provided a dirty soda bar for paraprofessional day.
Right. So, the second year they would be reimbursed for 60%. Oh, is everything okay? I don't know. I don't know what's happening. >> Sorry, there's someone at the door. Go ahead. Okay. Um So the this this student one student would be in their second year of charter. They'd be going into first grade next year. So the town would receive 60% reimbursement of the cost. The other student, I believe, is entering the last year of reimbursement. So they would receive 40% of that cost reimbursed. But the school district pays the full cost, correct? Correct. So But we're talking about like effectively where we're where we're charging that amount to. That's why I'm No, no, I get it, but I wanted to like she didn't state that fact. I wanted to state that fact. The fact that the school district pays the full cost. So even like understanding what they get back, we're still paying we're still going to pay out the full amount even if they get back less of it.
>> No, I fully and that's that was my mind as well. Like that that that's why I did not think we should add it. He's not going to be in the in the buildings coaching. Like look at how much work like he's going to be the superintendent. He's not going to be the coach, right? Like But he could mentor to her point so that the teachers have the professional development. Or work with the tutors Yeah. Dr. Dr. Colon and I have been working really closely. We're looking forward to working closely together, but he's never been a superintendent, right? So, there's a whole transition for him. Different being an assistant superintendent. He's going to do phenomenal work, but he's going to have to learn this job and and the responsibilities that go along with this job as well, too. So, to say he's going to be the ELA coach at the same time might be is is a big stretch for him.
Apparently, this is a big thing right now. um planning they are planning to host a color run on June 5th. So stay tuned for more info on that. And this is kind of an answer to your question earlier, Lou. Tomorrow is the student staff basketball game at CIS at 6 o'clock. >> Okay. >> Um and they are looking for some more volunteers. There is a signup genius available if people want to volunteer to work that. Um, moving on to CMS, they provided lunch to staff during conferences from Pointe Pub, Pointe Pub, excuse me, which is owned by a Canton family. The date for Lobster Loop was approved by the town and that will be August 30th. So, put that on your calendar. Uh, they're currently recruiting seventh grade parents to help with the eighth grade promotion and continuing to recruit for the board for next school year.
So I I'm just grateful that we're even willing to pose the 70,000. The bottom line becomes the same in terms of what we're going to receive as a school district. I'm sending the two of you, Shannon and Dr. Z, the thing that the stuff from the spreadsheet that Rachel was talking about cuz I actually downloaded the same thing today. Just I don't know if it'll change. I think I know what it is. I I know what you're looking at. Is part Dr. Z, I think I just just one thing you were just saying clicked. Part of what you're saying Is part of what you're saying also that So let's say the town gets back half, like 35 for cleaner numbers for a minute. The town we we charge that charter num- number 70 to the town. They have agreed to pay it. They get back 35.
No, I know, but like we're looking at a new curriculum hypothetically ELA curriculum. We're getting a superintendent with ELA knowledge. So, I feel like it's a little premature to be hiring an ELA coach as well within kind of that transition year while taking out the one-on-one individual help within the classroom at kindergarten, which is the foundation to their education. So, and you know, and and I mentioned last meeting, too, like we know that there's no more nursing needs within our students, but maybe the 8 FTE would be something to consider acknowledging we do need more, but there's a whole lot of need everywhere, so you know. We were really trying to be equitable as well, too. And I know, you know, equal doesn't actually mean equal doesn't actually mean equal. We we got that, but we're we're really trying to be mindful of what's happening in Berlin in the schools and what's happening in Boylston elementary schools with paras, with with all the support they're getting.
Uh, they're also planning for teacher appreciation week and field days that are coming up. Moving on to uh athletic boosters. Spring sports have begun. Um Kim can attest it's track and April is cold. Uh also the committee is being formed to review applications for the booster senior scholarships. Uh they give out six $500 scholarships to seniors involved in athletics. Um last but not least, CFA. CFA is also forming their committee for their new senior scholarships. This is the first year they're offering three $1,000 scholarships to seniors involved in the arts. Uh the Disney sendoff concert with looks like people were able to attend last night um was great. Um and there are about 105 students going on the trip this year. So a good turnout for that. Uh the inner district jazz concert was last week which will support guest artists throughout our schools. Um, they also supported the CMS play with concessions help and they're working to have the CHS choir sing at a yard goes to game again this year.
They get they allocate that 35 to the Pelham elementary school, we cannot then put it in our choice budget. We've still eaten that amount out of our choice budget. Is that one of the things you're saying? Can you repeat that a little bit slower for me? Let me walk through these numbers for you. Yeah. Let me see if I can repeat that more slowly. Okay, Sarah Beth nodded her head, so maybe you can. Okay. What? Choice and charter are two separate entities. Choice money, we decide how like we get our students, we decide how much to use. Charter, we are charged by the charter schools, and then the school pays it, and then because of some other situation that happens over here, the towns are reimbursed to help offset that cost. How much the town gets is dependent on what year of charter school that child is in.
There's there's still need in Berlin as well, too. So, we're just trying to to be mindful of that when we made those decisions. Um we we absolutely think there should be a full-time adjustment So, we should be two a full-time adjustment counselor in Berlin as well, too. We just needed to make sure we reach this number here that Berlin and Boylston has given to us at the town. So, now to Aaron's point what we said, you you got to if you if you vote on this number that we've given you here and if you want to send us in a direction a little bit, not opening it up completely, but saying, "Okay, would you revisit maybe looking at this piece of this pie?" Then we certainly can, but just know it impacts Berlin if you're touching the elementary schools. And we got pretty clear direction from you guys about making sure we leave it out to because they've experienced in the past the cuts.
And that's all I've got. Thank you. >> Excellent report. Thank you. Any questions for Mr. Parker on CPOS's? >> Okay, hearing none. Uh in your packet tonight there's a calendar of events as I said uh when we started earlier uh whatever you can attend and to be a resource for parents or constituents that have questions about the budget I encourage you to do that. Um we move on to the consent agenda and u the approval of the minutes. So um can I get a motion that the camp board of education approve the consent agenda? Thank you Joe. Second. Thank you Kim. So I have a first and second.
That is a separate situation from how high and low the uh choice revolving fund is. The only people who have any decision making over choice is us. The town could say, we can help support your So, the last few years, Pelham has helped defray the operating budget of the school by paying for the charter students outside of our operating budget. So, they're separate things. So, however much we choose to use of our choice funds is Right, I under- I understood that, but the like where it comes back to is the piece that I think just clicked for me. Okay. So, I have a question. So, isn't the case that the town could decide not to give us any of the charter reimbursement. Yes. Okay. Yes, I think so. >> And that's why we're asking That's how what what how we posed budget one is that we posed budget one in a way that the end number it the the bottom line cuz Pelham votes a bottom line.
So, we're we're being careful with that. Yeah, I definitely think the right move is adding back the positions that you took away from Tahanto. I think that I'm I personally I hear what you're saying and I don't want to put you on the spot tonight. I don't think that's fair. I don't think it's right, but I guess my question is why can't we, you know, give you guys give you some solid direction. I don't know if we have to vote on that or not and then take a vote on the final final like next week or the week after or whatever what if we're meeting again before town meeting. I don't know if that's the case. I'm pretty sure they're going to print soon, right? >> Thursday. Thursday. Yeah. What's going the warrant? >> signs it. Yeah, but I thought Boylston I don't Berlin is they're already printing.
Any questions on the consent agenda? Any modifications, changes, edits? Hearing none. I have a motion move that can board of education approve the consent agenda. All those in favor? I thank you. 70. Thank you very much. Next on the agenda, we're going to we're going to go through these motions. Um Mr. Shyman will make a motion and as chair of the um of that committee, we will not require a second. We'll make a motion.