Um, the other thing that I believe that I updated was adding in having a dedicated thing that we want to know about be regionalization. So, there are a few things that I name in here >> um that I would like us to like >> I don't know exactly how we will organize this in our advisory group, but >> potentially that looks like a task force of two or three people that goes and does research and presents to us as an advisory committee and then we sort of summarize all of that and bring it here. Um about think regionalization is one. Um, there's some specific language in there about building closures or even like building new buildings if that is a like essentially not committing to anyone at this time, but doing the leg work that we know we're going to need to do to make an informed decision and then sifting through all of that saying we think that this might be our best fit moving forward and then we bring that recommendation back here in about a year.
So they would add they add a certain amount. Well, I Well, I I think we're also you know, any unique situation where we are looking at a calendar, right? That this language doesn't work when we're starting in September. So I like that we're coming back, right? And we're coming back in August. So the likelihood that we're going to run into June 30th is probably minimal or hopefully unless It did happen the year of the macroburst and the in the October ice storm and stuff. So it has happened. But I think bringing them back in August is really a smart thing to do. We've always done that. In terms of language for days no days though, if you think about it and we need like one day and we're taking off Friday of spring break, that doesn't make as much sense as adding on the 10th a Thursday at the end of the year.
And I'm going to bring up an example on Ka'ala Waiena bridge that the superintendent should have known. Complex superintendent should have known about this project. She was CC'd on it. She They were talked about it. And when I approached her, she goes, "I think I heard about it." No, somebody needs to be on the closer level to the schools have these projects because if you try to go to your tracking, your tracking does not update it. There's no information. So, where do you get that information from? The school should be able to call their their superintendent. And trust me, all the principals came out all saying what a great job the the CASes are doing. So, let's give them work to do to monitor, not to be responsible, not to be be responsible in monitoring. That's what it says, not be responsible for the projects, but monitoring to see, "Okay, you know, Farrington High School did not have any lights.
And with that, that concludes our presentation. Madame President, members of the board, and Ken and I would be very happy to respond question. >> Thank you so much, Mr. panel. Um, so I'll check back in to see this was pretty straightforward, I think. And I just want to echo our appreciation of the fact that we are only in this healthy state because of the execution and care that we've always had throughout our bonds. Um, I did get to serve alongside uh Joe Worth and I know that he is um key to what we built here and Miss Labberry has continued that. So um I really am thankful for that. U so any other questions? Uh Miss Matson go >> um if interest rates do uh slide just a little bit um what is would be the impact on the tax rate from the the extra 28 cents that we're looking at?
And that's really important and that's, I think, a hallmark of a really good school committee. And that's what Pioneer Valley Regional does and that's what they told us we should do and their meetings are only two hours. So, uh, yay. >> God bless. >> And, and if if at some point in time you want to have like a Timotion template for all of us like in a Google doc that we all use, that would be really really smart and would make us a more functional school committee. So, thank you for >> slowly but surely >> for doing Yes. Slowly but surely. And I will be voting yes. Great. Thank you. And then member Deniv or sorry not member member Goodwin. >> I guess I just have been talking to people who've been looking at this for over 10 years. Um, and when you started to explain, it sounded like a really big group.
I really appreciate you explaining that and I'm sorry that I didn't read this because I was like it's the same thing as the one that I read before. So I've got it now. I've got it now. Okay. Cuz I was like I was reading the other one and you had something about a two-year thing and I was like I wanted to I wasn't sure. So I'm glad that all you I'm Thank you for referencing the policies >> and I want my motion templates to look as nice. Um, and I just want to say that I'm really thankful that you are doing these kinds of templates and rationale. And I really like doing the motion templates and ration. And I'm sneakily saying to all of you that you should do motions and ration so that we can all read it ahead of time and know what you're thinking and be prepared and do our research prior to the meeting.
So I think the language that allows it to be the discretion of the board. We have eight snow days like we did this year and we want to take off three spring break days. That makes a little more sense cuz you know, you have okay, we have half a week or whatever. But if we now have it where we're going to start with taking off spring break days and we have one that we need to take off and we take off a Friday. It feels really suspicious. It's different. Yeah, you kind of where we could just add a Thursday on instead. I I just feel like it the I I would agree with having like language that says it's the discretion of the board, but I don't know that I want to include language that automatically says we're taking off spring break days because it puts a weird Yeah.
They should have lights. How are they going to play night games? Okay, Farrington High School didn't have the bleachers for the visiting bleachers. If we're not going to do it now, no, they don't superintendents don't know anything about that. But that's why they're area complex superintendent. They should know what's going on in their complex. And the principal should be able to contact them and say, "Hey, what's going on? Why is Ka'ala Waiena not having the bridge when the legislature put in $3 million when the money's were released by the governor when the DOE went in and made a case for this health and safety. And then the project gets yanked. And the principal is not told. And the CAS is I heard about it." Come on. That's not acceptable. Somebody's got to be monitoring these things. And it should be the CAS. I mean, they're making enough money to have this responsibility.
>> Yeah. passport member Boston and members of the board. Um that that estimate that we did of 28 cents was pretty conservative. We we typically use fairly conservative interest rates when we make those kinds of projections. So we will be watching that pretty closely to make sure that if it varies very much from that 28 cents, we'll of course be in discussions with staff regarding that. But at this point and with what we're starting to see in the market today, uh our anticipation is that these tax rate objectives will be uh met or exceeded by the time that we actually offer the bonds. >> And when you say conservative, um are you saying higher than the 3 uh whatever it was >> higher than the 3.2 to is what you're estimating. >> Yes, member of Boston, members of the court. >> Yeah, that's exactly right.
And I don't think a really big group is going to like my sense is it's going to have to be small dedicated people who this is their like how can we best use our our buildings to serve the children? Um, may you think? Well, you can always continue >> if if need be, but I honestly think that a year's worth of solid meetings. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Um, yeah. And I think that in the proposal I actually name or I I list the specific number. I want to say it's 12, 11, 11 or 12. Maybe 13 somewhere between 11 and 13. um uh members of that advisory committee in 10. Great. Even less than that. >> An additional 10 advisory committee members. >> Yes. And plus three of us school committee members. Um >> 13 childs. >> I really like having the community directly involved.
And that's really important. And that's, I think, a hallmark of a really good school committee. And that's what Pioneer Valley Regional does. And that's what they told us we should do. And their meetings are only two hours. So, uh, yay. >> God bless. >> And, and if if at some point in time you want to have like a Timotion template for all of us like in a Google doc that we all use, that would be really really smart and would make us a more functional school committee. So, thank you for >> slowly but surely >> for doing Yes. Slowly but surely. And I will be voting yes. Great. Thank you. And then member Deniv or sorry not member member Goodwin. >> I guess I just have been talking to people who've been looking at this for over 10 years. Um, and when you started to explain it sounded like a really big group and I don't think a really big group is going to like my sense is it's going to have to be small dedicated people who this is their like how can we best use our our buildings to serve the children?
Most schools do it. I mean it's common practice with districts all over. Um and my opinion is in terms of being a parent and having as a board member I think that's like a strange Yeah, and that's fine, but it's it's not strange in the sense that it districts do it. So it's not like a unique situation. So and my initial recommendation was Good Friday, which is the 26th. So that would be the first day that's taken away. Um and then it would the language would say and we'd continue with spring break starting with the 16th and going backwards, right? So if we're over the five and we're at eight, then it would start with March 26th, then it would go to April 16th and then April 15th. Right, but I think we do have to like include if it's five before February break, I mean we're going to lose President's Day.
Questions? Um we we should finish we're finished taking um public testimony. Members, any questions? Head Senator Hashimoto. Thank you, Deputy. What I guess I'm trying to like figure out where the DOE is coming from in terms of OFO because part of my confusion a little bit is why doesn't you know facility docs of facilities collaborate more with your business managers and your ASAs, right? Because I think the ASAs are the one in my mind who are is supposed to be bird-dogging a lot of these projects because there's just too much for OFO to do. Um, why they're under the CAS, I'm not sure and why they're not under OFO, I'm not sure. But, you know, I think my understanding of and and how I operate with my schools is that I expect at least most of the business managers and the ASAs to understand what's going on at the school level.
By being conservative, if the district today could borrow in the market at around three and a half% on average, uh by being conservative, we may utilize a 4% rate in making those projections or four and a quarter% rate. So, we w always want to be more conservative in what we're representing to the board. And that's also true when um the voter information pamphlet was put together uh back in November um that we would always look to always be either at or below what the tax rate was that was represented to the districts at that time. >> Thank you. And so we'll just have to wait and see what the interest rates are when this all gets solved. We're in a fairly unpredictable period of time as you all. >> Yes, definitely. Thank you. And Mr. Rice, >> so you just kind of wrap this up for people out there.
And I really like that we can make sure that the community involved do represent the community and it's not just all weighted all parents from one school. Um, and I don't think the size of 10 plus the three is an issue simply because realistically 10 people committing over a year. You're going to have some people who can't make it to all of them and some people probably not very many, but some who will have to drop. So, I would be hesitant to go a lower number because then you might end up with a committee that no longer reflects the community. have a good one. >> I would just encourage you to look at whoever was on building and sites last. >> Good. Thank you. All right. It looks like we might be ready to call the vote. Let's do it. Wait. Is there is there a sorry I could use my eyes and read this and probably answer my own question but is there a provision to perhaps have somebody from city council involved in this?
Um, may you think? Well, you can always continue >> if if need be, but I honestly think that a year's worth of solid meetings. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Um, yeah. And I think that in the proposal I actually name or I list the specific number. I want to say it's 12, 11, 11 or 12, maybe 13. somewhere between 11 and 13 um uh members of that advisory committee in 10. Great. Even less than that. >> An additional 10 advisory committee members. >> Yes. And plus three of us school committee members. Um >> 13 >> member childs. I really like having the community directly involved and I really like that we can make sure that the community involved do represent the community and it's not just all weighted all parents from one school. Um, and I don't think the size of 10 plus the three is an issue simply because realistically 10 people committing over a year.
I mean Or you lose President's Day. I mean that's Yeah, it's Having the school ending on a a Wednesday though, I think we have the opportunity to extend it those two days. Like I don't think it's unreasonable to say If we have seven snow days right? Right, we If we have five snow days at the end of the year or whatever, do the two days at the end of the year and like I I think discretionary language is So my mis- I just want to be clear what I think I'm hearing. The language that you're presenting means that we would have to lose five days first before you dip in, right? So it would go all the way up to the 16th first. Then we would Yeah, but yeah, but you're you're trying to Remember the calendar is to maximize instructional time, right? So I rather maximize instructional time and have less disruptions than add just keep adding on to the end of the school year where kids aren't going to care.
Because there is no really no interface with OFO. If not, you have one person at OFO you got to call, but at least these ASAs can essentially kind of know what is going on at the schools. They may not be the ASA there in every complex, but at least I think it's they have a vice principal or the principal is essentially expected to take on facilities roles. So So, I don't know if what you need to tell us is if you if you don't want, you know, us to move forward with this kind of thing, what is your plan to make sure that there is more accountability? And don't tell me that it's going to be more jock and you're going to have bars and quota go follow the project because you know, I don't you know, I think there's just not enough people around from the DOE to monitor projects.
Um, in November, we passed the bond at $271.5 million. Uh, it's, I think, a three-year authorization. So, that should we ask this for the next couple years and then we'll probably be at this again. Typically, it's a fiveyear authorization, but short this time. And what I'm seeing is that we're authorizing issuance of the first trunch 2026 roughly half of that. And I think you're speculating that the next trunch would be two years from now, 2028. Most likely the other half. Um, and that would kind of hit two of the bond authorization approved last. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> That's correct. >> And I can add a little bit to that too. um member roars. So the issuance we think will last us four to five years for the voter initiative in 2025. Um and then we t we think we're going to have two cells.
I think that that would be really helpful if somebody from ways and means >> um or capital planning would be involved in this if I don't know if you have a liaison in mind. >> Um I do not have a particular like person in mind. I definitely uh we as the three named school committee members who would essentially comprise a kind of steering committee of sorts for this advisory committee um would have broad discretion of creating the call for other participants and choosing those participants and certainly I think strongly advertising and encouraging um our city council people like at least one like do some dedicated outreach should be like, "Hey, you should be on this with us." Um, is part of that. Yes, member Webb. >> Um, it does it list I don't see I'm looking at a quick overview. It doesn't list myself and member Den and you on this committee in it does.