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. >> Great. 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? 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.
They're checked out. >> Yeah, it'll be better used mid-year. Mid mid-year. And if graduation happens to be on the 19th, then we have two days for grad party. Right, that's that's the other point. Like if we know that five days out that that's kind of the limit, then that helps everybody plan for graduation and grad party. Have a good night, Emily. So that's the question too is grad is graduation on the 12th or the 19th? I think we do need language >> that out there. They're going to start emailing us now. I think we do need language that um that is about the discretion of the board because we have to be able to react and adjust to situations that we cannot predict. I agree. But it's a very impactful to families to not have things set in stone. You hear it and you see it on social media all year.
Well, I'm I'm hoping and you know, the goal is of the the modernization of our um IT is to have better tools for CASAs and principals to see and track these projects that are at the campuses. But in addition to that, uh you know, there there's always, like you said, folks at the school can always contact us and you know, when we hear about things, we'll contact them and you know, there communication can be better. And and that's what we're striving to do with the with the modernization of the IT. But is there but is there no reorg in how people are are reporting to whom? Right? Because at the at the end of the day, these that's the business manager's job is to know what is going on at the schools, right? And then for them then to have a different reporting line than to O 4, it just never made sense to me.
This is the first cell and then in two years our staff is planning on selling the other portion. Now that could change and we might want to do a third cell but we do believe uh what we predicted when we did the voter pamphlet um Ken had helped us put together um the conservative estimate on where the tax rate would be and then when our sales would be. So we have that in 2028. So um when they were talking earlier on there and you saw the charts when we were selling in 2020 it would be going to sell the second portion of the 271,500,000. So um we do plan in on projects. We have $135 million worth of requests finishing those projects. You're supposed to have those done within three years. Um and so we do think we will finish those projects in the next couple of years and then we'll issue we'll go out to sell again.
>> I am referring back to the subcommittee and representative assignments from January where I had initially listed myself, you and member Deniv. And I would still support having the three of us be that that small group. >> Okay. So when we are voting, we're voting on the also on the three of us being on this committee. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Any further questions? That was a good clarification. Thank you. >> All right. Please call the vote. >> Secretary Webb, I am a yes. Vice Chair Childs, >> yes. >> Member Deniv, >> yes. Member Dyman, >> yes. >> Member Goodwin, >> abstain. >> Chair Ston, >> yes. >> Passes with five yeses and one abstension. >> Great. Thank you very much. Um, this next item, um, item B is a discussion about if and how to proceed with mediation or conflict resolution for us as a body.
>> 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 and 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. >> I am referring back to the subcommittee and representative assignments from January where I had initially listed myself, you and member Deniv. And I would still support having the three of us be that that small group.
Right, to not have the policy It's like posting every other day and people need to plan for that. If then if they know what to expect, right? Then oh, I may not be able to go on spring break, right? If cuz the possibly days are are going to be taken away. I I think I actually agree with you more than you realize that but I think that that even if we do that like build out five days and then the the plan that we would you know, take from those if needed and then go to spring break, fine. That I understand the the logic there, but I think that we still even with that need some kind of asterisk saying the board has discretion to adjust. As needed. Yeah, as needed. Right. >> Yeah, I I think I think we document a plan, you know, an ideal plan, right?
So if you're just saying it's going to be this software that fixes the problem, I'm kind of telling you I don't think that's the problem. I think it's I think every complex is essentially doing something different. And I think there needs to be some streamlining, especially on how projects are going to be managed because I will guarantee you that those who have more engaged business managers and ASAs, I think projects move way smoother than those who have those who are disengaged. I'd agree. Yeah. Right? But but you're not taking advantage uniformly across the system to take advantage of those positions to make sure that projects are are you know, gotten to the finish line. And I I want to know why. Mhm. There's definitely a hub and hub and spoke model in a in a um institution this large with so much facilities like over 4,000.
We have to wait on markets. We'll work with our fantastic finance team, determine when the best time to sell that is based on our cash flow um that is left in our bond account. Um and then that should be the final cell. Again, we could change that and do a third cell, but typically with this amount, we'll probably only do two cells. >> Any other questions? Mr. >> Thank you for presentation. It was curious on the timeline. So, um should the board move to approve the resolution to issue the bonds. Um, is there a certain time constraint um, which your firm has to kind of hold and wait and see should those interest rates uh, continue to demonstrate volatility until we make sure we're keeping to that$128 estimation for the tax burden? Yes, board member, Mr. H, members of the board, very good question. Um, we have complete flexibility to move forward with the sale depending upon both market conditions and from a practical standpoint also when does the district need to have the money that will probably ultimately drive the timing.
Um, you might remember that we did vote to sort of engage in a contracting process, but then discovered that the executive session rationale that we wanted to use to make sure that we were having um these kinds of discussions amongst ourselves in private because I don't think being in the public would have suited actually having good good discussions. Um, so we were not able to proceed in that way. We have done some further digging about like ways that we might structure this so that it's not um, it wouldn't be a formal mediation, but it could be a place for us to generally talk about the relationship that we have as members together, which I think is honestly good practice. And I think any healthy partnership or group should talk about how they're doing as a group at least at least once a year. I mean I I do this in my own like friendships and other groups that I am part of that are not necessarily based in friendship but are based in common goal and aim which we do share a common aim and a common goal to steward the resources of our schools um our school district.
>> Okay. So when we are voting, we're voting on the also on the three of us being on this committee. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Any further questions? That was a good clarification. Thank you. >> All right. Please call the vote. >> Secretary Webb, I am a yes. Vice Chair Childs, >> yes. >> Member Deniv, >> yes. Member Dyman, >> yes. >> Member Goodwin, >> abstain. >> Chair Ston, >> yes. >> Passes with five yeses and one absention. >> Great. Thank you very much. Um, this next item, um, item B is a discussion about if and how to proceed with mediation or conflict resolution for us as a body. Um, you might remember that We did vote to sort of engage in a contracting process, but then discovered that the executive session rationale that we wanted to use to make sure that we were having um these kinds of discussions amongst ourselves in private because I don't think being in the public would have suited actually having good good discussions.
And execute to that as long as all the pieces fall into play, but keep a caveat that allows to make open decisions. I mean in extenuating circumstances. I mean I would actually like to see it just change to if there's If there's more than you know, so right now it says if there's more than five days lost due to emergency closings prior to February break, um excess days over five will be reduced at the end of February break. I would like it to say three and then we cut the 15th cuz if we're already collecting snow days in February when we know we get hit at the end of February and March and sometimes April or you know, I just think this just This would this terrorizes us. So you're saying instead over five over three? No, because if we're taking spring break, I want to know that we had five days, right?
>> there for facilities, it needs to be more uniform though. >> Yeah. And and we do have, you know, processes in place and you know, maybe we need to do more training, uh more outreach. Um we can do better in that area. Right, but I what I'm asking is what is the HR plan for this? If there is no HR plan, then that that just makes me a little bit concerned. So so are you doubling down and just saying, "Okay, we want we need to wait for the software. That's one tool, you know, that can help. >> Right. >> More training, you know, we have guidance No, I'm talking about reorg. Like if you're not saying that if you're just toying around with training, I'm talking about you got to move bodies to make this. I I that means I'm I'm afraid that you're not getting our whole point here at the legislature what we're trying to go with facilities, which is we need to kind of reinvent what facilities is doing.
But um with the way we think that the market conditions stand now we think we can adhere to this calendar. However, if rates shoot up and we're not able to meet our tax rate objectives, we would work to potentially delay the sale. So, we're not locked into the schedule, but this is would be your typical time frame to proceed with the sale barring any unforeseen conditions of market. That answered your question. That answered my question. >> Can if you don't mind, can I add one thing too if that's right, Mr. Um, so I think for us is that we do have projects started that you're approving for the 2025 bond. And so um the fiscal year, you can't cross fiscal years with in the sense of this year to next year related to um funding sources. So for us, it's important to finish before um June 30th because um we need to be able to code that to our bond funds related to the sale of the 2025.
Um and so you know given that I would like to just ask the question is this something that we as a group would still like to try to pursue one and then if so how would we like to do it? So um for this particular item I would love to open it up and have more of a free discussion. And I'm still happy to keep stack to make sure that no one's talking over other people. But yeah. So if yes, no. If so, how do we want to do it? I'm seeing some confused faces. um our options after doing some some digging. We are allowed to have working sessions where we do not deliberate on specific items that would need to come before the public, but it is in general talking about how we work together as a team. Um those do not require public session.
Um so we were not able to proceed in that way but we have done some further digging about like ways that we might structure this so that it's not um it wouldn't be a formal mediation but it could be a place for us to generally talk about the relationship that we have as members together which I think is honestly good practice and I think any healthy partnership or group should talk about how they're doing as a group at least at least once a year. I mean I I do this in my own like friendships and other groups that I am part of that are not necessarily based in friendship but are based in common goal and aim which we do share a common aim and a common goal to steward the resources of our schools um our school district. Um and so you know given that I would like to just ask the question is this something that we as a group would still like to try to pursue one and then if so how would we like to do it?
That we've given it It's just maybe just remove the whole President's Day thing to begin with. I just feel like this calendar really paralyzed this issue on what we were able to do. I think one of these No, no, go ahead. No, no, go ahead. I was going to say if we're talking about sort of instructional days and keeping the kids in school without interruption and we go back to talking about the equity of days off, we need to go back in my opinion and recon- I mean obviously it's too late by February to reconsider, but we need to reconsider actually having the two Jewish holidays off and having those as instructional days already. That's kind of where I go back to in terms of like making sure that we're creating a calendar that keeps instructional days. It starts at the beginning of the school year.
And if you're that's the direction that you're not going, that does concern me. So so so you're telling me that there's no reorg plan for facilities? Well, we we did some reorg right before I came on to help focus OOF on project delivery. So took out some extraneous >> just added another deputy superintendent, right? Okay, is that the whole plan? Like I hope there's more to that plan than just adding another deputy. Yeah, there was more than that, you know, taking out some of the extraneous things that the branch office was doing so they could focus on project delivery. So we're seeing some of those things work its way um training, improving the software, filling vacancies, you know, these are all things that we have to get done in order to help improve. But there is no more reorg then that you're you're telling me that we should be able to look forward to.
So we'll work with staff now. Um I know that our attorneys can also write language in there to reimburse. There's some other pieces, but right now um we hope we think we will be able to before the end of the fiscal year which helps us in the sense for example Harford just broke today um that is part of the 2025 expenditures so there are expenditures of 2025 right well I think we've cleared our questions we have a motion on the table in relation to items 7.04 members all those in favor of item 7.04 Please say I >> I do have a question. Um I'm like kind of spacing out here, but um was there an actual motion to >> Sorry. So, Madame President, >> I move that we approve the adoption of a resolution providing for all matters relating to the sale, excuse me, the sale and issuance of school improvement bonds in a not to exceed principal amount of 135 million.
Yes. Member D. >> Did you include my letter to the attorney general and his response in the materials? >> Did those get included in the materials? I don't believe they might not have, >> which means that we would need probably to talk about this in a month and have those materials there. >> Um, I mean, I published my letter online. I did. It It was It was fine. It was nice. They were very kind and they encouraged us to do this with a mediator if we want to. But to be honest with you, um, in order to get work done, we don't have to do it harmoniously. Like people don't have to have harmony to get work done. You can get work done in conflict. And like if if like all the negative emotions, if like anger and conflict and passion is what gets a fire under our asses to work for the students, then so be it.