So the public schools has built together over the p past 15 years while operating well below the state average in per pupil spending lots of really great things. The entire time I've been here we've had to operate at the bottom of the list of Massachusetts per pupil school spending. That has been we've been at the bottom third um the entire 15 years that I've been here possibly longer but I can only speak to what I know. Right now, we are 362 out of 396 districts in the state of Massachusetts of what we have available to spend per pupil. And through thoughtful decisions and a deep commitment to students, we built a system grounded in excellence, equity, and opportunity for every child. It happened with parent and community involvement. It happened because we've dedicated school committee members and excellent superintendent and administrators, phenomenal teachers and staff, and the cooperative relationships that we've established with the other boards in town.
We are handing administrators a blank check to silence any opinion that is merely unpopular or inconvenient. In Supreme Court's 2021 ruling, Mahanoi [clears throat] Area School District versus BL significantly limited the school's reach into off-campus life. This policy in section 2B seeks to regulate off-campus conduct that is seriously disruptive without explicitly protecting a student's right to criticize school officials or engage in political commentary outside of school hours. The most concerning of this issue is vagueness. A policy is unconstitutional if a student cannot reasonably know what conduct will get them into trouble. This leads to v viewpoint discrimination where the rules are applied differently from student to student. In a recent Brookfield High School staff survey, teachers express concern regarding the inconsistent application of discipline in our buildings. If our own staff feels that punishment is currently applied unevenly, how can we expect students to feel that their rights are protected under even broader, more subjective language?
>> Okay. So we tried all of the things >> and that's what it allowed. >> It was >> okay. >> One of those things. I was like, "Wait, what?" And then I got it. But okay, thank you. >> All right. Roll call. >> I I >> I 7E. approved the 2627 after school and the 2026 summer pool contracts with my club. >> I'll make a motion to approve >> a second. >> Who was the first? >> All right.
And um and knowing where it's buried is important to me because I mean, I knew we had one. I've worked on them before and we could make changes before. And then last night when I was reviewing SE, oh, there it is. There those things are. and um just thought it was important that we don't forget that we put this stuff in writing and and we've sworn at the bottom of that document that this these are our guiding principles. >> Right. And something that the public probably doesn't know is that last summer uh July yes in July that we sat down and went through the entire board government's handbook and we looked to Are there things that need changing? And there were some changes. There were and so we did this with a a critical eye and um I think a thoughtful process and so um this isn't just a dead document that we don't look at.
But, we're committed. And again, Marissa, I don't think I would want anybody else by my side but you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Madam President, if if I may. Yes. I know Mr. Geiser loves when I talk. He told me don't talk tonight. But, congratulations to everyone. I have to say this is moving into my third year here. Garfield's an incredible place. I say it all the time everywhere I go. The kids, the the teachers, and and this board collectively, the work that you all put in, you know, keeping us in in check for if I may say that. Um you know, and and I think we were talking about before. Um It it really This is a board that is really really zoned in on the kids. It's true. The programs and even unfortunately some of the budget things we talked about. Um you know, make sure the kids aren't affected.
And if there's any discussion, we can do it after going through this the second time. Um, policy advisory number 961, deleted policy GA, personal goals, priority objectives. 962 policy GB general personnel policies 963 policy GBA equal employment opportunity regulation GBA equal employment opportunity exhibit GBAE equal employment opportunity 964 policy GBAC Indian preference and employment 965 deleted policy GBV staff involvement and decision-m 966 policy GBA staff ethics new regulation GB ethics including conduct to exhibit GB B AE ethics and code of conduct 967 policy GB AA staff conflict and interest exhibit GB AE staff conflict of interest 968 lead policy GB staff conducted regulation GBR staff conduct immediate exhibit GB staff conduct 969 GB staff conduct with students 970 policy GVC gives to solicitation by staff members 97 Everyone calls GB drug free workplace GB R drugree workplace exhibit GB drugree workplace delete exhibit GBE drug workplace 972 deleted policy GBA non-medical use or abuse of drugs or alcohol 973 deleted policy GBC alcohol use by staff members 974 GB spoken by staff members 975 GP staff use of digital Communication electronic devices 976 deleted policy GDFA staff use of digital wireless communications or electronic devices while operating motor vehicle 979 new policy GBGA health regulation GBG health new regulation GBG health new exhibit GBGA health will exhibit GBGE health policy GBG staff Personal security and safety deleted regulation.
After graduation, he attended college and became an aerospace engineer at Boeing. Mr. Door passed away in late 2022 and upon his death, the Matilda and Edward Door Memorial Scholarship Trust was established. This trust was established to benefit the graduates of Columbia High School in honor of his parents, Matilda and Edward. Since this scholarship's inception three years ago, $381,000 in scholarships have been awarded. And this trust will provide scholarships to CHS graduates for many years to come. Today, this generous scholarship trust will be awarding over 1,000 I'm sorry, $125,000 to eight recipients. Congratulations. First, there are three one-time $5,000 scholarships being awarded to Kyle Chud, Caroline Denny, and Ethan Habmill. [applause] two one-time $7,500 scholarships being awarded to Lily Arnold and Hope Schwarz. [applause] Two onetime $10,000 scholarships being awarded to Camry Johnson and Kai Sanchez. >> [applause] >> Don't let anybody ever tell you you're not going to be anything because you all are.
Next slide, please. On a shoestring budget, we've made meaningful and lasting investments. We've expanded counseling supports, strengthened equity and inclusion efforts, created specialized programs, and new and improved facilities like the David Mendes School. Thanks to your support and the hard work of that building committee, we've built the launch program, which is a program for 18 to 23 year olds, special education students. We've saved hundreds of thousands of dollars by adding solar. We've aligned school start times with student well-being. Next slide, please. And we've always done these things under financial constraints. We are extremely lean and there's nothing else to cut from without taking step backwards. We've been able to do a lot with a little, but we can't do a lot with less than what we need to have enough. Next slide, please. I'm not reading from the slides because I'm trying to respect the moderator's time and they will be available to you on our website and you can look at all the different um things that we've done across the district.
Section 3, item 10 of this policy even prohibits conduct that could be construed as intimidation regardless of whether it was intended as a joke. Using subjective language rather than objective language is a direct invitation for legal challenges. I urge the board to send this policy back to the subcommittee for the following two reasons. Align the definition of disruption with the substantial and material standard required by the Supreme Court. And second, add clear language protecting pure speech that occurs off-campus to ensure that the district is not overstepping its juris jurisdiction into the private lives of Brookfield families. Let's ensure our policies teach our students how to participate in democracy, not how to fear their own voices. Thank you. >> Thank you, Irene. Okay, Michelle. Hello. >> How are you? >> Good. How are you? >> Outstanding.
Any discussion questions? So I wanted to know uh what is the board's responsibility with respect to my club like if if an incident happens uh on their watch are we responsible we be uh interviewed by law enforcement or anything like that what is our responsibility they carry their own insurance right so they would be responsible would we be interviewed I mean potentially right depending on the investigation they might they might ask questions. Um, but they're their own entity and they have their own insurance. And so if something happens under their program and their care, then it would be handled directly with them. >> And there's some requirements in the contract for the ELO funding to be used where they have to do the background checks and TV tests and screenings just like any other um company that's hiring hiring any other employee. So is the lawyer >> curious when the children are released for example at this location who's responsible for making sure they get from here to the my club that's located there's um workers that come at the gate and walk the kids over after school every day >> they have a supervised walk over there >> and they're an independent contractor right if we have someone come work on something the independent contractor like it's the same kind of process, right?
I mean we reviewed it less than a year ago >> and and here we are again >> and we made sure that >> continue to review it, >> right? And we made sure that this this uh meeting actually came forward rather than until July because that's what the board policy says we're supposed to do. Yeah. >> So, it was like in reflecting we we thought, oh, this is something we need to make sure goes on the the right agenda >> and it ties into everything including our LCAP state. >> Absolutely. and stuff. It is a a binding practice and declaration and um Okay, I just lost my train of thought. Wherever that train went, >> pulled right out of the station. >> It pulled right out of the station >> at 6:30. I mean, we could, you know, I guess as we go along and we're talking, you know, thinking about this is, you know, when when something's brought up, I want to be careful though.
So, so I'm I'm honored to be serving with you all. So, let's look I'm looking forward to a great year and progress. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. >> [applause] >> I forgot to now. Okay. Okay, head Mr. Gaba. And then I just want to to remind everybody about Dr. Tomko, how much work he has put or he puts during the day. There is time that 11:00, 12:00 at night he responds to the concerns that we have as a board member. Not one day, not two days. His job is 365 a day, 24 hours a day. So, I'd like to thank him a lot publicly, not just personally. >> Yeah. And even when he's on vacation with his family, he takes the time to update us every minute. And then you wonder why sometimes, okay, salaries are very high. This man works. At least we work him and he responds to us immediately.
GBGR staff personal security and safety 979. Deleted policy GBGC employee assistance deleted exhibit GBGC employee assistance 980. Deleted policy GBGCA wellness programs. Deleted regulation GBGCAR wellness programs 981. Deleted policy GB GCB staff health and safety. We need to exhibit GBGCB staff health and safety 982 policy GBG workers compensation regulation GBGR workers compensation and exhibit GBG workers compensation motion for approval of government board policies 961 to 98 second >> question say I motion carries three to zero Okay. Recovery board action. >> Yes. Does anybody on the board have anything like the next agenda? I have notes for Caroline for the ones. Guess there's nothing else to add then. >> Don't be too excited. >> Is it off? >> Do we vote to go into executive session or to recess to executive session or is it just by president? I forget. >> No idea to get it.
You're all going to do something wonderful. I know. [applause] [cheering] >> Don't forget to get your picture, Kai. [applause] >> Don't forget to get your picture, Kai. Thanks for the words. [cheering] [applause] >> Here's the last part of the Matilda and Edward Door scholarship. a four-year scholarship covering 50% of the recipients tuition in the amount of 18 $18,798 per year totaling just over $75,000 over four years being awarded to Skyler Durban. [applause] It's my great pleasure to announce that as of this senior breakfast, the class of 2026 has been awarded an outstanding $878,000 in scholarships for their first year of education. Some of those were for multiple years. That's just for first year. [applause] We also recognize that further scholarships will be awarded, but that's a great total, incredible total. Congratulations to all of our students on these outstanding achievements. On behalf of the administration, faculty, staff, school board, we are incredibly proud of you.
Smart investments have been made and it's made a measurable difference. We've saved millions of dollars with our special education in-house programs that not only allowed us to save money but allowed us to keep our students in this district with their peers. We're improving outcomes while staying fiscally responsible thanks to hardworking students and exceptional educators and teaching staff. We have some of the highest AP scores in the entire state of Massachusetts. Um we're second in this general region. Um and the the scores are just phenomenal. And so we've always been able to do really great with the foundational things. We have a solid core here. Um, and if you look around, we may not be able to offer all the bells and whistles that you might see in some other districts, but our students have great success and we're very proud of the work that we do here.
I'm gonna try to set a timer, but I don't think I'm getting to three minutes. So, [clears throat] okay. Um, Michelle Fitzgerald, nine, Tommy's Lane, Brookfield. Hi, everyone. Um, I've had the honor of serving as president of our special education PTO, our SEPTO, now in Brookfield, uh, since the summer of 2025. Uh, we began over about 18 years ago. Uh it was designed and determined by a group of parents who found themselves frustrated and disappointed and hopeless and it has evolved. Even if rightfully so, some of our parents are still frustrated and disappointed and hopeless. [laughter] Our Septo continues to morph into what we believe our community and parents, students and staff need at any given time, all while maintaining the essence of our mission and our vision. Myself and our board members have the privilege of educating and supporting the many families who have a student with special education needs and educational or academic concerns in our district.
>> Yeah. We have a contract with the >> We have a reassur that has insurance, but yet we're not responsible for what they do at the site. I mean, >> yeah. >> Well, the auditor does review because it's supposed to be an enrichment program. So, there is a lot of checks and balances since we're using the ELOP funding to, you know, to make sure that they have their daily schedule. The auditors also review the attendance. They also look at all the enrollment forms and student data um to make sure that everything was um collected that's required. >> Yeah, there's a lot of it's pretty strict with ELAP funding um the requirements when they're auditing that program. >> And the reason they audit it is because it's a grant. The money is given to the schools, right? And then we contract with my club to provide the service.
You don't want to have 15 goals, right? >> Right. So, I mean, it's so be careful. >> I mean, all these things are great, but I mean, I'm I'm sitting here writing and I wrote, you know, be proactive to share and enact our mission statement, equity statement, and unity and purpose. you know, I mean, it's just because that's just trying to lay it out a little bit and, you know, being able to share this with our community more than maybe we do right now. And that so when we talk about I think the goal in terms of getting more input from our stakeholders and that includes everybody, you know, in that same vein, it could be >> get input and share our mission statement and, you know, I mean, it can sort of a little slightly more global Um, goals. >> Yeah. >> Now, goals can be something you can, you know, drive a train through.
Again, thank you Dr. Tomko. Kirk, I see you do a great job also. So, also Jack La Rue, thank you. I don't want to leave you guys out, you know. Yeah. Yes. Okay, can I call for an adjournment? Okay, can I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? So moved. Second, Albano and Mr. Quiles. Uh whoever wants it. Roll call.