Hearing none. I would entertain a motion to approve all invoices as presented. >> So move. >> Motion by Allison. >> Second by Josh. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Same sign. Motion passes. Uh reconciliation and cash balances report. Those documents are on there for you to view.
We're not stopping. We're going to keep going and trying to get better and better. But we met that first goal increasing state scores. Um through that our goal was to put uh students into small groups instead of a whole classroom full of students. Uh kids tend to just push buttons when you do that. So we do specific scripts reminding them that to do their best that this is going to help their principal and their teacher know how well they did and then it helps the principal know how well their teacher did. We kind of make it seem like a real investment and to try hard. Um and then we also use the approach of teaching at grade level and ability level to close those gaps. We're still progressing on this. Um for the 24 to 25 scores, I literally went through for Del Rio and HMS and with the assist my assistant um my admin assistants assistants.
And that's the an increase again from our most recent budget revision. So combined funded ADM decrease from 33,161 in our most recently adopted budget to 33,057. Which is decreasing our budget limit this current year again by that $500,000. Then went to be able to review with you just in some detail on the M&O budget and those reductions where we see that $500,000 reduction and the 1.5 reallocation. So it's a total of about $2 million that we're seeing in that reduction. So total budget limit of $222 million. 222.5. The program item items are noted here on this for your review. We also continue to account for required budget carry forward amount per policy. So that amount remains consistent throughout the year and that's the 8.890 that remains consistent. Next is capital funds. So because we're adding the the additional state aid then into that that has increased this budget.
>> What does that mean? >> Um, it means extraordinary. And I was really happy when I um was able to like spell that word because um it was it's a very long word. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, this is going to feel a bit like an awards ceremony, but we got some great stuff to celebrate tonight. I'm going to start with our students of the month, uh, which we honor every month. Miss Mullen, we will start with you. >> Thank you. All right, our prek student of the month is Megan Schlaf. Megan, come on up. And our kindergarten student of the month is Castile Cas. come on up. >> And our first grade student of the month is EMTT Black. Come on up. >> Okay. And for elementary, our uh focus this month uh was on self advocacy. So for second grade, our student of the month is Isla Valentine.
It was cool though. >> Can confirm, it was a little weird. Ava, we can't wait to see you not on Broadway, but maybe we'll look through the windows of that kindergarten classroom and catch you acting [music] in there. That sounded so creepy, I'm so sorry. Ava, everybody. Guys, if you're feeling emotional, our next friend is here to help. It's Sophia [music] Patack, aka the Patack Attack, the best shoulder to cry on. All right, well Chicago, this is [music] definitely not something that we had to reshoot cuz it was too sunny, but next up, it's Sophia Patack, the best shoulder to cry on. Here she comes now at the same time that we filmed all the other ones. Sophia, on this [music] fine morning, can you tell us why you're such a great shoulder to cry on? >> I feel like I'm a very positive person [music] and I'm very cheerful and I try and find like the positive outcome in everything and I feel like that radiates off [music] of me to my friends and I've been told that I say the right thing at the right time.
He's reliable and always ensures his students feel full acceptance from him while on the bus. One co-worker wrote, "Family, students, and staff are all fortunate to know him and witness the selfless human being he is." Congratulations, Scott. Let's give a round of applause. And let's take some pictures. Congratulations, Dave, Jean, and Scott. Our next district spotlight is our district staff. As the executive administrative assistant to the assistant superintendent of student services, quite the title, Camille. Camille Simmons keeps everything in her department running smoothly. Whether sharing a quick reminder, adding a helpful note to a folder, or making co-workers birthdays feel extra special. Her thoughtfulness shines through all of her actions. Her nominator shared, "Ms. Simmons is a kind and caring individual who always seems to take care of the little things no one sees." Congratulations, Camille. Next is Moises Martinez Lopez. Moises is fully committed to his role as the district translator.
Are there any questions? All those in favor? That motion passes 5-0. Congratulations. All right. Well, Ann, they're off to the next. I'll still give a comment, Mr. Abby, since you're still here, and there may be some that may watch or be listening, but um you know, as Dr. Windham said, you know, we are constantly uh acknowledging all the hard work that all of the performing arts are doing and we just are very excited for the future of the program under your leadership. We have full confidence and we're super excited to continue to see this grow. So, thank you. So, next we have the Avon High School drum line. So, if you'd like to come forward, which also had a very successful season, and uh we will read that commendation. I think Mr. Langford is going to read that commendation. >> My privilege to read the resolution of accommodation for the AHS World Drum Line.
Recognizing that some of those are going to be captured in the State Board of Accounts Uniform Internal Control Standards, but we don't know those by heart. So, we're going to take notes tonight. Uh both Julia, Mike McIver, Jamie, myself, and listen to what you believe belongs in the policy column. What is which means that can't change without your approval. So, if it's in the policy column, has to be any changes of it have to go through policy change process. Uh what you believe belongs in the administrative guidelines column that we will develop and we can easily modify those and get them changed rather efficiently. And then maybe some other suggestions for us to consider or they're more down in the weeds of implementation at the building level, for example. Um but really focusing on those first two examples with the hope then that we can develop um either modifications to the policy that that Jason proposed, F100, and of course the internal internal controls document based on the conversation that we have collectively as a group, and then bring that for consideration at some point in time.
She serves as the critical bridge between home and the academic world, establishing the foundational love for learning that carries her students through their entire lives. She puts patience with an approach to classroom management that is fear of her and she starts and ends each life. Talk about chaos. Chaos. >> Chaos. >> Here we have Tiffany. Tiffany is a unique blend of early childhood specialist, nurturing curator, mom, and creative facilitator. Her focus is on that developmental leap between home and formal schooling for our littles. She comes to her classroom each day with playful energy and uses singing, rhyming, and hands-on activities to turn moments into learning opportunities. Preschool classrooms can be a bit unpredictable, but Mrs. Rush remains a steady, calm presence. She provides a loving, safe environment for the students in her care. And the next person is Christine Chast. She cannot be here today because she is leading a Girl Scout troop, but I will go ahead and read my statement.
She worked as an elementary teacher at Francisco Elementary, teaching primarily second grade for her entire tenure until she consolidated OCE, Wood Memorial Park Primary School. Mrs. Engstrom earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Oakland City University in 1986 and her master's of elementary education from Indiana State University in 1992. Previously, Mrs. Engstrom participated in college volleyball and softball leagues. She also tutored during her college education and worked on as a English lab assistant at OCU. Mrs. Engstrom was a student teacher of Mike Brewster while she taught third grade at Francisco Elementary. 40 years of service. Thank you very much Mrs. H. >> [applause] >> So I know Lincoln said he had two of you as his teacher. So I think he put in your note that he apologized for all the harassment that he caused [snorts and laughter] you. But we just I just want to extend to you my sincere gratitude and appreciation.
So, it's good to have uh people there for them. So, Mr. Box was going to share some of the student backgrounds that we have. >> Thank you. Um, Coach Malone and I were just talking before we started here, but it's hard to put an exact number on it, but we guessed at least threequarters of our students probably come from a split household. So, that could be just purely divorced, but it's not uncommon to have students that have had parents spend time in prison. We've had several deceased parents or multiple deceased parents and then they end up living in in a foster home or with their grandparents. So, family life for most of our students is not great to say the least really. But, um, like he mentioned, Meg Fzen is a great asset for us with a lot of the mental health issues that our students face.
Motion for adjournment. So move. >> Second. >> Jonathan Jill. All in favor? 6. I'll go through it and then I'll give it to her. >> Yeah, that's fine. Yeah. >> Okay. >> There are no public comment items. We'll start with curriculum and testing with Mr. Spa. >> Um, we met with the evaluation team. They had some suggestions that uh they wanted to implement for next year. It was a major overhaul of our evaluation plan. Um at this time we did not feel comfortable doing that. They they give suggestions and ultimately it's up to you guys. But um at this time what we're going to do is keep things uh the same. Uh there's a couple tweaks here and there. Um, so I'll provide that to Don and he can he can share that with you guys before approval. We'll highlight what's uh the couple of tweaks and then next year instead of meeting once a year, we're going to probably meet two or three times starting at the beginning of the year to really sit down and talk about a few things um that teachers would like to change whether we do that or not.
>> Any opposed? Consent agenda is approved. 5 Z. Next up, I'm not going to miss it this time. Academy, you're up. This is always >> All right, there we are. Thank you, Mrs. Starky, and members of the board. It's always a pleasure to get up here and talk about my favorite thing, one of my favorite things in the whole world, the academy. Um couple years ago, five years ago actually, there was one of those logos up there. Um and now we have three. And so we're going to spend some time talking to you about the the especially the two at the bottom u there. Um this evening I have provided you with a packet of information that goes a lot more into detail about the things I'm going to talk about tonight. Um so feel free to ask questions when we're we're finished. Also, okie dokie.
It it looks like it was a PDF from so the >> some kind of PDF >> we talked about in our first conversation how very disappointing that meeting was and since then I've talked to other members of the public who were just very very disappointed the way that was handled. um including people that lost children to Nyanza were in that room and it did I don't think that was the intent but given the way it was marketed and produced it did feel disrespectful in my opinion so I did go on because my not all my questions were asked that evening and I >> I do understand timing but I think it could have been managed much differently and I I one of my questions was if it was answered the answer does not agree with what is said on the state website. So, I did resubmit them.
Residents of Ashland, I would love to see this. I've been trying to get an updated organizational chart for a couple of months now. Um, but when I saw this, it just really reinforced to me that in that town anyways, the people are really seen at the top of the org chart. Um, you would you might not think of that when you observe how some of our meetings are run. Kate, do you want to Well, I do think this is a great because if you have that role as a legislature and part of the government and you know, we're at the top of that. We do have responsibilities to speak up, to show up, to question, to understand. So, we have to fulfill our part of that as residents as well. I think it's it's we can say that and that's a great starting point, but if we never act on it, that could be a problem.
Okay, so the umbrella topic communication, why it is hard to understand each other and how maybe we can make that better in local government. And then uh before I get to the um ones under that, I wanted to talk about uh the movie Cool Hand Luke, which is one of my favorite films is I'm a huge Paul Newman fan. And it has a very famous movie line called what we have here is a failure to communicate. And Paul Newman plays Luke Jackson. And he was vandalizing some eaters. He didn't even steal the money. And he ends up being sent to this uh prison for two years. It's set in Florida. And when he gets there, of course, there's your typical sadistic uh warden and he just rebelss against the system and he becomes like an inspiration to the other uh prisoners and he escapes and every time he escapes it just gets a lot worse when he comes back.
Like Framingham put that on the ballot to have a citizens component for budgeting. And I really actually think it's kind of surprising if you are a public servant that you have to get somehow the public. Now, I know we would people will say, well, the select board represents us and school committee represents us, but that ultimately it's not practical in a town of our size to have 18,000 people. So, you you do have to do better and reach out to the public. >> Yeah. And so I I've been noticing with I've been going to visit some other town Facebook pages um and they've not all of them but a lot of them have been uh voting down their overrides. But it's not it's what they're saying after that is just so related to this. Um, it's they're all saying, "Hey, our town manager reports to the select board.
Bella has been a great contact hitter for the Clockers this year. She's doing a good job in the two hole. Tough tough We're asking a lot out of a freshman here. She's pitching every game and she's batting second. I mean, talk about a pressure situation for a for a young player. I actually saw her playing very well. You know, she cuz she comes from a baseball family. So I'm sure from the time she was four her, you know, her dad had her out there hitting balls, catching balls. Uh singing line drives at her with no mercy and, you [crying] know, with she's she she she's grown up in it. One thing One thing's for sure, the pitcher knows the strike zone. She's up 3-1 right now. She's taking two good leads and she's ahead in the count looking for a pitch that's going to be a great one here, I would think.
And just to kind of give you guys an idea, um it might seem like because they have been so successful that that would be easy, but just to give you an idea, there were 136 um people that took the test in accounting and she was the eighth place. So very exciting. Okay, the next person is Brandon Hassl. So Brandon is no nothing new to nationals. He is qualified. This is his second year in FBLA, second year as a national qualifier. He went in um four, he took four events, fourth place in accounting, and again just to state that was 136 people and he was fourth place in that. Fourth place in securities and investments, fifth place in business law, seventh place in economics, and just to kind of give you guys again, business law, there was 112 kids that took that test. And then um econom there was 121 students.
Any questions, comments? Uh, and then recognition of visitors. >> I had Mr. Lloyd sign in, but he's down below under item nine, so we could just wait on that one. >> Item number eight, administrative reports. >> Uh, before we get rolling on this one, Miss Moore did submit her report to me. um she had a family matter this afternoon and this evening that she was dealing with. Um it's the reason she she wasn't here. So um I did go ahead and upload hers on there for you guys to read. So >> well here we are today. Hard to believe. Last week was teacher appreciation week. Our PTO provided lots of goodies throughout the week for everyone. We had um just different treats throughout the week. We had they donated some gift cards to the teachers. They donated um like a there was a water bar for the day.