Um I I do it is something to really consider. Uh and I'm not saying that out of like not I'm not not saying that to to take it lightly. I think it's important for us to really be engaged and be able to give as much as we can as a board member. So I do feel like you know that it wouldn't be um be safe to say more than likely I put my name in. But it is something just to consider and I want the board members here to consider to continue to put your names in. Um, but I do also am actively also trying to recruit others if they're interested. I think that the the the intention is never for someone to remain in a seat like this um for longer than they need to. Um, and it's no disrespect to anyone who who may sit in a seat for longer than, you know, x amount of terms, but I do do think that a fresh perspective, new uh voices, uh different um different types of um backgrounds and and all of those good things are really important to to development overall.
I was worried that we are were and are on a little bit of financial cliff at this time last year, and I thought it was not a wise decision. Unfortunately, fortunately, we've been very wise with our money and so we we were able, like I said, Courtney and our administrative team and and everybody who spends money in this district has been very good and able to keep that pocket of money so we have it available. Unfortunately, computers have gone up in price and the so let me go back to fortunately. Fortunately, the quote we have right now for purchasing the staff computers with that chunk of money, the computers have increased in price since then, but they have told us we'll they'll honor the quote if we can get it in by 1000 p.m. Eastern time tonight. So, I think Nathan's waiting to see if we'd approve it or not to hit send because I believe what was it?
I know Mr. Boyce has her son's graduating from Puma College with an associates going to the UOVA. Her other son is graduating from the UVA and has an internship set up for pre atport um starting and he's gonna go in for his masters next year and he'll be done in a year. And Christina is graduating also from the UMA and psychology. So we're super excited about that. So, a lot of things to celebrate. Keep up the good work, not only as Continental staff, but as mama's daddies. >> So, since we may have a quorum on Thursday night for Mr. Curtis, the Curtis's retirement party or >> we should I'll not >> up here. Next week on Wednesday. >> No, >> next week. No, no, no. >> See, I have it as Wednesday, too. >> No, there's something separate >> this week. That's we were doing something for the Curtis separate.
We're like, "Oh my only like this small number of K3 teachers is getting support." And so, yes, year three of SOFG, but year one and really this is our first semester where we were able to create a system where every single K3 teacher has at least a monthly touchpoint with a coach. And we've talked about how hard teaching is and how many things need to be considered. And also that in with professional development, the research shows it doesn't make a difference if you don't have some support to implement it and that's where our coaches come in. And so, you're right, we're not where we need to be and we also didn't have the support structure um that we that we have been able to develop over time that we're still working on. We had to identify it, request it. The board was kind enough to grant the inputs, but then beyond that now, I mean even if you look at this year, one of the reasons it's that particular semester was we needed to fill all those positions and we had gaps in our staffing for that as well, which doesn't make a damn bit of difference because that doesn't help kids, right?
Um also, to engage with John, if you ever go in his office, the Buffalo Bills, right? That's all over, right? He loves giving you a a difficult time um with us about that, especially our New England fans, but we just want to take this opportunity, John, to thank you for your dedication to the children of our regional school district in particular, Groton-Dunstable um you certainly last left a lasting impression um and this is just our way of saying thank you for your years of your to our our children, like Lisa said. Um I know there's also going to be a a little bit of a library set up for you, as well, too. Um in Laurel as well. So, there's a couple nice things that we still have coming up for you, but um just our chance Yeah, it's our chance to just say thank you and congratulations to John.
I think uh you've done a great job in uh in achieving those points and uh I know you have my appreciation. I'm sure you have the rest of the board's appreciation too and past boards also. So that was a great report. there. Okay, let's uh let's move along. I think we're into the um the reports. So, alternative finance, Mr. Bush. >> Yep. So, um we met this morning. We covered the April financials that Anna already covered went over in detail for us. Um we also discussed the food service update. We had created a subcommittee to look into that because we were diving in a lot deeper than we could had time for in a normal finance committee. Um we re reviewed the building and grounds large capital projects. Bob gave us a pretty good update on those. Um we received what I would call first draft of the CIP project audits that Anna's going through.
Um seeing if something like that could work. And I realize people there are people who would not be happy with it. We saw that with German only a couple years ago. But from a from uh from the perspective of best outcomes, best long-term outcomes, I do think K through 12 offering it to the youngest all the way through would be the best idea. Yeah, obviously I mean anything we propose will add, you know, associated costs as well um or anything and how we would have to make that happen. Um Heather, >> thanks. Now, um, aside from the language, which I think is great, and I I agree, immersion is like the only way you actually really learn and internalize a language. But beyond that, I'm still advocating if there's budget, when there's budget for that STEM coordinator in high school and part middle if we could.
So, I do continue to wish everyone 100% um support and and thanks for everything that we've done over the past eight years, which it kind of blows my mind that eight years have have come and gone quickly, but it's also really exciting to see what the future may continue to hold as a board member and and I do want to continue to be a part of it. Um, but I just wanted to express that as a board member to the community and and at large. So, that is my report. Anything miss report? Okay, Miss Dion. All right, no worries. We'll continue with this evening's agenda, which is Is it you? I'm sorry, my thing is still spinning over here. Um, Mr. Diaz, superintendent report. Go ahead, sir. >> President Media, members of the boards and members of the community. Um, thank you again and and thank you principles for an amazing month and all of your support as well as my our directors.
They've already increased by 17%. >> That 19%. So, if we don't get it, hit send and hit approve on that, then they're going to go up in price. And those are things that we're just we got the hamster wheel spinning behind the scenes. >> Even the things that we approve for the bond, by the time we get to use the bond money, things are going to be up even more. I was talking about general support of our technology department without having it on the bond. >> So, yes. So, as far as staff computers, yes. And with the >> staff computers, everything they do every day, >> everything. Well, >> without the bond supporting them, do we have enough money to >> So, I think in the next few years, if we're able, >> let me make sure I'm saying this right way. If we're able to pass the bond, I think that will take care of some of the things that we've been using our current funding to fix and to continue.
So, it's not >> okay. >> Was it >> this? >> Yes, it's this Thursday. >> No, that's different. We're talking >> Okay. Forget what Mr. >> Come on. Okay, we already called the public and we got some stuff. I'll keep that in mind. Nice face. No, no, no. >> Question is in You know what? I know that for you. Oh god. Oh, how do you >> know? Well, we're actually fortunate to fill our tanks here. >> Yes. Sounds good. >> I did too, but >> I'll call you. And if anyone fill up 80% generally right around 5,000 >> I fill it two to three times a year. >> Well, it's kind of nice when your bus short So to answer your question, no, I don't have anything. I don't know what Really? >> Right. But that was you got this last time. And so then it would be Steve myself and her school.
Like we can't just say, "Oh, well, we had a gap in our staffing." But we were doing everything we could with the people that we had and now we're in a very different place now that we're fully staffed out. Absolutely. Thank you. Okay. Um Iron Mountain shows only 3% of third graders scoring proficient on DNA interim measure 4.1, the lowest in the district by a wide margin. What is qualitatively different about the school situation and does it require fundamentally different intervention rather than more of the same? I have the same question regarding Excelencia for interim measure 4.3. And before we invite the principals up, um some of the conversations we've had with them, um, Sarabeth, Dr. Pombo, myself, our coaches, we were, um, just really wanting to highlight that we need to continue to invest in our teachers and their understanding of the science of reading.
So, we have a little bit of a a wonderful plant and a little bit of a a wonderful PLACE. SO, CONGRATULATIONS. >> [applause] >> A PLANT I CAN'T KILL. JUST REALLY QUICKLY, what an honor it's been to be here all these years. Um you were in kindergarten when I started. Yeah, that's what I was thinking about. Yeah. So, and then such a blessing for principals, cuz we get to see those little kids who walk through the door crying and um graduate. And I'm looking forward to uh graduation day. It's just a fabulous thing. I've spent a fifth of my life in this job. Um and I've loved almost every minute of it. Certain school community meetings, not so much. But it has been a blessing and an honor to work with all of you. Thanks. John, why don't you open your bag to show us so so everyone can see what you're receiving from That's just an empty box to store it in later, but it's >> [laughter] >> That's just an empty box.
Uh and we look forward to seeing those. I think we're initially going to do them quarterly, but now we're going to do them every meeting uh to get a better feel for projects that closed out, what's left balances for transferring. Um Anna discussed uh in a bit of detail about her uh work on transportation and the use of AI to to achieve Dr. Gman's goal of eliminating two routes to meet the budget. And um then we discussed kindergarten enrollment a little bit but still kind of on the >> fuzzy >> little fuzzy till the middle of the summer. >> That's pretty much it. >> Thank you for that report. Questions for finance. >> We have we have Amy. Yes. Amy just chime in.
Um, I'm just flagging that I think that would have incredible impact and benefit. So, I would set aside some time and potential money for that when we revisit this again next year. >> Yeah, I I uh I would agree that that is certainly a priority item. Um, you know, I think the interesting thing about this process, and it's not not really a shock to anybody, is that we go around and there's always, um, there's never really a shortage of things that we think would be really valuable to add. Um, and I don't think anybody's wrong. Um it's just like as we look at all these different priorities, uh what what are we what are we considering to be the most important and how do we pay for it? Um but yeah, definitely that's that's usually a a lengthy January conversation where we can delve into what the uh you know what the costs are and how do we facilitate that.
Buckle up. I'm going to go as fast as possible to go over many highlights uh during the month of April. Um, I want to give a shout out to Miss Agie Hart for another successful, beautiful workshop. We also had a very successful autism awareness workshop here at the boardroom and it was very well attended. Parents show a lot of support and members of of of the cabinet that were also present. Um parents they were um advocating and asking for more uh of those workshops. So I want to thank um for for the team to be able to bring them and and and invite the parents. It was again very well attended. Also want to take a thank our social emotional directors uh for collaboration in the anti-bullying awareness um at TOUA. Um and also um April was uh bus driver appreciation. So let's give it up for our all of our bus drivers bus aids for all of their support um for for operations.
And once again, it's more expensive to fix things in an emergency where if we are not necessarily spending those emergency funds so frequently, the things like the K2 lab, those are things we'll be able to support. And then and then from a personnel side, I think if we're able to support those and we have good communication between the community, the teachers and the tech team. Um, and we have a plan and we have a vision for what that looks like and starting off with the lab for K2 and and as we move up in the grades and continuing to support them, I think they can become more efficient with their time because then they're not chasing around working on old units as much. And so it it wouldn't free them up, but it would it would support them in making better use of their time if we have newer units and once again getting on a preventative maintenance schedule versus reacting constantly to emergencies.
Yes. >> Oh, I heard. >> I don't know what I would have done for myself. >> No, I'm not. Gosh, no. I lucky. All right, with that we are done.
We know that we have teachers who come from all different pathways of teacher preparation. And to really make sure that we are preparing them for the learners sitting before them. A weekly coaching support with our coaching cycles with co-planning, modeling, and then reflecting, celebrating. I tried this and it worked, or I tried this and it didn't work, how could I do it differently? Um, data-driven conversations, our professional development that we've mentioned before, and, um, we also have invested in our teachers in professional development aligned with the expectations of the reading endorsement from the ADE. Um, again, those are also, um, state-approved courses that we can take and we've invested in preparing our teachers with the, um, the training. And we do have, um, Principal Ledbetter and, um, Principal Earl. Thank you, Principal Earl, here this evening, um, to just share a little bit about their campuses, um, in response to this question.
Here it is. Empty box. Also something kindergarteners love, empty boxes to play with. And the plants are here. See, Jess? >> Oh. Awesome. Thank you for 12 It's 13 years of service, my friend. Oh, jeez. I'm just kidding. >> [laughter] >> Doesn't really say they're on I was told 12. See, [laughter] uh It's still beautiful, and I'm keeping it just We will have that We'll have that fixed. Congrat >> [laughter] >> We'll get some donations from the parents. >> [laughter] >> Just stop it. Stop it. John, congratulations. Thank you. >> THANKS, SEAN. >> [applause] >> SO, IF I CAN JUST GO ON TO ABOUT THE TOWN MEETING, I just want to take a moment to thank everyone for coming out to both town meetings in both Berlin and Bolton. The administration that were at both meetings were running between the both. Our teachers, school committee member, parents, and residents.
You're kind of off to my left but if you have any questions just just stop us. Okay. No other questions for finance. Thank you. Mr. Sh policy. >> Okay, there's a lot here. Um I I'll try to go quickly. None of these are new. Uh the committee chair has studed them all pretty carefully. These are for a uh second read. >> Second read. Am I right? Anybody know? I don't remember. I believe this is well at least for second read. I think >> from it says I'm sorry. Okay. >> The FMLA policy update. Uh George, you want to give a quick >> Oh, no. Any any Oh, the committee. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. On the committee. We'll get to We'll look at the policy. >> You're good. >> I threw you off, right? You threw me off. Um, we met tonight. We're trying to wind up the uh new law changes that we have to affect our policies pretty close to doing that.