I'm sorry. Did somebody else have a hand up? >> Yeah. I I just have one follow >> for Marlene. Um Jeff, you you said something that in response to the Spanish. I just want to make sure I have it straight. Not related, not on the Spanish itself, but this RAM early childhood line item is net new from what the board of ed approved in January. Is that true? Yeah, >> not really. It It's um It's just a reallocation of the money. It It's um >> It's a net new It's that position and their role and what they do and where they're located is different than what we approved. But we're not changing FTE. I get that. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Is that right? Okay, >> that is correct. Um, >> so then the other question I would pose to you, Marlene, because I was very moved by your budget workshop uh, demonstration of all of the supplies that you needed is, do you need this position, which wasn't on the table three months ago, or do you need $100,000 more of teaching supplies across the schools?
So I want to give a shout out uh as well as promote some of the vacancies. They have completed their um uh forklift training um in in in in in that department as well. They completed the suicide prevention. It's all of us in the district. We we play a a a big role in making sure our students they have somebody they trust. So I want to thank all of the supports from the social emotional department but also all of the departments for welcoming the uh suicide prevention training. Um also uh for the high school um coming up um SFD have has approved the weatherization. So that completely is going to transform the exterior of our school. If you have not seen the intermediate campus, I encourage members of the community to go see what it looks like once it's completed. Um, moving right along, I also want to give um a shout out to um the Sunrise House um or the um family and community engagement department.
I >> have a question too about the computer lab situation. >> Is that going to be big enough to support each classroom and how often do they get to do it? because that's the way we first started with computers was in a computer lab and sometimes there weren't enough computers for the size classroom we had. >> Well, we like I said, we got we got the hamster wheels turning. Um Mr. Neil and I already went down to the elementary school >> or how often they could be in there. >> Yeah. And we looked at a lab. We have some good spaces at the elementary school that we can use for a lab. Um and when we're talking about a K2 lab, we were looking at on putting on K2 side. Miss Bloom. Sometimes people get very territorial. Miss Bloom has a beautiful room that used to be a lab and she like, I do not want to move out of this room.
Good evening, um, board members. Thank you for inviting us up to speak. Um, speaking from the perspective of Iron Mountain Academy, we feel the same and we were actually quite disappointed with the data at that point. And so, when I met with the teachers, we talked a lot about that and how they had been working towards the things they were learning in the K3 cohort, they were really excited about them and getting additional coaching and data meetings, they felt they were getting more attention to an area that they personally didn't feel strong in. They definitely felt more confident in math instruction, and so, this was an area they One of them intentionally sought it out to be a part of this cohort and set up math this year because of that concern that they had for themselves, as well. So, that changed this year. And then, in addition though, and moving forward to next year though, um of the of the teachers though, one is not returning to our campus, but what is changing to be a different to be a math teacher in a different grade level to focus on an area of strength.
Our budget was successfully passed in both towns, which is a great way to start off our school year. As a reminder, we did have some cuts like Jess was talking about. We had some reductions >> [music] >> that took place and impacted our school. I'm sure that our next round of budget talks these reductions will hopefully be part of our conversations and will continue. I also want to thank at the town meeting Elizabeth Bennett. She's a teacher at Berlin Memorial and the several students from Tahanto that took care of the child care during the town meeting. We sent individual thank yous to them, but they really did that seamlessly for our parents and our children to be able to come in and do their civic duty and have students be watched. With regard to our strategic plan update, so last Wednesday, May 6th, we had our official last strategic plan meeting.
I think we'd like to clean those up before the school year ends. So, we may bring some of them to the se the chair meeting on May whatever it is as a first read. We have a second read for those those move along at June. That's to be determined. Um, and we have a bunch of policies for which I jumped ahead on. Good.
>> Yeah. So, I spent a lot of time with Kim. I also spent time talking to people who have worked there. Um really Jeff and I went back over and spent additional time with Kim. I think there are a lot of things uh that Kim does that we do we can't lose in this process. I also look at the equity among our elementary schools and what those APs need to do, what what I need them to do, what what the community what we need from them. And I think there's uh I really do believe that there is an excellent way to break that up, break that apart so that a full-time AP could take on some of it along with Diana as the principal. But I think there's a real need there for the staff to have someone who understands the niche of birth to three, special ed, early childhood, circle of security, smart start, integrated prek.
Um they serve for the month of April 547 students. Um we have uh about 1300 students. So kudos to the amount of students that were served about 575 families. Um there were over 1,700 items of clothing that were distributed just on that month. Um we are proud that we have identified 301 Mckin Vento students that need additional support um in how to remove obstacles. Um and I want to give also uh a shout out to a new partnership. It's caleroscope from Tucson. um and also uh for their ongoing uh donations and it they have solidified they came and visit our district but they they on a weekly basis they're going to be sending a load of donations of brand new clothing for our community. So thank you for the um Miss Hart for those um partnerships um social emotional learning um department. Thank you for your busy month um uh with the anti-bullying substance abuse workshops watching what um for the workshops that are on demand and and um so far we have about 258 um entries of people that are taking advantage of the on demand um uh videos and and and and um the trainings for bullying, substance abuse, uh what you should know about your teens vaping, helping students um being bullied, stay aware and involved.
We Anyways, I I can keep that as a whole aside. But she um you know, but there's a room behind the library. There's two rooms 110 111 that are across from the art room and um and the um music room that were once labs as well. So, we used to have labs and so it would be a matter of getting Nathan and his guys in there and getting getting those things rewired and getting them set up and what is the best location >> support that without having to include it in the bond. >> Yeah, I believe so. Once again, that'll be a roll out because what we'll be able to do is if K2 is only going to be not only if K2 is going to be using a lab, their onetoone devices and stuff we can use and continue to integrate that as things break down, we'll have a few more devices freed up from there.
So, that's an area that they they've reflected on and wanted to make a change with. Um but we are really are looking forward to focusing on students in third grade next year, making sure that we're following up with the data meetings, and also checking in on their own efficacy, their own belief in their learning. So, >> my question. >> That's something I I I feel like we've got to bring the students that I know we're doing a lot of adult work, but I also can't forget that we want to check in on the kids believing themselves. So, that's something I um I'm thinking about for next year. Well, actually I was going to say, um what are we doing I thought you were saying before the teachers, I thought, you know, it is hard to get a disappointing outcome like that. And like how are we working on their own efficacy and morale and and combating that burnout in terms of like feeling share that that I I take 100% responsibility for what happens on my campus, that that score is my score.
I thank Lisa Mayor as well as Lisa Sequeira was there. Kristen also there. People that were there that really did a nice job. John Campbell as well too. I'm sorry, John. We are making our final tweaks to it right now. Putting in some illustrations. We're actually back and forth on email right now just making some final revisions. Our hope is that next month in June that we'll be able to give you a preliminary look at this our strategic plan for the next 5 years. Get the school committee approval. Once that is good, then we have to go to the towns and bring it to the town of Berlin and the town of Bolton to get their input on that as well too. And then we'll be ready to get have plan that is exactly what the next superintendent will be looking for, right? And what the next laying the road map for the next five years.
Any any questions for policy? We're going to get a little deeper into that in a minute, but any any questions? All right. Thank you very much. All right. Curriculum is school. >> Sure. Uh, we met a couple weeks ago on April 29th. We spoke with Jeff Delnstro. gave us a fantastic uh presentation on the update of our technology strategic plan. I was really pleased that there was an emphasis on using tech for meaningful learning and not just passive consumption. Um and we are currently developing a program in house that will track the usage of apps on devices. So who is using what when and that's a program that if we were to buy that would be $36,000 and we're um doing it in house. So >> homegrown >> I thought homegrown I thought that's pretty good. speaks to the passion and the dedication of judgments.
Um, and so I think this is a good a good way for us to bridge that gap this year. Am I going to need um supplies? Yes. Um, and I've already been thinking about ways that we might be able to do that through some grant funds. So, I think this is the best I think this is the best way forward for sure. I'll be happy to share when we get to that point that job description because I think it it's, you know, obviously still in draft format, but um I think you will all feel better about it seeing that. Let me see if I can present this to um just to give you a sense. Sorry, they uh reimaged my old computer today and so I'm I'm pulling stuff over. But um if I share a different screen with screen with you Let's do this.
So again, thank you for bringing those resources to our community. And let me see, let me see. Let me see. Um also a shout out to transportation. They have also completed the suicide training uh suicide prevention training. Um, thank you for for that great job. And they are in prep uh completing the preparations for summer school. Thank you also to SFB for the uh cookout uh during the month of April to celebrate our our young children. Um and yeah, let's give it up. Let's give a a round of applause. Um and um I also want to um I want to thank um HRDC for the support. We Bubble Community Fire School District has completed um the the lease the new lease application. Um it took about a year and a half to be able to complete it. Now it we are almost at the at the tailed end of that process, but I want to thank everyone that has supported.
And then as we move them up to the grade levels and there's less usage time, I think we will have enough to maintain that buying getting that lab set up would be one of our first priorities, which Nathan said it would be just under $60,000, correct? To set up a lab and Nathan's been working on this, too. Like I said, the we've been working on multi-acet all the things to try to bring this all together. And so that's something I think we can implement sooner rather than later. And then as we move up to the different grade levels and support them, we can start replacing the units. >> I trust him. I just want to make sure he has enough to work with. >> Yep. And I think I think we have a good a good plan for moving forward with that, too. And a good vision and good collaboration that Nathan had once again with parents, staff on what is research showing what's good for kids and which is ultimately what we all want is what's good for kids.
Um that is embarrassing. It's it's disappointing. It's frustrating. It's it's a lot of things. Um and I can I can talk about the challenges of what excellency has been with with three principals in three years. I can talk about having the three staff deaths that we've experienced this year. Um I can talk about the nine mid-year resignations that we've had just in 10 months time. But none of those matter to kids. So, um you know, to to look at where we're headed though, I think is important. In the chair transition from Principal Fisher to Principal Guyer, there was a turnover of 17 teachers, which is pretty significant when um when you look at the numbers that are there. Um following year from Principal Guyer to me, there was another 11 teachers that turned over. This year, heading into next year, we're looking at probably between five and seven depending on how a couple of things land as we go.
Anything you want to add about the strategic plan? Anybody? Chris. Well, I think I Well, I just think it's going to be a great opportunity. It really reflects so much of what we have been working towards and a lot of the conversations that we've been having. And I think I I'm hoping that it accurately reflects all that we want to do and I think it can be a guiding document that we I think it's important to always remind yourself is this decision based on the foundation of what we're working towards. And I think that's really helpful when we go to make decisions as a community to keep, you know, to keep our north north. It's a regional school district, right? We have people from both towns of Berlin, Bolton, select board of Fincom, parents, every all grouped students that we're representing and working together on this on this document.
We also talked about monitoring um AI or continually monitoring AI usage and guidelines. Um AI as we all know is developing very quickly and um we are doing our best to exercise prudence and um being very strategic about how we roll it out in schools. So that was good to hear as well. Um we also developed an app or a program in house for tracking attendance, student attendance. to buy that would be $8,000. I mean, so Jeff and his team have been working really, really hard and we're doing a great job. Um, and I think the fact that we're able to develop these things inhouse and not have to shout them out speaks to the quality of the staff that we have here. >> Thank you. Questions on curriculum? Questions on curriculum? >> Okay. Thank you very much for that report. Um, this is Jordan, communications.
Okay. >> Anything I could help with, Jeff, or is this a doc? No, I don't have. Okay. >> Um, I got it. Yeah. So, can you see that now? >> Yes. >> Basically, this is for the 25 26 school year. I had went back to make sure um that our staffing ratios at the elementary grades with 2.0 know um at the school was not out of whack. And these are all the elementary school and dur schools in in Durkb. So you can see like Chapman actually this is this is flipped now. Uh we started the year at 1.4. It uh Chapman we went to 1.6 and dropped Norton to 1.4. Um but this is basically what we we have. Um and these are the um ratios going down this line in terms of the number of administrators and on the right far right is the number of students per administrator.
Um I want to thank our family liaison that have supported also for the chronic absenteeism and uh the referrals that made so parents uh that they have gone through the entire process to meet with a superintendent during the month of April. Thank you for that support. Um and um I want to thank all of the staff members that participated in in the Puma in the office of the Puma County Superintendent for the USFR training. U I I I encourage any of the board members in the any upcoming meetings. It was very informative. It was six-hour training but uh it was packed with great information uh to build capacity and having said that let's play the video. It would be good just to kind of reflect at the very end after cycle three like, okay, this was really hard. What did we do, >> you know, to get through this book?