Um Nature's Classroom update. So we are good to go for Nature's Classroom. Um we're all set for for next week for us to be taking off on on May 19th. The weather is looking good so far, right? That's where that's where we're looking at. So we're happy about that. Um thanks to everyone including school committee members that have helped make this training possible. I know they've you've some fundraising there as well, too. So, thanks for all of that. Um There is training that we have put forward for all of our chaperones that are going to Nature's Classroom. I want to thank Cara Ford, myself and Lisa Sequeira. Cara did an amazing job putting together some training for our chaperones that are going to Nature's Classroom in terms of, you know, the role of a chaperone, what it what what it looks like, what you should what you shouldn't do.
That stands at about 22 or 220,000 right now. Um, which would be about a week and a half or two weeks of claims. Typically, we like to have at least two months of claims in our reserve. So, we still are in a rebuilding of the reserve account. Um, we also did discuss Kerma, workers comp, um, and those renewals as well. Most of them are invaranteed and have a very little impact to our overall financial. The biggest piece is the medical and health benefits. We did decide that we were officially redneoing with United Healthcare which is easiest from an implementation standpoint and the rates have been set for the upcoming 26 27 year. >> Very good.
>> Um >> so this this is a finance committee vote to send to the full board. Uh this is a finance committee meeting of the whole. So >> so everybody will be voting on >> yeah whatever >> we usually adopt we usually adopt with a finance committee meeting of the whole that everybody votes on. I'm actually I'm ready to put the all the the motion with all the changes that you are recommending is that's a different motion than just the 300,000. >> Yeah. So, um, >> because I think it gives you the it gives you the time that you need to get all of this stuff started. >> Yeah. You know, >> but can you get it started even if we don't? Um, well, I would hate to spend time on it if it's not going to come to fruition, but um um I think what we'll do what we we should probably do is go because there are some questions, we should um have the finance committee uh vote on it and then bring it just for the 21st.
>> Welcome. Of course. Any other questions or comments for superintendent? Okay. All right. Let's go ahead and continue with this evening's agenda. Uh letter H is our barbecue school district board uh request. >> President media, members of the board, members of the community. Um we're following up on uh a couple of board requests, not only from uh the previous board meeting, but uh also the one before. Um these are four of the board requests. Um the numbers are at the end. Um we have the technology. Um also the uh the plan of how uh Indian middle school is going to be spending uh investing the tax credit. We also have the update on on the 21st century as well as um following up on on providing additional information from the transportation department. So do me a favor. Let's give it up for Mr. Aaron Bates to provide information on the first board request.
And I'm I'm just I'm very proud of our facility staff and our teaching staff of what they're able to do. And things are more expensive when things are are worn out. And I'm sorry that wasn't that was a little birdwalk from the question, but it's I don't want it to be doom and gloom. Like our staff is a resilient group and we're going to like I said, I'm going to continue to show up every day and they've continued to show up every day and do their best. >> So, in your opinion, what recommendation would you give us as a board? >> So, I would do I would say the $50 million bond and the 15% override. I would make that recommendation because I think if we don't do if we go for the 30 million and we're only going to partially fix things, I think we'll have the same problems in a few years down the road.
Um last year we piloted APTT night, which has a history in various schools in the district. We started at a K1 this past year. We didn't start it till late in the year. We're going to expand that uh to include kinder, I'm sorry, to include second and third in addition to K1, and we plan on starting that in the fall. And that's that will be something that involves, of course, being driven by data, but including parents as a part of the process. Um we're expanding I was going to we're we're increasing and this this will be something that as I look at my own calendar and how I spend my time every day, how I spend my time every week, needing to monitor and evaluate the implementation of 95% group, which I'm fortunate to have worked with this for years in my former district. So, it's I don't have to build the knowledge base.
So, we're really happy to have that in place for all of our chaperones that are going. And we will be use this video moving forward. The hope is for anyone that's a chaperone for any trip, never mind Nature's Classroom, that you will [clears throat] you will have to review this and and check off and sign it that you have completed this training. So, we're really happy about that that's taken place as well, too. So, we're looking forward to Nature's Classroom. I know that the principals are going to be there, myself, Mrs. Sequeira, Jen, we're all going to be playing some visits out there as well, too, next week. So, we're looking forward to seeing the kids in this exciting time at Nature's Classroom for them. So, we wish them well. I thank our teachers that are going there as well, too. Staffing updates. So, I'm really happy to say that we're in the thick of our hiring process.
>> Any questions on the insurance committee? I I will mention Mrs. Winter who is the chair of the insurance committee reached out to me uh asking about when our negotiations begin for our largest group which is which is teachers which I mentioned happened in the fall. and um she's looking to possibly put together a meeting just in case there's any plan design changes, we can begin to uh if we need to plant those seeds, we'll be able to do that. She she's not sure if she anticipates any, but just the idea to have that conversation. >> Y thanks for adding that. >> Good. Okay. Uh and then on the PTO, Miss Mrs. Bford, >> I will go ahead and start with Cherry Brook. Um, they recently concluded their teacher experience auction where teachers and community members donated activities and one-of-a-kind school experiences such as principal for a day with Mr.
first. I um and have a full vote on it there. Um I I don't I don't like um putting you guys in a position where it's it's kind of a knee-jerk reaction. As as much as I feel like this is the best course of action, I don't want anybody walking away from tonight going, "Well, I didn't pardon me. Um, I didn't have a real chance to think about this and I just I mean I I tried to send it out a couple days ago, but you know, you don't have the benefit of conversation and um processing. So I think um the preference would be like if the committee would um pass with adjustments um and then I'll share out additional information and we'll talk about it on the 21st. In the meantime, I will share, you know, a draft with the personnel committee and we'll discuss what that role would look like and take that to the board as well.
>> All right. Good evening, President Wia, board members, uh team members, and community members. Um I have a comprehensive response to the inquiry related to our student fees and uh technology distribution. Um there's a lot of information here, but I'll go over the basics. Um um we can pull up as much information as you all want to see. Um but um this is specifically in response to uh Chrome to some of the fees we're charging related to student technology. So um what I've done is there's a folder in there uh related to all of the supporting documentation. There's policies in there um and all of the data that I use to collect that information from on all these spreadsheets you'll see here. Um there's a master tracking sheet that includes the current uh fee breakout and statuses of all of the individual fees. um of course with names redacted.
And I think the 15% override a lot of time we think of teachers and some of the teachers we've lost this year to to seek out higher salaries elsewhere. We've lost bus drivers. We've lost other positions and um ultimately we're in the human industry. And I think um we don't want to lose people because they can go make more at McDonald's. No offense to um Abe or the Martinez family, but we don't want to lose our good people to other places. We want we don't want that to even be a carrot in front of them. If they're proud and they like working at Blige, we want them to continue it and not have to figure financial. So my recommendation, I'm sorry. I mean, I've been birdw walking a little bit here and just reign me in. I would I would recommend going for a 15% override and a $50 million bond.
I just need to to set the tracks for the train to run on and get in my classrooms with that being the focus. Um and then the last thing anyway is updating our plans to ensure our our Eagle Readers are visiting the library monthly. Um it's been a space it's been a used space for a variety of things, but systematically as we reconfigured the rest of classrooms, that that room is the geographic or geometric core of the campus. Um and we'd like we are planning to operationalize getting people and teachers and kids on a systematic and regular basis to have exposure to books so that um that's a part of their their weekly diet as well as exposure to books, the joy of books, reading to kids, and kids getting off screens and reading books and being read to. That includes um I know we're talking predominantly about our first graders who will be third graders, but our um seventh and eighth graders just this year the teachers um made made a decision here in the spring to to to do novel studies.
Let me be clear, we're not hiring any additional in terms of with the elementary we're we're replacing teachers that are retiring. So, we've already really finalizing the hiring of our teachers. We're getting a lot of people applying for positions and that's a really good reflection for us as a school district that people want to come work in Burlington and Billerica. We we secured our positions for our new hires at at Tahanto as well, too, with our new biology teacher as well, too. So, we're able to lock that in and those are hard positions to fill, so we're excited about that. We've also got our grade one position at Billerica Elementary for our retirees as well, too. Lisa's having some great interviews that are taking place for our ELA coach that's happening at Berlin on Memorial's all too. So, we are in the thick of hiring which is really a good time for us to be.
Amory, a story book evening in your home with Mr. Steriel or Ride to School in Style with Officer Phelps and K9 Leo. I checked it out. There were some pretty cool offerings up. Um, there were 30 experiences that were donated and the PTO raised over 3,000 with that fundraiser. So, very successful for them. Um, their staff appreciation week was a hit with an inschool Target shopping experience, a popcorn bar and a dirty soda bar. Um, they're currently gearing up to host their biggest event of the year, the 61st annual children's fair, which is on May 29th. Um, this is kind of an aside, the PTO is also partnering with the Canton Public Library this summer for celebrity uh story times with Dr. Gman and Mr. Amry. So stay tuned for dates on those. if you want to bring your kiddos or grandkids over. >> Star studded >> celebrity Canton celebrities.
So, I mean, it's it is the matter of um what is that nine days? I mean, it's not end of day stuff. Unfortunately, I'll be or fortunately I guess out of town the next three days uh with two and a half days and it well day and a half I guess in in uh Boston doing a admin retreat with uh a superintendent network at Harvard and then uh Friday afternoon I'm presenting at a panel discussion in uh New Haven on the future of work and AI. So, it's I'm not going to really be able to tackle it until Monday anyway. And I and I feel I want people to feel confident and comfortable. Um, and I I I appreciate how it at this pace it doesn't feel that way and I I want to avoid that. We'll still move forward with, you know, processing like the some of the things that we need to do anyway.
Um you'll see the parent and student technology acceptance that was on online registration for the new 2627 school year. You'll see a five-year cost history there. You'll see fees collected totals by year. Um and you also see what we have pending collected. Um uh district adopted fee history. So that just gives you the yearby-year history going back five years. And Chromebook individual cost by year. I think I already might have put that in there twice, but and then there's some notes on the handbook changes for the new year. Um, all right. So, supporting district policies. I just wanted to list some of the policies that are supporting the fee and collection process we have in place and will continue to have in place. Um, there's um several um these are district adopted policies that we uh follow as part of our process. So, you'll see uh policy the care of school property.
So this place I think in five years, three years looking at this place we and if we're able to get it past the finish line, we'll look back with a great sense of accomplishment. And I think this is one of the biggest things that maybe I was, you know, thinking I've been reflecting a lot about this. I think this is one of the biggest things we can do for the future of our community. not just for our children, but the future of the community, the Pinetop Lakeside community, is to have an amazing school system here. And and more money doesn't always equal better. But I also want to commit to the community that I want to see it through and that we will be efficient with our money and making the most out of our money and doing the right things and making the community and people proud of their investment in our school system.
Um and some of our students had never read a book, and that's crazy to me. Um some of our our sixth and seventh graders is the teacher went on a leave of absence just 5 weeks ago. The teacher that moved into that spot said, "I know what we're going to do to finish this year. All of you are going to read a book." And they just finished The Outsiders, and they're making their graphic novels to to display a chapter that they've read about. If I get a date and time, I'll share it with you so you can come and see what that's like. So, I I just more than anything want to leave you with I take that data to heart. It's my data, and I I won't let that happen again. One way or another, we're going to find out how to get the job done, and we'll get it done.
We don't want to be hiring in June and July, um but right now it's um some of the highest quality teachers that are out there looking. So, we're getting 14, 15, even more people that are applying at one time. So, we're really fortunate about that as well, too. So, excited about that. Um and I think that's all for my report.
Um I do not have a report from CIS this month. Uh the middle school continued to plan for field day and eighth grade promotion. They stocked the staff lunch for teacher appreciation week and provided all staff members with uh Kayla's cookies, which if you've not had them, they're outstanding. Uh lobster loop is on for August 30th, so stay tuned for more on that. I do not have a boosters athletic boosters report, but CFA um the scholarship committee met and chose their three recipients to be awarded at the senior arts scholarship night. Um they coordinated with the camp public library for a team craft fair over the weekend which was very successful. I think they had like 16 vendors which is the most they've ever had. So they were pleased about that. Um, and they are currently supporting all their spring shows and will be providing water for the band on Memorial Day.