I would also add um thank you to Jeff for getting out there and educating the public because I believe the amount of mail that the town council received from people in support of keeping the school budget intact was um was pretty outstanding. So, I would like to thank also our community for supporting our schools. >> Amen. >> On all those counts, sir. Yeah. Thanks, Matt. >> Well, if there's no further business, >> I will make >> Can I call for a motion to to adjourn? Jeff, >> are you finished? >> Yeah. Yeah, that's absolutely. >> Okay. Um, I call for a motion to adjurnn. Second. >> Well, who who called for the motion? >> Matt, I thought you just did. I was going to >> As chair, I can only ask for it. >> I will go on the record and make a motion to adjurnn.
Um but we are recommending it um for most uh students that just come every day and go home every day that aren't in an athome model for student learning. So um teachers will facilitate so what we're doing is we're we're going to ask the teachers to help us out a little bit in this situation. So teachers will facilitate appropriate device usage and support student accountability regarding the care and condition of the district issued technology. students will remain responsible for damages resulted from misuse or negligence. So, that's not going to change. Um, teachers uh will be responsible for reporting damages and maintaining a system that supports successful student use of technology. The teacher agreement is linked here. So, if you don't mind clicking that link, Ruben, I would like to show everyone what that looks like. So, when we deliver a set of laptops to teachers, we're going to ask them to sign this agreement, which is stating what the what the requirements are for that for them to support that.
People choose where to live based on schools. When schools struggle, property values fall. And when schools are strong, communities remain stable and attractive. And in a rural district like ours, that connection is even more important. We do not have the same growth or economic buffers as the larger cities down in the valley. Our schools are one of the primary drivers of community strength, workforce readiness, and long-term stability. For example, one of the things that I've been incredibly impressed with that we did not have uh in California to this degree is a career in technical CTE. It plays a vital role. These programs prepare students for real in- demand jobs often right here in our own town. Whether it's skilled trades, healthcare, agricultural, or technical careers, CTE gives students practical skills and certifications that directly support our local economy. When we invest in programs like these, we're investing in a workforce that sustains local businesses and keeps our community thriving and is an alternative path for those who may not uh may not wish to attend college or university systems.
So, our curriculum instruction and assessment team is actively partnering with site leaders to refine that, and we just did that today. So, our curriculum instruction and assessment team was working with all of our assistant principals. We were all in the same room today, um working on our schedules for next year. And I was working particularly with two um assistant principals specifically on this um structural challenge. So. Uh Builtmore Prep is dramatically outperforming every other school across all three interim measures. This is concerning given the demographic difference at that school compared to the rest of the district. This is also a sign that the guardrails are extremely important to improve outcomes. Um in what ways are we analyzing the intersectionality of guardrail two with our goals to ensure that we close the achievement gaps within our district? And um this board member's interested in um having principals speak.
We'll take care of that. >> Sorry, just a reminder. No, that's okay. No. I thought I introduced you guys to him. I'm sorry about that. >> I think we talked about it. Yeah. I think when he asked some people that were here at a certain time might have been bringing food in or taking food out before or after a meeting. Yeah, sorry about that. >> So, Aaron, you're looking for us to vote on this increase? >> Yeah, we would need to vote. All all costs and fees need to be approved by the school committee. And this is for next year, Aaron? This is for Yes, this starts in fiscal '27. So, it start at the start of the next school year. And this kind of mirrors the increase in food costs? Say again? [clears throat] This mirrors the increase in food costs? Yes. Yes. For $6, you got a pretty You can't Yeah.
>> Yeah. No, not not that way. >> Okay. Discussion hearing. None. We have a motion. Um as a first read, um move that the budget procedures and line item transfers. Um all those in favor? I >> opposed. >> No. >> Amy votes I. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. I move we adopt as a first grade sex discrimination and sexual harassment regarding students. This updates to whom a report should be made. Uh some of the references were outdated. This updates them. Uh it includes sex discrimination and harassment. I can't be my own hand John. I better jump in here. >> Yeah. It's it it's some procedural information. It removes the reference of title 9 from the titles of policies and regulations. Uh it updates the location and contact information for the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights which is moved uh as reference to potential use of a third party contractor for investigations and removes uh changes some definitions along the way.
>> Second. All in favor? >> We are adjourned. Thank you very much, everyone. >> Good night, guys. >> Good night. Thank you, everybody. >> Good night. We're going off the
Um, and there's a lot of things in there um that are that are just kind of general housekeeping items. You'll see um any student that devices that is identified as damaged, whether it's cosmetic or functional, must be reported. Um, so this is really just going to go over the fact that teachers need to let us know and also need to make sure that they have a system in place to keep those devices um in good condition. That's assigning the same one to a student every day, numbering them, reporting issues, and we are putting some requirements in there. So, say a teacher has more than three damaged, we're going to lock the cart. We're going to go to the principal and say, "We need to work out a plan with this teacher to improve this situation." And we're going to again we're the IT department is not in a position where we are coaching or telling teachers what to do.
But these programs, like all of our programs, require proper facilities and equipment to function efficiently and safely. Without that investment, we limit the opportunities for our students and ultimately for our local economy. The override is equally important, and this is where the impact becomes even more immediate. While the bond takes care of the buildings, the override supports the people and programs inside them. It helps retain teachers, maintain reasonable class sizes, and preserve programs like CTE that give students real opportunities. Without an override, districts often forced into cuts. Cuts that directly affect students and weaken the quality of the education. Over time, that decline impacts not just families, but the entire community. It's also worth noting these decisions, I know, are not made lightly. I have seen the district in my short amount of time, my tenure here, I've seen this district has worked hard to prioritize needs, control costs, and be transparent about how the funds will be used.
Um guardrail two um for the public, um for those [clears throat] of you here this evening, um is specific to the conditions that we create, and it states the superintendent will not cause or allow conditions, practices, or procedures that are inequitable or insufficient to students. And um we really took quite a bit of time to think about this question, and anchor ourselves in what we know and believe, and truly are the core of us here in Creighton. And we want to ensure to you as a board and to our community that high quality instructional materials are for all kids. Every student in Creighton School District has access to high quality instructional materials. We buy them for everyone. Um every teacher has teachers' manuals. So, um everybody has them. Reading interventionists are on all campuses. We do allocate staffing for that intentional tier three reading support.
Uh can I have a motion please that the Berlin and Boylston Regional School Committee vote to adjust the district's adult meal price from $5.25 to $6 per meal effective July 1st, 2026. So moved. Lisa. Second. Beth. Discussion on that? All right, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Anyone against? All right, the motion passes. Aaron, thank you. >> Thanks, Aaron. Thank you all very much. I'm done, right? Yep. Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. Yeah. Uh Al Rich is coming up. Yep. Mr. Cameron. Yep. So, just real quick, there's a couple of stipend proposals that have been put into the drive for you guys to review. Um these are going to be kicked back down to uh teacher to the union to take a look at the uh for a memorandum of understanding. The cost for those three positions that are proposed there are uh pre-standard for the school district.
>> Discussion hearing none. We have a motion on the floor um which is a first read for the sex discrimination and sexual harassment for students. >> All those in favor I >> Amy votes I >> both. Okay. Thank you. I move that we adopt the first street sex discrimination and sexual harassment for personnel. It's the same issue as the last policy for students. It updates that that information regarding personnel as well. Same discussion. >> We have a motion on the floor about sex discrimination and sexual harassment personnel. All those in favor. >> Amy votes I. >> Thank you. Opposed. There's none. Zo. Thank you very much. Sh. I move we adopt as a first read the conflict of interest policy. that what probably what happened we adopted bylaws and the policy on conflict of interest that were in conflict with each other. Uh this cleaned that up so they're not in conflict with each other.
We're here to support the teachers. So what we're trying to do is put together what we're doing here is putting together a general guideline. Uh and it's really going to be up to the schools to work with the teachers to meet those guidelines to ensure those devices are cared for. Um, and you'll see like if you scroll, if you don't mind, scroll a little bit further down there, you'll see like a damage threshold. Um, any laptop card containing more than three or five uh damaged or non-functional devices will be uh I think we cut off some of the text there in the formatting here, but essentially we'll lock it and try to work on an improvement plan with that teacher. So, so we will part of that will include um what we call what I would call just a just a weekly or maybe bi-weekly inspection.
This is about responsible planning, not unchecked spending. So, the question becomes one of perspective. Is this an added tax burden or is it a strategic investment that protects our community's future, stabilizes property values, and avoids larger costs later? At its core, supporting the bond and override is about balance. It's about recognizing the realities of today while planning responsibly for tomorrow. It's about maintaining what we have, strengthening what we need, and ensuring this community remains a place people want to live, work, and invest in. I respect that this is not an easy decision, but I strongly believe it is the right one for our students, our property owners, and our community as a whole. Thank you. Can we put that in the >> Thank you. Maybe you could put that. We could borrow that >> statement. That was very inclusive. >> Send that to you. >> Yeah.
Um there is a district standard for student and teacher ratios, so we are very intentional with the support of our human resources department. Um we have coaching support based on our teacher and our students' needs. We do try to keep our case loads around 16. Our literacy coaches have had a little more, um but they have been um good good teammates to us in helping to accomplish our efforts. Um professional development, it's for all of our teachers. We have cohorts where they can choose an area of interest, like we heard Principal Earl speak about a teacher identifying this is an area I want to strengthen my practice in. And we also have Creighton Professional Learning during the early release time, as well as site-based professional development that our principals are really intentional with what they know their teachers need. That is for all. Um and we were recently awarded an early literacy grant for literacy coaches in our highest need schools that would be available to us for uh next school year.
We've done a lot of research in these in terms of comparing uh costs and prices based off of size, amount of testing, uh and all those pieces in terms of these um the three stipend proposals that are here are for an AP coordinator. Uh we're currently taking AP testing right now uh extending well beyond the school day that uh our employees are here working, scheduling that testing. Um there's a lot of additional coordination that goes into that um throughout the year that I that it goes beyond their job descriptions. Um mirroring that in a very similar uh the PSAT coordinator that we have there. Um and then also an activities director which has evolved uh significantly over here at Tantasqua the last several years. And we are a very busy activity-focused school. There's a lot of coordination that goes along with that for uh daily scheduling, keeping the calendars up to date, signing off on a lot of paperwork uh that keeps these activities up and running.
Um we went with the shipment policy. This is the shipment policy. Went to shipment bylaws that apparently we didn't when it came to conflict of interest. Remember doing that we didn't. Uh so now we're on the same page. Thank you. discussion. We have a motion on the floor for conflict of interest from Shipman and Goodwin. All those in favor votes I >> thank you opposed 80. Thank you. If you approve the last one which we did and you have to uh resend what was there already and that's that's letter I there. I I move that we resend policy 9270 conflict of interest.
If we have teachers that have, you know, consistent issues, maybe they get inspections every week. Maybe teachers that are doing well, we may only check those maybe once a month. The IT staff are going to help, we are going to go in classrooms and help support that inspection part where we provide feedback to principles on what we're finding. Um, and we may ask principles to assist us with that process, too, and maybe do their own inspections or or have a design help with those inspections. So, and again, it's going to be that constant feedback um to teachers and principles to to really try to push and minimize the damages in classrooms. Uh, we really do not want students using a device that even has an etch in it or one missing key. Like, it should be a student should have a device in the classroom every day that is 100% function.
Will that was impressive. Thank you very much. >> Anybody else like to say anything? Uh >> she should take that to the public. >> Can I can I ask a community member something or >> not? Are we allowed to or >> Yeah, we opened it up. We open. We can't. No, we really can't respond like that. We have an attorney here. Can we >> I wanted to ask a committee member that hasn't said anything like I'm not responding to him. I just >> No, let's I'm I'm not positive here. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. Mr. President, members of the board, Jim Gil with Gus Rosenfeld. Um first of all, an apology. I have Flagstaff Unified in my ear, so I'm have to listen into them as well. Um so, no. Yeah, I wouldn't advise having the back and forth with the community. Uh it's not an agenda item, but very good discussion uh so far tonight uh uh with respect to both the bond and the override.
And that's a huge shout out, and I really appreciate that grant because if um board members don't know the history of the grant is I think, from what I understand correctly, is in previous years it was being done district-wide and we never had this grant. And because we were oh, you know, student outcomes-focused governance, we identified some schools that maybe needed a little bit more support, and voila, we got grant dollars. So, that's just to show how this framework not only is about academics and all these different things, but it really narrows down who needs more the more support. Um, one of the things that they teach us in this framework it's is that those who are furthest from educational justice deserve the most resource and tools, right? So, that's part of the framework and big shout out to I believe it was Emily in the grants department that sought that out and had that strategic thinking of like, "Hmm, maybe we should do it a different way." So, I'm I'm really excited for that.