The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. Two roads diverged in a wood, and sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler, long I stood and looked down one as far as I could to where it bent in the undergrowth. Then took the other as just as fair and perhaps having the better claim because it was grassy and wanted wear. Though as for that, the passing there had worn them really about the same. And both that morning equally lay in leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day. Though knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. And I shall be telling this with a sigh somewhere ages and ages hence. Two roads diverged in a wood, and I I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.
It's been more than a pleasure to serve as your secretary this past year, and though I'm sad that this year our time together as members has come to come to an end, I'm overjoyed to see where we are all headed in the future. Current members, please stand. Let us take a moment to recognize our two-year NHS members, thank them for all their efforts this year, and wish them all well in their future endeavors. >> [applause] >> Now, inductees, please make your way to the right side of the auditorium. As your name is called, please step forward onto the stage to receive your membership pin and certificate, and to sign the official chapter registry. Andrea Angulo Rojas >> [applause] >> Savannah Brown >> [applause] >> Tamika Clermont >> [applause] >> Didan Coakley >> [applause] >> Aubrey Elmer >> [applause] >> Dolly Gammo >> [applause] >> Lauren >> [applause] >> Kennedy Hendricks >> [applause] >> Mesa Jean Pierre >> [applause] >> Atalia Shaquille >> [applause] >> Colin Jones >> [applause] >> Zay Little >> [applause] >> Landon Marsh >> [applause] >> Jake McDuff >> [applause] >> Adeline Martinez >> [applause] >> Mia Mastrianni >> [applause] >> Roy McDonald >> [applause] >> Miami McQuarter Robinson >> [applause] >> Mila Mohamed >> [applause] >> Amy Naharro Gonzalez >> [applause] >> Eulma Aparo >> [applause] >> Joel Parsons >> [applause] >> Dylan >> [applause] >> Rocky Richardson >> [applause and cheering] >> Lex Space >> [applause] >> Siana Absher >> [applause] >> Seri Evoluci >> [applause] >> Ariana Last Name >> [applause and cheering] >> NOAH WILLIAMS >> [cheering] [applause] >> BROOKLYN WRIGHT >> [cheering and applause] >> ELIANI ZAPATA COMPANA >> [applause] >> And Shannon assistant.
So, when you take a half a million dollars and say that's a savings uh for insurance, uh there was no choice but us to change. I know change is hard. I know that depending on who you use as your primary care that there could be concerns about who you might um have to switch to and whether your doctor is covered. Um but on the whole, this will decrease basically all the all the medical plans. There may be one or two little exceptions. uh dental premiums will increase and that's because we're going from two to one. So we had a low dental uh provider last year. This year we'll only have one provider. Health savings plan um is decreasing a little bit. The match because the cost is lower. Um and the uh life insurance will remain the same. Again, very similar to look at what the packages have been over the last number of years.
Um, as Dr. Loman stated, lots of different events that have gone on. Um, I had the privilege to attend uh the Hispanic Cultural Night. Um, again, I had to open my Dualingo to understand what some of the youth were saying. Uh, but with that, so proud um of of the um those youth just learning um a different language. and then in addition have the opportunity to witness our seniors walk across the stage and accept their awards. They know they're graduating. They're super excited, but that excitement feels new every time. Um again, as Dr. uh Lman said as they get closer to the to that finish line next week. So that's about it. More tears, right? Tears of joy. >> Thank you, Member Owens. >> Thank you, President Coutree. All right. End of the year. It's always busy. Um, if you were here about a month ago, um, I encouraged our staff, families, and students um, to keep striving for the finish line, and I related it to a 500 yard swim, right?
So, we have Mrs. Wright's first graders. They've explored characters, settings, and plot by comparing three versions of The Little Red Riding Hood. And throughout this, they've applied their coding skills in order to retell the story of Little Red Riding Hood by navigating the obstacles to Grandma's House. So, a lot of cool ways, like Mrs. Stoner, sorry, like Kathy said, we're trying to become Sim certified. So, just finding different ways to make STEM fun within our core curriculum. Now, Shark Tank. Okay. Um, one of the fun things that I love to do is, um, correlating ELA, math, social studies, and science as we explore our non-fiction um, text features, our practice persuasive writing and analyzing data. So, the students will get to pick ideas that interest them and from those ideas that they have, they have to find a way to solve a real world problem.
Adams has tried to figure that out what that number would be and it it would probably be close to around $5 million to get the schools whole again. >> So, so the fact that you put it in place now and then you you are building on it because it does a repeat, right? You know that and you maintain some of these one time >> increases our our our current levy, right? So we're instead of being allowed to >> increase by X, we're now going to be we'll we'll always have that 2.75 as part of our number and we just increase above that. >> And and nobody I mean nobody wants and I understand people are against the override. I I understand that nobody wants to pay more money in taxes. You know, none of us do. And this is a really hard decision. But as members, you know, Mr.
I almost feel like all these maneuvers to keep us from speaking are actually making it more cumbersome. It it it actually reminds me of the ZBA meeting. You know, this weird muffling of everybody's voices. Um, I It's like they're trying to keep us from saying something. And I'd like to know, what is it and why be involved in town government if you want to muffle people's voices? I think you need to think about is this really the right fit for me? Because it's it's it's the people's night. Town meeting is the people's night. And if the people are wearing basically a a muzzle, >> [snorts] >> I I don't see how they can be all that effective. Well, and I think that that's that's a good point. We talked about efficiency and democracy is not efficient. It it just isn't. And yet that's what we believe in that in the United States, certainly in our town.
>> [laughter] >> And then of course you need some things for the littles, so >> [laughter] >> And Sandy Sandy and James have to become fans as well, so Maybe you have to turn around. And Lori, let me get a picture with you with all everybody here. Wait, put the camera You got to It's all you, Sandy. The onesies. >> [laughter] >> This is awesome. Kelly, say "cheese". Can everybody hear me? I got they should stand on chairs. >> [laughter] >> Too bad we got to do business after this. Right? >> [laughter] >> Awesome. We love you, Miss Tucky. Thank you. >> [applause] >> This is awesome. You want to see? I just want Maybe it would have been better to make multiple smaller boxes. >> Right. Yeah. These are little ones. Thank you so much. I have the pictures of Thank you very much.
Yeah, I'm on the job until the next goal. And don't switch until the next three goals. Okay. All right, so I got to keep track of the score and stuff. You're on score until the next goal. Jared, you stay on my camera. I'm on camera right now, but but then I think next quarter I'll go to this I'm just going to watch a pit I might sit in that fire. I'm from that angle. All right, who wants to go next? Set up the tripod. I might be next. Go ahead and have the home screen ready. Do you already have that home screen? Yeah, you can have that. I need the power supply to this project cuz there's another power supply. Oh, yeah. You got 1 minute. >> [screaming] >> Is there another battery headset? Wait, what? Where are they? Over here somewhere. Sir, um Yeah, so basically this is just like I mean we're not going to be able to Solid green?
And here's Whitesman just No, this is Oleary ripping down the field. It's almost like he has a He's done that with a football in his hands. Which, if anyone knows, he had. This is Olsen. >> [cheering and applause] >> Olsen. Good coverage by Gray. Olsen. Dishes it up. Um Oliver uh would to Fowler. Fowler down. That was to Cavalero to Olsen. Olsen couldn't quite hang on to it. Great pressure from number 24, Oliver Gray. All right, Medway waste no time trying to bring this up. Gets by Fowler. Tate Logan. The big man with it. Back steps a little bit. Dishes one off to Ferrier. Ferrier to Pillard. Pillard running towards the net. Pillard still has it. Pillard shot, a little high. Think um Whitesman might have got a stick on that. All right, Thomas Brown for the Mustangs going to play it in. Dishing it up to Bahan.
So we looked at six of the schools, the Academy Early Learning, the Discovery School, Federal Street Elementary, Middle School, High School, Newton Elementary. Um, and we discussed some of the viable options depending on what the power was available at each individual site. Um, some of them were a little bit more tricky than others. Uh, spec specifically trying to get, you know, the cost to be as low as possible. um you know trenching costs are uh typically what ends up being the most. So we were trying to keep the chargers as close to those power services as possible. Um there was the um the academy learning that one was one of the older buildings but we were able to find a solution there where we would do some trenching um right just across the the parking lot there into um the little turnkey. Um, sorry. I'm not sure if there's a specific location that you want to talk about.
So we looked at six of the schools, the Academy Early Learning, the Discovery School, Federal Street Elementary, Middle School, High School, Newton Elementary. Um, and we discussed some of the viable options depending on what the power was available at each individual site. Um, some of them were a little bit more tricky than others. Uh, spec specifically trying to get, you know, the cost to be as low as possible. um you know trenching costs are uh typically what ends up being the most. So we were trying to keep the chargers as close to those power services as possible. Um there was the um the academy learning that one was one of the older buildings but we were able to find a solution there where we would do some trenching um right just across the the parking lot there into um the little turnkey. Um, sorry. I'm not sure if there's a specific location that you want to talk about.
I'm a mile from school here and despite construction still a mile from school and you're far out. Anyway, I just want to thank you for coming and doing this here at our school and I know we're not the first and hopefully we won't be the last. I think this is a brilliant idea. Brilliant. I think it is so eye opening and so purposeful and so meaningful for everybody, cabinet members and board members to get out into the buildings and really see what's going on. I was I'll just do it again, but I was tearing up watching those kids. Like it's such a proud teacher moment for me too to see what those kids can do without such a um but it's so great to see them. Um and of last year a fourth grade teacher and so it was just so awesome. But I think it's great for you guys just to see what's happening.
>> Thank you. And our next speaker is Leslie Cado. Okay. All right. Good evening. My name is Lesley Cado and both of my girls attend school in the Beresta in the Beressa district. one at Morel Middle and one at Mincity Park. Middle schoolers right there. We recently learned that our music teacher at Morel will be transferred to another district school next year. My 13-year-old daughter, Amy, attended Moral in sixth and seventh grade and will be entering eighth grade next year. My youngest, Issa, will also begin sixth grade at Morel next year as well. One of the main reasons our family has valued our experience at Morel has been the strength of its music program. I was amazed that through the music program, my daughter formed such meaningful friendships and found a sense of belonging during what can often be a challenging stage of adolescence. I'm also deeply impressed by the music teacher herself.
Graduates, this poem reminds us reminds all of us that choices that we make in life define our lives. And often the most meaningful choices are not the easiest ones. The road less traveled is the decision to be confident in who you are rather than comparing yourself to others. It's choosing kindness and assuming positive intent even when it would be easier to judge. It's choosing gratitude and contentment in a world that often promotes entitlement. It's committing to being a lifelong learner, remaining curious, thinking critically, and continuing to grow beyond high school. And most importantly, it's choosing to connect your purpose to something greater than yourselves, serving others, strengthening your community, and becoming a contributing citizen. Class of 2026, your future is full of possibilities, and I am confident that you will shape our world in remarkable ways. And as a D20 graduate, we welcome you back to share about your future adventures.
>> [cheering] [applause] >> AS WE NEAR THE END OF OUR CEREMONY, I want to thank everyone for coming. I generally can't believe my time as NHS president is coming to an end. It's been such an amazing and rewarding experience. To continue being of service for my and and getting to lead such an amazing group of A piece of advice that I would like to share with >> [applause] [applause] >> with our new members is to develop your genuine passion for helping others because that's how we can all make a difference in the world. Lastly, I want to give Ms. T her flowers for doing such an amazing job as your advisor. Thank you for always creating a welcoming space. We all appreciate your hard work. >> [applause] >> I also want to thank my family for always supporting me and allowing me to follow my dreams.
um you will see a decrease in the cost to the district because we pick up the uh insurance for all full-time employees only the employee. If they want their spouse or their family to have the coverage, then they have to pick that up. But obviously, if we're seeing a decrease in the cost of the premium, then we're going to see a decrease in the cost to our budget because we don't have to pay as much for those uh for those employees. Um and so it'll last but even with that decrease so the 563,000 the health premium increase um uh area that 563,000 is what the districts picked up even including this decrease. So last year if you looked at the number we were at 700 plus thousand of what we paid between 20 and 20 uh 26 for health premium increases. We'll still continue with unemployment insurance and then we just talk about what our entire district benefit package uh contains.
Um, we got like 10 yards left. 10 yards. Uh so there's finals, there's lots of stuff going on. So just keep uh keep swimming for the wall. Um so since our last meeting, a few things uh that I've attended. Uh Dr. Lman mentioned the MHS senior awards uh last Wednesday night. I was able to attend that. Uh Thursday was a busy day. Uh Thursday, last Thursday evening. um district uh color guard showcase uh was held at uh Desert Wind. Got to see some solos and um the uh full performance of the Desert Wind Color Guard Club. So that was that was a lot of fun see uh see all the hard work uh from those kids um come to come to a fruition there. Um, [sighs] I'm going to come back to last Thursday. Um, Monday, Mr. Beckett, uh, we held right in here. We had held a little retirement, uh, party for him.
So, they are collaborating with their peers to solve these problems. um they develop a prototype that's going to solve the problem and they're going to make our life easier. So we have I'll get to our um community partners that come in and help. But throughout this process, our students explore um various resources, various content curriculum and all these things while designing their own process for their Shark Tank prototype. And by the end of this project, our students have worked super hard. They've built their prototype. They've developed their slides. They have their persuasion to the sharks. So we actually get some sharks, some judges to come into our school and our second graders present their prototype. They present their idea and they actually get up in front of them, they talk, we record it and at the end after their presentation, the sharks get to ask them some tough questions and they have to think on their feet.
Adams, the the school committee, the finance committee, the select board. It it is our responsibility to try to really look hard and come forward with the best possible um approach for the community and I understand that there are some people in our community that don't have the money, >> right? >> And I I think we all understand that. Which leads me to my next question because one of the other questions I've heard from people is okay well usually I know that my taxes might will go up by two and a half%. If this override passes what percentage will my taxes go up so it's not 2 and a half%. So, and is it the full because now it'll be like six, is it 6%, is it five and a half percent? What is >> So, if you look at it in numbers at the at the for the average family home value of $737,000 >> and you think it the >> what the current two and a half% raises is $1.4 million.