So, we love you so much. We're so proud of you, and congratulations. >> you so much. >> [applause] >> Well, Lori, the Senate President and I also have citations for you. >> But I have to admit, you've never sworn at me to my face. No, I haven't. >> [laughter] >> I really feel I've missed out on something. >> that mad at you. >> No, okay. Well, there's still time. >> time. There's still time. Uh as everyone has said, as elected officials, we don't always realize how much time we take away from our families, and so I just want to join everyone in thanking you for how much time you've allowed your mom to be and that that your wife to be a part of our lives. Uh Ashland would not be the same had you not made that sacrifice. And when you were little, you probably couldn't wrap your mind around it, but the fact that you're here, I think shows her everything she ever needed to know.
So, um, I I love the idea of teaching students how to be better digital citizens as well. Um, but I fully support the ban as a as a teacher and thank you for keeping up with this issue and um, you know, maintaining a commitment to keeping them off and away one way or another. >> All right, member. >> Is this something we should possibly also be looking into at an elementary level? Are we enforcing the no cell phone policies at that level? Uh I did not look into that for you because this was more yonder pouch type scenario but we can I have not heard so anecdotally right I have not heard that it's a problem at the elementary school levels but if it is and they tell me then we will have to start addressing it. >> Yeah I I just was you know like member Den said maybe at the elementary level we have a different maybe it's not the onaches it's the bin or the shoe rack holder put away type of thing.
>> Yeah I just was you know like member Denise said maybe at the elementary level we have a different it's the bin or the shoe rack holder put away type of thing. I can I have seen cell phones fall out of kids pockets. >> Um, great. I actually just briefly had a question about the enrollment report. Um, do we know where those four kids went and why? >> Uh, I do not off the top of my head. I can find out where those four went for you. >> Thank you. >> I think that that's something in general as if if kids are going out of district, we want to know where and why. Great. Thank you. >> I'll let you know. >> Member Goodwin, >> this is more a question of process. Do we have a policy that bans cell phones or can we move towards that?
>> So, eighth grade, most eighth grade students are just in eighth grade. only some advanced students are going to do algebra because we didn't want want to do the geometry because that's the one that the UC schools, am I correct, look at >> at the high school. So, we said, okay, well, we'll do the algebra one and then they can deal with the geometry and the UC schools. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> I think the other thing I would ask from our teachers, you had two publications that you were looking at, SAS and McGra Hill. Your recommendation is McGra Hill. Can you share a few highlights on why um everyone felt that that was the number one choice? Um I think the the two things that uh brought us they were both very similar, but the two things that we really liked was the Alex program that is involved in McGra Hill.
And never forget you will always be part of the Village family. One more round of applause for the CLASS OF 2026. >> [cheering] [applause] [cheering] >> I'M A CHAIN OF ALL of the colors and all the crazy We can live in a world of dreams. Cuz every night the brightest colors fill my head. A million dreams are keeping me >> [cheering] >> awake. I see the world the world could be the dream I see a dream A million dreams is all it >> [cheering] [cheering] >> Here's a house for >> [cheering] >> all the wizards. I think it's for Special things I can buy. >> [cheering] >> Each one there to make you smile on a rainy day. They can say they can say it all sounds crazy. I don't know.
Uh first we have Claire Hollum. Claire Hollum. Uh, in a similar competition to what the boys did for broadcast news packaging, Claire had to attend a press conference and then write a feature story uh, related to the topic in a very short period of time. And she became the first reporter in school history to earn national recognition for her writing. Nice. >> And then I'll acknowledge while she's up there too, she was also a national champion sports photographer last year as well. And then lastly, we have a young man who's a freshman in our program, Anthony Gonzalez. Come on up. So Anthony actually uh placed twice nationally while we were there. Uh he earned superior recognition as a firstear photographer. Um which places him in the top 10% of contest entries in the nation. And then additionally uh he became the second consecutive national champion for sports photography while we were there.
Um, so this is still a potential future billing renewal grant for repair replacement in the future pending state capital funding. >> Perfect. I love to hear that. >> Hopefully. That was a mouthful. Sorry, I got there. >> You did. I have a question. Go ahead. >> Okay. Um, backing on what she said, is there any warranties for for this and for how long? And then what's the life expectancy on this one? was the original. >> Those are great questions. There is a warranty. I don't have that. I can I'll get that for the board. Um I apologize for not having that ready. Um it probably is in a packet, so I'll read through that. Um see if I can get that to you tonight. Um central plants really um this new system should be a 20-year system. Um they're very efficient. um with the redundancies, the you know, obviously systems go down, but we'll have three full towers, three full chillers for for the whole history of this campus.
>> Any discussion? Okay, we'll vote signify by saying I. >> Any opposed? 26120 pass. 26-121 approval of bid package number eight plumbing systems. Dr. Brown, >> I recommend the board approve bid package number eight, the plumbing systems to needing mechanical incount 2,16,45 for the early learning center. >> Can I get a motion? >> Make a motion we approve 26121. >> Can I get a second? >> I'll second.
Uh and as you know, everything every hour you put in was worth it. Every late phone call you put in was worth it. Uh and your kids and all the kids of Ashland's are a testament to that. Uh I have a citation also not for you to pay, uh nor was I able to sneak any Chapter 7D funding in here. All right, go back and keep trying. >> Maybe when you say >> [laughter] >> maybe in Karen's citation. Uh but I have a citation from uh my colleagues in the house. Uh the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the House of Representatives, uh be it hereby known to all that the Massachusetts House of Representatives offers its sincerest congratulations to Lori Tosti in recognition of your 15 years of exceptional service and unwavering commitment to the Ashland School Committee. The entire membership extends its very best wishes and expresses the hope for future good fortune and continued success in all endeavors.
I can say I have seen cell phones fall out of kids pockets. >> Um, great. I actually just briefly had a question about the enrollment report. Um, do we know where those four kids went and why? >> Uh, I do not off the top of my head. I can find out where those four went for you. >> Thank you. I think that that's something in general as if if kids are going out of district, we want to know where and why. >> That'd be great. Thank you. >> I'll let you know, >> member Goodwin. >> This is more a question of process. Do we have a policy that bans cell phones or can we move towards that? >> I mean, we have, you know, we bought the yonder couches. We've invested a lot of money in trying to keep the cell phones out. And as somebody who has subbed at a high school not too long ago, um you spend all day as a teacher saying, "Put your cell phone away." And it's not just a cell phone.
>> I mean, we have, you know, we bought the yonderes. We've invested a lot of money in trying to keep the cell phones out. And as somebody who has subbed at a high school not too long ago, um you spend all day as a teacher saying, "Put your cell phone away." And it's not just a cell phone, it's the ear they're talking, making a call in their ears or on their watch or wherever it is. And or they're do or they have to do a tick tock in the middle of class. So there's so much of that that you know at least six times a class you're going to say put your cell phone away. And that's one of the the pieces that this really addresses. Um and I'm wondering if we can have a policy about that. >> So if I I can jump in and help you >> if you would like to.
Um and it's similar to the Fractal program which we have, but it's even better. and yeah um and it's been around for years and years and and they that was really powerful seeing the kids use that was really powerful also on the last day when we were deciding which one we wanted and I should have brought one that uh McGraill brought these workbooks I can't stop talking about them um they I even contacted them because they were so amazing they were they weren't just workbooks where it was the same problems from the textbook in a workbook book. Um it was notetaking and graphic organizers and how the kids could see the important information and um and we're we're also members of the math adoption for next year. Um and I you I emailed McGra Hill. I said, "Are you guys going to have this for the 678?" And they said no.
>> Nice. >> An amazing accomplishment for >> Thank you guys. >> Um are we going to get a quick picture while they're bundling up? I just want to denote how much work it takes to excel at this level and the leadership that it takes from the staff to present the opportunities for our students to achieve. So I cannot thank Mr. Shrill, Mr. Taylor and Miss Box Shawn Danny enough. Good evening, members of the governing board. Tonight, we are proud to recognize and honor our retirees for their years of dedication and service to public education. A career in K12 education is more than a job. It is a commitment to students, family, and community. Each of tonight's honores has made a lasting impact through their work. Whether in the classroom, classrooms, offices, transportation, food service, maintenance, or support roles. Their contributions have helped shape lives and strengthen our schools in countless ways.
We've only had two towers and two chillers, and we've had issues with those, you know, being up or down. So, we'll have full redundancy. If we do have a tower and chiller go down, we'll be able to operate the way we have the last 20 years. So, but I'll get the information on warranty. Okay. >> And then just sorry, I thought of one other question. If there's new technology in there anywhere, are we going to have them, the contractor, service it if we ever do need it worked on, or are they going to are we training our maintenance people to take care of it? >> Also a good question. And and you know, there's pros and cons to a a package unit system like what's similar to what's on a house. Most of our campuses are run with package units and there's some >> there's some pros and cons.
>> Any discussion? Go vote signify by saying I. I. Any oppose. 26121 pass. 26-122 approval of bid package number nine HVAC systems. Dr. Brown. >> I recommend the board approve bid package number nine HVAC systems to Cook Mechanical in the amount of $3,969,000 for the early learning center. >> Can I get a motion? >> I'll make a motion for 26-122 HVAC systems. >> Can I get a second? I'll second.
Signed on this day, May 20, 2026. Thank you. And congratulations. >> [applause] [laughter] >> Hello, everyone. My name is Jess. I'm here on behalf of the Senate President who is very upset she could not make it today, but I'm here to present a citation from the Senate as well. I won't read the whole thing, don't worry. Uh be it known that the Massachusetts Senate hereby extends its congratulations to Lori Tosti in recognition of the joyous occasion and joyous and happy occasion of your retirement after 15 years of service and leadership on the Ashland School Committee. I did want to add a personal note. Um I do remember as a high school student you were chaperoning my trip with the uh Make-A-Wish Club to the Give Kids the World Village. >> And to this day that's those days were some of the most important ones in my life and I know you had a big hand in making sure those trips went well.
It's the ear. They're talking, making a call in their ears or on their watch or wherever it is. And or they're do or they have to do a tick tock in the middle of class. So there's so much of that that you know at least six times a class you're going to say put your cell phone away. And that's one of the the pieces that this really addresses. Um and I'm wondering if we can have a policy about that. >> So if I I can jump in and help you >> if you would like to. But I I have a I also have a response but I would never cut the chair off. >> It's all good. Um, one, I'm not sure if we need a policy if we have a law because law supersedes our policy. Um, second, to member Den's point, a blanket ban is not like that doesn't actually do anything for the in-class enforcement of that ban.
But I I have I also have a response. I would never cut the chair off. >> It's all good. Um, one, I'm not sure if we need a policy if we have a law because law supersedes our policy. Um, second, to member Denise's point, a blanket ban is not like that doesn't actually do anything for the in-class enforcement of that ban. So, um, I think that from what I'm hearing, we've got a system in place and it's a matter of like fine-tuning as needed the system that we've gotten, but I'm not introducing new policy for the sake of having the policy is is useful to us. Um, superintendent, would you add? >> Yes. In the materials you have tonight, I believe you should have the policy itself, JICJ, cell phone policy. It's pretty quick. I'll read it to you. In order for students to learn, they must be able to concentrate on the content of their instruction.
>> So I was really bummed because I like those were the best things that would that is just the most amazing thing. And I haven't seen anything else like them when we were looking at the curriculum for next year. And >> so that I think was there anything else? >> How about the student experience? >> Oh, and one more thing. And yes, she'll talk about that, but also they had a powerpoints, editable PowerPoints. That was also nice. That's very teacher friendly. >> Yeah, I think I just want to add that the kids were at this point done with everything being virtual and online and uh we enjoyed the hands-on experience that they had. Savis gave us a hard cover I mean like a like a soft cover workbook which went with the curriculum which we enjoyed. So we were actually looking for something like that from McGraill >> and they gave it to us like she said only on the last day.
Here are our honores tonight. As I call your name, want you to come down and we have board members who want to give you a token of appreciation and then similar to our students, we'll have you stay in the middle and take a group photo. So, first we want to recognize Naen Menddees Hifford. For the last two years, Naen has served as the structured English immersion teacher for CTA in Harmon. Next, Katherine Holmes. Katherine started as a substitute teacher before teaching second grade at Harmon for three years. Mary Wyman. Mary has been teaching and inspiring comb center for success students for nearly five years. Dona Gil Dona retires after six years as a kindergarten teacher at Ellsworth and we are happy that she will continue to substitute next year. Elsa Atando Harmon was privileged to have Elsa for six years working as a pair professional.