We know how to work on them. Our HVAC techs are certified in that level of freon. Um our our techs are not certified for central plants. It's a different level of certification. So uh we're we're not unlike all districts that have central plants. We um schedule maintenance, preventative maintenance done by a third party for that central plant. We'll continue to do that on an annual basis. Okay? >> And if there are repair needs, we do have to hire that out, which is one of the downfalls of central plants. When they go out, our guys don't know how to work on them. Um but they are more efficient and with this new system, it should have very little for troubleshooting um outside of annual preventive maintenance. They're also much more efficient on a on an energy usage um throughout the year to help offset any potential costs that come along with having to contract out services.
>> Any discussion? We'll vote. Signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed. 26-122 pass. 26-123. Approval bid package number 10 electrical systems. Dr. Brown. >> I recommend the board approve bid package number 10 electrical systems to ETC Systems Inc. in the amount of 2,830,000 for the new Early Learning Center. >> Can I get a motion? I'll make a motion to approve 26123. >> Can I get a second? >> Second.
So, I want to thank you as well myself. So, >> you. Of course. Thank you so much. I'll close out the speakers. Oh gosh. >> [laughter] >> I've never been to a school committee board meeting. 15 years. >> He wasn't even sure where we met where we met. Yeah, nobody even knows who you are. >> Robert Tosti >> [laughter] >> counsel to the chair. So, for 15 years um while she was here doing everything that she needed to do, I was mopping the Well, I had a one kid in one hand mopping the floors, >> [laughter] >> painting the house. I did it all. And then we were talking >> [snorts] >> Uh now, it's been fantastic and I was happy to uh part with Lori for whatever time was necessary for her to do this work which which was obviously important to her and important to the town.
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 got, but I'm not sure that 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. The school committee recognizes that cell phones increase student distraction and encourage behaviors that make learning more difficult. Our schools will therefore not allow students to access cell phones during the school day. The administration is directed to design programs to enforce this restriction. Programs to curb cell phone use, like all of our school programs, will be based on evidence of effectiveness and will be evaluated regularly.
The school committee recognizes that cell phones increase student distraction and encourage behaviors that make learning more difficult. Our schools will therefore not allow students to access cell phones during the school day. The administration is directed to design programs to enforce this restriction. Programs to curb cell phone use, like all of our school programs, will be based on evidence of effectiveness and will be evaluated regularly. Approved by the Greenfield School Committee May 10, 2023, April 10, 2024. Does that answer your question number? Good one. >> Great. Any other questions before we move on? That's cool. Seeing none, uh thank you so much for getting that report to us and and uh being willing to share. Thank you to the members for all your questions. Um we will move on to item seven, our consent agenda. At this time, are there any items that any member would wish to have removed from the consent agenda?
So we're hoping we're hopeful that we'll get that for the uh adoption that we do and uh the biggest thing was the students experience and uh we all give them assignments to work on at home. So Alex was a good u interim in place and the best thing is that if east side decides to go megraill way then there's a continuum. Uh the Alex starts where it starts for everybody and they the high school teachers or uh assessors will have access to their shift in learning right from when they started. So if it was at fifth grade then from fifth grade it's a continuum. So and I think there's that aligns very well with what we have for our assessments and we as teachers always want to see that. So that was another big point that student and kids loved me more. >> Um there's always the thought that whatever is piloted second is always more recent in the memory.
Sherry Heath. Sherry started at Combmes in 2019 working as a teacher at both CTA and Harmon. She will also be substitute teaching next year. Dr. Gregory Wyman. After after 40 years in public education and seven years at Combmes, Dr. Wyman is looking forward to retirement. Patricia Ferguson. Patricia started at Combmes in 2015 as a paraprofessional. After 10 years of service, she's been enjoying retirement since January. >> Nice. >> Ann Madson An has an has devoted 11 years to Combmes High School serving as a librarian. And finally, Cheryl Morales. Cheryl is the reading specialist teacher at Ranch Elementary. She retires after 11 years serving our district. as they're getting their photos taken. On behalf of the district and community, thank you for your service, your professionalism, and the difference you've made and for generations of students. >> We wish you the very best in retirement and the next chapter of your lives.
>> This is a hard cost, right? This isn't a not to exceed kind of a thing, right? >> Yeah. We have the JO. This this is very similar to a GMP that we have through our um through our construction manager at risk. This is a >> a high water mark built into this number will be some contingencies. >> Yep. >> And um it'll likely it will not exceed this number. >> Yep. Great. There's no other questions. I'll make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Lisa, I have a motion in a second. Shante Rothchild. >> I Ben Owens. >> Hi. >> Lisa Garcia. Hi, >> Keller Lopez. >> Hi, >> Patty Kra. >> Hi. >> All right, Mr. Harmon. Third time's turn. Discussion and possible approval of recommended food service meal changes. >> All right. Thanks again, President Coutree, members of the board, and Dr.
>> Any discussion? >> Okay. Signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? 26-123 passed. 26-124. Approval of contract with Vector Solutions. Dr. Brown. >> Yeah. I recommend the board approve to renew and expand the contract with Vector Solutions in the amount of $12,60.70. This platform provides district-wide online staff development training and compliance management for approximately 516 employees. The system allows employees to complete required annual training modules electronically while providing the district with centralized documentation, accountability tracking, and reporting capabilities. The updated subscription includes expanded training opportunities, including employee safety and compliance, cyber security awareness, positive school climate and culture, inclusive instruction and intervention strategies, facilities and maintenance safety, transportation safety and driver training, special needs transportation procedures, student athlete health and safety, and AI supported professional learning resources. The expanded platform supports the district's goals of improving employee preparedness, increasing operational consistency, strengthening safety procedures, and maintaining compliance with required training standards across all departments.
And I'm glad that you did it and I'm uh proud of you. Love you. And thank you all for uh being cordial. I I've never even heard Lori swear. So, the fact that she swore at a meeting was kind of hard to believe. Yeah, exactly. Hello, excuse me? >> [laughter] >> Thank you very much. Love you. >> Yeah. Love you, too. Thanks, Rob. Yes. Okay, we're towards the end. Oh my gosh, thank you all. Yeah. Oh, there's more. Oh, there. Well, Okay. Oh, wow. You don't have to. Uh yeah, so [laughter] I'll I guess we'll double back and do the the high school stuff. Yeah, that stuff's boring, but If you have anything to add. Yeah, well, these past 2 years uh of being on the school committee have really been some of the most transformative of my life. Um it's crazy to see that junior year I was kind of growing up uh and emerging into a world I can uh I had to try and fit myself in somewhere.
Approved by the Greenfield School Committee, May 10, 2023, April 10, 2024. >> Does that answer your question? Member Goodwin does. >> Great. Any other questions before we move on? Last call. Seeing none, uh, thank you so much for getting that report to us and and, uh, being willing to share. Thank you to the members for all your questions. Um, we will move on to item seven, our consent agenda. At this time, are there any items that any member would wish to have removed from the consent agenda? >> I I think May 25th. No minutes yet. >> March. March March 25th. >> Okay. So, please strike from item A, March 25th's minutes. >> Okay. Have a good >> like to remove D. >> Okay. Uh removing item D, approving the renewal of the contract for the director of people services from the consent agenda. Um are there any other items that members would wish to consider separately?
>> I I think May 25th. No minutes yet. >> March. March. March 25. >> Okay. So, please strike from item A. March 25th's minutes. >> Okay. Have a good Okay. Uh, removing item D, approving the renewal of the contract for the director of people services from the consent agenda. Um, are there any other items that members would wish to consider separately? March 25th. Okay. Um, all right. So, I would be I make a motion to approve the consent agenda uh with the exception of item D. We'll take a second from Jenny. Uh, all in favor? >> I opposed. >> You are opposed to the approval of the consent agenda with the exception of item D. >> Okay. Um, so I've got one opposition, one may I think six. So it passes. All right. Um, now we have item D. >> Could we have a quick point of order because we did not have a discussion before voting and perhaps >> member has a reason that would make us vote differently.
So we leave that to speculation but kids did uh say very very vehemently that they preferred that McGra. >> I'll tell you when I when I was went to school I used to have I used to use McGraill publications. So, >> and real quick just to add so all three metrics leaned toward McGraw Hill. So, not only the teachers anecdotal experience, but the quantitative experience through the decision rubric, they each independently scored McGraw Hill above uh Savas and then um of course we just heard the student experience also leaned toward McGraw Hill. >> Thank you so much for the presentation. And I also have to say thank you to Miss Hoppy, too. She was my math teacher. I have to say thank you. Um, so there is a motion. I'm looking for a motion to approve and adopt the algebra 1 curriculum. >> I move for approval.
And this month for our students of the month, we're recognizing them for communication as we look at the portrait of a graduate. We're thankful for the Combmes Education Foundation as they provide the medals and certificates. Students, as you call your name, I'd like you to come stand next to me. There's a nice testimonial that has been written by your school and we want to read that about you and then I'll have you cross the room and be greeted by our board members. So first from Combmes High School, Jacob Mary many goats. So we can celebrate Jacob at the high school in the next few days. from comb center for success, David Miranda. So, David has been part of CCS and their community since middle school. He has shown tremendous growth academically and as a leader on campus. He is not shy about expressing himself. He brings energy and humor to the campus, often making others laugh while also building friendships and supporting his peers.
Lopeman. So, we have an action item before you to approve the recommended food service meal charges for fiscal year 27. Before the discussion and possible approval, we'd like to share some updated information. We've added some some additional detail to this slide on the current economics that have led us to where we are today. We've increased our labor costs with 5 to 7% annual raises since 2019 for an 8-year total of 48%. In that same time period, we've seen steady increases in the cost of health insurance without passing that cost off to our employees. Um just it's 23% in just the last two years alone. In that same eight-year period, Arizona's averaged a 4.46% 46% annual inflation for a total of 36%. Um, in 2019, our lunch meal price was $3.50 and breakfast was served at no charge. We increased our lunch meal price by 25 cents or 7% in July of 2022.
In addition to required compliance training, the platform provides students with provides staff with ongoing professional learning opportunities that support student safety, instructional practices, and workplace safety and operational effectiveness. It's an annual investment and allows the district to continue utilizing a centralized training system while expanding available resources for employees across all areas of our district. So, asking for approval. >> Can I get a motion? >> Make a motion we approve 26124. >> Can I get a second? >> I'll second.
Uh and I really kind of found my passion here being in government. Um and so I'm going to I'm eager to continue doing that. Um and it's it's really a segue to what the general experience has been for all high school students, all elementary school students um during your tenure, right? I began high school or I began Ashland public schools uh 13 years ago as a kindergartner, so and I'm graduating uh in 7 days or leaving school in 7 days. Oh my gosh. Yeah, I know. Who's counting? So those days when I was kicking a a soccer ball around at Warren or playing basketball at the old Mendez, which you have delightedly like transformed. Uh it's it's really kind of been work that you do in the background every day that have uh shaped that whole experience of mine, right? So in in that way I feel like for the what 15 years and 200 students per class that you've mentored, uh you're kind of parents in a way to all of us.
>> March 25th. Okay. Um, all right. So, I would be I make a motion to approve the consent agenda uh with the exception of item D. >> Seconded. >> I'll take a second from Jenny. Uh, all in favor? >> I.
>> That's a good point. Thank you so much. We're going to strike that. Try again. Um, we've got a motion. We've got a second. Is there any discussion on the approval of the consent? Yes, member D. >> So, this contract is coming up in public session. So, I don't really feel comfortable. I I guess I'm wondering does it have to be in public session? Like, if this is somebody's personal contract and I feel weird about it being picked out and then and then what? Like, I looked it over. I'm I was one of the ones who did the original contract, so I don't see anything different with it. So, like I'm ready to go forward, but I also really don't feel comfortable with having it like having somebody's personal contract being picked over in a public meeting. And I'm wondering why this maybe isn't an executive session, this contract.
>> I second that. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. All right. Next up is board policy 6173 education for homeless children. Thank you. And uh I just want to share exhibit 1 6173.1 6173.2. These are all uh mirroring the same language updates for uh these uh uh groups of students. Homeless children, foster youth, children of military families. >> Thank you. I am looking for a motion. You can adopt all of these policies together. >> I have one motion for all four, right? >> Yeah. So move to review and approve board policy 6173 6173-E1 uh 6173.1 and 6173.2. >> I'll second it. >> Okay, it's moved and seconded. All those in favor? >> I Okay, all the board policies pass. Next is E1, Best Contracting Services, Inc. It is recommended the board approve the Best Contracting Services Inc.