>> Thank you for sharing. Thank you Bailey. I appreciate that. Um I also just want to share our end of the year data is rolling in. Um a lot of that I sure yet because it's not official. Um, but we are staying very consistent K12 three with our I read as what we did last year and um we are we are just doing really great things and I'm really proud of our teachers and our students for all that they're doing. Um so I'm excited to share that when I'm able to >> Yeah. I uh just have a couple month. Just kind of piggy back on Becky's statement statement comments um that students and staff working incredibly hard. It's really nice to see just the efforts and a lot of the hard work that went into uh learning the new curriculum, implementing the new curriculum with CLA and obviously with math just to kind of see those results paid off.
Is that a fair statement? That is I think there is a thought process that the kids are doing too much on the laptops, you know. And I I think that again it's a that textbook is a tool whether it's online or in front of you. Um, but yeah, I mean there was there was schools that are having that conversation now. I I it's wonderful. I just I mean what are we going to do to get the job done? Is that what's great? I just And you're all going to have to know that we we started and then we went and now we're coming back around full circle to to saying there's there's a need to have that. So, okay. Yeah, let's go ahead. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. Uh, item nine public comments on items not on the agenda. Are there any Oh, excuse me.
Grant Nespit uh to answer any questions on the specifics of the scope and he will introduce members of his design team. >> Sure. Thanks, Mr. Miles. I would like to welcome our members from Schmidt here, a couple Lawrence residents and and longtime partners, Ann Marie Burrell and Jen Carroll. And next to Jen there is Crestview's finest, Ben Carroll, taking in a board meeting tonight.
Okay. The other question I have is um, can we just assume that like a lot of us here in town use Black Earth uh, to take our uh, compostables. We get the bags from Black Earth. Uh, the the big plastic bags for that. Um, so has anybody checked or we assume that they they are using a supplier that they know that it is a real comp- compostable bag for the way that they compost? I I believe so. Yeah, I yeah. We we did we did so the sustainability committee actually promoted Black Earth quite a bit and we did look at it. I think Matt Matt you were very much on the committee at the time and I looked at it and and positively those bags do do compost. I also know unlike the Trader Joe bags if I leave my compostable stuff for more than a couple a few days and it's bad that that bag does disintegrate.
Uh that report is required to be submitted to MassDEP for approval within 1 year of construction. Um it's been submitted, reviewed, and approved by DEP. However, we will not be going to construction within that year. So, that report will have to be resubmitted to DEP for review and approval prior to construction. Thank you. Um, I think that the timeline right now will probably be submitting in the fall, um, pending how this this procedure proceeds with this commission. Okay. Sorry to interrupt you. Oh, no problem. Um, we submitted supplement number two in April, and that was a specific response to the Conservation Commission comments. Um, that that was dated March 5th. Our the comments specifically that we responded to in that letter were related to soil contaminants number 1G, 9E, 10D, and 10E. I'll go through those, um, a little bit in a little bit. And then recently we submitted supplement number three on May 15th, and that was a additional response to comments based on some additional commentary from the commission and a another comment letter, um, primarily focused on what the contaminants on the site are, the concentrations, their locations.
Sales is a regional library network that supports 70 libraries and branches across 38 communities in southeastern Massachusetts. So this competition connected Dartmouth to the much larger reading community. Minute Madness is a challenge where we competed to log see what town could log the most reading minutes. The North Dartmouth Library helped kick this off by organizing grade level reading books for each of our grades, which was a really great opportunity for everybody. The Potter for Potter students, this became a true school family library effort. Each week, students brought home a reading log for the following week. With support from their families, they recorded the minutes they read at home and the titles of the books they read. Classroom teachers also logged classroom readalouds and we included the books read in the library. As the weeks progressed, Dartmouth kept progressing. It was very exciting and we tracked who the top bookworms were every week and provided awards and displays for the big announcement.
It would be moves made within budget. Yes, there's still unknowns, like I always say, once we I think back to when the mayor asked you know, even then, earlier, you know, do you have a number? Yeah, right. We know potentially office or whatever, have a number. There's still unknown numbers out there regarding So, we still have to say, for all intensive purposes, the summer work is going to be scratch. You know, in a sense, with the knowing the mayor's number, but final approved number, we'll start to get more information and the this means potential personnel changes that occur over the summer, they can send out stuff, so, you know, there is that work that resulted in the rebuilding of a budget. I usually say from scratch, not really from scratch, but there are still a lot of unknowns Right. that are key factors to our programs here, particularly for hands-on and just the whole personnel changes.
My team has had a lot of turnover um in in the time that I've been there. Um we have had uh staff members come from other districts. We've had a baby boom, so we've had multiple teachers on maternity leave every year with you know long-term sub coverage. Um and yet within that time we've had to really tackle the realities of of rising prevalence of special ed um accommodations um and and rising needs um and how do we help those kids access as our best scores for the time being and our performance within my needs. So, we were really looking to see um what can we how can we enhance what we do to help um increase um the performance of our kids in the way they're accessing what's going on in school. Um and not just academically but in terms of their relationships and their executive functioning skills.
Um let's hear from >> and technology we use in business classes really prepare us for the real world. We're not just learning from textbooks, we're using tools like Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and even some financial platforms to complete real-world tasks. It helps us build skills like budgeting, analyzing data, and creating presentations, which are things that we'll actually use in college and future careers. Having access to these tools and learning how to use them correctly makes us feel more confident about what comes next after high school. Okay. And um this student over here, this is how >> classes, we started using AI as a tool for marketing and creative projects, and it's been really valuable. We learned how to use AI to generate ideas, create content, and analyze target audiences, but also how to think critically and not rely on it completely. It's helped me understand how marketing is evolving and how businesses are using technology to be more creative and efficient.
We will recognize students for the following: earning all A's in all four quarters of eighth grade, earning the high honor roll all four quarters with a 3.6 or higher and no grade lower than a C minus, being on the honor roll all four quarters with a 3.1 or no grade lower than a C minus. An academic letter, students must maintain a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The student must have not a grade lower than a C minus. The top 5% in each subject of social studies, pre-algebra, algebra, career and life planning, science, computer and computer applications. We also also recognize those with a certificate of excellence who have scored above the 90th percentile on the Fast Bridge assessment in A math and A reading. New this year, we will be recognizing students who have earned the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. And finally, what they are most proud of while at Burlington Middle School.
So, I hate to limit it to like a puzzle, but but that's really what it is uh with regard to my individuals, their experience, and their experiences in the district. So, kind of that's what brings us where we are tonight. So, uh so, let me just go over the process. Recommendations are are um through the superintendent of schools. That's anywhere. Um the board you know, really doesn't have much say in the recommendation with the regard to that except uh with regard to any recommendation except for the fact that they support it or they don't. Um there's really no wiggle room here um without making any of these restructuring needs um we would be in deficit. I mean, there's there's no other way around it. Uh I think we had the ability to kick the can down the road for the past years, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Jolie Lebrun says that to let curiosity be our compass, resiliency be our shield, and kindness our guide. While Jake Peterson reminds us that to be cringe is to be free. [cheering] [applause] >> Tori Robertson said, "High school taught me that confidence comes from stepping into unfamiliar situations, not from repeating what already feels safe." Christina Laguna Warder quoted Maya Angelo and said, "I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it." Scarlett Bowman reminds us not to get it perfect, but to get it going because life is a work in progress. Samuel Teague tells us that there's a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror. Focus more on what's next than focusing on the past. And finally, Gabriella Gonzalez reassures us that the tassel was worth the hassle. [laughter] So now, class of 2026, I've shared some of your inspiring statistics, memories, and advice.
And then we walked away was getting my number of snack when you were doing most of the review. So >> Oh, you're fine. the bunch. >> We did go over it um a little bit. Um I don't know if it's on here though because it was already completed. So that would be one thing though we like the questions that we need to make sure we have. Um and then I do think we should assign like who's going to do what slides um at least in like preparation of them. But um one of the bigger conversation pieces are the policies. So on the secret society one, I know these need to change. They're now like numbers. Um if you did finish the um yeah we did so these are the ones that we had on like docket for today but I don't know if there are more.
So, thank you for being a willing participant. I'm so excited. I'm ready. Thank you. Thank you, guys. Thank you. Thank you so much. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Um was there anyone else from the um audience who wanted to speak? Wonderful. Can I please have a motion to appoint our new board member? I move that board appoint Ervin Madden to fill the Board of Education vacancy. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Can I have a roll call, please? Duckman? Aye. Garrett? Aye. Hearing? Aye. Mesa? Aye. Burton? Aye. Delgado? Abstain. All right. Okay, but it's time for you to come up here now. >> [laughter] >> Don't go back. Yep. I'll give you a second. Come on up. >> have a second to go back. >> [laughter] >> Until we both get up there. And we're going to do the oath of office for the new board member.
So, um as you can see, this is the average number of uh positive relationships by grade. And again, keep in mind, this is the staff identifying students who they think would come to them if they had an issue, okay? Um so, as uh very similar to last year, um and probably pretty obviously, and it's a good thing, um our seniors obviously have way more relationships than identified than our ninth graders. We took this um for our staff did this activity at the end of first semester. And that is not a surprise, right? That over the four years that students are at our schools, at both North and South, that they develop more and more relationships as their years go on. So, again, not a surprise there. Um if you Yes, thank you. Um this is again by grade uh staff report, the lowest number of relationships with ninth-grade students.
Esteban Rodriguez, Spanish. Madelyn Scott, Spanish. And Rohan Shah, Gujarati. Congratulations again to our 39 Seal of Commendation recipients. >> [applause] >> All right, before you start with the consent agenda, just wanted to make a few comments to our presenters. Jean, thanks for coming in again. It's always good to see you. And for our FFA folks that are here, the Alumni Association, I had a Jean and I recently had a a nice opportunity to meet with you. First time I've ever met you. Great group. We really appreciate the partnership that you guys have had with the district for a long time. Uh Scott, I had the same public speaking issues that you spoke of. Uh don't think they ever go away, but you learn to manage them better. Um and we're looking forward to hopefully getting that uh our agreement to continue to work for the benefit of our kids, but all of your work is not unnoticed and we really appreciate it.
Congratulations, Kim. >> [applause] [applause] >> Next up is Janine Turner. >> [applause] >> Janine has worked for Avon Schools for 26 years and most recently retired as front office administrative assistant from Middle School West. Mr. Chapin, the Middle School West principal, shared that he has enjoyed working with Janine as a Middle School secretary since 2015 and during that time she's been nothing short of outstanding. She interacts with students, parents, teachers, and colleagues with professionalism, kindness, and genuine care. She is a dedicated and hard working professional who is meticulous and accurate in everything she does. Janine consistently holds herself to high standards and always strive to do her job well and she did. Beyond her skills and strong work ethic, Janine brought stability, warmth, and reliability to the daily life of our school. Her presence made the school a better place for everyone. It's truly been a pleasure working with Janine and her contributions will be deeply missed.
Beyond teaching, Brenda has been a driving force behind our food pantry for the community. Sandy Freshour, Columbus North High School, counselor, 39 years. Sandy has been a mainstay at Columbus North High School for many years. In that time, she has positively impacted thousands of students for the better. As a coach, she has won state championships in gymnastics. She has guided her gymnastics team to 20 consecutive state championship tournament appearances with many individual state champions and mental attitude award winners. She has made a difference in the lives of countless students. Steven Fuller, Rock Creek and Southside, physical education teacher, 35 years. During Steve's 35 years with BCSE, he showed versatility as he has taught in numerous elementary schools with a variety of teaching teams across both primary and intermediate grades. The positive impact he has made on students is vast. Susan Lax, Columbus North High School, math teacher, 32 and 1/2 years.
We were running a welder in our in our pit stand and like, every other team who broke stuff were just lining up in our pit saying, "Hey, could we weld our car back together?" So, after all of that happened, the other teams all voted our team as the people's choice for being so gracious and helpful and allowing all the other teams to compete. Cuz we could have just said no, right? We could have been like, "Nah." And then won because all the rest of the teams broke down. But that wasn't the way our kids did it. That's not the That's not the way Ben Central runs things at Supermileage Challenge. We graciously let them do it. Me and Mr. Western made sure they knew what they were doing and they weren't just running a welder to make Yeah, yeah, not having any idea what was going on.
Um so, that's moving along. Uh the rain's definitely going to put a damper on some things. Uh so, hopefully we get a couple dry days. That's our That's our big push right now is getting our elevation up. Um And then our next big project that you will see out there will be the pouring of the track, the concrete for the track will be kind of the next big phase that happens cuz then we kind of build in from that and out from that. Um because the cure time on the right if we remember the track that we're doing is a post-tension track, so that's all concrete with a surface on top of it. They call it post-tension because once it's poured it'll have cables in it that suck it tight uh to keep it from cracking, which comes with a really long um warranty more so than just a traditional asphalt track.