Weston Board Of Education Meeting 3/16/2026

001Are you okay? All right. Um I'm sure our last board member is just trying to, you know, swim her way in here, but um we have a long agenda tonight, so I'd like to get started. We do have a quorum, so I'm calling the board of education regular meeting to order. Monday, March 16th at 7:02 p.m. Let's start with the pledge of allegiance. >> Back here. Okay. Sorry. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We're going to start with um one of the best parts of the meeting are um we hear from our student board of education representatives. So, I'd like to welcome Alice Sullivan and Lexi Banks. So, welcome and

002we look forward to hearing. >> Hi, I'm Alice. I'm Lexi. So, uh, we're just going to recap a couple of things that we've been doing over the past month and into the next month. Um, so starting off, we had our Black History Month assembly, um, about like a week and a half ago. Um, and it was led by two of our 9th grade students and the jazz band performs as well as we had a message from a former student and we also had a guest speaker come in to share some poetry. Um, our talent show was supposed to be the past Friday, but due to technical difficulties, uh, we are moving it to this Friday. Are you sure? >> This Friday. Um, also coming up this Thursday, we have our band, orchestra, and chorus all

003performing um, at the high school at 700 p.m. Um, and it's our Sea of Shining Sea um, 250th anniversary of America concert. So, if anyone wants to come, feel free. Um, this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we will also be having shortened schedules for portraiture of the graduate presentations. Um, and then next Wednesday is our SAT day for the juniors. Um, so for the other grades, the seniors, um, we'll have the day off and we're going to be focusing on getting ready for our internships, which is coming up in May and June. Um, and like filling those forms out. And then the freshmen are going to have a presentation from Generation SOS. and the sophomores will be learning about starting the college process from some of the guidance counselors. So that's it from us. Thank you.

004>> Thank you very much. Um and that sounds wonderful. So great student life at Weston High School. Uh so thanks for coming out tonight and anytime you want to brave the rain to go home, please feel free. Um all right, approval of minutes. Uh, I'm assuming people have had a chance to review them, look over them. Are there any dis changes, discussions, errors, omissions, anything that needs changing on any of these? All right. If not, could I have a motion? >> Move that the M move that the minutes of the meeting were presented for review. There being no corrections, the minutes are approved as presented. >> Is there a second? I second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. Thank you. All right. It's now time for public comment. Are there

005any members of the public who wish to comment? Okay. Then I'm just going to move along without the preamble since there aren't uh commenters. Right. That brings us to old business uh school facilities campus revitalization discussion. This will include followup by the slam collaborative and our owners rep C collars. I want to thank them for being here virtually tonight. Uh they'll address several issues that we questioned at our last meeting. One was about um grade five. One another question um was please review the uh costs and um confirm them or change them or review them or revise them. Another question was around grants. And then a final question that I asked a little bit later was, can you compare the timeline between submitting a grant to the state for reimbursement of school construction in June

0062026 and comparing that to what would happen if we did it in June 2027? What work could we continue and how might it impact um the timeline uh andor uh any of the order of business that needed to be followed? So, um, there's a lot to talk about in there and I'd like all board members to be able to make their comments and ask questions, but I also ask us all to focus because there are several rather complicated issues to get through and also there's more there um other items on the agenda. So, I'm going to turn it over to um Slam and Collers and we're going to move. And Phil, can you just tell me who's behind me? And uh there you are. >> So, tonight we're joined um by Scott um and Kemp

007and also Jem. Uh Scott is from Collier. Uh Kemp and Jem are representative uh from Slam. >> All right. So, thank you. And >> good evening everyone. I'm sorry. Yeah, I just um just wanted to say if you could be in charge of how you present and at what point you would open it up to board members questions. We'll take the lead from you as to when we can ask our questions. Thank you. >> Okay. And on behalf of of colleers and the design team, I I want to thank the board for allowing us to uh to attend virtually on such a a nasty evening. And um yeah, I would encourage um you know, let's let's have questions as we go through this presentation. Um I'm just going to start us off then going to

008turn it over to Kemp. Um you know, Kyler, we have met a number of times with uh with Kemp and Jim and the SLAM team uh to, you know, resolve um and uh confirm some of the numbers and some of the information that was presented uh the last time SLAM was in front of you. Uh, so we've put together um a brief presentation that hopefully will answer the majority of your questions, but if not, again, please feel free to ask those um as we move through the presentation. Um, is it possible for me to share my screen? >> Yes, you're all good. >> Let's see. >> Okay. Can you see the full presentation slide? >> Yep. Perfect. All right. Uh, with that, I'm going to let uh Kemp take over and and just start the

009discussion on uh the the budget reconciliation process that uh we completed with them. >> All right. Thanks, Scott. Uh good evening. I think you had a couple of uh slides that you were going to talk about in the beginning here, Scott, or no? Um well really just this is a this is just a recap um of what um SLAM has has been doing. Um you know they were tasked with looking at the building phase one as you know has been complete. Phase two they're finalizing the report but it was confirmed that the building is structurally sound. Um and phase two then was to go a deeper dive into some of the information again that we're going to be presenting this evening and have revised this evening looking at costs between um a renovation like new

010or a brand new facility. And again, just want to point out um you know, before we get to the next slide, I'll turn it over to Kemp that um in order to qualify for renovation status, which gets you the higher reimbursement rate, uh you need to prove and and the architect puts this on a form and and signs it to the state that it is cheaper, less expensive uh to renovate than to build new. Um there also is a statute that you apply after the grant has been filed that can allow you if you can prove that it is actually cheaper to build new than to renovate to secure the higher reimbursement rate. So you request that after the grant has been submitted. The state reviews that if they agree then they would potentially take

011you from the approximately 12% to the 22%. Again we can't guarantee this at this time. So, the the reimbursement rates that Kemp is going to show you uh right now are based on either the new rate, which is approximately 12%, or the renovation rate, which is 22%. And with that, I'll turn it over to Kim. All right. Thank you. Um, so tonight we uh are going to present some new numbers, and I hopefully uh I expect you will be happy to see the new numbers. Um, as Scott mentioned, we met several times with Collers over the past few weeks to reconcile a budget that they had prepared relative to the one that we had prepared. And we found a few areas where we were able to sharpen our pencil a bit and uh and hone

012in on the costs. So the way this is presented on on the top is the chart from the the February 23rd meeting where we presented a range for renovate of 134 12 to 141 and just under a half um and cost for new from 136 to 143. On the lower portion of this slide we are presenting the revised numbers. A couple things to note. One thing on the renovation in the second column from the left we we have are now basing the cost estimate on the 1215 121,151 square ft which is the renovation uh test fit that that we produced that Jim presented back on the 23rd of February as opposed to carrying the 122630 number which you see for the new build on the next line down. And that's just acknowledging that um because

013of the renovation of your existing building would not include stairs, stair towers uh and elevators, we were able to feel confident that we didn't need to use the 122 630 number. Um and we were we could use the 121 151 which helps bring the cost down slightly. Um and then you'll you'll see now that we are forecasting um a renovation project of 121 mill 121,700,000 to 127900,000 or so just under 128. Um which is a a pretty substantial reduction from where we were back in February. Um I have a the next slide but we won't get there just yet but the next slide has some rationale as to why. Um and then the new construction um is ranging from 121.3 to 127.5 uh million. And then looking at the potential uh costs to Weston, um

014sorry, I'm going to jump back up to renovate and I'll carry all the way across on that one. Um we anticipate about 101.3 to 106.4 four being the Weston share for the renovation project and the state would contribute somewhere in the neighborhood of 20.4 to 21.4 for in our current calculations. And then on the on the new build, um the the cost to Weston would be about 109.7 to 115.3 uh with and again these are based on the percentage rates that um Scott mentioned a minute ago, the 12 1/2 for new versus the uh 22.14 for renovate. Uh and then so the the estimated cost from the state would be 11.6 to 12.2. Uh next slide and I'll go through why these changes. So as part of our reconciliation process with CERS uh we went

015through both the renovation version as as well as the new uh cost estimate. And on the renovation addition, um I already mentioned that reusing the 121 151 gross square ft rather than the 122630. Uh we also reconciled the new construction component for trade costs and that trade costs are basically all your brick and mortar costs um by each trade contractor in the estimate. Uh we reduced the design and estimating contingency. Um we felt that we needed to maintain approximately 2% due to uncertainty of the final design, it was previously at 10%. Um, acknowledging that the bulk of um of that contingency is really in the trade costs under bullet two on the new construction. Um, again, we we uh reconciled the new construction component for the trade costs between our two estimates. We in fact

016eliminated the design estimating and contingency with the understanding that that's all captured in the trade costs and then um we reconciled the escalation in response to the schedule change which Scott will go over shortly. Um there was a slight three additional 3 months in escalation for the new that we carried. uh and then we uh decreased the general conditions by 2 months based on this again on the schedule revisions. And for both estimates, we removed the $3.5 million sustainable initiatives budget line feeling that um in the interest of getting the the budgets down, the current code for a school project is is very sustainable and and energy conscious. uh and we felt that um baseline building code would give you a very wellperforming building um for the next 50 years. Uh we also reconciled the

017owner soft costs percentage and the owner project contingency and then um reconciled other ineligible costs and I'll go through some of those in more detail on the next slide. So this slide is is simply a repeat of of the lower portion of the slide two slides ago. So the numbers are the same up at top. I wanted to go through the notes. Um and anything in red is what's been changed since our February presentation. So uh item line four I now put not used because that was uh indicating the $3.5 million sustainable initiatives line item in each estimate which is no longer there. Um we revised the the construction cont well no we kept the construction contingency but removed the owner or the uh design estimated contingency. Um we revised the estimates to reconcile the

018owner soft cost budget and owner contingency budget. So I want to just highlight that uh other ineligible costs are now 5% for new construction and seven for renovation. And then the eligibility factors. This was somewhat unclear on my previous version, so I wanted to be very clear about it. The renovation project is 8147. Uh, and the new construction project is 8049. Um, and those two numbers, those two eligible eligibility factor numbers are what the reimbursement rates are multiplied by. So on line 9 and 10, the new construction reimbursement rate is reduced from 12.5 to 10.06 and the general construction rate which is renovation is reduced from 22.14 to to 18.04. So, I know it's a lot to digest, but those are the those are the adjustments and refinements that we've made to the estimates, and

019we're very confident and comfortable, both firms, uh, with the numbers that are being presented tonight. I turn it back over to Scott. And before we proceed any further, I'd like to just at this point open it up to any questions. All right. So, if I'm reading the math correctly, the um original estimate total project cost to the the revised um reconciled one is about a 10% difference. Am I doing my math correctly? 11 >> approximately. Yes. >> 10 or 11%. All right. I think that's good news. Um, all right. And you did not change the EDS specs to do that? >> No. No. This is strictly an estimating reconciliation exercise. >> And if the board wanted to say, hey, what about geothermal? Um, that 3.5 million in the prior estimate would have included opportunities to

020do that. Um, so if we wanted to do something like that, we would need to put a portion of that $3.5 million back into the estimate or bring it down or, you know, that just me might be something the board needs to talk about what to do about that option. Okay, those are my comments. Anyone else? >> Hey guys, listen. Thank you for uh for joining us tonight. Sorry. Um, couple things. Number one, is there anything in the assumptions in the in the let's say sharpened assumptions here that are that would be necessarily um unstandard or um out of left field in terms of the numbers and how you're approaching now sharpening your pencils. So I noticed that for example, you know, there's you're reducing the contingencies, but you're doing it asymmetrically, right, between the

021two scenarios. Um I believe on the reimbursement rate, if you can go back a slide, maybe uh let's see here. Um >> yeah, go over a little more. >> Oh, there you go. Right here. Right here. Um is it this? Yeah. So um so the contingencies are a little bit different in terms of the reductions. The other ineligible costs I guess are different right 5% for new construction for example, 7% for for renovation. Is that all consistent with other analyses that you guys have done that the state has reviewed? There wouldn't be any challenge to any asymmetric application of any of those um those factors? >> No, we don't believe so. they were actually asymmetric in u at least for the ineligible cost items in the previous version they they were four and six um

022and after working with u with callers we decided to to hone in on five and 7% for those other ineligibles because that's more in line with what they've been seeing um and they manage you know quite a few projects so we were able to align that so I I think that's perfectly fine >> okay >> um I really think it was the design and estimating contingency that we had carried. Um that once we reconciled, we realized that they were already accounted for in the trade cost and so there was a bit of a double dip on the first go around. So we we were able to extract that. So hopefully that answers your question. >> Got it. No, that's that's great. And if I may can um just point out that there are owner both

023owner soft costs and construction contingencies also that are you know highlighted on this page and that we um we agreed or were carrying more contingency for the renovation project because a renovation project has a lot more unknowns than new construction. Um so we reconciled that as well. So I don't want anybody thinking that you know contingencies were eliminated. it was more wet or were in the trade costs versus more in the soft costs. And there's still a healthy contingency being carried for both projects with the renovation a little bit higher just because of the nature of fully occupied renovating you know an older building and typically you have a few more surprises in that scenario. Um in in similar fashion that's why the ineligible costs are slightly higher for a renovation than new. Again, these

024are just our best guesstimate at this time. >> And and Scott, that makes perfect sense. Scott, um I wanted to double click on something you said at the beginning here that I think I caught, but I'd like to dive a little bit deeper into it, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you said that um even though when we look at these costs now, they're essentially the same, right? But we are applying different reimbursement rates based on the rent, the higher rena or the lower new build. Um, and I totally understand that you there's no guarantee, right, in this process. Um, I know that in the past we've spoken about the process of um, and there was like I think one instance that you guys had mentioned where there was a renovate. Yeah.

025Um, there was a a new build and they got the renovate as new, the higher reimbursement rate because the costs were the same or I guess the new build was a little bit cheaper. In a scenario like this, can you just walk walk us through two things? The process by which we would we would engage the state in applying for the higher rate. And then secondly, what are the factors um from your mind and your experience here? What are the factors that the state would really consider here in in potentially applying or considering the application of that higher rate to a new build? Yeah. So, um you know, again, um with changes up at Hartford and with Office of Grants Administration, um they no longer will engage in any kind of a dialogue with you

026prior to submitting a grant. So, um you know, as I stated initially, if you chose the new option, um you know, we would submit the cost. Um you really don't submit anything as far as a reimbursement rate. That's all determined by the state. Um but as soon as the um grant was submitted and accepted, we would um take the form that the architect um is going to provide as part of the renovation analysis and we would submit that with a cover letter citing statutory language requesting that the state increase your reimbursement from the 12.5 to the 22.14. Um, again, you're you're, as you pointed out, you're very very close. Um, you know, looking at again, you know, the the potential issues you can have with a renovation project. And I think we'll get to it

027um momentarily within the presentation. Um, you know, some of the the reasons um that I believe would tip the scale further in your favor with the state is, you know, trying to renovate that building um of of that age and some of the challenges and compromises that come with that versus building new. Um, you know, I believe you've got a very strong case u that that the state would support the higher reversion. The the only problem is we can't say that to the public or guarantee that to the public at this point. You know, so if we're talking, you know, going into a referendum and funding approval, the numbers on if you chose new construction, you know, the numbers on the bottom would be the numbers that we would present to the public with the

028caveat that we are going to explore uh with the state increasing that after the grant is submitted. >> Scott, when would when will we find out what that reimbursement rate would be? When would we get that information back from the state in this process? That's hard to say. Um they're at times um you know not as quick to react but um by the time that it was on on the priority list um you would have that you would have that result and that knowledge. So it would be the most likely by the December uh following of the December after the June in which you submitted your grant application. And and the reason why I ask that is because obviously let's say we would move forward with the grant for example. If we move forward with

029the grant and the hope of course was that we were going to get this higher reimbursement rate we would actually have to um go to the town what in November in November. And so we still wouldn't know at that point what would we be voting on I guess the project without knowing the cost. And so then how could anyone in town really vote on that without I mean well I mean what if what if we went through with it assuming that we were going to get let's say the higher reimbursement rate. We didn't and the town I mean do we vote on two things in that in that case Deb I don't know. Do we vote on uh a new building assuming that we're going to get a higher reimbursement rate and then we vote

030on a new building assuming we're not and see what passes? I I'm not sure. This is probably not the form for it. >> Again, but >> just thinking ahead. So, I think you're not the only community to struggle with this. >> Um and and unfortunately, it's a chicken and egg and we've brought it up to the state numerous times and they will not comment until you submit your grant. Now, is it possible that you would know before your referendum? Absolutely. Um, you know, you you you possibly could. If we could push this through with them, you might know, but you're not going to know. They will not even look at your project until the grant is filed. Now, you do not have to within your um your referendum question um you know, some towns do,

031some towns don't um list the estimated cost to the district. Um but you do just have to approve the total amount of the project, understanding that the state will be providing a level of support. In your case, that level of support would hopefully be defined more clearly before your referendum. But again, I can't guarantee the state's process or response to that question. >> I get it. Thank you. >> Can we take a step back? Um, I I see what you did. I appreciate um what sharpening the pencil did, but I'm still stuck on the number. I still think it is a crazy high number and I think it's really going to be difficult um regardless getting that through a referendum. And one of the one of the big questions I want to ask is even

032with $121,000 square ft uh roughly um that's still almost $1,000 a square foot. How is that um how does that look compared to other projects, middle schools in the state of Connecticut recently? >> It's it's right in line with it. Um you know, I would um I think we've shared this information in the past and and gave some examples, but you know, the easiest thing is if you can go on to the the state priority list from previous years and look at the costs. But yes, typically costs are in the neighborhood of, you know, $900 to $1,000 a square foot. Again, these numbers represent escalations uh to midpoint of construction. So, again, it's not today's, but we've got to make sure that we budget um for escalations. We saw some significant increases uh through the

033CO era. um you know, we're hoping that the current world economy and and some of the things that are affecting that settles down long before your job um you know, would would go out to bid. So, you know, again, we make projections with um you know, putting in um you know, escalations that, you know, we've agreed on within these numbers. But yes, the the numbers that you're seeing and and it's it's it's hard to believe. You know, I never thought in my lifetime I would be building school projects for $1,000 a square foot, but this is this is not a Cadillac or a Ferrari. You know, this is a good solid, as as Kemp laid out, you know, good solid building that's going to follow the latest codes. It's going to be very energy energy

034efficient either way, renovation or new. Um, but these are these are the costs that we're seeing, including recent bids that we've had, and I know Kemp as well drew from his project in Greenwich, uh, which provided a good baseline for your regional marketplace as far as school construction dollars. >> What was the square footage? What was the cost per square foot in Greenwich? Do you remember, Kemp? >> I don't have it off the top of my head, but it was um, trying to think. I can probably do the math real quick. the very highest level, but it's the building is virtually the same program that you're looking to build. They're building a six through eight two team per grade facility and theirs is 130,000 square ft. Um, just one moment. >> Yeah, they had a

035couple of other program spaces. They had an extra music room. They built an auditorium. So, I think it changed the equation a little bit, but they were in in the 900 plus range per square foot out to bid. >> Yeah, it's it's about that. It's about 900 per foot. And that was that was bid 2 years ago. >> Yeah. I mean, I some of the some of the comps that I've pulled together and I'm I'm looking at, you know, they range. I think the most expensive one was,93 a square foot for Stamford. Um then came Trumble at 966 but the rest of them were primarily you know in the 600s say some 700s and so I just I mean over $1,000 it's just it's a lot for a town that doesn't have a commercial base

036and that's going to get my guess is a relatively small reimbursement from the state. So, I'm wondering if there's anything else that we can do. >> Yeah. And I would just say that you do need to be as as you pointed out, cognizant of looking at more apples to apples, you know, middle school or high schools from a cost standpoint because of the labs and some of the other things that come in a middle school high school program versus >> these are all these are all middle schools that we're looking at. >> Can can be different. larger gymnasiums, locker rooms, uh a number of things which can all, you know, additionally drive up um square footage costs. >> Yeah. Yeah. Without a doubt, these were all middle school projects that I was looking at. I

037was trying to do an apples to apples comparison. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think you also need to keep in mind that um these costs per square foot are also inclusive of all site costs and not all sites are the same. So, I think we need to be mindful of that as well. How would Weston's site differentiate or make it a more of a premium cost? Just out of curiosity, >> uh you have a septic system that um not all schools do. Sometimes uh schools are tied into municipal sewers and so forth. So, and th those are the types of considerations that need to be kept in mind when you're when you're comparing project to project. Okay, thank you. >> Um, I have a question too. I'm just wondering why is the cost to renovate a

038new so high? Why is it the same as new construction and why would it not be lower? Well, there's I mean, I think we may get to that when we look at the schedules a little bit further on, but it takes a lot longer to renovate a building than to build a brand new building. Um, especially when you're fully occupied, you cannot, you don't have enough capacity within the school system to vacate completely the middle school. Um, also, you know, the renovations, tearing down building areas, um, you know, while it's occupied, there's temporary bracing, temporary plans, a lot more general conditions. You know, we're looking at anywhere from 20 to 24 months for a new build to 39 months for a renovation. And so, there's a lot of general conditions with your contractors. U, you

039know, the work is is put out over a much longer period of time. Um and then there's a lot of temporary eress, a lot of additional safety measures um and factors that come into play. So um again it it it's very challenging to renovate versus building new. It takes a lot more time. Um so that's why um again you you see that the numbers are are fairly close. I have a process question. Is this a good time to ask about process or is that something that we'll cover later? >> You can ask the question and and we can answer it now for it's or I'll let you know if it's going to be a little further down the line. >> Okay. So, I just wanted to touch back on submitting the grant, getting approval with

040the reimbursement and the referendum. So what have my understanding is we have to put some sort of number on the project for the referendum. So if we don't know the percentage of reimbursement can I'll answer that question for you. So here's Hillrest. They did a middle school. They did their uh grant application June 2024. Pretty big middle school. They had a really good state senator. She got him a little better reimbursement rate a year later in June 2025, but we haven't we actually have in front of us the referendum on the ballot. And so what happens is you put the high number and it's a risk. You don't know going in until 9 months later if it's a November referendum. Doesn't even have to be November referendum. It could be an April referendum, but you

041don't know until the following year. Once you get on the priority list, this is the December 25 priority list. We know exactly what schools got what, what their gross is. We do not know exactly the reimbursement. We know the the history of what's happening in the state of Connecticut. It's a small priority list. We even know that East Windsor is going to put their application in in June and compete with us for money unless we get our application in. It's solid because they're building a new middle school. But here's our referendum language and it's it is clear. It's the high number. It would be uh probably 127569 and then the nice people in the town of Trumbull will say that's good for me or it's not good for me and then they know and then

042they'll wait if it's good for them till June of 20. They wait until June of 2025. They got their number and it was good for them. So, so we know what happens the process as you've asked. We know that the town doesn't have perfect information. We know that it's a roll of the dice to get it to some sort of reimbursement that's that's edible, but we don't know that number till seven months later. And 1 2 3 4 5 6 I have seven schools that went through the same process. They made the call. Their board of selectment and board of finance and board of education made the call by June of that year. They did the referendum. I guess by November they they could have done it anytime, I guess. and then the following year

043later they got the reimbursement rate if they made it through the priority list and the state senators that represent them got them the number they want. So that answers the process list and now we're all up to speed on the reality we face. Right? You go in not knowing exactly what's going to happen. You have to suck it up. Hopefully it works out the best. And if the town says yes, this is cool. You go to the next stage, which is getting on the priority list. Then you go to the next stage of architectural drawings and you spend a bunch of money and you go to the next stage of that following June. Here's your gift from the state of Connecticut. It could be a brick 10% or it could be a gold nugget 20

04430 40% depending on what happens. And then we know the final number and that's the number that we go and go out for a bond with. >> All right, Peter, thank you for that spirited man on the street. um you know uh very blunt uh and probably accurate research >> research. Thank you. >> Um but I think later on in the presentation we do have to go down the road of figuring out the nuances between when we apply for the grant and how much we can do before andor after we apply for a grant. um you know if we have such a large number which we do uh we're going to have to look for other sources of revenue and it might guess is it will take us into the political realm. So I think

045David's question we have to each town's politics are going to be different. Each town's state representative is different. Um >> yeah, I get that. I think when I get the pointer later in his presentation, we'll ask a real basic question and that will determine whether we even go through the the the the process of applying for reimbursement. We may decide as a town not even to bother or we may decide with full full throatated to bother. But that's later in the presentation and that's when we'll break out the pointer. >> All right. Got it. Um, I'm just urging us all to be calm and patient also. So, thank you. >> I'm sorry, Deb. I've been patient for two years and I've been calm for two years. So, I think that's been rung out. And I

046think many people in town, including phone calls I got today, said their patience at the end. So, we got to move this along. >> All right. So, let's let Collier and Slam move along with this presentation and give us what information we don't have. Thank you. Okay, thank you very much. So, briefly um again just just to go over and I think you've seen the majority of this slides considerations for renovation or building new. Um you know again just starting on the left side you know a new building can be tailored to 21st century learning. There may be some challenges or compromises in a renovation. Uh we've talked about this. It uh eliminates construction impacts to students. You're building a new building. it's not occupied, it will go faster and we'll show you that within

047um the uh the schedules that we've developed for both options. Um you know, typically building a new envelope now is going to be more energy efficient. The numbers do not um anticipate completely opening up all exterior walls or rebuilding all the exterior walls with new construction. um team teaching approach can be optimized and the building can be designed for future additions and growth um most likely a little easier than the renovation option. Um you know considerations in the renovation again just mentioned it the building layout may have some limitations. Um working in a building and learning in a building that's under construction typically the kids are very resilient. Um the kids actually typically do pretty well. It's it's the teachers um we we've found can you know be affected more having to move classrooms and

048the disruption to you know their teaching environment uh can be stressful. Uh it takes longer again phase construction and we'll show you that in the um the the schedules we've developed. Um I've already talked about the building envelope. Um, a big thing here specifically to your school is in certain areas the ceiling height u limitations due uh to your existing construction is going to really limit um what you can do above ceiling. um that's going to force a lot of your new mechanical systems onto the roof which potentially could limit area for PV photovoltaic inst installations um that would you know allow you to to create some energy and offset some costs and certainly um you know with renovation there comes some un um you open up these walls these structural systems there's only so

049much destructive testing you can do you know before a project begins and and the reason We sort of crafted this the way we did is you know as you saw in the previous slides the renovation and the new are just about identical and in fact right now um you know the team is projecting that the renovation is slightly higher. Um so again that tends to push you a little bit into the new construction. If you can't prove to the state that it's cheaper to renovate the state will not give you renovation status. Meaning everything that is in, we've talked about this in the past, but everything that's a repair or replacement, ceilings, light fixtures, plumbing, finishes, all of those things, anything that's a repair or replacement um would not be paid for by the state.

050And so if you don't achieve renovation status, um even though the state's funding is, you know, limited at 22%, that's still a lot of money. Um that then the full cost of the project would be borne by the taxpayer. So just wanted to to kind of point that out as a guide. Um and this is I think this was a a photo and I just copied that into this presentation that you saw previously. Um, you can say these are steel beams. This is the underside of the roof deck. And this plane you see right here is your ceiling. In certain in one of the areas in if if people have been through the school, they know that there's actually mechanical duct work installed below the ceiling in the hallways that even somebody of my stature

051can reach up and touch. Um, so a lot of very limiting factors on what you can do that's going to force a lot of those new mechanical systems onto the roof. So one of the questions you posed to us was what would be the cost of adding fifth grade to the middle school. Um so you know we understand right now that would be approximately 142 students to create a 5 through8 middle school. So that would be approximately 696 students. Uh we don't have an ed spec uh specifically for what that uh the those add extra classrooms uh special ed rooms increasing the cafeteria but we've we've estimated it we've projected that to be potentially somewhere between 12 and 15,000 square ft. Um, and again using the numbers that we we just talked about again as

052as sort of a guide rule of thumb, um, your estimated additional cost on top of the numbers that Kemp just presented would be an additional 12 to$15 million. Now, the added students does help you with that eligibility factor that Kemp pointed out. Um, so it would improve the multiplier. it it gets better that you multiply your reimbursement rates by, but even with that um you're still the building would be oversized. Um and your net cost to the district would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 9 to 12 million. Um again, this is very high level. Um we would certainly need an updated EDS spec to really evaluate that further. you know, we understand that um you know, potential teaming or the approach to sixth grade might change if fifth grade came up. Um again, not

053being an an educator to that level. I don't know what those changes might be. Um but again, just to give you an order of magnitude, uh you're looking at somewhere between 9 to 12 million. Okay? And so as a kind of a followup to that then there's been some questions where we were asked to look at can wis be renovated to house grades prek through 4. So um I went back to the uh the studies that were performed both by silver Petraelli and and tecton um a prek through4 school. I looked at your um enrollment projections in 2034 2035, 8 years out from a potential grant application. You'd be looking at a school in the neighborhood. >> Hold on one second. >> That one got squatchched out. Hang on one second, guys. Hold on, guys.

054>> Okay. Can you try again? >> Yep. I'm just going to bring the microphone over here. One second. >> Did you hear the discussion on on um bringing fifth grade to the middle school? >> Hold on one second. >> Hang on one second. >> We did. >> I'm going to bring the microphone up. Just if you could speak up a little bit louder because now you're coming out of my computer speaker. Okay. Um, how's this? Is this good? >> Hold on one second. >> One second, Scott. >> Let me let me let me just shut the door in my office. Hold on. Here we go. Try that. >> All right. Can you try it again if you don't mind talking again? >> Okay. Can you hear me? >> If I put my finger back over

055there, it may freak out. Can you guys hear? Okay. Or no. >> Can you hear me? We can hear you. Yes, we can hear you. >> Okay. Can you guys hear? Okay. I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Try again. All right. Hang on one second. I'm going to try again, guys. Sorry. All right, let's try again. >> No. Can Can you hear me now? >> Yes. >> Okay. Terrific. >> Well done. >> Okay. So, in addition in addition to the to the question um you know what what would it cost potentially to bring fifth grade to the middle school um we were also asked to kind of just go back and revisit WIS and you know see if that school could um house grades preK to 4th grade. Um so we

056looked at your enrollment projections um eight years out from the anticipated grant application and for that time period um we're you're seeing that it would be a school of approximately 879 students. Um so I went back and I reviewed this previous studies performed by Silver Petraelli and by Tecton Architects. The 2018 study um by Silver Petraelli it for the WHIS preK to four concept was their scenario two option B. There was quite a number of of options were studied at that time. Um you know the building would require a classroom addition. Um they determined that the concepts um displaced the play areas and current parking. Um at that time there were comments made that the the it was believed that the elementary school would be large uh too large for effective teaching and um again

057not being there in 2018 I understand that there was a lot of um spirited discussions uh but at that time within the notes and in their presentation that option was deemed not viable. Um in 2022 with Tecton the same concept was revisited reconsidered. it was their option five. Again, they confirmed that yes, it was going to need a classroom addition that that uh would displace the play areas and parking. Um the building addition and additional parking would be constrained by the wetland boundaries. And I've got a a a slide that that shows that in a little bit more detail. And that again at the end of that presentation uh again with those discussions uh it was not a recommended option for final consideration in their u presentation to the community. Um and again I I

058believe that we involved in making that final consideration. So, just really quickly looking at this, this is a just a page from the Silver Patrickelli report back in 2018. The area shaded in blue um are potential building area. Um you got your playgrounds here, there's parking here. Um what you see the the darker sort of mauve is your wetland area. And then there's wetland setbacks, a wetland boundary that's in this lighter shaded area. So you can see it here. Um both you know to the north uh east and to the southwest of the facility. Um and so again they had determined that you know the area for that addition fairly large addition would be in this area would displace a lot of your um infrastructure required to support the school. Um in 2022 um Tecton

059took a little bit of a deeper dive. They had their comments here with these numerical tags. Um this was their proposed addition. Um if you recall in the previous and again I think it's it's well defined by this tree line boundary. Um this is where the wetland line is. So um I think they say um that it uh it does get into the wetlands. I think that's uh bullet four that it's encroachment on existing established buffer. that would have to be determined. As well as this blue line here, they had proposed to put additional parking to support the larger facility because some of the parking was being displaced um in in play area here. Uh but again, you can see that the wetland boundary um here. So again, um you know, I think it was

060determined by two architects in and through those discussions and presentations that um you know, trying to get WIS to be a preK4 facility would be quite challenging. So next steps. So determining schedule um 2026 or 27 grant application and timing for funding approval. So, I've actually got three options here. Option one, we're in 2026. This red line um reflects a June 2026 grant application. This red bar, grant application. Um I didn't get very granular with this. I wanted to keep it high level, but this blue arrow is is kind of the critical thing to watch here. This is final budgeting, due diligence on the site, building public support and consensus, and doing all that prior to June 30th um to set um to file a grant application. So the the key with a grant application

061is even though um you know we believe that trying to get funding approval a referendum before that date would be beyond challenging but to file a grant application the board of selectment in the town need to um set a referendum. they would have to say we are intending on having a referendum for this project on this date and right now this schedule reflects that as uh November tying that in with election day uh November 3rd 2026. So um we could get the paperwork, we could get the the budgets and everything together. Um limited time for further dis you know discussion and potential public support. Um, and then the town would need to commit to a referendum for a specific project to file the grant. And I, and I'll go a little bit further in a

062few more slides of what we need for this grant application. So again, this anticipates that we file a grant, the town sets a referendum. The question that we've posed now to to the town is um there's typically a blackout period once a referendum is set. um that you can't promote the project. And so I know the town is exploring from a legal standpoint um you know what that may be. Worst case scenario is as soon as that referendum set, you can't promote the project anymore. This blue line to garner public support and everything ends right at June 30th. following the schedule through in this schedule, a referendum in November. Assuming that referendum is successful, uh you would go out and in and do an RFP for your architect, engineers, and construction manager. We anticipate design

063starting um just into the new year of 2027 and and design would commence approximately 16 months for a facility of this size. This green line now is your grant commitment when the state would vote a year after you've put your grant application in. You get your funding. Now you can start asking the state for reimbursement on what you've spent to date. You can't get request anything you spend prior to this star, prior to your referendum, prior to your funding approval, the state will not reimburse you on. But once you have your funding approval, whether you've filed your grant or not, everything from this point, the state, you know, once your grant is accepted, the state will reimburse you for. So that's a very key point here. So again, we anticipate uh 16 months of design,

0643 months of bidding. We're looking at right now an estimated approximately 20 months of construction for a new construction. Then through the summer uh approaching the fall of 2030, FFD, which is furniture, fixtures and equipment, fitting the building out with all the loose things, all the furniture, all the other requirements, moving from the old facility to the new, what you need to get that school ready for occupancy. Close out would be final punch list, um commissioning, making sure the mechanical systems were functioning properly. But again, this would anticipate um occupancy uh starting for the fall of 2030. Um as soon as school was out, you would start demolition of the existing school and then restoration of the site. Um if the renovation option was was chosen and renovation status approved by the state, again, we're

065looking at approximately a 39 month because of the construction phasing, moving kids around, temporary classrooms. Um, right now we would anticipate that project completion sometime going into the new year of 2032. So again, this is November or I'm sorry, June 2026 grant application and and pay close attention to this timeline. So I'll go to the what I'm calling Option two from your referendum on referendum is still in November, November 3rd of 2026. If you pass your funding, the town approves funding approval, you are then you can hire your architect, your construction manager, start the design process. Um but what that does is if you look at that blue arrow now at the top you're budgeting your site due diligence getting public support and consensus for a project much longer period up until we anticipate till

066September approximately two months prior to a referendum that you can promote the project all the way up to September gives you a little bit more time with a successful referendum again in uh November 3rd you start your design process now You don't have to file the grant um at, you know, June. This this would be the latest you'd want to file it. But for June, this is when the state would accept them, June of 2027. But you could you could file it earlier on if you wanted to. Doesn't really matter as long as you get it in before June 30th. Um but you've got your funding approval. Now you start into your design. Your grant commitment now is a year from that. So instead of the grant commitment in 2027, I'll go back one page

067quick. while you're still designing. You know, you can start asking for your reimbursement from the state here while you're still in the design phase. In this option, you pretty much have the building designed, ready to go, shovel ready. The state says, "Okay, here's your grant commitment." Then the state will not let you put a project out to bid until your grant commitment has been approved. So, same design period, grant commitment in June, July 1st of 2028. We bid the project out. Same construction timeline for either choice, either project. You know, here you're opening the school in 2030 or potentially going into completion of a renovation beginning of 2032. So, you know, this option um exact same timeline, but instead of trying to get the grant in by this June, you look to do the grant

068next June. The overall timeline project completion doesn't change. The only thing is there's a little bit more time here from when you can start asking the state for them to reimburse you. You're not going to start here until in essence your design is is complete, you're carrying those costs for a little longer. Um, you know, we've never seen once funding was approved by a community and it was submitted as a as a grant, uh, especially for a project of this sort based on the age of this building, we've never seen the project not, um, added to, um, a priority list. So, this is option two. Um, again, gives you a little bit more time here. Now, there was a a third question, um, additional question said, what, Scott? What happens if we move the referendum

069date a little closer to the grant application in June 27? Um, so as you can imagine, the blue line increases further, but now since you haven't passed your referendum, and in this case, we we figured we would set the referendum date in February and in early April, you would have your referendum. Again, this is where funding would be approved. Soon as funding is approved, you can go out and get your architect and your construction manager. you can start your design phase. Again, all of these periods are exactly the same as the previous schedules. However, because you've moved your referendum from November to April, everything pushes as far as your construction completion. So now, we don't believe that you could get the a new build built and ready for fall of 2030. you could choose to

070move into the new building over the Christmas break, extend that Christmas break, move over beginning of the new year of 2031 and the construction schedule pushes out a little bit further. Um, so I'll stop right there. I know again that was a lot to digest. I think um you know our recommendation would be looking at option two because I think at this point it gives you um a little bit more time you know in addition I mean if if the town felt or the town was ready to approve you don't have to you know you could have the funding approval in the referendum prior to this June 30th but looking at a timeline of when that would have to be set selecting the project the final budget looking at some of the other um tasks

071that need to be completed. I think that timeline is too tight. So, any questions on the the schedule outline of what the different grant dates and funding approval referendum dates mean for your for your projects? >> In option one, you you described a blackout period. How long is that? We've seen other um attorneys um determine that as soon as the soon as the referendum question the referendum it it and it doesn't have to be exact question. You just have to have a motion that the town will have a referendum for this project on in this case November 3rd, 2026. But we've had attorneys say that once that that constitutes setting a referendum and they've looked at the the legal statutes within the state of Connecticut. So the blackout period starts at that time. Um you

072know could be a different town attorney interprets it differently. Um but we've seen that on on a on a few projects that they've determined that that um meets the intent of this of the statute and in the language for a referendum. So again, that's why the blue line stops right when you set your referendum. And again, you have to have at least committed to a referendum as part of your grant. That needs to be provided with the grant application. Not necessarily that you've passed it, but you have to have it um if you filed your grant in June of 2026, you have to have your referendum by November and submitted to the state by November 15th to go on the priority list. If you don't approve your funding and get it to the state, your

073funding approval by Dece or by November 15th, the state will take your grant application and will not put it onto the priority list. you'd be forced to the next year. So in this scenario, the the the furthest out you could do a grant to pass this budget would be November 3rd of 26, quick turnaround to get the the referendum results certified and submitted to the state. So once we establish a referendum like so you're saying here as of June 15th if we were to establish referendum taking place that following November from June till November it's basically silence. Correct. >> That's what we believe but we you know we would recommend that you confirm with your your town's legal counsel. So can you show us so you're not recommending option one you're recommending option two which

074then >> well we believe we believe there's a lot to do still here with this blue arrow and building consensus uh for the project. So yes, option two gives you you know a lot more time here um to you know select the project and get the final budget um you know some of the things I I'll show you in the next slide um and again with that November referendum. So between option one and option two, it's it's the same target date. We target this because what that allows us to do is be in essence shovel ready, ready to bid as soon as that grant commitment is confirmed July 1st of 2028. So whether >> can I can I just ask >> grant in here >> or you put your grant in here, as long as

075you hit that November referendum date, this schedule gets again a new school open by the fall of 2030. >> And when does the blackout period for option two? Yeah, that would again depending on your legal council's interpretation of the of the state statutes, two months. So again, you know, we need to know to to firm up what your process is. A lot of communities, it's it's two months to set a referendum date to the referendum itself. >> Um could be different. If if this could be done in on October instead of September, then we would just see normally see that blackout period between these two dates. So in this case potentially it would be 2 months. Again if your process um can move quicker uh if if you're allowed to you know set it and

076have a closer to the referendum date um that blackout period would be minimized further. >> Okay. So what you're saying is in option two we have more we still aim for November but we have more flexibility in declaring it November. We can do that later than if we had applied in June. Okay. But the one thing that option two does that option one doesn't do is option two gives us an exposure to the design fees that if we don't end up if the referendum doesn't pass, we've got about four to six months. My eyes aren't good enough to see >> of design time. >> No, no. The referendum is here. You don't start an AE and you don't start design until the referendum passes in both cases. >> Correct. So >> all it um Okay.

077If the referendum passes, >> they start asking the state for money back until the green line here. So that green line moves from somewhere at the end of schematic design in the first option because you're putting your grant in a year later, but you've passed your funding. So again, you passed your funding, hire your architect, get your CM on board, start design. At this point in in option one, you can start requesting the state for funding. On this one, you're just carrying it a little longer and and it aligns with the end of your design phase. >> I have um that process question I started earlier. So, uh back to the process. So, a couple questions. So I feel like to some extent I mean clearly we have an educational we have to make sure

078it's educationally advantageous but I feel like to some extent we also have to make sure it's financially viable for the town. So with the referendum uh we would be going to referendum with option two in November of 26 putting the grant application in June 2027. The referendum would roughly be asking the town to approve $115 million >> I believe 127 well it depends on which option you choose but approximately 127 million >> okay so the I wrote down both numbers so I guess my arrow here would indicate that with okay so we'd be asking town for 127,000 127 million we would put the at that point. Best case scenario, we would get a reimbursement equal to new, which would bring the cost to 115 million. Right. That's that's essentially the known at the time of

079the referendum roughly. Is that right? >> Yeah. And again, it's it's an estimated reimbursement because um you know, there are change orders that will be determined eligible, ineligible. So again, that's why we we assumed a five and a 7% of ineligible costs. You may do better on your ineligible costs where then the state would provide more reimbursement. Um, you know, again, we're we're we're kind of asked to do a high level estimate. So those are the some of the parameters we use. Um, you know, certainly I would I would be hopeful that you could do better. Um, you know, but I can't promise that, >> right? But but we're going into giving is a very realistic scenario, >> right? So, but but it is as f you know other than two or 3% difference on

080the referendum essentially we're asking the town to approve round number purchases $127 million with the expectation that will be reimbursed as build new at 12 a.5%. That's those are the knowns heading into the referendum, right? >> Correct. >> Or the asks. Okay. >> Yeah. and and that we would then be again depending on the option but again just for making the assumption that you're assuming a new project and with the information that the architectural team would provide we would provide that to the state and say in fact it was you know a dead heat or just slightly cheaper to build new you know based on the statute please um provide um you know the the the project a higher reimbursement rate of 22.14% % >> Right. Okay. So then >> they won't consider that till

081the till the grants filed. >> Okay. So then next in the process, so the referendum passes because there's no reason to talk about what happens next if it fails. So the referendum passes at at 127 million or 115 million out of pocket. We then lobby for higher reimbursement. At what point are we as a town obligated to move forward with the project? So in other words, >> we need to move. >> Yeah. So I guess >> so I think if >> Okay. Sorry. Go ahead. >> Well, okay. The question just to make sure I'm clear is so if we are going to lobby for a higher reimbursement and we don't get it. And part of the question was do we have any numbers? Maybe Peter brought some articles with him where a town approved at

082let's say 12%. And yet the state came back later and gave them 20 or 25%. But we'll hold off on >> they had special legislation that came in after a project was on the priority list and approved and that special legislation was added to a later list and the project reimbursement was increased. um you know so there there's always opportunities um you know to have a dialogue with your representatives at at the state level um and to do something and have that language included in a in a bill um then that modifies the priority list in your reimbursement percentage. >> Okay. So let's say worst case scenario uh the the best case referendum's approved reimbursement 115 million is the out of pocket we lobby for higher reimbursement we don't get it are we bound to

083move forward with the project >> no you're not bound to move forward with the project but you know again what we're we're showing here is that it's in your best interest to as soon as the funding is approved, get your architect, construction manager, start the design process, start things moving forward. Um, you know, if you waited to have special legislation, um, you know, and don't start the project, this whole timeline slides and then you're looking at, you know, somewhere between, you know, 3 and a half to 4 and a.5% escalations on, you know, 120 million $127 million projects. So you're looking at about5 or $6 million in escalations which right now on our estimates pays the entire architect's fee. >> Okay. >> For example. >> All right. And then my last question and I'll probably

084come back to more later later. So I agree that what you're saying is we we got to start someplace, right? So let's let's say that we're serious. We want to move forward. It passes the referendum. We start the design. we hire the architect to move things forward. At what point, how much cost would you estimate we are going to potentially take on um before we actually get a firm commitment from the state? Do you have any rough idea of what that expense might be? Because I think what you're saying is if we pull the plug at some point because it's not financially feasible any further because we didn't get additional funding, we would be out that cost. So do you have any idea of >> the pointer? No, >> I I wouldn't want to I

085would not want to throw a number on the table um you know just tonight, you know, but I could you know I could calculate um you know potentially what that cost could be depending on the scenario you choose because again the soft cost fees design construction oversight are different um from new construction to renovation construction. Um but yes um yeah we could we could because typically um you know we look at doing a cash flow once a project becomes a reality but I could I could get a a a high level order of magnitude of what your risk would be getting up to the green line. But but again, I think it's it's dangerous promising higher reimbursement to the public trying to get a referendum to pass or how you put that in the language.

086>> Okay. I think um in the interest of time, we should move forward because this is complicated. It's new news to us tonight. Um there's lots of different questions that I'm sure are going to continue to arise. So, what I would recommend is that we write a whole bunch of whatifs about the timing down and let Phil sort through them and condense them and then we can forward them to Collers. My um question, >> you have one last slide or >> Okay. No, no. Yeah, I don't want you to uh stop. I just my my quick takeaway is that it might provide some flexibility if we hold the grant application till 2027. Um, if you're going to play by what I'm going to call the bureaucratic existing bureaucratic expectations from the state, it's a little

087bit more to our advantage perhaps to be flexible about when we apply for the grant. isn't going to change the state's mind about anything. If we wanted to apply political pressure, it might be advantageous for us to go down the um option three route. You get closer to knowing if there's going to be a law proposed in the state legislator legislature that says Weston's going to be eligible for more. So, we might be able to tell the public more at that point. we might have more political information at that point. I'm not advocating for anything right now. I'm just think we need to absorb all this and and um and all the whatifs and you know what if we did the the architecture design, are we ever going to get that back? All those good

088questions. Could we please write them down so we can send them to Collier's because we're not going to get all through them tonight. We're just not. This is just going to be one question after another which is great. instead of one battle after another. It's one question after another. Um which which are important, but you know, I'm not we're not going to get there tonight. So, are there any general questions outside of if we move it two months this way or that way? >> I have a general question. Are we going to get a copy of the deck? Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. Of course, we are. >> Let me just answer David because no, >> I'm going to answer David because you question the answer is yes. David, >> Trumbull went in at 22%. and a

089year later they got 44%. So there's hope out there. The problem is is right here you're in for $3 $400,000 before you know what happens here. Whether the green line is here or the green line is here. You're spending money that you know you don't know what's going to happen if you're not satisfied here. Problem is, if you know the town, I mean, it's almost like you want a referendum June 14th for your June 14th. Because if the town says, "I don't have a stomach for $126 million." Why bother putting in a reimbursement grant? Just toss it in the trash. The some If the town says, "Yes, this is pretty cool. We get it. 6,500 voters say we get it." Then you know that you have this delay, and this is in uh option one

090of forge $1,000, you're in. You're hoping for a better deal a year later. So, you asked a good question. Yeah, there's hope out there, but you got to spend some money. You if you wait and wait and wait, escalation costs go up and up and up. So, the convenience of knowing more cost you a lot more money here. So, there's no good. You're all in a trap here, basically. >> All right. Thanks for that summary. I also think we're getting over our skis here. Some of this discussion is also what is expected of the board of selectmen and the board of finance. So, um, Nicole, you had one last question and then we'll move on to are there any is there any hope for grant? >> Um, yeah, just to tie it up and kind

091of what Deb was saying how we all need to think about these options that were just presented to us. You're recommending option two. Is there any downside to option two versus the other options? And also, is there any downside to option three? Well, again, the the the riskreward here is, you know, you're carrying, as as Peter pointed out, you're carrying more of the design fees till you can start getting reimbursed. Um, so, you know, that's that's the the risk and reward in this scenario. Um, option three, um, you know, having that funding approval. Again, this would still anticipate starting, you know, selecting your architect and your CM and starting your design before you have that grant commitment. And again, this is this is how every project I've done in the state of Connecticut in the

092last 10 years has has approached it. If you wait until you get your grant commitment, it's just going to push this whole thing out another year and a half. And you're probably looking at then if if you said, "Scott, we want to do it that way. We're we're going to increase the project by, you know, four and a half to percent a year and it's not just 9% because it compounds. So it's four and a half percent times times the value and then take that times another 4 and a.5%. So it's probably a 10% increase in the construction cost in project cost. So again, it's it's looking at the options of, you know, can we carry some of that upfront money to try and accelerate the process in the schedule to get the kids in

093a little bit quicker that potentially also defers some maintenance that you may may be coming down the road for your existing school that maybe you avoid. Um, again, hard to say, you know, rub the crystal ball. Um, but that's kind of the outlier of the of the three. But again, going to option three and the even the later referendum starts pushing you past a 2030 and you're really probably looking at getting the kids in and, you know, again, either the winter break or 2031. So, we were we were trying to show you with one and two the two examples that could get a new school constructed by 2030 or renovation completed by the the winter break of 31 going into 32. >> But it doesn't seem like there's much downside for us to pursue option

094two versus option one. >> No, from a timeline standpoint, no. It it it's it's exactly the same, but instead of carrying, you know, in this case, up to your brand commitment, you're probably carrying the selection in up through schematic design. And when schematic design is done, you can start requesting reimbursement. In option two, you're carrying all the design right up to bidding. And then you can start requesting reimbursement from the state. And they'll go all the way back to here. And if you get special legislation, they'll modify core CT and you get that payment based on revised um reimbursement rate. And we have seen changes in project reimbursement after the project was even under construction. And we've seen the state then when they've agreed to that provided a makeup payment to get you right with

095what it what it is now and what it it could have been in the in the beginning. So, we've seen makeup payments as well, but again, it's it's really a matter of getting into the process with your your state legislators. Um, you know, certainly with option two, um, you know, you've got going into the grant application at least, you've got next next year's legislative session. I mean, right now it's a short session. You're just about finished. Um but you know if you start working this in the blue line working with your legislators you can certainly get something into the system you know through the 2027. So by this filing of the grant application you may have a very good idea that your reimbursement rate has been u modified and at that point you know you

096you're only in to schematic design. So there's your risk. >> Okay. Thank you. Well, let's move on to your last question. Um, or last issue that we brought up. Are there grants out there? >> Well, yeah. Well, what a really >> Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. I forgot this application. Yeah. >> So, these are the steps that you've got to do for submission. Um, right now, the board of selectmen need to pass three required resolutions. They need to create a building committee, authorize the board of education to submit the grant, and authorize development of schematic design. Um, don't get hung up on number three. It's it's just a required motion that needs to be filed with the grant. Doesn't come with any financial commitment till you hire the architect. Um so I I'm not sure why

097it's still there, but it is uh but so in essence that the board of selectment prior to if you were going to go in again this June 30th, you've got they've got to pass these three resolutions, create a billing committee. Board of Ed has to approve the final education specifications. you would the board of select mean again if you were going in by this June um they would need to set a referendum um and in um and then get your funding approval as we talked about which come after but they need to set a referendum by June or have have your referendum prior to the following year of 27. Um, we did just provide Phil with a phase one site environmental assessment. That is a requirement of filing a grant with some additional paperwork. So,

098you have to have that in. And then we would need to create based on your final selected option, create the final project budget and documentation for submission. There's a detailed estimate that we would take the highle estimate produced by SLAM, put that into a more detailed format that is also a requirement for the grant. So all these steps would need to take place if you were considering June 30th of this year. If if we can't achieve all of this, then you have to go to June 30th of the following year. And then the last question, yeah, I I I've reached out to our staff. Um we do have a grant writer that I've reached out to waiting to hear back from the grant writer on what may or may not be available. Um we did

099um just get some information. I sent it to Phil earlier today. that there was a an inflation reduction act. Uh it sent the the link um to that act and to that um process a number of different avenues, but one is um heightened um environmental performance um and efficiency um energy considerations. So there is a grant. You don't get the grant upfront, unfortunately. It's a grant that gets evaluated and approved after your project is complete and you submit paperwork saying our project has achieved x amount of building efficiency. Um the project that we're utilizing this in right now in a project in Massachusetts is um incorporating geothermal. Um they're anticipating somewhere between a two and a half to $3 million grant or credit once the project is complete and once the project has been operating

100long enough to establish that it has met the criteria for that enhanced energy consideration. Um so that's the only grant we've been able to find right now which doesn't help you upfront certainly helps you in the past. Um and we understand right now that that grant uh things can change with the government but that grant right now our understanding is should be active through 2032 and in you know so so with that that's all I have to report this evening. I am waiting to hear back from our grant writer to see if there's any other grants available any other options. Um but as of this date that's the only one that we're aware of. >> Okay. Thank you. Are there any other general questions tonight? I mean, it's a lot to take in. We will

101get um I know that presentation um I email it to Phil, email it to Jod, we'll we'll get it out to board members. We'll post it on our website. So, thank you. >> I'll I'll email it to Phil. Yep. Right after the right after this uh meeting. >> Okay. So, um are there any remaining questions tonight for Collier or Slam? No, great job, guys. >> All right. Thank you very much. And um we will be talking to you very soon. It's a We just need time, well, a lot of time to process this. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Good night. >> My eyes. >> Careful. I'm trying to put your eye out constellation pattern. >> We've been waiting months. We've been waiting months. Okay. Um are there any other comments tonight

102on this project? Uh we are going to schedule a meeting for March 23rd. uh that is to uh based on the recommendation well no I think it's supported by the communications committee that we wanted to provide the public uh some time for their input. Um, so that would involve a meeting next week of the board of education where we listen to public comment and then after which we can continue our conversation and we will if we have the chance um uh maybe following up with some of the public's comments or not. We'll just have to sort of take that uh play that by ear. Um, when we do open it up for public comment, it needs to be according to our legal counsel the same as any other public comment session during a board of

103ed meeting. So, we listen. Um, if there's an easy question that Phil can answer in two seconds, he'll do that. Um, otherwise, we'll make note of the questions and try to get the answers out to the public. And then during our follow-up questions or follow-up discussion as a board, we may or may not end up addressing uh what an audience member may have brought up. Does that make sense? Oh, Peter. All right, we're on the same page. Um, okay. >> And may I add that the communications committee is doing an excellent job. >> I think so. >> Well, well welcomed. Really good stuff. >> Yep. Good. Um, okay. So, um we will get the information that was pres uh that was talked about by Slam tonight and uh you can Michael is got like his

104spreadsheet with all his questions. I know it this is great. Uh so that's the kind of thing we need. Um okay, there is for there are further items on this agenda. So let's move on. That was old business. Let's go to new business. All right. Um there's a consent agenda. I just before we ask for a motion to approve it, I just want to point out once again how generous our PTO's are. Uh WHIS has is donating a tremendous um from classroom furniture to robot equipment uh to um poster printers, etc. All really generous and appre appreciated gifts. Hess is also donating money to repair um I'm not sure which item it is on the playground, but we look forward to that. So Laura's looking happy. Uh so anyway, again, thank you to the Hesp

105PTO and the WHIS PTO. And there's also a donation of a telescope and a guitar. Not sure where that came from, but we thank the donor. Okay. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? Yeah. >> Oh, >> yeah. >> No, no, no. It's all part of this. It's all part of it. >> Okay. >> All the gifts are on the consent agenda. >> Yep. >> All right. Including the Yep. >> your stuff. Wow. >> Nice. >> We're efficient. >> Yep. >> Move it. Move that the Western Board of Education accept the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. All in favor? Any opposition? All right. Supported unanimously. Thank you. All right. Well, let's continue talking about budgets and money and timelines. Phil, we need to talk about the proposed 2627 operating budget, capital budget,

106and technology lease. So, do you want to take us through those, Phil? It's a little early for me to be to be here, but I'll take it >> early >> in on the agenda. Oh, >> okay. >> Um, let's start with fiscal 26. Um, so for fiscal 26, we're at this time we're still projecting somewhat of a deficit. Um, our goal is to end the year with uh a balanced budget. Um, it will take us some more time just to kind of work out the various pieces that we have to do to ensure that we're there. Um, it's still early. we feel more comfortable doing this around the April time frame. So when we report back April May um hopefully at that time we will present a balanced budget. Two things of significant highlights. The

107first one has to do with the annex and the recent repair to the uh replacement of the sewer line there. The overall cost for our project came in at close to $60,000 that is included in a recurrent um as a placeholder there. Uh other significant item has to do with some issues that we're having at the xenon plant. Um one of the membrane which is one of those main critical parts that pretty much filters out everything um has failed. Um the cost to replace that unit is going to be approximately $65,000. In addition to that, there is $10,000 that I've sort of kind of approved just so we can do an evaluation to see if there's any cause of that failure. In addition to that, the lead time for that replacement is 6 to 8

108weeks. So, because of that significant lead time, we will have to continue to haul away excess. So, there's going to be an additional um cost associated with the hauling cost, the hauling charges. So, we anticipate that close to $100,000 for for that for those repairs at the Xenon plant. So, again, not overall um this this is the year of significant repairs. Uh we hope to have a balanced budget for fiscal 26. Not quite sure if there's a motion for this. >> Yep. Yeah, there is. Is there are any questions or comments? This is the monthly financial report for this year's budget. Sorry, I didn't state that correctly. Any questions about the latest financial update on this year's budget? Is there a motion then to approve? >> Move that the Wesson Board of Education approve the

109February 2026 financial report as presented. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All in favor? Any opposed? All right, that's approved unanimously. Second item, Phil, fiscal year 27 proposed operating and capital adjustments. >> Um, so for fiscal 27, the board of finance did ask us to take a look um at our overall cost to see if there's any ways to mitigate that thing. They were looking for approximately 600 or so,000. So, a few good news. Um, let's start with the with the big one, health insurance. Um, we've learned that the re sorry the renewal rate for fiscal 27 will be 12.5% and not at 15%. Um, with that we are going to reduce the fiscal 27 budget by approximately $29,000. In addition to that, the employer contribution rate for the retirement

110plan is coming in will be 16.82%. We had assume at 17.2%. um another reduction of $36,000. We are also recommending a reduction of $25,000 for salaries for for two line items for bus aids and for homeborn tutors. This is continuing to where we are for this year. We had discussions earlier in the year that we're seeing um less less need for those two areas. We're also um recommending a reduction of $40,000 for equip combined equipment, professional services, and supplies. Another big one here is that we are recommending um that we take from the non-lapsing account $28,000. The current balance in the nonlapsing account is $211,000. The items that will be that we're recommending funding from the non-lapsing account is the early retirement. This is the first of three payments at approximately $89,000. There's some requests

111for instrument musical instrument that we're also recommending um from the nonlaps and account, some textbooks and supplies. One of the main reasons why we're we're um recommending this this move is that to reduce the component growth. Thank you, Michael. um for future years. Um so we do not these items significantly are non-recurring items and um we do not want to pretty much add these so that will compound the growth growth unnecessarily. Further to add a note, there was concern in our meeting about whether or not if we should draw it on the $28,000 that we will completely draw down the balance that we have in the non-lapsing account knowing that it was quite difficult to get funding by the board of finance. What we did discuss that was that for fiscal 27, fiscal 25, we

112do have some unlquidated incumbrances that we anticipate will add, we will make a request for the board of finance to add those funds that were not spent um to the non-lapsing account. So, at minimum, we're looking at increasing the non-lapsing account by $100,000. Pause here before I move on to capital. I have a quick question about the non-lapsing. I think that this uh is a perfect perfect example, I think a couple years ago, why we voted for the non-lapsing account. This was money that the taxpayer was taxed on for schools and now rather than returning it to the town, we're reinvesting it into the schools. So, I think it's a really good example of doing our fiduciary responsibility to the town. Thanks, Phil. >> You're welcome. Um, so that's one of the things that we

113also discuss. Um so just to demonstrate to the board of finance and also to the town um that we're exercising that responsibility. >> I had a question in a few minutes ago you when you did your monthly financials we're incurring expenses for the xenon plant. Where is that funding coming from? >> For right now that money is coming from our operating budget. Um, we do have some money set aside for that. Because we have money if we should end the year with in a in a deficit, we would need to go back to the town for a special appropriation. However, because we're sort of kind of right now more than likely confident to be balanced, we will not be requesting a special appropriation. So in summary, you think we'll be $100,000 in potentially in deficit

114by the end of the year unless we spend $100,000 on the xenon plant. That eats it up. That's good, right? That's why you have $28,000 left in the non-lapsing account. You're not using any of that for this current emergency. Correct. >> We wanted to better understand where we were trending for fiscal 26. >> Okay, I got it. >> Okay, >> adds up. >> Any questions on the operating budget for fiscal 27? Okay, on the capital budget for fiscal 27. Um so a few things just as a reminder the board we're our original request for capital was $4.7 million. The board of selectment has recommended to the board of finance that 2.4 million approximately which is the amount for the north house hrect project be funded from the unassigned fund balance. So that's that so our

115request for fiscal 27 will be reduced by 2.4 million. In addition, the board of uh selectment has also recommended that the roofing project for the court be deferred by a year. Um so we're fairly confident that not fairly confident, we know that all of our buildings at some point will have a leak or two, but if we defer this project for a year with we think we'll be in good condition. The the idea behind this deferral is that the board of selectment was hoping that any reimbursement that we received uh from the north house project from the grant will be sort of kind of used to partially fund the roof and project. There may may be some timing issues associated with that but um our intent is that for fiscal 28 that we will be

116making this request. Um we are recommending making three reduction to our budget. Um item number five which is the duck cleaning. Um based on we just completed the fiveyear statemandated IQ inspection. Um based on what they saw there the ducks are fairly in decent condition. So there's not a need for us to do that cleaning for next year. In addition to that we're going to pause on uh on the roll out of flexible furniture for for one more year. We have some money that we have in our current capital budget for fiscal 26 that we can use to accommodate any requests for flexible furniture. In addition to that, we're also going to defer partially defer the aerial lift purchase. We're sort of kind of looking on a multi-attachment unit instead of one single purpose unit.

117So all in with all the reduction from the board of selectment and and what we're recommending the revised capital budget will be 1.2 275 million. And that is it for fiscal 27. >> Any questions or comments? >> All right. I think you're >> Do we revote on this capital budget? So, we're unhappy with it. We have a chance to demonstrate our unhappiness. >> Sure. >> Excellent. >> Okay. I I just have two quick comments um that we discussed during our our financial committee meeting that just I want to make everyone else aware. Uh the first one was I believe that um delaying the roof replacement by a year um waiting for the grant sort of reimbursement from the HVAC. The estimate for that again you know not holding us to it necessarily but the estimate

118is somewhere between 4 and $500,000. Is that is that correct? Okay. Um, so that pays for a good chunk of that roof the following year depending of course there's a timing issue but um that does absorb a lot of that cost let's say. Okay. >> Um and then the second point I just again I'll I'll make this very very short. Um, I think we got into trouble over the years in terms of um um having the town believe, let's say, or at least um positing to them that through these budgets, through these capital budgets, that the capital budget, the ongoing capital budget to actually run this district is 1 million plus or minus. And so what what we've asked Phil to do um is even though the capital budget here is going to be reduced

119let's say to approximately 1.275 275 million. um that we do apply some sort of adjusted balance or some sort of footnote and we've talked about this um to just make people aware of that the fact that the actual capital budget here is you know four plus million let's say for these next few years let's call it because there's a catch up because it was underfunded let's call it for prior years and that going forward um the capital budget is is going to be in excess of a million dollars it's going to be more like2 $2 million. I'm just again, this is finger in the air. I know. I know. This is once we get through the catch-up phase, right? But the maintenance capital budget going forward, once we clear these next couple of years is

120more likely two than one. So, I just wanted that reflected so people are are just aware of that going forward. Yeah. >> Right. So what we decide to do to address that is that at our next meeting and we will sort of kind of kind of mock up or maybe not this meeting but once the budget has been approved we'll kind of show how we plan to kind of to to show this. Um so it's definitely there so for future years when anyone should look back it will be properly noted um what the true cost or what our true request has been um for the current fiscal year. And just to kind of just to talk about fiscal 27 capital just a little bit. Um we know that we do have support uh both on

121the board of finance and boards on the board of selectment for the north house project. This is year two of that discussion. I think what the both select both the board of finance and board of selectment what they're trying what they're grappling with is um just trying to to kind of show up the funding how much from where um but in terms of whether or not where this project is um I think we definitely have the support um of the town on this. >> Okay. My only recommendation would be that on this page you have the revised capital budget request 1.27 275, right? Could you underneath add a line that says anticipated capital budget allocation total and add the the uh HVAC because again going to your line of we don't want the public to

122think it's 1.275. We're actually getting 2 whatever that is 425 more than that. I didn't count the roof because it's not a bird in the hand yet. That's all. >> Phil, quick question. I was I was at the meeting and I forgot what the outcome was, but I believe I asked the uh board of selectmen for the HVAC at Northouse because it's coming from the unassigned fund balance, which I understood. It's again, it's money that the community has been taxed on. So, can that though be removed at the ATBM? It is not because this project will not be listed as a capital item and thus be not subject to the ATBM. However, because the town at this point would have exceeded the 2% cap that they have, this will require a special town meeting. So,

123the town the residents will definitely need to approve the project. >> So, is there a risk? Because I think it was last summer we sort of struggled with we've got to get this done. So by taking it out of our capital, do we run the risk that the town votes it down and now we've lost another year? >> Yeah. The the the risk is not different whether it's at the ATBM or at the special um town meeting because at ATBM residents can vote to remove it and if approved it's it's it's removed. At the same time the resident can also vote to not fund additional additional appropriation. >> Okay. So the the risk the risk remains the same. >> Correct. Thanks. >> That's that. Thank you for your analysis. You know, I only will resort

124to a little bit of hyperbole only because it made me laugh earlier tonight when I heard that we're going to delay even more capital projects like a roof. And you can laugh along with me or not. Then my question was, are we gonna have a capital line item for like hard hats and buckets, right? because it's the same old thing we've done for 10 years. And I forewarned a year ago, unless you get your money in hand for HVAC, you won't turn on a switch of a mini split for three more years. And we're going down that same path. And we're the message to the town is, well, we say the schools are in bad shape. We need $30 million to fix them, but they're really not in bad shape. Although the xenon plant just

125failed, God knows what's going to happen next. So, I'm going to forewarn again. Here we go. It's going to be another decade and $30 million and Michael is going to be like, "We still haven't done $2 million. We ask for $5 million, we get a million dollars." It's the same old thing. So, be forewarned. A year from now, it's all going to the house of cards is going to fall down. You You're flirting with disaster here. You're playing with fire. I guess I am a little but in a hyperbole mood tonight, but you know, I'm just adamant. This is just a no for me and it was a no for me last year and I should have said no because we just can't spine up and say these things have to happen for the benefit

126of kids and teachers and principles and superintendent and parents and here we go again. It's just so irritating. >> I I I understand Peter. So just to kind of add a little bit more clarity to this project because yes we have been speaking about this project now for quite some time. So we were on track to start the project this summer. Um we did get special appropriation albeit that we went in the opposite direction from the board of finance and also from the board of selectmen um about $600,000. One of the reasons why we had to pause on this project is the grant funding. Our initial thought um prior to June of this year, the funding mechanism that was in place um has changed. Um similar to what Scott mentioned for the EPA, you were

127able to get grant funded after the fact um July 1 or during the last legislative session. That was changed and now they've rolled all of the indoor air quality grant to OG office of grant administration. So we have to go through that process with the office of grant administration. You have to get approval before you do the work. We do we did not want to risk any funding. I mean it's it's a significant amount. It's could be close to $500,000. So we did not want to risk um not having those funding. So we decided to pause just to ensure that we did all the right things according to OGA cuz we did not definitely did not want to risk that. So again I believe that the support is there. I think the community, the board

128of select and the board of finance has recognized the need um for this project and I think we do have their support. >> Um I was at the board of selectman meeting and then the board of finance meeting uh during this budget cycle um listening to Phil and Erica field lots and lots of questions. Um the support is there. Um and I it's not the board of ed removing the HVAC. What it is is the capital budget request that went to the town. The board of selectman said there's another way to fund this. And the board of finance I think agrees. They might disagree about which other funding it is but they that's what they're looking at and that's their role. So, as board of ed, we can't keep it in here because the town

129has put it in a on a different track than the normal capital budget request and that's their purview. Okay. Any other comments? All right. Um, wait, I think there's a motion. There is a motion with this as well. Um, could we have uh a motion regarding the fiscal 27 proposed operating and capital adjustments that we just heard? >> Move that the Wesson Board of Education accept fiscal year 20 27 proposed operating and capital adjustments as presented. >> Is there a second? >> A second. >> All in favor? All opposed? All right. Motion carries six to one. Thank you. >> Um just for purpose of notification. So this will then be forwarded to um the board of finance for their consideration. >> Final item. >> Yes. >> Um final item is the approval of the technology

130lease. Um so this is our fourth lease now. >> Fifth >> I think we're at five now >> for 27. So this is the fourth. >> So this is the fourth for fiscal 26. Um so over the past four years um for new members um the board established a funding mechanism um by the way of lease and so with with this Ford lease we have pretty much completed that cycle um the total amounts um amount financed is $3 approximately $91,000. Um we have gone out to a bid um coin for the second year uh came in with the lowest uh rate at 3.5%. So we are recommending um approve and award in this project to cogent um bank for the next four years. >> I have a quick question. It's not about specifically the funding

131but I'm sure Dan as you are aware overnight the cost of computers shot up like 30 or 40%. Are we still is this dollar amount enough? like how are you going to mitigate uh I think it's a temporary rise that's sort of what my feelers say but I don't know how it plays in so is this enough money >> two things yeah so this is for the current fiscal year >> um we have purchased these items already >> what you're referring to is concerns that we have for fiscal 27 >> fair enough >> but in addition this right so we can have some other conversation um because Dan also has some other concerns as Any further discussion? Is there a motion regarding the fiscal year 26 technology lease bid? move that the Western Board of

132Education authorizes the superintendent or designate to execute and deliver the lease purchase agreement with Cogent Bank and any related documents on behalf of the Weston Board of Education as the co-isse with the town of Weston and take all actions necessary and proper to complete the transaction. >> I second. >> Thank you, Lisa. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you. Uh the next stop on this is hopefully this Thursday night um with the board of selectment so that they can approve it. >> Thank you. All right. The next item is uh Western Board of Education policy regulations and bylaws. There are lots here on a first read basis. I'm going to ask Superintendent 40 and the policy committee to take us through or give us highlights. I know there's no action tonight,

133but just in in a nutshell, could you just describe Oh, that could take a while if you want to go through. >> No, I I just meant like why they're here as first read. That's all like what section it is. >> Right. So, um the the first portion is for no change. It's just basically we're saying we've reviewed them and they are still >> um necessary and they're nothing needs to be changed. It's just that we have put eyes on them recently and everything seems to be good. The second part is with the review and updates the it's a variety of things um that if you read through there have been some updates and changes. There is one um change that needs to come about here and that is that uh policy 6142.1 which has

134to do with family life and sex education. We're going to move that one and policy 6147 which has to do with curriculum exemptions. Um, we're going to move those back. So, uh, we are not we're going to bring them back for a first read next month because there are two changes that we needed to make on those policies that we didn't make before we put them in here. >> You're deleting them from this list. >> We're deleting them from this list. And just so you know, if in case you already read them when they I'm hopefully you all read them. I'm sure you spent hours doing this as we did but um anyways it comes back um policy 6147 the discussion was that there it's has to do with curriculum curriculum exemptions for parents um

135the timeline initially was notification timeline for the parents was two weeks and we've extended it to four weeks just to be a little more uh gener a little more generous with the parents and then also policy 6142.1 the family life and sex education policy uh we're going to strike out the phrase of to comply with the provision of the No Child Left Behind Act, which is kind of gone now. So, those are the two changes. Yeah. >> All right. Thank you, too. >> All right. So, we'll um at least I need to do my homework properly. So, I've taken a look at the titles. I haven't yet read them all. So, but thank you for your work. I know that that's a lot to get through for a committee. And we're also very, very happy

136to announce that we will not be having an April meeting just to give everybody a break. So, I totally support catching up. >> Yes. >> Um, okay. Uh, district updates, superintendent. >> Yes. Um, I just wanted to take a moment to recognize and thank the the members of our Weston Board of Education in honor of a board of education recognition month. We know that serving as a board member uh requires an extraordinary commitment of time and thought and care. And we're really grateful for the countless number of hours that you spend reviewing materials, engaging in really thoughtful discussions, asking questions, making super important decisions that all guide the future of our schools and the success of every single Western student. So beha on behalf of our students and our faculty and staff and the administration

137and the entire Weston public school community, thank you for your service. Thank you for your partnership. Thank you for your commitment to our students, staff, and families. We are very grateful. Thank you. >> And thanks everyone for your partnership and we appreciate those words. Thank you. Um, another update from pupil personnel. >> Good evening everybody. On March 12th, I had the opportunity to attend the Weston Middle School PTO meeting to share information about pupil personnel services and special education at Weston Middle School specifically and to learn more about their work supporting our students and the broader school community. Um during the presentation I reviewed roles and responsibilities of various uh staff members within PPS and special education and provided an overview of the special education referral process including evaluation procedures and the development of recommendations

138for an IEP. Um, the presentation also included strategies for families to port to support students who might be experiencing anxiety as well as ways to help children build a growth mindset and resilience. The presentation materials are available on the PPS website. Uh, I'm very grateful to the families that attended and engaged in a really thoughtful discussion by asking questions, sharing perspectives, and offering ideas for future parent programming. I'm currently working with our PTO liaison to plan presentations for Weston Intermediate School and the high school uh before the close of the school year. Thanks. >> Can I add something in there? >> I had the pleasure of seeing Tracy um give her presentation at the middle school uh PTO meeting and I have to say first of all, she did a fantastic job. So, thank you

139Tracy. Everyone was so impressed in the room and I think one of the things that was really uh great about that meeting was that there were some parents who had children who take advantage of some of these services and there were quite a few parents who don't have children who take advantage of these services and it was very eye opening for them. um they had no idea how people services really worked and and how the different supports worked and Tracy to her benefit didn't bury anybody in the weeds but she gave them enough of uh the information that they needed and they were all like why why do we not all know this how how is it we can get this word out so um for those who are watching or will be watching in

140the future I would encourage you to go to your school PTO meeting when Tracy is presenting or go take a look at the um materials that Tracy has posted on the people services portion of our website because it was really informative just to have an understanding as a parent what sort of services are available to children and what the process is um to get those services for your child uh for your child if you think that they're eligible or even if you don't and you're just interested in how people's services work because it's fascinating um I would encourage you to do it. So thank you Tracy for doing a great job. >> Good comments. Thank you. Um, all right. Now we're into committee updates, um, communications. >> We are hard at work getting the message

141out about our facilities. I am so happy to have Sharon and Nicole on the committee with me. So stay tuned. I think we're doing a great job. If I may toot our own horn. >> You may. And I actually while I was at the middle school PTO meeting had a discussion there and answered some questions and um and told everybody about the dates for the upcoming meetings, try to get the word out. Um the PTO we are talking about the high school PTO right now and it looks as if uh their next meeting I think is April 21st. Um, so I will keep you posted on whether or not we're going to be able to get on their agenda and hopefully uh we'll be able to get a couple of board members in there to

142answer questions that they have and kind of keep them up to date on what the process is right now. >> Oh, so shout out. We I'll be >> speak up. >> Oh, two shout Oh, two shout outs. So Deb and I will be at uh speak up this weekend with the League of Women Voters. I believe the time was changed to noon. No, >> no. 10:30. Fill in for me. >> Oh, no. I'm wrong. >> 10:30. >> Okay. >> 10:30. >> Oh, and Erica, I'm sorry. We'll be there as well. Okay. So, this weekend, uh, League of Women Voters for Speak Up. So, anyone who in the community, feel free. We encourage you to come. And then I think the following week, next week, I'll be at the Hess and Wispto. So yeah, we're really

143trying to get the message out. >> Curriculum committee. >> So we are going to meet this week. >> Nope. We had a delay um um during our March um meeting and so we weren't able to reschedule because of you know um >> and so our April Yes. Our April meeting um is going to be extended by 90 minutes and we'll include our March and our April agenda items. >> Yep. >> Okay. Um the EOC committee met last Friday and just previewed the issues that were going to be addressed tonight. Um lots of work ahead. So thank you EOCC committee and obviously the whole board finance facilities and operations. Oh, we discussed all the um non-confrontational items that we talked about this evening from the capital budget and the operating budget to the xenon plant and

144the the tech lease which was the least of our worries. >> Okay. Um negotiations, have they started? Okay. Not quite yet. policy committee. Um, we heard from you. >> Yeah, you're done. >> Anything new with safety and security committee? >> Uh, we we met um earlier this month and we just talked about um basically upgrades and enhancements to the physical security including um radios and the communication systems as well as hardening entry points to the schools. >> Okay. Um updates from organizations. First one being Cabum just as a Reminder, they have archived webinars that include a deep dive into budget adoptions and best practices for financial oversight. In this month's cave journal, >> I think your microphone needs to be on. Sorry. >> Thanks a lot. In this uh month's cave journal, uh they have

145in enhanced policy service, educational issues summit, and the state department of education's review of special education. But what was um really interesting and I think applies to us in this CABE um issue is a legislative plan. Um and it talks about um tips for effective lobbying and we're certainly going to need to do that. um and uh potential legislature that we can help um impact uh our building policy. So, it might be a good read for us. >> Anything new from CES? >> We handed out raises. >> Okay. Raises. Weston Education Foundation. We're meeting this Wednesday. Okay. All right. Um that brings us to our next scheduled meetings. Um we talked about the one uh next week uh here at 700 p.m. in person. Uh we'll start with public comment if the communications committee or

146the principles or we just need to be sure that public knows that there'll be some comment time available and we welcome um them coming that evening and then um hopefully well we will need it. Uh there'll be time for us to as a board continue our discussion from tonight get greater clarity around perhaps the timeline and the options. Um and then you know we need to bring our thoughts and start making our recommendation because my goal is the uh March 30th meeting that we as a board will vote on our next steps. So one more week to discuss think hear people ask uh technical questions of you know anything that that Collier's talked about etc. Um, and then we're going to have to make a decision of some sort by the end of the month.

147So, let's um continue working together. I know tonight was difficult and there's a lot to digest and it's all important stuff and it's all hard to hard to hard decisions to make uh difficult um things to think about because the price is so high. Um but I also want to recognize the good news we got tonight. And I do not want to give up on the potential for perhaps even more good news through other avenues. All right. Is there a move to adjourn? >> I actually have two more comments that they're 5-second comments each. >> Sure. >> One is how about those Girl Scouts World Thinking Day high school the little kindergarteners read. >> That's right. And how about that seventh grade middle school robotics team going to nationals? I think they're uh on the

148court before the University of Pennsylvania beats Illinois in the first round of the NCAA. So I'm very excited. >> All right, that's a good note to to leave on. So thank you, Peter. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> Thank you. Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? Okay. All right.