001I see that I have making sure that I have everyone here. I've got Beverly. I've got Rita. I've got Jay. Katrina, are you on? >> Yes, she is. I >> She is. She's fourth from the bottom. >> Okay. I've got Katrina. I've got Matt. Matthew. I've got Andrea. I've got Dean. I've got Liz. and I got myself. So we um we have a full compliment. Yay. Um so I would like to welcome today um uh people to the committee of the whole which is the March 21st um it's uh 6:05 uh and um the first order of business is the approval of the committee of the whole meeting minutes. Can I please have a motion? Andrea, I have a second. I have Liz. Do I have any discussion? >> All right. Hearing. Katrina has her
002hand raised. >> Yes. On page hear me? >> I can. Okay. On page two of the um meeting minutes X view enrollment A >> we can't hear you. >> We we we can't hear you Katrina >> but I think um Liz picked it up. Um, what Katrina was saying, we found the error. >> Katrina, did you find anything else? >> I'll put it in chat. >> Okay. Thank you. [clears throat] >> All right. Any other discussion? >> Could you just tell me what I should change for for that was corrected >> under suggested future topics? under suggested future topics where it says next steps with data API and ECE not ECC. >> Thank you. >> Any other discussion hearing? None. All those in favor of the approval of the meeting minutes of March 14th, 2022,
003please say I. I >> oppose abstain. That motion has carried. Um and we are going on to our communication update and it's so good to have you Rebecca here. Um so between you and Phil >> I think I think we're going to combine um an update of how things are going in terms of our new use of social media. Um and I guess possibly provide you a quick update as you know our communications committee did have our first meeting last week since Katrina is having some trouble. Um I could just give a quick summary after we go through >> our presentation >> and I think this was provided to the board right with maybe one or two additional slides put in >> and what we what we're trying to do as we move through it
004is just provide an example of the things that we're posting uh the feedback we're getting. Uh Rebecca will take us more to the through the weeds of the uh uh how people are interacting with the page. Um uh because she understands that a lot better than I do. Um but just to give you an idea of how things are going and and things, you know, I can't >> I can report that it seems to be going very well in terms of the feedback we're getting. So >> yeah, >> we'll go through these pages relatively quickly because they're just again they're just examples of the posts and some of the feedback. >> Yeah. Oops. So, we just wanted to give um trying to go back and I can't. Oh, here it is. Um just a a
005smattering of some of the posts. We've successfully launched our Facebook page. Um and that is going really really well. Um we have a lot of uh folks engaging with it. Um we have a lot of followers to date. We're tracking very well with that. Um and just seeing overall we saw some really great organic growth of the page out of the gate. Um organic growth really just being word of mouth um friends and friends sharing the page. Um friends seeing other folks who you know saw that it existed on social media. Um so just again a smattering of some posts. This was a post about the Fitch culinary team who won um third place. This was actually one of our to date has been one of our highest performing posts. Um people really liked it.
006Just some great um images celebrating our students. Um this is an example of what we see on the back end um in terms of performances of our post. So we can see that it has 72 reactions, comments and shares, 69 likes, 20 loves, one wow. Um, it even captures for us if any of the feedback was negative, which there was none. Um, so that really helps inform us on how things are going with our individual posts. Oops. This um going back um we did a whole series of posts about our K5 magnet schools being that we're in the recruitment time period right now for that with our um um our K5 magnet lottery. And this was a post about Katherine Kassie. It actually was a video post, so it linked through to a video. Um
007I have that linked on another page I'll show you um in a few slides. Um, so just some quick um quick info, a link, and then this um would have had in the live post the little video button, and it would actually just start playing automatically. And this is an example. Um, we have had commenting on some of the posts. We've not had it on others. Um, this was a great comment on this post. We've only seen positive comments to date and positive interactions. So, this one just said um you know, she couldn't say enough great things about the school, which was nice to nice to see. And um that positive feedback. Um this was a really fun post about Dr. Seuss's birthday. Um this actually was very interactive. The blooms kind of went upward
008um on the post when you pulled it up on the page. So, this was part of sort of our ReadAcross America campaign that we did during ReadAcross America week. Um, and we asked people to share their favorite Dr. Seuss books, and somebody said that their son asked them to wrap green eggs in ham. Um, so that was super fun. Um, so we replied to that person saying that we loved hearing that idea. And, um, someone else said that their son chose to read Dr. Seuss's EBC tonight and had a hard time choosing which book to read. And again, we responded to that. So having some nice interactions with some of the folks on our pages [clears throat] and then um sort of I mentioned that organic growth of the page and now we're starting to
009do a little bit more with some other partners on the page. Um this is just from this past Friday. We did some cross promotion with the town of Grten Park and WCK. So, this is actually their post on their page where you can see they highlighted our kindergarten registration flyer and um the details in this blue um is actually a hyperlink right through to our page um so someone from their page can click through and we reciprocated with a post on our page about their um summer camp hiring event for teenagers. So, um we're looking to do some more things with that. Um and it's a really nice way to um engage on social with our uh community members and our uh town partners. So, leaving um sort of what we've been doing with social
010media, which again just really successful, all positive to date. Um it's been going really, really well. Um we've had some people reach out to us through the Facebook email that we set up. So, um I it's it's just gone very well for us so far and looking forward to the continued growth. >> Well, I think we probably have more kindergarters signed up at this time of year than we've ever seen. >> We've the plain sheer number >> that we almost what was it 330 or something for the class so far? Something like that. >> Last last I knew, but you might have a more recent number than I do on that. So, yeah, I hadn't heard that number yet, but I'm sure it's accurate. the last I heard was fairly high as well. >> So,
011recruitment, being that it's spring, we are um big into recruitment right now um on a a few different things. These are our um K flyers. Um you may have actually even seen these around town. Um we've been sharing um actual hard copies of them at the libraries. We did do the flyer in English and Spanish. Um getting those out to human services, um the libraries, other just hightraic locations around town. So that's really been helping with our push there. Um also we have early childhood screenings coming up. Um something else that we're doing with all of our communications is um sort of uh these custom URLs or vanity URLs. if you actually copied what the real URL is, it's quite long um on the website for where the page might be located, but we shorten
012it um and we redirect it and uh so we give it a nice short name that's easy to remember, gratenchools.org early childhood. In the case of the magnet schools, it's gratenchools.org uh backmagnet. Um so we're making good use of those things. Then I already mentioned it's a it's a big time for our K5 magnet schools um pulling in families for next year um and letting them know that they can go to their districted school based on their home address or they can go to their um they can apply in the lottery for one of the magnet schools. Each of the schools created a video this year about a two to three minute video um about their school and we each school now has a really nice >> very >> page. Yeah. Um each school has
013a really nice page about their school um on the website with some details about their theme and their partners um maybe some news about their school. TRMS happens to have a lot of views right now with blue ribbon and then anything else um and then the links to some facts the application um and for our new students registration. So, I'll just >> I'll say a shout out to our principles who really took this to heart and, you know, got on board and wanted to make it really engaging and to Mark Russell who went out and took pictures and videoed and >> this was a great way to use all of Mark's fabulous, fabulous pictures um and really get a lot of attention. These videos that we've posted on social have had huge engagement, huge number
014of views. um photos and videos are always king on social. People love um that visual dynamic, but um it's it's just been great. >> Even on the openhouse flyer, we made sure the links worked. So when you got on the openhouse flyer, there was a place for the board members to or you know, anybody who is coming to be able to click on and you know, reserve a spot or say that they're coming so we know >> Yeah. h >> how to feed everybody really. >> And if you haven't had a chance, like I said, just go to grtschools.org. org/magnet and check out all of the videos. They're all right there on that page for you. This is just an example of Mystic Rivers page. Again, this is their video cover shot, NEA, Katherine Colassi,
015and Charles Barnum. And they all have a very similar page in terms of highlighting their partners, their video pictures, a quote from the principal which just brings in that uh nice personal human touch from the principal as well. Lots of great pictures of kids. >> This is the flyer. This is the flyer from the open houses coming up the in a little over a week. Um and um so we showcase each of the schools including Grten Middle. Um and we're calling out our Facebook page down here. Follow us on Facebook wherever we can. And then this was um we're trying to do um like I said with the Facebook cross promotion with Grunt uh Park and Breck, we're trying to do more across the board with organizations. So um I had seen on Facebook that
016this mom's club of broughten ledger and Stonington was doing a mini community services fair at the library. So I attended that last week. Um some of the other organizations that were there, their logos are highlighted and it was just a great um event and opportunity for us to engage and talk with some of our partners in the community um about what we're each doing. And um some moms did come out. Um, often at these things we see a lot of interest in kindergarten or the early childhood opportunities, but again, even more so, it's just a great opportunity for us to to chat and have some facetime with our community partners. Um, later this week, we have the internet safety presentation coming up. Um, Scott Driscoll from Internet Safety Concepts coming out to Broton Middle and
017then to Fitch. I know personally I attended this event five years ago as a parent and it was wonderful. So, um we'll be pushing that all this week and reminding folks that that's happening, the parent event at the high school that parents um can attend at 6:30. Um something we worked on with the um DEI committee um given they are doing um a lot of recruitment around hiring um is this DEI hiring brochure. It's a trifold brochure. So, this is actually the cover here. this explore GPS. Um, and the concept that we came up with, um, was this work, live, play in our community. Um, you know, why you would want to work in Grten, live in Grten, play in Graten. We got quotes from staff members um and highlighted some other things. So, this
018was a a joint project with the the DEI committee members and um Lori Leine and her team have this and we'll be bringing this to all of their job fairs this spring um and also getting them out to some of the colleges and other um folks. >> One in your board notes or your board packet this weekend so you'll have it. >> Thank you. >> And then just some other news highlights. Um some of the big things that we'll be talking about um we have a lot of um grant funding that's going to be supporting some different initiatives that's in the works. So as those things happen um the K5 magnet schools will be pushing that um additionally over the next two weeks. Um and then our IBMP authorization and working with um Kim Dreich
019and the day uh to talk about that more and also highlight that on our website and our Facebook. Was Kim gonna come to the open houses at all or was she gonna send somebody over? >> I don't know if she's planning to come, but we have a lot of uh a lot of events and schools are doing a lot of things. So, I know she'll be out and about quite a bit in the coming weeks. So that's really, you know, we just wanted to share a little bit about the feedback we've been getting and I think it's been really positive and we've been, you know, happy with it because we were, you know, we've all discussed, you know, a lot of different twists and turns that social media could take. So, so far I think
020um, you know, we've had a >> And how about the link that takes in parent concerns? >> How is that working out? I know that we got a few right when we started, but I haven't >> We did. I can't remember what the Some people did contact us right away, right? And I'm not sure I forgot what the topic was. Couple parents just reached out through the page. >> A couple parents reached out through the page. Yep. One was um somebody didn't know with um one of the uh one of the the three-hour delay if that impacted Treehouse. >> Yep. >> So, it was helpful. We passed that along to Treehouse and address that in our next post. Um, somebody had a comment about um the vaccine clinics. >> We responded to that person. Um,
021and I and I believe there was there was one other, but um it was great that folks could reach out to us privately and and ask their questions if they needed to. >> And really, you know, and this obviously was part of our discussion when we met as a uh communications committee. Um, and if Katrina's okay, I'll just, you know, quickly summarize. >> Well, I would like to give her that option to be able >> Katrina, would you like to talk about the meeting? >> I can leave it up to Phil. Thanks. >> Okay. Just wanted to make sure that you could put your sense in. Okay. >> I'll just go straight from our minutes. you know, we we we met uh Katrina, Matt, uh Liz, Rebecca, and I um we um set a regular
022meeting date to meet once a month, um which will be great before um board meetings on the fourth Monday. [clears throat] Um we looked at developing a statement of purpose, um which we came up with something and we are taking this week. We're meeting again on Monday, um just to uh uh because we thought it was uh necessary to sort of get that done. and we're going to uh take some notes individually and then come and we'll have hopefully that statement of purpose for the committee to report to the board um next Monday. Um we reviewed minutes from previous meetings held as far back as 2000 to more recently uh 2016 different iterations of the communications committee. Um so u we use those as a base of uh um of an action plan. There was
023a a 2016 communications plan. Um, so we decided to use that, like I said, to map out our steps moving forward in terms of how we're going to talk about what this committee is, how we're going to announce it, how we're going to reach out. Uh, we talked about using uh PTO's from the schools. Um, what audiences do we want to hit, what kind of tactics do we want to use um to um to communicate to the different groups. Um and then um we kind of gave each other some tasks leading up to our next meeting in terms of again um each coming with our ideas of which subgroups or audiences that we want to reach out to um what kind of plan we want to develop. Um and again um which t how how
024do we want to reach out to these different groups beyond social media, you know, different ways to get out into the community. And um I think the big one of the big things that came out of it is that we wanted to make sure it was stressed that it's a two-way communication, not just us um spitting out information, but engaging in conversations in two-way communication with with the school community and the GR, you know, and beyond that. So, I think, you know, it'll just turn into a regular meeting that we'll report out at uh full board meetings. >> That'd be cool. Um I'll recognize Pat. The only thing I would add is that this has to go to policy and voted on to be included in the 9000 series because it is a permanent subcommittee.
025>> Yep, that'd be great. >> Yeah. Oh, policy chair. >> Once once you get it um to have it go to policy to to put it back into the 9,000s. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Um did you have something else too, Katrina? Anyone else have a question or comment about the communication? >> Dean, >> what do we do when we finally do get negative comments? What if somebody were to come in and say, "This is the worst school my kids have ever been." Something like that. How do we control that? How do we respond to that? >> [snorts] >> Well, we when we originally had um the presentation, we talked about a few different scenarios that might happen. Um there's if something is blatantly false or untrue or violates our policies, we would we would
026look to um likely remove it and delete it and perhaps um respond to the person directly and let them know why their comment was removed and that it violated a page. One of the very first posts that we had is we asked everybody to look at our page um policies and rules. Um it's probably a good time since we've had a lot of growth of the page just to remind folks of those. Um but if somebody makes a comment um again that violates calls out a particular student, particular teacher, that's a a violation of sort of the rules that we set forth and personal information and we would like to remove those. Um, often in social media you talk about taking a conversation offline. So, if it is something that needs to be addressed, we
027would respond and then take it offline um and have a more private conversation. That's sort of standard practice in the social media arena. Um, if it's something that somebody just isn't happy, um, the best thing that you can do is respond and try to have a positive dialogue and let folks know, I hear you, um, and I understand you're upset and, you know, try to respond to them. Really, a lot of times that's what folks want the most. They just want to feel like they've been heard um, and that they had a voice and they were acknowledged. Um, but if it is something that needs to be addressed, oftentimes it might just be an area or that we can provide a point of clarification and that >> or a point of contact, >> someone we
028can get an answer from. >> Y just the same way that you have the post from Katherine Cole as you well wonderful six years my my childhood was spent here, >> right? >> We'll take that. Sure. >> We're not going to look into why they'll take that, >> right? But the mirror image of it or maybe even a very detailed critique can be hard to swallow. And you're right, we would have to respond to that one. >> But at least we would see it. You know, sometimes all these other sites that are out there, I just maybe get a Snapchat or someone mentions. I'd rather see it and know that the feelings are there so that I can address it. Otherwise, I wouldn't know. >> It's on Yelp probably. >> Well, you know, that's an
029interesting, you know, I've noticed that if you ever booked a hotel and you look at the reviews Exactly. There's somebody that's responding to that and even the negative ones they say you know I'm sorry that you had this experience you know your your satisfaction is very important but please call our >> concier at this you know so there there are that's a great example of a way that they take all these negative reviews and sort of spin it or at least use it to say hey >> we want to get better though >> they're not actually responding to you >> right can I um piggy back off of Dean's u question around that a short question >> is um what is the policy in terms of who covers um the Facebook like obviously I know
030that you are but what happens in your absence because my guess is is that you're probably not going to always be 247 days a week um available if you are maybe there's another >> yeah although I I yeah [laughter] I think I was like first thing in the morning I was responding to the person saying that they wrapped for their child and I was like that's awesome, >> right? >> Um but um so Phil is on it. Um we >> Erica can do it too. >> And generally she'll we discuss it before response. She'll she'll say, you know, I'm thinking of responding to it this way. What do you think? And and I think we even looped Susan and >> I'm famous for finding things in other places and sending them. So we get >>
031we can put it up there, too. But yeah, but in in the one case of the question that came in about the vaccine clinic, um I did bring that we talked about that and came up with a response in the case of things like um >> in terms of those who can do it. If you could not then it's it's also me and it's also Clint. Correct. >> Yes. Okay. I just want to make sure that there's a chain of command in terms of who's who's responding or who's not. Regardless of whether it's good news or bad news, I want to make sure that we have that. >> Absolutely. >> Great. Is there any other comments? All right, Jay. Uh, yes. I just want to say I know this is a long time in coming
032and uh but I'm glad to see it. I think the more engagement we can have um you know with uh uh parents um and and guardians uh is good and I'm I'm so glad that Rebecca has uh jumped on it with Phil and uh uh it may not be the last channel we open but uh you know it's uh it's a step out there to to increase that communication engagement. >> Thank you. Anything else? >> If not, we are going to move on. Rebecca, thank you so much. >> Thank you everyone. >> And really, it just it's I loved I had fun pushing the links and seeing different things. So, that was really >> Sam, I'm gonna ask you to come down this way because you're going to be closer to the microphone and we
033can hear you speak when we talk about solar panels. Jay, I know that your um committee talked about the solar panels and I don't know if you want to kind of get the conversation started or do you want Sam to? >> Um well, I have a couple things I want to say. Um Sam did get some. Um >> I don't think so. >> If you did, you moved them. >> All right. Um the um Sam did some background checks with some of the other towns to see um and so he can he can address that. But at our last uh finance committee, I um invited the um members of the resiliency and the town resiliency and sustainability task force, specifically Zel Stever. Uh and he brought along uh Jesse Stratton. Ironically, uh, Jesse was working
034in DEP apparently when Greenbank was formed and actually was involved with hiring some of the folks that are running Green Bank today. So, um, we didn't really know this. This is one of those interesting coincidences. So, she was able to uh talk about um you know the work that they've done across the state and and they both were very um supportive of putting the panels on the two schools. Um Mr. Stever also brought up he'd like to see a panel down where the students can see it because they really won't be visible. Um but uh a suggestion was made uh to put a monitor in the lobby of each school so as the students and staff come in they can see the the amount of um energy being produced by the panels and perhaps we
035could put an aerial view uh photo next to that. Um so that um you know uh >> you know as part of educating the students. Yeah. >> Um and so they they were very excited and they and they supported. The question did come up about you know what's going to happen in 20 or 30 years um with all these panels that'll be coming off roofs. Uh so the green bank will be responsible for removing and disposing at the end of life. Um and while no one has an exact answer at this point, the thought is that by then, you know, um will be better at recycling because the the elements in these panels that I believe are probably most toxic are also uh the ones that are most scarce and so there'll be uh probably
036a whole industry involved with reclaiming uh those from the panels. Um so at the moment that that is not economically feasible but that that is the the idea that there'll be so much of it coming online that that we'll develop ways to uh to recycle. And I don't know if Sam wants to chime in about the other towns he spoke to. >> Um before I this is going to be kind of like our last Jay. Is it your understanding that this is kind of like our last time that we talk about it until we go for a vote at >> you know I did ask about Floyd reviewing the actual contract um because we're obviously not in a position to to do that and he is going to review the contract for the next meeting
037but he also believes that the town um needs to be involved with the contract. Um, so, uh, I guess we're going to run that past. >> Yeah. The town manager. >> Yep. >> So, >> Andrew, do you want to speak to that now or do you want to hear Sam or do you want to >> I think this is relevant now. >> Okay. And and that is my big concern is that you know if you wait five minutes technology now is going to change so drastically and my concern is that who is going to be responsible for maintaining and upgrading the system. So that you know I'm afraid that it's going to be outdated before we even wake up tomorrow morning as it were. So who's responsible for that? Are we is the company that's
038that's um installing it? That's the question. >> Well, it depends upon how we deter how we decide to uh make purchase or whether we go with a PPA. If we go with a purchase uh power purchase agreement, uh we pay for it over time and then the green bank is responsible for maintaining it throughout its 20-year uh lifespan and then removing it when uh the time is done. Or we could buy it at the end of that 20 years. No, I understand that. But my question more is >> uh in terms of maintaining it, >> does that include upgrading it, not just maintaining it? >> I would say not upgrade. Upgrading would probably be an additional cost. They're responsible for maintaining what they what they install initially. So if technology changes drastically in the next
039five years, for instance, I'm I'm sure that there's going to be a substantial uh increase to uh to change them out if that were the case. But have we asked that question? >> I don't think anybody's asked that question. >> They did in kind of a roundabout way, but >> Oh, okay. >> And of course, their their answers in those uh uh to those questions were they don't know what's going to happen in the future just like they don't know what's going to happen at the end of the life cycle of these materials that u they assume they assume as Jay stated that there will be somebody that will do the recycling at that point. But uh until that's determined and and of course the state and the federal government will get involved with how
040those things are handled at the end of that at the end of their life as well I believe. >> But now in the meantime uh the the savings is is already locked in uh with this uh with this agreement. Um the electrical savings are are locked in. if anything goes wrong with not being able to produce the amount that um that they promised to due to a failure, they're responsible for that. If all of a sudden you have a technology that can save you twice as much electric, um then I guess you can make a a determination if you want to do the upgrade. But the the point is, you know, there's things are always getting better. Um but these you know are based on on how this particular technology works and so it's designed
041to um provide the electricity at the at the rates that that they're locking in for the 20 years. Um so upgrades would be optional. Um but yeah, they wouldn't be taking down the entire apparatus and putting up a new one. Um you know, just to to save additional, though that could could be something they could come back with if if technology increases uh you know, that dramatically in the next few years. >> Likely it would be just a matter of changing the panels themselves, not the rest of the infrastructure regarding wiring and such that go into the building. I'm going to recognize Matthew and then Rita. >> Unmuting myself. Thank you, Kim. Uh I agree with Jay in terms of the uh the desire to get the latest material and yet whether it's uh these
042solar panels or the wind farm, there'll always be something better. And um I don't know that we want to lose the attainable in pursuit of an ideal particularly when we can't define it. But I think there's a third option at least in my mind and my it's a clarifying question. Uh does the proposed contract to the extent that you understand it give us the option to extend the lease arrangement? You know a lot of times technologies are sold on the basis of what they're pretty sure it can do. So they tend to be conservative and oftent times a technology may live beyond its advertised period. Would we have the option of continuing that if we wanted to? >> Jay can answer that. Got it. Jay or you want me to? >> Is he frozen? >>
043Jake, you're muted. >> Yeah, I don't have that provision right in front of me. My my understanding is during our discussion it it was mentioned that even though 20 years is the expected life that many of these installations um they had mentioned one that was put in many years ago at the Noank fire department that's going beyond its expected life. Um the town apparently was offered to to put these panels on many years ago and they're the only ones that took it up and it's still operating. So, uh, in terms of how that would work financially, um, I believe the contract is 32 pages long. So, I, uh, am not really prepared to, uh, address that particular issue. >> Yeah. My recollection is uh, after having uh, looked at it uh, before we sent it
044on to Floyd is that at the end of the 20-year period, you have the option to purchase uh, the units uh, or they will remove them. So, Okay. >> If you feel it appropriate, Sam, that we get the option to uh continue the relationship beyond 20 years without purchasing it with their maintaining the responsibility for eventual disposal. And unless I'm missing something, I don't see a downside to having that option if they'll let us have it. >> Yeah, we can check into that. Um, I'm gonna recognize Rita, Beverly, and then Matthew. >> I'm done. >> You're done. Okay. [laughter] >> I was actually contacted by some of the local people in our town when they saw our meeting and um saw what we were doing. I was interested, Jay, in knowing did the resiliency committee
045recommend us purchasing going out to another company? Did we do any bids like with um SunPower or any of the other companies that put panels on homes because what we're not receiving are any of the rebates. They're going to have huge rebates from from the state and federal government and we don't we don't benefit from any of those. Nor would we benefit if our schools generate more electricity than what they're giving us. So they they also get that. So I was just curious. I mean, this seems to be a an agreement that is beneficial to uh the Connecticut Green Bank, but I don't know if it's totally benefits our town and our schools in terms of really what you know, I don't know whether or not the town went out and received other bids from
046companies besides this Greenworks, which basically gives us a little, but it's not the full benefit of having solar panels [clears throat] >> that that did come up. And um one of the issues is because the Connecticut Green Bank is a quasi state agency, >> uh the idea is that if something um uh went wrong down the road, they they would, you know, the state would basically back it up. Whereas, if you went with a private company and it went bankrupt, uh, you know, what would our recourse be? Um, you know, if they go bankrupt and now you've got these solar panels that either need to be maintained or eventually disposed of. And so, uh, the thought was, you know, go with the state agency. And I guess that's, um, why it was recommended to us
047by the town. I certainly have no problem with going out and, you know, opening it up to bid with with private companies. But, you know, I'm just concerned about what happens, you know, in five or 10 years if if they become insolvent. >> Well, if the resiliency committee recommended doing this, then I would be for it because I know the people on there and they're excellent and they've worked very hard on, you know, putting having solar in our town buildings and our schools. So, I mean, if I didn't hear from them, you did. So, if they are for it, then I would be for it. >> Yeah. Well, I invited them in because I I felt like it was important. You know, we have this task force that that the town has has formed and
048they've got this expertise and they've got this knowledge of of Greenbank. So, that's why I invited them in, you know, to to get their opinion. Now again, you know, if if the board, you know, would like us to go out to bid with private companies and and take our chance in that regard, I mean, we certainly can. >> No, but I meant but the resiliency committee backed this was for this. >> Yeah. The two members that were there were very supportive of the Connecticut Green Bank. >> Okay. >> Especially Jesse Stratton because she had worked >> um you know, she wor she lives in in Graten. She's on the task force and she uh was with During the formation of the green bank and and knows the folks that that are running it. >> Okay.
049Thank you, >> Beverly. >> Oh, thank you. Um I just have a few questions and I want to start off by saying I am in favor of solar panels. I think it's long overdue, but I do have a a few questions. Um, what happens if Green Bank does not exist in 20 to 30 years? What happens if the company goes bankrupt? And what happens to the service that we we will receive? And uh my second question is how do the rates relate to inflation? And also just for the community, if anybody's listening out there, can you talk about cost savings because the community is always interested in is there going to be any cost savings for these um when we get these solar panels and can you talk about maintenance and upgrades? That's it. >>
050Who wants to tackle that? I mean, I can start I can start with the the idea that >> um as we said, the Connecticut Green Bank is a is an uh was created by the state of Connecticut. And so the idea is that um the um if if somehow or other it it ceased to exist um the state would still be responsible for um the way we understand it. But again, I want Floyd um the board attorney to review all the legal documents and make sure that that what we understand is correct. Um and number two uh again they are responsible for uh the maintenance of the panels for the life of the agreement. And um we we mentioned about upgrades. I mean, technology could change next year. Um, but I just don't know. You
051know, we could wait another year and see if technology gets better at some point. Um, you know, the the residents of Grten wanted this done when the buildings were built, but the state didn't allow it, uh, to be included in the bonding. So, you know, um, you know, we start at this point with the guarantees that we already have. And again, if if technology like doubles the the ability to to provide electricity in a couple of years, then I guess we go back and we renegotiate something new and see if that makes economic sense. Um, in terms of how much we're saving, I think the projection, um, Sam, did you have I know we went over this three meetings ago. I I have it. I have the contract. >> Okay. But there Yeah. And there
052was a PowerPoint showing us how much we were saving, >> right? So it was four about almost $400,000 over 20 years. So the first year was around $10,000 for both schools with Grten Middle um more than twice as much as Mystic um River. And then the annual savings were maybe after that about $20,000. So you'd say close to $400,000 20 years. Now, is that a lot? I don't know. >> And that of course that assumes that that rates are stable. If rates go up, we're locked in. >> And so your projected savings, you know, could be higher, but they, you know, since nobody knows that, they're just basing it on on what rates are today, >> right? Sam, do you have anything that you would want to add to that conversation? >> Yeah, I I
053guess um we did talk about the uh references that I spoke to uh that have dealt with the green bank and uh all three of those towns uh Mansfield, Bristol, and I don't remember the third one at the moment. Um but, uh they were all had positive things to say about them. They did make a couple of recommendations. um uh put snow guards on on slanted on pitched roofs uh if the panels are above them, which we found out at my house as well this past winter. Um >> uh the shrubs don't do well with an avalanche. Uh and uh not to do the project during school hours because it is very loud when they're drilling into the beams in in in the uh in the upper sections of the building. So those are the
054two recommendations. However, all three of them said that that they were um that they chose uh the green bank because it was no upfront cost to the to the taxpayer or to the uh to the school system. So, uh the the uh the the savings that or well the at no cost um that's what they were bragging about the fact that it didn't cost anything to them uh now that they're going to pay it over it long term. Uh I do know that uh Ledger actually did p they're going to be purchasing them for their schools, but it's the only town that I know of uh that uh has actually purchased the the panels themselves. Uh I I talked to the mayor the other day about it and they just decided that they didn't want
055to run it out the 20 have a 20-year lease as far as the town was concerned. So, uh, they decided to actually purchase them rather than running 20 years. They they didn't seem to be concerned about the, uh, the end of life of the panels and and how they would dispose of them. They I guess they're going to worry about that later. But, uh, the other three, uh, towns were, um, uh, very happy with both the work, workmanship, the production of the panels uh, are producing what they were expected to. uh and as Jay pointed out earlier that if they don't then the green bank uh is essentially guaranteeing you that uh that savings uh over the course of the time. So >> Beverly does I know we you had a question but let me
056just make sure that we um yeah let me get my people straight. Beverly did your questions get answered? >> Yep. I have one more question though. >> Okay. >> Can I ask it now? >> Absolutely. Okay. Can we put an ad on to um to make sure that Green Bank um pays for any upgrades to keep current with technology? Is that possible? >> Uh we we can ask them. I don't know whether it's possible or not. We can ask for anything, but I'm not really sure. I I don't think they um at least in talking with them, it doesn't sound like something that they would agree to at this at this time without knowing what uh what might be available in the near future. >> Uh one more quick question, Sam. Has solar technology changed
057a lot since it start first started till now or is it pretty much the same? Uh the panels themselves have been um are a lot more efficient than they were initially. So uh the panels that are are being made presently are a lot more uh efficient than the original panels were. Yes, >> Rita. >> Thank you. Um I had a question if you've um had any more um dealings with the city of Graten in terms of and the the um electric company there with for themes river magnet school mean is is it a thought that we could possibly purchase panels for that school to receive the savings since we can't do it um you know the way we can we're doing it in the town and has the town of Graten explored putting any of
058these panels with Greenbank on any other buildings? >> I'm not aware of any other town projects at this time. Uh, Graten Utilities, my understanding is that um if you put solar panels on that school down there, you'd actually be a producer of electricity and they don't allow that within the boundaries of their um their existence. So, I think that would be a problem. I don't know whether I I guess we'd have to talk to Graten Utilities about it to get a more definitive answer on that. >> So, so you mean that anyone in the city cannot have solar panels? >> That's it'd be interesting. >> I don't I don't know the answer to that question, but that was that was the explanation that was given to us with regard to why they wouldn't allow them
059on the school. >> Okay. Thank you. Jay. >> Yeah. Um I I find it interesting that there are these huge solar fields. Um aren't the solar fields in the Graten Utilities. Uh >> yeah, Graten Utilities is in partnership with the subbase regarding those panels that are down by the subbase. >> Yeah. So I'd like to know if they'd go in partnership with us. Um, but I do realize somebody told me that their cost of electricity is lower. So maybe it just doesn't make economic sense. Um, if there, you know, uh, you know, because uh, I don't know about you, but I I have Eversource. The rates are are uh, through the roof. But um, maybe that's the the problem is the rate difference because they're basically taking electricity [snorts] and reselling it. you know, they're
060they're wholesale and they're marking it up, but I believe their final rate is a lot lower than Eversource. So, maybe maybe that's part of it. Um, but, you know, I'd like to look into that as well. Um, the other thing that, um, you know, again, I want, uh, Floyd to review the contract because I'm not very comfortable with putting these panels on brand new buildings, on top of brand new buildings. And so I want to make sure that contract is airtight that if the um roofs were to leak or be damaged uh anytime during the the term um and you know that they're they're sealed up properly at the end of the term. Um so I definitely want to make sure that contract covers that. >> Yeah. One of the things that I asked the
061green bank uh to do is to assure us that uh these systems uh that the solar panels would be installed with a ballast system which is essentially weighing them down enough so that they don't move as opposed to drilling through a brand new roof into the membrane through the membrane into the beams. Um the only place that would happen is where you have to bring the electrical lines into the building. So, uh, by by the ballast system, you would be reducing the number of penetrations in in a brand new roof. Uh, they said they would do that. Um, I'm not so sure that they fully understand what the, uh, hurricane um wind loads are here in Grten, but they would have to look into that before they could say for sure whether they'd be able
062to do that. So, but they're aware of the fact that um I was speaking for the school system that we'd prefer not to not to drill into our roofs anymore than we have to. >> Right. And I should mention Dean brought up at the finance meeting um the idea of putting them on um over the parking lots uh which is done in some areas. Unfortunately, they said that with the cost of steel, uh that wasn't um currently an option for them to install the carport style solar panels. Um and they also were not supportive of putting in a solar field. Not that I'm not I'm not even sure we'd have the space anyway to be honest, but um they don't seem to uh be able to do anything but on top of the roof. So,
063we we did explore other options. Adria, >> actually that was my question because in my neighborhood there's a house house that has panels on the on the ground and what's the um pos the possibility of doing that? >> Uh I don't think we have property enough to do that. Um I I think the field the town's field uh task force would probably be upset with us if we took a big large space and made it a solar field as opposed to an athletic field. I wasn't suggesting that. I just wondered if there were a place. >> Yeah. >> I'm going to recognize Dean and then Lita. >> Um, in our prior discussions and this discussion, we are talking about well, blue bank is safer because it's not a strictly private entity, especially in a growing
064field where you often have a lot of players come in and a few players come out at the back end. I I think we think I can think of software companies for example that no longer exist but they were big in their day. So Greenbank is a safer alternative because it's quasi public. It's quasi public like Amtrak is quasi public and um you know the the lord giveth and the lord taketh away. So green bank was created it can be uncreated and oh well the Connecticut will do whatever it wants with it. Second related point to that is that if if you're thinking of Connecticut, the state of Connecticut as the ultimate financial backs stop, if there's a problem, uh bear in mind that that the state has one characteristic that nobody else does and
065that's called sovereign immunity. And the state allows you to make a claim against them. There are hoops you go through. Um so people can make claims against the state. This would be a claim against the state if there was a problem and they were the state was theoretically on the hook, but they're not automatically on the hook. They they allow themselves to be on the hook under certain conditions that must be fulfilled first, otherwise you're out of luck. So, that's just my comment. Floyd will probably catch that. Uh second thing is this. We're talking about whether there are savings or not. Do we have a I I presume that the panel panels on a building are to supply electricity for that building. Right. >> That's correct. >> That we're not sending it out anywhere else.
066Right. >> Right. >> So, do we have a handle on the kilowatt hour figure for the schools and then what we expect to be generated because this would be again useful for the kids. Um this is what we need in the school when we turn on the lights and all that all the rest of jazz. And this is what's being produced by the solar panels. See how much is being produced. And this goes to u a question earlier which was what happens if we wind up generating too much can we sell it back kind of thing. Would we be in every be any in any position generate so much for the schools that we would energize the schools and sell it back to to ever source? The numbers that I saw initially before this before
067they got all all all of the information they needed from our business office was that it was less than 10% of what would be needed in the building. >> Okay. >> So, uh I don't see how those panels would ever produce enough to >> part of me the little cynical part of my brain that I think we all have once in a while hear it >> is to what extent and pardon me for popping bubbles. To what extent is this more vanity than utility? We're spending a lot of time on this. There'll be money spent. If it's 400,000 over 20 years, I mean, look at the size of our budget over here. You know, it's like when I go tell the taxpayer, I save you 10,000 bucks, 25 cents off their taxes. They're not going
068to see anything, but hey, I saved it for them. So, I know and there are different motives for this. self. Steamer said that he's he's very very focused on having the panels as exhibit A for climate change. He purposed he actually said he's not as interested in the savings on electricity. For him, it was the project the value of the project of itself. So that's why the little reptile part he's thinking, all right, is this vanity over utility? Does it have utility? Is it worth what we're what we're going to be paying? So, is that a question that you would want Sam and or staff to kind of investigate so you can make a better decision? >> Well, it's it's a values thing. We'll we'll all judge it our own way. Okay. But Sam could
069provide the hard numbers. What are the kill what's kilowatt usage, kilowatt hour usage, and what are the panels going to produce? Um, and also, yeah, remember that green bank is not uh is not God. It might not always be there. Yeah, those kilowatt hours will all be included within that PPA when we get to that point. >> Okay. >> Rita, did you >> Yeah. Um I had um I just wanted to two points. Well, to Andrea, I believe that the house that is near you that has the solar panels on the uh ground that was done with Grasso Tech and they've been monitoring that. that was done years ago and it was something to do with Grasso Tech putting those panels there and seeing how much electricity could be saved. Um, and then my second
070question is for Sam. The eight charging electrical stations that are at our middle school and then there's four at each of the new elementary schools. Does the state of Connecticut, I know they put them in when a teacher or whoever charges their car there, does the state pay for that? And will we ever be responsible to pay for those charging stations? >> We pay for the electricity presently. >> Oh, I thought the state did we pay, but the state installed them, >> right? >> But the Bronten public schools pays. >> Yes. And then the one that's let's say the town owns at the library or at the town >> for that. Yes, >> I see. I Let's keep this to the solar panels. >> Well, it was just a question. It has to do with
071energy. >> I I I hear you. I hear you. >> No, but I meant this is part of if we're paying for the electricity and if the solar panels are on the roof, would that help out our electricity if more people are charging their cars? The answer to that is yes. How much is is the question, >> right? Okay. Thank you, >> Beverly. >> Um, when we saying when we say that the state is actually backing backing this project, what does that actually mean? >> Uh, I I don't I don't know exactly what that means. Maybe Dean or Jay has a better idea what uh well uh the state of Connecticut created the green bank. So they are essentially um responsible for what the green bank does under their charter I would say. Uh, and
072so, um, and as Dean pointed out, they could also close the green bank at any time that they wanted or or eliminate them, close them out, I suppose. But I I don't know what I don't know I don't know if there's an answer to uh what what that means what what the state backing of the green bank means other than the fact that >> it seems to it would seem on the surface to at least be a safer alternative than a private company that could come and go uh without you even knowing that they were going to disappear. >> Okay. Can you find out specifically what that means? >> I I am going to make sure that that at least gets into the board notes um for us before Monday's meeting. Is that going to
073be okay, Bev? >> Yes, that's fine. Thank you. >> Absolutely. And and we're taking and you I just want to make sure that I'm getting these questions correct that really what you're looking for is um what what do we mean by state backing? Is that correct? Yes, that's correct. >> Okay. I just want to make sure um and just I'm actually going to ask everyone to make sure that I have all the questions because this is going to this is vague and so I want to make sure that we have all the information that we need to have in order to make the most informed decision. At this present moment, I'm going to um uh call on Matthew and then Jay. >> Thank you, Kim. Uh while I have never been involved in a project
074like the like green ro like green banks in Connecticut, I have been tangentially involved in some other projects that obviously we need to do our due diligence, but I think I can give a frame of reference that may be helpful. Just as the Federal Reserve Bank has the full faith and credit of the United States and the International Monetary Fund, these are called paristatals. And the federal and the green bank appears to be a paristatal of the state of Connecticut. Meaning that the full faith and credit of the state of Connecticut stands behind the green bank. This is to be this this is an informed guess, but it's not representative of being a fact. We need to verify it, but I think that's the type of agency we're dealing with. >> Thank you, Matthew. Jay,
075your hand was up. >> Yes. >> Um and and again, I I don't think you're ever going to get 100% um uh security. Um, sure, the state of Connecticut could tell all of the towns that are currently in the green bank that they're ending it tomorrow and they're all on their own. Uh, I I'd be curious to know whether the legislature would would uh with all its representatives would uh would be happy with that arrangement where it just all of a sudden gets canled. Um, but as Matthew said, I think it adds that extra layer of security over a private organization that could go bankrupt at any time. Um, and so I I assume that's why they were recommended by the town, but you know, again, if the board wants to go out and get
076um, you know, quotes from private organizations, um, you know, we certainly can. Um I just don't know that it will be as safe you know as going through something that that was created by the state you know for this purpose. Um now in addition to it being a quasi state organization you know there are private investors uh behind it. It's my understanding they go out and they raise funds uh to do these projects. Um but at the end of the day um my understanding and again maybe Floyd can can do a little more research on this legally. My understanding is that the state is is backing all of that up. Now alternately we could do as Ledger did. We could go to town council and ask for a CIP, buy these panels and put them
077on the roofs. um you know and then budget for the you know the maintenance and everything but you're going to come up against the same issue of upgrade. The company you buy the panels from this year isn't going to give you free panels in five years because they come up with a much better technology. They're not going to take their panels back and and give you free panels because because they built a better mousetrap. Um, so and we certainly can't expect Greenbank to to shell out money for brand new panels because uh technology improved either every time that we get new uh Chromebooks um you know we we don't turn in the old Chromebooks uh and get brand new ones free. Um there's always going to be a cost with upgrade. Um, but in any
078event, um, you know, I I certainly would have no problem with and and maybe we can ask Greenbank uh to be more specific about, you know, their backing um, you know, from the state and um, maybe talk to someone at the um, permanent school building committee uh, about uh, other vendors that they would be comfortable with. Maybe they're maybe um the town is studying putting panels on their buildings and they have other vendors that they're looking at. >> I I'm Go ahead, Dean. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. I'm not suggesting that there's a a flaw in the reason that Green Bank is safer than a a totally private company. I'm only pointing out what I'll point it out. uh so that we we're aware of what it is we're going with if we go with this
079project and we go with it the green bank way and we don't think of green bank as the ultimate Fort Knox you know kind of situation that we understand we're a grownup about it other words we know what the potential is as there as well um you know I was suddenly put in mind of when we voted to change the lights to LEDs that [clears throat] we paid about 400 between four and 500 grand to do that outside the city of Grot of course. So couldn't do that within with GR utilities, but we paid an upfront cost and we made a calculation going to front this money. No one's going to like it in the budget. We're going to front the money, but they're far cheaper to maintain and they use far less electricity. So
080it just seemed like a no-brainer. That was a the numbers there were were far more lopsided, if you will, and leverage than just the 10%. Uh that was a real savings uh ultimately. But >> so I I think what I've heard I I don't hear the board saying that I mean they came Green Bay came in someone from the permanent school committee came in wasn't it Rick Norris and Sam to do a presentation to us early in the fall. So we had the presentation. It has gone through financing facilities and the request is to make sure that the contract is reviewed by Floyd. My understanding is is that that might have been done but we need to get to the town and I think that that's something that Susan is going to be doing. So
081that's going to be some part of information but I don't hear us wanting to go out to a different company. I hear right now we're at Green Bay and that next week we're going to be either voting yay or nay. um on moving forward with Green Bay is that >> we should know next week after Floyd has really digested this and the town maybe attorney takes a look at it or they give us some response too. We should have that information. Is that correct folks? Okay, any further questions on this? >> Can we get it in here now? >> Almost almost. Okay. So, [clears throat] um, so if you guys have questions, please make sure that they get to, um, Susan so that she can that she can get, um, our our questions addressed. And
082I've written down the ones, um, that I have, and I will share those with you, um, tomorrow, Susan. Um, so, if there's no further conversation, I'm going to move us to the treehouse tuition rate increase. Um, Jay, I believe that this also had come through the financing facilities. Is that correct? Uh yes, they um made a presentation and uh I don't see Ken, but maybe um Susan, do we have the the information that that can >> I think I sent it out in the board packet. Did you all receive the um financial slide? >> no, this is actually all that we received. um >> should have I felt like we sent it out at some point. >> We did get it at finance >> and facilities. Um I just wondered if it was something we
083could share for everybody to see. Um you know, right from the outset, you know, I have to say that um my default is that, you know, I really don't like to see an increase. Um, however, um, when when we formed, uh, when we formed Treehouse, uh, it it's not designed to make a profit, but it's also not designed to lose money. Um, and so what Ken was proposing was the very bare minimum uh, just to keep the program solvent, >> right? >> At the current rates, uh, it would go insolvent this year. And so that would mean that the board would have to um step in and subsidize uh Treehouse. And so the basic um as I recall the basic rate increase was $10 a week. >> Yes. >> Uh which is >> and it
084was different for before and after and then both. But it was it was still much less than any of the other child cares around. And I was I felt reassured that the Treehouse staff would make sure that our families in need knew about um care for kids >> so that they could get that program. She um they think that they really families aren't really utilizing it like they could. >> So if we get the families who need to that support to go through care for kids, then they'll be able to sustain and it won't be a hit to them. Um and you know we can you know continue on and not be in the red, >> right? And even even with that modest increase um you know it's uh it will barely uh be breaking
085even and and that that was our our goal. It's not supposed to to make money. Um but um you know they did say that they do have this good relationship. I believe again care for kids if I'm not mistaken is something that's administered through the state. >> Yes. >> And um so maybe more communication maybe on our Facebook page about how people can can apply through there and u so that we make sure that um that no one's priced out. >> Well, and they have the list of all the families that are involved. So she, you know, the director and assistant director said they would sit with each of the families and go through the process so they knew how to fill it out and and get the, you know, the support. >> I'm hoping
086that they can track, you know, how many people are are falling between the cracks. In other words, if they can can document um well x number, you know, went through care for kids, but this many didn't qualify and then uh dropped out of the program, >> right? >> So that if we need to institute some sort of intermediary uh support, maybe we could do that. Beverly, before I recognize you, I think Sam had something. >> Yeah. I just want to say that um not only uh with this modest increase were they less than uh other area daycare programs, but also the other school programs that are local local school programs. So, they're still below those numbers as well. >> Thank you. >> Can I ask what the I I missed what the rate is and
087what the increase is. What's the rate? What's the rate and what's the increase? >> We have a chart that I will send out, but it was like a nominal $10 a week >> increase. >> Yeah, >> I see. Thank you. >> If you're a full-time, you know, full before and after school program person >> and if you're not, >> it's it's got increments. >> Okay. And you're going to send that >> and I will send that to you. I apologize. I thought it was a packet, >> Beverly. Thank you. [clears throat] Um, Andrea, I can answer your questions because I'm looking at the handout right now. For the camp, for the Graten Public School, the proposed rates for the Graten Public School student is $200 a week. And for non Graten Public School student, it's
088$250 a week. >> And the increase for the school year AM it went from $40 to $50. For PM, it went from $45 to $55. And for both AM and PM, it went from $80 to $100. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Um, my I can understand the increase, but when I looked at the handout that you sent us, you didn't cut down on expenses. The expenses still remain the same. that you're proposing for next year as it is this year. So, I don't mind an increase, but I think you should look at your expenses, too, to see if you can cut down on expenses. Like, I'd like to know how many people are you employing employing? What's the salary range of the people? And what are your expenses? What exactly are they? >> We
089can take a look at that, Beverly. But if you remember, we instituted that minimum wage. >> I understand that. January. So that does affect the budget. >> Okay. But then >> I can look a little steeper at it too. >> Okay. >> Because you know in all fairness, we should be looking at our expenses too and trying to cut down to save money and don't put the burden on the community all the time. That's just my two cents. >> Well, this is um an enterprise fund. So the entire community doesn't support this. It's really those who are getting the service supporting it and those families who can afford it can go through this care for kids and many do. So it gets f funded through the state. >> All right. When I say community, I
090mean the families actually. Yeah. >> One other question is what does processing and uncollectibles what does what is that about? >> You know you meant what processing and uncollectibles. >> Yeah. don't pay their bill. >> Kind of like when we had the enterprise fund for food services and the board always took a hit >> of covering those costs when they were, you know, not being paid. >> Um, >> So that's uncollectible. >> That's processing. >> I think there is a credit card if they use credit cards. We were looking at how they pay for it online and I think that there is a charge for >> how about >> Yeah. And I think we have re-evaluated that and and we're going to go in in a different direction with that because it was we were
091losing a percentage uh if we took a credit card payment because the company was taking a percentage of >> two percent [snorts] >> actually quite um that those are really good questions. So let's let's [clears throat] make sure that that in the chart that um the definition of processing the >> uncollect >> the uncollectibles sounds like a really bad movie and then to look at the budget to see if there's any efficiencies. >> Now is this something that we are we we need to vote on next week? >> We don't need to. I mean we could do it at another >> meeting. So's >> so Susan and I will look at and see if there's a lot of information that you guys didn't have tonight um to see whether we can move forward with the
092vote. If not, we can always table it um and move it forward. So >> Dean, >> what would the new rates go into effect? >> Yeah, that was my question. >> Well, if it's for this budget year, then I would think it'd be in the summertime, you know, for their camps. >> So between now and then. So we got to vote on it. Yeah, we'd want to get the families right now. Yeah. >> Yeah. Before the end of June. >> So we could actually get some time >> Jay. >> And I mean just to clarify, I mean the expenses of um Treehouse are are mainly the the labor. And we just uh in um in response to the state raising the minimum wage from what did it used to be uh to 15. You know,
093we've adjusted across the board, >> right? >> Um to uh to pay the the caregivers more. Um I don't know that there's a lot of other expenses. We don't charge back Treehouse for the electric they use or the space that they use. >> Um You're right that the personnel is really important and we now have six schools utilizing the treehouse program. So we've expanded services. So every school the all five elementary and the middle school partially mostly through a grant but um you know we have this treehouse program everywhere >> and there's uh uh guidelines as to how many staff members you need. >> Yes. >> Per the number of students. Um it >> but again the you know when we compared this um and I'd love for that to go out you know to
094everybody to see they did that market survey um and again you know we're not trying to gouge anybody. I would prefer that we not have to raise uh but um you know the costs have gone up um and we need to at least have it break even. Beverly, your hand was up at one point. >> Uh oh, I was just going to ask what was the staff to uh to student ratio, but um Jay alluded that there is a staff to student ratio. >> I believe it's 10 to one. >> 10 to one. Okay. Thank you. And I can understand raising rates, but if you already have people, if you already have uncollectibles, you're going to have more if you raise the rate probably. So that's why I want you to look at your expenses.
095And you know, I'm not saying that you're not looking at them, but maybe look at them a little closer and maybe we can cut down on the expenses. Instead of raising it $10, we could do $5. You know, sharpen those pencils a little bit and see what happens. And maybe nothing will happen. But I'm just saying. >> Yeah. >> Thank you for listening. >> All right. Any other questions about the treehouse? All right. Suggested future topics for another committee. The whole it just has never gotten off of this agenda. I just don't know how. >> That's okay. >> Just don't know how. Rita, >> um I would like to know what we would do. Um we should have a discussion on if we would institute maskearing if the new wave of omccrron the B2 variant
096um becomes you know overwhelming. There are a lot more children with omccrron going in the hospital um right now and I think a lot of that has to do with no one's wearing masks. So that was just a question I think we need to have as a board. >> All right. >> How would we go about doing that? You know, I know it wouldn't be popular, but it but it might have to be a reality >> Beverly. >> Okay. Unfortunately, I wasn't on the board when you did the CIP budget, but I was wondering if we can go over that because I see in the on the CIP um budget that um the culinary arts program that 600,000 that we're going to ask for is in 2024. And I'd like to see if we can
097push that up a little bit because that means for two years that program has to have bad ventilation and all that other stuff that Mr. Post was talking about. So I would like to see us push that up and see if we can convince the town council to um put money into that program. But I'd like to have a discussion on the CIP budget. I know it's going to go before the town council, but I I just like to get a little feeling what what we're doing here. >> Well, first we need to do the study and then we need to fix that place. >> Okay. So, we're not we're not going to have a conversation about that. This is just future topics. But Beverly, it actually kind of makes sense for us to do
098it next week because the next day after that is when we bring our budget. So, that might actually be a nice um refresher for all of us. So, thank you. Any other thing is, can I say one more thing? Susan Susan sent us some information on class sizes at the high school. I was wondering if we can have a discussion on the class sizes at the high school because I saw some of those classes were very small, but I could be reading it long. So, I don't want to jump to any conclusions. And [snorts] I think also on your list because Katrina talked about this is what is the plan for um um diversifying our staff. We also have some more data to show you. We promised that next steps would be API and EC.
099[clears throat] >> Yeah, we're going to take the data we showed you at the last meeting and expand on it like you guys like you folks asked. Beverly, your hands still up. >> One more thing that I was reading and I I want to get a handle on that. The needs for the new school project. Maybe Sam could talk about that. >> All right. >> And thank you. >> No, it's fine. >> I'm done. [laughter] >> Oh, please tell me that's not true. Um, I will do Katrina. Excuse [clears throat] me. Um, can we review the referral tracking sheet? There are 17 referrals just to committee the whole um, one of them 2018-18 was one of my referrals that can be taken off. That's the first one on the line or first line. Um, And
100I I have another one that can come up as well. And can we do that in conjunction with um the board meeting template? >> Sure, that's a good idea. >> Thank you. That's it. Um Kim, don't we usually have that referral sheet at our committee of the whole meeting? >> So um Rita, yes we do. And so Dean when he first arrived um noted that um we should be talking about future agenda items really at our regular board meeting because that is the vehicle that we then make sure I got this right, but this is the vehicle that we then send it to other future agenda items. I think in my tenure I'm we our meetings got so long our regular board meetings got so long that we weren't doing that and so I think
101we put it at the committee of the whole level um but um so I think what ended up happening is is Joyce took out the the tracking sheet um and we usually do get that and didn't add that. So, um, my oh my, human error. So, um, but I think that that, um, Katrina comes up with a good point, which is to really make sure everyone understands, um, our tracking sheet and also, um, our monthly meeting guides, what we're supposed to be talking Susan and I actually in the past month, we've gotten pretty good at really looking at that before we close our meeting when we do the agenda. But absolutely, we need to take a look at that. Really good idea. That's a good committee of the whole meeting. Matthew, >> thank you, Kim.
102Um, I may be the only one, but I'm still having a bit of a challenge understanding the process by which referrals take place. There are two I've discussed, at least I think I've discussed both with you. uh I'm not sure with regard financial literacy if I ask for a referral directly to the curriculum committee if it needs to come to the committee of the whole first and similarly I'm looking for some discussion of offampus tutoring so that we might if the board is in agreement be able to institute that next year >> yes >> when I when I say financial literacy. I'm integrated approach to it rather than individual class. >> Not about the topic itself. We're just getting >> Matt that um the financial literacy has been we discussed it at our committee meeting
103today and it will be added to the referral list. the financial. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. [snorts] >> Any other hearing? None. >> Motion to >> wait >> before we haven't gotten into the second. So Katrina, do you have or were you just waiting? Hi. I was wondering when the um the committee that's looking at the 9000s and the bylaws are going to be meeting again because this >> No, that's not No, >> I sent out an email but I didn't get a response. >> I did not get an email. >> Oh, I sent one to you. So, thank you for telling me that and I'll make sure that I I sent one out last week. So, um I will um I will be talking to uh Katrina. I'll be talking to
104Andrea um and seeing if we can change the membership um of the 9000s. Um so, I will be be prepared to hear from me soon. >> Great. Thank you. >> Any other? Okay. So, we have Can I have a second to the motion? >> Second. >> I have Liz. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. >> Abstain. Motion has carried. Good night, folks. >> Good night. >> Thank you all. >> Yeah. 7:35.