7-15-25 Groton Board of Education Finance/Facilities Comittee Meeting

001All right, we're here for the Finance and Facilities Committee special meeting. Only special because we couldn't make it the first Tuesday of the month. Other than that, it's not particularly special. Although, we do have with us for the first time our new finance director, Rita. For the record, it's July 15th. It is 60 something, 602. Uh we have a full complement of the committee. We also have our esteemed chairwoman with us, Beth Washington. And uh we have some people on the line as well. Uh thank you for attending. Um >> we have Lori Leine. >> Uh yes, I see Chris Jenkins. I see you and Thomas. I see Mike Whitney. That's two members of the board. And I see Sher Fus. >> Okay. Wonderful. Oh, and Lori's up there, too. and uh Caitlyn, of course,

002our our esteemed um war correspondent. All right, first order of business is the review uh of the meeting minutes minister June 3rd meeting minutes minister. Does anybody have any comments, questions, complaints? Nah, strike that. I'm kidding about the complaints. >> Jay Jen, anything? >> No. >> Okay. Unlike last night, I will entertain a motion for the approval of the minutes. >> So move. >> Okay. Jen moves. I heard Jay second. >> Second. >> You second the second time. Okay. Uh, any discussion? >> All right. Fine. Motion passes. Thank you. Um, next order of business is the director of finance report. Again, Rita, you're on. So, we've got a couple of things on here, but why don't you just start off the way you want to start off, and I'll leave some on. >> I'll pass

003out if you want. >> No, don't pass out. It's got time yet. summary expenditure reports and uh >> I think they were emailed to you. >> Mhm. There should be three there. Y >> the non-certified staff pay schedule. Lori might have to >> Yeah, Lori could get us started with that while we're passing these out. You wanted to do the nonert because she's up there right now. >> Okay. Lori, would you like to unmute and share with us the nonert >> Staff pay. >> All right. Non-certified staff pay schedule. Want to just orient people who are new to this. It's our non-union hourly and stipens. >> So, this is this is a routine schedule that we publish each year um after the budget season has closed as we start the new calendar year. It's an

004internal document that we use for payroll and human resources to identify the pay rates for the non-union staff. >> That was too brief. and influenced by minimum wages, right? Minimum wage law. >> So, we're in compliance. We set the rates according to um during the budget season we talked about when we set the rates based on the non-certified staff who were the um lower income earners um to get ahead of the minimum wage increase um that the state is imposing per year rather than having to have an un budgeted expense in January. We've accounted for that during the budget season this year. >> Okay. Uh Jay's got a question. >> Uh I know that we all received this um electronically. I believe the public has access to it on the website, but I'm just wondering

005if we have anybody to project the documents for discussion. >> Um I I let me check with Caitlyn to see that she has it. We always send it to them, but let me check. And I can forward them to her as well. >> Hey, could you forward it to me? I'm not finding it. >> Okay. >> We should have like intermission music or something playing. >> Yeah. >> An organ or you know. Yeah. >> Can I ask a question over here? You want me to recognize you? >> Yeah. >> Welcome to Dean. >> You know what happens if I recognize you? >> What? >> Question. >> No, I can. He's just messing with me. I just question. >> You're my boss. Go >> Lori. Does the 2% like where you have tuda and it says

006$27.54 2%. Are those the increases that you're giving them? >> That's correct. The percentage noted is the increase that being applied. >> Okay. And how are we doing with the substitute teacher with the 135? Is that pretty competitive or or what? We adjusted it to be competitive. >> Okay. So, >> we were previously 125, we moved to 135. >> Okay. >> And building sub went up also, right, Lori? A little bit. >> That's correct. >> So, just for historical giggles, when was a sub paid $75 an hour? >> Um, a long time ago. >> Oh, okay. I I didn't know that. Um, >> I'm thinking I remember a couple substitute teachers, you know, they got paid. Oh, 75 bucks a day, you know. Um, >> a day or no, >> A day. Okay. >> I

007got 80. >> Oops, that's the wrong one. Caitlyn, >> I remember Mississippi. >> Okay. >> All right. Jen, do you have any questions regarding the um the rates? >> I did. Yeah. Um, it's not necessarily the rates. Um, I thought we outsourced adult ed. So, I was just curious why we have a night school adult ed director for 12,000. We have um I've explained that we actually have a program at Fitch where students can get their um diploma from Fitch and we actually had them graduate a group of them I think about 10 students and then the outsource is really for the GED and the EL and that's across with New London Newond. So, there are two different ones and they're both grant funded. And I did hear that was the grant I was worried

008that we wouldn't receive. It was zeroed out. But today I heard that the adult grant did appear. >> It's on. >> So all of these worries, you know, and so >> 250,000, right? >> Yeah. >> And to get there's two of them. >> Oh, there's two grants. >> There there's a the cooperative there's two. I looked on EGMS and the budgets are there. And I think it's 60,000, one is 200. 250. >> Yeah. 250. Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, the people who are in charge it I think it's split. It's split between two people and they run the high school program for inperson and it's really a good program because there are some kids who at 181 19 they haven't graduated but they want to graduate from Fitch and they want to work. So, they

009will you know leave the high school but come to the high school at night and finish their degree and get a diploma. >> Yeah. This is the diploma program. >> It's the diploma program. So, there's two separate. >> Thank you. >> Mhm. >> Jay, any questions? >> Uh, no. I'm sorry. So, this uh meeting's agenda came out in two different emails. um one with the embedded links to the document that we're discussing now and one with some last minute additions. So I'm trying to send 4K uh both. What what I would suggest going forward is that really all of this documentation be posted on the website 24 hours before the meeting so that everybody can see a board members public and everything else um rather than it just going out to a select few. That's

010just my personal suggestion going forward. >> I'll make sure that happens. >> I'm not sending her. >> Yeah, I'm now sending her the >> Okay. >> initial agenda which has an embedded link. >> So, sorry about that. >> So, Jay, are you saying that you don't have >> Well, you must have because it was the paper record that the paper document that we got with the agenda. So your concern is about other people. >> It was in two part that might tune in or watch at a later date. Um it would be great if we had everything in an agenda packet on the website at the time that the agenda is created. Everybody has equal access to everything. Um, and then in my case to send her the last minute additions, uh, I failed to

011attach to her the, uh, embedded agenda with the link to to the original because this came out. So, >> I understand what you're saying, Jay. I'll make sure though that we have it in the minutes of the meeting, so it's all there together. So, we'll include that, right? >> Yeah. And we'll try to make sure that happens in the future. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Something you want to share with the class? >> No, we're just looking around. >> Yeah. Are all these rates pretty um competitive, Lori? >> Yeah, we we spent quite a bit of time working on a schedule that we felt was getting much more competitive compared to where we had been. >> Um so I think I think we're doing much better. Okay. >> I think there's still a little room

012to grow, but we did what we thought we could afford in the budget process this year. >> Okay. >> And that would be my basic question, which is that these these rates are accounted for in our 2526 budget, right? >> Correct. The budget was built with this schedule um intact. >> Okay. So, at least on that basis, there wouldn't be a bubble of any sort. Jen, >> where Oh, maybe I won't ask this. you have the right not to um respond um because it might be like confidential with salaries and stuff, but um um where do you think we have a risk um of losing people to, you know, surrounding communities? I know you said we're trying to make it fair, but um not really sure if there's one particular position that we should be

013worried about. Um, what I would say in response to that, Jen, is we've seen a slowing of that activity each time we increase the rate. So, that that activity has slowed down. Okay. >> So, that lets us know that we're being much more competitive in the local market. >> Um, you know, I that's probably all I could really share as of right at the moment. >> That's fine. Like I said, he >> Yeah. No, thank you. I would also add that during those ARP esser days when we had those extra funds we saw where other districts who probably had larger amounts of that were able to pay more and I think that's part of the slowdown too those funds went away and a lot of us are you know have had to take deductions in

014budgets so >> so bottom line people are moving but we're not hemorrhaging. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> That's good. >> We stabilized all of our workforce at this point other than the PAR educators. We still see some movement. >> Okay. >> The rest of our workforce, all of the positions have stabilized. >> Thank you, Jay. >> Yeah. So, I just want to point out that, you know, sadly a few of these uh rates are within, I believe, 15 cents of minimum wage. Uh and by state law, that now adjusts annually uh based on um um inflation. Um, and so I believe it will adjust on January 1st. Um, and I don't know what the projection is at this point, but obviously it's it's it's just sad to know that some of these positions are barely

015keeping up with minimum wage and will have to actually increase by law January 1. >> Lie, what will in minimum wage be on January 1st? Do you have an idea? >> No, they usually publish that >> later in the fall. Um, but the last two-year trend has been between five and 6% increase. So, when we set these new rates, we moved them by 5% to account for trying to stay ahead of the minimum wage as Jay has mentioned. >> Okay. So you're you're saying that the the budget was built with these rates in mind. These rates if the increase that's going to come out are effective January 1st that we'd still be within budget. If if our prediction is correct, >> that's correct. Okay. As long as they don't increase above 5% where we have

016to move the rates more, but we accounted for 5% in the budget for a number of those items. >> Okay. Okay. >> So, that's the best we could do. >> Yes. >> I mean, short of sort of just like doubling everybody's pay just to, you know, make sure uh Yeah. There's staying ahead and then there's getting way ahead. >> All right. Right. >> Any other questions on um our nonert staff pay schedule. >> What does ESY stand for, Susan? >> Um extended year program school year. Um, and that's the program that's now currently at Mary Oh, Mary Morrison Mystic River Magnet and um, you know, for special needs students, it's written into their IEP that they could lose ground during the summer and so they go to that program. [Music] >> All right. Anything else

017before we move on? All right. Drum roll, please. Status of year end FY25 financial report. This was handed out. It's on the screen. I'm going to put a date on mine. >> So, this report is a summary as of July 12th. Um, I seen fluctuations in, you know, the incumbrances were closing them out. Um it looks like salaries, you know, there's it went down from the last report, but but um we're still looking at all the incumbences. So this is just a projection as of the 12th and every day I look at it if you have any questions on certain categories. Um I'm happy to try to answer them. Well, you and I took a took a look at the 414 overage in supplies and we realized that was the electricity and we knew that

018was coming. Um, but then we also see that in benefits we have available balance of close to $1 million. And um, so I know that we do want to make some contribution towards OPED, but that's kind of a a safety valve right there. Jen questions. >> Yes. So why the favorability and benefits because shouldn't that track with salaries? Did something happen from what happened? >> So the some incumbrances have been released like we we encumber for FICA, we in covered for tuition, we've there's all types of benefits besides the OPED. Yeah. So, um, when we release the incumbrances, it it's more favorable than the last report. >> Okay. >> Uh, Jay, any questions? >> So, without drilling down into all of the the reasons um for this, obviously, we will be be doing that at

019some point. Uh, first of all, welcome, Rita. I'm sorry I can't be there in person. >> Thank you. Um we're we're glad you're here and we know it's a lot to uh sort of um dig into um you know given that you you've been here a short time. One of the things that that comes up from time to time is members ask whether or not we need to take affirmative votes to move this money around at the end of the year. You know, obviously these accounts have to now be zeroed out. Um I believe that timeline you have until the end of the year to close encumbrances. >> We actually will be closing >> December. >> We'll be closing them way before December. December is the final um final report is due usually at December

02031st to the state of Connecticut. Any adjustments are due by December, but I plan to close by early August, like the second week in August. I have to report to the state by September 1st all of the expenses. So we have a lot of work to do in the next next month. >> The question always comes up, you know, do we have to sit down and vote to move uh from the accounts that are over to the accounts that are short. You know, we have a policy about uh transfers. The board has to approve transfers. Mhm. >> And it's my understanding that that is, say for example, you you have a budget and you decide you're going to end one program and uh begin a new program or in some way shift your priorities from

021from the accepted budget and so you have to vote on that. But um in your experience, do boards take a positive vote when you're zeroing out these accounts at the end of the year once there really aren't any decisions to be made? >> In my experience, I've done I've presented budget transfers every month. So that's what I plan to do. And yes, at the end of the year, I call it a true up transfer, which trs up and makes things zero all the way across the board. that has been my my way of doing things. So the I believe the transfer will be large, you know, just because it's moving from every line. It's not it's not because we're over in largely in one area or another, but um I I can do the trueup

022transfer, but that will be the last the very last thing once incumbrances are cleared >> in my opinion, >> but we'll be ahead of it for next year. you you're confident that all of those invoices and all of those um incumbrances will be closed within a couple of weeks from now. >> Well, I'm thinking mid I'm I'm going to say mid August because I have to file with the state all of the grants um by about mid August. The the big report is due September 1st. So, if I'm not on target, you know, I'm I'm hoping, but I'm going to be meeting with my staff for the next two weeks and closing out these incumbrances. The salaries are a little tricky because we pay the teachers throughout the summer. >> So, um >> in in

023my experience, I have done those payrolls early. I'm not sure we can do that this year, but that is my plan for next year. So, I'll have to just do journal entries and acrals to make sure that the expenses in there um before we pay that last payroll in August because I think the last payroll for the teachers is August 29th and I can't wait that long to so it'll be but luckily the teachers we can we have a definite number because they've already >> stopped the services they it's last year's you know numbers it's um this week I believe will be the final final payroll for last year for hourly employees. So, because there's one or two days in this week's payroll. So, that's that's another thing that we wait for as well as

024looking at all the purchase orders and closing all the you know purchase orders and getting invoices, but I'm hoping mid August. >> We have had >> Yeah, we have had issues in the past where we got very late invoices from vendors. Um, and I know that Rey had sent out some letters uh this year um to um basically encourage everybody to submit everything early. Um but there was literally a year where we received a substantial invoice I believe from one of the transportation vendors in the fall fiscal year which is problematic. um you know for >> I agree >> to get to pay that last year's funds. >> I agree. >> Um so um I just um recall there being adjustments um later and so even though you do report on September 1st um I

025assume that there sometimes are uh even later adjustments come along. the in my experiences there typically are they're usually not very large. I do have my staff calling vendors. We have been in touch with the transportation company more than once. I've spoke to Kate this morning and we will continue to make sure, you know, as best as we can that there's no outstanding invoices um by the end of this month. But yeah, that does happen. Um, and typically if some invoice comes in after September, I h we've my experience is you put it in the current year, you don't go back unless you have a carryover fund. If you have carryover funds, obviously you can use that. >> How much? >> Non-lapsing. I call them carryover 2% non-lapsing. unless you have some funds there. But

026sometimes the new budget does end up taking taking some of the expenses from the previous year if the vendor just never sends it to us or >> Yeah. >> Now, is the bus transport I'm sorry, go >> on, J. You know, I was just going to say that we've received some conflicting information over the years from various auditors about forcing us, you know, if we receive a late invoice in November, forcing us to go back and taking it out of the previous year's um uh funds, even though the the books are are technically closed. I guess my point is, you know, when we talked about the board voting on all these transfers, um, you know, do you you anticipate that that every single month you're going to be transferring money back and forth to accounts

027and we're actually going to be voting? That's how you your experience has been. You're going to vote on these because we've had situations where we had a a a property damage claim. We paid money out. You know, obviously that put us over uh budget in certain areas. You know, we could have immediately made a transfer from another account to to make that up. But then we received an insurance. I just foresee us like transferring money back and forth all year. Whereas other business managers have basically said allow the accounts to run so we can see where the true deficits are so we can build the budget for the following year and then zero it out at the end of the year. So I mean I I don't expect you to give an encyclopedic answer to

028this but these are the sorts of conversations that people have had over the years and have questions. Um, and you know, I'm sure that those will come up in going forward. >> Well, I want to I want to add that salaries I do not transfer every month. So, those are going to go in the negative positive all year long. I typically in the past have done two transfers for salary adjustments. you know, when you have turnover in staff and they either come in um higher or lower, it there's going to be transfers in the salaries that I will not do throughout throughout the year. But apartment budgets, we know when a purchase order is is submitted whether or not they have the money or not. So, my practice has always been if you don't have

029the money, you transfer it from another line so that you keep the the schools and the departments in balance. So that's been my my experience. I agree you we're going to have about you know my experience has been about 300 transfers a year. So it's it you know it could vary here. I'm not sure but um but if you don't let the purchase order go over then you shouldn't have a negative negative balances. I think it's been in the past they've let they've let it go over as long as they remain positive in the department, but that's very hard to track for my staff. So, that's my goal. I'm not saying it's perfect and I'm not saying it might change really until we get into the weeds of the new year. I won't know. But,

030um I know I already have a couple small transfers like $700. You know, they're not big. And typically we'll process them and then I'll bring them to the board every month for the previous month and and you guys can vote on them. That's what I've been used to. But for salaries, no, I don't plan on transferring all year round. You wait until the end and and then you do the true up. >> Okay. Thank Thank you very much. >> This is a hard question. So on the average, how many transfers do you think we have a month? >> I can't really say. I mean, I only I've only seen one so far from the department. We do have we may have some transfers because it was put in the wrong function. >> You know, because

031that happens. So, um I haven't seen that many yet. >> I'm hoping it's not 300. I think that's one of Jay's concerns that you know that each meeting will have like 10 15 transfers to go through and that's going to bog down the meeting for this board anyway. I mean it'll be two hours just on the transfers alone. >> But I think >> but I did look at the policy. The policy says transfers between functions and and so I'm not used to doing just transfers just bringing to the board transfers between functions. And so if we do that, I think it'll be less transfers. >> Okay. >> You know what I'm saying? If it's just between functions, >> right? >> Um I don't think it's going to be as many. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Thank

032you, J. No problem. Um I'm rolling back a little bit. So I just wanted to um understand like um for the transportation, the bus, how good were they with their requisitions? because we should have a good um when we set out our requisition and our PO, we should have a good sort of assessment of how much they've utilized and they haven't built. Do we >> for regular ed, I agree. Yeah, for homeless and special ed, >> it could be changes throughout the year that we're still catching up on. So, yes, for regular ed, I agree with you. the requisition and the PO that was approved in the beginning of the year. Um you can have extra runs that happen when school closes early all of that but um for regular edit we should be able

033to close those out >> and early I I I know we're looking at the transportation because it still has a big incumbrance. >> Okay. Yeah. No, that was the thing. And then I guess if it's just something to consider if um if you don't want to do transfers all the time just and maybe you do have it already and it's just not shown. It's like um like a forecast. So this way you're just forecasting um because in my in my experience the budget is basically dead the minute it's signed right or approved. So like as the year progresses like updating the budget for the latest estimate. So even though we're not officially moving it's just a thought. I'm not saying to do it, but so this way if it does look like it's 300 transfers,

034like this is an alternative view. >> So, okay, that was it. We we've talked in the past, well mused is a better word, about adopting a policy, and I don't know whether this is legit, of telling all our vendors, you've got to get your invoices to us by X date. And it failing to do that means we don't owe you anything. It probably wouldn't pass muster, but it would be nice to explore that issue. That way we have some control. In an ideal world, we got to get all your bills by July 15th and then, you know, then we're all set. After that, it's on you, buddy. We're not paying it. I don't know if we could get away with that. I don't know if you've ever seen that. >> I've never seen it. >>

035I do. I I am pretty firm about sending emails and saying, you know, we're going to close our we need to close our books. I mean, grants as well. You need to have these invoices um by a certain date. I don't know if we can keep like ever source to that, you know, to that policy. No, I'm just saying I've never seen it. But but um >> but >> I mean the big ones really there are are energy. >> Correct. >> And transportation. Transportation has proven to be, you know, kind of a wild card in the past. >> Yes. >> And I think for most of the services and goods that we purchase, we have an idea going out what we're like, you know, hey, I had no idea what was on my credit card

036statement. Well, you would have known had you actually kept some sort of a tally in your head or in the back of your hand or something. So, don't be too shocked when you see the bill at the end of the month. But I understand things like transportation, you could have thought, well, I we're I think we're buying these services, but you know, between this game or that game or whatever, now the bill's a little bigger than it was before or a lot bigger than we thought it was going to be. So, we really don't have any control up front. It's just one of those, how do we cap that? And you have no control over electricity up front. >> You can project the 5 10% but they can do what they want, >> right? It's

037all based on well I mean I know I paid so much when I turned on my air conditioning last year per month and it's probably going to be something like that this year in the ballpark anyway. But no telling, >> right? >> And even if we've signed a contract, >> um it's the delivery that's been getting to us because the delivery can go up and down, mostly up, right? >> So at the end of the day, there's really no We're sort of at the mercy if you will >> for those two categories. It is tough. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And I'll say those transfers that I was talking about, a lot of them are typically in utilities, people services, it's things that you can't control and things change, right? So, um, the the majority

038of transfers I've seen, the department ones should be minimized. And I don't really believe if they're in within the department that they have to come to the board for approval. They're they're spending their budget, right? That's just my beliefs, you know, but by function, I understand if you you guys need to know or want to know this program is changing to this program. >> Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. That's the intent of the >> That's the intent of the of the policy, >> right? >> Yeah. So, here's the uh I was going to say the $64,000 question, but it's more like the $32,000 question. This this available balance as of the middle of the month. Um, not going to hold you to it. How good is that figure? In other words, we're slightly in the black.

039Are we going to be How confident are you about that number? You just rather not go out on that little limb? >> It's hard to say because of the incumbrances. How confident am I in the incumbrances? That's I'm confident in the payroll incumbrances because I looked at them and I calculated most of them. The the all of the purchase orders. I didn't approve them. I didn't put them in. So, that's why we have to look at each single one in the next couple weeks to really know. Um I know she's closing POS. She talked to me today that there were some that have balances. So that number could go up, but it also could go down when electricity bills come in and they're more I I'm just making example. >> Yeah. >> But I do

040believe that we have um flexibility in the and uh benefits oped blind. >> So that's a good thing. >> Really good. >> Okay. So any other questions? No, >> no. >> Jay, anything else? >> Um, just out of curiosity. So, have we paid all of the board contributions? >> I was going to say I'm not getting health insurance, >> I believe. So, I I spoke with Heather and she told me that the next payment due is J July's payment. So, I can double check with the town, but I was told that all payments have been made for the board contract. >> And that's what I remember Ray saying that he did pay the final bill in June. >> So, then we don't owe the town anything. >> No. >> Good. >> We don't like >>

041to my knowledge. Yes. That they've all been paid this. >> Okay. >> Good. >> You owe them your obedience. >> Anyhow, >> I know we'll be discussing this more. I didn't have but I am relieved that this number is currently projected to be um in the black. So thank you. >> Is there anything on this page that you're concerned about? Are you like I don't know. >> I can't say that I am concerned. >> Okay. >> Because um >> especially concerned. >> I'm looking especially concerned. Yeah, >> I look at I'm going to be looking at this every day like Ray, you know, did in the past to follow the incumbrances, but I there's nothing that I'm really concerned overly concerned about. >> Okay. >> Still trying to dig into the weeds and see what's

042in here. You know, >> I'll let you know. I'm so happy you're here because I was I was concerned you you weren't here. We went from, oh god, everybody's gonna hear me again. 13 million to 1 million to 500,000 to 200,000 and now we're up to 30. So, I'm a little concerned, but I trust you and I know that you're going to go through this and next year we'll be in a much better spot. So, I definitely am going to go through this line by line to make sure that the incumbrances that we're closing have all the invoices that we know of, you know, Yeah. Yeah. >> Because this is up on the screen for the public. Can you like describe like what's purchase services? What's property services? You can skip transportation and that. >>

043So purchase services are mainly um contracts for special ed. >> Mhm. >> You know, like um OTP, you know, occupational therapist. >> And that next document that you have, we're going to take a deeper dive on that. >> This has the 300. >> Yeah. Okay. So you'll be able >> 10 of the three. >> All right. Just get that one. Then >> property is like maintenance of buildings and rentals. It's basically a lot of >> portaotties. >> Yeah. >> Sam stuff. >> Right. >> Those are expensive. Porta body. >> Sam's clothes. >> And then transportation insurance. Yeah. >> That speaks itself. >> Yeah. That's all tuition. Yep. Supplies includes electricity. So that's why >> a lot. Yep. >> Equipment is anything that's over a thousand that's tangible. >> Okay. So, >> and there wasn't a

044lot of money in equipment. Sam has really taken a hit on his equipment side. >> I know. I know. I apologize for everybody. Sam, >> it's an official apology. It's not an actual apology. >> And he still has money left over. He didn't get much to start with and he still has a little leftover. So, so Jay's got one more sage thing to ask or or comment on. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry for the the death that thousand cuts, but um I just want to confirm Susan. So, the special appropriation that the legislature made for special education and and the governor finally signed >> um was that received in the last fiscal year and reflected in these numbers? Yes, it was 193 193,000 I believe and it was put towards I believe special ed transportation.

045>> Do you remember Rita? >> It was I thought it was put to the 300 I would have to double check but I thought it was put to the 300 special ed. >> Okay. So, it would go toward it had to go towards special ed and the the excess costs that we've all you know experienced in special ed. And I think that was the governor's decision because he was hearing from many superintendents that had had um you know significant overages in special ed cost. >> Yeah. That's because they don't fund special the way >> because they don't fund it. No, the way they need to fund it. >> Yeah. And then I mean that was a special appropriation. We still have the the pre-existing special education excess cost reimbursement. Um did we qualify for any

046of that this year or is that still pending? >> I thought that goes to the town special appropriation. >> So the state funds for excess costs go directly to the town as a source of revenue. So we look at what has been received and kind of predict for the future and then that's a set you know that's the revenue source. So when the check comes in, it basically is applied to the to our budget in the way of revenue and then there's additional funds impact. >> Go on. >> I know they do that for impact, but I thought there was still a subset of special ed excess cost that came to the board. What about the impact question which we went over last year? Well, I just want to clarify, Jay, that impact aid, the

047first payment, the min the median payment, and the final payment goes to the town usually in the neighborhood of $4 million to $6 million as a revenue. But mil but impact aid for military children with disabilities or severe disabilities comes directly needs to come. It might go through the town, but then it is sent to our way and we have to apply it. superintendent by law needs to put it towards special ed. >> So that's something we monitor really carefully because my name is on it. >> Yes. So I'd be curious to know how much of that we got if anything this year. >> We have we've received several payments. I can get you we'll we'll put together a little chart um on impact aid so you can see what's come in so far. >>

048Wait, the checks are made to you? No, but they say I'm responsible for getting them to pay for special ed. The superintendent by law needs to >> be able to Susan Austin. >> No, it's not to me. >> Watches take off on the internet. >> Yeah. >> Um All right. >> Okay. We ready for the top 10? I love this idea. This was Beverly's conversation with us, Jay, because you were looking at this and certainly there could be a spreadsheet. It would have >> 133 vendors >> pay it out of that line. But I took the top 10 because that's the bulk of that. >> Susan, did you give us a hand? >> I'm sorry. >> Thank you. >> And Kate, I do believe that that's in one of the emails I sent you. >>

049That's the other tab. >> Yeah. Kate, can you put up the other one that he sent? Jay sent, please. >> Thank you. myself >> and thank you Susan. You know what when I asked Beg about this idea of looking at the 300 because >> the fact is that this is the the most discretionary accounts we have right >> well >> that salaries and benefits and everything that everybody thinks well this is where we can save a lot of money we can cut you know supplies and everything and so I think this is very instructive to show you just how discretionary or not discretionary >> not discretionary is the word we Yeah, >> these are really mostly >> Thank you for doing this. >> Yeah, these are mostly special ed related and by law a child

050who has an IEP, we're required to provide services such as these, whether it's OTP, whether it's learn support in, you know, providing some of these services. It says health services, but they're really student services. They might be health related, but they're student services. We call it health because we do fill out the Medicaid and so the Medicaid then is reimbursed to the town and I think that's also a source of revenue that's put in for the board but our teachers do all the work to apply for the Medicaid. So it has to go in under health because it is a health piece to the special ed program. But if you see the total um you know out of the whole 300s of two million what is our total for purchase? So 2 million 72,000 >>

051um 72 yeah,000. Um the top 10 take out the majority 1.942 or close to 2 million of the 2.07 million. Um, so you can see that the top 10 really gets to the heart of the matter and what we're spending it on, right? Because if there's 133, there's a lot of little things >> that add up to 72,000. >> These uh then I'll turn over to other people for questions. Just this 1.9 million um is that the actual or the budgeted? That's the actual. >> So that so this 1.7 >> Yes. >> So this ought to be compared with the 2.08, >> correct? >> As opposed to the 2.07. >> Yeah, that's true. Right. >> Okay. >> I mean, it's a relatively minor >> because we went over. Right. >> Yeah. But I just want

052to make sure because I'm just like that. I take everything out to the fourth decimal place, which is crazy. Jen, any questions? >> Well, does Vita want to explain this? If I can the top two like we said health services OTPT it's BCBA it's outsourcing those um special ed services the second one is social workers and speech pathologists that are typically outsourced um obviously the third one is pretty self-explanatory the SRO the the officer at the pitch high school and the middle school um a contract with the >> and this is only half their salary, right? >> Well, it's a little more than half I think because we really have them for 10 months out of the year. >> Okay. So, a little more than half >> legal services and um the next one is

053student is student related services um for the the reading solutions. Obviously, it's students services for >> with dyslexia with specialized dyslexia. >> Breezeline is the phones services. >> Do we ever do we always keep breeze line or do we ever go out to bid like the frontier >> or >> I we did do that when we came up with breezeline to make you know some financial decisions to benefit us some efficiencies. I guess if we were having a problem with Breezeline, we might have to go out to bed, but you wouldn't do your phone. >> It costs too much money to switch over and buy new phones and all that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> Unless you were having a problem. >> Okay. >> So, London is OTP speech and um management services for that

054>> for our kids who go out to magnet schools. So, there we we pay a magnet >> um price at New London learn um we pay a price at leard for the center for the agricultural but then if you have special needs and you require other services then those show up also on our bill. >> Yeah I know that from learn they always say that they charge the districts for you know their services for OTP speech. >> Yep. So Arbiter pay is the officials athletic officials throughout the year and FA and O'Neal's HVAC testing. >> Now can I go back to the officials trust account? What is >> So it's a trust account. We send funds to a company called Arbiter Pay and they pay the referees and all of the all the referees. >>

055So we don't have to write checks to them. >> We don't write checks to them. A lot of districts use them. That's why I know exactly who they are. Um, so the referees will log in and put their time in and then the directors usually approve it and and that's how they the referees get paid. >> So, do we ever get money back from them if we don't use everything? >> Well, it rolls over trust account that if say there's a balance, it rolls over from year to year. >> Okay. You can request a check back, but that's kind of >> like it's Yeah, >> I'm not sure how much would be there for, you know, >> at the end of the year. >> Rotten, but I know I would keep an eye on it

056for window the end of the year. If it's not that much, we just roll it over to next year. >> How do they determine how much we need to put in that account? Do they figure out, okay, you're going to have uh 50 basketball games, 20 football games, and each game is going to cost x amount of, you know, >> well, the the referees are typically their charges are public to the to the athletic directors, and they will project, yeah, how many reps, >> but their rates are >> are by their >> um I don't want to call it union, but it is union, right? you have to pay their their going rate >> and we have to budget for it. So we try to budget as close as we can >> for what we

057know is happening. The age fact is interesting fuss and O'Neal because as you may recall legislation a year ago um mandated unfunded mandated that we um do these inspections um and I know Sam you have a system I don't know if you want to talk about that but um going through our schools we had three new schools that we didn't have to do but you you tell us because I don't want to get it wrong who who got the services this there >> and Northeast Academy and Captain Kazki. So that was done during winter break last year and the report was sent to the state for that because um we were not eligible for uh any re any uh um funds from the state regarding uh HVAC or construction projects. uh if we don't do

058this uh along with the tools for schools checklist that you may have seen on on our website that each each school does as well. So um >> we have like a school um safety cleanliness team who goes around and does inspections. I used to even have this years ago when I was a principal and we >> so initially the state said that you needed to do this for all your schools every year. and then they realized there aren't enough companies that can even service uh all the schools in the state of Connecticut. So we are now allowed to do oneth of our schools each year. So that's why we chose those well we chose those two schools because we had some issues there anyways >> and we're hoping the town will um help us with

059that. Um and then uh we'll pick two more schools of roughly the same size this year and do them again during the winter break. Uh Fitch High School will probably be done alone one year because of its size and then the middle school and um Charles Barnum might might get done at the same time. I haven't I haven't gotten that far yet. It'll go something along those lines. Jen questions. >> Oh, there's one more vendor. >> Oh, there's one more. I'm sorry. You're right. >> Digital back office is a network um computer support for our network. I I know the vendor because many boards use them. >> Okay. So, computers >> now they do computer support >> of the network typically network services. I can look into it more if you need to. That's that's

060the general description. >> And uh now is this a company that you can go out to bid for or no? You just stick with this one company all the time. that I would have to look into if it's a sole source because um like I said I know that other use digital back office >> so um not I'd have to talk to about the actual services >> so that >> I guess if we don't have a problem with them >> we just leave it alone >> you don't want to mess with you now >> no we've already had it messed with >> yeah no >> by some bad actors so might some bad actors out there. >> I'll just say if it goes down and he needs >> Yeah. >> to bring it back up,

061>> right? >> So, go on. So, I do have a question. So, for like the first one, the million dollars. Um, do we know how many hours of services we receive for that million? >> I know it's BCDAS, but I don't not sure how many we have. have to talk to >> and OTPT also. >> OTPT and yeah. So all three of those services you have occupational therapist PT and BCD as a paying >> um that are very hard to fill, >> right? >> Yeah. Very hard. >> And they all each individual has a salary that would be equivalent to like a highest paid teacher or um an administrator. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> So >> that's sign. >> Yeah. So that's not a lot. >> What' you say? >> I said that's not a

062lot. >> Well, it is. I don't think we paid you. >> 15,000. Could be 150,000. >> Yeah. No, no, no. I mean No, I mean like hour. >> Yeah. >> I don't know if Lauren has ever charged us by the hour. >> Yeah, it would probably >> It would be by the person. Yeah, >> it' be it'd be salaried. >> Yeah, guaranteed. And I know that our salaries when we hire people and are able to get the OTP and BCBA, they they are really that's more aligned with what I was saying with the highest paid teacher or an administrator. I think we pay additional monies when it's outsourced, >> right? >> It's more expensive. I I know that a social worker that typically would make let's say highest paid teacher $100,000, but I've seen it

063where they've charged us almost double that if it's outsourced. So that's why we like to get hire our own >> most of the time we're able to. >> You want to tell people what BBCA stands for? a behavioral um behavioral consultant who works with um our paras educators, our teachers with children who have um a IEP for behavioral needs. So, and they've got really specialized training kind of under a health professional, a doctor. >> They're certified >> and they're certified in this area, right? >> In that area to be they're very hard to come by. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, going back to Jay and the 300 series, um, what on this list of vendors is discretionary and what is not discretionary in your opinion? >> On this list, I don't think any of it

064is because most of it is legally binding if it's special ed, right? >> Yeah. >> Um, athlet athletic officials, you can't stop the games, >> right? >> Yeah. Fuss and O'Neal. >> We were given an unfunded mandate. We had to pay. We had to do this work. So, we didn't have a choice. >> There you go. >> There he wants to chime in. >> I think Jay has something to say. >> Yes. >> Surprise, surprise. Oh, yeah. The the reason I asked for this was, you know, we all look at this and think, oh, you know, let's just cut a million dollars from supplies, right? And so you know what is in this account? Um and how can we weave this into the narrative of the budget book and how can we um explain some

065of these things in a little more detail. For example, if you were to put up there, learn define OT, PT, other services so that people can understand, you know, what students this is supporting and and and what services are bundled into that. um you know the the SRO is is obvious and legal services and >> um but I think this is what the whole narrative concept in our budget what was made for for these kinds of explanations so that people rather than just seeing the account number understand what are how are students actually being served by the money that Um, and so that's what I'd like to see. I'd like to see this kind of information, um, with even fuller explanations of what each of these lines are in the narrative so it makes it

066easier for board members at budget time, town officials, and the public to know what uh, what they're paying for in our budget. And Jay, I would even add to that that this nifty little chart that has actuals from the year before is quite telling that when you see that there's only like a 72,000 differential um in all the other you know hund you know 20 items that you know it's pretty telling that um this is pretty significant that these are the ones that are the drivers of the 300s and they they don't have a lot of they don't have wiggle room. They really are kind of mandated. They are needed. They're, you know, they're not discretionary. So, I think if there's some way that we can weave in that message in the narrative and even

067put a chart in there to say, here's the natural chart of the top 10 that show you what we've had to spend this on. >> They're not discretionary. Here's why. >> Right. >> We're told, we're told, we're told. One of the things people would zero in on is, oh, legal services. There go those lawyers again. $120,000. What are we paying the lawyers for? So maybe a breakdown of what's routine. How much was you know how much that we wind up paying them because uh we had a >> negotiation drawn out negotiation, >> you know, because hey, >> special education is another big factor. Yeah. So you could almost do a top 10 >> board members. We should not be contacting lawyers. should not be contacting the lawyer >> independently, right, >> without clearance from the

068chair. >> Um, yeah, I'm just one of those things even though it's it's as a percentage. It's it's not that high. People say, "Oh, wait, wait, I know what a lawyer does." Well, the laws legal services, what's that for? What are we paying the lawyers for? So, I think a breakdown there. The rest of them, you know, Breezeline phones got it. You know, Fussen O'Neal, HBC, got it. But the, you know, I mean, the legal services could be 120 bucks. People will still want to see what that's for. >> Yeah. >> Well, I kid. 120 bucks. They may even ignore that. But, um, but yeah, they see six figures and they'll say the damn lawyers. >> Um, >> they're overpaid. >> You know, I'm going to be honest. Sometimes >> what I've seen 119 is

069not that bad for a district this size >> because if you have negotiations going on. Yeah. >> Well, we have two this year. >> I don't know how many negotiations you had last year. >> We talked many last year. >> We had the Paris. We finished up with them. >> Oh, we did. >> Oh, maybe we were already finished with them. >> Yeah, I think that we already finished with them. >> We just finished with the secretary's custodian that >> had to have been last year. >> Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. and we just finished. >> Yeah. >> Popular impressions, even if they're not completely based, are nothing to ignore. People will still say, "Yeah, well, because what we're doing is we're presenting numbers of proposed budget to the public." And if or representatives of the

070public and you have to, you know, maintain their trust. So, um, yeah, do the tap do the tap dance and say, "Yeah, just just so you know, this is what it is." >> Um, but you what you can't do because this because people get they're they're they're jaded now. You come in and say, "Oh, everything is mandatory. Everything. We need everything." People are like, "Yeah, I heard that one before. We need everything." No, no, no. I'm not buying that. You So, you've got to be solid on No, really, for real. We're not just saying it's mandatory. We're not just saying it's necessary. This is why the the learn one at a million bucks probably ought to be broken down as well. Yeah. >> What's that? How much is this? How much is that? So people

071Yeah. So people have an idea. Um but yeah, it's that you know those legal fees. >> Um people people do get because they think they know what lawyers do. >> Yeah. And it's also it's also a question of um you know people's reference point. The average person thinks $10,000 means what? A $100,000 means what? A million dollars means what? We we say now what's a million dollars? It's a lot of money. But after all, our budget is 90 some odd million dollars. So not a drop in the bucket, but not a driver necessarily. People still look at that and they go, I don't know what it's for, but it's too damn big. So, they've got to be talked out of a different kind of a position when they see some of these numbers >> because

072they're thinking of their own expenses. >> I never spent a million dollars on anything. What the heck is this for? >> No, that's why I was asking like how many hours? So, >> right. >> You know what I mean? Um, that's why I was asking like how many hours? So, the context could be like how many students are being served with that 1 million I guess is what we can get to. >> 20% of our kids. >> Yeah. Which which is how many kids >> is. Yeah. >> But don't forget one kid could be like $100,000. >> Yeah. They vary. Exactly. >> Exactly. >> Keep that in mind, too. >> So, how do we with the learn? >> I know the people who provide the services are paid salaries. How do what does the bill

073to us? What's the tab to us look like? >> It comes in monthly. Is it is it like here's the charge for uh Jane Doe, John Doe, or is it here's our charge for the month services this many hours? >> Should be split by by student because if it's special ed services needs reported to Medicaid and it could be excess cost, right? So basically more Medicaid that it should be by student or this be or this occupational therapist is at this school and for the whole year. Yeah. >> And this is her monthly bill, you know, >> and that's her responsibility to make sure that that's all accounted for >> and it goes through a system and it gets tallied and then >> the town gets to check. >> So if you had, let's say

074you can see, okay, we've got this million dollar uh, you know, actual expense uh for learn, it's for these various things. Uh, half of it was for special ed. It's all comprised of lots of We can't give away student information, but it's comprised of x number of students who've received services that allto together added up to about a half million dollars. And as far as the other half million dollars goes, well, that salary is paid to people who are paid to be at a school and then people's minds will say, "Wait a minute." So, we paid them. Did they actually render any services? How many people receive actual PT or or or OT services at the schools? How do we know this person is not sitting there swatting flies all day? So you need we

075would need stats too, not just part of this is salaries paid to people who were here to fill a chair. Filling a chair and they did what? So if there's probably more detail there and this is a lot of work. I get it. Um >> there has to be a level of trust. >> There has to be and and that this is all per child's IEP. So we're held accountable by law to render these services as they're prescribed on this document called >> right >> individual education >> if all of the million do and I know we're supposed to be on trust but we are talking about people have said hey you know isn't this discretionary what's all this money for where's it all going okay again sticking with the learn one if all or

076most of this is per student you say look we can't get into the details But x number of students have been served by this and this is what the grand tally is. That's what it go that's what but if we're saying that some of this is we're build by student basically and some of this is well it isn't by student it's just by person providing service we require their presence and they're here. It still doesn't answer the question of well did they do anything with in the I'm give you an example in the case of teachers it's presumed that if we have a teacher we're paying the teacher nobody's going to say really how many students did they serve it's presumed that they're if you have a teacher that they have classrooms full of kids

077and then the argument is well how many kids do they have were they 11 kids 20 kids 25 kids okay but it's presumed that they're teaching kids but if you say well we have this professional on on on on on call at the school. Okay. All right. Again, with a school nurse, it's people are happy to presume that people will go to the school nurse because we've all had that experience. I'm talking my generation. So, what what were we exposed to? The teachers, the school nurse, the occasional administrator you'd run into. Okay. But when you start telling people, well, we've got therapists, we've got this, we've got that, we've got people with case loads. All right? Again, from the common point of view, what are they doing? Because if we're not build by student for

078some of these other services, but we're build by this is the person's salary because they're here, we probably should fill in the blank because the people may not make that inference of well, we have somebody who's there for occupational therapy. I'm just going to presume that they're actually providing the occupational therapy. Put it to bed by saying, look, we have a person who all, you know, we have people who who provide OTPT services and this is how many people they've actually served and because otherwise you're saying, well, we pay them their salaries. How do I know they we know that they've dealt with people, but just that extra little Yep. And there were 100 kids that were, you know, served by or something like that. I don't know how much work it is to put

079that together. I again not a tally of how many the final tally 100 kids, 50 kids, 250 kids, whatever it is. >> Well, it wouldn't be work for them. It would be work for learn because when our kids go to learn, they would have to keep a record of okay u this broughten kid went to PT and they would have to keep those records for us. And I don't I don't know. So, so, so they could tally and say, "Yes, we're charging you this >> and this is how many clients, however they refer to or the kids or whatever how they refer to it." >> And you don't think that that's actually reasonable to ask Learn? >> I'm not suggesting that it is. >> I don't know what she would say to me. >> Okay.

080>> Well, they need to submit it for billing anyway, right? Like, >> yeah, but they but they bill for the person. They don't bill for the kid. >> Rita might have something to say. Yeah, I have to I would have to look at I to be honest, I haven't looked at the invoices from learn of this million dollars and let me look at those, you know, the big purchase orders and see is this for a person and how many students >> or is this for certain kids and break that out. >> I could say it could be for Go ahead. I'm sorry. >> I think working I can work with Denise to figure that out >> and Denise may know >> and she may not. Yeah, I could if he may know like oh this

081is >> again we're talking about the narrative. >> This is this is about the kids working backwards from the kids. It comes to a million bucks but we start with the kids and work back. >> How can it be for a person though? >> Well so I'm a I'm a speech pathologist. I'm not only working with a grunting kid. I'm working with maybe five other kids. >> Oh I know. That's what I was getting at that what I heard this is where where I I took off. What I heard was that some of the million dollars is by kid that we get a you know we get a report from learn that says you know here are the kids that we serve for medic for for billing purposes for their you know for their insurance.

082So we could tally that up and say well this is how many kids this month this how many kids this quarter per year but then I also heard that some of the some of this is we're paying for people's salaries. So, we have a com. It's not like a combination of we're paying per kid and then we're paying per professional. Kids is understandable when you're paying for the professional. I'm just saying there's a little bit of a gas gap in there where people might say, "Well, okay, we're paying for the professional. What did they do?" I don't know what exactly what they did, but how many people did they serve? Or were they just paid to sit there and wait for somebody to walk in the door? I've never seen a lot of sitting in

083schools. >> Oh, I know. I'm just I'm just saying not everybody knows what we do. >> Right. Right. >> Yeah. >> Don't get scared. This is where like we're thinking ahead for the budget book. So, don't think you need to have this like every month. This is like when the budget book is presented. Um just to give you some context. um it was sometimes just numbers and then we would go through and like have tons of meetings to try to identify what's in those. So, um I think Dean what we're getting at is like when the budget book is presented and there is a budget for like $2 million, it's just showing things like this which would help and it would just make life easier. So, don't expect >> Yeah. Don't expect to do it

084like the next time. >> Yeah. Yeah. No. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I just hit one. >> That's one. >> Okay. >> Jay, your turn. Anything? >> Well, I just want to say thank you for coming up with this. This uh um really um supports what I was hoping to get at. And I think once we start to amplify some of these lines, it'll be very instructive for everybody. Thank you for the work and um we look forward to to working with you. >> Welcome. Thanks. >> Instructions what we do. >> Jay, do you have a series for next month? >> Next. Should we just go down the line or? >> Yeah, that's what I was wondering if we go go down the line. I specifically skipped salaries and benefits just, you know, for

085pretty obvious reasons. But yeah, we get these go to the next series as time permits. >> As time permits. >> The next time would be property services, I guess, >> as time goes by. >> Top 10. >> It's going to be like David Letterman show. >> Thank you, Rita. I know you >> you need to hit the road. So, >> questions. >> Any Yeah. >> Thank you so much. just about the first meeting of the community. >> You may be You may be excused. >> We're harmless. >> Well, we're can be harmful, but we have no teeth. >> Have a good night. >> All right. It says here, director of building and grounds. >> Who's that? >> I think that's Sam. >> Transportation and food services. He wears lots of hats. >> Yes. So, I

086guess the first topic is the Mary Morrison facility. >> Tell us all about it. >> I don't know exactly what you're looking for. However, we have >> uh three programs there now or offices there, but we have food services there in that building. >> Mhm. >> ECAT, which is early childhood assessment team. They're not there full-time. They're there when they need to be there, which is um uh before school starts. Um >> well they are often also in the buildings so they do go out to the schools and they do PPTs but that's kind of an office space >> and and then we have the treehouse office there. Uh so the treehouse director uh and his assistant are there when they're not out at the schools as well. you may want to talk about um

087how we had um a fire marshall come out because there was a question about the robotics team um maybe shifting its homestead from Pleasant Valley to Mary Morrison at one point and we got news that we needed a sprinkler system. Um, I did we did talk to John Bert today and he said that they don't really have to be out till November 1st. So, we have a little more time to really organize. Um, and we'll be talking about the manufacturing center in a bit, but that's also a space that could be viable space. >> Are you skipping down to >> No, I'm just saying that I mentioned the robotics team. So, um, but anyways, you want to talk a little bit about the fire chief and what we were what was recommended for Mary Morrison

088to bring it up to code for robotics. >> Well, if you if you're going to have robotics there, you need to have sprinklers in the building. That's that's his determination. So, uh Chris Jenkins, who's one of the uh uh program mentors, >> coaches, Yeah. or coach Y >> is um has shared with me uh a couple of sites uh to look at for these um sort of portable uh sprinkler systems which are um actually hung on the wall. So it still needs to be determined um how many of those we would need in the space and in what spaces they would be needed. So I'm looking into that. I just got that uh yesterday. have been looking at it uh and I will be sharing that with the fire marshall to see if he uh

089thinks that this would be or if he would agree that this would satisfy this sprinkler uh issue at the school. So, um that I'm hoping to get to in the next couple of weeks uh at the latest uh to the fire marshall see where we stand. In addition to that, we have um a lot of um one of the things he said about the building is he he considers it more of a warehouse than than anything else this time because when we closed down um a couple of schools, we moved a lot of the desks and file cabinets, all those things into the empty classrooms in that building. So, uh, what we are going to be doing is, um, making a list of the items that we believe are obsolete. We'll share them with Susan.

090She can then declare them obsolete and we can dispose of them. uh any other items that are in there that are of value that we're not going to be using in the school system, we would have to contact the uh the town uh purchasing agent and he would uh uh put those things up for auction. Uh if they went during the auction, uh uh those persons would be responsible for coming over and picking them up. And if they didn't go in the auction after that, then they could be disposed of as well. So, um, that's the, uh, next thing that we're working on at Mary Morrison. >> How often do you have these auctions? Do you have them whenever needed or are they scheduled? >> Yeah, he does it when they'll put them up. It

091It's all on on the on the web. So, it's all >> Oh, okay. >> So, they don't actually come to the building. Um, they put them up in different school systems. >> Chance to take a look at, see if there's anything in there or other businesses would look kind of I think there's some professionals that actually just uh look at look at sites like our site to see if there's auction or or the town site to see if there's auctions going on all the time and um helping out other businesses and uh districts uh finding materials that uh that are up for auction and of value to them. So uh we'll be sharing that with the uh purchasing agent uh shortly. Um, the second item is the >> Can I Can I jump back? Yep.

092>> Now, like we're talking about maybe the vision for Susan for the school district is maybe opening up Mary Morrison for early childhood center. What would be the process for doing that? I mean, you don't have to have the details, but what's the process? Yeah, we we have to contact the state uh department of education and have their early childhood um team or group come down and take a look at the building and tell us what we would have to do to upgrade it in order to make it uh acceptable as an early childhood uh center. Um, you you probably remember before we closed Claude Chester School, um, we we moved some early childhood uh, programs over there. Uh, and they were in the in the section that actually faces um, New Town Road or

093Route 117. >> And if you look at it's pretty high up. There's a there's a basement wall that's about 7 foot high. And then the the building was above that and um we had to have them come down at that time and uh take a look at it and make sure that uh it was acceptable to have them which was essentially on a second level. Uh although it was the first floor of the building. Um so we had to do um we had to provide them with a plan on how the kids would get out of there in an emergency, that sort of thing. And um >> and each of those I think you've been over there so you've seen that there's a lot about five or six classrooms that have the little um lavatories

094right in the classroom. And um I think there's multiple access points for them. There's also a little playground out there, but I I heard that that might need to have a you know be redone. >> Oh, it's got to be cleaned up for one thing, that's for sure. >> Yeah. Is it free to have the state come and look at it? So like as like um we can have them come in, assess it um and then just have it in our back pocket so that if we do pull the trigger, we sort of know what we need to do um future planning wise um for that space. >> So we've been in communication with the um Department of Early Childhood. As a matter of fact, Beverly came in and we were putting together a grant

095>> that would um allow us in the next couple years to add eight classrooms and there's a construction piece to it that would have you know us be able to upgrade the construction um at nearly about a million dollars for the next couple years and then also to service the classrooms and provide the teaching staff. So, I'm not saying we're going to get it, but we did make contact with the Office of Early Childhood. I was going to pull on that shade, but it's already done. >> I know it's in your face. >> Um, and Ann Marie's had a lot of experience with this in East Hartford. Um, and some of these grants continue through. So, it's at least worth, we the deadline was tomorrow, so we went ahead and submitted the, you know, the

096paperwork that needed to have. But I think Jen is asking if the state can the state come down for free and there's something >> Well, I I do say that we're in contact and and Amarie knows some people that she can, you know, ask to come down >> and is it free? >> Yeah. Oh, State Department's always >> That's what I want to know. >> The last time last time I had them come down at Clchester, they didn't send me a bill for >> Okay. Yeah. Yeah. So let's let's have them come down so we sort of know >> and then once they give us an assessment then maybe we have the fire you know marshall come back or you know come back in again and like assess the entire space. I mean if they

097won't let the robotics team in because there's no sprinklers I'm a little concerned about like what else may we may need to do to get those >> that's why I think the state >> Yeah. So, let's let's get that right. The planner >> saying let's get the if the state can come down sooner than later. >> Yeah. Cuz you don't you like you've been saying um and I don't know maybe you have more information. We don't even know like if we suddenly get an influx of students like where are we going to put them? How fast is the turnaround to get the school back up and running? I mean, don't just look at it for the early childhood center, but look at it for, hey, if we need to open a school with like 3

098400 students, what will it take to get this school back up and running? I guess that's >> I'm going to guess >> a lot >> that it's going to be something that has to go out. It's a a a capital project that's going to have to go out. There's going to be a lot of money. It's going to be in the seven figures. Is the building essentially sound? leave aside its use as a school. Structurally sound, the roof does not leak or doesn't leak badly. We have a furnace in there. We actually have air handling unit. I mean, what's what's we we repair the roof on a regular basis. >> Okay. >> Because we still >> the structure itself is good. >> Yeah. >> Right. Okay. >> The floor tiles were abated um 10 or

09911 years ago. >> Right. It doesn't mean there isn't some of that a word behind walls somewhere or something, but it's not not not in spaces that I'm aware of. >> But if we don't go after the, you know, go behind the walls, then we're good. >> So, as a building, it's good. >> So, the plan to make it an early childhood, what that would do is it would alleviate those, you know, classrooms that are in both Mystic River and in Thes River. And that could give you like four to five classrooms in each that then could be used for kids in K through five. So that would be kind of the first step. Should we get boat loads and you know apartments filled, we might also the town may want to contemplate what to

100do with Charles Barnum. And we talked about even using the plans that already exist for Mystic River Thes River to build one of those buildings on the field and then they would create the fields and the parking spaces where the building is now. Kind of like what we did with um West Side and Cuddler. >> Yes. But that's that's a long term and that's only if you know if this housing market just escalates because now we do have some affordable housing and and maybe not so affordable housing. I was going to say where the photo >> where's all the apartments I guess >> no such thing >> where is that Susan >> I think the bottom line is if we if we get so many kids that we can't account them we can't accommodate them

101right now >> right but >> we we don't have the ability to just say well we'll have everything ready in 6 months it's a year's thing we will we will not be able to accommodate them if enough kids show up we do not have the ability to accommodate them isn't a question turning on the lights and then mopping the floors and clearing out the cobwebs. >> Yeah, we shouldn't do it this next year. So, this in this two-year plan >> um to build this thing, the first year is really a planning year and it's doing all these things that you're saying, having someone investigate what's it going to take, what kind of construction is needed and then, you know, to get them in the building the following year. >> Meaning like 2027. [Music] >> I

102don't know. I think you might need to work faster than a year. >> Well, it's going to have to go into a referendum probably. It's a big enough number. I mean, if the state comes in and it's like, it's only a couple hundred thousand dollar worth of work. >> But if they give us this $2 million grant, >> that would help us. >> Yeah. But I'm envisioning sort of a a an expense that would rise to the level of a referendum, >> small referendum, but a referendum nevertheless, which then has its own life, you know, winds up going out, you know, in a November, and we're all living what whatever year that would be. So, I'm thinking of a of a sort of a disjointed process. I mean, ideally what we would do as a

103town is say to guard against the advent or take care of the advent of a sudden influx of enough kids that we can't handle. We should determine right now we have a plan. We have the money in place. We're going to rehab Mary Morrison. We put up the sign that says open for business, whether early childhood or just as a, you know, K through five elementary school or whatever. And we wait for the kids to show up. That's how you're actually prepared. So when the kids show up, you're ready to go. But that's not going to happen. >> But we should. >> That's not going to happen. >> We're starting to think about it. >> Have those conversations to keep our eye on it. >> I mean, what think of the sales job you're doing?

104>> I think you have another invitation to go out to someone that could help us understand this from the town who might know what the um a little more about enrollment. >> Yeah, John Miner. Mhm. >> I have invited him to come to a town meeting. >> But I want to get back to my cuz >> you all started talking. >> So the first one was the T comes down. What's >> what's the next step after that? Sam >> I'm a step person. >> So the first step was the state comes down looks at the build and tells us blah blah blah. >> Well, they would tell us what to do and then what do you do? Hire architect, hire what? It depends upon how how how in-depth they how much how much of a

105change that we would need to make in order to open it up for that for those purposes. >> Okay. >> You know, if they tell us that we need to that that the building is is acceptable the way it is, you need to upgrade the playground some uh and add some exterior doors to classrooms that are on the upper level so that kids have uh direct access out of the classroom too possibly. Mhm. >> Uh well, maybe those could be done. >> Uh may not even take a CIP. >> Um >> although not cheap, but uh maybe we could do those. So, it depends on exactly what they tell us. >> Okay. >> Do you have any gut feeling about the building? >> Do I have any what >> gut feeling about what needs to

106be done? >> About what they would ask for? >> Yeah. >> Not really. And I think we I I don't know maybe this is a town thing Dean you being a former town council like um we need to decide what's the break even point where we stop investing in Mary Morrison and consider building a new building in that section of town. Right. I I I don't know who makes that decision. >> Well that's that that's driven a lot by what the state's willing to reimburse you for. What percentage? And so far they've, you know, they seem to be more generous with a new school than with a rehab. >> Yeah. So, let's let's >> Yeah, >> Jay has his hand up. Just >> Jay, you're on. >> Yeah. So, everybody may Yeah. Everybody may recall

107and um somebody just reminded me actually that um one of the major issues pending Barry Morrison was closed given the fact that it probably doesn't meet any of the current codes is the parking lot. We had a CIP I believe to completely redo that. Um and I'm kind of curious. I I haven't been over there myself lately, you know, how that's holding up. Um, and I'm trying to recall how much of it had to do with actual uh physical deterioration of the uh lot and how much of it just had to do with the fact that the traffic flow had become unmanageable given the number of of parents that were dropping off. But either way, I know that was a major issue and and we were we were prepared to go to a CIP where

108you kept the school open. And how is that going to affect, you know, using it as a park? >> Yes. So, um, I'm not a I haven't been involved in any CIP request for the parking lot at Mary Morrison School. So, that was prior to my arrival 11 years ago, I think. Um, >> how is it holding up just physically? It's not It's not a gravel lot yet. >> Yeah, it wasn't bad. I think we were parking some buses on it >> at one point >> when they were selling their buses. The buses were >> needed a little repair, but it wasn't bad. >> Yeah, >> didn't have potholes or anything. >> No, it does not look new. Let's put it >> But it's not new. Uh could probably >> need some upgrade of some

109sort. I don't know whether you could oil it or something. Maybe >> weed whacking >> and chip seal. >> Yeah. >> Um >> repave it. >> Yeah, you repave. You repave it. But um >> Well, I think you know, we heard from John Bert and some of the town counselors about the potential of having that field back there and cleaning that up and in seeing the the playground out front. gets wet, but I think it's a little bit more, you know, in line. But it it might be that they'll do a field and also a playground so that the community will have that area. And then if we were to be able to do this and have some students in the building, that would also be a plus for that too for a school. So

110either way, >> it could be a benefit. I think >> I'm talking about John Burke. When do you think you all will start working on the memorandum? I know you're away next week, but >> I have it as I have it on my to-do list. >> He's got it on his to-do. He's going to help us. >> All right. Thank you. >> I'm going to write it as >> That's why we need you, Dean. >> Thank you, Dean. >> That's why I get paid the big bucks. >> Yeah. >> So, um I'll just ask Siri. No, no, no, wait. I'll just ask Jet GBT. Right. I'll bet you I'll get one. I bet you will, too. You will. >> I'm going to try that when I go home. >> Um, Jen, any questions? >> No,

111I'm all set. Thank you, >> Kay. Any questions? >> Nothing. >> Hearing none. Manufacturing center at Fitch High School. Oh, what about Come on. All right. Go ahead, Bab. Any questions? >> No. No. >> Jesus. I feel like a stepchild. >> Yes. So, the manufacturing center at Fitch High School, they had a meeting last week, I believe. It could have been 10 days ago, >> could have been 10 days. >> Um, and um we are uh my department is uh in the process of uh moving stuff. Uh in order to do that, there are uh two other spaces that I need to clean out to get the stuff out of that garage. And so, uh, if you're, we have a a a storage facility at Wells Road, which is, um, in the old Mystic section

112of town over where the tennis club used to be, um, off of Route 184, uh, past it's it's down past, uh, our office and past the Colonel Edger Highway and the, uh, gas and everything down there. So, um, >> behind Ken's appliances, >> if anybody remembers Ken's appliances, that's right, Ken Barber. >> Yeah. >> Um, and, um, so, uh, >> we we're still in the process of moving stuff out of there in order to make room for some of the stuff that we're bringing down to there from the garage. So, it's uh, uh, we're moving a lot of chest pieces around. Uh it's taken longer than I hoped, but uh they're working feverishly on it. Uh in the meantime, there's a consultant, Susan. >> Yes. >> You want to mention that? Um we had taken

113a trip last two summers ago maybe to Coventry um Rhode Island and there is was an um a CTE coordinator um director for the town that had worked with EB um to create their own manufacturing center there in Rhode Island and working with electric boat. So she has retired and is now consulting. So, we've been in conversation with her to really look at the space and to come up with a phased in plan for a year of how we can convert this into this manufacturing center. EB will work with us. Um, and we will, you know, they'll help us secure grants like they did in Coventry. Um, we also have a Perkins grant that we could also earmark for, you know, the next couple years like we've done for culinary. Um, so you know it's

114it's very exciting. Um, it would be really a machine shop and Sam knows more about this than I do, but we don't have that particular part of manufacturing machinery um, in this southeastern Connecticut. So EB was really looking forward to having, you know, Fitch be kind of on the hill to provide that. And I think they could use it in the summertime and they can use it really for training too in the evening. So, um, we're, you know, as soon as they get more information, I think we have a meeting coming up soon and I'll have more information, but we also looked at this as a space for teaching robotics during the school day so we could have classes where kids learn robotics and we could potentially bring our robotics team home. We need to

115find space for them to have their um, kind of a part of a gym floor so that they can actually do their practice um, with the robot. But we certainly have a um wood shop and we have um you know the three bay garage for the um auto shop. Um we've talked about potentially providing containers so that Sam can have a space right there on the campus for smaller you know snow um snow blowers or um >> we have snow blow all the snow removing equipment is in that building. So, we need to find a spot. But there is the CIP to help us with the the planning, the architectural plans, and also maybe to clean out that space and get it ready. >> Where's the space again? >> It's Well, I haven't taken you

116for a walk through in the auto shop and the We went with John Bert and the town. >> Um, we went with really a nice big group this year. I think I put it in board notes and looked at the space and I had some pictures. It's pretty large. And what co what they did with Coventry is they built lofts. So they had instructional places and machinery on these lofts. So then it gives you more floor space. So when I saw that I thought about the robotics team because you could have the floor space but then these lofts could have for the kids to be working and you know doing some of the machine work. So um what they've used in the past has been everything from a whole gym to a half gym. And

117when they were in um the high school prior um they used space but they had to always reconfigure the space to get it and I think that was a little inconvenient. So um so >> they had to set up and take down each night. >> Yeah. So um I'm just trying to understand. So if um that space um let's say EB invests and makes it into a machine shop, right? I'm assuming they're going to have like large equipment there to do the pressing, the molding, whatever it may you do for a machine shop, right? Um, so I I guess I don't see where you think there's going to be space for the robotics to like function in that. >> Some of that equipment, some of those machines are the same machines that >> the robotics

118use. >> Oh, that they use. Okay. >> And then there's also a wood shop. So the wood shop also has garage doors. So you have and the space isn't too far apart. I mean it's a little bit it's walking distance. >> Is it possible Sam that you know you could take us like one afternoon like 4:00 when Dean gets off for work >> and take us to look at >> we could look at it. >> Sure. Appreciate it. >> And if I get a walk through with EB again because they they usually come out in the summer. I can let you know and you can come with us. >> Okay. >> Jay. >> Yeah. I was going to ask the same thing where we would tour the space. Um I I really don't recall how

119large that is. Um do you roughly know the square footage, Sam, of the two different spaces? >> 60 by 80 roughly. >> That's not big at all. >> Okay. That's the >> That's the garage. And then you said there's the wood shop space is still vacant. >> Uh well, it's not vacant. It has equipment and everything in it, but um they haven't been you they haven't been using it for a while. >> No, they had they had a class this year. Um >> I don't know how many kids took the class, but they had a class in there. >> That's interesting. Um but yeah, I I um would like to walk in as well and get a sense. So you're, you know, when you're talking about possibly shared space and we talking about do putting

120some kind of partition or or literally shared space. >> No, it could be shared space. >> I mean, we would figure out, you know, how to secure the robot and everything. Well, you know, if there were classes in session, but um and I know that Sher Fus, who's on is one of our coaches and she's done a walk through, but it might be good to, you know, invite the coaches when we do our walk and maybe invite EB just to and and this, you know, consultant >> to see, you know, how doable is this? How how could we get it done? >> Okay. So, >> so Susan, I don't mean to be negative or like focusing in on it, but when Eevee came prior, were they okay? Did they know your plans of putting the

121robotics in in the machine shop? Okay, perfect. >> Shay, you still have your hand up. >> Yeah. So, um you know, um I I spoke to uh Ian about this a little bit and um if we're going to be doing a walk of space over a pitch, it might be interesting to to see the existing setup of PV. I don't know how many of you have seen uh that space. um so they get a better idea of what you know what it looks like now and how you know that would fit into this new space. Um I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around having both of these programs >> you know in the same space and I really would need to see it. >> So the space at PV as you know

122we have to have it shut down by November 1st. So, it's not even an option. Um, the Mary Morrison space could be with the right um, you know, okay, from the fire department and sprinkler system, but I don't know how permanent that's going to be just in case we had to open that school. So thinking long term, how do we make sure we get into a space that works for our kids in the robotics team so that they can have some sustainability and have everything they need. Um, and there there's just some nice synergy about being able to take a course in robotics during the school day >> and then be able to be on a team with robotics >> in the evening afternoon. I'm going to guess that it's probably going to be board

123policy and ultimately we'll have to hear from people who are actually involved in this activity. But I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that it probably ought to be board policy that we find a permanent home for the robotics team on the pitch campus. >> Agreed. >> Well, I agree that's the safest place, you know, to have them right there. >> Work backwards from there. What do they need? Where do we make the space? I mean, obviously, if they require like the construction of a giant mausoleum or something like that, that we want to be reasonable about it, of course. But, uh, for now, it just seems like it's a make situation. Maybe they're perfectly happy at present valley. Maybe they're maybe perfectly happy at Mary Moors. >> My guess is

124>> that they'd like to come home. >> Yeah, >> it is it is the Aluminum Falcons after all. Despite the fact that my my daughter did not like the fact that the middle school mascot is also a falcon, uh I recognize that there's going to be some some some synergy there. Not synergy, but some cooperation there, some association there as well. >> Well, how about if I do I take this as a to-do item to schedule kind of a walkth through at Pleasant Valley and then at the high school. find out a date that works for everybody, including the coaches and any board member that wants to come for the walk. And we can look at the spaces and maybe bring the consultant who really has developed space and you know maybe uh you know

125someone from EB who understands what the needs might be. >> Jay, >> I'm sorry. >> What's the purpose of >> Yeah. Yeah. I think that's a great idea, Susan. I um I'm having a hard time >> tell us >> uh envisioning all of this and so I think uh that'd be great that this way anybody who's interested can come and and you know uh and hear from those uh folks who were leading the program uh about what their needs are and and make sure this is all going to work. >> And that's why I don't know why we need to visit Pleasant Valley because the coaches will be there to tell us what they need. Well, that's true. I think he was just I Jay, were you just saying just to envision what it looks

126like now? >> Yeah. Yeah. My idea was I mean I've been there, you know, years ago. >> Yeah, me too. >> I I I don't have photographic >> memories of it. I think it would be helpful to get a sense of, you know, what the setup, you know, looks like and then see what where we're proposing to move it and to hear from all the stakeholders um and to get their input on it um along with all interested board members. >> Well, I'm for that, but I don't see the purpose of viewing Pleasant Valley because um um the coaches will know it what the setup of Pleasant Valley is when we go up to um the high school. So, they could tell because then we're going to go to Pleasant Valley. Everybody's going to get

127in their car and drive up to the high school. That seems like too much. So, the coaches will be there, so they they'll know if it's going to work or not, Jay. I mean, we're going to be out of Pleasant Valley, so it's gonna have to make it work somewhere. So, we're going to rely on the coaches to help us out with that. >> Yeah. I I would just like to be able to envision what um what it looks like and how much space it takes up and and even what constraints they're already experiencing at Pleasant Valley. Uh perhaps. Yeah, >> maybe that isn't the ideal situation to begin with and they explain what the challenges are. Anyway, >> right, I'm not against that. They could tell us that >> board members won't be required

128to vote. Won't be required. >> Yeah, in my opinion, it's not critical. I mean, is it nice? Sure, probably. I don't think it's the most critical uh component of the this exploration. Um, yeah, because you're right. This come come November, it's not gonna be >> this is it's a mute point. >> Yeah. I I just don't I feel like this too using the word the term too loosely vagabonds. I just don't want them wandering around anymore. It's like, well, we happen to have space here and we happen to have a corner over there and it's back to the broom closet with >> and they've got too much stuff to keep moving. >> I feel the same way with my home moves. I just want to get they need to find a permanent space and that's

129where >> now is is this what we're is this I don't want to focus too much on you know hey we're cleaning out the garage to make a manufacturing space that's let's see if robotics will fit in there I don't know if we have any other options I don't know if there are better options than that but I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it that's so now we're talking about that as though that seems like that'll probably be the place to go as long as everything lines up. There's enough space and everybody's chilled with it. Is that what we're saying? >> Yeah. Is that what we're saying? That that will be a permanent stop for them. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Well, we we have those two pretty large spaces. >> So,

130um unless Matt's hiding out on us, any other spaces? We have those multiple gymnasiums, but they're usually used. >> Mhm. >> So, >> yeah, I was going to ask about that. Are we still using the small gym for like volleyball and wrestling? Like all of those same sports from >> beons. Okay. >> Right. Right. >> Well, you know, it's I I look at that and I'm thinking, all right, I don't know how critical how critically packed all the schedules are for sports. This is also an extracurricular activity of the school, something the school's actually known for, too. I think it should be able to vive for that space the same way as any other uh activity. It just happens to not be volleyball or whatever. It's not a sport. Uh but I think it should

131be able to vive for the space just the same. So yeah, I don't presume that they are, you know, everybody else is using it and so no robotics can't go there. I think let's just see if there's space for everybody in there without prioritizing volleyball over robotics or vice versa. I think Sherry and Chris can probably weigh in on this, but when um just setting up the field at the practice field when they get this robot built, um you at Pleasant Valley, they're able to set it up in that gym and leave it there. >> Leave it there. >> If you're at the high school, um they're not going to be able to leave it. >> Yeah. >> Well, they they would set it up, take it down. I mean, that's what they were doing

132for years there. >> That must have been a pain in the neck. So maybe it's not the optimal move. I don't know. >> Well, some and there's some wide hallways, but you same thing. You'd have to set it up and take it down. >> All right. >> Going for a tour. >> Maybe we can set up um the walk through like in the middle of August sometime. I >> I I will reach out. I'll I I'll get back to everybody. >> Okay. Okay. >> And I'll make sure Sherry and Chris it works in their schedule and >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And we can let board members know. >> Okay. >> So, because I know there's a great interest in this from everybody. >> Mhm. >> But we do have a little bit more time.

133I hope everybody heard that. John Burke gave me the official November 1st. So, we got a little time. >> But we do want to get them settled in before it's team time. >> Right. Exactly. >> Yeah. One last question, at least for me. Good. If >> if we I know Sam, you're in the process of cleaning out the the space. Is it possible that it would be clean enough so that they could start off the school year there in like that space that you're cleaning out at pitch? >> I don't know. I still have to find a space for the uh groundskeeper who has uh all of his equipment in there as well. So, >> who's the groundskeeper? >> Uh hectic. >> That's someone we employ. >> Yes. >> So, there is the possibility though

134and Sam and I have talked about this getting a container to put on the property and we have multiple containers, but I think they're all filled. >> Is that right? So, >> and I actually took a picture. I found one a garage with three bays, a container garage >> that was put by someone's house and Sam said he's already seen those. I was like so excited. I said, "Oh, there is a garage container." >> Put one at middle school previously. >> We need to purge. I just hear container storage space blah blah >> moving it from one spot to the other spot. >> Exactly. >> Park. So, it's a possibility that they might be able to go into the new space >> in September. Maybe >> in September. Possibility. >> I know they gave us

135till November, but >> it's it it's it it's all about when somebody's going to start doing the construction to this new machine shop as well. So >> there's a lot of work that needs to be done to >> Oh, so it's not >> just because we're cleaning out, you're not bringing the machines in and you know. >> Yeah. Right. >> Oh, no. I was just thinking >> work, all kinds of work in needs to be done in order to set that stuff up. >> Oh, I was just thinking that they would have a space like so that they could call it home even before cuz let's say I'm not saying it's going to happen, but let's say this thing fails and like Eie doesn't move forward. So now we have this clean space, right? But

136you know what I mean? Like >> I think they're pretty committed though. >> No, no, I'm just saying. But like I want us to have a plan that we can sort of work to for robotics whether EV goes or not. And even you know, you're pretty much sure that they will. So, but if we could get them in there, you know, um before school starts, that would just be nice, right? Like especially for the seniors and stuff so that they have home, you know? Um, yeah, >> Falcon Pride >> Sherry Fus has her mic unmuted. >> I'm I'm going to take from that that she's dying to say something. >> Coach, am I right, Sherry? >> I don't think they're part of the forum. >> Well, no, but they're here. I just saw the you

137know the mic un you know the mic unmuted and I thought maybe she could offer a thought >> a thought I don't want a full discussion necessarily. >> Can you hear me? >> Yeah. >> Yep. Yep. Yep. >> Yes. I was unmuted but I wasn't sure if I was allowed to speak at this. >> I'll recognize you for because we're we're we're on your topic. I don't want a whole just so you know. I don't want a whole giant, you know, hourlong thing because we're just we're just beginning the process. But I just I was I had a hunch that I saw your your your your mic unmuted. I see your face now and I'm thinking I bet she's dying to say something. >> Well, first of all, I just want to thank you all

138for um bringing us to an agenda item. Really appreciate it. Um I do have some concerns with um a shared space at the high school. Um I think um you know first there are some safety concerns with the shared space. Um we have you know industrial size machines, band saws, CNC machines that require um training and direct supervision when used and I just even worry about the possibility of a student or somebody accidentally bumping into a machine and turning it on or something. Um and and the team has invested a great deal in equipment and uh electronics through grants and sponsors and studentled fundraising. So I also, you know, question that if we're in the shared space, um who would be responsible if something were to get broken or misplaced? I just see it being

139um difficult to maintain accountability over our equipment and supplies. Um and then just for it to be functional um we operate on an intensive 6 to 8 week build season um from January release early January to March. So we are there six days a week. Um and although we are very good about keeping our space clean and organized, that's one of my pet peeves. We we spend the last 10 minutes of every meeting kind of cleaning up our area. However, um students are working on um subsystems that could be, you know, days long projects, weeks long projects. So, it's not realistic for them to clean up everything. There might be partially assembled robots some systems out on the workbenches and tables. Um and and also the potential of damage if they have to keep moving

140these very delicate parts back and forth to clean up. I see that um as being an issue and the fact of um having that field, it's not something that we can easily break down and and set up. Um so I'm just not seeing this working out as a shared space. I would love to be at the high school. We would love to be home. Um that would be ideal. I just I I I don't see it working out if it's going to be shared with classrooms. Um, if it's not uh at the high school and it's at Mary Morrison, do most of your students drive there or do they get uh how's the transportation for them to participate in the robotics team? >> Yeah. So, some of our students drive who are licensed drive and

141then um the other students get rid from their parents. So, our hours are because we are um a lot of our mentors are volunteers and they also have day jobs. So we typically meet uh between 5:30 and 6:00 till like 9:00. So it's, you know, after work hours, so we don't really have too much issue with students being able to um get transportation and a lot of them do car pool as well. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. >> So you you you would really like to have your own space. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> somewhere somewhere. Okay. And then the other thing is you know I hear it he mentioned that we have until November but just to give you an idea of our timeline. We are going to start meeting midepptember with our

142returning students to start new leadership training getting them prepared to train working on recruiting new students and then we start onboarding new students in October and then in November we're in the midst of our training. Um, we have November and December to get students trained so that when that challenge is released, that first weekend in January, we're ready to go. So, we waiting until November to move would really be disruptive to that real important work that we do in the preseason. And we've already started packing. We've got machines prepped and ready to move into, you know, in anticipation mode. We thought we had to be out by September 1st is what we we had heard. So, to me, it sounds like you're you should be heading for Mary Morrison because I don't see an alternative.

143We can't clear out the high school. Even if we could, it would wind up being a shared space because I'm not hearing that we have a dedicated space available yet at the high school. Mary Morrison seems like the only option. So, we have to get over this. >> Sprinkler sprinkler is true. The other thing is too, it's not just that gym space we use. We do need like four or five other classroom spaces. We have different sub teams. We have a design team that um does all the computer AED draftings and they need a space set up at their computer. Currently, they're working on the stage in the gym. So, that that's an option. But then we need a a separate space for our software team. We need a space for our business team. Uh

144we have an outreach room and a space for full team meetings. that we also have a space for our wood shop where we store our wood and our parents who assemble the robot have a space to do that work. So it isn't just that you know that gym space that we need. So I I worry too about does the high school have I I can't imagine the high school has four to five open classrooms for us to utilize. >> So you need about uh five different spaces. >> Yes. And how many of those spaces need sprinkler systems? Just the one like the gym. >> Well, all of them. >> I I'm I'm not sure until I talk to the fire marshall. >> Okay. All right. >> Okay. >> If they're going to have a wood

145shop somewhere else in that building, then they're probably going to have to have that sprinkler, too, for sure. >> Okay. >> Do we have that kind of thing in the high school, though? >> What? >> Already? sprinkler systems. >> Yeah. But um Sher's saying they don't want to share space. So >> well, but they can't share space. >> It's not that we don't want to. We, you know, we are all about, you know, utilizing school resources. I think that's fantastic. I just for safety and functionality, I don't see how it's going to work. >> I mean, these classrooms, I don't see fit having four or five open classrooms. And if we were to use other teachers rooms. We can't set up, you know, we've got in our business room, we've got our big printers, we've

146got a big vinyl cutting machine, we've got a heat, you know, all of these things that can't just be moved around all the time. >> Why is the fire marshall now require sprinklers? Before when it was operating as a school, they didn't require sprinklers. >> Different fire district. >> Well, different fire. >> Oh, they changed the fire district. It used to be another fire district and now it's Pronic Ridge. Mary Morrison is Puquanic Bridge. Pleasant Valley is the city of Graten. >> All what I'm saying is when Mary Morrison was functioning as an elementary school, in other words, this the the requirement for a sprinkler system. I mean, I know this is kind of academic >> because of the equipment, right? >> Considering it a manufacturing >> Yeah, >> I see. Okay. It it just

147it's I think it would strike the ordinary person as well, we don't require a sprinkler system when there are kids in there. But now that you got you know items in there and now we require a sprinkler system. >> I think that's related to Sherry's concern about safety. >> Yeah. >> How soon can you find out Sam about the about the what was it the portable sprinklers or >> Yeah. >> I think Chris gave that information to him. >> Yeah, I have it. I got to I got to put it together and and get over and see the fire marsh. >> Yeah, that's what I'm asking. How soon you think that could happen? >> Tuesday. >> I say today is Tuesday. >> Okay. >> I'll work on as quickly as I can. >> Okay. >>

148Hopefully I'll have something for him before and and he'll have time to see me before the week's out. >> Okay. >> Great. Thank you. >> That'd be great. >> I don't know if he's around. I haven't talked to him in a while, so he's around on a vacation. But >> did we ever think about renting space for them? >> Yeah. >> And what what do you think about that? >> It's very costly. We It was very expensive. Uh >> Benny's was totally out out of the question. There was another space um across from the uh diner uh on the bridge diner, >> but a uh that was pretty expensive, too. And then a um auto supply place went in there or something went in there. >> There aren't that many spaces available. How about the

149industrial buildings down here? >> Yeah, I don't know. I don't know what's available there. >> All right. Well, hopefully Mary Morrison works out for the >> So, do we still want to see the space even? >> I think you should for the manufacturing and I think if I'd like to see the manufacturing going and I think electric boat and this consultant can, you know, and certainly Sherry and Chris, we'd want you to come over just in case they have ideas that we haven't thought of. >> Yep. And you know, they might be able to put like walls or whatever, >> but yeah, the I it sounds like the big issue is they need >> they need to get going. >> They need a well there's the timing and there's also gym >> that's set up

150for >> they need a large space and we don't have a third gym for them to use. >> Gyming more classrooms and safety safety seems like a big issue too. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Well, it would be for a manufacturing center just as well. You still have to train people to use the equipment just like Roso. >> No, but for the robotics team cuz she was saying Sher was saying, you know, they don't want the machine somebody to hit the machines or Yeah. >> So, >> yeah, they don't want their stuff's going to be out. >> It's not a we're in, we're out. It's going to be out long term. >> They need they need a setup that's longterm. That's theirs. And yeah, it sounds like they need a third gym at the high school.

151>> Yeah. >> Or comparable space. that and the the vintage wing when that gets re reconfigured. >> Just have the kids eat I know. Have the kids eat in classrooms and use the cafeteria as there >> only laughing. >> I think that happened during co ask if she has anything else she wants to say. >> Sher, you got anything else? >> No, I don't think so. Again, thank you for letting me share. I appreciate you taking the time to um come up with a plan. >> I have a plan. So, I'm getting a little stressed out. It's okay. >> Yeah, I don't blame you. I'd be a little stressed out, too. We all >> So, Sherry, you know how I love the robotics, so I did my little summer donation. >> I want an invite

152to see them. And we're going to get them in a home. Don't worry, we'll figure this out. >> We'll be at Graten City Day if anyone wants to stop by. >> When is Graten City Day? >> August 1st. >> Okay. Good. >> Well, I saw the robotics team up at Katherine Kaskki on what was that? Steam night. Steam night I went. >> Yeah, they were great. Yeah, they were great. >> I enjoyed even I enjoyed talking to the students, too. >> So, we'll work on this diligently, >> right, Sam? >> No. Well, Sam will anyway I don't know the we. >> Yeah, I'm going. >> We're a royal we, >> right? What's this? us. >> Jerry, have you seen any other teams and how they've done it in schools? Any any suggestions that they've you

153know, we've been talking about these containers and then I found this container free bay garage. Maybe put up one of those for the robotics team. But what what have you seen other teams doing in your travels? You know, I haven't we, you know, when we go to these competitions, we don't necessarily get to see where the teams work out of. And a lot of our competitions are at university campuses. >> Oh. Oh. >> So, >> Oh, interesting. >> Oh, >> yeah. >> I wonder. Yeah. >> To come to one of your competitions if it's close by. >> I do know that. Um, one of the competitions we go to is at Worester Poly Techch, um, in Western Mass and their high school team utilizes space at the college. >> Interesting. >> Maybe we can do

154AV point. >> Avery Point. >> Maybe we should look into something like that. I like that idea. >> Although they purchase a lot for the pool, I can't imagine. Um, what about Ledger? >> Yeah, I haven't I have not seen their setup, so I'm not sure. Um, >> might be >> huh, she might be able to give you a scoop on that. Yeah, >> I might reach out to Beth. >> Yeah. >> All right. Well, thank you. >> Thank you, Sherry. And if we do that walk, I'll invite you just in case they, you know, some of these people from EB and a lot of them have been your mentors. I think Max was your mentor at one point and he is one of the people who was a key person in helping us with

155this manufacturing center. So, >> and if you could think of anything, let us know, okay? Don't don't hesitate to reach out. >> And you know how to reach me, Sherry. >> Sounds good. Thank you very much. All righty. >> Thank you. >> Community Wi-Fi grant. >> All right. So, Clint sent us a message. Um he's got an update. Um in June, the town of Graten was awarded the 195 um,000 from the Connecticut Education Network community um to extend um Wi-Fi for our Grat Graten residents. And um as a result, we'll be getting new equipment to be installed for Pquanic Bridge and Brford Manor neighborhoods. And um I think mostly in the community center areas, but also in the parking lot. And I think that Wi-Fi can extend. So um I don't know that it'll be

156in all the homes, but it certainly would make access better for our kids to do their homework. Um, and then there's a particular Wi-Fi service for users in education and that will also be added as a new system. And the application was prepared by Liz Spelman who we met um from the town of Graten and supported by Tim Candy and Shannon and Clint um and will be administered by the town. And then Grant Public Schools also applied for the second round, which I think I've said in board notes and I've said out loud. Um, and that round of funding um was sent in on the 27th to extend Wi-Fi coverage to Graten residents between the middle school campus and the high school campus so that we'd have access on all the fields and parking lots

157and all that space. So, I guess if you're sitting there wa doing sports, you take out your phone and you have Wi-Fi. I don't know. Um and then um it just talks about broadband access is essential for our students in order for them to achieve and have academic success and many of them do not have the reliable internet service. So, this will definitely provide in those spaces so that they'll have better access. >> Well, this is a good grant. It's a good grant and it was collaborative. >> Yeah. But um how much is it going to cost us to maintain the um you know for maintenance or whatever? Is there you know we have the grant, we're going to have the Wi-Fi. Is there a yearly cost to us for anything? >> I don't I

158don't think so. We'll have to ask Clint, but it looks like the people already who are employed by Graten Public Schools and Graten Town would be capable of the maintenance part. They do it for our own Wi-Fi. >> So, there's no reason that they could >> without additional >> payroll costs. We're gonna be looking >> I don't I have not seen any payroll, >> you know, that's never been said to me that you need more people. I think the people who are boots on the ground between the town and the school who create, you know, who wrote this grant would be able to service if it was needed. >> Even if it's a payroll course, I'd probably be fine with it because it's going to help the people in that area. I I just like

159to know. >> I'll ask him. >> And when we say Brford Manor, I I don't I it's a large area. We get kids from there, but what about for example the neighboring from Graten Estates? Do we get any kids from there? Does is this or >> we have kids all over town. So I think and I I don't know if um it's installed in the Quanic Bridge and Brford Manor neighborhoods. So at least that's a start. Maybe it's something that each year we can apply for and grow throughout the town so that we can get >> and I think it also is going into the libraries because there's a town side >> the library 55 for better access. I don't think their Wi-Fi has been all that good. So that they're really excited about that.

160>> So um it's a start and we can certainly add to it, you know, should we need to. Mhm. When you when you say community, it means like adults can use it too or is it community just for our students? >> No, for everybody. >> For everyone. >> Everybody. >> Okay. So, I was just trying to understand >> from our perspective, you know, we're we're focused on our kids and having >> the towns focus in on so that's why that's why it's a good synergy, you know, of us working collaboratively. >> And I had said that at the RTM too. It was really good project. one day >> that and go graten. >> Yeah, >> get outdoors. >> I can cancel my subscription. >> What's part two of the grant? Did you say >> that's

161between um the Graten Middle School and the Fitch High School? So, all the fields when we have graduation, we can do live stream Wi-Fi. >> So, yeah. >> All right. Any questions? There's the maintenance. >> No maintenance. >> Jay, any questions regarding uh community Wi-Fi grant? >> Uh, no questions. Thank you. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> All right. I hear a motion to adjurnn. Is there a second? >> Yeah. I don't call on you because of your fearlessness. Rely. >> I like that. Fearless. Fearless fever. You know >> the break >> there was a All right. Move seconded. No objections were injured. Thank you very much. >> Seconded. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I heard him second. Okay.