MRSD School Committee Meeting 9/10/2025

001is on. All right. Calling the meeting to order at 7:02. >> Oh, not yet. >> There we go. >> I didn't use the hand anyway. I got to do it. >> All right. Now it's official. Calling the meeting to order. Uh 702. Um, let's see. Do we want to start with SAB or should we do comments first? >> Comments first. Okay. Anybody here to provide public comment tonight? No. All right. Seeing none. Student advisory board. Ethan, >> welcome. Take it away. >> Um, hi guys. Um, I'm Ethan Savan. I'm the current SAB at large. I'm a sophomore from Boxford. I'm excited to start off this year with you all. and um here are my updates from the last couple of weeks. Cool. Some upcoming events are on Friday we are hosting our club fair introducing

002the new students of math to all of our clubs. Um next week the student council will be hosting interviews to find representatives for the student council. So on previous events, our last Friday, the football team had a game against Newberry Port and won a crushing 41 to7 to start off the season. Um, and some of our current events is just yesterday we set up the flags outside the school and memorial for 911 and you may have seen it coming. Um, that's all I got. >> All right, any questions for Ethan? All right, you are free to stay if you like and you're free to go if you like. So, um, thank you so much. Um, all right. So, remarks from the chair. Our chair is on the road tonight. Matt is coming to us from

003another state. I don't know which one. Yeah. Okay. Um, so I guess just a quick call out to say the school year's up and running. Congratulations to the team at Masco for a successful start to the year. And um I think I speak for all of us when I say that we're really excited to hear about what the educators and students um accomplish as we move through the next several months. So looking forward to hearing updates. Um next agenda item is the fall athletic participation report. Do we have folks we need in the room? John up. Come on up. Yeah. welcome to sit at the table or stand at the other table. >> I'm standing if that's okay. Thanks. >> So, I don't know. Oh, that might be difficult to read, but I did make

004hard copies if that is easier for people just in case. I think I have enough for everybody. Um, so I'll let people kind of pass that around because I think those numbers are a little bit difficult to read um for some people. um unless you have it in front of you on your computer. It's very >> um so I just wanted to first start off by echoing the sentiments of a great start to the school year. Um when you take a look at the part numbers, we have lots of students participating in athletics, but not just athletics, but every other, you know, lots of other clubs and activities. So, we're really proud of that. Um, so I decided not just to break this down by the number of students on each particular roster, but I

005even broke it down by um the students in each grade uh for you. And then I have down the bottom the total number of seniors, juniors, sophomores, and also ninth graders. Uh and then down below um I did put the list of the number of students we did unfortunately have to cut from teams just based on certain restrictions that we have. So if you look at um football just to start we have a really healthy roster. We have a full three levels of ball. We have a full schedule for all three teams. Um you know we had a great a great start to the season last Friday. Uh we're playing on the road at Belka uh this Friday. So uh lots of excitement not just with football but with all the fall programs that we

006have. Uh for girls soccer, I mean they're the defending state champions and uh you know the numbers are incredibly healthy there. As you can see we have 27 players just on the varsity team alone. 24 on the JV team and 20 on the JV2 team. So, those numbers are really healthy. And again, we have a full a full schedule for all three teams. As a matter of fact, even in the last week or so, I've added some JV2 girls soccer games because there are some other schools that are struggling with numbers and they had to drop. So, I've been picking up games for the JV2 girls team. Pretty much the same for the boys. Uh both programs are very healthy with numbers. 23 on the boys varsity team. uh 19 on the JV team and

00718 on the JV2 team. And you can kind of see the the breakdown of grades there on the the far right. Uh full schedule for for the varsity JV and JV2 boys as well. Um the volleyball program numbers have been amazing. Um, for some of you here that remember just only I think two or three years ago we added a JV2 team because the numbers were so high and uh it was definitely warranted because you know you could see with volleyball we have a full three levels varsity JV and JV2 they have a full schedule all three levels. Um so that's been great to see. Uh varsity, girls. >> Uh yes, girls. Sorry, girls volleyball. Yep. Uh numbers have been really healthy there. Again, like all all three levels and full schedule for all three

008all three levels of teams. Um field hockey, we have a varsity and a JV team. We have seen a little bit of a a dip in those numbers, but I don't we're hopeful that the our youth program is incredibly strong and healthy. So, we're hoping that uh as time, you know, goes by that we can kind of bring that JB2 team back. Um we do have 12 seniors on the varsity team, so they'll be outgoing after next season, so we'll have to kind of keep an eye on that. Um but again, we have a full varsity and JV schedule, like 18 games for each team, varsity and JV. So, that's good to see. uh cross country teams. We actually just had a cross country meet this afternoon at Bradley Palmer, our first home meet of

009the the season. Um and again, we have uh you know, very like kind of steady numbers, I would say, there. Uh very popular sport and um you know, very excited to see the numbers there and the opportunities for them. Uh cheerleading. Our cheerleading numbers are again really strong. Um having a full varsity and a full JV team. Um of 26 on the varsity team and 12 on the JV team. I mean I I think um those are those numbers are as high as anyone in the area. So we're very excited about that. And uh we added a a JV golf team a couple years ago. And as you can see, the numbers are so high that we had to cut uh 18 students from golf because our numbers were insane. And you know, we added

010the JV team and we're just so restricted by golf course availability. Um, so it's been very unfortunate that we've had to do that, but just wanted to kind of show where those numbers are at. So, um, but the varsity team has a full schedule and the JV team has a full schedule, so we're really excited about that. Um, so yeah, I don't know if there are any questions, but again, I broke I broke the numbers down. you know, 85 seniors in the fall, 90 juniors, 87 sophomores, and it's great to see the number of freshman, ninth graders that are involved, 142. So, I don't know if anyone has any questions or about this, but everything is going really well. Um, coaches have done a great job to start the season communi communicating um, you know,

011in early in the season. Now we're kind of underway like in the first couple of weeks really getting into athletic contests and um yeah. So >> do uh thank thank you for the presentation. I love the numbers. Um do other schools in the area have freshman golf teams? If we were to make a freshman golf team, would there be areas where they could compete or JV2 in this case? As far as I know, all the other schools we compete against have a JB team, but not a JB2 team. But I would certainly um in my conversations with in my athletic director monthly meetings, I would certainly ask because I don't know if it's just a an issue here or if if it's uh you know, if there if there's interest and the opportunity. I always

012say I love to give more opportunity to students. So that's something that I would I'd pursue if I felt that it was worthy of you know pursuing. >> Of course availability is a real issue when you get you know when you get to that level it's just not there. >> Yeah. So for example the JV team right now practices at uh Paradise Golf like they just they go to the driving range because there's no course availability. But it's been great for us. We have a good relationship with the owners there. They've been, you know, excellent to us in the time that we've had a JV team and the JV uh home matches have been at the Winnham Country Club and we've developed a relationship with them over there. They give us a certain amount of

013dates and so we easily fill them in because like Jeff was saying, it's hard to find course availability. So when you have it, we we put together a match in a matter of like minutes with um all the schools that are out there looking for matches. So just give you some context that's about 43% of the school 404 students like >> there was a dip in athletics after COVID. So like our COVID classes are sort of aren't I think it's their seniors who are in middle school. So our numbers coming back up for sports. But I think from what I've in my experience, I think we've been really fortunate to really have not seen much of a dip. Like if I were to go back and I I could because I I do have the

014information. Um like when I look at just quickly football and girls soccer and boys soccer, our numbers have been really really strong. >> Know we've had three levels of boys and girls soccer. we've had three levels of football. Um, you know, volleyball numbers have stayed really steady. So, I think we were we've been really fortunate. Um, you know, I think it's a credit to the support and support here, but support from other families and the community members, um, parents. So yeah, I I I haven't seen um a dip at all, but to your point, I think now that we're kind of like several years past the COVID stage, I can things are are just going in a good direction. So >> Melissa, if you look uh towards the back of the budget book, you'll see

015the uh participation rates by year for the whole 26 teams, six programs, and you'll see that there was a dip around co and then participate total participation um over the last several years actually exceeds precoid despite the decrease in number of students. So uh that data is towards the back of the budget book. >> Yeah. And even within the last couple of days we picked up a couple of new students on some teams that just joined. So really excited. We had there was a a student who was interested in joining cross country, a new ninth grader. And so that's great to see all the time for somebody new to get involved. And the student happened to be brand new to the school district as well. So that was a really nice thing to see. >>

016Is the freshman number unusually high or is that indicative of a larger freshman class perhaps? Do we have final enrollment numbers? >> Final numbers yet. That's a that as I was saying it's about 42% of the whole school and that's about 950 total enrollment for the high school but that's you know that can change that number. Um, >> don't. So I'll I'll keep an eye on this and I have all this data. So, I'll be happy to share it with you from season to season and even compare year-to-year numbers so we can It's good for me to look at it, too, because getting eyes on this, it really allows me to see, you know, from grade to grade where we're at as well in terms of strength of numbers and um yeah, so it's it's

017very helpful to take a look at. Um, can you remind me? I feel like we had a conversation during the budget season about adding a third cheerleading coach and there were some parent comments coming and >> yeah, >> but it doesn't look like we needed to do that and those numbers a little lower than previously, but I'm just I could be misremembering. >> Yeah. So, we did have that conversation, but what had happened is the number of ninth graders we had anticipated coming in, I think this was last fall, we were for for last fall's team were lower than anticipated, but the varsity and JV numbers were still really large. And so, rather than implement a JV2 coach, we added an assistant coach. And it it als it kind of um falls in line with

018the model of the number of program the number of uh levels you have in your program plus one. So if there are three levels of soccer, we have four coaches um three levels of you know girls and boys soccer. And that's what we did with cheerleading. And so you yes we did have the discussion about it but we we thought that the the better fit based on the real numbers that we were getting in versus what we initially anticipated had changed. So >> one other just um practice question is when you have this many what was it 31 students who had to be cut and we know we hate that u but I get that's a reality are they ever invited to say like pivot and hey you're welcome to join cross country or a

019sport that there might be capacity or that >> we always do that as a matter of fact our fall coaches talk among one another about that said hey you know what unfortunately >> you know we had to let go these three or four and they're all great kids and they would be awesome in your program, right? >> So, we've done that for sure. Um, yeah. Yeah, it's it actually I I I've witnessed those conversations firsthand. So, it's really good to see. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> All right. >> Thanks everyone. I appreciate it. Thank you. >> All right. So, we have to take items a little out of order because we're ahead of schedule. So, we're going to jump. >> Yeah. So, everybody knows. Um >> Oh, yeah. Crystal >> Crystal Huff,

020our our attorney, is actually going to join us for the Turk Fields discussion, but she can't be here until 8 o'clock. So, >> Okay. Joining by Zoom, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. So, we'll jump to subcommittee goals. Which subcommittees are available to are prepared to share tonight? Policy, local, community relations. Okay. >> Any volunteers to go first? >> Also, you can I um shared it with I don't know if you were on the email chain, but a digital version if you wanted to put it up. If not, I can read them out loud. >> Share it again. You guys can find it. Lquist Matt and Adrian have it. I don't see anything, but that doesn't mean it's not here. >> Oh, I sent it to >> you. I know you sent it

021to me when I dig it up here. >> Oh, I I found it. I'll forward this. I got it. Mike, I think I have it. send it again just in case. >> While while we're going through these, uh Jeff, maybe it makes sense to send yours over to Mike as well. >> Do whatever it looks like, Trevor. >> Y perfect. >> Um so the policy subcommittee had met a few weeks back and we came up with these list of goals. um and some of them already may have to be tweaked as there's different news coming out of the state house on the cell phone policy issue. But um as a policy subcommittee, we um thought a good goal um for such a broad area like a cell phone policy that will affect the day-to-day of

022the building so heavily to create a task force and we have a policy about creating a task force and the steps to do that. Um so the subcommittee would provide the school committee with recommendations that um define the task force kind of like the charter a vocal just so that task force has documented written out goals scope responsibilities who's on it that type of thing. Um our second goal was to amend the re um provide the committee with a recommendation to amend the regional agreement to include a recall provision. I know I've talked about it many times. I mentioned it at um the retreat, but so us school committee members are the only elected officials in Middleton and Boxford that cannot be recalled. Topsfield doesn't have a process yet. Um that's Topsfield thing. Um but

023that's the case in Middleton and Boxford. So would be trying to align us with other elected officials in those towns. Um establish a schedule to review the policy manual. Um this time it took us how long Melissa? Five years. Um so hopefully now that we just went through the whole manual um in five years, the next time it won't take so long and we can have a more condensed approach um and established approach. Uh the administration asked um per DESIE to come up with a policy relative to uh the district's competency determination. Um it's legally required and the subcommittee will work. There's a deadline that's not too far away. So we'll be working on that. Um probably >> competency of so because they govern MCCAST >> because there's no more MCCAST. We have to determine

024what classes students will have to take in order to show mastery of the the state frameworks and then what assessment we will use to determine to determine that they are confident in those those standards. So for example, so if we say for English, we could we would say, you know, all students will have to successfully complete grades nine and 10 English and the final exams that go along with those two courses. I mean, it's that's what we're going to have to identify for English, math, and science. >> About social studies. >> Thank you. And then um our last goal is to undergo a review of a few policies about um that policies affecting the dissemination of information affecting programming and budget. And I listed a few there. It's not exclusively that list, but just so

025you have an idea of the policies that we would be looking at. >> What's the objective of that? um just to make sure you know high level type of stuff. Make sure that those policies um while they're being implemented are being implemented effectively and um the implementation is in the spirit of the policy. >> That's great. >> Actually, it's another policy that I don't know if you have to make a goal out of it. Um, we got notified by Desessie that we need to put together a career and technical education policy as it result uh as it uh involves the middle school. Um, this is uh part of the the state changed the regulations for admissions for um vocational technical schools. So, it has to actually be a lottery now if there are more applicants

026than spaces. Yeah. um they can do little things to weight the lottery based on um attendance and uh discipline and things like that. But so that's the you know that's really for Essex Tech to do but we have to make sure that we are exposing our stu our middle school students to the career and technical education uh programs that are available to them. Um so you know that means allowing Essex Tech to come in and present like they always do. It actually also involves us taking the eighth grade to Essex Tech uh for a visit. That'll be on Essex Tech's dime apparently is what we're being told. So there's all kinds of things like that that have to go into a policy about how the middle school will respond to this new regulation. >> So

027maybe so >> working on it. They're supposed to have a draft by the end of the month. >> Definitely. I mean the policy subcommittee hasn't spoke to that officially. Um, but per the committee's request, we can add that. Um, and maybe add something else that just says anything else that comes up throughout the year as directed by mask or the state law, changes to state law, we will address >> group, we have to approve these after each presentation, right? Or do we do one week? >> Uh, should probably do them after each way. >> Any questions, comments? to approve. >> Okay. Uh, do we have to do we have to do a roll call, right? >> We do because Matt's >> All right, Matt, we'll start with you. >> Yep. Yes. >> Hey, Melissa. >>

028Yes. Bill, >> yes. >> Lisa, >> yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Pass unanimously. Uh, what's next? >> Next. We go next. >> Um, do you want to put the slide up or do you want I can just read them if that's easier. Well, the slides that >> Let me see. I don't know. I don't know if we might have shared the slides at some point, but it was a while ago. It was a while ago. >> I can read them. The under the three pillars. So basically with our community relations subcommittee, our goal is to keep transparency and communication open with the the Tritown families. So we have three pillars that we've kind of categorized here. Formal uh communications plan, increase collaboration, and organizational organizational discipline. So, our goal is to create a formal communications

029plan, develop a forward-thinking um school committee communications plan aligned with agendas, budget, milestones, community priorities to drive proactive positive engagement. Um what does that look like? We're going to draft plans that outline topics, timing uh and channels at least one month in advance for the uh school year. Increase presence to better meet the community. And those are things we also discussed in our retreat as well. Meet the community where they are. Local events, practices, um topic and or themes for at least two community dialogue sessions as well. So really trying to branch out in the three um towns and increase information and communication. Um increase collaboration, increase cross functional work with other subcommittees to amplify missionritical topics. What does that look like? Meetings with maybe two subcommittees to align on topics that need proactive communications

030to the Masco community. Um initial groups that we identified include DCI and vocal. Um and the final pillar that we categorized here is organizational discipline. So partner with Masco administration to establish an internal shared drive for the community relations subcommittee templates, best practices and archives. What does that look like? So organize, have a shared drive in place by October. Create an initial template that we can refine all of our concepts and develop all of our information and have it be one central location. Have that all done by November. um an initial best practices guide that we can have done by April. So basically we want to have templates, organizational calendars, everything set in place so that every month that we have information coming out, whether it's budget, events, great things happening, everything is organized and

031um kind of cohesive all in one. >> Yeah. And good for continuity, too. Yes. >> So wherever the next people are, there's something to go on. >> Yep. >> So you're never starting from scratch. >> Exactly. Yeah. Um, questions, comments, discussion, Matt? >> Uh, so, so two things. One, uh, you first, thank you Trevor and the policy group for putting your goals together. Kendra, thank you for the community relations group for putting yours together. Um, with community relations, just two thoughts. One is, and I'm sorry that we went through this quickly, um, like we've talked about this desire to be able to push good news stories out to the out to the community, right? >> Um, is that some is that captured somewhere in here? >> Yes. So, yeah. Um, so we're in in these

032timeline templates that we'll have with our information. One of those calendars will be sort of a good news alert, you know, flyer that will highlight something within the superintendent's report or something that is already um well established in the school to get out. Um >> Mike just put it up on the screen like this is our draft communications plan that we're kind of plotting and planning for where we are going to put out certain updates and you can see that's a drum beat through the whole calendar year. >> Great. That's awesome. Um, I think the other thing, and this is something that, you know, I think we just want to be aware of as we continue to have these community relations dialogue sessions with with the community. Um, I think it's really important that we

033we continue to foster these relationships with the constituents of our tri town, that we um continue to hear some of the challenges and um, you know, potential improvements that the tri town is seeking. Um, I think it's also important that we continue to push uh the chain of command um during these uh events, right? I think that um we want to be supportive of you know the the needs and thoughts and um and perspectives of the community and um you know make sure that they also understand how to effectively go after some of those those things by using the chain of commands and working with um you know teachers and administration and um you know the executive office. And so I don't think I'm giving you anything that would need to change in terms ter

034terms of the goals. It's just something that's kind of come up in um in my mind over the last week or so um as I've received, you know, as I've thought back to some of the engagement that I've had um with the community over the last couple months, you know, and ensuring that I'm continuing to try to push that chain of command. Um you I think that that's something we want to try to focus on as well. Yes. Um, and apologies if I if I missed this. Um, you know, one of the things that, you know, I've learned over the years is that the uh the seniors in our three communities are desperate to be engaged. um and and you know would love to hear more about whatever's going on at Masco whether it be

035um you know sporting events or um you know performing arts or or visual arts or anything like that. I mean you know they'll they'll bloody come. >> Yeah. Um and and you know we unfortunately it requires work on our part that we've got to reach out to them and get them engaged and frankly not just wait until budget season when when we need their support you know to to pass something. Um but if we can, you know, be proactive and show them how, you know, Masco is a tremendous asset to our to our community and to the three towns and that's why they should support it. Um if we're doing that throughout the year, um I think we'll have better conversations with them, you know, around. So, so just you know keep that in mind

036you know as you go forward with this you know how can we you know inform but is it just communicating with the council the various councils on aging in the three towns um because if we let them know we got something going on they're going to be very happy to hear it and they'll show up. I was actually thinking as we were hearing about all of the fall sports that um I like to create sort of a home game calendar of all activities, not just sports, but even performances plays. I mean, they love the senior citizen the holiday performance. I mean, they come at lunchtime. Soulbean brings sandwiches, has sandwiches and the little bags and they buses show up and they love it. So, um, if there's a way to maybe create a flyer and

037I can bring it to the we can bring it to the council on aging in the three towns, just let them know what's happening, whether it's sports or clubs or performance publication. >> Yes. If you get they know about it in advance, they'll they'll publicize it. >> We can send our social media posts and they can just plug them into a little corner in the newsletter or whatever, too. No, I I was just thinking as we were getting the fall sports report and how everybody's so active now and just putting together a set again template, something we can have permanent for all of those things like club related things, pool activities, things Deca is doing. Um, and maybe we can reach out to places like Soulbean or other food pl and maybe they would offer

038to if it's an outdoor thing, >> offer food and lunch. Sometimes little sandwiches and snacks help entice. So >> yeah, but definitely for sure it's a a great a great point. >> Great. Thank you. >> Move that the school committee adopt the community relations subcommittee's goals. >> Matt, we're starting with you. >> Yes, >> Melissa. >> Yes. >> Sandra. >> Yes. >> Erica. >> Yes. Bill. >> Yes. >> I'm a yes. Lisa. >> Yes. >> Chris. Yes, >> yes, >> unanimously vocal. >> You're up. >> We're sort of taking the lead in trying to partner a little more and be a little more external. Um, you know, as last year, we kind of pivoted that subcommittee from anti-racism to sort of a broader scope general of just climate and we want to kind of be

039true to, you know, the foundations, but at the same time, we found some opportunities. So, we wanted to just kind of focus on really four main points. um or five um but I'll read through them now. So um just starting with you know climate overall is um and really just to help drive some positive change in the culture and the communication style here. Um and that's just not that's up and down the organization for the school. So really being a facilitator and to champion the process and the progress that we've been making so far. So you know things like the you know addressing the MTA survey being an advocate for that being a neutral party to support where that's needed. um support the administration, staff and towns acting as a neutral party to foster open

040communication advocacy. I think that's one of the feedback we're hearing here there is that sometimes the paths of communication aren't as clear. So we can get in there and just be a sort of a leaison and partner with that. Um we started last year a little bit on bullying and we wanted to kind as well. So just you know increase the transparency and reporting and outcomes and operational workflows. So just make sure it's more visible to people outside the sort of inner workings of the school. Um so to do that really partnering with school with school services to better understand the overall culture of the students and the staff and then start to benchmark our policies and procedures across comparable schools and institutions as well just to make sure we're doing best practices and just

041you know communicate that out as well so people understand that we're doing you know good work and we're consistent with the rest of the the community outside of MASCO. Um special ed you know OD was a big topic last year. We thought we could take that and champion some of that as well. So we want to kind of help maintain the accountability on planning and support for all students needs ahead of time. So really just being a champion to pushing for that as well. So continue on with that floor available data and action plans for next steps to keep driving that good work that was done last year. Um to be really a champion new approaches and thinking outside the box. So addressing gaps and obtaining actual data again. And then you know hopefully proposing

042procedures to identify interest risk at risk populations early. So, it's really partnering with the schools here to really help to dig into that. Um, and really kind of avoid be surprised at placements later on in the the process. And then, um, one other one that came up was, you know, Tritown transitions from elementary to middle school and high school. Um, I I think there's a little noise on that the communities just being rough transition. So, just being there to advocate again. So, promote proactive communications and positive experiences. Uh, explore opportunities to collaborate with the tritown school community members and parent groups. Um so partnering with the the lower schools and just getting a little more transition work there. Um parents and then listening sessions partnering with community relations on a lot of this as well.

043I see a lot of this is being external communication visibility. So we're going to really rely a lot on the you know the community relations team to kind of partner and be another voice there. Questions, comments, discussion. Seeing none. >> Motion to approve. >> Yes. Motion to approve. >> Okay. Second. Second. All right. Matt, start with you again. >> Yep. >> Melissa, >> yes. Jeff, >> yes. >> Sandra, >> yes. >> Erica, >> yes. Bill, >> yes. >> Lisa, >> yes. >> Chris, yes. Trevor. Joe. >> Yes. >> Also pass to you. >> Thank you. >> Was that Matt? >> No, I was I was mimicking your Thank you. >> Okay. Yeah. Thank you. I know it's a it's a lot of work and thought that goes into those and appreciate everyone giving their time

044for that. Um, all right. So, we're at 7:40. We got to buy some more time for Crystal to get here. >> Finish the rest of the agenda. >> Yeah. Um, think we can get through the strategic goals. >> Feels it feels ambitious. >> MLA the MLA we can do. >> That's really fast, but I don't know. >> So, we're going to jump down to new and emerging activities. All right. This is uh something we um generally have to do just about every year. It's part of the process for uh adding uh clubs that's outlined in the collective bargaining agreement with the Masconomic Teachers Association. Um so there's a there's a process uh so the when a a club is formed um in the first year there is actually no stipens uh that goes along with

045that club. Uh and then uh during that first year the uh principal and the uh union leadership get together and decide what the appropriate stipen would be. Uh and then in year two it's a 50% stipen and then in the third year the stipen goes to the 100% rate. Um and so what we have here is uh the agreement for this year with uh some of the some of these clubs that you'll see are in their third year. Table tennis, peer tutoring, Portuguese and self-defense. Uh and then in year two, Bridge USA, Clay Creations Club, Dungeons and Dragons, the Investment Club, the Med Club, Mind Matter, uh the South South Asian student association, uh and the UNICEF High School club program. So, those are all uh year two and you can see the stipen uh

046for this current fiscal year, if I take six uh and what percentage that's uh going to be uh for the what the stipen will ultimately cost. >> What's the med club? you know, 4,000. >> It does jump off the page a little. >> Oh, really? So all the applications as Mike mentioned go they start with the proposed advisor go to the principal then it goes to uh a person in um the union leadership position then it comes to me to make so I can rationalize the stipen amount and then I sign off on it and keep the form. So let me see if I can find the med form and I can read it to you. The only reason >> that it's of size, but I'm reading or understanding this correctly that next year when

047it's at 100% that's going to be 8,000 bucks. >> Ready? >> Yeah. >> The Med Club is a student organized club that focuses on educating its members about medical issues and topics. In addition to learning medical related curriculum, club members engage in volunteer activities such as visiting nursing homes and educating elementary school youth in a fun and interactive way to give back to the community and raise health awareness. >> So the anticipation there's lots of like offsite stuff and there's maybe more time commitment. So, I think that level of questioning would be more appropriate for the principal andor the adviser. Okay. I'm just kind of the >> shuffler. Yeah. I I would add to Mike's comments that once it reaches year three and it reaches the 100% threshold and it goes through union approval and

048the school committee approval, it officially becomes part of the stipens appendix in the CBA. >> I um pretty surprised to see how much higher that stipend was to all others when that came out today. Uh it is a great club. It's like a really good premed type club. A lot of those kids end up also going into the EM taking the EMS course here and a number of them were actually taking the EMT full course this summer and uh all past like so it's it's a really really interesting theater to and supplement to the biology courses that are offered here and they go out into the communities and they taught premed type STEM activities at all the local elementary schools. It's really really active. I never heard my kid was one of the officers in

049it last year. I've never even heard the name of the adviser. >> So it is very very studentled and that was why I was very surprised to see such a high stipend for a role I've never even heard much about in >> that would be a good thing to follow up and have more information on. >> Agree. Joe, did you have your hand up too? >> I'm curious about the self-defense club. I'm wondering when do some of these become a sport rather than a club and do we need to worry about whether they're learning the proper techniques for self-defense for instance where where does that >> it wouldn't be where the sports are only defined by the Massachusetts intercol interactic athletic association so that's not >> um sort of self-defense is not one of the

050sports fora >> understood but for $1,000 or like a year or whatever that is. Are they getting instructed in self-defense? I mean, what? >> So, the advisor is a trained >> self-defense person, >> certification or something. >> That's where I'm going is like you be a certified position. >> Yeah. Again, you know, this line of question is more appropriate for the principal. So this has gone through that kind of chain of command, right? It's gone from the adviser to the principal. It's documented in the CBA the process and then it has to come before the school committee. So if the school committee has questions that, you know, we're unable to answer, it might make sense to table it and have the high school principal who's ultimately responsible for these things come to the meeting and

051answer your questions. That's what I would recommend. >> Yeah. I mean, I'm desperate to know why head club be, you know, four grand this year and eight grand next year. So, yeah, >> I think that listening to this, I think that's going to be because I was I was going to ask like who differentiates like Dungeons and Dragons, but again, my son's in that class loves it. Why is it more than say the clay creation? So I guess I would kind of want to know but then my other question was going to be did we already budget for these type? >> They're all budgeted for. >> Okay. >> Right. >> So yeah I guess the >> process as as the CBA outlines is that the principal and the and union leadership decide the appropriate stipens

052based on >> what the club entails. >> There already been so >> I could I could read the the language in the CBA if you're interested in it. >> Yeah. teacher. Um it's the it's the section is called new and emerging activities. Um in the event that a new activity is to be instituted, the following steps will occur. One, the potential adviser will meet with the appropriate principal to determine the need for the activity. Two, the teacher and the principal will will determine the job description and the stipend. The information will be sent to the chair of the professional improvement committee. That's that member of the union that I talked about earlier. Step three, in order to be counted as a as a year for the purposes of implementing a stipen, the activity must be

053approved by January 31st for that new activity to be considered the first year of the stipen implementation process. If the activity continues into the second year, um it's 50% and then in the third year, if it continues, it's 100%. Jeff, >> what's the rational going from 100 to 50 to 100 again? How'd you get there? The contracts here. No idea. >> Sorry. What? >> So, it starts with >> No, no, no. The first year it's >> Zero. Okay. >> Zero, then 50, then if it continues, >> it's 100%. And year three, and then it becomes officially part of the CDA. >> It's lock doesn't change at all. The inflation or >> Yeah. Then it'll go up every year if there's a budget process. >> Exactly. >> Okay. >> Um do have we already had people

054signing up for these clubs? >> Yes. >> So we're in the process of going through that process um with all the you know extracurricular at both the high school and middle school. And these are under the extracurricular fees, right? >> Yeah. And appendix uh flat fee too, I think. >> Is it a flat fee for all extra all clubs? >> It varies. >> Okay. So, it'll vary if it's a more expensive club. It'll >> vary. Okay. >> Yeah. Most of them are the same fee and then there's a couple outliers that are a little bit more. >> The schedules in the back of the budget book Y is there a list of all the clubs or just in the uh it's in the contract? >> Yeah, it's also in the back of the budget book.

055Um so >> that's where everything there's a lot of stuff 60 pages long. >> I believe there's a presentation. >> No pot of gold. >> Believe me, >> I believe that the school does a really good job of putting together presentation of all the clubs that are available every year. So >> that'll be on Friday. >> The student fair Friday. >> Yeah. And usually they do a present. Usually there's like a slideshow or some kind of Google document that tells you all of them. Not all of them run. Not all of them listed. >> Yeah. You find that presentation >> and there's a form on each school's website. Um sign up form >> sign up for that shows the fee for each and all that kind of stuff. >> So I'm just kind um at

056what point does it you know not enough people or a club falls off the budget. Is that a different process? >> So, it might not run, but it will never come out of the CBA once it hits the third year, but it might not >> if it doesn't have an advisor, if it doesn't have a, you know, >> bail just won't be funded. And >> questions, comments. >> So, we're going to table this principal can be here. Do I do I have a motion? >> I move to table. >> Okay. [Music] >> All right. Any discussion on that? >> I mean, I think it's a little to table it over one club stipen. It seems like we're getting in the weeds. >> The principal's job is to determine the price point of that. And I

057would have expected the principal to put an asterisk next to that one and provide that information. That's that's that's such a huge outlier to just put it in the table and approve all that. I mean, that's like >> in Katie's defense, I prepared the table. >> She came up with the number. >> So, do we know it's accurate? Like, it wasn't a table. >> It's accurate. Maybe some number got reversed. Is visible by now? >> We can review it again. >> Just don't approve of this list tonight. Is it going to >> push out clubs being able to meet? >> It could it could impact enrollment of of clubs. We're in the middle of >> the fairs on Friday. Kids will be signing up at the at the tables. I I mean I could compromise

058with you Bill approve the rest of the list and wait on med club. I don't want other clubs to be stymied because >> fine with that one >> that requires >> yes amending the motion and then my second >> so motion to approve uh all of these new and emerging activities with the exception of the med club. >> Okay. Great. Matt, starting with you. >> No, we can sign it. Anyway, Matt's not here. Okay. >> Um, >> did you hear could you hear the motion? >> Yeah, I I can hear it. Thank you. I'm not sure how this gets implemented, Mike. But >> Sure. Yes, I approve. >> We didn't have discussion on it again after we took a move. >> Did we move? Okay. So, >> discussion. Sorry. >> I have a question actually.

059Clarifying discussion question is that wouldn't we have already approved year one for the med flow? >> No. >> It only comes to the committee at this level. >> In year two and year three when there's money in year one it's completely administrative because it's >> it's it's the principal's responsibility along with the teacher and the adviser right as outlined in the CVA. and then it comes here. >> So if we leave out the med club, how does that impact enrollment in the med club for the next if you're having events this week to sign up that you do at risk or do you say when they're now? >> I would say it's at risk. Sure. >> Yeah. In not approving it. Can we instead change the amount equal the highest of all the other ones

060for now and then have a vote later to change it up to the 4,000 level for instance. >> That's not what the >> contract contract says that that amount will >> contract. Yeah, you said right. >> It is. I just read it to you. >> The contract talks about the process. The process is that the principal and the teacher agree on what the appropriate statement is >> and they've the MTA signed it >> and the MTA signed and the principal signed it and the adviser signed it. >> Okay. >> Is it too soon to have it set for like when's our next meeting? the 24th to have um principal come and explain that number or is that too soon to have it >> so is the concern that like this this is a material amount

061we want to consider this more if we say yes to this today and then during budget discussions we're having really hard conversations about small dollar items are we worried that these are going to come back up and we're going to be like, well, what about that stipen? It like is that what we're trying to avoid is by addressing it now, not addressing it later, or are we >> the stipens aren't subject to that? It's just the fees that the student paid are subject to the budget discussion. Correct. >> Because it's in the contract. >> Okay. >> Can't do anything about it. I >> mean, if there's an administrative error on the form or this form, we can certainly correct that. I mean, it's administrative error, right? So, >> um, you always have that in your

062back pocket, too. If there's a to Melissa's point, if there's a typo, >> then we can we can fix it. >> Melissa, >> the reason why I think it's a typo is because most of the clubs have 4,04 for the full year. >> There's only for year three. >> For year three. >> So, I'm wondering if club is actually in year three. >> I did it in July. I don't know, but we could certainly there could be a there could be a typo. There could be a typo in the year. >> I think it could be a typo in the amount. >> I think it's been around for at least three years. >> This is probably the third year is what I'm thinking. >> I think you're right. >> We can fix that if like

063I said we can fix that. I think what part of the challenge is like none of us want to mess with the process or or fantastic club going through and it's that we're being asked to certify something and approve something without all the information. >> Yes. >> And that's what the issue is. top of that if you know we shouldn't be voting if we believe that it's a typo or an error the votes we're voting on the wrong information but I think what we've heard is that if we vote positively for all these clubs and it turns out that there was a typo in here have the right to fix it. We're not stuck with 4,000 in year two and then 8,000. >> Right. just quickly go back and look at last year whether when

064it was listed as last year and the minutes >> it's not listed anywhere it's all in >> year if it's year one it wouldn't >> right right >> if >> the documentation is not not accessible at the moment >> also if the the fair is on Friday for all the clubs to learn about them registration's probably happening for a week after that they probably don't start activities until the following following week or maybe later, which means the 24th meeting might be okay to just say table it, get us some more information so we can feel good about this and then do it right rather than >> that's a good idea to >> force it. Huh? >> Matt Matt, >> it's been around for three years. >> Sorry, just a few quick questions. one. How many

065>> I don't know if the form hats >> how how many people are in the med club more or less usually >> do not know >> sophomore she's in college now >> but it may not have officially existed and followed the process that was outlined >> until the principal and the adviser get together that's when the process starts sometimes we have clubs that >> they don't go to the principal and it's just >> they don't get any money for it Okay. So then um so we don't know how many people um I assume that our budget can cover this this year. >> Yeah, all the stipens are covered in the budget. >> Okay. So they're in the budget and approving this doesn't doesn't um commit us to any future um commitments, right? >> It does.

066>> It locks it into the contract. Well, no, not the year two ones. I'm saying not the not the med club. >> Yeah. Okay. >> The year three ones do, but the year >> the year three ones lock. Yeah. >> Yeah. Year two does not. >> Yep. >> Correct. >> So, what we'd be approving is $4,04 unless there's an error for this year only. >> And this would come back up next year. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Have to remember to ask that question next year. If we deterical error, >> we'll get it clear next week. Next, >> I just have like foundational issue that we're voting on something we don't believe is accurate and we can't explain. >> That's not the motion on the table. So, could vote on the motion on the table.

067That may not be an issue. >> Yeah. The motion on the table is to approve everything except med club until we can get more information. That >> point I think it should be all in one. I I I'm not I don't like the idea of taking apart clubs just this level. >> Personally, I have no problem pulling apart. The only only question I have at this point is is you know if we really if there is a strong suspicion that there's a clerical error of some sort here um then let's go ahead and approve it. Um but if if you don't think that and for whatever reason this club is just they negotiated some you know much higher stipen than you know any club that's ever been held here at Pasco um then you know

068shouldn't approve it. Okay, just one final question and correct me if it's a if I misunderstood. If it is a typo and it's technically year three, then that does lock in the price of 4,000 because it would lock in on the third year. Correct. So, if it is a typo and it is year three, then that is the set permanent. If that's if that's the if there is a typo, is that right or am I >> technically? Yeah, I think >> I'm making that sounds right. That sounds >> that would still be in line with peer tutoring and dungeons and dragons and >> would be at 50%. So if you look at dungeons and dragons not pure tutoring dungeons and dragons is that >> yes 44 >> right? Okay. >> Are we ready to vote

069on the motion? >> I am. >> All right. So Matt coming back to you. vote on the motion on the table. >> The motion on the table was to approve with the exception of the med club, right? >> Correct. >> Yes. >> Melissa, no. >> Andra, yes. Erica, yes. >> No. >> Okay. Yes. Lisa. Yes. >> No. >> Yes. >> No. >> Think that just went down. >> Most vote in history. >> Yeah. >> One. >> What was it? Were we keeping track? >> Somebody's keeping track. >> Yeah. >> 500. Wait. We have 11. >> Wait. We approved it. >> 11 >> pass six. >> Oh, there five. >> Sorry. Okay. So, six yeses. It did pass. So, we will revisit Med Club at the September 24th meeting >> with some additional inputs. >> And

070hopefully it's just an easy yes at that point. type from there. Okay. And our special guest has arrived. >> Pretel, thank you for joining us. >> Thank you for having me. Good evening. Uh it's very nice to see everybody. Uh sorry I can't be there in person um to, you know, to meet with everybody uh in person. Um but I'm happy to be able to be here by Zoom. So thank you. >> We appreciate it. So, we're jumping back up in the agenda to the turf field permitting update. >> Yeah. Thank you. And um would you like me to speak now or would uh >> Mike, do you want to jump in or Jeff? >> Uh how do you want to start this one? >> Why don't you give an overview of what happened in

071the last four days? >> Okay. Um so, okay. Go back and pick my dates up. So last Thursday, so that was the 4th uh I received an email um from Ross Pubmire from the Boxford Conservation Commission. uh and that Ross informed me reading it right um that the monies that we had put together that we had uh spent for um the peer review uh of the turf field project um had not only run out but that we had actually uh over uh spent by 344250. Um I responded uh the next day asked Ross for an accounting um from where you know from Williams and Sparges who was their reviewer as to uh you know what those hours looked like. Um Ross uh actually got back to me yesterday with that accounting and he also included

072in that uh a copy of the town bylaws that uh explained that the uh money due for the peer review was due within 10 days. Um so 10 days of the initial request. So um so here we are um trying to get through this peer review project pro process. Um we have over so it was originally 18,000. >> Yeah. So the the the original quote from the peer review was 17,820 uh which we paid in two installments uh last year uh in advance in advance of the engineering firm incurring the work. Um, and then the project went along. >> Sorry, >> worked back and forth between our our firm Stantech and the peer review firm uh with no indication from anybody that they had even approached the $17,000 $800 $17,800 budget. And then out of

073nowhere, uh, Mike received an email from, uh, the conservation commission director. >> And actually, I said that wrong. So, the total outstanding invoices are $5,54 and then he estimated another $2,000 uh would be required to complete the peer review work um that for work that hasn't been done yet. >> Right? So, they're estimating to be, you know, almost 45% over budget without any communication, >> right? until a time when the clock's ticking and we have 10 days to provide payment or they'll stop the project according to the bylaws. >> Do their bylaws allow them to spend money that they don't have and aren't expected to pay for? >> I I suspect they don't, but they did. Yeah, I think that's, you know, that's a part of my frustration is when he sent when he sent

074Ross sent me the accounting of how the bills have been paid out on June 30th, they they hit a $2,000 threshold. And he knew that they were actually scheduling site visits for the first week of July that were definitely going to be expensive. And there was no communications that, hey, you're starting to run out of money. Maybe you should, you know, maybe we need to talk about where we're going to go from here. Um so that's where we are. This slide in here is actually all of the expenditures through uh today plus >> so that work was unauthorized. They just basically worked out of their statement of work with no approval. >> The contract between the peer reviewer um is with the town of Oxford. It's not so they would have to speak to that.

075I don't know what their contract looks like. >> How are we sitting with the monies that we approved for Stantech? >> So, um, as as we had talked about back in May 28th, whatever it was, right? So, um, just a little bit of background, right? So, the original contract was for a little over $449,000 and then there were up until that conversation on May 28th, there was a series of three change orders uh that had been approved for Stantech and then we were kind of facing running out of money with Stantech. You know, the base contract plus those three change orders. Um, so on June 4th, the committee approved a transfer of $25,800 from the stabilization fund to the TUR field fund to fund change order number four, which was basically um to provide additional

076funding to Stantech to respond to the peer reviewers comments and to attend additional um conservation commission meetings or hearings. Um, so I suspect Trevor, to answer your question, that come next Thursday's conservation commission hearing that we will have fully expended the $25,800 uh that were approve was approved as part of change ordin. And then we'll be faced with a decision or you'll be faced with a decision around, you know, do we continue this project and where are we going to fund it from? And as I talked on the 28th of May, the only place you can fund this thing from is the stabilization account at this point. Any questions or like points of clarity on the the money part of it? No, >> not on the money. But I have a question. >> Sure. >>

077How come they didn't do anything in June or July? >> You look at their billing statements. I mean, it's like two hours in June, two hours in July. Weren't we supposed to be going back and forth between Stantech and these guys? >> They were waiting uh at the latter part of June. they were waiting to um to identify a time and a date where they could do yet another site visit >> which I think was on July 2nd or 3rd, >> right? >> And then there was a series of back and forth that continued to this date around peer reviewer comments and Stantech responses to peer reviewer comments. I think we're in like volley number three right now. >> Yeah. I mean, just stacks of paper, stacks of paper and responses and issues that they

078keep raising. And we've taken the strategy, and Crystal will speak to this, I'm sure, we've taken the strategy that let's let's hold off on having another another hearing that costs us $3,000 to send our teams from Stantech to the hearing until we've reached a time where we've received all the comments and we've provided comments on all those comments to the peer reviewer and the and the conservation commission. >> That's going to happen on Thursday. I don't know. Uh Crystal, did you hear back from Stantech? >> No. Um no, I haven't heard me back yet from Stantech. I reached out today um because our resp um as been noted um there's been a series of back and forth between Stantech and um the the town's peer reviewer. um the most recent iteration of uh the peer

079reviewer comments we received um last on November 2nd or so and you know our team has been working on addressing those. Our our response is due um tomorrow and it's unclear at the moment if if we're going to be able to meet that deadline. Um you know I don't I have confidence that Stantech will be able to do that. I just haven't had assurance on that. And the only reason why I raised that um is because uh the peer review's response was about a week later than what we had expected and we had kind of built um based the timeline on receiving the peerreview comments in the end of August instead of in the beginning of September um just to give our our team a little bit more time to respond to it. Um but

080I you know just just from experience I can tell you that Santex's doing an excellent job here responding to the peer reviewers comments. um they've been incredibly thorough. They've really taken um the peer reviewers comments into consideration and and come up with solutions that I really think address those. Um the good news is that in this most recent iteration of comments from the town's peer reviewer is there aren't really that many outstanding issues. Um and some of them seem to be fairly minor. So I I you know looking at it I think that Stant should be able should be able to get through this relatively easily. I would hope. Um so I I think that bodess well you know for us and and hopefully meeting that deadline tomorrow. Um as as noted before you know

081we've taken the position that is the best most economical you know way to go forward is is to get through this peer review process before we go back to the commission because that way we don't go to the commission and then we just have to wait again waiting on responses from the peer reviewer. So if we if we go through this expert review process, the plan is is that when we go to the commission that we're going to have a project that they can take an up or down vote on and that that's what the the plan is here. And you know because absolutely this has been expensive. It's been timeconuming and we all want this to have you know we want we want to be able to get to yes here clearly but we

082also need to get to we need to get to some kind of an end with this as well. What's the um likelihood that this gets dragged out yet again after the next meeting? >> You know, we'll we'll have to see what they say. Um, you know, I think I I would like to talk to I'd like to have a brief conversation with Stantech and then if if they're in an agreement with that to reach out to um the you know to Ross who's the staff member for the uh the commission and ask that that this get brought to a vote. um you know because really um that we have done an amazing job addressing all of these concerns you know so I mean from the town's perspective from the commission's perspective um just this field

083is so close to the river here and it's kind it's it's it's an environmentally sensitive area in some ways and it has some um extra protections under state law and also under um the local bylaws that the commission is concerned about. Um, so there was always going to be a lot of questions with any project just just because of its location. Um, and I and again I think that our team has done a really good job here and I don't know, you know, when we again we'll kind of have to see what happens at the meeting, but my plan as, you know, as as council here is to come in and to help shepherd this through and and kind of, you know, get through sort of any potentially extraneous comments that might be there and

084and try to get this to a point where we can make a take up or down vote. even if it's not at this meeting, then even at the next meeting to be able to take a to get to this to a vote. Um, and the only reason why I raise that is because sometimes um, you know, if there may be a couple odds and ends questions, but I I I don't see, and again, this is something that we can talk about on whether or not we want to acquies to responding to any additional questions that the commission may have because I really think that all of this stuff has come up in in the peer review and this has been really very thoroughly addressed by Stanton. >> Lisa, you had a question. I >> I

085did about the invoices, but we'll get back to that. >> But she just said something. So I'm trying to think because we had this discussion at the at the retreat was so is your plan to once we get to that point is just tell them okay when in the meeting either vote take a vote and be done so we can figure out what the next step is after this. Well, I I think at some point, I mean, I I feel based on the peer reviewers comments that we've kind of come to the we're just about at the end of the road here. Um, with sort of reasonable questions that might be brought forward about the project, you know, and I'm going to defer to the peer because, you know, that's that's what they that's what

086they do for a living. You know, they understand the law. Um, they understand the science really well. And that once those questions are addressed, you know, those those should satisfy the questions and concerns of the commission. And then it's it's going to, you know, the the commission has some latitude to make decisions on whether or not a project, you know, if they have concerns about a project polluting a resource area, right? And then those are been the kind of the lines of the concerns that the commission's been raising and members of the public have been raising that I think are influential potentially influential on the commission. Um but at the same time our team has addressed those concerns with their responses to Stantech. So I don't I don't see um they're getting raised questions that

087would that we haven't already answered is what I'm getting at. So I I think that we are getting very close to if we're not at the end of the road, we are very close to the end of the road um with really any additional information that we could possibly provide to them. So you know I I because of that factor I think that we are if not at this meeting you know then certainly at a subsequent meeting at the point where they need to take a vote on the project. So if that's if that's helpful >> and what if they don't like what if they shoot what if we believe that and the conversation continues and the commission decides not to take a vote in the third or fourth meeting from now like what would

088our next step be from there? Well, they have they have certain constraints that that they kind of that they have to abide by, you know, and um you know, that they they I would I would request, you know, this is why it's helpful to have counsel there, too. You know, um I would request that they close the hearing. Um and and that they have a discussion and take a vote. Um I I don't foresee them, you know, look, it's it's hard to say, you know, we all have a lot of questions. It's hard. It's hard to speculate here. And I know that's not that maybe not a great answer for you, you know, but we're going to kind of have to see how the meeting goes, you know, but rest assured, you know, I definitely

089I I have uh, you know, a plan to go forward and and and help manage this in a way that we get to a resolution. >> Also, and you've actually spoken with the conservation agent. >> Um, not recently, but I have spoken with him. Yes. >> My my concern is that there I feel like there's no one really advocating for the district's position. >> Um and it's frustrating to me because this this has gone long on long much longer than I think it should have. Like we should have the hearing should have been closed by now. And as a committee, like as a committee member, I want a zealous advocate working for Masco. And I'm not hearing like I I guess I'm not hearing why we don't have that at this point. And we're not

090really pushing back and and trying to make the commission close the hearing. I mean, Masco needs turf and it's long overdue and we need to get this project going because we have timelines too that we need to meet. So, this whole process has been very frustrating from my side of sitting over here. >> Um, sure. and and I I understand your frustration. This project's been going on for a long time. Um I have not been involved in this project for very long. Um but I can see that this has a long frustrating history. Um I can tell you though based on my experience um with permitting projects, um that there that absent sort of these responses from the peer review were we weren't going to get we're not going to get to any kind of

091a conclusion with the commission that we need to go through this peer review process. um in large part due to the just sort of the location of the turf field and its proximity to the river and it's some it's something that that was just going to have to happen based on this project and based on some of the concerns that members of the commission have and members of the community have with with turf. Um you know I've been involved with a number of turf projects over the years and um these are the the kind of concerns that get raised at all of them. um you know whether or not they're meritorious or not, it's it's just it's just what comes up when with a turf field and it's exacerbated by the fact that it's so

092close to the river. Um and and because of that, you know, we have to get through this sort of this peer review process. Um which it looks like we've just about gotten through now. Um and you know, I have I'm hopeful that at the meeting that we're going to be able to, you know, get through with the commission and uh get to a resolution with this. So >> what's the ask tonight? Is it do you fund an additional what 7500 or 10 grand or what's the number? >> Yes, I I would say somewhere between 7500 and 10,000. So it would be to cover the 2,000 overrun that we never knew about. then the bill for little less than 3500 bucks that Mike received on Friday and then the estimate to complete of 2,000. Right? So

093that gets you to roughly 7500. Um I'd hate to come back to you guys have to come back to you for 500 bucks. So, if if we could get approval for 10 grand, not to exceed 10 grand um with a transfer of the funds from the stabilization account into the turf fund, turf field account, uh that's what I would recommend. >> Yeah. I mean listening to all this and obviously listening to all of this for many years now. Um I mean I think we unfortunately have to you know play this hand out. um as long as we are aggressively not letting them jerk us around any further um at the next meeting and and and you know pushing them to a decision one way or another. So uh our our next steps then become clearer.

094Having been in this from the very beginning, I mean, I I fully anticipate that Crystal Crystal's going to do her thing with Stantech at the next meeting, whether it's on November 8th, uh, sorry, September 18th >> or early October, >> that they're not going to vote, >> right? that they're going to have another list of questions >> and that I'm going to we're going to have to come back to the committee because we're going to be out of money >> on on change order number four. I know we're out of money, >> right? >> So, come the next meeting. So, we'll be back to the table with another request to continue the project. But, what if they come with additional questions? Um, and if we say no, we're done. We're not answering any more of

095your bloody questions. What happened with that? >> That's a Crystal question. >> Yeah, I think that's >> Yeah, that's why we've engaged Crystal, right? So, I don't think we've actually had a hearing >> Since Crystal's been on board hearing because they they on this thing. >> Yeah. And I think that we made a you know we made a tactical decision to let the peer review process play out before we came back to them for a hearing because because because I I know based on experience that if we went back to them before the peer review was done they would be just be like well we have to wait for the peer review. So so it made more sense to just to just wait till the peer review is is completed um to come back in.

096So look, I I mean I I >> I guess if I can interrupt just for a second, that's that's our that's our fundamental question that the peerreview process really won't end >> ever, >> I mean it just keeps getting >> can we compel it, >> right, >> is the question, >> right? Can we compel an ending to the peerreview process? I think that when we respond send submit our our final response here um to this last round of questions, you know, I think that you know and again I'm going to communicate directly with Stantech when when I see their responses to get kind of a feel of um what could possibly be coming down the road. But it again based on my past experience, it feels like we're at the end of the road here.

097Um, and you know, my plan without, you know, revealing too many of my, you know, uh, uh, uh, you know, secret tactics here, um, is, you know, is to really to direct the commission back to the responses from the peer reviewer when they raise additional issues, you know, and that you because I do believe that we have done an excellent job with responding to to the concerns that have been raised and that, you know, and I and I feel comfortable going in and holding sort holding ground on that. >> Okay, >> sure. >> What's our stabilization looking like? >> A little over a million. I think it was a million 33,000 when we talked in June and it's uh been reduced by 25,000 and change and then some in acred interest. So probably uh a

098million 20,000 would be my guess as of today. So, this brings me to my question about these invoices. I don't like their invoices. They are super vague, not helpful, and I feel like they just build the bill. Eight hours on August 21st for a peer review. Eight hours on August 22nd for peer review. What did you do? And I don't like these invoices. And I'm not okaying another $7,500 just for them to put I worked on the peer review. That's I these invoices like who worked on it? What level of pers were they? >> I mean we can we can pay the money but still demand additional detail of the work that was done. >> No separate and they can do it because they have they went and did an environmental analysis. They went to

099the site. They went to meetings. So they can do it, but their general they did a peer review for an hour. They did a peer review for eight hours. I'm I'm not okay just paying an invoice that says they did peer review. >> What is that? >> Well, I don't minding additional detail. Yeah. >> I mean, if they can if they're going to nickel and dime us like this, then guess what, buddy? You're going to have to show that you actually did some work. >> Yeah. I I these I I'm not okaying another 10 grand when we don't know what they actually did. >> But I personally I I think those are two separate things. We can okay that we'll pay another 10 grand, but we don't pay it until they do that. Until they

100provide that, >> you have to pay it up front. >> Pardon? >> We have to pay the $5,500. >> If we don't if we don't pay >> within 10 days. >> Okay. >> So money is within 10 days. >> We will deny the permit. No. >> Uh, no. We're >> five, >> four or five at this point. >> Bill, just to be clear, if we don't pay by the by the date established by the bylaw, they will deny the project. >> Right. >> Okay. No, I understand the ability to tonight or tomorrow morning to do it in sufficient detail. >> You ask for more detail. Sure. >> that doesn't mean that has it. >> The end of the day, they don't work for us, >> right? They work for the town of Oxford. >> Yeah.

101I mean, those those invoices get submitted to the town administrator. >> And honestly, I I if if the town administrator is approving questionable invoices, then I think people of Oxford ought to know that. So, I definitely think we should ask that question. Melissa, I guess I just want to ask Crystal if these are typical invoices and costs or peer reviews like are they outrageous the costs? >> No, I don't think the costs are are outrageous. Um, you know, I I mean I've certainly seen invoices with more specificity to them, but I don't think the costs are outrageous. So, >> it would have been helpful too, and I'm not putting this on you guys at all, if we had a list detailed like a detailed invoice of what they have left to like how are they

102pricing out these next. >> We asked for all this information and I got back. So my question is um just as you're our advocate and you're talking with Stantech on the other end is the peer reviewer talking to the consom in Boxford and is that what's dragging has been dragging this out? you know, are there conversations outside of those committee or conscom meetings themselves? >> So, I can't again I can't speak with what exactly what's happening there because I'm not on the Box for Conservation Commission, but I can let you know that um uh I spent seven years um on my town's conservation commission and we never met directly with the peer reviewer. it was something that the peer reviewer um would communicate with staff um uh about certain things, but typically it would just

103be that that the peer reviewer is given an assignment and they complete their assignment and send the report in. That's that's typically how it works. Um I've I've also had this on the other end of things when I've been um the in-house, you know, city solicitor um working on the other side supporting staff on this. So I really I really had an opportunity to see it from all sides and and I I have never personally experienced um a situation where the commission was was driving in the way that you suggest that that that they be communicating with the peer outside in the meetings. Um I'm not saying it's not possible. It's just hasn't come up in my experience. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. I just go back to the procedural concerns like you know

104we have no control over whether there's five more rounds of comments back and forth right we can't just say you know we're done you know three three rounds we just take it as is if we don't agree we we choose to disagree or is there this nickel and diamond you know us first of all we're paying funds past the scope of work which is a problem and then we're also stuck in this peer reviewview process that we have no control over as well where we're just you know beholden to how many times Stantech and the peer reviewers want to go back and forth To me, that feels like there's a management gap out there where we should be inserting ourselves saying three rounds is enough. Four rounds is enough. You know, that's it. Let's wrap

105it up and just take it at that point. In theory, this could drag out forever. They disagreeing, keep sending letters back and forth, billing us. >> But aren't aren't the isn't the peer reviewer just reviewing the design and changes to the design? Correct. So, we have this >> storm water plan. >> Reer should say, "I'm I'm done. I reviewed everything that I have >> when Voxford comes and >> I believe I believe they've gotten to that point. >> That's what they did now. >> See, also we can just say no. >> And now Stan is responding to their last round of comments, >> right? >> That's where we are right now. >> They made an initial list. I don't even know how many pages that first document was. >> 25, >> you know, that was

106comments from the peer reviewer and then Stantech is inserting their response. And then when you look at the, you know, the next document, um, you know, the peer reviewer will say satisfactory response, no further comments needed or something like that. So they're kind of ticking off this list and so they just sent the last one back where that there were things where they still wanted more information. Um, so the list is a lot shorter and that's what I think Crystal was kind of talking about is it's a lot shorter than it's than it has been. it's getting down to, you know, a couple of items and that's why she she thinks they may be able to get this done by tomorrow. >> I will also say that they the peer reviewer has done a ton

107of work for 20 grand. A ton of work for 20 grand. >> That's great. All I'm saying is if they think they're done collectively between those two functions, right? Oxford asks for more. We can just say no, we're not making any more changes to design. this is the design up or down take a vote can't >> that's where I mean personally I'd have to defer it to Crystal I don't know I don't know if we can do that but I do know having been to every one of these meetings for the past several years that there is a long list of questions that is still coming at us >> from the from the members of the conservation commission >> you've been there >> what about this what about this what about this that weren't part

108of the peer review and not part of the original design you know just >> that's eight times over Right. >> That's the frustration. At some point they have to vote the brand on NOI. >> So hopefully Crystal is going to implement her strategy and force that force their hand to do that. >> And she's driving the bus at this point. >> I'm sorry I I I missed your question. >> You're driving the bus like you're the the contact person now for coordinating our side. Um I would say that you know in conjunction with um you know with superintendent and and also you know we're also working with Stantech as well here. Um but look my I'm going to come into the meeting and and really try to set the stage with that you know again

109assuming that we get all of our information and beforehand is that we've responded to all the peers you know responses you know we we have we have done all these things there are no outstanding issues you know um you know we make an argument then that um that what we've put forward meets the performance standards that are set forth um in the state law and also in the bylaw and that we should we should get um you know a permit here and that that's that's kind of the argument that we're going to make and you know and and look and the commission may disagree with that you know and if and if they vote it down you know then we can we can talk about next steps then right about what we want to do

110um but I again I think Santex's really done an excellent job in in addressing um the concerns that have been raised by the peer reviewer um and I think I think that when we do get into the commission's meeting I think we're going to be in good shape And and same thing too, you know, when when they come at us with with additional questions, you know, we can refer them back to the peer review responses because I think we've done a good job there. So, if I just try to recap everything we've talked about and what I've heard, just to park this for a second, it sounds like we're having this conversation because we have a bill to pay and if we don't, the Boxer Conservation Commission could completely derail this regardless of what rights

111we have or what we can or cannot compel. So, we have to make a decision on that. >> They'll deny deny. They'll deny. Yeah. and according to their bylaws, they'll have the right to do it even though it was a little >> questionable. >> Um, so figuring out how we move forward is dependent on the response potentially landing tomorrow or soon thereafter and whatever happens in the next hearing. So >> we can't really like we could ask Crystal 50 more questions about what could happen or what we might be able to do, but to some degree we have to trust her as our expert to guide us on the best path in conjunction with Santech and um the administration. So I just you know just want to level set that I'm hearing all that and

112is there anything else that I'm missing here that we want to dig into more Trevor? >> Motion. >> Okay. I move that we approve an additional $10,000 to be transferred out of our stabilization fund to be sent to the town of Oxford in their in the pursuit of a TURP field project. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion? >> 10K was all for just a boxer side. I thought you mentioned >> for the peer reviewer the peer review to cover the cost of the peer review. that covers bills and a small balance beyond the bills currently. >> Yeah, they're estimate to complete plus >> just so we don't have to do it again, >> right? Come back and ask for another 500 bucks, right? >> 8,000 instead. >> Okay. That

113balance goes back to stabilization whatever. >> I would have to bring it back to the committee to have the committee transfer it back from the field turf field account to the probably Lisa. All right. So, in my head, we approve this the 10,000. >> They h I don't know how to I don't It's like so they keep dragging us along. Then we get another bill. I just I guess and like everybody else, I just want an end to this. All right, fine. We pay this bill, but that's it. I'm done. And I think that's what I kind of want that to say to them is no more. We're done. Make a decision. Oh, they can't keep coming back to us and especially with these invoices that say nothing. >> There is a reasonable expectation that

114the peerreview process has >> and that's what I'm hoping is if we delete it. Yeah. >> But this is it. >> So the peer review process, not necessarily the application with the conservation commission. That's entirely different. >> The peer review is just part of the process. >> Could be more bills for SAT. I Okay, thanks. But at Stantech, that's always worth asking. And this is this just feels like they just dragged their feet and just built up the bills just to eat into the funds that we have >> and and that's what I'm having with Chris. >> I thought we were at the this is it point in the process the last time we approved 25 grand as far as the peer review process goes. And so I think too I mean I'm going back

115to that point months ago, six, seven months ago in the budget process where we are bringing our hands over teaching positions and other aspects that are core to the learning before we and I understand it's like okay we're throwing good money after bad or like we need to see this through and this has been years decades in the making but I think we need a budget estimate of okay this is going to get us the peer review process, but then there may be additional Sante bills. There may be I I think we need to understand what else as we kick the can further down the curve. What other numbers are behind are could be coming close behind on its heels. It feels wildly irresponsible to just keep saying yes to every incremental. Mhm. >> I

116think if you approve the 10 that we're talking about to cover the peer review, we've got change order number four that was approved on June 4th. Right. That'll carry us through the next hearing. Right. At which time Stantech, the peer reviewer, the conservation commiss commission, and Crystal will have that conversation that Crystal talked about. And then what we could do is we could bring Crystal and Stantech back here like we did on May 28th to have that conversation giving the outcome from that hearing. >> Right. >> That's what I would recommend. >> But if we don't approve those funds here tonight, none of that happens and the project is denied. >> Yeah. >> The conservation commission will deny the application and the project will be dead. >> And what's the downfall of that? >> The

117project will be dead. >> Project's done. You'd have to start. >> No, no, no. But you But it if they deny it anyway. >> We don't know it. What? >> Well, no. But say they do, right? Not based on funds, but based on what they found, they just deny it. We were The thought is maybe we would appeal that decision. So if they just deny it because we didn't pay the bill, can we still appeal that decision? >> No. You have to start again. >> Yeah. So, so under the law, we we have to get a final decision from the commission. So, they need they need to they need to either, you know, they need to either approve or deny uh the order of conditions, you know, and and if we don't pay the bill,

118it's not that they approve or deny, you know, you know, on uh that's not something where we would be able to appeal. So, >> okay, >> just kind of one final point and question and it's probably going to sound stupid, but it just I guess what I'm looking for and I think what a lot of people have said already today is there there is it seems like there is no legal phrase like I think what I want and what a lot of people want is in this next meeting to go in there with a some kind of legal phrase to say to them what you're doing is so questionable and and seems seems like fraud to me. I mean, it's not. I'm sure they have bylaws that say it's fine, but it does seem like

119even if we presented them all the evidence that they needed with all the questions answered, they could just sit at the table and say, "Yeah, we don't think so." No. Right. No, sorry. And there's no justification for why they say no. Even say we provided them and we did answer all of the evidence. We checked all the boxes. Um, I guess that's what I'm my question is there is there is no legal action or phrase or something we can say like you either do this what you're doing is violating something like they're dragging their feet. It just seems a little fraudulent I think to me and I guess the answer is there is no legal phrase right there is nothing that >> I wouldn't say it's fraudulent. I just think we appropriate financial controls in

120these contracts. and we didn't define how many rounds of review time frames and all that and it's it's an open-ended back door. That's what I find frustrating retain council late in the process. >> It's more evidence. >> Yeah. And and if I >> if I don't mind if I could just jump in there. I you know I understand that this has been frustrating. I I do want to let you know that that this sort of extensive peer review is not uncommon um when you're looking at projects that are are close to sensitive resource areas. Um you know, I do a lot of work in coastal communities um and we certainly see this um as well, you know, and and and you know, so I I just I understand that this is this is frustrating. I

121it doesn't strike me as outside of the norm. With the peer review, the questions from the conservation commission is another story. But at least dealing with the peer review itself, um this this hasn't been unusual for me. I even though I do agree that it has taken a long time. Um so if the commission votes down the um the project, you know, then then we'll talk about we'll talk about what we want to do. We'll talk about the commission's reasons because look, if they vote it down and they don't have a good reason, then that's a great reason for an appeal on our on our side, right? And and but we need to we need to discuss that when and if it comes and we can talk about the merits and what we do and

122and you're right, there is no legal phrase that I can go in and and say that everybody's, you know, being arbitrary, right? Um but that's something that we get to say if they have issued an arbitrary decision after the fact, then we get to say that to the court. So um you know so that's again that's something that we can discuss you know if that happens you know the it I think one of the hard things where we are right now is that there's kind of like some unknowns right in the future like we don't know what's going to happen at the meeting it's difficult to judge what the commission's going to do um you know because of their past meetings that we've had it's it's kind of hard to see where things are going

123to go here you know so so I understand that there's a lot of unknowns but we're going to have to kind of take things as they Um, >> I move the question. Ready for a vote? >> Absolutely. Yeah. >> Ready? Okay. We have a motion on the floor to approve the 10K. Start with you, Matt. >> Regretfully, yes. >> Hi, Melissa. >> Yes. Jeff, >> yes. >> Hey, Kendra, >> also regretfully yes. Erica, >> yes. >> Bill, >> yes. >> I am also regretfully yes. Lisa, >> regretfully yes. >> Chris, >> no. >> Okay, Trevor. >> Yes. With an exclamation point. And so >> yes, >> right. Motion passes. >> All right. Do we have anything else for Crystal or should we let her >> Great. Crystal, thank you so much for coming. >> All

124right. Thank you so much. It was it was great to see everybody. Look forward to meeting you in person. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Bye bye. >> Jump to yours. >> Yeah. >> So doesn't mind. >> Jeff wanted us to go back to the um new and emerging activities real quick. Real quick. >> Think you made a discovery. >> I think I made a discovery. All right. Can we can we blow that up a little? Let me get back everybody. Can everybody see that? >> Y please. >> Okay. So, so the first column is obviously the activity, the new and emerging activity. The second column represents the full value of the stipen 100% of the statement. The third column is the year in which the activity, the new and emerging activity is in

125this year. So, table tennis is in year three. The full stipen amount is $1,335 this year and 100% of that stipen amount will be paid this year to the advisor. All right. So let's go to a simple example of a year two. So UNICEF at the very bottom. UNICEF is in year two. The full value of the stipen is $1335. The advisor will be paid $667 this year. So, back to the med club. The Med Club's application was submitted in January of 2025. So, the club was around, I'm guessing, but it was hadn't been formalized with the process. The paperwork was submitted and finalized with me in late January. made it met the deadline. Year 1 was FY25. The principal and the advisor and representative from the union looked at other looked at the the

126the level of work that was anticipated by the adviser in this new and emerging activity and looked at other peer clubs that existed and made the like for example um the jazz and women and gender studies um best buddies and made the determination that the level of effort that the adviser would put in for the med club was similar and equivalent to those clubs. >> Okay. >> So they recommended the an amount equivalent to those existing clubs which in this current year is $4,04. It's in year two. the adviser will be paid 50% of $4,04 or $2,2 and that's the story behind the med club. So it won't escalate to $8,08 ever. Um so the principal, the advisor and the union looked at that very long list of existing clubs and made the determination that

127that level of effort was the equivalent of those other clubs and that's how they came up with the number. >> So we have other clubs where the the full stipen is 4,04. Yes, >> we have two dozen other clubs. >> Okay. I >> mean can read you the list. >> Yeah motion because expected it was something like that. >> Right. So that's a better explanation of the background. >> Okay, that makes sense. >> Your headers on the previous ones were slightly different. Can >> hear you. >> The headers on your columns were slightly different on previous years. I don't know what that means. >> like the headers, like the year 26. >> You know how many schedules I produced? I >> No, no, no. I'm just saying years past. So, like, >> yeah, >> I

128went I may have gone back. >> That's the same exact letter that I used last year because I just took that letter and added new rows. So, yeah. >> So, should we make a motion to approve the med club? >> My recommendation to the committee would be to revisit this whole form. >> Yeah. re like >> Thank you. >> reset the motion. >> Yes, please. Motion to approve the whole bloody >> bloody bloody part of the motion. >> Is that a second? Thank you. >> A second. All right. >> Spend a half hour on every line item. >> I was going to say >> any discussion or do we exhaust every line? >> Seeing none. Okay. To you Matt. Motion on the floor is to approve >> continuing emerging activities list. >> The whole No,

129it was the whole bloody thing. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Melissa, >> yes. >> Jeff, >> yes. >> Andra, >> yes. >> Erica, >> Yes. Lisa, >> yes. >> Chris, yes. Trevor, >> yes. >> Joe, >> right, passes unanimously. >> Thank you for clarifying that. >> Yeah, I appreciate you doing that on the fly. Thank you. >> Much better outcome for the students. >> Yes. Okay. So, items left on the agenda are strategic plan, superintendent report, subcommittee reports, and our consent agenda. Go back to the top in order. It is the strategic plan B progress. So the docs in the packet, this was actually something we were going to talk about um two weeks ago at the retreat uh but we ran out of time. Um so this is sort of the the progress report on

130where we are um in terms of the uh fiveyear strategic plan. Um there's a link there to the to the original document if you want to take a look at it. Uh I just also kind of outlined the development process. So we started back in August of 2022 on this. Um there was a series of interviews. We had a working team was 19 people on it. Uh there were surveys of the community. Um series of meetings uh from the working team to draft the plan. Uh and then we finally after a series of uh drafts and reviews uh at the school committee approved this plan in December of 2023. Um so they take you through their uh the strategic objectives and then the different initiatives and under each initiative is is an activity. These are

131all coming out of the actual strategic plan document. Um and as I think you know I know I said probably about a hundred times that the timelines were all written in pencil. Um and so we are you know trying to catch up and show everybody where we are on on some of these things and try to you know give us some progress reports. So that first initiative, the first objective is curriculum. It was reorient our curriculum towards real world readiness and 21st century competencies. And so that first initiative was a curriculum development and review process. Um under there we had activities of portrait of a learner and we've seen that that's complete. We've seen the the documents and then uh our latest uh visuals uh hire a director of teaching and learning and he's sitting

132there in the in front of me. So, we know that one's complete. Um, and then, uh, you know, this comes on the work that's Kevin's been, uh, quarterbacking from here. Uh, a shared curriculum drive. Um, that's complete. Uh, then substantial progress with the course development within the drive. Um, next up was align our curriculum to the portrait of a learner and that's also sub substantial progress and that's going to be an ongoing process as Kevin's explained to you multiple times. Um, you know, our evidence on that one is the presentation that that Kevin gave at the end of last year. Uh and then for um also aligning our transfer skills to the portrait of a learner competencies. Um and look those would show up on the curriculum map website. Um and you can see on

133the the right the the explanations of how these things have all kind of manifested that the units reflect the essential questions. Um we have a shared language of learning across academic and counseling spaces that are these transfer skills. Um we're developing new courses uh that are showing up in the uh program of studies that are focused on the portrait of a learner and then our performance assessments are calibrated and aligned with the performance the portrait of a learner. Uh and then the other ones develop and align performance tasks to those portrait of learner competencies and that was that was a goal for last year. we have substantial progress um and we're collaborating with the uh the um education commonwealth project to develop these common expectations. Uh we're using and we're observing this in the classroom

134and we're looking at examples of student work uh that go along with these that performance tasks that are aligned. Um we're also looking at developing assessments for measuring uh the portrait of a learner mastery and this is a goal for this year. Um so looking at developing what we call cornerstone assessments that measure uh student mastery of a portrait of a learner competencies and one example of that is our uh senior internship project. Um last year we revised um the rubric for the internship to actually explicitly uh call out you know how students are mastering those portions of learner competencies, how they're showing demonstrating that they've mastered it um through doing the internship project. um you know we're going to look at other cornerstone assessments and those cornerstone assessments we're talking about assessments that everybody

135in the school does at certain points uh during their career here. So you think about the power of one project in seventh grade you know that all your children did at some point or you did yourself um you know thinking about we have uh implemented civics projects in eighth and 10th grade as part of the new curriculum frameworks. So incorporating our portrait of a learner competencies into all of those pieces will ensure that every, you know, we have every student demonstrating that they're mastering uh this portrait of a learner and we're going to collect that information uh and use it to to assess how well we're doing. Strategic objective two is instruction. Uh that's to support curriculum objectives, meet individual student learning goals, and improve teaching practices through collaboration. uh the original year was on

136this one actually the analyze special education services and develop plans for addressing identified service needs. It's actually a goal for this year. Um you know and it's the next two we're actually implementing those plans. U so we're shifting those uh forward and some of the data that we're going to be looking at is you know uh analyzing our number of out of district placements for middle school students student reading difficulties. That's one of the areas that we've identified as where, you know, where middle school students tend to go to out of district placements. And then in high school, it's social emotional difficulties. And so those are the two areas that we're focusing on uh and looking at um identifying plan, you know, how do we beef up our our uh service delivery in those two

137areas uh you know, between those two schools, you know. And the other piece you know so we'll analyze the out of district placement data and we'll also look at achievement gap analysis uh through the MCCAST. Uh next one is initiative C is strengthen our professional practice and that's to expand the role of professional learning communities and that's train faculty on analyzing student learning results and that's one of the goals Kevin's uh put put out for us for uh 2526 for the current year. uh and then to implement those refocus p professional learning communities uh in 2016 27 and again we'd be looking at our our student assessment results uh to see how they all been and then the next activity is redesign our professional development delivery through the PD advisory committee. Uh we started this

138uh you know for the last school year and we're continuing the implementation. uh that committee actually meets uh met regularly last year uh under Kevin's uh leadership and it's actually continuing to meet this year. uh the professional development plan for this year reflects the input of that committee and we're using surveys of faculty uh after those PD activities and Kevin had given us some of those that that evidence last year um that are collected and analyzed by the committee um and used to inform um further and other professional development work for the future. And then the uh next initiative is to develop any needed changes to the collective bargaining agreement to support professional learning committees and professional development activities. We actually did start this uh actually early in the last contract. We bargained um PLC

139and master teacher changes into the collective bargaining agreement uh in 2024. Uh and that new new language is now in process of implementation this year. Um so that CBA document reflects uh those changes and then the joint labor management committee is actually also meeting regularly to implement changes uh that we had negotiated in the collective bargaining group under initiative District data management and collection. So training the department heads on uh data analysis techniques is also a goal for this current year. uh and then developing data teams and a data dashboard is is a goal for this year. Um we're looking at the open architects data dashboard um to implement that over the course of this year. Um it's something we're just starting uh to work on uh this month. And then we're going to audit

140instructional practices and recommend changes. That's for 2627. And again, we would be looking at our assessment results, MCCAST, AP scores, local assessments, those cornerstone assessments that I mentioned earlier to measure how well we we've done. The next activity is implementing the educator commonwealth project surveys. Um, that's actually completed. Um, we s administered that survey in January 2025 to students, staff, and community members. uh we've reviewed the uh results of that survey with the ELT, the department heads and representatives from the MTA. And the idea is that we will continue to administer this survey uh year-over-year um to uh look at trends and patterns. And then the next one is building that uh education commonwealth project data into the data dashboard uh as a pilot. We're we're looking to uh work on that this year. Uh,

141and that's something Kevin's working with open architects to see how they can integrate um the results from the ex education commonwealth project surveys into a data dashboard uh that open architects will build for us. Strategic objective three is culture and well-being. So, we're going to foster a safe, trusting, and joyful school culture where students and adults thrive and grow. Um we're looking at implementing for 23, 24, we implemented their universal mental health screeners. Um and students in grades 7, 9, and 11 are actually now screened annually on this uh instrument. Um and we review those results. Uh and we also review youth risk behavior survey results. Uh and then the state uh administers a vocal survey which is also about school climate uh and uh student well-being. And so those results will all be looked

142at um you know to to look at to measuring the mental health of our students. We've also implemented small group and cognitive therapy groups in our student support centers. Uh the universal mental health screeners are used to develop uh these cognitive based therapy groups for identified students. And again again the information we'll use is that um screener youth risk behavior survey and the vocal survey should all um reflect uh the work that we've done with these uh small groups. Next one is to have 100% of faculty trained on uh seal and mental health skills. Uh we actually completed that in 2324. So we were early on that one. uh every uh student uh sorry every faculty member had a 10-hour uh social emotional learning level one course uh in 22 23 uh and then we

143offered a SEAL take 2 course in the spring of 2024 and again those uh those data result data points are still the same ones that we would be looking at in measuring student mental health and as a response to this uh work around uh staff development. Then ongoing is working with the Tritown Council on administering the youth risk behavior survey. Um, and it's something we do every two years. We're actually ramping up um to start doing it again uh this fall, believe it or not. So those are those are results that we also look at um the form program. And then the last one in this area was implementing the shape assessment uh to review progress on addressing student mental health issues. Shape is more of a organizational uh assessment to look at the resources

144that we have at student mental health. Brad, do you know what shape stands for? Trying to remember. >> I got it. >> Ah, sorry. It's late. It's late. But we use that the um our our mental health uh leadership team used that assessment years a couple of years ago to then inform some of our practices and they will um actually going to uh administer the shape assessment again this year um to continue what is school health assessment and performance evaluation system. Thank you. Had to look it up. Strategic objective four is uh community build community and that champions the district mission through communication um data communications data management and partnership uh and activity uh first one there is enhancing school spirit and that's ongoing um and it's the uh principles gave some examples of the

145activities that were present that went um that were given last year and again those data points would reflect um school spirit uh and student engagement in the school. Uh, next one is implement the educational commonwealth project surveys and as I mentioned earlier that's already complete and that'll be an ongoing uh initiative for us. Uh, another one that's a goal for this year is uh implementing advisory review committees in both schools. Um, we've talked about this is uh the potential to use some of our MB block time uh for more social emotional directed uh lessons whether it's you know a few days a month one day a week I don't know what we're going to talk about with the frequency yet but the MB blocks are actually ready made to be an advisory. It's a small

146group of kids that meet together regularly with the same faculty member who is also actually one of their teachers. so that gets to know them well. So there's there's some some work we can do here. I know there was I understand there was a lot of work done on advisories in the past and that's something we're looking to resurrect. And then the next one is to review our mentoring programs for staff and students. And so that's for uh 2627. And then initiative G is under facilities. And I think we just talked a lot about facilities. Um the activity in 23 24 was to uh try to get an O owners project manager and design for the roof and HVAC project and that part's complete. Uh the vote did not go the way we wanted it

147to but um that's the way we uh but we did go through that process. Um we're also looking to sequence the remaining capital priorities and the HVAC and roof projects. Um and uh Jeff Sans and uh the DCI working group have worked to develop a strategy for funding those capital projects um for 2324 and 2425 and going forward actually now 2526. Um we're refining that capital project list again that was work that DCI and Jeff uh did to refine and prioritize that list last year. Uh we 25 26. So now for this year, we're going to seek funding for those remaining capital projects. Um the MSBI application from the roof and boiler projects was submitted. If accepted, we hope that there'll be a vote for data authorization for the owner's project manager and design in

148spring of 2026. as the evidence there is the S so SOI that we all that the committee voted on last spring and then 27 28 that's the work to be done is really kind of looking at the question of an educational facilities master plan you know we have our facilities in good shape but do the facilities that we have the spaces in the building actually support the education the type of teaching and learning that we want to do um but that's definitely for for the future so I went through that really fast I barely can see it. Um, questions. Kevin's here, too. Thank you, Kevin. >> Yeah. >> So, there's a lot done. >> Lot to be done. >> It's It's good work. I'm curious about the open architects dashboard. I know they have like

149a free option and the buy option. How far are we taking that? >> Two options. You mentioned two. I can get further. I think you >> free option and the buy up. We're going to the >> buy up. >> Going to the >> buy. We've been working uh with them on MCCast. So, we've been bringing that data in. I've worked with them several years now. And this past year asking uh so now we have the ability to bring in all of our data points. You know, they I've done a lot of well, my research in the field says it's fairly seamless. You know, I got a lot of good feedback from other districts. There's a good portion of districts in the state that have a partnership. They're endorsed by the DESI. This is why the

150MCCAST is free. So, that's kind of how they open the gates to to this. Um, yeah, it's it's the most uh put it this way, I've looked at other dashboards and they get very costly, too. So, but from a starting point, the goal being in the shape of the district ad team seems to really start to inventory the data. Obviously, a centralized place in order to it's just you need that, you know what I mean? You need that ability. >> I think it's fantastic that we're doing it. >> Where's this one, you know? So, I think it's going to allow us to really uh move the needle. >> It takes, you know, I'm working with through the systems now just trying to get it set up. It's going to take a little while to build

151it, but we've had a good amount of back and forth through the summer. >> And so, do they have like an implementation timeline with you guys that you're trying to >> build that now? Uh, next step is I'll be meeting with um with central office and it um and then we'll, you know, we'll develop the timeline hopefully from there. But they can, you know, on their end they can turn around fairly quickly. But you know here resources are what they are so you know to the best. >> Okay. Is there anything that you need from us to move that work forward? >> Uh I guess I'll let you know. Yeah. Hopefully uh I think we're just just starting the conversations now like you know really to start to build it. Um, but yeah, it's it's

152obviously something that I I thought was I think you one of you mentioned it or last year and I I didn't think it would be even within our realm of budget, you know. I mean, I didn't think it was something that >> we met with them >> because there's other dashboards out there that are just very very cost. >> Met with them in July, right? >> I'm sorry. >> We met with them in July. Is that right? When did we do that webinar with them? >> Oh, the meeting we had. >> Yeah. Uh I think it was July which July architecture week. >> Yeah. >> So we and that was and part of it was we had to hold on because um you know so we're looking at coming out of the professional development budget.

153The federal government froze all of our federal grants and we didn't know if we were going to be able to use the monies that we were thinking about using for this. So we had to use it to fill in the $20,000 in title 2A that we normally got. So we kind of put the brakes on things for a while. So, so the feds came through. >> Okay. Wow. Thank you. Um, >> um, I guess the other the other comment I had was around meeting the needs of all learners. Um, I I'd love to either pull that timeline in or maybe add some interim milestones or something so that we're not waiting till 2728 to fully realize that plan that you guys are putting together potentially. Or is it 26? No, it's 2728 and >> uh

154yeah, so this year we're doing the analysis. >> Yeah. >> And we'll be looking to implement next year. >> Yeah. I you got I know it's it's a big job. It's an important job, >> but I think it's a I think it's a high need and I think it's got a lot of visibility and it's got a lot of outsized impact for our district. So, I just wanted to make a comment on that. >> And then >> I think I think this the action steps will come from the analysis. That's what we're looking on is to see okay, you know, >> so hopefully you guys can >> we have to get somebody trained as a you know, reading teacher or things like that. Yeah, definitely. >> Make it one line maybe. >> Yeah. >> Um,

155and then the ECP surveys. I would love to get a readout on those or >> Yeah, >> absolutely. >> Erica, my question was kind of similar to your second. This is probably for you, Kevin. I'm just thinking there are a lot of inputs here and I know when we look at, you know, strategic goal planning process and school improvement, my question is always around like the specificity of movement. So we can like check a box that some of these things are happening but how are we measuring the impact of these things now? So portrait of a learner competencies designing assessments like that is the work of the year. I know those may not be examples of it, but how is student learning, how are practices going to improve this year and how are we measuring

156those >> uh specifically which aspects of strategy >> really just like student learning in g because I understand that some of these it may not apply right so I wouldn't ask you that question when it comes to developing assessments it's not fair because that's going to happen throughout the year but just kind of in general eneral what we see here are a lot of inputs and I'm asking holistically or really specifically in one way how are we measuring the output of anything like the impact that it's having when it comes to student learning. >> Yeah. So that's where that ability to really start to identify just the data that's coming out of our classrooms. that's going to be the work of that district data team to really say, you know, which data should we really

157be paying attention to going into the ability to go into a deeper analysis. So, of course, you know, student achievement is always um a benchmark that you want to look at and then something that we will look at and part of that, you know, feeds into the the work we're going to be doing with PLC's too. So, you know, if if if there's an opportunity and um I've started the conversations in partnership with the association of, you know, if there are opportunities to really look more formally and calibrate some practices, you know, we're having these conversations at the leadership level too like around student work and um you know, as we start to see, you know, I think you you'll really see and appreciate how students are able to demonstrate mastery, right? That brings you

158back to the portrait of learn because if you know in terms of student work are we the work we're going to be doing performance assessment you know what is that what does that look like ultimately you know we're going to be have a multip now that the portrait of learners be aligned to the internship program well how is that program evolved you know how are those cornerstone assessments fall so it's it's taking a closer look at uh but also getting input you know from students across the word on on those pieces too get student feedback along the way. So yeah, we're continuing to build all all those systems, but it's we just haven't started to formally collect the data yet. That's where, you know, the goal is to really start >> and I think that's

159one of the things we've talked about is actually building an inventory of what what assessment data we have. That's something we, you know, we want to make sure we know exactly what we have and then look at that and say, okay, are we missing things? I mean, some of the things we're talking about is, you know, a reading assessment in the middle school, but before we actually start adding things, I want to have a comprehensive list of what we're actually doing now and what we have first. Um, and use those >> and to be clear, I'm not advocating for a new assessment. I'm just thinking >> I guess I'm also wondering are for portrait of a learner and those competencies is anything changing with grading in terms of like how those are assessed because competency

160based learning my schools are competency based learning I mean that is a massive piece of work in training staff to grade in aligned ways forming that like is that happening I guess and maybe this is also a question for offline but in terms of structural change the school. What is like that piece of work? Like >> what it's doing with with performance tasks, what that does is that >> that sets up the door for collaboration among teachers. That's what we're doing and those conversations are happening so that we're you are achieving some more commonality around those discussions. You know, some of those assessments uh will become more common. You know, you look at competency determination, which we're going to have to develop. That's going to be an example of a perfect example where we could

161align not only meet our standards that our students are supposed to demonstrate mastery on but also an option to align to our portrait of learn competencies as well. So it's um if keeping an eye on that enterprise those portrait of learn competencies that's really where we want our students to be. So I would hope that some of that evidence is how are our assessments evolving and you know are we able to more clearly identify what how we're diversifying those assessments and what's what a performance test looks like and how can students articulate what they are learning because that's piece that's going to have to come out of all of us. students are going to have to uh have a clear understanding of of what it means right across those competencies and they're going to have

162to actually be able to demonstrate they learn. Um so, you know, I know that's we're just preparing for the accreditation visit right now, but I can tell you that that's going to be um the work that we continue to do. Um so it it's really about it's really about the student uh voice as well you know what that looks like in the end in terms of not just traditional assessments but how are students able to demonstrate but to answer that question for this year a lot of these are longer term goals too like like M we're inventorying our existing data we're we need to start formalizing what we're doing with the data that we have in the house. So part of you got to create the structures. Other questions, comments? Nope. Running out of steam.

163Okay, thank you everyone. Um so superintendent report. Okay, so we had a really great opening to the 2526 school year. Um, our teachers returned to work on August 25th. Uh, they participated in our all district meeting. They met with their principles and department heads. Uh, had time to complete annual required trainings to set up their classrooms. Uh, Tuesday, August 26th, we welcomed our incoming seventh and 9th grade students for orientation. Uh our ninth grade orientation is led by our peer leaders who are upper grade students who are trained to help ninth graders with their transition to high school. It's a great program. Uh those peer leaders are assigned a small group of ninth grade students to meet with and they meet with them throughout the school year. I think it's just about monthly. Uh and

164we want to thank uh high school teacher Mike Kelson for coordinating the peer leader program. Uh at the middle school, our seventh grade students begin the process of transitioning from students from their hometown elementary schools uh to becoming masconomic students. Uh the seventh grade began their orientation by meeting with their embach class to uh learn about school policies. Uh they then participated in a scavenger hunt designed to teach them the building's layout. It's fun to watch them run around looking for classrooms and and then ask me for directions and sometimes I give them wrong. Um and then in uh they participated in a poison river team building game. Uh the seventh grade ended the day assembling uh toiletry kits that were donated. Uh and they also received a swag bag uh for themselves courtesy from

165the mascanomic par activities committee. Uh and we want to thank uh the middle school faculty for uh they all really pitch in for seventh grade orientation. All hands are on deck that day. Um, all students officially began the school year on Wednesday, August 27th, uh, where all classes met in a modified half-day schedule. Uh, on Thursday the 28th, we ran a Monday schedule to make up for the Labor Day holiday. Uh, after returning from the long weekend, the high school held its back to school night, which was last uh, Thursday, September 4th. Uh, and our opening of school activities uh, conclude tomorrow night uh, with the middle school's back to school night. Uh it'll be at 6:00 um in middle school. Uh I want to thank the members of the Boxford, Middleton, and Toppsfield fire

166departments. Uh our student government representatives and high school principal Katie Dinardo for giving their time yesterday to set up Masanomit September 11th memorial on the front lawn of the school. Uh the memorial was originally coordinated by Masanomit students Colo Ali, Nate Hopper, and Olivia Ali. And Colo and Olivia are not related. Uh that was back in 2006. Um so now for the past 19 years, the flag memorial has continued as an annual tradition at Masanomit uh to remember those killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. Uh both the middle and high schools will also be observing moments of silence tomorrow uh to commemorate the day. Um we talk about our prayer and communications guide. Masanama always seeks to promote good communication uh with parents, the towns and within and among the schools themselves.

167Uh to this end, our executive leadership team has developed a problem solving and communications guide uh which is intended to help us foster effective communication uh through putting members of the community in touch with the best person to answer their specific question. Uh the guide can be accessed from the front page of the massconomic website uh under the helpful helpful links heading. Uh the problem solver and communication guide provides parents and community members with the appropriate contacts at Masconomic for a number of common issues uh such as academics, attendance, student records, uh special education, student services. Uh because problems and concerns are best addressed at the source. Uh we suggest that parents always begin at that step. Uh for example, the chain of communication for a concern about a grade on an assignment uh would

168be to begin with the teacher who assigned the grade, then to the appropriate department head, and then to the principal or assistant principal. Uh if the concern is not resolved, the last step in this in this process would actually be me, superintendent. Uh if you have a question about a topic that's not listed on the problem solver communication guide, the best place to start is the main office of either the middle or high school uh where administrative assistants will direct you to the appropriate person to contact. Got um a list of updates on capital plan items. Um, so, uh, on the HVAC and roof replacement project, uh, back in March of 2025, the school committee approved the submission of statements of interest with the Massachusetts School Building Authority or the MSBA's accelerated repair programs uh,

169to replace our current HVAC system with heat pumps and to replace the roof. Uh, one statement of interest was submitted for the high school and one for the middle school. uh assistant superintendent Sans, uh HVAC technician Keith Serosiaak, and I participated in a conference call with the MSBA on July 28th. Uh and the three of us hosted a team from the MSBA to conduct conduct a site visit uh here at Maskamid on August 21st. Uh the MSBA expects to issue invitations to school districts to participate in the schematic design phase of the accelerated repair project at the end of October. Uh there are 96 applications before the MSBA in this round of funding. Um but because of this large number of applications, they'll be staggering the commencement dates uh for districts that have been invited

170into the schematic design phase. Uh if we are invited, this could allow us to potentially seek approval to borrow funds for designer and owners project manager services at next May's annual town meetings. If we're not invited to participate in this round, the next window for submitting an application will be in the spring of 2027. Uh in May of 2025, uh the this is about electrification studies. Uh in May of 2025, Boxford and Middleton and Topsfield Town meetings approved the funding for Masanama to conduct a study on the feasibility of electrifying our building HVAC systems. Uh Jeff Sans and Ksterosak kicked off this project this week uh by hosting a team from CMTA. Uh and the current plan is for CMTA to issue a draft report in January early January right on the track and softball

171renovation project. Uh Boxford, Topsfield, and Middleton town meetings also approved the funding for a study to redesign our softball facilities and replace the track at Bunker Stadium. Uh on August 20th, uh Assistant Superintendent Sans, athletic director John Delenus, and I hosted a design team from Vision Sports Design to kick off this project. Uh Vision Sports Design plans to have draft designs and cost estimates uh to us by the end of October. The press box lift uh last fall, last fall, the Boxford building inspector closed the second floor of the press box at Bunker Stadium uh because the lift to the second floor was not not functioning. Uh last May, Boxford and Middleton and Totsfield town meetings approved the funding to replace the lift. Uh this August, temporary scaffolding was installed that includes public address and

172scoreboard controls and space for football coaches. And so this will allow athletic games to be held at Bunker Stadium this fall. Um and then the press box lift is scheduled to be replaced in spring of 2026. uh turf field. We just had a pretty lengthy discussion, but just to put it all together, on August 13th, uh the district's project designer, Stantech, submitted its response to the comments from the Boxford Conservation Commission's peerreview firm, Williams and Sparges. Stantech, uh received a response to these comments on September 2nd and is currently working on a response to this review. Uh given the Boxford Conservation Commission requires materials to be submitted one week in advance, it's likely Stantech will not be ready with this response in time for the Conservation Commission's next meeting on September 18th. That's next uh

173Thursday. Uh the next Boxford Conservation Commission meeting after September 18th is October 2nd. And I'll kind of recap. On September 4th, I was notified by Ross Podman, the Boxford Conservation Agent, that the $18,000 the district had paid uh for William and Sparges peer review services had run out and that we're now $5,500 in a rears. Uh Mr. Provinire also informed me that Williams and Sparges anticipates another $2,000 needed to complete the peer review work. Uh this is the first update we've received relative to the cost of the peer review since the district paid the initial 18,000 in February of 2025. Um then school committee has appropriated the additional funding so our permanent application may continue. And let's see this year we will again be hosting a series of parent coffees on Friday mornings at 8:30.

174Uh these coffees are an opportunity for members of the public to meet with school principles, members of the district administrative team, and me to ask questions and discuss issues uh that concern the Masconomic District. Um our parent coffees this month will be held at the high school on September 19th. Um and on in the middle school on September 26th from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. And then uh last sharing time uh couple of weeks ago I informed the mass economic committee that I do not want to renew my contract as superintendent of the mass economic regional district after my current contract expires on June 30th, 2026. Uh after 6 years, it's become clear to me that my professional goals and the goals of the district are not aligned. Uh, I will continue to work with everyone

175within the district to support students, faculty, and community members through the end of the school year. >> Adrian, can I take the mic for a second? >> You may. >> Um, you know, I think that this is uh big news for the school committee, for Mike, for the district, and the the families of the Tritown. Um, I got a chance to talk with Dr. Harvey over the last 48 hours about this. And you know, first I'd like to thank Mike for all his hard work and commitment to the school and for remaining committed to the success of Masco for the remainder of the school year. Um, you know, Mike, in the two years that I've been on the school committee. Uh, in my mind, you have demonstrated your passion for our students. So, thank you.

176Um, I'm sure this has all, you know, I'm sure everyone has a lot of comments and questions on this. um we're uh that we certainly have a lot to deliberate over. We're not going to do this tonight. Instead, I'd ask everybody to, you know, gather their thoughts and perspectives on this, share them with Adrian and myself over the next few days. Uh I'm going to Adrian and I are going to meet with um representatives from Mask um to get their consult and guidance. Surprise, Adrian. Um and then from there we'll have opportunities to talk about how we want to manage uh during this transition and time of change. So again, thank you Mike uh for all your hard work and commitment and for working through this with us. >> Thanks Ben. >> Great. Two more

177items on the agenda. Um I can't hear >> subcommittee reports. >> So community relations um we covered a lot of what we covered in our first meeting in our goals. Um we have a meeting scheduled for September 17th. That's a week from today, right? Yes. Uh via Zoom. Um and I can send out the link um tomorrow if anybody else would like to join us. Um hopefully we'll start going over some of those calendar ideas and templates and brainstorming the first round of um information and flyers that we can get out to people. Um so meetings next Wednesday and that's all I have. >> All right. So far >> DCI budget. >> Yeah, I sent something out just before coming in today looking to meet on the 26th because that's the first day that was

178available to sit down with us. Um, just let me know what your availability looks like. Um, just my one response to you, Jeff, would be if for some reason Fridays don't work out, are Mondays potentially an okay >> Friday mornings like we've done the past couple years? >> Yeah, I just >> Yeah, >> I think Kendra is the only really new member here that uh would have to be able to accommodate Friday mornings. So hopefully you can >> that we've been doing >> via via Zoom. I'll be in in Boston on the air on Friday mornings. But I can go listening to you break. I can >> watch someone listen. >> But I can Let's try to find out what time >> it's fine. Yeah. Yeah. Open there. >> To answer your question about Friday

179afternoons, I usually go to Treehouse Brewery. So if you want to meet me there, >> do that. >> Golf course. The golf course. >> Golf course. Yeah. >> I'm going to be there in a couple Mondays, but It's not on a Friday. >> Uh that's that's it. >> Okay. Vocal, >> we just final our goal. So I think we'll kick off our next meeting soon. I get everybody schedules together. >> Policy. >> Um keep an eye out on your emails. We'll have to schedule a meeting soon. Um and the timeline I have it somewhere when we need to have that policy um based on the competencies done by but that's not that far away. So >> working on that >> the town leazison updates >> I think we have a listening session that Saturday >>

180is next or is the >> the 20th >> 20th. Yeah, Popsdale has a listening session on Saturday morning at the library, the Saturday the 20th. Um, negotiations. >> I meant to follow up, but Jeff, do we have any this year or tonight? >> We're just going to >> jump on the Treehouse Brewery Committee. >> That's pretty good idea to be. >> Yeah. Um, okay. Consent agenda. Um, Adrian, I'm sorry. I didn't I didn't get a chance to wait on the Middleton side. I was distracted here. Um, so I did meet with Costa again and kind of just keep me in touch with with uh with the select board. Um, just real quick for all of the um liaison. Um, I think coming out of the the retreat, we had an action to get um invites

181out to our town representatives. Um so if you haven't done that yet um please see if you can get that done in the next few days. >> We coming out of the retreat it was the TTU committee members and at some point it shifted to select board income town administrator. >> So we were aiming for the fifth which you know we I think it m you know we can send out the invite and invite people. I just want to make sure we know who we have on which agenda when before any other invites go out cuz did anybody send one out for Boxford yet? >> No. >> Okay. So, yeah, I just want to make sure that we align with I think you sent one for town officials for the fifth and then maybe we

182would invite TTU on another day. Yeah, I apologize if I messed that up and got it confused, but I do think that um was it Chris and Joe? I'm sorry. I forget who Chris and >> we ended up watching the TTU thing and we were going to do the chairs of each of the school committees. >> Anybody invite Matt, sounds like we need to take it offline and crisp it up. >> Let's take take it offline, Chris. But nonetheless, >> I I think I gave the other liaison an email based on what Chris had drafted. >> Um, >> yeah, >> to send out to the town representatives. So, I think that we still want to do that cuz the invite's out there and I think Mike has shifted the agenda accordingly to bring in the

183uh the towns to start the initial budget break the ice discussions in November. >> Okay. So, we can resocialize that just so we're all on the same page and make sure that that gets out ASAP and then we'll go from there on anything else you want to do. All right. >> Thanks. >> Yep. Anything else? Are we ready for consent agenda? >> Yeah. What we talked about or is that for another meeting? >> That's it has to be on an agenda for a vote. Yeah. >> Okay. >> I'll move that we approve the consent agenda. >> Second. >> I'm with you, Matt. Oh, >> I just wanted I think >> worth calling out. I couldn't help but notice this generous donation from the Cummings Found. >> $50,000 for performing arts. I mean, that's extraordinary. >>

184Yes. >> Big thank you to all who made that happen. >> Yes. There's a lot of really generous donations in this consent agenda. >> There's new basketball uniforms, there's MEF grants, the lots of great stuff. We have an amazing community who is showing up for us at a really challenging time. So, enormous appreciation for them. Any other comments before we take a vote? >> Um, Mike, I think you wanted to just point out in the consent agenda the master teacher application. >> Yeah, the one for Vanessa Magguire actually we missed it from it should have gotten done in the spring and we missed it. So, we're making it right right now. So, >> Okay. >> Right. Right. Matt, >> Yes. Jeff, >> yes. >> Sandra, >> yes. Erica, >> yes. Bill, >> yes. >> I

185am a yes. Lisa, >> yes. Chris, >> yes. >> Joey, >> yes. >> Unanimously. We are adjourned at 9:39. Thank you everyone for your time and attention. >> All right, everybody. Thanks. >> A big agenda, guys. Nothing.