001Heat. Good evening. [clears throat] At this time, I will call tonight's special meeting of the Methuan School Committee to order. Today's date is Wednesday, February 25th, 2026. We're meeting in the media center at Methuan High School. Uh we will begin uh by uh taking a roll call. >> Chair >> present. >> Yep. >> Here. We need a motion and a second to accept tonight's agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion from the vice chair, second from member Keegan. Any discussion? If there's no discussion, we'll vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. The eyes have it. We'll now rise for the flag salute. [clears throat] >> To the flag of the United States of America and to a republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
002justice for all. [clears throat] >> We have public participation. Next on the agenda, I don't think we have uh any public participation for the special meeting. Uh so uh we will move on to uh the main item on tonight's agenda. Uh this is a historic night in the city of Mthuan. Uh, per our city's charter section 46, filling of vacancies, the school committee tonight will elect Alejandro Bayz as an acting school committee member to serve the balance of the unexpired term of the vacant seat created by the resignation of former school committee member Kristen Maxwell. Uh what I'm going to do is I'm going to ask for a formal motion uh in a second to appoint uh member designate Bayz to serve as a member of our committee. Uh we'll take a vote and then
003I'm going to make sure that we do this while the cameras are running. Uh we're going to swear him in right here on the spot. Uh so I need a motion and a second to formally appoint uh member designate Bayz to the school committee. >> We have the motion from member Donovan. The second is from me vice chair Daglio. We'll take a roll call vote on the appointment. >> Daglio, >> yes. >> Donovan Grassi, yes. Keegan, >> yes. >> McCarthy Soy, >> yes. >> Wlette, >> yes. >> Mayor Bogard, >> yes. Congratulations. [applause] And now next we have city clerk and Duan uh with us tonight. I'm going to ask the city clerk to come up to the podium here. We're going to turn that mic on so it is green and we're going to
004do the swearing in right now. >> Okay. So can you repeat after me? Okay. Raise your right hand, please. I state your name. I, Alejandro Bayz, >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts >> the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts >> and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Mthuan >> and the Charter and Ordinances of the City of Methuan. that I will faithfully >> that I will faithfully >> honestly >> and impartially >> discharge my duties >> as a member of the school committee >> during my continuence therein. >> So help me God. >> Very good. All set. Thank you. [applause] >> Everybody if you'd like
005to say a few words and then you can take a seat and we'll have your first vote which will be a motion to adjurnn. Good evening members of the community and through you Mr. Mayor. I am humbled in my attempt to express the honor and privilege that will be serving our students, our families, and our city. For me, the privilege begins by watching the work that former school committee member Kristen Maxwell has realized over the past few years. Her commitment to transparency and accountability has cemented her legacy as a champion for MDAN public schools. The honor well the honor begins by realizing what this moment represents. This here and this now. This here and this now come together to offer us an opportunity. An opportunity for stability. an opportunity to foster respect and to refocus
006on the work ahead of us. With that said, stability, respect, and focus can only prosper under understanding. That is why tonight, in the infancy of my term, I would like to be clear and contribute to the shared understanding. I will not tolerate bullying or harassment against me or any other members of the school committee or my colleagues. I refuse to be a spectator, a meaner bystander, or a passive observer. I will exercise my civic duty to answer the call as an advocate, an upstander, and a first responder against bullying. Because we don't just set the example, we are the example. And I will make sure that the words that I am cultivating here tonight will grow into a shared tradition between community leaders. We have a lot of issues to tackle, but we must not
007forget to answer the call. of reaching and explaining the successes that we have received as well. I look forward to working with any interested party in the advancement of our public education because I know that here at this table we have a shared vision, a vision for our district success. Whether that be hiring a new superintendent that will help us lead this district toward success, strengthening our academic outcomes, or even finding creative ways to balance our budget. My line will always be open because while the honor and the privilege begin here, they don't end until we are able to provide results for our students, our families, and our beloved community. Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you, member Bayz. And if you'd like to join us up here, uh we will uh proceed shortly with a
008motion to adjourn and we'll be back at it at six o'clock. Heat. Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] >> Drinking warm water before bed improves eyesight almost overnight. Thousands of people are already doing this every night as they sleep by adding one unusual ingredient to a glass of warm water. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. Hello. Heat. Come on. Come on. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Hey, Heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. Hallelujah. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Apologies. [music] Uh, this meeting is being recorded and will be made available for viewing on the Mthuan Public Schools website. Secretary, would
009you please call the role? >> Vice Chair Daglio, >> present. >> Donovan Graassy, present. Member Bayz, >> present. >> Member Keegan, >> present. Member McCarthy Soy >> present. >> Member Wlette, >> y >> and member Bogard >> here. We need a motion and a second to accept the agenda for tonight's meeting. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion's from member Soy. The second is from member Keegan. Any discussion? >> There's no discussion. We'll vote. All those in favor? >> I I >> opposed. The eyes have it. Uh we'll now rise for the flag salute. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Uh, first on the agenda tonight, we have public Oh, yes. Excuse
010me. I am so sorry. Um, I'm going to ask us to rise again uh for and we're going to pause for a moment of silence for uh James Staples. Uh he is or was a a proud graduate of the Mthuan High School class of 2011. He was the captain of the varsity basketball and football teams. James was a benevolent person and the strength with which he navigated serious health challenges over several years was inspiring. James continuously gave back to our community as an MHS building based educator and assistant MHS basketball coach and a volunteer at Man Inc. James was an excellent colleague, friend, and role model to many within our school community and tonight we honor his memory. Thank you and my apologies. Uh first on the agenda we have public participation. Uh has anyone
011signed up? No. All right. So uh is anybody here uh to speak for public participation? If not, I will close public participation. Uh, if you were not able to attend a meeting in person, you can send an email to Susan Shanti at snsc n ti mthuan.k12.mma. us before 3 p.m. on the day of the school committee meeting. Next on the agenda, we have the DECA state career development conference. Uh, this is taking place from March 12th through March 14th of this year. We need a motion and a second to approve. >> So move second. So moved. Second. >> And we do have a student here this evening. Um if you wish to hear more about the conference, >> that'd be fantastic. So we have the motion from member Soy, the second from member Donovan. Uh
012and we'll open up discussion. At this point, I'll invite the student to speak. All right. So, Methuan High School DECA will attend the Massachusetts DECA State Career Development Conference, also known as Mass DECA SEDDC, from March 13th to 15th in Boston, Massachusetts. So, this 3-day conference will take place in the Seapport District and students will be staying at the Renaissance Boston Seapport Hotel. So the primary goal of this trip is to provide students with a high level competitive and educational experience that strengthens their skills in finance, accounting and entrepreneurship through realworld application and performance-based events. So events range from role playing as an accountant to pitching companies that students have both built from the ground up. Think about it like Shark Tank essentially. So at this conference a total of 43 students and five staff
013members will be attending from MHS. So students participating in this conference have demonstrated strong commitment and competitive drive through their preparation and already prior qualifying performance at DECA regionals another similar event with the same based categories. So the event will give them the opportunity to compete against the top students in the state, receive professional feedback and further develop analytical and presentation skills that translate directly to real world environments. So in addition, the trip offers valuable networking and professional connection. Students will engage with other high achieving peers and future leaders across finance, accounting, entrepreneurship disciplines, helping them build relationships and broaden their exposure to business pathways. I also want to note that top performers at SEDC will be able to move on and perform at nationals, also known as ICDC. And I also wanted to give
014a special thanks to the Methuan board for providing funding for this DECA states trip. So, I'm in communication with a lot of other DECA chapters and DECA presidents uh around the area, most notably North Andover, and they are paying over $500 for this trip into Boston, which is only three nights. Us on the other hand, we're only paying around $100 $100, which is around 1/5if of the price. So, I just wanted to express my gratitude for allowing these kids to be able to take this competition seriously and genuinely be able to pursue their passions in finance, accounting or entrepreneurship. Thank you. >> Thank you, members. Sice, >> I just wanted to ask how many students will be attending? >> Um, I believe it will be 43 students. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? If
015not, we'll take the vote. All those in favor? >> I opposed. The eyes have it. Uh, thank you. All set. >> Thank you. Have a good one. >> Congratulations. >> Uh, next on the agenda, we have a CPAC update. Uh, I don't think we have any at this time, but this is something that we'll have, I think, ongoing. Um, ELPAC. Uh, Dr. Golovsky, I'll invite you to introduce the ELPAC members. >> Sure. Our CPAC representative wasn't able to make it tonight um but looks forward to attending another workshop. Um I'd like to invite Maria Bancado up to speak on the ELPAC. Maria is an EL teacher at Methuan High School, also a parent in the district and is currently serving as our liaison um to try to attract as much attention to ELPAC as possible.
016Um so Maria will give you a little summary of what ELPAC is. um our outreach so far so far and she has some really good ideas moving forward. >> Thank you so much. Um I would like to introduce myself. Um my name is Maria Broncato. Okay. I would like to um give you a little bit of my f my my background. Um I would like to share my personal journey as an immigrant parent who arrived to United States with limited proficiency in English like many others who better um who who seek for better opportunities. Um [snorts] I face the challenge of navigating a new country, a new culture, a new language and um but my perseverance and my dedication and support of others um I was able to overcome all the barriers upon my arrival.
017um I made conscious decision to learn English um and uh knowing that I was essential um to grow and success in a in this new environment. This process was not easy but it was deeply rewarding and empower me to better communicate and advocate for myself and engage more fully community around me. As um I gained confidence in my language skills, I discovered my passion for education. My own experience as a language learner inspire me to pursue a career in in teaching. [snorts] Um I decided to focus on helping English learners recognizing the importance of having educators who understand the struggles and the victories of learning a new language. I became teacher in of English learners in this role and able to draw my own journey to better support my students and my and the families.
018[snorts] Uh my experience has um in addition my my pro of my professional role I am also a parent of a student here. He is right now here with me. That is also um dual perspective allow me to understand the challenges that becomes family of an educate educator face ensure ensuring a student success. [snorts] Um my experience has instilled me um instill in a strong um commitment to fostering supportive inclusive learning environment. I believe that every student, regardless of their background, deserve the opportunity to thrive academically and socially. As a teacher and a parent, I strive to be a bridge between the school community and diverse families that we serve, working together to ensure the success of all our students. Thank you for the opportunity. um the opportunity to share my story. I look forward
019to continue to contribute to our school community, helping students achieve their fullest potential and supporting families in their educational journey. Now, a a quick overview about ELPAC. ELPAC is um English learners pattern advisory council is a voice for families. Okay. Is a voice for family. The English learner pattern advisory council is made up of parents and legal guardians of English learners. The vision is to improve communication and participation between the English learners, families, and the school through inclusive community, equal opportunities, cultural pride, and family partnership. Our mission, the ELPAC mission is advocacy with communication, support, and empowerment. We hosted um introductory meeting um in February 11 this year. It was here at the Midwin High Cafeteria. Although 20 individuals were confirmed to come, only five showed up. I was happy they showed up. [laughter] And
020from those five that showed up, four of them um they said, "I want to serve as an officer." After I did a presentation, after I explained the importance of families involved for their own students, the child's success in the English learner. Um we're going to host another meeting um on March 25th. Again, it's going to be here in um the Mituin High School cafeteria. We kind of want before the ELPAC meeting was like we we choose one school, one school. Right now we focus only in one place so they can people they don't get confused. So, and everybody every all the the entire district is invited to participate for my next meeting because okay we have 20 confirmation that they come but they only if I show up my idea is to make a video.
021I would like to make a video um explaining about ELPAC, the importance of the ELP pack for families to participate and um also made phone calls. I think the one in one calling, hey um would you like to come to serve? Would you like to come? Is any questions? I think that's like that's a 100% support for me. Um so those are my two ideas for right now. Making the video try to distribute it to um to all the parents to the district to make sure um the next one it will be more than five people. Um if you have any question I'm happy to answer. Thank you. Thank you very much for that presentation. Um, in order for us to keep on top of what's going on, is there a social media presence or
022how can we keep up to date with you? >> So, LPAC like CPAC really should be parent driven um with the district supporting. So, um that is why it's so important um that Maria was able to secure four parents to say they wanted to be officers. That was a struggle we've had in the past. We've had pretty good participation in terms of workshops that we offered, um, technology support, helping navigating, reading the report card, MCCAST reports, but we really haven't established that core group of parents to turn it over to. So once we're able to do that, they would be the ones to create the social media because it really shouldn't be governed by the school. But certainly um with the video that Maria's planning to create um and also any other um marketing information
023we can put forth through any any channels that we have to help advertise. >> Thank you. >> Member Keegan, >> what do you think the biggest um barrier is for parents to come to your meetings to be involved? Where do you see the resistance? Um I believe because I talking to students is work. A lot of parents work at night and um I'm not sure if it's a Saturday meeting will work. I will like I think that's a good idea. A Saturday morning meeting um if it's a good idea. But a lot of parents mention I work until seven. I work overnight. Um I >> You're welcome. >> And we we did try a morning meeting last year which was relatively successful. But where we had excellent attendance was um every school last year had
024a student showcase of work for our English learner students. And I would say 99% of students had a family member come to here to see the work during the school day. Um it was an excellent celebration of progress and actually um we had some graduation ceremonies for students who um became former English learners. So Maria and I were just banding about was maybe at that point is when we slide in the Elpac meeting following a student showcase where all the parents are already there and can build relationships among each other as well. Um, part of the richness of our district is we have 22 languages represented, which also sometimes, um, creates a little bit of pre-planning work to make sure we have translators on site that can help, um, communicate the messaging. So, um, Maria
025is multilingual and has also, um, been great about providing those supports as well. >> Member Bayas, >> thank you through you, Mr. Mayor. Maria, thank you so much for sharing. I I really appreciate it. Um I was just wondering to see how uh Elpac has been collaborating with let's say coaches or after school uh extracurricular um people in in charge of those areas and generally how the collaboration has been between you know let's say teachers admin and LPAC. So this is um we have our meeting like I said it's an introductory meeting um in the past I was not fully involved in the past with those but I believe that it was involvement on coaching after school curriculum um after clubs and curriculum it was a lot of involvement right now I'm trying to create
026that again one more time >> I would say too that um we've relied on teachers uh a lot in the past to communicate messages home and to try to elicit that participation and the phone calls have been hugely important. The teachers that call home make the direct connection. Um we get a lot more participation. I I honestly don't believe that we've um gone the route of communicating with um high school coaches or club adviserss, which might be a great idea um moving forward, especially as we're pursuing um reasons why participation may not be what we want it to be in some of those areas. So, that would be a good place to look as well. >> Thank you, member Wlette. just to spitball on this situation. Um we would further discussion tonight's going to be
027on the inaugural parent university and I think is a perfect segue if someone is bilingual to convey uh through a webinar um information that's pertinent to services uh to educational rights. So, that's something I know that the acting superintendent will update us later on with the agenda, but I thought it just piqued my interest of the inaugural parent university that we're going to just try to do outreach because like you said, the visual um is more enticing than maybe just something that's sent in the home with a letter. Uh that might be something to uh you know, encourage. Thank you. Any other questions? If not, I think that'll do it. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Next on the agenda, we have uh the need to have some nominations uh for vacant seats
028on two subcommittees. Uh I'll begin with the redistricting subcommittee. Uh do we have anybody uh who would like to be nominated for the vacancy on that subcommittee? >> Oh, excuse me. I'm sorry. I was going to nominate um Alejandro Bay. >> You accept member bias? >> Yes. Okay, great. Uh so let's have a motion and a second to appoint member Bayz to the redistricting committee. >> So moved to second. >> Motions from member Soy, seconds from the vice chair. There any discussion? If not, we'll take a roll call vote. >> Yes. Next, we have the policy subcommittee. Do we have any nominations for policy subcommittee? >> Mr. Chairman, may >> I'm going to nominate member Bayas to that. >> Second. Nominations from member Wlette, seconds from member Soy. Member Bay, do you accept? >> Yes.
029>> Okay, we need a motion and a second to appoint member Bayz to the policy subcommittee. >> So move. >> Motion from uh the vice chair, second from member Keegan. Any discussion? If not, we'll take the roll call vote. >> Jonathan, yes. >> Yes. Kegan. >> Yes. All right. That'll do it for the subcommittee appointments. Next on the agenda, we have the acting superintendent transition plan. I'll pass it over to Dr. Gowski. >> Thank you. [clears throat] Uh I so I put this plan together um to communicate priorities uh that I'll be looking at and focusing on moving forward in just um the four months um that bring us to June 30th. Uh I think it's important to note that we already have a lot of uh mechanisms in pro in process, a lot of
030projects that we've been working on. Um so I'm pulling together that focus to really um look at these items. So the first being uh and very importantly building the student centered budget. So I'll be focusing with the leadership team, the finance subcommittee to prepare and prevent present a level service budget to the school committee. Um the plan also is to look at each school and make sure that we have what we need in terms of positions. um and materials and then also have a list of of needs uh prioritized in rank order so that if funding were to become available, we'd be able to move down that list and and check the boxes for what we know would would lead to student um better student outcomes and achievement. Um and ultimately hoping to make very
031clear the priorities of the district that are student centered, how we're going to allocate our resources and sources of funding. Um and to bring those ideas to the school committee for feedback and adjust the budget accordingly. Um so it it can get somewhat complex with the various funding sources we have from federal and state level um as well as grants. So, I hope to articulate very clearly and simply uh where we fell in major line items last year, where we would fall this year, considering raises and increases in costs um and ultimately what the district needs. Uh secondly, I plan to continue working on the strategy for district improvement. This is the plan. It's a three-year plan began in 2024, set to expire in 2027. So we're at a critical point here where we're exactly
032mid year midway through the plan. So at this point we have uh acknowledged or begun work on the key actions. By the end of this year June 30th we will have initiated all 26 key actions. Some that are further in development will be continued. important an important step here is to identify staff members who are largely responsible for maintaining the continued focus on this priority. I think that we've done well communicating the objectives throughout the district. I think it's something that the staff members can speak to. But in terms of leadership at the district and building level, who is responsible for driving those changes with specific timelines for when we would expect that to be done while also promoting the accountability across the district. I will continue with the quarterly strategy plan updates as I
033had done. Um, one thing that we haven't done in the past is share those quarterly updates directly with the staff in larger community, which is interesting. We've I've only shared them at school committee um in case someone happened to tune in or see the packet online. And I think that for the sake of transparency, that might be interesting to share throughout the district so we're all speaking the same language and working from the same understanding. And also I'd like to lean into teachers and administrators using data to make decisions in responding to student needs. So we do very well collecting data. We do very well exerting effort to address student needs, but I think we need to marry the two a little bit more to make sure that we're effective in the choices that we're
034making. So I aim to set up some structures to make that um a priority going into next year. Uh furthermore, there are several district operations and programs that have launched this year or that are underway. So I will make sure that those are maintained. Some of the routines that exist throughout the district are classroom walkthroughs, uh central office meetings that focus on management and operations, bi-weekly MTSS revisioning team meetings which is part of our strategy for district improvement. [snorts] And that that revisioning team is is very important. We're up to 31 members, I believe. Um and just added another subgroups that would put us close to 40. And that's driving a lot of the work and change that we expect to see in the district. So I'll make sure that that that is carried out.
035Um we have our monthly leadership meetings on management and operations. Another monthly meeting on strategy, plan, progress. Um the safety committee, that's a new uh group for us. That's administrators and teachers coming together to identify issues regarding safety and then address them. Um and that's been very productive so far. Quarterly eval uh quarterly evaluation committee meetings, professional development committee meetings, and also the districtwide leadership convenings. So these are all meetings and groups I've been a a part of before and driven a lot of the work. Um but as a part of this action moving forward, I'll need to lead lean a little bit more on the leadership team um and identify as I said before um parties who would like the responsibility of executing some of the steps um as I had previously done. Also,
036um, in terms of curriculum, the district's in a great spot in terms of the highquality instructional materials, many of which we have just launched are in a critical phase of um, implementing. So, CKLA you've heard of, um, that's the literacy program for lower school, investigating history at the upper school. Um, open SIED, we're in a grant process to bring that to the district uh, 5 through eight. We're hoping for that. There's several other initiatives that I've mentioned um throughout the year and in my my quarterly reports to you. Um all of these are programs that are within the three-year plan to expand or speak to it. Um and I'll make sure that we are executing those and continuing to grow them. And finally, uh I think it's very important to build trust in relationships with
037all stakeholders. So that's done through clear communication and transparency um and being an ear to listen while also um recommendations for improvement. So as member Wlette alluded to before, I'm interested in um establishing the inaugural parent university. So, this is an idea that's been around um I think I first heard of it maybe a decade ago where the district or school would open and invite parents in to learn about the happenings of this of the district or any relevant um materials or resources that are available to them. So um whereas typically nears prior in other districts it's been done on a weekend where um parents would move throughout the building taking courses like they would on a campus. Um I'm concerned that just isolating one weekend and expecting um everyone to be available on that
038one weekend in the spring would not uh avail ourselves to as many families as we would have wanted. that we're looking to do hybrid uh parent university whereas the the marketing the materials would showcase the many sessions that would be available. Um we have some asynchronous sessions we have some virtual synchronous sessions and also some in-person sessions. Um, so topics identified so far and that are already in the works regard bullying prevention, post-secary planning, technology support, digital safety, social emotional support and awareness. I like the idea um Mr. Wlette just member Wlette just brought up um regarding the resources that are available to parents and trying to gain some traction there. Um but that's something just in my um casual conversations with the leadership team thus far that's something that people are excited about having
039the opportunity to share to share ideas. Um in the past in other districts once it's gone underway and it's become customary um to offer such courses or workshops. I've seen districts offer um how to help your student with math homework or how to navigate the literacy curriculum or beyond reading at night before bedtime, which is hugely important. How else can I help accelerate my students um literacy? So, those would be some topics that you can expect to see. So, I'll keep you updated on on all the um events there and we'll be sure to publicize that. And speaking of publicizing information, um, we are seeking to establish MPS social media channels and begin the website redesign, which is very exciting, I think, for everyone. Um, most importantly, because some of this work dovetales and will
040actually be less work um, for the principles and leaders that are sending weekly newsletters and duplicating efforts. Um, there's a way for the channel and the website and the newsletters to sync and be cohesive um and and a resource really for everyone. Um, I've had the fortune of meeting with um a number of families thus far um who have reached out and wanted to come in and share concerns or praise or thoughts or suggestions on the district. um all of those meetings have have gone very well and I've appreciated hearing various perspectives. So I would like to also go to them. So go to the buildings to hear staff just to be aware and in the building and if someone wants to stop by and chat to do so. Um but a lot can be
041learned from casual conversation. Um sometimes uh you get a different angle than you would just seeing someone teach or in a more professional setting. So, I'm interested in in engaging conversation with staff and the same for families. Uh, again, trying to um connect on that strategy of finding a really popular event and then booking myself adjacent to it. Um, and we've been doing that with the parent university as well. Um and and I hope to be uh very communicative with you the committee with our uh weekly newsletters and being careful to know uh information requests and then providing it in that format as well um and sooner if necessary and then also planning the health and wellness fair at Mthuan High School which is available to school and city employees as we've done in the
042past. that will be um on the May early release date and um that planning is underway. So I sent a a survey to staff a few days ago um to ask for requests or recommendations and overwhelmingly the staff is very excited about that. Um and so I look forward to carrying that through as well. So, not inclusive of all the actions that I'll be taking, but just um so that you have a sense of what you can expect from me. Um and also if you have any feedback, I'm happy to um incorporate that as well. >> This is a great plan, acting superintendent, and I I'm completely on board with uh all the goals that you have. This is great. Any questions or comments, members? >> Thank you for this, Dr. Glovski. It's It's um
043fantastic, I guess, is the word I'm going to use. I just had um a a comment. Thank you so much for the weekly newsletter for school committee members. That's really um worked out well for me because it's telling me and showing me without having to go through every school calendar what's up and coming. And that's important to me. I want to attend as many as many events as I can. Do and my question is do you have a timeline for the website redes website redesign? >> Yes, we have to um put out a request for proposals um because it is multiaceted relatively large project um and then that has been developed. It's in its final stages of approval. So once we onboard the company um we're going to get right to work on that. So,
044we'll begin uh building the new website and then migrate over once it's functional. >> Thank you, >> vice chair. >> Uh through you to the uh acting superintendent. >> So, two things. um the website now that we've officially established your acting superintendent as of the last meeting. >> I do think the central office administration piece needs to be updated on the site to ensure that you are aligned by title. >> I do think the message to the community that you uh the superintendent usually has should come from you now, not someone else. Um, but I'm also looking here at your short-term action plan. >> And I mean, the first two alone are going to keep you bogged down. Um, you know, the budget is going to start pretty much any day now if if you
045guys haven't already started really working on it. Um, that's going to take you through July, pretty much June, even if with city council approvals and things like that. I do think for your own sanity, because I had the same conversation almost 10 years ago, I do think you need to appoint an acting assistant superintendent for your own sanity and your own health. This is a lot for you to take on on your own. Do I think you're capable of doing it? 100%. But you shouldn't have to take it on on your own. Yes, you have two additional assistant superintendents that could pick up on some of that, but they also have their own jobs and the building supervising principles have their own situations currently that they have to get through. So, I do think if
046there is a possibility, that is something that I would like you to reflect on is if this is something that you could delegate an acting assistant superintendent to. same thing happened and you were actually put in that position >> at that time. So I just want to be mindful. Um but those are the two things uh the website to be updated to the current administration >> and then uh reflection on your your plan um and the opportunity for for assistance. Thank you. >> Thank you. Member Wlette, >> I just want to convey for the record that you've been outstanding in your outreach to the members of the school committee. >> Thank you. >> I think it's been a smooth transition. I echo the vice chair. If it's possible for us to help you in some
047capacity, it's going to be a very tight budget. Um, and you've been very patient with us, and I think I've been very patient with you. But if anytime I've asked you for information, I posed questions to you, you've been very forthcoming to us, uh, even over the weekends. Um, so for me, um, you are an asset to that office. Um, I'm not going to make comparisons. I'm not going to do that because we have to move forward. But I just want to say a focused on you. If there's anything we can do from our perspective, if we need to have a special meeting um in terms of continuity uh restructuring u within the confines of the the budget uh thing we're going to encounter. I definitely will be entertain that conversation. Um I know the
048prior superintendent at my request did an analysis of uh comparable communities in terms of administrative cost. I guarantee you again, we are below bar for administrative cost. So, I'm going to reinforce for the record to the community that if you are penalizing or criticizing us because you believe in your heart of hearts that we are a topheavy administration, the facts and it's been verified by the Pioneer Institute and other uh information sources, we are below administrative costs. So, if we can do that as part of the budget vehicle, I appreciate that. Um again I will be there for those meetings in the hearings as we did in the years past. I think it was very healthy. Um I would just encourage that the the arbiter of the budget is the school committee. So I encourage
049uh people not to jump the gun or come to conclusions. We will be advocating with the legislative delegation. Again, um there will be a discrepancy between what we are as a community what we need uh versus what's going to be available. Uh there might be some cutbacks. There might be some difficult decisions and it might be something again collectively we have to approach the city council on. I'm there for those conversations. Uh but I think what you're doing I appreciate. Thank you. Totally. Thank you. Member Bayz. >> Thank you uh through you, Mr. Mayor, acting superintendent for the presentation. Um it was quite detailed. Uh as most people know, I have been publicly emphatic about uh the office of the superintendent evaluations. Um, and I know this is a transition plan and there's a lot
050of moving pieces here, but I would just like to know if um, there would be in your transition plan you have accounted for any self-evaluations or any reflections that uh, could come back to the school committee where you know it's not just to be critical but to also know how this process we how we could learn from this process in the future through any self-evaluations and if anybody could enlighten me if the E um, superintendent evaluation committee would still be performing. confirming its evaluation. Thank you. >> Thank you, member Bayz. >> Any thoughts? >> Thank you. Bring up some good points. Um, so there there there still is the the superintendent evaluation subcommittee um in place as are Dr. Kang's goals um from the fall. So, I've still been mindful to carry those through because
051they were they're carefully crafted and important to the district. One of which was the bullying prevention um which came out of the audit and things of that nature. So, I've been careful to pull those threads through. Um I think that that is that is part of the discussion for the committee as well as to to how the evaluation would go in a relatively short span of time. um self-reflection and self-evaluation I'd be happy to provide you with. Um but while this is a a a short-term transition plan or action plan, um I didn't use measurable goal language here for for as if it would be a smart goal or or smarty goal to be evaluated on. Um so just to to identify actions um to focus on. So maybe that's an important discussion for the
052subcommittee um to discuss that. >> Thank you very much. >> Any other questions, comments? >> Mr. Mayor, may I sorry? >> Yes. Um I So I've been following the updates on the social media page and I really love that idea. Um uh I'm seeing an opportunity and please enlighten me on the potential for having student internships or student involvement through you know a communications piece to um have students high school students prepare for real world experience through kind of um a supervised way of being involved with the social media piece or if that's not feasible obviously that isn't feasible but just a thought. Yes, we've had uh we currently have some of our CTE students performing um externships or internships rather because they're here with us um building out some pages on the website for
053our grammar schools to highlight our play ball program. Um but certainly one of the recommendations um that came to me for social media when we're beginning um to enter that land as a district is to have one singular channel um instead of multiple channels and then to branch off once um the community is familiar with where to get the information. But I think that might be a great idea for students to craft the posts and to um take the photos and to write the captions and to um understand from the marketing lens which is one of our programs here um exactly what is important to convey and more importantly how Thank you. >> Thank you member Bayas. I think that this whole conversation about uh social media in terms of information is helpful simply because
054of the fact that you know most people nowadays get their information mostly from social media and I think that uh you know when you don't have you know that one designated channel you have a vacuum when it comes to information and oftentimes that vacuum is filled by in many cases misinformation um etc. So I think that having that you know one clear designated channel to provide the public with information on say uh Facebook, Instagram etc is going to be very helpful uh to ensure that uh we're able to share what's going on uh be transparent but also you know I think take the opportunity to celebrate the district's wins you know and sharing the successes that our students are experiencing uh and I think that will go a long way in terms of countering a
055lot of the negativity out there, you know, when we focus on uh the progress that we're making as well. So, that's a great idea. Um, at this point, uh, we're going to move on to a measure proposed by uh, member Donovan. Um, feel free, member Donovan, to take the lead in terms of explaining and we'll discuss. >> Sure. >> Actually, you know what? Um, let's have a motion and a second to approve and that way procedurally we can go from there. >> I'll move second. Motion's from member Keegan. The second is from member Sy. So >> I'm doing two jobs here. >> Okay. So roll call. Uh >> oh just discussion. Sorry. So, um I do think it's time given the events going on across the country that we put together a procedure that would
056be available in our handbook that would allow parents to raise concerns about books that are in our media centers and in our classroom libraries. While we also are aware that it is our job to protect the intellectual freedom of our students. Basically, it's a way to have a purposeful meaningful process and discussions among all the stakeholders to make sure that everyone's in the right place that we have due process when there are conflicts. and that is to avoid discussions that can be distracting to learning and teaching and hurtful to our community. So I I came up with this proposed rec it's called reconsideration of classroom library and media center materials and it is a procedure not a policy. So this is the steps we would follow. parents would be able to read what they would
057do if they had a concern. And there's a process with a resolution and a time frame. So, basically, I'll um and I, you know, I looked at this 15 times and I I just caught an error, so forgive me. I'm talking about procedure, not policy. Um, the concern would first be directed to the teacher or or librarian or whoever is in charge of the media center to explain the selection process, why a book landed, where it landed and and how it could land in the hands of a student. And if that discussion does not lead to a resolution, um, the individual, the parent could file a formal complaint. Um, I'm sorry, I want to call it a request. the um parent, guardian, student, staff member who have the concerns um would complete a complete would
058complete a request for reconsideration to the principal. Um people who have the concern only would be those um for instance a third grade parent concerned about a book in the third grade um classroom library. So people outside our community would not be allowed to file a challenge. Unfort that is happening across the country. people with no connection to the school community are filing complaints and that is like strict obviously uh politically motivated. We don't need that. There would be a reconsideration committee um and they would within five school days um begin the process. They would be convened. The reconsideration committee would include the principal, um the district librarian, two teachers, a district administrator, a department chair, a parent or community member, and when appropriate, a student. The committee would then do its work, read the
059work in its entirety, and consider its value, whether or not it's appropriate at the age level, look at professional reviews, and see if it's aligned with the district selection criteria. This policy reflects the book challenge policies um that are in place across the country at libraries and in any other school. So I did a lot of research on this just so you know. Um if necessary and if it's appropriate they could meet with the complaintant and then within 12 days following the convening the committee would issue a re written recommendation. Um then there is the opportunity for a decision and an appeal. Within three school days of receiving the recommendation, the superintendent will review it and issue a written decision decision to the complaintant. And then if unsatisfied, the complaintant can appeal to the school
060committee in writing within 14 days. Then it's the school committee's turn to read to review the book and issue a final district-wide decision. And then of course we keep these records. Um I can't express enough how important I think this is so everyone knows the process. We listen. We need to make it clear that we want to listen to the parents concerns and we also have to balance that with our responsibility to make sure we offer a wide range of um opportunities for students to learn. That's it. >> Any questions, comments? Members, >> I just looking at the um informal resolution. I'm just concerned that there wouldn't be an administrator in that meeting because that's the beginning of the entire process. And I feel like parents um there's personal, religious, different reasons why they're they
061may be very upset about that book. And I'm wondering if an administrator should be in that meeting as well with the teacher and the librarian. Um I think the first step is always with the teacher before you involve the administrator. You want to have you don't want to take away the that contact that Yeah, I I would be there's room for the administrator, but I think you first have to have that conversation with the teacher without bringing administrator. And I speak from experience because I have been in several situations as a teacher where a parent has been upset or had concerns about a piece of literature and we were able to resolve that in a conversation and if we didn't resolve it then we knew what the next step would be. Thank you. Thank you.
062Thank you. Um I don't disagree with you member Dunovan but I also don't disagree with member so why have it as part of the resolution though like having the teacher that should be automatically the first conversation >> I so when I look at a process we've already passed that now I went to the teacher I had the conversation but they're not going to probably remove it the teacher or the educator So in my mind, what you're trying to create is that formal process, but also the formal process of escalating it. Going to the teacher is always the first step. >> So now I'm thinking, all right, and I went to the teacher. Now here's my process. If I need to now go and prove a case that this book is inappropriate or this media is
063inappropriate, that's the formal complaint. I don't think going to the to the teacher is the initial formal complaint. If I should always go to the teacher for anything, >> the informal resolution, >> Informal. I get that. But should that be part of this procedure that I'm I'm looking at? Because that should always be the case. So, when I think of what's my procedure to go get my driver's license, it's going to the DV DMV DMV to take the test, not borrow my parents' car to get to the test. >> All right. So, Go ahead. >> I I do think the first step is always going to the teacher and just putting it because you know what? Sometimes people don't and and that makes it hard for the a really good discussion to take place. So
064even if it's not if it's not resolved, you move on. If it is, and sometimes it's just a misunderstanding. >> Um so I I think it's important to include it. But I totally understand what you're you're bringing to the table. Thank you. Something that I'm gathering me uh vice chair is that you use the word should right that's how hypothetically it should take place and so I think what member Donovan is trying to do is to you know really take that should and build that into >> the procedure granted it's informal at the outset but um that I that's what I gather >> then for section four committee review I do think we should add meet with the educator in there as well because even though all my peers are in there now if if
065requested the teacher should also be brought if the parent is coming as well. >> Will >> the committee the committee will and then consider the work in entirely rather than isolated. So they're reviewing it and then it says meet with complaintant if requested. What about the teacher as a rebuttal? to the complaint. Shouldn't the teacher also be able to say why or the librarian provide their view as well to the committee? >> If I'm going to the teacher for the first as a parent now, the committee's coming in and now am I going to just listen to the parent? >> But but but shouldn't I also listen to the teacher is what I'm also getting at too. I think at that point the teacher has had the opportunity to try the teacher obviously has that
066item in his or her classroom for whatever or in the media center. I think it is time now to listen to the concerns of the parent with an independent separate group of people. I mean I'm certainly I mean this is a decision that would be made by the body but I think you're working your way up. There were efforts at one level with the teachers with the teacher and now we we let an independent body take it over from there. And can I just point out because it's driving me crazy. Under purpose the second sentence, oh the third sentence should re read this procedure, not this policy. Sorry about that. I get them mixed up. I would just ask for a friendly amendment to the procedure then to add meet with educator if requested under
067second. >> Oh, if requested. >> Yeah, if requested. >> Oh, I would certainly accept that if requested. >> So, what I would recommend is that if if there's the thought about making that amendment, I would also just suggest to recommend as part of that motion to just amend and change any mention of policy to procedure. >> Right. I think that was the only >> remember Donovan's request. I also move that friendly amendment on top of it. So the friendly amendment is a motion to change policy to procedure >> and to include meet with educator in parenthesis if requested. >> Is there a second for the motion to amend? >> All right, let's take a vote on the motion to amend. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. No. Let is recorded as a note
068and Mr. >> We'll take a roll call >> on the amendment. >> Okay. Um so Daglio, >> yes. >> Donovan, >> yes. >> Bayz, >> no. >> Keegan, >> yes. >> McCarthy So >> yes. Wlette. >> No. >> And Mayor Board. >> Yes. Let's take now a motion to approve as amended. >> So moved. >> Well, is there any more statements? >> Yep. No, we'll get back to discussion, but just so we can have a clean motion with the amendment. >> Okay. Second. You second it. >> Motion and second. Okay. Further discussion. I have one more amendment and it's more of a >> Can we just make sure if there's any others just I >> Well, I want to I want to talk through this one first because at any point a parent has the
069right to opt their student out of any assigned materials when it comes to this. So, I want to be both sides here that during this procedure >> the student will not be penalized for the process that's being taken. No, I I it doesn't say that in the actual policy of the material. So that's why I'm saying in this procedure the student would not be penalized for the ongoing committee review and would not be a you know beholden of any of the curriculum you know progress any of the reports that might be there might be a a pop quiz or >> can I remind you this is for books that are in the media center or classroom library >> so not at any point any of these books will be used as a curriculum piece for
070like book reports or anything like that. So like a classroom would have to read the same book. Are we talking about the same thing? >> Um no that a cla the class if they were asked to read the same book we wouldn't consider that classroom library. That would be um >> I was trying to think of an example where that might be the case. We do have in our curriculum um sometimes there's a unit where there'll be maybe five titles and then we have multiple copies of each and students can draw from those and use those as evidence. Um but if that ever were a question or we're in the circumstance they could choose one of the four others. So it's I think this is a situation where there's a book in a wider collection
071um and the issue may be that um someone may feel that they don't think it should be accessed by someone not that it's part of the curriculum. >> Yeah. And an example of this which really inspired me is what's going on in Lexington where a a parent was offended um or did not feel that it was appropriate that um there was some LGBTQ themed books in his child's kindergarten library. Um he the parent according to the published reports I've read was also concerned that the process in place wasn't moving at an appropriate pace to to address his concerns. So it's along those lines like when you walk into your child's library and you see a bunch of books you know that they can pick and read during quiet time. >> Yeah. >> Those things. Okay.
072So I just want to make sure there's a process in place for that. And as noted, so I don't see there would be any >> correlation >> any or any like I don't want to say opportunity any reason for a child to miss out on something >> on a grade. >> So Mr. The only thing I would add to that process is what the vice chair is indicating and what the acting superintendent reinforced in an email to me is that we do not have a formal notification process to parents of what the children can access in the libraries. So I'm concerned about the status of parental optouts in light of the Supreme Court decision. Now, I I have to emphasize for the record again that I'm not in favor of any book bans or book
073challenges. I think the purpose of the Supreme Court decision and I would recommend people to read it was parental optouts. It wasn't to exclude or remove from the curriculum, from the libraries, from the school district the actual books. is to provide a mechanism for the parents based on religious objections, a formal policy that they could opt out based on those religious objections, not the actual books themselves, which I'm not in favor of removing. Uh, we already have an existing policy in place. So, I have very much concerns about this proposal and I appreciate what member Dunovan is talking about and I think if we just had a conversation and had a conversation with the agrieved parents, they never advocated for either a book ban or a book challenge. It was in terms of the process
074for notification in terms of advisory letters, disclaimers on the syllabi and there was no notification to parents in terms of access even to electronic books and I've mentioned it to the mayor uh in prior conversations and also in emails. We need a parents bill of rights and I am concerned that this school district will open up to lawsuits that McGomery County and Maryland and I recommend people to follow up on that. The total cost between a settlement and they had to pay legal expenses was $6 million. Not because you were moving the books or banning the books. It was because you were requiring these students to still participate in those classes that had those books. And that's contrary to the Supreme Court decision and that's contrary to prior precedent on court cases. So I would
075encourage everyone to tread lightly on this. I'm not in favor of this. I respect the member for bringing it forward, but I think we need to focus on universal parental notifications and making sure that we're in compliance with the Supreme Court decision because you're going to open yourself up to lawsuits and civil rights complaints. And I just want to emphasize that. Thank you, >> member. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. through you. My comments on this and first and foremost, I would like to thank a member Dunovan for the effort and the time she put in um to create this, but my comments are uh generally based on already existing policy. FAB um used for reference only in my comments. Methuan public schools uh selection policy for media resources and materials and I have copies if
076>> we all have them >> you guys. Okay, perfect. And I'm sure u member Donovan you looked through this policy in your creation of this one. Um, so my comments are so I understand um and thank you to the acting superintendent for uh clearing this up for me that this pol this existing policy that I'm referencing is specifically for uh just the media center um and not inclassroom teacher provided books for the uh for the class. Is that correct? media center which which we call library and also um I'm sure you've seen like shelving in classrooms where teachers have accumulated books or over the years and there's a library of books for free reading time >> um but not necessarily curriculum right pieces right >> thank you however I still I I would still like
077my uh my comments to be taken as part of a framework from this policy um in regards to member Donovan's proposal. So for example um while in the purpose section of member Donovan's um proposal uh it says materials remain in use during review at the end the original policy and uh calling it original policy I know that there's a difference in application um allows for individual opt out while material is still offered um and you can reference that in section five which is reconsideration 5B.8 eight. Um later on in the informal resolution and I know we had discussion on this uh where it says the first sentence concerns should be directed to the teacher or school librarian and we've had extensive uh conversation on this. The original policy um has all reports go to admin
078whether or not the teacher is the first person you go to. The teacher should should be reporting to either the principal or an admin and informal resolutions should be um at least consulted with admin or principal. Um and these are again these are just thoughts that I am comparing what is we already have for something similar to this proposal. Um in the formal request for reconsideration uh section two um there's an issue for me on authority. So in the original policy there's the principle given the the author the authority to receive forms um versus admin authority uh which is given in this policy and you can reference section 5-B paragraph one on that. Um again I don't know the constitutionality of this issue but restricting taxpayers for example let's not just say uh outside members
079of the community but just taxpayers in general from being able to challenge materials in in class. Uh again, I don't know the constitutionality of it, but I'm thinking that to be truly inclusive community, we should thrive to be an inclusive community on that. Uh on the reconsideration committee, I know there's a there's a difference in the makeup and I'm sure that that's purposeful since the libraries are more general and in classrooms is you want to have a department chair for that. So that's that's very purposeful. So I I could see that. Again, that's just a difference in the makeup of the reconsideration committee. However, I'm concerned about where uh the principal, uh certified district librarian, a district achievement, and uh a department chair, supervisor, a parent or a community member. I think that we should
080have something more narrow on how that community member or parent shall be named. Um lastly for the committee review or actually decision and appeal in the original policy section 5-B paragraph 3 and bullet points two and three this policy that is proposed by procedure proposed by member Donovan would give the the office of the superintendent the final word on the decision is how I read it. Now the original policy the review committee comes up with a decision and it is just uh permeated through the office of the superintendent and the school committee with appeals pending if the complaintant should file should want to file a an appeal. So to me, the reason why I'm opposed to this policy is because I see a lot of kind of differences in the way that we have what
081we have already existing. Granted, for a different reason, but similar framework and similar philosophy and why it was created. So I like the narrowness. I like this the the how specific the procedure is actually and what is already existing. And if we would want to, for me, if we would want to consider something like this, it should be framed similar to that. And I agree with member Wlette on why don't we just have an indicator on the syllabus for materials that might be on materials that might be uh of a concern. So, thank you. >> I'd like to ask a clarifying question of either of you. So you want parents to be able to opt out. So are you saying that every book in this library, every book in a classroom library, parents have to
082be notified? That's where I'm I'm stuck. >> I think um >> because that's a lot of books. >> Yeah. Through through the chair, I think we've had these prior conversations. So when we were talking about the the diary of a part-time Indian, >> there was not an advisory letter that was sent home to the parents on >> we're talking about a book that is in the media center that a child This is what we're talking about right now. And if I may, >> what inspired this, which I didn't go, we're going to talk about constitution, all that stuff. the um the Massachusetts Right to Read Act, which I know we're all familiar with, is designed to protect students access to books. Um and it affirms that trained educators and librarians should make decisions about school
083library materials. It is and it is wants school districts to establish formal review processes. And we I'm concerned we have nothing in our handbook now that would walk parents through because we want to hear what they have to say. Definitely. We need something where parents can go to open the book and say, "I have a worry about this book that my child brought home from the library." I think we're talking about a couple of different things right now. >> I I really don't think we are because in terms of gender queer, >> you can access gender queer electronically. There is no notification for the parents. So, you're opening yourself up to a lawsuit. And I mentioned that at a prior meeting. Okay. The kiterunner had an advisory letter that was sent home. Clap when you
084land was an advisory letter when sent home the >> And there was a reason for that. Correct. >> If we're going to interrupt each other, I'm not going to speak. I'm just I'm trying to answer your questions. You you pose a question to us. >> Okay. I'm not implicating the school system. What I'm trying to do, and again I said uh my prior remarks, I think the acting superintendent has done a herculean task of trying to work internally of issues that I brought up to the man conversations about a parents bill of rights and to the acting superintendent and you're privy to those emails. So all of a sudden now we're talking about this big universe of books that we're going to ban all these books. That was never the situation. Even the Supreme Court
085decision is a fine-tuned uh process and the instrument is Montgomery County in Maryland. Out of 150,000 students, you only had 56 inquiries and filing to have an exclusion of an opt out. out of 150,000 students. We're not talking about a huge universe of kids. But if you're gonna be talking about gender queer and it goes into details about oral sex and strap-ons and tasting of someone's vagina, okay? I don't want to have someone complain to me that they were promoting a book in the library without notifying the students or the parents of the process. Again, I've read the book. I don't think it should be given to minor students, but in the very least, why don't we notify the parents in advance? What is this cryptic process that we have to worry about? If you
086do advisory letters and have disclaimers in the syllabi and you have a notification process and then analyze what Montgomery County after a $6 million judgment that they short up their system, that should be the model. And again, even California said you should work with the parents who have religious objections. But by the way, it doesn't negate academic freedom and it doesn't prohibit books in those libraries. So that's a red herring. We're conflating a book ban with just simply adapting to the Supreme Court decision and talking about parents bill of rights and parental notification. And part of that I think internally the superintendent is already doing that. I'm not going to criticize the teachers. I'm not going to criticize the superintendent. I'm telling you there's loopholes that are going to open yourselves up to lawsuits and
087civil rights complaints. I guarantee you on that. So that's it. Thank you. >> Miss Roy has a member Rice. >> Um first of all, I have to um not agree with um including the community. I I feel that it the parents have a right to say what they want to say and I don't think that any community member should be able to come in and you know file a complaint with something that's in our classroom. Um respectfully committee member bias. Um my other question I'm not sure if this is probably for Dr. Gobsky. >> Where do the books that are in the classroom libraries come from? I know you have supplied the classrooms with books for their libraries, but who is there any overseeing as to what's in the classrooms? >> No, in the uh
088in the teachers individual libraries. So sometimes when we're weeding our collections and we find the books to be um still relevant and appropriate and of literary merit, but we may have duplicates, we'll offer them to teachers. Um, I know teachers sometimes will frequent the Nevin's book sale if they're new teacher trying to find books. Um, donations over the years or sometimes there's curricular materials that are no longer whole class reads that will hold on to a couple of them. Um, I love looking at the classroom libraries when I go through. There's, you know, I'm always pulling up the anagram gables and the old classics that you wouldn't see otherwise. Um, so that's wholly teacher curated and um it's their their choice what they offer their students. Many teachers have uh leveled readers based on the
089students in front of them and what's appropriate for everyone. Highinterest reads. Um we don't we don't keep as of now an inventory of what those are like we would in the the catalog in the libraries. Um in the middle school and the grammar school and high school libraries. Now, we're between 8,000 and 10,000 items. Um, and in this conversation, I was thinking of our recent weeding efforts of those grammar school libraries, which at one time, um, all of those books were deemed appropriate for reading. Um, and as times changed, um, several of those items, as I think the volunteers would speak to when we were weeding them, were just wholly offensive in some ways, um, to particular groups of people or individuals, whereas decades ago, it might not have been the conversation. So, um, I
090feel confident in in our collections now that we have been through everything and it's on the shelves and and is what what's there. I think um through my conversation with member Wlette um he had asked about access to um we have apps on the iPads at the high school access to the Neans Library which is another extensive collection and what's there and as you were you were speaking it made me think um is that and is happy medium and inclusion in the signoff forms in the beginning of the year an awareness of my students have access to all this technology here's the internet policy and also our collections and those at the Neans so that they're aware. Um I I don't know if it would, you know, I don't I don't imagine many parents would
091be going through item by item, title by title, but just so they're aware that their students have access to things that might be worthwhile. Um and and I just had one other question. Um or really a comment. Is it possible for parents to opt out of library time? I I can't imagine a parent wouldn't want their child to go to the library at the school and take out a book. I mean, that's just >> I haven't heard that. >> But just curious if it is an issue. >> I mean, they they could join their class and not not take a book out. >> Yeah. I mean, it's been really, really rewarding to see the grammar school libraries open and to see students, you know, we've had a couple students in tears because their favorite Dogman
092book wasn't there. And just to see like the passion in reading is so is so great. We ordered more Dogman, but um yeah, there's there's always a way I think that we could work with a parent who had particular concern. Um, >> and when you were at the high school, how many >> how many requests did you have or how many comments did you have about books that were taught in the curriculum that parents didn't know about or parents were upset about or parents opted out of? >> Um, you don't have to give me exact number, but I can a lot. Was it a few? Was it one every year? >> Um, maybe one every year, maybe. But that's it's minimal. Okay. >> Um and in terms of the books at the high school, they
093don't have a library time where they come and check out a book. They're, you know, more geared when they do visit the classroom. It's they're in reference trying to get information for research papers. Um but some students really find a lot of peace um and in in sanctuary in the media center, especially during lunch, and like lose themselves in a book. And um I know our our media center specialist is always asking them for what they would like to read and that's informing her choices too. Um >> Thank you. Uh to somewhat get us back on track. Uh I mean no no no no it's not you. It's I'm just saying in general >> who is >> um again it's an SOP. It's a procedure. It's not a policy. SOPs get changed every day, every
094week, every month. Annually reviewed. So I don't think this is a bad start. I think this is a great first step in the right direction until we probably go through the process and then we realize we got to edit it. Um, one question I have though is in our libraries I know and I don't think the Neans does. Is there a parental advisory on books at all? Because I'm assuming the cataloges are now all online for the the high schools and and and the elementaryaries. And I'm not talking about just I'm just saying in general. Are there advisories on any of the books that we would deem parent need could opt out of or or something like that? >> No. Um no. In some of the schools, there's sections of upper and lower >> age
095appropriate, >> which sometimes gets tricky because sometimes some of our younger readers are are very strong readers, but by by maturity and content. Um, and there's there's some markings on the graphic novels just denoting that this is a graphic novel, but certainly not um a parental advisory on texts. Um, in the grammar schools, we really wouldn't have I think that type of >> Yeah. So the the reason why I ask is I mean everything is technology now. I can't even go on Netflix without seeing the parental advisory or age specific things popping up. I mean movie theaters have been doing it, music videos have been doing it for years. Is it something we could explore because multiple topics have been thrown out tonight on age specific advisories potentially in our books and this might be
096something for the new director over at the library as a step forward to make both sides kind of feel a little bit at ease on age appropriate content because I can guarantee you between member Wlette and I we won't probably agree on what age appropriate is depending on where it is. I have my opinion, he has his. But at least, you know, like Harry Potter has an advisory on Netflix. It's an advisory. So, could we do something like that potentially explore it? Um, it's not to be solved here tonight, but something to explore with the new director on potentially meeting in the middle for some of the the parents because I do think this is a good idea. I I think this is a procedure. We need to we need to put something in place
097instead of hours of talking about it in a in a meeting. Um, I think this is a good way to to to to separate powers, but just as a takeaway tonight, maybe look into something how we could make a bridge here to certain parents and that that look at different age restrictions. >> Yes. I think that could get a little muddy because you alluded to the subjectivity in inappropriateness. Um, like I I go to Common Sense Media a lot and and look at their ratings for age appropriateness and things of that nature. But then what we do with that information, I think, is another step of who is then policing, who is taking which book, and who's allowed to do what, and if we're letting students access media centers during lunch, did someone see them
098with that book? I'm wondering if the simpler solution is because as you said it um we're we're pretty um technologically advanced. We have the digital checkout stations. Could that go into like the infinite campus? I'm wondering the tech department is probably not loving this suggestion so that a parent could see the books their student has taken out and then could >> Yeah. because >> check up on that and if they're unhappy with it >> that that that would be perfect to explore because I think of when I go to the checkout counter at a grocery store and I have a bottle of wine, it does a restriction the minute that the beep goes off. We're doing the same thing here. Why couldn't we potentially do that with the library book? And then on the back
099end, Infinite Campus goes to show, hey, my kid would like to to pre-eread this or has subjected to take this out. Are you okay with it? Sends a notification immediately. That could be possible. It they're in there now for fee collection. I know that. So, if your student hasn't returned this book in five years, FYI, here's the cost of it. Whether we hunt it down or not, it's another thing. Um, >> but they could see it. they could see it there. Um, I'm thinking too, you know, at the Scholastic book fairs where you send your student with $20 and they come home with like a Dracula book and they're in kindergarten. Not what you would have picked for them, but they chose it. So, there's just I think there's an element of choice that the
100students enjoy, especially at the grammar schools of and teachers are are certainly looking and especially in the younger students making sure that it's, you know, relevant and appropriate for them. But I think that that might be the simpler solution because then you can rather than looking at a picture that's too big, you're looking exactly at what your student has selected. So it could be as simple as you know talking points home. We visited the library today. Please ask your student about the book they selected because that's a good thing to do anyway and to talk about the reading. >> I 100% love the idea. I I think that's something we should explore with it because here's the thing is >> the cartoon version and the book version of Vampirina is not the liveaction Vampirina. I
101can tell you that my four-year-old has figured that out for me. All right. It's not the same. And so having the ability to see what our children are taking out, I I think that is very much possible with Infinite Campus. We did that at SUFFK when we had Infinite Campus. our our catalog of books when we ordered them online at the store would be something that we would be able to do in infamous campus and we could go back for the last four years and if we wanted to resell it we could and someone could purchase it. So there are definitely things that we can do with the subscription um that I think this would work in our favor. So thank you. >> I I have member buys and I have a couple of closing
102thoughts member ba Uh thank you Mr. Mayor through you. Um so in in response to a question that was asked um as I stated in my earlier comments at the beginning my reasoning for basing my comments on the media center or libraries um policy is because I simply like the framework framework and think that it could be used for in the classroom curriculum. Now I do agree with member Daglio and member Donovan that we need a procedure. However, my whole thing is a lot of the issues could be avoided if let's say how feasible could be a a policy to when teachers are creating syllabi to have a librarian specialist or a teacher even know which text could be um of concern to parents. and maybe just put an aster to it and let the
103parents know what that means. >> Is that something that's feasible? >> Yes, I I suggest that um member will wlette also because that's something we do with summer reading when we send home the options for the summer. We give the blurb an overview of what the text is. Um little disclaimer uh and we currently have at the high school and the English department um procedures and expectations. there is a statement that that talks about um some mature content in some of the books as well. Uh I know that on the open house nights um when families come in several teachers will display the books um and there's a syllabus at the beginning that most teachers um do have the option of choosing from a couple anchor texts or mentor texts in each unit. Um sometimes
104once they get a feel for the class and what they're interested in, they'll make those choices as they go. also to date some of them will list you know these are among the titles from which we may choose um but it would be simple to create a blurb um and talk about maybe some of the themes that are discussed we're we're more interested in in themes that may be um resonating with some students in different ways >> so what I'm hearing is that it's feasible so >> I'm looking forward to working with you on Um I I have a couple of thoughts that I want to share. So again, as the vice chair indicated, as member Donovan indicated, this is not establishing a policy that's set in stone. >> It in essence is clarifying a
105procedural framework. Excuse me. And I think it does a couple of things. It provides a mechanism for parental involvement. I think that's a very good thing. >> Excuse me. It takes politics out of this conversation. I think that's another good thing. >> And lastly, I view it as an effort to try to protect intellectual freedom. I think that's a good thing. So, it provides for parental involvement, takes politics out, and the goal is to protect intellectual freedom, all good things. And so I'm I'm in favor of it for that reason, for those reasons. At this point, I'm gonna call for a vote and we'll take a roll call vote on this. This is a first read. It'll come back for a second read at the next meeting. Yes. >> Sorry. >> Keegan, >> yes. >>
106McCarthy So, >> yes. >> Wlette, >> no. >> Member Bayz, >> nope. Okay. >> And did I call you mayor Bard? >> No, but I'm a yes and just I think the mic was off. Yes. Um we had yes from me member Donovan chair as well. >> Yeah. >> So that's five yes to no. So that passes first read. It'll be back for a second read the next meeting. >> You have an update I think on MASC training. >> Yes. MASC training. Uh in the previous school committee we agreed that we would u continue our training with MASC. We do it every year. Our contact um Alicia Malin is available on February 9th for uh a five o'clock if we could agree to an early meeting. Um I did I say February March. Um if
107we could agree to um a special meeting in advance of our regularly scheduled meeting. Um she is available. They're very busy with their superintendent searches. I know five o'clock's tough, but we'll we'll get done what we said we'd get done. Um, if we are all in agreement, I do have a um survey monkey form like we did last year where there is a list of items that we pick from that as a body we'd like her to discuss. I could send the um survey to you as I did last year and the results go directly to MASC, not to me. And from there, our rep would put together a presentation based on our specific concerns and needs as a committee. So, I'm looking for feedback on um would the date be appropriate? Um, and did
108you like that method that we used last time when um, Miss Min took the information and gave us a custommade a very own plan on areas that were a concern to us? >> Anybody with that? >> Anybody? We good with that? >> I'm good with that. Yes. >> So, tonight before you go to bed, you're going to get that survey. Make sure you fill it out and send it to Miss Malin and I'll confirm with her March 9th at 5:00 PM. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there any other business from the committee? >> Just a point of clarification point. Uh is Mr. Bayz all set up with email and on the school committee chamber. >> Yes, he will be now that he's sworn in. >> Thank you. Just want to make sure that he's
109part and his emails are active. Uh the only other thing I have is I just need to reconfirm it's Mr. Bayas and um Mrs. Dunovan right on the redistricting committee or am I or is it Mrs. Royce? >> I don't believe it was myself. >> So who was that third person? Do you know mayor? >> We can confirm that. >> Yes, I I brought that because I knew that would come up. It's yourself, Mr. Mayor. >> Oh, it is the mayor. Okay. All right. So, I will call that meeting to order sometime in March. Uh I just want to say thank you for the detailed uh documentation that you provided on the schools between the K through one and the breakdown. It was very much informative. Um if we want to have a bigger conversation
110on it after redistricting has the first conversation about it. Um that would be we'll put something on the agenda. Thank you. >> Members Royce. >> I just want to mention the backpack program. We're accepting donations as always. You can drop them off at the library, the Neans Library. You can drop them off at Branch Street and you can also access um on Amazon to order as well and it'll go directly to the central building. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh I briefly want to mention um is there anyone else who has other business? Member will >> just we've had during a joint meeting I brought up about the second round of the the survey based on the audit. Is there any traction on that? I would inquire about that. Either either financing it or doing
111it through the city or having some type of indep independent body doing it. >> Sure. Mr. >> Chair, go ahead. >> Um, you there'll be more information forthcoming, but the Methooan Literacy Partnership is hosting our first community event March 24th at the Timn. Uh we're hoping to get more additional input from families. A lot of people have said they want to get involved. That would be the opportunity. We'll be setting up committees. Um and um please look for stuff on social media with details, but we need I and I certainly hope our entire committee can come to that. >> Thank you. Last thing, um I spoke with our HR director today. Um we're scheduling the two other finalists for the superintendent search. uh that will be happening in March at our uh workshop business meeting.
112We are going to want to have them both there at the same time. So we'll break it up an hour, 15 minute break, hour. We didn't want to have it on two separate days so that the other option had a a hand up on the other. So we wanted to make sure it was the same time. Mr. Bayz, we can update you on that at a at a later time. >> Thank you very much. >> Yeah. >> Are we going to film that? Will that be live? >> Yes. >> So >> it has to be public. >> Okay. My question is if company A presents first, company B can watch. >> Company B will gladly be here 15 minutes after to present. So if any changing of their presentation happens in 15 minutes, good for
113them. But I don't think that's possible. I mean, unless the body thinks that this should be an executive session, which I do not. >> No, I'm not saying exe. I wonder if we just film. I know with like interviews, um, a lot of communities now just film it and show it later. It's not presented live. >> I mean, it doesn't stop them from sitting in the >> Oh, they're going to be present, both of them. >> I thought it would Okay. >> We were planning on having this in person. >> Okay. >> That was a request of the committee if I recall the last time. >> I was Okay. >> We talked about travel and that's on them, not on us. >> Okay. >> Is there any other business from the committee? member Keegan. >>
114Um I really liked the ELPAC presentation tonight and I'm looking forward to the CPAC. I'm wondering if possibly the PTO's could also give us a presentation at some point um just to hear what they're doing in the different schools. >> I'll reach out. >> Speaking of uh PTO's, I mentioned this to the acting superintendent last night, but I thought I would mention it here as well. Uh the organizers of the St. Patrick's Day parade which is coming up on March uh 21st. Uh they are um anxious about trying to incorporate some involvement from the schools. So if there are any groups um from the Mthuan schools that would like to be a part of that um feel free to reach out to councelor John Drew uh one of the main organizers and I know he
115would be happy to set them up with details and such about participating in the parade. It would be great to have some uh participation from our schools. Uh with that, if there's no other business, I want to state publicly that I will be recusing myself from the rest of tonight's meeting. I see on the agenda, there's an executive session to talk about the IT litigation of which I am uh the defendant. So, um I will be recusing myself for the balance of tonight's meeting and the vice chair will take over. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I'll take a motion to go into executive session pursuant to MGL chapter 30A section 21A subsection three to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have detrimental effect on the bargaining
116of or bargaining or litigation position of the public body. And the chair so declares Essex Superior Court Civil Action number 2577 Charlie Victor 000627. We will not reconvene into open session at the conclusion of the executive session. Do I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion goes to Comm Bayz. Second to member Keegan. Roll call, please. Yes. >> Whoops. >> Donovan Grassi. Yes. >> Bayz. >> Yes. >> Keegan. >> Yes. >> McCarthy Silver. >> Yes. >> Wlette. >> Yes. >> Daglio. >> Yes. >> And Bor Regard has recused himself. >> Six yes. One absent. We will go into executive session. Again, we will not reconvene at the conclusion. Have a good night.