Methuen School Committee 11-10-2025

001[music] Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. The school committee business session of November 10, 2025 will now come to order. This meeting is being recorded and will be made available for viewing on the Mthuan public schools website. Secretary, would you please call the role? >> Member Daglio. >> Member Dunovan, >> present. >> Member Keegan, >> present. >> Member Maxwell, >> present. Member Shabilia >> here. >> Member Wlette. >> Yep. >> Mayor Borgot >> here. We need a motion and a second to accept the amended agenda for tonight's meeting as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion is from member Shabilia. The second is from the vice chair. Any discussion? >> Um I didn't get an amended agenda. I don't think >> Oh, I spoke out of turn. >> Okay. Not a non- amended

002agenda, just a regular agenda. >> I'm so sorry. >> No, it's fine. So, we have the motion from member Shabilia. The second is from the vice chair. Uh discussion not will vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. The eyes have it. So, our agenda has been accepted. Superintendent, I'll invite you to introduce our student for tonight's flag salute. >> Yes. Thank you. I'd like to call up Cynthia Bennett. She's the lower school associate principal for the Marsh and our flag salute student tonight, Christopher Fielding, I believe, who also goes by CJ. So, come on up. Thank you. Welcome. Good evening and thank you for allowing us to share one of our star students. I'm proud to present tonight's Marsh Star student to lead the flag salute, Christopher J. Fielding or CJ

003to his family and friends. CJ exemplifies safety, respect, and responsibility. He strives to be the best he can be. In his in his words, he wants to be at the top. CJ is a role model for his peers and for his younger sister Haley in first grade. She loves playing soccer with him. CJ's teacher, Mrs. Wickham, reports that CJ is a model student with a true zest for learning. [snorts] He sets personal academic goals for himself, accomplishing those goals, and continues to set new goals. He has already completed an extra math program, showing mastery in all four operations. CJ loves history and can often be found reading books about historical events as well as studying states capitals beyond what they're covering in the class so far. He continually makes connections to current events as well

004as historical events as they are learning in the classroom. CJ is dependable and responsible. Mrs. Wickham can count on him to support his friends. He takes responsibility for his academic work and for all of his actions. He's in charge of the fourth grade bag of recess equipment, making sure it goes out to recess and all the equipment is collected at the end of recess each day. At recess, CJ enjoys playing football, often cheered on by many, but also congratulating other students and supporting them when needed. CJ is respectful to all, whether at recess, in the classroom, and in the hallways. Outside of school, in addition to playing games with his family, he enjoys soccer and baseball. He has not decided yet if he would like to be a baseball player, a soccer player, or an

005eighth grade history teacher. Mom and dad are so proud of the young man CJ is becoming. We know that CJ will accomplish all of his goals and continue to be a role model to all who know him. >> Okay. >> Hold it. The flag is that way. Just hold it like a microphone. Right. There you go. Perfect. I pledge allegiance 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. And and briefly uh before we take pictures, I'll ask that everybody remain standing uh for a moment uh to uh pause uh to recognize the passing of a longtime Mthuan educator, Eileen Hayes, who passed away on October 30th, 2025. Miss Hayes taught elementary school at Pleasant Valley

006School and Comprehensive Grammar School for over 40 years and will be deeply missed by her colleagues and many students, particularly those with whom she remained connected well into their adulthood. Miss Hayes was a dedicated educator in the Methuan public schools and a beloved community member. Thank you. Now we'll take a picture. And now I'll invite the superintendent to introduce our soore award winners. >> Yes, my pleasure. So, if I could ask Meredith Moore, the math department chair, to come on up and our sore award winner, Yasmine Brida. Oh, and happy birthday to Miss Moore. >> Thank you for putting me on the spot, Dr. Gowski. >> Good evening. The mathematics department proudly announces Yasmin Breida as this year's mathematics soar award recipient. When I shared the exciting news with Yasm mean, she began to tell

007me about the many clubs, activities, academic achievements, and her independent interests outside of the mathematics classroom. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. Not only has Yasm mean excelled in her AP mathematics courses, but she is also an AP scholar with distinction, having earned either a four or five on the AP biology, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science, AP English Language and Composition, AP Physics, AP Pre-calculus, and AP Calculus BC exams. For her senior year, she is enrolled in AP Statistics, AP Economics, AP Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, and AP Spanish. Tonight, we celebrate a young woman who has not only excelled in all of her mathematics courses, but one who is involved, driven, curious, and passionate about supporting her community. Currently ranked third in the senior class, Yasm mean showed early on

008in her freshman year that mathematics was a strength when she signed up to partake in the math Olympiad statewide competition. She was not intimidated by the complexities of the questions, but was eager to learn how to work through these challenging problems. After the exam, Yasm mean organized a group of students to meet after school to work through the competition problems. I recall Yasm mean leading much of the discussion, willing to offer suggestions and sharing how she worked through some of the problems. She was intrigued by the different approaches one could take to get to the same result and just as interested in the problem solving approach of her peers. That curiosity and drive continues to carry Yasm mean through high school and all of her mathematics classes. She took AP pre-calculus and BC calculus over

009the past two years, earning the highest score of a five on both exams. Mr. Lorac, Yasm mean's AP pre-calculus teacher, describes her as a bold risk taker in the classroom. She was willing to make and learn from mistakes and persevere through any challenges that came her way. She constantly improves throughout the course of the year. Mr. Pegler, Yasm mean's BC calculus teacher, was impressed with the way Yasm mean consistently applied prior knowledge to support deeper understanding of new content. In group activities, she often took a leadership role discussing content content in depth with her classmates. Miss Urana, Yasm mean's AP AP statistics teacher, also praised Yasm mean's leadership qualities, emphasizing her ability to support her classmates by explaining concepts in a different way. Yasm mean's meticulous work and interest in in pushing herself beyond what

010is expected leads me to believe a five on the AP statistics exam is well within her reach. Outside the classroom, Yasm mean continues to excel. She has successfully completed competed with teams in the state science fair as well as in the applied learning showcase through project lead the way. Two years ago, Yasm mean and her partners presented a project at the applied learning showcase under using computer vision to detect recyclable items which won the award for most outstanding computer science project. Last year, Yasm mean had the honor of working with graduate students from CU Boulder. Am I right? Okay. To create Bear, the bilingual education assistant with recognition. This bear-shaped toy powered by computer vision has a built-in camera to detect day-to-day objects, pronounce, write, provide a definition, or use the word in a sentence.

011This project aimed to support English language learners in building vocabulary through challenges and digital rewards. Yasm mean's involvement in her school and community is as impressive as her academic resume. Yasm mean is the captain of the robotics team, president of the science club, senior officer for the black, indigenous and people of color club, bipok, the president of the multicultural club, and the kiniera MC for the Spanish club. She also is a representative on several committees which include the computer science program advisory committee, the Arab association for culture and art, and the methan world language advisory team. And if that is not enough, Yasm mean began her own initiative to teach Muslim students of all ages how to code. She see she secured f funding to purchase 25 computers and conduct sess sessions throughout the Marramac

012Valley teaching Python coding. And on top of all that, Yasm mean still found time to work over the summer with the Methuan technology department to set up Chromebooks and iPads for incoming students. This year, Yasm mean continues to work with the technology department through the CTE externship program focusing on website design and is currently working with Dr. Aziz to create the website for the Mthuan SAD program. Upon graduation, Yasm mean will look to pursue a degree in computer science, specifically data science or AI engineering. She plans to stay local and is applying to Northeastern University of Massachusetts Amherst Wesley and Boston University. Yas mean's curiosity, drive, perseverance, and dedication will no doubt lead her to success in whatever career she pursues. I look forward to seeing where her road takes her. Congratulations, Yasmin Breida, on

013our mathematics sore award recipient. [applause] >> Thank you so much. Um, I want to start off, of course, by thanking Mrs. Moore for honoring me with this award. um social justice, problem solving, things like that are very important to me and I've always found like math is one of the few tools that can provide us with definitive solutions to some of the biggest problems that we have in our world. So, this award is something that's very special to me because it just it makes me feel very empowered to keep going and also just feel very encouraged in what I've done. So, I want to say thank you again to Mrs. Moore. I also want to thank all of the math teachers that I've had here at MHS. Um Mr. Hunter, Mr. Lorac, Mr. Pags and

014Miss Urena just for always encouraging me and just keeping such a positive and exciting environment in the classroom. I can specifically remember Mr. Hunter's catapult projects and Mrs. Urrena's career projects which have just made math feel so like applicable and just I love how I've had some of the best memories in my math classes and met some of my best friends. So, it's just been a great experience overall. And I'd also like to thank my family, especially my mom who's here with me today, my friends, and all of my other teachers who've just encouraged me to keep going and always work hard and do what I love. So, thank you so much. [applause] Congratulations. And now we'll uh move on to our update from our student representative. The band, the Mthuna marching band has very

015successful marching season this school year. The band competes under the organization of NESBA, the New England Scholastic Band Association, and is scored in three different categories. Competitions began the second week of October and ended with finals this past Sunday, November 2nd. The band has scored significantly higher at competitions compared to past seasons, ending the competition season with a 90.97. Regarding Mthuan football win over Central, the Methuan Rangers are still celebrating their victory over Central Catholic with a final score of 30 to 20. This historic victory was the first in 15, a huge accomplishment for the team and the new head coach Ryan Dugan. Mthuan showed their Ranger pride before the before and during the game. Players described the excitement and injury is unmatched and the [snorts] crowd was electric from start to finish. Congratulations are

016in order to swim and dive head coach Jason Smith on his 150th career win. The Ranger Nation is extremely proud to have a coach and staff member who is so passionate about his work and students. Thank you for your commitment to your work in the classroom pool and field and your dedication to helping your students succeed. MHS SAD students against destructive decisions organized their annual red ribbon week. SAD is full of dedicated students, leaders, and who meet regularly with SAD advisory, Dr. Azis, and NPS drug and school resource coordinator, Mr. Brutder. Drug-free activities are planned through SAD for students to participate in throughout the year, and students and staff were read in support. Thank you. >> Thank you for the updates. Next, we're going to move on to public participation. Uh, nobody has signed up.

017Uh but is there anybody in the room who would like to speak? If not, uh before we move on, I just want to share as a housekeeping item. Uh this is something that I've not really uh held to simply because I generally viewed public participation as an opportunity for folks to come and just state their piece uh you know, in a very general way. I just want to share uh something that's actually printed in our agendas on uh in this case it's on page three of the agenda. It's on all the agendas and it's the guidelines for public comment. This isn't something that I have read out loud for folks. Uh so I just want to share this uh regarding the general rules for the committee's public comment period. So first it states that public

018comment shall generally follow the opening of the meeting. The committee reserves the right to rearrange its agenda to accommodate scheduled presenters. Uh number two, uh any resident, excuse me, any citizen wishing to speak before the committee shall identify him or herself by name and address and shall speak for no longer than five minutes. This is in accordance with school committee policy. No citizen may speak more than once without permission of the chair. All citizens shall speak to the full committee through the chair and shall not address individual members or administrators. That's something that uh we need to uh tighten up I think. And then also number three, individuals may address topics on the agenda. Items specified for public comment or items within the scope of responsibility of the school committee. the chair shall rule out

019of order any individual who fails to honor the guidelines or who addresses a matter inappropriate for public comment. So, I just wanted to share that with the public as a housekeeping uh measure. Um I, as I mentioned, I've been very liberal when it comes to public participation, but I just want to state what we have on the books in terms of our policy, and I think we really should try to collectively uh get back as close to that as we can. With that, I'll close the public participation portion of our meeting. If you cannot make a meeting in person for public participation, you can send an email to Susan Shanti at SNSC io nti mthuan.k12.mma us before 300 p.m. on the day of school committee meeting. Next on the agenda, we have the approval of

020minutes. We need a motion and a second to approve the minutes of October 14th, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion is from member Shabilia. The second is from member Daglio. Discussion. >> Not will vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? The eyes have it. Next, we're on to staff reports. Uh on the agenda, we list uh superintendent and assistant superintendent update. We have none tonight. Uh we'll move on to the health and safety task force in maintenance and custodial updates. I know a memo was provided to the committee. Uh Dr. Quang, I'm not sure if you want to hop in there. I'll take any questions. I tried to format it the same way we did the previous um to especially with the visits, the monthly visits and the submissions

021for the pest sightings. I think as you can see there we are um definitely heading in the right direction with the um the pest sighting form. Um so this month has been quieter which is good. The temperatures will pick up right. So uh Darren and and all of us are just watching you know closely and monitoring anything that is happening. A little uptick at the Timney but it's actually in one particular location. So we're all aware of that. So, it's very helpful to have those submissions so we can also inform the new pest management folks uh which all of our seniors have access to. So, we're watching that closely. Um and again, we're starting our next cycle of monthly visits with Darren, uh I believe next week. Um so, those will continue. >> Uh we'll

022hear from member Maxwell and then member Daglio. Uh just a quick question when it comes to the sightings. Um I know that we were saying that there's less sightings, but in this month alone, um it looks like we've paid the new pest company $7,800 for 11 visits. So I was just curious, um if there's no need for them, how come we're making such a big payment to them? >> I believe that was their setup. Yeah, I was say majority of that set up a one time setup fee and then there's a there was a >> a small monthly maintenance fee, but that majority of that was set up. New boxes, new traps setting up. >> So, it's not going to cost us that much every >> No, they've actually come to the schools twice, full

023um view with the senior custodians twice this past month um for the full setup to add boxes to get a handle on any specific areas. So they have connections with each of the senior custodians at this point. >> Thank you >> member Daglio. >> So um thank you Mr. Chair. The one questions I have is the process of the onboarding of the new building maintenance facility supervisor and custodial services supervisor. Is Bruce Cell going to be available to them when they get on? Because I know he only has like five weeks left. Mhm. >> So when the transition of stuff hands over, are these people going to be prepared to take on that role instead of just coming in and being said this is kind of where you are? Go for it type of is

024Bruce going to be available for them? >> Our goal was to have them both on board by November 17th so that they'd have a month to work with Bruce. Uh Bruce has also said that he'll make himself available to come in per day or whenever we need him should something happen. He has the you know the historical knowledge of the mechanical aspects of every building. So he will be available whether it be by phone or to come in um as we need it after that. >> Thank you. >> Member Donovan. >> Dr. Juan, can you just give us an update on the carpeting and where we are? >> So, on the last page, there are three uh main projects that we're looking at for FY26. So, um the final piece for carpeting at the Timony

025um is actually and I don't think I said that. I said carpet replacement, not timony. So, that um item is specifically for Tim to that the money is already earmarked for FY26. We just couldn't get the abatement plus the tile plus all the other rooms done. So the only rooms left at the Timony are the rooms that do not need a mate bin. So we actually are working on the RFP now so that we can see if they can get it done over the vacations >> which would be great. >> But by June 30th is when it has to be expended. >> Okay. Um, and then there's on the RFP, I mean on the capital improvement plan for FY27, uh, we had already earmarked carpet projects. Um, so I think that's going to just take

026a little strategy because, um, we do need to have a building open for the summer for summer school. So, uh, and the money that was earmarked, I don't think will cover the remaining three grammar schools in in its entirety. So, we just we're talking about what that's going to look like. Okay, >> thank you. >> Member Shabilia, >> the roof emergency that's noted >> for the Tim. >> Yep. >> So, when I read my packet, that was the first I've heard of a roof emergency at the Tim. Can you add some uh background? >> Sure. I'll let Mr. Goslin add the background on >> the roof over the auditorium had blown off similar to the tenny. Um not not not as bad. >> And it wasn't during a a torrential rain storm. >> No, it

027was uh more over the summer. Um it does need to be addressed. It has a temporary fix right now. It needs a little bit more of a permanent fix. >> Uh we did get a quote for about $22,000. We are getting two additional quotes. Um and we'll be tackling that ASAP. >> Have we? >> That is just a band-aid. We will be needing a full roof replacement, but that's >> year and a half out and a lot more than $22,000. >> Fair. Um, also just going back quickly to the onboarding of those two new roles. I just think it's worth calling out Mr. Stella. He has caught a uh a lot of grief from this table over the last couple of months or the year and a half or so, but now we're expecting him

028to stay and make our transition as smooth as possible. I just think it's worth, you know, kind of giving the guy a pat on the back and saying thank you because I think you never know what you have until it's gone. So >> proverbial pat on the back. >> Yes. No, we we are and he is um very open to help. He will be starting these projects. So he's going to be around to help us make sure we see these through. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions or discussion? I I want to mention briefly uh on the tail end of that that um when it comes to the tim roof we've started to have that conversation with the cafo just to coordinate that and then I also wanted to share an update briefly regarding

029the solar discussion. Uh so the committee authorized us to proceed with the next steps of that. So, we're trying to finalize an agreement with the solar company so that we can proceed with that. And the goal is to have it on the December 15th or 17th. I can't recall. I don't have the calendar in front of me, but it's in the middle of December. We're going to go to the city council uh to move forward with that. So, that's moving along. We actually had a call with them today uh just to check in and uh all the lawyers involved were able to go back and forth and iron out some of the areas of disagreement. So, we're trying to get that settled in short order. >> Mr. Chairman, >> yeah. >> Uh through the chair

030to the superintendent, have we received any further feedback from the state regarding the accelerator repair program because that's a big issue. I we have not and I knowing that there's some interest there I keep that email and the woman's email in my inbox so it's always in my um purview um and we have not I mean she basically just left it open and said months that was in July uh so we have not heard anything further if we are eligible or if we're going to be moving forward >> now it's not uncommon for members of the legislative delegation to advocate for school billing assistance projects. I would love to loop in a legislative delegation including the senator, right? >> And let them know if they can reach out as a legislative lison at the school

031building authority. I I think there's an impass here. This is a major gateway community. We have a lot of needs. We're going into an election year. So, I think they need to be uh circled in as much as possible. Thank you. >> I can reach out to both of them. >> Appreciate it. >> Yep. Uh, two questions. Um, the first one was regarding um, last year I remember I brought up to brought it up to school committee the issue at the marsh regarding the small gym. Um, I know it was addressed last year, but I'm again coaching this year at the marsh and I've noticed that there the flooring is still um, pretty damaged and it's very difficult for the students to practice in that gym. So, I was wondering if there's um, any like

032improvement or any uh, progress on that. Second question is regarding the solar panels. I spoke spoke a lot about that remember last year. Um I'm just forgetting. Is that for all of the buildings or is that just for the MHS? Thank you. >> The solar panel is just for the CGS and Tenny right now because they have the new roof uh that we can put it on. So the projects are focused on those two schools. Um and we'll definitely have to look into the marsh gym again. >> Yeah, it's my understanding that it was fixed. was repaired and >> the last it was repaired and I've been through it several times and I haven't noticed anything. Maybe there's something new um in the last couple of weeks, but I will def definitely check on that.

033You're welcome. I believe we have a walk through at the Marsh Wednesday. >> Yeah. Next on the agenda, we have the student enrollment data report. Any questions from the committee regarding that? Member Maxwell. >> Um I have a few questions. Um, I don't know if you want me to ask question by question or um I can give them all to you and then maybe you can answer them after. But um I'm wondering what the school's capacity limits are um and with the enrollment numbers, can we get a breakdown per school and grade of where they're coming into the district? Um the capacity at each school? I just mentioned that. And do we have projection numbers for this year? and the next five years if in three months we've already had 656 new students. [snorts] Um

034are these new residents moving into the district? And um I I only ask because it's concerning when it comes to staff and class size and you know resources and all that. So I'm just curious. >> What was the last one you just asked? So I have capacity number in each building, breakdown of school and grade. >> Yep. >> What was the next one after that? uh projection numbers for this year and possibly the next five. >> Okay. And then what was the next one? >> I think that was it. >> Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. Are these new residents moving into the district or are they >> just moved around or? >> Yeah. So, I'll knock one off. So, the these are only new to the district. Knock that off. So, these numbers only include new

035enrollments. So these 650 kids are new kids to the district. >> Yeah. But keep in mind, right, the the that includes the whole new kindergarten. >> Oh. Oh, okay. >> Right. So when we do this, we start in August and we keep the whole new kindergarten which registers in August. >> Okay. >> Right. So the majority of the kids that you see in August are kindergarten. >> Okay. So keep that in mind. So the whole class of kindergarten across the district. >> Okay. >> Um but yes, the rest of that are new students. So what Right. So it's the number of withdrawals, new students in and out. Okay. >> I will say and I do want to prepare the school committee for this is we talked about this at the finance subcommittee. Um our October

0361st enrollment is 200 less than last year. We have almost 100 less students enrolled in kindergarten which we could not predict. Um and we have about 50 to 60 kids less in grade 9 and 11. Those are our three spaces where we have compared to last year's numbers, we are uh far low lower than we were last year. Um so uh you know it's a conversation to be had because obviously enrollment numbers that enrollment number is at the basis for our FY27 um foundation budget. Uh so I want to prepare people for that, right? um that's about last year would have been about $2 million 200 students. So just keep that in mind when we look at the state aid. Um but also uh I want to say that we've also increased our CTE seat

037by 200. Right? So so those so we we invested in our CTE programs and a lot of that was for it actually all of it was for all the right reasons. I don't think we have any program unfilled at this point. Um, so we added the marketing a teacher to the marketing pathway and a teacher to the EEC pathway. Um, and our media program became an official chapter 74 program. So, a lot of things are happening in that. Um, and there are additional dollars from state aid with students who are sitting in those pathway programs. So, we might see it balance out. We might, you know, we just I don't I'm not sure, right? And it's all contingent upon what the inflation rate is, all of those things we've gone through in previous years. Um,

038but I think it's important to say that out loud. Our preschool numbers are high and only growing. So, keep that in mind. So, our special education preschool numbers are growing. Um I think we have uh quite a few kids on deck to start. So we'll probably be back here in a few months and ask for an additional classroom. Um seems to be part for the course at this point in time. Um so we have this we have the early and then they're not coming to kindergarten. This is the first year we've seen such a decline in kindergarten enrollment. Um so obviously with that too you know if if there is a decline and that's the projections then there will be a reduction in staff because of enrollment not necessarily budget right everybody with me so

039like there's all those things that are going to be paralleled as we go through the process so I think it's important to just say that now we have the October one numbers we know what was certified and again I did share that with the finance committee so that we are prepared for that I um >> Oh, and one more. I'm so sorry. One more comment on that. Um I also want to put this out there that that here is the juxiposition. While our enrollment is going down, 3,900 students qualify for free and reduced lunch. That is the highest number of students I have ever seen in my career in Methuan uh qualify for free and reduced lunch. So although our enrollment is going down, our needs are going up. I would not be surprised if

040we move up the cat, not up. It's not a cat, not up, but um for the state aid, there's levels of what they do to subsidize with S SOA for the low income. We're at a level 10. We have been in a level 10 probably for the past three years. We were at a level 9 when it started. Uh this may push us over to a level 11. That's a different dollar amount. So just it's just interesting, right? what I continued to say it, right? The needs of our students increase even though our numbers look like they are decreasing. Um, but that still holds true with what kind of staffing we need and why. >> So, just those are facts at this moment. >> Can I just add one more thing? Um, I just wanted

041I I wanted to get back to the numbers um of the breakdown per school and grade and then the capacity only because >> I know that um there's talk of a new um addition to some buildings um >> by the council and I just want to be able to >> There's what? >> Well, it's it's a proposed thing on the council but that's that has nothing to do with I just I want to have a number >> across street. >> Yeah. I just want to have a number of like if we're going to have 163 new units. >> Oh, not onto the school building. >> No, but those people potentially have kids and I that's why I just wanted to know what the capacity is per school. >> Yes. And actually uh the last time

042that we had uh so we did this with Summit Place. We also did it with the Loop um apartments. Um Jack Wilson is very good about getting the projected data to me about how many kids would be impacted, >> which I'm sure he would do the same here. We didn't really see a huge influx from the apartments across from the loop. Little bit, but not not enough to throw any sort of class or group over this over the threshold. >> Member Dagio. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so the question I have is you said it was 200 less than last year. So I know CO we went down a significant amount. So how if we base it off of CO numbers where we were previously, how far are we down now? So we're still

043less than we're actually less than where we were after CO, >> right? >> So we're certifying about between 6,200 and 6,300 students. >> We're like down 700, right? We were close to 7,000. >> We've always been holding steady around 6,800. Prior to CO >> after COVID, we dropped to about 65 6,400. We were holding steady for the past few years at about 6,400 6,500. And now we're down to again 200 less than that. It's the kind for me it's the kindergarten that is not the trend that we have seen this year. Um it really was a difference. And then the two grade levels looking at compared to last year, you know, dozens of kids less in grade nine and 11 than last year's numbers. >> I'm not sure what to make of that yet. I

044was just looking at it as it was getting certified last week. So again, this is all brand new information, but I think important to us. This all has financial implications as we move forward. >> And um one more u and this has not got to do with out of district placements too, right? Is it included or just withdrawals and so just just being clarifying of >> I'm not sure what you're asking. So >> was any of these numbers less due to out of district placement like >> No. No. So this is just >> just >> people either coming into our district y >> or in the withdrawals that are coming out of our district. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any other questions? >> Member Donovan. >> This is making me think

045about the charter schools. Um I'm wondering are we seeing an increase in Methuan students going to charter schools and because that certainly impacts our budget. So we have definitely seen an increase over years of the number of students going to charter schools. Uh I will I don't know the numbers this year of the students in charter schools. Kindergarten is interesting because they don't have to go. Right. Right. >> So >> these are also which has been pointed out by various folks right this is the COVID year students that would have been born during COVID that are coming to school in kindergarten. I I have no idea if there's any correlation, but it's just something to think about. And >> and if I may, one more question. You know, we think about the preschool >> and

046the explosion of students that require the services provided. >> Yes. >> In our preschool, >> do we have any rooms left? It just seems like we filled that building. There's now we're down to two cl three. Okay. I can't say three classrooms spaces. Okay, thank you. >> Any other questions or discussion? If not, we will move on to the uh report from the assistant superintendent of student services. Any questions, comments? Member Maxwell. Um, I know that over the last two or three years we've lost a significant amount of seas, at least eight people. Um, I don't know how many we've lost over the last five years, but I know the audit references a lot of issues with IEP issues regarding compliance and all of that. Um, but I just feel like we're losing far too

047much too many special ed staff, especially administrators. Um, is that, you know, is that due to professional development? Is that due to poor work condition? Like, why are we losing them at such a high rate? And I know they have a workload of 270 to 300 students each, but I'm just curious if you've kind of looked into the reason why why we're leaving, if they're leaving. >> The majority of the folks who have left, it's the workload. It's unrealistic, which is why we were hoping for the ETFs. um to help offset that. Um it doesn't change the number of cases and it doesn't change the number of staff that they're also supervising. Right? So those seas are actually evaluating and observing all the program assistants plus teachers in their building as well. So you have

048a multifaceted administrative responsibility uh to compliance to parents to students to staff. Um so you know we are hoping that the ETFs will help. Unfortunately, we don't have them all filled because people aren't applying for them, which we kind of knew might happen, but um I just I think that's a significant support that our seas need. So, we do have them in place at the Timony. We have the ETF in place, which is new. The Marsh has been in place and the Tenny also is in place with these ch the changes that we've made. We have an interim sea and an ETF in place. member Shabilia. So, with the program at the marsh, um it was brought to my attention and I I meant to reach out to you earlier today and it just the

049day got away from me that there are what the teacher called staffing concerns because are we able to reach out to constellations and add more people or they are they not able to find them either? because it sounds to me like there is a um a skew there in the ratio and people are starting to panic. >> Yeah. So, uh you'll see in your packet that we are making some requests and they are necessary um to try to make uh some things work better. And I would say Gina and Gina more so than me, but I have been physically over there to meet with the teachers and the staff and try to figure out what to do moving forward. Hence, we're here tonight with some proposals. Um, I I do think we're we're reaching a

050saturation point, meaning that even the the private contractors don't have the staff that we need. There's just not an endless supply of BCBAs, of RBTs, of behavior, you know, trained folks. Um, special education teachers, I don't think they have any. Um so we we are being pushed up against this wall of we are not able to recruit but even the recruiters who pay more can't recruit the people with the licenses that we and other districts need. So we are constellations hands down has been uh remarkable to work with. I would still say that today with confidence. I think uh Gina I don't want to speak for her but would as well. Um, so they are working with us and doing everything they can to support us. Um, but we can't just make people appear. It's

051it's a challenge. It is a, you know, we're probably at what I would say, if I haven't said the word already, a crisis level of staffing uh, just because we can't get the right people in. We're beyond the training our own. We we have to train our own, but we don't have enough, right? And so I don't know if you want to say anything. I just think that we we're working the best with them that we can, but there are some agencies who just do not have any staff themselves. >> I do want to add because I've reached out to beyond constellations specifically for special education teachers for the pathways program. Um I'd probably say I have my feelers out to five or six different agencies at this time. They are searching just as hard

052and wide as they can. They have no applicants. >> Yeah. My concern is we can post all the jobs we want, but you can't make people apply to them, >> right? >> And whether we post it or the third party agency post it, that tells me it's not about money, it's about availability. >> So the question then becomes, is there an opportunity to restructure it somehow so we can tap a pool of people that may otherwise not be available for the roles that we're trying to fill? It's like kind of a a re redesign of the model. I know you can't redesign out a teacher because you need a certificate, >> but I mean maybe there's a pool of you I mean for example and I don't know if it's applicable like a CNA for

053example maybe a relatively decent substitute in a high needs classroom where those kids are going to need constant interaction constant touch. Um, so you're not off in the fact that we are actually talking to the staff at the Marsh right now about what it looks like to restructure and everybody recognizes that's not something we're going to upend right now, but how do we need to limit reassign students classrooms? How do we limit the number of students in a classroom based on need? Right? Instead of saying just every class has eight kids in it, we're really taking a deeper look on like maybe one class has four, but there are four staff in that room all day long, >> right? And then maybe there are more classrooms of eight that don't need all the staff because

054we are sort of separating out the needs of the kids better. Um, we really need the staff is I think they're really helping us try to figure that out. But to add to that, to answer your question a little bit more, there's still a need or a level for a special education teacher to be involved for the different compliance pieces around the IEP, whether that's being the liaison, overseeing the curriculum, all of those pieces, >> right? But at what point does the state have to step in and say, "We know you can't find teachers." I mean, it's not a secret's not special. Mhm. >> There are not teachers hiding behind a pole somewhere or a bus waiting to jump out and Gotcha. Like at what point like I I don't know what our alternative avenues

055are. >> I know. >> And >> I I can I don't think our alternative avenue is going to come from the state. It's not going to be like, oh, what are we going to do differently? They the compliance is the compliance and that's what they're going to look for from us is what are we doing to compensate? What are we doing to comply? just didn't know what was going on. Um I I just >> causing a ruckus. >> Yeah. I just think that it's going to be again it's not going to come from the state. It's going to come from us doing different brainstorming. >> Oh boy. >> And again, we are not alone. I you know I don't I I really every time we have conversations about this, we're trying to think about it

056differently to be as proactive as we can. Um, you know, I don't again, it's just it's a challenge. We're just we're trying to make sure we're supporting our staff, make sure that we're doing right by the students. Um, it's a challenge. >> Yeah. And it's it's scary because if we can't meet our burdens, then we have to send out of district, >> right? >> And even then, you're on weight list. You're weight listed at this point, >> right? >> And we don't have the money. >> Yes. Just a follow-up question. Um, and maybe it's off topic and maybe we don't get an answer, but the constellation staff, do do they get onboarded just like our regular staff? They get an email, talking points, all of that. >> Yes, but we're working through the talking points.

057There's been it's like a >> Yes, we're working through closing the communication part for sure. >> But yes, they get they get a badge. They get all of all of those pieces. Yes. Yep. Any other questions or discussion? >> Member Donovan, >> Miss Bozac, just looking ahead, I've been following, as I'm sure everyone else on the committee has, the dismantling of the Department of Education in Washington. >> Um, specifically the department within that department, the special ed department. Um, about two million we get from federal funds right now. Is that about right? little bit over. >> Yeah. Okay. About 2 million. >> Um any updates because this is something we're going to have to start thinking about very seriously. >> So, no updates at this time beyond um last Friday the at the state special

058ed director's meeting. Okay. Um they just really highlighted that IDA is still the law and we still have the Massachusetts states sped laws and regulations and we are still working through all of the same work that we do at this time. But beyond that they was no other guidance or projection as to what may be coming. >> Okay. I just want people to be aware that we may face significant challenges. >> You should throw title one in there too. >> Title one too. You're right. Um, >> that's unknown for FY27. >> Okay. So, we're talking a significant amount of money. >> Yes. >> Impacting >> Yes. >> our special ed services. And I can't imagine what it's going to be like to if we have to backfill >> some of our um teaching positions, you

059know, budget-wise. >> Yeah. I mean, it was last year it was estimated $3.1 million. We paid in salaries with the two grants that would just went to salaries, >> right? But I just think it's important that people start hearing this because we're going to face significant challenges that we we already face now >> if it doesn't if it Right. I am concerned though given >> the discussion and how money could be dispersed down the road in a very different manner. >> Correct. >> Controlled by the administration >> which could mean at a great cost to Massachusetts. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Well, I feel like Debbie [snorts] Downer with that one, but Good one to get out there. >> Thank you. Any other questions or discussion? Not we'll move on to the HR

060report. Any questions or discussion from the committee? Member Shibilia. >> Miss Bozac for the BCBAS. I've I've been looking around at what other districts are doing and knowing that no two districts are the same and knowing that the BCBAS are hard to come by. What would the difference there be if you guys were to instead of looking for a BCBA were to look for like LICSSWS >> because >> yeah the skill set >> BCBA actually does the functional behavioral assessments a licensed social worker could not do that. >> It's a different skill set and different assessments. >> Okay. So when I was looking at I specifically looked at Lowel because they have all their stuff posted on their website. Sure. >> Um at my cursory glance it looked to be very similar uh because it

061becomes that that deescalation and kind of process management. So I mean if it's something that we can't fill and we're having perpetual problems filling it, maybe it's time to I don't know, maybe rework the model. Maybe again it's like the school psychologist. I know we can't get rid of them because we need them to do the writeups, but we're never going to find them. So, and I know that's been the bane of everyone's existence for years. So, I I just it it may be time to start looking at alternatives because I don't know if those people like this whole industry of education has a decline in enrollment from the college level >> and it's not going to get better. So, we're going to have to get more creative. >> And also keep in mind, lol,

062Haveril, Lawrence all have alternative schools within their public school. We do not. >> Right. So, they have an alternative school that could act as subsparate placement for students and not send them out of district. >> Yep. >> We do not have that. >> Right. Right. But when I was their allies were in their buildings, not just their allies were in their buildings, not just in their >> I don't know what you call the other building. >> It's an alternative school. They all all of them have it. >> Yeah. I mean, it's we we're going to have to think as far outside the box as we can to a degree, but there is a specific skill set that the BCBAS have that our especially the subsearate program for ASD needs. It's the behavioral management that is

063key and they do programming for that. That would not be training a licensed LSW >> or licensed LS LIC. >> Yeah. Yeah. All the letters. >> Okay. Social work. I forgot to ask. Not all of our BCBAS are assigned to special education programs specifically, right? [clears throat] So we, you know, like our BCBA at the CGS, >> she's there for the for the building. >> Different ways to look at it. >> Yeah. Just figured I'd throw it out there. >> Worth conversating. conversating. >> Reverend Maxwell, >> not sure that's a word. >> The conversation, >> my apologies. >> So, would we benefit from an alternative school? >> Um, likely. But you're you're talking I mean, the last time I presented for an alternative school for the high school, you're looking at a startup cost of

064about $5 million. And at that point, we just couldn't do it. And then you need a space. >> Thank you. staffing space and money to to upfront the cost of that with the staff that you need because you can't do a peace meal, right? Like you need the staff that you need. Yeah. So, it it would be a work. It it is this is why and I've said this before people sometimes from the outside who don't sit here and have these conversations think that we over utilize Crest Collaborative because we are a high sending member school and we are except I'm a high member school because I don't have an alternative school within Methone Public Schools to use whereas Haveril sends half the number of kids to Crest because they have an alternative school within

065their own public school Right. So, it's just I, you know, we're relying on our collaboratives a lot more for for our needs that we can't meet in district. Some of the other larger districts have other options. >> Any other questions or discussion? >> Vice Chair. >> Um, on the um the colorcoded one. >> Yep. Um, can we get a key that tells us what the color codings mean? Um, because I I had spoken with Miss Bozac beforehand and she did explain to me that the blue was unit A and the red is unit C. But without without having that conversation right before this meeting, I didn't know that. So, I'm just wondering if we can just make sure that that's clear so that somebody from the general public who's reading this would understand that >>

066you're talking about the staffing update, right? >> The staffing. Yeah. >> So, blue appears to be unit A, red appears to be um unit C and then the dark like teal color appears to be unit B, >> which is also hard to delineate because the blue and the gray kind of look the same, >> right? Yeah. >> So, just to just to make it clear. So, because it we used to have a a column and the color coding is fine. It's just that it's it wasn't clear what it was. That's all. >> Yep. We'll do. >> Thanks. >> You're welcome. >> I believe that's rain. >> It is rain. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> We're good. We're good. >> It's very loud. >> Oh, she >> Any other questions or discussion regarding the HR report?

067Uh if not, we'll move on to uh the out of school suspensions and other disciplinary actions report. Questions, comments? Member Maxwell, >> I know I um approached this the last one of our last meetings that if we could break them down a little bit different. Um >> so talk to me about how you want it broken down. >> Yeah. So >> I'll write that down this time. >> There's there's a few. So if I go too fast, just >> I have stop. um total number per school total number of individual students um an average length of suspension per um incident and then separate them by categories by grade level status meaning JED ed special ed or English learners um did the incident involve a student with a behavior plan and then separate the categories into

068fighting attacking and then bullying harassment No threats. >> You lost me. I lost you. >> Yeah, you just I ran out of space. I just All the stuff you're asking for. We started with that I think a year ago and then we went to this because our I would not be able everything you're asking me to. I would not be able to pull from Infinite Campus like I do this report. I literally would have to create a whole another document like it gets submitted at the end of the year for our state reporting. Maybe even just once yearly so we could get an update and follow that. Um, I mean, I think that would be helpful only because like if we had a a post suspension update also, you know, where we did the student

069have a re-entry meeting, did they get referred to counseling or BCBA or guidance or, you know, I don't I think that I'm asking this because I went to most recently I went to an um a CPAC meeting and in that CPAC meeting um it was a concern of a lot of the parents of you know, we just don't know the the why behind the numbers or how things are being handled. Um so I think it would it would clear up a lot of you know questions. >> So I'd say two things. So annually which I can certainly give you all there is a report that we have to upload every summer. That is the annual report for our student discipline that has most of the stuff you're asking. Okay. >> I mean I can just

070print that from Desessie's website and give that to you in a document. Um, >> yeah. Go ahead, Ryan. >> No, I was going to say and we can uh you can follow up with that with you guys on the uh next school committee can actually do that annual report and go over how discipline was. Maybe that will help you with policies and stuff like that to direction the district should go with discipline by just looking at that data. >> Yeah, that I mean that's why I brought it up. That's why I'm >> Yeah. No, I I think that's actually a really good idea. That's all. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions or discussion regarding the out of school suspensions report? If not, we'll move on to old business and other pending matters. We have

071on the agenda tonight a an update regarding our discussion about the superintendent search. So, as you'll recall during the last meeting, uh I was uh in essence tasked with >> I don't see her. the so just to share an update uh I was tasked with the uh concept of uh you know beginning the process of determining what we need in order to get the quotes in order to bring on uh a uh consulting firm uh to assist us with the search process. in order to go out to get the quotes, we need to have a clearly outlined list of specifications that we'd be looking for by way of that process, um, etc. And so, uh, I have, uh, tasked member Donovan to in essence be my point person as it relates to, uh, you know,

072I guess, uh, next steps when it comes to getting this process before uh, the committee. Uh so I wanted to share that update. Uh the other thing too is that uh we have been in touch with uh Ms. McCarthy uh regarding um those specifications uh simply because there are a lot of things that uh we're able to avoid having to reinvent the entire wheel as it relates to getting these quotes. Uh you know we we did have the search process I believe back in 2018 roughly. uh and so um she will have some information to share regarding uh thoughts about the specifications that we're going to want to include. Member Donovan, Ian, if you have anything else. >> If I may, uh I don't know if we could delay a little bit. Colleen has been

073kind enough to pull together everything we need to know about a superintendent search, including the brochure that was put together last time to create um when stakeholders were interviewed to see what we need, what we're looking for as a community. Is she here? >> Yeah. >> Yay. Right on time. So, she's pulled together a lot of great information that I think we all need to take a look at and decide >> what our next steps are. >> I'm going to grab a chair. >> Chair right here. So, as we talked about during the last meeting, we have this requirement to get a minimum of three quotes. If we're expecting the process cost to go over the $50,000 mark, uh, which is unlikely, but if it does happen, then we would need to go out to

074bid. Uh so given the fact that we have some uh considerations along those lines uh I thought it would be helpful to uh reach out to Miss McCarthy and uh seek some just initial uh thoughts and guidance uh simply because this uh is something that we've done before and again uh with the goal of trying to avoid reinventing the wheel. I'll pass it off to her. So what I what I did was I went on to I belong to Massa Association of School Personnel Administrators. Um we have a list serve where we bounce ideas off of each other and I grabbed some resources there for you guys to have the opportunity to take home and peruse through. Um there are some consulting firms that I found on the list serve um that other communities have

075used. Um some outside of our website and school spring and the normal places that we advertise for positions some other organizations that people have posted for superintendent along with some scope uh sample scope of services um that other communities have used when looking for a consultant. And I also put on some materials that I had from our last superintendent search just for you guys to review and figure out which direction you want to go in. >> So we're not taking any formal votes tonight. This is more of an FYI in terms of, you know, this process of putting together the specifications. I I personally we can have a discussion. uh you know I think it's uh probably beneficial to us to uh you know digest this we could always have a follow-up meeting a special

076meeting something like that if we want to take formal uh action but I think long and short of it we simply have to get the quotes this is the type of format that we're going to want to use in terms of outlining the specifications uh when it comes to something like this say on the city side you know this wouldn't be part of the public uh discussion that I would have with the city council. We have the procurement office. They take care of this internally. But given the fact that I know this is of significant interest to the committee, we wanted to kind of open this up, show how the sausages made by way of this process of uh getting the quotes. >> Member Wlette, I really appreciate this. Um, is there a national organization

077that would be included on the list? Because it's um the dynamic is Massachusetts and New England for places to post. Is there a national organization that we would be ultimately posting to? Because we're doing local New England, Massachusetts, and then national. Do we have that in place? >> There there's definitely some national organizations. I think it's as a AASA AASA. We could we could also post there. I just put some things out there for you guys to decide >> where you'd want to go. >> Remember, we'll let some of these um the consultants to run a search. Some of them do national searches. >> Okay. >> So, please know that. >> I'm just saying in terms of places to post ultimately I know I can have a consultant. >> Yeah. A a good example is

078um you know for MASC they have the ability to go wide right >> in terms of their reach. Yeah. >> But MASC now is conducting um >> 15 15 searches right now for um which is insane. >> Yeah. Um, and you know, I know there's been a lot of discussion about when we start, should we hold off for the new committee, but I'm afraid if we continue to have discussions and not act, we're putting our district in jeopardy. >> We really are. Yeah. >> Um, especially with some districts closing and and picking people for next year. I mean, we'd hate to a second, you know, Tom Brady's a great example. He wasn't picked in the first draft, but we're really hedging our bets here. Um, I also think it's worth noting if we do an

079international did I say international? Some districts do that though? um a national search, we have to think about the cost because if we're going to do it right, and I know you really really have made this clear, we would have to fly the candidates out for our site visits, our meetings with parents and staff, and then ideally we would fly some members of our search committee out to their site. >> So, it's all gonna ching chuch-ching. So let's keep you know all these things to think about. >> Member Shabilia >> Colleen in your research or maybe member Donovan how long does it typically take under the best of scenarios to run a superintendent search? >> Two to four months I would say you're talking a couple months like this >> okay I was gonna say

080it's not it's not going to happen overnight. There's a lot they have to come out. They're going to pull. >> So, is that three to five to to to to hire or to when a candidate pool would come to whoever the interviewing body is going to be for first round >> appointment? Yeah, you're probably at appointment at five. You're at you're at appointment. But >> just know that traditionally administrators usually get hired in February and March. That was my next question >> because of their contracts. if they have contracts in other communities, especially in Massachusetts. So, you're getting close to your timeline. >> So, if we don't do something real soon in a hurry, then the conversation should switch to intram. >> That's a committee decision. >> Sounds to me like a logical one. >>

081Member Daglio. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I'm just saying though, like I just don't want want it to be rushed. That's where I'm concerned that we get a bunch of candidates and then we're in a position where we're like we have to make a decision on these candidates. So I as Mr. uh member will saying a national search and I get the expenses and everything. Um I don't know if a zoom would first be a proper way of doing it. I've never done a superintendent search, but at the end of the day, if we're going to pick the right candidate, we shouldn't just limit ourselves to New England and Massachusetts. We should be able to post anywhere that we need to post to make sure we're bringing in candidates that are best for

082our district. But I'm I'm concerned that we're we I get that we have to act. I totally agree with you. We should start the search committee. I'm ju when I'm hearing by February by February I just don't want it to be rushed that we have to pick one of these candidates >> well not us I won't be here but you guys picking just a candidate just to fill a position >> and that's where I think the idea of being flexible in terms of consideration having at least the interim idea on the table uh so that we aren't kind of we don't have a gun to our head so to speak >> um and we are able to be thoughtful and deliberative about process. So I think it behooves us to just have all options on

083the table. Yeah. >> So I'm assuming I mean this is new to everybody and it's an incredible amount of work. Do we want to take some time to look at the scope of services, the examples here, and at our next meeting perhaps talk about what are we looking for to put this together? And then we have to well get three quotes or so we can't really even start the process until with we get this work done. So, um, that's also worth considering, right? >> Does that sound fair? I know you're the expert in hiring, but you are, it's fair. You have you have to decide what you what scope of services you're looking for in order to take the next steps. >> And I guess my other question is we have to determine salary, >>

084right? I I I also would like to um potentially bring in the other two new school committee members, one being right next to us, but but I think she she should also be providing what she was look is looking for, plus councelor Daglio, which will be member Daglio, um should be able to come in and say, "Well, I'm looking for those as well." So we should include them as well. Yep. >> But this is just the scope of work of what we want the consulting company to do, not what we want in a superintendent. >> Yeah. But >> I don't get moving like I don't I mean sure they can come in. >> Yeah. They have have their if they can't show up, they can't show up. But I'm just saying if they could, >>

085right? I mean, we're not >> I'm just trying to include everybody. >> I'm certainly not going to select a superendent. >> No, no, no. I'm not saying selected, but maybe they have a scope or an idea because especially member counselor Daglio um was on the last time on was around when we selected Brandy for a superintendent. My brother was on that um school committee that selected her. So, he actually has experience in superintendent search. can't believe I'm giving him credit but um but I think he would be somebody that would give us an idea as well. So I'm just trying to include the new members as well. >> So I think that a good next step would be to uh you know bring this forward uh at our the next time we're together. Do we

086want to be open to a special meeting? I actually think that that would be a good a very good topic for a special meeting. Mr. Mayor, if I could, I think that as part of that meeting, we need to include the conversation of intram. I agree. It shouldn't be rushed and the next group shouldn't have to be over the barrel to pick a superintendent under the gun. And that's I mean, that's the way we roll here. We don't do anything in the city quickly. to think that we're going to be able to put this together and get a superintendent and have that person be ready to start in six months when there are literally 15 of them going on now in what was it five or six that just wrapped up over the last month

087or two. It's that's stupid. We we need to include a conversation about interim. We need to be prepared. >> Mr. Chairman will >> we can have multiple conversations but we we had an election. We're going to have a new school board in in January. So, I'm open to multiple possibilities, but I'm not going to be rushed into an interim superintendent either. I don't see it. We set the process. We have the foundation. You will work with Colleen McCarthy and I have confidence in member Donovan. Let's go through the process. If we need a special meeting, I'm all in favor of that. this whole thing about an interimm, I don't see the the urgency at this moment in time. I really don't. >> I think at this point it behooves us to really focus on setting

088the table for this process. And I think that we can accomplish that >> uh with a special meeting and have the focus of that be uh establishing uh a scope of services for the consulting firm that we can then use to get our quotes. And I think that we would probably want to schedule that quickly so we can maybe coordinate uh offline and uh discuss some dates and and get that scheduled and then this will give us also some time to take a look at some of these ideas and then we'll have uh I guess more definitive discussion next time. Any other thoughts? Member Donovan? So I I just want to make sure we clarify when we have our next meeting. We all come to the table having maybe looked at the examples of scope

089of services identifying what we want to see in our own search. I just I think I just needed to say that out loud for myself. Okay. Is that does that make sense? So we have our homework to look at this and say this is what we want. This is what we don't want. We'll put together there. Okay. >> Are you guys looking for a special meeting before 11:24? >> Yes. >> Before that. >> Okay. >> Anything else? >> Thank you for compiling all this. >> Thank you. >> All right. Uh do we have anything else under context of superintendent or All right, we'll move on. Uh so next we're on to new business. We have ratification of the unit BOU. We need a motion and a second to approve. >> So moved. >> Motion from

090vice chair, second from member Donovan. Discussion four. Oh, >> I'll take questions if you have questions. member Maxwell. >> Um, this is for the um unit B MOA, right? Correct. Okay. Um, are we voting on the contract or are we voting on these additions? >> So, the memorandum of agreement is the change to the actual contract. Nothing else in the contract changed but those articles. That's what you're voting on tonight. So is is there still opportunity to make changes to the contract? >> No. >> So we've every executive session we've had with unit B, this is what the document is that came together. >> Okay. Um >> just took us a while to actually write it in anou. >> Okay. And I noticed that in one of the the article 22, it says um such

091party shall be given written notice of this to the other not later than October 1st preceding the termination date. So if for some reason we did need to terminate it would we would have to give written notice 8 months before we wanted to terminate the position. >> No, I need to What? Where? What section are you reading from? >> Article 20. It says amend article 22.1 to read as follows. It's the second um it says duration. >> What number is it? Member Maxwell. >> Number two. I believe that's the duration of the contract. That has nothing to do with uh Yeah, duration is the duration of the contract. The agreement is effective. The contract agreement, not personnel. >> I see. Okay. Um and then where it says uh remove references to 12-month positions, remove references

092to vacations as applicable. Mhm. >> Um, where are those? Which number are you on? >> Three. Uh, >> yep. Three. >> Three. >> Housekeeping. Uh, remove references to 12. So, anywhere in the contract that it said 12 month, we're moving to 10. That's the whole point of this contract. So, it's just a housekeeping. That means you go through and do a find and replace of everything. We agree to that. >> But we're still going to have 12 month positions. >> No, we're not. Not in unit B or not? >> Not at all. >> None. >> Okay. Um and then here where it says the salary and compensation >> says that the guidance head position shall receive a $7500 annual stipen to be paid at the end of August. >> Yep. >> Um for the MHS

093master scheduling and summer enrollment. I thought principals handled scheduling. >> Not at the high school. Not for 2,00 kids. They don't. >> So, the guidance >> the guidance has always handled that. Yes. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Um, where does the language from 5.2 go? I know it's stricken out, but where does it go? Does it not exist anymore? >> You have to give me the number. >> Um, 5.2. Yeah, but what number is 8 n 10? Like what number are you looking at? >> Oh, 11. >> Sorry. >> Also, I think that's because maybe they went from 11 to 10. Yeah. Okay, >> she behind me nodding. Yeah, she's going to jump in if I'm not saying it right. Yes. So 5.2. Yes. Is because they're going from 12 to 10. >> Okay. And

094then 5.2 2 says that it's a 200 day work year and then 5.3 says that 12 month positions are for APS even in this new draft. So we're not having 12 month. >> So under so so you see where it says effective July 1, 2026. This is a two-year contract. So some of this language still holds for 2526. >> Okay. Okay. >> Right. So we're we're doing this year as a whole which they're 12 month and then moving them to 10 month for J. So, we still have to plan for >> correct. So, we had to delineate language like this, leave some in and note that we're taking some out as of July 1. >> Okay. Okay. >> That was it. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Briefly, I know this is something that's

095been in the works for a while, but I just want to mention there are some committee members that don't have the printed copy of the agreement in in the packet. And I know that on the website there there hadn't been a link to this. Uh so, I would recommend as a safe measure a motion to table. And this is something that we can approve at the next meeting. >> It also says >> I don't know why why would you I'm just curious why we take this is how we always dous >> until they're ratified. You have them in your hand to approve and then we post it. >> It also says that >> for unit and everything else >> and we don't have those >> copy of it right now. We haven't seen it. >>

096I I sent it to all of you when I sent you the agendas and the package. Can I have it? >> I attached it to the email saying that the agenda was ready. >> So, with this contract, it says that we have job descriptions attached to all of these titles and and we don't have those. So, can we get those before we So, >> it's not on the agenda. >> It is on the agenda. Of course, it's on the agenda. >> It's on the agenda, but it's not there's no link. >> No, I know. >> She's right. >> I've never done So, we've always done this. This is how Mike Macaro has advised us to do this that we don't put theou for public consumption. We give it to the union for ratification and then

097we give it to school committee for ratification and then it's public once it's ratified. >> So it's on the agenda to vote and you all had it for the 48 hours you needed to approve it. >> There's still questions. I don't think we we don't need to have it done immediately tonight. >> I I would strongly recommend I think given >> just a just a motion to table. >> Yeah. due to the fact that especially the descriptions. >> I think that's something we should look at as well. >> Do we have the motion? >> Oh, motion to table. >> Second. Okay. All those in favor of tableabling. >> I >> opposed. All right. So, we'll table. We'll take it up at the next meeting. >> Uh, next we have the we need a motion and

098a second to approve the tendit lease addendum. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion from member Daglio, second from member Shabilia. Discussion. So, I mentioned this a couple of meetings ago. This is a simple addendum to the formal tendenc. Um, and all it is doing is making the uh adjustment for the actual square footage that they are using in the original lease. We had the estimate that we used in the RFP. >> And so, we want to make sure that these are the actuals. They don't they with all the right reasons they don't want to make renovations on additional spaces without those spaces really outlined for us. So, we're looking for approval tonight. Uh I will need to send this to city council for approval as well uh because they did the final approval on

099the full lease. So, I will send this off in the morning to the to the chair and hope that they can put it on uh a subsequent city council meeting. Questions, discussion? >> If not, we'll vote. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. The eyes have it. Next, we need a motion and a second to approve the CTE parent advisory council. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion from member Daglio, second from member Donovan. Discussion. >> So, I'd like I'd like there's two things here tonight and I know we have Miss Milansen here to join us um to give some updates on this ET and then explain the parent advisory councils that you are accepting tonight. just to give some background. Maybe it will answer some questions that you might have and then if

100not, we're all here to answer any questions that you might have. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I usually pass that. I'll be backwards. >> Hi everyone. Thank you. Um what is in your packet is our list of our program advisory committee members. Uh the program advisory committee meets twice a year, once in November and once in March. They consist of teachers, um, business and industry partners, higher education partners from colleges and universities, parents and students. And the purpose is to look at our curriculum, what we're doing in our classes, um, evaluate that, take a look at trends in industry, trends in higher education and needs that they're finding um, and make changes to our curriculum as we see fit um, based on their recommendations and what they're seeing. So, um, the one we've had one meeting

101last week, there's two this week and two next week as well. Um, but we're just asking you to to take a look at that and approve of that for us. >> Member Maxwell. >> Um, just two quick questions. Um, who selects the members and how do they get selected? >> So, um, for starting a couple years ago, we just started reaching out to local community members. Um we get some of the people from our externship programs um businessmen members that are working with our students in externship that join. Um we have Northern Essex Community College, we have Marramac College, it's just a bunch of different ones in the area. We pretty much reach out to many as many colleges and universities as we can as well as industry partners um with you have any kind

102of networking with. >> And then like as far as students and parents, how do you reach out to them or are they just kind of students that you know you have a relationship with? No. Um, so the teachers will post on their Google classroom the the flyer that explains to the students what it's for. There are two real types of um involvement students can have. They can be student um council members or they can be student ambassadors. So it's open to anybody and so the students are able just to even just join and listen to what our partners have to say. They can also be student ambassadors who can speak to their experience and and kind of ask questions as well. Uh for parents, we send a talking points home, similar flyer. It explains the

103purpose of the pack and just ask for anyone um who has a student in that pathway if anyone would like to join, share their experience and you know help with us to mold the pathway. >> Okay. Um and then it says that you guys meet twice yearly. Are those public meetings and can >> Yeah, they are them or do they are they minutes or >> they there are minutes for them. They are public. They're virtual right now which is actually we found that to be really helpful. Um we have partners at Nor Eastern University and you know just from all over. Um and they're from 2:15 to 3:15. Um so yeah that's open to >> and anybody can join. >> Correct. >> Awesome. Thank you vice chair. >> Um I noticed your multimedia production and

104broadcasting doesn't have a parent. Is it required? And if it is what are you going to do? >> We have reached out u Mr. Wilkins is currently working to get a parent um on the committee. We had one last year but their student graduated. Um so we are currently still working on that one. That is the one we don't have. >> Right. And if we approve this without it, do we have to reapprove it when you get one? >> I think we could just make you aware um that we've added a parent when we do have that name. Any other questions or discussion? If not, we'll vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? The eyes have it. Next on the agenda, we have finance and operations. We'll start with the uh

105expenditure report. Any questions from the committee? >> Member Maxwell. >> Um just one question about the revolving um accounts, the rental the facility rentals. Is there a breakdown of who rents our facilities and what the breakdown costs are? >> Okay, that's all >> for the ice rink. Um, and and being down there and spending a lot more time down there than I used to, I've noticed that's always the same two people >> and they're what my understanding is they're getting an awful lot of overtime down there. Are we I mean, we have plenty of cash in that revolving fund because that ice rink is self-sufficient, more so than anything else in this city. How do we turn that into bodies? >> It's a great question. If you know anyone who wants to work in the

106ice rink, we're hiring. Um, we've been interviewing him as fast as we can. Um, we actually believe we may have one that >> All right. >> We just interviewed on, I think, Thursday. Um, he's interested, we're interested. We're >> recommending him. He'll go through the background process, etc., and hopefully get on board ASAP. And usually a full staff is three. Um, we did have three. uh one left us and uh we've been struggling to find another one. So, anybody interested, let us know. >> We I mean I'm very interested in um even signing people up part-time, you know, train them, you know, whatever. And you know, hopefully in addition to our regular guys, so if they need to take a day off, we, you know, we bring in a part-time rather than, you know, overtime

107necessarily. >> And that's under the custodial unit, right? >> Correct. posted yet? Well, it was posted. It might have been closed now that we recommended somebody. >> Any other questions? If not, we'll move on to the grants report. Any questions from the committee? >> I have a question. >> Member Maxwell. Um, I see a grant from um the state that says uh 127 option one supporting mental health and wellbeing for 80,000. What does that go to? >> Um, do you need the fund code? >> 35126 >> 127 126. >> Oh, 126. >> Yeah. >> No, on the side it's 36126. >> Nope. 35126. We have a few um >> that relate to the same area. So I wanted to make sure I had the same the right one. So that's um that's a grant that's

108specifically for supporting mental health of newcomer um homeless students that um Mr. Crocker and I have a spreadsheet going of how we're spending um the money that overlaps from Ty knows what I'm talking about um from different mental health awareness. So that would be like care solace in some ways. Um in some ways we have collaborative problem solving. In some ways um we have an MTSS revisioning team going on right now where we're trying to map K12 all of our SEAL curriculum. Um we're reworking our MTSS system districtwide. So we're using that money um in a lot of ways and we're really fortunate to have an increase um in the original allocation for that grant. >> I could be wrong, but I was think also includes the teacher training as well for the Massachusetts Partnerships

109for Youth. >> Yes, that includes that as well. >> Very good one. Also, it may also include Think Bass interactive shows for students, which I think would be a great investment. >> Yes, that happens to different fund code, but still important in the same line. Thank you. >> Any other questions, comments? If not, we'll move on to the student activity reports. Any questions from the committee? >> I do want to make you aware that um I'm emailing the par uh the principles this week to make sure that the eighth grade accounts are closed out. Some have done it, some haven't. Um, also I'll be coming to you probably next month with my yearly I want these accounts removed, these ones added. Some of them have already gone ahead and put kindergarten in even though you

110guys didn't vote on it. Um, but it will be coming to you next meeting or next month. There are no questions. We will move on to uh the food service report. Member will >> just very quickly I am very appreciative that we're doing a survey of the students. I just want to relay that. Um thank you. >> Any other questions, discussion? If not, we'll move on to the warrants just as a refresher. Uh so the school committee uh gets these warrants to sign off on on a weekly basis. This is simply an acknowledgement of them uh in essence uh acceptance of the warrant reports. So what we'll do is we'll start with the warrant of September 12th uh 2025. We need a motion and a second to approve. >> So move second. >> Motion is

111from member Shabilia. The second is from the vice chair. Discussion. Member Maxwell. So, I know that these were already approved and signed off on, but um I did want to ask if we could um there's a few parts to my questions. I just wanted to ask if we could get a breakdown of special ed broken down by category, out of district tuition, transportation, contracted services, um, public collaborative, private day, residential, because I went through each warrant and it was kind of hard to to pull, but just in S13 alone, this warrant that we're talking about, I came up with 592,000 that went to special ed and out of district. um costs and which left 222,994 for indistrict expenses. Um so I just think that if we have a breakdown and I think that we should

112have one because of circuit breaker um if we could share those categories with the committee quarterly then we could kind of track the special ed um that we're putting. I mean, we're putting a lot of money out in contracted services, in out of district tuition, and and in district, we're left with 200,000. I mean, it's that's a tough pill to swallow. >> Yeah. Um, we we plan during the budget cycle to use. We're going to get approximately $10 million in circuit breaker this year. Yeah. >> We plan on using that. So, what we do is we spend on the regular um general budget funds and now we're switched over to using the circuit breaker ones to spend that 10 million that we know we're getting back. >> Um but um I'm not opposed to what

113you're saying, but maybe we can set up a time you can come down. We can sit down and come up with a form that makes sense. >> Yeah, that would be great. >> I can pull up the numbers on Muna so we can look at them and u just try to make something that makes sense and is relatively easy to pull. Yeah, I mean I guess it would be nice to see, you know, what we're putting out in special ed versus what we're putting out in general ed and and not for any other reason than just to compare like are we in moving in the right direction or you know that's all >> we can definitely do that. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Any other questions or discussion? >> If not we'll vote. All those

114in favor say I. >> I. I. Opposed member Maxwell was voting present. The eyes have it. Next, we need a motion and a second to approve the warrant of September 22nd, 2025. >> So moved. >> Motion is from memberilia. Second is from member Daglio. Any discussion? >> I I just want to say that I am going to be voting present on all of them only because I have asked for this breakdown before um and haven't gotten it and not through you, Ian. Um, so I I would love to sit down and talk to you about it, but for now I'll just be voting present and that's all. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. The eyes have it. Member Maxwell voting present. Uh, next we need a motion and a second to approve the

115warrant of September 26, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motions from member Shabelia. The second is from member Daglio. Discussion. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. The ice have it with member Maxwell voting present. Next we need a motion and a second to approve the warrant of October 2nd 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion from member Shibelia. Seconds from the vice chair. Discussion. >> Member Maxwell. >> Um this is 16 correct S16. That's the one we're talking about. >> Okay. Um, I know that we had a couple expenses for um textbook. There was one for 21,000, a payment for 21,000 for textbooks. Is that the new CKLA curriculum? You know, >> I'd have to look. The new TKLA is um a one on one time yearly payment of $199,000.

116No, it wouldn't be that. >> I would have to look to see what that $21,000 specifically was. Do you know off You don't know off the top of your head, do you? >> It's likely a digital um text that that isn't new to us. Um just a renewal. I' I'd imagine. I don't know specifically which one it would be. >> I can look that up for you as well. That that's simple enough. There was another one to WHS cheer. >> Was it >> WHS cheer? >> Okay. >> Oh, you know what? What was the amount? >> I knew you. >> All right. It's all right. Um, chances are that's like a um a membership to some chair competition or something. >> Oh, that makes sense. Okay. >> Yeah. Don't ask me what WHS means, but

117>> probably Wuburn High School. >> There you go. [laughter] Okay. The amount's probably like $200 or 250 or something. Yeah, >> that makes sense. Thank you. Yeah. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. The eyes have it with member Maxwell voting present. We need a motion and a second to approve the warrant of October 9th, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion is from member Shabilia. Second is for member Daglio. Discussion. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. The eyes have it with member Maxwell voting present. Next, we need a motion and a second to approve the warrant of October 17, 2025. >> So moved. >> Motions from member Shibelia, seconds from member Daglio. Discussion. So discussion will vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. The ice

118have it with member Maxwell voting present. Next, we need a motion and a second to approve the warrant of October 23rd, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motions from member Daglio. Seconds from member Shabilia. Discussion. There's no discussion. We'll vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. The eyes have it [clears throat] with me maxel voting present. Lastly, we need a motion and a second to approve the warrant of October 30th, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion from membershelia, second from vice chair Keegan. Any discussion? There's no discussion. We'll vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. The eyes have it with member Maxwell voting present. Next on the agenda, we have contract awards. There are none tonight. Uh next after that, we have grant awards.

119We need a motion and a second to approve the fiscal year 2026 grant awards. >> So moved. >> Motion is from member Daglio. Seconds from member Shabilia. Discussion. >> There's no discussion. We'll vote. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. The eyes have it. Next on the agenda, we have notifications of appointments and other personnel matters. We need a motion and a second to approve the pathways program staff. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion is from member Daglio. Seconds from the vice chair. Discussion. Member Maxwell. >> Um I know all of these positions I'm sorry, which one are we on the request? >> Pathways. >> For pathways. Okay. Um, I know that these say the positions are funded by circuit breaker funds. Are are we allowed to use circuit breaker funds

120for this? I I'm only asking um because I know that out of district tuition and contracted services, we can use those funds for that. But I didn't know if that includes >> Mr. Goslin, do you want to explain? >> Yeah. So what would happen is um we' make a transfer of expense from the regular budget into circuit breaker freeing up the money in the regular budget. Usually what I would do I know it's allowed ordinarily we just use contracted services tuitions and transportation. It's allowed that we can do it. Typically I like to spend it out of the um salary accounts. So, I'll just do a transfer of expense so that other expenses, tuitions or whatever would be moved into circuit breaker, which would free up money for those positions. >> Okay. >> Love that

121look, Gina. >> Well, I just I mean I I think just the global answer is circuit breaker funds can there you can spend it on anything special education >> related. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Vice Shear. Um, so I've had a lot of conversations with people and you know, safety is my utmost concern over at the Marsh. I'm very concerned about the things that I'm hearing from from the Pathways program, honestly. So, I'm I'm happy to see that we're going to be trying to get more staff. Um, but I feel like we need somebody to oversee that program all by itself. And I know that we tried to we we had conversations about a private day for that building or for that program, but even though we're not going in that direction, I feel like

122we need someone to oversee that program all by itself to make sure that it's safe. And my second thing is is that without the staff there right now because we haven't approved it and you haven't filled those positions, what are we doing right now to keep those kids safe and to keep the staff safe because it is very concerning every building. I don't think there's any way easy way to answer this because um I can't get into details about specific thing, you know, specific student scenarios. Um the reality is this proposal is coming from the staff that are in it every day. Um what you didn't see in this proposal was their request for special education teachers for every classroom because we already have that in the budget. we just have not been able to

123identify. Um we have been continuing to work with constellations as well as our current BCBA that's attached to that program on training of the program assistants of training of the special education teachers. Um right now th this is the part that we need to add this additional layer for those for those additional safety components. the larger conversation we've had that brought us here with the staff in the program and the new BCBA was really helpful in the their programs are staffed with what we put in the budget so so like we started with that right so it's you have the program assistants you have the people other than them sharing their two classrooms so I don't want to them I don't want to minimize that right so what is it that you need differently right

124like another program assistant probably isn't it. What is it that you need? And we really challenged them to come up with like we need a real proposal of something that could be realistic and this is where we landed from what they gave us. um you know and I think I've had multiple conversations with our uh union presidents um as well to say our hope is that now that we have the RBT recognized in the program assistant contract that while we don't have program assistants in Mthuan who currently have that certificate we may be able to recruit differently now um they have been incredibly cooperative in looking at the contract conting some things that are currently in the contract for us to allow to post and hire these people. It's not just a substitute position, right?

125We we're in a they recognizing the position that we're in and they have been incredibly supportive in our conversations about what's happening. And so they they're acutely aware uh because they're hearing the same things we are, that you are, that they are, right? Everybody is hearing the same things and trying to figure out what the best solution is. Um, and so it's helpful. And so they know that we're here right now. They're probably watching right now. Um, but they know that we're here requesting these three different um, scenarios for you guys. The pathways, the preschool, those were our two most needy populations and programs right now. Um, we are, you know, we're hope hopeful that word of mouth we can get some of these staff. Uh, and we'll we're going to go from there. But

126we have we have to try to do this. We can't do anything until it gets approved. Um but we're going to try to do this and do some pretty hard recruiting. >> Thank you. I have a followup. >> Maxwell, >> just to kind of piggyback off of me Keegan, um I know that the CGS has the pathways program. I mean the sorry the Marsh has the pathways program, but I I'm I would like to take a look at our safety across all of the schools. Um, I know that we have some safety concerns at the Timny and um, my my concern with the staffing is that, you know, we have 42 more students at the Tenny than we do the Timny and we have 38 more staff at the Tenny than we do the Timny,

127you know. So, I don't know how I don't know how you guys kind of work that that out and and figure out the staffing, but there are some significant safety concerns not just at the marsh, but at other grammar schools as well. So, is there a way to know ensure safety to all of you know the schools? >> Of course, that's our goal. Our number one priority is safety. Um, I also think you just you have to we have to look at the numbers and understand the programs. The the tenny has a subsparate footsteps program that has far more staff and needs than the Tim. The Timnney doesn't have a sub-sepparate program in their school. It's a partial inclusion. So, there's no subsearate programs at the Timney. So, you're not going to see as many

128staff. Um, so there's just you, you know, it's understanding the different programs in the building. The Marsh and the Timny, I mean the Marsh and the Tenny have the two subs separate programs. the largest subsparate programs K through eight and therefore again the most staff uh needed. So again it's clear it's really important to understand that um and we we are uh we actually started today there's by contract and by will I think of all of us there's a safety committee that's already started between the union and the administration we met today in my office so we've started that that was something that came up during our negotiation so we're well underway with sharing ideas understanding you know what the concerns are them it was great for us to be able to share tonight what

129are doing tonight. You know, for the people who didn't know this was happening, that adding staffing is going to help some of that deescalation and the support that we're really trying to manage right now. Um, so it's already happening that we're talking about all schools and there's teachers from every building and there's administrators from every building. >> That's great. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any other questions or discussion? [snorts] If not, we'll vote. All those in favor say I. >> I oppose. The eyes have it. >> Thank you. Uh, next we need a motion and a second to approve the one to one program assistant at the CGS. >> Second. >> Motions from member Shabilia, seconds from member Daglio. Discussion. >> If not, we will vote. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed.

130The eyes have it. Next, we need a motion and a second to approve two program assistance for preschool and one full-time BCBA. >> Second. Motions from member Shabilia, seconds from member Daglio. Discussion. Member Shabilia. >> This is This is not a knock at by any stretch, but we have two BCBAs posted and now we're adding another one. >> Yep. >> So, I I feel like we're fishing in the empty pond and that was what I was getting at earlier. I don't know what the right answer is, and clearly neither does anybody else, but I just think it's worthy of saying that we already have two that we can't find, and now we're adding another one. It's it's it's scary. >> It is. I think I Yes. Uh I think we're hopeful with some word of

131mouth uh and networking that that we're working on right now to to again heavily recruit some folks. >> Cup half full. >> What's up? >> Your cup half full. >> My cup is half full. Um, but I think that we also have, you know, working with some of the agencies, there are people who just work a little bit with us that maybe we can actually up and work with us full-time. There's that's the other option for us, too. Hopefully. We're hopeful. We've got we've got some options. You know, this is another one that if the program at the preschool at Branch Street is is almost identical, if not identical, they're just smaller, right? they're they're younger uh less schooling than the program at the marsh right as they grow. So um you know we're looking

132at sort of similar conversations about exploring all options at both at this point. But I think if you see here the description that Miss Bozac wrote for the BCBA is it is a little different. The title is different. We're going to post it differently. Right? The title is early childhood support specialist because it's not just we want the BCBA, but we need a little something extra from that person and we're hoping to get somebody who has some early childhood experience to be able to do that with us. Hope glass half full. We we won't know until we try it, right? We think we know what we need. We we got to try and get it, I think, at this point. >> And I can I just add I I think it's important for both this

133proposal and the one at the marsh to keep in mind that that This came from the the staff, like the staff get getting their feedback, having them advocate and really looking at what are the needs and what do we need in order to move things forward. And so it wasn't just >> me sitting there coming up. It was it was right. So that like especially that early childhood support specialist really came from the teacher saying this is really what we need to meet the needs in this building right now. Any other discussion? If not, we'll vote. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. The eyes have it. Uh, next on the agenda, we have other business from the committee. I'll invite member Maxwell to start the discussion regarding the open meeting law disclosure. >>

134Um, so I it was brought to my attention that I hit a reply all to one of our emails. Um, I immediately contacted the Attorney General's office and the secretary of state's office and with their guidance, it was just stated that um, as long as I put it out there publicly and discuss it at our next meeting, um, that it is okay. Um, and also there was really no violation because we weren't deliberating and there wasn't really a conversation, but um, I just wanted to disclose that for transparency that I kind of reported myself. I put myself out there and I was told that if as long as I disclosed it to the public, it was okay. >> Thank you, Member Maxwell. Uh and then we have also on the agenda at the request to

135member Maxwell is uh discussion regarding clarification on uh communication. >> Um yeah. So for um just for again transparency um I was asked to come in for a meeting um through the chair and the vice chair um to ensure that communication between the committee and the superintendent remains effective and aligned with the policy. Um, so for clarity, I'd like to reference the original email because the expectations outlined there are not aligned um with the discussion that we had but or now um and I want to make sure that we're all on the same page going forward so there's no misunderstanding. Um, in the original email it was that, you know, after consulting with legal counsel, we ask that you please copy both of us on all correspondence with the superintendent so that we're aware of

136your concerns and can determine whether how to address them as a committee. We've also asked the superintendent to forward all emails from you to us along um unless we're already copied, which just again for transparency, ICC the mayor on all my emails to the superintendent. Um we have also asked the superintendent to um not respond to individual communications only directed when only when directed by the chair. Um and I am not allowed to meet with the superintendent unless one of us is present. Um, I responded with um, all of my correspondence with the superintendent is conducted solely within the scope of my duties as an elected school committee member and as outlined by Massachusetts general law, the city charter, and relevant policies BBA and BBAA, it's the responsibility of individual committee members to request information,

137raise concerns, and seek clarification on matters affecting student safety, instruction, and district operations. Um, these are all core areas of the school committee oversight and communicating with the superintendent and is a necessary part of me fulfilling these duties. Um, I emphasize that any policy or protocol that prevents that or unduly delays communication regarding the district oversight would interfere with my legally mandated responsibilities as an elected official. Um, so when we went to this meeting, we sat down and we discussed and you know, member Keegan and and Superintendent Kuang actually left the meeting. they were not present for this. But um I've asked multiple times on how I've been without you know I I have not acted within my purview and you know nobody has answers for that. Everything I do is within the purview of

138the school committee. Um and per our current policy BBA, it states that any school committee member may make a verbal or written request for information from the superintendent and the superintendent or design shall have up to 10 days to provide such information to the committee as a whole. Um so that's kind of where we stand now. Um we are following our policy and Massachusetts general law. Um, so I will continue to communicate with the superintendent and, you know, hopefully that can be respected and any emails that I put out there will be addressed and answered. Um, I did want to touch base. I I know that one of the emails that kind of threw everybody over was the email to um ask about the gender neutral bathrooms. And I'm not sure if um Superintendent Quank

139can address that tonight. Um but I do have the numbers for the single stall bathrooms um and all access for the students. And I I did want to share those with the public because I know that the public is interested in knowing where those are and how many we have um across the district. So um if I could share that, that would be um helpful to the public, I'm sure. So that I think that that's fair simply because of the fact that we had our meeting uh on I believe it was on Friday and this was part of that discussion. >> Uh so this was information that you had requested and provided today. >> Yep. Um okay. So, at the at the CGS, um there are single stall bathrooms and um all students have access

140to them and one is in the nurse's office, unlocked and lockable when in use, and nine are in the kindergarten wing. Um at the Tenny, there's one in the health office, there's six in the kindergarten rooms, and there's two in the LS footsteps program, lower school footsteps program. The Timny has one in the health office, two in the cafeteria, and 10 in the kindergarten and grade one classrooms. On the ground floor at the marsh, there's 10 kindergarten, one nurse. At the m at MHS, um the exception, okay, the second floor has one all access student bathroom. First floor has one all access student bathroom. The nur nurs's office has one all access student bathroom and one uh lower level student bathroom. The early education center has one ground floor unlocked, two first floor unlocked and

141eight second floor unlocked. Um students and families, it says that um I said are students and families aware that they can request to use these single stall private restrooms if they are uncomfortable and can this be added to the handbook? The response was, "Each situation is handled on a case-byase basis, and this is not currently in our handbook, but yes, we can add it." Um, how are we handling concerns about bathroom access? And once a student or parent communicates with the staff of the concern, they'll investigate and determine an appropriate response. Um, if the I know the principal had a specific student that was uncomfortable and she was told that um to use a genderneutral bathroom if she was uncomfortable with the current accommodation. Is that protocol is that the protocol of someone that comes

142to admin with the concern? And it says the answer was once a student or parent communicates with the staff about the concern, they'll investigate, determine an appropriate response. If a sole dis um concern is discomfort, staff will share the option of an all access bathroom and are reminded and offered that students can speak with counselors and administration at any time. Um, the last question was kind of a a personal question and there's um a parents name in that. I'm not going to go that route, but I did just want to touch on that because I feel like um I I bring it back to the October 14th meeting where I asked about the Tim and I said, you know, there's one in the health office and two in the cafeteria, but if if I'm up

143here and the cafeteria bathroom is the only single stall bathroom that I can use, it's going to take me 15 20 minutes just to go to the bathroom. Um because I have to walk to the uh cafeteria, go to the bathroom, and then come back to my class. So, I just want to be prepared and have everybody be prepared that there is not a genderneutral bathroom on every floor at every school. There is not um access during the day where everybody can just request it as needed. But um it will be placed in the student handbook that for anybody that has questions about that when we um re-evaluate that. But bring it back to the communications aspect. Um just we're going to go forward. We're going to follow the law. We're going to follow policy.

144And I will continue to um hopefully have professional communication with the superintendent and kind of get back to a place where we feel comfortable kind of communicating with each other and not having any issues with that. >> Then next on the agenda, we have uh from membershelia discussion regarding updates for the policy subcommittee. So, I'm not sure what updates we currently have. I know that we have our meeting scheduled for November 18th and again on December 2nd at 5. I think the goal of those meetings is to get what has been a first read through its second read and move that along. Um, Dr. Quan, keep me honest, but I don't think we have any more subcommittee meetings on the books right now. >> We do not. >> So, I mean, >> that was the

145plan what you just said. Is there a way to add some? >> A way to add some? I mean, yes, but it was my understanding is that >> the the last subcommittee meeting that we had with Alicia, we we talked at great length about like what our next step should be and this was the what was the recommendation and that if if the sections we have done, which are quite a few uh come back for a first read and then a second read in December, we still have the largest section to review and that would be we'd have to reestablish the subcommittee with a new school committee. there's just not we just don't have enough weeks left for more meetings for any special meetings to approve. >> I just worry about that because during our

146meeting um on Friday, we did discuss some options for some policies and they're not in the current um proposed policies. So, if we could meet again and kind of revisit some of the policies that would be great, >> right? But this is the policy subcommittee for that project. I don't think we're going out and creating new policies especially >> well they're not new policies they're policies that we have brought forward to the committee and it's been approved and during that meeting we had discussed that maybe we shouldn't be approving certain policies and we should be adjusting them. So that's why I I would just like to either have a meeting or kind of pause the process. >> I guess my my concern is that we've I don't know how I can schedule Alicia for more.

147I I think there just do a subcommittee. >> Okay, >> just to add some clarity. So during our discussion on Friday with attorney macaro, I don't want to put words in his mouth. Um but uh there were some things that he had mentioned well you know if we have questions about various elements say of communication and such we can uh take a look at you know clarifying things by way of policies and that was a recommendation from attorney macaro just in passing. So that's where this is coming from. Are these policies that have already gone through a first greed? >> Vice chair. >> Um, could we reach out to attorney Maro and ask him what his language he would recommend on those policies are to so that we can >> specifically they were referenced in

148this meeting on Friday with you two. >> And so he was there so he would know what he's talking about. So, uh, with that, do we have any other >> business beyond that? Yep. Um, and I was also wondering um if it was possible to change the December 2nd meeting because it does conflict with the book club at the library and I know that a lot of people were looking forward to reading um the diary of a um >> the part-time Indian. And so, um, I would hate for people to have to decide between going to the book club and also watching our policy meeting. So, if it's possible, um, I'm wondering if we could possibly change it. >> Donovan. >> Yeah. And I'd like to add to that. Um, you folks will be receiving

149an invitation from the library for that day as well. I think it's at 5:30. Um each year the board of directors invites the city council for like hear a little bit about the library. Um you know talk a little bit about budget. Uh you know we will be having a new executive uh new director of the library. Um and this year the the board has um will be inviting the school committee as well. There will be cake. So I [laughter] I I plan on going. >> Put it on. So, no, I mean, I think that's an another good reason to perhaps um yeah, I think it's a great opportunity to make a connection at the Neans >> does 123 and 12 or 124. >> I just for me I think that's the only I don't

150know how we go beyond that with >> Yeah. >> all the other meetings scheduled before the holiday. I don't know. >> Sure. >> 123 is a Wednesday. 124 is the Thursday either at 3 at 5:00 for either one. >> Mayor, I I'm sorry. I don't know what your schedule is because yours is al always hard to pin down to. >> Well, we can connect offline and >> three >> 34. All right. I'll put a little thing out for 34 and see if we can make sure we have a quorum for one of those two nights to move from the second and kid and and the studio staff. Okay, >> sounds good. Speaking of uh school committee invitations, I want to mention that tomorrow is the annual Veterans Day parade. Stepping off at 10:00 a.m. from

151the Legion on Broadway. Of course, all all members of the school committee are invited to join us for that. Uh along with the city council, of course. Um so, uh that's the one update I wanted to share. Also, we have the Santa Parade coming up. Ditto, if anyone wants to take part in that, more than welcome. Um, do we have any other updates or business? >> December 22nd. >> Uh, no. >> November 22nd. >> November 22. Yeah. >> Yep. One o'clock. >> Yeah. >> Member Donovan. >> I I just want to say um I attended and and I know you were there. Remember Keegan? And you had gone previously to the road show put on by the high school staff and particularly the students. I went to the CGS and it was, you know, everyone

152should go, the entire city should go because you get a sense of the good that is happening in our schools. Um the the kids were amazing. Uh the audience and the students who are presenting. I know there's going to be a road show for parents on December 15th, I want to say, and that's in the newsletters. And I hope everyone gets to go and I very much appreciate the invitation. Um, I think it I think it meant something to see some of us there. So, I and I hope I continue to get invitations. >> Is it the same show that the parents get that the the kids got? >> The kids will present and >> it was awesome. >> I mean, it's a little bit >> Yeah. >> But the kids will present and >>

153it was a fantastic. And I mean, just thinking back to what I had in high school and it's it's worlds apart and the kids were all so animated and excited and had so much to share and give and the seventh and eighth graders at the marsh, the one I was at, they they loved it. >> Thank you. So with that, uh, at the beginning of the meeting, uh, before we went on, member Wlette, uh, threw out a bet, not really a bet, but idea that we would adjourn at 8:10 p.m. So with that, uh, I'll ask for a motion to adjourn our meeting at 8:10 p.m. >> So moved. >> All right. Motion is from member the vice chair, second to member Dagley. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oh, I'm sorry.

154Uh, the motion was from the vice chair. the seconds from member Daglio. We had a unanimous vote and our meeting is adjourned. >> Good night mun. >> [music]