School Committee (June 10th, 2026)

0014. You're live. >> Good evening. This is the Ashlin School Committee meeting for June 10th, 2026. The Ashland U public schools strives to be a model district that creates a culture of inclusivity for our diverse students and staff who feel safe and supported, are empowered with academic and social emotional skills to pursue their chosen path and embrace their roles as positive contributors to local and global communities. This meeting is being recorded by WACA cable TV. Our agenda for the evening is our call to order. Um we'll follow up with public comment and we have um reports and presentations recognition of retirees and Mendes school students science symposium. That's in reverse order on our agenda. So we're going to flip it around to the retirees first. Um and action items and discussion updates and votes. We'll

002have a discussion about the field rental update and requested positions associated to that. funding for additional positions, approval of job descriptions and positions for assistant director of athletics and for facilities maintenance position of an update on staffing and reinstation reinstatement of special education coordinator for the Ashlin Middle School. Middle school athletics talking about removal of specific sports for the next school year 2627. We'll follow that with reports and presentation um warrant approvals which we probably won't have because Mr. Kendall's not here tonight. superintendent's report, assistant superintendent's report, their consent agenda, have a uh gifts and donations and minutes for June 3rd. Um any reports of the school committee members and then we'll have an executive session u to talk about a memorandum of agreement regarding educator evaluations for the Ashant Educators Association and then we

003will adjourn from executive session. Everybody okay with the order of business for this evening? >> Yes. Okay. >> All right. Um first I'll just see if there's any public comment. Nobody in the room, anybody online. >> Okay, seeing none, we'll move to our first item. Uh, recognition of retirees. Jim, do you want to lead us through that? >> Sure. Thank you. Um, sorry. >> Apologize. Thanks. Pull this up. Uh tonight, as usual at the end of the year, we honor our rec our retirees from the Ashen public schools and and tonight uh we have three joining us. Uh we have uh six retirees from the district and I'm going to ask the principles to come forth to the mic. Uh I will put up on the screen uh the individual who is uh retiring. Uh

004and each principal uh will make a few comments with regard to the person who's retiring. Uh, so how do we want to go in order here? Let's go. Uh, Kelly, why don't you go first? Bob's up first. So, what thank her from the high school. >> Evening everybody. >> Is that on? >> Um, the lights on. Yeah. >> Okay. Thanks. Uh Bob Burgess has been with Ashlin Public Schools since October 2020 and has most recently served as the head custodian, our day custodian at the high school. Um I think we would all say Bob is a kind, caring person who is always willing to support our every need. Um he has a quiet way of making sure that things are taken care of, always with a smile, sometimes with a ry remark or joke. Um

005and all of these will be very missed. Um we will uh Bob will be with us through September. So he is not leaving us immediately and has already started the transition um so that we know we're going to be in good hands. >> Thank you. [applause] >> We're going to while you're up there, we'll just skip ahead to Colleen. [laughter] >> Um so Colleen Sherman is retiring after an extraordinary 42 years in education, 30 of those years in Ashland. um as a chemistry teacher teaching all levels and is our department head. Uh in that time she has created a deep passion for science and countless students. She's not only taught chemistry but um many would say she's taught perseverance, focus, planning, and setting high standards. Her impact on Ashton High School students is reflected in

006their post-secary success. Um I have heard from countless students and her colleague shared this as well that over the years um those students still refer to those notes from that high school class in their college chem class. And there was a rumor that a current student doing some Harvard postgrad still is using his um students have told me uh many times that they respect the high standards she has held them to and the achievements that they have made with her. I can say without hesitation that Colleen has been the backbone of the science department. Um, seamlessly managing everything from curriculum, professional development, scheduling, materials, and always balancing diverse personalities and skill sets. And she always does that with professionalism and care. Her department will say she supported them more than 100%. and I think a

007thousand% was used making sure they had every supply that their suggestions were heard and they consider her as more than a department leader. She is a friend and a mentor. To summarize a few of your colleagues, Colleen, Colleen is a truly special colleague, an irreplaceable mentor, and a high quality human being. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her legacy will be felt in Ashlin for years to come. Uh, personally, I will miss your honesty, your sense of humor, and your ability to help others always see what is really important. [applause] And I am very jealous that you are moving on to the cape. [snorts and laughter] Good evening. Well, I am unfortunately losing three amazing educators at Mendez um in a couple weeks actually. So, our first one is Porsche Pello who is a

008special educator um at Mendes and has committed 23 amazing years to our building. Um 14 as a special educator and seven as an ESP. um she's just made such an amazing impact on so many students, just really taking those struggling readers and helping them grow, connecting with them, going above and beyond. Just tonight, she was telling me that she had a student who uh was doing a research project on a gorilla and she went out of her way to go to a different library to find the materials he needed to be successful with this project. um she's just impacted so many students in so many different ways and she's going to be a huge loss to us. So congratulations. [applause] >> Stephanie Bellaconus, another amazing teacher here at Mendes and another huge loss to us.

00934 years of dedicated service. all in fourth grade. That's unheard of, right? Not many teachers can say they started in the same grade that they're leaving. Um she has just made such an impression on so many students. I like to think of her as the teacher that brings science to life. Um, there were so many times in the short time that I've gotten to work with her where she was involving her students in various dissections from beehives nests to owl pellets. Um, and my favorite, the cow eyes. Um, there were I always enjoyed getting those emails at some point during the year saying, "Kate, you have to come to my classroom because we're dissecting cow eyes." And I was like, "Okay, yes, I will put cow eye dissection on my calendar right away and promise

010not to miss it." Um, she's just going to be such a huge loss and um I'm just going to miss all those times of getting to watch her bring science to life and just engage her students in so many incredible ways. So Stephanie, congratulations. Best of luck in Arizona. We are going to miss we are going to miss you. [applause] And then finally, Mary Soderberg, who couldn't be here tonight, but she is retiring after 30 incredible years of service. Um, her passion for children is just remarkable. When you would walk into her classroom, her calm, steady presence was seen from a mile away. She connected with every student from the second they started in her classroom on day one till that last day of school. Um it was just you could see the trust that

011she would build in her students and the impact she would have. So she's going to be a huge loss to us as well and we're going to miss her immensely. Thank you everyone. [applause] Unfortunately, Mr. Regan couldn't be here today, so he asked if I would speak on behalf of uh Kathy Cany. Uh I did serve as Kathy's principal for four years while I worked at at Warren. Uh Kathy began working in the Ashland public schools in 1989. 36 years of dedicated service to the children and families of Ashland. Uh pretty remarkable. She started out as a third grade teacher uh and then spent uh the majority of her career as a second grade teacher with a little stint as a first grade teacher at some point. But I knew Kathy as a second grade

012teacher and I think the majority of us have known her in that role. Um what I want what I want want to share about Kathy is there are certain teachers who you know you can always count on to be a supportive voice for students who struggle in certain areas. Specifically there there are some kids who just have a hard time with anxiety or students who struggle um with more than academics. And you know, you always knew that those students would shine in Kathy Kenny's classroom. Uh there was just a a tremendous way about her. Her personality was always one that had that giant smile on her face and she loved coming to school every day and she made her classroom a place of warmth and welcoming and kindness for all of her students and that

013would be her her lasting legacy. So, thank you to Kathy for all she did and it was certainly an honor to work with her for those four years. [applause] >> Good evening everyone. Uh, I am thrilled to be talking tonight uh about Sonia Chuinsky who could not be here tonight. Sonia is retiring after 28 years of service to Ashlin public schools as a seventh grade science teacher. Throughout her career, she's embraced the challenges in science education while keeping her focus on what matters most, getting students excited about learning. Whether they were creating children's books about the water cycle, writing songs and raps about weathering and glaciers, or exploring in the woods, investigating um soil to find biotic and abiotic factors. Her classroom was a place where science came alive. She's been a valued colleague who

014appreciates um the supportive and collaborative culture at Ashlin Middle School and her creativity, positivity, and dedication have had a lasting impact on students and staff. As she starts her retirement, she is looking forward to spending time at the beach, working in her garden, traveling in her camper with her daughter Aviana, and enjoying life at a slower pace. Her favorite thing she told me was she's excited to enjoy fall and watch it slowly, [laughter] which I thought was great. Um, so thank you Sona for your 28 years of service. [applause] >> And just on behalf of the the school committee as a whole and everybody else affiliated with the district, I want to extend our personal thanks to each and every one of you. You guys are really the ones that are interacting with our students.

015You're the ones that are executing on our mission every single day and some of you for 30 or more years. So, we don't we get to sit up here and sort of talk about policy and what we're looking for, but you're the ones that make the difference in kids' lives. And on behalf of the school committ, I just want to thank you for every day that you've committed to our students. >> I did just want to add that Miss Sherman, I had you in chemistry. I don't know if you >> Do you have your notes? >> Uh, I don't know if I have my notes. My maiden name is NATO. So, I had you for a couple years in AP and I loved it. My dad thought I was going to be a chemist. It

016wasn't. [laughter] But anyway, I remembered you and loved you. >> Thanks everybody. And and to our retirees, [applause] >> you're welcome. [laughter] >> Dinner. Well done. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Thanks everybody. >> Uh next on our agenda are is the Mind School Student Science Symposium. This Miss Alman, >> I'm so excited to get to share this incredible event tonight that we have at Menddees. Um, so I'm going to invite my students to come on up. They've worked really hard putting together this presentation and practicing, too. So, [applause] This is on the mind science symposium. [snorts] Hi, my name is Amita and I'll be talking about what is a science symposium. A symposium overview. A symposium is a conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject. Our symposium focuses on careers in

017the STEM fields. This is M. This is the 12th Mind Symposium. >> Hi, my name is Eli. This year there were 54 presenters. Some of the topics were agriculture, AI and data analysis, the Apollo moonlanding, architecture, dairy farming, nursing, photosynthesis, reptiles, and weather. Those are just some of the amazing topics presented this year. Hi, my name is Miles and I'm saying what people chose as their experiment. The selection process. During computer class, we explore five different preferred topics. Students select their top three. Everyone is guaranteed an assignment to at least one of the five preferred topics. This year, I chose chemistry, investments in technology, and physical therapy. My favorite one was physical therapy because I played with all my friends, which I recommend going to if you need it. While in chemistry, I learned that

018in order to make the color black, you mix different colors. My favorite part was I got to see my dad present on investments in technology. This year, I chose water engineering, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant. My favorite one was water engineering. We did experiments with water to see whether a needle would sink or float in water without soap. Then we repeated the experiment with soap. I learned that surface tension can cause an object to float. My favorite part was playing with my mom's tools from work, including a stethoscope and an otocope. This year, I chose eco-friendly materials chemistry micro pipet art. My favorite one was eco-friendly materials. We made airplanes out of scrap paper and popsicle sticks and then flew flew them into a box. I learned if something doesn't work, rebuild it and make

019it better. My favorite part was meeting the presenters, doing experiments, and seeing my mom present in eco-friendly materials. This [clears throat] year, I chose nurse practitioner, pharmaceuticals, and physical therapy. My favorite one was physical therapy. We completed an obstacle course with hurdles and planks, and we played basketball. I learned that when you stand up, your brain sends a message to your spinal cord, then to your nerve, and then your nerve helps you stand up. And I also learned that bones connect to a joint. Seeing my favorite part was seeing my mom present about physical therapy and playing basketball. >> Uh this year, I would give the science symposium two thumbs up. It's one of my favorite events at Mendes. I'm currently working on a fifth grade survival handbook for next year's fifth graders. And I

020wrote that my favorite part of the school year was a science symposium. >> A special thanks to my teacher, Miss Crashen. Without her, we wouldn't have the symposium at all. >> And I would like to invite Mrs. Crashen up because she really is the brains behind the science symposium. um and she can just speak a little bit about the history and how it all started. >> Good evening. Um the symposium was not my idea. The symposium was the idea of my dad Tom Bannon who was a teacher in Ashlin for 36 years. Uh it was his dream to always bring scientists and experts and as he would say people smarter than he uh in to just talk about their career, talk about their work uh and bring it to the students. It started uh the

021year after he retired. um with he and a few other retired teachers going through the paper uh info sheets to read what people had written down as their career and calling them. Uh so it it went from those humble beginnings of you know a handful of presenters classes going by class to one or two presenters. Um over the years I got involved uh and with the dawn of you know more technology, Google forms, signup genius, we were able to really expand. Um the success of it however does not lie on his idea or uh my continued uh bringing to it but the amazing parents uh community members, family members and friends of the Mendes staff that have come. Uh we even have had and continue to have former Ashland students who are now coming back

022as nurses um and different jobs in technology that are presenting um in the school well the new school uh that they once went to and having that connection for these children to see and the jobs they're going to have don't even exist yet because that's how fast our world changes for for them to see so many different possibilities um and get to go to three different workshops. Um the whole school is buzzing with excitement. Um and my f favorite part is at 8 o'clock when I say it's time to go to your first workshop because I know uh it's all in the hands of the amazing presenters. Um and the kids are getting so much out of it. So um this year was the 12th. We're so excited to bring it back after COVID and

023uh the construction of New Mendes and uh it it will be here to stay uh as with the continued support of administration which uh Kate and Beth have uh embraced us um and our ideas. I also uh could not do it without Carolyn Bro, our technology teacher. Her work to coordinate the world's biggest signup genius and to train and and instruct the children how to do that um is immeasurable. Um and I I would not be able to do it without her. Um and then the collaboration of all the amazing presenters. Um these four students, their parents have been presenters over the years. Um and I'm just so appreciative of them and the so many others that have presented over the years. So thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you all. You did an

024awesome job. Any questions for them? >> No, I just wanted to say thank you for coming in because it's so great to hear about all of the >> sounds like closer. >> Sorry. Technically, >> um I just think it's wonderful to hear about all the cool things that you guys get to do. So, thank you for coming to share it with us. They did a great job everybody. Awesome. Thank you. [applause] And >> thank you parents for volunteering. >> And you guys are also free to free to go at at your leisure. >> Definitely. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you all for coming in. >> All right. U moving to our action items and um discussion updates votes. First item is the field rental update and requested positions. Which one we want? people

025to clear up. >> That good was it? Have a good night. Thank you. Okay. Are we set? I think we're good to go. >> Okay. Great. Thanks. So, as you know, uh, starting July 1, the Ashen public schools will be responsible for, uh, taking over the field rentals, uh, that relate specifically to the Ashen public schools. So for instance, uh the middle school, Warren High School, even Pitway has a little area as well. Uh and in prior years going back and we I presented this a couple meetings ago, uh the DPW had been responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the the facilities as well as the rental properties. Uh so taking in uh rental requests, collecting the fees uh and then utilizing those funds uh into an enterprise fund at at the town level.

026And come July 1, there was an agreement between the town and uh and the school system that we would then take that over. uh we would be responsible for maintenance uh of the facilities that relate specifically to the schools but also then the rentals of the properties specifically as it relates to the schools. So in order to do that it it's a challenge in a number of fronts. One is making sure that we have specific individuals who will take over control of uh coordinating renting uh specific roles that are um designed to ensure that the facilities themselves in the fields are going to be properly uh taken care of. uh that there's communication and better uh collaboration and and with and Pete would tell you uh he's here as well but with our our youth

027programs uh to ensure that that we are um minimizing the amount of conflict that exists and I don't mean conflict in terms of uh individuals but conflicts with within the terms of sports right and the use of the facilities. Uh so in order to do this, we had to find a way to fund positions without impacting our operating budget that exists uh coming out of town meeting and the override. And I wanted to be very uh clear and separate this endeavor from our uh operations. I I think that's >> trying to get >> um the we we are trying to ensure that this is not a burden on our operations that eventually this becomes uh a an endeavor where it's paid for it's selfp paying right um so I just want to get into this

028specifically two roles first and then we'll get into the the logistics of what the rentals look like and how we see this moving. And I want to be clear and we had this conversation Monday. I I believe this is a in two years we're going to look back. Uh it's going to take us a little while to figure this out. Uh DPW's had um the responsibility of collecting revenue, uh paying for the the fields and coordinating things for the last 12 years. um and and we're trying to actually um take it over and and put something in place uh in a couple months. It's been really been a year, but so there are two roles specifically we're looking at an assistant athletic director role and an assistant uh facilities director role. And what I want

029to share with you is when we think of athletics uh at the high school level and and athletics falls under in master law MIA rules it's it's under the building the building principle right so so athletics falls under that their realm however building rentals property rentals that's all it's a district-wide component right uh so what we want to be clear of how we're developing roles How does it support athletics? I can tell you that athletics itself needs additional support in terms of the number of sports we have, the the amount of time that is um needed to ensure two sites for the most part, middle school and high school are set up properly, uh that there's game management. Uh years ago, we used to have educators who would be site managers, who would would teachers

030who would be at the games that that doesn't happen as much anymore. Um and collecting fees, ensuring things are um you know, the transportation, the busing. We currently have Lindseay Dwayne in the front office who's partially assigned athletics but not fully. [snorts] And so that that makes a challenge as well. So the assistant director of athletics position is reports directly to the the director of athletics. They will assist in organizing, supervising, coordinating intercolastic athletic programs across the district, but their primary focus is going to be the field schedule rentals uh as well as gymnasium rentals. So anything that relates specifically to our property or athletics only, I want to be clear, only for athletics. So if if a organization wants to rent um I I'll use give the kids the um is that a good

031one? Maybe student government wants to use the gymnasium on a weekend and they're they're they want to rent it if you will. there's no cost to them, but they will actually be working through the facilities folks, not athletics, because it's not specifically related to athletics, but youth programs will run through the athletic office and the assistant athletic director. So, when there are issues, lights aren't on, uh you can't get in the gym, whatever, they're not calling facilities anymore. They're calling a point person who is responsible for the rentals. before you might call DPW. Well, then it becomes who's who's actually responsible for that and they push it down the line and it's really DPW was responsible for the rentals. Uh but it it ended up being a headache on Pete or John Murray. Uh and

032so we're trying to streamline this so it really becomes our issue that we can clean up. uh field management, maintenance oversight, game supervision, uh middle school sports programming. That's a topic for a little bit later, but we still do have middle school. We're still going to have middle school sports. It's having someone dedicated to that um is important, too. The assistant director of facilities, what we notice is that again, you need coordination. unique coordination with regard to um making sure the fields are mowed, that they're taken care of from a um safety perspective. Um John Murray, we currently have one individual within the the bargaining unit who is assigned to the athletic department. Well, that person is still pulled on a regular basis to cover when other custodians are out of, you know, not in

033the building. Uh so we don't really have the the person the personnel to do the job that we need to do. That's what we've determined. Uh DPW probably had three to six folks who were dedicated to mowing and getting the fields squared away. We would still line the fields and get them prepared, but those individuals did not come over with the rental properties, right? We we inherited the fields, but we didn't inherit any of the personnel needed to maintain and to get the the fields rented. Um, so so what I envision is are these two individuals working hand in hand. So this is just another view of what their key responsibilities are. Coordinating APS fields, schedule rentals, setup for all athletic events. That's not to say Pete's not doing those things or someone's assigned to

034the athletic department. It's just saying we have another person who is responsible for this um supervised field maintenance personnel. So part of what Pete learned this year and it was good to a certain extent, right? uh is he would actually go out with our um fields maintenance person and identify what needed to be done on a field for so for instance a softball field ensuring that it was properly raed working with that individual to show them what they needed to do right so this person will have that ultimate um responsibility to ensure that that occurs um helping hire event staff deconlict multiple user groups again making sure that we have a point person who will be having conversations with our youth programs and renters to ensure that the schedule is maintained properly. Uh we're certainly

035looking for someone who has some turf management experience. Um we need that. Uh I don't know I mean this is a pretty high ask if you will when we when we sat down and wrote the the job description. Uh it's a pretty high ask. not just someone who's interested in athletics, but that does have long-term the idea of turf management, right? Has that experience. Um, our fields need work. It's not just taking over the fields, but identifying what we need to do with these fields, uh, in terms of taking them offline at times, the grass fields, so they grow, so we have better use of them, so they're safer for our students. uh the assistant director facilities similarly uh will support projects for John Murray uh and the rest of the um the district. Uh

036we're looking at it from a perspective of also having another person for custodial oversight. Um John Murray's the only one that is responsible for all of our uh custodians. uh and you know for for him to be you know looking at maintenance who start at 6:00 in the morning to some custodial staff it's there till 10 at night he's the only individual technically um over who oversees those departments um coordination of the building rentals this individual will do right now it's again it comes out of the building department now so out of John Murray's office so He's responsible for reviewing all of the building rentals currently. They will still have that responsibility for non-athletic rentals, right? Um, so one thing John's talked a little bit about this too is having someone with a little more

037technical understanding of HVAC. Um, and we know we we know darn well that our HVAC systems need need some work. Um, and to have folks who are um, well-versed in it would be helpful. Um, this is another high ask because a lot of HVAC individuals who are certified, they're not coming to work for school districts. They make a heck of a lot more money outside of the public school system, but we're hoping that we we find someone who might want to ascend into a role of a director of of school facilities uh, long term. That's the intent. Um, I've referred to this this is this is really how they collaborate, right? I envision this. If you walk into my office, you'll you'll see these two roles on a on my board and I put them

038up there and say, how do they intersect? How do these two roles provide a better service for our student at students, our schools, and all the community? because that's what we're trying to do is create a better opportunity and a better experience. Um, and we we believe that having these individuals, you know, be able to to connect and have conversations about calendars, have conversations about, okay, the assistant athletic director and the assistant director of facilities coming together and conversation about the fields. Oh, by the way, we need to take this one offline for a period of time. Okay? You're not going to rent it now. you're not going to put something someone in there or we've got to look at the gymnasium and we've got to shut it down to do some work in there.

039There's coordination now whereas before we don't really have that or we didn't have that. um event logistics again supporting setup take down there's just collaboration I want to focus on what to watch for right I mean I heard over and over from our youth programs this year there's just it's been a nightmare with scheduling and because they a lot of times they weren't sure who to speak with because when something happens at the high school level, for instance, when a field when when times get pushed back because buses are late, right? And and you've got a rental of the field, but yet our high school sports didn't start because the buses from Denim didn't show up for an hour because there's lack of transportation. That's a reality. Well, the athletic directors run around trying to

040get things squared away. the rental property was actually under the DPW and who's really actually making the coordination of calling the youth programs to say, "Listen, buses are late. This is the reality of it. You're going to start later or by the way, we have another field available that you might be able to use." And and again, making it a better service to our community um is something that we're looking at. Um boundaries are clear. I wrote, you know, fields versus buildings. Uh so we're not double booking things. Uh looking at um you know, peak athletic seasons and tournaments, especially with our renters saying, "Listen, we've got things coming up." Uh and you have to be flexible with us. We know under policy the high school or public school sports have priority over all other

041and we can push people aside. We don't want to do that. And part of it is we just haven't had these conversations with with folks. Uh and I think we're there where we can do that. How are we going to fund these? That's the question of the day, right? I mean, I think the positions are needed partly because we are inheriting not only the field takeover, we're inheriting all of the rental stuff. Who's going to do that? And in order to do it justice, we need these two positions, but also to to be fiscally responsible and to look at the funding of two new positions uh without impacting our operations uh and being um genuine and sincere with regard to the override, right? which I I I really wanted this to be a conversation outside

042of that because I think it needs to be that we are looking to fund these positions through only revolving accounts and um the town enterprise fund which was transferred $200,000 was transferred at town meeting from previous rentals. [snorts] So we have those funds. It's really our startup, if you will, whether it's for capital or it can be for salaries. So, we anticipate the athletic revolving through user fees as well as rent facility rentals in the town enterprise funds that were provided to us to be able to provide for that $85,000 position. On the flip side, for facilities rental in a town enterprise fund would fund the position of uh the assistant facilities director and I I've sort of I have tried pulling together, you know, a profit and loss statement and to see what it

043really looks like and it's not pretty. And I'll share it in a second. Uh, and I'm just using some of the historical data that I've been able to call through um from DPW over the past few years, but the funding mechanism, I want to be clear, is not part of any town appropriations. Okay? This is outside of anything that was voted at town meeting. We're not looking to add to our operational appropriation. So I I know I've got a few accountants on here now. So um [laughter] um on the board. So I but I want to be clear when we're looking at revenue from our rental properties. Uh it has been a challenge for me and Chris Matthew to sit down and to work through all of the rental revenue that has come into the

044town over the past five years. And what I'm comfortable saying is I see about $106,000 a year coming into um the town in terms of revenue. And my guess is it's actually probably a lot larger number out there. Um, but this is what I can account for personally when I did my own little audit. And it doesn't leave me in um a position where I'm I'm really confident and comfortable. I mean, let me be clear. Um because when you start adding in the expenses and you put in a couple positions, um you know, I'm estimating about $310,000 worth of expenses. um against that revenue. Now, these are three positions. There's 170,000 for the two the facilities person as well as the assistant athletic director, but there's also a field maintenance position in there who's another

045individual that potentially we need to make sure the fields are um maintained properly. We have one full-time theoretically dedicated and then we are looking at making some adjustments to another position in the bless you in the bargaining unit which will allow us to then reallocate their time on the fields as well. So we could potentially go to to 1.4 without adding that position. Um, we've looked at would it make more sense to hire um a vendor to mow all the lawns and get all that done for us? And that's about 110 $120,000 minimum. Uh, but and it doesn't take care of lining fields. It doesn't take care of getting prepping, moving goals around. Doesn't do any of that. It's just mowing the lawns. In essence, the you'll see like contracted services up there for 50,000.

046That's to help us with the opportunity to airate fields, recede fields, things like that. Um, so when we get to the bottom line, it's really we're looking at a $23,000 $24,000 net loss based on what I've been able to um identify through revenue streams over the past few years. Therefore, the revolving accounts that you see there, the athletic revolving, um the revolving from the town transfer, that's that 200,000. Um in the building revolving, if if we utilize just pieces of that, we're still looking at a $53,000 operating loss. Chris and I had this conversation the other day. Again, I feel more comfortable now that the override has passed um where our building revolving and our um athletic revolving accounts will stay healthy versus having to draw it down constantly uh to support operations. We can

047dip into that a little bit more uh especially in the first year, right? We've got to figure this out. We've got to figure out our re revenue that's coming in. We don't know it. Sean, go ahead. >> Maybe you're going to get to this. I'm just curious on the revenue side. >> Well, first of all, field lights revenue. >> Yeah. So, if if if someone's using the fields, so the middle school or the high school, uh there's just a small revenue that stream you have the lights on, you pay for it. >> An added fee. >> It's just it's just an added fee. Okay. Typically, there should be an added added expense that goes flows in with that, too. >> And I'm curious, you might not have the information if it was hard to audit

048through everything. Are we charging market rates? Do we have different rates for internal, you know, town? >> Those are great questions and the answer is no. Uh we have not looked at our school committee policy with regard to rates >> uh since 2012. >> Oh >> yeah. So when when the dep when DPW took over the um the field rental component uh they took whatever fees we were charging then and have not adjusted those partly because they are school committee it's a school committee policy. We actually started looking at that this year, but decided to put that on hold for, you know, purposes of us designing a plan first and then that'll be a summer conversation and then what I anticipate is that eventually will become an issue with our renters uh with in 2728,

049right? So, we got to give them a little time to to adjust their revenue stream and what fees they're charging their their kids uh to play sports. Um, so >> and I'm just curious for the types of renters. I mean, I have kids who take part in sports. We all do. So, I know that [clears throat] like you know Ashland youth soccer. Do we have non Ashland youth a fair amount or what type of renters do we have besides use? >> So, we have >> We have club teams. Um there there's one huge club tournament. Uh it takes a weekend. Uh it probably brings in $10,000 of revenue. Um and the we have local groups uh the cricket club in town, adult soccer. Yeah. There there variety of Okay. Yeah. >> And then >> but

050our biggest but our biggest users and again I I want to be clear our biggest users are our youth sports, >> right? they've grown exponentially. I also believe these are community fields and in a best case scenario is we're breaking even for the most part with this where our community is not having to pay an arm and a leg to utilize the facilities. However, there are opportunities for us, whether it's softball fields or the soccer fields, to host some tournaments and make some additional revenue that we could then utilize for field maintenance. >> So, Jim, how are you tracking usage like by group? Like, do you have a system? Is it like an abocus? Like, [laughter] well, because that will help dictate a forecast for pricing. >> So, we are we're going to get into

051minutia here and I apologize for a minute. Um, no, it's okay. So no. [laughter] >> So the minutiae is this um within our facilities and our rentals. Uh Chris and I have decided that we are setting up our own chart of accounts basically for our field rentals and for our building and our gym rentals etc. So we can actually have it broken out by cost center >> it own department. Correct. Completely >> right. Which they've never done. Right. So it's just it here's here's a cost >> or lights. No, we're going to track everything >> uh within uh the field's uh revenue account >> specifically because again I want to know at the end of year one >> truly what it costs us >> and and how does that then impact our fees that we

052charge >> just so I know and this is probably all the time when you show like assistant facility the directors all of that personnel is this inclusive of taxes benefits everything or is that >> yeah so no so we No, it's a great question. Um, that is just salary related. Benefits typically come from the town side. Um, >> Oh, >> yeah. >> Okay. >> So, um, and not everyone takes the benefits and some, you know, it'll be >> but even just like payroll taxes, FIA. >> Yeah. That all comes out, that'll all come out of the Got it. >> the revolving. >> Okay. So, the 85,000, for example, is actually what we're looking to hire someone >> to fundra. Yeah. Yes. Jim, do you anticipate or are aware of any like capital type projects for

053I mean obviously the turf we know the turf is is kind of on the horizon at some point but I'm just thinking in terms of like our grass fields and stuff. I know there were some projects that the DPW >> was be finishing up that they had maybe started, but just like drainage on certain fields and different, you know, kind of fixing the grass and what is there an expense that we have to kind of be mindful of that we know is coming down the road to plan for with stuff like that? So there are right um I I think what's important to understand is many of these are capital projects that will have to be debt exclusions through town especially the the turfs it's like one and a half million probably for each turf

054right now um to fix and that's a greater conversation that we as a organization and taxpayers have to have. Um, but we don't have a specific breakdown in terms of what fields need to be taken offline, what do we need to do to fix them, um, and where we can shut some down in the summer, uh, and and water appropriately because we don't have an individual on staff that has been in charge of that, right? And that's part of what we're hoping to do with those two positions as well, be able to identify a plan uh to ensure that they're maintained properly. >> And just to clarify, you're not proposing the additional field maintenance worker. >> Not in this this is this this would be for me uh a a you take that out, we

055break even, right? I I'm just saying that is a position we're going to need down the road for sure. We're going to start with the the 1.4 four positions that we have and have these two assistant directors come to us and say, "Okay, this is really what we need to do here." Um, and >> kind of manage and then assess the bench, the programming, but then assess, >> we got to assess it >> the needs of >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And so the 60,000 the revolving from town transfer 60 is out of the 200. >> Correct. >> And the other 140 future just >> Yeah. >> For now. and and potentially we have to identify are there are there capital uh investments we need to make a mower. >> Yeah. >> Um you know

056we are I'll be up front. We're looking at robotic uh mowers uh as well um that we have seen a couple examples and they're going to come back out in a week or so and and they just run on their own. Yeah. >> And um >> GPS satellite etc. Yeah. So, um, one of the things I think you were looking at terms of the transfer was whether there was any equipment coming from the DPW that would be what was the resolution? >> We're still working through that. >> Okay. >> I literally Michael caught me tonight before our meeting and said, "Hey, can we have a conversation?" He had just met with Dan Mau who's now running the DPW. Uh, so he and I are going to meet over the next two days to to really

057finalize some of those things. We have equipment. Um, but I think what you have to remember too is once we start taking over more equipment, uh, and that's the conversation we were having on Monday is now who's responsible when they break down, right? I mean, you know, repairs and maintenance for a, you know, a mower can be a couple thousand dollars. Are we sending that stuff out? Do we have someone on on staff who's a mechanic who can do this work? Um, it's a lot we're learning. Um, but I also think there's great opportunity here. But we need to have staffing in place to one come July 1 start taking the rentals and working on the calendar. Chris is already setting up the the the mechanism to collect the the fees that run out the

058invoices all of that stuff through our school dude. >> That's what I was going to ask that system because right now does it go through the town? >> It does. Yeah. >> website that we all use for anything that we're setting up. So now that's going to change, >> right? We have that capacity because we we do it with our buildings already. It's now just setting it up for fields. Yeah. >> Yep. >> What's your confidence of being able to find these? >> Uh I don't know. Um I think it's 70%. I think I think we can find some people who are interested in making the experience of our community much better than it is and who have some skills in these areas. Will we find someone who has all the skills necessary? The answer

059is no, not right away. Um, we'll work towards that, right? And we've got to identify, I think you said it earlier, we have to identify it first. We've got to go through a process for a year to say, "Okay, this is what's working and this is what's not working." We haven't had the flexibility or the ability to to really hone in on what's working and not working. We have to work with our youth programs. We know that they're spending tens of thousands of dollars to help keep our fields running. We're not seeing those funds. And that was part of the the conversation I was having with those youth programs. We have to work together to and collaboratively to do this. Um, so we'll see. It's a we'll see. Shantel, anybody else have any other questions

060or comments? >> I'll just offer that. I think from my perspective, I know you've been working on this for a long time. Jim, at least a year, maybe two, maybe 20. I can't tell. Um, but I think it it fundamentally comes down to undoing a decision that seemed to make sense at the time, but really hasn't. Right. And so even if there's some amount of cost that we have to incur to be able to do one of the things that we should have always been doing as a district and allow us to do it better. >> Um you know I think that's that's a good investment in our community. And I think as much as you know we have to worry about sort of the funding on our side of of you know things we're

061going to be responsible for. Um there is something we should acknowledge which I think is there's probably a significant benefit to the DPW operation as well, right? Because now the people that they were um dedicating to to take care of the fields that are on our properties are doing other things for the community as well, you know, and so there's there is um can't just look at sort of the the plus and minus in the abstract. I just want to emphasize the point that Jim I think you made very clearly, but you know for people out there who are going to look and say you just passed an override and we were cutting positions and they're going to look at this and now you're adding them. It's really important that there was this is completely

062outside the operational budget. Um that was always going to be the case. It is going to be the case and uh people think we're now ballooning our our budget in some way that just is not not accurate. So Jim, I think um on the agenda you're looking for you got a couple bullet points here on the funding of additional positions, the approval of the job description for each of the two positions you've talked about, the AAD and the facility management position. Um is do you have a specific number on the funding? >> It would be up to 85,000 for both those positions. >> Okay. Yeah. >> So are we looking to approve the job descriptions um inclusive of the of the dollar figure in Yeah. Yeah. Because As you know we Yeah, I do because

063you as you know as we post jobs now we have so you have to post >> so >> yeah so um with that oops went down is there a motion with respect to when and we take them separately um with respect to the job description and position for the assistant director of athletics >> motion to the job description >> there a second Second. >> Any further discussion? All right. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any or nothing? Um, and is there a motion with respect to the facilities management position? >> I will make a motion to approve the job description and position for facility. >> Second. >> Further discussion. None. All in favor? >> I. >> No opposition. We get to vote twice. No extension. Sorry. for nothing. All right. Um, next item

064on the agenda is the update on staffing and reinstatement of special education coordinator for the middle school. >> Yeah. Can um can can we flip BNC here and just u because Pete's here and Kelly and and Aaron uh for middle school athletics um the removal of specific sports. Pete, can you come up for a second? Uh and I just want to um have a conversation try to share the screen with you. We've had conversations in the past with regard to athletics at the middle school and opportunities and and this committee specifically has been really focused on opportunity, right? Making sure that all of our students have opportunities to be uh involved in whether it's drama, music, uh and athletics, etc. And in no way, shape, or form are we sitting here, am I suggesting or

065is Mr. Connory suggesting that that we want to limit opportunity for folks. Okay, that's not what we're doing. Um but there's a harsh reality uh with regard to um middle school athletics especially across the Tri Valley, across the Commonwealth uh and the reduction in even high school participants in athletics um not just in Ashlin but across the Commonwealth. So I'll turn it to Pete first and then we've got just a little you know presentation after that. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I can um speak with a brief, you know, overview of the presentation that you're going to get. I can give this just to you real quickly to give you all the big points. And hopefully this makes sense to you. Um introducing a strategic rebalancing of Ashland Middle School sports that will continue to allow

066all students access to all sports while working together with the town. Ashland's rebalancing aligns directly with structural updates across the Tri Valley League. The TVL has and continues to experience a shift away from duplicate middle school athletic programming. The lack of teams combined with our own challenges with student registration numbers in some sports are a big part of the equation. These two realities coupled with the fact that we have eight teams that currently require middle level waiverss to field varsity and JV rosters at the high school level creates a strong reasoning behind the rebalancing. We are proposing a strategic rebalancing plan. This plan recommends the transition of six middle school sports, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, baseball, and softball over to our established town youth athletic organizations. This is a coordinated handoff

067that ensures every student athlete retains an opportunity to play at an appropriate level with a full league of teams to compete against. By removing these duplicate programs from the middle school, we will also immediately alleviate some of the pressures on fields and gyms throughout the district, freeing up field and gym space for our high school teams and allowing time for our fields to recuperate after seasons. >> I have a quick question. Um, obviously students who register to play sports in through the public schools being middle school or high school, if they're not able to pay the fee, we're able to wave it or there's some way to cover it. Um, have you spoken with any of the program that will be similar obviously? I don't know if it's >> got the other mic too. >>

068We're gonna switch mics. >> You're just gonna vomit. Here we go. [laughter] >> Here we go. >> I know. Um, so do you know if there I feel like I'm echoing now. Do you know if there are uh, you know, kind of comparable programs within those youth sports? And obviously they may run them differently, but just want to make sure that, you know, that they that students have the same access that they would have here regardless of, you know, family income or whatnot. >> Yeah. I can't speak to specifics for each youth group and what they actually do, but within the conversations I've had with the director of each one of these town sports, there are opportunities for everyone. >> And I I know for a fact like AYS has a waiver program and families

069can apply and they pay the cost. >> They all do. >> Yeah. >> And Tina, every in speaking with everyone through email, through phone calls, it it makes more it makes sense to everyone, you know, for all >> Oh, no. I totally get it. I mean, in terms of just fielding the teams, the duplication of of effort and just the lack of teams to play in so many sports. I think it makes total sense. Um, just kind of want to think through and make sure that the access is access, right? And I know, you know, for some people the timing of it, the location of practice, right? If it's not right after school, that will be a little bit of a wrinkle for some families for sure. Um, I I don't know that it's it's

070a big enough barrier to to say this is a bad idea. I you know I think that um that in many instances can likely be worked around. The financial piece was the one that I was just concerned about. Wanted to make sure that they had programs for that or or ways to deal with it. >> Other questions for Pete. >> I'm sorry did and maybe I missed when we wanted to make this switch effective. >> Yeah, it would be for the fall beginning in the fall. So we have to communicate this and and the challenge has been >> timing, >> right? It's always the timing, right? And but in in terms of so in the fall we have soccer, two soccerers, right? >> Yeah. >> And that's it. >> What I mean by timing is

071>> think of my own situation. Uh my child >> does other things wants to keep with town soccer. >> No, doesn't want to keep town soccer. Wants to do middle school soccer. >> But it's this week where you have your deadline to register by. I assume there'll be some >> Yeah, I I think we've already spoken soccer specifically. >> There's going to be some people like, "Oh, I didn't know. We didn't." >> I think I think it would be good after this. This is the decision to communicate with the youth soccer >> leaders so that they can put an or you can collectively put an announcement out so that families have enough time to register. >> Got it. Yes, that's what I'm >> Maybe if they're able to do a slight extension of that timeline.

072Yeah. >> Especially Yeah. I don't know that they can. I I don't I'm not speaking for any of it, but um [laughter] >> but I think that you know just like coordinated communication is and early >> as in after this would be good. >> Well, that's the challenge, right? Is in order to come before this board. We want and present the information. Timing is is is the challenge and we want to make sure that every kid has that opportunity. What struck me when Pete I'm going to try to see if this will pop up. What struck me when Pete shared the data with me, um, with regard to just look at boys soccer at the middle school level, there are 12 schools within the Tri Valley League. There only four four school districts that actually

073offer middle schools boy soccer. That's where you're constantly playing those teams or trying to find other districts who have in other leagues who have also reduced the amount of middle school opportunities. >> What I'm curious what high school coaches think if about maybe not like knowing the younger players having seen them at the middle school level. I mean, not that we're in the business of just building athletes to funnel them through, but I mean, I know my child and other children have said, "Oh, well, so and so, you know, they come and watch them at middle school, so they're going to be ready for high school, and it's a big part of their excitement." >> Yeah. And I think if um going through the slide deck, you'd see more of it, but you'll see that

074there are many sports at our high school now that currently we are taking our eighth graders up to fill two levels of teams. So, um, I think our high school coaches are getting a good view of our eighth graders in general. >> Sorry, my husband's president at AYS, so I'll just But he he works with the high school coaches, too, in terms of the high school coaches coming to visit the town program. So, it's not like that's not that coordination isn't happening. >> And I know Ashlin youth lacrosse, the coach, the new coach was very involved with the um pipeline of AIL. And I'm sure it's the same for basketball. So, I just, you know, I commend you in working with the youth programs to, you know, create the opportunity across the board for everyone.

075Um, but I think what you're bringing up is is happening. >> I I'll speak on behalf of the the basketball. It happens at the basketball situation as well. The uh the Ashlin High School basketball coaches are constantly talking to the eighth grade travel coaches and and to see who's coming up and and they come and visit and they go to games to watch the kids. you just kind of um you mentioned something I think was on my mind and and I guess I just want to ask you to maybe expand on it a little bit which is um just talking about the the level of support for this idea from the youth sport affiliate organizations and and sort of you know is has this been one of those things like why don't we think of

076this sooner you know are there tension points you've had to work through >> um to speak on that this has been something that they've been speaking about a while obviously this is my first year here Um, and being able to coach at the youth level in this town for many years now, I have a pretty good relationship with just about everyone who is the director of youth sports, which I think will be very good for us going forward. Um, whether it's getting everyone to in a room together and talking about this yearly, what went well, what didn't, how do we, you know, how do we support you, how do they support us? Um, I think a lot of this came about for several reasons, but a big one is them not I don't want to

077say complaining, but reaching out to me saying, "Hey, can we get this done? Can we can we stop doing duplicates? Can we make it so every kid could play where they're not running from one practice to a game afterwards, from one game to a practiced afterwards? we're all the using they're all the same kids or pulling one kid from a sport and make and having them play middle school but then they're too tired to play for the town and and it and with the town you're choosing levels. Um so you want to put the group of kids in an appropriate level. Um and when we make late decisions or grab kids late in the game that definitely affects them. So I would think with with speaking with all of them they've been pushing for this

078for longer than I've been here. That's for sure. I can speak to that. I mean, last year, uh, I believe we had a memo go out to our community before it was even a conversation at the school committee about removing middle school sports. And we had to put a stop to that. I mean, it was sort of we need to have a conversation here first. Uh, so it's been a conversation over the past couple years. We've just haven't come forth to this body to to say, "Hey, this is what we're thinking of doing uh with athletics especially." >> As a followup, is there any um I'll say need, but I mean that kind of in quotes. Um need, desire, um sort of ongoing support that the schools might be providing. And what I'm thinking about

079in particular are, you know, a lot of our coaches are teachers, right? Or or other professionals within the school system. Um and they might be people who are interested in supporting some of the youth programs as well. Right. outside of this. Um I'm not sure, you know, we've obviously got the the field issue and the space issue is a different different thing. Um but I could see I could see that if we have strong coaches at the youth sports program, that's great. Kids will develop, they'll learn, and then they'll move up. But I can also see that having son who played baseball, you get a very inconsistent experience at different ages in terms of the coaching. And I could also see the the high school coaches um if baseball is now going to be and

080I'm not seeing it up there, but if if it's really just a high school sport, the development process and whether there's opportunity or already existing collaboration going on between sort of the the school programs and the um the the the town programs from a developmental aspect of the of the student athlete. >> Yeah, I think even Marcy touched on it a little earlier, but you see a lot of our high school coaches like for instance saying skills and drills, right? communicating with the youth, whether it's, hey, this is how we want practice to be run. This is what we want to be done within this program. This is what our expectations are for a seventh or eighth grader. I think you're seeing that communication a lot. And with a lot of our new coaches, you're

081seeing it more and more. We have some enthusiastic coaches that are really looking to help develop a townwide program. I don't know if this is exactly what you're picking up on, but I know we're always from asked if you know will anyone volunteer to be co always looking for volunteers for coaches and assistants and not that this will will be enough of that but there is always the opportunity if you know those coaches that are no longer coaches at the middle school level could get involved >> town level if it made sense or they wanted to. Yeah. No, I think it's um what I was trying to think about is the >> fostering some sort of real effort to to utilize and synthesize resources. >> Yeah. >> Right. Because I know like last time I

082was involved in coaching anything like I think my son was 11 >> right now in middle of college and um and I was like an assistant coach in baseball >> and we didn't have such a great team and I've seen him play with people had stronger coaches than I was. Um, and that helps them develop. Now, when they're 10, 11, 12, I think it gets resolved before you get to the high school and and all that. And so, it's really a matter of sort of culture. And I think there have been efforts over the years, um, as Pete's alluding to, for some of the varsity coaches to really get involved in and helping structure programs. And I suspect that's something that's improved a lot over the last 10 years. Um, I also would say we're

083not a sports factory, as you kind of said, right? But that's just >> not here. We want all our kids to have the best experience they have. Um, just as we talk about sort of helping kids become the best version of themselves, that's the full kid. And some of that's being a teammate and athlete and all those things. So, that's what I was really trying to get to is is, you know, is there a way that now we're that I won't say we're joining programs, but that we're kind of putting full responsibility at certain age levels um on youth programs for us to be supporting them and working with them. >> Quick question. Um, what is the financial impact in terms of loss of I mean maybe it's a wash, maybe not that we were

084making money off of this anyway, but loss of fees and is there were we dependent upon those fees? >> No, we are definitely not dependent on the fees. Um, middle school typically uh has been depending upon the sport itself a break even. >> Yeah. >> At best. Okay. >> Yeah. Transportation, I mean, it just again is probably the the biggest one of the biggest biggest expenses we have when it comes to all the athletics. >> Yeah. Anything else, Pete or Jim, that you wanted to >> Anybody else have any other questions or comments? So the you're looking for a motion to discontinue middle school boys soccer, girls soccer, boys basketball, girls basketball, boys baseball, and girls softball. >> That correct me? >> Yes, that is correct. >> Sorry, I do like what is the plan

085for communication of this >> immediately over the next day or two? Yeah. >> Yeah. We should even have our coordinate with the youth programs first to let them know this occurred and then a message out to the community >> kind of control that narrative. There's going to be a ripple. >> Yeah. Yeah. Actually, no. I've got one. Have is this something that has been discussed with the students or the parents that have been participating like the kids might have been on seventh grade that were thinking I'm going to be on the eighth grade team next year or the the middle school team next year and now it's going away. Are you saying have we discussed it with those students already prior to knowing if this goes forward or not? >> Like a heads up this

086might happen. Yeah. >> Um I think you would hear talk of it, but nothing specific. Um and I'm in that same boat. I have twin seventh graders that will be going up to eighth grade. So I'm in the middle of this this thing from both ends, you know. >> All right. So, um we're looking for a motion to eliminate the six duplicate sports again. Boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, boys baseball, girls softball. Is there such a motion? >> So moved. >> That was Marcy. Marcy Tina with the secondy. >> Any further discussion? >> All right. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Abstensions? No. Passes four nothing. >> So we will work on the the the messaging to the community. Absolutely. Done with that. >> All right. Thank you, Pete. Um,

087and now we go back to update on staffing and reinstatement of special education quarter at the middle school. So that's you and Aaron. >> Mainly me. >> Aaron's here. >> Erin's here because it impacts her. So I I I shared a memo um as part of the the package. Um, as you know, again, I I'm trying to to have a conversation with regard to positions as they relate to um our initial budget conversation and the override. And I think it's critically important that again we recognize the fact that uh one of the 13.2 positions was the special ed coordinator position at the Ashlin Middle School. I think it's really important. I recognize that and and call it for what it is. I'm I'm sitting here asking this body to consider um putting this position back

088in play without asking for additional funding again. Uh and a few things have happened over the uh the course of the last couple weeks and as we started breaking down true numbers of the students who are on IEPs uh and how many meetings [snorts] as we would move say one coordinator from the high school who would now cover not only the high school kids but then the eighth grade kids and out of district kids that relate specifically um excuse me to um that grade level and or the launch program. You'll notice the number of meetings and the number of students um on that case load is quite high and not doing a a just service to the families uh and the kids. Um however, we made a commitment because of the financial purpose reasons behind

089this. in the past week uh within two weeks actually um after town meeting we had a couple teachers come forth and say hey I I want to reduce my schedule um I want to I have a full-time music teacher at the high school and if you remember going back looking at music was one of those conversations we had whether it was a part-time or a full-time um the music teacher came to us and said hey I I prefer to be I'd like to be 6. Um, and I said to Kelly, does that really fit within your schedule though? Is it something that you can manage and still offer opportunities as we talk about four kids? And the answer was 100% equivocally yes. Then when we're looking and and constantly reviewing numbers for our um our

090students, our EEL numbers at the high school were are being reduced. And so we have an opportunity to reduce a full-time position there um by another 02. So so there's a 6 position if you will uh available. So the the music teacher goes from a full-time to a 6. So you pick up a point 4 which we already have. Then the e person goes from a 1.0 to a point.8. So now there's a 0.2. So there's there's a a 610enth of a position available. in having conversations with Britney, um, how we were going to manage financially the case load of putting more work on one less individual was we have grant funds that we were going to then take and split out to these individuals, right? So, so the four remaining folks would probably have

091to look at a stipen for them to pick up the additional work of close to $20,000. Well, we can take those grant funds then and apply them to this person, this individual. So, I'm not looking to adjust um our operations in terms of the appropriated amount. I'm looking to add the position back in because we've also had significant savings in our hirings in the past two weeks as well. Uh I'll give an example uh at the Warren School when we talk about folks who are retiring like Miss Cany, right? Well, we had awesome uh student teachers this year and hiring a student teacher coming in who is new to the profession. there's a savings to that that we can potentially roll into this position. Um, so I think it's important that we we do this.

092That's not even mentioned that our director of student services is is resigning come August 14th and we've got a new person coming aboard and to put them under the pressure of having to handle the number of IEPs that 600 plus that are out there and one less coordinator would also be a challenge. Um and none of that had occurred even before town meeting uh andor um like I said the the change in positions in the request to reg to reduce timing their full-time status has just happened in the past week. >> Questions, comments? >> No, you go first. >> I was say if you could educate me on who the person is right now and is this person. >> Yeah. Yeah. So the the person has resigned back in February, >> end of March. So

093it it it's open. We removed the position. Correct. >> Got it. And so this would be completely hiring. >> That is correct. >> But during the budget process, we definitely questioned this one getting removed. This was the one that was like the top of the list that we pushed >> like hard, I think, in our discussions about it. Um, >> it would require a a full new search. There's no >> That is correct. >> Right. >> One question I have, Jim, on the point two for the English language learner at the high school. I understand, you know, timing this year in future years if the population goes up and you need a full-time. >> You I'm assuming you're going to keep that on your radar that we're not just permanently moving down to eight. Okay.

094>> Yeah. That would have to be a conversation we have in the next bedroom cycle, right? If I think where we are in terms of the perfect storm of of Britney resigning, um the the workload of the other coordinators and the number of IEPs when you look at it has grown significantly across the district uh in the past three years. And what we need to do is ensure their success for the next director of student services, but also to be able to meet all the needs of these families, >> right? Um, and by funding them through the grant funds and the savings of uh two positions, um, I believe we're not only being good stewards of the money, I think we're being um, genuine and sincere with regard to our budget and the operations of

095the override. I I believe me I struggle with this, right? I struggle with the fact that here I am asking for this position and and we had moved that into one of the reductions. I do. However, I also look at it and say we have an opportunity based on things we didn't know about. >> We didn't know about the reductions in these other two positions um until a week ago. >> And we have a big transition we didn't know about with Britain leaving. I mean that's 100% I don't think we would have made the decision if we had known that or I personally wouldn't have made the decision. It was definitely more challenging because Brit has taken on a lot of that case load on her own and so you know kind of with her

096impending departure it's made me very nervous um as to what that was going to look like particularly with a new director coming in who may have a different style than Britney right and kind of figuring out what that was going to look like >> amongst her coordinators but no you're right Marcy this is this was the position that I think we all struggled the most with and was very much at the top of the list that if we had an opportunity to reinstate it we would and I think we have been presented with the opportunity to do that and I think it's the right thing to do. >> Um and I'm frankly thrilled to see that the opportunity has presented itself to be honest with you. >> I think the other thing to point out

097is right so we look at our budget we we start with a framework of in the past like we've largely looked at what did we have and then where when people moved on unexpectedly what o to the same point what opportunities present themselves. there's always a shifting of um of positions every year, right? And it it does and I appreciate Jim acknowledging it that it's it stands out more because of the conversation about the override and the the cuts. The truth is probably in almost every year there's some some cut some ad right and so this is really I think the same thing here. Um I that said I certainly feel the same um level of concern in terms of you know what the perception is but I also think we ought to be dealing

098in the reality right which is >> absolutely >> we always focus on what's best for kids. We're staying within the budgetary appropriation. >> My only comment I guess is just because we have spent so much time >> um through the budget and override process talking about not relying upon um like revolving funds. Correct. >> Right. and grant funds being also somewhat unstable, particularly if we're talking about federal grant funds >> to the extent that we can be using the different sources of little bits here and there um from operations to fund this. >> Yes, >> that would certainly be my preference to do it rather than sort of getting into that situation. Well, we can squeak out if we, you know, do a quarter of a position from a grant, it's okay. >> I think

099that's something we're trying to move away from as part of our stabilization budget, right? Um, and so that would be just my preference as we work through these going forward. >> And what I can say to that, Marcus, and I appreciate that, is that, um, we still have a lot of hiring to do, right? And as we're going through the hiring process, uh, there potentially will be some other savings [cough] that exist, right? Um there's still I listen I I am always concerned each year with movement for say out of district students in to the the district but also out of the district. I we received a message today uh a family has decided to move to Texas. They're on our list of out of district students of significant funds that we don't we're not

100responsible for immediately because it they're moving out of state, >> right? >> So there's savings there that we had budgeted, but I don't ever like to touch that >> because someone might move into the district where or other needs may exist, right? Um and and we have to be very cognizant of that. Everything here would be again I'm not looking to ask for any more appropriated funds. Uh we work within the the budget that's been provided to us. Uh and we are steadfast and Aaron knows she's still here as a principal. My request of them is to make the best hire possible for our kids, but also understanding that's our only opportunity to reinvest mon money into our other positions. It's the only opportunity we have. >> So, is there a specific ask to approve

101the creation of an additional >> just to reinstate that position? >> Reinstate that position. Okay. >> At the middle school level. >> Before is anybody else have any other comment or question? Is there a motion? All right. So, let's see if I could do this. I move to reinstate the special education coordinator position for the Ashlin Middle School. >> And just clear, that's we already we have this would be three total. We have right there. They're >> What's the total number of coordinator? >> That would be five across the district counting Sarah at the middle school or at Pitway. Yeah. One for each building. >> One for each. Okay. Sorry. >> Yeah. >> So, sorry. Um All right. So, you got a motion. Is there a second? >> Second by Shantel. Um all in favor?

102I >> I and no opposed. Hearing none. All right. Thank you. Good night, Aaron. >> Aaron, you can do some hiring. >> And and don't forget what he said about it's your only opportunity for that investment to pay off. So, [laughter] >> no pressure. >> Thanks, Aaron. >> I do I I do thank you. I that Britt and I and Aaron have been having these conversations with regard to the um you know the level of complexity of of our students >> and making sure that we're providing those um you know the level of service that our families deserve and we're required to present to. >> Yeah. And I think both Marcy and Tina made the point this really was the position I think that the committee struggled with the most in the cut list and

103it was identified as the first one that if we had a chance so following through on that. >> So if we're keeping keeping tabs, keeping score, right? We go from we're we're we're increasing by a point4 position. >> All right. Um so let's move to reports and presentations. Without Paul here, we'll skip over the warrant approvals. Um, Jim, you have a superintendent report? >> I I do. I I I want to say congratulations to the class of 2026. Uh, it was while it was hot uh for class day and graduation. Um, I I love sitting and listening to our students perform, our students speak. Uh, I love that the focus is on them, not us. Uh, and I'm proud when I hear where folks are going. Sometimes it's difficult to hear because of where I

104am on the stage, but then when we receive that email from um Jess Blank at at um the counseling office at the high school to read where folks are going and opportunities to have conversations with with students. Um, I'm really proud. I'm proud of what we've built. I'm proud of the district. I'm proud of our students, our our faculty and staff. Um, and it's not just the high school staff. We we tend to celebrate that group as but it starts at the prek uh and goes right through every you know every building that we have. The influence that that our teachers have at the younger level um gets overshadowed a lot by the high school. uh and and it's unfortunate at times uh to to you know to see that and um but I'm proud

105of the entire district. So um that was great. Uh there's a lot going on end of the year stuff. Um I you know it's it's a challenge for me right now. Um we've got two searches coming up. Um, I think we talked at the last meeting that this potentially could be our last uh meeting in in the school year and and I want to make sure I acknowledge that this would be Mike's last meeting with us then. Um, I'm not prepared and he knows that to have further conversation about it. >> Seems like he might feel the same way. >> Yeah. So, but but I will give an update um on on where we are. Uh, director of student services, we had 23 final applicants. Uh we chose six uh initial interviews. Um I think

106I chose well because two declined because they just got jobs. Um [laughter] so so at least I'm identifying >> good people. Uh so we will have four interviews um uh over the next week Monday and Monday Monday and Tuesday. >> Monday and Tuesday because Tina's on that right. And then over the weekend I went through the assistant superintendent um resumes and we had 63 applicants. Um and I decided that I thought it was appropriate after going through all of them to increase the number of interviews uh from six to nine. Um so we will actually have all nine um as of today uh applicants uh have accepted an interview. So, we are adding a date uh which is Monday the 22nd. Um not everyone can make it, but the majority of that of the initial

107interviews um group uh said they could make it. So, we're we're running with that. Um it will be a challenge to to fill Mike's position because of Mike. Um, and it's our our principles, especially at men, is like you guys just, you know, it's they see us together all the time, right? We're constantly together. Um, and going and visiting students and teachers and and principles and it'll be different, right? And we know that and and we've sort of Mike says maybe two days ago, we've avoided each other the last couple weeks. But um but publicly, I'm excited for Mike. I'm happy that he's uh going to be a superintendent. He deserves to be. Um he's going to do great and he's right next to me, but I but I not look at him. So um

108uh and uh that's really all I have to say. It's it's uh It's bittersweet, if you will. It's I'm excited for him. It's going to be hard for us. Um, but it's also a great opportunity for both parties. So, that's that's my update. >> Like to try to follow that, Mike. So we uh undertook this year a a huge uh task um in terms of literacy in district and in my my assistant superintendent report is going to focus on that right now. So um I I want I want to thank publicly the the work of Kathy Faria who actually is going to be moving on as well. She has accepted a position in a new district. um and Suzanne Roddy as well as Pete Rean and Kate Halman for the work that they did to

109ensure that we have fully examined a number of different literacy programs to see what was out there to ensure that we are making um a really informed decision to potentially replace the current programming that we're utilizing here in Ashland. Um, so next year there will be a fullyear pilot. Typically, you know, districts do not do fullyear pilots, but we really feel like uh it's necessary to ensure that kids in our district get an uninterrupted educational and and and we feel like if we didn't do a full year, there would be potentially an interrupted education for our students. So what we have decided to do is we have brought in we we are bringing in uh two different programs uh and PD actually started today for the teachers who are participating. Uh we are utilizing amplify

110CKLA which is one uh ELA program and the other ELA program that we're utilizing is EL. Uh please don't ask me what those acronyms stand for but essentially they they have been um programs that have been vetted out by the state. There is a a huge u a huge undertaking and and the state utilizes something called curate uh which sort of grades different programs for a lack of a better term and we ensure that everything that we were looking at had a a quality rating on curate. We are only bringing in pro we only brought in programs that were based on the science of reading. Um and those are the two that we landed on. uh we will ultimately have two teachers at each grade level. So there is a there is someone that the

111teachers can bounce ideas off of utilizing each of the different programs. So there will be two teachers K to six I mean K to 5 that will be using CQLA, two teachers K to five that will be utilizing EEL. Um and and those teachers will will meet regularly with our uh leadership team, whoever is replacing me. I know one of the things that I said to Jim is um no matter what you do, please find somebody that is going to be dedicated to ensuring we we pick a a really high quality literacy program for the students in Ashland. Uh that is just that that to me is the number one priority for next year from the the lens of curriculum instruction assessment. We do a really good job here in this in this in this

112community. I mean, curriculum instruction assessment is I don't want to call it an easy job, but in Ashland, it's it's it's pretty easy because we have really great teachers who who who make who make this job a lot more attainable to be able to do other things. and this particular um task is is going to be huge for for Ashland. Um so I'm happy I'm pr I'm proud that that's what that we got that accomplished. Um and I think it's going to be really good year in terms of taking a look at what's going to be next. >> Can I ask you a quick question? Sure. So there'll be two teachers in each grade level using each curriculum and then what will the other teachers be? >> They're going to continue utilizing you to study.

113Okay. >> Yep. We we we determined that we weren't going to go full boore with everything. Um >> Yeah. And and I I think that that will allow us still to compare and contrast the three, right? Because there is a chance that we might determine that we want to stay, right? >> Well, I mean, because you guys have also done a lot of work with how you you kind of almost created your own, right? It's it's it you're not using the out of the box units of study. It's not I would hesitate to almost call it that. We can't we can't call it the units of study anymore. We Nobody's using that. It is actually it's Ashlin's version, right? a a souped-up version that actually teaches everything. Um, and we we're no longer utilizing certain

114tools from it. So, it's yeah, yeah, you're you're you're accurate in that statement. Um, obviously, Mr. Adams um touched upon the fact that graduation was fantastic. Uh, this was an extra special one for me. Uh, little little different than last year. Last year was my first kindergarten class. this year. Uh, and not many people can say that they traveled, you know, uh, all the way with a certain class. Uh, this this year's student population that graduated, the class of 26, I had the joy of watching them from kindergarten all the way to grade five. So, I I followed them from Warren over to Mendes. And, um, it was it was really special to see them walk across that stage and receive their diploma. So super proud of of of those kids and their families and

115and so so grateful to be able to to have that moment with them. So um I am I am not going to do the big goodbye here. I just I I I sent a note to the community. I I sent a letter that that took a long time to write. Um so I think people know how I feel about this place. So, >> you're stuck with us because you're a parent. >> Yeah. So, so that's that's that's good. I'm I'm going to leave it at that. I think that you can figure that out for me that it's it's been special. Consent agenda. A motion to approve the consent agenda. >> So, move second. Is there a second? >> Second. All in favor of approving the consent agenda. >> I Any opposition? Abstensions? That passes. Reports

116of the school committee. Marcy, you want to start? >> Sure, I will start. So, I'll just echo um Jim's thanks to all the school districts who uh you know helped all our students through the whole year. It's been a really special spring. Not just because I have a graduating senior, but the amount of events going on to for us as parents and as school committee members to attend is so impressive. And listening to the graduates speak, it clearly made an impression on all of them. It was interwoven into everything. So, um, and I know my daughter wore her preschool graduation t-shirt over her gown to Pitway in the walkthrough. So it it makes a it makes a real impact all the way from the beginning. So I really just I I texted Jim over the

117weekend. It's really been special to be part part of that all the way through and I and I get to do it three more times. So looking forward to it. But really commend you and all of your staff throughout the building. It's not just the teachers, everybody. >> Um likewise, [clears throat] you know, when you were mentioning that it's it's not just the high school teachers, it's all of them. my son who also graduated. I think his favorite part of the day was the walkthrough um and how excited he was to see almost all of his teachers because most of them or a couple of them have retired but even one who retired happened to be subbing in the building the day so he got to see her too. So it's almost he saw almost

118all of his teachers and I think that that was the most I mean the whole thing was an exciting day but he really really enjoyed that and I think that speaks to who our teachers are. Um they make a huge impression on our kids. um graduation and the all of the festivities were wonderful. Um last week there was also um an ASHPAC meeting um where uh speaking of uh people who are moving on to their next phase, Christine Keaney has been the um the chair of ASHPAC for many years and she's done incredible work for that parent group um and to really help bring the parent voice of um you know our um of our unique learners to the table. uh she's done a really great job of that over the years and she is

119stepping down um from being chair and so we had the opportunity to kind of recognize her and her um you know all of her efforts. So I wanted to kind of publicly say that here as well how grateful we are for all that Christine has done. Um but I think that's you know and and I know you don't want to talk about it anymore Mike but just you are appreciated on on every level from parent to professional and um very bittersweet that you're leaving. We're excited for you, but I just want you to know that your the impact you've made on this district is very much appreciated. >> I don't have as much of an update. I don't have my oldest is eighth grade, has senioritis for sure. [laughter] I know. So, I do want

120to say, you know, we all parents always say that June is like December. It's there's so much going on. It's a rush to the finish line and you're so busy. But then also that means the teachers are just as busy and dealing with kids who are hyped up and ready to be done. Um Lisette has been telling me that she's been checked out for weeks. She still does great and is very respectful. If she didn't do great, then we'd have a different conversation, but so I just really appreciative of teachers who have to deal with 14-year-olds who have senioritis. [laughter] So that's all I have. >> Hopefully they'll be better by August, right? >> Yep. Great. >> Very excited to go to high school. very [laughter] so exciting. >> Um, so I'll just speak to

121graduation as well. Um, had a graduating senior, my last one, so I don't have any more. Um, which obviously comes with its own set of emotions and all that. Um, I just I'll echo the fact that I thought the student speakers were phenomenal. Um, I think every year I'm impressed by their what sounds like their ability to see themselves from 30 years into the future, right? when they're kind of offering reflections back on the moment that they have like either they've been reading a lot of other things that people have said or you know they've got that that ability and it's um I'm always impressed with that. Um I I just picking up on a point Jim made earlier. I've also just been incredibly impressed by where they're going, what they're doing in the future.

122And it feels like um in the time that I've been on this committee now, which 10 11 years and having gone to a number of graduations, it seemed like 11 years ago, our kids were not going as far or as high as they are for those who choose to go to to college. Yeah, there there were there were UMass, there are a lot of Mass Bay, Framingham State, and and that's all fantastic, but we have kids that are going to Washington and Wisconsin and Florida and Texas and Arizona. And that has been a tremendous change, at least to my observation, over the last um more so probably in the last five or six years, but just a consistent trajectory. And and to me, that means that they're they're taking advantage of a wider range of

123opportunities, right? you talk about that so much um and providing opportunities and where they're going and I looked at the list that you got emailed today or yesterday um and I was just kind of making note of that again >> um and pursuing wider ranges of things and so that was just that was kind of really neat to see because as you said Jim sometimes you can't hear I didn't even I got off the stage after giving my daughter her diploma I said did you even have a comment because I couldn't >> I was standing right there and I couldn't I couldn't hear it um I was probably focused on not tripping Um [laughter] but um so just you know obviously phenomenal and and uh thanks to everybody and uh thank you. That's all with

124that. Um, I'm going to make a motion to go into executive session under section 21 A3 to conduct strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if no o if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares which I do um does say on our agenda to return to open session. I think we're going to adjourn it directly from executive session and we'll be talking about um a memorandum of agreement with the ashen educators association teachers unit um the educator evaluation process. Do I have a second? >> Roll call. Marcy >> I >> Dina >> I >> and I for me. So we are going to executive session and we will adjourn from there. Thank you. >> Thank you.