School Committee Meeting - 12/17/2025

001Good evening everyone and welcome to the regular meeting of the Cohasset School Committee. Today is Wednesday, December 17th, 2025. Um we will do a call to order um with a roll call vote. Mr. D >> present. >> Mr. Evans >> present. >> Mr. President, >> Mr. Collins >> present. We have all members in attendance. Um, so let's please stand for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Um, we're delighted to see that we have a very robust online um, uh, audience tonight. We hope you'll stick with us. Um, and this will be our last meeting of the calendar of the year, certainly not of the school year. Um,

002and so we're looking forward to that that everyone is is getting ready for a little break um from school and regular routines. Um, and with that, I will open the floor for any public comment um that may be out there right now. We do not have anyone in the inerson audience and I don't see any comments coming from our online audience. Um so we'll move um on um to the um invited guest section of >> the agenda. Perfect timing. Um we have Mr. Dylan Juel here from the um superintendence supervisory committee >> student advisory council >> council council. Thank you. >> Um I do have a slideshow >> share that with you and then >> yes if you share it with me I will put it up there. And while he's doing that, I'll introduce

003you to Dylan Juel, who is a junior at the high school and has been on the superintendent's student advisory council for several years. Um, is a very active member and he also participated in our strategic planning process. So, very well informed um and a highly regarded member of our school community. So, we're excited that he's here to present to you tonight. Um, I think mine kicked me off a couple times earlier. So, all in that same boat together. Even technology needs a winter break. Yes. I'm excited because I believe this is our first student presentation of the year from the advisory council and >> I will share with you that we we shifted this switch things up a little bit where Dylan will speak a little bit about the high school but we're also each

004month asking the student representatives to speak to a different principal to learn a little bit of what's happening at their school so that we representation beyond CHS that >> um >> hasn't has not come through yet, but that is probably just the Wi-Fi and not you. Sometimes it can take a little while to get from >> Yeah. You were perfect. just want me to. >> Yeah. So I had the privilege of meeting with principal ad the principal of the middle school of the high school um uh who just informed me on the various like different events that have been occurring in uh school over the past month or two. Um so the first thing is talked about literacy night. So uh it also was uh inside of the book fair. Um the staff put uh

005put together literacy games so that families can be equipped with new ideas on how to educate um their kids through fun different ways about basic reading and writing. Uh the PSO uh ran an assembly through the arts for learning program. Um here they brought two gentlemen to uh teach about drums which is a Japanese percussion art formed uh from using large drums blending music, dance and martial arts into powerful energetic performances. Um on election day the Oscar had one of their own elections. The students went to the ballot boxes and voted for either creating a mural, whole school dance party or a community day. They ended up going with the community day. Uh the Oscar students voted for um this which this entailed uh the classes buddying up together and doing fun activities and allowed

006the kids to make connections uh with others from a variety of age levels and other adults and children. Um eighth grade reading buddies. So the eighth graders have been with this for a few years. Um they come down to Osgood for a day and each eighth grader partners up with the kindergarter which is a really valuable experience for both parties. Um, which is also nice is that later in the year, like when I did it, I remember when I was in eighth grade, a few years back, uh, you come back and a lot of times you get to see the same kids. So, it's kind of nice to have a relationship that lasts more than just one day. um for I think the eighth graders and the kindergarters. Um then the um they had their

007fun run uh they raised uh $30,000 and their incentive was uh different teachers volunteered to be pied in the face. So you got a different collection of a lot of different teachers and I think it made the students really very happy. that. Um, so just a few updates on the high school, uh, class of football, uh, defeated Ames Barry to win a division 7 state title in football. Um, happened on December 4th, so pretty recently. Uh, and then just overall the fall sports had just ended at this time and now we're starting to go into the winter sports. So, uh, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, and golf just ended. And, uh, winter basketball, um, wrestling, hockey, and ski team all just started up. Class of music. Um, so recently, uh, last night, the band and chorus

008concert was held, which included the, uh, overall chorus, band, and jazz band, and the ac capella. Um, additionally, last Saturday during the stroll, both the jazz band and the ac cappella performed Next French Memories in the square of town. Um, also which also really goes nicely with the Oscar uh topic is >> they had for the class of music we had the holiday tour which is where the band course um students go down for the day and so they go down to um the Sunrise Living Center, Wila Commons um Deer Hill and Osgood and especially Osgood was where they spent the most time. So they performed everywhere the holiday tunes, but additionally at Osgood they got to or I should say we got to um uh eat lunch with the kids and also do recess

009with the kids which was really fun I think for everyone, not just the kindergarteners. >> Yep. >> Um next the uh we have the Powerpuff game before Thanksgiving. That's where the senior and junior girls play a flag football game. The whole school comes out to watch and there's concessions and it's just really fun for the school spirit. And additionally, there's also another pie in the face for the high school teachers where they raise money. >> That's Miss Darling, I I believe, right? Our assistant principal. >> Good action shot. >> Yep. >> Um there was the NHS induction ceremony uh in November. Um the inductees of National Honor Society are juniors and seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to the four pillars of NHS. scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Uh the inductees must qualify uh qualify

010if they have meet the requirements of 3.8 GPA or higher, 40 more hours of service, two leadership positions, and shown good character throughout their previous time at the West High School. Um for fundraisers, there's a plethora of fundraisers throughout the uh holiday season. We had the food drives. Um substance abuse awareness club and UNICEF club both uh ran uh fundraisers. I know the substance abuse awareness one was for suicide prevention. Um and additionally there was the cradles the crayons drive which was uh uh collected over 150 bags across the district to provide us the giving factory as well as their clothes. >> Hi That's all I have for today. >> Thank you. >> Well, I wish you all nice happy holiday season. >> Yeah. >> Thank you very much. Are there any committee members who

011have any questions, Mr. Jewel? >> Nice job. First first presentation here. Well done. >> Um I guess um from a from a one of the things I think we like to hear about from the student perspective is you know what's what's I mean that's good to hear all this stuff. I didn't know all this stuff was going on really. >> Yeah. >> But uh I guess what what's how are students feeling? What's it like to be a student this year in uh Ohio public schools? >> Um at least I can speak from experience as a junior. Uh there's definitely a lot going on, a lot of stress. You know, there's uh you're trying to apply for college and your your class really start to pick up. But I think it's definitely like not overbearing. It's

012manageable for a lot of people I know. for myself. It's, you know, tricky to get involved in so many different um extracurriculars and stay still uh stay, you know, strong with your schoolwork and everything, but I think it's been relatively productive and not like too overbearing, not too harsh for most of the people to see. It's good, right? For sure. Thank you. I just would like to thank you and um Dr. Shannon. Um that was an incredible presentation and I love the addition of um connecting you with some of the principles in the district um as well. It gives a really well-rounded view of um that perspective. And I love I always love the multi-age um opportunities connect. I even watching you talk about it, I could tell that you enjoyed that time um with

013the younger children as well. I think now especially because a lot of people in administration don't you know if they're focused on a specific age group it's nice to hear from you know even if you might be most involved person in the you know deer hill you might really know very little about what's going on in the high school so I think it's nice for everyone to hear but um I was going to say something too but I'll leave it at that yeah um oh yeah and I was going to say because of that too is I think a lot every month a different uh student will miss with a different principal of the different other school. So you'll hear from all the different perspectives. So I think this might be nice. >> Thank you

014for both your preparation and your presentation. It was absolutely lovely and I know you were probably super super busy this week um tying things up um before Friday years. Yeah, bus weeks of the year. Yeah. >> So thank you for your time. >> Great job. Thank you. Great job. Thanks Dylan. All right. And we will um now move on to section D, the superintendent report, and we will have an update from Dr. Sarah Shannon. Okay. So, I will be brief on my first two items because Dylan has covered them, but I do would like to add my congratulations to the football team. Um it was a great night. It was a very cold night. Um but it was a great night. It was a great game and want to congratulate all who play on the

015team and all of the coaches. Um, and also want to thank the fans. There were a lot of Gohaset fans there that night and they were loud. They were supportive, but they were also very respectful and so it was a great evening. Took me a little while to warm up once I got to my car, but it was a lot of fun. I've been able to see them win twice now. Um, two Super Bowls in four years, and I don't think it ever gets old. And um also was able to be at Osgood while the high school music um groups were performing. Love seeing the high schoolers get in with the kids all sitting on the floor together singing songs um that they all know and then being able to be at the concerts this

016week. It's it's always a treat to be able to be entertained by our own students. Um, and then wanted to share, I know I sent an email to the community, but also wanted to share a little bit publicly about the update on the director of finance and operations interview process. Um, as folks know, >> um, Miss Owen is is going to be leaving us by the end of the year um to retire and move on to the next phase of her her life. Um, so we've been interviewing. Last week, our search committee interviewed five prospective candidates. Of those five, three were were recommended to move forward as finalists. They were Ashley Loes, Katie Scapaloi, and Carrie Simmons. Each of the three finalists either spent time in the district with leadership team today or will be

017here tomorrow. And all of them met with school committee this evening. Um, I've been gathering feedback from all of the forums because all of our member, all of our finalists have met with leadership, with the business office, with other department heads, and with myself and Dr. Collins. Um, and we'll use all of that feedback to help make a decision. and then all of the feedback and some thorough reference checks will allow me to hopefully bring to you on January 7th at our next meeting a recommendation for appointment of a candidate. So, we are getting there. Um, and I again would like to thank all of you for being available tonight so that we could have this round of finalist interviews. I also want to remind families that this Friday is a full day of school

018and it is our last day of school before winter break. Winter break for students and families will begin on Monday the 22nd and students will return to school on Monday, January 5th. So, two full weeks for our families. Our teachers will be here on the 22nd and Ben will be on their break. Um, we hope that all Cohasset School community members who celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Quanza, and New Year's enjoy their celebrations. And we hope that everyone will be able to take a moment to take that break and come back in January feeling rested, rested, and restored. And to that end, I want to preview a notice that will be coming out on Friday in the newsletter. As you know, with our strategic plan, we've been focused very much on wellness and well-being for both students

019and for staff. And we have a wellness and well-being committee that is focused on our staff well-being. And out of that committee has come a recommendation that we allow staff to take a true break over this vacation um almost two weeks. So that means we're going to be asking staff that to truly disconnect um so that they can feel restored coming back. We know that things come up, but we are saying to them don't check your emails. And so families, we know if things come up, you still might need some attention. We're asking that you email me. I will be checking. I will be working off and on through the two weeks. Um but in you know, we'll reach out to people if if necessary, but um we're hoping to be able to give this

020break to our staff so that when they come back in January, they have felt like they had a little bit of a hiatus to support their own wellness and well-being. um and we all come back feeling stronger than ever. So that is my general update for this evening. So before I go any further with some of the bulleted items, >> there any questions? >> Just one clarification. Zone with us till the end of the school year. Correct. Not the end of the year. Okay, good. Just that's wanted to clarify. I know we got a lot of people listening. >> School year. And then um I I love the unplugging thing. I agree that's very important. I also um so I want to echo it to the community that way they're not surprised and I'm sure

021we're doing this but I always forget so just flag me sending uh out of office replies on email um just if you know just you wouldn't reminding mind reminding the district for that that way no one's surprised if if something goes unanswered for some time. >> Yeah, >> absolutely. >> Very good suggestion. Yes, >> I also would echo just that that that time away I think is really important. Time away and and respect for that boundary I think um is huge and thank you Dr. Shannon for being on call because >> that does compromise your break but again life does happen and we care about all of our families and students. So um just because school is closed doesn't mean that we can't um support um support you but it will be in a different

022way than in the past. Absolutely. All right. So, for the last three years, myself and Dr. Sullivan before me have come to you at this time of year to let you know that the MSBA did not accept our statement of interest for the middle andor high school buildings. This year, however, I am very excited to share that they have not only accepted our high school statement of interest, but on Friday, December 12th at their board meeting, they voted to bring us into their eligibility period and have invited the Cohasset High School, which is colllocated with the Cohasset Middle School, into their process. This means that we are per the MSBA allowed to move forward with the eligibility phase of a building project that includes both Cohasset Middle School and Cohasset High School. So what does

023that really mean? It means that out of a very long process we have so far been invited into the eligibility period. The eligibility period is 270 days long which is approximately 9 months. So even the first phase is lengthy. Um our eligibility period will begin on April 1st and it will run through December 28th of 2026. And during this time there's a very um detailed outline of tasks that we need to accomplish. will first sign an initial compliance certificate which basically means that we agree to all of the MB MSBA grants rules and regulations. We'll form a school building committee that will consist of school administrators, teachers, school committee members, town and municipal representatives as well as members of the community. and that will be the group that will serve to oversee and facilitate the

024process in accordance with MSBA rules and regulations. We'll complete an educational profile questionnaire which is basically an overview of all of our current and proposed educational programming. We will create an we'll complete the online projection tool which will help the MSBA determine the enrollment number that we will be approved to potentially renovate and or build for. We'll also complete a maintenance and capital planning tool which is information about our maintenance and capital plans. And then we will need to seek local vote authorization for funding to enter into a feasibility process. and the schematic design portion of a potential process. So those are all phases two and three of this lengthy process. And finally, we'll complete a feasibility study agreement that is pending a successful local vote. And that agreement will outline the process and parameters

025by which the reimbursement will come in for the feasibility portion of the project. So, I want to remind everybody that this is very exciting and it's a long process. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Um, and that, you know, we will keep all of our constituents, all of our stakeholders informed and a part of the process at each stage. um and that we will be building out a new part of our website that has all of the information about the building process. We'll put this information up um over break so that it will be there and people can learn about the eligibility phase of the process. Um so there's a lot of technical information coming at people right now. We're here to answer any questions. Um, but what we really want people to to know

026right now, one is that we're very excited. I have been fortunate to be a part of two other building projects. There is nothing more exciting for a school community and a town community than engaging in this building process. It is creative. It is student centered. It is something that brings people together and it is also lengthy. Um, and so we want to make sure people understand that it could be 5 to seven years before we we enter into a brand new building if that's what ends up happening, brand new, renovated, whatever the case might be. Um, but I also would like to thank the folks in town, the folks on the school committee, especially Mr. Mlen who have spearheaded this work. Um, I think Craig, it was really your vision um that got everybody on

027board to even start writing statements of interest. And while it may have felt like a long process to get even to this point, um, it is really due to that due diligence and that tenacity that we are here today. Um, so we're very excited. We're very grateful to the MSBA for bringing us in and I'm excited to be able to do this work in this community and look forward to all of the conversations that are to come. >> So if there are any questions um >> could you just explain because we explained that we're in the first phase of this program which is the core program. Just for people that might not be familiar what is what are you talking about when you're in the first phase of the core program? Like what is the

028core program? What is the MSBA? >> Yep. So the core program will support a town that they have approved in looking at the renovation addition or pre-build of a school facility. Um there are several phases. The first is this eligibility phase which is all of the items that I just outlined that we'll be doing. And then we actually will enter into the next phase of the feasibility and schematic design phases of the project. That's actually uh it's a 913 day phase. They're very specific. Um and then at the end of that phase, you actually have to get another vote from the MSBA that says that you are eligible now your your schematic design has been approved. You're eligible now to seek a vote for full funding for the pro for the project that the school

029building committee has voted upon. Um and you can enter into construction design document phase which then leads to the actual construction phase of the project. Um with the MSBA grants support we as a town will receive approximately 30 to 34% of reimbursement of reimburseable costs. So not every cost in a school project is reimburseable. Um but of reimburseable costs we'll get 30 to 34%. Um and so in round numbers because we don't know what a building will cost but we do have some information based on the last feasibility study. If a project cost um $100 million, we'd get 33% 30% of that paid for by the state. Um and so it's a unique opportunity to get state and grant funding to do a project. Um one of the things I keep saying to people is

030many towns are going to pay a cost that we may pay, but they're getting one building. will be getting too um a little bit of a buy one get one free. a little, you know, but um that's the process and it's it's um it's a way to for us to really update and address many of the systems that are starting to fail in our current facility and to address some of the outdated facilities that um they don't preclude but they hinder the type of learning experience that we're trying to provide for students. So that's an overview of what the process is. >> Just add that I think you alluded to this but just so anyone's watching you know it's it doesn't this this doesn't mean that you know there is going to be a new

031ski new school built at any period of time. That relies that is dependent upon that outcome is dependent on a number of things. findings during um all the studies, but also community participation and ultimately community votes, correct? Not one, but multiple votes that would lead to that. So, if you're watching and you are currently concerned about this, it's don't worry, you'll have a lot of time to be educated about the process, be involved in the process, and as Dr. Shannon says, a very lengthy process, but this is an extremely exciting opportunity for cohassid. It's a very competitive grant program, and uh as Dr. Dr. Shannon said, we have applied numerous years, have not been invited. We were successful this year. Um I think in large part because the town had dedicated the um the financial

032resources to its own independent feasibility study which I think demonstrated um at least an appetite um to the MSBA and I think it went a long way in addition to Dr. Shannon's abilities in writing um attractive and and competitive statement of interest because you've been familiar with the process and and if you're very familiar with the school um as both a resident and um a mother um and your experience as school administrator. So um really exciting news for the future of our district but um more is yet to come and there's miles to go. >> Yes, exactly. >> Any other comments from committee members at this point? Um so just uh for the website um I think one thing to focus on is is the calendar of of things because I how you lined it

033up. >> So just um the feasibility um the request for the money for feasibility study that has to happen within the eligibility phase before December 28th 2026. Is that correct? Okay. So that's something that we'll have to have we the town should expect either for annual town meeting or a special town meeting thereafter. So we're looking at Okay. Um this is a monumental task. Uh and um exciting is one word. Uh humbling I think is the one that I'm feeling. Uh because it really one thing that we're going to see later in the meeting are and and we are able to do it in a building which is not new. Uh and what makes it humbling is that our goal is to ensure that whatever we do, we're able to ensure the continuation of that

034standard. To your point, what you said earlier, we have a building which which works right now, but when you look at the amount of things that are going to be due in the next 5 or 10 years uh to maintain that level, uh it's it's pretty overwhelming. Uh I I don't personally have an outcome in mind of this but one thing that I understand from the MSBA process which I think everyone will benefit for is the resources they have both in facilitation how we talk they have very specific requirements about how we talk to the community what forums we have how we do things but also how we measure things. Um so this is this gives us a pretty bright flashlight to getting through what is a very big question. uh and we have to

035the goal is the right answer. There is no the right answer can't be we don't know what that is yet. But maintaining the ability of this district to do what it's been doing especially the last 5 years um is is is a very big challenge because we are doing so well. Um so I'm scared frankly uh because it's a big responsibility for us all uh it's going to take a lot of work from a lot of people and I think your office especially for this is going to be a lot of work on you uh and at the same time we also have to still run the district right so uh this doesn't make things easier for us the next 5 years and certainly makes things more challenging um and uh I think uh we

036got to do it and we have to be sure that this sets us up for the next 20 30 members. I will just add my thanks to um the administration um school committee members who have um been involved in this process throughout. um community members who have come to forums um uh met with our architectural firm AI3. Um the um recently um defunct or folded um school um facilities um committee um which is where many of our first um statements of interests um were um written and and were generated from. and those um um committee that committee in particular had a lot of um community members on it. Um and so thank you to everyone because this is a a win for all of us and um a win for our students and and certainly

037a huge undertaking. Um it is monumental um and that's a great u perfect word for it. We do have um a lovely note of thanks from Myra Toffee. Exciting news, nice work um to all the planning to the state. Um, so thank you. Um, thank you for those of you in attendance. We hope you'll continue to listen to our um, uh, um, our meeting. Um, but we're excited to continue to talk about um, this prospect. So, thank you. >> Could I just say something quick? >> Oh, good. I was just thinking back to um like and I know this was something you really appreciated me saying was when the learning comments got renovated and it really did change a lot of the energy in the building and maybe even the district to a certain degree.

038>> Um and just the idea and I know that this is something you brought up a lot. I like watched past town meetings and you've talked about it. this idea of like a new model of education that isn't linear and that is something that is really real and obviously you know having a new building is a big ask but the the needs are evolving and that is something that is absolutely accurate and you know like work is becoming more collaborative you have to work more closely with people and having spaces that lend themselves to that is something that is really important and that's not to say again we should just rubber stamp it not to say something that we should just press ahead with it no matter what. But I just wanted to attest to

039that being something that is actually important. >> Really glad you said that. That's the perspective that we all grew up in a different world. Uh and we're going to have a lot of presentations from consultants and from people and we kind of know what they're going to be. Uh but we what we don't usually have is someone like you and even you know Mr. Juel here uh telling us what mattered to you. And that's that's what we need to hear more. So always please whenever you have that experience so thank you all um thank you Dr. Shannon for sharing that exceptional news with us and so we'll continue to move through the agenda with the FY27 budget update. >> So um a couple meetings back we did you did vote on a budget timeline but

040I have been meeting regularly with Michelle Liry our new interim town manager. um as she's working on the town budget and we're working on the school budget and as she's taken her new role, she's trying to be a little bit more proactive with the budgeting process um on the town side and in general. And so through those conversations, she's asked if we could bump some of our t some of our timeline up. Um, we think that's a doable ask and in the spirit of collaboration, um, we want to be able to help her do things differently and do things better. Um, so I am going to share my screen. We're asking for a couple shifts in dates. Again, it only brings everything sooner. I'm going to make this a little bit bigger. Sometime this evening,

041my Google updated. So, um, let's see. So, she's asked us to present the preliminary budget on January 21st instead of on February 4th. So, it's two weeks earlier. We think we can hit that date, that target date. Um, and she's asked us to do that because she would really like to hold the joint meeting with school committee and select board on February 3rd instead of in March. um so that the select board can see all of the budgets. We they'll know that we are still working on our budget. Um but that it allows them to sort of get a sense and do their work as well. Um so we would we would do that um and then have our regular meeting on the 4th where we continue to work on our budget development. And then

042she's also asked us to move our vote up so that the select board can vote their final budget a little bit earlier. Um up for conversation this evening is our budget hearing is on March 18th. I have put in here that rather than voting it at our regular school committee meeting that same night, we hold a separate meeting on the 25th that following week. Um, it would be a single item agenda. We could even do it over Zoom if that was something that folks wanted. Um, but it would give people a week between the budget hearing and the budget vote. Um, but if people really wanted to be able to have the hearing and then vote on that same day, but in our regular session, we could do that as well. The goal though is

043to have the vote taken on the school budget, that FY27 school budget by the 25th so that the select board can then process it. >> My only question would be what's the best way to make it what's the most effective way to make it clear where uh public comment is being solicited? Right, that's what the hearing is for. Um I'm a little bit concerned that if we have a meeting later on for it, some people may hold their comments when really and then we'll have a situation where we won't be able to have comments because the hearing has but we had the hearing. So, uh, I don't know if there's a a better way to if that's even avoidable, uh, versus, uh, >> we've certainly run into that and and I think we're continuing to

044try and promote that every time we talk about the budget is a great time for people to come and provide comment. >> Okay. >> We will continue and probably even more so this year, promote the budget hearing. Um, I can only speak to last year's budget hearing when we sat here ourselves for an hour and nobody came. Um, so hopefully we if we market it differently this year, we'll get more attendance at that. But that's why I on here I have the vote the following week. >> People show up for the vote or was there was there much there wasn't even much input between two. >> Okay. including the four years I've been doing this only. >> The important feature I think here is that there's an additional opportunity to share input before we take

045the vote and then we'll have another discussion following the the the hearing. So there'll be multiple opportunities usually it's it's success immediately successive right so it's like >> so this is to open to add another avenue >> essentially so I guess on a personal level logistically I will not be able to make that >> the 25th okay >> so um I mean I'm only one of five I can pl chance to give my input to make it on that but you missed mention that >> and then on the uh on the moving the dates up Um, I I trust your judgment that we're uh able to get clear enough visibility into what our budgeting plan will look like to meet those dates. The only variable that I know we have because they're ongoing is the

046discussions with the uh the CTA. Um, and I guess I guess what are your thoughts on accelerating that versus getting visibility into into what because those numbers and those discussions will undoubtedly impact our 27th budget. So >> they they absolutely will. Um and I don't think there's any way for us to not move forward with the budgeting process and wait for that to happen. Um and so similarly to last year, we'll estimate as much as we can. Um and have the caveat that any final numbers are pending successful collective bargaining negotiations. And I've had that conversation with Michelle and with Ellen on the school on the select board as well. So they're well aware of that contingency in our planning. So, I think some of this also comes down to whether or not committee members

047feel like they could digest any public comment that occurs during the hearing and be prepared to take a vote, you know, an hour later or whether or not committee members prefer a longer period of digestion of any information that's brought for or comment that's brought forward. It does run the risk of someone opening up a can of worms the day of the vote. Um >> what I might recommend on that is given my experience with the the hearings um having the vote that that seems to be a fine time to have a vote after because there's usually at that point all the comments public comments have been made that are going to be made. But if that happens we could reserve that 25th and table vote for another week and set up a regular meeting

048our special meeting for that the following week. I think there's plenty of time for a notice to keep it keep it scheduled for the 18th. >> So So schedule the vote for after the hearing as just a normal process, but have the >> But we could decide as committee to table. >> I like that better if you're you know, you're not hear I think it's I think it's I don't know. It's hard to decide based on history. We don't have a huge attendance at the at the at the the budget hearing, right? So it's I think it's more compelling to me to make sure that we have all five committee members there to take a vote on the budget means that it's one of the biggest votes we have all year. >> So I think

049you're probably correct and if there is something that that I mean then then we're just all we're doing is is actually making this you know accelerating the process a little bit. Um, as much as I appreciate Superintendent Shin's like the impetus behind it, I I think it makes sense where you're saying you're not, you know, we don't have to be here in the March on March, but we should leave that as a worst case scenario and plan voted on the 18th that we're all here. I think it's important that we all have a voice. >> I like also doing in person if we're all going to be sure versus on Zoom. It just doesn't feel the same. All right. >> Okay. Okay. So, if we do, are any other further comments on this topic before

050we seek a motion um to approve changes as discussed? >> It's not a major thing, but the town meeting I think is on the 4th of May. >> Have they scheduled it? >> Um, you know what? We just got the email today. >> Oh, yeah. >> And so, this is not updated either. It came through for us >> Yeah. It came through for us to reserve the gym today for the town meeting. So this this does not reflect that. But you are correct. >> I just wanted to >> No, you are. But you are 100% correct. >> I did want I did want to just point something out. >> Exc Thank you. >> I move to approve the amended budget with the exception of the budget hearing date. Correct. Just the just the two budget

051calendar items. Well, basically including the revisions that we just discussed. >> Yeah. >> But not the 25th that that the motion is as presented. It was presented with the 25th. >> Okay. My apolog >> uh yeah as discussed uh not including 325 uh addition uh and including Mr. Speo's uh correction for >> second call vote. Mr. Dial >> I >> Mr. Evans >> I >> Mr. Ir. Janleski I um and passes unanimously. Thank you very much. On to teaching and learning. Um first with a presentation from Dr. Collins. >> Thank you. Can you make enough? >> Uh, you are a co-host at home. >> Yes. Unless you have a Are you class at schools and not Dr. Scholars? >> I can't, >> but we're going to do the um graduation. >> Awesome. >> So, this

052is our third and final read for two of our policies that need updating. These are all um due to the fact that last year it's the uh people voted and MCS is no longer being used as a determination for graduation. So we um are required to update our competency determination policy and therefore also our graduation requirements. So um the graduation requirement policy IKF and the cohasset determiny uh competency determination policy IKF I'm asking for a vote um just says inside I was on another webinar today with the commissioner secretary tweiler mass and so they're they are looking for our input so I think they've heard that there are some questions and concerns about what's happening in the future. So, I I felt a little bit better after the webinar today. I haven't had a chance

053to talk to principal Scott, see where his head is at with it um or moving forward. They were very clear on that. There will be no moving back, but um but I think getting our input on what actually is going to happen because one of the big pieces is the capstone um that they want to add and no state has required that here in the United States. So, it's a big lift for for school districts to have to do that in addition to the benchmark assessments and other pieces that we need to do. So, we'll see what happens, but for now, we need this. >> So, I'm assuming we should probably um approve them separately as they're separate policies. Um so, we'll of course um seek a motion for the unless there's discussion or final

054questions. And just to just as a reminder, there's not any substantive changes here, any material changes. This is reflecting the comments we've had. >> All the same. I haven't touched anything questions. >> Um then we'll seek a motion for um approval of graduation requirements um by IKF. So second roll call, Mr. Mr. Dial >> I >> Mr. Adams >> hi >> Mr. >> Hi >> Mr. Mlan >> hi >> Jesus I that passes thank you unanimously and then we'll look for similar motion for um accepting the competency determination file IFE >> so second >> you will vote Mr. Dial >> I >> Mr. Evans I >> Mr. I >> Mr. Mclen >> Hi passes unanimously thank you >> thank you Dr. for your work on this. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> All right, we'll

055roll right into our 2025 spring data report and >> Sure. >> All right. Yes. So, um we look at all of our data from last spring and then pass and our SAT, our AP scores, our other benchmark assessments that we have. So, I will take you through. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Okay. Okay. Let's move it over so I can >> very soon. Okay. Here we go. Okay. There we go. Bye. Okay. There we go. Thank you. Um, so this is just quick overview. Well, that's celebrations, some MCCAST numbers, our accountability report, and the additional spring data, and then things that we're going to do moving forward. Oh, this is You know what? You're sorry for me. Thanks. Okay. Okay. >> Sorry. Is not your laptop. >> Um, so just some of the celebrations. Um,

056we've talked about this already, but um, we were fortunate enough to be one of only 13 should have said one of only on there, uh, 13 schools that met or exceeded the 2019 MCCAST scores in both ELA and math in grades 3 through eight. So, huge accomplishment of our teachers and our students to be able to pull this off. And um I you know talk to teachers all the time and they're they've worked so hard um and they've looked at different ways that they can do interventions and help them to support kids. So um just super happy and proud of all of the work that they've done. Um when we look at our three through eights um 83% of our students in those grades are meeting or exceeding expectations in Green LA. So that's a

057that's also a really nice number. You'll see too when I take when I take you through some of the data components. Um there's been a move from our district to move students from meeting expectations to exceeding expectations. Um and I think it really has to do with just looking at what our students are doing and increasing our rigor. Um and helping to move all those students on the margin. those kind of bubble students, whether it's students with disabilities, um our high needs population, looking at our those students that are partially meeting, not meeting, how do we move all of those students? Um and so this is one of the pieces that that that we've accomplished. And then Boston magazine ranked high school number four in the state and as principal um Scott pointed out and

058that would make us number one on the Southshore. So we will we will boast um as much as we possibly can. Um and so the high school um when I just kind of looked at some of the data quickly there was the high school the 10th grade ELA scores are um fifth highest in the state. When we look at our sixth through eight um our second highest uh sixth grade ELA scores in the state so 60% growth. Um I'll remind you that typical growth is between 40 and 60%. And so when you get anything over 60 it's really nice. We actually have a couple that are in the 70s for growth. So that's a really nice um nice number. Um our sixth seventh grade um they continue to do really well. They were the highest

059in the state last year of the sixth grade same cohort. And when we are looking at the data I think it's important to remember that each cohort is different and so they're all es and flows in what we see in our scores. our scores are always solid um and strong, but you'll see where it can come kind of like dip a little bit and go back up a little bit. And that's the same with our students with um disabilities and our high need students, different cohorts, different needs of those individual students. So, um it's never going to be a steady stream. It will always have some es and flows. And then um our fifth highest uh was the eighth grade ELA scores for the state. um fourth highest seventh grade math scores in the state

060and that was one of those big 70th uh percentile growth. Um and then eighth grade civics's 12th highest and the reason I talk about this is because this is the first year where it counted um and so there were a lot of um there were a lot of not so great scores because it's it's new. So, um I was thrilled that we were in the top 20 of that because um it's a very challenging exam and on top of it um eighth graders have a little bit of um fatigue because they have two days of ELA, two days of math, two days of science, two days of civics. That's a lot of assessments for students. And so, the fact that we hit that mark was amazing. And I give a lot of credit to the

061teachers in particular um our civics teachers a lot of work. And then our uh three through five our fifth grade students were exceeding expectation scores um increased by 6% and our third grade students um also increased in ELA by 8%. So um happy with um with all the progress that our students are meeting making. Um, and then you can kind of see here just the red is the state and you can see >> I'm sorry to interrupt. It's something's funky here. >> Okay. So, it's not just me. >> And this changed on me literally. >> Why? Okay. That makes me feel better. I thought >> if you go in. >> Sorry. You want to go in >> my text? Tori knows. >> Do you know what to do? Like I It has never looked like

062this before. >> Yeah. You you you you zoomed in on the page. Yeah. >> As opposed to this. >> Yeah. So you keep doing the the pinch thing. >> That's as pinched in as I go. So if I >> We're also You know what? It's also in a PDF format versus actually in the Google >> presentation. >> No, because it's a PDF. >> Do you want to pull it up? Do you want me to send me a link for the >> Hold on. We might be good now. >> I think you're good. Yeah, >> I think you're good now. >> Right. Okay. Sorry for I'm so sorry for interrupting. >> Sorry. Um but just quickly you can see uh you can see the state trajectories. They're in red. So above you you have um the

063grade three through eight math and below is the ELA scores. But you can see where we fall um with the state and um interestingly enough we had that dip with everyone else and then we just made a huge a huge leap up and um and then our ELA scores kind of mirror a little bit which is kind of interesting if you look at how it goes up and down with the state but we're still much higher than the state. I just think I thought that was really interesting when I pulled that one up. Um and then when we look at our accountability, we um we're meeting and exceeding our targets. And so just some of the quick quick highlights. Um our lowest performing students earned um a three out of four for growth at three

064out of four for achievement. So we'll continue to look at those pieces. We'd like to see four or four. Um and we earned all our points for chronic absenteeism at the high school. That's a big deal because they're factoring that in. They're waiting it pretty pretty significantly. So, we want to make sure that that stays the same. So, yay everybody coming to school. Um, and then when we looked at all students in ELA, math and science achievement, we got 11 out of the 12 points. So, um, we were happy about that. And then also all students, we get seven points um, out of eight for all students in both for ELA and math. And then when we look at non- high school, so that's our three through eights. Um, we earned a seven out of

065eight for achievement and growth in both ELA and math. and we earned six out of eight for our lowest performing students in the LMAT. So, we're going to look at that, right? We'd like that to at least be for all students, but we would like that to be higher. Um, and again, um, they're coming to school, so keep it up. Um, and four out of four for low performing students and chronic absenteeism. So, those are big things that we looked at. Um, we have our APNR SAT data. We This is fuzzy. Sorry, a little bit here. Um but we continue to be strong in our AP for those that don't know it that are watching. Um we are open enrollment so anyone can take classes and criteria for them to join. Um and so I

066think that that makes us um unique and you can see that we've increased our number of students. It's um was 180 last year I believe. It's a little buzzy. Um, but we're up to 219 students that took AP classes last year. So, that's really nice and it shows high interest. Um, you can see our scores where we they love when I get to put the highest that's our highest score ever. Um, at least in the in the I shouldn't say ever, but at least in the past five, six years. Um, those are our scores. Um, we'll continue to look at our calculus. um that score is a little bit lower than we would like it to be and we're looking at all all of those pieces but um very strong scores. um we have more

067than this but these were these are the m the classes that have majority of students and so I showed you these we have some other smaller enrollment um AP tests that we have and so um our SAT data so um you can see that our um total score is higher than um than the than the state and we're at 1220 and it breaks down for reading and writing and so It's a little confusing because the way it says it has school and district. It's all the same because this one school, but you can see that our our store our scores are um are very good and strong. So, we continue that work. Um and then here's our grade 10. Kind of jammed everything on to this one slide for everyone to see, but you can

068you can see um that our not meeting expectations numbers are low. We had did have one last year but in in um in ELA and we had two for math. So they'll have that opportunity but if they want to take it again but they don't have to. Um I'm always wondering about now what the impact that it doesn't really matter. So what does that mean? Um because they know it doesn't count toward the graduation. So I don't know who's clicking and who really cares about doing it. But but I'm still happy because there was good participation and students worked hard. So, oh, and I did, sorry, can you go scroll back one, too? Yes. It was super, this was very interesting for me, too. If you look at math, >> um, exceeding expectations, we were

069nine last year, we went up to 22 this year. So, I it's it's interesting to see where where the students are at with, um, our students really want to do really well. So, I'm not sure we'll see a huge decrease in their participation in our grades. I just don't they're just not who they are. They just aren't. They just really want to do well. So, thank you. >> And just to just to ground me, when it says grade 10, that's last year's grade 10. >> Correct. Correct. >> That's why current juniors. Yep. And then we do physics for our science. So, that happens in ninth grade for our students. And um again, really solid scores. It's it's a harder test than biology. I would say you didn't get to take both. So you >> I

070took physics, >> right? So you've never had but the biology is easier. Most people do the biology, but we did physics. Our kids did really well. So um I think uh I think that's terrific. And then we have our ELA for sixth grade and um very strong still meeting and exceeding. You can see we're you know um 85% for meeting exceeding and for ELA. And then for our math again also um very strong. So we'll continue to look at though our students that are partially meeting and not meeting expectations and I'll talk about that at the very end about some of the things that we're continuing to do. Um and then I already told you about our seventh grade and how well they did. Um but even our math scores, you know, we have a

071new program, so you're never sure at the when you implement a new program how it's going to impact, but sometimes there's a dip because the teachers are doing so much more work to learn a new program. But um it I mean our exceeding moved up, our um meeting expectations moved up, partially meeting went down. I think we're in going in the right direction um because these students um were part of that last year that sixth grade cohort that had that pro the new program. So um we'll continue to watch that data. And then our grade eight again always um it's 81% or exceeding or meeting expectations. Um our math again we're going to look at that because we're it's a little bit um It's it's not as strong as I'd like it to be, but

072again, that dip can happen when the program comes in. So, you can see a little bit um our exceeding went down. Um our meeting stayed the same. Um but our partially meeting went up. So, we'll continue to look at those trends and patterns. >> Do you mind? >> So, you mentioned in the beginning that like the cohort, right, the different classes. Yeah. >> And so, and I saw the data, you know, you tracked it very well. It was very easy. I'm trying to appreciate how you nar how you create a narrative for the grade eight. Is this a is this does this track with that cohort going through the system? I'm just wondering if there's it because when you look at it per year, it kind of if we're going to look at as cohort

073then it gives a little bit more narrative. Not sure how to answer that question. >> I'm going to say yes. >> Okay. >> But I don't have right in front of me. But if I'm correct in my Yes. >> Okay. Understood. Thank you. And then um and then we do um I ready which is a benchm park assessment. We use that um actually this year um only last year was K through eight. This year we removed it from K. There was a lot of concern that it was too much stress for our kindergarteners. It's online. There's just a lot to it. So um and we use Dibbles which is really a better screener for them. So it was fine. Um but this is um our eighth our um middle school and it just breaks down.

074So um if you look at the green with the black stripes um that is mid or above grade level early on grade level. So anything green is good. Interestingly enough even I ready they look at the yellow one grade level below and they're like that's typical. Um, and again, um, we're going to watch it, but, um, and we want to make sure that our kids are all grade level, but it was really fascinating when we work with I Ready because it's a national organ, like it's a national company, right? So, it's nationally normed. Um, so anything for green and then the yellow, they're like, well, that's actually okay. We like we really just we will look at the green and then we look at the yellow separate here because we want to make sure that

075all our students are getting what they need, obviously. Um and um our numbers against this country are super high. Anytime you talk to anybody in I already they're like I don't we don't even know what to say about because they're so strong. Um but we also have you can see that we have um in the red is two grade levels below. So we have 4% and then um the red with the black is 2% of our students. So it'll tell you below how many students that is actually that um that didn't meet that benchmark. And then you can look at our math also and see where we're at. That's okay. It's all on the same slot. But overall, um, I think the our data is positive and is moving in a positive direction. And then

076our science scores for 8th grade. We we want to really look at these. Um, this is something that we've talked about looking at how is the curriculum aligned. What's happening before 8th grade? They only get tested in fifth grade and eighth grade and then in ninth grade for physics. So, what is our programming at the elementary level that feeds into the middle school that will then support it, right? So, um but we're looking at all of those pieces and then here's our um civics scores, which again really solid um if you look at across the state. And then here's our Deer Hill numbers and these are our grade three. And again, you can see that shift in ELA. We've doing doing a lot of work on obviously our comprehension, things like that. But one of

077the places that we were struggling to get points in MCAST was the writing. That's an issue across the state. And so we've been doing more work around being more intentional about our writing process and looking at what we need to do in order across the district to increase our our writing for our students. And you can see a little bit of a bump there, which is um which is nice to see. And then our mass scores have been um pretty pretty solid. Um and but we'll continue to look at our partially meeting and our not meeting expectations, make sure we're moving everybody in a positive direction. Our grade four um has been pretty steady when it comes to our ELA. We like to look at sometimes the tests are a little bit different too. So

078we're trying to kind of figure that piece out um with fourth grade. Um and then our math scores both terrific. So they continue to keep be pretty solid and our grade also you can see a big big shift in our English also for our um exceeding and also our meeting expectations and a decrease. Right? You want to see an uptick in our exceeding and meeting and we want to see a down or a trend for partially not meeting expectations. looking at our math. We've been talking about how to um align our work a little bit better and support our students in math. And then our I Ready Sports, you can see again fairly solid when we look at overall how many students we have that are at or um at grade level or or at

079the beginning at least within the grade level. And so that's overall. And then here's our science scores. And so you can see here that almost mirrors a little bit of what's happening in eighth grade. So like what are we doing pre pre um pre fifth grade and then above. So these are things that we're going to continue to work on. Here is our overall just so you can see overall how our students are doing came through eight and again a lot of green which is really nice but again we'll always continue to watch and this is dibbles which is our and this is for just third and fourth we do it at K through two but I'll talk about that when we hit odds good um but these are our beginning middle and end so

080we do it three times a for our um dibbles. And this is um this is a universal screener for grades K through three. And this is what we use when we're looking screening for looking looking for a possible students at risk for significant reading problems or just for dyslexia. We can't diagnose it, but we can see if a student is at risk for it. Um and um the colors are we want blue. So, um you can see how how that blue grows or even like looking at the end for fourth grade, what's happening there? Is it the cohort? Is it the you know what's going on there? Um and then you can see grade five how that blue also increases. And our hope is to continue to to continue to move that trajectory. But even

081core support is fine. And then strategic support would be some interventions that we're having in the classroom. Um and then anybody whose intensive supports probably be um giving additional reading support or maybe on an IP having support extra support also on on this one. Um >> one thing that jumps out is in the the fourth grade number you go from beginning >> with only two red to 10 red in the middle. >> So is is that that doesn't seem to like to repeat for the other grades. I mean they seem to vacasillate a little bit but >> um is there a and obviously you can't answer specifically there but what sort of factors would would lead to more reds as the year went on? >> Yeah, I think a couple of things. Um, I think

082sometimes students can can compensate for they have some strategies that they were able to compensate for before in their younger years, but you know, once they're in third grade, they're they're reading to learn and in fourth grade that increases. So that's where we may see that students are having some more significance in their comprehension or um maybe some other issues that pop up around decoding because the words are getting more complex. So that could definitely speak to that. Um and so but but again we have to dig in those students individually and see what is it. Is it a cohort if I were to go back or is it specific to this class? Is it just a bunch of different to look at >> does the test between the beginning, middle and end is it

083more difficult progressively or is it supposed to be about okay so that's what I was wondering is seeing >> some of those shifts I guess >> and then our osg good um and so again this was our overall at the end of um the year which lot of green but looks nice um we do have we have worked really hard on our ELA and um they actually last year had some work with the year before but last year was the first year that they were using and um that updated new version of and actually using the resources. Um we'd always been using Hagerty and Foundations but um we moved to a a complete program with our units of study. So so far so good. Um and then these are um scores here again very strong

084math scores and we have moved to an updated updated version of bridges math this year. So hopefully because it's not brand spanking new we won't see a dip. I think you'll continue to see an increase. One of the things for the bridges that's better is their interventions. Um that was one thing that lacked a little bit in their previous programming. So I think you know we'll see some of those interventions are put in place support. um and and free up our grades. Um and then here is our kindergarten, first and second. Um and so um they actually only have two times a year and so that's why they don't have one. >> It's not that we didn't have students in the middle of the year. >> No data for students. >> I know. I know.

085And it's funny how it shows up this way. I know. It's really funny. >> I know. Exactly. The data. Exactly. It's just such a funny thing the way it shows up, too. So, um they're later in the year. Um and so that's what and then they only have the two but it shows up I put in the system this way. Um but again um you can see you know first grade obviously have some students in the red but by the end of the year there was no red there. So that was really um good to see and you can see the decrease in grade two. So, we'll be watching to see if that is that a trend that happens or do we have those do we have another bump again where we see an increase

086of bread in in grade four or somewhere else? Like what does that mean? And then some just quick, but I just kind of pulled some of our schools uh that are around us. These are not our Dart schools. Dart schools are determined by the state to be similar to us for a variety of reasons, size, um demographics, things like that. This is not that. Um, I thought well because sometimes there are places that we don't know that people have no idea. But these are around us. So you can see we look really nice. That's way us way at the top there. We're still above. We had a little bit of a dip, but um we're still above everyone else. >> What are we going to do about Dougbury though? >> I know >> they've done

087some they made some progress. >> I know. I know. We're going to get to >> districts larger than us. Doug is about the same size, right? But twice the size. twice the size. >> Yeah, that's the only one that even comes close as Norwell and they're still >> Bigger than us >> because some of this is also I mean >> data. >> Well, we're such a small district that you have one or two and it just it could really the other districts of all people there just it's just math. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. But we look good in our dart schools, you know, depending on um you know, it's funny because the dart schools can be districtwide, but then they also look specifically at schools. So sometimes that that list can can change a

088little bit depending on what it was. We were high um or we're middle high or high. >> Gota said that um and then here we are. Um I don't know. Here we are. >> Um but we will continue to uh continue to do our work and um we're looking at our math and upper grades >> figuring it all out. >> Be a tough time to be the superintendent of Marshfield though. that. >> Yeah, I saw the one who joined last year. >> Uh and then you can see um so you can see our physics scores again. Um this is up against biology too. So um I'm in fact I'm actually not sure if anyone in that list does physics. I probably should look at that in the future. Um, but you can see that our

089scores are pretty steady with this all and it's up high and it's physics. So, I'm I'm pretty impressed by the students and the teachers. And then here's our um 3 through eight. Um, and so you can see that um we made a nice trajectory up, but that's why we're on the list that we're on. >> How consistent that chart is compared to others. >> Is that interesting? Yeah. >> And then here's our 338 map and little tip last year but up. But you can see that nice. >> We're almost >> We are. Isn't that funny? Yeah, we're all >> We're all trying. And then here's our uh three through eight. So that would be grade five and grade eight. And um and so we got to look at that kind of the middle of the

090pack there. And so our growth opportunities, we're going continue to evaluate the writing process in the district. And in fact, um, one of our special education teachers at the elementary level is offering a writing um, a writing workshop on t on Monday, and there's a lot of people that are in it across the district, not just elementary, but all the way up through the high school. So, I think that's just shows people really want want more resources. And so, we're going to continue to look at that. I don't know what does it mean looking at still looking at the growth standards in relation to the curriculum what's happening we'll look at the new the upgraded version of bridges it'll give us a chance to see how that looks and then we're doing um we're finishing

091up our map review this year so we'll decide what we do about that that where we see that needs places that we need to grow um our data dashboards that um were new last year, the end of the year where Lisa, poor Lisi pulled those together. So, we're continuing to build those out and using those to drive our instruction. She's actually even creating a um dashboard for the public that will be on the website. So, we're just writing that right now to make sure that it is accurate. And then we'll continue to develop benchmarks at the secondary level to increase our curriculum. And that's also going to be driven a little bit by what's happening discrimination too. and whatever the state is going to do with all of those benchmarks. And then the things that

092we're continue to do, um the Department of Student Services, they're going to continue all their analysis and looking at students work and creating development plans to support our students. Um they'll continue to look at MCCAST scores and any other data that we have to really identify um item areas and patterns and trends for our students and supporting them. And also um we will have strong focus on those students that are not expectations. And I would also say partially make sure that we're making sure that all students are getting what they need. We have questions. >> One one question for me. Well, number one, this is fantastic. like that we we've we've definitely marched forward and improved on these scores so hard work so hard >> and they the school and the staff and the teachers

093and the students deserve um recognition. >> This is this is this is incredible. So we should please >> one piece of data that wasn't on there that I think we've seen in prior years is was focused on our finding students. >> Yeah. And I'm wondering if we've looked at that and if we can see what that data looks like because one year that >> the overall can mask, you know, issues there. And one year we saw that there was a disproportionate number of people in our students in the in the lower tiers there. >> Yeah. >> And I think we did a great job in in in boosting that up. So I'm curious if that's because I think >> that was a couple years ago and then I think the next year we saw some

094serious improvement there. So I'm curious if that trend is building. >> Yeah, it is. And I I sorry I didn't add that in. U so it is I think the gaps are still there though. Yes. >> So we still need to work on that. >> Um but there has been a trajectory up. You can see how things have moved a bit up. Um but I think I can I can always come back and if you I can do that in conjunction with Michael. >> Yeah. I think actually that'd be a great maybe we do that together because he can speak to what they've been doing specifically around >> creating different opportunities and interventions for for students. Um so I'll add that to my >> I'd appreciate that. Thank you. >> But congratulations. I mean this

095is this is this is truly amazing. Thank you. But it's teachers and students to the school in general. thing >> and like to echo that you know one takeaway was at a certain point do we reach the limit of what we can do as a public school district I mean we are there and that just reflects what I was trying to point to earlier just making the most of the opportunities that in the district that we have I mean it's just it's it's really remarkable uh what what everyone in the district parents students teachers administration are able to do in in maintaining this on the one spot which I think and this really has gone on as long as I've been in town and it seems like we we perform much better in English and

096language arts than we do in math. I think that's and that's now spanning cohorts that have gone from kindergarten to you know well I mean you're a CS major so you don't count but the one is there any insight to why there's such a we have that that gap that's the first question second one is kind of what Lance pointed out is that gap more because our average is low or do we have like a median problem where we have a big gap of high and then low and that brings the average down. Do you have any insight to the character of that? >> I think part of it is yes, the grade the the scores have been lower for math. I think we've seen progress once we brought in bridges and we had professional

097development for our elementary teachers. It has changed how students grasp and hold on to concepts. But it takes time to build that out, right? And so now we're starting we've we've changed our process or our strategies and our instructional practices at the middle school to line up better with the types of math that we're doing at the elementary level. And so I think what we'll see is those will start to all increase um in including our students um our high students um just because of the type of math it is. It allows and this is from teachers um telling me that because it's so hands-on because it's inquiry based because students um are learning the actual concept not just the algorithm. You need to know that but you need to know the algorithm I mean

098the concept first um they have such a deeper understanding of math. We need to keep that trajectory up when they go to middle school and high school so that they can move to the traditional model which is what everyone needs to do, right? They need to have the most efficient way to do math, but we need to make sure that they have that um really deep understanding because one of the things that happens in math probably more than anything is when a teacher the next year brings up a concept, the kids say, "We never learned that." You know, like let me open that door because I'm gonna ask Mrs. Smith right now. Right? And so we want to get away from that, right? um we want them to not say that very much um and

099or at all if we can. Um and I think that that's what this our new math programs are helping to do and the professional development that we're getting for teachers. It's really about it's not necessarily the resource, it's about what teachers know and learn about um ways of teaching. >> Yeah. Because as you teach it, you have to kind of strategically go along teaching the next group of teachers. >> Yeah. Interesting. Okay. Thank you. Oh, good information. >> I have a few observations. >> Yes. >> Um, so Dr. Scolin, you either alluded to or directly noted this in your presentation, but I just want to drive it home. I usually do with these data presentations. Right now, we've um expanded this from just MCAST reporting to there's some dibbles in there, there's some ironing in

100there. So, there's a multiple data points, right? But there's only a few data points, right? There's all kinds of other data points. These just don't define our kids, right? There's in-class observation, there's MTSS, right? There's IEPs, there's all kinds of ways that we are able to measure student success and achievement and also monitor progress. >> Um, so when I see because I I and and I feel the same way about the direction the school, the direction that our district is moving in. Very proud of it. Um, and I don't want to waste time um, you know, repeating what others said. I feel the same way about our faculty. Um, however, another way to look at 83% meeting or exceeding is that 17% are not, right? And so I do think there's always room for improvement

101and I think I just always mention this because, you know, I know um families that are struggling and that their students their learners are struggling, right? And so when they're hearing us, you know, herald all these, you know, the these sort of, you know, exciting data points, um, to an extent, um, we don't want them to feel as though they're not seen or heard. We we we totally see and you mentioned that a number of times in your presentation. I just want to highlight it because you look at the K through eight metrics and there's, you know, just say K through eight nine grades, so about 100 kids a class, right? So 900 or so kids. There's 45 two or three grade levels below, right? That's 5% of of our kids that are two or

102three grade levels below, which is not acceptable, right? So, we're going to be um doing everything we can to equip those kids with the resources they need. At the OSGood level, there's like 10% that's one or more grade levels below. A lot OGood's tricky though, right? Because kids are they're being equipped with reading strategies. They're early learners, right? So, it's really everyone's on their own path right at that point. However, like we still are paying a lot of attention to it and we want you to know that you know if your learner is struggling like that is not lost on us and we do not rest on our laurels and these are very encouraging numbers but there also we do focus on the areas from proven Dr. Collins noted that a few times so if

103you do have any concerns about your learner um always reach out to you know Dr. Shannon Dr. Scholins uh Mr. Stapleton, anyone that you think is applicable. You're building principles. Like we are more than half your classroom teachers. Everyone is here to help your students. So this shouldn't just be viewed as some sort of like celebration of success. It's also highlighting where we have grown for growth. >> Um also just wanted to note that the comparison of the districts fun, right? It's fun to do. It's fun to see. But really all that matters is that we're operating far above the state and that our line is going like this, right? or at the very least staying here if it's high. Right? So that's what's most important to us and um and I just wanted to

104make sure that Marshfield understands that the gest that was made only because uh their current superintendent was our former beloved superintendent. So we were just sort of throwing a jab at Dr. Sullivan has nothing to do with Marshall. All districts are progressing at their own rate and have their own challenges, have their own enrollment. Those districts aren't even necessarily comparable to us. >> They are so eb of flow that I talked about, right? So you can we all do this because we don't know the we the students in front of us change every year in that isn't that great >> of course. So just wanted to yeah you know just wanted to make sure that every was just more about Dr. Sullivan than anything else and that's because he served on the school committee with

105Dr. Sullivan and we're all friends. So yes >> um but we wish every district including Marshall the best. So thank you very much. That was a great presentation. I would love to see because we did see look at that that growth percentage um I forget the exact wording of it with those cohorts. So >> yeah, >> and I think it makes sense to involve a staple in that anyway. >> Yeah. And I think in the past it's worked out that the director of student services is here for this and I think it whatever it didn't was on the right cycle right the rate. So absolutely I have no we can do that. >> Thank thank you. So that took a lot of work Dr. Stins. Thank you so much for doing that. >> My pleasure.

106>> Really appreciate it. just observations >> briefly as other people said you know when you really looked at the state charts you can see just this very steady you know kind of decline and you know we're we're bucking that trend which is really great and also just you know also staying grounded as we've mentioned you know thinking every grade is different and you know there's so much variability in that especially with just 100 people you know like >> for me I think about people in my grade and I'm like you know this person wasn't in the grade or this you know how that affects the stories. And you know, there's just so much variability in it that when we look at some of these, it's hard to, you know, like really draw a story from,

107but then we look at these, you know, the ones that are combining all the grades and it's like really encouraging. Obviously, >> I will just add my thanks for your exceptional work there and and thoroughess and and also it's always really close to my heart, really near and dear to my heart are those kids who are struggling. Um, so I do appreciate that attention to them. I think the the concept of of having Mr. Stapleton or in conjunction with Mr. Stapleton presenting some of that data around where we are with serving those students um is important because I think we've had we've made some growth and probably still have some more to do um to make sure all children are um achieving their potential. >> Yeah. And the state just released our other lowest um

108performing data, all of those pieces. They just released that. So we haven't had a chance to all of it because we'll det sometime we got that we got that. So we have to look at it and I think we're all importance but just echo my own personal >> um interest in that particular population. >> Thank you everyone. And then moving on to budget resources and government governance, excuse me. Um, budget finance with uply Oh my goodness. >> It's almost time here for hours. >> Miss, thank you. We have been here since four. >> Yes. Sorry. When I can't speak. >> Thank you. Okay, I'll be quick. So, the budget update for the month of November crossed over a little December. Um we'll just get into the the details. Um as of today, actual expenditures are

109about 8 million3. We've got incumbrances totaling about 16,600 which a good portion of that is our payroll. Um resulting in 99.94% utilization of our budget because of we're that close. In order to ensure we maintain a balanced budget by the end of the school year, we have implemented a soft freeze on all budget expenditures affected immediately. So during the soft freeze, it just means all non-essential purchases will be postponed. Um any expenditure requests will be reviewed and approved in advance by the business office or superintendent. Um and essential items related to health, safety, and critical instruction will continue to be considered and approved. Um it's just if if you don't necessarily need it, we'd rather you just put it on hold for now. Um so we can follow the budget closer. Um we still have

110several positions open in the in in the budget in the district. Um one is a long-term sub special education educator um on a one mill of absence and also looking for a bus driver due retirement and I think we now have um an ESP opening that happened recently. um utility costs we're watching closely and you can see um in FY26 we added an additional it should be 150 180 um it's an incorrect number it should be 150 um the total that we expended in 2025 was $991,21 so we increased that um and even with the increase our utilities are requiring um monitoring we we based this year's estimates are about a 7% increase over last year's um and we converted that month. Um so you can see based on last year's usage projected shortfall in

111this year is about 237,928. That's if we continue um to repeat what what what happened last year in expenditures and that does include um the additional 150 the transportation. Um we are starting to see now some savings in acquiring two new 77 passenger buses and 14 passenger multiple use bus. Um we have seen um they reduce our outsourcing costs. The acquisition of the 14 passenger athletic um 14 pass athletics and field trips has resulted in um savings of about $4,200. So far um we have been able to use the van or the new buses for about 18 trips that would have normally been outsourced. Um so we are seeing some savings um in those areas and also with the new buses um we have allowed more room on our buses. We have shorter um bus

112trips and the buses bus I should say um has also helped alleviate some of the expenses of the athletic trips. Um like I said the cost to our drivers to do it is about $1,100 and then outsourced would have been anywhere from $4 to $5,000. So we're definitely starting to see the savings. Um our transportation revolving maintains a positive balance of about 11,620 which at the beginning of the year we were in the negative. We will move right on to athletics which um we still have a negative balance. Um however the negative balance has gone from 154,392 to 55,629 um which we projected would happen. What what's happening now is our winter athletic fees have been collected. Um we only draw down once a month. So everything that's coming for December, which is approximately $50,000,

113um has not been accounted for yet. So that will bring the deficit down to almost $5,000. And then when spring starts, it will bring the account back into the positive um balance. And we'll continue to watch that closely. Um special education, um one of our largest sub budget five categories. Um we're vigilant in our oversight, um at present, their account is balance of $75,000. So, um, no concerns there, but we are continuing to monitoring, um, those things. We're monitoring the utilities. We're monitoring athletics, including transportation. Um, and we're also monitoring our supplies, material purchases, and continue to track our special education placements and tuition. Our grants, um, these are the grants. They have not changed over the last month except for the ball one which is number 318 which is influence 100 grant which Lisa

114G um is managing. I don't know if Shannon has a little more information on that grant. So it's a program um it's ongoing professional development education for Miss Git Carl. Um it's a leadership development program should she ever look to go into a different or higher level leadership position. Um and as she had to apply, it's a DESIE program. She had to apply. She was accepted and the grant will give her actually $1,000 for participating at the end of two years. >> Thank you. Revolving accounts, you can see what the balances are. Again, the only negative balance right now is athletics, which um in another month will show just a negative $5,000 some change. Um the food service, we're starting to get our reimbursements in. So that that account in building currently have about $148,000

115in it. There's a breakdown of the FTEES which has not changed. And just as a conclusion, you know, the district continues to demonstrate a strong fiscal stewardship at this stage. While utility athletic cost overdue remaining concern, um they warrant, you know, sustained attention and diligent oversight, it is essential that all schools and departments remain purposeful and discerning in their spending decisions, which is why we put a stop on there. Um and with continued speak savings and thought thought thoughtful budgeting um Jasmine the district is well positioned to conclude this new year and a stable and responsible financial standing positive. >> Thank you. Do you have any questions or comments from the committee? >> I have I have two questions. one on going back on the on the bus, uh you identified that adding the new

11677 passenger bus is already starting to realize some savings. Um I'm just curious because that was a that was a um I think an important proof of concept that um you know we can make investments in the school from a budget perspective that can pay off and and reduce expenses. So going forward, if if we could see how if seed does accumulate, >> it'd be awesome if this shows out that this turns out to be a profitable investment. Um, and so if we can just keep tabs on that, that'd be that'd be great. So that we can >> then have a a kind of a success story on our on our budget request and budget analysis. >> That's, you know, hopefully what we'll see at the end of the year. Just this was a snapshot

117and we've only really been dived into it for a month or two. So, I mean, the fact it's already it's already paying dividends is is excellent. >> Um, the other one, and I just because this is reasons a potentially touchy subject, I just want to get some context on it. If you go down to the revolving um but it's there's a line item for kindergarten with $240,000 in the uh in the balance. I imagine that that is anticipated to be spent down. And I just wanted to for the record and people who might be watching that those fees are being used for kindergarten program kindergarten expenses and is not accumulating. This is is it not yet encumbered or is it planned to be encumbered? I guess what's the what's the story? >> So the number

118is going down because it was close to 300,000. So it's just that basically it's not we don't we don't have it encumbered in the revolving account. So what happens is each month um the half of those teacher salaries will be coming out of that community to 40. So it will be spending it down month by month >> um spend it down to zero. >> Yeah. Okay. So so our this we're showing a big number there but for all intents and purposes our expectation is that will be zero at the end of the year. It's only paid for >> because we needed all the money, >> right? It's only paid for September, October, November, three months of teacher salary. So, we still got few months to go. >> Great. >> We collect them all at once.

119>> Yeah. Yeah. No, I just clarification wanting to head off any any questions, concerns. >> I've got a short list. Um I send you some of the some of the notes um just for questions. So, you mentioned the u utility costs. What were they in FY25 that you used to then you mentioned that you rounded them up or you increased them by 7%. Was that the number to get what you think FY26 is going to do this for? >> Yes. >> What was the FY25? >> 25 we spent about 991,000. >> Okay. And then um your the 267 what was it? to >> 237 is that inclusive of the 180 of additional encumbrance or is that on top of So are we looking at a >> that's no that's including the 180. >> Okay. So

120the uh right now the projection is that we will be 237,000 over the original budgeted line item not 237,000 over the budget plus the additional 180 in. >> Okay, that was a little bit word salad. Did that make sense? Okay. >> Uh that's great news. Um and then not great news but it's news. Um we uh are still paying for all athletic programs out of the general uh budget. Correct. Um so that is why so going into FY27 the idea with a re revolving account which M Mr. Dial just kind of put uh clarified is that um we can pay for athletic expenses out of that revolving account moving into FY27 because it will have a positive budget. Will no longer be a drain on the general fund. That's a great thing. It's really important

121that we have those positive budgets. Otherwise, you know, we we are digging out of a hole. That's great. And then obviously uh I like the that we're monitoring things. Uh you mentioned the soft freeze. Is there a kind of a concrete example that you could share just to because I'm not quite sure what that means? You kind of gave a little bit of thing, but is there something that the parents can say, well, this is something which you know isn't going to be bought this year. is is can you imagine something that's a good example of that >> or what is a soft phrase actually just >> a soft phrase is we're only now purchasing if it's an actual necessity. So it might be that a school or a department budgeted for a certain number

122of supplies and turns out that we don't need them. So we're asking them not to purchase them if they're they're unneeded. However, you know Dr. Duncan's neuroscience class that's going to run can't purchase the sheep springs ahead of time. So like that's going to be a necessary purchase that we will um same for >> clay things that you can't buy ahead of time >> and like the live >> caterpillars things like that. Um >> these are really vivid examples >> but those are the real things. are asking people to not buy if it's really not necessary, but we know that there are things that come um depending on the calendar, right? That we can anticipate that you know we need to still purchase. >> Okay. >> And paper like to I like to reiterate that

123we will always purchase paper as needed. >> Thank you for that. I was going to >> paper is a thing we purchase. We've tried we've just switched over to W Mason for a lot of our custod supplies and we're getting about 40% discount compared to what we've been paying. So we should we should see savings um hopefully in that area as well by the end of the year. And our new um head custodian is trying to do more with consolidation of inventory so we know what we have in all of the schools. So if one school runs out of something, we first look and see is there some surplus in a different school rather than just purchasing. But that's that's what our new >> and then finally uh on the the the final bottom line

124or top line um I think we expressed a few updates ago that we were comfortable that with some built-in cost savings that we'd end up hitting our target. Uh and is that is that still the case from you're projecting that there's enough savings uh across the entire budget that we could absorb the increased utility costs or some other things. Okay, that that's excellent >> without any unanticipated expenses coming. >> Gotcha. But one thing when we were this is not really related but um when we were talking we had the different discussions about the finance director it was brought up the idea of you know do you cut big items or do you take 1% off of everything and how those are just different mental exercises. So your point about hey if we can solve a

125couple dollars on here or a couple dollars on here that that does add up. So I appreciate that you're getting into how we're purchasing uh custodial supplies that that adds up. So thank you. >> Thank you Miss Owen. I would also echo what Mr. Evans just said. My favorite my favorite part of your presentation was about you know price checking. Um I think that sometimes there are some things that even a lay person like me thinks of uh things can do um that actually make impacts um in our budgets. So um thank you for that and that continued work. Um do we have any reports um from school committee um subcommittees or leases liaons at this point? too. We had a wellness committee meeting last Wednesday in the learning commons was with members of the

126student advisory council and then I think also just some other students who had chosen to attend. Um and we really we just spent the hour mostly discussing the idea of like a house system in the school where mostly focused on the high school people would be sorted into one of some number of houses and there would be certain events or certain structure around that just as a way to build more community and it was really interesting discussion. >> Yeah, it was really nice. The wellness committee um had come up with their goal. They actually came up with the one goal because it's a big goal. Um, and they wanted some sort of to Jake's point is a house system or and mentoring system to increase student engagement to um make sure that students have someone

127to talk to about the things that are going on for them, what courses should they take or should they be talking to just to kind of make them feel more comfortable. And so um it just happened that by accident the two groups were on scheduled for the same day. We said let's bring them together. How many students do you think we had? 20. >> Was it about 20? >> 25. It was unbelievable. Very few adults. >> 25. >> Um >> just impressive group of students um and what they have to say and >> uh I just was really impressed. So, it's something that we're going to work on and I think we might even keep them together because it was it's hard to have that many people in a space working in the same direction.

128>> Yeah. >> And they did. >> Yeah. >> Because usually you want to keep your committee around 10 to 15 more. >> Productive. >> That was really great. So, >> we have another meeting next month. >> Right. So, we decided we're going to stay together. So, yeah. So, we're going to continue. So, >> fantastic. Thank you for that report. Any other reports? And we will move on um to the school committee governance section. There are no topics uh not reasonably anticipated by the chair, but we do have the approval of minutes. And unfortunately, we have um varied attendance at all um meeting minutes. So, I will let you know who was there and what we're voting on um and if and speak up if there are any um uh additions or changes. We'll we'll do

129this in um chronological order. So, we had the meeting of October 20 uh October 1st, 2025. Um and this is the joint meeting of the select board and the classic school committee. Um I was there, Mr. Mlen, Mr. Dial, and Mr. Evans. Um Mr. Scrino, you were there, but not as a member of the committee yet. Um so, we'll take a a motion to approve those minutes. Um or if there are any changes, please speak up. Um and we'll take a couple. I've moved to approve with the one change that uh we fix um select board members last name Chris Flex's last name P L E C >> second >> right um we'll call vote Mr. Dial >> um Mr. Evans I >> Mr. um Jenleski I those um dialed in. And then our no,

130>> sorry. Oh, there was feedback. I hit the button by mistake. >> Um, November 5th um 2025 meeting um in attendance um Jen Leski, Frag Meline, Cororey Evans, and um Jake Quadrio. Um so a motion to approve unless there are any um changes to note. >> So moved. Second. Okay. >> Um Mr. Dialain, >> Mr. Evans. Mr. Squadrio. >> Hi, >> Mr. Mcclullen. Hi, >> Jensen. I also approved. And then um finally, the minutes from um November 19th, 2025. Um we were all in attendance, so motion to approve, please. >> So, >> um second. >> Second. >> Okay, we'll call vote. Mr. Dial. >> Yes. I >> Mr. Evans. >> Yes. >> Sure. Mr. Squadrio. >> Hi. >> Excellent. Mr. Mlen, >> hi. >> Jen Lesley. >> Hi. Those are all still approved. >> Um,

131so at this point, um, we will need to move into executive session to, uh, briefly to approve some executive session minutes. So, I will be seeking a motion to move into executive session and not return into a public session. Um, and we will adjourn from our executive session. So >> second vote Mr. D. >> Hi. >> Mr. Evans. >> Hi. >> Mr. Squad. >> Hi. >> Mr. McClen. >> Hi. >> Benleski. >> I. Um. So now do we need to vote to adjourn this meeting or just Nope. Now we're in we're in executive session. Can I come unplug everyone? Just don't feel that.