School Committee Meeting - 11/19/2025

001Um, all right. Good evening everyone and welcome to the regular meeting of the Khasset School Committee. Today is Wednesday, November 19th, 2025. Um, we will begin our meeting with a roll call vote. Uh, Mr. Dial >> present. >> Mr. Adams >> present. Um, we do have a quorum so we can begin our meeting. Please, all that are able to stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Um, we are excited to have you um a full house tonight. Um and for those of you who are watching online, we appreciate your um attendance and um participation as well. Um before we begin, I would like

002to congratulate our superintendent um who is now Dr. Sarah Shannon. So um throughout this past year, Sarah has not only um led our ship um steered our ship through um a full academic school year and summer and into this um school year, but has also completed her doctoral degree. So congratulations, Dr. Shannon, >> thank you. It feels very nice to be done. All right. At this moment, um if we do have any public comment, we are happy to take that at this time. You can public uh make your public comment either in person for those of you who are here in our audience or you can um participate um via Zoom. and we'll continue to keep an eye on um comments coming in throughout the day. So, I don't see any public comments. Right. So,

003now to our first block of business will be invited guests. And this um includes um lots of field tripping and adventuring and um Dr. Shannon is going to do a brief introduction to all of this um wonderful traveling um that's been going on in school and as well as learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Thank you very much. Um, so we've been talking for a little over a year about field trips as a school committee and as a as a district and we are continuing to work on that because we feel like field trips are a very important part of the learning experience for our students. Um, last year we did an inventory of what field trips we currently have available. I would say actually we have more now which will be evident tonight. Um,

004and since early October, our leadership team has been working on a district-wide field trip handbook that we're going to be looking to bring um to share with you towards the end of January. And that will help outline the purpose of field trips, types of field trips, guidelines and expectations for field trips at different grade levels, and the forms and all of the processes that go into planning a field trip. Um, and so we're excited for that work and some of the trips that you're going to hear about tonight are aligned with the work that we are doing. And so we'll look forward to bringing that to you soon. Um, and one of the trips that you're going to hear about tonight are is the trip that um was to Washington DC. And I know that

005there's been a lot of conversation for a few years actually about the idea of an eighth grade Washington DC trip becoming something in the district and I just wanted to share that um principal and I have had conversations about that and he is going to start with some very basic data gathering to see where things might be able to go or not with regard to that trip. He's going to start with a staff interest because of course the key piece of that is that we're able to staff it. Um and then he's going to look beyond that depending on what the outcome of that is. So that is on the docket. More to come and definitely have further conversation about field trips in January. But I'm excited to have so many folks here tonight to

006talk about either trips they've been on or trips people want to go on because they're all great experiences and as I shared earlier, every piece of the field trip is part of a student's learning experience. And so I'm going to turn it over first to Miss Alisa Gates Carl and Miss Jenna and their students to recount their experience going to going to Washington DC. Come on up. >> Get to those two chairs. >> So, and bring up whoever you want and people can bring their chairs with them >> and stand behind me. >> Okay, are you good with me sharing? Like, do you want me to wait until you introduce something before I share screen or do you want to have me share and then you guys will all talk? uh you can share and

007they can talk as if you have questions or >> and you guys will tell me when to go to the next slide. >> Oh, I know. I was hoping it was going to be like PowerPoint. So, I apologize because for some reason I couldn't get it sent as a PowerPoint, so we had to do it as >> Okay. Um PDF. >> That's okay because now it looks like a PowerPoint. >> So, so you can go to the next class. So this was actually um it wasn't just to go visit DC, but it was also um to share in the civil rights history as well. So um that's what all of this was about. Um and so kids, I got to talk about some of the things that we got to see, some of the places

008we got to go. And then because we went during a noraster and then um government shutdown um some of the challenges that we faced. So um but before we get into what we did um a huge part of this was fundraising for the trip. Um we were very lucky to get a grant through the Kohasa Education Foundation for $14,000. Um, so because of that, any student who needed financial assistance was given it. Um, the cost of the trip was 14 or $1,485. Um, and a lot of the money from CF was used to subsidize some of that cost for students that that needed it. We originally had been given a grant from the um the building bridges initiative because when we first started talking about um putting this trip together um they're an organization that

009gives um money to those districts that want to do like a urban and suburban kind of collaboration. Um but we quickly realized that the amount of money that they were able to provide us was not going to cover the cost. So um that's the CF right as you can see and and forgive me my voice is going but as you can see our itinerary was extremely booked solid um from the moment we left Logan um to the moment we sat we um ended in DC it was like constantly going I think I was telling Jenna We were looking at how many steps we were doing every day. It was like 20,000 steps each day. And I mean, from the moment we started to the moment we got back to the hotel. We didn't get back

010to the hotel the first day until 9:30. So from 5:00, well, some of the kids were left here cohassent at to get to Logan at 5:30. So from 5:30 until 9:30 that night, we were constantly going, going, going. And thank God, no, we did not fall asleep. But yes, our itinerary was huge. So this is just some pictures of us at the airport in both Logan and then when we landed. So kids you guys like you saw the first day. >> Oh, okay. Um, so we first initially went to the Freriedman Cemetery, which is what that photo is, the one below. Um, I thought this was super informational just because I learned a lot of history that I didn't um know. And I think it was also just uh we had a lot of time

011to reflect on everything that um that happened throughout American history and also it was just amazing to be able to go with everyone and see all of that. So I would say that was definitely one of my highlights of Detroit. Um, in Alexandria, Virginia, we stopped by the AfricanAmerican Heritage Park, which was like a very beautiful site. It was very informational. There was also a dog, which was super fun. But, um, I name the dog, but it was like overall this trip was very informational, but this site is very nice. This is us at the Capitol building. Um, unfortunately, we weren't able to go inside the building because it was closed down. But of course, that didn't stop us from um, admiring just being in that space. We also in that top photo um just

012when we were at the Supreme Court building um one of the women was coming out from just um sponsoring another I think it was an army an army lawyer to become a jack. >> I asked her who she who she was >> and so we were like oh do you mind taking a picture with us and she was like sure no problem. So, um, so that type picture has her in that. I can't remember her name either. Forgive us, but, um, I just thought that was really cool that she stopped to tell us all about the experience, um, of her going before the court. >> This is us at the Washington Monument. Um, we thought that this was really cool. I think we've seen it a few times, but when we went in the it

013was awesome because like as you can see like it reflects onto um like the the sea down there and then also when we got up close you could really see how how big it is. Um but yeah, that was it was pretty cool. See that? This was the George Washington's home, which was very cool. Um, we got to go inside the home as well, but we also got to see this casket. Yeah, >> that was like locked away. But it was really cool because we also saw um I think it was the graves of a lot of the slaves you had that was that was like good to learn. And it was just really outside the house. This was more So, this is the World War II memorial. Um, I must say I don't really

014like I remember it. I it was definitely um informational for us, but we've seen we've seen so many morals and so many monuments and I think it really like put us in the moment of like what has kind of shaped us to be where we are and like like the history of America and like of this world. So yeah, and we got to see like a list of people who um that have passed away during that war which was also very um it was very fulfilling to see. All right, go talk to Lincoln Memorial. um before we we went over to see it, we learned a lot about the history of the memorial and the monument and um about like the choices in the architecture of it. So, I thought that was really interesting. Um

015and there was also like a bunch of quotes from MLK around the monument which was good for us all to take in and see. These were just some of the quotes that were on the wall that surround the monument. It's a Howard University. Howard University is um one of the um historically black colleges and universities and we happened to find or happened to see um a former graduate of Cohassid High School there. And so her name is Briana Love and so she gave us a tour of the campus which was really cool. She just graduated um this past June. So to see her doing so well and to see her in her element um as she was telling us all about the university campus as we walked around um so it was just a nice

016full circle moment. Then we went to Morgan State which is another historical historical black college and university. This is actually the biggest um H.B.CU and it's public. While Howard is private, Morgan is public. And so just to see how much money has been poured into the campus, campus is so much bigger than what I remember it to be. Um and we happened to go into the um the bookstore and it has a little cafe on the side. And the woman who's talking to the seniors, um, she's happened to start talking to them about her experiences because she had been to Howard as an undergrad student and Morgan State as a graduate student. So, she was telling them how she, you know, appreciated the the experience that she had in both locations. Um, and did it

017just the fact that she just started openly talking about like, you know, who are you all? Where are you all from? And um it was just nice to kind of get that kind of, you know, firsthand knowledge and for the kids to be able to, you know, ask those kind of questions. This is the Vietnam War memorial. >> I can't and the three soldiers and the women's memorial. Um so the were these were all um some of the sites that we saw in the evening. Um and as you can see the Washington monument in the distance and the Korean War monument. The wall is really really interesting because on that wall are all the faces of different um people who passed away during the war. They also had a picture of a dog that was

018up there who had also passed away. Um, and so it was kind of cool to see all those faces etched um in the wall and to you know to know that you know maybe I know my dad um was in the Korean War so um you know his face wasn't up there but I would have been neat to just like go up there and see who you knew and he was a part of your family. I just love that. >> Oh, this was my personal favorite monument. It was really moving because like you see it in the movies and the speeches and whatnot. So, it's kind of crazy to see it in person. And it's also like way more massive than you would ever went to the Holocaust Museum, right? This is a really sobering

019um to just walk through and to read the history and to see um the pictures and um to hear the firsthand accounts from different ones who actually lived through it or family members. Um it was just it was it was just heart-wrenching. One of those pictures is of all the shoes. It was like all the shoes that they collected. Um, I mean it just makes you think, wow. >> So, this is us at Arlington National Cemetery where we also got the opportunity to see the changing of the um the guarding of the unknown soldier. Um, and honestly it was just so it was amazing to see all the people that have either um fought this country in war but also politically and it it impacted me and I'm sure it impacted all of us standing

020over and we got to see the White House before the East Wing was demolished. So some of the challenges that we dealt with again was the fact that the government was shut down. So there were places that we didn't get a chance to see, didn't get a chance to go into. Um and I think too because our itinerary was so jam-packed. I mean, we were going from minute to minute to minute and um it was just by the time we got back to like you were too exhausted to think about doing anything other than sleep. So, um, you know, just in thinking about ways to to be more efficient going forward, um, we were thinking that after dinner, like everybody would eat dinner together, but then that would be when we shut things down so

021that folk had a chance to really debrief all the stuff that they saw, to really talk about things, and to really connect with each other. I felt like we were constantly going that we never had that like that come together moment. Um and so I think you know when we're putting together an itinerary for the next trip um to just be mindful of those things. >> So yeah. >> Um and then we had um I think the one of the great things about this trip is our tour guide. Um, his name was John Ivory. It's the gentleman, um, the smaller of the two. Um, I swear he knew. He was like a walking encyclopedia. Like he knew everything. Even when we got on the bus, you would think he would give us a chance to

022just like exhale. No, he's like, "Turn to the right. Look at this is such and such. Turn to the left. This is such and such." So, it was like every like every step in DC, he knew. and he was giving us constant information about everything. Um, as which made it that much more enjoyable because you don't want to, you know, go to all these places and not hear about the history and not hear about all the different stories, but he had all the knowledge and it was just amazing to kind of see it all up close and personal. Um, so I thought it was a I thought it was an amazing trip. He had an amazing group of students. Um, and I mean I if we had to do it again, we would. Matter of

023fact, I think we've already planned um next year's um trip. The only thing though, we can't do it during the middle of the week. we have to go like Wednesday, Thursday, Friday so that Saturday you have a chance to rest um and relax because we came right back to work on Thursday and the kids came right back to school and I know some of them had a lot of homework um which was a lot because they were trying to get homework in at you know on the bus ride from place to place and then when they got into their rooms to try to read or study for a test or whatever. So, I mean, if we can just think about how do we handle some of those logistics like that so that they don't feel

024overwhelmed and feel as though, oh my gosh, like this is a great trip, but I can't even really, you know, enjoy it because I have this assignment or that assignment. So, just to have those kind of conversations as well. So, that was a great trip. Um I'll let committee members um hope they have any questions um for trip leaders or the students. Mr. Dio, >> thank you for doing that. Um any regular um tuner of the schools know that I'm a huge fan of experiential learning and the committee as a whole and um taking time to take our students on on an experience like this should not go unth thanked. So thank you for doing that. That's it's it's a big it's a big gift. We appreciate it and it means a lot students. Uh

025I remember my trips from when I was in middle school and those are things that still still stick with me. And DC is such an amazing place because as a tour guide said everywhere you go there's there's something just amazing there. I I have the opportunity to spend a lot of time in DC and unfortunately I don't get to do half of what you guys did while you were there. Um, so there's there is a lot to learn and I even though you had a jam-packed agenda, it's, you know, it's stuff that everyone seems to have learned a lot and taking uh taking a lot of fun. So, thank you for doing it. And I just from the from the students, did you guys have a great time and learn a lot and have fun

026and would you go again? >> Yes. >> That's unanimous right there. Anyway, so thank you for doing I'm glad you guys had had a great time. >> Thank you, Mr. Evans. Ditto. Um, walking around DC at night is awesome, right? Just with everything lit up. It's a little bit warmer than there's a few like it's just u so a lot of nice walk around DC. So hopefully some of you will make it back there. >> Um, thank you and Carl for delivering this experience to our students. Um, I personally want to see our kids go to DC every year. Certainly, it's super important that at least um a cohort of students um every year go out as they go down and um superintendent Shannon sort of prefaced the presentation with the remarks regarding our efforts

027to try and ensure that that happens. But it's a really big undertaking for faculty and staff to take uh our kids down to um you know anywhere outside of the district. So, thank you for doing that and thank you to I were there there must have been another staff rooms that were there. We never know. >> That's a lot. That's a lot. And so, everyone should really understand how much that is. You have other people's children and you're in a city that, you know, not everyone knows. It's a big deal. So, thank you for doing that for them. And, um, I think being exhausted at the end of the day is sign of a great school trip. That's every time I was on one, it was like a death march through wherever we were going

028to. It's just non-stop. There's so much to see and you didn't even, you know, just tip the iceberg, right? But great ice. You guys like planned really well, saw some great things and it seems like you guys had a really good experience. So, um, thanks a lot. Thanks for doing that. Overall, I can't add much more than that, but I do have to say it is really impressive how much you you guys got into this trip in just three days. And in two of those you were traveling. Um it's just awesome that you were able to accomplish and I won't be a school committee member a year from now so I won't have an excuse to come on the trip but I do want to so this is just like completely from that >> when

029my brother's in eighth grade >> um I'd like to add my thanks um to Miss Gar um I've also led a group of students through DC for several days and you all hit all of the best things. And I feel like what I heard from you was that you were moved um by a lot of what you saw. Um and I think that's um what happens when you're in um in that city that it's just so rich with um history. Um I also would just like to highlight that you met people um you met people that don't live in Cohasset. You met people who are doing some really interesting things and engaged with you. Um, and I think that that's also one of the wonderful things that happens with travel is is meeting new people

030who live in a different way, even if it's still in the United States and only a quick plane right away that um sort of seeing um getting to know people is really um a neat thing too and having um them be part of your experience um in capital. So, thank you so much. Thank you students for being here. >> Quick question. The Holocaust Memorial, they still assign you a life at the beginning of the tour? >> Yes. >> That was really impactful. upstairs. >> They also have someone um who lived in who sits there. You can have conversation. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah, but we missed that person. >> Well, sorry note, but I was just curious about that because that was that that museum is I hope that guy that had a really big

031impact on they do a really good job with that museum. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Great job, guys. Good job. >> And now we have um the Cohasset Middle School that trip 2026. >> My dad is out of retirement to help support this trip. >> PS off her and brought her in. She still >> I still exist. There's life after. >> Yes. If you don't know me, I Well, you can. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Hi, Kristen. Adam Sanchez. >> Well, if you don't know me, I'm Madam Sanchez and I just recently retired and um I was here at Whoass for 20 years. >> So, miss a lot. >> Before she retired, she said, "Bob, you have got to make sure this Quebec trip happens once." >> This is before we knew

032who the new teacher would be. So, Bob stepped forward. So, >> and Jen Scott, who's the new middle school teacher for for class and not unfamiliar to the class, uh is is co-leading the the trip as well. We're both going to be a chef as we go along. Um and she's I've got a great resource as well from different trips. Uh myself, I've been before you guys as well for all the different trips we've done. So, uh we're we're continuing on what we've done in the past. uh there's no significant major changes although you know after hearing their their itinerary and their weekday sort of dates uh the switch to the Thursday Saturday trip having Sunday as that refresher day uh is key and so you know they've they've learned that the hard way too

033uh but we're really looking forward to this one we're going a little bit later in the season what we've done in the past mainly because the what is a little bit better but also a little more opportunities there's a a dinner cruise that the kids always love you get to see kids from other areas and you talk meeting different people. That's one of the things that that just the kids really enjoy is just meeting kids their own age from different parts of the country socially for a couple hours under supervision. Um and it works out really well. So we're really looking forward to doing those as well. And if weather dependent as always. So if you don't aren't able to do that, there's a new um >> event first nations like >> yeah if the

034crew I mean usually we do do the cruise but last year we did have an issue because we didn't have enough uh groups but there is the Wendaki first nation light show which is an amazing light show that's hopefully going to get that in. It was on Chronicle a couple weeks ago or a week ago here, but um yeah, that we saw that last year. So, that was quite um quite um beautiful uh part of the trip. So, that's possibility. It's not a short thing, but they do the sugar shack, which we consider like really important for the kids because it's um part of the economy, part of the culture, and they do the um processing, how they process the maple sugar, and then um fun little dance dancing, folk dancing as well. Um and

035then some of the education of course it's the oldest city um in the the the uh the one of the oldest cities in the in the Americas. So they see a lot of historical background as far as the walking they do walking tour. Um visit the citadel which is has you know the grand pots of the city. Um they do mamari falls which is the waterfalls that like 20 minutes outside the city. Um, as far as also educational preparation, the kids do research on the sites they're going to see um and present to the class. We do like a journaling where either they write down in their notebooks or um electron or they can, you know, take some notes and using the French language. Um they're going to be doing journaling and then when they

036come back uh they decide we do some writing around critiquing what they liked, what they didn't like. um in the French in the tiger language right >> using p compose hopefully because it's focused eighth grade focused on using the past tense and you know what did I see what did I like where did I go etc so >> one of the nice things this year the hotel is going to be in the walt city itself >> was it the royale yeah okay let me know that place haven't been there before >> very nice um plus royale >> y so it's a very nice hotel in the city so you could do more walking. We have the tour bus, so there's more walking involved um if you're staying in in the city. >> And probably the

037best thing is we have uh deposits for all 21 eighth grade students. So all of them want to take part. Um we're waiting for the final numbers from Situit, which is going to on that little number sheet you have here bring us way down on the cost level for us. So, we're hoping to get down to, you know, 700, even less, which is, you know, when you hear the costs for these trips. Uh, this is one of the best bangs for the bucks for what they get. So, we're really really pleased with that. >> Yeah, we did partner with Situ the last couple of years and it's been great with them. The kids, you know, been wonderful. The kids intermingle and just nice to um connect with the teachers, too. So, it was really good.

038Um, this year we have because we only have 20. You have 21. Um, so because the buses are you can only get the bus 5050. So you can't get small buses. So that's you know environmentally and costwise that we thought that was a good a choice that we made a couple years ago to go with situ. So that's great. Um >> and perspective of your time do you guys have any questions so you guys can move on with as well. >> We'll start Mr. Guy. >> So I'm gonna let the shop burning questions go for Mr. So, just know those are coming. Um, uh, thank you for for doing this. And San, thank you for for coming back to to do this. Um, that's this this we are blessed as a district to have teachers

039who are committed so much that they come out of retirement to continue to to help our help our students. So, >> I'm buying you a dinner afterwards. >> So, Mr. Do do you speak French? >> I actually did French in college. So, I I I can communicate pretty much anything, but just don't talk back. >> Okay. >> So, it's that's that's that's the problem. >> That's fair. your friends will improve after the trip. No doubt >> it it does for a few minutes. Yeah. >> And Jen Scott, of course, this will be >> So that that's fantastic. So I mean and this is a this is a wellworn path. So we've done this before. Um and uh I guess we've got the co the cost is could be down at low 700 which I know

040I appreciate because we families about cost burdens and that's a theme lately unfortunately. Um and then you've got the the timing down. So I actually have no no questions. I'm a huge supporter of these trips as I just said and I want to just thank you for uh for stepping up and volunteering. One administrative um note though for Dr. Shannon and Miss Owen. Um if we Madam Sanchez is coming in I guess not as an employee this time. So I don't know if there's any eyes to cross or eyes to dot or tees to cross on insurance or anything like that. >> She's not coming. >> You're not going. >> No. She's just coming out here presentation because >> I knew she was going to be emotional. >> Perfect. Well, then you can scratch that.

041>> I have to say when when I did tell my students I'm going to be retiring, getting older, I have to move on. The kids said, "What about the Quebec trip?" >> Well, we appreciate you coming here to to do that. So, >> I mean, I would definitely volunteer if they needed me. If I was in the if I was around. >> I may not be around. Well, well, thank >> I mean I may I may be here justwhere. >> She's got an apartment in France. Okay. So, she's doing well. >> Excellent. So, thank you very much. Mr. Evans, >> biggest fan of foreign language education and the difference between, you know, being in a classroom answering questions and then being street level and and being immersed in the language is two different things. So,

042I love that we're getting eighth graders that experience a lot of times, you know, students don't get that experience till high school. So, you know, hey, you're on the street now, you have to go to a shop, you have to buy something, you have to thank a waiter, you have to ask for more water. These are the things that are, you know, central, right, to communicating. And it's not just taking tests and writing essays. It's, you know, going out there and having some fun, but also getting yourself a little bit, you know, over your skis a little, right? You have to be, you know, have to >> you know, totally. >> Yeah. You have to try and you have to try and uh awesome and great place to go. So, continue. >> Thank you for

043doing. So, this one's a a tried and true wellestablished trip and Mr. Erinson, you're a veteran in terms of bringing um bringing our students on on to various destinations, but I always just ask these questions in the planning as our course. Make sure it looks like you had um articulated the chaperone ratio in the packet. It's looks like it's 20 20 kids, two chaperones. So, >> go and gonna slide the rest. All depends are they 20, are they 30? team. So, as you see the numbers there, they'll have a couple. I don't think we're anticipating any more cohass teachers doing. Uh, so right now it's two. >> Okay. So, probably like the around the max that we'd want is 1 to 10, but like I mean, you you know what you're doing and I, you

044know, but you know, so if anyone wants to do it, um, it it would be great, but you know, I'm sure that that's manageable and you know, I defer to your uh to your judgment on that. Um, uh, with regards to passports, guess they're going to be collected when we get over. We always collected it. They don't always have to have a passport. They have a scrape, but also there's other documentation they can use. And so we collect that as we get on the bus. We hold on to that. We get to the customs. We give it to them. As soon as they're done with it, we take it back. So they don't have any opportunity to uh >> lose it and get stranded. Great. >> Um don't need any uh Yeah. Don't need any

045unplanned trips to the consulate or anything like that. >> Those those are the things that keep me up at night. We make sure we deal with those. >> No, I know. And you're you're good at this. You're like I said, you're a pro. Um and I just um and then in the hotel um overnight is there some sort of security in the hallway? >> Security in the hallway. This is a new hotel, so I haven't been there before. So I don't know. Is it worked out in the same sort of way? We're all floor. >> It's um we're we're on one floor and we have a separation of like the girls in one one I mean building usually. My next question >> and we kind of even if we might have to change rooms because

046the the chaper rooms would be like you know in have a male female chaperon so we'll be situated in the right place. Uh we do have security there is like security from 11:00 p.m. till 6:00 a.m. So there's on on floor. Yeah. >> And if we do our job right we'll be just as tired as the DC trim. >> Right. It's same thing. Go. >> No. No. Absolutely. All this is just sort of abundance of caution type questions to make sure more than anything just to announce to everyone that it's all thought out and planned. So we manage everyone's anxieties. Uh I mean I have anxiety and my kid isn't even going on a trip yet. So um but um but it's a great experience and I know you um you both have done this

047number of times. So and thank you as well delivering this experience just like I think and Carl earlier. It's a just it's a wonderful thing to be able to deliver kids. So thank you and thanks for answering my questions. Sure, >> Mr. Sprio, any comments or questions? >> Obviously, I love that this is continuing. Um, I guess my one question is more just out of curiosity like include like kind of merging situate. Is that something new this year or started? >> I want to say two two years ago. So, we've done two this is our third year with situ um reason was was that we have small group of French students uh population was like 20. So in interest was you know about 20 students for the last couple of years. Next year is going

048to be 40. >> So we we won't go with situ next year because we'll fill the bus. It's basically the the idea of like um you know we wanted to make it affordable for students and yeah so it's the the the the combining the schools has been a great experience. It's been really really great. The kids um they do we keep them like separated but together. So we keep our kids even on the bus the our cohass kids are together because they you know fewer but maybe 25 30 so we keep them together but yet they do inter mingle according to how they feel about it as far as like staying on the the hotel we're all together cohid and they're all together situ mixing of rooms. >> No no not at all we know

049our kids obviously but it's been a good experience. Does that answer your question? No that's great. Yeah, >> I'll just add my thanks. Um, I have a child who graduated from the um the Quebec trip and it was a win all around. Um, she did come home absolutely exhausted um but filled with great stories. So, I'm glad that this tradition continues um for our middle school students and um thank you Mr. Earl and Miss Scott who's not here but will be um having the the lifting that doing that yman's work um traveling with children and um madam Sandra is always a delight to have you back here um and to benefit from your expertise tonight we do need to um take a vote so I'll be looking for a motion to um this trip as

050presented a second you um do a roll call vote Mr. Hi. >> Okay, Mr. Adams. >> Hi, >> Mr. Mullen. >> Hi, >> Mr. >> Hi, I um have a wonderful trip. >> We'll see you in May or June if you guys want to come back. >> Yes. Oh, we'd love that. >> And finally on field trip central, we have um the Khas High School South Carolina Girls Cross Trip. will share your presentation >> please. >> Here it comes. >> All right. Hi everyone. Um Steve Tundy the athletic director. I'm here with coach Eric Cony and we wanted to tonight discuss the opportunity of potential trip for the girls lacrosse team to South Carolina to um play and practice. And to give you a little background, three years ago, our our head coach here, um,

051Billy Bidder, um, after coaching here at Cohasset, he's since relocated, now lives in Charleston, South Carolina, where he coaches, um, and work. So, he's reached out since he's relocated to say, "Would you ever want to come down here and play? We can help coordinate some other opportunities while you're here." And um we've always been interested in the idea, but now we've kind of picked up some momentum and had some interest meetings and with all the hard work coach Connity has put into it are in a place to come here and share the information with you and see if it's a possibility um for a future trip. >> All right. Well, thank you for the opportunity. I'm Cara Cony. Um, so when Billy reached out uh through email, I thought this would be just such a

052great opportunity for the girls. It's terrific competition, but beyond that, it's a chance of team bonding to travel. And so, just like Steve said, we've reached out to the kids first, then the families to just generate and see what level of support and we had a lot of excitement. So um the next step was to put um proposed itinerary and come forward here and um get your thoughts on traveling with our lacrosse team. So the two games that we secured are with Bishop England High School and that's Billy Bidder's team. Uh they're both competitive. The next um team would be Oceanside Academy. So we would leave on a Sunday of April vacation and we would play Monday, Tuesday and then come home on Wednesday. So this itinerary is uh just proposed. Um we just wanted

053to go over um for the families to as well just like the travel logistics, the distances again um when we're down there the sightseeing opportunities. So the first day we'd fly down would be Sunday of April vacation. Um, and then just kind of exploring Charleston a little bit. Um, you know, Billy had made some recommendations in terms of hotels to stay at, um, sites to see down there, do a little shopping. Um, on the back page, there's all sorts of lists of what we could see. And then that, um, night either, um, they've offered to host uh, the teams that were playing host a team dinner either before or after our games. Um, so that might be that Sunday night or we'd wait to play them the next day and then either go out to

054dinner or um a family has offered to host us for dinner after which which is nice because it's nice for these kids also to meet um other high school lacrosse players in a different state. So the girls are very excited about that. So Monday would be the first game and it's in the afternoon uh because they're not on vacation. So um they're in school at this point. So Monday we do a little sightseeing. Go down to maybe the aircraft carrier, walk around Patriot Point Naval and Maritime Museum. Uh it's all a lot of walking too, which is great in sightseeing. I think I've never been to Charleston, but anybody that has, I think, is a very friendly, you know, city that we can see a lot. Uh the first game would be at 4:30 against

055uh Billy's team, Bishop England. Again, competitive um program. And then we would either um have dinner with them or have a dinner somewhere close to the hotel. The next day uh we were probably thinking of going to Sullivan's Island Beach uh and then exploring that. Then we would play at 4:30 against Oceanside and then same either um go to dinner as a team or they offered to host us as well. And then we would hopefully go on the Charleston ghost tour because the girls seem very interested in that. Most of our attendees had experience with that as well. Um and then we would leave Wednesday morning to return. So just some of the recommended tourist attractions are listed below. And then we did a budget kind of snapshot for the families just so that they

056would have you know a little bit of perspective of how much we were thinking that this would cost. Um we are planning the boosters of trying to offset the price with fundraising and um creating those opportunities starting as soon as if we got approval uh for this trip so that we could make more economically um you know um affordable for the families. So does anybody have any questions or comments about a trip? >> Thank you. Um Mr. started. >> So, um, thank you for for putting this together. I think it's a cool idea. And this may be I think um Celestia and Mr. the oldtimes here, I suppose. Um, but I don't think we've ever done a sports themed um trip. Have we? I can't recall that approving one of those. >> I don't recall

057that. >> Not that I can remember. >> I think it's a I think it's a great idea. I did one um in high school and uh these are things I I remember going with um and one of the kids actually told the joke on the bus that I still tell to this day um because it's it's one of those experiences. So, I'm I'm super happy that you guys are are putting this together and I think it's going to be a great experience for for the girls. Definitely a team bonding experience. I love that you put in some some educational activities and and being able to take in, you know, we we talk about, you know, different countries and different cultures and so on. It's it this is not quite that, but it is different. Um

058it's a it's a different uh different area. So there's there's lots to learn about uh seeing different people in different spots and then throw in some competition. I think this is a great idea. You've already anticipated where I go with these things and that's you're thinking about um the financial burden on families because you know there's there's a lot of these opportunities and eventually wallets run dry. So um making sure that it's it's affordable is is huge. Uh so anyway, I'm super happy you put this together. uh it seems like there's some more details to be be ironed out but um you know I I have no objection to uh to to proceeding. So thank you for being willing to put together >> and to your point uh I had the opportunity of taking another

059high school to Georgia during April vacation and when we did reflection when the kids graduated their number one memory was that trip and it was about the team bonding the bus rides the flight. So when this opportunity came available, I just thought um given that experience, it really is nice to be able to have that opportunity. So >> nothing really hugely more to add outside of you know connecting with other people in other places is always valuable especially now. So just meeting friends that are in different zip codes, different states. So hope it's a lot of fun. >> Thanks. Uh so similar questions but not the same because they're not international passports. to worry about and uh it's all girls worried about segregating genders, but um I am wondering about um if you can just

060think about having like a security detail of some sort posted on the hallway. They're older, they're high school, but they're still children um and they're, you know, outside of the state. So, I think it would be nice if we could ensure that someone's there to make sure no one's wandering out of their room in the middle of the night, disappearing on us. Um so, um I'm I'm sure that there are services that get to do that. I think every one of our trips does it. >> So, um just think about that. But, you know, it's gonna be great and I love seeing all the I love that you've worked in because it's educational as well as athletic, right? So, it's great and Charleston is really a fun place to go. So, and a lot of

061people don't they kind of overlook it I think sometimes and it's it's an awesome city, you know, um a lot of history there. So, and I'm sure our resident southerner would agree that I did. >> You know what? I'm speaking over I've only been there once and it was like years and years ago and all I remember being crossed is it smelled funny. >> But that was that was that was just that particular time and it was on a school trip. So that's >> that explains it. Could have just been me on that. >> Yes. >> Let us know how it spells. >> Yeah, exactly. Well, hopefully they'll have some uh different indelible memories outdidor's experiences, but but thank thank you for doing this. I appreciate it. But you definitely just make sure that there's

062some sort of security detail on the hallway for the kids. >> Yep. And then as far as chaperones, uh the coaching staff's uh JB coach and then the assistant varsity coach will um be there as well. So we'll have three adults. >> That's great. Yeah, three adults I think. what the total amount of uh >> so we have um 20 returning varsity players as of right now. Um and so it looks like um it'll probably be around between 20 and 2014. So >> yeah, so that's great. That's a good point. >> All right. So thank you so much. >> But I think it sounds like a great idea. Um also like having it for vacation, too. my appreciation for bringing this forward, taking the initiative. Um, sounds like a nice opportunity for some team buildings

063to travel and some competition outside of the league. Um, and getting ready for the season ahead. >> Um, so again, we'll be seeking a motion, but I'm wondering if it's with the contingency that the security is um procured. Can we vote in that way or would you like to make a suggestion? >> Do we have an internal policy on these trips? Do we have like just a bonafide document like preapprove a trip is with these contingencies like >> No, I'm I'm the one that just asked the questions all the time. So, but I I see Dr. Shannon ding her head that she she would >> Yeah, we would make sure. >> Absolutely. >> So, I'll move to approve the trip as as presented. >> Second. >> Um Roll call vote. >> I see. >> What's

064going >> Jenki? Hi. >> Have a great trip and I very much excited. >> Thank you. >> I love that >> startup tradition. >> Thank you. >> We are moving on to section D, the superintendent report from Dr. Thank you. Thank you. Um so as many in our community are aware um all districts across the state including ours are facing very difficult budgets despite the work we do to close the financial gap so we can maintain a budget bal a balanced budget. But we are very grateful for the work that our senators and our representatives, specifically Senator Connor and Representative Machino, have done to bring about change in state funding for public education. And we're grateful that Governor Healey is listening. Over the course of the last month, Governor Healey's staff have been holding hearings

065across the state to listen to districts, town, municipalities, concerned community members, and students speaking out to the impact of our underfunded budgets and ongoing reductions and how that those are impacted impacting our schools. Though we are always grateful for the ongoing collaborative efforts with the town of Cohasset in funding our schools, the problem is much bigger than what is happening in our singular community. Last night I was able to speak to our specific concerns in copasset and having heard what my colleagues have shared and seen how many people are bringing forth concerns, I have hope that the governor will hear us and start to make some changes. I want to thank those of you who attended last night and folks in the community and our teaching staff as well um who listened last night to

066hear the concerns across the state. I will continue to keep all of you informed as the governor makes decisions and moves forward with her next steps. Um I think it's a very big deal that she had five listening sessions in Kansas across the state on this topic. Um, it is a big issue. It's a it's a concern in every type of district. Um, and changes need to be made and I'm hoping that as a result of the hearings that she held, we'll start to see some movement. Um, also last night was our 2025 National Honor Society induction ceremony. It was wonderful. It is always a special event where many of our students are honored for their dedication to character, scholarship, leadership, and service. I want to congratulate all of the students who were inducted and

067look forward to seeing all the work that they continue to do over the next year or two as they work to maintain their academic standing and make a difference in their communities. And congratulate to their parents and caregivers as well who support them along this journey. Last meeting, I also shared an update on our postseason sports activities. While only football continues on, I want to congratulate both soccer teams and our field hockey team for the hard work they put in this season. Though their seasons did not end the way that they wanted them to, they all had a phenomenal year and never gave up. Um, if anyone's looking for something to do on Saturday at 1:30, Uber and the football team continues their journey. They're in the final four hoping to get to the Super

068Bowl and they will play against Northridge and we wish them great success. Um last week we were also able to meet the leadership team met with the Coheset Community Assistance Fund. This is a new 501c3 in our community. It's a great group. It's a great organization. Um, they are newly they are a newly formed community-based nonprofit organization that seeks to provide immediate short-time financial relief for Cohasset residents in need. And given their new status, they're both seeking contributions from the community and awareness really for those who need support. Their organization is 100% confidential with the exception of the intake team and they've already begun to provide supports and services. um they are very much interested in supporting our families um and we are very much looking forward to partnering with them to get the support

069that some of our families may need in a shortterm way. We know that some folks will have longer term needs. Their goal is to be the bridge between the need and the longer term solutions. And so you can find more information about their fund on the their website and it's the co it's um www.coassitcaf.org. Um and finally I want to remind everybody that next Wednesday starts our Thanksgiving recess. So we will have an early release on Wednesday, no school on Thursday and Friday. And I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday. Thank you. Any comments or questions Dr. Shannon report? Um let's move ahead to teaching and learning from Dr. Stins. Um so you have um in front of you the um new policy of the middle school pathway exploration policy. So you were given this

070the last meeting for your first reading for second. You have any questions? Um this policy uh has been presented to us to ensure that our middle school students have the opportunity to look at alternative type programming such as social forum vote and or Aggie and so we need this policy in place requirement by the state um so that we will then in fact make sure that we follow their process. >> Questions actually just had one question. It's not about the policy, but just about um >> educating families and and students as to that possibility and whether or not there's only one intake point into the votech and the Aggie schools. Um whether it's as a ninth grader or whether or not that could happen at any point in a student's career in the high school

071um to transfer from Cohassid High School to one of the other vocational schools, they can. I think it's a matter of what kind of space is available. Um but the first real entry point is nth grade. >> So it's not a guaranteed opening should you decide to go that route at different points. So that that early education is really important. >> Yes, it is. And it's extremely popular, right? They have a very they're coveted coveted seats. >> Yes. >> Any other questions or comments? Um because we will take a vote on this um next meeting. I guess my one question um OB I think the way that you described this at the last meeting is we were already kind of doing this have to establish this to compliance with it. >> Um I guess my

072question and this is just from being detached from it like >> what are I I know the policy mentions like having counselors deliver lessons but is there anything like beyond that that we kind of introduce? So, I think I did talk about the fact that the schools come and visit and then there's opportunities for the students to go to the schools. Um, Southshore Vette offers a bus that will take them and give them a tour during the school day. Norfick Aggie is a little bit different. Um, they still will provide opportunities and any student can go tour, but they don't do those large tours and I'm not sure if that's going to change because the this new policy. Um and then there's opportunities within the curriculum where teachers where guidance at the middle school does

073a whole career piece. In fact, I happened to walk in today when we're doing um our learning walk and the students were presenting on their possible career choice and they had done the mass hire 360. So they looked at what their what they looked like in the survey that they took as to what would be something would be good for them to do or based on their skills. And so they were doing presentations and it was really great to see what they had to say. So those are the things that we make sure those were happening also not because of this. These are just the piece that we have to make sure that we are comp I just have a couple of other updates. >> Fantastic. Sorry. >> Um so I want to talk a

074little bit about the fact that we've had Dr. Richard Luth who is a professor from Brown and he is a psychologist who also has a private practice. um we have connected with him and we uh through a CF grant. So we're very fortunate um that um Mrs. Alisa Gen Carl worked with myself to write a grant two years ago for the CE to bring in Dr. was to help teachers um and families with learning to new strategies on behavior and how to create an atmosphere at home that's conducive to um a positive experience in education and then also at school. And so they presented to the elementary teachers um the year before and it was with great positivity from all of them. who's really good about um addressing some of their concerns around learning new

075strategies on how to handle behaviors. Um and then the other component of it was that to have a parent presentation. So we had that last week, last Thursday. We had 51 um people RSVP say they were coming, but it was kind of a gloomy night. So we got about 25 I would say um of parents and caregivers. and he presented on some strategies and also the importance of self-care for themselves as parents because it can be challenging to raise your your your children. So, um it was a wonderful presentation and um we were really thrilled to have him and then he's also going to do some work with our guidance counselors and therapists on December 12th at our professional development day. That's one of the other things that he does. He does a lot of

076professional development for community programs um such as Boys and Girls Club and other educational institutions like ourselves. So um he's really a nice resource. So we're really thankful to CF for providing us the funding to do that. And so our feedback has been good and I look forward to seeing him again on the 12th. And then also just um as I stated that we had a learning walk today with our leadership. We do that on a regular basis and walk through the buildings looking for specific look for so we can look for trends and patterns and what's happening. Um and we've been doing it with our math and reading specialists also our department chairs but we changed the model a little bit this year for our math and reading specialists. And usually we do it

077within the context of our reading but we talked about how that time is too constrained for us to really get a good sense. And so the math specialists are going to do three full day learning walks which allows us to really look at more classrooms. And so we did our first one the other day and it was really wonderful. We really concentrated on elementary because there were some scheduling things at the middle school and high school that we couldn't quite coordinate. Um but it was a really wonderful day to be able to look at what's going on. And one of the things that we decided to do also was we do have look force as a district, but at the same time we thought it was really important for us to look for math look

078fors. And so we came up with some options and actually asked teachers to weigh in on what they thought was the most important things. And so um they decided that we would focus on learning community and student centered approach to instruction. And within that was what does the learning community include? things like all students are included in mathematical conversations and provided opportunities for meaningful discourse. Um students listen to and interact with mathematical ideas with classmates and several others. But then the other um area was student centered approach to instruction. So that it includes students shared discoveries, strategies, observations and solutions class. um students actively engage in regular things pair shares partner small group working and collaboration and other um I won't read all of them but so those are the lenses for which we looked

079and it allows us to have the opportunity to go through the classrooms have common focus areas then look at the alignment across grade level from grade level to grade level and it allows us too to think about what are those transitions between the schools which are conversations we've had but I think having a full day and being able to get to as many classrooms as we did. Um it allowed for some really rich discussions and we had a couple of opportunities to debrief. Um and then we will send out a memo to staff and let them know some of the trends and patterns we saw and there are some amazing things happening in the classroom and the language and the math language and vocabulary the kindergarters and first graders use is extraordinary. Um and so

080it was it was really great. So we'll continue. We'll do two more and then we'll do the same with the reading specialist. a nice little um enhancement to our learning that we've been doing. See, I think that might be it. >> It is. That's it. Questions for Dr. >> Dr. Collins, um can you refresh my recollection because I believe these learning blocks started during your tenure, didn't they? Didn't we start doing them? Yep. Seven years ago conceived them. Yeah. So you've been Dr. Sullivan and I Yeah. >> Yes. And you and you've you've gone on every one of them. I think you >> pretty much. Yes. >> Um >> I wanted to highlight that because they are incredibly um impactful and effective um collaboration uh tools and definitely leads to more innovation uh within the

081district. and having those look fors and sharing them with everyone. It's it's it's I think it's certainly contributed to the success in the district and I I think that you are owed some credit there because it's something that I think you you could easily like um take for granted. Um especially if you're like an end user, if you're a family, um certainly if you're a student, you would have no idea, right? But it's um I think it's a it's a really um important part of the sort of fabric for our district. So, thank you for bringing that uh to the district and for all you do there. It's nice to hear about >> it's one of my favorite things to do. >> I know >> I get to see students, but we also get to

082talk about education. It's wonderful. So, thank you for the acknowledgement. >> I would just add my thanks for that because I think it is really hard to prioritize taking time out of your primary um roles to reflect on practice. Um but it is one of the most um powerful ways to grow um as a teacher. And so even just that stepping away from what you're doing and watching other people do it and seeing you know what other what else is out there is is incredibly powerful and happy that you're leading that initiative and that the um the district is m is making time for that. Um thank you. >> All right. budget resources and governance. We are starting with a gift. It's always a nice way to start. >> So, we're looking just for an

083acceptance of a gift or donation from Megan Elder. You can see here that she like to put in support of the classic middle school student council. Um I hear that the student council donation from a power of caregiver to support the club in the amount of $40. So we're just accepted to that and a thank you to her for that donation. >> Move to accept second >> I and thank you um Miss Elder for that um support of our student council. um it it is sometimes the government a government bug that we um want our children to get or at least some civic action being active in their communities. That's a lovely gift. Thank you. >> All right. Office hours. Um Mr. Mlullen, I'm going to let you speak to this a little bit. Um

084or if you'd like to I kept I feel like you know a little >> I'm I'm happy to um give you the floor. So, I had met with some parents uh between our last regular meeting, tonight's regular meeting. And one of the ideas that arose out of the conversation was that it might be helpful for the school committee to have office hours and a public location. Um, you know, this was an initial idea, so there weren't like a lot of details about it in terms of like how frequent that would be or where they would be. You know, perhaps, you know, there was some loose talk about maybe doing it like a community room in the library that hang out out out in for, you know, an hour or something like that. um just because

085um they felt that it might be nice for people to be able to talk to their school committee members in a more informal setting um sort of neutral ground um and have um you know not be sort of removed from the formality the structure of the school committee meeting itself. So we would obviously need to avoid any sort of quorums these discussions but it might be a great way for folks to share insight or concern and um to help improve our district. I thought it sounded like a great idea. I informed that I'm merely 20% of the committee and would be something that we would need to talk about and conceive as a group. So, um I raised it um I I raised it with our chair and I am putting it uh to the

086group for consideration. Um I don't know that any decisions or resolutions need to be reached tonight, but it's sort of an introductory, you know, concept that I want everyone to consider. Um, I would be I'd be happy to do the office hours as much as I'm I'm pretty flexible and I know other folks aren't as flexible with me just because I work like down the street from the library. So, I I would make myself available as much as possible. Uh, but um, other people might have interest in it as well or people might feel that there may be some unintended consequences that, you know, I haven't thought about as well. So, putting it out there for some thoughts. >> Thank you, Mr. McCullen, for bringing that forward. um open the floor for any questions, comments,

087thoughts if there are any. >> So, I'll um I'll start. I very much appreciate hearing from people like I that's that's hard to do this job when you when you can't you don't have a lot of feedback. So, uh things to anything that helps facilitate feedback is is positive. That desire for me runs smack against the idea that this is a in a way volunteer position. And you know I have as we all do demands, professional demands, family demands and and the like. And as far as having reserved times or expectations of reserved times beyond what we already do with committees, subcommittees, negotiating committees and the like, just the idea of tacking on another one seems daunting to me. Um, that said, I guess what I would say is that I don't know that we

088need a formal office hours. I think we are all elected officials. We have town emails. we have a a a way to communicate with community. If we want to meet with people, we we should. If people want to talk to us, they should they should reach out. I I for one would welcome any sort of commentary. And if someone wants to meet with me, I'd be happy to do it on an ad hoc basis. But I I don't I don't love the idea of a kind of and and maybe this is maybe I'm just reading into what I assume office hours would be which would be kind of like a formally sanctioned okay you know we will always be here at this hour this hour on such and such date um I think that creates

089expectation of too much demands um although that's I guess that's initial reactions Yeah, I mean we uh when I was in select we kind of we banged around this idea too because I mean I do think it is it is nice for the public to have hey you know here's a carved out time you can talk with somebody it is informal you don't have to go through an email back and forth matchup schedules um but we ran into the exact problem that that Mr. D was talking about which is if we have let's say one hour a week and we have some sort of rotation invariably right uh the the burden falls you know uh unequally on one person. Uh, and then you're potentially setting an expectation that you can't meet. Um, so I I

090I'm both very for it and very worried about it at the same time. Uh, and um, you know, I I don't know. Let's talk more about it. Um, let's see how it looks. Uh, because the the other thing is I also don't want to give the sensation to parents like, okay, office hours and that's it, right? Right. There's a lot of people that won't be able to make it, right? So, I also don't want to necessarily put at a time where only some people can can reach anyway. That's really not equitable either, but I don't think you can really solve that. So, um look forward to kind of hashing out more. Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean obviously I guess I will say even though we're still working on town email like obviously people are welcome

091to reach out to me and even though I will not be here in a few months like I am here and I I want to talk to people. Um there's times that I want to be the one to reach out and sometimes I'm like oh like am I overstepping and you know it's only temporary but I think what it comes down to is ultimately the idea of reducing the friction around it and I think the idea of taking office hours having set time that is open removes a lot of that friction but I'm also sympathetic to the logistics behind it how we rotate it. I'm sure all of us do not have the same schedules and I think maybe there I think there are ways to again remove the friction, invite people into these settings

092and really set expectations, right? Like it it would be hard for us to communicate to the town and just set you know this like background knowledge that we are reachable no matter how you know all of our emails, our addresses, our phone numbers are are on the internet. we are available. people can reach us if they want and they do but I think it's hard to kind of set that tone that we are available and I think trying to find a way that does that maybe not in this regular sort of one two hour scheduling like I know that there's ways this is just an idea like there's software where you can set times you're available and people can just go on and book a time to meet with you something you know I think

093that gets us something similar without being as rigid keeping everybody open, you know, just something like that. >> And I'll I'll say that I had a little bit more time lead time to think about this, so I had a couple of thoughts about it. Uh I also love the idea of, you know, making sure that the public knows that we are available to them. And I think to Mr. Sprito's point, like sometimes there's a little bit of a hurdle in that like, oh, I don't want to be a nuisance. I feel awkward reaching out. I just want to sort of chat through something. I don't know the best avenue to do that. and office hours remove some of those barriers because it's clearly a defined time for those um not school committee comments u school

094committee meeting comments but comments maybe you want to make to a school committee member um but it made me think like something like quarterly office hours might be something that's actually doable um but then I was also thinking about whether or not the school committee can have a more public presence um at things like opening soccer on Milicanin field having a little table set We're not campaigning. We're not promoting anything, but we're there if any towns people have something to say. Being at a football game, um, you know, being at the farmers market, I think there may be opportunities for us to be available, um, and be in public places um, with name tags on, I'm sure. I mean, I don't know. I don't know if people know me when I'm going in the supermarket.

095I miss on, but I do that sometimes. >> Check out. >> Do you need a bag and or a school? >> Yes. Um but that that you know that exists. We are we are people in this community. We grocery shop. We um we go to the uh um the dump. We visit the boutique. We do all those things. Um and then if we just make ourselves known in those places as well um that that might be another way to just sort of um I think it's almost like uh climatizing the idea of of conversation, informal conversation. Um and that it's not necessarily necessarily for contentious or heavy b business, but just to have conversations about education in the schools. Um so that was my thought, but I I agree that we can kind of bat

096this around a little bit. >> Coach test balloon. We could do something light. Just say a school committee member will be available half hour before the meeting starts where we're already coming here. So like somebody do a rotation, you know, someone shows up at 5:30. Do you want to meet oneonone? Because coming to a meeting and being in public and presenting is a lot. But if someone's here for a half hour early, hey, do you want to bring something up before you come in front of the committee? Before you you go in front of public com, which is a little bit different. Someone will be here with the years. And that may, you know, I already have this time carved out. You know, another half hour is a little harder my wife schedule, but I

097can make it work once every five weeks, right? >> So, I think maybe we come up with some creative solutions and maybe it's not just office hours, but maybe it's a mix of ideas going forward that we have linked to on our town web page. I I know what software you're talking about, Mr. Scordrio. it's really helpful where you can kind of look and oh so and so's you know available at this time for this this kind of um thing and that that those things things like that we can definitely sort of to increase our the appearance of our openness because I think all of us are open and committed and enjoy um chatting with our constituents um that to be able to get that message across more clearly um and make us make it

098easier um if it's felt difficult to reach out Um, Madam Chair, can I make a suggestion? >> Sure. >> Um, just because this is a fairly simple ask, um, I feel and and know this is the first time most of us have even thought about it because you just raised. Yes. >> Maybe, um, we could keep it on the agenda for next time people have had a chance to let it digest and whether people feel like we should do it or not, but at least we can probably conceive. We've heard people's various ideas and like Mr. Evans just brought that up. if maybe we decide if we can we can see some sort of pilot next time just I just I I just feel like I want to be able to at least take some

099action even if it's no um you know I don't want to just kick it down the road and we're not talking and then four months we still haven't done anything. So um if we just keep it on the agenda next time and then people will at least ant be able to anticipate that it's coming and uh and be able to formulate some sort of position they have on it. And I absolutely love the word pilot and I think that um you know we'll be coming into January, January, February, March, April, May um brings us to town elections um but allows for a nice pilot period to see what works and what doesn't um even with our best intentions. Thank you. >> All right, we will do that budget and finance um with our monthly update

100from uh Miss Owen. Good evening. bigger. Make it bigger for you. Make it bigger for me, but didn't make it bigger for you. Okay. So, this is just a monthly update um through the the month of October and a week or so into November. Um, so we're kind of crossing over the executive sum executive summary is, you know, a school district has approved a total budget of 24,830,589 plus supplemented by a onetime allocation of $150 that was there in special education costs. As of today, our expenditures stand at about 6.2 2 million with a total incumbrance um on purchase orders of 18 a little over $18 million um resulting approximately 99.64% um utilization of our budget. Um the rate the remaining um projected fund budget is estimated to be about 1% of the original original

101budgeted amount. Um so we are watching our budget very closely. Um the large incumbrance is um mostly due to payroll. So we have encumbered that through the end of June. So we are sure that we have payroll encumbered um this also encumbrances in there for utilities um which we have over I should say overestimated estimated based on the overages we had in the past year um and supplies and materials department leaders and administrators continue to exercise um the judgment and spending um and we've been watching each requisition that comes through while overall budget oversight remains robust in the year end forecast is on track several areas um for monitoring um as have in the past. It's important to emphasize that despite the various favorable salary savings and reduction in expenditures um and other line items

102expected to offset overages um for example in that incumbrance of the purchase order um of salaries that some of them could possibly be offset from some of our revolving accounts. um show there was recognized savings in there from salaries the um salaries themselves from the budget update we're at 99.6% 6% um FTE staffing. As of today, we have two positions still currently open. Um we have a high school special educator, which is a one-year leave of veterans to fill. We also have a bus driver opening um to fill a retirement that is upcoming in um after holidays. Due to the retirements, we anticipate final salary costs will come in slightly under budget um as projected. And again, as I said, it rolled into our incumbent zone of appeal. Our utility costs are exceeding budget projections

103across all the buildings, Mike. And this one of our most significant financial concerns. Um, in FY26, we practically allocate an addition 180,000 towards utilities um to help finalize FY25 figures. Despite the adjustments, the budget category still remain a key focus area. Um if we have a mild winter, you you may see that those utility costs go down. Um we won't know till after probably the winter months of exactly where we are or how over we may be in those budgets. in transportation. The recent adjustment in transportation fees combined with um adding a new bus or two um one to replace the electric bus um has helped significantly with outsourcing. Um the multi- multi-use mini bus is being used almost daily for athletics um as well as our additional buses for field trips um and late

104bus routes and um we have had one or two buses going just for basic maintenance. So um the additional bus has certainly been helpful. Um the revoling fund um balance is expected to grow through the end of the fiscal year sustaining a positive balance um in this account. Currently the account holds a positive balance of about $10,227. And our athletics evolving account is projected to remain in a negative balance entering into the spring. Um sports, we know winter sports are starting. that as up to now there's about 15,000 that has been added that is not calculated into this number. Um it has not been deposited yet into our into our account but we can see online that we have accepted those payments. So we're closely monitoring those expenditures. Um similar to the utility cost we're

105going to offset any overages with the savings that we've identified today. the deficit in the athletic reward count has been reduced from $154,392 to $77,890. So, um it's it's positive that we will certainly be um in a positive balance before we end the spring season. Special education remains one of the largest subbudget categories as well. um with vigilant oversight. We we don't really have control of students moving in or out. Um even relative mod sorry relatively modest shifts in enrollments um of service intensity or program cost significantly did impact the financial provision that we have in the special education department. Con you know consequently we were allowed to use accounts um closely throughout the year. Um it's very fluid account. Ongoing monitoring is monthly tracking of our utilities, monthly tracking of athletics, including athletic transportation.

106Um we haven't had a good snapshot yet because we're way into the second one um of what the savings might be from um utilizing our new bus or bus versus outsourcing. Um so hopefully by the next report, we we'll see some savings there and can report on that. um ongoing monitoring of supplies and materials and continuing to track our special placements, tuitions. Um I just want to give an update of what grants we have received to date. You can see here um they're the same ones as we usually get. We don't get the opportunity because of just community wise and society wise, but we don't um qualify a lot of the out outside grants, but we have the early childhood grant. We have the individuals with disability special education grant which was our one of

107our largest grants. We have title one grant which we did not have last year which has returned this year. We have the title two grant and we also have the go grant grants from Massachusetts um provide additional funding to the school districts p primarily for specific initiatives such as program development professional learning equity efforts and mandated services. Um and then I've given you an update on our revolving accounts and what the balances are. You can see um almost all of accounts are in a positive state which is um what we would like to see. You can see the athletics is at the minus 77 but that that number is decreasing. And you can see um the kindergarten has brought in 262,000 children you use to pay um we have started utilizing that to pay um

10850% of our teachers in that program. So by the end of the year that number will be um increased um and fully funded 50% of our kind teachers and our food service um because it's the beginning of the year we're down to about $124,000. We haven't um received any of our reimbursements yet for the first three months of school. So that number will significantly grow um as our um receipts come in. And then I just give you an update of FTE of where we were last year. We were at 228.6. Um we did make significant cuts to staff other in other areas last year and it shows here um that we're down to 222.2. So there was definitely decrease in and staffing within the district. Conclusion is our district maintains overall fiscal responsibility at this

109point. Utility and costs continue to present a challenge to us and require our ongoing vigilance. All schools and comments must continue to be intentional about their spending needs. Um strategic savings and adjustments district in the fiscal year financial position. questions. Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you. Um, Mr. A, a couple questions. Uh, one, um, on special education, you prior reports would give us a a number on where the special education budget was versus expenditures versus budgets. This one was more of a narrative, saying we can watch it. Do we have a number of of where our special education expenditures are versus what expectations are? I understand that they're not controllable. have to. >> So, I did attach the reports um here. So, you can see the special education um what the what we budgeted, what

110we spent, what we've encumbered. Um currently there's a shortfall of about $10,000. Okay. >> Um but we have not brought in only the first quarter of circuit breaker as well. So, >> okay. This also shows special education transportation is not in a negative scenario this year as well. So those are all positive attended. >> Yes. >> Um the the other one I just want to I know we talked about this um but we run a perennial surplus in food service. Where does that money come from and why is it always a surplus? service. Currently, we don't really have a a large surplus. I mean, $124,000 is not a whole lot. We've been up as high as three, four, $500,000. And that's due to the fact that lunch is free. So, every we get full reimbursement

111on every lunch for every child now. Um so, the federal and the state government reimbured us for all those meals um before it wasn't fully funded. But that would suggest that we we wouldn't run a surplus. It was just there was just reimbursement for costs than we would we would flat and more and also more students are buying well not buying but they're partaking in. >> So we have staff buying lunch. We have students buying second lunches. We have a lot of alocat which are snacks. >> Okay. So that's >> generate revenue. >> So there's other revenue there's other revenue drivers here other than >> other than the reimbursement. Yes. >> Reimbursement. Okay. That's helpful because I mean one of the things that I look at when I see this is that's that's our second

112highest one. It's pretty on the budget printly in the black and this is an area where you know if we can't reallocate it and we have gone through upgrading our food service you know are we should we look at lowering costs for those things for for families. uh we normally talk about increasing fees but if we are you know financially comfortable situations that mean we're we have an opportunity to maybe you know think about those fees in a different way just a thought we don't have to even discuss it at this point but that's that's I I just worry about that and not worry I just remarked that we always seem to have a fairly healthy food service surplus and I wonder if that's >> so I would just say two things with regard to

113first is that um I think having a surplus should free meals stop being a thing um is healthy because it would allow us to become a fully self- sustaining program. Prior I don't know here but prior to when school lunch was free for all um in every other district I've ever worked in they were perennial perennially not making have any service. So I think that's one thing. The other thing and we learned this last year that we cannot um sell a second lunch at a lower cost than what the reimbursement is from the state because we were and we got dinged on that and so we had to increase it. >> So that would be one area where we don't have a lot of >> Yeah. But if we're like and I actually don't know

114that the car if we're like charged for apples. Yeah. >> And we don't charge apples anymore. >> Those are the only places that and that would have knock on benefits of encouraging kids to eat apples. >> Um keep their doctors or give them their teachers. I would do the apples. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. That's that's all I can start. >> So, um I think the fact that these are revolving funds are important is important to point out where the whole point of these funds is that you collect a balance and you draw that down that balance as you expend it. So for food service, as you said, we collect fees, we also get state funding, but we can't run that account negative, right? So, you know, let's say we have a, you know,

115food costs go up and are we're a little bit behind because the state's a week behind on reimbursement. We need a a padding there. That way the the the revolving fund always has a balance. So you're always going to see a balance and ideally you have a balance on all of these. Like kindergartens 262, but that's just we haven't spent it yet. Like that's what a revolving fund is. You put money in it, you spent it down. Um the only two So my two questions are for athletics, we're currently not actually spending that down. Correct. We're just putting money in, we budgeted for all the expenditures. And then what about um transportation? You said we had a currently a positive balance of 10227. That's just for today. Are we are we drawing down from that

116fund right now for transportation expenses that's been kind of frozen? It's all built into the budget. So we're going to roll over $10,000 into the next fiscal year. Collect collect things and then collect and then we can adjust our FY27 budget for the fact that we're no longer carrying a deficit in your price. >> Correct. However, with transportation, we've got um February and March. So, you'll see that revolving fund grow. >> Correct. But if Yeah. >> Which runs into the 27. >> Exactly. So, but if it at the end of 26, we have a giant revolving fund balance. That's not really a surplus. It's just money that we haven't spent yet on a service we haven't delivered yet. That's what I want everyone to understand is that it's it's not that we're collecting money and

117we're not doing anything with it. It's literally the money that we're going to spend deliver a service. >> Right. Yeah. >> And the same thing with food service. So food service is a 100% selfunded. >> Correct. >> So we have to make sure we have enough supplies materials in pay. >> And the other thing and and this was brought up during I think town meeting but you know whenever we run on the municipal side whenever we run a negative balance it frees it it actually it puts a hole in that amount of money on the municipal side. So free cash is held up. So like if we can get out ourselves $77,000 out of a hole in the revolving fund that frees up $77,000 of free cash. So it benefits us if we have other

118expenditures not to be carrying negative balances on these funds. So um thank you. >> Um I just had a small question and it relates to the paragraph about utilities. Um, when you say that we're exceeding the projections, does that include the additional 180,000? So, we're projected to exceed that as well or I just want to clarify that you may see adjustment going into 27 asking for budget. >> Thank you. I have no questions. Um, thank you, Miss Ellen. Um, we are now going to move on to finalizing the fiscal year 27 budget priorities. Dr. Sh, >> um, would it be okay with you, Cherless, if we did the budget calendar first? >> Sure. Great. >> Okay. I did some revision of some of our documents between last meeting and this meeting to make things just

119a little bit clearer. I actually have two two things to share with regard to the calendar. One is a very detailed calendar for those who want to get into the weeds and one is a budget process overview that is lined up by when things happen. So, I'd like to share both and have them both be part of what we approve as a calendar um if that's okay. and it is a new format trying to make it just a little bit clearer and a little bit more comprehensive. Um, so things haven't really shifted in terms of what we do but when we do them has shifted a little bit because we are I had to shift to accommodate from last week to this week. Um, so changed some dates because of that. Um, I also added

120in here our budget subcommittee meetings and those of you who are on the budget subcommittee. You'll know soon that Jennifer is going to be looking to set dates all the way through the end of the year in the coming days so that we can make sure that those are um public and available for everybody. And so this is our our current budget calendar. I will say that though this is our calendar, we are going to try and do some of the things ahead of some of the dates just because as the shift in town manager occurred with our new interim town manager, she is looking to move things up a little bit just for her planning purposes as well. So, she and I had a great meeting the other day and we're going to try

121and accommodate her as best we can. Um, knowing that there's a lot of work to do on our end as well, but I think it's a it's a positive move for all of us. So, that's what the the detailed calendar looks like. Sorry. Um, so this is the overview and this overview, we're trying to create a budget book this year that will house all of our budget information. And so the next documents you'll see will be part of that budget book, but they can also exist independently. And so for those folks who don't want to know every date in detail, this is the overview of what happens in the fall, the early winter, mid winter, early spring, and then into the spring. and really wanting to make it clear that all families are available to

122come to any school community meeting. We have a full budget hearing that happens in the spring before the vote happens and that is something that we hold because we want people to come and ask questions. It is a full hour typically that is dedicated just to hearing questions from the public about the budget. And so we encourage folks as we start to present and prepare documents around the FY27 budget that they come to school committee meetings, ask questions, come to the budget hearing, ask questions, provide commentary because that's what will help you make decisions and ultimately vote a budget um you know in the spring. So I would ask that if there are questions I can answer them and that there is a vote on the budget calendar >> questions for Dr. Ch. >> Dr.

123Shannon I don't see a school committee vote on the FY27 budget on the calendar. I'm guessing it happens on I'm guessing under this it would be it would be um 3 18 possibly 41 41's blank. >> You know what that's where it belongs. >> Okay, let's catch. >> And in addition to that, I would suggest and maybe you have a good report to this because you're usually pretty purposeful, but I would suggest we just delete the time column of this. It's not necessary. I think it just like makes it more crowded. And I don't like why do we need the time of day that this is happening? >> I I can tell you why. Because right now the subcommittee times aren't on there, but they will end up being on there. I'm fine with taking

124the times off, but that was why. Because when >> Okay. No, I think that actually makes sense then. That makes sense. Okay. All right. Like I said, I bet you you have a rehetor to this. So, um Okay. Thank you. So, just for the record, is the vote on the 41 or 318? >> It's the 41. I will just continue to highlight that we really do want participation and participation as the process is unfolding. um that that is when input on the budget is most helpful to us as school committee members. Um and so there are all of these opportunities. In addition to as we just talked about, we all have um our town email addresses um or district email addresses and our phone numbers on the school committee on the um class government website.

125And so please feel free to reach out if you have questions or comments um as the budget process unfolds. We appreciate your engagement. All right. So, looking for a motion to approve the budget calendar and um supporting document of the FY27 um budget process. >> So, move the caveat that we add the FY107 vote for one slot. Second, >> Mr. D. >> I >> Mr. Evans. >> Hi, >> Mr. Iki. I approved. Thank you. All right. So, I have changed up our budget priorities based on the last conversation from last meeting. Um, you'll notice that the format looks completely different, >> consistent branding. >> It's going to be consistent with our new budget book. Um, and so taking that feedback changed how things are presented, but also um some content. The main priority for our

126FY27 budget is really to maintain at least level service for our students. And then within our compass points, we have very specific priorities that are driven by the strategic plan and by our district goals. And so under compass.1 for teaching, learning, and leading, we're looking to maintain our interventions and supports for students who are engaged in our MTSS process and to provide professional learning that drives implementation of project-based learning and other staff learning aligned to the strategic plan and the district goals. Compass point two around wellness be because we don't always know exactly what we're going to do because this year the goal is to work through what we need to engage um our students and staff in better wellness. Um our district priority will be to support new program structures and ouror professional development

127that increases belonging and aligned grading and homework practices in schools and across the district. Compass point three, which is community engagement. Invest in systems and human capital that support enhanced community engagement and build financial structures to support community building events. And finally, under resources to maintain appropriate staffing levels, to rebuild the professional development budget, to enhance funding for curriculum and instruction, to provide ongoing and necessary repairs to facilities, and to commit to minimizing fees in a fiscally responsible manner. In doing this and in having conversations with some school committee members, we also talked about some assumptions that are made as we build these priorities. And so um I would like to share that as well which is a different document. So give me one moment to over um because as we decide what our prior

128priorities are, we are assuming certain things. Um and again the first thing is that the assumption is that we want to maintain at least level service for our students. We are assuming that our interventionists, specialists and counselors are essential to the academic success and well-being of all of our students. That professional development for staff is essential for meeting our strategic objectives. That our staff are exceptional and are deeply dedicated to our student successes and well-being. that our community values small class sizes, course offerings at the secondary level that support professional pathway exploration in building programs that allows for copas students to remain in Copasset schools. And that maintaining and improving our school facilities allows us to provide learning environments that are clean, safe, and inspire innovative learning experiences for our students. And finally, as a

129public school, we must continue to work to minimize fees being passed on to families. And so I present to you both as part of our budget priorities and would ask that you have any questions that I can answer and that there is a vote to approve the priorities with the assumptions made to make any questions. >> Can you um I really appreciate how you've highlighted the top priority is keeping level funding. Can you explain what that means? Um because I think that's it sounds pretty basic but it is a huge statement. Um and it's very important >> and I want to clarify that it's I actually am promoting. >> Oh, did I say level funding? I thought level service is what I meant to say. Thank you. So, um, level service means that we go

130into FY27, the 2627 school year, with all of the same services that we currently have and can provide those same services to students next year. If we were level funded, because I think it's important people understand that as well, that would mean that we have the same amount of money for 26 27 school year for FY27 that we had this year, which means we would be going into FY27 with a significant number of reductions because in order to have level service, we actually need an increased budget. So it's very important to us if we want to maintain what we have that we have a level service budget >> and that's in that includes every teacher >> teacher >> every uh uh specialist >> yes >> every paraprofessional >> y >> guidance counselor >> everybody >>

131and I think saying that's our goal >> even though it will cost more that's I think a lot of the sand that we we hold and and we're very proud of I think when we look at the town, you know, we're holding everything. And I I like that you put in the assumptions that the community values small classes. This is an assumption. As a parent, I think it's almost you take it for granted, but it's an assumption. And that assumption does cost money because it requires us to have the amount of teachers we do. And if we want to be proud of the educational outcomes, the class sizes, the experience, we have to at least level service. Um, so, uh, I I like that's the top thing. I think that's a good guiding principle for

132us going forward. So, I I appreciate I also like the new format. Uh, and I think, uh, it really shows clear thinking on on where we're going. So, thank you. >> I have to agree. Um, thinking back to the last version of the priorities, as I reflected on it, I really understood it as a school committee member, as someone who came into this and, you know, caught up on everything that's happened the past year. Um, but I think these documents, not only are they really effective for community members, but I think they're also effective for us as a committee as we have to vote in March to select board and advisory and advocate for a level service budget. And I think taking that philosophy of um trying to explain it to others is really important.

133And that's that's part of why I wanted to like I don't want to go on a tangent, but that's part of why I wanted to be here. I wanted to be as a recent student being able to go not just to community members but to these wards saying I I I can tell you I have this ethos that this is important to students. This matters in learning. This is what is effective and I think taking that philosophy with these you know with these outward documents that we have I think is really important. Um so I think it definitely is a big improvement. I just really, you know, the more I looked at it and reflected on working, I really just did notice that difference. >> Thank Thank you, Dr. Shane. Um um I have no

134substance um concerns. It looks good. Thank you for the revisions. Um I will not get into any. it's you know difficult for me to look at things paragraph sentences without having some sort of like you know wanted to share some thoughts I would just but you're capable of doing that as well I just make one one suggestion I won't get into the weeds because I was I was review last night for doing that um consider some bullets so that it's clear that they're separate is like you know saying like on the for example the budget priorities it's sort of okay you understand what I'm saying there >> and then just if you can just give it as and put your English teacher hat on and just give it one more read. And like for example,

135the word learning is used three times in the same sentence in the first priority. Maybe there's some synonyms that we can use to make it flow a little bit better, but you I'll I'll leave that to you because this is a the reason the only reason I I would care about this because it's a it's a document that's going to be published. So I feel like it should be a a fairly polished product and you are more than capable of doing it on your own. So I'm just suggesting that. Um but I have no content uh suggestions. It looks great. Thank you for making revisions. >> Thank you. Um I have no substantive comments either except for that I appreciate the the format, the ease of use. Um, and really just I feel like the

136theme for the tonight is increasing engagement and and making this sort of a multi-levelled um document where um even a lay person um who's just sort of developing some interest in school budgets um can sort of have some entry points that are really accessible. I think that's um a wonderful way to um help support that engagement and help to guide our work too. Um it almost our assumptions serve almost as a mission statement. um for the the budget work that that we will do. So um that's a great move. Um so looking for a motion to approve. >> Moved. Second. >> All right. There we go. Um Mr. Dial. >> I >> Mr. Evans. >> Hi. >> Mr. Hi. >> Hi. >> And then finally, Dr. Shannon um capital budget prioritization. Thank you. So um

137appreciated all of the conversation and comments from last meeting. I did take that back to our leadership team and we were able to continue to prioritize our capital requests. I also was able to have um an initial conversation with the interim town manager which helped as well. Um and then so today I'm going to share with you our next prioritization list. Um knowing that we have a meeting coming up I think Friday um is a budget subcommittee meeting and we will have our liaison from the capital planning board with us where we will make another round of prioritization um decisions and then we'll be able to bring to you that first meeting in December our final list where we would be requesting a vote and So want to share tonight where we are at the

138moment. So colorcoded this evening. So our first two requests are our ongoing leases, our buses and our multi-use van vehicle. I guess that's what I should be calling it. Um the next three requests are are ongoing requests that have a shelf life. So we have for three years been fortunate to have the support of the capital board to put in interactive boards. This would complete that process. It is year four of four. We also would be requesting year two of two for our security enhancements. And through conversation with the capital board last year, um because of our ongoing furniture replacement needs, we continue to put in a $35,000 request for that furniture replacement each year. Um still waiting. The folks were out from the vendor last late last week looking at cameras with our IT

139department with our principles. And so we anticipate getting that estimate any day actually. And so the only other in um conversation with the um sorry with leadership is that we actually would be looking right now to move the performance risers forward um and to put the art display boards into FY28 and the instruments into FY29. The visual arts department also wrote a grant for the display boards. So, we're hoping that that can happen in maybe a different way. Um, but that the performance risers are a real theme. We also talked about the turf fields being a priority because it's been something that's been requested for some time. um putting potentially the athletic storage shed for FY28 and then for FY29 the permanent netting system for the turf field, but we also know that that could

140potentially um be a request of the CPC. Um we are still holding on clocks because we've not clocks and shades because we've not heard anything about pricing on those yet. Um, we know they continue to be a need, but without pricing, it's hard to prioritize them. Um, and Deer Hill furniture upgrades, we're we're still holding on as well. So, at this point, what you see there is our current FY27 capital request prioritization. Um and we will there may be some shifts between now and the next time we meet but that will be in conversation with um principles with the budget subcommittee and with the capital board leaison. So, we don't need a vote this evening, but if there are any questions, I'm happy to answer any um Mr. Dial questions. Mr. Evans football uprightes 28.

141>> I'm waiting on that. >> Okay. Yeah, because they are a little like >> they are a little and I did get an answer. They were not at all touched during the um >> turf renovation. Um they They turfed around them. >> Okay. >> And they were crooked then from what I understand. >> Oh, okay. This is another thing. Always looking for someone else to blame. >> No, they we could not blame them. >> Here the problem. >> So, >> yes. Uh the instruments that's is that like faculty endorsed? Are they saying that that it can >> that's that came from? Yes. And I think they're also looking at some other >> Okay. All right. So, that makes me concerned. Um, and then just a suggestion that maybe like after we decide on we're not

142deciding anything right now, but some of these like I feel like because they're they're um concrete figures assigned to specific items, it might be worthwhile just to develop a donation list to send out to families to say, "Hey, you know, no pressure, but just letting you know that we're these this came from this is from our capital list that we didn't do this year and if you feel strongly about the football operates and you have 5,000 I but you know maybe you know make a donation in your name or something >> we have to do that >> um so we might want to do that with capital it might be a I don't know way to >> capital campaign >> right yes >> I think we have something too >> know that people really get

143it first of all realize that it's there >> no I think a capital >> but it's just you know where it's we've already sort of Okay. We prioritize these items. They're happening. But these are the future items we're looking for. If you have an interest in them and you feel like you want to donate, I mean, you never know if you don't ask, right? >> Absolutely. >> So, all right. But other than that, um, this looks great, by the way. >> Thanks. >> Love how you colored it. >> Mr. One more question. Just so the the security cameras discussion, I know there's going to be a big ask and I know there's going to be a lot of questions. Um I look the school committee adopted a security camera policy which is basically what the

144state recommended years ago which just says we can do it. I would like this board to consider reooking at that to really have a sense of what the cameras what level of camera coverage is our goal as uh a committee versus expense versus goals versus society. Um, you know, so I I would would like to have some sort of discussion about getting that policy updated and a little bit more um direct policy sub. >> We'll kick that off. Starts with us. >> We'll get we'll get a date on the books. And then also when we make a request, if we have the policy that the board has adopted, that will go a long way in making that request, you know, uh have a narrative behind it. So >> thank you. Um, I only have a

145question about recurring CPS furniture at 35,000. Whether or not that's a separate line item completely from the Deer Hill remaining office furniture and one is sort of student furniture and the other is is sort of other rooms or it is um Deer Hill has been pretty much completely redone with the exception of a couple office spaces. >> Okay. Um, and last year we shifted to start to prioritize middle school, high school. And so the ongoing really is to prioritize student classrooms. Now the middle school, high school. >> Um, and so we've been looking at it as two separate requests if we needed to if we decided to finish off Deer Hill first and use that 35,000 in that way. Um, but some of the needs at the middle school, high school have felt like a

146higher priority at this moment. Thank you. Um, all right. And we don't need to vote. Are there any additional questions or comments on this? Because we will vote. This is our second time through. So, this this will be up for vote um at our next meeting. Okay. Actually, December 3rd, if that you can believe it. All right. Um, do we have any reports from school committee, subcommittees or liaison? Great. Um, I do not have any topics um, not reasonably anticipated. We do not have any minutes to approve tonight and we do not have reason to go into executive session. Um, so I will take a motion to adjourn. >> A second. >> Second. All right, we'll call the vote. Mr. Guile, >> hi. >> Mr. Evans, >> hi. >> Mr. Scrio, >> hi. >> Mr.

147McFallen, >> Hi. Thank you all very much. and faculty.