001I want to call the conquered public school committee to order. Welcome back everyone from um vacation hopefully and happy new year. Um as part of uh our job is to um work with uh Dr. Hunter and Bob on the budget. Um just want to reiterate saying they did a phenomenal job building the budget, presenting the budget, collaborating with uh the fincom select board. um a lot of work went in went into this and I think as a committee we had the opportunity to review it in detail last meeting. So the numbers um are are very similar and we owe it to the public to have a hearing to make sure that everyone in town has the opportunity to ask questions um you know now or forever hold their peace in into town meeting >> or
002wait till the next year or wait till the next year >> in March. Um, so with that, um, Bob, I will turn it over to you to set it up and then we will let the hearing run as long as there are questions. >> All right, I'm going to share my screen. >> It's up on one of the screens. That's not coordinate. We don't know. Okay. >> Okay. >> Well, our audience can see the screen. >> It's on the side one. Two out of three. >> I have one here. It's fine. >> Uh so, um Lori is going to give us a high level summary of our budget story and then I'll walk through the rest. >> Yeah. The highlights for CPS really are focused on maintaining level service. Um always supporting our initiatives and
003goals. Um a key driver here is declining enrollment and continuing to adjust for that. um in district special education programming and the um benefits we've received on that in terms of servicing students which is the primary benefit but there's fiscal benefit too. Um we might have possibility of tuitioning in other students from other districts. We've been very successful in grant funding and continue to apply for grants. Um we have not included in here this is probably the biggest thing to really highlight. We have not included in here what our additional requests might have been. um math specialists at each school that are cleanly split from the assistant principles, some need for more curriculum leadership support to Shelley's office at the big picture level and potential content support for some of the special needs programs. So
004that is not in there. Um and I guess you know getting to the other headline is that we are bringing you a budget ad guideline. Um and that was a choice to not put those in. So that's the framework under which we're bringing you the numbers tonight. This slide's just something for people who are not familiar with the budget process to orient them to where we are in the process. I've gone over it before. I don't plan to go through it, but just um keep that in here for people to see. Uh our budget objectives, as uh Dr. Hunter mentioned, maintain existing programs to support students. We're also trying to support our strategic plan initiatives. Not all of those cost money. There's certainly things in there that we can do without spending, but some of
005those do have a cost attached. trying to factor that into our plans. Um we have legal mandates to meet for special education, homelessness and other requirements. The homelessness mandates have uh diminished in terms of their impact to us. Um there's some limited uh remaining mandates there um to support students. And um and lastly, you know, we're part of a town, part of two towns. Well, we're talking about CPS, part of a town. We're trying to balance our student needs with the fiscal capacity of the town of Conquer. Our high level summary uh is shown here and you can see we're at 2.75% an increase a little bit more than 1.3 million over over last year. Um and you know the the categories where you can see kind of the notable um year-over-year changes um just
006on a gross dollar basis teaching and instructional support um just because it's such a large part it's over 80% of our budget um you know it's one point a little bit less than 1.2 million but it's it's just 3.1% increase. Um fixed charges I'll talk about that in more detail is being driven by insurance costs. And lastly, a success story on the uh programs with other districts. We've um made uh kind of continue to increase our ability to uh service students in district. Um we had I think a couple students age up to the middle school, but we also had a couple students uh coming back to to CPS. Um so um that's really driving uh the overall um number down to 2.75. our key budget drivers. Um it's kind of repeating some of what's
007been said before, but on a dollar basis declining out of district enrollment. We've gone from 13 to six out of district placements. On the offsetting uh side, we have case transportation increases that um even though we have a reduction in out of district uh enrolled students. Um the formula for our assessment for case transportation um which services our special education transportation routes is on a lag basis. So we're not going to see um the benefits of that reduction until uh a year or two down the line. We also have enrollment related staffing adjustments um that are helping us arrive at guideline and and then not really necessarily a dollar but we're trying to reallocate staffing to meet student and program needs. So you might see um you know potentially a tutor go up in one
008school and down in another school. But there you know we're looking at you know how can we how can we meet needs by reallocating not necessarily adding um on a on a overall FTE basis we're up uh we're down I'm sorry 1.55 FTEES versus uh the FY26 budget. Um the tutors and aids are increasing by 1.78. Um and um we also see um an increase of two special education administrators um who are being funded by reallocations of savings from other areas. Um and they're also contributing to our ability to to bring um some of the students back in district by playing working closely on uh with students in special education programs and with staff here. Um, on the production side, we've eliminated a ELA specialist at Thorough. Um, just to for the thorough folks out
009there, this this already happened. This is from a retirement last year that happened after the budget process. Um, you know, there'll still be one ELA person at the row. um and um 4.33 FTEES that are primarily enrollment related reductions within the DESI 1000 categories. Administration kind of how the Department of Elementary Secondary Ed, which is what DESI stands for, kind of looks at at school spending. Within the administration category, uh it's a 5.1% increase. Um, some of that's just contractual uh and cost of living increases for staff. Um, our software costs have gone up a little bit and um contract services. We have um communications firm also some web hosting costs that are driving this increase. Teaching instructional again the the largest bucket by far over 80% of our costs has a 3.1% increase over
010last year's budget um over this year's budget. um FY26 um salaries are up 3.3% um that includes a 3% cola that includes staff advancing steps and lanes includes the additions we talked about and the reductions we talked about it also assumes three CTA members are opting into early retirement incentive and I think we have two definitely >> yeah so we're we're there we're on target with that >> and um and the non-teer salaries. It's up 4.5%. Um, it's up point a little bit more than half of an FTE. It's also impacted by uh a projected decrease in title one funding 20,000. So, the general fund is is absorbing that impact. In the non-sary accounts, instructional supplies and materials are decreasing by 31,000 and um contract services is decreasing by 23. Um, it's increasing by 23
011even with us adding in the cartwheel mental health support that we've had at at the high school. And we added in CPS this year through budget reallocations. This gives students and uh families immediate access to mental health services that otherwise might be difficult to get. Um, we've decreased in other areas um translation. Um we through a grant we're able to get a um a printer copier that does translation like you scan the device and it does the translation. Um so we save 20,000 annually in in what we're doing um in that area. Um and um and special education contract services were down 40,000. Needs of students differ from year to year. So um that's a reduction versus the prior year. uh other school services is um really being driven by the special ed um case
012transportation assessment. We anticipate um FY28 um I shouldn't say FY27 here because it's 27 budget but it's really calendar 2. It's FY28 29 where we'll start to see the um uh impacted lower um lower number of students being transported uh reflected in our assessment figure. But in the short term, we're we're experiencing a little B. So that's uh one category that we have a a driver going the other way. Our maintenance costs are essentially um inflationary increases slightly higher about 5% in utilities. We have contractual increases for our custodial maintenance staff. Um and um overall we're up 3.1% um versus FY26. and fixed charges for CPS is primarily insurance costs. Uh the insurance premiums for property and liability have increased by $57,000. Our overall increase here is 58,000. Um this is being driven by having
013a new middle school that has significantly more value than the two previous middle schools. So there's a value piece to this. And then there's the rates and in the way they assess the premiums. Um so um just overall insurance rates are increasing we're seeing across um both districts in terms of um the experience that our insurance companies are having. Out of district tuitions is uh is down 296 uh,000 net. Um this is really two factors. We look at the gross tuitions, those are down 726,000. Um, and that's coincidentally um half of um from 1.452 to 7.72 is exactly half of what it was the prior year. Um that's going that's being driven by 13 students. Um reducing down to six students out of district. Um, so that's a huge decrease. It's offset to an extent
014by a reduction in the circuit breaker funding we we receive. Circuit breaker is driven by our out of district tuition expenses. So with less expenses, we're going to get less of a reimbursement. Um, so there's correlation there. Our IDA grant is more flatly funded. So, um, that area it's it's stable, but um, the net of this is with our their circuit breaker reimbursement coming down 430,000, we net out overall to $296,000 decrease. Just a quick highlight of salary versus non- salary. You can see the non the non- salary includes the audit district tuition is why that's why that's close to zero. And um, aside from the general fund, we have other funding sources. These are our projections for next year. Um feel fairly confident in kind of what we're looking here. I know there's some
015discussion at the federal level about what's what's going on, but um these are um what we're projecting for next year. >> We've we had no further information on what's happening that transition that we talked about. >> Yeah. Not not at this point. We'll keep paying attention and see if it comes up. Um, this is an additional item that I recommend that we consider. You can decide whether the timing is right or not. Um, that with our circuit breaker reimbursement going down to such a low level that we did have a surprise, we it might be beneficial to have this fund. At this point, I'm just recommending that we create the fund without putting any without requesting any funding to it because that's the first step is to actually have such a fund specifically for school
016districts. Um town would need to be approved at town meeting as well, but the school committee would first have to approve it. Um I think doing it this way would make it less controversial. Funding it can be a separate conversation at a separate time. For example, if at the end of the year we had leftover money, that might be something we could talk to the town about trying to fund it that way. Um we can certainly pursue that later, but I wanted to um put it on the table as something to consider. Um >> Bob, I ask a question. Um given the fact that the warrant's going to close, do we need to vote? >> Like clarity on dates, the draft the drafts are due not Friday. The warrant actually closes in two weeks. >>
017Okay. >> A little longer than two weeks. So you actually could talk about this in two weeks at the conquered meeting >> and decide then to vote on it. Um >> wouldn't this also be at the region though? >> Wouldn't this also Oh, we have one on the region, right? >> We do not have a special education reserve at the region. >> We don't need one capital. >> We have a significantly larger amount of circuit breaker uh reserves there. Um with the number of students we have out of district. So I I don't we don't we don't need it. Like if we had a surprise, we would draw in that first. At some point in time, we might want to do it, but I think capital is more important at the region of capital stabilization.
018If we'd get down and see our our numbers diminish at the high school to like, you know, 15 students at a district, it's probably something we we'd bring to you. >> Um, >> sorry, I was thinking about tuitions at the region. Sorry. Accepting tuition. >> Non-resident. Sorry about that. >> That's what I was thinking as well. >> I was thinking about that. This is different than that. >> Y >> this is some information about how the fund works. Um, so I'm not going to go into detail on this. Um, but it basically provides some control. Um, and also it's not just the school committee. We can't access it. Dr. Hunter K said, "Well, hey, we want to we want to use this now. We have to come to the school committee and we'd also need
019the town to in this case um I believe it's to use the fund. It's the you know, the town meeting would need to create it. Um, but select board could approve our using it if we had a surprise. So it doesn't have to wait till town meeting, right? Um, and it's just again to answer to your point, Carrie, about what do we need at the high school? Why we needed a CPS, I think, is really just because the reserves are historically low levels. And so that's why it kind of came to our mind. It's should we think about doing this now? >> And they're at historically low levels because of >> have so many students staying in district. >> That's a good thing. >> Yeah. Right. Um, and that's it. Any questions? >> Um, Shel,
020you've had a lot of success with getting grants, right? Are there any services that are dependent on success with the grants? >> No, we have no one it's all onetime costs. That's always the goal, not to build in recurring costs, which you >> Yeah, it's a good question. We certainly try, even if we have something budget, we certainly try to get grant funding to maybe cover something eligible. But in fact, Joey did that last year. She had the for the EL materials, was able to get a grant. We had some of that budgeted, but some >> we have a question online from Carlin. >> Yes. Hi Carlin, happy new year. Can you hear us? >> Happy new year to you as well. Hope you can hear me as well. >> Yep. All good. >> Carlin
021Reed, member of the finance committee. >> There we go. >> Um, speaking on my own behalf, the question I have is this. Your estimate for the electricity cost for CPS, I think it was $68,000. Does that reflect the um new time of day rates that the light plant will be installing starting April 1 of 2026? Are these based on or are these based on your historical expenses? >> These these are based on our historical uh estimates of kilowatt usage uh with the projected rate increase of I believe it was 4% to 5%. Okay. The the the 4% that doesn't reflect any changes in when you use electricity, which is the whole point of time of day use, does it? >> The the peak time of day was 3 to 7 p.m. right, which is >>
022not our prime time. >> Yeah. >> That's Yeah, that's not a peak period for our schools. >> And Bob, has the light board I guess my question kind of piggybacks on to um Carl's. Has the light board reached out about any of those changes that are coming in April or not? >> They would have communicated it. Okay. Yeah. But um I mean it's not I don't I mean we're going to have black core usage is 8 to >> 8 to 3 to >> 9 to three for the elementaryaries at 8 to 8 to 230 3 for the middle school. >> We we also don't we don't have a full year of data for energy usage at the middle school. I guess by April we will because that's >> Yeah, we almost >> almost do. >>
023Yeah, we have >> in some sense it's also an estimate. >> The middle school. >> Yeah, I think we do have like nine nine 10 months of data. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Just so you know, there are going to be two programs on the time of day rates. One is tomorrow at the league from 9 to 12 from 10 to 11:30. Uh Jason Bulge will be speaking and the other is Conquered KN is going to have something on January 20th at 8 o'clock and Laura Scott from the light plant will be speaking for time of use. That's it. Thanks. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. We'll also reach out to Jason directly and just fine-tune our numbers if needed. >> Right. Any other questions in the room online from the committee? Yeah, Bob, you did a
024great job explaining it. >> Right. >> So, for votes, I think you have options. We didn't put the parentheses next to this today. As I said to you, the warrants actually close on the 23rd. The drafts are t are due Friday. Typically, we get grace within those twoe periods. I think you could vote on the 21st and we can work with them on the prep work that needs to be done so we're not scrambling from the 21st to the 23rd if you want to put it on an agenda in two weeks. I also think you could discuss adding it tonight. >> I think we should add add it tonight. >> I move that we add a vote for tonight because it would be reasonably anticipated that we'd be voting on the budget >> after more
025of a typo. Second, >> do we have to vote that >> to vote it? Yeah. All those in favor? >> I I >> All right. I'd like Do I have a mo close the hearing first? >> Oh, yep. Let me close the hearing. >> Uh, okay. Yeah, we still have the capital just to make sure. >> That's outside. >> Yep. >> Do we have Michelle on? >> She is now. Was >> she now? >> Yeah, >> I'm here. >> Great. Thanks. All right. Hearing hearing is closed. Is there any specific language I need for that? >> No. So I move to approve the CPS FY27 superintendent's recommended budget. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Does that um It doesn't change my vote. That also
026include the the establishment of a No, that's I would say >> no that I don't personally I don't think you should add that tonight because it's not on the agenda. I think you could add that in two weeks and discuss it as a standalone agenda item if that's the committee's bill. >> We hear you vote on the line and budget. >> No, no, >> it's all together. >> All right. um for our discuss our mini discussion on CPS. Bob, you want to go through capital plan? >> Sure. Call it up here. Okay. See if I can make it a little bit bigger. That's as far as I'll go. Um so I'm gonna just focus on FY27. The We've been asked to create a 10-year plan, five year plan. The further out we go, the less
027certainty there is certainly. Um, but we've kind of estimated some of these things using the studies that we uh that we had done of each building. Um, and also getting feedback from um each school building and from the facilities department. Um, so focus on the large items. Um, at Alcott, we have a building management system that um is essentially at end of life. Um and if we don't fix it, we'll be in a place where managing our HVAC will um be very difficult. Um we need to do some manual things. So that's our most significant item uh that we have for Alcott for next year 125,780. Um smaller couple projects there as well, including placing the auditorium projector and helping address some drainage issues. Um, at the row, we have a glycol mixing tank that
028needs to be replaced. Um, and we need a new floor scrubber that's old, past end of life. Um, those are the two um primary items at Thorough. Our work on the thorough campus is already we've already had some funds set aside for that um in prior years. So, um those are not shown here, but that's work that's going to be happening um as we move forward. Um at Willard, the auditorium has a um sound system that needs replacing. Um we're going to prioritize that uh this year, looking at a lighting system there next year. Um so that's 40,000. Have some uh various work as well that's been recommended that we do u to the outside of the building including the um the facade um replacing sections of it uh repointing mason rei replacing flashings and
029um We will be um moving forward with that next year as well. Within maintenance, we have um 55,000 allocated for a stainless steel sander. Um the unit that they have is requested. It's in poor condition. It's I believe it's 20 years old. Um that's $55,000. uh within the office equipment uh 32 that's two we kind of had some we hadn't done much with copers for a period of time and this is to catch us back back on a regular replacement cycle. um we need to do some of this through capital the next couple years and then at that point we'll be um we'll be able to um basically have more of a regular cycle for doing this and not have a backlog of copers that are old and not functioning. >> Are these the ones
030that do transition? >> Uh no no these are just regular copers. Um the uh the last item is um the elementary schools have updated uh technology for the video boards in the classrooms and this is to um the 144,000 over the next two years will enable us to put 12 in each elementary school. Um and basically um about 4,000 each, three grades per year and and that will help us cover all of the classroom spaces at the uh elementary schools. Um the total for FY27 is 501,430. The way the town looks at this, they categorize things into tier one. Tier two. Tier three is very large projects over two and a half million. Tier two is between 250,000 and 2.5 million. Tier one is anything under 200 anything under 250,000. All of these items fit
031into tier one uh which they fund through either free cash or taxation. And they borrow tier two uh in tier three. So that's the reason for that breakout. Um you know and we certainly were mindful of hearing some comments at the fin meetings about kind of restricted uh ability to fund capital this year and we were um we've really tried to prioritize what we thought was necessary for this year to come in at a number that was manageable for the town. And that is all I have questions. I think Eric had mentioned that like the long-term goal should be about 10 10%. Is it 10% of your operating budget as in terms of capital spending each year or something like that? Did did you catch that? I can catch up with them afterwards. >> But
032we're certainly under that this year and like that would be the peg going forward I believe. >> Yeah, I mean our operating budgets 45 million 47 that would be 4.7 million. We're well below that. We have one year we do a school for 100 million. Another year it's 100. I don't know how you >> right. Look at it. >> The town has a formula they're using >> which includes our things. >> Okay. >> So it's combined. >> Okay. Got it. >> If that makes sense. I don't remember it exactly but yes they have a formula based off the overall CPA >> overall town budget. Yeah. >> So it's inclusive of ours the total number they're looking at for the percentage. >> Cool. Any other questions, comments? Um, can I get a motion? >> So, moved.
033Oh. Oh, sorry. Um, I move to um approve the CPS FY27 capital plan. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> All right. Last item on CPS is just approval of the November 19th minutes. Um, you guys saw a copy of it in the folder. I think Michael had a couple edits. >> Just one on this. >> One edit >> on this and the others on the later. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> do you want me to share? >> Uh, yeah, I could share too. >> Okay. Hi Aisha. >> Greetings. >> All right. I didn't have any other feedback ahead of time. Just checking. Is there any other edits you guys propose? Otherwise, this is the edit that Michael put forward. Um, >> just for this and any other minute conversation, there have
034been some typos that you have a version that we had already corrected, but I don't think you got the version that had been corrected. >> So, we are taking care of all the typos. You can focus on the >> other >> important content. Yes. >> Um, so I can get a motion to approve as is. I can get a um motion to approve as is with edits. to you guys. >> If there's no discussion any >> amend it >> or can someone approve um can someone ask to move it with the edits >> for the first time? >> Doesn't matter me. So I I'll move to approve the minutes as initially written. >> I move to amend. >> Well, we need a second, right? >> All right. So, Sadep, you wait, you just said the
035minutes as written. >> Initially, >> as initially written. So, I'll second that. >> I move to amend. >> That also needs a second, right? >> You also need a second. >> Second. I'll second that. >> Okay. >> So, now you're discussing the amendment. That's just the amendment. >> Okay. Any discussion on the amendment? So I I'm not thrilled with the the word clarified on there. Um because I don't think that was a confusion anyone had. Right. It was you stated that that was going to be the case. The reason why the amendment was offered is that without that language uh there's no discussion about the fact that the uh issues the incident could be discussed without uh exposing confidentiality of any party. So that was never in the article. So placing it just to make
036it clear that that is an option otherwise we have been there. >> So okay um is is the the bindup emphasis there that you can share details about the point that was added because nowhere else in that uh section three clause is discussed. So, I'm I'm fine with that part of it. I I think my issue was clarified because that kind of implies that um it was not clear that that could be done >> because it wasn't clear that could be done. It wasn't brought up at all. That's the reason. >> It's interesting. I just I read it a little differently because when I went back and I read Dr. Hunter explain the details must remain confidential due to active investigation. So, I just took it as that. I didn't I thought they were fine
037as written, but and I think part of this, you know, maybe we can um we are having a workshop the end of January to specifically discuss this. So, if this is something if we can't come to a vote on it tonight, you know, we could also hold the minutes. Again, I I'm just concerned about continuing to hold minutes because we're going to get behind on our minutes and the recommendation is for, you know, in three meetings we should regroup, but I'm happy to either vote tonight or push it till after we do our workshop. >> I guess I would think I would think that according to the AG's uh checklist that you put out, we want to make certain that our minutes whenever we approve them that they're speak to the tone and they're accurate.
038And the only purpose of this was to make certain that they spoke to the tone of the discussion that they were accurate. So I would think that we would want to do that in any case whether we vote on it now or later. But the intent here u since I was the speaker the intent was to make clear that the questions about the incident did not impinge at any did not need to impinge in any way on any individual's con confidentiality questions such as uh from the information you've gleaned from the information does it give you any insight for instance into how your program program, how your policies are working. Answering that would not impinge on anybody's confidentiality, but would give us and our community an understanding of how this body thinks and how our
039administration thinks the system that they have in place is working. Answering that question would not impinch confidentiality. Yeah, I'm I'm good with this, but except that I would just insert certain questions regarding the incident could be answered in a manner that preserves it's not all questions if what I heard you just say, >> I suppose I I wouldn't parse that. I I understand it, but again, the intent is that there are questions that can be answered. and speaking personally on my intent since I was speaking. Yeah. The questions that I had in mind did not and do not impinge on. >> Can I >> am I helpful if I remind you you're just trying to document what was discussed >> not the content of what you're starting to debate. >> I read that ag too
040and my takeaway was someone who wasn't present at the meeting from the community could pick up the minutes and get a pulse on what it was. So, if I'm reading this sentence, it's like, "Oh, there was a hate incident. Mr. Williams clarified that all questions regarding that incident can be answered, no problem." Like, that's deceptive. But I think certain questions regarding could could be answered and certain questions can't >> probably take issue with deceptive words, but >> So, would it would it fix it if we just said certain questions? That's what I would that's what I would >> we have consensus if it was certain questions. So keep the your addition and then just put certain questions >> or some questions or um >> Mr. Williams clarified that processed questions >> regarding the incident could
041be answered in a manner. >> I'm I'm fine with that. >> Processed >> process process process. because what I'm hearing is that that's the intent. So, I'm good with that. >> Yep. That's >> So, um >> Okay. So, now we go back to Robin's rules because the amendment was Okay. The amendment was as as >> just withdraw it and make a new >> If we withdraw it. Yeah. >> And make a new >> a new amendment and just change the words. Can would you >> I move to withdraw. >> Okay. >> You can just withdraw it. >> You don't need to vote. withdraw. >> Okay. >> And I will move to amend the amendment with the following language. Mr. Williams clarified that process questions regarding the incident could be answered in a manner that preserves
042the constant parts. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Thank you for going through the exercise. >> But wait, you've got an open motion because Sandeep's original motion was as written. >> Thanks. >> Yes. Thank you. >> So now we vote down. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> So all in >> No, Andrew, >> you have to. >> All those in favor, >> right? >> And then you say all those opposed. >> All those opposed. >> Nay. >> Motion does not really confusing. >> Thank you. >> All right. So with that, um I see we have our student reps are here and Lynette is with us. So I am gonna call to order the caral regional school committee meeting. >> Is Brian coming tonight? >> Brian is at a concert. >> Oh, >>
043so he will not be joining us. And can you just grab those two name plates and Mark and Evelyn and Maddie, you can come join us up here. >> Then the recognition kids are outside and some are coming in now. Great. A minute to come in. >> How did the meat go? >> Yes. >> Sorry. >> Did you swim yesterday? Did you die yesterday? >> But was the boys didn't dive yesterday? >> Oh, I thought you said you >> I went to the meeting. The boys didn't. So there was no >> there's like 11 div >> I know but there was no male diving yesterday >> team either. >> No >> a lot of teams don't have that yesterday. >> Okay. >> Some have like three. >> Yes. >> And somehow zero. >> I tried.
044It was really hot at beauty center. Not going to lie. And I wore a sweater. So just I recommend anyone don't wear a sweater. >> Um okay. Do you have slides and you're you're sharing or you want me to share? Uh, if you can get on, go ahead and share first. >> Oh, do you want to do recognitions first because they're on the agenda first? Sorry, >> that's completely up to you. Go ahead and share. >> So, um, do you guys mind holding off to our recognition first? Okay. All right. So, for recognitions tonight, we have Rivers in Revolutions and Twice Sold Tales. I see two of our Rivers teachers, Will Kameza, Ashley Cohen are here. Oh, Agatha. I miss you. You look like one of the students. Sorry. >> That's it, right? Just the
045three of them. have and you have students with you. >> One student who's here and then two who are on Zoom. >> Okay. So, we're going to start with Rivers Revolutions first, right? >> Just bring them all up. >> Bring everybody up. >> Yeah. I don't know who's who. So, we're going to bring everybody up. Listen to everybody. The point of why we combine these two today, Rivers and Revolutions and Twice Tales are our two integrated curricula cross disciplinary programs. And so, we felt that that was a fit. Um, and I'm not sure which students are in which class. So I think do it all at once. >> We'll do it all at once. >> Twice told tales is social studies in English. Rivers is multiple content. >> Yes. So >> and I did give
046the school committee so they know that we've got two different programs up right now. >> Yeah. >> So I'll I'll leave it to Ashley first. >> Oh, okay. I'm gonna I'm not going to speak very long. Um hi, I'm Ashley Cohane. I run the Rivers and Revolutions program at the high school. Um two of the teachers are here as well. Will Kamea, >> evening, >> who's an English teacher. >> And Awazia, >> hi. >> Who's social studies teacher. Um, and then we have three students who are joining us. Um, so Lucy Frank, who was with us last spring when she was a junior and is a senior at the high school. Um, we have Phoebe Lewis who is joining us um, from Elon uh, and she was with us last fall and Omar Nunez who
047is with us right now. um who is joining us from Boston. Um so Lucy was gonna share a little bit first, then Omar, and then Phoebe. So here you go. >> Yeah, sure. Why not? >> Lucy, do you want to sit in the chair right here super awkwardly? I'm sorry. >> Come join us. >> Um good evening. My name is Lucy. Um I'm currently a senior at CCHS and I participated in Rivers and Revolution during my junior year. I'd like to share with you how my time in Rivers helped me grow both as a student and as a person. One of my favorite things about participating in Rivers is having the opportunity to explore the town I've grown up in. For example, we often walk down to the fairyland wisdom history in that area. For
048example, the name Fairyland was inspired by Louisa May Alcott and the nearby Bris Hill was named for Bristo Freeman, a formerly enslaved man who lived there in the late 1700s. In addition to learning about its history, we explored and sketched Fairyland's flora and fauna and measured the flow rate of the river in the woods. While math isn't always my favorite subject, this project remains a favorite as I appreciated getting out of the textbook and seeing how math could be applied in the real world. After measuring the river's flow rate, we learned about the flow state that can occur when creating art. I consider myself an artistic person, but I don't usually have many opportunities to express my creativity in school, which is why one of my favorite projects was creating my own unique map of
049conquered. We drew and illustrated the map depicted historical sites we had visited in conquered, used math to ensure the proportions and placements were correct, and incorporated a piece of our creative writing. I liked being able to synthesize all that I'd learned into one project, and explore the connections between different subject areas. One of the most meaningful parts of Rivers for me was keeping a daily journal throughout the semester, which included my sketches, pieces of writing, weekly reflections, math work, historical facts, and more. This journal helped me connect personally with what I'd learned and learn more about myself in the process. I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in Rivers, and I believe that this program facilitates growth and increased confidence, fosters a diverse, close-knit community, and inspires genuine excitement and learning. Thank
050you. >> And we're gonna hear from maybe Phoebe and Omar next. >> Whoever wants to go first. Phoebe, why don't you go first? It's so good to see you, Phoebe. >> Okay. It's good to see you, too. Um, okay. So, as I said, my name is Phoebe Lewis. Um I'm currently a freshman at Elon University and um I did Rivers the I did Rivers my senior year fall and joining Rivers was truly one of the best decisions I've ever made. Um this program doesn't just educate your mind but the whole person. Um it pushed me out of my comfort zone and with that taught me to believe in myself. I never really felt like I belonged at CCHS till I started Rivers. I really struggled at letting grades validate who I was and feeling as
051though my peers were competition and pushing me down. My teachers knew me, but on a very surface level, and I felt I never really knew the people in my grade or even the people in my class very well. With Rivers removing the constant distractions of phones, we were we as a group really could connect. I formed friendships that were genuine and relationships with teachers on a personal level. Rivers not only taught me about the history and the future of the place I've called home for my whole life, but taught me how to have hard conversations and how to be a good person. I still carry with me what I learned in River's class, such as journaling, which has now become a part of my daily routine, but also the small moments that meant so much.
052Whether it be bus rides, singing songs, canoeing down rivers, learning how to create handdrawn maps, each moment brought me to where I am today. I still reflect back at my time at Rivers and appreciate how much it changed the way I view school and the way I view myself. I am more confident in who I am and know that I'm capable of much more than I give myself credit for. I'm so grateful for these teachers for creating an environment that allows kids to try new things and sometimes fail, but most importantly be there to pick them up and support them when they do. It turned the idea of competing with your classmates into motivating one another and working together. I'm so grateful for the time I got to share with my class and the teachers
053and also the world around us. I will drive around conquered and notice more. I see the creek I drove by every day all for all four years of high school that I never noticed till I went barefoot in it to learn how to measure water flow. Or as I walk my dog, I noticed the leaves on the ground and I'm able to name them by name. Rivers has given me a greater perspective of my home and the world and I couldn't be more grateful. This program has truly changed my life and so many others. I'm so thankful to CCHS for having a program like this and I'm so thankful for the teachers who make this experience truly what it is. >> Omar, your turn. >> Hi everyone, my name is Omar Nunees. Um, to me,
054Rivers and Revolutions was never just a class. It was a family and it was a space where we didn't learn subjects or just subjects. We also learned how to harmonize and come together as one. Um, one of the biggest things I learned was the value of taking risks. Um, doing things that you're afraid to do because you know that they will be beneficial. And I remember walking into this classroom on the first day with the list of whatifs running through my mind, like what if I don't make any friends or what if no one wants to talk to me or what if I don't like this class? But honestly, it was the exact opposite. and I talked to more people and socialized more than I ever expected to. And I had more fun than I
055had in a long time. And in a way, this this class brought me back to my childhood. And from going outside in the city to exploring the wilderness together, um it just really makes you feel like a kid again. This class turns school from a place you go to into something that you actually do. So instead of looking at a picture of the Sudbury River in a textbook, you're actually standing in front of it. Instead of looking at the north end on a screen, you physically go there and explore it. Um, you don't just learn math on a worksheet. Use math and measure the speed of a physical river and you like go inside the water and you know, it's just fun overall. And in rivers, your hands, your eyes, and your heart are all
056involved. And so for me, I would say that this is by far my favorite and most memorable experience that I've had at CCS. >> Amazing. The teachers have anything they want to add to the Rivers discussion? >> No, I mean just we're we're so grateful to all of you and I mean to be able to teach these students is such a privilege every single day. And who doesn't love getting into the river up to here? >> There's a pretty amazing Instagram that I actually look at every day or people actually look at them. Yeah. And Lucy, when you talked about the journals, so I don't know, my oldest daughter took Rivers and my youngest is going to Rivers. So I'm like I'm half and half. Half have done it, half haven't. But those journals, it
057actually I had not thought about that until tonight. They were a lifeline because in COVID I ordered the same journals on Amazon and I gave one to each one of my kids. Now only one took to it. One was actually in Rivers but it was okay. But I was like you know what it just is a very different way of learning and the kids get so much out of it. So thank you for all you do for Rivers because it really is more unless you're in it you don't understand it. It's like a f it really is like a family. I think Omar you said that. And and I do think that like they're all different kids that end up in Rivers. It's not just a friend group. They're different kids from across the entire
058school. So, thank you for what you do. >> It's great. >> So, should we switch to Twice Total Tales? I had the I had the pleasure of being in there yesterday. Um, what great timing that you're here. Do you want to come together? Do you want to come one at a time? >> Come together. Bring two more chairs. bring those chairs over and then introduce yourselves and >> share with us. >> All right. So, hello everybody. I'm Claire Razer, class of 2026. I took twice tales last year. >> I'm Elias Schwarz. I'm taking it right now. >> Um, I'm Sarah Nodzo and I'm a senior at CCHS and I also took it last year. >> Yeah. So just to start off uh we have a little course description for you guys that we're going to
059read because we don't expect you guys to come in with this knowledge of what this course is about. So Twice Told Tales explores the human condition through an indepth examination of history, psychology, and literature. Students read classic literature that focuses on the evolution of civilizations, the challenges of sedentary life, the search for meaning and purpose, and the establishment of socio-religious and economic obstacles that divided humanity. We begin our quest in the time of Gilgamesh, the first known written story, and travel to the ancient Greeks and the Bakkeye. Then we journey to the far east, visiting the timeless tales of Mulan and Sedartha before concluding our journey with B for Vendetta, my personal favorite. Uh students are able to immerse themselves in a beautiful woven tapestry of the human condition and how we have attempted to
060secure meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Students will also learn literary and psychological theories centered on the timeless human desire to establish meaning and purpose. Students also participate in two guided tours through the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. The guided tours cover material we have studied in Twice told Tales. The goal is to see the power of art in deciphering and understanding the cultural value system of a particular historical period. Students will also develop a deeper understanding of the universal nature of the human condition and discover how art is a powerful communicator of historical legacy and societal ideals. So the way that we kind of laid this out is that I'm going to say a few things going to say a few things and then Eliza is going to
061add a little bit. So uh what I am I didn't mean to lowball you. I meant that to sound like it very well. All right. So, uh I'm going to talk mostly about the lecture and group work format, which is what I got the most out of from this course. Uh and it's really what I think makes Twice Told Tales unique. So, the ways that we incorporate um kind of group work uh and also lecture. We also do reading, essays, and group presentation. So, uh I think that using all of these different approaches really supports our interdisciplinary approach by combining these different ways of learning. So that way there's something for all students in the class. You could be strong in reading or essays or maybe you're really good at multiple choice. I was never,
062but if that's you, then I'm so happy. Uh and also presentation. So this way it plays to all strengths and makes sure that every student can excel. And uh from my experience, a unique course offers unique benefits as we all know. So take the four pillars of education from UNESCO. Learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together, and learning to be. Uh learning to know and learning to do in my experience are almost always achieved in a typical classroom. Uh with the acquisition of knowledge here at Twist Tales through things like reading and lecture uh and then application in class and assessments such as essay, group presentation, creative projects, and again that lovely multiple choice. Uh but I find that what makes Twice Tales truly uh stand out from all other courses is
063the learning to live together and the learning to be aspect because they're not achieved in typical courses. Um and holistically uh learning to live together and learning to be focus mostly on social skills, empathy building and self-awareness. And in my experience, part of the success is the unique emotional and unconventional topics that we talk about where we discuss things such as socialization, psychology, and this greater idea kind of as it touched on um in the overview of what makes us ourselves and kind of being able to examine the labels that we give to ourselves and other people in um kind of making sense of our world. And at the end of the day, I know that this course might not be for everybody. Students can like it or not. they could gravitate to this or
064they couldn't. But what it will not change is that no matter what this topic matter is always applicable to every single student in the room sitting there. Uh so this way uh Twice Told Tales's unique blend of group work, lecture and individual work not only supports uh these more traditional typical classroom skills of critical thinking and analysis but also uh fosters um more abstract social skills for a holistic approach. uh which also uh grants um great preparation for academia and higher education, social life and the workforce. >> Okay. Um, so I kind of wanted to touch on the part of Twice Tales that was most significant to me, which was that as I kind of started progressing through high school, I kind of started to realize that I really love sciences and I wanted to
065kind of um get more into biology and kind of um learn about medicine a little bit. Um, but as I started to take more classes that geared toward the sciences, I kind of started to lose like the humanities and like really focusing on those classes. And for me taking Twice Tales, it was really eye opening in so many ways because it taught me how interwined like the sciences and the humanities are and it gave me a whole new perspective when studying especially biology I found this year. Um, and kind of just how intertwined they are. Um and additionally like the biggest life lesson for me that I have taken and kind of internalized and plan to continue to internalize in college is um oh I lost it now but um I had it in my
066brain. Um but it's a part of the human condition um defense mechanisms. That was it. Um and just kind of learning that like why people act how they do. Like if somebody has a bad day, like that's okay. And they're just having a bad day, you never know why. And it just kind of has taught me to have a more open perspective on why people act the way that they do. And just kind of to try and be kinder to people because you never know what people are going through. Like you might be having a really bad day and you might act in a certain way and like that's okay. That happens to everybody. Um and yeah, that's kind of the biggest lesson that I think Twiceful Tales has really taught me. And I even
067wrote an essay on it. like it's really become my mantra just in life. So, um yeah, I'm really looking forward to taking that with me beyond and I just think Twice Tales has taught me some of the most amazing lessons and Mr. River and Mr. Spence like I feel like I owe them so much. Like they just have taught me so much about myself and other people and about why I love just learning in general like Yeah. So, >> um yeah. So, one other interesting thing about the Twice Told Tales class is it meets for two blocks. So, it's two hours long as opposed to normal class which is 1 hour long. And it also has two teachers and 50 students. So, and I think that's better because it like it allows you more time
068with the material and also more time in your groups. So, it makes for like stronger group work and it also allows you to meet more people because there's so many students in the class. And also the two teachers work really well together and complement each other. One's a social studies teacher and one's an English teacher. And the other thing like what makes the class so special is like the the way that the history and the psychology and the literature all connect to each other because like when you just read a book in school and you analyze it and you write an essay about it, like you understand like on a baseline level what's happening in the book. But but what this class allows you to do is you also learn like the history and the
069psychology and then that allows you to connect with the characters a lot more and like extract like a bigger life lesson and like you can relate you can relate to the characters more and you can get a lesson from the books >> that's like that's greater than if you just read them and like for example we read like the bo we read Bakai which is actually like a play and when you learn about it you also learn about the Pelpeneisian war and as she was saying, you learn about Freudian defense mechanisms. And so then that that like that gives you like a third dimension into what the book's about because it like it teaches you it's not just like a it's not just a Greek tragedy, but it's also connects it also it's like a
070it's like a political it's a it's a political statement that the author is making and also and then the Freudian defense mechanisms let you understand why the characters are acting in the way that they are and then also why you're acting in the way that you are. >> Yes. >> And I mean kind of uh just one thing I want to add uh like a strength that we share with Rivers I feel is just like the great diversity and kids that you get in this class. >> Uh you have like one of everything in uh Twice Told Tales and I absolutely loved it. Um, it really opened my eyes to seeing like the array of people that like come together and just exist in one space. And it's like kids that I never thought that
071I'd get along with or just kids that I thought like, "Oh, we're too different. We have nothing in common. What would we even talk about?" But we're sitting here and we're talking about it. >> What' you say? >> Everyone's the same. Is everyone like everyone's a little bit different, but at the end of the day, we're like all we're all the same. Yeah. >> And then that lets you connect with people more. >> Yeah. >> And even with the characters in the books who lived thousands of years ago. >> I think that's all from us. >> I mean, what an amazing array of students we have. >> Give them a hand first. >> Do you feel like be a walking advertisement? Because we went three for four and twice old tales. I got it right
072at the end because the last one's taking both. And really like look at our kids like look at they are critical thinkers. They are well spoken. >> Oh my gosh. >> They're making their teachers proud. Look at our teachers. Like really exceptional. So, thank you so much for coming us tonight. Does anyone have any comments for our students that are with us tonight with the programs? >> Questions? Anything? >> Claire, are you a teaching assistant in that class? >> Uh, not in that class, but next semester I'm a TA for world cultures. >> Okay. I I felt as though she might be a TA in that class. Clarity teach the class right now. I wish >> and I do think you you said it exactly right that like the range of students in the class
073and the presentations that both classes do and again unless you've had someone in in the classes you don't really see it but you are so prepared for college from both of those classes because you're always on your feet and you always have to talk you always have to present and you guys clearly have very good presentation skills that come from both those classes. So, >> but I think it's college and like if even if you don't go to college like >> the world this is how professional settings are you know it's not traditional learning so it's just I'm so jealous it's awesome >> yeah it's really awesome >> so thank you >> thank you all so much so much for inviting >> thank you >> thanks >> Ashley you're welcome to stay if you want
074no >> I appreciate the offer >> okay see you later >> I'll be back shortly I'm just going to walk people All right. And now we get to hear from more CCHS students. See, like the regional meetings are actually kind of my favorite. Sorry, CPS. But we get to start with our students first. So >> So we are on to our CCHS students. >> Yep. So I'm on the Zoom. So if I can I think I should be >> able to share. I can Yeah. share my screen. >> Yes, that'd be great. >> I think you have to get promoted to a >> Let me promote you. I tried while I was listening, but I >> wasn't good at multitasking. >> You want to pick the worst weather day to come in person? >> Can
075we just flip that given my long day here? Um, thank you so much for coming in person. >> That's what I meant to say. Came out backwards. >> I didn't realize how bad it was. I mean, I had no trouble getting here. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I mean the I I straight shot highway from my house, >> right? But I thought it was kind of >> what was treated was fine. What was >> slippery? >> Did that work? >> Um I don't have the system settings on my Zoom. >> Can you share it with me and I'll share it with you so I can resend the link to you if that works. Um >> why don't you do that just so it's right at the top. It was. >> There you go. I can't go
076into presentation mode for some reason yet in this room and increase the percentage. You're welcome to start. >> All right. >> Okay. Get started. Um, so we're going to just talk about what we did over winter break. I rested up. I did I think we had three dive practices. So I went to dive and just did some work. Didn't really do much. I had Christmas and that was fun. I just had to help me over. >> I did a ton of college apps. I submitted like 16 applications in the span of like five days. Um so that was that consumed my week. So yeah, that that was all my break. Um I went to St. Thomas with my family and it was really fun until the last day when our flight was yeah delayed and
077then we went to Miami and then that flight was cancelled and then we spent the night there and then we went back in the morning and it was moved to Fort Lauderdale. So we had to go to Fort Lauderdale and fly out of there. We made it back and I only missed one day of school, so it was all okay. >> That's impressive. I have much I have people who aren't back yet in many places, so >> I think I was lucky. Um, but yeah, overall it was a very fun break. >> Good. >> Did the six of you fly together or did you get split up? Wow. >> Um, yeah, it was it was >> there was a very angry email sent to the CEO of Delta Airlines. >> I won't read it out,
078but it was sad. >> Oh, okay. Oh. Um, okay. So then moving on, another thing that we had in the past was Prism. I wasn't able to go, but a lot of my friends performed in ensembles, some in chorus, some in band, and some in other personal groups. And I heard it was a really great time. A lot of people went. There were two days of it. Um, and it just sounded like a really fun time. >> Yeah. And then we also were having club window decorating. That kind of happened, I think, the week before break and then we're still finishing the last decorations. Um, basically what happens is we have all these winners around CC of course and so we split them in half and then um, student senate assigns them for all the
079different clubs and that's really fun because I mean even though it's already like halfway through the school year basically it's a great way for like clubs to kind of share what they're doing and you know even to gain new members but just to like it's kind of a nice little thing as you walk around CC you see you know the clubs and so that's really special and so um I science LIP I don't think I don't know if you can see it. But yeah, in the corner you can see some of our members are working on >> it won't go into presentation mode. It shows on my screen but >> but it's there. You can kind of see the word science somewhat written therely. >> Um yeah, BSU did theirs. I just want to like
080give a shout out to the student center. You guys both are on it and you guys did an amazing job with like the response times, like the time slots, everything was super organized. They have like a diagram of like which window. I was like which window is it? And I was like your window 10. Like what is that? And they had an entire like print out map of the learning commons with like the windows. >> It's so much more elaborate than you'd think to plan that all out. >> Yes, it was I like a lot of you guys. Um I can talk about so poetry out loud the competition. I was in the class with EA. She's in my class and she did an amazing job. >> I mean my teacher laid out we had
081like two days to do it and memorize the poem and do all the things and she did amazing. the hand gestures like she aced it and then she went on to this cool competition and then won and the overwhelming majority voted her. >> Yeah. So she'll be going to the regional competition and there were 17 finalists. So >> I don't think we did that when we were >> Yeah. Okay. Um >> um and then winter sports are also ongoing. Um I know Mark, you might want to talk about swim and dive. >> Um bunch of meats missed it yesterday. a bunch of meats. A lot of them. So, this is interesting for me because I I'm used to this my first year doing dive or even the >> dive only or swim and dive dive
082only. Good. >> I tried swim first day and I was like there's no way I can do my homework on this. >> I was gassed after. So, um it's a lot of fun. It's like a good amount of exercise, but nothing like swim. We just listen to music, dive, clap when people dive. Super chill. Um, we had a bunch of practices over break and we have I'm not used to all these meets. I mean, I have like some per track, but three in a week feels crazy. They split it girls, boys, >> freshman, sophomore. So, sometimes it's split up, but the most part like you have to be there and you have to if you're not diving for competing, you have to like clap for your team, which is really nice. >> So, the team's
083been great. >> Um, and the meet yesterday I think went really well. I believe we won. I think you guys won. >> Yeah. My friend um this is her first year doing diving. She got a seven on her dive which was good for her. >> Super good. It's out of 10 and that's like a really good score. So >> yeah. Yeah. >> Cool. And then for other sports ski team we had our first practice at today which is really exciting. We went toit I'm sorry no it's Wednesday. I'm scrambled. We had our second practice at NOVA today first yesterday and then we went to a on Monday. So it's been great to get out on the snow. We were a little scared about how the conditions were going to be today with everything that happened,
084but it was actually really good. We like when it's really firm snow, so we had a great time. We're racing right in between LS and AB on the course. There's a little tension there, but um and we're excited to we're going to be skiing against them in a meet um tomorrow actually. So, if anyone has time to get over to Nishova and cheer us on, that'd be great. And then also men and women's basketball, they had games yesterday, I believe. And I think I'm not sure if either won, but I heard they all played really well. So that's great to hear. And then Nordics Ski also had a meet yesterday, which I'm pretty sure they won. I saw a few finalists on Mr. Jonas, the athletic director's page, so that was great to see. And
085then tonight, I think right now is the chorus concert, which is very exciting. I was hearing a lot of my friends performing in that. And then I know last night um the middle school chorus, which my sister is in, had I guess there was some kind of collaboration with that concert. And so, um, they had like a rehearsal and a pizza dinner, which was really cute to hear that. Apparently, you know, the older the younger kids always look up to. So, I think that was sweet for them to interact. >> Definitely. Um, and as I already said, I'll give it another shout out. Um, first alpine ski race tomorrow. Yes. >> Do all the schools come to that? Like, did AB, LS, and CC all compete together? >> Yeah, we're all in the same league.
086And then there's I think Winchester, Lunenburgg, and Lemonster, which I hadn't really heard of before start, but they're in our league. And I think there's a few other teams we're hosting tomorrow as well. So that means pretty much all that means is that we have to pick up all the gates after, >> but all of those teams come to show it together. Okay. So gymnastics does the same thing. Like they have like three different schools at the same time, the same. >> Yeah, it's super fun. I know a few people from different, you know, from field hockey or a different sport and I see them all there. It's really fun. So yeah, um Derek Robbins is hosting his flex block um called I can't hear you, a story of living with trauma. So we see
087him a lot. He's our lead security contact and I don't really know what the flex is about. I mean past the title. So I'm hoping to go and hear a little bit about his story. >> Supposed to be like a motivational speech or something and there's lots of hype around it. We had I was sitting in the library like yesterday and one of the kids was walking around shaking the poster and saying everyone come. I think there's >> more than a security >> he's he's very well connected to the kids. >> Amazing. >> Okay. And then also we're getting ready for midterms which is next week. It's coming so quickly. Um and so for the seniors that's going to be our last bout of um exams which we are very much looking forward to but
088also a little bit nerve-wracking. And then after that um Q3 will start so new courses and everything. So exciting. >> Yes. >> And then Yeah. So, I can talk about um the next one. It's the Greater Boston Regional um school advisory council. It's a lot of words. Um I'm on it. It's through DesiE and we're planning a community event. I believe I emailed everyone here. >> Yeah. >> Um I looked on the website and tried to see who was on school committee. I remember names, but I tried to get them all. So, we invited stakeholders and hopefully there should be time for you guys to talk in the Zoom meeting if you guys want to if you guys want to unmute. Um, but my group was the bullying and harassment group. There's also the nutrition
089and emotional well-being. So, we just looked at stats that Jesse had on Massachusetts high schools and we went over like how many profession professional development days each school has and like you know how many students when everybody does those surveys like how many students are reporting bullying, what racial groups, what sexual orientation groups and like kind of the why. So, that's what we're working on now and that presentation should be done on Monday which I'm super excited for. Are you presenting on Monday? You yourself? >> Yes. >> Me and Anthony Babu, who is a senior. >> Actually, just >> You know what time that's at? >> Is it going to be the one hour I'm going to be there? >> Yes. >> Good. Okay. Let's hope it wasn't the hour I'm not. >> Hope. Um
090Yes. Little shout out to Anthony because he just um got into Harvard, which is >> He did. >> Wow. Congrats. >> Um he just told me the Black Student Union um potluck. You can see in the top right corner. That's a photo from last year. We're joined by I think Bedford and Wakefield in that. I wasn't in this one last year, but um I'm president this year, so I'm doing all the planning for it. It's everything's looking great. We reached out to I think seven schools. I think four responded and are planning to come. It's going to be January 15th. And everything is looking great. We all just like bring food, talk, listen to music. It's the other black student unions at like the local schools. So that should be a lot of fun. Do
091you want to talk a little about Morgan? >> Yeah. And then I actually don't know too much about this, but I think it's this upcoming event with a basketball game using with more Morgan Message, which is a club that sent it. I think I remember passing it last year. So that's really exciting to see them now starting to do some more really um like nice community outreach in CC. So we're excited to hear about that. And maybe by our next update, we'll have some um pictures from that and everything. I'll just add um Sarah who was here. I believe her and Alex Huven are like the two leaders on Morgan's message. >> She was the one in the pink sweater who was I think that was twice told. >> I don't know too much about
092it. I know that it's like a mental health club um that other schools around >> that other schools around here have. So I'm excited. It's new this year, right? Or last year. >> We approved it last year. >> Yeah. So >> any questions? >> No. Excellent update as usual. I mean, the high school's just busy. >> It is. >> You've been in school for three days and there's just a lot. >> During the break about half of the break. >> Yeah. >> Sounds like what break. >> Yeah. Yeah. Not much of a break, right? >> Enthusiasm. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Have a good night. >> I'll send more emails. Don't worry. >> Good luck in your race tomorrow. Thank you so much. All right. All right, with
093that, well, that was the best part of the meeting. Now, we're going to open up the hearing for the um CCRSD FY27 regional budget. >> A couple week before the hearing, I have a point of order. >> Yeah. >> Uh just on um I've gone through meetings that we've had going back to November, things that we brought up there. We discussed that we we say we're going to uh put on the agenda in further meetings. I've looked through the template of the schedule that you have through to the end of the year and I just want to have some clarity on how we can get things on the agenda specifically three things that we talked about as a body. Uh June 5th and November 19th when I talked about some more clarity on the CPS
094technical efficiency information. Um I also expanded on that on the November 19th meeting said that we'd get to it at some other point. uh the uh career uh technical education we talked about October 8th and uh December 17th uh specifically getting uh someone from Tech to just give us a followup on how our students are doing the bang for the buck that we're getting for students and finally the uh phone policy which we had public comment on November 19th. Um we started to look at the process December 17th and um just few days ago yesterday January 6th we got more public comment on it. Question is what's the template can we at least thumbnail when we're going to some get some of these discussions? So, I was going to bring up the cell phones during
095the chair's update because that was my decision not to put it on this um meeting because quite frankly I didn't have time over the break to do a good service to it. So, that will be on the February meeting. Um the technical education I think that's just a outreach that you were going to do to Minute Man. So, maybe after break I'm not I'm not exactly sure. need to talk more on what I'm asking because that would that's not typical to have minute man come talk on students that have said because they have their own school committee etc. >> Anyway, if there's more to flesh out there I understand the issue. >> I understand. Yeah, I think the minute man issue is once our students leave here they're no longer our students. So Minute Man
096would be reporting on the Minute Man outcomes. >> I guess I I I don't we can discuss that at a time. I'm just asking can we at least thumbnail when we'll have a time >> of like you have a template for the year >> when in the year with these conversations being coming up since we've already agreed at least we vocalized during our meetings that we'd get to them. I just wanted to know when. >> Yeah. So so Brian and I will do the agenda planning for the region and Andrew and Carrie do it for CPS. So we'll work on that as part of our New Year's resolution. How about that? is to really get back to the schedule. Um, and the other thing that that is just coming up and again I'm kind of
097leaping into the chair's report. So, we are working on a Boston meeting too, but I'm going to report more on that during the chair's report. >> Okay. >> Just as as long as in a timely fashion, we'll get to when when they're going to be the >> Yep. Yep. Okay. So, I think I already opened the hearing. Did I open the hearing? I did. Mhm. >> So, the hearing is now open and um as I mentioned in the agenda overview, uh we have already seen the regional budget and so Bob's already done a presentation for us on December 17th. So, he's now going to do the public presentation and then we'll open it up for questions. >> I can promise this will not be as exciting as the student updates. >> I know. Sorry, Bob.
098>> Interesting. >> Should have put you first. >> I would like to have taken the twice till sales class. I'd still like to take it. >> It's really good. >> Yeah. >> While he's doing that, some parents actually read along with the um books as the kids are reading. >> You have a chance to take it. I >> just again Uh Dr. Hunter is going to just give you the high level budget story and then I'll walk through the rest. >> Thank you. So at the high school, our primary um mindset as we approached the budget and really the story that evolved as we crafted it was maintaining level service and supporting our initiatives and goals. We are addressing the decline declining declined enrollment at the high school through this with reductions. Um Bob's going
099to talk on in insurance health costs and the challenges that come with that because it does impact directly against education if we're not careful. Um indistrict special education programming and the status of that. We are now naming the incoming revenue um as a revenue source for students tuitioning in from other districts into our special ed programmings at the high school because the number is now significant enough that we can and should name it. And just the final piece, um, this budget includes no additional staffing. Um, we're actually making reductions. We didn't bring you the wish list. We've chosen to come in and get to guideline, which really was very Carile driven this year given the exponential increases going to Carlile. Uh but we feel like we've hit that happy medium with bringing the most cost-effective
100budget that we could while preserving and maintaining programming and um doing it in a I guess the kids showed you in a quite robust way. So Bob, I'll take you through the numbers and we'll go from there. >> Great. The budget process, again, this slide is primarily for people not as familiar with the budget process. Just outlines the time frame for the process. Um and I'll not necessarily go into details here. here as a reference for uh people not as familiar with the process. Our objectives um are to maintain and support our existing programs and students um support our strategic plan initiatives you know support and uh comply with legal mandates um and to balance our needs with fiscal capacity of our member towns. My overall budget um you can see from this um is
101I can't see because my participants are in the way. Excuse me. Um an overall increase of 1.63% um versus the FY26 approved budget. Um and I'll go through each of these categories. You can see kind of the the drivers is really if you look at the overall increase of 658,000 and our fixed charges going up 544,000. You know, it's driven substantially by by that category. We have offsets in debt service, offsets in tuition. Um the other accounts are relatively modest increases, but again, I'll walk through each one. Administration is up. We we made an assumption in terms of what we might be able to identify in a position. And we typically try to identify um if we can somebody who's um maybe less expensive but highly qualified person uh filling a vacant position. And so
102there is a increase versus our budget assumption instructional tech specialist. Um the rest of the increases are relatively minor. That's kind of the key driver for our administration increase of 17.2 7.2 2%. Teaching instruction, the biggest driver here, uh the biggest component of our of our C CCRSD budget is up 1.5%. Um when you think about that, that's actually uh hard to achieve. Um we have a 3% cost of living increase, plus we have staff advancing steps and lanes. This is a district that has fairly senior staff, so a lot of staff are already at the top step. Um but nonetheless um we do have uh staff advancing step and lanes. Um so to to get to 1.5% um we have um other impacts that are offsetting the cola in the steps which is reduction
103in 4.15 FTEES across various subjects. Um and we uh Dr. Hunter referenced this earlier. We we now have substantial we have seven students tuitioning into our district for non-resident programs for special education uh pathways launch and primarily pathways but um it's a combination of pathways launch and I think u just one student in the branch program >> anchor sorry that's anchor um the um the impact of that are we you improved a rate increase for next year from 45 to 48,600 So three additional students over last year's budget at 486 each. Um the other districts um are paying to support these students. And then we have the the price increase for existing three students um from 45 to 48. So that's what's driving that 157. Um and this is not just financial just as a
104reminder to anybody who's hearing this for the first time. These students provide a peer group for our existing students. Um so this is a win-win. We receive money for it. Um it helps other districts but it also helps our students um have a more robust sphere. Um contract services increased by 32,000 um and the non-s salary accounts. Um that's for the portrait of a graduate. Um and uh so that's that's basically overall what's driving the teaching instructional support 1.5% increase. other school services. Um, it's primarily driven by transportation. Most of the rest of this is uh contractual increases or fairly modest increases in the student club advisor stipens. This is the same issue I talked about earlier in CPS where um we have a bit of a reduction in our out of district uh tuitions,
105but the um the formula that is used to assess us for these costs is on a lag basis. So, we won't necessarily see an impact probably until FY28. uh maintenance and operations. Uh this is essentially uh inflationary increases. We do have a acquisition of a replacement copier in here. Um but um with you know looking through the rest of the accounts they're fairly modest increases which brings the total overall to 2.5%. So this is where uh we've had the most significant challenge and um our we had this issue you might recall in FY26 budget as well. Um the impact in 26 that we had anticipated turned out to be even more when we were notified of what the rates were. So um the impact that you're seeing this year is a combination of not budgeting
106sufficiently last year which we managed by um finding offsets last year but so we under budgeted last year by 4% plus we have a 12% budget increase for this year. Um the town is um is working with the insurance advisory committee. We attend those meetings to talk about potential changes to plan design. Uh without that I think we would be above that that 12%. Um with it we potentially could be a little bit less. 12 is um where we may land. Um so overall 48 487,000 of our increase is in medical insurance both active and retiree. The retirees rates uh increased as well uh this year. Um so we were able to get our overall budget to 1.6% 6% even with um kind of absorbing these um these hits and we're hoping for some moderation
107um in this as we move forward. There's been discussion about um our insurance company not covering GLP one drugs that was called um or only covering them for certain medical conditions not not for everybody. Um the retirement assessments an estimate we don't have they're being u they're going through their annual um valuation and audit and I don't have what the final number is going to be. So we projected a modest increase. Um so that's what the 26,000 is and our property and liability insurance is going up um a little bit as well. So but the bulk of this is the is the medical insurance. um our fixed assets. Um it's really being driven by um the instructional equipment costs um to replace some some aged equipment. Um and um the the bottom end the vehicle
108replacement is really just to keep up keep us up with changes in pricing in the market. Uh our debt service, this is a 6% decrease from FY26. We had a b a bond anticipation note for the landfill, remediation on the landfill. That was done several years ago. That was uh the final payments being made this year. We might have actually recently just we just made that I believe um in the first half of the year. Uh the access road that was paved two years ago, two summers ago, um is now added in and we're making our first principal payment this year. And our existing bonds are level principles planning interest. So that's really that's driving this um primarily is the the declining um interest on older bonds for the CCHS building project. So overall down
109226,000 or 6%. Um for tuitions um we're down overall 323%. Um this is a combination of um the gross tuition costs down 97,000 2.4%. We did expect this to be sub much more substantial, but there's been large increases from private special education schools that our students are attending that we've been noticed um that are expected in some cases like 25%. Um a typical increase might be 3 to 5%. So um there's discussion by some special ed staff across the state to engage the state asking whether there's some support they can provide in managing these figures but they're what we've been what's been communicated to us and we um have budgeted that for now. Um I have no idea whether I I don't I'm not hopeful about there being relief. So um our offsets from circuit
110breaker and IDA increased. We do have um a healthy amount of circuit breaker more than we had projected last year. So um that's being baked into the budget this year. Um as we move forward, we expect to see that um decline and there's a little bit of use here of some circuit breaker reserves as well. Um so net out of district tuition um it's down 323. The gross tuition piece again isn't as much as we expected, but um we're able to do um achieve some of this budget increase by using um a little bit more circuit breaker reserves as well. Um the last items are not special education related for charter school, school choice. These are um students can opt to attend a charter school and school choice. Um the other setting is somebody a
111hospital setting for example. Um but the those are assessed by the states and based on our um enrollment levels there um we're projecting an increase of 54,000 uh for next year. This is a high level summary of how much the salary impact is versus non- salary. The non- salar is really being driven by debt not district tuitions. um and it would be even lower without the health insurance piece and the salaries being driven by the teaching and learning um being below what the what the COLA the budgeted cola is for um CTA CCTA staff. This is um in our budget we typically provide some information on some other items in the region um that we don't have at CPS. We have an OPED trust. Show you can see we're 60% funded based on our FY24
112information. Um I did get you know looking at our our online statement we ended up at 11.7 million at the end of June 2025. So at the end of this last fiscal year about 1 $3 million increase and change. um the OPED trust audits um being audited by um third party group that does OPED audits right now and that'll determine what our liability and funding level are as of June 30, 2025. As a reminder, we have a budget contribution this year of 375. These are this is our revenue budget. Um overall, you can see it's flat. Uh it's state funding chapter 70 is up a bit. I've moderated the uh interest a bit because interest rates have come down and so um you know looking at I I think we're going to run pretty tight
113to the 275 this year based on where we what we've earned through December. So I with where the interest rates are and a little bit expected I I thought it would be prudent to reduce it slightly. um charter reimbursement's a formula based on students go out and you get you get certain money back from the state. So I I take guidance from the state to budget that the same chapter 71's based on what we're spending on transportation and um the projection is a little bit less than last year. So the um assessments um terms of how our budget gets assessed to the towns. This is the um the way we we basically take our and I'm not going to walk through this in detail but you know the total at the top is our budget.
114We subtract our revenue sources to arrive at what the assessments are. So you can see if you just go to the bottom that our um assessments are going um up 9.37 in Carlile down 0.79% in conquered if you look at the total we're going our assessments are going up 1.59%. So even with a 1.59% increase car just because of the shift in enrollments is going up 9.37%. And so that's a a huge impact to Carlile. >> And the Carlile FinCom meeting is next week, >> Thursday next week. >> And this shows the Carile, it shows the assessment impact to both towns. Sometimes we look at it without debt and sometimes with debt. So show the figures both ways here. Without debt, our increase is 2.49%. With debt included, it's 1.59%. Uh you can see the
115shift here in students. So um you know conquered went down 47 students the same time same time that Carile went up 11. So that's a about a $650,000 impact just on the enrollment changes which is go back to this there 7 777 is their overall increase 650,000 that's based on enrollment. Our END was last certified at one little bit over 1.6 million. This is kind of the regional school equivalent of free cash. It's limited to 5% of our budget. Um I'll provide an update sometime between now and the end of the year when we've submitted it to Division of Local Services part of the Mass Department of Revenue. It hasn't been certified yet. So when we get that we'll let you know. I think it might tick up a little bit from 1.6 and 4.2%.
116And um one other thing before questions I just want to um remind you we had talked about um the OPED contribution being um repurposed towards capital stabilization. I don't recall if I change that in the budget. It might be something that um I think it's something we we have built into our capital plan. >> Right. Um, I think it's something we're going to want to hear feedback from Carl Allen in her meeting and I guess I would ask tonight that we um I asked for the budget to be approved as it is and if we decide to repurpose it, we could ask for an amendment. I could just shift the some of it maybe maybe some of it maybe all of it. But I know I think we hear >> hear from Carwell first. >>
117Yeah. >> Right. >> But again, we're in a situation where the current conquered warrant is closing so we do have to vote budget again. Mhm. >> Um, >> it's pretty common though that we vote on it multiple times though, right? >> Yeah. >> It's changed. >> You can't lower anything. >> Right. >> I'm sorry. You can't increase it backward. >> Yes. But you can lower it, but you can't >> not increase whatever you submit to the warrant. >> Right. So, >> do I mean between now and then? Like with if Carlile to Bob's point, we could vote on it again. Or is that after the warrant? You'd have to vote on it say the 21st after your workshop. >> Okay. >> Right. >> That would be your last window. I think >> we do have
118an option. >> Okay. Um any questions from committee? >> No. Okay. So, I would open it up to questions from the public. Any questions in the room? Excellent job, Bob. Any questions online? All right. Right, I'm going to close the hearing and as we did at the CPS meeting, I would entertain a motion to um vote on the budget tonight. Add that to the agenda because it can be reasonably anticipated. >> Second. >> Okay. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> All right. So, now we're going to take a vote on the budget. So, I understand a motion for that. I move that we vote to approve the FY27 CCRSD superintendent's recommended budget as presented. >> Second. >> Okay. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. >> Thank
119you, Bob. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Bob. >> Again, >> just a few more times. >> Yeah, >> at least two. >> You should just report it and say here is my presentation for present. >> Um, okay. So, moving on to the superintendent and the chair's update. I will turn it to Lori to give her update first. >> Great. Thank you. Um, I have a few things to highlight of varying topics. Uh, one is vision of a graduate and the work going ongoing work at CCHS, which I think my big message is we're expanding that to now be sure we're including prek8 conquered and carile. Um, so we got right into it at Willard the other day with Brian and Katie going to the Willard faculty meeting. Um, and we have plans from now through
120the spring to get to everyone at all um, sites. So, that's exciting. That was a big goal that we left the last design planning meeting with and my charge was to get those dates organized and the structures in place. So, we're making good progress on that. The vision of a graduate next design planning meeting is uh, two January 20th, so two weeks from now as we check in on um, where we are in the process. Uh in terms of other things that are happening where we're looking sustainabilitywise in addition and I have to keep reminding myself this is a regional committee meeting but in addition to the work we're doing with the middle school and CMLP to get that solar online and we're looking at some grants to maybe I'll stress maybe electrify one of
121the elementary schools. There's some big grant money out there. We'll see more to come in two weeks as we research that for the um CPS group. Um related to the high school though, um there is an electric charging, car charging grant available right now and you might notice we have none at the high school. Um so I met with Brian Bob's been talking to me. I met with Brian and Katie today who immediately said, "Can we get the kids involved?" So I'm going to reach out to the green team. We're probably going to need a little technical support which I'm borrowing from my middle school design team who have put in chargers and we'll try to get that grant in and see if we can't get some movement going there. >> Um charger B for
122the No, no, there's not a charger for those. >> So we we've had only one driver's ed car that was electric. It had to come here to charge. >> Okay. Okay. That's >> we're really struggling with its usage and that capacity with the range and all of that. So, we're I think we're moving to hybrid cars for driver's ed. I think that's the way to go. >> Um that's the conversation we've all been starting to have to go pure electric with no infrastructure is just not going to work. Um and the drivers aren't confident yet because we haven't built a capacity for them to have confidence in. So, the um instructors >> uh so we're just trying to keep everything moving that we can and keep our eye on grants which >> I've come to
123conclude is the way these things are going to happen. the costs are too high to do them other ways and you can hear the budget conversations we're having and yet we know um and the one other thing we'll mention is the we did get the grant for increasing infrastructure at Knox Trail for the buses um so that work is underway um to >> infrastructure where at at the transportation depot >> yeah uh Knox trail is the location of the depot and uh so that work is underway with CMLP and obviously our folks and Bob's involved in that and um building out the charging capacity and the speed of the charging um so that we'll have more options uh to to charge buses and do it more um those are level three right Bob >> I
124think those might be level three >> fast charging they're the type that uh can charge back to the grid >> yeah so there's a level three in that mix yeah so that's a grant that we got >> last year sometimes this conversation was also predicated on working in conjunction with other districts. Is that something >> Yeah, we've tried. I talked I met with ACT in Boxboro. Um they they own their own buses too and we're our our buses are in Act and the the limitation is the site that our buses are on. Theirs is too far away. The site that we have doesn't have any more capacity to it and it's completely surrounded by the super site there that is so highly regulated. So, we kind of hit a little stale there. So, >> we
125tried to submit a grant two years ago with other districts and we didn't get the grant. >> That was part of the federal money. >> So, we're trying some different approaches here. There seems to be a little I was surprised it's mostly state grants. >> I guess you probably can guess. >> Not surprising. Um, but we're just trying to keep our eye on what's out there and not miss any opportunities. I don't know if our grant writing on on this is as great as Shel's educational grant writing, but time will tell. Um, we've been I've been meeting and Shelley um, and we're trying to build a real connection here that Conquer's hired a community clinician that we are using a bit of and we want to get more robustly used. There's capacity there to service
126students and families um, at no charge, really quick turnaround through the Elliot Center. And so my mission this month of January is to help get word out to bring them over and talk with the administrative team. They met once last spring with the mental health um counselors and just try to maximize this amazing this was something I had been part of discussions on with the health director in conquered and others. There's a whole wellness group that meets regularly and this was a vision that we really had for years and finally executed on and now we need to really reap the benefit. Um so more to come that'll be in my Friday email. >> It's free. >> Free. >> Well they tap insurance >> and where is it? >> It's through the Elliot Center which is
127here in con >> that's amazing. >> It's amazing. regional or is she just conquered? >> She's just conquered. >> Just conquered. Okay. >> Just conquered. >> But we would have access for any of our students and families at CHS. Okay. >> And I'm literally going to put out like call this number and make appointments. >> Great. >> It's not even all referral based. >> Great. >> So, it's really amazing. >> That's great. >> And the just to just to have a place to send people where there's like a quick turnaround time >> and they're not waiting and waiting and waiting or searching and searching and searching. Just really exciting opportunity. So, we're going to keep publicizing that. Grateful for the town. >> In addition to like >> this will be in addition to cartwheel. We're
128going to have multiple >> That's great tools. >> That's really great. >> How long was that process to >> years of discussion um among community leaders in town to get to this and the fact that it's now happened is really exciting. >> So, >> it was a wish item and I was like, how are we going to fund it? >> Yeah. How's it funed? Um, it's through the town. So, I don't have all the Yeah. >> details off the top of my head. Um, I think there's some opioid money involved and maybe some town budget, >> but it's through the town. >> Yeah, it's through the town. >> That's awesome. >> It's really awesome. Um, my final is a plug for our uh programming coming up at the end of January. Um, as you know,
129we've been working with Facing History on our anti-semitism training with the staff. They were actually at the high school yesterday um doing a parallel of what they're actually going to do in the community session at the end of the month. So on January 27th um we're hosting a very brief panel just to put all of the stakeholder groups that are working on this and we've been able to partner with I will probably miss someone um KM Shalom Conquered Carl against anti-semitism um our own adult community is deeply involved um human rights council that might I know I'm gonna miss something that's >> DI commission yeah So now we're including the um DEI I forget what your acronym is if your DEI committee over >> DICA. Yeah, we started to connect with them. So >> great.
130>> Um the the vision is a half hour panel where each group gets up for two minutes and just says this is what we're working on. I'll speak for the schools briefly. Um and then facing history is going to run the same program for the community that we've been running for the staff. >> Oh great. >> On on they're titling it in. Well, we've got a lot of titles here. Building the community we want. Standing together against hate and bias featuring an interactive session, an introduction. This is what we've been doing with staff. An introduction confronting contemporary anti-semitism and facing history. We'll be on site and run that session for an hour. Um it's highly engaging. I've done it three times now and learned something new every single time. And there's lots of small interactive
131talk. There'll be some larger group talk at the end. Um, all we're asking is people to register through the portal so we have a sense of our SVPs the high school library which we think is enough space but we'll be sure. >> Yeah. >> And if you have I'm assuming if more people register to use space you'll go to the auditorium shift it somewhere. Okay. >> I I noticed this is this is on January 27. >> January 27th 6 to 8 o'clock. So, I noticed there's if you go to Kerm Swan's website, um, also show January January 27th at 6:30, an introduction to confronting contemporary ante. >> Yeah, they're one of our co-sponsors, >> but they're showing it at middle schooling, >> but we'll we'll work to correct that. >> It was going to be
132at the middle school. We moved it to the high school for capacity and to make sure Carlile wasn't traveling 45 minutes. >> Thank you. We'll clarify with on Kim Shan's website. >> I'll be sure we re resend it. Thank you. >> Great. >> So, we're excited by that opportunity. Um, Facing History called us brave yesterday to have this conversation. I think that's the goal we're having, right? Is let's have those open, honest, brave conversations. And I think this backdrop of a common history and understanding of how we are where we are um just sets a really strong place to start. So, I'm excited for this. It's been really positive. 92% I mean, we never get numbers like this out of PD. 92% of the high school staff, which is 100 93 respondents, um would recommend
133what they did yesterday for that hour. So, it's just incredibly impactful. >> Yeah. >> So, hopefully you can all attend. You won't be in business, so you won't be a quorum. You can all just come participate, enjoy. >> So, thank you. >> All right. Um I just have a few things. Um I'll be hosting the chairs round table next week here and we have probably like seven area chairs coming. We have a group of like up to 20 but I think seven will be in person. We have a few online and it's just a time that the chairs from different communities around talk about you know what's going on in your district. You know somebody might have you know something difficult to talk about like what are you guys doing about this? How do your
134budgets look? So it's actually been really helpful and informative. Um there's a lot of budget talks everywhere. We talk about negotiations. We talk about all sorts of school things. So that's happening next week. Um the chair's breakfast is also happening next week. I sit on the land use committee. We met again today and where that really intersects with us is Ripley. So there's more to come on that and that committee is really just making a recommendation to the select board as to what we think. So I sit on the consolidation committee for that reason because it is Ripley is part of the town departments well not part of the town departments the school is a department of the town but this Ripley building is really what we're looking to talk about. Um and then the
135cell phone policy I was going to bring that up tonight. We're going to push that to our next meeting because honestly over vacation it was just I didn't have enough time to spend the requisite time to have a discussion about it. What I did look at and I would encourage you to do so is look at um the policies through the MASC website. They have a searchable database and you can search and I'll put this together but feel free to poke around ahead of time. Um you can search which districts have cell phone policies and which don't. Um so that's kind of now I'm giving you more homework to do, but I'll put it together. But if you just are looking for something to do on cell phones, you can certainly do that. And we'll
136talk about that at our regional meeting in February. And we do have a K to8 policy. I should just say that. Do you have anything else? >> Just uh really briefly, um we had a meeting, school committee had a meeting in the Alen Gerson building earlier this fall. I loved it. We were talking to Lori after the meeting. Can we do more of these? And unfortunately, at the time, Minute Man had to literally load up that room and bring it over to the garrison building. And that's just it took them like three hours to set it up. So we um asked the building committee if we could have a modest change order to get some permanent infrastructure for minimup so that we can have more meetings over there with a lot less setup time and
137I think unanimously approved and so that was great. So thanks Lori. I wasn't I couldn't make that meeting but the >> it was easy. >> They thought it was a great idea because obviously there'll be more than us that can just use it. Yeah. And you're targeting the concrete meetings primarily. >> Yes. >> Again, Carile traveling that far across town is probably not the way to go, but it'll be multi. >> We can have more meetings as us as a committee as a CPS committee over there, which is great, but also all you know, all sorts of >> all sorts of stuff. >> So, >> and do you know when like >> we're aiming for the February conquered meeting, so late February is what we're hoping. >> Wow. Okay. >> Yeah. >> But yeah, we
138just want to make sure they get the right equipment. >> Yeah, they're working on all that. So, we'll keep you posted, but it's fairly fast. >> Okay. And then they'll have to test it and all that. There might be some hiccups in the technology, which is okay. You know, late February or March was pumped, too. >> Yeah. Everybody's excited. So, there's been a lot of momentum, >> right? Um, and if you didn't see it, I should just also say CCHS was on Chronicle last night. So, I don't know if everyone watched that on the financial literacy class at our high school. So, um, we just have a lot of great programs at the high school that I think it's just important to elevate that and let people know what's going on. >> It was a
139great piece. It was a great piece. Yeah. >> Should put Rivers and and they should put that >> they found us. Um, they were like Google searching >> district web pages. Found us. So, >> interesting. That's good. The web page >> and the link is on YouTube for anyone that hasn't seen it. So, you can search it on YouTube. I might have watched with my parents today and I explained what the cell phone caddies were. So, it was like really exciting because you can literally see the cell phone caddies in there. They're like, "Oh, that's a good idea. It is a good idea. It does work." So, um, so that's take a look if you haven't seen it. >> And then I'll turn it to Aisha and Michelle are with us for a MetGo update,
140>> I think. Just Oh, yeah. Michelle's still on. >> Yeah, there she is. Hey guys, >> are you want to start? >> Um, I don't really have much. Um, I'll be attending the two community events um in conquered in the next couple weeks and u Michelle and I are having the meeting in at the Matipan Library with the other parents about um the medical PCT or the parents with their um just to get some feedback on um families that want to be involved. Yeah, just to echo what Aisha said, we have the um family connections meeting this weekend. So, we'll be meeting with the families and uh the MECO director this weekend and uh the last since the last meeting it's been break. So, I don't have many things to say. So, thank you. >>
141Great. And then the only other thing that I I mentioned before that we had talked about you two and Andrew and I talked about was the Boston meeting. We're shooting for either March or April because we have been snowed out before in February. So, the regional meeting to try and do it at the Croc Center because I believe you said that's probably the most convenient place. >> So, more to come on the date of that, but we're we're checking our school committee dates first. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thanks. Okay. On to public comment. Um Do we have any public comments? I don't see any in the room. Any online? I'm not going to read my public. >> One online. >> Oh, we have one online. Okay. All right. Wilson Kerr. Wilson,
142whenever you're ready. Hi guys. >> Hi. >> Can you guys hear me? Okay. >> Yes. >> Um, this is a public comment about cell phones and I just wanted to relate to the school committee and experience my family had regarding Justin Cameron's decision to shut off the school provided laptops over the Christmas break. Um, the I have not followed necessarily the cell phone ban progress. I know there's been a lot of discussion about it. I know there's state law in action, but I guess I just wanted to pass along how impactful it was to have our 12-year-old daughter uh who is prone sometimes to watching uh you know little shorts or things on the laptop uh be basically screen free. She has a watch. She can't do anything on it. She read every single night
143of the break. >> It was amazing and she enjoyed it. We've been having some family conversations about the impact of the lack of her having access to the device in terms of sort of how it changed what she used did with her free time in terms of interacting with us and also just just reading. Um and I guess I just wanted to to share that because it just happened to us. I think it's relevant to this group regarding um whatever decisions are made. I know there's discussions, you were just talking about cell phone caddies in the classroom um regarding the bell to bell ban and it was the first time our family was uh was uh impacted. So uh kudos to Justin Cameron in the middle school for that decision and uh it was a
144very interesting time for our family and I just wanted to pass that along for consideration. Thank you and thank thank you guys so much for all the work that you do on the school committee. Uh I know it's a ton. I hope you guys had a great break and happy new year. >> Thank you. Okay, moving on to the consent agenda. >> I understand a motion to approve the consent agenda. Wait, does anyone want to pull anything off the consent agenda? >> Nope. So, I entertain a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> So, move. >> Second. >> Okay. Any further discussion? No. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. And then correspondence. Uh just since our last meeting, we had five items of correspondence. I think we received all of them. I have
145responded to all of them. They range from athletic questions, um school calendar, cell phones, hate and bias, and there was one other school calendar. I can't remember the last one, but everyone has those and those are all responded to. So, I would move it on to our discussion. And our first item is the minutes from November 5th. So, let me see if I can pull those up. Lynette, I think you were probably here. Were you here during the CPS discussion the minutes? We're going to try and do the same thing we did with CPS. >> I think you might have been here before. She was sitting there. >> You're sitting there. I'm sure you were paying attention. So, Hold on. >> I might I might just want to make sure I have the right ones
146up. >> November 5th. Just gonna Okay. in the >> I do you want me to do it? >> Close of interest is on page four. >> Yeah. >> I think I can do it >> if you do it pass me. >> I think he gets that first. >> November 5th is not exactly what it should be. Sorry. >> Okay. Sorry. >> There you go. >> All right. >> Right. So I'll move to >> second. >> I move to amend. >> Second. >> Oh, Sandep's going to Okay. So, we're going to talk about the amended minutes first. And you can see in red the change. It's an addition. So, discussion. So um I'm very comfortable with noting that uh you know I guess Michelle and you made comments about competit I agree with that last part
147and I don't think that does justice to have provided explanations on why So my thoughts would be if we were going to capture the first part of that we probably need to add text reflecting that clarifications that uh I guess The point I would make to that is a second sentence. Methods to address this were discussed. I'm comfortable with the with thems with the uh amendment. I think without that sentence, the comments, the questions, the concerns that both Michelle and I had not be would not have been brought up and that last sentence methods to address this were discussed. I think both Dr. Hunter and Shelley pointed out the other measures that when combined with the help to flesh flesh it out and in line with what I had discussed earlier in terms of something
148that I thought we would be getting back to at some point. So I'm comfortable with the language as I've written in the amendment. >> So Sandep you're not comfortable with the second sentence. Michael's comfortable with the whole thing. All right. Anyone else? >> Is is there a way we can come together or >> No. So I'm I'm I'm okay with the first part of it. Yeah. As long as there is clarifying text saying um I forget this is I think additional detail on why you know that and and I understand listen I I asked questions about that too would love to see it but we have certain reasons we can >> and and I I think that again methods addresses discussed encapsulate that. That's I'm comfortable. >> Okay. So, >> I'm I'm good with that.
149I don't think it's not committal. It just it's a fact statement. >> I think it ties it together to provides that there was a resolution in the discuss, you know, there's a back end to the discussion, you know. Um, I think if we don't add that last sentence, then it almost seems unfinished. >> I'm not comfortable the way it's written. >> You're not comfortable the way it's written. Okay. >> Okay. >> So, do we want to Anyone else have anything to add to it or do you just want to vote on the amendment? Nothing else to add. >> Nothing else to add. >> Okay. So, let's take a vote on the amendment. So, it would be accepting this exactly as written in red. Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> So, three in favor, opposed.
150I >> So, three to three. >> Still reading. Sorry. >> All right. So, it's three to three. So, the motion fails. So, now we're back to the original motion of I'm trying to follow Robert's rules of the actual the minutes as written without the red in it. And I can't edit this or else I would. So, we'll vote on that now. So, all in favor of the notes as pre as originally um written. I >> I >> opposed. Okay. So, the minutes are approved and we'll move on to the school calendar. So, we saw the school calendar at our last meeting. Um, it was kind of like our first read at the last meeting. I don't think we have anything new to add to the school calendar. Nothing new. So, it's just a vote. So,
151items a motion to approve the 2026 2027 school calendar. >> So, moved. Thank you. Like anyone. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay, Lynette seconds. Any further discussion? >> No, I just wanted to make sure the hyperlink worked, but it works. So, >> okay. Great. >> Thank you. >> Aaron spent a lot of time on that. She's really frustrated when it works. >> It's a comment I get a lot. People >> people want to see the calendar. >> This is a a highly anticipated document. >> It is. And we're back to >> Yes, definitely. I don't know where we're going to travel to, but we'll see. Um, all in favor? Hi. >> Hi. Okay. And then we have the capital plan and we again saw this at the last meeting. Bob, oh, I'm
152gonna stop my sharing. Sorry. >> Bob, I'm going to turn it to you to discuss the CCHS or the regional capital plan. >> Bob, may I just suggest that you there's a lot here. Just maybe the highlights. >> I'm just going to focus mostly on 27. >> Okay. >> And I see the 10 minutes there. I'll stick to my 10 minutes. >> Well, you know, 10 minutes is just a suggestion. >> You can do it in two minutes. >> Just a suggestion. >> For the record, whenever I go over, it's not because of my presentation. It's because the question >> so um >> I think the like recommendation is supposed to include time for questions, but just >> you know, you do you >> you do you make jokes. So, I think the uh I
153think um when we do meet with Carlile it's important that we share this um particularly um and also we >> and Victor is still on. I should just note that Victor Leang from Carl Incom is still on. >> So there was a comment not from Victor but another Carfincom member too. We talked about I don't know if we brought up capital stabilization last year. I think we did but there was definitely feedback from one member that said well there needs to be a capital plan if we're going to even consider that. Um this is being developed um in part because of the challenges we had in funding the amenities building but also just recognizing the constraints of the towns to have a capital plan and have a way to pay for it that we don't
154have to ask for additional money from the town. So my my my key takeaway here I just you know looking at what's on here the big ticket item is the football field turf. There's some other items we have in FY27 but the big item in FY28 is the football field turf. Um and we'd have to do a design next year um to have bid document created. Um a few smaller items. A special education van uh that's 2008 model. We need a new van. Um we have two programs that use it and 90,000 utility body plow truck. I just I do want to point out each maintenance member has a truck. They need to drive to buildings that do their work. We have plow attachments on those trucks. We would need to get these trucks anyways.
155Our maintenance staff needs trucks. So this is not like a incremental ask. Um I I think it's just replacing a one that we have so that our maintenance team um can get around um but also getting the plot capacity on it. The um what I want to focus on the one thing I want to focus on is the is the numbers at the bottom. >> Sorry question about that. >> Yeah, >> this was due to the joint meeting. I think Mary had something that discussion happen. >> I'm sorry you have to say it louder. I didn't hear you. Um Mary had asked a question about whether this is something we could share with the town. Um >> I mean if we shared him this person with the town then then the work at the school
156wouldn't get done and things like that. >> We did meet with Carrie and her new CFO the new CFO Jennifer and we kind we we took a more big picture approach to where could we start >> doing some overlap. I think we all agreed it's the outdoor spaces. we already share them out. Some of that's, you know, not even well documented. And where else could we um an immediate turnaround on the plowing and all that? Like they're straight out. And I mean on a day like today, I don't want to play with what they're doing. Um but I think I think the outdoor campuses are the place to start that discussion. So we haven't really been able to get farther than that because we're all in budget season and everything, but that seems like the
157starting point. And I will say we brought that at our chairs round table and some um districts are sharing like custodial staff with the town and they said it's super challenging because then it's like okay the classroom doesn't get cleaned because I'm over at the townhouse cleaning this room in the townhouse and then they got to get back over and then it could be overtime. So there are challenges with some of the consolidation. >> Yeah. >> But we are sharing outside already. >> Yeah. >> They do some mowing, we do some mowing like so it seemed like a natural starting. Yeah. >> And then the outside demands are a little bit more. I mean the there's a lot of work at the high school. There's a lot of grounds out there. Some of it's turf.
158It doesn't mean a lot. But um we now have middle school that's going to have nice new fields when what we had before not very nice end of life and they were treated like end of life. Um and then we also added a field at the um that's a little soccer field that'll be for you. So there's there's a little bit more that they have. and the um space at the it's a very nice middle school too like so there's a little bit more attention that's needed there and um so we're factoring in like there's a little bit more scope and you know can they help there so that's a discussion we'll have and see what capacity they have >> and I will say the high school actually it looks like the best it's ever
159looked and I really think that the facility staff has done a great job of the outdoor spaces um >> much of that is maintenance just so crediting them >> maintenance sorry >> sorry credit the proper crew. I'm going to get it wrong, but so it really, you know, it's a it's a large canvas >> and Tim's really done a great job. So, just passing that along. >> Yeah. No, that's similar feedback from the principles as well. >> Um, so at the bottom, um, the the number I want to focus on is the the bottom line, the capital stabilization. So, uh, the idea that we had was to repurpose, um, the OPED contribution, some of it or all of it, for a couple years to capital stabilization. Um, what what we're showing at the bottom is
160is what we would be pulling from in order to fund this. So, um, if I scroll down even further, you can see that, um, we currently have 220,000 in capital stabilization. If we put the OP OPEC contribution into capital stabilization instead, um that would help us um have an ending balance of 389, um we'd spend 764 next year in 28 when we did the turf and we'd have to come up with 146,000 on an END to do that. I mean, if if it ends up getting pushed a year, that gives us more time to save. But the idea is we're 60% funded for an OPED trust. That's a long-term future obligation and both towns are struggling to come up with ways to fund capital right now. So, do we want to like be keep putting
161money into our retirement account when we're cash poor? So, >> an account that's earning over a million dollars in interest >> in investment earnings. So they're it's not like it's not going to I mean it's subject to market returns but like you know an average average of seven or eight% a year long-term growth rate >> you would expect it to increase a million a year um the next year so it won't won't be static. Um, so there's no perfect easy solution, but this is a solution that helps us fund our capital needs at the high school, which is a challenge now, and um does it in a way that um makes it supportable uh for the towns financially. >> Yeah. And I think we learned a lot through the amenities building process. Um and we
162don't want to go back to the towns looking for more money if we have the ability to fund it ourselves. >> I just have a question. And I know we've talked about this before, but on the OPED um if you put in like 375 over the next two years and then 15075, are we are we looking at other sources of funding to fund it? >> To fund what >> the um >> capital stabilization fund. >> Um I mean, if we had a year like where I got to the end of the year and said we have $200,000 left, I would probably talk to talk to Lori first and see what our educational needs are. But we might come to you and say we want to put a h 100red,000 of that. We can do a
163budget transfer. So there's ways to to do that >> comes back and it's over, you know, the amount that we're allowed to keep in there. >> Yeah. If we're if we see that E and D might go above 5%, we could do that as well. Um I usually try to plan so it doesn't happen, but if we have some unexpected income, we could talk to you about designating some END for capital. So there's there's thing yes there's things we can do but um >> because I worry about the like sustainability of OPED being the the funding source for like over a long I am totally supportive of it to get it started but as looking at this it looks like that is that is the plan for the foreseeable future. Uh yeah, I'd say for
164um you know by FY29 if if we keep up that means we're putting 225,000 in FY29 into OPE and less than that in FY30 and 31. >> Yeah. >> So, you know, we I I think Carile's feedback to us is spend 375 is a little bit rich to be putting into OPED. >> Um maybe you should be doing a little bit more of a moderate amount. >> Um so by 29 we get to that for two years we put all of it to >> where was the 375. Where did that come from originally? >> There was a model that the OPEC consultants said this is how much you'd have to contribute to get fully funded. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And we followed the model and then um we saw how well funded we were. Some
165of it was investment performance. Um and some of it was changes in the way it was calculated that I don't completely I couldn't I couldn't explain to you in 20 minutes. Um and I don't understand but um it relates to >> you only have 10. >> Yeah. So, um, we followed the model and then, you know, over time as we get closer to being fully funded, it recommends declining it. So, we're we're essentially aligned with what the consultants guidelines are. >> Okay. >> And where do other districts fall? Just >> I think we're the second highest funded regional district in the state. >> Okay. >> Um, somebody there's somebody that's hired us. >> I think that's Yeah. So, I think we're, you know, up there in terms of regional districts. I just know from putting
166money into 529 plants, you fall a little bit behind and it's so hard to get back up. So I I echo your comment like works for this year, but we shouldn't be doing this. I don't think too much >> the long term. >> Right. No, >> it really exponentially grows later. >> Sorry. >> So it's it's two-year. >> That's why you don't want to get behind. >> That's right. Can't get the end. >> Okay. >> You've been ahead, I think. >> Yes. It's very healthy. It's very healthy. >> And that now you've got some room because you're right. Don't >> don't stay don't get it all the way off >> course. Yeah. And if we need capital, we we just put in the capital plan, go get capital >> and we should budget it. Exactly.
167That's exactly right. >> This just isn't the year I think we can fit it. The big increase we have. >> Yeah. >> The other thing I would say is you can get stuck like if we fully fund our pension's close to fully funded. >> If our oped's fully funded, you can't use these for other things. So we have this pot of cash that we can't use, right? So I like I I actually don't think we should try to get 100% funded. I think our target should be something a little bit less than 100%. But um that's when we get to that point, we can have that discussion. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> Anything else on the capital plan? >> So with that, I would entertain a motion to approve the FY27 CCRSD capital plan.
168>> So moved. >> Second. All right. Any further discussion? Thanks both. >> Thank you. >> All in favor? I >> I >> All right. And with that, um I will adjourn the regional meeting.