001So, I'm going to call the Conquered Carile School Committee to order. Andrew, can you call Conquered to order? >> I will call the Conquered School Committee to order. >> And we are going to roll call because we're on Zoom. >> Her check present. >> Kella present. >> Morano present. Frank in present. >> You're unmuted. Brian, >> thank you. Wat present. >> Williams present. >> Okay. And Sandep is at another meeting. I see Michelle's with us. I don't see Aisha yet. I'm not sure if she's coming. Um, so we'll get started. Okay. So, first up, we have on our consent agenda the February 4th minutes. So, I would entertain a motion to approve the February 4th minutes. >> So, moved. >> Move to amend. >> Okay. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Uh, >>
002oh, sorry. >> Okay. So, we have a motion to amend and a second. So, now we are going to discuss the amendment and I'm going to share my screen. Just give me one second. I might ask, has everyone had an opportunity to review uh the relevant media network video? >> I have not reviewed because I don't think I've seen the changes. >> Right. the the the amendment has to be shared publicly in the meeting which is the email that I sent on April 2nd. So, let me just share that. >> Oh gosh. April >> might suggest there's some question about that. I'm trying to get to the bottom of that. Uh >> talked with our town clerk. I'm also waiting for response from the um attorney general's u uh division on um open open meeting.
003So I'll inform you once I have an answer on that. >> Yep. And after we talk about the amendment, I'll just reference um you know our advice of council because he was very clear with his advice. Let me just try >> I'm I'm confused. What video are you talking about, Michael? Are you just talking about the last meeting? >> Uh no. Well, the questions are pertaining to the February 4th meeting. The minutes are page three and four of the February 4th meeting. So, to be able to really discuss the minutes, we would have had to looked over or be aware of or remember u what happened in the February 4th meeting. Um so, >> yep. So, um, let's just get into the minutes right here. Can everybody see that? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, Michael,
004I'll leave it to you to propose your amendment. So um I've moved to amended because uh there was a approximately 5m minute conversation involving uh Sandep myself Aisha uh Tracy and Brian that occurred as you can see after uh we discussed the uh we discussed and passed the consent agenda that's wasn't described in the it. Um, and again, that's this is where at least having us our body being able to review what actually took place, uh, it's very hard for any of us unless we remember it and took notes to to comment. In addition, so this is page three that's showing the further red line on page four. Um, again were uh things that were discussed that weren't uh related in the minutes. And again, I I would suggest it's really difficult unless we remember
005what happened to comment on this without having looked at the minutes. And and so that's the reason why I provided these to you Tracy um on the 1st after and after our meeting so that as part of the agenda packet this would have been a prompt seeing both the existing information the existing minutes and the proposed edit to prompt each of us to go back and look at the minutes and look look at the meeting and then be able to discuss this with with uh with with a sense of context. So >> I totally understand and I understand it can be totally frustrating. Um I have gotten guidance from the MASC from Peter Sumers and any is because and I'm probably going to do a terrible job just describing this but when you amend minutes
006you're putting your your opinion into the public, right? So, this is your opinion on what has to be changed. And you're sending it to a quorum of the public body. I am kind of an open meeting law nerd. I like to follow the rules. Um, which is why I got guidance from both Alicia Min and Peter Sumers. So, this is the process which is why I tried to clarify it. Now, what I should have done on on at our last meeting is we should have in the moment in the meeting just amended it because the amendment has to be done in public. So, it's not, you know, to be held on like like I'm not doing this because I want to do this like I'm just really trying to follow the open meeting law. I've
007talked to Kar Tari and what I would propose to the school committee if members of the committee want to have another training on minutes I'm happy to bring Peter Summoners back on it. Um you know if that's a direction we want to move in I'm happy to do that and we can just move past it. We have an amendment on the table so everybody sees what the amendment is and so we can have any further discussion that anyone feels necessary. Anyone have any comments or suggestions or are we ready to >> Sorry. I just need a minute to read the >> Okay, >> page I guess it's page four. Um just because there's more crossouts and things. >> Yep. So, let everybody take a minute or two. Are we good? It's really hard to see
008on Zoom if people are done reading or not. Sorry. Um, okay. Any other discussion or questions? Can I just ask two questions in that paragraph that starts the of the 33 incidents etc. I just confused by the sentence using the overall systems finding to inform us on the efficacy of our policies was mentioned using which system the the universal reporting system and then I guess my only other question is is the working groups charged to provide provide advice in messa No Sorry, I may have just been reading that wrong. So, I guess I my question is just on that using the overall systems findings. What's meant there? >> Um, that came from the conversation that was in the the the five minute uh segment. Uh uh actually the segment I was I was talking about
009where we this is actually closer to uh half hour segment that that I was talking talking about that would have been nice if we could have reviewed that. Um, and we looked at we what was discussed was using the information that would come from the town's reporting system to look at that information to help us determine how policies in the school were working, policies in the community were working. since this we we we were um talking about a reporting system for our entire town. Um that's what that what came out of the conversation. I was that wasn't described in the initial the initial minutes. That's why I added I believe that's uh two sentences in and the crossout uh which speaks to the working group's charge. I went back to the working group's charge page
010on the on the town website to describe the charge and that's what the red is. What what's in black there is not in the charge at all and wasn't really really discussed in that 30 minute section that I reviewed. Um I I um Presenting minutes like this for revision really call on us when we see minutes coming back calls us to actually go back and look at the information unless we remember unless we took complete notes. So it's it's quite problematic and again that's why I'm um going to the attorney general's office to try and get clarity on the process and I I'll report back what I find. >> Sure. Anyone else? >> I I don't I think my only question is um if we're going to I don't think our we need in our
011minutes to say what the charge of the working group is, but if we're going to do it, we should probably quote it from their website versus paraphrase or versus paraphrase it. But I think we could just strike that that section honestly. But I don't it is what it is. I don't feel strongly. >> I I I I would agree with you. I was just trying to adhere to what had been started in in in the in the black and not not that's what I was trying to do. >> Yeah. Anyone else? Any comments. >> Okay. So, we are going to vote on the amendment by roll call. We have a second. So, roll call. her check. I'm going to abstain since I wasn't at the meeting. >> Uh Keller her I >> uh Morano uh
012I'm going to say nay only because the hour I actually should have gone back to the discussion just the use of the word our reporting system because Barbara writes our notes. Um it's not hers it's our so it could it should be maybe changed to the I probably should have said that in the discussion. I'm sorry. I'm off my game today. Um, so I'm going to say nay. >> Oh. Uh, Ranken I. >> Wat I. >> Williams. I. >> Okay. So, the amendment is approved as is. So, Lori, I will forward these minutes as is to you and then Aaron can post them. Make sense? >> Yes. >> Okay, great. I'm going to stop sharing for a second. This is really testing my Zoom skills tonight. Going back to screen sharing. Okay. Um, cell phone
013update. Okay. So, a lot has happened since our last meeting when we started talking about the cell phone survey. So, you have all the materials from the Senate bill, the legis the house bill. And so, as I understand it, um the House is appro has been approved by the House, but they altered the bill. So, now there's a social media component. And there was a press release today um by the governor's office, but it still doesn't kind of touch the, you know, how this is all really going to roll out. So, I guess the way I'd like to talk about this discussion is in terms of the survey, do we feel as though at this point now things have really been taken out of our hands and they've been taken out of local control? So
014it's it's really determined by the state because it's going to be a law. Um so do we want to continue to pursue the survey? That would be the first question. And do we want to um write a policy or wait for the state? So those are the three things that I just wanted to talk about um tonight in terms of cell phone. >> Yes, Michael. Uh, I guess from what I understand looking at both bills and looking at the summary, they are going to require Desi to put out a policy >> policy. And what I I think in any case, we're going to need to come to a policy whether we wait for Desi to come out with a policy and depending on whether how these bills how quickly they go through conference committee and
015get to be signed. I I saw two different uh begin by dates, September of 26 and September of 27. I thought I saw two different start dates. I'll have to go back and look at that. So I think there's still an onus on our body to put together a policy. I guess the question is whether we wait for desi or we put together something under the guidance of as you you the the the uh summary of the two policies that you'd put together uh for us which was quite helpful. Just have to get to it my other device here. um whether we want to put something together that melds the policy with an eye toward possibly uh uh revising it when Desi comes out. I I think those are the options that are on the
016table in front of us. >> Um so why don't we talk about the the cell phone survey first? Let's just go one at a time on the cell phone survey. So, do we feel as though at this juncture the cell phone survey is needed to be sent out, Carrie? >> Um, I I do not think it needs to be sent out. I I feel like it has there has been such a drastic shift between the last meeting and this meeting. Um, and so I think any data that we collect would be irrelevant almost because the facts are going to change so drastically over the next, you know, weeks to months. We don't know exactly how long. But we do know that there is this desire for a September 1st implementation. Um, and so I just
017I would much rather wait to see what happens, what information comes in, what changes, and um, from a policy. Well, I'll wait. I'll stop on survey. I I don't think it would be helpful or relevant. >> Okay, Andrew. >> Yeah, I mean, a lot has come at us in the last couple days. I got a ton of questions on this and I I you know really wasn't prepared before having this discussion anyway but just going back in time right we really wanted to get ahead of this because this has been coming and coming and coming and you know it didn't come and so we're trying to be proactive and I think at you know none of us are survey writers so I think we gave it a a really good try but you know if
018we're being objective and honest I don't think it's a great survey and I think we could keep at it and you know it's just not thing like we could have made it good enough and it would have been helpful but now that like I think you just said it perfectly decisions out of our hands so this is coming so I don't I don't see a sense in even even getting people's opinion on implementation because we we don't even have the the guidelines like we don't even know what this looks like all we know is it it is much closer in the last couple days and um and I'm sure there will be more information because I I think all the school committees that were contemplating this are probably having this very same discussion So, I
019don't think Longwind was saying I don't think a survey is helpful at this time either. >> Okay. Um, anyone else? Brian, Lynette, Michelle, >> I guess my only question is realistically speaking, how quickly do we think this is going to be passed? And when it is passed to what do like in the final version is there going to be any you know there's still I'm sure some work we're going to have to do on how we implement whatever this is. So is there some benefit in collecting data just to get a sense of what the community and the stakeholders feel now before people disappear for summer? Potentially. I mean, we've got it, but to Carrie and Andrew's points, we may be needing to ask completely different questions uh as this gets reconciled. So, >> um
020if we really don't think the data is going to provide us with anything useful, um then let's hold on it. >> Lynette, Michelle, >> Michael, did you comment on survey? Sorry, Lynette, go ahead. >> Oh, sorry. Um, yeah, I don't think the current survey the way we have it is going to be relevant to us once Desi and once all of this gets passed, it's not going to help us. It almost kind of gives people uh un, you know, authority that they're not going to have. We may not be able to execute on what we collect because it's out of our hands. >> Yep. >> Michelle, >> not to be redundant, but I agree. >> Okay, >> that's it. >> Okay. And sorry, I feel like I'm doing like Brady Bunch right now because there
021are like literally nine screens and Carrie, you're in the middle, so I guess you're Alice. I don't know. Sorry, that was a really bad reference. Um, Michael, did you comment on survey? Sorry. >> No, I I I guess I agree that the survey the the time for the survey has passed. I guess again the question one of the things that we had touched on is the survey would also be a point of information both for us and for the community given what we see and given I know the feedback that Carrie and I heard in our community coffee and the the feedback that we've gotten through our public comment and uh correspondence to the committee Um, how do we Well, one, do we have a responsibility to try and explain what we think is coming
022down the pike to the community? And two, how do we do that? Two questions. >> Yeah, good points. Lori, do you have um I should ask you, do you have any guidance right now from Desi, the state or uh Mass Association for Superintendent? >> We have heard nothing from any >> Oh, so this is the Yeah, this is the interesting part. Yeah, go ahead. >> Is there anything in that survey that would be helpful for you to know at this point or do you think you just have to wait and learn more of the details? Yeah, I my instinct is to wait and get a better framework from the powers that be. Um once we have that guideline, we'll know more of what choices we have and what we don't. Um yeah, I think it's
023probably better to hold it for now. >> Okay, Michael, >> question for for Dr. Hunter. So actually maybe for Tracy and for Dr. Patrick work. Can you can you at least speculate on the workflow or the pathway from conference committee to the governor's desk to >> DESIE >> and then from DESIE to the districts. Play that out for us please so we understand. >> Um I did have a conversation with Rep. about this. So, it's I'm not sure how it's going to play out. I'll be perfectly honest. As I understand Desi policy, they usually give a 180day comment period, but when something becomes a law, that doesn't happen. So, um I do think there's a lot of unknowns here. Um so, as I understand it, it's going to go from the House back to the
024Senate, but that process should be rather quick because it's basically the same. They just have to iron out the social stuff. The cell phone portion is is basically the same and then it will go to the governor's office and at which point Desi will write the model policy. Now MASC has been silent on this also and I know that you all get the MASS news articles. There has not been one article on this since it passed. So I find that a little interesting. I'll just leave it there. Um I am going to put it on the agenda for our next chair's round table to talk to other school committee chairs about it and our field rep will be there too so that we can get a little bit more guidance on it. So um as
025I read it, you know, this is going to happen September of 2026 and DESI is going to have a model policy. So if school committees do not have a policy, they will use the DESIE policy. So there will be a policy available that's ready to go. And that's I mean that's my understanding, but Lori, you can go ahead. Yeah, I think my best guess will equate to the conquered group will remember the CTE policy we needed. Um, all of a sudden last not not far different than right now. That bill had been sitting that any district that was a member district of a voke which conquered is of Minute Man. um that had been sitting in legislation for a long time with a lot of debate and then it finally got passed late spring like
026this for implementation in the fall. And so we as superintendents were suddenly charged with this whole cadre of steps that had to be taken between the late spring and the open in essentially September 30th. Um what happened there? Desi scrambled as best they could. We all leaned into our own resources. as I leaned into Minute Man and got a model policy from the superintendent there that was actually on the road talking to all her member districts very thankfully. Um and then MASS lobbyed for an extension because not everybody could make it happen and we were granted until November. So that's the best parallel I could give you. similar timing and um possibly implementation dates, >> some hiccups and then some extensions granted and November 30th was our final deadline for that one. So, I wonder
027if it'll have the similar play out there as terms of it'll be an aggressive timeline and then some grace if if it can't be accomplished. But, um there's no way to know till they have the conversation and um hopefully the Senate and Governor sign off fairly quickly so Desi can get their hands around it. They're probably working as we speak and uh give us some some guidance on parameters. That's my biggest question. There's a lot of questions, but that's my biggest one. >> Lori, is this something that you plan on bringing up in your Friday newsletter? >> I really wanted to wait till I had a little more information. Um I guess we'll see how long that takes. I I I was going to wait out this Friday and just see let it once it's
028actually passed. I think we might be able to reference it more. >> Yeah. >> I do think a lot of people are talking about it. >> Yeah. Yeah. Sure. Sure. But I don't want to open the conversation and then get questions I can't answer. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> I was thinking I'd wait a bit. >> Yeah. >> So, um just in the interest of time because we're going to try and we're going to try and have a shorter meeting tonight recognizing that this is an additional meeting. Um just in terms of policy, I have some thoughts about uh crafting policy. I really do feel at this point in the school year, I mean, policy is not something we should jump into and craft very quickly just to get it done before September and I
029feel as though writing our own policy at this juncture, especially with our policy expert Carrie Rank and leaving us tomorrow. Um, which is her last I'm going to call you the policy expert. You and Cynthia went through that book with Julie like nobody's business. So, um, they have been in and around the school policies. I personally feel as though um we should wait to hear more from the state. Whatever the state tells us to do, we're we're going to do. Um so much like the policy Lori referenced on um you know for the vocational schools, we did we were able to just turn that around. So I think a lot is going to be dictated to us. So rather than try and you know work on our own model policy, I think we should wait
030on the guidance and that's my opinion. Anyone else? agree. >> Okay, I agree. >> I think it would create too much confusion if we tried to implement the net new policy just to have it change. So the only thing I can think of and I said this a meeting or two ago is if it just helps what gives the handbook more strength is we have a policy so that says the handbook has to outline um proper use of cell phones. Um, but if the district feels that we can just wait until we know more, then let's just wait till we know more. >> I do wonder if there's like um and obviously like this is my last regional meeting so my uh voice on this matter disseminates but um >> it matters Carrie don't. I
031do wonder if there is value in placing a like an internal deadline on ourselves like we give if if by September 1st the state doesn't do anything we pick it back up as a community to talk about but um because otherwise I fear we'll just be in this holding pattern if they don't take action which we all know doesn't seem like that's the direction this is happening in but certainly has many times before. Yeah, I agree, Michael. >> Um, still we're we're going to if if the sense I have of what the community has been talking about, there's a fair portion of our community that's very interested in a bell ban and there's clearly a portion of our community that isn't. there's something that we're going to need to all join together to try and
032educate those that aren't on board with what will be coming down the pike. And so I think we need to be mindful of how we work together to bring that education to our communities. So that I mean there's with the mandate coming from the state and from DESIE there's no way around this but still it's something we'll need to talk through with our community. >> Sure. >> All right. So we have >> Can I just say to that point >> do we have any business just creating an FAQ for the community? like what's the diff like kind of a start on what you put together here Tracy but you know what would these bills mean when do we think it's going to happen even if it's just like four or five things that we know
033people are going to want to know about at least we are all saying the same thing and it is something in Lor's communication perhaps that could go out um >> well and because the policy is going to sit with the school committee I mean it is something that we could push push out um from the school committee. Um but I think that like personally I would like a little bit more time and just to to kind of gather what's happening at the state level like even today that press conference today like that was very timely but it happened today I think in the next like two weeks. So may so maybe you know it just stays on our agenda to kind of you know give an update of like where we're at and then in
034our next meeting we can decide if we're going to create that FAQ document. um you know before the end of the school year or release it over the summer or or does it come out with a new policy? I just I would like to hear a little bit more from the state on this and from MASC and what they're recommending districts to do. So maybe we just do a little more homework with that and um I can get in touch with Alicia and see what they're recommending. I'm sure they're certainly going to write a model policy or help Desessie write theirs. >> Yeah, to your point. I think waiting till May is fine. I mean, one of those weeks in between is the break. People aren't going to be thinking about cell phone policy. >>
035You'd be surprised. >> Not all people. >> You'd be surprised. I think Carrie and I both got got an earful on on the third in our community coffee. >> Yeah. Can Yeah. And I was going to say, why don't we do that and Michelle's update? Um, can we do that at the end of the discussion to just kind of circle back on community coffees? Would that >> Sure. But it's just pertinent that what we heard on this was pertinent to the phone policy because we heard quite a lot about it. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. All right. So, I'm going to move past the cell phone policy. Do we feel good about that? No policy, no survey. More to come. We'll keep it on the May agenda to see if we have any additional information
036and potentially the school committee can release a document and Lori will perhaps release something when she has more information. Does that make sense? Okay. All right. Um, amenities building update. So, um, as we all know, town meeting is happening in conquered on, uh, April 27th is the first night of town meeting. Um there has been some discussion in the community and I've been made aware by the CPC chair um and I've talked to the town moderator that there is a potential that a citizen might divide the question. I have been in touch with that citizen. There's a there's some um misinformation. Uh you know there were questions like well why was it 2.5 million and now it's 1.4 million. I'm like it's was never 2.5 million. So I I tried to clarify some of that.
037So I'm not sure if it's going to happen or not. I'm not sure if the question will be divided. So basically this is a CPC article. Um and in conquered the way it goes is they vote on the all of the um grants together in one article. So when they divide the question they would split out the amenities building and vote on that separately. So should that happen um we I someone will need to speak and I would suggest that I speak on behalf of the school committee about the amenities building just you know to clarify anything. So I just wanted to get a sense from you if you're comfortable with me much like the select board they assign people to make comments on different articles. So if you're comfortable with me doing it I
038just wanted to get approval from all of you and if not that's fine too. you can just let me know. >> Nobody knows it better than you and Brian, I think, from >> That's what I was about to say. >> Um, so we're good on that. And Brian and Lynette, you um 100% can come to conquer town meeting. You do not have to sit in the visitor section. You can sit at the table with the school committee. Um, and I'm not sure what night uh it will be. It's looking like probably the second night, but I'll try and get clarification. So, it's looking like the CPC article will be on the 28th. >> Okay. >> And then >> I will I may I may join, but uh I'll decide closer to the time. >> You
039don't have to. You don't you certainly don't have to. >> And for anyone else listening, um then it will go to Carile's town meeting and Carlile CBC funding. So, Brian, do you want to give an update of what we've been working on in between times? >> Tracy, I just want to clarify. It's it's not you and Brian know the most. It's like I I personally think you were the best one to do this. >> Thank you, Andrew. I love talking about bathrooms. I'm going to stop calling it amenities. >> Sound like process of elimination, but like I think you're the best person to do it. >> But I'm going to stop talking about amenities because there's nothing there's no amenity in there. like we don't have shower caps and like you know smelly soaps and
040like good things that are amenities in a bathroom. It's literally a bathroom. Um so >> and I car Yeah, I will. But just in terms of the Carile Town meeting, last year the town voted on the amenities building separate from all this other um CPC articles. I asked the question the other day, what's the plan for this year? and I've not heard back yet, but um if we do have to present separately, I will just plan to reuse and update last year's presentation. >> So, should that happen at the Carile Town meeting, maybe right now we can all just authorize Brian to speak on our behalf at the Carile Town meeting. Is everybody good with that? >> Yep. >> Yes. >> It's going to be one of the last articles of the night. So if
041someone really wants to come sit in our auditorium for a while to talk about this. >> Thanks Andrew. >> Hi. Thanks Ryan. Are there food trucks though at town meeting? I guess that's my question. >> Not this time. No, they weren't popular enough last year. >> Oh, bummer. Okay. >> Yeah. Um yeah, so the other update just a funding update on um I guess it was two Fridays ago. the Friday um going into the the Easter weekend, um we received or I received a call from Senator Barrett's office that there was an opportunity for funding for a school capital project um related to funding from collected through the uh fair share act. Um and they wanted to know if we were interested in applying for the amenities building um for a portion of it. Um
042Tracy uh rushed around to to get some information because we actually had to submit the information that day. Um and this call came in about 12:30, 1:00. Um and we need to get it in by 4 or 5:00. So um thanks to Tracy, uh we were able to submit. They had enough information to put um put it forward and I received news. Was it end of last week? Started this week? I don't even remember now. But um that I guess it was end of last week. Yes, it was quite quick. Um that there will be about $175,000 um that the state will be able to put towards this project. Um and they're still working through some of the details. It's not clear. I'm looking at my monitor up above. Um it's not clear when those
043funds will be uh dispersed and the governor still needs to sign the bill though they don't expect any um any changes. Um but you know this 175,000 it's very great news. I appreciate Senator Barrett's office for for keeping their eye on things and and for remembering us um when this came up. Um this will not change the ask of what we asked the two towns because we've already gone through the process and we have the um the amounts that are going forward at both town meetings. But what it would mean is these funds would get used first. The funds from the state would get used first and then we would use CPC funds there. um you know with hopefully the goal meaning at the end that we don't use the full amount of the CTC
044funds. We're not using this to change the scope of the project uh by any means. Um this is just you know it was great news just in terms of having um having one more uh funding source and um uh available uh for this project. So Tracy or Dr. Hunter did I leave anything out? >> No, definitely not. But I will say in my five years on school committee, we have not gotten an earmark like this. So thanks to Brian for really staying on this for two years. He did a lot of work with um Senator Barrett's office. We've reached out to our state reps. He reached out to Lori Tran. So there's been a lot of we've really I I think I've said it before, we've left no stone unturned on this, but we've really
045tried to shake the trees for money and um this just came out of the blue. So it's like an added bonus. So both towns, it would be reduction to both towns, which is really great news. Lori, you have anything to add? >> No, >> that's awesome. >> Just really kind of fun and exciting as it played out in such quick time. >> It was definitely quick time. So, um, because when you get that call on a Friday and then making a decision on a Monday, it it just it just needed to get done. So, I'm really appreciative for the work on this and all the support behind the project. Um, okay. I think we're good on the bathroom building, as I'm going to call it now. Good. Okay. >> Is there, can I just ask,
046is there anything else that we need to be doing as final messaging? Um, you know, town meeting is coming up immediately after April vacation. We want to make sure people are mindful of what's coming up for the schools, not just the amenities building. Um, is there any final outreach that we or school groups should be doing? >> So, um, the only thing I was going to ask you, Brian, are they going to send a press release to us, Senator Barrett? >> Oh, for that piece. Um, there will be a Yes, there will be a press release. >> Yeah, because I I do know that Sarah and Trace are both on. So, um, you know, we can send that along when that comes. >> Yep. while doing a like letter to the editor for the bridge
047about um what you and Tracy were talking about like just sort of an overall overview take on it, the process, the funding that it's just bathrooms. >> You know, I do think that could be helpful. Um, you know, I had thought about drafting a letter and bringing it tonight, but I, you know, it also may be something that I I don't know. I don't know if we should do that or not, but certainly it's a thought. >> I am happy to do that. I had something going a bit. So, if if you guys are comfortable with me doing it, I'm happy to do it, but I don't have to. I just think anything we can do to kind of remind people that this is coming up because it has been a long time coming. Um,
048you know, and that we're hopefully this is the ultimate vote. Um, I think would be good. >> So, Andrew, maybe you and I can write um something together and we can send it to the mosquito and to the uh bridge. >> Yeah. And it it doesn't have to be an opinion, right? It's just fact like this is going to be on town meeting. This is a reminder of the project. It's the bathroom building. You know, we got great funding for it. Um, you know, we only have 300 words, so it's pretty short. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And >> we we should submit it by by Friday to get into next week's bridge. Um, so yes, Tracy, we can do that tomorrow or Wednesday. Uh, Thursday. >> Okay. Um, that makes sense. All right. >> And
049Tracy and I have our podcast recording uh tomorrow for Carile and Carile said they will turn that around as quickly as possible so that it can be available before conquered town meeting >> and Lori and I did a podcast for Minute Man on the all the school articles. So, we did that last week. I'm not sure when they're releasing it. So, so the school committee has entered the podcast world. Brian, what time is that? tomorrow. >> 2:30. Okay. And where is it? >> Town hall. >> Uh, Carl. Uh, nope. Library. >> Library. Okay. All right. It was one or the other. I would have been lucky. Um. Okay. >> We also had a good audience. The League of Women Voters first Friday on last Friday um where we went through all the town all the
050school warrant articles and we were there for CPC's presentation. I mean, conquered Conquered CPC has I forget 12 or 15 projects totaling four over $4.5 million. >> So, um it's a little bit of a flyby in the um big presentation she has pulled together. Uh but it was wellreceived there. So, I think just keeping keeping it out in everyone's mindset is is good. >> Yeah. And I think the school articles were also wellreceived there. Um, and then you know we did talk a little bit about the electric buses. So that was great. So I think we had some really great feedback and the school portion took about an hour of that. So you can view that um on man media. They have that posted online. >> Yeah. The gift of that's there's time for conversation
051on like town meeting where it is much more formal. >> Yeah. And lots of questions and even like questions like what's an FTE? What's cola? like it was it was an education session at the same time. So it's really great. Um okay, so moving on. Um the Maisy Oden Oddonnell Dive Center. Um so you have a memo today from Elizabeth Hughes who is um the town planner and I'm going to share that. >> My vision is really challenged in the evening. Tracy, >> cue me whenever you want me to to type in. >> Tracy, before you go go forward that you have in the agenda for a vote under the amenities building. Was there going to be a vote on anything? >> I had thought that we might vote on like a letter of sorts,
052but I changed my mind. So, no vote. >> Okay. >> That was a just in case placeholder in case we needed to vote because there were a lot of moving pieces this week on that. Um, but I've been in touch with the citizen that wanted to divide the question. So, I don't feel as strongly about um, you know, writing a very direct letter as I did before. >> I'll just say that. So, no vote on that, but thank you. Thank you for that. Um, okay. So, um, Elizabeth Hughes, actually, Lori, I'll let you tell the story while I pull up the, um, memo. So, as you know, the um town of Conquered and the Bey Center are working together with the O'Donnell family and the fundraising that they've done to add a dry dive center
053to the Bey Center. So, that is a substantial addition that needs to be put onto the building. Um so, there's been a lot of work toward what that looks like and what it needs. So, in the design phase, um, we received notice literally yesterday, um, from the town planner, Elizabeth Hughes, that in order to stay compliant with the current parking to space regulations, I'm going to leave it like I learned a lot in the middle school project, you have to have so many spaces per capacity, um, depending on usage and all of that. So they have a number of spaces on the side of the building four to six right now that will need to be uh they won't be available because of the addition. The question that is coming to you is to maintain
054things as status quo and have one for one those parking spots. They're proposing an option along the loop road um to add those. We were able to ask a few questions today and say what if the answer is no. Um and you can see in the memo she sent this afternoon that it would require some um ZBA and permitting discussions and not just a path. So So that's what we learned. They need and I had I told Elizabeth right from the beginning I don't have authority on um space at the regional campus. So, the timing of your meeting was great and a little rushed. So, it's a combination of those two things. I think if we'd waited till May, we'd have this more fleshed out, but you also would have we would have used three
055weeks up. So, we thought we'd put it in front of you tonight for discussion. Um, the police have okayed this plan. I spent some time today with Brian Miller, who was here when the construction happened of the high school. He felt quite strongly there was there were reasons we didn't put spaces that close to the entrance way. Any of you who've been there at drop off and pickup, it's it's crazy. Um, and a lot of it bottlenecks there some as buses are getting out and people are coming in and kids are getting to their cars. Um, I made the point to Elizabeth that the BD lot is almost never full. Um, she said it isn't about that. It's about compliance with the required number of spaces. So, it's worth saying that out loud. Um, Tracy,
056I think that's what we know at the moment. >> That's what we know. And just, you know, if you look at that graphic where the parking spaces are because I was a little bit challenged when I was looking at the graphic at first, um, there are not parking spaces there right now. So, I don't know if any of you have been at the high school during drop off and pickup, but this um Can you see my arrow on the screen or No. Can you see that? Yes. Okay. So, when you come in here and make the swing in, like the buses do make the swing in >> and there's just there are there's a lot of vehicle traffic um and bus traffic and student driver traffic, etc. So this area right here was never meant
057for parking. So that's um you know that's definitely a discussion that we need to have. I did talk to um some people involved with the project today on the project side and they're certainly willing to come to a meeting to talk to us more about it. Um the architects can talk to us more about it. I had some questions from Elizabeth on um like what is the zone like if she could provide the zoning to us so we can actually see what it states and what's required. Um there's you know some thought that there needs to be a parking study done. Um but that may be the case. I don't know because I do think we need to consider what our needs are um for drop off and pickup. Yes, Michelle. Is this something where
058a variance could be requested? >> Yes. >> It will take more time obviously. >> Yeah. >> Um and I can't say enough and I know you have questions. I just want to say how grateful we are. The town has really taken this project on with great dedication and commitment and um that means so much to us and every now and then we have to slow down and be pragmatic. Well, and I, you know, and I will say too, you know, I am obviously super supportive of this project. You know, I just think that there's a process that it has to go through, too. So, we're just And you know, when it comes to the regional campus, we treat everybody the same. Um, you know, and and you know, I we in recent years, we had
059questions about like solar on the campus. We literally any project that comes before us, we have to look at it as we are stewards of that campus and it does have to come through us for approval. Um Michael, yes. >> So just from both Lori and uh Trace your description sounds like there is some question of safety. >> So the police >> Yeah, the police aren't deeming it a safety issue. I think we are questioning and we've only had a little over 24 hours to process just the chaos that can be found there at that it's the Waldman Street entrance as you can tell. >> Yeah. >> And um just are we adding to the chaos I think is some of the discussion to be had. So, >> so again, the the tone that you've
060both brought it up in, regardless of whether the police are calling a safety issue, you're describing a fashion that that makes us makes it sound like it could be one. And and so my question would be, what do we do to mitigate that? Because >> we don't want to make this change and then have something happen. >> Yeah. Yeah. Exactly, Andrew. >> Um, it's been a little while since I I I know there are aspirations to have a track up on that field um on on the Bristol Hill side of the the campus and I'm just wondering like would that that would probably, you know, kick off the need for more parking spaces. I'm just wondering if that is in fact the ultimate end goal and there's a reasonable chance that may happen in the
061future if you want to put some parking spots over on on that side, but that might require like a whole another level of study. >> Um we've done that study in my tenure. Um we are at the cap for imperous surface. >> Yeah. >> Um so additional parking is not at least in its traditional form is not an option. It would have to be like a gravel. Um, but certainly like, you know, I think we need to look at what all of our options are, but like a a sixspace gravel lot could work there. Yeah, it could. Sorry, my dog. >> I don't want to make a science project out of this. I'm just wondering if like there's going to be a need for more parking spots. We know where they are and you could
062travel. >> I I I'm going to suggest you watch the 2019 town meeting and watch the reaction to my request for parking. And um >> uh the other problem >> public comment at that town meeting too. >> Um the other problem I think is we've had discussions with the town on gravel parking and we've been um met with concerns about leakage from vehicles into the soil. >> Okay. >> There's not an appetite for more parking as I >> I got it. I got it, >> Carrie. Um, yeah. I'm just I mean it it stinks that this is opening up a parking conversation because this is like such a huge can of worms that once it gets opened it's really hard to >> Yeah. >> There's not much room to work with is the reality. Um,
063my question is, is this something that on the Walden Street like Walden Street side are there, cuz I can't seem to remember, but are there or could we possibly put up signs that say like no parking between 7 and 10 and 2 and 4, you know, or I'm making those times up, but like to clear up that space during bus traffic and then but allow BD center parking during the day. I don't know. Just a thought. >> Yeah, it's a good thought. I think um I'm not sure the spots are going to be used that much by the beauty center given how much room is in the lot usually and I have a lot of concern that I'm going to be chasing students out of those spots which I have a lot of experience with
064and it gets pretty ugly um at different points. So, there's a lot to sort through there. I think you're not wrong to think of a another good idea to put a sign on it. Um, >> a couple toes maybe. >> Well, >> a couple toes for the main creative, but they're this is our worst time of year because the many of the juniors have aged. >> Um, so we've been towing them out of the main lot when they park up on the grass and all that. But yeah. >> Yeah, Michael. So, this is this this is uh mandated parking for the added volume of the dry diving well. Um >> well, it's not really. So, here's the weird thing. It's I now as I understand it, and I'm not an expert in this, but they're
065adding a thousand square feet and when you add that many square feet, there's a ratio of parking spots. So it's not it's not like added capacity so to speak but I just want to see all the documents on what they have what the capacity is what the number is and you know I love a chart so I need to do a chart >> the ultimate volume of the added space mandates that you have parking to to fit that. So >> I'm not sure Michael because this is the same amount of spots they had previous to the addition. So to get more information on the requirement, but clearly it's a mandated number because she's trying to suggest something in kind um and reducing it requires a a permit waiver. So we can get all that detail
066from her for sure. >> Yeah. So this was kind of just a surface level discussion that we're going to get another presentation certainly from the Maisy O'Donnell um I I want to call it the foundation but they'll come to us again. They'll give us their plans. We'll have more information from Elizabeth. We are certainly I just want to be really clear. We are very much in support of this project. >> We had them you know with us and we are going to figure out a way to make the parking situation work. Um, and we are working very closely with the town and with the odds and the foundation. So, I just want to say all that publicly that we are all very much working together on this project to make it happen. >> I think
067Elizabeth would have come tonight, but she had a planning board meeting. So, maybe that can be arranged for May. >> Yeah. So, that's all the information we have on that. There's no vote needed. Um but I just wanted you to have the information so when they come to us we'll all be a little bit um prepped for that and is you know if we get any additional information about what's required we'll certainly do that. Um so before we go to public comment um just as part of the discussion I I realize when I put this agenda out quickly we didn't do the metco update and then Carrie and Michael have an update on the coffee for us. Andrew, I know that you have a conflict, so we do have a quorum. If you want to
068drop off, it's totally fine. >> Thanks. I'll have to leave in a few minutes. Thank you. >> Yeah. So, just drop off whenever and we'll roll call out. Okay. So, Michelle, we'll start with you. >> It is quick. Thank you, Tracy. Great. >> Um, so yesterday was advocacy day at the state house. So, my I was not able to make it, but my understanding is it was uh well attended and very um positive. So that was great. And uh with the last meeting I had brought up about the Alcott PTG, they have connected with the new um METCO representatives. So they're in the um communication now and they are discussing what the roles of the new MECO reps will be. Um so we're super grateful for that. Um and the only other thing I think
069is the Alcott uh um multicultural night got postponed to May 15th. That was supposed to be I think two weeks ago. And that's it. Thanks, >> Michelle. >> Yes, >> I I have something I could tag on. So, I was actually at uh medical advocacy day had an opportunity, both Aish and I were there. Uh we had an opportunity to meet some of the board members from Medco. We had uh uh Mel Fernando Slange Benjamin and one of our sophomores, one of our MECO sophomores uh from the high school. uh and uh it was a a wonderful experience. We had time to talk with uh Dr. Candace Ser, the new CEO of Medical Inc. It was really a fabulous day. then had uh a good amount of time to talk with the uh legislators, had
070input from legislators from all the districts that were served uh that you know were uh sponsoring Metro u uh in in their districts. So it was it was a it was a great day and I think afforded some pictures for the committee to see. So it was a good day and we should consider um uh Christopher Warel Roxberry who was a himself a Medco student at LS. Um he they continue to bring uh an incredible number of students and um usually rule the wrist. We should we should consider doing some of that as we as we move forward. It was it was it was really a wonderful time. So that's all I have to say. >> Great. Thanks. Thanks for going and representing us. Um I know that many of us said complex. It's it's
071really a great day. One day one year we had it at um it was at Emerson umbrella so they they did it out here which was great too. It's always a really great day. Um okay and then last we have the community coffee. So Carrie and Michael hosted our second community coffee which was I think last Friday. >> April 3rd. >> Yep. April 3rd. And then we have two more coming up. One on May 1st in Boston and one on May I'm going to get the date wrong. I'm going to hope May 6th. No, that's wrong. Is that wrong in Carile at Kimbell's? >> No, it is the six. It's a Wednesday. >> I got it right. Same as our school committee meeting. Yep. So, I'll leave it to Carrie and Michael. >> Okay, >>
072Carrie. >> Yeah, sure. >> Um, so we had a we met at um Ballor Library and we were um really pleased to see I'm just speak I'll speak for myself because Michael and I have not like shared our our notes. So, I'm speaking for myself on my experience, but um I was really glad to see a lot of people come out. We had about 15 or 16 people. Um >> 16 we had 16 people come. Um and there were a lot of it was just a like robust conversation. A lot of people who were really excited to talk about um a variety of topics including um enforcement of well the biggest general theme was concerns over technology. So whether that's cell phones in the schools um different technology programs being used, apps, things like that.
073Um there was a lot of conversation about how we're monitoring and tracking that. Um so we and I encouraged people to bring that feedback um to the schools. Um and certainly welcomed it, welcomed hearing it ourselves. Um there was a lot of conversation about the um the belltobell policy and a lot of support for it. Um and then there was um a bit of conversation about special education. Um some parents sharing personal their personal stories and um concerns they have about um gap closing and um and uh wanting to make sure that we are um helping their kids and and all kids which we all share. So um I reached out to Dr. Hunter afterward just to share my notes. Um and um and yeah, but all in all, I think it was like a
074really big success. Um people were engaged. I mean, it went over the hour and a half, which I thought was I was shocked by. Um it was really nice to talk with. Um some some known faces and some new faces, which was also really welcome. Um civic engagement is an awesome thing. So, it was just really great to have a lot of people out there with um thoughts, feelings, ideas, and just conversation. >> I I I would agree and I I think Carrie's touched on the major topics that just just to sort of clarify the experience, we had not even completed setting up the room and people were already coming in conversation. We had the space from 1 until 2:30. We were out in front of the Fowler uh talking probably until 3 3:15 with
075people that stayed to talk out in the sidewalk. So there was robust engagement. People had a lot to talk about. I think the one thing that I would add those three topics that that Carrie mentioned, um, cell phone policy, uh, favoring Delta Bell, um, digital access from apps to, uh, um, digital um, um, digital agreements and potential tracking our students. Another big topic, one very interesting topic that was brought up and I think I've gotten comment subsequent to that from from parents through through our server. um much like we had an AI advisory group considering forming a tech advisory group of um parents, educators and uh if if there are I'm sure there are in conquered um people adept in the field to help tease out best policies K through 12 for how tech should
076be um supported. or um moderated for our students. was a great suggestion and and it it it it brought great conversation and so that and the uh ELA English language arts and and and and CPAC conversation the only thing I would add so really robust and probably final plug I would take from this is that I think we both felt that there was a thirst for this in the community. We should probably plan to have them and plan to have them or plant the seed for the for the next committee to have them periodically through the year so that we're sampling not only at the end of the year but getting two-way conversation with our community throughout the the the academic year. So it was a great experience. >> Great. Yeah. I mean, the coffee
077has become so interesting because sometimes you have one person, sometimes it's zero, some it's 20, sometimes it's five. They've in my five years they've been all over the place. Um, so you just never know what draws people out. But this one clearly I feel like, you know, cell phones were they were definitely on the brain. And you had mostly parents at this one, correct? >> Yes. Yeah. >> Okay, great. >> I think there were two non-parents, maybe one. No, actually I think it was all parents. >> All parents from from from elementary through the high school. So we had all all all years covered. >> Yeah. And I think what I find the most challenging about coffees because this is happened to me at a coffee before. When people want to talk about their individual
078student um and they have things that they're concerned about with their individual student and the role of the school committee, you know, I mean that is a quote complaint, right? And so we always reference them and refer them to either the building principal or the superintendent or whoever it needs to refer to. So that's that's always like the gray area that becomes people want you to respond and sometimes it's not appropriate from the school committee perspective. We can certainly listen um which I think is helpful but like I always feel guilty. I'm like I you know this this is not a school committee um discussion that we're having. So that's that's what I always find personally challenging. But more to come on. >> We did talk about that. We talked about the parameters. We did.
079Yeah. Parameters of the school committee. I think there was there was interest in just listening. Um >> and I think you know I think that is part of our part of our charge even if the action out of it is um you know passing along notes and encouraging them to reach out to the appropriate people. >> Which is what we did. We did we did talk about and there was actually a conversation about um just about that very thing like about okay so what happens then if we're telling you this we're like this is not this is outside of the jurisdiction of the school committee so we did talk about that um it is very confusing and it will continue to be but >> yeah yeah >> but we tried to like bring it bring
080it into the conversation >> there were already meetings scheduled a couple of those parents one of which I was at and one with um other administrators That's great. >> Good. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, with that, I don't think there's anything else. I think we're good. Uh there is a conquered school committee meeting tomorrow and that will be Carrie's last school committee. So, Brian and Lynette, uh Carrie is leaving us. She still will be living in conquered and coming to us. This is her last regional meeting. >> We might see you again someday. >> Maybe we'll see you again. I don't know. So, uh, tomorrow night will be Carrie's last meeting in her sendoff, and I will not be in the meeting. I'll I'll be zooming into the exact session, but, um, certainly we
081wish you well, Carrie, and thank you for your just commitment and your time to conquer and conquer Carile. >> Thanks. >> With that, I would entertain a motion to adjourn. >> Did we do public comment? >> Oh, sorry. Public comment. >> Oh my gosh. get public comment and I I reduced it to 10 minutes because we have so many meetings. Um do we have any public comment? You can use the raise hand feature. We'd love to hear from you. Nope. Seeing none. Now I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Roll call. >> Heler I. >> Morano I. Ranken I. Sorry. She's already left. >> She's already done. >> I moved already. I'm out of >> out of conquer. >> Wat eye. >> Williams eye. >> All right. Thanks
082everybody. See you soon. >> All righty.