001good evening and welcome to the regular school committing a meeting of the Greenfield Public Schools it's Wednesday June 10th 2020 call this meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. we are holding this meeting fully remotely in accordance with the governor of Massachusetts March 12 2020 order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law we are live with gctv as well and they are recording is anyone else who is on the line recording this evening please identify yourself now make sure you're not on mute to identify yourself ok I'm not hearing anyone I would like to start with a roll call member Johnson are you on the line are you alright okay hey glad you need us for the roll call of course remember Karen join but did you say sorry you glitched out for a second
002but yeah I remember Karen I'm here nice chair Eckstrom secretary Johnson that's me I'm here chair preeeetty here remember wall here mayor Rita Gardner here alright remember Hollins have you joined no member Hollins other than that we're all here thank you we'll move right into the next item on the agenda which is the approval of the draft minutes from two previous meetings may 13 2029 and may 26 as well do I have a motion to approve the May 13th meeting minutes so moved I remember Karen yes in a second from member Johnson any discussion hearing none we'll have to do a roll call vote hi can you guys hear me we can hear you okay no one can hear me okay oh good did you have something about the minutes I get nothing I would
003know nope I got nothing you just want to make sure so let's move to a vote to approve the May 13 2020 meeting minutes remember Karen yes nice chair next room yeah remember Hollins still not here secretary Johnson I mean yes Shariati yes remember well yes married a gardener I was not there so I'm going to abstain all right the motion carries thank you and we'll do the same I take a motion for approval of the minutes from May 26 don't move second okay so remember extra member Johnson remember Karen yes mmm nice chair Eckstrom yeah remember Hollins still in here secretary Johnson I'm a yes chair preeeetty yes remember wall yes may we know Gardner oh I feel bad I wasn't there either so I'm gonna Bank the motion carries with five yeses one
004of state and one absent mayor Rita Gardner I've heard you were not only a little busy but maybe that a little bit injured as well so your exams well I wasn't for either of those meetings but I was busy well no but I'm injured now I hope you're feeling better each day each day gets a little better I have physical therapy tomorrow they're about to find out what a terrible patient I am for those on the line who don't know the mayor has has broken a bone and yeah not fun especially in the humidity not fun at all okay so we're going to move into public comment and I understand there are two people already who are on our list who have indicated before the meeting started that they want to be recognized for public
005comment each person will have three minutes to speak I would ask member Johnson would you be so kind as a time with three minutes for us there will thank you and so when I call you you will state your name address for the record and you will have three minutes to speak on whatever you'd like and my first person is Kia burton king good evening reading remember my name is Kieran King 27 Riverside Drive greenfield mass I am speaking as a parent this evening of a rising fourth grader and a rising seventh grader it saddens me to learn that we have let go one of the most amazing teachers I have met Jamie where the roll-top falls in my children my son looped with her for third and fourth grade and my daughter for a
006second I know this is a time of tough decisions and we have a long road ahead but I just want to let you know that you all have made a wrong decision and I do not support it since the beginning of this pandemic and a combination of national protesting for racial justice and equity my concerns grow as we as I try to imagine what reopening schools will look like I continue to look at how our district is responding and preparing for next school year to meet our children where they are at and I hope that that's what love respect and compassion I found comfort knowing that teachers and staff like Jamie Wetherill are treasures in our superheroes for this city our district and our children we are we're just lucky to have them and I'm
007sorry there's a airplane going honey are lucky to have them and those and those are the faces that I expected to see my children my neighbors in our future when they walked into the to the halls of Newton school and GPS or if they have to turn on cameras this fall I can't believe that you let go the seeds of love kindness diversity that she poured into our students the amount of fundraising the amount of positive publicity she has brought to our school the willingness to explore new curriculum the openness to collaborate we're in a build it could be easy to keep the good stuff to yourself she gives it freely she gave it freely and this is how I learned out I guess we shall realty and gratitude she helped bring a yoga star
008from the UK to my friends class after Thomas extended school days she was always there for PTA meeting she could be seen making phone calls to reach families even on my child's Rock Thursday she called her reached out to me and responded with love and patience how dare you did you think this would go unnoticed any district would be lucky to have her and I know that they will grab you up in a second and I can't find the words Jamie if you're listening this evening I just want you to know that you're my strong woman thank you very much for listening to me that's it Thank You Kea we appreciate your comments very welcome is Eric stone Eric you'll have this right on thank you my name is Mark Stone I actually live 116
009strawbe new in Florence but I am a teacher at Newton School in Greenfield so first I want to thank the committee for hearing the diverse voices speaking in support of Greenfield teachers I've been working with children for 24 years 19 of those in the classroom and a lot of 11 of those 19 here in Greenfield as a 3rd and 4th grade teacher I have an experience being risk earlier in my career I'm well aware of the complexities involved in any reduction in force decision and the emotional toll the process takes an adman teachers and all staff I am also ever causing it that rules for the layoffs the history region and that's a math behind which layer are determined is nothing just the math having said that though these are indeed challenging times filled with
010uncertainty the proposed reduction in force results in a loss of talent that I believe will lead to increased uncertainty a loss of intellectual resources sorely needed at this time and when we get harder to meet the needs Orson population we are in a shock heavy and very tech-savvy work the new generation of teachers is more well equipped to navigate such a technological environment remote learning may well be the path we need to take as the future unfolds as what we know school to be moves into a territory fraught with unknowns like ship entering storm it seems nonsensical to let go of any talent and resources we have that can be a steady hand on the tiller I implore you as lovers of green fields and a body who always have the best interest of our
011children mind to rethink the current path thank you thank you Eric that's the end of our list is there anyone else on the line that is interested in being recognized for public comment yes go ahead please with your name and and I am from Greenfield I live at 245 Conway Street I'm sorry we missed your name the line cut out what's your name oh sorry Erin Donnelly Drake's Thank You Erin you recognized for three minutes Erin are you there go ahead everything is okay well we figured that out and wait for Erin to come back hi high school committee this is a Rachel coming I think Erin and I were both speaking at the same time which is why you couldn't hear us okay it's Erin still on the line you knew Erin Donnelly draped
012are you there prepare to speak I think she's gonna try to hook back okay is there anyone else who was interested in being recognized for public comment yes this is Rachel coming a resident of town of Greenfield and teacher at Newton school go ahead Rachel you're recognized for three minutes thank you so I am currently a teacher at Newton school and have taught in the district for the past six years this includes several years of being a classroom teacher at both Newton and GMS and more than several years as a robotics coach here in Greenfield there are days that this teaching job is incredibly hard and I have weighed heavily upon my predecessors as conveyors of knowledge support and sometimes something as simple as a hug in a tissue I have a lot of respect
013for the crane feels great especially those who have traversed the world of educating students as a whole and especially those who I work alongside with me right the education possible for students in Greenfield that said I do think that which is with this new level of budget cuts a lot of the folks who were losing have a skill set that a lot of the Great's my elders who I have so much respect for need to work together with the passion for teaching but also embracing technology and as I look at some of the cutlets I just I really want to urge the School Committee if you think about how education is changing and how some of the folks who are cutting might be the perfect bridge between the old the great like the amazing teachers
014who I respect so much and the teachers who have the technological ability to make this new learning possible that's all I have to say thank you Rachel previous to Rachel close we have recognized Erin Donnelly drink so public comment is Erin back on the line yes I'm here can you hear me anytime you can hear you please go ahead you have three minutes okay thank you so like I said I'm Erin Donnelly Drake I live at 2:45 Conway in Greenfield and I am a Newton parent actually as I'm leaving Newton after this week my son will be at GMs I've been happy to be at Newton for the years that he's been there since kindergarten and I was really saddened to hear about some of the reduction in force I do understand the budget scenarios
015that are quite alarming at this time but I was definitely concerned when I heard that Jamie Weatherall was a victim of that reduction in force she has been a bright light for Newton school all the teachers that are amazing and jamie has been exceptional it's just really sad to know that she's been here since 2013 through some really tough times at Newton and due to a very small departure time she is now reduced out of the school I should mention that Newton school has raised over a hundred and sixty thousand dollars at through DonorsChoose and Jamie was one of the early adopters of DonorsChoose and she's an early adopter of many technologies and new initiatives Janie alone has raised fifty thousand four hundred and fifty seven dollars in DonorsChoose for Newton school I added it
016up today that's 31 percent of all money through donor scusa that is continuing has been raised by Jamie she has brought really interesting and innovative programs to Newton she attends PTO meetings which we know is not an easy thing for teachers to and I should mention also that Newton is a I think it's 45 percent minority student body and Jamie is one of the only classroom teachers of color in the entire school it would be a tragedy to lose a feature of color at a school like Newton school I'm really at any school but especially Newton I really hope that the school committee can find some money I know that you can Heights often hire back students who loves it or teachers who have been wrists but this is when you lose challenge this is
017when you lose the teachers who are the best and I would really hate to see Jamie go I hope she's listening she's an incredible teacher she is so important for Newton and for the Greenfield Schools and I hope that something can be done thank you Thank You Aaron sir is there anyone else interested in being recognized for public comment that's on the line okay hearing none we're going to go into the committee reports and the chairpersons are for its first hello hi my name is Amy Dwight and I also wanted to make a public comment okay eat we'll go back to public comment that's fine you have three minutes please state your name and your town of residence hi my name is Amy Dwight 111 Meadow Lane in Greenfield I have two students at Newton
018school last year that will be at Newton school next year thank everyone for their time and just trying to touch on my views I mean I think you know that by now with all the comments that she made an excellent teacher she not only has she's not only engaged but she has passion for the whole school family and food people succeed students and co-workers she she had compassion and she's passionate and neither quality quality but you can't teach somebody she has them losing Jamie in her many unique skill sets would be devastating to Newton school the PTO the districts but most importantly the children of Greenfield that are going to be missing out on this remarkable teacher and role model she's in consider that someone remembers her life so I hope the committee can find
019another way to fund this position that's all thank you thank you very much Amy that will be our last public comment for the evening we're going to move back into the committee reports as I mentioned I'm going to have a rather brief report I have just three items I'd like to touch on for the committee as well as for the public the first thing I want to talk about is related to the timeline for our shut down for the Cova 19 pandemic and the leadership response from specifically the state government we are in a predicament we you will hear as well I believe from the city side the municipal side of the city of Greenfield that we're in a predicament the pandemic turns out is very expensive the pandemic leaves us in a really unfortunate
020position of having to choose remote learning because right now there is no other option and what we have found from our partners at the state level is that specifically from the deci which is the governing body at the state level for the K through 12 schools and the Commissioner of Education for the K through 12 the their guidance for what to do and when to do it has been woefully inadequate the cliche I think applies that is too little too late I will give one example of what we're talking about they have issued guidance at each step of the way and the guidance for how how school districts should do their ceremonies came out just around Memorial Day and every district in the state had already been planning for weeks if not oh six weeks
021to two months on what to do with their graduation ceremonies absent any state guidance and the what it shows and has shown in each step of the way that's just one example is that we are not getting a whole lot of helpful guidance timely guidance and we're certainly not getting any monetary resources at this time from the state level they have not started the process of identifying what state budgets will bring to cities and school districts in fiscal year 21 and the the state as well as local local areas have spent tons and tons of money that they don't have trying to dig out of this pandemic experience like I said we're in a real predicament here and we're not getting a lot of help we will be looking at the local level to identify
022solutions and move forward because we have to start planning I heard a quote recently that I'm going to mess up I actually think it was maybe member Johnson that said it's something about you can't plan for everything but the planning process is important something like that and I think that's what we're going to need to do at the local level is to begin to plan as if we don't have the guidance from the state and do our best to prepare for all sorts of possibilities for summer as well as for fall and in case anyone is wondering we've barely gotten the guidance for what to do for summer school programs for our students again too little too late from the state level I also want to recognize the impossible job and attention to detail that
023it requires too for the superintendent to make decisions around the reduction in force you've heard people in public comment mentioned tonight about the reduction in force those are impossible to say teachers are dedicated professionals who work incredibly hard and are under-resourced every step of the way and to have to reduce them at all is just an impossible decision to make and I want to recognize that the superintendent has done that in a timely way based on the contracts with the the unions and the timelines those require as well as an attention to detail to make sure that we're getting the information across to the correct people at the correct time and I want to recognize that these are impossible decisions and I appreciate and I know I speak for the other school committee members as
024well we all appreciate the feedback that we receive from the public it's important for all of us to be involved in our schools and engaged in what's happening and understanding why it's happening and at what times the last thing that I want to just briefly touch on is by far the most important speaking of things that are happening at a national level and a local level as well it looks like we are in the middle of a huge upheaval and that has been a long time in coming with the systemic racism and systemic discrimination in our country and I want to specifically note that there was an amazing outpouring of support for real structural change in Greenfield last Saturday I would say it was a spectator and I would say that our March for solidarity
025had at least 3,000 people in it it was peaceful it was just a wonderful acknowledgement of how much this community in Franklin County care about these issues and fixing and writing all of these wrongs that have happened over generations in this country there's a lot of work to do but I want to recognize that you know there were teachers students staff members people from across the the leadership of the community that were a part of the March for solidarity last week and it just shows that in Greenfield I do believe we can do the hard work and that is my report and I'll move right into the superintendent's report Thank You chair before I begin my report I would like to see if we have with us a special guest on the line Dean or
026Josh are you in the line with us if you are could you unmute yourself please I'm going to give them a minute and start with my report and come back to it we have a recognition of a absolute community hero that we wanted to start our evening with if they're not on the line we will come back to them in recognition of news beans who has been I'm just doing tremendous community support to schools where food services are being recognized for the importance of providing childhood nutrition and where Dean's beans has been making donations to food service programs in public school districts and I asked them to join us so that we could publicly commend the important role that they're playing in getting childhood nutrition during school closure and they have made a donation of
027$5,000 previously to the schools and they followed that up again recently with another $5,000 donation specifically for the food service program this program allows all youth 18 and under to eat for free and we've talked here at length about just the absolute dedication of our food service staff to making sure students are fed and cared for even though our buildings are physically closed and if we are able to get that connection we will come back to that later on I want to just touch briefly I don't we don't respond to public comment directly by policy but I want to talk generally speaking about the budget and the budgetary process you may hear some background noise in my environment I apologize this year's budget has been impossible we care about our educators and we rely on
028them as the backbone of what makes a school district function possible and work for our students this year we had the reduction in the school committee's budget as necessary to meet the mayor's budget and we made those reductions in accordance with discussion at the budget subcommittee and the full committee the contractual guidelines in the unit a and unit C contracts and state law but in addition we have no idea what state funding will be or will not be available and there are still deadlines that you have to meet and there is no asterisk in the law that says by the way if there's a cove in nineteen pandemic and the state legislature has not yet told you if you have the same level of funding no funding what what your funding is going to look
029like then you can go ahead and wait on this and the committee the committee has an obligation based on case law to employee anybody that they do not give timely notice that they may not have that position next year and the simple fact is with twenty percent projected revenue decreases at the state level we simply don't know if we will be able to continue employing everybody in the manner that we did this year certainly and we just don't know what that budget will entail and in discussion with the committee with the subcommittee and full committee level what we've done is balanced to the mayor's budget and then made additional reductions in force beyond the mayor's budget with 110 percent hope that we are able to recall each and every one of those people these are
030absolutely some of our best and brightest these are adjustment counselor and school nurses these are teachers these are special education staff and art staff these are interventionists and math specialists and science teachers they affect all of our buildings and there's not any one of them that we could presently do without these are integral positions that we need overall there were 20 unit a positions that were recommended for elimination or reduction those are teachers and 23 unit C positions those are instructional assistants or behaviorists so real people real jobs that as you heard tonight several people speaking about the impact of even just one such teacher makes a tremendous difference so this is a health pandemic and Inc na economic reality that is unclear it is completely unclear to us right now what the budget will
031entail and so we are taking prudent steps in terms of our obligations as a district at the same time really taking every possible measure to bring these teachers back to work with our students I've said this from the beginning but for folks that are listening tonight that may not have heard earlier discussions I believe firmly that next year we will need more staff not less that the student needs will be greater not less that the challenges of kovat and any type of accommodations for whether it's in person or remote learning will be more costly not less and that the gaps that students may have that need to be addressed will be larger none of those scenarios add up to budget cuts they don't they don't match we have a double whammy of declining revenue an
032increase state needs a sorry increased student needs and for everybody listening we agree with you and we ask you to please please to join together to bring this kind of advocacy to the state level for the funding we need federal funding in state we need an investment in our schools to help keep everybody in the Greenfield Public Schools working and mostly to help our students through this extraordinarily challenging time and we're doing everything we can within the tools that the district has but we we do rely on state aid to a very large degree and the community is also impacted and we are are cognizant of local revenue and being a good partner in the available share of local revenue so I really want to thank everybody that cares enough about the impact an educator
033has made and we are honestly I can say I've had individual conversations with many of the people discussed tonight about how we might find a way to keep them and that's my that's my heartfelt wish and I couldn't agree more and at this point we do need that information from the budget at the state level to be able to proceed and then I hope to be able to see these people all return to Greenfield one note is that we work hard to eliminate positions where there's a retirement or a vacancy first so please understand that we work very carefully to say if somebody's retiring if that position can be eliminated and we can move people that's always our first choice and it's also what's outlined in the contract it's good for people and it we
034really try to influence the fewest number of individual teachers in that way but as you can see the impact is is extraordinary even with that and I want to end my report here by just talking about the restorative practice and restorative circle work that's taking place I want to echo the chairs statements there will be an op Eadie appearing in local paper that was authored by the collaborative for educational services with the input of Greenfield and other member districts that we are as as a school community school superintendents are signing on to and really trying to express our support for social justice education anti-bias education and for the importance of the role of public school systems in bringing about systemic change addressing systemic inequity and helping create environments that are safe for all students and
035so that's something that we hope to move forward and I know will be discussed by this committee tonight but we've really been focused beyond the statement level we've really been trying to focus on what can we do for students so today at Greenfield high school the high school staff held a restorative circle for social justice focused on racial equity there's been training going on for for teachers and staff and we've been working on exists expanding existing initiatives whereas I think four or five years ago when we were beginning restorative practice at the high school you know that was a tremendous investment in a new way of thinking a new way of going about things and today those practices are part of the culture of the high school they're a way that educators and students can
036connect so that when national and local events take place that require that level of support that's a tool that's at the ready I will say it is more difficult at a distance it is harder to connect with students and the community and we do need to hear from from people and we do want very much to provide supports to our students and our families and our staff at this difficult time so I'll end my report there thank you Thank You superintendent any questions for the superintendent from the school committee okay so hearing none we'll go right into the subcommittee reports and let's have Health and Safety report out first remember Karen hello good evening well so we talked about a lot of really important things a few that have already been talked about tonight first
037up the Eliza from the food services department telling us what amazing work they've all been doing I believe she said they've served 80,000 meals in this time and she gave us an update about how they're helping people who have gotten the P EBT cards for people who are unaware it's a pandemic assistance for families who qualified for free and reduced lunch there were some people having a hard time learning how to use those and the food service group had been working to help those folks she also told us about our Summer Food Program and how that is continuing right through there are a couple of dings in location or a location that will close for a week but then reopen to give our staff some break but the services will continue right through the summer
038including some fun raffles for some scooters and some cool stuff that was a really wonderful report to receive and I just think really important to recognize the wonderful work that has been going on you know we all think of food is such an important part of our lives and it really really is and it also just gave our district and community a way to have a base with us and a way to touch in without it person and it was really wonderful so that was great we also talked a lot about what happens next as we both talked about there's not a lot of guidance for exactly what our school year should look like in the fall there's not even a clear indication if they're going to come up with a plan or if we
039should be making a decision completely on our own they did come out recently with guidelines about PPE needs what they expect each district to have what they expect the cost of that to be um I've seen estimates of people saying reopening the schools what the pair the state says we need could cost the district an additional 1 million or more so it's really an important time to think about the next step and it's frustratingly lacking the information coming forward it is really important to think about and we are working forward anyway regardless of what the state is telling us the superintendent has been working to form a task force to come up with some plans and as Glen and Amy use quoted Glen very well the planning process is a really important part of this
040even if the state comes out with a plan that was not one of our original 12 that we come up with beginning to play in the process working together a figure out the small details will be an important part and we will be that much more ready if they come up with a plan and if they don't then we will have our to pick from the other two things we really talked about were two motions we made as the subcommittee to make recommendations to the full committee I believe the first one is on our agenda and we as a subcommittee recommended that we ask the superintendent in chief of police perhaps to look through and reread our MOU for the school resource officer it's time that that had a good look at it but also
041it's become to our attention that the funding for that position is not in the city's budget on their side usually that position was split between the two the school pays on the city paid some so it's time to figure out the next step in that so we made that recommendation that it's important to continue our efforts of collaboration and coordination in that respect and we also really felt that a way for us as a community to come together in a school committee to be leaders and the the times right now is to have a social justice community forum perhaps to hear from our community members so we put forward a motion affirming our support our schools approach of handling high racism and social justice and looking to perhaps have a community forum where we can
042be listening body a learning body to see where we need to go next and that was a very long-winded report but there you have it that Thank You member Karen that is the most I've ever heard you talk and the School Committee Vanessa you can put it on your facebook life events tonight I do think it sounds like your conversations were very timely and that at your subcommittee meeting it looks like you hit on at least two of the three new business items that we have tonight so I appreciate that very timely work that's great and I think we can when we discuss the anti racism resolution item C I do think we can roll in what your committee is recommending in terms of moving forward with anti racism and social justice so thank you
043for that yes any questions for member Karen from the school committee members about health and safety all right thank you for that report budget sub committee member extra do we do you have a report I can't even remember if we had a meeting if you talk I'm you remember Eckstrom are you there all right so we're gonna move on if once remember Eckstrom is with us she wants to give a report from budget and finance subcommittee she can so we don't have other reports under the committee reports we'll move now into new business with the first item under new business which is the principal appointment at the discovery at school at four corners superintendent Harper what can you tell us I think you might be a mute Oh full disclosure I texted the superintendent to
044tell her to put herself on Butte so it's my fault that she didn't fund me so Katie if you think your report was long mine resulted in being told to mute myself I'm I'm tonight advising the committee that Casey Putnam has stepped in to an extraordinary time to be an interim principal boy oh boy this is a challenging time for everybody veteran administrators it's it's like dog years is like a nice way to say it's just a crazy time but to step into it in an interim capacity and as your first role as an administrator I think that takes a special dedication and Casey has provided a stability and a sense of community to the staff and the families as best as possible in this remote situation and what we we engaged the community in
045a process early on we had a series of community interviews we had a lot of public input we had a round of candidates we decided to continue on with an interim candidate until we could really bring forth a pool of candidates that we felt best reflected the process and that simply did not feel appropriate given the change of events with kovat the inability to bring groups of people together for that type of community interview process we were having I forget how many 20 or 25 of us in a room holding interviews and most importantly I want to continue the continuity and consistency that I think has has begun to develop under KC's leadership at four corners because she is first and foremost an educator here in Greenfield with a number of years of experience because
046she's licensed and qualified for the position and because she has the support of her staff in the community I've really seen a tremendous deal of leadership from her in a short time that we've been in this situation and it it is the right thing to do to move forward and appoint KC as the principal a four corner school so that however we open the school year next year families can at least count on seeing a familiar face and the style of communication that they've come to expect working with her so I'm bringing this to the committee tonight and to the broader public it is not an item that the committee needs to vote on but I certainly hope you will join me in congratulating KC after the evenings discussion tonight I will enter into contract
047discussions with KC hopefully she'll accept it I think she will and it would be our honor to have her serve as the permanent principal at four corners thank you so much superintendent Harper it's a principle putnam on the line with us tonight do you know Casey are you with us on the line yes I am can you hear me I can hear you look at that you didn't even have to tell you to unmute you're like a pro I see why you over there thank you for for being on the line with us thank you for stepping in at four quarters and really doing such an amazing job and this very strange we really really appreciate all of your extra effort I thought I was getting more of the school committee chair hate mail this
048week but it was actually all of your staff emailing to say what an amazing job you're doing and how they want you to be the full-time principal so I don't know how much you're paying them but good work support me and I am honored to work with them they are a great staff and it's been my pleasure to you know work with them and they've been very supportive and helpful during this crazy time well thank you thanks for being on the line with us - appreciate you taking the time thank you any school committee member questions for principal Putnam or for a superintendent Harper on this subject or comments comments are fine - thank you they had one member Johnson first of all just so many appreciations for what you're doing taking on that level
049of leadership at this particular time is really impressive and we're very grateful and I'm also observing the kudos and appreciation and endorsements they're getting we're getting by email as school committee members from your staff so that's great do you want to share a little bit about your your vision for for the school and for the coming year sure I think you know next year is going to be a really interesting year for the discovery school because our innovation school status is coming up for renewal and as well ever as our school improvement plan so it'll be you know quite a task to take that on especially considering what they all the unknowns happening next year but I'm really looking forward to working with the staff to continue to build upon the innovation school status and
050vision and see where that takes us excellent thank you much absolutely thank you any other questions or comments for principal Putnam I just want to say the max is sad that his first preschool teacher gets to be the principal and he doesn't go to school there anymore and he barely got to have her as a principal in person it's been so nice to see the fourth graders kind of leaving discovery school and getting to see them as they're stepping up to the middle school since I had so many of them as preschoolers that's terrific anything else committee all right well thank you again for joining us principal Padma appreciate it best of luck as you move forward report back to us as necessary I will thank you thank you congratulations Casey yes congratulate okay so
051let's move into the school resource officer of the SRO that's item B I think you know this is usually the superintendent Harper Show when we get to this portion of meeting and this is no different Jordanna can you give us an update on this we did hear some from health and safety is there anything you'd like to add you make it sound so much more interesting wait before you guys go on can you hear me oh no extra all right I forgot about your budget update she had to yeah remote remote it's your back I am so sorry so we're gonna move back on Bart I'm thinking I am managing the laptop by phone I got the iPad out I've got the dog barking yeah yeah we're all doing the best we can we don't
052talk about my son's issues tonight we'll just move on budget and finance subcommittee report please never extra so I just wanted to speak a little bit instead is what we've been talking about and every call we have we what about this what about that and it information the fingers remember Eckstrom I'm gonna interrupt you you're cutting out quite significantly we can't really tell what you're saying there God how about now that seems clear okay so the budget meetings have essentially been I don't know let's hurry up and wait and for all the reasons that Jordana highlighted we did speak some about the reductions in force and our overarching concern was what happens should we get money and how do we get these people back because there was no easy decision anywhere to be made and
053there isn't any easy decisions even after this it's only going to get more difficult and we are going to need more teachers we're going to need more we're going to need more than we had previously so how that's going to happen I don't know and but that is something that we talked about the budget committee we also spoke a little bit with TMS and Andy who is our new business manager service I'm saying that he's our consultant and took a little bit with him and asked him to follow up on a few things and we will hear from him I'm sure at a later date but the budget committee is meeting unfortunately we're all have our hands tied I'm good thank you for that any any questions from school committee members about budget discussions anything
054remember while you would add as well I don't want to put you on the spot but if you have anything to add yes I would like to add the fact that we're still working on this from the superintendent's budget and it's the newest member on the school committee I have been told repeatedly that we don't have a school committee budget it's the superintendence budget and I'm not sure at which point that school committee will look at the budget and approve it but that has not happened at this point remember while are you specifically talking about changes that are being made to bring it down to the mayor's budget yes I am I see we have not had the opportunity to vote on any of the changes I would just like to put that on the
055record thank you for that any other further comments from school committee members about the budget or superintendent Robert Harper would you like to comment on any of that sure chair I just want to echo a bit what member wall said because this is in development our last meeting was prior to those RIF notices so our business manager is not on the line with us tonight but when our first target was the contractual deadlines and then there are further reductions that we are going to recommend that may be administrative cuts for example other non-classroom they don't necessarily have the same deadlines but our entire goal is looking everywhere in order to bring back and preserve those classroom teacher positions so that entire budget proposal will come back to the committee and saying this is this is
056the balancing to the mayor's budget if there is a further series of cuts based on state aid you know then we're in it in a whole different scenario and again the Budget and Finance subcommittee will need to further weigh in about the strategy in that scenario as well so in other words we're in the final stages of making these reductions to the mayor's budget at this time and then that entire document has to come back to the school committee because it is a significant reduction of the 1.8 million from the school committee's last budget as it was passed to get from the School Committee budget for mayor budget that will come back to the committee thank you for that and I do want to note that member wall does not speak very often in meetings
057but whenever she does the next comment is always remember wall has a good point so we need to listen to her I appreciate all right so let's I have forgotten completely where we were worried new business V school resource officer the dogs telling me that's where we were is that right can I just think choir has remember Hollies join the call let's take a look I saw a 603 zip code very coded said there is a 603 that is muted remember Holland's have you joined us yeah unmute and give us a little roll call maybe someone else yep they don't hear anyone thank you though for checking okay so now I'm remembering where we were back to the superintendent Harper show and the school resource officer update three-ring music going on [Laughter] always keeping it
058interesting guys I'd like to just touch on the the conversations that have been had member Karen spoke about this in health and safety there was also significant discussion at the town school meeting with the mayor and finance director I've been in conversation with the chief of police and obviously the conversation here tonight I'll just reflect back I think most of this was said but just to repeat it for anybody listening to this agenda item as it stands now the city budget does not include city side funding for the school resource officer position so in the police chief's budget that was passed to the mayor and then passed by the City Council there is no funding for the school resource officer position that position has historically been split 50-50 between the School Department and the police
059department and over the last several years we've had an MoU that related to training de-escalation efforts relationship building and an effort to build relationships with students as a model the school resource officer model itself and our police chief being a former school resource officer I think understands better than anybody the goal of this position being about community building and supporting students and so that position has historically been split 50/50 there is a state law requiring school districts to appoint a school resource officer however given the funding situation that we're in the need to prioritize educational and classroom supports for students and the police departments withdrawal of funding on the portion that was typically funded by the city side this is it simply makes sense at this point to not fund also from the school department
060side given the loss of educator staff that we talked about earlier tonight and to have a school resource officer because it is required by law but that individual would continue to work with the chief to determine how that role would be served most likely that would be somebody on the Greenfield Police Department staff there would not be anybody on-site at the high school and and so the school resource officer position as we know it would then not be funded and not be present on the school property because this is a change to the last round of the budget that the school committee saw I would ask for a vote of the committee affirming this action so that we can continue to make plans based upon that change in reduction and I don't know if the
061mayor or others want to comment that we're involved with those those discussions but I hope I've accurately reflected it I don't want to comment hi Amy is that Mayor Peter Gardner it is oh yes please go ahead I'm sorry there seems to be an error that's okay you're fine yeah across over here is the evening this is a terrible year for budget and we're over yeah there could render that will be painful the entire city budget that includes schools and city but has also dominating these are two coats on the same day that the school department did not past some of the big cap the city but we tried to make possible I appreciate greatly that Jordan and understands where were flat so thank you for that and with some hope it's always a little
062bit we'll be able to rectify this situation if not this year next that's all him and we didn't want to do but as I said before at multiple I didn't we had to make and they weren't necessarily the ones we wanted to make but at the end of the day we have to write final no I appreciate that additional perspective mayor we know Gardner thank you have a technical suggestion that might help improve this quality of Mayor Rita Gardner sound please it looks like there are two instances of Mayor Rita Gardner on this call so if you have two windows open with your google your google meet you could close one of those windows alternately if Laurie has or someone on the from this around the school district has permission to mute people they could
063mute one of the instances of Oh looks like you got rid of great I think that one I did Glen thank you very much for that I I don't know what happened all of a sudden I'm sitting here peacefully listening to someone saying something about something and all of a sudden I just went blank so I had to go in and try to figure out how to get back on and apparently I opened an additional window now we have just one window open it seems to be improved greatly thank you it does yes thank you and thank you again for the perspective we did catch I would say 90% of it so you're just one stop you're just was not lost at all yeah okay good thank you so at this point I think it
064makes sense to entertain a motion we are being asked to take money out of the budget so I would start with let me make sure I get this right I move to a motion to zero out funding for the school resource officer line item and direct the superintendent to continue conversations with the chief of police on how we meet the legal requirements of the unfilled position that was a full motion if anyone would like to so okay I got it so moved from member Karen and a second from the mayor any discussion from the school committee members I'm just curious this is gene I'm just curious about why we're voting to remove this month money from the budget when we have not voted to move any other money from the budget it doesn't make sense
065to me so I think that's a really good point gene like I said we always say that after you speak I think this one Mme from my perspective this one's really clear-cut and the funding on neither side is technically available to fill the position and we also need to move forward with making sure we can fulfill the legal requirements the state mandated requirements of that position we don't actually have someone in it it is not something that is like a change that it has to be reflected because we're cutting down to the mayor's budget it's something that was erroneous really because we didn't know there wasn't going to be funding on the other side I don't know if either the mayor or the superintendent would want to qualify that at all well I just wondered
066if we shouldn't be voting to remove the the officer from the schools instead of voting on the budgetary implications that would be fine superintendents okay with that any other discussion around that from school committee members I have some comments please also say while I'm making my comments I don't know if someone else can help troubleshoot but member Hollins is reporting by email that she is on but can't unmute herself I've been trying to help her out I just try to get on by zoom so maybe this is better yes thank you okay oh please remember Johnson go ahead sure I mean this is being framed much in terms of budget discussions and wanting to remote review and MOU and I just think it might be useful to put a broader frame on it I think
067the reason it's really come to our attention is because of the killing of George Floyd by a police officer and the reminder to all of us of the trauma being faced by black and brown communities across the country and with want to acknowledge that I think the police department and its officers in our city are extremely hard working extremely well it's intentioned and I think that the the interest of having police officers in the schools in order to help build closer relationships with students and help them to see police as people they can turn to and they need help to build relationships in the the work that's being done to with the police department on you know the schools approach to conflict resolution and de-escalation cultural sensitivity awareness of disability issues all of that is
068really really great at the same time I think that the the state kind of law requiring a police officer in the schools needs to be re-examined and I think we're we're I'm certainly hearing from a lot of folks in the in the community about that and so I think that that we have to kind of acknowledge that that is part of the reason why this is on our agenda tonight and why why we're discussing it and I think that the the the budget is one of those issues where maybe the budgetary interests and our interest in how we serve our community and rethink how we go about things are lining up so that's why I'm in addition to the budgetary reasons the substance of it is also something that I'm supportive of in terms of
069working with the police department to have a perhaps have a school resource officer who's on call but not actually in the schools regardless of the funding situation may I think and anyone hear me ma I see please go ahead another action ok I so like Katie and Maryland's we were here the last time that came up and we had a large larger discussion about it and I was pretty clear then and I continue to be although you know if I'm my thinking is inaccurate doesn't someone please pointed out to me um my hope had always been that the SRO that was in the school didn't have an office at the high school that that person would be helping serve lunch or helping do lunch duty at one of the elementary schools one day a week
070or going to do recess duty or doing bus duty because that's where you would get to know families and kids and and faith could be associated that isn't something that ever happened and so I think the intention of what the SRO was to be and actually and in reality was were two very different things and and I've looked at a lot of I've been reading a lot about defunding Police Department this past week and what they've found is when they've they have defunded them and then they had to change their focus and how it was that they were working with communities and the reality is is they started doing things basically doing more outreach and being in communities and doing things like that and getting to know everyone there was a in New Jersey I
071can't pick a name but but they're there there is law breaking that's our I mean they're they're arrests have dropped by 50% I mean because the police department has a whole different thing and the community has embraced that different feel and so while I understand are not funding an SRO because we don't have the funds and that's fine I don't have a have a concern with that I think defunding something because we don't like it how it's working as opposed to figuring out what we want to get it to work are two different things so I agree with that with both of your comments completely that we're that there should be a discussion of whether the person should be in the current position in the schools not around the budgetary implications however totally get that
072it makes sense that we not important that we not fund us at this time I'll totally make them right like remember extra I'm thinking back on this my recollection from the beginning is that the SRO would never be in uniform or wear a gun in school least that's what I remember and that I think the law doesn't allow the person to get involved in any kind of discipline but I agree with member Johnson this whole issue of police and what they do anywhere in society and how they do it what are the guidelines it's really a lot to think about in terms of the budget and a vote to remove it from the budget I think going back to teen walls comment that we haven't really voted the budget with the decreases in it and
073I I think it's a looking at this holistically when we get to that then this SRO should come up then for how it's going to be handled in the budget I just think we should look at the budget holistically and I agree it's a topic that needs discussion the last thing I'll say about this is one of the arguments when we talked about SRO initially is that we have high school students that are in danger they're in dangerous situations and nowhere to turn necessarily no access to get themselves somewhere to speak to someone and I think that was the initial idea that students know they had somewhere they could go if there was violence in the home or something like that but it's a bigger discussion today thank you thank you member Collins sorry about
074the delay other comments from school committee members it sounds like a the the motion we have on the table really misses the mark with in general what the the will of the committee is so we can try again would someone like to propose do we want to it might be easier to vote this one down and put a different one in place but I'd happily well who was the who was hooped for it was it never Karen yes I believe it was me so would you entertain a friendly amendment to have it better reflect sure or you want neither motion it without voting on it and we could we could try a new motion okay I'll just withdraw the motion could if you're if there's no longer motion on the table could I just make
075one comment please go ahead I think that I think that the school has really focused its efforts on making a community of learners where there are multiple staff who are safe safe people for any one students a guidance counselor it is sort of an advisory teacher a principal and associate principal I think for many people it's a quote or an instructional assistant I think that the culture of the school in particular based on the restorative practice work and the relationship building that has taken place there has made it so that you know not not commenting on any other aspect of it just picking up on this last comment about there are there are children who experience all kinds of traumatic things and of course that is absolutely true but the school has worked very hard
076to make a culture where students can approach many different staff members and express that and get connected with the school psychologist or a guidance counselor or the appropriate supports to best to best meet meet that that need so I just want to commend the school for its efforts in that regard would you like a different motion we're we're yes we're waiting for to entertain a different motion please go ahead how about this I move that the School Committee prioritize discussion of the school resource of school resource officer services when reviewing and finalizing a 2020 21 budget motions on the table do we have a second I was trying to make sure that we kept this as a priority not the money but the discussion of whether we want it in the budget member member Hollins
077can you read it to us again so our guessing if the motion made then yes I didn't want to imply that we kept the money in the budget my motion was to prioritize the discussion of SR services when finalizing the 2021 budget to continue discussions with cheap aid on how to state law demanding that we have a resource of an officer in the schools without actually having the physical presence I mean isn't that what we're discussing well it sounds like remember while it absolutely is what we're discussing and it also sounds like as you know as current events are reflective of this there's strong feeling among committee members that the issue is larger than just hey there's a state law we have to do this but we don't have the money to do it so
078how do we fulfill the requirement it's much more about this really misses the mark in terms of what we want to be doing in our schools am i in and wasn't the superintendent looking for our approval that she go to chief Hague and discuss how to handle it to comply with the state law that's what the health safety and facilities subcommittee recommended to the to the School Committee so I I guess I've heard member Holland says motion I haven't heard a second yet I think what remember was talking about is more in line with what we were talking about I'm wondering member Hollins if you would withdraw your motion and yes I would in a like the way remember wall what she was saying and also we do need to bring this up again when
079we are finalizing a budget but yes I might throw up a motion number one would you like to try to put a motion forward I move that we authorize the superintendent to have ongoing discussion with cheap egg on how to comply with Massachusetts law recording SOR SRO in the schools I second that motion so that's a motion from a member wall with a second from member Johnson and Susan Farber before we discuss I want to make sure you have what you need yes I do thank you okay and any discussion I'll just say for folks listening and Susan Farber's our recording secretary so Shariati was just making sure she yeah not some secret School Committee also kind of RL good way like it's new boy a little bit better absolutely absolutely like one that helps
080you make make your Christmas gifts that kind of elf yeah yeah okay moving on we can it sounds like we can move right to a vote here unless there's any further comment from school committee members I just came up a something earlier and I just I really wanted to with member Johnson that the spirit of the conversation is while we appreciate all of the work and we think that the spirit of our school resource officer was to continue a continuity of community and safety for our students that perhaps the reality is for some of our students having that presence is actually the opposite of what we would like to happen and so that this conversation needs to continue about being whether or not you want that position that's all thank you with some ice-cubes forgets
081injured she needs ice ice ice it that's it doctor recommended yes okay remember Johnson a roll call vote on a motion please Aaron yes nice chair Eckstrom yeah remember Hollins yes secretary Johnson I mean yes chair preeeetty yes member hwong yes no Rita Gardner yes the motion is unanimous Carrie's wonderful thank you all that's really good work really good discussion I appreciate that okay so new business item C and anti-racism resolution so again you know it parallel with with current events they did some thinking over the weekend and a little bit of reading and it seems like excuse me that it's important for our institutions to really begin making structural change and one of the things that we can do as a school district a school committee is reinforce the the values that we believe
082are critical for educating our students and for being a force for for good and for acceptance in the community we need to really affirmed that the the movement towards towards justice towards social justice is critical and I would like to make sure that we take all of this very seriously so rather than just doing a resolution on the spot today or doing you know just a motion to say that we're against racism is not enough and so I actually am recommending that this the School Committee take on some work related to this topic and what I'm looking for actually is to expand on the district anti-racist social justice approach and to have actually two members of the School Committee lead a process where we research anti racism and what that means for for curriculum for
083schools for our for any aspect of what we're doing in the schools and that we work towards not only being publicly informed but putting forward a resolution in the future that's adopted by the school committee that moves us truly forward towards more just institution as a school district and I would entertain a motion to that effect or to another effect so we can begin discussion that was a large amount of information idea of what you would like that motion to be and and then we could have that to work off of please remember Johnson you want to give it a try sure sure I moved to authorize to school committee members to research and write an anti racism resolution for adoption by the School Committee at a later date I'll second five what I missed
084I was letting the dog out remember second did I think is that right number one remember I'd say Hollins second did it Mahalo second okay sure I moved to authorize to school committee members to research and write an anti-racism resolution for adoption by the School Committee at a later date I'm okay go any discussion I'd like to speak to it please remember Johnson go ahead I I really want to appreciate you chair proietti for having the idea of the resolution but also the idea to not just kind of do something slapdash tonight I think in anti-racism work how we go about things is as important as what we do and that's certainly what I practice in and teach and learn as I go facilitate and lead racial equity work with nonprofits and social sector organizations
085so I think part what I hope that these two members would do would be to keep that in mind as they're researching that the research not just the reading books are consulting educational leaders but also listening deeply to the community and I think we could they could also fold in forums as was expressed the support for for some community forums on this topic from the health safety and facilities subcommittee so that's why I wanted to make the motion and again appreciate your leadership on this chair priority I'd like to second that Glen you've said it very well it's exactly what I was fed so thank you both thank you for any further comment from School Committee I missed that I couldn't tell who that was number Eckstrom and you also have member Hollins raising your
086hand by video okay and now you're on mute so no one can hear what your petty was on you I'm on mute because the dog is barking her head off outside I'm laughing because I am NOT I do have my camera on I'm not necessarily looking so I'm sorry if someone was a member Hollins if you were raising your hand I'm sorry I did not see that okay what is the order member Johnson oh I think we got member Hollins only because I was wrong member extra I wanted to say first that I completely agree with the chairman chairperson that we need every organization every institution needs to have an anti-racism commitment and resolution I completely agree and if member Johnson thinks the way to do that is to have two members work on it
087I agree with that part of my background is in change theory how do you actually change institutions and I don't think I think the resolutions are very important I'm not sure that because we take a resolution it means there's a change in our school so what I know to be important about making a change in schools particularly on social issues and it's one of the reasons I have lobbied that we have $5,000 in each school for library materials that has to do with inculturation the knowledge that the resources we have for students the materials we use for teaching in addition to what we say it in culture eights students so we need to look at our libraries do we have books with main characters of people from different races do we have books that represent
088the resolutions we want to take and we need an inventory of the materials were using in social studies and civics what are the actual materials we use what are their dates and to make sure we have current materials and then with teacher training that's how you bring about the change we want by the resolution we have so I'd love to see those things taking place so we know what are the actual materials we're using every day with children and do they see role models and different types of families different types of races doing important things thank you could I comment please please go ahead first I really appreciate and applaud the committee for wanting to undertake some kind of resolution in a thoughtful way of course we have a policy on this but I see
089the committee's effort here is trying to be a little more in-depth a little more specific to the needs of the Greenfield community and to really tailor a statement that reflects what what this districts approach will be and how to undertake long-term change so I really appreciate your leadership on that I just want to touch on a couple of things but what I would like to avoid is studying too much in a way that actually prevents action I can tell you tonight we don't have enough books reflecting students of color we just don't because we don't have enough funding for our libraries every year we say we should increase our funding for our libraries we need to do that so I would wholeheartedly see the funding that this committee didn't yet move out of the school
090resource officer line because that's also been sort of tabled for discussion if there was a pot any pot of money doesn't have to be that pot of money if any pot of money were freed up then I would love to see that dedicated towards this purpose we've been having this conversation at the district level and today I sent out to all staff five of some of the key commitments that we need to double down on and undertake and really commit to this is about action so at the committee level you all are looking at a broad statement and I think it doesn't need to get so much into the specifics of what actions is the district going to take because there are many and and there's a lot we could be doing there's a lot
091that we are doing so the training is already in place but it has to be it has to be backed up with action the funding so applying for grants for this is something that we do but I do just want to make sure that it doesn't become prescriptive but then oh that's a nice idea but we wait for funding so I just want to I think the committee is aware of that and I applaud member Hollins efforts to really focus on literature it's tremendously important and I totally agree I just want to say at the beginning I think if we can keep a high level about what the School Committee is really interested in seeing we're working with racial justice in schools and a number of groups that will help us advance our actions towards
092that so I don't think that this statement needs to necessarily get into the all of the details of the how and the why but I think it does need to reflect what you all want to see as an outcome and what the vision from this committee is for where do we want to get our students and our community thank you sir ranking apart I think member Karen also wanted to speak yes I think I totally agree that we need to create a resolution and the best way to do that is not to come up with something instantaneously as a thing I feel like and maybe I'm wrong chair priety that really it sounded like you wanted more than just a resolution and in doing my own research I found a lot of school committees have
093actually created advisory committees that actually take on this as a much larger project they there was one district I looked at that actually created an anti-racism day every month for example they you know we don't want to be prescriptive we're not the ones making curriculum in the school but as a separate committee they were able to really focus on this find extra revenue streams reach out to community members who were willing to donate money separately just for this topic really to be truly educated not as you know a school committee member but as a person perhaps of a person of a color saying no this is actually what we need to do and this is what you will see best serve our community one of the things I've really been learning is that I need
094to step back and listen and learn and that's true as this as a whole committee as well so maybe I'm wrong and I misheard that and I do believe a resolution is extremely important I just think maybe we're taught we need to find something a little bit more than that and maybe that's a sort of subset of a committee or advisory committee or a subset of the towns who Rights Commission I'm not really sure but it's complete I appreciate that comment member Karen and you're right I was looking beyond a resolution but I didn't want to scare everyone and try to vote to defund the schools that seemed like it was a little more probably than we were ready to go for even though it seems like doing that for the police in Minneapolis is
095you know an interesting start it would get us some headlines I don't know it would get us anything we actually wanted but I am looking for real structural change and I do think we need to start somewhere and I think starting somewhere part of the resolution piece that was my initial thought because of being involved in in different forms of governance over over my experience resolutions call attention resolutions can you know really inform where a body stands on something and so I started there but then as I looked at examples of resolutions from school districts there's so much thought and and time and conversation and listening member care and absolutely listening that goes on to put these types of Solutions together that I think we need to you know do the work to actually identify
096where we can go to make the real systemic changes so I appreciate you can't try to get inside my head with that yeah I am looking for more than a resolution but I think we need to start with something like that so I appreciate that other comments from school committee members member wall I would like to say that again I agree with you we've got to go beyond a resolution and that I think that studying that there are so many talented people on this committee that have experience in this field that's wider discussion than just a resolution because I think we all agreed that we are against racism but we want to know what we do to stop racism and discrimination in the school system comment just so you know member Hollins I don't think
097share priority can see when you raise your hand so locally it's probably important is it possible that our motion could include establishing in subcommittee we we don't have any goals as a School Committee it concerns me so could we establish social justice as a goal and establish a subcommittee to pursue that not to tell it what to do but just to take up this issue seriously look at what's current what other schools are doing what we're doing and and really have a the focus is on all forms of social justice including racism how how we act activate that in our schools and continuously improve on what we're doing are you thinking ad hoc well we have committees and we have advisory committees and I I would support a subcommittee on social justice as a goal
098for the this this in the coming year thank you for that can I get the I want to see where we're at with relation to member Holland's comment Susan Farber do you mind reading the motion to me again hmm the motion is to authorize to school committee members to research and write and anti-racism resolution for adoption by the School Committee at a later date so thank you for that so if we have that as our motion my I'm thinking out loud here are we not taking enough of a first stop not taking the right first step or are we comfortable with that as a starting point right now I'm not ignoring the suggestions for doing more and the systemic change in the social justice subcommittee I think we need to do all of those things
099I'm trying to figure out what we actually put into motion pun intended starting tonight could I speak I'm not sure who that is but go ahead if you're a school committee member I am I just I think you're you're I think the motion that's on the floor is an appropriate one it is manageable Lord knows we all are extremely busy trying to navigate our days I think it's very manageable I think it leads us in the right direction and at the point in time when that resolution comes forward it might be the more appropriate time to discuss what what next steps could be what what the real what the real end goal is I agree with both member wall and and remember Holland's that you know there are many differences and certainly chair proietti there
100are different there are many structural things that we could do I'm not sure another subcommittee is one of them I think we could be a little bit more creative than that in terms of what structural change we're doing I appreciate that superintendent Harper has already started down that path based on the emails that I was reading today with her I'm gonna get the term wrong restorative XYZ story of justice there we go well no story is a restorative justice it's a restorative something else but we call it restorative practice or restorative justice and they do the restorative justice circles and we've been working with stronger than Milwaukee imbalance curriculum you're right on the money so okay good so I'm just saying I think this I think this is an appropriate motion for this time what
101it doesn't I think we're probably going to need another motion that says who the two members are or maybe it's just up to the chair to decide that and the point and if everybody's comfortable with the chair doing that then I think we could vote this motion today thank you Mary Gardner other comments from the school committee all right so at this point I think we should move to a vote and try to see if we can get this passed as a starting point recognizing there's so much more work to be done member Johnson can you do a roll call vote for us please yeah nice chair Eckstrom yeah remember Hollins yes secretary Johnson I mean yes chair proietti yes remember well yes mayor Rita Gardner yes the motion carries unanimously wonderful thank you that's
102a good starting point we'll discuss who the two members will be and we'll do that in short order and for tonight we'll just know that it will two of us will work on it all of us are welcome to give feedback of course as we move forward with the process and let's see any other business from school committee members at this time or from the superintendent okay so I want to thank everyone for their thoughtful comments today for people who are still on the line from the public I really want to thank the for folks who stepped up and made public comment tonight since we've been doing remote meetings since March this is the first time anyone's done remote public comments so good for you all we do want to hear from you and we
103welcome it at any meeting so thank you for that I now well let's see so let me talk through this we do have an executive session for school committee members only that we need to do we will not be coming back into the public session am I correct about that superintendent Harper I don't think there's a need to come back correct okay so we will end this and we will move into executive session and we'll take all the time we need there haha oh I've got you all where I want you so I will will do a motion to move into executive session first and then we'll do a motion to end the public meeting before we move into executive session does that make sense anyone yes okay told I have to remember to read
104while we're going into executive session we have two reasons on here for tonight exemption number two an exemption number three both a exemption two is regarding strategy for preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel and exemption 3 is for strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation and those are the two reasons we're using tonight I'll entertain a motion now to move into executive session I move with your executive session after a five minute break after a five minute break and I've got a second from Mayor Peter Gardner that is the roll call please remember Karen yes nice to your Eckstrom yeah remember Hollins yes secretary Johnson yes chair prayati yes number one yes mayor Rita Gardner yes we the motion carries unanimously for entering executive session after 20 minutes okay and now a motion to
105close the public portion of the meeting so moved it's like that was Jean wall and a second by member Johnson roll call vote please remember Karen yes Jerry Johnson yes chair priotiy yes number wall yes mayor waiter Gardner yes motion carries unanimously we are adjourned okay we'll see all the School Committee members in executive session in five minutes thank you to everyone in the public who participated tonight have a good night you