001I'll order the regular meeting of the Minuteman Regional High School School Committee for Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 26. I do not need a vote for remote participation. And I remembered that I don't need that. Uh we did not have public comments submitted, but um we are in person. Welcome. Okay, very good. Consent agenda. Uh donations, disposal of surplus property for which we had a photographic or in great detail. And sets of minutes. Would somebody like to move the consent agenda? >> So moved. Second. >> Second. Any comments on any of the items on the consent agenda including the two sets of minutes? >> Yes. I have >> I just have one comment on the minutes from the 19th, >> Yep. >> which is that um on number four, for executive session, I actually did vote
002yes and I'm noted as absent, so. >> Okay. Great. So, I'm going to um allow the motion to continue with that change without it if there's no objection. Any other comments on any items on the consent agenda? Very well then, roll call votes starting with up. >> No. No. No. >> Okay. Oh, yes. >> No. Oh, yes. >> Yes. No. Oh, my goodness. Yes. All in favor? All opposed? All abstentions? Passes unanimously. But I do have to remember roll call motion to do the same. >> That's right. >> Okay. Chair's report. Do we have items for the good of the organization this day? Good morning, Mark. >> Good morning. Hello. >> Yes. >> I was just at a lacrosse game and the the boys lacrosse team won. They've had four games so far and three
003wins out of the four. So, they're off to a great season. Great. >> Uh how long does their season go till? >> May something. They've got a while left. What's the end of May? Okay. Very good. Discussion at town Yes. >> I don't know who gets the credit for this, but I'm loving all of the social media posts about all the senior projects. So, I don't know who's doing that, but those have been incredible to see all the great projects that are happening. So, thank you. >> Yeah. I will make sure that the message gets passed along. >> Yes. >> I love the projects. That's been absolutely right. >> It's just really cool cuz you feel like you're connected more to see what's actually happening. >> So, yeah. I'll make sure I pass that along.
004>> That comes out of our admissions and marketing. Um Aaron actually does them and we actually have a co-op student. All things together. >> Thanks. Thanks. >> Yeah. They're great. >> Very good. All the discussion at town meetings is is a reminder that any school committee member who feels uncomfortable uh knowing how to deal with their town during town meeting or they're having a specific issue this year that they would like assistance with. One uh possible assistance is of course presentations by you with the business manager or the superintendent. Another one is support and on the experience of your fellow school committee. So, just a you're having an issue uh and we know that at least one town meeting is not going smoothly this year from their point of view, maybe from our point of
005view. I just reach out and let us know and support is available. Okay? That's all That's all I have to say. Yes, Alex. >> Which towns have said yes already? Okay. Where have Where have we gone on a finance meeting? That's the only town meeting we went to. Is Lexington one? They're the first. And they have not passed um the whole >> Right. >> That's all we got. >> But I will say that the presentation that Heidi and Nikki did was fabulous. And they had a couple of questions that were asked and they did a great job of explaining things. >> I think I'll do the explaining, Andrea. >> Um majority of our town meetings are the first Monday in May. So that's six of our nine town meetings. So um by that point we
006can report at the May School Committee meeting that um the two-thirds vote um should have um passed. So we can give an update at the next School Committee >> Do we need to arm wrestle to figure out um who who which town Heidi and uh Nikki will be going to? >> The outcome did get up, but you went you have me in Acton. >> By a landslide. >> I think some, you know, there was some um betting going on. >> I I now I know that's not a drive home I could have made. >> Yeah, Acton won that. >> By >> six. We're good. Any other comments on town meetings? We're good. Principals' Leadership Report. >> Do you want to share my screen now? >> Well, the camera actually won't get you because uh the
007presentation will be on every news. >> Oh, it's very difficult. >> Oh, we'd love to see you. >> Hello. >> We don't need the microphones. It's recording from >> Okay. >> Let's see. We'll start here. Jamie Gooding start first time. >> So, the junior classes had two main fundraisers this month. The first one being the Krispy Kreme fundraiser and the second one the March the volleyball March Madness. For the first one, the Krispy Kreme, we raised a total of $4,591. About 340 $3,443 went to our class. The rest of it went towards like the actual donut sales to Krispy Kreme. But we had over 100 families and students purchased the donuts or donated. And then for the second thing, March Madness, we had a total of 17 17 teams to sign up and $15 per
008team, so it was a total of $105 that we made. >> It's a lot of cream. >> Yes. >> I see no questions. >> Um it's nice to see you guys in person. This is fun. All right, I'm going to do a quick report on some of the senior events that are coming up. So, the first one is our big senior trip that's happening. We are So, tickets are on sale. We got a final price ticket price going. That's the flyer that is being sent around or will be sent out very shortly. The yellow box is where the QR code's going to go. It's not just going to be a yellow box forever. Chaperones, we have right now, I believe, five chaperones already signed up to go, a mix between parents and teachers who volunteered.
009We are in the process of reaching out to more teachers and other parents who are who'd be willing to come hang out with us for two nights. Um, and then transportation as well is in the works. We have some prices already settled and we're going to get our hands on some buses soon. Um, the next thing is bingo that is happening this Friday. This is a parent only event. It is for people 21 plus. Um, it is going to be held at, I believe >> Nazareth in the Oaks. >> Yes, okay. I did say that. Yes, so yes, at the Oaks Club. Um, that is going to be happening this Friday. There will be a musical bingo as well as some silent auction items. Um, we are in the process of um, collecting some of
010these items. We were able to reach out to many different companies in the area and they were very willing to donate some items to us. It was very kind of them. And then we were able to we will be able to auction them off this Friday. Um, babysitting is going to happen here at Minute Man. Um, we don't have any sign-ups yet so whether or not people need us um, will depend on if it happens or not. Um, but we were going to offer some babysitting nights for those parents who still have some little ones. Um, and then prom is the next big thing that's going on for us. It is going to happen on May 15th. Tickets are going on sale very soon which is really exciting. Um, and then other than that we
011have our prom decoration committee is going to start meeting very soon and yeah, those are some things that are going on in the senior class right now. >> Where will the prom be held? >> Um, it will be held at the Ocean City Center in Salisbury, right? Yes, Ocean Front Event Center. Yes. >> I may be the only one but what is musical bingo? >> Um, it is, I believe, where you have we have a company coming to do it. But from what I understand, it's like a song is played and then if that if you know the name of the song, then you can cross it off, and then you have to get bingo from the names of the songs. Here. >> I played it before. It's a lot of fun. >> Yeah, we're
012excited that we were able to get um some company to come help us out. So, it'll be a fun Friday night event. School committee members. Yes, we'd love to see you there. >> And it's 21 and over? >> Yeah. >> Any other comments or questions, school committee members? >> I'm curious with the senior trip tickets on sale, have you got any sense on how interested folks are? >> Um it seems like there are a lot of seniors that are interested, just kind of talking to parents right now before buying tickets. >> Great. >> School committee members, you cannot buy tickets to go. >> No, I'm so sorry. We cannot invite you. >> Not a current senior. >> Thank you for Charlene for inviting the whole bunch. All right. Okay, so thank you very much. >>
013Thank you for having us. >> And feel free to go back to your home. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Um I'm going to take over the presentation. It probably makes more sense since I'm controlling the computer here to stay in this area, although I I like to stand up and present. Basically, I'm an educator in the classroom, so it's always nice to to do that as well. Um so, um again, I I come to you uh bearing requests of approvals for field trips. Starting with that, um we have two that are one is our overnight trip for our SkillsUSA state competition in Marlborough. And it'll be between April 30th and May 2nd. Uh as you know, in the past we have students that have medaled in their district competitions, and that's with their technical
014and leadership results. And we have our advisor here as well, uh Dr. Paladino. He's here as well, so he should be able to answer any direct questions regarding our SkillsUSA We also have four students that attend MTI. Yes, four students from our night class that also qualified to go into um this competition as well. Uh this is our yearly state competition that occurs with SkillsUSA if you qualify. Um our first and second place uh the students are the majority of students that tend to go. Um we also have other students as well that are part of um that didn't have to qualify through districts, but can automatically be part of our state competition. Um so they're requesting a vote from the school committee to do their overnight trip in Marlborough. >> Put the motion on
015the table, please. Alice. >> I make a motion to approve our student travel for the MTI SkillsUSA students to attend the SkillsUSA state competition in Marlborough April 30th to May 2nd, 2026. >> Second. >> Very good. Uh comments and questions. How many students do you believe will be going to this? >> I'm thinking 90 people in total, so that includes students. Um students who are double registered as contestants and delegates, we don't feel in count once. And uh seven chaperones. >> And how does this compare to a typical year respective distance? >> I do not have that information. I will defer to the chapter secretary. She has an idea of what the numbers were last year. >> Yes, I believe that this is in fact more students than we sent past years. However, not significantly
016behind past years. >> But good size number to me, Alice. >> To be so low, members of the public to go to final awards. >> Yes. >> Yeah, no. know. >> Can we change that? >> Yes. >> Oh, well. >> Should >> be >> I misspoke. >> Yes, true. It will be live streamed. Starts at 10:00 on Saturday and will last until 2:00 p.m. also. So, if anyone has never been to this event, um it's very important to to understand what this is because it is unique to the vocational environment. It's nothing nothing like anything you've had in a regular high school. They cannot access this in a regular high school. And it is a very interesting developmental experience for the students. Um so, if you haven't you haven't seen this in action, if you
017have this no idea what they do at it, it is one of the best educational experiences available to high school students in my opinion. >> Can I find more information online? Cuz I am new to this stuff. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I will send you some information. It's great. >> Any other questions or comments on this before we bring it to a vote? I need just one. >> One more thing about SkillsUSA. If I am not mistaken, Julia, did didn't I include the SkillsUSA annual report as a backup? >> Yeah. >> A couple of years ago. So, if you look at your backup, you should actually have a full annual report from SkillsUSA. And if you can't find that, Julia will be sending it to you. Um but I'll send you some info. Say hi.
018>> Good. Further discussion? All in favor? Motion on the table. Um opposed and abstentions, if motion passes unanimously. There'll be one more. >> Yes. Um recently our Ed Rising students um competed at the state competition. Uh we do have a good amount of students. I would say about eight, if I'm correct. >> There were nine. >> Nine. Nine that qualified. Eight or nine that qualified um for the national competition. They did start this last year. And they competed last year and they made it to nationals last year and they competed again this year and they're making it to nationals again. The key for them is that we're looking for approval of a vote to go, but it is pending on the fundraising that they are currently doing right now. >> I'll put the motion on
019the table, please. And it's moved it is moved and seconded. >> Yeah, um I move to approve the out-of-state travel for the Minuteman Educators Rising students to attend the 2026 Educator Rising National Conference in Portland, Oregon June 20th to the 24th, 2026. Second. >> Very good. Further discussion, questions on this item. I think we talked about this not so long ago. >> We have. And I would like to make a point about fundraising. Correct me if I'm wrong, but at the Arlington town meeting, the bake sale, okay, will be to fund Ed Rising specific. >> You're correct. >> And I think Arlington wiped us out last year. >> Yes, yes. Me and Ms. McDonough were the ones running it last year. >> Yeah, so it's it's one word. >> All right, well then, all in
020favor of the motion on the table, please. Anybody opposed? Any abstentions? Passes unanimously. >> And if you didn't notice in the two pictures, our both our student reps are both. Oops. So. You have a great and active group of students here. The final part of my presentation is to give you your admissions update. We've been doing monthly. Again, if you look by towns, we have our slots allocations. We have all the towns. >> That is pretty hard for us to see. >> It is hard, isn't it? >> It's in our packets. >> Is there any way to make that bigger? >> I'm going to give it a try. >> Well, Paul, would you share us the total accepted >> Yes. >> by town and then the total declined. So, accepted and declined and undecided so
021we we can see where we are. Currently, this is only member towns. We have not accepted any out of district students. We are still receiving some member town applications which always um are ahead of any out of district. April 1st was the day the Chapter 74 forms went out to out of district students. We need to wait 10 days to see what comes back. We are either reviewing it at our Finance meeting which is on the 14th. Um we'll be talking about what that looks like for um the remainder of the year, but Paul can read you the update by town. >> Okay, so Arlington, currently we have 45 accepted, 11 have declined and zero have undecided. Uh for Bolton, we have eight accepted, three uh have declined and zero that is undecided. For Concord,
022we have 10 of acceptances, five that declined and one that's undecided. Uh for Dover, we have two that have accepted, zero that have declined, and zero that are on um undecided. For Lancaster, we have 15 students that have accepted, two that have declined, and zero that have been undecided. For Littleton, we have 50 students that have accepted, nine uh have declined, and zero have been undecided. For Needham, we have 17 students that have accepted, five that declined, and zero that is undecided. And then for Stow, we have 10 uh, students that have accepted, four that are undecided, and zero that have I'm sorry, four that have declined and zero that are unaccept that are undecided. So, we have a total again of 180 students that have accepted. We've had 47 students that um, 47 students
023that have decided to decline and actually this number here is incorrect on the bottom. It's actually one student that is undecided. If you go back to Concord, we have one student that's undecided. >> And that's all the yellow is last year, correct? >> Yes. >> So, can you go over to Lexington? I think that's the biggest Mhm. change here. Um, so last year we had 21 students. When all was said and done, um, we had 59 applicants and 50 accepted and said, "Yes, we're coming." So, that is a very large jump that is not typical, that far outpaces the graduating seniors. Do you Do you remember how many Yeah. graduating seniors do we have? 21 percent? >> Yeah, 21. >> Is that the right number? Oh, my gosh. Okay. We have 40 >> So, that
024looks like it's slot allocation though, is that That's not That's how many seats were allotted out of 175 based on >> Oh, I can't see I can't see the title. >> I think it says slot allocation. >> So, I can tell you right now with the amount of seniors that are leaving, that is nearly double. Yeah, nearly Yeah. So, we're we don't know the reason. >> We can't comment but we can >> I appreciate you not speculating or having to comment. >> Class of >> 2025 14 graduates in the school. for a lot of them. >> It's a blessing. >> It's amazing. >> How do we feel about these numbers at this point? It's certainly exciting. >> So these numbers are if you think about where we were in September and October, which I think
025Peter were very attentive to because of the bus, the lottery, or whatever reasons, we are in very good shape. I do want to amend Paul and Katie Bouchard and everyone else who pitched in to add some additional visibility during this admission season, threw both down some technical barriers that were very very helpful. Um so initially it seemed that we would be able to accept all out of district and all out of district. That is not where we are right now. The question that we'll be answering at E-math or by the time we get the numbers will be reporting to E-math is do we have room for out of district students? Um because we we may not. We don't want to be at a point where someone applies and now and we and we don't have
026space like we have had in the past. Um so that's a wonderful thing. Um but it's it's also challenging. And the question with the lottery is um do we run this I mean my recommendation will be that if kids exist from out of district, we do run a lottery to give numbers, but that doesn't mean we have seats open. It means that exists. So if we did have seats open, we'd be able to start from the top and um Does that make sense? >> Mhm. >> Just a couple points that was mentioned before as well. We are still managing some late applicants within district. Uh you know, so we want to make sure that they have their seats as as Holly said. Um and then our chapter 74s that we started on April 1st, we're
027still waiting for those. So even though I think I gave you a number of uh 108 applicants we don't know if they're approved chapter 74. So those are just 108 applicants that we have at this point in time. So we're still awaiting that number. This is some new numbers that are up here that I have put up. Um we sent out our enrollment packets earlier than we did last year. Already we have 75 students that have completely finished their enrollment packets. >> Which is high. >> That's high. And you know, we're we're again at these things we know will ramp up over break uh based off of what we're seeing coming in, which is really good. And then it's a principal that helps me huge because I have to plan out the schedules for these
028students. So knowing who's coming and knowing what the needs are um that's that's a big step in the great uh right direction. We also have 85 students that have already registered to sign up for our assessment day on May 2nd. So it's funny, you know, we were talking about skills. Um I remember we had the assessment day last year and I was watching on an iPad our skills competition while all of our freshman students were were taking their assessments. And we use those again that information because we have all of these students coming from different districts. It's not like a typical comprehensive where you're coming from middle school you have that and you're moving forward. So we use these assessments so we can plan our scheduling as well. Make sure the students are able to
029do that. And then this is the last number there is to have 67 confirmed incoming freshman right now. And again, this number's going to rev up, but they're already signed up for orientation at the end of August. So, I just wanted to give you some updated numbers that we've been tracking. All right. >> So, you are um enthusiastic about the families' enthusiasm in signing up for these events early. >> Yes, I am. And very very enthusiastic about it. >> This question >> Of course. >> This is This might be an e-mail question, but I don't know. But, um would it be possible for us to just get Maybe we already have it somewhere and I apologize for asking this, but could we get the data of graduating seniors by town from like last year, this
030year, and then we can look at that and compare it. I mean, I know Lexington's obviously a huge change. >> I think we have that on our on our chart on our presentation. >> so, too. But, I I think it'd be I think it's somewhere in there. But, I was I think it'd be really interesting to look at like Are there other towns that have gone up, down, or stayed the same? Like, obviously Lexington is a huge bubble, but I'm just curious if there's other changes. >> I've experienced twice now with in the man in the Shawsheen district is when the high school in Shawsheen was being renovated and now built, we had huge bumps and then a big drop. As soon as the new building's done, it changes. So, that is just something I've
031noticed out there. >> I'll just add the biggest uh the two towns that we've seen the biggest growth in are Needham and Lexington. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Question, please. >> Excuse me. >> Several years ago, Acton went through a big jump, like um and you know, resulted in a lot of conversation within town, and I'm happy to talk about uh what happened and um how that is managed. You would like I would like to have a conversation >> Um I would like to say at this point I have a very good relationship with our sending district superintendents, and I feel like a part of this is that the superintendents are getting us positive lip service and not preventing access. Um the policies were a big deal. I have physically been to visit with
032our superintendents from the sending districts, and they have been um very communicative. >> Well, I was just I thought that's not always the case. >> I was going to ask you about that cuz this was the year that they all had to get that policy saying that they would provide access for everybody, and I was wondering if that was in any way indicative. >> Um it may be. Um I actually presented to the Arlington School Committee with the superintendent. I gave them a model policy that they all appreciated and used. Straight. Um it it's it's been a very positive connection, and I think they appreciate what we do, and it is different. Cuz I think what happens across the state isn't really always indicative of what's happening in the individual districts. >> Well, I noticed
033on a previous slide on a previous meeting the percentage of when you were looking at the number of kids you had the ability to provide an amendment from each town, but and then like the percentage that actually did that percentage was actually quite low, and then this year um if I recall correctly there was like a small like of the number of eighth graders that were available it was low. And then it's this year now that the everybody had you know was given the information that I was >> I was not familiar with with that reference, but I I can tell you right now there are fewer school aged children um across the state, including in in all of our towns. Um historically, about 7% of the kids who are eligible to attend Minuteman all
034these towns do attend Minuteman. With us maintaining and keeping our enrollment the same or going higher, when there are actually actually fewer kids that exist, means that percentage is going up. So, this is an interesting time um for that. Um so, that's that's something to keep in mind. So, when you hear other districts saying, "We have fewer students," they literally have fewer students because they don't exist. I don't think it's a lot. >> Right. So, we're going to have a lot more to say about this the next major shooting drop is to understand how many of those audit It's a big number of audit district students who apply, but the number who would be allowed to have an opportunity to come and be a space which is going to be a fraction of that. So,
035we won't know that for a week or two. >> Um until the 14th. >> Call this >> So, between the 14th of this month. >> Of this month, between the 10th and the 14th it will be >> Right. And then we'll have another important piece of information. Then they have to do some um album to determine to try to think about how many of these students will not show up in September kind of attention. So, how many audit district students can we allow in? A lot of um educated guesswork. And we'll talk more about that in a week or two. We're good. Does that conclude the um principal's leadership report? >> So, did. Thank you very much. >> Good. Thank you. Then move on to the superintendent's leadership report. >> In review, um so, for
036state update, I want to keep the graduation requirements discussion front and center for us. The discussion across the state has been about MassCore, and does that become the graduation requirement for everyone across the state? Um The biggest challenge for us, and I think for many school districts, is that the algebra two piece of MassCore would be required. And if we are looking at end-of-course exams, that means there would be an end-of-course exam where you need the course plus mastery um in algebra two, which is a substantially higher standard than MCAS. Um so, that is something I just want to put out there. Um it looks like there would still be a waiver or grace or whatever you want to call it for our vocational schools for foreign language and for um one unit of art.
037But that is not an issue for many of you because we do offer those things. That's not true at at all schools that have 50% vocational programming. Um we are hoping that we will hear something by the end of the year. I think currently what we have in our handbook and what we have in our policy um will be able to carry us forward at least for another year, but in both of those places uh there's uh a note or a uh statement that says if the state changes, we do need to follow the state regulations. Questions about about that? >> Um yeah, you just mentioned that because we were a trade school, we we have a waiver for the foreign language requirement. >> Right. So, that that means um MassCore you said English, four
038years of math, three years of science, two years of history, one world history, one US history, so on and so forth. We do school I'm I'm not reading it off of a sheet, but, um, one unit of art and, um, two unit or two courses, right, of foreign language. That is what Mass Core is. That's typically what you need to get into a state school. Um, and that is what uh that is a standard that exists. That is not required by anything, but it's best practice. So, we report to the state, do your students meet Mass Core, and if so, how many Mass Core? Um, actually, the Department of Ed um, had me review some data with them to compare their reporting system to see if what they are looking at matches. Um, we just
039did a sample to check some data because they monitor that and they report that out on the school report card. Um, on, um, you know, on the district profiles. We, as vocational schools, our students are not required to take two years of a foreign language to meet Mass Core. So, we ours would still say yes even if our students did not do those and not the art >> either. >> and not the one unit of art. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, no problem. >> So, if if they won't I'm going to make sure I understand I mean, none of our students >> Well, no one really does, so I mean >> But, under what they're talking about for Mass Core, would that require a change in the math curriculum that we're teaching here? >> Yes,
040they would. >> Okay. >> Because if algebra two is required, and for some students, especially our students meet with a math math disability, and they break up the algebra one over the years. We would never want them to take a course for graduation that you they're senior year. That would be incredibly dangerous thing to do. Um, we would want to do that um, earlier if there is an edge of course it will be connected. Um, so I am saying that to give us the uh have an awareness of it, but that is not something that is completely make a decision about. For guidance, you saw the new program of studies. Um, Diane Dempsey has been all over this. Um, we are preparing for plan A, B, C, D. Um, and they have done a really
041good job making sure they understand that all all of those pieces, but that algebra two would have the biggest impact not just on us, but across you know, the state. >> Is the um proposed uh end of course test one that uh we develop or one that is given and graded by the state. I've heard it both ways. >> The proposed, where we are right now, end of course exam would be developed and given by the state. >> Okay. >> If there is a portfolio or a capstone project that would be something that is uh I guess elements would be developed by the state and be locally scored. Those pieces, those details we do not know, but those are all on the table. >> It may take them a while to create the test and
042the mechanism for grading it. So, might be a bit before that becomes a thought. The only other thing I will state is that I remember the consternation when the MCAS was introduced. The fear on charter schools. And I also remember the staff here saying basically, uh when I asked them, and I did every year, especially in the early years of the MCAS, is the MCAS helping you or harming? Took them a while to figure out how to make it work here. They always said, "No, calm down. It'll be controlled. We think it's mostly good for the students in the long run." Which it proved to be. So, I am uh I am uh concerned about um the timing. I'm concerned about the getting started. But I'm not concerned about the eventual success on it. We've
043been down this path. Both of you. Got a ways to go. Questions or comments? Yes. >> Do you know when they're starting implementing this? We don't even know what they would be implementing. That would be step one. What What is it? And then the reason follow from that. And then they will give us guidance for what that looks like. However, I I want to remind all of us about the graduation policy requirements that came out fast and furious. We were one of the first districts, if not the first district, to get our graduation policy in because it came so quickly. And uh I think, if I'm not mistaken, was it last August, Alice? It came in August, and we didn't want to start the school year without uh making sure we had a clear policy.
044So there wasn't a lot of empathy for what has to happen at school district with with kids, but but again, I do feel like policy subcommittee everybody stepped up to the plate to make sure that we have a a safe plan for whatever is transitioning students. >> I do believe my recollection was that based on the superintendent's recommendation, we actually had a special meeting on that and I appreciate the school committee members that I bet as as chair I don't have to worry about that the membership understands that from time to time special meetings are required and I don't get a lot of pushback from that and I do appreciate that. I try not to do it often but we need to but we need to so >> So I've only been retired for a
045couple months and I'm already forgetting the things I was so deeply into. Can you do a little reminder the difference between the graduation requirements and the competency uh >> Yes. >> determination >> Our local >> I'm sorry. >> Our local graduation requirements are what we determine or what you determine as a school committee to say we require XYZ. You can require community service hours. You can require English math or you could even require a test. You push that's all up to you as a local body. This competency determination is something that is through the state. So right now we also have a local competency determination for the interim. Which is what our policy is now. That graduation requirements conversation would replace that. So, right now we have you need 2 years of English, you need
046Algebra 1 and Geometry. It matches the competency determination requirements match the requirements of MCAS essentially. Um and now the replacing that with mass queries is uh is there a difference. >> Very good. School calendar changes. What change do you want? >> Well, I It is very ironic that I'm bringing this today because I I thought I was bringing it because snow is over and I saw those big flakes today. Um but we needed to adjust our last day of school. So, if you look in your packet um we have the original date was June 10th. And we're keeping that on the calendar so people can be aware. And our current 180th day updated is the 16th. Which And what we did was so people would say, "Well, why is that so late? What happened?" We
047have the yellow X's on our snow days. So, you see we have half days marked, we have the original last day, and snow days are um the yellow X's. And if you look, we do still have 90 and 90 on the other end. Yeah, even number of Christmas. >> So, you're looking for a motion to approve the revised calendar, is that correct? >> That as as um submitted, yes. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Very good. >> Discussion. The snow days payback. Go ahead. It's the way it works. All right. Well, then, I'll move to a vote on favorite motion on the table. Opposed and abstentions. And it passes unanimously. >> Uh we are also looking for the school committee's um vote regarding school choice tonight. >> Okay. You may want to explain what school
048choices are allowed in the district in the state. Yeah, >> Uh when the 1993, they decided it was $5,000 and it's not changed since. >> So, they may not be allowed to school choice in house. >> So. So, if you if a school district participates in school choice, if we have um available seats, people could choose or elect to come to Minuteman. Um this is typically something that's done at comprehensive school districts. Um but many do not um because of the financial burden. The unpredictability of the financial burden. >> If you fail to take this vote time, we automatically become a school choice school. You have to take your kids to walk. >> So, it's a uh really uh uh clear part of the law that we have to vote not to participate. Okay. And
049if you know how much it costs to educate a student here, the amount that you get for being in school choice is five grand. That has not changed since >> Thank you. Thank >> the dinosaurs walked the earth. So, is anybody like to make the motion >> Yes. >> as written not to participate in school choice as written. >> Yes, I would like to make the motion not to participate in school choice. Board member >> 2026-2027 year entry for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at this decision before the June 1st deadline. Second >> Second. Having a second, any further discussion on the we are need to take a vote to not participate. >> I understand the vote, but is there a push to increase the amount at least? >> Oh, we tried this.
050See, we were live. One of the biggest controversies we've had in our member town was number of years. We are live very much on school choice. >> Yeah. >> And uh And then the difference was less, but you know, of course. >> Yeah. >> Inflation, you know, 5,000 used to be worth $5,000. So, yes, there was many attempts to raise it and the answer was always >> Yeah, I get it. >> Give up. I could tell that whole story one day. >> So much time. >> A long time ago. Any further discussion, motion on the table? Well, then, all in favor of the motion on the table uh opposed? Abstentions? Passes unanimously. Thank god we remember that. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Does that conclude the superintendent's leadership report? >> It does. >> Good. Finance
051report. >> Sarah. >> We met recently to review and approve the warrants. We do that twice a month. And tonight we will need a vote on the certified excess and deficiency, and Nikki is here to give us a little bit of background. >> Hi, everyone. Um so, each year we vote excess and deficiency for our budget, which is essentially, if you think about like a for-profit entity, revenue minus expenses is kind of the the profit or fund balance in a in a nonprofit. Um so, there's uh certain guidelines that we can't exceed more than 5%. Um so, we give back to the towns. Um in our original budget that you voted in January, um we voted to use $650,000. Um so, that vote is essentially the same. The only thing that has changed now is
052that the state certified those numbers. Um so, they asked for the minutes that vote be certified. So, I'm asking you tonight for the same exact vote with the certified number. Um so, when we go to certify next year, we can submit those minutes um with the with the report in order to get certified with the state. Be nice and simple. Um so, I would like a motion to authorize $650,000 from certified excess and deficiency fund to reduce member town assessments for the fiscal year '27 budget. >> Charlene, what's the saying? Uh any discussion on a revote make it official for the state? Very well, then all in favor of the motion on the table. Opposed? And extensions? Very good. Thank you very much. Passes unanimously. >> Rockingham and Jamestown. >> Uh yes. >> Can I
053have one already? Um I believe on your um yes. >> I got so excited because you said my name. I'm allowed. >> You'll see, you will have our audit which was completed as of March 31st. Um our auditors will be presenting it at the May meeting along with my wonderful finance um quarterly report. So, um I would anticipate that being a little bit longer of a meeting. Um we're providing this to you in advance so you can have time to look through it um at your leisure uh prior to the May School Committee meeting. Um and the auditors will be available if you have any questions at the meeting. Um also, please feel free um to reach out should you have any questions, but um as our chair likes that uh request, we have a
054one-page summary of the report's purposes of it, um how it There were no findings, no issues um with the audit, and the auditors will come in um May to uh confirm that. >> No fine. That means that the finding was excellent. >> Nobody's stealing any money. >> That's all. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Yeah, great. So, romantic reading? You're becoming an expert. You'll be tested on it as part of Mass Core now as for the School Committee members coming forward. What's that? It's done now. And we'll have plenty of time to get a question on all of this. Very good. Now, does that conclude the financial report? Everybody got a chance to look at that? Very good. Subcommittee reports. Enrollment, membership, access, and capacity, lovingly known as the EMAX and well. >> Okay.
055Well, at our last meeting, we reviewed um where we were with the enrollment information that um you heard tonight. Not quite as updated as it was tonight, of course. Um and well, there really are two parts in what we're doing. One is looking at the enrollment both in-district and out-of-district. As Heidi mentioned, we have another meeting coming up on the 14th um where we'll be doing the same. The other piece of our EMAC agenda right now is relates to requests that we have gotten from two former member in districts seeking, you know, what it would take to rejoin the district. So, we've had some very initial conversations about that and I think since our last meeting Heidi was going to be having conversations with both of these of these communities and at our next meeting
056because the decision of whether to expand the district is really something that according to our regional district lies with the town, it's something that we need to be bringing our towns into this conversation. So, we were going to be spending a little bit of time, you know, where are we and how would we plan for meeting with our towns. So, that will be happening that discussion will be also happening at our meeting on 14th. So, anything that I have forgotten for thumbs up. That concludes the EMAC report. >> Superintendent negotiations and evaluation subcommittee PM. >> So, there are two parts to the superintendent negotiation and evaluation subcommittee. One piece is underway, one piece is not yet underway. The piece that is underway, you know, has to do with what we'll be discussing in our executive
057session. So, that conversation will be coming up um, a little later and, you know, relates to, um, the, um, contract for our superintendent. The second piece is that the committee is responsible for, uh, the annual evaluation of our superintendent. And, um, we, we, Amy and I, as chair of the committee, have not started those conversations with Ivy. We need to do that in order to make sure we have that work, um, you know, taking place in a, maybe not quite as timely as we would like the matter, but as timely as we can make it. >> Any questions or comments? I guess that concludes that report. >> That concludes, um, the superintendent negotiations and evaluations. >> Okay, great. Believe it Alice has some very, very complicated changes for a policy for us. And her policy
058stuff is in the report. >> Just seems a little odd. >> Um, so, I guess, uh, our superintendent has, we've, sorry, we've met with last week, uh, Arch on Thursday, um, to discuss policies, mostly in I, but also JF. So, the superintendent has been going back and forth with Jesse since, uh, over last week. >> Well, they sent us feedback. >> I mean, we didn't correct our policy or approve our policy. They didn't didn't give us feedback on our admissions policy. >> They want this one word change. That's the spread of page 20 of your packet. And I think, um, Stephanie Albert has made this nice highlighted copy for you, so maybe the 23rd. Um, you'll see that the word behavior is scratched out and replaced with the word That's it. So, the point of
059this is to vote to approve that one change in the entire policy. >> I'd you like somebody to make a motion to do so. >> So moved. >> Have a second? >> Second. >> Good. Any discussion on that one word change? >> Requested by the state, we don't have to do it, but do we object to make this one word change? >> I am happy to do so. >> Not only do not object, we're happy to do so and accordingly demonstrate. Very good. Any questions or comments? All in favor to the vote on favor motion to table. And opposed? And abstentions? That passes unanimously. Thank you. That concludes the policy reports of the union. >> Yeah, we got >> You guys know that. >> No, we we have Sarah cruising through session I and we
060have options looking good. >> We have them. >> I think I think the gears are now oiled and moving along. So. >> We will be seeing many all right coming down the pike. >> I am being >> thoughts and prayers >> Let's see what actually does the equation matters. >> Off the matters. Very good. I believe that that concludes the regular meeting and I going to ask for a vote entry executive session. I would like I will actually make a motion. I move that we enter executive session not to return to open session and to allow the school committee I enjoy to attend for the following two reasons. A, approval of the draft minutes of March 10th and March 19th, 2026. B, pursuant to MGL chapter 38 section 2182, the purpose of discussing strategy as
061relates to contract negotiations with non-union personnel. The superintendent for that. I would something like the second then. >> Seconded. >> Any discussion? And this one does require a roll call. >> Amherst, Dr. Yes. >> Sarah Montague, Arlington. Yes. >> Mark Tully Deuber. Yes. >> Charlie Baldwin, Lancaster. Yes. >> Sharon Lestock, Lexington. Yes. >> Jeff Sullebarger, Yes. >> Okay, so everybody else, thank you very much for attending and the the chair calls a five minute recess.