001Welcome everybody to the North Middle Sex Regional School District School Committee. It is March 10th, 2026. In attendance tonight, we have Jackie White. >> Yes. >> Kim Craraven, >> present. >> Keenan Francois, >> yes. >> Michael Labosier, >> yes. and myself, Lisa Martin. For administration, we have in attendance Dr. Reese, Nancy Haynes, Kevin Pierre, and Jeremy Hammond, and Robin Ivy. We are recording this meeting. The next scheduled meeting will be April 14th, 2026 at 6 p.m. The consent agenda. Do I have a motion on the consent agenda? >> I make a motion that we accept the consent agenda. >> Second. >> That is Kim Craraven and Kenan Franis with a second and we can since no one is online. Is that correct? >> No, we have we have attendees online. >> Well, Alexander or Carla.
002>> Yes. We do not have any um Okay. >> members online. Then for that one, I do not have to take a roll call over. Those in favor? >> I I. >> Anyone opposed? >> Any abstensions? All right, that passes. Do we have any public comment? >> Let me just confirm. >> Okay. Unless somebody here. >> There's one in the packet. Submitted. >> It was actually old. It was from 2025 I noticed on the date. So I think it was just in there by >> Yeah, it could be. Yeah. Sorry. >> All right. >> Thank you. Yep. >> Anyone in the room that wants to do the public comment? >> All right. Um, at this time we're going to skip the reports if that's okay with everybody and we are going to go to the
003item of new business, the annual review of safety protocols presented by principal Smith and Sylvester. It's Sylvester. Correct. >> Sylvester. Okay. Um, the SRO officer Sylvester. All right. Evening So, we're here to talk to talk about the school district safety protocols in regards to intruder drills. Um, and so we've implemented we still do the Alice protocol which we've been doing since 2013. So, it's been going on for 13 years. Um, and the there's three basic goals for this and it's to prepare faculty and students to survive and violent intruder. um empower faculty and students to make decisions and give faculty and students options to increase their chances of survival if we were to have an intruder in any school than the district. >> Uh the Alice team consists of from Pepper Pi, Chief Blaine and
004Detective Zinc from Townsen going to be me uh officer Sylvester from SRO. And then we're working on having another training in the district this summer to get some more members on the team. And obviously Lori Smith is also on the team. So the basic premise of Alice is there's five steps to do that. Um it's alert in information um alert lock down inform which is information counter and evacuate. Um and there's different levels that you do that the main goal is to evacuate then increases your chance of survival to get out of the area where intruder is. Um, you know, there's different response options when you counter. There is distraction techniques and swarm techniques. Um, distraction is how you just distract someone. The swarm is if you go into the intruder and take them down.
005Um, and we teach these things at different different levels. So, and K um K through three, it's just that um sorry, K through four. Um, and they just like the teachers go over in the classroom and explain it and it's just about basically what it is they follow with the teacher or the the person that's in the room and they they do what they need to do. They evac lock down a barricade or they evacuate depending on what they are where they are with what what the information that's given to those adults. In grade um five is the five is the same thing but six through eight they are taught the distraction technique. That's one thing that's added to that is that so they so it's basically about distracting the intruder if they come across
006them by throwing things at them throwing at their head just to like they give a little more information so they a little more for time so they can get away. Um in grades 9 through 12 um we do the counter where it is the distraction technique and is the swarm. so that students are taught on how to swarm and to take someone down and get an a weapon away if if they choose to do so. Um all the staff in the district um at all different areas custo secretaries um the cafeteria workers everybody has been trained on this and every year we kind of do different things for the trainings. So, and we always do the new teacher orientation where we get up with the new teachers and explain everything and we we show how
007they do different things and we answer the questions based on whatever school that they're in. Um, and then we do the the districtwide teach every year. Well, every other year we do it the districtwide first day. We'll go over it with everybody because everybody's pretty much been trained. And then the off years where we don't do it at the districtwide, we do go into the buildings and we go over and tell the teachers and ask questions and we kind of go different things about the buildings. >> Uh, as far as the drills go, um, they happen two times a year at every single school. They are in the fall and spring. During the fall drill, the students actually leave the school campus and go to a rally point. We're not going to disclose where the
008rally points are, obviously, for security and safety reasons. Um, there's a reunification site. There's planes with con workers. We're to shut down roads. Obviously, all that stuff's evolving in time. There's going to be first responders coming from everywhere. There's an incident. Um, so we got to make sure these students are walking on sidewalks and cuz during the drills they kind of swarm into the streets and we got to remind them like there's not going to be 17 police officers here blocking roads walking the sidewalk because everyone's going to be going to the school. So that's where the town workers come in. They uh they got the big plot trucks to block off streets, barricades, all stuff like that. And then as far as the reunification site goes, there's two different reunification sites that will be
009schools with parents and anyone responding to the scene to grab your child. Um when the incidents occur and god forbid, if it ever happens, um that all stuff will be shot out in like a mass text or email as far as that goes where the reunification would be. At the reunification sites, there is a plan. There is two different spots within our district. So that there's a whole plan on how to get the parents to their make sure we make the the right parents with the right student based on who's supposed to be picking up their child or who's on their information card. It says that they can pick things up. We would keep track of what who the student is going with. It would be the same thing for a faculty and that type
010of thing. That's pretty much the kind of the the gist of it. Does anybody have any questions? Any questions? Any concerns? >> Oh, Kim, some questions. >> Um, so obviously the trajectory has been to either do Alice or Alert or something training within the schools. um having been exposed to a lot of that with my work um in tracking research from every town from BEM safety that they've been doing around the actual trauma that uh students go through in faculty when they're actually doing the trainings. Are do you have any backup um like sort of resiliency for those that are going through it? Um because it can have that effect. You know, it's pretty startling the increase in depression and concern from students when they go through that. um is there anything in place or
011anything that you think would be helpful to the district to have in place as a support u mechanism for that and I'm happy to share that research from every town with you and some of the other things that are going on. >> Um so we've been doing it for so long and I think it's though we do the trainings we follow the Alice protocol but we do it a little differently. Um and we do a lot of kind of leg work beforehand with the the the teachers in the building before we we train we train the students every year. We do do it every year and we answer questions and um the Riley point the one in the fall is always just to get them to know where is. So it's we yes we say
012that there's an intruder and we make it sound like a real but we're very clear when it's a drill. Um and then when we were walking there's so many of us for police um and the the first responders fires there and so just to we kind of monitor and then we always do brief in the buildings before we leave so that way if there's a staff member or if student who's showing um kind of signs because we have a lot of kids that come from other districts. I can speak for students in my own building that they've come from schools that have had an intruder. So we did know that when we they came in. So the first um first room we had this year when they were there, we we made sure there was
013someone a staffer outside that room and so we watched to make sure so we wanted to not single them out but we watched and then we saw the anxiety we walk we walked next to them and kind of talked and dealt with it after parents. So we do have these in place. Um we it's everybody it's all based on the information we see them. So that's what we always kind of ask especially if we know um unfortunately we're the schools in the America that have them that we are able to when they come here and they they say that they're from that area. >> I appreciate that. >> But we appreciate that too understand that because when someone does come we absolutely will reach out. >> Okay. >> Anyone else? >> Thank you. We appreciate
014it and keeping everyone safe. Thank you. >> All right, moving on. Oh, >> you're up next to you have out of out of state field trip request. Is it the best for everyone? >> Yes, it is the best. So, this is a summertime conference that every year the president of the Best Buddies is required by Best Buddies for the the president to go um for this training and it's done in July and um they you know it's it's in a different state. They fly there and we just want because we're the Best Buddies organization in our building does pay for it. We wanted to make sure that it was approved. Um sometimes the the it's usually a parent that goes with them. Um sometimes it is one of their adviserss. We are going to be
015having um two new adviserss next year because the two people we've had for many years is stepping down. So there's a chance that they're going to end up going also but we just wanted to approval over it's a couple day conference. It's amazing what I understand. They learn a lot about how the best bodies organization and how to uphold their standards and what they need to do and like how to use their software for things and to plan things. So that's kind of a road for approval. Can you explain to people what Best Buddies is for audience because some of them may not know. >> Best Buddies is an an inclusive program for students with um just disabilities that allows them to be with other mainstream students that help them do and socialize and do
016other programs. So, you know, at the high school level here, they go they have these outings on weekends that they go bowling with their buddies that they'll do different things. You'll see them um a lot of times with our new students come up as freshmen or just new to the building and they're part of the best birds programs. You'll see them have lunch together like so they're introducing to their friends and just helping them like learn the social skills and like have friends and learn how to do different things like that. >> Any questions? Sounds like an amazing trip to >> Yeah, it is. It is really cool for the the presidents. They bring back a lot of stuff. Um, I'll entertain a motion. >> I move that the school committee vote to approve the
017Best Buddies chapter presidents and advisers to attend the Best Buddies International Leadership Conference at Indiana University on July 17th to 20th, 2026. >> Second. >> That was Keenan and Michael. I'm gonna give it a test. So now we can do we don't need a roll call vote because has Alexander or Carla joined remotely? >> All right, everyone in favor? >> Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? All right, approved. >> Thank you. You are welcome and thank you for presenting tonight. Okay, we have MASC day on the hill. This is Monday, March 30th. It's an event for the school committee to attend and go down and meet the legislators and also um meet other school committee members and do some talking of different things that are going to be presenting on the agendas coming forward for the legislatures.
018Um if you guys are interested in attending, there is um your cost will be provided. We do have a line within the um budget to have. So if anyone is interested in going I know Jackie had contact >> I would love to go except now I have work meetings that have been scheduled for that day. So >> Oh really? >> It's not looking great. >> I was also interested in going to that. >> Okay. >> So I think you can just go online and register >> and then like see. >> Yes. >> Yep. And Kenan, were you thinking of going? >> Uh I have gone the entire day. Oh my god. I would like to go. I just have to wait. >> Okay. Randy last minute. >> I know you're just watching. Randy has joined
019our meeting. Thank you. It's okay. >> Traffic from Boston. >> Um, are you going to go to the day on the hill? >> Honestly, I had not gotten that far. >> You don't. It's okay. >> Okay. >> But we do have money in our budget line for school committee that the cost would be provided. >> Okay. >> Or covered. So, just let me know if you're interested. Um, I'll check with Carla and Alexander and Lisa Bloom if they're interested as well. All right. Now, moving on. Do we want instead of doing Oh, because Brad is not here yet. He is on his way or Superintendent Morgan is on his way. Do we want to jump forward to policy? But Randy, I know you just walked in the door. >> We're moving right along here. Sorry.
020>> Yes, that is okay. Um I can do that. Yeah. >> Okay, let's go into policy. >> Okay. Um so policy, we have the very first one. Um JG Middle School Pathways. Uh this is one that we passed. I think it was two meetings ago. Uh the CDC came back with language changes that they wanted. Um so Gary brought them forward to the subcommittee. We voted this in to go straight to adoption since we just adopted it and the language is something that dees um is requesting that we have in there. Um so I'm going to move that the school committee vote to approve policy JG middle school pathways for adoption. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Randy and Michael for the second. All those in favor >> I >> So we
021don't have to do roll call because we have no one online. >> Wonderful. How different. >> It's a few different steps tonight. All right. Um moving on then, Randy, to >> policies and then um we've typically been taking the the um votes for um first reading together um unless somebody has any objections. Um, so I will move uh that we uh approve policy FCB, retirement of facilities, BEDH, public participation at school committee meetings and BDE subcommittees of the school committee for first reading. >> And this is only for the first reading. So everyone can comment back on >> Yes. >> going forward. >> And once we get a second, I'm happy to explain what's changed. >> All right. Um, that was Randy with the motion and Michael with the second. All right. >> Okay. >>
022So, do you want to explain what before we take >> So, with FCB, this is one that we were talking about in um December. Uh it was requested that we bring it back and have it a little bit more um objective um and change things the format a little bit. Um so, we went through and we had tried to do that. uh took out some of the uh subjective comments that were in there about the budget. Um kind of try to uh keep the meaning of it. uh which is basically that we want to if if there's going to be retirement facilities that the superintendent brings it to the school committee and the school committee immediately will decide what steps need to be taken so that there's no confusion about what we want, what's needed
023and then there's a list of things that would be considered um if we're going to be looking at uh closing a facility again. >> Anybody have any questions about that policy? So, we can do our changes now or changes request a change. >> Uh, if you have some requested changes, you can pass those along to me. Again, this is a first reading. I'll go on to the website. >> Okay. >> Um, and then we period the next meeting. We we would move for adoption unless there were some major changes. Um, but anything um that comes up I can bring to the subcommittee uh to uh consider and look at. >> Okay. I will email them to you then Randy. >> Okay, great. Um and then if I just go over I don't have internet yet.
024Um BEDH public participation at school committee meetings. We took a look at this and the one change that we made in this is with the recent um increase in emails being read during public comment. Uh looking at the policy again, the policy never said anything about emails. has never addressed um anybody but a speaker at our meetings. The intent of the policy uh from what we discussed uh how it was written originally was to try and encourage participation in our meetings for people to show up to see what's going on and to speak to us. Um so we wanted to address the email so that there it was consistently done. Uh we agreed that also that it takes a lot of time out of our meetings uh to read the emails and um whoever's reading
025it can put their own reflections in it. So our compromise was to list them on the agenda because obviously it would have to be uh you know within 24 hours or something to request it be there. we'd list them on the uh public comment section of the agenda and then those emails would be part of the packet but we would not read them and that's the major change to that one. >> Okay. So, okay, just I have one thing because we allow people to do public comment before 400 p.m. the day of >> would this be considered for an email as well and then it would not have time to make the agenda at the night. >> So, there's like that has to be looked at um because like a person can you know just
026look at the agenda and say, "Oh, I have a comment about this. I'm going to go in and talk about this but supply an email." So I think that has to be worked out a little bit. >> Okay. >> Um and I am hesitant about not reading the full email because if you give this to town officials >> town officials for use is the exception not for individuals opinion but >> I still think that that >> that's a gray area. >> Okay. you know, because I think a town official and somebody else speaking, I think they should be given the same gift, >> same latitude of being able to stand up and or have their email read. So, that's just my opinion, but I mean, we'll go with what the committee >> is. Oh, yeah.
027Yep. Sorry. Sorry. So where in the policy it says written comments longer than three minutes can be submitted. Are you wanting to strike that out of there? No. Uh what that that section um refers to is if somebody wants to speak but they have a lot to say um that's going to go over the three minutes they want to paraphrase when they talk they can submit a longer um written response so that the school committee can see their longer response. At least that's how I interpreted that section of the policy. >> Okay. So just just my thought again I can email things but we were here for discussion. Um I think for accessibility for the largest members of the community I mean since I've been on there have been emails written at various times at
028the request of the sender. um you it would take some light work but if I heard your concern being in collection or to the person reading it why don't we just put it through AI to read >> the AI put stuff into it that >> yeah I mean we can certainly something like that it's not something that we have but the other larger part was the amount of time that it takes um because it's hard to see I guess if we're going to use AI we might be able to get an idea but it could take a lot of time I I know there's a lot of concern on the committee that we kind of stick to the time and have our meetings beyond our business. Um, and if they're trying to address the school
029committee and we have the emails that we can read, they're addressing the school committee and we're reading it and we're seeing what they're saying. Um, as far as speaking during the public meeting, it didn't seem like uh if they can't make it to the meeting, they're still getting their point to us. And if we keep it as part of the packet, then the public will get to see what they said as well. I'm not sure, you know, if it's there, if it's public uh record in the meeting packet, we all see it. Then why does it need to be spoken? >> We don't respond to it either. So, it's not like we have a dialogue. I'm just thinking of the amount of other public meetings that are on the same night as ours >> that
030we are taking an opportunity away from people that might be on other boards or committees but still have an interest. And when I say I AI reading it, I mean there's tools like Scribe things that are they're going to read it. They won't put other words in there. Um, I have no problem with having a non school committee member um, read them if the intent is for the person that is submitting those comments to have them read because of, you know, an impact statement or written statement. I think it's heard by the same people at the same time. And I would hate to exclude somebody just because they have another responsibility that evening from having it presented to the public during the public comment period. >> No, the public comment is they were addressing the
031school committee. They're not addressing the public, >> of course, but people in the public are hearing it. It is public comment. I just feel I just feel like they have I feel like the school committee has done a really good job about being accessible to members of the community that can't be here and that taking that away I think backsteps us a little bit. >> Okay. Well, and it and I'm going to add a little it might be a transparency thing like that, you know, we want it to be transparent to the public all the things that we get in sometimes and not everyone goes to the packet to read it. I mean, people would rather watch a video and listen to the audio sometimes than so again, however the committee feels, I mean, that's
032the direction we'll move. And so >> may I ask a question? So is it going to be listed on the agenda? Yes, >> each one will be listed. So it will say >> email from our Ivy. >> Yeah. >> So I would just ask that the deadline be at least a week ahead of time. And we're we don't always we have to meet the you know the 48 hour notice, but we're we're trying to get them posted early. So >> yeah, >> and when I I received those emails um many of them are specific. I want this read into public comment. So how just how we would respond to that? >> Well, and sometimes when the um agenda is published, it's not, you know, they don't know necessarily what's coming on to make the public
033comment until >> we give them the 48. >> But yeah, just so we >> still think it should be looked at and we should figure out a process for this. And so I mean it's just going into the first reading. I'm sure the public will comment on this as they're welcome to public or give us comments back on it. Um and we'll currently we'll read your email in public if you request it to be read. I mean so >> I maybe we could maybe we could tweak this to be something to the effect of by default it wouldn't be read in unless asked for. We make that public like you know we sort of announce that to the public. Maybe we include it. It broadcast that information some way to people that says basically if
034you want it read say that you want it read otherwise it'll be included in the packet or something like that. >> It's okay. >> Is that not how it stands now? I don't feel like you're reading everyone. >> Yeah. >> The process has been used but it's not in the policy. >> We just have to >> So there's nothing that says that. So, >> can I ask then all the letters that you read during our uh budget hearing? Those all have to be read during public development. >> I do have lots of letters that come in that that >> just go to the committee or >> Well, and so like usually a request will come in and it'll say like from the town that's come in, please read this at your next committee meeting. Please
035read this at your next committee meeting. And the public has been doing that too, like please read this. I'd like this read into record, >> right? And I like what Kim just the phrase you used, which is it's an impact statement, right? You you want to take that platform moment to have it heard by the larger community. >> Yeah. >> Not just the committee. >> I mean, we would really like the person to show up and read the comment, but there's always understanding that something comes up and they can't read >> their statement that they want to make, >> you know? >> So, I think like it goes back to policy and look at >> look at it. But um again uh the other things that need to be considered is how long it takes
036because we have 10 minutes max. >> Um so I'm not sure. >> Well, it's 15 minutes. >> Sorry, 15. Sorry, you're right. I apologize. 15 minutes. >> We stretched that out a few years ago to 15. >> But still 15 minutes. And um it I I don't know how we would, you know, we'd have to figure out whether it's, you know, one page max, half a page max, you know, or >> word count or something. >> Yeah. Yeah. We we've never had it's never been a significant issue except for when we have these you know >> like big topics and I think that's what everyone wants to talk about you know big topics and that's where we do want to hear from the public and so I mean >> but I also want to make
037sure that people aren't um >> abusing it >> they're not abusing it and um we'd like to hear from everybody um but it's easy to hide just like online it will People are very brave online. >> Yeah. >> Um people can get very brave what they say in an email and >> we'd like to encourage talking. >> Yes. >> But we do attribute their name to it. >> And quite honestly, I have an error on waving the rule if we have a really hot topic that we need committee members to hear from more of the public. Um we hear from one another. for longer meetings. Um, if there was something really critical, opening that up is more informative to us than less. And I got to take extra time if we ever had to leave
038that role. >> That's right. We we can we can look at it. We could try and figure out, you know, any suggestions on how to just make sure that when someone's speaking, we can tell them your time is up. >> Yeah. >> How are we going to do something like that with email? um and how we want results to work and not just it's not a problem most of the time. The policy is there for all of the time, especially when we're in a long meeting and there's a lot of people that want to speak. >> Well, and I know like Randy and I have history with this policy because we redid it a few years ago with some of the stuff that we did and and added more to it. So, um, so I
039say policy, take it back and rework it and we'll send suggestions and, >> um, I like to have it for a first reading as well. >> And everyone can send in their comments versus us trying to guess at what everybody's >> Yes, exactly. Exactly. So, send comments forward and we have members missing tonight that should actually weigh in on the topic as well. >> Um, and then the third one is BDE subcommittees of the school committee. Um, and this one what the only thing that changed is that the subcommittees themselves choose their chairs. I just went to a lunch and learn uh with MASC a couple weeks ago on subcommittees. Um, and they were even saying that the subcommittee should be choosing their chair. It shouldn't be um appointed as a position. Um, so in
040the policy it states um that at the meeting we all get appointed to the committee the promp chair would be appointed by the chair of the full committee. so that somebody sets up the meeting um and then the first order of business would be for the people within the subcommittee to choose their chair and we used to do that u and that's how I thought the policy was written until >> until we until we reviewed it again so >> so just kind of put it back a little bit >> yep I'm good with that because I do think it should be subcommittee because you can decide on your own Anyone else have any comments on that? >> There was also the other if there's a vacancy the committee may appoint the new member to build
041a vacancy which I assume has been done that way forever anyways but now it's officially in there. >> Yes. So I just I know what you sit as that the chair appoints the standing committees and she appoints the members that they appoint. So you were getting feedback that it shouldn't be that way. Yes. For the subcommittees of the school committee uh they were saying that the subcommittee should choose their chair. Um I think a standing or rather a community a subcommittee or a committee that's involving the the public is different because the school committee needs to run those uh in most of the time. So when we have a building committee, um we need a school committee person as the chair. Um, but when it's just within our own membership, your chair is chosen by
042>> I just I'd love to just learn a little bit more about that because everyone said looking at like I said what she said. It's specific the chair shall appoint the standing subcommittees. Um, and then the chair appoints the chair to each of the standing or ad hoc subcommittees, but this subcommittee appoints the vice chairs. So I'm just wondering why another district would be >> okay >> different than the recommendations. So I'll look at others. >> Yeah, look at others. And what I would do is um yeah, just like our policy is an older policy from MASC and has that the chair is appointed. Um other um school committees may not have updated their policy either. >> They might be lagging. True. >> Thank you. >> All right. Tina, >> totally un mildly related question.
043Um color deficient here. Um the colors on the uh documents, what does each color mean? >> Oh, um that >> I I couldn't tell you what colors they are. >> I just see different shades. >> Um I think that's just a matter of who actually put in the suggestion. >> Yeah, >> we each get, you know, get assigned by the computer by the network. >> Number three would be >> that's all. I just I just see everything's different shade and I'm like I'm not sure what this is supposed to >> No, that's just who who typed it in and type the suggestion in. >> All right. So that these all go for our first reading. Any more questions from anyone? Okay. It does not have to be a roll call vote. Um all of those
044in favor. >> Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? All right. Those I'm all right. Now we'll come back to the legislative advocacy and we'll jump back to finance if that's okay. Is everyone okay with that? Okay. So if we do take a vote, we need six members to vote the budget through. Correct. Because it's a majority vote, two/3 vote. So, we will take it from here and see. We'll see if we get a budget tonight. Otherwise, we will be calling another meeting because we need to get everyone we need to pass this to the towns. Sorry. All right. You go ahead. Uh, thank you. So, um, I'll give the easy part. Um, write the the basic numbers. So we have um in the packet the entire budget as it stands right now. Um you might recall that
045in the original bud budget message the numbers were a bit higher. Um in one of our finance committees two meetings ago we asked the administration to take a look at the current budget as it stands and what was available for alternative funds rather than just the town assessments. and looking um actively at sort of the spend and the projection going towards the end of the year. Um and as of our not the last budget meeting but the budget prior, we were tracking to have about 1.9 um left in the FY26 budget and of course you know the figures that um are going through with um from last year that have been certified. So looking at the totality of the the funding that was available, we asked the administration if they would go back and see
046what could be done, not affecting any of the hiring of staff or the learning environment. Um, but just creative alternatives, whether it be looking at things that were deferred for purchases from FY25, would that be purchased out of 26? Um, are there other plans that could be used? What could they look at? So the administration went back and took about 105 off the budget itself and came back with using a bit more of the END for this year because of the anticipated money for for next year. Um in that meeting as well we talked about some things that could potentially still happen with the current budget that FY26 budget um to fill additional vacancies. So what we recommended as the committee was to move forward with the 2.9 budget those numbers are in the packet
047um with the lens that we are going to meet again before our meeting on the 14th of April giving more time for um the administration or budget review to be seeing where we're tracking if anything can be done or any other changes in the budget in the positive. that would further reduce the assessment to the municipality, not to reduce the budget for the school. Um, and so that's where those numbers came from and were derived. So that means it's the ceiling. That doesn't mean that it can't go lower, but in order to give the municipalities something to start doing more concrete planning on that if we're able to teach this vote tonight knowing that we can come back at it. And I think you know if anyone's watched the meeting I've been clear that I'd
048love to make it um the least um disruptive to the municipalities as possible. And right now um Ashby is in a negative um town is just under 2% and is at 3 3.06 6 correct >> for assessment. >> Yeah. >> So, so the the numbers are getting >> that was 2.98 >> 2.98. Thank you, superintendent. So, so just under three. So, coming in under what they had asked for and anticipated um I don't want to close the door however on being less of an assessment there being less of an assessment in the future, but this would be our kind of starting point and see if good things happen. um if there's unexpected funding that comes in, we can continue to look at other resources. So, that's where we're at. Does anyone have any questions or
049committee members want to add any additional information? Once we're done, I'll have the the administration talk about their lines with what they did as well. Anybody have anything to add? >> I mean, I I just wanted to add that like through this whole process, you know, obviously I'm new to a lot of this, but I'm learning a lot about how this whole budgeting process works. And I can see that it's it's a lot of iteration. It's a lot of coming up with coming up with numbers and changing them and changing them again and again as more information comes in and whatnot. And so this has been a process, but I think where we are right now with this as like a starting point for where we start with a budget is a good starting point.
050I think the adjustments that have been made since the the public hearing are good ones. It adds a little bit more to for for more classroom teachers. Um and you know using basically a lot of work has been done in the background to get this to where it is. So, I just want to acknowledge that and say, you know, thank everybody who has worked really hard to get this to this point. But I think it's I think where it is is a good a good spot. Anyone else? Any questions? >> Yeah, just a couple. Um so the first thing is um just it's a nuance um to whether the budget you know can this is a ceiling for the budget. This is a ceiling for the assessments. So once we vote a budget the town
051assessments can't go up. Our budget can if we had extra money. >> Yes. >> Um just want to make sure that you especially with so many new people that they understand um that it's the assessment. So, if we have a windfall and we get another $500,000 that we didn't expect, um we want to put that into our budget and increase the bottom line by $500,000. It doesn't affect the assessments. That is something that we can still do after this. Um so, just just a small nuance. Um the other thing also, and this will be for later, um last Friday was just um another lunch and learn. I'm finding those are quite I I I encourage everybody they have them reported look back at some of the other MASC lunch and learns that they're doing some
052really good topics uh right now. It's a really good resource. Um something for the finance committee to think about in the future is um they were extremely adamant and I was a little surprised by this but extremely adamant that the finance subcommittee does not recommend a budget. The recommendation has to come from the superintendent and should never come from the subcommittee. >> I like I said I was a little surprised too by that. Um but it's just something to take a look into and maybe talk with me uh for the future. >> I will because if we're going to be a subcommittee I want to show that we are listening to the administration. So I'll I'll have a delightful conversation with him on that. um because otherwise we're we're not saying that we are supporting
053what's coming forward and I think we really need to do that as a committee as a subcommittee. doesn't mean that the entire committee has to do it, but I I'd love to I'm gonna listen to them and hear their side. Yeah. >> But I think that we would be remiss and I'll tell them this um to not move it through that process. Otherwise, we shouldn't have a finance subcommittee and just leave it up to the superintendent. But the whole process is to kind of be weighing in and kind of having a group that can work with the administration. So, I know that you're not making that rule, but yeah, >> thanks for for sharing that. >> Yeah, I would if you can report back to us because again, new, right? I heard them say that,
054too, and it was just >> like, oh, okay. It's not what we've done, right? Well, in ways we can Yeah. >> So maybe the way she said it wasn't what she meant or something like that like gets >> it might be like when a nonprofit accepts the treasurer's report they might vote on it but it's just like they're accepting it. >> So I'm going to learn more. Thank you. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Um so >> any any more questions? Do you have anything to add to it? >> Sure. So again, I think in looking at our original budget we brought to the hearing a 3.06% increase. We were able to decrease it again to the 2.9% and that was essentially cutting just about $107,000 going for multiple lines. Um Kevin and Nancy did did a
055great job with that. Just looking at the history of our spending over certain line items and we ended up being able to add up to that $17,000 figure. and then on top of that using the additional 500,000 out which is in part due to the money that we pulled back with our budget freeze last year. So when we're looking at that realizing that we have about 3.5 this year in END our goal next year is to have three and I do think 3.5 is probably too much. We probably hit the brakes too early last spring. Uh but it did put us in a situation for this year uh to to try to help with a couple of priorities and I think the two priorities we were looking at first and foremost with class size addressing
056class size issues in the district and then the second piece that we were trying to do our best with was trying to help tenants get them to a number that they could afford so that again they're not making cuts to their staff uh which is counterproductive to the community as a whole. So, I think we're able to achieve both of those with this budget. And to Miss Kraven's point, I do think there's the possibility that we could hear more positive news. This does not take into account any health insurance savings really at this point. Uh because we don't know what the health insurance savings is going to be. even though it's essentially a 0% increase, we don't know what's going to happen during an open enrollment to see if we're going to see a shift
057um onto our health insurance plan and you know that's going to put us over budget and eat away at that potential savings. So there is hope that we could potentially be in an even better situation with health insurance, but we won't know that until probably the end of May after open enrollment is over. Um, so that's essentially where we are at right now. Again, keeping all of our staff in the budget, possibly um having room for some additional staff as well to really address those class size issues. We also talked about addressing issues in the technology department um because they they've been asking for an additional technician for years and we've been we have been unable to do that. And so the hope is is that um again with the budget, with the the potential
058savings and health insurance and then some of our special education programming that we're bringing into the district next year that we're going to possibly see some additional benefits that can help support our budget moving forward. And the goal is again to move forward with approximately $3 million in END next year and not have it be 3.5 like it is this year. was just too high. >> But it's it's a budget we are very very comfortable with and a budget we support and and recommend to the committee. >> Okay. Um just a couple questions. So when you say that there was a 0% increase in the health insurance, is that really 0% to the premiums or was that 0% to the line that we're allocating for? >> It's 0% to the premiums. Wow. I I've never
059heard of that. >> And and that that was primarily due to our claims last year which were >> even so I I have I have never heard of insurance going up uh the premium by 0%. >> It is truly level for next year. I and >> I I mean on the downside we we won't see that again. I would doubt in FY28. And we probably won't see that shift in special education that we saw without a district placement. But the hope is with special education is that we're going to see some help by um those two programs that we're putting in. >> Okay. Um the other thing is I saw that um to help with class size there's four teachers that are coming or at least four FTEEs that are coming back. >> Yes. Yes.
060>> Okay. I just want to make sure that I was finding the right things when I was looking at the budget. Um, can you talk a little bit more about the extra $500,000 uh that is being suggested to come from END because we have policy DIIB. Um, and that's going in completely the wrong direction. Um, because, you know, it's onetime money theoretically. >> Yes. Um although I I I do question whether it's truly onetime money the way that we have it budgeted because it's always coming back and if it's always coming back it's not onetime money. Um it's kind of like a reserve within the budget that we never seem to use and keep recycling. >> So I I think it's twofold. They you know obviously it does go against using more money in um
061or not using more not using more money in END. I think the recommendation this year again was in part primarily because we hit the break so early last year because we were concerned about what was going to happen with the budget and to be honest the shift in special education was truly unexpected. That was not something that we saw coming. So, I think that for now, END, although it's not a great solution, I I am getting more confident that we're going to see a shift in the funding formula after the Student Opportunity Act is fully funded. That won't be until the end of next year. Uh, but the governor has made mention that the formula itself is something that she will not pay attention to until SOA is fully funded and that will be fully
062funded at the end of next year. So I think the hope is for all regional schools is that all the testifying that's happening um all the ad advocacy that is taking place statewide um we got a letter from two students today uh that that went to all of the superintendent um across the state and it was it was very very impressive what they had sent off to us. So, I do think the voices are getting um more numerous. They're getting louder and I'm hopeful for change so that we are properly funded and we won't have to use that END reserve fund like we have been previously and up until this year. But I I do think it's something we're likely going to have to use at least for the next year beyond this one. I
063don't know Nancy or Kevin again if you got anything. I mean, the only other thing I would add is I think, you know, where we sit right now, the FY26 budget is in we're in pretty good shape. It's been it looks like we're going to close out some money from this year's budget. We also received um some additional revenues. Uh although that one of them is not here, but it's coming from the Valley Collaborative closeouts. That's 28,000. That's coming. Um it's not here yet, like I said, but what should be coming. So I think between additional revenue and closeouts for this year, we don't want to end up, you know, like like Brad mentioned back where we were this year, we want to try to bring have a target of around 3 million in END.
064So I think this, you know, if I didn't see those things coming, I think we would maybe be pulled back and if additional money comes from the state, then we could potentially vote the budget so that using that state funding and reducing the END ask. So it's it's possible that could change. um between now and either time meeting or after >> and the committee could also decide how they want to use any savings that we realize from health insurance as well. >> Okay. >> Is that something that we want to look at assessments on? Is it something that we want to cut down on RDP usage? There's multiple different options that we can look at. >> Okay. And how much are we looking at this point in time anticipating closing out? You didn't mention a
065number. >> Um I think uh we're looking at closing somewhere. I think I budgeted up here. So, we started FY26 or we our certification from results of FY25 is 3,500,000 just over that. Um, we're planning on using the 2.5. So, reducing the END by the 2.5. our estimated revenue closeouts. I I'm estimating 555 and 200 of that is the Valley Collaborative again not here but coming and the uh the other part is that the state aid funding from this year that we didn't we never reertified our budget this year but we did get additional aid so that's closing out um so I I'm projecting just over 5500,000 in revenue um and then whatever expenditure so I'm um estimating about a million and a half closeouts for expenditures with Um obviously people will be utilizing their
066budgets for the remainder of this year. So if no big changes happen um I'm expecting it to be approximately that much. So I feel confident that we can use those funds and again everyone is aware when we got in the situation a couple years ago we increased the use of END that won't be here for next year. So we'll be reducing the use of END potentially um for for the next budget cycle. So it's just something everyone to be aware of. Um, I think short term it's it's probably a good thing. I'm hoping some of the state numbers come in a little higher and make some adjustments to that. >> Okay. Um, I was looking at the budget detail u from 224 and it was looking at unexpended expenditures closer to $2 million. Did something
067change? >> Yeah. So what will happen is there's uh at the end of every fiscal year there's purchase orders that people process that um they have maybe they haven't been delivered yet or there's a project ongoing those get carried forward. So it's called an encumbrance. So the change in the encumbrance I'm just trying to be conservative that we might have a change of inc of of incumbrance depending on what projects are pending. >> Okay. >> So that's it's okay. It's not a perfect, you know, just expenses, just revenue. There's a little more to the formula, but >> yeah. Especially with a budget this large. So, I'm not trying to make it sound like it's something simple. I was just curious what had changed there. >> No worries. And and the other the other the other
068thing that we we can utilize to try to come in where we need to be for END um is circuit breaker because we have um although we we are going to try to sh that up as much as we can while still closing out enough so that we can close out to approximately 3 million. But circuit breaker funds um might be used when we when we implement new programs um so that it's not hitting the budget directly. um there's like a couple year uptick on on getting those programs functional so up to speed. So >> Okay. And I'm just curious where the $3 million uh came from as far as targeting for END. Uh is that something that went through the finance subcommittee? Is that just something uh that you've been >> um I think
069I I think we talked about it a couple times. >> Okay. would say that >> I mean exactly $3 million in the dot, but something we're trying it's like just a gauge. I think >> again it's a trying to get close to a number that's um just enough for the district so that if there's some kind of emergency that happens or um something as needed midyear that we'd have that something available for that purpose between 3 to 4% and that's well over uh the 4% range. um over where our budget's going to be. So again, I had asked for um some kind of a plan on how we were going to achieve and what time frame we were going to achieve uh the goals of policy DIIB which was passed. Um and currently right now
070it is in effect um because there has not been any votes to suspend it. Um how are we going towards that by putting $2.5 million now versus the two million that was originally. Um, as well as how is that extra $500,000 going to affect next year's budget? Um, because we know that if we don't close out 2.5, if we don't have that money to spend another 2.5 next year towards our budget, then it's an immediate deficit in next year's budget without any kind of increase for us. That make sense? So, it's kind of like in FY24 when we put the extra END in, we did close out with $800,000 less than what we put in without increasing our budget $1, we were already negative $800,000 in revenue. So, is this $500,000 going to be a
071negative $500,000 right off the bat next year? Um, how is that going to work? Yeah, and I think that's why I brought that up is that we do have to be looking at um how that impacts next year. Um although at this point I feel like we definitely are going to close out enough funds. So um we could close more out and use less END, but I think that would be you know to detriment to the the budget process at this point. um given that we still have some unknowns and like I said maybe that maybe there'll be some some positives and the reduction of the END won't be the use of END won't be needed to be as high >> and I I mean I'm not I'm not confident that we can come up
072with a plan for the policy until we get some type of clarity from the state as to whether or not they're going to help us or not. if they're not going to help us, if they're not going to revisit the formula and look at how schools are funded and how much they're giving individual districts to support themselves, uh it's it's going to result in significant reductions. So right now we don't use END something has to get we absolutely need this formula looked at or else districts that are being funded like N&M like I mean there are many that would say we're in the bottom 10 if we're going to continue to receive that funding with the needs the district has >> we are not going to be able to properly staff our buildings. Um, I'll
073just put it out there and I know this is a complete oversimplification, so I'm not saying it is quite this easy. Um, but we have 1.872 million A&D in our budget this year without the incumbrances that we're talking about that we may have. We're closing out 1.997% uh million dollars. Um, projected right now, it could change. Um, so that tells me that there are expenses in the budget that we're not going to be using. If we're not using them, then they don't need to be in the budget. And I think I think the district as a whole needs to be get a little bit more comfortable with budgeting a little bit tighter um budgeting um with the potential of a possible negative in a year that would go into our reserves. That's the whole reason
074why we have reserves that we don't need these reserves in our budget. having them outside is sufficient enough. There are other districts that close out con, you know, year after year $100,000 or less and they're not using their END. Um I think it's a cycle that we get into and I think that cycle is uh really hurting this district trying to look forward. it makes things a lot more complicated trying to figure out what do we have this year, what do we have next year, what are we going to do with this and and potentially wind up in a year like um FY24 where I was one who really pushed and the extra money so we didn't make the cuts that year knowing it was onetime money hoping we were going to get the overrides.
075Um, but I wouldn't have done that if I knew that, you know, that was one time money sitting over here and it didn't support the budget. We were always closing out a lot of money and it's never easy to predict what we're closing out. I don't know where in our budget we're not using it, but every year we're closing out the same amount of END we put in. >> So, I don't know if if um I either Dr. Reese or Mr. and wanted to speak to what we closed out with last year. Um, I can say with confidence that we we closed out and we ended up with with some money and it was felt um it was something that was absolutely felt in certain departments. So I I I can't say that we don't
076need the money because when we cut and technology was a good example last year, it's putting us behind. It's where we are falling behind with any type of technology plan to keep current. Um we're losing out on curriculum items that our students in some cases need, but we're choosing staffing whenever possible >> to use that money for. So >> I'm not trying to say that your budgeting is incorrect. It's just the whole thought of the the money. If if the money's in the budget and you're not using it because we're trying to save it for END so we don't have a deficit the next year, then it might as well not even be there because you're not touching it. >> And I think um if I could jump in, that's okay. Um and I think
077uh we just have to kind of remember that obviously we're not even finished with FY26. We're trying to project FY27. So there are going to be some areas through next year, health insurance being a big one, because we we don't know what will happen in open enrollment. >> So we're projecting a number that maybe um doesn't doesn't come to fruition or maybe we need more. Um uh and a lot of these I I think what what happens if you get so close is you'll you'll end up maybe choosing to you if you're not making it through the year with the budget that you have you'll end up using other sources of funding such as maybe school choice gets depleted or um >> blank I mean >> exactly and that's why I had put forth the
078other um policy as a DIA which is a revolving account so that there is something the finance finance subcommittee is helping to um stabilize to take a look at what should be used, what kind of levels we should be keeping in those funds. So, it just makes it a lot easier to know exactly what is available to be spent for the district instead of always sitting here, we have to save more, we have to save more, we have to save more. It'd be nice to have that flip of we have this pot and this is what we have and we have this over here if something goes wrong. um but to be looking more positive saying this is a positive amount of money we have to spend and not always trying to think of how
079to save because um we tend to you know it's it's it's hard to be exact and we tend to uh save more than we intended which means that we're cutting things that we wouldn't necessarily have if we were just looking at spending everything in the budget. Kim, >> thanks. Um, so I'm not discounting I'm I hear what you're saying. >> Um, if the new policy says recommend and we're, you know, minutes away from the new policy. So, I guess we have a choice if it's if the committee so wants um to suspend that policy. That makes me feel more comfortable to have it explicit that we're suspending it. But from my lens, when it says recommend and we're looking at all these numbers pretty frequently, um, to both keep the school and to keep our
080communities whole, >> sometimes you have to make a decision that isn't necessarily in line with exactly how we would love it to be, but moving towards that trajectory, right? that this is really a shift for last year, this year for foreseeable year, two years that we are perhaps working for example the school and the other departments within the municipalities to get through what was not created by the districts who are trying to manage it. So in managing that yes there's a level of creativity maybe there's a level of uncomfortableness and I think as we get further away from the pandemic looking at those over underages because I did ask the administration to do that and we didn't have real clarity. So when I put my analytical hat on it wasn't like bingo here's the one
081here's the one it's like oh this one this one that one. But I think as we get away from the pandemic and things are stabilized and as we move towards better support from the state, I would predict and I won't be here but I will predict in three years that this committee will not be having a struggle. I I I don't know the END issue has to do with anything that we are funding currently and nothing to do with the assessments of the town. I think if the money is there and we're using it and and we do need to take responsibility, it's not the people at this in the on this committee right now, but this committee as a whole, the whole district did put us into this position by spending more and more
082END every year and saving more and more every year. We got ourselves in this cycle that we need to break. But if we are putting money in only to take that money out again, then we should be able to take the expenses out and the revenue at the same time, not affect assessments and not affect what we're actually paying for. >> Well, I do want to affect the assessments in the best way possible, not in a negative way. Um, and I do hear you. I just don't think that we're quite there yet. And that's why I've asked for a plan and I'm hearing that we can't do this until we get more funding from the state. And I don't think that is correct. I don't think that it that should stop us from looking at
083how to do this. There are um committees um or districts out there that have done this before. We should be reaching out to them on how they did this, but there are people who have done this and there is a way out without the state funding, but I'm not hearing anybody going after the solution. So I I think that we are in that we're trying to analyze where things have been the the best way that we can to review the past and when we don't have a crystal ball to try to predict that for the future in a really responsible way without shifting so quickly. I'm not comfortable right now as chair. I'd love for my uh committee members to speak as well um to be making wholesale changes at this point. I think it's
084more incremental. Um and where there's so many unknowns right now, I do feel that there will be some opportunities, but I also feel like we have to make some decisions at the school committee level in order to help the municipalities plan. And you know, I I don't think that I've given the administration like a cakewalk through this. Like I've been having them go back and look and turn up numbers. You can you can smile, superintendent. Nothing is holding them back, right? It's it's not that, oh, just you fluff it off. It's looking at those numbers. And I think as we progress, it will get there. But for right now, I know I'm comfortable with where we're at. If I saw really different numbers that Nancy has been tracking for us, I might be like, "No,
085not comfortable with that at all." Um, it's it's the totality of everything that we have to be at this point right now and continuing to move it forward. It's a you know, as we continue to track numbers, we always want to say, "Yeah, you know, that hasn't been spent." So that can be a reduction. I just don't think we're I'm not confident to make those requests or kind of negotiate that with the administration right now. >> That's fine. But again, a plan to go forward. What I'm hearing is it can't be done. We're not going to look at it until something else happens. I'm looking for that plan. I'm looking for Yes. Um we we're going to put something together that in three years, five years, we will be off of END. and I'm not
086getting that back um from the administration and that's what I'm asking for because if we don't start planning it, it will never happen. So I can't speak for the administration but I can speak for my lens and again other committee members can speak as well. I don't think we have the narrative plan one through 10 as you might want to see it, but I think that we are trying to look at all opportunities to make that happen. But but I can't sit here as the chair and say it's going to be because of not spending here here and here or this will change just not there. But we are >> a high level plan of you know how how they're going to try and get there. That's what I've been looking for and I've been
087asking for a while. I I just wanted just just a point of clarification. I don't believe I said that that we can't. I said I'm pretty sure I said that I'm not confident. It's not something that we don't look at all the time. Uh and it's not something that we're just going to let go. We're always looking and and trying to make improvements to the budget. Um I think you could argue that there are many of us in this room that only work on the budget. And that's unfortunate because we're unable to do other other parts of the job. budgets. The budget season starts in August. It's challenging. We don't get anything from the governor until the end of the end of January. Um the formula is not broken. The entire site is broken. And
088I think that's I think that's pretty clear with how it's done. >> Um but it's certainly something that we're going to look at. I'm not confident that there's a solution without some substantive change to the formula. That's that's the only point I wanted to make. >> And and to be clear, reaching back into B and D is probably more on my shoulders and the push to get those numbers down right now because I could see the other things in the future, but we just don't know exactly what those other things the numbers are. So, do I think that the plan is to continue with striving for that recommended 3%? Absolutely. And it's going to be listening to what the legislators say, seeing what else comes back, trying to get the best, quickest information on any
089of the changes in the insurance to see where those numbers can move. But right now, this is the known. But yes, we can do this because I see the projection, right? The past spending for FY26 and where that's going to be and where that will land. Like if that was at 200,000, there's no way that I would think that this was feasible because this other money. Do I think that there could be opportunity for more? Yes. But I don't think that I might be talking about that until later in the summer to really see what that looks like. So it's it's not that it's being ignored. And I hear you want like a high level. I guess the high level is to watch every single number and to shift as soon as practical any way
090that we can. But right now, we're working with what what we know. And it's hard like the budgeting cycle is gez I wish it could be like a two-year budget cycle and all these numbers. That would be lovely. >> But we we just don't have that latitude and that's Oh. Yeah, I think during finance I also expressed um concern and uh conservatism for using additional END money. But unless I missed something, the primary motivation for using this additional 500,000 was to be able to get our assessments for all three downs sub 3%. Um, I believe Pepper before him, Pepper before this additional $500,000 was the only one above 3% at 4 something. I don't know that number off the top of my head, but by cutting the $107,000 give or so or give change plus
091the additional $500,000 usage of BMD, we were able to get now a budget which is a good budget acceptable to that should be acceptable to all three towns given the parameters that were given or that you know we laid in to when referring to the cycle that you talk about um how we've gone stuck in the cycle of using and we always have money left over. Um I I wouldn't necessarily consider that I wouldn't consider that an issue on the same scale that I think you would. Um but like we're saying without additional funding from the state that hole is not a hole that can be filled. Um, if the state came in tomorrow and said, "You're going to get whatever formula changed, you're now going to get $2 million a year in whatever combination."
092We could just remove our END from the equation and we would have the same exact budget. But until >> Yeah, we'd have the same budget, but the problem we have is we'll be closing out $2 million every year, which would put our END above the three. >> Well, sure. But at that at that point that's when that that's when what I'm saying is that is the the spending issue is much easy easier to address when you know you have the money in the first place. Um so I think the approach that you're suggesting is just a bit backwards in my in my opinion. I'm not a budgeter. I'm not a financial expert. But at the end of the day I don't think we necessarily needed um this additional $500,000 of END to be used, but
093it was the path. It was the I I hesitate to say easiest path path, but it was the most certain path that we could have taken when we're we are on a timeline. we are >> okay >> on there there are external factors at play and we we discussed during finance with that $17,000 that we did cut from the budget that there is space but if we remove all of that now we come next year we now no longer have anywhere to go so this is going to be a gradual process and I think we're making that progress I Just the ability to articulate exactly how we're doing it in source of a plan is incredibly difficult without any positive reinforcement from the state on what exact changes they're going to do to the formula
094when they're actually going to start it because they might crack it open at the end of next year but it could take them another five years to pass it. This is Massachusetts. So >> that is true. Well, thank you. Um I would like to just add $500,000 to get all three towns into um a space where they can support our budget is a refreshing change. I'm glad that many people on here are hopefully going to support this going forward. Um because the attitude typically has been we need two out of the three towns. Um and like in FY23 I think it was or maybe 24 when um Ashby had a shift in their population and they had an 11% increase. We didn't use END, additional END to help them. We had towns in Emperor. So,
095I I like this and I hope it goes forward that we're taking all three towns into consideration all the time. Um, anything else? Anyone want to add any more comments? >> I think that's all I have at the moment. >> All right. To make a motion. Yes. There's no more discussion. I move that the school committee adopt the following budget for the FY27. The operational budget of 60,56906 transportation budget of 5,256842 debt services at 3,75812 further that I propose these budgets be utilized to calculate the fiscal year 2027 school assessment for the member towns in accordance with the statutory requirements. Additionally, I would recommend the authorization of the use of 2.5 million from the excess and deficiency account to offset the fiscal year FY27 budget. This motion is made with the understanding that the budget
096allocations are in the best interest of the schools and the communities we serve, aiming to provide the quality education while being fiscally responsible. I would seek a second to the motion to further discussion and vote. Second. >> That is Kim Craraven on the motion and Keen Francois on the second. Any further discussion about the budget? >> Just actually one quick one. Um I know four FTEEs are going back in to help with the class sizes. Is is that all the classes that are really high or are there still more that need some adjustments? If we can find another future. So, we have the four positions um that are in the budget that will likely be we're likely going to look at the middle school level. Um we also have um five kindergarten teachers um that
097we're carrying into next year. It's we're not projecting at this point to need those five. So, we're likely going to be able to use those those K positions elsewhere. We've also we're in the process of doing a special education audit as well to see um to check for balancing to make sure that we're consistently using PA professionals and special education staff, both inclusion teachers and program staff. And there's also a possibility we could potentially see a shift from some special education positions into regular education positions um next year as part of that audit. And that was an internal audit that we did. >> Yeah. No, that's great. Thank you. So, I think we'll be in good shape as far as class sizes go, right? Getting them back down to that um hopefully that 25 range.
09825 and below is is really the goal. >> Any further any further questions? All right. This has to be a roll call vote because it is a budget issue and so or a money monetary issue. So, Jackie White. >> Yes. Randy, >> yes. >> Uh, Michael, >> yes. >> Kenan, >> yes. >> Kim Griven, yes. >> And Lisa Martin, yes. So, we have a budget for last year, our starting budget. All right. You have one other item um from the finance committee. Um at the last committee meeting we discussed the solar panels that are sitting on the Ashby um elementary site and the uh discussion of all that it was probably assumable um that we can move the contract to somebody else. So Nancy was going to take the lead for us and talk with
099Ashby to see what their wishes were. Um the feasibility of moving them and reusing them is probably really slim. um and the moving them on to um the community versus the school, but give them the opportunity to have some costs, but that will be up to Ashby um to give us some feedback and then we'll come back once we know a little bit more from them. So, I know that we've been consuming a lot of NY's time with the numbers. So, when she has opportunity, potentially we can put on the April um full committee meeting because we'll be meeting in finance subcommittee the week prior. Um, can I just ask we we don't know. We've had two years that we've been looking at the school closure and we don't know some of these options yet.
100>> Um, we know the options. We just don't know what the town of how they would like to proceed. So, we do have a meeting scheduled on Thursday morning to talk to um the town administrator. So should know more. >> And I think that it might be worth just reiterating for the publisher. Um the what Kim was talking about was move or transferring the contract to kind of ask um some the problem with moving the panels is we don't as discussed in the finance meeting is we don't have a roof currently put them on. Yeah. >> Um or a roof currently capable set up to do so. Um and moving the panels to be groundbased um has the issue of with on what land um do we own can we put these panels and there
101would be additional cost incursions to mount them and whatnot. It's just worth saying >> well and the technology it has changed over time since we put them in and so >> they were in 2017 was it? Yeah, 2017 installation >> the the technology has progressed. They have more efficient panels now. So the older ones are worth a bit less in terms of like what you could get for them if you say took them down and tried to sell them or something. >> Um I was going to say with the vote to officially hand the school back to Ashby taken in is it January, December, January when we take that vote? >> January. Um, what is the date that we're giving it back uh that we're actually releasing? >> I think it's the end of October.
102>> Okay. So, we have a little bit of time to figure out the PPA. >> I think October 30th is the date that >> I could remember it was 30th or 31st. >> Yeah, I think it's the 30th, which is a Friday. Friday the 30th. Any further discussion on the panels? Anything else for finance? I have to share. >> All right. Um, was there anything in your superintendent's report that you wanted to share? Your assistant superintendent? You're good. My report is good as well. All right. Now, going to the letter, the funding letter under legislative advocacy. I did send you guys a copy and um, this is just proposed. This was just me. Um, and so if anybody has any feedback, can they provide some? I did, you may have not gotten this part in
103yours and that that the I added the part that I added um we legislature too and then it's highlighted like in bold. Um, that was something that's taken from the advocacy group that they are doing. So, I didn't know if we wanted to mention that in our letter, too, to reiterate what we're advocating or our communities are advocating for us. >> I I think repeating that message will amplify it. And I think anything we can do to amplify those messages is a good thing because I like that those recommendations, you know, I I took that template and I as a an individual as myself, not as a school committee member, sent that letter to all of the Ways and Means Committee members and and you know, again, having our school committee as well as other
104school committees around the state amplifying that same message, I think can only help. >> Yeah. Um, so I I did have a couple of changes that I sent along to you. Um, I I sent it was it just a little bit more structuring to the paragraphs and then that you as chair is submitting it on behalf of the committee just so take out the we area. >> Yeah. So I I had when I sent um Sus as chair of the North Sex Regional School de school committee. I submit this letter on behalf of the committee to express strong growing concern regarding the fiscal pressures faced by the district and many regional schools across the Commonwealth. The current public education funding structure continues to place regional districts at a significant disadvantage creating increased strain on the
105communities they serve. Students in North Milk should not fear the consequences of a system that do not adequately reflect the actual cost of providing highquality education. North Milsex regional serves the communities of Ashby Towns and Piper. Over the past several years, the district has taken substantial steps to manage reoccurring budget shortfalls. These difficult decisions have included the closure of an elementary school, reductions of staff, consolidations, limitations on instructional materials and student learning resources, increased fees for student activities. Despite these measures, the district continues to face difficulty meeting essential operational obligations. Necessary maintenance of school buildings and grounds have been deferred because of available resources are insufficient to address both immediate educational needs and long-term infrastructure. Delaying the repairs obviously increases future costs and places additional pressures. The district has also relied heavily on access and
106efficiency funds develop annual budgets. While these funds provide a short stability, they were never intended to support recoccurring operating expenses. Continued reliance on one time resources is not sustainable and makes the district increasingly vulnerable. At the same time, the members of the communities of Ash Towns and Prep continue to face growing municipal pressures as they work to support educational funding alongside other essential local services. Local taxpayers have absorbed significant increases in the expectation that municipalities can continue to close the widening funding gaps without stronger state partnership is increasingly difficult to sustain under the current funding model and regional schools are asked to do more with fewer resources. Students face reduced opportunities. Educators are expected to meet rising demands under increasingly constrained conditions and communities are left to hearing carrying a disproportionate share of the financial
107budget and on behalf of the committee I respectfully urge to take meaningful action tuning in and sorry to you and this is why I don't read can't read out loud speak out loud fine read out loud fine um that those were just thoughts that I had um that I had sent over to Lisa. >> My thought would be with the input that you get from various committee members is that you ultimately as chair >> decide the letter and then we'll sign it when it's done if that's what you want all of our signatures on it. I can provide you my electronic signature >> but I wanted to give you feedback and thoughts through my lens and then let you kind of take the ball and from the side. >> Anyone else? I think we will
108reiterate the part from the advocacy group. >> I think that part can be slid in >> to what you said because I follow along on my copy and it's similar. >> It's similar. I just repositioned it a little bit. >> Yeah. Wasn't departure. >> It's not a departure from would anybody else like anything added to it or >> No, I think that covers it. >> Yeah. And I did stay away from adding numbers into it because I think that gets lost when legislators read it. Um I just think that that's a lost number kind of. It's it goes over them. I don't know what's more impactful having us all send something in individually or >> do I encourage individually as right as a community member to send it in and then >> then we send
109one as a group and I would recommend that everyone sign it and we can do the electronic copy because I think it is more impactful seeing the whole committees listed right underneath it. Um it's not just one person on the behalf of I think it speaks for our committee. So, which we can do and Robin can help set up and we can do the automatic signatures online. >> Um, Kim, would you feel comfortable sharing your letter with everybody so we can like see it rip on it if we want? Yeah. >> Yeah. I just knew that >> I couldn't send it to everybody before the meeting. I only sent it to Lisa. So, >> um, I can send it to Robin to send it everybody if that's easier. And then I can I can work
110with Robin and we can conceal every or not conceal everything. Um >> consolidate everything. Not conceal it. We're not concealing it. We're consolidating it and then we can put out a final proof to everyone because I'd like to send it out before the end of the week >> because they are going to be needing to >> and we do have the addresses and everything. Um, but I just did not include that on the draft copy and our letter head as well. So, any thoughts from anyone? Any more thoughts, any feedback? And I'll reach out to Alex and um Carla and Lisa for feedback as well. All right. I don't think we need a vote on it. Are you guys good without a vote? We'll just send it forward. All right. All right. We are doing
111really well here. Okay. Community outreach is not here. Prol. I have no updates from Prol. They are happy. Um Brad and Nancy did talk to them and they are happy with their number as are the other towns currently. Um we have no feedback from then. How about Towns and anything >> my uh >> I shared the letter in the packet. >> Okay. Yeah. Yeah. I was say my last correspondence with Valerie Goodw um as requested last meeting um is attached in the packet. as far as I'm aware, she's pleased that we're doing all we can to get our budget to be supportable by them and I think we met their benchmark. So, >> all right. Anyone else have anything anything to be added next April? Um, I'd like to uh I know um Kim had
112mentioned that if I felt better about us actually formally uh suspending DIB for this coming year, I would uh from the standpoint of it's an acknowledgement from the full school committee to the public that we understand that we are not following this policy. Um uh it it it says it is discouraged. I just again it's discouraged and not to be common practice. Um so we should acknowledge that we are not implementing it yet that we're not following it um and that it's that we understand that is what we are doing. Um we need some kind of accountability to hold ourselves that we at least know when we're um not holding true to a policy that we acknowledge it and these are the exceptions on why we're doing that. >> Otherwise our policies don't mean anything.
113>> We'll add it to next school committee meeting. >> Right. And then we'll do discussion at next school committee meeting if that's okay. >> Yes. Because follow the agenda for things. Um so I'll add it on the next one as one of our first topics to discuss and suspend and or suspend or not suspend and we'll take a vote there with that. Um and the other request that I have is um from the superintendent um on the agenda items I had requested and looking back at the agenda items he said that we had uh for the 414 um meeting um on his list was activity fees and student enrollment. Um, I'd like to request something about the declining enrollment and where we're at with um some of the information that I presented to be put
114into that if possible, something called hold harmless, which is tied to uh our enrollments uh so that we at least can get a primer on how this all ties together and what's going on with that. um in your school choice u looking at the openings um I would also like to hear about um just the rationale of going back to the school choice um how it affects the district so that everybody um the public but mainly the new members how school choice um affects the district the enrollment the numbers the funding where it comes in um kind of just do a primer on that. So what I'm understanding is just to reiterate on the 414 um revisit the activities fees >> that was something from the super >> and I think we or has us
115has some of these written down already but I just want to make sure um the declining enrollment and the hold harmless a discussion >> and then the school choice. Now, did we vote on school choice or did we suspend? >> We did not. We didn't. It was just the hearing that we had. And these are something for the 414 meeting. >> All right. Anybody else? Anything? All right. Before we adjourn, I would like to thank Nancy for her years of doing the budget. This is your last budget. Well, we hope it's our last budget of the school committee, but preparing it. Um, and you've been an asset to the district. You've kept us going and not in a bad way at all. I know that we always go through a budget cycle and you're the
116one that has been the calmst of everyone. >> It's not actually mine. It's someone who forgot their phone. So, but thank you for being the calm one, Nancy, for all of us while the rest of us are um scared and nervous about the budget going forward. So, so thank you. Anything else? Anyone? All right. >> Oh, it's at the discretion of the chair. you can say something. >> Hi, Chuck Walovich, member of the prep board. I'd like to thank Brad and Yman for their hard work the budget as well as the finance committee and the total school board. Um, this is a huge win, I think, for all the towns and for the district. Um, I I don't think the fight is over with the state. I would agree with Brad. We can't do anything
117until the state decides to fund Middle Sex. Probably Brad indicated in one of the last meetings that we had that he really needed another million and a half to put together what he feels would be an exceptional educational program for our children. I feel that it's a shame that we can't get there. Um, and that is in my opinion at the state level. Uh the analysis that that Nancy and Kevin have helped me with shows that our funding from the state has decreased in the last 10 years $3 million. Um that's a huge burden that is put on our three towns and as well as the administration to be able to bridge the gap that the towns cannot afford. Um I would urge everyone to continue your atmosphere advocacy. I can never do this. >>
118I struggle too. at the state house. Um I know I will be at every opportunity speaking on behalf of North Middle Sex, but I do want to thank everyone for their their work on this. This this is a I think it's a win for the students. I think it's a win for the district and I think it's a win for the town very rarely. >> Thank you, John. >> All right. Anyone else? >> All right. I think we can take a motion to adjurnn. So moved. >> Second. >> That was Kenan and Kim. And I unless do I have to take a roll call? I don't think so. I can just >> All right. Everyone in favor? >> Anyone oppose? Any abstensions? All right. Thank you everyone. >> Have a great night.