001Finance and law subcommittee will come to order. Attendance, Dr. DeMello. >> Present. >> Mrs. Shaw's. >> Present. >> Chairman Vierra is present. First item on the agenda, students activities request. Superintendent Cabral. >> Thank you, Mr. Vierra. So, in your packet you you you will see a list of expenses and the reimbursement that the high school is seeking for expenses incurred dating back to March 25th all the way through June 1st. And the replenishment request is in the amount of $9,443. As you can see, a lot of it is student related in particular to to the junior prom and to the senior prom. >> Questions, comments from the subcommittee. >> No. >> I hear hear >> Motion to accept. And is this a payment of $9,000 >> To replenish >> replenish the $9,443.00. >> Okay, the
002chair will second second them. >> Second on the roll call, please. >> Okay, Dr. DeMello. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shaw's. >> Yes. >> Chair votes yes. Motion passes three nothing. Okay, item two, disposal of surplus textbooks. Superintendent Cabral. >> Thank you, Mr. Vierra. So, as part of our work to go through the materials at Hamilton Street, we've we've already declared furniture surplus. Uh Mr. Barada, working with the librarian staff of the district, have identified textbooks that that they've deemed that the librarians have deemed not serviceable or not functional for the town public schools, and we've declared all the following items surplus. >> Motion to disposal of the surplus materials as presented. >> Okay, the chair will second the motion. So, we uh motion made and second, we have a box of 50 bucks, 21. Um
003all these items are are poor and in damaged condition. Any comments, questions from the subcommittee? Okay, hearing none, on a roll call. Dr. DeMello. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shaw. >> Yes. >> Chair votes yes, motion passes 3-0. Okay, item number three, special education expenses, see attached. Superintendent Cabral, if you could. >> So, as we've done in the past uh on a monthly basis, you have charges for the months uh July through March of '26 and for April. So, through July 1st through March of '26, uh legal expenses totaled $76,915.84. For the month of April, we were assessed legal fees on the student service side and also the special education side of the district in the amount of $12,277.50, bringing our yearly total to $89,193.34. So, as you can see, uh we have substantially gone over
004budget on the special education side. However, um there have been a lot of items that we've had to involve legal counsel related to student matters and also matters related to special education. >> Mrs. Shaw. >> Just a question. So, are we just approving the April charges or the entire charges? >> Uh the So, everything through March has been approved. It's the April charges of $12,277.50. >> Okay, so I'll make a motion to approve um payment for the charges for service renders for April 2026 in the amount of $12,277.50. >> Second. >> Okay, motion made and second, on discussion. Hearing none, on a roll call vote, Dr. DeMello. >> Yes. >> Mr. Shabs? >> Yes. >> Chair votes yes, motion passes three to nothing. Item number four, Coaching for Change. >> Thank you, Mr. Viera. Uh
005same process as we've used in the past. Uh Coaching for Change, uh we budgeted $51,000 for the fiscal for the fiscal year. Uh for May, they provided us with services totaling $2,657.16. Year-to-date, we have spent $40,243.96. Uh we still have a balance of fiscal 26 in the amount of $10,759.04. >> I make a motion that we pay for services rendered for Coaching for Change for May in the amount of $2,657.16 based on the list of services they have provided to us. >> Second. >> Okay, motion made and seconded. Discussion, questions, comments. Okay, hearing none, on a roll call vote, Dr. DeMello. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shabs? >> Yes. >> The chair votes yes, motion passes three to nothing. Okay, item number five, bills payable. Bills payable in the amount of $2,998,000 uh and $929.72. Wishes
006of the committee subcommittee. >> Approval on discussion of the amount listed. I don't have it at the end of my list. >> Second. >> Okay, motion made and seconded. On discussion, Mrs. Shabs. >> Okay, so the first thing I have is on page one, the Asser Financial Leaf Capital Funding LLC for instructional technology, $189,252.59. >> Uh that >> was a payment for Chromebooks for one of the grades that we discussed during our spend out plan. >> Okay. The second one I had was on page eight. Home Depot maintenance of building supplies $2,430.72 >> On which page? >> Page eight. >> Mine is different. >> Yeah, yours are different. Um number three >> Sorry, I found it's $2,430. Uh so that was maintenance of building supplies for Thornton High School and for Chamberlain. I don't have
007the specific items that were purchased. One was for maintenance of grounds, so that would have been purchases for the groundskeepers, and the other would have been for Thornton High School. Most likely for Thornton High School. Usually when we're making purchases from Home Depot, it's usually for Mr. Turgeon and the students in the in the shop. Construction craft labor, sorry. >> The next one I have is page 10. DBT in school LLC professional development outside provider for $26,490 >> That was professional development training and that was held on May 12th and May 13th. And DBT, that acronym, Mr. Barada, a little assistance, please. >> Dialectical behavior therapy. It's evidence-based uh practices. We're talking uh allowing or promoting students to use their words to express their feelings in a positive manner. >> What what school or what
008teachers were attending this? >> That's actually district-wide, so it'd be school counselors, uh school adjustment counselors, social workers that are attached to the reset rooms. And that would be work overseen by Dr. Watt and her department. >> Okay. Thank you. Um the next one I had was page 16, Hewlett Packard Financial Services for $338,667.10. >> That was another purchase for Chromebooks for I believe this was the grade nine Chromebook purchase. >> Grade nine? And the last one I have is um page 21. It started on 20, McGraw Hill LLC for $749,513.04. >> Yeah. That was a three-year purchase of the Wonders curriculum that we discussed during our FY26 spend out meeting. >> Yes. Yeah, and that's what you said, a three-year contract. >> That'll I believe that'll get us to fiscal 30. >> And that's
009K or K through 12? >> K through six. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Chairperson. I'm all set. >> Thank you, Mrs. Shavs. Dr. DeMello? >> I have nothing. >> All right. And my questions were all answered through Mrs. Shavs' list. So, if there's no further comment or questions, on a roll call vote, Dr. DeMello? >> Yes, in the amount stated. >> Mrs. Shavs? >> Yes. >> Chair votes yes. Motion passes three to nothing. So, there's no other business, a motion to adjourn would be in order. >> Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> Okay. On a roll call vote, Dr. DeMello? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shavs? >> Yes. >> Chair votes yes. We are adjourned. Thank you, everybody. >> Thank you. again. Good evening and welcome to the second regular June meeting of the Taunton School
010Committee, Wednesday, June 17th, 2026. Please stand. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Oh, say can you the dawn's early what so proudly we at the twilight's last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? >> Lord, as we begin this session, let us acknowledge your goodness and mercy and ask your blessings on all our deliberations. We thank
011you for this opportunity to be of service to our community and to the young people entrusted to our care. If you could please remain standing, I have an obituary to read. This is for Paul J. Fairbanks, um who recently died, passed away on March 30th at his home in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts. He was 83 years old. After courageous battle with Parkinson's disease, he was born in Cambridge, later lived in California and Colorado, and he settled in Dartmouth, South Dartmouth in 1987. Paul was the husband of Diane C. Borges Fairbanks, who is a retired math teacher from Taunton High School and the son of the late George and Mary Sylvia Fairbanks grew up in Taunton, Massachusetts, graduated from Taunton High, earning a bachelor's degree from Bridgewater State University, a master's degree from Southern Illinois University, and
012a doctorate of mathematics from the University of Northern Colorado. He began his professional career teaching in Long Island before he decided to join the Air Force. And during his 20-year military career, he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He courageously served in Vietnam and while flying many combat missions aboard B-52 bombers, he was shot down and rescued. In recognition of his service and sacrifice, he received the Meritorious Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Purple Heart, along with other with numerous other medals. During his military career, in addition to time serving combat in Vietnam, he taught mathematics at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, ending his career at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. Following his time in the Air Force, Paul devoted nearly 30 years to Bridgewater State University as a professor of mathematics,
013bringing discipline, clarity, and a deep respect for learning to generations of students. He shared for 42 years of devoted marriage with his wife Diane living in South Dartmouth, survived by his stepchildren, Eric Drouin and Stephanie Drouin Bennett, and his step-grandchildren, Emma and Brian Drouin. He was predeceased by his grandson Zeke Drouin. He is also survived by his sister, Rosemary Geary of California, predeceased by brothers Douglas, George, Harold, and Albert Fenwick. He's also survived by his sister-in-law, Judy Tremblay, and her late husband, Philip. Rita Borges and his wife, Bernadette, and sister-in-law, Frances Fairbanks, as well as several nieces and nephews. If his life wasn't busy enough, he did find time in enjoying playing golf, sailing, walking, reading, and spending time at home with Diane in the company of family and friends. He was an avid golfer,
014had a wonderful sense of humor, and a very quick wit. He was generous and loved making people laugh, even when enduring many years of Parkinson's disease. He continued to have his sense of humor. He carried himself with a steady sense of duty and devotion to the people and pursuits he held dear. He will be His funeral will He will be buried, excuse me, with military honors on September 2nd, 2026 at 1:15 at the Massachusetts National Cemetery Bourne, in Bourne. And memories um donation as memory can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research. We We have Please have a moment of silence and keep a keep in our prayers his beloved family. Thank you. >> Mr. Shaw is here. >> Okay. Roll call, please. Okay. Mr. Polansky? >> Present. >> Mrs. Fagan
015is present. Mrs. Mullen? >> Present. >> Mr. Vieira? >> Present. >> Dr. DeMello? >> Present. >> Mr. Laura? >> Present. >> Did you say present? >> Yes. >> And Melissa Santos is absent. Oh, and I'm sorry. How do I get you? Chairwoman, Mrs. Shaw. I apologize. >> I'm present. Thank you. Pursuant to Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, this meeting is being recorded and live streamed via YouTube. The recording will be made available to the public on YouTube via a link on the district website as soon as practical. I also ask if anyone else is present and is recording this meeting, please notify the chair now. No one is present, so we move forward. First thing on the agenda is approval of the minutes for June 3rd, 2026. >> Motion to approve the minutes from the June
0163rd meeting. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. Mr. Polansky? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fagan votes yes. Mrs. Mullen? >> Yes. >> Mr. Vieira? >> Yes. >> Dr. DeMello? >> Yes. >> Mr. Laura? >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Shaw? >> Yes. >> Um is there any public input tonight? >> There is not. >> No public input. Okay, on to you Mr. Garol for the Superintendent's Report. >> Uh thank you, Madam Chair. So at one, it's with great honor that I provide you with the last Superintendent's Report for fiscal 26, as this is our last meeting for the school year. >> Yay. >> So we'll see you in fiscal 27. So I'm very excited uh to to point out, and I'm sure many of you have heard, that I would like to congratulate Taunton High School junior
017Bella Baugh on being named the 2025-2026 Gatorade Massachusetts Softball Player of the Year. This prestigious honor recognizes athletic excellence, academic achievement, and character. Bella helped lead the Tigers to their sixth straight state championship, Division One I may add, after adding another outstanding season in which she batted .589, which means she got on base six out of 10 times. She had 34 RBIs, she scored 42 runs, and had 22 extra base hits through 21 games. She is a three-time state champion, actually four-time state champion, a two-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic selection, and has committed to continue her academic and athletic career at the University of South Carolina, which is a Division One school. Equally impressive, Bella maintains a 4.61 GPA and volunteers with the Taunton Girls Softball League, helping inspire the next generation of student athletes. Congratulations
018to Bella on this outstanding and well-deserved recognition, and I also want to take this moment to recognize the outstanding Lady Tigers who captured their sixth straight uh Division One state championship, the 11th in the program's history, uh with an 11-8 victory over Attleboro, which was also, I heard, the highest-scoring uh Division One softball state championship in MIA history. And we look forward to bringing the the Lady Tigers before us, and we look forward to celebrating their sixth Division One state championship sometime in July, and I will keep the committee uh updated. And I do know that the team and the coaches, they really appreciated seeing the school board members and the uh school officials who were able to attend and support them along this run. It really did help bring the city and the community
019together. So, I'd also like to talk about and recognize that Taunton Public Schools were completing, as part of our the part of our strategic initiative in an area identified in my evaluation, how to develop a stronger sense of belonging, and we are participating in DESE's Belonging Fellowship. So, I am pleased to recognize that the Taunton Public Schools team that completed the Bridges to Belonging Leadership Fellowship offered through DESE and Equity Imperative. The year-long fellowship focused on strengthening relationships with our caregivers, improving two-way communication, supporting shared decision-making, and creating more meaningful family engagement opportunities. Their work directly aligns with priority four of our strategic plan, stakeholder engagement. I want to thank our participating staff and for their commitment to building stronger partnerships with families and helping to ensure caregivers are active partners in the success of
020our students and our schools. And a special shout-out to Director of Student Services Stephanie Hoye, who was leading that work, as this work involves many Zoom meetings, but it also means uh several trips to Everett uh to meet at the at the DESE uh campus. I'd also like to uh state that we had our third uh coffee and conversation in East Taunton. This one was very, very well attended on June 4th. The Taunton Public Schools hosted our third coffee and conversation event of the year at Dighton Farms and Stables in East Taunton. The event brought together families, students, staff, and community members for an evening of conversation and connection. We were especially pleased to see our strongest multilingual family participation to date with interpreter services utilized in Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Haitian Creole
021French. This event reinforced the importance of bringing outreach directly into neighborhoods and creating welcoming spaces where all families can participate fully. Thank you to Dighton Farms Stables, our staff, volunteers, interpreters, and families for making this a wonderful event. And if everyone whoever's available tomorrow, we have our final uh coffee and conversation uh tomorrow at And I believe we are going, Mr. Barada, to Hopewell Park under the pavilion. Thank you, Chris. And that'll be our final at 5:00. And And actually, what we'll have on display uh during the Coffee and Conversation is we we have welcomed all the neighbors who live along Hamilton Street. We've invited them to the Coffee and Conversation so that they can have an opportunity to meet Principal Byron, some of his staff members, some of Mr. Byron's student ambassadors, and also
022get to see the rendering that Mr. Block is in the process of developing that will be placed on the outside of the school. So, we're we're very excited to be to be welcomed into that neighborhood and to welcome the neighborhood to to the Taunton Public Schools. And then last but not least, I'm really excited. You may have noticed those of you watching from home, and I'm sure the board has noticed that was as part of our new strategic plan, we also revamped our logo. So, I'm pleased to share that the Taunton Public Schools logo, which is on display on the banners hanging in front of you, has received an award of excellence from the National School Public Relations Association. The logo was designed by Taunton High School Graphic Arts teacher Matt Block, and was introduced
023alongside our new strategic plan. The national recognition highlights the creativity, quality, and talent that exists within our own district. Matt's design reflects the student journey in the Taunton Public Schools and has helped establish a cohesive visual identity across our schools and district communications. Congratulations to Matt on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you all for helping to create a symbol that reflects the pride, purpose, and belonging of the Taunton Public Schools. With that, that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Superintendent Cabral. Uh next matter of business is administrative business. First thing on the agenda is staffing report. Back to you, Mr. Cabral. >> Uh just providing the committee with an update on our staffing report. Uh just normal professional staff that have been hired, uh staff that are that are on leave, and staff that have
024resigned or retired. And everyone who's retired has received a personal card uh from me, a and also a letter from the school department. >> You usually make a motion? >> Would be appropriate motion to receive and place on file. >> Yes, so moved. >> Second. >> Under roll call. >> Roll call. >> Oh. Sorry. >> Mr. Plouski? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fagan votes yes. Mrs. Mullen? >> Yes. >> Mr. Vierra? >> Yes. >> Dr. DeMello? Mrs. Mr. Laura? And Chairwoman Chaves? >> Yes. Okay, second thing under administrative business 2026-2027 school committee planner. See enclosure. >> So, it's hard to believe we're already planning for the next school year. So, I just wanted to provide the committee after meeting with Mrs. Chaves, uh excuse me, Chairperson Chaves and Secretary Fagan, we've identified the presentations that we
025will have before the school committee. We also have some open dates. Uh I do want to note for the July, uh as was in the memo that you received a couple meetings ago, uh we're going to be meeting on the second and fourth Wednesday Thursday Wednesday in July, and then the first and third Wednesday of August. And that'll keep us on our 2-week cadence, and it won't back us up against the 4th of July week, which a lot of family a lot of staff take vacations, and it's also um usually very difficult for us to get a packet out on time. So, you can anticipate receiving that school committee packet on the 6th of July because of the because of the holiday weekend. And again, uh if there are any issues or any conflicts, please
026let me know. I did speak with the chair of the high school subcommittee and the high school the chair of the elementary subcommittee to make sure that we would follow the same schedule with having the school improvement plans held before our regular school committee meetings. They felt that that seemed to work. So again, if you have any questions, please let me know. And what's important for the committee to note for the summer months is I would I'm personally inviting all the school board members to our retreat on August 13th and 14th at the Cove in Fall River. If you can spend any time, you're more than welcome. You simply want to come down and join us for lunch, that's fine. You want to participate in one or both days, you are more than welcome to
027attend. And again, so I graciously invite you to to attend that retreat with with 70 plus administrators. And then the other piece of that of note is we need to make I'll be polling the committee in the near future about our first retreat for the school year. I blocked off the 23rd and the 30th. So depending on which day we have the best attendance, we'll schedule our retreat. The first one to kick off the school year on the 23rd or the 30th. And that will focus on the work that the rules sub-committee has been conducting and will be conducting with the Massachusetts Association School Committees on the policy update. So they plan to review that with you and we could possibly also use that time to establish some school committee goals. And again, if you
028have any questions, please feel free to reach out. And then you'll also notice in November that we have the MASC annual conference. Please note that the MASC annual conference this year will not be held in Hyannis, it'll be held in Danvers. So Mrs. Devine will be reaching out to you shortly to see if you're interested in attending one or all of the days. And then we'll have our second retreat on January 27th. That'll be a mid-year check-in and that'll be a focus on governance, how is the board working together as a as a cohesive group. And then on the 14th of April, we'll have our budget workshop. And then on June 23rd, if all goes well, that'll be our end of the year retreat. And again, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach
029out. And the most up-to-date version is on the school committee newsletter that I created on the site because if you'll notice on August, there's a typo on August. The week of the 16th, I omitted the 19th. So please you'll get a clean copy on the site's website. >> Mr. Verrilli, did you have a question? >> Um I I I did, but I can ask the superintendent later. >> Okay. so I mean >> It I mean for the interest of transparency, are we going to have a speaker at the retreat in August? Do we know that yet? >> I If anybody was going to join us in August, it'd probably be a representative for MASC to help review the policy work that the rules subcommittee has worked on. >> Okay, makes sense. Thank you, superintendent. Thank
030you, Madam Chair. >> Okay. >> And then >> Yeah. >> I can't really hear him. Um Dr. DeMello? >> Thank you. My only other concern is especially with blood antigens. Um What exactly is that? >> Can't hear him. >> Can't Can't make Can't make out what you're saying, Dr. DeMello. You're in and out. >> You're actually frozen. It's actually frozen. No, we can't hear him. Um >> So if anyone has any questions regarding the plan of please feel free to reach out. And again, it's a it's a draft and as we did with this year's planner, things things do move around. >> And Superintendent Cabral, um we haven't heard back from MASC yet, though. >> I have not heard back from MASC yet. >> So we have sent them an email requesting that they be
031part of the um looking at our suggestions for changes, but we haven't heard back for the rules. And then that one will start to present you guys what we've recommended for changes and bring it to the committee as a whole. Um is there a motion to accept and place on file? >> Motion to accept and place on file. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. For the agenda. >> Mr. Polowsky? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fagan votes yes. Mrs. Mallon? >> Yes. >> Mr. Vieira? >> Yes. >> I don't know if they can hear us. Dr. DeMello? No. Mr. Laura? Can't hear us. And >> I heard her. >> You heard her say Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Okay, next on the agenda is the Reads Collaborative Quarterly Report and Board Meeting Schedule see enclosure back to
032Superintendent Cabral. >> Yeah, just for informational purposes as you as you you're aware you voted me to continue serving as a board member just sharing with you the quarterly report that Reads shares with me as a board member. The appropriate action would be to receive and place on file. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Vote the minutes. All those in favor now? >> Yes. >> Got it. Good. Mr. Ploski? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tegan votes yes. Mrs. Mullen? >> Yes. >> Mr. Viera? >> Yes. >> Dr. DeMello? >> Yes. >> And Mr. Laura? >> Yes. >> Okay, and Madam Chair? >> Yes. Um the fourth thing on the agenda is the South Coast Educational Collaborative Financial Review Report see enclosure back to Superintendent Cabral. >> Again, same procedure as the previous. This is informational purposes
033from the South Coast Educational Collaborative in which I serve as a board member just sharing the quarterly report with the committee. >> Motion to receive and place on file. >> Second. Um >> Roll call. >> Mr. Ploski? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Tegan votes yes. Mrs. Mullen? >> Yes. >> Mr. Viera? >> Yes. >> Dr. DeMello? >> Yes. >> Mr. Laura? >> Yes. >> And Madam Chair? >> Yes. >> Okay, next on the agenda is the subcommittee reports. The first one is Curriculum and Instruction and I have Miss Santos' report. So, Curriculum Instruction Subcommittee Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. Meeting was called to order at 1:01 p.m. In attendance was um was Miss Santos, myself, Mrs. Mullen, Chris Barada, Carolyn Blunoe, Dr. John Harrison, Greg Gay, um Jillian Licetti, um Early College coordinator, early college specialist, Ms.
034Jennifer Nolan, and Ms. Samendo, and Ms. Soares, two early college students. This was a type of meeting that necessitated active participation, so all my notes will be focused more on capturing the themes of the conversation. For specific early college information, I would ask that the public and the committee members to review the packet that was made available on TPS website. However, there were two important updates that I want to include. The first is that TPS has earned early college designation with UMass Dartmouth. These courses are primarily focused on earning credits in pre-medical and pre-nursing pathways. Therefore, those participating would be ju- will be juniors or seniors. The second update is the early college pathways with Bristol Community College, specifically with a change to course offerings for the ninth graders. Previously, these participants were able to
035partake in a variety of liberal arts courses, but as Ms. Bleno stated, it was overwhelmingly as far as workload. So, they now have one course option, CAS 103, Career Exploration and Discovery. The purpose of this course is to provide a student with an introductory look at what being in college means. This will hopefully give them a solid foundation that will help them better succeed in the academic courses in their sophomore year. Much of our discus- discussion was de- deservedly centered on Ms. Adelza Samedo and Ms. Jayla Soares. They were finishing off their second their sophomore year at THS, and they had already completed four early college courses through BCC. They were also enrolled in the intersession course, Personal Finance, with Endicott College. They each spoke openly about some of the anxieties they faced when first
036entering the early college experience. However, they faced anxiety head-on and have been exceptional students balancing between a high school and a college student. They spoke extensively about the importance of all the resources they are provided not only by Ms. Luchetti, but also by Ms. Nolan. Ms. Nolan carries the title of academic tutor, but once she explained to us the amount of support she provides these early college students, you can understand why these students have been so successful. The adoption of these embedded tutors is a new feature of the early college program and they are a conduit between the professor and the students. She helps them with technology issues, academic issues, and honestly with mental and emotional support as well. The students also discussed how much they've learned about what it means to be a college
037student and the expectations of the college environment, which will help them transition into a regular college work once they graduate from THS. As an educator, I can say that after our brief meeting with Ms. Semento and Ms. Soares, would be a dream student in any class. These young women poised, enthusiastic, and helped support how important these programs are. I want to note that they were both ESL students because Ms. Luchetti stated that they had wanted to encourage more ESL students to participate in early college. This speaks to their commitment to engaging all students to challenging themselves academically and mentally. Ms. Shaw did suggest working with Superintendent Cabral to schedule an early college presentation sometimes in the fall so the rest of the committee could hear firsthand how these programs have benefited our students. The meeting
038adjourned at 1:41 p.m. And I just like to add that of all of the presentations that I've seen, it was one of the best presentations I had ever seen and I was so proud of the work that the high school and the leadership team and the school committee have done in putting these programs into place because it was outstanding and maybe Ms. Mullen would like to add something to it. >> Yeah, I I would say as a parent, I was beyond impressed and I wish that I had known about this earlier on. Um so I I think it's a tremendous opportunity for our students and I applaud the superintendent and all involved in this. It really was a fabulous presentation. >> So, oh, you want to add to >> So, one, I want to personally
039apologize to the curriculum sub committee for not attending yesterday's meeting. So, I apologize for not being there. But, um Mrs. Mullen don't feel bad cuz I think this is only year two or year three that we've had the early college center. But, it it's it's building a lot of momentum. It's gaining a lot of traction. I the data was very impressive. I think when I did the when I analyzed it real quick, one out of eight high school students, so 2,900 students or 2,700 students, one out of eight participating in early college. And when the program the program is fully established, you're probably looking at one out of four. So, that's going to be a huge game changer and we're already setting some lofty goals with Dr. Harrison for next year as far as students
040applying to college. I want to see that number increase because I believe when more students apply to college and they realize that college is accessible, college is attainable, that we'll see higher attending rates as well. >> I just wanted to note too, these these students are getting college credit, which was really important and they talked about the financial implication of their families and being able to come out with all of these credits for free. And so, it it's a game changer. We asked them whether or not they had thought about college before this. One had and one hadn't really considered it. So, it was a big push for them to be able to take the courses and come out with a lot of college courses and I we did ask about their GPA. So, whatever
041they get in the course, it corresponds to a grade on their Tottenville transcript. So, >> As an AP, though, I think, right? >> or yes, cuz I had asked about the weight. Yeah. >> Yeah, so that's it's even better. >> Yeah, so it gets weighted for them. So, it was it was all positive across the board. >> working on scheduling that presentation. >> Yes, I do I really want you guys to see it because it was I was so excited when I left. I think it would be important. It made us proud to see what we're doing and what we're what opportunities we're providing for our students. And I want parents at home to be able to see it because as Mrs. Mullen said, I don't think a lot of people may have know about
042this and I think having a presentation at the school committee would be able to put out the word to everybody. So, thank you. I need a motion to place on file. >> So, moved to place on file. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Polowsky? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fagan votes yes. Mrs. Mullen? >> Yes. >> Mr. Vieira? >> Yes. >> Dr. DeMello? Mr. Laura? >> Yes. >> And um Madam Chair. >> Yes, thank you. The next on the agenda is the rules subcommittee report. The rules did not meet due to conflicts with um other things that were going on yesterday. So, that's that meeting will be rescheduled. Um so, the next thing we'd go on to finance and law subcommittee and um Mr. Vieira is going to give that report. >> Thank you, Madam
043Chair. The finance and law subcommittee met today, June 17th, 2026 5:45 p.m. In attendance was myself, Dr. DeMello, Mrs. Chaves, Superintendent Cabral, and Assistant Superintendent Bravo. First item on the agenda was the student activities request. Um there was a motion made to replenish the student activities account in the amount of $9,443. Uh the expenses were mostly based around um junior and senior prom. The motion passed 3-0. Second item on the agenda was disposal of surplus textbooks. Um there there was a host of uh textbooks that were in uh fair to poor condition. Uh motion was made to dispose of them in accordance with TPS policy and procedure. That motion passed three nothing. Third item on the agenda was special education expenses. There was a bill in the amount of $12,217.50 for the month of May.
044That was also approved unanimously by the subcommittee. Item four was Coaching for Change. We had expenses and receipts that were provided the services that Coaching for Change gave the district in the month of May. And again, that amount was $2,657.16. Motion to approve um passed three nothing. And the final item was item five, bills payable in the amount of $2,998,929.07. 72 cents, excuse me. Questions were asked and answered by the superintendent. And motion passed three nothing. That concludes my report. >> Motion to approve. >> Place on file. >> And place on file. >> Second. >> Mr. Polansky. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Vagan votes yes. Mrs. Mullen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Viera. >> Yes. >> Dr. DeMello. >> Yes. >> Um Mr. Laura. >> Yes. >> And Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Viera,
045for that report. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Next on the agenda is new business. Um this is a letter regarding Martin Middle School Speech and Debate Club. And I always love it when we have nice letters. So, dear members of the School Committee and School Administration, I'm writing to express my sincere appreciation for the Speech and Debate Program at Martin Middle School and the tremendous impact it has had on my daughter, Ava, during her seventh grade year. When Ava first joined the program, she was unsure whether public speaking was something she could successfully take on. Like many middle school students, the idea of standing in front of an audience and presenting her thoughts was intimidating. However, through the guidance, encouragement, and opportunities provided by this program and Ms. Dealy, she's steadily developed the confidence
046to challenge herself and grow beyond her comfort zone. Over the course of the year, I watched Ava transform from a hesitant participant into a poised and confident speaker. More importantly, she gained a sense of pride in her accomplishments and learned first first hand the hard work, preparation, and perseverance led to success. The skills she developed extended far beyond public speaking. She learned how to organize her thoughts, communicate effectively, think critically, and present herself with confidence. Ava learned the importance of shaking hands, looking others in the eye, and carrying herself professionally. All skills that will benefit benefit her throughout high school, college, and her future career. One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience has been seeing Ava recognize the connections between effort and achievement. Through her participation, she discovered that academic success is not
047simply about grades, but about developing the confidence to share ideas, advocate for herself, and engage thoughtfully with others. Programs like speech and debate provide students with opportunities that cannot always be replicated in a traditional classroom setting. They help students discover strengths they may not have realized they possessed while fostering confidence, leadership, communication skills, and personal growth. These experience experiences contribute significantly to the well-rounded education that our schools strive to provide. The impact of being surrounded by like-minded peers outside of the classroom cannot be overstated. The program provided Ava with a community of students who share her interests, challenge her to grow, and encourage her to push herself academically and socially. I am incredibly grateful to the educators, advisors, and administrators who make this program possible. Their dedication has created an environment where students can challenge
048themselves, build confidence, and celebrate their achievements. Thank you for your continued support of opportunities that enrich the educational experience of our students. The positive impact this program has had on Ava and undoubtedly many other students is truly invaluable. Sincerely, Tanya Miller, parent of Ava Miller, Martin Middle School, grade seven. And I just want to say that I met Ava at our awards ceremony. And what the mother described is is just the tip of the iceberg about what a poised and outstanding student she was. I had a long conversation about about this program, and I can tell you she she can sell it. This is really a wonderful program. So, I'd like to make sure that we recognize Mr. Daley and the entire program by the school committee. >> So, if someone would make a motion
049to authorize me to send Mr. Daley a letter regarding the communication, I'd be happy to do so. On behalf of the committee. >> Make that motion for the superintendent to send a letter to Mr. Daley. I will say I was so impressed with those kids and their handshakes, their eye contact. I mean, I know business people that don't present themselves that well. So, kudos to them. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Polansky. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fagan votes yes. Mrs. Mullen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vieira. >> Yes. >> Dr. DeMello. Mr. Laura. Madam Chair. >> Yes. Motion passes. So, next one is unfinished business, action item update back to you, Superintendent Cabral. >> No action items at this time. >> Okay. What's it? Motion to adjourn would
050be in order. >> Motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor. Oh, roll call. Mr. Polansky. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Fagan votes yes. Mr. Smullen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Viera. >> Yes. >> Dr. DeMello. Uh and Mr. Laura. >> I don't think they can hear us. >> Yeah. >> Oh, there we go. There we are. >> Madam Chair. >> Yes. Okay, meeting is adjourned. Everybody have a good night.