001Take care. >> Thank you. Good evening. The uh finance and law subcommittee should come to order. I'll start out with roll call. Mr. Vieira, >> present. >> Mrs. Shav, >> present. >> Chairman Dalo, present. First item on the agenda, we have use of facilities. See attached. Superintendent Cabraw, please. >> Yes. You have two use of facilities by an organization called Equitable. Uh Equitable provides financial investment services to our staff. We allow them to use rooms in two of our schools, Gallagan and Parker, and they pay the rental rate for the space. They do not pay for custodian, police, or fire or facility manager because it's done during the school day. >> Very good. Wishes of the committee. >> Motion to receive and place on file. >> Seconded. >> All in favor? I opposed. H eyes
002have it. Uh, next item on the agenda, we have bills payable in the amount of 1,110,994.44. I will make a revision to this bills payable. Before I do that, I'd like to open up to the committee for any questions. >> Mr. Mr. Sh, do you have anything? >> Yes, I do. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Dlo. On page one, Alli Behavioral Health number 30364 is for $22,92.50. >> Yes. Uh these are consultants that provide ABA services to our students. This is for consultants in the months of March. Uh one was March at Mahi, ABA services at Lety and ABA services at Bennett Elementary School. Uh so ABA uh they collect data on student behavior and then put together plans to help the students reduce whatever behavior it is that they're exhibiting. >> Okay. Thank
003you. The second one I have is on page three. Cash Valley Bank Trustee number 25492 for $29,461.95. >> That is the program that we use to pay our school uh athletic officials. >> Oh, okay. It's uh it's also known as aer pay which is one of the tabs on your newsletter so you can follow the schedule for all athletics at the high schools. >> Albert live. Yep. >> Okay. Thank you. And the last one I have is on page 26 number 28776 United AG turf for 3,31.90. >> That is culinary art supplies. Uh which does was mis miscellaneous supplies. It included mugs, platters, hostess stand, and floor mats. >> So, oh, I thought it was like turf like the outside fields. No. >> Oh, okay. So, culinary supplies. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you,
004Dr. >> Thank you, Mr. Shaw. Mr. Beer. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Superintendent Caball. Question. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I think I read the wrong one. You said United A and Turf. >> Yes. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I did the restaurant one. I >> Okay. >> I am so sorry. >> Okay. >> Sorry. So, United AG and Turf. That was a tractor repair to one of our John Deere tractors. I apologize. >> Okay, that makes more sense. Thank you. >> That was a lot of mugs. >> Yeah, thank you, >> Mr. Vier. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Page 11, it's voucher number 18765 in the amount of $4,125.3 electronic security control system. I think my warrant is offline with yours. >> 4,125. >> Yeah. >> Electronics. Yeah. So, that was a security camera that
005was installed at the Martin Middle School. Uh, we also had a backdoor speaker that needed to be repaired at the Ley Lety preschool. >> Okay. Thank you, Superintendent. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you, Mr. VR. Okay. So, uh, I'm going to, uh, if my colleagues will allow, I'm going to split the warrant into two. Uh, the first warrant will be in the amount of 1,18,2969. Uh, the I'm excluding a warrant in the amount of $2,784.75. And that if my colleagues will allow is for a purchase of school committee supplies for the Apple Inc. So I believe that's yeah I don't know Apple Inc. is that is that the school committee supplies Apple Inc. >> Okay. So yeah so the reason I'm excluding that is because I'm going to be voting no on that
006particular item. So the first uh motion that I should be made is for the amount of 1,18 20969. >> So move >> second. >> All in favor? I opposed. Eyes have it. The next uh warrant is for $2,784.75. Wish to the committee. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. No. Passes two to one. So that equals the total amount of warrant of 1,110,994.44. And I believe that concludes my report. the financial loss subcommittee. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Seconded. >> All in favor? >> I posted eyes. Thank you. We are adjourned. Okay, good evening everyone. Thank you for joining us. I call the meeting to order. If you could please join us in the pledge of >> allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and
007to the republic for it stands one nation indivisibley and justice for all. Oh, say can you see by the dawn early light what so proudly we held at the twilight last gleaming who brought stripes and bright stars through the perilous must fight. Or the ramparts we watch were so gallently streaming and the rockets red. The bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangled then wave or the land of the free and the home of the brave. >> Mrs. Bacon, would you lead us in the invocation? Yes. >> Lord, as we begin this session, let us acknowledge your goodness and mercy and ask your blessings on all our deliberations. We thank you for this opportunity to be of service to our community and
008to the young people entrusted to our care. And if you would please remain standing, we have a a few we few people we want to recognize in a moment of silence. The first one is Roamund L. Halfund uh lovingly known as Roz Roz. She died at age 99, was founded by her family on Wednesday, April 15th at 2026. She was a beloved wife of Israel Heftlin with whom she shared 40 74 years of marriage. Born in Taton, she spent her youth in Providence, Rhode Island before moving back to Massachusetts, living in Taton for the past 70 years. a graduate of Hope High School, class of 1944. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island and worked as a social worker for many years when whenever she could. She enjoyed
009a good game of bridge doing needle point and was talented in making ceramics. In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children. William Heflin, Lisa Hela, Lisa Beth Helen Brown, who is a guidance counselor at the Bennett School and has been a longtime guidance counselor there of Taon and Matthew A. Helen, five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and she was the grandmother of the late Miranda Brown and sister of the late Miriam Lorden. The next one is Joanne Rose who passed away on April 17, 2026. She um was the daughter of the late John Pian Angelica Mand Angelina Mandanka of Taton. A lifelong resident of Taon. She attended Taton public schools. graduated from Taton High School in 1965 and then she began her career as a legal secretary at a local law firm criminalizing
010in criminal specializing in criminal and personal law. Over the years, she continued her work for several law firms. But after many years on the legal team, she joined the TA public school system as a teaching assistant, working with fifth grade special needs students for over 25 years until her retirement. After retiring, her dedication led her back to the school department in a part-time role where she provided office support across various schools as needed. She was a devoted and valued employee throughout her career with the Taon public schools. She was deeply active in church and community. She was also involved as a troop leader with Girl Scouts. She has survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Harold Rose. She also leaves her three daughters. She survived by her grandchildren. Um, and she also leaves behind
011two sisters. And u that's that's for Joanna. The next one is Geraldine Jerry Simmons. Um, who passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026. She lived a lot a life marked by strength, resilience, faith, family, and service. Born in Boston in June of 1930, she carried a deep pride in her family roots and devoted her life to caring for others. She raised six children, endured significant personal loss, continued to move forward with grace and determination. After moving to Taton in 1983, Jerry became deeply involved in the community. She worked for many years with the Mass Office of Labor and Industries where she was known as a strong advocate of fairness, dignity, and respect. Her commitment to service also led her to elected office where she served on the Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical High School uh school
012committee and eventually became chairwoman. She was a woman of strong faith, shop wit and deep conviction. She loved her family, stood up for what she believed in and left a lasting legacy through her children, grandchildren and greatg grandandchildren and the many people whose lives she touched. Um she is also uh Elaine Heza who is Louis Laura's dear friend. That was her um that was her mother. So keep her in your thoughts and prayers. The last one is Mary Mariana Mad Maderas Rigo of Fall River. She passed away on May 26. She was the beloved beloved wife of the late Joseé Rigo born in Portugal. She immigrated to United States and became a resident of Fall River. had a strong work e worth worth work work ethic spending years as an assembler for precise packaging in
013the perfume manufacturing industry and previously worked for many years as an operator machine operator at Bay Manufacturing. Outside of her professional life, she had a lot of interest fishing, camping, taking from fun trips to the casinos, an avid soccer fan, and she had a special passion for the outdoors. She loved gardening and took pride in taking care of her plants. She survived by two sons, two daughters, and several grandchildren. She a lasting legacy of nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and several nieces. And her granddaughter uh was a Amanda Imard who was the principal of Bennett School. So, we please keep all their families in our thoughts and our prayers and we extend our sympathies to all of them. Moment of silence, please. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Fagen. Roll call whenever you're ready. >>
014Mr. Powski >> here. >> Dr. Dlo >> present. Uh, I'm sorry. >> Miss Santos is absent. I apologize. She's not here. Um, >> Mr. Laura, >> present. >> Mrs. Mullen, >> present. >> Mr. Vieira, >> present. >> Madame Chair, >> present. >> And Madame May, >> present. >> Thank you. >> Oh, I knew I said I was present. I wasn't sure. >> Are you? >> Thank you. Pursuant to Massachusetts open meeting law, this meeting is being recorded and livereamed 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 present is recording this meeting, please notify the chair now. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Mrs. Shavs. Next is approval of the minutes of April
01515th. Motion to approve the minutes of April 15, 2026. >> Second. >> Uh there's a motion and a second. If there's no discussion, all in favor? Opposed? None opposed? So voted. And we have the student advisory committee report with Isaiah Wendell. >> Thank you. As Mayor Connell said, my name is Isaiah Wendle and I am part of the Taton High School student advisory committee. This week at Taunt High School, we are continuing to move through a very busy and important time of the school year. Academically, AP testing is in full swing. Exams began this past Monday and will continue through the week ending May 14th. There's definitely a strong sense of focus in the building right now as students take on these exams. We want to wish all students the best of luck as they
016continue testing over the next couple of weeks. In addition, eighth grade MCCAST, science MCCast took place yesterday and today. Students and staff have been working hard to ensure testing continues to run smoothly and successfully. For seniors, things are starting to feel real as graduation approaches. Cap and gown distribution begin today, May 6th, and will continue tomorrow, May 7th, during lunch periods. It is an exciting milestone and a reminder that the end of the year is quickly approaching for the class of 2026. Just 14 more wakeups until our last day. Looking ahead to next week, Wednesday, May 13th, will be an early release for professional development. Students are aware and planning accordingly. And then outside of our academics, our sports teams are continuing to play well and represent Taton High School proudly this spring season. Overall,
017while this is a demanding time of the year, students are staying focused and making the most of these final weeks of the school year. Thank you for your continued support. That concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Isaiah. Always great to hear what's going on at Tan High and it certainly is an exciting time of year. Is there any public input this evening? There is no thank you. No public input. Uh so we will go to superintendent report with Superintendent Cabraw. >> Thank you, Madam May. Uh, so this will be a little mix match of me sharing some items from my report and then we have some special guests in the audience that are going to take over for me. Uh, and then I'll wrap up with some exciting news that I shared at
018city council last night that I'll share with the school board and share with the public again. So, and I'm not going to read verbatim off my superintendent report, but I'll just kind of give you some highlights. So, we held our second coffee cafe and conversation comm community cafe. This time in the Highland Street neighborhood. What was encouraging to see was that attendance has grown from a f first from the first event where families were engaged and the conversations were positive and constructive. I was really excited to see a large number of students engaged with the facilitators outside on the grounds as well as the parents who were indoors engaging with with the administration and also engaging with the school committee members who were able to attend. Uh what was also different from this event is
019our first host Tact which offers free meals to families who are in dire need of of food and meals. Uh they asked to join the second cafe and we thought that was a great idea. So we encouraged them to attend. So they'll be joining our third cafe which will be held at Deep Pond in East Taton and we're also going to invite Manet Health and there may be some other community agencies. So again, our model of trying to bring the support to the families in the community where they're at is starting to gain momentum. So I only see this getting bigger and bigger o bigger and bigger over the years. And then I'll skip to uh DECA. So really excited uh to share with you that we want to recognize the DECA high school students
020who earned the 2026 emerging leader leader award. This award recognizes students who have maintained strong academic performance while also completing coursework in areas such as marketing, business, finance, entrepreneurship or hospitality. It's another example of our students connecting academic achievement with realworld career readiness. And I think it would be only be appropriate if we recognize them by their names. So the students who are being recognized are Madison Andrews, Braden Bleno, Antonio Brandau, Molly Brennan, Maline Cabraw, Caline Dwi, Leela Eugene, Daniel Fris, Logan Gallinger, Shelby German, Julia Lurie, D Roza, Jeffrey Mad, Dylan Maderas, Lean Mora, Moyen Arabi, Andrew Pepin, and Melissa Torino. Those are the outstanding students who are being recognized. Now to go on to unfortunately because DECA has been traveling all over the United States in Massachusetts, they weren't able to join us this
021evening. But I would like to call at this time uh to the po to the podium uh Jackie Francisco, the director of our per of our uh not performing arts, director of our >> fine arts. Thank you. Okay, good evening everyone. My name is Francisco and I am the proud and I am the proud uh curriculum supervisor for visual arts for the Taton public schools. Tonight I would like to celebrate the accomplishment of two of our Taton High School artists. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have been a remarkable uh a remarkable way to celebrate the arts across uh middle schools and high schools for many many years. And founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are the nation's longestrunn and most prestigious recognition program for creative teenagers across America and a significant
022source of scholarships for young artists and writers. In 1994, the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers was established as a nonprofit organization to administer the awards. The awards boast an impressive roster of past winners including Andy Warhol, Sylvia Pla, Truman Capot, Richard Avdon, Robert Redford, and Joyce Carol Oats. The competition begins at the regional level, which is where our students were awarded, where students can receive awards including honorable mention, silver key, gold key, and the American visions award with gold key submissions then advancing to national level judging. All works are judged on originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Uh thousands of pieces are submitted across our region uh from every single school system um within our region. And so our two students that we are celebrating tonight went up
023against literally thousands of submissions. The Taton Public Schools community is proud to recognize these two talented young artists who have earned the Silver Key awards in the 2026 Scholastic Art and Writing Award competition. Kiier Wapensky, I'll ask Kiara to come on up. A 12th grader, come on. A 12th grader at Taton High School was honored with a silver key for her digital painting entitled Exit Sign. It's It's there on the right. Uh Kiara's work demonstrates a strong command of digital media and a distinctive creative vision that set her work apart among competitors from across the region. We congratulate Kiara on this well-deserved recognition as she prepares to conclude her time at Taton High School. So Kiara, I have two things for you this evening. One is recognition from the school committee. And there we go.
024Cara, take a look. And the second piece is actually the actual silver key that the National Scholastic Art and Writing people send to each student that gains recognition at the silver level. So you can see there's a pin there, right? And you can you can keep that. Okay. So I'm going to have you hold on to this and we're going to call up Madison. Okay. All right. Stay here with me. Okay. You're not leaving yet. Uh we're also proud to recognize Maddie Alden. Madison Alden, an 11th grader who received a silver key for her illustration of Balloon Dog on the left. Madison's work reflects a playful yet skillful approach to illustration, showcasing both her technical ability and her emerging artistic voice. With one more year ahead of her at Taton High School, this award is
025a wonderful testament to her talent and a promising sign of great things to come. Uh, one great thing to come is Maddie and I are also working on the mural together at the child care center at Taton High School. So, congratulations to Maddie. Come on up, Maddie. Congratulations. >> So, this is Maddie's certificate from the school committee of recognition. Thank you. And then this is your silver key recognition from Scholastic Art and Writing. As you can see, your key is right there. Okay. All right. So now I'm going to ask you both to take a walk around the horseshoe on the inside. Don't trip on the wires so you can shake hands with the school committee. Sound good? >> All right, go to it. >> Pleasure to meet you. Continued success. intellect Good job. Thank
026you, Mrs. Francisco. And next, I'd like to invite to the podium uh is it still Sarah Gibson? >> Like I'd like to invite Sarah Gibson to the podium to uh present our next citations and cover the next portion of my superintendence report. >> Congratulations. Okay. So, there's only one student in here. The other two students, um, one's at an away softball game and one, no surprise to anyone, is on a plane. And there's a ground stop at Logan. So, he's going to get in pretty late tonight. But, um, the three students, Samuel, Android, Ashlin Hebert, and Logan Rebella, were a team of, uh, three students that participated in a, uh, curriculum and competition called ProStart, which is through the National Restaurant Association. And there are two facets to the competition. One is culinary. We our
027school didn't compete in that this year. Um but the they competed in the restaurant management portion. And so they create a a proposal. So a 32-page proposal of a unique restaurant concept that they come up with with um a concept um marketing operations interior design um two posters, a floor plan. They take pictures. They create all the food. take pictures of the food and then they present it to a panel of um 24 esteemed judges um at the state level. Then they made it to nationals and um 24 hours after my wedding in Baltimore um they did a 20-minute presentation and they came in 15th in the nation. So they did and they were they were praised very highly for their um you know quick thinking. They're all super charismatic, very good speakers, and so
028they did a they did an excellent excellent job creating their um talking about their restaurant concept they called Sauce 22, which is a barbecue restaurant. So, um Sam, if you want to come up here and be recognized and then you know Ashlin and Logan are not here, but I have that you want to go around. Thank you. Congratulations. Good job. by >> do you have further announcements in your report? >> Oh, I sorry I got caught up in the action. M super proud of our students. The last thing I just want to highlight as I discussed yesterday is Governor Healey as part of her administration's goal to create additional chapter 74 seats. Uh they're committing hund00 million to chapter 74 expansion. $70 million will be awarded this year and $30 million will be awarded next
029year. Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending the press conference that was held at Asabet Valley Regional High School, and I was proud to learn that Taton High School submitted a grant in the amount of $1.5 million. I was disappointed to learn that we only received $1.1 million of our request. It's the largest grant that the Tom Public Schools has received that I that I'm aware of. And the uh the grant will allow us to purchase industry standard equipment for our construction craft labor program. Bulldozers, front loaders, um lifts, and equipment that I can't even begin to pronounce. It'll allow us to build a steel frame uh structure that the students can train indoors to learn how to do some trenching and how to and how to do uh digging with the front load
030equipment. And more importantly, it'll it'll allow another 30 to 40 students the opportunity to participate in the program. So I'm super proud of the administration at the high school, the chapter 74 program, Tim Clark who wrote the grant, a dollar tongue, microposa, it was a very proud day to be a tonian. So I just want that that concludes my report. >> Congratulations to you, you and your team. >> And then we have I think a brief update on the Senate Ways and Means budget rather. >> So I I know majority of the members were at the city council meeting last night. So not a lot has changed as far as the house ways and means budget. So the numbers did not change. The only thing that changed with the house ways and means budget is
031instead of u local aid I should say per pupil aid for each student was increased from uh $60 I believe from $60 $75 to $160 per student. We already exceed that threshold. So we were not impacted at all. So the numbers that I presented in April did not change at all as far as the bottom line goes. Uh I did uh analyze the two budget priorities that I believe one was Mr. Palowski and the other was Mr. Vieiraa. Uh it's it was in your packet as an addendum. So the what the strategic budget priority to provide universal transportation to all assigned neighborhood schools. This is really an impact on Taton High School. Uh there are currently 578 students who do not have access to transportation to Taton High School. We currently have a fleet of
03249 buses. Uh we we anticipate that in order to transport those 578 students, we would require an additional 10 buses. So when you do the daily rate of $694 per bus for 180 days for 10 buses, that would come to an additional budget request in addition to our budget of almost $1.25 million. So again, uh that's that is something that if the committee wished to add to our budget that we could um reduce our budget by $1.2 million if this is something the committee wished uh for us to do. But I would preface by saying that Bloom Bus Company would lead would need at least a year to acquire the additional buses if this is something the committee wanted us to pursue. So uh again that was the first priority. The second priority was to
033provide a summer program to all our high need students. So we have a high needs population of about 68% students. So that would mean about 3,630 students of who are elementary and middle school age. High school focuses on credit recovery based on students who fail. We run class sizes typically between 12 and 15 students. So we would need an approxim in order to have class sizes of 12 to 15, we would need to hire 242 teachers for the summer and we would need 121 assistants. The program typically runs five hours a day, three days per week and runs five weeks during the summer. Based on the calculations of the current contractual rates, our teachers are paid contractually $37 an hour. So that would cost uh just over $670,000. And our educational assistance, we use the
034average uh we use step eight, which is $29 per hour. We would need about 121 educational assistance and that would be a almost it would be $263,000. So you're looking at 934,000 if we were to offer all offer and again doesn't mean every student's going to participate, but if we were to offer uh summer programming to all our students for five weeks, it' be an additional $900,000. And as discussed during the budget priority meeting, you know, we this program does not pro does not create funding or provide us with additional funding. This is something that would have to come out of our operational budget if the committee wished to pursue this. >> And at the next meeting, Mrs. Hoy will provide an update on what we're doing this summer for summer programming. >> Okay. Thank
035you, Superintendent Caprell. >> Okay. If there's no further discussion on that, we'll move on. And then I I will just um advise everybody that the Senate budget did come out on Tuesday and they will be um debating their budget in a couple weeks. >> Yep. And then the the our last meeting will be our last meeting regarding the budget will be June 3rd. That'll be the budget hearing and that'll be posted and that'll be advertised and that and that will be an opportunity for the public to re on our budget before we make our final decision. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. On to G administrative business staffing report. Motion to receive and place on file. >> Second. >> Motion second. All those in favor? >> Opposed? None opposed? So voted. >> There's also uh a
036staffing Taton public school staffing update and Taton public schools April enrollment update. >> Same same procedure for both those items. Mayor >> second on that >> motion and second. All those in favor? Opposed? None opposed. So vote it. And number four is a field trip request. >> This is I believe is the uh final request as this is the final request, Mr. Bro, because we're 60 days out. Uh so the committee took action at the last meeting on the 90-day request. So we're 60 days out. We're looking for final approval on the trip to uh London. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion and second. If there's no further discussion, all those in favor? >> Opposed? None opposed. So voted subcommittee reports. Joint labor management. Mrs. Fagan, >> the joint labor management uh committee
037met on April the 13th this year with myself and Mr. um De'arra and are present. This is just to go over concerns that the teachers had, the teachers union and um so what they were concerned about, what they had is as their thing was some concern with school brains, which is one of the school uh computer programs we use. I think they're starting to find it a little tedious. Is that my my understanding of it, Mr. Cabell, and yours? Very tedious to use that program? >> Yeah, it's it's probably dated and it's probably something that we need to look at as a committee. Yeah, it's it's very dated program and they feel that they can do better with it. There was also questions about behavior particularly among younger students who are who it seems that
038they were saying it seems that the younger ones come in and they they're already not really behaving well as far as their um their use of language and everything. Another uh in and the age of the students kind of confounded the teachers. It says, you know, you seem to used to see that in older students, but it has gotten down into the lower grades. They're concerned with the report cards that they also have to be updated because of the grading that the way they do it and parents having difficulty understanding it. They asked us to look over that. They felt that they might need in any building particularly in the therapeutic learning programs. they were looking for perhaps maybe an extra supervisor to have some conversations relating to that because they felt that those those
039students almost need needed their own assistant principal in that program. So the next the last thing was a discussion on wipes which is the big buckets they have to wash so they can wash their hands in the classroom so they clean them off. Apparently they go through a lot of wipes right Mr. Cabraw and >> excuse me >> they've already been >> and they've been audited. So if you want to see what the bucket looks like there's one in Mr. Cabraw's office and so we referred all this to administration but you know we listened listened attentively to their issues and we know that some of these are issues we've heard before and we're doing the best we can to address them. >> That is my report. >> All right. Thank you. >> Motion to accept
040the report as presented. >> Second. >> Motion and second. All those in favor? Opposed? None opposed. So voted. Curriculum and instruction. Miss Santos is not here. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you, Madam Mayor. >> The latest curriculum and instruction subcommittee meeting took place on Thursday, April 16th. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. In attendance were subcommittee members Mrs. Carrie Mullen and Mrs. Donna Shavez, Mr. Chris Barata, Miss Carolyn Bleno, Mr. Dr. John Harrison, and Miss Tracy Minagra also present. The first item on the agenda was a discussion of Edwin analytics which is a DESIE report on post-secary data. This discussion was an extension of a previous curriculum instruction meeting. Dr. Harris and Miss Bleno reviewed the history and summary of data which was not covered in the Taton public school postsecary
041retention rates but data on advanced placement courses as well. This also led to a discussion about how these programs advanced placement, early college, and mass co mass core are all integral programs that are meant to better prepare students for post-secary work. In regards to early college and advanced placement, we had an open discussion about the open enrollment policy, meaning that students do not have to meet any specific criteria to participate in these programs. We discussed this as an equity and access issue, but we also discussed any possible implications of this policy like setting students up for failure with no prerequisites. We also discussed open we also discussed opening up postsecary pathways for students that do not participate in these programs and Dr. Harrison and Miss Bleno many of the assignments or how they are framed
042are also incorporated into college level and honors courses. While we did begin to discuss early college, the next curriculum and instruction meeting will be solely focused on that program. So, there'll be more information forthcoming. The second item on the agenda was about equitable grading. There have been teachers and curriculum supervisors that took part in a book study as well as research on equitable grading. An important question that guided this was what is a what is a grade supposed to represent? Right now, it is being piloted by some educators in the math department. Miss Manard stated that this happened mostly because of a roll out of the illustrious math and some difficulty students face with adjusting to that transition. Participation at this point is completely voluntary. It's important to note that educators still have autonomy over
043grading practices. Some of the policies that are being piloted are lowering how impactful homework is on the students overall grade. The pilot calls to keep homework assessment to 30% or lower. There is also an option for allowing late work and retaking tests. There is no limit to how many times this can occur, but Miss Manard made it clear that they actively work with the students on what they may have missed, teach it again, and then retest again. While we focus specifically on the math department, they all made it clear that this is being practiced across different departments. The meeting adjourned at 5:59 p.m. Thank you. >> Motion to accept the report as presented. Second motion and second. All those in favor? I opposed. None opposed. So voted. High school subcommittee, Mr. Vieira. >> Thank you,
044Madame Mayor. The high school subcommittee met on Monday, May 4th, 2026, 1 p.m. at Joseph Martin presentation room. In attendance was myself, uh, Mrs. Fagan, Superintendent Cabral, Assistant Superintendent Chris Barado, Principal John Harrison, Educator Chris Leil, Dalah Hadung, our CCT co-ep department chair, and Gregory Westber, our Taton High School uh student presenter. So, a copy of the presentation is was left for everybody um to review. So, uh Mr. Westberg opened the meeting by sharing his personal background and passion for robotics. He will be attending Purdue University next year. He started the robotics um club that we have now his sophomore year. The discussion um was to explore the development of a comprehensive robotics engineering pathway at Taton High School. The discussion seted on expanding current student capability from assembling and coding to full-scale fabrication and
045applied engineering. There is a clear growing student demand for engineering opportunities and the district risks losing students to vocational pathways if this is not addressed. The proposed model includes a sequence 4-year program aligned to industry standards supported by partnerships such as AET labs and anchored by dedicated engineering space. Initial startup costs are manageable 30,000 but long-term visions require significant capital investments um up to a million dollars uh in advanced equipment. The timing is strong, interest is high, and leadership feedback support uh is to move forward. Next steps would include refining the program's design, identifying funding sources, and developing a phased implementation plan. The meeting adjourned at 1:49. And that concludes my report. >> Motion to accept the report. >> Second. >> Motion and second. All those in favor? >> I and opposed. So voted hi
046uh excuse me quick. >> Oh, excuse me. Yes. >> Oh, that's okay. This this young man was unbelievable. He came in so professional. He was in a a you know a suit and tie and everything. I couldn't believe how well spoken he was and he did all the work for the for the administration who was he he found everything. He looked at the different companies. He looked at what they had, who had the best things, and he said he can't wait to come back here and help to to institute the whole process. But he was very very excited about what he loved, and it's nice to see that kids because of the opportunities we afforded them are doing things they love. So, he was unbelievable. So, thank you for that. >> Fantastic. Finance and law.
047Mr. uh Dr. Dlo. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh the finance and law subcommittee met on May 5th at 4 pm consisting of committee members Mr. Vieira, Mrs. Shaz, and myself as chair. Uh also in attendance with superintendent Cabraw. Uh I believe in nine years. I believe this is the first meeting we had a really really great uh discussion as far as a closeout that was done uh in a way that we could talk deliberate because it was a public meeting and the superintendent presented us with a closeout spending plan. Uh we have a remaining balance of just over $2.5 million. We have some revenues in approximately $112,000 still to come in. So the total appropriation revenue balance is just under $2.7 million. Let me repeat that. $2.7 million. Our spending plan that was approved by
048the subcommittee consists of prepaying out of district tuition in uh an amount of approximately 1.5 million. A uh curriculum purchase uh for three years of approximately $700,000 and Chromebook purchase uh to either equip our elementary or middle schools in the amount of $300,000. Also part of that uh some committee members mentioned uh some uh some constructive criticism uh around payroll and the difficulty that's happening right now in the payroll with outdated Excel sheets. So we're going to look at that and other and other things that was discussed. So the meeting was very productive in my nine years. Again this is really great that we were able to come together and after all that we'll still have approximately $200,000 as a remaining balance. So hats off to the superintendent, the finance team, and of course all
049our committee members uh for being on target and uh being in the black. So that concludes my report. >> Okay. Thank you. Is there a motion to accept? >> Motion to accept. >> Second. >> Motion and second. All those in favor? >> Opposed? None opposed? So voted. Committee of the whole, Mrs. Shaws. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. The school committee along with members of the leadership team met with the Taton City Council last night, May 5th, 2026 to present the preliminary FY27 school department budget. The presentation began at 7:32 p.m. along with city council members. Attendees included Christine Fagan, Dr. Dr. Greg Dlo, Louis Laura, Carrie Mullen, and myself, along with members of the leadership team, Superintendent John Cabraw, Assistant Superintendent Chris Barata, Shannon Turner, director of human resources, and Amy Monahan, director of special
050education services. The superintendent delivered a comprehensive and thoughtful presentation of the upcoming school budget with a clear focus on stability and continuity. The proposed The proposal included no staff layoffs layoffs or program cuts reflecting a strong commitment to maintaining support for student staff and the overall quality of education while being fiscally responsible. The presentation and questions ended at 8:22. And that concludes my report. >> Motion to accept the report. >> Second. >> Motion. >> And without remark, if I may. >> Motion and second on discussion. uh the wonderful job that our superintendent did before the city council. Mutual respect from both sides. Uh it was a tremendous uh event. >> Great. >> Very very good to hear. Thank you, Mayor. >> Dr. Also, mayor, thank you so much. Uh as school committee members, we usually
051receive the calls that you don't want to have, which are complaints. I actually received a text and a phone call and I know some of the committee members also did about the presentation that was presented last night. our our city uh is is very proud of us, I think, on the leadership uh that we have enabled the superintendent to lead us in a great great position that we're in uh as a gateway city because that was mentioned quite a few times. So, it's not just a gateway city, it's how we manage the money. So, well done. Thank you. >> Okay. Excellent. Thank you. >> So, oh, motion second to accept the report. All those in favor? Opposed? None opposed? So, voted. High school subcommittee, Mr. Vieiraa. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. The high school subcommittee
052met today, May 6, 215 Harrison Street, Tom Mass at 4:45 p.m. Subcommittee is myself, Dr. Gregory Dlo, Mrs. Christine Fagan. Also in attendance was Superintendent Cabraw, and assistant superintendent Chris Barado. And our uh principal of Taton Alternative High School, Bert Delaney. The topic of discussion was the Taton Alternative High School school improvement plan. So Taton Alternative High School plays a very important role in our district. Taton Alternative High School is our credit recovery high school and it provides students with another pathway to graduate when the traditional path has not worked for them. Since 2013, students have earned their diploma through Taton Alternative High School, underscoring the value and impact of this program for our students and families. Totten Alternative High School serves a small and often challenging student population, but the work is very personal
053and student centered. These are students who need support, structure, flexibility, and adults who continue to believe in them. Principal Delaney and his staff are focused on building relationships, closely monitoring student progress, and helping students understand that graduation is still within reach. The school improvement plan focused on two major areas: attendance and graduation. On attendance, the school is showing positive progress. Student attendance has improved from 83.4% 4% FY24 to 88.5% in FY25 and 90.7% in FY26. At the same time, chronic absenteeism has decreased from 66.4% to 54.6 and now 46.7. There is still work to do, but this is meaningful progress and shows that school strategies are having an impact. The school will continue to review attendance regularly, create student specific attendance plans, meet with students and families, and provide makeup opportunities outside of the school
054day. The second major focus is graduation. Totten Alternative High School has already improved its graduation rate from 83 to 86% continued goal of increasing it further. The school is doing this by reviewing each student's graduation status, creating individual graduation plans, meeting with families, and providing additional credit recovery opportunities. Overall, the high school subcommittee appreciated the plan's clear focus. This is about not giving up on students. It's about meeting students where they are, helping them get back on track, and making sure they have a real opportunity to earn a diploma. Taton Alternative High School continues to be an important part of our district's commitment to every student having a pathway to success. That concludes my report. >> Okay. >> Motion to accept the report. Second. >> Motion and second. All those in favor? I opposed. None
055opposed. So voted. And then lastly, we have finance and law. Dr. Dlo. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh the finance and law subcommittee met earlier this evening at 5:45 p.m. consisting of members Mr. Vieier, Mrs. Shaw, and myself as chair. The first item on the agenda was a use of facilities summary. Uh two items appear for an organization called Equitable. Uh we uh charged them rental fees. Uh and the reason we did just rental fees because it happened during the school day. So there were no custodians or other facility managers involved. Uh the motion passed unanimously to accept the report. And next up we had a bills payable in the amount of 1,110,944. Both colleagues Mr. Vier and Mrs. Shaz had a few questions concerning the warrant. Superintendent Cabraw was able to answer them and we
056were satisfied. I did however uh pull out of the warrant one item and we vote had two votes taken. So if my committee members will allow me uh the first motion was to approve the warrant in the amount of 1,18,2969. Uh the three of us voting to accept and pay that warrant. The second motion was to pay a a subw warrant in the amount of $2,784.75 and that was for an item that appeared on page two and three for Apple computers for school committee supplies. Uh and that was voted in favor 2 to one. I voted no and that concludes my report. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Motion to accept the report and adopt the recommendations of the finance and last subcommittee. >> Second on that >> motion and second. All those in favor? I
057>> opposed. None opposed. So voted. There is no new business. Um we just have the action item update under unfinished business. I'm not sure if we need to do anything with that. >> Just have some great news to report. Uh we can remove item dated 82625. Uh Taton Girls Youth Softball League received two AED devices last Friday. So they had them ready to be used for opening day on Saturday. >> Okay. >> Motion uh to remove the item from the action item. Second >> motion and second. All those in favor? Opposed? None opposed. So voted. >> And we will go to K. If somebody could make the motion as written. >> Thank you, Mr. Vieira. >> Thank you, madam man. Motion to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to contract negotiations with
058non-UN personnel pursuant to exception two general law chapter 38 subsection 21A2 and to reconvene an open session on a roll call vote >> motion second to go in executive session on a roll call vote >> Mr. Powski >> yes >> Dr. Dlo >> yes >> Mrs. Fagan votes yes uh Mr. Laura. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mullen. >> Yes. >> Mr. Vieira. >> Yes. >> Madame Chair. >> Yes. >> Mayor Okonnell, >> you going in? >> Motion passes. Yes, I am going in. >> All right. All right. We'll Okay, you guys ready? >> We are. >> Okay, we are back in open session and I would like to report that no votes were taken in executive session and there are no press here this evening. So, if we can get a motion to adjurnn. >> Second
059motion >> to back to reconvene. >> Yep. >> Roll call. A roll call, please. >> Motion second on a roll call. >> I'm sorry. >> Mr. Powski. >> Yes. >> Dr. Dlo. >> Yes. >> Um, Mrs. Fagen both. Mr. Laura. >> Yes. >> Miss Mullen. >> Yes. >> Mr. and Madam Chair and Mayor O. Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you everyone. Have a good night. >> Thank you.