Taunton School Committee...April 1st, 2026 (LIVE BROADCAST)

001Uh good evening. The Finance and Law Subcommittee shall come to order. I'll start out with roll call. Mr. Vieira. Present. Uh Mr. Shavs. >> Present. >> Chairman DeMello, present. Uh first item on the agenda, we have Taunton High School student activity request, see attached. Uh this appears to be a replenishing of the Taunton High School Superintendent. Anything you want to add on this? >> No, Dr. DeMello, you uh pretty much summarized it. It's just a typical replenishment request we receive from the high school this time of year. I anticipate you'll be seeing several more as we approach prom season. Motion to receive and place on file. Seconded. All in favor. >> I. Opposed, the eyes have it. Thank you so much. Next item, we have the Coaching for Change, uh see attached. Okay. Just to

002provide you with the uh memo uh regarding where we are budget-wise. We budgeted $51,000 for fiscal '26. Uh this statement uh we were charged $6,700 and $6,707.16, which year-to-date we have spent $30,878.64, leaving a balance of $13,414.20. And we will not exceed the $51,000 that was contracted. And just want to make the the Finance and Law Subcommittee aware, and we'll talk about this next week at our budget hearing that we did meet with Coaching for Change today to talk about fiscal '27 and programming. We have a budget hearing next week. The 8th, yeah, April. Okay. Okay, got you. Thank you. Okay, thank you, Superintendent. Uh wishes of the committee? >> Motion to receive and place on file. Seconded. >> All in favor. I. Opposed, the eyes have it. Next up, we have the penice penny

003policy. This is uh interesting. Yeah, so this the and again, I apologize uh for addressing this on behalf of Super Assistant Superintendent Morningstar, who couldn't be with us this evening. But the city of Taunton, uh because of the penny shortage and regarding transactions involving pennies, uh they're going to be implementing the following pol- Do you have it in your packet, guys? Yes, we do. Thank you. No, we have something. Just making sure you have it over here. All right, just making sure. So, you'll notice how they're going to be rounding uh the pennies or rounding the dollars down and up when it comes to certain amounts. So, this is just what the city is implementing, and I wanted to make sure that the committee was aware. This will impact the school store at the high

004school. This will impact uh Tiger Den. This will impact the food truck. And I don't anticipate there are any other I don't think there are many other programs in the city in the school department where people are making purchases that would require change. Okay. Great, wonderful. Uh motion to receive and place on file would be appropriate. >> So moved. Seconded. All in favor. >> I. Opposed, the eyes have it. Thank you. Next up, we have special education expense {slash} service, see attached. Superintendent? Yep, as requested at the last meeting, we reached out to uh Lyons uh Law Group for the uh fees for December, January, and February. So, we're we were right around the $7,900 that I we projected that we would be spending for the remaining of the year. So, unfortunately, as of now,

005we are 13,000 over budget with the months of March, April, May, and June to go. So, I haven't had a chance to analyze the student services legal fees with the labor management uh labor the law fees to see how far we're over budget, cuz we did budget $100,000 between the two of them. >> [clears throat] >> Wishes of the committee? Um motion to receive and place on file. Discussion. Is there a second? >> Second. Second on discussion, Mr. Vieira. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It We we budgeted 50,000, we're at 63. Do we know how we're going to pay for it, Superintendent? Yeah, so right now uh we're you're probably due for a quarter three uh budget update. So, we will we will have lines in we will have lines that are in a surplus right

006now. And usually when I we come to the committee in April and make requests to use some of the surplus in the lines that have a surplus to offset lines in a deficit. But I also think it would be as I mentioned at the last meeting, uh I haven't had a chance to connect with Dr. DeMello yet to schedule a fiscal '26 spend-out meeting where we can discuss uh where we're sitting at right as of now uh to close out the year. We do have a surplus as as of now and put together a spending plan uh that we can prioritize as we've projected the uh so I don't anticipate this being a major issue, cuz we are sitting on a surplus. And we also do have an another uh pool of reserves that we

007uh are required we may or may not be required to spend for the You remember last year when we had the students staying at the Holiday Inn, the state reimbursed us. So, right now I'm appealing to the state to allow us to carry those funds over in the fiscal '27 and fiscal '28. Uh if not, they're saying we have to spend it in fiscal '26. So, we're sitting on a we're sitting on a decent surplus to carry us throughout the course of the year. But I don't anticipate a $13,000 over legal being a major issue. But again, I I'd prefer to meet with the committee lay out where we are year-to-date and propose to you a spending plan moving forward as we close out fiscal '26. We're in a very healthy position. Thank you, Superintendent.

008Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Vieira. Mr. Shavs. Thank you, Dr. DeMello. When we look at this for next year, are we going to increase the amount so we are closer to I mean, I know it's hard to predict because it depends on how many kids are in special ed and what kind of things come forward for We can we can adjust the line we when you look at the line item budget, which we'll talk more about at the budget workshop. We are budgeting $100,000 again. Uh but the other thing to keep in mind is we don't we're not negotiating any contracts next year. So, I anticipate the labor side to be really low, which should keep us within the ballpark if the student side goes high. So, I think $100,000 is a good

009place to start. >> Okay. Great. >> Thank you, Dr. DeMello. If I may, uh I have a a problem with this. Uh first and foremost, um if we add up the December uh services rendered, that would put us at 48,173.34. Once you kick in January and February, that's an additional 15,203.50. And since we've only budgeted 50,000, I would make a recommendation that we only pay the December uh warrant and take away from the full warrant 15,203.50 because as we just heard, we don't have any allocation for that above-budget cost right now. We are going to talk about a spending plan and how we're going to move line items. So, and this is what happens when you don't get bills on time. Unfortunately, uh I mean, I I hate to say it. I mean, you know,

010you're getting bills from December, January, and February, and today's April 1st. No fault of the school department. Uh you know, whoever the person that's giving us the bills, you know, shame on them. So, because we don't have more than $50,000 allocated, I would recommend that we only approve in the final warrant uh the amount of December and exclude January and February for 15,203.50, and then deal with that once we reconvene and find out where we can move money from one line to the other. That would be my recommendation. So, the motion was made to what? Just Just accept the report. To accept the report? Yeah. Okay, so we're not actually voting on this until we get to the final warrant. >> Okay. Motion made and seconded. All in favor. I. I. Uh opposed, the eyes

011have it. Thank you. Next up, we have a Stoneman, Chandler and Miller, LLP rate change. Uh just want to make the committee aware uh that Stoneman, Chandler, Miller, which provides us with uh labor legal services, uh they're increasing their fee for fiscal effective July 1st, 2026 from $240 to $250. Wishes of the committee? >> Motion to receive and place on file. Seconded. Uh so, there's no vote taken, they're just increasing it's we're just accepting the increase, is that correct? Mhm. Okay. I think it's still a great rate. Thank you. So, all in favor. I. Opposed, the eyes have it. And last item, we have bills payable in the amount of 983,000 uh $74.75. At this time, I would like to split out uh some items. Uh first and foremost, we have a colleague that has

012a uh conflict of interest uh that would like to split out the amount of $1,740 that appears on page >> 20. I'm sorry. Page 20. Page 20, and that is voucher number uh voucher number 27020. 27020. No. Uh 26 Voucher number. Okay, I'm sorry. 27020. [clears throat] Correct? Yes. I'm sorry, you're right. Yes. In the amount of 1740, so that would that would reduce the total warrant from 983,074.75 to 981,334.75. And additionally, I also uh as I just brought up, would like to uh split out 15,203.50, which is the amount due for uh January and February to Lyons Law Group, and uh in this case, make the warrant 966,131.25. So, let's think about this. Can I have your calculator, Mr. Vieira? Oh, certainly, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. I done these numbers, but I need to

013do them again. So, that's 5.75 minus 20.50 967,872.25. Um So, the first motion in order would be bills payable in the amount of 966 132 25 25 cents I should say. What that means is the 966 132 25 would exclude the voucher number just presented in the amount of 1740 and the two items which appear on page 15 let's see. There's a lot of numbers here. What are these? Page 17. Page 17 would be the two POs the two well, it's on the one voucher. So the items 73 88.40 and 78 15.10. So that would make the bills payable warrant the amount of 966 132 25. What are the wishes of the committee? Motion um to pay the bills in the amount stated. That excludes your wish. Then we can come back to the others.

014Um I'd like to have a discussion. I I'm I'm not sure why we're not going to pay them for their January and February. I mean they've given us the services they've been rendered. I think in good faith we should pay them. I mean I know that it's it is extended the amount that we budgeted but I had I had also talked to to Superintendent Cabral about the concerns about it being over but he did say that it was a hundred thousand for our legal services and we haven't we haven't extended that yet. Right but the if I may there there's two line items. One is for the negotiation part which is still going >> and the other one is for Lyons. >> Well if at the very least I think then we should pay them

015up to 50,000 because that's what we budgeted at this point. Well I I I arrived at that number because the way the bills came in for the month of December that's how I arrived at the number excluding the January and February bills. If I may? Yes Superintendent. So we do have lines that are in deficit in the budget and we are paying vendors out of those lines in deficit and we again we have lines that are in a surplus. I would just I'd say I mean we we're sit as of the last budget update I received from Susan Bullock and Teresa Raphael we're sitting on a seven figure surplus to close out the year. So I'm very confident we can absorb the 13,000 dollars that we're over on legal fees but I'll give you a

016better detail when we have our close out meeting. So my recommendation would be that we pay our attorneys who have provided the services. They honored your request and provided you with the bills that was that was missing. So I think in good faith we pay them and I'll I'll show you where we are as we plan to close out the year. We're in we're in a very healthy position thanks to the trust and the work of this committee. >> Sure. I appreciate that Superintendent. All I'm doing right now is the is eliminating two items. One is Mrs. Shaw's conflict and the two outstanding invoices for January and February from the Lyons Law Group. I will come back to those two items and the committee will decide if they want to pay them. I I thought

017it was important that we separate them out because I don't agree with you. We have a 50,000 dollar amount allocated and we are presently at 63,000 376 84 and you said yourself until we actually can move stuff around and we know what we're moving because that's our duty right? That's our duty as school committee members budget. I think that's important. So once again the motion on the floor it's on discussion is that correct Mrs. Shaw? >> Yes so the amount that you're giving us to can I be correct it is less um the the conflict of interest and this these two. And the two invoices in the amount of 15,20350 which are the invoices for January and February. And you're going to pull each of these out to vote on them separately. And I'm going

018to bring them back yes correct. >> then So just to repeat the motion the motion is to approve the warrant amount of 966,132 dollars and 25 cents. Okay so All in favor? I. I. Opposed? Eyes have it two no. Uh next up we have the amount of 1740 motion to approve would be in order. Motion to approve in the amount stated. Second. All in favor? I. Opposed? Present. Two yes one present. The motion passes. And the last item is the motion to approve the amount of 15,203 dollars and 50 cents. Motion to approve the amount said. Second. All in favor? I. No opposed. So that motion fails. Zero two okay. And I guess that concludes the finance and law motion to adjourn will be in order. Motion to adjourn. Seconded. All in favor? Opposed eyes

019have it. I'm sorry we are adjourned. Thank you. >> It's all set. Okay, thanks. All right. Uh good evening, everyone. Thank you for joining us. I call the meeting to order. If you could please join us in the pledge and remain standing for the national anthem. 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. >> [singing] [singing] >> All right, Mrs. Fagan, would you lead 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 to the young people entrusted to our care. And if you could

020please remain standing, we've got a couple of obituaries here uh that I'd like to just have a moment for silence of for these people later. Uh first one on Anna Medeiros. >> [clears throat] >> Anna was born in Dighton, the daughter of the late Matthew and Annie DeCosta Goulart um Goulart. She retired from the city of Taunton having worked in the cafeteria at Taunton High School um up till 2004. She was a Taunton High graduate of the class of 1954. Affectually known as Tootsie, she was lovingly called Ginga by those who loved her the most. Lived a life devoted to serving others. She spent many years serving the children of Taunton through her work at Taunton High School and E. Poole School. And in later years, brightened many days greeting customers and sharing samples at

021Costco, working there until the age of 84. She was incredibly hard working even for while working for full-time for the city of Taunton, she always held an additional part-time [clears throat] job because she truly loved working, not just for the work itself, but the opportunity to meet people and connect with them. In her spare time, she Anna cherished being with her family above all else. Also enjoyed playing bingo and attending Triad meetings where she found friendship and community. And let's not forget her famous rice pudding. Selfless, compassionate, loving, and generous, she was the heart matriarch of her family. She always put the needs of her family first. She is survived by her loving children, uh a daughter and a son, and she also had a son who had passed away earlier. Um she was the

022grandmother of Scott Flannery, um and several other grandchildren, a great grandmother also, and she was the sister of David Goulart, Richard Goulart, and many others. And so please keep this family in your thoughts and in your prayers. Next person is Jeannette McPhail. Um Jeannette was the mother of Jesse T. McPhail, who is a DECA head of the DECA program at Taunton High School, and two two other daughters, Margot and Molly, three grandsons, and and a granddaughter. She took pride that she was able to successfully raise three well-educated children by herself. She especially loved her animals and walks on Duxbury beach teaching children how to make a Duxbury duck for their gardens, and I'll explain to you in a minute what that is. She was a hairdresser by trade, worked in Stoughton for Arnold Hair Styles

023and Cut and Curl Beauty Salon and owned the Capri Salon in Abington. She later worked in Pembroke, Mass. at the Crown and Glory Beauty Salon. She also owned the Hanover Consignment Shop at the Four Corners in Hanover. Later enjoyed working at Good Health Natural Food in Hanover, Mass. and Holmestead Senior Care. This woman kept herself very busy. But this is the nicest thing out of this. As a remembrance, Jeannette invites you to take a simple walk before dusk on a warm summer evening at Powder Point Bridge in Duxbury to cross over to the beach and make a Duxbury duck out of two triangle-shaped rocks while enjoying the beautiful sunset. It is a heavenly place to visit and that is where she'll be smiling. So please keep her in our thoughts and prayers and our our

024sympathies go out to Jesse who's does a great job for the city of Taunton. And the last one, this is this one really touched me. Anthony Mosher and I don't know how many on this committee remember Paul Mosher. He was the principal over at Chamberlain Elementary School. That's how I knew him. So this has been a while. This young man was born um 1982, his son, and died this past March 2026. So he's a young man. And they wrote the most beautiful obituary for him, but he said his they said his life again uh fighting against cancer at his fight against cancer ended on March 13th. But his end wasn't what is important, it's the way he lived his life. And he's been described as a superhero who didn't crash into Earth like a meteor,

025wasn't bitten by a spider. He wasn't avenging a great wrong, but even without a beginning that included fireworks and car chases, he became the sort of hero no one will forget. As his obituary goes on, it talks about all the friends that were in his life, all the people that became very dear to him. He was a very athletic young man. He had a wife and uh three children. And um he everywhere he went, he met more people. They all consider their selves themselves heroes and his heroine was his wife and his children. He is survived by his parents, Patricia Mosher, who's married to Ted Rogers, and Paul Mosher, who's married to Mary Strub. His um survived by nephews and nieces and so on. And predeceased by grandparents, Phil and Ann Scott and Cosmo Mosher

026and Uncle Steve Scott. And they concluded the thing his his obituary with while we are devastated that we won't see Anthony every day, I think he would tell us that we don't need to project a sing signal in the sky to remember him. His strength and humor live on in his wife and children and the good that he did in the short time he was here on Earth. So this was very touching to me. I I just think I I feel very badly for this family for losing this child so young. So if we could all have a moment of silence for all of them and keep them in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much. Thank you, Mrs. Fagan. Yep. And one last responsibility, roll call. Mr. Palowsky. Present. Dr. DeMello. >> Present.

027Here we go, going on the phone again. Miss Santos. >> Present. Mrs. Fagan is present. Mr. Laura. Present. Mrs. Mullen. Present. Mr. Vieira? >> Present. Council, I mean, I'm sorry, council. School Committee Chairman, Donna Schobel? Present. And Mayor O'Connell. Present. Thank you. All right. Thank you. >> to Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, this meeting is being recorded and live-streamed via on local cable. The recording will be made available to the public on Taunton Educational Network as soon as practical. I also ask if anyone is present and is recording to please notify the chair now. And no one is present. Thank you. All right. You're welcome. Uh next on the agenda is approval of the minutes from March 18th. Madam Mayor, motion to approve the um minutes as so called. Second. Motion and second to approve the

028minutes. If there's no discussion, all those in favor? Aye. Opposed? None opposed, so voted. And Isaiah Wendell is here to deliver the Student Advisory Committee reports. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. As Mayor O'Connell said, my name is Isaiah Wendell and I'm part of the Taunton High School Student Advisory Committee. I'll start with a few updates from Taunton High School. As we continue to progress through the spring, things in the building are definitely picking up. Students are staying focused as we get closer to the end of the year, and there's a noticeable push right now to stay on track academically. Report card grades will be closing on Friday, April 10th. So, students are making sure they are getting their work in and finishing the term strong. With AP exams right around the corner, students are starting

029to lock in and prepare for those exams. And at the same time, seniors are getting excited as graduation approaches and they get ready to walk across that stage. It's a busy time, but there's a sense of motivation in the building to finish the year the right way. In terms of testing, our eighth grade students completed their ELA MCAS over the past 2 days. They took the test yesterday and today. And from what I've heard, things went smoothly. Attendance rate for this year for students MCAS was 97%. Um a typical year would be roughly 90%. It's great to see these students taking this assessment seriously and putting in their best effort. Something new and pretty exciting we're doing MCAS this year is a student incentive focused on responsibility and readiness. Students who show up on time

030with their Chromebooks fully charged and ready to go for testing are entered into a raffle for prizes. It's a great way to encourage students to come prepared and ready to do their best. Outside of academics, spring sports are in full swing. It's great to see everyone excited about their games. As Mr. Cabral always says, you know it's that time of year when you drive around the high school and you see everyone using the fields and spaces that we are so fortunate to have. Thanks to all of your support. And that concludes my student advisory report. Thank you. Thank you, Isaiah. Hard to believe it's already April and we've only got a few more months left. All right. Doesn't appear that there's any public input tonight, so we will go to F, which is the preliminary

031FY27 budget. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Jacques. So, good evening, everyone. Thank you for this opportunity to present what I believe will be one of three budget presentations that you will receive. Actually actually four budget presentations when you include the presentation before the City Council in June. So, before I dive into the budget, I just want to come out and just state that what what what I'm presenting to the committee, I believe is a very responsible, very fiscally responsible budget that does not provide any reductions in force. Uh you may see some positions not being filled in the line item budget due to retirement, but as of this budget, no reduction in force. All the services that we currently have in place, all the staff members that we currently have in place are rolling over

032into fiscal 27. And that is something that I'm very proud of. But as I also want to caution the committee that this is the final year of the Student Opportunity Act. So, moving forward, the only increases that we will see in our Chapter 70 funding will be due to increased student enrollment, which this fiscal year we saw a decrease in 93 students. So, if that trend continues, we're not going to see additional growth in Chapter 70 because of new student growth. And then other than new student growth in the district, which would bring around 19,000 per student, we're the only other additional growth will be the inflation factor. The inflation factor this year in the Chapter 70 foundation budget was 2.76%. So, the days the last 6 years we've been blessed. $4 million increase, $10

033million increase, $9 million increase, $6 million increase, $4 million increase. I think we're going to be back to where we were prior to COVID, where we're on average we're going to get around a $2 million increase in Chapter 70. So, for the first time in maybe 5 or 6 years, actually second time, cuz we dipped into reserves last year, and I'll explain this better during our budget workshop. We're going to have to start utilizing some of our reserves as we did in the past. We in the past we utilized revolving account. We utilized circuit breaker carryover in circuit breaker as well as the Chapter 70 increase on the fiscal year. So, for the last 5 or 6 years, we've been able to roll our budget over just using the Chapter 70 increase. Those days I

034believe are gone, but I also do believe and I want to state that for fiscal 26, we are in a very strong position to close out fiscal 26. As I discussed with the budget subcommittee, or the finance subcommittee, excuse me, that I plan to hold a closeout meeting and to discuss where we are year-to-date and put together a closeout plan to close out the year and position us in position us even stronger for fiscal 27. And then also to discuss how, if we continue to be strategic, continue to live without within our means, I think we're at the point where we're done adding a lot of staff only if we can reduce in other areas. And we need to be very strategic when it comes to programming if we're going to continue to be in

035a position where we're not laying off staff the way we hear in surrounding communities around us and communities north of us. So again, I'm very confident in fiscal 26 and I'm very confident in fiscal 27 and beyond if we continue to maintain the same strategy, the same trust in my administration when it comes to putting a sound, fiscally responsible budget before you. So, I'll provide you with the table of contents. I also think it's important for us to understand and see how we're growing and how we've changed. So, that some of the numbers and what I'll do moving forward is maybe I'll I'll update this for the May presentation so you can see the differences from the year before. But areas that I tend to focus on is at the bottom on the left-hand column.

036Uh we've actually added five languages spoken in the City of Taunton. We went from 21 to 26. So again, we're a very diverse community, which I think is part of the beauty of this community. Uh high school graduation, so residents in Taunton, so of the 62,000 residents in Taunton, almost 86% hold a bachelor's hold a high school degree or higher. So, that is it that is increased by almost 1%. Uh what I'm not too happy with is something that I think our partnership with BCC will continue to grow and the work that you are supporting with our early college program at the high school is the number of residents in Taunton who hold a bachelor's degree or higher. We saw a slight dip by 0.5%. So, it's up to 23.9. And on the right-hand side

037of the column, uh you'll notice that we increased by having 26 additional graduates. That number is going to increase substantially this year. We're going to have the largest class to date. I think we're looking at about 589 graduates this year. And then the number I'm also really proud of is the work that we've done with our early college program to identify marginalized groups and provide them with access to early college. Our multilingual learners uh went up by almost 20% to 46.9%. We have some work to do with our Latino population. We have some work to do with our low income, although we did see a slight increase of 0.5 and we saw a slight decrease with our special education students to 2.4. So, overall, the the numbers are mixed. Another important number is that we're

038seeing more students attending 4-year public 4-year public colleges. That number increased by 7% to 53.9. So, while 2-year public may have dipped by 1.2% and 4-year private decreased by 6% 6 7% more students are attending public universities and that can that could be attributed to a number of factors. So again, that's that's Taunton Public Schools and City of Taunton in a snapshot. I won't bore you with our vision and our mission, but I will spend some time super proud that we are in year one year two of our strategic plan that will carry us through FY through 2030. So, rigorous instruction, talent development, student culture, stakeholder engagement. And this is all work and I'm blessed to have my leadership team here supporting me and super blessed and proud of the work and the support that

039I receive from the School Committee in leading this work. I think it's very important for us to frame where the state is in terms of budget cuz it really paints a picture of where we are locally as a city and as a district. So, total spending in the governor's budget equates to just under $64 billion. That's an increase from fiscal '26 of about $2.3 billion or just under 4% and projected revenue is actually over by about 1.1% from what they actually projected for fiscal '26. So, the state actually received an extra $688 million in revenue above and beyond what they projected. So, the main drivers that are that are creating the increase, it's 10 programs that make up about 85% of these costs. Human services, transportation, group insurance premium plan costs, which the city of

040Taunton has done a tremendous job in keeping those costs down compared to neighboring communities, MassHealth free for student payments, and then you see Chapter 70 number four, you see special education uh circuit breaker number five. Those two directly impact the city of Taunton and Taunton Public Schools. And the rest, again, are drivers at the state level. So, how do they figure out or how do they project what they're going to be getting for revenue for fiscal '27? So, you have the Department of Revenue upper branch, you have the Department of Revenue lower branch, you have the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, you have CISPA, which is the Center for State Policy Analysis, and then you have a gentleman by the name of Alan Clayton Matthews, who's a professor at Northeastern. They all come together and they report

041at a at a hearing on what they project the the revenue to be for fiscal '27, and then they come up with an average. And the agree the agreement, so the conference agreement is that they're projecting from fiscal '26 to fiscal '27 that the state of Massachusetts is going to collect an additional $986 million, just under a billion, which is an increase of 2.4%. So, that's what the state is projecting FY '27 revenues on. They're projecting to receive or collect $42.2 billion in revenue. And then again, this should provide you with a snapshot on what the revenue collections have looked like going back to fiscal '22. And you may remember fiscal '22, there was a lot of revenue because of the amount of federal funding that was poured into the states, and then you saw

042the drop once the funding went away, and then you start to see uh the uptick or the increase again. And again, '26 and '27 are still projections as we are still a little more than halfway through fiscal '26. And then spending on the governor's side, so the General Appropriation Act or the GAA, you'll notice going back to fiscal '18 or 2018, the average growth has been about two was 2.4% to where we are now, they're projecting a 3.8. You'll notice those years coming off of COVID, substantial growth because again, the influx of funding from the federal level into the states of 9.1% growth, 6.9% growth, and then once the funding went away, that's when you see a decrease, you see a modest bump in fiscal '26, and we believe that 3.8 seems to be the

043average on where we were or where the state was pre-pandemic levels. Student Opportunity Act, again, city of Taunton and Taunton Public Schools, we've benefited greatly from the Student Opportunity Act. What this slide does a nice job of showing is that from fiscal '22 to fiscal '25, the state put in just over a billion dollars to support the Student Opportunity Act and then started drawing from the those funds in fiscal '25, fiscal '26, and then they used a little bit of the surtax, which is the millionaires tax, to balance the budget. So, the state met its obligation to fund the Student Opportunity Act. And then taking a snapshot at fiscal '27 when it comes to Chapter 78, so Governor Healey's budget proposes full funding of year six of the Student Opportunity Act. Total Chapter 70 is

044coming in at just over $7.6 billion, which is a 3.3% increase or $242 million above fiscal '26. So, what's driving the Student Opportunity Act? Inflation. 2.76% and obviously they use the employee benefits, which is fixed at 8.29. That 8.29, if you ask the mayor, does not cover the true health benefit cost. Health benefit costs across many cities and towns is well over 10%. So, but that's the number that they use when putting the putting the budget together. Enrollment trends across the state, as I've shared with you in earlier presentations, is we're down 15,000 as a state. And in the city of Taunton, uh statewide foundation is down 15, decreased by 15,000 from the prior year, and the number of low-income students decreased by 19,000 students, mak- making that about 45% of the total foundation enrollment.

045And then obviously we've met or the governor has fulfilled the Student Opportunity Act or the requirement. On slide 10, just providing you with a snapshot of the growth over the year, and the top line reflects billions. So, we went from 5.5 billion in state aid in fiscal '22 to where we are in fiscal '27, just over $7 billion. Again, fulfilling the Student Opportunity Act requirement. This slide is interesting cuz if you draw a straight line between fiscal '21 and fiscal '22, so taking a look at this 12-year snapshot, from fiscal '22 to fiscal '27, the average growth in Chapter 70 was $386 million. So, from '22 to '27, the average growth, $386 million. If you look at fiscal '16 to fiscal '21, the average growth is $146 million. So, almost triple what was going on

046prior to the Student Opportunity Act. So, communities like Taunton, urban gateway communities have really benefited from the Student Opportunity Act. Now, we need to be fiscally responsible on how we manage our funds rolling forward so that all the great programs, all the great work that you have led and supported doesn't go by the wayside. And again, just providing you with the inflation rates. What's interesting to point out here, as I've shared in the past, so I I know some of you are new, so I apologize for those who've heard this before, but for those who are new to the board, if you look at fiscal uh if you look at the I'll point with the laser pointer. If you look at fiscal '23 and fiscal '24, the statutory cap is five and a is four

047and a half. But true inflation those two years was 8% and 7%, 15%. So, over those two years, the foundation budget only added or increased by 9% when true inflation was 15%. That 6% for a city like Taunton is millions and millions of dollars, and that's information I can provide for those who are interested through the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Doug Howgate and Megan Callahan. This is all information you can access on their website. They do a really great job of following the impact that the Student Opportunity Act had and the impact of not allowing for true inflation has had on communities like the Taunton like the Taunton Public Schools. So, here we are with the budget timeline. I checked the Massachusetts uh cherry sheets today, and as of today, the house budget has now been

048updated on the cherry sheets. So, where we're currently sitting at is in fiscal '25, we received a Chapter 78 in the amount of $105,442,130. This year's increase of Chapter 78 is $109,617,416, which is an increase of 4. 4.2 million dollars, which is a little less than half of what we received last year. Last year's increase was around $10 million. So, again, the days of the Student Opportunity Act and seeing those hefty increases have gone. This is where we need to be very fiscally responsible. And this provide This is the snapshot. And I want I want to spend a little time with the 93 students. So, what does losing 93 students on the October 1 report really mean to us? It cost us about $1.2 million. So, 93 students, this year we're receiving $19,193 per student,

049which we multiply the 93 kids versus the foundation budget of 19193, that comes out to $1,784,949. Of that one point eight million dollar figure, we receive 68.28% in the amount of aid. So, 68% of that 1.8 figure is $1.2 million. So, if we had not if we had just maintained enrollment, instead of our Chapter 70 increase being $4.1 million, it would have been 5.4. So, losing 93 students had a significant impact on our district. And again, not just Taunton, it's happening all over the state. I believe the only urban district of the 31 urban districts, only Fall River saw an increase in enrollment. Everyone else saw a decline. So, just important numbers to keep in mind as we talk about how we're building this budget and the utilization of our of our reserves. And uh

050this slide just provides you with all the different foundation components. Now, we we receive dollars for every preschool student or pre-kindergarten student, so I commend the committee for supporting the work led by Stephanie Hoy to allow for free pre-K enrollment because now those students will count toward our Chapter 70 budget. And we'll receive, I believe, $3,600 per student. And if you look at some of your previous memos, we did those calculations. We do not have any half-day students. Our full-day kindergarten program with 600 students generated 6.3 million dollars in chapter 70 funding or foundation budget. Our elementary students, 34 million. Junior middle school accounts for 20 million. Eighth graders are counted in column five. So, eighth graders, even though they're at the high school, they're still counted in column five. And then our six uh

051high school students who are not chapter 74 in the vocational program, 1,519. That accounts for 18.5. And again, the work that you have supported by growing our chapter 74 programs, we grew by 50 students. That results in almost the same amount of money that we're getting for a traditional high school student. So, we're receiving 17.2 million dollars. So again, outstanding work, outstanding support by the committee. That's how we strategic on how we grow programs, identifying opportunities to grow additional chapter 70 dollars through pre-K, through expansion in chapter 74 programs. That's Those are other ways that we can sustain the programming and the staffing levels that we built to this day. Required net school spending. I think every time we go over this, it doesn't get clear, it just gets a little clearer. So, according to

052the state, based on the property value, and based on the income level of our community, the state is saying that we have to spend 160 million 533,556 dollars on education between an appropriation and indirect services. So, the state share, again, 109 million. The city's share between indirect costs and actual dollars towards our appropriation is 50,916,140 dollars. So, it's about a 68-32 split. And again, you see see that 68% right there. So, that's how the numbers tie. And again, I give you a comparison. The chart on the left, you see the impact, even though we lost students, we you still see an increase in funding from preschool all the way to low income. The one that really jumped out at me when I was doing the analysis was low income. So, to have a decrease of

053199 students, and I don't know the funding number off the top of my head that we get per student, but I it's it's in the millions. So, if that number had stayed level and we hadn't lost 93 students, our students no longer qualified as low income, you you're probably talking two to four million dollars additional chapter 70 funding. So, that's that's a big impact. So, I'm happy that the families are no longer and our students are no longer in the low income, but it does have a tremendous impact on our budget. And again, you see the the colors or the inflation factor, where I highlighted 23 and 24, where true inflation was 7 and 8%, but it's capped at the state level of 4.5. And this year, less than a percent increase in the inflation

054factor from 1.93 to 2.76. Just following the trajectory of the budget. So again, last year, that was the adopted budget in June of 25. At the state level, the governor's budget has been released and shared. The house budget has yet to be posted, this which usually gets posted in April, and the Senate budget gets posted sometime in May, if not early June. So, the appropriation that we're requesting, so again, the required net school spending, just over 160 million 533,000. Indirect costs, it's a moving target. So, we're projecting indirect costs to be somewhere around 40 million dollars. When you back out transportation, and you back out crossing guards, we're looking at indirect costs that are eligible, unaudited, of being around 25 million 801,754 dollars. So, in order for the city to be at net school spending,

055they would have to give us a minimum of 134,731,802 dollars. What we're requesting, and this is what the city has honored in the past, last year's appropriation of 131,056,516 dollars, plus the FY27 chapter 70 increase of 4,175,286 dollars for a total appropriation of 135,231,802 dollars. That's the appropriation we're requesting. I'll talk in a in a little bit, I'll talk about what I'm recommending for a proposed spending budget and how we're going to close that gap. So, providing with a history of net school spending, so your city, under Mayor O'Connell's leadership, has met or exceeded the minimum net school spending requirement. And the last time this actually You can't even see it on this chart. The last time the city did not meet its minimum net school spending requirement. So, I commend the city for meeting

056its requirement with all the competing priorities that communities like Taunton have. Again, we are not unique when it comes to competing priorities. And I I'll provide you with a breakdown. Again, Taunton's share when it comes to funding, 81% this year comes from the state. So, of the 135 million dollar appropriation we're requesting, 109 million is coming from the state, which is 81%. The state increase, as I shared in previous slides, is 4.1, which is a modest increase of just under 4%. And again, you look at those years where I shared with you 9 million, 10 million, 6 million, 10 million, all driven by the SOA. That's gone. So, we're probably going to be back in line with the four, the two, and the two million dollar increases that you see fiscal 20 to fiscal 22.

057That's probably the reality we're looking at moving forward. So again, I want to emphasize fiscal responsibility. There's There's not a lot of room in our budget to make cuts other than personnel, and I would never propose making cuts when we have reserves that we can rely on and that we continuously roll over to sustain the level of services and staffing that we currently have. And you see the city's contribution dip by a little more than 1%. From 20% to 18.94. Uh this is Mr. Enos's favorite slide. So, you see how the dollar is spent here in Taunton when it comes to spending in education. So, in the dollars the dollar portion on the right-hand side keeps shrinking, while the dollars portion on the left-hand side continues to increase. Again, it's not uncommon to communities like

058Taunton. There are a lot of competing priorities and very limited resources, especially on the municipal side, where local aid or state aid does not increase at the level that our chapter 70 foundation budget increases, and all fairness to the city and the city's administration. So, what we're proposing for our budget, and we'll go into detail at our budget retreat, our budget workshop, is we're proposing expenditures, which result in zero cuts to staffing, zero cuts to programming in the amount of 140,277,587 dollars. We're requesting an appropriation, last year's appropriation, plus this year's chapter 70 increase, which totals 135,231,802 dollars. Circuit breaker for FY26. The good news is we received 7 and 1/2 million. So, let that sink in. We received 7 and 1/2 million that we have not touched this year. So, and we are allowed

059to roll it over. So, to balance our budget and still be in a position of strength, we are going to apply 5 million of that 7 and 1/2 million, and still carry over 2 and 1/2 million in the event we need to fill in any or offset any deficits, because you know our budget is a moving target. So again, we're going to propose spending very responsibly, which results in zero cuts, which sustains all our programming. We need 140 million 277,587. We're going to request an appropriation of 135, which is the methodology that we've been using all along with the city. And that's the appropriation that I'm requesting, that we should request. And we're going to backfill that by using five of the 7 and 1/2 million dollars in circuit breaker that we are allowed to

060carry over, still carrying a surplus of 2 and 1/2. And that balances our budget. So again, what Some of you might be thinking, we just settled all these contracts, Mr. Cabral. Why is staffing only going up by Great question, because year one of the contracts is this fiscal year. So, we've absorbed the brunt of the first year of the contract. So now, we have the predictability of the next 2 years of what the contractual costs are going to cost us for fiscal 27, fiscal 28. Uh transportation, again, transportation, we can talk at the budget workshop. That's going to be our largest driver. Special education tuition, modest increase, but again, we're still carrying 2 and 1/2 in circuit breaker, should that number go up. And when we do our closeout meeting with the subcommittee, the finance

061subcommittee, one of my proposals going to be to use 2 million dollars and prepay that number down. So, we're probably really looking at 11.1. If we if the committee authorizes the administration, which they have since I've been in central office, to utilize some of our surplus funds to prepay special education for for for quarter one, which is allowable under the law. Uh utilities, you see a modest increase. Contracted services, you see a modest increase. Supplies, modest increase. And maintenance, modest increase. And I need to commend the city on the city side for the maintenance cost that they are picking up. You know, with the pickup coil of the $206 million to put in substantial amounts of funding to renovate the building, the theater seats, uh the contributions that the city has made on the maintenance

062side that I haven't seen since being in central office in 2010. The city is really doing an outstanding job, so I commend the mayor and her staff. So, thank you, Mayor. Cuz it allows us to keep our dollars, allows us to keep our dollars in the classroom. It allows us to build up our reserves in the revolving account should we want to take on a large capital project, alone or with the support of the city. And again, a modest 4.9 increase, which is in line with what we've looked at pre-COVID. So, uh in the past, I used to provide you with a per pupil expenditure slide. So, I did a little different this year. Uh cuz I I really wanted to kind of drill down and see how we stack up. And what what really

063jumped out at me after doing this for 15 plus years, I I never analyzed our all-in per pupil, how we stack up amongst the urbans. So, amongst the 31 urbans, we are 31 out of 31. We have the lowest per pupil uh per pupil cost. Our administrators, uh which again, if you look at the line item budget, increases were not built in for our administrators cuz the committee has not taken on that difficult work. But our administrators uh 26 out of 31 when it comes to per pupil expenditures. We have the 26th lowest when it comes to our administrators. Like the committee who wears multiple hats serving on subcommittees, right? Some of you serve on three, four, five subcommittees. My leadership team wears multiple hats. So, we are lean when on the administrative side. Our

064instructional leadership team, which we have built out like we've never had since I've been in Taunton Public Schools, probably Mr. Shaw's been in the Taunton Public Schools, we're we're number 27 out of 31. And when it comes to our teachers, 27 out of 31. Other services, professional development, I'm proud of the work that Mr. Barada has led there. We're seeing we're seeing some gains, middle of the pack. Our high-quality instructional materials, again, middle of the pack. Super proud of the work we're doing to support the mental health of our kiddos. Number five out of the urbans. So, it demonstrates that this committee cares about the kids. Pupil services, number 11. And we have one person leading that department. Stephanie Hoye. Maintenance and operations, again, that number is misleading because of the the amount of funds

065the city supports. And the way our charter works, the city is responsible for the maintenance of the buildings. So, that one was a little misleading. And I got to commend the city to be 16, middle of the pack with insurance cost. Mayor, that's something you and your administration should be very proud of. So, the average per pupil, we're spending 19,590 dollars per kid. The average at the state is 22,953 dollars. So, if you multiplied 8,364 students by 3,363 dollars, that's 28 million dollars. 68% of that is 19 million dollars. So, again, we work very hard. We provide our students with great services. And on the academic side of our house, on the academic side of the house, uh bear with me while I find my chart. On the academic side of the house, when it

066comes to 10th grade MCAS, we are number eight out of 31 urban districts. When it comes to I'm sorry, ELA. ELA, we are number eight out of the 31 urban districts. When it comes to math, we are number 11 when it comes to the urban districts in the 10th grade. In our ELA 3 through 8 MCAS scores, we are number 10. And we have some work to do in math in grades 3 through 8, we are number 20. So, again, despite having limited resources and competing priorities, we you as a group, this administration does a lot of great work to support our kids, support our families, and support our community. And again, um when I analyzed this, the city of Taunton is on par with the percentage of its operational budget or city expenditures that

067go or associated with educational cost. The average at the state level is 46%. Taunton's on par. But for the public and for the committee, especially those new, uh the education expenditures include Bristol Plymouth, Bristol Aggie, and the Taunton Public Schools. So, that's what that figure represents, not just the Taunton Public Schools. And again, uh we've done our share. The city has really picked up and really helped us out with capital improvements. Uh you'll notice that we have the murals that the city has that the school department has supported that Mr. Barck and his cousin have have done in our schools. The the playground structure that we installed at the high school that the community can utilize in addition to the middle school students and the high school students. Uh we also see the new theater

068seats that the city so graciously funded and the fully renovated softball. So, I believe over since my tenure superintendent, I believe that comes out to about 17.6 million dollars. And these are all reserve funds. These funds that are not impacting the operational budget and funds that we have not had to use a debt exclusion or debt debt override to have funded. So, if you have any questions regarding the PowerPoint presentation, I'll be happy to answer them. And then when when we have our budget workshop, we'll dive deep into the line item budget as we have in the past to discuss what are your budget priorities that you'd like to see me bring forward in May and discuss how we can fund them. And also any questions you might have regarding what's in those line items,

069which I know will be super helpful to members who are new on the board. And as I've done in the past, any board member who wants to schedule some one-on-one time to go over the PowerPoint, go over the line item, I'm more than happy to meet with you via Zoom or meet with you in person. So, the only action needed tonight is to receive and place on file. No vote is needed. Thank you, Superintendent Cabral. So, the at the budget workshop is when really the the big conversation happens and all questions are asked. I I mean, there may be some burning questions tonight that people want to get into, but I would just keep in mind that you're going to have the budget workshop where you'll be getting into all of those questions. And I

070don't have the backup with me tonight if it's, but I'll do my best to answer it. Maybe we'll keep it light and brief. Uh Mr. Laura. >> again with the motion to approve, replace on file, and for discussion. Second. So, there's a motion to receive and place on file and a second um on discussion. So, this is Mullen. Thank you very much, Superintendent, for the um presentation. I just had a quick question and just for clarification in case there's other parents or teachers out there wondering, if the the per pupil expenditure doesn't mean that we're providing less services to students, it's just we're keeping our expenses down. Yeah, it's again, that's the pool of money that we have as a community based on our property value. Okay. Right? Property value and earning of the community.

071>> Yes, I just wanted clarification that we're not providing less services because >> think based on the based on the data that I shared with regard to our facilities and based on the metrics that I shared on MCAS, I think we're I think we're providing an excellent service to our to our students. I do, too. Thank you. Dr. Melo. Thank you, Mayor. Superintendent, wonderful presentation, very fluid and on point. The only concern I have, and I think it's it's it's in the news all the time, is that we have smaller districts that are competing for dollars. And of course, they're on Beacon Hill uh lobbying our legislators to revise the Chapter 70 funding formula that's antiquated since 1993. From your circles of superintendents, uh that will that have an impact if they change that funding

072formula? Uh and do we potentially lose to give that loss to the other communities that are hurting? I mean, we see it in the paper, layoffs, and very affluent school districts like Lexington going through some severe issues. In your circle, do you have any of those concerns? >> So, amongst amongst the urbans, and I think it was two summers ago, I actually um testified regarding our rural aid support being increased similar to the levels or similar to what happened with Student Opportunity Act. So, what would So, pretty much the Student Opportunity Act is what it's cost, Dr. DeMello. And those those student fees, those student rates are set. They're not going to go back. They're only going to increase according to the cola. So, as far as the urban districts go in Taunton, those rates

073will not go backwards, they'll only increase. What you could see happen is at the rural level or the smaller towns, uh some changes being made there to provide them more than the $75 per student that they're receiving. And I and I always tell my superintendent colleagues on the REEDS Collaborative and the South Coast Collaborative, I don't know how they do it with $75 per student. Again, we're where we're where different. Our low income, cuz we're in the 10th decile, that's going to generate revenue. Number of special education students that we receive that we have cuz we're a large district, that'll generate additional Chapter 70 dollars cuz you know what costs more to educate students. Those districts don't have the levels that we have. Therefore, they don't receive the additional funding to the levels that we

074do. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. You're welcome. Mr. Laura. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Superintendent, as far as the SOA funds for future, will they decrease or will they It's done. Totally gone. >> Yeah, so whatever they're And I can share with you the rates, it's a public document that's in the Chapter Foundation the foundation budget spreadsheet. So, the rates have been set. And those are the rates that they use every new fiscal year that they add the inflation factor to. So, that seven With 2.76% was increased to last year's rates in fiscal 26 to create the 27 rates plus the SOA. So, now the increase for the governor's budget may decrease. It may be what? Frozen at 3% or 3.3%? >> So, as it works its way through the house, I do know I testified

075it's in my super's report. I testified last Tuesday to support funding for high-dosage reading program called the ignite that was in the governor's budget to the tune of 25 million that the house removed. So, yes, as they go through the house and go through the senate, the budget could go down, the budget could go up. History I recall history that it tends to increase as it goes through the senate. If we're going if we're going to see an increase. Usually it doesn't go down when it gets to the senate, but that's that's what happens when they debate the budget up on Beacon Hill. Yeah, but once it goes to the governor's final review, then it could be Yeah, I don't Yeah, I don't Usually these numbers that we receive in the governor's budget are pretty

076solid to build our budget around. I would only anticipate that we might not see an increase on our side of the house, but you might see some of the rural communities that Dr. DeMello was talking about seeing a bump on their side as they make adjustments to account for the low amount the low the low funding they receive cuz we're receiving above and beyond $75 per student. We're above the $75 threshold. So, what the state is saying you're guaranteed every student or every city and town is guaranteed a $75 minimum increase for every student in your district. We exceed that, but what you might see the house or the senate do or the governor do is increase it to 100, 130, 150 to try to provide more support to those smaller communities. Thank you, super.

077>> makes sense. Thank you. Mrs. Shaw's. Thank you. I just wanted to thank you for adding this particular side in there. >> I had a lot of fun with that one. >> Yes, and you know I would like that because it has to do with numbers, but I just think that it it really does paint a picture and um we are when we look at where we are in terms of administration and leadership and teachers, where we really are down at the bottom of the pack and see the incredible things that we're doing in our programs and that we've focused on, you know, guidance and pupil services. I think that that shows how well the team is working together and our teachers are working to provide services and resources to our students. And I would

078like a copy of the other side you were talking about the academic side because even that sounds really good. So, I think we've done some wonderful things considering that we don't have a lot of money to spend when you're comparing ourselves to other districts. Thank you. And again and again, I commend the mayor and I'm always grateful to the mayor and her staff for any additional dollars that they can provide us to support facilities or support programs or to increase the chapter 70. I mean again, always super grateful, but we also have to live within our means and I believe what I presented to you is a very fiscally responsible budget that we can sustain moving forward if we continue on this path of pre-paying and utilizing our circuit breaker funds wisely. Thank you. All

079right. All right. So, it looks like there's no more questions or comments. So, motion and second to receive place on file. All those in favor? I. Opposed? Then opposed so voted. Thank you, Superintendent Cabral. All right. And now you get to continue on with your superintendent's report. Uh so, I One, I want to thank the school committee members who took the time. I know everybody has competing priorities, very busy schedules to attend our first our community coffee and conversation. Uh I I was super excited that the coffee conversation that we held at the Taunton Area Community Table. I believe Dr. DeMello was present, Mrs. Fagan was present, and Mrs. Shaw's was present. And I also want to attribute the success to our leadership team, especially Stephanie Hoyt, for all the hard work that she put

080into this with their community facilitators to to organize where I thought it was a great event. You know, to see the to see the children there, to see the caregivers mingling, and we had translators, and we actually learned a lot from it. So, at the at the next at the next event held on the 28th, it'll be bigger it'll be bigger and better and better suited to support families, especially families with with students who have special special educational needs. So, again, huge success and aligns with our strategic plan and it also it also helps address an area in my evaluation that I plan that I'm looking forward to improving upon. Uh second, just want to bring the committee up to speed that the built the permit was issued for the solar project at the Friedman

081Middle School. So, I'll continue to keep the committee informed as that project moves along. I believe that project should be somewhere somewhere completed early May. Super excited about the work we're doing when it comes to early college. We are look we are very close to getting that early college designation with UMass Dartmouth. So, that's outstanding work to Kyle Brunelle, our assistant principal for curriculum and learning, and Dr. Harrison and their leadership team for leading this effort as well as Mr. Barada who works quietly behind the scenes to to support their work. And as I already mentioned, I had the pleasure of testifying on Beacon Hill with the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education and my former mayor and Lambert about the benefits of the ignite program which is a high-dosage tutoring program that the students receive

082uh receive online with a tutor 15 minutes a day. We started with 600 We started with We started with 648 first graders. Of the 648 first graders, were identified one or two grade levels below. 5 months 6 months into the program, only 31 students have not met the first grade benchmark. This was a competitive grant to the tune of $660,000 that was in the house budget, has since been removed. So, the testimony before senators and other elected officials to put this funding back in using the millionaires tax or the surtax will go a long way in helping to ensure that our first graders are reading by third grade. And a great example of how Mr. Barada and his team leverage this resource at the Galligan School, pretty much all the first graders now uh are

083not utilizing title one. They're utilizing this program except for a handful, which then allowed the title one instructors to focus on the fourth graders. All the fourth grade students are fourth grade reading level. So, now that allows the title one staff to push down the third and second grade to really get our kids uh reading. So, again, very strategic move, very strategic planning to utilize a resource. And if we were unable to if we don't get if we don't receive funding to the tune of $660,000 and we were trying to fund this using utilizing our title one funds, it's about a it's about a quarter of our title one funds. And it would mean and we wouldn't do it. Uh we would just go without it, but you're talking about eight to 10 staff members

084that we would have to cut in order to fund this program and that's benefiting 261 kids. So, it's it's been a real game changer and I instead of talking about the the miracle Mississippi, we're talking about the the miracle at Galligan Elementary School. And then last but not least, um again, you all do a great job of supporting a comprehensive school system that has doubled the number of students in our high school participating in voc vocational technical education than we do at the neighboring vocational school. And our students continue to shine at the SkillsUSA Massachusetts competition. So, I want to recognize Dylan Clayman and William Levec. They received the gold in audio radio. Mel Vieira and Abigail Knox, they received the silver in audio radio. And I think someone in the back has a little

085bit to do with that, Mr. Jakes? >> [laughter] >> Uh >> [snorts] >> They never put Payton Colonna received a gold in computer programming. Cody Cody Trulson, a bronze in medical math. Haley Jackson and Greg Westberg, who many of you know Greg is a great young man, silver in restaurant service. Ashley Hubert a silver in technical computer applications. Tyler Noons got a bronze in TV video production. Again, one of the programs Mr. Jakes supports. Jayden Robinson and Ben Olivera got a silver in TV and video productions. Mary Price got a silver in early childhood education, which is a chapter 74 program that you supported 2 years ago that is now licensed by DESE. David McEvoy got a silver in in public speaking. And Ari Tucker got a bronze in facilitating leadership. And that concludes my

086report. Motion to receive and place on file. Second all right. All in favor? I. Opposed? The eyes have it. Okay, we're going to move on to a um administrative business. So, the first thing is G1 staffing report that goes to Mr. Cabral. >> Yeah, just nothing unusual, just something for your information, typically uh to receive and place on file. Same procedure. All in favor? I. Opposed? The eyes have it. Okay, next thing is G2 Taunton Public Schools March enrollment numbers. >> Uh you'll notice that we are 99% staffed. At the district level, we have two remaining va- uh vacancies, one at Parker and one at Taunton High School and th- those positions are listed on the back of the report. Motion to receive and place on file. All in favor? I. Opposed? The eyes have

087it. Next report is G3 Taunton Public Schools March enrollment numbers. Uh as I've done on a monthly basis, just providing you with the monthly update on where we are with enrollment. Uh we started the school year with 8,261 students. As of now, we are up to 8,293 students, but we did see a decrease from February to March of six students, which I noted on the cover memo. A motion? >> Motion to accept the report on file. Second. All in favor? >> All right. Opposed? The eyes have it. The next thing we're going to is G4 field trip request. A is DECA Atlantic A Atlanta competition. So, this is a this is a DECA trip. Uh typically, uh if the committee has no objections, it would be to approve the trip. Motion to approve. I'll second

088that. How's that? All in favor? >> All right. Opposed? Did you have a discussion? I Yeah, no, I found it. Okay. I I opposed? So, the eyes have it. Okay, next one is G4B ProStart Culinary Maryland competition. Again, similar. No, that's still in here. The ProStart. Yeah, I I don't think we I know, I didn't see the Maryland one. April 24th, correct? >> April 24th to April 27th. I lost my agenda. Okay, where are we? Should be in our I have it. >> Right after you. Yeah. I missed that one. What are the wishes of the committee once we Motion to approve. Second second. Second on discussion. I'm still looking for it. Okay, we can wait a minute. Okay. Yep, that's great. Thank you. Any discussion? All in favor? All right. Opposed? The eyes have

089it. Okay, we move on to H, which is the subcommittee reports. The first report will be the rules subcommittee by Ms. Santos. Thank you, Chairperson Shaws. Um So, this was a while ago, so bear with me. Um so, the rules subcommittee met on Thursday, March 19th, 2026. Um the meeting was called to order at 4:36. On attendance were um myself, uh Chairperson Shaws, Mr. Laura, uh Superintendent Cabral, Mr. Chris Barada, and uh Mrs. Stephanie Hoy, as well as Dr. DeMello. Um as what you're going to be hearing from the rest of the year, probably, we reviewed section B. Uh so, we're just kind of going in order of all of the policies. So, we reviewed section B, which is board governance and operations. Uh so, just one thing as an update to the school committee

090as a whole, we're our plan um is to go through each of the policies and then bringing any changes or updates to the committee as a whole to approve or not. Um Mr. Barada and Mrs. Hoy are doing a great job keeping notes on all of the things that we're um discussing changes, updates, so on and so forth. Um section B is really large, so I'm not going to go through everything. Um but one of the a couple of major things that we talked about were the school committee goals. Um and if you would remember, super um Chairperson uh Shaws had sent out uh it was it a Google Doc? Mhm. for all of us to implement or post our own goals for ourselves, and that way we're going to use that together to put

091together a policy of our school committee goals. Um I think we decided to wait until we go through all of the policies and then go through that with the school committee, but just keeping that on your radar that you all should have gotten that email from Chairperson Shaws so that when we when it comes time to that, we'll be able to have that discussion more openly. Um but part of our discussion about uh the goals also aligned with evaluation of the school committee, which is section BAA. Um so, we talked a little bit about what that could look like. Um it could be aligned to our strategic plan. We could look at a separate um evaluations through through the MASC, uh but that hopefully we could find an evaluation tool that would align with the

092goals that we set for ourselves. Um but that is still kind of a work in progress for us um on the um the committee. Um some of the other things that we talked about, some things were just rewording. Um like on, you know, there was a couple of instances where it says secretary to the school committee and then secretary with a capital S, which is Mrs. Fagan. So, we wanted wanted to just make sure some of the uh wording was consistent throughout [clears throat] the entire policies. Um rearranging certain things as far as like where uh the policies on school visitations and all of those other things, we we wanted to kind of condense some of those as well, too. Um another thing that was mentioned with BBBG is about the chairperson and secretary per

093our policy are only supposed to be one-year positions, but that obviously has not been the case. Uh so, I think uh Superintendent Cabral was going to check in with David Sousa, was it David? >> David David Gay. Mhm. To to to follow up on kind of when that changed or or what have you, and but we did talk about trying to keep it probably to two years just to give people time to adjust to um to that role. Um Let me see. Uh there was some changes to um we have to update the This is BDE. This is a subcommittee. So, there are no descriptions as far as what each subcommittee did in that file, but there is another place that has some. So, again, this is kind of reorganizing some of it, but we

094do have to add some descriptions to that, and we do have to add uh the TTAA to the bargaining committees cuz that is not listed on the policies. Um there was some talk about the the school councils, which we learned a little bit more about in that meeting as well, too. Uh forgive me for all of these notes. This is what happens when I'm not organized. Um there was another thing about notification of committee meetings. So, this is file BEBDA. Um there's a a a policy part that says the regular meetings of the board shall be held on the first and third Wednesday of each month, but there's actually exceptions for the month of July and August that that doesn't necessarily have to be the case, and that's actually up to the chair to decide.

095So, we talked about maybe changing days or times or being a having a little bit more flexible hours during the summer months to maybe hopefully then we can, you know, get some downtime, too, as well, um because we know we're all busy. Um the other thing about executive sessions, um there was something about the school committee chair and superintendent will review executive session minutes for possible declassification. So, I think superintendent was also going to look into the legal reference of whether that is still valid or not cuz it says that it's supposed to be done on a quarterly basis. Um the other main thing, I think, was the at the end. Um No, the videotaping policy. So, we did talk about putting a policy as far as the videotaping cuz obviously you've been making that

096announcement at the beginning of each meeting. So, we want to have something [clears throat] more in writing about videotaping policies of school committee meetings. Um and the last This where it's the last thing. Two more things. So, for the new school committee orientation, uh Chairperson Shaws and I have been very vocal about how we didn't really get most of this orientation when we first started two years ago, because there is an entire A through F about things that we should have gotten for as new members. So, hopefully, you get that courtesy of that because we didn't. Uh but one thing that we wanted to add was a G where we would assign a mentor for new members as well, too, rather learning by fire like we did. Um as well, and the last thing, I

097promise, is BJ school committee memberships. One thing that was listed on the MASC policy, but not ours, was a legislative program. And my I I really think that that was something that I was I wanted to look into adopting ourselves, so that's something on our radar as well. And the meeting concluded at 5:54 p.m., and that concludes my report. Thank you, Ms. Santos. So, we have a motion on the table and seconded, so all in favor? What did we did Yeah. What's the emotion? Oh, no. Oh, we didn't. I'm sorry. Okay, so motion to place on file. Motion to accept the report. Okay, second? Second. All in favor? All right. Opposed? The eyes have it. Okay, next subcommittee report is the high school subcommittee by Mr. Viera. Thank you, Madam Chair. The high school subcommittee

098met on Monday, March 23rd, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. 2 Hamilton Street, Room 320, Taunton, Mass. Subcommittee members are myself as chair, Dr. Gregory DeMello, and Mrs. Christine Fagan. Also present was Superintendent Cabral and Principal Dr. John Harrison. The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. First item on the agenda was the 2026 graduation update. The subcommittee reviewed the options for the Taunton High School Class of 2026 uh graduation, including indoor and outdoor scenarios. Discussion focused on capacity, safety consideration, and logistics to support family participation. Uh this is the largest graduating class in high school history at 589 students. So, a motion was made to approve Dr. Harrison's recommendation to move forward with the outdoor graduation options including a designated rain date. The motion passed 3-0 and I just want to read Dr. John Harrison's

099communication that he sent out on Parent Square to families. Dear senior parents and caregivers, I'm writing to you to share an important update regarding this year's Taunton High School graduation ceremony for the class of 2026. Graduation will now be held outdoors on the football field on Friday, June 5th at 6:00 p.m. with a rain date of Saturday, June 6th at 4:00 p.m. I want to begin by apologizing for the change in both day and time. This decision was not made lately. The class of 2026 represents the largest graduation class in recent memory with a projection of 589 graduates. If we would have hold the ceremony indoors, we would exceed capacity limits and would need to reduce tickets to three per graduate, significantly limiting family participation. Last year, graduates received four tickets each. By moving the

100ceremony outdoors, we were able to expand access and ensure each graduate will receive six tickets allowing more family members and loved ones to be part of this special moment. There is a need to change the date from the original advertised date of Sunday, June 7th at 1:30 p.m. In the event of inclement weather and to avoid midday summer heat. I am incredibly proud of the class of '26 and look forward to celebrating this milestone together with all of you in just a few short months. Thank you for your understanding, flexibility, and continued support. Sincerely, Dr. John Harrison. Second item discussed on the agenda was Yondr Pouch update. The subcommittee reviewed an update on the Yondr Pouch implementation including preliminary student outcome data and a proposal to purchase additional pouches at a reduced cost for the

1012026-2027 school year. A motion to recommend approval of the Yondr Pouch purchases as presented was made and seconded and a vote a motion passed with a vote of 2-0 with Dr. DeMello voting present. The meeting was adjourned at 11:45. That concludes my report. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? The eyes have it. Um the next subcommittee report is the long-range planning and public property subcommittee and that's back to you, Mr. Vieira. Thank you, Madam Chair. The long-range planning and public property subcommittee met on Monday, March 23rd, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Location was 2 Hamilton Street, Room 320, Taunton, Mass. Subcommittee is myself, Dr. Gregory DeMello, and Mr. Louis Lara. Also present at the subcommittee meeting was Superintendent John Cabral, Director of Facilities Mark Freitas, BCC Vice President of Administration and Finance Steve Kenyon, BCC

102President Sedrick Dr. Sedrick Harrison, and Executive Director of Economic Development Jay Patickas. Also in attendance was Mrs. Christine Fagan and private citizen Tim Avelino. The meeting was called to order at 12:00. First item on the agenda was Bristol Community College request. The subcommittee discussed Bristol Community College's request to remain at Hamilton Street location during ongoing renovation work. General considerations included timeline coordination and space utilization. Motion to extend BCC's lease through was made [snorts] and was approved 3-0. Next item on the agenda was 2 Hamilton Street project update. An update was provided on demolition progress, ongoing construction work, and coordination with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Motion was made to receive and place the report on file. The motion passed 3-0. Item three on the agenda was THS softball restroom updates. The subcommittee reviewed early planning

103efforts including an updated design and site review. After discussion, motion was made to receive and replace the report on file. That passed 3-0. The fourth item on the agenda was Cohannet School Building third floor discussion. The subcommittee held a general discussion on potential uses and planning consideration for the third floor of the Cohannet School Building. A motion was made to authorize the administration to submit a funding request for earmark in collaboration with Bristol Community College to renovate the third floor. Additionally, the administration is authorized to formally discuss financing this project by utilizing funds from Taunton Public Schools Revolving Account in partnership with the City of Taunton's Capital Improvement Fund. Motion was made and seconded and the vote passed 3-0. Fifth item on the agenda was a Summer Street update. An update was provided regarding permitting,

104code requirements, and next steps including potential appeals and cost considerations. Motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. The motion passed 3-0. Sixth item on the agenda was Board of Health inspection report update. The subcommittee reviewed updates on completed inspections. There are still several schools that have not been fully inspected yet, but the outcome was positive and there were no violations to date. Superintendent Cabral? Very detailed report. Excellent. Just I caught one little mistake. Mrs. Moynihan was in attendance, too. Oh, excuse me. That's That's my error. I apologize. Thank you, Superintendent. The seventh item on the agenda was Taunton Girls Softball League utilities discussion. The subcommittee discussed general considerations related to utilities and coordination with external partners. Motion was made to receive and place the discussion on file. And it was approved

1053-0. The meeting adjourned at 12:50. And that concludes my lengthy long-range planning and public property subcommittee report. And I have to say it was one of the the best well-attended subcommittee meetings that I've been to in my time as a school committee member and I enjoyed the work very much. So, thank you very much. >> for the most agenda items. >> [laughter] >> Motion to receive and adopt the recommendations of the long-range planning and public property subcommittee. Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The eyes have it. Thank you. Next is the subcommittee the space utilization subcommittee by Mr. Blasky. Uh thank you, Madam Chair. Um today, April 1st, 2026, the space utilization subcommittee uh was meeting was held. Um in attendance were the space cadets, myself as chair, Mrs. Chaves, and Mrs. Fagan. Others in

106attendance was Superintendent John [clears throat] Cabral, Parker Middle School Principal Michael Byron, Taunton High School Principal Dr. John Harrison, and Taunton High School Assistant Principal Carol Lenow. Uh meeting was held at Elizabeth Pole uh Elementary School. It was called to order at 8:02 a.m. Uh this was the subcommittee's inaugural meeting focused on aligning facility use across the district in preparation for the transition to the Hamilton Street building and the resulting impacts on Parker Middle School and Taunton High School. To support this work, a Hamilton Street Task Force has been established and will meet bi-weekly to maintain momentum towards a fall 2027 opening for the new Parker Middle School at the Hamilton Street site. Uh planning for the Hamilton Street facility is well underway. The first and second floors have been largely configured to support Parker

107Middle School's academic teaming model with deliberate attention to classroom grouping, sightlines, and shared instructional spaces. Space utilization is being intentionally planned for core academics, English learner programming, and unified arts including potential reconfigurations where appropriate. Key operational components such as cafeteria flow, staff collaboration areas, and student support spaces are still being refined to ensure efficient daily operations. The third floor is being held as flexible space to accommodate future district needs. Uh site logistics. Site planning includes >> [clears throat] >> designated and clearly separated bus and parent drop-off areas to improve traffic flow along with adequate parking for staff and visitors. Previous traffic challenges have been reviewed to in- to inform improvements to arrival and dismissal procedures. So, big problems we used to have at Cohannet were parent drop-off, buses picking up and dropping off in the

108street. Um they've come up with a plan to make sure that all of that happens in the parking lot, which will be a huge huge positive impact to the to the neighborhood. Uh so, Taunton High School opportunities. So, the obviously the relocation of Parker Middle School to Hamilton Street creates a significant opportunity at Taunton High School. The vacated space will allow for more strategic use of facilities to address capacity constraints, enhance academic programming, and improve alignment of student support services. While planning is ongoing, the intent is to better organize grade level programming, expand elective and pathway offerings, and increase access to shared learning spaces. Uh grade eight transition. So, the key focus of the meeting uh uh delivered by Principal Harrison and Assistant Principal Lenao is the Grade 8 transition. Um the proposal the proposal

109is that Parker Middle School will now become the Grade 8 house, so E house for 8th grade. Uh they'll use that model at the at the old Parker Middle School, which provides developmentally appropriate environment while maintaining access to high school level opportunities. This approach avoids the double transition and strengthens students' connection to the high school community. Um stakeholder feedback has been quite positive with approximately 75% of the parents and students supporting the plan and 67% of staff expressing support. Operational considerations to support this model include scheduling, lunch structures, staffing, and targeted professional development were also discussed. The Taunton High School is going to be moving from six lunches to three lunches um with this move, so that is going to be a tremendous impact to the students. Um so long-term considerations, the subcommittee reviewed longer-term

110facility opportunities including the potential uh renovation of Cohannet schools, uh the Cohannet building's third floor to expand classroom to to expand classroom or office space um and possibly a collaboration with Bristol Community College in the future. Um next steps, the work represents a coordinated district-wide effort to maximize facility use in the support of student experience, [clears throat] program quality, and long-term growth. Planning will continue and recommendations will be brought forward to the full committee as they're developed. Um so I just have to say uh you know Principal Byron and his team at Parker Middle School have done an amazing job really being proactive, getting buy-in from all the different teachers, um really understanding the impact on the community cuz obviously lifting a whole school moving across the city is a big deal. Um and then

111uh Principal Harrison and Assistant Principal uh Lenao have done an amazing job thinking about planning of what how to best use uh the vacated Parker Middle School, uh a a place to really uh bring in the new 8th graders, make them feel safe, give them a way to transition into Taunton High School uh using the teaming model of of of middle school and allowing them to transition to high school while utilizing all the best things in the high school, so uh they've been reaching out to the community, getting feedback. It's not all done in a vacuum and it's not just one person's idea, it's collectively everybody's idea, so really appreciate the hard work of everybody involved as as well as Superintendent Cabral and his team, so. Uh the meeting was adjourned at 9:13 a.m. and

112that concludes my report. Thank you. Motion to receive and adopt the recommendations of the Space Utilization Subcommittee. Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The eyes have it. Okay, back to you Mr. Viera, high school subcommittee. Thank [clears throat] you Madam Chair. The high school subcommittee met today, April 1st, 2026 at 4:50 p.m. Subcommittee is myself as chair, Dr. Gregory DeMelo, Ms. Christine Fagan. Also in attendance was Superintendent Cabral, Assistant Superintendent Christopher Barata, and Principal Mrs. Elizabeth Rodriguez. Tonight I'm reporting out on Taunton Public Virtual Academies FY26 School Improvement Plan. TPVA is a single district virtual school servicing students in grades 8 through 12. Many students enrolled have a historic a history of chronic absenteeism, disengagement, or social emotional challenges. So the plan is to intentionally designed to support, re-engage, belonging, and measurable growth over time.

113The plan is organized around three primary focus areas, social emotional learning and student belonging. TPVA [snorts] will continue implementing the Wayfinder SEL curriculum and monitoring students' sense of belonging using VOCALS survey data, Solis screening tools. The school also established a student leadership group and expand community building opportunities including Connected Thursdays to strengthen relationships and increase student engagement in a virtual environment. Next item is attendance for students' engagement. Attendance is a central priority for the plan. Strategies include daily monitoring using SchoolBrain and virtual participation data, consistent implementation of attendance follow-up protocol, increased family outreach through community liaison, incentives, and advisory-based supports. Given the population, success will be measured by individual student improvement in attendance with goals of increased overall attendance and reducing chronic absenteeism. Next thing is instructional quality and professional development. The plan also includes

114targeted professional development to strengthen virtual teaching practices. This includes monthly staff collaboration opportunities and professional learning focused on increasing student participation and engagement in both synchronous and asynchronous settings. Academic progress will continue to be monitored through i-Ready diagnostics, uh January com- completion data, MCAS performance with a focus on incremental gains in ELA, math, and science. Overall, Taunton Public Virtual Academy School Improvement Plan reflects a flexible student-centered model designed to meet the needs of our unique population with a strong emphasis on belonging, engagement, and continuous improvement. Motion was made uh to accept the plan and place it on file, three to nothing, and the meeting adjourned at 5:25. That concludes my report. Thank you. >> Motion to accept the report and place on file. Second. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? The eyes have it. Um the

115last subcommittee report is Finance and Law, Dr. DeMelo, please. Thank you, Chair Shaws. Uh the Finance and Law Subcommittee met earlier this evening consisting of uh Mr. Viera, Mrs. Shaws, and myself as chair. Uh the first item on the agenda was the Taunton High School uh student activity request. Uh basically it's just a process of replenishing the student activity fund. Everything was in order. That voted uh was passed unanimously, three to nothing. Uh the next item was a Coaching for Change warrant. Uh the amount that was provided to us in the amount of $6,707.16 is still well well within the $51,000 budget allocated. We still have a remaining balance of $13,414.20 for Coaching for Change. Uh supporting documentation was included. There were no questions and that vote passed unanimously, three to nothing. Uh the next

116item on the agenda was a penny policy. Uh this is not just uh for the Taunton Public Schools, it's going to be city-wide. Uh just yesterday at TMLP meeting we had the same policy uh to be voted on by the um commissioners and of course it's going to be adopted city-wide. There's going to be much education going forward of if it's the the rounding off below 5 cents, above 5 cents, so of course stay tuned for that in the future as a citizen and of course for our students and parents and families uh regarding the payments of meals and other items that they pay for uh at the stores and so forth. Uh that was just received and placed on file, voted unanimously three to nil. Uh the next item was a special education expense

117service warrant. Uh this one did gain garner a little bit of discussion. Uh the reason is is that we finally got three past invoices uh provided to us of the December 25th invoice in the amount of $8,745.50, the January 26th invoice for the amount of $7,388.40, and the February 26th invoice in the amount of $7,815.10. As the committee knows, we budgeted $50,000 for this line item. Uh if we incorporate the past expense through November of 2025, that was $39,427.84. Adding these three invoices put us at $63,376.84. And uh as I proceed with the continuation of Finance and Law report, I will address this uh during the warrant portion. So that was basically the uh memorandum provided to us from the Lyons Group, uh Lyons Law Group for services rendered. The next item was a Stoneham,

118Chandler & Miller LLP rate change. Uh the rate change was minor, it's going from $240 an hour to $250 an hour, which I think is a bargain for the representation we're getting with this law firm. Uh that was received and placed on file uh unanimously uh three to nil. And the last item was a bills payable amount in the amount of $983,074.75. And this is where we had to split out some uh warrants. Uh one was due to a conflict of interest with one of the committee members, so uh the vote was taken as following. Uh the first warrant was in the amount of $966,132.25. Uh that excluded uh an item on page 20 for voucher number 27020 in the amount of $1,740. And the two bills payable for uh January and February for the

119Lyons Law Group of $15,203.50. That was voted on and passed by the committee. The next item that we voted on was on page 20, voucher number 27020 in the amount of $1,740. The vote was two yays, one present. So, that motion passed. And the last item could be found on page 17, the warrant once again for the month of February, I'm sorry, January and February in the amount of $15,203.50. And that vote did not pass. It was one yay, two nays. So, that was the items that took place this evening. And that concludes my report. Motion to accept the report and adopt the recommendations of the Finance and Law Subcommittee. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you, everybody with your subcommittee reports. Now, we're moving on to I, which

120is new business. Number one is two Hamilton Street Building Committee update. So, we've already discussed this so much, so I won't go into too much detail. But if you go to the middle of the memo, I have established a district-wide Hamilton Street relocation task force. We're going to focus on seven priorities: instruction and academic continuity, operations and facilities, transportation logistics, staffing and labor considerations, technology and infrastructure, family and community engagement, and students' experience and school culture as we prepare for the arrival of John F. Parker Middle School students and staff in the fall of 2027. I also wanted to share with the committee that we had our first official MSBA kickoff meeting, which was also held on March 23rd. And I apologize if I miss anyone, so please let me know if I do. I

121believe Mrs. Fagan was there to represent the School Committee. Dr. DeMello was there to represent the School Committee, as was Mr. Vieira. So, thank you for taking the time to be with us. As we kicked off the meeting with the owner's project manager and the architect that we're overseeing the project, City Council President Barry Sanders was also there with Principal Byron, Mayor O'Connell, and her administrative team, as well as the leadership team. So, we are super excited to have this project underway. And the owner's project manager anticipates having this project completed summer of 2027, which lines up really well with our timeline to relocate the building. So, again, new doors, new windows, 80 cents on the dollar. It's just a That That building is going to truly go through an amazing renovation. And did I

122miss anybody in attendance? Okay. That That includes that that report. Wishes of the committee? Motion to receive and place on file. Second. Did you want a discussion? >> No, I I have something to say after we vote. Okay. Um Um so, second it. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? Ayes have it. Mr. Vieira? Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to make the committee aware that the Long Range Plan and Public Property Subcommittee will be meeting in the near future to discuss the parking lots and roadways going into Taunton High School and uh other property school properties in the city. So, if you're on the subcommittee, please be on the lookout for a communication from myself and the superintendent. Thank you. Very good. Thank you. Any other new business? >> Ma- Ma- Madam Chair, if

123I may, I had reached out to the Athletic Subcommittee Chair and the superintendent regarding an Athletic Subcommittee meeting. I don't know if that's being in the planning stages. If the chair could let us know if if that's being scheduled. Say that again, please. The Athletic Subcommittee, I reached out to Athletic Subcommittee Chair and the superintendent regarding a uh an Athletic Subcommittee meeting. We haven't had one in a long time, and I just wanted to um get the brains together and find out if that's going to happen or not. Okay. Thank you. Ms. Santos, you had some new business? Yes, thank you, Chairperson. Um uh ch- I I wanted to hopefully um get a motion to put something on the agenda for next week. Uh this is regarding um it just seems maybe some confusion miscommunication

124about how agendas are posted on the Taunton Public Schools website. Um I We had gone through this with one of the Rules Subcommittee that had to be canceled because it wasn't posted within 48 hours. Um but then my understanding was that they are posted, but they're only posted at City Hall. And then it just seems inconsistent because a lot of them, even today's agenda, was not posted on Taunton Public Schools website before I came. >> Just for the record, there was no violation. No, I'm not saying there was. I think Just for the record, there was no violation. The meetings were posted. Jan Ledger provided us provided us with the receipts acknowledging that the meetings were posted and that the meetings could have been held. Just for clarity for the public. >> Yes, but not

125for that Rules Subcommittee meeting. It It met the timeline. That's why we had to postpone it because it didn't. Not those school Not the Curriculum and Instruction one. There was one that was There was one that was canceled because of illness. Correct? No, that was last week. Yeah, the one The one before that was canceled because it wasn't posted. Ms. Johnson incidentally did not post it. Okay. Well, either way, I think I I would like to be able to have a broader conversation about it to to clarify where these agendas are posted and and really just recommend that they should be posted within 48 hours on the Taunton Public website as well, too. So, if anybody would provide me with a motion for that. >> I just I have a question. >> have a question?

126I I just No, I just have a Is it like I don't know if this is a a policy change? I'm just trying to figure out what I'm voting on cuz the superintendent said that we're following state law with our posting. So, is Are we voting on something that supersedes state law? I'm just trying to understand Would that be a policy change? So, two things. So, Ms. Santos is correct. One posting was not filed within 48 hours. So, it did have to be canceled. That error was clerical and was addressed in the office. The second item that I'm discussing is that we are not required to post our agendas online. As long as we share it with Ms. Ledger, we've met the requirement. It's a meeting held in the public, not for the public. So,

127the public has the opportunity to attend the meeting. You receive the materials 48 hours in advance. And Ms. Johnson then posts the agenda on the websites afterwards. But once the city receives the the packet or the the posting, it's an official meeting. It can be held. Anything else? That's all for now. I just again, want to be clear what I'm voting on. Okay. Dr. DeMello? Madam Chair, thank you. Superintendent, I understand that it's it's legally posted and we file all requirements. It's a convenience for the public. We have a wonderful website. We've invested thousands and thousands of dollars. When we send it to City Hall, whoever does it could put it on our website. Right, but you're you're you're saying that you're saying that you're legal. It's a convenience to the public. That's all we're

128saying. Nothing else. Right, but meeting the legal requirements is fine, but we need to be transparent. And And And I get calls, and I also get calls Okay, but do we We're We're legal, fine. But do we want to be convenient to our families? Superintendent, I'm not here to argue. I'm here I'm here as a School Committee member also replying to my constituents that call me and ask me why it's not posted on the on the School Committee website. That's all. Nothing else. Superintendent, I I would probably expect from you to say, "Yes, we'll work on it and correct it." Basically, and not defending Superintendent, it's not the first time. With all due respect. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Uh if I could Superintendent, with all due respect,

129we're not saying that anybody's incompetent at doing their job. We're asking for something that is duly right to our citizens of Taunton and our parents. Right, but that's not the That's not the subject matter. Thank you, Chair. Let's Let's go back to Ms. Santos, please. Yes. I am asking if we can have a conversation about the possibility of changing a policy to where we post them within 48 hours on the Taunton Public website. Okay. Um so, I'm just curious why they're not on there now. Okay. All right. Thank you. So, what >> there's no need for any kind of discussion or I was going to say we can circle back on the new business next week next meeting and >> If you can give me an update after talking to Ms. Johnson. Okay. I appreciate

130that. Thank you. Thank you. Um Ms. Santos, I mean Ms. Mullen. Sorry. Um I through you, Madam Chair, I would just like to bring a clarification point on the iPads. Um like Dr. DeMello said, I've been getting calls from our constituents thinking that we voted on getting iPads personally to us rather than through the schools. Um these iPads are paid for. They are school property. We are using them like the other administrators are for School Committee um work. Our emails, our um agendas, our minutes will all be housed on the iPads. Um I got a pretty upsetting message from somebody who's like, "Oh, so now you guys are getting um personal iPads?" And I said, "They're not personal. It's just like your corporate device." Um so, I just want a clarification that we did not

131vote to get personal iPads. They are property of Taunton Public Schools. It is so we can go into any school and be on the network. And have our emails in case there is an open meeting violation and our devices have to be whatever happens. And I would like to say that this was suggested by our legal counsel too. So just for clarification. Thank you. Dr. D'Mello. Thank you Madam Chair through you. Are we not getting the paper versions anymore if we don't have an iPad? Because I don't want an iPad. I don't want to spend $500 to get an iPad. I get very well paid as a school committee member and I can afford an iPad. So we're not getting any more paper forms? You are still getting the paper forms. >> want to clear

132clear that. >> the clarification what these are not our own personal devices. I mean we can all buy our own personal devices if we wanted. These are devices that are owned by the city of of the school department. When we're no longer on the school committee they would go back to the school department. But it allows us to house all of our documents. Because honestly I have to access it something on my personal device at home. And if there was a violation and they had to come take my computer. Not only would they take my computer but they would take the computer that my husband happens to run his business on also. So you know everybody who has a personal computer they may have children and they're using it or they may be using it

133for business or personal reasons. And now you get an open violation where they have to pull your personal device. And now I would lose the device that our entire family uses. So the we did clear this up with our with our lawyers that they highly recommended that we had a email through the district which many of you have already changed. I know I didn't have one so I've changed it to have a district email. And this device will also be able to house the the protection. Because on our own personal devices they couldn't necessarily put the protections that they have in the district. So all of the security will be put on there and and Ms. Mullen is right when we go into schools now we will have access to the internet which is something

134that we have a hard time with when we're having meetings. So it was just a clarification because it appeared out in the public that somehow we were getting personal devices. Yes. And we just wanted to clear that up. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for clarifying the point of the paper still coming along. Thank you so much. Thank you. There's also there's also a savings. Yes. Mr. Mr. We pay people to drive throughout the city. We pay people to drive throughout the city. Ms. Johnson spent about 3 hours putting the packet together. When you use when you think about the amount of time carbon footprint. But again if somebody wants to go paperless we're at we're actually going to be saving money reducing the amount of time Nick DeCosta and the other groundskeeper spend

135driving the packet throughout the city. So that is the point and that was the point 15 years ago when Dr. Hackett attempted this with the school committee then. So again I I think it's a good thing and it's it does provide a level protection and and a level protection to all the board members in the district. Thank you. >> Madam Chair if I may we we do have access to the online version through our personal phones our personal laptops our personal iPads. So there is still access Superintendent for us if we don't have an iPad issued through the school department right? Because the way you just interpreted the about the paper seems like you know we don't have access to the online version which we do. I do at least. I don't know if anybody

136else does. It's to save the city. As long as you know as long as it's posted online we'll have access to it. If it's posted on Friday we'll have access to it. So as long as we correct that problem it would be great. Thank you so much. Thank you Dr. D'Mello. Okay on to J unfinished business. We've got one letter from the city auditor on two Hamilton Street funds. I believe this provides clarification from the Ian Fortes who is the city auditor who addressed this letter to Chairperson Chaves and myself regarding the fund transition of two Hamilton Street. So Mr. Fortes provides us with a timeline dating back to December 19th 2023 where he establishes the establishment of the city municipal property revolving account. He provides the account number for two Hamilton Street less receipts

137and and expenditures. On October 29th 2024 the city council voted to transfer two Hamilton Street to the school department through February of 25 all revenues and expenses continued to be recorded in the city revolving fund. It was in March of 2025 that the first lease lease payment posted to the TPS revolving fund. And then all subsequent payments have been made recorded to this account. In May of 2025 first expenses recorded by the Taunton Public Schools revolving fund were charged. And then June of 25 to the end of fiscal 25 certain expenses continued to be charged to the charged to the city revolving fund including trash collection and there was somebody who was was on payroll through park and rec so it was being paid through this account. So due to the continuation of expenditures in

138the city's revolving fund and revenues being shifted to the Taunton Public Schools fund there was an outstanding deficit in the city's fund as of June 30th 2025. To correct this two journal entries were executed to transfer funds from the Taunton Public Schools fund to the city's fund. I notified the TPS business office of these journal entries and the resulting balances on August August 1st 2025. After posting the said entries the following were the balances as of the close of fiscal 25. Municipal light municipal property rental revolving fund was zeroed out. And then the two Hamilton revolving fund which the school department oversees was came in at $31,412.86. The decision not to perform a balance transfer in March of 25 was intentional according per Mr. Fortes. As doing so would have required a large reversal once

139outstanding expenses posted. It was best to let the dust settle in his opinion and see what the balances laid at the end of fiscal 25. And if there's other additional information or detailed reports requested by the committee Mr. Fortes would be happy to provide it. So I believe this answers the question that was raised by the board. Question Dr. D'Mello. Thank you Chair. Superintendent unfortunately it does not. My original request was year to date. So this takes us through the end of FY25 which according to me ended June 30th of right? So we're in FY26. So basically we're 9 months into FY26 and the numbers you're giving us was for the close of FY25. So my original request and I make it in the form of a motion I'd like to get a year to

140date We have 25 now FY26. I I I believe last time I asked for it was through February cuz of course we're now in April we couldn't have March numbers. So my motion is to get a year to date a fiscal year to date from July 1st of 2025 through in this case March 31st of 2026. And and then going forward maybe a quarterly update on the building because now we have a lot of moving parts and that's in the form of a motion. Any second? Second. All in favor? I. Opposed? Yes. Do we have Do I have to do a Do a roll call vote? That wasn't clear. Who's asking for a roll call vote? I said do I have to do a roll call vote? Yeah I I the mo- I was clear

141it was seven eight to one. I mean seven to one but that's okay. Someone asked for a roll call? Question I have it. So all The only thing I'm asking is that the auditor give us an update current update. That's all we're asking. That's that's my understanding. Yeah. But it May I Madam Chair? Back to you Dr. D'Mello find out what My original request from the Superintendent was to get a year to date whatever it was either a fiscal year whatever through the end of February. The report that's provided to us that the Superintendent says satisfied the request does not satisfy the request because this report ends FY25. So we're now 9 months into FY26. Now in the form of a motion I'm asking for a fiscal year to date through the end of March

14231st. And then moving forward a quarterly update. So the next report would come out during February March April May June. And then 3 months after. So quarterly updates on the building. That's all. >> a clarification if I may Madam Chair? So I I thought the point and correct me if I'm wrong if I misunderstood cuz I'm human that was to identify why there was a $25,000 discrepancy. And Mr. Fortes in this memo explains why there was a $25,000 discrepancy. Because there were still charges that the city was incurring that they had to charge against the city's revolving account to balance out the city's charges that continued through fiscal 25. So started on fiscal 26 you had a balance of 31,000 plus the receipts that were collected that I provided you in February as you stated.

143So that's the point of hit this report was to explain the discrepancy that you identified when you went back and did all the deposits. Well I I yeah I I mean again again our duties responsibilities is is budget right Superintendent? He explained >> Right but that's not my original request. He could he No you can go back and check the tape. My original request was a year to date. I mean again now this is not >> not an issue. I'm sorry? The $25,000 >> Absolutely Absolutely is a discrepancy. Absolutely. But But this This is This doesn't address what you gave us that was at the time year to date. It wasn't FY25. You couldn't even answer when we took over the building, Superintendent. I couldn't. >> And I had to reach out to to the

144city clerk to get all the documents, of course, that he explains here, which is absolutely accurate. So Superintendent, I I don't want to be I don't want to be argumentative, Superintendent. I'm just asking for a a >> I'm clear is we've addressed the deficit. You're satisfied with the deficit. >> No, I'm not. >> We're not there. So this his memo does not satisfy the deficit. >> This memo satisfies FY25, Superintendent. >> He explains that in this memo. Superintendent, please. Please. Don't Don't mix words. Okay? The motion is on the floor. Is that correct, Madam Chair? >> clarify your motion? >> The motion is to get a year to date a fiscal year to date, which started July 1st of 2025 through the end of March. So, now we're in April, so through through March 31st.

145Exactly what's explained here, income and expense. It's simple. It's income and expense. Nothing Nothing crazy. Superintendent, please. With all due respect, you're being childish. Dr. DeMello. You're being I'm I have the floor and you're interrupting me, Superintendent. With all due respect. >> person who called me childish was my mother. Superintendent, you're disrespectful, okay? >> I think maybe we should bring Mr. Ferrante for the motion. Let's Let's >> for the motion. If I may. >> Yes. I I made a second to the motion only to first of all, clarify the the $25,000 discrepancy. Is Does this meet that criteria to this point? >> Madam Chair, the vote was already taken. Am I correct? >> No, no. No vote was taken. Yes, it was. Yeah, it was. >> taken. It was It passed 7 to 1. I

146mean, what >> a roll call. We asked for a roll call. I didn't hear anybody ask for a roll call. That's where That's where we're at. Right. Exactly. Well, the thing is, can we Okay. Well, as far as this communication, if this answers the question to the $25,000 discrepancy, can we accept this as a motion to accept and place on file? And then make a motion that we need to have it more current. >> Madam Chair, the only way to take the motion off the table, so I take the motion. I'm not taking the motion off the table. It's been seconded. It's been voted on. So, I think we have to act, Madam Chair. Okay. So So, can you clarify the motion again? The motion was to get an update from the start of FY26,

147which started July 1st of 2025 through the end of March 31st of 2026, which is 9 months into the fiscal year. Okay. We have no All I'm looking for is an income expense from that period forward. And then moving forward, a quarterly update on the 2 Hamilton Street property. Again, income and expense. Very simple. Nothing crazy. We don't need a city auditor. We don't need a CPA. Okay. That's all. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> So, we've had a motion and we've had seconded and it has passed. Thank you. So, the motion will be to have an income and expense report for fiscal FY26 for 2 Hamilton Street and then thereafter afterwards you would like quarterly reports. That's That's That's correct. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Moving forward, the next thing we're going to do

148for unfinished business is discuss the Taunton abroad London Paris field trip update. So, we reached out to legal counsel and this is the explanation that they provided regarding the options. So, the option The options are there for you to review. And Mr. Barreto did some work with the high school staff. There are 4 15 students who are planning who had signed up to attend on the trip. Uh they were surveyed recently to see if they had changed their mind regarding recent circumstances in the area they were planning to visit. So, of the 15 students, 11 said yes that they would like to continue or plan to attend. All four students said no, that they're no longer planning to attend. Uh and I believe they understand the ramifications if they cancel. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Barreto.

149So, with the 11 students uh still and families still on board of attending, uh it it's now it falls on the school committee whether or not the school committee wants to uh approve the trip knowing that 11 families are fine with traveling. Perhaps the school committee may want to put some other ramifications in place to protect the committee after speaking to legal counsel. But this is the recommendations of the attorney after doing their due diligence and reviewing the contract. And then we surveyed the families. Of the 15, 11 still plan to attend. Four no longer wish to attend and they understand the ramifications. Wishes of the committee or discussion? Questions, Mr. Barreto. >> the four that are remaking on going on the trip, do they get what percentage do they get on their refund? Half.

150Half. 50%. >> 50%. Of what they paid. And so, with the company, 11 being active still for one to go, they would still go? That's correct. And And the refund would be based upon whatever plan they bought into. I just don't have that document here. And would the company because of four withdrew, would the company ask for additional funds for those that aren't going? No. They're not They They wouldn't have asked to make up the difference of the four not going. Okay. Thank you. Who else had a question? No. Miss Mullen. Um so, of the four families that aren't going, is their reasoning for what's going on in Iran? Is that and around the world or is Is it Yeah, one one family did not provide didn't No answer. Uh one family just wrote the

151dates, June 22nd to June 29th. I'm not sure what that means. They're still in school, right? >> Well, one of the questions was, if you want to go later in the year, would you do that? That one family said June 22nd to 29th and actually suggested Niagara Falls. Um you had the supervisors, the chaperones unable to go later in the season along with other families, the seniors and such, who already planned out, I guess, the remainder of their summer based upon this time frame. Thank you, Mr. Barreto. Further questions? Question of So, the legal counsel is recommending that we do a cancel for any reason policy? >> No. They're not recommending any They just provided They analyzed the contract and laid provided the committee with the potential options and the ramifications. Should you take action?

152>> That's what I thought. Yeah, that's what I thought. And so, what what do we need whether we approve it? So, my recommendation, and again, it's just one recommendation. The committee can decide differently. If the 11 families feel safe in sending their students on this trip, then I would say that the committee approve the trip. If the 11 families feel comfortable going knowing the ramifications and knowing that it's a level two all over the country and knowing that it that if something did happen and the committee canceled, they're going to If the committee decides to cancel, then we got to figure out how to make them whole if the committee makes that decision. Mr. Viera. Thank you, Madam Chair. I agree with the Superintendent and I think it's a uh family decision. I think if

153the families are comfortable going, then I'm comfortable approving it, but I'm just I'm one member of a body that makes decisions together collectively. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Dr. DeMello. Madam Chair, I I believe this trip is already approved. We've already approved it as a school committee. We have. Not the final approval? Okay. If I can say something, I >> Thank you for the clarity. would I think I would be more comfortable if we um talked to legal about maybe having some kind of waiver that the parents of the 11 um are going saying that they understand that what is going on right now may not be to the the best that we believe in, but if the parents are willing to take on the trip for their students, then, you know, we would

154we would allow it. Whatever legal jargon that our lawyers tell us to do, but sort of have them sign off on some kind of waiver. I don't know. It's just something. Well, has that discussion been had with the families? Not that particular, no. I think so. Good idea. Maybe something like that. I would move the motion to approve subject to discussion with the legal person to have some kind of a sign-off with the parents. Second. All in favor? Aye. I'm voting I'm voting present, Madam Chair. And the reason I'm voting present is that we're going to get screwed no matter what because last time we got screwed $80,000 by a situation that was COVID. So, I'm voting present for that reason. Thank you. Well, thank you. Okay. So, the ayes have it. Thank you. Anything

155on the action item update? I spoke with Peter Buffington and he is awaiting delivery of the AED devices. And I believe the committee will be getting an invitation to attend opening day at the Taunton Girls Softball League. So, uh we hopefully should have that item removed shortly. Thank you. Um any press? No press tonight, so Motion to adjourn. Second. All right. The ayes have it. Good night, everyone. Good night. Good night.