Pembroke School Committee: 3/17/26

001We're good to go to our studio audience. Okay, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Penrook School Committee meeting Tuesday, March 17th, 2026. Happy St. Patrick's Day, one and all for evacuation day to anyone in Suffach County. Um hopefully if you're listening to this in Suffach County, good luck to you. Uh this meeting is being recorded. If you have any questions, you can send them to scinfrok12.org. Would you all join me for the pledge of allegiance? >> I pledge algiance 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. >> Thank you very much. Okay. Public comment. Anyone here to publicly comment? Okay. No. Acknowledge your schedule of visitors. I think we're okay. Superintendent, any adjustments to our

002agenda? >> Nope. Communications uh 2526 calendar. So, I received a lot of communication um in regards to the 2526 calendar and the dislike of the idea that the final day of school for the school year would be Monday, June 22nd. Um there were several suggestions that I received. Um some involved um lengthening each of the day by days by 15 minutes, using a virtual learning day instead of a snow day. Um, I think the one that had the most traction was whether or not the school committee would consider um reopening this year's school calendar and shifting Friday, April 3rd, Good Friday, to a student day. Um, a couple things about that. Um, our school calendar is set generally in April of each year. Um, by law, we are required to schedule for 180 school days

003plus five inclement weather days. So, from the beginning of this year, our schedule has always been with the 185th day being on Monday, June 22nd. I appreciate that families have made plans. Um, I would caution anyone to make plans outside of what is the the printed calendar um for the year, but with that being said, if you have plans on Monday, June 22nd, continue with your plans. We are not sending the truency officer to anyone's home for the last day of school. Um, at the high school in particular, the last day tends to be an exam makeup day. Um, it's not a, you know, a full student attendance day. Our sixth grade students at the elementary level have promotion night prior to the last day of school. Um, and the last day of school here

004in the district is a half day no lunch. So, it is a very short day across the board. Um, when you take a day like Good Friday and switch it to a work day, um, we did do that in um, April of 2015. Um that year in particular, we used seven snow days prior to um Good Friday. We changed Good Friday to a professional development day for staff and then shifted a later day in March to a student day. Um Good Friday can be observed as a religious day, a religious holiday for staff. When we converted it to a professional development day, we did have several staff that put in for a religious holiday. If we were to entertain the idea of opening school on this April 3rd, I cannot tell you how many staff

005would be putting in for a religious holiday for that day. I can't ask people ahead of time. Um, so I think just overall my stance on it is that it's day 185. If we were talking about it being day 186 or 187, opening the calendar may make sense. I just think if you start opening it ahead of that day 185 now you've opened the door to then have that conversation in future years short of the mandated 185day calendar. But I know you all have gotten feedback from families too. Um I know that there's some staff that have reached out. There's definitely families that have reached out. Um >> well I know there's some concerns about summer camps starting that Monday and um >> go to summer camp. I got it. >> I just say we

006can't tell you not to come to school technically, but uh if you have a summer camp commitment. Um and I think they're worried about some of the staff being able to work, but again, it's an exam makeup day. >> Well, at the at the high school, it's an exam makeup day, but for the same reason, there's definitely families that have plans on Friday, April 3rd, as well. >> Um so shifting it to a student day at this point would also cause a group of families some sort of >> disruption to their schedule and plans. And I know in the past you've mentioned like not to I've heard it mentioned at this school committee meeting several times not to plan things for that last week in the case that there are snow days. Um so >>

007it's been a long time since we've used them but they're there for a reason. >> Yeah. Uh I would not want if we're going around with our opinion um would not want to change open up the school calendar. I think we leave it the way that it is knowing that some people won't be able to make it on that last day for plan reasons and that's okay and a personal choice >> and the questions I asked ahead of time that I'm just going to ask again just to make sure. So >> we cannot have school on a federal holiday. So Junth could not have school even if we voted to make that a school day. We're not allowed to. >> And then what happens if devil's advocate we have two more snow days? What happens?

008>> Um, so the state of Massachusetts expects you to adjust your calendar for snow days all the way up until miday. If weather days or weather, not just snow, if weather days happen after miday, there is some parameters under which you don't have to make up the time because you're so used to the end so close to the end of the school year. Um, if we were to have additional weather days, I don't want to use the word snow. Um, we could talk about changing the calendar, but without I mean we don't have any other days left in there that you >> we So in theory we would then have to potentially go to school Tuesday, Wednesday of that week. >> Correct. Okay. >> If we had more weather days. >> So us change. So

009that's part of the reasoning for not changing it now because it could just end up >> it could be a new point, right? We could still end up with weather days. There was that year that there was a giant storm at April Fool's Day. 9 >> and contractually the teachers can't work past June 30th. >> The in Massachusetts you can't go to school past. So it's not even our a collective bargaining thing. It's a state. >> If 180 days goes to July 1st that's not possible. >> No. Okay. So just to clarify, there was a question question around if we can go to school on uh federal holidays or just specifically Junth >> total holiday. >> Okay. >> That Junth question did come up a few years back because if you'll remember Junth was declared

010a holiday mid school year. It wasn't on our calendar when we approved the calendar. Um so there was some conversation that year on whether or not we had to observe it or not. Um we do >> due to a midyear change. Understand? >> Yeah. And it being that you know on for us it being that it is still part of our calendar you know a lot of places in the country they're they're out anyway in June so it doesn't affect them the way it does like Massachusetts. So >> do we have to take a vote on this or >> No. So I don't have it on your agenda as a voting item. If there was appetite of the committee to take it as a voting item. I would put it on your agenda next week

011for it to be a voting item. >> And this is all changes to the calendar have to go through school committee. >> You guys set the calendar. Y just making that. >> Yeah, I have no appetite to change it. I think what you said makes sense and we keep it as is. >> Mhm. >> Katrina. >> Agreed. >> Okay. So, kind of called a moot issue. >> Yeah. I just wanted to bring it up because I know that I got several emails. I know that there was a a Facebook kind of campaign to like send this email and I got several of them um and staff asked questions. I proactively did kind of survey staff and say if it were a conversation, which way would you lean? the bulk of the staff were leaning towards

012scheduling an early release day for Good Friday, but in the same breath, I can't ask them if they're planning on attending work that day. Um, so >> got it. >> Thank you. >> Um, can I add something for communications? >> Sure. >> Okay. Um, I know that the Pembroke um community center recreation department is looking for volunteers for their Easter egg hunt event um as well as people um to stuff the eggs and um to purchase candy. So, if anyone's interested, reach out to the recck department. Um and then coming up on is it April 2nd, David? >> Yes. >> There's a fundraiser um at Tiny and Suns. >> It's going to be at Tiny and Suns. >> Is it at 6 >> 6 to 8? six to eight uh fundraiser for um uh the

013scholarship fund for David's late wife. Um so if people are able to come that would be fantastic. >> Thank you very much. Very nice of you. >> I actually self-promoting. I will be doing a um an interview with Christine James tomorrow on WATD at noon time. So >> nice. >> Thank you. >> Excellent. >> Um approval of bill schedule. >> Um I don't think you got it yet. It'll be good. Okay. Um okay. Okay, I'll take a motion to accept the school committee meetings for March 3rd. >> So moved. >> We have a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Any abstaining? 5-0. Natalie. Superintendent report. >> So we have a lot of stuff under my report this evening. We're going to start with um our next installment of

014budget presentations. And so up first we have um Chapman and she's going to do visual and performing arts. I think you have a question, right? Yep. It should work from your seat. MBTH and I tried it. >> Maybe it will. Maybe. >> Good evening. >> Hello. >> It's always my pleasure to talk about art and music. >> So, we are going to start um with just going over our goals for this year and we're going to uh I'm going to share some things about our accomplishments going through staffing and enrollment and then our maintenance of effort budget and what our next steps will be. So, celebrating goals, we're always um out in the community doing our concerts, having students be able to share their wonderful artwork. Um so, we do celebrate community by singing at

015Veterans Day, um marching in the parade this year for the first time on Veterans Day, which was wonderful. Uh and our art shows that will be coming up um this spring. So, we're excited about that. As far as our pathways go, um I participated uh at the middle school in late uh oh no, it was early March and presented to the eighth graders everything about the music and art classes and about the pathways. So, we always um look forward to be able to reach them and there's a uh video also on the visual and performing arts uh web page for people if they want to refer back to that. Um excited to share that we've had our first student finish the music pathway this year. He did a uh independent study uh composition and uh

016wrote his own piece, wrote a labretto, wrote the own his own piece, performed it, videotaped it. Um so we were able to have a videotape and a score. So that's kind of exciting. Um, and as far as PD goes, our visual art educators K through 12 are finishing the second year of their uh, art of education university. And so they have the opportunity to um, self- select pro packs on many related topics to what they're teaching or something that they're interested in exploring that they don't currently um, do. And so that has just the feedback from that has been tremendous and we hope to that's one of our goals uh for pre cons um years coming up that we'd like to be able to continue that um availment of their program there for the art

017of education university. We've had teachers participate at MASCU, our uh National Association for Art Educators, and at the MAA MEA. I'm I'm headed up to All State uh this coming Friday with three lovely high school students that got into the chorus there. So, that conference is happening this coming weekend. And again, I always do reach out to the staff, especially at the end of the year, to find out what they particularly would like to have targeted for PD. Um so, that helps us plan for the the next year coming up. uh celebrating our accomplishments. So really excited that eight out of 10 of our AP studio art students this year earned a qualifying score last spring on their exam portfolio. It's just an amazing breath of work that they have to prepare and submit for

018that. Uh we've had PHS artist exhibit works at the Boston Globe Scholastic Art Show, emerging young artists at UMass Dartmouth, Congressman Keading Journeyed Art Show and the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. And currently we have 10 students enrolled in the digital arts pathway and seven students in the music pathway. We also had a number of students this year uh be selected. This is Tyler K's uh photograph called Beauty and Fall. um and he won a gold um award for that. But we've had a number of students there listed, you can see that had their art selected at the Boston Globe Scholastics. We had a number of students um enter the emerging young artist and designers award um at the UMass Dartmouth and they you can see there how many it was wonderful to have that

019recognition as well for those students. Um for the first time last year we took place um we took part in the Attalboro uh art installation exam um art museum contest and I'm proud to say that PHS took first place. So it was the first time we ever entered and this was done uh mostly by our art club our afterchool group uh led by two of our students. So they uh two of our teachers they created this um what you want to say this exhibit this this uh piece collectively. It was done with a lot of 3D materials and then they went down and actually did the installation. They had to move each piece separately and then install it down there and they and they actually took first place. So we were really excited about that.

020It was the first time that we had been involved in that. One of our teachers had done this previous in another school system and brought it to our attention and so we entered and look what they did. It was pretty amazing. >> Awesome. >> Also, our music department is always very busy. Um especially our uh elementary teachers, our band um Mr. Haw take likes to do lots of outreach and and extra things for our students. So, they've already performed at a BC game this year and they have plans to go to Fenway Park. We've done the TD Garden and Celtics. We perform at Derby shops. They're looking to do um we uh excuse me, the middle school um and through the high school are going to Music in the Parks on May 1st this year.

021And we've also had groups uh the elementary choruses went to sing at New England Village as well as our middle school jazz band to perform for the residents there. And they also the middle school did Providence Bruins this past January. >> That's awesome. This is just a picture of our cast and crew of Susicle that we did in the fall that we also included students in grades five and six, which was a lot of fun to um have our younger students uh be involved in some theater. And our music students have been busy um preparing for festivals. So, we've had 15 students accepted this year to our senior district festival, which was in January. Four students just went last weekend to our um two weekends ago, I'm sorry, to junior district as well as our

022own Greg Tarbox who was the orchestra director this year for Southeast District, which is fantastic. We've had three students accepted to All State. I take them this weekend. And just last weekend, we had 21 students accepted to uh senior SEMSA. And so they performed down in Plymouth and our own Austin Glass is the president of SEMSA this year. So we are we are very engaged. Our current staffing is has not changed. So we have two uh full-time teachers at each of the elementary schools, one visual art and one music teacher. At the middle school, we have one visual art teacher and 1.2 music teachers. So that's Mr. Tarbox doing his string program there. At the high school, we have three full-time MU uh art teachers and 1.8 8 music teachers. So that's a full-time teacher.

023I myself teach 04 and then another teacher teaches point4 to get to that number. And at the elementary level, we have two instrumental music teachers, a full-time band instrumental teacher and a 2 string teacher. I don't know if you have any questions there about staffing. Our instrumental enrollment at the elementary school, we really like to look at these numbers. They have been holding nice and steady. I'm glad to say even with our declining ro enrollment um and just kind of a breakdown overall in that 174 number we're looking at about um 35 strings in the grade five six um if you were curious about how that broke down. Um but that that's the total enrollment. So um we're kind of I like to say the only game in town in grades five and six. So

024we're we're kind of happy that a lot of students do choose to try an instrument. Um there is a little bit of attrition between five and six and then six to seven. Um but we're so glad that so many families and um are supporting their children in making that decision to try an instrument and to see what that is like. Uh the current VPA class enrollment at the middle school and the high school, there's not a lot of change from last year from the middle school art and music. You can see our numbers there. And at the high school, uh, we have about a 5% increase in both music and art. So, I would attribute this to two things. Yeah, we're excited about that. One, of course, is the new VPA graduation requirement that you

025all voted on last year. And also um for the music classes, having the ensembles, um having the ability to take it just as a semester class in the fall really did help us capture some students that wouldn't have otherwise um been able to fill it fit it in if it was a full year. So uh we had a lot of students say thank you for that. And um the ones that did it a half year, I know for myself are like I have to do it a full year next year. I just, you know, so we're hoping that that continues. you know, if the the there are constraints in the schedule, but it allows students to have that uh opportunity and to get kind of invested in the music department and kind of see what

026it's all about. So, that has been really wonderful. So, we're pretty happy with those numbers. Awesome. And we're not asking for anything addition um this year. We're just looking to do what we currently do at next year's prices. So our maintenance of effort, you can see the bulk of our um instructional supplies is the bulk of our budget because we have a lot of art consumables. Once we use those, they're gone and we need to purchase them again. Um transportation, we do provide all the transportation to all the festivals that we do. Um per mass principles association, students are not allowed to drive themselves to those festivals. So, we have to uh provide chaperoned uh transportation to and from all of the festivals and the auditions that we do. >> Um I don't know if

027you have any particular questions. There's a graph of kind of how how it looks uh with a breakdown between middle school, elementary school, and high school. High school tends to be a little bit more expensive, especially for art. as they're going through the art program, uh, our our projects and things get much more sophisticated as far as the materials that they need to use. We also take care of um a lot of the maintenance of instruments. We have many, many school-born instruments that were um even allowed to uh rent, not rent, but u let students use that may not otherwise afford it. So, we just have them fill out um a rent a little form that they've taken a certain they're all serialn numbered all of our instruments, but sometimes they come back when we

028need to make sure that they stay in working order. Um so, we do have to um and we have the pianos tuned and things like that. So, and then our we um our next steps, we are very excited that we're going to implement an AP digital photography course next fall. That will be open in for students in grades 10, 11, 12. They will have had to taken digital photography as a semester for a prerequisite. Um but there's a lot of buzz about that among the students. They're very excited about that course. So I I expect that we'll see some some good um enrollment there. And we are always always thinking about recruitment. We are an completely elective department other than the 0.2 graduation requirement at the high school. So to capture students, we we really

029do as much as we can. things like doing Susicle, having the younger grades come in, doing the all town concerts like we put on last week where we're letting especially caregivers and the students see what is it going to be like if you stay in the programs. We plan trips. We try to do things that are fun to um give outreach but also to give them that extra experience. You know, you have to make it it has to be fun, you know, to be to be involved. So, we are continuing to think about ways um that we can always reach those students. But I would say to caregivers too, it it's up to them too to help support and to make those decisions. I would say especially six to seven and grades 8 to nine.

030Sometimes it is the caregiver giving that extra why don't you just try it and see what happens because the experience might be different than what you had in the previous school. So, um, I would just encourage people to stay with it so we can see those numbers continue to grow. We did have quite a number of eighth graders do marching band this year for the first time and so we'd like to continue that for next year. We also have our color guard um involvement and actually Miss Haley just went and performed with the elementary color guard at NESPA and they did really well. They got a gold medal last weekend. So, that's the first time. Thank you for your support, Mrs. Zobie for that um helping there pay for all the dues and everything, but

031that was the first time that we had the younger color guard compete. So, they did fabulous. So, we'd like to see that come up so the seventh and eighth graders can be a part of the color guard uh in the fall as well. And like I mentioned before, I I really would like to keep um the offering of the art of education university. I believe the line item is actually going to be in the teaching and learning PD budget. Um, but it's kind of short money for a two-year um, commitment for all of our art teachers to be able to have that targeted professional development. That's the thing I hear from the staff the most is that sometimes it's not always music and art specific. So, this is a way we can really offer um,

032and to move their own professional practice forward uh, having those options. So, that's slid questions. Yeah, I just wanted to say um fantastic job. You know, seeing the increase in music and art enrollment is really to be celebrated and uh credit to all the work that you and others have done to get there. >> Um and then I just wanted to mention to highlight I know you said Mr. Mr. House, >> Mr. Hos, >> Mr. Haw. Okay, there we go. Mr. Haw. Um having those elementary performances in different places, right? Like I think that's also going to um create those core memories for those students to be able to want to continue in high school. school. And so I just wanted to highlight that. That's fantastic. Um, continuing to do those and it's wonderful that

033he seeks those opportunities out. Um, and yeah, that was it. Just excited to see the increase in enrollment and ideas for the future. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Alison, >> does the school own uh the cameras like digital cameras? Are these like for the or the kids own them and are >> it's a combination of like cell phone? No, we do own digital cameras and iPads that they use in the digital the digital classes >> and they're learning because you know I grew up doing film processing and all that. Do they get to do any of that? >> You mean like a dark room situation? We don't do that. Okay. We don't have the capability, >> but but they're still I know I know but I know there's other photography classes that

034still do that but they're still learning you know the aperture and the >> they are they are so with the digital and they a lot of it as times they're taking it into Photoshop or using Procreate on the iPad so that they can learn to manipulate as well. So, not only are they doing all of the um you know, rules of thirds and all of that with the digital work, but then they're able to do it both physically and um with the computers. >> Okay, very cool. >> Thank you. >> So, well, uh you know, I'm going to echo what Katrina said about the, you know, recruitment and, you know, getting the numbers up. I think that's fantastic. I love having that you have the eighth graders join. I think that's probably key, >> you

035know. Yeah, absolutely. And, um obviously Mr. Pause does an amazing job every year. So, um I just wanted to, you know, we had like a really interesting conversation today in budget sub about um what PAPA does and how they contribute financially because they do a lot of fundraising and I thought it's this is an a good time to just let people know what they do. So, I was explaining that sometimes like they bought the trailer uh for the instruments, they bought um you know they do like a lot of fundraising. They you know they do the mattress sale. They do, especially when we're planning our big trips like next April. But even with music in the parks coming up, students have the a chance. So, we're not allowed to fund raise as a department, of

036course. So, it's all done through through um POPA or the booster group. So, they um plan out kind of depending on what the trip year is, um they plan a number of different fundraisers that students and families can get uh involved in so that students can help to offset that course. And what they decided this fall um was because we're doing a big trip next April, our our Florida trip, that students could bank that money so they could work multiple years towards offsetting the cost of a of a big trip. But yeah, they've they've been incredible. They've bought color guard flags. They've bought wireless microphones. They've bought the trailer, which is huge for us when we have to go to do a parade or like going to Florida. We take we send the equipment truck

037down so that we don't have to check all those instruments and play all those extra fees. They actually arrive safely. >> Um but it does save a ton of money having uh parents volunteer. They they just do so much for us. They're a wonderful organization. >> I feel like they bought a couple of instruments here and there too. >> They have bought instruments in the past. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Thanks for thanks for they almost try to fund every everything that we ask for and of course they fund awards as well and the senior scholarships that happen. So >> yes absolutely okay thank you so much >> Katrina >> nothing to add. Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> Well just closing comment is a lot of time people talk about the penro public

038schools two things that come up are the music program and I will defer to my good friend over here Brian the sports programs. Um a lot of parents are thrilled and a lot of out of town parents are jealous. So, >> Brian, I think we're on to you, sir. >> Before I let Brian start, I'm going to let Gwen go. I know she was traveling today and >> Thank you very much for all your work. >> Well done. >> Have a great day. >> Thank you, Gwen. >> Make sure this works. >> All right, we'll jump right into athletics. Thanks for having me tonight. I put this picture on this slide. really encapsulates a lot of what I feel about our athletic program right now. And it's interesting because I feel like this senior group,

039our student athletes in general, this senior group is so dynamic and they're so connected and they're so they're connected in a way that I haven't seen any group we've had in the past where there's no silos, there's no clicks, there's no this group and that group, there's no teams. Our student athletes seem so connected in the senior class. Like I feel like I could talk about them all day cuz they just >> they fulfill what you want them to look like. Um, so that's why I put this picture on here. They've, this volleyball team had a ton of success. That's honestly helps. But their connectedness just kind of shows and how I feel that our student athletes are right now. So this slide, any any um sports night that I do, I I show this

040slide. So some of you might have seen it before. People might get sick of it, but I think it's critical that we define our why of what we're trying to accomplish, what we're trying to do each and every season. And we go over this. This is really our philosophy with it's a student athlete center model. We can see them in the middle and there's three principles below it of educational based athletics, competitive excellence and transformational coaches. And it really takes these three areas to be aligned to come together and have belief to achieve what we want to achieve. And that's creating a great environment. That's having a great experience for all student athletes and educational based athletics. Um, which you'll see on this next slide right here is really we want our athletes to win

041in the classroom first, right? We have extreme um academic and rigorous standards that they need to take care of. They need to make sure obviously they're they're passing their coursework and doing great in the classroom before they can be an athlete at Penrook High School. So just some data to support and some evidence to support how well our student athletes are doing. This is from the class of um that grade 10, grade 11, and grade 12, 28 of the top 30 um highest ranking students are all student athletes, which is tremendous, right? They're checking that box. That's what we want them to do. 31 of 36 of the NHS inductees are student athletes. So, they're checking that box again. Those are all the things that we want them to be great students first using a

042uh academics as an extension of athletics. And then the next piece, you know, you can see on there that we had 17 student athletes commit to play college athletics, which is just a a benefit and a bonus to having great kids, a great program, and they've put in the work to achieve those things to to get to that next level. The next piece of that uh that first slide, that Y slide is, as you can see up here, is our competitive excellence piece. And I could talk once again about our student athletes all day, but it just shows, and just to put this into context, this um presentation covers our spring 25 season, our fall 25 season, and our winter 2526 season. So, it does not cover the spring season that we're we're heading into

043right now. So all these awards are from those three seasons. But you can see through this winter time, Alyssa Marcella, thousand point scorer, Logan Shipper, 100 career wins, Kevin Mur 100 career points. Those three tremendous individual awards will have banners put up in the gymnasium for them so they can accomplish those and come back and see those accomplishments and what happened. So super excited about those three. I think Alyssa was the only four the fourth person in Pemrook um basketball history to eclipse that mark and she went over 1100. 112 was her career number. So, a tremendous career for for PER girls basketball. Uh, state champion shot putter, a ton of Patriot League MVPs, girls and boys out to a track, girls tennis, boys soccer, boys into a track, and girls basketball. Um, so each

044side of the Patriot League gets one MVP selected and that's voted on by the coaches in that division. So, it just shows how what they provide to the league, not just the Penrook, but the whole entire Patriot League, the 12 member league that we're in. Boys and girls track, we're outdoor track stay runner up, not a surprise to many. um eight Patriot League Fisher Division titles, 82 Patri League All-Stars, 12 teams qualifying for the state tournament, six of them being a round of 16 finalist, four round of eight finalist, and then finally, we're the fifth uh we're fifth in the Patriot League in the Boston Globes Classic standings. So, the only schools in front of us are Marshfield, Ducksberry, Hangingham, and Hanover. So, we're that fifth school. So, we're we're above a bunch of, you

045know, highly competitive schools like Situ and some others that are around us. And um this past year has been tremendous. And that that scholastic standings is a win- loss result from your fall, your winter, and your spring season. It's an aggregate number that they put together. So overall, this this winter, the fall, and the spring have been certainly a time of a lot of competitive excellence that we chase, but I think the important part of that competitive excellence side is that I truly believe the platform of athletics is the greatest tool that we have to really teach the things that are necessary to be successful in life. There's no shortcuts to be successful in life. There's no shortcuts to be successful in sports. And I really think that platform that we have that our coaches

046are providing, um, our student athletes are are putting in the work, they're being committed, they're being resilient, they're they're working through adversity. I think those are all the things that we want all our students to to have. And I think the platform that we have here at Penrook has just been doing a great job for for our student athletes. >> Next slide. A little bit of of community service. Obviously, this is just as important as anything that any of our student athletes do. But we we hosted Morgan's message this year for the first time our girls basketball team. Um, and Morgan's message is really a nationwide message to kind of fight the stigma of mental health. And it just helps support um and get the the voice out and the word out and exposure out

047to mental health and who's fighting it and that you have help and there's people there that are willing to help you and ask for help and it's okay. So, we hosted that night u when we played Norwell in basketball. We had a great turnout. Uh it was a great first time that we've done it and we're certainly going to do that in the future moving forward. Our boys hockey team, uh they played a game that was dedicated to local food pantry. They spent a ton of time with those folks donating hours um doing whatever they can with with with that group and um they've done a great job. Our volleyball hosted their pink night which they do annually for cancer awareness. Uh we have a ton of youth camps that we host from uh pretty

048much year round, mainly in the summertime, but we host some during some school breaks and some holidays and you know extra dates we can get in. But we had some youth camps for soccer, both boys and girls, basketball, lacrosse, cheerleading, baseball, and softball. So that that importance of getting our youth connected with our high school aged um folks is is is something that we need. We're obviously not the biggest town. So when we can create those connections and those relationships early on, I think they really pay dividends down the road. and something our our kids and our coaches are doing a great job with. And then lastly, Alyssa Marcelo, once again to shout her out, she was a member of the MIA student advisory committee. There's only 26 student advisory committee in the entire state.

049It's a super rigorous um path to get there. You have a resume. You need to go through an interview process with the MIA executive director. They have monthly meetings at in Franklin MA headquarters. They they give back a ton. In this picture, you probably can't really see it well, but she actually spoke. This was at Gillette Stadium at the 31st um annual sportsmanship summit in front of like a thousand people and just that experience alone was was awesome and once again just representing what we're about at Pemrook and doing a great job >> uh in that role. >> All right, moving forward. I don't know if that top piece is on there, but I think you have it in your slide. So, this is going to start with the fall sports really our five-year um

050numbers from 2021 up to 2025 participation wise. Um, nothing drastic and major in here. I think you see our percentage of enrollment for athletics. We're down 1% from our 5-y year roll on average. So, nothing that's um drastic one way or the other. I think this is probably pretty consistent and and steady um expectation of where I hope we're at. That 40% number and above is is a healthy number and something that we we push to to keep going. Um the biggest drop off from the fall 2025 to 2024, girls soccer was down about nine. uh student athletes and football was down about seven. So that's that was a 16ish uh student athlete reduction from year-over-year. And then um volleyball has actually become pretty much our most robust and popular sport in the fall. We

051have we offer three levels of freshman JV and varsity. We have to make cuts unfortunately because we have so many girls who uh and boys who try out for that team which is awesome. Uh but it's a super it's healthy, it's growing and it's um it's been a great experience for all athletes moving forward. the that looks like it's fall right there. >> There we go. Winter, >> same thing. Five-year averages from 2021 to our current winter that we just finished up last week. The winter sports numbers are down slightly more um in terms of from last year, but really that number last year I think had a lot of noise in it. I don't think it had much signal. that that uh indoor track number had like 125 last year >> where our 5-year

052average was like between 95 and 100 right in that range >> and that's where we're back at this year. So it looks like we're down kind of a healthy chunk but I think there was a lot of noise in that number from last year. I don't expect it to be that high moving forward which kind of shows where that drop off is coming from. But once again we're above that 40% threshold which is I think a critical number a number that we're trying to stay at and above moving forward. spring. So, I just updated this with our actually our current spring numbers. Spring sports started yesterday. Can't believe that the field's out there on spring like, but uh we're doing our best. These numbers are are pretty accurate. We had about 13 uh folks register

053between yesterday and today. So, we're still we're still adding to this, which is a good thing. Um registration, although I put a deadline on it, it never seems to close. We're always taking those those late ads. Um but once again, you can see our numbers are staying pretty steady. uh they look a little bit low. They'll come up to be about 39% of our enrollment. Um to be, you know, just right below our 5-year moving average. Um the two declines for this spring season that I've seen right now are girls lacrosse in baseball. Um but like I said, we still have a few late enrollies, and we'll see what those numbers uh kind of finalize as we, you know, get through this first week of of spring sports. >> All right. budget overview. Let have

054this right. It's a little bit over here. Okay. So, just what it looks like from our fiscal year 26 overview. The next slide will be in detail. So, this is just a kind of the macro look at it. Athletic director, our coaching stipens. We have about roughly 60 to 61 coaching stipens and that makes up both our uh Penrook Community Middle School and our Penrook High School coaches uh in all three seasons. So, roughly about 61 coaching stipens to make up that number. athletic maintenance custodian, contracted services, officials, um supplies and equipment make up that 827 720. So this next slide you can see a little bit of detail to break those numbers down to give some context to them. Our biggest and largest expense year over year is going to be our rentals. Um

055our ice rinks are continue to um give us a cost that we have to pay and it's obviously expensive, but we that's it is what it is. That's a cost of doing business. We're fortunate they're in our backyard and uh you know it helps from a transportation perspective, but our our ice for our boys and girls team make up roughly 65,000 of that 90,000. Um and then our gymnastics program, our swim program, our two big other rentals, we use the Southshore YMCA and handover for gymnastics, we use a Kingsbury Club and Kingston um for our swim team. And that makes up that that 90,000 roughly for our rentals. Our league dues are consisted of our Patriot League dues and our MIA league dues and then we have entry fees for our cheerleading competitions, our wrestling

056events and our track um events that we that we regularly attend. Field maintenance, that's just our, you know, the stuff we need year-over-year. Like training services, that is the cost of Grace Walsh, our athletic trainer, and or any additional help that we um get provided by Mass General Brighgam, who our contractor is with for athletic training services. So at times uh if we need additional athletic trainer, if we have multiple events going on, they will provide that to us as kind of part of our contract. Um and it covers everything that way. Reconditioning, police details, repairs, uniform replacement cycle, and transportation make up the rest of that. Um 285, the contracted services, game officials, we host we host roughly 270 home events. Um and for each of those home events, we have athletic officials and

057that makes up that 5896A price. And then our training supplies broken up through our three seasons in our athletic training room make up that remaining 3160. So that's kind of the the budget breakdown and overview last year moving forward to uh 27. Some of our goals as we look forward to continue to you know try to provide the best experience that we can is obviously our athletic facilities is something we're always looking to invest in. That's going to be um you know an always an important and critical part of our of our program. So once again, an athletic press box that you've heard me say for some time. Um our grass fields certainly after this winter are going to need some extra TLC. Um they've been white for a long time and they get a

058ton of use. So they're and there's not great drainage. So I'll be very curious over the next 7 to 10 days how they they shake out um in some better weather. And then in our gymnasium, our basketball hoops, we replaced two systems over the past two years and slowly been chipping away at it, but they are getting older in our gym and they get a lot of use, not only from our sports programs, but our our PE programs as well and our youth folks on the weekend. So, they're pretty um you know, a pretty popular piece in our school. The next goal moving down is once again to strengthen our relationship with our our youth uh sports folks. They're they're a critical part of what we do and if we want to continue to have

059success, we need to invest in them to get them involved as early as we can. Like uh Gwyn's talked about recruiting for her folks. It's we're recruiting for our own kids in our town as well. As you guys know, there's so many options from private schools and um just so many more options nowadays for kids to go. Uh we want to keep our own in town and we're trying to get a get a hold of them at a young age to have a chance to do that. >> We continue to live stream our athletic events through Huddle. It's been um we've got a ton of feedback on it. We get over 2,000 uh 2,000 10,000 views yearly. Um it's a free platform for parents, family, people afar uh to check in and watch their their

060family and friends compete at Pepper High School. And they continue to provide a holistic student athlete experience. Grace does a tremendous job in the training room uh taking care of our student athletes. And then the strength conditioning program is something that on the next slide um I'll talk about a little bit but it's it's been a a very popular uh place in our athletic department as well. So we kind of put this all together. Some of the capital items obviously the press box is is is the biggest cost. Um that cost year over year goes up a little bit more and more as the cost of new business goes up. Um, but I I hope it's something we can try to, you know, put our our work work in and and get a find a

061way to get that accomplished because I do think it impacts so many in this town, like I said, from our youth programs to to the high school program. So, I think there's there would be a lot of support behind trying to find a way to to raise that money if that was a path in in the town. Um, I do think there's a lot of support. basketball hoops I talked about and the strength conditioning coach. This would be a stipen position kind of like our coaches are per season. We have almost every single one of our teams use the weight room at at some point in time or the other throughout the week or or the individual season. So all our teams we probably have I wish I had a a number to to track

062how many kids were in there each day, but we probably have at least 100 student athletes who enter that weight room every single day. all different sports um >> and all different music genre tastes, >> all different genres. >> I'm like, "Oh goodness, what's happening in there today?" >> Playlist and all all the fun stuff. But it it really has become a place that um it welcomes everyone. It's not just the football team or this group or this group. All our groups are in there. Um, and I'd love to keep that a place where we can, uh, provide some coaching and some, you know, u, year each season so we have some consistency for all our team and student athletes to have that because I do think that is an edge. I do think having

063a strength conditioning coach in the high school level is an edge and it's something that our student athletes really they they they enjoy being in there. Um, so I think that would be a great addition to our our program. And then the turf field one to two years away. I got it tested in April. We're our our GMAX testing and and some other testing. We're we're good from those ratings. Some of our um seams and our busy areas are starting to decay a little bit, but we're uh we're in good shape. We added another maintenance each year to try to push that longevity out of the turf and um it's a it's a busy place for us. We get a lot of use out of it. So, that will be down the road. All right.

064I think that is the end. So happy to talk about anything athletics or whatever anyone wants to talk about. >> Start on the end, Katrina. >> Yeah. Um I guess thank you so much for this. It's really helpful to see kind of how things are going over time and um all the accomplishments of um the our student athletes. Um, one question about um, in terms of your big biggest budget ask, like if you were to pick from the capital items, what do you feel like is the most um, pressing? >> It's a good question. It's really I I think I think they both I think the press box and the transitioning coach are both super pressing, but they're almost in two different avenues where I think we get way more student athlete touches obviously by

065the transition coach, which has those benefits. I think the press box obviously has a benefit from a facility usage, from a game operations and logistics perspective. So I it's a good question because I think they have kind of a little bit of different path. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Got it. >> So it's kind of hard to pick. Well, since you mentioned raising money, um so we did start last year to reinvigorate the um PEO Education Foundation, but we need somebody to help us with the um taxes and all the things that fell off when it stopped being functional before. Um so if anyone wants to help with that, would love to raise money for this um turf field press box because we can use that. Um but we do have some work to do

066in terms of the um nonprofit status and things like that. But if we can get that worked out and there's folks who want to volunteer to help make that a reality, I think we could totally do fundraising for the press box. >> I think you should partner also with the boosters on that because I know there was an appetite a couple years ago to contribute toward it. >> Yes. And I candidly don't have a ton of time to do that. So if anyone wants to help, please reach out to me. >> Tell me what to do. I'll go picketing around town. Whatever I have to do holding up signs, >> we'll have an opportunity with the replacement of the turf field to potentially put together a project, right? like a athletic enhancement. >> Okay. >>

067Maybe like a capital. >> Two years from now, we're still >> Can we do CPC funds for that or no? >> Um, no. I think it has to be grass. I think >> it has to be grass. Can't be grass. I don't know that much about CPC, but we couldn't use it to replace the turf field. So, I can't imagine that you could use it for >> I did have one other question. >> The I'm I'm sorry. Can you let me jump? I was saying drop for a minute, >> but didn't we use CPC funds to do the playgrounds? >> The playground. Yes. But like I feel like Madakisa works because it's grass. I there's there's some weird stipulations to it. I don't know. >> But the press box >> Yeah, I don't know that

068the press box would fall under CPC, but >> I'm happy to explore it. >> Yeah, why not? >> Happy. Yeah, do that. >> I'm sorry, Katrina. >> No, you're totally fine. Um I was just curious too if we've looked into and it may be a no, but um if we've looked into any grants for um any of these any of these, like if there are grants that are available to potentially fund any of them. I have not looked into a grant for the press box or I don't think the the stipen coach position would fall into any grants be aware of but >> press box I don't >> once again I could look into that I'm not >> Brian just one off the board for a second what about having Springfield background that you and

069I both have what about an intern strength and conditioning person would that >> I would that kind of cover us or not I just >> that would be my next step kind of envision where we get a strength condition certified and then we can start having interns to make that program kind of more hands-on, get more touch points, and then we can get kids from Bridgewwater State Springfield. We're going to we can have a ton of those departments >> that are local that probably want to come get some hours. >> Yeah, I'm just let me talk to my brother. Um I'm sure he's got some resources there that I could tap in on. >> Great. >> So, >> I'm done. and Alison. >> So, if I remember correctly for the the press box, part of

070the process is it has to have sprinklers and ADA and all things that we don't currently have >> anywhere within that area really. Right. >> So, we have water. When we put the sprinkler system out to the brack field, we did run the the conduit for those pieces if there were to ever be a press box. So the the press box would be its own entity behind like is there even like a conceptual idea of where this would be or >> Yeah. So I I have some >> I'm just curious diagrams and some some u things that companies given us. So there's so many options now. Some come prefabed or they ship them in and they they they build a foundation. That's kind of the work and they're prefabed and they're kind of nice and

071easy >> like on the ground. >> Not on the ground but they're they're already built and then they yeah they put them up on that. Um, >> so are we talking like an elevator or is this would be ramps or like how do you >> It would probably be an elevator process to have a ramp to that in the back would be >> it would be we don't have enough space. There's not enough space. >> Yeah. No, that's why I was just trying to pro like cuz you know I think that whether CPC can be used but then all the youth sports that use the fields like it would obviously be beneficial to >> the whole town >> a lot of places a lot of people. Um yeah, that's definitely something I think that could

072be explored in different avenues of outside of just like our budget um within the school. But I also want to just also shout out the basketball I mean the baseball and softball players because I've been part >> so first of all congratulations and all the successes for all the sports teams like I'm just really impressed. The volleyball team this year was unbelievable. And >> there was a dusty banner up there we had to clear off for New Year's. >> Oh my gosh. Yeah. It was just I mean and honestly I mean in the track program and cross country and so many amazing athletes and I think that they can't be developed without good leadership, right? So we really appreciate everything you're doing for the program which is pretty amazing. Um a couple of questions I

073had. First one is uh regarding the budget detail. Is there anything in here? Is this just maintenance of effort budget detail or is there any sort of um items in here that are increased from last year that should be called out or >> the the biggest increase is really come back to that contracted services piece for the rentals. So that just goes up yearly based off whatever the rink decides they want to charge next year. It's not like a a price that we know we're getting. >> So yeah, so our maintenance of effort budget includes an increase in those type of services. You know, we kind of guess at it. I I think we'll we're pretty close. But >> so basically this is maintenance of effort. Correct. >> Okay. So that's that's kind of my

074question trying to figure out. And then the other question we we talked briefly today in budget sub about potential for track at some point. Uh the so would the how is the track doing right now? Have you had that checked? >> Yeah. So it's it's actually become a a very niche market. The Cape Islands who have done a lot of u the track work in this area. They've kind of gone away from doing repairs. now they just want to do brand new construction. So, it's been a challenge to get them here. Um, with that being said, there's definitely some usage and wear and tear in some of those hight traffic areas. Uh, it's probably going to be along those same lines as our turf field timeline. Like Aaron said, it might be a project piece

075where we come in and resurface at all. It's not going to be need to be reconstructed, but it'll be need to be resurfaced sooner than than later. It's a ton of use, you know, and we we host some MSTC events which add to that, >> right? Um, but that's a great, you know, opportunity for our town to host that, which is why we do. Uh, but it's probably on that turfield timeline of needing to be resurfaced. >> Okay. All right. Good to know. Thank you. >> Nothing. Thank you so much. Again, I'll kind of come to a close and I will say um Brian, I still remember the first time someone asked me if uh we would interview for this position and I having a very athletic background, a Springfield College guy, I looked at

076your resume and I said, "Why in heaven's name would this guy want to come here?" I said, "He is so grossly overqualified." And then I honestly said, "He'll last about a year and some school will scoop him up." How many years you here now, sir? >> Six years. >> We have an agreement. Well, I I just want to say I'm I'm I'm honored to have you here. Um, as with all the faculty and stuff, but I just remember seeing your resume and I was saying to myself, "Holy heaven, they said, "If we can land this guy, this is like big time." So, and your results have proven it. Everything you've done, and again, similar to the other people, you know, Gwen's music program, whatever, it it's just what we're known for. So, thank you for

077all you do. Again, I've always said you call the kids student athletes. It reminds me of my dad. I think that's the greatest compliment in the world. I've never heard you once say he's a football player, a basketball player, track, whatever. Um, so thank you. Great presentation. Um, we got some things to look at in the future. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you, >> Brian. You can go if you want. Do >> you want me to hang on the waver? >> Uh, no, there I got it. That's fine. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Have a good night. >> No pressure now. Yes. >> If you do well, you get to leave. Yeah, you have to stay. >> We had two amazing presentations. So >> I uh I don't have Great job. Right. I

078don't have any gold medals. It's >> not true. You still appreciate it. >> So and in fact um the irony is when my department does their job well, nobody notices. >> That makes it tricky because we certainly notice when things are not working. >> Yeah, that's true. Right. >> If that screen doesn't work, we are in big trouble. Uh nevertheless, um I'm going to follow the same format as as our colleagues did. Uh we'll talk about an overview of, you know, the historical information. Um update on the fiscal year 26 goals that we put into place, take a look at what's coming for 2027, and uh outline the priorities where we're headed. I finished a really I I don't use the term rigorous lightly. This was a rigorous course I took um where on the

079first day the the professor stated that technology in schools has quietly become infrastructure and it really truly has. Um th this department um has two sides and I have to forever look at this with two minds. I'm an educator first. I was an educator for for for 20some years and I bring that to the educational technology portion of it. But then there's there's a ubiquity to technology in everything we do now. So, you know, the the Wi-Fi, the the HVAC systems, you know, we're responsible for keeping all of that going and and if it's too warm or too cold, the learning management systems, uh the the network security, student data protections, delivery of of instructional materials, the point of service machines at the in the cafeteria for the kids, the huddle cams that Brian uses

080um in in security, pick a time for parent teacher conferences, the voice over internet protocol telephones like we we have our our our hands in everything. Um and it's not something I take lightly and in fact I I take it very very seriously. Um so to that end our foundational principles and strategic outlook remain uh from last year. Um at the nucleus of it all kids are first. We're we're a school district. Kids are always first. um when I speak to um you know this sort of wish list of things that we're looking at for the budget, I' I I try to approach it pragmatically with a very realistic outlook. Um I'm I'm not sort of unaware of of the lift that the citizens of the town will will need to look at in in

081the coming months and things like that. Nor unaware of all of the things happening sort of with tariffs and supply chains for the things we need. So this isn't the year for a moonshot. Um maybe next year we'll see how it goes. Um but it's that pragmatic approach to all of this that that we keep at it at our heart. Um transparency of practices for our department. If if we think about the way our data was used 10 years ago compared to now where where everything is for sale. having transparency in our practices when we're working with these other vendors and and and how are we using the kids data. All of that um needs to be crystal clear. So, we keep that to heart and we keep respect to our funding sources. We know

082that our stakeholders are those families with Pembro Public School students and there are some families and in residents who don't have kids here. I look at those as our investors. So, what's their return on investment going to be? And I'll do my very best to to keep uh respectful of that. Um, in terms of our outlook, I spoke last year about the exponential growth of technology and the linear path of schools. I was asked not to show that slide again this year because it is very overdone by me at this point, but nevertheless, it's still there. Um, the feedback look to pull a page from from director Phillips's uh book, we're we're trying to skate toward where the puck is headed. Um, we I I don't know of any way to stay ahead of technology.

083It moves too fast. Chat GPT came out four years ago. It's on its fifth iteration and we're still trying to figure out how the whole thing works. Um, so it it's it's an outlook that way where if we can enable our students, empower our students with transferable skills so that no matter what comes out, they will have something to put towards it. That's our goal. Our state of tech, um, Titan Tech in particular, uh, is kind of interesting. It's been an interesting year. We've had a decrease in our department staffing. We were small before. We're we're teeny now. We were a skeleton crew at one point. Now we're a couple of bones. Um, but it's all for good reason, too. Um, Ken Cruz was our media technician who I believe started prior to Pemrook split

084from Silver Lake, but I know he had been here for 22 years. He retired uh in in uh December uh excuse me, in January of this year. Um couldn't be more grateful for all of his hard work. He was he he did great things. Um and our digital learning specialist made sort of a lateral movement from that position to the high school librarian. It could not be a better fit. It could not be it was as if there was a a a hole shaped exactly like her that she just stepped into for this. And and she mentioned it was her dream job as well. Um we've had some system level disruptions that required some shifting of priorities and a definite heightened focus on um security and compliance. But our tenacity is greater than the adversity.

085And despite it all, we I'm I'm a judo guy at heart. It's my secret life. We fall seven times in stand 8 and we will continue being committed to reliable network access to to compliance with state and federal regulations with things like data privacy and all of that uh filtering. Um a a hyper responsive technical support team. Even though we're small, we try to get to you the day those tickets come in. and continuation of uh of instruction based around all of those network needs. So in terms of our expected outcomes, our core goals, we need to strengthen our cyber security posture. Um things have changed again, you know, thinking about data in the last 10 years, things have changed considerably. Um I'll speak a little bit more to that as as we move forward.

086um increasing our department agility. Although we're a small team, we've outsourced. We this is our first full year of working with Oak's technology to sort of um help us with the lift with a lot of the updates to our services. They can kind of get in and um do a lot of the work that our network manager normally would do, but he's stretched with me too. So, it's a help. Um device equity and connectivity ubiquity remains a core goal, as well as best practices from professional learning uh with our teachers. so that they can deliver their best to our students. And continuing on with our replacement cycles, um we'll also continue to support all of the digital community that we have. Um there are over 100 edte software programs that we're using from preK to

08712. That includes um instructional and non-instructional components. support of all of the standardized testing that's all digital now as well from MCCAST to WEDA to to the AP tests around 3,600 enduser devices. An end user is just anyone that's using a computer right so it could be an iPad or it could be a Chromebook or a laptop of some sort. Um but supporting all of those the the VIP phones voiceover internet telephone system that that goes uh within and among the schools security cameras our key fob security entry systems all of the audio video projection devices and our in internet our penrook internet as well. We have had some successes. It's neat hearing Director Phillips and Director Chavin talk about the kids because I see the same things. Um I have a a help desk

088course that is run at the high school. Uh there are six seniors that are absolutely remarkable. They're innovative and persistent and and do such great things. So that's a semester long course. Um they have repaired, salvaged or recirculated 200 Chromebooks um which is remarkable. And when Mr. Cruz retired, it left me sort of with the the the load of getting to all the schools and doing the physical repairs. It was great knowing I could bring a pack of Chromebooks labeled Brianville and drop it off at the table outside of my office at the high school and the kids would get to work and know just what to do, how to troubleshoot it, how to repair it. So, we had kids repairing other kids Chromebooks within the district and that's great. Um, and in fact, >>

089part of the course that we run is to take a really hard look at the way that we use our tech in the district and are there any, you know, areas that could be built up. And in fact, they found one. Um, when I was looking over the the feedback we received for the strategic planning team, there were some despite having new devices, there were still some gaps that some of the kids were saying and in particular the Chromebooks were operating really slowly even though they were new. And the kids took a deep dive into it and realized that without getting too technical, Google Chrome takes up a lot of memory >> when it runs. So when the kids had one tab of Google Chrome open, it was just over half of the Chromebook's memory

090being used at one time. So you can imagine if they had like five tabs open, everything comes to a stop. Um, so as a result of their work, um, we we sort of reimagined how Chromebooks would look for the kids for next year, uh, with some increased memory, but we'll speak to that in a few slides. But that's because of the kids. It's because of our seniors, Tyler K, uh, Michael Madden, and just think they're names that we all hear. Um, Nick McCarthy and and Aiden Donahue and Chris Linsky. They're just remarkable. Oh, John Vieira, another one. just absolutely outstanding kids and incredible troubleshooters and they could leave and get a job at any tech service now except for Johnny Studio but the other uh faculty and staff. We've done I think a nice job

091of centralizing our tech department. It used to be we had a couple of free agents that sort of came under our umbrella too and that offers up a little bit more um leverage when it comes to assignments and getting things uh you know where we need them to be. Our building based lead technology teachers have been fantastic too. There's one at each school. They are classroom teachers and will help support. A lot of times they're our first line of defense. So if a device comes in broken, um they will be the ones to send the support ticket and then my team can kind of go from there, go from that. But they are very wellrespected and sought after presenters at conferences on technology because of the innovative things that they're doing in their classes. um

092and they contribute to our weekly techt tip newsletter uh that comes out on Tuesdays. In terms of our adjustment to practices, we're at almost full enrollment with multiffactor authentication, our Google accounts as a um safety measure. It's another lock to the door to to keep the bad guys out. Um we have a strong presence in state and regional tech leadership. Uh we've been featured speakers at conferences on artificial intelligence and assisted technology. Um, and then, uh, there's also leadership, um, on a regional assisted technology special interest group that meets, uh, bimonthly. Um, so I'm lucky to kind of be that guy. We've had a few highle certification acquisitions as well, and we're working on developing uh, guidelines on artificial intelligence in the industry. Matter of fact, tomorrow our end user hardware um has also been

093a success. We have implemented the business computer lab uh and it's it's very well used at the high school. Uh Taran Lang uh is the the teacher there who is also one of those people I spoke of a moment ago about presenting. her command of a of an auditorium when she presents is remarkable and and just we're very lucky to have her. She's fantastic. Um our high school staff device replacement continues the Windows laptops and Chromebooks uh for for faculty. We use Chromebooks for our PAR educators and Windows laptops for for the classroom teachers. And uh 575 Chromebooks had been replaced. It's our cycle of renewal that we began recently uh beginning in grade two, moving on to grade seven and then again at grade 9. We're also working towards making our infrastructure less fragile.

094Uh so these are some things I'm particularly proud of actually. So um we we've completed our upgrades to the wireless internet. There are access points. You can see them in this room. Um they're they're more robust. They'll handle a lot more data uh being sent to and from the backup systems have been built uh and and are robust. They are in the case of some sort of catastrophic failure, what we turn to to restore everything. That's part of the restoration process. We've completely replaced all wireless access points at the middle school and the high school. So now all five schools are on the cloud. Um that was a three-year goal that stretched out to I think five and uh and and that's great. Um so the reliability and all of that we we don't have

095to rely on some old device in a dusty closet that someone will trip on a cable and and knock the network down from which is is actually what would happen. Uh we've moved the HVAC systems to the cloud. So that's all controlled through uh through the web at this point. Um, we had our hands on installations of new PA systems that attach with our network as well at Hava and at the middle school. And I mentioned before it was our first year of full managed services with ochres technology. Super easy to work with. >> And what does um ochres do? Again, >> ochres is a so a number of things. They supply a lot of the materials that we use, but they provide a service sort of like the guy in the chair. they'll have

096an overview of all of the things that are happening on our network. Okay. >> So, if I notice, oh, the library lost connectivity at North Benro, I can reach out to them and they'll have someone on, not necessarily on site. If we need that, they would uh but they can adjust things on the back end. That's the benefit of having things on the cloud. We no longer necessarily have to have somebody come in to get hands on a gadget. >> Yeah, >> it's done. >> Got it. Okay. Perfect. Thank you. >> Absolutely. Great question, too. In terms of transparency of our practice, um this is an important one. I mentioned that that personal data is is sought after um by thread actors for a number of reasons >> and the ways in which businesses use

097data um is is it's critical to make sure that it's protected. Um so what are we doing with the kids data because there's a lot of it. So um we recently signed on with the student data privacy consortium and and that is um the industry standard of we have to have a signed contract with them that they're going to keep the data protected and not sell it to vendors and that sort of thing. Um if they are unwilling to sign that contract, we are unwilling to work with them. >> Awesome. >> Um the district website also has our data privacy practices on there too. It's all within three clicks. So, if you go into the um the district technology page, there's a big purple shield on the right side. Now, that sort of opens up

098what what we do with the kids data and and what we don't do. Um there was also sort of a gray area with the whole repair process and billing of families too. Um so, we we made an overhaul to that. Um in the past there was no process. um things would get dropped off, parents would get build, it's on the bottom of a report card, but I mean I I was a little bit surprised. I think it was last May when I went to the the main office of the high school and there was a line of panicked kids from Mrs. Sarington's desk, I'm not exaggerating, clear into the auditorium, um, holding checks and and wondering how to write checks because their iPad broke when they were in second grade and they would build for

099it and somewhere in the mix. Who likes getting an unexpected bill, too? And >> so, we we switched things up a little bit. Um there's a process now when a device is broken. Um it's brought to the office or those lead technology teachers I mentioned let us know. At that point we send an email notification to families that something happened with their device that just says that they're your student paid a visit to the tech department today. We're going to look things over but um there may be a bill coming so just be prepared. We assess the device from there. If it needs repair, we do that in two ways. Either um it's done with the kids at the high school. Uh if we can use salvaged parts and the kids do it, we do

100that as sort of a teaching moment, you teaching material that we don't charge. If it needs more experienced um you know, hands-on sort of thing, um then then we'll have our technician look at that and and repair. And then there are fees that apply for there. At that point, we put the fee into P school, which automatically pushes it to my school box. And then the parents will get a push notification there that there's the bill. They could pay with a credit card. They don't have to write a check anymore. There'll be no kids holding socks full of coins for this desk anymore. Um, we can do payment plans and there's a dispute form in case they feel as if they uh had been charged unfairly. uh on the district website as well. We take

101photographic evidence of the things that we do and put it in in a file, too, just in case um you know, there are questions about that. So far, uh the tech department's got back about $2,000 in outstanding bills. And I think overall, we kind of pushed it to all the other departments, too, for like missing textbooks. I think I think it's about $4 or $5,000. I can get a a solid number, but it's working well so far. Nice. >> And the disputes have been reasonable. They've been very, very reasonable. Um our staffing is small and mighty. Uh we we obviously have our director of instructional technology. Uh Aaron Tinker is our data and software manager. James Eliss uh again another person that started at uh Silver Lake and and brought his skill to here. He's

102been here over 20 years as our network manager. And our newest hire, I think this is week two and a half. He was supposed to start on the the blizzard. That didn't work out. But uh Patrick McGovern uh is he's a 2011 graduate of Pemrook High School. Actually absolutely remarkable human being. His technical knowledge is only matched by his personality. It's ironic to think that the the the most important aspect of our technology department has nothing technical at all. It's about relationships. And he's got that personality where he can reach out to people and >> and he does great work. Um and and we're lucky to have him. We still have our five building based uh lead tech teachers. Sarah McNelte at Bryantville, Mindy Murphy at Hobok, um Katie Roger at the middle school, Greg

103Zapati at the high school, and of course Kate Nent uh here at North Penroke. And Thursday through the Pathways program, we're interviewing four senior interns. So we'll have three or four guys working with us um all with driver's licenses so I can send them off to other schools. We'll take all the help we can get. >> In terms of um you know sort of regional numbers, uh we're we're the smallest around. We have our four people. You know, these are the dart schools. Um comparable numbers of devices and students. Uh but but some of them almost double what we have going on. >> Yeah. Yeah. There's like all these other numbers for folks at home. It's like 9 12 6 9 7 8. getting more complicated. Um I I I I mean I can I

104can speak, you know, with the wisdom of experience after Mr. Cruz left things got a little bit tricky. Um I I would never go lower than what we have now. >> Got it. Very helpful to know. >> Um it's reflected in our tech tickets. This is from August of February. We had our media tech uh completing 220 service tickets. Our network manager was 72, the digital learning specialist at the time at 36, the software data integration person had 172, and the tech director had 255. It was a lot. It was sweaty. So, in terms of our recurring costs, um, using our tech interns and salvage parts for Chromebooks, um, that costs us nothing and and it saves us a lot. When we're looking at new devices, I make sure that they are compatible with some

105of the older parts that we have. As they get more advanced, that changes a little bit. Um, and of course Apple, you know, when we talk about iPads for the littles, those aren't really compatible with with parts. We have to send those off for repair. Um, but that's actually few and far between. Those are always a good investment because they're pretty beefy. Um, >> with with a case, we can get a solid six years out of them, which we'll speak to in a moment, too. Our software licensing and support for instructional and non-instructional software. Um, so I I worked with assistant superintendent Bruss last year and the the uh teaching and learning team and we took a deep dive into the instructional software that's being used or not being used as much and sort of

106shifted things. So we're saving a little bit of money there either by not renewing some or or placing more emphasis on other software. Um, internet that that provides the service to our district doesn't change. That's at status quo now. This is the portion that we paid from E- rate. Supplies and materials we cut back on a little bit too. Um I don't think that we needed uh the the the full 30 from last year. So we'll scale it back and save a little bit that way. Um bringing us to a total savings of about $57,000 for this company. >> Nice. >> In terms of the devices that we need for the coming year, um there there's a few. The elementary laptops are starting to fall apart. We get about four solid years out of them.

107Um and and indeed this is where we're at now. So we'll be looking to replace 130 of those. The elementary paraprofessional Chromebooks are a little bit more than we asked last year simply because there are more of them at the elementary school. Um we got our money's worth out of those iPads that the the kindergarteners and first graders have been using. Um, when I was a classroom teacher, I heard this statistic once that you have half of a child's biological age and minutes of attention. So, if you're a first grader and you're spending five minutes troubleshooting an iPad, the moment's gone. So, let's maybe we could look to replacing those slow uh iPads for uh kindergarten, first grade. Uh, and of course the replacement cycle for the student Chromebooks, um, a little bit more this

108year because we're boosting up the the the ability of them. Um, and that cycle goes through grades 2, six, and nine. As we had mentioned, I don't think that a second grader's first experience with a Chromebook should be troubleshooting, which is why I'll insist on starting them off there. Um, right now the oldest Chromebooks in the district are in grade five and grade 12. So we can salvage those parts u if and hopefully as new ones come in our network equipment needs. So when I came on as director the priority was to shift away from those on premises devices because they kept breaking. Um they they were super vulnerable. So when we're thinking about network needs for next year we're in a pretty good spot. Um, looking at where the trends were headed, um, we,

109you know, we we'll we'll stick to managed services and we'll need to strengthen our cyber security stance as well. This is the not as fun stuff. Um, in terms of a justification for the cyber security stance, I I have some alarming statistics to share. Um, there's a good part of my week where I spend much of the day stopping cyber attacks and fishing campaigns and things like that. It it's it's a lot. Um, data from um, you know, the the the research that I've shared here indicates that there are 4,388 cyber attacks per week, per organization. On an annual scale, that's 228,000 per school per year. um and and as it says in context more than double the global a uh average for other sectors. Schools are easy targets because they know that budgets can

110be tight and infrastructure can be weak and practices can be weak >> and and and if we can boost that up that makes us less of a target. Um 82% of kindergarten through 12 schools report experiencing at least one significant cyber threat over the course of 18 months. That's a lot. that that's daily. Um so my hope is that we can sort of uh you know boost and and at least amilarate all of the constant attacks because they really are they're aggressive. Um we have some threat actors actually calling the schools and demanding to speak to teachers that they find you know information from a website or something like that. Um this is a way that that could be slowed down. So, um, in summary, 2027 requests, uh, we're looking at, uh, district-wide tech and

111software programs at 444,000. E- rate continues on. Um, this is the district's cost. Um, and in our device replacement cycle, uh, also around $447,000. Um, looking towards the future, I'd like to continue with the uh replacement cycle of the Chromebooks for the kids. Uh, it's a great tool for them to use. Um, the engineering lab will take a closer look at in fiscal year 2028. The secretaries and central office staff will need some new devices also in 2028. um the digital arts lab. This is what what um director Javin was speaking of. You know, all of the the the new courses, these are the devices that will facilitate the new courses that are coming, digital photography, things like that. Um VMware, server replacement, VM stands for virtual machine. Essentially, if if you imagine a power

112strip that you it's like a plug that you can put a bunch of other plugs into, virtual machines are a computer that pretend that they're a bunch of other computers, too. Those are something that we use to run P schoolool and things like that. Um so uh the replacement for those uh sometime in 2029 firewall updates and replacements as well, backup solutions. And I'd like to eventually move Power School off premises to the cloud as well. That'll offer more stability. That one breaks down a lot. Um we have a a great team that works with us to build it back up again, but it'd be nice to not need them. Um, and also a shift away or or a shift back towards the instructional technology portion of my job as well. So, I'd like to

113see and and and um assistant superintendent Russ will speak to this I think as well, but looking at some more teachers um especially where um there there's so much coming. >> Yeah, >> there's so much coming. You know, artificial intelligence is only part of it. um and and having people who are dedicated, highly qualified instructors to facilitate that learning will only benefit all of us. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Amazing. Katrina, >> uh yeah, just a question on the um I know you had mentioned the um stronger cyber security stance. Yes. >> And just wondering if there's any um budgetary >> It's a great question. I left it blank on purpose. >> Okay. >> Um part of that is we could put it in towards um the managed services portion of it. Um -

114won't pay for cyber security. Um we need to see what's out there really. There's a number there's Arctic Fox is a company that does it. Um uh you know there's Sentinel One. There's a number of them. So once we get a little bit more clear and and there's also that and I don't mean to sound paranoid but there's that security component of it too. I don't want people to know what we're doing >> in terms of of of protecting ourselves. >> Yeah. Yeah. It is a yeah it's a public meeting so understood. Um I was mostly just wondering like the cost associated. Um is there any possibility and this might be a no but um to partner with the town on cyber security or is it something where we should be completely separate? I think

115there's always a possibility to do things like that. Of course. Yeah. >> Cool. I don't know that they're any further along than we are, but happy to. >> Right. Yeah. I just mean like it could there be a cost savings if we like went in on it. >> If we both use like if the town used one company and we jumped on with the two. >> Yeah, >> we can absolutely look into that. >> Yeah. As long as it meets the needs of the school and, you know, upholds that goal of stronger cyber security. Yeah. >> Great. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Alison. So I I wasn't aware that our digital learning specialist is no longer a digital >> it's part of our budget. She just has shifted roles. >> So are we

116hiring for that? >> So >> because there's no people being asked for right now and that concerns me. >> So we intend to fill the digital learning specialist role. Um, as you can imagine, the the digital learning specialist is probably somebody that already exists here within our organization, and pulling them out of a classroom in March or April doesn't make a lot of sense for students. So, the intent is to post it as we get closer towards the end of the school year because there are several um internal candidates for that. >> So, we filled one internal need with another internal need, leaving another internal. >> Correct. Correct. So I'm just concerned that that happened without I guess being aware because we were already on the low side. So I'm concerned why you're not asking

117for people. >> So I mean he is asking for people on the back there. He's asking for another network >> but not this year. >> You don't Well, >> in the back. >> So some of this educational technology teachers can show up in Mary Beth's presentation. Some of this can show up in the as >> because if we're half the size or a third the size of some I'm concerned that we're not asking for enough and that concerns me. >> Yeah. So the the tech integrator position isn't a position that is though in the past we've assigned tickets to them in certain places. the the basis of that role is to get into classrooms and facilitate um technology for teachers to work with teachers to you know troubleshoot in the classroom in the moment. It's

118they're it's a teacher role. It's not a tech role. It's not like a technician. It's not a repair. It's none of those. >> They work as a coach for >> right. They're an instructional coach for teachers. Um >> well, I'm just looking at like schools that have less students and less teachers and they have seven. One director, three media tech, one data manager, two digital learning. Y >> so I just feel that we're I mean even some of the higher >> Yeah, we've always been low. I think I know each year we're at >> we're at five. There's five positions. Only four of them are filled right now. No, no one is saying that all of these are filled in all of these places either. They're just what's budgeted for. Um >> do any of

119these other Dart schools, you know, do as the what we do in terms of replacing having the students do all of that tech work? I've had a number of them reach out to ask about our program actually. So there there are some that do. Um but we have a really nice model with that. >> I'm just wondering if that has something to do with why our staff is a staff is slightly lower. >> Um I think that the low staff is a reflection of the old way of doing things in a time that that >> is it's moving faster than we think. Mhm. >> Before we know it, you know, suddenly everyone has an iPad suddenly. So, so I don't know that it's we can work with five. I would love to have more. I

120don't know that this is the time to ask for more. >> Mhm. >> Um and and it's absolutely something that that we're looking to do. I mean, in an ideal world, >> we would have so junior network admin, additional media tech have always been part of our admin recommended budget. In previous years, they've been level two priorities. So that this is not a new thing. I would expect and foreshadow that you will see some sort of tech ask in presentations that you'll see at the next meeting as well as on our running list of priorities. >> Well, that's why I just not seeing it here kind of caught me off guard. >> It's also the reason why we move towards managed services too to act as sort of a a junior network administrator. Mike works

121handinhand with the content supervisors in our teaching and learning meeting and we have discussed this at length and we are aware of the fact that we need digital literacy teachers educators probably in each building to help students today start to navigate some of these challenges that we're talking about. They fall a little bit outside the scope of what he does, but they fit a little bit better into the scope of asking. >> Well, and I know I bring this up a million times and it again falls between the two, but like the kids aren't learning how to type >> and that drives me insane >> cuz I the only of my four who knows how to type I had to teach. >> You're not wrong. >> So that's a problem. like you know so how

122we and again this is split but I don't know this just is kind of I'm hoping to see more numbers for people because I think a lot of what's come out of >> be really happy next week >> okay that's the need of the community >> slightly horrified >> and the need >> perfect that'd be hard to do at this point and the need of what you know with the the struggles that we have the fact that I think a lot of it falls in places that shouldn't always have to fall in those places and that's where >> I think this number and it whether you know moving internally to like there's holes that aren't I'm not okay with I guess >> and keeping in mind that managed services is in a way the equivalent

123of having a person on staff. So, you know, a junior network admin is the pretty similar to the 60,000 that we would pay for purchased services. >> So, there's other ways around it. Again, as to the point that Mike was making a minute ago, our student help desk, >> it's not a one for one for another media tech, but it's a fraction of the work that that person would be doing. So, there there's there's some places where it's not as big of a hole as it might look like from this. >> Yeah. Well, just like knowing that, you know, like again, we're filling from one side to another, but it's again there's now a gap that some of our students possibly aren't having. >> Yeah. And so the reason why we move forward with filling

124the librarian position at the high school is because it's student facing, right? So being able to have students access the library as opposed to being able to provide the instructional coaching support to teachers in the in the realm of in instructional technology was a a choice that we made. both positions are budgeted and as Mike alluded to, um Naomi is the exact person for the Pemrook High School librarian position. Um that is great things are going to come out of of that that pairing. So we try to be as least disruptive as possible when we're making moves during the school year. >> All right. Uh so >> yes. So, first of all, I mean, you're doing a great job with very little, like cuz you really I mean, this stuff is really needed and you're

125somehow managing to juggle it all and still make it work. And I do have to say the one thing that I really love about the way Aaron prioritizes things is it's so student centered. It's always about how we can best serve the kids and get the kids as much as possible. And that's one of our strengths. But at the same time, I do see Allison's point and I feel like um at some point we really need to start focusing more on, you know, getting our tech up to par with other districts. You know, not that it's not cuz he's still he's doing a lot with very little. Um but I would like to see us make some sort of an investment toward that goal because it is like it is the infrastructure now. This is

126this is what we do, right? like everybody everything is tech now everything is online everything I you know we can't survive unless we foc like you know we have to work on on um making sure it's staff so uh but with that said I do have a couple questions I just I wanted to know um you know you you everything's going toward the cloud which I think is obviously needed so you have a backup system so if for some reason the cloud is attacked in any way whatsoever. The backup system do you do like that daily? Is that like a daily backup? >> So the cloud works sort of differently. Um the cloud is the method by which we won't need the backups which is neat. So it it would be like if somebody attacked

127Google >> their infrastructure is so much more robust and and honestly the threat actors are they're they're great at what they do and they have advanced equipment. So getting into an infrastructure like that is safer for us so that we won't need those backup systems. >> But our backups update >> regularly. They do. >> They do. Yeah. Yeah. Daily. >> Um >> I know. I I I understand that and the concept. But then there's this piece of me that's like well whoever owns the cloud owns us. Do you know what I mean? So like it makes me nervous to think about it. >> You're a conspiracy theorist. This is why >> this is why having really solid um data >> privacy is is critical, >> right? >> Because of that very reason. You're right. >>

128Sure. So I I feel like comfortable as long as we're we're still backing it up because I don't really know that the cloud. >> No, that's a critical part of our infrastructure, the backups. Yes. Um, and then, um, oh, I wanted to mention also the, um, the having the my school bucks piece. >> I actually got to use it because TA owed, it wasn't for tech though. It was for for a club fee. It was like $25. But I was like, "Oh, we can finally pay with, >> you know, my school bucks. I think that's like a really value ad." Because I'm like, "Oh, I got to remember to write our check." I was thinking in the back of my head, she needs a check. This is so much easier. Good. I'd rather pay. >>

129That was the idea is to to modernize it, but also make it a living take. >> I think you'll have more people paying their fee if they know they can just go online and do it rather than have to bring it to the school or remember. >> I feel like people are accustomed to paying online. >> Yes. >> When we first started it was scary. >> Yeah. Absolutely. But I do want to reiterate that I'm I am with Allison on this. I do really feel like, you know, it it's really difficult because every year we add more emotional supports for the kids, which I'm not saying we don't need because we do, but I feel like this is just as important, >> right? I feel like the tech department is emotional support for our staff.

130>> I feel like Mike probably feels that way, too. >> Yeah. >> So, I just wanted to throw that out there. But, thank you so much for everything. >> I think it speaks to the nature of how it's all changed, too. You know, the future's faster than we all think. and and I I I I'm complete alignment with you. Um I think we do need more. >> I think once, you know, Assistant Superintendent Rust presents, you know, we'll have sort of a a more clear path. This couldn't be better news for me actually hearing these questions come up. >> Don't get your hopes up. >> So I I I will try. Um but also, thank you. >> Got a couple rounds to make it through still. >> Great. >> Katrina, >> no questions. Thank you.

131>> Thank you. I just had one other question. Sorry. Um in I know you mentioned so similar to what Allison and Sue had said around um getting instructional positions. Um are there districts around us that are doing it right or like would be really good examples to look at with AI instruction or you know security for students understanding a digital world? >> Another great question. Um, yes. And with all respect in the world, there were some others that I know I'd like to sort of steer clear from as well that that maybe >> developing policy for something that moves so quickly like AI is tricky. >> Yeah. >> Because by the time it's written and implemented, it's already on its fifth iteration. >> It's more like a living document. >> It's it's like a living

132document. Precisely. Um, so Burlington is a great example to look at. Um, there are a number of them. Um, MASHP has a really robust program. That's another great one to check. >> Are you going to list off the ones you don't want to look at or >> Sure. >> Well, I think that everyone was a little shell shocked, right? Like we >> there's an adoption policy for technology where we we vet vendors and and we trial and pilot and all of that stuff. And one day we came into work and suddenly there was an AI agent and all the things that we were using already. There was no vetting process. It just arrived, >> right? We had that singularity moment in in in 2022 when it all sort of started and it's just moved faster

133than anyone can keep up with. So, it's two-sided. It's a great tool to use. Um, but it needs it needs careful consideration and a close look at at the ways that we can teach our kids to use it responsibly. >> Kids didn't start cheating when AI was invented, >> right? >> Um, but that's the easiest lowest hanging fruit that we can look at as soon as it arrives, >> right? >> So, let's teach them to collaborate with it in >> 100%. That's awesome. Yeah. I'm just thinking like um in planning out whatever those instructional needs are if there's ways that I'm sure you guys will do like visits or talk with those districts, things like that. But I think that would be helpful just to see >> we're we're very well connected. >> You might

134already be doing some I meet monthly with tech directors from around the state and and we talk about their programs and all of that. Yeah. So >> yeah, there's fantastic >> there's a vision. >> Cool. Thank you. question from the audience. Is that okay? >> Sure. >> You don't mind? The name >> lean flashman school street. Um I'm a network professional so I just have a question that might help also them understand a little bit. Um for your managed services is it just infrastructure maintenance or are you is it a collaborative team? So when you're having an issue you have access to all sorts of people. It's a little bit of both actually. That's normal. >> Yeah. So when that on on premises when the on when the people do have to come on site

135we have a lot in time that where they do that but it's it's sort of an on demand sort of thing where like I mentioned if we notice that the Wi-Fi is slow or down in one particular room they can go in and get it up and running for us. So they can do a lot more while it doesn't it's not a replacement for people >> if he needs something he can reach out to people for support or different ideas or solutions to complex issues. So that's something that you may not realize why he's able to do so much. Um, and I had a small question about the VMware server. Sure. Um, is it just replacing one of the VMware servers and not the sand or anything else or >> just the one? That's what

136I figured. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you. We'll let you off the hot seat. Thank you so much. >> What else? Well, there you go. You earned it. >> Thanks for your time. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you for the presentation. >> Absolutely. >> All right. Well, as we can see, there's nobody over there with the name tag that says director of facilities. So, I am going to get the maintenance department putting on your third hat. >> Um, we'll see how it goes. >> So, similar to how maintenance has been prevented uh presented in the past, it's not a flashy department, right? It's not um a lot of accolades for our current facilities department, but um we have made some improvements in the past year. Um, the high school has

137been on a summer painting project schedule for the past several years where uh designated areas of the building are identified for painting, which painting is one of those tasks that we just never seem to get to. Um, so Mark and the maintenance staff at the high school has made great progress um by sticking to a schedule each summer. We have been um doing ongoing roof repairs. So our roofs were replaced at four of our five schools um every school except Brianville um between 2011 and 2012. Um so they are relatively new in the scheme of roofs but they do still um occasionally need repairs. So we are chasing a lot of roof repairs across our buildings. Um again I think at the high school in particular the roof repair center around that atrium. It is

138I think in 1980 was probably a beautiful design. Um there's so many different high school construction models now but I'm sure back then that was the model school. um that is the area that causes us the most trouble when it comes to roof um leaks and repairs at Peenrook High School, but we are actively working on them. Um when the elementary and secondary principles were here the other day, they did highlight some of these projects as well. So, you heard about the uh additional water filtrations here at North. Um North is in a three-phase lighting project. Um you've seen our lovely um visitors have been walking around to help the lights stay on. Um so, that is a project that is ongoing here at North. All of the classroom and the shared spaces are done.

139The hallways are the third phase that is left. Um Habamok has a new playground. Um thanks to the uh suggestion of Allison and exploring that with the community um preservation funds, we were able to get a new playground at Hobok. We also replaced the bulk of the carpeting at Hobok this past summer. There's only um two areas at Hobok left with carpeting. It's the main office and the ensemble room. As you can imagine, the ensemble room requires a flooring material other than lenolum. So, carpet makes sense in there. Um, but we'll look to replace that carpet this summer. And Habamok also received a new PA system over the course of August. Um, at the middle school, we have done some significant HVAC repairs. They also got a new PA system, and we continue to look

140at roof repairs. Um, finally, Brian Phil got a new gym roof. Um, I think David is probably the person that emails me the most to say there's shingles in the parking lot at Bryantville after a windstorm. So, I'm happy to say that the Bryant Blue roof has been replaced. Um, there was some additional plumbing upgrades that happened at Bryantville and we continue to work on HVAC repairs there as well. Um, the maintenance budget on paper looks huge. So, let's talk a little bit about it. We have 18 custodial personnel. So there is um one dayshift custodian in each of our buildings. Our elementary schools and our middle school have two evening custodians. Our high school has three evening custodians. We have um an athletic custodian that Brian talked a little bit about. We have a

141position for a wastewater treatment operator. That position is a 6 wastewater treatment operator and a point4 custodian. We have not found anybody to be the wastewater treatment um operator. So, though that position is budgeted, it is unfilled right now. And those services are being provided by Weston and Samson. And we just most recently um had a retirement in our department in Diane Elliot, who everybody knows and loves. Our part-time custodian, part-time bus driver did retire um at the end of February vacation. So, that position is currently posted. Um the bulk of the money in maintenance, it goes to contracted services. So, those are our um agreements with vendors for plumbing, HVIC, electrical. Um we uh participate in an annual collaborative buy with other Southshore towns that allows us to get paper towels, toilet paper um

142at a much reduced rate um based off of the volume that's being purchased by that consortium. Um we do try to cover our custodial absences with substitutes when we can. Um so we do spend about $50,000 a year on substitute coverage and then another big portion of the budget is utility services. So that includes heat, electric, phone, water, all all the same ones that you have at your home. A breakout of um that contracted services line. Just kind of a snapshot of where we are today. There's currently $61,000 available in that budget line. Um that is probably not enough money to get us to the end of the year. So as we get to the latter part of May and early part of June, we start talking about, okay, what's an emergency that needs to

143be fixed and what can we wait for July 1. um to address. So, we do keep an eye on that number. Um the miscellaneous pieces are um reimbursements for some of the the staff if we're asking them to travel between buildings or um some professional development stuff for those staff. It's it's not a big number. Preventative maintenance, that's like the belts and um whatnot for our rooftop units. We do a whole lot of repairs. And so when you're talking about five school buildings that um were renovated or remodeled in 1999 or 2000, every single thing in this district is about the same age. Every toilet is 26 years old. Every faucet and fixture is 26 years old. So we do a whole lot of repairs. Um and that makes sense, right? That's that's where the

144bulk of our money would be spent. Um you know, it's not anything that's outrageous. I would say the biggest driver in that repair number right now is HVAC and plumbing. Um, in the past 18 months or so, we've seen significant plumbing concerns in all of our buildings, but the plumber that that we contract with, Holdley, told us as soon as it starts, it's going to keep going, right? Um, so they have been great. They're super responsive and they come out all of the time that we call, but it's it's a larger issue. some of the way that the pipes are um constructed from you know most of the buildings were existing to remain the pipes are from 1976 in some places um and you know plumbing technology has come a long way as well um

145so you know switching out some of the the connections and whatnot is really where we find the bulk of our funding going service agreements so we have a um agreements for some of our equipment whether it's our lawnmowers we have um Mike talked a little bit about the HVAC and how that's um run through the cloud Now, so we have a service agreement with Automated Logix. They run all of our rooftop units through the buildings. Um we do have a a a bit of um supply money that happens through May's contract services. That's, you know, going to Rockies to get whatever we need over the course um of the school day or school year. Um and as I said before, wastewater treatment is a a position that is budgeted in our budget, but right now

146we are using a um contracted services model for that. >> And how much does that cost to cut that? >> That is it. It's 66,000. So, so what we would be paying a person, we're paying a service. >> Correct. >> Okay. Like every department, we have goals too in the maintenance department. Um, so we have some projects that are on the capital warrant for the spring. Um, we have been really taking a a look at HVAC across the district, focusing a lot of our energy at the elementary level. So, we have um a request on there for the funding associated with three new um HVAC units at the elementary level. Um we also have phase two of the flooring project on the capital warrant. So, we would be looking to complete the project at Habamok

147and take a look at some of the spaces um in the other buildings that have um carpet that is 26 to 30 years old. Um continuing our roof repairs. Um each year Mark identifies that rear courtyard of Pemrick High School as an area that could use some love and attention if you've entered or exit the building from that side. You can see um there's a lot of um disintegrating bricks and a lot of masonary work that needs to happen back there. Um the Bryant build rooftop unit in the library needs to be replaced. So again, using some of the capital funds for that. Um Jen Simmons when she was here the other day also mentioned the desire to have um at least one more water filtration system. maybe not the eight that they have here

148at North Denver, but at least one more. Um, a lot of brick work needs to happen at the middle school. Again, um, you know, the the brick repointing is something that's on our capital plan, but is not something that gets funded year-over-year. So, really targeting some funds towards that. Continued HVAC repairs is really a common theme across the mall. And as I mentioned, North would be entering its third phase of its lighting project. >> Can I ask a question? How did North end up with eight and the other online preschools? Not >> a grant. So they he used the swag grant for that. >> But it was only for one school. They couldn't be split. >> So the north PTO and Mr. Murphy wrote the grant together. So the um grant covered a portion of

149it and then the PTO covered a piece of the plumbing associated with it. Each of the schools can apply. Um North was the only one that applied last year. Jen and the Brianville P2 are applying this year as well. >> Did they So it was known that this was an option that the schools could have done at the same time. So I think Mike was a little bit further along in the process and shared how it was going with the other two buildings and then they would get it to the next cycle. >> So there still a grant that's a possibility of school. >> Yes. >> Um quick question. um and not making any assumptions or anything like that for the future and what happens with um Southshore VOTE and all that, but are there

150any of these projects that could eventually like if we were if that does end up happening? Would any of these projects be something that we could utilize students to help with a project on? >> Sure. I mean, Southshore Tech has a metal fabrication shop. Um they don't have a masonary shop. They do have a landscape shop. So there's definitely some some pieces where we could capitalize on that, but you can also engage with Southshore Tech as not a member town. >> Um so happy to to explore that as well. I know Brian um was talking with Bristol Plymouth um about softball dugos, right? So there's we're we're we're kind of marketing ourselves out there. Um one of the other large capital projects for the schools is the parking lots. Um we get a lot of

151feedback about the potholes and the sinking drains. Um, it is at all five of our buildings an area that needs further explanation. And I will be transparent and say parking lots has been on the maintenance department goals now for six years. Um, we have not made much progress in that other than plugging the holes or relin parking lots. We have not made any huge capital improvements to digging them up and and re >> and we're separate from the town. Like we can't be added to their >> No, we're not part of their pavement management plan. >> Could we be? >> No. Okay. And we don't the chapter whatever funds >> cannot be used for >> Okay. >> I mean we'd like to get some days in the facility department too. So um heck why not

152start with a full-time director of operations an operations manager. Let's go for that. Um we've obviously had conversations in the past about is there some capacity to share a facilities director with the town. Obviously still open to those conversations. I'm not sure that our timelines will ever sync up like that. Um, but I do think given this the the age of all all five of our buildings, we do need to start moving in the direction where some a portion of somebody's full-time job is maintenance. Um, and in really planning out the projects. I do not want to be in the position where we're asking for five school buildings over the course of three years. We have to be thoughtful about how we're looking whether we're looking for new buildings or to remodel um or renovate

153what we have, but really, you know, giving lead time to the community. I'm far ahead of that. >> Um I think we will look to increase contracted services. The repairs are getting more costly to the point that has been made previously about the cost of materials has increased. The cost of labor has increased. Um so we are seeing some of that. Um and we did used to have one additional custodian in the district. It was cut in 2013. Um you know we may want to look at adding that position back in to flow between the buildings. We do have um a solid amount of custodial absence across the district. If we had a body that could kind of fill in when we can't find a sub, that would be great. And also somebody that could

154focus some of their energy on the outside maintenance. That's our custodians do get to that, but it is really at the bottom of the list when we're talking about getting the buildings ready um for occupancy the next day. >> Um between those requests, is there one that's more like most important to you? Um, I I think the director of operations is something that you'll hear again as we continue to go through the position. I think adding other pieces to the department don't make sense until you have somebody that's really >> directing it. Yeah. And one other quick question with the um our strategic plan is kind looking at and obviously we don't have a copy yet but um looking at um kind of the timeline for facilities and um all of that part going so

155as I said in the budget subcommittee meeting that we had earlier today I just want to temper your expectations when it comes to what the strategic plan looks like in its current form. So it's really big rocks, right? It's really the ideas. It's the action steps that really dictate the work that we're going to undertake for the next 5 years. So if something says to evaluate um scheduling of buildings, to me, one of those action steps is looking at grades span schools, looking at closing a school, looking at all of that. So I I think really how much we get out of the strategic plan is really a function of you know how >> how much administration is is looking to take on and how much accountability you're looking for us to have as working

156towards those milestones. So when you get the strategic plan it is not going to say um move to gradespan schools by 2031. It doesn't say that. Um, but it does there's several places where it says to evaluate some of the makeups and the components that we would need to have a better handle on in order to make that recommendation. That makes more sense. Thank you. >> Any questions? >> Fewer maintenance questions. >> So exciting. >> All the questions were answered. >> Yeah. >> All right, let's jump in. Uh, consideration first read the superintendent. I'm sorry. >> We're still going, David. Here we go. So in your packet you have for first read the 26 27 school year calendar. Um couple of things that are different moving into next year than our of from this current

157year and for previous years. So with the newly ratified collective bargaining agreement, we are doing open houses. Um so that's really a meet and greet at the schools with students and staff um the day before school starts. So those are on your schedule um for 91. Um it's the afternoon, the day before school where kids can come in with their parents or caregivers, see the classroom, meet the teacher so that the first day is a little bit less scary. Um but there is still a tremendous value to what we used to call an open house, which we're now calling a curriculum night where parents and caregivers can come in, meet with students, um teachers, and find out what the curricular expectations are for the course. Right? That's still something that needs to happen. So those

158dates are listed on the calendar as well. Um we played a little bit with um conferences. Um so previously we had two iterations of conferences in the fall and early winter. One um that last week of October and one that first week of December. The feedback that we got um from staff at the elementary level is with having conference those two conference options so far apart, they were seeing that many elementary families were registering for an October conference and a December conference. that was not the intent. Um so we have gone down to one conference um for each of those those grade levels. So October 28th would be conferences for 7 through 12. That lines up with when term one ends and then um o December 2nd would be conferences for K through 6. That

159lines up with when the the term ends um the term one ends at the elementary level. You'll remember in previous years we've had a November professional development day um that synced up with election day um and we were using half of that day for day conferences for folks. We do not have that in this calendar. Um you know having a a professional development b day day that early on in the year wasn't super productive for us. now that all of the voting takes place outside of our schools, we'd rather have it as a student day and save that professional development day, that third day for a date later in the year. Um, it also gives us some flexibility with the current situation that we're in right now. If you have a professional development day scheduled

160for March 29th, you can make a decision about March 29th in midFebruary if there's a need to adjust your calendar or do something like that. So our third professional development day for staff is currently on March 29th. Gives us a little flexibility that we don't have um this year to the attune of the conversation we were having at the beginning of the meeting. Um half days or early release days have shifted a little bit in this version of the calendar. Again, as part of our collective bargaining agreement, we have agreed to have the student day be the same length elementary and secondary. um before the student day at the middle school and high school was significantly shorter than it was at the secondary level. We shifted this the day across the board at all five

161schools. That's a little bit longer at the secondary level and a little bit shorter at the elementary level. Um the intent on those half days is to not serve a full lunch in the cafeteria. We do not serve a lunch on those days at the secondary level. Right now at the elementary school, we don't serve snack on half days. So we'd go back to more of a robust snack model than serving lunch. um grab-and-go lunch would still be available for students that have um that we have concerns about food insecurity for, but the day would not be um scheduled around a formal 25minute lunch period. With the late start of school and the Junth holiday in June, our tentative last day of school is Thursday, June 17th. So that means with one weather day, we're

162already into Monday. Um the 185th day for next year would be Friday, June 25th. Again, with a late start, we're significantly later in June um than we have been in years past. >> This is a first read, >> open to any and all feedback. >> Can I ask some questions now? >> Of course. You can go in whatever order you want. Okay. >> Oh, >> I feel like she was first. She started. I just was curious why we're doing the later start like the >> So we can't start before Labor Day. So Labor Day is late this year. Um Labor Day is the Monday June uh September 7th. >> We can't start. Well, okay. >> Teachers can't start any earlier than the Monday before Labor Day. So you can see we have them coming Monday,

163August 31st and Tuesday, a uh September 1st. And then students traditionally the Wednesday and Thursday of that week is just the late Labor Day that >> throws the whole thing off a little bit. Got it. >> Late Labor Day. >> This is the Labor Day. >> Yes. >> Give it down the thing. Trina, you have a question or good? >> No, no, I'm good. >> Okay, Alison, we'll give you a shot. We'll work backwards. >> Um, okay. So, we all know school days in the beginning of the year are more important because of, you know, MCCAST and APs and whatnot. How in this? I don't know if Mary Beth or who, but are AP tests and MCCAST unchanged even though this is like a whole week basically later because >> I think the MCCAST window

164will shift. Um >> MCAST will be the 24 it'll start the 24th of March at the high school. >> And what about the AP test? Those >> the AP tests are generally the first two weeks in May. So they would start um the 3rd of May. that's generally it's a nationwide >> and so that's where like the concern of and I get it we can't do differently. Um it's this is just a lot there's just a lot of time off and having it the potential of having to go to school until you know almost the end of June. So, there's no time off built into this calendar other than observances of federal holidays in the three professional development days that are outlined in the collective bargaining agreement. >> Yes. >> Um there's, as you can

165see, fewer half days in next year's calendar than there was in previous year year's calendars, keeping in mind that a full day of instruction in January is more valuable to us. Um you'll see that the half day or early release day in May moved to a Friday. um thought process being that the high school is looking to have a Friday prom instead of a Saturday potentially and we wanted to give them some flexibility um there. So, we're trying something new with that day, but there's I think two less early release days in the calendar for next year than there is for this year. So, >> but having like two days off in March and then you don't know I I guess >> 26th is Good Friday. >> Yeah. >> So, we're we're pretty much off

166that day. um or and you know when we look at putting that professional development day that third one somewhere in the calendar we we generally look to back it up against another day off so it's something that >> Massachusetts has always done instead of doing like spring break around >> March having February >> February and April that's just >> nobody's trying to change that >> no >> in New England >> it wouldn't make any sense to try to go to school six weeks you >> did it one year it did not go well for April. So that's not >> Yeah. >> So I'm just looking at like how many you know we end up having >> I know but getting rid of February and getting rid of April and then putting a twoe break in

167March is >> the same. >> Well, no, but I'm I'm looking at more like how many days of school can we get before May 3rd basically, >> right? So again, putting a spring break in March and here in April doesn't give you any more days before. >> Well, it's it's just there's a there's going to be like how many is that? one like a lot of weeks of school of >> but not for seniors. So >> yeah, not just it's just after MCCAST and after AP tests and it's just it's it's just the schedule just does not does not make sense in New England to me. But I >> it's not just Pinrook. >> I No, I I understand that. It's just >> it's really I mean the College Board could be more responsive to

168and have a different schedule for more different regions. So >> yeah. No, I know. And that's where it's it's the fight to the end of where this is what it is. So, um, >> are we able to post this online so people can see? >> We can post it as a draft. Yes. >> Yeah. So, people can see what the early release times are and whatnot so that people can if they have feedback. >> Feedback. Um, >> part of the problem too is like just the start of is when Labor Day is. >> It couldn't come at a word like it's the latest it could possibly be. >> It is the latest it could possibly be. So, it's going to be >> which is annoying. a potentially long. I don't know if it's still a

169normal amount of weeks of summer, but I just think it's kind of >> I I I >> our hands are tied on this. I just don't like it and I know that we don't have any choice and it's just like having a Wednesday off in November. That's >> that's what it is. >> I will I don't want to beat a dead horse with something we can't fix. So, >> and is it is it a state thing here >> or is it in our contract that they can't we can't have school on >> contract? I think they're holiday. >> Oh, just like the labor law. >> The labor law. No, in Virginia. In Virginia, they go to school in Veterans Day. >> So that's the only reason I know my daughter. It's my daughter's birthday. >>

170So none of this has anything none of that has anything to do with our collective bargain. Holidays are not spelled out. >> No. No. This was when I when I had her, I was like, "Oh my gosh, she's never going to have to go to school on her birthday." And then we she absolutely went to school in Fairfax County on Veterans Day. >> Interesting. >> Yeah. It wasn't until >> it must be a state. Well, that's what I was just wondering. >> Is Veterans Day a state holiday? >> I don't know. >> I'm gonna do some research holiday, but maybe the state >> dictates how I don't know. >> I just know that the kids went to school today. She went to school up until we moved here on her birthday. >> We should also

171I feel like not you're not saying that, but we could also check with a veteran service agency. I feel like we don't want to >> take away the Somebody has a real big problem. No, I'm not I'm not suggesting. I'm just more wondering. >> It is an interesting point. Could it not be? I mean, I Veterans Day, I think, is the only one that's actually celebrated. Whenever November 11th is, there's no school. Correct. >> It could be a Monday or Friday or Thursday. >> Always in states like Massachusetts, public schools are legally required to close legal holiday. Yeah. >> But it must be statewide. I mean, it must I was convinced like when she had when I had >> I didn't know that. I I thought it was nationwide. >> Yeah, I Yeah, that's why

172I was like I thought so too until I had a kid that had to go to school on Veterans Day. So, Yep. Okay. I would like this posted just so that people can see that the you know because I think people will have to adjust for the early release times >> um being different. >> All right. >> And maybe even consider having >> Fairfax County Public Schools says they do not have school on Labor Day on Veterans Day. says they do not students usually do not have classes. >> No, they >> and they often use this day for professional development. >> Maybe they've changed since I've movement. >> Yeah. >> So, but I'm curious too if we can do bag lunches like as a standard >> for kids. >> Yeah. >> Across the board. Yeah.

173>> Yes. Because I think it's funded as an enterprise, right? Like I don't know if we have it where they opt out instead of opt in. >> Nope. So, in order for us to give a student a bag lunch and have it qualify as a reimburseable meal, we have to get their um my school box number. So, they have to opt into it and say, "I'm going to take a meal on the way." >> Okay. But I think I'd like to have that be >> a norm. >> Yeah. >> That that's a conversation we had with the principles when we talked about not universally serving lunch. Well, cuz it's also part of the whole thing if of if a kid feels weird about like, oh, I'm the one taking a lunch home, why is other

174kids on the bus if we have it be >> I mean, I'm going to publicly out Dave Ricks and he eats a whole bunch of the school lunches in the office. >> So, they do them at um exam times at the high school and so there's like 20 bag lunches or something in the office and I Dave's in there picking out the goldfish. They also have a ice cream maker there that >> we have frozen yogurt that we have also not been invited to try yet. So, >> I'm glad you brought that up, Alison. I think that's a good point. We don't want to make any kids feel uncomfortable >> cuz I think if the kids are used to, especially elementary kids, it's I mean, >> it's a difference. >> Yeah. I mean, 12:25 for

175elementary kids not getting home till 1:00 potentially, >> that's a long day, >> but they'll have a snack, right? And as a parent, you can send whatever you think >> isn't isn't the school provided free lunch. >> So, we did talk about potentially having the school lunch be the provided snack on those days for students so that they're getting the the balanced meal. >> Yeah. I' I'd like to I'd like it to be a a a normalized thing rather than a >> you have to opt in. Here's here's the kids that might >> How do we end up with a whole bunch of trash bags on the side of this road? >> We know who to ask that Mr. Rick. >> Yeah. Then we know that that's not working. >> I think some of it

176has to do with what it has to do with what you're serving as well. Um, you know, there's maybe not a ton of interest in the sun butter sandwich, but if we can come up with some options that are >> Can we not serve peanut butter? >> No. >> I just say if you talk about food, there's going to be an issue because I have not eaten dinner. So, NO MORE MOVING ON. OKAY. >> Katrina had a question. >> I just had one quick question for the North Penroke. Is that the early release time for preschool as well? >> Well, please preschool's an entirely different. >> Yeah. So, they don't get out at the same time now. >> So, it'll be different. >> Okay. Am I getting an hour and 20 25 minutes more on

177the half? >> Yeah. Because these are the new people. >> That would be helpful for my brain. Absolutely. And then just and I know I asked this one time, but I always >> put the start time in the delay and notification. >> Yeah. No, I know because that's super helpful. >> So you all need to take it as a first read. Okay. >> So the only the only question I have on this comment is I'll be honest with you, I don't like these hours for the parent teacher conferences. I think 1 to 6:00. If you have, and I'm going to say respectfully, a real job and you get out of Boston at 5:00, there's no way in hell you're getting here at 6:00 for a conference. and I was the one that used to attend

178most of those and I didn't get most of my conferences till 7 or 7:30. So I'd be interested. I wanted I'd like to know what the attendance numbers are, what the feedback is from parents because I don't like this at all. >> So the 6 and 6:30 have been our practice now for the past four years and it is spelled out in our collective bargaining agreement that they can't be start later than 6:30. Um, but we do offer families the option, the first hour is reserved for virtual conferences. And we have seen, to your point, David, a lot of people that can't possibly get from their day job to, right, >> North Pin Brook Elementary School for a conference often offer to take it during their lunch break or a break at work. But, um,

179I've also asked and we have been tracking attendance um, at conferences for the past couple of years because I think it's something that we're overly interested in um, both from a standpoint of parent and caregiver participation as well as equity amongst staff. Um it's very different if you're a teacher that just has two conferences over the 5 hour window versus 27. So taking a look at that as well. So happy to share back out about that too. >> Nope. I appreciate. Okay. So we have to take this as a first read. Do I get a motion please? >> So moved. >> Second. Uh all those in favor? >> I opposed. Abstain. 50. Natalie. >> Uh the next item in my packet is uh the trip that Gwen spoke about. Um so this current coming weekend

180March 20th and 21st is the all state music festival in Worcester at the DCU center. Generally um a trip like this would not be an overnight request. Um if you take a look in the packet you'll see that the start time on the Saturday is quite early. Um and so given the fact that it was just three students, a conversation was had um with those three students and their families and the desire to stay overnight. Um the rules of the organization are if we have students staying, a chaperone must stay. So that's why you're getting it in a field trip format. >> All right. Could I get a motion for the overnight field trip high school musical to the DCU center in Worcester? >> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? Abstained.

181Natalie 5-0. >> Next up is consideration for approval of MIA middle level waiverss. Um, so this is the waiver that we file with the athletic association to allow eighth graders to participate in some of our sports. As Brian said, our spring numbers are still kind of rolling at this point. Um, we are in a pretty good place with most of these. We have asked for the past three years um for a waiver for boys and girls lacrosse as well as softball. Um, at this point, I think Brian had uh the middle of last week only 12 girls register for lac lacrosse, 17 boys for boys lacrosse, and 12 um students for softball. That number has grown. He now has 22 for boys lacrosse, 20 for girls lacrosse, and 14 for softball. But he is still

182looking for some flexibility with the waiver. As far as boys tennis, um when we posted the agenda, um there was only six students registered for boys tennis. Um, you need seven in order to have the singles and the three singles and two doubles teams. There are currently seven registered. Um, but Brian would like a little bit of flexibility if another student or two doesn't come out in the next day or so to to extend it to eighth graders. So, that's the only new one. The boys and girls lacrosse and softball have been previous requests in years past. >> So, would for softball would we be looking at that the eighth graders being on the varsity team? >> Eighth graders can only play the lowest level that you offer. So, they have to be on the

183JV team, >> but 14 is not enough to >> He has both. >> He's He would It would be fielding a JV team >> with all eighth graders. >> No, there's there's some students that could play both. >> Okay. Because softball has nine players on the field. >> I understand. Okay. >> I Googled it. So, I just dumped it up. >> Well, sometimes 10, but it depends on the age. >> Because when Brian sent it to me, I think he was tired of me asking how many people play at a time. >> Yeah. I don't know lacrosse and then for tennis when that's it's seven you also we don't technically have JV but we also >> the so >> so this this eighth graders can only play on the lowest level you offer just like

184girls hockey the eighth graders are playing varsity girls hockey because that's the only level we offer. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So that's for lacrosse. >> She was talking about tennis. Oh. Um they would the boys and girls would be playing JB lacrosse. We'd be having J there's a JB team. I was Brian and I had a lot of conversation about boys lacrosse. I'm not comfortable with eighth graders playing varsity lacrosse because of this and it's not it's we have a JV lacrosse team that would play. >> I'm not even sure because it's such a physical sport that even eighth grade boys I mean there's so much of a difference in >> Yeah. I think it was three years ago when we did the waiver first and you'll remember there was quite a few um

185eighth grade lacrosse families that came. Obviously, safety is one of the decisions that um one of the things that comes into account in the decision of the students that are invited to participate and not size is part of that. So, just not all eighth graders that are interested in playing JV lacrosse will get the opportunity to play JV lacrosse. >> Okay. >> Safety is a driving factor. >> All right. >> And there's additional safety equipment that they can also utilize as well um if there are concerns. >> Sure. >> As with all sports, right? There's the padding you can buy that goes underneath. There's there's all kinds of things. >> Are we fully staffed with coaches? >> Uh I think they're still looking for a JV girls lacrosse coach um and a middle school volleyball

186coach, I think is what they're looking for. >> Okay. If you know anybody, middle school volleyball hasn't started yet, but >> I will take a motion for the MIAA middle level waiver for boys and girls lacrosse softball and boys tennis. >> So moved. Second. >> Okay. First, I have a second. And all those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed. Anyone abstaining? 5 nothing. Natalie. >> Last thing is my contract. Um, so so great to be evaluated in public and talk about my contract in public. It's just one of the great perks of this job. Um, I have a contract that currently runs through June 30th of 2029, but there's no salary set for each year. So, the purpose of this wording on this is to set my salary for fiscal year 26. Yes,

187we are in March of that that year. Um, but we did we've had extensive conversations um in executive session and I think we are in a great place. Let me first say that I am fortunate to work here and to work with a group of school committees that understand members that understand the work and give us the space to do the work. That is not the case everywhere. Um, you know, we are a lean leadership team, but we are very appreciative of the support that we receive. by you guys are always on those nasty posts sticking up for us or if you have a question call this person or Allison was the first one today that said all five schools have power when somebody said what a horrible idea to have school today. Um so

188I very appreciative of that. Um you know as with any contract negotiation I take a look at kind of what I make what other department heads in the towns make. But in addition really looking at the market for superintendent. Um I do think I provided you guys with any any and all backup that you had asked for. um and you all did um you know come to an agreement that was greater than what I had asked for and so I am very appreciative of you guys valuing my position in my role here. Um my current compensation package totals just under 238,000. Um and what you all have set for next year is 265,000. So you all have to take a motion and do whatever it is that you do. >> So moved. Second. >> Well,

189you know what? I I want to Okay, we have the first second. Um I I do want to give some feedback on this and it's been my pleasure for 9 years to be on this committee and to be the chairman this year and I think if there's anyone listening out there in the um viewing public that hasn't gone to bed at this point, I'm very happy. >> They're not used to feel like they're not used to two and a half hour meetings. >> Shout out to Karen who's still here >> to the studio audience. Thank you. We appreciate it. I think it's important to point out that one, the superintendent runs the largest department, you know, with inside the the town of Peer by far. Um she basically wears two hats as a superintendent and

190the business manager. And if you knew what it cost us to get a superintendent and a business manager, um that would be um far more than this number would exceed. So to say you have um earned this and put you uh I hopefully like to think within your um upper end of your competitive set or your peers, whatever we care to say. So I wholeheartedly endorse this contract. Um I'm a big believer in it. And now I'm happy to take a vote. Um we have a first, we have a second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? No one abstains. Now it's 5 nothing. Thank you, Erin. >> Of course. >> Yay. >> Um next is subcommittee updates. These are quick, I promise. Um, so budget subcommittee met last week and this week

191just to talk about um some of the upcoming budget items, but we also um went through a topic calendar. So in your packet, you have a calendar of what we believe to be the outstanding budget items that need to be covered between tonight's meeting and town meeting on May 12th. Um you'll see there in red that it is the recommendation of the budget subcommittee that you add an additional March meeting. Um I selected the 24th and we talked about a little bit it doesn't if the 24th isn't the right day the 31st is also >> an option as well um up to you all but you can see that in addition to the teaching and learning budgets there's a fee discussion um we want to give a vocational presentation the strategic planning presentation um you

192know budget subcommittee feels strongly about the admin recommending recommended budget being a standalone item one night for just you all to talk about it before you invite the select board and advisory for a joint meeting. So, um looking at the breadth of those topics and the meetings that were currently on the calendar, um the recommendation is to add an additional day in March. The asterk there with the fee discussion um budget subcommittee met today at this point not necessarily um proposing any additional fees. Um, so it's possible that that discussion could take just one night, but understanding if there's um additional information that's sought. It it could go to the seventh as well as a second night of that discussion. We don't want you to be having discussion and making decisions at the same time.

193We want you to be able to think about it. Um, you know, those the fee discussions are are big ones. It's >> it's a lot that we're asking of families. So, um, I do have a meeting that was scheduled on the 24th. I could always move it or just not really I just can't go to whatever it is. But um depends on if people are available on the 31st >> because I'm just saying if we do the 31st that's I mean we're already going to do like three there's going to be three meetings in a row no matter how we do this. So four meetings in a row whatever it is. But yeah losing the February one kind of threw us off. And the other thing we can if I can just back up one

194second too is David, do you think you can reach out to the legislators to see if they can join us? What did we talk about? >> I think we talked about 4:14. So >> 414 for that for the budget discussion. So 4:14 at 6 p.m. I would assume. >> Okay, let me get that on there. >> So for the 24th, which would be from tonight? >> Yeah. teaching and learning, student services, and the fee discussion. Um, Katrina, you >> I'd prefer the 31st, but if like that messes up things for other people, then I can just not go to the event and I can probably find other people to help with the work event I have. >> What about other people? >> All these dates are good for me as of right now. >> I

195could do the 31st if we needed to. That's not a problem. Does it make a difference like in terms of the the timeline for anything in terms of folks on the budget? So, >> no. Okay. >> Sue, are you are you good with switching the 24th to the 31st? >> Yeah, I'm good with that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. I just had an event. >> Does that work for you, Aaron? >> Yeah, that's really fine. >> Good. We're going to take the 24th out and make that the 31st. >> Yep. Okay. >> Okay. >> So, we get next week off. >> Sure. >> Oh, nice. >> Really? But >> and then the other >> the other thing we talked about is the meeting on the 28th, the joint meeting with the select board

196and advisory. I know that we generally have a 6:00 start time. Those two boards have later start times just taking into account um their members. Um I think it would be a nice gesture to offer a a later start time. I know advisory meets at 6:30 and select board generally meets at 7. Um because I think last year like the reason I kind of mentioned that is I think last year we had other things on the agenda. So, we started our meeting >> and then I think we might have gone over or late, whatever. But I think the idea in my head is we either don't have other stuff on that meeting, which probably can't happen or doesn't happen, but have it be >> a like a 7:00 start time and if we do need

197to meet, we start at 6 and then we recess and come back at seven instead of >> Yeah. Is everyone comfortable with them with me offering them a seven o'clock start time for the joint meeting? And then as it gets closer, we'll decide if you all need to meet before that. >> Yes, sure. >> Okay. >> Got it. >> And when when are we going to ask them tomorrow? >> I'm going to ask them tomorrow. >> Okay. cuz I'd like to have that like kind of semi finalized so that if we can't do that >> I mean I I think it's yeah >> it's it's on both of their radars. Um we I've spoke about it when I went to advisory the last time and Bill has shared with the select board that >> and

198for some reason it worked so well for the past couple of years that the interest is there to do it as well. The other thing you all need to decide is on 47 the plan was to give the vocational presentation ahead of um the meeting. Is a 5:30 start time okay for folks for that and then we'll just do the im the meeting immediately to follow. >> Yes, definitely. >> We don't want to do it as part of our meeting at 6. I'm just questioning >> you can we can I think at when we originally started it was there was other big things on that agenda. Um >> I mean >> strategic plan is a pretty big thing. >> Yeah. Well and we're we are inviting the 20some members. >> I would leave it as

199a 5:30 and then have your regular meeting start at 6. Would it still be a public like we open a meeting or would it we >> Yep. >> It's not Yeah. >> Okay. So, it would be just this >> just like when you do executive session at the beginning of a meeting, you're going to open it and then have the regular meeting to follow. >> Okay. So, it wouldn't just say like school committee meeting starting at 5:30. It would be two separate start times. >> I would post it. Yeah. on the same agenda but two separate sometimes because there are some people that are just coming for the vocational um >> and so >> and then there are some people that will be joining us just for the strategic plan >> and you would suspect

200that the vocation will take 30 minutes >> I think it would the the slides will probably be 20 minutes and then allowing 20 to 25 minutes for question and answer or not um >> well that's why I just worry about putting a start time on strategic like a six o'clock start time if we're possibly >> could be an yeah we can I I was thinking saying that it would start immediately to follow but not before 6:15 so that people can plan to get here for 6:15 when we wouldn't be starting before that. >> Uhhuh. That makes sense. So >> we are completely overthinking it for the two people in the audience. What time would you like to come? >> Oh my goodness. >> Okay. Um >> it wouldn't be >> and and just so everybody's

201clear, this does not include all of the agenda items. This is just >> this is just budget topics, right? We have those the public hearing on school choice. Um you all when you get to talk future meeting dates and topics need to talk about your MIA conversation and where that falls here. These were just budget related topics. That's what this calendar is. Um speaking of budget, the vocational regional planning committee has not met since we last met, but I will be attending the select board meeting tomorrow evening in order to potentially answer questions associated with um the placement of the two overhead questions on the ballot. Um I'm not giving a presentation tomorrow evening. I've shared um through Bill the latest version of our slides. They were provided to the select board ahead of time.

202I'm only going to answer questions. Um I've given the same presentation eight or nine times. We have another presentation scheduled for for April 7th. So just there to answer questions if there are questions. Perfect. Um and then the last one is policy sub. you have in your packet um the second read of those series B policies that we looked at the last time I took the edit um that we all had discussed about just adding the word Peendrick to resident um in each instance that it showed up in those policies to take them as a vote >> you have to take them for second read and approval >> okay >> you can take them all at once you don't have to do three separate >> All right if I could get a motion to take

203consideration of second reading or approval revised policy beb revised policy B E D H in revised policy B E. >> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed abstain. >> 5 nothing Natalie across the board. >> Committee dates and topics. I think we just covered. >> Yep. So you usually do your school choice hearing the same day that you do your public budget hearing. So that would be May 5th. Um it's up to you all. I know at your last meeting you talked about um discussing a potential correspondence to the MIA or or the topic in general. Um you just need to let me know where where you want to put that whether it's 331 47. I would shy away from those two budget meetings on 414 and 428. I think they

204should solely be for budget. >> Let's do a 331. We Yeah. >> 331 for which one? The >> the MA. Yeah, let's do that. That's good. >> Yeah. We don't want to delay that anymore. Yeah. >> Great. >> And what is it exactly that you want the agenda item to say? Is it discussion of potential correspondence to the MIA? Okay. >> And a and a vote on that. >> I'd imagine. >> Yep. Discussion, potential vote, right? >> Yep. Got it. I'll find the right words. That's it. Okay. There. Okay. I will take a motion for adjournment. >> So move. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstain. 50. Thank you very much for your time, ladies and gentlemen. To the viewing audience. Thank you to the studio audience and to the man

205behind the booth. >> Thank you all.