001Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the July 21st school committee meeting. At this time, I'll call to order and ask everyone to rise for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Introductions of members. I'll start on this side. >> Carrie do at Blackstone. >> Matt Catalano Milville. >> Chuck Dunson Blackstone. >> Tara Scobby Blackstone. >> Uh Tara Larkin is with us uh remotely. And Dan Keefe from Blackstone. >> Joe Spagna, director of finance and operations. >> And Jill Pilgalerani, interim superintendent. >> And no student representative this evening. So we'll move on to consent agenda uh warrants. Motion to approve. >> A motion to approve
002the warrants by Carrie. >> Second by Tara S. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any oppose? The eyes have it. And next will be the approval of the minutes from June 12th, 2025 and June 26, 2025. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion made by Carrie. >> Second by Matt. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Any oppose? >> It's unanimous. Uh public forum for forum. Anyone wishing to address the committee uh may do so at this time. Seeing none, we'll move on to the school committee agenda and we will get a Milville Elementary School water update. We have the vice chairman of the uh board of selectmen, Jen Gil. >> I was expecting Peter. I don't know where
003he is. I just messaged him, but I can give the update cuz he and I met earlier today. Um, so you saw we have the permits, so that's all set. Um, and the construction began on July 15th, so I believe that satisfies the requirements of the motion. Um, an update that Peter and I got today speaking with our water operator is they are in touch with the vendor for the new technology and that should ship any day this week, but it will ship definitely by the end of the week. Um, and then I don't know if you remember, but we presented a timeline in May and Peter. >> Everything was very fast, Peter. You were like, >> "Sorry, that's okay." Um so uh so from on the uh timeline that we had in May it
004was 3 months for installation. So we feel very confident that that will be done by October 15th and the goal is to even try to accelerate and get that done a little bit sooner. But with installations and things like that something could arise. So we I don't want to promise sooner than October 15th. But uh we will say by October 15th and then um you will of course be providing bottled water for cooking and drinking throughout the school year as we voted and motioned. Um and I think that's about it. I don't know Peter if you if I missed anything. So I hit on the permits the construction began requirements of the motion and then the water operating touch being with the touch with the vendor on the equipment. >> It's all good. >> Yes.
005And in your packet, the D I did include so they would all have that. >> Yes. Copy. >> It's very detailed and thorough. >> Does the any committee members any have any follow-up questions for uh our Milville representatives? >> Well, thank you very much. You did uh it was, you know, it was the timeline. It was right down to the wire, but it did come through and and um it was a very aggressive action and we appreciate your hard work on this matter and Peter, you as well. >> Well, we're excited to get this going, too. As you can imagine, it's a big deal for the town and the and the school district. Um the permit's pretty uh extensive in its reading, if you will. Um but it also shows a lot of the testing
006is normal testing we would do but it's required now under this permit. So >> do extra testing. >> We get extra testing and so forth >> and technology is exciting. So the fact that it's one-year pilot program is I'm sure it'll be scrutinized heavily by the state and local officials. Yes. >> Yes. Lots of oversight. >> Um I don't >> Can I just ask a quick question? >> Sure. Sure. I know it says like all of the different monthly tests that will need to be done. Will the testing results be available on Milville's website for the public to see what the monthly tests are? >> So, we have been posting test results on we have a water page. >> I don't know if we post anything. >> We don't really post a but I think
007we can and I think we probably will. It sounds like that makes good sense. Yeah. >> And we can incorporate that so that we would have Mccclure. You know, there's a whole bunch of forms that come with the test results. They're hard to decipher. So we'll have that distilled down by Mccclure as part of this >> maybe package >> a one slide because we can come every month and give an update on the test or at least provide that for all of you to look at and read. >> And I don't know if Jen mentioned our DBPS anyway have been testing the last three months of tests which does not include July have been moving way down below the uh maximum contaminant level that has dinged us in the past. So >> they have a
008good handle on that at this stage too prior to this. >> And and to Car's point, maybe come back and >> we can come back every quarter with like here's like the results and where we are. Sure. >> Yeah. >> Um and if we have significant up do you know when your August meeting is? >> August 21st. >> 21st. So in a month. So yeah, I'll if you want I'll come back at that meeting as well because um with the equipment being ordered, the installation's going to start like she told him to book starting the week of August 4th. So the 21st is 2 months after that. So we should have a pretty good handle on where we are with the installation and if it will run through the October date. So, I'm happy to
009come back and I'll see if um and I'll one of us will remember to email the water operator to attend. Neither one of us remembered this time. I thought he was doing he thought I was doing it. >> Well, I did. Well, >> then no one did it. They >> Well, they gave an update, but I meant invite them to the meeting. >> Well, there'll there'll be a lot of eyes on this seeing that it's a pilot program and state is going to uh I'm sure a lot of other communities with in similar situations will be watching for the results of this as well. Is there any other questions or concerns? I I don't >> I've I've had just to not to interrupt, sir, but I've had very good interactions with your superintendent to keep
010her well informed. I'd like to think uh even before you all know, even before Jen knows sometimes. >> You think we don't know. >> But I appreciate her her, you know, ability to communicate back and forth. It works. >> Excellent. I I don't think it requires another vote. I think >> because it was a trigger. >> It was triggered a vote. >> Y >> contrary to what we voted if if the results weren't if the results were different at this point. So >> yes, >> any further questions while we have Milville here or anything? Well, I thank you >> very much. It was we'll see the kids back there at the beginning of the school year then. >> Well, I'll be back August 21st. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Y >> uh MSBA update.
011I always forget Tara Lockin, but Tara, you want Jill to give it or do you want to give it? >> Jill. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, it's a brief update. We've met a couple of times since the last time we had our school committee meeting. On June 25th, we actually um met and the design team presented an analysis of all the different building options um and the requirements for our preferred schematic report submission that is going to be due to the MSBA. So that was the first step and then we also had on July 9th it was a follow-up meeting that we actually it was a more of a work working meeting um and we began to I think a little bit deeper review and discuss the next phase of feasibility which again is review
012of the preferred schematic or the building options. Um we talked about some of the options were you know do we look at the building now and do we upgrade that and then we talked about the two main components which was was the addition renovation and the new building. So on the 23rd, which is this week on Wednesday, the school building committee will be meeting. They will be viewing discussing the final proposals and the designs that are going to be presented in their draft form of course. And then we will be be voting on those design options. Um if we're going to be looking at um the addition rena or if we're going to be looking at a new building. Um and a lot of things go into those conversations down to the smallest minute details
013of rock formations and the elevation. I mean if you look at where our school is now on to one side they'll you know it goes up to the track and on the other side it goes down to the field. So that does play a part in it as well and a lot of things we discussed um if you were to attend our meetings are the impact if any to our the teaching and learning and to the students. Um that was a lot of discussion that took place. So on the 23rd um will be our meeting to vote as a committee um for our design uh option design which would either be the renovation or the new school. >> Very good. Any questions? >> Tara, anything else you'd like to add? >> No, I think you
014captured it. Thanks. >> Sure. >> All right. Thank you very much. Next up is the report of the superintendent. Uh, Madam Superintendent, the floor is yours. >> Great. So, we have two new members of our leadership team that I wanted to introduce this year. First, I want to introduce our new interim director of student services, Ryan. Come on up. This is Ryan Place. Um, when Ryan came to us, he has a lot of experience. He's been a special ed teacher, a team chair, a director of student services. And when he came on board, it was great that he had a lot of the experiences that we needed so he can jump right in. And I am working very hard and I've discussed with Ryan to transition the work that I've been doing over all of
015these years. Yes. To let go. I'm I'm working hard at that. Um but Ryan's right in that to step in. He immediately came right into ESY. Wanted to rock walk around, get to know what's going on there. Um and kind of taking those things over. So we're happy to have him here. So Ryan, I if you wanted to >> Yeah. No, I just appreciate the the warm welcome that's happened and and from the committee and from the uh members of the community and from the other staff members I've gotten to meet. Uh extended school year has really gone off very well so far. I'm appreciative of what Jill has been able to hand off to me and we've been able to really collaborate on that which has been uh really exceptional to be a part
016of. Uh the students are doing great, which is the most important part of it. Uh we've been spending a little bit of time looking through uh everything, looking through our systems, looking through our programs, looking through 280 something IEPs, going through all of those, looking at our processes, really evaluating all that during the summer so we can be in that great space to start the school year off in September and August. >> And it was really nice to hear from an outside person when Ryan came in about how um I guess well thought out and planned our our ESY. It was the most uh and this somebody's had to run extended school year multiple times. The extended school year, the way things were running from organization to how classrooms were staffing to level of care
017that was demonstrated by all the staff members and uh not only at the program but also in creating it and implementing was really wonderful and enlightening to see and and one of the things that drove me to want to be here for this time >> and Ryan has been able to maintain that throughout our summer. It's been great. >> Tony, thank you. Any questions for Ryan? >> Well, thank you very much. No problem. Thank you. Welcome aboard. Ryan, >> thank you. >> And then we also have our new food services director, uh, Melissa Diccastro. Um, so Melissa and her transition here, we are so happy to have her because I know that Joe, not that I don't enjoy Joe doing food service, but Joe and Christine uh Pazulo, they've been helping to to kind of
018get you up to date on things. And you came in at a time where things were moving at the speed of light and you caught them very quickly. and we we have been doing you've been doing a wonderful job with the with the um the staff that you have in feeding our kids um all of our kids across the district in the summer. So, we're happy to have you here. >> Thank you. How how do you feel your transition's been going so far? >> Sorry, it's been >> um No, I'm good. Um I have quite a few interviews set up for this week and next week to get those other positions filled. Um summer programming has been going great. the feeding. Um we've been able to cut down on a lot of waste from the
019first week. Um just getting the numbers um you know the accurate numbers and tracking all of the meals each day. Um >> yeah. So I feel comfortable and I'm happy to be here. >> Yeah. >> And I'm sure you're very happy that she's here. >> I'm ecstatic that she's here. We meet every week >> just to make sure things are going the way they to give whatever support we can to Melissa, but she comes with a lot of background and knowledge. So, we're really looking forward to uh the next school year coming. >> We are. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. Thank you. >> Welcome. >> We always talk about how we're like a community and how everyone, you know, steps in. So, not only did Melissa >> step into the food service director, but she
020also then kind of jumped in and was like, "What else can I do with the kids?" >> Yeah. So, that was huge. It was great. Mhm. And I want to also do a shout out to our food service because um we had staff that worked in food service who had some other opportunities over the summer and didn't come in, but we had other staff members in our district who stepped up. >> Wow. >> We had some of our other staff who stepped up to help support this program and our kids during uh for feeding during ESY. So, it was really nice that we had that. >> Mhm. >> Nice. >> Yep. >> Okay. Okay, next um just a brief summer programming update. Um I did ask we have a lot of summer programming going on
021um this summer and actually it's through all of our buildings. Um so I did ask for just a little update from all of our folks who are working with our kiddos. Um I had asked Arlene captain's practices are up and running for our sports. It's soccer, volleyball, cheer, field hockey. Um and she also wanted me to mention that they do have basketball. It's uh open basketball on Thursdays and open soccer on Tuesdays. Correct. and a reminder that they're open the available for all students of all ages. So, they would love to increase the number of students participating. Um, we also have an our special ed extended school year that we talked a little bit about. And at the high school, we have our credit recovery that's going on and we also have a a small
022class of our English language learners that we're working with over the summer to better prepare them for when school comes. We also have our CCLC that's running here at the middle school. Um they have about approximately a little over 50 students who are participating in that. Um some of the academic themes this summer they're working on weather and climate and endangered animals. Um and they're engaging on a lot of hands-on activities in those areas promoting scientific thinking and environmental awareness. They have daily STEM and music blocks. And some of the clubs they've done during CCLC is photography and social media, picture writing, cheer, cake decorating. Um and they've also had some experiences with assemblies. They've had the ecotarium come out, science heroes and mad science. And I did see some pictures. Um, and they also
023said that one of the highlights was they actually went to visit the zoo and I'm sure it's not the day today when there was like a people trapped on the stop >> that wasn't up there. >> Um, Christina has a lot going on. Um, and in her building besides our ESY house there, she has approximately 35 students coming in from grades 1 to three for her programs and they're working on the math and ELA skills. And there's also some extracurricular work that they're doing with art. Um the her team and I think this is important to mention her m uh mees team. They were trying a new approach over the summer to kind of encourage reading during the summer in meaningful ways. And they've they've held two so far in-person reading activities. The first one
024they held was Mrs. Jones came in and read a story and then her husband Mr. Jones um he I guess he's the creator of Sour Grapes Comics. Um he led the students through the process of drawing the main character for a book. Um the second in-person activity was Mrs. O'Donald. They read a book and created birdhouses using a stem to um to prevent squirrels from entering the house. They worked on those >> squirrels or something was the title of the book. So they had to make a birdhouse that would not allow squirrels sticking. >> Yep. Um and then you said the >> pictures of that too. >> Yep. There were pictures up there. And the third activity, it's being held this week, Mrs. Harpen. Um and there you're scheduled one more in-person event. Um also
025Mr. Eisenberg has been sharing three books while on his bike track across the United States with the kiddos. Um and Christina has also been in the process and this is going to be in an update to the community as well sharing we had I think it was six of our teachers um staff members who recorded stories for the kids over the summer. And I think it's part of Christina's doing like a bingo type of activity with the kids and listening to the book or responding is is part of that. So that a lot's going on with our >> one book like we have in the past. We decided to do a big and make it more fun for them to read instead of having to read one book. We're trying to do a bunch of
026different activities >> virtually and in person. >> And then Mr. Schaefer, we know band never stops. It goes all the time, but he did run a summer band enrichment camp and it was 5 through 9. And um some of the activities they did was some music related games, exploring literature, note reading, music, escape room, and they work on improving their fundamentals. And I did want to give a huge shout out to our jazz band. So last week I attended the superintendent conference and our jazz band played for the superintendents and assistant superintendents across the state and they were absolutely amazing. I can't tell you how many folks came up and said, "We're very jealous. You have an amazing band. They did a great job." So it was really nice that they were Yep. that they
027did that. It was great. Um, and then I know, um, we already had an update from services, so there's a lot going on in the summer. >> Excellent. >> Um, and then we wanted to give a small fall sports update. Darlene, if you want to uh, so first I just wanted to go over some planned uh, dates upcoming. So, I'm planning on having the open house for all fall sports on August 11th at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. This would be for students and parents to meet with myself in person, meet with the other coaches in person, and kind of go over all the guidelines for fall sports. Uh, I also plan on having a coach meeting for all the fall coaches on August 4th at 4:30. This will be um reviewing the final schedules,
028reviewing tryyout plans, uh field use for each team, and reviewing our handbook and policies. Um tryyouts and practices, the earliest they can start is the 15th for football and August 18th for everyone else. Um for new uniforms, we have three sports in the rotation for new uniforms this year. Field hockey is one of them. Um at the same time, I'm ordering field hockey. I'm ordering girls basketball and tennis. Uh trying to get uh just a better deal ordering them all at once ahead of time. For our current registrations, we have 46 girls registered for girls soccer. This is grades 6 through 12. 45 boys registered for soccer, grades 6 through 12. Cross country, we have six. Cheer, we have six. Field hockey, we have seven. Football we have two. And girls volleyball, we have four.
029Um, you can see some of the some of the sports clearly are really low in registration numbers. We just need to get the word out that students should register as soon as possible. Parents do not have to pay a user fee right now. Uh, user fees won't be due until August 29th, which is after um, tryyouts have completed. So, they have 2 weeks after tryyouts have started to pay the user fee. Um, so the earlier we can get kids registered, the better. Um, in terms of fall schedule for football, we're just looking for a Thanksgiving game. We have a few schools offering, but we want to make sure it's a good fit. It's an important day and we're committed to it for two years. So, we have a few schools that um we're trying to
030decide between. Um, two of them are Oakmont and Cathedral. Oakmont is very competitive, so it may not be the best for us, and Cathedral is pretty far away. So, um, we're keeping our options open right now. For boys soccer, uh boys varsity soccer, we have 16 games and two scrimmages. Girls soccer, we have 17 games. Middle school soccer, we have eight so far. We need to complete the rest um once schools decide their alignment with um mid-level waiverss. For field hockey, we have 18 games. For volleyball, we have 11. We're looking for at least five more games for volleyball. Uh for cheer, the I met with the varsity cheerleading girls. they decided they don't want to compete in a competition in the fall. They just want to do it in the winter. So, they'll just
031be doing sideline cheer and they'll be following the the football schedule. And then cross country, the league schedule is complete. We may add one or two meets um depending on what the coach's preference is. In terms of fall coaching positions for football, all of our coaches are returning as of now with Jamie Caparella um remaining as head coach. For field hockey, we appointed Haley Boucher as one of the co- coaches and we're just pending a final confirmation for our second field hockey coach. U for cross country, we have one coach, Marshia Harvey, returning. Um she was mainly working with the middle school this past year. We're still searching for one more candidate to either co- coach or take over um the high school cross country team. For middle school soccer, for both boys and girls,
032John Christina will be the head coach for both of those teams. Uh for boys soccer, we have a new varsity coach, Matt Wheeler. For girls soccer, Kevin McCort is going to return as the varsity coach. Uh for cheer, we had a really great candidate that ended up backing out. So, we're back to square one looking for um candidates there. And for volleyball, we we're still searching for coaches. We're looking for two coaches um for volleyball and one coach for cheer. And we are still interviewing for an athletic trainer. We have one candidate kind of in the process. Um I'm working with two organizations to help us match with an athletic trainer. So, there's different resources to kind of find the best fit for what we're looking for. Um, and in the meantime, I'm preparing an
033athletic trainer room, so where athletes can be treated. This will be in between the two uh locker rooms down in the basement of the high school. And then there's also going to be office space, so if the athletic trainer ever needs to be in the school during the day, they'll have an area for them. And then the final thing I wanted to bring up is just my proposal to add a JV team for both boys and girls soccer. Uh, as I mentioned, we have 46 girls signed up and 45 boys signed up. Um, usually there's 11 soccer players on the field, including the goalkeeper, and the maximum students you can have on the team is 20. Um, I'm really worried. Last year, we were already had really high rosters for just having two teams, a
034middle school and a high school team. For instance, girls, girls varsity soccer. There was a ton of girls on the bench um that didn't get playing experience. And the problem becomes when the older girls graduate, we're going to have a huge gap in skill level, um huge gap in numbers, and it's just not going to sustain our program. So, I'm hoping adding the JV team can keep up with our growing numbers for soccer and make sure we stay competitive over the years as people graduate. Um, in your packet, I think there's a budget of my proposal. There's obviously some expenses to adding two teams. Um, the additional uniforms, we went back through the inventory. We had ordered new uniforms last year, I believe, for soccer. I think we only need five for girls and five
035for boys. We're going to do like fill in uniforms so they match the same as varsity. So instead of 360 for each, it would probably be 360 total. Um soccer teams, we share the supplies. So we share soccer balls, nets, goals. Um so there shouldn't be any additional cost for that. There'll be additional cost for transportation. Um the estimate I have here is is um there's a lot of factors that go into the price, but this is the average that we paid for buses this past school year. Um I'm not necessarily asking for school committee to cover this. If we can get approval for a JV team, like I could find a way to make this work in our budget. Um, if anything, just the coach stipens may be the most difficult for us to
036cover within the athletics budget. >> Um, I'd like to add to that. Uh, we do have we will have some funds available between athletic gate receipts and athletic user fees. So, we would be able for next year probably if if we can't find it in the general fund, which is what we'd try to do first. But if we can't, I think we could transfer the funds over some of the expenses into those funds and use those and then in 27 we could actually budget for this team to be take place so it's not being funded with one time use. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yeah. >> Do we think um we can fill a two JV positions cuz I noticed you said um there's one coach for both middle school girls and boys.
037Yeah, I have two candidates in mind for the JV position. So, of course, they have to accept and be willing to. Um, I think those are a little bit easier to fill than the middle school position. John Christine is in a unique situation. He just retired, so he he wants to be more involved. Um, he originally offered to take both positions, so I think it'll be a little bit easier to find the the JV positions. >> Will the schedule work? Will they play opposite days, boys and girls? Usually JV plays before varsity. It depends on the school, but most of my schedule is and I've been scheduling JV games just by chance we get approved because you can always change it as it gets closer. Um, usually JV plays before varsity, so they're both home
038together and they both travel away together. >> Whereas with middle school, boys and girls together travel together. >> So they go together >> back to back. >> So the girls play first or vice versa. Okay. They don't play at the same time. Y Okay. Would we need a motion to approve this? >> Yes. >> I would like to motion to approve the JB um positions for both boys and girls soccer. >> Second. >> Motion made by Carrie, seconded by Jane. Any further discussion? >> So, and you said about 46 kids signed up for both. >> Yeah. 35 or 46. >> Yeah, you could get more. Yeah, I'm assuming that there would at least be like five people that would register the week of school or maybe they just joined the school late or something. But
039>> I know the coaches have been doing a great job of promoting registration as well. So that's also why we have such high numbers. >> I've seen the middle school boys team last year with like 27 kids only 11 on the field at a time. It's a lot of kids. >> Yeah. >> All right. With that being said, I'll call for a vote. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any oppose? The eyes have. >> Thank you. >> And Tara. Sorry, Tara. >> Sorry I'm delayed. >> Are there any questions for athletics while I'm here? >> I just had a question about the um So, we don't have an athletic trainer yet. You have a candidate? >> Yes. Yep. >> So, are you already planning for the worst case scenario where
040we don't have one? >> Yes. So, the same >> request for >> the same site I used last year where you're posting like pdeium positions. Um, I'm just going to post all our games up now and people can accept. Um, there is a fee if you accept an athletic trainer and cancel. So, it's just it's just a difficult place to be in. Um, usually I have 24 hours once an athletic trainer applies to accept that athletic trainer and then they have 48 hours to accept on their end. And then there's the cancellation fee if if over 48 hours if I cancel it. >> But you got to do it. You got to cover. >> Yeah. It's like you don't have a choice. >> The cancellation fee isn't a lot. It's not like 50% of the
041athletic trainer fee. It's just like a like a processing fee. >> I don't know if this is a question for you or a question for HR. Where did we post the athletic trainer position? Not just school spring, right? >> Um indeed, school spring and the MIA. Yeah. >> I've also reached out, so I I got my master's degree from Marramat College. They have a big athletic training program there. Um I reached out to the dean to see if they have like new grads that are interested. Um I think with it being a part-time position, we are looking for new grads that are willing to just get their foot in the door. Um the candidate we have right now though he has 25 years of experience so we'll see where that goes. Yeah. >> Thank you
042darling. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Very good. >> And then my the last item on the agenda for me is sub nurse daily rate. If you look in your f uh folders, we've been having a hard time getting our subs. And if you look at this, um, we, yes, we had our nurse leader go through some surrounding towns to find out the rates. >> So, if you look at Blackstone, Milville, our current rate for a nurse, a certified either LPN or RN to come in, it's $120 a day. And then if you look at the other towns, um, we are clearly well below um, some of the other towns. So, what we'd like to propose is to increase the amount to $150 for the nurse so we can be competitive.
043Um Joe and I sat down and we went through um the current money set aside. We also went through and pulled every single nurse and their kind of attendance and absenteeism and things like that. So, and we >> yeah, when we looked, we found going by last year's absentee is about 45 days in total uh amongst all the nurses. So, it wasn't wasn't very bad, actually. >> But if we increase it that by the to the $150, it's about a $1,350 increase to the district in cost if the 45 days holds, >> right? >> And we do have nurses that may go to conferences, but we have a healthcare grant, so we didn't include those days. For example, our lead nurse or our nurses may go to it could be a lead nurse conference or
044a nursing conference. Those are usually covered by our a grant. But the monies that we totaled here in the absenteeism or for you know sick days, personal days, um days like that. So it would just put us in the in the ballpark of being a little bit more competitive. Um so we can kind of increase our >> Sorry, go to Are you looking for a motion? >> Yes. >> Um I make a motion to increase the subnar daily rates to 150 to be competitive. >> Motion made by Tower S. >> Second. Seconded by Carrie. Any further discussion? I'll just say I was very surprised that they show up for $120 today. >> The responsibilities they have. So, >> okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any oppose? The eyes have
045it. Moving on to the business office. Joe. All right. I got a few things on here today. Um, first one's a budget journal entries. the the bulk of these entries are uh reallocating budget funds and grants based on um amendments and how we actually expended. There are a few um budget corrections and adjustments that are being made to and some of these do apply to the year- end allocation that I do, but that's later on in the in the um agenda. I'll do the close out with you. So, really that's it. But you'll see that most of these did cross function codes uh on each one of them. So I'd be happy to answer any questions on any individual one if you if you have any. >> Uh hearing none. No questions. We you want
046a motion to approve these budget journal entries? motion made by Jane. Second seconded by Matt. >> Any any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Um the next one's just I was just giving Tara a second, but >> Oh, sorry. >> Any oppose? The eyes have it. It's unanimous. >> Um just as usual, the personnel changes that happened for the month of July is here to be put on file. Um just for your review. We have a lot going on with hiring. We it we're doing really well this summer. >> I did get put a group of paperwork in front of everybody. It replaces the uh next few pages that I have in here um for the expenditure report, the um budget close out and the END projection. Only
047the only reason I did that is I was able to finalize uh actually Carrie and I submitted our END today. So hoping that we don't have any from the do saying there's any problems and we maybe even by the end of the month we'll have an END for next year that we'll know have certified. Knock on wood. Uh but this is the updated copy that I have for the uh projected year end. All the journal entries are done. You won't see the only lines you're going to see deficits in for the fiscal year is in the very last page and it's for our choice sending and charter sending that. Technically, those are considered legal deficits because we budget one number, but it changes throughout the year. Um, but we ended in a very positive position
048and and by no means we still have the audit to go through. There could be some slight changes here, but I don't anticipate anything major. We ended with a surplus of uh about $38,000 uh for fiscal year 26, right where we wanted to be. Are there any questions on the report itself or any of the lines? >> Okay, >> Joe, do we need to approve that expenditure report as well? >> Um, I don't think we've done any approval. It's more of just information. >> Uh, maybe >> because you had the EMD there. I didn't but we wait for the official number on that, right? >> Yes. Yes, I'll give you an update on that. But the next one will be an approval for the budget, the FY25 close. >> All right. I knew it was
049coming. >> There is a a new cover sheet, but your original has all the journal entries attached behind it. Okay, that really didn't change. A couple minor changes here, but you'll see if you break it out by function code by the,000 to the 9,000, the balances, uh, the budget that we had, the year-to- date expenditure, and the current remaining balance at the end. And again, you'll only see a the deficit under the out of district tuition which is caused by the choice and charter sending. I did include the encumbered year to date in here too which I'll go into next. Um just to show you on this also as a part of this I wanted to give you an update on circuit breaker uh the circuit breaker fund and the transportation fund. We got an
050increase in our transportation fund above and beyond what we anticipated. So we're going to end with again with a 100% carryover. even with that increase of $859,3621. Um, and the transportation fund, same thing. They they ended up funding the per pupil um rate from $75 per pupil to 150 and that translated into these these lines for us. Um, so our transportation fund again is higher than what we anticipated or budgeted for next year, but it it'll the carryover will be 927,633. So, it's a nice um safety net for the district. I think it'll help cover a lot of the anticipated expense coming up. >> Lost the pen. >> Um, but yes, I would it I think we do need an approval for the closeout entry though. Uh Dan, just so you know. >> All right,
051I'll take a motion to approve the close out as presented by Joe >> as submitted tonight. Tonight, >> yes. >> Not going. Yes. So moved. >> Uh motion made by was that Chuck or Matt over there? >> I Chuck seconded by uh Jane. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. Any oppose? It's unanimous. >> So, the projected END, and again, I I preference this because the Department of Revenue always comes down to me and says, "Why are you telling them anything?" >> Because we haven't looked at it yet. And they may there could be changes that could come up. But I think there's plenty of room in here for any changes they may find. I can't fathom what they'll find, but I think everything looks great. Who
052knows? Um, but we're able to submit tonight, which is great. I was I wanted to be the first district in the state to get our END in and I'm hoping I did that. I think Mendon Upton is always first. I told uh Jay that you're no longer first. So we'll see. We'll see. Uh so this is just a projected what we do is we come up with our undesated fund balance beginning balance that's based upon the activity from last year. It's a starting point that we have and any any funds that have slight deficits in it are listed here because we have to cover that with the general fund. These are very minor deficit deficits in some of these funds. A lot of them are timing issues would probably they would probably go away next
053year. Um but I was able to clean up all the funds that had these little tiny amounts and deficits in them. Those are gone now. So the that's all we have. We do have some uh reverse payables that are in the system that just again it's a process of doing the accounting um to give us a remaining ENT of 1,253 $212. If we did 5% of our uh operating budget, it would be 1,360,249. So we've we're almost we're under the 5% cap by about $107,000, which I think is kind of a bullseye. And again, it gives us a little bit breathing room in case the Department of Revenue comes down with something. I I I don't know what they could possibly find. So, it looks good. And hopefully the next I'm hoping that maybe if
054we got it in early and everything looks good, maybe we can get a certified END maybe at the next meeting or the meeting following that, which would be great. And then after that is this one I I would request that we have a vote and an approval if it's okay is the pri reserve for prior year in encumbrances. These are all the incumbrances. Any purchase order that we create in the prior fiscal year enroll if it's not paid for by July 15th it has to be encumbered for the reigning portion. And this is the list of the funds that we have encumbered that were not paid by July 15th. And I'll just go through them real quick. Um, school specialty is $3580. Those are cafeteria tables that were ordered. Um, and they'll get delayed in
055shipping. So, obviously, we're not going to pay them, but we don't want to turn the order down either. We want to make sure we can get them in. Um, FM emergency generator. There's two here. One for 13,295 and another one for just under $2,100. They're both related to the um uh MEES generator repairs that we're doing right now. Uh one of them is just maybe waiting on an invoice too. Associated Elevator Company, same thing. MEES elevator repairs, it's done. We're just waiting for that invoice to come in. Uh stadium system is the uniform cleaning for that. Um um Darene's doing that that didn't take place yet, but when when it does come through, we want to be able to pay for that. Uh the Robert E. Brown, our FY24 single audit. I'm actually meeting with
056them Friday to go over the single audit. Um, it's it's pretty much complete. We're going to review it. Once that's done, we just want to be able to pay for it. It's about $5,000. Uh, industrial burner, that's the middle school boiler repair that you would requested that we carry that $16,000 over out of our incumbrance and out of our fund balance to encumber. There's some minor office supplies that were done from Amazon Capital for $270. Uh we did our year-end maintenance work at Tstone Garage for the silver van. That's about $1,257. MPS V uh Virginia, that's the high school books that were ordered. Again, we're just waiting for those to be come in and be invoiced at $1,170. Biata home healthc care uh year-end invoice for their services throughout the year that coming in after
057the fact. Uh unemployment services program of $4319. That's our June unemployment invoice. That's expected. It could be a little bit higher, a little bit lower, but that's been consistently what it's been the past couple of months. And then I also set aside requesting to set aside $30,000 for the middle school uh for the MEES move. We have an invoice of about $18,000 from the movers, about $1,200 to get the copers all done, and then some extra because we're actually finding that we're going to ask the movers to do more than what they quoted. Um, so we're anticipating that to be a little bit higher, too. That's it. So, I'm looking to encumber $82,233.81. >> So, move. >> Motion made by Jane. >> Seconded by Carrie. Any further discussion? I don't know if it's on topic.
058What's the What's more? >> What's that? >> What are we asking them to do more? >> Well, there's going to be there's actually more furniture, more equipment that that they actually looked at that we've discovered that yes, we can't leave this here. There's a lot of furniture at me. And Scott, you can correct me if I misspeak that doesn't work for those kids that has to be moved back to the to the complex. A lot of storage type things that are going to be done. I don't anticipate it being $12,000 worth, but it it'll probably be higher. >> Good. Yeah. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> I. >> Any oppose? The eyes have it. Uh the next one is for a STEM equipment
059grant that one of the uh science teachers has uh been awarded. Hopefully we can accept the award. It's for $39,78. It's comprised of STEM equipment and $10,000 for professional development. It's a it's a great grant. >> Nice. Great opportunity. >> Motion to accept. >> Uh motion made by Carrie. Second. Seconded by Tara, Matt, and Chuck in unison. Uh, any other discussion? That's a that's a great uh that's great acquisition. >> Congratulations to >> Yes. >> All those in favor signify by saying I >> I. >> And now we we'll end all the happiness. I I regret to inform you that we did not make the security grant. I just >> I will just finish this motion. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry. >> The eyes have it. Sorry, Joe. Go ahead. I've been
060hesitating because I was I wait for time. I'm waiting for >> Okay. Okay. >> Sorry. The floor is back to you, Joe. >> Thank you. Uh I'll say it again. Uh we did not meet the deadline to get the security grant that the SAM the system of award management uh is still being worked on. Working with the federal government is a little challenging. Uh I did just send over what they requested today with an update. So hopefully that'll at least get that in place so when the award does come around next year, we can we'll be ready to do that application for the 500,000. But I just wanted to give you an update on that. And I do have a a a piece here um I'd like to add that's not on the agenda. It's
061an update on the chapter 70. Is that it's okay to do? >> It's under finance or >> it's this piece of paper that I added. >> Oh yeah. >> Yep. As you know, we budget based on a uh estimate that we get beginning of the year and then things change quite a bit and it's you really just a shell game that they're playing with us. So, our chapter 70 didn't change. We're still at the $12,80,000, but our two charter school tuition reimbursement went down by $96,850. Uh and the regional school transportation went up by 2570. our school choice receiving tuition did increase by $53,542. So the net in the net change in the reimbursements and and money coming to us we dropped by $40,738 to the governor's final budget. In addition to that, we had
062a an increase in our choice sending and charter sending net increase of $90,000500 $90,516. So, we have a hit to our budget of $131,254. The the choice sending and the charter sending changes throughout the year. You know, December they'll do an update, then they'll do an update at the end of the year. So, hopefully that'll improve for us. But if not, we'll be I'll be watching the trend, but if it doesn't improve, we'll just have to take steps as we go forward to find some savings in other areas. Watch our spending just like we do year-over-year to absorb that $131,000. >> Okay. >> Thank you. You could have uh you didn't have to add that. You had all good news. >> Save it for next month. >> Moving on to the facilities report. I'm also
063wondering if this would be a good time, but Scott, yes, we need you up here, but this is part of you. Um, now that um, we are anticipating not anticipating we're moving our kiddos back to me. I just wanted to um, which I guess this can go into facilities in MEES water. We have we have we've been very proactive. We have a plan that was actually we developed prior to I think it was in June as a team. Joe, myself, um Scott, Matt, Christina, um have been meeting over the last few days to kind of review that plan, review some of the details. Um and pending, you know, the the outcome of tonight's meeting. Um we have our plan in place to start this week. Um so our community will be notified of of the
064of the move as well as our staff. Um we already have the you know the movers on standby um again to be proactive waiting for the decision of this committee. So we are ready to move forward to make sure um we have all in place and all in pro all in process um and as a team we've reviewed that. So, I just wanted to make sure that you're aware that we we have our plan and we're ready to execute as soon as if needed and it is needed. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, um the high school industrial burner, we're still waiting for that pump to come in that feeds the boiler system. Uh I anticipate that being done during the annual boiler maintenance cleaning. Um, the last month we developed a large sink hole
065in the teacher's parking lot. It's next to the storm drain. All the water flows across the parking lot into this one drain. And there must have been a crack where the water finally got in and washed out everything around it. So, our brand paving came out on Tuesday and uh we'll be getting a quote from them to repair it. While they're there, I'm also going to have them patch several potholes that are developing in the parking lot. Um, nothing fancy. Let's just get the asphalt in there just in hopes that we get a new building. Um the lowest a field I noticed it was starting to turn brown. So I went down and checked on the pump system, found that the pump had tripped out. Um that system runs during the night. It actually starts
066at 8:00 p.m. And because it's so many zones to that, it needs to run, shut down, rebuild, start back up. So it runs from 8:00 p.m. till uh approximately 6:00 a.m. So that's why it went unnoticed. But, um, it's back up and running. It does look like I may have one sprinkler head that's not working, so I'll check that out. There's only one corner that's looks a little brownish, but it's not on the playing field, but still needs to be addressed. Um, Saturday 7:12, we noticed a freezer alarm going off during the building check. Um, when I went there at 4:30 p.m., the temperature was at 30° and holding. Um I thought maybe the system was going through a defrost cycle. So I returned at 7 o'clock approximately to find that um the water the
067temperature had dropped down to 18°. So I felt confident that it was just a th cycle. However, on Sunday freezer alarm went off again. Um when I showed up again I thought maybe thaw cycle. So I hung around for 40 minutes and the temperature did not drop. If anything, it was rising and the system was not running. The fans were not coming on. So, I made the call to um after informing Joe and Joe to move the food to FW Middle School freezes. Um proactive, I guess. Um some of the food they could use for the summer program anyway. So, it kind of worked out. Um come to find out, the compressor head did trip off. It would trip off, reset, trip off, reset. And that's why the fluxion temperatures. Um Joe Warren and his
068sons came out, they cleaned the compressor. Uh system's running fine now. Uh sewer pump station. Um as you know, back in May, um it stopped working like it should. Had Palmer Electric come in, they looked at it, got it running, and again it's doing the same thing. So, in talks with Palmer Electric and the DPW, we decided to it's best to simplify the system. It's more complicated than what it was designed for. Um, so he's given us a quote to rewire the system, get it back up and running. But in the meantime, I go down occasionally, open the sewer cover, look inside, see how much stuff is in there, and decide if I need to run it manually or not. But, it's not a big issue. The smell is atrocious. Oh my god. Um, fire
069extinguishers inspections. Several of them require replacement. I asked why we're getting hit all at once because this is happening at other schools and I'm being told that the prior technician that was coming in was not doing his job. >> Therefore, a lot of them have failed. I'm working with them on that. And um again, we have the money to cover it, but it's just if it's not needed this year, I'd like to put it in the budget for next year. And we will replace some this year. Um summer cleaning continues. It's going as scheduled and the fire alarm system has been tested. A few of the detectors were found to have weak batteries in them. I ordered the batteries. We call the fire department and take the smoke detector down, change the batteries ourselves, saving
070the district money. FW Middle School, um custodians were doing their cleaning down there and they noticed that the floor around the drain had actually sunk in of the sinkhole. Um don't know why. We're going to pull the tiles up around it, regrout it, level it, you know, obviously fill the fill the hole in. And uh we have plenty of replacement tiles in stock, so that's a good thing. So that'll be done. Uh Saturday 7:12, I called in for an intrusion alarm in classroom 106. The custodians had started their cleaning process down there, and I'm thinking maybe they created dust and a little sensor on the wall over there may have got dust in it or on it. So took it apart, cleaned it, put it back together, and it's functioning as normal. Uh, again, glad
071it was 11:15 a.m. instead of P.M. Uh, still waiting on parts to reassemble the boiler. As Joe has said, we're in coming in the morning. Fire pump and backflow pretor were tested. Everything passed. Um, there is a pressure relief valve that they would like to replace. Nothing crucial, they will get us a quote to have that done. That's done through Encore, not Industrial Burner. Uh fire extinguishers, like I said, were inspected. Several of them have expired. Gym floor was uh reared. Looks nice and shiny. Little smelly but nice and shiny. Uh and again, summer cleaning has gone is going as scheduled. A little tougher this year with all the summer programs that are going on here. This building never had that situation. So, custodians are working it out and moving right along. In fact, the
072whole entire third floor is down done and half of the first floor is done. They'll be moving up to sixth grade. Sixth grade main level um probably next week as soon as the summer programs are done actually. Um that's it for middle school. JFK summer cleaning is going as scheduled. Fire extinguishers, several of them need replacing. Fire alarm system has been tested and no issues were found there. Tuesday, 7:15, head custodian showed up, noticed a broken window on the JFK cafeteria. It's a window that's up higher and no weed whacking or mowing had been done around the building. So, I'm not sure how that happened. Um, I went on the surveillance cameras, tried to track it down, but unfortunately there was a spiderweb in front of the surveillance camera. So, it ran 24 hours non-stop.
073So, um unfortunately, we can't find anything that caused that. Who knows? Could have been a bird flew into it, but >> not sure. Uh Milville Elementary School. Um like Jill said, we had a plan in place. We've been doing cleaning right along. Um and painting. One of the classrooms we repainted so that we can reorganize that. going to be replacing a carpet that was kind of in bad shape. Um, actually this classroom floor had outlets in the floor as well that would have been a tripping hazard. So, we went ahead and removed those, filled the holes in and going to lay carpets that we had actually bought for JFK a couple of years back. Luckily, we were able to roll these carpets up. So, we're going to install those over at Milka. And again, these
074carpets were just laid on top of other carpets that were in disrepair. fire alarm system. We had to replace the batteries um back in early July, late June, we had a power outage and the alarm system kept going off and when fire department showed up, they discovered that the batteries were weak. So, I went ahead and changed those out. Fire extinguishers, no issues reported there. Uh and we had our brand pavement come out. They're going to give us a quote for the back walkway that leads from the rear park no side parking lot, I guess you could say, into the kindergarten area. It's currently asphalt now, so we'll just tear it up, put new asphalt down. Uh there's a nice garden. I don't know if anybody's been up there recently, but uh one of the
075Noville police officers is installing a flower garden, vegetable garden. >> They've built it up. It's all planted. I saw stuff was starting to grow weeds, but they've weeded it all out. >> Weeded it out. >> It's got nice stone all around it. So, >> rand stone all the way around it. Looks nice. >> And let's see. The town of Millville installed a new 911 tower next to the water tank. In order to do so, they had to trench across our parking lot and down along the fence. Um, that is all complete. They just need to come back and repave that trench that they built up. Trench is filled in. And they still have up a temporary fence which probably isn't needed but it's still there. And that's that. Any questions, concerns? >> Yeah. Can Can
076I ask you this the these fire extinguisher inspections? Is that by a private company? >> Encore. We've uh use them every year. >> And so they had an employee that was incompetent and that's why they all need to review. >> That was the excuse that their technician gave. >> They actually told you. >> Yes. He no longer works for them. >> Covering the cost. >> The fire extinguishers have a a lifespan >> and but there's a tag that has to be put on yearly. >> So >> that's right. So they >> probably didn't check, you know, they probably just replaced the tag without looking at the fine print on the >> So what it is is >> testing, right? Like Chuck was saying, every six years they have to take them out, reressurize them, clean
077them, uh in some cases replace them. Um, I guess there's a new code also that if the fire extinguisher has a seam around the middle of it, they no longer pass code. I don't know if you've heard that, Chuck, but that's what I was. >> So, the goal is to have them staggered so you're not replacing them all at once, but because this happened, we're replacing them. >> And the full life, we started off buying them all at once. That's right. The problem. >> Yeah. >> Like here, 2003. So every 12 years they need to be replaced. >> 6 years rressurized, 12 years replaced. >> Yeah, we use this company every year to to do these checks. >> What's that? >> We use this company every year to check these. >> This company has changed
078hands a few times. It used to be Northeast Fire and Pilaski Boulevard >> and now they got bought out by Encore >> and so they they were not properly tested. And how many this looks like three schools of fire extinguishers? three three different buildings. >> They don't test them. They just look at the date. >> I understand that, but it's by their own admission. They they did not >> look at the date or do the report. >> I'm still questioning them on that as well. >> Do we have fire fire extinguishers that work? >> Oh, they all work. >> They all work. >> Yes. >> And they're up to code. I I don't >> Well, some of them do need to be replaced because they're at their six year >> because of their >> or
07912 year >> because of their >> I mean, we would have replaced these >> as earlier. >> Yeah. >> Last year or this year? >> I guess I'm missing cuz we're hearing that like >> It's normal to replace them, of course, but all at once. And you're saying yes because we put them in all at once. But at what but they're also admitting fault on one of their employees ends that could have put the district at in harm. Is that what I'm understanding? >> That's that's what I understood as well and that's why this technician no longer works for him. >> That's my point of the question is is it a contract we have with them? >> I'm checking to see if it's up with >> Yeah. I'm not I'm not pleased. >> That's not
080an excuse. We're going to accept that or I'm going to accept that we just had an employer that didn't feel like doing his job. >> Yeah, that's not something I would have admitted if I >> Well, this is just one this is just one service tech giving me an answer as to why a question why all of them all of a suddenly expire in every single building and that was his excuse that he gave me that was not from the corporation itself. We should probably get something from the corporation themselves in writing to as to why >> you would have to choose to replace them earlier to get them on >> to stagger >> them stagger schedule. So what we're but what we're not to make a bigger thing of this but what we're facing
081here right now is that an employee of this business said that because of their own >> negligence >> we are now the district is either at a disadvantage or in harm's way or in some way I think we should have something in writing from that business saying exactly what happened. I don't see why that would be a >> We're talking about safety a lot here, you know, water. We're talking about safety with a lot of things here. And I want to at least know that the fire extinguishers work. >> They do work. Every fire extinguisher has a gauge on it that says >> Yep. And let's get that in writing from from Enore. >> Y please. >> I I'd also like to see how many needs because they say in these reports how many need
082to be replaced and what costs associated with that replacement. I what the red flag was is you said stated that the employee or whoever was inspecting him said that the last guy didn't do his job. So >> So we can have an update for you at the August 21st meeting. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next we move on to facility. Any other questions for Scott on his update? I won't even ask about the sink holes >> in the bathroom. Yeah, it's happened at the high school. If you ever walk in those bathrooms, it looks like the drain actually raised up out of the floor. But this is a first over here. And this building is not 50 years old. >> No, but it is on the ground floor. So, I don't know what would
083have caused it. >> All right. Use of facilities requests. >> I'm dying to know what this one's for. To bring a hazardous This is I can explain this. >> Yeah, they like the town of Blackstone. Is this town of Blackstone hazardous waste day? >> Yes. So, they're having the town of Blackstone is having a the board of health is having a hazardous waste drop off day for Blackstone residents on August 9th, 2025 9:00 a.m. to 100 p.m. >> It would be helpful if it's a drop off day or something like that. >> That would have been my recommendation as well. >> Yeah, description would be nice. >> Yeah. or yeah description >> household hazards just for those hazards. >> You want to drop your house off >> old paint. >> Yeah. Yeah. You there'll be
084uh it has to be accepted for us before they start to publicize it. Uh but yes, it'll be >> um old paints and and uh there'll be a list of >> there's actually going to be a comes in and everything else. So >> Oh, very cool. >> They actually did this about 10 years ago if I remember correctly. Look up. It's been a while. Yeah. old tires, paint, antifreeze. >> No cost to the black sun. >> That is great. >> So anyway, now that I gave that explanation on behalf of the board of health, >> I much appreciated cuz >> I saw the same thing. I'm like, what is this? >> What is this? >> Yeah, >> we're practicing hazards. >> We always are. >> Anyway, motion to approve. >> Thank you, J. >> The
085drop off hazardous waste. We just there's nothing about hauling it out of here. It's just >> stockpile it at the small park. That's all. >> Scott's like, "Great. That'll be on the next facilities update. >> We'll put it in the sink hole." >> Yeah. >> And watch it grow. >> We had to have clean harbors come out and do a >> clean har will be here. Actually, >> uh motion made by Jane. >> Seconded by Tara S. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. And then we have uh surplus requests. >> So, we do have some surplus and we listed them out first with the middle school. If you look at the list that's in there, these are a lot of books
086that are no longer in use. They're outdated. A lot of them are textbooks that aren't used anymore. I do see some pickle ball paddles in here and plastic scooter, but they're no longer in use. They're broken or splintered. Um, so I don't know if we want to go through these all. Do you want to do them in all one fail swoop or would you like to do one at a time because we have all approve something from every building? >> Just one one swoop. >> Yeah, one objection. Everybody has the list. >> So there's your middle school list. Um, the next one and there's um has to do with um some high school technology items and on this I'm gonna let Joe explain. So, these are the items. On the first page, it talks about
087Re Vex Robotics, Lego Mindstro Kids that are things that we want to surplus and get rid of. And on the next page, there's an email in here. And I'm going to let um Joe explain this because it's might be supporting us and another school at the same time for kind of like a switching of equipment. So, Joe, if you want to. >> Um Dan Salsman came to me and said that another school district he works with in Framingham, a school, has um eight 65 in touch view screens. They're very similar to the um the V sonics that they call them, the the screens that we wheel around that they they're looking to dispose of, but they want to take 20 of our um projectors that are out of date that we don't use. They actually
088came down the beginning of the summer. They want to do a swap. >> So, we'll give them our 20 that we were just going to actually surplus and get rid of anyways. They'll give us these t these uh monitors. And he said, "Really, the users won't even be able to tell the difference between what we have." So, I think it's a great it's a great opportunity for us. I'm not sure why they're getting rid of their touch, but >> we'll take them. >> Yeah, we'll take them. >> Okay, so that was the high school tech. The next one is the MEES book list. It's a rather lengthy book uh list. So, what we would like to be able to do, Christina and I were talking to be able to first offer these books to some
089of our kiddos. Do you know what I mean? Put them out on the on the desk. They're more of a middle school related, but if they're out there and we want our kids reading, you know, give them the opportunity to first come at some of the books. Some of them are can't at all, but we thought we'd start there and anything that was left or not usable, we would surplus. So, this was our biggest list. And then the high school book list, again, these are are um books that are again outdated and not used anymore. Any questions on any of those? If there's no other questions, I'll take a motion to allow the administration to execute the surplus request of the items listed. Motion made by Tara, seconded by Carrie, I think. Was it you,
090Carrie? >> Yeah. >> Uh, any further questions? >> Do we do the switches one separately or does it matter? >> Um, I'm not sure. >> One where we're going to switch equipment. Should that be separate? Well, I think we're giving it the the um >> surplus administration to >> figure that out. >> Execute the surplus. >> Okay. >> Uh so that's in the motion. >> Any other discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any oppose? It's unanimous. Uh before we go into executive session, there's school committee forum. If anybody would like to add to that, let's see. I don't know. Uh two things. Um there was a facilities request I believe at the last meeting or two meetings ago for a football camp. I know we tabled it and we
091didn't really disc. >> So is that not going forward? >> Okay. Uh the only other thing I have is starting um August 4th through the 9th at Uni Bank um they will be accepting donations for school supplies. >> Oh yeah. >> Um all through the week uh it's Uni Bank uh Telstone and Sun Bus Company >> and St. Vincent Depal of uh Divine Mercy. Uh we'll be accepting all sorts of donations, book bags, um school supplies of all sorts. The only thing we don't ask uh for you to bring is please no monetary gifts or gift cards. Uh the bank cannot hold those um for you for the school. So um but other than that, please the bus will be outside with a big banner on it. So when you see the bus, drop it
092off inside the branch. >> And there will be an update to the community. It's included in there. and then another reminder. But just to let people know how important those supplies are. We have a lot of families, a lot of kiddos who need those supplies and it's really nice to say we'll get them to you. It's we have them here and they're ready for you. We have from backpacks to glue sticks to pencils to pens to folders. Um you know, and it's it's been really great to have that. So we we appreciate that. >> And it's nice that you have a new partner in the >> Yes, we have St. Vincent Depal of Divine Mercy Parish uh stepped in. and they've been doing their own thing for a few years, for many years actually. And
093um uh Ann from Divine Mercy reached out and we're able to uh to get it all together. So um it's great partnership uh between all four of us. >> Great. >> It's great. >> Excellent. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Uh okay. Our next meeting is um August 21st, 2025 at 6 PM. Uh and so we're going to I'm going to take a motion to go into executive session. I will be held for the purposes of master law chapter 38 section 21A3 to conduct strategy with respect to collective b bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect and bargaining or litigation position of a public body and the chair so declares and not to return into open session. >> So I'll take that motion. >> So move. >> Motion made by
094Matt. >> Second. Seconded by Jane and I will take a roll call vote. Jane, >> yes. >> Carrie, >> yes. >> Matt, >> yes. >> Chuck, >> yes. >> Tara and I'm a yes. I think it's how lock