001as the school would have to pay annual salaries without any incoming revenue. Uncertain future. The program's future is uncertain due to a number of factors, including the challenge of attracting new applicants, coupled with the fact that all community college nursing programs are free. Um, and we're still a tuition based program. Securing necessary funding. Uh we did a detailed review of the current reserves and we there's not enough in there to maintain uh a full staff for a year without any incoming tuition. Maintaining qualified staff, all adjuncts would be essentially laid off. uh there's no hope that they will all come back when we were to start a new program as well as the retirement of the current director and several programs around the state looking for directors of FPM programs and ultimately satisfying requirements for
002accreditation and approval on that given these challenges the suspension of new admissions the loss of a full year of tuition revenue and a financial and operational uncertainty it's with heavy heart the superintendent and business manager recommend that the school committee vote to close the PM Academy. This recommendation is based on a detailed review of the program's financial reserves and its precarious future. For further information, there's a detailed synoptis of the mass born oversight and pro programmatic developments concerning the Bayath Practical Nursing Academy. Thanks for that's obviously going to warrant some discussion here. So, we're going to move >> well, you got to open up. Well, we we can do a we can do a motion for for discussion purposes. >> So, entertaining a motion. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Discussion. >> What regulatory standards were
003not met. >> So, there's a there's a >> this obviously came as a complete surprise. >> It was if the the synopsis identifies the back and forth um with Borne. born is a regulatory board that answers only is appointed by the governor. So it doesn't answer the health and human services. I can say that um it began with um a graduation rate first time passing rate on the enlex of our graduates below 80%. So in co we slipped below 80% into the 73 74% category. Um so we put progress reports in place a progress plan on improving that. Um but that's the benchmark 80% first time pass rate on that. Um I can tell you the class of 2022 has a 100% pass rate. Now there's a 73 first time but as of date 100%
004have passed. Uh same with 20 23 um was like a 73 74% first-time pass rate. Subsequently, we're down to an 86% pass rate. So, think of the percentages out of 40. That's, you know, less than four students who didn't pass it their first time or haven't passed it yet. uh in looking at that and talking with the director as well as the staff, the longer a student waits to take the ENLEX after graduation, the less their chances are of passing. The best pass rate is taking it as soon as the program as soon as you can after program completion. Um so we put some things in place to address that. This year alone we had ATI which is the testing agency come in and offer a refresher course before the graduation. Um we had uh
00540 graduates this this year. Uh so they were treated through a refresher course on that and we instituted what's called VI. It's a virtual ATI and it tracks the students progress and it gives them a green light when they you know so they have free access to this and they've had it from the end towards the end of the program um until today. So the students can log on take the practice exam and it says you get in there and then when they get to the point and it says green light go uh our first graduate you know passed on our first time. So the director has been monitoring that. that doesn't mean anything because you know uh they've already made their decision and we won't have those reports. They're basing on the past three
006years of a below 80% graduation rate. But I can tell you that um to date 2022 100% 86% on 23 and 24 as um you know in the 80s mid 80s for the complete pass rate. So there's I think no more than six total students between the last two years who haven't passed it yet. Um there's a number of other reasons we've addressed that. Uh you know something that the state did and this is what's so um kind of hypocritical and ironic. Um the state because of the need for nurses allowed and voted to allow graduates of nursing programs to now work as an RN or a PM before passing the ENCLEX exam. Before you could not practice until you pass the ENLEX, which is a national nursing exam for whatever level nursing, PN, RN,
007um, MSN, they allow now with graduation, you can work under a registered nurse for up to a year. The economic, uh, status of many of our students is low. the opportunity to go out and make $30 an hour as a PM is more appealing than taking two months off to study for an exam. So, they start working to better their financial status, but what they're doing is harming their chances of becoming licensed and then the uh longevity of of working at that rate is is extended um immensely having that license. So it kind of works against us um in that regard. So we've had that going but we've appre achieved approval status every year. We had a unfounded claim of discrimination uh and it went first to the DOJ. We provided all the information third
008party identifiers through a third party. The DOJ said completely unfounded. There is no discrimination. um which we knew were along and then uh that was it. The OJ said you're fine. No claims on that. They an anonymous complaint was made to Massorn and they accept anonymous complaints. So they addressed it and we said, "Oh, here's everything we just went through with the DOJ. We'll give you that." And they said, "No, we do our own." They came out um and um nothing. And a second one was announced. So, uh, same thing. There was no no foundation for any of that, but they said, "Oh, it's been 5 years since we've done an on-site visit. We'll come out and visit you." So, they came out in March, um, March 20, don't hold me to the date. It's
009in the synopsis. Around the March 23rd, 27th time frame. We did an exit interview. They went through everything. I thought everything went well. We had all the documentation. The exit interview identified a few things. Um there's a SEP and that's a um something educational plan. I forget what the S stands for. The SEP is um what we're going to do for the program in the year and that includes what we're doing to increase first time pass rate as well as the curriculum and um clinical rotations and all that. So the data which has pass rate historical pass rates and graduation rates was not included in the SE. We had it all separate and gave them all of that. They said it has to be included in the SE. So the faculty has to develop the
010SE. So we're working with the faculty to develop and include and put the narrative with all that in. So that we're like oh that's great. We started working on that. They identified three clinicals that they said we weren't doing. One was mental health which we were but it wasn't definitive. uh maternity and pediatrics. So we said great we'll work on those before um within two weeks we we had secured pediatrics and mental health clinicals and we had agreements on those maternity across the state nobody allows PN in it and that's I mean look at any other regional vocational schools they're deficient in providing a clinical experience for uh maternity they just don't allow PMS into the uh maternity ward on that. So, we're still working on that and we're showing all the efforts that were
011being made to secure that, the denials, the requests, the denials, and this and that. Um, and then they had a couple facilities things that they said uh the space we needed headboards um above the beds to simulate oxygen and that those. So, we ordered those and showed them the PO. I think we ordered three of those immediately and said, "Here they are. They're on order. We'll install them as soon as they come in." Uh, and they said we only had one maternity sim baby simulation mannequin and we showed them one, but we told them we had six in storage because we weren't teaching it at the time. So, we had adequate number of sim babies as as well as sim mans. So, we had started addressing everything they wanted. We went to the June meeting.
012We didn't get the final report. That was the answer report. We started working on all that, sending them documentation. That was March. They notify us that we'll be on the June 11th board meeting. So, the director and myself joined the June 11th meeting. They gave us no opportunity to talk and the field rep read a litany of uh CMR violations or non-compliance. Uh we couldn't address it because we had no knowledge of that. It was presented to them and not to us. So the board voted to put us on approval with warning and then suspend our admissions until uh they just picked the arbitary you know January 1st. They it was apparent um and I know it's public it's nothing I haven't said to the secretary of of you know occupational education as well as
013through them to the health and human services. The board meeting was uh a board meeting that I've I've never quite experienced. Uh it was unprofessional. the reading of some of the findings there was met with huffs and eye rolls and oh my gods to questions that I don't even see the RN pass rate on enclelex in here and we said excuse me ma'am that's because we're a PN only program to it was clear that they really didn't understand what they were looking at or what our program was because they wanted to know how many students were continuing on and we said we're a 10-month program they all graduate or they don't graduate so nobody continues on there's no secondyear PN student on uh to the fact that uh they didn't know it was a 10-month
014program and and this and that. So there are a lot of miscommunications. They voted and I said I tried to talk several times. They wouldn't allow me. They took the vote to u approval with warning and suspend our our um admissions to December. And I explained afterwards uh they allowed me to speak and I explained that suspending it essentially uh puts a financial burden that quite honestly could end with the closing of this program because we can't maintain a staff without income. It's tuition based um and the revolving account reserves is is very narrow on that. Um and it was interesting because a um a colleague school of ours had requested a voluntary pause in their admissions because of things going on with their program and they wouldn't allow them to pause and they said
015no you can't pause and it was like you can't make us hold the class when we don't have people. So I said that puts a financial burden and quite honestly our colleagues wanted a voluntary pause and you wouldn't allow him to pause and we're asking please don't pause us. We'll address everything you need us to address. We had 40 accepted students and close to $50,000 in tuition already deposited to start the school year. Um and it was mapped by the chair that well let me be perfectly clear they asked for a pause. We mandated this pause. Have a good day sir. Like okay. Um it didn't end there. We talked to our legislators afterwards and we were able to get on a July meeting. They notified us on June 24th that we were going to
016present on the July 9th meeting again reconsideration before the board. They wanted all documentation submitted by the end of June 27th, the day they notified us we would be on there. I was on personal leave and our director was accompanying two PN students at the National Skills USA competition because they were the Massachusetts champions in technical skills. The quality of the nurses that we put out there. Um so Grant asked if she could apply for an extension. I said with all my approval yes please do and let them know our circumstances. They granted a 4hour they said fine. the board needs it by Monday at noon. Um, so we submitted all the documentation of the changes we made today and I said just keep submitting anything that we've addressed up until that meeting. So we
017submitted a whole host of information um to them and it was a again a fruitless meeting. Um they wouldn't allow us to talk. Um I tried to talk. They said excuse us don't interrupt the board while we're deliberating. You'll have time at the end to talk. At the end of their discussion, she moved for a vote. I said, "Excuse me, I thought I'd have time to talk." She said, "You will." I said, "To be clear." After the vote, she said, "Yes." Um, their attorney, I think, saw that that was improper, interjected, cuz they have an attorney on on the call and said, "Let me summarize today where we are." And then at the end of her summary, um, which we all knew because we're all part of it, she said, "You may consider allowing the
018gentleman to speak before you vote." So they allowed me to speak which they really didn't care voted to keep us in the same position on it and they said quite honestly financials are not our responsibility and that's on you. Um and so they put us in this position. We immediately notified cuz we delaying these poor students cuz they were saying will we start? What's the status? And so upon uh the closure of that meeting I was working with an assistant secretary of one of the um department cabinets. And he said give me 24 hours guy before you make a decision. I waited the 24. Unfortunately, the uh Health and Human Services Secretary stepped down. Um, and that was our go-to person on that. Uh, so hope was lost on having any more reconsideration uh by
019the board to allow us to start the program this year. Uh, so now we're in the position that in order to make this happen, we have to keep our full-time staff on full-time to do these reports, the monthly reports that one wants from us. as well as the COE came out in April after COE is the council of education, occupational education for our reaffirmation meeting because they approved us to uh receive vet um veterans affairs money and that and they came out and we had a great finding. They actually said can we copy some of this and do this or this now we can't they can't bless us because we don't have the board of registration nursing. So it's a catch 22 and they want a full report. So efforts to maintain that and try
020to pull some people in in in um January would just deplete our funds. We can't use general funds because it wasn't budgeted for nor is it a daytime program for you know school age children. It's a postsecary adult and adult program. So if we were to exhaust those funds, we the the district would be in some financial liability here without a way to to meet them because of our general fund doesn't allow for that. So that's why I say with a heavy heart, we exhausted our political and pull and we've we've tried to appeal to warrant on this. Um we're not alone. another district will be closing their program and I don't say that as you know anything other than we have put forth a great effort to meet their demands um and it it
021was just a weird talked to other people it it was a weird meeting as if this was predetermined what the outcome of this would be um and the uncertainties are real that uh the number of applicants and the quality of applicants because all our community colleges are free um you know and we're tuition based we are working through MAVA. Um James Brazzen is the spokesperson for the regional vocational practical nursing programs uh to get some relief on that because we are state we're all state agencies or public agencies. So if they're reimbursing uh PNs at the community colleges, there should be some reimbursement um at the vocational regional vocational school programs as well. So far that's fallen flat. um he's still pursuing that avenue, but you know, the horizon doesn't look good that we'll get
022any relief in the community colleges. We'll continue to be fully funded on that though. So if we were to move through this year, which is again I went through it with u Breth on our director and our business manager and to maintain those funds, we deplete our reserves before the end of this what would have been the academic year for practical nursing and then we'd have no funds to start the school year on that. So that's a lengthy discussion, but I think it's important that you know that we worked, you know, tirelessly and we were blindsided on June 11th at that meeting based on the information that was given to us at the exit interview. >> Thank you, Kyle. I'm sure other >> you don't have to read the synopsis but if you want to
023>> any other discussion m what if any options are there for the 40 accepted students any possibilities for them to get into other programs at this date or is it >> due late unfortunately probably not um we did share with them quigman all our area >> as black zone we shared the the regional schools that have programs but usually they're starting up and now we shared with them the community colleges within you know the area that do that. Uh so we we shared out with all of them with the unfortunate news um and their refunds that these are the programs that you can apply to whether they accept our acceptance or not. They don't have to. they have their own admissions but the tease test should they have to take tease test should they could
024no after they apply um and stuff like that but uh yeah we we shared out all that information to them uh we relayed that and that's was that was um so the first board meeting in uh June the program that went before us they were concerned did anybody apply for next year's program and they said we had 17 applicants and they said well you can't close what are you going to do with them. And I said, you know, there were 17. They shared all their region, you know, school, regional uh area PM programs. And here I said, we have 40 ready to go. I tried the tactic that when we received the official notification from the board, which was uh 4 days after the June 11th meeting, um the way I read it, my interpretation
025was we're approved with warning. So we're approved to run the program. We have to cease admissions until January 1st. I said our current PN class of 26 admissions is completed. They were accepted. We start August. So we can So I said, is my interpretation correct? We can start this year because we're approved with warning and we just can't start admissions for the BN class of 27 until we meet our all year obligations. And they said nope. So I said I then I respectfully request because I appealed to uh Huntsella um the field rep that we get on the board's agenda um and that's when we're notified on June 27th that we would be on the Jul July 9th meeting. So I tried to work within the bounds of their letter and they they said no.
026So those 40 and through the whole time it was just it was horrible for us because we weren't going to tell them. We were hoping beyond hope that we would appeal because of the success of the program. I stand on on you know uh the director does and our faculty and staff do an amazing job with those students. Um if you went to the graduation which we did um in June uh just after June 11th um and those 40 graduates 38 graduates were so proud of their accomplishments. We're we're really hopeful that the first time pass rate would have seen an increase this year but it's kind of a low point right now. Thank you. >> The chair. >> Yes, sir. >> Other than being able to provide that service um to our towns and
027and beyond that, how did we benefit from that program? I mean, it was a it's always a feather in our cap when we send those students um off to Skills USA and um we've got a history of that and we've got a history, frankly, I think of of running a decent program. Um but outside of that, fiscally um you know, monetarily is it is there any benefit to the district? And not to downplay um the service that we provide because I think that was awesome. and and looking at some of those graduating classes, I don't know that some of those students wouldn't have had the same opportunities and the same attention that they got here in the program. So, I appreciate that. Not trying to downplay that, but how do we benefit as a district
028as we think about closing the program? >> Yeah. No, well, well through the chair. Well said, uh, George. Um, the the district doesn't benefit. It doesn't benefit. The revolving is solely for the perpetuation of that program. Um, so we don't benefit. I would say marginally we benefit in that the headboards that we ordered, the day students could use those. Um, and sometimes, you know, the six babies that we got for them, the day students could use that, but they also benefit on the on the flip side when we have Perkins money, we can buy, you know, some new equipment for the day students. The nurses can use that. Um, the PN students can use that as at night as well. It's a you you summarized it great. It's a huge community service in that we're
029providing, you know, uh, you know, 38 40, you know, practical nurses that are going to go out there. We're given opportunities for, um, you know, the CNAs typically to, you know, skill up and get a higher paying job. and and the every year that I've gone to the uh graduations, there's a former student who's now an MSN and maybe a charge nurse who's speaking and talking about this was the springboard that got them into nursing. Um, and I don't have to tell you, you see it, if you pick up the uh Charlton, you know, town paper, the Southbridge Times, and all of those, every week there's a community service as well as an accolade from a graduate um on that. So, it it's shocking to Rep. Marcy and, you know, Senator Fatman that this is
030happening. Um, you know, and they're like, what can we do? But there there's nothing the Warren rules over that and and that was their decision. We don't benefit financially from it. Um, you know, in any way. It's interesting to that, you know, um only 30% of our students come from our 10 town. So we're getting 70% from outside. So they are driving here and bypassing acid and Blackstone to come to the program. I think that speaks volumes as well. But you know did I answer it? >> Yeah, that that answered the question and and I would agree and I just I just would add and and not that I'm excited about the prospect of of closing the program, but I would add look at what we're we're putting into it above and beyond the actual
031teaching and learning that's happening in that program. I mean, all all the stress that um that you you and um and Jim and the director of the program have gone through over this and all those visits, frankly, um again, and I and I'm not happy about the program, but what is that taking away from our daytime program, our daytime students? Um that's time and effort that could be spent elsewhere. Again, I'm not advocating. I'm just putting that out there. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, George. Any other comments, thoughts? >> I have one comment. So, what's your take on it, Kyle? Bad for the high schools not to do it or what >> or vocational school not to do it? >> Yes. My take personal say that my personal take is there's something a foot um
032on the region of vocational schools because of you know the other one that I know of um will be closing and another one they cut their admissions in half. um they operate a evening and a day program and they cut both those programs in half and they're going to be financially strapped uh to continue their program as well. And I'm not saying that they made any decision on which way they're going, but they were advocating right along with us as well. Um you know um it's hard for me to say what it is. Uh maybe I don't I don't know. It would only be speculation on my part. I just know that it was weird meetings and I'm not the only one because um the director um of CT reached out to me the very
033next day. Um yeah, we were going to the retirement party and in the parking lot I got a call. I answered it and said, "Tell me about the meeting yesterday." And I said, "Oh my god." She's like, "How do you know?" And she said, "I got a number of calls from that meeting." So I talked to her, not that DesiCect CTE has anything to do with it, but got me in touch with one of the assistant uh deputy secretaries, under secretary is under secretary um and he indicated he was going to work with the health and human services, but also, you know, kind of couched that with the fact that they don't answer to the Health and Human Services. They answer only to the governor. Um and they they operate uh independently. And so yeah,
034nobody has that much more. >> Any other questions, comments? >> We currently have one. >> What's Go ahead. >> Is it likely that the higher learning institutions of nursing programs don't want vocational schools teaching nursing? >> I don't know. We've um my my past in in my previous district, we worked very well with our community college and they utilized our facilities in the evening. Um we had a great relationship with them. Um, I don't know why they wouldn't welcome some kind of assistance or or um participation with this and sharing of it because uh there's a wait list, you know, I think it's a 2-year wait list to get into the Ven Academy at at Quincigum Community College and that's after you have your prerexs done. Um, so I don't know where they're going to
035train these nurses. Um, you know, and I think on a on a whole, uh, there's been a lot of numbers in my head lately, but we, if I'm, if I'm correct, the regional vocational schools produce more graduate PNs than the community colleges combined across the state. So, that's a big deficit if they're looking to eliminate regional vocational school PM programs across the board. And like George said, we do these as a service to the community because it doesn't we don't get a financial windfall. There is a lot, you know, we have the director, but a lot all the grievances fall on the superintendent, you know, custodial, all of that stuff is picked up by the operating fund of of the schools. So, um you know, space is dedicated to that program. um that doesn't benefit
036our mission for the day students on that. Um we do a great service outside of that with the CTI programs and our evening schools. Um and those partnerships benefit the programs in you know in that we have material and we can upskill our undermployed and unemployed population. We'll continue that. um you know it's embargoed but I shared the information with you all on on the CPI um and that certain number of our admin will be traveling uh tomorrow for an award ceremony in that. So we continue to provide those services for the you know our um central mass workforce blueprint and feeding those industries with our CPI program as well as our electric boat plumbing trades at night you know so as a whole the state should be embracing what we're doing expanding it just
037like just creating opportunities for the 11,000 students on us across the state. Are we going to keep the nursing program? That's what we're here to decide tonight. My recommendation, the business manager's recommendation is to close the program. When I was in Georgia on the skills, when we got the information about our nursing program having difficulties, my daughter is a professor in two colleges, teaches nursing. So I asked her the point questions and she said that the upper Scholastic part is having difficulty getting um people into their courses because of the vocational school programs that are around that I'm sure are less costly and being a business situation that's the situation and I was wondering if that was something that was causing us to have a problem of so many you know you can't talk what
038they're going to tell you and so forth and so on and so on which is a very disruptive way to do any kind of a program situation you know but that's what they're carrying on as Massachusetts is not number one in the whole situation of my cities you know uh through the chair are it's reversed from Massachusetts so the community colleges are free tuition now so they can go there if you get on a wait list and a lot will choose to wait a year or two to get into a program if it's going to save them $11,000. Our program um you know is a tuition program. So if you get on a list or get into a program and that's the other thing, you know, those that you know pass the TE's first time
039and have no problem academically will get into those programs because it's not a lottery for a community college. It's a selective criteria. Um so the quality of the applicants we get you know is going down as well. So there's a lot of uncertainty. So that's what the recommendation is based on not the quality not how the program was run. Um it's based that we've been put in a financial situation with with a you know precarious future that if we continue to fund this know that the closing of the program has ongoing expenses. Our adjunct professors are adjunct. They get paid when they teach. However, they've been doing it regularly. So, they are entitled most likely will get unemployment. And so, that's 60% of what they've been making historically that we have to pay for 26
040weeks. So, we as a municipality pay dollar for dollar. There's no unemployment insurance. So, we carry that burden until they exhaust that. Um, and then if we maintain the full-time staff to do the full closeout, then they're entitled as well on the on the flip side. So, we have to keep in reserves that money to pay the unemployment. We can't take that run out and then take it from our general fund. We can't cross that. So, we that's why I sat with our, you know, business manager and the director. We went back and forth on all of this. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. Any other questions, thoughts, comments? >> Just one. Um, so Mr. Ba, this information you presented is very detailed. We haven't really had a chance to look through it
041a lot um at this point, but you had said there are other reason. Are there other reasons besides what's here? So, when we go home tonight, this is the real reason why the state is told you you could not hold a class until January. >> Yeah, I I think I captured it. there's a detailed synoptis that the director that we submitted to the COE. Um, and that's why I said, you know, it's in there and I know it's short notice, but you know, >> we got to make a decision on on what we do so that we don't exhaust the reserves and and get into a situation on it. Um, and I've worked with uh Cindy on it and I've talked with Brelin about it as well on the outcome. But if you well you
042get a vote tonight but yeah I believe I summarized that as best I can. >> Okay. All right. Yeah. Yeah. It just seems you know I understand the pass rate that's important. Uh uh >> it is important but that's why I I took a lengthy explanation because to me and I know they had the arbitrary 80% firsttime pass rate but to me 73% filling the pipeline is better than zero. And when you had 38 kids last year graduated out of a class that started at >> most passes a test the first time. >> So that's why I felt it important to share that yes it is 73 and understand that the SAP you know u strategic educational plan all the data you said that they said it during the exit. You have all the data
043you have to incorporate it in the SAP. Um the clinicals are the clinicals and we'll hang the hat that we don't have an maternity and it's requested but Greg did all our her research. Um and there's 11,000 nurses waiting to get a a maternity clinical and the number of maternity awards was there's no possible way all the nurses can rotate through a clinical and maternity ward and not to mention like UMass won't in the maternity ward you Harrington closed that. We looked at, you know, >> Yeah. We're looking at, you know, some of the, you know, uh, other agencies that help pregnant women to get in there and it's just like, no, we're good cuz everybody else is looking as well. Um, and they just mandated that a year ago on that. So, they gave
044us a year to go out and find a maternity when there's been on it. Uh but mental health is locked out, closed in, pediatrics locked out, closed in within a couple weeks of the exit interview and we presented that. We got two out of three, you know. Um so it just I think I covered everything. >> Okay. Any other question? >> Question. Just >> just so you realize it's it's this is a fin strictly a financial b. We don't have money enough to carry this program on. We got to end it, you know. motion. Okay. It's too bad. It's unfortunate, but somebody's got a big check to recognize. Time to move on. >> Yeah. Anyone else? Okay. We currently have a motion on the table and seconded to close the piano academy. So, we're going
045to go ahead put a vote on that. All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. >> Abstensions. >> I absent. >> Where was that? >> Okay. Abstension. Motion passes. Thank you, Kyle, for the detailed background on that. >> Okay. Down to uh subcommittee reports. Um I'm not sure if we have any report from the super. >> Oh, do you want to go do it now or after? Go ahead. >> It usually comes up next. All right, do it. >> Just do the chair. I sub a written uh superintendent report. There a couple things I just want to highlight on that. Um so, uh real quickly, we had a robust summer this year. We had, you know, credit recovery which 28 credits with all students passing and eligible for promotion. I want to call out
046that we had one senior who uh recovered the credits and graduated. So, we held our own little mini graduation for that student uh guidance Trevor Short pulled it together real short. We had a cake. We invited his family in and we invited all the other students in the summer program to come and the staff. Uh and you know uh the principles here he can talk to uh how much that filled him and his family and and dare I say the other students their cup that day. Uh it was wonderful. Um he was so thrilled for the support and the perseverance and the encouragement to stay the course and um so that was that was a great moment for that program when uh he graduated on that. Um >> they have to run from DCU. >>
047No, we made that wrong. U so that was nice. I uh kudos to everybody and I listed all their names out on who participated in the recovery as well as the steps to success. Uh nearly 20 students participated in the steps to success. That's MCCAST. Yes, it's still we try to get them over it because that's the easiest way to meet the graduation requirements. Competency determination is what they're calling it now. Um so we saw initial data those students not every student tested pre and post but indicated a growth in math of 50% uh of the students significant growth in ELA and science 44% of the students on that. So good success on that. Um we had a great um administrative retreat this summer. So we're all like I said we're all united. We're looking
048forward to a year of of um unity and growth on that. So, we're all pistons and firing there. I do want to call out Liz Ortiz as our uh new assistant principal um appointed after the retreat, but looking forward to her joining the the team um going forward in in doing that. And we have many of our administrators here tonight as well. Uh capital skills modernization grant is coming out. The MAVA annual uh summer retreat is this week. Uh so some really important things coming up there that our administrators are going to be attending admissions. So you know that we're going to a lottery. It's the first year on that. There's going to be some um recommendations to the policy on coming into alignment with the new admissions. We have some things that we need
049to change. We're really uh eager to attend one of the sessions where they have some model policies put together based on the new emissions uh program. So stay tuned for that as well as how we leverage because there's now $110 million for the skills and lab modernization grants that have come out. Uh not $ 110 is available to regional vocational schools. Uh 30 million will be available for expansion CTE programming at the comprehensive schools. Um so there's still a lot of money left on there. So we're going to be attending how to leverage that. And um just this afternoon was a webinar on how to apply for those. So up to $5 million for a lab modernization. So we'll be looking to put a proposal for that. Uh so stay tuned on that. Uh a
050huge success. Uh and Chad had to leave for Oh no. Oh my gosh. I apologize for your family because I didn't uh Shadette is our new building grounds uh director and uh thankfully you all approved that we hire student help for the summer to offset and do some of the things that we would like to do but didn't have time to do. Nine students, Monica Alvarez, Rivera, Jacob Pratt, Jacob Perry, Natalie Engles, Cole Paradise, Michael Abero Jr. Colon Mane, Josh Jeffers, and Marcus Feliciano are the students that were hired. Um, it's incredible to see them working. And every time I walk out, they're they're working. I encourage you, I put some pictures in. They're black and white. Doesn't do it justice. Walk around and see, you saw some of the, you know, wet paint sides.
051Those are all the students. They painted the hair handrails, the parking lot ballisters. They they sanded those down. Those were rusty. and they look uh horrible. Uh they're bay path purple now. They're paint they painted the lines, the numbers in the lot. Uh they were on, you name the equipment, they were on it and they were just going. So we cleared up sight lines, we trimmed trees, we took down, cleared out all the weeds, invasive species. Uh this next week is their last week. So >> 50th is the last day. Uh but they've, you know, worked great with our full-time staff and um yeah, so everybody I talked to said it's amazing um what they're doing and thank you for bringing them on. Um and you post it social media in the comments like that's
052my son and he loves his job and this is amazing. So really good stuff is happening. I want to call out what they're doing on that. Uh a lot of big things are happening. I listed all the stuff we're doing. Uh we got an irrigation system that 80% Chad 80%. We just got to hook it up to the water. Uh we'll be able to water the fields, get some grass out there, keep that going. Uh the gym floor will be refinished just after the start of the school year. We have plans to relocate by that. So have a brand new gym floor. It'll look just like when they open the renovations on that. Uh equipment's being installed that we ordered. So a lot of good things are happening inside the building. And uh we're looking
053to a great year. >> All right. Now, here's a quiz for you. Now, if I wanted to use some Bayath Purple, what Benjamin Moore code is that we're working >> Sherman Williams. >> What? What's that? >> Williams. >> Okay. >> And we can get you the code. >> We're going to get you the code because we're going to standardize all that. Our logo and our colors. We will have a color code that they have yellow purpose. So, we are working on having that code that wants to use a logo can use this. That's good. That's good. I'm sure there's a few different purples. >> All right. Thank you, Kyle. All right. Down to uh subcommittee reports. I'm not sure if we have any. Uh there's nothing for audit. Um Mr. Shore, do you have anything
054for budget? >> Nothing for budget. Okay. Don Montville for buildings and grounds. Anything? >> Nothing. >> Okay, we're moving quick. Um Davis is not here. I don't know if there's anything for negotiations. Um hearing none policy Peter is not here. >> Yes. But we did have a meeting this evening and the committee is going to make a final review of the revisions that we worked on since May of 24. And we're planning to have the information to you in September for your preview review. It should be about that thick. So we figured that's a overnight assignment. >> Here we go. >> Thank you. Welcome. Welcome. That's it. Okay. Uh for future business, our next meeting date is on Tuesday. No, Tuesday, September 2nd. So that's right after Memorial Day. Um any top Memorial Day, Labor
055Day, excuse me. Any any topics uh of naturally for the future agenda? Um let us know. >> Any more comments for you now or should I go around? >> No, I do have one more. Uh Skills USA, you know, we sent the contingency down there. I just have an update. Uh we're proud to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the student competitors at the 2025 National Leadership Skills Conference in Atlanta. Representing both secretary and post postsecary divisions, PAP students showcase their career and technical education skills on the national stage, bringing home top 10 finishes in several events. So in the high school division, we were represented by three standout students. Jameson Burke plumbing earned fourth place nationally demonstrating exceptional technical skill and professionalism in one of the most competitive trades out there. So congratulations to Jameson.
056Um Nay Ray and Vincent Vanam web design and development placed sixth as a team showcasing innovation, collaboration and advanced web development proficiency. So these numbers are national. So fourth in the nation uh and uh sixth in the nation. Uh Bayath's post-secary licensed practical nursing program also excelled with two students earning national recognition. Ashley Rimcon placed 10th in medical terminology reflecting her strong foundation in clinical language and healthcare knowledge and Luis Nijigi earned sixth place in first aid CPR demonstrating critical life-saving skills under pressure on those. So, I want to uh call those individuals out and the the staff as well as the school committee who went down and participated in judging and chaperoning our students on that. Um, and I want to welcome all of our members today. Welcome and thanks everyone in the audience
057for attending um as well. So, we're going to go around the room now. We'll start over here with Bob. >> Um, not much. Just welcome to all the new members. Mike, >> attorney. >> Exactly. >> Welcome and looking forward to a new year. >> Uh, welcome to all the new administrators and wishing all of the administrators here a successful happy school year and welcome to the new members of the committee. and I'll turn it over to you, sir. >> Thank you. Uh, thank you administrators for a delicious barbecue tonight. Um, keep up a nice tradition and welcome back the clock back to Bay Path and Kristen is you as well. Welcome back. >> Well, I welcome our two new uh members and getting back to the swing of things. help this school go forward and
058meet all the challenges that are ahead of us and I think we're all on the same page and it makes us feel very comfortable to be able to work that kind of a situation together. Thank you. >> Well, welcome to all the new players. Uh it's a wild ride. buckle up. Uh I would be wrong if I said I'm disappointed that we're going to do away at the nursing program being the father of a registered nurse that went through the hard way of getting her her her uh accreditation. Um, the one thing I would like to see us continue and find a way to continue would be that public-sized um, the publicity that it was in the newspapers on a regular basis. We can segue that into some of our other programs and our daily
059programs or something because I get more comments about com, you know, the regular articles and and all like the new leader and the Spencer Spencer new leader and Southbridge current or whatever they are, but you know what I'm saying. So if we could find a way to to figure out that formula and uh you know continue it, I think it would be more than beneficial for us as a as a vocational school to to keep us above board and and you know in everybody's mind. [Music] >> Okay. Thank you George. >> Just thank you to um the new administrators that welcome aboard. Welcome to new teachers. Welcome to new school committee members. Um, thank you to administrators for preparing that nice meal for us and um um to all the newcomers here. As um Jim
060said, it could be a little challenging sometimes, but it's a great community and I think um I think you enjoy it very much. Uh congratulations to everybody. Congratulations, Lizo, on your new position, uh here. Um, I'm looking forward to see what kind of great stuff comes out of this school year and seeing good things. >> You're just two comments. Uh, Richard Clark does have a very famous daughter. Uh, first named Caitlyn and she was called a basketball player in Chuck Hill. Uh, but no relation. Second of all, >> related to me at least. >> Second of all, I have no idea where my brother is this evening. It is it is his 75th birthday today. >> Well, there may be a connection there, but alert. uh Jim I as the other Paxton representative I'm happy
061to report I have notified the property author proper authorities and he will be here next time >> welcome all the new people and items about the nursing program I certainly understand what's right in school >> yeah same thing about the nursing program it's seem to be very successful essful. I mean, maybe we didn't have the greatest graduation rates, but as you say, look bodies up there. Um, really, really unfortunate couldn't continue, but it's also like fairly expensive. Nobody's ready to check for it. And congratulations to the welcome board, the new hope you hope you enjoy. I want to say thanks to Eileen for bringing in the wonderful photos. It looks like you had a wonderful time and the kids, I'm sure, will have those memories for a lifetime. So, thank you so much for your
062dedication to the kids. Appreciate that. >> Well, I would like to thank everybody for their welcome. I've never been welcomed to home so many times in my life, I don't believe. Uh obviously I'd like to thank the voters in Dudley. I think the move was to get me out of town. At least one might have succeeded in that. And uh I echo the comments of the gentleman from North Brookfield. Uh that was a constant item if you will in regard to the nursing program any bunch of times. Uh smiling faces, happy faces, awards, accolades, all sorts of wonderful things. and uh keeping that going in some fashion if you will that momentum I think is is a worthwhile effort indefinitely. If it can't be nursing then certainly something but anything else you know again thank
063you and Mr. R, thank you very much. You provided me with a $25 tour last month. I appreciate that. Uh, it's amazing to see the building. It is an absolute incredible facility. Uh, and the the town certainly had reason to be proud. I mean, it is so clean. It's almost amazing. It's almost surgical room clean, if you will. Thank you. Thank you. >> I want to take the opportunity to wish everyone a great school year. Uh we're looking forward to the this new year's successes. Uh it's nice to be back here up on the hill. Um it was good satical but uh had the opportunity to come back and join you and look forward to being here for the next uh few years. Uh hopefully my last three before retirement. Uh but uh great to
064see everybody and uh thank you for your all all your efforts. Um it it shows every year at graduation. So have a great year. >> I just wanted to say thank you for everybody's welcoming. Um and I also wanted to say um that I'm thankful for the suffrage voter voters and also Helen Lenty and um I'm looking forward for what's to come. Thank you. >> Welcome new committee members, new faculty. Thanks for a great evening, great great dinner. Thank you. We look forward to success this year. >> All right. Just want to uh thank everyone for coming. I wish you a great school year coming up and thank you very much for for cooking us dinner. You can always buy me off with Klondike bar. Um so that's very much somebody right on right on
065that. So very much uh appreciate that. >> Motion to >> or ice cream sandwich or any of those things. All right, we're going to move on. >> Motion to adjourn. >> What's that? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> That's my job. I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> 1 hour 10 minutes. Jeff, not bad. >> What's that? Okay. One. That's fine. All those in favor say I. Back.