001Not regular meeting of Wednesday, April 9th, 202. Please all rise for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands nation for all and we have any questions to the agenda this evening. No adjustments and moving on to public comment. And as a reminder, members of the public may address the school committee for up to three minutes on school and education matters. Public comment shall be directed to the school committee and be brief and non-repetitive. The school committee's practice is not to respond or debate with speakers during the public comment period. We are here to listen. The superintendent or her staff will follow up on comments outside of the meeting as appropriate. The committee will not uh permit profanity or shouting and request that s speakers
002be civil. Discussion of specific personnel or student matters and complaints concerning specific employees or students will not be allowed but will be addressed through established policies and procedures. Before speaking, we encourage speakers to review school policy a seat which provides that the school committee does not and will not discriminate nor tolerate discrimination against students or employees on the basis of membership in a protected class. Speakers who share comments in this policy will not be allowed to be junior. Do you have any public comment this evening? Moving on, we have super anything else proposals and updates for staff reading about question. So, um I just wanted to take a moment to summarize the changes. I'm happy to redo the presentation, but the only shift in that um in the presentation is the reduction of health care
003um of the healthcare premiums. Um, so we were at 14%, we were unclear where that was going to come in and we've been very fortunate to get a rate of 7.1%. So that has reduced the budget and all of the connected cost centers with health insurance by uh approximately 541,000. Thank you. So if anyone would like to see the budget, I'm h the presentation again, I'm happy to do it. Otherwise, I would like to um move on and recommend that uh the approval of the second reading of the FY26 budget. So move second. Any discussion? So we need to go through each article. Yeah. So what we'll start with is article one to see what sum the school administrative unit will be authorized to expend for regular instruction for the fiscal year 2025 20226 and
004the recommendation is 26522,933. So moved. Second. We vote for each one. We're going to vote for We're going to vote for each article individually. Yeah. Motion and a second for each one. All in favor? 7. Article two to see what sum the school administrative unit will be authorized to expend for special education for the fiscal year 2025 2026 12,114,93. So moved second. All in favor 70. Article three to see what sum the school administrative unit will be authorized to expend for other instruction for the fiscal year 1,579. Second. All in favor? 70. Article four to see what sum a school administrative unit will be authorized to expend for student and staff support for the fiscal year 2025 2026. 5,887,958. So move second. All in favor 7 article five to see what sum the school administrative
005unit will be authorized to expend for system administration for the fiscal year 2025 202261,621,179 second all in favor 70 article Six to see what sum the school administrative unit will be authorized to expend for school administration for the fiscal year 2025 2026 3,222,585 second. All in favor? 70. Article seven to see what sum the school administrative unit will be authorized to expend for transportation and buses for the fiscal year 2025 2026 2,249,728. Second Alan David 7. Article 8 to see what sum the school administrative unit will be authorized to expend for facilities maintenance for the fiscal year 2025 6,631,799. So move second. All in seven out. Article nine, excuse me. Article nine to see what sum the school administrative unit will be authorized to expend for debt service and other commitments for the fiscal year
0062025 2026. Recommended amount 2 million 380,000. So move second. All in favor? 7. Article 10 to see what sum the school administrative unit will be authorized to expend for all other expenditures which includes 25,000 for food service program support for the 20 fiscal year 2025 2026. The recommended amount is $138,870. So move second. All in favor? So no. Article 11 to see what sum the district unit will appropriate for the total cost of funding public education from kindergarten to grade 12 as described in the essential programs and services funding act. Recommended amount 62,349,168. So moved. Second. All in favor? 70 article 12 to see if the Bangalore school department will appropriate $39700 300 excuse me $397,795 for adult education and raise $260,000 as the local share with authorization to expend any additional incidental or miscellaneous
007receipts in the interests and for the well-being of the adult education program. So moved. Second. All in favor? 7. Article 13 to see if the Bangor School Department will raise $18,023 to be used for the Bangor School Department's vocational educational education assessment. This assessment is for the UTC adult education budget which totals $217,5763 of which $60,8478 is supported by sending districts. So move second. All in favor? I have a question. Sorry. I should have thought of this early, but do you does your spouse work for UTC? He does. Should you abstain? Yes, I should. Okay. Thank you. Appreciate that. Not that I think you know. Thank you. I will abstain from that vote. Okay. So, all in favor six. Thank you. And that's it from the budget. Thank you very much. Do I have to
008just move on? It felt ceremonial. There should be a round of applause. Thank you. All right. So, next up we've got the ratification of the edtech contracts for 2024 to 2027. Um, I am recommending ratification of the educational technicians 2024 to 2027 contract. So, moved. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Sorry. Next ratification of the teachers contract for 2024 to 2027. I'm recommending ratification of the teachers 2024 to 2027 contract. Can I get a motion? Second. All in favor? 70. Sorry, I missed I had a comment. Oh, I'm sorry, Tim. I apologize. I just It's very brief. I just want to thank Superintendent Robinson and member Sprag and Chair Luciano for all their hard work on these on these negotiations. I echo that. That's right. That's why I'm still here. Um we I was like
009I'll have comments on that but I'll circle back. Um any more discussion on that? We have go to seven up. Seven up. Great. Great. Wonderful. So, I'm just holding my hand up preemptively. Um, up next, we've got the equivalency agreement for high school credit. I'm recommending school committee approval of the equivalency agreement for high school credit interlocal agreement. So, moved. Second. All in favor? 7. And uhformational items are next. We've got the superintendent's update. So, just a few updates um from this past couple of weeks. I was able to um spend a day or portion of the afternoon reading to Vine Street students. Um they had some various adults coming in and and administrators across the district. It was really um great to sit down and read. I was able to read one of my
010favorite stories as a child which was um Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day. Don't know it. I highly recommend that you check it out. It's a very fun very fun children's story. I was also um able to participate at Down East um with the Mr. Drew animal show which was a highlight of I think everyone's day who was there. Uh the live animals come in and I didn't know this about the Mr. through an uh animal show, but he rescues those non-native species and keeps them in a safe environment so that they're not released into our environment. So, everyone may have known that. I didn't know that. So, that was great. And I got to hold the TV lizard. Great. Um school updates. Um there are many things as I've always
011shared and you see those in the newsletters. Um so many happenings across the department and all the all the schools. Um, one highlight I just wanted to share is the junior class parent meeting. Um, and this really is um, in support of our increasing um, attempts to increase communication outward. Um, so this is this was led by our high school counselor Sharon. Um, she's our new department head in guidance and it really was um, a wonderful evening. I think over a hundred families uh were able to attend and it's really a great way to get prepared and kind of step stepping into the senior year in the spring before they start. So got a lot of great feedback on that. In terms of the district, uh final quarter began on April 7th, hard to believe.
012We're right in our final stretch of the school year. Um something that's an interesting opportunity that came along was the New York Times kids edition. Um they have been doing uh an initiative across the country and have highlighted 45 states so far and we're the first school that they've come to in Maine, the first school department. So they're working with a fourth grade classroom um to talk more and teach about opinion pieces. And then there's going to be a there there was a two-day Zoom session with um one of the editors from that process to really focus in on, you know, how do you edit, what does it look like, and you know, getting items um writing pieces published and we will get copies eventually at some point. So, we'll be sure to share those
013out. the food service department um has gone through um two uh really important reviews and they've gotten um very very good reviews. So the procurement administrative review, this is one that happens every five years um and um only three small findings that need attention and there's a very long list of items that they check. So that's very good news. And then we had the trienal review um the week of March 24th and that is for the child and adult care food program and that's the program that we work in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club uh preparing dinner meals for children and families and we're in the second year of sponsoring that. So um it's great to see that the reviews are going well. The school-based health clinics, I just wanted to give an
014update. I was able to meet with Casey, our coordinator, the past week or so and we had some specific dialogue around how do we get the word out because even though we've had them at the high school had it for the high school and now the middle school, there's still several families that are you know unclear or and even some staff. there's going to be an increase of um you know having tables set up like at the academic showcase she was able to do that and was able to gather some more families and and educate them on the on the um opportunities if folks want to join the PCHC clinic. Um and then also um what we've done is kind of restructured where that information was on our website. So now it's um it's not
015just on the Bangor High School page. It's on the department itself and then there's a link on every school to make sure that um anyone who's looking at the website should come across that with the um the forms to enroll if they so choose. And in terms of the region and state um we've been able to um thanks to member Ryden for the reminder of um enabling our committee to uh to be hosted at UTC. So, our May 13th school committee meeting will be at UTC and um the director Amanda Peterson is going to be offering a tour from 5:30 to 6:30 prior to that meeting with some light refreshments and then our meeting time will remain at 7 p.m. Um and if if you haven't been there, I think this is going to be
016a really um eye-opening experience. There are amazing programs and resources there um and and they've done a lot of work in recent years to to make it even better. In terms of the Penquist region, um we are monitoring, of course, all of the federal changes. They're still giving us the information that at this time, uh they don't anticipate any impact in the federal funding, but of course, we're continuing to monitor. Um and in terms of uh the 10-day notice letter that was um shared, no one has actually received that specifically. So, it was um ma I was made aware of it through an um main public or an NPR article. So, we're monitoring that. The state did get a um an extension on that. So, now the new deadline is April 24th and we've been
017uh explicitly told to await guidance and not to do anything with that letter. So, we're kind of in a holding pattern there. Um and the press update uh that is um there's they're quarterly meeting so we haven't had I know there was an express interest in getting some press update so those are quarterly meetings and the next meeting is June 1st so they haven't met since our last meeting any questions I do um and again I I recognize first of all thank you for that update um I recognize that there isn't a lot of information and that we are in a holding pattern pattern. Um I'm curious if this deadline does proceed, you said April 24th and our next meeting is April 30th. Is there any expectation that we as a school committee meet before
018that? How how I don't even have that information. I don't anticipate a need. I mean, I would communicate to all of you of whatever the updates are, but it doesn't appear to be something that would need any um committee meetings or votes. No, it's mainly like a letter that I just want folks to sign with asurances. Thank you. Yeah. So, um just to clarify that is that like individual signatures or as a body? No, it's like my signature. Oh, your the school administrative. Yeah, the the school leader and we don't need to vote on that. I'm assuming it doesn't seem like something that okay we would vote on but again we're kind of in the middle of waiting on guidance. So if something came through and said this is an individual determination then I would
019definitely bring it um we probably have to call a special meeting but right now that hasn't been the indication. Um it sounds like it's going to be a um I guess my sense is that it's going to be a blanket response. Okay. Everyone will do this or everyone will not do this. I see from the MSMA and the MSMA and the BOE. Okay. Okay. Thank you for that clarification because it seemed like in the the latest communication of the collective hold on that I wasn't sure if it was going to be a release of now you all decide individually. It could. We just don't know. I hope that we collectively together. We do hope. Yeah. Thank you. Thanks for clarifying that. I appreciate it. Any other questions? Thank you. That was very helpful, informative. Thank
020you. Up next, we've got reports of reassignment. Um, reporting the following reassignments. uh Scott Wood from physical education teacher at Fairmont School to physical education teacher at the Fruit Street School. Up next, we've got uh business action items. First up, we've got approval of the regular meeting minutes of March 26, 2025. Can I get a motion? I just wanted to recommend the um approval of the draft minutes of the March 26, 2025 regular school committee meeting. So moved. Second. All in favor? 7. Thank you. Up next, we have the financial reports from December 2024 and January 2025. I'm recommending approval of the December 2024 financial report and the January 2025 financial report. Can you get a motion? So move. Second. All in favor? 7. We have the personnel extra duty assignments. I'm recommending approval of
021the following extra duty assignments for the 2024 2025 school year. Madison Trit, first year five, assistant track coach, Bangor High School. Steven Early, five, assistant track coach, Bangor High School. Can I get a motion? So moved. Second. All in favor? 7. And we've got the second reading of new and advised policies. Maybe you want to take these all together or do we have questions before we go? We have any discussion? I forget to look up sometimes. Yeah. You want to take these all together? Great. So, I'm recommending approval of the second reading of the new and revised policies. And again, these are the MSMA aligned and the letter updating. New policy BEDC quorum revised policy BED rules of order revised policy BEG minutes. Revised policy BEDI news media revised policy BEF voting method and new
022policy BEGA abstensions. So move second. Thank you. And do we have uh we don't have any introduction items. So we've got committee updates and representative reports. Do we have any representatives reports since my last meeting? There's a UTC update. Yeah, thanks. I'm I'm happy to give a UTC update. Um um I happy to share that their skills competition which is the statewide competition where they demonstrate uh their um aptitude in their specific area of learning um which happened in March went off without a hitch. We actually had 45 uh students from UTC that meddled um medal gold medals for Bangor. Bangor had the largest number of students participating in the UTC skills competition. um which is just a really great uh obviously an opportunity to demonstrate their skills but also just a really great way
023to sort of build morale um for that school that you know students are coming in different programs that they're only there in the morning or only there in the evening. It's a really um sort of boost to the entire school. Um the nationals are in June and we have a Bangalore student going. So that's very exciting. um the bond that was graciously approved in November for those additional um resources that will be used for equipment funds will become available in May for uh those purchases to be made. And the board at UTC has been very thoughtful about how these um these funds are being allocated to the different equipment pieces. Um and it continues to grow. There are 860 applications to consider for UTC this year, which is larger than ever um and really exciting.
024And mostly I just want to bring your attention to this equivalency agreement for high school credits which was a huge amount of work not only for um UTC but for all of the sending districts and the leadership in those schools in those high schools. So thank you to um Dr. Butler and team, everyone that really work together to look at if you are a student, regardless of which school you're coming from, if you are participating in any number of um the offerings that happen at UTC, you can earn credits towards math, science, English um because obviously those those uh classes are so rich in those um areas of subject, but knowing that there's um an agreement for every single school that sends students and we agree collect effectively that these this work is worth certain
025credits. There's an entire binder that both member Sret and I have that fortunately for you all you left in my car but I can meet you afterwards if you want to um that goes through every single class and how many credits you get for which subject. again, years worth of of examining how they're meeting state uh objectives based on welding and what that could mean for a geometry or chemistry uh credit. And it's really so wonderful for these students also that maybe are behind in or maybe are afraid they won't be able to get to UTC and really dive into their passion. um this meets that expectation so that they're able to receive those credits and um really be amazing contributors to our society. So um I just wanted to thank everyone whose involvement there
026was there and again welcome you to meet me in the parking lot and I'll show you the binder. The summary is the back of the Yeah, that's not as fun as the whole binder though. Quick snapshot. Thank you. Thank you for the update. Um, do we have any other committee updates before to student member? Oh, I'm sorry. That's members. The scholarship committee met last week. Can you give us an update? Yeah, I would be happy to. Member John and I met with the scholarship committee and mostly I just want to acknowledge that Jerry and Paul and the guidance counselors and everybody else are the ones doing all the work. We had a vigorous discussion. Uh, it's a very enjoyable committee. I'm happy to serve on it and I just want to thank the staff for
027their hard work that process the culmination of a year's worth of work and there is a lot of generosity in this community for the scholarships which is always very heartwarming to see. Thank you. That was a wonderful update. You're welcome. I don't I don't know the last time we had a scholarship update. So I appreciate that. Thank you. Oh yes, member. And there's a question about the scholarship. [Music] Um, I know um I'm just not familiar with what the scholarship committee does. So, can you just give like a brief overview since I've already spoken once a month? I mean, once a year, so heard it. Well, really, um, Jerry puts together a great report of the scholarships that are available, you know, the process by which, you know, those scholarships are going to be rolled
028out and just how how that all works. So, it's pretty straightforward. Okay. Yeah, we would love for you to attend. Such a lively conversation. I'm sorry. I apologize. Thank you. So, I have a couple exciting things to announce. This clue, the play at Bangor High School is tomorrow at 7, Friday at 7:00, and then Saturday at 2. And you can go every single time because there's a new ending each time. So you'll be surprised again and again. Um we have family fun night or a silent auction at the sports arena tomorrow from 5 to 9. Um and this is for project graduation. So this project graduation is a little celebration for the seniors after graduation. They all stay together stay for a while at the high school 8 to 3 in the morning. So that
029should be fun. And at the sports arena there's food, bowling, and arcade games. Um and at the school, student council is planning a campus cleanup and they're partnering with various clubs like SED and NHS um to help clean up the school and around the school. Baseball and softball have double headers this Saturday and tennis has their home opener Thursday the 17th, so people should show out. And we also have spring break coming up. Thank you. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. And see, this is why I need to ask this is and this is this is me being very nitpicky and I and I don't actually have any questions or comments from the committee, but I I feel like it's missing from this. It was okay. It hasn't gone away. It's just it's appeared twice. It
030from I can tell it looks like we have just um it just appears once now towards the end. We have taken our agenda and put it in alignment with the MSMA suggested change. Okay. So, We shouldn't have two places to have comments for ourselves. I'm again making a lot of wild, but this just I noticed it and was like probably while we're getting things into alignment of it, but thank you. Good. Okay. Um, next up we've got uh information items. So, the next several important dates. Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, regular meeting, 7 p.m. Mangore High School Library. Tuesday, May 13, 2025, tour of UTC United Technology Center, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13th, 2025, regular meeting, 7 p.m., United Technology Center Auditorium. Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, regular meeting, Bangor High School Library. Feb
031uh February, Wednesday, June 11th, 2025. regular meeting 7 p.m. Bangor High School Library Wednesday June 25th 20:25 regular meeting 7 p.m. Bangor High School Library and now questions and comments from the committee and I'm going to go ahead and go first on negotiations process. So again thank you so much to everyone. It was a very uh engaged process. Um thank you member S and member Spray again. Sorry guys. Uh, it was a lot. It was wonderful. I liked it. I thought it was great. Remember, you were helpful as well. So, really excited we had that completed and look forward to the ongoing negotiations with the additional member. I would just like to echo um recognizing as a committee member how much work that was for members and member Luchiano, for director Payman and Superintendent Robinson
032and all of the um uh representatives from the union. I know it's a lot of days and nights and um I'm really grateful that we have a great contract. So, thank you very much for your work. Jandra, I had the opportunity to go to the Al city chorus concert last week at Vangor High School with the four five middle school and high school. Um, and I just want to thank all of the music educators for all the hard work that they put into that's a lot of work to get everybody together. And for those who didn't attend that concert, um, it was the return of the high school jazz choir, right? A small group that did a phenomenal job and I know they were really excited to bring that back. We have some really talented
033students at Bangor High School and then to see all of the grades come together for one big performance. Um, just getting them all up there on that stage. I know that my kiddo was thrilled to be involved. Um, and just want to thank everybody who, you know, makes music a priority here in our schools. We appreciate you very much and I look forward to continuing to be part of that as my kiddo grows up. One else does. All right. In that case, move to ajourn. And we get a motion. Still move. Second. All in favor? Um, yeah.