001Hello everyone. I'd like to call to order this meeting of the SA90 school board. All 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. Hello everyone. Uh couple of quick housekeeping notes. Um Zil is going to be absent this evening. She's not feeling well and Mrs. Shepard uh is has a conflicting meeting and she will be here as soon as she can get here. So she should be here I'm expecting probably by 6:30 or so. But we have a quorum. So we are going to get started. So, let's begin our evening with a call for public comment on agenda items. Seeing none, we will table the
002remainder of our 30 minutes to the end of our public meeting. Let's move on to schoolboard member updates. Does anyone have an update? The budget committee has finished reviewing more articles. We'll have a public hearing on the 15th. So very soon we want to hear from as much public as possible on everything. That's all financial articles, some that may affect the school indirectly um and some that affect the school directly and we would invite all schoolboard members to attend on Thursday night at 6:00 in the selectman's meeting. Um did you have anything maybe PTA related? >> I sure do. Awesome. Uh so the PTA is looking for volunteers for a few different positions. Uh the first of which is a board position for secretary. Um it is a very low lift. It's a nice easy
003way to get involved and would fill a critical need for them. I know they would be appreciative. Uh you can reach out to Patty Curtis at the PTA. Um they need some additional support for events. There are two people leading the program, but some support day of type people who can organize things for all the fun things they put on. Um, there may be a fun run/family event on the horizon. Um, that will definitely depend on some volunteers stepping up. So, again, if you're interested, Patty Curtis, the PTA, uh, teacher appreciation is coming up May 4th through 8th. Uh, and they need a volunteer to manage Lego club for kindergarten. Uh, again, really fun, really low lift. You basically have to check in a bunch of adorable children, watch them build, and then check them
004out as they leave. Um, the dates for that are March 4th, 11th, and 18th. The time is from 2:40 to 400 p.m. Uh, anyone would be really appreciated. The kids love and look forward to that program. It's a pretty small group. Um, and it is cute, cute, cute, fun, fun, fun. So, reach out. That's what I got for the PTA. >> All right. I don't think we have anything else at this point, so we're going to skip right ahead to principal reports. Mr. Robbitai. Good evening. Happy new year to everybody. Um just a few updates from center school as we've uh gotten back in January. We're busy with our winter and midyear um benchmark assessments. So students will be busy taking acadians for math, dibbles for ELA. Um our grades one and two also do
005STAR assessments um this go around. So, we're busy just collecting all that data to make um good instructional decisions for our students as we get running into 2026. Um I had noted just or you know there's been a lot of um curriculum you know alterations this year with math but also our ELA units um just to bolster our writing. We continue to work on our teacher teams um you know um and our PLC time to work on writing um and our fish tank units. So uh the teachers have been spending a lot of time on that too. So, we're certainly looking forward to um you know, kind of getting a year under our belt and having um you know, some experience in all these different lenses for our teachers, but they've been working hard. Um
006we also have uh demonstrated success coming again this week to work on differentiation and math and also kind of under the um you know the umbrella of everyday math being our new unit. So, we appreciate their support. Uh we have PD time on Friday, too. So again, we're just trying to utilize every minute we have to get teachers as comfortable um and really refined with the program as quickly as as possible. So appreciate all their efforts this year. It's been um it's been fun to watch them, you know, really sink their teeth in, but it's been a lot of hard work, too. Um and then just uh we're trying to bolster our handwriting as well. you know, there's a lot of research that ties into the importance of that with um you know, just early
007literary early literacy skills in general. Um so our center ELA committee has put together some fun little activities that we're going to be rolling out uh next week. Um so families will get some information to on Friday as well. we'll kind of be doing a letter or a couple letters at a time and just um you know while kindergarten gets to spend a lot of time with it in their foundations work um you know we want first grade and second grade to also not be losing sight of that um as it's so important um for their early development at center school um and just a couple cleanup things from December. Uh again high school jazz band and chamber singers came over that was it's always a great show so we appreciate their uh willingness to
008spend some time with us around the holidays. Um it's always a fan favorite to the students. The Frosty Fair was held on December 22nd. Um a big thank you to the PTA and all the volunteers that came out that day. Um you know, it's really special for the students um to pick something out for family members. And then just a reminder out to the community, our Hatch Play group is running again on Friday mornings. Um if anybody is interested about getting involved in participating, they can reach out to Patrice Baker who now has an SA90 email. So pbaker sau90.org if anybody has any questions out in the community. And I believe that's it for my January report. Any questions. >> Okay. Good night, >> Mr. Sadler. >> You're welcome. >> Hi. How are you? >>
009Howdy. >> All right. So, just wonderful time of year. It's busy mid year. Um next week we have our spelling be with fifth grade. So, that's going to be fantastic. Hopefully later on we'll be able to bring um our winners and finalists in and say hello. They always enjoy that. Um Marson's going to be participating in the National Great Kindness Challenge coming up from January 26th through um 30th. So, we'll have a schoolwide morning meeting and we'll kick it off. Um we're also going to be doing some stuff um with an assembly that's really around character building and kindness. Um I plan to share more about it at our February board meeting, but um it's through the NED show and um it's just going to be great for the kids and that's coming up in
010February and it sort of ties right onto the tail end of the National Great Kindness Challenge and then we flow into that. So um we're look really looking forward to that. A lot of good stuff happening and same with center school. You know, it's mid year. We're collecting data. We're reviewing um our interventions for students and just making sure that supports are in place. you know, whether it's an academic need or a behavioral or or um social emotional need, you know, we're just trying to make sure that we're meeting kids where they're at and giving them what they need to be successful at school. Um it's just, you know, a really wonderful time of year and the only plug I'll have, please, is um moving forward, we're trying to get some volunteers in the community
011for our Wicked Wonderful Wednesday program. Um it was probably COVID was the last time we ran it. Um we stopped it because of that and then since then, we've never been able to get the traction and and the community support that we used to have for it. So, we're looking for anyone with any sort of talent, whether you are a parent at the school or not, but um you know, we've had programs like cooking and crafts and sewing and gymnastics and volleyball and you name it. So, um if you have something some skill or talent you like to share with our students, just reach out to myself or Patty Curtis at the PTA and we'll see if we can get that up and going sometime in April again. But other than that, you know, it's
012just wonderful time of year and open to any questions you might have. Nate, are they going to run that like they did before? That is it going to be consecutive Wednesdays? >> Yeah, that's the hope is that you can staff it. I don't know if there's four or five in April, but yeah, you'd sign up for one program, whether it's sweet treats or, you know, pottery and then you do that for four consecutive weeks. >> See if we can round up some library folks for that. >> That would be awesome. Thank you. All right, take care. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you. All right, Dr. Campbell. Good evening everyone. Um, start off by celebrating our students of the month. Uh, Macy Lindberg, Sawyer Whiteford, Chia Chetas, uh, Olivia Lord, Junior Foko, Kylin Wilcox, Tucker Blosser,
013and Lucy Rufus. Well done. Uh, these are nominated by each one of the teams of the IAS. So, we do that monthly and we are excited to celebrate those students. They came down last week for their hot chocolate and free ice cream uh reward there. Um we are back from vacation prior to vacation. Uh we want to thank everyone who showed up for the community oven fundraiser. Um our athletic calendar is up and running. Um and uh we are excited to see all of our ath student athletes participate. Just came back from the basketball game. It was an excellent excellent job by both teams. um had the pleasure of chaperoning the eighth grade trip to the uh Christmas carol before the vacation. It was a lovely event. Uh something that ties into the English uh
014the English ELA curriculum and on December 11th we had sixth grade participate in a virtual author study um which was held in our auditorium. Um back from vacation, uh ski club is up and running. We had our first successful night there. Um it was a great event to see uh a mix of kids being able to mingle outside of the traditional school day. Uh we had a great great day. The mountain was ours as it was a rainy night. Um but smiles on everyone's faces and um yeah we have coffee and conversation tomorrow 10 to 10:45. Today was our first day of star testing. Um we have another event on the 13th and I'm sorry on the 16th we will be taking this the English star testing. On Friday we have our early release day.
015Uh Monday there is no school and our progress reports will be issued on February 6th. Um with that said, if you have any questions from the board, >> I did want to say congratulations for being the first uh this year's first big cookie award winner. >> Yep. Very excited. It was a great award, great honor and uh >> didn't stand a chance with the crew that I had. So we made it. I think it barely made it out of the parking lot. It was a very delicious event. So, >> does anybody have anything else for Yep. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> All right, Miss Jensen. Even with heels, I'm not tall enough. Um, so our mental health team has been meeting. We're reviewing our suicide prevention policy and discussing
016how to help support families um for students who may be experiencing suicidal ideiation. We have invited a 988 representative to attend one of our meetings. Um they were supposed to come to our meeting that we have on Thursday. However, they had to cancel and will be coming to our meeting in February. We are looking for more options for bullying prevention, including options through both Alveas and Wayfinder. Um the mental health team has been looking at wayfinder. Um they have lessons that look at self-awareness, accountability, empathy, collaboration, agency, and purpose. We're also looking at smarts, which looks at executive functioning more just to see if that's something that may help our students. Also, as a followup from the LEA determination presentation that I did, I just wanted to give the board an update that we have
017submitted our progress report for our root cause action plan. Um, a snapshot of what we found was that our students actually are in the general ed curriculum at least 80% of the time. Um, which aligns with state targets. We do think that the main issue there was the fact that the state had our hours listed incorrectly for our schools. They had us listed at a 5 and a half hour rather than a 6 and a half hour day. >> Um we are going to be um working with the state on a measurable goal writing training that is offered in February. So all of our special education staff will be attending that. It's a remote um workshop on February 13th. Tying into this, I just wanted to give us a little bit of a prep for
018the program approval and general supervision cycle. It's a six-year cycle. The state started back in 2324. Hampton is not part of the cohort until the spring 20 um 829. I know it sounds far away, but it'll be here before we know it. Um so a lot of the work that we've been doing for the LEA determination will tie into this. There are um five components to the PAGS. So we're going to have to do a program presentation. They're going to look at our performance indicators and kind of probe some of our data to see how our students are doing. There's an educational environment analysis which is what we just did looking at the LE determinations. Um equitable services review that is the services that we provide to um sacred heart basically. So we have to
019provide equitable services to any non-public school within our boundaries. Then they will also do a student file review. the number of files they look at depends on where we fall on that LEA determination. So that's just kind of a sneak peek at some additional work we'll be doing in the upcoming years. Anybody have any questions? >> We have hit finally 20% on our our special ed numbers. So just >> yeah ever ever rising. We we had a lot of moveins this year who were already in special education. >> Um and you know we've been able to discharge some students. We just keep plugging away at it and we have some great progress. >> That's great. >> Thank you. >> All right, Mr. Smith. Hello. Uh, I don't have that much. Uh, basically it's all the
020same stuff that we typically are doing at this time of year. Uh, only two things that I'd like to call out are, uh, we did get the website updated to include the communication guide which outlines the hierarchy for communication for parents when they're trying to reach out to the schools. Um and then we also to comply with the technical advisory that we received on December 15th related to audio video recording uh we did redo a consent form uh which has been sent out for Hampton Academy students. Um and then we are working on finalizing that for Marston and center students as well. And with that I open it up to questions. >> We'll talk a little bit. That's on the Thank you. >> We will just so everybody knows we we'll talk about that um
021that advisory a little bit a little while. >> Yeah. >> All right. Hello. Hello. >> What? >> Happy New Year. Um we had a busy month in December. [snorts] Um had a really busy holiday break. We've got uh quite a few things done at a few of the schools. Um, I don't know if anybody noticed, but um, the weather vein is now standing upright. Um, excellent. Yeah, it was uh quite >> quite the thing to see that boom all the way up there. I wouldn't have gone up there, but um, yeah, so they got it done. They actually put a nice little piece of copper up there, so if you're driving by during the daytime, it looks pretty neat. Um, we did uh got some floors done over at center school. Replaced two of the
022floors, one on the top floor and then one in the neck room um that were just falling apart. Um, did the landings also, so that was good. We got that done over break. Had a little cubby built for a little quiet workspace over there also. Um, what else have I got? Uh, we're still running short-handed. Uh, we did get one of the crew back, which is awesome. Um, but we're still running one short here at Hampton Academy. And, um, what else? We had did have a couple small snowstorms that we had to take care of, you know, one over the break and then another one. But, uh, staff is great. Everybody, it's I'm texting them after I talked to Lois at 4:30 in the morning and texting them at 5:00 and say, "Come on in."
023Which they love to hear, but they all come in. It's been great. They're they get the schools ready for the staff and students and we're good to go. I >> think that's it I got for you. Any questions? You good? >> I think we're good. >> Thanks. Have a good night. >> Thank you. All right, Mrs. Poor. >> [cough] [clears throat] >> I know, right? You make everybody sit [laughter] in the front. >> Happy New Year. >> Um, first off, I would like to say we are u looking for one person uh opening position at Marston from 9:00 a.m. until 1, four hours a day, prep and dishwash, food service stuff. Um, second, uh, Emily and I are still reaching out to parents. Fill out some forms. Do you need extra help? What can we
024help you with? So, we we just started doing that right when we got back from, uh, over vacation. Um, and then Emily Fixler and I are also working with New Hampshire Hunger Solutions. Uh, her name's Trisha Leel. and um we're trying to think of ways and participation for students breakfast program. Um so uh she offered to do a taste testing here and we're just trying to figure out a what scheduling a date uh in February because we have breakfast school week national school breakfast week March 2nd to March 6th. So, we're trying to do maybe a tasting before that so kids know what we But great offerings for breakfast. So, we'll do that like at lunchtime. >> And I think that that's it unless you have any questions. >> Oh, thank you. >> Happy New
025Year. All right, Dr. Costa. Um, [clears throat] just a couple things from my report. Just that I want to thank Emily Fixler and the schools for doing such a great job responding to our families in need. Um, given the holiday season, we're appreciative of many of the different donations that allowed our families to have a wonderful holiday that was filled with good, nutritious foods and fulfilling all of those holiday wish lists um from our families in need. So, we're we're just want to highlight that. Also, um we are continuing to review policies in our efforts to make sure we are up to date and we are abided by the present laws. Um Mariah and I had an opportunity on Monday to go to conquer to talk a little bit more deeply about some of the
026legislative changes that are coming um that are being discussed right now in conquered. So, we had a good opportunity to hear about some of those things and we're always appreciative of hearing directly from legislators who sometimes reach out to us as well. We're always willing to have those conversations. I I just want to um a shout out to um legislators that do reach out to us. We do appreciate that. And you'll see that later this month on Tuesday, January 27th, that we will be joining SIU 21 and a legislative roundt to discuss some of those proposed bills and the impacts on schools and districts. This includes things like open enrollment. It includes things like SAU consolidation, things like freedom accounts and and all of that and access to public schools. So, it should be make
027for interesting conversation. Um there are many pieces to all of this with um things really up in the air and we really aren't going to know until there's crossover and then there's um depending what's signed into law. So we're kind of just in the conversation piece, but do appreciate those legislators that do reach out and speak to us. So we're grateful for those partnerships. Um just want to let you know that on Tuesday, January 6, we held our second meeting of our book, Let Them. It's always great to see the community members that come out that come from, you know, all areas of our communities. Those that are just big lane library people as well as those parents and staff and um even just people who just want an opportunity to connect with their fellow
028um citizens of Hampton. So, we're always pleased to do that and to have those conversations. On this Thursday, as was said, we will hold our budget hearing which will take place in the town hall at 6:00 and then of course our deliberative session which is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4th, which will be at Hampton Academy in the auditorium. And then of course we have voting on March 10th. So, this is going to get um to a very busy time in the year and an opportunity for people to come out and to hear what's going on, as you said, Molly, with with our budgets and how that might impact them. Moving on to our second goal, which is really around the physically and emotionally safe learning environment. Just want to reiterate some of the things that
029Dena said and things that we're working on, including our threat assessment form, our suicide prevention screening, and working with um people who work for 988. We think that's important to do so that we can be in communication and be on the same page as as those people that are making those calls in terms of how they respond to it and to make sure we're aligning our thinking and processes. We are, as you know, continuing our relationship with the Cook Center. I had a chance to touch base with Patty Curtis on my way in this evening. As PTA meeting just concluded, we will be going to the PTA meeting next month to talk about our Warren articles that will be before the voters next month, but also we'll talk about the Cook Center just to remind
030people about these resources that we discussed last month. We also included a copy of the newsletter and the calendar of events which includes a ask a therapist live that comes up every month. So just a great resource to our families and to our parents and to all of the caregivers in our communing community including staff members. So don't want to leave them out and we appreciate all that Tim Harrington and his staff is doing to keep our buildings clean, safe, healthy. Um we appreciate that particularly we have had already a number of early mornings that they've had to come in and clear the snow and to ensure that um the driveways were safe and the walkways were safe. So a big thank you to all of them. We we had um a meeting with our
031mental uh I'm sorry with our MTSS which stands for multiple tiers of systems of support. We are working with our behavior um behaviorist uh Miles Planet who has actually attended all staff meetings to talk about two of the goals that we have as a district as it relates to multi-tered systems of support. So kind of spreading a common message with common goals as we strive to provide those um supports to our students and to our staff to ensure children are getting the support they need behaviorally as it relates to mental health, social emotional learning which is really important. Um without that they cannot access learning. So it really starts with um having children available to learn. So looking at that um and I talk a little bit about that including those positive reminders, praise and
032redirection at a 5 to1 ratio. It's a goal um and it's just a way to make sure that children are also hearing um positive language throughout the day. So that's what we're striving to do. And then of course, one of the things that our mental health team has mentioned to us is their need to have more tier 2 and tier three supports. Those are for students that might need some support in that area. Looking at things like programs with um with different vendors that we could possibly support with grants or otherwise. Um Tim Smith didn't talk about this, but one of the things that we want to be mindful of is ways to mitigate fishing and cyber security awareness through professional development for staff. We're looking at a long range plan in terms of how
033we might be able to do this. We just want to be on the front of that. We know many of our districts that we hear about that have been unfortunately fallen to some of these attacks which has um shut down their technology for weeks on end. I want people to imagine that just for 5 seconds. Can you imagine if all of a sudden because of a ransomware attack we had to shut down all technology the impact it could have on classrooms and teaching and learning. um it's something that we're mindful of which makes us want to be extra vigilant as it relates to that because unfortunately there are people out there that do target schools and we just have to be one step ahead of that. So I'm looking forward to um Tim's direction on
034this as he's keeping keeping us aware of this and apprised of this and things that we might be able to do as it relates to professional development. And then of course um thinking about curriculum, our work continuing with differentiated instruction. I think you saw in the principal report their plans for that continued work with their staff. Also those mid-year assessments that we use as data points to ensure our students are growing in a positive way and if they're not, what might we do differently to support their students? So we're looking at that. You heard about the hatch that continues to meet monthly as um and weekly as um Mark Robbitai talked about in his report and want to just bring to your attention that we will be at the end of the month reooking at
035our supervision and our evaluation plan. We are pulling together a team of teachers. We are te pulling our administrators and just reooking at the supervision evaluation plan. It's been a while and we just want to make sure that it is doing what we would like it to do. So just to keep that on your radar, that meeting is scheduled for January 26th. And I think one other piece is um also looking at um data points and considering we currently use Renaissance which is the star assessment but making sure that that's that is the um that is the best tool for measuring data. We are looking at I Ready and NIW was just to take a look at what they offer just to make sure that we're getting the data that we want and making sure
036there's not something out there that might even be better. So just always keeping our options open for better materials that might do um something better for us or might be more helpful to our staff and principles. So January 20th will be the first of those and then we'll have one in February and one in March. and looking at the three big ones which are really I ready star which is through Renaissance which is what we currently do and NI was which we used many many years ago if you may remember that and I think that's enough right [laughter] >> that's great >> yeah and just taking a look at the parent newsletter which talks about um how we can equip our child navigating peer pressure and cultivating healthy choices that came out from the cook
037center this um this month and also the mental health series. And you can see there is just um a number of informational sessions that parents can join. start times at are either at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. So, there are two different start times to accommodate parents schedules and anything from preventing um parenting through anxiety and depression, building child's confidence, everyday happiness, school avoidance, depression, um you name it, it's probably there as well as Ask a Therapist Live, which happens on January 27th at 8 o'clock. So, those are all there through um the parentguidance.org and very easy to sign up. Two other things just to put on your radar and I put in your board packet was a notification from the town of Hampton just to make you aware of the zoning board is having a
038meeting um and keeping you apprised of things that they're doing with their agenda. So that's there for your consideration just to keep you in the know on that. >> Y >> and that will be January 22nd in the selectman's room and we're we're invited because of our weabot their property that's the parcel of land that they're looking at >> [clears throat] >> um to develop. So just to be aware of all that. >> So just wouldn't want to leave you out of the loop. Thank you. All right, moving on to the consent agenda. If no one has any objections, I am going to break the consideration of minutes out from the consent agenda because there are only three of us. [laughter] >> Yeah, >> that will give everybody the chance to vote on donations. So,
039why don't we start with consideration of minutes from December 9th? Does anybody have any changes, questions, comments? Okay, seeing none, uh, do I have a motion to approve the minutes? It'll have to just be me again. >> So, moved. [laughter] >> Okay, I'll second that. So, all in favor? Nope. Not you. You weren't here. You had to. [laughter] So, two two yes, one z and one abstain. Yes. Okay. All right. And now we can take a look. We have quite the list of checks, which is always amazing. Um, Dr. Custo, I let you go through the checks, particularly the first one, which is outstanding. >> Yeah. I just I just have to um I want to share with you a letter I received and I I shared I think earlier um la well at the
040end of last year that um a foreign a former parent um parents Lara and John Bleer reached out to me um to share with me that they would wanted to make a donation to our school. So just to read the letter and just to acknowledge it. Um dear Dr. Costa. As discussed by email, Laura and I would like to make a donation in the amount of $10,000 to the Hampton School District. We respectfully request that these funds be used to support students at Central School, Marsen School, and Hampton Academy. We trust your judgment in directing the donation to where it can make the greatest impact. Whether it is providing essential clothing, assisting with fees for class trips, or meeting any other unmet needs, we hope these funds will help students who may benefit from additional
041support. Thank you for the important work you and your team do for the children of our community. Sincerely, Lara and John Bletzer. Just a huge thank you um an acknowledgement to the Blessers for their beautiful donation. I assured him this is something that we would work with the building principles and outreach worker Emily Fixler on. And I assured him that we would definitely put it to good use and that he said this is something he hopes to be able to do every year. and he would touch base with me again in December to talk about how it was used. And so it's something that, you know, you know, we we take very seriously because this is an extraordinary um donation and amount and it's something that we will be obviously tracking and be able to
042give him a full report on how it's used, but we're just grateful and appreciative. So, just wanted to share that with you. >> That's amazing. >> Yeah. Do you want to go through and read the rest of them or do you want me to? I don't care. >> Sure. Either way. All right. And so and then of course um and another you know this these are these are probably like ones that probably touch me equally and this is from a third grader who basically has raised funds to donate to the Hampton Food Service Department. So we have a third grader I don't know if he wants to remain anonymous does he Mrs. >> I love it. So Brady Peterson, third grader at Marsden School who worked really hard um is donating $114. And so thank
043you Brady and Yavvon Doulool. A donation of $500 to the food service department. We're just grateful for our students for really doing that extra work and for obviously community members, families for supporting. Is there anything you want to add, Mary? >> Yes. Yeah, >> that's very sweet. >> What what a be Yeah. Just a beautiful thing right at the holidays. Just grateful. Um and then moving on, we have Dr. Neil Campbell who is asking permission for a $725 donate um check to from Gestus Studios and Yearbook Publishing. And this is going to be probably for the picture days and all that and $8810 for box tops for education. So again, some beautiful donations um in support of grade level activities that go directly towards our students. So big thank you to them. And also uh
044from Mark Robbitai, $835 also from Guscus. appreciative of that one. Just don't want to miss any. >> Probably from Marsden. Nope. And center school also $60 for the box tops. >> So again, some great donations that directly go into our students account and basically support what our students are doing that extend their curriculum and learning. Have a motion to approve all seven checks. >> Second. >> All in favor. >> All right. >> Thank you. And we'll be sure to um send those [clears throat] out. >> That's Yes. Send out those very much to to everyone who made those donations. That's amazing. >> All right. I think we are at the point of new business and we are going to Does anyone want to say anything about the video before we get it started? Rya, you
045want to say anything before we >> Um, this is just a video on our budget for 2627 times flying. Um just a little bit about uh what we've done and how we came up with our numbers and why. In Hampton School District, [music] our mission is to inspire the whole child by engaging opportunities for lifelong success. Nothing reflects this mission more than the choices we [music] make each year in our annual budget. That's why we've created this FY2027 budget video to share our district's [music] recent success in statewide performance rankings by school and the progress we're making [music] to support our students and families. Our budget request to voters for the coming year with the specific budget choices that [music] drive this request. Our key change for the next budget year, requesting funding for three
046[music] additional special education support staff positions, which allows us to keep our students in district. Hampton School District continues to lead the way in providing a top education [music] to our K through8 students. This year, our schools once again ranked among the top [music] in their categories across the state in the US News and World Report rankings. Hampton Academy ranked 13th out of 270 middle schools in New Hampshire, putting it in the [music] top 5% of all middle schools. And Marston School ranked 29th out of 443 elementary schools, putting it in the top 7% of [music] elementary schools. Because Center School does not participate in state testing, it doesn't qualify for the ranking [music] system. But based on the performance of our students when they get to upper elementary and middle school, we know our
047preK through [music] two students are performing at a high level. Another way Hampton is leading public education on the Sea Coast and throughout New England is through our promotion of mental health and [music] wellness supports, not just for students, but for our families through our partnership with the Cook Center. Physical and social emotional [music] safety is one of three district priorities this school year. We've led [music] training for all staff this year on critical supports. And we continue to [music] support our families with parentguidance.org, a free service developed by licensed therapists that provides specialized [music] courses, professional support, and confidential parent coaching for any interested family. We know our [music] students cannot learn unless they feel comfortable and safe. And these supports we provide go handinhand with the high student performance [music] we've seen in
048our statewide rankings this year. Hampton's FY2027 budget will ask our community for a 1.24% [music] increase above the default budget or approximately $379,000. Our leadership team [music] created this budget after building its district priorities of communication, physical and social emotional safety, and curriculum and professional practice. We then reviewed [music] 175 budget line items to evaluate how to put controlling costs at the center of our budget. The biggest [music] driver of every school budget is salaries. Our community approved new contracts for both our teachers and our paraprofessionals last year. While this represents [music] the biggest portion of cost increases in this year's budget, our new contracts create predictable and responsible fiscal planning and renew our commitment to attracting [music] the strongest teaching and staff to our district, another component to our students success. Another key driver
049that goes [music] with salaries is benefits. This is where Hampton can forecast costs, but like many families in our community have increases [music] in health and dental insurance that are out of our control. This amounts to 3% [music] in our health insurance and almost 4.5% in our dental insurance. Combined with other increases to things like FICA and Medicare, that's more than [music] $540,000 in cost increases out of our control. When you add another $82,000 in additional transportation fees to make sure [music] each of our students gets to and from school safely, that's $1.2 2 million in additional budget [music] in FY27 that we've carefully managed to fit within the default budget mandated by [music] the state. Hampton School District is asking for a 1.24% increase to its budget above default to fund one additional expenditure.
050This is to continue our commitment [music] to integrated special education in our district to ensure as many of our students can learn in an inclusive environment [music] in their home district who might otherwise have to be placed out of district. We do this through our NECC [music] program, which serves students with autism and significant behavioral needs. To do this, we're requesting funding to hire three ABA techs. ABA stands [music] for applied behavioral analysis. These positions will support [music] Marston School and allow us to follow our students needs through each of their school years in Hampton. This amounts to about half of the money above default [music] that we're requesting. The other key expense above default is to keep wages and benefits for our non-UN employees competitive. About $161,000 [music] or about $2,700 per non-UN employee
051and $56,000 [music] to account for their portion of health and dental care increases. Combined with some cost savings, we've realized these [music] three new positions along with the salary and benefit increases amount to the entire >> [music] >> $379,000 we're requesting above the default budget for FY27. Here is a summary of the warn articles [music] we will present to voters for their approval. Our $32.2 million operating budget, which requests an additional 1.24% [music] above default. Approving the requested budget would result in a tax impact of an additional 26 cents per thousand of assessed valued to property in our community. If voters do not approve our proposed budget, the default [music] budget is the same as last year's. Our proposed budget appears as article one in this [music] year's warrant and is recommended unanimously by both
052the school board and municipal budget community. Article 2 requests an additional $350,000 to our long-term maintenance account. This is a continuation of an annual program to [music] keep our buildings updated and in good condition. Approving this article would result in an additional [music] 1% per,000 of assessed value to property in our community. It's also recommended unanimously by both the [music] school board and municipal budget committee. You can dig into every detail of our FY27 [music] budget on our website, sau90.org. Navigate to the [music] operations tab at the top of the homepage. Then select business office. Okay. After you click on business office, what do you click on? Do you know? >> I tried to look at it today. I couldn't find it. >> You couldn't find it? >> No. Um, so yes, go to operations.
053>> Yes. >> Business office on the arrow. >> Yep. >> And then voting information. >> Oh, I know. >> And it's right there. And it's got multiple years in there. >> Okay. I looked in the wrong spot. So So voting information. >> Yep. I thought we were just We should probably put that very last line if we can add it. Yeah, it kind of cuts off a little bit. So, but anyway, that was great. Um, [sighs and gasps] we actually should probably just go ahead and talk about this while we're here. >> Yes. I think it's a great idea. >> Okay. All right. So, what I'm holding is a copy of our um our warrant. Um, and we did have an addition this afternoon. We had a citizens petition uh that was brought to us
054this afternoon and I will read this. Uh it says to see if the town shall vote quote on the petition of 25 registered voters in the town of Hampton. Shall each SA90 warrant article pertaining to budget and spending display and spending display a quote fiscal impact note identifying the taxpayer cost of that article in XXX per $1,000 home valuation as well as the corresponding impact for a home valuation of $600,000. When passed, subsequent annual ballots will display the fiscal impact note for proposed spending articles. This fiscal impact note can only be removed by a vote of the Hampton taxpayers. Um, so one thing that was brought to our attention is there is a minor issue with the wording. Um, this is actually already uh governed by RSA 325, V-B. Um, and it specifically uh identifies
055that you can do the taxpayer cost per $1,000 home valuation. It does not have any language about the uh home valuation of of an an [clears throat] example essentially the $600,000 homes. Um, so we don't I would say we don't entirely know the [clears throat] excuse me the impact of that because we did just get this this afternoon. Um, if that piece is not valid, does it invalidate the entire thing? We don't know. Um, they I think in theory could amend it themselves at the uh deliberate deliberative session coming up. Um, so that will be something to kind of keep an eye on. >> Yeah, I think that um it can be amended at a deliberative session and or if it does pass with their wording, I by law have to follow the RSA and
056not what is on the wording on the warrant. Um, which there are um specific rules about that. [snorts] And um there is a new law even that passed for starting 2026. If you have a multi-year impact um 5 years or more, you have to post the first five years. And that's usually on leases and bonds. It would be if we had a warrant article um for teachers, something like that. That would definitely have to have that. That's by law now. Um, but this RSA for tax impact does um allow you to once it's voted in do a um tax amount per thousand um but not to the 600. So yeah, if this passed I could do it to the thousand. Um, but we could definitely fix the wording during deliberative >> because this is something
057that does not have a financial impact. Um, we do not typically vote on those. So, just as an FYI, anybody have any questions, comments? >> Could you read that wording again? >> Yes. >> Thanks. >> Okay. I'm having issues because I'm having trouble talking tonight. Okay. on the petition of 25 registered voters in the town of Hampton. Shall each SAU90 warrant article pertaining to budget and spending display a fiscal impact note identifying the taxpayer cost of that article in XXX per $1,000 home valuation as well as the corresponding impact for a home valuation of $600,000. That was it. That's what you were Okay. All right. So, and I know that this was specifically something that was discussed at the town's deliberative session last year, whether to do that, what the number was. Is it a
058$400,000 home? Is it a $600,000 home? So, but it turns out it doesn't matter. So, okay. Anything else? >> Nope. I think that's it for warn articles. We have them all in. Um, and they will be there for Thursday night. All right. Um, draft calendar. >> So, so it's interesting in looking at the policies, draft calendars are supposed to be done by the fall. And I think what's happened because of career and technical centers that need to be aligned with all the schools who send it send it. It's actually been delayed more and more and more. Right. Um however I feel I feel like it's my um obligation and my duty to try to adhere to the policy as much as possible um which is based on an RSA. So with that being said, I
059have put together a calendar for your review that I have shared with the leadership team as well as I shared at the professional development committee yesterday and I shared with our union today because we just had those meetings. So it it seemed to work out. One of the things that this um draft calendar tries to do is build in an additional um full inservice day that aligns with SAU21 so that we could do vertical teaming. >> That's great. >> So they'll so you'll see a little bit of a change and that's something that I know um we've been striving to do. I know it's been important to the board member who serves on that committee for all of you and it's something that I know my staff has been very interested in doing. So, that's
060what it does. But I would just want to um let you know number one, we still don't know, we don't have an approved calendar for from SAU 21, and I'm sure they're still working through it because of the career and technical center. And also, I want to make you aware, as you may know already, is that in the legislation right now, there is a bill that potentially could move the start of school till after Labor Day. Why I think it's important that you note that is because if that bill were to pass, it would not start until um 2028. So it would not I'm sorry, 2027. So it would not be for next year, but the year after. Why it's important to note that is because if you look at the calendar, you will note
061that um we have new staff that start on the 21st and go the 21st, 24th, 25th. We have all staff return on 26th, 27th, and the 31st because of where Labor Day falls next year. It's on the 8th. We have students that start on September 1st, 2nd, 3rd. We give them a staggered opening. So, there's no school on the 4th. The 7th of September is Labor Day. It is the 8th. So technically stu students would not begin until after September 8th and it is late for the next couple of years if you look at it. It's just how it's 7-day cyclical. I also want you to look at when the last day of school is next year. >> Yeah, >> it is June 18th. I'm sorry, not June 18th. June 18th is actually would be
062Junth, which would be um when that day is observed based on the state recommended calendar. And then if you look, students last day barring snow days would be 20 the 21st which would be a half day and the 22nd would be our staff's last day. If we were to add three days because if we have to start after Labor Day, you're looking at, you know, the 25th barring snow days. So that's the only thing that I'm going to um have you think about. we have a little bit of time um to work through it. I do have some suggestions. Um I know that um I've been talking to the professional development committee. I have been talking with my colleagues across the state and one of the things that some have done is as we know
063that students are required to attend 180 days of school or you can get into counting hours. when you get into counting hours, it probably reduces your day by one or two days. So, there's that. There's some that's something we could consider. Um, we also have a collective bargaining bargaining agreement which um mandates through the C agreement that our staff go 188 days. So, we really can't do anything about that for another two years after this year. So that's kind of that 188 is we're kind of stuck with where we have a little bit of flexibility is um if we wanted in the student days we had traditionally been going 182 but we've also forgiven some days depending on when the last day of school was. What we would need to do to gain another full
064day for vertical teams is we would have to trade a half day for a full day. So next year it would be students would be attending 181 days and staff which is over the 180 days and staff would be going there 180 days. just want to be fully transparent about that which by the way is still more than what the state is going and even when I was speaking with um people at SAU 21 I think they are at 179 days so we are still going yeah we're still going >> how do they do that >> because they're count because they're counting hours >> oh okay >> yeah because they're counting hours so students are going 179 days and staff is going 187 days >> so just FYI, >> this is 18. This is the
065proposed is 181. >> 181 for students, 188 for staff >> with a full the addition of the full date for Ting. Okay. >> Y that would align with SAU 21. >> So just want to be fully transparent [clears throat] about that. >> So something for you to think about. And again, we're just watching what SAU 21 looks like as well. >> Perfect. and Bachelder Pond. So, I don't know. We didn't really talk. I mean, do we want to talk about the meeting that we had with the Sure. >> What are we going to do? Yeah. So, um, we had a meeting with Eric, um, from Apex who they've been working on the dam at Bachelor Pond, um, and looking at analyzing it and coming up with ideas um, what needs to get done. And it
066really started with analysis for NHD. Yes. Um because they had requested to make sure that we were that we were okay that the dam was okay and we would not be overtopped. They found that in some instances we could be overtopped. So we need to um adjust some of our items. And to start they suggested with vegetation um and clean up and try to remove some parking where people are parking on the side and we put that in the warrant article. So that is our goal to start doing that this summer if the warrant article passes. And then while we are working on that, um, Apex is coming up with there were three options that they were looking at, but the best option would be utilizing some of the, um, boulders and rocks that we
067already have in place and manipulating them so that if the water goes, it wouldn't over top. um and um some placements and we think that will be okay, but they need to one go through the process with New Hampshire dees and make sure that um that would work. We'd also have to get a hold of people that abut that property that abuts that because we would be on their property to do some of this work. Um but that's just next phases. So really to start would be um hopefully that our maintenance warrant article passes, we can utilize that fund and start with an RFP for somebody to come out and help um clean up with the vegetation and some um parking issues. And we also based on the the vote that we took last month,
068um we have had conversations with our attorney about [clears throat] putting together a warrant article for 20 to submit for 2027 to look at um potential for dispensation of the property. I think that's kind of where where we are right now, but for right now, it's ours and we have to take care of it. All right, I think we are at technical advisory regarding student recording which is a lot. Yeah, I I brought this to um your attention. It came out, you can see December 15th and had a conversation with the leadership team and Tim Smith because um you can see under parent rights, we can no longer record students without parental permission for the specific recording. Um which is very new. Um and for middle school, it is a shift particularly with Shark News,
069particularly if we want to record sports or any of that. So, what we had to do is we had to revise their recording form where we're actually listing out the different recordings that kids could be potentially involved with. Um, it's it's you can see it's pretty involved, but I have to say that um it was pretty swift in how the the administrative team um Tim Smith included um responded that to this. We were able to get it out to our families through my newsletter. They were able to get it out to their families in terms of a sign off and so that we would be in compliance with this technical advisory. Um just something that came down from the state that is in support of the new parental bill of rights. So we just wanted
070to make sure that we are being mindful of again those policy and laws that change at a state level that impact the students and the schools level. So, just wanted to make you aware of that and that we were doing our part to uphold the technical advisory from the department of education and you can see it's pretty involved and I did again I did share the technical advisory with parents and just so they knew their the rationale for our changes um with the form and with our processes and procedures. So for events that are say the the first grade concert, so events involving somewhat large groups of people. >> In the past, we have filmed those and broadcast them on our cable channel. It's been great. Parents who can't attend, grandparents can still see it.
071>> What are our thoughts going forward? But are we going to for those kind of events attempt to get permission slips from every single first grade parent or are we going to as a practice just stop filming that type of event? >> So I think what we are going to do is when um at the beginning of the year because we know which ones we're going to record like we know the holiday concerts, the end of the year performances, what we will be doing and and just as we've been doing already with photographs, right? Um, you may notice that I'm not doing photographs anymore. I just, it's getting so tricky right now with who can who cannot be photographed. I just felt like for me as I don't know those students like I did at
072one time. Just for me, it's safer to not do it and just to really >> focus on my time building relationships versus taking pictures. Um what we decided we're going to do is we are going to um we will ask parents if we want to try to record it for that purpose that you mentioned. However, if it becomes that there are so many then we are not going to. It's going to we're going to leave it up to the families and if we have so many that cannot you know if it's one or two it's easy enough to dub it out. But if you get um a number of them you really just have to not show it and record it. But we will try to get the permissions to try to be able to
073do that. It gets really tricky. I mean, the other thing that has been brought up is sports, you know. Um, typically we try to there would be recording of sports events and whatnot. The issue you have there is you don't always know who you're playing against and if they have um permission to be recorded. So, that's another issue that's kind of crept into this technical advisory. And so I think what's happening is you're going to see less and less recordings just because of the parental rights spill that is now we're now responsible for upholding. >> I did see another district and I don't know if this even covers the liability, but they posted signs outside of a gym saying by entering you consent to being recorded. Parents may be recording. Uh, and that's not something
074that we can control because there's >> it's also it's at a school, but you're not, >> you know, in charge of necessarily the parents who are recording. >> So, it was accepting that risk of being recording while saying like we're not going to do it officially, but >> yeah, >> you know, if someone's doing it, it'd be worth um >> Yeah, it that's that is a we talked about that too. What do we do about parents who potentially could be recording and then posting it? I don't know if that really protects you because the the you can see that technical advisory is pretty specific. Although we can't police um families from doing it, right? But it would it wouldn't be the schools. It would be the people that are posting it, >> right? But then
075it's also they're doing it on school property that gets murky, I would imagine. >> Yeah, we could we could um we could check with the legal team just to see what they might have to say about it, right? It's a great >> guess it's all off our phones. It's [laughter] true. >> It does. >> It's true. But it's a it is it's a great point because it's come [clears throat] up at um the state and the the different you know regional meetings about what do we do about it and how do you control it? Right. >> Does it it I'm sorry. It we we wouldn't be liable for a parent coming in and filming during a game, would we? We're not sure. >> Who's to say >> that's that? Okay. >> Yeah. It's hard to
076know. It's happening on your grounds, but to Sarah's point, right? Okay, >> if you put a if you put a sign up, does that >> you know, how do you Let's take it one step further. >> What about on the weekends when it's HYA and it's it's not us. >> I mean, it gets into all those murky areas, which to me is, >> you know, >> I mean, you could say no recording, >> right? Something as simple as no recording. It'd be curious to see what the New Hampshire School Boards Association would say about that. Um, I am sure where this is a December 15th technical advisory. We are just scratching the surface with, you know, the whatifs, >> but I think we will I I'm going to guess there'll be more to come. >>
077Yeah. Yeah. >> And I can check with Tim Smith to see what technology directors are doing across the state as it pertains to this. Right. Anyway, um this is Curtis. So, we are in the new year and budget is really um in the midst of it all and just trying to clean it up and get through the middle of the year and um W2s and 1099s and ACA reports. Um and then it's a downs slope. Um, federal grant summary is included. We We finally got Title One approved and um, pretty much all of our other funds approved so far. Knock on wood. So, those are all included. Um, food service program is included. Um, I still do not think that the the deficit is where we're going to be at yet. um as as bad
078as what it looks like, but I won't know for a little while. Um, also the revenue report is in there. >> We've spoke um quite a bit about the meeting on Thursday, so don't forget about that. But I also wanted to take the opportunity to let you know that there we have one elected schoolboard position on the ballot um with a three-year term and they need to file a declaration of candidacy by at the town clerk's office by Wednesday, January 20. It begins Wednesday 21st and ends January 30th. Um so one position just as a reminder for that and um after Thursday we have Monday off probably Tuesday the goal is to get out around town and post Warren articles and the House Bill 1265 reports at the library town hall at all three schools.
079Well, it'll be posted at the SAU office and on our website. Um the House Bill 1265 report will also be put in the newspaper. Um so those things will be done next week. So if um you're looking for that, it should be all buttoned up. Um that's if I can um get the budget committee to sign um my final budget um and able to do that. But the goal is to have it out sometime next week. Um, I think that is it for me. It's just busy. Quick, quick, quick today. >> Yeah. All right. You don't feel good. We got to get you out of here. [laughter] If anybody wants to sit on the committee for hiring our new food service director because Mary's retiring at the end of the year, let me know. We're
080happy to include you. Um, we will anticipate probably, it's been posted, we'll probably start that maybe potentially in um maybe February, March. >> I'd be happy to. >> Thank you, Molly. >> And all your spare time. Thanks. Ah, it's okay. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> All right. I don't think we have a lot left. Let's talk about policies. Let's see. We have one, two, three, four, five, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Second reads. Um, I know there were some minor changes that Andrea had requested, which I assume are are in yeah, have been updated. >> Does anyone have any specific questions on our second reads? Seeing none, uh why don't we do those as as a group? Um somebody like to move to accept all second reads? >> I move we accept all
081second reads. All right. All right. All in favor. All right. And the rest are all first reads. So we will Does anybody have any questions about those before or while we have Dr. Cassie here? All right. So, take your time, read through those when you Excuse [clears throat] me. When you get a chance, >> send me any any any changes you want. We'll make sure we get them in there. Um, we're going to >> just to talk a little bit about policy just for one moment. >> Um, we are not going to meet in January. >> Um, so give give us a moment to catch our breath. Um, one of the things that is very clear is that the policies that were coming through were it it was a lot and I I feel like
082the principles and and all of us were kind of it was a lot right for for you, for me, for even for principles. >> Yes, exactly. And I think what we decided um in speaking with Erin about it is we are only going to look at policies that are based on changes in law. Um only because >> that's fair. >> Yeah. It's just for now. Yeah. For now. And then once we do those then we'll go back to the recommended. We're going to leave the optionals to the side only because >> we're just I just feel like it's just too much right now for people. >> It's tough. I mean that sounds like bare minimum when the but when the bare minimum is overwhelming you just have to you have to do what you have
083to do. >> Well I would say we looked at probably no less than 60 policies since right July. >> Yeah. >> I mean >> at least it's been more honestly. >> Yep. And I feel that that the principles and all of us are doing the best we can but we want to make sure we're doing our due diligence and to do that it does take time to digest it. So, we're doing only the ones that are based on legal changes and we're going to we're going to hold off on it. Take a beat and we'll resume it. Um we will resume it. So, don't All right. >> Don't you worry. We won't we're not going to get we're not complacent. So, we just wanted to let you know that. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's a lot.
084>> All right. Do we have anyone here for public comment on agenda items? Seeing none, do we have anything for non-public? I do not have anything. >> Nope, I can't think of anything. We um just to let you know, I think we should make this announcement. Um Kim Bryant, who is an incredible worker in our office, been there eight years. I know Mariah would attest to it um because she's been there eight years and I only have gotten to know her in the last six, but she's wonderful. Um she is the specialed um accounts payable and payroll. Is that right, Mariah? What's her specific title? We we call the um the special ed accountant. It's um special ed aid, Medicaid, revenues, friendship program, payables, and grants. It's all the um and keeps the budget for
085special ed purchasing and all that together. So, all a lot a lot of work and part-time. Y >> a lot of work and a really important position for us, obviously. and been and been commended by the state for for what she's able to do and the money she's able to collect um and her due diligence to to do that work and to do it so well. um she has made the decision and she let us know when she came back from the holiday break that she wanted to give her two week notice as she and her husband are on this business venture and she is going along with him and he needs her help and she just felt like it was time. As much as we were heartbroken um we we understand and just so
086you know we we are posting for it. It is a part-time position. It's about 25 hours a week with um some oversight in the summer. [snorts] Um and we are looking at we have a we do have some we do have a couple of candidates and one that looks really strong. So, we're very hopeful that we met that we met and that we will we will find the right person. And the the wonderful thing about Kim Bryan is that she is also willing to help um in the meantime with getting the new person up to speed, but also she will not leave us in the dust completely. So, just to let you know, her last day will be Friday, and we just want to publicly thank her for everything she's done. She's been a huge
087asset to the district and to our department. >> Yeah. >> All right. Do you have anything else? Motion to adjurnn. >> All in favor?