School Committee Meeting 1/13/26

001There you go. All right, let's call the speaker regional school committee to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thanks everybody. Uh Al, I think we're starting off with a few uh special guests. >> Yes. So good evening. Good evening school committee. Good evening uh members in our audience tonight. Um so I'm going to read a little something for you. So tonight we are proud to recognize and celebrate the football team for an outstanding and memorable season. Excuse my back. Sorry. Um this year the team finished with an impressive record of nine wins and four losses. And for the fourth consecutive year they earned a spot

002in the division 8 state finals. What an incredible honor it is for you to reach the Super Bowl four years in a row. A testament to their hard work, dedication, and perseverance. While the team fought valently and came up shot against Randolph this year, that single game does not define who these student athletes are or where what they represent. They're among not only are they football players, they're student athletes, sons, grandsons, brothers, scholars, caring individuals, and most importantly, outstanding young people. They're truly great kids, and our entire school district are incredibly proud. We'd also like to extend our sincere thanks to coach Mike Ross who I know did incredible work with you guys and our athletic director Julie Lee for their leadership commitment and exceptional organization preparing the team for their their experience going to

003Gillette Stadium. What an experience. I know myself being there too as well being on that field. We're immensely proud of our students and the recognition and this recognition is our way of saying thank you for representing Tah with class, character and pride. Congratulations. I know you guys you're doing other places you're going to vol. So, we appreciate you coming to our school community. After you get your little certificates from us, please you're more than welcome to join us. So, you're more than welcome to head right out that door to go and I'll be right behind you. Um, so this is just our way as a school committee and the community to say thank you. We got a really great certificate that's signed by not only your principal, myself, school committee um athletic director. There's also

004a great picture um well maybe not so great because I'm in it, but there's a great picture in the back of Lehigh breakfast for you guys as well too. It's a little keepsake for you guys. Um and we also have in here as a little thank you from our entire committee as well as your administration is just a gift card to a place called Kings. We do that place. Okay. So that's we'll be there for you guys as well too. So when we call your name, please just if you if you would just go right through here, you can shake the hands of our school members. And again, we're very proud of you. So thank you very much for all you guys have done to represent us so well. Um I'm going to start off

005with first Jack >> L. Thank you, William. One second. >> Chase Marino graduates. >> Congratulations. Kevin, >> there were two other students. I want to make sure I mention their names. Tibo as well as Clayton W as well too. So congratulations boys. Thank you very very much. >> You got Kenny. >> I hope Kenny hold that. >> Nice try. >> Stand right there. And we asked you everyone just to DO A SPEECH. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, KENNETH MAR. CONGRATULATIONS. Thank you very much. Before we leave, everyone say thank you to the school committee. >> Uh, okay. Al, our next item here is a little update on the school committee. So, some people may know if you're at Boon Elementary, but former committee member Lorie Hart has given her a resignation notice effective December was it 29th?

00620. Yeah, something around there. Um, so she's no longer a member of the committee. We'll talk about that in a little bit, but we have a little something for Lori that now wanted to do first. So, thank you. Um, Mike, um, we'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Lauri and Hawk for her six years of service and dedication to the Berlin Wilson Regional School District. Lauri has given countless hours of support to both our students and staff, always stepping up with professionalism, compassion, and commitment. We're equally proud that she's decided to join the staff of over 100 outstanding teachers in our school district. We cannot thank her enough for jumping in to help our district when we certainly need her staff. Her willingness to serve has made a meaningful and will continue to make

007a lasting impression on our school community. Congratulations, Lars. A little something from all of us here to thank you for your years of service and No pressure on anybody. You got to open that gift. You got to show like give a little speech. Oh, this is so nice. Thank you for six years of service presented to Lori Anne Hart with great appreciation for your countless hours of hard work and unparalleled dedication. Thank you so much with the BBR. Thank you. That means >> congratulations. Congratulations. >> Just one last thing. I thank Jen for are helping certainly getting all this stuff prepared for us as well too because Thank you. Anything to say? Any words? >> Um, can I say a few words? >> Do you want to? >> I actually would like to. >> Okay,

008go ahead. >> I point out it's only it's only a little bit. >> Sure. >> I actually crossed some stuff up. >> I wasn't sure if I given the opportunity. This is my last chance. Um, I wanted to say it has been an honor and a privilege to represent the BBRSD over the past six years. It was at times a full-time job. I always tried to keep the students my first priority, followed by staff. To that point, I sometimes had to vote for things that I personally disagreed with, but that were in the best interest of the students and staff. I left my opinions at the door when I walked in the meeting and prided myself in being open-minded. To that point, I hope the committee appoints someone without an agenda. I feel that almost

009all who are currently on the committee are here for one thing, to make this district a great place to learn and teach. It's important to pick someone who will work with you, who is humble enough to do what is right for the district, even if it wouldn't be what they would choose for themselves or their own children. To the administrators at our schools, it has been an honor and a privilege to work collaboratively with you. This district is blessed to have competent, enthusiastic, dedicated professionals who genuinely care. Thank you for the important work that you do each day and every day. To central office and to Mr. Janum. I have worked with three different superintendents and can truly say that this superintendent along with the incredible central office staff that he hired has been a

010breath of fresh air. You can feel the energy when you walk in the door as it is a truly happy place. It runs on hard work, determination, focus on the students and positivity. The professionals who work there are some of the hardest working and their happiness comes from doing meaningful work in a really positive atmosphere that Al has built, fostered and grown. and to the school committee. I will genuinely miss you and consider many of you friends. It has been an honor to sit beside you, to work with you, and to make positive changes in the district we care so deeply about. Thank you. This is a vision because I love the work that we do. >> I love the work that we do, but this opportunity to be able to work with the students

011at BES, I I'm honored. So, thank you. >> They're lucky kids. >> They are. >> Thank you, Lisa. Appreciate it. >> No question, but thank you all. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. Thanks, Lori. >> Thank you. You don't want to stick around? >> Yes. >> Um, so, uh, one last final point on Lori leaving. So, when a school committee member leaves the committee before their, uh, elected term is up. Uh, Lor's term would have been up this year at the November election. Uh, the school committee will appoint someone. the regional district tells us that we will appoint someone to serve out the remainder of the um unexpired term. So in order to do that, if anyone is interested in Boilston, I believe the only requirements are that you must live in Boilston, you have

012to be at least 18 years old, and you have to be registered to vote in Boilston. Uh but if you're interested in joining the school committee, send a uh in the past we've done a letter of interest and your resume to we're going to send them all to Jen Jen Fortune. So, jayfortunbbrs.org. The emails on the uh district website. Send your letter of intent and a resume to Jen before our next meeting, which is February 10th. So, as the meeting is February 10th, we'll want a chance to look over everything, make sure everything's in. So, we're going to set a deadline of the close of business, 5:00 PM on Thursday, February 5th. If you're interested in joining the school committee uh at the February meeting, your name will be on the agenda. We'll go through

013a brief little uh interview. You'll be able to say why you want to be on the committee and then we will uh deliberate after all have gone and appoint someone at the next meeting on the next meeting is February 10th. Have your information in by close business 5:00 PM February 5th. That's a Thursday afternoon. and email it to Jen jfortunbsd.org. Right? And we'll put a little notice up on the district website or something will pop up when you go there so people know what they want, know what they need to do. All right, with that out of the way, we have public comment. Would anyone like to make a public comment about any items on the agenda? >> Nope. Okay. Uh, can I have a motion, please, to approve the consent agenda? So move Beth.

014>> Lisa, any questions on that? >> All in favor? >> Anyone guessed it? >> All right, the consent agenda passes. Um, real quick on the um superintendent search update. So, as everybody knows, we did make an offer to Dr. Conway to be the next superintendent. Uh we've gone back and forth a few times since then negotiating terms and we are both both sides are in agreement on terms and so the next step is to just get an actual full contract signed. The uh language of contract is written up. The school committee will be going into executive session later tonight to take a look at that and talk about that. But that should get presented this week and things moving along on that front. So we'll have that. >> Um Mike, if I can say something.

015So, um I'm already in communication with him obviously waiting for that final signature to um I he was we went to the basketball game this past Friday together as well too. So, I got a chance to introduce him to a lot of people in the community as well too. So, I'll continue once um contracts are signed to invite him to um particular like um town meetings and budget meetings and fincom as well as that. So, we'll start that process of transitioning from that. So, >> cool. >> Look forward to working with them. >> All right. Um, yeah. So, that's exciting. Uh, the next item there is listed as district clerk. So, Lori technically has been serving as our district clerk and she's no longer here. So, we have to find a new district clerk. Uh,

016I talked with uh folks at the elections office last week. Uh, the recommendation from them, which really makes sense, is that the district clerk should not be a member of the school committee. Um, the district clerk, one of the main jobs that they have to do is to certify the names on the ballot for the school committee elections. So, I would like to recommend that Jen become our district clerk as well since she's already our secretary. Right, Jen? Uh, but we do need a formal vote for that. So, could I have a motion, please, to name Jen Fortune the district clerk for BBRSD? >> So, second. >> All right. And we want to discuss it. Jen, what are your feelings on that? >> We We talked about this. We We need another We're not just

017saying. By the way, who's in the room? Bill, your like It's homework that has been done. >> Okay. >> Suggest another one. >> Yeah, it makes sense. She's already the school community secretary. Um, makes sense. The only thing that needs to happen is this summer once all the uh the towns have certified the signatures uh on the nomination papers for anyone who's interested, she then has to sign off on that and send it into the state. There's some couple other little things, but it's only as they come up. >> Yeah. What about the Facebook page because I know Lori did that as well. >> Yeah, she did that. Yeah, there's a few of us on there. So, >> cool. Anything else? Is that under the purview of the district clerk then? >> What's that? >>

018The Facebook page. >> Not right now. No, >> it's still under I think Lor's got to sign over. >> But I meant saying is it underneath that job description of district? >> No. All right. Uh, all in favor? >> I pay one against. All right. Cool. All right. So, Jen, you're the district clerk. We have to officially send a notice to the uh secretary of the Commonwealth's election office. Um, all right. Uh, next up is Mr. Dow from Student Report. It's been a little while. >> It has. It's been a little while since it's been here. Um, but I have a couple of cool things to talk about. So, um, in terms of sports, I know we just recognized our football team for an awesome season. Right now, we have our basketball season going on.

019Um, this year I'm a senior, which is great because I have my own car, so I've been able to go to a lot of the sports games this year, which is, um, which is a really awesome opportunity. I like going to the games. Um, the cheerleaders at our home basketball games, which is great. Um, and our basketball teams are both doing really good. Pretty sure every home game that I've been to, we've won by a pretty good win. So, that's really awesome to see. Um, next week, our high schoolers, we have midterms weeks coming up. So, lots of lots of studying, lots of uh exams for next week. Um, and then after that, really a big exciting thing, especially for me as a senior, is we have our class exhibitions coming up. Um, so for

020those that don't know, exhibitions are like a three, four month research project that seniors do in English class that culminate in like this massive film presentation groups of like four people. Um and you spend you know three months researching, reading, watching movies, uh films, articles, documentaries, all sorts of things um around a central topic and you present sort of a general question um in the form of a film or movie or presentation um and it's this really sort of really awesome experience. It's very um oriented towards sort of more independent college level work. um in high school English where it's really a deep in uh deep and important um research project for the students to do. So I've been in the midst of that. Um presentations are coming up in February and that I think

021April too. Um so that's really exciting. Um they're really awesome to watch if you've never been to one. They're held in the auditorium. Um and they're really they're always really amazing to watch. Um then the last thing I wanted to point out was some of our student council stuff going on. Um so this year coming up very exciting for sort of the central mass student council is um Tahanto is hosting the winter day of service here at Tanto this year. Um so winter day of service is something that like the central district of student councils in Massachusetts hold every year in the winter. Um we do like a community service event. So, you know, we typically make things make gift baskets for first responders or donate money um raise money fundraisers for um children's hospitals,

022things like that. Um all sorts of community serviceoriented workshops and talks um and this year we're lucky enough to hold it at the Hanto. It's really it's rare the Hanto being a relatively small building in the uh state. Um it's rare that we hold events at the Hanto. So, this is really exciting opportunity for our city council to hold this event. Um, and then I actually noticed because I put this on my thing um on my list and I noticed it was on the uh business item for a vote later tonight um is the MASC hyenas conference. Um, so the hyenas conference is like sort of this three-day retreat in the Cape Cod Village um where student council members from all over Massachusetts meet for um workshops and motivational speeches. Um there's a formal dinner

023one night. There's a dance and there is like an insane amount of like the energy. So, I made I was lucky enough to go one year and like the energy in the building of being surrounded by 1,200 students from all over the state in student councils is an amazing experience. Um, so I'm hoping that I'll be going again this year uh with our student council. Um, and it's going to it's a really fun and amazing experience to have. Um, that's what that's what I got for you guys today. >> So, Matthew, where were we with the college the college trip? Where we at? Um, so I've been doing I've made all my uh you know my um applications in um yesterday I had an interview um at Harvard University. Um that went really well. That

024was really exciting for me. Um but so we're I'm still waiting to hear back from a bunch of places and then I'll be you know source. >> Top choice. Are you are you ready to say your top choice yet? >> Um well my top choice personally would be Boston College or Harvard. Yeah, >> those are my two favorites, but still waiting to hear back from from a couple others, too. >> That's wonderful. Congratulations. Good luck. >> Your topic is for exhibition. >> My topic, so my group's topic, our research question is how has um society affected relationships through generations. So studying back from like the early 1800s um with like wedding dowies um and sort of class societies um to more modern you know less focus on marriage relationships um things like that. So we're

025sort of studying how how society affected that change through generations. >> Thank you. Thank you >> very much. Uh, cool. Um, Al, you're up next. >> Great. So, just along the lines, I know it's on the not on the agenda. You know, Tah is now becoming a spot that we're having our students coming. Um, on January 30th, I believe it is, Jen. Um, we have superintendents I have superintendent coming from across the state. They'll be here spending the day, the afternoon here with us as well, too. Um, and and seeing some of the really great things that are happening in our school district. So, it really is um you know that the Berlin Bolston Regional School District and it's a a spot for people to be coming to now and even if we're just gathering

026here for them to get a chance to walk around our buildings and and putting us more and more on the map is just uh it's really a great thing that we're doing. Um so, so a couple things on my my first thing is uh new hire updates. Um so, we had a lot happening during certainly the holiday break. Um we did a number of hiring of long-term subs. Um I thought that was ne necessity. Um so one of the things we should be extremely proud of when we put these jobs out there and we put them out in December um on school spring um for long-term subs um our bar that we're creating as a district is they all have to be highly qualified. They have to be certified. They have to be SEI endorsed.

027Um, that's the that we we should expect nothing less than that for people that are going to be in our schools delivering instruction sometimes for a for a very very long period of time, sometimes for the remainder of the year. Um, you need to know we're very extremely happy that the people that were applying to our district, which is a really good reflection on us as a school district that people are coming in December that want to come work for our school district. Um, we did a number of hires. Um, we first hired Lari Hawk, as we know, as our long-term sub for grade three in Wilston. Um, Monica Cveso, uh, is our long-term sub in grade five in Wilston. Karen Manny is our long-term sub in grade two in Berlin. All certified, highly qualified

028teachers. And Marin Rose, um, who I know is here today as well, too, is our new, um, long-term sub, um, not really a sub, a um, for assistant principal, um, at Hanto School. I know Rich is going to do a little bit of an introduction for me. Marin, we are thrilled that all of these people and especially with Marin being here tonight that they are joining our staff. We're very fortunate. So, thanks. You want to just give a little bio about uh Marin as well too. >> Yeah, absolutely. Uh thank you. First, I just want to say how honored we are to have a part of the team. Uh she comes to us most recently from public schools and has nearly a decade of administrative experience. Um not only being a former classroom teacher for

029also a special education teacher. Um it's not worthy to mention that not only does she hold a uh 5 to12 uh assistant principal principal license, but she also is licensed as a special education administrator, which brings an excellent lens to provide opportunities for all of our students. Um her expertise and skill set fits very nicely with our team and uh we're very much looking forward to collaborating and building that skill set here at Tahanto for many of the initiatives that we have upcoming. >> Thank you. And I don't know if I should stand up. >> Yes, please. I will. But thank you, superintendent. Thank you, school committee, for having me. Thank you, Rich, for the intro. I'm I'm beyond overjoyed to join the Tanto community. My first week has been so impressive, so exciting. I

030just every classroom I go into, every interaction I have, it's it's a really special place to be. Um, and I'm looking forward to the work ahead. >> Yeah, we're thrilled that you're joining us. >> Thank you very much. questions on any uh the hiring. Right. So again, December out there um the standard that we're looking for is high qualified um certified instructional people that are going to be coming whether it be a leader or instruction in the classroom. So we're thrilled that we're able to have those people join us and and and I know it's just something small, but you just need to appreciate like even the the rolling in of even our administrators, right? So Martin comes in, we make sure that we're we're we're getting that transition taking place. Business cards for her.

031letter ahead, you know, that's there so that we're really treating people like the professionals that they should be in this district. Lisa now is our new curriculum director. Let a head stationary business cards. That's really when we're going to these meetings, we're going to these conferences and and dropping our business card or sending a note off with the stationary and our letterhead and stuff. It's it's the things that we should really be doing and we're really implementing all those things where we're hiring people in there. So, we're really thrilled that they joined us. So, thank you for that. Um the next thing that's on there is just a little background on school delays and cancellations. So we had our first two-hour uh delay u this past week. Um I for people I want to just

032be make sure people appreciate the process that we go through. Um it's myself making that final decision. I am working very closely with the superintendents of both communities um for facilities that they're on the highways and they're giving me the feedback. We have a text message group that we have going on that we've created. So we're texting each other in the morning. Um I am also part of um a group of superintendents both this part of the this the community Clinton out in that area. Um part another grouping of superintendents that are both in Northbr Marboro Hudson and then also Worcester and Aubin and all that as Valley. So it's a really a a quite an interesting text message groupings that we have going at 4:30 in the morning. Um, most people can see me

033in my neighborhood at 4:00 in the morning walking my dogs at the same time trying to decide if it's going to be slippery enough. Um, we made a two-hour delay. Final decision is my We have a process that we go through. Notifying school committee, notifying um the TV stations, notifying bus companies, notifying our admin. We have a group text that we make that decision on. Notifying both towns as well too, so everyone is aware of that. Um, the one thing that I I made an error on and we will we fixed that for the next time is when there is a two-hour delay, we will be cancelling our AM preschool program in our before school program. So, we had a little bit of an issue with that. That that was a lot of times when

034you're seeing it on the news in the morning, you see AM preschool canceled. Well, we we I didn't know that. So, that was our first one. So, for the next one in the future, we're prepared that. And I'm publicly want to just say that when there is a delay, um, preschool and before school programs will also be cancelled at that time as well, too. So, I want to make sure people understand it's really is a a tough process to go through. There are some of my colleagues that had school that day and that was a tough call, right? Um and there are some that then turned it over to a full snow day. Um I think the two all delay was um for the most part really good. We haven't had a snow day so

035far yet. So, we're very fortunate. So, I know I shouldn't have said that out loud, but I know um we're looking to to can continue that as well, too. >> Last thing, um Burlin Memorial Principal Search. You know, we've said multiple times, um John is retiring after years of service and dedication. Um we started that process through school spring. Um we put um the applicants out. Um it has officially closed. We had 13 people certified. Um 13 people that applied, I should say. Uh myself, Lisa, and Jen went through the 13 and narrow that down to 11. The way we narrow it down, you have to be certified. If you're not certified, then we don't move you on to that next process. From there on, it will be in the hands of of similar exactly

036what we did in Boston where we're getting input from staff, getting input from parents, um getting input from community members, and getting input from school community members as well too that will be doing that that will bring that process, narrow that down. Um that will be happening in the next week or so that we're bringing people in and start looking at resumes. But right now, we have 11 um high quality according to their resumes are certified and ready to start um um going through that process well too. Ed form says the final decision is made by the superintendent. I've said to you publicly and I've had that conversation with Brent um Dr. Conway on Friday as well too that would not be a decision I would make in isolation. Obviously be made with the next

037superintendent as well um because he will be working with that person and continue. So I think um that will be a huge um involvement that he'll be part of that when that final decision is made as well too. And I think that's all I have. Any questions on any of those items at all? Cool. Um, >> the next I have you down here for nature's classroom. I know you wanted to had some thoughts on nature's classroom. Do you want to say anything? >> Not have any thoughts. Al was gonna give us an update. >> Sure. Absolutely. So, it's a it's a people have been asking that question. It's a great great question to find out what's going on uh about nature's classroom, right? We there was sort of a little bit low there with the

038holidays and everything going on. Um school committee as you know has approved um students to be going on nature's classroom. It's from May 19th on that Tuesday to May 22nd on that Friday. Um all students are invited and encouraged to attend um nature's classroom. It is a true important transition for our students from both Berlin and Boston. They work together. They're they're you know learning together. Um it's an educational field trip and that is really laying a foundation for when they go off to Tahhata together as well too. Um please appreciate it is an educational field trip. So if you're not going on that field trip, the expectation is that you're coming back to school and you're going to be in school those days, right? It is an educational day then. Um John Campbell has

039has done for multiple years now is also planning on being there as well. Um and Rob, I know Mr. Pelzowski is also planning on on going there as well too. We'll be getting information out. or I should say they'll be getting information out to parents about fundraising, information about it, all the things that go along with it. Um, but it the expectation is that kids will be going on this trip. Um, teachers will be there chaperoning, parents will be chaperoning, and the expectation is that everyone is a full part of this experience that you're there and you're you're part of that um that week as well too. So, that's a good update of what's happening um with H's classroom. Questions on that? Okay, thank you. >> You mentioned chaperrons. Al, are you doing anything different

040with chaperones? >> Sure. Not just nature. >> Yep. So, I know that uh two gentlemen in the audience are going to come up and talk to us about uh uh field trips that they're planning on as well, too. Um any type of overnight um field trips that we're doing, we're going to do, you know, in the past, right? We'd say, "Okay, you're going to be a chapron. You're going to be a chapron." Everyone was always cried, right? Everyone was cried and sorryried. We made sure they went through that process. Um, I've been working with the district attorney's office and they're going to provide some training for shaper. Like, what does that mean to be a chaperone? What does it mean when you're out on there? And and I I can be honest. I' I've been

041a chaperone for myself as well, right? So, when you're there and your son or daughter's on that field trip, sometimes there's a little bit a lot of paying attention just to maybe son and daughter, but when you're assuming that role of a chaperone, you're assuming the responsibility for all the students that are there as well, too. And so what does that really mean? We just don't debutize you and say you're a chaperone. Um and by just doing a core story. So we're going to do a little bit of training with our chapron so that they know like what what is the responsibility with that and the importance of that. That's not just additional field trip for that to to be on the bus, but what the expectations are with that when it regards to 51A,

042who to report to, who to talk to the administrator that's there, the teacher that's in charge as well too. So all of that. So thanks Mike. We will be doing something different with our shotguns for overnight uh for field trips as well too. >> Thanks. Any questions on that from anybody? >> And with like a mix where it's like it might not just all be teachers, it will be like we'll have some parents, some teachers. It will some variety in the overnight field trip. >> I I think that is absolutely what we are as the and I won't speak for Rob and John, but I think that's the hope in the plan as well too. It's always been >> for both schools. >> Will the training be like recorded and so it could be done

043multiple years or is it a live training? >> Um so the training that we've given so far and we've we did one training in Boston Berlin is scheduled as well as Tahanto. Um that was live. Right. So we have a good relationship with the district attorney. Um Julia Baron House who came and did some training before for us. Um so my age again like I said she's one of my former students. She comes out and they do that training for us. So, I'm hoping it would be live because the biggest part of that is the questions that people ask, at least the training we have in Boston School, too. So, um my the thing right now is is planning on being live. >> Will that be open? Well, okay. So, every year something you do

044like once a year and you encompass anyone that wants to be an overnight chap maybe like a once a year. >> Yeah. So, this is my first go at this. So, that's my, you know, I'm sort of laying the path right now. Um, I feel like this is something we need to do and we're going to be doing this. Um, I'm hoping that, you know, this will be the notes that I'm already creating for Dr. Conway, right, to be able to say this is what we're doing and we have people that are continuing to be here as our administrators, certainly with Rich and with Rob and this will be something hopefully we'll be able to continue anytime we're doing an overnight field show. I think it's good training. We should have teachers as well too

045might be uh will be part of that training. So it probably makes sense if you, you know, got together with your team here along the wall and and came up with some sort of procedure, protocol, something on shacking, the whole process, training, selection, >> allocation, what whatever you need to do. >> Yep. We we don't disagree and that's something that's on our agenda to do tonight. I was just giving sort of an update about nature's classroom that involve shapes as well too. Yeah, a by- annual training might be something to think about >> and you're leaving it open for people so that >> you know say this is what I'm doing and you know nine months. Um, so >> I got to tell you, the district attorney's office is a phenomenal resource for our for

046our community, right? Um, our district attorney is unbelievable. The people that work for him. Anytime I ever need to call and ask them for something like right away. Um, so it's been a they're a great resource for our community. Jolie Joe really has done some great work for us as well. >> Thanks, Al. Um, Aaron, you have some information for us on some budgets. >> Sure. Wherever Wherever you come from. >> Okay. Okay. >> Don't. >> All righty. So, uh, a couple of things. Uh, one item that is not on the agenda. Um, you all should have a set of shiny happy 2024 financials. Uh, those are also in the school committee folder. I just got these this morning. I've not had a really good chance to dig through them to the degree I would

047like. Uh I've had some fantastic conversations with our auditor. Uh clean some things up over the past couple days. Um and uh if you go through there's definitely some despite all the challenges we had, there are a lot of positive takeaways that I've I've identified. I don't want to get into those right now, but we can have conversations. >> It was hard to find you guys in there. >> Digest it. I'd like to digest it further. Um, >> and Aaron, just for clarity, because we were at Berlin's town FINCO meeting just >> Tuesday was that what day were >> uh Tuesday. Sure. >> Yeah. Was what day was last week? Last week and we didn't have this information at that time, right? So, we wanted Monday, >> whatever that whatever day we were there, but

048we didn't have we didn't >> Yeah, we didn't have that information at that time. So, we literally just got this today. So, we want to make sure that we we >> we told them that we would get that. I I think I've said that this is the document that's going to help me have some confidence in some of the budgetary things we're talking about going forward. Um so getting to the next uh financial report um couple items. The first thing that's going to stand out to you in this report is insurance is way over budget. Um I had a few moments of panic on Friday as I was putting this together. Uh, I had a weekend of thinking where you kind of backtrack and go over. Um, at the end of the day, the most

049obvious answer was the last answer I came to. Um, and so it's not it it's not um what it looks. Um, we had a period we we have about four months of uh we collect 25% um of uh the health insurance costs from our staff. We put in what's called a withholdings account. It's a liability account. And then we use those funds to offset our health insurance costs. Um somehow in a transition, um I transitioned a number of payroll tasks to someone. Um somehow I either somehow there was a miss ball dropped in terms of posting um the offsets to the withholdings. So, there's about $500,000 um in unposted withholdings that helps this considerably. You'll also note that there's $850,000 of school choice we've we've put towards this. It does still leave us with a

050little bit of a hole, but it's a hole that I feel comfortable we can fill. Um I'm having conversations about um out of district special education costs with Janelle. uh they're doing really good work in the special education department really trying to keep those numbers down and looking at creative options um keeping students in district. So I I feel confident that um you know what we will have as somewhat of an overage is nowhere near what's on here and uh I will dig into that and share that a little further in a future meeting. Um, but I can say with pretty pretty good confidence that we're in an okay position in health insurance and overall some of that shortfall will feed into the budget number that we have for next year. There's a little bit

051of a shortfall. So that's carrying over into the numbers that I've shared with you previously on health insurance. >> Aaron, can I ask you when you say misposting, you're referring to posting in your reporting system, not dismissing cash or >> Yes. the money has been taken in. It just is sitting in a a an accounting ledger and just needs to be moved to another accounting. >> So, it's a data entry situation, not >> it just doesn't move from one ledger to the other. Um, it's one of those I'm maybe maybe you've never had this problem, but you go through every possible thing you can think of and then the most obvious answer is the last thing you come to. So, I kind of spent my weekend persevering over it and going through a lot of

052different things, the expense lines and what have you. Um, and then it dawned on me to look into withholdings and there was a large sum of money withholding. So, um, that that is what it is and it was a bit of a humbling experience. Um, and we all have those moments we wish we could have back. So, um, I'm trying to get it back. Um uh most of the salaries that's our those are our very biggest line items. Health insurance is one of our bigger are trending uh where they should. Most of the 12 month salaries so those are the folks who go July to June. Uh if you were to dig into those you'll see most of them are there are given give or take 50%. Right? So, we've spent roughly we are 12

053payrolls into the year out of or I'm sorry, I'm sorry 13 out of 26. We're 13 payrolls out of 26 payrolls into the year and we are just about um uh 50% through. We are about um a third of the way through our teachers and and other non-year round. So, they go from September to August. So, with our budget being what it is, in terms of what we budgeted for them for this year, um you will see most of those line items um in terms of available balances are at anywhere from um 60 to 68%. And that would be typical right now. we have a small cohort of teachers um that shift that balance because they get paid 22 payments as opposed to 26. So that's why that why it might be less than 2/3

054in some cases. There might be a few more teachers in that grouping. Um so I feel overall confident that we're in a good place. um trending even um and as I said I think some of our other districts are trending downward which is uh part of a conversation as we get into fiscal 27 um where we're going to be able to try to work on that out of district number that we've talked about. We always start from a worst case scenario and then we work backwards. Everything that's happening positively at fiscal 26 impacts fiscal 27. Any questions on 26? >> Yes. >> So you had I think you said this before, but I just want to be clear. So for any line that has salaries in it, >> it's not going to have an encumbered

055amount. So that's why the balance is so high positive. Yes. >> So we're not really going to have that huge overage. It's just that we're not there's no easy way to encumber salaries because it's not >> in our current system there isn't. um unfortunately because we do it through Harper's um >> they don't encumber salaries in their system. So there's just there's no real way to do it. So we had we we look at it based on that remaining balance. And if you look at most of those remaining balances, for example, for teachers lines, you're going to see they're in that 60 to 68% range. some some areas if we've had a vacancy or or vacancies um things like that there may be cases where um there may be a larger number of teachers in

056that specific specific group who are on the 22 pay cycle. So it it's it's tough for this to be a perfect science as it is and even when you encumber salaries it's tough for it to be a perfect science. You're doing the best you can. >> Okay. >> Does that make sense? >> It does. So, it's just that we It looks like we we're going to have like 2.1 million here. I mean, it looks like we're going to have huge overages, but that's because salaries aren't encumbered. >> Yes. Yes. Yep. Uh my only comments on the 27 budget uh are um we have met with the Berlin capital committee. Um and then again with uh the Berlin Fincom. Um, at the Berlin Finnpom meeting, uh, it was shared that, and that was a public meeting,

057but it was shared that the capital committee had moved all of our capital requests forward. So, that was positive. It felt good. Um, the FINCOM meeting was was around our operating budget. Um, not a lot of questions this year. I think, you know, they're they're maybe getting used to us and and the way we work. Um, most of I I like to think that most of you know what we're talking about and what we shared makes some sense in the in the big picture. It's still very very early. Um, I'm hoping that state numbers will come in by the end of the month. Um, health insurance for next year. Again, I still have that at about an 18% increase. Um, plus a little overage from from what we didn't carry this year. uh in speaking

058with our health insurance rep um they're uh by the end of the month, they're expecting to vote on whether to um discontinue coverage of GLP1s. Um that has been a bit of a a challenge for health insurance rates for quite a while. Those have been very expensive. Um partly because they're largely covered, right? So, um, it's a challenge. If you look at ads and you look at things for JLP1 medications now, those prices are coming way down. Um, so there's a a Blue Cross Blue Shield as a whole, separate from our MIA group insurance um, has already discontinued standard coverage of GLP1s expect except for very specific medical conditions. Um there's every every expectation that Maya will uh do the same. That will impact our rates um hopefully positively. So if we're not covering that

059anymore and again if if if it hits the over the counter or or the the the individual pay market um those costs may come down for individuals as well. So I think there's some some net positive kind of in all regards. Um so we're waiting to hear for that. That would be when we start getting our rate guidance. So I would take they would give us by the end of January, they would give us some rate guidance. They would say between 10 and 15%. I would take to start I would take the top end of that, right? Whatever range they give us, I'd take the top end. Um and then somewhere in February, they would give us our final rates. So, we would certainly have our final rates in time for uh the school committee's

060vote of the budget. Um but I wouldn't expect to have that uh before the end of February. Um state numbers, you know, knock on wood all things um being normal. Uh we should have state numbers by the end of of January. Um we can definitely share those when they come in and we'll embed those in the budget immediately. And Aaron, just for for clarity for the public, like so we were invited to Berlin's fincom and we're invited to Berlin's capital. Boston has not invited us yet. So they might have a different schedule. April and I uh sent a couple emails back and forth, but they we usually wait for the invite for for them to invite us to those meetings and then we go um we we go every year around this time in Berlin.

061We're always following Asabet's superintendent as well too. Um but we had certainly those meetings already in place. Um also pilot budget process tomorrow. we have an admin meeting early in the morning um and that we start that process of sort of like a wish list right so what what they'd like right and in the perfect world what they're looking for and I know that when you talk to certainly Rich and Rob the things that they're hoping to put in place for next year or even into return so that'll be style of conversation that we'll be having with them and that will be sharing with you guys during budget presentations >> I have a quick question about a comment you said the Berlin capital committee said all capital credits were moved forward does that include ones

062for Tonjo and BMF does not include the parking lot. >> Tanto and >> does not include the parking lot. Right. The capital they did not approve the parking lot. >> Say again. >> Berlin capital did not include the parking lot. >> Did not approve the parking lot. >> Yes. Not the parking lot. I'm sorry. Although I was referring not everything else for Yes. So the only other thing and I and I apologize we got an email today from Kristen regarding the parking lot and the funding for that. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I know that the money about about that money in the grant um I'll be able to give you more of an update. Literally just got it maybe about an hour ago. So, but the parking lot is

063still a conversation that's out there. Berlin at that time at this time has not approved that piece of the capital. >> Sorry, I was referring to building >> I apologize. I I may not have heard her say not the parking lot. So, I thought she said everything, >> but again, I could be wrong. >> Yeah, >> it was definitely not the parking lot. We talked about it again last so Berlin has said no at this point to >> the parking lot. Okay. I I missed that. I apologize. I'm thinking back to the meeting and I Okay. >> Everything else on that sounds >> they did. >> It was only 194 I think. >> Yeah. >> For BMS and Tanto is pretty low. They were they were pleased with the >> and let's also be clear

064um Berlin just funded right so they want to make sure they were clear about that reminding school about that right they just did an over >> they a vote there was another town meeting in December >> that's right so they want to make sure that they that was publicly said as well too so we're happy that getting done and like I said to them at our meeting right the the roof that they're putting on is a 50year shingle um so I don't think any of us will Maybe at least I know we won't be worried about right but the next round of people can certainly be worried about that going on. >> Any other questions? Happy >> appointed someone to fill an empty seat last night. New face on here. >> All right. Thank you

065all very much. >> Thanks. >> Uh I just lost this one. Good. Uh, yeah. All right. What's up next? Would anyone like to make a public comment on anything on the agenda? Our second public comment has come. >> Okay. Uh, future agenda items. Anyone have any interest? >> Do do we want to have a I don't know if this is an agenda item, but next agenda, we want to discuss the Facebook page. Is that something you want the control of the how we're going to handle the Facebook page going forward or your >> Yeah. So, I mean at at the conference that I went to, the MASC conference, different one um for school committees, um they had a couple different talks about PR and um so I think it is something that that should be

066discussed. >> I didn't hear what you said. Should we have a discussion about if Lori's not here not doing the Facebook page anymore? And Jen is now the district clerk, should we have a discussion over who would be running the Facebook page because I do not want to. >> Yeah. >> That's a great idea. That's something we've talked about or brought up, you know, a few times about like having a communications subcommittee possibly something like that. >> Yeah. >> So, yeah, I think that should be on the future agenda at some point. And I also think I have a policy for for that as well too about communication like who communicates us. So we need to look at that as well too. So it's not just anyone whoever wants to throw something on there right

067it's it's got to be >> so Lisa and I started working on the protocols and one of the she's been doing an awesome job like she's been pulling the um policies that because right now things kind of contradict. So she's we're trying to clean everything up so that we might need to change depending on how we vote on our protocols. we might have to change or tweak some of our policies, but she's pulling all those policies, so we'll easily be able to figure that out. Um, but I don't think there was anything about Facebook or social media in any of our policies. >> The history the history of the Facebook page is uh goes back to >> I believe Adam and Laura. >> So, since it was up, chairs have had access to send out

068agendas or whatever communications. Um but yeah, we won't have it included in any policy. >> Um a lot of different districts have operating protocols. So if you are working on it, you might want to pull from other districts to see what they have because they like to have >> All right. I see. Right. Like the whole the whole point of the protocols is from that training we did back in October. So >> Yep. >> We've already sort of discussed it is just writing up the document. >> Good. >> Yeah. Um, the other thing for another agenda item, are we done talking about that? >> No. What do you got? >> Oh, so we, this is my fault because I didn't remind you. We were supposed to vote for that Boilston Capital Planning Committee. >> Oh,

069well, I think we said yes, but we're going to do a formal vote, right? >> No, I do it. >> You aren't you? >> But we we're going to do a vote, but yes, they have not had a meeting, so it hasn't been an ordeal. when I >> we didn't we were going to do a vote. >> Yeah, >> we just didn't do that as a vote. Just >> Yeah, sorry. >> It's fine. >> All right, cool. >> And then I don't know, Lisa, our next meeting is the beginning of February. Do you think we'll have a protocols for a first read? Maybe. >> Definitely. >> All right. So, so that would be a first read. And then I would assume we'll have like a 30 minute discussion on that. We have some things in

070there. I think people are like we we're trying to put time limits on meetings and trying to kind of like streamline everything. So, I'm sure everybody's going to have an opinion on that. So, I would assume a 30 to 45 minute discussion on that. We worked for like two and a half hours on it. >> Yeah. The documents ready for a first read. >> I mean, future self evaluations of the school committee are based on those operating programs. Thanks for working on those. >> The other thing was um Li had seats on certain subcommittees. I don't remember which ones. I think maybe one was the self eval, right? >> It was. >> Yeah. So, it was the superintendent self evaluation committee. >> That this year, right? >> Um, so that's the problem. We talked about

071it in June and I thought you guys were going to get together over the summer and do something about it, but then nothing happened. So, we're not doing it. >> We floated many meeting times, but we never got an approval. So, we're not doing it this year, but um with Brent coming in next year, remember that was one of the things uh well, we can talk about that later, but um that has to be done next year. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, we don't need to appoint someone on that subcommittee, but I don't know what else I think Li was on policy. So, somebody else I think we I don't know that are the way our current policy is written. We were surprised about subcommittee because that was something we looked up. It's actually the chair

072with the whole committee's approval for subcommittees. So, it's not right. Was that how it was written? >> Yeah, the chair appoints subject to committee approval. >> Subject to committee approval. So, um I don't know if you wanted to add that onto the next agenda to add someone to your policy subcommittee for the remainder of the year. >> So, we talked about that. Um once we appoint the new person, we'll reorganize the subcommittees with the new person. >> I want to clarify a point though. I mean, I I thought with the renewal of Al for this year, there was an evaluation of him this year. >> Yeah. But nobody set goals. We have to evaluate based on goals. >> I can I can certainly do whatever you need to do if you want me to do

073so. >> So, we said we weren't going to evaluate Al, but we talked about setting goals for ourselves because he's an intro. >> Appreciate that. Thank you. >> Well, no offense. >> No, no offense. No, no, no. Definitely. We already have someone new coming on. So, I I don't want to >> No, I do think >> I think the discussion was like we didn't first year because then >> I think Jess is right. We discussed it. We discussed doing it um setting some goals this year. Those goals were going to start with the committee's goals. They're going to flow down to Al, then we're going to flow down to his administration. >> Uh but it didn't get done. >> Well, >> it was unfortunate that meeting time was never approved. Yep. >> Sorry. >> I

074said it was unfortunate that meeting time was never approved for Tracy to come sooner in the year. >> We can go back to the minutes if you want. You guys were supposed to figure that out. >> We did. There was no reply from the chair on those emails. Does >> Tracy said that we weren't able to do that. She wanted to work with you. >> No, no, that was for the protocol training. You're talking about discussing goals and superintendent evaluation. >> You cannot do one without the other. You can certainly set goals without having the protocol treatment. >> That's if we actually are able to set a meeting for the superintendent subcommittee as well. >> You do not need the chair's approval to set a subcommittee meeting. >> Oh, well, I had a tech tech

075subcommittee meeting not scheduled because of that. What? >> Recently. >> When? >> Right before the holiday. >> Because the chair me I didn't approve something. I don't recall that. What was that? >> We can talk offline about it. But >> no, >> we still have six months of the year left and so I don't know why we have to throw out our own goals if we're going to be voting on operating protocols next month. I think perhaps I know Al is on the way out with transferring power to Brent, but I think then perhaps those could be some of the goals like what what is he doing to transition Brent into the district. So, you know, I'm not expecting, you know, a huge PowerPoint or anything, but I think just so we all have the

076same expectations of the next actually eight months um before Al leaves and Brent takes over, you know, transition of power in July. Sure. So, so seeing that, you know, the goals of having Brent involved in the BMS principal hiring, um, you know, I think would be good if we're all on the same page for the next eight months. >> I don't disagree with that. So, how would we start doing that? >> What do you want to do? >> She just said she thought it would be a good idea if we had some goals. I think the committee needs some goals. >> So, we met in October. We had the training protocols in October. It's now the middle of January. You guys are working on a protocol document. Jess just said she wouldn't be able to

077do goals until we had a protocol document. So the first step would be get a protocol document. >> All right. So we'll have that as a first read for um the next meeting which is the first week in February. >> Okay. >> And then is there in the past the subcommittee the um we had a subcommittee that would So in the past it was it was Lori and I did it was superintendent evaluations and then it was also self-evaluations but because we never could set a meeting time to discuss those handbooks or the operating protocols we never were able to set our own goals and thus a self-evaluation. So thank you for working on those operating protocols. But I think once we have a new member hopefully appointed next meeting then whatever the discussion is

078two people or three people need to assign to that subcommittee to then move forward to >> design you know MASC has a self-evaluation quiz that we did a few years back. >> Um >> so let's be clear though you don't need the protocols to do goals. We haven't had these protocols and we've done goals in the past. >> We never really did. >> No, we have >> not in the past three years, >> but he's right. >> Possibly not in the past three years, but this committee has done goals before for both superintendent and for itself. >> Superintendent's then turned over and you know, we know that story. You don't need protocols was a a training about how we're going to schedule and run meetings. That could be a goal. But it's not necessary to

079create a goal. We had a superintendent evaluation subcommittee. That subcommittee usually took care of the school committee self-evaluation. Back in June, we had the same conversation. That committee was going to get together and and do all that. I think honestly I don't remember if it was you, if it was you. >> Li chair Lii was the chair of that subcommittee >> of that subcommittee. But >> you specifically brought up the idea of doing an evaluation of Al last spring. Shortly after Cindy left, we talked about we can't do an evaluation because we didn't set goals. It's not fair to him. So then the conversation was over the summer, get together and figure out some goals. Separate from the protocol training with MASC, you can go back to the recording. You can go back to the

080minutes. You guys, honestly, I don't know if it was you or Jess. I don't remember off the top of my head, but you guys both wanted it, so we said go do it. So, do you want us to set goals for Al? Usually the superintendent would set their own goals. >> No, no, no. So, wait a minute. If I could just jump. >> I don't think I ever committed to set goals for the superintendent. >> So, it was for the committee which would then be >> Yeah. The protocols for >> No, no. Two separate things. >> Protocols and training and that was separate from self-evaluation. >> It's not. It's not. If you go to the MSC trainings, the operating protocols, then that is what based that's what we judge. Are we holding ourselves You might

081write protocols to then do goals, >> but nothing stopped you from over the summer getting together and putting together goals, >> which is what we talked about doing. What do you want to So to to answer your question, so you guys need to do your goals first. So let me let me be clear. We got goals. All everyone's sitting over here, right? We sat we as an admin team have goals. My goals are reflective of their goals. The issue is going to be my goals should really be reflective of your goals. You need to write your goals first. what do you want for the district? It should streamline into what the superintendent should be same type of goals based on your goals and then my goals that based on your goals should be flowing down

082to our admin that flow down to our teachers. One of the things that we have across this entire district we've been doing that work because the work here didn't set goals. Our goal is universal design for learning. All the things that we're putting in place, the book studies that we're doing, the books that we bought for our teachers, all of that professional learning that we've encompassed so far this year, that is all of our goals that are universal across our district. We have those all in place. So, just know that. But we're you technically don't set my goals. Your goals are approved by me, right? So, these are the goals. This is what we're doing. This is what we're working on. So, that's how it works. But my goals should really be reflective of what

083you guys are doing. So, the correct thing should be you guys write your goals first all the way down the line. >> Sorry. So for next time for future agenda item the protocol document and then we'll go from there. >> Yeah. The other thing Lisa and I talked about um when we were doing the protocols is length of meetings and obviously tonight's been great but um next time we have a heavy agenda so I didn't know what how people thought about using the as need needed meeting for something whether it be doing just the protocols of that or whether it be doing the appointment at that. I don't know how people feel about that. Well, I'd love to hear what everybody else thinks about. >> Well, that's that's not an agenda item that we can

084discuss or deliberate on right now, but is this part of your protocols? >> We protocol part of the protocol. >> So, when it's on the document and it's on the agenda, we can discuss it and decide what we want to do. >> Well, I guess the separate question should we the next month sounds like there's going to be a lot of things on it in addition to budget presentation, right? Next month >> you will be presenting the budget to us. >> So next month is the second budget meeting February 26th. >> So there won't be any draft on the the first >> I I don't expect to have a I mean I I could give some updates but I I mean I could I can give some updates. >> All right. So there like All

085right. There won't be a So it'll just be appointments protocol document and regular business. >> Yeah. We just talked about using the as needed meetings instead of having a million things on the meeting to just use those as needed meetings. So I didn't know if people thought this month warranted an as needing needed meeting since we have to do an appointment at the first February meeting which depending on how many people apply could take a while and we're also I would say for the protocols 30 to 45 minutes because I think people are going to have questions. >> So what you're suggesting is two meetings a month and not one. No, no. Only if >> she's saying in this case, she is asking to do use the athletic meeting for January to take it off

086the plate or >> I'm asking if people would be interested in taking either one of those topics and doing I don't know how long we're going to spend on the protocols. I can see us going down rabbit holes and going back and forth >> on some of the things that are on there. >> I Well, I'm not sure. >> I'm not sure why we would because we've already gone down the rabbit holes in October for these protocols. They were given to us as notes from Tracy. Your job was simply to write them as full sentences. >> I think they were also looking at the handbook as well and trying to >> tons of questions on there like we were like need a policy for this or need a thing for this like >> more clarification

087within a policy or in the handbook. >> Yeah. So there's a there is a lot to talk about. >> She thought we were doing an hour and two and a half hours later we were like all right we got to put this aside. >> We were focused. >> We were very focused. So I just think it's it's gonna Lisa, please jump in and nothing I say is so don't I mean how long do you think I'm just trying to budget? >> It would be nice to not have a meeting until 10:00. >> I'm I'm trying to understand because we got together in October and we voted and we approved the protocols. We just had them in note form in Tracy's outline. We just needed them to come together as a document. If there's still policies

088to reference, maybe there is or I'm not sure what you're looking at, but >> well, maybe I should meet with you offline, show you what our analysis is so far, and then you can see where our brain was, and maybe we're going down the wrong road, but I think what we're doing is very helpful >> for clarifying. It might be Tracy's meeting. >> Los Scope Creek in there is kind of expand. It sounds like it's Let's talk. I think yeah, I think it's worth having a look and and making sure we're all on the same sheet before we put any more hours into it. I appreciate it. >> Want you to be reflective of all that like adding additional meetings. All these people behind you, right? So, this is a busy time of year for

089us. Budget, we're we got to meet with Bolston. We got to meet with Berlining. We we got a lot of things. >> As needed meeting, I would think would just be the committee. >> Okay. not have to have >> because when you're talking about policies and some of those things I want >> school committee protocols or like the appointment of a new member. >> Okay. >> I would think like it would we talked about it doing it for special things >> that we don't need everybody sitting here while we go back and forth on things. >> So protocols is a perfect thing. >> School committee the school protocols. >> I just get nervous to say policies, right? Because I know my principles will want to be saying what how's that going to we live by

090the policies, right? So when we have conversations with parents or teachers, we we refer to those policies. Meeting I had with the union today, we refer to do we have a policy on this, >> right? This is specifically for sorry ourselves operating. >> But there are policies in our policy manual, but they have nothing to do. >> What's what's an example policy? >> Um policies. It was like being >> about like agendas, setting agendas, how the meeting flows, like what's committing the meeting, >> electronic communications, >> yep, communications, we're posting things, all that stuff that we did definitely talk about. We never resolved everything. We were kind of like, okay, >> we just kind of made it vague kind of a goal like to look into this. So, we did and we considered a lot

091of different aspects of it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So like meeting lengths two hours like we we you know we said we need to do something about the long meetings. This is where we actually put something in writing and we're like all right >> so I'm going to do something about the long meeting right now and we're going to put this on a future agenda item and we're going to move into business items. >> Cool. >> Yeah, that's fine. The question was do you want to do an as needed and you can decide that later? I guess >> we'd have to vote on >> Yeah, we have one scheduled already. So, if we're going to need it, we can just hold it. We can talk later if we need that. >> Yeah, that's fine. >>

092Uh, all right. So, we have three overnight field trips on business items. >> Um, >> how do you want to Beth, how do you want to handle this? >> Are there presentations for these or >> Nick and I were just going to come up together and run through the >> Right. So, yeah, do the whole group and then we'll vote individually after. >> You want to do that? >> Yeah, that would be my preference. >> Yeah, I'm sure. come on up and tell us what you got. >> Yeah, we'll make it uh short and sweet as much as possible. >> Oh, sorry. I didn't know it was third person. Sorry. >> So, uh last year I got approved for uh to start the world explorers club and now you're going to Japan in April. That

093was approved. We have 17 kids going um which is awesome. That's the sweet spot. So, we're very excited. Um and a lot of kids are like, "Yes, I I want to do future trips." So I was thinking about uh and the request is for approving the next two years. The thought being students and parents, families um can start saving now. So maybe a year out, we can't swing it, but we know about something two years out. So I would want to jump start by doing two years now and then next year add the 2029. So have families in high school uh students in high school would know the the years uh let's see yeah two years out and can start planning if they're interested. So that's why it's a request for Italy for April 27,

094Germany 2028. Um and Nick will speak to his in a moment. There is some an overlap and we talked about it. Um, uh, the French, Spanish, and art classes, they're looking to do April 27th in France and Spain. Um, servicing different students. World Explorers Club is open to 9 through 12, anyone. Theirs is class specific. So, we talked about, oh, I said, hey, if I need to step back, we're like, we can put the options out there, give kids the opportunity to travel wherever they want. And again, there's a there's not a ton of overlap in terms of the students there. So, um, that's why we're kind of up here together seeking approval for the the April 2027 piece as well. Um, so that's it. It the World Explorers Club still runs the same way.

095Um, this year the focus is on Japan, an optional trip to Japan. Next year it'd be focus on Italy. Trip to Italy. Year after it's Germany with two two nights in Prague, but primarily Germany. pretty much what Bill just said, the different countries. Uh, so yeah, so our our trip, like Bill said, April vacation 2027. Um, my French classes, high school classes, Senora Silva's Spanish classes. She's still on maternity leave, so she's here in Miss Grant's art classes, high school classes. Um yeah, eight days half the time in France, half the time in Spain, um with a couple of uh so starting in Paris, a couple of stopover days in smaller towns along the border and then ending in Madrid. Um we have the world's biggest artific. >> Is um Mr. agreement. Is yours 9

096through 12 as well or is yours >> 9 through 12. >> And they are they all school uh vacation days or there are some school days involved with those? I thought maybe >> my guess I it wouldn't be locked in until closer. So, but using Japan as an example, we're leaving on the 17th. So, it's one school day um for travel. Um some of these trips might actually be shorter. If anything, there would be no more than one school possible school day. >> And hence the reason why you're in front of school committee, right? So because it's involving school days as well, too. >> Yeah. Exactly. >> Yeah. And ours is one school day. There's an overnight I think the Thursday before overnight flight the Thursday before vacation. So kids miss Friday. >> And I

097met with Bill today um the union today and we talked about the chapron training as well too that all chaperones will go through as well. Um, and Bill, can you just give me a little I know you shared with me and I'm sorry to put you on the spot um about chaperones, how they're selected, right, for for your trips that are >> So, for my trip, yeah. So, I use the company ACIS that's separate and for every six kids a chaperon is paid for. I initially opened it up to staff, hey, who would be interested in chaperoning? Um, and it was based on, you know, priority and having at least one male, one female. Um so I opened it up to staff um teachers that the students know. So for my trip it's myself, Mr.

098Dhy and Miss Ferrron. Um and then I did now ACIS they suggest depending on trips you can open invites to parents but sometimes that's problematic. Al made the point earlier about sometimes parents are just focused on their kids, their children on the trip. Um Japan means such a unique trip. I did open it to parents and some said, "Oh, I'd be really interested." But if you said, you know, my my student, if they're a junior, I want them to have this experience on their own. So, in my case, I did open it up to parents who were interested um all past, but I I open it to to staff first. Um and additional training um with DA that that's fine. Whatever we need to do. >> Yeah. same same RM um same ratio at this

099uh price point at least it's six shaper room so depending on enrollment you know currently it's myself sing and miss Hager uh theoretically as far as teachers go um but yeah same same rationale teachers first and parents would be welcome as well it's a little bit different at the high school I think a lot just talking to parents a lot more parents want their kids to have that experience on their own, whether with teachers they've known and had several classes with, you know. >> Uh, any questions for them? >> Do you have any ideas of have you put out there um what the interest level is? Like you said, you have 17 for Japan. Has you even mentioned Italy at all? And >> I I I personally only mention these next two trips to the

100kids going on to Japan because they're interested. last year after the presentation I was after my presentation and approval I put it out I got about 33 kids interested um then from there they were like really think and you know then it went down to 19 registered two had a drop for um family conflicts not conflicts um conflicts in schedule here I go again school um so uh yeah that's about the I was hoping for 15 to 20 with ACIS. Once you hit 15, it becomes a private tour. So, we're not going to be bundled up with another school. Um, so hit 17 and there are other kids saying, "Oh, and we do Europe that just based on places they've been or um interest in it. Um, so there is interest." And again, my feeling

101is you put it out there and if there's zero interest, okay, we put it out there and try. But I know there are students that like, "Oh, I can't do it this year." But maybe next year, the year after. And part of that's just saving up money. And these two trips are are cheaper than the trip to Japan. >> Is there a sweet spot number for the Spain and France one? >> Uh I mean ideally, yeah, I believe about the same. Yeah. Uh 15 to 19 minimum. They can accommodate over 40. I've I don't have concrete numbers in terms of who has raised their hand and said I interest in going >> in terms of keeping it like at a price that's affordable. >> You have you would need approximately 30 kids to agree to

102go between the two of your trips for >> mine is a fixed rate for each traveler. >> Okay. It doesn't matter how many. Okay. >> Correct. On on >> that just has to do with the chaperons then like that's the difference. It's just the chaperons that make the difference. How many? >> Yeah. So, for every six um paid registered travelers, you get a paid chapel. >> Okay, got it. >> And our our pricing is somewhat variable depending on how many kids are there. >> Yeah. >> At the 15 student end, if we had a really small group, each student would pay an additional 400 bucks. If we got 35, they pay an additional $55. So it is variable price but not drastic considering the overall cost of it. >> So Bill when you said paid

103chapon you're talking about that's included in the cost of the student >> covers the cost. So for yeah every six paid because conceivably it's um a parent could join us and they'd be paying. So for every six paid travelers a sha a chaperon the price would be covered. >> Okay. So covered by the paid travelers, not the company kicking in some person from their security team or something. It's the chaperons that use >> myself, Mr. Dhy, like we are going because we hit those numbers, >> right? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> And I I did the training through group lead group leader training in November for ACIS and they have an awesome network. Um and to get interest to the point, how many kids would want to go traveling Germany? Yay. like 50 kids will

104raise their hand and then Well, how many Yeah. Yeah. I really Yeah, I would. You don't know till they actually register. >> Yeah. So, >> any other questions? >> So, after they vote today, you you'll get start getting those feelers out there, right? And really start advertising it until like that said, and then you'll be able to come back to the school committee and give them like, hey, this is where like what you've done for us, Bill. Here's an update of where we're at, right? this is either going really well for um Spain and France or Germany are we're not seeing an interest in this. We we need to revisit just to keep them updated. >> Yeah, I have a I have a flyer ready to go tomorrow with are you interested in this this

105trip, both trips, etc. and then take it from there and that gives them more time. They won't have to register, you know, if they're interested in Germany, they don't have to register this year. They can wait till next year. Um the price would increase I think it's every quarter you know like it might go up a little bit in March but that's the incentive to sign it now. >> So I think school committ they're asking for a vote but they'll continue to give you updates on the ice. >> The only thing I'd say about either of these trips bill is they talking to Al. Um, I have some just not hesitations or concerns, but just regarding chaperones and I think we solved this by you're going to come up with your protocols and training and

106whatever that ends up looking like. I think I'm be comfortable with that. But the fact that you're here looking for two years out and uh you know the art class you're looking for for next year. I just personally would like to see you just keep this ball rolling and just every year adding on that next year and this becoming a known thing for kids in the district as they're coming up through elementary school into the middle school into high school. Personally, I think you know there there's a lot of risk with these programs. Of course we talked about it. that makes people nervous, their kids going overseas and whatnot, but what they're going to get from the trip. I did a similar trip, I tell people all the time, and probably the most valuable thing

107I've done in my life was the trip I did in high school. Uh, just like this, right? It was a two-eek thing. But, um, I want to just make sure it's planned well, organized well. the the documentation that we got in drive just you know in the future if we could get maybe a little bit more uh fleshed out a little bit more bulk or substance to what was written but I just think it's an incredible opportunity for the kids at school and I'm glad you're stepping up to do it take yourself to Europe that's great get the kids involved I think it's probably the best thing that they can do while they're here >> question thank you um >> for future reference with the drive. I I provided like all the >> Yeah. No,

108there's nothing that I'm asking for you to do right now. There's nothing that I don't think I was miss or anything. Just >> full sentences >> instead of notes. There's a lot of notes in Scribbles. Just >> I'd love to be able to look back at this five years from now, 10 years from now. >> Yeah. >> And say, you know, let's do the trip like we did in 2027 28. What did the form say for that? What did the school committee approve for that? And just something that after time has gone on, we can look back and know exactly what that's just on the >> sure. It's just on the application form. It's >> sure. >> It's not a criticism. I'm just >> with something like this with with the risks that are involved

109or the perceived risk for parents sending their kids overseas. The more information we had there as a committee voting on it, taking it on, the better. But I I hope you keep these programs out there uh talked up, marketed, whatever you want to call it, plan four or five years out where you're going to go countries. And then people, you know, sixth graders, seventh graders come in the school, they say, "Oh, when I get to high school, I can go do this trip." And some of the kids that maybe can't afford it, maybe they can, if they really want to do it, they can figure out over three, four years how to hit that one trip. Maybe some kids will go every year. I don't know. But I think >> kids getting a passport. Getting

110a passport is huge. To have them get a passport in high school opens the world for them going forward and it's amazing to encourage them. >> You do your kids to teach them to try the love of travel, right? So >> what a great thing. And the way this ties to our curriculum like it's just, you know, it's what incredible opportunities >> and to Mike's point like people putting this on their resumes that they've done that. I know even my all three of my kids in college. Matthew, I would recommend it. Studying abroad, right? It is an unbelievable opportunity that makes your resume stand out a little bit more than everybody else's when they're looking at that we we've studied abroad, we've done this, we've done that. Adding that to your resume is is a

111powerful thing. >> All right. Any final thoughts or should we take a vote on them individually? So, >> seeing like the ACIS like itinerary or something like that would be >> not in there. Is it in there? That's why I'm >> right because you are >> I loaded up with a ton of stuff. I'll talk to you later. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Um, cool. I just lost this. >> Thank you. >> I'll send a long updated one. >> All right. I have a motion, please, to approve Tahanto World Explorers Club for Italy in April 2027 and Germany in April 2028. >> So move. >> Yes. >> Second. Beth. >> Final comments. Thank you for doing the work. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Awesome. >> All right. All in favor? >> Anyone? Yes. >> All

112right. That motion passes. Can I have a motion, please, for the approval of French, Spanish, and art class, France, and Spain trip April 2027? >> So move. >> Yes. >> Second. >> Questions on that one. >> All right. All in favor of that? >> Anyone against it? >> All right. So, that motion passes as well. Uh, are any of you involved in the student council trip that's on the list? No. There we go. >> Hey guys, thank you and school. Thank you. There are many of my colleagues that schoolies are not approving these trips to study abroad and go overseas. So, yes, very much so. >> Yeah, there are many school committees that are saying no to these trips. So, thank thank you guys for allowing this to happen. >> Thank you. Thanks, gentlemen. Ladies,

113>> uh, okay. We have an approve a motion for the approval of the Hanto student council MASC conference trip to Hyannis Mass for March 2026. >> Lisa >> Jess uh any questions for Matt on this? He had the same paper the same paperworks in the drive as the other two. So >> I hope it's all there. I don't know. You're good. just let go. It's good. It's good. >> Uh who are the teachers going with tonight? >> Um I believe it would be uh Mrs. Rinker and Mrs. McCarthy who are the um student council adviserss. Okay. Anybody have any questions for them? >> No. >> All right. All in favor? >> Anyone against it? >> Okay. The motion is approved. We're going to enter executive session now. We may return to open session to vote.

114Executive session pursuit of Could I have a motion please to enter executive session pursuant to master laws chapter 38 section 21A purpose three to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining the BBRSD custodial staff team serves open 170 if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargain position of the public body the chair so declares >> so move >> yes second uh all those in favor of that uh Megan >> IA >> yes >> I as well so today we'll also enter executive session motion to enter executive session pursuant to master general law chapter 38 section 21A purpose two to conduct strategy session in preparation for negotiations with non-un personnel to conduct contract negotiations with non-un personnel superintendent of schools Dr. Frank Conway >> Jess >> second >> Lisa questions roll call

115Megan >> hi >> Lisa hi >> hi >> Jess and also we'll enter executive session thank you very much everybody take a quick