001floating head. Burn regional school committee back to order at 7:14 p.m. I think uh we'll kind of go over first and get this out of the way what we just discussed. So still on the business items. Could I please have a motion to authorize attorney Sean Sweeney to make redactions in executive session minutes related to attorney client privilege and other information exempt from disclosure under the public records law in connection with their release in relation to public records request as discussed by the full committee in executive session on October 14, 2025. >> So move second >> Lisa. All right. Questions, concerns? All in favor? I >> um >> Roll call. Megan >> I >> Lori. >> Hi. >> Beth. >> Hi. >> Jess. >> Hi. >> Lisa. >> Hi. >> All right. Well, thank you.
002That motion passes. Okay. Uh we left off I think in nature's classroom. >> No, we already voted on that. We voted, >> right? Yeah, we left off there, right? >> Yeah. >> But I will bring for the next meeting. I'm sorry about that. The confusion about the the date itself in front of school for the next meeting. >> Okay. Uh, so next vote is I have a motion to approve the career and technical education middle school pathways awareness policy. Ask >> Lisa to join the table. Join us at the table, please. >> Do I have a motion for that first? >> Second. >> Uh, yes. Is that second? >> Yeah, Jess. Okay. Uh, Lisa. >> Um, so is anybody questions? >> I do. This is probably going to be so my question is and I
003will admit I don't fully grasp the understanding. I know a long time ago Boilston didn't buy into the asset. Correct. So their kids don't have guaranteed spots whereas Berlin did. Correct. And so they have guaranteed spots. This might be an unpopular opinion but is there any way that we could share those spots? So if we have like 15 spots, I don't know how many there are. Would we be able to use them district-wide? So that spoils There's no way to do that. >> No. The reason why is because it is funded by the towns. So it actually has nothing to do with school committee. It actually has nothing to do with school committee. It has everything to do with the towns. So the town and the finance committee of each of the towns um voted
004and and bought into. So they they actually the towns have a separate line item for Asabet. So Burlin has a separate funding line for Asabet. Boilston does not. >> And when I when we go to present at the Berlin um FINCO meetings, usually right in front of us is a superintendent from Aset presenting their budget as well too. >> Right. Yeah. And my understanding is and I could be wrong so please correct me that Bolston was in initially and then they at one point along the ways way back said we're not we're not interested in that. So that's my understanding from as >> right and I think it is very much a reflection of historically there's been a flip-flopping of each town was more financially stable at certain segments in history. So at one time
005like Boilton was rich and Burland was not and then it flip-flopped and it was like a 10 every 10 years it was like a flip-flop and it has to do with you know revenue sources, how people how things are developing, you know tax revenues, all kinds of different but at the time at that moment in time when they were you know deciding whether to opt into it, they probably just couldn't fund it, right? >> And I don't want to get too specific, but there is opportunities for Bolson in particular was like this past year, there was a spot that was open um because the towns that first have the first right refusal said there was no one there to occupy that spot. >> Then they offer it to us and in Berlin Bolston for a
006Bolist student. We I then send that over to Lisa and the guidance council guidance council. They say, "Okay, here's a spot. Is anyone interested? And then it can capture that that it has to be vetted to the people who are paying into it along the way first. >> But I guess um so one last question and I promise we'll move on because I know everyone's waiting to talk about something else. But for these parents that are out here from Boilston trying to advocate for their kids to get vocational education. I I can completely understand and empathize. So and these parents are coming to us maybe should they be trying to work with the select boards or the or Okay. So that >> that's the avenue. >> Okay. All right. >> Yep. Absolutely. So, um and
007so so the um the CTE or the career and technical education um middle school pathway exploration policy that was presented to you which I provided to you that was identified um late uh in the late in the summer early in um September actually beginning with the 2526 school We are all sending districts. So because we're regional and burl we're considered a sending district because Burland is co-op is, you know, an affiliate with Aspet. Um we have to have a document in place that identifies the middle school pathway exploration policy for Tahanto. and it documents how middle school students in the district are made aware and gain exposure to career technical education schools and programs available to them in the district re um regional agriculture and other public um high schools. So this policy aligns with
008what is expected from us by um through the guidance from DESIE. So essentially I created a I looked at the guidance and created a policy that just reflected exactly what they needed and then we need to pro um post this on our website. We have to send it out. Um there are certain programs we have to run which we do. We have Aspet coming in. I um tomorrow our eighth graders, all our eighth graders are invited to go on the field trip um over to Aspet. Aspet um provides the transportation to go over there. Everybody can go over. Um that's new this year as recommended through this policy. It's always been available. So, we've provided a lot of different opportunities. Um this is just identifying for the public what those pol what those um programs
009and opportunities are. And this has all come about because if you might have paid attention in the last uh few months or so now vocational schools is by lottery now right so before it wasn't by lotteryy right you apply you had to have certain credentials you had to have certain grades now it's by watery and so so they want to make sure that we're giving this information out to every possible so there's a little bit of backstory on that as well too >> should we be affording the same opportunity to for oil ninth graders to go to Asabet with this group on the bus cuz didn't you say that you had spoken to them before and that there's there tends to be spots that open up for sophomore year. So maybe we should when we're
010advertising this for our eighth graders, maybe we should actually be encouraging any oil nth graders that would also be interested. >> I I I don't well I'm I don't feel comfortable sending nth graders over with an eighth grade field trip. that like that just gets snuffated. >> If if this is all if this policy enacts all the eighth graders will have an opportunity. So so every eighth grader so as they move forward everybody will have the opportunity they will all have the opportunity to u see and talk to the representative from ASEAD. Um and now we're additionally providing an opportunity for and there's some students a small group of students who've elected not to go >> not to go on the field trip. >> Yeah. >> Because they know their pathway is not technical. >>
011Yeah. A free field trip. >> No, but it it's I was a little confused like that. Boiling kids are allowed to go on. >> Yeah. um because it is an opport it will I mean it will it could eventually be an opportunity for them. So it it I didn't feel um right about you know separating the opportunity. I think it's >> the other thing is there's some serious postgrad work that takes place at Aspen, right? So students can graduate here from Tahanto and go I mean you go to any nightlife programs they're having there that place is is busy. I mean they are at their full capacity. Yeah. Um so giving kids the opportunity say I'm going to graduate through the public schools but maybe afterwards my my route is going to be vocational and
012and go through after I graduate from town as well too. >> Yeah absolutely. two conferences ago at the MASC MASS conference they had um someone present from the Blackstone Collaborative and that was a really fascinating project. So that's something maybe that we could consider with surrounding towns too. Yeah, it's definitely worth exploring other opportunities and I think that's something that you know we've even talked about u in the strategic planning kind of brainstorming because it is and you'll all the research that's being conducted right now points to the fact that there are more students looking at because of the price of college because of so many different factors that maybe they want to go to two years and then or they're just broadening their options >> in in and the the technical probes have changed
013now, right? It's no longer first of all, we need plumbers, electricians, we need carpeters, we need all them because anyone that's looking to find one, but we don't want them just to be at the technical schools is not just to become laborers. We want them to own their business, right? So, we want them to be able to know how to do the bookkeeping. Want them know how to run a business. All of that part is is the whole mindset that technical schools are now moving forward. That's why a lot of them aren't really called vocational, but call technical high schools um is where they're leading towards. >> I'm curious, is JobCore also somewhere within options offered to kids too? >> Um um there they're mentioned JobCore is mentioned and then there are certain students that
014we will highlight, you know, certain programs specifically for certain students. So again, we're fulfilling the requirements of putting this in front of you guys as scoopy and putting this as a policy. And that's why we have a deadline by >> November 1st. >> We have to I actually have an attestation. I They literally gave us no time and said we need this and you have to do all of these things and you have to get it >> signed sealed and delivered November. >> It's like a quick turnaround. >> Thank you for doing that. >> Thank you. So, is this going to be a policy like our other policies like on the >> I that's an excellent question because I um a question I cannot answer. I do not know that. All I know is that
015it is some it is an ex so the word policy is a very funny thing. Policy is very funny. So this is information that must go out about the programming around career and technical education and it has to be posted and sent out all of these things. I it I don't believe it's a policy that goes in the policy handbook. >> Yeah. I believe MASC sent something out about that you have to do this but specifically not to put it in the reference manual. It's it lives at the school, >> right? >> Yeah. Yeah. And Tracy clarifi she sent an email like clarifying it because it was yes. So and I didn't get see and I don't get those memos. So yes, thank you for clarifying that. >> And and we we need to be
016careful because I think we're using the word policy a lot. Right. And policies strictly have a place where they stay. So that's what the state's call. >> That's right. Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Um ready to vote. >> All those in favor. >> Anyone against? >> Okay. That motion passes. Thank you. >> Lisa, you want to stay right there for us? >> Sure. Absolutely. >> Uh yeah. Okay. Graduation requirements is next on the list as a first read, but does anybody have any questions or Lisa, do you want to tell us anything about it? >> Sure. Um because I think this is confusing. So presented to you are two documents for first read and these are required by Desi um for submission. One is for competency determination and one is for the graduation requirements. Last year
017we found ourselves in the position of looking at these two areas due to the November vote to eliminate MCCAST from the state competency determination and graduation requirements. The documents that I've submitted to you have been reviewed by a wide range of stakeholders including school council um department chairs, staff, the curriculum coordinator and administration to assert to ensure they are aligned with the expectations of the state. Um and there is a document that um this um that it has to align with the information in this document. so that it's aligned with that and also what's in our handbook and program of studies currently. So for competency determination as described in new regulations, the CD represents two accomplishments showing a mastery of skills in ELA, math and science and in two years um social studies um and
018the satisfactory completion of relevant coursework aligned with the standards measured by the high school ELA math. mathematics and science MCCAST assessment administered in the 2023 MCCAST. So competency determination is are you um showing mastery of skills in these three areas soon to be four areas as shown by the 2023 MCCAST. So, I've outlined all of that in that document in a template in a way that is prescribed by Desi. Now, the local um graduation requirements are at the sole discretion of the district and cover grades um up through 12. Local graduation requirements may go beyond the requirements of the CD policy to include um requirements related to credit earning, attendance, participation and um extracurricular activities etc. It's dependent on what um the school committee identifies. So currently our graduation requirements include the passage of the
019MCCAST and ELA math and STE or science technology and engineering. We've decided on biology as voted um last year. Since that time, the local districts have reflected that there are currently and this was mentioned um by Christina that there u there are no districts and I um worked with the Midwatch group um no groups will be using the MCCAST as a local graduation requirements. Um and members of the school council and our department chairs have agreed that MCCAST should no longer be required as a local graduation requirement as the state this is important is the state is still not clear on exactly how the test will be used and the reduced number of makeup opportunities that are being um afforded to our students. So with that information available to you, do you have any questions
020um for this first read? >> So the other thing I want to stress is we brought it to you last year, right? We we we want to have time to reflect on it. We want to have time to talk to our other colleagues around us. Sort of like a snow day. We don't want to be out there alone as was brought up. We'd be the only ones. But we also believe that this is the right move at this time. though it's not going to be need to pass the MCCAST to to graduate from from Tahanto High School. We don't want to water down the importance of still taking the MCAST because it is an important data point and our students still need to be taking that test. So we can we want to still make
021sure through our parents and through our staff the importance of that test. So we'll use that as a data point so we can reflect and say what what we need to make sure these kids are getting before they graduate from from talent high school. But it will not be a requirement to pass that to to graduate from talent high school. Anybody with questions? All right, it's a first read, so we'll have more time next time to uh ask any questions if they come up. Okay, can I have a motion, please, to approve the proposed changes to the Tanto student handbook? >> So moved. >> Second, >> Lori. Okay, Al, what do you have for this? So for the TTO student handbook, I'm going to ask Lisa to join us and I'm also going to ask
022Julie Lee if she can join us as well too because I know there's a part about the athletic part that's in the handbook as well too. So I'm going to have Lisa start and Julie will be um joining in as well too. >> So I think um yeah so we'll talk about that um first. And so we have been discussing this as um as a group as a small group and we know that there's still work to be done um putting a policy um a clear policy for tryyouts and to continue to do work get input from um the coaches and um and other professionals is very important to us. Um I think what we saw um in the previous there was a very short line that said middle school students playing on a varsity
023team and all is all all it says is sixth, seventh and eighth grade students are expected to try out for the middle school team. They may try out for the JV team if there isn't a middle school team or are instructed to do so by the coach. Sixth and seventh grade students interested in participating in football are encouraged to participate on the local Pop Warner or AYF football team. So there was a lot of confusion and discussion um around participation of middle school students and um I think what is presented is more of a process putting in place understanding that there is more work that needs to be done and I think there's a lot of language in there that talks about parent and guardian notification and approval and at the discretion of the coach
024and um decisions about playing up are first made by the coach and approved by the athletic director and principal. So um but I'm going to let um Julie speak to this. Okay, great. Um, all right. I wrote it all down because I thought we were going before executive session, so I wanted to keep it really brief, but I guess that's still a win. Um, all right. So, I'm just going to read right from this. So, hello everyone. I'll keep this brief. I do think I need to provide some information so people have an understanding of how and why we haven't had any team landed where we landed on the proposed language. I want to have it back to you guys. Um, I want >> I can just stand. >> There's all rapid chairs back there.
025>> Thank you. >> This is much better. >> Okay. Um, all right. What makes Tah unique in this league is that our middle high school is under one building principal and because of that, our middle school kids can play on high school level teams without an approved MIA waiver. Schools who do not have middle and high school under one building principal do not have middle school students playing on high school level teams unless they have applied for a middle level waiver. This is not our rule. This is an MIAA rule. To qualify for consideration for a middle level waiver voted on by the midwatch ads, myself included, and submitted to the MIA. Two factors have to be met. The schools have to be two building principles, one for middle and one for high school. and
026the anticipated numbers on the JB teams have to be too low to fill a roster and numbers have to show a steady decrease year to year. Essentially justifying why we're bringing these middle school students up to play the high school football team. Um so people understand we are not in the business of um denying appropriate waiverss. We want kids playing sports. That's why we do the job we do. We love sports. We love kids playing sports. That's why we're here. Um once the waiver gets approved, the athlete who received the waiver can however now this is included too for MIA only play at the lowest level high school. So that would be freshman and Chinese. Um this is the MIA process for the middle level waiver. While Tanto does not have to do this because
027of the 1 million principal, it doesn't mean we shouldn't have a process for our middle school students trying out for and selected to play on high school. So I've taken some time to put into a spreadsheet all the 27 schools in Midwatch USA which ones are 6 to 12 7 to 12 8 to 12 and 9 to 12 of the schools that are similar to us 6 to 12. I've spoken with their ads to see what their process is for middle school st students playing on high school teams. I have done extensive leg work on what other schools are doing, those in our divisions per sport and those outside our divisions but in our Midwa chooses league before we decide as a school to align with what schools in our league are doing. We think
028it's important as Lisa said to bring key players to the table including I would suggest our coaches. I know some are here tonight. I would suggest a physical therapist who can speak to the body of these middle school athletes, a counselor who can speak to the social emotional piece, an MD, members of the advent team, and parents to talk this out. I understand we are a uniquely small school, but we have to have a process in place. The language in the current handbook in respect to middle school students playing on high school level teams is not particularly clear. It leaves room for too much interpretation. The proposed language you all received in the drive in respect to middle school students playing on high school level teams is not necessarily where I would like to hono
029to ultimately land, but I do think it's a good starting point because we have sports in action now and coaches need to know what is permitted in terms of rostering middle school players on high school teams. We have created a process that supports all athletes in our schools. We did not have that in the current current language and it's an important piece to have. We aren't saying that sixth graders can't play on JV teams right now. We are saying if you have enough kids to roster a JV team at your high school grades, you should not be looking to the sixth graders unless that athlete is physically, socially, and emotionally ready for high school play. If a coach identifies an athlete that he or she feels meets this, the coach simply has to follow a
030process. We aren't saying eighth graders can't play varsity right now. We are saying there needs to be a process a coach has to follow um if he or she wishes to have a middle school athlete play. This is what occurs to be clear in 23 schools in our league. A process for middle school kids playing on high school teams. We need to also have a process in place. So here is where we start. Um I'm going to tell you right now, this topic is a really hot topic within the MIA right now. It's called middle level waiverss. ads are being called upon to weigh in on what member schools want to do with this because the process is not the same for all our member schools. People under one building principal can have their middle
031schoolers play up. People that don't have one building principal have to go through a waiver process and that waiver process is generally eighth grade, never sixth, eighth grade um or seventh grade. Um so the discussions are beginning which I think is a great thing in the association because it's good for kids. Uh lastly, I do I do think it's important to understand that no athlete is on a team until a coach has rostered his or her team. Um that includes the student athlete. I just need to make it very clear that no student athlete is grandfathered on any team. >> Julie, thanks. >> I know there's a lot there. >> Yeah, a lot. >> There is a lot there. Uh yeah, >> there's a lot of other proposed changes as well. So, we have a
032current motion on the table to accept them all. So, why don't we talk about this one here? If you've got questions for Julie, want any clarification or anything? >> Can we put the document up on the >> Oh, Joe, you put it up. >> It's hand. Uh, it's the other one that just shows the changes. >> All right. Hold on. Let's see if I can find it. Mic here. Um, okay. >> Could have been grand. >> Jess, do you have a specific question on there for Julie? >> Um, >> I think Lisa, >> I was just ask I was just asking. Sorry, I was >> Yeah. So, Lisa, >> I guess I was just wondering if there are kids who could have been grandfathered, but since that's not allowed, like how many kids does that
033affect? >> It would depend sport to sport. Um, so for the basketball team last year, the girls typically this affects sadly the girls teams more than the boys because the numbers are dwindling more at the girls level than the boys. Um, so the girls JV basketball team last year had a lot of players pulled up from the middle school team to play, but now they're a grade higher. So it wouldn't necessarily even so much affect them because you're looking at these kids. It mostly got pulled up last year. It was seventh graders that played up. Now they're eighth graders. So eighth graders playing up on a JV field. If you don't have the numbers, you have to go down. What this is simply saying is, you know, kids want to play sports in our school.
034Um, and we don't we don't want to have we don't want to have kids that are able to play the sport being replaced by lower level middle school Kids.