001Heat. Hey, Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. I call to order the school committee meeting meeting of May 4th, 2026. If you are able, I ask you to stand for the pledge of allegiance. I >> aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Miss Gther, can I ask you to take the roll call, please? >> Best Coughlin >> here. >> Chris Oliver >> here. >> Kathleen Emerald >> here. >> John Nunes, yep. >> Mary Beck >> here. >> This meeting is being recorded. It will be rebroadcast on DCTV and may also be streamed on their YouTube channel. We have allowed 10 minutes for public comment from the audience on any
002topic on this evening's agenda. Seeing none, we will now move to tonight's agenda. We begin tonight with recognition of our green apple award certificates uh presented to four Dartmouth um school uh staff who were nominated by their colleagues. Uh Dr. Sam Magcguire, is there anything else that you'd like to say about these awards? Yes. Uh, I would just add that we had a ceremony just prior to the start of the school committee w meeting where we had an opportunity to honor the Green Apple Award recipients by sharing with them what their colleagues had written about them and the reason for their nomination. And it was a lovely ceremony. And I would just remind folks that the Green Apple Award is presented to any member of the Dartmouth Public Schools community whose colleague nominates them for
003exemplifying one or more of our core values which are rooted in pride around personal excellence, responsibility, respect for self and others, inclusivity, diverse opportunities, and ethical commitments. And the folks that were honored this evening, um they definitely uh they they exude those qualities and that was very clear in the remarks that were shared by their colleagues whom work beside them every day. I was especially pleased to see their family members and friends able to join them and uh those folks who nominated them also join them here tonight. So, we just wanted to make sure the school committee had an opportunity to honor them publicly with just a certificate of appreciation. So, we're going to call off your name, ask you to come up and to receive your certificate, and then we're going to ask you
004to step behind the committee, and we're going to take a picture. All right, a photograph. So, thank you so much. And Chair Beckwith is going to announce the names. Elizabeth, Pamela King. Last but not least, Billy Chamber. And just just before we um not on purpose but torture our recipients just for another minute to stand here before the photo, I just like to mention that there were many folks across the district who were nominated and I'd mentioned their I'll mention their names. Cody Budro, Dana Ducet, Hilda Borgis, Jenny Maderos, Jenna Oliver, Jennifer Fitton, Jess Lassie, Kelly Dwart, Melissa Pickering, Paula Trip, Rachel Lassie, Sandra Reposo, Sher HooL, Stephanie Church, and Sue Yubber. So those are all of the folks across the district who were also nominated for the Green Apple Award. And this is something
005we look forward to being doing for to continue doing on a on a regular basis. So, thank you again. And now we'll take a picture and let them off the hook for the night. So, thank you. >> So, we'll just do you want >> Do we want to get up? >> Yeah. >> We're never good at pictures. So, sorry for you. We just don't seem to know what we're doing. This is for the committee. >> This way. You >> Oh, okay. This is for the committee. to take a photo. >> I think John and Mary should stand up room over there to get by. >> We definitely are not good at picture taking. >> Yeah, that's right. >> Congratulations everyone. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you so much. Thank you guys. >> Thank you again. >>
006Okay, >> thank you. Have a great night. >> Okay, moving on. I'm looking for a motion to approve the regular session minutes of April 13, 2026. >> So move second. >> Motion by Mr. Noun, second by Mr. Oliver. >> We don't take a vote on that one. >> Vote. >> Any any discussion? >> Oh, any discussion? >> All in? >> Nope. All in favor? >> I >> unanimous. I am now looking for a motion to approve the executive session minutes of April 13, 2026. >> So move, Madam Chair, with the stipulation that they be held until the matter for which they were intended is complete. >> Second motion by Mr. Nunes, uh second by Miss Amarall. Um >> what do we say? >> Any discussion? Oh, >> any discussion? >> No. >> All in favor?
007>> I unanimous. >> We now move to the student representative report. Tonight's representative is 9inth grader Charlotte Alons. Good evening, members of the school committee. My name is Charlotte Alons. Here is the student advisory council update for Dartmouth High School. This week is teacher appreciation week. We would like to thank all of our teachers and staff for their continued support and dedication. The PTO has organized a variety of appreciation events throughout the week to recognize everything they do for our school committee. AP exams are currently underway and we wish all the students the best of luck as they complete their exams over the next two weeks. Our recent production of Mean Girls and Musical was a great success with four performances held April 30th and May 2nd. Congratulations to all the students and staff involved
008for their hard work and talent. On April 29th, our student participated in the Special Olympics at Taber Academy. It was an inspiring event in a great experience for everyone involved. Also on April 30th, our Best Buddies program hosted a karaoke event, continuing to build an inclusive and supportive school environment. On May 1st, we welcomed Carafilla, a national nationally a recognized motivational speaker who presented to our 10th and 11th grade students on topics such as peer pressure, decision-making, and traffic safety. We are also excited for our upcoming preK to 12 art show, which celebrates the work of our talented student artists. The show will be open to DHS teachers and staff and students on May 6th and May 7th. Looking ahead, the senior countdown will begin this month as we celebrated the class of 2026 in
009the final weeks at Dartmouth High School. We will also encourage participation in the Teresa Street Harbor run on May 16th. Thank you for all your time and your continued support of Dartmouth High School. >> Thank you, Charlotte. >> Going on. >> Uh you are more than welcome to stay. Uh but we do recognize you probably have other things to do. Um so thank you very much. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next is our spotlight on kids. Uh and tonight it's Dartmouth Middle School. I'm going to invite Principal Peter Rossi up to introduce tonight's um Spotlight on Kids. Well, good evening everyone and uh thank you for this opportunity. We do have our strings program tonight that we're going to uh put our spotlight on. Um I'm going to get out of the way very
010quickly because there's a performance that's going to go on for you and we do have some kids in the directors of the program, Mr. Daniels and Miss Church are here and they are uh fresh off their big performance of the Z. So, if I can have Mr. Daniels come on up, Miss Church. Good evening. Uh, on March 31st, the entire Dartmouth school's strings program of 230 students spanning grades 6 to 12 presented a community centered concert at the historic Ziterian Theater in New Bedford. The theme for this concert was I got your back. In preparation for this performance, students have been engaging in team building activities to spread kindness to each other and build community throughout the school year. Our community connections began when Miss Church reached out to the nonprofit organization Sing Me a
011Story in what was the beginnings of a new composition written by Wheaten College sophomore Kyle Ducharm. This piece was written um in memory of Nicholas Joseph or as we know him, Big Nick. The family was overwhelmed by the tribute and wrote the spoken words that were presented during the performance of the piece. Additionally, we featured connections to famous artist Albert Berstat from New Bedford, whose work on the uh was inspiration for O to the Plains of Wild Horses running. High school students went on a field trip to the Wayin City Museum and New Bedford Public Library to see and learn more about some of his works in person. We collaborated with the po uh with the poet >> Laurate thank you uh of New Bedford Sarah Jane Ferrer. We featured women in music and lastly
012brought in composer Thomas Jenkins for the world premiere of his piece titled Wales. These ties to our community were intentional, meaningful, and strongly connected through the different field trips, student kindness activities, and a classroom environment that enabled students to thrive in their roles to organize and produce this concert. We have four student speakers from the middle school to share with you their experiences preparing and participating in this event. Please let me introduce to you our first speaker, Brenda Doss Santos, followed by Kylana, Claire, and Taylor. Good evening. My name is Brenda Dos Santos. I've been playing the violin for two years and we are here to represent the I've Got Your Back concert. Through orchestra, I've learned a lot, but two main takeaways I have from the program are discipline and passion. Learning an instrument
013isn't easy. I face frustration multiple times, but I stay motivated by remembering why I started playing the violin. And with the support from my teachers, I'm able to acknowledge my mistakes and fix them. Orchestra is not just an activity, it's my passion. >> Good evening. My name is Kylie Embo. I have been playing the violin for 2 years. Performing at a professional venue like the Ziterian was an honor, but it also had its challenges. We are used to our classroom where the notes we played sound closer and louder. When performing at the Z, our notes sounded f far farther away, making it more challenging to for challenging to stay together. This affected how I listened to my fellow musicians. I had to focus more on the conductor and watching my peers bows to keep me
014in rhythm. I now better understand the challenges professional musicians go through in order to perform. Hello, my name is Claire Kelly. I have been playing the cello for two years. I saw the theme of I've Got Your Back reflected in many ways during the concert. While learning the music, Miss Church and Mr. Daniels did their best to help us understand the music. On the stage, students were getting materials for each other and helping them with whatever they needed. This shows how everyone in the Dartmouth strings program has each other's back. Thank you for supporting the arts in Dartmouth. My name is Taylor Hill and I've been playing the cello for two years. One thing I want the community to know is the astounding support given by Miss Church and Mr. Daniels. Every day we end
015class with one when one of our teachers says, "Thank you for being our students." And we respond with, "Thank you for being our teachers." This may seem like a silly gesture, but to us orchestra students, it's a routine. and a routine that instills a sense of belonging. I have grown lots from these two years, but one thing that stands out is how the theme of this concert came to life backstage and at our rehearsals. When someone forgets their rosin, having their back means give them yours. Maybe you and your stand partner laughed off of a stake, even reminding them to play. No matter the problem, I know I can count on my fellow orchestra peers. Orchestra not only gives me a place where I feel like I belong, but also a place where we help
016one another. One of the things that is going to stick with me from middle school is orchestra and how it makes me feel. I plan on continuing orchestra in a high school because to me orchestra is more than a class, it's a family. >> Thank you everyone. And now we would like to end our presentation tonight with a performance that the seventh and eighth grade orchestra gave at the concert of How to Train Your Dragon. Play open. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. What's up? Mary, pass that down to please. Thanks for coming. >> I just wanted to make sure we got everyone's names that performed tonight. On violin, we had Gabriel Archinbalt and we had Miles Jordan. On violin 2, we had Brenda Dos Santos and Kylie Imbo. On the viola, we had
017Devin Lamb and Isaac Parsons. And on the cello, we had Claire Kelly Taylor Hill. And on the bass, we had Hannah Zter. I don't know if you have any. >> Looks like the students with the student spotlight >> left the building, but we we do have some of the instructors here if you would uh >> but here to ask any questions. >> Thank you so much. So impressive and um I they said it was hard to perform at the Z, but I think it's harder to do in a small setting like this. So, um, please thank them all for us. Questions, comments? >> Great job. >> Yeah, I have no questions, but what a what a great performance. I wish I was able to make it to the citarian, but >> excellent. >> We certainly
018support you and everything that comes along with the music program in Dartmouth. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Aussie. Okay, we now move on to new business and we're going to discuss um the last day of school. The committee um needs to take a vote on the last day of school for the 202526 academic year which um the last day is Tuesday, June 23rd. Excuse me. This date takes into account the seven cancellations January 26th and 27th and February uh 23rd through 27th. Um are there any questions? Any discussion? >> No questions. >> Okay. All in favor of Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion that we >> Oh, sorry. >> Yeah, it's okay. Last day of school be Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026. Second. >> Uh motion by
019Mr. Noon, second by Mr. Oliver. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I I >> unanimous. We now move to the superintendence update. Okay. So, thank you. I I would just add as far as the school calendar is concerned that information is available on the website and the updated calendar has been there for quite some time and that messaging has gone out to our school community. So if anybody needs a refresher on what those dates are, they just need to go to the website and and the school calendar tab is uh is readily accessible. But so, um, moving into the next, uh, uh, phase of the school year, I say this seriously, I can't believe we're like moving into the final seven weeks of the school year. It seems like it went by in a
020blink of an eye. U, but we are in the final stretch and there continues to be a great deal happening across our schools. Um this is a busy stretch and the most important thing that we're doing in the next seven weeks though is teaching and learning. Um so despite the fact that we have so many wonderful things going on around student activities celebrations and certainly as we get closer to the end of the year that preparation for the close of the school year uh there's still lots going on related to teaching and learning. So at the elementary level, I'm really excited about this. I'm excited to share with you that our afterchool programs have begun in our three elementary schools. Um we are this is our first year launching this and we were able again
021Katie Paveo and Dr. Audrey Thomas both did a tremendous amount of work with a team of people getting this off the ground. I'm really grateful to our elementary staff who have stepped up and taken on the role of of running some of these programs. We have 16 different sessions across our three elementary schools and we have over 200 students who are participating and remember that's only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. So we're looking forward to really gauging what the interest is, what the participation is, uh what the interest from our staff is and being able to provide these kind of additional support. But this is and I know you remember this. This is something that was really important to us and part and part of our strategic plan. And so we're looking forward to building off
022the work that has started this year. Uh I'd also add an ongoing our teachers have been engaged in CK our elementary teachers engaged in CKLA training that ver virtual training with amplify who is our provider and we're continuing to provide that ongoing support as staff move through this implementation year. So here we are looking at the end of the year in which at the elementary level we launched a brand new literacy resource and our teachers have really taken this on. they've committed to it. We're seeing that work paying off in our classrooms. Um, I would also just add that the way that we've structured our uh PD, meaning during the day, the way that our teachers are now able across the district to participate in virtual professional learning at the same time. So whether you're
023a fourth grade teacher at the Quinn or at the DLO or at the Potter, you still have a schedule that allows for that kind of professional learning to take place during a certain part of the day where you you can all work together. And again, I thank our teachers for and school leaders for the work on this. Um but and and going along with that, next week marks the fourth of our five early release day professional development strands. As you remember, that came out of some conversations, the ongoing conversations with staff across the district where we had moved away from it, but we put it back into place for this year. I thank um Dr. T-Bolt and Mrs. Pavo for the work that they've done in working with the professional development committee and those folks
024across the district to be able to provide this kind of professional learning where staff across the district whether you're high schools or middle or elementary staff are able to come together and really the the professional learning is is based upon the interest that staff and faculty have let us know that they're interested in being provided with professional development that in turn not only supports the implementation of our strategic plan but individual staff uh their their IPIPS um that's their professional in individual um instructional plan and it also contributes to them being able to earn the the PDPs their PDPs toward reertification um at the high school level advanced placement exams have begun and If you have a high schooler who's in involved in this, you know that or a teacher, by the way, you know
025there's a certain amount of anxiety that goes along with that. And so for the families that are listening out there and have a high schooler who's involved in this and just do the best you can to support them because it is an anxious time for kids. uh but uh we are for the next two weeks we'll be testing across a wide range of subject areas that include history, English, science, math, computer science and world language world languages which I again applaud the Dartmouth High School uh leadership and staff for uh being able to offer these expanded opportunities for students to participate in AP classes. And if you remember, we've actually been recognized by the state for having uh such a high percentage of students who are engaged with AP classes. Um at Dartmouth Middle School,
026some of you know because I know that you were visit you have visited and been able to uh experience students presenting their civics projects. You know, they had their civic showcase. Three teams were selected to advance to the regional showcase at Dart at at UMass Dartmouth on May 29th. Those projects are focused on women's history and the high school curriculum, suicide awareness and empowering peers. And then there are two Dartmouth High School teams that will participate at the regional level and that includes a project examining inadequate street lighting in the community. So that will be interesting to share with the greater Dartmouth community, not just the school committee. Um, Dartmouth High School also hosted a career fair on April 15th in partnership with business innovation and technology department. Students had the opportunity to connect with
027professionals across industries, explore internship opportunities for the fall and to engage with future hopefully with future employers that are hiring for summer positions. So that gives them a head start and start some thinking about some of the ways they can spend their summer and earn some money. Um, also DHS TV media students, I mean, this has been a big deal for them. You know, the work that Mr. karate does with the students here at Dartmouth High School and the support that this program has and it's paying off in that they just earned top honors in the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for the Boston New England Student Production Awards. We're not um so like think about this. It's not this but it's like they're they're being recog they're being awarded an Emmy only
028for high school students and it's not called the Emmys. I know Mr. Parate. So, um we're not supposed to call it the Emmys, but it's Emmy like um um so, uh we have a few students that will mention senior Soph Sophia Faria received first place in two categories for and I think we know we all know this video. It's video titled one Dartmouth High School and for her work as an editor on the weekly news program. And then we have a sophomore, Aaron Cherish, who earned first place in animation and graphics category for his film Ninja Bread Cookie. >> I definitely want to see that one. And those students are going to take on the national take advance to national competition. Other students also had honorable mention. One I'll just mention because you've seen it
029and that was I know Mr. Parad's um C was the title of it. crossing with Mr. Parate. If you remember earlier in the year, we were able to see the video of him teaching the students to look both ways before they cross the street. So, um, also it was an excellent video and really entertaining and I'm so glad they were recognized for that. Under safe and supportive schools, Mr. Galashaw and his team have been working diligently on uh performing preliminary walkthroughs in each of our school buildings to assess potential additions and upgrades to security cameras and prep preparation for what's going to happen over the summer. As we know, that's when a lot of sort of the infrastructure work is happening throughout the summer and we have to prepare for that to happen. So, I
030thank him and his team for that. under our family and community engagement. We already heard we heard about the heart the art show. They've hosted an art show, but that we have um I think it was May 12th that there is a community art show. Um we're also pleased that we are going to be presenting meaning at least Mr. Kylie and I here a town sponsored citizens academy on May 20th. This is something that the town has instituted recently and different departments including the school department throughout the town have been asked to participate and present and we will be doing that on May 20th right here in the Dartmouth library. So, we're looking forward to that. Um May 15th will we we will host the Special Olympics at the soccer fields and there will be
03110 other communities welcomed to Dartmouth and more than 600 student athletes for a day of competition and really a day of of celebration. You heard our student representative talk about the high school drama me a high school musical mean girls and four packed performances this weekend. I did get to attend one of them Friday evening and it was just wonderful. Every year I think that that it they can't possibly um even match what they had done in the previous musical and every day they just exceed every year they exceed expectations. It was a lot of fun and there's just an incredible amount of talent on um at Dartmouth High School. I think we have 50 had 15 seniors who participated in the most recent high school mean girls. Uh but we also had one student
032who's a freshman who had one of the leads. So you can see us building toward the future. Um so again, a lot of talent, dedication, hard work behind the scenes under budget and capital improvement. Mr. Kylie has a couple of things that I think that he was going to update you on. I don't know if you want that, but it's up to you. >> Um, I've got it. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. S Magcguire. So, the capital improvement planning committee finalized their recommendations for town meeting. So, the um the items from our 10-year capital plan that were supported by the capital improvement planning committee are flooring replacement project, $200,000, technology hardware replacement, multiple schools, $325,000. Bathroom renovations, multiple schools, $100,000. HVAC upgrades, multiple schools. That one is $400,000. And um the school bus replacement, $150,000.
033So that's on there just in case. We did speak about um that being included by Senator Montgney as an earmark in the in the Senate budget process. So hopefully that goes through and gets funded. And if it doesn't, we will still have get the bus we need because right now we're busless um with a broken down bus. So it's tough. So >> yeah. Uh Mr. K through you, Madam Chair. Mr. K, have we heard anything from Senator Dean Tigney? I know it passed the Senate. >> Yeah, I mean it looks like it's going to be included. >> Okay. >> But we won't know until they really, you know, >> until the ink is dry. Yeah. Until they finalize. So, >> okay. Thank you. >> Other questions? >> Uh uh just I'm just going to move
034on to human resources. What's going on in the world of HR? Well, we as you know, we have summer school extended school year positions that are advertised. The deadline has actually passed for applying for those positions. So, um I will check in with Mrs. Denisio and Mrs. Redline to see if we have the number of staff that we need. And if not, we'd end up readvertising and uh and looking for more staff. As far as posted positions for the 2627 school year, uh some of you have seen I know that Mr. Mr. Rossi has officially announced his retirement. Um, we are very sad about that and but at the same time we look forward to having a healthy pool of candidates who are interested in coming to Dartmouth or staying in Dartmouth or whatever that
035may be to become the next Dartmouth Middle School principal. You've heard from Mr. um from Dr. Teolt who's put out some information regarding the search process. We are using a process that we implemented last year. We felt like that process was one that uh that people appreciated and we had uh community and staff and faculty input in the selection of I think we had two principal ships open last year. So we're following the exact same process and again Dr. TB is uh coordinating this search and it is a process. We also have some teachers teacher openings at the dlo. We have one fourth grade position at the Potter. We have a special education teacher at the district level for elementary. We have a math coach. We have a retirement over at the Potter school. Again,
036these are positions that are have been and are advertised are advertised have been and interviews have begun. The same thing at Dartmouth High School. We have a number of retirements at Dartmouth High School. We're we're uh advertising and interviewing for a physics chemistry teacher, a world language teacher, an early childhood visual arts teacher, a school psychologist, a mathematics teacher, a biology teacher, and a special education teacher that's actually been vacant this year. So, we're hoping and we're seeing that we have some candidates uh that are that are in our pool. And at the Potter School, we're also advertising for an ESP. So, as far as non-instructional at we are advertising for a school year secretary, uh we have uh fine and performing arts department opening and we also just have a a recent retirement. So,
037we'll be advertising for an administrative assistant at the the DLO school. I'm looking for Mrs. Gentner to write say, "Yep, that's right." Yep. So, we have we do have a number of positions and most of them are almost all of them are tied to retirements and those positions have been advertised. And so, I think that's it for me. Any questions? No. Thank you, Dr. Sab. >> Move to the report of the chair. Haven't done this before. So, um but uh first thing wanted to look at um summer meeting dates for summer 2026. We can do that tonight or um at our next meeting, but we currently have meetings scheduled for June 22nd, July 20th, and August 31st. Uh last year we canled that late June meeting. Uh is that something we want to consider doing
038again? >> Uh >> would you want to wait and talk about this? I'm sorry I moved ahead. >> No, I is it okay to talk tonight? Tonight? >> Yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine with that. Okay. >> I would say in pending anything that's critical, I'm okay with with cancing it unless there's something >> great. >> If the agenda is jam-packed for some reason at the the first June meeting, >> okay, >> we need to split it up. >> I think we have to >> Yeah, >> wait and see. >> Wait. I personally I' would rather wait and see and what comes up with town meeting. That's just a thought on my part. I mean, I'm not expecting any >> second >> curve balls, but >> okay. >> You know, I mean, I know we've got
039the meeting on the 8th, which is after town meeting, that's fine, but I'm just, you know, if there's more that needs to be done. >> You want to leave it on the books until the >> Leave it. I I would personally, if we left it on the books and then, you know, cancelled it later, it would be fine. What's the ones in July? >> July 20th. >> Okay. cuz I don't have I don't have that one on my calendar. >> No, >> it's because we haven't Oh, we haven't put them off. We haven't put them on yet. >> Ah, it's the start of the new year. >> Okay. And then the 31 August 31st. >> Is that what you're looking at? >> Okay. >> All right. So, we're going to send the dates out for
040all of next year before the next meeting. >> Perfect. Okay. >> Okay. Cool. Um, and also at the next meeting, we'd like to set the date for our annual retreat, uh, in August. Um, so just be prepared to do that. >> Y, so, um, we all got an invitation for the senior prom. Um, so, uh, it's in your email, so just respond to that when you get a chance. Yeah. Uh that is Thursday, May 28th at 6 PM in Newport at the Ocean Cliff. >> Ocean Cliff. >> And just a reminder that the graduations high school is May 31st, Sunday at 10:00 a.m. And the middle school graduation is Thursday, June 18th at 6:00 p.m. >> Does anybody have any other um matters that they'd like to discuss? Go ahead, Mr. Oliver. >> I do.
041Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd just like to bring the committee up to date. Uh Miss Coughlin and I and Mr. Kylie had an opportunity to attend uh the uh last week's uh joint budget advisory committee. I remind the the board as well as everyone in the community that this is the uh a joint budget advisory committee made up of two school committee members, uh two finance committee members, and two select board members, as well as Mr. Kylie, Mr. Carrerero, the town finance director, and um Cody, the town administrator. Um and the idea, the purpose of this committee was kind of it was I believe it was at the um recommendation of the select board to create this committee. And it's to kind of look at everyone's all the departments in town, um everyone's finances, everyone's
042operations, and kind of see where we're at, where we need to be. um in uh our last meeting which was uh la I believe it was last week now that um I just want to bring share with everyone that there was a a lot of good discussion. Um I do want to thank publicly thank the um the town for going kind of looking outside of the box to for their health insurance benefits. I know health insurance has been a a big thing for our for our employees as well as the town's employees and as it goes up every year by a significant amount. Um, and I think they they kind of, you know, moved provider. I don't know, not providers, but uh because we're still with Blue Cross, but with uh what's Maya called, Mr.
043Kylie? >> A joint purchasing group. >> Thank you. Joint purchasing group. Um, so we're moving joint purchasing groups and we're going to be able to save some money and hopefully that'll make the town of Dartmouth overall a little more competitive with our benefits packages. I know it's not a lot, but it certainly um is something for sure. But with that, you know, the consensus was was made, and please jump in, Miss Coughlin, um that at some point, probably by FY28, we're the town's going to need to really consider an override. That's what that's when we're we're thinking that that's when um the group is thinking that we're we're going to have some problems operationally by then. Um if not before then. Um so in discussing the override and what we can do to help facilitate
044that because as we know every vote in this town matters and any town and municipality matters for an override. Uh there was just some some discussion from one of the finance committee members about you know that the town does these they did a um a budget and reclassification study recently on the town side. They've also done some other um studies. So they said, "What about maybe looking to for the school department?" because the school department is the largest portion of the town's budget about looking at some kind of operational study for the school department because there are going to be some people in the town that are going to say that the the the school department even though we have the numbers and uh Miss Coughlin and I were really struggling with the fact that
045we have DESIE has the numbers the the in the data on the school directory profiles on the Department of Education website the numbers are what they are we we are I I can't remember them off the top of the head, but we are in the bottom percent lower percentage of per people spending in this state. We get an extremely good value um in for for what we're spending and we can you imagine if if we could spend a little bit more and maybe bring back those more enrichment programs, afterchool transportation for elementary students. Uh I know we're looking already looking at uh bringing back strings at the elementary level. Um, but going back to my original uh thought about this is I was originally adamantly against having another group come in because we know what
046the numbers are. We know what the per pupil is. We know that we're in the bottom percentage statewide for spending. But I think it's worthwhile for this group, for this board to consider whether or not we should bring in have asked um Dr. Sam Magguire and Mr. Kylie uh to um put out a request for proposals for a third party to come in to kind of study the school department operationally. Um I I don't know what other term to use on that. Um other than the fact that looking at what our our FTEES are, what we're spending per student, um how we're spending the town's money, I know we're spending it 110% well. Um, but there are those if we can convince ultimately in in a year or so those those voters that maybe the
047it could be is down to less than 10 votes in an override. Um that we need this override operationally to um keep the schools to keep the the town you know in a good position and keep us competitive because as we all know education is becoming more and more competitive. Um people, families and students have choice just like we have students that choice into Dartmouth High School. We have there are there are some stu there are students at choice out of Dartmouth public schools. So that means you know there's competition. So what we need to do is try to keep our programs strong. And I think by doing by keeping our one of the ways to keep our program strong would be to ultimately have an operational override to keep us at the very least
048at a status quo as we continue to grow beyond 2 and a half% and then maybe try to bring in some of the the extras back uh that we've lost over the years. Personally, I'm h I I was not for it, but I think it's worthwhile maybe at the next meeting to deliberate on this more. I just wanted to put it out there for your consideration. Um, and this would only be if the the the the select board and the finance committee would be willing to take over the cost of the study. >> That's going to be my question. Yes, it would we would look to them to take over the cost of the study, which you know, in my experience would probably be between 10 and $15,000 um for a study of of that
049magnitude. However, I think at the end of the day, if we can convince some people to have a third party looking at looking at our data and looking at the facts and the we we already know as a committee, I think we already know what that's going to be. But if we can maybe convince a few people um in the community once it comes to the override because all we can do as a board is put out facts, right? We can't campaign for an override. All we can do is put out the facts. So if we have a third party study um looking at our operations, I would defer to the administration on what's the best route to go about that. But for what it's worth, that's my two cents on um you know, if
050we could maybe at least have some more discussion. And I know it wasn't on the agenda tonight, but I at least wanted to brief the committee as to um what came out of that meeting. >> Yeah, I I will say that um yes, I had a very hard time with the fact that we do have the data and yet it isn't accepted by everybody on um the advisor the budget advisory committee. But that being said, if it's not accepted by everybody on the committee, then perhaps the greater Dartmouth community won't accept those that data either. One of the one of the other problems I have with having an outside group come in is it's going to not only take money, but it's also going to take time. And depending upon how much time, that might
051delay the need to move this forward. Um, and I would love to see uh more activities in the school, more music, more extracurriculars, but I think what we really need to say is we need an operational override just to maintain what we have. We are not >> at this point. If we don't do this in the near future, we will not be able to maintain. So yes, it would be nice to have more, but we don't even know what an override might be if it comes, but if we don't get more money, we will not be able to maintain the quality, the number of teachers, the number of opportunities for our students. So, um, that's on the horizon and, um, yes, I have mixed feelings about the outside group coming in. >> Miss Amarill, >>
052I don't know. We're not deliberating. So, should my comments wait till we have have it on the agenda? I um or is it me to just go? I just uh not necessarily opposed to people doing this. I kind of agree with what both of you are saying. It's just that when we, you know, if if people aren't going to believe who our state oversight is maintaining in terms of like data, then who's to say a third party coming in to show them that same data is going to change their minds when we are in a society that is normalizing phrases like alternate facts. And so I just like would like us to deliberate more on this. I'm not necessarily opposed. I think we we run a tight ship. Um, but who are we trying to
053convince people that might not want to be convinced? And so I would hate for us to waste resources and money and people's time away from the classroom and uh to do something like this for a third party to come in that those people who are just not wanting to process facts. Um, >> I think we always have those people. >> Yeah. >> Right. But there may be that middle group that we could swing. >> Mr. News, you have >> How about if I'm the one that's really not in favor of this at the moment? Okay. Okay. Uh >> in all seriousness, I mean, >> how many different we've Mr. Kylie and and Dr. Saber Maguire have put slides up at select board meetings, at finance committee meetings, at our meetings here that have the numbers
054that we provide to Desi that are reviewed and such that say here's where you are, you know, you're 320th out of 351 cities and towns for per pupil spending. Just pick a number. I may you know that type that type of deal. Okay. What are these people going to say? Yeah, we agree with those numbers and we're going to spend and Chris, I think you're a little off on your numbers, your your costs. Okay. Uh >> what numbers are you referring to? >> Your the cost of the the cost the 10 to 15,000. I I don't think so. >> That's just a personal opinion. Number one. Number two, who's going to do this type of deal? And what type of a reputation do they have? And number three, I do agree with how much time
055is it going to take, how much, you know, effort is going to be needed by our administration, not only at Bush Street, but throughout the district to try and pull information together for these for these people, right, >> at the end to literally, with all due respect, just regurgitate the numbers that we've already had and we've seen. >> Okay. Um, I don't see a benefit in a personal opinion at this point in time unless somebody convinces me of something different. That's my two cents. >> Okay. Well, why don't we put it on the agenda for next time and we can >> That's all I That's all I really wanted. >> Discuss more >> and also maybe if we have some suggestions for outfits that do this kind of assessment. Um, >> you know, if if
056we know of anybody that does that. >> Yeah, you're going to have to >> Yeah, NASDAQ is one of them. New England School Development Council. Okay. I know that's one of them. And I know there's another one out there. Okay. Maybe >> higher ed institution maybe. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. I was just I was just looking to get it on the agenda. >> Any other matters? >> Nope. Nope. I'm good. >> Okay. So, our next regular meeting of the school committee is scheduled for Monday, May 18th at 6 PM right here in the Dartmouth High School Library Media Center. Um, as well as via live stream. Um, so I'm now seeking a motion to adjourn into executive session pursuant to MGL C30A 21A2 to conduct grievance hearings pursuant to the collective bargaining
057agreement between Dartmouth School Committee and the Dartmouth Educators Association. We also need one pursuant to Mass General law chapter 3A uh section 21A3 to discuss strategies with respect to collective bargaining where an open meeting would have a determinable effect on the school committee bargaining position. That's with halfme. >> All right. >> So I'll make that motion madam chair and not to return to open session. >> Okay. Second. Is that second? Uh motion by Mr. Non, second by Miss Amarall. Uh, roll call, please. Miss Gner. >> Es Coughlin, >> yes. >> Chris Oliver, >> yes. >> Kathleen Emerald, >> yes. >> John Nunes, >> yes. >> Mary Beck, >> yes. >> This meeting is adjourned.