001You ever [Music] Hey, hey, hey. In [Music] everybody [Music] Good evening everyone. I'd like to call to order the school committee meeting of August 25th, 2025. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Roll call, please. Miss Gther. >> Best Coughlin, >> here. >> Mary Beckwith, >> here. John Nunes. Yeah. >> Chris Oliver >> here. >> Kathleen Ammerald. >> Very good. Uh, this meeting is being recorded. It will be rebroadcast on DCTV and can can be streamed on their YouTube channel. We now welcome public comment from the audience on a topic on this evening's agenda. A reminder about public comment. The school
002committee will not respond, but will listen and consider the input presented. We have allowed 10 minutes for this. Please approach the mic and state your name and keep your comments to three minutes so others will have time to speak. I believe it's the last week of summer. >> Yeah. >> And no one wants to speak it. >> Um so we will move on to approval of the minutes. Has everyone read the regular minutes of July 21st, 2025? >> So So moved. Second. >> Uh, all in favor of approval? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Unanimous approval of the regular minutes of July 21st, 2025 and the executive session minutes of July 21st, 2025. >> So move, Madam Chair, >> second with the stipulation that they be held and till the matter for which they were
003intended is complete. >> Second. Um, all those in favor? >> I um so it's going to be a short meeting. We're going to move right to the superintendent update. >> We go to CPAP. >> CPAC. >> Yep. That's part of it. >> That's okay. Um so Miss Denisio is going to come up and share with you um the information the data from the CPAC survey that she conducted that the special ed office conducted. >> That's okay. Back in when was it in June? >> April to June. It's been a very long day. >> Yes, it has. >> Good evening everyone. Um uh every year the CPAC special ed parents advisory council um sends out a survey um and the special ed department sort of helps them promote that. Um the survey goes to parents of
004students on IEPs and 504 plans um to kind of garner um parent feedback around um our performance, what we can do better, how we are communicating with families, how families um are feeling about services within the district. So I'm going to run through the results. Um this is sort of mandated um through DESIE that we are you know seeking meaningful collaboration with the CPAC and the school committee. So this is um part of that. So what I did was kind of compare survey results this year to last year uh because those are my two data points at this point. Um, we had about 11% response rate, which was slightly higher than last year. So, I'll take that. Um, most of our respondents um had students receiving IEP services. Um, there were also quite a large
005percentage of um students on 504 accommodation plans as well. So, that was sort of who was filling the survey out. This is a Liyker scale. goes from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Um the first question was around the eligibility and referral process. That's a lot of paperwork, a lot of back and forth communication um between the school um our our office at at Bush Street um and the parent. And I'm glad to say that the strongly agree um category went up 4% from last year. So that was excellent. We are increasingly smoother and more efficient, which is good news. Evaluation reports were explained clearly and were easy to understand. Again, that strongly agree category went up 9%. Um, I think that this is always a work in progress. Again, we swim in the water and
006the words we say mean a lot to us, but sometimes to parents, you know, we're using a lot of lingo um and a lot of technical language. So, anytime we can um use clear language to describe and a strength-based approach with parents, I think is is uh where we're trying to go. The next question were was that the IEP and the 504 were explained in detail. Um again, our strongly agree category went up by 8%. Last year, if you recall, we had a new IEP form in Massachusetts, and I think that our teams did a great job being very explicit with parents as they were walking through that. So, that was good news. Um, parent and guardian concerns were addressed during the team. Again, that um strongly agree category went up by 7%. So, overall
007a very positive year. The other thing addressed in this survey is bullying. Um so the first question said has your child experienced bullying and if the answer is yes did you bring that to the school. So we actually did see a little bit of uh increase in the bullying being experienced according to parents but a decrease in it being um discussed with the school and I think a lot of that is a um probably because of social media and parents not really knowing how to navigate uh those systems and what is the school's job versus not the school's job. So I think this might not be only a special edit issue. I think this is continues to be sort of something that we all are looking um out for making sure our students are being
008safe and kind in all modalities. Um and then the last question is if you brought it to the school was it resolved and um again this increase with 2% more feeling like the bullying had been addressed. So that was sort of the meat and potatoes of the um survey. But the best part of the survey was when parents get to nominate a staff member um for the above and beyond award. So the above and beyond award is um an award for any staff member who parents feel consistently goes above and beyond to support and make students school experience as positive as they can be this year. Um and we had quite a number of winners from really all buildings, all levels, and all um jobs really. We had uh Linda Dilva who was a substitute
009teacher at the middle school, Caitlyn Defaria, a special ed teacher at Quinn, Don Duskio, who was also a special ed teacher at Quinn. We had Peg Gallagher, special ed teacher at Potter, Rebecca Kelly, who is a second grade teacher at Quinn. Kim Rio, a special ed teacher at the middle school. Maryannne Sorenson, speech language pathologist, Heidi Spicer, preschool teacher, Kelly Steele, preschool teacher, and my favorite was Anna Tvar, who is a lunch and recess monitor at Potter, because it just goes to show you that we all play a big part, um, in the lives of making children feel special, Dr. Auda Thomas, um, and Lindsay Vafites, who's a special ed teacher at Quinn. So, they were all notified um by the CPAC uh about their win and I hope that that news started off their
010school year um in a positive way because it's hard to come back to work. So, we need to make sure we're doing it for the right reasons. And that's all I have. Did anyone have any questions about the survey or um Oh, before I leave, I have to plug our first meeting. Um the first meeting of CPAC will be Thursday, October 9th at Kushman School. We'll talk about special ed 101 and parents rights. So more information will be going home um about that in in uh electronic backpacks, but I just wanted to um share that while I was up here. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um any questions? >> Oh, perfect. >> No, >> good news. >> Thank you. Um, I love that all your
011percentages went up on the the good side and uh yeah, I wish more people would respond to your survey. I think it's valuable information. The more people who >> participate, the better we can be. >> True. >> But thank you very much for your work. >> Thank you. >> And now. >> Okay. And now um thank you. So good evening again everyone. I want to share that uh we held our conversation today and I'm pleased to report out that there was such great energy in this space. Uh we had the joy of welcoming back all our faculty and staff for what I think will be um an exceptional school year. And based on the energy in in the room today in the auditorium, in the cafeteria, you could hear that there was real enthusiasm for
012being there. And as you know, Miss Denio just said, it's not easy to come back uh August 25th, but people certainly came back with I would say in a way that there is excitement and it was palpable and they were happy to see each other and I think we um we're in a good place to start off the year in a really positive way. Um this year as you know uh we're leading with the theme of genuine appreciation and that was the theme of our convocation today and this is a commitment to recognizing and valuing the incredible contributions of every member of our school community and this couldn't be more fitting as we witness firsthand the dedication and enthusias enthusiasm our educators bring to their work and I just want to take a moment to
013just as I as I did when we met uh a week ago um just say publicly how much we appreciate the work of the school committee. We had an opportunity to share that with our with our faculty and staff today. Um, but as superintendent and central office leaders, I think I can say confidently and speak for all of us when we say how appreciative we truly are of our committee and the support that you give to us and because it's really very clear that your commitment is to the children in the Dartmouth public schools. And I wanted to offer you a token of our appreciation as we uh offered a token of our appreciation to all of our staff today. So, I'm just going to pass down our Dartmouth pins. You can see I'm wearing
014it proudly. >> Um and each of you will now have one to wear >> yourselves as a as a small token of our appreciation for the work that you do. >> Did I pass over enough? You're missing one. I I knew I had one too many. So, there we go. >> Sticky fingers. >> Okay. >> So, good. >> Right. And I have my Dartmouth green on today. And so, it was just all about celebrating the Dartmouth community today. And we're genuinely excited to be back together. And there's something even for us who really work 12 months, there's still something bittersweet about the end of summer vacation. But our faculty came back refreshed and they're happy. And I even received a few emails from staff saying how excited they were and how much they appreciated that
015we are starting the year with appreciation. Imagine that. And we're all learning to say thank you when somebody offers us appreciation in a really clear way. So something special. And today's convocation just really reminds us all of what what we do and why it's so important. Um, and with that, I just also like to now that uh our contracts are all settled and been ratified by the DEA and many other bargaining groups, but with the support of the school committee, uh, we just want to again um, share with folks how successful our contract negotiations were. Um, we were able to with the DEA, I think we settled with almost every bargaining unit by the end of the school year. There were a few, Mr. Kylie, I know you were working with after, but certainly by
016the first week in July. >> Um, so we're grateful to our union leadership who brought professionalism, expertise, genuine care. uh their commitment to finding solutions that work for everyone was what made this contract settlement possible and all who participated in the negotiation process whether your union represent representatives, district administrators, support staff. Um thank you for your patience because there was a lot of that that went on flexibility and mostly collaborative spirit. Um, these conversations, they're not always easy, but when they're conducted with mutual respect and collegiality, there's a way to find uh solutions and compromises that allow us all to move forward in a healthy way. Um, and most importantly, I also want to thank the school committee because uh you're behind the scenes, but your guidance and your support and your trust throughout the
017process was critical in allowing us to settle what we believe is a really fair commit um fair contract and your commitment to the fiscal stewardship that the community entrusts you with and recognizing the value of our employees was, I think, the the uh the most important part of settling our contract. I also want to thank the district office team because um they spent uh so much time not only behind the scenes but at the table and we really worked hard to be able to settle what we all believe is a fair contract for our educators. And as as I've said u many many times when we invest in people we invest in our students and that contract settlement I think represents the best of of both worlds. So with that um under teaching and learning
018the principal and Dartmouth leadership team retreat was held on July 29th 30th and 31st. I'm really proud of the work that we were able to accomplish during those three days. We are fortunate to have access to UMass Dartmouth who welcome us and allow us to use their space which as I said in the past I think is so important to remove us from our everyday work environment and to be somewhere different where we can just focus on on the work um of of really what is three days together where we're just completely focused on what we're doing in terms of professional learning and school support and student support for the year this year. Our leadership themes are focused on strategic leadership. We are working closely with Lynch leadership on instructional excellence and that's a throughine
019for us. That's work that we started year one um and then brought Lynch into year two and here we are in year three where there is I think a clear focus on excellent instruction and what the relation what that relationship is to instructional excellence. Um so and then an update on kindergarten enrollment. Um it continues to be updated. We do have a few uh folks that are still in the process of registration, but right now we have 205 students slated to be, are you ready for this? Slated to be our class of 2038. Class of 2038. They'll be starting school on Wednesday. Um but our total enrollment as of today is 3,335 which is up slightly um from last year. I think about maybe close to 20 students. Um but we're we're pleased to see
020that we have a few more students who are committed to coming to uh the Dartmouth public schools. Uh Jim is going to talk about some of the projects that have gone on over the summer and there have been quite a few. Folks have been very very busy uh getting the buildings ready to open school on Wednesday. >> Thank you, Dr. S. Magguire. Yeah, really just want to thank our custodial staff and our maintenance staff for all the work that they've done over the summer. Um we're finalizing the fire alarm project at Dlo and Potter. They're both operational um systems. uh some little finetuning that's still going on, but um lots of other smaller projects um at maintaining our buildings and trying to you know keep these facilities in in good shape for to welcome kids.
021Um, one thing I did want to mention is I'll bring forward to you at our next school committee meeting the um the capital improvement plan requests that would be up for consideration at the October town meeting. So, you've already voted a a a um capital plan for um for this cycle. So we initially had um received cons some consideration in June although um there wasn't a lot of funding there for those projects. So there are uh is an opportunity here for some additional uh funding um for projects. So I'll keep you posted on that. One thing that is high on the list um one of the items was the high school roof um was was in our capital plan. We had u a visit in August uh by the MSBA and we feel sort of
022encouraged by that. Um and we had a good discussion. Dr. S Magcguire and I had a good meeting and discussion with the town administration about possibly looking to add a article at town meeting to fund feasibility study costs. That would be in advance of when MSBA will the board will consider our application which would be on October 29th. Town meeting is October 21st so a little more than a week in advance of that. But it would be um certainly helpful to keep a project moving and potentially cut the timeline of when >> a a roof replacement could be accomplished if we do receive support um from the town at the October town meeting. So we're we're kind of in the midst of of that, but it it does seem like there's a willingness to support
023um support our request in that regard. So that's good news there. Um, we do in terms of the long range capital planning, we have I have a meeting tomorrow at town hall to discuss the specifics of the presentations that are going to be brought forward on September 9th and the 17th. September 9th is what they're calling like public service projects, but they've they've included Dartmouth Memorial Stadium as part of that um as part of that grouping. So, we want to make sure that we're whatever information we have is up to date and um you know going to be a part of that presentation. And then uh the on the 17th there would be school projects highlighted to include uh the roof here at the high school, a middle school replacement, Potter and Dlo replacement, and
024Quinn school replacement. So, all on that long-term list. Um so, we're in the process of that. U Mary Beckwith has volunteered. Thank thank you um to to assist with this and I'm going to fill her in tomorrow after after my meeting with town hall when we get an idea of what the format is and what level of detail they're you know looking to present. So >> terrific >> great is that are both those meetings going to be here at the high school Mr. Kylie? >> No. So the the 17th, which is going to be the one that focuses primarily on the schools, is going to be at the middle school auditorium at 6 p.m. And the other the September 9th one is going to be at the Council on Aging. >> Okay. >> At 6
025PM. >> Okay. >> I can share some more information with you about those, but just >> as I plug in get it. Okay. So, under HR, um pleased to share that staffing is nearly complete. We do have um some positions that still need to be filled. We have a special education teacher at Dartmouth High School. We have a library media specialist at Dartmouth High School and uh an ESP um LPN at Dartmouth High School. At the Kushman, we have uh an ESP and at the district level, we have a food service operations supervisor and a data systems technician. And so we're at six positions. We'd like to be at zero. But on the other hand, we also had 35 new hires, which since I've been here, that is the most um since for in my
026third year. And so of those 35, 21 are certified teachers. Um we've hired three new administrators, uh five ESPs, and then some um we have coaches. So uh variety of coaches, whether it's volleyball, cheer, uh a couple of uh monitors, uh director, a big one, a director of nutrition, and at uh Dartmouth High School, we've also hired a full-time security monitor. So, we're close, but we're still always looking for, as I've said, substitute teachers, and we always appreciate folks applying for the ESP positions because there tend to be openings over the course of the year. So, having folks in in the uh in the queue, I guess, um is is really helpful for us and and we use those folks or we're able to employ them as substitutes. So it gives us a chance to
027get to know people and gives pe folks a chance to get to know us. So under family and community engagement, even though it's, you know, the beginning of the year, there's been quite a bit quite a lot actually going on, especially at the elementary level where you have we've had new family tours going on at the DLO. Um this past Friday actually, we had uh popsicles with the principal, so that's fun. new and that's for new family tours at the Potter. There were new family tours this past Friday. Uh the high school this past Sunday opened up their school to freshmen and on Sunday and welcomed them to campus for a tour. And I think from what Mr. Shay told me that was really wellreceived and the kids really appreciated the opportunity to come and
028walk through the high school in a relaxed setting uh before they get here full-time and have to find their way around. Um but on actually today tonight um so it's a long day for us but our principles are in their schools and we have some playground meetups going on at the Quinn school. There's a playground meetup event for kindergarten, grades 1 and two, and then grades three, four, and five from 5, 5:30, and six o'clock. So, they stagger them so that they have a chance to interact with the families. Um, and then tonight, we also have a couple of open houses. The Kushman school has a prek open house as we speak and the DLO school will be having an open house at 6:00 or and then the Potter is at 5:30 and the Quinn
029is at 6:00. So you can see like folks are having a really busy day. uh starting off with convocation and at the elementary level ending with meetups and open houses. And so this is something that I think that folks are really committed to making sure that when the students enter school on Wednesday, they are ready to go. So, even though it's been a long day for us, it's a longer day for some of the people that are still out opening the doors to their schools for families and students. Under safe and supportive schools, I'll give you an update on the hall passes. The middle and high school are going to be implementing the electronic hall pass system. um we'll have them at some point come and talk to you about what that is all about.
030But what it does allow for is teachers and the admin are able to monitor students who are leaving the classroom for any reason, the time and where they're traveling to and from, which is really about giving us another uh opportunity to keep our students safe. So, it's all about safety. Uh but this is the first time again that we'll be implementing this, but we've heard from many schools across the state that are using the system and we've had really great feedback. As a matter of fact, our new associate principal was using it at the school that she came from and has had really uh positive reviews of what it allows you to kind of figure out in terms of when students are really on the move. Um, we're also excited to share that the Dartmouth
031police have assigned a new SRO at the elementary level. Um, I was able to meet him briefly today, Officer Ryan Reese. He'll be joining us. I guess there's still some safety training uh involved, but he's close to completion for all school resource officers. It's a pretty big deal for our officers and we're really excited and pleased to hear that there is that level of training so that when our officers are entering our schools, they have a good idea of how to best support uh students and staff in a school setting. But he's going to be stopping by at the elementary schools tomorrow to introduce himself. And I want to just thank I always want to thank the Dartmouth Police for continuing to support us uh for the safety needs of the district. And so that's
032it. That's all I have for you tonight. >> Terrific. That was a lot. >> Thank you. >> Um so um I will say that our retreat went well on the 18th. We were allowed to assess our practices and affirm what was good. um maybe work on some other things um and appreciate each other. Um sorry Chris, you were not able to be there. >> we appreciated you and your >> I appreciate all of you as well as everyone in this room. >> Um so in late July, I received a letter of interest from the superintendent requesting us to initiate or to initiate negotiations for her successor contract. Um I for one would be happy to move forward with that. Uh we have to give her a letter um saying that we too want to initiate
033uh contract negotiations and I do we have to vote on that >> or do we just agree that we all want >> Yeah, that's just enter. We just need >> we just agree on that. So um >> Madam Chair, we just need one of us. Kathleen's not here. Maybe we can nominate her to in all seriousness. That's what happens when you're not here. But seriously, we need one of us to sit down and negotiate and talk with the superintendent about her contract, what she's looking for, and then bring it back to us and such. >> Okay. In the past, has that been the chair or has it been I'm whomever? >> I was never here during any of that. >> Whomever. >> Yeah. You know, I mean, you with all due respect, you've >> I've
034done the initials. >> You've done the initials and that type of deal. So, >> but if you want, >> don't I don't necessarily need to do it. >> No, you're you're good. You're good at it. So, I'm I have no problem with that. >> Yeah. >> It's it's the committee's pleasure. >> I know. >> Um I will say I have no experience doing that. >> So, um >> I would be happy with a volunteer. I will be h I will be happy to volunteer. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Mr. All is going to certainly touch base. Dr. Sab, >> uh along that same line, uh we all received um documentation of the superintendent's um progress in her goals. And we do have to set a timeline for um we just >> filling out the
035forms and uh doing the work of >> putting it down on paper. Um and we need two people who are going to help consolidate all the information and I know that you and Kathleen did that last year. Um, >> yeah, I think I think Kathleen Well, why don't we wait till she gets back? >> We can we can wait. We We are not >> We're not at the No, no, because Correct me if I'm When did we do >> Has it been a year already and all? >> Well, we started the process a year ago and we were a little late completing the process. >> I know Murphy's law took hold. >> Yeah. But but we were doing this at this time last year. >> Okay. Um, so we can wait until Kathleen gets back
036>> and we can work at it >> and and if anybody wants to mull it over and say, "Oh, yes. I really want to do that." That's fine, too. You have a a month or two weeks to think about it. >> Yeah. >> Yes, Chris. >> Uh, with all due respect, I don't see why we couldn't at the very least set a timeline for completing the evaluation. >> Um, and then once Kathleen returns, Mrs. returns. >> We can um put together whoever is going to compile those results. >> That sounds >> How's that? >> That sounds good. Um >> yeah, I think that we ended up being late October or early November, but I think that we want to do it by midocctober at the latest. We've got we've got a meeting the 20 we've
037got a meeting the 27th of October according to my calendar. >> Yes, mine too. >> Okay. And then we've got November 17th. >> Yeah. I don't think we should go that late. >> I again I'm just >> um >> So do we want to be ready with >> Yeah. I mean we need it >> with the evaluation with the compiled evaluation >> for the 27th. for the 27th, which means really we have to get it to whoever the committee is by the 6th, I would say. >> You do you need more than two weeks? Do you need like a >> It depends, you know, on the you know, everybody's schedule type of deal, but you know, the week of the week of the 14th because the 13th is Columbus Day. So the week of you
038know the week of October 13th >> get the information to whoever's on the committee >> whoever's on the committee. >> Okay. >> For presentation for the final presentation to be done when >> the 27th >> all things being considered. >> So make sense. >> Yep. >> I think so. So final is the 27th and we the committee members will get our information to the subcommittee the week of the 14th. >> Is that good with Dr. Sea Maguire? >> Yep. That's great. Thank you. >> Okay. >> All right. Um thank you all. >> Um I've mentioned this before but now the deadline is upon us. um the mass and cast joint conference November 12th and 14th. Um really by the end of this week, we need to email Miss Gunner whether we're going, what days we're
039going, >> um whether we want lunch or whether we don't. >> Yes. >> Um and that's it by Friday. Yes. >> Did I send you an email, Kate? I don't remember if I Okay. >> Okay. I'll send it when I get home. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Okay. Thank you for the reminder. >> Um, also the invitation of the select board to join their meeting September 29th. We moved it because we wanted to do our retreat first. So, um, the question is um September 29th, who's available? Who's not available? 6:30 um to >> Yeah, I >> join the select board meeting. >> Yeah, I put it on I threw it on my calendar the other night. >> I'm available on the 29th. >> Time is that, John? >> 6 o'clock. >> Okay. >> Well, 6:30
040>> at 6:30 because they do executive first. >> Okay. >> They feeding us. >> I doubt it. >> Are they feeding us? >> I said I doubt it. >> Yeah, they used to. >> They used to. Not not not in my time. >> No, no, no. But they they used to >> I don't think that that happens anymore, just so you all know. >> I think that is >> long gone. >> And I'm just making sure that I have it on the 18th. >> Going to have to have a discussion with them. >> The 29th, sorry. >> 29th to 6:30. Correct. >> Got it. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Okay. >> Um, great. So, I also wanted to say that at the last meeting I mentioned that I was going to the first board and
041committee orientation meeting that they had at town hall um and it was Chris Vitali and Sarah Haskell Oruda who presented and it turns out it really was more for um appointed boards. Um but they have a handbook which I never knew and it's interesting and um even though it was for just appointed boards um they would be very happy if uh elected boards and committees would look at the handbook and see if we somewhat align in the areas. Um and I believe the handbook now can be found on the town website. If you can't find it there I can email you a copy. Um, in particular, they wanted us to make sure we were aligned in our codes of conduct, which I think we have a good policy for codes of conduct and also um,
042not having to do uh, with that meeting. But I thought it was helpful and I was glad that town hall was doing something like that. um because we're the at the beginning of the academic year, I feel that maybe we should also review our um public participation policy. Um and just make sure that we're up to date with that. as I mentioned some things at the beginning of the meeting and I just want to make sure that we're up to date with everything that um MSC has to say and >> um if we have feedback on either of those who do we give it to to you or to the town? >> Um I mean we we don't have to have the same policies of the town. Okay. Okay. >> Um but they, you know,
043they gave some thought to it just like we gave some thought. So it, you know, maybe they thought of something that we didn't think of. >> Yeah. >> Um >> but no, the town doesn't need feedback. It's just >> Okay. >> They wanted us to be aware of what their policy was. >> Okay. >> Um >> so I would say that anybody on the committee who has a thought could send it to the subcommittee and the subcommittee will decide and present. >> Okay. Um, and I think that's all I have. Anybody else? >> Yes, >> thank you. Few things here. Uh, yeah, just going back to Dr. Saba Maguire about the convocation this morning that and it was uh nice to hear the uh to two co-un president say thank you about the contracts being
044settled. That was, you know, that's the first time in a long time. So that was that was nice to uh to hear. Uh do we have an update? Are we going to have crossing guards at any of the schools this year? >> So we are employing a crossing guard at um Dartmouth Middle School for the corner of Hawthorne and Sloum similar to what we did last year but I don't believe the police department is you know revisiting filling the former crossing guard positions. All righty. Uh in your discussions last week with uh town town folk, uh any talks on budgets or anything of that nature come up? >> Well, I think one of the commitments that we heard from the town manager Cody Hadad and Gary Carrero is that they want to meet with us
045on a regular basis. And I think we were uh really heartened by that that we'll be meeting at least quarterly um to discuss the budget. So, and I my feeling and and Jim, you've been here much longer than me, but that they came to uh meet with us and I felt like it was very they have a very um collaborative attitude and want to work closely with us. Um, and I think just their commitment to supporting us on the roof project demonstrates that really clearly. >> I agree. I thought it was a very positive discussion and um, there was discussion regarding the operating budget and that that was positive too. Um you know obviously there's a lot of work that needs to be done on that budget and um there are some factors that you
046know complicate that budget a little bit but um but I they they do seem to um be interested in continuing supporting a resolution of our financial issues in terms of you know some of the problem solving that that took place um you know in the spring and uh continuing that. So that's good. >> Um I just and Jim if you want to talk more about this because you're a part of I don't think it's a board but a committee but one of the things that we did talk about with them which I thought was really important in having opportunity for dialogue is that you know we're reading about uh some of the new um 43B u developments and some of them are focused on families which is wonderful for the community. But what we talked
047about was that we really needed to be part of those conversations for planning purposes. Uh because as we open those kind of um uh places for folks to come and live with their families, it's important that the schools are aware so that we can be planning for um you know how many teachers we need, how many classrooms do we need, how many students are going to be joining the Dartmouth schools. So Mr. that Kylie was invited to be part of and if you could just explain. >> Yeah. So, we'll we'll have um an opportunity to offer input to um the zoning board process and comment on potential projects. Um you know, obviously we've we've spent a little bit of time here over the last few years sort of um adjusting our staffing to decreased enrollment.
048Um but right now there's a 288 unit um housing development fully permitted um on Route 6 and that could come into play. I mean at at any time once they get you know their act together and actually construct it 280 units, multi-bedroom units I would assume would produce a fair number of students. So, um, you know, we've sort of adjusted our staffing accordingly to to the enrollment decline, but we could be asked pretty quickly to go back in the other direction. So, you know, our hope is it was encouraging that, you know, we're going to be um, you know, involved at least uh, in instead of reading it in Dartmouth week, um, we'll we'll, you know, at least know it's coming. Not that not that that's going to make it easy to any easier to
049plan for, but at least we'll know uh that what the process is and what's on the horizon. And there are several other um significant uh developments that are in somewhere in that planning process right now. So, >> okay. Thank you. And the last thing I have uh madam chair is uh I know we have the the teachers coming the new teacher new staff members >> at our next meeting next meeting >> next meeting type of deal. I'm just wondering >> we did it a couple of years ago a few years ago and it was very well received. >> Uh if we had like our maintenance and custodian staff in to to thank them you know for the work they did this summer with the heat and everything else. you know, bring Peter Chase in from
050DCTV because they did a lot of work with the auditorium and the sound system at the football stadium and such. So, just bring, you know, bring them all in just to be here and, you know, a little a little thank you for them. >> A little appreciation. >> Little appreciation, >> you know, that type of deal. So >> yeah, >> I mean it was a little bit of a warm summer and you know >> I can almost imagine what what they went through. >> Yeah. >> So >> nice. Yeah, that would be wonderful. >> So are you thinking for the next meeting or the one after that? >> The one because we've got all the new we've got all the new faculty. >> Okay. >> Next our next and we do have a good number
051of new faculty. >> Yeah. And so, you know, just just bring them in, you know, was it the 22nd, I guess, is the that meeting. >> Great. Thank you for that idea. >> Yeah. No, just >> Yeah, that was nice. >> Perfect. Okay, that's all I have. >> Anybody else? >> No. >> All right. Um, our next meeting of the school committee is scheduled for Monday, September 8th, at six. Do we switch to six? >> Six. Here in the Dartmouth School Media or Library Media Center. Um, is there a roll call? >> N. Madam Chair, are we doing a reception beforehand like we've done in years past? >> We are. So that would be at 5:30. >> Like 5:30. 30. >> Okay. I just want to I was just wondering >> I'm sorry. Yes. I
052hadn't >> meeting will be at 6:00 and we'll be in five. >> We will do a reception. >> Okay. Do I need a roll call if we're not going into >> Nope. Nope. >> We're just Okay. >> Chair make a motion we adjourn. >> Second. >> Um motion by Mr. New, second by Mr. Oliver. >> Um all in favor? I I >> Any opposed? >> It's unanimous. Thank you all. >> Told you. >> Thank you. Thank you. [Music]