District Committee Meeting (08/26/2025)

001test Okay. Welcome back everybody. I'd like to get started with a pledge of allegiance and then stay standing for a moment of silence, please. [Music] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> As far as the motion uh the uh moment of silence, I'd just like to let everybody know it's was a sad day today at Greater Lawrence Tech when the teachers came back. One of our teachers, Chris Mey, 15-year teacher, uh wasn't among the uh audience. He passed away right after Reggie golf outing for local 1707. >> 15 years service special ed um history department. We have uh two others, two other retirees. Uh Mr. Steve Lroy, he was a culinary

002arts teacher and he ended up our vocational director. He had 28 years service. He's passed away. And one other that uh is near and dear to everybody's heart here, uh Mr. Ernie Cavalry. He was here from 1980 to 2009. Um he started off as a math teacher and he was the AD, the athletic director at the end of his career. He's also the husband of our Marilyn Fitzgerald. So if you can keep those in your prayers and thoughts, I would appreciate it. >> Thank you, Cheryl. Can we do the roll call, please? >> Miss Ferris, >> here. >> Miss Distler, >> present. >> Mr. Jones, >> here. >> Mr. Mahia, >> present. >> Mr. Mercedes >> present. >> Mr. Tabox >> here. >> Mr. Hayden >> here. >> Uh, can I get a motion to

003approve the minutes of June 17th and 26th, 2025? >> So move. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> All those opposed. Finance report. There is a handout. Mr. Dphano. >> Good evening. Uh cash balance report as of June 30th, 2025. Um uh the account balance at the end of May was 3,53469188. We had deposits uh for the month a little over $4 million. is we had to transfer in 5.5 million from the MMD T account to cover um multiple payrolls and this is where the SEMA uh the teacher summer pay is um and then the warrant amounts that you see listed um that leaves us with the GL balance on June 30th of 2,381 the bank balance was a little bit higher of 6,91077021 in our MMDT account. Um the year u the balance

004was 8 million769791. We had year-to- date interest of 34757732. We transferred out the 5.5 million back to operations which is the net of the million and the 6.5. Uh and the interest for the month was uh 27,915 leaving us with the GL ending balance and MMDT of 3,297623 and a total operating cash balance uh for the month uh and the fiscal year end of 5,679 22520. All set. Can I get a motion on Mr. Dphano's cash balance report, please? >> I'll make a motion to accept. >> Second. >> Discussion. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Thank you. Consolidated cash is a report that was passed out. Uh revolving fund is the report in your packet. Any questions on the revolving fund? Budget report is in the packet. Any questions on the

005budget report? Miss Martell is going to speak on the budget transfers and we'll have a vote on that. >> So, we just have one budget transfer which was done. We made a change in the budget to move our um software budget to the director of teaching and learning's budget. Um but we just moved 100,000 back to it so that they would have a budget there as well. >> Can you speak louder please? >> Yep. So, it was just one budget transfer of $100,000. Um, this year we made a change and we moved that budget to the director of teaching and learning. Um, but we moved the full budget. So, this transfer is just to put $100,000 back to the IT budget. >> Can I get a motion on uh approving uh Miss Martell's budget transfers?

006Would [Applause] it matter to ask why it was transferred in the first place? >> Yep. So, we that that budget line item is for um like software subscriptions and those are flowing through the director of teaching and learning now, but also in that budget are schoolwide subscriptions. So, we had to move a portion of it back to it. This is yours. >> Okay. >> Can we get a motion on it now? >> Um, quick question. So, so $100,000 was transferred for subscriptions. Is that what I'm understanding? Like schoolwide or just for the IT department? So, it's just for it like um it would be schoolwide, but it would be like administrative, not teaching and learning. They were in the same budget before, but we're we're splitting those budgets out. >> Okay. Right. Thank you. >>

007Yep. >> Now, can we get a motion? >> Motion to accept. >> We get a second. >> Second. Now we can discuss it. Any discussions? >> I was meant to say that is reverse. >> I didn't realize it is not >> far be it for me to start Mrs. Ferris. >> All right. Can we vote on it please? Um because there was controversy. Can we call a vote please just because >> Mr. Media? Yes, >> Mr. Mercedes. >> Yes, >> Mr. Tom. >> Yes, >> Miss Ferris. >> Yes, >> Miss Dler. >> Yes, >> Mr. Jones. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, financial statements and audit report is a handout. Um, donations. I don't see any donations. >> Articles. Uh, Mr. Lavoy, would you like to speak on the articles? The 1 I have a

008quick question about the audit. So, is this audit for 2024 2023? >> The 2023 will be discussed uh >> the last meeting >> from Miss Martell and >> Oh, okay. >> A bit more into the year. >> Okay. >> But it is from the 2023. Am I right? >> Okay, that's Thank you. >> Uh Mr. Lavoy, did you want to announce the $1 million? Uh >> Sure. So um we received uh 1 uh just over 1.3 million uh for our career and tech initiative around 10 grant jobs. So services is our workforce development program where we've uh been awarded this to continue our work offering uh workforce development programs. um uh round 10, I believe we will have about 12 different programs um that we will be um putting out for our adults to uh

009seek training for diff all of our different careers here at JLTS. anything from um IT to uh some of the construction trades, the um automotive trade uh and uh and uh advanced manufacturing. So this will uh allow us to um help our uh unemployed or undermployed citizens to get retrained for better paying jobs. for the most part uh we typically have about 15 to 20 uh members or students in each of these programs when we offer them and uh at the end of it I would say about 70% of them uh are placed on a in a job uh both through us and um Massire we work together as a team to find employment for the students who take this they also work with us to get students to sign up for this program through

010the mass hire system as Oh, >> you want to touch base on the Healey Disco administration? >> Uh the Healey expanded curtain. >> Next article. >> Oh, so the uh Healey Discoal administration uh so Governor uh Healey put out a a press release regarding the expansion of uh vocational programs across the Commonwealth. So there is I believe 16 or 18 new programs uh across 16 vocational school us being one of them which was the aviation. Uh I received a call from the governor's office to uh if we if I would uh offer a uh remarks that she could use in her uh press release. So, if you read it, you'll see they um outlined JLTS and my remarks in her uh when she did her press release. I think you they should have a copy.

011You have a copy in your packet. >> Thank you. >> There's also an article in there on the uh 20th annual uh taste of McDth. Mr. Jones, would you like to >> talk about that? the taste of muan. >> Um yeah, actually I was surprised to see it in the book, but I was really pleased. Um it highlights most of what was in muan life in the alling uh the valley, not the valley, yeah, the valley patriot had some in life and eagle tribune. Um it was a very successful event for our group and uh GLTS has had somebody there 19 out of the 20 years uh representing the school and helping us with the event. So, it it worked out really well for as usual. Everybody had a great night. >> Good. >> Thank

012you. >> I'd like to call everybody's attention to Desessie sent us a congratulations letter on our chapter 74 aviation maintenance and technical program. Um, nice letter. Mr. Lavoya, anything you want to say on that? Um as a result of this letter um it uh allows us to start our first aviation uh freshman class program. So in September we'll be uh introducing um stu uh freshman students into the program. Um and then the end of sometime in March uh students will have the opportunity selected as their full-time career after the exploratory program is completed. So every student um will have some time in that program anywhere from a day to a week depending on where their interest lies. >> Thank you. >> Yes, please. >> Okay. Will this program only um encompass the freshman? It will

013not um for the first year it'll just be the freshman. >> All right. >> What's that? >> Yeah. I'm not happy about that, but I guess that's how it has to be. No, that's how it has to be, I guess. >> Okay. Can we move on? Anybody else here? uh what is the rationale for that for the students? So it's only available to freshman students going through exploratory. >> So we start all our when we have a new a chapter 70 program we always start with just nth grade exploratory students. We don't start with sophomores and then we work up from there. Um that's traditionally how we do it because typically a freshman has to have the opportunity to explore that program and also they spend three months of the year getting ready uh through

014safety and other introduction to the program before they then are prepared and ready to start the 10th grade curriculum. Um, >> so at some point we would talk about expanding the program for the other grades or would it all >> So well next year then we'll have 10th graders a year after 11th and then the year after that 12th graders. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> And and that's just typically how >> how to have >> like for example if this year goes successful for freshman we open it up to all four grades or >> no just 10th grade next year 11th the year after and 12th the year after that. That's uh the way the curriculum works and that's the way we're approved from the department of ed to start a >> Okay. >> Uh

015a ninth grade exploratory program. >> All right. Thank you. >> Now, did did you say earlier at some other meeting that you were going to offer something during the summer to students? >> Yeah. Our other uh shops and the space wasn't uh we did not have the aquy permit. We were hoping to hopefully to run a program in the summer, some kind of exploratory program, but we did not have a we didn't get the approval from the department of ed uh I believe until sometime in uh July and uh the space uh was not approved by the town. We hadn't gotten our occupancy permit in order to utilize it for instruction. Um so we weren't able to run a program over the summer in the space. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's just I I I understand

016how it works and it'll take four years to get four grades go through, but it seems like a disappointment to the the sophomores at least knowing that this was a program that was kind of imminent. >> Yeah. I don't I don't think we made any commitments to the sophomores last year's freshman that that it would be open for 10th graders this year. As far as I'm aware of, I don't think we made any commitments or suggested that they would have that opportunity at this point. Anything further? Make sure the mic. All right. Public participation. I believe we have one gentleman and uh it gives me great pleasure to introduce him. I think everybody knows him. Um but Mr. Martinez has been a teacher here. He was a class of 1984. We have gotten 39 years

017of service as a teacher, as a disciplinarian. >> Yeah. >> As a coach. And welcome back, Mr. Martinez. >> Uh thank That's just my personal opinion. >> I have a copy of the email I have sent. >> Can I Can I read this while you're passing those out? >> Oh, okay. >> You have a time limit of 3 minutes, Mr. Martinez. >> My best not to take more than three. >> Public speakers uh to limit their comments to the issues, not the individuals. >> Board members are disallowed to ask or answer questions. Um, all speakers must voice their concerns. >> Thank you. >> With respect to the chair, >> Mr. Martinez, this is the same as the letter that you sent us. Am I correct? >> Yes, it is. >> Thank you. >> Um, a

018little bit about myself other than >> Sorry. Uh, no, no, no, that's fine. Um, class of 84, um, three sport athlete. Um, and lastly, I was blessed and honored to be inducted into the Greater Lawrence uh, athletic hall of fame. So, I guess I I was a a pretty good athlete uh, during my my time here. Um, I got a text message uh uh you know sometime in June uh telling me that coach had passed. Um it took me a little while just sitting there just internalizing it because I know what coach meant to me and I know what coach meant to a lot of other students uh that were here at the school. But I think the part that really got me was the fact that he was not going to have uh a

019goodbye uh a service. Um, and I think that that really bothered me uh to the point that I I I did what I typically don't do and that is I reached out to a GLTS uh Facebook group uh and I posted on there a picture of his car which I was privileged enough to have worked on and I was hoping that you know when the time came that that was going to be my car. But uh we put a 454 or a 502 and we did all of these things to this car. Put a couple of pictures of his car and I let um the other members of the GLTS family know that he had passed and the response was almost immediate. Um, and some of the statements and comments were the ones that I

020used in the email uh that that that I sent you um about jumping and so on and so forth. Um, which again just solidified to me what coach really meant uh to a lot of those students that walked in this door. Which led me to the realization that there was no one in this building from a freshman to senior whether you had coach or you didn't that didn't know who he was. That is one heck of an achievement. Most of us teachers make our way through and you the only students that know you are the ones that you have in your class. Everybody knew Coach Yansy and you know you could find them one or two places. You find them in the weight room or you find them in the basketball court. Um but I

021still just was feeling very uneasy about just letting it go. And I have daily meetings at 2 o'clock in the morning. That's that's one of my routines. Every morning at 2 in the morning I have meetings. And in one of my meetings, they said, "Well, if you don't want to let it go, here's what I suggest you do." And the suggestion was to uh write Mr. Lavoy and write the school committee and ask the school committee if they would be gracious enough to dedicate one of coach's other favorite places, right, Mr. Tavox? The wait room in his honor. And that is how the idea came about. And here I am asking uh Mr. Lavoy and the school committee if you will be so gracious as to uh help keep the legacy of coach Yansy alive

022and what he meant to this institution by allowing the dedication of the weight room um in his honor. And that's that's why what I'm here for to ask if you uh at least consider uh and that's that's my three minutes I think. And thank you >> Mr. Martinez. Welcome home. It's always a pleasure to see you. >> Thank you. >> Reports of the superintendent. the update on the building projects, Mr. Lavoy. >> So, you should have uh a list in your packet of all the building projects. So, the work that was for the most part, most of what was done this summer throughout the school lovely go through them or >> ask questions. Sure, >> Mrs. Fris. >> Okay. And as I went through these and in addition to your correspondence a couple weeks ago,

023I the one glaring omission from all of this was the cafeteria. When I got on this board a year ago, I was told about this cafeteria, new cafeteria that was going to absorb the extra students in this building and it was going to open in November or October actually. Then it was November. Then it was January and the can got kicked down the road to the end of the year. Then I never heard anything more about it. But in the meantime, I did hear about major dollars being spent on various issues arising from the construction or the renovation of that area in addition to the appliances and anything else that needed to be put in there. So I was really looking forward to seeing this space develop. And I see that it was omitted in

024the correspondence from you a couple weeks ago and now it's omitted in here I believe. So I don't know if that's like a you know an oversight which I don't believe. Um but I know that this board took votes on the construction or renovation of that area. the preparation of that area to it's designated final resting place as a cafeteria and it is not that is what I understand and I had to learn that from other people and not from the superintendent director. >> So let me explain. Well, I I will let you explain, but I really am not happy about that knowing that the board took these votes, spent the time, watched the can get kicked down the road for an entire year, and now you just arbitrarily, which okay, that's your prerogative, but

025then why do you need a board? Okay, >> so the cafeteria is eventually going to happen. We put it on hold this year for several reasons. Number one, well, first of all, the fir all of last year, uh, we had difficulties with, uh, the town, with the engineers, and with the architects getting, uh, the approval for the shorelines and the underground work that had to be uh, that had to be done. uh and that held up the project uh until we got into the school year, which we weren't going to uh work through the school year uh on that project because we couldn't open up the streets at that time and block the roads. Uh and then in the meantime, um it became apparent when I was meeting with the director of facilities in the

026spring that he felt that he couldn't put the manpower in there to complete it this summer given that we needed to uh other projects that were a priority because of the increase of students. We needed seven more classrooms. Uh we so we met with the uh uh cafet with all the I met with all the administrators uh with the safe office with uh the director of uh the uh counterary of the uh cafeteria uh program and all felt as though they would uh prefer to wait uh a year again uh because they wanted they felt as though they could uh do some renovation in the existing space that would allow an extra 100 students to be in there comfortably and safe. As we continue to expand and grow, we will absolutely need to utilize the

027project that we started. Uh nothing is wasted in the sense that many of the uh the equipment itself will still be used. There's not many pieces still left because we gave the uh cafeteria department um what did we give them? Many of the new pieces, new dishwasher, steamer, hook rack, new grill. Some of the items that we had purchased for that project, we ended up uh giving it to the cafeteria, the existing cafeteria kitchen because they were either obsolete or uh needed to be to be replaced, modernized. So, we used that equipment for that. Then we also uh provided three pieces of equipment to the culinary arts department um for uh or five pieces of equipment went to the culinary arts uh department uh including a walk-in refrigerator and freezer that needs uh one that

028still needs to be installed that was going to be utilized down there. So that's um uh not being wasted. Then the other thing is the only major um work that we did in terms of uh infrastructure was we pulled new power lines into that space which was a big project but was also necessary in order to uh power up the barn that we did outside of that. So um it was uh completing something that was ne necessary for both projects. So both projects uh this particular project um the cafeteria um was a u a commitment from uh and a a recommendation from uh many people within the school that wanted me to hold up on the project including the director of facilities uh and that's why we didn't complete the project this year. the building

029that particular space will still at some point become a second cafeteria um when uh we have the time and the personnel in the summer. That project was being done by our own personnel, both our electricians, our plumbers, our carpentry teachers, all that was being done by our own staff to keep the cost down. And uh when they're um when we have another uh summer, possibly next summer, depending on uh some of the votes we have tonight with uh some of the growth that we're looking to do, that's that space will eventually still be uh utilized for a cafeteria. So, nothing has changed with regards to utilizing that space for cafeteria. It'll still be utilized as a cafeteria. It's just that it was put on hold for this year um at the beginning of the of

030the summer at the end of the spring in lie of uh other projects that were felt to be more critical this summer and getting those projects done. Please. >> I mean, with all due respect, I don't I don't want to belabor this because it's done and over with, but I want I want people to know that this is a pretty disingenuous decision on your part. If you had informed us that this was not going to happen for various reasons. You've come to this board several times. I did not compile. I started compiling all the minutes that we talked about this cafeteria and many of the issues that you just stated again. Now, I mean, you've already stated those issues. You've restated them now, a year later. I mean, and now we we're stuck with and

031I I guess we're not stuck with her, but yes, I think that money was misspent. All these new appliances are now replacing pl uh appliances in this area and up in the cafeteria that haven't met their end of life. >> You That's not true. That's not true. First of all, that's not true. They did. They were We did not replace equipment that didn't need to be replaced. So, you're saying we did. We did not do that. Well, you know, I I guess we can argue all that and I can bring the direct facility in to verify that. >> Please. >> I don't know that. And I'm taking your word, but when I take your word, I feel as though it's not the entire story. >> Well, I can bring the facility director. I can bring

032in the director of of the cafeterian and they'll tell you the same thing. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been authorized to use that equipment. Um, so here's the thing. I could have and I was and I had several conversations with the director of facilities and other people in the school. I could have put that uh they I could have still done that cafeteria. Wouldn't have been done the other day, but I could continue to do that and get that done. But I thought it was not the right thing to do given the other issues that needed to be taken care of and given the fact that they felt like we could go enough long enough until we expanded further without doing it even though I don't totally agree with that. I don't totally agree with it.

033But there were seven to eight other people who felt like that was the right decision. So at the last beginning of the summer, I made the final decision and said fine, we'll hold up on the project. I could have done the project anyways, but I thought that would have been irresponsible to to do that at this time when there are more uh important priorities at the time. That's part of the decision that I made which I still think was the right decision given the uh information and the knowledge that I had at that time. The committee um the equipment is not wasted. The equipment that went to the um cafeteria is the same funds that we used to initially buy it, which we would have had to buy anyways. The other equipment that went to

034the culinary department should really those funds could go could be reallocated back to the cafeteria funds if so uh if that's which I believe may be the right thing to do at this point. So that uh because the caf the uh culinary program absolutely absolutely needed that equipment as well. So none of the equipment was uh utilized unnecessarily uh and it's not wasted and doing the project holding up the project was uh um until until today when we met again which we didn't meet during the summer um I'm filling you in letting you know that um that we decided not to move forward on the project. >> Okay. And that was in collaboration with you said seven or eight people. What about the seven people here that were all on board based on the increased

035population in the school that required a second cafeteria? I I I'm not understanding how you could ignore the seven people that voted for for things necessary to to prepare that cafeteria and went with the seven people that somehow told you that we didn't need it when you have 2,000 kids in the school. Well, um the um decision was made based on people who are working in the cafeteria and who felt if we renovated the existing cafeteria and added new space and new seat we seats which is what we did. We now can take in uh 150 more students based on the changes we made to the cafeteria. So that was part of the decision why that was made and um in lie of uh doing something that we felt was not necessary at this time.

036Um so >> and the in the uh in the at the time uh it was a decision that uh we believe was the right decision. >> Okay. I'm not going to belabor it any further. I I've said what I've said. I don't I'm I'm I'm sorry, but I I'm not in in agreement with it. Um, and remember, I mean, it wasn't too long ago that I was up in that cafeteria with 1,600 kids, and that was a stretch. So, um, so I I I'm very well aware of the capacity of that that cafeteria given the movement, given given everything, the space is just not there. and to have an an additional space uh for lunches was a great idea and it was necessary and and now it's not. So, I'm I'm all set. Thank you.

037>> Any other questions on the uh any other questions on the updated project list? >> Mr. Boy, can I call your attention item number 13, automation project? Can you tell us what that is? >> Uh, I have a quick question before he gets to that. >> I'm sorry. >> No, it's okay. The um process with the MSBA for the roof project. Is that still something that's continuing? >> That that was rejected by MSPC uh MSBA. >> When did they reject it? >> They rejected it um >> age 25 years. uh because of uh it we're two two years short of uh meeting the standard. So they told us to put it back in in two years. >> Okay. >> Uh to put the project back on on the uh letter of interest. Put re redo

038the letter of interest in two years. >> So So when was it denied for this project? >> What was the what >> when when was it denied? >> It was denied >> if you know. >> Uh in June sometime in June. Okay, thank you. >> Anything else? Automation. So the automation project, the automation project is all of our HVAC systems are u managed from an automation uh software and that automation system needed to be upgraded. And so that was done over the summer so that uh the director of facilities can operate uh the entire building uh from a computer all the heat and air conditioning systems uh both from in the building and from his home as well as the backup person who backs him up as well who is trained and knows how to

039utilize that system as well. So that's what the automation system is. >> Thank you. um admissions report. Superintendent, you handle that or is so well you have a report on uh on the admissions up to this point this school year. Um I think right now we are at 497 >> for freshman. >> For what? >> 99. >> 499. So we have we can take one more student in. We said we're going to take 500 students and we have approximately 600 students on the wait list still at this time. But you see on the report uh how many students are coming from each of the schools and each of the towns uh from the district Any questions for the superintendent on the admissions? >> Vice Chair. >> Uh my question is related to the the change

040of the admission system from the board of education. Does that take effect this school year or the next school year? >> Yeah. >> If if if it continues. I know there's there's movement around again, you know, stopping it, but >> yeah, so the new lottery system takes effect this upcoming admission session. Uh we haven't we've gotten some uh communication from the department of ed, but there's I think a webinar coming up uh either next week or very soon outlining the specifics of how we have to uh implement it. So that would mean we as a committee need to update the admissions policy, but we haven't gotten guidance from >> Oh, the Department of Ed um yeah will give us outlines and what that should look like and they haven't given us that yet. So once

041we receive that uh information, I'll bring it to the committee. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any further questions, >> Mr. Jones? >> Yeah. Uh the the schools that I don't recognize that are those the ones that are uh uh out of district school of choice is that school of choice that they went somewhere else for grammar school and now they're allowed to come back because I noticed they all have MD and Lawrence addresses but then it's all schools from all over the place. Is that how they >> are you looking at the freshman report? Um yes, the freshman report the back the back sheet. >> Yep. So um some of those schools Yeah. So there's um a collaborative some some of them are private. You have homeschool. Um some are out of district, but in

042some situations you might have like a student who has a parent who lives in like say Habil, another parent who lives in district. Um you might have student who are homeless, students who have moved. So there are a variety of different circumstances. But um before we accept anybody, we make sure that they meet the residency requirements before we enroll them. >> Okay. >> Yeah. But they may have gone to a high school, I mean a middle school outside of the district, but now live in the district. >> Yep. >> And that's why you're seeing these different high school uh different school systems districts. >> Okay. But they just had the different title like >> out of Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> Any further questions? Mr. Superintendent, you're going to tell us about two new programs,

043animal science and criminal justice. So, uh we're looking for approval to uh seek um a two new programs. the uh veterinarian science program which we've spoken about last year on several occasions uh which we are looking to start the uh approval process uh the beginning of September to start that particular program uh which will which we are working on if the committee uh moves forward on approving uh going forward with this particular program uh we are ready to to uh apply for a $5 million grant which would pay for uh a facility and equipment to start this program. Uh we feel confident about this particular program. The money for this uh for this grant, which is the skills capital grant that state puts out on occasion, uh is part of the bill that uh Representative

044Moran put out for $100 million to expand uh programs in vocational schools, both in adding small additions or renovating the inside of a school to add a programs here. Uh and so that's the funds that are going to become that are be that are now available to uh uh seek uh and so we would be looking to obtain a $5 million grant to uh seek that particular program if the committee uh that particular program and the other one is criminal justice public safety which is another program that is um we believe there's a high uh lots of opportunity job opportunities uh in the area in the Marramac Valley for a strong job uh placement opportunities in this particular career as well and uh we would put in a proposal to depart department of ed to

045uh allow us to pursue this. So the first thing we have to do is put in a letter requesting uh us to pursue this their approval and they determine whether the job market's uh suitable for starting those programs. uh and if they are then they'll uh allow us to start the process. If they're not they'll send a letter saying they don't feel so the job market uh is suitable to uh uh pursue uh uh the program. So um >> second one criminal justice. >> The second one is a criminal justice program which is uh part of the career cluster in legal and protective services. Um so that's another program. So we're looking uh to approve both moving forward with both those programs. Then I do have a proposal if the committee is in favor of

046moving forward those programs. Um we have been as as I've uh spoken to you last year working with MSPCA to put a to try to put a partnership in with them in running the program and providing services uh and programming at their site which would require uh some funding that uh would be would would be part of the 5 million. we would include in the five million proposal uh that we sent into the department of edge uh which is due uh I believe the third week of September uh into the department of education. So I would first need a vote to pursue those programs. >> Well, not looking for a vote tonight. You're going to more integration. >> I need a vote tonight. But I've spoken to you several times last year about the veterinarian

047program and >> okay there'll be two separate votes. One for criminal justice and one for veterinarian science. Both programs we believe has a strong job market. Would allow us what what this will allow us to do is increase our student population by over the four years approximately 200 students get us somewhere around 2100 students in the school. uh also offers more opportunities for students to come to GLTS. It also offers uh us to train students for uh uh industry people and uh market marketing uh members out in the community looking for uh students with these skills. Uh so it helps our community, helps our students and uh helps the uh ability to reduce our weight list and offer more students in our community the opportunity to come to the greater Lawrence Tech. Uh the funding,

048the $5 million would go into the expansion of space uh particularly for the program and some classroom space within the within the school as well. Um, so that's one of uh two um areas that we're we're looking to move forward on. >> All right. Can I get a motion on the animal science? >> Can I >> Let's get a motion and then we'll go into discussion. >> May I >> please go ahead. I need to remind you to the chair >> that if the item needs to be approval, it needs to say that it's looking for approval and this doesn't say that. So I want to remind you that. Okay. >> It was information. >> Anybody else have you want to say? Did you have something to say? >> I I thought I told you

049shut your Sorry. take a motion to get it to the motion and that's >> going to take a motion if you want to take a motion. If you want to give a motion if there's no motion we'll wait for more information from the superintendent. I'm going to do these separately though. I'm going to do the animal science and other criminal justice. Do we have a motion on the uh animal science to go forward on this at this time? So the uh ration the reason we need a vote is because I need a vote in order to put in for the grant and the and we don't have a lot of time to to write that grant. We've already started preparing to write that grant is an enormous amount of work uh to do that. You

050know it's not just a simple grant. There's all kinds of partnerships we have to include in it. there's uh research that we have to do around the job market and and uh outline uh this the uh the job strength and what and some of the corporations and companies that would be hiring our students. So there's a lot to putting this grant together. um typically uh so they'd be Susan Amano uh would be leading that along with our director of CTE and our coordinator of CTE and myself that would be working and uh the assistant superintendent who'd be working towards putting that grant together. But um if I don't have the approval then uh we would lose the opportunity to put in for this grant. >> Mrs. Ferris, I'm sorry. >> I'm going to put in

051the motion because I think we're discussing too much. So I'm just going to put the motion so that we could discuss. So a motion to approve only the animal science. >> Thank you. Yeah. Do I have a second? >> So we are voting separately. Correct. Okay. >> Yes. Second. >> Okay. discussion. >> Discussion, please. >> Um, Brad, you first, please. >> Okay. So, I can ask questions. It You want to build a building? Purchase land and build a building. >> So, we're not looking to purchase land. I do have a vote to possibly lease land uh and put a building on that lease land with the uh MSPCA that would be funded by this grant if we can get an a negotiated agreement with them that protects our interests and our investment uh and the

052partnership seems strong. If we don't feel if the negotiation and the agreement isn't uh suitable to us and it will come to the school committee for a vote before we uh sign into any agreement and if it's not suitable then we would be looking to put the building on site. we would prefer to do it out there because there the opportunity to access the animals and to work handinhand with uh the uh staff at MSPA would make the program much stronger uh for uh for us and I feel that the students would have better opportunities to succeed upon graduation entering that uh career area. So that's really, you know, the real intent is to uh have a program that would be one of one of its only kind in the com. There are other veterinarian

053programs, but none that are connected in that way out on site of a MSBA uh uh site. >> Okay. So we work out a lease because it's probably leased property that we could put our building on there. Leased land. We would be leasing the land, not purchasing. >> Yeah. 99 year lease or whatever you want to call it, >> right? >> Um it would be convenient, you know, having the building right there. >> Um >> it's about a 10-minute ride from from here to get to MSPCA, which is right off of 213 there. >> Pass it all the time. I know where it is. >> All right. Thank you, >> Mrs. Phillips. I I I believe look I I I see value in this program. I just don't know why we are continuing to expand

054here when it's I think we're at our limit. I I I truly it's not about being creative anymore. It's being safe. You you have too many programs, too many kids in this in this complex. And I mean, oh well, we made room for 50 more. We made room for 100 more. That's bizarre to me. That's a safety issue now. You're you're you're bulging out at the seams. and and all these programs. While I honestly I do see value in this, I'm not so sure about the criminal justice one, but I see value in this and I I can see a partnership there. I can see the building being made by our students on a lease. I can see it all. Great. But I just feel as though we're going like this, like an amoeba, just

055like moving out and and the nucleus of the school is not getting tended to. I I just feel as though, you know, look where's the academics coming in. It's almost like we're here, there, everywhere. And and we haven't right under our noses. These are the four years that these kids learned foundations in academics. And I'm not seeing that. I don't think it's it's strong enough. I just wish that we would tend more on that instead of cuz I I I think this is going to cause problems. It's it's it's unsafe. >> So the um the structure that would be built would not be part of the existing building. It would either be out there or uh a individual building on our site. So the students wouldn't be in the building where we would have an

056increase would be some students increase in uh academic programming. We'd have to do some increasing in that. So just to give you an example, we had to increase some of our academic programs. I think we had to add I don't even think we added any new maybe one academic teacher this year. Uh I'm trying to remember. Um, and but we had to add some new spaces cuz we had reading teachers and other new teachers. Uh, so we moved the IT department from the main hallway downstairs where the original space was going to be for the IT department. I mean for the uh aviation program, freshman aviation program. So we built the new building that's attached this building. We moved the aviation freshman program in our new building which left that space open. So we moved

057the IT department down there who occupied four spaces up here off the main hallway. So we were able to put in actually one two three four. We actually put in five new classrooms right up here without expanding the building but just making one move. we've and they're large classrooms besides their they're they can hold up to 30 students in those classrooms. All but one of them can't. So, uh in terms of the space for teaching academic subjects, the spaces we just added are better than a lot of the spaces that we've had over the years. Those four spaces that I that we added this summer are better than a lot of the other classroom spaces. Larger and better than some of those spaces already. So, we were able to add that what we needed. Over

058the years, we've added classrooms in different places and um and upgraded in in a way that uh has been safe and uh in a way that allowed us to expand and take in more students without causing a uh an issue in terms of safety with students. and and and it so we're looking at another this is just one of two things that I'm going to talk to you about tonight. The other the other one is the the elks issue that we've been trying to purchase for the last three four years now uh which is uh we have had no success. So we're looking at a a um how to to uh address that problem we have. So as a >> does this concern the animal science? No, but it's it's it's before we jump in.

059>> Well, I'm trying to address the classroom situation. So, the other situation I'm going to present to you is about the medical programs and what we need to do to expand those medical programs, which at the same time we will expand classroom space. So, that's all. >> John, I I I think this school is exceptional just the way it is. I really truly believe you need to concentrate on what we have here and fill in the gaps that have been created by this growth. Otherwise, you're sending out a pro a product that I mean is not necessarily the strongest product. We're just sending out kids. Yeah. Yeah. 2100 kids in a building that has the capacity of 1,500. No, it won't have a capacity of 1500 because we have additions and we've got uh additional

060buildings out outside the site. Uh so it's not what we've have here. The original building was when the addition was done was for between 15 and600 students. Uh we're at we were at 1,850 last year, but we've added on to the building since then space to allow for that expansion. Uh, and here's the the other the other situation. Funding for a program like the animal science and putting buildings, it doesn't come across every day. We were very fortunate. I mean, we've got to take advantage when the funding is there, when the opportunity is there. We need to take advantage of it. And the fact that we have, you know, 1600 kids applying here every every day. And it's not about it's all about two things. providing more opportunities for kids in need. We absolutely have

061kids who benefit from this kind of education that are out there that we need to try to support and help and to support our community in the in that we're training young people for good jobs who will go out and work and support their communities better than if they just graduated from uh a school that they weren't interested in. So, there's a lots of reasons to continue to expand and grow when we have that opportunity. um to do such and doing it in a in a way that we will provide the space that's necessary in order to to do that correctly. We will in uh expanding both animal science, criminal justice, and our medical programs, we will be adding classrooms to cover that, too. But the the vocational spaces are all going to be brand

062new spaces. They're not going to be existing spaces, but they're either going to be additions or separate buildings outside of the school that we have an opportunity for at this time to to get funding to do that to do these projects. Now, will we have that funding two years from now, 3 years from now? I don't know. Plus, will we have the um the vision and the um personnel and the capacity to do it is another thing. Oh, I'm I'm for certain that you have the personnel. I am certain that you'll have the personnel. That's that's for sure. I look, I mean, it's it's certainly up to the board. I And think about what you're talking about. You're talking about 2100 kids and that that cafeteria that's for like 1,200, >> 1300, not even not

063even >> at a time. Well, let's look at the success. >> Actually about 600. >> Yeah. So, when I started, we had 1,200 students. Today, we have over 1,800 students. We had way we had less tech. We've probably added seven or eight new technical programs. Those are all opportunities. 6 700 more kids have opportunities because we we had the foresight and the drive and the will to and expand and improve. None of that happened before that other than we put an addition on but we came the same amount of we had the same amount of programs. All I'm saying is we have an opportunity to continue the work we we've been doing and it benefits our community. It benefits our students. Um and so >> okay well say that look I'm not going to argue

064that that's that's that's a that's a given. That's a given. There's there's more opportunity here than anywhere. I and I am never going to uh question that. I question the quality of it. When you come right down to it, I question the quality of it. Now, say you go ahead and expand your programming. kid comes in, wants a shop, wants is coming to Greater Lawrence Tech, was lucky enough to come through the lottery, coming to Greater Lawrence Tech, and wants animal science, does well, fulfills all the criteria, somehow does not get picked. So, you're saying that these kids come in here for a certain area, but that's not always that doesn't always happen because you have too many kids. >> No, we need >> It's true. >> Well, let's take let's take what we have

065right now, right? So, last year at the end of the freshman exploratory program, 170 kids wanted electrical, right? So, it's not because we have too many kids. We have too many kids that want electrical plumbing, the same thing. We had 150. There are five or six programs that kids want that we But should we then say, "Oh, well, let's close the school because we have too many kids that can't get electrical, so we should close the school." No, there are other opportunities for them. And that's why when we offer them more opportunities, so a lot of those kids like I really believe kids love to pursue animal science and criminal justice. I think that'll be a very those will both be very popular programs. And so if I had 150 kids that wanted animal science,

066I'd say, "Wow, that's awesome. That's great. We started a program that's really in demand." And that was a smart thing to do because we're going to provide industry with some great new employees and they're going to go into the into their communities and and be a vibrant uh help the economy of the econ of the of our communities. It's all about not just JLTS, but it's about our communities as well. It provides, you know, support for what we need out there in our community. Makes us a stronger, better community economically, safer, everything you can think of. It's just a very positive for our communities. And we will make space both for the shop and for the classrooms and for the classrooms. And in terms of success, well, when I started, we had 50 kids on

067co-op every year. Last year, we had over 250 kids on co-op. To me, that's success. We had a lot of kids, a lot of our kids go out and get jobs. Every student in electrical got a job. Every student in plumbing got a job. Every student in advanced manufacturing got a job. So, all of a very high percentage of our kids are out there getting jobs. Like academically, they might not be the best academic students in the state of Massachusetts, but we've grown and performed at a much better level even academically. And I believe we're going to even perform at a greater academic level as we've gotten better and better at the work we're doing in our academic programs with our teachers and with our administrators. We're going to see growth. We're going to continue

068to see growth and improvement in that area because we've seen a lot over the last 15 years. And I I think our trajectory is going to continue to to for that to happen. And so in terms of I only see success moving forward. I don't see us failing or uh not I I 100% believe in our staff and I 100% believe in our administrative team. I believe in our system. It's been very successful. It's in one of the most successful vocational schools in the Commonwealth. Yet we have some of the biggest challenges. We probably have the biggest challenges of any vocational school in the state of Massachusetts given the uh demographics we draw from compared to any of the other vocational schools. We're helping kids that need it the most. It's >> Are you done?

069>> I I just want to say he's honing the superintendent is honing his skills because that's exactly what I expect him to say. And um so he doesn't let me down. But I I I work in reality. And although that's like that's great. I believe it too. I will never ever ever put the school down. The school is a wonderful opportunity. But I just feel you know what if we take a look right in that nucleus we can see that there's a lot of work that needs to be done. Nobody wants a deficient technician coming to work at their house or in their business. You do need the basics in life. I'm sorry. You can't overlook that. And I I'm not going to say that we're not making growth uh making strides in that. I

070am not. But please, you're looking at this. Like I said, it's an amoeba. It just just keeps moving out, moving out, moving out. And you know, everybody's chasing that that that shiny thing, the new thing now. We're chasing animal science and we don't look at what we have. We're not taking care of like what we have. You know, that's not growing. The the the the educ the academics aren't strengthening at the same rate and they should be. So I'd like to read my o some of my opening remarks today which addresses what you're talking about and and some of our focus for the upcoming year that I think will have a big a big impact as we you know what our three major our three major initiatives for this year. It addresses our three major

071initiatives for this year and and it specifically talks about um what our expectations are for teachers and for kids. And then I and not only it I opened up with my remarks, but then two other administrators followed through with some of what the actual on the ground work going to look like. Uh so let me stop here please. >> I have a motion. I have a second calling for a vote for animal science. Can we finish this please? Sure. >> Uh question. Did you have a hand up for to say something? I'm sorry. >> Uh all of my questions have been answered. Uh I just wanted clarification. So actually I'll leave it for the next item. This is related to the land. >> All set. >> Okay. Can we call a vote on the animal

072science program? >> I'd like to >> Yeah. I I have to agree with Marie on this one. Um I think the opportunity is great that is being presented. I I I understand that. I think we need to finalize a lot a lot of these projects. I think that um the opportunity is great if it would not be so into so many different things right at the moment. I think that would be very very welcoming to be able to expand, but I think we need to again I just it's a comment but obviously I'm going to give my vote but I think we should probably consider on reinforcing a lot of what we have already. I believe personally I believe there's a lot of weakness still um because I I'm a business owner. I already projected

073as far as the these co-ops, these students going out there. I mean, I'm in cosmetology and I've seen the cosmetology a lot of the cosmetology students and I think there's a lot that can be worked on and just focusing on my career for say um I think that there can there's a lot a little work that can be done to to make sure that what we already have is stronger than to continue branching out. That's just an opinion. That's all I wanted to say. >> I want to address the cosmetology situation. So, cosmetology last year had more kids get their license than we ever have in the since the opening of school. This school opened in 2000 uh in 1965. almost every student finished their work and got their their state license. Uh because we've

074offered so those kids who are struggling with their offer uh with their hours again this summer we had many kids come during the summer. We offered a program where kids who didn't have enough hours to take their exam by the end of their junior year. We offered a program we had a lot of kids that made up hours so they could get back on track and and be ready to take their license their their exam for their license. and we did we've done that the last three years and we've seen more and more kids getting their license. So we are improving and succeeding in that program but that's only one program. Many of our programs we're seeing growth and improvement in but that's just one example of where we have improved. >> Mr. Mr. Superintendent,

075I um I I I hear what you say and the co the cosmetology state um exam is a lot easier now than when I went to beauty school. I am an educator as well um in the industry and and I can tell you there's a lot of more work that those kids need. Just because they get their license doesn't mean they're prepped to tell you the truth. Um, and I think that again I can add a lot more to to bring to the table. So those kids and every kids that is going to different departments, I can bring a lot more students, but there's a lot of things that need to be changed when those students go to co-op. If I'm going to pay a student, I'm expecting them to do what they supposed to

076do. I'm not supposed to teach them, but they coming to my salon or carpentry or um electrical or whatever and you have to spend time to teach this student and you have to pay them to teach them to get them what you want and then you realize that they're not good enough to what you want, what you need. So, I can tell you I can be an advocate as a as a business owner that there's a lot more we can do to make sure those kids are well prepped to go out there for work and remain in the work. So that a year later when they when they graduate, we can get them back and say 100 kids went to co-op and 100 or 99 and 98 kids stay in work. And I can assure

077you that's not probably the the the number. Um I don't know how we can um maintain you know records of these um um students going to co-op but I came to this school and I know how everything works and I don't need to go into details of what I mean by that but I believe that there's a lot more work we can do with what we already have and it would be great again it's a great opportunity that it if we wouldn't be so much involved in so many things like Miss Farah said I think would have been a grand opportunity. But that's just my opinion. >> Yeah. So I I think one of the things to remember when students graduate, they're not fullfledged journeyman. No matter what career they're coming out of, they are

078still beginning apprentice. They're not ready to go out and start their own company and run jobs. They're not the foreman. They're not the boss yet. They still have, just take electrical for instance. When kids graduate, they'd still have to go to night school for four more years in order to sit for their license. They're just apprenticeship. They still they've they got to put 8,000 hours in before they're ready before someone will call them a journeyman. And that's the truth about every career. So even someone going into cosmetology, no, they're not going to be like they they've passed the test, they've gotten their license, what gives them a right to work on people's hair and do things, but that doesn't mean they know everything. It's like I taught carpentry for 24 years myself. Hire and um

079I know for a fact that when my kids left that they didn't know everything. Brad hires our students all the time and they don't know everything. They've got a lot to learn yet and but they're just apprenticeship, but they have knowledge that sets the groundwork for them to succeed and and uh pursue that career. And if they have the initiative and they really want to continue that work, they're ready to do that. We we've prepared them for that, you know, and every student's not every single student going to be a superstar. Not every single student would even continue to stay in their career. But even if they don't stay in the career, the skills and the knowledge that they've received here will service serve them for the rest of their life. no matter what career

080they've graduated from. Just learning what work's all about and what the expectations are from employers when you do go to work is huge because that's employers want people who students who understand the work world and know what it means to come to work every day and work hard every day. That's one of our main initiative that's so important and I talked about that in my opening today when I talked to the teachers. Uh it's one of our important initiatives is preparing kids for the for the real world uh real uh world and what the expectations are. So no, they're not 100% know everything. They still got a lot to learn for sure. You're right. You're right about that. And again, I did graduate out of cosmetology here and that's why I'm I'm speaking what I'm

081saying. Yeah. >> And I do know I have owned five salon at the same time and I'm an educator. have my own. Again, I I'm just saying that I think that if you take what I'm saying and you utilize it, I think we'll be have a lot better um student at the end of the year of next 2026 if you put it to work. if you call me out and I can tell you exactly what I mean and you put it in place and I'm not not an educator to to every department. every every department have its own challenges. But I'm telling you something that I know for a fact. And then that's why I'm saying I think if we can work on what we already have and get them to really understand that it's

082a privilege to be able to go to cosmetology or electrical or whatever shop they decide and and and have them understand and getting really the knowledge of understanding the complicity of going to that particularly that particular um skill and then taking serious enough and not avoiding another person who wants to be in the same program because I'm telling you first first mistake we make is that the student have the first choice student should it should be a 50/50 a teacher should say Mr. Julio Mahia has pretty good school. He wants to be in um so and so shop and and he wants to be that's his first peak and I'm the teacher of that of that shop. I should be able to say I see the skills in him and the interest of him and

083I can see him he'll be able to be a good student for this department. But I can if the student has the first choice and the teacher have no saying who saw the student who had no skills for that particular shop. He wants to be there because his friend is there or because my brother's going to the shop or because it's I want to comb hair not really because I want to pursue as a business and it's more than doing hair. Hair is just 40% of cosmetology. >> Yep. And and and it's you can have the skill to do hair and you can have terrible people skills and you're not going to stay there because you don't want to hear everybody's complaining everybody whining that we have to listen to and that student is not

084going to be really good at it cuz the person is not going to back to sit in the chair because they don't have the skills. This is what I'm saying. There's a lot more can be done and I think we should enforce those that before we continue expanding. That's my point. I'll be real short and then we'll >> God knows I want to call. No, >> then we'll go right back to the vote. I promise. But veterary, >> are we talking animal science? >> We're leading that way. >> All right. Over the years, I probably had over 60 students. They've always been polite, honest, respectful. Just about all of them very willing to do whatever you ask them to do. My last co-op student was 2018. This particular year, I wanted some help for the

085summer. I had a young lady that started for the summer. She's been with me all summer. She's been excellent. Okay, you're they're all 18 year olds, 17, 18 year olds. They're kids. They think they know what they want to do. By the time they graduate, they're going off in different directions at graduation. We saw the valictorian. I believe she was HBAC and she's going for something at a prestigious college. So, it this is the starting point. You know, none of us come out as tradesmen like like John said. Okay. But I remember that coming up people took the time and patience to show me different things. Granted, I had some natural abilities. So, I caught on to it quicker. But still, you got to give the kids time and patience. They're going to make mistakes.

086We all make mistakes, but you got to be part of if you're a continuation of their training. Now, back to the the animal science. Do we have another one in the state or are we like semi- new? >> No, there's a veterinarian in Greater Low is opening one this year. >> Okay. >> And Essex Tech has one. >> All right. What what I found before when I was just on advisory, we would notice that all the departments put their budgets in and it was kind of strange, you know, budget they might put in for like 25,000 to do some repairs and buy a few little things and this and that. And then one year the state decided that machine shop wasn't a viable industry. And we're like, are they out of their mind? And we

087watched it. It was the reverse. Seniors graduate, no more freshman. Took four years to wipe the shop out and it was gone. And then they say, okay, this space, let's put something else in here. And it had been about 6 years later, the state says, "We need machinist." Okay. And when they reverted and created space for the state-of-the-art machine shop we have now, I think they gave him like $3 million, said, "Go for it. Set the shop up." So that's the difference. We're not really willing to give a lot of money to maintain the shops unless it comes through big grants. But when the state offers money to rebuild a whole shop, it's like hard blanch. So in that aspect, it's a $5 million grant. It's like to me it's like free money even though

088we're paying taxes. It's it's a free money for a different option for another career. So I'm done further. Mr. Lavoy, can I throw one in here? And this does concern animal science and the MSPCA. Uh, just to get my a clear understanding of what I'm talking about. You're talking about leasing a building from the MSPCA or leasing a a spot from the MSPCA. And the next page, we have an update on purchasing a lot of land at the MSPCA. >> It's going to be a lease, not purchase. That's >> Yeah. Supposed to say lease. >> It's supposed to say lease. >> Yeah. We're looking for We're looking to the lease, which the language I'm going to give you says lease, not purchase. >> Because since that's been put together, I've had conversations with the uh

089uh vice uh president uh of uh MSPCA and they would prefer to lease not sell land. Okay. >> Okay. Can we call a vote? Any other question? Any other uh remarks on this? You beat this one enough, please? >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah, I I'm I'm just going to make a comment that I think that's an important point like purchasing versus leasing is like should have been caught before we got this. >> But go ahead. >> Can we call the vote, please, >> Miss Ferris? No, >> Miss Ferris. >> No. No. >> Miss Distler. >> Mr. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mahia. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mercedes. >> No. >> Mr. Tox. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hayden. >> Yes. >> Okay. Let's get to the criminal justice uh program. Is there anything you want to

090say on that that you haven't already said? >> Well, this particular program doesn't take a lot of equipment or um a lot of space because it's um it's a program that um we need some equipment but a minimal amount of equipment. Um it's most importantly to have uh strong key uh instructors and teachers uh that are versed in uh community safety. So what that the pathways of this particular program can take many different ways. Um but in terms of space, I don't think it's a program that uh which we would include as part of our uh space. We're looking to incorporate u the expansion of the of the medical programs. um utilizing additional space for this program, building new space for this program >> for the criminal justice >> for criminal justice which would be

091part of another vote that you have to look at consider >> one step at a time. >> Yes. >> Will you push your button please? Thank you. >> Would you work with greater uh yeah greater law on criminal justice? Would you kind of >> Yeah, we would do partnerships >> back with them. >> Yep. We would do partnerships both with uh Northern Essex and with uh UMass Low who have similar programs. We'd look for partnerships and uh see if we can do some uh dual credits. >> Okay. Can I get a motion for criminal justice uh program, please? Mr. Todd Box, can I get a second? >> Second. >> Call Mr. >> Excuse me. Any further discussion? >> Yes. >> So, two things. Um, we already spoke about animal science and that went off. Um,

092but what is one is the capacity. Where are you going to have these students? Is it going to be within the building or out of the building? The second question is what career track I I know it says legal and protective surgery. Are we talking police, fire? Um yeah, what specifically would we >> it security work? um working for the court systems, >> working for um oh um I don't have all the pathways, but uh I can give you more pathways. I can email you more pathways that but the big thing is anything that has to do with uh public safety, any opportunities that fall in the line of public safety. No, I know that and uh that uh as far as firemen and as policemen go, there's a shortage just in Lawrence alone for

093uh people in that space. >> So, in terms of capacity for the program, what are you thinking in terms of how many students you'd accept and where these students would be doing programming? >> Yes. So we would do >> as of right now we've already added on another program for a separate building and assumingly academic programs would have to expand based on the number of students we accept but what what is how does it look for criminal justice to come into play at GTS? >> Yeah. So, we're looking to uh uh expand build space for the medical assistant program which we would include in that space space for the criminal justice program. Um and we would start that program as we do most programs with 15 students freshman I first year 15 and see the

094interest and see the job market and get uh teachers familiar with the curriculum and support and then if all is successful then we would then look at uh increasing the the student enrollment in those programs but we typically start with low numbers to uh get everyone adjusted to the to uh implementing the particular programs. we get to see what the challenges are uh what the diff difficulties are that we can iron out and get resolved before we make it you know include uh a lot more students. So we start off small and find our uh success and then we grow from there. >> Yeah. So again like you know we just added a program animal science so specifically for criminal justice where did you see the need come from? How did this come? Yeah. So

095we uh the uh >> we had a MAVA um uh workshop in August. Commissioner was there uh that the uh associate commissioner vocational educa is again >> Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators. >> Yep. So we did our uh summer retreat in August, a three-day retreat. We have different speakers that come in uh people who talk about different programs and the needs for different uh programs in industry um and um the commissioner the associate commissioner of vocational education Liz Bennett spoke about some of the programs where that uh that they're seeing uh growth and opportunity. So uh and also we'll uh complete our own after the uh department of education approves our uh allows us to pursue now they will not allow us to pursue uh this program unless the job market is there and then

096we will identify all the pathways and all the job opportunities and we also have to provide to them when we uh submit our proposal uh the different partnerships that we'll have and we have to also show that there there's a student interest in the program. All those things don't happen until we get that initial approval before we start putting all that time and work into it. >> Yeah. And the reason why I ask is because I personally know coming from Lawrence and I know other communities that we represent have a shortage in their departments. So example you put out on the police and fire departments. I know there's a shortage of at least 30 officers in the police department >> and in the fire department. You know, you have folks retiring and vacancies and a

097lot of it is also capturing the talent of um our local folks. And I know there have been GTS graduates that became firefighters >> uh and especially two of them that started a program for kids teaching them uh fire prevention and um and you know that's an example of you know if we create such program if we can only imagine the benefit and the impact that it would create versus those two that graduated from GTS um if we actually had a program that worked and and working in partnership with the the cities and towns to to um help guide the program along with the colleges of course. So >> yeah, >> especially by call now. I think we're all set, right? >> Mr. Tox, >> Miss Ferris, >> no. Miss Distler, >> no. >> Mr.

098Jones, >> no. >> Mr. Mahia, >> yes. >> Mr. Mercedes, >> no. >> Mr. Hayden, >> yes. >> All right, Mr. Lo, just for the record, would you state what you want to say? I'm purchasing a lot for the MSBC. I don't have it here. I have language. I have language here that needs to I'm going to give you some language that we're going to be looking for approval on, but I'm not looking for approval tonight. But this will give you a sense of what we're trying to do. Um, this is a motion that I will be looking for at our next meeting to put on the on the floor. Um, so that the greater Lawrence Reason Vocational Technical School District hereby authorized the superintendent director to enter into negotiations with the Massachusetts Society for

099the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals located at 400 Broadway, Mthun, Massachusetts, for the construction of facility and the lease of land to be funded through a skills capital grant for the purpose of establishing a chapter 74 veterinarian site program. In the event that the negotiations with MSPCA are unsuccessful, the district would further authorize the use of these grant funds for the construction of a facility at 57 River Road andor Massachusetts to house the veterinarian science program. So, um it covers our our first effort would be continuing by the time we have our next meeting, we'll have met with MSBA, MSPCA again. uh uh I mean uh the uh MSPCA uh to further talk about uh the partnership and I'll have more information for you. But in order to make this happen, that's the vote that

100um I would be looking for approval on. uh and the cost to our communities would be zero in terms of the construction and putting it together and everything would not cost our our communities any money uh in terms of getting it built and getting this program off the ground. So that's a major plus. >> Um do you have copies of that? >> Oh yeah, I can give you >> Can you share that? >> Sure. That's the first thing. Um, the second is I was under the impression that the lot of land I mean I see it's it says purchasing lot but what I'm understanding the clarification is it's not being purchased it's being leased. >> Yes. >> So the lease would come from MSPCA to GLTS. >> We go into agreement on a lease like

101we did for the hanger with the city of Lawrence. >> Yeah. So in the motion I heard the um construction of a facility. So who would be paying for that? >> We would be paying for that. We would build that with our students. >> Okay. >> Estimated cost. We we estimate somewhere around $2 million to put that building up. Uh and we base that cost and what we spent on uh one of the buildings we did here on the on the facility. This is part This is part of the grant that would come from the state. The >> Yeah, this is part of the grant we're going to be putting in for if the state approves. If we get the grant, now that you've said we can move forward with the program, we'll we'll move

102forward with the grant. And then if we win the grant, then we'll have the funding to uh to do what we're trying to do here. It'll be up to the committee, you know, whether they want to accept the grant and we keep moving forward or don't accept the grant and the project and the program gets shut down before it even gets started. But a lot of work will be going into this. The grant will be many, many hours putting together. This is not an easy grant to obtain. >> We've been very successful in getting skills capital grant money, probably more than any school in the Commonwealth. The uh the last time we put in for a large grant like this for cap skills capital grant was for the aviation program where we got $4 million

103which we now uh have been successful in putting up two buildings in purchasing a hanger. So we have three buildings where we will be housing the students that are not part of this existing building that we will house students for that program uh other than the academic increases uh that we will need. But um >> yeah, so >> that's minimal compared to the need and the cost of of housing the folk the program itself. And in that particular program, we spent $1.4 million approximately on equipment alone and we spent another over 6 million on buildings in order to get this off the ground and we put a four-year investment in that. So that's just an example of what we can do and what we've been successful at doing. So the veterinarian, this veterinarian project and

104building is far easier than what we just did with the with the uh aviation program. What we went through the obstacles and the challenges we had to go through state uh legislation. We had to go through FAA uh you know scrutiny like that was a major challenge. FA this veterinarian is not anywhere near as challenging as what we've already accomplished. So that's just a to give you an example of what we're capable of doing. >> Yeah. I think I mean I think my only concern like on the longer run is because it's a lease and it's run by MSPCA. I mean I'm just going to put the scenario if they end the agreement or whatever the case may be. >> That's what the agreement is going to outline. We're going to put into a contract

105what that what that all means. So if if the partnership's not working, then there'll be uh a clause in there that outlines what what happens. So, you know, let's say that after we we'd probably go for a probably 15-year lease minimum, maybe 20 year lease. At the end of 15 years, if we're having difficulties, it's not working for whatever reason, what what then? So, you know, uh would MSBA would then, you know, we would we probably expect them to purchase the building from us if we were going to move it out of there. So, there would be our attorneys will work out all the details on what protrance will be protected. It's not like we're going to jump into something and then we throw $5 million into something and then all of a sudden they

106say, "We don't want to work with you guys anymore." There'll be a lot of of uh negotiations and language and legalities that have to be worked out in order to make this partnership work. But it's a it's a it's a challenge. It's hard work. But in the end, >> to me, the results and the benefits to our students and then to our communities far outweighs the efforts and the work that has to go in to doing something like this. >> Yeah. I think Yeah. The only thing I'd add to the motion is if you know if the grant doesn't work out or whatever the case is is we don't move forward with it. >> Well, we can't move forward with it if we don't get the grant. >> Okay. So, >> grant I just want

107to make sure >> that's why the grant is in the language. >> Okay. >> Yep. So, if we don't get the grant, then >> this all falls apart. But, >> we're going to really work hard to get the grant. Um, I feel confident that we will get the grant. I do feel good about that. uh for a lot of reasons uh because we've been successful in the past and I know we're going to put together a really strong proposal. We've been writing these kind of grants many years and we have one of the best grant writers in the Commonwealth when it comes to skills capital and a and a proven history of that that there's very few skills capital grants that we put in we have not gotten the we have not gotten. So I

108do feel conf confident about that and our growth over the last you know 15 years has been because we have been successful in getting millions and millions of dollars of grant not just from the state but from private industry and private foundations we've received millions of dollars as well to continue the growth of the work that we've done here. >> Thank you. >> All set Mrs. I you know I'm not I'm not going to add anything more to this. I I mean honestly I I feel as though I just want to clarify I'm not against that animal science program. I voted no because I believe it's too much too much too soon. You have an aviation program second to none and you can't even, no pun intended, get that off the ground and in the

109air so that we can have at least one cycle of students going through it to see how successful all that money was to begin with and all that time and energy that you just has have expounded on. I I I don't understand why we you know the the world's not going to end tomorrow. Why can't we perfect or do well on one thing and move into the next thing before you have all this mess going on? You don't know which is up. The teachers are this that and the other thing. I It is It is mindblowing to me. Mind-blowing. And don't please I know that you can handle this. I know it. I know you're going to give me an hour dissitation on this because you firmly believe that this can work. But is it

110to what end? To what end is it worthy of doing all this? And don't tell me for the opportunities because we offer 22 opportunities in the school, not to mention the after school and the after that. I mean, nobody does more for the community and the education of the community than this school. I don't see I I I get it. You just want to keep on going. Keep on going. But where do you sit back and evaluate and say, "Hey, you know what? We're doing a really good job. I put my this and I know you're going to say it anyway, but again, I'm working in reality." And that is not reality. We're good. We're not great. We're 26th in the state. So I this is, you know, I I never want to say no

111to new to progress, but I am I am obviously saying no to this. If it works, it works. Great. But I don't think it's necessary at this point. >> Well, I think you made a lot of assumptions there. Number one, we're not a mess. Number two, we're not 26 in the state. Depends on what criteria you're trying to assess. >> Well, that's from the DSSE. That's what that from the website. >> Oh, I don't know what website says we're the 26th. >> Uh Desi. Well, then obviously Desi doesn't know what they're doing. I'll say that to I'll call Liz Bennett tomorrow and tell her that if that's what she thinks. I would I would bet my my job that Liz Bennett would not say that we're the 26th worst vocational school. >> I didn't speak

112to anybody. >> No, but you're saying the state's saying this. the leader of vocational education. >> I said Desi, you look at the the you look at Desi's website and go down and see how the schools are ranked and that's where I get my >> depends what they're measuring. I don't know what they're measuring, but I can measure a lot of success that we have and I would ask Liz Bennett to come and speak to the D. I have no problems. Liz Bennett would come tomorrow and talk to the district about who we are and how we measure up against other vocational schools in the state of Massachusetts. I would be shocked if she didn't tell say positive things. She knows us. She even worked here for many years. She knows who we are and

113what we do and our success here. And she's the highest ranking um uh person in the department of education with regards to vocational education. Uh, I'm happy I'd call her tomorrow and in fact I am going to call her tomorrow and ask her what she thinks cuz you know um >> Okay. >> So anyways, >> so >> yes um understanding that we're still talking about the same subject for the last 40 something minutes I am changing my vote. Um because I gave I when I say I estee all the information I heard what all my um every school committee member said and their um feeling for this whole animal science thing. But um now that I understand more and more information was just encounter my I want to change my go to no We have

114to open it up so that we have to remove the first vote that somebody has to make a motion to call back to first. >> Has no impact on the >> We still on the same subject. We still talking about the same thing. >> All I'm doing is changing my vote. >> Voted on it. >> But it has no impact on the motion. >> Her vote change is going to impact the motion. The last is >> so we have to call back the original vote in order to reload. >> Okay. >> We're not talking about the same. No, it is still animal science and MSPC is animal science. It is the same thing. It just didn't make sense on the purchase. >> Vote. >> So, okay. So, we voted on these are three different items.

115The first one, the first one is we voted for animal science. The second vote is talking about animal science, >> criminal justice. the first vote on science >> and the the third one is just an update. >> Yeah. So if you're going to reconsider a vote, you need to put that motion on. >> That's what I'm saying. >> Which is the prevailing side. So whoever was on the prevailing side needs to do reconsider. You abstain from the vote. Reconsider. >> We couldn't do that at the same meeting. >> Resin. So you're not re I mean you're not reconsidering reconsider. have to wait for the next meeting. Can't do it in this meeting. >> Who's your business? >> Yeah, it would be out of order who do that. >> Does anybody else have anything to say

116on the update? >> Did you say no? >> So, this is an update. We're not voting on it. All right. Okay. We're going to move on changes to appendix B. Guess we will be needing a vote on your copies of appendix B. >> Changes to appendix B. That's a negotiation executive session. So I would I would ask the table that >> lawyers asked the table appendix B. That's a negotiable that that's an item that um >> contract >> it's a contract negotiable thing with the teachers. So that really needs to be discussed in executive session before it can be before it can be voted on in open session. >> So we'll be removing this item. >> So if we're going to table this, we need to put a motion to table. >> Yes. >> Yeah.

117So I'm going to put the motion to table changes of appendix B. >> Second discussion. >> Well, yeah. >> Yeah. The the appendix, just so we know next time it's coming up, can you explain it a little bit? Is it just new rates for the coaches? Well, there's uh >> proposed possibly >> new rates and a a couple changes with coaches. In other words, uh I think in its tennis is going to have one one uh instead of two separate coaches for boys and girls, it's going to be combined and have one head coach, one assistant coach. Uh so that's a change. And then I mean that's one of the bigger changes. There's four different things. Is it in here? Is that document in here? Oh, okay. Yeah, it's in here. So I mean uh

118there are minor changes um >> uh well just for unfamiliar with it the numbers across the top for head coach for tennis and swim. >> Yep. >> How do you go to the increases more years of longevity doing it or more students or >> long the there's a salary schedule and it's based on a salary schedule. There are four steps. So because this is negotiable in contract, we shouldn't be discussing this, >> right? So I wouldn't >> we're only tableabling it. So once we come back untab it, we could discuss it. >> Okay. >> But because Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I just want to make >> this is an easy one. [Applause] Right. >> What's that? >> The coaches go through the teachers cont. >> Yep. >> All right. The easy one. Update on t-shirts. >>

119So, we have a example of what the new t-shirts are going to look like that the committee voted on. So, the they're black and each shop has its own logo. You see the logo on the left side of the t-shirt. So that particular one is uh autoc collision. So each shop will have its own automotive has a different one. So there's 21 different logos. So every shop has its own in the name of the shop so we can identify what shop the students belong in. Then there's also sweatshirt and Optimum Sport uh Optimum Sports uh wear uh won the contract for uh that we put out the RFP we put out for uh a company to bid on uh uh supplying us with the t-shirt and the sweatshirts and uh and the hoodies. So there's

120three different models there. So that as of what the committee voted on, students be wearing these both in on shop week and on academic week. >> Nothing on the back. >> It keeps one of the reasons that we simply simpler in terms of we've had challenges with uh inventory because we had so many colors, so many designs, uh different sizes. uh it was hard to keep up with all the changes in the designs and everything. So, we went to one color and keeping the design simple. So, if a student should transfer to another shop, we have an embroidered we're going to have an embroidered uh change of shop that goes over the shop they're coming from. So, they don't have to purchase a a new t-shirt. We don't have to make major changes to simplify

121everything. >> So, you're talking a patch or something like that to cover it. >> Right. Exactly. Jones. >> Yeah. Uh, I think they look great. Um, I go for a hooded sweatshirt seven days a week cuz I'm just comfortable with them. But didn't the handbook say they're not supposed to wear hoods or we can have a variation on >> Well, they can they can they can't put a hood on there. They can't wear a hood. >> They can't wear the hood itself, right? >> Okay. So, when they're out Great. Okay. I love hooded sweatshirts. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Jones, all set? >> Yes, sir. >> Mr. Ferris, did you have your hand up? >> Yes. Where where does it say it can't wear hoods? Because that was all eliminated in the handbook. Number one. Number

122two, we took a vote on these on Janu uh June 26th, I believe. Um and from what I read, it's not going to be implemented until October. I know you just said and I know you've said before that you know what manufacturers, vendors, whatever that is like you know 3 months that should have been worked on on June 27th knowing that the board took a vote and should have been implemented for the beginning of the year and that's case that's number one. Number two is the fact that that even made it into the the agenda for the regular meeting in June and then in the special meeting in June. That was the work of unprepared and disingenuous and delinquent writers or leadership that put that in there. not thinking it through to to know what

123that would look like. I'm I'm I'm totally flabbergasted at this whole situation and even more amazed that this leadership can think that you are going to implement something a drastic change like this in October because this is going to be another kick the can down the road. It'll be November, then it'll be December, and then it'll be at we'll start the the beginning of next year. I know that when the that vote in April was rescended and we reverted back to what was in the handbook, which is reasonable and acceptable and appropriate for any school. It simply says dress appropriately. No pajamas, no midrift, none of no hats, none of that. There wasn't a big long thing. It was this much and it was a reasonable request. I met with the superintendent. I spoke with

124again with the superintendent and asked that there be a letter sent home either by the superintendent or the safe office or the principal being transparent with the parents saying, "Look, we had the option of going with uniforms. We decided not to. We are going to focus on your child's attire. Please read the handbook and have your child abide by that that look of appropriateness for the school. And that letter did not go out. Nothing went out. The website is unclear. People are commenting. I received or we all received emails regarding the miscommunication and poor communication and this kind of a change that leaving people questioning really what is it that you're looking for? >> So first of all, uh this whole situation has been bounced back and forth. There was no clarity back in April.

125There was no clarity on at least from my understanding or from anybody else's understanding what the direction the school committee wanted to go on. There was talk about you know a uniform. Then there was talk about no uniform. Then there was talk about keeping the same. So there was no clarity as far as I'm concerned. So I wasn't going to communicate with the parents something that I don't even understand to them. So I had to have clarity myself before we were going to communicate anything with the parents. We have communicated with the parents. The committee voted on the 26th of June. We had to send out an RFP to determine um we had to get a company who was going to provide us with the t-shirts and meet the uh expectations of how the how

126the distribution and the selling of those t-shirts were going to happen. That didn't that went out in uh middle of January before we had to write the RFP. Then we had to put it out there for for two weeks. Then we had to have a company uh uh an opening and and award the uh RFP the contract to somebody. Then we had to sit down and talk and negotiate with them that contract. Now we're into the middle of August before we even have a company on board. And then we met as a as a administrative team to determine a policy I mean a procedure in order to implement this new policy that the school committee wanted. It doesn't happen overnight. It's a lot of work. There's a lot of communication and it's very confusing and

127not that simple to distribute four or 5,000 t-shirts to different kids to make sure that this policy is followed and just communicating to the parents alone. So, we've done all that. We've communicated. We have a great polic we have a great process in place I I believe. So, we are uh meeting with the students and and communicating to the parents that the students have to order online. and everything's getting ordered online their t-shirt by October 1st and then uh so that we can implement implement they can make the t-shirts and then the students will have their t-shirts and then after Thanksgiving everybody be uh will be following the policy exactly way the school committee wanted this all takes time and effort it doesn't happen overnight and not only that in the summer I have administrators

128and people out a week here a day here a week there I can't get people together to make decisions and work and get communication done until I have everybody together that it's very difficult to do in the summer. Everybody is all over the place in all different times of the summer. It's hard to get an answer on anything during the summer and except for the five days we have where I have all the administrators come in for our retreat at the in July and then again in August to get ready for the opening of the school year. So consequently, I actually think we did a great job in getting this off the ground and in the position that we're in today for this for this uh initiative. I'll stand on that. And I and if

129anyone thinks they could do better, I I'd tell them go ahead and try it because just writing the RFP was not that simple and getting it out there and we had 11 people vote on it and only one person put in a bid because it was that complicated. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. >> Okay. So, we're going to make this long story a shorter story. And what I'm going to do, some of you going to hate it, but I'm going to do it. So after that letter went out to parents, I counted 18 phone calls from different families, from different communities. And there was exactly that was a misunderstanding on what the uniform policy is, the all black, like you know, men in black in this place. um everybody's going to wear black shirts both

130in academic and shop week and it was parents it was not convenient calls. Those calls were nasty calls. Those calls were um unfortunate to get because even the parents that I got phone calls, all 18 of them did not agree with what we put forward. So what I captured was yes, parents do agree on a uniform policy. I agree with a uniform policy. I wore uniform at a private Catholic school for 4 years. So I understand and I agree with it. But and the uniform policy, well, the code that we put specifically with the all black on both ends was an oversight on all of our part and and my part even more because it's probably the first time I would ever regret to vote the way I did, which I abstained from the vote.

131And not only did I hear from parents, I heard from teachers that are the ones that are in the classroom that again need to put more of their discipline versus the academics on the kids, which is what we want to focus on on an academic because the academics, not a teacher pushing a kid to be disciplined. and and a list of other factors that's going to come out to schools all across the state with cell phone bands in the class in schools. I wonder how we're going to go after that and then let alone a uniform when we got men in black and like a you know we're like in a funeral home in the hallway with kids in all black. Now I agree with the all black in the shops and what we did

132in our last vote was add it for the academic week. Now if I want to think longer run on what a very well done and well thought uniform policy or a code what colors what what is it that we're requiring I would want to discuss that at a later time but what I am going to do for this specifically is to put a motion to reconsider the previous vote that we took on June 26. So I put that as a formal motion. >> Tom. >> Yes. >> So are you saying uh Julio, you want a motion to resend the last vote? >> So in the last vote I abstained from the proposal that was brought forward with the black shirts and the um the black shirts in academic and shop. So, something I want clarification

133from the administration and I I know I probably asked this. Have we spent any money yet on the uniforms? >> No. Okay. So, if we were to reconsider this vote, the black shirts and the hoodies that we have, they will continue to be offered to shop students. >> To shop students to shop students. But if you resend the vote and don't want them to wear them on academic week, then we still need the t-shirts. >> Yeah. So that's exactly what I'm I'm trying to do >> because as I mentioned, >> I'm not here to put my personal opinion onto something. I'm here to follow what the parents are telling me, what the community is telling me. And that's that's the instinct I'm going to follow. Not here for politics. I'm here because that's what the

134kids want. That's what the parents want. And if that is the case, I'm going to reconsider my vote and I'm not going to let this push any further. I don't want to keep discussing this, but if if I think twice, that vote that I made at that meeting was probably the first vote I ever regret making on this committee. So, I already put it as a formal motion. >> Motion one more time to make sure. >> Yeah. uh motion to resend the previous vote made regarding uniform on June 26 on the June June 26th meeting. >> Do I have a second? >> No second. >> Oh uh yeah, I'll know if I can. Can I? >> Yes, you can. Anyone can second the motion. >> Can we vote on it, please? Any further discussion? >>

135I do. >> I have a business and when I went up on prices, my partner says, "Oh, I got five phone calls. Customers were complaining about prices going up. And I asked him, "How many people we saw last week?" 105. And four people called. I said, "What percentage of that is that?" How many student we have? 1900. And five people call, 20 people called. We're never going to get everybody to like it. That's just how it is. We're not even all of us. We're just seven people here. We not even all together in the same place. I mean, we were when we first put it through and we had to take it back and we had to discussion and then we couldn't even get a second. Suddenly, the week after that, we got four people

136saying yes. I mean, we don't even come together ourself. In my ignorant mind, we've been talking about this uniform policy for way too long and we just keep on going back and forth. Um, I don't even think we shouldn't even be discussing this all all over again. And about the color of the shirt, whether we all wear men in black or we could have chosen something else, but we didn't. We didn't even know we wanted because the the students in one place would have to wear this color shirt and then it would be too confusing. It would be too hard to enforce policy when we have 1900 kids and we can we cannot get them to dress properly. And this is why we came up with the the uniform to begin with. This this this

137I'm telling you I can go on and on. We already discussed this. Some of these pants see through with with little designs on their underwear if they even have any because I seen those tights. I had kids too and I had to say you're not wearing that. But we finally got an agreement on on the uniform situation. Are we still going back and forth about color and about whether we want it or not? I believe if we really look into if we're really looking into the best interest of the student, if we all parents or most of us are parents, we know it's a problem that we don't have to worry about when their kids wearing uniform. Just that's all they're wearing. Don't tell me about money because there's no way that I'm going to

138spend $300 on each of my kids come to school with with $300 new clothing cuz I know that the competition there is cuz I had three and and on and on and on. I can tell you all the reasonings why safety. It's much easier to pull 200 students who have no shirt, no black shirt to begin with. It would be much easier to say no that's that's not that's not a that's not this this not this is not this is not uniform and pull them out. No, I feel shame that we even discussing this this again this situation with with with with the uniform policy. If we really think the safety, we think of of what burden we're taking away from most parents who are going through sub tough situation. I being in business for

13929 years and I the reason I'm making all these points is so you realize that it's a burden buying kids a lot of clothing to come to school on academic week. I check on I have a very diversified clientele with people of all different people who thinks I'm really cheap and people who think I'm really expensive but they all come to my salon everything in between. I got clients from Texas, Florida all the way to Maine and I am short at least almost 50%. And I've been in business for 29 years and I'm the one who making for for the uh demographic. I'm I'm above regular pay and I'm f down 50%. If we put this even a consideration on uniform and going back into buying clothing, just think of the burden you're putting in

140on the most comm on this community that I'm representing what that would imply to when it comes down to each one of those family member spending hundreds of hundreds of dollars to buy their kids who probably have multiple kids in school. That's all I have to say. >> Okay, Tom. >> One second. >> Oh, no. Good. >> Thank you. Um, I want to make a comment on the I I'm sure that the 18 pattern is 18 and how many students do we have? How many families do we have? So what percentage is that? Um I myself saw five emails coming from student four and one one mother for I I'm sure is within those 18 and it caught my attention that all four had the same body of that the same writing with very slightly

141different. So it's like somebody put them those four to send that email. Um I saw that it was sent to me and other members. No all of no everybody was even copied to this. So again this we need closure on the uniform and I think we made a wise decision when we decided to go with this t-shirts with one color for both uh shop and academic nice job done already um with the little time that we have had. So again, what percentage of these people that are saying something that I I believe is being made up because when I receive an email, four emails say this exassent information in an email that doesn't that doesn't sound right. Somebody's it's just playing with this whole information. So I want to say that and I wanted I

142want all to consider and understand that we need to leave this where it is. It's going to be the best thing for everybody for the um people that are working in school and for the families and like we it was already mentioned I mean safety is one big thing. you see everybody, all these students dressed the same. It's a it's something less that you have to worry about who is in the school that doesn't even belong here. Um, and I can mention so many other things, but they were already mentioned. So, I just want to say that >> Mr. No, all I want to say is I miss the meetings obviously, but I can't recall all the discussion about the uniforms. So, could you please review what the options are? So, if I vote, I

143vote properly because I don't know if if if I'm missing I I I like the t-shirt idea, but I don't, you know. So, uh, what the committee voted on was to, um, have one t-shirt that they would use in shop and then wear the same t-shirt in on the academic week, um, as a uniform, basically as a uniform versus having t-shirts in the shop and then on the academic week, we follow the existing policy that we've had in place for the last few years. So, that's the two options. Yep. I'm sorry. I don't know who went first. >> Um, John, I don't want to belabor this, but I don't even know how that got in the handbook the way it was written by somebody in the leadership. The thought of having the same uniform in

144sharp and in academic is so absurd to me. I I can't even wrap my head around it. You're going to have a seat of first of all you couldn't tell me the week before or uh the first the regular June meeting how that got in the hand uh in our agenda and to let this part go where we are going to now have it for academic week I can't for the life of me with all your creativity and ingenuity think to myself my leader leadership allowed that to get into our handbook, our our agenda. That is bizarre to me. You're more on the right track with various colors. You talk about the effects of co What are you talking about when what are the effects of everybody when black? >> So this policy is that

145>> Yeah, that I'm not in favor of this policy. And I said that right from the beginning. >> And wait, and it's a simple fix. >> The whole thing is a simple fix. If you have administrators enforcing what's in the handbook so that the teachers see the model of the administrators getting on board and doing their job and the teachers follow will fall. >> Well, it's not the administrator's fault if policies aren't being followed. The whole It's absolutely the teachers the students are in the classroom dayto day. If the teachers don't do what they're supposed to do, then it's up to the administrator. It's not specifically, it's not the administrator's fault if policy falls apart. Sometimes it's everybody's responsibility. Administrators, teachers, teachers, first and foremost. They're in the trenches every day. They see how the

146kids are dressed. They have to report it and send kids to where they where they're supposed to go when they're not dressed properly. And then it's up to the administrative, the safe office to follow through on what the consequences should be. I did not I am not in favor of this policy. It will be a total disruption to the school's educational process. This will destroy day in and day out. We are going to have issues and problems. We are going to fight about t-shirts every single morning instead of getting and talking about English, math, science, carpent, plumbing. This policy will destroy our efforts. The work that we've been working on for years to improve this school, this policy alone will have a major impact on what we're trying to do here at GLTS. It's a

147bad policy. It's a problem. And you're you're listening from someone who's been doing this 54 years I've been working with kids. I know what the hell I'm talking about. And I'm telling you, it's going to be a major problem for us. It's going to be a lot of work and it's going to cause all kinds of issues. So, if you want to continue down this pathway, we'll do what the committee says, but it's on your backs when we have these problems when you're not listening to the advice of the superintendent who you hired to wait a minute to do this job. >> Excuse me, >> Mrs. Ferris still has >> I do believe without the dramatics. I made this point the last time and the time before and the time before, Mr. Lavoy. I have

148never been in favor of this. >> I didn't say you were. I I know you were. >> And certainly I'm being chastised along, you know, massing you. I'm saying the committee in general is making a mistake. >> So I you have a motion, don't you? >> You have a motion. Okay, Mr. Chair has to have the discussion. >> May I please? >> You should not permit this, >> Mr. Pitting it. I'm letting the discussion if you wanted to discuss >> the discussion is one thing and then yelling to the committee members is another thing and it's happened too many times and I am telling you right now that this is unacceptable. It's unacceptable. I have not spoke before about this but I'm speaking now because this is not the first the second the third the

149fifth time that this happened. Mr. Lavoy should not speak to us like he is doing right now. I'm not speaking to you. I'm speaking in general >> by the frustration of what I know is going to be challenged. I'm not speaking to you in any specific way. I am I am uh very frustrated by everything that's I'm sick and tired of being criticized all night long for the hard work that I do day in and day out for the last 15 years bringing this school to unbelievable places and all I ever do is get criticized for it unjustly and it's and it can get frustrating after a while listening to it and I'm telling you this this particular policy which the committee did not listen to me about cuz they know more about education than

150I do and apparently and I'm telling you my job is to do what I believe is in the best interest of educating our students. Now that's what I'm hired for and that's what I'm going to continue to do. Does do I get passionate about it? I'm absolutely passionate about it. Our success comes from my passion. If I wasn't pass I want to grow and improve this. This is my last year and I'm not sitting back and saying let's let the year pass. I'm saying I want to do more and help this community and help this school because I'm passionate about it. I care about it and I've been doing it my whole life and I will do it till the day I can't breathe to help this community and the students in this school cuz

151they deserve the best they can get and the uniforms is not the best they can get. >> Thank you, Mr. We have the motion on the floor. Discussion is over. Can we uh call a vote please? >> This is the vote to resend the previous >> the vice chair. >> Yes. Do you want >> motion please? You can read it back just so everybody >> Mr. May move to reset the previous vote made regarding forms on June 26 at the June 26 meeting. >> Mr. M. >> Yes. Mr. Mercedes, >> no. >> Mr. Tavox, >> no. >> Miss Ferris, >> yes. >> Miss Dler, >> no. >> Thomas >> Jones, >> no. >> I think I think there needs to be some clarity. >> Mr. Adam, >> yes. >> There needs to be some clarity.

152What are you voting uh what are you voting for? Uh, Bill, do you want the policy or you don't want the policy? I think he's confused. >> The motion was read. >> I'm asking him if he he needs clarity. >> All right. And that's a yes vote. >> We got the vote. >> Rescending is then that's a yes vote for rescending it. >> We're moving on. I told you that was the easy one. >> So what's the vote? >> What's the vote? Is right. >> Two yes to rescend and two. No, three yes. No, there's four yeses and three nos. >> No, there's four yeses and three nos. >> Three yeses. >> He just said he was reinforced. >> He just said he's not. He He just voted yes. He clarified his vote. >> He's

153clarifying. Yes. Because I knew he because I knew he didn't understand. >> Cuz I know him. Cuz I know him. >> Yeah. Of course you know him. >> Yeah. Of course I know him because I've known him my whole life. >> The the the uh this is not going to work. You know everything. You seem you should be the president of the United States instead of the the the school uh uh Mr. Superintendent. >> We need to stop this guy. >> Well, he's the one. >> Excuse me. >> Let me stop. >> The vote's been taken since. >> So, what's the vote? >> Yes or no? >> No, that's not the vote. That is not the vote. [Music] >> That's not the vote. >> I think I think he should revote. It doesn't work that

154way. >> It doesn't. >> Yeah, it does work that way. He has to know what he's voting on. >> You cannot manipulate things. Just >> I'm not manipulating. I'm saying that that's not his intent. >> Yes, you are. >> We're moving on to out of state travel. >> I have two out of state travels. I'm going to do them both separate motions for them. Uh the first one, superintendent is looking to send up the four staff members to attend ACT career tech vision conference and exposition on December 9th through the 12th, 2025. The AS acts is the Association for Career and Technical Education. I believe it's in your pamphlet. The next page over, do I have a motion on the travel for the uh first one, please? But anything to you have your signature down

155who's going to uh >> we haven't selected we haven't selected we haven't put it out yet who who's interested in going. I know that uh it's something we should be sending people to. It's a major it's the national conference that we that happens every year. There's a lot of uh of uh workshops and policies and information that goes on. We sent three last year. We weren't able to cover all the uh information that we wanted. We send both academic and vocational administrators to this. >> Oh, so this is something you're recommending. >> No one's signed up. I'm recommending that we send four people to this. I'm sure I'll get at least four people interested. >> Can I get a motion, please? >> Got a motion for a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion on that?

156>> Thank you. Oh, please. >> Miss Ferris. >> Yes. >> Miss Distler. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mia. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mercedes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. >> Yes. Second one. Superintendent send up the two staff members to school safe 2025 conference on November 4th to the 6th, 2025. It's being held in for Texas. Estimated cost for two staff members is estimated at 3350. I believe this is something you're requesting. Nobody has signed up for it as it yet. >> Uh yes, >> your name is now. >> Can I get a motion on the second? >> Uh so moved with >> discussion. >> So moved with discussion. >> Discuss it. >> Okay, we'll discuss. I'm I'm hoping that you don't send somebody to is not directly involved with safety of

157the school. looking to send somebody that uh is involved in all the uh emergency planning of the school on the crisis team and um would be able to come back and uh help us uh work with the administrative team and the teachers to make uh some decisions with regarding to campus safety uh and looking at our policies and what we do today and how we can improve those policies and uh procedures that we use. So it wouldn't be you're not looking to send an administrator. >> No, no, I am someone out of the I would say someone out of the safe office. >> Okay. >> Further discussion, Mr. May. >> Um, yeah, I think it was clarified, but we don't have staff yet that are assigned to attend this conference. >> We don't have >>

158What? So, what is the >> I think I've mentioned it to a couple staff people, but I have no I didn't uh seek any commitment until I knew I could get the funding. So, I I've asked a couple people in the safe office. Okay. >> Uh that would be if they would be interested in this conference. >> Okay. Thank you. >> That's all I have. >> Can I get a second? >> I'm actually have one more question. Um, I'm assuming that every conference that teachers or staff are going on are coming back with like a report of the impact of their experience and how it went. >> Yeah. >> There'll also be some outlines and expectations before they go out. >> U there'll be some meetings for the crisis team. So, I'll bring the crisis

159team together uh before they go out to talk about some of what we're looking to try to uh look at and improve in uh in terms of our own policies and procedures hoping because looking at this outline of what they'll be covering at the conference, there are lots of things in here that I think we can learn from and that would be beneficial to the school. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um Tom, >> please question. >> Yes, he is. I've asked this question numerous times in the past. No one has ever come before us and I have not heard any uh subsequent information regarding any of these out ofstate travels you know 2 3 4 days um you know hearing any kind of beneficial information that would impact our building our students our programs I'm

160hoping that someone in leadership is hearing that cuz I've asked for it and I have not heard heard a thing >> I will ask in both cases I will ask the people who go to do a report to the committee when they come back >> okay but that's what you did for and I can remember one it was around Christmas last year whoever went there >> did someone do >> did not did not come back with anything >> yeah we can we had someone present after they went to the CT conference last year to the committee did we >> so I don't think it was a formal report, but we talked so I went to that conference with Lauren Jones and Pineota Ethan Ellis and we talked about some of the information and what we

161brought back, but we did not do like a formal report. Well, I'm just hoping that, you know, it's it's look, it's all for growth, right? I mean, I you you need to move out and branch out and to to learn more and be exposed. Yes. But if it's if it's just for like, you know, change of scenery, I'm not in favor of it. And certainly I've been here long enough that some of these are just for change of scenery. >> Okay. Can we have the vote please? >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mus. >> Yes. >> Mler. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mahia. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mercedes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hayden. >> Yes. The committee all business committee priorities I see none policy none business none table man none. All

162right. Personal cons personnel considerations report resignations. Liz Palanteer science. Joseph Ceino, HVAC. Michelle Callahan, special ed. Rob Myella, co-op coordinator. Jacob Elwell, mathematics. Pina Leonard, porticulture. David Beneruti, security. Leaves of absences, see none. Retirements, none. Appointments, you all have a list. There's 35 names. I'm not going to read them all, please. Uh, some of them were hired sometime during last year and some were for this year. Uh, Mr. Roy, I'll ask you, there were a couple that are empty spots. Does that mean they're not filled? Early childhood assisting and co-op education coordinator? >> Yes, they're still there still. >> Yes. >> Yeah. in in most of those I think we're they're in the process of in I think they completed the interviews for the the committee that's doing the co-op education coordinator uh interviews have

163completed their work and are have not recommended anyone to me as of yet. So, but I think they're that coming very soon. And I don't know why the custodian one is open. Um, and the math I don't >> I thought all our maths were filled. So, I don't know why those aren't filled. >> Longterm sub. >> Oh, that's a long-term sub. >> Didn't we fill the longterm sub? Oh, we did have it filled, but then they changed their mind. That's why it's open. >> All set. >> Yeah. >> Mrs. Fus. >> Okay. So I assume I mean we don't do anything. This is just informational. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So I'm my remarks are informational as well and I it is I mean first of all a ton of new people but you say we

164need them all. The one that strikes me well first of all I want to ask and I I really Mr. Superintendent don't want a big long answer. It's like a yes or no. These have requirements. Correct. >> We have what? >> The hiring of these individuals. There is a there is a description with requirements. Correct. >> Yes. >> Okay. And teacher requirements may be a little bit different than administrative requirements. Correct. >> That's correct. Yes. >> Okay. And I know for a fact that the administrative uh job description requires that you're certified with the DEESC in administration >> for the most. Yes. They have to be they have to have a certain everybody has to have a certain license in order to uh >> you have to be certified as an administrator in a supervisor

165in the in the department of ed. That is correct. >> That's right. >> Okay. And it is my understanding that Ohio was made without that. And I can't for the life of me >> think why we have not a pool of candidates that we could have drawn from >> for that. Now, it may be really tough to get us a new superintendent, but I don't think it's tough to get an administrator in a certain area. I just don't >> Well, I don't know what position you're talking about, but there are times when there's nobody that has applied that has the license and so or they have >> they haven't even tried to get the license, which is disturbing to me >> because if you have that aspiration of being an administrator, you would have at

166least aspired and made those uh movements toward getting that license. >> Yeah. I don't know what position you're referring to. >> Okay. Well, I don't want to be right on. >> You can you can tell me after the meeting, but I >> trust what I'm telling you that is not the case and I'm sure you're aware of it and I don't want to see uncertified people in this school if we can help it and we could help it with this. >> Well, I I'm not sure cuz I don't know the position. >> I'm positive. >> Yeah. So, uh if that's the case, then I'll look at it. All these positions start off with a committee in every one of these positions. >> I understand how it works, John. >> And then it goes to the

167principal and to the uh and the vice sometimes the assistant superintendent. Look, I think in a department where it has already sacrificed leadership that my goal as an administrator or as a leader leader in a school would be to find the strongest possible candidate to help that department. And when I see somebody who is not even challenged in th those areas and is simply good or great at what they do, but not a leader per se, I have a problem with that. You need somebody to lead, somebody who's experienced, not somebody who's learning on the job for how much. I have a problem with that. And I think that you should too. >> Yeah. So, let me know who it is. I'm not aware of any administrator that we hired that doesn't have the license.

168>> I mean, that goes for anybody. I don't want to see what we want to see. I don't want to see licenses like candy without the proper preparation. I don't need that. >> I've been in here long enough to know. You wouldn't you wouldn't certify a carpenter to be a carpenter. You just finished telling us how many years it takes to be a good apprentice. Okay. So, why should it be any different as an instructor or or a supervisor or a leader of a of a area? I don't understand why we make those differences or uh compromises for places for things like that and especially in an area that needs strong leadership. I am really baffled by that. >> No, I agree with you and I I don't >> That's it. I'm done. >> Yeah.

169So, the only thing I would say is Well, you can let me know later what the situation is. I don't know. >> Okay, moving on. Job postings. Um, I will be taking I'm going to read them all and I'll take separate votes on them all if that's okay with everybody. The help desk IT support technician for clerical contract school year 2526. This would be a new position. Social studies curriculum revision requires up to 11 teachers to review and revise current curriculum adjustments needed for school year 2526 per teachers contract. uh se June 2025 to 2026 it's grant funded and these are new position English HQIM curriculum council up to eight teachers to serve on the English HQIM curriculum council as part of the prism 3 grant per teachers contract September 2025 June this is grant

170funed its new position. HQIM is high quality instructional >> materials. Thank you. Um can I have a motion on the first one please? The help desk IT support. There's a vote on every job. First thing >> um motion to approve with discussion. Um, >> yeah. So, I I'm under the impression that we also don't have a director of IT. Is there a plan for that department in terms of that position? And how many technicians do we have currently in that department? >> So, we have two technicians at this time and there's no plan at this time to hire a director of of technology. Uh we haven't had one >> oh I don't know going back way back to before January and then when we had one I wouldn't say it was of very high quality.

171Um we operated pretty well without that person. Uh and uh we have uh the assistant superintendent that is the administrator overseeing that department working with them. They have uh they are the two technicians we have have uh been working closely with a um a uh a company that's been uh supporting both their work when needed and they're in the process now of uh refurbishing. They spent the summer upgrading all our security systems and improving our technology with regards to speed and quality uh by putting 150 new um uh routers throughout the building so that in all the classrooms they will um uh be able to have uh better technology within our classroom. uh since they've been uh in the role um we have been uh operating at uh high level with very little uh desk

172uh with very little requests for uh support. So, it's working fine and at this time I don't see the need for hiring a director. Um, but we do need a help desk support to handle all the students when they come to the help desk to take care of minor problems that they may have with their computer to get them back online. Uh, in terms of the uh our servers, in terms of our network system, our two support technicians are are um doing well with that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mia. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mercedes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tox. >> M. Ferris. >> Yes. >> M. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hayden. >> Yes. >> Second one. Social studies curriculum revision. Um, 11 of our own teachers to

173review. This is grant funded. Can I get a motion on that please? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. Any discussion? >> Show. >> Miss Dler. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mahia. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mercedes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Todd. >> Yes. >> Miss Ferris. >> Yes. >> Mr. Hayden. >> Yes. English HQ curriculum council up to eight of our teachers. This is grant funded. New position high quality instructional materials to approve a second please. >> Second >> discussion show. Would you call >> Miss Fris? >> Yes. >> Miss Dler. >> Yes. >> Mr. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Mr. Mercedes. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Just so you're aware, the descriptions are in the dock. Job descriptions are in the >> future agenda items. >> Uh,

174no future agenda, but motion to enter to executive session. >> I have one second, please. >> No, I meant Give me one second. I promised the superintendent if you wanted to read what he had told the students, I would give you a chance. Do you want to I'm sorry. The teachers today. >> Oh. >> Is there anything you want to say on that? I told you. >> Um, no. I'm good. >> Okay. Now, we have a second discussion. >> Mr. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mah. Yes, >> Mr. Mercedes. >> Yes, >> Mr. back into session now. Thank you. >> And Mr. Jones, do you want to make a motion? Yeah, I'd like to make a motion uh to replace the CT E coordinator that uh we previously have an opening for. >> Second. Any

175discussion? >> Call the vote. Show >> Mr. Jones. >> Yes. >> Mia, >> this is the replacement, correct? >> Yes. Mr. Mercedes, >> no. >> Mr. Tox, >> yes. >> M. Ferris, >> no. >> Mr. Hayen, >> yes. >> And, uh, Mrs. Ferris, you wanted to make a motion. >> Um, make a motion to, um, dedicate the wait room in Arthur Yansy's name. Second. >> Second. Um, any discussion. >> Show call vote, please. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mercedes. >> Yes. >> Mr. T. >> Yes. >> M. Ferris. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes, >> Mr. Jones. >> Yes, >> Mr. Hayden. >> Yes, >> you want to let him know. >> I think you should call. >> I think it's only right. Unless you want me to. >> No, no, >> good. Um, >> we'll

176leave you the details on figuring out a plaque on what to say and >> we'll do a ceremony and everything. >> We'll do something nice. >> We always do. Thank you. Can I have a motion to uh end? >> I'll put the motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. I'm sorry.