Webster Public Schools School Committee Meeting, September 22nd, 2026

001Good evening everyone. With the time being 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026, I will call this meeting of the Webster School Committee to order and ask that we stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Just a reminder, this meeting is being recorded both video and audio and will be posted on the district website. The first order of business is the discussion and approval of the minutes from the September 8th, 2026 meeting. Is there any discussion around those minutes? Hearing none, I'll enter a motion to accept them. >> Some move. >> Second. There's a motion and a second. Desire, would you please hold the committee? >>

002Member Millet? >> Yes. >> Member? >> Yes. >> Memberos? >> Yes. Chair Ziking. >> Yes. Motion passes. And the next item on our agenda is a report from the superintendent. Good evening, Mrs. Good evening, everyone. It's nice to see everyone tonight. I'm going to start off with a personnel update. Um, we have no new retirements at this time to announce. I am happy to report that we did um host and hired a new art teacher already for Bricklet High School. He started on Monday of this week. And uh we would like to welcome Timothy Cruz um Brown to the school system. He's excited to be here and uh he's already jumped in so we're happy about that. We have no new resignations at this time or transfers. Um as you can see we consistently have

003been carrying the vacancies of Paris and ABAs across the district. Um one update that I will give you is that we are um meeting with some staffing organizations to look at getting some contractors in. um on a basis while we still continue to hire um ABAs and power professionals to fill some of those gaps and to help us um stay compliant. [snorts] So that is something that we're looking into. Um we um I know the director of student support services already met with a few different agencies and we're talking with one more agency tomorrow in detail um to get more details about the offerings and stuff. So, we're [clears throat] looking to do that to help supplement the staff that we already have and we'll continue to advertise and try and hire. >> There any

004questions about personnel >> through the chair? Me, >> are the staffing agencies have any input about why people we can't get and it's not just us. I know it's everywhere, but why that's happening. I haven't been in on the initial discussions, but I will be talking um we're meeting tomorrow morning with the um one of them. So, we'll be getting some more information. And I'm not sure how big their pool is or what their pools look like. Um I really can't answer that question. There any other questions? Moving on. Um tonight I am going to turn over um the start of our report to our assistant superintendent Dr. Patty Mai who's going to give you an upgrade update about facil by literary literacy and the 21st um century exemplar grant. Good evening. Uh I'll start

005with the 21st century exemplary grant. So finally we have been awarded the um exemplary grant uh for 21st century in the amount of 181,475. Um, so we have I know that we've had exemplary status before like well long long time ago. Um, and then COVID hit and we didn't have 21st century and we've been working our way into this cycle to have um [clears throat] this next phase of the 21st century grant uh which is considered exemplary. And what exactly does that mean? Um it it mostly means that we've established some practices and some teaching methods and adhered to the requirements of 21st century and fulfilled like we passed with flying colors a site visit. We implemented lots of things within 21st century, including getting almost all of the staff trained in project-based learning and

006all of the newness of the different project-based learning activities and playful learning activities that Desi puts forth. Um, and that we've participated in sharing and creating new units so that other districts can come to us. That's one of the hallmarks of being an exemplary um school district. And uh so our expectation is that we would share promising practices that have worked well for us. One of those I'd like to highlight the the tremendous work that our teachers have done um and after participating in the cohort of PBL part actually adapted some of the units that are put forth by um 21st century created sort of variations of those [cough] wrote their own curriculum and now we have like a library of PBL units. PBL is project- based learning um a library of of PBL units

007that we can share with the community, the 21st century community outside of Webster, but within Webster. Um this summer we participated in a lot of writing of the curriculum units. Um [clears throat] one of the things we we've been really trying to listen to the teaching staff and what what works well for you and what do you need help with? Um, and we gave them time, stipended time to plan out the units for the rest of the year. So that there it's a long day when you're teaching all day and then you have to go work after school for a couple of hours and teach a whole different curriculum that has all these expectations to adhere to. Um, and so a couple of things that we did differently this year, we did all this upfront

008planning and divided the year into trimesters so that teachers are making a commitment for a trimester. Teachers can work all three trimesters, they can [clears throat] work two, they can work one, but it leaves a little bit of control of their time in their hands. And that has really worked out well. But that meant we needed to create um 15 units of study. So we have five grade levels, three trimesters. So we we did like condensed versions of these PBL units. So there was a lot of work that was done over the summer and it continues now um so that we're ready and planned for for for the year. Um [clears throat] so in this trimester kindergarten we'll be doing art and nature. First grade will be doing novel engineering. Second grade, [clears throat] excuse

009me, is storytelling. Third grade is coding and robotics. and fourth grade is um like a club design and they're calling it design the ultimate club. They they last year when they did this club they designed games like board games um for kids to play with their families. And so um it's a it's it's a wonderful opportunity for many of our families. You know, families rely we had testimonials as part of this application. We had testimonials from families saying, "Thank goodness that there's something after school for my children that um children get snack, they get a safe place to be. During the summer, there's field trips, there's lots of exposure to um this project-based learning uh thinking, which is really designed to get kids to to a deeper level of learning. So, it's truly it's truly

010a wonderful program and we're really pleased that we have it back and that we reached this exemplary stats. So, kudos to um to the teachers, to Lois Taylor who is the coordinator um and anyone that supports um our program. So, that's 21st century. The second update that I have is um every year as you know we offer the last three years um we have participated in the seal of bi literacy and there are some requirements that we have for family notification for the seal of bi literacy. So according to desi every family preschool to grade 12 needs to be notified that we are a seal of bi literacy district. So this is one of the methods of communication as we're talking today um in a in a an open meeting. Um but we we notify

011families of um the status which is where Salem by literacy district and what that means. Talks about the importance of maintaining language. It talks about kids looking forward to studying language if they are not from a different country or family speaks a different language. Um, and we have to we have to outline the language learning opportunities for students where we offer language. And currently we offer Spanish at the high school. Um, and so we have a separate letter that will be going um to elementary and middle and then a separate letter for high school which is where they actually do the testing. So seal of biiteracy is offered to graduating seniors. So day I would I would um suggest that we talk [laughter] >> taking all this >> um and um and as we've talked

012before and celebrated the wonderful achievements of our students. It's a wonderful way to um demonstrate that or to to not just the students demonstrate but for us to celebrate the fact that students have either maintained their home languages and become pro highly proficient in it through testing or have learned a language. Um and it's it's tremendous. It's it's a tremendous um gift to be able to speak a different language. >> School committee meeting. >> Yes. Can you guys sit back there? >> Thank you. >> Yeah. The chairs over there. And the only other thing about the sale of biiteracy is that um DESIE has updated its regulations um after the changes with MCCAST because it used to be getting a passing score on MCCAST and you have to pass the graduating the graduation requirements. You

013have to be eligible. So there's certain eligibility factors that have changed um completely based on the changes that took place regarding MCCAST. So we'll be updating our guidance to reflect those changes [clears throat] and we plan on disseminating electronically the letters to all of the families, have them available in print to anybody that needs it in different languages um so that everybody has access. And then our the next phase for us is to identify the students. So, we'll take a look at those new regulations and then do reach out to those students. Um, tell them about it, tell them when, you know, what the process is for taking the test um in the other language, what the qualifying scores are in the English language assessments um and how we can support more students to to

014get this um wonderful award. >> Are there any questions? Thank you for the kids. Any questions from the committee about this? I mean first entry for um let's do b literacy um through the chairs. >> I just want to thank you for bringing this forward. That's really great news for Webster like as a whole school district to have both those distinctions. One that exemplar status but after school programs um that's amazing for a lot of our kids and before school programs. a lot of schools don't offer that and that's an integral part of working families to get their kids to school every day. Um, so I think that's great that that's happening. Um, and then of course the sale of bi literacy like you know that's just such an accomplishment for our students and to

015be able to look at the fact that they speak two languages as such a benefit to them where sometimes I'm sure it can be difficult because maybe they're not at the right reading level when they first start or it feels maybe like a hindrance. it's really showing um you know what a great accomplishment it is and and how proud they should be that they can have um that accomplishment in two languages. So I think that's great that Webster are doing that is doing that. So thank you for bringing that here and you know all the work behind it. >> I would just like to give um Dr. Kai a shout out because um she thanked everybody for their work with the 21st century uh exemplar grant, but she put in a lot of time and

016effort into writing that grant, guiding the process and um you know was a big part of the reason why it happened. She's really been monitoring and overseeing with the team making sure that their um the project based learning is something that um has grown and that we're doing for our students. So, um, thank you for that work. Actually, both of these things that, um, were talked about tonight. Uh, Patty brought to my attention, the seal of bi literacy, that was one of the first things, um, when I became superintendent, she said, "I really want to bring this out to our kids and, um, it's a great, great asset for them." So, um, thank you for that work. It's important for our kids and our kids are benefiting. So, thank you. >> Any other questions or

017comments from the committee for Dr. Rick? Okay, moving on. Um, so as we get into the year, we I've set up monthly meetings with our unions. We're working really hard on communication and making sure we're on the same page. So, those are set up for the year. I will continue those meetings um both with our WA and our parun. So, I'm happy that we can keep the communication going. Um, another thing we've done across the district and that we've made some changes over the past couple years is our safety care training. Um, we have really, it has really grown over the past few years and our special ed department has really worked at building up our trainers in the district. So, we have um certified trainers throughout our three schools. Our administration each has some

018and we have some of our BCBAs and special ed teachers and they are providing trainings at scheduled times throughout the year. So we have all of our staff on a schedule where it's more affordable, people are up to date, we have tracking mechanisms now. Um so uh they've got some really good um processes and procedures in place for that. And this past week, um, Heidi and I attended a training two nights last week that was held, um, for safety care certification. And I just wanted to give the special ed department a shout out for their organization of how um, they're scheduling and running that to make sure that we're maintaining our staff certifications and that the amount of staff that are getting trained now um, is a big number. And it's a it's a big

019it was a big undertaking to get everybody on a same schedule and to make sure we're doing um our best to keep people updated and certified. So I just want to give them a shout out and say thank you. And then um on Thursday last week uh Bartlett High had uh their open house on September [clears throat] 17th. Um it was a nice night and a good turnout and I just wanted to thank all the parents and students who came to support and visit and their teachers um and find out about clubs and other happenings going on there. >> I didn't see you. I didn't. So [laughter] I didn't see you. That's okay. You don't have to apologize. Um but that's what I have for instructional. Are there any questions about those? No. And then

020moving on under other updates. Um I had attended the Southern Worester County Collaborative meeting on Friday, September 11th. Um as you know, um this has been a concern across the state of Massachusetts with a decline in enrollments. Um public schools are not the only schools, um who are seeing this decline. We were also seeing it at some of our collaboratives. Um so it was brought up there that um when we budgeted when we set the budget um for the collaborative we had uh budgeted for 120 seats. So 120 tuitions of students coming in. Um they are starting the year down at 105. Um just last year we had budgeted 133 and reduced it to 120 to make up some of the decline that we see and this year um we are already starting well below.

021So, it's an area that we are watching and monitoring closely. Um, I did put the agenda in your packet. Uh, one of the other topics that was a bit of our discussion was there is another school um district that is looking to join the collaborative. Um, which it, you know, in theory is great, but being a member district, you do receive a significant discount in tuition for being a member. This district has been sending kids to the collaborative for years. [clears throat] Um, you know, they're a good a good district that pays their bills, that show up, that communicate well, so they would be a welcome addition. But one of the things that we have to take into account is if you're sending four or five kids and now you're adding that discount um by

022making them a member member district, you know, you could be looking at a you know 60 $60,000 gap in in taking on that membership. Um so we had a lot of discussion around it. Um, we're looking at ways that maybe we could do a fade in so there's a plan so you're not just immediately losing that income that maybe it takes two years to get in. Um, but we're looking at a couple different options there. So, uh, it's just something that we need to keep our eye on moving forward. Um, because if they do, I believe if they agree to take on the member, then we might have to vote that as a scope committee. So, I'll have to clarify that, but I wanted to give you a heads up that that's the discussion. That's

023something the group is looking at and um I will bring you any updates um because we tabled that discussion. There was no need to rush into it as we wanted to look at the financial status and think of how we could phase that in over the years. So, we'll be discussing it at future meetings. Um are there any questions about the collaborative? No. Okay. And then this week on tomorrow uh the library is hosting their books and blooms. I will be attending that. Um and then on Thursday we have a strategic planning committee with the um town their master plan. That'll be on Thursday September 4th uh 24th and I will be attending that. Um that is being held via Zoom so I don't have to go to the town hall. Um and that concludes

024my report for tonight. >> Thank you. Any questions or comments from the committee for Mrs. Brancher? Hearing none. Um, thank you once again for your updates. The next item on the agenda is the um, director of finance and operations report. Good evening, Mrs. Contos. >> Good evening, everyone. [clears throat] Starting with the Bartlett High School renovation project. I actually want to start with an update that we um received this morning regarding the project schedule as well as updates related to scope within phases. As we've been reporting, they were expecting phase 4 to be done by June of next year. In reviewing the work that they were able to advance into phase three over this past summer, they are now projecting that they think that they'll finish as early as the end of April as a

025result of that. So, they did pull in a bunch of site work that they did over the summer, which just leaves us with the removal of the modular building and then the sidewalk I mean the the parking lot out front. So, as a result of that, what they're looking at is we vacate the building at the end of December. Then they mobilize to have the um modular company come out, begin removing the building. Then weather dependent, they'll start some site work in terms of what they can do, but they expect that all of the paving around that area will be done during April break. So I think that's good news um that we are able to do that because honestly trying to do some of that site work during the school year would have been

026a significant coordination challenge with the amount of traffic that we have on the campus. So I think that's good news. And so in terms of a financial update, just wanted to share with you this is something that while we're in the process of submitting an amendment to our MSBA project funding agreement, this is something we've been working on for well over two years and it's finally coming to fruition. And so what we're doing is there's some additional external money, district money that is being incorporated into the project as supplemental funding to assist with some uh bid overages. Um much earlier in the project actually there were some expenses much higher related to the modular buildings themselves. The lease itself standing up the building were some of those bids that came in much o um higher

027than we anticipated. So there were three external sources. One was the Esser grant. The other one was a town needing vote to use the remaining funds in the Park A building project and the final one was um a fiscal year 23 surplus that we had that was directed towards the project. And so all of those three funding sources total 1.6 million and that amount of money is being formally included into the project funding agreement. As I said, this has been work in progress for two plus years, but it's finally after all the vetting and the conversations with the MSBA is finally coming to fruition, and we expect that that should be released within the next week or so. Any questions about that? >> Okay. And maintenance updates, my my primary focus uh for this meeting

028is the car app climate control system. So, we've been working really throughout the summer to identify what specifically had to happen, going out to bid, comparing those bids, making sure we were comparing like to like, and then finally um signing on and then getting the um parts ordered. And so, over the last month, late August, and then as um much as last week, we finished all of the mechanical updates to the rooftop units, um replacing one wheel components. we actually had to replace a compressor and by removing those we actually by replacing those we've now stabilized that equipment before we move on to our next phase of the remediation plan. So this full week now that the work is done we're allowing the system to run under normal conditions so that we can gather the

029appropriate data and see how it actually performs during sort of this stabilization period. Next week on Monday, we have a software control expert that will be out here to actually look at all the building management software controls to see what type of updates are needed to either damper settings or other control parameters within the software system that essentially regulates the air flow and temperature throughout the building. Um, it's really important that you get the mechanical functioning correctly before you start making those software updates. So, that work is planned for Monday to start looking at that and making those updates. So, we're hopeful that once the software updates um get made in the system that we'll really start seeing better performance beyond just the mechanical fixes. And and just as a point of reference, um this

030is not unique to Park A. In fact, we were having the same conversation this morning about the brand new building here um and in one room where two well distinct systems were competing with each other in one room with respect to heat and AC and having to get the software to recognize it correctly so that the heat wasn't continually coming on. So this is it not unique to park ad but this is how these larger commercial buildings are built with sophisticated software that manages all the system that it's not purely mechanical. it actually requires a lot of tuning of parameters within the systems and set points. So, um fingers crossed that this next step in the process will do the trick. Any questions? Okay. And other updates? Um in your packet, I did put a

031final year-to-day budget report as a result of the budget line transfers as we've done um in all of the years that I've been here. If you have any questions, please let me know. Um, and then the last one is I wanted to give you an update. We went out to bid for our electricity and gas. This is a process that we do in partnership with Competitive Energy Services. They're an organization that we work with through our relationship with French River. Um, and they support the district by managing the entire bidding process. They actually act as a neutral adviser to us while we do this. They monitor all the market conditions, what the storage levels look like, what future pricing looks like, things that I'm learning more about liqufied natural gas, and what the impact is

032to our region. Um, and they make those recommendations. So, we have locked in to two new rates. Um, for electricity, we decided to go with a one-year bid. Uh, the electricity market, um, the rates are higher right now. Um and so we didn't want to lock in um for a long term with those rates. So we locked in for one year at um basically 14 cents a kilowatt. Um and then on the other side for natural gas, we locked in at $464 for Dextherm and in fact that's probably our lowest rate since we went out to bid since 2020. So that was a good number. So we locked into that for four years um because it was favorable. Uh, and the good news about this is while electricity prices are rising, the decline in our

033gas rate is favorable. So, it's a complete offset for us from a cost standpoint. So, just an update on those bids. But we do work in partnership with them all the time. They're constantly looking out at what's going on in the market. In fact, with electricity, um, one of the things that we had to do with this new building was when we did come up for bid, we could only go out for one year for the high school because they needed to see how the building was going to perform for the first year to really give us good rates on that. So, um, but we did decide to go with another one year at this time. Any questions? That concludes my report. Thanks for those updates. and specifically and continually searching for the best rates

034we possibly can get in this very expensive energy world that we're living in. So >> yeah, I mean the one the one thing that I learned is that we are very lucky um from a regional standpoint where we are with gas and the pipeline that we have to our area. Um and that was one of the things that was favorable for us. Um again the natural gas from that standpoint now it's a different impact on electricity because gas also impacts electricity but that's a different source and a different pipeline. So, it's pretty complex. >> Yeah, it sounds like it. And great news about the building project here at Bartlett. It sounds like things are really beginning to sort of ramp up and ramp up, right? >> Yeah, it will. From an actual hands-on number of

035contractors we on see on site. Right now, we're seeing about 60 contractors on site per day. That will start to taper off in the next few months and then it'll really drop significantly. Um, so we'll just have, you know, minimal number of people on site after December, but there's still work in project closeout. So, while it sounds like, um, we're close to done from the actual physical standpoint, but there's a lot of paperwork and documentation that needs to be completed to close out the project. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We certainly can. And if you look and you drive around back, you'll see the playground equipment starting to be put up. So, that was another thing that was frontloaded and they [clears throat] moved up. Um, so I give

036them a lot of credit for their creativity and moving their schedule and smart planning um to really get us through. It was, you know, it was a busy summer and there was a lot going on on campus. We worked through a lot, but it was definitely worth it um to see the work that's been completed. So, absolutely. Great. Any other questions or comments from the committee? Okay, hearing none, our next item on the agenda is the principal report. And joining us this evening from Webster Middle School is Miss Heidi Peterson. Good evening. >> Hello everybody. Um start with uh reviewing our school opening. We had a very smooth school opening. I would say it's probably been the best opening since I've been here. Um our schedules, we, you know, typically have lines of students waiting

037for schedules to be fixed, but we had no issues um with schedules. So, the front work that we did on on all of that um was really beneficial to get kids in their places and be less stressed about uh school opening. Um traffic patterns as you know are, you know, sometimes changing out here. So, um, overall, you know, PE the parents who we have had at at, uh, Webster Middle, our sixth, seventh, and eighth grade parents kind of set the tone for the the traffic patterns. Um, you know, we continue to monitor and have people that insist on going the wrong way and parking in the wrong spots, but we we take care of that on a onetoone basis. So, um, attendance has been really consistent across our grades. Um, we are averaging, uh, 95%

038attendance, which is on par with 25 26. Um, I would really like to see it get up to 97%, but um, for some reason, this school year has started off with some with a lot of illness, which is atypical. Um, we usually don't see it till mid to late October, but there's There's something [clears throat] nasty going around right now. So, wash your hands, [laughter] spray everything down. Um, we had our open house a couple weeks ago. Uh, this is the second year we've done a family barbecue uh prior to our open house. So, we do that from 4 to 6 and then our open house is 6:00 to 8. Um we had 155 people attend our barbecue and then um approximately 148 uh adults attend uh openhouse afterwards. I am missing a one grade

039level's data. So it's probably more like60 I would say. Um questions about school opening. Okay. Um I have on the agenda upcoming events, but I did want to review a couple events that we've already had. Um Bay Path has already been um to Webster Middle School to start nurses screenings, hearing, vision, height, weight, all of that. Um so they're continuing that throughout the month based uh grade level. Um, and Dennis Wise, who is an author, uh, he came last year to present about anti-bullying. Um, and he was here already this year. Uh, we just had him present to grade five because all the other grades had seen him last year. So, we will be um one of our counselors is working with the district attorney's office um and the rest of the grades will be

040having a um a cyber safety um assembly um in early November. And the counselor's also working with the DA on a parent piece to that. Um so, we've we've been um trying to decide if we want that in person or virtual. Um I'm thinking we're going in person since that is one of our school improvement goals is to get parents in involved and in to the school. So um that's one thing we're working on. [clears throat] Um we did have a fire drill the first week of school as by law. Our next event is um next week actually we are going to practice a full evacuation off campus. Um, so I'll be reaching out to parents to let them know that that is happening and what that will look like. Um, so we'll evacuate to

041uh the church. We're doing that in conjunction with the high school since if it were a true evacuation, both schools on the same campus would be evacuating. Um, we have Modus Kids coming up on October 9th. Um, this is an organization that had reached out to us last year. Um, and we had an event a little later in the year. So, hoping this year being the second year and earlier in the year, we have a little better attendance. And they're hoping to have it outside because they have [clears throat] a um a jumping jumping pit. Is that what you call it? Bouncy house or whatever it is. [laughter] Um, so um they are doing everything. We're just um hosting and gaining the benefits of it. So they have games and activities. Um it's for all

042age groups, not just middle school. Um they have food, um clothing, uh books, um other um resources for families. So u it's a really good um a good thing that they put on. We're also working with the American Heart Association um to uh work in conjunction with them. Um, so I'll have more information on what will actually be happening at the end of October and then our annual safety quest for our fifth graders uh in conjunction with not free no princess this year but we will continue working that questions about events for the chair member. >> Um, no questions just comments. Um, one, I just wanted to thank you for keeping the attendance at the forefront always. It's so important to get the kids in school and right now Webster Middle School is above the

043state average and it has been for a few years and I know having a middle school child myself that, you know, there's lots of information about attendance and I think it's really beneficial and I think that, you know, it's important to keep reminding kids and families that coming to school is so important. Um, so I just want to thank you for doing that. that's the most important is to getting them there every day. And then just I think it's a great idea to do the cyber safety for the parents because the kids hear it, but the parents um I think would love some tips because I think a lot of parents would like to be more on top of the social media and the cyber stuff and maybe just don't know how to or where

044to start or where to go. And so, um, I think that's a really great avenue is, um, to bring the parents in as well because sometimes the kids don't want to hear [laughter] that information or need a little bit of a push from the parents to kind of let it sink in. So, I I think that's great if you can do that and I I hope it's well attended. >> Yeah. And one of the other pieces to that is we were discussing whether to one of the options is to have the uh students attend with the parents and I think we are going to go with that so that the kids know that everybody's on the same page and and hearing it together. Um and you know as we know like you just alluded to

045this always things changing on a daily with things that they are inventing that we don't know about. Um and then um about attendance um you probably know that I post every day the um the student the grade level percentages um and it's a pretty tight race right now like um all the grades grades five, six, and eight all are tied for four days um having the best attendance and grade seven is three. So they're it's a tight race to see who's going to have the best attendance this month. So they look at they look at it every day. They come in and see. So it is great. Thank you. >> Can I add something to cyber um um space stuff? Every year we purchase second step which is the uh anal curriculum that we use

046at Park Avenue and Webster Middle School. High school uses something else um for advisory. And this year, Second Step introduced a digital um safety um set of units that we've purchased for all three schools. Um and at Park Avenue, it will be done through tech and the tech class. And then um can be incorporated into health classes at middle school and high school. Um just to give yet another um way of getting that information out to students. Um and the next thing I know that at the last meeting I had been informed that there was a lot of discussion around um scheduling and um how we use data to create scheduling and and um things around that. So um I just wanted to pass on some information about that. Um so um we have spent

047the last had spent the last year uh team of us the superintendent assistant superintendent special ed director uh representative from the special ed department and a counselor um attending DESI's redesign cohort I think we had spoken about that multiple times last year um examining the schedule uh at the middle school focusing on how to ensure that all students needs are were being met. Um, specifically the focus was on students who have multiple services um, special ed and um, English language learners and how to ensure that they were getting all the time they need in all of their areas. Um, so what we discovered, um, was that not a schedule, a schedule change wasn't what we were looking for, what we needed at the time, um, but more of how we use our time in a

048day or in a block. Um, so, uh, just give you some background on our [snorts] schedule. Um, all grade levels, uh, English and math classes are 90 minutes. Um this is the fourth year I think we've had 90 minute classes then uh we had switched from 60 to 90 because um because of our data wasn't showing um in increases in knowledge. Um seventh and eighth grade science and social studies classes are also 90 minutes. Uh sixth grade science and social studies classes are 50 minutes and fifth grade is 45 minutes. The reason for the difference there is because fifth and sixth grade have both science and social studies all year long. Um where we have split we have uh been doing science science for a half a year and social studies for a half a

049year. Um what the seventh and eighth grade teachers were finding was that while um kids were in math and and English, having another two classes switch midway, um wasn't working well. Um so they're still getting the same amount of time. Uh it's just split up differently. Um so so what we have since we looked at how the time is being used we have uh made English and and um math specifically what we're calling a 6030 split. Um it's a little bit of a misnomer because uh it can be a 60 60 minute on the front end or it can be a 30 minute on the front end depending on the classes. And again, you know, if you're familiar with our building at all, really it's fifth and sixth grade is a separate entity than seventh

050and eighth grade. So it's a middle school model and a junior high model. Um, so we're really running two different schedules in the building. Um, and so what happens with fifth and sixth grade is, uh, all fifth and sixth graders have English at the same time and math at the same time. So, in order for our special ed teacher to service all of the inclusion classes, she they're all female, so I can say she she goes to one class for 45 minutes and the next class for 45 minutes. So, that's why that 6030 may have to be uh 3060 in the other. Um, so what's happening is all the classes, English and math are getting a 60-minute tier 1 lesson. That's the main lesson. That's grade level. All students are getting that. Um, and then

051all students are also getting a tier 2 30 minute. So that is more small groups um after they've got or before they've gotten a main lesson, splitting up into groups where focus areas are needed. So, it might be the special ed teacher working on um specific goals with students. It might be the English language teacher working with another group with their specific goals. Um it could be the the classroom teacher working with another group on, you know, whatever is happening in the class. So, if it's math and you know they're doing measurement, um maybe this group needs needs work understanding what a ruler looks like, but this group can go around and measure things in the room because they already have the have the knowledge and the skills. So, it's um it is more um

052focused groups like I said. So these groups can be based on formal assessments, but mo most likely they're based on observation, performance, the task of the day, daily monitoring, uh uh teacher questioning, entrance, and exit slips. So it's a more um flexible grouping on a day-to-day basis. So just because Patty might be in my group today, tomorrow we might be work we're working on something different and maybe she was in those groups. So it was uh flexible. Um so we had started preparing staff for this at the end of last year, April, May and June because as I said we had discussed this at our um cohort. Um, so specifically we also had PD on our opening days for the English and math departments and we're, you know, it's a a newer [clears throat] model.

053Um, so we're continuing to identify needs and areas that um, teachers are needing more development um, and assistance with. um our uh academic coach continues to meet with um staff members and looking at the data for where their needs are. Um you know, and really teachers should be starting with what's in their highly high HQIM already. you know, we have curriculum that is built and structured for this kind of teaching and um all this all of the things are there already. Um so we've been working with the special ed and English language department, Dr. Mai and I and Mrs. hair have been sitting down with each grade level special ed teacher and the L teacher and really looking at every student to make sure that if there are um kiddos that are needing multiple services,

054how are they getting all of that? So, you know, the other day we were looking at a student that needed pull out services for special ed, a specialized reading with Wilson and English language services. So where does that all come from? Um so we've also been focusing um our examinations and discussions with grade level common and planning time department teams and ILT. Um [clears throat] I was going to talk about enrichment next but I'll see if there are any questions about the that model first. Just a clarifying question for the special education. Is that always pull out or is there sometimes pushment also? >> Yeah. So, so that's another area we're looking at in um terms of how the IE what the IEPs say. So, your C, if you're familiar with IEPs, there's three grids,

055an A, B, and C grid. So, the B grid is what's happening in in the general setting. The C grid is for what the pullout services are. So some kids don't have pullout services. They might have a counseling goal. Um so it again depends on the student and what their needs are. Some students get just push in, some that's inclusion. Some students get their services depending on what their needs are. Some students get both push in and pull out and some students get push in and pull out by the inclusion teacher in addition to some other services specialized reading other related services and those are generally outside of the classroom. there's only so many minutes in a day and so we have to really work collaboratively to figure out how do we meet all of

056the needs of all the requirements um and give access to tier one instruction and um it's it's a giant puzzle of minutes and that was the whole purpose of this co cohort that we went to last year is that we're not alone there are a lot of schools struggling with this how to meet the needs of your L's and your special ed and what about those dual kids um so you know it was best practices. We were with other school districts. How do you handle this? How do you do that? And there was a company um I'm trying to remember the name. >> Support ed. >> What was that? Support ed. >> Support ed. They were fantastic. I thought and how they facilitated and guided the instruction and oversaw and actually gave ideas about have

057you thought of this? You could do this in this scenario. So, um I found it to be very beneficial. It was one of the better cohorts that I think that we participated in. as far as helping us plan for this year and making some changes. >> Thank you for that. Any questions or comments from the committee for the chair member? >> So are you going I just what are the data points that just to see if it's effective? So what are you looking at? I guess I think obviously [clears throat] MCAST scores I Ready. Is there any other data points that you're looking at just to kind of give you an overview of whether the system's working? >> Yeah. um benchmark assessments um uh student grades overall um in in the English language we're using

058looking at the flashlight data we um access data um special ed goals are they being met I think that there's a push um in the district with our continuation of the instructional priority that we've been working on this year we we talked about discourse course we talked about questioning and the continuation of that work is talking about checks for understanding which are so highly related to questions and discourse and so some of what Miss Peterson was talking about were those in more informal checks for understanding informal assessments that you can get on a daily basis an exit ticket an entrance ticket some analysis of like of how a question was asked was answered um and not necessarily relying on the more long-term um for summitive assessments that [cough] maybe if we only rely on the

059end of a unit that could take five or six weeks >> that that there there might be another another mechanism for addressing that data and that need but on a day-to-day like the within the classroom tier 2eness of um that this this new work that we want to do is to really respond to student needs on a more frequent basis. is um so that we capture things before six weeks pass and we you know then we understand that they're not making it. >> Um so that that's been a big push for this year is to really think about all of the different ways that we can gather information. Um you know like we we can't necessarily use MCCAST scores for the kids that are in front of us because they're not their scores from this

060year, right? So that's one of those lagging result um type scores similar with access. So we have to identify other more frequent timely authentic in the- moment um data that we can utilize to decide who needs more, who can be left to thrive, who can we push forward um and at the same [clears throat] time accommodating the needs of who needs to be serviced um and and to meet all of those all of those needs. the chair. >> Sorry, one more comment. So, I think that um when I look at when I see the schedule and I think about the types of services you are required by law to provide, it is insurmountable. [laughter] I mean, I know it's just so difficult. And so, I think that is always has to be your first um

061consideration. And I it sounds like that's exactly what you're doing and that's correct. Um, and it has to be that way and and I think that's the right way for it to be. Um, those kids need to be serviced and you need to provide those services um, legally and ethically, right? You want to make sure those kids get the services they need. So, I think that's really important. I think that like my only concern would be like with I think teachers are always going to do the right thing and they're always going to make sure kids understand their lessons and they're always going to modify and they're always going to try to make sure that the kids understand and do those small focus groups. And I don't know that there's an answer to it, but

062I guess my concern would be like maybe like upcoming like fifth graders and some sixth graders who still have like low reading ability and still like need intervention in some of those basic skills that they haven't gotten. How how do we reach them? And I don't know that there's a direct answer for that. And and so I guess yet last week like or last meeting like that was my concern is is what is the intervention for those kids who might not be on a plan but who are low in those areas and don't necessarily need like extra help with the curriculum but need help with the lagging skills. Um and so maybe I didn't explain that probably as well as >> that's a good segue into the next part actually. So, so where they get

063that is our enrichment block. Okay. >> Um, we call it enrichment. It's it's really RTI, response to intervention. We don't call it RTI because that's not childfriendly and uh enrichment has a a better connotation for them. Um, we are enriching their knowledge. So, this is where those those kids that you know it's a more um it's an 8week cycle. Um the reason it's eight weeks is because the research on um RTI is a six to eight weeks is where you are looking at the best um uh growth. >> Um anything less than that they're not getting it. Any you know more than that you're just repeating the same things that they're not that they're not getting. Um so uh grades five and six have a 30 minute block. grades four, grades four and five, grades

064seven and eight have a 45 minute block. Um, so this is where we review formal data every eight weeks. And so we start the year by um I spend the summer looking at I the spring I ready data and making all the groups for the whole school. Um and so and then as the year progresses, MCCAST is now out. We start looking at that. We then again look at grades. We look at uh midyear I ready and we're just constantly looking at that formal data um to uh again it's flexible grouping based on where the the um gaps are. So when I formed groups in the summer, I is really good at um uh they actually have groups already formed and so then some of them are groups of 68 which that's impossible. So I

065then have to split them up but I can also tell where the gaps are. So like group one is struggling in um phmic awareness and where your higher kids are maybe struggling with um uh extended comprehension. So that's where all of the pieces kind of fit for that. Um, so we are actually uh still we also can still service our level three and four um L students. Um we also can do extended special ed services. That's where your pull out would be taking place. Um it's also when band and chorus takes place. Um, so again there's a lot of overlapping pieces [clears throat] making sure that everyone's getting what they need. Um, so we have started something new this year um, again to align with our school improvement plan um, that we are actually progress

066monitoring more often than the every eight weeks. So the every eight weeks is that formal data and then we're doing bi-weekly um data dives with uh our common planning grade level teams um based on a pre-EST and and weekly kind of mini assessments. Nothing huge just like a four or five question. I actually have, I know it wasn't in your packet, so I apologize, but I do have copies of what the teams are looking at um and how they're monitoring progress. So the groups are homogeneous by grade level. Um and so again, it's depending on student needs. So, one group might be working on basic math skills, another group on reading comprehension, writing skills. Maybe your higher level kids are doing a novel study. I know our eighth grade um social studies teacher is reading

067Animal Farm with his group. It's something you that he's not getting that's not part of the curriculum, but it's a huge part of his history and you know, looking at that. Some groups are working on um vocabulary. Um, I actually have a seventh grade group. Um, because they're so spread out, I'm taking a group myself and we're doing a projectbased um, learning um, with that group. So, yeah, thank you. That's more clear. I appreciate it. Um, all the work you put into getting all the information. Thank you. >> Any questions or comments from the committee? Um, Miss Peterson, >> I just have a couple. Uh, first, you mentioned at the beginning of your report, I started cataloging some questions and didn't ask them in chunks, but you mentioned that the scheduling was really smooth this

068year. What do you attribute that to? I'm not sure. I don't know honestly because um you know one of the things that we had discussed in um district leadership was um some things that that may not have gone well. And so scheduling is always an issue. And so one of the things that I had mentioned is that when um when I first came on no none of us someone previously had done all the scheduling. So the counselors didn't know how to schedule and so we had a con a consult a consultant coming in and like really working with us once a month and sitting down and saying do this do this do this and we we still consult with her but it's more like I'll pick up the phone and say ah help me with

069this. Um, so for me like I feel as if my um timeline is not right because I know by February I have to have this but with nobody sitting there and meeting with me. Okay, I'll wait. I have other things to do. But for it always gets done. That's the thing. So I don't have an answer for you. [laughter] >> Try to replicate whatever it was this year right for next year. Sometimes it's, you know, it's helpful for me in some cases to reflect on what made it different so that I can intentionally, you know, >> I think one of the things is consistency with the team, too. You know, we've had some of of most of our some of our counselors have been there for several years now. Um, myself and the dean of

070students. And so, we're able to do this and and de uh delegate. I'm doing this, you're doing that. And so one person doesn't have to do everything. Um and the the four of us have enough knowledge now so that anyone new coming on we can um add on. So that's one piece of the consistency of that. >> Yeah, it sounds like it and that clarity of role and that kind of thing spreading out the responsibilities. That's great. >> And that we haven't changed the schedule significantly in a couple years either. you know the basic the basis basic is there the structure is there there's minor things but you know that makes a huge difference and a huge helpful every year >> great well that's good I know it's always a nerve-wracking thing both for staff

071and for students about when it comes to what their schedule will be so always helpful when it can be smooth like that and my other is not necessarily a response to your um update, but when you mentioned that we had Dave Path coming in and doing some of the screenings, it made me think of the upcoming decision that our eighth graders are going to be making with regard to their high school and makes me wonder if we can start thinking about planning maybe student council or other student reps and some representatives from Bartlett from the I think of the career pathways, some members of athletics band, choir, early college program, Nichols Leadership Academy, whatever it is that we want to showcase and even maybe providing tours for eighth graders to come and see what we

072have to offer here at Bartlett. So that >> I already >> Oh, great. Is it scheduled already? >> Not yet, but the counselors counselors are working together to schedule. >> That's great. We have so much to offer. Um, and you know, the sooner we can let students know that, the better informed they'll be. So that's great to hear. >> One of the things I'll say is that the schools have done an excellent job in working together. Um Miss Neves, Miss Peterson, and Miss Bully after communicating between three schools and seeing how we can support one another. Um the conversation's ongoing all the time. So I appreciate the collaboration and the work. And I know um they're all how can we support one another to keep students in to let them know about the great things

073that we have going on because there are so many good things that are happening across the district all the time. Um so thank you for that. But they're doing a good job at that. >> Yeah, that's great to hear. >> And I think I know that you're going to be next day but I think of the student perspective and what it means to be a student at Bartlett and a member of the Bartlett community. And there's probably some pretty special things about Bartlett. um that you and some of your peers could could share. >> Yeah. Uh I personally believe my friends and everybody really like Bartlett not because of like um like they it's like close to them but because of what it offers. It offers a lot of career path which they can take

074like internships and uh the PLTW which I feel like I've been part of it for since my freshman year. and I really like it. I've been part of uh a lot of clubs, special clubs that I believe are putting real impact in the community over the uh like Webster. I believe people would actually like that. >> Yeah. [laughter] Sorry to put you on the spot. Um any other questions or comments from Miss Peterson? really appreciate your thorough updates and and the a glimpse into some of the good work that's being done around data and and how that informs the enrichment groups and stuff like that. So, if there's no other questions, I want to thank you once again for your updates. And the next item on the agenda is our student representative update. Good evening.

075I hope everybody's having an awesome day. And [laughter] uh I want to start off with some positives which are uh continuous of less dist distraction in the class. Uh more students are engaging during class time. Uh they are not using their phone during their work and actually listening to the teachers really well. And uh I really like believe that's a good impact. And uh the challenges uh like the student reps did some interviews and we found some common like um issues that were happening which one of them was not enough uh available space last time for restroom use. Some restrooms are closed uh during um lunch or during class time. So there's like a big line that is constantly happening with the uh people who want wants to use the restroom. So that's one of

076the video and the other one was uh students complaining about classroom temperatures of the new building which was already talked about. Um some students were saying some classes are really cold and ask the kids that were here five years ago they'd be thrilled. [laughter] I know I had a room uh Mr. room uh in the middle building. >> Yeah, >> it was so hot. No windows. [laughter] >> Oh, you should. Yeah, you can experience it, right? >> Uh >> if I could just interrupt it, they should be reporting like the teachers should be reporting that in so we can take a look at the controls. So, if they're not reporting in their classrooms, >> we can't address it. So, that's one thing if we can circle back on that and make sure that's getting reported.

077Um student engagement/events uh opportunities. All clubs had their official start this week. Uh students are expected to be eligible academically and they one of the biggest one is arriving on time to school. Uh I believe that is one of the like biggest uh issue that could lead to them not being part of a club that they really want to. And uh I feel like people are starting to do that and they're less tardy in school time. And yeah, and students uh student council had their official uh not official but like informational meeting for new and previous year members which was um last week on September 17th um Thursday. uh they were talking about who would be uh class uh student council elections, all sports team events that are happening with great eye club, people who

078are interested in community service and yep and last week uh every student should have completed their I Ready uh ELA and math ex um I Ready for students that were missed or uh weren't able to take it during that time. Students have opportunities uh to make it up Friday, September 18th, Monday, September 21st. Today, Tuesday 20 uh September 22nd. Family events. Um as mentioned earlier, uh open house was on September 17 at 6:00 p.m. Um families were able to meet their uh students, teachers, counselors, and admission administration. uh get important class information uh about which included um new class dues uh because they have changed for I believe class of 2029 and 2023 30 I meant sorry um they have changed so that those were one of the biggest ones um uh then get important

079class information about senior class uh and college there's also a college fair uh that many people attended I uh that that was held in the gym and there were some activities that are happening in the cafeteria as well. [clears throat] >> Moving on to sports. Um one of the biggest one was uh Bartlett varsity volleyball team came out with their first season win uh in in that last three years uh with a 3-2 victory over uh Worcester North. the Indians led by junior uh center Mia Sapoa uh who led her team to six aces, seven digs, and one kill and six assist. Middle blocker uh senior Carmen Ruiz came up with a big five uh with five aces, 12 kills, and three dicks. Uh, as a outside Harris outside hitter, sophomore Jordan Reeves put up

080seven a aces, three kills, 15 dicks, and two assist. Uh, that was uh uh I heard a lot of they were really excited after the game. They were really, really excited. And congrats to the girls uh girls varsity soccer team who came out with a big win in their season opener on September 9th uh 2026 against Worcester Tech. Amir Sadiki and uh Ariana Sto both uh combined gold in their uh 11 to zero victory. Um that was one of the biggest one and also people were really excited about that. Um uh again on September 16th uh the varsity boys soccer team started off their season strong with a 6 and0 win against Southbridge. Monday, varsity uh soccer team uh host David Prowy at they did host uh David Prrowy at 3 PM uh 3:30 p.m.

081Golf uh team host uh Lester at Harrisville Golf Course at 3 p.m. Uh Tuesday on uh September 22nd, the high school cross country team host Bath 3:30 p.m. at Webster Memorial Beach. The golf team travels to Heritage Golf Course to take on Oxford at 3. uh p.m. Wednesday, varsity girls soccer team travels to AMA at 3:30 p.m. The volleyball team host Abby Kelly J starting at 3:30 and varsity starting at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, uh Tuesday, September 24th, girls varsity soccer team host qua at 6:00 p.m. The golf team travels to Hillcast golf course to take on Leicester at 3 p.m. Uh Friday, uh September 25th, the varsity football team host Abby Kelly at 600 p.m. at Webster Memorial Athletic Field, uh administr $7. Student tickets are $5. Boys varsity soccer team travels to Well, I'm

082sorry. I guess >> Parker George uh at 4 p.m. >> Uh I believe the football date might be changed due to the weather. >> I just uh >> Friday. >> No, I believe it was moved to Thursday at 6. >> Thursday. >> I saw that. >> Yeah, Thursday at 6. So that decision was made today with the upcoming storm coming in. >> Good to know. >> Sorry, I across the presses. >> Senior class updates. Um, seniors will be having their senior breakfast held on September 25th uh on this Friday on uh the cafeteria and I also believe they will be electing their president. Uh there are four candidates running right now. So a lot of engagement right there. So that's a lot of people. That's great news. >> Say would you mind telling us more

083about the issues with the bathrooms? So um uh as I heard uh there were like some bathrooms were constantly locked like I know one of the biggest one was the next the guidance office. It was closed uh for I believe the first period. Uh then Miss Grumsky has to go open it and students were complaining because they had to use the the second floor Bathroom. So that that was what I heard on Wednesday last week. I I believe so. And also in Mogul's one sometimes like the boys and girls bathrooms are closed so they have to use the gender neutral one. >> So it's a single bathroom >> for uh I believe six classes. Uh when there are six classes there are students who are going to the bathroom. So there's a line. So >>

084you can certainly speak to the mobile bathrooms because we live there every day. So the door handles stay locked and they usually propped open and the kids keep kicking out the thing and shutting the door tight and so it we have to continuously unlock it. So we're going down. We actually bought some of those door things to go in the jam so when the door stops it won't shut all the way. Um but that was last week and one's already missing. So um we have to replace that. Um, and we have been stopping the kids when they come in between periods because they were walking in groups down to the bathroom and then they would hang out for about 5 minutes and go to class late. So now we're deflecting the traffic and making them

085go to class and then check in before they get permission. So they before they go to the bathroom. Um, so that gets them to class on time and it gets them to using the bathroom, you know, with permission. And and I'll also add, and I can't speak to everything that Miss Navez is doing, but I know that we just ordered some wedges for the new bathroom doors, the the larger bathrooms, because the ones that we had weren't keeping them open. Um, and I believe she was deploying those out to all of those larger bathrooms. We had talked about that I think last week or the week before. So um [clears throat] >> so is this bathrooms that have stalls that the doors are locked? >> Uh those doors are like opened and closed. They are

086good but like uh they're perfectly fine. It's just the main door that is like a key. >> They have stalls. So it's the main door that's open but all the bathrooms have stalls in there. But the kids don't want to leave the main doors open. They want to shut the main door. Um, so that seems to be a problem. And when they walk out that they're kicking the doors stop out, the doors are shutting and the handles are locked. So if there's ever an emergency or something, it's a locked room. >> And at least in the malls, we we patrol all the time since we're there to help, too. And there are many many days I'm constantly asking students who are waiting down there, do you need me to unlock the bathroom? Yeah. [laughter] Or

087there are times where they're waiting and the bathrooms are unlocked and they're like, "The bathrooms are unlocked and they're like, "No, I'll wait for the single." And I'm like, "No, you the open [laughter] bathroom. >> There isn't a way to have that door unlocked for the for the bathroom door that has stalls in it." >> Well, we can we can unlock it, but say there is a lock down or we need to do something, you know, you have to do it with a key. So, we keep the key locked. So in case there is ever an area that we need to um lock down. So we we prop them. So if the handles, all of our classrooms are locked and propped. So you handles are locked, but you can prop. And we have the um

088I don't know what they call them, but they're that's what they're meant for. They're like horseshoes that go on the side of the door. So the door can shut, but it's it's even shut, but it's not locked. It keeps the door open about this much. >> Those disappear. through the chair. So the the door is locked or it's a lock down if something ever happened. >> Yes. Like locked in props. So like our classroom doors >> two kids go inside that and they remove the door jam. They could >> No one can get access into the bathroom at that point. >> Yeah, we can't. We have keys. >> Normal a teacher couldn't go and open that door immediately and get access into the bathroom without having physical lock. >> Correct. Same thing for our classroom.

089The handles are locked so [clears throat] any student can go in a classroom. Nobody could get there immediately unless they had their key. The door is virtually closed with the stopper. So it's >> like we can't see in it because the door is almost closed. It's just, you know, >> that might work is that >> someone goes in and pulls the jam and locks themselves inside on purpose. There's no immediate access point into that bathroom without >> It's like that in all our classrooms. >> Well, if I if I walk by or another student walks by and hear something going on in there, they can't someone's screaming for help. They can't access that door. >> Nope. You wouldn't be able to do that in a classroom either without a key. >> Classrooms have multiple means

090of entry. >> Nope. Not at the high school. >> Is that because it only does? >> No. That's how they were designed. You don't need multiple [snorts] means of entry in and out of a classroom. You only need to have one. You don't need to have two entrances in every classroom. So, at the high school, there's one entrance in and out. Some rooms might have like this room has that which can go out into the other area, but it's not like that in all classrooms. >> I wonder if there's another way to meet some security needs without having the bathroom doors locked in. >> Yeah, the kids could not shut them. [laughter] >> Well, they still are, right? at that point. >> They're monitoring now. So, now that we've been in school for a couple

091weeks, they have duties and stuff. So, we have bathroom monitors who are there. Um, we've had people in the building um this week monitoring the bathroom. So, I think you'll see that more throughout the buildings. I think in high school also, you'll see that. Um, so yeah, through the chair. Is that um I think it glows. >> Um is that just the bathroom issue? Is that just in the mods though? >> No, that's throughout the building. >> The lost bathroom is here too in the high school. >> Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. >> Like I know during lunch they usually have somebody on duty who's right there by the bathroom. That's more today we had people on duties covering the bathrooms. They check in with people in and out and stuff like that. So I know for

092the first couple weeks duties weren't set. Um so until they worked it out. So duties are pretty set now. So I know they have more coverage. >> Yeah. If I could add through the chair. The other thing that Miss Navas was having a problem with is that the standard wedge that was going in on those doors was not sufficient. So they were trying to put two together to keep it open. So it wasn't secure. So right when she saw that she had a problem with that, we ordered a heavy duty one that's adjustable to the right height. So, I know that, you know, those um were ordered and she should be putting those out there fairly soon just as a way, but again, they have to remain in place for the door to stay open.

093Um, and that is the other challenge, right, is that they're there intended to keep the door open and they're constantly removed and the door is closed. And there's much less of a line now that we've been directing kids into the classrooms to check in before they have to go because they didn't necessarily always have to go to the bathroom. It was a chance to catch up with friends and stuff before you get into class. And since they've been checking in, we haven't seen lines at outside the bathroom in the mods. Um, at least I haven't. And >> not to use the bathroom. [laughter] I think the goal obviously two goals I think right would be to have students in the classroom as much as possible and limit the length of time that they're out of

094the classroom to use a bathroom which you know ideally would be not having a line to access a toilet. Um I remain concerned about the automatic locking door for the bathroom and the safety that that present the safety hazard that that presents. Is that something that is like required for schools to be having >> all of our doors are throughout the buildings are locked and propped? That is a required safety that we put in place. Teachers are instructed to keep their doors handles locked. Uh we do that with Alice training. It's that way. It's directed to that way that door handles are locked. You can lock and prop it. Um, but should there be an event or anything that you need to secure an instance, you want to be able to shut the door because

095in an emergency, you're not going to be standing, you know, trying to get your keys and get everything organized. So, I mean, I think it's probably that way when you are in school. >> It's been that way. Times were locked. >> Yep. >> Well, some some to to be fair, some schools don't have bathroom doors. Some schools have those like flat wall and then they go like that and there's not an actual like locking. >> So what's the security process for that? >> Somebody sweeps like it's it's one of the adults jobs to check the bathroom, get kids out of the lockation for a student. >> But is there a physical lock on the door? Like if you're in if you're inside the bathroom, can you lock the door? >> No. No lock. If you're

096inside the bathroom. >> So if I'm inside the bathroom, >> you cannot separate. You can get out behind you. >> You can get out. No problem. >> No, I understand. I'm saying if for some reason we left the doors unlocked and there's a >> there's no student can not go in and lock themselves in the bathroom, >> but they can close the door and they're locked out. >> They're not locked in. Everyone is locked out. Is my >> Well, that's the same thing. >> I mean, I can't walk in there. They can walk out. No problem. I'd have to use my key. >> So, just to be clear, this is a Webster policy and not so much like a state. >> It's a recommended through many school districts across that it's a lock and pro

097for safety. That's what our public um safety recommend. That's what we've been doing for years. I you know I don't know you've been in another district >> to other schools it is the same. Yes. >> Yeah. >> I mean some schools were designed without bathrooms but again that would not be a safe location to lock down. >> Yes. I'm sorry without doors. They have bathrooms. Gosh. [laughter] >> It's different because the middle school doesn't have a door to lock because it has stalls. >> And >> well this has stalls is what we're saying. Just these bathrooms that are in question that are locked >> have a have stalls inside of them >> because the middle school was built prior to >> but they also have a door that's locked. >> Right. There's an outside door

098too besides the in the modulars but not at the middle school. >> Right. >> And we leave them open. We leave them open. It's just what's happening is that kids will kick the things out because they want the doors shut. >> Can't we just take the doors out? >> I don't know. I don't think I'm a fan of that either to be honest with you. >> For safety or >> for safety, especially in the mods, it's a different layout than in a building. >> Um >> less privacy. >> Yep. Yep. And you got two entrances. You've got an entrance right there >> for the You mean to the um to the modular building? >> One on each end right there where they're not going through any vestibule or anything like that to get in. >>

099Okay. >> So, it's a different type of security. I think the security >> entering that should be entering and then hiding in the bathroom, >> right? There's different there's different ways to get in and Well, you've got two entrances. So, I think it's you're not being buzzed in or easier access. Kids are traveling back and forth. So, you know, we've had instances where students are letting adults in that shouldn't probably be let in or they don't know. The process is that you should be coming up to one door, should be calling, and then you should be escorted in because we're in there with students. So, we don't want random adults walking around that we don't know about. That's a security risk, right? We don't want that. So, we've instructed the kids, you're not supposed to

100let anybody in. When you're in, it should be locked down. It should be a safe facility when you're in. Um, so, um, you know, I just think security-wise it's it's fine and we haven't had the problems of line with the the first week or two we did. Kids were coming down and they were hanging around between parodies. It was taking some kids 10 minutes to get to class. 18 yesterday. 18. Well, there you go. >> This was something that I actually heard last year and this year uh pretty consistently. >> Yeah. So, we're really like check in in class. Once you've checked in, then you can be excused and then they can monitor who's in and out. Um, and I have not seen the I have today I and yesterday I didn't see lines either

101day. Um, and we have staff there who are monitoring now um, to make sure the doors stay available [snorts] for kids to use the bathroom. But it hasn't been an issue because we haven't had lines >> and the staff have the key to the bathroom. >> Yes. Yep. So, be teamwork. Yeah, >> teamwork. You tell the kids not to shut the door and um we'll continue to make sure the doors are open and monitored. So, quick turn around, >> but I think it's a fair concern because it was kids were saying it was taking them long. And then kids weren't the kids you could tell some kids who really needed the bathroom were waiting and going to class anyways because it turned out to be a hangout area. Kids were just trying to buy time

102before getting to class >> or they gave up because they were going to be late. >> Some I'm sure some. Yeah, the kids were want to get in class on time. Absolutely. >> Yep. >> So, we have a a door a monitor that's at the bathrooms all day throughout the day. >> Teachers are rotating in and out through their preps. If there's short coverage, then we're not going to have a monitor there if they're short. got any we've been all between all of us. We've been the doors haven't been shut. >> We do a lot of bathroom monitoring. >> We've been spending a lot of time monitoring. Yeah. >> I can speak to the mods much more than I can speak to the building, you know, because witness it every day. I live it every

103day. Um we live it every day. Um it's the first thing I see in the morning. If I see that door shut, I'm opening it up, you know, to make sure the kids have access to the bathroom. Um, and you know, we've all been managing students and setting the process in place, making sure that we're supporting um what the school is doing. So, I can certainly speak to that um confidently. Um what's happening inside, I'm not necessarily 100% sure of what's been locked down or where or why. Um, we can certainly ask that question and find out more, but I knew do know that they were locking down certain areas, waiting for staff, waiting for their um, duty list to come in. They try and manage the traffic in the bathrooms um, during the day.

104Um, who has access to what. I do know that during lunch duty, there is a staff member that's posted up at the hallway monitoring the bathrooms so kids can go in and out freely. Um, I don't think they come off. Have the Because last time I was there, the bigger bathrooms were open in the calf. >> Oh, the cast rooms are perfectly fine with like the ones here like next to the nearest >> upstairs. Yeah, upstairs. >> They they have to use the gender neutral one usually. So, >> that's the one stall that's different than the gang bathroom. >> But I think what he's saying is that the second bathroom and therefore they only have the gender why the nurses are saying bathrooms. >> No, there isn't. Uh there's only boys and girls bathroom uh

105downstairs. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> So sometimes like they those are closed. They have to come upstairs so you right here. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. And I think that's what she wanted the wedges for. >> The wedges were a problem. >> Got it. Open. >> So maybe we can continue this conversation. Um >> yeah, we'll find out for Miss Nez. It sounds like >> she was on top of it with the wedges. Next time we meet, maybe you can provide us with an update on what that's like. I know as somebody who works in a public building and needs to use the bathroom during the day, I appreciate being able to access the bathroom when I need it and get back to my day quickly afterward. Um, and quite honestly, that's what we're preparing

106our students for is the the reality of be being able to manage their needs and deal with the natural consequence of, you know, spending 10 minutes in there. Uh, there's a consequence for that, whether that's being spoken to. Are we still using a smart pass system? >> Mhm. >> Yep. >> Okay. So, we know how many people are out and how long and all of that that we can deal with >> through data. All right. Other than that, it seems like mostly positives. >> Yep. >> Everything is perfect. >> Everybody needs the bathroom now. [laughter] >> Remember millet? >> I have a question. >> Yes. >> Because I saw and heard that cross country was down at the the beach. I'm assuming they used the truck. >> No, it's cross country. >> It's cross country.

107They have run on the road and through trails and stuff like that. >> Oh, run trail. Oh, because I was wondering because I know last year they were used sometimes they were using a track >> at the beach. >> Yeah. They maybe it's part of their run, but usually cross country's out on the road and they go through some trails and paths. >> That's what I was assuming. But a couple of things is first of all that track's not in good shape because I walk it every day. It is not in good shape. But um what I noticed last year when this was going on um I walk in the morning but a lot of people walk at the same time every afternoon. Is there any way to have a notice for for towns people

108that the track is going to be used by the school during a specific event somehow if it's a sign at the gate or something to say this is going to be used and I will tell you during some of those meets and I if I went in the afternoon there was trash I was picking up trash. But I know that there are some people that go the same time every day and it's a disruption to their schedule, too. So, and I went one time and they were just getting done and I'm like, well, how would I know that they're going to be there? I would have come at a different time. So, is there any because it's a public >> I have to check with the town. I'll have to ask the town because they

109>> if there's some way to let people know when the high school is going to be using that. It would be I think people would like to know. >> I can check and see if the town has a mechanism they can post. I mean, it should be on our schedule. I know the town person is not going to go to a schedule potentially to look to see about >> I can see when fine look >> maybe they can post the schedule on the thing saying track will be for the season and post the events so I can ask the town about that and just print out the cross country schedule to say their home meets will be >> either that or there's electronic >> board by the fire station. >> Yep. I just thought of

110that has all the town things on it. Town messages are on that electronic board by the fire station. Maybe it could be put on there. >> Yeah. Let me see. I can get the schedule in >> just so people know >> cuz I know especially there's a few there's one lady she goes with and she spends the afternoon here. Well, and I think it would be important for us to message that while there may be a school event happening there, that doesn't mean that it's closed to the public. Correct. Because our our public wants to have access to the beach, to the track, to all of the amenities that are available. And >> maybe it's nice to have a heads up that there's going to be a horde of high schoolers running. Um, and at

111the same time, they're very welcome to be using the track at the same time. There's no >> right limit on that. Mhm. >> It's different like school grounds, you know, we give priority for for school business over the public being able to access, but that wouldn't be the case um for public grounds. >> I'll look into it. >> It could very easily just be put on that >> electronic board. >> Yep. >> What else? Anything else for us? >> Oh, nothing else. [laughter] see what you're trying to do. >> Good problem solving, >> but that's how problems get solved. >> Uh, I really appreciate your thorough updates. Um, you give a nice balance of things that are going great, updates that we need to be aware of as a committee and as a community, and

112areas that can be improved from the student perspective. And at the end of the day, I I know I said this last time and it wasn't meant as a joke when I said that you and you and Tegan are the most important people that were in the room last week. Um you and your peers are the reason for our work and without you none of us would be doing here this evening or doing the work that we're doing. So um you're our customers. So um you know to the extent that we can make your high school experience or your educational experience positive, that's an an important part of the work that we do. And I think that you all are doing your best to um make Bartlett and our schools a great place, too. So,

113um I'm interested to hear more about the bathroom situation. [laughter] Um I'm now committed to this. Um but in all seriousness, I have heard this, you know, over the last couple years as well. Um and, you know, security is very important and also all the other things that we haven't talked about. So, once again, thank you. Look forward to seeing you. I probably won't see you at the game on Thursday because I'll be at the soccer game on Thursday, you know, conflict. So, that's the way it goes sometimes. But, thank you. >> Thank you so much. You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> Have a good day. >> Thank you. You too. >> Next item on the agenda under old business is the discussion and approval of a new position. It is a 0.5 innovative pathway

114teacher and a 0.5 innovative pathway coordinator at High School. >> Yeah, it's an existing position. Um, as you know, Michelle Bigalow has been in that role. Um, what I was unaware of is that there was not a job description for that role when she started. It was put in the budget. Um, and I think they were figuring out the position at that time because it was brand new. Um, so since the role is now, since she's going to be retiring and we are advertising, I wanted to present an updated [clears throat] job description to post with the position to make sure somebody comes in, we know what the expectations are for the role. >> Oh, great. Okay. Thought it looked familiar. It sounded very much like Michelle Bigalow's role. >> Um, is there anything that's

115changed from the position that Michelle was filling and the duties that she was carrying out in this role to her? >> No, it's just more streamlined now. and just we have a much better idea of actually what the role is actually doing now. So, um I think you know Gina and I have worked at this. We worked with Michelle on this. Um we also um worked with Debbie Rder who's been working with Michelle for a couple of years. So, we've had a few eyes on this and we feel that it reflects the role. I really appreciate that it calls out some of the different constituencies that this person will be working with, >> some of the different responsibilities and then also the um potential for evenings and things like that as well for career affairs

116and stuff. >> Yeah. >> So, any questions or comments from the committee about this job description? >> And thank you for clarifying that it's a new description and not a new position. >> Right. That's important. If there's no uh further questions or discussion about this um so move >> second. >> There's a motion and a second. [laughter] Would you please pull the committee? >> Member Millet? >> Yes. Member? >> Yes. >> Memberos? >> Yes. >> Chadiki? >> Yes. Motion passes. The next item on the agenda is policy ACL. Interacting with law enforcement officers engaged in civil law enforcement. That's also known as the Protect Act. This is the first reading. >> Yes. Um, this law was in effect by Governor Mora Healey on August 5th. Um, we already had procedures in place for what we

117were doing. We just didn't have a policy. So, under the new law, we need to have a policy. It's recommended to have a policy. So, this is the policy to go along with the procedures that we already have. This is brand new to us. Thank you. And the next item on the agenda is policy CHD, administration and policy absence. And this is also a new addition in my review of the policy [snorts] manual. Um, this is for in the absence of a policy, what do we do? [clears throat] >> We have a policy policy. >> That is thorough. Appreciate it. Um the next item is policy DBJ, budget transfer authority. That's also a first reading. Yep. Again, we had you'll see we have an old policy and we are recommending updating um with the MASC

118policy gives a little more flexibility. Any questions or comments? The next is policy GBA, staff ethics, conflict of interest. That's the first reading. >> Um I was very surprised that we did not have this policy because this has been around for some time. So this is a new addition. It's a practice that we are doing, but it's just a policy state what we're doing. All right. The next is policy GB, [clears throat] online fundraising and solicitations, crowdfunding. Yep. So, this is also a new addition to us. Um, we spent some time, Miss Pontos and I, looking um through a couple different policies. Um, as you know, there are some things that people um seek to use like donor's choose, flashwish, gofundme um and this is a policy that guides them on how to appropriately do

119that. >> Great. Any questions or comments about any of these first readings? Thank you for putting that uh online fundraising and solicitation policy together so quickly. Appreciate it. So, we'll have some time between now and our next meeting to review these policies a little further and if we have any feedback, we should provide it prior to the second and final meeting that will happen at our next meeting. The next item on the agenda is some donations. The first is a donation in the amount of $590 in memory of Paul Wilgga and that is to be used by the athletics department at Bartlet High School. Um for those of you who don't know or did not know Mr. Wilga who's a Bartlett High School graduate and really embodied Bartlett pride in many ways, he not only

120graduated from Bartlett, he had children and a child and grandchildren who attended or are attending Bartlett High School. and um he was a lifelong supporter of our schools, our athletics, and most especially our athletes. >> Um and he'll be missed at our games and our events and things like that. So, um any anything else you wanted to add, Mr. Crangly, about this donation? >> No, I just want to thank thank the family for the continued thought of the school system and supporting our kids. I believe it's taking me. >> I agree. would be very happy. Um, and the next donation is soccer equipment from Novak Plumbing to Webster Middle School, another high school grad. Yep. And he continues to be very generous to the school system. He supports us many times throughout the year um

121with our Christmas donations right around Thanksgiving. He Christmas trees um he's been a big donator. So, I just want to thank him for supporting us and our families. >> And then last, but certainly not least, is a variety of school supplies that were donated by the Rose Room to Webster Middle School. >> Yep. And again, you just look at our community partners and the number of people that we have who are always willing to give and donate to help our students. Um, thank you to the Rose and we appreciate their support. >> Great. Thank you. Any questions or comments about these donations? Hearing none, I'll entertain them to accept them. So move. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. Please sir, would you please pull the committee? >> Member Millet? >> Yes. >>

122Memberopoulos? >> Yes. >> Member Colleros? >> Yes. >> Tracy? >> Yes. Motion passes. And once again, I would like to thank um Mr. Wilggas family, uh Mr. Novak, and the Rose Room for their generosity and supporting our students. The next item on the agenda is the review, transfer, signing of warrants, bills, payroll, and vouchers. Uh, we do have a transfer request in the amount of $8,438.91 and that's going to be going from the Webster Middle School student activity savings account to the checking account. Any questions about that transfer request? Hearing none, entertain a motion to approve it. So move >> second. There's a motion and a secondary, would you please call this meeting? >> Member Miller? >> Yes. >> Member Adamopoulos? Yes. >> Memberos? >> Yes. Chair? >> Yes. motion passes. [clears throat] We also

123have one more transfer request. >> Oh, did I miss that one? >> That's okay. >> Um, from the school business office. >> Um, it's not detailed in the agenda. I thought that it was a carryover from the previous one. >> Let me see. >> I kick this off for you >> if you could. Yeah. So, in following our existing U budget transfer policy, I'm bringing a transfer forward to the committee, um this is a transfer in the amount of $1,350 from the athletics officiating account into the Bartlett High School um online learning. Little background on the need for this. We offered an elective at the high school for refs. It's basically an online platform that allows us to teach students to become sports officials. Um, and one of the arrange arrangements that the athletic director

124and the principal made when they were doing this is that as a result of doing this, we would save money with officials um because we'd be able to use these students who were training to do that and that that would help offset this course and this curriculum that is being instructed um by one of our faculty members. So um that was all arranged uh before the budget was approved. So we're looking to move that money >> for that. >> Great. So, we'll be moving the request is to transfer $1,000 >> from the athletic officials account to the online the Bartlett online learning account. >> Great. I'll entertain a motion to approve this transfer request as presented. >> So, move. >> Second. There's a motion and a second. Desire, would you please pull the committee? >>

125Member Mill? >> Yes. >> Member? >> Yes. >> Memberos? >> Yes. >> Chair speaking? >> Yes. Motion passes. second. >> There's a motion and a second. Isra, would you please call the committee? >> Member Miller. >> Yes. Member Edmopoulos. >> Yes. Member Polos. >> Yes. Chair Sadiki. >> Yes. Meeting a journ.