MSAD #51 School Board Meeting, June 18, 2025

001Good evening. I'd like to call to order the MSED 51 school board meeting of the directors, Wednesday, June 18th. Our first item uh is actually to move into an executive session. Can I have a motion to enter executive session to consult with legal counsel pursuant of state statute 1, MRSA 4056E, regarding the board's legal rights and duties? So moved. Thank you, Sean. Can I have a second? Second. Thank you, Sarah. Um, all in favor? Great. Unanimous. So we are going to move. We are moving. All right, welcome back. All right, so the next um section of the agenda is recognitions. Um I have been honored to serve alongside Christina Mitchell for the last three years of um my term on the board. Um she is our only outgoing board member this year. Unfortunately, she is

002up in Augusta and not able to receive her little gift. We'll have to get it to her. Um but it's just been a real pleasure to get to know Christina. Um she's done an incredible job as the chair of the curriculum committee amongst uh other contributions she's made over the past three years. And while we miss her on the board, we know she she'll be very busy up in Augusta still representing this community. So, we get to move on to the MSAD 51 staff member of the year. So, for over a decade, we have honored one member of the MSAD 51 staff each spring as the employee of the year. Last year at this time, we honored Cherry McKinnus. Sherry Sherry McInness who was selected as the 20 24-2 25 employee of the year. This

003year we received 43 nominations for staff from across the district with several staff members receiving more than one nomination from their colleagues. The committee then had the difficult task of narrowing down the list to five finalists. Our finalists included GHS science teacher Emily Banks Molton, GMS48 behavior case manager Kristen Benoy, risk assessment coordinator and mental health specialist Eric Brown, kindergarten teacher Janna King, and finally fifth grade teacher teacher Ariana Ruthbart. Thank you. These staff members were honored earlier this spring with a red carpet balloons and fanfare. Congratulations again to each of our finalists. You each exemplify the many positive qualities of the MSAD 51 staff as a whole. Thank you for your efforts. We see you and celebrate you. While each of these awesome individuals is worthy of being recognized as employee of the year,

004the committee did have to narrow down the selection to just one staff member who engages, empowers, and inspires our students. Before I reveal our newest employee of the year, I'd like to share with you all a brief snippet from the nomination form for the individual the committee has selected for this honor. It says, "This person never complains, always shows up, always works from a solution-based approach, is always thorough, is always kind. Not to mention, this person can handle difficult conversations. This person celebrates children. This person makes a difference at the ground level. We simply could not operate to the standard we do without this person's hard work and dedication to the children and staff of the district. With that, please join me in congratulating the 2025 employee of the year, Eric Brown. Yeah. And thank

005Right. Right. Well, thank you. I uh we and we so appreciate all that you've done for our students, family, and community. So, thank you so much. And yes, well, it's a surprise maybe at home to who the winner is. Uh whoever's not at home. Eric is the only one here. So, well, not the only one. There's a few other people. Um but thank you so much and I appreciate you coming tonight. Eric was celebrated um in front of the entire staff a week ago. Um they also gave him a standing um uh ovation as well. Um but just Eric um you've worked in the district for several years. You are such an important and valuable and integral part of everything we do. And I know it's awkward to be celebrated, but I will tell you

006that um I hear that from so many people all the time. And so um it's really we're happy to celebrate you and we want to and um the amount of work you do and what you do every day. um is unbelievable for our district. Um and we're just you represent our staff. Thank you for all you do. Deeply appreciate. Thank you. My uh brother is the director of emergency preparedness and disaster response in Anna Valley, California. And um when I got elected to the school board, it was like giving him authorization, my little brother authorization to tell me everything that I should make sure that we're doing. And one of the first things he said is if you can get a risk management person on like just a retainer. I was like, "Guess what?" And

007um mentioned you and how effective you been. and he just was so relieved and hopes that other schools are able to have someone like you. So I think you're also a trailblazer and um what pro probably has been avoided um and the number of kids who are in a much better place because of your job is huge. So thank you. Thank you. You're very modest, Eric. Thank you for your work. Yes. I think that was in the comments too. Very modest. [Laughter] Thank you. All right. Um, now we get to move to the approval of minutes. Can I have a motion to approve the minutes from the June 5th, 2025 meeting as presented? So moved. Thank you, Jesse. Can I have a second? Second. Thank you, Megan. Any questions or comments? June 5th. Yes, Anukica.

008Just one quick thing. So, under number seven, superintendent report, it says that Superintendent Porter highlighted the following and then there's nothing that follows that. So, I was waiting to see if you were going to notice, Anukica. I didn't give a No. Um, Anukica always notices. You're good. You're good with those. I'll have to tell you, you're really good. But that one's kind of a big one. So, thank you. But with that, I would happily support that. And Anukica, you win the prize. Okay, it's a test. Apparently, I have nothing to say. All right. All in favor? There is no public com. There's no no one here wishing to make public comment this evening. We have no presentations, but we have a lot of items for action. Um, so our first item for action is to

009approve uh the junior student representative to the board of directors. Can I have a motion to approve Caitlyn McCarron as the junior student representative for the 2526 school year? So moved. Thank you, Megan. Can I get a second? Second. Thank you, Kim. Um, can you Megan, I know you were part of this process. Do you want to just give a little highlight of the selection process? Um, sure. The selection process was it was I think really interesting and thorough. Um, applicants submitted their applications and were selected and then um Christina and I um are are now senior rep. Um Carl, Francis, and Jeff, we did some interviews and like these kids are amazing. These kids are total superstars. Um they are poised and calm and their applications were well written and clear. So it was

010not a super easy decision, but Caitlyn um she she really knocked it out of the park. She interviewed well and she finished um her interview by asking us a question and I think it took us all by surprise. So I think she'll be a lot of fun. Yeah, I think she I think she comes from a really different position um from our last three reps which I think will add just a different flavor and I and I think it'll be good. Yeah, thank you. And I know her application was was shared with the board. Um and I know that um she's had a strong position with Cal Cares which has become a really important uh part of our um school community. So that's great that she has that experience. Um, and she served with me

011on the athletic advisory committee. Oh, nice. So, she's been very I mean, she's only a sophomore and she's already had a lot of student involvement, so that's great. She's a go-getter. Any other questions, comments? Um, was there what was the diversity selection? I feel like Yeah, I'm trying to say this the proper way is just that how many how many applicants do we have and was it 50% 50% male female? Was it certain different people? What is What did it look like? You want to take that, Megan? I don't I don't know because I only did the interviewing. So, I don't know how many people actually applied or if that was the group of people that applied. There was five, right? Okay. So, those were the five. Okay. We interview We interviewed everyone that applied.

012Well, one was out ill. Oh, I'm sorry. One was out that day, but we did um extend interviews to everyone that all female. um lot but lots of diversity in sort of like the sports and their extracurriculars. Um like they were all very different from one another. Um I think one you know one is full IB. I'm not sure about the others. Um one was um one's been really active in the in the what is it called? The littles program. Bigs and bigs and little. Bigs and littles. Um yeah. So they so the fi the four applicants that we interviewed they were all quite diverse to each other. They all happen to be female. Will uh in this pool the other four when we are looking to fill other committees will they be considered were

013they interested in being on specific committees? So, um, Carl Francis has already talked to some of these students or he's talked to all of the students that, um, interviewed, so all four of them. Um, and the committee discussed, you know, what would be other students that might be appropriate for a committee. Um, and there were, um, definitely there was consensus that there were students that would be great to be on some of the board committees. So, that will be recommended to the board chair for consideration as appointments when appointments are made to the committees. Um but um Carl did um send along a note saying that the students were interested. They were were wanting to join other committees. Um so that would be an opportunity for us to have student voice. Yeah. They've been such

014assets to our committees. Yeah. Any other questions, comments? Great. All in favor? It's unanimous. Wonderful. Okay. Can't wait to meet you. I know, right? And I want to know what that question is. But whatever that last that last question was now I want to know what it is. So do you want to make the next mo do you have the motions open to him? I can read it. I don't have the motions. Okay. I'll I'll I'll read it. Um so the next is a motion um to the motion is a vote. Wait, this doesn't make a sense. Okay. Yeah, this is a weird Okay. So, um, oh gosh, thank you. Look, we need another piece of paper. Ah, there we go. I move that the vote entitled vote to award construction contract for one campus

015project be adopted in form presented to this meeting. Can I have a motion? You have a second. So, did I make the motion? I usually don't make motions. So moved. So moved. Okay. Can I get a second? Second. Thank you, Sean. Okay. So, that puts it on the table. Um, so as many people are aware now, the bid opening was last Thursday for the school construction project. Same day as groundbreaking. Just a little little stressful. Um but luckily I I mean I just have to give my hats off to the architects and their team um who did an extraordinary job around along with our building committee of ensuring that we were well positioned with an understanding of what we were putting forward, what we could expect or anticipate for for costs. Um and we were

016so grateful that six um groups bid on the project and all came in under um our uh expected award amount. And so we were just thrilled um that not only is the base project um going to be able to be funded um but we had a number of ad alternates um that we wanted as part of the base but wanted to make sure that we were going to get the base paid for. Um, and just a reminder that the base is not just the new school, but it is also um the new classrooms at MIW. It's also parking adjustments. It's all of the other things that are going to make this campus what we need for our future. Um, as many of you know, we've been able to start a couple aspects of the project.

017Um, the maintenance building and the turf field. Um, and those parts of the project had already started. So we because we needed more time to get all the documents together for the building. Um and so we're just really grateful to see that not only is the base which is the school and some of the other building additions and parking, but some of the the things that um were considered at alternates and we can go through what that list of of things is. Um those were also that came in under budget under the overall budget that we had for this part of the project. Um, so I know there's been some documents provided um to the board. Um I I think we want to have a bit of as long as discussion as people would like

018to have about um the different parts, the base and the ad alternates to put a recommendation forward um to for a an award to the low bidder. Um who was uh Great Falls Construction. Um and so yeah, I'm just going to open it up. I guess Tim, anything as building chair and Sean and Megan also in the building committee and part of all these conversations, but Tim do you want? Yeah. No, the thanks. I think the just to to be clear, a lot of the ad alternates that we ended up with, you would have and we had discussed whenever we I think around that night that we had the conversation around the tariff contingencies and stuff like that. So maybe that was April. Um, a lot of the stuff that was in the ad alternates

019were things that you probably would have been like, that's not base and that we had like a backup plan of, okay, how we know we need this somehow. We're either going to have to pay for it again because we like there may have been materials that we couldn't afford at this time and we were going to use it as ad alternates because of um this like how long those materials would last or like we'll we'll hold off on certain windows or something like we had a lot of ad alternates that we narrowed down to our top ad alternates that were probably still necessary that you would have considered probably should have been in the base bid. And so now I think what we're getting is what we want and um and what I would consider

020a very strong base project right now. So I my my point is to say that I don't think the ad alternates that um that I'm so excited that we have the ad alternates because I like I don't think these ad alternates I think they could be looked at as like oh they're like the luxuries what we're talking about are not necessarily luxuries. There's still very core functional aspects that we just had to come up with other plans to figure out how to pay for. And in your packet, it's the bid tabulation comparison sheet. Um, this lists the alternates and what they estimate in the Great Falls construction estimates were that came in um for those alternates. And that will give you the description. As you'll see, a lot of them have to do with things

021that um we wanted to do at MIW. you know, as we know, that building is going to have to be fitted for different H students. It's gotten a lot of wear and tear um with the addition of hundreds of students through that main building that it wasn't originally designed for. Um, and so there were some things that we held back as an alternate that we really saw as like a need for um, making that building work for that new school group, but we didn't want to have to sacrifice um, as part of the base project in case that ended up coming in too high. Um, I will say one of the the last ad alternate is the most expensive ad alternate. Um, we've been in many conversations about parking. Um, on our campus, um, and

022right in the middle of our campus is that retention pond out by the GCA in the track. Um, we had the plans included putting parking over that. Um, and it's it is the most expensive alternate and it came in even higher than our estimate. Um, so I would like to consider um potential other options for parking um and maybe making the retention pond look looking a little nicer but um not spending as much to put parking over it. So that's one of my thoughts but I'd be interested in hearing others questions. So the other thing before we get into a discussion on that because I really I think it's important the other thing to know with that is that unlike some other parking potential that we have here this is one that they would want

023to do early in the process and so as we review this um just know that if we went forward with it um I'm happy to tell you my opinion of whether or not we should if we went forward with it it's kind of like a we decide soon kind of thing and I think that our understanding from previous conversations was a lot of the driving cost around uh number eight is actually impacted by tariffs because of the materials that are going into those pillars. So um it's it's a lot of work in ground to make a parking spot with 20 30 spaces in it. So, uh, I think that it's location, location, location. That's the advantage of that one of just where it is. Just curious, um, where does because I don't see it on

024the list, so maybe it doesn't fit here, but where would new stadium lights for the turf field fit into this conversation or not? Question. So, that that is a good question. So, what we're talking about right now is the bid for Great Falls. Okay. There's the broader project where there's other things that we had to take off the table at the time that we went out for this bid because we were nervous, right? There's a lot of uncertainty. The lights were were taken off before we went out. There's other things that we feel are also very important for this campus that didn't make this. Paving for me has come up a lot. we the only paving will be just new things that are getting redone, not some of the crumbling parking lots that already exist.

025Um so that's been something else that um we want a broader consideration. We're going to be planning another meeting with at least the building facilities committee um to go back through okay what are what are the things that we either had to take off before this project went out um that we want to consider maybe rethink um because of the costs and I think the parking was one of them. But tonight, in order to start the school building project, we need to decide what we want in the contract for Great Falls and what on that build alternate list um is going to move forward. Can you remind me of how many spaces the parking lot over the retention pond would give us? I believe it's 32. 32. Thank you. Can you remind me of how

026many spaces we are gaining without the retention fund? Uh Scott, if you can try to remember or Tim, um I think it's 860 somewhere in that vicinity. Okay. 60ish gain gained even without the retention pond. Okay. Yes. Okay. Thank you. So I think the only thing to look at that number is that's across the campus. I one of the big things about the retention pond was where it served which is up here which is where we have a lot of our activities with the auditorium and so I the high school situation those 20 to 30 spots regardless of where they come from but it's those are actually I think when we thought about activities parents students volunteers actually come like that that 30 is a is almost a need to have but currently like It's

027it's nice, right? Like it it's almost you need to have I would feel a lot more comfortable if we had it. There are other options which we can discuss, but that it was the location of it. Yeah, we can find 20 to 30 spots other parts of the campus, but it's really like where it serves. Yeah. Counterpoint. Yep. It's one campus, so you know, the more connected it is, the more parking in other places. I mean, I know parking right next to the new turf field would be great to show up to games, but also parking at Mabel Wilson's a five minute walk. I mean, I've parked there for graduation and other events. So, like I Yeah, I hear that that's the best possible location, but yeah, $800,000 a tough pill to swallow when we

028need to repave other parts of the campus and stadium like like just in terms of bang for our buck. Yeah, I hear that those are like the choicest place to put those parking spots, but also yeah, refinishing other things and getting LED stadium lights to make the turf field, you know, the best possible playing field. I mean, we've already invested so much to have crappy lights that don't shine, you know, you're going to lose the ball and our old crappy lights and glares the community. Um, yeah, just thinking in terms of the entirety of the campus. Yeah, I'd like to weigh what's the benefit for other things. I know the stadium lights obviously I I'm in for the turf, but as a community benefit, right? Even if no one ever comes to our campus to

029park or come to any event, anybody who lives nearby, the glare from the current lights is offputting and the upgrade of to new lights will be a community benefit. You know, migrating birds and the dark skies and everything else. So yeah, I think we really need to weigh the entirety of the project and not just parking for seniors basically. Are we full on discussing parking spaces right now? No. Okay. Our favorite. Well, because I was going to add, but if we're not so there will be full-on parking discussions that we it will be noticed and anybody can join. Um it will be a a meeting um where we'll have some more information about what their options are. Um I think and the just a couple points about the lights too. So um the lights that

030we have are not you're not able to see small balls at night. Small balls. Small balls. Um, so with the other lights, not only does it not contribute to the neighbor seeing the lights and the glare because it very control, but it also allows us um to use small balls at night. Can I add something on the lights just timing wise? Sure. So, uh, the timing of the lights and the decision on that, we'd have to make a decision prior to June 30th in order to have those lights on hand September 15th and to get them installed. So, um, so there's a quick timing on that decision that will need to be made. Can we do like a vote on it after? We are. We're scheduling the facilities meeting for next week. It's just the

031timing of it and we're going to do that project outside of the contractor. We are going to do a change order with the contractor so that we don't have a markup on the lights and we end up basically overseeing that project ourselves. I see. Can I note that uh you can get lights from Musco through the source well cooperative. You get a 5% discount. We will try. So noted. Just so noted trying to save us some money. Yeah. So just what the question on the table right now is if we add the ad alternates and which ones? Um, and so can I can I make a motion to add all seven the first seven but remove add alternate eight for the parking second. [Music] All in favor? Any comments? Any discussion? I'm not ready. Sorry.

032We are in the middle of another motion. So I don't know if we have to. I was like, okay. Um, can we introduce a new motion with the other motion on the table? I think you're going to have to Well, Robert's rules. I think you're going to have to um vote on the first motion and then go back and make a new motion. Well, I don't even know if we need a motion because well, the first motion was just to award it to Great Falls, right? Okay. Yes. Okay. And but we didn't have an amount in there yet. I think what we can do is just add that language to the motion that's already on the table. How about that? Because that language is ambiguous enough that it can be added to the motion. So

033now we are discussing the motion on the table which is to move forward with alternates one through seven. Y okay go. Okay. So I feel like I'm missing a piece and that may be my fault. way. If we bring in the alternates, does that where does that get us in terms of the cost? I I I I just don't understand what number we're we're working with right now. Jeff sent us an email that has the breakdown. I don't have this email. Is there another document that has that? Yeah, it's in Jeff's email to us. He sent it to us two days ago, June 16th at 4:19 p.m. The bid tabulation sheets within that document. Thank you, Jesse. I think don't know that I got I'll forward it to everybody. Awesome. Thank you. Was it like

034the regular board update update? It was like ago 165 bumped sent to you just now. Thank you. Okay, there you go. Okay, got it. And I had just requested that this other document be added so we could see the prices of the alternates. Is that worthy to share up on screens? Um, I can I can try to get it up on the screen for you. Thank you. Yeah. Okay. So, the base bed like I need you to explain this to me like I'm five. Okay. So, so go to there's great balls. Yep. To the base bed. and they were the lowest with and without the alternates because we also had the conversation about does that change um but it doesn't and so with yes so we take that and subtract alternate number so let me

035just read this number so people know what we're talking about those following along at home um sorry can can you just I don't have it up can I just see yours yeah yeah yeah sorry um 36,149 $9,329 was the bid with all of the alternates. $36,149 329. The alternate number eight was $819,977. And so the motion on the table is to subtract the $819,977 from the 36,149 329 which I believe would give you 35,329 um without alternate 8. Yes. And what was the budget for this portion of the project? 40 was 40 million 40 million. 40 million was the target under that was the target number including the bid uh including the bid contingency which is usually where you'd choose your alternates from. Okay. So if I look at the the um budget preliminary projection

036of project costs as of May 13, 2024. Is this a construction one? It's like this. It's like some of this and some of that and some of this. Okay. A little bit of this, a little bit, right? Because we split with some of the other field the work that we're doing right now. Yeah. So the obviously the maintenance building comes out. So yeah, we went in with 40 million um to be able to bring to add the ad alternates up to and with alternates um one through seven and the base bid, it's 35 million and change. Yeah. So, still preserving five million, give or take. Little less, but yes, thank you everybody. I miss that. So, my only I mean, Jesse, I'm with you. Um, what I was going to say about parking spaces before,

037right now when there's an event at the GCA, parking can be a pain, but we're adding several spaces at the new school. That is true. So, I feel like, yeah, dur on a school day, it would be nice to have more spaces for seniors, and they'd be less likely to run into each other when they're backing out of their spaces. But um if we're thinking about seven days a week and after hours, I don't feel that those spaces are necessary. And uh I so I think to me weighing those two, I feel like we should not do the parking. Great. Thanks. And also just uh to note, we will be adding spots in this lot. Um but not like enough, but we're losing spots by the GCA. So I think when we have our parking

038forum, which I can't wait for the parking summit 2025 coming this summer, um I the so I think that that I there's no way that I could responsibly recommend that amount. And I to be clear, the architects have recommended that we continue to do that from a design standpoint and function. And one of their things is because well, the new school, if we had a map, when we do our parking summit, you'll see the map. The new school doesn't have as much parking to it as you might think, like, oh, we have a new school. And so I think if we looked at all of our parking and considered more options out here, other spots to maybe shift who normally parks in front of the GTA and kind of in relation or walking good safe

039walking distance from the new school, I think then we can solve the need for what that space in front of the retention pond or on the retention pond would do. But I do think that like there's still a need there, but we have other options that don't cost nearly a million dollars, $25,000 a spot. Yeah. So, just to know that I still think that it's a need for us to address and we could talk about during the park parking summit, but that is an insane number that we can make it pretty otherwise. We could buy everyone cars for that. Yes. Can I ask one other question? So, The the other big cost at alternate is the aluminum exterior doors. And I noticed there's like a wild swing between some the low estimates were like 17

040175,000ish. High estimates were like 300,000ish. So this one came in at like 244. So not low, not the highest. Um what what are the doors made of if they're not aluminum? Gold. Yeah, I love this one, too. And I think that I think Scott really can talk to this as well. I my problem with this one, so this is another one we think is tariff impacted, right? And so my challenge with this is I don't know like I feel like we're buying high like it during tariff time. Um and during our like a previous discussion with the design team, they think that like oh prices don't go down. So I you know who who am I to to argue with the experts? But I do know that like aluminum doors from a long-term investment standpoint

041where we have rust and all that we're always replacing is sign like is a significant benefit and probably a a cost savings in the long run. But that number we were not happy with that number either. We're concerned with that number um as well. And what's interesting, if you do look at the um tabulation comparisons, there's some that are very consistent across on the out alternates. Um but the doors were also interesting. Some people were over 300,000. Um and some were, you know, still much higher than our original estimate. Um so these weren't were not the most expensive for that alteration. It's looking it's looking at the alternates as a package too, right? Okay. I mean, you have a contract and you look at it as a total package deal. So, some of their alternates

042might be less, some of the alternates are higher, but that's the whole point of having them spell out the alternates and and do that less. Um, and you know, we haven't continued with the window project at MIW. We're continuing with these doors. As Jeff and I were talking about the other day, we did a lot of the exterior doors in our SRF project, you know, our revolving renovation fund with the state. But what we didn't get was the next step of doors inside. And so you have a security issue that needs to be addressed. So I would agree with the tariffing being a high driver cost here. There's 25% they talked about another 25% added recently a deal with aluminum almost every day. Aluminum. Yeah. And I could see why there's a very big difference

043because even just their supplier could drive that price. I mean if they have domestic aluminum they're going to be that much cheaper right now. I've seen price swings just absurd. So, I know we had talked about stainless steel options as well in the building committee and I don't know if any of that got priced out just if we were to step back and look at it. So, Don Foster just texted me. Okay. So, I want you to know that. Okay. Here is something none of us have considered that aluminum doors in an elementary building are much lighter and the metal doors are significantly heavy for little students. Okay. So, Oh, don't. Okay. Something that came up in the in the lunchroom at MIW that there are those big revisit. So, Don, if you're still watching,

044thank you. And thank you for watching. Yes. So, I just want to be really clear because again, I I don't know why I feel like this is just sort of hitting us. Um, I mean, it has been less than a week since this all came through, but all eight alternates, none of that is new things, right? These were all in our original plan and were removed because we were afraid of the costs and we're able to bring them back in. So, this is not like we're being asked to consider something brand new. Correct. And I should note because of that, one of the other things that the design team talked about when they recommended that we go with number eight was because planning board had approved it and any other parking that we might change

045or shift to kind of accommodate that. It brings that into question again. So just as you know informing FYI, yeah, the impervious surface and all the other things around the campus that would have to be looked at. When's the parking? Well, I do know. I mean, I wasn't at the planning board. I know parking in general was a concern. So, they they may want to make sure that we do have other additional parking. Um, so just wanted to bring that note out. Yeah, because if I remember correctly, they gave us an exemption because we technically have too little spots even with our current design and how many spots we were adding for the size of the facility. This isn't going to get us into trouble with that somehow by taking these out. I mean, good

046question. In trouble with the planning board, do you mean? I guess so. No, I don't think so. We just have our site plan reviewed again. I feel like this was the cost of a spot if we were to put in a parking garage. Yes. Right. I was like, why is that 25,000 sounding familiar? Um like a multi-story garage. Yeah. It's almost like we're putting that underground in order to have Yeah. the abundance with radiant heating. Wasn't most of the concern about parking um the ones right out here because of lights facing houses and taking down trees? It wasn't that was a lot of the discussion. A lot of cuz we were like how much should we go back here so we can get more parking? Are people going to just see a big concrete stuff?

047Are we going to have this BM? Are we going to bother those people? What? Like a lot of the discussion was that there's still been concern around that side too. So we just didn't talk as much about that as this one had just a lot more decisions here. And Sean's here too if you had anything. You're on the building committee if you remember anything of that. But that's that was my um that's my recollection. Right. I also don't so no one at home can hear. Do you want to just No. Do you want to just summarize what Sean recap? Yeah. Sean said because I think there are two things. Sean said a lot of the discussion here has been yes concerned about the neighbors but also like traffic flow through here because obviously this space

048we all know is a problem area and so a lot of it has been widening where the spots go. How do we not bother neighbors? So there's just been a lot of like other variables up here. It seemed we had like we had a lot more open space and it wasn't as complicated of a system and I don't think it came to light until recently how significant the pillars and how the tariffs would impact those pillars and how much of a cost that would be to do that to the retention pond. It it that we had never really discussed that in detail up front over there. So, I think that's been kind of a recent uh revelation. And when we saw 500 grand, we were like, whoa, that like that seems a lot. Hopefully, it

049comes below that because that's crazy. And then we saw 800 800,000. And then we were like, okay. And it was consistent across all of the biders. Some were even higher. Yeah. So, I just don't think we had a good grasp of what that that would take because it's a whole drainage issue, too. And Yeah. I think the only thing we talked about parking over here was that we didn't want to violate the front steps of the Geer building. That was kind of like the line we had put like that's a good to use for parking just that the green space you have a consistent front across the entire campus just made sense. Yep. That's our brand. Yeah. Across the front. Yep. All right. Any other? So, reminder, motion on the table is that we accept

050the uh that we move to award Great Falls uh the base bid with alternates 1 through seven for a total of for a total of um I have 35,329,352. Does anyone have a different number? It's the number I backed out. Alternate eight. Thank you. All in favor? Y just another like huge step in this process. Thank you. I mean so much time, effort, energy, and love went into getting us here. Um and so yeah. And when will work start? Tomorrow. Um, so it'll take at least, well, with the holiday tomorrow, it'll be probably a couple weeks before we get the contract signed. We hope it's a little quicker than that, but um, we have to be reviewed and then signed. Um, and then once that we'll have a, um, we'll need to set up a

051meeting with the contractor. Obviously, we'll involve the facilities committee um, in that meeting um, to uh, talk about a work schedule and when the actual breaking ground again, second breaking ground will begin. Scott, do you have anything you want to add to that? Just that we also have a preconstruction meeting coming up with the town um uh next week. So, okay. Uh so, we'll be doing a pre-construction meeting that'll be on the 26th um with um you know, codes and planning and everything. Okay. So, that the parking thing will obviously come up then. We'll we'll talk about that there when we're in that meeting and um and we'll notify the um you know, we'll notify the architect so that we can get a contract done fairly quick. Okay. and then get um Drummond Woodson to

052review that. And it was great. Our clerk of the works was here last week and joined the groundbreaking and his wife and his wife. Absolutely. At the ground breaking. He was uh he was Yeah. Yeah, he was there. Um and he's moving. Has he moved in yet? Uh he moves July 1st. He'll be moving basically on site. That's incredible. 24 hours a day here. We're very lucky to have him. So, so just to get ahead of the conversation that of course is going to happen if we're coming in this much under um the $53 million bid, what are the implications for that? What other decisions will we be making? Like what what is our process now with this new number? I think it starts with the committee uh the facilities committee which we're scheduling a

053meeting. I don't think it's been scheduled yet, but um for hopefully next week um and if not the week after. It has to be done by the end of June so we can get some of these items discussed. So the process is for this facilities committee to review any of the outstanding things that never made it into the alternates or the base bid that had been part of all the discussions um that the building committee had um prior to it going out to bid. So that will be the next step. And then the facilities committee, the board's facilities committee will then recommend um what they feel needs to happen um to the board. And is there the possibility that these things that the facilities committee recommends will will still be under 53 million? Oh, it

054has to be. They have to be. Yeah, they have to be. No, no, no. They they could be to the scent. your question. Yes. No, we've had I I mean I know I've uh asked that question as well. Um and if we do not need to bond the full 50 through a million, when does the last I know we're doing it in stages. When does the last bond get decided? We have two We have two band financing. We've already entered into one. Okay. We have another one coming up and then we'll do a permanent bonding um right about substantial completion of the project. So to to roll into permanent financing, which should be 2027, I believe. So So so we'll have to look at what we want to do as we're going forward. But it

055but it doesn't mean that all those things have to roll in if we want to add things to that. We don't have to roll them into the contractor's bid. We can also think about doing those ourselves, but this would be things that were already part of the project long-term facilities. Yeah, absolutely. we do not need to bond the full amount and we will be having discussions. So the example I would give you is like the continued windows at Mabel Wilson School which are security issues and are operational issues for the building which were not included in the base bid to continue the rest of those and that's something we should think about. Yeah. And so a question that I asked you today and I'll just ask it publicly like um even though it's a one

056campus project, it's not like we could just say, "Oh, hey, we've got five million. We could finally do the pool." I mean, we Oh, boy. That would be a mistake, wouldn't it? It has to be related to the scope. It has to be related to the scope of the quite frankly, it needs to be I mean, those things that have already been discussed through this entire process um that were removed from alternates or removed from the base bid along the way. Um going back to those items that are on a list that the architects kept. Um in fact the um we can share that list with the board if you'd like that have been discussed in the past and those even even if we did all those things that were on that list they still

057wouldn't fill that gap. But so we'll be be obviously responsible to the taxpayer but also make sure that we still have enough like you know we're being responsible to make sure that like there's contingency there. We're not over exuberant. I think the number it just makes us feel a lot more comfortable and breathe through and making sure that we're going to provide what was promised and nothing more was promised to the to the taxpayer because we also I mean things could come up. I think the benefit of it mostly being spent on a new school. I don't think as many things come up. I know when you're doing major renovations things things things can come up in a renovation project pretty quickly unexpected. And and the other part would be that um you know, one

058of the things to think about from a financial standpoint would be the cost of doing those improvements to Mabel Wilson School with a 30-year bond make a lot more sense than trying to spike your budget in years to try and accomplish those things, which would have a much larger tax impact community than bonding it over 30 years. Um, so, so that's the that's the way I kind of look at it is if we're going to have to do it anyway, let's look at how we're going to do it on a 30-year bond. And I would be careful of the word improvement because these are things that are Yeah. maintenance, right? Like, yeah, they're they're needed pieces for the facility and a lot of it has to do with the building envelope. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. All

059right. So, that was all very exciting. Now, we're going to move on. I'm excited to uh can I have a motion to approve the strategic planning process for 2526 as presented at the June 5th, 2025 meeting? So moved. Thank you, Sean. Can I have a second? Second. Thank you, Anukica. All right. So, we had this presentation at the last meeting. I know that some of the questions at least that I recall were around the four areas um and whether agreeing to this plan also agreed to those being the four areas. Right. So obviously the board has the ability to amend that was a recommendation. Um here it is. It's on should be on the screen. Um and um so the board can amend those priority areas. Those are recommended priority areas. Let me just grab

060them real quick so you have them again. I just as that is coming up I guess one thing I would wonder is um if there would be a way to frame it that you know it's not that we don't support those being the priority areas but that we would also support through the process those changing if the process indicates that they should change. Right. Sorry. There it is. These were the yeah these are the recommendations from leadership team and that yeah these would be part of the workshopping of the strategic plan would be to take a look at these as well. So saying it very sus clearly part of the strategic plan process that we'd be approving is to go through the process of identifying the priority areas. We are not approving the priority areas.

061Right. And and I think um you can make that distinction too tonight that the board um the priority areas will be part of the development of the um strategic plan. So this was something the leadership off leadership team offered um as a recommendation as a starting place. It doesn't mean that you're tonight you have to approve these four and that's it. You're done. This is part of the next year of development is reviewing these and seeing does this make sense or do you want to put something else forward. So you're not committed to this tonight. I'm sorry if I didn't make that um more clear at the presentation. Um you're not committed to adopting these tonight. um you're all we're asking um the board to do tonight is commit to the process um for the

062next year of developing a new strategic plan. That's it. I think the process part is confusing me because if we're like when we look at this the process has kind of already started and like I think I would have the process I feel like should have started I don't know if it like started with us kind of coming up with those priority areas as I kind of understand it. And so like since it's already started, I don't know if I'm already approving that and then we're going back. So like I would approve that we do another round of strategic planning for 25 26 and love that you guys started something for us to work off of. But just the way that I strategic plan and like going from like the like a topdown approach, it

063feels like we've already kind of gone out of order. So I guess that's my somewhat confusion because I I you're right by those pillars might not be what I pick. So like that process has already started. So I'm not I don't know if I approve that process. So I approve going strategic planning next year but not this process so far. That's I think that's where I'm confused. And that's fine. If the board the board can also start Yeah. I think the board can also you know tonight you just making it very clear you're starting at the starting place. I I I realize that phase one planning as recommended um we're almost in the middle of phase one planning and now we're asking you to adopt a process. Um and that is true. Um and so

064it may feel a little bit um the cart before the horse. Um it could be that you're saying yeah we're going to take 2526 as the development year u for the strategic planning you know going forward. And that could also mean looking at those priority areas, backing that out. Again, the curriculum committee did um get those priority areas and put that forward, you know, just sent it to the board from there, but um that's also the board's Okay. So, this did go through curriculum. It did. We we talked about it in a general basis, not as a specific basis. It was kind of a presentation was given, not a dissection. I didn't feel like it was and I had kids coming off the bus at the same time it was being presented. So it was

06510 I think it was less than 10 minutes. Yeah. Left in the meeting to do that. So it was a it was a general presentation but not a um a dissection or a conversation of meaningful um picks. Okay. The content not to start somewhere. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Um, yes, I appreciate having something to start from and I also appreciate being asked to approve a plan before it starts. Um, yeah, phase one. It might be that, you know, phase one is not really phase one. The gathering voices might be your phase one or maybe there's additional planning that you want for phase one. You're directing the work as the board. um this is your strategic plan that you're offering the community that you want the community to be involved in. Um so absolutely if that's where

066you want to insert instead of saying no to the priorities um as even as a recommendation that is your prerogative. Um that was just a recommendation from leadership team and I will say that um this is definitely going to be part of our retreat and I think we need to be realistic about what our expectation is of like board like do we have a board committee for this? Is this just members of the board sitting on an administrative committee? Um and I think that will help inform the process as well from our perspective. Um the I will say and I just for the benefit I think I've said it at the last meeting but to say it again um the one campus is obviously huge. Um, and that's something we wanted to just relay that

067the one campus will consume so much time and attention over really the next three to four years, not just the next two years as the school's being built, but there's so many programming things in the first year or two after the building and all the transitions are occurring. We've already started that program work internally um in terms of curriculum and pieces that we need to do, all the staffing pieces. Um, but there's um, excuse me, a lot more to do. And so we just wanted, you know, that was part of what we were trying to relay as well with this with the priorities. Um knowing that that part is huge for um for the community. Um but the rest, you know, well, all of it is really up to the board to decide how you

068want to figure that out. So, is the vote really just to say, "Okay, we're going to start the really your vote is just saying we want to launch a new strategic plan and next year is the development great phase of that plan." And you're not necessarily adopting this presentation. You're adopting the idea of developing a new strategic plan and with the idea that it would it's going to take a year to develop that process for doing it. This process can be tweaked. Um the gathering voices is obviously um a you know public recommendation that that we're making that there are voices gathered during this process. It doesn't mean that um the board can't say well wait a minute I'm not sure we really want to do that kind of survey or we want to do

069a different survey. Those are all details then I think we need to change the language in there because I think it says as presented which I think could it's confusing. So I think there is like a true amendment there where it needs a new motion. Do you want to make it effective language? I got it. As discussed, Tim or As discussed? As discussed. So moved. Um uh yeah, I move that um we approve with moving forward with a strategic plan for the 20 25 26 um school year. Does that work? A strategic plan. Process. Is it process though? because that's we're going to be planning it. I don't know if it's a process that we're like we're gonna we're gonna we approve that we will write a strategic plan strategic plan planning okay intention to

070create a strategic plan I move that we will have a strategic planning process for 2025 26 can I get it say it again I uh I move um I should write this down I think Tom McInness would have written this down I should follow him right now um I move that we commit as a board to move forward with a new strategic plan process for 202526. Can I get a second? Second. Thank you. Sarah, can I can I ask a quick clarifying question? Yes, this is the chat GPT. Um, so Tim, are you saying we're throwing out what's been done so far? No, I'm saying I because we could use that in that process, but I don't I don't think I don't it sounds like what Jeff just said is that we don't have to

071do this thing as presented. Well, like this presentation and so I want to make it clear that we're not approving this plan that he presented last time in terms of that being the process that we will start the process and maybe we will use this, right? But we're just approving the fact that we are going to create and uh a new during the 2526 we will do a new strategic plan right which I would s just to give a little history this might help too and I'm not suggesting this this time around the last two strategic planning cycles there was a strategic planning committee um that was a stakeholder committee um fairly large groups of people that directed the development year of the strategic plan and which ended up creating a strategic plan. That committee

072directed the work, made sure the process was done um and then the plan went to the board at the end of that development year. Yeah. So, and and that's um I think having a better understanding of the history and past process I think will be an important thing for us as board members to do. And so I would say let's come to our retreat um with some more of that information so we can have a more informed discussion about what we think that looks like. And again I just want us to be aware that depending on the direction like we need to make sure like if it's if it's a board committee or community committee like what that work looks like alongside with getting you know school project and everything else done. So just um

073that to be a consideration um about the roles. Yeah. I think what I got hung up on and you can't see it because it's got the uh you know the pause and the page number on there but it says that the last step of phase one is that the board votes on strategic planning process and priority areas. Whereas the draft of the priority areas was May of 2025. Does that make sense? So, I I think maybe that's kind of where Tim and I are like, are we are we actually voting on the priority areas? And so, um I am comfortable with the wording of that where we're basically using the bones of this without having to approve the priority areas. Right. So, what I'm hearing, and I wrote this down as a motion, is that

074the board uh wants to move forward with a strategic planning process. Um, and I wrote, I don't know if I got this right, Tim, with the intent of creating a new strategic plan, right? Um, and it couldn't be that, um, you could leave it at that and then at the retreat you're discussing more details. It could be that you're using some of this from the presentation or you're doing something different. And I would love for everybody sitting here to think about their role in either leading that or yeah, start to get those wheels turning. And then I heard Tim motion Who's the second? I didn't hear this. Okay, Sarah. Oh, good. All in favor? Great. Thank you. Unanimous. Okay. Only 34 minutes to go. Okay. Um, can I get a motion? No pressure. No pressure.

075We got a move. Um, can I get a motion that the computation and declaration of votes for the district budget validation referendum, article 1 and process, article 2, dated June 10th, 2024, and attached here to be approved. That the computation and declaration of votes be entered upon the records of Maine School Administrative District number 51. that a certified copy of the computation and declaration of votes be sent to each of the municipal clerks of the member municipalities within the main school admin administrative district number 51. So moved. Thank you, Megan. Second. Seconded with the amendment that the date is 2025. What did Oh, yeah. 2022. Oh, it is. I said to I read the wrong date and 2025. Jeez, I'm sorry. Thank you. Well, it does say dated June 10th, 2024. Yes, and that's what

076I thought he said 2022. Um, so no. Okay. The document says 25. The document itself. Okay. Phew. Um, it's for those listening at home. Okay. So, what what does this all mean? For me, this is this is just declaring that the uh referendum passed or failed and obviously the two questions passed. So, it's um it's just uh declaring that and then the board will have to sign off on this declaring that it passed and then I send a copy to each one of the clerks declaring that it's done and passed and the board has noticed that. So, um so we have to have these signed before all the board members. I can't believe that was just last Tuesday. That feels like a lifetime ago. I was like, "How is this on today's agenda? Haven't we

077already done this?" Wow. It feels like Groundhog Day for me. It's just over and over, right? Okay. Any questions or comments before we vote? Okay. Um Oh, sorry. I was going to just say I think my only comment is that, you know, we have two towns and one town like this was passed primarily because of you it lost in one town and won in the other. And so like last year um with the school referendum vote, just to be aware of that as you know members here and to know that like we have some work to do to um especially with in North Yarmouth to continue engaging in transparency and and and building that trust and showing like you know that when we talked about us redoing our process or really um fixing our process

078to engage particularly with our North Yarmouth folks but Cumberland as well um on a process where they do approve of it, you know, because I know they believe in the school. It's just something didn't sit right with them this time and I think we have some work to do there. So, just noting that. Thanks, Tim. Anyone else? All in favor? Thank you. You want me to hold these until the end of the meeting? Um, I think you should start with Sean. All right. Thank you. Yes, you read it. All right. I move. You're not on the right one, though. You're right. Okay. Uh, I move that the warrant for assessment of tax and the assessment schedule and notice of installments for each member municipality prepared by the treasurer for fiscal year July 1st, 2025 to

079June 30th, 2026 be approved and be issued in form presented to this meeting and that the treasurer be authorized and directed to deliver to each member municipality its warrant for assessment of tax and its assessment schedule and notice of installments. Thank you, Kim. Can I have a second? Second. Thank you, Anukica. Any questions or comments? All in favor? Unanimous. Great. Thank you. And there's two pages on this one where you have to sign the back of both uh sign in the same place on each one of the documents. There's two to each page that you need to sign, a front and a back one for both communities. Okay. And this is basically just the uh tax assessment and the payment schedule. Great. Thanks. Do you want to do I You're signing No, I can do

080it. That's fine. Okay. Uh, I also move that the board authorize the following cost center transfers in the fiscal year 24-25 budget provided that the total budget shall not be increased by these transfers. The finance committee recommends the following. Transfer up to 130,000 from regular instruction to student and staff support. Transfer up to 180,000 from regular instruction to system administration. transfer up to $35,000 from special education to transportation and buses and transfer $81,692 from special education to debt service. Thanks for the motion. Can I have a second? Second. Thank you, Sarah. Okay, so Scott, do you want me to launch into this? Please do. Okay. So, um first of all, for those of you who don't have your calculators out, that comes to $326 and $326,9 692 326692. Uh that is the total that we

081are moving within the approved budget for February 2425. So, this is not more money. This is money from two cost centers into four other cost centers. Okay. Um, and I'm trusting that Scott is going to catch me if I get this wrong, but um, you can see that we have $310,000 uh, in regular instruction that we are moving into student and staff support and moving into system administration. That is primarily due to the fact that when we set the 2425 budget, we were still in teacher negotiations. And so there was um money that we just were not sure what where it was going to where it was going to go as far as um salary increases, things like that. Um and the way that ultimately the negotiations played out the increase this year uh it

082instead of being one big increase, it's coming over several years. So, as we all know, the 2526 budget with the aggregate 8% raise for teachers, that's when it's really kicking in. Uh, but we did not know how that was going to play out when we set the budget for this current year. So, we actually will be coming in um about well probably more than 310,000 under but um for now we do have money that will not be used from that cost center that 310 sorry Kim or 130 okay I'm getting lost in the numbers so there are two places that we're moving money to from regular instruction sorry 130 and 180 yeah exactly um student and staff support is uh that is a lot of technology. Um and we are oh my goodness I am

083now okay so we um elected to or maybe elected is not the correct word but what we have chosen to do is to use funds from regular instruction to pay off a lease purchase within um student and staff support. that is where our technology for the most part goes. And so in order to pay that off um and prevent that payment from happening next year, which is why we set the budget the way that we did for student and staff support, we can take that money from regular instruction. Does that make sense the way I just said that? Uh the 180,000 to system administration. The reason why that cost center needs more money is primarily legal. Um, also we when we were setting this budget a little over a year ago, we were looking at

084having restructuring the district office in terms of the finance department and things did not go quite the way we had planned. Um, we have some overlap between Christine and her new position and um, I'm blanking on Sue Fuller. Thank you, Sue. Uh, adding some hours to kind of help get things moving. Uh, there were a lot of extra hours that people had to work to get the accounting uh, system going. So, uh, we ended up needing more in system administration for those reasons. So that's primarily legal and our finance office. So that is why we are looking to transfer this money from regular instruction special education uh is similar even though we weren't under contract uh negotiations and collective bargaining for special ed. We were uh we did come in under just for unfilled positions.

085we had several staff that were out on unpaid leave and so it was substitute teachers who were filling in or it was a teacher who was not as high on the pay scale. Very common. Um so fortunately we we overbudgeted a little bit and uh the reason we're move asking to move 35,000 into transportation and buses is that uh similar to the lease purchase for technology we were able to structure our 2526 budget without the um bus payment. Scott, fill that in because I did not say that right. It was yeah it was um if you remember there was a lot of discussion around purchasing uh other vans and van lease purchases that already existed. So what we did is in the budget process in order not to have to have that payment in next

086year's budget that we were developing. We paid off the lease purchase on the vans in the year we're in because we knew we were going to have some fund balance and so so we strategically paid it off so that we didn't have to budget for it next year. Right. Okay. So, does that make sense? Those two lease purchases that we kept out, we were able to not have to put into the 2526 budget do require these um transfers from cost centers where we have those overages reduced interest within reduced interest. And then um for debt service, the way that the purchase of the Wyatt land was structured, we are uh is is an owner financed transaction and it that the way that it played out that line number for debt ser that cost center for

087debt service uh when it was budgeted for 2425 did not include clude the payment to Bill Wyatt the way that we thought it was going to be. And once again, I don't know why I am messing up the way that I'm explaining this, but that is that is to cover the um the owner financed purchase of the Wyatt land. Uh and so that will that will cover that there. Scott, take it from there. No, it was just I mean the only other thing I would add, Kim, is that we had originally planned to take that from um capital from capital, right? it wasn't going to ever be part of the school bond, right? Um, but what uh we did with uh Mr. Wyatt as part of the negotiation was create a separate bond to him.

088So, we can't pay that from capital. We have to pay it from uh principal and debt service. Okay. In interest. So, so it appears there. And then um uh had I been a little bit sharper at the time, I might have caught that, but I didn't. Okay. So, and uh yeah. Yeah. So again, that comes to a little over $326,000. That is less than last year. Um, we want to remind you all that the state knows that when we are creating our budget, it is there's still four to five months left of the fiscal year and um staffing changes over the summer. There are so many things that are impossible to nail down to the number. And so you're allowed a 5% leeway. It based on our actual expenses, our incumbrances, meaning expenses that we

089know are coming. They just haven't actually we haven't written the check yet. Uh, and then Scott, um, sort of anticipating things that maybe we don't know exactly how much they are, but knowing that they're still coming, we are within 1.76%. So, that is really impressive. And it's Scott has historically um, gotten us there. I should say every board, every year that has approved, the community that has approved the budget, we have all collectively done a really good job of getting almost always under 2%. Um, so 1.76 is fantastic. Uh, we are well within our not only what is legal by the state of Maine, but also what is recommended. Um, and so when we're moving these funds around, it it really does represent a very minimal amount uh and and a very very close approximation

090to what our actual costs were. Well, and given that we didn't have the union contract settled going into any of this budgeting being done, the fact that we're that closed is Yeah. because the you know of course the association contract spreads over multiple cost centers right not it you know it's improvement of instruction it's um you know student and staff support and special ed and regular instruction so it was impossible to know exactly where that was going to land with the changes that we made to the base scale and structure of that scale so I think we've I think we did quite well yeah well and is this there was recent legislation that passed that moved something from 5% to 8% % 9% to 9%. Is this is this what is being Yeah. So what

091So that's not what this is all about. Two separate things. So um so the state authorizes that you can because they understand the difficulties of just having to stay within individual cost centers without any type of leeway. They allow you a 5% transfer from any cost center to another cost center. Oh wow. Okay. To accommodate for those changes that come up throughout the course of the year. The other piece of this is that the the funds that are left at the end of the year, which in our case is a little over $800,000 is what we're projecting. Okay? Um it could go one way or the other, but you know, let's say it's $800,000, that money will go into what's called your unallocated fund balance at the end of the year. That's what can't exceed

092the 9%. Okay? So you and and and that for us is for us, we it used to be 5%, it's now gone to 9%. Well, you know, we're right now we're going to be somewhere at the um 3 3.2 million range in our unallocated fund balance. Well, our whole anticipation of that will never hit the 9% there, right? I mean, you'd have to be extraordinary to hit 9% on that um because we allocate money through the district budget process at the district budget meeting with the voters to allocate money to capital or to allocate it to our um contingency funds. That's the the bigger picture, okay? And I I won't try not to take too much time, but we had a very lengthy conversation at finance today, is that those monies that are in our

093unallocated fund balance are going to go back to the taxpayers because that's how we're offsetting the debt in our plan of financing to stair tread. Picture walking up three steps until you get to the year 203031. We have a major almost $800,000 in debt service dropping off in 2031. So our plan of financing will be utilizing fund balance to buy down that debt over a period of several years like three years till we get there. So we'll literally be softening the debt and lessening the impact to the taxpayers with the money that we've been able to plan and set aside over these years. So and and that's been an ongoing plan of financing that we've been doing for some time. And just to confirm, Scott, then it's that full 886 um 100,000 number that is

094the unallocated fund balance. It's not that minus what we're talking you're you've expended to get to that point, right? So it's really the total 800 and something that will add to fund balance. So and that's what we're projecting now. Like I said, it could go a little higher um a little lower depending on where we end up. And so that's what's will bring our fund balance uh to about a three a three million excuse me a $3 million fund balance which will be used maybe say in the first year of the debt we use 800,000 okay maybe in the second year of the debt we use a million okay and over time what that does is that softens that debt so rather than going like this to the taxpayer straight up it'll gradually go up

095over a period of years then it'll start to decline after 2031 because our debt service starts to So, so that's been the plan of financing and we'll do we talked at finance about, you know, we'll have another presentation around that. I've talked about it before. There's a video online and and a couple of graphs from when we were doing uh this previously, but we need to update those numbers. You know, we're financing a little later than we thought we were. And um but we'll present that at the finance committee and then to the board about what that plan of financing will look like so that people can see what we're doing with those funds and how and what the actual tax impact will be of that. And I think I wonder um the total number

096that we're talking about transferring is it possible that that's just over 400,000 and not just over 300,000 426 426 I think 4269 I think what was maybe missed in that conversation was the I think I sure did thank you might have been the debt on the back page thank you very much so great thank you that and that was really helpful thanks for that yeah just just so we have an idea of that and this is not uncommon municipalities ities do this. They transfer money to capital. They transfer money to other things. Um and uh and thereby it basically provides that money back to the taxpayers because you don't have to budget for those things in the next fiscal year. Great. Any other questions? All in favor? It's unanimous. Okay. Next up, the we have

097the election of school board officers for the 2526 school year. Um Christina was going to take this item, but she's caught in Augusta. Um she's talked with every board member as the outgoing board member just about both interest um for themselves or other people on the board around leadership uh schoolboard leadership for next year. And I believe Anukica is going to present the motion. Yeah. So, I move to nominate and elect Leanne Kandura as the chair of the board of directors for the 2025 2026 school year. Can I get a second? Second. Thank you, Jesse. Um, any questions or comments? This feels all very I know, right? Do it again. Um, I don't know. Uh, I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of everything. Um, and become much more comfortable in this role. But

098I I will say to anybody who's asked, and if you have, I've told you this, okay, three is enough. Um, and that I have been so proud of um the work that I've done with the past two boards, the work over the past year, being able to work with the administration. Um, and there's so much to learn and I've like came in my first year um, really needing to understand a lot and we had a lot going on which was putting together the the school project for the first time um, on campus. Um, and then it's been so awesome this year to to bring that into fruition through the groundbreaking. Um, and I just feel that I have another year in May if if I have people's support. Um, just to continue. One of the

099challenges that we've all had was um the turnover on the board. Um, and the fact that we Kim and I are now in our second term, which again, I can't believe that happened last week. Um, so we have another three years that we've just been voted in for. um and wanting to continue to build um the board and the like secession plans for each of the committees and chairs in ways that I feel will continue to serve our district well into the future. Um because it it takes years as many of you who have been on the board for a few years to really feel like you're getting a handle of the rhythm and the relationships um and the content um and the new content with the the new school project that um I would

100be happy to work with this group of individuals for and proud to work with this group of individuals for another year in this role. Um but my my only request was that who's ever interested in the vice chair that they the secession plan would be that they then be chair. So that that was sort of uh what I put on the table for my interest to continue for another year. Any other comments? Well, all right. So I'll this is not a this is a discussion point. So, I'm gonna open that. Um, and I wrote I wrote some things down because and it'll probably become clear as I go through it. But, um, it struck me the other day that I'm coming up on my third year, which is crazy. Um, and so it goes fast.

101Yeah, I know. Um, and you know, I do I hopefully it's not my last, but you you never know. Um, and so I feel like it might be a final opportunity for me to kind of shape what we do and and how we govern. Um, and so I just want to say it right up front. I think Kim Kim and Leanne have done this board have led this board super respectfully and I think have played a significant role in bridging us from a time of volatility and kind of chaos in the public um to calming the waters and I I I think that you know you let you have a different leadership style than I might have but I think it's the right it was the right leadership style for the time and so like

102I commend you guys for the work that you do. Um, but I I kind of want to just share my vision and I'm going to go as fast as I can, Sean, because I know your time is there. Um, of how I think that just generally philosophically that we should be governed. Um, and not between this isn't like anyone. It's just like the how the board should govern totally like like as a collective unit. Um, so when I first ran for the seat, I I I ran because I believe that the board matters and I believe in public education and I believe that like this is a commitment that what we do is a commitment to the community and um and through that like we commit to transparency and to building the kind of trust

103that strengthens neighborhoods and futures and I believe in local control is more than just a technicality. ity. It's a public promise and our job isn't just to steward a budget or review a policy. It's to present represent the people um the people who put us here and even if that's uncomfortable and especially if it's uncomfortable. So this year opened with parents raising real concerns I think about screen use in classrooms and that was a conversation happening loudly in the community. We heard about it from I heard about it from a variety of people, but we never really engaged in it. And I know that some that informs some of the subcommittee work and I'm proud of that from the policy committee standpoint, but those conversations only involve a few of us. And I think things

104like that are missed opportunities. When we leave meaningful public conversations at the subcommittee level or fail to acknowledge them here, we risk sending the message that what's on people's minds isn't worthy of discussion. And so when people speak during public comment and we say nothing in return, what they hear is dismissal. And we can do better by responding with respect, by following up, or at the very least by letting them know we've heard them. And the way we present our work, budgets, policies, priorities should be understandable and accessible. I don't think it's fair or realistic to expect our community to attend every subcommittee meeting or to understand these 300page budgets where they're circling through things and it's not digestible for them and they don't know how to really engage with that. Um, so I also

105feel like at times our meetings feel scripted and it's designed around what the district like it's designed around what the district needs and the optics of of all the celebrations we do. And there's a lot to celebrate, but it doesn't always feel responsive to what our families are concerned about. And so I kind of believe in a different structure. And I want our board discussions to help frame our subcommittee work. And then the subcommittees take it, they talk about it, and it circles back to us and we close the loop through a vote so that we're all a part of our own work. So I'm not surprised when finance comes with a budget and we're struggled, we're struggling with something on the budget. And right now, most of our work happens at the subcommittees, but

106the public doesn't see that. So, I want our school to feel like a community school and not just the staffs, not just what is on Jeff's agenda or the leadership agendas, but what's on our agendas because we came in here with promises that we are committed to. And so, I think we all have a role in playing that. So, um I believe it's our job to question, not to just oppose for the sake of it, but to sharpen the work through scrutiny. We are not here to rubber stamp. We are not here to ensure the district delivers on its promises. We can look at our con we need to look at our constituents in the eye and say we ask the questions you have asked us. We pushed for clarity that you deserve. But I

107think we sometimes avoid that role because of norms, because of habits. We don't want to surprise people. And I understand that. But I also worry that the phrase no surprises, which is something we learned day one on our orientation, can subtly teach us to silence ourselves. And we can't afford to do that. We can't risk staying quiet simply because speaking up might feel like a breach of etiquette or we're worried about what others might think of us if we vote against the majority or the chair or the vice chair. It's not how trust is built and frankly it's not how governing works. So, I want to acknowledge something upfront. I know I'm one of the more critical voices on the board. I ask a lot of questions and sometimes too many. Occasionally, it turns into

108a full cross-examination. And now I know the policy members on this committee probably are are bracing for impact because typically I overanalyze everything. I get it. I can be verbose. But it's a blessing and a curse to look at all sides. But as vocal as I am, I listen. I adjust. I'm quick to compromise. And I always ask others what they're thinking, especially when I know I might be off base. So I've I've often changed my minds in meetings. I've admitted when I've gotten things wrong and I'm open to disagreement and I hope anyone that I disagree with here feels that I've treated them the same whether or not I've agreed with them or not because I believe in all of you and this board is full of smart committed people. Leadership to me means

109creating the conditions for everyone at the table to lead and that means asking real questions and listening without ego and sometimes stepping back to someone else's insight can come forward. But I think as a board we've concentrated way too much responsibility in the role of the chair. Agenda control, subcommittee assignments, meeting structure. It's worked because we've had really good people in the chair, right? But there might be a time where we don't. And structures should outlast personalities. I don't think we need a president in the form of a chair. We need a facilitator, someone who trusts this group, brings out its collective wisdom, and doesn't treat influ doesn't treat information or influence in the form of leverage. I'm not saying that's what our current chair is, but I think that's the risk that we have

110in the structure. So, I understand these conversations can be personal. So, after I finish, I'm sure we're all sit in awkward silence and that often leads to staying the course. But I imagine if we didn't and imagine if we took this moment to spark for an honest conversation about how we want to govern, about what we want our time here every Thursday to look like. And then we choose the people and not just the roles, but the people who we trust to get us there. So if this vision resonates with you, I'd be honored to vote for anyone that believes in it. And if not, I'd be happy to step forward in any leadership position. But I think something needs to change for us to build our relationship back with some of our community members

111and really do what we promise over and over again, which is serve our community and be the bridge between the community and the administration. So, sorry Sean, you can go. But that was my rant. I will take a few minutes and listen to anybody else that has to talk. So, I guess just what comes up for me hearing you talk Tim is I think that some of those conversations are certainly worth having. I do wonder the extent to which we can have them in this discussion period right now. Um, and so I wonder, but you know, and given some of our previous policy conversations and how we're trying to make sure that we do have those discussions, um, that we need to have, I don't know if you or anyone else would have thoughts on

112how we could have those conversations if if they're not able to happen in the context of this motion and this decision in terms of the the structural aspects, I is what I'm thinking of. I guess I'm confused as to why I think what I'm putting on is I think it's worthy of and I'd be curious to see where Leanne feels on some of this stuff too, like where it's worthy of. If this is my vision, I'd be curious where other people feel in terms of what their vision of how we should govern and how it fits. and if Leanne and Kim and their vision matches what you want and how you want to govern. So I think it's a really appropriate time still appropriate to talk about it at this moment. So I think I'm

113just kind of confused as to to the question. Fair enough. It feels like a big conversation to me and I I I guess that's where I'm coming from that I personally I don't know. I'm just trying to think to wrap my head around, you know, when could we productively have a conversation that feels like a really big conversation to have. And for me personally, um I'm not sure that I feel like I can engage as well as I would like to in the context of this discussion period. Um but happy to hear what others might think as well. I think you brought up a lot of good points and I think when we talked about a strategic plan a little while ago and that process and what that means and how we interact with the

114community and as a board and the administration and our stu and the students that go here. I think that rolls into that that dubtales it nicely. I I think it's a process that maybe from my perspective is yes, I'm here. I've been here almost a year and I think from that perspective, it's a good opportunity to do it then. And I feel like you might have more perspective and Kim has more perspective and other members on this board. Obviously, they've been here longer. They know what they've seen over the last three years. Um I have not. I've seen what I have a limited perspective, but I think those things tie in well together and I think that's a good opportunity to talk about it and that and obviously at the board retreat. But I think

115those are very important topics to discuss and I agree with you Anukica in the sense that I feel like I need to digest this more and think about it and kind of really look at it. Um, so I think that yes, I agree. I think that there are some things in there that are really important and I would argue that that is probably why it would be best to have Leanne be chair again because I think what can happen when you become the chair is you can't just jump in and make a bunch of changes, right? Um, and and that's why this is such I'm so grateful that Leanne is running again because I think it takes a while to sort of um, you know, if you use the the uh, oceanliner example of steering

116the ship, right? You can't you can't go too quickly. You can't veer too quickly off the path. And so the relationships that Leanne has established, the uh the time that she has spent now with two boards and seeing how things have played out in our elections and and um building those relationships with several community members, I could imagine that if we as a board are saying, "Okay, we want to to make these adjustments or, you know, tweak things how we're doing things that Leanne would be in the perfect position to be able to do that. Um, and and that be because because she knows, you know, how how things work rather than I don't mean like rather than you, but rather than somebody coming in as a new chair and saying, "Okay, you know, we're

117changing this." Does that Yeah. I think I think the only thing of concern or the challenge, this is why I'd love to hear from Leanne on where she falls on some of this stuff too, is because the chair again has a disproportionate amount of power where if she didn't if we talked about at the retreat and we had, you know, certain things about public comment or we had certain we said certain things about this is how, you know, in terms of our meeting agenda structures, I think respects us enough to kind of follow that but a chair generally wouldn't have to, right? Like I think the chair has right now the power based off policy and how we've interpreted that policy um to be able to kind of run the agendas, run the subcommittees, run

118the meetings that he or she chooses to do that. And so I think we should have these conversations at the retreat. I think it is a big conversation but as it relates this is a stepping stone towards making sure that we are open to those conversations so that we can um uh to hit some of these things. So I just want that to be said that the chair has that power and it most of the power that I'm talking about in here are dictated as said by the chair. I if you're asking me to respond, it was a lot. You had you had a lot written what down to respond to, but I guess what I would actually ask of all my board members, I really believe in shared power. Not I am not interested

119in absolute at all. Um that was never my interest in becoming chair. Um it is why I often um will make sure that things are discussed in committee. I believe that is the place for a lot of these conversations because I don't want to feel like I'm having any undue influence in those conversations. Like a lot of the things that you've mentioned are policy and I've asked I mean Anukica knows this other board members who've brought these up. I was like, please like have these discussions in policy. Give me a recommendation if there's you know a consensus around how we can do this differently. That's what I want to know and hear. Um and so that's where I appreciate that process because I am not interested and anyone that knows me and works with me

120like I am not interested in any sort of absolute power. I' I feel like I'm I'm putting in the work to support the board and be places where not everyone can be at all times. And when I'm asked if like agenda how agenda items get on um I I I guess my first go to is okay which committee does that fit in? Because I also am very aware that the reason the board has the committees is to do the work right and then bring it to the full board. So we and the reason we form committees in the way that we do is we put expertise on those committees. And I I'm hoping every member of the board here can say that um the past at least this past year when the committees were put

121together, everyone got sort of what they asked for. Um and I and in the roles they ask for um and so I that's how I hope I can be seen as a leader is really shared responsibility. We have to have shared responsibility to get all the work done. Um and that most of the work in these discussions happen at the committee and I know people don't have time. People don't even have time to come out and vote right and that takes five or 10 minutes but you know um and it's hard to digest. there's a lot that goes on. Um, and so I am would love any feedback. I'm always open to feedback. I always want to improve and ensure that I'm meeting the needs of the board members, our administrators, our students in the

122community. Um, and I I hope that board members feel like I'm been approachable and have changed course when needed, taken in um, feedback and not made decisions alone. And I I hope that's how you've seen me as a leader. I am very happy to throw my support behind Julian. That is how I see you as a leader. You're extremely collaborative. Um, I absolutely do not want to short change the fact that you, um, in particular pushed me last year as the communications chair to bring people in. Our subcommittees have been successful because we have experts that come and join us because we ask the community to come and play. Finance. Kim, you did the same thing, I think, by bringing in members of our community and soliciting um feedback. You know, the the job is

123to is to get the job done, and you do that. I appreciate your organization. I very much appreciate your communication. You're not letting things fall through the cracks. And this is a volunteer board, right? We don't all have all the time to do everything. somehow you do and I really really appreciate it. Um, so I I you have my support and I do think that you lead with collaboration. Um, so I'd be I'd be happy to have you be chair again. Put my cards on the table. So when when asked this question, I said if Leanne is running again, I would fully support her. I said if Leanne doesn't want it then I think Tim would be great for the job because Tim I know you you've expressed interest in being the chair and you

124know I think with the one campus project and all that's going on I think having steady leadership and the strong leadership that Leanne has shown I I think makes sense. I think at our board retreat having deeper conversations about tweaks that we could make. Um I agree with some of what you said Tim and a lot of it I actually don't agree with. I I don't think we have enough time at these meetings for all of us to get into things or to respond to public comment. I've got all kinds of time to respond to emails. I've responded to every email any citizen has ever sent me. Sometimes they're very short. Sometimes I say, "Thank you for your comment." Because a lot of folks sometimes don't say the nicest things and don't ask questions. They're

125just, you know, blowing off steam. Um, you know, so, you know, I think if folks cared about turf, they should have shown up to the turf subcommittees and some people did and some people I met with for coffee and, you know, we answered some questions, you know, here when it was appropriate. But I don't think we have enough time in the day to answer every question all the time. And I think if people care enough, they can email or reach out to us. And I would hope that anyone else here on any other subcommittee answers folks's questions. There was a New York Times article on turf today. I got one email from a resident. I'll note I sent everybody that article at 6:00 a.m. this morning. One resident reached out to me about that article

126and I wrote him many paragraphs getting into the details of the decision we made because he didn't watch any of our schoolboard meetings or come to any our subcommittee meetings. But, you know, Leanne made sure that all that's documented, right? Like we asked all those questions when I brought up my presentations. People asked thoughtful questions. Um, so yeah, I think I think Leanne's, you know, led with integrity. I think she's been collaborative. I think she's allowed, I think, the appropriate amount of of comment and discussion in the right places. Um, but Tim, I think you would also make a great board chair. So, I hope you get reelected and we can pass the reigns on to you in your second term. So, I want I just want to be clear. I was not necessarily throwing

127my hat into the ring. I would do it if the vision was there, but I also want to make sure that like, yeah, I think Lyanna has done a really nice job, but look look at this discussion. This is not something that we like typically have at our board meetings. And I think it's really it was really good, Leanne, to hear you articulate some of that stuff because I experience that a lot. and we also have certain disagreements like we like Jesse and I do necessarily about public comment. So, it's really good to know that like we have a space at the retreat to kind of to discuss that. And so, like it's I it's to be clear that I want I I think we should be we shouldn't just always stay the course. We

128should talk about whether or not it we should continue staying the course. And it's good to recheck in and this is a really good opportunity for us to recheck in our governance structure and who governs us as well. I mean, I'll be honest, my inclination is just to get things done and I have to check myself constantly to make sure that everyone has a chance to participate or feel like their voice is part of the conversation because I this is how Megan how I how I um accomp can get things done because that's like my natural inclination. Um but it's I feel like I've I've put in in work um which has helped me in my my day job which I do have as well. Um just to make sure I'm not just pushing things

129forward and I think you do have to find that balance to get the work done and to and I appreciate just how responsive you have been when I've brought anything to you. And I will say that, you know, earlier today I unearthed an email that Ann Maximovic had written um last year at this time when we were going through this process with some thoughts that she had about how we might want to look at this um board chair and vice chair um nomination and election process. And we didn't do that work. I think we, you know, we there's no reason that we shouldn't do that work, but certainly trying to get a an earlier start on it as we move into and then through the next um year is what I'd like to see. Can

130I move the question or is there more discussion? Thank you for saying that. It's felt very awkward. All right. Vote. All in favor? Thank you. I appreciate the unanimous support to continue in this role. Um I take it very seriously and I'm truly honored to get to work with all of you and with the district. Um and yeah, so thank you. Okay, so I have one more motion to make. Um, I'd like to move to nominate and elect Kim Vine as the vice chair of the board of directors for the 2025 2026 school year. Can I have a second? Second. See, Anukica, you're ready. Um, I've so enjoyed uh working with Kim in this role. I like I feel like we're good yin and yang. Um, and I feel like we've divided and conquered a

131lot of the vast amount of responsibilities on the board and the way that in which that she's, you know, chaired finance and then worked to support those conversations um in her role as vice chair. It's just been really awesome um to have to work with Kim over the past two years and I really hope for an opportunity for for the third but I but as I said I hope then she moves in into the chair role. Um and I said I will miss a meeting I promise and you can at least practice comments. All right. All in favor? All in favor? Okay. All opposed. Oh, Tim, you're abstaining. I'm I'm abstaining, I think. Okay. Um, great. Thank you, Sean. I appreciate uh we got you close. Thank you so much. See you at the retreat.

132Okay. Next is a move to authorize the superintendent to engage with legal counsel to join the mass action lawsuit. Can I have a motion, please? So moved. Thank you, Jesse. Can I have a second? Second. Thank you, Anukica. Okay. So, power school. We have a document in our packet that I found very interesting. Did you know power school is owned by Bane Capital? Huh? It is. Do you want me to speak to it? Okay. So, this this motion is in front of you and this has been um discussed with uh Drummond and Witson. actually drums and reviewed all the materials um that you have just to make sure that there was nothing that they needed to be concerned about. They did not have a concern. It's more of a what does the board want to

133or not. So obviously we have power school as our student information system in our district. There was a breach if you remember um back in the winter um which affected power school um users and districts across the country and internationally. Um and we have um put out information that P school has given us. For example, um to parents and guardians, there's been several messages that have gone out that part school has provided. Our tech department has been very involved in working with P school um in order to um to help with this. I will say that um I'm sure P school or Bane Capital is overwhelmed with the breach and what's going on. So there has been what's called instead of a class action lawsuit, it's a mass um lawsuit um that has been filed

134um against um Power School or Bank Capital and um very um small amount of expectations for a single district. Um I'm just summarizing very quickly um recoupment and reimbursement of any monies paid to Power School for contractual services. if this mass um lawsuit is successful. These are some of the things that would come out of it for individual districts. Um so being able to get reimbursed for any contractual services that P school failed to provide um it under its respective contracts. In this case um also attached there's so much material attached to this but in your um reading there is also um our um data privacy agreement. We have data privacy agreements with all the vendors that are used in our district and we do have a data privacy agreement with P school. Um so

135there are obviously areas in this power uh in the power school data privacy agreement that were breached and that's really the basis of this um mass lawsuit. Another benefit from joining this um lawsuit is past and future monetary damages. So, if um there were any legal fees that were brought against the school district um or there's fees that we have to incur or there's expenses that we weren't expecting, obviously we pay Power School um an annual fee, but if there's other things in addition to that, um this if this lawsuit is successful, we will be able to recoup those damages. Um if we choose to not be with P school and um go ahead and cut a contract that we have with them, we have multiple year contracts with them. We could the district would

136be able in a position to do that if this lawsuit was won. Uh indemnity from P school for any future litigation brought against the school district. So, in other words, if a parent decided or a family decided or a staff member decided um to sue MSAD51 for something that happened because of power school, um this would indemnify, of course, we have our own insurance, but um in the case that there's a lawsuit that's brought, this would um help cover those expenses as well. um in addition to our own insurance. Um fraudulent uh claims that are brought against uh the district would be covered under this lawsuit. Um and then there's an appointment of what they call a monitor to establish industry standard security systems. Um and again, I'm not going to go into a lot

137of detail and I don't have a lot of detail about what P school is or isn't doing, but what we do know is that obviously this breach was caused. uh we have enough information to know it was caused because they did not follow um industry standards with regarding security systems and I can say that because that has been um discovered as part of this process um of of looking at this breach. So that's why this lawsuit um has come about. Drummond Woodson has said there's nothing that they have a concern with. Um it's certainly just a individual district decision or board decision whether they want to join it. Um in terms of obligation or expenses, there are no expenses um that the district would have to to bear upfront. If the lawsuit, this mass lawsuit

138was successful, um the um the law firm that is covering this would get 30% of the monetary recovery. So, they would only get any money if the the mass lawsuit was successful and we were getting money, they would get 30% of any of that monetary recovery. Um, and there's the only other thing that's obligated about of the district would be about 5 to eight hours um of time to assist with the lawsuit. That simply means working with a law firm, probably be our IT staff um doing that um in order to give the information that we have in our our district's end. So again, it's it's just it's a personal decision or decision of the board whether or not you feel like it's worth joining this lawsuit. Um, we also, if you read the materials,

139can opt out if we don't like or the board does not like the direction of where this might be going down the road. Again, this is probably a long process. I don't think it's going to be litigated anytime soon. Um but the board also has the opportunity to opt out if you change your mind and feel like there you know what was presented by this um law firm which is the um France it's called France um law and Fagan Freriedman and Frost LLP um they would be handling it obviously has nothing to do with Drummond Woodson. Drummond Woodson has simply just reviewed our materials or the materials of this law firm to see and make sure that there wasn't anything that was problematic for MSED 51. So based on all this um my recommendation is

140that the board um uh go ahead and join this mass lawsuit. I don't really think there's a lot there's nothing to lose and there's there could be something to gain. I'm kind of on the fence as to thinking, oh, we're going to get this big windfall or huge settlement or anything like that. I don't think that's the case, but I think there's some other protective factors, including if we keep powers school, um the opportunity to have better security measures and make sure that those measures are in place um that would be taken care of by power school. Um so I think I don't think there's really anything any downside. Drummond to Woodson didn't find that there was a downside um to joining. There could be an upside or there may not really be much of

141an upside. We just don't know. It's kind of ambiguous. Um so my based on that my recommendation is not going to hurt the district um and it could actually possibly benefit the district um to join this mass lawsuit. So that's the information I have. It's all in the materials that were given to you. I'm just summarizing what was in there um if the board chooses to do that. And again, at any point if the board is concerned, you can have another vote and get out of this um as well. Any questions? Yeah. So, the last uh five, six pages are the contract with this law firm, correct? Front France law. Um, and it talks about the 30%. Um, and that so any fees that are incurred, is that included in that 30% or would we

142pay that up? But we we pay nothing upfront. We pay absolutely nothing. Nothing upfront, right? But it does say that um there are costs and expenses in addition to paying legal fees. So I just wanted to make sure we know what which would be the monetary any monetary damages recovered. So any of those pieces we could they would get 30% of our recovery of those expenses. Yeah. Okay. Right. We still have to pay power school our annual we have to you know we have a contract with power school. We're going to continue paying obviously we use them as our SIS. we have to keep paying that annual fee um to them and um you know for we have something that's already in writing. We're going to continue with that at this time. And has Powers

143School offered anything to the individuals impacted like credit monitoring? That's it. Credit monitoring. Um and uh any individuals that were impacted should have received an email um that we put that message out I think back in the winter when this first happened and that came from P school directly um to us and then uh whether or not they have followed through we've been getting information that they are not following through on all that. power school is the one that is responsible for contacting individuals that are affected, staff, families, students, parents, uh, for any information. Um, I think one of the criticisms, and again, I don't know all the details about this mass lawsuit beyond our district. Um, but I've my understanding is that some of the things that they have said they're going to do,

144they have not actually done. And I think that may have been the origin of this mass lawsuit. And if you join this lawsuit, you can't do something independently. Is that part of joining the lawsuit? Right. If you join this one, you're not independently. And I asked Drummond Woodson, what what is the just for argument sake, what's the value of even going out on our own and there's no value. You know, this is the only way to this is a company that spans way beyond the United States in terms of its um you know, its impact. So, you either join a mass less or you're not going to get anything. Um there's really no no benefit from doing that. Okay. And people don't know unless you've actually received an individual email or not. People don't know

145who in our district was impacted. No, we don't we don't have that information. So that's that comes directly from P school. Um and so we we wouldn't know if people have actually received it or not. Right. I well I've had some parents reach out and say I didn't hear anything and um does that mean I'm not impacted and I've had to redirect them back to P school and there is a contact information that we put out back in the winter a couple times just to say yeah that's who you have to contact if you want to know um there were a couple of um individuals um connected to the district that um where there were social security numbers and this goes back decades from people that were connected these were staff members that we actually

146informed those per people directly because we knew that information but it was very limited. Um we don't collect social security numbers on students so obviously no students were impacted um in that way or parents. Um but this was these were two staff members that worked there a long time. Okay. Other questions? Okay. All in favor? It's unanimous. Okay. Moving to policies. Can I have a motion to approve the deletion of policy JLCE first aid and emergency medical care medical care as presented? So moved. Thank you, Tim. Second. Second. Thank you. Anukica, do you want to just talk about our deletion again? Yeah. Um so this was a deletion that came to our attention uh by Drummond Woodsome and this is so the first aid and emergency medical care um issues are accounted for in our

147nurses procedures and are not needed in policy and that is why we are recommending it for deletion. Any questions? All in favor? It's unanimous. Can I have a motion to approve policy JLIB, student dismiss dismissal precautions as presented? So moved. Thank you, Anukica. Can I have a second? Second. Thank you, Megan. I'll give it to Megan. Um, again, do you want to So, this is a policy that was originally adopted and has not been updated since 2000. Um, and so we wanted to revisit it. Um and the policy committee did revisit it. We made some relatively minor changes but had some good discussion around how the dismissal policy um varies from school to school due to differing ages and based on the timing of dismissal. And so explicitly added some of that language in there

148and uh yeah made sure that we were being cognizant of what it looks like at all of the different grade levels and had some good input from folks as well. Great. And thanks to Tim for doing a lot of work on this to uh I don't know if I want my name on that. That was absolutely a lot of pain in that one. No, there was a lot of good discussion and really appreciate the work that you did initially to I think bring up points that we needed to talk about. So, thank you. Any other questions, comments? Great. All in favor? Unanimous. Okay. Can I get a motion to approve the professional positions as presented? So moved. Thank you, Megan. Can I get a second? Second. Thank you, Cam. So, we have two positions. Uh,

149we have a prek to 12 school nurse and we have a literacy specialist interventionist, GMS 68. Do you want to just go through these? Um we have school nurse as Leanne mentioned um at Mabel I Wilson School we had um five applicants for the position um and we had three in uh three interviews of three applicants. So, the uh applicant coming forward is um very experienced uh in the clinical world. Um not necessarily in the school world, but I will say that I trying to think of all of our nurses, but I believe all of them came to us with clinical experience in a hospital setting of some kind. Um so this is very typical for us to hire somebody um in the medical world um who comes to our schools and is um wanting

150to be a school nurse u and that's the the case with this particular applicant. So we're really happy to be able to secure someone who's got that clinical experience with the literacy specialists and interventionists. Um we had seven again and these are both specialized positions. Um as well we had seven people apply for the position. Um four people were asked for interviews. Um and the uh the team ended up interviewing two people. Two people must have decided that they were not going to come in for an interview. Um and uh and now you have the applicant in front of you. this person actually I just interviewed this person this week um who is out of state um has a lot of experience already as a literacy specialist and interventionist. So really very excited to be

151able to hire two people who have um really great backgrounds and experience. Um I think the teams were really excited to be able to get both of these people for our district. I'm very happy to and I do all the final interviews so I get to spend time with these folks. So very impressed. Quick question. It just says for the nursing position needs 524. I presume that there's a plan in place for them to get that certification. Uh which one are you? Oh, which one are you talking about? For the nurse. Oh yes. My understanding is she actually has it. Yes, she does. I believe she does have that for state. You're talking about state certification or lensure. I don't know what a 524 is. She has I believe she just says she needs it's

152a certification. She can work. Okay. Yeah. To work in the school to transition from being okay. Great. Yeah. As long as we know that that will Yeah. The RN Well, she has an RN license. Reason she has she has her license. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I think Fran mentioned to me that she had it. So Okay. I just have a question about the literacy specialist at GMS. Now, is that replacing someone? Is that hiring an additional? No, it's a replacement. There's somebody in the position um resigned and this is replacing that person. Same thing with the school nurse. It's a replacement for a position, a person who resigned. And do we do exit interviews? We always offer exit interviews for anyone that is leaving our district for whatever reason, retirement, resignation, whatever. Yes, there's always exit

153interviews offered. In fact, I just did one uh yesterday. Great questions. We put that in the information when we get a departure. There's information given by our HR specialist or HR um coordinator. And in that information, it says if you would like um to fill out a survey or an exit survey, you can do that. If you'd like an exit um interview, you can choose that. Um, so they can do one or the other or both. I mean both if they want to. So if a contract was not being renewed, is that a resignation? Or if a probationary was not going to a full-time, is that considered a resignation? So a resa this in both cases these are resignations. Okay. Anyone else? Okay. All in favor? Unanimous. Um, and I do want to point out,

154um, in your in the superintendent's update this week, there was some nice information on staff retention over the past five years. Um, and so, thank you for including that. Um, I think it's something we continue to be interested in understanding. We can keep providing that information to you so that you have that. I think yeah I provided a detailed more detailed information regarding postcoid and all that but um yeah our retention number right now is 92% which is very healthy very high and actually precoid back getting to those pre-COVID numbers um that we had prior to the pandemic. Okay Jeff can I ask a question on that? Um, I don't know like the like how you would share this or like if it gets to a point if we dissect it too much publicly that

155you you know who those people are or not like just from a privacy standpoint. But I am kind of curious how that breaks down by position type or by grade level or subject or something like that just to see if we're seeing more in certain areas and not in other like bus drivers are one thing too or are we can certainly get that information for you. Okay. And if it if it gets to the point where you know it might be identifying people we won't you know we'll asterisk it and just say we can't. I don't care if it's like trend data with the big number. No we can do that by department by school. Absolutely. Okay, that's not bad. But thank you for sharing that. Yes. No, I can do that. Great. Okay. I

156know you've had this queued up for a bit now. Oh, yes. Oh, the superintendence report. Um, yeah. I just want to make sure it was there. Um, as I knew that people um had some deadlines. Um, so Portland Sea Dogs Education Day. Third graders at the Portland Sea Dogs um, education day. What's that? That's one of my boys. Oh, yes. Um, got to say play ball and that was our student on the left and the other one um got to throw out the first pitch. So really cool. Um, Sea Dogs are always really they're we have a nice relationship with them and they're always sending messages to districts if you want to participate or come and get kids involved. So, here are two kids that were very happy and smiling and oh, I think all

157of our kids were happy that day from that. Spelling bee, third grade spelling bee was held on the 9th and thanks to Mrs. Coffee for hosting this first ever event um for all of the young spellers Mabel Wilson School, they've been students have been working hard on keeping the noise in the lunchroom at an appropriate level. Last week, they earned a very special lunch. I actually had a chance to visit that lunch and sit with a group of kids who were eating their lunch and they were thrilled with it. I have to say they were just Were they quiet? Well, they were talking to me, so I'm not sure how quiet they were, but uh it they it was they just loved it and they were showing me everything around the room and how exciting

158it was. Um but thanks to Miss Nelson, Jen Nelson, who our behavior coordinator for the Wilson School for planning and organizing this. Um she does RTI behavior. Um and shout out to shout out to um Miss Carlson for helping to set up as well. And the kids were again very excited. Uh one of them said it's like Disney World. So I don't think they've been. What's that? I don't think they've been offense. I'm sure I'm sure it was great. I Yeah. Um and uh but to Jen Nelson and Sarah Carlson, thank you for um doing that. I think they're they're very excited to do that for the kids. Um, Principal Muny um got pied in the face which was a PTO event. Um, the PTO uh raised um a lot of money obviously in getting

159the kids motivated to raise money or not money, I'm sorry, food to fill the bus which is now a May event annually. And I believe this might be the third year in a row that the um end result if the students fill the bus with food is to be able to throw pie in the face of the principal not once, not twice, not three times, but four times. So one student per grade level um K through three at the Wilson school. And you can see AP um Mallerie Orzachowski was more than happy to watch uh the principal get pied the our AP as well. Last day of school, we had all kinds of events on the last day of school. Third grade sendoff, um eighth grade sendoff. Um we there's a fourth and fifth grade

160staff uh like to line up and send all the kids off. Um buses are all, you know, it's really quite festive to watch. Buses are all um beeping as they're going by. Uh but just a really um there's a lot of fun traditional activities that occur. Um the eighth grade um there's a sixth to eight assembly where the eighth grade maroon and white um nominees and um award winners are announced. Um during that assembly there's a fourth and fifth grade. It's really a fifth grade variety show where fifth graders put on a variety show um for um the fourth and fifth grade. So just all kinds of neat events on that last day of school. Very festive time and it didn't rain which is nice. Um grade six uh catapult um launch was part of

161um I believe uh their science um science classes in sixth grade. Grade seven. uh was involved with thank you letters just thank you thanking all of their teachers food fest not food fight food fest modern language foodfest this is um yeah they've done this probably two or three years now that I can think of over there um and Scott after building that really nice huge awning that you um had built over there we use the students use it all the time uh and I know this was an event where they um definitely were using it that day, but just learning about food from other cultures and then eating the food from other cultures, which is always fun. Uh the treble chorus at the sea dogs uh for at Gley High School, I believe the magals

162were the ones that um No, not the mag girls, the treble chorus, uh were able to grace the sea dogs on the microphone. Groundbreaking ceremony. Um, many thanks to I think we had a little bit a little over 100 people show up. Um, but we had the third grade chorus. Um, and we had the middle school jazz band um that also performed in addition to other festivities like photo ops and cake and ice cream and all that stuff. But just a nice festive event. Great weather. It's a nice photo of Megan and I know, right? And so, yeah, Emily was um going Emily Gray was going around and I'm hoping her album or pictures get shared because she had some beautiful pictures in there. Um, and one of the things, and I said this to

163Megan, I was like, shoot, like we should have done should have thought more about like getting the whole schoolboard with the shovels. Like it was like right stupid. I know. I like we'll have to recreate it. I mean we were all sitting up there and then like a wedding like you have a list of these. I know. We should have gone through like this is I think the teachers there's one with a bunch of the teachers a first grade team. A lot of them were there. I love the fact that we actually there was one of their photos in there. Um it was so lovely. I was looking for one of your whole family Tim. You should Natalie. I see Natal my My 2-year-old couldn't wait and ran up at the very I think very

164end and just start digging in. Perfect. I mean, yeah, they need to get going. Someone that's not They're going to need a school there. That's true. We're building for her. Yes, we are. Um I'd like to just um There's two staff members. I'll start with Carol. Um Carol's been here 30 years and we always we get up to the 30 year mark. We have a lot of staff who are in there 30 something years, but we only every year we recognize that staff celebration when you hit a zero. Um, so once you hear 10, 20, 30, 40, 50. We've only had one that said 50 that I know of. Um, when you hit a zero, we re, you know, we always have a big recognition for in front of all the staff. So, Carol Robinson,

165um, was our only staff member this year that hit that 300 mark. Um, so we just definitely want to shout out. Um, thank you to Carol. Carol is a special education resource teacher at um the high school and um just a really kind um person. She really really works with the kids um relates really well with the students on our case load and um is just there for them. Very nurturing. Um oops I didn't want to get to retirees yet. Um also Phil Blake. Wow. This might be a first um 50 years. And when we recognized him in front of all the staff, he wasn't there because he was driving a bus or he was under a bus uh at that moment and was not able to working on it. He wasn't thrown there. Well,

166yes, not thrown under the He was either driving or he was working on it. Was intentional. Um but anyway, Phil um unbelievable. I we actually went down to the Scott and I went down to the transportation uh garage earlier in the day because we knew Phil was going to be there because he was working on the buses um or driving. So we went down and honored him in front of other bus drivers, other drivers um and had a separate little celebration for him. But I did tell Phil that 1975 when he started as uh working in this district in 1975 that Gerald Ford was president and um I had to give him some sort of you know re recollection of what happened in 1975. So the only photo I could really find real quickly was

167Jerry Ford falling down Air Force One. Uh but um the best thing that Phil liked was that the Bluebird bus was um you know uh initiated in 1975 and Phil we had a picture of the Bluebird bus back in 1975. Showed it to him. He goes, "Oh my word, I remember that Bluebird bus." I think he worked on that one. He said he said, "I worked on that bus back in 1975." So wow, Phil Blake. There you go. 50 years. Um, no one can remember. I mean, Scott, I know you're getting close, but no one can remember 50. Anybody being here 50 years? U, we also had a number of retirees. Um, Lori Denim, I say a number, three. Lori Denim is retiring from Abel Wilson School. works in the office um as a a

168part-time um secretary in our office at Wilson School and um just really helps uh our office staff keep everything working smoothly at that school in a 750 student building. Sue Fuller. So Sue retired in December um officially. However, with all the change overs um in the new um software program that we have, Sue has intermittently um showed up, come back to help out um on any given day um that we need her. So, we've certainly said, "Sue, go have your your retirement." Um but she's been so gracious in coming back when we've needed help in few days. Do you want to say something about just that Sue's been overseeing the district finances with me for some time and um she's been amazing at her job and it it's a loss to the district that that

169she's leaving that position because she has definitely kept us off the rocks for a number of years in the financial area. So um she's going to be very much missed. We did hang on to her for a while to get through the uh accounting software and some of the payroll issues we have, but um but yeah, definitely a loss to the district. Yeah, I think her grandkids are calling from Texas, so um she has several down there. Um Amy Jacobson um longtime um FLS teacher at the high school. Um, actually I was talking to Amy the other day about how many students she thinks she's worked with, and it was interesting because she says, "Well, I've only worked with maybe 30 students, you know, directly over the years." Uh, because Amy uh for a long

170time was the FLS teacher at the middle school and the high school. So, she um toggled both buildings um for many years. Um but um and I believe Amy's been here 30 she retiring after 32 years. um on the job. So, um oops, I forgot there's four. Uh Sher McInnness. Um Sherry um has been in education for a long time. She taught out of Maine. Um but we had we were fortunate enough to hire her eight or nine years ago um to be at 45. I know she's a beloved teacher. Um and um just uh she also was our staff member of the year in 2024. um just well respected um and um teacher in our in our district and recognized by her colleagues um as such as well. I hear she's going to come

171back and do variety of things. Correct. Like I hear like she's told she told me she might be a sub very sad about this and so I think she gave him some I'll be back for certain things. No, I think I really do think she is. Yeah. Yeah. I think she we in fact this is a really cool thing about this district. I I think back um there's a lot of teachers who have retired and come back and are long-term substitutes or daily substitutes or volunteering and they do that for a long or bus drivers. Um we have um somebody who retired who was a teacher then became an edtech and now works in our dishroom at Mabel Wilson School has had different jobs drives the van between the schools. We have one that drives

172the van was a teacher. We have lots of staff that come back and I love that. I love seeing people come back and I think Sherry will come back. She did say that to me too. She wants to come back and do something. So she'll need to get her bus driver license. She will. I could see I can see her doing that. Yeah. But anyway, those are our retirees this year. Um so we had four people retire. Um so sorry that they're going. Always miss our folks that have been here for a long time or But so that's the super report. Great. Okay. Now we're going to move into our our last committee reports and um for this schoolboard year and we'll have a new member joining us for for next time. Um, and I'm

173just also reflecting on the fact, I mean, obviously people will have a chance to to move committees if they want going forward, but over my three years here, we've we've never had this consistency of a board to be able to even think about somebody um being on a committee for for more than one year, let alone chairing it. and the fact that we have this opportunity. Um, I'm just really excited because there's been so much transition. Um, so committee reports, students gone, which they should be. Nobody wants to come back to a schoolboard meeting after school ends, but they will be joining our new student. Um, and uh, Katie should be joining our retreat. So, look forward to seeing them there. um finance. You you had a meeting today, huh? Yes, we did. Um which

174I believe I've covered everything. I did want to mention that um I did forget under um one of the reasons why special education instruction has come in um lower than budgeted for the year is we had an unused out of district placement. So, I just wanted to add that in. And um I also want to acknowledge that the finance chair forgot to carry the one when I was giving you the total. Um so thank you Anukica for catching that and and just all of you for um putting up with me while I kind of process the information that we got today. It was a lot but it was a it was a great meeting. Um and uh we are definitely looking forward to utilizing the new accounting system to really be able to to dig

175into numbers in the future. Great. Thank you. Policy. Yeah, so I think I'd like to start by just acknowledging um the work of the policy committee this year, including Tim and Jesse and Jeff, who are all up here and regularly attend those meetings, as well as Melissa Porter, who supports our work. Um Carl Francis also uh was on the committee this year, as was Sophia Dwina, um who we have also talked about and recognized in her capacity as our student representative. But Melissa read my mind today and sent me a list of all of the policies that the committee and then the board um have developed or revised or deleted over this past school year. And we have developed or revised 20 policies if you count the three that we had to do twice. Um

176uh deleted five. Um, and then we have a couple more on for first read, and those numbers do actually include the ones that we had on for second read tonight. So, thanks for helping us um add those to our numbers. Uh, not that it's a numbers game, but I think I'm really proud of the work that the committee has done to both balance like having the conversation and discussion that we need to have um, and also moving uh, work through that needs to get done as well. So, I've really appreciated that. We have a couple other policies on for first read tonight and other work of course that will carry over. Um so I will I think kind of have two more bullet points for um the update but starting with those two policies that

177are on for first read. These really came to us through the discussion of um generative artificial intelligence. And when you look at these two policies let me just see in our notes. So starting with GCSAR, employee technology devices and internet use rules and then the student version really of that policy JN DBR um student use of districtowned technology and device rules. If you look at either of those, the bottom paragraph speaks to generative artificial intelligence. And this was an addition that was um these additions to each of these policies were made by the committee that Mari Treble convened and you know together with folks from technology and other um stakeholder representatives. So, this language should look fairly familiar because it is, I think, included um maybe in slightly different words in the preamble to the

178administrative guidelines and really just points to those administrative guidelines. Um but certainly wanted to acknowledge as a district both the opportunities as well as the challenges um created by generative AI. Um as we were going through the process, we did make some other um updates, had some other discussion. Uh so you will see as you scroll through just some fairly minor language changes. Um I guess one thing that I would point out on the employee document under B4, so it's the top of page two. Uh we as you might remember recently had discussion around social media and um acknowledging that you know staff members because we are a small community may know students outside of their relationship with students as students because families know each other that kind of thing. And so we wanted to

179update this language to reflect that so that any communications with students and I would actually suggest we do have or minors crossed out there and I would suggest maybe we keep or minors in um I think maybe we just missed that as a committee but any communications with students or minors um for non-school related purposes were prohibited under this policy. We're just now saying which violates policy GCSA andor other board policies, procedures or school rules to be consistent with that other change that we made in our social media policy. Um and you'll notice directly under that we also have a addition of without prior approval of the superintendent or design for any use of private financial commercial advertising or solicitation purposes that uh employee use of school devices um would be prohibited to be used

180for those purposes. we had some discussion around, you know, there are just some very minor um potential exceptions to that and so giving that um that approval uh to the superintendent or designate felt appropriate. Um we do like to have that flexibility while also again that balance in our policies. Um, and in the student version, just quickly look and see if there's anything to bring attention to there aside from the generative artificial intelligence piece that we spoke about. Um, again, I think relatively minor changes. One thing that came up as well is what page is that? Three or four? On page three, F2. Um, we were previously required to have informational meetings before a technology device was issued to a student and that was flagged as just not being realistic at the high school level

181and so but acknowledging that a student and parent would sign a school's acknowledgement form and kind of whatever form that takes at the different schools. Um, so we were able to make that change as well. And I think that is about it. Um if there are any questions on those two policies and these would come back for second read to a future meeting. So certainly if people have questions we can address them in the meantime or at that meeting as well. If anyone's wondering we did use chat GPT to determine our AI policy as one should. No, let it tell you how you should use it. Um, thank you for the incredible amount of policies that you guys were able to work through this year. Um, I know that's that's quite a lift and again

182it'll be we potentially could have continuity with that committee that you don't have to feel like you're starting from scratch again. So, that's really exciting. Well, and so the final thing that I will um that I wanted to talk about tonight is and we've mentioned it here in the updates before is that the committee has been interested in working on our policy behings policy. Um and so I think what we are looking at that looking at is um that those board members who are currently on the committee, Tim, Jesse, myself um will take a look at that. If certainly if um other board members have feedback on our public participation policy that you'd like to share with any of us, um we would invite you to do so. And then we would look at maybe

183having a time um to meet at least the three of us in a public meeting um as a committee where we could maybe take that feedback in and create something that we then bring to the board at the retreat. So that is one idea that we had um hoped we might be able to bring forward. I do want to throw one quick thing out um in something that for us to kind of discuss and think about as we think about what policies to take on next. I think a common thing we came across was the how policies really should be somewhat differentiated by the grade level that we had like we we were challenged quite often by just like well this isn't really appropriate like I this policy should be there for K through eight

184or lower grades but not really appropriate for high school so then we would generalize it but then it doesn't feel like we were um like we were worried about how that covered specific specifically through K through eight. So, I think it's worth us just work-wise to review the policies in the sense of age appropriateness and just make sure that like it's it makes sense. It's suitable for each grade level because I think since we are K through 12, it's making sure that the policies fit every single appropriately age group. Um, and so it was just a common problem for us this year and something I think we should keep our eye out on. I have a quick question on the student use. Um I was curious if when you were talking about the policy changes

185if there was a discussion on how much students should be expected to use technology. um given that we have heard from community members who are concerned that maybe their kids are are being asked to use technology more than the family would feel comfortable with. Um so obviously you know this is more about like what they do when it's in their hand but was that discussed at all or is that not really a policy issue? Um I mean we discussed it not in that particular context I would say but it did come up and I think you know Tim you raised this point as we were talking about actually the issue of um having some parental acknowledgement of a device being issued to a child and um wanting to again I think depending on the grade

186level of the student have understanding that you know parents are informed when their students have a device particularly if that device might be coming home. Um, and that different parents are going to have different rules around how kids may or may not be allowed to access that at home. Um, it's not explicitly addressed in this policy. I would guess that that would I don't know Jeeoff if you know where if anywhere we might have that in writing and if it's addressed at all in handbooks in terms of or I think you know probably a lot of it is teachers um and their work together collaborating on and you know probably to some extent in curriculum as well right depending on what our resources are that we're using Um but I don't think that we have

187we've definitely talked about it. There's been certain groups of staff that have talked more about it. Um and there's like for example there's components of our our literacy program that's being uh implemented at the elementary level CKLA that actually brings us back to some handwriting and cursive handwriting. Um that is um that that's becoming more of a we're seeing the pendulum switch a little bit more. um getting away from some of the devices for that work. So definitely that kind of discussion has been going on. So that that that's more of a curricular decision or discussion that staff are having. Um and um so I think that's that's kind of the interesting part. That was one of the reasons that the literacy program for example was selected. That was one of many factors um was

188just this um return to some things that we are probably missing um like that which getting away from devices always to create writing. Sometimes it can be done on paper. It doesn't always have to be done on laptops but I have to say there's nothing in writing anywhere that has addressed that. I think it's more you're right more organic discussions around curriculum and um instructional delivery. Do you know if they're also teaching kids how to type? Um, well, we do have some typing lessons in the district. Um, but it's not we don't say like all third graders go through typing necessarily, but yeah, you're right. Typing is that's that's another lost art. Yeah. Um, as well. All right. Thank you. Any other policy questions? building facility committee. Any anything happened here recently? Yeah, seriously. Well,

189we talked a lot about today. So, that's good. Um, so I also want to acknowledge just we the everybody on that committee, a big committee, um, who took so much time. So, staff members, family, expertise, thank you, Sean, who's in the audience today. um just the amount of work that they put into it and honestly sometimes at like the expense of like family time and having to like explain things in their own uh community and be able to like manage up to the board members to kind of explain things that were in their realm of expertise. So I just so appreciate everyone's feedback and I hope I think there's a place for that committee um or similar next year. we just need to kind of know what that looks like. Um, so look forward to

190next steps on that. Um, I also want to thank Leanne. Leanne really helped co-chair especially at the beginning of the year and kind of coached me through like how to handle a a group of 24 people. Um, so I appreciate uh Leanne on that. Um, so and then Megan, last week's um last week's uh groundbreaking was an incredible event. the details of it. When I came on, I was there an hour earlier. Everything was kind of like set already and I I was like this very useless guy standing around because everything had been taken care of. So, I just want to applaud you for an incredible effort. That was awesome. Um and definitely worth celebrating. And so, um I think I think it was a it was a big success and I would love to

191see some of those pictures. Um and then just generally the facilities now I think needs to take a look at the landscape that we have from the latest budget projections and just kind of feel um look at like we we've got some stuff that we've ignored recently um and we've got some because we've been prioritizing the building uh so much the the new the new project so much that I think we just need to spend a little bit of this summer now knowing what the landscape looks like and so many of our uh so the things that we needed to vote it on have passed now. Now that we know what we are approved to go forward, we can really make a good plan. And so I I I look forward to doing that together

192and sharing that with you um sometime during the summer. But I'd love to to spend some of the retreat talking about that because I think there are some some big decisions coming forward that we um that I know Don has shared with me, but I know that we we have to discuss and I think it'd be great to discuss here. That's it. Thank you, Tim. Yeah, again, appreciate um everything that went into getting us to last week and the vote tonight. It's incredible. Um curriculum. Christina, have you guys had a meeting since the last All right. Thank you, Christina, for sharing curriculum. You'll be missed. Um All right. Equity Kim. Uh same. We had our last meeting before our last board meeting. Um, but I will echo other board chairs or committee chairs tonight and

193just thank profusely the uh equity committee that we had this year. Uh, it was an odd year and everyone had a lot of patience and flexibility. So, thank you. Um, yeah. I guess everything's been so busy. I keep forgetting that this is like the the last meeting of this board year. Anyway, um, ad hoc committee reports. Any updates there? Wonderful. Um, communications. So, board retreat. Um, I don't know if if everyone noticed this. We were originally doing a survey about the August date and as I somewhat anticipated there's a few people who are gone that week. Um and so then knowing that the July date was already on everyone's calendar hopefully except for the newest board members. Um wondering if we can just use that meeting for the retreat instead in hopes that it does

194work for everyone potentially. Um, and maybe just does the July 17th meeting that's already on your calendars work to use for our retreat? Amazing. Um, it works. No, no, no, no. It works for me. Um, we talked a lot about a lot of things tonight. Yeah. That we're going to want to cover during the retreat. Will we have enough time? Oh, yeah. Remember things got things done? I feel like we need a weekend if anyone wants to offer an actual their beach house to us for July 17th. Um yeah. So what we also acknowledge or I acknowledge that one one meeting is never enough. Um I think one of the things that we found previously is actually holding the retreat in August felt too late. Um and that we are already felt like we were

195behind, right? Um, and so what this does do is puts us on a little bit of a fast track of committees. I am hoping that people are thinking pretty hard about um what roles they would like to serve um this upcoming year. Um again, I think the continuity part of the formation of the committees for last year was really to think about people's terms and creating more continuity. Um, and so there will obviously be a new board member. We're having the board orientation with Lauren. I think it's the 30th. Uh, and we've the student new student is also joining. Awesome. So that will happen on June 30th. Um, and then between then and the board meeting, what I would want is to have a conversation with each board member. Um, and then have at least

196a week of sharing out materials, agendas, draft committees, um, so people could review board goals. Um, so I just my ask of everyone here in order for us to get ready is to to really think seriously about um what where you'd want to serve, where you'd like to provide leadership. Um, we've talked about the strategic planning process and really think about um we will need board members who are pretty committed to that. Um, and so in order for us to be ready for the 17th, um, for people to to be able to put a little time in in thinking about it and then for us to find some time to sit and talk and me to put materials together. Um, but I think we're just so well positioned because of the the lack of turnover,

197which is lovely. Um, any other questions about the July 17th? Unfortunately, I think we're retreating here. I know they're just I know. Maybe we can move some of it outside. Um there's We do think we might We could go I mean Well, the middle school and the Wilson school both have the outside of the outside if we reserve it or put a sign up by the way. Okay. Could be busy. Yeah. Um we don't film it. We don't It's not It's not It's open. It's obviously not public. It's a public meeting. It's noticed. Um we may or may not need an executive session. And I'm Well, I was going to say um Melissa did send out an email um and she just wants I don't know if everyone's had a chance to look at her

198or see it and get back to her, but um she's asking if people are available at 5:30 for executive session on the 17th. Um so if we could get back to Melissa on that. Um but yeah, I really think we'll be well prepared to to hit the ground running. Um because yeah, the the work doesn't stop. I mean, the projects that we're going to see going on on 17th, this camp is going to look very different than it even does today. So, um we know it's going to be a very busy summer. Um and I really appreciate um the shared responsibility that everyone on this board has um to being being ready to have those conversations that we want to have on the 17th. Speaking of things happening, um, does anyone want to share what's

199going on in the superintendent lot right now? Looks a little different, a little harder to park. Oh, yeah. The superintendent lot. Oh, there is a small U modular um that I had written in my update to the board last week um that Skia Vi, our leasing company for all the um moved it for free. They did not charge us to do that, which is great. Um this is a modular that was on the other side of the middle school. So it was not it's not part of the regular. Most people didn't know we had it. Um and it was used um primarily as an interventionist um space um by various specialists um since we've had that modular. Um we've moved it over to the district office um because uh we have a student that's in

200need of that modular space um and staff that um work with the student. So um for the foreseeable future um that is why it is in our uh district um parking lot right now. So um we have extended um services for many students in our district. Um so we'll be um helping to service in that area this summer. So yes, that is there. Can I also mention something, Leanne, about the um August 4th, I think is the other date? Um no, you don't want me to. No, I don't know your Yes. Yeah. So, hopefully you've got that date, too. August 4th. Melissa put that out as well. Um I think most people were able to attend and that's I know we're not going to get everybody in the summer. Yeah. MSMA main school management. Eileen

201King is the deputy executive director. Um routinely we've asked MSMA to come down and work with our board. I think the last time they did that was two years ago. So, um, Eileen is coming down on the 4th to do some work with the board. And that's not on our calendar yet. That's not Okay. I'll make sure that we put I think Melissa was still just making sure. And I think that's something if you're not able to attend, like if there's um questions um that you would like answered in that venue, I think that could be helpful. Is that a daytime meeting? Uh, no. It's an evening. Okay. Yep. It's an evening meeting. Y uh we'll make sure that we get that out there. And yeah, as as we've mentioned, which I think is unusual

202for at least the times that I've been on the board, we do plan on having some committee meetings over the summer. We know there will be facilities continuing. Sounds like policy. Um we'll have at least one meeting to prep for the retreat. Um, and I know summer is a busy time for everyone and appreciate the fact that we can have some of that continuity. Great. All right. Anything else? The only thing I'd say is uh board members, please don't leave. We have documents to sign. Oh, there's Thank you. Sorry. Everyone to my right can be mad at me. All right. Can I have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Thank you, Jesse. Can I have a second? Second. Oh, who? Sorrygan. Megan, thank you. Um, all in favor? Great. It's unanimous. Nobody wants to say

203thank you for staying on. Yes, thank you.