0016:45. Sorry for getting a little bit started a little bit late. Um, at this point, do we have any items for the agenda review for me? Fairly full agenda, but things should move pretty quickly. >> Okay. Any public comments to the public not to address the board? No. All right. PTO report. >> Hello. Hello. Um, our child turn paper. We we're still making progress on establishing >> it will be done. Uh I think we realized that just from a capacity standpoint and also it didn't quite make sense mid year to shift from excuse me the school district to then establishing a bank account and just making that transition in the middle of the year. So we are aiming to do it sometime in early June and just finalize all the details and follow the policies
002and procedures in place so that we are being fiscally responsible on all ends. So, a new timeline would be mid June. We might have to use both. Um, and yeah, April's been a pretty busy month. I like those different activities. Um, and this is teacher appreciation week. So, we've had some programming around that with the longunning tradition of Pi Day, which is doing 70 pies to school, various things to show teacher and staff. Um yeah, I think one we have a PTO meeting coming up on the 22nd and there's been some interest in uh understanding better as we evolve to a nonprofit next year how our funding could supplement needs of the school. So depending um on reduction in the budget for celebrations and activities or other needs really trying to get a good sense
003of that so we can do more direct asks of for fundraising you know to kind of quantify more like your donation of $100 can help support like you know a field trip or the registration fees or something like that. Right now I think it's a bit more ambiguous what UTO funds are used. We had a meeting on May 22nd and just going to touch base with Sean to see the house meeting before just to get a better. We're planning over the summer what our fundraising goals could be and for what it questions. >> Are you hearing anything from the community that you think would be helpful for us to know? Oh, that's a great question. >> I think everyone right now is really busy. And just with student activities coming up across sports and school
004haven't really heard too many concerns. I think we and we did talk about trying to organize a community talk with me and potentially with Robin um and to be quite honest just having the bandwidth that off but I'll be eager to hear tonight if there's an update on that same thing in May and June the opportunity to engage I think my sense invite others to comment just from the parent perspective people understand that there are things happening in Montilia that really could impact us but that sort of direct how it's tie And what can we do? Like you still day with your folks. Would you do some organizing? All right. Ask for the community. >> All right. >> Thank you very much. All right. On to our ride just in time. >> On to our
005business requiring discussion. >> Oh, was not offline. >> Yeah. Get over there. >> All right. Our first item is item A, the draft res a draft resolution for Vermont legislators um for the education transformation bill. Um this was put I think you guys might have seen it came into our email box last week. Um I think it is something that we as a board have talked about um over the years and the the bottom line is that basically it's upholding if if public funds are going to go towards private schools or independent schools at least and they're receiving public tuition money that they should be meeting the Vermont education quality standards just uh like our public schools are. Um, so this was the draft as it is written. Um, if unless anyone has any comments
006or changes to it, we would be looking to vote on this resolution and pass this resolution as barbar later on. So that'll bring it for discussion. Neil? >> Yeah. So just in um for transparency, right? So I I it's it was sent just to you as the chair. So I don't know that the original sorry >> the rest of the boards this originated from the nonprofit that I'm a member of. So I am happy to answer questions but I am going to refrain from the voting aspect of it. >> Okay. So if it was from your I thought it came from also from the um USBA. >> Nope. This is just from the nonprofit that I'm affiliated with. >> Okay. Well, anyways, I did I did read it and I was thinking this made even
007more sense and Neil had sent I saw your your thing at the end of actually this is bringing back my thing that you would sign that as part of that group. Yes. So I know this has been sometimes been near and dear to all of our concerns. So We have our screen that I thought as chair at least I thought this was important enough to to bring forth to our board here. Okay, moving on to our Vermont schoolboard resolution submission. Um the resolutions are it's actually this is actually I guess what they went to was the the what and how as far as the resolutions go. In the past we have done resolutions. We've done the property tax resolution and others actually find getting a lot of traction at the state level. I sitting there
008discussing that even though again this week um do we have any particular does anybody have any resolutions that they'd like to bring that we think need to be added. When are they actually doing I guess is the other question June 13th. >> Okay. So we would have one more meeting I guess if someone had a resolution and it's okay I have to bring it up. I I don't think we've had anything this year that is rises to the need to bring forth the resolution. Okay. Doing any other discussion on that? >> None. All right. We had added the legislative update um back when we were doing the agenda planning. I did ask Neil tonight if he had any updates. I don't think there's anything definitive based on what Neil drive to me earlier tonight, but
009did receive a couple updates as late as this afternoon. So, it would be worthwhile to put you on the spot here and give a couple updates that you've heard about. So, um, uh, H955, which is the, um, the education trans bill, um, that, uh, is currently in Senate, Ed. So, uh, just as a little bit of a refresher, what came what got passed by the House and went over to the Senate, um, was a transformation bill that included, um, moving to a concept of, uh, cooperative educational service areas. So, these groupings of schools, um, with the intent that we would be able to share, um, uh, services and costs in an attempt to try to reduce um, education spending rather than forced consolidation, right? So, more of a a collaborative approach centered around um a
010handful of of these cooperative education service areas across the state. Um what I had heard um just this afternoon um was that in discussion in uh Senate Ed committee um they're now they were just discussing exception whether or not they wanted to go that route. So um it it's uh there seemed to be some growing doubt in Senate around the house's proposal um around these cooperative educational service areas. So um stay tuned. Uh I think this is the the theme for this session is like we don't know where this is going at this point. it's it's it's been such a such a challenging thing to sort of keep uh tabs on. And so um that's the latest that I know about that. Um there is also um incorporated in the yield bill. So every year
011there's a a yield bill which basically sets the final yield amount which is then all the key figures that goes into determinant property taxes. Um uh just recently Senate Finance um folded back into the yield bill a provision that was originally introduced at the beginning of the session to basically force uh force spending reductions in school districts um by imposition of a spending cap. um that got them replaced by um lowering the excess spending threshold um which uh we are not um uh governed by. So the excess spending threshold does not apply to interstate school districts nor being one of them. Um but it would have an impact on literally every other school district in the state. And what they wanted to do was um ratchet that uh spending threshold from a 118% down to
012112%. That would have some pretty dramatic impacts on on school districts all across the state if that were to happen. Um and so that got folded. It had been considered. It was taken out. Now it's gotten folded back into the yield bill um and passed out of Senate Finance. And I think it is now back because then things need to flop back over to the original. So I think it's back in house ways and means now which is taking testimony um on the on the impact of lowering the threshold. Um those are the two big things at the moment. So all that to say that there is still a lot of uncertainty as to what's going to happen with with education transformation spending constraints in the state. >> Right. There was a little bit of
013controversy with 959, right? With regards to why some people voted for it. What was it? >> There's a lot of controversy with 955. Yes. The transformation bill, >> right? Um, so you know, I mean it it it while it did pass out of the House, it didn't pass out by a wide margin, right? So I think it needed 71 votes to pass. It got 79. Um, you know, Democrats are split on the issue. Um and um you know that's I think one of the things that's making it very challenging um is that the Democrats as a you know as a caucus don't are not universally behind certain aspects of this this transformation stuff. So um yeah it it's it's I anticipate probably what will happen is that this will go to India conference at the
014very end of the session. Um and that's where things can happen very quickly. um without a whole lot of debate and discussion um and and become uh law rather. Um all of this is in the context of a governor who has said that they're going to hold the the um the general fund bill hostage. So the basically funding of state government hold that hostage unless he gets the education transformation bill that he wants. Um and even J so Vermont joint fiscal office took a look at that and I believe they said you know there bad things happen when you don't pass a state budget um and so there's that whole thing is sort of looming over all of this discussion um so yeah I I I don't know is the short answer >> all right
015any other point because it was more than just the I thought that there was something else buried in there that was more than just the cooperative services, wasn't there? >> Oh, there's a lot of stuff that is why some of our folks shouldn't have probably shouldn't have voted well as far as representing Norwich. It was it's I mean the cooperative education is what Rebecca and those folks were recommending, right? Because that is like a thoughtful >> possible solution. maybe not going to solve all of our problems, but at least it would go potentially to a long way coming out of her committee, right? What they found, but there was also a whole slew of other things in there. >> Yeah. There's a lot in that bill. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Michael, yeah, I mean, and
016I would love um my colleagues to speak up if I have this wrong. Um I I very much agree with Neil, like the endgame is has not started for this. Um, there will probably be a brief window during committee of conference where you figure out what people are actually going to do. I would assume we as a school board would send some sort of legislative alert out to the community if we feel like whatever emerges from that committee of conference requires us to be loud um with our legislators so at least we make ourselves heard. I know in the education I'm very grateful to Neil because he's part of sort of the discussion that happens every year goes on. Um but you know there is a chance that something could really impact us in a
017negative way and we'll have to let the community know about that as soon as we know about it. Um I have been and I've said this to him and so I'll say it to all of you. Quite disappointed with part of our legislative delegation. Um I feel like Representative Hulcom is is doing a good job representing our district. I think Representative Maslin continues to take votes that I don't understand from the perspective of his constituents. Um he ought to show up and talk to us about that. Um but I I do not have a lot of faith in part of our house delegation at this point properly represent the interests of our schools. Um and so that's my feeling on it. Um I think if you bump into them, you should say, "Hey, it's plan
018B what you're thinking about education." Um because it's um you know, one of the committee votes was six to five, right? One legislative vote really matters. Um, and whatever your personal fins may be, I think your loyalty ought to be to the people that send you to Montilier, not the people you, um, work with in that house. So, um, doesn't mean I don't have affection for Jim. I just feel like, um, he has taken some very curious folks the last couple years. So, people, uh, bump into him, they have ought to have him to explain himself. >> Thank you, Michael. And last question, when will this come through? I do think from a date perspective, >> I am not aware that they've set a date for adjournment yet for this session, but it it's going
019to in the next uh four weeks. >> Okay. So, in May, maybe early June. >> Yeah, they typically like to get out of there like mid May. I think mid to late May. So, uh clock is ticking, things will happen fast. Yeah. Um, and yeah, I will I will I apologize ahead of time. I'm about to head out of the country for two weeks when things are really kicking off. Um, but I I'll be paying attention. >> You're driving. >> I will. If I hear things, I let you all know. >> All right. >> Thank you very much. PTO fundraiser for a hot spot for Neil. Phil here. It's an international day pass. It's $10 a day is gone and it's definitely worth our walk. All right. Um, any other questions on the your comments
020on the legislative update? Hearing none. All right. Move on to our parent survey results. All right. That's for me to talk about. There's a little attachment on the agenda there you may want to open up. Um, so we did a climate I guess we'll call it our climate survey. It's actually called the feedback input survey. It's basically evaluates climate in the school uh in relation to positive behavior um uh in what am I doing? PBIS positive behavior uh intervention sports. Gez, it's been a long day. Um, and so it really talks about expectations and agreements and things like that. So, um, I just put a few slides together to give you feedback on it. It wasn't just parent feedback. It was also student feedback and staff feedback. So, our second slide shows that there were
021175 students in grades three through six. Um, next year we'd really like to have like a morning meeting with some of the younger grades to go through some of the questions. That's the way you can do it for younger grades that we didn't think about ahead of time. Um, we had 107 families take it, which is really good. We had about around 250 and we had 43 staff, teacher, staff take it. Um, and the way it works is that there's a bunch of questions in different categories. Um, I'm on slide three now. So, there might be a whole bunch of questions under expectations. So basically being clear about expectations and agreements at Maring Cross that's pretty clear what it would be for a student. It's also needs to be clear for a teacher as well.
022And then also um parents are understanding those expectations and agreements and what they look like for their kid. Um they're different questions but they're on the same category. The other categories are acknowledgement which means acknowledgement of positive behaviors. That's a big part of PBIS. Um, how we treat each other, respect, um, discipline, not being punished, but being clear about what to expect if students don't follow expectations, and just overall satisfaction. And there's only one question in that one, so that's a little different. It's basically, are you happy with how things are going kind of question. Um so generally uh you we have this big we have a committee of about nine people that are looked at all the data together um and there's a lot of questions and there's a lot of and there's lots
023of also um qualitative answers as well. So there's a lot of comments to go through but we just looked at the categories that were over and under 80% about and most most of them were for so for all students staff and families knowing the expectations in class and school um being satisfied and being and feeling respect we're all over 80 of those constituents I guess um understanding discipline um there's separate staff and families There were two, they were both in the 70s and students students seem to know what would happen if they um weren't following expectations, but staff and families were a little um more unsure. And then our one category that we identified obviously is something to work on is where we had all the groups um were below in the acknowledgement system. So,
024um, just the system of recognizing positive behavior and how to do that, um, do that consistently with fidelity throughout the school was something that was not as clear to all three groups. Um, so with that, so what we did is we all the numbers, but then we then we read all the categories of anything, all the comments as well. And so from that, and there's a lot of information I could share, but this is kind of like footnotes of it. Um, we have a a a pretty good goal next year very specific about our acknowledgement systems. And it's not to say we're not going to look at the other categories. Um, for example, families would like to feel more involved in certain decisions at school and that didn't come out in a major category, but
025that was the standout part that we'd want to also address. Um, but but our big PBIS goal is to really focus on the acknowledgement systems. So, some examples of those are um positive specific feedback to children also to each other. We have this thing called pellets. Um, which are like tangible compliments. You have a hundreds club. You can read the stuff, but having more consistent school and classroom celebrations, what they mean, what they're for, how they get shared. Um, and then also adult to adult um acknowledgement and uh having the um on some of these things is really important. sounds like our overall general feedback to how PBS is going and I guess our climate in that way. >> I'm happy to take any questions. >> I add one more thing and we we do
026have a group going to the PBS best conference. So that'll be a good time for us to really uh create an action plan and put things starting to roll for the fall. >> Yes. kind of really because I didn't understand the last one that >> Yeah, that's right. It's called the best conference. That's that was Yep. That's what that is, >> right? >> It's called Vermont TV, the best conference. And so that's what that last arrow line means. Um, one of the my favorite pieces of data that I share with people I'm teaching about feedback is I want to do a quick poll is how many pieces of positive feedback do you think someone needs to get for every one piece of critical feedback to develop and grow as a person? >> What' you say?
027>> It's 5.4 to one. >> The most innovative teams get 5.4 four pieces of positive feedback for every one piece of critical feedback. And I'm sure it applies with kids, too. So, it's interesting and not surprising to me that the acknowledgement at least is the lower one because I think we as a collective humanity and especially in the United States overestimate what's wrong with us instead of focusing on what's right with us. So, that's more a statement than a question. But I um I think if I look at this list, the most important one is the first one, positive specific feedback and how to teach. I think also teaching kids how to give it to each other, which you probably already doing, is so powerful because then they'll know how to do it when they're
028when they're grown up. >> Yeah, I'm looking at some extra data I have. This was kind of interesting. Um to expand on your first statistic there, it's also kids with behavior difficulties, they need actually more positives. >> Yeah. So that was >> that's another big one. But um this was a the students answered this question. So we had 178 kids. In the past week, did you see teachers and staff praise or award other students? 78% said yes. >> In the past week, did teachers and staff praise you? 61% said yes. So they see it sometimes, but they don't feel themselves much. >> So I think that's something to think about. >> Great. Right. As far as the summary data goes, I see all the percentages and whatnot. Was there a wide range or when say
029discipline greater than 80%. Does that mean they see all >> there was like 75 and 78? It was just below 80. >> So it wasn't like a huge range of people that were it was an average of 80 where you had a couple people but >> Oh, are you asking? I'm just kind of like, you know, you get the summary data here, but are there definitely some outliers that we should be complaining about? Like there's, you know, a smaller group and >> right, we don't get to see like the um breakdown of all of like each individual. It's anonymous survey, >> right? >> So, we just get along some. So, I'm sure there are outliers out there. Got it. And um but I don't know. Okay. Not really like that. Good. Yes. >> Leslie Fisher
030Mystic Drive. Um I guess I would just like when I was filling it out, I had a hard time saying yes and I had a hard time saying no. Like I didn't really have another option. So I just would leave them blank. Um so I don't know. I think it was like the University of Oregon makes the survey. I don't know if you could modify it, but like I left out blank because I couldn't say yes, I couldn't say no. So I'm not sure. Yeah, I feel like it's kind of incomplete, but I did put some notes in. So, one of those can be shared with school board. >> Oh, we have a lot of notes. >> Sometimes they have to we have to be careful and share. >> There's questions. >> Oh, um I
031I was wondering how much parents are aware of what PDI is. Um I mean I have the personal experience with my grand daughter and I just want to share teachers have really been helpful in counseling coaching you know us what they see in the classroom and how we can sort of carry that through at home which I know is a critical factor but also when you're filling out survey if you don't know what PBIS is sometime I'm just wondering that's hard for me to take care of >> yeah I'll answer that um I think that there's not a lot of questions about what PBIS is there are a lot of questions about um you know are your is the behavior system at your house similar to at school for what you understand >> things so
032there's those kinds of questions um or you know do you feel like schools I'm okay question you feel like school staff appraise your child for showing positive behaviors >> that's not that is PBIS but it's not saying what is PBIS >> so um I did really find it interesting between school rules and home rules. There's a big discrepancy between the percent of families and what happens at school, which is, >> you know, I have no idea, but I imagine that's maybe different than it was when I was 12. >> But, you know, this >> specifically how we praise children and the words you use to praise them um is critical, right? I mean, and I don't mean to say this, but certainly teaching people how to give praise in a way that doesn't hamstring, but
033rather encourages them is again something that you don't it's not necessarily intuitive, right? >> And >> or especially if you grow up a certain way, right? School definitely not as for >> and that's sort of I was just wondering how much that gets shared by sort of with the community and with parents. You know, certainly you're doing a good job changing that, but parents can sometimes >> also want to learn. Yeah, >> we probably could do better with that. >> Oh, no. Just I'm just wondering. >> Not taking it that way at all, but we definitely do these parent coffees. Let me share it. Yeah. >> And I don't think it's enough for parents to have a deeper understanding. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, um, I think you mentioned somewhere in there about there was
034part of the response that parents want to be more involved in decision making. I remember reading that question that there's no specific types of decision making. >> Yeah. >> Um so I'm bringing that up just out of curiosity like do you have a sense of what that means about parents involved in decision- making? Is that like in disciplinary situations? Is that in the overall like social emotional intelligence curriculum we teach our kids? >> Um I'd have to look at specific questions. Yeah, I don't think they were pure in what didn't come across as um I think one was trying to remember it right was just involved in some of the decisions made about the child getting support for example >> and being more involved in some of those um you know what's the best strategy
035and getting input on that. Mhm. >> And then relatedly, is is this best conference primarily or only for um educators? >> Could there be like a component in a school district when a couple parents or community or two >> member came to learn and help be that bridge to the community? >> That's a great question. I can ask about that. >> I don't think that'd be a bad thing, but that would be another way for parents to be involved is doing that or also being on the PVS committee itself. Yeah, that might just help wrench the communication gap and not put the responsibility entirely on staff. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Yeah, but they're typically school teams, but I don't know if a parent can be on a school team. >> All right. Well, thank
036you all for the great input there. Um, okay. If there's nothing else in the parent survey results, we'll move on to our next item. E we um which is our reading of policies. Uh we'll have the second reading of policy GJ Fab tonight. here. All of this is the um employee non-resident student policy that we put in place a couple years ago after response to uh concern about futures who are not able to live in our immediate district to enable children to come here so we don't lose good employees. Um, we had a request at the last board meeting to just make this minor edit that's going in red where we are basically just going to uh reevaluate whether to discontinue this policy. Um, so if anyone else has any comments or changes and if
037there are none then this policy will be moving towards approval tonight. >> Right. hearing none. This next one is this is a Norwich one, but this is also one that we're doing around the district >> open enrollment >> for the open enrollment. Mhm. >> Yes, we're doing this in response to open enrollment and actually it's good practice anyway and just looking at how we determine our enrollment in schools because we can't accept tuition students and with open enrollment there have been further discussions around the capacity of schools. So we've tried to leave it fairly broad but giving us some parameters as well. And so you'll notice under six, we put in specific information about relevant policies that we have around enrollment and student educator ratios. And then also what we look at at each of
038the schools because we have policies, we have state standards, and then if you think about the high school, we have caps on each of the classes depending upon what type of class it is, what level, things like that. So we want to make sure that we're able to adhere to those standards. So that is um what we're looking at in terms of policy J asked. >> All right. This will be a first read tonight. Does anybody have any questions? Neil? >> Um no questions. Well, maybe one question and one comment. Um, I actually think that this would be good um in preparation for budget season. And so I'm wondering if the policy ought to have a date by which that annual assessment occurs so that it can feed into the budgeting process. >> You know,
039off the top of my head, I think October one know >> otherwise. And then the second thing is just a comment. Um, while I'm I'm I I like the policy, just be aware that there's an aspect of this that could be superseded by state law. We adopt class size >> minimums. Yeah. And we did include the state standards piece, too. >> Yeah. So um and in terms of looking at a specific date, we talked about that in regard to different reports that we present like the you know the estimated class sizes that we have at each grade level. Um, and so ultimately potentially at the end I would present a report on some of this data, but then we were also talking about we're really presenting that information throughout the year too. So that's something
040we should definitely think about if there's specific areas that >> you want me to present on at a specific time. because we discuss their date and kind of yes >> not to move forward on Tuesday our meeting but we can >> so you're just because we were decided that just leaving it flexible >> yes not really but I guess to your point about the wrapping into the budget season I mean right there there are items on this list that we already season so we already do trends we already talk about you know specialized needs. You know, there there are some things on this list that are already being done in preparation for budget season. So, >> yeah, that's what we're talking about. >> Okay. Back. Okay. Any other questions or comments on these policies? All
041right. Hearing none, we'll move on to the fried bond definition. Sean, you want to talk about that? actually speakers. Um, so for the past uh four years, we've done a community lead where um families receive the book um and guides on how to use the book at home. And then we have um a full day dedicated to activities around that book with sixth graders leading a discussion. Um for the book that's coming up for next year, there's a big within the book community working together um and community eating together. And I was never here when the giving goals took place, but I heard about it um and thought, "Oh, this would be I would love to bring this back and I think this book would be a really nice vehicle for it." Um, so I
042applied for funding to purchase the the base bowls and the materials to create the giving bowls with the idea that um we would get started on the community read day in the fall and then in the spring have um a community pot where we would be able to fill those bowls with delicious food um and contribute to um Willing Hands. Uh, so looking at the community as bigger than just MCS, but the community around us. So trying to make connections and I'm hoping that in the summer when we're um doing some work around our farm to school that we can build in connections there as well. So that's what the funding is for. >> Questions questions? I said, "What's the basic for this donation going to the listing in Canada 2785? Is that different?" >>
043That's just at the bottom of the summary. I'm not sure if that's a holdover from somebody else has nothing to do with this. >> I think it's the number of the account, not the amount of account. >> Yeah. It would be nice if we had an existing account. Added to the existing account. >> Okay. Well, great. That's a sounds like a great initiative and thank you for doing that. >> On to the next donation. $750 donation here for the New York Conservation Commission. like to speak to that. So, Chrissy Morley uh accepted a donation of $750. It's an annual donation that comes our way this year. It will be used to support the fifth grade river day projects in the Gibby garden and supplies that enable students to explore and connect with the natural the
044funds typically Chrissy uses for the week program. Great. Right. Any comments or questions on that one? >> Great. Thank you for that as well. All right. You move on to our next one. The um school board meeting schedule. >> We reviewed this last time and tonight we actually go to approve it. Question. Would my probably would would 7 p.m. be a better start? That's a question generally for me. Yes. But I also realize people want to get home earlier as well. Six is definitely difficult. >> Yeah, >> that doesn't seem to be >> I didn't post six. Six seems to be I was looking at here actually tonight because I wanted to glance and actually see what meetings we have at six because they those seem to catch us all offguard like the SA one
045the other night. >> Um I think an important question would be also to ask the public about the time too. I think for me 6:30 or 7 or 6 a.m. I could go. Sorry, I couldn't resist. I do all the time. Uh I >> 6 I I I could go either way. I probably slightly prefer earlier at 6:30 because I'm I like to go to bed early and get up early. But I I think the bigger issue with us as boards, which I think everyone's sick of me saying, is that we need to be more efficient and disciplined about what we talk about and how long we talk about it. So we don't get stuck at 4 minutes until 9:00 at night. Yes. >> I I don't disagree. I've noticed that over the past year,
046we have sometimes had difficulty starting at 6:30. Yeah, >> that was true. >> I faltered that sometimes because the escalating my house at 6:20 doesn't always work. >> I have a separate comment on the there's one scheduled on Thursday, August 13th, and I was curious. To me, that's the last week of summer, and I'm not sure it's still vacation to me. Like is there any way to have it be Monday, August 17th or Wednesday, August 19th instead of Thursday? I'm guessing it's because we're trying to have space between the next regular meeting of September 2nd. But I'm also guessing we don't want to have it on the first day of school so that teachers could come. I mean, >> yeah, >> which would be the n the 19th would be the first day of school.
047So >> We usually have July off. just on the outside of >> no meetings in July >> because we need to meet in August especially if we're doing the new budget stuff in August for the essay. I mean it just Yeah. >> And then we're not doing it the first day the first Wednesday and why why are we doing on Thursday the 13th I guess is the other question. Why would it not be like third Wednesday the 4th or whatever? I think because they're assuming people are gone. Leave it later in August because still >> closer to when we start school, but >> we can move it later if you want. >> It just means that we always have this meeting at the beginning of the month. So if we have it really late in
048August, then we're going to have like a week later. >> Yeah. A September meeting. But >> am I wrong? But looking at it, doesn't it look like you already have two scheduled 13th and 18th? Or am I just missing that point? >> That's direct. >> Yeah. Scroll down further. >> But you can see our next one is September 2nd. So >> I think that those should be flipped around in the calendar. So it's all in date order. It's kind of weird, but >> I think that's I know. Yeah. be complete. >> All right. Well, I guess we'll keep that for now. I might be doing college drop off that week. I don't know. So, >> see if I can afford to fly out to where we're supposed to go. But, you know, a reason to
049have it before the start of the school year is if there's any uh hiring that have changed over the summer that need to be approved before the start of school. >> Okay. Gina, if you can't come on, but I'm still recording. >> I was just thinking like when sports start. I know. Everyone's here. Sorry. Yeah. >> All good. >> Um will be started on the 13th though. >> This year they >> because the 19th is the first day of school. >> August 19th for teachers. >> Teachers for teachers. >> But I mean but it's two weeks before school starts, right? Which is 26. So >> school starts 26. I thought about Oh, I thought it started later. Okay, maybe I better >> sports will have started two weeks where we have to figure out childare.
050>> Okay, so with that actually services >> okay um let's see I think we can move on to our business car action. Just approval of items A through well uh we should have all these to approve right B through H. All right. Do I have a motion for approvaling items B through H by consent? >> J. >> I move to approve items B through H by consent. >> All right. No problem. You're >> seconded by Michael. All those in favor. All right. That is unanimous. All right. Thank you very much for all the donations. Okay. Um on to let's see here. Yes. >> You could do the resolution. >> Oh, I'm sorry. That's what I was confused on. Okay. We also are approving our resolution separately. Do I have a motion to approve the resolution
051for the Vermont Legislators Education Transformation Bill as presented? >> I move that the board adopt the resolution as presented. >> Second set and all those in favor. All right, that is unanimous with Neil abstaining. Okay, communication reports a report of the chair. much to read forward and I know everyone's been working hard with all of their committees. We had four meetings last week and I know they held meetings this week. Um, and yes, as we round out the school season, I think everyone's looking forward to June and Q4 rapidly uh underway. Um, and I appreciate the comments coming in from the public as well to my email and letting us know what's going on at their community school. Um on to the principal's report. >> So there's my report. It is about field trips which
052are prevalent this time of year. Just give you a little glimpse into the different places kids are going to expand their learning. And in addition to my report, I will just appreciate all the appreciations that have come our way during staff appreciation week. It's been a lot of fun and we want the staff to appreciate. Feel pretty appreciated. Came over with some ice cream. >> Sounds great. >> Any questions about >> I just would like to acknowledge, Mr. Chairman, that I've learned stuff recently from school communications. I've learned like what things like belt are. >> Oh, yeah. I did not find a card at the paper store for like marrying Beltine, but thank you for the focus on holidays that I have not heard of before. >> All right, thank you very much. Any other
053questions for Sean? No. All right, Robin, I did submit my report, but I want to thank all of our staff. They are amazing. And I had a great time this week celebrating the staff with an ice cream party on Monday and then I was back here on Tuesday and I got to wander around Sean and pass out blues and coffee and so it's been great. I've been able to spend more time in the schools which has been wonderful. And last month I was able to spend an entire day here substituting for Sean while he was out. And um and it's just always such a pleasure to be here. Such a wonderful place. Wonderful, happy and joyous. And I love being in the classrooms with the students. So, thank you for all the work you do.
054Whenever I'm here, I see how hard you work and just how much energy it takes. I always say when I leave after spending the day here, if Sean or Greg are out, um, that I'm so exhausted and it's so funny because I always loved being a principal so much and I didn't realize how tired I must have been every day. But thank you for everything that you do. So questions for Robin Hood report. All right, hearing none. Move on to Lauren with this online. The report is here. >> Hi everybody. Um, I've also submitted my report and just wanted to uh echo everything that Sean and Robin have said about what an incredible group of people we get to work with and serve every single day. Um, and just wanted to also highlight uh just
055an incredible experience I got to have this year for the first time around the biography project. um in biography tee in the fourth grade. So would encourage you to take a look at my report especially with the focus on the biography tea and thanks to the fourth grade team for that invitation. Happy to answer any questions. >> Who is your favorite um character? >> Oh my gosh. Let's see. Um I got to see Babe Ruth and that was pretty great. >> Um that I think that may have been my my favorite one. Nice. It's fun to see all the traditions that continue. >> Yes. >> It's a little controversial. >> And the grants, are those um what are those is those related to our budget? Correct. >> Sorry, could you say that again? Uh some
056of the grants you mentioned in the first bullet, the grants have since been approved. So those are some of the grants that we were talking about during our budget season. Is that what those grants are? >> Yes. Um so throughout this entire budget season, um you know, we started with an initial application that included many activities for title one, title two, and then we ended up ended up getting some allocations for title 4. Um, and as the year has progressed, I've made amendments to those applications, including more activities, but all of our final requests were due as of April 15th. And so everything that we needed to get added or changed um has since been approved, and all of our monies uh theoretically expire on June 30th. So, we need to make sure that um
057the things that we uh have applied for get done by June 30th, but then some of that money will roll over if it's not used. Um but we're pushing hard towards that June 30 finish line and making sure that the folks that um requested some pretty incredible grant funding for various activities and professional development and supplies uh have that available to them uh to be able to do those great things for our kids. One other thing I'd add is the best conference that they were talking about earlier that's funded through our title funds as well through these state grants that Lauren's been working on. >> Nice. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> And I Lauren, where are we um in terms of publishing curriculum for Marian Cross? I I see a lot of it is online.
058Is that all of it or is there still some that still is coming? Oh, there is still some to come and I will probably be saying that for like at least the next year. But um what we have available right now for Mary and Cross, we have science, um we have all of our math, um we have world languages, and next up I'm working on all of our uh across the district, but also for Mary and Cross um working on all of our specials. So that would include uh like music, PE, art, library, media, technology, um those pieces. And then over the summer, I plan to be working on our uh published curriculum based on arts and letters. So that will take care of English language arts. And then there'll be a couple other outliers
059that I will also be working on. >> Thank you for that. That's hard work. You know, I am this only one. I I would be at some point in the future curious to know whether or not people visit these pages. >> I checked on that. >> It's not a high number. >> Yeah, that's what I was. Yeah. Um notwithstanding like this is a lot of effort and I really appreciate it and it's important that we have it there. you know, maybe even if it's not getting >> the traffic that we would like it to get, but >> I'll say one other thing to add to that. Mo most of the curriculum documentation is online in the teacher portal. So now we've just been working to transfer it over to, you know, a more refined version
060for the public portal without all the s included things like that that we can't publish online. So, um, but yeah, we've made great strides over the past few years, which was really wonderful. And Lauren's doing a fantastic job of getting the rest of that online. So, she's working hard on it. >> Yeah. I just kind of curious, um, when does Lauren's title change? >> Um, well, it will change at the beginning of >> July 1st. Yeah. I mean, I've sort of gotten rid of the interim flash. Yeah, I just noticed it since then, but just wanted to make sure I have we announced it at this meeting that she's no >> hired. So, yeah, I don't think, but should we announce this director of curriculum instruction and assessment? So, and at the end of the
061year, we'll put out I'll put out a formal announcement again with all of the positions, >> again, all the new principles, new HR. We'll update all of that too again because we keep talking about it at different meetings. But um yeah, I'll put something out to everyone. >> I just thought in case people are worried we're losing her, we're not. No, >> she's staying in place. >> Thank you everybody. >> All right. All right. On to our business administrator report from Teresa. >> All right. And I too uploaded my report um just to give a highlight. We're just trying to wrap up. um starting to wind a lot of things down for the end of the year, purchasers, everything else. Um so that seems to be going okay. Little bumps, but we'll we're getting through
062it. Um um the audit I just received the audit report for Norwich just the other day. So I kind of did a preliminary skim through it. Had a couple questions. So, um, but I'm going to be going through that, reading through that once I have reviewed it and everything else and then I can get it uploaded so that you all can review it. I did talk to Tyler Payne from Podic about actually coming and speaking to the school board doing presentation on the audit report and giving any feedback or any questions that you have answering. um they're more than he's more than happy to do it, but given the fact that we have four different districts, he would rather give option to do it virtually. And if not, um is there a way to be
063asked to to have one meeting and to present all of them if that was the case? Um so I just want to kind of put that out there. So he just needs a little notice um and everything else. Um and so the other thing is that I've uploaded uh the financial report for this particular tail end of the quarter right now as we sit and everything else. Um as we look at the revenues and expenditures if nothing changed from today we would be sitting at about $20,900 as a surplus. So, the original number for FY25 was $300,000, but based again on the audit report I just received and um and I'm going to call it unofficial because it's not fully approved yet. So, there's an additional $75,000 that will be added to last year's number.
064So, we're actually would have started this year with 375,000. Um so, that kind of gives us a little boost, too. Um, and based on the 20,000 and the 300,000 375,000, excuse me, that would give us about 395,000 at the end of this year. Again, if nothing changed right now, um, we promised 300,000 towards next year's budget. So, that gives us about a surplus of 95,000 where we'd be looking. >> Just put you on the spot. This is something we're I think bring into our SAU budget a little bit focused a little bit more because I don't think a lot of board members have really focused on things like the surplus and offsets and all this other things. Can you just help me understand maybe so our budget we have the 300,000 in the budget right
065for >> correct >> this for this year's budget but then kind of tie it together for me how >> the projected fund balance of 395 and what happens to the 95 if we end up with that extra money with that >> because the three because we would technically if everything again stayed the same we end up with about 395,000 um of surplus unspent funds for this year. And because when we were setting our budget for FY2627, we said of our fund balance at the end of this school year, we anticipated to have at least 300,000. We'll take 300,000 of that help offset tax. That's 300,000. We don't have to raise in taxes at least. >> Um but if it's if we end with 395, it's even better. >> So we that would just go into
066into the actual budget for next year, be 395. the 395 the 300,000 would be the number at this moment just because I know that this won't be locked in by the time >> it should it over here it's June when you guys are setting right >> uh bills would go out for August I believe >> so when is it set well yeah June probably yeah that after the yield number is fixed. >> Has a question. So I just want to make sure twer the way I hear what you're saying is that um if everything shivers from the audit there'll be 395,000 total of surplus funds of which 300,000 is obligated as part of FY27 budget and 95,000 would be around for future uses whatever the school board might decide. >> Correct. >> Okay. And with
067that, I guess I'd just ask my colleagues on the Norwich budget committee to refresh my recollection. With 300,000 in onetime funds been used, does that create an ongoing deficit or is that for onetime expenditures in the FY27 budget? >> Teresa, >> it's an offsetting revenue. So, so we've already we've already put that as a placeholder for the revenues so that we're not going to collect another 300,000 from the taxpayers. retain it. >> Yeah. Does not create a deficit that needs to be filled in the subsequent year and the way in which we had to back fill an SA. >> Correct. >> And having said that, I think why it gets a little confusing is it seems like every year we have about that number in there of surplus. That's why we're budgeting. And I'm like,
068I know it seems coincidence that I'm telling you 300,000, but if we're consistently keeping pretty accurate with our revenues and our expenditures, then it's just staying right in that pocket >> right now. If something were to happen that we needed more money for, this is kind of a reserve to go into, right? At least the 300. Yes. Again, I'm just trying to because we don't usually think about this too much for members and I know this is something we want to bring into the process just so we're keeping an eye on. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Super. Any other questions for Teresa? >> Thank you Teresa. >> Push. Okay. >> Okay. with that. Um, you've got a question >> coming from a place of honest ignorance about how funding is just I do recall when
069we were sitting in the budget planning sessions and talking about fund allocation there's a capital improvement amount of money that was talked about setting aside >> um when you have a surplus like this and we reass The other fact could you say, "Oh, we have some money. We can put it in now or is that only done during the budgeting season?" Like, how do you go that fun one time and you can add to it or can you add to it throughout the year? >> By warrant article. So, we would add to it by warrant article. So, we can't just randomly >> Oh, I see what you're saying. That that would have to be a warrant next to Okay. >> But with 95, let's just say like what happens to that? I mean, we retain
070the funds and everything else. And so, again, with timing, um, it would normally we would apply that against when we're setting tax rates and stuff, but I don't know that that >> Yes. >> Again, that's the timing here on the New Hampshire side is a little different, >> right? >> Um, >> but it would change. It would just be in that bottom line. Yeah. When it's appropriate. Okay. So, that's the answer, I believe. Yes. Okay. >> Okay. Um that concludes our regular meeting tonight. Um at this point we do have a need for executive session for a number number of items including the principal review theou assistant nomination list and the CDA comments. So we have a number of which is appropriate guess is negotiations we probably two notions do you guys agree do this
071properly likely I haven't had a chance to take a look it's not there >> I should ahead of Yeah, I do think you're right. So, basically the labor relations and contract and then >> evaluation >> sheet motion. >> I did this one. Thank you. Unfortunat I think they're supposed to be doing two part motion contract >> labor relation versus just reg. >> That's it right there. >> Got our card. Okay. You want to do >> No, you go, man. But I got mine, too. >> Okay. I um nomination arrest. I think they >> It's >> Yeah. Well, I think because we actually would say this because you got multiple things for though. Um some of these things don't really place at a risk of being disadvantaged like the principal review um and the MOU um
072but is is for the purpose of the contract. So, okay. So, I move to uh find the premature general public knowledge regarding the uh collective baring agreement as well as um the uh theou and the uh review of our principal put the board at a disadvantage because the board is disclosing the negotiating strategy if it discusses these items in public. Um I move to enter. So, that's my first motion. Sorry. Second. All those in favor. All right. That is unanimous. And then I move into enter into executive session purposely discussing the uh CDA as well as the nomination list and theou for the office assistant uh under title one section 313A1. So I got a second. Michael seconds. All those in favor. No problem. Bob, I've been hearing the violence. Okay. >> And you can
073name your >> bill. We have one item to approve coming out of executive session. That is theou for office assistant. >> Do I have a motion? Move to approve theou to the Norwich support staff collective bargaining agreement as presented. >> Second. >> Michael second that. All those in favor. >> All right. That has been unanimously approved. All right. With that our meeting ends. Uh any uh items for the next meeting. Please get them to me. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> I move to adjourn the meeting at 8 8 what? 8:47. Turn the clock. >> All right, that's we are adjourned. Thank you. >> Thank you. Well, I've named some of the birds, so it'll like see my