001Guest has to order at 7:09. Apologies for the late starts. Getting some technology stuff ironed out. Everyone good on technology? >> This is everyone. Thank you for being here. We appreciate it. >> No, thanks. >> Um, >> so we'll move on to agenda review. Um, there is one item I would like to request uh that we move up and that is the superintendent report. So I'd like to move that up to just after the principal report if everyone's all right with that. >> Yes. Okay. Anything else that board members would like to review or or move No. Okay. Um, but we will move right into public comments. I don't see anything to public in the audience this evening. Is there anyone online? No. Okay. Moving right along then to our principal report. >> I looked
002this way automatic. >> There's no welcome. I went to the colle everybody um learning as I go and figuring out the where to sit and follow all the rules. So, uh excited to be here. We've been doing a lot of work this summer. Lauren and Ann and I have been working together through the summer ease the transition for everybody um and get things up and running here at school. We've had a lot of great things happening with school over the summer. Lots of work happening. Um, I'm working with a group of teachers from Marian Frost and Ray School this week on some math training. That's been really, really good, deep work. We're My brains are tired, but we've been doing a great job. We are fully staffed as far as teacher hires go. We're still
003looking for some ed assistants. So, anybody knows anybody, send them on our way. Um, our enrollment right now, we're I think we're actually at 465. driving anyone today 465. Um, what else would you like to know about transition? >> All right. Thank you. We'll take we'll take some questions. So, go ahead. So, are we at 465 or 453? >> I'm sorry. 45 one more. >> Okay. >> 453. >> Okay. And I noticed that the the kindergarten numbers were a little bit lower than we expected. Kindergarten and first grade. Do we have any sense of why that is where they else they might be? No, that's totally fine. If it's No, >> not that I know of, but I can look into that if anybody has any information about that. >> Okay. Super curious if suddenly
004other schools had involved in there or if there's something going on. Um, other questions? Thank you so much. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. >> And thank you to everyone who's been doing all the work this summer in the building. It's a long list of projects. >> Been working hard. >> Yeah. So, thank you for that. Um, all right. We'll move on to our superintendent report. >> Thank you everyone. Welcome back. Happy August. Soon to be the opening of the new school year. Um, I am doing my report early. I may leave a little bit early tonight. My dad, he was going in for surgery in the morning at 7. I have a long drive. I'm staying over with him tonight. So, I appreciate you moving my report up. Um, first I want to welcome Colleen Roy. She
005has been amazing thus far as our new interim principal and um, we've been able to work over the past week together with our leadership team and goodbye directors. and to Lauren Amry, our new interim director of curriculum instruction. We got to work together while we've been working sporadically throughout the summer and then officially this week she started moving into my old office. I still keep trying to make my way in there. Um, but I had a really busy last week was my first official week and it was extremely busy. I started out the week with a sauwide meeting. had everyone come into now my office, Shay's former office. We have a large space. So, I'll be meeting with the FAU staff once a month. I has already set that up on my calendar. And then
006Wednesday, we had our new staff orientation. We had almost 20 new staff members attend. And I have to say this is the I think the fourth year that I've done this. First year during co I didn't do it but I think this was our fourth year doing it. We have such an impressive group of new staff members. It's incredible and the people who are coming to you are going to love them. I I just I was blown away by how um friendly and just everyone felt so welcome to be there and they enjoyed the the bus ride that we do every year. It was just it was such a positive I felt like experience for me and I felt like I'm so lucky starting with this group of people. So that was great. And then
007Thursday I followed that up with a full leadership team director meeting and that we just looked at different leadership qualities that have impacted us as leaders and different roles that we've had and we started thinking about our leadership team meetings. That's one of the thing I work things I worked on over the summer. I've laid out all of our leadership team meetings for the year and this year we're going to rotate through the different schools. So we'll be at a different school each month and we're using this we're given around our this book called rules and you know we've been doing a lot of work with instructional coaching. This is a Jim Knight, his newest um writing. And so one of the things that we're going to do is to do some calibrating in the
008classrooms and really look at engagement um data within the classroom. So we'll do that each month as we go to each of the schools and then discuss that as well as any other reporting issues that we have. But I'm really excited about that too because one of the things I've always loved to do as a leader is to teach and learn together. So I feel like this is a good move for us in that direction. It's reinforcing a lot of the work that we've been doing over the past few years with instructional coaching and looking at data and really um delving into that. So super excited about that. And other than that, I've been just trying to balance both different jobs and get things rolling. And I'm looking forward to our um first day with
009all the staff members. I am going to have a district-wide breakfast, a little talk, and um then I'm planning on having a student forum at that meeting and then recognizing our 10, 20, and 30 year staff members. So, I just I've done that in other place and I've always just felt like I want to show my appreciation to all of our staff and I know how hard they work every day. So, that will be when everyone comes back on the 20th. So, nervous, excited, but so far so good. Week one, one and a half. And I do just want to highlight for all of our listening audience that all of these transitions happen sort of simultaneously on August 4th. Right. >> Yes. So we are grateful. We are grateful that in this moment of transition
010we have so much experience collectively among all of you. Um and just anything that we can do to help that transition. Um please let us know. Any questions some of us have been around for a little while. So yeah, anything we can do, let us know. But thank you for that. >> Yeah, thank you. And I would love for all of you to come if you're able to to our opening from 8 to 10 breakfast and whatever you'd like to attend. I want to show my greetings for all of you and I'll send you a formal email so you have the dates. >> It's for Anthony High School. So I would love to have you there. I would like to show my appreciation to all of you because I know how much time you put
011in. So, thank you. >> Are there questions for Roger? >> Are there non food related questions? >> Good. Okay. I also did just want to point out it's in um the Simly agenda, our new system um the superintendent's corner. There's a link to that. And I know one of our goals, and this was discussed also at the board chairs meeting, which I'll mention a little bit uh at the end of the meeting, but I know that one of our goals collectively is to put out a little more communication to the community this year. I know that's something that has come up in survey responses. Um and so we're we're really going to focus on that uh as well this year. So um that link is a good good starting place. So thank you for that
012>> that note. >> Any other questions for Robin? >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Um we will jump back into our business requiring discussion and we'll start with the SAS discussion standardized testing. So in the agenda, you would have a copy of this report here that shows um our preliminary data from the state for this year's testing for third, fourth, and fifth grade. Um and it shows the preliminary comparisons to this from the district to the state. Not finalized yet in the next couple of weeks, but this is just a preliminary snapshot of >> on the attachment. Can you clarify what the second and third from the right hand columns mean? >> Second, >> sorry, you mean the blue and green the colors? >> No, I mean like test 11, 783 and four
013that's the number of students that were tested in the state. >> So the state >> and I assume that 430 is maybe a Ross 4. That's what it is. put that I should have put the headings on there. Sorry about that. >> Know what the what the range is for the scores up to >> Oh, it changes. >> Oh, wait. Here we go. >> What are you looking for overall? >> Oh, just like what are the range of possible scores? So it's uh for third grade the range is 420 up to 750. Fourth is 430 to 790 is uh 450 to 810. That's for ELA. For reading for third grade it's 300 that's up to 550. Fourth grade is 310 to 610. Fifth grade is 320 to 660. Based on what I can tell that
014doesn't sound right where for us the you said the reading went up to 550. 550 was the highest. for I see we have a range of we have an average of 607 that this >> so while Colleen's thinking I'll just point out um for people who might be watching we do have some breakdown of data here and I know we will get more um from Ryan going forward um this is kind of preliminary data so we have some numbers we have. I mean, yes, we again did much better than the state average, which is excellent news. Um, we're always interested in, you know, were there any dips year to year? Were there any trends that we should be excited about or concerned about? Um, so that's something I think that that that analysis will probably
015be coming in the next month or so. Usually in September, I would um share a report that looks at longitudinal data each year. So we will prepare that for you probably September, October, right? Generally when we do that and then we can look year by year and then you can look at cohorts across the three, four and five grades. Um, one other thing I'll say too is next year will be the first year that we'll have third graders who have been in the illustrative math for K through three. So it'll be interesting to see that data, too. It's been fun to kind of watch that progress as well. Yeah, and I will just point out that at this point we do not have that year-over-year data from the state. So if we noticed a dip
016in one of our years, for example, like our third graders moving to fourth grade in a particular subject, we don't have any way to see well did everyone in the state dip and they just changed the test. So that's why we want to be careful making too many assumptions at this point. >> All right, there's no other questions on this at this point. Um congratulations to everyone because we did well. I think that's that's the high level you know always something to look at and you know always important. Um thank you drop budgets. Okay so um we have some documents here. Um we as you notice um if you're looking at the draft budget guidelines um those are from last year um at about this time and we are I think looking to get our
017budget process started given all the transitions we've gone through. We're not quite on the same timeline this year. That is to be expected. Um so Teresa if you want to kind of take us through where we're at what we know what's coming up. >> I've been working closely with Jamie on this and everything else. you know, how very seasoned on, like you said, how the timelines have gone and um jumping in here this year, we're still a little short staffed. >> So, as Superintendent Steiner said, we're we're holding a lot of hats right now, too. So, we're trying to juggle things. And um and so the kickoff for the budget committee, obviously, we need to set dates for the initial just um going through the guidelines and everything else. So, we're looking for that to
018set that. Um, there are dates that have been logged in here. Um, thirdly, that's the hope in the plan that they go with plan, but um, we can move them as we need to. >> So, um, have we we have chairs for each of these committees, right? >> It is my understanding, but I'm not still clear on who they are. >> Okay. >> At the first meeting. >> Okay. So maybe we'll connect to make sure we're getting this kicked off. Um I believe and hopefully everyone had a chance to look at the committee assignments that was coming up later in the meeting. Um I believe our budget committee is me and Renee if I'm not mistaken. Does that sound right? Anyone here know? Oh, I'm in the budget >> and one other I got two.
019>> Yes. Recognize your talent, Tara. That's that's the thing. Um, okay. So, we'll connect on that. Um, in the meantime, if anyone has, so one of the big pieces of this is always understanding and and we have also um lost Kim Hartman as a board member who spearheaded these efforts every year. So that is another transition um that we're just kind of getting used to. Um, and she did such a great job of it. So, one of the things that she was always so good at was knowing what are sort of the external pressures that our taxpayers might be facing that we need to consider as we're setting our um guidelines for ourselves, our increased guidelines. On the school side, some of the things we can be thinking about is, you know, what is our
020school population doing? What are some of the key initiatives uh aligning with our strategic plan that we really want to focus on? So when we come to that meeting um which I will point out is open to members of the public. Um so when we come to that meeting it's good to come in with a sense of you know what are our priorities what are the external pressures I know I just got my house uh reevaluation so I know that's one of those pressures um and we don't know yet what that's going to do to tax rates because the whole tax base is changing. Um so there's a lot of uncertainty. Um and also like obviously at the state and federal funding levels with that uncertainty. So all those pieces will come into play when
021we get together and talk about what kinds of corridors we might want to set for ourselves in terms of budget increases this year. Um and I know Ray School has traditionally done an excellent job of zerobased budgeting as well. Um so that's another piece of the conversation. Anything else to add the budget conversation this evening? Um I think it will get going in earnest in the next couple of weeks. So if anyone feels a strong desire to be part of that budgeting process, whether you're on the committee or not, please feel free to to join in those conversations. You're welcome. >> All right, moving on to meeting of policy. Ben, it's like the one committee that never goes dormant. We'll >> talk about that. Yeah. So, uh, for Colleen's benefit, the policy committee discussions often
022begin at the SAU or sometimes the Dresden meetings and they kind of trickle down to the individual schools. So, often when they get to the handover school board level, there's often not much left to say. And that's not a dig on this board. It's more like these members have had this discussion before. We don't want to reiterate just for the sake of reiterating. So what we're looking at now are things that were actually discussed all the way back in I believe May at both SAU and Dresden. This gets back to the request for records. And the bigger things that we talked about that last one was how we have we we we argued for having be the maximum charge for printing and searching costs. And by maximum pay level maximums and what to do if
023they were financial things or if there was a private person requesting or if there was order things of that nature and we had a pretty I think a fairly detailed discussion on this back in May and it ended with an agreement that there was no changes previously. So these have been unchanged since May and that was just someone's questions. >> Marcel is on that committee. Who else on this? >> So thank you all three of you. >> Um any questions on the policy? >> Okie dokie. And we will be approving those I believe. >> Yes. Okay. Uh, our special education update. Cindy, >> you're welcome. Should I stay here or stand up? >> Uh, it might ask a question for Noah. It's probably better with the fan and everything to come a little closer. Yeah.
024>> Although we like >> also our X-ray vision through Carrie is not quite >> Sorry. Hi, I'm Cindy. For those two things right here, >> if you're more comfortable, you can just sit right next to Marcela. That might be >> hard with the computer. Um I'm Brett's assistant director of student services for RET and he's not here. So I'm going to try to do this the best I can. Um budget wise this year we had obstruction of five students attending out of district placements. Currently four we have currently four JSON students and zero handover students in out of district placements. Um we budgeted for uh public out ofate tuition. We had budgeted $63,000 and we're actually projecting costs of 187 um $187,00075. So we have a deficit there of $124,000. Um but the private tuition
025line we had budgeted a million. Um and uh we're actually going to be under that line. So, um total um will be under budget by $257,000 because there were some changes in student need that shifted shifted the costs. Um so, we currently um for the same reasons have a shift in special ed student transportation costs. We budgeted $3,000 and the projected costs are actually 41,000. So, we'll have a a deficit there of $38,000. Um and that's also similarly attached to the change in need of um some of our students. Um we have eligible costs for special ed aid from the department of education which will be reimbured to us this year. Um the budgeted revenue included in this year's budget was $365,000 and the reimbursement is currently projected to be 45876. >> No surprise. >>
026I thank you. Yeah. Yeah. Um, great. Thank you. I I will just point out for um one who's not familiar with the structure of our district, um the way that this works because if you look at this and said, "Well, there's zero handover students. Why are we paying for special education funds if there are zero handover students?" It's because um all of the students who reside within the town of Hanover come back to the Hanover budget for special education expenses regardless of their age. So when they are in kindergarten through 12th grade within our school district, if they reside in handover, it falls to this particular budget. Um because that's how we divide it out with impact. >> As well as general transportation as well, not just special transportation, >> correct? >> Y is it
027also worth saying that the reimbursement is for there's always a year lag. So we spend it then we spend start spending the next amount and then we sort of retroactively get reimbured by the state. >> Correct. And at this point that amount is anybody the actual reimbursement amount has been. Yeah. >> So my question was what kind of clarity do we have on that projected revenue? Is there a particular timeline where we know for sure when the actual number will be realized? >> Predicting somebody was going to ask me that question. I asked Rat and he said to defer to Teresa question I'll go back to a second. Sorry. The second question is is the projection different because we overspent the budgeted last year um so that we actually incurred more costs which is why
028our projected reimbursement would be higher or did we miscalculate this? >> I don't know the answer to that question. >> I say at that level it really is a shot in the dark at this point. what they're going to decide to reimburse because they essentially said we're not going to be reimbursing >> any and now they're reimbursing some because they got pushed back. So, I don't know, >> but the numbers that we banked in were banked in so long ago. It's before the current revenue. >> And I Yeah, it would be good to look um truth that might be something to put in for a future report what our end of year um costs were for last year for special education since to Deb and Terra's point, this reimbursement would be on that one year
029leg, >> right? Um so just to understand where we were last year. >> So the hot potato question Teresa is when might we have clarity on the um actual realized revenues back in the state on special >> um in in the fall we should get our our last payments the way they're lagging and everything else. So we should have by October. So maybe soon we'll find out and we get the entire reimbursement >> some of the Medicaid reimbursement stuff like they should tell us um based on the guidelines the chart or whatever but again the numbers that I keep checking we don't have a solid all over the place so I don't have a solid percentage or anything right now to base it on. Does it come at once or does it come in different
030um bundles from different state agencies or in different >> state of Vermont? Is that what you're asking? >> New Hampshire. >> We're asking New Hampshire [Music] reimbursement. Yes, it comes through um through the through the advice and everything else. They do this. Usually it's quarterly on those. Forget I'll tell you real quick. I'll look it up. Forget how the title. >> Yeah. Go ahead. Sorry. >> And um Teresa, with the change in state level administration, has there been any noticeable change in the reimbursement amount or the timelines or there's any delays on their part? >> No, not delays on getting the payments like that. There's been no problems with that or anything. It's been everything's been consistent on that. It's just that with the um just again the decisions and the efforts made and other
031um factors in there um better funding where it's kind of balancing other questions. Yeah. question for Cindy. >> So, we've been told by Rhett in the past, I think it's historically been true, that with special ed and kids aging and maturity and that kind of stuff, that typically the vast majority of our special ed costs are more at the elementary school level rather than the older students in Dresden, >> at least for out of place that seems to get completely flipped this year. Is there any trend getting that or is it more just random? Um, I don't know about the out of district if that's true for all. I think special ed wise generally that seems to be true that it's more K5, but I don't know about the out of district part specifically if
032those classs are generally higher for the older kids or not. Um, I can ask that if you have that question, we can look it >> and see if there's a trend. Yeah, I think it tends to be more interventionist support at the elementary school level that they would then age out of a bit when they head into middle school and high school. But >> um and you didn't ask me and I'm not working in the special ed department. But um I think in general the reality of out of district placements is that might actually turn opposite within the special ed budget because >> many out of district placements are not four littles. They're more I mean there's not a bigger body but most of them are not. >> Thank you. Any other questions for you?
033>> Thank you very much for being here. All right, Ben, we're back to you Norwich Finance Committee. >> All right. Um, so the reason that Kelly called on me for this is that for Collins, I'm also the Dresden chair. And so this was something that came to to Garrett and I, Garrett again as the Norwich chair where the Norwich finance committee, which is let's take a handover finance committee, something that is delegated typically by the town of Norwich to sort of bet, double check, back up, argue for and against the town's budget. also has hands in the schools as it does in handholdering and that Norwich committee has been dormant for many years. They they've struggled with forum issues. They've struggled with non-education related issues at the town level. some which we know about which
034we don't and but it's been recently formatted in June and the new chair of that person a guy named Steve something or other >> um reached out to Derek and I and our respective chair roles kind of asking how does this work because they're new to it we are now new to it as well because it's been dormant for several years >> and the reason that has ramifications for handover is that the newly reformed I guess dres Dden Finance Committee will have members of both handover and Morich on it, including one or two of us to be on both the handover finance committee as well as now on the Dresden finance committee. And all these budgets will sort of bounce off each other when it comes to budget season that we'll need to be mindful
035of what the other districts are doing because it will have ramifications in the end for handling taxpayers. So if we are having a very big budget increase hypothetically for whatever serious need there is at race school then perhaps Dresden will need to back off they have some big increase or vice versa. So we all try to kind of not step on each other's toes, keep each other breasted during that process. And once that group is formulated with exact numbers, then I think it will come back to the handover board to decide who we're sending to Dresden, noting it does not have to be the same members of the handover finance committee. And perhaps maybe it shouldn't be for forum reasons because if it gets too big, meetings may not have availability. >> But it could
036be. >> Yeah. Um and so I think there are some questions still as to the legal requirements. I know there was something about um they have to have approval from the schools in order to form themselves. I believe there was something >> my understanding is that's from that's from the Norwich school board. I don't think it's necessarily the school board. I think it's once Norish signed off finally automatically dressed in is my understanding. But this kind of a new process that Kelly mentioned, we've had many changeovers and many people who had their hands buried full on the finance committee where the board members to that committee will be new this year. Both of us are new as chairs this year, although we've been chairs before from other boards. We have a new DA, we have
037a new superintendent, we have a new principal, welcome. And so it's going to be an atypical year in terms of I think expertise and previous planning and experience and things like that. So, but this is yet another new concept that we have to talk to people address. >> Did you have a question? >> Starting this may have said what the timeline is for implementation of this new process. >> It's so it's going to start with this year. So, planning for 2627. So I think basically once the first budget committee meetings are planned, Norwich will start showing up at the Dresden meetings. Well, before it was handover basically delegating and dictating that rather than Norwich towns people input. >> We don't have chairs yet. >> No, that would be >> correct. that the chair like all
038committees will be formed at the first meeting >> and the seats are assigned generally by the town and then there are representatives from other bodies like us. >> It's the internal board finance committees. So it's careful there because there similar names. There's the hand finance committee which is the one where it's people accepted by the towel where we have one person on it >> which previously department I think might be okay and then there's the and then there's the internal board budget committee where it's two to three members including the chair typically >> and the the relevant principles and superintendent and the BA and I think one or two other people typically both both of them are going to do Like like was Amy there previously? I think >> I think the budget funds >>
039it it was a fairly large group. I think the I think >> it wasn't as large than Hanover. I think Hanover was typically principal and the board members and the business administrator the superintendent for assistance. >> Was it was he associate principal though like was >> not not as an official member of the committee. >> So it's not it's not addressed in the finance committee. It's addressing budget committee that people are showing. So now it's going to be a resident finance committee where it's going to be >> that's a town >> that's the town thing that they're going to come this will be seeing handle finance come here and finance now comes to Dresden on occasion but now it will have Norwich members as well and will have grown in size >> and we really
040think that these bodies will be organized in time to fully participate >> in this budget process. I I believe the membership has already been signed by the talent for most of the time. And I will I will just add I think the fully participate is is perhaps and then Ben you basically explained this already but just to emphasize there the budgets are set our school budgets are set by us right >> they opine they give us their you know pulling in I'm sure we've all seen all of the wonderful construction going on throughout Ann um they they'll bring in that perspective and say you know we have these financial considerations you know the reevaluations the construction all that So as you are considering please also keep that in mind. So there is a little bit
041of back and forth on that but ultimately they are not involved in the creation >> right >> and so often not always but typically they agree with it because they see the building of it internally. They often come to the meetings and and listen as we know and they ask good question their chair as we most of us know paras is very detail oriented. >> She's not the chair anymore. There's nothing never mind but >> but she has >> members have been very involved and they haven't agreed with us every time but it is advisor that is their that is the point of their existence as delegated by the town and by developing statutes regulations where they are the citizen advisory committee to town spending of which the schools are >> question yes this is
042just a a reflection of the retired English teacher on the board. Um recognizing that I'm really a dud when it comes to appointing me to finance budgetish meetings, >> but I really worry about adding another thing for the people who are our kind of quantitative folks on the board. And I'm not saying I don't understand the need for it. I'm not saying it's not valuable, but how many of these is it possible for one or two board members to juggle? And I I'm concerned about that. I think that's a valid concern. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And that's something that we at the four chairs meetings when we delegate these committee assignments have to deal with and wrap our heads around because the ser it's a combination of >> who is good at what. But we also
043have to figure out in terms of availability, can this person actually make these meetings? Particularly if it's a meeting that we know has to be during the day to accommodate staff work hours >> and it's also who's more likely to show up, which is not the same thing as being on that committee, rightly or wrongly as well as trying to keep it somewhat equitable in terms of board member load while acknowledging different strengths and weaknesses as well as more ability to either or not based on for example retired or working from home. You know, all those other things we have to keep track of, >> right? So it's we do the best we can knowing it will not be as equal equal as we want >> but we try. Well, if somebody wants to give
044me lessons, I don't I am retired, but so I was going to say that Renee and I are trying to balance some of these things and we have met outside of meetings because some of the issues on the table are complicated. that we would both >> and I have some deep concerns especially regarding the CIPC committee >> um because there are lots of questions there's not a lot of transparency I think that we as a board this I'm out of order I know I'm out of order I will forget so I'm just going to say we might want to discuss trying to work with the town to get some more transparency from the CIPC committee. There are no materials that I can find available on the town website. I had to get a copy of
045an agenda from Renee. I had to and I'm an official alternate for that committee. I had to ask to get on the emails. There's just nothing available. So if we want to discuss or sort of ruminate on some of the numbers and the really sort of important highle discussions that are going on, it is nearly impossible because I just don't have access to the historical data from the first year of that committee that I wasn't involved in. And there will be a delay because when for us to have a conversation about anything before they take make a decision or take any action. Yes. >> Sometimes things move very quickly and catch us off. I I think that Hamilton finance committee sadly at the same time there's not publicing all the nuts and bolts and data.
046It's wastand I'm looking in the wrong places and I did spend a little bit of time trying to figure some of that stuff out. So we may want to consider trying to because our stuff is very available historically deep. um some of these other committees which impact the work that we do and our considerations may not be. So I'm not sure I'm going to reach out to you as chair >> who do we know and yeah we'll bring it >> not just for the next round and the next round and we are going to lose >> that and before we add another committee on to that. Yeah. Yeah. And it occurs to me just listening to you Deb. I as we move to the Dresden discussion of this I'm wondering if we could have a
047handover member Hover representative and a Norwich representative who wouldn't necessarily both have to be there every time but would share common interests common themes and bring it back to address. So that's something maybe that's next week. >> Yeah. Okay. Any other questions on this? Yeah. And I'll add Terra's point as well as for general knowledge for folks in the room. Um, and it has become evident that the handover school board and the handover select board are not necessarily in alignment on everything. In fact, we've notably buted heads. >> That's a misunderstanding. >> Yeah, that's a misunderstanding cleared up. >> Kelly is a much more eloquent than mine. Should be obvious. Um, and so we do need to keep tabs on what they're up to more than perhaps we historically have and and I'm sure they're
048probably thinking the same thing. Um, Kelly and I and um, Dear, both of us have made appearances and hand select boards to some discussion. I had to speak at town meeting as well, which rather not do in that capacity. And so it's been we've gotten more involved and I'll add in information that may not be known to everyone where we we had parents across all four districts take a very involved 69 item survey in May that we got many hundreds of of uh people who took it and one of the clear takeaways from it to the point of 70 75% please do this which in a big survey that you don't get rates that high of please do this was tell us more about the politics. We want to know what's going on. We want
049people to say, "Here's what's happening. Here's where we move parent to support." Not necessarily much of do we care about your personal opinions, but more like here's what's going on that is relevant to our students at the state, national, and local level. >> So that was a very clear-cut direct directive from our very knowledgeable, very involved, very intelligent parents. And so we probably are going to have discussions about what that means, how to do it. Is it us? Is it Robin? Is it Colleen? um and ways to get at that. And that is all part of this conversation that parents want to know because one of the biggest things we heard of and we we we floated here's all the things that are coming down the pipeline whether it's redistricting or guns for kindergarters as
050it's commonly said and all the things at the national level. Most of the parents responses was what now? You know, that's things I think we often forget at the board level because we're all here because we're involved, we're invested, we're curious. And that's not to say that everyone else isn't as well, but it's more things that we think we everyone knows because we talk about it all the time. They don't, but they want to >> and so we need to work on that and this falls into that. >> Great. Thank you. All right. Anything else on that agenda item? it will come back next week. >> Um yeah, I don't I don't know how relevant but as we're talking about this and the lack of knowledge I think very similar to debts in my social
051work don't about finance. Um and so thinking about if that is a need like you know there'll be another election and like is there a way of saying like we are looking for people with a finance background or are there trainings that would be appropriate for board members if we end up not having that strength on the committee because I do think >> um it's just a definitely something that we shared when we were filling Kim's thought knowing that that was going to create this particular very large void. Um it's definitely something you know we discussed openly that that was a need that we had and you know I think it's one of those things when you join the board yes there's the educational philosophy piece of it there's all the you know wonderful kindergarters
052building aspect of being on the board right but so much of it is policy and budgets and I think that's the reality that hits a lot of people once they start board service so um I think yeah it's but in terms of trainings. I I will say just join a budget committee at some point, not as the chair, but that's been helpful to me. So, if that's something even, you know, if you can just make a couple meetings here and there to kind of get your feet wet um through the process, that can be really helpful, too. Um but yeah, it's a valid valid concern. I will also say you look better than you give yourself credit. >> So, >> thanks. I think so, too. I want to point out too that the the situation
053where Rene joined the board was also very different where we got to appoint someone slot. So when it comes to an elected position, we are not and I definitely we probably should not. I don't think we can open as to what we need, >> right? Well, I think if that's a piece of the communication is just that this is the work we're do, you know, there's a piece of like tied to that communication piece sharing, you know, that's heavy load this year because like statewide whole states and national policies politics impact budgets impact you know during the Medicaid stuff especially I mean it is it's like around the mass and >> um I think if that communication without being like we must we need a finance background you know over >> candidate A but like
054just generally if that's the communication that that is a lot absolutely there's a piece there and to our back to our communication point right that out more. Yeah. Anything else on this? All right. We covered a lot on that one. Thank you guys. Um, moving on into this is requiring action and I think we can do a consent agenda. Um, oh, pause. We unfortunately in the uh consent agenda, I apologize for noticing this. We have our hires. So before we do that piece, we'll need to just make sure everyone's okay with the hires. Um so let's take a motion for A through B by consent and then we'll come back to items. >> Yep. >> I move to approve items B through B because we don't really need to approve A. >> No, we do
055not. You're right. Thank you. >> Okay. By consent. >> Thank you, Deb. Is there a second? Carrie seconds. Okay. I don't believe we have anyone online. No. Okay. So, all in favor? That is unanimous noting that her name is not here this evening. Um, so we'll move on into Yes. >> Oh, sorry. >> We'll come back. We'll come back for the hires after we do our make sure we don't need a nonpublic, right? >> Oh, we will need a non-public, but I'm following our agenda orders. So, all right. So, communications and reports and we'll come back to the hires um in a moment. Um so, I have a couple things to report. So, I shared with all of you that four chairs met. Um we are hoping to meet approximately monthly instead of quarterly. Um
056there's a lot kind of fire hose coming at us from the state coming at us um on the legislation side on um lawsuits that have been you know coming out as well. And I I believe we'll have some updates to that as well. Um so you know and some of that is available on the website as well. Um so we're going to try to meet more regularly so that we can hopefully kind of bring some of that together and make sure that when we're coming to you guys we have a better sense for what we need from these bodies. So not to make decisions as um a four chairs group but more to understand what exactly we need to be bringing to you guys for fruitful discussion um so that we're on task and move
057forward in the appropriate way. Um to that end we also decided this time for the first time to elect a chair of the four chairs. I'm the chair of the four chairs, which simply means I get to proposing ideas, right? I get to make sure we're setting an agenda, following the agenda, and when it comes time for retreats, um we'll we'll have a better sense of direction because that was a tough moment last year where we all kind of looked at each other and said, "Well, who's in charge of setting our agenda for the retreats?" So, um those are some of our goals um at the four chairs level. Um, another piece of that is getting more communication out to you guys. I apologize. I know I sent a communication later than I meant to
058today. Um, but hopefully that will come out once the agenda is published so that I can give you a better sense of here are the key, you know, highle points, any additional information to really pay attention to or to look back in earlier meetings at um those sorts of things just to help give us a little more orientation heading into meetings. Um, anything else from chairs that I didn't mention? >> Okay, Kelly. >> Yes, >> I didn't get communication from you today at all. >> So, I don't know. >> Did anyone else? >> I didn't. >> You might not be on our handover list then, which is really good information. So, I will make sure that >> not you got it. I think I got it. I assume tonight. >> Oh, I'm pardon. It's But
059you did not get it. >> So, there might be got it after I got That's I sent it very late. So, I again I apologize. Arrive at 5:31. >> Yes. >> Yeah. No, you would have you would see it, Carrie. So, that's very very good information. We'll make sure that our lists are updated. There's a chance in moving over to Simly or whatever. That's something in the list. >> Yeah, I'll check with I'll check with Diane on that. So, thank you very much. Um, the other thing that I wanted to just let you guys know, um, you had voted to give me authority to sign the thing with the state. I'm trying to think of the best way to say it, um, but the the board member um, group that is getting together to try
060to understand more with the education commissioner what's happening at the state level. Deb, are you still on that in that group as well? Um I both uh both of us signed the letter as individuals >> originally circulating and then I pulled Ben and you into the conversation but I don't know that anything has moved forward. >> So they did have a meeting. So they may have just gone to the chairs that I think that was um so they did have a meeting. Were you able to go to that meeting? >> Okay. So we'll make sure you're on that list. This is good. lots of lists to double check on. Um they did have a meeting um between the school board chairs who had signed on to this effort. Um they unfortunately because there was also
061transition h transition happening at the education commissioner level seems to be a year transition. Um they were not able to get the meeting with Caitlyn Davis yet but they are planning to set that up. Um they're also planning to meet motivated throughout the year and have sent out some surveys about um defining joint legislative priorities, things that we care about that we want to know more about. So if there's anything that you would like me or Ben to communicate forward on that front, um please send me an email, let me know and I will make sure that gets shared with that group. What would be really wonderful would be if you could just FYI us when you're about to have a meeting so that if there's something you know if there's a gap in terms
062of board meetings but we're concerned with something we're seeing unfolding in the press or somewhere else we can say >> would you please take this with you to the meeting that would be really helpful. >> Absolutely. And I I apologize. I it happened both they did two meetings, two Zooms, and they both happened when I was at Flea Parent Week, so I was not able to go. Um but I have been following up with the with them. So yeah, thank you. That's a great suggestion. >> Um and they're also looking to add additional districts um add hopefully more diverse voices. So if you have suggestions for people who might be interested um let me know that as well. I think one of the challenges obviously was the initial circulation of the document about taking a
063more political position was something that a lot of school boards were reluctant to do at that time but as evidenced by both your interest and Ben if we can meet and have these conversations moving forward it's a completely different >> scenar potential scenario so I would hope they would reach out to board members, but I would I think they're they ought to just reach out to every board chair and say this is a committee we're forming and the commissioner of education is working with us and I would imagine everybody will want to do it but they won't need as we have to sort of come to the board and say are you okay with us signing on to this document >> right >> and I think they're very different >> right and I I will
064point out too that I think a lot of these convers conversations are essentially apolitical because they're questions about, you know, these new laws coming from the state or coming from the federal government are in direct conflict with existing legislation, existing laws. How do we reconcile that? What do we do about that? Or you're putting in new laws, new requirements with no funding >> to be able to offer the, you know, new requirements for graduation, for example. So it's those sorts of things that I think this group is really hoping to at least initially start with >> um and and that really is a how do we function >> with these conflicting guidance point one of the differences where I think like that notion both for boards were somewhat when this came about a few months
065ago because it was more of a here we have a political perspective let's advocate >> regardless of our individual feelings >> and so now both it's changed where now it's more apolitical it's more educational updates as well as now we have a clearing call from our survey saying yes please go be more politically aware so I would say now it's more obvious over the head like now we need to get on with some change in philosophy >> yeah I was actually thinking about others reports >> right right absolutely yes agree agree yeah all right committee reports sorry any questions for the chair any questions for me okay let me know if you have questions uh committee reports. >> I just want to say that um I think everybody knows that we presented a proposal for
066the October meeting of the schoolboard association and I was anticipating being the country. So I started to I reached out to Barrett and said um when are you going to ask us for these because I know the deadline is the first and they have a form and so they did it right away because I said I have to leave. So, I don't really have to leave that soon. But just to reassure everybody, I think I emailed you, Ben, and said it's in. >> Um, I sent it in. It's all done. So, I did I did my job. He never had any back. >> Oh, well, I just want to reassure. Thank you. >> Reassure. Thank you, Deb. Um, and thank you for your service to committee. You do it very, very well. Thanks. >> Um,
067any other committee report updates? Um, budget committee, we've talked about Renee is out of town, but that will pick up in earnest um, once she returns the finance committee. I assume >> my attendance CRPC. >> Anything to report or share other than difficulties? There's lots of planning in place at the town level for expending lots of money on various projects which I think we could reasonably expect is going to make the fiscal situation quite challenging moving forward and we need to be aware and Renee and I are rightfully confused because we're relatively new entrance to discussion and I've only been to two SL coordinators and we should probably attend more when we are unaware of the bigger picture plan if there is one to really and there probably is and I we just can't get
068the data about setting priorities and really having a like five to 10 year understanding of fiscal impacts of town capital improvement expense projects today how they're going to impact taxes and we don't see that and um and that's not it should be a touchstone as far as I'm concerned >> and I am deeply deeply concerned >> so as well but >> is the only way to be involved with the improvement program committee to attend the select board meetings. >> No. However, the select board is the body that is making the decisions. >> All right. and the CIPC committee which is a different set of meetings are sort of acting advisory capacity as to these are great ideas and this has full support or there are some questions or there are some concerns or we need
069to hire a consultant to do a study and so there's studies there are studies going on right now >> and they have a different membership as well so there's the select which are elected people and then the CIP C is a bit more >> there are multiple people from the select board on the CIPC the handle finance committee is also um covered I think there might be some members at large don't there's school board I don't know what there's a variety but it's not oh I would like to help out kind of committee it's you are representing another group um and so it's experiences [Music] are available. >> Videos are open, >> but I'm quite concerned that the public at large does not really know what's going on in these discussions, is blissfully unaware, and
070there will be real implications. Um, so I'm wondering if it might be possible to somehow add that to our communications page somewhere >> that these meetings are taking place. Here's where you can look at a video. They're not live stream, right? But there is a video that is published afterwards. But if anyone's curious or wanting to learn more, they could watch the video >> because um yeah, and I I have not looked through to how to access those videos, but I do see when I go to the town website and look under the committees that are supposed to have the agenda's minutes. I don't see minutes from the CIPC committee, I see something like this, which is an eight item agenda with no links, no. >> Right. So there's not a lot of when I
071say I was frustrated and it's posted on the day of the meeting or after the day of the meeting. So we really can't tell unless you're already plugged in what the topics of discussion are. So I I will either one way or another I'll figure out how we can and it may be as simple as saying we would like to get this information out to the community. How is what's the best way to do that? And some of the projects that are being contemplated by this group really, really, really will be successful, most successful when community understanding and involvement is prioritized. And they realize that to a level and at one point they said to the school board, new schoolboard community, we're going to need your help, you know, communicating about this to your community,
072>> which is great, but I don't have the bits to communicate. I really can't foresee some of the trajectories where these discussions have come. >> Well, and maybe my not knowing about Crosby Street closing is a good example, but that had that has big a big impact on our buses and our morning routine >> behaving in front of the high school at the same time. >> Yeah. Did we know about that? >> We did. Okay. Yeah, they did. They met with Jay. >> But we meaning like parents and staff, >> right? >> Okay. Yeah. Well, maybe one of us needs to start going to >> Deb. I think that please I think there's an opportunity even if you're not in in love with the number crunching aspect you understand the dynamic of town wide planning
073and implications to various constituents >> right so I think we would be wonderful to sort of even if it's just a capacity meeting. >> Oh yeah. Are you talking about the capital improvement or >> finance committee is really looking at the numbers but there's also high level discussion of priorities and concerns and things that aren't about you know do some math in your head. >> Okay. >> Right. >> Well I am interested. So, >> and if you want to go to a sled for I think the body system is great because if we have two people go then you have someone to say do you understand and who is that person and what just happened here >> right >> there's a lot of >> right right and they really like to see me >> all
074right so I will let you sport now he's gonna What? I think I think this is a wonderful wonderful plan. >> You can count on me. >> Wonderful. All right. If there's Yeah. >> And I'll point out too that I I didn't mind the last yet to see YouTube video that you were on. I watched it before, >> but it just like you said, it is enlightening. It's always when I first select book, it's the same kind of like, oh, this is going to be so hard. It's like, oh, actually, I didn't get to talk. it it can get very interesting very quickly. One thing I learned what's always interesting is I went to YouTube just now to try to find that video and I searched in Hannah CIP meeting the first came up was
075us live. Oh, hey that's my shirt that I'm wearing right now from our Zoom folks are still watching. That's all. >> All right, we will move. It's definitely not my spouse. It's all moving along to our interim director of curriculum and instruction reports. >> Hopefully, you had a chance to review all the amazing things that have been happening this summer slash in the last 14 days. Um, it's been a really fun wild ride with a lot more to come. So, this is just the beginning, an overview of some of the things that I've started working on with Robin as we help sort out what this year will look like in our big initiatives and how I can support curricular instruction, including being part of the grand writing process, uh, as well as organizing K12 meetings
076um, and already having meetings with various faculty members in the district about their thoughts around instruction and curriculum. Um so really excited to continue to answer any questions should you know this but what is online is a system that we use um for professional growth. So in there we can log all of our staff development hours and activities the things that lead to reertification. Um it's also the place where we provide documentation for evaluation coaching and other supervision questions. >> Thank you. We're excited for your new role. >> All right, Teresa. I've uploaded my [Music] sorry >> sorry um I just want to highlight once again what I had said about our our office been a little understaffed since May 1st. Um we things were looking up. work. We actually interviewed and hired a business
077assistant business administrator and that lasted all of two weeks until she resigned. So, so it didn't last very long. Um, so we posted the job again and we're still interviewing the um, front desk position. Administrator was sitting up there. Um, still been searching and trying to seems like either is not enough for somebody or it's just not. So, we're moving along right now. Um, trying to get everything tied up for the end of that 25 school year. um the financials our audit will be um second week of September we're scheduled [Music] number on our fund balance because right now we're still holding I think the last report I gave was roughly around 4,000 and so we're still kind of in that ballpark to get any changes and anything else report a review board. That's something
078that Jamie and I are going to be working on. Um, and then transportation. I've had meetings with the transportation department, especially about the busing obviously, which probably was stating too because we've had those meetings before. They claim it's only like a five or 10 minute difference, but it's really not going to be that big of a deal for them. but they just have obviously come down through to make sure the bus is facing the right way. Um the bigger problem that has been discussed and when I was at a recent um meeting in conquering was our open driver on the buses and they're not fond of that idea because we lock our doors in our schools and we try to keep our kids safe but then we just open the door to anybody standing up.
079they look like a student and they might be picked up >> and so the safety there um has been brought up and that's what something that down the line that we might have to address not having listed as an open bus drivers really do have a list of students because right now none of them have a list of students they don't know if they think they live in that neighborhood or Then they'll get to know a little bit in time could be variances. Then we had ping issues last year food service seems to be going pretty well. There's pretty quiet as far as um the right school food service and we're still um contracting service management company um moving forward on that. Um there's a bunch of projects that went on this summer the library
080and haven't been back over to see if how it all went. Um and it's still in completing progress. Um the Richmond funds project where phase one was supposed to use those funds to purchase the equipment. Phase two were going to be actually doing the groundwork and all. As far as the Richmond funds were still in holding because by the time I got the information that said, "Hey, come to this meeting, I'd been off a couple days ago when I got the email this morning at 30." >> Oh, no. >> This morning? >> Yes, this morning. So, okay. >> And I had been asking for two, three weeks to get the information about Wednesday's meeting >> and then I got the email while I was off for a couple days and um didn't see it until
081it was after 8:30 this morning. So unfortunately the next meeting as far as conc together that's that's unfortunate. Okay. Thanks for that update. All right. Yes. Did that um this is kind of a half hand over halfing question. So if you don't know right now maybe no >> we ask the second half. >> Um the have we had since you mentioned like that all the conversations been going regarding the transportation for sports? >> Um I do have notes started to put it on this when I realized wait that's um I mean just a brief on the on the transportation with the sports. we know it is that um they're still saying that we're we're fine and they're going to there's only going to be but we'll have to meet with the athletic directors to make
082sure the schedule is line up because if they both overlap on one day that's when the potential will be there but we won't deal with that till a winner for the first questions So, >> okay. There's anything we can do to help with hiring? I mean, you know, if it's changing job titles or looking at the money, I you know, if we're not aligned with >> realign job titles, descriptions to really really describe what the person will be doing and um and unfortunately the person that resigned um went back to the original school >> because they pushed her back. >> Oh. Well, so I mean the me the levers that we can pull are basically financial, right? So if you know we've done this with substitute teaching, we we teacher to get try to get
083more substitute teachers um in the district. We've done this with substitute nursing. If that is a lever that would be helpful if we're not aligned with comparable salaries, please please bring that to us. Well, on on the aspects of the um assistant VA position, that one does align. We even actually had a candidate that said they did a bunch of research and said they're right, which kind of nice to know. Um it's more the um front desk position is the one that seems to be the the the starting salary in the scale. A couple people were interested, but as soon as we offered it to them and then they ripped the number again, even at the top of the scale, they're like, "Oh, I thought it was six." >> And then accepted and decline, but
084>> okay, >> the other position, it was just an unfortunate cut, she's going to move into a VA position. >> I understand that. Terra, you can also help with I think promoting the job. >> If you could let us know where we can find the job descriptions or where you're currently advertising the positions, that would be helpful. Even if you just send us a note so we can pass it through our networks in case. >> Okay. And it can definitely be downloaded off the schools um search job search link. They are first in their insurance. >> Great. Any other questions for Teresa? Righty. Seeing none, I believe that takes us to the non-public. Sorry, we were clicked off. So, um, just to remind everyone, um, the only items we have for nonpublic this evening are
085personnel matters. Um, some hires basically that happened over the summer. Um, we are not required to go into nonpublic to discuss those, but if anyone would like to go into nonpublic to discuss those, we absolutely can. So, if anyone would like to make a motion to go into nonpublic to discuss uh the three hires that you see in the agenda, please do so. Now, seeing none, um, we will skip non-public. So, we are now still in public session. Um, and I will now take that motion to formally appoint the hires. De >> I move to formally appoint the hires that were made over the summer by superintendent Steiner or Superintendent Adams. Jonica Lyncher as a 3 band teacher. Lynn Cutting as a 1.0 full-time kindergarten teacher. Greta Buckleman as a 1.0 full-time second grade teacher.
086And I apologize if I mispronounced anybody's name. >> Thank you, Deb. Is there a second? Harry. Thank you. All in favor? And that is unanimous. Uh moving on to public comment. Final opportunity. Do we have any members of the public? No. Okay. Um the next meeting will be September 10th. we have rest of next week. Um, and it's September 10th for handover. And with that, I will take a motion to adjourn. Said, >> I move to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Is there a second? Cara, we'll do a roll call starting with Marcella. >> Yes. >> Nelson, yes. >> Russell, yes. >> All right. Thank you everybody. >> Thank you. First of