Exeter Region Cooperative School Board Meeting 05/19/26

00119th exit region cooperative board meeting. We can rise for the pledge of >> allegiance. I allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Uh really quick, we need to open a public hearing on the donation for uh to SST. Do I have a motion to open a public hearing? >> I'll make a motion to open a public hearing at 6 p.m. >> Thank you. Okay, Dr. Andriski. >> Sure. So, really excited. It seems like we're getting donations every board meeting, but this is great. So SST actually won and got a donation of a 2019 uh uh Sierra truck that can be used in the automotive class. It was something they won in

002a competition and now they have it in their ownership. So it is over $20,000 by board policy KCD. We do need to have a public hearing if there's any questions on that, but great job by the students. Um I know they'll learn a ton working on it, but um they have to own it and there is stipulations that we did have in the binder there. Dr. Carr, anything else you'd like to add about about that? I did just want to add just so people are I just wanted to be transparent that um this truck cannot be sold or registered. It is for student use only for used to be used in the shop for learning activities. Um and it can't be sold after the the end of life of uh of us fixing it either.

003So um while it won't uh garner us anything at the end of its life, it is still above $20,000 in value for us. So that's why we brought it forward. >> Does anybody else have any other questions? >> Can you tell us about how they won the truck? Cuz that's a great accomplishment. >> Yeah, it was actually um the entire program was recognized by the um New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association for their excellence in education in our program. So, um it's really really kudos to the entire team, not just the students, but um Scott Mayot, um the teacher, Jeff Maine, teacher, and um Mark Lebrun, who is the teaching assistant in there. Um and then all of the students, they really um have they've just uh built a really great team in there and the

004and the students are super engaged and they're doing really great things in and outside of the classroom. So, we're super proud of them. >> Thank you. I'll make a motion to accept the donation. Second. >> Sorry, I'm taking notes and he's got it. I got it. >> Thank you. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. Great. Need a motion to close the public hearing. >> I make a motion to close the public hearing at 602. >> Second. >> Thank you. All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> That was a yes for me. >> I know. Motion passes. Thank you. All right. So, um, let's see. We have a CMS student update. We have Lucy and No. Great. Um, so for, um, we have a lot in CMS this month, obviously. So, um, for

005sports in CMS, we have softball team going undefeated so far with their closest game being 15 to1. Baseball and track are also starting up with baseball and softball having their tournaments in the first week of June. The sixth graders have their SE coast champion meet in June 3rd or sorry on June 3rd for spring sports. The eighth graders had their end of the year ropes course activity going on the zipline and the giant swing to end the year with some flying through the air. Everybody loved it whether they were watching their friends or doing it themselves. It was a whole lot of fun. Okay, so this past Friday we had our eighth grade dance which was so much fun. We had um Mr. Clap, our um lab science teacher who DJs part-time. He did all

006the DJing. There was lots of music. There was concessions you could buy and everyone had so much fun there. Um, yeah. >> Earlier this month there was a Oh, wait. We never did that one. We just finished uh math and ELA SAS testing, but we are still doing um science this week during our classes. >> Um the one we didn't finish is we have our eighth grade London trip this year. So, a group of um eighth graders last year during seventh grade um applied to go on a trip to London. So, they have that um right after school ends. So, that's going to be a lot of fun. Um and then this year we have the Greek Olympics for sixth graders. Um it's a fun celebration at the end of the year to wrap up

007their Greek mythology unit. There's lots of like fun games, activities, and you can win a big trophy that you display in the pod. So, for the entire year until someone else wins. Team three has won it I think how many years in a row? Two years in a row. So they're the ones to beat. Um okay. And then um 8th grade has a bunch of end of year activities. We have Canoby Lake Park. Um uh celebration day and pancake breakfast and field day. So for field day we go to the exit wreck and just hang out there. Celebration day we have an ice cream truck and then yearbook signing. And then Canopy Lake Park. We take the whole grade to go to Canoby Lake Park for a trip there for a day. Um in the

008coming days, seventh grade um are taking a field trip to the UNH floating uh floating lab in Ry Harbor. It's um an immersive experience including marine ecosystems. In our seventh grade science classes, we've been studying food webs and ecosystems. This is from the seventh graders. Um so this is a great opportunity to expand those topics. Um, this this trip will be guided by UNH's doses and everyone is looking forward to have a fun day on the water. >> Okay. And then next Tuesday, we have our CMS chorus concerts for eighth grade and seventh grade and then we have our sixth grade one coming up after that. Um, and then these past couple weeks, drama club has presented two shows. Corey Story of Guts and Glory, who was um directed and written by actually one of

009the teachers at CMS. And then we had um Stage Parents which was like a comedy about if any of you have heard of dance moms it's like dance moms but stage parents for theater parents. Um and then we also have a new field trip coming up. Um this year we have made a jazz club. So anyone who likes to play jazz and I know they play rock and blues as well. They are having a field trip to a retirement home. So that's coming up as well. Oh. Oh, my bad. Okay. Um, and then this past week we had an assembly about the power of words and how they can affect others. Um, this installment was mainly about the history of some like offensive words and symbols that have been used in the community that are

010discriminatory towards others. Um, we had a speaker come named Quincy Worthy to speak to all the grades and then um, Aaron Petta um, the chief equity officer I believe. Um she taught us the acronym IDEA which stands for interrupt, describe, explain and action which is a way you can combat with those discriminatory words. >> Thank you. >> Um there are many teachers in our school showing great like responsibility, kindness and even when it might not be shown back to them. Um, just to name a few, we would like to give a shout out to the janitors, all of the janitors in our school who are always showing respect to all the students and are showing hard work in our in the toughest conditions. No one realizes how valuable they are in our school and are

011greatly appreciated in our community. Another shout out to all of the parents and volunteers that are going on the field trips and helping the kids along their um fun trips. None of the fun would be possible without them. So, you know, thank you guys so much. Um, every athlete loves, you know, working with the teachers that and the parents that help with the all the um, athletic programs, including like soccer, track, golf, all that. So, um, all the athletes can vouch for me here. We love their support. Um, and Mr. Hughes. He has been um working solo for the ropes course and he has been helping a lot of kids go through the ropes course. Even if maybe they have some trouble but they want to still go on the ropes course. He'll help them

012guide them to their best like um possibilities and it's it's really fun. Um for one last shout out, we would love to give a special shout out to our amazing and beloved CMS principal, Mr. Baris though who shows kindness, hard work, and every and all else every day to everyone. >> Yeah, I'm going to have to pay him all the way out. >> Also, and remembering every single person's names throughout the whole school year. >> Um, yeah. So, to wrap things up, we're excited for next month. And finally, warm weather is finally here. I mean, this this today was insane, but we still have one last school board meeting, which I don't know we will be attending. I don't believe so. So, um, yeah, thank you. >> Thank you. Tell me about that. >> I

013know. That's why I >> You guys do a great job. Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much for those shout outs, Joe. It was greatly appreciated. >> All right, so we're going to get into the EHS one. We also have a ton of stuff happening in the past month and coming up. So, I would like to start off with we recently recognized our top 10 academic students. So, these are the students with the highest GPA over their time at Exit High School. And our validictorian was Andrew Allen, and saludiatoran was Liam Mclynch. Rounding out the rest of the top 10, we have Caitlyn Crowley, Austin Hollish, Ada Jones, Cameron Lach, Al Matagloo, Mitchell Merson, Sam Royal, and Oscar Schaefer. So, a huge congrats to them for representing our school like quite well in

014academics. For world languages, we recently had two national language examinations, the National Spanish Exam and the Lrron Concourse. I'm not French, so excuse my French, I guess. But we between the two exams, we had a ton of success. Nearly 100 students taking the Spanish exam received honorable mentions and 44 earned medals. And within the French exam, we had four bronze medalists and a silver medalist. So, congrats to those students. We have a road bike team at EHS, which if you're like me, you did not know about this until just this year. It is the first year, but I wish I'd known. I feel like that would have been pretty cool to go to a a road bike meet. I don't know if it's a meat, but one of those. But our team did very well

015for their first overall season and they finished second in New Hampshire. So, great job to them. And the boys a division. We had both the first and second place racer. So, congrats to Becket Hickey and Henry Ziggmmont on that. for community and real world learning. Shout out to the SST automotive program, which I'm sure we've heard a ton about here today. But they recently fixed up a bus for Austin 17 House, which was really incredible to see their participation in the community. We recently had our NHS blood drive for this year, partnering with the American Red Cross to host a highly successful blood drive in the small gym. I saw many of the teachers in that gym. So, awesome participation for both students and staff. Back on the train of SST, we recently held our

016accepted students night. So many students, including my brother, are going back into SST this coming year. We recently also had the naturalization ceremony here, which I think is one of the most special things we get the chance to do at the school, inducting 29 new citizens from 18 different countries in a really special ceremony. We got to hear from Papus and Senator Hassan. So really awesome civic experience for especially our freshman class who were all present for that. Additionally around I think 15 I don't know the exact number AP tests were recently completed. So it was pretty grueling week for some of the seniors out there but that's done and now they can relax a little bit before we get to graduation. So coming up we have the academic awards night tonight. Tomorrow is the

017pops concert and the art exhibit. So, a lot more arts and then in the next few weeks we have senior prom, SST and EHS graduation, senior week and the last day for seniors. So, this is also my last meeting along with these guys here, >> but it's been a good time and I am very thankful to all of you. So, that's the last EHS update of this year. So, since this is going to be your last meeting, we'd like you to come back in June to get recognition for your all your time that you spent giving us updates and letting us know what was going on in the school. So, thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> And good luck in Nor Eastern. >> Thank you. >> Okay, I am going to open

018uh public input at 6:13. Is there anybody would like to give public input? Wait, >> one second, Lan. Just >> you go right. You go right up after. >> You can stay right there. Um I'm assuming you don't want to do public input. >> Oh, okay. Sorry. >> But seeing nobody for public input, we are going to have Lachlan McAulay. >> Sorry. Um from Exit High School and he's going to tell us about the change project. >> Right. Uh hello, my name is Lachlan McCauley and I want to thank you for letting me present. This is stemming from a joint English and history project and my topic is for it is reducing waste in the school lunchroom. Let me start by asking a question. Do you ever feel guilty for throwing food into the garbage

019whether it's fresh or rotten? One problem that currently exists in our school and across the country is the problem of waste. EHS produces a large amount of waste that gets thrown into landfills that are bursting at the seams. Food filled milk cartons and single-use utensils are filling up our garbage bins and polluting our ecosystem. There's many solutions to this problem that will cut waste and help save our environment. One solution is to start composting. Mr. Fox Composting is a very trusted composting service around the sea coast. Uh the district has already used this company at CMS and with EHS being a even bigger school. Uh Mr. Fox Composting will have an even bigger impact on saving the environment from the harmful gases that wasted food produces. EHS could also compost on site uh which is

020more cost friend a more costfriendly alter alternative to commercial composting and it opens up more learning opportunities for students in biology or environmental science classes. Another solution is to get a milk or beverage dispenser with reusable cups for the school uh which gives students more options for what they would like to drink and it cuts the waste from single-use milk cartons. One school in Washington has implemented this dispenser and its milk waste was cut by 56%. This would also save the school more money with the amount of milk waste decreasing. I've also emailed the director of food services for SAU16 about the changes I would like to make and she said that these changes would fit within the food safety guidelines if implemented correctly. If I get the go-ahad um I will start meeting with

021her about cost a cost analysis for the changes. Uh we would also search for grants and scholarships to contribute to the costs. Before you think about the whether these changes should be implemented or not, I would like you to think ahead to the students futures. With climate change getting worse by the day and our landfills filling up with every bag of trash, the future is catastrophic. Even though these changes seem small, they make a huge impact. And our school could be the spark that ignites a flame of change. Again, I would like to say thank you for letting me present and I hope you consider these changes. Thank you. Does anybody have any questions? >> How did you come up with this idea? >> Um, I've been composting at my house for four years and

022ever since my mom like let me get Instagram, I've been like going down rabbit holes about the waste. So, >> it's a very good idea. >> Thank you. >> So, Lachlan, I can give you a resource. So, I work in Oyster River and we have a sustainability committee there and we use Mr. for Fox. And we do have the individual milk dispensers in our cafeteria at CMS, I mean at um Oyster River Middle School and the high school. >> All right. >> So, I know that the food service director is really good friends with that food service director. So, we will have an in on that one. >> All right. Thank you. >> Does anybody want to make a motion to have a move forward with working with the food service department? >> Do we

023need I don't think we need a motion, do we? Oh, I thought he asked for our permission. >> No, I think you can work directly with principal Navy and we work together and then so she's got some stuff for him to do some a little bit more research on and then we'll talk. >> All right. Do you want to introduce >> Yes. >> Willow Robertson from CMS. >> Hi. >> I am happy to introduce Willow. She is I've invited her to come as uh to give a demonstration of our eighth grade. We can kind of consider it a capstone project. So, it's a culminating project uh combined between ELA and science classes where kids can show what they've learned over the course of the year, their research skills, reading, writing skills, uh and as you'll

024see tonight, the public presentation skills. Um the main goal is to share what the kids have learned and try and teach other people uh some new things. Um, so we are very excited to have Willow come and share give her the stage so she can uh share everything that she's learned uh about a topic that's dear to her heart. So come on up, Willow. And by the way, this is my first time advancing the slides. She's an expert. Please bear with me. >> Thank you all for inviting me to this meeting. It's a huge opportunity for me to have my voice heard. Um, my name is Willow Robertson and I am performing Autism and How to Relearn What We Were Taught. Um, yeah, in the media there are multiple characters who we know and love

025who have this neurological condition, such as Sheldon Cooper from Young Sheldon, Quinny Gallagher Jones from Heartbreak High, Norma from Dead End, Brick Heck from the Middle with many more. But what is autism? Autism is a brain disability caused by differences in nerves and neurons that affect social interaction, communication, and behavior characterized by challenges in social skills, repetitive actions, and focus interests. Autism isn't caused by medicine or vaccines. Autism is but autism is caused by genetics. What's happening in the brain? Autistic people are missing missing neurons called symptoatics. These neurons are why it's so easy easy for others to communicate with each other. This is also why some autistic people may struggle to make friends or find romantic relationships. These missing neurons can cause individuals with autism to get even more overwhelmed around the with the

026world around them and have a meltdown. What is a meltdown? Caitlyn Partllo said to think of a meltdown like a cup and water. The cup is your ability and the water is the demands. But everyone's level of abilities changes daytoday due to external factors. And what happens if the water is too much for the cup? It overflows. When the cup is overflows, when the cup overflows, it triggers the amydala, a small almond shaped structure deep inside the brain's temporal lobe, acting as a central hub for processing emotions, especially fear and anger. This can also cause people to relive memories for fight orflight instincts. When people have meltdowns, they may hit themselves, pull their hair, scratch, or they may go non-verbal. This can be their only way to communicate in a situation where they can't control

027their minds or their emotions or their bodies. What is being non-verbal? In the media, we see non-verbal as a lifetime thing, but it doesn't have to be. Being non-verbal means you can't speak. But this can be caused by being overwhelmed, stressed out, or not feeling safe enough to speak. People who are more low functioning are more likely to go non-verbal. But you don't have to be non-verbal for life. You can be non-verbal for an hour, a day, a week, a month, or a year. This is often caused after a meltdown, or during a shutdown. But being non-verbal doesn't mean you can't communicate. You can communicate with a pen and paper, sign language, or a text to speech tablet. There are some autistic people, though, who just don't see the point in speaking, and that's completely

028fine. But you don't act like my little cousin. Of course, I won't act like your little cousin. It's called autism spectrum disorder, not I act like your little cousin disorder. In fact, when I say autism, some people may think smart, trains, boys, or puzzle pieces. These harmful stereotypes are why some people would be diagnosed with something else or be told that they're acting out for attention. But autism is the spectrum. Take me as an example. I'm pretty social. I can easily talk about my emotions. I even volunteer to do my ED talk on stage. But if you also saw me around school, I stomp in place. I wear headphones. And I like to chew on things. This is because I am neurode divergent. But most people wouldn't know because I am what you call high

029functioning. A lot of people think there's only high functioning and low functioning autism. But how about we see it as a color wheel instead of a linear line graph. I heard so much in my life. Oh well, everyone's a little autistic. But if everyone was a little autistic, I wouldn't need my 504 or accommodations. People would put clothes on tags that make me feel itchy or find ways to make lights softer. People would If everyone was a little autistic, I wouldn't be here making the speech. I would immediately know that everyone understands what's happening in my life. Nobody is more autistic than another person. Just like how no color is more or less than another color in the color wheel. Who was the first person to diagnose aut with someone with autism? In 1911, Eduan

030Eugene Beller was coined the first doctor to diagnose an autistic person. But there was also another doctor, Hans Asberger. Sound familiar? Hans was an Austrian medical doctor, an early researcher on autistic kids. What else? What else did he call them? Autistic psychopaths. He also was a Nazi and believed in eugenics. He sent many, if not all the kids he worked with to Third Rights, Child Youth Asian and Sterilation programs. This is where they murdered people with disabilities. Although autistic people weren't the main threat to the Nazis, they were still a threat to the Nazis pure genetic society goal. Osper syndrome was named after Hans. And when people use this syndrome to talk about autism, they are unknowingly calling autistic people worthless to society. If you want to know more about it, read Asberger Children by

031Edith Sheper. While autism can be in anybody, past scientists said that only white males had autism. If you were female, you didn't have autism. And if you were black, you didn't have autism. In fact, white boys are four times more likely to get diagnosed with autism than girls are because the boys fit the stereotypes. But autism doesn't have a would you rather be with this gender or this gender. It can be with anybody. Autism can be hard to find due to what we call masking. Masking is when you try to fit in with others by copying their behaviors so not to be singled out. This can be like how mimicking how others talk, copying TV characters personalities, or rehearsing conversations for the future. Females have been proven to be better at masking as well. But

032there's also some autistic people who don't see the point in masking because people will find out anyways. Masking can be exhausting though, putting causing burnouts and meltdowns a lot. Autism can be still hard to find, but there's signs to look out for to see if someone is autistic, like stmming. Stmming is repetitive movements like hand flapping, rocking, stomping, or bouncing your leg. There are verbal stims, too, like humming, repeating sounds, and muttering. Sensory plays a big part in stmming, too, like twirling your hair, staring at lights, touching different things, and sniffing items. This is a self soothing behavior to release pent up energy. But you want to know something cool? Everybody in the world stems. In school, I watch people shake their legs during work or during or during a test or in an auditorium

033during an uncomfortable subject. According to Seattle's Children Hospital, ticks and stims are almost the same thing with urges and relief after you do something you want to do. In fact, in a bigger crowd, I bet I can find one person stmming in there. If you want to start helping autistic people now, there are multiple different ways, but let's focus on two simple things. One, listen to autistic people. It's so simple. People with autism have been silenced out or misjudged for years. But it's 2026 now. When are we going to see autistic people and not think less of them? Chloe Hayden, an autistic activist, said in her own TEDex talk, "We need to make sure we are seeing bipac autistic people. We need to make sure we are seeing higher supports need autistic people, non-speaking autistic

034people and every other majority of the hex groups of autism of the hex codes of autist autistic people struggle with the education system a lot the education system a lot the past 10 years of the my education system were some of the worst years of my life. But I'm not alone. According to Indiana University, only 74% of autistic students will graduate with a diploma while 80% 86% of neurotypical students will graduate with a diploma. But a sadder fact is that 8% of autistic students will not finish school. This autistic this education system is failing not just autistic students day by day, but also neurotypical students. I had to switch five, not five, I had to switch three different schools and I only had five different teachers in my corner after 10 years. In second grade,

035I wrote in my diary how much I hated going to school due to how much I feared getting bullied by my teachers and peers. To my face, teachers have called me slurs, calling me stupid, slow, and dumb due to me processing situations differently. If you want to help students with autism, you have to listen to them. Listen to teachers who share ideas to them. listen to the all all of the students in general. The second way to help is to accept. The National Institution of Health has stated that 42% of autistic adults have died due to suicide. In 18 have attempted to take their lives but failed. This is the product of bullying. Autistic people can't just change their minds. In fact, only four decades ago, autism was started being called a disability. Four decades.

036That's younger than all of the presence we ever had. But it's an official disability. If you want to read more on it on autism, don't go to an organization like Autism Speaks. Instead, go to an organization like Yellow Ladybug. In the past, Autism Speaks has said that they need to find a cure for autism, saying that autism was a bad thing to have, while Yellow Ladybug has expanded on the fact that autistic people shouldn't hide behind masks. My research has led me to see that neurode divergent doesn't just mean autism and ADHD. It can be depression, anxiety, eating disorders, insomnia, PTSD. The list goes on. This is why we don't feel normal as teenagers. These because these things don't magically go away with the flip switch. Because some of us are born with these things.

037We can't magically grow the things we need like nerves and neurons and be normal. But what we can do is respect each other. Stop laughing when a person is having a meltdown. Stop giggling when someone shouts in the halls. Stop calling people slurs. Stop bullying. Listen to people. It's embarrassingly easy. Thank you for listening to my ED talk. Thank you. And you're right, it really is easy to listen. Thank you for that. Does anybody have any questions or comments they'd like to give? Below, >> how long did you spend preparing for that? Was an excellent presentation. I started two months before the school announced that we were going to be doing ED talks because I was originally going to do my ed talk on diseases, but then I was thinking, why don't I do it

038on autism because of the slurs that have been happening in my school. >> It was an excellent presentation. >> Thank you. >> Can I ask a couple of things? Sure. Thank you for the background on Asperers. I think it's an overused word and not a lot of people know that history. So that was very informative and it's a lot of it takes a lot of bravery to come and stand in front of this group and speak at the mic. So you did an awesome job. Can I ask just for my own learning? You mentioned Caitlyn which is she does a lot of social media post and I follow them and I have thought about using them for instructional kind of videos for some of our staff. Do you find her content to be pretty reliable?

039>> I find her being more open about her autism um than other creators would be. Um, just like how I use Khloe Hayden in my ED talk, she also was awarded the first actor to be super open about their autism. And I just feel like we should have more female representation of autism. >> Thank you. Anybody else? >> Thanks again for coming. would just add an excellent presentation and the slides are better than most of what I see all day in my work. Really engaging, simple. >> Great. Thank you. All right. Next on the agenda >> minutes. >> All right. Can I have a motion for the approval of the minutes from April 21st? >> So move. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? >> Second. Anybody have any corrections or changes from the

040minutes for April 21st? Seeing none, all those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. And can I have a motion to approve the non-public minutes from April 21st? >> Thank you. Second, Ryan. Any changes or corrections to the non-public minutes? Seeing none. All those in favor? I opposed extensions. Passes. Okay. We have the superintendent and administrator's report and I know that you had asked um Dr. Anderson to have Molly move up because she has something that she needs to attend. >> Yes, please. Yep. So, Molly, do you want to talk to us about the manifest in your report and then we'll get into lunch prices and then you'll be able to get out of here. Molly? >> Perfect. Um, so I just have a few manifests that are missing one signature. I can't tell who already

041signed. So, if you just want to pass it and if you haven't signed, you can add yours and pass it back. Um, included in the board pack is a current year financial. There is a substantial amount of expense added from last month, but if you remember, we voted for some um expenditures to be encumbered in our last meeting. So, those were encumbered. Um, we do have some supplies because um right before April vacation, we told everyone that I was shutting them off from buying. So, you'll see the last push for supplies. Um, and we did know everything else that is on here. Did anyone have any questions on the current year financial? >> Um, geez, I just closed it on myself. Jeez. Um, so one one thing that I noticed because I tried to open

042up the um board packet before I come in and sometimes I don't always have my SAU email. Um, I noticed that we don't publish our financial statements on the website. We do our minutes and we do our agendas. Is there any way that we could get these financial statements um put on the the web but also in a worded in a way so people can understand them? So like sometimes I look at the financial and I don't know if you're adding or subtracting something where a number is coming from. Um you'll put like it changed from the prior month because we had additional expenditures but like on this financial statement it doesn't talk about the vote that the board took. and if we could like highlight that that the board voted because that's a $2

043million drop if you were to go from one month to another and there's no context to it. >> Um so I was just wondering if we could have you know something like that. >> Um so that way when people are looking at our financial statements on the web they know more detail about what's going on because right now it doesn't really flow. It's it's for us it's bits of information but I think if out there in the public it's just something that people can't really reference. >> Sure. Um yeah, when we post I can work with our admin assistant to get those posted. >> Okay. And thank you for signing. >> Anybody else have any other questions on finances? Okay. So then we have food service. So thank you. The food service directors met last

044Tuesday to come up with prices. Um we did not increase prices in the exit co-op region last year at all. We remain uh steady. Current prices at CMS for breakfast are $250. At the high school it is $3 for breakfast. For lunch at CMS is $375 and at exit high school it's 385. Recreation uh through the uh paid lunch equity form and calculations. Even though we do have um a a fund balance in in food service, it is it is reducing based on fuel and um food costs. So there is a recommendation to go up 10 cents. CMS breakfast 260. EHS breakfast 310, uh CMS lunch 3.85 and extra high school lunch 3.95. Also, um milk price, our current milk price is 50 cents at both buildings and the recommendation is to go up to

04565 cents. Is there has been a significant increase in milk? Molly, anything you need to add on on the surplus of the fund balance? And >> so, um, food service fund balance if you enter in a positive fund balance is not returned in the tax rate like the general the other part of the the um general fund is. So, on I think it's page three of the financial I'm not sure exactly what page it is in in your board pack um in the PDF, but it we do have a positive fund balance of just over $300,000 and we are still finishing out the year. So, this again is projection. Um but we do see the cost of food increasing. Are you able to use any of that remaining funds on anything for next year? any

046like non-p perishables or anything like that. >> So the food service director does a phenomenal job in managing all of that. Um so we we are projecting it to to kind of chip away at that. And the only two districts that see a positive food service fund balance in the whole SAU are exit and go up. Um, part of it is they share uh food service director, so you share the cost, but also there's a lot of um catering that happens within this district. Not like fancy catering, but like for different events and stuff like that. >> Does anybody else have any questions before I ask? >> Eric, do you have anything? >> Well, I was going to ask, you know, how much is any of it subsidized? Any of the food service subsidized by

047the state? the stake of any money or the federal grants that go towards because that's a pretty low price. >> So, I was just wondering what the breakdown was of >> We do get reimbursement because we're part of the federal fruit lunch program. Y what percentage is that? >> Um I I don't have that off the top of my head. I can I can get you that definitely for June so you'd know that. So, if you want to wait until June, that's fine and I can bring that back to you. >> Okay. >> yeah. Um go ahead, Aaron. >> Oh, you can go. Oh. Um, I would, this was the same conversation we had last year that the request for food service increases came with no backup. So, I'm going to request that we put

048this off until June and have the food service director come and talk to us about her program and why she's asking, what the participation rates are, what the free and reduces, the number of students that qualify, and what the anticipated increase in revenue will be by these increases to food prices. I really just don't want to increase food prices just to increase food prices. we're still making a profit and I want to know why is it 10 cents versus maybe it should have been a nickel or a quarter or something like that. But I would really like to hear from the food service director. >> I'm going to echo what Amy said. We had this conversation last year either our Mayor June meeting and we did not change food prices because we wanted to wait

049for the first for the new food services director to come with the expectation that she was here to talk about her program and her needs. It's disappointing that this is on the agenda and she's not here. So I'll take that. I did not know from the last meeting last year obviously taking over this boards or else I would have had her here. So I will own that and I will make sure that Dalia is here next to answer those questions. >> Okay. So we'll just table that for the next meeting and I am going to >> in that um ask could we also look at what it would look like to reduce food prices or potentially um just have something different as an option? I understand that has other implications, but I just I do

050think it's important um to consider just given the rising cost of everything out there right now. And so um just be curious to see what that looks like or what impact that would have. >> So what specifically would this board want because there is financial um anytime you reduce it with our finan um that would take some time and I don't know how much that would be ready for our June 16 meeting. So, if I get direction from this board what you want to see in that presentation, I can definitely work on it, but I can't guarantee it will be there. So, I'd have to be a number of moving parts to get you as much information as possible. So, I just I don't want to promise anything, but I do want to bring you

051whatever information you want. I think we could start with what Amy asked for and I just be curious for what would the impact be because I do think it's something to increase equity for folks and I just would maybe not for June but just to understand a bit more what the process would be to look at that >> right I mean I don't really understand where the prices and numbers actually come from like what what are they based on so I'd like to see more information >> sure yeah great >> are you curious to know what it would be like to have free lunch for everyone like an exit >> I mean I think that would be that's what it should for everyone everywhere. But I just um like I don't love the idea of

052making money off of lunch at school. I think that just kids should be able to come in without any sort of stigma and have breakfast or lunch or anything. >> So it's part of your ask like to game that out to find out what that would actually cost. >> I think that's like that's a a goal. I don't know how long that is. I don't know if the board supports it or the town supports it, but I think it's something that that can matter to a lot of families and so just be worth investigating. >> I'd be interested to know the data. Yeah, I think um just for from a business administrator standpoint, it's a double-edged sword, it's great to be able to provide that to families, but that means your grant funding will go

053down and potentially go away because grant funding inadequacy are used use your food service for your reduced numbers. Okay? >> So, there's maybe a different way to provide that. Um in Oyster River, if you're a reduced um family, you are free. So, the district picks up the cost of a the difference for a reduced family. So that there are different ways that that can be looked into rather than just free for everybody which then reduces our >> but one of the challenges with that is apparently that not all families that need the help actually ask for it. >> Correct. >> Which is one of the reasons why the exit school district went to all free because you get more kids. >> So I think I I'm not saying we should do it. I'd like to

054know the data. I'd like to know the math. >> Right. So you stigmatize certain kids. Right. >> And just so you know the the cooperative already does exactly what um Amy mentioned. cover the cost of the reduced students. >> Great. Thank you. Um I don't believe there's anything else on the agenda that we need Molly for. Is everybody okay if Molly leaves the meeting early? I just don't want to send her home if anybody has any questions for her. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Good night. >> And Bobby, do you need to go to the awards ceremony? I don't >> Uh yeah, I think that would be >> pretty helpful. >> And Tanya. Yeah. >> Thank you, Bobby. Thanks, Bobby. Thanks. You Okay, next on the agenda, we um already accepted the donation for the

055truck unless there's another donation I don't know about. >> There is. >> Great. Perfect. Um so we have overnight field trip request for SST for 2627. >> In your board packet, you can see the list that I provided. These are the um slate of overnight um activities that we do annually. Um the na I just wanted to say that the national competitions those are if we qualify. So it doesn't mean that we will go but we like to get them approved now because the time between the between when students find out they've qualified and then they have to actually like pay up and and register and do all those things is so short that it doesn't give us time to come to the board after they qualify. So, I like to pre-approve them now so

056you know if we do qualify and we are able to have a chaperone and all of that go that we're ready to go. So, um but the state competitions are generally um we always go to those um and there's a couple that are that are overnight in New Hampshire. >> I don't know if you have any other questions but >> would would you walk us through how that what the chapron and all are all the adults are all cleared child safe and all that stuff? Yeah, generally there's school employees. It's generally the teacher and then if there is if there we like to send especially if we're going out of state, we like to send a second chaperone. Um and they're usually just um folks that work at SST. >> Is are there any exceptions

057that you say usually? So is that always? >> We have we have had in the past somebody who's you know folks who have come in and been fingerprinted so that they can that they can attend as chaperones for some of these parents and things like that. Yeah. You get them cleared first and all. >> Absolutely. Yep. Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> All right. Any other questions? All right. Do we have a motion to approve the overnight field trip request for SST? >> We'll take Eric and Neil as a first and a second. All those in favor? >> All right. Unanimous. Thank you. >> Okay, Chris. Next is your general asurances. >> Yeah, the general assurances are sitting here for when Melissa shows up. If not, then we'll have to have her come and sign. But at

058any board meeting, these are just that any federal monies we get that will follow the uh policies and procedures to use those monies accordingly. We'll have uh uh proper accounting and that the the money that is dedicated to those grants will be used as activities as we put forth. So, it's just signing off that we'll use that uh under the guidance of the superintendent and that the board chair for each district. So, has to be discussed at a public meeting and also signed at the public meeting. Uh if Melissa does not hear, I will connect with her to sign off on those general asurances. Any questions about the general assurances? >> Are there any uh clauses in these? Like >> there's no clauses in these like last year. So these are back to what we

059had in the 2425. >> Thank you. >> You got it. >> Do you want us to give a motion or just the discussion is good for you? >> We do not need a motion on those general assurances. We just need to talk about it in publicly. >> All right. >> Thank you. Next, your amicus brief. >> Yep. So, provided you with with the the most updated draft and then how we would support that um for the impact that it would have um by signing on to the amicus brief obviously with the chief equity officer. That's everything that she does and and it's supporting the work that our teachers does. That's why the NEA is uh is attached to this amicus brief with the ACLU. Uh also um we have clubs that would be affected. Roots

060and Wings, which is a prominent club that works with with uh uh equity and diversity uh throughout our schools. Um the our entire equity and belonging website, you know, talks about all the work that we do in regards to equity and belonging in in the school, which would directly be impacted by the amicus brief. And then at the state level, um we are a school that that works through an MTSS, multi-tered system support for both academics and behavior. the state site for MTSSB, you know, um talks about universal uh good and needs for all students and and uh providing equity for all students. So, that would be another argument that we we have asked the lawyer to put in. I don't have the final copy, but I have an email out to have something in

061front of all of you to see the final copy um hopefully by this Friday um because the amicus brief is due to uh be heard uh in court on the 22nd. So it's your decision whether this board wants to join that and support um you know the teachers association and the ACLU um as we had talked about in previous meetings. Any questions? One here was just around did you receive any other messages like the one that we heard from I think it was Peggy, one of the constituents. Any other messages like that that you saw about >> I have not received any other uh correspondents from any residents in any any towns. Is this outline the same outline that the other organizations have? Right. >> Yeah. >> So, um, say three things basically. Last night

062when Arlland Petta gave her presentation on what she's accomplished this year. I think she identified concrete examples of identifying discriminatory acts, redressing those, working to stop those at younger ages. So I think there's concrete things you see being done. I think that's worth protecting. Second, regardless of where you fall on the underlying politics of the what is now RSA 18671-77, it's vague. It is really hard to interpret. And the third piece is RSA 18677 says that the commissioner of the department of ed um finds that a school is not in compliance with the subdivision and again it's vague so you don't know whether you're in compliance or not. The treasurer shall halt all forms of public funding to the school. So, I view um this lawsuit as an effort to preserve state funding for the

063schools in the face of uh challenges to to really undefined undefinable conduct. Um, and so it's, you know, we still have just an outline, not a a full-on brief, but I support the the thrust of the lawsuit and the thrust of the brief from simply a a selfish economic perspective. >> Anybody else have any? >> I I support this strongly and and happy to make a motion. >> All right. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Cameron second. Any other discussion? I agree. I think that this is this goes beyond just you know um what Ireland does is amazing and even what Willow came it you know it also helps with what the students are going through and what the students are looking to achieve in their education um and it does dovetail into

064you know that whether or not we have a commissioner of education or somebody up in conquer that which way you know the wind is blowing on whether or not they're going to be able to say oh this is my interpretation and now you've lost your your funding you're not following my rules which nobody knows what those rules are and I think that this goes a long way to help everybody else in the state as well just like Brian had said for adequacy. It shouldn't be that you just get to wave your wand and then you know people lose their funding. So >> So the motion should be what? It should be to approve >> jo uh joining amicus >> amicus brief and then the associated cost um with that. So that's my motion. Which >>

065again? >> Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> Uh just a question if we know how many other school districts not outside of SAU 16 because we know others are still voting that are joining this or do we not know that? >> I do not know other districts that are joining on as a as a brief. >> Okay. >> Will the um the I think you had some addendums or something in the email you sent us. Will those be added in or built in? Correct. I like those pieces, too. So, >> so that's what I'm waiting for is that final draft with those points being added in to support the work we do here in SA 16. >> That's great. Thank you. >> So, we should vote. >> All right. All those in favor? Motion

066carries. >> Thank you so much for that. >> All right. Chris, facilities report. >> Yeah. So, a lot going on with facilities. Um, so let's start with the Morgan Center. Um, you know, I don't know if we want Frank O'Neal doing our uh safety checks anymore because every time he does it, he finds a leak. Um, so he's either really really good at his job or we are cursed by Frank O'Neal. But either way, uh, we get through it. Um, so Frank walking through on Sunday afternoon about 4:00 doing a safety check, walked downstairs and there was water coming out of the ceiling. I sent you all a picture. You saw the pipe which had had broken and then it got replaced. So the team was quick to to get it fixed by 6:00 the

067next morning. Um, in the meantime, we've had Elite Restoration who's been in, they've been spraying and disinfecting much like we did in COVID. So, you remember the sprayers we'd come in to uh disinfect both our surfaces, our carpet and air. That is happening currently. Um, and we have dehumidifiers that are sucking up and and trying to get the moisture out of the carpet, out of the uh any of the walls that we have. Um, luckily, as you get into the cafeteria on the back side of the Morgan Center, those are all concrete walls, so that is not impacted. And then it continued flooding into the older portion of of what was extra high school and where they had the locker rooms uh for when they played athletics at the field right behind there. So all

068of that water has been removed and they're continuing to restore those areas. Uh there's some storage that had happened that that I think could have been thrown away years ago but now will be thrown away. So that is the one blessing. Um one things they still need to do is when you when you walk in their Morgan center if you've been in there you remember you go down the stairs and we used to have uh it used to be there. They moved upstairs to SST a couple months ago, so thank God they did, or else we would have lost a lot of equipment in there. Um, the only thing that we need to do is look at they need to open up some walls to see how far the water trapped inside and went up.

069So, they'll be looking at that and give us recommendations throughout the week. Um, but overall, um, you know, it's something we did communicate with our insurance company and we'll continue to get moisture readings and, uh, humidity, relative humidity readings to hopefully keep, uh, bacteria and mold from growing in there. So, we may need to do a a carpet replacement, but again, we're also doing that facility study. So, it might be something that, you know, we we piece together, not put a lot of money in where those are not being used other than the Morgan Center. And as you know, right now, the uh GBEX uses that cafeteria will not be in there as a start of next year. So, we'll have some bring back to you in June some ideas, possibilities of what we want

070to move forward with with that space. Um the gym floor, um you know, they're starting the restoration on that. again that leak it it it uh trapped and went uh throughout the the gym. Luckily did not take down the whole gym. Um they were able to save portions of that gym. Uh Mr. Beerto was great working with the PE department so that we could get in there at the end of April break and then they'll we continue to work. We'll have what will look like a brand new gym floor at CMS by the start of school year. So thank you for the team working on that. >> Can I ask a question about that? >> Yeah. >> I believe there's at least one camp. What else is in there over the summer that might be

071displaced because of the floor? >> Um, it's all able to be worked around, but we don't use the gym a lot in the summers. Um, get some outside in there. So, um, >> it's it's summertime's easy to work around. >> Great. Thanks. >> And then finally, um, you tal we talked about the capacity report last night. So, you'll get that in June. You get a full report of our capacity. That's the one that takes a little bit of time because of the number of rooms and u for here SST and at CMS and then adult ed is part of our our our tuck campus. So we do not have to do adult ed because it's not part of the public schools. Uh so that will be uh be taken off but we will identify some

072spaces in there how we use it um because they are cross referenced with some of our high school classes. So we will we'll talk about that in the report. Uh and then finally, Amy's been a great support. Um as we went through the RFP request for proposals for our um HVAC controls, we had three vendors that showed up for the walkth through. Uh two ended up submitting in proposals, and the proposal that we'd like to get a um uh recommendation to go with would be um Control Technologies uh Industries. uh their proposal uh came in about um $800,000 less than uh Seaman's control and they're non-proprietary which means that we can have other companies rather than Seaman's work on their systems. Um also Seaman's proposal came in later than the deadline um allowed for. So

073uh Amy worked with Mr. Sans and his teams uh through the walkth through uh and feel that very confident that the work that they put in their their proposal will meet the needs of the project uh for those controls. And again that's something and as we know with facilities as we talked about with leaks you you are always uh you are always at the burden uh if if your building ages and you do not do something with it. So being proactive with our control system as it controls everything that we do uh with with air flow in this building is is really important. Amy, anything else you want to add through that proposal? >> No, I think um like I said, we we looked at everything and we feel comfortable with the vendor. Um we

074did look at whether or not we would allow Seaman, you know, wave the the fact that it came in late, but the the fact that it's proprietary really it makes it difficult to work with going forward in the future. Um and we really want to make it that it's user friendly for our facilities. So that's all I have and I just if everyone is comfortable with the motion to accept the RFP proposal for um control technologies, we will let them know that they've award been awarded the bid tomorrow. >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you, Amy. >> RFP for control technology. >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Aaron. >> All those in favor? >> She's back. >> Right. proceed to close public input. >> Okay. 653 will close public input. >> All right. 5.7

075hiring update. >> Yes. So really excited. I got to meet three fantastic um employees that are coming in. You saw their resumes in in our packet. Um you saw um Kira Rogers who is a speech and language pathologist. Abby Dunigan who's special education and Dave McKenzie who is our SST uh electric teacher. So Dave comes to us from Dover. He started the program over there is very excited about the space and starting here. Abby um has worked here started as a parent professional here is coming back as a case manager. Uh and then Kira she actually work has kids in our district um working in a near nearby. So again, I think three fantastic hires. Um so though I would um look for a motion to accept the nominations of the three individuals that were

076in your packet. >> Motion to accept. >> Thank you, Cameron. >> Second. Second. >> All right. All those in favor. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> And then I assume you're just looking for a motion to hire certified staff over the summer. >> I am. But we have one one other staff announcement. We do have a resignation letter that Heather has with her. Um, this one's a tough one, but um it is um the um we have a letter from uh Brian Sans, our director of facilities. He's been offered the similar position at his hometown. He travels about an hour to an hour and 10 minutes each day. Um he has two small children. Both will be entering their elementary school and to get those two to two and a half hours back every

077day is important to him. Um he said it would not be any other school that he would go to if it wasn't his hometown. Um, so he handed this in hastily this u this past week, but um we understand the reason and the rationale um and really uh support the work he's been doing. He's been really preparing us to get in in a good direction with with our how all of our systems work throughout all of our schools. Um and so a lot of things that he put in place whoever we do hire um and we'd like to start that process immediately uh due to the timing um would would be something that we'll start out talking with Brian will also and I've also talked to the superintendent that we will have some transition time

078over the summer because we do have some projects that are going to be starting that I want Brian to be able to see forth and hand off. So we've had some discussions about what that transition would look like uh that we'd have Brian on staff here uh until till they're started their school year. Um, so we have some we have some flexibility on what that would look like. >> All right. So, we be looking for a motion to accept his resignation. >> Yes. >> Make a motion, >> Cameron. Thank you. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor. >> All right. >> Yes. And then the last one, since we don't meet again until June 16th, and we do have some hiring that's going to be happening, um asking the board if they would

079give me the ability to hire staff uh from this date until our our um September or August board meeting. We have some APs that we are doing uh final interviews on on Friday and I don't want to lose a couple of them as that is part of the process and we do have some shifting of teachers that are really important. one for SST that I meet with next week um in our health science program and health science uh teachers are really difficult to find. So if you are comfortable, we'll follow the same process that we would have. I will bring those names to you in June so you hear it. But same practice that we won't bring anybody until we've done a full vetting checking their references. Um having them meet with multiple groups. Uh

080most of our interviews go through at least two if not three interviews uh with multiple stakeholders and then I am the final interview oftentimes with with Heather or the superintendent designate. U but for its co-op that would just be Heather and I meeting with them for the final candidacy. I'll make a motion for the board to authorize >> superintendent for retire. Thank you. All those in favor. >> Thank you very much. >> We did financial report because Molly needed >> Okay, great. All right. Uh chair report. So I just have um All right. So we do have we have somebody attending each one of the graduations. Do you guys want me to reach out with who's attending or do you already know who's attending? >> I'd actually love that. Okay. Because I forgot I didn't

081I I again I never bring a pen. I'm so sorry. >> That's good. So, I will send you guys emails with who is attending so that you you know who's attending. >> Um and um if anybody else wants to add any others or um >> just feel free to let me know. >> Do we have coverage for each for all of We have coverage for lots of coverage for the high school and coverage for great bay adult ed and SST. >> Can you send us the like the details of the date? >> The date and the time. >> I was going to say the adult at graduation is >> it's here. >> Okay, great. >> I'll see you. >> I'll be there. I'll see you. Yes, >> that one's June 10th. >> Yeah. >> 6

082p.m. All right. Uh committee reports. Um, so yeah, we don't uh Cameron, do you have an update on the superintendent evaluation? I know we kind of we did this last night, so >> I don't have any update. Um, I did ask Tim to have maybe added to the meetings going forward and everything. Um, but haven't heard from Bill, so >> Okay. >> Not sure. >> Has anybody had a conversation since last last evening about this? >> Okay. Um, because we did not at the meeting last night approve compensation. >> Correct. I said CBL. talked to Patrick today. >> Yep. You guys were trying to schedule. >> I was driving home texting Patrick. I was like, >> so he called me and said, "Chris, I'm sorry." Um, and we didn't uh we need to get a

083meeting. So, I put that out and it look I've got a lot of responses. So, it's looking right now like the 16th before our meeting. We could have that public hearing. That was what it looks right now. But I still need about >> 12 more responses. So, I know that we have a quorum for all boards per policy. >> Okay. No other update there though. Uh policy, right? >> Um yeah, so there are four policies. They start at page 67 of tonight's board materials. Our uh policy committee was policy last policy committee meeting was about the same time as this board met. So it was a long time ago. Uh there are all revisions of existing policies. So nothing significant. The biggest changes are to JICJ which is the first one listed. Um this is

084the new policy on personal devices in the school. We updated some language about uh recording devices because you don't want people having recording devices in schools. So we updated the language there. Uh we talked a lot about wearables. So you know some things what record steps or that do more those can be distracting. Um but no changes related to those. We'll wait and see how that pans out over the next month of school and um any further guidance. Um the other policies relatively minor changes to update according to law. Um and then the JLCJ one is to add um some CPR training for school sponsored sports activities again uh to be consistent with law. So um there are some policies to be removed. Those are for stratum only. So we don't have to address those.

085So, it would just be a motion to accept the amendments to the four policies listed on the agenda. >> Thank you. Also mentioned last night an AI policy. Is that to come? >> We're going to talk about that tomorrow night. >> Oh, cool. >> So, um or not tomorrow night, Thursday night. So, the next policy committee meeting is this Thursday. Um I don't remember what's on that except for the AI thing that jumped out. And so, we'll talk about those on June 16th. >> Thank you. >> All right. I'll make a motion. >> Make a motion. Thank you, Tammy. Second. >> Second. Thank you, Cameron. All right. All those in favor. >> SST governing board. >> We met yesterday. Um and the meetings always start with uh a student who comes to speak to us

086about their program and their experience and we had a 11th grader from Exter High School. Um Candace Bulgrret um very impressive young lady. She has done uh the biomedical science program and she's finished the second year and she's only a I mean a junior. So she's got all next year to be back here at the high school taking AP classes and she already has 19 high school or college credits in her taken care of already by the time she starts. So that was very nice to listen to. Um we talked about they did a comprehensive needs assessment and uh generally the the results of that were very positive and this was um based on responses from parents and students. Um we had an enrollment update. So currently they're at somewhere between 7:30 and 7:35. Um

087and that's up a little bit but up because of the electrical program. Um which is should be 54 additional students. Um they have talked about the electrical teacher that that we approved tonight. Um oh we talked about the calendar. You already we talked about that last night. And then one thing um so Thursday night at 10 o'clock the uh it was a a law was passed about um educational funding accounts. So those students are now they didn't expect this to be brought up again but it was and it passed. And so what it means is that students who have an educational funding account can have access to like extracurriculars and also to attend SST. But the um the bad part of that for those of us who are taxpayers um we will have the sending

088district will have to pay for that student and not get any reimbursement from the state because they already got that money through their education funding account which is disappointing. So they're trying to figure out how to handle that. Um and then we just talked about ideas for next year. Um, and then their scholarship award ceremony is on the 21st of May at 4:30. The certificate ceremony is on the 28th at 4:30 and last day of classes is 11th of June. >> Any questions? >> What's the build number that was passed? >> It was Did I write that down? >> Do you have that? >> I do. Please hold. HB1817. I did write it down. >> Okay. >> Do I have it right that that's what it's saying is that anybody who can access those funding

089accounts can use the money to go to SST from wherever they are, >> but they're not paying you that money, right? >> Uh so currently um so this bill has been passed in both the House and the and the Senate. It's sitting on the governor's desk right now with anticipation that it will get signed. Um, currently the p the practice would be that the family could use their EFA funds to pay the tuition for a career and technical program. this bill changes it so that they don't have to pay. So that it would just be part of something that they have access to and that the sending district or receiving district um would have to pay for any um of those tuitions without getting any adequacy money back or um state reimbursement um from the

090Bureau of Career Development which we we get um I don't know it's it's between you know it's it's almost a million dollars that we get in reimbursement money for the CTE programs that we offer here. though, but we wouldn't get them that money for any of those students. So, it it's kind of a double whammy. Is there anything in the in the RSA that says that acceptance to SST is blind to knowing the conditions of the student? Um, I don't think it the the wording is explicit, but it is with with CTE in general. It it says that it that all of those students should have access. So, I would say equal access to CTE programs just like a a homeschool student does or a charter school student or Yeah. >> But we did put

091it on the application. So, now they have to identify if they are getting EFA funds. It shouldn't be a discriminatory factor for them not to get acceptance. But now we will have that marker because we have had students that have not disclosed that previously. >> All right, move on to safety and security. >> We had a meeting. Um, we met last week. We had a very different meeting than I've seen in my several years on this committee. We went through a tabletop activity. Um I think it was watered down from what they're actually done in in actuality with the schools, but it was interesting to see the thought process and the exercise. Um Eric and I sat at a table with exit fire, exit police, China navy, um and talked out a couple different scenarios.

092It's very interesting. >> I learned a lot. There's a lot of perspectives that I didn't have until I spoke with the fire chief, some of the folks from the fire police. It was great. Also, uh, this guy, Steve, um, Cooper, is that his name? Right. Yep. >> Yeah. He's the new director. >> Yes. >> He just started, I believe, recently. >> Couple months ago. He's his been with state police for 25 years. Correct. >> And he was with Manchester, correct? As his safety director prior to taking this position. >> Correct. Right. >> He took over for Bridge King. >> Yeah. >> Of course, I go to safety meetings and there's no tabletop exercise. I get off the committee and you have a chief. >> I see. Yes. >> All right. Do we have any new

093business? >> I wanted to bring up a conversation. Um I've noticed a trend in the last year or so that we are not having representatives of departments coming to meetings or representatives of areas, facilities, food services to come and speak. Um last meeting when we spoke about $2 million that we on the spot were encouraged to make decisions about um I believe after that me after that meeting it felt like our facilities person should have been here tonight our food services person should have been here. Um, I think that this is a casualty of us getting rid of a lot of committees. For those of you that haven't been around the co-op, it used to be that we had a facilities and buildings committee. We used to have a curriculum committee. We would meet um

094either as necessary or we would meet scheduled at 5:00, 5:30 or after our board meetings and we would have committee meetings and then come to the meetings and report out on things that we discussed in those committees. Um, and I believe one of the concerns of getting rid of the committees was are we going to get all that information that we would have got previously in our board meetings or are we actually going to end up losing out on some of that information because it doesn't make it to the board. And I believe we are seeing information not getting to the board because we've gotten rid of those committees. I don't want to add more meetings to anybody's lives, but I do feel like we're missing information by getting rid of some of those committees.

095>> Well, case in point, I I was talking about these the lunches and the breakfast. >> I mean, I'm new to the committee. I I have no idea, you know, how those prices are arrived at or why there's an increase or decrease. So, if the food director had been here, you know, maybe she could have provided the information. >> It also helps to make us more efficient, >> right? Yeah. Um in similarly last week it our last meeting. It would have been great to have Brian here before the meeting or in a committee or here to answer some questions because that was a lot of money to ask us to spend and to say and we need it done at this meeting because the June meeting is too late because that only leaves two weeks

096left in the financial calendar. Um so I don't know if anybody else feels similarly to I do if we should think about it for a meeting and come back to it as old business next time. Um but I do think that um there are a few things a few topics that I think would be have value in going through committee the new report cards. I think that we got rid of the curriculum committee and the report card committee would that the report card committee that you formed. I believe that in the past when we had the curriculum committee that would have come to the curriculum committee on its way through the process not just at final presentation. um facilities committee. >> You know, you have a sense if um the like the directors of these

097different departments would prefer to come here and present or be part of a committee. Do you have a sense of whether like which one? >> I think that's um the decision of the board, not the decision of the stakeholder at that point. >> But I also don't know if I remember all of the committees that we used to have curriculum, facilities, >> finance too, >> finance, >> policy still stands. Yeah, >> because we had the co-op committees and then we had the SAU committees. >> No, I think I think you're right. I think it's a good idea that I mean I think meeting department heads, getting more information can only be good and it's more transparency. I don't think it's, you know, it's not intentional. I think it's just the way things evolve. >> Exactly.

098And I do want to be transparent. I was supportive of getting rid of the committees because it felt to me like there were conversations happening in the buildings committee that the entire board should hear. But I think the value in having a buildings committee is vetting some of the information before it gets to the board and then the board still hears the information but it's almost gone through a first pass similar to how sometimes policies go through a first pass and we come back to them. >> I have to say the same thing with finance like looking at the financial statements I really because it's what I do and I used to be Molly. I mean we I had finance committee before the board meeting and then the person then we would report out. I

099just feel like the information is not there and it's such a hot topic right now with what are we spending money on, how much money we have left over and I think there just has to be more communication coming out of me out of that committee rather than not necessarily having it in the backup because that's the other thing that I'm I'm finding is that the backup's not there. I go to the board report, I I see the principal's report, I read what what the principles say, I see everybody's stuff, but then I get to finance and there's no backup. And for, you know, another example was doing the the increase to food service prices. there was nothing in there for me to look at. I had to wait till I got here to ask

100for it and I asked for it last year from Molly and it, you know, it should have been here this time. Um, and I just think that if that had gone through finance, finance could have answered like Cameron's question like, hey, what happens if this happens or, you know, what's the impact on adequacy that would have come out of finance and it would have been reported to the full board is more offormational rather than if you knew to ask the question because I feel like some people it's not what you do. you don't know to ask the question and you know I just I just think that that would help us be more transparent to our communities and I would really like to see it kind of dovetail onto so we can bring it back

101is our agendas are not up on I mean the agenda is there but the backup's not there so we're talking about things in a vacuum the people who are watching us have no idea what we're talking about you know you guys do great reports I love it I see what's going on at SST and at Delta Ed and all that that's wonderful but nobody sees those reports because they don't get put up on the web and I just think that that's something else that we need to is I think the committees would be great and just get the information out there for for for the community. >> When do you think the best time to put the board packet on is before we've met when we post the agenda or after we've met with the

102notes uh with the meeting minutes? >> I think it should go ahead of time so that way people can say I want to come to that meeting and I want to talk to you about that item that I read in you know Dr. Carr's report about SSC. I really want to know what's going on about that program or you got a donation of a car. What does that mean? may, you know, people may want to come for that. Um, obviously it wouldn't be anything that's nonpublic or something like that. And then if something gets changed or tabled or moved, then we just do the revised or and handouts. Um, you know, when Molly gives us a handout, that's a public information and that should be put up on the web so people have what she

103handed out so people see what we see. >> I agree. I think the packet should be posted with the agenda. >> Kind of along the same lines as what we're saying about how information is shared. Um, this is not our board, but the joint board. We always get the legislative update and she rattles off numbers and those of us who are filing kind of know what she's talking about, but it we get a lot of grief at budget time. The community, the taxpayers don't want the prices to go up. And really, if they come and vote against the budget, it's kind of like, you know, closing the barn door after the horse got out. the the money that we have to spend often gets determined at the state house. And so maybe if the legislative

104report could be a little more explanatory, not so much to us, but to whoever's watching the meeting, and I don't know if this is the right way to bring it up because they don't come here, but I was thinking that last night after the meeting. >> I say two things. One, in the legislative report, it can be hard to keep up. >> Mhm. you know, especially for like February, April, March meetings, those things can change. Like you went to a meeting last weekend and Thursday night at 10 p.m. that bill 1817 was passed. So >> I I I think we do get emails from the New Hampshire School Board Association that tries to educate us on those things. We um but that doesn't help the public >> the public. Um, so I think there's a

105challenge there. And then I'm open to the committee ID. I'm just worried about sort of committee >> fatigue. Like I have, >> right? >> Yeah. >> I was here last night. I have a meeting on Thursday night for policy committee. So um, and that's on top of the other things that I'm sure all of us are doing. So is there a way that it's just ensuring that the right people are here um, rather than the committee? But I understand what you're saying from the the value of that committee vetting process, but I just want to be respectful of people's time at the same time. >> Yeah, I have the same reservations, but um I think it's been two years since we did away with committees and I really feel like this has been a test

106drive that hasn't gone well. And do you think if we they made a more more of an effort to make sure like the food service person was here tonight that >> I think in the case of food services possibly but like if Cameron's question had come up the committee could have worked it out and and brought it to back to the board in a more efficient way. So it's almost like we need to get take a step back reestablished committees become more efficient and move forward. but also um the curriculum committee for example um I I don't think there's a way to do that if what I'm envisioning is looping in the report card committee. I don't think there's a way to do that in a board meeting and not in a committee. Um I

107I know that Drew is having a group a large group work and I do really feel strongly that there should be co-op representation on that board. Um, and the only way I can think of it as being a good way to do it is a curriculum committee. But I do not have the answers to everything. I just think that we're missing information because of what we've taken away. >> Yeah. I think the finance committee should have seen the list of requests. >> Yeah. >> You know that like I said, it was a really big list of requests and I mean even I was like I don't want to approve everything. Why does it have to be right now? But there's no context because there was nobody there. if Brian had come or the principles had

108come with their with their request, it could have been vetted through finance and it probably would have m much smoother, you know, process going through rather than well, I'll make a motion for this but not this, but how about this? And it just seemed like we didn't know which in a way we kind of didn't know what the request and and it just showed up in our board packet. So, I I I advocate for the finance committee. Maybe the curriculum committee is something that comes and goes as processes are happening. The same thing with build building without having a facilities director. We're going to, you know, need to have some conversations with central office administration and what's going to be happening over the summer. >> I I support the idea. I mean, I think especially

109if we do more of like an as needed sort of we really lean into that with some of the committees. I think it can provide more context for things. Certainly for me, a lot of times I don't know a lot about what I'm reading until I get here and hear more discussion. So that could be an area to get more context and have more conversation to bring things up at the board. Um I mean um yeah I think that could be reasonable especially if there we if we have the flexibility to say this maybe committee will meet you know a couple times a year or something if it's needed or or if it's more of a monthly thing. Um I think it could be worth bringing. >> Yeah. And I think we have a ton

110of flexibility on that on that end. Yeah, >> committees can meet as they need to, as frequently as they need to. >> Finance and facilities used to meet a half hour before the co-op board meeting. So, it was one way that it wasn't an extra night out. You came a half hour before we met in the library and then we came in and reported it out. >> Is that when board meetings were at 7 though pre-COVID? >> No, I don't think so. >> I've never seen them before a half hour. eight years here there was always and again they have been for two years but they were on a separate night and as the director of curriculum instruction I had to go and present at those. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So that was another night

111meeting out for me. Um >> but we we'll do whatever. I I think I'm hearing that you you need more information on on really um large topics and I think that's great that the board is as informed as possible. That's our job. Um I think that I can do a better job of of hot topics of getting the directors here that is by their directors. Um, but I I do think with the facilities committee, if we're doing that study, there going to be a lot of things that we'll be going through. I think that's something that's going to be needed. Finance, I think we could work that maybe before the meeting if there's hot topics so that it's not an extra meeting out. Um, but with and with the um curriculum, I think there's going

112to be a lot that that Tanya is working through with her team about some changes to leveling and to looking at class structure that a board member would want to hear those conversations. So, I think it's it's really important that you are able to speak to our residents about what some of those changes are like in June when we bring you the you know the uh middle school final changes for that report card. Um so, we need to do that and we've been doing that with our elementary boards first and then you'll get the CMS one because it fits right into that. So, I I'm open to that. I think that's a great suggestion, Erin. I I want you to have as much information as possible. I try to give it to you but obviously

113I'm not in those touch points and it would be better to hear from the directors as it is much better to hear what's happening in the schools from our principles than it is from me. >> So I just need direction on how would you like me to go? >> So I think we can do both things. I think we can bring more directors to meetings. Y >> and maybe we need to add some committees whether they're ad hoc or regularly scheduled. Don't think Amy wants finance. >> I would really like finance scheduled before the the board meeting. I just really I feel that it's it's really important and I think that you know it's a meeting Molly can run. It's not necessarily that you know the superintendent or um or even Michelle but I think

114if they come and then they bring those people that may need to come whether it's facilities director or something else that's going on. So like two board members and um obviously it's open to the public but you know that way at least we have two people hearing what has to be said before the meeting. I think that then it will help with also Molly's presentation of what's going on and it'll just inform >> be interested in uh curriculum if there's any like if if we restart that committee I'd certainly be interested in sitting. So I if hearing we would want to reform all three committees facilities >> I'm sorry >> curriculum but more finance >> that's all right we have we have people that are not are not on a committee so it's not I

115don't >> I'll volunteer myself for finance so >> okay um let's make a motion first to to form those three committees someone want to make that motion >> I'll make a motion to form curriculum facilities and finance committees >> second any other discussion Good thing is if it doesn't work out, always get done that before. >> Yeah. All right. All those in favor? >> Got it. >> All right. So, um we'll be looking to add one. We can add two to any of the committees as well. So, Cameron, you're interested in curriculum? >> Yeah. >> Yep. Is anyone else interested in curriculum? I'm interested in curriculum. Okay. We can't. Well, two choose and not and finance. We know Amy's interested in finance. >> Is anybody else interested in finance? >> All right. >> Oh, O'Brien.

116All right. >> Policy's long enough. I >> Yeah, >> I know. >> All right. And then facilities. >> I'm happy to do facilities if no one else is interested. I don't currently have a committee. I like facilities. >> There you go. >> I like facilities too, but if it's going at the finance, I won't be able to make it. >> Okay. Yep. If it's before the meeting before the meeting. >> Can I also bring to the board in June maybe a uh rationale and our policy when we do advisory or junk committees. It talks about rationale, purpose of the committees, timeline. So, just like to follow that policy and I'll bring you a write up of what the purpose of each of these committees would be. So, we can formalize that. Yes, this is right.

117It'll make some minutes. So, I'll get that to you. >> Okay, great. That's good. >> Can we talk about the logistics of that? Um, do we start earlier or push off the start time of board meetings? >> I think you're going to have to do maybe you're going to have to figure out when those are going to happen. I'm going to need to be at a couple of them and I can't. >> Right. Can't be everywhere. >> Yep. >> You haven't figured out. >> So, if we do finance and facilities before and then curriculum is probably separate. >> Yeah. Right. >> Curriculum because when it when it meets will be separate how it used to be. facilities probably will be different too Melissa not to add another meeting but when we're meeting with >> doing

118the facility study we want you to be part of that so um >> and then the last thing I heard from is to post um the packet with the agenda before meetings >> I will just be more cognizant of things that might be only board purview of not putting that in we give you that perview >> and and especially if something's to be voted on like that backup in there like for example the food service prices and then do the meeting minutes go in as um unapproved or not in there until they're >> they go as drafted. >> Yeah. >> Yep. So they're always drafted until you're next. >> Right. I know they are for our packet. I mean when they're posted for the public. Would those be in there? >> Yep. >> As drafts.

119Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay. Thank you for that guidance and clearance. Appreciate it. >> Any other new business? >> Old business. >> It's new business and old business where you just kind of like Erin had an idea. Do you have to do any discussion beforehand? >> No, you could bring up anything new that you'd want to discuss or anything in something we've talked about prior. >> Okay. >> And then if we need to go back to committee talk next time, we would do it under old business. >> That's good. >> Um, any need for a non-public? >> I don't have anything. Heather, do you have anything? >> We've given you a lot of nonpublic this year, right? Very good. >> When you see it in the background, you never know. >> All right. So, our

120next meeting is June 16th at 6 PM. Take a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Thank you. Those in favor