Stratham School Board Meeting 04/15/26

001All right. Good evening. We'll call the meeting to order at 6:01. And we'll start with uh pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Great. And uh I think we're going to start the meeting with a student um council report. >> Oakley and Bennett, do you guys want to come up together or do you want to do it separate? >> Want to come up together and you can just hand the paper over? Awesome. >> Hello, we are Bennett Pennington representing 4D or 4W, sorry, and Oakley Holton representing 5L. April is a month full of activities for the whole school such as Earth Day, the Lorax play, and

002the staff versus fifth grade basketball game, which happened on the 3rd. SMS just welcomed 30 new sports items for the students um for the students to use during breaks, recess, and outdoor time. We are excited to observe that the equipment has received was received with enthusiasm and respect. The students of SMS have used the gear non-stop and hope to to help the equipment last until the end of the year. The student council team has educated the kids on ways to keep the equipment in good shape and everyone has vowed to keep the equipment usable and fun for the rest of the year. The staff versus students basketball game was on the third and was filled with familyfriendly fun. Kids and adults of all ages immensely joined joined the event the event. There was food and

003entertainment that helped to make the game as interesting as possible every moment of the game. Although not everyone could win, the students and staff all came out feeling like winners. At breaks in the game, there was a halftime event in which fake ducks were thrown at large targets, which was fun for everyone. The Lorax play will be on Friday the 24th at 2:00. You're welcome to watch the play if you are interested. We have 14 members in the cast and seven people on in the stage crew. 80 people throughout the whole fourth and fifth grade tried out. This is our third consecutive year doing this play. Earth Day is coming up on the 24th which means a day full of activities for SMS. We have Miles for Maple coming to our school to teach us

004all about how maple syrup is made. Subaru will will be coming in with an electric car and teaching us all about how it works. Castella will also be coming to talk about us about waste management management. Someone called a paper maker will be coming to teach how to make paper from scratch. The whole the schoolwide cleanup is will also be on Earth Day in which each class in the entire school is assigned one big area. Multiple classes may be assigned to one spot if there's a lot of trash in that one spot and the whole class will work together to to clean as much trash as they can. Earth Day for SMS will be very exciting and fun for everyone. >> Great. >> Wow, there's a lot of stuff in there. Um, so I did

005ask Oakley and he said he's willing to answer any questions. Does anybody have any questions on the report? I I actually do have a question. Um I have to say that basketball game was the closest I've seen fifth graders get to the teachers. It was very impressive. >> Very impressive. >> It was like I was like on the edge of my seat. >> It was like so intense. >> I like how you described it. Um has the fourth grade considered perhaps um practicing starting practicing right now? >> Well, then >> um watch your words >> like the B like for basketball >> for the next game for the next teachers. Um, I think we are probably going to start practicing like >> I feel like I don't know if we're practicing like at the school,

006but we're probably going to practice like we're probably going to >> recess. >> Yeah, like recess outside. >> They're outside. I think that's great basketball every day. >> Yeah, that was super fun. Very fun. Bennett's got a great outside shot. >> Okay. Looking forward to seeing it. >> Yeah, I think that's great, too, because that game like everyone goes, right? It's not just fifth graders and their families. It's like >> the It's packed. >> Everybody goes. >> Excited. >> Yeah. Super fun. All right, you guys. Thank you so much. I really appreciate you coming tonight. >> So good. Thank you. All right. Sounds great. So, heading through our agenda, um, let's take a look at the minutes of March 18th. Did anybody have any edits or concerns about the minutes? They looked good to me.

007>> Okay. >> No notes. >> I didn't have any minute. Uh, does anybody um would you want to make a motion to approve? >> I'll make the motion to approve. >> Okay. Thank you. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any further discussion? All right. All in favor? >> I I So 4 0. All right. Sounds great. Um and we did not have non-public. So, um, let's move into the superintendent report. >> Yes, we'll skip manifest until Molly gets here. Um, sorry, she's going to be a little late, but just checking my checking my text to see if she's, uh, she's coming. Um, so, just wanted to start out with the bond surplus. So, we've been talking because, as you know, through some of our building reports that

008we're looking at what's a projected bond, uh, surplus of about $1.8 million. I did provide you with a sheet um today that kind of talked about some of the discussions that we've had with that surplus um in regards to pricing so you'd know where pricing was and again um with input with principal Lucas on um ways we can continue to upgrade the facility and also look at safety measures as the two priorities. Um with that we looked at replacing the skylight right above us because it's at its end of life. uh it's about $150,000 and again that wasn't originally part of the scope. We have talked about that numerous times and after you know further evaluating they it is suggested should be replaced. Uh replacement of all the windows again that was something that had

009been discussed before the project and and did not get put into the final project. That's um what $330,000 and then replacement of of floors uh throughout the building and that has a cost of $375,000. So altogether you're looking at about $860,000 of of what would be recommended for uh additional um things to be done as part of the building project. With that I also did you know consult with with our attorney about you know can that be done and yes it can be done even though it wasn't part of the original project had been talked about. The the intent of the warrant was a building project. These are all part of a building project. We could not then build a softball field or a basketball field or basketball court, excuse me, because that wouldn't be

010the original intent. But the original intent was anything that would enhance your building. So the way that the warrant was written and through legal guidance, these things could be done part of that. Also, any money that is left over would then go be go back to taxpayers. We can't use it as revenues. We cannot put it as set aside. So anything that is done at the end of the project, which won't be this summer, will hopefully be the following summer. Um then we would know for that following year to be able to turn back to our taxpayers. So that's where that money has to go. There's no other alternative once that bond u that bond is uh the money that we've used because we've already allocated, it's been voted on by by the residents. So

011that's your only alternative is to spend or to give back. >> Okay. So, any questions that I can help out or Sophie can help out with because she's been on in those meetings? >> I actually have a question. Um, has this have you talked about this with the financial advisory committee? >> Have not. >> Okay. Um, I guess I just maybe Bob, you can speak to this. There was a question of is it the best use of taxpayer money to spend this or to return it all to taxpayers because of the interest rate and then find money to do this in another way? Bob, do you want to can you speak to that? >> Do I need a name and address? >> Yeah, that'd be great. >> Okay. Bob Monaco from Gford Farm. >> Pull

012that up, Bob, so they can >> Thank you. Uh, we talked a little bit about it, Sophie. Um, I've done some research on this. Not to say I'm an expert. Probably needs to get the bond council. I think bond council ultimately can tell you how the RSA works and so forth. You had mentioned giving money back to the taxpayer. >> Mhm. >> Um, how you do that is very limited from what I understand with bond law that the only way you can give it back to the taxpayer is through paying down the bond. It can't go back against the tax rate. It can't go back against the general budget. Um I believe the bond offers a call provision um which we would be entitled to through the bond bank. Again, bond council needs to verify

013all this. I think um this is my amateur research I'll call it. So it is important to understand how it come back. Um any money we do spend out of this bond money is what I call expensive money. Every dollar you spend out of this will be equivalent to about a dollar and a half or a $160 because of the interest rate it carries. If you were to raise money through the tax base each year, that's you're not borrowing that money. So, it doesn't have an interest rate. So, we talked about the bond was for $12 million, but I believe the complete payback on the bond is almost $19 million. So, just keep that in mind. any dollar that you spend, you can offset that by investing as you are. I think the money sits

014in a petup account. Um probably part of the 1.8 I don't know. I don't know what the numbers are today, but um you had mentioned about 1.5 to 1.6 left. Is it 1.8 actual savings or is it 1.8 including the interest? Um >> no, that was savings. That's not including the interest, >> right? So the interest is probably at this stage at least $200,000. So now you're sitting on about $2 million. So I just think there's so many things to think about here. You probably want to put together a group and talk about what are those options, understand in full what how it can be brought back to the taxpayers if that is one of the options. Um pace things out. We talked about it uh you know informally. If you're going to do the

015windows, all the windows probably don't need done at the same time. Do them over five years. Gain interest. the interest that you gain on $2 million will pay for the the the windows every year. So now you're not dipping into the principal and then develop a strategy where if it has to go back through the bond. My research says after nine years you have an opportunity to go back against the bond they call it a call date. Um but again all need that would all need to be verified. You can bring that back to the taxpayers by reducing it. So, if you were to pay down the bond, it's not officially paying down the bond, it's a call and you you you pull some of the bond money back, that would probably bring back the

016tax rate for that year about $170,000. It's some of my rough calculation. So, after nine years, all of a sudden, you're going to have $170,000 less against the tax burden. So, some of this is short-term, some of this is long-term. It is financial calculations at that point. So, uh hope that answered your question, Sophie. Is there anything else? I mean, it doesn't really answer it. I think I'm I I just don't I guess I don't feel comfortable recommending this tonight without the financial analysis of what's best for the taxpayers and how to move forward. So, that's my >> I'll be happy else if you ask. >> So, just one other thing I we did reach out to bond counsel. They will not give us a ruling on this. Bond council says you have to work

017with your individual attorney. Their their job is to work to get you to the bond. Once the bond is in place, they do not give you any other guidance on that. So, just so you're all aware, um we did reach out to who we're working with and they they will not and nobody from from their uh bond firm would give us uh advice on this. >> So, we'd have to go through our our attorney >> on how you pay it back >> on any of the questions that you had brought. >> Okay. But just how you pay it back is going to be bond law. >> Yeah. >> You when you do a municipal bond, there's certain laws attached to that because it's taxfree money, right? It's it's on the bond. You don't have to

018pay taxes. you know, anyone who's a bond holder doesn't pay taxes. So, there's specific bond law. So, you have you have multiple layers of law going on here. You have things going on with authorities and so forth. And you have issues going on with how do you how do you give this money back? Have you researched that? What is what is being told and you can you give it directly back to the taxpayers through the tax role? >> Right. So, that's why I wish Molly was here because that was her assignment to figure that out. So, I'm not going to speak to it because I'll misspeak it. >> Yeah, that's why I I just think that that question needs to be answered. uh understand how you legally can use that money >> um because there

019are a lot of legalities around bond around bond laws. >> So what I'd ask the board is if there's questions you'd want us to go back to research with any council, I'd be glad to do that so you can make as best informed decision as you want. I just need to know what those decisions are. The last questions were can we use the money for renovations as part of this project? You certainly can. Do you want to save it and and have it in another way? Yes. what questions would you like to know that would give you the best for informed decision because the board is responsible for that bond since it's already been approved. So it's it's how you want to determine how that money goes. >> Um >> in the question whether where

020is your authority lie on that bond that bond money where where's where's where those limitations? So it it's certainly a proper use of the money to say that you're using the bond money for the type of things you're talking about, but where's the authority stand? Those those are two totally separate questions, I think. >> Thank you very much. Um, so this replacement of existing windows, this is all the windows, >> correct? We asked for a price of everything. So you don't have to do it all, but that was one of the questions that we could price out everything and then you could have make a decision that way. >> And what do we do? We know exactly what areas are definitely on their end of life and what areas we could squeak along for a

021little bit longer or for the window situation. So, you're all moving towards that end of life because they're all installed at the same time, right? It just depends on where they get for wind or or uh inclement weather and how it's being hit in different times. We could definitely ask that on Tuesday at our meeting. So, whatever whatever information is here, we'll bring back to the committee and if there's further investigations or or information we need to bring back to you, we'll be glad to do that. >> So, just a question with the 1.8 8 million that's sitting there now. We can't invest that money, right? Because it's part of the bond. You could invest it >> into one of the TAPs. >> It's current it's currently being invested. >> Got it. >> The entire

022bond has been invested in people. >> All the money that came from the bond is sitting in what they call New Hampshire public deposit investment pool. >> Okay. >> And it's paying about 3.6%. >> Got it. >> Which offsets uh the bond was went out. if you want to come up and use the microphone and >> um yeah the bond was placed at 4.3%. >> Okay. >> And actually at the time in August when they put into PDIP PDIP was also paying about so it's a nice offset interest rates change you know the environment has changed over the last 6 months but as of today I believe on the website it was 3.63% or something like that. So it does help to offset it. >> Sure. >> But there is the mechanics of how you

023get that money back to the taxpayers. >> Correct. that is complicated uh like we you talked about during the budget process where the the interest from the bond could not be used to go back to against the bud against the budget process. It has to be separated. >> That that's clear law >> from an amateur myself, but >> right. >> Uh but yeah, so so you can invest it. You could do T bills, get something higher if you had a 5year horizon. Let's say, >> let's say you have a million dollars left. Let's say you spend some of it, however the process is, you have a million dollars left and you're not going to touch it for five years. Put in a five-year T bill. It's probably going to pay closer to the 4.3% and

024have a complete offset, >> right? So just again you may want to put a group together that looks at these you know from a who have experience doing financial analysis. I think that you know that may be a beneficial thing for you to do. >> Of course. >> Okay. >> Thanks. >> Any anything else? >> No that was good. Thank you. >> Yeah I mean c can this be addressed in that financial advisory subcommittee that we put up last week or last month? Last month >> that wasn't the scope of what we were looking at but I mean we could modify it. I think there's other things that we were looking at first >> through the investment policy. So, um I think there's a lot more questions on this piece um that we need to

025bring to that committee, but I I don't I think that committee is very qualified to look at that. >> Yeah. >> Um I'm feeling uh you know, I understand the first two we've been talking about those for a while, but the flooring um I guess can you just talk a little bit about that or whoever would feel comfortable? Um we have a number of rooms that are still carpet from 37 years ago. Um we have we are trying really hard to remove any um flooring from the building that requires stripping and waxing because of the PFOAs and the PFOS's and not just because it's cancer-causing agent but also because it's expensive to dispose of now because there's laws and regulations on how you expose you know um uh so there's just some comp uh there

026was like a holistic approach at like man hours to clean it, strip it, right? Then the cancer and causing agents in it and like all of those things were a lot variety of factors that played into like it should be replaced. Um, if you walk in the saw, we have a tile that's missing right now. Okay. >> Um, if you go back to two years ago, the board at the time had to replace the cafeteria floor. There was a tile that was pulled up. Um, and because it had been waxed over so many times, we tried to replace a tile, then it was nine tiles, then it was 15 tiles, and then it was the entire cafeteria floor. So, >> um, I think the committee was looking at like how do we proactively get ahead

027of this because then we're coming to the board, okay, and asking you to come up with like the cafeteria was $90,000. So, like those are big hit items and rather than get not have it budgeted for and have this unexpected expense, it felt like this was an opportunity to address some of that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I mean, I think for me, if we're just sitting on this money, it makes sense to use them for these big ticket items that need to be addressed anyways. But I think for me, it depends on, you know, I guess how urgent they are. If all of them need to happen now, which it sounds like they do, um then the question is how do we how do we pay for it in the most financially prudent way possible?

028And I I I think we don't quite know that yet. >> Yeah. And I think I I like the idea of on Tuesday you guys addressing some of these things, especially what Bob was saying about um you know, projecting this. Could could we do these could we do the flooring in five years, for example? Can we do half the windows in five years? I don't know. Um, is there any >> You mean staging the projects by priority? >> So, you just have to weigh if they did the windows, they could do it in all one summer. >> Yep. >> You could do the floors in all one summer. So, if you stage it, you're going to bring them back and you're going to have different times of work frames. So, it's just whatever you'd want

029and we'll make it work. But, that was the plan. If this does get approved, they could do it over a summer. That would be something that I would think you'd want to address sooner rather than later. So that might be something at the next meeting to be able to give them the summer to do that. Um would make a huge difference if there's other things you want to wait on in regards to cost. >> So I see you have the 17th. What is the 17th of April? >> Friday, but I mean what what why is that the day >> to try some of these things this summer to try to accomplish them in the summer 26? >> So they have to be approved by the 17th in order to be done this summer >> on

030Friday. Yeah. >> But what >> was this Friday? just it's just a random day. Why? >> I think I think it's how they're projecting out the different phases of the construction and how they would attack it. You know, knowing when renovations are happening and where crews would be. >> So, if it doesn't happen by Friday, that's okay. We would just have to adjust the timeline and it might not be this summer that they do it. It might have to be, you know, the next summer. >> Yep. >> Is there any cost savings with having them complete the work while the crews are still here versus having to bring them all back out on site? that has been addressed. Y >> I think it's um I think that's always an element people talk about. I don't

031know that they could narrow down like oh it's this percentage like that has not been the conversation. It is about like it costs to set up it cost to break down right and they're here. Um I think the other piece if we're thinking like strategically like this might be $375,000 right now. We're already seeing that things are more expensive every year and I don't know what that is. I don't have the percentages. I'm not like that's not where I live. It's not my brain space. I just experience it every day in this building. Every year I'm coming to you and saying like cleaning materials are now 17% higher than they were last year. We're earning the same number of cleaning materials, right? So I don't I'm not that's not my area of expertise. I have

032just been in this business long enough that like >> it never gets less expensive, >> right? We've never experienced that. I I mean you've been on the board enough years, Sophie, to be like I think it's cheaper. Um and the other piece I would add is like I from my perspective as a resident in my town, it is hard when you've approved a bond and they come back and ask for more money while your bond is still open, right? That feels hard as a resident because you're like, "Oh, I approve that and I know that there's money given back, not given back directly to the taxpayer as Bob was talking about, but I think that's a hard concept for people to really understand, understandably so, right? This is complex for all of us." So, I

033don't think it's as simple as like um just putting it off. Like I think there are roadblocks when you put things off. You have to get the town back involved again. You have to have the time to understand and that's all really important work and really hard work, complicated work. >> As we saw with the last bond. >> Yep. >> But I think what what seems feasible for me is that the money, you know, just like Bob was saying, if you in if you say we're going to do this work in five years, you don't have to go back to the town, right? The money exists. for us to do it in five years. >> If you have it sitting somewhere where you're collecting an investment. Yes. >> Yeah. >> And the investments could potentially

034offset the cost of them, which is cool. >> But yeah, how quickly do we need the money and at what cost, I guess, are the questions. >> And I guess how much is our windows in five years and how much are cleaning supplies throughout the next five years, right? We don't know those answers. But with whatever money this creates or generates from an investment perspective, to your earlier point, would we have to use that for the intent of the original bond or could that money be allocated to other things to offset the school budget overall? >> Uh, so any investments that you give back depends on if you so there's it's that's a tricky question, right? Um, we just get investments that we use as unanticipated revenue that offsets to come back into it. However,

035there'll be things that we'll talk about that probably not for this meeting, but I I think we'll bring some solutions that that we've been doing some research through the um advisory committee that we can look at for alternatives where we might have that ability to do exactly what you're looking at. >> Got it. >> How quickly do you think the financial advisory committee could potentially get us? >> Oh, we just started. the first meeting and we're just still we basically just started factf finding um with how the trust funds are invested and how everything's maintained >> and um they've reached out to the trustee of the trust funds to find out kind of the methodology. So I mean we are in the initial stages we're not going to have an answer for you >> about

036multiple things within like a month or anything like that. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay. So, I think for we need Molly, right, to answer some of our questions about um >> the bond >> about the bond. So, I guess um I'm just trying to figure out a way to push forward on this tonight and whether we um we can either table this until perhaps Molly comes in tonight or um you know, I guess I can also entertain a motion to move forward on some of these things. Um, >> I would like to wait for Molly just because I have some questions about bond payments and um just exactly how what happens when we finish out the project that I just want her to answer quickly um before I make any okay >> decisions. >>

037I think that's a good idea. I know there's people who want to speak on this issue as well. So um why don't we uh just table this for the moment. We'll see uh what's going on with Molly and hopefully she's okay. Very unlikely public comment now. >> Yeah. Um I was going to see if there's anything else coming up that um why don't I let Chris uh do you want to finish your super report? >> Yep. Um so one of your board goals is to have an equity training every year. Um we never selected a date. So, um, still see I wanted to see if that is something that the board still wanted to do since it's your goal and if so, if there's a date because I'd want to, um, get our chief equity

038officer, Miss Petta, to be able to provide that training, um, and and give time for her to get other people involved. >> Did you do it last? >> You did one last year. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Okay. Last fall or last >> last fall. >> Last spring. >> Last >> around this time last year. >> That's right. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Really? >> You did it. You had two meetings. You had one where you did about an hour and a half training, >> right? In this room when we had all the teachers. >> Nope. Actually, it was up in the third grade. >> Right. We did that one, but then remember we also had all the teachers come here and do one with us. >> Miss Forbes and >> I don't remember. >>

039Well, I suppose it was past orgo >> relatively recent. >> I thought so, too. >> We haven't done anything this year. >> This school year >> with this board really? >> Yeah, with this board. >> Yeah, I thought we had this mall, too. Yeah. Um, what I mean what really whenever Arlin is available. I think we don't have that many. We have >> May and June left of our >> if we want to tack it on to a meeting. >> That'd be a preference to do an equity training from 5 to 6 with with Arland. So you're not adding another meeting, but just lengthening maybe your maid meeting. >> Yeah, I think that would work. >> Okay. So let me let me check with Arland and I I'll get back with Jennifer if we can.

040We'll put it up. >> So, like the 13th of May. >> Y >> at 5. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Um, you asked for to have a discussion about class size. Um, and whether you want that on your packet or not. We've left it on the packet. Um, >> so that is where that is at. >> Yeah. I noticed it's actually in there twice today. I was thinking about camera. >> It's twitching. >> Yeah. I um yeah, he is working tonight, so that's why he's not here. But um I guess I'm just trying to think what is the most productive way to move forward on this. And do you feel we talked about it a little bit last time um about offering guidance and guard rails on class size? Um the one that's

041in there is just pure guidance. um and not even anybody from this board was participating in that. So it seems to me that largely this is differential to the administration. Um I I guess I'm asking the board members, do you feel qualified to offer guard rails guardrails on on class sizes? Is that something? >> No, I think I thought we asked Kate to weigh in. Did you >> I weighed in last time. >> Yeah. I feel like it it change it just we've had this discussion so many times. I don't feel qualified. I'm not a teacher. I'm not in the classroom every day. I I really don't feel qualified to tell somebody what the class sizes should be and I don't when I don't know the students that are in that particular grade. So I

042think what I would say is you know we we have those class obviously those are in our notes and of historical precedent but not necessarily something that the current board aderes to and so we'll remove them from the packet. I think Sophie when you asked last board meeting we talked a little bit about um for example what the national like expectations are the state of New Hampshire's expectations are right that the what they said as minimum and maximum is based on a study that's literally 20 years old and so the hard part is there isn't any current really good >> research longitudinal at all um except for we can all acknowledge what public education today is is very different than it was 20 years ago for a variety of reasons in good and bad ways.

043And so without having I mean I can give you a ton of anecdotal data. I can talk about the time we spend what we do in the classroom versus what we didn't do in the classroom 20 years ago. Um the expectations of educators in terms of accountability and standardized testing that wasn't in place 20 years ago. There's a variety of factors that talk about why class size matters. But if you're looking for like a study that's been done that sort of informs that there just isn't any current studies. um when you look at the sea coast or even all of New Hampshire where where other other schools are in SAU 16 where where the other schools within the sea coast it's not like we're well below or well above or right in that pocket where

044in terms of this area um is um and I would say that we um feel really comfortable with um that like 15 to 18 19 feels really good in an elementary school when you're thinking about the what we do for education right now. That doesn't mean it's not really complicated. It just means that feels like you could have really mixed groups when you want to. It means kids get to have a variety of other students in the room. It means you have a lot of learning profiles, which is super important in a classroom, but it's a number that's not 25 26 where you're like, I can never personalize because I couldn't possibly split myself 26 ways in course of a day. >> Is there a plan in place today if we exceed the maximum? >>

045Is that >> So, because the board was just sort of like their recommendation or the it was never made into policy. Okay. Okay. Um, what I can say is when they did put that in place, we had a kindergarten class that exceeded the what their max was. And so the following year, we went to six kindergarten classrooms with the based on the enrollment and as well as the first grade because that was where kindergarten went the next year. Um, but at this point we haven't we have one classroom that is exceeding it right now and that's because we had similarly across grade levels. Is that consistently happening? >> Okay. The only thing that I think about is like when I read uh about the legislature, state legis, it seems like they're always using class size

046of 30, right? Yeah. Um and so I think it is important for us to say 30 seems >> a little bit too much. >> Yeah. >> Just a little. >> But yeah, I mean I think that it's a conversation that will come up as we discuss budget >> and it see that seems a better time to discuss it. I agree. >> Okay. >> Yeah. If I mean if and when we need to make another policy or recommendation like it would definitely be under the guidance of admin and what works you know if you want to have any recommendations or if we should just scrub it and say like no recommendations for now we'll address it when we need to. >> Yeah. >> But okay. >> All right. Moving ahead. >> Yes. So, um, Kate, do

047you want to just talk about the calendar that we put together? So, we'd ask you to approve the school calendar for 2627. Uh, we worked with, as you know, through the co-op, uh, and then each school kind of modifies it a little bit to meet their needs. So, K, you want to just kind of go over where you landed based on your contractual obligations? >> Sure. Um, so one of the things I really like about SMS is that both of our CBAs are included in all inservice days. So, our pair professionals or interventionists also get access or have access to our inservice days, which is so important around our professional growth. That's not always the case. Um, and so when we're building the calendar, we're thinking about our entire staff being here for our inservice

048days. So, we have 175 student days and we have nine inservice days for our staff. Um, among those inservice days, there are a few things that we know were set in stone that match SAU but also match voting days. So, um, next year there are three days that the that were we knew for sure. Um, there's one in September, there's one in November, and one in March because they're voting days, and this is used as a voting facility. So, those were kind of like already given. Um, there's a day in August that is always given because that is when um, we do like the whole SAU together. Um, so those are four days that we're given and then beyond that, we're working within like wanting students across SAU to start at the same time and

049finish at the same time. So um and then we include uh student led conferences. So um we had lengthy conversations here over multiple weeks over multiple meetings because there were var various factors that influence that. Um I think at one point I was like I'm not talking about it anymore. I'm not sending another survey. Um I think we did it like several times. Um but we had really good conversation about what how to make the most of that and when it will be most meaningful for us as a staff. So we actually will have four days in August this year. Um which we've never had before. We typically only have three, but we really felt like that time can be really well utilized in preparation for the school year. So that's four and then the

050three that I talked about um and then a student led conference and then we have another day um in June. So students will get out and we'll have one day um as an opportunity to reflect, wrap up the year, be really cognizant about summer planning, what our summer learning will look like for summer 27. So that's our calendar that you have in front of front of you. I mean, it feels weird to have like, why are we the approving body of this? Like, we have no >> No, I want three weeks of vacation. Like, >> yes, go. >> Yes, I approve. >> Well, I think especially because the joint board's already approved, so it's not like we can't make changes, >> do anything. We have had times where we've asked like um for you to

051have like sidebar agreements with the associations around swapping for night events or things like that um or in certain we want to do student led conferences at night. So we've had different um ways that we've talked about the calendar in previous years. Um next year is a little bit different because of the voting days and really wanting to be concise across SAU. So there was lots of discussion about what served our staff and students best and this felt really good. Well, and I know we've also sometimes added early release days, too, like >> so it's I think that's always been our we do our showcases for the swap of the 23rd of December or whatever that day is before, right? Which has been agreed upon for years. And then the last day of school is

052an early release as well for students. >> Okay. >> But not for staff. >> Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the SMS calendar. >> I'll second it. >> All right. Uh, any conversation, discussion? >> All right. All in favor? >> I I >> Thank you. >> 4 0. >> All right. Personnel request. >> It has to do that non-public at the end. >> Yeah, sounds great. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um before we move on to the administrative report, we can open up for um uh comment. And just as a reminder, you have to say your name, address, three minutes. We'll we'll set it up for three for 30 minutes. Is there anybody that would like to talk? >> Oh jeez. >> Yeah, that's the one. >> That's the one. >> Hi, Glenn Was

0536 for Farms. a little bit concerned just listening to the discussion in regards to the uh to the bond uh and even the legal opinion that we have uh locally within the the SAU. Um first of all, I'm all for having some of the money used. We have some needed things, windows, flooring, all of that. I just want to ensure that it's used and approved properly. Um I don't believe the school board has the ability to approve that. If you're not familiar with uh chapter 33 of the Municipal Finance Act, section 33 colon 3- I'd become familiar with that. That tells about leftover money. If a balance remains after the completion of the project, a town has to vote by 2/3 of the voters present at the annual meeting. they may authorize these expenditures to

054any amount. Um, so I think we need to go through that process because as the superintendent even previously at the budget meeting was very cautious that when we were looking at money that could be used out of the bond money during the budgeting process, it all had to be within the scope. If it wasn't within the scope, you couldn't do it. Well, the scope is defined if we had had that ledger. So it's still out there on your website, but you had all the ledger of everything that you used to want, some things would put out to include the flooring and the windows. So that's not in the scope. Had you defined them as contingency, we would not even be having this conversation. Looking back in hindsight, that would have been the thing to do.

055The things that we think will fit in this budget that were proven by the taxpayers with contingency. If there is leftover money, let's have a contingency list. Nobody thought of it. no harm, no foul. So, I think the process that you're talking about going forward of convening a group again to compile a list and then get that approved, I believe it really has to go to a town meeting and be passed by a vote of 2/3, which I can't guarantee anything. I think it's going to be no problem. The taxpayers, everything we've had has passed by two/3 so far. whether it's a collective bargaining agreement, the operating budgets, you tell the taxpayers that this is all in their benefit, that it's going to save them money, uh because we're going to have to go after

056some of those things in the operating budget if you don't use this money. I think it's going to overwhelmingly pass. So, I wouldn't be concerned about that. So, I think take the time, think about what you need now, what you need maybe during the life of this bond, whether that's windows over a 5-year phase, develop a really good list, and say, "Let's go to the voters and let's let them approve this contingency list, and let's use some of that interest that we earn along the way, some of the money that we have here, and I think it can go a long way and do a lot more." If there's money left over at the end, then you got to go through the complicated process of how that comes back to the taxpayer. So, I'm all

057for using it. I don't believe you as a group. I know it's contrary to what Chris is saying has the ability to do that. And you really need to study the RSA and the bond law, which is very specific on how that process is done and requires a town vote. So, can we use it? Absolutely. Is there a process on how to use it? Yes, there is. >> Okay. Thank you. So, that's three minutes. Thank you. Paul Tacini, 16 Haywick Drive. You know, when I think back to my time on the board and chairing the building subcommittee, we did everything right. We expanded the uh committee to include stratum residents who were professionals in commercial construction. They helped us navigate the technical aspects and helped us define a focused and targeted renovation for the school

058that would serve the community for decades to come. We right-sized the uh um construction company and we right sized a uh a task that was you didn't break the the pocketbook of the the local people and it passed overwhelmingly. But the last thing we did was really like the icing on the cake. It was very poignant to me and that was Sophie's decision to do the outreach. She did several of them and I attended most of them and I have a cheat sheet that I used during those those outreach programs and some of them were we got a lot of questions on this. There's a plan A and plan B. Plan A was 20 25% more than plan B. Okay? And we went through everything that was on plan B, the one that we ultimately

059went with. Okay? And we went right down the list and we told people what was on it. And what's important about that is what's not on it, too. And what isn't on it are some of the things you're talking about now. And just like Glenn said, I'm not against it. I think we are in a great situation. Okay? Those things should be done. Okay? What I'm standing up here for is transparency. The school the school board had a, you know, was great at this. You were very transparent on it and the town felt comfortable about what we were doing. I think you should do the same thing now. Okay. So, if you take if you follow what Glenn is saying, the law says, and you go out and do some more outreach and say to

060the folks, "Hey, we have we came in under budget." Wow. Terrific. There were a bunch of things that we would like to do. Do it by an outreach. We would like to do. Okay. And we're going to do, you know, a vote on it next year. It'll I mean it's it's it's going to pass but you want that you want that um you want people to have that kind of conference confidence in the board. Don't stop what you started last year. That's my message. >> Thank you. Thanks a lot. Is there anybody else who has public comment? >> All right. Thank you very much. I I appreciate that and I I take that from where it comes. And um I'm I'm definitely listening. Thank you. >> Can I say something about public comment or No,

061>> sure. >> Um I just feel like I'm in an awkward position because our lawyer says we can use it. So like I I don't know. I feel like my hands are kind of tied. I don't should Chris like what what's your take on >> um you asked me to ask for legal advice. We got a legal advice that you could spend that money as the board as the agent. >> Yeah. I guess it'd be helpful to see the exact verbiage of the >> Sure. I could even ask the lawyer to come here if you want and be able to answer some questions for you. >> Yeah. I don't know. I mean it it seems like there's >> Sure. So people are bringing >> to clarify. Sure. People are bringing different perspectives. uh we reached

062out to the expert who this is their job and and they gave us their ruling and if there's other ideas or or suggestions out there but my suggestion is that I would bring a lawyer here and you can ask as a board any question that you have and that the audience or residents could hear that as well to be able to get you know where the law how it's cited and the actual overall um responsibility of how that when that bond was passed and who is the the fiscal agent of that. Yeah, we lawyers are expensive so I generally don't like >> every time that is correctly right every time we get a right to know or we get information that requires us that we to ask a lawyer for extra guidance it does cost

063this this this budget the this town money >> okay I mean I think the clarifying follow-up question to the lawyer is sending them that RSA sending her that RSA and saying per this RSA are we exempt from this yes or no >> so whatever the board directs me I'd be glad to do that I think there's going to be more questions So therefore, I don't want to keep going back. That's why I would recommend if there are greater questions, I'd ask the lawyer to come here to be able to answer questions for everybody. Um I'm not sure it's just that one question, Sophie. But if if that's the direction the board would like me to go, I can definitely ask that. Um if there's other questions that I think have been coming up, I think

064it would be important for us all to hear that as that transparency question came up. Um because we're not hiding anything. You questions have come in. I've asked the question, done the work, gotten the guidance, brought it back to you. It's been um argued differently. Um and that's okay. Um so I just want you to be able to have as much information possible and I my my job is to be the conduit to it as that's my role. So >> yeah, >> I I want you to be as prepared as possible. >> Yeah. >> Hi Adam Brammy 9 Pines Drive. Just to piggy back on what was just said, you know, yes, the lawyer did answer the question. The lawyer said, "Yes, you can spend the money." But he didn't qualify that. He didn't qualify

065it by RSA 33 col 3a. He that there's laws around how you can spend the money. Now, the debate's going to be whether or not all these other things are within the scope of the project or not. I think what what Paul was saying is he has a very detailed list that went out to the public that was presented to the public as to what was included in this project and not included in the project which is pretty compelling. It isn't like we were willy-nilly as a board. No, we were very specific as to what was within the scope of the project. And I'm with the other guys. Absolutely. a lot of this will get in, but it's the process that's important and the process if you follow the state law and I read this

066three or four times and it's pretty clear is what what the law says. Okay, enough on this topic. I one more thing I I wasn't at the last meeting but I did tune in to the tape and we had a gentleman um I'm changing the subject here now um Mr. Mr. for uh >> Drink water. Right. So he very passionate about he wants to um expand the uh he called it the trade school but it's more like the V f vocational school at the old high school and he wanted to buy the property on um the old vote. Now for you for those you have been in town that long the votech was there for a long time. They merged with um with the great bay community college. It's at the old at peas air

067force base. It's in the old hospital at the pe air force base. That property uh about 15 years ago, I'm I'm guessing now about 15 years ago. Uh was sold by the state. The state already sold it. State doesn't own it anymore. It sold it to the GO ship company. They were going to build these stealth fighter boats, but they're stealthy. And guess what? They thought they were going to get the defense contract. They never got the defense contract. So that fell through. They didn't need the building. They wound up selling it to a um real estate investor and this is probably now 12 years. He's just sitting on it. I went to our planner because as a state rep for 12 years early on I the most questions I always got was what's going

068on with the votech property? What's going on? So I talked to our planner town planner and he told me he left. He goes try to negotiate with this this real estate guy. He he he's just sitting on it. He's sitting on a gold mine. 90 acres, 70 of which is buildable. Um it's not the building that's worth the money. It's the it's the land. I mean, this is Stratam. I mean, land's worth its gold. So, uh but that's where it is. That's where it's at. And I did talk to Chris this morning. I I don't think it's going to be something that you're going to have to worry about. Chris, you may want to chime in. I don't know. um that there's other potential for expanding the the vote uh the the vocational school without

069without that because he's he's and I've I've asked recently. He's asking a lot of money for that. Why not? It's it's gold. So anyway, thank you. >> 30 minutes. I just need a minute. >> Yeah. >> Glad farmer again. Uh I just want to foot stomp here. I I think the most transparent way is to do exactly what's being suggested here and get back with the voters and have a list because if you do this wrong, you're obligating money maybe inappropriately and then every citizen of this town can be a harmed party and we can so bring the lawyers in. Let's ask the question. I'd rather pay them then as opposed to now the town turns into a litigation because we have some citizens who are now bringing a lawsuit saying this leftover money should

070have come back to us. Maybe not immediately, maybe the end of the bond. What gave you the right to use that money? >> Okay. >> So, let's avoid future litigation. >> Thank you. Thanks very much. Any other public comment? Anyone that hasn't spoken yet? All right. We still have 16 minutes. So, we'll leave it open if anybody has anything else. Molly, we're glad you're here. Everything's okay. >> Yeah. No, no, things are good. Sorry, it's Tuesday. >> Yeah, no problem at all. Um, do you want to go back to manifest and financial? >> Sure. >> Can I So, included in Oh, sorry, that's loud. Included in your board pack is a current year financial. Um, we did have some good news. Um, >> yay. Yes, we do. >> So, uh, when we set up purchase

071orders at the beginning of the year, we encumber for the entire year and we had a purchase order that was set up that was able to be grant funded and so we were able to take that out of the operating budget and close that purchase order. So, that was um related to special education and I was it IDEIDA covering it >> some of it. Y >> yes. And so that is the large negative that you see which is negative expense which is good news for us. That's great. >> It was like party central. >> Yeah. So >> I was like dancing around. I was so excited. >> Kate and I spent a lot of time on this this month and um and Britney scrubbing up all the purchase orders. So we do we did tell

072all schools that purchasing will be shut off for the year the Friday before April vacation, which is next Friday, which is hard to believe it's already that time. Um because we tell them if you don't have it by now, you really we probably don't need it for this year. We don't want to be buying a lot of paper and stuff at the end of the year that'll be used for next year. So in the accounting system, we have everything shut off next week for purchasing except for emergencies. We do know emergencies will come up um and we'll handle that as needed. There are certain things that we don't encumber for like substitutes. we'll continue to see some increase there. But um hopefully in the next financial we should have a really solid um end of

073the year projection which I think when stratum we do now because we really tried to get ahead of that because we were so tight. We really tried to scrub it as best that we could. >> Okay, that's awesome. Is that something you applied for late or just found out later? >> No. Well, there's a couple variables to that. They didn't IDA approved funds much later into the school year than anticipated and you can't expend the funds until it's officially approved because you met activities even though you know they're going to be you still can't until it's officially approved. And so at the beginning of the year you have to pay out of the operating budget. Okay. >> And then that just that PO never got switched over basically. And so Mandy and both Mandy and

074Molly both caught it like two weeks ago was we were trying to scrub through the the financials to make sure we were >> Yeah. >> be okay. Department of Education. >> Is that where that grant comes from? >> Yeah. So, we actually looked at every single open purchase order that Stratam had just because we were so tight. We really needed to >> to free up money if we cut and we we found a golden egg. >> That's amazing. >> Yay. >> Okay. >> So, that changed our unassigned fundy year balance. >> Projected projected. Yeah. So, your at the end of the year, your unassigned fund balance is it's it's what will be used to offset taxes next year. I always hate to say it's return to taxpayers because it's really not a check we write.

075It's just you have to raise that much less next year. >> Um and so it pumped that up by the amount we were able to release. So >> and that amount is just for public is >> and and that's just the special education change. Yeah. >> So the projected unassigned fund balance at the end of the year would be 97,269 and that's a combination of expenses less than plan through the entire budget and revenue more than plan. >> Okay. >> Thanks for doing that. Really >> that's awesome. It was really exciting. >> It was so exciting. >> It was the highlight of April so far. >> And I do know there was a question on bond proceeds at the end of the project. Did we want to go over that now or that'd be great.

076>> Okay. So, so at the end of the project, um any unused bond proceeds can be used to pay down the bond. You cannot prepay a bond, but you can use it to apply to the principal, not interest, just the principal. >> Clarifying question, when you say the end of the project, does that mean the end? What is the end of the project? >> So, >> the end of the work, the end of >> When we're done spending money. Okay. >> Yeah. So when we are done done done done like officially done then it's a hard close and any money remaining would go down and could be applied to the bond payments in future years. Meaning you still have to appropriate the funds in your budget. We would just be able to use it as

077for a lack of better way of explaining explaining it a revenue source. So just like the grants, you have to appropriate the grants, but the federal funding comes in, so you don't have to raise that in taxation. The same would be true for this. You still have to appropriate in your budget, but the money would be coming in from the separate fund. So that amount less would have to be raised in taxation. So you're not going to see a budget decrease, but you would see a tax decrease when you don't have to raise that money in taxation. Does that make sense? Kind of like the grants. >> It would still be on our budget line. >> Yeah. but we wouldn't have to raise it in taxes because it would be a one for one. >>

078So most recently we just closed out two projects at exit and co the main one the CMS renovation this past year that closed out and I think it was like 700,000ish. Um so then that was not have to raise in taxation this year. Gotcha. >> Does that clarify things? So when we have that money, does it immediately go to paying down the principal or do we keep that in an account that doesn't have to be raised to offset the budget? >> So it's going to depend on how much you have. So if you have more than the next year's principal payments, then you could do it multiple years or we could we'd have to work with the auditors to see if we could spread it out over multiple years. But either way is going to

079go down to pay the principal. >> Got it. And what is the interest rate on the bond? Uh, I'd have to pull up the bond schedule. 5% is the true rate and 4.3 is the rate. >> Okay. Yeah, I'd have to pull up >> 4. Okay. >> Yeah, it's right on the bond schedule, but I can happily send that to you. >> I'm sure I have it in the paperwork at home, but I thank you. >> That's okay. I can I can resend it to the board. It's It's right on the top of it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I guess that's a question for the financial advisory committee. >> Okay. Good problems. >> Great problems. >> Always always a good problem. So, >> did anyone else have any questions on any of the items in

080here? So, next month you might see a little bit of supplies cuz >> pushed to the end of the year, >> but not $71,000 worth. >> Gold depends for everybody. >> No more. No. >> Closing off the closet right now. That's all. >> Thank you. >> Okay. SMS administrative report. >> Sure. So, you have the update that's in your packet. Um, and I just have a couple things that I are not on here that I think are worth sharing. Um, as family members and board members, you get the newsletter that we send out and I had sent out like best bus challenge, like please let something work. Like, I will gravel, I will plead, I will do whatever it takes. >> And prior to the best bus challenge launch, we were averaging between like 12

081to 17 discipline referral slips a day, which is like two and a half hours of my time every morning, which is like, right, like it's just a lot. And it's hard because I'm thinking about eight-year-olds being on a bus at the end of the day when they've been working really hard all day and this is this like unstructured time. So, it's complicated for them to begin with and I'm not making excuses because they're not making great choices either. But, I'm not there to like and nor is another adult that they trust that they spend their days with to like cue them and remind them and they're just caught up in this energy and it was like a lot for everybody, families, students, staff, bus drivers. I praise them in every level. Mhm. >> Um so

082we launched the best bus challenge um which you know all the details about in the newsletter but um we were like I said 12 to 17 a day. The first week we had seven total which in 10 buses. Wow. >> Last week we had three total. Wow. >> Um and this week we have two so far. So like to tell you like the sign I cannot anybody's happy. Maybe that's more better in maybe that's even better in April than saving $71,000 cuz it's literally like wow. >> Um the kids have been like so responsive. the the appreciation of the bus drivers and the bus company has been like it's just been really cool and fabulous. So, I just wanted to like comment on the kids for really stepping up and taking it seriously. Um, we

083I redid all of the seating charts. So, like it used to be like kindergarten first, second. I was like, "Oh, no, we're not doing that anymore. Kindergarten is up front, but then everybody else is kind of mixed around like what do I think healthy choices would be with your seat partner?" And sometimes that might be a fifth grader as with a third grader. Um, and that's been I think helping sort of set the tone. I don't think everybody's happy about it. I think some of our older kids are like, "I have waited so long to be in the back of the bus." And I'm like, "Well, sorry. We tried. It didn't work." Um, but it feels really good to kind of like have that under control and feeling positive about it. The other thing that's

084not on there is the invitations that you have to the celebration. So, we talked about the project the fourth graders have been doing um where they have built that boat um as a grade um and they've done everything from like PR to building the boat to the artistic design of the boat to what goes in the boat um to learning about it's going to have sensors on it so we can track it over the wherever whatever the future holds. Um and so like learning how to use that software, learning how to track the boat. Um, but we're going to have a celebration next week because over break it is going to Myrtle Beach to be launched. So, we're just wanted you to be invited. So, there's your personal invites. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank

085you. >> I had a question about the buses. Um, in one of the policies it said, you know, if the buses are recorded, yada yada. Do we record the buses? >> Yeah. You don't want to see those videos. It's like startling. You're like, "Oh." So, before the bus challenge, I was like, "Hey, could you just send me a smattering of bus videos cuz I look at ones if something's reported specifically, but I was like, I just want to get a better." I was like, "Oh, okay. Okay. I can't watch anymore." It was startling. It's just such a hard time. And I can like empathize with the kids, but I also empathize with the drivers much more. So, we're like, we had to tighten up things like that. >> Yeah. You look for one thing and

086you see a whole bunch more that you're not looking for >> and then you're like, "Sit down and watch this with me." And they're like, and their faces are and you're like, "Yeah, I can see what happens." >> So, is this going to be like every month there's a challenge or how can you make this the norm instead of just one month? Like, and is there a prize? >> Oh, there's a prize. Oh, yeah. >> Multiple prizes. >> So, there's first prize. >> Yep. There's weekly prizes for the first four weeks to like get us up and going like more of an instant gratification thing versus like a long term. So, that was like the month of April. And then in May, we're going to tally across four weeks. said at the end there's a

087we call it the grand prix. I know I'm so corny but we did and they were all like we don't even know what that is. Um so we will do first place which is um a movie and popcorn. Second place is an extra recess and a popsicle and then third place is a sock hop. So um that will be a full month tally versus a weekly tally. So I don't know but I'm using it for the end of the year for survival and it's working and we're thrilled. >> Amazing. >> Um can I ask about student led conferences? Yeah, >> always my favorite topic. Um, what ever came up with the survey or is anything happening with that survey? >> So, individual teachers were we did it beginning of the year. Um, and then individual

088teachers were talking about what we wanted to do spring. Um, one of the things that we had felt about was the um conversations with families second time of the year felt so different than first time of the year. And even for people that have been doing it for a number of years because it's like the growth measure versus the beginning of the year which is like just kind of doing that. So even for like talking with students, they felt so different about sharing their learning versus the beginning of the year. So we hadn't really decided if we what direction we were going in because we just finished them and we still have teachers finishing up right now. Okay. Um >> because if they had families that couldn't fit in the day or they weren't here,

089they had to reschedule them. So we still have conferences going on right now. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And so we'll we'll send out to get some information whether it comes directly from the teacher or from me. >> Yeah. I I just think like um for some reason they feel rushed. I don't know if anybody else had this, but it's just like um that day it's so exciting. The kids work so hard and then literally like we're being ushered out, right? Cuz the next group's coming in. Yeah. And so I don't know. I don't know. Did Did you feel that way? >> Um I didn't feel that way this year. Okay. >> Um, >> but I can see how if you had additional questions and you wanted to spend more time in the classroom. >> I'm

090seeing the student led part. >> Oh. Um, no. James was ready to leave. >> Okay. Okay. Yeah. >> James showed me his his measuring angles and his writing and then was like, "Okay, this is it, so we're good." >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And I wanted to see literally everything in the classroom. >> That's the thing. I I want to see it all. And um they did so they had like this trifold. It was so much work and it was so impressive. >> The fifth graders did some really cool stuff. It's it's like the first half of their gateway that they have coming up that they're in in May. So they did I can see why particularly in fifth grade because >> they're in a different place about talking about their learning. Number one, and number

091two, there is this like excitement around this is our final thing at SMS like to share with our families. So I can see for sure how that can feel different. Um, and maybe there's conversations about like developmentally a six-year-old talking about their learning might not need 20 to 25 minutes where a fifth grader really might need that time in their family, too. I mean, that's a conversation and maybe we can add that to the survey about like timing. >> Yeah. It's just such a I don't know. It's just so important to me and um yeah, just thinking about how to how to make Okay. Uh, anything else on the administrative report? Thank you so much. All right, taking a look at um policies. >> Well, Cameron's not here, so I know there were a bajillion

092of them. 50 pages, I think, roughly of policies to read. >> So, I did text him and I was like, "Please talk to me about policies, but I have not heard from I guess he's working like 20." >> Yeah, they're doing stuff at the >> Yeah. Um, so I know we need to get these through. We have been pushing um pushing them back every time. Were there any that you guys had concerns about? >> Most of them were very boring. I had a hard time reading. >> Agree. >> It was 60 pages. Had a hard time getting through it to be honest. >> You didn't like the chemical and hygiene chemical and chemical hygiene plan. >> It was on the dry side for my taste. But um I did have a couple of quick things

093um for the student wellness one. Um, >> do you know what page that was on or >> I do not assist my personal note scanning. >> Um, okay. Um, my friend Mariam does uh restorative justice in the SAU and I know that she was planning on coming to SMS. Like what what's the status on that, Kate? >> Yep. Um, we still intend to work Miam. We um the work that we will that we do around restorative practices is super important and we're partnered with the SAU and we have a group that attends meetings there and we do our own work here with the piloting of the two literacy programs this year. It was a it was like paramount that that's where all our professional learning time was this year. It's an enormous decision and we

094asked our staff to do it in like it's been a short it's been two years that we kind of leading up to it and this year it just felt like with the very limited time for professional development that we already have, it really had to be committed to um the literacy unpacking and implementation of the two programs. Additionally, we do have our own committee here. We have an equity committee here that meets um and then we share stuff out through that committee whether it's at staff meeting or weekly newsletters or just updates. So, it's not that the work is not important and it's not very evident in our day-to-day work. It was part of our conversations about the literacy program. Which of those programs was did a really nice job with equity and did a

095really nice job with represent. So, those are it's central to what we do all the time, but in terms of partnership with Maret did not pan out this year. We also didn't have funds for much of anything outside of literacy. All right. >> Any other comments or questions on >> I was curious what the emergency response plan is. Chris, do you said the superintendent will >> Yep. So, we work with each school on emergency response plan as well as our director of safety and security. So, each school um gets kind of a template. So, there's certain things that were very consistent. Then there's school specific um plans that they each work on that we have to submit to the state. So, um with our new director of safety and security being hired about a month

096now in, he's reviewing that. He's meeting with principles. He's walking the buildings. He's making sure that um anything that we put into those plans as well as when we had uh Department of Homeland Security here to do their audits of it are are matching up because there's still some things. The unfortunate part is some of the things that we put into those emergency plans were part of a safety grant that we had put in and we did not get that grant. So that's what your emergency um plan is. So any incident that comes up, there's a basically a three- ring binder for each school that we work on. three- ring binder that in an emergency that people are gonna >> we we have we have it electronically. We also have it there because it may

097be if I'm not in the office or Kate's not in the office, Britney might have to take it and might have to go. So, we've learned from a couple incidents this where is that plan who's responsible because the person who would be your um basically your incident commander if they're not there the second is command but they don't always know exactly where it is. So that three- ring binder actually is still in place to to asssure that we're following what we need to do. >> We also include it in our August days. So we when all the staff comes back in August, we have like their own Google classroom legitimately because it's easy for us to put everything in one place and then they're expected to review it, sign off that they've reviewed it. So

098that is one of the items that they review is our emergency operating procedures. That's all I had. All right. I realized I skipped right ahead to the policy because I'm thinking about it so much, but um sorry about that. But yeah, I'll make a motion to um approve these policies and I can read them out for Sharon. Um >> as a hold. Uh do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> All right. Any further discussion on these if we review them as a whole? No. >> No. All right. Should I read them for Sharon? >> Uh, she knows. If you just want to say that was presented in the packet and then she she'll be able to I can walk through that tomorrow. >> All right. So, all in favor of reviewing and approving

099all the policies in the SMS packet for this week, >> please say I. >> I. Anybody opposed? >> All right. So, that's 4. All right. And heading back up to the beginning, uh, building committee. Um, we kind of already went over it. Yeah. >> Okay. Um, superintendent evaluation committee, do you want to say anything? >> Sure. Um, so I sent out a rough draft of the superintendent evaluation survey from our school board to the um members to get feedback. Um, we'll discuss that in non-public if there was anything additional and then I'll revise it and send it to our chairperson. And then what our committee is going to do is compile all the answers from the different schools and then we will send out a summary to kind of summarize all of the different opinions

100that we collected. >> Y will that start at the joint board Monday? >> Um I'll look at >> Okay. >> There was a everybody's getting it by then. >> I don't think it won't be. I think >> I doubt it because we need to reorganize. So we'll have to we don't have a chair of the joy board right now. >> Okay. Right. I think um >> so we our first meeting since March because there's new board members so we got to reorganize together. >> Yes, I think we have a meeting in May. >> Yeah, because typically the May meeting is a chance for the superintendent to have that conversation with >> Sounds good. >> All right. Thank you for doing that. >> Of course. Yeah. >> So that was sent because I saw it just

101came to me, but it was sent to every board member. >> It was. >> Yeah. Okay, great. >> Yes. >> Um >> thank you for your feedback. >> Safety and security task force. Um, that's Shane now, right? >> Yeah. >> The first meeting I will be attending is next week. >> I'm pretty sure next week for here and then our safeties it would be May 14th will be the whole committee. Shane. >> Okay. >> I think Sharon sent out a change maybe got updates so that showed a change and a new date. >> Got it. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. I did the same thing today. I was like, "Wow, I have six of these from Sharon." It was 2027. I was like, "Okay, that's not next Thursday." >> That's what happened. >> It's tomorrow. We

102have a meeting tomorrow. >> If you didn't get it, let me know because we did set out the agenda, but I will make sure you get that, >> Shane. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> I would just add just quickly about that. I did meet with Steve Cooper, who's our new chief safety uh officer. Um he came over for about two hours last week. We did a walk around the building. We talked about procedures. Um we talked about like he was fantastic like my job is to support you so that you can keep your students and staff safe. So, it was a great it was a great first meeting. Yeah, I just keep hearing positive stuff, so that's great. >> Yeah. >> All right. Communications, community engagement. >> Yeah. Um I had a good conversation with

103Luke Picket, who is here tonight. Um and we were talking about um just kind of the idea that, you know, once students leave SMS, we really don't know how they do in the world. And um do the things that we do here make a difference for them after they leave here? And I thought that was a really cool question to think about like all of the social emotional learning we're doing, all of the community engagement efforts, um the academic excellence, like did early interventions have an impact on students later in their life. Um so I was I thought that was a really cool and interesting question. I wanted to pose it to the rest of the board to see what you guys thought of it. um I could put out a survey to the community

104to kind of ask those questions, but um you know before we get there, we obviously need to know is that something that you guys would think would be helpful. Um definitely looking to you Kate is if there if there's anything and other board members just anybody who wants to weigh in, is that something that would be useful information? And if so, um, what questions would be the most useful? >> Who would you be sending out to? Adults? >> Um, could be anybody. Adults or students, you know, after they leave here if they're old enough to take a survey. >> Do you have like a specific um year range you're going to you're thinking about? >> We hadn't really teased that out. I mean, I guess that's open for discussion. Um yeah, could be parents, you

105know, we could have different um markers on the survey if you want if you identify as a parent or if you identify as a student. >> Um I don't know. It I thought it was a cool thought experiment. Anyways, so do you want to speak any more to it, Luke, or >> No, I uh I just threw it out as you know uh I think the first threshold would have been, you know, parents end of the middle. >> So, I'll just say public comment is over. >> Okay. Sorry. >> Um, but I I'll have if you want to come up and just speak into the microphone. >> Um, uh, Luke Picket Smith Farm. Um, we talked about this and I also spoke briefly with Kate as well at the suggestion of Sophie and one of

106the ideas was at the end of 8th grade going into the high school, you know, should you ask the parents and possibly the teachers as well, knowing what you know now, you know, how did SMS prepare you for the middle school, right? what did we do really well and what you know what would you give us in terms of constructive feedback on maybe some things that you know we could do differently >> and if you could pull one or two nuggets a year out of that I think it you know it might be worthwhile to have that that kind of feedback hadn't really thought about all the way through high school but the basic concept is in terms of you know if we're promoting social and emotional you know are are kids voting by the

107time they're you know they turn 18 did you know did they vote if there was an election action, you know, how much uh volunteer uh activity was going on? Did people run for class office? I mean, how, you know, how do how are the Stratam kids doing? And I I'm not sure there's the a right question, but um it seems important in terms of the educational program and h you know, how'd we do, you know, was it a good was it a good start? >> Thank you. I guess I'll ask a point. Don't do >> Oh, no. I I like the idea of um reaching out to the eighth grade parents. I think that's interesting. if we could kind of start compiling a survey. Um because that would be it's not very it's not so

108widespread that you would get just inudated with data, but you could slowly collect data over a couple of years and just kind of see, you know, how those kids are doing as they move through their secondary education. Yeah. I mean, I guess part of the question is um what what do we do with it? What do we do with information? Like why um yeah, why would we are are we able to change anything with the information? I guess is part of it. You know, I don't want to put a lot of work into something that's just going to not go anywhere. Um, so yeah, I I don't know. I guess I don't have a fleshed out proposal. I just wanted to bounce it off of you guys and see initial thoughts, feelings, concerns, questions. >>

109I wonder if other elementary schools do it. >> Have you ever heard of anybody else doing it? >> Um, there's alumni surveys over your whole K12 career, but really moving through. I have not heard that. Um, >> I don't really have opinions. I'd want to think about that because I think it can be sticky in some spots, >> but I think there could be useful data, too. So, I' I'd want to I'd want to think more about it. >> Okay. Well, then should I just follow up with you directly, Chris, and chat about it? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> We can table it for now. >> Okay. We'll come back to the next meeting with >> something. Thank you for the idea, Luke. Um, all right. Cast management. Cash management. Do you have anything you

110want to >> Um, so we had our first meeting and we established um, so I'm the chairperson cuz Cameron was good with that. Um, he was he's on plenty of committees. So he was like, you can take this one. So I gladly took it. Um, and Mr. Picket attended and Mr. Monaco attended. And so we kind of chatted about what our goals were. And so right now our goals are to kind of figure out the cash flow as it stands. So talking to the town and kind of figuring out how the school fits into the town's cash flow. And then what we're going to do with that information is then see if there's a smarter way for us to be managing the money that is entrusted to us by the taxpayers. So, we have another

111meeting next month and we um have Mr. Picket and Mr. Monaco doing some factf finding for us right now and they're going to summarize everything and then we'll discuss it and then figure out where to go from there. >> Yeah. >> Okay, that sounds great. >> Yeah, definitely a good opportunity to learn. >> It's fascinating. >> Yeah. How you report back to the board because >> interested in hearing that kind of stuff too. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. uh chat update. I don't think I have anything that I haven't talked about here. Um I think that's it. So I guess just to go back to um you know to talk about bond surplus because we should probably just kind of finish finish that up. Um >> I guess I have a few thoughts but

112I don't want does anybody want to add anything? Yeah. >> Oh, not at this time. >> Yeah. Um I think for me, you know, um Paul, like I I agree with what he said, right, about transparency. And so I am curious like because those three things were pulled right from the proposal for the bond. >> Not all of them, just the windows. The skylight was not deemed as an important thing at the time >> and the floors were not brought up as a priority at that time. >> Okay. Yeah. And so you know I think that he is right like how we talked about it to the public was without those three items. Um >> we did talk about the windows in every >> session we said if there is extra we will do. So

113>> I guess it's just really a question of the legal language. Um, I agree that we should communicate transparently like about what it is, but to me, if if um we don't need to go through another warrant, I mean, that saves a year. Like, we're not, you know, >> Yeah. >> If we don't need to go through an extra process, then I still think there will be communication with the public. >> Mhm. But if we don't need to go through extra steps of them approving it, then we don't need to go through extra steps. And if we do, then we absolutely will. >> I think there needs to be transparent communication no matter what it is. >> I'm just saying, >> yeah, if we don't need to go through a warrant, then why then we

114don't need to go through a warrant? >> Yeah. But but what is transparency if there's no like recourse, right? I mean, what what how does the public tell us that they don't want us to do that and then we just do it? But we were said, "Oh, we were being transparent by telling you." >> I mean, I guess that's the case of any decision we make. >> Yeah. I guess I think it would make sense for the attorney to come in. I think I I would like that. Um I would like to hear what they had to say about about some of these things. I'd be curious to know at do other, you know, people that are this fortunate to have these contingency plans um have they, you know, how have they handled this? Have

115there been other districts doing this? And then I also I am kind of also stuck on the fact that this is a contingency, right? The project still will continue for another year past. >> So, you know, there still is time for other things to happen. And we hope they don't and we hope this stays firm, but >> it is called a contingency for a reason. >> I don't know. >> Yeah, it's a great position for us to be in. >> Yeah. >> I mean, are there other questions aside from really asking the lawyer, is this allowed or not per this RSA? Like, please respond using this RSA. >> Just to ask the question for the sake of asking it. Was the council made aware of the RSAs within the town to review or was that

116a part of the process? >> No, because it's the first time I've heard those specific RSA here. Um, but when I asked the question, I I would hope that they're knowledgeable of the RSAs and and the recommendations of how who would be the fiscal authority over the bond, of course, >> after it's been approved and, you know, the legality of that. So my question specifically is at the end if there is surplus that has been approved by the town on this bond project could other projects be done that are uh within the scope of the warrant which was under building construction and could that be a decision of the board and the answer was yes because the warrant uh was laid out for building construction renovation that other projects that fit in within that warrant

117that was approved by the governing body which is the residents that money could be done by this board because you be the agent. So, we just get clarify um you know, so whatever questions the board have, if you send them to me, I can put that list. Um and again, um Glenn or or Bob, if there's questions that they could have, uh I'd be glad to have that. So, we'd have that all in a a nice little sheet and then they could come in and just, you know, hit each each item. So, that way it's it's really transparent of what the answer is and we could have questions based on on the uh the recommendation from legal counsel. >> Understood. And are there any circumstances that we would be able to have, I guess, a

118special type of town meeting or would if it does go to a warrant, would we have to wait until next year to have that vote? >> Yeah. >> Is it >> I think we would have to wait. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Um again, I'd get clarification exactly the timeline on that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Public comments over. I don't know if >> you can reach out to maybe the moderator. You can have a special meeting. It probably won't happen, but you can ask. Okay. in the suburb. >> So, yeah, I think we just need it. Are there other questions aside from that one question? Yeah, >> because if so, then it makes sense to bring her in. But if that's really the only question, I mean, >> we could put that in email.

119>> That could be an email and save $1,000 of legal fees. But >> Okay. Well, I think >> why don't I type up my questions and send them to Chris. You guys do the same and then um we'll see if it could just be an email. Maybe we all have the same questions. Okay. >> Great. Thank you. Okay. Um, so I Anything else? >> No. >> Yeah. Okay. So, I think we're going to go into non-public. >> That would be >> under uh letter C, please. >> Under letter C. >> All right. We'll do a roll call vote. >> I >> All right. >> Thanks for coming, everyone. >> Thank you. >> All right. Coming out of non-public at 7:44. Um, I'd like to make a motion to uh accept the personal request recommended by

120the superintendent. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. Thanks. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> 40. I think that's it. Do I have a motion to dismiss or dismiss it? >> I'll make a motion to end the meeting. >> End the meeting. >> All right. All in favor? I >> I >> Okay, good