001I will call the Exeter School Board meeting to order. It's April 14th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. and we'll start with the 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. I will look for a nomination for School Board Chair. I nominate Heather Ickes-Meyer. You have a nomination for Heather Ickes-Meyer. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Any other nominees? Any other nominees? All those in favor? I. I. I. Any opposed? I turn it over to you, Board Chair Ickes-Meyer. Great. Thanks. Um Great. So, um the next item on our agenda is um do we have a nomination for our School Board Vice Chair? I'd like to go ahead and nominate
002Tim Reed. I'll second that. Uh any discussion? Uh I do accept the nomination. Okay. Any discussion? Okay. All in favor? I. I. I. All right. Onward. PTO updates. Actually, can I just pause for 1 minute and welcome our newest board member, Amy Holmes? So great to have you and congratulations. Thank you. I'm excited to be here. Thank you all. Thank you, voters. Hi, everybody. Um this feels like a very busy time of year for the PTO. We have a lot going on. Uh at our last meeting, we actually um held our meeting during the same time as a kindergarten orientation. We saw some familiar faces. Patrick O'Day. I might have been there, yes. >> Might have been there. Um and yeah, we invited uh parents to come to our PTO meeting and just kind of
003check us out and see what we do. We had a table set up and we had some swag and pencils and pens and and things like that. So, um yeah, it's a great opportunity to be able to meet incoming kindergarten parents. So, uh and then we are actually going to be most of the board is actually staying on next year, except for me. Um so, I'm moving not because I don't want to, cuz I have to move on. But, um oh man, is that rain? Yes. Oh, okay. Soccer practice is not going to be fun. Um So, yeah, most of the board is staying on. I'm actually going to be posting uh the board positions uh in the newsletters next probably this week. I'll get that to Beth and Ryan. Um and we also have
004lots of We've expanded a lot, so we're not only the board, but we have a lot of volunteer positions that if, you know, parents just want to take a small bite, they can sign up for a smaller volunteer positions like helping out with um uh the glow party or uh trunk or treat or just kind of these events that we do. Um So, those will be posted uh this week. Um the teacher raffle is underway, and I have a update from Rachel Carter. Uh so, we posted the the teacher raffle is just an opportunity for students to have these special moments with teachers and they are so gracious to put together lots of different prizes and everything that students can win. So we've had about a hundred combined individual orders. And there are probably about
005a thousand dollars collected so far for the teacher raffle, which is great. But our biggest event is the Get Fit in May. So we're in full swing of that. I actually just filmed with Dr. Andruski a 16 and 60 with all the other PTO presidents where we had to talk about kind of what we're working on. So I talked about building community within the schools by hosting different events. So the movie night and the glow party and the Get Fit in May are big events. So talked about Get Fit in May during that mostly. The deadline is today for sponsors both family and business to be able to get on the back of the race shirt. We will gladly accept sponsors after this date, but the shirts have to go to print. So if anybody
006wants to have their family name or a business on the back of the shirt, it has to be in today. And we're filming a promo tomorrow with some more familiar faces. It'll be Beth and Ryan. Are going to be in our promo video this year. So we're going to get that on filmed and hopefully put out before school break. And um I think that's about Oh, and I've connected with Tanya over at Exeter to try and get more volunteers for students and for participants for the race. So we're hoping to get Lexi Paterna who has got a lot of she's done amazing job doing all these races and everything. So we think she's going to come for the pep rally and also for the race but we're really trying to make that bigger community connection
007with Get Fit in May and try to get more of the Exeter students to volunteer and be a part of that effort. And I think I think that's it. Any questions? Just thank you. I I know that you're rolling off but you have done a tremendous job leading the PTO and I think just like all of the things to find ways of like engaging different community members, engaging students more actively like the glow party and opening up meetings and having, you know, child care there and pizza and just finding really ways to make everything more accessible and like as you said to engage the broader community. I really commend you and the entire PTO. So, thank you. It's been a real like noticeable um like expansion, I think, of engagement. So. That's what we're hoping
008to do for the last couple years is just really try to engage parents and try to bring more community to the schools. So, thank you. Yeah. Thanks. Okay. Thanks. Okay, great. So, it is let's see. 6:06 and per RSA 18974, we're going to start the clock. We have 30 minutes allotted for public comment. And individual comments will be limited to 3 minutes per person to start. So, do I have any members of the public who want to speak now? All right. Great. So, we will move on to the approval of our meeting minutes. We had both public meeting minutes and non-public meeting minutes. I'll give you guys a minute to just take another quick refresher and then ask for a motion. >> All right. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes or any
009things that people want to see changed? So, I'd I'd move to accept both sets of minutes. Okay. Do you have a second? Yes. I'll second. Okay. All in favor? I. I. All right. Then you have two abstentions, probably. Oh, did you Did you Did you move to approve both or just one? >> but you're going to have probably have two abstentions, cuz Sean Ford and Kate weren't here. >> yeah. Thank you. Sorry. Three approved, two abstentions. Thanks. Thanks, Patrick. Yeah. Um all right. Principal reports. Um so, let's start with Main Street School. Beth? Good evening, everyone. So, a few highlights um from the classroom this spring, um our students are engaged in exciting Earth Science units that integrate reading, writing, and hands-on creativity. Um it connects directly to our benchmark literacy uh program. Um and
010um they also uh use some digital resources like PebbleGo, BrainPop, and Mystery Science to supplement their instruction um in science in these Earth Science units. Um in kindergarten, students are exploring weather and seasons. Um first graders are investigating patterns in the sky, and second graders are learning about the changes that shape the Earth. Um uh highlight in one of our second grade classrooms this this winter, um Mrs. Welch's second grade classroom um enjoyed a heartwarming letter exchange with students in Kenya. One of her students uh traveled to Kenya and when it was able to deliver these letters in person um and the students in Kenya wrote back to the students in her class. She was able to bring those back and share them um and it was a really nice opportunity for her students to
011connect with um some students in Kenya. Some enrichment experiences and field trips. Um we are in the third week of our spring session of after-school enrichments. Um we've had a very robust program this year, which is great for our students. Some of the offerings um this spring were rock climbing, karate, kickball with Mr. Ferguson and he has just as much fun as the children out there. It's awesome. Purposeful play, filmmaking, LEGOs, jewelry making, cooking, coloring, and Yahtzee. Um we recently finished up a month-long celebration of reading um sponsored by the Exeter Fire Department. The program um is called Stop, Drop, and Read um and it's an annual event um that's supposed to promote the love of reading. Students completed uh reading cards, um earned special prizes, and we our culminating event was last Friday where
012um two uh random students were selected to um ride a fire truck to school. So, that was exciting. Our kindergarten students, in connection with their Earth Science unit, um enjoyed a hands-on presentation on weather. And this was hosted by um the Discovery Museum out of Acton, Massachusetts. Um first grade students recently went um on a visit to the Dover Children's Museum. And then second grade students um we will be taking a field trip next week to the Great Bay Discovery Center. Um Main Street School was the site for appreciative inquiry instructional rounds that just happened today. Um a group of SAU administrators observed, discussed, analyzed classroom um information um and um the outcome was really some great theories of actions around um some really great things happening around UDL practices in our classrooms. So um
013and the um the we call them air rounds and it's really through a lens of appreciative inquiry. So um they were some great takeaways from today. And for folks who might not know, can you just explain UDL? Yeah. >> is you call UDL stands for universal design for learning. And its basic premise is removing barriers for all students to access um education. Some up- upcoming events, um we will be uh holding our own internal UDL rounds for our staff next week and that's an opportunity for our staff to visit visit each other's classrooms um to learn like what's working, what's happening, what's what's really great and positive that we can highlight. So that's an exciting opportunity for us. Um and then um just another another upcoming event happening in May that we want to share
014is our whole school celebration of learning which is happening on May 21st in the evening. So we look forward to that. Thank you. >> All right, good evening everyone. Um, it's been a very busy um, stretch since March 10th till now. Um, so I'll go over this fairly quickly, but we've had a lot going on during the school day and after the school day at Lincoln Street School. Um, one of our in-house field trips um, that took place right where you're sitting right now um, was that we had the SEE Science Center visit third grade. Um, and that was an activity that was focused around engineering and it was really focused on using LEGOs to build um, and figuring out how to get the vehicles to travel the greatest distance. Students began by considering properties
015of the wheel and the axle and then they built a vehicle and tested it, evaluated, discussed, collaborated with um, their partners and um, they did a great job. It's it's um, always a really high interest activity that um, SEE Science Center brings in. Um, and this ties to the forces in motion unit in third grade. Where our students um, excuse me, explore and create simple machines. Um, another event that we had was our maple syrup education day. We had a 60 4 16 that um, Dr. Andriski um, organized and was able to put together for us. Um, this was our 10th year I believe um, with um, doing the maple sugaring and our fifth year of doing a maple syrup um, education day. And this gets presented to um, students throughout Lincoln Street as well
016as um, classes that sign up at Main Street too to take part in the experience. Um, the students expand their knowledge of science through learning about the process, um, English language arts as they write and prepare their own scripts and public speaking as they practice using props and models as they share their expertise about one of the parts of the process with the rest of the school community that participates. Um, Ms. Caterer already mentioned after school enrichment. We are midway through. We have our third session tomorrow, our fourth session next week right before vacation, and most of our activities were sold out. We have over 100 students participating, which is always really nice to see that continued interest in those after school programs. Um a couple weeks ago, we had Northeast Passage visit Lincoln Street
017School PE classes, and Northeast Passage is is a similarity awareness program affiliated through UNH. Um with all is to show how we are all more alike than different, and that accepting others for who they are makes the community a better place. Students were able to play sports and games with small adaptations so that everyone can enjoy exercise, teamwork, and fun together. Um we also had um the UNH Brass Quintet perform for fourth and fifth grade band and um string students. Um during the performance, students learned about each of the instruments and heard age-level favorite songs from Disney favorites to the theme from Star Wars, which gets everybody up and moving. So, that was that was a really nice thing that they come and do. Um this is the second time over the last 4 years
018that we've been able to schedule them to come in. Um we right after our last um school board meeting, we had our STEAM night. Um this is our fourth annual STEAM night, and a really big thank you to Mrs. Haney and Ms. Carlozzi for their energy and efforts to hold um this event with so many community partners um both inside the Lincoln Street gym, in this space, in the art room, in the music room, and even out on the blacktop. We were filled the whole area with different community partners um with a wide variety of experiences related to um STEAM, which just for everybody is science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Um Was it last week? I believe it was last week. We had our fourth grade drama club, Frozen Kids. Um four incredible performances
019over 3 days. Um two for families in the evening, two for um peers during the school day. Students always do an amazing job and it's so much fun to watch kiddos that you're like, "Oh boy, they're getting on the stage." And then they just burst out with it and it's just a really, really cool experience every time that we have an opportunity opportunity to do that. So, great big shout out to Ms. Newman and Mrs. Langen for um directing as they always do in the fall and the spring and they do an amazing job with the kids. Um let's see. I'm going to go quickly through just a couple more things. We had Theater Espresso here last Friday um for fifth grade students and they do a great interactive um production or performance on the
020Boston Massacre where students serve as members of the jury and then they get to interact with the judge and talk about um when that shot or when the orders or for fire occurred, you know, they they talk about the different sides and the angles and they have to ultimately dis- discuss a verdict um at the end. And this connects the um fifth grade social studies curriculum as students are learning about the Revolutionary War. Um fifth grades or not fifth grade, all students had the opportunity to participate in um jujitsu last week as we had a local jujitsu studio come in. Um students did an absolutely um I was a little nervous cuz this was our first time and we've had different community partners come in and expose students to different pieces. We've had karate before.
021This is our first time with this and it was phenomenal. So well structured. It was a safe and supportive environment to try something new and the feedback from the kids was really positive. Um we have our Cooperative Middle School counselors coming to visit fifth grade lunches next week on Thursday. It's just another piece or phase of that transition process. Also, next Thursday we have our first ever instrumental festival, which will take place through the afternoon and evening where students from Lincoln Street CMS and EHS are all going to meet together at the high school and they're going to practice through the afternoon with a performance in the evening at 6:00. There's going to be somewhere between 3 and 400 students all performing together. One song that they're going to learn in the afternoon written by
022a local composer. So, really cool stuff. We had our student-led conferences last week. I don't want me to skip over that. Really well attended. This is our second. We have our fall student-led conferences which really focuses a little bit more on goal setting. Then we have more of that reflective pieces were in the spring part of the school year where students still talk about those goals that they've set in math and in literacy with a little bit more of a reflection on this is how my school year went and this is what I'm really proud of. Um And then I believe lastly, and I appreciate your patience because we had a lot of stuff to discuss today. We have our state testing starting next week. We have science which is just for fifth grade students.
023Communication was sent out to families just talking about the why behind the testing and what it means and how to access scores and all the different pieces. And then when we come back from our spring break, we will have our literacy assessment and our math assessment. Um and the only other thing I'm going to add to this is that we do have our community dialogue this Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 at the Mike Morgan Center. And the event will focus on how we recognize celebrations in holidays in the classroom with an opportunity to just hear of hopefully a diverse set of opinions and experiences and just kind of gain that information. So, it'll be helpful as we do some visioning work over the summer and think about what those next steps might look like.
024So again, that's this Thursday at 5:30 at the Mike Morgan Center. Thank you very much. Can I ask a quick question? Of course. Um with those tests First of all, that was incredible reports and I I don't even know how you fit all of that in since March. So it's really robust. There's a reason you look tired. It's great. Um I just want to the three I know there's the science testing for the fifth grade and then you come back after the break and there's two more. How many total days of testing is that? Yeah, so great question. Um generally the literacy test takes a little bit longer because it's a reading and writing assessment. Um we typically provide testing times. We we don't test on Mondays. We you know, that's we like to get
025kids back into the rhythm of the school week. So typically we look at Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Some students will finish in one day in one testing session. A lot of students will finish some time on Wednesday. So you know, if we have an hour an hour 15 blocked out on Tuesday. A lot of students will finish on Wednesday. Very small number of students might go into that third day. And a lot of times that Thursday is used more as a makeup day than an assessment day due to you know, absences for whatever reason. Thanks. All right. I was just going to say something about the music that you were talking about with like 400 students. >> Yeah. Is the board sound coming on here? Uh when I was at the PTO meeting actually the the
026two music related teachers were there talking about that and said how unusual it was to be able to get elementary kids and middle school kids and high school kids So a lot of times there are siblings that are practicing, but to actually be practicing the same piece of music and to perform together. So it sounds like it's going to be a great event. Absolutely. No, we're we're really excited for it. You know, hopefully it's the first of many. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it's incredible. Thank you. All right, over to our central office update and we'll start with our superintendent's office report. Thank you. Uh, the senior leadership team is working right now to support our certified educators who are in the process of recertifying this spring. So, we're excited to have one-on-one appointments with any of
027our staff who are recertifying and reviewing documentation and talking about professional growth in their endorsement area. So, that's that will keep us busy uh, among other things this spring. Just to reiterate a couple of things that the principal spoke about. We did have the appreciative inquiry instructional rounds today at Main Street. This is the second uh, rounds that we've done. A couple of weeks ago we were at the middle school. Um, that's been a really good process. It was really wonderful to be at Main Street and see such consistent and positive practices supporting our students. It was a really really uplifting and wonderful day for all of us. Um, also wanted to reiterate what um, what Ryan shared about the the community conversation on Thursday evening at the Mike Morgan Center, which is over by
028the SAU office. Um, so I know there's some of us might be in a policy meeting at the same time, but if you're not there, this will be a really wonderful conversation and I know we have some um, a lot of energy around that conversation. Um, and then uh, I did want to since our last meeting, we did have we lost a a beloved member of our Lincoln Street School community, um, Jesse Sher and so I have asked Principal McKloskey to come up and say a few words. Thank you. Um, just a brief statement just to recognize the many contributions from um, Miss Jesse as we know her. Um, it is with a heavy and grateful heart that I share that last month Lincoln Street School lost a long time and beloved staff member, Miss
029Jesse Sher. During her more than 25 years at Lincoln Street School, Miss Jessie, again as she was known to staff and students, served as both a recess aid and cafeteria monitor. She began working at Lincoln Street School when her children were students in the building and never left, finding a second home here and forming lasting relationships with many members of our community. Miss Jessie treated every student as an extension of her own family. She brought a steady sense of care, patience, and positivity to both the cafeteria and recess spaces that can often feel busy and unpredictable. Through her presence, she created an environment where students felt safe, supported, and valued each and every day. Her absence continues to be deeply felt, but the impact she made on our school community will continue to live on
030in the countless lives she touched. Lincoln Street School is a better place because of Miss Jessie's many efforts, and we look forward to honoring her memory this spring, and some of the ideas that has come out is um planting a tree out front in her memory, and and also helping with our just beautifying our campus as a part of that because she certainly played a role inside the building doing the same thing. Thank you. And then finally, uh I would look for a motion to accept a resignation from Main Street School, Sarah Lamoureux, and um one of our BCBAs has um submitted for res- her resignation. So, I'll make a motion to accept the resignation with regret. Second. Um any discussion? All in favor? I. >> I. I. Thank you. Good evening. In your board
031pack, you have the financials. So, last month we had remaining expense of $694,065. This month we had financial changes of $299,869. The majority of that was some encumbrance changes in the special ed department for contracted services. We also had some wage decrease encumbrances for changes for employees on leave and substitutes. The Harbor Networks charge was a technology switches that needed to be installed in both Main Street School and Lincoln Street School. And we also had some maintenance and facility contracted services additions. With the revenue higher than anticipated of 71184, we anticipate ending the year at 465 380. But with the transfers to the trust that were passed in March, we anticipate a return to the taxpayers of $340,380. Does anyone have any questions? Oh. See any. All right. Thank you. Thank you. You're welcome. All
032right. Our next agenda item is board committee reports and assignments. And so um I'd love to do this two couple of different ways. So every year we kind of we during this meeting what we'll want to hear about any of report outs from committees that have met certainly since March, right? With standing members. And then we usually like to give an opportunity for the board to think about if they want to continue to serve on a committee they've been serving and certainly new board members to think about what committees they might want to serve for the year ahead. So before we get started in this um agenda item, I'm just going to actually just name and I can email this to you all which committees will be going forward into next year. I'll also let
033you know and again I'll send this out. We'll send this out after but it'll be in the minutes as well when these committees meet. So as you're thinking about the committee thinking about whether you know that time of day or time of month works for your schedules. And then I think what worked well last year is I'll just ask everyone to think about that and then send me sort of which committees you're interested in and we'll go from there. Okay, so the committees that will be meeting this coming year and we'll talk about any additional committees we might want to add but the the ones that are already existing are equity committee that meets currently the first Thursday of the month at 3:15 and that is that committee does meet in person, correct? Yes. Okay.
034The policy committee meets the third Thursday at 6:00 p.m. currently and that's currently a hybrid meeting. So there's the option to meet in person or to join by a zoom. Our strategic planning committee will only meet as needed. So as we start to move that plan into implementation. Facilities also meets as needed. Correct? Yes. Wheel right, I believe still has some funds in in balance so they will meet as needed as well. Um We have a sabbatical and professional growth fund committee that meet that group only meets once and that is usually in January or February. Our superintendent evaluation committee, when do they meet him currently? Um a few times a year. Um the next meeting will be in early May. Okay. >> once we have the 360 eval and the um and the board
035goals to uh to consider as we put together the evaluation. Okay, so there's not a standing monthly meeting. It's a cadence around the evaluation process. Okay, great. Um the safety and security meeting is um meets that committee meets three times a year. That's Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. in person at the high school usually. Um and then this coming year we don't have we won't be meeting as a negotiations committee. So um so those are of the of the current committees, those those will be the the times um for this year and how they'll meet. And then we can as we sort of close out the reports, we can talk um in in as we get further in the agenda if there's other committees we want to consider. Okay? So um let's go ahead and start
036um with our equity committee. So Tim and Kate. Great. So we had our last meeting on April 2nd um where we talked about inclusion. Uh and we watched a video from Dr. Shelly Moore who and who discussed uh the evolution of uh integration in schools to inclusion uh for for children with uh special needs. Uh it was really really good discussion around how we've sort of evolved our thinking in terms of how children with special needs are placed in classrooms and schools. Um so that was really a really thoughtful discussion amongst the the the staff. Um there there isn't a a next step activity uh around bias that uh everyone was asked to do to come back with them next time to to consider and think through. So, that'll be the the focus of our
037next meeting on Thursday, May 14th. Great. Um next up is policy. There weren't too many policies and I thought they were they were well-timed for sort of this time of year. Um Patrick, I had to join late. Do you want to walk us through the policies this meeting? >> sure, yeah. Most of these are related to board members and their responsibilities and roles and they're all revisions of currently existing policies. So, first one is board member responsibilities and you can see there's just um changes in language that just to add some more clarity related capture what should already be happening in boards. It's not to really sort of create anything new except for just to sort of capture in terms of expectations about what's happening. And then if you go forward to board member or
038district officer resignation, there's just some clarification about when the resignation takes effect and also something about whether or not you could be disqualified for office because there's some state laws about disqualification if you commit certain crimes, for example, you could be disqualified. Um so, some of that language is is added into here. And then under student board members, which really doesn't apply to us, so we can skip over that one. That's a cooperative board policy. This the cooperative board is required to have a student board member on there, but um the elementary boards are not. And then there's some clarification again under a policy that we have about school board member ethics. And there aren't again, there aren't really new areas. So, there's um I mean, there's one, I guess, new new item that's on
039here. It just says understanding that the board is a governing body does not manage the district, but rather sets broad goals and standards for the district by way of policies adopted by a quorum of the board at duly noticed meetings under the right to know law." So, it's really capturing what we're already doing. So, there's no new sort of expectations that are on here, but just cleaning up a little bit of the language. Um and then there's something on here with board officers. And in particular, taking out some references. For example, we don't tend to elect the secretary or a treasurer. Um so that language is taken out of here, and it also talks about to add some clarity that if someone were to were to resign, um who would particularly the chair were to
040resign, that the vice chair would take that position, which again, as I think as things have been operating, but it just clarifies that. And then lastly, a policy on minutes, which is really connected with the right to know law, but adds some additional piece on here where you can see just listing the name of the person that's taking the minutes and the start and end time of the meeting. It's not it may not be strictly required, but it's just a good practice to have that. Makes it easier to read the minutes. And then there's a piece at the very end that talks about if minutes were sealed within the past 10 years, we um there needs to be a process to go about looking about at whether or not they need to remain sealed or
041they should be opened over time. So, they're not They There's some things that if the if there was a negotiation for I don't know, for a contract or something, and depending on what's in there, maybe that need to be sealed at the time, but 10 years later it doesn't need to be sealed. There's not a an a reason to keep that information confidential necessarily. So, we would need to go back and and look at those, and we have some time to do that, but I think we need to sort of plan ahead to go back in the archives and see if things were sealed for whatever reason, and look at whether or not we can open them up because we should do as much of our business in public as possible. I mean, it should
042only go into non-public for only special reasons. That's what this policy is reflecting. And then I'm sorry, there was one last one which is just um that's not related to board responsibilities, which is use of school facilities and you can see there is um very little changes to that. There's a There's a you know, just a couple of updates um with some typos and and a line here about the board shall delegate to the superintendent designate the authority to approve use of school facilities, which is again what practices what the practice is already. So, it's just a clarification. Thanks, Patrick. I um joined late to the policy committee meeting um last, so I missed the discussion of BBAA, but I did have a question. So, I don't believe we've done this in the past where
043the board has taken a vote to designate the chair to speak of the board, which is how I read that policy. So, I'm wondering if we should do that later in the meeting if we approve the policy. But that's how I'm That's how I'm interpreting it, correct? That that would That is what it says. That the board is has the specific authority to designate someone to act and speak on behalf of the board. Yeah. So I believe that's if um if you wanted to designate somebody other than the board chair to speak on on behalf of the board. >> it's already I don't think we have it in here because I don't have the rules of each of the members, but there's a separate policy that talks about the chair. The The chair I don't
044think that represents the board. >> But you could have something someone could be ahead of a committee, for example, and you could the board as a whole could authorize that person to speak on behalf of the board if they wanted to. And we would just have to take a vote. Right, but otherwise absent absent a vote it's the Yep. Okay. All right, that's clarifying cuz Or the vice chair Don't remember doing that last year. Okay. Yeah. Great. And I think Allison you had some Do you want to share what you learned around the sealed minutes? Yeah, sure. It appears that the Exeter School Board has not had a practice of sealing non-public minutes. So we did go back and check just to see what that would entail and we're in good shape. We we don't
045have a current need to to unseal those anything. Okay. I think we try not to seal things unless Yeah. It's Yeah, that makes sense. I couldn't remember a time we've done it. So yeah. It's good. All right, any other any discussion? So I would look for a motion to pass these It's six policies. One, two, three, four, five, six policies all together. The five that are related to the board positions which are the policy codes are BBAA which is about board member authority, BBBC which is about resignation of board members or officers, BBBF which is Oh no, we don't actually have to do that one. That's a student number one. So let's strike that. BCA which is board member ethics, BDB which is board officers, and then BEDG which is minutes. And then the last
046one is KF which is use of school buildings and facilities. It's a mouthful. Can I make a motion to what you said? Yes, to approve those approve those approve those proposed >> Make a motion to approve those policies stated by Patrick. I second. Okay, any discussion? Okay, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Great. Um so, our strategic planning committee representative was Beth York. I don't know that if Allison, do you know if they had any meetings? But I don't believe so. >> No, so they haven't met. And again, that meeting that group will meet sort of as needed throughout the year. Um facilities Patrick? Uh we didn't have a meeting. Okay. Wheelwright Trust, um Tim? No, no meeting. Is there an update at all like do it I guess as we look forward do we
047Yeah, once all the once all the field trips are paid for and the installations paid for for the the the hot tub and the front entry way. We'll have a better sense of where Yeah, so then so then we'll know for the end of the year or the beginning of next year how much is left. And if that committee needs to continue. Okay, great. Um sabbatical professional growth fund, there was a report on that at the last meeting. Um and so that won't meet again until January um or February of next year. Um and uh Tim, I know we'll talk later, but the superintendent evaluation, is there any update that the for the public? >> Yes, the 360 evaluation went out to 81 staff members. Uh so, they have until April 24th to respond to
048that evaluation and then the individual boards across the SAU are um evaluating the superintendent's goals uh during non-public session during their board meet meetings until uh through in early next month and then in early May, the committee will reconvene um and uh go through that information and um and summarize and create presentation to present at the joint board meeting in May. Okay. All right, and safety and security, which, um, I am a representative for, uh, did not meet since March. So, that, um, wraps up our committee reports. Later on in the agenda in just a moment, we'll consider, I know we had, um, talked about maybe forming a school meals advisory committee. Um, so, we'll talk about that, um, in just a minute under new business. Um, but first, um, I know we wanted to
049hear from central office a little bit more about some, um, considerations around school meals, um, for the upcoming academic year. Sure, this is this is good timing. Um, so, as we think about the 2026-2027 school year, just to confirm, we will still be part of the school breakfast program and the USDA National School Lunch Program. Um, and so, I just wanted to make sure we were we had a common understanding or we on the same page about what exactly, um, the the district portion will cover, which, um, I believe is one reimbursable breakfast and one reimbursable lunch per student per school day. I believe that's what the budget reflects, but I I just wanted to bring it to the board to make sure that, um, that that is that's correct. Some things that we will,
050um, we are considering and and in the event that there is an advisory committee might be worth discussing there as well. Um, in the event that there's an option for a second meal, we would keep uh, school accounts lunch or meal accounts open for students should they decide they want to purchase a second meal or an additional milk. Um, and for both of those, families would need to, um, have a maintain funds in those accounts for those seconds. If there were no funds, if a student um received their meal and then wanted seconds but didn't have sufficient funds in their account, we would work with staff to develop a script to just make it really clear for students um that that's not included in in that um that one reimbursable breakfast or lunch. Um Lincoln
051Street does have unlimited fruits and vegetables, so I wanted to make sure that you knew that. And um we're already thinking about the free and reduced applications, which we know and we had before this part. Can Can you give us any Do you have any data about how frequently that happens that students take a a second lunch or second breakfast? Yes, I I can if I can just finish my >> go to the overview first? >> Sure. Yeah. Um we're already thinking about um how we can encourage families to complete the application. That might mean really encouraging every family to fill out the the application. Um and so that's, you know, as you know, that's something that we've been thinking about and um is definitely worth more discussion as we move forward. Um seconds are
052are not always offered. So, it really depends on what the meal is and if there are seconds available. Um for the month of March, I If you give me just a second, I did get this and I forgot to write it in my notes. Um There were There were several. Um It might take me just a second. I If you give me a second to look through my my emails, I'll be able to get you that information. But that was all I just wanted to share and make sure you had that information before your next um agenda item. So, I'll keep digging and I'll I'll let you know when I find it. Great. Um go ahead, Patrick You had Yeah, I mean I guess I I would I would just say, you know, also when
053you when you said, you know, I I guess we voted to have one meal. I don't think we did vote that way. We didn't We never addressed that topic at all one way or the other and I think it's um I mean I think it's an open question, but be useful to understand what the practice is and how often that happens and what kind of cost impact we're we currently have with that or and when you say seconds or the the when there seconds are offered, are they free or do people pay for a second meal? Just I don't understand any of that dynamic because that's not something we discussed previously. Um so, you know, whenever you can find things in notes and we don't even have to do it tonight for that matter. I'm
054certainly not trying to put you on the spot. Um and I think that it that's going to flow into a new business item about, you know, about having a school advisory committee to really be brainstorming for all just these sorts of things. So, you know, you touched on a couple of things there and about people filling out the forms and paperworks, but also just really tracking this better so we understand. I mean I think there's um you know, we want to make sure that this initiative is is really having a benefit. And if it's having negative impacts, we want to understand that whether they're financial impacts or some other impacts, whatever they are. And if we can be creative of, you know, to find ways for people to get the most out of this. I
055mean, I not trying to transition too quickly into the next item, but it but I do think that's part of it. So, I I I think it's great you're raising all these sort of things and don't don't You shouldn't feel on the spot to have to answer these things immediately cuz we don't need to know the answers at the moment. The budget's already set for next year. We're not, you know, we're not in the fall yet. Um we have some time and I but I do think that's where that advisory committee can really get a bunch of people together and be brainstorming these things and thinking about all the possible things that it's difficult to do during a board meeting. And if I can just respond to that, you're right. I don't why it's not
056coming up, but I agree if if in the event you choose to have that committee, we could really pull as much data as you felt would be helpful to look at and that might inform our decisions moving into the new year. Right. >> Yeah. Before we move on to that agenda item, which I know is coming next, is there as anyone else have questions just regarding the the central offices sort of report around school meal considerations? Okay, great. So, as we've discussed uh several times, I think, you know, as we were you just even discussing the possibility of school meals and how can we make it happen, I think there's been some suggestions that while we worked on that as a team, as a board here, that as we get into some of these, you
057know, sort of more granular details, it would be helpful to have a a committee that can really work with staff and work um with the, you know, central office leadership to get some information and bring it back to the board for discussion. So, a couple of things that I know we've talked about just to signal that is one, just what you said, like just understanding a little bit better what are the current practices, what is being offered, you know, even things like Lincoln Street School offers, you know, unlimited fruits and vegetables, right? So, what what is already kind of being offered, how does it how is it currently working? Um and then making some decisions around sort of how we're going to move forward. I think definitely what kind of data do we want to
058track, right? What would help ensure success and maybe even at mid at midpoint say we might need to you know, course correct or communicate some things, you know, differently. And then just that piece around communication. So, I I there's communication around this is happening and what does that mean for your students, right? Um but also I think communication around the um free and reduced lunch application, which we know as we've discussed unlocks all kinds of supports for for students and their families beyond meals. Um and so I think working through some of those ideas for how we um can encourage folks to really complete that application and um make sure that we're not jeopardizing any federal funding that goes to those supports. So I think those are really kind of the three things that we've
059talked about that that committee might address. Um So any other um so let's segue. I've already have done that to the school meals advisory committee. So this will be a new committee. So I think I just like to open it up for further discussion around um Yeah. The the idea of of forming one and what value or if that's of interest to the rest of the board. >> before we get too far into it because I'm I'm always cognizant of that as much as um you know, most of the people that are sitting in front of us were at the past several meetings, but folks that might be tuning in for whatever reason may not have been watching other meetings. So just to make sure we set the stage on what we're talking about and
060that was as part of this last year's budget, we have removed the parent contribution to the meal program. So in other words, all meals for breakfast and for lunch are at no cost to families whether you qualify under federal program or not. There's not a there's not a a monetary contribution to that and there might be some caveats as Allison was pointing out on the number of meals that sort of qualify for that, but it but that's the was sort of the intent of the board the way I understood it. And so now and then you mentioned the part about federal funding. There is a concern that if we don't get enough people that are eligible to sign up that we could lose some federal funding that doesn't just affect the meal program, but can
061affect other programs and so you want to make sure that we retain that eligibility so it doesn't affect summer reading program funding or some other sorts of programs that might be connected with federal funding. And then there's other considerations along the way. So, I think that's why we really thought about you know, having this committee and I'm I'm in favor of it. I don't know whether we need to figure out all of the the exact things it would do. I think as the committee gets together can figure some of those things out, but I think there's plenty of things that it could do and I and I don't know that it's a permanent committee so to speak, but you know, certainly for the next you know, between now and the next budget cycle, I would
062think it would be a committee that we'd want to have in place to really, you know, we have that responsibility to the voters to make sure that that we're doing something that meets the goal without sacrificing other things that are also important to the school district. Has there been conversation about the makeup of the committee? Like Um one There have we we can talk about I mean And I presumed that it would be at least, you know, two board members and some members of, you know, our our um administrative staff perhaps in this in central office. I think you can't have more than two school board members, otherwise it's considered a school board meeting. Right, school board two school board up to Well, you said at least two. So, I think >> Up to two
063school board members. Sorry. Up to two school board members and then a composition of um you know, staff and I presume maybe our food services director could join that committee, you know, I I think we still need to to iron out those details, but that it it yeah, we'd have input from from from schools and central office as well as board. No, I'm I'm all for for the committee. I think it would be unfair for us to just you know, advocate for the budget that the voters passed and then not touch back on this until the next budget cycle. I think we owe as Patrick said, we kind of we have that responsibility to the voters to really keep a close eye on on this and and but and drive awareness of the things that
064we know that we discussed at length many times what could the the the potential drawbacks be. So, I'm looking forward to that committee. I agree with with Tim and Patrick and I'm willing to join that committee when it is formed. Great. I also just want to say and I recognize that there's like there's the communication out to the community, but there's also supporting staff and some talking points of really making sure that it's clear what you know the policy is and the prac you know the procedures and it'll change we know that it'll change you know how how lunch and breakfast are working and want to make sure it's successful for everyone. Feels everyone feels supported. Great. So, do we need to take do we have to make a motion to form a committee? I
065think it's probably a good idea. I don't know if it's required. I think it's a good idea. Okay. Yeah. Well, I'd like to go ahead and make a motion to form a committee for the FY26-27 school year academic year a school meals advisory committee. I second. So, if I can just with a friendly amendment that we not start at the 26-27 school year, but that it's one that we would start immediately and then and continue through next next year. >> Yes, I sorry. So, for I meant for the FY26-27 school year, but I can amend my motion. I would like to make a motion to immediately form a new committee of the board for a school meals advisory committee that would run through um FY26-27 academic year. Thank you. You're welcome. >> the amendment to
066the motion. Any discussion? I think it's I think it's a good plan. And I think we can we can revisit this next year if it's a committee that's worth pursuing or or or not. We can either decide we don't need a committee or you know, or extended. But I I do also like the idea of not just adding more and more committees to the list that you know, that don't expire. I'm cognizant of the sort of it's a tax on staff and whatnot, too, to go to yet another committee meeting. So, want to be careful about that. And before we may or may not pass this, if we do, do we want to uh make sure that we that committee is formed uh with members to like identify who will be on the committee so
067that they can meet before the next um board meeting. I think we could. Well, why don't we take a vote first? >> Let's vote on on the uh yeah. So, um any further discussion on the motion? Okay, all in favor? I. >> I. I. Great. Um So, go ahead. I like Tim's idea. Great. Well, I was discussing with the motion. Sure. So, I know, Shawnee, that you you you offered to serve on that committee. Yeah, definitely. Mhm. Is there someone else that would be interested in serving on that committee? >> I would love to. Okay. Great. So, Shawnee and Kate. You can put it right there. That's great. All right, that's great. Thank you, both. Do we need to Do you have a sense of folks from Lincoln Street or Main Street that might be
068on that that sort of a committee? Can you share with us? If I if I could just interject If I could just interject. So, one thing I might recommend is that I can certainly work with the school administration and get positive representation from um both of the schools. I can work with the food service director and then um That would be great. Okay. That seems like the main groups that like we'd need one probably someone from each school. Do we need someone from extra developmental preschool? Do they have a food program at all? Yeah. They do have a program but it's supported by our budget and our our food service director oversees that as well. Yeah. Okay. So as long as you have that connection there. >> I think we need a representative from each
069of the schools, right? The food service director and whoever whomever else in the central office might represent. Yeah. All right, great. So Um wonderful. So moving right along. Um our next agenda item is our 26-27 calendar. Um Which Don't look at the one in the board packet. Look at the one that was sent after the packet was sent. Do you Do you want to make any comment on the calendar for us? Yeah. Yes, thank you. Um so we have just a couple of changes. Maybe what went to the joint board. Um or just like I'm not sure but a couple of things to note. So initially there was a uh there was an in-service day on October Friday, October 9th. We've moved that to January 15th. Um for a couple of reasons. One is we
070find that we have a number of professional development days already in the fall. Um and also as we're looking at getting used to a new uh report card, we feel like it might be more timely to have that professional development day in January and then the other Did I get that right, Ryan? Okay. And then the other one is April. We included an early release day for student-led conferences which I know is Um we've been doing that but we just wanted to make sure to reflect that in the calendar. >> Okay. Just to Tim's point, I want to make sure that everyone's looking at the right the right um one. So, it's not the one in our packets. >> Right. I'm not sure that I am. Yeah, I know. That's the it was sent out
071separately. Yeah. It was an addition to board packet. From Kristen Gibson on April 7th at 3:56 p.m. Okay. Do you want a paper copy? Yeah. I think I Yeah, if I think if we could share a paper copy just so that we're all making sure that we're um all looking at the most up-to-date version. Cuz there the additions were I think the early release days on December 23rd, January 15th, April 8th. And then the in-service days on September 8th, November 3rd, March 9th. Uh with the last day of school June 11th. And then the the breaks are the same. Doesn't add much time. I know the copy I have here I have here right now says December 2nd Christmas Day. I don't really even understand that. It has after the holiday break it says December
0722nd Christmas Day. The paper copy you just gave me. Yeah, this one. Right. The number is kind of scratched out. >> There are I think Right. So, do you see that it's there's a typo under important dates. Right. After holiday break we have December 24th through January 1st and then December 2nd Christmas Day. What is that? That's a that's just a typo. Yeah. Yeah, I think it's just a typo. >> You said this needs to be stricken. Mhm. Mhm. Okay. Any other um comments? I I know I know we talked about this at the joint board in January, the interesting start to school with off Friday the 4th, Labor Day is the 7th, and then the election day primary day the 8th, so I know that we can't really avoid it, but it's just very
073interesting start to the school year. >> Right, we start back with 4 days, and then we go into a second week with only 3 days. I guess why is that not listed on the sort of the visual calendars an in-service day? See, there's the circle It is. >> that as your So, the paper copy is not So, the paper copy isn't isn't correct then. It was like three years ago. Yeah, this is confusing. Yeah, so you want to look at the one that was sent to us by the second version that was sent to us by email. It it is listed under important dates. There are always changes to this, but Mhm. What's that? I don't know what that crossed out because it should say the I don't have the touch screen. Oh, I know.
074I'm sorry. So, So, is there a type Is there another typo that's on here after January 1st? It has four quote There's four crossed out to the in-service day? >> Yeah. Right, so correct. We just need to fix the date on there, which would be January 15th. So, that's going to that fix and then take out the one that has the December for Christmas Day. And there's not a date for the early release for all students in December on here either. It's not listed on the important dates on the side. It's for the above holiday break, but the number is It doesn't have the number. >> have the number. It just says December early release for all students. >> Right. So, there's three typos on the list of important dates so far. The one for
075early release right before break, the December we need to strike the December Christmas Day, and then after the January 1st one there we have to add the dates for that in-service day. Right. Is that it? That's a typo too, right? Oh, it's cut off. Yeah, conferences is cut off. Yeah, there's also I don't This is a formatting thing. Is it This formatting. >> You think so? Well, this is what is vote. >> Yeah, I think it's cut off. But that's not vote. We'll make sure that we look closely at each of those important dates and make sure it has the correct date and all all the words. Actually, another question about Columbus Day is are we required to call it Columbus Day now because of the federal government? >> I believe so, yes. Yeah. What's
076that? Yeah. Yeah, I mean it says Columbus Day on the schedule. Columbus Day observed. I think that was true last year, too. That we had to change it back to Columbus Day. Yeah. It won't fit. Okay. Yeah, I'll make a motion to pass the calendar with the caveat that the important dates section formatting is updated and the issues that we've discussed are corrected. Well, can I ask you another question before we do that? Sorry. About the one with President's Day. Why do we list President's Day on here for fall, spring, and winter break? Because we're not observing anything. School's School's not in session. I I believe these dates might actually be a comprehensive list for all of the SAU. So, we we'll need to go back through and you're right. Well, there might be some
077that we eliminate completely because they're not um It's They're not relevant to the Exeter students. So, we'll take a look at all of those and >> that's there cuz it's in the minutes. Could you also assuming that we we still let's go ahead and get a second on the motion and then we can open up for a further discussion. So, do I have a second? I'll second. Okay. Could we also ask that um if this is approved that we see a final copy in our next packet? Do we have to So, look. I Why are Is there a reason to approve it tonight? Is there Is there It just makes me a little nervous when there's so many four or five, you know, little typos on here that something's going to get miscommunicated later and
078that I I don't know. I mean, it just seems like we don't really have the final version to approve. Um we keep The more we look at this, we keep catching additional I I keep catching additional things that are that don't seem right. I'd feel more confident if we could make the changes and bring it back to the next meeting. Do we need to make the changes the approval tonight? Is there a like a coordination reason or some other reason why we need to do this now? I I don't believe so. I think it would just be a matter of getting it out to families. So, we can certainly make those changes and bring it back to the main meeting. >> approved the SAU wide calendar. So, so as a general guidelines, I think we've
079approved that. It's just having the specifics. So, I don't know. Do you want to move forward with your motion or do you want to rescind your motion? I'll rescind my motion. We can revisit this next week or next month. Okay. So, we'll suggest those changes. We'll put another copy in our packets for a vote in May. Okay. Thank you. All right. Moving I have to remember to sit loud in here. Um All right. Great. Um I just just see, right? Um this will be a roll call. Um I'd like to make a motion. Um I will need to go into non to go into non-public um per chapter 91A uh 3 uh 2 C. Um so, this will be a roll call. All in favor say I. I I I Sorry, I did make a
080I somebody else can make I Sorry, did I make I would like to make a motion to go into non-public um in accordance with chapter 91A 32C. I would I'd second that motion. All in favor? I. I. I. I. I. Going into non-public at 7:08. Okay, we're coming out of non-public at 9:42. All right. I'd like to make a motion uh to um uh deny uh suspen- suspension of the policy JEB student entry policy. I'll second. Any discussion? Okay. Um all in favor? I. I. >> I. I opposed? One. post. Want to post? Okay. Okay, great. Um and I I guess I can say that I um am looking forward to um revisiting p- uh the policy that was discussed um a- at our actually upcoming um policy committee this Thursday um and having some
081discussion with the board on it at our next board meeting in May. Yeah. Well, and just to add that both Heather and I are on that committee and um I mean, I think there's general agreement that that policy should be looked at more deeply to see if there's ways that we would revise it. And it's great that we're going to be able to do that even this week so that we can bring it back to the board next month. Yep. Great. All right, I'd like to make a motion um to adjourn the meeting. Second. Okay. All in favor? I I I Close the meeting at 9:44.