001So, I'll call the meeting to order. This is the Kensington School Board meeting for April 7th, um, new election. So, I'm going to ask I'm going to ask the board for a nomination for a school board chair so I can turn the meeting over to the person. >> I would like to nominate Steph because she's done such an outstanding job. I don't want to lose her. >> Thank you. >> And I would second that. >> Okay. Any discussion? >> No. No, we can talk all about our good qualities, but no need. >> All right, so can I have a vote? All in favor of Stephanie being the school board chair. I >> I >> All right, I hand the meeting over to Stephanie and that's it. >> Thank you so much. >> Do we need
002to do vice chair? >> You should make a I I'm wondering if Stephanie would entertain the option for a vice chair. >> Um yeah. Yes. I nominate Cheryl for vice chair. >> I I second that. >> Okay. All in favor? >> Well, you know, I got to think. No, it's good. It's fine. >> Will you accept the nomination? >> Yeah, it's a big deal. It's a big deal. >> Yes. >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay. Done and done. >> Okay. Great. >> Okay. So, um, nonpublic session to be called in accordance with chapter 91A 32 ABCDE or I and we will be going into a non-public session under chapter 91 A32 A and E. Is that what you said? >> Yep. A and E for tonight. Couple different Okay. matters to discuss. Um,
003I'm gonna open up for public input at 604 for 30 minutes. Um, any public input? >> Start. >> Uh, Alano from Kensington, New Hampshire. I'd like to just read a a two-pager, so it should take more than a couple minutes. >> Okay. Uh, it's April 7th. Dear members of Kensington K through5 board, over the past two years, a group of concerned citizens known as the Kensington Volunteer Education Task Force has worked to develop proposals aimed at improving operational efficiency and exploring potential consolidation opportunities within SAU16 and surrounding communities. These efforts were informed by ongoing enrollment declines in district in region. Public data show that the New Hampshire public school enrollment has decreased statewide in recent years due to demographic trends, including lower birth rates. At the same time, many districts, including SAU16, have experienced increased
004and administrative costs, wages, and benefits that significantly have outpaced inflation. In February 2025, the task force presented a right-sized model to the community and the school board during a public meeting with the amended proposals in August 2025. The group made repeated requests, but verbally both verbally and in writing to collaborate with the board on these proposals. Those requests did not receive a formal response or followup. At the 202026 school district deliberative session and subsequent March election, several not notable developments occurred and 2025 budget was repeatedly overbudgeted by approximately 300,000 with no immediate accounting or return of funds to taxpayers planned until the end of the fiscal year. With a record-breaking turnout, voters rejected the proposed FY2027 Kensington Elementary School KEES operating budget of 4.8 million and the associated teacher salary and benefits contract, which made
005up about 79% of the 4.8. As a result, the Kensington School District will now be operating under the default budget of 4.7 million for uh FY 2027. In connection to these events, litigation is currently pending in Rockingham Superior Court under docket CV000085 concerning the denial of the Kensington and East Kingdon school boards of citizen petition warrants articles submitted on January 13, 2026. Those articles requested a nocost independent study on potential school consolidation and related cost issues. The case addresses whether the denial based on the administrative imposed close of business deadline compiled with the RSA 1976 and RSA 4013 as well as constitutional pro protections for voters oversight under part one article 8 and 38 of the New Hampshire constitution. We all remain hopeful for a constructive resolution that avoids unnecessary expense to the school and
006the district. As fiduciaries, public funds, school board members have a responsibility to act in care with prudence, diligence, and in the best interest of the district's students, families, taxpayers while promoting transparency and fiscal responsibility. We respectfully request that the board take the following actions. One, engage constructively with citizens and the Kensington Voluntary Education Task Force to explore practical solutions, new ideas for addressing spending challenges and improving long-term sustainability in our small community. Two, provide more deta bud detailed budget contract line item and trend information on the Kensington Schoolboard website in advance of deliberative sessions and public meetings so that the taxpayer has time to better understand the financial challenges and collab and collaborate on sub sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s
007sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s sub s substainable changes. Three, complete the public complete and public release an independent third-party annual fiscal report for the the Kensington School District approximately $4.7 million budget, which has not been accomplished in over eight years. This report is best practices in all other SAU 16 districts. We believe greater transparency equals trust and collaboration will help ensure that the public resources are used efficiently and effectively to support the highquality education for Kensington students. Sincerely, thank you. The Kensington Volunteer Task Force. Can I give you a copy of this for the record? Thank you. >> The record is what you read into the meeting minutes. It doesn't go into the packet. Hi, Mom. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank
008you. Okay. Any public comment at this time? Okay. All right. So, um let's move on to approval of the meeting minutes. Did anybody have anything? No. >> I had one thing I wanted to ask. Um at when it was when it was talking about the uh the non-public minutes, it said it was highlighted not sealed. >> Yeah. >> What is what exactly does that mean? >> The board would have to voted in the non-public session to seal the meeting minutes. >> Okay. >> Um that is usually only done when identifiable information is in the meeting minutes such as >> Becky rule blank blank blank blank blank blank blank blank or something like that. But because the meeting minutes that we take is just a broad explanation of what we went into under seal it. There
009are times when a board needs to have a non public meeting minutes and there are times when you need it to be detailed and there are times that you'll vote to seal it and it would be the superintendent's office and or a lawyer that would be sitting in the nonpublic would recommend that you vote. >> You would know you would know that really private >> it could be really private. >> It doesn't have to be bad. it could just be confidential and so um you would know and it would usually if we're going to seal the meeting minutes the board would have gone to nonpublic with a lawyer >> um but you never know >> so it's really rare that we seal them >> I was just curious >> yep good question >> okay no
010so no comments on the on the the minutes there all right well I will make a motion to accept um to approve the meeting minutes as written for March 9th um public minutes and March 9th non-public minutes. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> Okay, wonderful. And next up is our reports and what have you got for policies? >> Okay. Well, going along with, you know, having themes, the theme of this one, which was a good one since we're a new board this year, which by the way, congratulations on Thank you so much. Um, this was a good one-c and and it's really good to read the full ones again as we start our next new year. Um, but most of it was was just cleaning up things. They were all revisions.
011Um, and one of them was uh more for um the co-op board. Um, so there wasn't anything dramatic in there. Um, so that I mean, I don't know if you looked at the summaries or or read them through, but I would just again suggest just read right through them as we begin our next new year here. >> Just sort of as a reminder of >> Yeah. our role in >> Exactly. >> Sure. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Well, and laws change and things change. >> Yeah. >> Okay. That is good. So do we have to you have to do the >> okay so that they were all about about um or >> except for the last last one which was use of school facility and it was just the policies of you know the
012order of who can use the facility and what the procedure is and all that and again it was just a revision with some wordage changes wasn't anything big there >> okay great >> y and I think I had sent you a copy of our current building use. Did you do when we did that? Maybe it was to Allison that I think >> I think Allison asked you for it. She asked Evelyn for it when she was rewriting buildings. >> Yeah. Every district's reviewing the facilities use form. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay. Great. So, um I will make a motion to accept the following policies. BB A A B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B C C B B B B
013B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B C A B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D B D B E D G and K F as second. >> Thank you. All right, all in favor? >> I >> Okay, great. Thank you so much. Um any safety and security updates? >> Nope. >> I will say the new
014safety and security director, Steve Cooper, has been getting acclimated with all our buildings. He's met with all our principles. He's met with principal rule um set up some drills. He's done some walkounds inside and outside buildings and any recommendations he has. He's met with principles. So, he's really hit the ground running. He's um he's been a nice addition to the to the SAOU. I would say he's connected with trying to connect with first responders in all the towns. He's um having spent years in law enforcement, he does know a lot of people. So, he is um trying to connect and just build those relationships. >> So, he's a local guy. He was a state trooper. Oh, great. Um, and I don't remember what town he came from, but it's interesting having have police officers sometimes
015come for our behavior intervention teams. They're like, "Oh, is Steve here? I want to say hi." So, he definitely has a a name in the law enforcement. So, he's been connecting and and I meeting with all the principles and stuff like that. So, he's been a nice addition and he'll set the agenda for the next safety and security meeting and send that out. I don't remember when it is, but he'll you'll get that. >> Yep. >> Yeah. I met with him with him already. Um we had a lot a really good conversation. Um the Kensington Police Department is also um coordinating um an active shooter drill here in the building over April vacation. So there won't be anyone in the building at the time, but they're working with um other responders in the area um
016so that they're practicing those those skills that they need for response >> and um Steve Cooper is going to be part of that as well. So >> all parties working together. Yep. >> Okay. That's a big big role to jump into. So that's good. >> Okay. Um next committee is super superintendent evaluation committee. We haven't met but we will um need to do the superintendent evaluation goals. >> We have to do that today, right? >> So before May 8th. Yes. So, what there was it was in your board packet and then there was a separate email which is a template to fill out and give to Stephanie and and then so some boards are doing it differently. Some boards are filling it out, sending it to their person who's on the committee. Some boards are
017filling it out and then meeting in a non-public and deciding what one collective feedback for they want to get. That's really up to you guys. But there is a template for feedback that was emailed to you all separately >> and eventually that will be Stephanie's to collect if she is keeping the superintendent evaluation committee and she will bring it to the next committee meeting. So you guys decide how you want to give Stephanie that feedback. Do you want to have a discussion in non-public? We can add that to one of the reasons we go into non-public. You guys can do the feedback and email it to Stephanie. It's all up to you. But I think she needs it by May, beginning of May, >> right? >> I'd like to do it as a group. >>
018Okay. Yeah, we can. Yeah, we can certainly do that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And so we can leave and you guys we can do some of our non-public that Becky and I need to stay in for and then we can leave and you guys can discuss the superintendent evaluation piece and then you would make a uh I will share the meeting minutes with you and you'll have to take the meeting minutes for nonpublic and that is really just saying the time that you closed out >> and then the time you end the meeting. You guys could do that tonight or you could do it at your first week in May when you meet cuz you meet before the May 8th deadline >> before. So you decide >> you want to do it in May. >>
019Yeah. >> That will give you some time to read the template. >> We got a lot to do today. >> We got a lot to do tonight. So then I'll give you goals and stuff. >> Great. >> Yeah. I was just going to that sounds like a plan. >> And Renee is um is there any process by which we can give Dr. Andrisky any feedback about how we've worked with you? >> It used to be that >> so when you do his aval you >> Oh, it's in there. >> Well, the way Dr. Dr. looked at is that sort of his aval is a reflection of my work and Dr. Bryant's work as the superintendent design. So you can do it that way in terms of your supery cuz I do consult with him like
020he is he's the big boss but when like we meet to go over meetings you can also if there was ever a concern or an email you could also just email him directly >> in terms of because he does do a separate evaluation for me. So if there was anything you wanted in Yeah. >> I think it would be outstanding to be able to provide how smoothly things have >> gone. Really? >> So technically that superintendent evaluation is all of our involvement with the >> SAU. >> Yeah. It really it goes on Chris's file from the committee, >> but also if there's your superintendent design was doing things you didn't like, you could put that in and then Chris's job would be to >> communicate that with me. So yeah. team. Okay, that sounds like
021a plan. So, we'll do that in May. So, in the meantime, check, you know, look over the goals and the um all of the >> the template, >> right? And then also the um we got in January the like midyear um review. So, there's a lot of information in that um document about what's the word I'm looking for? Not evidence. What is that? >> Yeah, the data or the evidence of >> Yeah. >> his progress. >> Artifacts. That's the word. Yeah. art. We have to hand in artifacts. Artifacts are the right word. >> Yeah, that's what I use. >> Thank you so much. >> Well, it's kind of my business. >> Great. So, that's a good document to look through to see, you know, how he has done so far this year. Okay, great. That's
022a good plan. Um, and then next is any general correspondence. >> Nothing. All right. Um, community news submission. >> It's in and published. >> I just came out this weekend. >> Yes. And I commend it. I commended you, Becky, on how well things are going >> um here at our school. >> Thank you. >> Yes. And I think our fifth graders generally um report out on what's happening at each grade level. That's part of their like >> reporting news. >> So if you guys have any suggestions for the next >> um >> when does it I think it comes out next in August. >> Oh, is it quarterly? >> It's quarterly. >> Yeah. I I I thought I said, "Well, you don't need to do it until like June, I don't think." >> All right.
023>> So, maybe something about back to school and >> or >> it would just be nice to do a June wrap-up. Do >> you know what would be >> I have to have my own newsletter. >> Do you know what I think would be good to put in there so people know is after we figure out what we're doing with this budget? >> Oh, yeah. >> Is update the public. uh say, "Well, because of you know what what we had to do, this is what got asked. This is blah blah blah blah blah." So people know >> y >> know the ramifications of their vote, >> right? >> They're starting to see the ramifications of their vote for uh or it wasn't a vote, but wanting less >> with the trash. >> Oh, that's a
024big controversy. >> Jeez. >> Okay, that's a great thought. I like that. Uh well, and while we're kind of talking about community news, one of the things that I was thinking about was um not for discussion, but maybe I could post our meetings on the community um social media page to say we're having a meeting tonight, period. And she will say, "No comments, just we're having a meeting tonight." Because people often say to me, "I don't know where to see that." Well, yeah. I mean, it's publicly available everywhere, but >> it's a good reminder. >> Although, going back to Community News, you know what I did notice? She has she has our monthly meeting in there wrong. I caught her on that one other time and I don't know if she still is using an
025old day this year. >> Oh, >> she's got it in as >> well. Remind me and I'll fix that for later. But anyway, that's what I thought we would do. This is our meeting. This is, you know, blah blah blah blah. >> Posted a week before. >> Yeah. Because I mean, nobody came to the budget hearings. No. And they said they didn't know. So, >> yeah, >> let's do that. Do you mind that? >> No, I think that's great. Whatever the board wants to do. one of your goals and and you'll probably revisit them in August is the community outreach conversation. So that does make sense >> and easy easy lift. So >> it happened to me when I was washing my hair. >> And what's working as well? >> Why would it? I'm not
026dating. >> All right. Perfect. >> So I'm So I'll do that and I will I'll put it through you first, Stephanie, and just say this is what I'm going to put up. >> Okay, that's great. >> Any writing? I got I got the writing. Thank you so much. >> Okay. >> I appreciate you doing that Facebook as I am locked out of Facebook. So all right. >> Oh, you are really bad. >> I know. Password never get >> actually smart is right. >> Um okay. So that's so next is strategic plan committee. I don't have an update on that and I don't >> and it's good. It's rolling out. I think we had that joint board meeting in January, February with the final dashboard, the final presentation. So, we're starting our fiveyear cycle of the
027strategic plan. >> Okay. Yeah. So, I don't know what in terms of the committee what the um how we'll meet. >> Yeah. I don't know. >> I haven't heard anything. >> That's a good question. >> Um because yeah, it's just kind of happening. >> Yep. >> Okay, great. Um okay, so that's committee updates. So, business and financials, >> Miss Molly. >> All right. Sorry I was late. I was helping a fellow parent stranded with a dead battery in the sky. >> I thought you were going to say a dead something. I'm sorry. You left there. >> Yep. I had to give him a jump starting. I didn't know how to do that. What was you going to do? >> Oh my god. Yeah, it's not my fault. >> Great. Um, okay. So, those are the
028manifests assigned. Looks like a lot, but it's just um I think it's three AP manifest with all the receipts attached and then two payroll ones. Um so also included in your board pack is a current year financial. Um as always, it has the changes from the prior month next to that blue box. Uh the green is the year-to- date revenue different than plan and then to the right hand side the actual projected plan balance. And now that the vote has happened, I populated the trust amounts that would be going to the trust. So even though the budget failed, the trust passed, so those are funded. >> Okay. >> Did anyone have any questions? We did have um various things added. Um just as a reminder, the next time we might see an uptick in uh
029purchasing because I really stress that all purchasing needs to be done before everyone leaves for April vacation because if we don't need it by now, then we wouldn't need it at all. This is what I tell people. Plus, we have to close out the year financially. So, we can't have people ordering pens and papers that are coming over July 1 cuz >> it really needs to be in the fiscal year year that you're using it or have a board vote otherwise. So, >> so you might see a little bit uptick next month because everyone gets reminders from me quite frequently that I'm shutting off all purchasing. >> They don't like that though. >> No, they don't. Not at all. >> I need those pens. >> Best intentions is to get it all in before. >>
030That's the true fact. >> That is the best teacher for 25 years. We love supplies. We just We always think the next day we're not gonna have any. Right. Am I right? We always think, "Oh, if I don't have pencils now, >> there will never be any more pencils in the world." >> Right. I got to get them. >> I got to get them up. Yeah. So, it is a teacher thing. I'm not allowed at Staples. So, just >> So, did anyone have any questions on any of that? >> What, Becky? What's the clinic at CCCBSD? >> What was the date for? >> Um, they're doing uh it's a specialized evaluation. >> Okay. first are specific. >> Okay. >> Um, and then we've got equipment. Okay. Yep. I didn't have any specific questions. Okay. If
031you just want to pass around the manifest. >> Yep. >> You can sign those at your leisure. >> Okay. Great. Um, okay. Sorry. >> Thank you. Thank you, Molly. >> Even though you mean about supplies. >> Supplies. >> You can order them. Just get them in in time, right? Yeah. >> It's not they >> or they can build them to me. I'll just >> Okay. And then the next one is facilities up here. >> Yes. So, I am meeting with Mike Davey. I just sent you the invite, Becky. Um, tomorrow from 1:30 to 3:30. He is the one that 10 or 15 years ago he did >> came to the board. came to the board and did a c did a whole facilities update capital room improvement. He's done another walk around. He's been here
032this week. >> Um and so I'm sorry I this is the soon as he could meet um with us. He got to the building Monday. So I don't have I won't have an update till my meeting with him tomorrow. >> Okay. >> And then um Becky and I will send you all a memo on what we get from him and we can we can hold together a meeting if you want. We can talk about it. in May is just really trying to prioritize the facility needs that we talked about in November. >> Um, including systems control, boilers, redundancy, hot fuel, air quality. Um, so Mike Davy's been great, but he's also one of the few people in the state can do this job and he's been pulled in a lot of different places. So he,
033>> thank God Brian Sans has a great relationship with him that can anytime he has an opening just please can you meet with us? So Becky and I will meet with him tomorrow afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 on Zoom to see what he wants to recommend and I'll bring that to the board. >> Okay. >> He knows about the default budget. He knows about the needs of the building. >> So really looking for his expertise and understanding. >> What is his Who does he work for? >> He owns um it used to be EBI and now I think it's EI or something like that. >> What am I saying? EI >> EI which is I don't even know what it stands for but if you you googled him >> like a consulting >> yeah it's
034it's it's works on schools energy efficiency with schools he's he's one of the experts in New England that does this for heating and cooling in schools and square footage and air quality and >> and he'll he'll he'll be able to say sort of like time frames on when >> yeah he's going to make recommendations for the board like these are your options this is your return on investment this is would be your upfront cost this is what it's really Just giving you the final results of your facilities audit that we started back in November. Okay. >> Is what we're looking So I'm sorry I've had it on the school board meeting. >> Yeah, that's okay. >> Agenda twice and in and intens and and all I intended to have updates by now. >> There you
035go. >> He's a busy guy. No problem. >> Yeah. So, >> okay. So, we'll look forward. >> Well, and I think that's important because I think as with anything, you get to listen to the experts. >> Absolutely. Yeah. Especially >> and thankfully everything's been okay with the system so far this year, right? It's It's holding on by a thread though, Wendy. >> I know. That's >> We got to start talking about it. >> I mean, >> look at wood stoves. >> Yeah. >> Fire in children is >> wood out there falls down. >> Hey, they used to do it and so you you know, >> there's always a sacrifice. >> That's true. >> Fire safety. >> All right. So, we'll look forward to that. Okay. So, um up next is the principal's report. >> Um
036sure. So we have two things. Um we have our my regular report um which this month I was reporting on academic excellence, growth, mindset and belonging and connection. Um so the first one was um following up on our NAPE assessment. Um Kensington Elementary School had been randomly selected our fourth graders to participate in NAPE this year. This is the third time we've been randomly selected since I've been here which is rare. doesn't feel so random to me, but okay. Um, and so, um, our students, um, were amazing that morning. It's it's kind of an awkward situation when three random strangers come into your classroom to proctor a test. Um, so, but they did great. Um I I think what I was trying to highlight um is while you know the students took the test for
037a few hours that morning um the prep work that it required from our staff prior to that morning was really extensive. So um the required um Zoom calls that I had with the NAPE representatives, our tech team, I have to give a kudos to the SA tech team and the amount of work that they had to do to prep >> um our Chromebooks to make sure that they'd be compatible with um all of the requirements um available the day of testing for troubleshooting. I mean, um, it was extensive probably between myself and the tech department, um, and ro changing and rostering with the student moving, which didn't match the original roster. Like, it was probably close to 30 hours of prep work just prior to the test. So, um, again, huge kudos to the tech
038department. Um, I just put in some statistics about how New Hampshire students generally do on the NATE testing. Again, we don't get individual results for this test. we don't even get school results for the test unfortunately. >> Um so our fourth grader scores get lumped into all of New Hampshire fourth graders. >> Um so we we did make the kids feel kind of special like hey other fourth graders in New Hampshire you're you know so I think they kind of felt like they were part of a a selected group. >> Um >> but generally you can see new h New Hampshire um NAPE scores um are above the national average. um our fourth grade math scores. Um you can see we were at a 242 compared to a 239. Um and the national average was
039uh 237. So we were in the top 12% of states um in fourth grade scores for math. Um and then for fourth grade reading um we were in the top 10% of states. So um generally New Hampshire schools do very very well as compared to national averages. >> And what is it? What is it? You're saying the initials >> NAPE stands for the National Assessment of Educational Progress. >> National Assessment of Educational Progress. >> N >> for kids who can take standardized test. I want to add that at the end. Progress for kids who can take standardized test. >> Right. >> Yeah. So, and we we don't receive individual scores and we don't receive a school score as well. So, our schools get lumped into the New >> Hampshire. It just takes one morning or
040one. >> It is it is one morning of testing. It's a few hours. >> Um students are assigned whether they take reading or math. >> Um so, and so we don't get a choice. They just they're assigned. >> Okay. Just update. And there were, I think, two other schools that had either fourth or eighth graders selected, I think. >> But there were others in the SAU that were picked. >> Yep. >> I think Lincoln Street maybe >> there was I know there was a couple of us that were picked this year. >> Um, under growth mindset, I know this is something that perhaps adults that we talk about when we add that threeletter yet. I can't do this yet. Um, but we do start talking with kids about that growth mindset piece too. And this
041is something that Miss Escalin has done in many of her um in her school counseling lessons is um that power of yet and really just trying to get kids to transform their thinking about when things are hard and when things are challenging and um to be supportive of each other and so when they get frustrated I can't do it and someone else can be yet and then um it just really builds >> that's going to be my community news >> that we have to be encouraging progress So we do that perfection as yeah it's just about how can we do it better next time. >> Wrote it down. That's it. >> And so we start having these conversations with kids when they're little because >> we still need to have them as adults. >> Good
042community. >> Yeah. That's great. Um and so the last belonging and connection I must each year highlight our cultural passport program at Kensington. We're now in our 22nd year of celebrating cultural passport. Um, and um, each year we are really honored to have a family in town as part of our Kensington community to share their culture and their heritage um, with our students. And this year we traveled to the beautiful island of Haiti. >> Um, and um, really honored the heritage of the Guom family who have have three children here in the building. Um so again for for the month um students are just immersed in um and art and music and PE and they're learning Creole and they're making masks and reading stories and trying new foods and dances and um it's really just
043a a really powerful experience for our kids to be learning about this big world around us outside Kensington sometimes can feel very small and this is one way that the community for 22 years has really um encouraged our students to to realize that there's a very large world out there for them to be a part of. >> One of my favorite things that you do. >> Yeah, it's really it's very special and the kids look forward to it. They they're already asking where are we going next year. >> Oh, I love that. >> Yeah. So um um so we just had our closing ceremonies um last week um and we had some authentication performers um so it was really and families came and kids could demonstrate some of the things that they had learned um
044over the last month or so in their specialists. So it's really a great night and >> a tradition. Yeah. >> The fundraiser. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. >> So it's for finance. >> The Let's get to the money. fundraising. >> They did a wonderful um where they sold jewelry in little gadgets at the back to benefit the children. Becky helped my son pick out a NECKLACE FOR MOTHER'S DAY. I bought >> Hey, wait a minute. That sounds a little shady to me. >> I just remembered Becky's Mother's Day is coming up. >> No, it was beautiful. I know. It was great. It was so And all the money went to the children in Haiti. >> Oh, wow. I love that. So, it's just it's a great night for the kids and families. >> Um, so it's
045it's it's a nice tradition to be able to continue and to really celebrate the people who live in Kensington. >> Yeah. These are these are our friends and neighbors and they have beautiful things to share with us >> and cool to be able to do K through five. Everyone's involved. >> Yep. Everybody is involved. >> Yeah. Love it. >> I would like to see Well, I'll talk to you afterward. I want to steal something from you for the K through five. Oh, sure. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Um and then the second part I think was the um school calendar for next year. We have a proposal to make to discuss about what next year's calendar would look like. So I think at the joint committee probably just the like the basic uh SA16
046calendar was >> reviewed and then each individual just kind of takes a look and >> is this the calendar that the co-op board went with because I remember there was a lot of discussion about >> for the most part the start and end days. Yes. >> Yes. So this is but this is the KES version >> version of it. So taking all of those dates into consideration um then we are looking to just shift a few of those based on um contracted days. So looking at our student days which we know we need to maintain the same number of student days obviously as everyone else in the SAU. Um but then each school has um their own teacher contract which has different numbers of days and so we need to also honor our teacher contract
047and make sure that we're hitting that that number of days as well. So there's just a couple shifts that we're proposing um from the SAU um calendar that was discussed at the joint meeting. So like Renee said, the beginning days are all the same, the ending days are all the same. Um we are looking to propose that Tuesday September 8th um which on the SAU calendar um that is a primary voting day and in other districts it is it is a no school day and we are proposing um that that would be a teacher and staff day. So that would be one shift that we were looking at. >> Mhm. Um >> yeah and I think one of the things that is unique to Kensington is the teacher days later on >> that they don't
048have students for conferences and other other areas. So it's a voting day and the reason why we want the board to be fully aware and why we're bringing it to is the building is used for voting and we would have students and staff here. So, what Becky's done in the past is having a whole uh school field trip or other ways in which the students are not in the building all day, but we make it a learning >> learning. It's nice out in September still. There's lots of educational field trips they could do. Students would we would tie it into academics, of course, but we would we would have a a students school day that day. Okay. >> It was one of the things we want the board to consider. >> Have you considered calling
049El Nova? We we have done that in the past actually on voting days. We've taken the we have taken the students. >> So, do the kids show up here and then go by bus somewhere? >> Yeah, that's potent. That is what we've done before >> um is just taken them off site for the day. So, they're just here for arrival and dismissal. >> And now we have those little buses. So, it shouldn't even cost that as much. Right. >> Well, to take the whole we would just keep the contract with first student and >> Yeah. Um, stopping here would be important for students that need breakfast and lunch and like so there would be I think it wouldn't be just going from home to the field trip site. There's a there's students that need things
050that schools provide. So they would need to stop here >> for that piece. Um, but yeah. >> Um, and I've had some just initial conversations with Harold about how we can coexist during those times and um, you know, collaborate and share this space. this is a Kensington space. It just doesn't belong just to us. So, um we've had some initial conversations about how can the election committee and the school work together to >> to coexist um that day and um still have it be a learning day for kids. >> Lunch would be >> well if we're offsite we could we'd pack field trip lunches. So, you know, bag lunches off >> site. Um >> Okay. But what you what you're proposing is to have it a PDJ day. >> No, it's staff and students both.
051>> Staff and students. Okay. >> We would have staff and students both. >> Okay. And just make a plan for for >> to be offsite for most of the day. Great. >> Yeah. So that would be >> um what what we would be looking to do for that. Um we do have that is already a 4-day weekend due to the holiday. So adding that fifth day >> looks like a little mini holiday 4 days into the school year which also isn't helpful. >> Um this primary day it doesn't land at an ideal time for academic >> I noticed that just yesterday when I was doing my calendar like wait a minute >> it's not ideal. >> Um but we're trying to figure out how to make the best of it and uh >> and use
052that. So, um, what we're also looking to do, I think the November election day is pretty expected each year. That's one that we expect. >> Um, the um the co-op or the U SAU had also a day in October. They had the Friday before Columbus Day as a professional day. We've removed that and made that a student day, a full day with students and staff. And we have moved that to a day in January um just prior to the close of our semester, which allows um our teachers just before the semester and to have uh that professional development day before the before the close of the semester. >> Yeah. Um and then we also so that day in September that we we've we're asking to be a student day um we are moving then to
053have a professional development day in May for teachers um that Friday before Memorial Day. So again, essentially what we are trying to do, the long and the short of it because I'm not doing a very well job explaining this as I know I'm not um is we are trying to mirror the exact schedule that we have this year. >> So we are trying to mirror the same student days and teacher professional days so that exactly what we did this year we are doing next year. >> Yeah. >> So we're moving some days so that we have the same days we had this year. >> Sure. >> If that makes sense. >> I should have started with that maybe. should have led with that >> and it it just being a primary seion year the September
054day threw us off. >> We have so this this past year we only had one election >> um and next year we have three so we're really needing to kind of shift >> and I think there's going to be a big turnout >> stu I anticipate there will be so we're just really trying to shift student days and teacher days to accommodate the election days being here while also honoring how many days kids have to be at school and how many days contractually teachers have to be here. So, it's just a little tricky meeting all of the requirements. So, that's what we're >> okay >> proposing. >> And then June, um, our student last day would be the 11th and our teacher last day would be the 15th, I believe. >> Yeah. Because you moved
055one of them. >> Yeah. And then um we generally um our curricula our SAU curriculum um director holds a summer institute the two days after school ends. >> Um and the majority of our the Kensington teachers participate in that. So then there's two more additional days that don't that aren't reflected on this calendar. >> Okay, great. Do we need to make a motion? >> Yeah. So, the board needs to approve the calendar. >> Make a motion to approve the calendar for 2627. >> All right. Second. All in favor? >> I >> um Becky, I just want to put an offer out there for you. If you run into because of funding or anything else, um PD days that you don't have PD, I will give you certificate days that I'll do for free. >> Oh,
056okay. Excellent. >> I can give you hours >> with writing. Yes. >> Yeah. It can be with writing. I mean, I do a variety of things, but I just want to put that out there because I don't want teachers to miss that opportunity. >> Awesome. Thank you. Thank you so much. >> Yeah. >> You're just jealous for me. >> I am. I'm appreciative. I'm >> These are some great teachers and they work really hard. >> You know, I love them. >> Y >> but I would love to do that with them because it works. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Great. All right. So, new business. So, I'm going to ask to go into nonpublic to discuss to discuss the certified staff list and contract renewal. I have that for you and I have contracts for Stephanie
057to sign. Okay. >> Um the board had floated the option discussing the default budget and having a special meeting. So, I just didn't know what you guys wanted to do on record. I think there was >> everyone individually asked about that. >> As as much as I would obviously like a redo, that's not how it works. Mhm. >> We're a democracy, >> right? >> I don't want the votes counted. It was fair. We're just going to move forward with what the public wanted that just because you don't agree with something. >> Yeah. >> Doesn't mean it's not a fair vote. >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> So, we have to move ahead and respect that. That's what the vote was. That would be my input. But I'm not the boss. You are. >> Well, no. Absolutely. And
058then plus the time and the money that it takes to do is that's it's not fair to anyone to >> I think first reaction was we're going to do something about that. But >> when you hear how it has to go, it's like forget. >> Well, then I I would feel like I would be a hypocrite because I I don't have to agree. But that's what the vote was. >> Absolutely. Yep. Yep. And we're not questioning the vote. We're not >> No. Yes. >> We're just going to have to make some hard decisions >> and communicate. I mean, communicate things. >> Yes. Okay. >> So, we'll those are our goals. >> Yes. We took some lessons from >> Oh, yeah. Absolutely. >> Abs. So that would be my >> Yes. Yeah. I think we're Yeah,
059I think I'm on that same page, too. That >> Okay. >> It's a tough loss, but sometimes you >> That's the take your >> When was the last time this KES was in a default budget? Does anybody know? >> Never. >> I for me. >> We don't know. I can't say never. We Becky and I looked back and we did not the data we had, we hadn't seen it. I was here for nine years in the '9s and early as we never had a default. >> I've been here for 12 and we've never been into >> this is the first time the community has done that. Okay. Just curious. >> Yeah. >> Y and then I'm >> Yes. Yeah. >> Okay. Um so then Oh, we already discussed the superintendent evaluation goals feedback form. We're
060going to take a look at that and come back in May with our thoughts. Um, okay. So, any old business? Nothing. Any people related matters? >> Nope. >> Okay. And then personnel. Is that going to be >> non public? >> That's not public. >> Um, um, the new hire is next meeting. We will bring you Becky has interviewed a candidate for the nursing position. I think she's met she's informally met with HR. She'll be on boarded at the end of the month. We can bring that to you at the next meeting. So, it's very close to officially hiring someone that a candidate we can bring to you in May. >> Is Heather staying through the end of this year? Okay. So, there'll be some overlap or she'll start in September. >> The nurse will the
061new hire would start July 1st. >> Okay. >> Um and so I don't know what the plan is. I she has spent time with Heather. >> Yeah. >> Um as part of the interview process if that makes you feel better. But >> I'm sure. >> Yeah. >> And then we're also in the process of onboarding a pair of professional from a position that had been vacated earlier in the year. >> Great. So >> So we'll have some new names for you. >> Finally filling that spot. >> That's great. Okay. So I think we will now um go into non-public under chapter 91 A3 to A and E. I get that right? >> Yep. Okay. >> So, I need a roll call vote. >> Um, okay. >> So, I got to take these. >> Sh Mcdana.
062Yes. >> Hold on. We got Stephanie made a motion and I don't know who second. >> I second it. >> Okay. >> Sean McDonald. >> Okay. I'll learn your name. I will. >> Okay. >> Just call me. Hey, you. That's >> made the motion. >> Do you want me to stop the camera? >> Yeah. >> Well, we need to do the roll call vote on camera. Second by >> had no time to >> Cheryl. All in favor? Charl Mcdana, yes. >> Stephanie Schmid, yes. >> Wendy Larson, yes. >> Okay, now we can stop the Okay. >> All right. >> Okay. So, I will make a motion to accept the um recommendation for the certified staff list for the 2627 school year. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Third. >> All in favor? I I
063I um and then I will make a motion to accept the personnel request that we heard in non-public. Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I I >> Great. And motion to end the meeting. >> I will now make a motion to end the meeting at 7:26 p.m. >> All in favor? Yay. I thank