001Welcome. Today's Tuesday, October 21st. Uh, thank you for joining us for the Exor Regional Cooperative School District budget. I'd like to start by saying pledge allegiance. So, please join me. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for its one nation, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Uh I will start uh by uh actually why don't we go around. My name is Bill Gothier. I'm the chair exit regional cooperative school. I'll ask the uh all of our my my co-workers here to introduce themselves and then and then we'll make sure we get everyone out. So Melissa, you want to start? >> Yeah. Melissa Lions, uh vice chair from East Kingston. Uh Neil Blake uh representative from exiter. >> Brian Duffy representative from Brentwood. >> Tammy
002Gunst from Stratam. >> Don Bolins representative from exit. Aaron Garcia de praise stratum. >> Eric Miller representative from Kensington. >> Great. And we some student reps. Do you guys mind? >> Um Gianna Ney. I'm a 10th grader at EHS. >> Welcome. >> Noah Jello. I'm a eighth grade rep here at CMS. Lucy Blackburn, eighth grade rep from CMS. >> Welcome. Thank you. And uh could the administration Sure Sure. Uh good evening everyone. Chris Andriskkey, superintendent schools. >> Tanya Ney, principal Exit High School. And >> I'm Heather Murray. I'm your chief human resource officer. >> Molly O'Keefe, chief financial officer. >> Drew Baristo, principal of CMS. >> Great. Thank you everyone. Appreciate that. I'm going to go a little bit out of order. I'm going to ask our student reps to talk first that you guys
003can move on with your night, but we'd love to hear from you. So, who would like to start? >> Do you want to start? >> Good afternoon. If you do not know or remember us from last time, I'm Noel. >> I'm Lucy Blackburn. We are eighth grade eighth graders here at CMS. >> Students are getting used to the school year, whether it's new or old, and adjusting greatly. Students are very excited for the holidays coming up, including Halloween, which comes with a dance. This past Friday was the sixth grade activity night. Sixth graders came pooling in excited for the two hours of fun, which included basketball, dodgeball, karaoke, crafting activities, and tons of snacks. There was even face paint for everyone to enjoy. Thanks to the student council for hosting all of these activities. Everyone
004had a great time with the music and dancing. Meanwhile, on the eighth grade side of CMS, this Friday, we have our fall Halloween dance. Everyone is looking forward to the showing off their costumes, dance moves, and having fun. >> Over the last few weeks, Haven has visited our school to provide each grade level a developmentally appropriate lesson that is part of their care series, consent, awareness, respect, and empathy. This series is part of their safe kids, strong teens, violence prevention education curriculum. Recently, we had our open houses for all the grades. Lots of parents showed up for all grade levels. Each advisory and team made a scarecrow to welcome the parents as they came into the building. The teachers began with a presentation for each pod to the parents. Then the teachers were able Oh,
005then the parents were able to meet some of the teachers. Parents then visited the encore and world languages classes to wrap up the night. To get with some sports updates, we have the boys cross country winning their state meet this past week. Also, we have the girls placing fourth in theirs. Upcoming, we have a three-week developmental volleyball competition coming just before basketball starts up on November 12th. The girls have their eighth grade semi-final for the soccer for the soccer coast cup tournament on Thursday. That's all for now. The jazz choir call back has been happening for the past two weeks and the official list is out. All the applicants are very proud of themselves for doing their best. Congratulations to all the those that made in. Meanwhile, we have another set of triyouts in line
006for our coral department. This upcoming week is open to all for the New Hampshire All State Choir. Students will be selected and will spend a day learning pieces of music. They will then perform at a festival and get ice cream while out on a one-day field trip of fun and developing coral skills. >> With all this, lots is happening at our beloved CMS, and we are excited to see you again next month. Thank you. >> This is great. I love it. I love the beloved. That's perfect. Yes, nice work. Um, I I do question that you It sounds like you have a dance for Halloween and you said that people want to come and show off their dance moves. >> Yeah. >> You think they're going to show off their dance moves, huh? >> I
007mean, last time they did, so I'm assuming they will again. >> All right. I love it. This is great. Oh, >> we're we're glad to show it. So, >> Oh, yeah. I love it. That is good. The whole spirit of the school sounds so great and all the social events you have coming up. I I totally appreciate that. And certainly you're doing well and >> Yeah, I love it. Thank you guys for showing up and and saying that. Any questions from anybody? >> Great job. >> Yeah. >> Excellent. >> Thank you guys. All right, you ready? >> Uh I'm Gian Nevie and I'll be reading for Bobby Pace tonight because unfortunately he can't be here. Um he said, "The first homecoming dance in a decade was an incredible success ran by the senior class. The
008event collected around $12,000. A large chunk of this revenue, $3,200, will soon be donated to Saint Vincent de Paul Food Bank along with the cans donated by the approximately 900 students who attend the event. The homecoming dance is by no means the end of can of food collection events at the high school this holiday season. During Halloween, students and volunteers will be uh will be collect wait will be collected canned food from surrounding towns in an event known as tricker canning. This event this this Thanksgiving baskets that contain a full holiday meal will be sponsored by various clubs and organizations in the school. These baskets will be available for families experiencing hardship to anonym to anonymously collect. These initiatives are meant to both help those in need in our communities and serve as community service
009initiatives for students. Outside of Senate, extracurriculars activi extracurricular activities are in full swing at the high school. Our very own women's soccer team has remained undefeated at home and rehearsals for the fall play Little Women have begun under Elizabeth Hughes, the new theater director. Our juniors and seniors took the PSAT to just two weeks ago in order to stay on top of early college prep. All in all, this year so far is showing exactly what Exit High School strives to be, both a positive presence in the community and a home for diverse academic and extracurricular f focused students. >> Wow, that's great. Yeah, luck. How much did you raise for the I'm sorry. Yeah. Just How much did you raise >> for the >> the homecoming? >> 122,000. >> $12,000. >> That's a lot of
010money. >> That is really impressive. My goodness. >> Wow. >> The first one in 10 years. Wow. That's And it went well and >> it went really well. >> That is so great. Thank you guys for doing that. That's really impressive. Girls undefeated here at home. That is good. And then we state champion boys for CMS. But more importantly, we got the uh with the uh sportsmanlike uh award this year. So that is the so not only winning but winning with sportsmanship. So we appreciate that you guys carry on. It's great. Any questions? >> All right. If not, I let you guys go first in case you wanted to leave. You have that option. You can do that. Um so you guys are good. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you parents for bringing
011them too. Uh, okay. We're going to move on to uh I will open up at 6:12. Open up to public input. If anybody has anything to say, they're welcome to come up to the mic talk and I just ask that you say your name and what town you're from. So, I'll leave this open uh until 42 pass, which is 30 minutes. So, anytime just raise your hand and walk on up. If not, we're going to keep uh moving on. Just interrupt me as we move. So did the visitor students and then um let's go through the approval of minutes. There were two different uh they were public and non-public. I just ask that uh does anybody have on the board anybody have any updates or corrections for the minutes? First for the public minutes. Seeing
012none, can I ask for a vote? >> I'll move to approve the public minutes as presented. >> Excellent. Can I have a second? >> Great. Uh, all those in favor raise your hand. Excellent. That's everyone. Good. Thank you. Uh, we also have to approve the non-public minutes. So, I just ask for a motion to approve those. >> Make a motion. >> Excellent. Can I have a second? >> A second. >> All right. All those in favor raise your hand. Excellent. >> We are set there. >> Yep. Got it. Uh, so we'll move on to superintendent report. >> Yeah, I think we have a couple students here uh from Exit High School to do a presentation about some of the great things that are coming. So, Miss Nevie, would you like to introduce who we have
013uh to do an alternate presentation for us? >> Yes, we invited Mr. Blazes here as well. This comes from a project in his social studies class. And so, we have Jade and Kevin who are going to talk about um a project that was that was really cool and that they were able to present to a lot of our school community. >> Hello everybody. Um, in our US history class, we were assigned to create a memorial for a war that the United States lost, uh, which is the global war on terror, uh, which kicked off with September 11th, the attacks on the Twin Towers. And one of the things our group decided to highlight was the fact that, uh, we're we still kind of have some people fighting, uh, battles today, like people who I'm sure
014some people in this room know, somebody who died on 911. uh and someone who died fighting in the global war on terror. Um so we tried to highlight that um with this collage. >> Yeah. So when we were making the collage, we thought what like what capitalizes history and what capitalizes everything that you think I don't know like this project. I don't know what you think goes into history and wars. And what a collage is is you take different pictures, you cut them out, and you put them on a surface that you want people to see. And that's what history is, you cut the pieces that you want people to see, and you put it in front of them in the way that you want them to see it. And so we want you guys
015to see um that we are continuing to capture. So the camera um the people who are still fighting, so Mr. G came into our class, our librarian, and he told us about one of his friends that um passed away in 9/11, and we were just thinking about the the the amount of thoughtfulness and the amount of care that um so many people and their loved ones have put into things and we wanted to represent that with this. So, yeah, >> that is so cool. So they got the camera up in the lefth hand corner. >> Yeah. And um we have these broken shatters cuz not obviously not all the whole part of the war was there but the parts that matter you know like the people who fought and the people who lost their lives
016and you know Yeah. >> Excellent. >> So as part of your So it looks like that's a kind of a a take on the memorial at uh on um the Yuima memorial in DC. Is that right? Um >> they said the flag is off a little bit, >> right? It was just that um the American soldiers were like pushing back almost like a like a lean. Like it wasn't perfect. Like Kevin said, we didn't win the war. >> So there's like a tilt of like not perfectness, you know, when we say pledge the flag straight up then it's not that. >> And is part of your commentary that you know the history isn't perfect in terms of you know that you you people report what they want to report. Exactly. Yeah. >> I think Churchill
017says something that history's going to treat us very well. I know cuz I'm going to write it, >> right? >> And you did. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Exactly. And this is what we wanted you guys to see. So >> that's really well done. >> Thank you. >> That's great. Who's your teacher? >> Mr. Voice. >> Oh, okay. Hey. Hey. Welcome. >> Very proud of that. >> Yeah, you you should be. This is really cool. This is um good. Anybody else have questions? Do you mind actually bringing it around a little bit closer? Yeah. They're also just we were able to go and see many of the students projects and many of the students incorporated some of the um some of our exit names who also served in that war and found ways to incorporate them
018in their displays. They were they were really powerful. They were really neat projects of all different kinds. Some were clay models, some were paintings. There were lots of different displays which Mr. Blaze may be able if you're curious to talk more about that or how that came together. >> Sure. >> Yeah, I'd love to hear. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, I'm Aaron Blaze. I teach social studies at high school. Yeah. >> Um and that was our first place out of 33 presentations in the auditorium. Um it is also Mr. Ducet is uh the other teacher that did it. So he and I teach all the CPUs. Um so we had every sophomore CPUs creating something and it really was powerful. The kids went way above and beyond what we thought they could with the short amount
019of time they had. And they really got thinking about um the the war like the part of the war we lost of course is Afghanistan part. So, how do you how do you memorialize something that is so difficult? You know, that sort of sunken loss type, you know, sunken cost type of concept. And I think they did a great job with theirs because they didn't um they didn't focus too much on one thing. They just sort of broaden it out to the to a universal theme. >> And I think that's what made it so great. And so, um, Mrs. Nevie came in and she helped us greatly. uh and she's wonderful with uh really supporting the students being able to exit uh put exhibitions of their work and we're looking to do more of that.
020So, we're looking to create more opportunities for people in the public to see the great work that our students are doing, not just keep them in the classroom wall. So, thanks again for pres presenting today. >> Mr. Blaze, I have a I have a question for So, Mr. Blaze and I talked about this on our trip to Manchester a couple years back. >> Oh, yeah. The the courtroom. >> Yeah. thinking about how we have students represent their thinking differently and not just through paper and pencil and through through computer tests. So was that part of the thinking here and how did they demonstrate thinking to a higher capacity to demonstrate what they were they were learning in your class? >> Yeah. So one of the things that we really stress in our class is uh
021in so Mr. Ducet and I are really looking at creating a connection with today. You know what I mean? So for example, we're going to have a project coming up in the in the near future. It's um the progressive era. So you could teach a progressive era, which is, you know, the time frame, but the the assessment is actually going to be um to what extent are we living in a progressive era today? So you take that information and then you you have them create some sort of um presentation that gets people thinking about what's happening today, you know, whether it's political corruption or whether it's the wealth gap or those kind of things. And that way when students are looking at, you know, the global war on terror, they can look back at like
022how did we treat Vietnam veterans coming through and we talked a lot about that before we prep them for this. We talked about, you know, does the warrior equate to the war, you know, just because we won World War II, do we should we treat those returning from them that war different than we do from people returning from Vietnam or Afghanistan? And so this really touches in on that. It's a like you said, it's a universal kind of theme. sacrifice, cost, loss, but also dignity in there, too. And they're really big on that. So, you're absolutely right. We're looking for different ways for students to really show how they see the world, um, how it connects to them as 16, 17 year old kids, and then when they see something else out there, they can
023then take those skills and begin to process it in a much more mature way. So, that's really the kind of things that we're looking to do. >> So, we're excited and the kids are amazing. They're they're buying in because they don't like tests. >> That's a good test right there. >> Any other questions? >> Where does that go next? >> Yeah, we we have the three the first, second, and third um on display in the library for the rest of the semester. And then when we do another exhibition, um we'll just we'll just try to keep them displayed public. Um and then that way they it's exciting to see your work displayed. Um and so, uh Mrs. Navy is really big on filling these walls and so we're really looking to get more student work
024onto the walls um to show off the great things we're doing. So my um my hope is that this particular thing will wind up in a permanent place um and then next year when we do the project that winter will be in a permanent place and it'll be a a sign that we're really um doing some great things here at Exit. Awesome. >> Great work. >> Thank you for that. Great. [Applause] >> Keep digging in. >> Yeah. >> So, last time we talked and I provided you the report from about five years ago about the facility studies at the um uh SAU campus and that encompasses SST, encompasses adult ed, uh encompasses the other parts of it. um you could see the the cost of what they had projected if we're going to renovate that
025building close to $21 million five years ago. So, as I talked about and we did have some members from the board that that joined me a couple weeks ago to take a tour of the building to look at SST and some spaces and what could possibly be if if we do need to look at shifting um spaces. So, last time I talked about um I'm very confident after meeting with some different uh contractors and and um looking at getting a head level cost if we were to move the SAU offices to SST to some of those spaces, having a $30,000 um uh mockup of and writing an RFP for 2027 u for that to be looked at. So, um that's what I'm back here asking if we could proceed with that. if there's any other
026questions after reading the report that have been provided. Um, and other questions after touring the building of kind of the thought process of of being able to look differently of how we structure our building and hopefully look at um, you know, some cost savings from from savings at our buildings. >> So, um, yes. So, one of one of the approaches I liked what you did about this is that you and I looked at this this summer. We did a tour. We we talked at length about this and then I I appreciate last you brought it here last time but we paused and said okay there's more I know a couple of you went on the tour so I'd love to get your thoughts about uh about how we move forward here and >> um yeah
027the tour was very helpful um just to be able to walk through this space and see how the um leadership team would be it's more or less incorporated into SST correct >> um so I think it gives you know it kind of blends the a little bit together. Um there's definitely a lot of space there that's um you know un unused or underutilized and it seemed like each of the areas that you guys would need and that they would need could be you know could easily be held within that space. I I assume there will be plenty of leftover space even. I mean some of those rooms are massive. >> Um so I I I mean I think it makes sense to um you know to proceed with the with the study and and and
028see kind of what the costs would be. >> Great. Okay. And we got to see the uh space where the new electrical is going to be as well. So that was Yeah. >> Anybody else? >> And I also went on the tour. It was it was good to see. Uh certainly there's plenty of space. And the other thing we discussed that I thought was would be great for us is the um they would have space for some more special education programs in there that would allow us to potentially have students that we now send out of out of network out to another another school who could be kept here which would be less money for us and plus just to keep our students here. I like that aspect of it. >> Good good point. That's
029>> Yep. Anybody else have any comments for Yeah, >> I have questions about the financials of it. Y >> are we the only board paying for the study? >> Yes, because it's it's only a the building right now is owned by the cooperative. >> The admin building is owned by the cooperative. >> So that's a cooperative building that's owned by So we looked at our project line and I I kind of prepped Rusty last year. So we when we built the budget, we do have $30,000 that would come out of our project line and uh talking with Mr. Sans, he said, "Yep, we could allocate that for this year to be able to get that ready." So you guys could definitely see what we could do and what the total cost would be for something
030projected for 2027, which then also would give us time to talk with some community partners about, you know, leveraging whether they might want to take over our building and the cost with that at some type of sale uh process. >> And then moving forward, does this stay in the co-op or because yep, >> it seems like the admin building cost should be part of the SAU. So, it's part of your assessment for our salaries, but the the building is owned totally by the co-op. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> What what what's the timeline? So, if you if we approve the the study, how long will it take for them to complete the study? >> Yeah. So, be probably about a month to draft the RFP, collect the RFP, interview different people that we'd want to
031do the study. So, we'd bring that back for you to approve, you know, the different people that would do it. Um it takes probably about uh 2 to 3 months for them walk through get plans drawn up and then uh attach those with designs for um and they'd be high level designs um of looking at cost to be able to move all the offices over to the space at SST and then look at you know access and accessibility and then also there'd be some internal moves from SAT from some of the spaces if we use the outer layer and didn't um take away you know actual teaching space. So your goal is for this to be this whole project if we were to go forward to that point would be completed by when? >> So
032our goal would be to give you numbers so that we could start planning start talking with other stakeholders throughout the year so that we could possibly get something on a warrant for costs uh for the uh 2027 March 27. Okay. >> Y >> I didn't go on the tour and I don't fully visualize this, but would this affect would it affect any groups that use those buildings like and the end the 68 hours of hunger? I know they they work out of out of it. >> Yeah. So, right now we we're we're leasing space, you know, in very minimal space to some of them and um it's becoming harder and harder to maintain some of those spaces. So, yeah, we would have to look and see if there's maybe a spot that we could have
033them or this wouldn't happen for 3 to four years that we'd be able to work with them to be able to find additional spots or um alternative spots that we might have >> because I think that would be important. >> Y >> one thing we didn't talk about in the tour, that's the old high school. Is there any historical significance, any kind of problems from that end that we would need to be able to worry about as far as if we were going to sell it? >> Great question and we'll go through that as as we're looking. >> As a quick aside, I lived in Newbury Port and they they repurposed an old elementary school that had a lot of community sentiment to it and people raised the same question. They transitioned pretty effectively because
034the building's still there and they weren't using it. So, you know, it didn't go anywhere. But >> it may depend too on who buys it and what happens to it. >> That's true. >> My goal is that we'd find someone that would have an educational need. >> That would be nice. >> That would remain an educational center. and I may have had introductory conversations with a institution close by, you know, so there could be many possibilities throughout this time frame. >> That would be the best. >> Chris, is it true that when vacating a school building, a public school building, it first has to be offered to as a charter school? >> It's if you have open spaces in your building correctly, >> so that doesn't impact this space. >> No. If we were looking
035to move and then sell a portion, then that would not affect it. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Whoa, >> that was good. >> I know. >> Thank you. >> Um, so I mean I I think at this point I I know where I lag, but I mean it would I'd like to see if anybody would like to put together a motion to to approve the 30,000. >> I'd be happy to do that. >> Okay. push together a motion to let them go forward with the RFP. >> $30,000 for facility studies >> for the studies. >> Thank you. >> Good. I I'll be happy to second that. >> All right. So, uh we'll take a vote or any other discussion. All right. We'll take a vote. All those in favor, please raise your hand. >> Got it.
036>> Thank you. >> Uh next on the agenda, sealed minutes. So part our policy we're supposed to review seal minutes um and that has not happened as practice here. So there's uh 12 different sealed minutes that we have to go and review. Part of the policy is that you can elect uh as long as it's not a quorum of this board to come in with me to review those minutes and decide whether we want to make a recommendation to keep those minutes sealed or if we would want to uh open those minutes up. So, I'm looking for uh someone to volunteer or have a discussion about who would want to come in and review those sealed minutes for our November meeting to come back and say this is our recommendation based on what they're sealed
037and then also put a time frame. Um there was never put a time frame on the sealed minutes and it's a recommendation from council that we should review sealed minutes up to recommendations every 10 years. And so question came up because this is the same thing at Stratam. Why why would we go back and review sealed minutes? Um, sometimes in in non-public, you might have a discipline hearing and you want to keep it sealed because of a student. You might have a a hearing from an employee and again it's their right to have it non-public that you want to keep those sealed because it would be things about them. So again, that's that's our job is to review those sealed minutes and make a determination to this board uh if we want to keep them
038or make a recommendation to keep them sealed or to open them up if there's nothing in there. Our our minutes now, as you know, become much we keep them much more vague so that you don't have to seal them um in that capacity. for that. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, um, any anybody want to >> I'd be happy to do that. Yeah. >> Melissa and I meet with Chris regularly. >> We can do it right after negotiations. Perfect. >> Going. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you guys. >> All right. Appreciate that. >> Um, so back in March, you approved to go after the get the let out grant. Um I just here need um Chair Gothier's signature as our um on this page and then Melissa, you have to be as the assistant
039chair, just the witness that you're signing it. Once we get it, then you will be eligible for the uh $3, uh $310 to be able to work through that grant to work on our water treatment system. >> So, Bill, you'll have to sign here as the grantee and then you have to initially each pays and then Melissa just has to witness that we're part of that. So, thank you. So, you'll get this grant for the schools and stuff. >> Yep. So, I will send it all in and then we will have the grant and then it will work on our uh water treatment through uh environmental services through the state of New Hampshire. >> Excellent. Good. Good. >> While he's doing that, just want to highlight maybe Drew will talk a little bit about but
040uh CMS was awarded uh $11,75 for the robotics grant again. Um so great job for writing that to pursue it and I don't know if uh principal be still you want to kind of talk about what they will do with that grant and the excitement that it will bring. >> Uh yeah first and foremost it helps to fund our robotics team who um small group of it's a compet competitive team. Um they go out on the surrogate and compete with the Lego robotics um teams across the state. They always perform really really well. It's um a really eager group of of kids. Um, and then we also use some of it to help our steam program. Um, when we have um new ideas and and um new projects, uh, our steam teachers are are really
041innovative and are always thinking about new things. So, oftentimes we access some of that money for um funding those ideas. >> Who watered the grant? >> Uh, this is uh federal funds uh that we apply to. Brian, >> utterly facitious, but I think it's good for the purposes of this grant that the New Hampshire District Court or US District Court District New Hampshire suspended the anti-Dei provision because there's a provision in here that says funding uh shall be expand expand the program particularly for students of underrepresented groups which looks a little bit like achieving a demographic outcome. So for the Department of Education's sake, >> they should be happy that the law that they were enforcing was stayed. Good point. >> So, >> nobody else caught that, too, by the way. So, nice work. That's
042uh >> that's why you have policies in the most important. >> Congratulations. >> You got the grant. I just think it's funny the DOE still has this language in their award letters. >> Yeah, that is interesting. >> And then the last thing in my report, just wanted to include uh the great work that has been happening uh with special education and Dr. Bennett provided you that memo uh talking about the uh uh graduation rates uh dropout rates and outcomes under the indicators that they do for their special education um reports each year. Um talking about students with IEPs. So really students with IEPs are not dropping out or graduating on time are meeting their graduation outcomes which just talks about the uh rigor that we're working with and the expectations of all students in the
043school um but students that you know may struggle in classes. So, uh, I wanted to include it and just give you the highlights of of the work of the team that they've been working on. >> Thank you for including that. That is in the minutes, too. So, if others want to read that, they can certainly get on read it. But it is pretty impressive. She's doing great work. Y >> So, all right. Thanks. We'll move on to uh my report. It's really is talking about the board goals. So, last uh when we met last board meeting, >> hi. I'm sorry. I I wanted to find a good point to a good stopping point, but I wanted to talk before the time is up if that's okay. >> Sure. Thank you. Uh my name is Melissa
044Lichfield. I am a resident of Brentwood, New Hampshire in SAU16. Um I'm also a state representative. I represent Brentwood, Fremont, and Danville. I also serve on the um policy education committee at the state house and this is my second term unconsecutive serving on that committee. Um I know last night that I had a chance to watch the video and I know there were some questions that came up about a court case um intern intra district schools um and also regarding some of the legislation that's coming up. So I I think some of the information might have been confusing that was given. So I'm here I'd like to clarify um if necessary and also um I'd like to answer any questions that you might have. Um I have my card as it stands right now. Um
045we have all submitted our legislation as far as the 400 reps are concerned for January. Uh we had a window in September. they are still in drafting. So, some of them there are titles out there, but the titles aren't always um reflective of what the bill actually is. The representatives do not choose those titles, or sometimes we do, and they're altered by the attorneys and legislative services for whatever reason. Um, but that being said, some of these thousand bills that are going forward, some of them will actually be withdrawn over the next couple months as we continue to research. Um, do you before I start, do you all have any questions? No. Okay. I I do want to say that I hope that you reach out to me on a regular basis. We start hearings
046in January. Um, for my particular committee, it's very busy, so it's 2 to 4 days a week. Um, typically we have house session on Thursdays. Um, we may not always agree on everything, but definitely your perspective is very helpful for me in trying to decide how I vote. It's not um, it's really not what I want. It's what the majority of my constituents want. So, I try to go with whatever over 50% when they reach out to me, I try to go with what they're looking for. Um, regarding the intra versus interd district, I'll talk about it a little bit quickly, but if I'm redundant, I don't want to waste your time, so I'll I'll try to be quick. Um, the intra district, which I believe it was Patrick OD that touched on it last
047night. Excellent. He was absolutely correct. You've got schools like Manchester, Port Smith, where you have multiple, let's say, elementary schools. Sure, that did pass this year. It was a Senate bill and the kiddos can go in between the schools. um that is allowed at this point. At this point in time that would not apply to SAU16 because each town is its own district. So intra district does not apply to us. Um as far as interd district is concerned, yes, there was a bill um it did pass the house. It was killed in the senate. And one thing that I want to emphasize is I'm the same. Sometimes I see these bills and I get very anxious about them and I'm like, what are people thinking? Um, yet it has to get through the House, it
048has to get through the Senate, um, it has to get past the governor and and and really poor analogy, but sometimes they equate it to like getting pregnant. Like it's a wonder how any of us ever get pregnant, right? To me, it's a wonder how any bill ever becomes a law because you have to jump through so many hoops and sometimes those same bills we are voting on multiple times over. Regarding the inter district, like I said, it did not pass. Um there is a situation right now where at Prospect Mountain um up north, they did say they were going to accept students. You can vote, your legislative body can vote via warrant article to accept other students. They did do that. This is a law that's been and this is our education, you probably
049all have a copy of this. This is our education laws. It changes every year. um because as you know we have so many updates but it was voted back in 2009 this law was put on the books. So at some point Prospect Mountain gets a new superintendent. The legislative body votes this in. There were several students from Pittsfield that said hey we're not happy here. We want to go to Prospect Mountain. So they went to Prospect Mountain. The problem was that the sending district is technically supposed to be paying up to 80% of the tuition which I believe many of you know. The reason why it's 80% is I've been told that 20% is due to administrative costs that are held back and also transportation. It is also written in this book that neither district
050is responsible for transportation and I have it with me if anybody wants to see it or I can send it to you. I just want to alleviate that fear because I know that can be costly. Um the other thing is that that particular lawsuit um that was decided at the New Hampshire, I believe it was the New Hampshire Supreme Court, um it was actually Prospect Mountain was saying to Pittsfield, "You need to pay this money." Pittsfield had chosen not to pay it. And and in their defense, it may they may not have even been able to afford it. I I don't think that they're a wealthy school district based on what I've heard. Um it was actually Pittsfield and I believe it was the NA. It was one of the teacher unions. Anyway, they got
051together and they're the ones that actually bought brought this lawsuit forward that said like, "Hey, we're being asked to pay this. This isn't fair. We can't afford it." And it was actually the courts that ruled against, right, the plaintiffs. Um, but it wasn't even the receiving district that brought the lawsuit forward. I just think that's like kind of an interesting fun fact for everyone to know. Um, but that's where we are right now with that. Um there is a study there's a bill for a study committee for introd um I don't know where it's going to go and and we've talked about this and and you've heard me say it probably ad nauseium and I'm sorry I have to say it again right but the bill it did make it through the house last year
052but then there was talk at one point because we didn't know if it was going to get through the Senate the governor let's put it in the budget actually there wasn't an appetite to put it in the budget so it it wasn't even put in the budget at that point in time. Um, at this point in time, a Republican or a Democrat did not put forward a bill for introd. A Democrat did put in a bill for a study committee, which is great. But that being said, um, we have so many bills for commissions and study committees. It's almost frowned upon when we put those particular bills in because there are so many waiting for assignments and they just don't have enough people to fill the committee. So, honestly, I don't it it hasn't even
053gone for hearing yet, but I I don't know what's going to happen with it yet. >> Melissa, this is all this is so so No, no, no. Don't don't be sorry. No, I just want to make sure that you we do have to keep the time. This is such great information. We appreciate you showing up and sharing. So, I want to give you 30 seconds to wrap up if this is something that you really want. >> The very last thing was um about the SAUS, which I know is a huge concern because they're talking about blowing up SAUS in general. Um, the concern that I have heard out there, just kind of small talk on the street, was just simply that the SAUS initially were meant to bring districts together in order to save costs.
054And people are concerned at this point where they're saying the the administrators, the costs of the units are becoming bloated and that's their concern. The concern is to try and reel in costs. And I'm not saying that this is my opinion. I don't have an opinion on it either way, but this is where they're coming from. And that's it. Thank you. And I next time I'll be better about >> No, no, no, no. You're fine. We appreciate you showing up and sharing with us. Thank you, Melissa. Yeah, that'd be good. Thank you. Good. Good. Appreciate. There's a lot definitely going on. We appreciate the uh the work that you're doing, Melissa. Also, the SAU, you guys continually get us answers when we need them. You're emailing us. You're updating us. And I know that uh
055everyone's working hard. Uh so, Dr. Bennett and uh so thank you for that. So >> appreciate it letting us do our job. >> Um all right, so that's uh the board goals. Um we we reviewed them at the last meeting and then I I got some feedback which is really helpful. I've incorporated some of that feedback into the ones that you see uh above number one, two, three, four. There was some additional feedback that came in after I had uh to post these notes and uh just want to get overall comments uh about where we're at, how you guys feel about the goals. Um so do you want to bring up Don because you you had a point. >> So um the number one goal um there though I understand um the sentiment behind it,
056I don't like the word wording behavioral outcomes. I feel like that's a negative connotation and I just don't feel like it's though we understand that we mean it's social emotional learning and different things like that. I don't think it's really transparent that that's where we're headed with this. Um and I would love to see it worded differently. Um >> you did have a suggestion. >> I did have a suggestion but now I need to find it. Right. So >> as Don finds that any other any other [Music] comments on them. >> Okay, I found it. So, I'm suggesting um I have two suggestions. Just an quick thought here is the school board will work with the administration to provide opportunities for high level academic and personal growth for all students in our district or and
057the school board will work with the administration to provide opportunities for high level academic and personal accomplishments for all students in our district. >> Yeah, I I like the first one. I thought that was really good, too. Yeah, >> you guys pretty good with that >> listening. >> It's again, it's just a suggestion. Just trying to spin it in a more positive way, I think, is really important. >> All right. >> I think that the board probably has more to do >> with your wording of it than we do specifically behavioral outcomes. >> Yeah. That doesn't seem like a board thing until it comes to us and it's too late. >> Yeah, that's a good point. Yes. All right. Good. Thank you for that. >> Well, we're on this one and I about this for
058a while, but I didn't think to bring it up before. Uh provide opportunities just seems kind of weak to me >> and I don't know to uh to encourage and I forgot I've already forgotten the wording of your first option. I apologize. Um, but if instead of to provide opportunities to encourage or promote, unless I missed that in your wording, which again I've forgotten, I apologize. But is there a way to strengthen just something more than provide opportunities? Just because it sounds like here it is. It's up to you kids. We wash our hands or or >> what about provide and encourage? >> Provide and encourage or Yeah. Because I think one thing I think it's our job to make sure that >> the resources are available and the framework is available. >> Yes, >>
059that's for us and that the >> more hands-on stuff is for the administration and the staff >> suggestion. >> Yeah, >> I like it. >> Thank you for that. >> All right, so I will um I will rewrite that one and get it back out to you guys to look at. And how about the other ones? Anything else that stood out to you? Thank you, Brian, for your feedback. Eric, you had some feedback of saying um we do because we do put in here, we say, "Hey, the the core values and the vision." It is on It is on the website. I didn't feel like maybe repeating it here wasn't great, but we have it there. So, it goes back to the website and >> um I knew that was a concern. >> Anything else?
060>> I hear nothing. I'm going to make that change. We're going to march forward and have a great year. Can we agree on that? >> Sounds good. >> Awesome. >> Thank you. Let's do it. >> Yes. >> Do you want to make a motion to approve the goals as amended? >> Do I have to do I have to have a motion on this? >> We usually make a motion to approve our goals from year to year. >> Yeah, I would love it. It'd be great. All right. >> To provide an opportunity. >> Yeah. Just >> could you just read the way number one will read? >> So, I think Yeah, I'll need your help because you get the language and I've got that in the email. So, I can start the first part if you
061want to finish for me. >> Yes. Okay, you ready? >> Okay. The school board will work with the administration uh to provide and encourage opportunities >> opportunities for high level academic and personal growth for all students in our district. >> Great. Nice teamwork put it there. >> All right. Good. So, I I will reiterate that. So, uh I look for a motion to approve the minutes. >> Motion to approve this. >> Thank you, Melissa. Have a second. All right. Eric, thank you. Uh, so all those in favor, please raise your hand. >> Got it. >> Excellent. Thank you guys. Appreciate that. Um, good. Uh, then we'll move on to the financial report. Molly. >> All right. Thank you for signing the manifest. Um, I am going to try to bring them to the school board
062meetings this year because they tend to build up in our office. Um, >> good idea. >> Yeah. So, um, I will have more documents for you to sign, uh, each time. Um, in your board pack is a current year financial. This is the first financial of the the year. So, you don't have that comparison page because there's nothing for me to compare to yet. So, next month you will have that comparison page. Um, keep in mind this financial, we're still discovering what students need. We have to have this out to you um a week in advance of the meeting. So, then we have to have it done a week before then. So, it really really school is just getting started when we prepared this. So, um and also it was still 80° and thinking about
063encumbering snow plowing did not cross anyone's mind. So we will be building those encumbrances as the year goes on. Uh did anyone have any questions about anything? Um and then the other item is we have started the budget advisory committee meetings. >> Um we had an intro night and then we had a fantastic night from SST and adult ed. Um this week will be facilities and maintenance and then we have our break for Halloween because no one likes to meet on trick-or- treat night. Um, and then we'll hear from CMS and EHS. >> Thank you. We know a lot of budget work is coming up over the next uh couple months. So, >> yes, I've been busy. >> Yes. And that will not go away, I'm sure. >> No. >> All right. Great. Thank you
064for that. Uh, so we'll move on to the committee reports. I'll I'll just do a quick update. You heard last night about this also, but the superintendent evaluation, we continue to work on that and get feedback. Uh Chris will present at the next uh meeting your >> joint board. >> Joint yeah joint board meeting the goals. So you'll hear all about those also and you should and you do have a copy of those. >> Uh Brian, you want to do the policy update? >> Sure. On page 29 of the meeting materials, you have the summaries prepared by Dr. Bryant. >> Um the it's a little weird to report on this committee because we've met twice. We're actually we're like a meeting behind. We had our most recent meeting last week, but we're talking about the
065policies approved at the prior meeting from the prior month. And we still have the first two policies that we had prior to our first meeting, which were the uh parental bill of rights and the personal device policy. Um I think the personal device policy you can see is so we'll start with those two. These are second readings. So the personal device policy and the parental bill of rights. >> The personal device policy, you can see the edits and the materials. Um, every other uh, school within the SAU has approved the policy. Reporting out at all the meetings I've attended so far and from what I've heard from all the administrators has been that the policy has been fairly easy to administer. >> Kids are enjoying it. Um, the the biggest news is the cafeteria is
066louder. I understand. Um, which is a good thing. >> Yeah. >> Um, because I'm not in it. I was going to say effort. >> Uh so there's that for the um the personal device policy for the uh parental bill of rights policy that was held back. People had some concerns about it, questions about whether to add additional context or additional language to the policy beyond what's in that right now. In the end, it was determined we're going to leave it as it is, which just matches matches the statute. It's word for word what's in the statute. There are no additions, no subtractions. It is what is in the law. Um, so there's not a heck of a lot unless you want to add something to do about that particular policy. Um, but I think it's
067makes sense to look at those two policies first and maybe make a motion on those or discuss those before moving on to the other regularly scheduled policies. >> So I I felt I read both the policies. I felt comfortable with them and I'm glad that they're moving forward. You know, that's that was important. So um >> make a motion to approve those two policies suggested. >> I can second that. >> Maybe >> I can second it. >> So any other discussion on those two policies? >> All right. All those in favor? >> All right. Thank you. Okay. Um and then the remaining policies we have um J instructional materials which has some changes uh recommended by law and as just an update for technology and there were some a little bit of wording changes at
068the um the policy committee meeting but nothing significant. um IKB on homework uh which is has the the very strong benefit of being brief. Um and so it's just those two other policies. Um you can see them in the materials if you have any questions or any comments or concerns. >> I have one what you said on J there was a you said there was a minor law change or policy change. >> Um a minor wording change. Okay. And I just remember because I I recommended it. If you look at the bulleted points on page 34, um there's um it has represent many religious, ethnic, and cultural groups. And I asked to add when appropriate >> because if you're if you have a piece of course material that's about a particular group, here's what Inuit
069life was before Western settlers arrived, >> you don't really need diverse, okay, >> groups represented. All right, perfect. Thank you for that. >> All right. Any uh questions about J or I KB? I look for a motion to approve those two. Ryan approve. You second that. All right. All those in favor, please raise your hand. >> All right. Thank you guys for reading that. M >> um just further uh should be a fairly short batch at our next meeting too. Um last week's uh policy committee meeting was I believe 30 minutes only about four policies. So I think as Dr. Bryant gets her legs under her we might get more policies coming at a time but we went through a ton last year where we did a lot of annual reviews um and updates. So
070hopefully we'll have a a smooth system going forward. >> Okay, >> great. Thank you. I know there's a lot of updates last year. appreciate this. It's nice to be somewhat caught up. Um, all right. So, next, Tammy, do you have any updates for the SST since we've had we met last? Um, >> I always love going over to SST and I think they've had a great start of the year. Their enrollment numbers are solid. Um, some something about there was less time for drop or they had to attend or something, but they felt that in that helped with some of their numbers. Um, we did It was budget time. So, we did vote to put money in to do the new electrical program, which everybody seems to think it will be a great thing going
071forward. And I did get a chance to see the space. They've certainly got the space for it. Um, and we had a they always start with a presentation from one of the students. It was FFA at the beginning of this one. Um, like I said, they seem to be going doing going doing quite well. So >> good. Yeah, lots of good things coming out of SST, no doubt. So, thank you for that. Um Aaron, safety and security. >> We met um we talked about all things safety and security. There's not a lot to share with the public for that meeting. >> Okay. >> Um tabletop plans, drills, fire drills, um lots of great planning. >> All right. Great. >> There's a new CMS SRO. He came to the meeting. He introduced himself. So, school resource
072officer newton. Yes. >> Yes. >> Good. >> All right. Excellent. >> Thank you for that. And then, uh, negotiations. Any negotiations going on? >> Yeah. So, we met internally today um to go through. We're we're basically down to I mean at this point it's pretty much financials is kind of our last piece. So, I think we Don and I will probably have a a couple pieces for non-public today just as before we finalize things up. Um we have two more um meetings. Um the next one's next Monday, so um hopefully maybe we'll wrap it up next Monday. Um we'll see. >> Great. Thank you. Uh and then Neil budget advisory committee. >> Uh Molly mentioned it started up. I think it's a very it's a good group. Uh I like the process because they're very
073focused on cost especially since as um Molly mentioned that you know healthcare costs are very high this year. and uh superintendent and she are doing an excellent job of scrubbing it. Um the chair of the Paul Royal chair the board is um very focused on that and does a really good job of making sure we delve into any details we can. So it's a very good process. >> Good. >> U Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you for doing that work. It becomes very important as we move forward in the budget. We really talk about the budget advisory committee leaning on them making sure that they they put their best foot forward looking at all the details giving us a good recommendation. So appreciate that. That's that would be great. >> Mentioned SST also discussed the
074electrician or electrical program they want to initiate. It sounds very a very worthwhile endeavor. >> Oh great good. >> All right. Thank you for that. And then we'll uh new business. So that is our travel planning. I think they just came in the room. Scott. Scott and Scott. Scott and Jen first and then the old business the Morocco trip. >> Okay, perfect. Okay, good. >> Hi, thank you for having us. Uh my name is Jennifer Jacobe. I teach French here at the high school. >> I'm Scott Batty. I teach French as well at Exit High School. Thank you for inviting us tonight. >> Yes. Uh we're here basically to propose a trip uh to Quebec uh that we have uh worked with students love travel which is a travel company that has done many of
075our tours from exit high school both to Europe and different parts of North and South America. Um one of the reasons we're a little bit late and normally we propose this a little bit earlier in the process is because we wanted to survey our students and see uh what their preferences were. Originally, we were going to propose two separate trips because our enrollments in French have gone up a lot and we wanted to offer a full immersion uh tour in January for our seniors primarily. We have 25 seniors taking French 5 this year and uh after we had surveyed them, we realized that we probably wouldn't have enough numbers to just offer a trip to our seniors. So, we decided at that point to merge uh the two trips together and offer it first to
076our seniors and juniors and then to our sophomores and perhaps freshmen if if we need. We're hoping to bring between 30 and 40 students, which we have traditionally done in uh past trips to Quebec. And so, I believe uh you were given a copy of the proposal. >> We've done a trip similar to this um when this year's current seniors were freshman. And so, they were they're dying to go again before they leave this place. One of the reasons we added an extra day to the tour is because we have a 4-day weekend for students during the Martin Luther King weekend and we were going to add a night in Montreal because they've they've not done the Montreal part of it. So, we tried to give them a a little bit different version of the
077trip this time since it'll be their second time going for the older students. >> Well, it sounds like Is there a minimum? You have to have a minimum of 20 students. >> The more students you bring generally, the lower the cost per student is. So, um, 30, if we get to 35 students, it would be at the 1495, which is what we would prefer to do. And in past years, we've always had between 40 and actually sometimes 45 students full coach bus for our trips to Quebec City. >> So, you think that won't be a problem to get that many students that quickly? Okay. And then depart. So, you're going to depart on January 14th. >> Yes. >> Okay. 2026. >> Yes. >> Okay. It says 2025. >> It does. Okay. >> Yeah. I was
078like, "Oh, how's that? That'll be a really that'll be a very interesting tr trip trip. Okay. >> The guy who put this together for us just snuck out the door. So >> ah let me go. Uh it that's totally fine. I I just want to make sure that I was reading. It wasn't 2027. So I just want to make sure. Um cool. Excellent. Ask question. >> Yeah. Yes. Ask question. >> So Mr. um when when you go up to Quebec, do do people want to practice their English or are they willing is it very much an immersion experience? >> It's very much an immersion experience, especially in Quebec City where it's much more franophhone than Montreal. So, um, the last time we were there in 2023, our kids were speaking French almost the whole time
079>> because it seems to me it's so close and it's that's such a good experience. It's it's a great value, if you will, that it's a it really is a mini Paris, at least I think it is in Quebec City. It's a terrific It's not that far away, >> right? >> And we'd like to alternate every other year with a Paris trip or a France trip and a Quebec trip so it's more accessible for students who maybe can't afford the three $4,000 trips that we do in Europe. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> It's great. >> Sounds like a great idea. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Any other questions, Eric? >> Well, it's a little logistic. I mean, the weather is going to be pretty tough. So, what happens if you get a snowstorm and your
080trip gets either delayed or >> cancelled? Do the people get any of their money back? Are there any type of >> So, if we'd have to delay it um going up, we would probably So, we have that Monday as well. We could push it back a day. Uh if we got caught coming back, we'd have that extra day. Okay. So, we do have a cushion day in there that we would just have to adjust it, but we'd have to work out with the hotel obviously to extend >> the bus company and that >> and the bus company, right? That's never happened. So, let's hope it doesn't happen. But, yes, it's a good point. >> Our trip four years ago, actually, we were departing in the snow and they assured us that the plows were ahead
081of us and we would be fine and we were fine and we got there and the kids were great sports about, you know, just bundling up and because a lot of our our tours were walking tours. Um, and so we were we were all bundled up and it was cold. >> It's cold. Yeah. >> Do the kids have to be a certain uh level of proficiency in French and to go? >> So what we primarily do is we start we offer it to our seniors and then to our juniors so they get first spots and we'd like to keep it as much French as possible and then we'll open it to the French three which are primarily sophomores and by that point the bus usually fills. So their level of proficiency is already pretty high.
082But we also recognize that um even though we do like to include the language component as part of the trip, this is also a great way kind of like get your toes wet for the younger kids who maybe don't have that level of prof proficiency yet, but it's a good way to like show them here's what you can become, especially if there are some seniors or older upper classmen on the trip. They get they get it's it's a good, you know, it's excitement for them. >> Yeah, >> it's great. >> Yeah. All right. Thank you. Any other questions? So, I I I'll make a motion to approve the trip to Montreal and Quebec. >> Second. Okay. Um, all those in favor. >> Excellent. Good. And thank you guys for waiting this whole I can't believe
083we made you sit through all those updates. I will. Yeah. >> Well, our grades closed on Friday, so we got some work done. >> Oh, is that what you're doing back there? I thought you were taking notes. >> Okay, perfect. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thanks. All right, good. We'll move on to uh another trip, the Morocco trip, and uh we'll chat about that. So, um we all we all got to and Neil, I can hand this over to you to kind of tee I'll tee it up and then if you'd like to chat more, but uh you know, Neil came to us a couple months ago into the last board meeting, said some concerns about Morocco and safety and you really focused on student safety, >> right? Um, so
084I want to make sure that's what we're chatting about and um, yeah, >> so I have, you know, I'm a supporter of travel abroad and I think the Morocco trip is in concept a good idea. Um, and I voted for it last time. My concern is that it's pretty clear that things have changed and that for example now the country is experiencing mass protests across the country, right? and they've turned violent. And some of the places where security action has taken place include itineraries, spots in the attorney where the students are going to be going. And I and to be honest, I'm kind of surprised we haven't heard from the the travel company that it seems this is a pretty important event. So I'd like to know what the process is for how they came
085to the conclusion that as you wrote and related in your email that this was a not an issue. And I'd like to know like you know what the process is regarding whether or not this is a safe place to go. >> So they are here with us tonight. So they'll be able to give that with our adviserss. [Music] >> All right. So hi I'm Liz Morris. I teach science here and I am one of the chaperones to the Morocco trip. >> I'm Sharon Orchard. I'm also chaperoning. >> Hi folks. My name is Greg Welhousen. I'm with Grand Classroom Student Travel. Uh we hosted the group in Ecuador and um um the Gapagos Islands last year and the year before that in Puerto Rico. Uh and it's been a great partnership. U just to thank you
086all for uh supporting the travel here. It's great and one of my favorite schools I get to work with. Uh I'm down in the greater Boston area. Um came up to present this evening and to to answer your questions. Uh Grand Classroom is based down in Charlottesville, Virginia. We do international global travel uh with international traveler partnerships. Morocco is a great example of the model that we use to ensure student safety in the trip. I'm happy to answer your questions, happy to go into more detail. Uh we as a company are very confident in our positioning for this. Uh this trip is not being treated any different than a trip to France, a trip to Italy, a trip to the UK. Uh but the nice piece of this is that we do have our local
087partners on the ground in Morocco uh that are accompanying the group the entire time including private motor coach, a private tour for the group. Uh all of the vendors and hotels are vetted. The group is we're working in direct partnership with our team on on a weekly basis in preparation. Um it's it's very safe. Uh we have experienced guides uh and we again are are very confident in in this trip. Very excited about it too. So if you have specific questions, I'm happy to answer it. Um I had an opportunity to review the report uh with uh many of the um the different articles and whatnot that were cited of concern. Uh and you know, as in any international travel destination, uh we can we can find we can find the problems uh as they
088come. But in terms of the the travel safety uh in the destination and with the guide team that we'll have and the security accompanying the group throughout the trip um my my travel partners have taken no pause in the success and the safety of the group. >> So do you have groups there now? >> At this moment we don't. No, we have groups lined up to travel. Uh this is the first of the group for the year to be traveling out. We've established our relationship with our Morocco partners since 2018. Did >> did you know that the embassy in Rabbot, this is new information to me, issued a security alert on June 12th. >> Could you elaborate a little bit more? >> I'll take that as no. >> Um, excuse me. Uh, can you go
089into the uh detail on what that is? >> A sec. Yeah, they issued a statement the security the US embassy in Rabbot. Did you know that? >> I can >> the state department. Can you give me the details of the security? >> Due to increased regional tensions, the Department of State advises US citizens to exercise increased caution. >> Historically, similar tensions have resulted in travel disruptions and increased security concerns for US citizens in the region. Among other recommendations, the alert recommends that US citizens prepare a plan for emergency situations. >> And that that is all in place as part of our travel package. Did this this was a change, right? This was not something they >> And what was the date on it? In June. >> June 12th. >> I I'm we're familiar with that.
090We have all that documentation uh as part of our profile on our destinations and with our partners. >> So, you want to send our kids to a place where they're issuing security alerts like this? Are you really? >> Well, with all due respect, sir, uh they are doing the same with other level two, >> you know, where security uh >> Sweden Scotland. >> So, how about >> Germany, France? >> How about how about on >> October 1st, the US consulate general in Casablanca issues a demonstration alert. Did you see that? >> Uh, I I am familiar with that. I did preview the documents. >> So, it says to be aware of traffic disruptions due to street closures, avoid areas of demonstrations, avoid large crowds, keep a low profile, keep doors locked and windows closed if
091you drive through crowds, use caution when walking or driving at night. How is a group of teenagers going to do that? >> Because you may. Yeah. >> So, sorry. Thank you. Um I we've traveled with this company two times and we chose this company and we do it very intentionally. There is another exit based um travel company. >> Sure. um or exit based travel company that does not have the same kinds of so when we're there in whatever place we are Ecuador um so when we were in Ecuador which actually has a higher travel warning rating um by the state department that we've looked into um they have very specific places about where to go where not to go and when we were in keto they said okay you're in your walled space and this
092is where you're going to be. But when we're in places like the Galopagos where it's safer, we have a native guide who is someone who lives there who has knows exactly where we're going. I would not feel comfortable going with someone who lives full-time in Exit, New Hampshire to take me to Morocco, but these people, our guides live there. When we are in travel, we are in a motor coach that has obviously locked windows and doors and things and safety is very is a high concern. We feel we are also going and we feel safe. >> This has been described as the biggest demonstration mass demonstration in Morocco since the most serious wave of unrest since the Arab Spring of 202010 and 2011. My understanding is that students >> for high school students >> I
093think that there are they could also have gone on Saturday and seen lots of demonstrations out in the United States. I think >> thousand people they killed three. >> So I think it was it was helpful. Liz, you just said a couple things about like the safety and being with someone from the area and walking around and you you you had talked about safety. What other what other safety things can you talk about so that we understand it and we feel you said student safety but I wasn't sure what those measures were. So the chaperon we both me answering um so the the students are with us and a guide so there are three adults or actually oftentimes there are four or five adults we are doing explicitly tourismbombbased activities so we're not going to
094a protest we are going to a synagogue we are going to the palace we are going to places that are touristbased places that are generally speaking they are safe, clean, all the things because that is their national industry. That is one of the things that Morocco is known for its tourism. That's why we are on the front edge of many trips that are going this year well in 2026. So there the places we're going are inherently safe and we are going with native guides who are expressly there who know the situation on the ground certainly as well as anyone else. >> All right. Have any parents of the trip >> going to ask >> yeah brought concerns to you? >> No students or any not one. >> No. In fact the concerns that have been
095brought to the company. >> Can you speak in that and just so that we can record this? >> Yes of course. um concerns are part of the the standard preparation for the trip and those have been spearheaded by these two connecting with us, connecting with our team on the ground in Morocco, uh proper protocols, um food and allergy preparations, what are proper customs for American tourists in the area, what are the expectations? Uh they're the ones that are that are on the on the front curve of that. We have not received any parent communications through Grand Classroom about concerns about this. Okay. What' you say, Liz? >> We have We have not either. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. Pause. Other questions. >> Well, so some something was to go ary. I mean, you said you
096you made a comment at the very beginning of your your statement that uh you're treating it like like you taking a trip to France or some other country, but seems to me that the situation might be a little bit different than that. So, are you taking any additional precaution? Let's say the students needed to be removed from the country on short notice because something escalates. What what are the concerns? >> We are in we will be prior to travel be in touch with the US embassy. Uh we have our evacuation plans and protocols in place as we do for any of our international destinations working with our local international partners to get the group evacuated. Um the the matter of fact is the picture that's being painted about the destination is um not directly aligned
097what the tourism industry is reporting over there. Uh our trips that will have the group accompanied with uh will have all of these protocols and pieces in place as as part of our liability as a company in sending groups internationally. This it's standard. We're a riskmanagement company upfront. That's what we do. Um, I send students all over the world as as part of the company. And in the case of this, if there needed to be student evacuation, using strong terms, but everything from a student illness that needed to get immediate medical care, uh, that's all included in part of our protocols and packaging in partnership with our team on the ground there. uh if it's um needing to pivot an itinerary because of weather changes or hazards um conditions have changed we are able to
098do that with our local guide and partnership team in real time there is both an incountry uh we call it a DMC a destination management company destination management partner and our grand classroom team that are overseeing all of that including the communications back with the school back with the teacher leaders and back with the parents directly. So we have a series of protocols in place that that that go through this and you know the same um conversation can be had uh when we bring student groups to DC all the time. Uh we had students that were just down there not only during government shutdown but also during the protest that just happened and we were successfully able to reroute groups. Uh we have not uh missed a step in related issues as well. Uh if
099you find if you're looking for trouble in any international destination, you're going to find it. We're not going to be bringing students to uh places where there are are are issues or increased dangers or hazards. Uh and we rely on our guides and our DMC management partners to to make sure that that's safe. Um this this company we work with is a toprated global travel partner. Uh fantastic reviews in both safety and experience. um it is a significant investment for the families and we know we don't cut any corners uh not at our company and not when we're studying with traveling with students abroad. Um so it it's all in place. It's it's part of what we have to do as a company. >> All right. So I'm going to pause there. Any other questions
100um to move this forward? Neil, do do you want is there anything else that you want to say? Do you want to make a motion? If not, then we're going to >> I just I just fundamentally just I don't see how you can think you can contain an uncontainable situation and the parallel between Morocco, which is influenced by a neighboring vastly different threats than the city of Washington or Chicago. I think it dumbfounds me to be honest with you. >> I I hear you. >> I understand. >> I appreciate that that Neil. Thank you for bringing it. So is there anything else that >> anybody wanted? >> You can vote it down, but I want to >> Yeah, I think that that is appropriate. >> So my motion is to revoke the board's authority for
101this trip. >> So revoke our >> the the the permission we granted for this trip. >> Okay. The I like that. So motion is to revoke the permission granted for this trip in the spring. Okay. Okay. >> Can I ask one more question? No. Is is there a second? >> Is there a second for that motion? Thank you. >> Okay. If there's not, then I just want to say that we're going to stay leave it like that. Uh is your question really important or is is >> Well, well, I just want to know if if the trip were cancelled, what happens to everyone's deposits and money? What would happen? >> Well, just about everyone's all paid up. Uh final payments are due uh next month. Uh plane tickets are purchased, non-refundable group plane tickets. uh
102any refunds that families would receive if you were to revoke the permission to go would be subject to any insurance policy that they added on to their travel. >> And if they didn't, they lose their money. >> Correct. >> At this point, >> that's not that's not going to be an issue. We're over that. Then that's like any other trip that's taken. >> Just like any other Let's leave it that. I appreciate that. Y >> Neil, thank you so much for bringing this to the board. I I don't want I want to encourage board members, if you have something that you're passionate about, you bring it. We discuss it. This might be uncomfortable for you. I know you guys have to show up. Might be uncomfortable, but what's worse is having a student that's that
103we don't know about that's unsafe or anything. Sounds like you guys have done the right protocols. I just encourage you to continue to talk to parents and let them know what's going on. And you're in care of our students and we take that uh serious here. So, please keep them safe. >> And I and I I appreciate that. And Neil, if I may, uh I I appreciate your concerns and I do hear them. Uh, I I deal with um school boards all the time. Uh, I help support the teachers in the the process. I work through schools public and private all throughout the region and nationwide. Um, I appreciate your concerns being, you know, the guy who's up from Boston to help support my teachers is is not the voice that you need to hear
104to be convinced. Uh, but we are in regular weekly contact with our team on the ground over there and they do not share your same concerns though I do hear you and I do appreciate that you brought them tonight. >> Thank you. >> And we have meetings, we have parent meetings, we have student meetings. We are talking to those kids and those parents. So, it's not like they're not informed about the situation, which I also share Greg's feeling that is I wouldn't be going and I am also bringing my daughter. So, who would do this? I would. >> I want to go with them, too. It seems pretty destiny. >> Well, I think all the all the trips, the one we approved tonight, it gives our students such great opportunity to see the world and
105be better, be better leaders. That's what we're after. So, we appreciate the work and, you know, showing up tonight says a lot. >> Yes. >> So, we appreciate that. >> And I I do plan to be a presence with both student and parent meetings through the process of preparation. >> Awesome. That's great. Thank you. >> We'll see each other again perhaps. All right. Thank you guys. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. I think that uh Oh, trip. All right. That uh kind of what I what I'll do before we leave is I will actually close uh our our public input. I left it open because I figured there would be I didn't know if I had to leave. So, I'm going to close it at 7:21. An hour and 10 minutes of public input.
106Nice. Uh and then I'll move on to uh we're going to call a non-public session. Uh the session will be called under RSA 91A column 32. Uh it's A1. >> A and C. >> Okay. A and C. >> Thank you. You're welcome. >> Uh could I have a motion to go into non-public? >> Make a motion. >> Excellent. Second it. Uh then at 7:22. Excellent. I'll just need a roll call for this. So, >> Kirk Miller, >> I just say I. Yeah. I >> I >> Great. Thank you guys. We are out and non-public and I'd look for a motion. >> Like to make a motion to to accept the superintendent's recommendation regarding the personnel matters discussed. >> Excellent. Can I have a second? >> A second. >> Thank you, Eric. So, uh, I'll I'll
107do a roll call to ensure that we get this right. So, >> Yes. I I >> I >> Excellent. Thank you everyone for your time tonight. I'll make a motion to uh end the meeting. >> Second. >> Okay. Excellent. All those in favor? >> All right. Thank you everyone. Appreciate Thank you all.