001[Applause] [Music] Everybody, today is I'm going to call the meeting to order. Today is Thursday, November 20th, 2025. This meeting is being video and audio recorded for future cable broadcast. Please silence all cell phones for the duration of the meeting. May I have a motion to open the school committee meeting, please? So move >> do a roll call. >> Mr. Ellis, >> yes. >> Mrs. Mr. Rob, >> yes. >> Mrs. Corero, yes. Mr. Wood, >> yes. Uh, I'll ask everybody to stand. We'll start with the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America is the consent agenda. Everything listed in the consent agenda was distributed in advance of the meeting. Does anyone have any requests for something to be removed from the consent agenda and discussed or voted on separately? May
002I have a motion to approve and accept the items listed in the consent agenda, including the minutes for the August 26, 2025 meeting? I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Seeing none, motion passes unopposed. Dr. Bailey, there's a couple items that I think are really quick. Are we going to take those out of order so those folks can leave? >> Uh, chair, I would ask that we take a few items out of order because I think tonight we will focus the majority of our time and discussion on the high school tuition agreement. So, if we could take those items out of order, I'd like to start under new business if that's okay. Go ahead. >> Okay. First, I'd like to call up Angie Regaryi to the podium. She will be introducing the
003representatives from Champions extended day program and that is our spotlight on education for this month. But we have Champions in our district this year as you know and it's a new program and we're really happy with the way things have been going. Good evening Mr. Chair, members of the school committee, Dr. Bailey. Um we are pleased to announce or to introduce um our partner um at the champions program. It's a new program to the district. We started before and after school programming last school year after a break ever since co um and now we have before and after school programming again and we're happy to um say that we're partnered with Champions. It's been a great experience so far. I think it's been about a month that they've been opened. Um so I'm happy to
004introduce Miss Caitlyn Grant. Thank you. Well, thank you guys everybody for having me tonight. Yes, my name is Caitlyn Grant. I'm the area manager for Champions. I oversee 15 locations in Massachusetts. I've been a part of the organization since 2012 and I have been in education since before I was old enough to be in education. So, it's been such a pleasure to be partnering with your district and we are off to an awesome start. Um we have been here since October 14th and so just over a month and just across the way right now at the elementary school they're having their very first family event where they're doing a Thanksgiving pie tasting. All the families have come in having a little taste of pie and enjoying what the program has to offer. So let me
005tell you a little bit more about us. So my site director is Mr. Nolan Warren. He has brand new to Champions this year. lots of uh background in special needs education. He was a part of the Reeds collaborative in Middbor working with a severe special needs population. So, he's been a great fit and then of course you have now met me. So, uh we're really proud to share with you that we are a ninetime winner of the Gallup Great Workplace Award, which is just so prideful. It's uh really exceptional that we've been able to receive that nine times in a row. We're also accredited through Cognia which is you guys might be more uh you know might have some better understanding that it is basically the before after school same as like a ny accreditation
006for child care. So, it's a really challenging accreditation to get and I am really proud that programs that I oversee were directly responsible for earning that accreditation. Our programs in CCON were a part of that. So, just a little bit about the what makes us special is we have a real commitment to health and safety, a really rich curriculum. We are very inclusive. We talk about it in everything we do. We have great engagement with our families and then our strong partnerships with our with our f with our client partners. You guys, the schools and then living our service values. I tell every single person that I interview for a role that your core values as a human being need to match our service values as an organization cuz when we are living our service
007values, we are doing what's best for children and families all the time. So those are really important to us. Then just our environment, please, if you haven't been able to come and visit our program, we really invite you in. You will see it. We start actually 6:30 in the morning and we are there till school start and we're back every afternoon and it will look the same in the morning and the same in the afternoon. Children engage in activities, highly engaged staff. Uh we are great communicators. I hope that if anybody would like to be added to our communication list, we would love to share what we're doing every all the time at Champions. We have uh four cards that are full of things for the kids to use and then we also have six
008activities that are planned for them daily. Just a little bit more about our curriculum. There are three manuals that we use. They are broken down into thematic units and every interest area that we have put out for the children daily relate back to that service uh that um sorry that in that unit. So you'll see all the different interest areas set up each day. the creative arts, library, puzzles and games, and then some map and construction, STEM activities, plus an additional daily activity. And we have community service projects. We bring them to the gym. We get them outside. And then we have a great curriculum called creating connections, which focuses on making sure that every single student, family, and employee that we have feels accepted for exactly who they are. Just a little bit about
009our schedule. It is packed full. I can't believe how much we fit into a few hours before or after school. And it's we have a lot of educators in the room. You guys know how important it is to keep it consistent, especially with um those exceptionalities that we have in within our program. Those kids need it to be really consistent day in day out. And we just fit a lot of stuff into the time after school, including some homework time, child choice based clubs, and then we always have a reflect and connect to make sure the children understood what we talked about that day. Then just a little bit about if anybody wanted to have their child try it, come on board. All you got to go do is go right to our website, discoverchions.com.
010There's information about signing into our portal, getting all the information. Everything is done online and then again if uh we are here during every day before and after school uh we are also working towards being here for families during break weeks February, April and we are really excited to hopefully have a great partnership this summer as well. Um all families need to customize their child's schedule. You are only uh build at champions for the schedule that you have selected. So you're able to go in each week and make changes so that you are only paying tuition for what you truly need. And then of course if anything comes up we can call, text, email Mr. Nolan and he will do his best to accommodate anything that is happening. Then just a little bit more about
011the tuition. Uh it is a 1 to two day rate and then a 3 to 5 day rate. Uh before and after school prices are listed there. Just a few other additional costs there such as a registration fee. We do the we do offer some drop-in services and there is an additional fee for early release days and then non school days where we are open from say 7 to 6 or 7:30 to 5:30 supporting families. Uh we we offer great discounts through any military discounts. We do have a care select discount. So if any employers use that they can use that towards their discounted champions. We partner with a lot of different organizations and then of course we have uh allowed students who are on subsidized vouchers through the state to come to our program
012as well. We have a partnership with Pace Childcare Works. Little bit about what we are doing across the parking lot. So you can see that they were a part of a great scavenger hunt on Halloween. Uh every single activity is ready for them to go. You can see that they were making uh kind of gross organs out of Play-Doh during gross gross and gooey physiology week during Halloween. And then they were actually doing on the right here Skittles in a pan where you add hot water and it turns into a rainbow. So, lots of fun. Just a little bit about champ camp for the summer is we plan to have field trips and lots of exciting vendors to come in. And I just think that uh Mr. Nolan and his team are beyond excited to
013hopefully be able to offer that to families. And again, that is the future goal, some champ camp, allowing some break programming, and then just continuing to align with all of you to make sure that we're meeting any gaps that maybe there that you don't have time for in your 6-hour school day. So, thank you. >> Thank you so much. I know from speaking to families, this is a great service for those who work and drop their children off early in the morning and also for the extended day. Does anybody on the committee have any questions? Comments? No. Sounds great. >> All the educators are as warm as you are. I'm sure the kids Thank you. I uh I really hope I invite you guys to come in. We would love to see you come and
014visit program. I'll make sure I extend another invitation. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. Next up, we have Project Bread School Breakfast Collaboration Grant. And I will ask Mr. Petronial, our business manager, to just talk about the award that we received. >> Good evening. Um, we are we in an effort to expand our our breakfast program, our food service director, Shelley Melo, applied for the Project Bread breakfast after the bell grant. And the purpose of this is to um although some children had breakfast at home to continue to have additional items for when they get to school. So um of the all the districts in the states that applied only 14 received it. We're all the ones that received it. We received a $4,000 uh grant and with that um we're uh enabling us
015to buy a food warmer that we will use in the morning to go from just cold breakfast to allow some heated breakfast cuz we now do the grab and go as they enter the u as they enter the the middle school for breakfast. So there's also collaboration. There's also um some seminars they have to help us promote that. But the big goal here is to basically get more food to more children. Um, and this grant is going to really help us out because the equipment can also be used afterwards for our weather needs. But, um, it's a great job on this grant. She keeps applying for more. So, it'll benefit the system. >> Thank you. Any questions? >> Okay. The next two items are regarding updated policies. The first one is policy ACCE, non-discrimination on
016the basis of disability. The second one is policy ADF, school district wellness program. And as you know, this was our second read in our vote tonight. Um, we did have an audit, a nutrition audit, and there were a couple of slight tweaks, as you know, that they wanted a couple of wording changes in those um in the policies. So, I would ask um for a vote tonight um and we'll move forward with that. >> Can I have a motion to approve policy ACE, non-discrimination on the basis of disability? So, >> move second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Seeing none, motion passes unopposed. May I also have a motion to approve policy ADF, school district wellness program. So second. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor? Any opposed? Saying none. Motion
017passes unposed. >> Thank you. My next item is I was contacted by an attorney in Nevada that there is a relative of the Ford family who has left in her will $25,000 to establish a scholarship. uh Judy Ford Lutit. I hope I'm saying the the name right, but um we're still working out the details and I explained to the attorney that anything over a certain amount I have to have permission from the school committee to accept the donation. Once we vote tonight to accept this, I will be working out the details with the family on exactly what they would like to see um and working with the business manager and how we're going to put the money um in an account that's appropriate. So, that's all I know at the moment. We're still working out
018legal matters, but I wanted to bring it up on the agenda tonight so that we could actually get working on it. >> Can I uh entertain a motion to accept the donation from Judy Ford included? >> So, move second. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Seeing none, motion passes. Unopposed. And obviously we'll work out the details on how they want to distribute scholarship money moving forward. The next thing um we're going to do an executive session. It's the custodial maintenance contract. We will leave for executive s executive session later on in the meeting and discuss the contract terms and then we will be returning to open session to vote on that contract. At this time though, I'd like to go back to old business and just let you know that I did provide
019you with the chronic absenteeism data that you had requested. So that is in your packet for tonight. Um, also we have a Christian school committee operating procedures that we would be looking for a vote on. We've already talked about it a couple of months ago and that's just by the way you do business. And then we will ask for your signatures once um it's moved to be accepted. So I guess we'd ask for a vote at this time for that. Okay. >> Uh so so we just need a motion to Okay. I'll entertain a motion uh to approve the accuset school committee operating procedures. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Seeing none, motion passes. Unopposed. >> Okay, great. I'll turn it back over to you and then I will later on
020um talk about high school tuition agreement update. Okay. All right. So, we're going to move into public comment delegation. So, just a couple of things before we get started. The Accession School Committee values hearing from the community on issues within its responsibility. It's the public's time to share their opinions. It isn't a discussion or a debate or dialogue. The committee will not respond during this period. Um, just to keep the meetings orderly, we ask that you follow these rules. Uh obviously anyone who wishes to speak um signed up. Um we will limit the public comment to there's about five people. Folks have 3 minutes a piece. So it'll be a 15minute uh session. We ask that you just be respectful. Um comments must relate to agenda items. I can see that it looks like it's
021all about the high school tuition agreement. So we should have um no no issue there. Um, if anyone doesn't get to say everything they want to say, maybe they didn't sign up to speak and have feedback that they want to provide, I would ask that you submit that to the superintendent and I would ask that the superintendent then forward that on to all committee members. And any committee members who um want to ask any clarifying questions, I just ask that you direct those to the chair. I apologize. The names look pretty easy, so hopefully I won't mispronounce anybody name, but Jessica D. Maderas. And when you come up, if you could just again state your name and address, please. Good evening. I'm Jessica D. Maderas. I reside at two Arrow Lane. I'm here tonight to
022strongly encourage you to not remove Fairhaven High School as a school option for Kushnet students. I want to speak as a parent directly affected by the potential change. My older son is a sophomore attending Fairhaven High School and he is thriving. He has built friendships, joined sports programs, and found a community that fits him. But I also have an eighth grader who has grown up expecting the same opportunity to follow his older brother, to attend the same school and to be part of the same community. If Fair Haven is removed as a school option, I will have one child at Fair Haven and one child who may be forced to go somewhere else. What does that mean for me? Two different high schools, two completely different schedules, twice the transportation and logistics, and most importantly,
023two siblings separated during some of the most important years of their lives. It puts families like mine in an impossible position. Siblings should be able to attend the same high school. They should have the chance to support each other, look out for each other, and share the same school community. Removing Fair Haven disrupts real families. They're not just numbers on a spreadsheet. Fair Haven is the historical and natural continuation for Kushnet students, but generations of Kushnet students have attended Fair Haven High School. Families rely on this long-standing connection, and many choose to live in a Kushnet, as I did, because they know Fair Haven is an accessible, highquality option. Removing it now breaks the tradition that has worked well and served both communities. Fair Haven School provides AP and honor courses, arts, music, competitive sports,
024and a welcoming school culture. These programs meet the diverse needs of a Kushnet students who may not find the same fit elsewhere. Fair Haven and Ausha have a long collaborative relationship. Both communities have benefited from the partnership for decades. It enriches classrooms, builds cultural diversity, and gives students more opportunities to thrive. A sudden change would create disruption for many students. Families plan years in advance academically, emotionally, and logistically. Changing this now undermines stability and creates confusion for both current and future students. Fairhaven High School has been a dependable successful pathway for a cushion families for generations. Removing it would separate siblings, disrupt families, and limit opportunities. Weaken a partnership that has served both towns well. I respectfully urge the committee to keep Fair Haven High School as a school option for our Kushnet students for
025the sake of our families, for the sake of tradition, and most importantly, for the sake of our children. I would like to ask if you can provide some clarity on the specific proposed tuition offers from each prospective district. Furthermore, can you clarify if that amount respectfully has been approved by the superintendent as fair garnish for our students education and well-being? I thank you for your time and consideration. Is it Brody or Brady? I can't tell. [Music] >> Hi, my name is Rod Chico. I'm 14year-old and I'm part of the 2030 graduating class. For me, I don't think it's that fair that you're going to take away Fair Haven now and that we find out are halfway through our eighth grade year. I've been playing sports most of my life with all these fair kids. has
026built friendships for me and like I would love to go to school with them and now you just want to take that away from us and like I don't want to go to well I would go to OC but it's going to take away someone's learning ability that wants to go to OC but I'd rather go to FU Thank you. I think it's Lisa Turan. You want to go next? Can you go? >> Hi, my name is Sandra. I'm 13 years old. First, I want to thank the school committee for the opportunity to speak tonight. I also want you all to know we appreciate the time, dedication, and due diligence that we all know that you will put into your decision because this decision not only affects my graduating class, but it will shape the
027future of Christian schools and our residents. I'm here tonight because I want to share why I believe Fraven High School should remain the school of choice for Christian students. I've grown up side by side with kids from Fraven. Some of my best friends live here. I played sports students since I was little. Soccer, baseball, basketball, and football. We've competed together, practice together, and push each other to get better. When I go to Fraven High Games, I don't just see Fans. I see crush your favorite kids staying together. I also want to be fully honest. I play because both of my brothers went to trade schools and I see my own future in trade, but I know the lottery doesn't guarantee anything. If I'm not selected, I truly be fine will give me the education, the
028friendships, and the opportunities I need to be successful in whatever comes next. If I get to colony, I'll be proud to wear the fraables uniform, just like I've done throughout my whole childhood feels like a home to me, and I know it feels that way for a lot of Christian kids. Thank you for listening and for your thinking and for thinking about the impact your decisions will have on all of us who are getting ready for high school. Thank you. Mr. Chair, school committee, Dr. Bailey, other town representatives, thank you for your time. My name is Lisa Turjan. I'm a 20-year resident of Kushna. I'm a dedicated educator, an advocate for our children for over 25 years. Within those 25 years, I've intentionally dedicated my professional life to public education. I've chosen a career in
029special education particularly because I fundamentally believe in the premise of our public school system. I stand firmly on the principle that all children deserve a fair and equitable education. My commitment to this community is reflected in my personal choices as well. I have chosen to reside and educate my children here even with access to other highly reputable nearby district. My 20-year-old daughter successfully navigated the Aushna public school system. She graduated with highest honors from Fair Haven High School and is now a sophomore at Sacred Hearts University. Her experience at Fair Haven was overwhelmingly positive. It was characterized by a welcoming environment, strong academic support, and and she was able to forge lifelong connections that have extended far beyond the classroom. However, today my son is here with his peers at Ford Middle School and they
030face a profoundly disruptive and unfair proposition at a critical juncture in their academic lives. The decision by Desi that proposed a mandate of a lottery to OC was in my opinion unfair and untimely. However, we did not have a chance to vote. It was a mandate from the state. But today, the situation is different. We're empowered and we hold a plea for you to consider to maintain the established Fair Haven and Kushna High School contract. It's imperative to continue the partnership that is evident and deeply rooted in our community. It is visible on the faces of the children you see behind me. It is visible in the faces of the families you see behind me. And it's visible to all of our neighbors. and it should be just as visible to you, too. I understand
031this contract negotiation involves complexities that go beyond our personal history and the histories of those two towns. I must remind the board that our children are more than a line item on an agreement or a financial number. The sudden separation of these students in their redirection into districts where they already have established social and emotional ties and which are non-existent to our children could have a devastating mental health and social emotional impact. We risk isolating students who have built their foundational identity within this combined educational pathway. For sake of time, I will I will omit the details within the contracts. But I've spent a lot of time going over different tuition agreements from the local municipalities and the percentage agreed upon. I believe Dr. Bailey will speak to that later. But what I what I
032will share with you that the chapter 7 funding, excuse me, I have I think we have a total of 15 minutes is a baseline fact. Okay? It's a monetary amount that all districts use. And of course, it's not enough. It's never enough. What I will tell you is that we invest our monies where is most critically important. I don't want to spend more money at the grocery store. My bill has gone up dramatically. But you know what? I have to eat. So I find a way to feed my family. My electric bill has gone up triple. But you know what? I find a way within my budget. I pull from where I have to pull. Why? I have to have lights in my house because it's important to me. I examine first I ask you
033to examine the per pupil spending data at the high school level. A cushion currently bears no additional capital or operating costs beyond tuition. They do not pay for facility maintenance, building renovations or groundskeeping. Before a narrative that before a narrative that is established suggests lack of funds or cost savings that are being redirected for a systems greater good, I must draw the public's attention to a critical matter of prioritization. And this is out of utmost respect for do Dr. Bailey, but I do have to point out the obvious. Dr. Bailey has received a $40,000 salary increase. Mr. I that's that's really not >> okay without being specific there have been monies issued to administrative personnel that go above and beyond what I believe is necessary public record the budget clearly >> you stick to the
034topic >> our children's future I'm going to call order >> it's public record >> I'm going to call order the top it's this is the agenda item is the high school tuition let's keep it to that Close with this. Our children's future is worth more than a dollar sign. Members of the school committee, I implore you to make a decision based on what you know is right and just. I ask that you do this as if your own son or daughter were behind me as if as ours are right now. I know some of you this doesn't apply to you, but please I compel you to make a decision based on what you know is fair and just to the children of a Kushnet in their future. Please. Thank you. That's it. >> Oh, sorry.
035Is Michael here? >> Good evening everyone. My name is Michael Dval, 5 Old Farm Road, Marian, Massachusetts. I'm currently the principal at Old Rochester Regional High School. Um, I'm here on behalf of our school district. Um, I'm joined by Director of Student Services, Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Jamie Curley. Uh, the rest of our administrative team couldn't be here this evening as we have our own school committee meeting. I'm glad you got me out. But, um, I'm here tonight. Uh, and first, let me just say to the students that spoke, well done. uh that's what it's all about and uh those are those are the types of students you want walking the hallways of your school. So kudos to them and to the other speakers as well. Um I'm here just to uh extend uh a continued
036conversation with um with all of you um in a potential partnership, one that I think has already existed uh as early for me in my career as two years ago. um as I've been invited each of the last two years to the eighth grade night um and uh I've had my own classroom here and met with many uh wonderful families in the eighth grade um to discuss and explore those partnerships and um as a school of 611 students on the south coast, 91 of which are school choice or students that do not reside in our three communities. Um it really for me is is less about where you live and more about what um you can do for old Rochester and what we can do together. And um when the students arrive uh as freshmen
037um it doesn't matter where they live. They're Bulldogs. And um we have a great history with a Kushnet students. Of our 91 students, we have somewhere between 10 to 12 mushnet students already there at our school that are doing extremely well. when I'm at those eighth grade evening meetings uh here um we have wonderful conversations and then the question always then becomes what are the next steps and the next steps for our situation right now is a lottery and uh then the question after that is well what about transportation and those are all things that I'm I'm presently not able to speak to when I when I meet with families and we would be interested in um taking away the idea of a lottery if you want to be a bulldog come and be a
038bulldog uh and we'll we'll help you get there. So, uh I'm here just to continue our our collaboration as you work through this process. We've had three great visits um from all of you at our school over the past month. Um and I'm not here to disparage any of the other schools. I I work with a lot of the professionals in in the South Coast. There's wonderful opportunities. I say to our eighth grade class every year, I say that you are fortunate. you live in a part of the state that has a lot of quality options for high school. And then I say, and here's why Old Rochester's at the top of that list. And so we're we're excited to be able to potentially do that uh on a larger scale here. So, thank you
039for having me tonight. And uh again, those students are awesome. So, thank you. >> Is there still time to speak? >> You have to sign up. I thought you said at the end. Okay. All right. >> If there's anything else that you want to submit, if you could submit it to Dr. Bailey, she'll submit it to the to the school committee. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, I want to give an update to the committee as we've been doing monthly on these high school tuition agreements. Okay. So, first I want to thank the committee and the and the central leadership team. I know you've put in a tremendous amount of time into touring, to researching, to looking at data that I've been able to provide you. Um, and and I think you're all being very, very
040thoughtful about it. [Music] So, first I want to open and frame the conversation. So, our goal here is tonight to provide an overview of the accusion high school tuition agreements and outline next steps for future planning. We will review the existing agreements and timelines so everyone understands what we currently have. We will review the cost per pupil and chapter 70 formula. We will explain why we have tuition agreements and state requirements. We will also summarize the criteria that we have used and talked about over the last several months in looking at the various programs and high schools. and then we will outline next steps for the committee to consider. Guiding principles, first and foremost, we always put our students first at the center of every decision we make. And I know that holds true for
041our school committee. I am here as the superintendent to provide you and to continue to pro provide you with information so that you can make a very thoughtful decision uh for these contracts. Transparency. We've had open communication throughout the process. None of these discussions are taking place in executive session. They will all be done in open session. You've had the data to look at. We've had presentations from the high schools. You have had several opportunities to tour the high schools. And again, it's all about making a thoughtful decision. Quality. We want our students to have access to diverse and highquality programs for all students. And of course, we have to talk about fiscal implications. We're looking for sustainable fair tuition agreement. So, background and context, why do a cushion why do we have Kushnet uh
042high school agreements? Well, first, as you know, we're a prek to 8 district. So Desessie requires us to apply each year. I have to write a letter to Desi to not maintain a high school and let them know and share with them our tuition agreements. So that is why we have to have a tuition agreement. Legally, we have to have at least one tuition agreement. These agreements ensure access to comprehensive high school programs for all Lushnet students. This is what we currently have. Fair Haven High School and New Bedford High School are the existing tuition agreements. These were 10 and 20-year agreements, respectively. Last year, New Bedford's contract expired, and as you remember, the school committee took a vote to extend their contract by one year so that they would align and we could make
043a decision at the same time. So now our contracts align. They're both expiring at the end of this school year. I I thought this was important to talk about school choice and vocational schooling because there seems to be some confusion and I want to say that the high school tuition agreements are separate. School choice and vocational schooling still exist, but the high school tuition agreements are completely separate from those. So, our families have the opportunity to enroll in school choice. In other school districts who have so many seats allotted for school choice, if they get accepted and is a number of seats for our students, our district is required to pay $5,000 for their education. If however they don't have enough seats, our students are not accepted and I get calls and I know other
044superintendents get calls each year, families are upset because they can't get into the school of school choice because there's not enough seats. We do not provide transportation for our school choice students obviously unless it's on a child's IEP and that's in their plan. Our vocational options have not changed. We still have Old Colony Regional Vote High School and Bristol County Agricultural High School. These student applications, they're still going through the process. The admissions for those schools follow the state approved criteria, but they are not guaranteed um even for students living in member towns. So, what has come into play this year is there's a new lottery system for Old Colony. And I think as a parent said to me this week, it's the perfect storm. And I'll talk more about that in a little bit.
045But nothing has changed with these two options. Our responsibilities to students and the district. As I said, legally, our school committee has to have one agreement. However, our community has long valued the pathways that students can choose more than one option. I think that's a great reason to move to a Kushnet because there's more choice in high schools and I think people have really liked that. As our high school tuition agreements were coming to an end, we were approached by two additional schools, two additional options, Freetown Lakeville and Old Rochester Regional. I brought that information to the school committee and the school committee voted to also pursue um looking into those as options and they felt as though they had a commitment to explore to explore all available options. So, what we are reviewing, as
046you can see, we're reviewing four schools this year for the next contracts. Fair Haven High School, New Bedford High School are the two existing contracts and they expire this year. And we're also looking at Aonut Regional High School and Old Rochester Regional High School. While we've historically partnered with the first two, we're open to exploring the other two options. And I think the great thing about a cushion is where we're geographically located. We border all these other towns and we are close enough to all the high schools that we can consider them as options. What do the tuition agreements include? These are just some of the main things that the tuition agreements include. Obviously, the tuition costs per students and and there's an annual adjustment formula built into these existing agreements. the transportation provisions, access
047to academic and extracurricular programs, special education services and billing, the duration, I talked about that already. One contract was 10 years, one was 20 years. If we had issues, we couldn't reopen the contracts. We actually have to wait for them to expire. We provide um and additional provisions. One example of an additional provision is we pay for a part-time school adjustment counselor at Fair Haven High School. So, here are the calculations that I want to review with you. Okay. At Fair Haven High School, currently we have 152 students attending. New Bedford High School, currently we have 22 students attending. Over the years, that enrollment has fluctuated. years ago, we had more students attending New Bedford and less students at Fair Haven. And now it's the opposite. I will say of the 22 students in New
048Bedford, it's important for you to realize that many of those students are highest performing and highest needs students, we have many students that attend for special education programming at New Bedford. Currently, Chapter 7 funding we receive as a district $11,714 per student. The tuition rate for Fair Haven is $12,578. For New Bedford, it's $12,853. Our total tuition for Fair Haven High School is over 1.9 million. And our total tuition for New Bedford High School is over $282,000, almost $283. So you see, we're taking in we're we're paying out more money than what we're taking in. So we have a net loss, and that's just a net loss this year of what we're paying out for these two tuitions. Okay? And you can imagine year overyear and I have to worry about the accushion at taxpayers
049and and and really make sure that we're doing our due diligence here. transportation. In addition to the high school tuitions, we pay to over 232,000 for transportation for Fair Haven, over $46,000 for transportation to New Bedford for a total of just over $279,000. Which we're required to do. We are required to pay for transportation. This is something else to consider. It has assumed additional funding from Desi that goes directly to the high schools. So in addition to the tuition that they are receiving from us, those high schools are receiving a reimbursement for lowincome students, English learner students, which which I didn't include on the slides because we don't really have a high population and special education. But to give you Oops. To give you an example of what I'm talking about, those two those reimbursement
050rates are based on demographics. So for Fred Haven High School, we typically have about onethird of our students total that are low income. They receive because of their demographics $6,739 per lowincome student. Because of the demographics in New Bedford, that rate is even higher, 9,543. So overall, the state, as an example, is paying to reimburse for low income over just over $338,000 to Fair Haven and almost $70,000 for New Bedford. Additionally, special education students get a reimbursement at the 4% rate and that totals for Fair Haven this year over just over 192,000 and New Bedford it totals over $32,000. Important to realize this is another way to look at it. You will see the charts. The blue is the town of a Christian's contribute contribution to students to each student and the orange is the
051chapter 70 amount. It looks like it's almost 50/50. The town is contributing $6,125 per student. Chapter 7 money comes out to $5,588 per student. And the same goes across the board for Fair Haven and Bedford High School. The difference is for Fair Haven High School, we're overpaying or paying more than what we're receiving in per student. $864 plus 139 per student for the part-time counselor. For New Bedford High School, we are paying more in tuition of over $1,139 per student. So, in total, the excess tuition for 152 students comes out to, including the school adjustment counselor, $152,388. And that's just for this school year. New Bedford's excess tuition for 22 students this year comes out to just over $25,000. That total overpayment is 177,446 which equates to probably three teaching positions in our district. As
052you know, over the last couple of years, we continue to have cuts. We cut 12 positions last year. So again, just to remind you, in addition to the tuition, the high schools are receiving reimbursement for special education and lowincome students. And the lowincome students, that equates to us from about a third of our population. Kushner public schools receives the same high school per pupil cost factor as all other districts, 11,714 per student. However, due to the tuition agreements established more than a decade ago, Accution public schools is receiving the re is paying receiving districts more per pupil than what is funded through chapter 70. So, we're paying out more than what we're taking in. As a result, the current contracts benefit the receiving districts while placing a financial burden on a cushion public schools. So,
053the criteria and evaluation for what we've been looking at over the past several months, high school preference survey, we sent out a community and family feedback survey and we had, believe 268 respondents and we're going to review those results tonight. That was family and community. So that's people who don't have students here, but also people who do. For program evaluation, we wanted to look at academic and program opportunities, the student experience and engagement, student services and supports, which is a special education, counseling, etc. Logistics and operations. We looked at the school profile and the performance level of all of the high schools. And of course we have to look at the financial implications so that we have a fair sustainable agreement. It's important to note that the committee decided that while these criteria were being
054reviewed they are not weighted equally necessarily and the school committee members may differ on how they prioritize each factor. So a timeline this did not start this year. This started back in 2023 2024. It was very important that we did our due diligence. We knew these contracts were coming up to expire. So, we began having meetings with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as our district legal council to ensure that all legal obligations would be met. We also reviewed and clarified special education requirements and transportation formulas for receiving districts. It was very important to me that we do our due diligence. This isn't something that we do every day. These were 10 and 20 year contracts. So, this is the first time I had to look into it. So, I really took
055the time to educate myself and my team so that we could be very strategic and make a wise decision on behalf of our students and families. Last year, we continued the information gathering. We continued our meetings with Desi to ensure full compliance with Massachusetts general law. And I can tell you what they assured us is that legally you only have to have one agreement. And as I said, I like the fact that Christian students have choice and I'm sure you do as well. Research we conducted um from other districts. There's very few districts in the state of Massachusetts that are in this situation. We're one of them. And the interesting thing is when I had reached out to them, I got copies of those contracts. they said they wanted to learn from us. So, it
056was just an interesting exercise to do to review those other contracts as well. We reviewed the existing tuition agreements and developed a strategy for future agreements. Destiny and the legal advice we received, they were very clear that these contracts are a negotiation. There is no set formula for tuition. It's a negotiation decided upon uh decided by the two sides. We established evaluation criteria for learning about the potential receiving high schools and I I did review that a few minutes ago. We also last year extended New Bedford High School's contract so it would be aligned with the Fair Haven contract and now they are both set to expire this year. We also looked at expansion opportunities. When we were approached by two school two additional schools, the school committee decided, sure, why not? Let's let's look
057at all of our options for our students so that we can make the right decision. This year, we've had our high school presentations back in August. I made sure that the cable TV was there, the local t cable, so that um if parents and families couldn't make it to those presentations, they would have further opportunities to view them on the cable channel, the local cable timeline. The school committee decided, they set the goal that they wanted to make a decision and as of today, I still believe it's December 9th, which is our next school committee meeting. You are scheduled to take a vote on the timeline. High school tours. You've all had multiple opportunities to visit each of the high schools and tour, ask questions. You've met with families. You've met with students. You've met
058with school administrators at all schools. And we have just finished up those tours. Family and community feedback. We've purposely left that survey open. We have 268 respondents and we will review those results tonight. But I think given the fact that we give surveys quite a bit in this district, this was probably one of the most um respondents that we've received as of late. And then of course monthly updates at our school committee meeting. You've had that from me. We've also had ongoing communication to families through district newsletters and also superintendent newsletters and we will continue to do that. I plan to put this presentation on our website after tonight and we're also planning to post an FAQ after tonight. Student and family voice and choice. I was so happy that many people showed up tonight.
059I was so happy also to hear from students student voice. that's always been important to me and to our team and I know to the committee. So, back in August, we had the high school presentations and you will recall we had many former students who were part of those presentations and I was very happy to see that we had the student um I'm sorry, the high school preference survey, the family and community survey that started back in October and that's still open and we will continue to update it as needed. And then the school committee decided we decided to postpone the annual family high school night until a decision was made and students would know exactly what the choices were. And our goal is that in January that will be scheduled and we'll invite those
060high schools to come in so students and families will know what the choices are and what you decide. Again, I don't make these decisions. This is a school committee decision. I provide you with information. So data and feedback as you know we had the survey that went out and basically we asked people to put their preferences for the four high schools. We also ask community members to fill it out in addition to our families and feedback from voices of families and students can be helpful in making decisions. So here are the results. The data was weighted based on the um choices. So for example, if you put a first choice, it received four points. Second choice received three points. Third choice two, fourth choice one point. So as you can see from the survey, basically
061what the survey is saying that Fair Haven and Old Rochester were the two top prevailing schools at this time. Although I will say many strong advocates for the other two schools as well because as when I shared the survey results with you, you saw a lot of thoughtful comments for these schools. So keep that in mind. So this is as of November 17th. We will continue to update this if anybody else takes the survey. Um, and the survey results reflect preferences only and are only one component of the broader view of all the work and and work that you've been doing to make a decision. Lessons and next steps, long-term contracts offer stability, of course, but they reduce flexibility as programs and needs change. DES representatives reported to us that they're now commonly seeing 3
062to 5year agreements. We couldn't open up the agreements because they were 10 and 20 years. We knew that they were flawed. Um so we had to wait until they expired. Program offerings evolve so periodic review is necessary. Extra provisions and contracts make per pupil cost comparisons challenging. AOSIT is fiscally responsible for students, but we've had limited decision making when students at the high schools get referred for out of district placements. So, that's something else to keep in mind. Financial condition shift requiring close monitoring of tuition costs. And again, my job and your job is to look out for the accushicate taxpayer as well. Student needs vary. No single high school fits everyone. I can tell you that I've taken phone calls from parents who like all four schools. I take phone calls from parents who
063cry to me when they don't get into school choice. We've heard from Fair Haven parents tonight. Everybody likes all of the four choices. So, I think you have a tough decision ahead of you. Ongoing review supports equitable, highquality options for all students. So next steps in the process, where are we at? We just recently finished the tours and we also had discussion meetings with with each of the four districts. Some districts, the superintendents came into the meeting, some brought school committee members, but you have authorized me to enter into a discussion as a starting point, and we'll get into that in a little bit. analyzing high school preference survey. You all have received the results and the comments and I have to say I was very happy to see the thoughtful comments that families wrote.
064You're conducting comparative programmatic evaluation by all of the research you've done, the tours you've taken, listening to the presentations, etc. The next step after tonight's meeting, well, tonight we'll have a discussion about some of your findings. But the next step will be December 9th where you are scheduled to vote on your choice for high school tuition agreement or agreements, your choice. We will communicate those decisions and pathways and the selection process to families immediately. We will then plan to finalize contract terms with those districts, draft and sign the agreements, and have a student high school night where we invite those high schools back in and students and families can make an educated decision. Desi allocates a funding factor for each element of a student's educational program encompassing administration, instructional services, staffing, guidance, operations, and facility
065costs. These components are combined into a designated high school cost factor. Under the tuition, the existing tuition agreements, our district of Kushnet is paying receiving districts amounts that exceed DESI's calculated costs. The updated contracts will establish equitable tuition rates that preserve essential services for students in preK through 8. And I'm going to talk a little bit more about those discussion meetings that we've had with the districts. So in closing, the accusionist school committee, I know that you're very committed to making a decision that is the best interest of our students, families, and community while of course being fiscally responsible. To ensure accurate information, we will be having our high school night for 8th grade families. That's probably going to be in January. A that will be a comprehensive information night will be scheduled once the
066decision is made. Families will continue receiving updates about Old Colony and Bristol Aggie application process which I believe that's uh kicked off so that all of those deadlines can be met. And I want to thank everyone the committee my leadership team the families the students who have participated in this process for all of their support during the process. Before we have you discuss your findings, I just want to quickly review. I sent you earlier today um the initial conversations I've had with each of the four districts. And again, there's no closed doors on this contract negotiation. This is an open session for public to hear. So, I'm going to review what each district came in at, and it's up to you to decide at some point. Uh, New Medford Public Schools, we received a very
067lengthy email. I'm not going to read it to you. You have it. Um, but basically, New Medford Public Schools said they are able to we and I just want to say we sent an email out to the four districts. It was pretty much the same email. We offered as a starting point 70% of chapter 70 funding because we know our finances. We don't want to exceed and pay out more than what we're taking in. So New Beford has said they will match or exceed any tuition terms offered by any of the districts and they will also work with us on transportation um including possibly paying for some of the transportation. They're very interested in being part continued partners with us. And that was from Superintendent Andrew Oli. Interim Superintendent Barbara Starky from Freetown Lakeville. Uh
068she also came in and said they are amendable to the 70% of chapter 70 funds and they will work with us on the logistics for transportation. They also want to be partners. But one uh thing they did say is we confirm that our stance remains to be ex the exclusive option for a cushion students. We firmly believe that aquit regional high school is the best choice academically, athletically and socially for all students. So, I just want to make that clear to you that they're what they're saying to us is they want to be the exclusive choice. No other choice, but they did come in amendable to the 70% of chapter 70. Old Rochester Regional School District. This is from Superintendent Mike Nelson. He has a lengthy letter too which I'm not going to read the
069whole thing but he wants to reiterate to the team that he remains willing to negotiate with the accushion at school committee mutually agreeable terms for the high school tuition agreement and we when we put forth the 70% he said we were in the ballpark. Okay. uh he also is willing to discuss the logistics of transportation. And then the last one I received from the chairperson of the Fair Haven High School, Brian Monroe. Um they they did not think that they were able to come in at the 70%, but they did write me an email uh because we did have a meeting with them recently with our chair. Thank you for the followup and considering our perspective in this matter. We appreciate the open dialogue as well. Before I get into the rest of his letter,
070I want to let you know this week I had the pleasure of meeting with a couple of Fair Haven, well actually a Kushet residents, but Fair Haven High School parents and actually one of them is here tonight and it's true. We are in the perfect storm. Old Colony has a lottery. So now kids might not be accepted to that. The high school tuition agreements are up. So what I proposed and if the committee agrees tonight, I asked Fair Haven if they would be willing to extend their agreement for at least one more year, no matter what happens, so that students in 8th grade will have that opportunity to attend Fair Haven High School. So we're very open to that. We want to do what's right for kids. We don't want anyone to be upset. We
071know that no matter what the decision is, someone's going to be upset, right? But I think it's the perfect storm with Old Colony with the high school tuition. So, we did put that out there. And tonight, I would ask the committee to consider voting on an extension if Fair Haven does vote to agree to extend no matter what. Even if we go into an agreement with them later for something different, it would just extend it. Brian Monroe goes on to say, "I wanted to let you know that we were able to adjust our schedules and move our next school committee meeting up to December 3rd. We'll be able to discuss your proposal for a one-year extension at that time. The committee will need to carefully consider all aspects of the proposal and its potential impact
072on our long-term goals. We will also be prepared to discuss your request for information regarding our proposed tuition figure, our perspective on including other high schools in the agreement and any other transportation preferences we may have. So I appreciate the fact that their haven moved their meeting so they could get this because we really want to stick to our timeline of December 9th. >> Yeah. I I would, if I could interject, I would just like to thank uh the chairman of the Bay School Committee and the rest of their committee for um the willingness to move up that meeting. You know, I also want to say that he and I had a conversation earlier this week and what we agreed to was, you know, there's a lot of rumors out there. There's a lot of
073uh misconceptions. And, you know, the people at Haven are our neighbors. Our kids go to school there. have tremendous respect for the people that serve on the school committee, for the people that serve on that administration. And so what we agreed to is to elevate the conversation. This isn't about throwing grenades or bad mouthing people. This is about doing what's best for our kids. And throwing grenades and that kind of thing uh isn't going to be what advances the conversation here and isn't what's in the best interest of our kids. So regardless of what happens because every every member of this committee will have to make their own decision. We're going to elevate the conversation and move the ball forward for the best interests of our kids. So at this time I would just ask
074committee members where you've done a lot of research you've tooured maybe perhaps you could talk about each school one at a time um to discuss your findings. So, I'll let um Shannon Hood >> um before recording, could I just ask a quick question just >> just as a point of clarification both for myself and for the public. I know we talked about proposing 70% of chapter 70 to the schools as tuition. >> Would we then be using the remaining 30% to cover the transportation costs of getting the kids to that school and partnering with them in that? >> Possibly, but just keep in mind we are responsible for transportation no matter what. The inflation on our transportation contracts has been incredible. Um, it's incredible the inflation that we're dealing with. So, we're doing our best.
075I think the schools for the most part were very understanding and also very understanding of the other additional reimbursements that they're receiving in addition to what we're paying them. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Thank you. So, I'll turn it back to you. >> So, Mr. Okay. You ask for an you know extension you know for haven for one year you know at what rate will cushion pay for that one year will it be the present contract or will be the 70%. Um so what figure we'll be looking at and would we be paying behaving for one year more than what we would be not paying the new if there is a new uh you know vendor so to speak uh where they be paying receiving much less than what we would be paying for payment
076for one year. So whatever is decided and it's really a school committee contract has to be agreeable to Fair Haven as well as to us. What I would say is I don't think we're interested in paying for an additional counselor. We haven't been interested in doing that. We feel as though we pay tuition, students go to the high schools, they should have all the same access that all the students have. Other than that, the tuition rate is completely up to you. But I think the principle of the matter is that if we have eighth graders who want to attend Fair Haven High School, I think no matter what is decided, let's just say you decide to push this off to January. I can see the anxiety and the worry in our families and students of
077not knowing. I feel like this would be an olive branch to them to say, "Hey, we've got something in place no matter what." That was just a thought. You do what you want with it, but I would be looking for a motion tonight so that we could pursue a potential extension so at least people could feel a little at ease, especially with the old colony lottery. >> So, so I would be willing to entertain a motion um to extend uh the agreement with for Haven, maybe with a few tweaks, but I think ultimately it would end up um the contract would be somewhat close to what we currently have while we make a longer term decision. So, I certainly would be willing to to enter into um to entertain a motion. And as Dr. Bailey
078said, it does require FA to agree and us to be able to work out the terms. >> I make a motion. >> I'll second that. >> Will you do a roll call? >> Yes, please. >> Mr. Ellis, >> yes. >> Mrs. McGuin, >> yes. Mr. Hawk, >> yes. >> Mrs. Cordier, >> yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> So, just for clarification, are you authorizing ME TO I'M HAPPY. It makes me happy, too, because I don't want anyone upset over this. This is this is people's future, right? >> So, I'm asking for clarification. Are you authorizing me to negotiate those terms with Fair Haven? >> Correct. Okay. Thank you. [Applause] So, what school would you like to start discussing? >> Yeah. Well, I maybe we'll go this way. >> Okay. Mr. Hra, the youngest. >> I think
079it's easier if you do one school at a time and then just go down the road. >> Probably start with a pond just given the condition that they seem to have. Sure. Um was the only school so far that I took a tour of. I'll do uh some temp temporary restrictions on myself that I could not do the others yet if there is another one. Um, I was favorably impressed about the enthusiasm by the administration uh and you know and and wanting to welcome uh students uh from Kushnet and in integrating them and into a very wholesome wholesome type of school environment. So I I I was you know impressed u those you know did they do that um I do think that sometime in the past there's evidence of some results of fiscal uh
080lack of fiscal support uh from the community and I think that that reflected uh in uh in a whole atmosphere and also in some of the programming and I I guess it some some concerns about that uh since uh they want to be the sole uh you know you know vendor with I use term vendors cuz that's supposed to back my history of you know of previous employment you know we dealt with people dealt with other contracts and called but anyway um Sarah thank you so so so my my feelings of of porn quit are are really mixed and I I think that but I you know and I'm but I think that uh we should just basically you know continue to to look at the figures and you know the standings of that of
081that school system uh before I make a final decision. >> Thank you Mr. home. >> Okay. So, Hanukkah was the first one that I went to the first school and I have to say having not been out there that much, it was really eye opening for me. Um, I come from a special ed background and really was open. I loved seeing that there was a student-driven program for life skills for the special education department. That really did impress me. to see that um the grounds were kept so they were kept immaculate which I thought was pretty impressive for high school too. Um I did like their unified sports that they have already started there. Um I think the biggest drawback for me is what you just brought up the they wanting the exclusivity and um
082I think that's part of what makes a Christian so special is that we do have options for our children and when I think about the diverse areas of interest for our students. I think that's very important. [Music] >> Yeah. So, um upon I it's kind of funny, you know, I think all of us probably have some manner of of history or background with pretty much all the schools that are in consideration here. Um as as my understanding was actually one of the official tuition partners at some point in the past. My father went there. Um, you know, I did community theater there when I was a kid. And very much like all the other schools, you know, I have ties to each one of them with the exception of R. I don't know a thing
083about that school. I don't know anybody that went there. Sorry, Michael. Um, but it's it's it was very interesting to go toward the facility and see really the enthusiasm of the students above all else. Um they the school has I think the most active and attended DECA chapter in I think the entire state from what they were telling me. I think they said something like a third of the student population takes part in the DECA club which is fantastic. Uh and they've been awarded you know multiple times. Uh they've come out on top of statewide and even regional competitions. Pretty pretty darn cool. the uh the passion of the the teaching staff was really great too. Um one of the things that that Aponquit did which u we didn't actually get a chance to do
084with any of the other schools that we toured was they had a panel of not just students and you know obviously seeing hearing from students is great. We had a panel with students, but then we also later on got to have a panel with some parents, um, some folks in the teaching staff and the administration and we got a chance to ask a lot of questions about like, you know, how what are the things that you think really makes the school stand out? What have you been your experiences with working with um, school administration? Get to ask that to the parents. and then you know what do they feel like you know could really be improved upon or focuses for the school in the coming 5 10 years. So I thought that was great. Um
085it's not something that we got to do at any of the other schools. We get a chance to speak with students but not necessarily engage directly with like especially parents. Fantastic. The um the students themselves were also really poised, really well put together, very professional. I mean, I never the couple of them I never would have pegged them as seniors in high school. They really spoke more like seniors in college. It's very impressive. Um, all that being said, you know, there to to Mr. Halcrooft's point, there are some concerns about just not necessarily upkeeps of the upkeep of the grounds or the facility, but the financial resources the community's made available to that school have obviously been a little more restrictive. Um there's some work that needs to be done on the facilities. I know
086I spoke with um superintendent superintendent sorry about the pool that they have in the district that unfortunately is not operational right now and they're going through a study to see if it can be repaired and brought back into operation. So in terms of academics um I think that they've got some phenomenal offerings. They actually have a vocational program in um partnering with the phbotomy program over at PCC which is great. Um so from an academic standpoint I didn't really have any concerns. It was more what kind of requirements are going to are there going to be to upgrade the facilities. I know that they had explored getting a replacement building at some point recently that didn't uh end up getting approved. And in addition to that, excuse me, in addition to that, you know, the
087the costs that would then come back to the efficient taxpayers in terms of significant repairs, renovations or replacement. I know we just saw how the old colony vote went. There was a lot of very strong feelings about taking care of, you know, replacement of buildings or widespread renovations at an out of district or out of district facility. And I fear that we may end up running into that the same situation in the future. Um the the the the ask that they be the sole partner is also a little concerning to me for exactly the same reasons that you know Ebony and John. So I know I think one way to get over it to Mrs. >> um um I had the opportunity to tour the building and they weren't just tours. We got to sit
088down with the superintendents, the assistant superintendent, principles, vice principles, um teachers, all kinds of staff, parents. Um we walked the campus. We looked at the grounds. We were in the classrooms while the kids were learning. We were looking at co-eing models. It was every school had something special to offer. Um but we got to walk the halls and the kids were passing in um going class to class. Um we got to do the common spaces. We participated in student panels. So, it wasn't just a tour. We got a lot of information, a lot of useful information um that we wouldn't have gotten if we weren't there during the day when the kids were actually in the building. Um I like the pawn. I mean, my memory goes back to Pon. I played basketball. I got
089a concussion pan. That's what I remember. But, um the grounds were just extremely wellkept. I think they said they had one person maintaining the grounds and that was obvious that it was um they really took pride in that. Um, I like their academic programming, a strong mix of, you know, honors, AP, they have some elective courses, and they have some college opportunities for some of these kids. Um, being a teacher myself, those are the things I kind of do before. I go in with my teacher lens. I go in with my parent lens as well. Um, but, um, the extracurricular activities are always very important. They have a lot of, um, like clubs after school, things like that. Um, leadership opportunities. I would say like the Laker leaders, those kids were impressive. They were very
090well spoken. Like Jesse said, you wouldn't even believe that they were seniors. I mean, one of them I think for us was a junior, but you know, I talked to them about their college like where do you want to go to college and you know, where do you want to study? And they were very well spoken. Um their DECA chapter as well, but for me the the drawback is the exclusivity. For me, like my son got to choose to go to Old Colony. I I just think choice is really important. So for me, one of the drawbacks is the in the exclusivity just to that school, but I'd like the kids to have a choice of where they'd like to go. So, >> and just to clarify, Old Colony is always a choice, >> Right.
091Okay. >> Yes. Old Colon is always a choice. >> So, I was not able to attend the aquate um meetings or tour, but I I will say, you know, in in my research and and obviously the I think their educational standards there as as Mr. has hit and is they're just phenomenal. Really, really strong. If I think back to the to the hearing, well, not the hearing, but our August uh meeting when we had folks come in, um they brought a pretty large uh contingent of kids. Those kids were like incredibly impressive kids. So, I think they have a tremendous school. I think it's a great opportunity. Um you know, they agreed to the financial terms. That's great. But, you know, I'm certainly personally not looking to drag out and go back and forth. I
092think when I look at this and I I think about, you know, what we talked about what's going on at Old Colony and and um the lottery system now like one of the advantages and there's a few and there's a lot of disadvantages of not having a high school, but one of our advantages is uh choice. And so, for me, exclusivity is just going to be a non-starter. I I just won't do it. So, um, I I feel that strongly about giving our folks some kind of choice and our kids having not not one school fits for everybody, right? So, again, the advantage of not having a high school is we have choice as to how I'm sending it back to you. >> You pick the school. >> Oh, I'm looking at uh my my
093notes. I uh >> we just put the microphone. >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Okay. >> So, the um and I'm very much familiar uh with the New Bedford campus. Uh I spent I spent, you know, considerable time uh with with my two granddaughters who are attending uh uh New Bedford High School and uh and they both have just just recently in the last two years graduated. So, I was very familiar with many of the programs. I took a very active interest uh in what they what you know what programs were available to them and how they were performing uh and and uh so that gives me maybe some type of insight. I think that when it comes to New Bedford, it it offers the most competitive financial package and unique offerings uh that uh for and
094uh for our students uh and for this community. Um it uh it has for example just the ROC program, what is it? The reserved offices training core. I understand he's a graduate of that. So anyway, u you know it and also the this special a special education offerings are a very progressive the AP program and uh is amazing. uh people from other districts go to the uh under school choice to uh uh you know high school just to participate in that uh uh that program AP program and also it has a great unique in preparing kids to to go to a uh to to a big campus by being more urban and it allows more experiences of kids to to meet different you know, kids and and therefore prepares them to go to a say
095a large campus like University of Mass, Amherst or Dartmouth, you know, uh while some families have had concerns about safety there and I was one of the first questions I think asked when you mentioned uh you know, superintendent was was here and but the data does not support that type of any apprehension. mentions about safety. I found it was a very safe and open campus and and uh the students felt very secure there. Uh and I and uh so I I it was really a a pleasure to to be with the campus. I think it's an excellent pathway in all its programs that it offers, enrichment programs uh and and uh takes a very strong look at many of the very uh very mindful of our parents uh to to look at that that that
096choice. So I that's why I just have the comments that I I I came up with and thanks Okay. So, for New Bedford High School, um I I've had different opportunities to work with the school in my job and I had a very different perspective when I went there. So, it was I was pleasantly surprised. Um I I love the diversity at the school. I know that the Kushets are smaller. We don't have as much diversity culturally, ethnically, culturally, we had we're starting to get a little warm, but um so I just love seeing that through the hallway and everyone talking to everybody. I didn't see much like I I didn't see that the areas of concern that I had heard about before from some of the kids I've worked with. Um and I know
097all schools have issues um that go on between the the students there. I also I like the variety of classes that were offered. I was amazed to see the planetarium. I didn't even know there was anyone in there. So that was pretty amazing to see. love the JOTC program and seeing um that student catch too. So the students are the ones who keep that up which I think that shows the pride that they have in what they're doing at the school. Um the honors program too. They just have such a variety of different classes offerings. I think it sounds it it sounded like there's something for everybody there. So it was nice to see that. And the special education I go to that in every area that I go to. I always look into that.
098So just seeing um the kids throughout the hallways going through the administration talking to them along the way too. It was nice to see that um and inclusion throughout. So I did I definitely like that and had a working relationship with them that has worked well so far. My thoughts um so yeah I I'm alumni of Bedford High. Um to John's point I was part of the JRTC program. Um, so I do view though that as being a pretty distinct differentiator between New Bedford High and the other schools in the district. They're the only school out of any of the ones that we're working with that have a JOTC program. Theirs, I believe, is actually the oldest one in the whole country. So for kids who are looking to pursue careers in law enforcement or
099join the military, that's really an unparalleled option um in the area. Now, that said, the attendance to a certain degree speaks for itself, and that's something that we've seen change a lot over the last 20 years or so. Um, I remember when I went to high school, I mean, the overwhelming majority of kids that came out of the school that did not go to Old Colony went to New Bedford High. We had a very small contingent of kids that went to Fair Haven. And that's, you know, Swift shifted over the over the years. things change. But the fact that we have a relatively small number of students enrolled there does speak to me that it might not be the the option that the Christian families really want. It doesn't matter that I went there and
100it doesn't matter that I feel that they may have some great programs. Now there I will say that one of the concerns that I have with a big school like New Bedford High and this is something I saw happen quite frankly even with myself and others of my friend group when I went there is it is such a big school that it's very easy for for kids to kind of just slide through. They're not on the bottom. They're not on the top. So they just kind of coast. And then a lot of times I feel that it's because of the volume of students that go there. it can be tough and it's a big ask for the administration staff to make sure that the kids are really exploring all of their options and they're staying
101on top of their academics. Um, one thing that I was really pleased to see during the tours is that now there's such a big focus on AP classes at New Bedford. They actually have, I think, the largest number of AP offerings of any school that we're speaking with, um, that they actually heavily encourage all of their students to attempt at least one AP class. Um, and we saw we spoke with students that were taking like basically a full boat of AP classes. It's pretty impressive. So, the just the the fact that there is the opportunity for that really high achiever to really fly at New Edward High is significant. And I think to Dr. Bailey's point when we looked at the the enrollment you know we had a lot of real high flyers that have
102gone there in the last few years kids that were very academically gifted but then it's also really important to think to think about what special education offerings the the newer district has um I I think that a lot of I mean even I coming into school committee I didn't realize how out of district placements worked for special education students and you know when You send students to a partner high school. If that high school can't meet the needs of that student special education program, they are the ones that then make the decision on whether or not that child is going to an out of district um placement. And we as a school committee and a part, you know, sending district don't really have any say in that. Um obviously we would like to see our
103students regardless of their needs taken care of but there's also a big financial impact to that. So if a if a student is attending we'll say New Bedford High OR Fair Haven whatever and that school can't meet the needs of their special education their their special education needs and that school that child then has to go somewhere else out of district the Kushnet is on the hook for all of those costs and we have no say in where they go. So that's a concern. That's one of the things that I really like about New Bedford is they have such a large variety of special education programs. They really can, I think, service kids that would be very difficult to service within net in district placements anywhere else. And because they're a, you know, a big
104school, they're um an urban school, they get additional funding to help cover that. And they also get significant additional funding to cover uh facilities needs. Um, I was talking to the superintendent there and he said that one of their school buildings, they just got approved for a roof replacement and an 80% reimbursement from MSBA, which is I mean, we just saw what a 60% reimbursement rate for Old Colony would have looked like to get an 80% reimbursement on a huge project like a school roof replacement is amazing. So, it it's tough because, you know, we see all the benefits, we see the downsides cuz, you know, it's a big school. there's more potential for for issues that go along with that. Um I that's one that I feel I'm really torn on if I'm being
105totally honest. >> I just want to add one thing that has not been discussed with New Bedford uh I think in your negotiations or the um even publicly yet. But New Bedford has been planning uh to put a medical facility on that campus and that would and that's basically to serve all the medical needs and it be like a like a walk-in clinic what I what I uh walk-in clinic for students to go and if if they in turn uh you know h have any any type of you know medical need and uh therefore they can uh receive professional uh you know diagnosis or treatment or whatever. firsthand before they're referred to somewhere else. And and that's probably one of the few high schools that I know in this the whole district that would offer
106that that very unique and very important uh you know opportunity for kids. Uh se secondly, you know, all the uh uh especially what with health pro issues and challenges with students uh and and postco and that is one of you know and also with with uh you know more of diagnosis of of mental illness issues with with with students and also with more more more physical. uh such a the medical facility is almost essential and fortunately because what you mentioned before about is able to get fiscal resources where uh suburban schools are being shot changed in one sense by state formulas and and so forth that and also based on on need in the in the urban areas. So therefore that's one factor that that we should also take you know take very much aware
107of and take very very very seriously and and not our discussions. I'm sorry. >> No. And just to add before we Sorry, Mel. Um there's some other unique opportunities that New Bedford offers and I'll be brief, but I mean they have Seab, which I don't think any other districts in the area have access to anything quite like that, and they have a tight partnership with um a lot of colleges, including Mass Maritime, which is an extremely competitive school. Um so just yeah, a lot of a lot of really unique opportunities that wouldn't be afforded by other districts. Oh, is it my turn? >> Thank you. Can we get more information on that medical facility? Do you know about that? >> I just would like to read some more on that. >> Sure. Um, all right.
108This will be a second because everybody's already said everything, but I again I go and I put my teacher hat on and and my parent hat on for this one. But the security there um was awesome. There's no cell phones allowed. When you come in, you come in, you hand your cell phone in, they put them in the pad, the bag, your bags. >> Yes. They hand the cell phones in and then no phones. So when you're walking through the hallways, which we did, I mean, we had to stand to the side. There were so many kids, you know, coming through, but you know, they're actually talking to each other and they're in conversation and laughing and joking, whereas before some of some places you go, they were just got their hands, you know, moving
109their faces in their phones. So we didn't see that at all there. Um, for me the big thing in being a teacher is security. Um, so they had, that was my first question, two resource officers and then four extra additional hired security officers, one for each house. So there wasn't a place you went in that school where you didn't see a security guard. So everywhere you went, every corner you turn, they walk in the halls. Um, for me that was just I I like to see that. I've never been in Bedford High before. My husband went to Bedford High. you hear all, you know, different stories from different people. Um, I was impressed. Uh, I do like their Academy of Honors. You know, we talked about those highflying kids, um, that can really excel and
110take those college credits. They can leave there, you know, almost with an associates degree pretty much, um, and ready to go. I did like that. Um, for me, that would be a school that I would get lost in, but I like small town little schools. So, but I do see how there's a place for everybody in that school. like you don't know where your people are. You'll find your people there. There so many different groups. Um so I did like that. But um during passing time, they were probably the slowest moving kids I've ever seen in my entire life. They were, you know, the security guards were telling them, "Let's go, guys. Get to class. You have your late passes. Go." And they're just taking their time. The bells ringing in their car. So they
111were enjoying each other's company, too. I guess um the the special ed piece is huge. Um they have that full spectrum of program in the district you know therapeutic um therapies um for medically fragile kids which is huge they have that as well um they have the whole gamut of things for special life um I don't think there's anything else that I mean their sports teams of course are are phenomenal division one um other than that yeah >> I will be brief I will not repeat uh anything that Mr. to how Crawford from Miss Dallas didn't already say, but you know, I also went to New Bedford High. I think if we look at the schools that we're comparing, New Bedford High is offers the most different thing than any of the other other schools,
112right? Um, and for a kid who wants that, I think it's a an absolutely phenomenal phenomenal place. Um, you'll you'll you'll find your tribe, so to speak. You can do anything, right? The the offerings that they have are incredible. I was a kid that got lost there. um you know because I do agree that you know it's it's pretty easy to do that and if you're not you know self motivated and some kids at 16 or 17 or 18 maybe aren't the most I was one of those but you know I do think that um you know the the place is absolutely phenomenal and what I got out of it that has helped me the most in my life or career it's actually the diversity and being around uh the diversity and so many different
113people from different walks of life and learning how to interact with people has been a skill um that has been maybe the most valuable thing that I that I got in my uh education. So I think that's incredibly valuable for a kid who walks in. I just wanted one thing with and I'm taking a you know a personal type of uh so Miss Cherry beggar indulgence the um my my grand the my granddaughter just we just graduated uh she went and was in the AP program in New Bedford High and she received in my estimation a a excellent excellent math mathematical program to a point that once his test scores that were so high because of in my estimation of of of that math and physics program that she was involved with that she was
114able to get a um a $20,000 a year scholarship uh for 5 years uh in dealing, you know, because of her her math attainments. And I I I credit New Bedford High School with that. Second of all, now she's at the University of Maryland and she's majoring in rocket science. So I just want and she's only 18 years old. So I I just want to what type of programs are so available just so close to us. >> Thank you for your indulgence. Well, why don't you just go back around Haven? Let's see. >> I'm a graduate high school, by the way. >> And I I did and I uh Yeah, there was some time. Yeah. Yes. So, so if you uh so if you if you agree with me and they say that's due to
115his education at behav but anyway we have we've been a longtime partner with Haven High School and there's a lot of interconnections and many families are very comfortable with Fhaven High you know with Faven High School I have very you know fond memories there and uh uh and there always has been in one sense uh stress going back you know going back years ago about you know with educational uh attainment and excellence uh especially in the area of uh of English and English composition I still they stole that they named an auditorium after my uh very strict English teacher Mabel Knight I don't know if you if you go the name of the auditorium but anyway but What has had what has my estimation affected Fayen High School is some of the fiscal restraints that
116have been placed upon it by external forces so to speak. Uh and that I in my have not able that that school system has not been able to really develop itself to its full potential. I I I think I think and therefore, you know, there's some programs that really could have been, you know, and and and in the whole curriculum being more, you know, more more fast moving, so to speak. I think that's one of my my concerns about uh FA is not due to the administration's fault of the school committee. I think it's due to um the funding which that school has not received. I know uh several I think just a couple years ago they they asked for a 2 and a half override uh to help the high school you know come
117up you know to have a better programs and more efficient programs and more comprehensive and my and it was voted down. So, so this it's a school system that's struggling financially uh in my estimation and I I think it's some of the but I think there's there are some shortcomings uh not more than be able to modernize either. Um so I had some other notes but I I don't think they're applicable to uh to what you know this discussion but um you know one thing that you know I I I value this behav is a longtime partnership but you know but I I'm not saying how I'm going to you know vote at this present time next month but the I'm very well my main priority is that our children our students in the Kushner
118receive the fullest opportunities that they can get. Our families are are in stress and it's the first time in history that a person's children will earn less than what their parents do. Um and those those students for example uh those people that were born in in 1940 for example they evolved to that they earned twice as much u income family income than their parents to show the upward mobility of the American family. Now families are faced that their children will earn less than they do. And one of the avenues to to to deal with that is educational opportunity has been proven that that that good educational opportunities and going far beyond a high school diploma. a successful uh journey in that area will in turn lead to greater income and more stability of those of
119those individuals. So therefore how imperative that that every opportunity that we have even though we may we may I may have some personal type of misgivings of placement so forth uh I I can't stress how much important that is that that is to to everyone here and every one of of your of of your children and your whole you know family family structure. So I uh so so therefore I'm just tossing that as I did. I'm sorry. Thank you. No, by all means. >> Okay. So I have to say um I again we'll go into the special education the unified sports I think was is very strong in Fair Haven and also just as Mr. Profit said too, the relationship that relationship that we have had with Fair Haven is outstanding. And I know that
120we have um like just look at the FIA sports that we have going throughout here. That's been um a tradition for so long. And I get the whole sibling thing cuz I have two kids that are going to end up at two different schools, but it's not because of this. Like they have different interests. Um, so I understand that and I I know that just taking that off the table would um make it so that that could not happen, which is a concern. But I know that the with the extenduating if we can if we're able to um go ahead and continue for this year, extend it for that year, the contract that would be great for everybody obviously. Um my concerns there w is the turnover rate especially in special ed and special education
121services for the children in Fair Haven. I have to say I work with a lot of clients there in the area and that has been an ongoing concern for me. Um and but I do I love the architecture of that building. I mean one half of it was modern, one half was really had a so much history so rich with history and architecture. The stained glass was amazing. Um, I just love seeing all of that in there. And just that that some of the students like to just stop and read the history, too. Was nice to see instead of just walking by all the time, they're stopping and actually reading about the history, which is really nice and the sense of community. I know Christian Fair Haven, like we've all said, has been a connection
122for so long. >> Yeah. So, um, when I got a chance to tour Fair Haven, I'd been there a number of times over the course of the years, but never inside like the school proper. It was always, you know, attending a game or bringing a child to an extracurricular activity. And, you know, I was very fortunate in that when I went to New Bedford High, one of my favorite teachers that I had in my entire high school career was Rob Bosser. Um, if if anybody doesn't know, he's also been very heavily involved in the alumni association at Fair Haven High School. And if if any of the other committee members haven't had the opportunity to watch the documentary that he put together, I think it's called Castle on the Hill. Um, it's on YouTube, it's
123a phenomenal watch and it definitely would be worth your time. Same thing for the community, too, which is great. So being able to get in there and actually see not only just the history but like the engagement of the students, it really made it obvious why the Kushnet's had this kind of like it's not even school pride or like alumni pride. It's almost like generational pride. I mean we have parents that have been, you know, parents that have gone there, parents parents, parents, siblings that have gone there. Now they're kids. They're not. They're aunts, uncles, nieces, everybody. So, you know, that partnership has gone back so so many years and going in there, I can really see why. Um, it's a very special building and I think that it in and of itself is just
124going to it's just impressive. I I don't need to wax poetic about it, but it's it's a very impressive facility. Um there I do have some concerns to Ebony's point about some of the kind of seemingly recurring special education issues that have come up with that school. Um I also have a lot of insight there um in the sense that my wife is a therapist. She owns a private practice and she's she and her uh employees have worked with a lot of kids that have gone to a lot of area schools. It's certainly not just Fair Haven. And that was one of the schools that she had raised some concerns to me. Obviously not sharing any details, but saying that there seem to be more recurring problems with kids in the special education program and
125not the district not really having the resources that it needs to keep those kids in district, which ultimately is what the kids want to do. I mean, they don't want to go to an out of district placement. They want to be serviced in the school that they chose to go to. So that that's probably one of my larger concerns. Um there's also real constraints around just the campus size. It seems from the outside a lot bigger than it actually is. Um it's it's fairly restricted in its footprint and they're really because of where it is. There's really not much room for expansion. Like Fair Haven is the size it's going to be and it's going to have facilities it's going to have and that's probably not going to change anytime soon. Um, I was actually
126listening to one of their school committee meetings from just a couple weeks ago. Maybe it was last week and they had a long presentation just about the the conditions and walkability along Route 6 and some of the accidents that have occurred on that road um, you know, on and around, you know, during school hours. And it seems to be an ongoing process of trying to rehabilitate even the the grounds around the school right on Route 6, walking paths. I know that Kushner kids most likely would not be walking to school unless they live very close to town line, but it's just indicative of some of the other capital issues and the constraints that the school really has to operate under. Um, in terms of programming, I I could be wrong. I have to refer back
127to the notes from the high school presentations, but I don't believe that Fair Haven had any vocational options. Um, which that's a particular interest to me because, you know, with with Old Colony moving to a lottery system, if a child doesn't make it into Old Colony and they want to take part in one of the vocational programs, their next choice might be one of the high traditional high schools that has more vocational options. um with Fair Haven having either none or very limited. And again, forgive me, I'll refer back to my notes, that makes it maybe a little bit less appealing an option as opposed to one of the other schools that does have two, three, or even up to six or seven different vocational paths. Um that was really good to see in some
128of those locations, but I do see it as being a potential issue with their Haven High. Um, overall I I would say it it I would really like to see that partnership continue and I just hope that we're able to come up with some sort of an agreement with them to continue that partnership that's in parody with whatever other districts we end up partnering with. >> Um, the building's beautiful. Um I've only been in that the gym there. So for basketball games, my kids play for um Dartmouth Vipers. We use that field, the turf field out in the back. It I mean something that the school's really proud of. Um and you could tell it shows. Um for me it's like I didn't know that there was a bank branch in the B like way
129down. Is that the basement? I don't We were way down right on the uh Grento historical park. >> It was crazy. It was I was like what is that? you know what they, you know, she went and told me she like when they leave here, kids that take that those finance classes can actually go out in the real world and be a teller immediately. They have all the certifications. They have everything they need to just become a bank teller. So that's something that a lot of these that's one thing that like that Fair Haven has a school. Uh so I really really like that. Um of course my kids have been involved in all you know all the sports. So, I would like to see the the relationship continue, but I mean that's to be
130determined, I guess. Um, that's pretty much it for me. I mean, the stained glass was amazing, but you pretty much summed it up, so I don't want to keep going, but >> yeah, I'll be brief. I I agree. I echo with a lot of sentiment here. I I think we did the the tour together, Melissa. So, place is beautiful. The history is great. the connection to a cushion, a long-standing tradition. Those are all positives. Um, you know, I have some fiscal concerns like like John does and some of the concerns around special ed. So, I hope we can continue to work with them and have some productive conversations to understand what's acceptable to them so that we can weigh all of the options to your point uh Mr. Ellis kind of uh equitably, you know.
131So, I'm going to switch it up this time. Old Rochester. >> Old Rochester. I got to find my notes. Um, I'll start with old Rochester growing up was I played soccer for Dhob and they every single year they beat us in the championship game. Came down a penalty kick every year. So I just have this O like all right let me get in that school. Um I really enjoyed the tour there. We um met with some students that were just again wise beyond New Year's. Um took us for tours. We met with a parent panel. We met with some of the staff members. Um, and I think for them with their special education, if I'm not getting that mixed up, they had their little cafe where they have the kids coming in from, you know,
132their their um special education classes and they were running a store. You know, they had spiced apple cider and forgot my wallet and so mad. Um, and they were selling everything and they were just they were learning the skills um that you need in the world. They were out, you know, they were making change with money. Um, it was just really nice to see. And the kids um they called it the bulldog block. I guess that's what they called it. And um it was just nice to see the kids had that time to go to where they needed to be. So if they needed to make up a test with a teacher, they were able to go during that time during the day. Um, so it's not impacting them after school because a lot of
133the kids had commitments after school. Um, whether they were in clubs or had to leave to go to a game or whatever. Um, they had time to get their schoolwork done in school during that bulldog block. So, I really like that. Um, I guess that's just the teacher and me coming out. Um, just having meaningful time during the day to get your work done. Um, I like that one. Um, yeah, I'll just let you go. >> Thank you. Oh wow. >> Um No, I'm just kidding. Um yeah, I I had a great tour at Old Rochester. Um you know, was taken around by two juniors who, you know, if you want to feel really uh bad about yourself at 16 or 17, spend spend a few hours with a few of the students there and
134who took us around as ambassadors because I was blown away with how um you know, impressive they were. I I love the idea of a of the bulldog block where kids can get uh the help that you talked about. >> And then I think one of the things that I was really impressed by was, you know, every student gets a mentor to really help them uh you know, adjust and uh to like help them be successful in their high school career. And I think that's incredibly uh important. And and I and I and I think back to myself at that age and what it would have been like had I had a a mentor that I would have drove crazy, but it probably would have been uh you know, incredibly beneficial. So I just think
135they have the processes and the systems in place to really make their kids successful. And so I I was really uh impressed with that. >> Um so my tour at OR was the first time I'd ever been to the school. I haven't attended any games or um really gone there at all. My kids haven't been involved with any they're not friends with any kids that have gone there. So, it was my first experience. Um, I'll I'll open it by saying I am not a sports fan. I think I've sat through watching one or two sports games of any type in my entire life. I was blown away by the scope of the athletic facilities that OR has available. I mean, when we when we walked in or when we got to the the building and
136we went and did a tour of the grounds, aside from it being like hurricane force winds. Sorry, Paul, you're probably freezing the whole time. >> Um, I mean, this the school has athletic facilities that rival colleges that I've been to. I mean, they have a disc golf course that runs the entire campus. They're in the process of working with their alumni association to build a press box over the football field. And even for me who's a total nerd and doesn't like sports at all, that was darn impressive. So stuff that did impress me that's more to my liking is the level of technology that they have available for their students in some of the like the engineering and robotics programs. Um the recording equipment that they have in their uh TV and audio production studio
137is literally better than the stuff I have at home. and I'm I do like amateur recording at home. This is it's very impressive. Their equipment is better than anything that I have. Same thing with their 3D printers. They're better 3D printers. They're top of the line. Um and again, a step above what I or anybody that I know that's part of that hobby has access to. Um the robotics and engineering lab was really quite staggering. I mean, if you took the two rooms and put them together, they're about the size of this library. They're they're pretty close. Um when we went in there, we got a chance to see a whole class of kids that were in the computer lab doing, you know, 3D modeling and design, putting together um designs that they would actually
138be either cutting on laser CNC machines or printing on their 3D printers. Um and that's the kind of stuff that I know kids these days seem to have a lot more access to technology than they did when I was a kid. Um they know how to do more of that than I do. And that's dang impressive to be quite honest. Um the school itself gave me um it kind of gave me like big school vibes but in the footprint of a small school. Uh it's not a small school by any means. Um but that's that's the impression that it gave me. Um I was just I frankly I was really impressed with everything at that facility. Um, I think that it has a lot of opportunities um for our kids that they literally wouldn't get
139anywhere else, including New Bedford. And I've already talked about some opportunities available there. Um, it's I think that if I were looking at all of the schools objectively, just looking at what's available, I would be very hardressed not to consider OR as a very, very strong contender. Now that said, you know, I don't know that a lot of efficient parents have had a lot of exposure to OR. So I don't know that the roots with that school go as deep as they do with any of the other partner schools that are in conversation right now. And I don't really view that as a a big issue. It's just that I think that a lot of parents and students haven't had the exposure to the school to even really know what's available. Um I'm sure that
140that'll change. You know, even if you know, one of the things that was mentioned was that they were present at our last student and parent um high school night and they're just a school choice district. They don't have an agreement with us at this point. Um so just the fact that they were willing to take their time and present to our students even knowing they only had a very limited number of slots available really speaks volumes to me. Um, and then you know the last point that I would make and I think this is the thing that impressed me the most if anything um the guy's in the room right now so I it's might be a little embarrassing for him but I don't think I've ever met a school administrator that's more enthusiastic than
141the principal there Mr. the ball. And the thing that really stood out to me the most was when he told us that he's not just a principal, but he's also a student adviser. And he has 10 kids that he advises on a weekly basis. And for somebody who's as busy as a principal of a very large high school to take the time to advise 10 kids in a in that class, that really made an impression on me. And it's something that I don't think kids at all other schools would have access to. [Laughter] I don't know what's left to say. Um, okay. So, or I have to say I did see the presentation at the open house of the for the school night where we learned about the school of works last year. Um, and
142I was impressed, but I hadn't seen anything yet. like I had known about it, heard about it, heard positive things, but really not walked through and seen it all. Um, and I do have to say that the variety of offerings was impressive. And even to the fact that it was stated that if a student thinks it up, they create it. So, it's brought to their attention and they'll create some club or just they want everyone to feel included and have a sense of belonging. and they identified the school as a campus rather than a school like they're staying at campus which I really did like. They already are a tri county um school so they know about getting students in and blending them in and having a part of it and um Mr. also had
143said, you know, everyone's seen as a bulldog. Well, that was obvious when we got into the school, the sense of belonging and commitment to the students and and co-workers. Um, there we did see some speak for the parents. They already talked about that. And some students, the special education department, I have to hit on that, of course. Um, I really was impressed at the amount of inclusion and I think that it's a school that shows what inclusion really should look like and that was very impressive and heartwarming for me. Um, I this the school store just there was something for everybody and on any spectrum of what they're looking for too. It just was impressive. The store there's different areas that they can work on depending on what their needs, areas of interest. They'll create
144it. that really was eye opening for me and it just made me it it just warmed me. Um and then the other thing was I was impressed with the relationships with the state reps and legislators. That was something that was brought up for um financial means like getting some of that money. They're advocating for it at the state level which was nice to see too. So that would is beneficial um for the students and for the opportunities for them and the grounds. Um, so I think everything else has been said, so maybe not. >> Listening listening to my colleagues, what a bargain we're talking about. You follow me with with the with the fiscal, you know, pre package that they they're offering and what we're our students are and families are going going to get
145in return. What a bargain, you know, uh you know, it's phenomenal. So I I just just want you know just uh when we when we're facing uh and this is the the choices that you know in my is the priorities first of all the best educational opportunities uh that you can have that's forms secondly of all is the how you know that the continuing uh affordability you know of our education system in the in this community. uh as as far as the you know offering the quality we have with the amount of money that we've received and we have to continue that you know the most of impact on a person's a child's personality development and so forth is done in many early grades and we can't in turn we have to watch the fiscal
146so we can continue to to offer quality education at the preschool through through kindergarten first grade and about 50% of IQ is developed just in those years alone. So, and that would enable students to take full ex full uh of of all the opportunities of of what would be offered uh in in the secondary area. Uh if there is a loss in the early days, they're never going to make it up. They're not even going to have the best programs in the world and they're not going to fill the void that they lost nearly grace. So why I'm just, you know, my parting comments, but the last one is what a bargain and and I'll just leave it at that. >> Thanks for chart. Can I just add a couple of comments? I want to
147thank you for all of your thoughtfulness and the time that we've spent. I just would like to point out nobody mentioned the child care programs at New Before High School and OR, but they do have for ch for for students who are interested in teaching programs and early childhood programs. I just want to mention that out loud that they had both schools had nice child care programs where students actually got to work with the adult teachers and work hands-on for those child care programs. I also want to mention New Bedford High School had a very impressive pool um which was unbelievable. The thing I really want to talk about right now is we're also in a year where a Christian schools is going into a new strategic planning session and you will all have input
148into that as well as all of our families. But I we've done a lot of work over the last six years or so with our strategic plan and we've come a long way in this district. One of the things that I would like to see added to strategic planning is high school connection. I'd like to see shadow days for students. I I feel like kids don't know what's out there. They hear things from their friends. I've seen since I've been here, kids will go to Old Colony because of their friends. Kids will go to Fair Haven because of their friends and then we ended up a week later, 2 weeks later switching out and going to another school. It's really hard to know in eighth grade where you want to go. I think Old Colony,
149even though they're not a high school tuition school, they do a phenomenal job of their PR. They bring kids in from a Kushnet on field trips in sixth grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, kids have an idea. And that's why a lot of our kids want to go to Old Colony. And I do feel badly that if they want to go and they can't because of a lottery, right? But I think kids need to see New Bedford High School. I think kids need to see a ponquit. They need to see Old Rochester. Whatever school district that you decide to enter into an agreement with, we need to be fair haven, true partners with and we need to do shadow programs so kids get a true feeling of what it's like. I think it should count as
150a day of school. I know that when my daughter was in high school, she was actually a student who showed other kids coming in around. I had parents to this day still talk about that experience and what it meant to them. So, I think we need to do field trips. We need to put some of our money towards that because this is an important decision for all of you. And I want to thank you. I also want to thank the superintendent from the four high schools. They've spent a tremendous amount of time and their leadership teams tremendous amount of time putting together presentations tours for you for us. I want to thank the families and the students. I want to thank my leadership team and the next step at this point I will look into
151any other questions you have specific questions about high school. Miss Cadira brought up she had a question about the medical facility at New Bedford High School. If you have specific questions that I can provide you with information in between now and December 9th, please reach out to me at any time. I will get the information to all of you so that you can make the most thoughtful decision for our students. In the meantime, I as soon as I hear back from Fair Haven Public Schools, my plan is to get that information out to you so that before December 9th, you know where they stand. we can have that discussion on December 9th, but I'm really hopeful after all the work that you've done that we can move forward with a thoughtful decision on December 9th.
152>> And that is Dr. Bailey. Could I and Miss you can I also want to just publicly thank um all of the administrators, all of the parents, all of the students, the student ambassadors, all of the folks who take all of us through their schools. They went far way way way above and beyond what was expected or anticipated. Um they really uh treated us amazingly well and uh it took a lot of effort and so I just am very grateful that they gave all of us that opportunity to see their schools to meet their people and uh treat us the way that they did. So thanks to all of those folks. >> I I just wanted to say it's it's really great to actually get a chance to hear all of your thoughts and opinions
153on these schools. I know this this is the first time that we've had any discussions about this. The only discussions that I've had with any other members have been, you know, the one other member that has been on a given tour with me. We've talked about it while we're there, but just having the chance to finally hear everybody's thoughts and wave them together is is fantastic. I know for me, I kind of I've I've made a sort of an embargo on asking any of my friends or any of my family members for their opinions because I didn't want those opinions to then color my perceptions of the schools, especially before I went in. Um, now that we have the high school, you know, preference survey out, of course, I'm going to start asking some folks
154for their own personal opinions. But um yeah, it it's just great to hear everybody was so thoughtful about their um you know, so thoughtful about questions that they've asked and really took a lot from the horse. Um the only question that I had and I think I'd already raised this with Dr. Bailey previously was just getting a sense of what the historical enrollment data looks like, you know, for a couple years back and I know you're working on that. It takes some time to get it together. >> You have that in your packet. um you have separate references anything that you've asked me for I've provided whether it's links references that historical data since Patrick Mistler has been here has it the data is good awesome >> I just want to remind you with the
155data some of the schools will show data for school choice not all kids get accepted um and I want to remind you about New Bedford High School with our special ed population we do send a lot of kids um each year for some of that programming. That's I just want to mention that. But >> I'm looking forward to getting a chance to dig into the historical because it's nice to see how many enrollies we have now, but also being able to see how many enrolles we've had at all of these different area high schools for the last, you know, several years I think is going to be really telling. um >> and we don't have data for you know way back when. >> Okay. >> I just want to add that we didn't talk about
156Brazil Aggie much county agricultural school and that's still a a choice to mention it process and students we we had more kids last year apply to Bristol Aggie I think that in a long time and again if students have that interest I think great go for it. Same thing with Old Colony, School Choice. All of those options are on the table. >> Yeah. And I in in closing on this topic, I just also want to thank the my committee members here cuz I can see how seriously um all of you are taking this. And you know, this is a really really big decision. And I think probably um we all join this committee because uh we care about education and we care about kids. And you know, the most important thing we can do is
157is is fight for our kids. And so we'll all have to um look at all of the criteria and I'll determine what's most important for us individually and come together and and take a vote. But uh so I appreciate all of your efforts and diligence through this process as well. >> I would just if I could just add, Mr. Chair, some of you have children in the district and I would just ask to consider all children. You know, obviously you want to do what's best for your child, but think about all children and what's best for them and us to have a sustainable tuition agreement that we can move forward comfortably with. That is all I have for tonight for my report. >> Just don't don't ask me to go on any more school tours
158cuz I'm out of vacation time for the year. >> I appreciate your time really and truly. >> So, is is our next item business manager update here? Yes. >> Good evening. Two minutes. >> All right. Um, as I do every single meeting, the first page is the budget update where we stand. This is from July 1st to October 31st and basically the first four months of school and we're pretty much on track. You see the the spending the year date expended is a little over 4 million. Encumbered is also 4 million. um and cover basically if we have a for example um a child at a special ed placement if the tuition 63,000 we will encumber the full amount and then pay each month as the bills come in. So um budget wise we're doing
159all we're doing well right now. Um concerned about next year if we're uh we're level funded um because we are very tight in this budget even though we're doing fine. I'm watching every penny So, um, moving to the topic of facilities, we began the project for the gym closet at the, um, elementary school. They started last week. They've been there. Um, we're we're watching the weather cuz the the work they do needs to be above 40°. So, they get there at 6:30 in the morning, but by by 7:30 or so, the sun is warm open up. And the weather looks pretty good going forward. So, we're hoping to finish that by the first week of December. I spoke to their their lead engineer yesterday and he said that everything is moving along just as we
160planned. So, hopefully that'll wrap up um and eliminate that that pro that problem we've had there. Um had a roofing contractor come in last month and go across both our roofs. Um my predecessor had done a um a study of our roofs. They did a um from overhead they they did like a heat analysis and found areas of the roof that might have had um tears or rips in it. Uh had a contractor come out, sealed 58 spots on the middle school and about eight spots since the elementary school has a newer roof on it. So we've looked so far we've had one or two rainstorms since nothing coming in. So it's great. So we're hoping that goes through the winter like that. Um, food services. We we spoke a little earlier about the grab
161and go breakfast. We're still uh pushing that out. It's going well at the middle school. Basically, every student comes in, we can them for breakfast. Uh, they can eat it. They can put it in their backpack and take it home or they can um actually put something on a shared table. That's going very well. The um I already mentioned the grant for the for the for the kitchen warmer. the one will allow them to get they're talking about banana bread or blueberry bread that they can hand out in the morning also. So that um I think will be a big improvement for our kids and something we like and we continue to work literally every day with our transportation contract to Amarell. Uh we you know we we move students we slightly adjust bus routes
162but um we're having good success with Amaral. Everything's going smooth and the solar panel array project we presented it to the selectman. Um they approved moving forward with it. the contractor of Select Energy uh had a phone conversation with the town assessor um about having a no tax on the asset of the property and that would benefit us in the end. So that's going well. They're going to get that as a sign agreement and so I'm going to ask them to come to the December meeting to present to us. They have some um um renderings. They have some artist renderings of what the project will look like. They'll go over the parking lots. Um, we want you to see those and hopefully we continue to move that forward and we can make that project happen.
163I've spoken to a couple other school districts that have used them and very happy with their services. >> I think that's everything in two minutes. >> Well done. >> Any I just want to add um we were very thoughtful also. I I didn't mention this during the high school agreements, but it just joged my memory when you talked about transportation. When we did our new transportation agreement, we do have language in those contracts about transporting students to various schools should that be a need. Great. >> Remember reports? >> Reports. >> Is that where we're at? Yeah. >> Yeah. Um, I kind of I wanted to share with the community the experience that I and a couple other school committee members had attending the Massachusetts Association of School Committees annual meeting and conference. Um, it was
164held uh on in Hyannis last week. Was it last week? >> Yeah. Uh, Wednesday through Friday. Um, I wasn't able to attend all three days. Um, but I was really impressed with just the quality of continuing education that was available to school committee members and administrative staff. Um, I was able to attend uh three different continuing ed sessions. And I'll tell you what, I got more out of those three sessions than I think I've learned about school operations in the time that I've been a city member of committee. Um I wish that I could have dedicated time to attend the Thursday and Friday as well and it's definitely something I'm looking forward to doing in future years. I mean the yeah it was absolutely well worth it and I really am thankful for the Massachusetts
165Association of School Committees for um organizing it and pulling in all the speakers. It's uh not to be missed. >> That's fantastic. Yeah. >> So, I was able to attend all three days. Um, and I being a new sitting member, it was so informative. I was able to learn about the learned more about the collaborative programs too, which was very important to me. Um, as well as just policies. As a new school committee member, it's really important for me to learn that stuff. And I, it was in a way that we were able to ask questions. It was very reciprocal. wasn't just like being lectured at. There was a lot of back and forth which was nice to be able to get our questions answered and um very understanding people with a wide variety of
166people from all different um experiences and people also being able to pull from other school committee members from other school committees and learn about how they do things and try to um brainstorm productive ways of working. I wasn't able to attend two days. I wasn't able to do the three, but I learned so much in those those two days and I think since I've been on the committee um really just all the laws, all the rules, just a refresher. That's what I needed in a lot of these things just to some reminders of how things are done and why things are done certain ways. Um but yeah, I I really enjoyed the time there. Those two days were very valuable. >> Awesome. >> Yeah. You want me to do that? Okay. So, I didn't know
167if he would come. >> Go ahead. I I I appreciate you guys sharing. I was not able to attend, but um I look forward to learning for you guys on maybe some of the things that again I think it's great practice to bring that stuff back and share with the rest of the committee. So, I'm glad you guys could all attend. >> Um you might have seen on social media we posted um the Akushet Cares nursery gift card drive. Um so, some parents in the community approached, you know, Dr. really about, you know, having a difficult time providing for their family and food and things like that, especially during the holiday time. Um, we decided to put um a committee together that encompasses the entire town. So, there's teachers on there, um the food service
168director's on there, I'm on there, um Paula, uh police, the police chief is there, the fire chief is there, um Alan's on there, um if I forgot anybody else. Um, but every year, you know, it's a difficult time during this, you know, Thanksgiving and and Christmas and such and parents and with the SNAP benefits kind of in and out. Um, parents are finding it really difficult. So, um, we took on this committee and and we're collecting grocery gift cards um, by December 12th and we have some various pickup places. We have the Kushnet police um, sorry, the Kushnet public schools business office. Then we have a Kushnet Police Station, a Kushnet Fire Station number one. I believe that's on Russell Russell Street. Um, Partying Ways Building and the Kushnet Counseling on Aging will all take
169gift card donations in any amount. Um, so if you would drop them off there, we'd appreciate it and we're looking to give those to families around Thanksgiving and um, Christmas. >> So, can I just add? >> Absolutely. >> A lot of our students depend on our school breakfast and lunch program. They really do. They depend on those programs. This will be the first year in a while because of the way the Christmas holiday fell that we will have two full weeks off from school which is concerning and it's concerning to some family members and they've been in touch with me. We're asking as Miss Gada just outlined for any amount if you go shopping if you can pick up a $10 gift card or $25 gift card and then what we will do is we
170will take those cards put them together based on the number of children in the family. put the cards together for Christmas time and give those grocery cards to not only our families in the school district, but I'm sure there's people at the Council on Aging and people in town who also need the support. We will work with the other town administrators to help our own community because we know we have people in this community who need the assistance right now. So, I I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who's already donated the gift cards and please keep them coming because right before the Christmas break, that is when we plan to make sure before the children leave that the families pick up those gift cards for the break. And again, they
171don't have that 2 weeks of breakfast and lunch that they normally have. And we do have families in need. So, thank you so much. I had one thing I was going to mention. So at the town meeting, which when was that? That feels like a long time ago, but I think it was I don't know last week, maybe even a week before. Um you know, there was an article on the um agenda to do the replacement or the repairs for the gymnasium roof. And one thing that just didn't catch my attention at the town meeting till the next day was there is a description that just talks about it being um a result of neglected maintenance. And I think the issue really was an issue in how the flashing was originally installed. Was it a
172maintenance issue? >> It's an installation issue. So again, not not the biggest deal. I just wanted to make sure that that clarification was out there in terms of why that gymnasium project is actually being done. >> All right. Also, um, chair, are you are you going to announce that we have a representative from the committee who will work on continue to work with town officials on the air quality project? >> I was asking there's a lot going on. >> There is a lot. All right. um you know now that the old colony um you know special election has taken place I think it's a time that we need to start thinking about picking back up our project here at the school and dealing with our mold issue uh and so I thought no better person
173perhaps on this committee to um start to work on that and be the liaison between the committee and the town and Mr. Ellis if Mr. held is is open to that um >> assignment. So, I think that will be uh yeah, I don't even know that we need to vote, but um so we we appreciate that and think that uh I'm looking forward to great things and hopefully um finding some solutions to the problem at hand. So, >> they're going to be upset with you. I am exhausting to talk about >> Thank you for doing that, Jesse. Appreciate it. >> Yeah, of course. Okay. Any uh questions on the communication information? You know, it's like A through Z. So, um there's a lot there. >> Yeah, there's a lot. No. >> Otherwise, um you know,
174we're going to adjourn. Are we adjourning the meeting or are we entering into executive session? We're coming back. >> We're coming back. >> Okay. So, we're going to uh enter into executive session. We will return pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws chapter 38A section 2183 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation. If an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigation litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares unit custodians and maintenance and then we will return to open session. >> And we'll do a roll call. Thank you. I was going to catch that too, but thank you. >> Like a motion for it. >> Yeah, I'll make a motion. >> Second roll call. >> Mr. Olives. >> Yes. >> Mrs. McGlin. Yes. Mr. Hoff. Yes.
175>> Mr. Mr. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, um we're going to I'm going to ask for a motion to ratify the custodian and maintenance contract for 2025 to 2028. In summary, that contract had um some pay increases, some changes in bonuses for longevity, some changes in uh some of the apparel that the staffs are eligible for in terms of shifting from a specified type of apparel to them being able to choose uh and just some other administrative and uh language that I would say in the contract. So, uh could I entertain a motion to ratify the custodian and maintenance contract for 2025 to 2028? So motion >> second. >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Mr. Ellis. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Glenn. >> Yes. Mrs. Cordderero. >> Yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> Okay. Our
176next uh school committee meeting is on Tuesday. Oh, that's that's not right. It's on It's on It says November 18th. It's uh Tuesday, December 9th. >> Right. At 6 p.m. in the FMS John Tvaris Library. So, may I have a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting? >> So, motion >> seconded. >> And we'll do a roll call. >> Mr. Ellis, >> Yes. Mrs. Coro, yes. Mr. Wood, >> yes. Okay. Motion is uh meeting is adjourned. Thank you. Heat.