001[Applause] [Music] Good evening everybody. I'm I'm going to call the meeting to order. Today is Monday, May 12th, 2025. This meeting is being video and audio recorded for future cable broadcast. Please silence all cell phones for the duration of the meeting. And may I have a motion to open the school committee meeting? So second. And we'll do a roll call. Mr. Hood. Yes. Mrs. Clara. Yes. Mr. Alex. Yes. Mr. Harra. Yes. And Mrs. L. Yes. Okay. And we'll start with the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. to the stand nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. The first item on the agenda is the consent agenda. Everything listed in the consent agenda was distributed in advance of the meeting. Does anyone have any requests for
002something to be removed from the consent agenda and discussed or voted on separately? So, may I have a motion to approve and accept the the items listed in the consent agenda, including the minutes for the April 8th, 2025 meeting? So, move second. All those in favor? I I any dissents? Seeing none, motion passes. Uh do we have anyone Dr. Bailey signed up for delegation? No. Okay. So, the first item on the agenda will be uh the reorganization of the school committee. So, first I'd like to welcome Mrs. McGlin and Mr. Ellis, two new members. Thank you. And uh we look forward to working with you. Welcome. Thank you. And I would like to um nominate Ron Hood for the position of chairperson of the school committee. Mr. Hood has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, a deep
003commitment to our schools, and a collaborative approach to approach to decision making. His experience, integrity, and dedication to student success makes him an ideal candidate to guide our committee in the upcoming year. I'm confident that out of his leadership, we will continue to make thoughtful student centered decisions. Can you get a motion to nominate Ron for chairperson? I'll second that. Thank you. Um, so we'll do a roll call. Mr. Hood. Yes. Mrs. Fera? Yes. Mr. Ellis? Yes. Mr. Her? Yes. And Mr. Yes. So, thank you. I appreciate uh the confidence there. And so, with that, I'd like to uh nominate Mrs. Cordier as vice chair. And so, could I have a motion to nominate Mrs. Cordier as vice chair? I'll make that as a motion to nominate Melissa. Melissa Cada is a vice chair. Do
004I have a second? I'll second. Uh and we'll do a roll call. Mr. Hood. Yes. Mrs. Fera. Yes. Mr. Ellis. Yes. Mr. H. Yes, Mrs. Yes. Okay. So, uh next uh we need to reorganize some of the subcommittee uh assignments. So, have they given us some thought? There's kind of three main uh committee subcommittees and then three that I would say are a little less uh labor intensive, right? Not heavy lift. So, uh policy being the first one. So, I'd like to uh nominate Mrs. Mclood and Mr. Ellis to serve on a policy committee. Uh the budget subcommittee, Mr. Hcraftoft has been serving. I'd like him for him to continue it and I'd like to join him on the budget subcommittee. And then we have our negotiations subcommittee. So I'd like to nominate Mrs. Cordiera
005and myself on that committee. So I've currently been serving on negotiations. We're in the middle of negotiations. So I think it's important that we keep some uh continuity there to try to close this out. Uh, next we have the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative Representative. So, this is a oneperson subcommittee. Um, and so I thought I'd put it out to to Mrs. Nicole and Mr. Ellis to see if one of the two of you would like to be our representative on that on that sub. I don't think it's necessarily a heavy lift. No, they not really. Yeah, they they do conflict sometimes with our school committee meetings and other commitments that we have, but they're doable quick. Uh and then we have the old colony uh appointment committee. So my thought there would be to nominate
006Mr. Hcrooft, Mrs. Cordera, and myself. And then the superintendent evaluation committee um which I'm currently serving on uh would be to continue to serve there and to have Mrs. Cordier uh join. that committee is really responsible for working with the superintendent to put together her goals for the for the cycle and obviously those goals are then brought to the full committee to vote up. So um and then we have historically had um the MASC mass joint conference delegate one person go. I think historically it's been the chair. Uh so I would suggest that it be the chair or the chair uh appointed person that I necessarily need to go but we'll figure out who could represent the committee when that comes up in this in the summertime. And then it's not a subcommittee but we've
007had Mrs. Cordier on the master plan with with the town. So I think it'd be good for you to to continue with that and other thoughts and feedback from this committee to that discuss just go back to the snack. Yes. Okay. Okay. Uh any thoughts, discussion? So, could I have a motion to assign the committees as as proposed? Second. Second. And uh all in favor? Any descent? Seeing none, motion passes. Okay. Yeah. Congrats. Uh so, Dr. Ba, I don't see any old business here. So, I will turn it over to you for new business. Okay. Um, first off, we're going to have a presentation on responsive classroom within the district. And I would ask Miss Rajiri, um, Miss Bryant and Miss Betto to come up to the podium. And as you recall, we invested a
008lot of money on this responsive classroom and the PD. So, we're going to get on that presentation. Good evening, Chairman Hill, members of the school committee, Dr. Bailey. Welcoming new school committee members. We're glad to have you. Um, so responsive classroom at Aushrushna public schools. Uh, with me tonight is Juliana Pettto who is the assistant principal at the Krishna Elementary School and Doria Bryant the assistant principal at the Ford Middle School. Um, so what is responsive classroom? It's a focus on making sure that academics are engaging, building positive community, effective classroom management, behavior management, and developmental awareness. Um it helps educators create safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms. And um it's a social and emotional skills that students need to thrive. And this is an evidence-based approach. Why responsive classroom? We have presented on this last
009year. I believe we did when we started this with Ford Middle School. We had received some student and teacher feedbacks revealing a need for developing a stronger sense of belonging, increasing the student engagement, building the social, emotional and academic skills and fostering strong relationships between students and educators. and the behavioral conduct revealed a need for uh doing some work around this as well. So, excuse me. At AES, we've implemented a morning meeting which includes greeting, sharing, an activity, and a morning message. And you'll see an example of that in a minute. We've aligned our PBIS awards to related the related responsive classroom traits such as responsibility, self-control, empathy, academic mindset, and perseverance. We This is also addressing some of the at risk behaviors and concerns. And from last year to this school year, we've seen
010a market incre decrease from about 25% reduction in conduct cards for studentto student behaviors. And here's the good morning boys and girls and we'll start our morning um like okay and what is going to be our meeting um our student what is our reading going to be and let's do well on so um Let's begin. So each child has a piece of paper with their name on it and they get greeted every day. We do a every day everybody gets greeted. And then the next one is a morning message sharing combination message boys and girls. Can somebody raise their hand? Oh, you're already out of Can anybody raise their hand and tell us what's the question is asking? Who can find the question in the morning method that I had asked you about this morning?
011What do you think? Right. What do you think good citizens do? So what I want you to do is stay right there thinking your smart brain right now and we are going to count up as F out of my mom. A circle in the middle. A and B. Go find your partner. I like how everything one more D trying to find an A. Excellent. Okay, hands down. Listen carefully. Turn that top ring on right now. Turn it on. [Music] Okay, ready? Right now, you and your partner are going to talk about what do you think good do? That is going to be our essential question for today. Okay, ready? [Music] So for that the question was part of the morning message and then she moved on to the share which was the question and part
012of the morning message. And if you'll see the way that they found their partner was really neat, wasn't it? how they gravitated towards putting their arms up so that she knew that they all had a partner. So that's how we do morning meeting at AES and how we use responsive classroom. Good evening chair person Dr. Bailey and members of the committee. I am here to talk about responsive classroom at Ford Middle School. Our day starts off with advisory, which is a time period between 8 and 8:20 every morning. In that time period, students are sharing. They're building relationships. They're creating a sense of belonging. And every staff member in the building has an advisory uh and the numbers range from 10 to 12 students. Within that they engage in the day's agenda. So on that
013agenda will be for instance what's for lunch, who's staying after school to support health, what games and sports are taking place. So everything's encapsulated in that advisory set of slides for the morning. The next is positive teacher language. This is where educators use intentional language to promote student engagement, accountability, and self-reflection. Uh this can come in many different skills. The one that really stood out to me this week when I was um observing was something that a teacher uses called would you rather. uh they pose a question in the beginning. Would you rather take a boat trip to the Bermuda Triangle or would you rather take a satellite up into space? And so the kids have this ability to discourse on it. And they actually get to engage with each other's thoughts on it. They
014take accountability and they self-reflect on each other's choices and how they relate and explain those choices. So, it's really cute to watch. and then they throw it back at the teacher and he gets his opportunity or she gets their opportunity to reflect on it and why. Um interactive modeling is another skill. This is where the teachers uh play a really strong role in responsive classroom because they are modeling the skills for the students and this comes into play strongly with fifth grade because they're coming into the new building. They're learning all new strategies and techniques. So some of the things they might model is how to access technology in the building. They may model where classroom supplies were or how to actually clean up or organize the space. Academic choice. This is where the students
015are provided with meaningful choices in their learning, increasing engagement, ownership, and motivation. A lot of this comes into play with our um applied learning in our building because it does offer specific choice to students. Now they're engaging in collaborative discourse. They're doing a lot of hands-on academics. So responsive classroom absolutely lends to that. It also l lends to the practice of sharing techniques such as turning and talking and leadership roles which engage students in fostering responsibility, respect, and it reduces behaviors. Logical consequences. This is kind of where my practice comes into play. um because it's looking at respectful and connected consequences to help students reflect and grow from their actions. Um I have used a offshoot of this called restorative circles in the way I handle some of the consequences in the building and with
016this I've created like or tried to create safe spaces for students to discuss their conflicts along with myself and their educators um so that we understand each other's perspectives and we can move forward with solutions in a plan. I I've also tried to strengthen relationships and build communities between the te the educators and myself and the students in the building. Um we've developed problem solving skills and communications with our at atrisisk students excuse me and we encourage a sense of empathy, reflection and accountability. And finally the last collaborative rule creation. Um students and teachers work together to establish shared expectations. I know a lot of the teachers in the building include their students with a voice and how they set the expectations for their classrooms. Um, a lot of that could be simply, you know,
017instead of saying stop running in the hallway, saying something positive like in the hallways we walk. And it's simple as that. and it changes the mindset from negative and almost hurt to something positive where the children will attach to it and reflect on it. Thank you for this opportunity for sharing with you this evening. So last week in advisory the students were asked to u share with their advisor what are two words that describe your advisory and I happen to be in one of the classrooms where they did a snowball activity where the students wrote down two words and then rolled it up into a snowball threw it in the middle of the room. They collected all of the words and then um the room that I happened to be in just kind and fun
018funny kept coming up over and over again. Um but then so what the adviserss then did was gather the most common responses and put this word splash together and um hopefully somebody can see that a little better than I can. But fun, kind, loud, amazing, um awesome, enthusiastic, I don't know if that says legit, right? Which is a positive. Yes. Interesting, joyful. Um, so just really positive experiences that the students are having um in advisory. And I wanted to show just a couple of videos. Um, this first video shows a studentled uh part of the morning meeting where they're sharing out just all of that information about um what's coming in the day. [Applause] [Music] for lunch. Thank you. I don't know about 51 the job. I know that was a little hard to hear,
019but they went over lunch, which teachers were after school, which sports were after school, the wins for the day before in the sports, um information about progress reports coming out. So, this is all really important information for students to be familiar with. And then this is an example of a sharing share either something that resonated with them, something they noticed or something that they or how they made a connection to that little. So how did you in that way like how the beginning and it just went through that because at the end what did we notice at the end? Awesome. We're talking about pay it forward again. You add that to the same similar thing. Anybody have something different? Go ahead, James. I'm going to help someone doing their homework and change the identity of
020the video. Nice connection to that. Yes, we started that one act that started it. I would pick up yesterday. softer groceries. Um, yeah. Connection. Anybody else want to share? Yes, Joe. The boy helped the grandma right at the beginning right at the beginning of the video. [Music] So, another thing that I wanted to do today, kind of um continuing on with that theme, is we talk a lot here about like our group here and how we share and we have a space where we can share. Sorry, the audio isn't great on these. Um, and then the next two are really quick, but it's just showing that activity piece where there's team building happening to solve a problem. [Applause] like. [Music] So these groups are kind of randomly made by grade level. Um and it provides
021students to be with other students that they may not travel with within the regular course of their day in the classes that they take. Um and then these are groups that are easy to kind of pull back to for certain other activities. For example, MCCAST students are taking MCCAST with their advisor, a very familiar adult to them at this point in the year. So for responsive classroom training to date we um last school year had a 4 day all staff the core course for middle school. This school year we had 4 days of all staff at AES receiving the elementary core course. And then this year uh the Ford middle school also did a one-day workshop on improving teacher and student language. And I've listed the district strategic initiatives that responsive classroom ties to for
022your reference. And that's it. If there's any questions, we'd be happy to take them. I the slides that does everybody for the morning message have like the same slides and who makes those? So we make the morning message slides that have the lunch. It actually has Dr. Bailey saying the pledge of allegiance. It says it has Dr. Bailey doing the Wildcat pledge, but then teachers like to individualize what um game they're doing, what activity they're doing, what uh the teachers like to make their own. So, they have the main slides that we send to them every month with the main, the launch, the date, everything like that. But they create the slides for the morning message and the four components of the morning meeting. Okay, awesome. Thank you. And I do know that the students
023are paying attention because they are because they'll say, "I saw you this morning, Dr. Bailey, on video like they do to watch it." So that's good. Thank you guys. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. So, um, at this time, I think we'd like to take the meeting out of order and adjourn to executive session. We will reconvene in open session at the end of the executive session. So, could I have a motion to adjourn to executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 3A section 213 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation? If an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair of a declar item is the school budget. Dr. I'll turn that over to you. All right. Um, we've
024been having meetings for the past several months on a recommended budget and in working with the town, we've been told that we need a different number. So, originally my recommended budget was 17,146,872. um that clearly was not um able to to go through. So, we've put forth over $612,227 in cuts. Okay, that will include people and we've tried to do that so that we can maintain a sustainable school system over the next several years because we know that this is not a one-year problem. That brings our budget and I'm asking for a motion to approve a 16,534,645 budget which is an increase of only $140,982 at a86% increase from last year. all if this committee approves it tonight, we will post it all to the um website and that will is what we're going to
025move forward with if the committee agrees. So, may I have a motion to approve the superintendent's recommended fiscal year 2526 school operating budget of 16,534,645, which is a 86% increase from last year. I'll make that motion as as presented by the chair. I have a second. I'll second. any discussion? So, I'll just make a comment. I I just want to thank uh Dr. Bailey and the staff who I know has worked pretty tirelessly over the last couple of weeks to put together this budget. This isn't easy. As Dr. Dr. Bailey mentioned there are cuts, you know, so this uh committee and I think the administration recognizes the challenges that we currently have in the town and has um put forth a good faith effort to to meet those challenges and uh I think the administration
026has tried to do so in a way that will impact uh our students education as in in the most minimalist way that's possible given the unfortunate circumstances that we're in. Um and you know we all take this uh situation very seriously. You know there are people who are impacted by this and and you know um it's serious stuff and we think those people should be treated with the utmost respect u and decency. So uh that being said uh I guess we'll do a roll call or do we do we need a roll call? Yeah. Roll call. Mr. Hood. Yes. Mrs. Fera. Yes. Mr. Ellis. Yes. Mr. Har. Yes. And Mrs. Yes. Okay, motion passes. Okay. Um, let me just get situated here. Okay. So, I'll make this very brief. Dr. Bailey, this is your uh
027evaluation some of the evaluation for the fiscal years um 24 and 25 23 to 25 year two year um you know so if we look at the overall and by the way in full transparency this EV valuation was completed as the last uh committee kind of transitioned so prior to our two new members here. Uh so certainly Mr. Howrop is clear and myself and the two prior members um completed this. But if we look at the overall rating it's proficient. If we look across the four uh goals, there was a student learning goal, a professional practice goal, uh district improvement goal of uh two of them, three or four. And so, you know, it was met on three out of the four exceeded on on another. You know, if we look at uh the exceed,
028there was a lot of of uh commentary on how well some of the professional development opportunities are in the district. Uh certainly that was highlighted. You know, I think you know, one of the opportunities that was identified for improvement is just to continue to look at communications and then I think there was some commentary around um maybe looking at what we present at at school committee meetings. So certainly I think I assume Dr. Bailey typically when the committee turns over, we have a meeting to uh a workshop to talk about how the new committee can work effectively together. So perhaps as part of that conversation, we could talk about what's presented at school committee and just make sure that we feel like we're presenting the rules. Then Absolutely. It's it's the committee's agenda. For sure.
029For sure. So So we can take that. Um and then if I just look through some of these um uh standards like instructional leadership, that was exemplary um proficient management operations, exemplary in family and community engagement, uh proficient in professional culture, and then overall proficient. Well, it was a a good evaluation. Uh, and that's honestly just a quick summary of of where it all went to. Thank you. And I'll just say, um, it's it's a great evaluation, but it also is a reflection of the team that I have and the people I surround myself with. And I am proud to be the superintendent in a Christian and have the team that we have and the dedication and commitment to the students here. It's serious. I mean, there's people calling me on weekends, nights, it doesn't
030end at the end of the day, honestly. So, thank you. And if it's okay with you, um, Mr. Chair, I'll just continue on with my section. Please do. Okay. So, the next one is the SMMEC use of facilities renewal. Um, and that's just our yearly agreement with what they are renting out. And I would just need a vote to accept that so that I can have it signed and move on. [Applause] So, can I have a motion to approve the SNE use of facilities for the 2526 school year? So, also wide. Okay. Uh, all in favor? I. Any discuss? Seeing none, motion passes. Okay. Um, and as you know, the next one, anytime our students go out of state, we need school uh committee permission. So, this is just one of those times where um
031there's a field trip, I believe it's grade four to Mystic, Connecticut. I'd be looking to get that approved um in advance. Can I have a motion to approve the outofstate field trip to Mystic, Connecticut? So, motion. Second. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor. I consent. See that? Motion passes. Okay. Next is um the new business manager's contract. I'd be looking tonight for a vote and also signatures on his new contract, but we're looking to hire Aldo Petronio. Um he comes to us with lots of years of experience, not only um on the school side, but on the municipal side. and three members of the school committee did participate in his interview process. We did eval um vet out all the reference checks very thoroughly. Uh everybody I speak to speaks extremely highly of
032Mr. Petra Petronio. Um and we're just thrilled that a Christian could have someone. Um, so we'd be looking right now to start with a one-year contract um to get that going, but he would basically start officially July 1st and we would have some overlap with him and Patrick before Patrick departs us just so we get that you know overlap and consistency. So, could I have a motion to approve the business man business manager contract for Aldo Petronio as recommended by the superintendent and hiring committee consisting of three school committee members? Second. Any discussion? Yes, I'd like to speak to that. I had the privilege of being having interview this person and Mr. Mrs. Bailey said Dr. Bailey had said that uh he had a wealth of experience, a wealth of uh knowledge. Um it also
033was struck me with two things that his his wisdom and then this is something that you know I I really struck me. He really really reflective uh he's very familiar with with the department of revenue guidelines. uh state laws, all those things that go into this which which makes this position very unique. Uh I I think you know, as stated before, we're we're very fortunate to to to have to have him. Uh and I'm looking forward to uh uh you know, you know, working with him. Uh I know he has a tough act to follow. He does. So I think that's going to be one of his challenges. There's another I think I want to I'm going to tell him the first day that you know it's uh we're losing a a great person and
034has made great uh contributions to our school system and uh so it's a tough act but I anyway I I I just say we're very fortunate we've bit the bullet on this one. Yeah. And I'll just comment not having been involved in the uh interview process. I think that presenting a one-year contract is u essentially to test the waters out with this challenge before we move on to future years is very wise. Um gives us a chance to really see how he's going to operate and frankly if he can just jump into the first and drag his feet on stuff too wise. Anything else? And I I will beguingly agree with Mr. How it's will be a tough to follow. As much as it pains me to say that, I have to say, so we'll
035do a roll call. Mr. Yes. Mrs. Mr. Ellis. Yes. Mr. Har. Yes. Mrs. Yes. Thank you. And then the last thing other uh other items I just we're going to talk more about this next meeting, but I just wanted to let you know that we were notified today from the 18 Foundation that our Ford Middle School has received and been accepted into the 2025268 Foundation Applied Learning Leadership Institute cohort. And just to summarize it, we've been awarded $11,400 in grant funding, which will be distributed in June 2025 to help offset costs associated with institute travel and pilot implementation. So, because the staff and the team and the coaches and the administrators have done such an exceptional job with the other 18 grants, we've become a model. And, you know, it's I just can't say enough
036about the people involved in this and what they're doing. So, I appreciate that. You you'll definitely hear more about that, but I wanted to just let you know that we were excited to hear today that we did receive another grant from them and they're very competitive. A lot of districts are trying to get them and we're doing really well with it based on the support that we're giving our teachers and that's all I have for tonight. Okay. So, uh do we have is technology just a Yes. So, uh, the director of technology gave a very thorough report purposely knowing that we have two new members with us. Just to give you a little update over the last couple of years, we've done significant work. Uh, Mr. Mistler and his department, it's been amazing between the
037tech, the security, the infrastructure, all of it. And if you read through that report, I think you'll feel like you have a good idea of where the district has been and where we're going. Um but certainly if you have any questions we can take those any questions. All right. Thank you. And then um business manager Mr. M presenting or the hot shot. Um, thank you for your time tonight. Welcome to the two new members. Goodbye to the No, I'm just kidding. I have one more meeting. So, um, no, it's been a pleasure. I appreciate the kind words um on the boat transitioning to a new business manager. Um, there's a lot of work that's been done here and a lot of work to continue to do and it it has been a sweet uh, you
038know, departure for me, but um, I'll be paying attention like I always do. I'll probably be watching more meetings than I should be. Um, but you know, we'll make sure that that transition is as seamless as possible. Um, and and you are in great hands. I've met at length with u Mr. Petronio and you know, he knows his stuff, you know, and his experience just, you know, circles mine. So, um, I don't doubt that he'll be able to do a great job here as well. Um, so into my report, you know, the FY25 budget, this is the critical, you know, impass of the budget, if you will. You know, we're at the end of spending ultimately other than salaries. We calculate what we have in savings or overspending. Um, generally it's savings due to high
039school tuition contracts, vacancies throughout the year and then just strategic savings whether due to grants or um just other changes along the way. Um, typically we have budget subcommittee meetings to discuss those savings and what we will do with them. Um, you know, priority for me publicly would be to refund the special education reserve fund that we tapped into last year to balance the budget. special education costs can be exorbitant and they can impact you at any time you know unpredicted um with a move in or or any you know sudden change. So, um, you know, we will be discussing that. Um, if there's savings in the tuitions, the high school tuitions as we discussed, we've talked about returning that money to the town because ultimately those savings come when a student leaves our tuition
040high schools and goes to Old Conley, which is, you know, what tuition they pay for. Um, and again, you know, we'll look to the school committee for any other advice on those savings once I have a more finite savings figure for you. Um we earlier in the agenda adopted the FY26 budget. You know again it was a grueling process for all of us. Um we did put our best foot forward. Um you know people will be impacted by the budget and I know you know the superintendent will speak more to that in district um in the coming week. Um but you know we're putting forward a sustainable plan to maintain you know what we do here and strategize to continue those services not now not next year but you know 3 4 5 6 years
041out. Um on to facilities. Unfortunately um since we last met the town ballot took place and we failed um to succeed in the debt exclusion for the air environment quality and clean energy project. Um, we will be having discussions on next steps. Um, I know we were adamant that this was the fix and it was not necessarily a plan B or C or D. Um, but at this point, you know, a potential half a million dollar grant is on the line to be forfeited. Um, we know that the town has offered some some capital that potentially we could muster up to make some sort of change. Um, but we'll have to talk about those strategies as a group and phasing projects and whatever else might be out there because we know we need to do
042something. Um, and that's important. Can I can I just add I think the board of selectment um at the last hearing agreed that we need to do something and so I think um we certainly look forward to engaging in those conversations to see what we can do because this will continue to be um a problem for the district 100%. Um related to the facilities, we also know we've had water intrusion in our uh fizz closet at AES. Um though there were no signs or symptoms of any sort of mold when the uh contractor took apart the wall. They actually took apart a 3x 6 ft section to pull out bricks to see why the water was you know intruding into the building. And ultimately it became a matter of the um the uh flashing. Thank
043you. Um but all the materials protected properly with you know weather protective material that they did not see mold or vision mold being a problem. However, we do need to address that problem as it wears down our infrastructure. Um, so we've moved forward with um a design bid build fee for $40,500 that will help us see what the actual construction will cost and and our intentions are to take that figure and approach the town for, you know, a capital need there so we can again address address the envelope. Um, and we'll we'll keep the committee and the town up to date on that as that process, you know, take un comes underway. Excuse me, it's late. Um food service. We've been talking about new equipment in the cafeterias. Um more recently the combination ovens, the
044combi ovens have been installed in both schools. They're this fantastic piece of equipment that if you are ever passing by and school lunches running or breakfast I recommend checking them out. Their ovens, they steam, they air fry, they clean themselves. Um, it gives us a lot more flexibility to improve the quality of meals that are going out, whether it's menu changes or the, you know, eliminating the need to reheat and just cook fresher and closer to lunches. Um, so those have been installed and those are kind of part of the strategy in that kitchen and that uh department to improve because in the past school committee has, you know, voiced concerns about meal patterns and and what we're offering and we're making great strides there. We actually are looking forward to reporting on some of
045those uh next school committee member whether next school committee meeting whether a report or presentation. Um we'll talk to the the superintendent about that. Um but we were very excited about those pieces of equipment. Um and then transportation if anyone out there is watching or paying attention this late at night or on the you know the stream on YouTube. Um, registration for 2526 is open and it is critical that you register whether you use the bus or you do not use the bus. It helps us get an idea of how many riders are on our buses, what routes we can change, what stops we can change and ultimately if we ever get to a point where we don't have enough riders that we could reduce buses, it would bring savings to our district on that
046front. So, you know, accurate data is imperative on our transportation and that starts with the registration process that it's timely, that it's completed. Um, and it gives us time to plan now into the summer and then get that information back out to you um the community in in preparation of the next school year so you know where to put your kids at a stop and what time the bus is coming. Um, so on and so forth. Um and then just to wrap up other matters, the town meeting date has been changed from Monday, June 2nd to Monday, June 16th. So please come out and support, you know, whatever initiatives you believe in in the town, but um particularly, you know, our school budget and and related articles that we may have questions. Thank you, Mr.
047M. Uh do we have any school committee member reports? set up for any opportunity. I'll skip. So, there's some other things in our packets, communication and information. So, district newsletter, AES newsletter, FMS newsletters, our air environment quality update that went out to staff and our personnel report. Any questions there? No. So, um I will say before we break, our next school school committee meeting is going to be on Monday, June 9th, uh at 6 p.m. here. Um and we will immediately follow the Pride Award ceremony that will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the FMS cafeteria. Correct. Yeah. Okay. So, we encourage everybody to attend that ceremony. Absolutely. Could I have a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting? So, move. Second. Oh, that was quick. A lot of people don't want to go home yet. Yes. Yes.
048Yes. Mr. Harper. Yes. Yes. Heat.