2026-04-14 School Committee Meeting

001Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Ready, we're going to call the meeting to order. I recommend closing and sealing the executive session minutes as they pertain to student hearings. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay, there's a motion and a second. All in favor? Any absent? Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. I recommend closing and sealing the executive session minutes as they pertain to the acquisition of real property for public purposes where an advanced public information would be detrimental to public interest. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay, there's a motion and a second. All in favor? Unanimous with Pat Polliard abstaining. I recommend closing and sealing the executive session minutes as they pertain to the privacy of students and their records. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay, motion and a second. All in favor? Okay,

002thank you. >> Next on our agenda tonight is the disclosure of the executive session minutes, excuse me, disclosure of the executive session votes, and I'm going to hand that over to our clerk, Angela. >> Thank you. There were four votes in the executive session this evening. The first was a disciplinary appeal that was unanimous. The second was the minutes of previous executive sessions. That was also unanimous. The third was home schooling. That was unanimous. And the last was reconvening reconvening the public session and that was also unanimous. >> Thank you, Angela. Okay, next on our agenda is the reorganization for the school committee school committee chair election. And at this time, um, I will open it to the assembly. >> Assembly? >> Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> I make a motion to table this, uh,

003school committee chairperson nomination and vote. >> Okay, is there a second? >> I second. >> Um, can we have some discussion, please? Karen? >> The charter act makes it clear that the chair position remains with Richmond as it is still Richmond's term under until after the next election. Ms. Dinsmore's resignation from both the chair position and the committee does not remove Richmond's right to hold the chair. I'm willing to agree to table this vote until after the Richmond Town Council appoints a replacement for the vacant seat. There has been expressed interest among Richmond members in serving as chair. And in accordance with the act, the chair will come from Richmond. I will request that the election of the chair be placed on the agenda of the May 14th meeting. The vote will proceed on that

004date regardless of whether all Richmond members are present as all members will have been given opportunity to attend. Okay, so it seemed like there is right now the motion on the floor is to table. Um I believe that there's going to I mean I don't know if John Anderson, if this is something that you can speak to. I just want to make sure that this is correct. I know that this has come up in the past. Um and I believe that there was issues with, you know, if we did table a chair vote that committee members may not be indemnified. So, I want to make sure that that's that we're not doing, you know, as you say, stepping in it. >> So, here's the situation. First of all, there was a motion to table. The

005motion to table was seconded. So, the motion is properly before the school committee. That being said, it was also correctly pointed out by Mrs. Reynolds that the chair is supposed to come from the town of Richmond. If the committee wishes to postpone it for 1 month so that some vacancies can be filled, frankly, that's what the committee did last November last December. Or I'm sorry, December of '24. So, if the majority of the committee wishes to table, the majority can, but eventually, sooner rather than later, somebody from the town of Richmond will bring an action against the district and say the chair needs to come from the town of Richmond. So, for tonight, if you want to table it, you can, but that's not going to work going forward. >> Thank you, John. Okay, so

006there's a motion and a second on the floor to table the election of the chair tonight. All in favor? >> Hands up for the second. Thank you. Sorry. For the For the clerk, sorry. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. The motion carries. >> Yes. Go ahead, Nancy. >> Do you need to move and order to do against the vote? >> Excuse me? >> Do you need to move and order to do against the vote? All those opposed? >> Oh, I'm sorry. All those opposed? There's two opposed. Any abstentions? Mr. Luzon. Okay. So, now the motion carries. The chair vote will be tabled until the May meeting. Thank you, everybody. Moving on. We're up with recognitions. >> So, for recognitions, we have the Maddie Potts Foundation. We are excited to welcome I believe Just let

007me change my glasses. I believe I saw Dan Potts. And there he is. Hi, Dan. Representing the Maddie Potts Foundation, we were grateful to receive a $52,000 check, I believe, that Mr. Potts has given to Mr. Zenian for the presentation purposes. If you have that this evening Oh, I see Mr. Potts as well. We would be We would welcome you to the stage. We would want to thank both Mr. and Mrs. Potts and the Maddie Potts Foundation for continuing to be a wonderful supporter of the Charho Regional School District and most recently supporting us with the $52,000 towards our Richmond playground that was reopened at Richmond Elementary School. So, thank you all. And if you could join us on the stage, we'll do a photo. >> [applause] >> I have a few things I'd like

008to say on behalf of our foundation if that's okay. >> Of course. >> But just a second. >> Do you want me to do it before you take picture or after? >> Who's taking the picture? I didn't know if you were taking a picture. >> [laughter] >> Where's Mike? Mike, are you taking a picture? If you don't mind, just waiting a second while they make the take the picture. >> We need to listen. >> Oh, chair is getting checked. >> This is >> It's cool. >> [laughter] >> Such a great organization. >> Um, it's amazing. >> Smile. >> Smiling. >> [applause] >> This is for >> Um, I just wanted to give a little few minutes. I won't take up too much time. I know you have a lot to talk about tonight. Uh, a

009little background of where that money came from. Um, and for anyone who doesn't know me, my name is Melissa T. Joseph. I'm the treasurer of the Maddie Potts Foundation. And for anyone who does not know about our foundation, it was founded in November of 2017, just about 2 months after Maddie passed away. Uh, she passed away from a sudden and unexpected brain aneurysm while she was playing soccer on the Charaho soccer field. The foundation was created by her parents, Stephanie and Dan Potts, and her sister, Julia, as a way to honor the life Maddie lived rather than to focus on how she died. She was not someone who sought the spotlight. She was selfless. She always wanted to help others and put others before herself. She had a deep love for Charaho, the school, this

010community, and she showed that love through her constant effort to give back. Whether it was buying supplies for an animal shelter, writing a note to a fellow teammate, she was always thinking of ways to help others. It's the mission of our foundation to support our local communities and give back to individuals, families, and organizations in meaningful ways. In everything we do, we ask ourselves, "What would Maddie do?" When we first learned about the playground at Richmond last March, we immediately thought of Maddie. She and Julia both attended Richmond Elementary School and cherished their time there and the community that it represents. In honor of what would have been Maddie's 25th birthday, we launched a GoFundMe campaign for the playground in April of 2025. Our entire board is made up of people who live here, and

011their children are either currently in the Charaho School District or went to the Charaho School District. So, this is very important to all of us. Through the effort of raising the money through the GoFundMe, we were fortunate enough to connect with your URI Greek Life who has supported us in the past as well when we were building the field house. They through their annual fundraiser, they raised $50,000 to go to the Richmond Elementary School outdoor play area. Representing URI Greek Life here tonight with us are Isabel Marra who was a Richmond Elementary School student, Casey Doran and Matt Trudeau. Combined with the GoFundMe campaign and additional private donations and support from local businesses such as Richmond Sand and Stone, the project truly became a community wide effort. We raised over $75,000 for the Richmond Elementary

012School playground. The check that we present today includes the $50,000 raised from URI Greek Life as well as some additional funds we raised through private donations. We're excited to see how Richmond Elementary School uses this money to enhance their play area and we look forward to seeing the joy it will bring to the children. I just would also like to take a moment to recognize the support from this community. Um it's been almost 9 years since Maddie passed away and you've all stood by us supporting our fundraisers, coming to events, and helping us carry forward the mission to honor and remember Maddie. What started with bracelet and t-shirt sales by a bunch of random moms who got together because they were grieving turned into over 1.7 million dollars donated back to the community. There's truly

013not enough words to express our gratitude for all of of support and in this support we made other connections like with URI Greek life. I mean, I don't have enough time to list all of the connections we've been fortunate enough to make. Um and we can't change unfortunately what happened to Maddie, but we can do our best to continue to pay it forward in her memory. And our primary way to do that is to give back to this community. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> Okay, next up we have our awards for our post season accolades for Chariho athletics. And I see some of them in the audience. All academic winter 25-26 post season. First is Lillian Grandolphi for all academic. Congratulations, Lilly. Then we have Open to the Do we have the

014>> We can just >> Yeah, okay. Coaches awards we want to congratulate Isla Carrillo leadership and Aliyah Byrne MVP. And for season awards Aliyah Byrne second team all division two and Isabella Bedoya third team all division two. >> Congratulations. >> I think I see coach Josh Merritt in the audience. Is Josh here? There you are. I knew I saw you. Okay. So, Josh if you want to come up and join me, I'm going to hand you the certificates and we'll call your your wrestlers. Alyssa. Another Chariho alum. There you go, Josh. Okay, I want to first welcome up Adam Lenehan is the JV state champion for Chariho High School wrestling. Congratulations, Adam. Yep, okay. And for the Chariho Middle School wrestling, we have Elijah Elefante who won varsity states at 205 lb and Brady K

015won JV states at 88 lb. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Good job, gentlemen. Nicely done. Next up, we have our Future Business Leaders of America. I believe the vice chair, Laura Chapman, is going to go and sit in front. I'm going to give you the certificate. There you go. Yes. And when I call your name, you can come get your certificate from Mrs. Chapman. Congratulations, first place job interview winner, Ezri Acton. Pay attention. Ezri's going to do amazing things. She's going to run the world someday. >> [applause] >> Actually, a lot I mean, if we just kind of corral this group right here, this is going to be the future right over here. Second place journalism and public speaking second place and third place cybersecurity goes to McKenzie Andry. Job, McKenzie. Now, next up, we

016have our first place video production group and second place chapter newsletter, Lillian Baxter. Lillian, you're on fire this week. You've got a lot of flying nominations. Can you also just get an interscholastic league award? You got nominated. Oh, yeah. Lilly's on our track and field. She's a runner. Always working hard. Next we have Dennis Flavin Alvarez, second place supply chain management. If anybody has job openings, take a look. We've got some good candidates down there. Next we have fourth place business law and fourth place website design, Isaiah Brown. Isaiah's awesome. Next up, first place intro to business procedures, third place intro to information technology, and fifth place intro to business presentation, we have George Browning. Okay, Rose, get ready. I'm going to try my best. Third place customer service goes to Rose Chepkonian. I did

017it. I'm getting there. I got to get this before you're a senior. >> [laughter] >> Good job. Next up for second place personal finance, fourth place financial planning as a team, and fifth place real estate, Connor Gormley. >> [applause] >> Next up, second place healthcare administration, third place job interview, fourth place retail management, and recently accepted into Brown University, Efe Coskun. >> [applause] >> And I swear he's grown at least 12 inches in the last year. >> [laughter] >> Next up, first place business communication, first place human resources management, and third place visual design to Cara Link. Nicely done. Another name we've heard before. We have our first place video production group, third place agribusiness, also known for her baking skills. We have Ella Murphy. >> [applause] >> Our SkillsUSA, let's see, first, second, and

018third place national, state champion. I mean, she has it all. And soon to start the food truck business, going on the road in a couple of weeks. >> Nice. >> [applause] >> Second place intro to business concepts, fourth place intro to business procedures, and fourth place intro to social media strategies, we have Abigail Known. Good job. First place network infrastructure and fourth place computer programming, go talk to Eric in the back for some technology positions. We've got Leo Paradise ready to join the crew. Oh, we have another We have another famous person. First place video production group, Lydia Tabor, also one of our award-winning athletes on girls track. Congratulations Lydia. And recently you'll be celebrating Lydia as our salutatorian coming UP VERY SOON. AND I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THE SAY THE BEST for last

019because they're all awesome. But also, who happens to be our valedictorian, he's also the who's who of the Tarboro FBLA, second place advanced accounting, second place economics, fourth place financial planning team. We have a Nicholas Willits. >> [applause] >> Tarboro 2026 valedictorian. And more of um one of the things that would not happen without uh is the leadership of our coach of the FBLA, Susan Prior. Mrs. Prior, say hello. Wave. A lot of after hours over state lines and um we thank you for all the work with the kids. We know how much it takes and we know that how much they adore uh working with you. So, thank you, Mrs. Prior. Okay. Next steps. I think I'll Oh, we have our competitive event. Those who placed first and second in a competitive test or

020event are officially qualified for the Future Business Leaders of America Nationals, which will be held this year in San Antonio, Texas, June 29th through July 2nd. In addition, two members may attend as voting delegates. So, moving forward, the chapter's plan is to focus on fundraising to support all 15 members who hope to attend Nationals. We got you covered, guys. We're going to get you there. >> Okay. At this time, we're going to move on to public forum. Um right now, it looks like we have three people signed up for public forum. And just so that you're aware, these are for items that are not on the agenda. So, if you did sign up for public forum, could you please come up to the podium? Goldie, if you are here, you did sign up for public

021forum. Oh, here she comes. I see her. >> [laughter] >> It's taking a Goldie Williams, Richmond. Um I'm concerned that we're taking out of five apples and the administration gets a C- at Chavis. >> Can you speak into the microphone? I I don't know. >> Hello, the administration has a C- average average ranking. And we're giving we're voting again for the superintendent even though it should be only one time we do that. The second thing is I'm very concerned about the Calla. >> Point of order. I'm sorry, Goldie. >> Oh. >> Karen, you have three minutes left. >> And >> Can I talk more? >> I have a problem with the Calla. The two schools that my son was in they're only 21% in reading and 33% proficient in math. They're 44 five diverse public

022middle school. They're 44 most diverse public high school. most diverse public school. Um there's still bullying going on there cuz I get it from the parents. And they hear my son's story they they ask for help. And also Kingston Hill and Compass both of those beat your elementary schools and the Green School also beat your high school. That's it. >> Thank you, Goldie. Next up is Michael Calasanti. >> Good evening, folks. Um Michael Calasanti, Richmond. Um I want to welcome Ed Lowe. I didn't have the opportunity to personally pick up the phone and call you. But uh I want to say thank you very much for uh filling the position there. Uh it's very kind of you. There is there is a lot of work. And I would just want to make a comment. The

023first thing that you said at your very first meeting I give you a lot of credit. When you brought the stats from the Rhode Island Department of Education that Chariho was only at the 47th percentile of proficiency um you kind of questioned that and and I agree with you 100%. Um believe me, I wish the proficiency level the percentage was 85%. When I went to school, you needed a grade of 70 to pass. So, when you're looking at the proficiency level of only 47% upon graduation um that to me tells me that there's definitely something lacking and I think that's what the point you were trying to bring up. And Ms. Packard, you know, um, you made the comment like there are other things that come into play, not just test scores. Well, you know,

024that's nice to say that, but, you know, I went to college and they look at your test scores. Okay, even though I was heavy into athletics and whatnot, that was a plus, but the first thing that they look at is your uh SAT scores, your grades and whatnot. What level grades that you were in, LaSalle 0.1, 2A, 2B, 0.3, you know, that that was a factor, too. So, um, I had a meeting with my accountant and I just threw it out. I didn't tell him what it was. I said, "Somebody made a comment that 47% is good." And I said, "Let me ask you something. If business people took that attitude like 47% of the customers being pleased, would we be able to stay in business by only pleasing 47% of the customers walking through

025our doors?" And he looked at me and he says, "Absolutely not." That was my accountant. I asked a couple of fellow business people the same response. Absolutely not. We would not be able to stay in business at 47% pleasing the customers walking through the doors, no matter what the business is. If you're heavy manufacturing, retail, whatever it is, you will not be able to survive at 47%. So, I commend you, Ed. You're a class act. Thank you very much and to come out, the very first thing you said was about the proficiency level. I know what track you want to be on. You care about the school system. If you didn't care about the school system, you wouldn't have said that. I know you. And again, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> You

026got it. >> Justin Bentley, Hopkinton. Um, I want to put a I'm here just for basically I signed up I said thanks all around. Um, I want to put a little positive spin sometimes be a little negative. So I want to start off by thanking um actually the people who just left, the students. Thank you Charo students for continuing to be great, continuing to be successful. Um, it's actually my favorite part no offense to anyone up there. Most of the school committee meeting is not my favorite, but I love sitting to I I thank you for putting the uh the recognitions first. Um, and I'd also like to say thank you to Ms. Chapman. You reached out to me today um and clarified a uh um an error I had about um a point that

027we made. So thank you for that. I I appreciate the uh the feedback and and and pointing me in the right direction. So I appreciate that. I also would like to thank you Superintendent Picard for for doing your job and what I think doing it well. Continuing Charo schools uh we can pick any indicator I think personally and we're on the right track. You've done a good job. I'm I'm happy. My kids are happy. Thank you. Uh and I also want to end by thanking um the people who voted yes at the March 10th meeting to put the budget forward. Um, obviously that was a hot topic. It was very long and arduous process. So uh thank you Ms. Purcell. Thank you Ms. Reynolds and thank you Ms. Pouliot for voting yes to put it

028to the public. Thank you Ms. Lyle. Thank you Mr. Luzon for voting yes to put it to the public. And for my town in Hopkinton, thank you Ms. Teft and thank you Mr. Phelps for voting yes to put it to the uh the voters and let them decide. So, many thanks. Thank you. >> Thanks. Okay. >> I did not see a sign when I came in, so I didn't sign this. >> But, we still have less than 30 minutes. >> That's okay. If it is it as long as it's not an item on the agenda, you can certainly speak during public comment. >> All right. So, I'm Helen Sheen from Richmond. So, I do want to acknowledge that school performance around the country is deteriorating, but that doesn't mean that it's okay to be happening

029here in Richmond. Um so, we know that the teachers work hard. We know that the students are smart enough to learn. So, everybody should be looking at Ashway school because that school consistently rates very high for performance. So, they're doing something there that we should really look carefully at what it is. I'd also like like to recommend a book by Dr. Thomas Sowell. The name of the book is Inside American Education. It was published in 1992, so you would think it's old, but it contains information that is fully applicable to American schools today. It is exciting to read a book that contains facts that can help administration, teachers, and students to blossom in learning. For those of you who do not know Dr. Sowell, he was born into a family of black sharecroppers. He joined

030the Marines and eventually graduated from Harvard magna laude. He received his master's degree at Columbia and a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago. He is the author of 49 books in different areas, and he's written a number of books about education. I listed some of his books, but I won't go through that. So, if you would all of you, if you would please get your hands on that book, Inside American Education, perhaps it could help us to have all of our schools perform the way that Ashway is performing. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ellen. Would anybody else from the public like to speak? Okay. Seeing as there's nobody, we'll get moving. Um the next item up is >> Madam Chairman. >> Yes. >> Madam Chairman. >> Yes, Ed. >> Um before we start

031in the business, I'd like to make a motion that we move item H, the approval of the superintendent's contract extension and/or approval to send notice out not to extend the superintendent's contract to the top of the list of business, such that we address it first. >> I'll second that. >> Okay. There's a motion and a second. Any discussion? >> Is there a reason that you want to do that? >> I think it's very important. >> Okay. Anybody else? Karen? >> We tabled [clears throat] the transportation bid at the last meeting because we went beyond 10:00 p.m. I I'm assuming that that is something that needs to be done this evening. Um I also believe that we are paying uh Ms. Grande to be here for bond language, also very important. Um I'm sure that the

032there was due diligence when creating the agenda, and so the agenda format should stay. >> Thank you, Karen. Pat? >> Um I'm in favor of moving it up because that's what the majority of people are here tonight to listen to, and in the past meetings that we've had, um people end up staying late. We have to vote to go beyond the time, and it it's just it's an important issue, and I don't want to keep people here longer than they need to be. They got families at home, too. So, I just I agree with Ed. I'd like to see it moved up. >> Okay. Anybody else? Okay. There's no further discussion. Um we'll take a vote. All in favor? Okay. All opposed? There's four opposed. So, the motion carries. We will move that item to

033the top of business. So, Give me 1 second. Okay. So, at this time, the we will move to the approval of the superintendent's contract extension and or approval to send notice not to extend the superintendent's contract. I will put this to the floor. >> So moved. >> No, you can't. We have to make it a specific motion. Would somebody like to make a motion? >> Yeah. I make a motion to take a vote on the approval of super Miss superintendent Picot's extension and or notice to be to be sent, um >> Point of order. You have to choose one. >> By the way it's written up here. >> Would you like to revise that? >> I'd like to make a motion to vote whether or not to extend Mrs. Picard's contract. >> Point of order.

034>> Who called the point of order? >> Linda. >> You have the floor. >> The motion should be to either approve or not approve. >> She's correct. >> Okay. I make a motion to approve or not approve. >> I'll do it. I'll do it. >> Oh, you have to you have to choose one. >> I'll make a motion to approve the extension Picard's contract. >> That is what I said. >> Second that motion. >> Well, it's one way or the other. You know. It doesn't suss out. >> Yes, I did. >> Okay, discussion? >> Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> Can you repeat that motion? >> The motion was to approve the extension of Gina Picard's contract. >> Oh, okay. >> Seconded by Diana. >> Okay, I'm sorry. I thought I heard it wrong. That's what

035you said. >> It's intended either way. Yeah. >> Was the motion to approve the extension of Gina Picard's contract as I wrote it? Thank you. >> That's correct. That's correct. >> And seconded. >> That was her motion. >> That's what I heard. >> So, the the committee does have the floor on this. Um if there's no discussion, all in favor. >> Sorry, I thought you were raising your hand to do that, Jess. Sorry. Jess. Okay. So, the school committee is tasked with evaluating the top leader in our school district. And I think that means we also need to exemplify leadership skills like accountability, clear and transparent communication, and adherence to rules. Although this item is on the agenda, this body has not done its duty to evaluate the superintendent, a necessary step in due diligence.

036In previous years, there was also a discussion on the executive session agenda before the contract renewal came up. I'm not sure why the previous chair did not add this to the agenda. There's been much discussion about revising the evaluation process. A rubric was developed, but there has not been a performance review or evaluation of the superintendent. In the school committee principles and ethics, which are which are guided by state legislation, this body is required to, and I quote, "Recognize their critical responsibility for selecting the superintendent, defining his or her responsibilities, and evaluating his or her performance regularly without directly engaging in administrative processes." Um end quote. It is our responsibility as a full school committee to evaluate the superintendent job performance. In the superintendent's contract, item number eight, it says, "Evaluation, quote, The school committee

037on an annual basis shall evaluate the superintendent's performance and provide the superintendent with a written evaluation of performance, accompanied by a related discussion if necessary by May 1st of each year of the agreement, end quote." I think we need to back it up to address the deficit of evaluation so we can discuss the quan- quantitative data that is presented at multiple meetings throughout the year and provide adequate feedback as has been done in the past. A failure to do so shows a serious lack of consideration and judgment. I'm concerned about possible legal action based on the lack of adherence on this part of the school of the committee. One of the ways that I support our district is to support a proven and effective superintendent. When this body unanimously approved the superintendent's goals in October,

038that was a good time to share any direction we felt was important to be considered. I appreciate the superintendent's dedication when she brings student perspective into her leadership, and I've expressed um that one of my main goals that I'm observing that's in process is the cap- capital improvement plan for the elementary schools. We know that that's much needed, or I know personally for myself. Um I think that if there are members who do not wish to extend this contract, our superintendent deserves to know what she can do to meet your expectations. Losing a superintendent would put the district in a risky and costly situation, and the community deserves to know any plans for next steps if that happens. >> Thank you, Jess. Diane. >> So, last year there was a rubric that was put together

039by Louise Dinsmore and Gina. It was a combined effort. That rubric was never approved. It was never put out to be approved. Okay? >> We discussed it in February. >> Um we did discuss it. The discussion, please do not interrupt. Um the discussion was had, but there was never a vote taken as to whether we would utilize the rubric. So, therefore, without the rubric those who vote yay or nay are not required to give a reason. >> Thank you, Diane. Um I do want to say that you know, I recall when we were discussing things last year and actually over the last few months, um some of my colleagues brought up a really good point, and they did, you know, I think Mr. Luzon, you had said that as school committee members, we are constantly

040evaluating the superintendent throughout the year. Um I remember that being one of the things that was stated, and I think that, you know, you raise a very good point. Um if you could just give the committee just a second, I'll call on you as soon as we're done. Okay. Um but you know, I um I appreciate Jess, what you have had to say. Um I I guess, you know, at I I would ask that um Mr. I would ask our solicitor to advise on on whether or not the the rubric is a determining factor on this vote for this evening. 1 second. I just asking John to >> I don't I don't think it's appropriate for me to give an opinion on that particular question >> Okay. >> without laying out all the facts. And

041all the facts are the various conversations that occurred. >> Mhm. >> The fact that there wasn't a vote. The fact that there were there was however reliance on those conversations. The committee was very aware that the superintendent and the the chair of the school committee were going to work on something. There's factors that go one way and factors that go another way. And I am not a superior court judge. So, I'm not I'm not going to answer that question. >> Okay. Thank you. Karen? >> I think Linda first. >> Linda? >> Thank you. >> Sorry. >> So, no matter how you going to vote, whether you vote to extend or not extend the contract. Any employee deserves feedback. I mean, that's like just basic. I don't understand why this committee feels or not all of

042us, but maybe the majority of us feel that they could vote not to extend the contract of an employee without providing feedback. It's It's just the basic premise of any kind of work or job. I don't know I don't know if any of you have any of you who have worked in a corporation, in any area, that you don't have the opportunity to get feedback from your employer to know how you're doing and why you're either going to be fired or kept on or get a raise or whatever. I just feel like and the rubric is like I mean, well, if that's important then the rubric should have been on this agenda to vote on and then we would have a rubric to vote on to work on to give Ms. Picard a a some

043feedback. I just don't understand why you don't why you don't feel that she deserves feedback. And I'd like to hear from some of you why you don't feel she deserves feedback. Anybody else? Karen? >> Um I have serious concerns about um not providing written feedback to Gina. Um especially at this late uh in the process that uh this could actually end us up in a lawsuit which would be very costly. I'm also concerned with um the expense involved in searching for a new superintendent um as well. >> Thank you. Diane. >> I myself personally don't think it's an appropriate situation and environment to bring out uh the whether you vote yay or nay to admonish someone in the general public. If someone has something to say to Mrs. Picard and Mrs. Picard would like an

044explanation, that can be done behind closed doors with Mrs. Picard. I don't think it's an appropriate environment to bring that type of a stuff into into this at this time. Thank you. Jess. >> Um to be clear, I'm not asking you to evaluate the superintendent right now here in public, but I'm saying it has not happened. And that has been the norm, and that is what's required by this contract, as well. >> Sorry. >> Okay, go on. Um, if we can have Mr. Anderson come up and um actually give us the legalities on whether or not um we could be facing legal issues concerning whether or not we give a reason. >> Um, just really quick. So, just to to be so that I have a better understanding, um if the th- this is just

045a very a very simple up up or down type vote, for my understanding. And at any point in time that, you know this can be brought forward again. Is that Do I understand that correctly, John? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And so, if, you know, whether there's new members coming into the committee, they can bring this forward at a at a later date. Um, the prevailing side could also bring this forward at a later date, where perhaps the rubric would be available, and then this entire thing could go a you know, could be brought to the committee again. >> You are correct. >> That's correct? Okay. Okay. Um, and I think Diane was asking to >> Yeah, I'm I mean, I'm I'm first of all is there a potential for litigation? Absolutely. There's the you

046know, this there's always we're we live in America. There is always a potential for litigation. What I'm not going to do here is play Superior Court judge and give you a prediction as to which way a Superior Court judge would rule. >> Thank you. Okay, if there's nothing else from the committee at this time. >> Greg Abadjian from Town of Hopkinton. >> Go ahead. Okay. Go ahead. >> I I mean, I'm if you have more discussion, I'm Um so, I I guess first of all, apparently there the rubric does exist. So, um if the committee was not able to take the time to make use of it in executive session or in open session if the superintendent so chose. The opportunity was there. So, why why now? Why I mean, use you use the rubric.

047Give her a proper review and then come out and vote. And and to be honest, you're right. You don't have to um give us your reasoning, but I think you owe it to everybody in the public it to to give us a reason why yay or nay. Um you didn't do it the last time. Um and I think it's disrespectful to to the superintendent as well as the the members of the public. And as far as urgency you've had this is going to be your third meeting um where the bond was was on discussion of the bond language was on the ballot it was was on your agenda. And and and as far as I know, the clock is ticking at the General Assembly. So, I you know, I if it's a matter of priorities,

048I think the condition of the elementary schools and the bond is far more urgent. >> I appreciate your remarks, sir. Um I I do believe that as far as timing is concerned though, the the extension actually has a a sooner date is a May 1st date whereas the General Assembly has a later date and that's from what I have been informed. Um sir, you wanted to speak? >> Hello, my name is Andrew McCoy. I'm from Richmond. I I'm I've been coming to these meetings for a few weeks now and it's amazing to me as elected officials how much of the job you guys aren't doing when I see it. The budget is here, but we're not going to, you know, this is the budget we're presenting, but we're all voting against it. There's no accountability.

049You're asking to whether we're going to keep on Ms. Picard or not, but there's no accountability to the public as to why you're saying it. Is there any accountability for anybody in anything in doing the job that you're elected to do? If you didn't want to do the job, why did you Why are you up there? If you you it it's a volunteer position. You have to try to get it. I I don't understand why why you wouldn't stand there and say I'm voting for or against Ms. Picard because X, Y, or Z. I mean, it's not that difficult. I I just don't understand your your all of you people's reasoning for not doing the job that you're elected to do. Thank you. >> Thank you. I appreciate your comments. Um, I do want to,

050you know, I also just want to say that at any point in time the public is allowed to reach out directly to school committee members. I know Mr. Bentley can can tell you this that he reached out to me directly last year when this vote came around and I responded at length and I provided feedback. Um, so if anybody in the public would like to reach out to individual committee members, our information is public and you may do that at any point in time. I can't guarantee there'll be a response from everybody, but I do just want to say that we you know, we do our best to try to respond to everybody and and to provide feedback. >> Um just you know if you if you you haven't taken the time to actually do

051a proper review um I'm I'm assuming that we're not going to get any any kind of reasoning from you as to why you voted or not a year or nay. Uh so I would like to ask the committee to do a roll call vote when they come when it comes time to voting. >> Thank you, sir. >> My name's Gary Stoner. I'm from Richmond, Rhode Island. And uh This is sort of unbelievable that you're going to talk about renewing or not renewing a superintendent's contract without completing an evaluation of that superintendent. For the last approximately 1 year, I've been coming to these meetings and the bias against Ms. Picard is palpable. I don't know the reasons because there are no public records of what this committee has done to evaluate her work to evaluate her

052relationships with the people she oversees to evaluate her relationships with the students. We saw some of that. Every time we see any public display of Ms. Picard's work it makes me smile with happiness about what she's accomplishing for the children who attend the Cherokee Public Schools. As I say, the anti-Gina bias in the room is on the committee is palpable. And there's no reason for it that has been stated. It's similar to some other biases that have been palpable among the members of this committee. I urge you to act in a professional manner, in a transparent manner, in a manner that honors the professionalism of this woman who has been selflessly serving this community. >> And Mr. Stoner, just a just to clarify, this is a this is a an extension. Um I when you

053were at the podium, you said renewal, and this is just an extension. Just so just to clarify that point. Thank you, though. I appreciate your comments. >> Uh good evening. Um Laura Ram, Charlestown. And that's one of the things I wanted to say. This is not a renewal of a contract. I have done extensive work on looking at contracts around the state and other states. I have never seen a contract that has an an infinite uh it doesn't have an end. It's just goes infinitely. There's a usually a 3-year contract. I've negotiated myself as a as a a school committee member. It's a 3-year contract that comes up. I've never seen And and I know there's nothing you can do about it. It's already in the contract. To extend it every single year. It makes

054no sense. This is not This is an extension. So, the the contract never ends. And it never ends, and it never gets negotiated again because it's a 1-year contract every year. And I don't for the life of me understand. I have never seen that in a superintendent's contract, in anybody's contract for that matter. So, you know, again, I know you can't do anything about what is in the contract right now, but however, Ms. Picard's contract does not end until June 30th of 2027. That gives you an entire 14 months to negotiate a new contract. And I implore you not to do this. It's just ridiculous. They never end, and you never have an opportunity to negotiate. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Mike Colasante, Richmond again. You know, the dialogue here, it's like when I

055go into the voting booth, I'm being harassed by somebody because they're asking me what my Why am I going to vote the way I'm going to vote? That's none of their business. And we used to vote The last my family voted Democrat was for John F. Kennedy. We've been pretty much Republican. Anybody that sees me walking to the town hall pretty much knows how I'm going to vote. I don't need to stand there and give my opinion as to why I am going to vote the way I'm going to vote. And the harassment here, it's like these people that get up at the podium here, I know which way they're going to vote. I'm not going to harass them and ask them what their opinion is and why they're going [clears throat] to vote the

056way they're going to vote. I already know what their opinion is. Let's grow up. And you have a difference of philosophy here. You have a difference of the way we do things. We're not all cut out of the same cookie mold here, folks, and stop trying to pigeonhole your Republicans all right into the same pigeonhole that you progressive Democrats are in. It's not going to work. I'm not going to try and pigeon you, Miss Purcell, all right, to get into to get into a Republican, all right, [snorts] pigeonhole. No, it's not point of order. It's like you made the comment. It is point of order. I just I just want everybody to understand everybody's going to vote differently. We don't owe you an explanation. And, you know, let's just get on with things. And I

057don't I don't hate any one of you because you're going to vote differently. Let's grow up here. You know, we're in a school setting here. You know, let's let's be congenial to one another. We already know who's going to vote the way they're going to vote. If you don't want to go out with a cup of coffee with any one of them, that that's that's your prerogative. >> Thank you. >> And I truly mean it. I do not hate anybody in this room. I do not because let me tell you something, you start hating people because of their opinion, that hardens your heart more and more and more. And I don't want to be even put in a position where I have to defend myself. All right, because then when somebody has to defend themselves,

058maybe the other side, maybe they're trying to trigger that, all right, to get an adverse response from the people. So, think about that. Let's stay congenial. >> Helen Chee, in Richmond. First, I do think that when we're talking about a subject, people should only be able to go to the podium once per subject. Um So, I agree with Laura. When there's always another extension, so you never get to redo the contract. Um it really it's like waiting for the next election to come so you can never never clear things if there's a problem. Um I I am concerned that the superintendent doesn't seem to really have a concerned about the financial costs to the people, especially in Richmond. And that is a real worry for me. Also, to say that our children are more than

059numbers means to me it um not really full commitment to getting them to be uh more successful in their education. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ellen. >> Hi, Jennifer Graham from Richmond. Um I am a parent of students in this district. I'm a local taxpayer and an educator with over 20 years of experience. And I'm here to strongly support the extension and renewal, if possible, of Ms. Picard's contract. Um I hear a lot of talk about finances and from a financial standpoint, renewing her contract is the most responsible decision, uh fiscally responsible decision you can make. Conducting a superintendent search at this time would require significant time and resources, costs that are um difficult to justify as our communities face considerable budgetary constraints and living costs continue to rise and financial stress is of great

060concern. Beyond finances, her expertise in the Rhode Island law and education policy is unmatched. She not only understands the complexities of legislation and its impact on regional districts like Chariho, but she actively advocates for our students at the State House, going above and beyond what is required in her role, and is an active collaborator with our local state representatives and senators. Equally important is her commitment to the whole child. She understands that education is about academics, but it is so much more than that. She supports athletics, the arts, extracurricular opportunities, and she shows up. She shows up at events, in schools, and in conversations with students, educators, and families. She listens, and she leads with the students at the center of every decision that is made in this district. As an educator, I have worked

061under multiple superintendents. As a parent, I've had a a child in this district for over a decade, and I can say without hesitation that Ms. Piccard is one of the most knowledgeable, dedicated, and student-centered leaders I have ever come in counter with. Not renewing or extending her contract would not be fiscally sound, nor would it be in the best interest of our students. I respectfully urge the committee to um extend Superintendent Piccard's contract. Thank you for your time. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Sharon Davis from Hopkinton. >> [sighs] >> This is my eighth year uh as a town councilor, and I really, really will miss it when I don't run next year. But, um I think that uh Gina deserves at least, if you had problems with her, if you had anything negative about her,

062that you should at least adopted the rubric and you should give her an evaluation and you should have given her an evaluation long time ago. Give her time for improvement. That's the normal stuff that people do in business and I don't know why we can't do that here. So, I would agree with the lady who just spoke and say you should extend it for 1 year. You should or extend it. I guess it would go to 28 if you extend it to 28 and if you have problems, you should definitely talk about how how you want to do a new contract at the end of that time. Then it then it's fair to on both sides if you have a problem with that. So, I I I recommend that you extend it for 1 more

063year into 28. Is that right? Okay. In into 28 and you really use the rubric, adopted and use it. I think that's only fair. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ms. Davis. >> Uh good evening. Jim McGabe, Charlestown. Um clearly there's lots of high emotions and tensions about this particular agenda topic, but I don't think it's as big as Mr. Colasanti wants to make it as a blue versus red, Republican versus Democrat. I mean, this this is a professional school committee obligation and what I'm hearing is that there was no internal discussion. I I understand I can concede the point that the votes don't need to explain in the public how it worked, but behind the scenes, as a committee, what I'm hearing is she didn't get a chance to respond, to answer questions, to understand

064how she was being evaluated before you vote to extend or not her contract. And I urge the committee members, if we're voting on this night yay or nay, what kind of message does that send publicly as a superintendent for public schools who is chosen by the committee to have a committee that can let people go or not extend their contract without having any explanation? What kind of superintendent are you looking to hire in this community without giving someone their right and their due process to understand how they're being evaluated, to choose to respond, improve, or not? Whether or not that's in public or not, what I'm hearing is that it hasn't happened. What kind of message does that send to any future superintendents you look to hire? Thank you. >> Thank you. Polly. >> Hi.

065Um to address that concern about the rubric, I would like to know why wasn't one established when Mrs. Picard was hired many years ago. Uh it clearly we did not make this up out of nowhere. It's been in the paperwork all along. We saw something that was a mess in the school committee and we tried to rectify that and we're working on it. It's a work in progress. It's not a very easy task and I commend Mrs. Picard and Louise Dinsmore for leaning into it and trying to establish that rubric. Going forth, we'll work on that hopefully with the agreement of the school committee and we can use that. I just don't know why it wasn't established by the previous school committee when she was hired. In terms of how I make my choices, I

066try to keep an open mind and I know there's going to be some scoffing here, but let it go. I got a lot of different emails. I got several emails from people I see in the audience on both sides if you will, Mr. Callasante. And I am floored by the care and precision and truthfulness that were put into some of these emails, especially the one that I got from a group of staff at Charlestown Elementary School. It was heartbreaking to read the struggles that they've gone through. I also got several emails from other teachers. And the concerns seem to be the same. They all boil down to management style. We even had a wonderful night right here. >> can I just stop you right there? I I don't I don't think that that's >> Okay.

067>> where we're the this discussion. This is specifically about extending Ms. Ms. Picard's contract. >> Well, what I was going to say was given the emails that I've received from the public that that's how I'm making my determination. >> I understand the answer to that question. >> Thank you. >> And again, I do want to just stress to the public that the this is not an end-all be-all and I do have to, you know, disagree with Mr. Callasante that I do I certainly do not view this in a, you know, Republican versus Democrat type light at all. Um I care about our kids and that's it. That's, you know, I have a kid within this district, so that's my only concern. Um and with that being said, if there's anybody else from the body who

068would like to speak at this time, otherwise, we will move it to the floor to for a vote. Okay? >> Yeah, just just before I move it to the floor, could Angela just go over what it is again because there's been a lot of discussion. >> Right. >> This is why I have to flip the pages around. >> The act- I can >> Did you write it? >> The The motion is to approve the superintendent's contract extension. Is that correct, Angela? >> The motion was to approve the extension of Gina Picard's contract. >> Okay. >> Specifically Gina Picard's contract. >> Yes, this is a motion for an approval of an extension. All in favor? >> Well, you have to make a motion. >> Yeah, you have to. >> We have a motion. >> Yes. >>

069I request we do a roll call vote. >> Second. >> Thanks, Angela. >> [laughter] >> Okay. Um Okay, all in favor? I'm sorry. >> This isn't rocket science, people. >> Sorry, my first time, so. >> She's asking how to proceed with the roll call vote, so it doesn't matter which end we start with. >> Okay. >> Pat, start with you. >> This is a vote to extend >> Correct. >> Okay. No. >> I just make a request that everybody make an attempt to speak into a microphone. It's really hard to hear. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Oh. >> Yes. >> No. >> Yes. >> Purcell, yes. >> Low, no. >> Party line? >> No party line. >> That's six against. And four in favor. So, >> No. >> So, the motion to extend Mrs.

070Picard's contract for an additional year, that motion has failed. There were >> Six in favor. Six up. >> There were six no's. >> Six against, six opposed. >> Okay. >> Plus six and four in favor. >> There were six opposed. Yes, there were six opposed and six and four in favor. So, the motion to extend failed. Okay. At this At this time, we will put forward >> Can I make another motion on that item? I don't know if I can, but I would like to make a motion to add salary for FY 27. It's not in the current contract. Is that possible? >> Excuse me, John. Can you >> Jess, can you say that again? I'm sorry. >> I'm just wondering if I can add the an updated salary for FY 27. It's not in

071the current contract. And Ms. Picard is employed if she chooses to be through FY 27. >> Question. >> Um there's not a there's not a salary >> time hearing. >> The last salary in the contract is for FY 26. >> Yeah. >> So, I'm wondering if I can make a motion to put in a salary for FY 27. >> Uh and the answer is that would be out of order. >> Okay. Thank you. That's why I asked the question. Thank you. Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> I'd like to make a motion to send notice not to extend the Superintendent's contract. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion? I mean we just had a robust discussion. Um Craig. >> I'm going to give my feelings here. >> Sure. >> This is what makes us ugly >> Yes.

072>> to the community. Because it seemed like this was all orchestrated. >> It It was. >> Okay. And and and and all I can say is I my fellow constituents >> Point of order. Linda is talking to me and I'm sorry, Craig, to interrupt. >> you always interrupt, Linda. >> Please move forward. >> Craig, did you have anything else? >> Craig order. >> Linda, if you you don't mind just refraining, if that would be okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay, so there is a motion and a >> second on the floor right now. >> Are we moving forward with a vote? >> Can you repeat the motion again? >> Okay, we'll repeat the motion. Go ahead, Angela. >> The motion is to send notice to not extend the Superintendent's contract, seconded by Diane

073Teft. >> All in favor? >> Did you let me see you? You need to ask for a opposition. >> Yeah, what about us? >> Call the polls. >> Thank you. So, the motion to send notice passes. Thank you, everybody. The next item on our agenda is the transportation bid. And I will turn that over to I'll turn that over to Mr. Zenian. >> May I make the recommendation that you approve the bid that was was put forward by Ocean Transit for the FY 27 through FY FY 29 fiscal years to transport youth students to and from school. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Did we have somebody from the this that is here tonight? >> Yes, they were here all last meeting and they're here tonight. >> Thank you. Well, so if there's

074no discussion on this item, all in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. Moving on. Next item on the agenda is the bond. This is um I basically would turn this over to I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> No P. >> Right, it is the bond Craig. The bond language. Are you good Craig? >> Yep. >> Okay. Um okay, so we're going to move on to the bond language. This is this item has been obviously it was tabled from the last meeting and at this time um I don't know if Gina or or Craig if you wanted to give any sort of background on on where we are in this process or if that should be Karen ready to do that. Um Uh Gina if you could have just let the public know where we are in this process

075for the for the bond, that would be helpful I think and then we'll >> So the bond legislation in front of the school committee tonight is per the Char Act so it maintains all of the requirements of the Char Act per our state legislation and it provides the updated numbers based on the review of the square footage and the um the need for the structure to be placed on land that would be uh most likely on the Charleston property. >> Thank you. Okay. >> Move public. >> So there's a So at this time is there a motion? >> Uh Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to add verbage to the bond language. >> One second. I'd like to put the >> May I make a point of order, please? >> Sure. >> May

076I suggest that instead of the having individuals um recommend wording when we have an expert here in terms of bond language, it may be more productive to discuss the intent of what you wish to achieve. Perhaps as a bulletized list if you have multiple uh um additions to the bond language. For example, you might want to say that I'd like I don't know if I need to give an example, but I I would just make that as a point of order in that it would be not only more it would be more time effective, but it would we wouldn't have to explain what the language we're attempting to insert is intended to achieve. >> Correct. Okay, understood. Uh Karen, would you mind uh just kind of helping us through this process a little bit? Uh

077we received a an updated version um yesterday, I believe. Yes, we received an updated version of the bond yesterday, and there are some some changes. So, if you could um you know, kind of regale us in this conversation. >> Uh I would be happy to. Good evening. Can everybody hear me all right? >> Yes, thank you. >> So, [clears throat] the uh legislation has been revised from the draft that was circulated to the committee in back in February. Uh the the uh revisions reflect a few things. Uh one is that uh consistent with what has been discussed, the plan is to have a you know, one elementary school what we has been referred to as a unified elementary school instead of having three elementary schools around the district that there's intended to be an elementary

078school in one location that services all three uh municipalities, all three member towns. You know, however, based on what I understand the options are for possible locations, it could be the case that we could I mean, on one of the sites at least we may not be able to do one school building. It could be that we need to do two school buildings, but on the same campus. They would be, you know, basically adjacent to each other, but just because some of the geological and other features that you could not necessarily build one school building. So, the idea is still to have an elementary school that may consist of more than one physical school structure, but in the same location on the same campus. And so, where we made references to a unified elementary school,

079in in this case we're saying an elementary school serving the towns of Charleston, Richmond, and Hopkinton consisting of one or more buildings on a single campus. So, it's it's intended to be very clear that we're not talking about as in a prior draft, we said one or more schools. Well, this is intended to be, you know, one school. It just may have to be more than one physical building. Uh a comment or question was was asked about did this legislation expressly address land acquisition, and it did not expressly address land acquisition, and so that language was added. Uh the the final thing is that um the principal amount of the bonds, based on feedback from the school committee's consultants as far as, you know, what you can build for how many dollars and what you

080can get reimbursed for under state housing aid regulations. Uh we were advised to increase the principal amount to 116 million. And other than that, there is commas moved around. There's one word that I thought should be corrected. So, it's it's, you know, it's some some clean up, but those are the substantive changes from what you have seen before you. We also uh circulated a what you call a memorializing resolution in order for the General Assembly to actually accept uh re- legislation for introduction. Uh the district has to adopt what is called a memorializing resolution, say, "Yes, this is the legislation we would like to have introduced." And we had not previously uh presented a draft uh just because we felt that it was not yet time to do so, but it is getting to be

081uh later in the General Assembly session, and you do need to have passed such a resolution before we can even transmit this to the State House. And so, we uh for this meeting provided a draft so that if the School Committee wanted to consider uh approving it, this could this package could get sent up to the State House. >> Okay. So, any of the um any suggestions or if the committee has input, you're saying that we are allowed to make either amendments to that or address that now with this document that you provided us? >> Yes. Correct. >> Yesterday. >> Correct. >> Okay. And that would still get us within the time frame that you're referring to for both of the you know, for both um the the 12-page document as well as the secondary

082document that was provided, which is the explanation of the act and the resolution. Is that correct? >> So So, what I can say is that technically uh cities and towns school districts are permitted technically legally to introduce legislation up through the end of the session. Uh so, I do not believe they can say, "No, we're not going to introduce it." The The issue is that once it is introduced, the legislation needs to get through um both House and Senate committees and get passed on the floor. And so, there is a timing element. They don't They don't have to pass everything that's introduced during a General Assembly session. So, you know, I'm not going to say if this doesn't get approved tonight, you're not going to get it done this year, but I'm just saying it

083as we continue to delay, uh there is an increasing risk that you just may run out of time even if it is introduced to get it through the legislative process. >> Okay. Thank you for that for that feedback. Um if you don't mind just staying up there while we >> Surely. >> Um okay. >> Chair. >> Jess. >> I'd like to make a motion to approve the legislation as written. >> Second. >> Um and I'd like to speak a bit about why I think we should approve it as written. >> Excuse me one second. I just want to uh check with Angela real quick. Was there Okay. So, >> Oh, well, because there was no second. >> There was no second. >> He couldn't hear, Jess. >> Sorry. >> There was no second on your

084motion, so you so um okay. Sorry. Sorry about that, Jess. Just wanted to confirm. >> Um so, as I've said many times, the regional aspect of Chariho is our greatest strength. The more we recognize this and act accordingly, the better chance we have at protecting and always improving Chariho. A regional school system is our shared asset and every town and every resident can play a role. I was excited when I went to visit the Johnston Elementary School, um, Ms. Reynolds, Ms. Pouliot, I think someone else was with us, um, but I that's what I want to see here, a community that's ready and excited to move into the future together, providing for the next generation of Chariho students. Um, as someone who's experienced multiple instances where a town charter or the Chariho Act were not

085followed to negative results, I'm in favor of following the established guidelines as written in the Chariho Act. The Chariho Act makes it clear that construction cost obligations are determined by each town's student population in every year that the bond repayment exists. Um, I'm speaking about this specifically because I know that there's a desire to add a 1/3 split, um, to this bond. I think that it's unwise to risk reject rejection of this legislation at the General Assembly because it is in conflict with the Chariho Act. It is unwise to risk lawsuits because some legislation is in, um, this legislation it with a 1/3 split this legislation would be in conflict with the legislation used for the main campus bond that was approved and has resulted in demonstrative improvements, including the chairs in this auditorium. I

086was inspired by the remarks of member Pouliot, uh, the last time we discussed this when she said, "There may be a time that the Chariho Act does not does need to be seriously reviewed, but it's not when your feet are to the fire. No more delays, no more stick in the wheel to prevent us from doing what we all need to do." When we first started this discussion about a new capital elementary plan for a unified elementary school on our unified elementary campus, I did remark that there was a feeling, um, that there was a lack of trust due to some members opposition to the previous option for three new schools with increased state aid. I feel like we've come a long way since then in building trust and expressing dedication to this plan. And

087the best way to move forward with is with legislation, bond legislation that honors the Cheerful Act, and then let this be decided by the voters. Anybody else? >> Yeah, me. Um, previously at the at the previous uh meeting and we were discussing bond language. You're right, there was a 1/3 split put put forward by me. But I also rescinded that 1/3 split giving the towns the opportunity to discuss the situation. Okay? So, those issues have not been revisited. Okay? So, that is why I am looking to make some changes to the bond language, which by the way, I will not be putting forward a 1/3 vote a 1/3 split as everyone may think I am doing. But I I do have some things I would like to add to the bond language. Okay? >> What

088would uh So, I I think probably the easiest way to to tackle any changes that committee members may be proposing will be to do them as amendments. Is Karen, I'm is that okay for us to to to handle the bond language? >> is uh if folks can give me conceptual changes, I I am good, but I don't profess to be so good that I can actually draft something in final form while I'm standing before you this evening. So it could be extent that people have that the committee wants to approve conceptual items. I think you know bullets we'd like it to do X we'd like it to do Y. >> Before you go there you have a motion that was seconded to approve as is. >> We're in the discussion part so I was allowing

089the discussion to take place. >> But before you start making amendments shouldn't you vote on that? >> No I was allowing the discussion to take place first and just clarifying with Karen how you know that process should go forward. Because what I don't want to do is to stifle any of the conversation and then you know not be clear on the impacts that that would have because I think that this is important to all of us and we all want to see this you know happen and move forward with this. So but I think it's important to have you know the the dialogue between Miss Grundy and and the committee. So you're what you're saying is that you would like us to sort of conceptualize like basically if you know we to just as an

090example if we would like to see this and I'll I'll just use this as an example. So for example if I were to say is there a way to include that the and and you can kind of direct me here or there to include into the bond language that the fifth graders would be part of this you know it would be like pre-K through five or whatever. Is that something that would be included in bond language or is that not part of that? >> It typically is not. uh the reason being that Rhode has regulations that address configurations of uh different you know levels of schools and it actually provides options >> Mhm. >> uh for how they're configured and so typically again you would not see that in the bond legislation because say 10

091years from now uh the district decides that fifth graders should be here or there and you've put it in the bond legislation then you have to go back for voter approval to amend that potentially. So so I would not I I would stick with labels such as you know middle school or elementary school but um I'd be I I I I think you're maybe asking for trouble if you get to that level of detail. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Um just to be clear your application already has grade five so Rhode has done the square footage formula based on that. So the bond in front of you has it already included and when you approve the application again it it it space in the square footage including pre-K through five. Thank you so much. >>

092Okay. Thank you for that clarification. So with that >> um >> I've been a little bit >> I know I interrupted you before Diana I'm sorry. >> I just have another question. >> Go ahead. >> So um can you clarify for me that um the language that all three towns must approve individually and have veto power. Is that in with the bond language? >> So the current version says that it would be voted on on a district-wide basis. >> So you're saying that it would be a majority vote. >> Correct. >> No, that's not um This is why, you know, we're looking at finding out what is actually you know, we I got this >> what's in the current Charaho Act. Okay. >> Well, in the current Charaho Act, we can we can we can

093add and change that, correct? >> So, for this specific >> bond issue in this bond issue alone, you could say we're going to vote differently than in the Charaho Act. >> Yes. >> You it's it's legally possible >> we can possibly do that. >> legally possible to draft and it would be effective only for this piece of legislation. It would not amend the Charaho Act. >> Exactly, and I understand that. So, by approving um this bond as it is, we cannot add that amendment to it, correct? >> Correct. >> Well, if you're approving it as is, then that would be that wouldn't be as is. You would be making a change. >> Exactly, we would have to make an amendment. Correct? >> To this language. >> draft of the bond legislation, you would need to

094make a change. >> A change. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay, so to clarify, Diane, are you asking to make an amendment to the bond language? >> There's already a motion on the floor, so I cannot make that amendment. >> Uh John, can you clarify that for me, please? >> Brief. >> There's a motion on the floor. The motion has been seconded. The motion is before the body. So, anyone can make a motion to amend what is before the body. So, the amendment is proper. >> Thank you. Okay, he's so he can Great. >> Sorry, Polly. >> Where you at? I make a motion to amend the wording of the bond language. >> And I will second that motion. >> Well, I haven't made the motion >> you made the you made the motion

095to make an amendment. >> Previously, we've had language within the bond and you can probably cut and paste it straight from the previous bond that each town is to pass by majority vote in their own towns this bond. And I know I'm not saying it the the same way you would write it and how it was written last time in the bond, but I would like to replicate that in this amendment. >> If if the committee so votes, then we would use the same language that has been crafted in the past. >> Okay. >> So, just give us 1 second. >> What I wrote down was each town to pass by majority vote to approve bond. I know she has technical language that's better than that. So. >> Okay. So, Polly, just to clarify, you

096would like to make a motion to make an amendment to the bond language that would allow each town to have majority vote. Is that correct? Am I understanding that? >> each town has to vote a majority yes to pass the bond. >> Okay. >> In each town. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And was that already seconded, Madam Clerk? >> Maureen seconded it back. >> Okay. So, there is there is a motion there is a motion to the amendment and there is a second. Um I'm going to allow some discussion at this point. Craig, please go ahead. >> I actually have a better idea. Why don't we thank her for her services and just say thank you very much and you can go home now because we know what what what's in going to happen with this.

097>> Um anybody else? Jess. >> Um this is also a stick in the wheel. We know that this is part of what led to the failure of the previous bond and since then we've spent time and money to develop a new plan. We've been talking about it for months and months and months. Everyone on this administration has been working very hard. Karen Brody's been working very hard by trying to put this in the bond, it's just another way to kill it and not let the voters district-wide have a say. >> Polly. >> This is e we're looking at 116 million now, 6 million more than what we approved this bond language going in. And this is what is projected by RIDE as a 50-year school plan. I think it's only fair that each town recognizes

098that for 50 years this is the plan going forward with the elementary schools. And the most democratic process is each town has to approve their input into this district school. >> Karen. >> So, the elementary school, especially in Richmond, has been around for 100 years. So, that was the plan. Um And it allows one town to hold the other two towns hostage. And this is what we saw before. Um we've spent a lot of time and money. I'm curious how much money we've spent. Off the top of your head, Mr. Zenian? >> It's a lot. You're about $2 million in architectural work on this. >> On this one? >> No, between the three failed elementaries and this one. >> So far. >> So, really what might be fair is three independent schools with within each

099town. And then Okay. Is that Sorry, Pat? >> Yeah, I think I think there's a lot of mistrust with the public. Um we we we as a group all came to an agreement that one unified school is the most cost-effective. So, I think what people are concerned about is a bait and switch. And I think that that's that why why constituents wanting that language in like it was with the three new schools is their guarantee that it's not going to end up being a bait and switch. >> Karen? >> What would be the bait and switch? >> What is asking for >> What because like I've been hearing them saying two schools now and then you just brought up three schools and the public doesn't want that. And I just want to be clear that

100that it's not we're not talking about that. It shouldn't even be coming out of our mouths because we've agreed as a group for a unified school. And if we want the public to trust us that we collaborated on this and we thought it was the best decision for the tri-town, we that's what we have to that's the song we have to sing. So, >> Okay. So, I would just like to weigh in here as somebody who has family and friends who live in Hopkinton and Richmond both and I live in Charlestown. Um the last thing that I want to see is my family leaving because of, you know, the exorbitant costs. I I feel like when the the budget came through that was, you know, it I it from what I recall, it passed in

101Hopkinton and Charlestown. I'm sorry. >> Passed >> Richmond. It passed in Richmond and Charlestown. Um and you know, I think that it's At the end of the day, I think that we all want what want what is best for our kids. And our families are what are most important for our kids. And that includes our extended families, grandparents, aunts, uncles, all of that. And we all know that and that's the way that I feel like we operate as as a school system. And, you know, with that being said, I don't see I I guess, you know, maybe because I'm not haven't been on the committee for several years and I haven't seen the back and forth or or or, you know, kind of what other people are referring to, um you know, I feel like

102this could be a very easy very easy thing to pass among all three towns. Like if it was, you know, just from my personal perspective, that this is something that all a lot of parents, you know, especially with what with what Superintendent Picard said, that the fifth graders are included in this, you know, in this application, it's a win-win for our kids. And I have a really hard time seeing that there would also not be a financial benefit to this by, you know, going to one campus. Um I'm all for this. But at the end of the day, I don't think it's fair to do a 1/3 split. I will, you know, say that. Um and because I don't think that, you know, we want to open up the Charter Act. I don't think we

103want to go down that road because I you know, I may be speaking out of turn on this, but possibly that it, you know, also affects the um you know, the state reimbursement aids and there's other factors that go into that. So, I would really, you know, like to be able to say to people that, yeah, there's a cost-benefit to doing this, to taking this route, to having one campus, um regardless of of how we kind of get there. Um but I do think it's important for each town to, you know, to be able to have a say in this. So, Karen. >> So, if the bond fails to pass in all three towns, what is the plan to fix our schools and how much is that going to cost? Will it be more than

104$116 million to fix a 100-year-old elementary school in Richmond? >> It's 75 in Bowdoin and Charlestown. >> Yeah, I mean Great question. Laura, with all due respect, I used to feel the same way that you did. And then I sat on this committee and in this community and I saw the attacks on the plan to build three new schools. And I don't feel that way anymore. I think we should follow the Charter Act. It exists for a reason. We're a tri-town school community in a regional school district. Um to Ms. Pouliot's concerns about the bait and switch, um I I want to say you I don't think you were at the special meeting that we had in Charlestown. Um and I think that as this moves forward there will be more information available to the

105public that explains some of the changes in the bond language. >> So Deborah Carney, President of the Charlestown Town Council. Tonight I speak on behalf of the entire Town Council and not just myself. Uh we had a meeting last month and we voted for me to express the following and that we strongly request and ask that you follow the Chariho Act and that would involve going with the overall majority of those present and voting, not just the majority in each town. So on behalf of the Charlestown Town Council I ask that you please follow the Chariho Act as it's written. Thank you. >> Thank you, Deb. >> Mike Carl, Society of Richmond. I don't think there's anybody in this room that is smarter than most of our founding fathers. The reason why that they put

106the electoral college in place is because they knew that heavy metropolitan areas like New York and in the future California would always dictate on who is sitting in the White House. Very, very smart men. They had foresight. And that's what's happening in this district right now. And that and that's not fair. The electoral college was put in place for a reason. And when somebody just mentioned about what the cost would be to uh uh rehab the existing three elementary schools when I was at the meeting at Slam and got late and Ashaway [clears throat] those figures again from Ms. Picard were skewed because I said to the representative from SLAM, they didn't take out the bond that was already implemented for the main campus for the high school and for the middle school. They also

107didn't take out the monies that were supposed to be allocated in the Jacobs report for the now shuttered Hope Valley School. So, those numbers were skewed. And if anybody read the Jacobs report, our superintendent said at one time, you can't go by that. It's obsolete. But, then the Department of Education told us to go by the Jacobs report but add 30%. I did that. And it was far well below the $70 million that Ms. Picard had listed, all right, at that meeting with SLAM. And he even acknowledged to me that you were you're correct. And if you look at the Jacobs report, if anybody read that on this committee, you know, all right, that if any school, all right, the three to four elementary schools had a score of 65% or more, it would deem

108that it would be necessary at that point to build new. Richmond was at 30 5%. The school that was shuttered, Hope Valley School, was around 30%. It was actually the best school, all right, out of the four, but that was the one that was shuttered. Every single one of our elementary schools was well below the threshold of the 65% in that document that's this thick. And if anybody read it, you cannot you cannot dispute that. And if you try, at the next school committee meeting, I'll politely bring it to your attention and I'll bring it with me the next time and we'll go through it page by page. >> Thank you. Helen Shea in Richmond. Uh first of all, if a if one school was going to cost us $110 million, and then we're going

109to build And then we're going to build two schools for $116 million. That makes absolutely no sense. We cannot We're not going to build a school for $6 million. The second thing is we have divided the cost in thirds in other bonds. So, if nothing else, we should at least divide the the cost by three. Thank you. I would really prefer that each town has the right to say no, but I could live with dividing it by three. Thank you. >> Chris Connor, Richmond. Um it it's interesting that the two offers that have been considered is either to split the cost a third a third a third or to shift the vote so that the three towns have to go through there. The two are not equivalent. One of them has to do with how

110we fund the budget, and then the other one has to do with how we get approval. The only thing that those two have in common is the fact that they're both equally likely to torpedo the vote when we try to get a new school. So, it's very clear to the audience where those on the school committee are trying to go with the push to try to shift to either shift the funding or to uh shift the rules for the vote away from the charter act is. The problem is is each time we do this, it costs us money. We've went through this before. Mr. Zenian already talked about the month the money that we spent on architecture with these three schools. With the cost that we spend in Richmond, trying to keep Richmond open, trying

111to keep Hopkinton open, trying to keep Ashway open. These are costs that we just fought over in the budget. Every year, those costs go up more because heating is not getting cheaper for 100 year old school. Cooling is not getting cheaper. We have to keep doing your repairs and all of those keep getting pushed. And so now they're more unexpected and they happen more later. If we want to keep the schools cheaper, if we want to actually start to shift to a budget where we can reduce that every year, instead of having to continue to fight every time whenever the budget comes around, we need a new school that is energy efficient and is large enough that we can start to get some efficiencies with how we keep the schools together. When we went through

112three schools, it was more cheaper to the district than we went through this one because of the way the reimbursements work from the state. When we go through this again next year, if it fails, it's going to be more expensive again to go back to the people for what the town the town folks are going to have to pay. The school problem is not going away. We can't continue to tuck it under a rug. Eventually, we're going to have to step up to the table and we're going to put a new school in place and actually start to recover some of the money that comes from our budget in there. Thank you. >> Thank you. Chair. >> Yes. Um When we talked about this in October, we had those three options. And I worked with

113um the Ryan uh uh Ross Brian Rosso of of Hopkinton's, our town manager, and he did an evaluation for me. And even if we had to pay more than 116 million, um the cost for Hopkinton would be $300 a year more on taxes for Hopkinton. And I think that to um speak for Hopkinton, we want these schools. We want this bond to pass. And I agree that it should be according to the Cherho Act. So, that means that Hopkinton is going to have to pay more, 38% of the of this bond. And I think that that Hopkinton is willing to do that. So, I also agree that we need to do it according to the Cherho Act. And the way the and the more majority of the total three towns should be the the answer.

114Thank you. >> [applause] >> I think Mr. Connor put it correctly when he said, "Just trying to make either one of these changes is is not about um any amount of fairness. Um it's about doing the best you can to see that it fails." Um and my question is, "When it does, what is your solution? What is it that you will accept?" Our schools are amongst the oldest in the state. We can't afford to wait any longer. Every time we do, the price goes up. We absorb the expenses of coming up with a new plan. And by today's standards, the schools that we have now, that we house our elementary students in they're unsafe. That's the reality. The the building that you're going to get once you build whether it's a unified school or two

115buildings, I'm still trying to find out you know how we ended up with the two buildings, but I'm okay with it. Um you're you're you're you will be protecting your schools and you you will be providing the children of Charaho a safe state-of-the-art school where they can flourish and grow. I mean the the time to time is coming gone. It's it's now's the time to do it. So, you know, I mean you can dance around this. I mean but but the reality is I mean I see it and I know there are other people in the public that see it as well. Um you know, >> Thank you. >> Frustration is is can't doesn't even express my how I feel. >> Thank you. Pat. >> I agree. I'd like to I'd like a little bit

116of clarity and explanation about this consisting one or more buildings on a single campus because I'm I'm kind of dumbfounded by that being in the bond >> language. >> Sure. I think that there's that part of the reason behind this is that you know, you want to have flexibility with within the the bond language. We also, you know, slammed it a very detailed in-depth analysis. They got feedback from all of the towns. Um and I from from what I understand there was a lot of feedback from parents specifically and with you know, very young children in the elementary schools that felt that, you know, is there a way to go, not way to go. So, you know, I feel like there was more of a totality of um things that were were gathered from the,

117you know, from Slam. Yeah, so if Greg can Greg, if can you just kind of confirm all that? So, >> You pay Mark Rhodes, your head architect, to um think for you. Um he went to all your meetings. He took all the feedback from parents and what he kept hearing was that the unified school seemed to be too large. It seemed to have what he called spiders or wings and too many of them going in too many different directions. But due to natural light, you have to have that. It also um there were concerns from the community that it was going to be an eyesore. It was going to be too big and just not fit into our communities, no matter where we put it. On top of that, land became an issue. It was

118harder to find than we thought it would be. Um there are tons of 100 acre lots in this community, but none of them seem to be for sale. So, with that said, um your head architect, who you pay well, looked at everything and said, "What if we did a pre-K through one and then a two through five?" And that's where the two school on one campus design came up. Um my first question was, "How much square footage are the roofs going to be? Cuz are we going to pay more down the road for roofing?" And the answer is they're smaller because they're not spidering. You don't have all those hallways going everywhere. You're building up on two separate. The comment of how are you going to build a school for um $6 million, whatever it

119was, you're not. You're not building a one large unified school. You're now building two smaller schools, a pre-K through first and then a second through five. And then the other concern I had was heating it. Well, you now you're looking at heating two buildings versus one. and your head architect, who you paid well, who you should trust their information on, said it will be cheaper to heat the two buildings than the one large one cuz of efficiencies. So, with that said, you are looking at a bond that gives you options. If tomorrow a landowner drops out of the sky and says he's going to give you 70 acres for a dollar, then and then it's in the perfect location, and you want to put it one school, this bond allows you that option. The reason

120it went from 110 to 116 million dollars is very simple. With the new design, pre-K through first grade allows um a $161 per square foot versus $145 per square foot. So, the minute you break up into two buildings, you have more money per square foot for the smaller schools. The second thing is, as we continue to not do anything, um I don't know if you're paying attention, but inflation keeps going up. So, your architects, who I've said twice already you pay well for their advice, went to Wright and said, very point-blank, we are not going when we get this in, what is the square footage going to be? And due to inflation, they said that the square footage will go from $580 a square foot to 595. That's $3 million. So, you put a bond

121together, if you're listening to your architects for up to 116 million. It doesn't mean you have to spend it all. Charleroi has a history of not spending all their bond money, if you go back and look. They actually give money back when bonds are finished. So, but if you put in for a less amount with 110 million, that's all you'll be able to spend. So, your architects are giving you that leeway so that you go in with the most tools in your pocket to try to get this job done. So, it's just a matter of do you want to do it? >> Thank you. Jess? >> Um I I think it is a matter of do you want to do it? Do you want to see this approved? And um even if you weren't around

122for the last bond discussions necessarily, I think that there's two votes. We can see how they went. One was the bond proposal for three new schools that was made to pass in each district that fail in each school that failed. And there's the bond for the main campus that was set up to be split um per student enrollment and go by a district-wide majority, and that passed. I think if you want to know how to find success, you look to success you've had in the past, and I think that's a great indicator of how we can um set up this bond proposal for success, which is what I want to see. >> Was the the other bond, the one that you were referring to that passed what one was that for? >> That was the

12315 million main campus bond that passed November 2024. >> Okay. >> That would have been the same year that you were on the ballot. >> Okay. >> For school committee. >> Thank you. Okay. Anybody else? Sir? Go ahead. Sorry. >> It's all right. My name is Andrew McCoy. I'm going to go off subject for 1 second here. I know why Ms. Picard's contract was left on the agenda after essentially telling her she's fired and would be forced to uproot her life, you expect her to professionally answer all of these other issues. I don't know how well she does her job compared to other superintendents in the state, but apparently her professionalism sits higher at a higher standard than this board's. >> Thank you. >> But when it comes to the the this school, you need

124to follow the law. The law says that you put a vote out to all of the voters and see how it comes back. That it shouldn't be that difficult. As for the need for a new school, you know, the best time to plant a shade tree was 20 years ago, but the next best time is today. So, we need to get it done. >> Okay, we've had a lot of robust discussion about this agenda item. I'm sorry, Linda. >> I guess I just want to make one comment. We are a regional school. We We need to start acting like a regional school. So, it should the vote should be like we're one We're one regional school. It should be a a vote that is the majority of all of the votes. Thank you. I'm sorry.

125Okay. Anybody else? Okay. [clears throat] >> I'm sorry. Sorry. >> Um all right. So, the motion on the floor current that the amend amendment to the bond language is Angela. >> The initial motion by Ms. Purcell was to accept the bond language as is. The amendment by Ms. Hopkins was to include language as they have in previous bonds to allow each town to vote individually by majority to accept the bond. >> Just a clarification, John, do we have two votes here? We have to vote on the Or do we vote one with the amend I I I should know this. >> one undermines the first one. >> I'm sorry. We vote >> You need to vote on the amendment first. >> First, right. That's what I thought. And then we vote on the >> John,

126doesn't the second the amendment undermine the main motion? >> No, it gets incorporated into the main motion. In other words, the amendment the main motion is to do it the way it is. The amendment, if it passes, changes the main motion. >> Okay. >> Point of order. Um Madam Chair, if there are additional amendments that we wish to offer, do they need to be made at this time? >> Um I So, I think what would be easier is if we do each one. >> Yeah. >> If you you may make additional amendments, um but we'll do address each one individually. I just think for simplicity that would be the the route to go. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. All righty. Um at all of those in favor with the the amended motion. >> I

127thought you were going to keep down the road. >> It's K. Sorry, I'm counting. Sorry. 1 2 >> 1 2 >> and myself. Okay. And all those opposed. >> 2 3 >> That Okay. John. >> Now you are back to the original motion that was made. >> Okay. >> Believe by >> So, the motion is So, that it was it was a tie, so the motion failed, correct? >> Right. The amendment has failed, so you're back to the original motion. If somebody wishes to make another amendment, they can, but you're back right now, what's on the floor is the original motion. >> Okay. Thank you, John. I I voted in favor of the amendment. But thanks. Okay. Anybody else have any more discussion or amendments to >> Yes. >> Ed. >> I'd like to make

128a motion to remove the wording in all instances as follows, quote, "and improvements at the Switch Road campus" and end quote. >> Okay. Is there a second? On this amendment. >> I'll second it so we can have a discussion. >> Discussion? Craig. >> Um Which one are you going to >> Karen. Karen. >> Hey Karen, can you you've explained that to us many times. Can you explain the reason why that language is in there? >> Um it's in order to provide flexibility. Actually, um if you have a single purpose bond issue uh and it's for the elementary school only, then if you have money left over you'd have to use it for debt service and and nothing else. And I'm just I what I've expressed before is that when I have drafted legislation for a

129single purpose uh bond in the past, almost universally the uh this the body comes back to me a year or two or three later and says, "Oh, but we can't we we have X dollars left. Can't we spend it on this other thing we really need?" And I have to tell them, "No, you cannot. You tied your hands." So it's a matter of do you want to tie your hands uh and say, "We cannot spend one red cent on anything but the elementary schools or do you want to have the flexibility to if there's a little money left over to spend it on something else. It's just I mean there's there's nothing wrong with either option. I'm just telling you my experience over the years is that if when we have done these single purpose

130projects that clients have always always always come back and said, "Oh, please tell us we can do this other little additional thing." And I have to say no, you cannot. >> Madam Chair, >> Yes. >> Um just to clarify as well, remember when you're moving your grade five back to the elementary school, you may need to be able to do work. If we don't put it in, then that comes out of your capital money which right now has almost no money in it. >> Okay, thank you for that clarification, Gina. Pat? >> Um so if there is money left over then it could pay down the debt, correct? >> Yes, it could yes, in all instances it can be used to pay down the debt. But you know, they the superintendent has made a good

131point to the extent that this new project causes expenses in other locations like the Switch Road campus, um it would be nice to have the flexibility to not have to take current operating money out to to address those. >> Okay. >> So So I Sorry, I just want to interject. So just to clarify the even though it's it's listed that way, potentially it could be used for the fifth graders to you know, re-that space because you we now have a underutilized space or you know, free space in there. Um and then the other part of it too would be that we could rather than just spending it on on something else, we could technically just pay down the >> You can always pay down debt. Always always. >> need to specify that though or is

132that already >> in the legislation. >> Great. Thank you. >> proceeds, it can be used to spend to pay down debt. >> Okay, so that's really not necessary to have. >> doesn't require any changes to do that. >> Madam Chair, just to remind you, part of the instructional piece of the house for your pre-K through five talks about our CTE for all of what we call that real-life application. So, for example, if your Switcheroo campus needs to be updated for your farm-to-school program to to extend the greenhouse, as an example, so that your your middle school kids in grade six through eight have access, those are the opportunities that will exist, and these are the things that, you know, myself, Rep. Spears, Rep. Carter are down at the State House. The right now the reimbursement

133rates would be included because, uh, if it's high school or main campus, but right now we're looking to also, you know, push that to the elementary level. So, really what it does is at the end, the committee decides. Nothing happens without your vote, but what you would want to be careful of is when you say you don't want to do one thing because you And then we something happens, and let's just say the middle school isn't that much younger. And things can happen. It's a matter of time where you're going to say, "Oh, if we had had the bond, we could have used it." Because now you're going to have to do is put money in your financial, uh, in your capital dollars next year cuz if you recall for the last five years, you

134put zero dollars into your capital budget because you were working on this project. So, now I know, you know, uh, there've been members of the public who have mentioned, "Oh, well, you know, use your capital dollars." You don't have any left. There's none. So, you've already expended all your capital dollars. You have fund balance is less than a million dollars. You have no money. If you you're one windstorm, one catastrophe away from having no money. Auditor General, even though the budget passed, if I was just at a meeting this morning with with all the superintendents and financial advisers and Charter Oak is spending less money than we did years ago because we're doing our best, but in the end there's only so many times you can go to the well and right now your well

135is pretty dry. Thank you, Gina. Okay, there is a >> like to add a point. >> Sorry. >> The this wording doesn't preclude us from using any excess money from paying down the debt. >> It does not. >> So, um however, it doesn't it we're presenting a proposal to the community to improve the elementary schools, but we're muddying it with, well, if we have money left over, we might do this, we might do that. And if there's a storm, we might use it there, we might use it here. That should be addressed in the budget, not in this bond for elementary schools. >> Uh Karen, or great >> for clarification. Could the monies, where it says improvements to the Switch Road campus, could those monies be used to pay for the move to from fifth

136grade to move fifth grade to the elementary school? Cost us more money to move kids out of Hope Valley than we originally anticipated and we hadn't budgeted for that. Just asking. >> Yeah, one just to be clear, you can't use the bond dollars for emergency expenditures. That's a separate in in that's a separate thing. Um so that's not what I said. I just want to be clear. I'm not sure that you said that, but I want to make sure that what um there's there was three things that I mentioned. One was your fund balance, two was your capital dollars, and three was your bond. So, those are three different buckets of money. So, I I want to be I want to be clear about that. Um The bond, as an example, and those are members

137of our building committee, you know, all know this all too well. Right now, we have quotes of what things are going to cost. I wish I could tell you I had a magic ball or crystal ball I could tell you what they're going to cost if and when this bond finally passes because you're we're lucky if we can get into the ground by 2020 set. So, that means that we're all doing our best to make sure that we understand what the cost is going to be, but the more that um you you It's think of it like an insurance policy. If you don't have that level of insurance, then you're putting more financial burden on your taxpayers and their local contributions. >> [snorts] >> Uh Craig? >> Erin. >> Yes. >> So, if we kept

138that language in the bond, the Switch Road language, do we still have the option of paying down debt? >> Absolutely. It's It's in there. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Who makes that decision? >> The school committee. >> Correct? >> The committee. >> Yeah, so So, basically the any of those subsequent decisions that would relate to any additional money, that would come back to the body for approval. >> Yeah. So, that's what I make make clear is if there's money if this is in the bond language the way it is, and then um it comes to the school committee, it's not just like someone doesn't have a blank check and they're just going to spend it on what they want. Right. It's going to come to the school committee, and if we say no, we

139don't want to spend it on that, we want to pay down the debt, we still have control there. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> So, there is an amendment on the floor and a second. Uh Madam Clerk, could you read the amendment? >> The amendment from Mr. Lowe was to uh remove the wording, quote, and and improvements at the Switch Road campus, end quote. Is that correct? Okay. >> Thank you. All right. All in favor? >> Of of removing >> Yes, of removing the wording. >> Okay. >> All in favor? Did you get that, Angela? >> Present. You did not. >> Okay. Okay. It's three in favor. >> All right. So, we have three in favor. Um all opposed? Just hold your hands for Angela, please. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you.

140Okay. So, the amendment Okay. So, the amendment fails. Um okay. Moving on. If at this time, if there's any other um discussion or adjustments to the bond language, Diane? >> Yes. I can make another amendment to the bond language. Uh No future bonds may be requested after the initial bond is approved by the voters. Should there be unforeseen expenses, cuts will be made within the parameters to remain within the parameters of the original bond. >> Okay. Is there a second? >> Could you repeat that? >> Hm? >> No. >> I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> No, no, no, no. >> I'm not sure I was following, so if you could repeat it, that would be really helpful. >> I can repeat that. Uh no future bonds may be requested after the initial bond is approved by

141the voters for the campus project. Should there be unforeseen expenses, cuts will be made to keep within the parameters of the original bond. >> All righty. What I can tell you is that that language is not permissible because it is not permitted to for one legislative body, and you are a type of legislative body, to tie the hands of future legislative bodies. So, that language would be impermissible. >> Yes, but but we were assured that last what? The meeting in Charleston that we could build the school for 110 million. Now we're up to 116. >> Pat, isn't the building committee oversee that with the if it's getting out of hand that they stop making cuts or they change their uh materials and things like that to keep it in >> Correct. The school committee has

142oversight over stage one and stage two, and then the Ch. 160 Act gives the building committee all of the authority. School committee will hold no authority unless it's about the the bond service. So, that comes to you. However, all the decisions around the building are made by the building committee per the uh appointments from your three towns and the school committee. >> Okay. Craig? >> And as a member of the previous three building committees, uh we've either A, been on budget or have come in under budget every single time. You got to applaud the people from the Ch. 160 region because they are frugal >> Yep. >> and thrifty and um and motivated. >> Thank you. And I am a very aware of that. But how many of the towns in this state have gone

143over budget on their bonds for the same thing? I do not want to see that happen to our school committee, to our school, to our towns. There's going to be a cap somewhere. >> Thank you, Diane. Did you >> We are capped. >> So, sorry, Jess. >> Um so, the language is for 61 to 65% um Miss Picard, you had mentioned something about a poss- the CTE possible bonus of another 5%. >> So, yeah. I'm going to present at the CTE meet Well, I'm going to go to the public comment of the CTE meeting and in May to look for um additional support, which I I do think we have. Myself, Representative Gloster, and a few others, we have we have been working on um what Representative Gloster calls the CTE for all, which is

144really a high school initiative, but bringing it thinking through more of our elementary middle for the other high level of engagement for the real-life application. So, there definitely, I think, will be a lot of interest in um ensuring that we can utilize an additional bonus in order to create those opportunities for students. In our current elementary schools, what we're looking to do is enhance that. So, for Ashway, we have STEAM. For um Which Way we have Health and Wellness. And for Talbott, we have Outdoor Classroom. So, really what we're doing right now is bridging those three. And our Farm to School is one really great example of the pre-K through 12 initiative that we've already done. And while I'm working with our other, you know, cross-county friends and different districts, we do feel like it's

145something that the um General Assembly will consider. And if even if not right now, definitely um for next year. >> Okay. So, it's just a potential. It's not something we could add to this bond language. >> No, no, no. If there was bonuses, you would get them based on the the termination of the the terms of the bill that that's put forward. And that would come from uh support with Representative Gloster and Representative Carney. >> Okay. Yeah. Okay. Um so, there was Was there a second, Madam Clerk? >> I do not have a second. >> Okay. Um >> Well, no. I was informed that we could not. >> Okay. So, there is not going to be a There will not be an amendment to the Diane amendment there. >> of whoever. >> Right. Okay. Um

146okay. So, if there's Is there any further discussion from the committee? All right, so we have original motion on the floor. Just give me a second, Jess. Um if there's an original motion on the floor, there was a second to that, so I'm just going to have our clerk kind of reiterate that. >> Go back a couple of pages, Stephanie. >> So, Jessica, you made the motion to accept the bond language as is. >> Yep, that was it. >> Okay, and that also I just wanted to clarify that also includes the second piece, which is the approval of the cuz it there's actually two parts to this motion, from what I'm seeing on the >> So, you have to >> the sheet. >> You can do that separately. >> Yes, you can do this. Do

147that separately. Okay. Okay, so motion and second, all in favor? Roll call vote, please. >> language as is. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Let me start in here. >> Yeah, I'll start with you, Beth. >> Yes. >> No. >> Purcell, yes. >> Low, no. >> Okay. Thank you. So, the eyes have it. Okay, and the next one is the approval of a resolution memorializing the General Assembly to enact legislation. >> Karen, do you want to give us just a brief understanding of what that is so that the the public and the school committee have a clarification? >> Sure, so the General Assembly will not accept any legislation for introduction unless there is a resolution adopted by the local governing body urging them to introduce it and support passage of the legislation. I will note that

148there is one paragraph uh second from the end uh which refers to certain treasury regulations. That is what is called uh reimbursement resolution, a declaration of official intent. It does not bind you in any way, shape, or form to actually issue bonds, but in the event that the voters do approve and you do issue bonds, then under federal tax law, you can reimburse yourself for money you're spending now. Otherwise, uh you know, it's a large majority of the expenses you would not be able to reimburse yourself for. So, we try to put this language in at the earliest possible moment that you might think you might be issuing a bond. Uh there's certain preliminary expenditures that can get reimbursed in any event, but if something uh doesn't qualify as a preliminary expenditure, this would make

149sure that to the extent you're spending money, you're covered and you could reimburse yourself if and when the bonds are issued. Thank you for that. Okay. >> a motion to approve. >> Motion to approve Do I have a motion to approve? Sorry? Go ahead. >> I was just saying I make a I was just finishing my sentence. >> Sorry, Chancellor. >> I I make a motion to approve the resolution memorializing the general assembly to enact legislation. >> All in favor? Is that unanimous? Okay. What does that mean? >> Just don't record the vote. >> Okay. That looks like that's unanimous. Minus Minus Polly. Yep. I'm sorry. >> She's just not or she won't speak. >> I see. I need to include her. >> Okay, thank you. We appreciate your hard work. >> Thanks. >> Okay.

150Um next up is the approval of request for the waiver for school days school closures due to blizzard of to the blizzard of 2026 and the closure at Charlestown Elementary School. So, the committee has actually already approved this last May. However, because we actually utilized days with the um with the commissioner and the Board of Education requires is that we come back to make sure you know that we're actually utilizing the days. So, the state has reduced the number of days required. What we can tell you is even with their reduction, our students um exceed the minutes necessary for the for the school days. So, this is just a reminder to write that our that our calendar request from last year and our waiver is going to be utilized based on the snow days that

151we've had. We um also had to close Charlestown due to a uh a pole coming down and and impacting all of our electrical um and we had to do some excavation over there. So, that would also um add the request for Charlestown's emergency uh closure to be included. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sorry. I I just had one question. I read RIDE's letter, and in their letter they specified three requirements. They specified that it had to include a certain number of days, it had to include a certain number of school hours, and it had to include a number of instructional hours. >> Mhm. >> I noticed that the letter going back to RIDE stated that we met the number of instructional hours, but I believe it was moot on the point of the other of

152meeting the other two requirements. >> We exceed all of the expectations at at them as a minimum. We're over all of them, the days and the minutes. >> Thank you for clarifying that, Gina. Anybody else? All right, go ahead, Linda. >> Waiver days, right now? >> Oh, so for the students now that the that the state removed two, it would be five. >> Okay, thank you. >> Thanks. >> Okay, does anybody have a motion? >> Oh. >> Motion to >> I make a motion to >> approve the request for waiver for school days. >> Second. >> All in favor? Motion carries. Okay, next up is the approval of the school calendar memo to ride and revision due to primary day 2026. >> So this we're just redoing this because the state General Assembly and the

153Senate have passed a change of the primary day. So the primary day is now moved to September 9th, which impacts our school calendar. So really this is just put in front of you again to update the school calendar to reflect the primary day at moving to September 9th and then our recalculation of the days and minutes, which is the same as last year. >> Okay, thank you. >> Make a motion to approve the school calendar uh with regards to the memo from RIDE to to the primary day 2026. >> All right, second. >> Okay, there was a second from >> Patrick. >> Pat. >> All in favor? Got everybody? >> [laughter] >> Unanimous, thank you. Okay, so item eight, we are going to request the table. We are still working with the union and we

154will have uh that at the next meeting. >> So, I'm sorry. Which >> I I need um I'm asking requesting that we table E until the next meeting cuz we're still working with the union. >> I'll make a motion to table uh the approval of teacher makeup days for school year 2026-2027 till the next meeting. >> Second. >> Okay, there's a motion and a second. Any discussion? Jess? >> No, sorry. >> Oh, okay. Okay, all in favor? Okay. >> I abstain. >> Okay. Any Oh, okay. So, all Sorry. No, it was just uh Craig abstained. Okay, so that motion the motion to table that carries. Um next up is the approval of an annual bus monitor waiver for school year 2026-2027. >> This is an annual request that we give to ride every year and

155this is just for the main campus. >> So moved. >> There's a >> Okay, any discussion? >> No. >> Um I just had one question, Gina. The annual bus monitor waiver, can you just briefly explain, you know, for the public's knowledge what that is? >> The waiver is go for it. >> So, in Rhode Island, all um kindergarten through fifth grade students have to have um monitors on the bus. So, we ask for a waiver every year to have our fifth graders not have to have monitors because they're on buses with sixth through 12th graders. And um basically, we do a training in September and by March 1st that um trains them how to safely leave the bus if there was an accident so that we don't need to have the monitors on it. Without

156this waiver, you would pay dearly for um your secondary bus runs to have monitors. >> Thank you. Okay, there's a motion in a second. All in favor? Unanimous, thank you. Okay, next up is the approval of resolution to restore the state aid funding for education to the towns of Charlestown and Richmond prepared and requested by Jess Purcell. Uh Jess, I will turn this over to you. >> Okay, thank you. Um so, you the school committee and members of the public should have a copy a draft copy of this resolution. Um the point is to formally request the restoration of our reduced state aid in Richmond and Charlestown. Um our towns are held to a maintenance of effort standard, but the state is not. So, I think this resolution addresses trying to restore that funding and

157also trying to um mention the uh desire to implement that kind of standard at the state that would help ensure financial stability, meet student needs, and avoid increased burden on local taxpayers. >> Thank you, Jess. Okay, is there a motion Would somebody like to make a motion? >> I make a motion to approve this resolution. >> Second. >> Craig, be you. >> [laughter] >> Okay. Um any discussion? Go ahead. >> I just want to thank Jess for putting this together and um making this um happen. We appreciate it. >> Yeah, that was really well written, Jess, by the way. Um okay. All in favor? Okay. Thank you. Motion carries. >> Chair, >> Yes. >> before we leave the business section, can I request that I have these emails submitted for um the record to the

158clerk. There. And Angela, I have hard copies, but would you rather I email them to you so you have a digital copy to cut and paste? >> It's okay. I can just scan them in this minute. >> Do you want to hold on to these now? Okay. Thank you. Like writing all over it. That's why. >> That's okay. But I can send you these. >> to scan these back to you with all the things you've written so you'll have it for your record? >> That works for me. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um up next are the consent agenda items. Typically, just so the, you know, for people who are new here, um we usually just approve these in in mass essentially. Um and so at this time I will entertain a motion to for

159the consent agenda items. >> I'll make >> Do you need to be >> Yes. >> Ask first for people if they need to pull something. >> I Thank you, Craig. Um and if somebody wants to discuss or pull something from the consent agenda items, they may do that at this time. Is that right? Okay. >> So, Chair, seeing there's none, I'm going to make a motion, but before I do, I want to acknowledge donations. The Project Scales team would like to thank Morris Farm Field and the Flower for their donation of assorted soap, popcorn, salsa, and jam to a pop-up shop at Artisane. We'd also like to thank Past Past Pastured for their gift card donations to support our pop-up shop. Susie's Canapé Eco would like to thank Pete's Grocery for their donation of the

160lunch for the STEM volunteers. Oh my god, we have quite a few up here. Principal Leclerc at Ashway would like to thank the following families for for volunteering at the Ashway Elementary School Garden. Scott McCloud, Nicole Dunn, Danielle Mann, Britney Mello, and Natasha Dower. Four, Cherry King from the CTC wishes to thank this the Westly Home Depot for their donation of materials in the amount of $196.76 to Project Playhouse. Five, Danielle Scungio at Charon Middle School wishes to acknowledge Chartwells for their donation of 110 lbs of cereal to Rye Cans on behalf of Charon Middle School. And six, on behalf of the district, Dr. Kamela has offered the following. The district extends its extends its sincere gratitude to the following organizations and individuals for generously donating their donating their time, expertise, resources, and talents in

161support of the March 16th, 2026 staff staff uh sorry, my my lips are getting really uh staff wellness professional development day. Terra Bulu >> Fuleu >> Okay. >> Fuleu >> Fine, that sounds good to me, too. >> [laughter] >> Karen Dobrosky and All That Matters Yoga, Carol Ann EAP, and Patricia Raskin, Chartwells, Community 2000, Pure Edge, Gil McLean, the Renewal Department of Education, the Wellbeing Collaborative, and Dan Fitzgerald for funding breakfast and providing a keynote address in the Zen Zone with Monica Marcados. Their support helped make this meaningful day of wellness and restoration possible for our faculty and staff. >> There was a motion there. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Okay, there's a motion and a second. All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you, everybody. Okay, so that brings us to our superintendent reports. We

162celebrated Odyssey 2026, one of our largest turnout ever. It was an extraordinary celebration of talent, creativity, and a spirit of Terre Haute students and staff. From visual arts and musical performances to student showcases across multiple disciplines. The event beautifully reflected the many ways our students learn, create, and shine. It was inspiring to see our family, staff, and community members come together to support our students and to celebrate the arts as an essential part of a well-rounded educational experience. Events like Artistry remind us that creativity, expression, and connection are central to student growth and belonging. Also, we had a great event for our civics engagement summit, our second annual event. It was an outstanding example of our student leadership and authentic learning in action. Students had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations around civic responsibility,

163leadership, public service, and the importance of informed participation in our democracy. The summit reflected our continued commitment to preparing students not only for academic success, but also for active and thoughtful citizenship. We are proud of the way that our students continue to elevate their voices and engage in issues that shape our schools, our community, and our futures. Strategic plan will be presented at the next meeting. It is due to arrive by June 1st, and we are excited to be able to share that presentation with you in May. And our fund balance policy review is preparing with where we're preparing that with the auditors. We are going to be making some recommendations related to strengthening our fund balance policy. While our district continues to maintain strong fiscal controls and sound financial practices, the this work will

164help ensure we we have even more robust policy frameworks that guide long-term financial planning, transparency, and sustainability. A clearly defined fund balance policy supports responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources, while also protecting the district's ability to respond to future needs and uncertainties. We also going to be just discussing our technology use in grades K through 6 as part of our ongoing commitment to a thoughtful and balanced instructional practices. The district curriculum planning committee and our technology committee will be reviewing technology use in grades K through 6. This work is intended to ensure that technology remains a purposeful tool that supports teaching and learning while maintaining an appropriate balance with hands-on experiences, direct instruction, collaboration, and developmentally appropriate practice. Our focus is not simply on access, but on how how technology is used to enhance learning in

165ways that best support student growth and well-being. And um there is significant amount of empirical research. It does not say to remove technology. It says the balance of screen time. So we really it's about what we're using on our screens, not about just the screens. So that research is something that's embedded in our practices. Our teacher contract has a um a thoughtful work around professional development opportunities and to ensure that when we talk about instruction that we do so um thinking about the technology as a tool and not as um the only way for instruction. So we are going to be working on those two things um moving forward. And I thank you for your time. And please go to our calendar upcoming events. We are in at the height of reward season and accolades.

166Um probably my favorite time of the year is April, May, and June with the culmination being our graduation opportunity where we are going to see this year for the first time our senior projects are a community-wide will be a community-wide event where you can um be able to come and see the amazing assets that are our students. As as part of our first um ever senior project, they were our freshman in their freshman class 4 years ago, and now they are um actively getting us to improve that project so for future years to come it can continue to be enhanced. And I'm always very much pleased when our students are reflective and thoughtful about how we can also help them improve their opportunities in our schools at each and every day. Thank you. >> Thank

167you, Gina. Okay. School Committee requests for future agenda items or legal opinions. Ed? >> I sent an email March 25th and in there I asked for an agenda item be added to the next School Committee meeting to change the current billing practices with respect to payments for student psychological services. I included in there some background as to why I was making that request. And the background includes this. The Affordable Care Act mandates that all parents legal guardians provide medical insurance for their children and wards. The various states require psychological counseling to be included in medical insurance policies as as a covered service. The current Charo whole policy as I understand it is to recover expenses for psychological services provided to limited income and limited resources students through Medicaid. However, however, other students are not charged

168for these services. The billing practice change would require that all students receiving psychological services have their medical insurance policy direct billed by the psychological providers and that any co-pay or balance on account after applying the medical insurance payment be paid by the parent or guardian directly to the psychological services provider. >> Okay. Thank Thank you. Um Mr. Anderson? >> Cut to the chase with regard to the to the request and the answer to the question today. Um Uh the Charo Regional School District along with school districts in every community in America receive funds from the federal government under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act which funds our special education program. Greg, um, approximately how much money does the district get from IDEA annually? >> Approximately 2 million. >> It's a little over a couple million.

169>> Um, how much money does the district get approximately from IDEA annually, approximately? >> Right. Ex- Oh, you want the exact number, John? It's over just over 2 million. >> It's over 2 million dollars. >> Just under three, maybe closer. >> Right. So, this district gets 2 million dollars. In order to get that 2 million dollars, we have to make we have essentially what amounts to a contract with the federal government. And under that contract, we have to provide children with disabilities what's called a free appropriate public education. And the first word in that is free, which means that we cannot charge children or their families for cer- those types of services. Now, I know that you're going to say, "But, Mr. Anderson, we get money from Medicaid." That's true because A, Medicaid allows it,

170but B, we have to get a permission slip from every single family. If they say, "No, I'm not going to let you use my Medicaid for services in Cherokee." We don't get paid for that. And there are families in Cherokee for various reasons. They don't believe in the government, they hate the school department, they don't like their kindergarten teacher, whatever, who don't sign those consent forms. And we still have to provide the services because we take that 2 million dollars. With regard to private insurance, private insurances are not going to reimburse for people with master's degrees. Um, number one. Number two, private insurance focus on health issues. The services that we provide are tied to education. In other words, we will help kids with psychological issues so that they can stay in school, so they

171can be educated. But it is not the role of the school department to figure out, you know, their family relations for the last 10 years or the trauma that they received from some event in their past and so forth. So, much as I would like to be able to say it's possible to get reimbursement, the answer is we can't with the exception of Medicaid, and the only time we can get Medicaid is if the parent signs the consent form. And every time our special ed people meet, at least once a year, they ask the parent to resign the form. Huge the vast majority sign those forms, but we still have families that say, "No." So, that's the answer to the question today. >> Thank you, Jean. And is that that okay? >> And that request

172needs to be rescinded. >> Thank you very much. Okay, anybody else future agenda? Sorry, Karen. >> Um, the school committee with an election of a chair from Richmond. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Seeing as no more requests, I'm motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> Okay, all in favor? >> Aye. >> Unanimous. Thank you. Look, it's before 10:00