001really looking forward to using that space. >> And it's been so nice out, too. So, it's Yeah, the kids just that fresh air is just so so good. So healthy farm. >> Yep. >> So, thank you. Anything else? All right. Thank you, Barry, for getting that done. >> No problem. You're left. >> All right. Um facilities update, building new grounds. That's you, Barry. >> Yeah. So, obviously, >> oops. >> Outdoors done. >> Took your thunder. Sorry. >> Boilers are in. They are working. Um, we just got to finish up some insulation and then the commissioning agents need to come in and go through everything to make sure that's all set. Control company has already gone and tried messing with all the controls to get all the boilers onto the uh building management system. So, we're
002looking good on that. Well, is still sitting at state as usual. Um, we had the lighting project which they just ordered all the lights for here that we're going to do. Trying to think what else I got. Otherwise, I think that's it for right now. We're going to try to finish up some stuff then sign on the next batch. But >> beautiful. Thank you. >> In good shape. You guys got any questions on that? >> No. How are you making out with the Raptor? So, I know you're having problems with that. >> Yeah. So, with the problem with the Raptor is right now is the laptop that we have, all the USB ports are all jiggly loose, which has actually been the problem with this. I just found this laptop two hours ago and stole
003it to make it work with the Owl because the one that we had for the Owl, the plugs were all. So hopefully we can get I've already sent an email to Dave and Ree and said we need something for >> Can we How much How much is a new laptop? >> We don't need a laptop. We just use a PC. I don't care if it's a regular PC that's been laying around. We don't need a whole lot for it. Um I meant to mention it, Jacob, but >> All right. So, if we don't if they don't have one to spare, I'm sure the school committee can I'm sure we can find something in the budget to buy um a chrome like a laptop >> cuz they're not what are they a couple hundred bucks. >>
004Cheap PC. I mean, that's what I'm saying. GC is fine. I mean, a couple hundred bucks. >> Exactly. So, I think >> get that wrapper piece. >> Yes. You don't even need that. That doesn't need school committee approval cuz it's so >> just do what you need to do to get that up and running. >> We have some new ones that we didn't use this year. I think we have some new ones. >> PC >> stored. Yeah. >> Yeah. I checked with the IT guys, too, to make sure that all the security pieces are in place, but whatever you need to get it going, let's get it going. >> So, yeah. >> Mhm. Capital projects. >> Is that all done, too? >> That was pretty much all. >> Okay. All that encompassed that. >> That
005was kind of everything. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah, we're in pretty good shape. >> With the boiler project, Mike, are we able to track fuel oil consumption year-over-year? It' be interesting to see the cost comparison as the year progresses. >> Yeah. Yeah. We'll be comparing obviously from one year to the other. That's for sure. right now. Oh, and to add to that, they are on October 3rd, they're filling the oil tank. >> So, it's been cleaned. It's been certified by the state that the ground is clean and a fill it full of flowable fill. >> That's great. And for those who don't know, that's I think that's something that Barry had suggested and that I think we all kind of agreed to is that a lot of times we do these projects and we kind it'd
006be easy for us just to leave this empty tank in the ground and forget about it and like 20 years from now they go to dig a hole and oh my gosh there's a tank full of oil. But for his suggestion, we're removing it and filling the hole and kind of doing the job the whole way which is it's it's good. >> It was only a matter of time before that leaked into the soil. So >> yeah, >> I appreciate that. And with the oil, you know, like you know, it's 25% this year. >> Yeah. >> And then it goes to 50% I think next year. And that bio >> the bio. So what he's referring to that if we stay with oil, the um Rhode Island was one of the few states that has
007required a minimum of bofuel to be purchased to be part of the fuel which is going to ultimately make the cost of oil to go up. So that's why that's another big big reason >> and it is damaging parts and things of that nature. >> Oh yeah. Bofuel is not as not as clean. >> It's like clean. >> It's not as clean for the oil. So, it would make it very dirty. So, the propane's clean. It'll burn clean. It's Yeah. >> Yeah. It's better with the direction larger systems are going and electric. >> And the whole new setup is fantastic. It's all >> access my phone or anyone else's phone I want. >> You can control. So, if somebody's complaining that it's too cold in their classroom, hold down. Let me look what your temperature
008is. Right. Yeah. Well, I already have that now, but yeah, it'll be the boiler side is better because it's uh >> it's a lot easier and it's it's actually got redundancy and backup to it. So, >> beautiful. >> Is there anything that we can do to assist with the well at this point? >> No, because it went from the state to the engineers to EPA to the engineers on the filter housing setup >> and then they just kicked it off last week back to the state. So now it's going to sit at the state for, you know, short period of time, I'm sure. >> Good luck with that. >> Exactly. >> So, we're just going to keep playing that game. But we need we need to get it online. >> Yes. Right. >> We We
009need to get that online. >> This weld project has been going on for how many years? >> We're going to have parts that the warranty expires before they're used. You know, >> that's like going like five years now, hasn't it? This is crazy. >> Yeah. >> All right. Anything else? Does anybody have any questions for Barry? >> Thank you, Barry. Go home. >> All right. Thank you. Bye. >> Thank you. Bye. >> Bye. Bye. >> Excuse me. >> All right. Approval of minutes. I make a motion to approve the open and executive minutes of the foster school committee meetings on August 26, 2025. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Um, may I just say something? I have to add names in there of all the hires for that I didn't actually list in there. So,
010I'm gonna add just from your last memo, the last personnel memo from Kathy last month. I'm just gonna stick those names in there. >> Okay. Can you do that? Put their names in open session in the minutes like that? >> I have to. Okay. They're public. >> Okay. All right. >> Yeah, I have to. >> So, then do you need to amend the motion? >> I make a motion to amend the motion to amend the minutes to include the names of the personnel memo. >> Second. All right. All those in favor. >> I I opposed. Abstensions. Do I need to vote on the original motion, too? I make a motion to vote on the original motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Abstensions. All right. Approval of warrants. I make a
011motion to approve the bills as listed on warrant. Um, hold on. Warrants. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't remember. I have note for um warrant for the total of $28,31822 and warrant for the total number of $431748 $431,7487. >> Second. >> Any discussion or questions? All those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. Business manager report. Mike sent us an email. Thank you, Mike. Does anybody have any questions for Mike? Nobody. Thank you, Mike. You do an outstanding job. We appreciate you. >> All right. Budget 2526 um funding for the auditory program. Maryanne, do you want to talk about this quickly? >> Sure. So, um, when we originally got we every year we get an MOA from the state from the department of ed with the amount of money that they're going to fund us to
012be able to be sure that our program the auditorial program will be solvent. Um, the first year they gave us 270,000. Last year they gave us 370,000. When the first MOA came out for this year, they had only given us 200 270,000. Um, we had several discussions. Mike and I met um with uh bride to go over the budget and and their their comment is and again we can explain it but every year we give you money you don't spend all the money so why do you need all this money this year the budget for this year is 420 however we were able to get them in up to and they sent us an email saying that they would now fund 370 but because our budget is finally after 3 years um to the point
013where it's it's an exact budget instead of Mike estimating we need $420,000. So, I went back to Ride um last week as soon as I had a conversation with Mike and Sarah and I sent an email to the um director of special ed who had been in charge of getting us the money and I said, "David, we asked for 420, you only gave us 370." And he he basically said to me, um, I understand. He said, "I'll be working with RIDE to see that your program um is funded. Um, and at this point, we're not going to sign any memorandum of understanding until RIDE comes up with how they're going to give us the additional money to to cover our budget. It may just be they'll say they'll give us 370 plus whatever additional money
014we need to make it whole. But Mike, thank God Mike made me aware of it right away that the 370 wasn't enough and and RID now is is looking into the additional money. What I also want to say, and I'm going to say this publicly so that everybody knows, right now, RIDE is working um with the governor's office to get the auditori program in the governor's budget. I ran into Andy Andre, who's the liazison between Ride and the state house today, and they are working on it right now. um if that if if we don't get it right into the governor's budget. Sarah and I have met with legislators, the chairman of um the the House um education and we also have met with and have been in communication with the um Senate um chair
015of education who also is a speech and language pathologist who works with the program before she retired. We'll we're going to try to get it in legislation. However, everybody needs to understand that the governor's budget does not come out until the end of June. According to your contract, we have to lay off teachers by March 1st if we are not going to if if we're not bringing them back. So, what's going to have to happen, unless there's some miracle before March 1st, any teacher, any TA, anybody that's working in that program is going to get a letter of layoff prior to March 1st saying that it's because of the fiscal situation. Then as soon as it gets approved through the governor's budget, which usually happens in June, everybody will be recalled. But we have to
016protect the district. And if we don't lay anybody off and we don't get the money through the governor's budget, then the program is the program is not going to exist. And we need to we need again, we need to protect foster. So that's where we are right now. I think we're going to be all set for this year. Um I mean complaining and crying and doing everything else we have to do with ride makes them understand. They had said that they would fully they would but they would um support us one more year when we didn't get the governor's budget last year. So they know they have to come with the money. I just don't have it in writing yet. But I did get a positive email and I had sent that to the chair
017um last week. So again, we're working on being okay for this year, but I don't know. We we got to make sure that we take the precautions we need to make prior to March 1st. And I would say Sarah that like parents need to reach out to Ry and tell them the importance of this program for their kids. I mean that's what really is going to have a huge impact on the decision is parents. They listen to parents while they listen to us. >> It would be really helpful for parents from outside this general geographic region to advocate because they might have a louder voice with their legislaturator speech. >> We also have some some real um advocates. We have a we heard that there's a member in um in the house that has a
018copia implant. So that person is absolutely supporting the program and then the um person who's liazison to the speaker her nephew has a copia implant and when Rhode Island didn't have a program they had to go out of state. So, we've got some real positive people at the state house working for us, but it's all going to come together. And last year, they said we we asked too late and the bud was a tough year for a budget. So, we met with them this summer. So, we're working on it. >> And Sarah, what were you going to say? >> I was just going to say yes. in addition to, you know, the policy director um and very this gentleman on the um the House Education Committee and parents um a lot of Rhode Island health
019infrastructure is very invested. They developed a cogle implant program at Hasbro, you know, Brown Health years ago with the understanding and and in partnership with there being educational option for these children. So, they are very much on board. Boston Children's Hospital um we've got a lot of people in Yukon who are all ready when the time is right to bring them into action. We don't we need to time it when the information has already made it to the people who need to hear it. um rather than hearing it without any background information, but they are all ready and waiting. So once we finish up this legislative proposal and get that to them, we will release >> right suggested we do a five-year budget projection. It's done. >> Oh, do you have it done? So >>
020I have it done. >> Mike is just unbelievable. >> We don't have it done. Sarah Sarah and I have to review it tomorrow, but and I'll send it off to Maryanne, but it's done. So, whenever you want to schedule a meeting, we're ready to go. >> Okay, that's great. >> Thanks. Thank you. >> Can I ask a follow-up question on the dates? So, I thought March 1st was if it was due to per performance or a job being postponed, but June 1st. >> I'm not taking a chance. >> Okay. Yeah, you're right. But I don't want to take a chance. and do it before March 1st so that >> in any way, shape or form >> because otherwise if we don't we own those teachers and if we don't have the money so we're going
021to do March 1st. >> Okay. I just wasn't sure if there was like an opportunity like end of June could be pushed to end of May and we don't have to go through this but I understand >> and they know I mean she's already told her staff >> unhappily you know that's >> Yeah because no matter what the budget won't be approved by June 1st either. >> Yeah. So, it's not gonna it's not gonna going to matter if we do it May 31st or March. And I understand where you're coming from, but but the reality is the governor's budget will not be released by June 1st regardless. So, I think Marian's just playing. Yeah. >> Yeah. I know that the the two dates, the March 1st and the June 1st have different implications for different
022>> layoffs. Yeah, you're right. But I'm doing it March first. I'm not. >> All right. Anything else? Anything else? All right, we're good. Discussion and or action to increase the daily rate of pay for substitute instructional assistance. >> Yes, we're below the state minimum wage. >> We're below minimum wage. >> So, what is your what is your recommendation, please? >> I'm going to let Kim. >> So, the I sent in the to so >> this HR >> the region >> has our the instructional assistants their um sub TAs are at $18. So, I don't know if you want to just take a look at that. The same for Gloucester. Um, their teacher assistants are $16. So, I mean, it's totally up to you. I'm going to be honest with you with all the needs in
023our building. It's a very tough job and we have a very hard time getting TAS in here as it is. Y >> So, um, I don't know if Mike wants to elaborate to any of that. >> I thought you were doing this, but uh, >> it's it's true to Can is it going to have a huge impact on the budget? Is this okay if we approve this this evening? >> I don't think you have a choice. >> Okay. You have to minimum. >> Well, it's not we're not even at anybody. No, it's what I'm saying. So, I make we have to meet we have to meet the needs of the kids first and foremost. So, I am going to make a motion that we increase our hourly rate of pay for um substitute instructional assistance
024to $18 an hour. >> Second. Okay. Do you want to add the second? Um, so do we need it for the secretary and custodian too or just what do you need it for Kim? >> Really right now I we do not have any custodial substitutes. We just don't. >> Do we need them? So it doesn't matter. >> That doesn't matter. I mean we pay anyhow. >> I think I think the sub the >> All right. So it's more the TA. Yeah, it's just the TAs right now. You know what I mean? Sub office we just kind of command. Okay. Yeah. So, all right. So, there's a motion. There's a second. All those Is there any discussion on this? >> Will that be enough? >> Well, it's matching the region. So, it's >> I I I
025it it's over the minimum wage. So, that's We're not even at minimum wage right now. So, >> yeah. Think try it out and if it's still not working, just >> Yeah. Let us know. At least we're competitive. >> Well, should we give me Do you remember that last year we made um a motion? And we gave our superintendent flexibility for the teachers. >> Yes. >> Do you want to do that for this guys or do you want to just bring it back if there's a problem? >> Remember last year we we gave her up to a certain amount. You're so sure. I think this will be if we're in line with the >> Okay, I agree. We're in line. It's not like we're in line. Kathy, think about it. >> Yeah. We need to change
026it. >> I mean, this is a universal problem throughout the state. >> Okay. not here in February and >> January and March. >> Yep. Yep. Universal problem. >> Are we in line with other districts? Pretty much. It's anywhere between like 16 and 19. So, I mean, this is >> So, it's pretty right. Yeah, >> pretty much in the Yeah, >> we're not we're not on the low. We're not low side. >> Should we Should we include the secretary at the same like in case Tina does get a sub? >> We should just get it. Do all three. Do all three. >> I would like to add secretary to that motion, please. >> What is the secretary now? You guys are all the same. It's whatever. I don't even know off the top of my It's
027not minimum wage. Let's just say that. >> Tina's not >> No, I know that. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> So, so not in the union. >> Tina's not in the union now. >> No, no, no. But if she gets a sub, right? I'm talking. >> So, let me clarify. So, the hourly rate of pay will be changed to $18 an hour for instructional assistance and sec and the secretary. >> Perfect. Right. >> Okay. >> All right. So, all those in favor? I oppose. Extensions. Motion carries. >> School lunch. We are going to table this, right? Because we don't have the numbers yet. >> That's fine. So, we're tableabling that till next month. >> Principal's report. Thank you for the newsletters and everything. >> As far as the first app that went into parent went
028out to parents on September 12th and received positive parent feedback from that. Um, and u parents are happy with that. We have over 50 families who are utilizing. That doesn't mean 50 kids. That means that 50 families with multiple siblings are using it. Um it is a very userfriendly app. Parents have reported that they're having success with it and they can actually track the bus as far as getting to the house and when it comes to school. It's also user friendly on the school end. We can actually see when all the buses are coming right to our school and lining right up. It's also um I'm very diligent with this uh with the first union in that um if a bus prior to a bus leaving a depot there's a change they can change it
029with the system. So if there's a bus that breaks down they can actually notify the change and with the tracking. So if bus 8 breaks down hasn't left the depot yet they can change bus eight to another bus and it'll go in that bus is tracked. The only day they said it is going to be difficult um is that days on half days that it's going to be difficult and they will send a notification out to parents with that because what happens is as soon as they go from dropping our kids off they go into the middle school high school runs. So that's where it gets tricky but they will notify parents that the tracking system will be a little difficult that day. So that's the only difference there. But otherwise we're meeting with great
030success. The parents are happy and it's working well and I'm glad um that it's everything's going well with that. So >> perfect. Thank you so much for doing that. >> Absolutely. So, it's it's going well with that. Any other questions? >> How about curriculum? >> Yep. Curriculum. Curriculum is going well. We are in the process of implementing the third grade social studies or island impact. Um, so we've got materials uh received and we're going to be attending professional development on that. Science materials have come in and we're going to be attending professional development on that. That's um the amplify program which is another green curriculum. And um we are also it was brought to our attention that uh when we implemented the W and wisdom program several years ago uh there were no uh no
031materials ordered for special education. I told you >> so the special education students didn't actually have the same access to materials or see access to curriculum that was uncovered um the light of the onion. So, uh, what we are doing now is I'm working with, um, the company and we're going to be having materials sent to us and we are going to be reaching out and making sure that all children have access to curriculum and we'll be providing the children with that and getting that all wrapped up where it needs to be. >> Perfect. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Any questions? >> The bus monitoring app, are we able to roll that out to the regional kids too? cuz we manage the transportation for the region through I'm not sure how to get that
032up to the middle school and high school folks. It would be >> the same transportation contract. This wouldn't come from you. >> Okay. >> I think it comes from our superintendent. >> I don't know. >> What are you saying? The >> So, the the middle school and high school families are not aware that there's an app that they can use to see where the buses are on any given day. Um, partly because it just hasn't been communicated out and all that. >> We can we can communicate. >> I'm not sure if that comes from Dr. Plazo or from here, but I think we just need to to >> Does Rene Dr. >> Probably not. >> Okay, we can call. Oh, >> um, I have a middle schooler and I added my middle school student to
033the app and it works. So, I think it would be like roll out. I don't know. I mean, obviously they use first student, so it's a first student app. Um, so I have my student here and my middle schooler and I can see both. >> So that makes total it should work. It's just >> no one has an elementary student. They don't know it's even >> Yep. >> So that's that's good news though >> especially before winter comes. >> That's great. >> And the Game of Thrones winter is coming. >> But it's great that it's working well to hear those other things. I mean, before I begin my report, I think we need to shout out to um Principal Zini because uh AID highlighted his former school, Oakan Elementary School, as making the greatest improvement
034in attendance in the state. >> Wow. >> And so he's going to do the challenge is on. He's going to do the same for us or else now. The challenge is on. So congratulations, Jim. That's a great job and he has brought those tech um those strategies here as well. >> All right. >> Beautiful. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Okay. Yes. >> Yes. All right. We have two appointments. We have Emily Ellsworth, a one point FTE instructional assistant at Payne Elementary School effective September 2nd, 2025 in accordance with the educational support personnel contract. and a second Kimberly Kershaw A.6 FTE instructional assistant at Payne Elementary School effective August 27th, 2025 in accordance with the educational support personnel contract. >> Perfect. >> Okay, we move. >> Is there anything else you'd like to add? >> Yes,
035I would like to add our opening. We had an extremely successful opening this year. I was the wizard and I had my crystal ball in front of me and I predicted that we were going to have an extremely good year this year and I do expect that we will have every year in East Providence I would do a different thing here. I decided to dress as a wi wizard thanks to Becky P. And of course, um, yeah, my children were very embarrassed by it as it got up on Facebook. But anyway, we had a very, very conservative o very, uh, good opening, very positive opening. Um, and thanks to Jim as well in his planning. I think the cafeteria is I talked to um um to the cafeteria workers every day. I was checking on
036breakfast and I mentioned it to Eileen. The breakfast they like the way it's being run and brought into the room more children are buying. It started a little slow but went up to 33 now it's up to 39. So we're getting there and it depends she said on what we're offering for breakfast as to what they're buying and we have a new chip system that's working out very well. So we deliver the boxes so many boxes to each classroom then after we pick up those boxes is working well. cafeteria too is absolutely working extremely well. The lunch girls are filling the trays. They're moving down that line. It there's no lines. It's um it's a much different cafeteria tone. It's like inside Voices K1 eat together, two three eat together, four five eat together. And
037so it's working out extremely well there. And we have people supervising the cafeteria. Um, the buses are working out well, too. We still have just a little bit of lateness on a couple of buses. They're supposed to be here at 8:45. Um, I was behind one and uh just the other day. So, we're talking to Larry about that and Wendy to make sure uh they arrive. And, you know, it's just the beginning of the year, too. So, a few new drivers trying to >> Yes, exactly. But they're very they've been very very cooperative with us with this. There's a couple of roads out in Foster, too, which might not be helpful. >> I remember you told me that. So, but they were aware of that, too. Um, so we had a professional development day and
038I think I gave you a copy of what was done. Um, Jim, would you like to talk to that a little bit on our first half day professional development and what we did at that professional development? The schedule we have in their packets somewhere in there. >> Absolutely. We did a um basically we um went back to a standards uh stand study of the standards. We really wanted to be able to go back to what um what it means to study standards. So um looking at you know not only the standards in general. So not only what are the reading standards per se but when you really take those break them apart what they mean at a granular level. to really break those standards apart. What do they specifically mean? Because when it comes down
039to like something I kind of dressed up to the teachers in my own little way. And um for example, when you go to the doctors and you um when you have blood work, they take your general blood work and they break it all down. They really do a diagnostic. So we really took those scan, we actually uh dove into those. We did a diagnostic into the standards into specific pieces of the standards. And then we took that and we looked at our Whitton wisdom reading program and we compared our Whiten Wisdom reading program and how it outlines standards to the Rhode Island common core standards and we made that comparison with the two and how we need to be looking at the standards at all times when we are instructing students within our classrooms. There's
040always got to be that mindset of standards when you are teaching and when the students are performing tasks within the classroom. It's got to be that mindset of constantly uh focusing on standards and um standards based instruction. So, we're starting to move in that direction and that's going to be the direction that we focus on this year is um uh standard study and reading. That's really going to be the focus. >> It wasn't a lot of professional development prior to this. So, we want to make sure the teachers are uh firm understanding of the standards. So actually um Jim is going to go into the classrooms and he's actually going to teach a lesson based on the standards. He's going to role model for the teachers while he's doing that. He's going to do that
041in a weekly B on a um in a week and >> I'm be doing be breaking it down. I'm going to go into a fourth grade certain she's main nameless at this point in time. I'll go into a fourth grade teacher's room and get my experience with the wit and wisdom program because I haven't used that program. I'm going to go back to where I'm most comfortable, second grade, see it in second grade, and then I'll actually be teaching in the second grade classroom. And then I'll like whether I'm have people come in and observe me or whether I actually um whether I have it video videotaped, I'll go in and actually because I want people to experience what it's like to use the reading program and see how it's done and model how it's
042done so I can actually be I'm practicing what I preach. >> If it's possible how you do it, this is how you do it. Let me get proficient and comfortable and see how it's done. >> Thank you. And on those days, I'll be in covering from him so that he can be in the position and not disturb. Okay. So, we'll have that. >> All right. Now, let's get to survey works. >> Okay. We knew that this wasn't going to be good um based on the fact of when it was taken uh last year. >> Last year was a bad year. >> It was bad. Yeah. And survey works was was not good. Um so, what are we doing about it? I think um what we're doing about it is increasing the communication. Jim sends me
043a daily log and he sends it out to the teachers of everything that happens in a day here. All right. He's sending out that weekly newsletter to all the parents which is just full of information and we kind of repeat some of the stuff to remind parents of what is going on or what is necessary that they do at certain times. He did a great open house. He talked to the parents. He introduced himself as the was it the king of the little people? Yeah. >> The mayor of the mayor. And I heard it was the mayor. >> Mayor of the land of the people. >> Mayor of the land of the little people. The secondary person here. Laughed out out loud. But they they loved it. They loved it. And um he did a
044great job of saying to the parents, "Listen, we need you. We need you to participate. Um you're part of this whole educational process." And he encouraged them to come into the building. He encouraged them to call. and I know he's had conversations in meetings with various parents. So, we're looking at that. I think the safety issues have been upgraded with Barry. I think there's no nothing there. Um, we I think communication and transparency were the two big issues as we went through that salt survey. We're going to do a real campaign this year because not many parents took it. If you looked at the number and also all the teachers didn't take it either and we gave them time to take it. >> Hey, I took it as a parent and a teacher. So >>
045twice. >> So we want to make sure that everybody takes it this year and I think we'll get a then a good read of our needs. You know what we're not doing now that we have a a good solid administrative team. So, does anybody have any questions about Survey Works they'd like to ask me? >> I don't have questions about Survey Works. I think the only thing I would say is that one thing that I think we all learned from last year is we can probably do a little bit better job listening >> throughout the year. It sounds like we're doing that. Yeah. and just sort of acting on things in a quicker fashion and just really hearing what our parents or faculty have to say in real time and then just making sure that
046we can maybe catch small issues before they become big issues. I think that's an area that I certainly >> reflect on quite a bit and I think we can do better and I think you guys are doing that. So don't not to wait till survey works goes out because like I think we could have surveyed twice as many people and the results would have been very similar. Yeah, >> I don't think last year was on agree. I agree. >> Um but like just really however we choose to collect that information just to do it um >> regularly. >> I think the communication key and the transparency is incredibly important and I think we just have to recognize yes problems are going to arise. We need to be aware of them and then just find a
047solution. >> We can't dwell on the problem. We just need to find solutions. >> Right. That's it. >> And our PTO is becoming very active. Melissa is doing that really and we want them to be active. we want to be involved in. So Melissa's got a lot of great events that she's hoping to plan this year and we're hoping to get a lot of participation in the Sunday where they introduce um Jim with the Sunday party outside the ice cream party. We had a very good turnout for that as well, parents and kids that night as well. So we're reaching out and we hope that that we'll see a a big improvement or at least it'll give us an idea of what we still need to do. You're never perfect, so there's always something that
048you can improve on as you move forward. Thank you. >> Yes, I'm sorry. Yes, >> that's okay. Um I was just going to say years ago they used to give Amazon gift cards um through raffle for doing the survey. So something like that. >> That's a good idea. Incentives incentives to fill it out. >> They're going to try to start a campaign. So that's a good idea. Now Jim, he has started something with the kids in school for positive behavior. You want to tell them about that? >> Do you have a school store >> sticker? School top cats. So we have certain we have certain schoolwide expectations that we follow and we roar. We roar and then um as we as students are caught doing certain behaviors, they're given um top cats. So teachers, attenerants,
049everybody can give out a top cat. And then um students come down to the office right away and they hand they put it in and then we mix them all up and at the end of the day we pick three top cats. Their names are announced at the end of the day for the top cats and they come and they get a prize. So we constantly incentivizing it's like we announce their name for everybody. They come down they get a prize. So um it's make a big deal out of it. So awesome. That's incredible. Thank you. >> And they are so cute. They come down the corer with it in their hand. This is crazy. Look at look I got look what I got there. They're so excited about it. Yeah. They really like it.
050They used back in the day they used to have the school store. You remember the school store? And then they used to get they used to get like a coupon towards something at the school store. So that's great. Thank you. Really? >> How is the behavior this year? Oh, because last year was a little very good. Very good. >> We have our quiet today was a little bit a little bit of a roller coaster, but not it's not the kids here really are respectful. They really are kind. >> It's not It's no different than any other school. They're nice kids. They're kind kids. But you know, they're they're they're kids who just they need expectations. Yeah. They need to be monitored and you know it's >> structure. >> Yeah. Honestly, kids thrive. >> What I
051have found as teachers will tell you kids thrive with clear expectations and knowing what's expected. That's what kids, you know, >> that's that's what children need and that's, you know, that's what we all need honestly. Clear expectations. Know what your job is and that's it and do it. And um that's what you need when you and when that is not known, when there's unclear expectations, that's when things go arrive. So um >> you know, kids feel safe and thrive. So >> very positive atmosphere building. >> Good. Anything else, Kathy? >> No, that's it. Tonight, >> any other questions or any other discussion for under survey works or any of that any of that? >> Is the number of participants public knowledge? Yeah, I >> I know, but I didn't know if I had something that
052wasn't public knowledge. So, I I do think looking at survey works, there's 45 families that responded and we have over 250 kids. >> Exactly. That's why I was saying we got to figure out something. >> Yeah. Gearing it up beforehand and I think that there was a lot of like burnout before this and it was like >> done. >> Yeah. Just another another thing. So I think you know having it open and I know Kathy you had mentioned last year of maybe having an opportunity for families that don't have computer access to come in um looking at that 45 families. I know I was one of them. So take me out and 44 >> um giving families the opportunity and >> looking at different um >> you know aspects of survey works like our special
053ed population is one that we're you know looking at the special ed programs as Jim mentioned and only eight families responded in the special ed section of um survey works. So having their input is important in that area so that we know kind of a direction to go towards. So, >> even if we had something at night and we offered >> and we offered something like if I picked up Yeah, I could pick up something. >> I think we're going to do that. >> So, when does it happen? >> Um, it had one night and I I could bake pies or cookies and we could have >> January. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think it stops opening in January. >> Okay. So, why don't we just like I think if we had one night here as
054an incentive >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I would probably try and piggyback it on another night as well that might already have an event here. >> That's a good idea, too. Yeah. >> As exciting as it is to fill up survey works, >> but if there's, you know, >> or whatever set up works body >> Yeah. something's like you feed me. >> So, thank you, Lauren. I I appreciate that. Yeah. student you are given a dashboard. So when you get that information you put it out like I I put them on my weekly brief >> you would get that information you know what your response rate is. >> So when it actually becomes time I will let parents know and then I'm monitoring the the result the results teacher student and parent so I
055can actually boost that if I we need to do a further boost I can get that information out because that's what we do that's what I do school. So yeah, you want that that information is important and we want to make sure >> that maybe a PTO can also. >> So we'll talk about this more I think in December before >> Yeah. >> or J like whenever or January before it stops. >> Yeah. >> Really winding down. Okay. I think that's that's all. We got that. >> All right. So we have a bunch of policies to resend but um so Eileen I know there's one you have a question about. So, I'm going to make a blanket um motion if that's okay. >> And then we'll just take that one out if you want to
056take it out. Is that okay? Under discussion. All right. So, I make a motion to resend the policies as presented in that packet. Do you want me to list them all? Do I have to list them all? >> Marian, you already got them. You need to second that motion. >> Second. >> Okay. Discussion. Eileen. Go. >> I would like to um the >> meal charges. >> The meal charges. I if we could move that information to the handbook uh the student handbook we could so that information stays out there. >> Okay, >> that would be helpful. >> That's why it's really um >> it's more of a procedure, not a policy. >> Some things that you have in there are procedures, not necessarily your policies. You had things like MOAS in there. You had one
057policy that was written on a typewriter. It was still in there in one of the big pile of those sins. It was interesting to to see that. >> Well, yeah. So, anyway, this is the first couple of um this we're going to have David take all these down because they're not applicable anymore. Some are old and they should not even be up there. Outdated. So, um and then we're starting, as you know, with the new policies. So, there's a motion. There's a second. We're going to we're still going to resend the meal changing policy, right, Eileen? We're just going to put it into the handbook just so parents stay aware of that. So there's a motion. There's a second. Any discussion? >> I'll give it to you, Jim. >> All right. All those in favor?
058>> I opposed. Abstensions. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Okay. Testing security. >> Nope. That's part of the >> Oh, that was part Okay. I was like, wait a minute. That's okay. That's carry over. Thank you. First reading of of the general powers and duties of the foster school committee policy. I make a motion to approve the first reading of the general powers and duties of the foster school committee policy. >> Second. >> Do we need this in the because this is like a state. Yeah, we do. Okay. >> Yep. >> Because statements like it's a 16-9. >> It is but you need it in your policy handbook. >> All right. So, this is just there's really no conversation about this because this is a state. Yeah. >> All right. So, all
059those in favor I >> most of these are >> approve. Oppose. Sorry. All right. Motion carries. Um, and make a motion to approve the first reading of the code of basic principles and ethical standards policy. >> Second. >> And again, this is >> 16-2. Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions? I make a motion to approve the first reading of school committee bylaws policy. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Again, this is what >> we had a um at last one of last year's school committee meetings that after the first readings went through that they would be accessible for >> y >> and these are all 16 so far all the ones that we've done are all 16-2-9 like.1 point2 and.3 but yeah they're all going to be >> available and okay because
060I know that that was something that we brought make sure please that at the next before they're approved as a as a formal reading before they're adopted please Make sure we have all these printed for the public. >> Y um >> put them on the website. >> No, no, no, no, no, no. They can't be on the website yet. >> Okay. So, what I had done in the past, >> hard copies here. Wait, >> just have hard copies here for everybody. I can do that. >> Yeah, because these are like she said, they're laws. So, we can't touch them. Some of them I just want them to review and date 2025 because they haven't been looked at. >> We're aware of them. So, they're aware of them. Last year there was second readings before any
061public was able to read. >> So whenever there's a second reading yes there's going to be hard copies >> whether it's law or not. >> Exactly. So whenever we do a whenever we do a second reading Kim I want to have hard copies for the public to be aware of what we're approving. >> Should they be available beforehand because if we have 16 >> How about if we we we put them in the newsletter last time. Could I just have Jim send it as a first reading in the newsletters to everybody so they can read it? So the first readings, remember it's it's before they're on the agenda for the second meeting, but you put them on the agenda. So your agendas are posted at least a week be, you know, like people need to
062see them before we sit here for the second meeting. >> I think the issue is that post on an agenda, they can't see what we're actually going to be reviewing and reading. So we just >> Well, these were all listed on the agenda, though, >> but they don't have the actual actual >> Oh, so on the agenda, you can't attach Can you attach the >> I've never done it. I don't I didn't know I could as a first read. I guess >> that's a lot of people. I mean, it's a lot of people. >> I could just give him a link and he could send it in the newsletter. >> I think we're going to be embarking on a bunch of these like it which is great. >> It's not just so whatever we do
063this time should work for the next year. >> That's right. So, can I make the newslet I don't think that's >> Hold on. Can I make a suggestion? You post this on the website, do you not? >> I I post the agenda on the website. So on the website, if we could attach the links to all these and they can click on any one that they want to read, >> as long as it says draft, big big bold on each. >> It has to say draft. Yes. Okay. >> So if they post it with the >> No. So have Jacob have our IT guy. >> Okay. >> Put the links underneath it. >> Even on our school school committee policies page, you know, we can maybe put a second link to that that is like
064policies under review. Just somewhere where they can see. >> So this is on the attorney general website. That's what I'm saying. >> No, no, no. Not on the train. No, no. I'm saying No, I'm saying on our website. Do you >> I'm saying on the Isaac Kane website draft. Okay. >> That's what I'm That's what I'm saying. Not on Secretary of State. No, forget that. I don't know how to do that. >> I was saying on the Isaac Payne website. That's a good idea. >> We will put CL We'll put attachment links so anybody can click on whatever link they choose to read >> as first >> as a as a first reading before they come to the meeting for the second reading because I agree with Maryanne. They have to be able to read
065it prior to coming here. >> Okay. And then once it's approved, we're held to that expectation. So making sure that we have an understanding. >> Exactly. Everybody does. Yes. So it'll be just after the first reading, then I will put it up. Correct. Yes. Because you can't do it as a first reading because we have in case we make changes, >> but you have to make sure it's draft. >> It has to say draft. Yep. I'll put draft all over it. Yep. I can do that. >> If there are some that are just law, like they're non-negotiable. >> There's no draft on that. >> We can maybe put Well, we can put on the thing like >> I'll just put draft on it for now and then I can and then they'll We'll just put
066>> everything. >> So, we're going to we're going to attach it on the Isaac Payne website under attack. Perfect. Is that >> And only after we do the first reading, correct? Yeah. Okay. We have to sign off on every policy. So, taking all of them off and then >> everyone needs to be aware of it. Parents, teachers, everyone needs to be aware of any changes that are being made, absentee, whatever it might be. So, yes, I agree 100%. So, >> give me a couple of days to get Jacob to tomorrow. >> Really? As long as it's done before the You know what I mean? As long as it's done prior to the next meeting. Yeah. That's all it comes down to. >> All right. Um, so do we end up approving that? >> Yes. First
067reading of the policy review cycle policy. >> Okay. >> Second. >> So, we don't let it go this long time. >> All right. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I oppose absentions. First reading of the access to public records procedure policy. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Absentions. First reading of the legal structure and system of governance policy. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in Oh, all those in favor? I oppose. Abstentious. >> Review of school committee agenda preparation policy. >> So, let's let's have a second first and then we'll have discussion. >> Eileen. discussion >> a week. I agree. >> Yeah. Seven days. Okay. >> So, we're going to make we're going to change that to seven days prior. >> Most people don't have this in
068their policy handbook. Do you want it? This was something you developed. My understanding from him >> handbook. >> The agenda. The policy. >> That's it. They've had that. >> They had it. They've agenda. Okay. You want to keep it? >> Yes. I think it's policy. I think Yes. I think it's important. Okay. >> But we're going to make it seven days instead of 14 days. So, that's realistic >> cuz sometimes things come up, you're like, "Oh, wait. I want this on." And I always try to have Kim reach out to you guys ahead like with just a couple days just in case you forgot about something. >> So, just in case. So, >> um with the change of 7 days prior versus 14. All those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. All right. Um make
069a motion to approve the 2526 virtual district virtual learning day plan. >> Second. the discussion on this? No. Okay. All right. All those in favor? >> I I oppose abstensions. Um I make a motion to approve the memorandum of agreement between the foster school committee and foster teachers association. >> Okay. Now that's not a policy. We're we're done with >> policies are done. Yeah. Second. >> Any discussion on this? >> Thank you. >> When are we signing? Do we know that? Yeah. What are you talking about? >> The teacher contract contract. >> Um, as soon as you and Kathy >> I sign you sign. >> No, look at the the black line copy that I did over the weekend that I talked to Crystal about today. >> Okay. >> But I need >> No, but
070I need you to look at the red line copy and the black line copy and make sure that >> All right. So, it's done. It's just a matter of >> So, we'll look at that. They have to match up >> together. No, before he was just signed because I changed and I accept it >> just so Crystal doesn't have any questions. We'll look at it together. >> It's me and you. >> I'm sending it to Crystal and not the either one of you. >> All right. And any other discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. Um we did the fiscal impact statement last month, right? >> That we did. Yes, you did a fiscal impact statement on >> last month. We did it last month. Okay. >> Yeah, that was all done last
071month. So then why didn't we do approve the contract? >> No, this was a this was a >> memorandum. This was a memory. Okay. Um approval. I make a motion to approve the homeschool request as presented. >> Second. >> Um all those in favor? >> I oppose abstensions and 29 we're tableabling because we don't have the money. >> Well, what you're talking about 28? >> No, 29 auditory or >> administrative contract. >> Let's table it until I get till next month. >> So we're tableing that till next month. Okay. I make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. You can stay here of sentence. Okay. >> Thank you everyone for coming. Oh