001Okay. Good evening. I'd like to call the Foster-Gloucester School Committee to order. Could I please have roll call? Mrs. Joyce? Here. Ms. Tamara? Here. Mrs. Pezza? Here. Mr. Dupuis? Here. Mrs. Keeling? Mr. Joyce? Here. Ms. Cook? Ms. Ferreira? And Mr. Rizzo? Here. Can we rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Um student and staff recognition. We have had a tremendous couple of weeks. Um so, but we're not going to recognize them until April because it just all happened this past weekend. So, we will bring them in. We have wrestling boys and girls wrestling, both state champs. Basketball Yes, so um so, I did I did
002um I do have a few recognitions cuz it's been definitely a pretty busy month, and as you know, February was CTE spotlight month. So, thank you, Mrs. Keeling, for giving me an opportunity to to go in the student staff recognition. Uh these are just some very small highlights to to recognize. We will definitely have more, but it has been a really busy month, which is a good a good thing. Um the construction management co-teaching model uh pairing the geometry and construction uh teacher that's allowed students to really experience math I love uh through a practical lens, making those immediate connections with the geometric concepts and principles and the hands-on project. That is powerful in the world of mathematics, and we're thrilled about that. That was a spotlight um in February. But, athletic and student updates,
003our middle school girls basketball made it to the state finals, and I know we're going to recognize them. Boys and girls wrestling, boys and girls wrestling won the state championship, first time ever in Rhode Island state history. I'll say that again, first time ever We did. >> in Rhode Island state history. Congratulations. And we'll do the official recognition in April, but there was just too much to let all of that time pass. Um boys wrestling, New England champions fourth year in a row. Boys basketball state division three champions first time in 24 years. Um coach and assistant coach Ponaganset graduates. Um girls cheerleading division three champions. E-sports state runner-up, Mr. Carnovali. Um and DECA students, uh sorry, uh girls high school basketball team are in the state finals. And then our DECA students uh competed
004in the state competition, and 30 students medaled. Four first place medalists, 13 second place medalists, 13 third place medalists, and 25 students qualified for the national competition in April. You guys are going to say much more about that, but that's just needs to be here as well. Congratulations. We had uh students in the production of The Bugs. They performed for our community this past weekend, and it was a wonderful wonderful performance. And then we have some upcoming events. Our SkillsUSA competitions this month, we've expanded all uh our CT programs were involved in the competition, super excited about that. We have our robotics competition. That's that's a big one coming. And then we will celebrate being a National Banner Unified Champion School again. So, this is a little bit, I know I probably missed some of
005it, but you just needed to see the really great things that have been going on in the past month. So, thank you, Mrs. Kelley, for allowing me to have that opportunity. But, we'll have more next month. Um discussion and Nope, let's start with public comment. Let's open the agenda or the the meeting with any public comment. None? All right, we'll wait. Discussion and or public action on the following: approval of meeting minutes. Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the minutes of the open meeting on February 3rd, 2026. Second. Any discussion? Yes. Um sorry, thank you. Um I just I watched the minutes, I watched the meeting last night to make sure um that I wasn't incorrect. So, if I could please, item number 16, discussion approval of Appra coordinator stipend. Ho- hold on
006one second. Show. Okay. Okay, it's What's missing here is miss- um Greg added in the motion contingent to school committee approval. So, I watched the meeting last night to ensure I was correct, that's how I remembered it. And that's what was missing. It just cuz that's that's important because so the stipend can't be given until school committee approves it. It says It just says motion by Miss to approve a stipend as determined by the superintendent for the Appra Oh, subject to school committee appro- Okay. Yep, it is. So, I just I didn't know if it had to be different cuz it said contingent, that's what Greg said, but that's fine. So. Okay. So, is it okay, Chef? Yep, that's it's it's close. Yeah, that's fine. Any other discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Abstentions? I'm
007going to abstain cuz I wasn't there. All right, So, we're at 501 601 601 Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the minutes of the executive session meeting on February 3rd, 2026. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Abstentions? I abstain. 601, Mark present. Approval of monthly bills. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the monthly bills dated February 1st, 2026 to February 28th in the amount of 1 million 8 thousand >> thousand 461 dollars and 91 7 cents. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. >> Aye. Opposed? Abstentions? Approval of cell tower funds. Madam Do you want to make the motion and we'll discuss? Go ahead. Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve 1,250 dollars to allow 25 students that qualify to attend DECA ICDC trip to Atlanta, Georgia in April
008of 2026. Funds will be allocated to offset the cost of airfare, travel, bus transportation, extracurricular events, etc. Matching funds request of 1,250. Second. Any discussion? Should we let Do you have anything you want to share? Yeah. Hello and thank you for the opportunity for us to speak today a little bit about what we've done in the last month and what we're looking forward to in April. Uh my name is Bailey Bragg on behalf of the Pontiac DECA business teacher here as well. Um a lot of to be excited about this past month. Um we just heard some of the successes, which is amazing. And thank you for the opportunity like we like to continue on with that a little bit of discussion from our leadership team and some qualifiers for the International Career Development Conference
009in April to Atlanta. Just a little backstory of where your funds went last year. Last year we sent 22 students to ICDC in Orlando and we had a phenomenal time and this year we came back bigger and better than ever and I just wanted to address some things. Last year we had 14 medalists. This year out of 45 students that competed against over 700 students in the state 30 students medaled which we had previously talked about which is a an accomplishment in and of itself. That's the most that we've ever had at Ponaganset. With that Rhode Island DECA limited us to only 23 students allowed to actually attend the conference this year which is a disappointment considering that our goal was for 30 people to go to ICDC and but we ended up with 23
010so we're still happy about that. The students here unlike regular sports where if they don't have a good game this week they may have another game in two days or another game next week. They don't have that opportunity. They actually prepare for months for one opportunity and it's winner go home. And so even if they don't win they they actually prepare for over 11 months to try to get back to the same position. So it's the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat and they don't accept defeat so they come back better than ever. So with that being said we want to be respectful of your time but we would be remiss if we didn't hear from some of the leadership team. So I'm going to turn it over to the president of the
011DECA club Nathan West. All right. Good evening everyone. As Mr. said I'm Nathan West, the president of Ponaganset DECA and before we start everyone talking here I just wanted to say thank you so much for your continued support. You've helped support us over these past couple years send a lot of our students to our international competition and it has really helped everyone who's attended grow. I mean myself I've gone the past two years. I've definitely grown as a person and my leadership skills have increased. And I think it is a great opportunity for everyone who's qualified, who is able to go. And you are a major reason as to why we can send so many people. So, thank you so much. These students worked really hard in order to qualify at our state competition, and
012I believe they will work just as hard at international competitions to represent Ponaganset on an international scale. So, with that preface, I'd like to pass it on to um Nick Frickham, our director of fundraising. Good evening, School Committee, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is Nick Frickham, as Nathan was just said, and I serve as the co-director of fundraising for our DECA club. This is my first year in DECA, and it has already been an incredibly rewarding experience. This year, I had the opportunity to compete at the DECA State competition, where I honored to place third. And I also earned a medal. Beyond competition, I have also been working closely with our leadership team, helping organize and support our fundraising efforts. So, our members can participate in competition
013and competitions. First, I want to sincerely thank the committee for your previous contribution of $2,000. That was more You know what? From the bottom of my heart, seriously, thank you. That really helped us uh with our with our funds towards the state competition. Your support has played an important role in helping us continue our program and create opportunities for our students. I would also like to provide a quick update on our fundraising progress so far this year. Once again, thank you guys so much for the $2,000. Greatly appreciated. The fundraising team got together, my myself myself and my friend Izzy as last time. We had a bake sale at a couple of the football games. We were able to raise over $600. That may not sound like a lot, but when you're selling, you know,
014a couple of rice crispies, homemade by the way, for five bucks, you know, it's But are a lot of rice crispies, so it adds up. Our biggest fundraiser to date was our caramel fundraiser. We were able to successfully raise over $18,000. Wow. Once again, thank you. DECA dad right there. Mr. Mayor, thank you so much. Um You know what? I really do appreciate it. Absolutely everybody in DECA, they did their best. Our most recent fundraiser was our basketball halftime competition, which raised over $1,400 and still counting. We still have, I believe, two more games left with the girls, and we're going to be there at both of the games. Now, I'll be passing it over to Andrew. Thank you guys so much for your time. Hello. My name is Andrew Engelke. Um I'm a first-year
015DECA member, and so looking ahead with fundraising, we're looking to um we'll be launching a March Madness bracket, where obviously you enter in, you put down your bracket, and hopefully we're looking for around $2,500 to $5,000 profit from this tournament. Um we know other schools in the past have done this, and they have made a lot of money from it. So, we're looking for some profit from that. Uh we're also launching a family potluck dinner right here at Pontiac Township High School, uh where we will be inviting all parents and students from DECA, and we'll be giving them information on Atlanta. We'll be be giving them information on DECA Club itself, and how it works, um why it's beneficial. Um in addition in in addition, we will be selling DECA apparel, such as crew necks,
016sweatshirts, um I believe quarter zips as well, which we estimate we could raise about $500 to $1,500 from that. And these efforts will help uh ensure that our members will have the opportunity to provide or to compete in Atlanta, um and represent our school through DECA. And thank you again for your time and your support. Um again, I'm a first-year member. I was a second place medalist at state CDC. Um me and my good friend Matt. Um and I think I believe DECA like it was a great opportunity for me. I just came out of the criminal justice and health and fitness pathway not really knowing where I wanted to go from this and I got word from my friend Matt um asking me to join with him and I did and I'm so happy
017that I did. Um It really showed me it opened up my opportunities as a student as a learner um as a businessman and everything. Like I fell in love with the business world itself um through this great program and club. Um and not to mention at our last appearance here we asked for $2,000 which is very very greatly appreciated. Um It helps us out more than you'll more than you know and we come back again asking for more cuz we are sending 23 students to ICDC this year. As 30 qualified we're able to send 23 people to ICDC. Um and for this competition uh from the success from the state competition we are requesting $8,000 uh in matching funds and thank you again for your time and support and I'll be passing this to Marley
018Belotti. Hi everyone. My name Belotti and I'm a junior at Ponaganset High School and also the chief marketing officer for Ponaganset DECA. So I essentially run the social media pages and stuff like that. So why we are asking for $8,000? I know that that sounds like a lot of money but this gives about seven to eight and two students the opportunity to network, compete internationally, uh they can make core memories, compete in interactive realistic business settings and challenges which is basically what ICDC is. You're competing in a role play. And you can of course meet influential people from around the world, and this experience will ultimately change their lives as it has changed mine. This fundraiser changed my life, of course. I started my freshman year as with a lot of low self-esteem and issues
019with public speaking, and I really didn't have any interest in business, but when I was looking for more ways to get involved in my school community, I found DECA. After ICDC, I found myself feeling more confident in my speaking skills, and I experienced the best week of my life in California first and then Orlando last year. I made connections with people from places around the globe such as Hawaii, China, Canada, India, everywhere, every single state. Uh I unlocked my passion for business. I really found something that I feel is a really big part of me as a person. I love business. It's something that I seriously want to pursue as a career. And speaking of that, DECA has opened collegiate and career opportunities for me and so many other students like the one standing behind
020me. I was able to actually go to ICDC my freshman year and learn more about DECA because of this fundraiser. I nailed my interview. I did so good on everything. I walked out with second place medal at states, and I came up short on my test by two points. And I got a phone call that night and they basically explained that because they had enough funding, I was able to go to ICDC, and that completely changed my life. That opened so many doors for me and really showed me what DECA truly is. Um we've already worked so hard as these uh amazing people behind me have mentioned. We've raised over $19,000, I'm pretty sure, as a club and of course as a family, uh hosting incentives such as bake sales, basketball games, selling caramel candies,
021and of course selling and designing custom Ponaganset DECA merchandise. And now we need your help to make these dreams come true. Ponaganset DECA has been so successful over half of our club qualified competing against all of Rhode Island. Now, let's grow this spotlight and give these deserving students the opportunity to take home DECA glass competing against over 25,000 students in Atlanta, Georgia. You changed my life, so let's do the same for the rest of the people in this club. I would just like to say some closing words here. Thank you to everyone once again. Without your support, we wouldn't be as afloat as we are right now. Our club has grown exponentially over the past few years, and it has been a large part due to your support. We were able to send so many
022people to our international competitions, and as everyone was saying, it helped everyone who went develop themselves a whole lot. It wasn't just a business competition. It was something to help people grow and connect. And that's thanks to you. So, you guys help us move mountains, and we cannot be more grateful for that. So, have a good evening. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, guys. Bye, guys. Mr. Can I ask you a question, Mr. Bragger, if you don't mind, please? Um, first of all, you all did an amazing presentation, and you would kill an interview. As a business owner, I would say I will tell you I wish when I interview kids they spoke as well as you did. So, kudos to you. Amazing. But, the young lady who spoke amazing mentioned $8,000, which is fine, but
023you're only asking for 1250. Yeah, I know. >> So, am I missing something? >> No, head-scratching moment. It's my fault. So, on the the form, I saw a $50 per pupil, so I estimated that by the cost. But, then because of our excessive fundraising that we've done from grassroots, I figured while we were here we could ask for a little bit more. I I think we ran into that problem like last time we were here in December, so that's why we put that in our script, but yeah. Okay. Yeah. So, you you're requesting the $1,250. Is that what you're requesting tonight? Are you requesting more? Well, we'd like to request more. >> So, how many students are going or participating? 20? >> 23. 23. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah, thank you. >> I appreciate
024the clarification. >> Yeah, I know you were you're correct. Yeah. Yes, sir. No, I just wanted to confirm and thank you, Shelly, for bringing that up because I know that I believe in the request it said 25, but you're only sending 23 students, correct? >> 25 actually qualified, but yes, correct. 23 are are going, yes. So, it's they have a weird like medaling process. You you may medal first, second, or third, but some competitions only first and second actually qualify, and then some competitions only you can only bring a certain amount. So, we had to cut it down from 30 to 25, and then once that 25 number came through the door, Rhode Island DECA said, "Actually, we only have room for 23 of you because of the the group size." So, they're only allowing
025us to bring 23. Okay. Yeah. >> just curious because I know with our policy it's $50 per student, and I know that in here it says for 25, but we're actually only sending 23. >> Correct. >> So, I don't know if we should amend the motion just in order to take off the $100 for the two students to 1150, so. Well, also they're asking for additional funds because of the ex- extenuating circumstances that they're going to be traveling. Can you like can you like tell us exactly how much exactly have you raised? Like, what would be the exact number that you need to go on this trip next month? >> Yeah, so we're just a hair above $20,000 right now. Actually, no, I'm lying. Sorry. We're $21,000 right now. We're estimated to raise another between
0262,500 to 5,000 before we actually leave for Atlanta between a couple fundraisers that were mentioned, but 25,000 would probably be where we need to be at to be comfortable with what we're doing. There's a couple activities that we do while we're down there in our free time so that we're not causing trouble at hotels and stuff like that, so. May may I ask what So, what do you suggest you're asking for here? Cuz I I would think that we should amend the motion, have a discussion about that value, and then see what the committee Yeah. feel you would need in order to make this trip happen. Well, the other portion of it too is that we'd like to leave some funds in reserve for next year. And to go go into next year not have
027the $1,500 for like our registration and stuff. That's something that I was concerned about going in. So, to that 8,000 for transportation and travel costs and hotel fees and things like that, that would kind of leave us a little bit in reserve from the funds that we've already raised. So, that's that's where that was. Uh about about 25,000 for the entire trip. So, the request from cell tower funds though, if I'm hearing it correctly, is 8,000? Correct. So, can I make a motion to a to amend Aaron's motion so that we are allocating $8,000 from cell tower funds? I I was going to say if if they need more money they can come back, right? For next year. For next year. Okay, if if we're if they're at 21,000 now and they need 25, what
028what's approved for 4,000? Sure. >> they need more come if unless you think there's a risk that you wouldn't be able to make the payment. There's always a risk. And the thing about Atlanta as opposed to Orlando last year is that it's not a tax-exempt state. So, that's going to add to our costs as well, where we didn't factor it have to factor that in last year for Orlando. So, Dr. Palazzo just reminded us that or reminded me that our policy states that if we give them the money and they don't spend it, they give it back. >> Correct. Oh, okay. So, if we I don't want them to not be able to go. If we give it and you don't use it, it's that is then returned to cell tower. Correct. Should we Should
029we just second that or if there's no second, that's fine, too. >> your You have your motion. Correct. >> Giving 8,000. Any other discussion? I'll second that. >> Okay. Does Is there any other discussion? Uh Again, I completely agree about with you guys in going, but I also think that this be starting a slippery slope because we've also limited other activities and other groups that came before us to the $50. I think we've done that with other sports teams like cross country, baseball, etc. So, in order to I think that this could actually turn into that slippery slope, open up the door for you know, stuff going forward about why is one group favored over the other, if that makes any sense. So, I think that that's where my reservations are. That I think that
030we should keep, if anything, I could see the 1250, even though that they're only sending 25 students, keep it for the 23, give or take. Um I just don't think that if we open up the door to the you know, more spending of the $50, it's going to open up many, many more doors that we're going to be spending left and right. That My concern, um always with cell tower funds, are the groups that come to us that haven't done fundraising >> Correct. and expect us to pay the whole thing. No group. They even have two kids in charge of fundraising. I've never heard of that. And they've raised 20 21, like come on. They've done their part. I think we can get them over the hump. >> And again, our policy says at our
031discretion and it will be returned if they don't use it. The last thing I want, Aaron, is for them to not be able to go because they fell a little bit short when they've put the effort into raise $21,000 on their own. No, I understand that. I truly do. And I I think that's the distinction that we would make when comparing it to some of the the other groups that are also amazing that come before us. These folks have raised, you know, 2/3 to 70% of what they need on their own over the entire course of their they planned, they've executed, they are tenacious, they're passionate, No, absolutely. I don't think we see that a lot of the times with the groups that come before us. I think that's part of their mission. It's part
032of the program and you know, we we do support them in in doing that and and growing further by approving things like this. And should someone else come before us, I think that's that's something that we would bring up. >> or you know, some of the classes that have put out those fundraisers and again, not you know, that they're trying to do as much as you guys are doing and again, I'm not trying to belittle what you guys are doing cuz to raise $18,000 is tremendous. I wish anyone could do that basically. But I'm just afraid like that's going to open up the door going forward. >> they should start a fundraiser for this group offering their services as consultants to some of these other organizations so that they can have equal success in fundraising
033and organizational growth cuz it really is amazing what they do. And like I said, it's not just a month before. They started in August and it sounds like they're starting now in February for next year, which is cuz they have succession planning in mind, which is that's that's some pretty big thinking. Yeah, no, it really is. And that's something that should be celebrated and I think that's part of what we we do in supporting them here. That's the point of these funds. Shelly? Um Brent Aaron, I would like to say I completely understand. I echo your concerns. Um but it is an international competition. This is international. That's where cuz I am I completely agree. I usually stand steadfast when it comes to making this decision cuz you don't want to set precedents. However, I
034don't know any of the organizations that have moved forward with an international competition. Um so thank you for your hard work. I would like to talk to you about a fundraiser before you leave at the farm. Um excellent. So um Thank you. So but I I I agree with you. I understand your perspective. but like to say this is an international competition and I thank you guys for working your tails off. So, that's all. But, I do understand and I do I do agree with your perspective, but because it's international. Yeah. Yeah. Any other discussion? I have a first and a second. Um all in favor? I. I. Opposed? Abstentions? There it is. Thank you so much. We appreciate it. >> you, guys. Thank you. Yeah, it was a minute to eight. He said eight.
035I second it eight. It was Yeah, Brandon and I. Should I wait for Shelly? Go. Um number nine is the finance update. Revenue and expense monthly for February. It's in our packets. We're going to We're going to hold off on the FY27 budget till 8:00. Did you want to Um there's just one thing on the revenue expenses that I wanted to point out. Um we had a return premium on our workers' comp this month of $7,500 and that was due to our loss ratio going from an FY23 126.8%, which means that they paid out more in losses than they collected in premium from us. And um last year that's down to 6.29% this year to date um for this fiscal year it's at 2.64%. So, as a result, we had return premium. And that's um
036thanks to our human resource manager, Alyssa Nappa, who implemented some um new reporting requirements, um awareness on slip and falls, um taking action immediately after an incident, and um making sure that the employees seek medical attention within 24 hours of injury. Awesome. She's been Alyssa's been great. Thank you. May I please ask I'm sorry. Oh, yeah. Did you start doing Did you talk about budget yet for the 26? >> We're going to Let's wait till 8:00. Well, no, not the 27th. I was going to do the 26th, this current year that we're in. Can I ask a question about this current year that we're in? Sure. Is that okay? >> Yeah. Do you want me to wait? No, I was going to hold off on the FY27 budget. >> Yep, I'm not talking about that
037yet. Perfect. Um, have we used I know I keep asking you, I'm like a broken record. The 400,000, have we touched it? >> No. Okay. How much was our state aid that we actually received this year? Um, I don't have the number for this year of what what we received to date. >> No, no, what the actual was for this year, cuz I know we were like not really sure what we were going to end up getting. So, I was just questioning what we actually received from the state. If you What our state funding was what we I know what we budgeted, but I know it was back and forth on what we budgeted, cuz I'm just you get nervous about the projected budget, the projected amount that they've given. So, you want I want
038to just see how true it was considered compared to what we budgeted last year and what we received, because sometimes they flip-flop and it sometimes is less and I don't want to It was more than what we budgeted. I don't have the exact number in front of me. I mean, I could look it up. >> Was it pretty equivalent to this year, the 6 million? We It went up. I think I do have that, how much it went up this year. >> Oh, I have this year's in the budget. So, I have this year's, but I just Oh, oh, you might have it, how much it increased. Okay. It'll probably take me a few minutes to find it in my I'm sorry. Uh, it was higher than what we budgeted for this year. Okay. If
039it gets close to 8:00, can you let me know? I think that we have to pause this, start >> Oh, okay. and then we go back to the We don't have to rush through it. No, we just stop. Yeah. Or 7:55. Oh. >> I think that's what Shelly's waiting for. No, I just was telling Aaron to let me know when we're close to 8:00. >> That's what I'm saying. If you want to go back if Anne's looking that up, she we can get back to that. It was just I want to hold up the meeting so I know you want to get through it so we can get as much done as possible prior to the hearing. If we don't finish it, we'll just Go back. I know we convene. I know. Yeah. All right.
040We're going to come back to it while she does the numbers. Okay. Number 10 is superintendent's report. In your packet you have the appointments and a retirement. Do we have any questions for Dr. Palazzo? No, we don't need a motion. But are there any questions on the superintendent's report? >> Madam Chair, I would just like to thank Darlene Taylor for all of her hard work to the district and I wish her the best of luck in her retirement even though it's a little bit further down the road, but still I wish her good luck with all of her future endeavors and just want to thank her for her service to the district. Thank you, Aaron. Anybody else? Okay. Number 11, snowstorm update on the blizzard of 26. So, as I said in the previous meeting,
041this was this was a doozy. Um, thank you. Sorry. This was a doozy. Um, and for those who had to hear my voice every single day saying again, this is Renee Palazzo, superintendent of schools, and here's my update. Um, but I had um, I wanted to just update you on facilities where we were. I know some of you had reached out at it it different times to ask. Um, we didn't have any major issues from the storm, which was which was good. I was in contact with both Stephen and Gary regularly. Um, I was in contacted with I was in contact with Kathy as well and Foster. Um, I really want a a loud and um, a very loud thank you to our custodial staff, our custodial crew, their hard work digging out. They just
042kept it digging out and putting more ice down and then digging out and putting more ice down. Um, but they were here um, on time, stayed late. They really made it so that when I when we're ready to receive our students, um, we were ready to receive our students. Um, in addition, DPW uh, Gloucester DPW, amazing. Gary Tremmel and his crew and his crew, a um, a a warm and honest thank you for lending a hand. They were here um, assisting our team if they needed it. Thank you to Hopkins Bus Company. Uh, brought up their loader and pushing back some snow piles. We just needed places to put the snow after, you know, days uh, moving back. So, just thank you. It really was um, all hands on deck and very appreciative of the
043partnership we have um, with those in town. Some proactive measures, uh, we had a roofing contractor um, come out uh, assess it actually after the first storm. If you remember, we had said they were going to come out and we had a little bit of of of leeway. Well, they came out and they cleared all the roof drains and some snow removal. They dug out the condensers uh, for the kitchen fridge and freezers to prevent equipment malfunctions and freeze up. Um, there was some unexpected challenges. That was one of them that you couldn't really predict. it was more than just removing snow and you know putting down some some salt. Um but I I will say we made out very well all things considered. Um Gary and Steve were a tremendous team um and leaders
044for their crew and uh constant contact with me as well. So I just wanted to share that with you as a facilities update that we are in um we are in a good place and all things considered and the 70° day is certainly helping out. Right now it's welcomed. Yes. Um if I can just go right into the schools calendar um I'm not sure if you if you know or not but the superintendents were in contact with the commissioner um on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday we had daily meetings just talking through um what the how what this impact looks like for 180 days and the commissioner was uh putting a request through to the council on elementary and secondary ed to see if some of those days could be waived. Um I worked with Kathy Crowley,
045superintendent of Foster, and we put together a joint request uh to the commissioner to have all of those days waived all five um for the elementary schools and then the region we had uh three days out the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. So um we would get those three days back if it gets waived. If it doesn't get waived my ask is to have the flexibility to remove our March PD day uh because right now if we have that day and these don't get waived then we will have to come back on the following Monday um and we have a PD day that we would be able to pull back and have students attend. Um so I'd like to have the autonomy authority to be able to make that decision um in the next week or
046so depending on where we are with the with the waiver from the commissioner. And if you don't get the waiver you can still call for that day to be removed. Yes. I mean if you don't hear back Correct. >> within the next two weeks. I You know what I mean? I just have one question. Um I know that you were talking about for the March 20th. Is it or is it March 20th? Is it easier just to get rid of that PD just in general and just still have that just be a regular school day and then, you know, allow the students to get out a day earlier? I I don't know if it's easier, um but I think that that would be our plan so we wouldn't have to carry over into the following
047Monday and we would end on on on that Friday. So, then should I >> still want PD days if those days are not waived though? I mean, if they are waived. So So, this decision has to be made relatively quickly, right? Cuz we would have to let students and and and families know. Um so, my hope and my goal is to follow up in the next day or two to see where we are with the waiver, what the time frame is for it. I don't I don't know that yet. Um so, if I find out tomorrow that it's waived, great. I can make one decision. If I find out it's not waived, then we can make another decision. So, the flexibility of the March PD day >> of the March PD day Yeah. And and
048we would have to make that decision sooner rather than later. Can I ask a quick question if you don't mind, please? So, I know that the high school was able to do virtual days. Correct. So, if they're not forgiven, this is my only concern, is that the elementary schools weren't because we didn't send tablets home because it was right after February break. Um so, what happens there? I'm just hyp- So, the kids the high school students made the made the days like they did the days because they had virtual days. >> They did two days. They They did Thursday and Friday virtual days. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, we did not have school. So, then it would just be >> But then I'm saying the elementary schools would have to be doing all five, but the high
049school wouldn't have to. So, that it would just be like a makeup day for the high school if need be. Is that how we would do it? So, because if they're not they're not um they're not they're not equivalent. The elementary schools had missed five days. The high school only missed three days. Right? >> Yes. So, that's what I'm saying. So, we would just the high school The elementary schools still match up, but the high school wouldn't have school. High school and the middle school wouldn't have school. So, if the days were not forgiven, they don't currently end on the same days anyway. >> don't? Okay. >> of the last storm, the high school and middle school did virtual and and all three elementary schools did not, so we're not on the same schedule anyway.
050This is just a Yeah. Thank you for the explanation. I appreciate that. So, just leave make a motion to leave the Okay. I make a motion to give the superintendent the authority in order to either cancel the PD day on March 20th or keep it as is. Second. Any Any other discussion? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Abstentions? Okay, let's go back to Can we ask some questions about the snow storm, too? Um I I think everyone did a great job. It was a ton of snow that came down. Do you think there might be opportunity just to kind of get the group together that was sort of acting on items, that executive group that you had, the DPW heads, the bus companies, our maintenance teams, uh just to do a retrospective and see what went
051well, what didn't do well, what what didn't go well, and what we can maybe do, you know, ahead of time next time, just to get ahead of the storm, uh particularly as it might inform the budget. Um I That's just a suggestion, sort of thinking aloud. And the second question I had, uh like specifically like uh some of the things that came up in Foster, I think, were the the DPW with so much snow. There was snow piles everywhere. And our bus company pushed back a little bit with regards to the snow piles, they couldn't see around them. So, working with them and getting those two teams together maybe before the snow hits, so as they're plowing, they they move it where it needs to be moved the first time, and they don't have to
052go back and touch it again. Um things like that. The second one was where we're we're at currently with our snow removal budget. Hopefully, we're done with snow for the year, but are we way over, and do we need to revisit it in our budget that we'll be presenting soon. So so can I just clarify? Are you Is your ask that I just loop back with them and >> Just a suggestion. Yeah. Do what you need to do. But yeah, yeah. No, no, no, no. It's just a sidebar that sometimes in the moment rather than, you know, 6 months from now or in the middle of the next snowstorm, you know, if everyone has some ideas that might have helped things go more smoothly or or or quicker. I mean, I think it went pretty
053well all things considered, but Yeah. Yeah. And this the second one is again with regards to that budget, and I understand that you know, this is a hopefully an outlier storm. Um if we do need to revisit what we are carrying for snow removal, now would be the time to do it. Last one. Is do we need to take a look at any sort of tree removal or safety in the woods? I don't know that anyone's had a chance to go back there yet, but if we need to start taking a look at that with regards to the snow and wind that that we've experienced this winter. Um again with regards to budget. Any other questions? Comments? All right. We're We're going to come back to you. Shelly Ann has the numbers. The state aid
054number for FY26 is 5,643,498. Uh 5,643,498. Yep. Okay. Good. Okay. Um next is number 12 on the agenda, technology update. I make a I make a motion for the internet bid as supported by the tech director and presented to Ocean in the amount of $10,500 as presented in the packet. Second. Any discussion? Or questions? All in favor? I. >> I. Opposed? Abstentions? Um next on the agenda is the discussion of the duration of the superintendent's contract. I know there's been a lot of buzz about this um out there. So, I just wanted to have this on to clarify. Um this has been our past practice by this committee. Back when Dr. Barnes was serving, as far back as 2008, uh he never served under with a contract less than 38 months. Um in fact, three
055three times his contract was renewed for over 40 months. So, I need to be really clear. This isn't something that is new. This is something that this committee has done for years. Um when I looked back at our minutes, um and these contracts were approved by the majority of this committee. Um and we go all the way back to 2008, we have a 36 months under contract, 45 months under contract. Uh the next contracts uh signed by Ron, seconded by Steer, was 38 months. Then in 2015, we had another superintendent's contract approved for 41 months proposed by Ron, seconded by Shelley Pezza. 2017, we had um our attorney actually for some reason proposed that we extend it for two additional years um which was seconded by Audiello. Then in 19 we did it again 38
056months proposed by Swanson seconded by John Burlingame um we have it it continues in 2020 we had it proposed by Swanson seconded by Burlingame again voted again by Mr. Steer we have it in 2021 seconded by I mean proposed by Ms. Pezza seconded by Worthy these this the it fact that this became an issue a few months ago doesn't make any sense to me because this is again then our past practice. When you try to retain exceptional leadership that's what you do. And we've been doing that since and I stopped going back I stopped at 2008. um So I just I just want to end the buzz that's going on around there and on social media and everywhere else and explain that this wasn't something rogue this was something well thought out this is something
057we've been doing for years and it's because we are thrilled with our administration team right now. Uh there's no vote for that I just needed I felt like I needed to clarify that we'll have public comment in a minute unless you want to chair you want to chair. Um Cindy may I say something first if you don't mind please? >> Yeah I'm going to let him talk. Okay that's fine. No no yeah I just I just wanted to say something cuz I'm the one who asked this to be on the agenda. Okay. And it wasn't anything personal it wasn't anything and I do not question any of that in the past. Unfortunately it's not that anything malicious has taken place it's more of it was an oversight it was not realized it was maybe but
058the reality is I asked actually for all contracts to be on the agenda not just I wasn't singling out Dr. Palazzo. It was all contracts cuz I was not at the January meeting. So, it was all contracts that were approved at that January meeting because all the contracts were in violation of the three year three year state limit. Um so, it was like I said, it's nothing malicious. It's nothing about anybody knows wrong. It's just we didn't realize it was violation of the state law. That's just And now we realize it. And we've also had the advisement of three attorneys through this whole process with Anderson, Mary Ann Carroll, and now Greg. So, I mean And that's fine, but my whole I understand you said we can't have a motion, but my concern is that
059according to 31 36-16-1 and 36-16-2, you cannot exceed three No contract can exceed three years. So, that is my >> not We're We're extending it. >> No, exactly, but they cannot be extended. So, like it's like it's it's nothing personal, nothing about any individual employee, nothing at all. It's about All right, we was an oversight before. We didn't realize it, now we do. So, shouldn't we take action to make sure we're not in violation of 36-16-1 and 36-2? Okay. Did Did you want to come up? Just hit the mic for me. Yeah, Gary King. I was at that meeting and I brought it up that night. For no other reason, I don't particularly care whether you renew Ms. Palazzo's contract and all of that. I'm going by what I knew, which is statutory. Can I
060read off what the law is? No. If you go back and watch the video or look at the minutes, I even asked Greg about it because I know what the rule is. You know, I may not be articulate as as many people are, but I do know what I know. So, if you wait 6 7 8 9 months, now you're past that point, even though you guys were renewing contracts after I was off the committee for people up to 41 months. 48. 48. Just because you did it before doesn't mean that it's right. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. So, I only asked you, and I emailed all you guys, all right, to have it put on the agenda to be rethought, so you had a whole month to rethink it. Mhm. To
061put it on the agenda to resend that portion on extending contracts past the point. Because, and I even made mention, so you do this, and then come November, three school committee members, if you will, in Gloucester, are not on the committee anymore. Just hypothetical. So, your new three members coming in can do nothing about a contract. They have no say. And I think that that's what the legislators meant with it with the three years, cuz it said not to be to overstep past the term of any member. Thank you. Look, I you guys going to do what you want to do, because that's what you do. But I did bring it up. I emailed a request to every school committee member, and let's see, I got CC'd with Shelley asking the same question. Thank you.
062Any other discussion? So Cindy, we can't make a motion tonight? No. You can't, okay. Um next on is Lifetouch. I know that a few people asked for this to be put on. Um Shelly Aaron and Michael. Uh do you want to start, Mike? Or do you want to start, Shelly? So there's been a lot of uh news circulating around with respect to Lifetouch's connection to um the files. Uh I guess this is how we should refer to them. Um and so I think they've they've come out and uh attempted to explain any connection or lack of connection that they have to people implicated in the files. Um and they make a pretty compelling case, but there are still, I think, several reasons why we should re-evaluate our uh our connection to them. Uh one is
063that they were bought by a parent company um Apollo Global. And the CEO of Apollo Global was implicated in um the the files. Even though the timeline uh separates them slightly, uh Leon Black still does own actually 7% uh despite stepping down as CEO. So he's still affiliated with the parent company of Lifetouch. Uh and he's implicated. Which I think is not a great thing. Uh the second aspect is that uh Lifetouch retains information on every student and faculty member that they've ever taken a picture of. Uh names, ages, uh classrooms, um sometimes uh depending on the circumstances, where you live. And I don't think that that is prudent. Um I also think that we could be promoting small business, parents uh helping them out by outsourcing uh these kinds of things to people in
064the community. So I think for those three reasons uh we should re-evaluate our connection to Lifetouch. Shelly, did you want to echo he echoed everything? Mike, thanks. Took the words right out of my mouth. Aaron. No, I would also like to just echo this with Mike as well because I brought it up in Gloucester as well, but I also think it's also best in order to make sure that we're getting the best bang for our buck in terms of cuz I'm not even sure with this service agreement if there is a charge for us or whatever to pick them of where there might be other options out there that, you know, in terms of privacy-wise or anything else that we could also expand it to small businesses here in the state, here in the town,
065etc. That I definitely agree that we need to re-evaluate it and see about um possibly having Greg possibly look into to see if like what happens if we decide to get rid of it say, you know, at the end of this year or whatever because do we know how long this contract is for? 2 years. 2 years? Was it just signed? >> this this is different. And again, this is just the middle school from what I can tell. This goes through 2029, so 2029? >> signed, I think, this year. This is 26 to 29, so I think, I'm sorry. Can I If that's a bigger question, if it was just signed, do we have any wiggle room to remove ourselves from this agreement? Seeing bringing to light the said allegations. So, what we did in
066Gloucester, I don't know what did you guys do in Foster? What we did in We haven't had the meeting yet cuz of the yeah. >> So, what we did in Gloucester was we asked Greg to look into the contract and to see what room we have to be to remove ourselves or to break the contract. Again, this could be you know, this is a multi-billion dollar company. They might say, you know, who cares? You know what I'm meaning in terms of if this is small potatoes compared to say like larger districts in the you know, in the country. But again, I think that it's also a good idea to have a look at this, see about what we can do in order to get out of it or something along those lines to see what
067our other options are in my opinion. And as I understand that I don't know if this is the same at the middle school, but from what I heard at the elementary level, we don't actually pay for anything. This is a contract to give these the company access to the PTO apparently organizes it and they charge the parents. We I don't know that we actually pay anything. Um so what would the potential breach of contract be? What What would the damages be? Loss of business opportunity I mean I I I just there's a you know this is I I never have gotten involved in any of this. This is a first time that I this has been brought to my attention. It it it apparently in Gloucester you have one elementary school has it the other
068doesn't. Maybe at the region the middle school has it and the high school has somebody else. Whether you want to have that kind of inconsistent I I I don't that's something that I think is worth you revisiting. I think it's definitely something we're also coming close to the time. So what specifically is the ask at this point to come back next month with a proposal to either Just to see if we can get out of the Sure. the contract. And what the financial penalty would be if he reaches out to us. >> If any. Yeah. At At Gloucester they said they had spring pictures which were coming up. I think we agreed to let that continue. Thank you, Aaron. I don't know what the I don't know where you are in the contract or if
069I can talk to uh Mr. Marcott and see what you know if there's anything to be done for the rest of this year at the middle school or not. What do you think, Brendan? Yeah, I think that's makes sense. It You're You're asking to collect information present something next month. I think that's wise. That makes perfect sense. Any other discussion? So we don't need a motion, right, Greg? No. Is that all right? Are we good with that? Okay. It We're approaching 8:00. Do you want to try to get a few more in or should we break for the budget hearing? Keep going? All right, we have uh the resolution in support of Foster-Glocester uh School Committee moving the financial town meeting from the third Tuesday to in March to March 24th for this year only.
070>> Madam Chair, I make a motion to support the resolution supporting Foster-Glocester School Committee moving the financial town meeting from the third Tuesday in March to March 24th, 2026, for this year only. Second. Any discussion? Do we What time is the meeting going to be held, and do we have the correct time in both, and can we articulate that out to both uh the representative and senator? So, um I clarified that apparently at some point you changed your meetings from 8:00 to 7:00, but the legislation was never changed to reflect that. Um because the last time this was amended was in 1998, and it still says 8:00. So, I asked I talked to uh Representative Chippendale's office and staff, and we made it clear that it will be 7:00 going forward. Um because I like
071I said, I I don't know when that changed. I don't think I was with you when that changed, and why you changed it, but um it will be changed It will be changed from now on. That That sounds great. 7:00 works for me. Um but let's just make sure that it's in anything that's being passed at the state level, so that there's no issues, and that everyone in the community is aware of what time it is, so that folks don't show up at 8:00 and wonder They missed it. when the party started. Okay. Any other discussion? All in favor? Aye. >> Aye. Opposed? Abstentions? Zero. Would you want Can you talk fast on that other one, or do you want to wait? Okay. Okay. that. I think we've done what we need to do and
072now let's get in my opinion. So, we're going to break for 1 minute um and then reconvene for our budget public hearing at 8:00. >> I make a motion to reconvene. Yes. The Yes. I make a motion to reconvene to open session. To I make a motion to um reconvene to the budget hearing at 8:00 p.m. on March 10th um for the public hearing on 2026. All in favor? I. Opposed? Abstentions? Okay. Yeah. I'm just going to wait 1 second for I don't know where Renee went. What? Yeah, we just made a motion. I call Call to order the Folsom Gloucester Regional School District public hearing. I will see it in 1 second. On the back on the back of the packet? Nope, I don't see it. Oh, I see it. Where's running? There are
073some of the budget packets printed on the back table if you Are they with Walt? In front of the TV. I'll get one for you, sir. Stay there. I'll get it for you. Yes. Am I in trouble? Oh my god. Oh. >> Okay, we're going to get started now. I'm going to go through some of the summary pages of the packet and then um we open it to questions, right? Is that okay? So, the local appropriation that we're asking from Foster and Glocester is a total of 18 million uh 058 039. Our expenses for the general fund are increasing uh 2.81%. But, we have offset that with increased expected increase in revenue so that it is a 0% increase uh to the towns of Foster and Glocester. The general operation portion of the budget is
074based on enrollment and because of that and the way the numbers have um fallen for Foster and Glocester, Glocester is getting hit with a larger uh portion. And so, they're getting an a increase where Foster is getting an a decrease in um the appropriation. That's on the general fund side and then on the net and capital side, that's based on EWAC, which is in our charter that says it's that's how we need to allocate it and because of the EWAC figures um that have increased a larger percent for Glocester, they're also receiving a larger uh portion of the appropriation um this year. Uh if you look on page four of the packet, our debt service for this year is $500 uh more than last year. We did have a bond that fell off with the
075pump. Um, the our pump service bond. But, the amount that was allocated for that in the past came from our fund balance, so there wasn't an impact on our debt service number for this year. We have 3 years left on our, um, our bond for the middle school. If you look on page five, shows the 2.74% increase. It's an increase of 882,852. Um, and the majority of that is due to out out of district placements. It's that's the line, it's the purchase services insurances, the 5500s. That's expected to increase 553,000 for next year, and that's for, uh, placements for special ed. If you look on page nine of the packet, our proration adjustment, that's something that we have to do every year. It's based on enrollment. Uh, we use an estimated number for last year.
076We have to true that up with the actual enrollment number for this year. Fosters receiving $14,541 adjustment, where Gloucesters receiving a negative adjustment for this year. And on page 13, uh, is a breakdown of our revenue. It's what we expect for state aid. We took that number from the January state aid projections that the state provides us. Uh, we have interest income. We have a an amount of 120,824. That's what we estimate for the co-share for services that we share with Foster and Gloucester. Our tuition, uh, estimate there is 4,582,812. With the total of 4,6, uh, 74 468. We do allocate a portion of that, the 91 656 that goes to our capital fund. Um then we have Medicaid of 300,000 for This is on the unrestricted revenues. 110 for categorical funding that we receive
077for our CTE programs, and then 400,000 for the use of the fund balance, which we had said earlier in the meeting we had not used um this year or any years in the past even though we have budgeted for that. And I think that's about all I have. I have a question. Yep. Um in regards to the bond, you just made a statement that the bond doesn't drop off for 3 years. But um speaking with the financial manager from Foster, she's her calculations say it drops off a big chunk drops off 27 28's um budget year. Uh yes, so if you look at page four, you can see where it does drop off 28 and 29. Not in 27. >> Okay, she was under the impression it was 27 28. It's not. >> No, you
078can see the net change from prior year, it drops 790,000 in 28. And then a small amount from that into 29. Okay, thank you. Yep. Um these questions might be more, I'm sorry. Are you done with your presentation? Yes. I know I interrupted. Okay. Um it's very disheartening when we're taking $90,000 from literacy in the middle school. Um 90 It's We cut in the literacy It says literacy liter liter like literacy like literacy, yeah. Literacy from the middle school, and then the budget office has a $90,000 increase. What page is that? >> I don't know. I was cuz I did it on my computer. I didn't have the paper packet with me. So on the computer just kind of scroll cuz I didn't have the paper packet at home. I just had the computer. So
079I was scrolling. But was there a cut made at the middle school in literacy or reading or cuz that's what it showed up in the middle school. Currently we we we made a change this year and we have a special educator in that role instead of a literacy teacher. So we had two literacy teachers last year. We have one literacy teacher this year. I'm sorry. I apologize. We had two literacy teachers last year. We have one literacy teacher this year. And so that's now reflected in next year's budget. We'll continue with what we have this year. So it's not a reduction per se. It's what you currently have in that position now. Correct. >> Okay. And then but there is a big jump in the business office to $90,000. So that might be moving of
080the the positions. I don't know what page you're on. We can go to section >> yeah, I didn't have it going It's one thing about not having a hard copy. I can't highlight stuff to reflect. I know you can do it on your computer. I don't know how to do that. Is this where the salaries start? Page 29. Um no, it wouldn't be that. It wouldn't be that. It was in business office. Yes. Uh that's because we added a uh position to the department, financial analyst. You did add a position. Okay, so that is an an increase. Okay. And then there was a $6,000 increase in school committee under stipend. What was that for? It's on the same page, correct? Yep. It's at the top of the page, page 29. Yes, so you see how
081in FY25 there was an expense of 5,940. Yes, yeah, and then it wasn't there last year. So, it's a um an amount that's in the contract that we have been paying on. That's why there's an actual expense in the in that in that column for FY25, but we weren't budgeting for it. Okay, so for FY27 we added the budget. >> What is it for? It's for um the school committee clerk >> Oh, it's just a school committee stipends, nothing new. It's just a school committee stipends in general, new. Nothing new. >> Okay. >> It's been in the contract, it hasn't been been budgeted for. >> Okay. What's the matter? Did you get the projected enrollments? Take them up next year. And maybe is that a compared to previous years? For our Gloucester foster Gloucester and
082of course tuition students. If you got a breakdown of those three categories. Projected and past dates. A couple of years. So, would you like me to get that to you and then I can I can compile it and then I can get it to you. Is that what you're asking? Okay. So, you want um projected enrollment for for foster Gloucester, our projected enrollment for Gloucester and then Gloucester and then Oh, okay. Out of district? >> Yeah, out of district students. Okay. Yeah. >> Madam Chair, if I might be too bold, could that actually be part of our presentation as well? I'm thinking that it would be very um informational to the public just seeing as to, you know, for Foster, Gloucester out of district coming in that if we can add that to the presentation
083in 2 weeks as well once you get that information. Obviously, give it to you as well, sir, but also have it just for the presentation in 2 weeks. Absolutely. If Are Are you asking for the number now? I mean, we Yeah, can we just We have like this year, right? It's in the budget. So, not just this year, you mean future years? Or do you want to know the on this budget? Oh, so this budget. That makes sense. This is what This is what we're talking about. So, yeah. Walter Stay at Gloucester. Yeah, in the past we've always had a graph in the budget in the budget that tells usually for the last 3 or 4 years how many in how many from Foster, how many from Gloucester, and how many uh from out of
084town. Uh So, I think if you look back at some of the budgets, you'll see that we we have a graph in there that represents that, so I think we may even had one last year. Okay. Because the Foster-Gloucester population is going down. Although this year it is going up two students, I think, but in the past 3 years we've lost over 100 kids, I think. Uh I've got a few questions. Uh The first one I'd like to I'm I'm glad to see this uh year-to-date July to December of this year, the money we're spending. So, that's very helpful to tell what we're budgeting for next year if we're spending any money in those accounts. And uh I did talk to the business manager about some of the descriptions. They have account numbers, and then
085you have a description. And a lot of the people in the business offices or administration, there was usually it told you what that position was. It didn't give you a name of the person, but it gave you a uh like it was a cleric or a business manager or a superintendent principal. Now, I guess because of RIDE didn't like the some of the the term uh some of the terminology we were using that uh they wanted just put down regular salaries. So, that doesn't tell you anything. If you don't if you don't know much about a budget, you can't you can't tell what you're looking at. So, I think we got to go back somehow so people will know what that Which position? >> line item represents. >> Yep. Um I can explain why it
086looks like that. Um all of those lines are downloaded from our accounting software. And we updated the descriptions in there to be consistent with the UCOA codes that RIDE requires. Um so, regular salaries is that 51 51110. Um that's how RIDE has it in our system. So, in order to efficiently download it from Excel and not have to manipulate manipulate the data once we do that. That's why it has that in there. But I understand what you're saying because I think that before they were pulling the object code, which is the regular salary, but also then the uh job class. Correct. Yeah. And also uh on page 14 uh we have legal services that going up. And also right at the bottom of the page it has an administrative support. And there's also another administrative
087support on the next page. They're they're quite a bit of money. Are you talking about the lines that say admin support? >> Yes. Uh cuz they were we budgeted uh 8,000 for this current year. And we spent only 2,500 so far, but we're raising the budget up next year to 25,000. Right. So, the one that is on page 14 Yeah. um that's what we pay for our services for Northwest Special Ed. So, that's why we have that increase in there because we don't we're not going to be Okay, that was going to be another one of my questions. Um I don't off the top of my head know what the I don't remember what the admin support is for business office. I would have to look that one up. But you said uh on that
088line item it says we haven't spent any money this year. We must have spent some money. For which one? The Northwest one? >> For the Northwest special ed. If you say that's what that budget's going to be for. Correct. Well, the billings just went out for that one um this month for Northwest. We get 6 months before we have to pay? Well, we had a lot of coding changes to do because we took over as Northwest special ed. So, they went out um later than we had planned. Do we have any uh new updates on the number for health and dental? No. I I did check with them recently. Um we did not have an updated number for that. All right. Also on page 14 near near the top, claims and settlements. Can you explain
089what that is and we didn't have much budget in but we spent quite a bit in this current year. I see it. Oh, wow. Six line down from the top. The claims and settlements, that's um the legal claims and and settlements. Seems like we've been having more of those. Uh can you share what those were or Isn't that essential office though? Why are there claims and settlements in central office? Cuz that's what it's under central office. So, I'm just asking why are there claims and settlements in central office? And that's how ride wants us to code it. I mean that's where our any claims and settlements that we have they want us to code it that way. Uh it just it doesn't make sense yet. I don't know why it would be in central office.
090Yeah. Um as far as the admin support for business office, that's where our um fees that we pay for Medicaid billing go. So, the more Medicaid um claims we have, the higher that is, but that's offset by Medicaid revenue. Yeah, I I don't know. There must be some easier way to let us know you know, some of these things. And we ask the same questions every year and then, you know, we get the same answers that well, it's not what you think it is. It's something else. I don't know. It just seems and either that or it's on a different line. You can see the >> is with the system that we are forced to use. >> Well, I agree with you, Cindy. Yeah, I agree with you. Right. I mean ride dictates how we
091code things. We use a wrong code, we have a whole um software that we use to to put in the the code string and if it's wrong, it tells us we can't use that. Yeah. >> At the end of the year we have to if we use the wrong code, we have to um move that out. So, I mean a lot of it is dictated by ride. >> do something about this, you know. All these numbers now, it never used to be like this, you know, I can you can remember a few years ago it was a lot simpler. How they came in with all these codes and I mean, we haven't changed the format since >> No, we haven't changed the format, but if you remember um the first 2 years in, there were
092a lot of adjustments in the budget that looked like uh some lines went down and some lines were significantly higher and it was working through those UCOA changes that RIDE required. There's a report that gets sent back from RIDE and you can't move forward until you make those adjustments. So, I hear what you're saying, but >> We've had this system now for almost probably 10 years, you know, but I seems like they keep changing it all the time. But, I guess that's not going to change, but uh I think I'd go one other one on page 35. It's stipend other. It's about maybe 10 lines down. What page, Walt? I'm sorry. There's a There's a $49,000 figure for That's an actual for 25. This year we uh put in 43. But, we haven't spent any
093money yet in from July to December. How many lines down? 10 10 Is it the stipend or the salary that you're looking at, Walt? It could have something to do with athletics cuz it's There's a couple other items close to it. Yeah, I was going to say a couple lines up, there's a increase about the same number. Yeah. Yeah. See, that's another one of those. They put stipend other instead of putting the position that we, you know, that it is. Well, actually it's getting removed from the other and going into the position that it is in in that case. It'd be going into the athletic. She's looking that up. Well, you said you had one more other than that one. She's Uh, let me look. Yeah. So, we're budgeting money for the Northwest Special Ed,
094but we don't really know what we're going to be doing. Well, we're budgeting for um the services that we have. So, you'll have a director of special ed. We have to have that anyway. Uh, and we're meeting with Situate and still working through what we would share. So, we budgeted in here. Um, cuz we have a contract with the director and then we do not have an assistant director. We made >> So, that's a director and and assistant. That's the people who are going to be running the program? Yes, so we have a director of special ed and we have an LEA coordinator. That would part of Northwest Special Ed. They would Are you talking about people in the district or the people from Northwest Special Ed? Yes, so our director of special ed was
095a part of Northwest Special Ed and now he's with Foster Gloucester Gloucester and we're still still part of Situate. We're working with Situate to see what that what that relationship looks like. I'm comfortable we probably will share some services. Oh, okay. Um, to get back to the stipend other, that's uh coach stipends. That's what? >> For coaches. Stipends for coaches. Yeah. How come we're not spending any money this year? Those just haven't been paid out as of when we ran this report. They haven't weren't paid out as of when we ran that report. Okay. All right. It's very confusing. But that's all I have. Thank you, Walter. Are there any other questions? Um okay. Participation sometimes get financial town meetings in the past. But last year was pretty The the building was full. I just
096wanted in years where there's been a big anticipation of a lot of school. You know, you got to do a bigger you know, room. Should it And you want to any anticipation of meeting that a bigger space? Thank you. Okay, so I'm sorry. Two things, the big drivers. Um on page five, the cover page, um just cuz there are significant increases. Purchase professional tech services, um that's a 13.92% increase of $135,329. In addition to the purchase services, um insurance, I know it says insurance, but still it's a huge increase of $642,842. So, what is the driver of these two things? Is there an explanation? So, I can tell you for the purchase services/insurance, the 55,000, that is for um 553,000 of that is for out of district placements for special ed that we anticipate needing
097next year and an increase of 553. Um off the top of my head, I don't know what the 135. I would have to probably research that and get back to >> didn't know what the purchase professional tech services was. I just didn't know cuz that was 135,000 as well. So, I didn't know what it was. That's all. I think it'll be good to cuz those were Um I cuz I know I'm very well aware you can't change salaries, you can't change benefits, and those are big drivers as well. However, it's those cuz I'm unfamiliar with those mean. Right. Um And then if I could while we're doing that, I'd like to go back to the school committee on page 29 of 61. Um there are two stipends. Cindy, you're correct. So, there are There's two
098increases. Um one of $540. know what that was for and that So, the $6,000, I still don't know what that's for cuz our stipend is the one above it, I'm assuming even though we don't get that much. >> is the one um above it. I did budget in a 2 and 1/2% increase. That's where you get that $540. Yeah, but we don't get increases, so Right. I mean, I Yeah, we don't get the increases. That's not I I think I budgeted it in and we just never really discussed it, but fine. So, that's not necessary. And the 6,000, that's what I'm still curious about cuz we're in the line above it. So, I don't know what that 6,000's for. I know you said it was the have a for. It could have been an oversight
099and that's why we took it out. I just don't know why it's there, who it's for, and what it's for. Are you still on 29? Yes, I am. It's for the school committee clerk position. That's why it's under school committee. Oh, it's a clerk position? Yep. Isn't she Okay, so she's not under We don't have a separate clerk line? That is the separate clerk line. Well, it just says stipend. So, I thought it said before I thought it said Um I thought it was under her salary >> or it says under her stipend. >> okay. And we just took it out last year. It was It wasn't budgeted for. I don't I mean, I would have to go back and look and see, but if it wasn't budgeted for in FY26, but there was an
100actual expense in FY25, we expect an expense in FY26, so I added a $6,000 budget for FY27 to be more accurate. Okay. Thank you. And since we're talking about the budget and we're creating the budget, should we discuss um prior to the budget being accepted what the anticipated stipend would be if we were to do the after coordinator. I'm just saying cuz it's only fair to the taxpayers to have it in the budget prior to the approval. That's all it was implying. Okay. And I think So yeah, so if we We only got nine more. Uh since the last meeting we 11. They just They're coming in at five So yeah, so I was just yeah, so if we could have those answers for the next for the financial meeting, that would be fantastic on
101those tech services. We need to have to discuss What's that? Site Yeah, but I'm just saying the other two these drivers. I was just trying to ask transparency. So if you want to have a special meeting prior to that. >> do you mean? I'm back on that on the other page cuz she said she didn't know. I'm all over the place. Keep up. So the big drivers. >> Back to five. Yeah, so if we could have that information prior to the financial meeting. Cuz I think other I think taxpayers were going to ask that too cuz they're big drivers in the budget. And I also had quite a few um taxpayers ask me the capital projects that were completed. And I know we as school committee members know, but the community doesn't know. So I
102do think it would be very helpful for the community to know what we've accomplished in our capital projects. Perhaps put it on our website prior and then also have handouts available at the meeting. So we did So just yes and thank you. >> Okay. At last year's presentation, uh the financial town meeting, we went through our projects that we had completed, what year we completed them, and what our anticipated projects would be. And we would we would follow that same that same uh process. I just want to be clear what the ask is for another meeting is how much we would anticipate for an after coordinator position. Um what is the increase for the line 53,000? And I just want to clarify that um the 53,000, if you look at and and I understand, Walt,
103it's confusing, but the 53,000 that Anne's talking about On page five? No, um well, you you referenced page five, but if you look at the entire budget >> Okay. and you look at the UCOA codes, they're in chunks. One, two, >> Oh, so all adds up. >> Anything that has a 53.dot.dot. falls under that. So purchase services could be conferences, they could be legal services, they could be catering. It's anything that is a purchased service. So we can we can Okay, so that's what Now I know that I have this, I can highlight it and that'll help me. That's helpful. Thank you. >> one line item. Probably multiple line items. >> code. Thank you. So I can do that math and 35. Thank you for dumbing it down for me. I appreciate that. You got
104it. I I don't do this lingo, so thank you. Yeah, so so is the ask for us to do something on that and see if we can If you wanted to do if the committee was willing to do a stipend, I think it should be prior to the financial meeting for transparency's sake for the budget and for the taxpayers. I'm sorry, my clarification was did you want us to break down the 53,000 and see where Oh, no, no, I can do the math now. I'm sorry. I'm all Yes, sorry. Yes, I can do that math now that I know, so I'll go by the UCOA lines of the 53-dash-dash. Is that what it means? Okay. Thank you. I did not know that, so thank you. We should also decide if we're going to move forward
105with the stipend. If it's a position, it doesn't have to be hired, just somebody that's doing it. We have to figure it out. They're just coming in record numbers. But I mean that's in two weeks. We either have that discussion now or You could have it prior to the meeting. You could have a meeting prior to that one. If you wanted to If the meeting starts at 7:00, you could have it at 6:30. I'm just If the committee was willing to >> it built into the budget though or should we bring it up? Well, how hard would it be to add that? Well, I thought you were saying 30 minutes before the financial meeting and she's not going to be able to Well, not a bit. If they kind of have an idea what they
106cuz that was the directive of the superintendent of the committee last time was to give the superintendent the authority to come up with the number, bring it back to the school committee, and for us to make a motion. So, she must the superintendent is on her to come up with a dollar amount. Then it'll be on us to approve it. So, they can put it in there, and then if it's voted down, it's crossed off. It's not going to be like a million dollars. So, we could we could do like a yes or no, like it's added or not added. And is the thinking that we would increase the appropriation for that amount, or do we need to adjust the budget to decrease the line total? >> think it's not going to be that significant.
107I mean, it's Right, but that's we'll need to know that. >> Well, that's that's what I'm trying to say. I I think if we're going to do this, I think it's only fair to the taxpayers to see it in the budget that we are being fair and transparent. >> That's what I'm saying that's what I'm saying is if we can't decide on that 30 minutes before the meeting if if the budget has to be adjusted for that increase. So, if anything it has to be done sooner. Am I It's the 6,000 that's in there is what we're talking about, correct? No, so we're talking I see. School committee clerk. Understood. So, this has to be on top of it. Yeah. I mean, that would I hate I don't want to increase the budget to the
108taxpayers. And and he's just saying that we could never get that. Yeah, what I'm saying is is if we have to talk about it, you have to do it sooner than later because if she needs to change the budget in whatever fashion to account for it, that can't happen 30 minutes before we're supposed to present it to the public to vote on. You you what I'm am Yep. So, it had to be discussed like That's why I was saying like if it was in there you could I I know what you're saying. You say yes, this was approved or not approved and what is it going to be? Like it's not going to be a big dollar amount that's going to be a major addition. So, can we add the line item in there just
109nominally fund it for the time being and then Well, it's not on the It's not on the agenda tonight. We can't do it this evening. Is that what do you mean, Brendan? Could we amend the budget that's currently being presented to add that line item in there as needed with some nominal funding that can be adjusted as needed by the superintendent? Placeholder I agree, but I don't think can we do that this evening considering it's not Well, we're we're discussing the budget, but we're not having Yeah. We're not Okay. We can't We can't really discuss the We The We can't Well, the amount was one thing, but you can't discuss the position. You can't discuss anything else cuz it's not on the agenda. That's all I was saying. If we're not looking to change the
110appropriation and we could do a budget adjustment after the fact once it's decided on. Okay. Uh I mean that's my the easiest in my opinion, but it's up to you guys. Yep. Yeah, we just we'll do it after the budget then. Well, we'll put it in It'll be after that meeting, the financial meeting. Cuz then we'll just do a line item adjustment. Is that what you're implying? Yeah. Cuz it won't be enough time. We've done it in the past. Okay. Are there any other questions? Yes. I just like to see a per pupil cost over the last seven years cuz I think that would help break down what the budget is from year to year and what we're spending per student. The per pupil >> Going back 5 years? Sir, can I have your name?
111Corey Wolford. I'm sorry. Corey Wolford. What town? Boston. Thank you. Can I just ask a clarification? Are you looking for rides per pupil what ride identifies as our per pupil expenditure over the last 5 years? Okay. Do you want to present it at the I think it'll be advantageous at the meeting for everybody to know. Gary King. It's just an observation. I know it's a school district, but it's a $30 million company. Come on, guys. Let's get this thing together. This thing needs to be tight. Tighter than a duck's ass on who knows what, how things work, where budget lines are, what they're for. You know, you've got a 65-page report there with all these repetitive lines. Why not put a better description to it? So that you don't have to know uh by the
112code or by the number or the the charge number or the account number. Look, I've been I dealt with companies that are bigger than the $30 million and I don't have that for a problem. Not Not close. So, please. You've got till the 24th. >> is your ask a different format for the budget? I'm not asking for a different format. I'm asking for somebody to understand the format that you have. It Is there I I think we've answered every question that's been asked. Right, and I'm sitting over here still looking at myself going it's not the format we used before. There was more detail to it. That's exactly what it was for. You know, We explained that >> How many professional service lines do you need in every different charge account? You can ask RIDE.
113Yes, you can ask RIDE that. That's how RIDE requires us to record >> It's a good thing I'm not on the committee cuz I tell RIDE to take a ride because they are not the ultimate arbiter of education, especially in this state. Because if they were, we would all be top performing schools. That's why we provide the summary reports, the pages in the beginning, the summaries, and then we give you all the detail. If you want to look I mean it's by every line. This is how we record it >> Yeah, I yeah, I'd rather >> watch that paint dry on that wall. Does Thank you. Can I ask a quick question? Does this Yep, just 1 second. I'm sorry, give me 2 seconds. Does this budget reflect cost sharing of um facilities as it
114did in the past? Are we It's like we used to cost share like on a John O'Burke, we cost shared. When forced So, we are cost sharing facilities men now? Were they no longer getting a separate contract? Just as it's always been. >> No, I understand, but I understand that. But our our facilities director and assistant, are they cost shared with Foster and like with with Gloucester again, not Foster, Gloucester? Is that revenue from Gloucester coming back to the district to offset their salary? They're not cost-shared. They're not cost-shared, okay. Well, they were. They were prior years ago. Well, Steve No, Steve Our facilities director was cost-shared with Foster. Until we until we pulled out cuz Gloucester wasn't. So, that's I wanted clarification that if this budget reflects that or not. I didn't know if
115it changed. Okay, thank you. Hi. Can you hear me okay? Yes, just state your name. I'm Renee Catell from from Gloucester. Um I have a few just general questions. Um again, I'm working on getting educated about how this whole process works. I graduated from Ponaganset, love the school, love the district. Don't have any kids here today, nor will I. Um but it's an excessive amount of money that we spend every year year over year. And until very recently, probably in the past year or two, um I hadn't realized when I came to vote that I was only voting for the region, not for schools overall in Gloucester. So, first point of clarification, is this committee here strictly for the Foster-Gloucester Regional and none of you serve on the on the local Gloucester or Foster boards?
116No. Okay, thank you. Okay, that helps just to understand there is some some involvement and crossover there. Um you know, just following on some of the other comments before as well, I think greater transparency is really critical. Um there are few residents that actually vote on the school budget, which is a sad state of affairs, but the reality is most people can understand this. And if you have a recent hire, I think you said it's an analyst, they should be able to create great pictures that depict what's in here in detail in an understandable format for most. It It would work wonders. So, maybe we can try to move to that to make it easier to understand. Um but some specific questions concerning enrollment, what's the maximum capacity for enrollment at both middle school and
117the high school? Do we know that? Oh, um we have been higher in both buildings. Uh we are not at our maximum capacity. What's the number? Uh I I don't have that with me, but I certainly could get it both buildings. >> I I think from a relevancy standpoint, it would be very helpful to understand what the maximum capacity is for both of the schools. Um also from a student-to-teacher ratio, you know, what is the average classroom size in both facilities? Um and then I guess you know, shared services have come up. I've seen it in the paper. I myself question it, too. What do we mean when we talk about shared services? And when that's reflected in the budget, can we break it down more specifically? What does that really mean? Does that mean
118a certain portion of, say, overhead administrative expense is garnered toward high school, middle school, or does that also involve um you know, the local school? I heard something about a potential relationship with Scituate. What exactly does that mean? And putting that into some sort of a footnote disclosure, again, I think is being more transparent so that people understand what they're signing up for. And that's all I have for the moment. Just the other The other questions were points that I'm interested in, as well. So, thank you very much. >> Excuse me, what was your first name again? Sorry. Renee. Renee, thank you. Are there any other questions? With that I'm just going to summarize. So, so just if I could summarize a few things. So, what I'm what I'm hearing and moving forward next year's
119budget, some of what we presented at the financial town meeting would be beneficial if it's if it's shared beforehand and we certainly can do that. Um charts, graphs are always extremely helpful. I I understand that. And our goal is to is to make this as as easy of a process as you can to can understand where where the money is going. Yes. I will also say that in the meantime until we get to that point, if there are any other questions that come up in the next week or so, obviously um Ann and I will answer them. And if there's anything else that is, you know, enrollment questions, yes, we have those projections. Yes, we have where we've been and then the out-of-district students. So, just to clarify, shared services Foster-Gloucester, we do have some
120with Scituate. We'll put that in the presentation. Enrollment numbers always always important and helpful. Um capacity, student-teacher ratio, actually had that student-teacher ratio last year. So, we'll mirror a lot of what we did last year. Capital projects, absolutely. Per pupil cost over the last five five years. Um and um I think those are my my big summaries that we will definitely have in place for the financial town meeting. Our goal here is obviously and some of you know, some of you don't. I'm I'm a town resident as well. So, I live in town. My student my kids went through the school as well. So, the more that we can help you understand where the money is spent and we did work really hard to ensure that we could minimize uh the amount that's coming from
121the local appropriation. So, um any additional questions if they come over the next week or so and you certainly want to email and or me or call, we will be more than happy to answer those questions. Mr. Anderson? Do you mean tuitioning in, coming in, or do you mean the tuitioning kids? Thank you. Yeah. Yeah, so so what I'm understanding is uh is how much we have received per student in tuition per Having what? Yeah, that that's that wouldn't be an additional cost, but what we'll do is we'll break it down so you can see where um for the out-of-district students who come in, how many students we have, what the what the tuition is associated with that. In addition, we get grant funding and categorical money that comes with those students. So, it adds
122or it it helps with the per pupil expenditure. So, we will have that clarified. I know there are many questions and some misunderstanding around out-of-district tuition and what it looks like and how much we get and whether it Gloucester's is higher or Foster's is higher and what kind of chance it looks like. So, we will work towards clarifying all of that um so that it's easy to understand and I'm a chart and graph kind of person as well, so it will be visual. I think that's the best way to do it, right? Okay. Thank you for the input. Any other questions or concerns? Mike. Who? No, your mic. I thought you meant Mike. Oh. Any other questions or concerns regarding the budget? And again, reach out prior to the meeting so that if you if
123questions come up that we can address them. Make sure we address them at the meeting. All right, thank you. Thank you. Madam Chair, I make a motion to adopt the fiscal year 2026-2027 proposed budget as presented. Do I have a second? Second. Any other discussion? All in favor? I. >> I. Opposed? >> No. Abstentions? And Amy's here. Yeah, we got it. Madam Chair, I make a motion to adjourn the public hearing at 8:50 p.m. Do I have a second? Second. Sorry to throw things at you. Any uh all in favor? I. I. I. Opposed? Abstentions? Okay. Thank you. Do you need a minute? Okay. I think we'll just take a minute to discuss now. Yeah, we could take a minute. I was going to talk about What's the matter, Kat? No, I'm Amy. Hi. I
124knew you were coming. We didn't get to your next >> I didn't see that. Yeah, I see that. >> get to that. Yeah, but we it was fine in Glocester. Okay. I'm sure it's a little bit it's a little different here. No. But I finished up and I was like, you guys are still here. Okay, so we're going to continue on with the meeting. Um We're on We left off on number 16, resolution in support of Rhode Island House Bill 7356 and Senate Bill 2216, school employee background check. Okay. I'm not sure. I think Shelly started Shelly asked for this agenda item, so I don't know if she wants to make the motion or >> No, go right ahead. Yeah, no, so whatever you want to do, Brandon. >> So, I'm going to make the
125motion to support the resolution supporting Rhode Island House Bill 7356 and Senate Bill 2216, school employee background check as presented in the packet. Second. Aaron. Shelly Pezza. All right, discussion. Do you want to say what you said last time at the Glocester meeting? Well, cuz in Glocester I did propose it, in which case we decided to bring it Pull it up a little bit. We decided to bring it to policy in order to look over the resolution on top of possibly strengthening our policies in terms of hiring as a whole. That's what we did in Glocester. Um again, since this is your agenda item, I didn't know if you would like that to continue on here. Um but that's what we did in Glocester. I'm more than happy to say do that here in the
126policy as well because I do think that we can strengthen our policies um and look over our policies of hiring and see about if we can't strengthen them, see about what we can do to strengthen them. I know that we have them coming up. I believe our next policy meeting is March 23rd, if I'm correct if I'm correct on that, we can bring those up as well as take a look and then have say a resolution possibly either with more teeth or any adjustments that might be needed to said resolution or whatever and bring it forward on the April meeting. So, I appreciate that Aaron. I truly do. However, I don't think a policy is going to make much change to this right now. I think I was at the State House when this bill
127was brought up and unfortunately there was a lot of pushback. There is or there isn't? There from the union. Oh. There was a lot of pushback from the union as far as doing the background checks and and so getting that you would have to do a contract change would have to be negotiated into the contract and if it's a house bill however, if it's state law, there is no negotiating. Doesn't have to be in the contract, doesn't have to you don't need a policy, it's state law. So, you can the committee can vote however they would like to vote. I do fully support this cuz I think we need to take whatever measures we have to to protect our children. Um so >> clauses in here that might not be strong enough though. Well, that's
128>> these this doesn't I don't think this line aligns directly or exactly with the actual law that's being presented. That they're discussing >> Well, this was presented by a Coventry a Coventry member gave this to me. Yeah, that was voted on. But is the wording Coventry Coventry the Coventry School Committee president had his solicitor write it. And he forwarded it to me after they approved it and then it went on to other districts as well that have been that have approved it. But I received it from this Coventry School Committee chair. Does it align directly with the I don't think directly. I think because what it is the law is still in the works. They're still tweaking it. They're still I think I asked for it to be on to show that we support this
129that we recognize something needs to happen. We have to take measures whatever measures necessary to protect our students and if it's doing it's more extensive background checks if it's doing but if like I mentioned before if it's if If a policy you can't enforce it cuz it has to be negotiated into the contract. And then that's why the unions were at the speaking against it at the house bill. However, if it's state law I I know you finish. If it's state law, there's nothing to negotiate. 100% but what I think Aaron was saying was in the resolution that we send forward cuz we're all Well, I don't I'm not going to speak for everyone. The majority of us are in favor of strengthening this area. Yep. Um that there are tweaks that we might as
130a committee want our resolution that we put forward to the Senate to say. In other words, we're just instead of just adopting Okay. >> another committee's, we might want to add something. I just don't want it to I I understand what you're saying but I know things can take weeks but we don't have that when it comes to the state committee. It's on on the docket and at that >> When is it coming up? Do you know? >> It's been up. It's been on the house floor. >> Again, I don't know. This has been a constant. It's It's regularly hard. They held it for study. So, we do have time. Okay. W- One of the concerns I have is there's nothing in there about ride. So, when a teacher is reported or stopped harassment is
131reported is nothing in there that says why isn't there a red flag? Why isn't there a hold? And I May I speak if you don't mind, please? So, I agree with you wholeheartedly and that was brought up but unfortunately can't dictate what ride does. That's I know you want to support it. I understand. Yeah, that makes sense. >> if again if they do if it does come out of committee and they do do this they can write whatever law in ride will have to follow the law. >> So, that's one of my concerns. The other concern I think is the fifth paragraph down where it said, "Any allegation whatsoever would have to be reported when you're applying for a job." Working in the schools as long as we have, there are false allegations. People are
132cleared. Thank god for cameras all over the place. People are cleared, you know, pretty quickly. If somebody has to report that there was a false allegation, I've sat on enough committees where we're hiring, and you're looking at resumes. If I see anything red flag, I'm like, "They don't get an interview." You know what I mean? But if it's false, that's not fair. Those are my two. So, I think we can Plus, that that sentence wasn't in the bill. No. Okay. That was just added in the written bill. >> Okay. Yeah, I think it's one thing to support like the bill overall, and it's another thing to have support another committee's resolution that we have >> So, perhaps we could I'm sorry, Mark. Perhaps we could reword the motion to support a resolution support the bill
133and create our own resolution, just so that way we're showing our support for the bill, and that something needs to happen. >> exactly. >> So, I'll pull my second. And I'll pull my motion if you want to make that I make a motion to approve to make a motion to support >> to support Rhode Island House Bill 7356 and Senate Bill 2216 um school employee background check. Right? Is that Oh, no, it's not that. That's I I I remove that part. And don't you And Okay. And then we will come up with our own resolution to bring forward to move on. I'll second that. Second. I second it already. >> Oh, you beat me. Any other discussion? Yeah, so I I had a a couple things that I just wanted to chip into. I'm in
134favor of anything that we can do to strengthen you know, this is safety and security of our our students, our student body, our staff in general. Um I conveyed that to the folks who approached me about this very topic. I think it's it's super important, obviously. It's it's pertinent to this district, districts everywhere. The comments that I had for them were were really two main ones. One is I wanted to make sure that I had had opportunity to speak with the legal counsel at both the local and regional level to just get an opinion as to whether or not what's being proposed here is legal, if it if it's worded correctly, if it's enforceable, and if it's doing what it's intended to do. And I would like to get that opinion as part of any
135work that we do as far as a resolution, a policy goes. I think it's important. Often times, while it may be law, it sounds weird, it may not be legal until it's tested. So, we want to make sure that the law as proposed is truly legal. The second part that I conveyed to them is that I don't know that it goes far enough as far as professions. I would like to see anything that's passed in at a statewide level focus on any child forward profession, whether it's teaching, whether it's child care, whether it's social services, anything that's receiving state money should be subject to the same rigor as far as background checks and tracking goes. And I I understand exactly why this is focused on the schools at the moment. But I don't think we
136should lose sight of the fact that this issue is is not limited to schools, it's limited to anywhere where you have adults in a position of authority and the opportunity to take advantage of that with with families with children. And I would be supportive of something that we can we could acknowledge that it's it's important in the schools, but encourage these laws, whether it's these or or bills in the future to extend that to to all of these industries. So, it's not vilifying our teachers, and it's not limiting the scope of where this protection is required. And that is what I tried to convey to the folks that spoke with me about it. It's I support it. I'll I'll vote for what we're voting for here. And I will pass that forward in my own
137way, but I wanted to share that here um because I I do think sometimes we focus on one profession. And it's it's more than that, you know, it's it's not like that there's there's creeps everywhere, you know, and we want to find them all. That's it. Sorry. Thank you. Beautiful. Yeah. All right. I have a first and a second. Any other discussion? All in favor? I. I. Opposed? Abstentions? Perfect. Can you guys just reiterate the motion, or I can if you can just clarify it, um that you um Mr. Dupree rescinded his motion. Shelly, you amended the motion with Cindy supporting it, the Rhode Island House Bill 7356 and Senate Bill 2216 with proposing our own resolution of providing or proposing >> we will pro And we'll propose our own resolution. >> our own resolution.
138And should I put this >> of those bills, I guess. In support of those bills. Yes, in support of those bills. I just want to make sure So we're clear. Thank you, Kyle, for reading >> just want to make sure that that's what we all said. Okay. Thank you, appreciate that. Thank you. Okay, anything else? Number 17, Amy's here. I don't I'm not going to read your email unless you want me to. >> a little more comprehensive than what I have planned, but I this is a little more pertinent to the Gloucester level. I this fiscal strategy and obviously working group but did want to extend it to the region as well because obviously our relationships are important with Foster and and everything that is impacted by the decisions that we our both of our
139towns make irrespectively as well. The purpose of the group is to provide a an opportunity for folks from the town council, hopefully, um folks from our board and opening up to constituents and other members of the community who may be um interested in participating. Uh obviously there's been a lot of talk about communication and transparency. I think this would be a good opportunity for for those who are looking for more of that to to obtain um some transparency and some more information. It's also really good opportunity for members who may be exiting the school committee or the town council and and or um you know, interested in potentially running for those positions as well to obtain information and have some understanding as to what um the issues that are that we're we're we're up against
140fiscally. Uh so I I kind of focused the group in like three areas that we like the goals that with which we would focus on. Um but obviously until we're in a room with everyone who would be willing to participate in this, um you know, that that's not fully like uh ironed out as well. So, um we're focusing on tracking legislation, you know, that impacts our funding, identifying grant and incentive opportunities, and developing clear fact-based messaging to resport to support resi- responsible advocacy. So, I heard a lot too even just now about the budget. This is another part of it as well that I thought we could focus on is is trying to create like um Renee had said I guess a documents that people can see and understand our district and the the proce-
141the budget process from Gloucester to the region, what the steps are, how how we get there, the entire process because it does take time to piece things together when you're new to the to the district. So, this is another opportunity to put some information together and to communicate that to constituents so that it doesn't take them many years to figure it out. So. Yeah. So, we just We discussed this in Gloucester. >> Yeah. And we decide I know, but I tried to speak for you as best as I could. We decided to move forward with creating this working group. Mhm. Um but we left it open to handing it off to you to start to pull it together. Mhm. So, we authorized you the committee to start moving forward with creating this working group. Um
142So, now we have to decide if we want to if that we want to do something similar here at the region. I would think you would almost have to to be truly effective and I think it sounds like it's something that's needed here. You hear it from the community. Um so, yeah. I I think that sounds like a great concept and I'd love to see where it goes. Yes, Cindy and I offered our support at least on the glass level we we could do both. do both. Yeah. Okay. Uh >> to be careful not to um We wanted What What was your advice in terms of posting the meetings and Well, as I said it um not knowing exactly what the charge of the committee will be or this group, I should say, will be.
143Um I don't know whether it will be subject to the open meetings law as a public body or not. But, I think airing on the side of uh caution and you'd want to advertise it anyway. You want Yeah. Right. If the purpose of it is to be So, treat it as an advisory uh committee, which is subject to the open meetings law, but you don't have to keep minutes because it's advisory. And I mean, you could keep minutes, but you don't have to do it the formal way. And that way uh if if depending on you know, if a majority of the committee happens to show up one day, you're not in violation of the open meetings law. Okay. Okay. Yeah, and I think Ed included the in the information that there would be no
144action taken. It's more of an opportunity for information sharing and idea sharing and planning and uh just trying to figure out ways to make everything more digestible for for the public. I I see it as a great opportunity too and I think you were saying it before to tap into some of the amazing folks who've kind of gone through some of these positions before and may not want to be in all the way. >> a member >> lose lose that that mind and their opinions and their thoughts and their history, frankly. Right. Yeah, they all have something to offer as far as information and resources and you know, attempts that they've made to resolve certain issues that maybe they didn't get to resolve. So, I mean, it's an opportunity for that. I did also reach
145out via email to the town council about this uh agenda item. Uh I will continue to work towards communicating with them and asking if if any of them would be interested in in joining and then I guess we can figure out a way I guess my question to you all would be what would be anyone's input regarding how to communicate that to the public. What would be the best course of action to I guess What did you say? Maybe an ad? Ad in the paper. Okay. Shelly. >> So, my only concern is who reads the paper? What paper would we do cuz >> be one way, but we could post it on other places. We >> What if we did like the website? What if we put it sent emails out to parents and community
146members cuz we already have the email chain, right? >> the town council's could post it on their site. >> Exactly. That's what I was saying. I think that would go further than I appreciate your recommendation of the paper, but I don't like what paper do we read anymore? Everything's online. Like even unless you did the journal, but even still to go through the ads. But even if you did the Valley Breeze, you can still access the Valley Breeze online. I think if what you're saying is how do you get the message out there and we could do it in multiple ways. Yeah. Why choose? >> Breeze makes sense. Yeah, that's the Valley Breeze Yeah. Uh and lastly, the other thought I had was whether or not this needed to be formalized into a policy to
147have like a structure around it. Is that something that would be something we should we consider doing that? Is that not necessary? I think I think that should be left up to the working group as it starts. >> Yeah. Well, because I think they can set up their bylaws, correct? They can set up their bylaws. I don't know if you need to be formal bylaws, but you know, they're their basic operating understanding. But that could be a lot. I think that that would be that should be the working group's decision on how how to do that. Okay. Let the flowers grow a bit before you start Yeah. Make sure it's Yeah. Understandable. Do a trial run. We had something similar for the regionalization. I don't think there's a formal policy with that. It was a
148study group and that was a little more formal, um but there's certainly history for it. Okay. Thank you. Any other discussion? No, we don't need a We did make a motion in Gloucester. Um if we're going to make a motion, should we amend the name um and replace working group with advisory committee just to be consistent and um in line with the public meetings rules? Is that Is that all right with you? >> Is that what you changed it to in Gloucester today? You don't you don't have to say it doesn't have to say advisory group or advisory committee. In practice, that's just how it functions. A working group is an We just said working group. Okay. That's That Many many committees create working groups. It's perfectly fine. Okay. We just used working group in
149Gloucester, so >> Okay. Uh I make a motion to establish the fiscal strategy and efficiency working group to have a regional branch. Second. Any other discussion? All in favor? I. I. >> Opposed? Abstentions? I'm glad you're here to explain it. Again, I tried. Probably easier if you just read it. So, for numbers 18 and 19, um we've had issues and I'm sad to see that I think Gary King left, but we've had issues with public comment. Um we put it the beginning and the end to try and make people happy. I just want to explain the history a little bit. Um just like I did with the superintendent contracts. Uh so there's been no regulation or policy that says the committee must vote on the wording of public comment and where it's located. It's always
150been included on the agenda throughout the years. Um so when we looked back over the minutes let me just go back to 2016. It was throughout the entire 12 months it bounced back and forth between public on the agenda it reading public comment and then it next month it read public comment agenda items only. And then for some reason we bumped it back to public comment in August and then we bumped it back to it it's all over the place. Throughout the years it was posted first, it was posted at the end of the agenda, it was posted in both. Um in some instances in 2017 we had it posted uh agenda items only and public comment open forum worded two different ways on the same agenda. Um so again this was something that just
151for some reason gained a lot of traction on social media and everybody was coming down pretty heavy on us for this and it was I think unjustified and unwarranted seeing that it when we look back as far back as 2016 and then you just stop looking because it's all over the place. Um it's been our past practice for over 10 years. And then when you do take a look at our two policies, one of my major concerns is that public comment, according to our policy, should be limited to educational matters of concerns to the board on unresolved issues concerning the superintendent or schools, but that has to be the educational matters. Another concern I have is if you look at our policy that's in your packet on public participation, it says I'll quote. It is
152also the legal responsibility and intent of the regional school committee to protect the reputation, the character, and the legal rights of our personnel and students, as well as any individual appearing before us. For these reasons, the school committee meetings are properly deemed public meetings to conduct the business of the regional school district and to hear the public comment related to the that business and not public forums to provide a platform for the introduction of a private agenda. We can't allow This isn't a meeting for people to just come and air whatever they feel like. We have proper procedures. If you have a problem with your students, your child's grade, you take it to the teacher. If you have a problem with the teacher, you take it to the principal. We have steps that you follow.
153Um That policy, it's item 19 in our packet, explains it in item number two, line item number three, line item number four, that these things need to go through a certain chain of command. When we have complaints, um and I think the reason it's so important to follow these is because we've had the public come up and uh make false accusations. And we've had the public come up and call our administration liars or teachers liars. And it's our responsibility as a school committee to also protect the people who work for us and our students. So, rather than debate this any longer, I think we should take these two policies and send them back to the policy committee to tighten it up. To to figure it out so that we can be much more clear and
154so that we don't have another 10 years of jumping all around with it in the beginning of the agenda, at the end of the agenda, and how we word it on the agenda. But just to be clear as far back as I've looked 10 years and beyond, we've never voted as a committee to where to put the agenda public comment on the agenda. We It's never been a vote. It was just discussed between Shelly and I or Ron and Shelly or whoever was the sitting chair at the time and we usually base it on the same with um when we have DECA, we'll move them to the front based on what our agenda looks like. But it has never been a vote to make these changes and I made a chart. It is insane how
155much jumping around we've done as a committee. So, I think the only way to fix this so that it doesn't come down on us again is to send this to policy committee and ask them to tighten it up. Yes, Shelly. I don't think the chatter, including myself, I was never It was never about where it was located. It was about limiting it to agenda items only. >> Well, again, but that's what we've done for 10 years. >> you did it once. You stated once you did it cuz it was once in that same committee cuz I don't ever recall limit >> to read it to you. Please, cuz I don't ever recall >> April I'm sorry. >> 2016 um in 2016 in June, in 2016 in July in 2016 in December, in 2017 March, April,
156May, June, September, October, November, December. Just a second. 18, January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, December and Shelly, you and I were I I got to look that up because I don't ever recall there being open agenda items only. It says it I got to look it up myself. I'm sorry, Cindy, because I don't That was that was the chat It's not where it was located. It's that we were limiting it to open agenda items. Like I stated before that This is that is the one >> chart? No, I don't want the chart. I want to look up I'm going to look up the minutes myself. That's all I'm going to look up the agendas myself. I don't need your chart. I will look it up through all the years. I will
157look. 2016 is where I'll start. >> time as to where to look. Okay, that'll be helpful then. That's fine. Thank you. >> it'll save you time. It took a lot of time to go through >> and I appreciate you. I appreciate your energy going into it. But I like I said, I stated before, I think that's our one avenue that the taxpayers have and yes, it's our responsibility to protect the our administrators like you said if there's false things, but we've always said point of order, you can't state names. We've always done that. However, we also have to remember who we work for. We work for the taxpayers. That is who we work for and if we should be giving them an opportunity to share their concerns. But I will look this up and I
158don't want to Like I said, it wasn't about where it was located. It was that we limited to open agenda items only. >> And I just wanted to refresh your memory that you and I sat side by side on the committee for years >> That's why I want to look cuz I find that hard to believe and I'm sorry that I'm like dumbfounded right now. >> Shelly, I just looked up one of the ones from December. It does say a um public comment on items relating to agenda. That's what it says on December 5th, 2016. >> her research it. I'm just saying Shelly >> No, I appreciate that. Yeah, cuz I'm like yeah, so I am I'm literally speechless. So I appreciate that. >> I sat side by side for years co-chairing this committee I
159don't agree with that. >> how we ran it. And And again, we would jumble. We would do it sometimes and not others. We did it under three different attorneys' advice. Ronnie Anderson advised us to do it. >> Johnny Anderson I mean John. Yep. Uh Miriam Carroll advised us to do it. And now Greg's sitting here >> Yes, so like I said, I just don't have any recollection of that. So and that was and I don't think anybody was ever upset about where it was located cuz I do. I mean you guys put it and we'll move it if there's a lot of people here. We've you've done it in the past. You've moved it up. It was just the limitation of it. I think that was the concern. But I just >> included. So I
160appreciate this. I'm going to look this up and thank you. So in to to put this to bed so that we don't have to deal with this anymore, let's kick it to the subcommittee. Let them tighten it up so that no matter who's sitting here next year the year after, we have it clear and I I I think that's the correct approach. Have the policy committee take a look at it, present something, and then this this committee has to be in agreement that we will conform with the policy. Cuz I think what leads to some of the confusion is not so much where that's placed on the agenda. I I honestly don't know. I think it's the way in which it was kind of managed on the agenda and how the style of the meetings,
161if you will. And I think the world has changed a little bit and how people interact with school committees and government bodies in general in the last like three, four years. And that in turn has led to that sort of lockdown a little bit on public comment. So I think that's where some of the confusion comes from is that it may well have been at the top, the bottom, wherever. But depending upon the meeting, there there may have been opportunity for public comment in the middle of the meeting if there was something that was pertinent to what people were talking about. >> that was always up to Shelly and I. Today Today Gary wanted to chime in on an an Where we sit, we always allow it. I think it's kind of migrating back to
162that space and that should be in the the too that perhaps it's the chair's discretion uh if they allow comment aside from those public comment defined spaces. Pertinent to that specific agenda item, but it should be in the policy and should be discussed. But I just wanted to add that that I I think that's part of it. It's not so much the formal location of it on the agenda. It's just the way >> I and I but I wanted to bring up both because again all over social media they're coming down saying not all over social media they're coming down saying I'm limiting. It's not I. This isn't an I thing. This is something we we have done for 10 years. All of us. I also think that it's good because if we look at
163when these policies were enacted, one of them is from 1993, the other one's from 2008. Again, we're talking, you know, 23 very very long time. We have the >> So, I definitely think that it's great to even take a look at these. Um we can either, you know, tighten or whatever we need to do with said policies if we decide to do said activities or whatever like that. And then bring it back, but I definitely feel like it's very important to also look at these policies, especially on the dates of them from 1993 to 2008. And two of these policies seem to be like redundant if that makes any sense. >> We should have a mimeograph policy. If the policy was either reproduced with a memo or a ditto, it should be redone. I just
164want to add I just want to add since this is an agenda item, could we have a discussion about what our thoughts are? Like I feel like so I like streamlining things. I like things to be consistent. So, is there like I mean, can we say that public comments is in the beginning, is in the end, it is both? I I can we have that conversation since we're having it right now? That's number one. >> that the the policy committee should try to come up with a plan, present it to us, and then we can adjust it. You know, we have a first reading, a second reading with recommendations. Okay. Because I think that changes need to be made. >> Right. I guess they're just saying like in the in the interest Yeah, but in
165the interest of of, you know, going and writing it one way and then coming back and having someone say, "No, I really want this formalized or consistent." You know, I've just if anyone has any strong feelings about that, that would be great to know going into the policy meeting. And then my other question is for Greg, from like a legal standpoint, from the from the you know, the law that spells out what public comment should and shouldn't be. Correct me if I'm wrong, the chair does have the ultimate decision to to stop public comment. It's their discretion. So, there is discretion, but the the concern you have is if you have public forum. Right. Not public comment, but public forum. That means anybody can get up and talk about whatever they want, and they can
166defame people, they can you know, I remember having this conversation when we wrote this policy 30 years ago. Somebody could get up and say, "I know that this person is sleeping with that person, and I think it's just a The And the chair, if the chair tries to stop that, it could potentially be a first amendment violation. It's not in the open The open meeting law doesn't apply. The open meeting law doesn't require public comment. Most public bodies in the state do not have any public comment. Audiences sit there and listens, and that's it. It's much more common with school committees because that seems to be the forum where people feel the most comfortable to come and and comment on things. But, the danger in having a policy that's so broad is you're going to
167put the chair in a very uncomfortable position, and she could be sued personally. And And I think it's important to note that throughout the years, another comment that has been brought to me is that we were supposed to take a vote. We've never voted on how it was run. Um and a and another So, I think that if we have something that helps you know, keep it structured. Another important note is looking at the 39 school districts or however many There are and and and don't quote me on these numbers, but just for number's sake a third of them have no public comment, period. A third of the agendas have it on agenda items only. Some of them have it on um open an open forum. I tried to look to see what the majority
168of the school um departments do, school committees do, and you can't find a consensus because it's all over the place in in Rhode Island. So, So, that was another issue. I couldn't even look to see what the majority of the state's doing because there's no consistency throughout the state. All right. So, I think Do we need a motion to Pat? No. We'll just send it to I'm just referring it to the policy committee. Any other discussion on that? Is everybody good with sending it to you guys? I'd like to say thank you. Thank you. Madam Chair, before we start executive session, can we just move public comment related to open session agenda agenda items from the bottom to the top just because of the fact that it's already 9:30 at night that way for anyone
169that wishes to be heard can speak and then if they want to We can, but we can also leave it there at the end, too. I don't it doesn't I just thought that Move it up now that way >> That's fine. If anyone wants to talk No problem, well, I just didn't know about how long we would be in exact. No, you're talking about exact uh public comment. I think the chair has great latitude in what she can allow and what she can allow. So, I And I remember I don't know, things have got crazy now, but years ago we used to public comment, people used to bring up a lot of stuff that was the school committee didn't actually knew what was going on. But, you know, I can remember one about uniforms. They
170were complaining about uniforms for two or three years, and then they finally Well, maybe not that long, but they finally got all new uniforms. And the school committee really didn't know that the uniforms were not such bad shape, but until the public brought it up to us. Uh so, this is I think there's a lot of good things that could be learned from it. You know, nowadays, you know, people have agendas and it it's you can only talk about so much. But again, something like the uniforms should have been up been brought up to the athletic director. The athletic director should have taken it to the superintendent. >> Right. >> Superintendent then should have taken it to us. Like, could we have prevented that from being a discussion months prior to the hitting the floor?
171>> it it didn't happen though until I think >> the public knew that's the way we're supposed to do it. We don't know that's the way we're supposed to do it. >> here's the other thing is also, what if someone decides to go like, you know, to the athletic and then it just squashed right there even though like it doesn't want to get back to us or whatever like that. I think that is also a possibility, but again, I don't want to you know, verge off into any open meetings act or anything like that, but that's just my opinion on the thing because I think that if something was to be say squashed right here and there, it's going to the policy. >> Right. >> Yeah. Anything that has a cost is in the budget.
172And the budget is generally on the agenda. Right. Okay. Uh And also, uh you're talking about the time of the meeting when it was changed. I think you may have been our attorney at the time, Greg, but because we went through the whole procedure. It had to be you had to uh it had to be put on the uh the uh ballot in both towns. And both towns approved it. So, it must have been Well, was it me? What? It wasn't >> after 2010 cuz I You sure about that? I seriously doubt >> it was before, Johnny and >> use the quill and pen? Uh it was I as far as 20 cuz I used to Because By charter, anything you want to change about the the Like I don't even know if you people
173can change the date of the of the uh public hearing unless it's a dire emergency. Did you think about that? That's in the That's a charter. How do you Oh, okay. Did they get the right times, I hope? Okay. Uh But that that did happen. I don't uh Beth, you were probably on the committee then and what I think that was uh around the same time we gave ourself a raise. I did. I can Well, appreciate another one. A couple years, but you people wouldn't vote for it. And then Mike finally put it in the budget. That's how we got it. All right, that's >> have any other public comment? Thanks, Walt. I make a motion to convene to executive session to discuss and or vote on the following matters per Rhode Island General Law
17442-46-5A, privacy of student records, home school approval, per Rhode Island General Law 42-46-5A, collective bargaining grievance 25-26-03 level four violation of article 7 student loads update of unfair labor practice case ULP 6433 by NEA ponaganset hearing rescheduled to March 31st, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. and Port Island general law 42-46-5A legal advice / pending litigation update Barrett V Foster Gloster Regional School District April 11.19.2025 update Figgis V Foster Gloster Regional School Committee April November 16, 2025 OMA complaint November 10, 2025 Barrett V Foster Gloster Regional School Committee Barrett submitted some supplemental surrebuttal 1152026 update OMA complaint 12162025 Whitfield V Foster Gloster Regional School waiting on decision OMA complaint 12192025 Pezza V Foster Gloster Regional School Committee Pezza submitted rebuttal update update ride complaint 25.074A regarding Ward V Barrington at all CTE petition and update on political
175on potential litigation regarding alleged teacher misconduct. Second. Mr. Lombardi Aye. Aye. opposed abstentions All right, we're going to head into executive session. >> Mhm. >> I make a motion to seal the minutes of executive session. Second. Second. Third. I mean, all in favor? I. Opposed? Abstentions? We reconvened from open session at 10:32 p.m. Yes. In executive session, one vote was taken during uh voted in affirmative. Home school. One vote was taken. Two. Two because you did uh home schooling and your I'm sorry. Two Two votes were taken in the affirmative. And should I What about the statement? We have to sign that. Well, that's the You don't vote that or you don't That was a form. I don't have no trouble with Okay. Um Who seconded the adjournment? We didn't yet. >> yet. We didn't.
176I make a motion to adjourn. Second. We We should also say the time. It is currently 10 We came out of executive session at 10:31. Yep. It is now 10:32. >> I just said that we convened to open session at 10:32 p.m. Oh, okay. We're just going to sign Go. I make a motion to adjourn. Do I have a second? All in favor. Aye. Opposed? Abstentions?