001to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Student staff recognition. >> I take this around. So you uh you have received an email um sharing a little bit of information about what our high school counselor um counselors what the team achieved. And so I can read off the um read off the recognition. Uh but what I want to do uh for before I do that is just introduce everyone. I don't know if you actually know everyone. So Alex Mloud, uh Rhonda Dion, she focuses uh mostly on our ninth grade. Rhonda is our nth grade counselor. um Heather Mjetta and Linda Murphy. So our four school counselors started on a journey two years ago, a year and a half. Um and it was actually I
002think an interest initially of of Miss Murphy and she uh was interested in really you guys come closer. She was really interested in exploring uh the good work that our counselors are doing and um through the American School Counselors Association. So we call that ASCA. And in the past year and a half of very diligent work, they have achieved one of only two schools in the entire state, they have achieved what's called RAMP. It's recognized ASCA or the American School Counseling Association model program. Now, that may seem like, okay, it's a model program, so others will do what they do. But what they do is go very, very deep into identifying what our students needs are. They had to look at specific data, track that data, make plans, check the plans. Um, they had to
003look at how their hours were spent, their minutes were spent, their phone calls. Um, they had to break down their time and they had to ensure that they were working towards students needs, which sometimes uh that's not always what you get to do during the day because there are other things that need to be done. So, I'm um I don't want to minimize. I want to just share with you that the reality is this honor reflects our school counseling team's commitment and that's a really important word to implementing what's known as a comprehensive datainformed program that's aligned with the national model. So this is beyond the state of Rhode Island. Um and it's focused on really the supporting the the the tiers that students need which is the academic the career and the social emotional
004success of all students. And so as you think about your um back in the day guidance counselor, right, guide um the names have definitely shifted, they are school counselors and that's because every part of a student's experience in school, they're a part of they know they're the ones that pull our students or push our students or guide our students or help our students. Um and they've always had this desire. a lot. When you look at what the standards are, even though your intent is to do it, you might not know how to shift some things. And they were diligent, they were committed, they were data driven, they worked really well as a team. And I don't want to um miss the opportunity to tell you what a wonderful recognition this is, how proud I am,
005how pleased I am. And it wasn't something that was done like let's just do it when we have time. they had to make a commitment to ensure they were still working with our students yet filling out the paperwork and the application, right? Because that let's let's let's acknowledge that that you can't just say I'm doing it. There has to be evidence that you put forward um and then you get scored on it. And so um I congratulate you. I thank you. Um and we have a recognition tomorrow morning. You did receive an invitation if you're available. It starts at 8:30 here and there's going to be food and drinks and a fun time. So, yeah. No coffee. Um would you like to speak a little bit more about it and just give them or you
006>> No, you did you did a great job. And I just just to like kind of um focus a little bit more on some of the work that we did. We are getting more into classrooms. So, we're on a regular basis we're working with this isn't something you can do alone, right? We need to do it with teachers. we need to do it with the administration and and if we didn't have the administrative support, we wouldn't be able to even get as far as we got with this. So, we have to have a deliberate approach to how we're running our program. We plan an annual calendar. It's on our school counseling tab. You can see that of all the things that we do and they're dated. So, we have an exact plan for every step
007of the process throughout the year. And when we're collecting data, when we're working with small groups, we're targeting um students that might be failing in math, we're all working on uh ninth grade and tth grade geometry and algebra students and working with them with executive functioning, making sure that they're um they're meeting with their teachers during W4 because a lot of these students don't book themselves during W4 for the support they need because they don't like the subject. So that's where we're helping them besides doing like some social emotional work. We've been doing that a couple of lessons the past few years in the PE classes. So we're like a guest speaker for a day um and that go and we collect data about the students mindset and behaviors around um the topics that we're
008talking about whether it be um focusing on uh grit like really you know working hard um and and your behaviors towards um anything in life. So that's a really great lesson that we like. We're doing college lessons in the classroom. So that's a way that in when it was a guidance counselor, you could only meet with a few. With with being a school counselor and putting together this program, we're meeting with all students at some point more than we used to during the school year, not just when they're getting ready for college. So that makes it a little bit more powerful for us because we're doing what we really like to do. >> So thank you. Oh, in the Northeast. So, even though Smithfield got the award this year, I we did apply last year
009and didn't get it. It was really a tough application. Um and it and even to this day, I look back at the application and I'm like, I can't believe we lost a point for that. Right. So, we were really close last year. So, this was our second year. So, we're in our third full year of implementation. But across the country or in the northeast in general, there's only one school right now in Connecticut and one school in Maine that have this and it's one high school and one elementary school. So nobody in the northeast has been do I don't want to say nobody, very few at minimal have been doing this work. And if they're doing the work, they might be doing it, but they're not doing it to the level where they're collecting the
010data, keeping the data, having an advisory council, um, you know, and and doing all this work so that we're deliberate about what we do. So, across the country, I think we might have been about 150 schools that received it this time around. And it's good for five years. >> And you don't have to pay our memberships for five years. >> Anything else I miss? Congratulations. >> Public comment. >> Nope. There you go. Can you hear me? Uh, I might as well ask this early because before I listen to what you guys say about it, but um, you've got an agenda here. 16 discussion approval of AP coordinated stipen. Uh my question would be how many requests are are outstanding on that and I don't know what this public versus personal property for school committee members
011is what you know which I'm sure you'll explain it in very detailed fashion when it gets to it. But it's all I have for now. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Number six, approval of meeting minutes January 8th, January 10th, January 20th, and January 28th, 2026. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the minutes the open meeting on January 8th, 2026. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> a vote. >> Thank you. >> So So the vote will be >> 70 >> 71. >> Yep. >> Thank you, >> Madam Chair. I make a motion to approve the minutes of the executive session meeting on January 8th, 2026. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstensions. Thank you, >> Madam Chair. I make a motion to approve the
012minutes of the open meeting on January 10th, 2026. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstensions. Thank you. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the minutes of the open meeting on January 20th, 2026. >> All those in favor? >> Second. >> Oh, second. >> Thank you, Michael. >> All those in favor? I >> opposed. abstensions. >> Oh, that would be Michael and Amy. Do they have to abstain? >> Are you >> that the um >> workshop? The workshop. >> Amy, Mara, and Joyce. >> So, it would be >> Oh, that was the one before. That was the one before. >> They can approve. I I'm sorry. I went back to the to the workshop when the workshop one January 20th >> is January 10th only >> to understand
013it. Okay. >> Okay. >> Right. Correct. >> Yep. And then this one would be 503 if it's approved. >> So be four. >> So 502. >> Well, he's not abstaining because he's not here. So >> three extensions. Miss Joyce, Miss Pere, Miss Mr. Right. Three extensions. Five people left because it should be five. >> Perfect. >> Thank you. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the ex the minutes of the executive session meeting on January 20th, 2026. >> Second. >> Thanks, Mike. >> All those in favor? I >> opposed. Abstensions. >> Abstain. 503. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the minutes of the open meeting on January 28th, 2026. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstensions. >> One, two, three, four. So that's 404, right? >>
014Yep. >> Oops. >> It's a majority of those voting. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the minutes of the executive session meeting on January 28th, 2026. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I >> opposed. Extensions abain. >> One, two, three, four, four, 04. >> Number seven, approval of monthly bills. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the monthly bills dated January 1st, 2026 to January 31st, 2026 in the amount of $893,16868. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed abstensions. >> Thank you. Number eight, finance update, budget and finance. >> Yep. Um just a question on the monthly bills. Everyone that's receiving the electronic copy, are you okay receiving the um monthly bills electronically as well going forward? Okay. >> All right.
015So, revenue and expense report for the month of January. We're at 62.42% collected for revenue and we're 48.48% 48% for expense. Um, our fund balance and our capital fund balance have been updated too at as of uh 6:30 2025 based on the audit on that before I do the budget. >> Anyone have any questions for Thank you. Um, update fiscal year 27 budget. >> Yep. you all have a draft. Um, we're not looking for an increase this year overall. Uh, the way the enrollment numbers and the EWAC that we use for debt and capital those the way those numbers come out, Gloucester does get hit. Um, and Foster does not, they'll have a a credit. Um if you look at the non-s salary expenses, the biggest driver is the out of district tuition. That's uh
016estimated to go up 137%. Which is really out of our control. Uh but that's the bulk of the non-salary piece. Um with the 0% increase, we are going to have to cut some positions. Um for >> de ask a question please. Rene the audit district tuition special needs or are they tech schools? What are the out of district tuitions? >> So the out of district the out of district tuition that Ann is referencing are students who need to be placed out of district for needs. >> That's what I want. Okay, that's Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> I'm sorry to interrupt you. I just I just want I just want to get it while you're talking about it. Thank you. >> Um so for debt service, we have three more years left on the bond. Um
017capital we're asking for the same amount, but as you can see the swing between Foster and Gloucester just because of enrollment and EWAC. uh Gloucester does get hit on that. Um we are do have an amount in there for using fund balance and that's mostly because there's a lot of expenses that are still unknown. Uh we don't know what our insurance premiums are going to be at. We don't know property and casualty, health and dental. It's a negotiation year, so we don't know where those are going to fall. So there's still a lot of unknowns. So that leaves the cushion in there. May ask a question about this year's um fund balance use. How much have we used if anything so far this year? Because I know we budgeted 400,000. >> We haven't used anything
018so far. >> Beautiful. Okay, good. That's my because that is a concern. I don't want to create a structural deficit by digging in. Okay. Thank you. >> Um state aid is ba this is based on the estimate that came out a few weeks ago. It is up from last year. Tuition revenue um we have increased a little bit, but that's another thing that's a little unknown at this point. Um, and I think that's about it. Yeah. >> Does anyone have any questions for >> Okay. Thank you. Superintendent's report. So, under my report, you have the personnel actions. Uh, there were three non-renewals. resignation. Two leave of absence of certified and one leave of absence of noncertified. >> Madam chair, I make a motion to approve the leave of absences as presented in the superintendent report.
019>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed extensions. Thank you. >> Okay. Cte spotlight. >> Um I think we had the um originally thought we'd have to table the non-renewal um until after executive session. Uh but there are non-renewals on there um of non-tenure teachers which would would have been moved to item 21. I don't know if you want to do that now or you wait till after executive session. >> It's on the personnel action. >> Um >> should we wait till >> So you want me to pull the motion then? >> No, that's okay. Never mind. You can >> motion for the legal absences. >> Yeah. Okay. >> That's right. >> It is. That's right. >> Okay. All right. CT spotlight. >> Is that we're on? Yes. Okay. So, this is
020uh CT spotlight month um for Rhode Island Department of Education. And I'd like to just highlight two um we have wonderful programs. We have >> Renee. >> You're talking to I can't >> There we go. Is that better? Is that better? Okay. And I'll keep my head straight because I tend to move. This month is CTE spotlight uh through Rhode Island um Department of Education. And so we have 17 currently we have 17 programs. uh and we that's due to your teachers passion and desire um to not only propose uh build these programs sit at state level meetings um but really proud of of that work and we did share a lot of that at our um workshop but I want to I want to highlight for you uh two programs specifically I don't know
021how familiar you are with our firefighting program however uh last Thursday very very very cold day um but our students were about participating in an ice rescue. So um Bob Shields uh you know resident and and wonderful wealth of knowledge um came during the day along with our local fire departments and they outfitted the students. They put them out in the pond and they went in the water and they rescued one another. We actually had Mrs. Hill, our one of our assistant principles at the high school. She got rescued. Um, so I just want to recognize the collaborative partnership work that we have with our town um with our town employees. They are there. They took the time out of their day and we have 45 kids, I believe, in our firefighting program. Um, and
022two of whom are interested in in in going into firefighting. Uh, and Chief Eustace has said there's one that's already lined up to go who graduated last year. So students around the state and the country I don't know if they get an opportunity to really participate in an ice rescue program uh or opportunity and that is because of our CTE program uh which again is uh Chris Stanley that was a passion of his. He advocated for it. He secured the funds through the Champlain grant and I just I don't want to miss an opportunity to say that was really great a really great experience. It was cold. I was out there. It was cold but they weren't cold because they were in the proper gear. Uh and the second part is our CTE program spotlight
023is construction management. So this year we're piloting um really student learning in a co-eing model between the classroom job site and mathematics, geometry and construction, right? It's a natural connection. And so this year we're piloting uh co-taught between um Zack Collins, he's one of our math teachers, and Steve Martin. And they share the same students and sometimes they're in the lab space and sometimes they're in the classroom. So, it's really learning about the math and then using the math. Um, so, you know, we're we're looking at at what we have in place. They're reflecting, they're analyzing, and I'm I'm confident that we're going to strengthen that co-eing approach. So, I wanted to highlight those two, especially because it's CTE spotlight month. >> Terrific. Thank you. >> Semianual bullying report. So that's just that's justformational. Um
024you get this twice a year. >> Terrific. Does anyone have any questions? >> Thank you. Uh confirmation of subcommittee appointee appointments. Um we just wanted to go over this again just to make sure everyone is clear on what subcommittee that they signed up for. Um everyone has it in their packet. Is everyone okay with what is selected for them? Does anyone have any questions? Shel, I think you were the only one who wasn't here. Do you Are you good with what? >> I feel bad. I don't want to take someone else's capital. So, it's really if you think that Mike, >> I think typically we've been holding them around four because that was sort of a compromise between the professional staff here >> and those away. Um, >> so yes. So if they're not >>
025okay >> and you're good with the budget. We put Brendan blame him. He put you on budget. >> All right. So you're good with the budget. >> You're stepping off of capital projects. >> I'm sorry. That's fine. >> Tuesday. >> Well, um, is there >> we typically don't if it matters or not, but only because we go Gloucester at 5:30. So, we typically wouldn't have that at at at four on a Tuesday. Um, >> does anybody else want to step up for that committee? If We have Mark, Brendan, Beth. >> I was the one that stepped down from capital projects. Um, so Shel, if you'd like, I can step back up and then >> Erin, I think you should join the wellness committee, too, and just complete >> should I just >> subcommittee bingo. >>
026That was a possibility. When's that next wellness committee meeting? >> The wellness is on the 24th. >> I'll get back to you on the >> I'm not on that one. >> Okay. Okay. Can I get a motion please for um >> appointment submitt >> second? All those in favor >> I >> opposed abstensions. Thank you. >> Okay. The next one's >> Yep. Um, resolution full funding for categorical transportation aid. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the resolution in support of full funding of categorical transportation aid as presented in the packet. >> Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Abstensions. >> Thank you. >> 13. Resolution opposing Rhode Island Senate Bill S2172 2026. >> Um >> Aaron, >> Madam Chair, I was the one that um created this resolution and
027it just passed Gloucester. So I wanted to also bring it up to um foster Gloucester as well. So, the Rhode Island Senate Bill 2172 would allow um would revise the um labor relations act to allow teachers to actually strike. So, it would actually um the only ones that um it would give them a statutory right to strike for public sector workers including teachers with the exceptions for police officers, firefighters, 911 employees, and correctional officers. So teacher strikes have already been illegal in the state of Rhode Island since 1958 and was actually argued before the Rhode Island Supreme Court um in 1973 in the school committee of town of Westerly versus the Westerly Teachers Association. So, I wanted to put this out there just because of the fact that with the possibility and with the substitute
028teacher shortage that we're all currently going through and everything else, I think that this is something it was just introduced this year. And I think that we need to um stand up and say no. And again, with the revised, you know, there's no revision. It just says that we'll allow teachers to strike. There's nothing else aside from that. So that's why I've introduced this resolution to oppose this and I'm asking that if we um agree to it here at the region that it will also be sent out to the other school committees throughout the state to also get them on board um as well as given to the Rhode Island Senate, the House of Representatives, RIDE, the Rhode Island Association of School Committees in the Rhode Island Superintendent Association just so that they are aware
029of this as well because I think it's going to be a detriment not just just the school districts as a whole but it will also allow for towns, say town clerks in order to strike as well or anything like that. Again, the only exceptions would be for police officers, firefighters, 911 employees, those public safety employees. Um, and I think that not saying teachers would strike, but say if you know mediation is not going well, that the collective bargaining agreement is not going well, what's stopping teachers, not saying that it would happen from saying, "Okay, we're going to strike the first three days of school." and now you've got now you're trying to get substitute teachers on opening day. So that's why put this resolution out there and I would recommend passage if we all agree
030with that as well. >> Make a motion. >> So Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the resolution on in support of opposing Rhode Island Senate Bill 2172 as presented in the packet. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. Thank you, Aaron. >> Thank you. >> Facilities update. >> Good evening. >> Hi, Stephen. >> So, obviously just been extremely cold past month uh with some big storms. Otherwise, everything's pretty much operational. Nothing catastrophic, nothing too substantial, just a couple minor incidentals here and there. Um, but with the cold weather and the massive snowstorm, everything from a facility standpoint is pretty copetic at this point in time. >> Thank you. That's great. Anyone have any questions? Thanks, Steve. >> Capital projects. >> One thing on the facilities update, we we chatted
031a little bit before the meeting. There's likely to be some guidance coming from the state soon regarding uh snow collection on roofs and how it should be handled by different schools and school districts. So Steve and Gary are ahead of it already, which is great to hear. Um but as a heads up to the rest of the committee, there will likely be something coming from Ry shortly. Um and we shouldn't be surprised by it. And we and we have already been in contact with our architects and engineers in regards to the snow load on our roofs at both buildings. Um, you know, we've already been confirmed that we are in good condition right now. There's no reason for concern unless we get an an additional, you know, six plus inches of snow. We've already had
032the preliminary conversations with the superintendent in regards to if and when we need to take action. So, in regards to snow loads and everything else, we're pretty comfortable at this point in time. So, capital projects. >> Capital projects. So the there's three uh items on the capital projects agenda. Basically, unfortunately, due to the snowstorm, we weren't able to have a capital projects full team review. Um the intent for these approvals right now is basically just to you know as previously discussed at the last capital projects meeting is basically just to approve the schematic design and uh for the hot water systems at both the high school and middle school and then the panagans middle school boiler replacement. This is basically just to approve the schematic design that Aronia and Associates has provided us and to
033start the approval process through the ride portal. And then basically the third approval is for the underground storage uh tank. That's a full turnkey U proposal full 362,000 gal or 362,000 to remove the 10,000galon underground storage tank replaced with a 8,000galon storage tank and all the upgraded necessary monitoring that goes along with it. So those are the three approvals that you'll see within the packet. If I may, we had this was discussed in June and we did try to put into the bids. This is very unfortunate. We did try >> which portion was discussed in June >> the um underground oil tank. Is that number one? >> Yep. >> That is um so it's 300,000. That's the cost. >> Turnkey $362,000 for removal, permitting, um replacement, and compliance. >> We did try bringing this up
034in June to have our to amend the bids. Do you remember that, Brendan? That's what prompted this, I think. >> And unfortunately, we tried because we knew it was going to cost more money if we didn't address the bids, have them go like fix the bids then and try to get it rebid before the because we didn't put the boiler in and that was the whole stall because we said we didn't want to >> Are you referring to Foster? >> No, we're I'm assuming here. We had the meeting in the in the superintendent's conference room. We had the meeting here on super conference room and it was in June and there was discussion about the underground oil tank and I was questioning the um the likelihood of it lasting and the longevity of it and
035there was there was someone else that put a bid in that did not fit the scope of your plans. >> So there were there were this project never went out to bid. Um, this these conversations were initiated due to our concern of the condition of the tanks within the properties and the age of the equipment. Um, Gary and I initiated all these concerns knowing that we were moving into boiler replacement projects here at the schools. So, it it didn't really make sense to not address the these schools. So, these have not gone out to bid. I >> I know that that's that's the problem. I tried we we tried addressing this in June when we were putting in the new heating system and then I was told then in June that the underground water tank
036the underground oil tank was fine and it was grandfathered in. I was told then but >> the underground storage tank is 100% fine at this point in time. It is compliant. We have no deficiencies. It was inspected by a third party that we hired through the district and then it was also inspected from a dem personnel that came out per a complaint, an anonymous complaint and we we walked away with a clean bill of health on all inspections. >> But yet we want to spend 300,000 and I I completely get it >> due to the age of the tank and which again there the the information included within the the inspection reports should provide the necessary information as to why we should move forward with some of these tank replacements. I understand, but there was
037a bid that was received and I understand it was not part of the bidding process, but there was someone that submitted a bid and I asked for to go back out to bid with the oil tank underground oil tank. >> So, this is so this all has to do with the approval process and the intent. The RFP had nothing to do with a a tank replacement at that point in time. We didn't have any the necessary information to provide at that point in time. The RFP was to for the inkind replacement of the panagans boiler. It said nothing to do with a a underground storage tank. So ultimately they didn't abide by the the information within the RFP. So because one person provided an estimate with with the underground storage tank information, that does no
038justice for the other bidding vendors against them because there that was not incorporated within the the initial RFP. So, we're talking about two entirely separate proposals. >> I understand that, which is why I made a motion at the June meeting. >> What is your >> to amend the motion to have the underground tank put into the bid so it would have been cheaper because we knew it was going to cost $300,000 is a lot of money. >> And if we address Hold on, Steve, please let me finish. So, if we addressed it then in June, >> it's very likely it would not have cost so much money because it would have been part of that same bid. >> Shelley, we voted on that. Actually, we did vote on it and then we voted to approve
039it and then we had another vote which voted against it. So, we did vote on it and we did vote to approve it and then we were told to vote again because the because legal wasn't there. >> Can can I add one layer to this? So, we're talking about apples and oranges here. Just because somebody incorporated a number and a line item within a proposal for replacing an underground storage tank, what does that incorporate? Does it incorporate a turnkey installation, permitting, soil sampling, dem I mean you it's we're really talking about apples and oranges and and ultimately this is why the capital projects team these discussions are made amongst the committee and the committee comes to you with a recommendation. So after all those conversations were had the committee came to you and those were
040the decisions that were made which brought us here to at this point in time. >> Yes. >> Can I get a motion? >> Well, can we pick them off? Um there's three motions there. Can we pick off the easy two first maybe? >> Well, well, we just discussed this one. Why don't we make a motion on the one we just finished >> if possible? I I just wanted to sidebar and chat with Steve really quickly. Can we table that one just for a moment so I can just have a better understanding or we can we can >> and if if need be we can have a follow-up capital projects meeting and then we'll have to have an additional uh school committee meeting because this is a relatively urgent matter for the facilities team where I'm
041just seeing if we can table it till after executive possibly. While we have a brief intermission, I can just ask a >> Why don't you just >> Sure. >> Fine. So, it is a big number and it is a turnkey project which I think is is a value to the district. I think it makes sense design build all under one contract. I am concerned though that it is a big number and I think it's a little bigger than what we had talked about when we first talked about going out to bid for it. And I'm just curious if it makes sense for us to get several different bids for the work. >> So we did we did reach out in our previous capital projects meeting. I provided you with the initial uh removal um proposal
042from Alliance. I want to say Bo Smith a company out of Connecticut >> provided us with basically just a a set of drawings that we could have used for to go out to to bid. So some of these discussions did take place. They did. The values though were a lot smaller when we had that meeting, at least by my notes here. >> So again, because these are committee decisions, I'm more than happy to have a follow-up capital projects team meeting and have these discussions amongst the group. >> Can we go out to bid again? I think that's what I think that's what Brendan's saying. Can we go out to bid again? I just want to make sure that we've done our full due diligence on this particular one because I do think this number is
043bigger than what we had talked about at that subcommittee and unless other folks who were there feel differently and I want to make sure that we're doing what we should do for it. I I agree with the approach. I agree with the turnkey operation. I just want to make sure that we're getting the best value we can for it and so we're working with that one vendor. I don't know that that's this number. That's the concern I have. I don't want to hold the project up. >> So, you want to go out to bid again. >> I want to understand if we've compared this price as a turnkey operation to any other vendor who might be able to offer that same service because it's it's a larger value than what we had talked about at
044that meeting. >> And I I think it's best if we have a follow-up capital project so we have in-depth discussions. >> I apologize because I know you wanted to have that meeting on Tuesday and we weren't able to have it. >> I did also right try to reach out. You did the value I had was was a lot less. It was like, you know, a fifth of this. And maybe it's my notes. Maybe they were wrong. I mean, if someone wants to correct me on what that number was that we talked about for the price of this work. >> Did Did you fully review the proposal that's in the packet? >> I did. I did. I had some concerns at the first meeting too with how we were handling some of the remediation work and
045that is in here as well to a point, but they do have a lot of caveats in there as well as to what they do with, you know, basically contaminated materials outside the first foot. Um contaminated materials outside the trenching back to the building. >> I just want to make sure that we've done our due diligence. >> Not a problem. I'm I'm more than happy to do it again. >> If if we do table that, what does it do to the full schedule? Because I also don't I get it. It's time sensitive. >> Again, right now we're pulling fuel out of our underground storage tank that's fully in compliance. The worst that happens, we we put our boiler in place and we're still pulling fuel out of the the same tank. there there really is
046no, >> you know, again, the the the concern would be to get the tank replaced before next heating season. >> So, we're, you know, and ideally, if we're going to take action addressing the boiler room, it'd be nice to take action and and expedite it and treat it as, you know, one construction package that we we complete before the the next year, the next heating season. Now, if we go out to back out to bid, as we know, things take time to do the approval process, and then we just run the the risk of delay. And if that's what the committee chooses, then that's what the approach will take. >> What was the number that the other committee members had? >> So that was that was part of the challenge because we we didn't go
047out for like a specific RF RFP for a proposal for an underground storage tank due to the trying to expedite matters. So we reached out to multiple companies trying to get a similar proposal. Um, most companies will not provide you with a set of drawings because they own the drawings. They're providing the drawings. So, there's an expense involved which we are trying to get around. Um, so basically we reached out to multiple vendors. We received one proposal. The second proposal was basically a set of drawings that we have the opportunity to put out to bid which we initially discussed and agreed that that wasn't a great approach. And then it was very difficult trying to find somebody in the limited time frame that we had >> because basically the the deadline was last cap projects
048meeting. >> So with the restraint time restraints that was the all the information that we're able to compile and this is and here we are. So >> we can certainly go out for an additional RFP if we feel necessary. >> Let me just fold the number I have written down on my notes was we estimated this would be about $40,000 and that's why >> that is not Yeah. I know that's >> that's why I'm asking for other folks to confirm what they had written down in their notes and what the value was. >> I think the initial proposal for just the removal of the tank and backfill was somewhere around 340,000 and that's why we are very we are very pleased to see that the removal and replacement came back at 362,000. So >> yeah,
049it was not 40,000. >> Ask a question please. Um now you're saying it's we're in compliance and everything is fine. Why are we expediting it? As is that why we're not getting as many because you are saying we're expediting it >> because we we do have the right now we are taking we do get water seepage into the top of the tank. The as we discussed previously and which is identified in all the reports the surrounding elevations are higher than the the top elevation of the tank. So we we pull water and water does seep into the tank which does create issues that we have to address. So and the tanks are 35 plus years old. So, it's it's they they've met and exceeded their life expectancy. >> Do I have a motion? >> So,
050Brendan, what are you asking for? >> I I I I would like to have that meeting that we tried to hold Tuesday if we can hold it and put this on the March meeting just for final approval, just from a comfort level because that is a bigger number than what I recall us talking about. I hear what you're saying there. I have what I wrote here. Um, if you have the paperwork that we shared, please do share it again. And if the other members of the subcommittee have different values that they recall, that's fine. It's just a it is a big number. I support the approach, but I want to make sure that we've done our due diligence just as a subcommittee before we approve it. If it's not going to kill the project, I
051I think that >> extra table it >> if possible. I'm not trying to be difficult. It's just it is a much bigger number than what I thought we would hear. Okay. >> So, we'll table this until the March meeting >> if if I mean if it pleases the rest of the >> I would appreciate the full support of the committee and some of these decisions. So, I'm I'm fully all for having a follow-up meeting for in-depth discussions in regards to these these uh you know important topics here. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, let's do B. All right. B. Hot water tank replacement design and approval. PHS PMS. Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the PMS and PHS hot water heater schematic design proposal. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I >>
052opposed. Abstensions. >> Thank you. >> Madame chair, I make a motion to approve the PMS boiler replacement design proposal. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I I opposed abstensions. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Steve. discussion approval of apper coordinator. Um I asked for this to be put on the agenda because our because Kyle um has been spending hours beyond the typical job the her job description um she's here all hours of the night trying to address these. um in six years back in 20 was it 2015 >> from 2015 to 2021 there were a total of 40 APAS we're currently now at 109 the app requests are coming in and and everyone has the right to make these requests um however the large volume of requests that are coming in and
053the large amount of work that's going into addressing these app requests um has really consumed a lot of uh Kyle's time. Um so I asked for this to be put on to discuss. It's gone way above and beyond her job description as it currently stands. Um we've gone from 40 to in six years to nine in just a few years. 109. Um so what I'm asking for is um some type of stipen to be or an memorandum of agreement to be added to her contract to help compensate the large number of hours that have going into these requests. So, in all due respect, this isn't anything personal. It's unfortunate that we are getting a lot now, but then it's going to go back down. There's going to be waves. That's just how it is in
054reality with anything. But once you open up that can of worms and create a stipen for somebody for when there's excess of anything. So say teachers during exam time there's if it's part of the job description I understand what you're saying. >> It's no it isn't part and I think that's the important thing is it's not part of the job description. You have a policy that says she's the coordinator and she's never been compensated for it. So I hear what you're saying. So it's not in her job description. >> So what's happening is that's taking all of her time and responsibilities and then everything else that needs to be done and she can keep track of her hours. She's not leaving before 6 or 7:00. >> Nope. Thank you for clarifying. I thought it was
055part of a job description. >> So that's the ask is that we add it in. >> So for whoever it is, if it's Kyle or somebody else, it's just a stipen. >> What are you thinking for a dollar amount? >> Well, we haven't discussed that yet. I didn't know if you would be in in agreement. Uh Cindy had brought it up and we just pulled the numbers for you if you wanted to know the breakdown. Uh but it's not just the appra uh the time, it's it's what the appas are. Uh, and they're they're they're long, so they require a lot of of time to also prepare them, respond. Um, and so what I think what I'd like to do is if you're okay with it is if you approve this, then I'll go back
056and I'll do a breakdown and then you can say if you attach it to her contract. Um, that way she sits in that position and give her the title as she is a school committee clerk as well. And then you can you can add that in there and then it would be an amount rather than buy APA. It could just be a general amount if you're comfortable with that. So rather than putting in the contract, if it could be anybody, then it should just be an app coordinator stipen, not necessarily in her contract. >> Is that Do you know what I'm saying? Because if that's what we're saying, it doesn't necessarily have to be the school committee clerk or your or your administrative assistant. It could be anybody. So if it was just So it's
057not in the contract. So we'll approve it this evening and then you'll come back to us. So before we would approve the dollar amount, you would come back to us with your recommendation. >> Yes. >> Okay. Is is there any opportunity to pass that cost through as part of the appas themselves? I mean, we do charge for the paperwork and things for the larger ones. >> Not when they're asked for electronically unless things I mean, Greg can speak more to that. Cost has not been >> The apper allows you to charge $15 an hour the cost of retrieval, review, and redaction. All apps. >> All appers. And you cannot charge your per page cost. You can char It used to charge 15 cents a page when we were we did this with paper. Now everything's
058electronic. So you can't charge anything for the production of the actual email document. >> If if I may, it seems like we're already kind of collecting for some of the larger ones some of that. Correct. >> Not even close. >> I don't think you you're Not even close. It depends on the volume of of the requests, but for the most part um you would the amounts that you would be collecting because there's so many of them would not would not make >> to be clear. I'm supportive of the proposal. I'm just looking if there's opportunity for us to either >> pass through the cost to some extent or to realize some of >> we we try. Okay, I'll give you one example. Uh, one of the that's on your packet is somebody uh named Figus,
059if that's her real name, uh, requested some documents. We, uh, was 90 pages. We char we're going to charge $66. She said that was too much and filed an a public records complaint with the attorney general, which is now going to cost you more money because you can't charge for defending against an APA complaint. So if you start a regular practice of charging people, you're going to get a bunch of public records complaints with the AG which you cannot charge them for and you're paying me to defend them. >> Does anyone else have a comment? So, do we don't need a motion right now becau because we're going to work on the amount, right? >> I would recommend a motion approving a stipend. >> Okay. >> To be added to Miss Frat's contract, which would
060be limited to when she performs duties as your app coordinator. So, that would cover if you take those duties away from her at some point and give it to somebody else. >> Okay. Okay. At an amount to be negotiated between the superintendent, Miss Fratz with the committee's support for approval. >> Okay. So, I make a motion to approve the stipend as determined by the superintendent for the apper coordinator, Kyle Fratz. >> Subject to school committee approval. >> I'll second. All those in favor? I >> I >> opposed. Abstensions. Thank you. 17. Public versus personal property for school committee members. Amy, >> yeah, I asked uh that this be put on kind of as an extension to what we've been talking about regarding utilizing school um devices such as computers and cyber security. Um, it's more
061it was more for a question for for Greg in the sense that if we're using our personal cell phones to communicate with people who have questions or concerns within the public, um, I guess I'm looking for I guess some guidance around like a protection for school committee members in that sense because um, I mean I'll speak for myself given that I' I've get significant numbers of text messages that are from an unidentified person um but are related to the school committee. Um I just went and looked on the town website and the school website because when I first started our phone numbers were listed on the town website. They are no longer there at this point, but that's been changed. Um, but just in regards to, you know, if if a constituent were to send
062messages and they could they were like harassing or coercive in in messaging, are school committee members allowed to block phone numbers from their personal cell phone? If you if you're getting abusive and harassing text message, my recommendation would be not only to block them, but to report that to the police. >> Right. I I have one >> there is a there is statutes in Rhode Island uh that make it a felony to threaten public officials. >> Right. Okay. >> By any communication method, it's a felony. >> Okay. Um and this I mean this they haven't been threatening in nature. Um but and and I did actually seek you know I did consult the Glosser police on it at one point. Um is do you think it's like a state police issue? >> I would I
063would refer to the state police. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And is there anything would a school committee member be in violation if they blocked someone on their personal cell phone? There's there's some un I think un um settled law you may be familiar with the issue with Twitter or X call it >> and whether you can block whether a public official who uses their Twitter account as their official account >> right >> can block constituents from posting messages on that account and there was some litigation under from a prior administration I think it's still kind of settled as to what the law is there. I don't really think that would apply. If you're you're providing your cell phone number for members of the public to contact you, um that's different than passively, you
064know, having having a Twitter account or some account. >> I mean, it it brings up another solid point. If you are using let's say your own personal social media account to respond to something like because it has happened on on social media where there'll be a school committee issue and they'll tag every single member of a school committee and those are personal accounts not school committee uh official accounts. So, if you are to respond um or block someone from that even like if they're harassing you via social media, then I guess my question is are like I' I've been told that there is potentially like you can't do that, but I mean I have my own personal feelings on that and I'll block anyone I feel like blocking, but other people may not do that.
065I I think it would depend on how you use you could have a personal social media account but if you use it >> to post political >> right >> issues >> well you create like a separate one for that >> if you have a separate one >> right >> you can block I think you can block them on that but um on your personal account >> so cell phones a different I mean you're using a a personal cell phone it's much more it's much more intimate it's not you know if you get a phone call at 11 o'clock at night on your cell phone that's different than somebody posting right >> a response to a tweet that you may not read for days, right? They don't go on your account, >> right? >> It's a
066different It's a It's a completely different situation. So, I don't think you would have a problem blocking people >> who are abusive to you. >> Yeah. Okay. Uh, last question. As far as putting a phone number out there, I know I I don't know how it's been handled in the past. Like I said, they our personal numbers were listed. They're not no longer on there now. Um, is there should there be an alternative like a like a I don't know if you have extensions through like the school, you know, to get like a school committee member could be assigned like an extension and a voicemail through the school and then if you know I don't know I mean I know what no one sitting up here wants to pro you know check their voicemail separately
067to to be able to access those messages but if there was a way to have like a voicemail like sent to you. Is that a thing? >> So, so I'm old enough to remember when there was a world without these, >> right? Yeah, >> that's exactly what people had mail and phone calls sent to the school district because they didn't want to have their personal home phone listed. So, that's that's certainly doable. I mean, I'm sure Dave, I know Dave could handle something like that where you could assign a, you know, a school your your central directory >> and have that assigned and that could be the official account. You could also have personal have school cell phones assigned to each of you and use those. There's a cost that it becomes cumbersome. You have
068two phones. I mean, Renee has that. >> So, but it might make sense to look into having a voicemail box. >> I'm I'm guessing that we can set up just maybe Google, you can just set up a phone number through there and it can just forward to you. I'm sure that there's a way that >> Yeah, I was just thinking about futuristically speaking too like because obviously some of the issues that come before us are pretty controversial and as just a privacy and safety issue. It's just something to be aware of. >> It's a very good idea. I think that's why we're thanks for >> putting this on here today. All right. Um 18. Seek to convene to executive session to discuss and or vote on the following matters. >> Madam Chair, I make a
069motion to convene to executive session to discuss and or vote on the following matters. Island General Law 42-46-5A. Job performance non-renewals of non-tenure teachers. Par Island General Law 42-46-5A. Section 8, privacy of student records, homeschool approval. Rhode Island General Law 42-46-5A legal advice/pending litigation complaint November 10th 2025 Barrett v Foster Glosser Regional School Committee two complaint 1216 2025 Whitfield v Foster Glosser Regional School three complaint 1219 2025 Pez v Foster Glosser Regional School Committee four update Barrett v Foster Glosser Regional School District APA November 19th 2025 update on Figus v Foster Gosser Regional School Committee app November 16th 2025 app number 106 January 17 26 Barrett request number seven app number 107 January 18 26 S Dton request and eight update ride complaint 25-074A regarding Ward v Barington at all CTE petition and proh general
070law 42-46-5A collective bargaining update of unfair labor practice case number ulps -6433 by Neopon hearing rescheduled to February 24th, 2026. >> Second. >> Could you repeat those? >> I think we can get the playback. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. and it's 8 p.m. Thank Executive session. >> All right. One vote was taken. >> Um, one vote was taken and it's >> reconvene to open session at 9:11 p.m. >> Wait, do we have that on 911? >> 911. >> Okay. Um, one vote was taken in the affirmative for homeschooling. Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the non-renewals of the non-tenure teachers. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstensions. >> What's next? >> Um, >> public comment related to open session agenda items. >> No public comment. >> Ajourn
071meeting. >> I make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. All those in favor I opposed abstensions. It's 9:12 at >> 9:12 p.m. >> Thank you. >> With what guy? getting the same message started two weeks ago >> from the same guy