001Are we ready? >> I'd like to call to order the November uh 4th, 2025 uh Foster Gloucester School Committee meeting. Can I get a roll call, please? >> Mrs. Cook >> here, >> Mrs. Joyce. Mr. Mara >> here, >> Mr. Jupy here, >> Mrs. Keeling here, >> Mr. Joyce >> here. >> Miss Peza, Miss Barrera >> here, >> Mr. Rizzo >> here. >> Could we please stand for 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. >> [snorts] >> Uh number four, student staff recognition. So yesterday we got some amazing news. The Rhode Island um Art Education Association every year celebrates the art educators of the year. This year,
002the 2026 Middle School Art Educator of the Year was named from Panagans Middle School, Shannon Black. >> [applause] >> She has inspired her students to create, explore, and express um themselves through their art. She has been an educator at Pontagans at Middle School for the past 26 years. Shannon said, "I look forward to my future years here doing what I love, inspiring young artists to create freely and believe in the power of self-expression through their art." So, Shannon, come on up. [applause] Okay. [laughter] >> So, ladies and gentlemen, Shannon Black. >> [applause] >> And we're going to skip ahead to number nine A um personnel report. Um just because we have a a full agenda, I want to just um acknowledge Where is Bob Shields? Oh, there you are. Right. Um we have a new
003hire uh at the middle school. Um some of you may know Mr. around town, but uh he's recently hired for our unified arts program at the middle school. He has um a bachelor of arts and secondary education, um English journalism, uh and also a graduate certificate in school administration and supervision, uh certified English 7 through 12, computer science endorsement through Rhode Island uh state of Rhode Island, and coaching certificate. Uh we are thrilled for you to be part of the Panagansit Middle School team and the Foster Gloucester uh team as well. And we welcome you. So you are free to say a few words if [applause] you'd like. >> Okay. We're going to um convene to executive session to discuss discuss or vote on the following matters per Rhode Island general law 42465 legal advice
004on pending litigation update investigation of allegations of misconduct either civil or criminal pending litigation update student BHO versus foster cluster school district ride section 24- >> actually privacy of student records homeschooling for Rhode Island 42465 A2 union negotiations one Ponagan teachers association two Ponagans Association of Educational Support Personnel per Rhode Island 42465 A2 collective bargaining update of unfair labor practice case number ULP 6433 and per Rhode Island 42465 Grievance Nepon grievance 42 uh 2423 >> second. >> Thank you. All those in favor >> I oppose. Thank you. >> We're going to stay here. We're going to stay here and ask for >> No. 465 legal advice pending litigation and then after that um we decided to come back to public session. So we're going to reconvene after the we get through the agenda. Um, no
005votes were taken. And can I get a motion to seal the >> I make a motion to seal the minutes of executive session for that portion of exec. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstensions. Um, approval of meeting minutes of October 7th, 2025. >> I make a motion to approve the open meeting minutes on October 7th, 2025. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I was not there. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Um >> I make a motion to approve the executive session meeting minutes on October 7th, 2025. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. >> Same. Thank you. superintendent report. Um, so in the Gloucester meeting, um, I don't know if is Bob Shield still here? >> Is he still here? >> No. Oh, so
006uh, we recognized him in the, uh, Gloucester meeting. [clears throat] Um, but he is a um, new hire for our unified arts uh, program. We are excited. He comes um, he lives in town. You may know Bob Shields from our rec department and coaching. Um he comes with a bachelor of arts secondary ed uh English and journalism. Um he also has a graduate certificate in school administration and supervision. Um he has a computer science endorsement. Uh and I know he's been working um with our computer science teachers at the middle school and the high school. Um and he has his Rhode Island coaching certificate. We are really happy that he's an addition to our unified arts program. Um and we recognize him in the Gloucester meeting. Please tell him I recognize him in this meeting
007as well. Um, we're happy he's he's part of our team. Um, you will also have contracts in there. Uh, we have an open position still for uh controller or senior accountant. It will not be both. It will be one or the other. If you remember in um September uh we had a resignation and we just have not been able to fill the position. We have both open um and Ann and Alyssa have been interviewing. So my ask is that when you look at both contracts, you approve both the way they're uh worded. Um there's a maximum amount for the salary. It is budgeted and we will not be hiring both, but we didn't want to wait until December meeting if we can find a qualified candidate before then and you have one um resignation. >>
008A question. >> Sure. >> Can we approve a contract retroactively? We've done that in the past. >> Yes. >> So if you you want to h If the decision is already existing, we can h we can approve a contract. So I don't feel comfortable personally approving two contracts without having a person in place. Um we many times have approved a retroactive contract. >> Yeah. Uh so it was just the language of the contract, but you did that um at the I thought you did that at the last meeting. You approved a contract and we didn't have a person in place. >> Well, it was a it was a position because that position didn't exist. That was the assistant meeting. >> Yes. >> That position didn't exist. That's why we approved that. So that's why if
009this position exists, I'm just saying personally I comfortable. So, I'll vote against it for that reason. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry, but I just we can approve things retroactively. That's >> as long as we don't delay. We've been three months without it. >> Position. >> Okay. So, I'll work with Greg on what that looks like. >> Greg, >> we've held both and started as a senior account if you remember. >> So, whatever you choose to do, I'm explain to you why I vote against it because I'd rather have >> So, I have choice. I'm just gonna explain to you why I'm vote no. Okay. All right. Um, continuing with my report, then uh the legal um there was a legal institute training on October 20th which was hosted by the superintendent association, the school business
010officers association and special ed and I think Kyle Santos is here. There she is right in front of me. Oh, I'm looking looking back there. Um Kyle attended as well. Um it's an annual event. It's very very helpful and beneficial. We both attended. They just share like legal changes, uh, cases over the past year that impact education specifically, um, like personal devices, AI. So, definitely will help with our policy development. And then there was a special section on special education. So, I was really happy that you were there with me. Um, it was it was helpful. Uh, with respect to curriculum and planning, uh, we are piloting an open science ed at the high school. Our science teachers really took the lead on this. It was offered uh, through RIDE and I'm pleased with that.
011We are continuing with Khan Academy and Khan Mingo to advance our student learning especially at the high school. That was really helpful and beneficial um in supporting our um SAT scores. Uh on October 16th um Carlen Mari, I know Carlen's here. Thank you, Carlen. Uh she oversees our wellness committee. Um there was a healthy schools coalition annual wellness breakfast and you have information in your packet. she gave us a summary of not only that, but where the wellness committee is going uh and the things that they're doing and it's really been a a pretty been pretty pretty busy. Um but the healthy schools coalition annual breakfast uh I think we had 10 uh faculty and staff attend from the region and we actually had some from the elementary school. So we had two tables which
012was nice. Um, we had the October 22nd community event for the CTE for all greenovation lab. If you remember at your at the last meeting, Karen had spoken a little bit about that we were going to have it. Well, we had it. Um, and thank you for those of you who were able to attend. We had um so Mrs. Cook, Mrs. uh Keeling, Mr. Mara, we had representatives from the governor's office, uh, Senator Dea Cruz, um, chief and lieutenant from Gloucester PD. We had Ride representatives, higher ed, community partners, and of course our CTE teachers. Um, pretty excited about this uh and and and what this project holds as potential um really collaborative efforts throughout the state for it. And uh pretty excited about it. Um on October 24th, we had our PD day and
013um thank you Brad for hosting the special ed um update. It really was what's my role in special education and entire faculty, staff, instructional teacher assistants were a part of the day. I think it's the first time we've really done it that way and it was really I heard good things about it. After that they had um choice to attend sessions. Uh the theme was AI which is the focus was to explore how AI can practically support teacher instruction and enrich student learning. And that PD was delivered by our um our instructional technology team. Uh Dave and his team and teachers um facilitated those sessions. It's always really helpful and beneficial when your PD is given by your colleagues and peers because you get to work with them every day. So if you have a
014question, you know where to go. Um but it was really scaffolded and it was tailored so that every student had every teacher had like an on-ramp. I heard really good things about it. So, thank you for the for the team that put that together. And then, as you heard at the beginning, congratulations to Shannon Black for the 2026 Rhode Island Art Teacher of the Year. Then, I just want to briefly update you. Um, this Thursday I'm attaining I'm attending um a session that the commissioner put out, accountability results. So, in the December meeting, I'll give you the accountability report as I did last year, but I want to highlight where we are. um in our in our test scores. Um for Rycast, we had approximately a 4% increase in ELA at the middle school. So
015we went from 46% to about about 50%. Um and our SAT scores at the high school increased from 67 to 70%. That's that's pretty admirable because the state rycast for ELA is 34% and our middle school was 50 and the state SAT for um ELA is 52% and we were 70. So really good work. Uh just wanted to acknowledge that. And for math um math is a struggle across the state. We know that. But our middle school did make gains about a 2% increase uh 31 to 33. and the high school made gains as well, 32 to 35. So, um I'm I'm hopeful. I'm I'm confident and I'm happy that we're trending in that direction. Um and then I did include in your packets the wellness committee update. I would really encourage you to read
016that. There's a lot of good information in there. There's a lot of good work. There's a lot of what's been done, but then also um what's going to move forward. And then I know Miss Mari would love if one of you would be a part of it. I think it's um right, we're we're definitely looking for a school committee member to participate again in the wellness committee. So if anyone is interested, please send Kyle an email. Um >> I don't think so. I don't think so. >> Okay. [snorts] >> Okay. All right. All right, we're gonna we're going to hold you to that then because there's some >> When is the meeting, >> Carlen? When are the meetings? >> If if the information is sent out about the time I if I could make it,
017I would come. >> Okay, perfect. >> Depends. That was part of the reason why I couldn't do it >> was the time. >> Okay. All right. Thank you for that. All right, that's my report. Thank you. >> I had a quick question. >> Sure. Um, Dr. Palazo, you mentioned the AI information. I was wondering if our policy committee might be able to take a look at providing some guidance on an AI policy or AI guidelines for us. I know it's a great tool to use, but it feels like something that we should give some guidance to both teachers and students. uh the Rhode Island Department of Education has released AI guidance and schools right now across the state are in the process of developing those and uh we will we will have input from our
018admin team Dave rides guidance and then we're also going to look at other districts if they've already developed them. Um so it will go through our subcommittee. Yes, it's it's it's it's an interesting space to be right now. >> It it is. No, for sure. Sure. And that was one of the comments that I I I heard from a couple teachers that I had the opportunity to speak with earlier this week that they they welcome the tool for the most part. It's just giving them some guidance on how to govern its use both on their end as well as the the student end. And ironically, I tried to use Copilot to write one here while we were sitting here, but my license expired. So, uh, but we should, you know, don't hesitate to use the
019tool to write it, too. Right. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Number 10. Motion for >> Oh, sorry. Motion to approve the >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the superintendent's personnel report as presented in the packet. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Is that one of the contracts? >> Yes, it is. Okay. So, no. >> Okay. Opposed to Shelbstensions. >> Thank you. >> Um number 10, approval of monthly bills October. Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the monthly bills dated October 1st, 2025 to October 31st, 2025 in the amount of 961,67745. [snorts] >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. Thank you. >> Uh finance update, budget and finance. >> Yep. So for um through October, we're at 26.77% collected for revenue and expenses were at
02024.5% collected. Uh tuition bills went out today for quarters one and two, the out of district tuition bills and um our orders were in a few weeks ago. They are uh finishing things off offsite and we are on track to finish that on time. That's it. >> Great. Anyone have any questions, Ran? Thank you. Um, approval of budget adjustments uh, quarter 1, fiscal year 26. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the budget adjustments for quarter 1, fiscal year 26 as presented in the packet. >> Can I get a second? Second. I'll second. Um, any questions? >> They're all YOPA adjustments. Yep. When we had to change our codes, it's just >> No, they're just for this quarter. It's just Yukoa adjustments. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed extensions. Thank
021you. 12. Facilities update. Um, approval of vehicle purchase. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the vehicle purchase as presented in the packet in the amount of $57,89. Can I ask a question? >> Sure. >> So my question is what do we need an F350 with the plow for? We just approved a plow contract for the last at the last agenda. >> We only have one working facilities vehicle at this point in time. Uh initially we these many of the school committee members are aware of the condition of the vehicles we walked in 2023. Uh currently the vehicle that we're using it's really not roadw worthy. um it's not worth spending the money on and ultimately it's time for to replace the vehicle. It's 13 years old. >> This was this was part
022of the fleet that we talked about up. So this is literally taking one off the road and putting a new one on. And we did budget for this. This was >> and the the current vehicle that we have now is the is basically the it's a plow truck replacement. If our if we have any issues with the one vehicle we have right now, we do not have a a secondary vehicle with a plow. So my question is and that we had the plows like that was like 2017 they said or 2016 the other one that broke down that's because we used to do our plowing back then. So my question is why do we need an F350? Um I support getting a vehicle to go back and forth to the schools to check on them
023but my question is why we need a $57,000 F350 with the plow if we don't do our own plowing. >> We we still have lots of asphalt that needs to be cleared. Um we still use the plow every single storm. Uh the middle school, high school, all the they don't do the parking lots. I mean, they don't do the um the sidewalks. They don't do any of the fire lanes around any of the exterior of the buildings. Um it's it's a need. >> Well, the you wouldn't do use the um an F350 for a sidewalk. That's a snowblower or something else. And the fire lanes are required to be done. That's in the bid. >> So, >> fire lanes are in the bid. >> They don't the they do not go past the fences. There
024is quite a substantial um driveway around the perimeter of this building um that we plow. I mean I >> just a question. >> The committee is well aware of the condition of the vehicles. >> Yeah. No, like I said, it was just it was before when we used to do our own plowing. That's the only reason why it was questioning it. >> Thank you. >> We still do a substantial amount of plowing to get these buildings open. >> Just a quick question about the specs of the vehicle. Is this like a base model? Is it like >> It is a F350 single rearwheel drive XL, no frrills with a plow. >> Does it have a um a truck full dump bed in the back or is it a flatbed? >> Negative. It's a 146 inch
025bed, single rear wheel drive. >> It's regular pickup. >> So, it's got a full bed is what I mean. >> Yes. Okay. >> Any other questions? >> Yeah. Uh, so I've seen the vehicles you have and I I do know that you you do require some replacements. My question would be what plans do we have in place just to make sure that you know we don't have to replace this one again. >> So ultimately we we discussed this last year. This was incorporated in last year's budget. Um this is not the first time we we you know wanted to approach this. So ultimately it's just that time. Um ultimately we started Florida fleet account with all of our new purchased vehicles. So ultimately we'll be able to keep better track of maintenance and hopefully you
026know longevity is key. Good. So, >> all those in favor >> opposed? >> No. >> Extensions. Thank you. Uh, capital project subcommittee update. Steve, do you have anything else to add? I'm sorry. >> Uh, nope. So, basically, capital projects, um, the boiler project is, you know, as we know, well underway. All the all the equipment is being manufactured. The Aldridge boiler should be shipped on December 3rd. Uh pumps will not be available till the same uh December 3rd. So ultimately we're not going to push the boiler replacement here at the high school until the the heating season is over. So um basically after conversation u you know April would be the target start date. Uh as you know we approved all the A&E fees for the um boiler replacement at the middle school and our
027hot water systems at both high school and middle school. So we've had multiple meetings and discussions uh in relation to that. Uh hopefully we'll have approved plan or you know plans by uh next capital projects team meeting. Uh the state incentified lighting project is about 80% complete with the north building right now. That's going along smoothly. The learning inside out grant um that is underway. Basically we have to be substantially complete by the end of the month. We anticipate excavation beginning hopefully this week. uh the security access and then uh access control and intrusion systems for both the high school and the middle school. We're about 95 complete here at the high school. We're just working through some punch list items. The intent is to transition into the full operating platform down at the middle
028school in the winter Christmas shutdown. And that's pretty much it for our capital projects. >> Can I ask a question, please? >> I'm sorry. You shot April out for a date, but the heating system and I don't know if that was for will the heating system be completed by April? >> No, no, no. We do not want to run the risk of of tampering with any sort of boilers in the middle of the winter. So, >> so we're not touching them right now? >> No. No. >> So, we're going to start in April. So, where are the boilers being kept in the meantime? >> Uh, industrial burner surface contractor. >> Is does that impact the warranty on them? >> Negative. >> So, the warranty is going to start once they're >> It's from the installation
029date. It's from when they're commissioned. >> Okay. Do we have um like a certificate to protect that of insurance on them there to make sure that I'm sorry like nicks and banks? >> So the the basically they own them when it's in their possession and we don't own them until they're installed within the the confines of our building. >> Okay. And how did it go with the oil tank? Is the oil tank fine? >> We had our tanks inspected and currently right now um they are fine but they will need to be you know addressed at some point in time. We are developing an action plan. Okay. >> Any other questions? >> Negative. >> So, just two quick things to add on to that. >> They're they're grandfathered in from the time of the installation.
030So, >> until I want to say 2027. >> Yeah. So, for the larger committee to just two more updates. One that we identified as a future project that we'll take a look at is some of the septic systems that we have throughout the campus. >> Yep. just to get a better understanding of how they actually operate and a management management plan for them as well as um just the ongoing maintenance has been a struggle for for the team here. It's sort of like a game of septic system whack-a-ole. It's just with a not pleasant ending. So, we're going to try and get ahead of that. We're going to try and plan which ones need to be upgraded. That won't be part of this cycle, but it's likely something that we'll track for the next five-year
031plan when it comes through. all parts of it, not necessarily the entirety. And I would say that that's just a function of the way that this whole property was built out. You know, um we've been two schools were merged into one and so on and so forth. The other one is the athletic fields. Um it was a quick timeline to have something to report out this time, but we're going to try and work with the athletic department to have an update on where things stand with the design build process for that at uh hopefully the next meeting. Um if if that's we can get something solid to present that but it was discussed briefly. >> Just one if you don't mind one more thing. Um I know the heating system was a big concern for
032you. Is it still do you have it patched enough to get us through the winter? Is it >> Oh yeah. No. So it's uh it Yeah. No, we'll we'll get through the winter. Uh we had it serviced or we did our annual maintenance. It's in good operating condition at at this time. Uh we are due for internal inspection which can potentially jeopard jeopardize the operating condition of the boiler. So, we're trying to push that back and and we're negotiating with Hartford Steam Boiler right now to prevent that inspection, keep the boiler running at this point in time, get through the winter, and be ready for the replacement in April. >> So, I don't they can come inspected in March. >> No, no, no. I mean, they they understand the complexity of an internal inspection on
033a a boiler of that size. >> That size. Okay, good. All right. Thank you for clarifying. I appreciate it. >> Any other questions? Thanks, Stephen. Technology update. Hi everybody. It's been a while since I've come up. U most of the updates have been nothing. Um but I did want to make a mention of something interesting. Uh so back in April um we had a school committee meeting and I had come to the to the committee for um our Wi-Fi license uh bid that we had gone out for and we got approved to do that. It was around $71,000 um which was done back in April and May. Um, but with that being said, uh, the technology team worked with our -ate, uh, company that helps us figure out if we have any -ate funding available.
034And over the past six months, we actually found that um, we could get reimbursed for some of the purchase that we had done back in April. Uh so as of about two weeks ago, we got about $29,000 back uh from our - category 2 funds um with the hopes to use that to purchase a server because our servers are about seven years old and it's about time to go. Um but at least we got something from something that we did that we had budgeted for. So it's nice to have that little bit of an extra kick and I just wanted to make you guys aware of that. >> Thanks, Dave. Uh policy update number 14. >> Madam chair, I make a motion to approve resending the central office space policy number 3611 as presented in
035the packet. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. >> Madam chair, I make a motion to approve the revised first reading of the automated external defibrillator AED model policy number 6242 as presented in the packet. Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I >> opposed abstensions. >> Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the revised first reading of the provision of services by the region to local district policy number 3610 as presented in the packet. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Extensions. 10 update of Northwest special ed. >> So this is just this is just to keep you updated. Um last last week so so last August August of 204 um Northwest Special Ed um [clears throat] uh shifted fiscal agent uh suggested
036fis shifting fiscal agent from situate to foster Gloucester. So, we started that transition um this past year, the 24-25 school year, and as of July 1st, uh we became the fiscal agent. You known that that was coming. Um and Ann and her team worked, uh really hard to make that happen. So, um this is an update now because the agreement that you will be signing uh if you agree to sign it, um is an annual agreement. And, uh last last week, Foster withdrew, uh put their letter in to withdraw from uh Northwest Special Ed. So, currently this is an update. Um, just to let you know, I'm not sure what that means for um I'm not sure what that means for Northwest Special Ed. I do know that I did have a conversation uh the
037other day with the interim assistant superintendent in Situit just to see where they are because that will leave Foster Glouester, Gloucester, and Situit. Um and this won't change until July 1st. So, we finished the the year together sharing the services. Um and Situate is unsure um because she's the interim superintendent. So I will have a better plan or update at the December meeting, but just to let you know that we um Foster has withdrawn and um we will look at what the fiscal impact is and what our our our services are or can be. Can you clarify what that what's what that means for >> the region? >> Like >> um so I don't I don't have I mean the fiscal impact would be the the the biggest question. I don't have that breakdown yet.
038It's it's pretty detailed because there are four districts that share and we share based on percentages of students. So it changes every every year. Um, so Foster Glouester. >> So, uh, >> Foster Gloucester is like 40. Oh, >> actually this year I think you're higher. I think you're you're like 12% this year. If I could be. Yeah. >> Because in some scenarios talking about preschool and elementary, there's only three districts. services. There's also >> I believe there's four different scenarios of who pays what percentages um depending on like what we're talking about. So it is a lot of math really to kind of figure it out. And again the federal funding which you get through the CRP changes every year. This year it dipped quite a bit. Um also has a play on that as
039far as we also the amount of students that when we look for the October enrollment that hasn't come out yet from RIDE but that will also change everybody's percentage. >> But our ser so so my plan my purpose for updating you is right now I'm not making any changes. Um, and our percentage will change slightly if Foster uh withdraws. But the region, keep in mind, I'm sh I'm talking to you for the region, which is just 6 through 12. Um, but the elementary schools share a bit more than than the region because it's OT, it's PET, it's it's child outreach, it's coordinators, right? There's a lot more than just um >> I mean, we have a whole a whole early childhood department that's just devoted to the three elementary schools, which is a big piece.
040So that won't have a large impact for the region but it it will at at the Glouester the Glouster level. >> So did did or Foster withdraw or not? Okay. Can you share why? >> Well, this isn't a foster meeting. So we can't this isn't meeting. We can talk about the impact if you want to have meeting post it on the agenda as a meeting. But >> and the purpose of this and is that the percentages do change. So, our percentage will go up a little bit higher simply because we'll have we'll have less students, but um our services will will stay. We'll wait and see what what Situit does and then we'll evaluate from there. So, I'm not making any decisions. We're not I'm not asking you to withdraw right now. I'm asking you
041to stay the way we are and we can we can look at what our what our potential next steps are. So for us at the region it doesn't have an impact and even moving forward it wouldn't have an impact necessarily because the employees are uh they're they're Northwest special ed but Foster Gloucester is the fiscal agent so we're able to I think keep right what we have >> so I will OTP speech >> I can go over the who who we are that would be helpful so the Northwest is myself, the special ed director, the assistant special ed director. We also have um administrative assistant, a census clerk, a preschool coordinator, um a uh child outreach assistant. Uh we have several screeners that part-time screeners that we use. Um we have a BCBA, we have
042one physical therapist, two occupational therapists, and one part-time occupational therapist, one KOD or that's a certified occupational therapist. And that's who we are as Northwest. So all those are Foster Gloucester regional employees right now. >> Okay. >> So we're not making any changes. We'll wait and see what happens uh with Situate. And December 31st is the um is the date that if if a district decides to withdraw, you have to notify the executive board and then a letter to to the commissioner. Correct. A letter has to go to the commissioner because it's a >> and I believe it still has to be approved by the commissioner as well. >> Has to be approved by the commissioner. Okay. >> I believe the letter from Foster to the commissioner. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. So, so we have
043a December 31st. So, next month's meeting uh we'll have more information and if we need to do things differently, we will. [snorts] But I'm also waiting to see where Situ is. >> They're meeting tonight. It's not on the agenda. >> Yeah. >> Um can I ask one other question? So, do you contract out your employees? >> No, they're all foster glossery. >> They're all So, they're part of the region region. They're now regional employees. So, their region is the fiscal agent. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> Can um Pat should we wait till public comment? We really would prefer that we stick to the rules which is you know we have rules and the rules >> I have a question I'll tell you what my question >> we do you want me to answer >>
044I you know I that's up to the chair I'm sorry, >> Renee. >> I mean, I I think I can I I can answer is all of our special ed students would be serviced through Northwest Special Ed. That's our special ed uh director, assistant director, but your special ed teachers are not part of that. It's your additional services. And Brad, we can get a breakdown for you if that's what you need. But it's been in effect Northwest Special Ed since I don't know 1970 something or 80 something. It's shared services path. >> All of our special ed students receive those. >> Okay. Thank you, Brad. >> You reach out for any questions. >> I'll have that information. >> Thank you. Approval of the 2026 school committee meeting dates. >> Madam chair, I make a motion
045to approve the 2026 school committee meeting dates as presented in the packet. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Opposions. >> Um 17. Public comment related to open session agenda items. And before we start, I'm just going to make a statement saying that the school committee meetings are properly deemed public meetings to conduct the business of the regional school district and to hear public comment related to that business and not public forums to provide a platform for the introduction of a private agenda. So, we are asking that everyone please keep their public comment to open agenda items only and they please sign in and write your agenda and your town. Thank you. >> And the North Northwest is an open agenda item so can be discussed just to clarify. >> No, it can't be
046discussed. We can't respond to that. Since it is an agenda item, I would like to say something, please. Um, [snorts] and I did say something earlier. I've been on the committee for 16 years. We've never done anything like this, and I'm very disappointed that we're starting now. That's just my opinion, but that's how I feel. Walter Ste Glaster, first of all, I think you ought to rearrange your schedule on your agenda so you don't have everyone waiting out here for 45 minutes to an hour. If you're going to do at the beginning of meeting, have the start of your meeting at a certain time and then people will know that's when you're going to start the meeting [clears throat] on the facilities. Gary King couldn't be here tonight. We met with Renee a week or
047so ago. He brought up a very good point about maintenance contracts and I didn't hear anything about that tonight. I don't know if you're still thinking about that. I know you can do it at a uh future agenda item. Maybe you don't want to say anything, Greg. What? That's why you're so nervous about the people having something to say. >> Well, the technically what you're talking about is not an agenda item. It's a techn the technology facilities. >> The facilities updates had two topics. Okay. If you that's perfectly if you have a question about that direct it to the administration. We can try to get on the >> I already talked to the administrator station about it. I'm wondering if we made any progress on it. >> Okay. and and if we can discuss well
048we can consider that as a request to put that on your the agenda for the next meeting. Okay. >> Fine. >> Thank you. >> The maintenance contracts >> maint >> about the trucks about the about the equipment. to do. >> Uh, I know you did talk about the plow trucks. >> So, is that all right? We can talk about that. Greg, >> are you okay? You're not going to even talk to me now? >> I said, of course. >> All right. I know we bought a brand new plow truck, Dplow, stainless steel, sander. What was that? Last year or the year before? Uh, all right. So, we have that. That's and I'm sure that's still in great shape. Now, we just bought another one. You know, I think for what we have to do with
049plowing, I know I looked up. It is in the budget. You have 70,000 in the budget for the last three years. So, you know, it is >> for plowing or for >> No, for vehicle. Just for vehicle. So, I don't know if that's a good spend, you know, a way to spend our money. And also, for a future agenda item, I know we always do our uh student count in October for the pro ration between the two towns. Could you give us an idea of if we're if Foster and Gloucester are still losing a lot of children? we're losing not they're not going to the school anymore. You know, like last year we lost a hundred people and you didn't have a good answer where where those people went and I was wondering now in
050October I know you do a student count for the proration so maybe we could get some of those figures. >> Yeah. And also could you give us a idea of how many out of district students you budgeted and how many we actually have. >> So I don't know if I can answer all those but if not I'll put them on next month. >> No I I know it has to be in it or not future agenda item >> but I >> Okay. Sorry. >> Don't get in trouble Renee. Yes, thank you. Pat Henry Glouster. Um, I just want to second what Mr. Steer just talked about um if you would consider doing executive session either right in the beginning or at the very end when I was on school committee. I used to ask that
051of you all the time as well and for a while I I think you might have done it. I think it's best practices in most committees. U I think I think in >> Can just let me finish please. When I was on town council we always have executive session at the very end. So, I just think it's respectful to your public. You've got a lot of parents here who have kids at home. They need to go home and get ready for work. You have teachers, whatever. And for us to sit out there for an hour, I just don't think it's I know legally you can do it, but it doesn't seem like a very respectful best practice. And it kind of seems like you really don't care about the taxpayers here. Um, Renee, I'm sorry
052I upset you by saying that, the look on your face, >> but you know, let's think about it >> because that's how it comes across. >> But that has not been the way the meetings have been run. So, I'm sorry you feel that way, but there's no disc. >> Why should people have to sit out there for an hour? I made my comment >> three in the three years I've been on this committee and you were on the committee for two years. That is probably the first time we've ever put executive session at the beginning. >> It's not true. Um, that's not true. we as in past committee >> that's not true >> I don't want to change >> I just want to say like the suggestion about the start time was noted and we
053appreciate the comments that >> so you know I think we we've just watched Mr. your kind of say, you know, I don't my I guess the point I want to make is that you all aren't coming across as being very transparent as a committee and you ask for information. Even just the way you you read your items on the agenda, it's, you know, you're everything is very cryptic. There's very little information that you're giving this public who pays for you to run these facilities. And I just don't understand what's what's the rub and and and what's the secret. Um I find it disturbing as a public a as somebody who's been in town for 35 years and has served the public for a good part of my life in town. We never operated that way.
054And if you're not aware that you're coming across as rather secretive and not very transparent, you need to think about how you're coming across. Thank you. Um I'm Hope Curry from Gloucester. Um, and just to follow up on facilities, um, I know there was recently a new lock box put in on the fences where at the bottom of the um, driveway with between the parking lot and the athletic fields. And that lock box was put in uh after a staff member had to cut the fencing to allow an ambulance in when my son broke his femur on the football field. And there was not an ambulance on the football field at that time. And no one on the field had a key to the gates. And it's also come to my attention that with this
055new lock box, the coaches still don't have a code to it and they won't be given a code to it. And I just don't want that to happen to someone else again. like not only were we waiting 30 minutes for rescue to arrive because none was at the field. Um then there's also the stress of wondering how they're going to come in once they got there. And then I was told that they had a key. Like in hindsight, I was told that oh well, they did have a key, but then I was told later than that that that key wouldn't have um gotten them in anyway. So, I'm very thankful to the staff member who did cut through the fencing so that the ambulance could get up. And I just feel really strongly that someone
056on site, coaches like the many of these coaches are teachers. Um that somebody needs to have access to that or if not the gates need to be open during an athletic event. Um I was told that I had been I have had contact with Mr. Joyce. He did tell me that the rescues now have the codes to the lock box and that's great in theory but like what if they don't? What if somebody forgets it or somebody or it whatever. So, I just wanted to bring that forward and hope that perhaps some change can be made and that more people will be able to unlock that gate or the gate would be unlocked and having proper ambulance staff on site. Thank you. >> Is this public comment or not? >> I did. Yeah, he did.
057>> Hi, Ron Servasio Foster. Um um background, I have three undergraduate uh education degrees. I have a master's degree in administration of secondary education. I have an MBA and one other master's degree. I was on the school committee for 10 years, eight years as chair. I'm here tonight to talk about administration of education which is not as specific on the agenda. However, this is what you're all doing including Greg. All right. So, uh what I'm going to say about administration of secondary education and I can be overruled at any time. Um administration continuity of administration leads to positive outcomes in educational quality. Turnover usually results in a step up or a step backwards. Constant turnover creates chaos. Right? There are things going on which um I don't know anything about um that I foresee people
058in the community starting to get itchy especially the politicians remember people that are here uh Riley to Gru to Mario and then to 18 years of Michael Barnes 18 years that produced between 20 and $30 million worth of income for the taxpayers and a quality education system. Right? This is a maintenance uh committee and I asked Mrs. Peza to be on the committee to hire the superintendent when Michael left. She told me my present was not necessary. All right. But I will tell you this, the people in this community and the people here, if you have turnover and you let this silly little instances turn this thing into chaos, you're going to regret it. There are almost 14,000 schools committee uh sorry, school districts in the United States. I can guarantee you any one year
059a quarter of them are having an instance that happened here and that's um where there are children there are problems. So this committee, this superintendent and this community needs to move through this and decide whether you're going to do um continuity or you're going to have turnover. But be very careful if you create turnover. Very very careful because there are um things coming from the outside both money statewide and federalwide that will affect the education quality that is presently here. I thank you for the at u ability to um speak to you. Hi, my name is Angela Cambio. I'm the chair of the special education local advisory committee and I am here because I wanted to ask a question about the OT and the PT employees that are currently contracted with the region. Now that
060Foster has voted to separate from Northwest, will Foster be able to contract with the employees who are currently employed with the region? Okay. Thank you. Good evening. [clears throat] Uh my name is Jeffrey Gails. I'm a resident of Gloucester. I've been here about 25 years. Um both of my stu both of my girls both went to school here. Some of some of the teachers here know. Um there's a petition that went around that you guys are fully aware of um for title 9 accountability. Um and this agenda, this should be on an agenda for 11B for fiscal year 26. Um, we could we we have we're running the risk of this being a much bigger issue from from a financial standpoint. Um, this should definitely be a line item for outside council. Um, I think
061a lot of people in the community, including those who sign a petition, are very worried about this. Um, the ramifications of it both now and later. Um, and we've also seen in the past with other districts the gaps uh that affect student safety and learning. um and delaying the risks, delaying risk uh risk more injury to to children. And really at at the end of the day, um a good school equals a good community. And if this is not addressed, not budgeted for, I think we're running a huge risk here long term. Um once again, thank you for your time and I hope that you guys definitely consider putting this for the uh fiscal year 26 um quarter 1 budget. Thank you. >> I make a motion to adjourn to executive session again. >> All
062those in favor? I