School Board Meeting - 11/19/2025

001All right, we are live. So, good evening everyone and welcome to the Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 Lichfield School Board meeting. Uh we will call the meeting to order and begin with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Uh we are down one board member this evening. So it is a four member board. Uh and with that, do we have any changes to tonight's agenda? Hearing none. Uh, moving into consent. Anything off consent tonight from the board? >> Okay. Hearing none, we have the summary of non-public actions from November 5th. Uh, Mr. Shoemaker moved to approve the minutes of the non-public meeting held on October

00215th. Uh, Mr. Plansky seconded that motion. That carried 50-0. Mr. Shoemaker, motion to accept the resignation of CHS mental health clinician Hannah Appa. Mr. Dit seconded that motion. That carried 50-0. Mr. Shoemaker motion to adjourn the nonpublic session at 7:51 p.m. Uh Mr. Dwit seconded that motion and that also carried 5. Uh we do have a presentation tonight and a lot of people in attendance. Great to see. Uh and we have a baseball field dedication. >> You want to kick things off? >> Sure. So I'm going to have uh Jen Mitchson, principal at Campbell, come up with Drew Gora, who's our baseball coach. Uh they might be inviting others up with them. We'll see. Oh, they're [laughter] >> um and they're going to present to you uh about um naming and dedicating the baseball field

003to longtime uh Campbell coach Jim Gorum. Um so just for the board's um knowledge here uh in the agenda I linked to you policy FF, which is our naming of facilities. Um so we really have two options this evening. um we can either name um propose to name the facility after coach Gorm or we can decide to dedicate um the facility to coach Gorm. The difference between the two is naming is a permanent uh decision and because of that if the board approves to move forward with that it would go on the warrant in March. Um and there's a process connected to that. Um if you dedicate the field it's for a certain amount of time. Um the policy references five years is a good point and you would need to revisit the decision five

004years from now. Um and you can dedicate uh a facility or a field or anything multiple times with multiple people. Um but naming would be kind of that permanent that piece of the facility would be named for that. Um reviewing this and talking to people involved. Um obviously hear the presentation tonight but I think it would be wise to entertain naming the facility after coach Gorm. Um, but it's ultimately the board's decision and and if you go that direction, we would add it to the warrant in in March and stuff. And then there's uh opportunities to follow the policy which involves an amount of time that has to be available for public to be aware of which uh we're in those timelines and everything like that and good to go. So with that knowledge, I

005want to turn it over um to principal Mitchenson and Coach Gore here to kind of give their presentation. >> Hi, thanks for having us. Um so Drew came to me about a month ago maybe. Um uh and of course being new to Campbell, I didn't know much about much, but he let me know uh of the opportunity um that the group uh there's kind of been a group involved in in making this happen or bringing this to the table um to have the dedication um uh excuse me, the naming for uh Coach Gorum and naming the field that he sort of um really revolutionized the baseball program at Campbell. Built it from the ground up, literally. Um, so I'm gonna turn it over to Drew who can kind of tell you a little bit more

006about um, Coach Gorm. I wasn't fortunate to get to know him or know him um, and I know he's passed. >> He has passed um, a few years ago. Um, but I just want to thank you for giving me a moment to speak um, here on behalf of the Campbell High School community, our alumni, and many families whose lives have been shaped by Coach James Jimmy Gorm. Coach Gorm served as Campbell head baseball coach for 17 years. And in that turn he that time he earned over 200 wins and led our program to six championships. After our 2014 championship he added a phrase to the back of our shirts which still live on today. Tradition never graduates. The words became a reminder to each player wearing the Campbell. Wearing Campbell across your chest means carrying

007on a standard that is set by who's come before you. But what makes coach Gorm exceptional goes far beyond winning [clears throat] wins and banners. He dedicated his life to building young men of character. Athletes who understood discipline, responsibility, and respect. Coach Gorm lived out all of our core values every day and he instilled them in every player who wore the Coug uniform. His in influence continues to be felt not just in success of our program but in the lives of our students and families he touched. A personal note, coach Gorm was my mentor, someone I invest he invested, someone who he invested countless hours in guiding me as coach. He became part of our family and he was a major reason I stand here today as Campbell's head varsity coach. Tonight I resp tonight

008tonight we respectfully ask that you support in naming the Campbell baseball field after coach James Jimmy Gorum a lasting tribute to a man who built this program shaped shaped this community and set the standards of excellence and continue to guide us. So, for for me, it's very personal to do this. And I know there's other families, the Larry families, um Samantha Smith, um actually reached out to um our Tony, our uh athletic director, uh a year and a half ago. And this is something I've been trying to get to do with, you know, 2018 when he left, but then he passed and um some things got kind of stretched out. So, uh, he's very important to this community and I still instill those beliefs that he had and, uh, I can't, you know, I I

009think about him all the time. So, I appreciate all the time that >> Wish I had an opportunity to meet him. >> What's that? >> I wish I had an opportunity to meet him. >> Yeah, he was a great guy. And I'll tell you, this is a guy that would talk hours about baseball on a simple phone call on a Sunday, you know, he's I hate to bother you. And we would just talk everything. And it would be from from just you know the talking about the Red Sox and whatever and then you know guiding my helping with my kids you know when they're growing up and my oldest is 14 now and he was a baby when I first started coaching with Jimmy. So and he loves baseball and he really want you know

010we really want this for Jimmy. I think he deserves it. >> So I knew Jimmy. My son played for Jimmy for a couple years. Jimmy is a South Boston kid like me and we had that bond right off the bat. So, um I certainly would be happy to make a motion to name uh name the field for James Jimmy Gorm. >> Okay, we have a motion. I will second additional discussion. Would there be um some type of I mean there's obviously a lot of people here but some type of dedication ceremony or some event that we could plan for the spring that could maybe >> Yeah, I think that's what we're hoping to do as long as this you know proceeds um in a positive direction is [clears throat] is obviously baseball's a spring sport.

011Try to align that with the start of the you know start of the baseball season when we have our first couple home games do some sort of um you know presentation celebration uh to make it official in that capacity. Do we have Oh, sorry. Do we have any other sports fields that are named after any other coaches that you're aware of? >> Uh, not that I'm aware of. >> The auditorium is named auditorium is named after the former music director. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, this would uh this motion would result in this going to a Warren article. >> Correct. So, we have to have at least 3 months of an opportunity for the public to comment on this. So, we're in that window by doing it here in November, taking us to March. We're

012about four months out. So um the community could come and comment at at you know schoolboard meeting or even at deliberative down the road and stuff because it's a warrant article. Um but you according policy you have to have that length of time to allow the community to to voice their input once the school board has decided to kind of move it forward um in that direction. I would think by by the people here tonight that it's it's going to be supported by the community. Um so probably maybe hopefully here continue to hear positive comments about um coach as it kind of goes. Um, you know, if it was the board's we do presentations about warrant articles at deliberative, we would probably want to do something connected to this warrant article. Um, at that um

013maybe invite some of these folks to to to share, you know, some some memories and and why this is important. >> Um, and then it's left as a warrant article for the community to ultimately decide. So, >> did we do something for Coach K on the basketball court? >> Is the gym named after him? >> I don't believe so. There's no >> I could be wrong, but I've never seen anything in my time, but I've never actually >> hunted it down either. [clears throat] So, >> that was a dedication versus the naming, right? Could have been. >> Well, I fully support this >> and I think it's fantastic. Call >> a vote. >> All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain. 4. >> Awesome. >> Thank you very much.

014>> Thank you so much. >> Yes. >> Have a great night. >> Good luck to you, boys. [applause] >> [applause] >> Okay, [laughter] shifting gears a bit. We're going to turn it over to our student representative. How's it going? >> It's going great. Great. How are you? >> Maybe just give it a minute for people to clear out. >> I'm getting you up there, Domin. Just one second. >> [snorts] >> excited to hear about Waterville. >> Oh, it was a blast. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Um, so basically what's going on at fall sports right now. Um, the soccer team took home the division 2 state championship against Conval. Um, so yay. >> [applause] >> YEAH. >> UM, football sadly ended their season in the quarterfinals. They lost to Inner Lakes. But now we can move

015on to winter sports season. >> Um, so the past events obviously Waterville Field Trip, which was awesome by the way. Students had a lot of fun there. Definitely picked up some leadership skills and a lot of folks on mental health there. Um, the senior trickor treat came around on October 31st, so it was a lot of fun. worked really smoothly. Student council ran it and it just overall worked really nice for the kids. They loved it. Um, apply New Hampshire Day that worked well. I saw a lot of people going down there to get free applications to colleges in New Hampshire, which um I mean I'm currently in the application process. I've been looking through them and there are it's kind of a pain when you get to the end of the application and be

016like, "Oh, I got to pay to apply." So, that was really nice to [laughter] have that. And then the end of quarter one. Um so the current events that are coming around is the districtwide make a difference food drive which is basically all the schools come together to make a difference. [laughter] Yeah. Um the gobble grams which with Thanksgiving on the doorstep um gobble grams are great you know if you want to send someone someone at school you can just ask it be done the NHS inductions uh which is national honor society for those who don't know. So the kids who are really excelling in those courses, they can be inducted into the National Honor Society. Um CHS PTO fall pie sale, which I don't know if you guys have heard anything about that, but

017it's basically we sell pies. It's a fundraiser and those are the pickup is November 24th from 5 to 7th. Um the student council food drive, which is goes along with the make a difference food drive. Um just basically helping families in need get the food and resources that they need. uh the future events coming up which is the spirit of Blitzfield holiday event the winter stew coconference coming up that's also has a focus on leadership at the [clears throat] school um and Santa's breakfast which is put on by the national h society which I remember going to that as a little kid and it is really fun >> always a good time >> um this is the middle school what's going on down at the middle school boys girls boys and girls soccer along with

018girls volleyball won the Tri COUNTY STATE CHAMPIONSHIP >> [applause] >> IS THINKING OF SWITCHING OVER THEIR MASCOT AGAIN, WHICH for those who don't know, their current mascot is the lynx, I believe. So, it was there when I um the sixth graders were on their annual field trip to an age classroom. I never went on that, but I heard it was a lot of fun. Um the group of seventh grade students brainstorming [clears throat] ideas and find how how to incorporate kindness into everyday activities, which is really shown some innovation from the students down there. And thanks to them we have a podcast down at LMS now about kindness. Um just contributing they're also contributing to make a difference food drive which I mean as stated before all schools are really contributing to that good cause

019and then the veterans day assembly went smoothly and well for all the veterans in um >> JS book fair was a great success. Uh they grossed over $11,000 which is amazing. We'll see cuz I go to it. >> So the second grade is going on a field trip to New Orleans tree farm. So the kids get to go around to tree farm and I don't know if you guys have been there but there's events like they can cut down trees, they can ride to the tractor. Uh I know there's a fire pit s'mores. A lot of fun there. Um the kindergarten Thanksgiving Day balloon parade is uh November 20 25th. 25th. I don't know a lot about that to be honest, but uh it sounds like >> the kazoo and half hours [laughter] >> minus

020the kazoo >> and then the PTO holiday store is open December 9th through 11th and that is what's going on in our district. [laughter] >> All right, well done. [applause] [clears throat] >> Excellent. Well, thank you for that update. >> Yeah, of course. Any uh questions for Dom? >> All right. Uh next up, we have community comment on agenda items tonight. This is the first of two community comments. The board does have a tremendous amount of items tonight with budget review. So, we are going to limit uh uh community comments tonight to three minutes per policy behind. My address is 119 Nells Pond Road in Lynn, Massachusetts. I came up tonight to urge you folks to name the baseball field for Jim Gorm. [laughter] So, >> so that'll um I I just wanted to briefly

021say and I and I feel badly for those who didn't know him. Uh his first coaching job was with me in Swampscott, Massachusetts. I was a JV coach. We had 28 players come out for the team and I was told you can't cut anyone. And I after I came down off my cliff, I said, "Well, how the hell do you uh run a team?" So, they agreed to let me hire a uh stipend assistant. And Jim and I were good friends at that time. So, that was actually his first coaching job. I think it was in 1989. It might have been 90. Yeah. We had 14 kids dressed every day. And then these six, it was great for, you know, if you broke a team rule, it was easy not to dress you because we

022didn't have enough uniforms anyway. >> [laughter] >> But for those of you who didn't know, you've done a really good thing. Um, most second most importantly, you know, I coached a long time. I worked for a guy named Frank D. Feliz in Swampskit who recently passed away. He won 465 games, 35 years. He won one state title. Uh, I was fortunate to win two American Legion state titles in about 12 years, two in a row, actually. uh for Jim to build this program. As you may know, it was a JV program for the first year the school was open and he was the first varsity coach. And in his fifth or sixth year, they won the state championship. And I think you almost had to have coached at some level to understand how truly difficult

023that is. And then to win five more, three out of his last four years. But the most important reason why you've done a good thing tonight is you would all want your son playing for him. And apparently one of you can attest to that. Uh yes, he was from Selfie and he did bring Selfie with him. Uh yes, he did tone it down uh over the years. >> Never with me. >> But he was perfectly he was perfectly willing to uh tone it back up when necessary in the interest of holding kids accountable. And I think we could all agree that we could use him today in 2025. I think accountability is I'm afraid waned a little bit. And you do have to change with the times and he did. And to coach's point, uh

024I I was probably on the other end of more of those baseball conversations than anyone. his preparedness and what he put into preparing those Campbell kids. As I wrote in my letter, which I believe is in the packet, those kids by the time he was done, knew as much about the opponent as about their own team. And we're talking high school baseball and this is, you know, prehddle and all these. It's pretty easy now. You can sit at home and scout from your living room. He was out at other fields. And so anyway, um I wanted to come up uh to urge you to do what you did. I'm certainly willing if [laughter] if hoping that warrant sails through, but uh certainly willing to put my PR hat on and help in any way I

025can to make sure it does. Thank you for doing what you did. >> Yep. Community comment. >> Good evening. Yeah. Good evening. >> Hi, Janet Mike. Mike used to live at Six McQueen >> and we just recently moved to Florida. We flew up today just >> We flew up today to convince you because we're Jimmy's family. >> And I wanted to tell you that Jimmy um lost his mother when he was a freshman in high school. He lost his dad shortly after high school. So, we became Jimmy's family. And the thing I wanted to tell you is we're his family except for during baseball season. [laughter] during baseball season, we didn't see him because he was totally and completely devoted to his baseball family and he he called those boys his kids and they were

026his he lived and breathed Campbell baseball during baseball season and I used to see him all he was always at our house except for during baseball season. He really and truly loved those kids and he he was totally devoted to them. And that was made crystal clear to me at Jimmy's memorial service because I can't tell you how many kids and parents showed up to that memorial memorial service and they told me stories that you wouldn't believe how many how many parents and kids how how many lessons Jimmy taught those kids away from the field. I know I know you all know his accolades for how many championships he won and how many what a great coach he was, but Jimmy was a real I Jimmy was my best friend for 50 years and he

027really taught those kids a lot off the field too, not just on the field. And I wanted to know you to know a little bit about Jimmy, the man, just not the coach. >> That's amazing. Thank you. >> Yeah, Jim and I grew up together with Salty. played street hockey, went to high school together at the same high school, played high school ball together, won a city championship, a couple other things, but he was totally devoted, but the like Jim was saying, uh, more important, he developed young boys into men, you know, he taught them right and wrong. He he taught them how to lose, which is something that a lot of people don't teach. He said, "There's no shame in losing, but you learn from your mistakes, blah blah blah." And you know, he

028really instilled in them uh how to be a team, how to be a unit, how to respect the other team, the other coaches. You never heard anything from his bench across the diamond because he wouldn't allow it, you know. I mean, one year he kicked off the best player on the team and they ended up winning the championship without him, you know, because he really instilled in them that it's a team, not a oneperson thing. anybody that had academic problems, he was right in the office. That was the first thing he did. You're taking care of your studies first before you play ball for me. And if you could get all your ducks in a row, you're back on the team or you're back starting or whatever the position may have been. And as Jan

029said, you know, he was he was like my brother. Uh he had no other siblings. So he's actually uh our daughter's godfather. [clears throat] And uh like Jen said, you know, he was a member of the family. And a lot of the kids in this town actually call him Uncle Jimmy, even though not related. Same thing with my kids. It's not blood related, but they call them >> I hope he's smiling down at the moment, right? [laughter] >> Yes. Yes. I mean, he he he lit up every time he he saw these groups of kids, you know, and and he, you know, like Jan said, he lived for baseball, but he also lived for >> the kids, >> instilling the character in them, you know, and and I give him a lot of credit for

030that because >> he had to encounter some parents and he and I discussed it a few times, [laughter] >> but uh you know, he straightened things out. He told people what was what and how it would be and this is his way and that was that. So, >> thank you so much for coming up. >> Well, okay. whip back in the morning. But we [laughter] thought we thought we thought it was we thought it was important to be here. >> I was in Florida last week and it wasn't so warm. >> No, it [laughter] wasn't. It wasn't at all. >> We were by the pool yesterday. >> Thank you very much. [laughter] >> Thank you. I'll go up. >> Hey everybody. I'm not here as a selectman. Okay. [laughter] This is strictly baseball. Um I

031met Jimmy and >> Name and address sir. >> OH [laughter] Bob Larry 172 Charles Bankrupt. Um I met Jim when uh actually our kids were in little league. Zablaki and my son grew up together and daughter um played ball together. I met Jim uh in uh 1999 when we were playing little league um tournament and then I went to the middle school and I coached 20 thou 2001 2002 and I would always see Jimmy there and accountability was always huge with him. He would always talk about this stuff. Um and I remember one of my games a player let a ball go through his legs in the outfield and he walked after it. I pulled him off right on the spot on the field and he started laughing. I could hear him laughing on the

032hill. He said, "That will help this team out." And it did. And um Jimmy made the kids responsible. He You were there to play baseball, but you were there to be become young men. He said, "I I bring in boys, I send out young men." And he taught him the right things along the way. Um grades to him were super super important. And my son as a junior was having a heck of a year and his midterms were not so hot. Jimmy benched him. He benched him for two games. We lost two games. Put us uh in the last spot for the playoffs. We almost missed it, but he learned his lesson. He never let his grades slide. And the player of the year um that he dismissed from the team was a disruption. He

033wasn't going to have disruptions. Um he made the kids responsible. Um he just This is something that you guys have done that is really good for this town. We coached Peter's kid. You know, I I I coached with Jimmy after uh middle school for about gez close to 10 years I think now. Um I left right before coach Gore came in. Um he made the kids responsible. He made them do the right thing. It was always do the right thing. Um, Mike was talking about strategy and Paul and I remember our first title in [clears throat] ' 06 where it rained for like a week straight. We couldn't get a game in. We were in the gym and Campbell every day and we were playing this team scenic who was their coach was probably the

034only coach I ever saw in high school baseball that was on Jimmy's parallel. Um, Kevin Ry and we worked on these two plays all week long. One was a pickoff play um and the other one was a um uh what to do in the case of a a squeeze. And sure enough, in that mscenic game, both of those plays came to fruition. They had first and third. They had one out. Um Shawn Maro, who was here, I don't know if he's still here or not. He was our pitcher. But the pickoff play, um Jimmy called it on the exact same pitch that he was going to uh pull off this. So, double steel thing. Um, and he caught him dead and I could see the coach over there shaking his head like, "How the hell

035did he know this?" And the other one was on a they had um they had a runner at third and we were up by a run and it was a three-0 count on their hitter. He decides he's going to call a squeeze. Jimmy somehow knew he was going to call a squeeze. Called a pitch out. And I heard the coach were walking back. We walked past him and he goes, "Who the hell calls a pitch out on three out?" Jimmy just laughed. I go, "He does." Um, again, I can't if there's anything I can do to help this process along the way, I'm offering [clears throat] my services. Um, the guy meant a lot to me. Um, it was sad that he did that he passed when he did. He's still a lot of life

036to live. But um >> I think what will help for all is you know come speak at deliberative right when we're presenting these warrant articles in this particular warrant article to the town right that's that's >> you know I'll be there. [laughter] >> No you didn't have to throw that in Heidi. [laughter] >> All right. Thank you guys again. >> Thank you very much. >> Appreciate it. Just uh cast these out. >> Handouts. >> Yeah, just >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I'm not sure if Thank you. >> I appreciate that. >> Have a good night all. Thank you for coming up. >> Yes. Hi, Ronald 15 Ruby Circle and I appreciate I'll try to keep this brief. I appreciate that. Uh I just want to highlight two specific uh things is uh last night

037we had the first community forum and uh while uh it was interesting I want to note that I was greatly disappointed that the consultant did not present all the options that they were tasked with doing and specifically they only presented a renovation at Campbell High excuse [snorts] me at Griffin and options for renovating Campbell High School. There was supposed to be a renovation only for GMS. That's in the recommendation from the FIC that was not presented. So, they didn't do their job. And apparently whoever is managing this didn't do their job either. Um, the other thing I want to talk about is uh last night I brought up the issue of the opportunity to use LMS for moving a grade up, specifically fourth grade. And I noted last night that the design for design uh

038capacity for LMS is 550 students. Uh this document you can see that came out of 2024 that was put together by the Lichfield building committee highlights that the capacity of Lichfield Middle School is 550 and as you know we've added two classrooms so that's an additional 50 students. So the capacity of LMS is 550 student wise. Um this particular document that you provided to me highlights that on average there's nine to 10 classes or teaching spaces that are not used each period every day. To move a fourth grade up there all you need is four to five classes. There is open space in LMS to do that. I understand according to superintendent's comments last night that that's all taken up by teachers either by meetings or them sitting there planning. My wife when she taught

039in the school taught in the cart. She never had any planning in the classroom. She did it in the cafeteria. She did it in the conference rooms. their combined teacher meetings were in spaces that uh were available. And so to assert that these spaces have to be reserved for teachers instead of being utilized to move a grade up there and use them as classroom spaces [clears throat] I find incredibly disingenuous and quite truthfully this is a lowcost solution to solve the need space for the principal. He's identified that he needs three additional classrooms last spring. Now he only needs two because we have a a reduced kindergarten. We move the fourth grade up there. That will free up four classrooms in GMS, take care of all our space needs and provide the opportunity for classrooms

040and the educational services that are needed within the existing framework of the building with no additions and no changes. So to go ahead to start just putting together a program that's going to cost us $20 million and $32 million financed is extremely lime line, shortsighted and failing to utilize the resources we have in this town. >> Thank you. >> Anybody want to comment? >> We are going to be talking about this later in the agenda. I find it interesting. Mr. Connell had plenty to say to me last night, but you won't say it in public. >> I'm pretty sure I spoke pretty loudly in public last night. >> Yeah, but [laughter] it wasn't recorded. >> The meeting wasn't recorded. >> What's that? >> The meeting wasn't recorded. >> I know. And that's the problem. >>

041Would you like to repeat it? >> Cuz we have no problem repeating. By all means, I mean, we might as well just address the fact that the problem is that you come in with data that is either half true or you you just artificially make up numbers and then continue to project those out loudly even when you're presented with information that count that counters that. >> Okay, go ahead. >> He can he can repeat what he said to you last night. >> Let's take the middle school schedule for example. First of all, our teachers are teaching full schedules. You've been here multiple times trying to claim that our middle school teachers are not teaching full schedules. That's a lie. They teach five classes every day. They teach five classes. So when you come up here

042and you say they teach four, that is a lie. We provided this information with their class sizes, their class enrollments, where their scheduled, the master schedule, the bell schedule, every combination we can do, we have provided for you this >> on that particular point. I will agree that the information that you just provided last weekend >> and last spring and every other time you requested. >> Yes, we can go back. People at home, right to know this all you want. Every single email I've sent, it includes all the information you need. Why are we hiding? What do you think we are hiding? This is just baffling to me that you think we're running a middle school with teachers not teaching full-time. >> All right, let's if you want us to talk about that. Do they

043teach a supervisory period as well? >> A supervis all their classes are supervisor. >> Focused on the building, >> right? We've addressed the point. >> You're saying there's eight empty classrooms. We need to have a fundamental understanding about school classrooms. You can't just teach any class in any classroom, for example, a fax classroom, a cooking classroom, which is primarily made of ovens. You cannot just run a math class in a fax class. So, when fax is not running, more likely than not, we're not putting a different academic class in there. And more likely than not, the teachers in there doing their prep. In a math classroom, when math is not being taught, our math teachers at the middle school meet at least once a week in their whole entire department and at least once a

044week by their grade level. Those are multiple meetings a week they're having in those classrooms. So that space is being utilized. I'm sorry your wife taught on a cart. That's not appropriate. Like I [laughter] don't know what to tell you. Teachers shouldn't teach on carts. Like we should be doing everything in our in our in our power not to do that. We are not underenrolled in the middle school. I would think when you just spent as a town $10 million on this project, you may have taken the time to check that out. And the enrollment hasn't changed at that size. People seem to seems to be full every day when I walk in. It seems to be full every day when people come in and walk around schools, when we do career days, when we

045do um all these other days. The buildings are full. I don't know what to tell you. You're more than welcome to come in and sub though. Anytime you want to sign up to sub, we got open par positions. You can come see for yourself how this school operates, this district operates on an everyday basis if you want. All right, >> we'll even pay you. >> I'd like Mr. >> And the good news is we won't do it on a cart. >> I'd like Mr. Shoemaker to respond for FIC comments. >> You have any comments? >> You know, I >> you know, Mr. Oblenus has had stated at the start that the FIC or the options presented weren't aligned to what uh what was proposed. >> The options and you're you remember this too. It was

046discussed that we were not going to do a new building, but the option always was there would be um renovation and possible addition, >> right? Based off of the based off of the architect's analysis of walking through the building. I mean, we've now had different architects come through that are saying the same thing, and you don't want to hear it because it doesn't align with what you want the outcome to be. Well, just let's stay in that point. >> We're not engaging in conversation right now. We're addressing your points that you made. [clears throat] >> Go ahead. But you didn't. There wasn't a renovation oper option presented last night. >> What do you think the [clears throat] first option was? Is >> option one was just that? >> No, they were all >> whether you

047agreed to that or not. That's what option one was. >> They were all >> We're not engaging in conversation. We're going to move on with our agenda. We have a long night ahead with budget. >> Is there any other comments for Mr. Oblenus tonight? Nope. >> no. It's just unfortunate. It couldn't be more cooperative. >> Oh, I fully agree. >> You are fighting us every step of the way >> because there's a lowcost option >> in your opinion that doesn't agree with the professionals that have been hired >> because they haven't been allowed to look at it. >> Moving on. >> That's I'll just conclude that the report that you did on-site insight by the people you hired said the building condition at GMS is fair and with $3.5 million >> you would bring it

048into >> it's time to cut you off we are done with you spouting out numbers that are fake you make up numbers all the time >> we're done >> all right let's move into one last one last related we have a website griffinmemorial project.com. We have everything related to this, these on-site insight reports, the past her reports, everything that we have is on this website. It is open to the public. I encourage everyone, we post, we don't have last night's presentation quite up yet cuz we just haven't turned it over yet. We are posting all of our information on this website, all of these reports, all of this stuff. Please feel free to read it through on your own. It's all there. If there's information people want that's not on the website, we will put

049it there. We are trying to be as transparent as humanly possible because we understand the magnitude of this work that is being done right now. So, please read for yourself. If you don't want to listen to anyone in this room right now, that is fine. Go read for yourself the on-site insight report. It's there. You can read it and make your own determinations from it. >> And that's what I asked the public to do. >> We're going to move on now to general business. Um, shifting gears for sure. Uh, >> you want me to do correspondence? >> Oh, yes, we have correspondence. >> Sorry. Yeah. Uh on November 5th, Julie Darling emailed the board circulating a solar update from Dynamic Grid. On November 6th, Brooke Roman, a student, uh copied the board um circulating her

050senior trick-or- treat reflection on an activity done at CHS. On November 6th, Jan Sullivan emailed the board the November 5th public um the draft November 5th public and non-public minutes. On November 7th, Jan Sullivan emailed the board circulating the draft November 6th minutes from the first joint session with the school board and budget committee to review the 2627 proposed budget. On November 7th, Mr. Cutter emailed the board um replying to an invitation from the rec committee to attend one of their meetings so we can discuss field usage uh for the schools. And there was a response by the superintendent on November 7th. and Anamarati circulated the credit card manifest. On November 7th, Ron Oblenus emailed the board and the town advising of a scheduling conflict between the GMS forum that was last night and a

051CIP meeting and requesting that one be rescheduled. There were responses from Mr. Cutter, Mr. Oblinas, and Kim Kleiner. On November 7th, Jeffrey Larson emailed the board asking if the diff district intends to offer preschool and preK in 2627, and Mr. Cutter responded to that email. On November 7th, Mr. Cutter texted the board advising that the November 11th budget session was being moved to November 12th, and there were responses from the superintendent, Mr. Cutter and Mr. Palansky. On November 7th, Mr. Cutter also emailed the board advising of the uh rescheduling of the second joint budget committee and school board meeting um to move it off of Veterans Day and the decision to move it to the November 12th. On November 8th, Ron Obliness emailed the board requesting the clock schedule for each school and there was

052a response from Mr. Cutter. On November 9th, Ron Obinus emailed the board requesting confirmation that every single teacher in the district is teaching five periods plus a supervisory period. Again, there were responses from Mr. Cutter and Mr. Oblenus. On November 13th, Jan Sullivan emailed the board circulating the draft November 12th minutes from the second joint session between the school board and the budget committee to review the budget. On November 13th, Holly Felzone emailed the board and budget committee circulating health insurance rates for uh 26 and 27. On November 13th, Julie Darling emailed the board in the budget committee advising of a few updates in the budget committee folder which included an updated slideshow and the health insurance rates. On November 13th, Mr. Dr. Oblennis emailed the board requesting the individual CTE schedule for every student,

053transportations arrangements for each student, times in the buildings and times of out of the building for each CTE student, and a list of every student with late arrivals, early dismissals, and intraday arrivals and dismissals. Uh there was a response from Mr. Cutter and Mr. Oblenus. On November 14th, an enamor circulated the accounts payable manifest which included live checks and EFT. On November 14th, Renee Burgess emailed the board circulating the draft November 19th schoolboard agenda. On November 14th, Jen Grantham emailed the board circulating the next edition of the links cast and there was a response from Mr. Cutter. On November 17th, Dan Dit emailed uh I'm sorry, text messaged the board advising that he will not be attending last night's GMS forum and tonight's uh schoolboard meeting due to personal reasons on November 19th. and and

054Marotti circulated the accounts payable manifests. On November 19th, Mr. Cutter emailed the board circulating his list of proposed um reductions from the from the budget for tonight's meeting. On November 19th, Brooke Roman, a student um sent an email which copying the board with a summary of the student council Waterville Valley Conference. And that, to my knowledge, brings us up to date. >> Wow. [laughter] >> It was a busy couple of weeks. >> It was. Thank you. >> All right. Um turning it over to the superintendent and we'll get into the budget. >> Yep. Uh so we're going to talk budget. Um I actually don't really have many general updates uh because we were [clears throat] able to get in the health insurance rate prior to uh the budget committee last week. Um ended up being

05518.46 18.6% increase. Um so we accounted that and updated the budget documents accordingly for that. Um so that's it for kind of general updates. I thought maybe we wouldn't have it last week when we met, but we did. So that's been updated. Um follow up on the questions. I know you know Mr. Cutter, you have a had a bunch of questions and we can jump into those or we can go through the sections however you you want to best kind of proceed and kind of address the questions as it come. >> So I circulated the link to the school district budget questions so the board has that. Um do you want to go through the questions individually? >> You can use your sheet as opposed to going through each chapter, right? Because they're not >>

056okay. >> Be quicker. >> Yeah, >> sure. So [clears throat] the first question um actually the first few questions were regarding specifically electric and fuel across the district. Um question one [clears throat] was regarding CHS propane >> uh and usage. Um ultimately uh the amount for CHS propane I felt was over budgeted. Uh after review with the superintendent, uh the superintendent agreed that to uh to reduce that line by $5,000. Um so I'm prepared to make a motion to reduce CHS propane by $5,000. [clears throat] >> Second. Motion by myself, second by Mr. Shoemaker. Additional discussion. >> All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. >> Opposed? Abstain. That carries 40. I see Mr. Mitchell's hand up. >> I just want for the board's acknowledge. >> Thank you. >> On remotely as well.

057>> Gotcha. Thank you. >> Yeah, she's out of six. So just she jumped on remote. So thank you. Um the next line item here is also on electric and fuel. This is for GMS. Same discussion. Um over budgeted uh looking at the numbers. Uh, this was a $4,000 reduction and I'm prepared to make a motion to reduce electricity at GMS by $4,000. >> Second >> motion by myself, second by Mr. Shoemaker. Additional discussion. >> Just a question. How did we end up overbudgeting these? >> I I apologize. I put a um percentage average instead of taking the three-year average, which I should not have done. >> That's No, you don't have to apologize. It's easy mistake and easy fix. >> All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I >> I >> opposed 40

058and same um discussion here on GMS [clears throat] oil. Uh this was a bit higher. Uh this was a $10,000 reduction. I will make a motion to reduce GMS oil by $10,000. >> Second motion by myself, second by Mr. Shoemaker. Additional discussion. >> Your question was are we locked into a rate? And and I guess my question did we get an answer to that? Are we locked into a rate? >> Um, so we do have a rate right now that is expiring in August. So we do have to wait till we get closer. We negotiate that. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> That takes us through the school year. So >> it does. >> Okay. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Opposed? 40. Uh, the next one I need just

059a little more time research. Sorry, I didn't have an answer right away. >> Okay. >> So, uh, but I did today. I was able to. So the next one here is travels and is travel and conferences. This is one that you know historically we look at together um just because they kind of go together. Uh and this collectively was up quite a bit from past years and the question was why? So I'll turn it over to the superintendent. >> Yeah, I think um I think it's what it's up on is our actual spend. So like our budgets for this year, it is up a little bit but not as significant of a jump. But when you compare it to what we actually spent in 2025, it's up a lot. So, um, the two lines combined

060probably over 20,000 from what we actually spent in those two kind of subcategories together. Um, I think there's [clears throat] reasons, you know, for why we didn't spend as much on travel last year. Some of them is, you know, we had new administrators who just weren't leaving the building because we were kind of learning our jobs more so than going to conferences or some other things. Um, some of that has expanded. I know Julie and Sarah um are doing a little bit more conference work this year than they they did last year. Um, I will speak for myself. I hate going to conferences. So, you will see I didn't spend a penny of my uh conference [laughter] line last year and uh I don't really unless force spend plan on s spending a dime on

061my conference line this year. [clears throat] But I think that's more of an anomaly of my preferences than it is um a norm. But I I think as long as I'm the superintendent, you you can count on those lines being under [laughter] under spent. Um and uh so I think there's combination of that. Um you know, I think some of the travel that's where our mileage comes out to when people reimburse for mileage. I think as a collective, the people who have that ability in their contracts uh didn't utilize that maybe to its full capacity last [clears throat] year. And I think there's um at least what we're seeing is people doing that more frequently this year, you know. Um, and that isn't our little trips to and from, you know, the schools in the

062district. That's when we're attending, you know, state meetings in conquered or like the most recent um uh district administration meeting was all the way up in in Lincoln. Uh I think Sarah went on behalf of the district. [clears throat] I didn't go to that one um because she had to speak at it. Um so there's um some >> some different different just things that we're doing now on that. I do think it's okay to reduce these lines. Like I said for myself, I I know I'm not spending my conference money unless needed. Um so I think the suggestion in here to reduce it closer to the actuals that we spent last year um is okay. Um and we'd have to there's a lot of lines affected here. So a general number might be the best

063way to approach connected to these two lines and then we can go in y >> and systematically kind of take off um different ones at different spots if that makes sense. If the board's comfortable with that. Um and specifically these are accounts 272 and 580. >> Yeah. So the travel and the conference ones, right? >> Yep. [snorts] >> So I guess like for >> so just for board awareness, right? So for FY27 across 272 and 580 in the accounts, what's requested in this budget is $66,56 and the actual for FY25 is just about $40,000. Right? So that's where my $20,000 number comes from, [cough] >> right? [clears throat] >> That was actual used. >> Actual used and the average is about $35,000, >> right? >> So the other thing I would say is that I

064think postco a lot of conferences that used to be the ones that you travel to were put online or were available remotely such that maybe people in our departments didn't have to travel for it. But that is becoming less of a norm. And that >> personal face toface experience and what they're learning from that um you know I think is a vital part of that connecting that networking with other districts is key for the people going to these conferences. So I I it sounds like you would be okay with some type of reduction but maybe 20,000. >> Yeah. I was just going to say I just want to know like [clears throat] I I know we're not going to rely on uh the superintendent to help us figure out what >> he's going to attend,

065but uh you know Dr. Taylor, you benefit from these. Julie, you benefit from these. I know Lauren has gone to some that have has brought back some really great ideas. So like >> and Sarah goes and Holly goes and um >> so split the difference, right? And Heidi's right about the la the less um virtual options and it's actually better to go in person and um there's a lot more offered and um like um Brian was saying there for the um statewide meetings they're trying to spread them out across the state to be fair to people in the north country and all. So, we're kind of traveling all over the place. Um, and like the farthest one was Lincoln and I was like, "Oh my, okay, >> we're not driving to Lincoln." [clears throat] Um,

066but I do presented those. So, um, these are very necessary and we're also trying to, and we've talked about this before, move things where they're really supposed to be. um the there was a lot of transferring or you know in past and um like I didn't put in mileage last year but having to travel so much um around the state I'm like okay it's a lot um so I have been putting in so we don't really have a barometer yet of what that might look like um but I'm already looking at what I've um done in just September and October and it's pretty significant. >> Just want to clarify on my behalf. I do go to the meetings I'm supposed to go to [laughter] South Central. >> I go to my South Centrals. I will

067go to the state meetings. I go to the law conferences. >> So, [laughter] you're not seeking out sense. >> I'm not like a good example. >> Listen, you do a great job. We don't care about you going to the >> but we do just to like reference we get like a season pass as part of um this be part of the association. So [clears throat] we have two tickets two season passes and that allows us to save costs here right because you know we can spread that out. They've allowed us now to spread that out among our administrative team. So instead of you know um if Sarah and Julie want to go like they went to the the June conference last year right cuz the two of them wanted to go and I was like

068fine by me. [laughter] >> That one's not covered by a season ticket. Yeah. And that's that's my point though. It's covered by a season ticket where if I had wanted to go and the two of them wanted to go as well, we'd have to pay for that, you know. So there's that I do go to what I'm supposed to I'm going to a regional meeting Friday. >> I want to be sure that we pick a number that's going to allow. >> Let's do this. Like I'll make a motion to reduce traveling conferences by $10,000. >> I'll second for discussion. >> Right. >> For further discussion. >> Motion by myself, second by Mr. Shoemaker for discussion. >> Right. So, I guess I just want to know like I'm not looking line by line to be honest

069with you. So, [laughter] like is [clears throat] and do do you guys feel like that's going to still allow you to hit the things that are going to make a difference? Because we're we're trying to make some big leaps in terms of, >> you know, moving this district along and I want to make sure >> I think that that's fair. And again, like I said, I think after this year, we're going to have a better idea on what the actual um price points would be for those lines, right? um there was no way to really tell, you know, so we knew we had to increase it, but it was almost like a guesstimation of how much like I know my line for travel is not going to be enough. But who knows like what it's

070>> that's my concern though is because like there's certain work that you're doing. I mean you're all doing but like I I you know we talk a lot about the work that you're doing. So there's certain work that you're doing that I don't want to lose a year of progress on because you missed out on the opportunity to get pertinent information. >> I don't think I don't think this reduction would do that. I really >> that's all I need. Anyone anyone out there that's >> all my conferences are paid for by the district. So [laughter] I'm the president >> for the next two years. >> We'll talk in a couple years. >> Yeah. >> All right. All right. Call the vote. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Abstained. That's 4

071Z. All right. Next up, uh, game officials. So, uh, really same conversation. Game officials in line for FY26 budget. Uh, in our default, it's a large increase o over years past. Uh, in speaking with the superintendent, this is one that we felt was an area that we could reduce uh, by $10,000. >> Yeah. I just want to note that in the best case scenario that we qualify for a lot of championships next year, we may have to transfer a little money. >> We had to I think >> I think we well we'll see how the winter goes. Uh we had a successful fall. Sometimes it balances itself out the different seasons. Um but just like that is one of the trickier lines to project because those officials for the playoffs are more expensive than than

072typically. So if we have a lot of teams that get far, we have to cover some of the costs, especially if we're the home team. um associated with it. So >> rates are set by rates are set by they're not >> set by us. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So by making this a reduction, we're not betting against our teams. >> We are not. We should be okay. But >> let's just be clear [laughter] and >> it would be a good problem to have if we had to transfer a little money. >> We're going to be okay. So >> all right. I'll make a motion to reduce the game officials by $10,000. >> Second. >> Motion by myself. Second by Mr. Shoemaker. Additional discussion. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Opposed. carries

0734 Z. All right, everyone's favorite subject, transportation. Um, so transportation was was kind of a big number. Um, in speaking with the superintendent, this is one I was thinking was well over budgeted. Um, [clears throat] I'll turn it over to the superintendent. >> Yeah, I think we were focusing on special education transportation, not not necessarily the regular red transportation, >> right? That's contractual. Yeah. Um, so this is one of the trickier things and Sarah jump in at any point. Um, we try to do our best anticipating out of district transportation costs and they they can just range wildly, right? Um, you know, and just in the short time that we've been here, we've seen kids that had transportation and then opted for a different route that didn't cost us any money in transportation and shifted

074more expensive and less so. And it's it is kind of a moving target, but part of why we wanted to build up that reserve fund um last year in special education is to protect [clears throat] us in some of these swings that would would kind of happen. So we do have, you know, a a slot essentially um of an unknown in special ed transportation. The student exists, but the transportation at this point is unknown. And we we really don't know have any idea what that transportation is going to be next year. Good. And that's not a good bad thing. just we're going to see how the kids year progresses. You know, there's a chance progresses positively. There'll be no we'll still have an educational cost for this the student next year, but we could have

075um no or limited transportation cost connected to them or if if it's maybe not as successful as a year, then we could still have a significant transportation cost to create into that. But that is the power of the reserve funds, right? And it's why it was important for us to kind of follow through on that. So, I think, you know, talking with Sarah, we feel comfortable with this cut um with the understanding that and everyone's understanding if there was a scenario, we we would need to access the the reserve fund to take care of. >> The only thing I I do want to just bring up is we've talked about what the right number in the reserve fund is, and I'm not 100% confident that we're kind of sort of less than one unanticipated move

076in or like >> No, we're we're probably one and a half. >> One and a half. Okay. Yeah. >> Um and that's That's factoring in transportation. Yeah. With a >> move in. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> And that's the most expensive type of move in, right? Like we could have moveins that come that that are not at that level, you know, that >> do we have a feel for what we think like are do we feel like that's the end the end game for or the the end goal for that reserve fund or do we think that the the balance that we carry in there should be higher? Well, I I I you know, if I was to [clears throat] make a recommendation, I think having the capacity for two moveins of a district this

077size would be wise. And we're not quite there yet, but we're we're healthy. So, you know, we have warrant article discussion here a little bit later. >> I would say there's other needs for us in terms of a warrant article than necessarily putting, you know, an extra 50,000 in that that account. you know, um, we can discuss it, but if we were like to layer priorities there because we put a healthy amount in next year and we have that kind of one and a half threshold right there, I feel okay about it all. >> I guess my only concern is if if we don't if we're not able to put more into that account this year because of Warren articles, is this too substantial of a cut? >> I don't I you [clears throat] don't

078know, right? But I think we're willing to take that risk, you know? Um, you know, the transportation is literally a daily cost, right? Like if a kid's outside for a week, [clears throat] we're not paying for transportation that week, right? You know, so it can kind of fluctuate a little bit with that type of stuff. So, we budget with the assumption that a student's going to attend every single day of school, right? Um, but there is kind of kind of that that wiggle room there, you know? >> Um, >> it's not a ton. It's not $91,000 worth, but again, that's why you have a reserve fund to kind of help you with that. And like I said, like there is a scenario where um the student has a successful year. We have no reason to

079believe they're not going to have a successful year, but you never know. Um they are thus far. Could be very minimal costs associated with the student when it comes to transportation next year. >> Okay. All right. If you guys are comfortable with it, I'm comfortable with that. >> All right. I'll make a motion to reduce [clears throat] uh special education transportation by $91,000. >> Second. >> Motion by myself, second by Mr. Shoemaker. Additional discussion. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Opposed? Abstained. That carries 40. >> All right. Uh repairs and maintenance. Uh this is jumping over to uh the middle school. Uh and so there's a couple of items in there for replacing some doors and overhead doors. Uh I felt this was a good opportunity to uh potentially use some

080endofear incumbrance if there's an opportunity to do so. Uh that's something that we can just kind of earmark and keep track of uh again if there's an opportunity to do so. >> Are any of these items that are like needing to be replaced so urgently that we may not make it to end of year funds? >> No. So these are items to give you some context. So as part of you know the on-site insight reports we developed that 20-year replacement plan. And some of these items here are the things recommended because they've been there like it's a service door and a couple of interior hallway doors and things like that that are hitting that about life of end of life expectancy, right? Um and as you map that out over the course of a long

081time and you're trying to balance stuff through different years. I don't think anything here is like [clears throat] an absolute like it's broken >> with the broken brackets. >> Well, that's some of those, right? Yeah, those type of things we can make do with it. It's not the end of the world, but um we need to start that kind of repair. But this is, you know, we talked about this in the FIC, like looking at the different ways to budget and to to take care of those items and how there is some flexibility in moving things around as needs kind of kind of come up with with some of these, you know, the bigger items like roof at CHS, like we it's important we hit those marks, but like some of these smaller ones, show

082that we're documenting it in that plan and then figure out the best way to kind of approach it. So, we showed it in the budget to show that we're following that plan, but we can certainly do different ways of of taking care of it. Okay. So, I actually don't don't agree with this one. Um, I I understand the sentiment of it and I'm fully [clears throat] fine with using end of year funds if they are so available, but I think it's important for us to really put maintenance into our budget. Um, I think it's important for us to sort of set that expectation and set that foundation that [snorts] we are I take it Jen wants to have a Yeah, >> this is not tables or any of that stuff if she's going to jump

083in. >> [laughter] >> But I just I think it's important to have this in the budget and not necessarily rely on end of the year funds. I would like to try to get us out of the habit of that and more planning. >> Actually, I do think that that's a valid point. >> So that's my thought. Jen, go ahead. [laughter] Um so some of the doors that are required to be that um D and Joe have been wonderful trying to reduce these but you know even our lock lobby doors because when kids or adults push into them without lock they often go off shelter so our secure lock lobby at times isn't secure lock which is kind of the antithesis of what happen and our doors are at end of life with middle schooling. You

084see a giant mark some of our doors at the exit right now. A student on Friday went out the door with bigger as the age was holding on by a thread and their energy definitely took it down. >> [clears throat] >> Yeah, >> I'm fine with removing it, right? It's a good conversation to have. >> No, I think it's a good conversation. I I agree with Heidi. I think I do think it's important that we start budgeting stuff in because, you know, one thing that we are constantly accused of is not planning for maintenance. So, >> Mr. Blansky, what are your thoughts? >> Um, I think if it's that severe, then then we can remove it. Um, I guess I would question the main entry door, which is not that old. How how are we

085having damage there? She's going out with me apparently. >> So the door she's refing is broken. It's not one of these doors in here if that makes sense. Like we need to just repair that door cuz >> I was going to say you're not going to wait till the end of year to the front door. >> No. And that was It is a worn out door. I don't want to dispute anything that Jen said, but that was an overzealous uh student leaving at the end of the day. >> Excited to leave. >> Very excited to leave. Bigger eighth grader door went. So, you know, it happens. Um okay and uh these are are are different set of doors but you know they're all doors you know and this is kind of the larger point is

086we got to start replacing these right >> um things that break and we need to fix now we're obviously going to fix now right >> and then as we can kind of systematically take >> do these more frequently we want to do that so >> I was like we did try to go through the buildings and grounds line and really kind of capture exactly what we're spending things on and putting more detail in there so So you can see exactly what it is instead of lumping it all together. So you can Yeah, you see that. >> Okay. Uh poor settlement. Let's move on. >> Awesome. Uh the next one here is uh salary and benefits. This is more of a bottom line discussion. Uh I know in years past we've had attrition conversations and things

087like that. Uh this is one where we took a hard look. I know the superintendent has already uh presented to the board and the budget committee about reduction of some positions. This is taking a hard look at additional PAR positions and staffing. Um, in conversation with the superintendent, we do feel like there's additional opportunity to reduce uh some personnel in some in some open positions. But >> yeah, please go ahead. So, this is even [clears throat] though I'm not the hugest fan of bottom line cuts, I can get behind this one because the reality is is we have open positions and it's hard to articulate cutting them because of their connections to IEPs, right? like it's a delicate game we're kind of playing here that like we've committed in IEPs for services and we do

088a pretty good job of taking care of all of it with the limited resources we have but we need to make sure we we have you know some protection there to ensure that it is re if we're talking reality we have how many open paras in the district more than seven and I'm going to use seven as kind of the threshold here we have more than seven pair of positions open, double digits still open. We've had that for years. We're not We've cut a bunch of open positions last year and this year, and we're we're going to have those open positions next year. Now, we got to be smart about using the staff we have in house, right? So, you know, we talk about different enrollments in the different in the different schools and stuff

089like that and how some classes are bigger than others and so on and so forth. we need to get creative and using the staff we have on hand to offset this lack of pairs that we're having better. Right? So, this is kind of hedging our bets here that we recognize we're not going to have pair of professionals to fill these slots. So, we're not going to be spending that money, but we need to retain the staff that we have because they're going to help us provide those services that those pars would be doing. They're not going to be paras like we're not converting teachers to paras, but like we still have an obligation to those services. So, this is kind of like we need to get to spring and see where we're at. We need

090to decide the budget now. So, let's try and figure out some sort of splitting the difference here, if that makes sense. I know that's like vague, but that's the unknowns of having vacant positions. We know we're not going to hire it. We're not going to fill those slots, so we should cut money for it. But, I don't want to cut a specific number of positions. I don't want to cut people we have already as much. We're doing it a little bit already. I don't want to go too far down that road. I want to try and find a middle ground that accounts that we're not going to spend that money, but that doesn't get rid of people we already have in house. >> so I guess I'm all I'm all for cutting. I I guess

091my feeling would be if we have a legal obligation to deliver certain services, right? Um and you need a certain number of bodies to deliver those services reasonably, right? Uh, and so whatever that number, that minimum number is, I just want to make sure we're not cutting below that because I do think that that could potentially open us up to liability. If we're not budgeting, it's one thing to not be able to fill it, but if we're also not budgeting to fill it, I would think that that would create a liability. >> I think you're not incorrect on that. And I think our idea behind that is, and I I want to be delicate cuz every one of our staff people is very valuable. The roles that they they serve are very valuable. Everyone has

092a different role in the bigger scheme of things, right? I have my role as a superintendent which is very different than than maybe a pair professional but they're equally important to the operations of school right so I want to be careful in saying that like a like a professional teacher who has a [clears throat] skill set because they're trained and they're certified might be able to provide support in a different way that allows us to provide cover more IEPs than maybe just a singular parent would be right that doesn't that doesn't minimize the role of the parent right but we can approach instruction differently with a certified teacher that allows us to cover those services, right? You see often in IEPs some sort of definition of like there will be additional pair of support covered

093or sometimes just generically different support outside the regular ed classroom in this area of weakness for a student, right? We could do different ways of instructing that. Like you can have breakout using math as an example, you can have breakout math periods where you take a kid during during a wind block or some other time and provide those additional services in a small group setting with a professional teacher that knocks off a bunch of different IEPs and it's a different approach than just having a pair working in a student's like academic center one-on-one with >> and it meets the language of the IEP. >> We're going to have to rewrite some IEPs to like cover that. >> But you're able to rewrite the IEPs. >> Parents agree, right? like and we have to explain this

094process to them and we've had success so far for the most part with parents as we've kind of walked them through. A lot of parents a lot of parents who have students who are identified just want their kids to get support, right? You know, so they're open to different ideas, different plans and if they're seeing positive progress and their kid making progress, you know, they're they're open to approaching they recognize our a lot of our staffing shortcomings as well. So >> So I I think what you're trying to do I I can fully get behind. I mean I think efficiency is huge, right? especially when we're faced with the fact that these positions are nearly impossible to fill, right? Like I'm all for that. I think as long as >> again I my concern is

095we just have to be careful of teetering the line of creating legal liability. Uh and I think the second that you're not budgeting for it's it's one thing to not fill up but the second you're not budgeting for it becomes problematic. So, I guess if you feel confident that you guys can work within the IEPs or, you know, amend the IEPs to fit this model and that the way that you're going to alter this model also doesn't uh sort of um create an issue with our collective bargaining agreements in any way, shape, or form. >> No, I mean, I don't think we're going to have that issue with it. You know, I think, you know, I think we're blessed that a number of our teachers at the various levels are dual certified in special education

096and in either general as a generalist or as a specialist in a subject area when you get to the older grades, right? I mean, that's the beauty of having a talented staff is that we have a lot of people with a lot of different skill sets and certifications that allows us this flexibility. So, being able to to use that and think of this differently, like we have to from a system, not just here, everywhere, right? pro specialize differently like it's we can't hire Paris and no one can so like this is our attempts to try and figure out a way to to do it some of it might work some of it's not but we got to try some different things and we're we're conscious of the budget like conscious of the tax stuff like

097we returned a lot of money last year and the vast majority of that was open positions right now we cut a lot into this year right and that counted for a huge amount of that savings but we're also going to have money left over this year because of open positions right like so we we can't dispute that that we're sitting on some funds that we're not going to spend. Right. And so we're trying to figure out the right middle ground for it. >> I think you I think you're on to a really good plan. I just it's it's the nuances of the plan that I want to make sure we don't get burned on. >> Yeah. >> And and that's why like we got to get the spring in the hiring season, right? Like I've

098never been in a district where every single teacher in every single school returns, right? So anytime a teacher leaves, there are plenty of times teachers leave for great reasons. They retire, right? They have a different opportunity in life. Maybe they move on to administration, maybe their significant other got a job in California, whatever the case may be, right? And you take those opportunities to look at your staff in hand and figure out if you need to change things up, right? And and shift personnel around and figure out what it is. So by retaining our professional staff, it allows us that flexibility in the spring to make those decisions, right? You know, and that's what we're trying to do is retain that flexibility. So you feel confident that you can work on the IEPs that we

099have to make sure that we can sort of comply with the shifted model? Yeah, I think I think obviously like [clears throat] superintendent how to take some thinking and kind of getting creative with what we have, but I think we can figure something out >> like one of just to give a tangible example because I haven't yet and I just might help people is a great strategy is co-eing, right, across different disciplines where you can have a special educator come into the classroom like where the regular ed teacher is teaching, right? And that might be something we have to utilize more because then you can break out that classroom setting into smaller groups contained within the class period, right? And usually you don't do that because you don't necessarily have like staff to do that,

100right? Because of the way the models are. But you [clears throat] you also may have paras that are the extra person in the room kind of providing that, right? So, one of an idea we can kick around is looking at expanding our kind of push in or our co-eing kind of models we're doing at the schools to kind of provide those services like in that setting versus in in the special ed. Now, there'll be plenty of opportunities where we're not because that's not the right thing for that kid, but there are other kids that might benefit from that model. We we'll have to be careful and purposeful when we do that stuff, go through IEPs in the spring and everything. But, um looking at some different different options like that. >> Are you comfortable with

101the number? Yes. I mean, like, yes, I am comfortable with the number. I mean, selfishly, if you want to give me an extra $500,000, that'd be great, but that I I am comfortable with the number. We can we will be okay. All right. I'll make a motion to reduce salary and benefits as a bottom line uh for $150,000. We'll second motion by myself, second by Mr. Shoemaker. Additional discussion. >> No, just yes. Briefly, [laughter] >> no, but yes. >> Yeah. know it. It's how lawyers roll, right? Yes. Um I had the opportunity, pleasure, how whatever you want to call it, um to attend budget committee last week and there was a lot of discussion by um budget committee members regarding the recent um tax bills that went out and the pain that is being felt

102by our taxpayers. And so hearing that conversation, um, really sort of trying to wrap my brain around a lot of this. I struggled actually with this cut because I do think, um, it's taking away even more positions that I would like to hope that we could fill at some point, but the reality is they're not going to be filled. I mean, that's just the reality that we have to accept. And so um trying to balance the taxpayers with the needs of the district. I think I land on this is what I'm hearing from the superintendent. This is a reduction that can be absorbed. I would like to hope that this is um a sign of goodwill towards the budget committee in the sense that and the job that they have to do too. They have

103a tough job to do. Um and so um I I will be supporting this but you know it's one of those things where you have to kind of weigh it >> well and that's it and thank you for acknowledging that. Right. So this is acknowledging that yes the superintendent has already reduced positions from the budget and this is our way of saying we're taking a hard look at this budget and saying there is an opportunity to further reduce uh before it goes in front of the budget committee. >> Okay. >> I just wanted to throw that out there. Thank you. >> Awesome. Uh all those in favor please signify by saying I >> I opposed abstain. That carries 4. >> All right. Thank you for that. Uh and the final item that I have for

104tonight uh is uh a smaller item for Griffin Memorial. Uh and this is an item that kind of came up today. So I'll invite Mr. Mitchell up. Um and this is specifically I believe a software item. >> Yeah. >> That can be reduced. >> Yeah. Um, and I can actually speak to it because it's kind of a um a miss on my part, but I can I can I can explain if you give me a minute and a half. So, it's it's um $4,000 for discovery ed. So, it's actually going to be a a reduction in addition. So, we'll hopefully be able to reclassify this. So, um, Discovery Ed was something that we used to pay for and then it was given to us by the state through ESSER funds and then last year we

105weren't sure if it was going to be renewed um through ESSER funds so we put it into the budget. Well, turns out it was renewed uh in state funds so it kind of sat there and then we got confirmation that it was renewed in the bienium uh state contract. So, it is going to be there for next year. Um, one thing I wasn't I didn't actually This is where the whoops was, is that there's another program which is Mystery Science. Mystery Science has a $2,000 um annual. So, there's Mystery Science, has two components. There's an annual subscription and then there's the materials. Um, so you saw the materials. This replaces the project lead the way. So, there's a materials line that showed up in my science. There's also a subscription. So, what you're what we're

106actually asking for is a 4,000 reduction in Discovery Ed and a 2000 edition in 2000 addition of the Mystery Science subscription. So, it ends up being a delta of a 2000 reduction. So, ends up being a net 2000 reduction when it all said it's all said and done. That was a lot of words. Hopefully, I didn't. [laughter] >> And um Mr. Starling, do do you know the specific line that this goes to? because I don't have that line. >> Yep. And I'm going to include that. I have the spreadsheet. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> I'm sure I could shorten that down to 10 words for you to fit [laughter] in that little box. >> Fire away. >> All right. I'll make a motion to reduce the >> software and curriculum line by $2,000. Second.

107>> Motion by myself, second by Mr. Shoemaker. Additional discussion. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Abstained? 40. >> Um, that's what I had for motions tonight. That's uh that sums to $282,000. I'd like to open up to the board for additional discussion and motions. >> I don't have any motions um necessarily, but I would like to put out for discussion. One of the things that came up during our budget sessions was can we make is there a way to actively work with the town um regarding grounds and upkeep of our fields along with the town and the work that they do with their fields. Is there room for alignment in the both the field maintenance across the board for our work um whoever they're hiring and who we're hiring and

108using? Obviously, you know, we have our own people on staff, but is there any room for alignment where it comes to negotiating oil prices? Is there any or those rates as the town obviously uses a fair amount of utilities and costs? I know we've had very very separate approaches to town and school budgets in the past. Um, but as we address our budgetary needs and as we have a town administrator, I think that's very collaborative and willing to have those conversations. I'm not sure if I can even say off the top of my head what those items are, but I think grounds was the one that came to mind, the field maintenance, um, and any of the utility costs that we might be able to negotiate to have because we have more that we might

109get a lesser rate. So if we can t I don't think it's going to be for this year right >> you guys the budget is what it is but if there can be over the next year some um opportunity for that collaboration on those things we might be able to or waste management even or some of those things that again our town has those services are we best collaborating with town to do those >> you've been talking to Kim about that yeah >> yes absolutely but I could definitely do better as far as the rates go and working together specifically on that for sure >> I do think like fields specifically like this should be one we can figure out and I think we are right Tony's been meeting with the rec um >> commission

110here in town trying to figure out it's all our kids using the fields right like >> and back and forth or and not just fields but facilities too right like >> our kids go down to DAR and and um sill to do soccer lacrosse so on and so forth and other sports you know basketball's in our gyms all winter doing using our spots like I feel like we are making progress there with Tony he's he's made this a focus you know, this fall. I don't know. We don't have solutions yet from a budgetary standpoint, but like an understanding, [clears throat] which is hence why we put things in like the the travel for for down the sawmill and stuff like that because we just don't have the answer yet. But I feel like we can

111figure this out like and use our resources more effectively across all of it because it's all the same kids using it. So >> yeah, it be it would be interesting to know like at at some point like you're talking about like like field maintenance stuff like that. It'd be interesting to know if there ever comes a point where if we are able to combine the usage, you know, whether it's that the town like even if maybe the town employs somebody and then we [clears throat] are paying for those services. >> Yeah, I've se I've seen that. I've seen the model with the SRO specifically, right? Where essentially uh this was in both of my previous districts some version of this model, right? the SRO was paid for by the town and then build the district

112for the SRO, right? So, you're the [clears throat] taxes being raised are like the same in the end, right? But like there's that like except in there's that understanding like cuz it came to the town as revenue what the school district paid out so it was a wash for them, >> right? And so you can come in some of these circumstances where you can come to some of those agreements and then I don't know if you can expand it to utilities where you can get like a like hey we're buying the like um uh recycling and and that type of stuff off of the t like they're providing it we're part of the town so we're buying that surface off of them. Right. Does that make sense? I think it's worth having those exploring those

113conversations a little bit more beyond just like bulk buy opportic [clears throat] the tires on last year >> that we >> health insurance I thought weren't we talking >> it was health insurance was one I think there was one other thing that we went and checked legal if we could do [clears throat] I don't think it was utilities I think it was something different and they're like no >> you can't do that >> and I get it there has to be some level of but it's all >> made a car or something like that yeah I I mean, it was a creative idea, but just the car is the SRL car, not your Yeah. Yeah. >> Um, but there's other things maybe we can figure out. So, I think that's good. >> I think the

114field maintenance you could do because I I think they just either went out to bid or or signed a new agreement. >> Yeah. >> And if we could add on to that, what what would our savings be, >> right? >> If we had to maintain it ourselves. >> Yeah. Well, thanks for raising that as well. >> Yes. Just just a thought. >> Good idea. Yeah. And I do hope that with the continued conversations with the rec commission that we truly are able to solve the the the the DAR issue. I'll call it an issue because it's added money to our budget that I feel is unnecessary. So, okay. Uh any other motions for this evening? I'll just turn back over to that for a moment. Okay. Uh, and so we will be prepared to uh

115update the numbers and get this over to the budget committee so they have a fresh slope going into tomorrow. >> Okay, perfect. >> I think you need to check on your meeting tomorrow. >> Yeah, I think >> you missed it last week. You got it all in. >> We squeezed it all in till 10:00 last time. >> You're welcome. >> Really? There's no means for it. >> No, >> I'm like 95% sure there's >> Yeah. No, JD. >> There's no meaning for us at least. I don't think there's [laughter] a meeting. No, wait. Yeah, he said it because we pushed through and kept going until almost 10. >> He did a gut check at 9:00 and said, "We can finish next week or we can uh keep going." And the consensus was keep going, power

116through. >> That's great. Okay, take the win. >> Amazing news. >> Welcome back from vacation. [laughter] >> That's amazing. >> I would have stayed three more days in >> All right. Well, we'll share the updates with the budget. How about that? >> For sure. >> All right. Um, all right. Warrant articles or default. >> I just want to talk default. So, we're going to put the default um budget into the the default spreadsheet that has the budget in it into the budget folder tomorrow morning after we make some of these adjustments because some of these adjustments have uh an effect on the default budget. Um, so I just wanted to make the the board aware of that. Right now, going into this evening, we'll have to factor in some of these cuts. So, please um

117bear with me. I'm getting to the bottom of the spreadsheet. Um, our default budget is a little bit above the current budget that we are in right now. Uh, our current budget, this excludes food service just and some of the other stuff that shows up in the warrant as the as part of this. Uh, current budget is 27,13,000 and change. Uh, our default is 27,000 uh 27 million, excuse me, 90,000 and a low additional and change. Our proposed going into prior to these cuts we just made was 27,000 500,000 million >> 27 million math [laughter] >> tired. >> 27 million. Say it one more time. >> I can see the numbers. It's just not coming. >> 27,500,520 >> is the was the proposed coming in tonight. You just cut off uh 200 whatever you said

118it was. So we will update that for our default. We're only about we're so we're >> so we're all about the same is what I'm getting to. Like the current budget, the fall budget and our proposed are all going to be about $27 million all in that same same neck of the woods. >> I did have a question about because it came out during budget committee regarding food service. >> Yeah. >> Um in the past we have included some type of um payment in our budget and we've been told that's no longer >> Well, you can't do that and that's not what we've done in this district. You budget the deficit when you look at your revenues, right? Because you report it as a revenue in. >> So like if if food services costs a

119half million, your revenue you're reporting into the district is a half million, right? >> Okay. >> We've been reporting using $100,000 as the thing. So we if food service cost $500,000, we've reported a revenue of $400,000 anticipating. So we don't we can't budget that. budget it but it's accounted for in >> well that's what we used to do and then they got mad at us for doing that as well. So >> the question is what are we doing now? >> So we are going to have an even for service budget in the best case scenario, right? Like and we're going to work really hard to get that as equal as possible. But in the event that doesn't happen, we're going to have to find that within our budget, right? So we're going to have to

120be strategic as the year goes along. we're going to have to focus on how food service is progressing to ensure that we have um revenue in the event that they're they're not covering their costs there. Right? >> So, we're not accounting for that at the moment. >> We cannot anymore. Like we we've tried tried and we are saying no, >> you can't do these things. >> Um the DRA is upset about it. Our auditors don't love it, but the DRA is really who doesn't want us to do that anymore. So, >> so how are like how are all these other districts like no no one is how's coffee sales [laughter] >> you don't have to worry about it >> today I think we were at like 315 or something 315 coffees >> for today that's

121awesome >> what are we charging for the coffee >> bought coffee sorry we charging for the coffee >> there's the mat price and then there's the student They're slightly different. >> All right. So, let's get Starbucks cups in charge of [laughter] >> I I in the event to make sure uh we don't raise Lauren's blood pressure too much back there. [laughter] >> We are going to do our best to to get the food service as even as possible. You know, that's what we're going to do. And we just have to be smart and paying attention to how we're we're spending all our money across the budget, right? Um, you know, we don't anticipate six figure losses in food service, right? Um, in a $27 million budget, you know, if we're looking for, you know, it

122sounds like a lot of money, tens of thousands of dollars, but over the course of the year where we have different savings in different aspects, we just have to kind of earmark in the back of our head to possibly utilize some of that to offset, you know, and that's not exclusive to food service, right? We budget in the fall for at the earliest spending it in July, right? Prices change on some things. That's not out of the ordinary for us when we deal with with budgeting stuff. We can budget for desks and we get one quote in the fall for how much desks cost. And I've seen both things happen when the summer when it actually comes time to buy those desks. Sometimes it comes in much cheaper, sometimes it comes in higher, right? So,

123you just have to account for those differences in the concern with that though is that we've seen right like no one is self-funded, right? Like no one is >> I mean there there are districts that turn in the black but it is very rare. [laughter] >> Bedford Windom but these >> well even Bo has like 600 more kids than we do. So Bedford and Windham have like three and 4,000 kids than >> we were talking I mean what were we looking at I can't I'm trying to remember it's like 80 or 90,000 right? >> Yeah I think it was 80 >> that includes taking that kind of 100,000 float. >> Right. Right. >> Right. >> So it really is like almost 200,000. My concern is just that we know we know >> to the 89.

124>> We've done the analysis and like we would have to be up our school lunch prices would have to be up drastically higher for us to be in actually in the black. >> But I think like trying to do some of this allocart stuff that No, no, no. We don't need to go through all of it. I don't want to go through all of it over again. I don't. It's important but also >> like we No, but I am concerned though to hear because we have in the past it has been a known quantity, right? And so now what we're talking about is having to find 80 or $90,000 in the budget. >> But this happens all the time with every we found it last year too. >> And it's not food service, right? Like

125the HVAC system and the portables just had to be replaced, right? We're not sitting on >> I understand. But like but one's a known quantity like a a better known quantity. >> I understand that you would ideally for known quantities want to budget for it. Like that's the point of budgeting, right? But I think the way that the system is set up and a lot of districts struggle with this because we can't bring it has to be this separate accounting thing that we have to handle it with connected to the grants and the federal funding that connects with it where if we could just put it under our umbrella we can account for for all of it. Right? Like >> you can't do that and accept federal funds. >> Correct. You got to pick one.

126>> It has to be separate. We either have to make the decision to not seek the reimbursement >> and then we can budget for it or seek the reimbursement, but it has to be done incredibly >> separately. Correct. And districts have tried to to leave the federal program. Um and they tend to return, right? Because they quickly learn that they can't manage the costs. It's it's worse. >> That's not advantageous. >> Yeah. Right. Um there's just there's there is real benefits to it and and I Lauren works very hard to try and like make sure that we're doing good and she makes a ton of progress. You know, we talk about the iced coffees, we talk about the alocart thing that chips away at that over time. Like I think the inspired idea of bringing

127on the credit cards next year and expanding that alakart even more for the older kids is going to start putting a dent in this and we're going to continue to do that. The food is excellent at the schools. Like I eat it pretty much every day. Um, and it's like as good as you're going to find anywhere, you know. So, um, I really enjoyed my apple crisp yesterday that I had [laughter] in high school. Um, >> this isn't Lauren. This isn't and at all. It was just I was surprised that we're going to be doing it a little bit differently when I heard that. And so, >> yeah, I mean, make sure the board was aware of that was not. So, thank you. >> Yeah, we we don't want to, but [clears throat] we have

128to, right? Like, that's just how unfortunately the state wants us to do it. >> Got it. Okay. >> All right. >> That was it for the budget. >> Any other surprises? >> Surprises? I hope not. [laughter] >> All right. Um so the default budget will be shared when? >> Uh tomorrow morning. We'll have it in the folder. >> Thank you. >> Once we update um these changes here. So >> perfect. >> And you're going to see it differently than I think in years past because this was easier for us. It is literally line by line rather than we have to report it out by subcategories by account codes and we'll still report it out that way to the state to the DRRA but it was easier for us to actually come up with the default

129budget but it was timeconuming but it was easier in the end um to go line by line. So when you see the spreadsheet it's not in that einance form it is a literal Excel spreadsheet of every line. So if you have questions let me know. >> Okay thank you. >> Yep. All right, warrant articles. >> Um, this is the same document that we had last time at the meeting. I I didn't change anything, but just using it as a launching off point um to discuss warrants. >> Um, >> and hopefully at the next board meeting, we can have the actual warrants. Even if we don't have the final numbers for everything yet, we can have all the warrants we want prepared and we can discuss the language components of that. >> Right. before our December

1303rd meeting. Um, I would like to see the structured warrant articles in the language of those articles, including article one as a bond article. We Okay, if we don't have the numbers quite yet, I wouldn't expect us to have the numbers plugged into it yet. >> Um, but I would like to see the structure of those articles. We do want to start to share these articles with the budget committee uh going into the their meeting on the 4th. Y >> um just so they can start to understand it, think it, and make sure that as we get into our next meeting on the 17th and the budget committee meeting on the 18th that we're all in position to vote. >> Yeah, >> sounds good. >> It was brought up at budget committee. I'm just going

131to share the feedback. If you want to watch the meeting, you can. They were asking if we were going to bring forward the athletic trainer um warrant. I think Brian we did and we said we talked about that at our last meeting and Brian very much addressed that to them in terms of why we're focusing on the warrant articles we're focusing on. But the thought process is that it still regardless of it not passing was is a money-saving opportunity that is there an opportunity to put it on there so and educate as we go along. And so I just say that to have it in the back of your mind. I don't I'm not necessarily advocating for including it. Um but it was actually a a costsaver. >> Um the whole reason for that position

132and and was instead of contracting out was to have it in house as a money saver. So um I wanted you to be aware of that feedback and questions about that particular warrant article. >> So we need go need to go back and get updated data >> for athletic trainer. >> Yeah. Yeah, I mean we would have to recalculate. So it' be an increase for what that was, but it's not going to be the same increase as what the I would assume it's not the same increase as the contract cuz the contract jumped up by like 6 or $7,000. I think if you're looking at that, it's it's it's the will of the board. If you want us to pursue that, we happily would do that. Our thinking was to consolidate these and focus on

133on the big ones was our thing. >> Next year, we've already been told there will be a five figure increase on the athletic contracts. So if you want to revisit this next year, I I thinking down the road regardless of anything this year, we should >> revisit it next year, you know, um because it's they've already said it will be at least a five figure of some capacity increase on that contract and they can, right? There's not many people providing the services. So they're they're they're going to take advantage of it. You know, there's not many providers in the state doing this. So >> my view is to leave it as limited as possible for this year >> and then revisit next year. >> It's a better chance to pass with a bigger bump the

134following year. >> Totally fine. >> Okay. Um as the board reviews these warrant articles, any discussion conversation for this evening? >> I mean we're going to add a baseball [clears throat] field one obviously. I mean that's not necessarily a financial impact but a warrant article that will have to be included on this. Um, again, we'll talk lea contract um and nonpublic, but I will say I am 95% confident we'll have something there to to have forward uh on the warrant. And uh and then obviously the project we're we're still kind of working our way through and stuff. Um the reserve and trust funds is is maybe where we could use a little guidance because we could put in some numbers there and and again, we don't have to decide that right now, but even order

135of preference or which ones you want to see. Again, not a commitment that that we'll approve them all to put there eventually, but um maybe that could be some place we could get a little direction on from the board. >> I think the solar one should be just removed. >> Yeah. >> For this year. [snorts] >> Yep. >> You mean the panels itself or the whole [laughter] >> bring them to your house? Uh in terms of order of prioritization >> got to be the bond first, right? >> Well, those ones, yes, but like more >> employee benefits. >> Yeah, we fund those in the sequence that they show up on the warrant, right? So like benefits has to be first. Well, I guess you could take the risk and not put it first, but like

136um you should put that first so you can shift that that over from the previous year of those who didn't retire. So, does the board have a position over capital improvement versus building and repairs and the purpose of those two articles or or funds, excuse me. >> And note that we don't have special education >> right >> here intentionally. >> So, we could add that if if you wanted and then you could just make it the last if you wanted on here. We do have cat. >> I do think we I do think it should be on there. I I think it's fine to make it last, but I do think we should have it on there. >> Okay. We have technology on here as well. Um we don't have to just uh we have

137about $83,000 in the tech technology capital reserve so we can continue to kind of see how things progress um through the budget season. >> Remind me did we do a percentage last year or was it a fixed dollar? >> It was a fixed dollar. >> It was Yeah. >> Now you you Well, it it's a fixed dollar but you cap it at a percentage, right? So you say up to 200 using for example for any of these up to $250,000 no more than 50% of the underspend. Right? So if you only had $400,000 left over you would cap it at $200,000. >> Mhm. >> My thought would be in terms of order of uh either capital improvement or capital reserve. I'd probably stick with capital improvement first. And I would think if we end up

138with a um a GMS related bond article, uh we're going to have a a GMP for that. So >> I I agree and I think actually technology should be above capital pro reserve. >> Okay, >> I'm ready. >> And my view is to not include special services or special education this year. Yeah, >> I think the CHS roof because we didn't get it last year, right? We need to start putting money away for that. >> No, we did. >> We We did put money away, >> right? We need to keep that. >> We did. >> Okay. And so in terms of dollar amounts, that's what you're looking for the board to help kind of guide. >> Yeah. And you don't have to finalize it. We put some ranges in there so we can start with

139those and you can think some more. Like for example, um well, let's go through them one by one. Benefits, what we've traditionally done is just the severance carryover. Right now, we could, as we learned through this assessment thing, we can access this to take care of that if we had that issue in the future. So, is there any value in adding additional money into that reserve fund beyond the assessment? Now, the tricky thing is is that's the first one that's going to get funded, right? So, before when it's just severance, it's easy. You know, you've accounted for the money, but if you're going to put additional money in there, then that's going to take away potentially from those other reserve funds. But maybe that's the thing you want to do. I think we're exploring other

140insurance avenues, you know. Um, it might be something to just keep tabs on that that >> I don't think we're ready for that yet. >> Yeah, that's what I mean. We may not be ready. >> We need to I do think we need to look at that, but I do think we need to table that. >> Yeah. So, I think if that's the case, then I would just recommend the amount being the severance amount that you're carrying. >> Agree. Just putting it first. >> Um, the second one is the roof one. We at different times last year had up to $375 is what we put on the warrant and then we settled on $250. Um, and that was discussions with the budget committee as we kind of went through it. We could do a similar

141approach this year. You know, >> I think if we're going to do it sort of as an annual exercise, it should be a set number, keep it the same amount, right? We've had success with those that in the past for the different reserve funds. >> And if that's the case, 250 is what we used last year. We could we could utilize that number this year again. And then the the um well, so I shifted and I put technology here. We have 83 there. I I don't This is something I would ask a little bit for Brendan's guidance on what a good amount in the reserve fund is. Um uh because I I I just don't know. Like we're at 83 right now. >> I'd like to add 50,000 to this just >> to cover and

142start to build up that account a bit. >> Yep. Yeah. Um yeah. So okay. So 50 sounds good. And then this last one, we're trying we have a creative idea with the building and repairs one because you can as it's the language is it it allows you to deal with new projects or renovations or these type of things. And what we're trying to get some clarity is is and we think we can do it is if you put money into this reserve fund, you can take it out in the future to offset the cost of the building project. Right. So if you've budgeted >> bond payments. >> Yeah, the bond payments. So, like play this out, right? Let's say you shifted $250,000 from the end of the year in there in a future year and

143you could like account for this in your budgeting. Like if a future payment was a million dollar, you could budget actually for $750 because you're going to get $ 250 out of the reserve fund. Does that make sense? There's a little drag >> because then you're offsetting tax rate once and then increasing it. Yeah, it gets a little like I don't know if people love the idea, right? Like I just want to talk through it. Districts have used that as a way to kind of like, hey, we have extra money any and it's what they're kind of saying with is any extra money from any year is going immediately back into whatever massive project we're working on, right? Like that's the idea behind it. What you usually see is districts do this in front of

144a big project, right? Like they dump all their money targeting on a much smaller scale what we're doing with the roof, right, at CHS. Um, but they take that money to build up that kind of form. Now, you could do the inverse once we have the project in place, take it out and then kind of offset that. >> Um, but it it it's a commitment that you're always going to do it. You're also not guaranteed to have a set amount in the underspend any single year, right? >> But it's an idea that we felt was important to at least bring up because it is a possibility. But, um, >> other board can decide differently. I don't like it. >> Yeah, that's fine. [laughter] trying to be creative. So, [snorts] >> okay. >> Anything else? >>

145Sounds good. >> Any other articles the board wants to consider? I know we've had that conversation at our last meeting, but just opening that back up and >> keeping it narrow. >> Keep it simple. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Excellent. Anything else, superintendent? Uh, no. That was uh I have one other thing, but it's not budget anymore. if you if we're good with budget. >> We are good. Okay. >> Um so I had a meeting last week um with a a couple um gentlemen from Lichfield um who represent um a Native American group who is looking to do um you know 2026 is 250th uh anniversary um for the country and there's a lot of events planned you know both nationally and locally for to celebrate 250. State New Hampshire has a whole group that that's

146working on the 250. Right. I've seen some presentations on different things they're doing in the academic in the educational setting, outside the educational setting. So, this group, a local group, um is looking to host one of these, potentially host one of these 250 anniversary events here at in Lichfield. Um and it would be a Native American group who's looking to do a a pow-wow um as um uh here in Lichfield and invite um members of the community and members of the national uh of the Native American groups that they work with to attend. Um, so the idea is possibly in one of our facilities, one of our fields is to do this pow-wow in the evening and they'd have vendors here and different activities and you know during the day to lead up to it

147and stuff like that. Um, so we met about it, talked about what it would take to kind of use our space, the processes and the policy in place for all of it. Um, we shared our the policy with them and kind of the application form. Um, and then they're going to meet with their group to see if that's something they want to pursue. And I told them I would bring this to the board to first just give you this initial heads up to see if this is something um you're willing to listen to. This is no commitment to agree to it. It's no commitment that they're going to apply to do the event, but I I think it's good to talk about it in in advance if it's something that that you're at least interesting

148and entertaining. This group is willing to come to the board and do a presentation with greater detail about what the event would um entail and how they would utilize our facilities. Um and so I just wanted to kind of touch base with the board on it and see if it's something you would um be willing to listen to this group um about using >> if they apply certainly willing to listen. >> Yeah. >> And they're targeting July um you know so school's not in session you know so we're not competing against all of that. >> Are they actually are they also looking at the wreck fields? >> Yes, they're looking at the the town fields and then our fields and stuff like that. So I would expect they're going to have similar convers they they

149they said they met with me first. So, I'm assuming they're going to talk to town representatives as well. Um, and they're trying to figure out the best fit. They're they're not looking exclusively at Lichfield as well, but um since they they the gentleman live here, they they thought they'd start with us. So, >> awesome. >> So, that group meets tomorrow and they they I think want to talk to you too about getting the kids at Campbell and the other schools involved in process potentially. So, >> um I'll hear about this tomorrow because >> Great. >> Luckily enough for me, I'll be at that meeting. >> Great. Well, let us know. Keep us posted. >> All right. All right, awesome. Uh, just watching the time. Uh, I'd like to see if the board's okay with releasing

150our student representative, letting him enjoy his evening. >> Absolutely. >> What's left of his evening, >> right? >> Yeah. I think he's good. >> Thank you, Dom. Appreciate it. >> Thanks, Thomas. >> Thanks, Dom. >> You're welcome to stay. >> I'm giving you the option. [laughter] >> You guys want this back or >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. Have a good night. Thank you. You too. >> All right. Uh with that, we'll turn it over to business administrator Darling for an update. >> Um so I wanted to update that the impact fee um request that we had for the board of selectmen last week um was approved. So we were able to encumber the $11,000 um and change um that would be set to expire between this month and April. So, um,

151we will go ahead and apply that to the first invoice that we just received from Haramman. Um, and so we'll just draw down that difference from the capital. >> Perfect. Thank you for that. >> Um, the FY27 adequacy estimates have been released. Um, they came out last Friday. Um, not a huge surprise to us. There was a small reduction um, from this year to last year, but we're not seeing the big reduction um, because of the hold harmless grant. We will see that again in 28. Um but there is about a $62,000 um reduction in adequacy aid. Um and if you the breakdown um there's a link there that shows exactly um where those changes are coming from essentially. Um some is declining [snorts] enrollment. Um a big piece of that is free and reduced.

152Um a decrease in that. Um, again, I just want to put a plug out for now and for always that if families think that, you know, they if they're struggling, there's no um, you know, there's no downside to at least applying to see if they qualify for um, free and reduced lunches and it's a very confidential process. Um, but [clears throat] that's >> any change to the qualifications for that? Because I think when we looked at a couple years ago, it was ridiculously low. The barrier was low. >> It's very low. we and we've had families that are so close. Um but unfortunately it is it is what it is. >> Okay. >> So there are um so yes there were some changes um we are receiving a little bit more swept um which is

153good um but essentially yes so 62,519 is the difference. So we will plan accordingly. Um Solar [clears throat] >> solar I wanted to give an update. Um so we did um I think it was actually during the last meeting last time that we did receive an email giving us a timeline um of what where we stand at this point. Um I received another um update from Dynamic Grid um that the plans are currently under review by the state fire marshal. >> Um so we're a they're also awaiting some clarification on the exactly the permits that are needed to be pulled. Um and she said that there's um K she has a KW management who is the solar installer and electrical contractor is um in place and ready to file those permits as soon as that

154clarification is received. Um so essentially the next step will be um January somewhere between January and March. She said weather dependent is when she's going to start the site work. Um so having the concrete pad um put in behind LMS and of course she'll be working with the school in order to do that with very minimal interruptions. Um and then um once that while that's going on there's other milestones along the way um with regards to production of the battery um with that mostly starting in February. Um but the goal would be um let me see the most recent um the timeline. So the UL site approval would be the last step and she's estimating that at um sometime in the month of April. >> We should send her a bill for the amount of

155time we've had to spend discussing it. [laughter] >> I was just looking at this. So, I'm like, imagine when this is not going to be on our agenda anymore, >> right? >> Okay. Thank you for the update. Uh, I do have concern about pouring a concrete pad in the middle of winter, so I would like to avoid that. I also have concern about disruption to school. So, obviously timing that with uh Principal Granthm is going to be critically important. >> Yes, absolutely. >> I can just foresee a concrete truck coming in during school and all the kids like, "What the?" >> It worked out well when we had the crane at the at the elementary school kids. >> No. [laughter] All right. Um, tuition rates, >> right? Um, so now that we have our, um,

156cost per pupil, um, which comes directly out of our, um, DOE25 that was approved [clears throat] in the fall, um, we have updated the tuition rates and are seeking board approval uh, for those rates. Um, and they are strictly the cost per pupil. So there's no, >> it's not really the cost per pupil, >> right? as defined by the DOE >> because it's not total cost divided by number of kids >> which is the real cost. >> Oh, that's correct. There are there are things that are factored into that. Correct. >> Which is >> odd. >> Silly. [laughter] >> Yes. >> Yep. Okay. Uh we need a motion for this one. >> I'll make a motion to approve the tuition rates for 2025 and 26. >> Correct. Thank you. Do you need the amounts? No,

157I think just the general is fine. All right, we have a motion by Mr. Shoemaker. >> Second by Miss Ames. Additional discussion. >> Do we have to stay with this number or can we do it the math the right way? >> It it is up to you. Um it is up to the board how they want to set the tuition rate. So, if that's something that you wanted to change, >> I would suggest we take our cost divided by number of kids and make that the tuition rate. What would that be? >> I would have to do the math on that. I can I'm happy to do that if you'd like to hold on. >> I will withdraw my motion. >> Okay. >> Pending further review. >> Did we Did you guys Has the policy

158committee met again about that whole tuition thing? Yeah. >> Yeah. We're waiting to hear if we're going to get a sample policy from the New Hampshire School Board Association. So, that technical advisory just came out like two weeks ago. Mhm. >> Uh we were pleasant, as I mentioned at the last board meeting, pleasantly surprised by that technical advisory. Um so we're waiting to see if the school association will do a suggested policy along those lines. So that's part of we do these monthly meetings that I hate attending, but I do go to because I'm supposed to attend them. Um and one is Friday and I'm expecting an update. >> Could be a conference. >> What's up? >> Said it could be a conference at least. >> Nice. Just at Pinker Pinkerton thankfully. It's not too

159far of a drive. >> Just a meeting. >> It's just a meeting. I >> think it would come in around 25,000. >> Yeah. So, just a simple table. Okay. Right. Really simple. >> Do we need these rates approved in a time frame? Because do we have current tuition? >> The rates are where we were. Um, so yes, if you if you scroll down below, you can see the rates for the 2425 school year. We would if in terms of this policy, for example, if we're moving forward, if we were to apply those tuition rates to to those situations that that would be applicable for, I would use the semester as the start of that, right? Semester at the earliest. You could elect to do it. >> Start semester 2, you elect to do at the

160start of next year, right? I wouldn't try to rectively Yeah, rect Yeah, that where go backwards to try and charge those rates. >> Um Jesse, [laughter] >> it is what it is. >> Brian's tired. >> Yeah, Brian's tired. Um, and uh to to to No, you totally threw me off. [laughter] So, you know what I'm saying? We'll use the new money when it was time to use the new rates for that. And then, but we need the policy in place. >> Do we have anyone that tuition's in here? >> Do we have anyone tuition's in here right now? >> We have in the We did last year. >> We have in the past. Not this year. Yeah, >> I we did last year. >> Um, we don't have anyone right now. >> Okay. Don't s

161>> Yeah, you don't have anyone, right? >> Yeah. >> So, we have time on our side. >> Okay. So, not an immediate rush. So, >> okay. Yeah, just a simple real simple table. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> And that covers it. >> All right. Excellent. Uh, now we'll turn it over to Dr. Taylor. >> All right. I have a really long update. I'm just kidding. >> [laughter] >> Um [clears throat] we're all getting punched tonight. Um okay, so the um our Lichfield curriculum review committee um met this afternoon and we continue to look at and update and revise our novel and supplemental text. And now we've added film proposal processes to um that's become a really big thing that our committee um is undertaking and with that has become a um deeper

162review at policy JK. Um so there's probably going to be some um updates to that policy coming to the board soon. And with that, we're also working on a flowchart um and information for teachers on how this all works so that we can make sure that we are um adhering to the policy and that the policy is also in line with the new ED 306 rules with um in regards to keeping um updated instructional resource listed lists, etc. Um so we've been having some really good and robust conversations [clears throat] um in that committee on that front. And then um the this past weekend I sent out um a newsletter for families um and then also in a newsletter for staff to join um one of my other groups which is the grading and reporting

163stakeholder group. That's actually what's linked here on the agenda. Um, I'll have Renee actually separate that out so it says that it's the grading and reporting stakeholder group form so that we can sign. So, anybody that wants to join, I really implore that you do because I intend to go through this group and really make sustainable changes for our grading reporting um system. We had to make a really quick on a dime flip at the summer um last year. And while it seems to be going fairly well for people, I think um there's a lot of other conversations that we need to have because we do have to report out on academic competencies per ED 306's. So there's a lot of work that we need to do and I want to do it together with

164a [clears throat] group of people. So if you are interested in joining that group, I have about five people so far that have signed up. um a couple parents and then three other educators. So, I'm going to be um putting more information out to our um staff and then also I'm going to have Brian link it again in his um weekend update for families. So, join the committee. Another one I have like can't even count them on two hands anymore, but it's all good work. >> Okay. Excellent. >> Any questions? >> You always have questions. >> No, I'm giving her a break today. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> He asked her about the conferences. >> I did. >> All right. I started early. [laughter] >> Uh, we have public minutes from November 5th, 2025. >>

165I'll make a motion to approval. >> Motion by Mr. Shoemaker. >> Second by Mr. Plansky. Additional discussion. >> All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I >> oppose [clears throat] abstained. That carries 4 Z and then everyone's favorite topic. It's policy time. >> Yes, >> they're all just second read. >> Second reads. >> So nothing's changed between last time and this time. So >> okay, so we did review these at our last meeting. Uh this is related to uh workers compensation. Uh we also have the audio and video surveillance. Uh we have video and audio surveillance on school property as well as school buses. We have health education and exemption from instruction. We also have student surveys. Did the board have any questions, comments as a second read on those policies? Okay, I'll

166make a motion to approve policy as a second read policy GBG, policy EC AF, policy E AA, policy I H A and policy I L D. >> Second. >> Thank you. Motion by myself, second by Miss Ames. Additional discussion. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Opposed. Those carry 40. >> Excellent. And I'll turn it back over to the superintendent now for some job description updates. >> Yeah. So, we just uh want to update two job descriptions. One, the budget committee [clears throat] asked for these job descriptions, and when we pulled them, we saw they could use some updates. So, we're bringing them here to update uh to better reflect the current uh responsibilities of both these positions. >> Somewhat recently, no, >> not these ones. >> The tech director hasn't officially

167been updated in almost 20 years. So, we wanted to update that one. I guess not. >> Um [laughter] the uh technician support. Yeah, the technician support looks like it got an update about um four four years ago. >> Um it's nothing. It's some of it is just cleaning up to the actual tech language that we're using now, you know. Um and some of it is is readjusting kind of the responsibilities a little bit about how, you know, Brendan and his team are going to kind of move forward and stuff like that. We have one other um tech [clears throat] position um that we didn't need to update um that network it's not a network database um manager and administrator there um that is in good shape that we we don't feel needs to be updated

168at this point. So um we just ask the board to review if you have any questions happy to answer them um and if not uh approve them. Yeah, I don't have any comments or I thought they >> when I look at the support technician, it it seemed to me like he they have some responsibility that I would think would be on the director. >> I think some of this reflects who we have in the job, you know. Um like for example, Jameson does a great job. We were without a tech director for, you know, six weeks there and Jameson picked up a lot of slack. Um so he's a capable capable guy. Um, so he we can trust him with a little more responsibility than I think an average uh technician maybe can do. Um,

169I also think it's a byproduct of just having the smaller team, right? He's got to pick up and and do some different responsibilities in that role than maybe um technicians in a bigger district where you have like you know specialization even within the technician if that makes sense. And just the monitoring thing, the monitoring the networks with suspicious activity and security incidents for in my world that's the big guys. >> The big guys doing it too. I think this is like the assistance with it all, you know. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um any comments, questions? >> No. >> Is the board comfortable approving these tonight? >> I am. If >> Yeah, I am. We can we can wait. It's okay. >> I'm just looking in the director's and I don't see the same >> paragraph

170about monitoring for security >> still talking. >> Yeah, I mean we can add that certainly. >> That's why we bring it here. >> So are there edits? >> I would like to see that the director has some responsibility for the security more so than the tech just because of the hierarchy. >> Okay. >> Like articulated better in the job description. Yeah. So, we'll table these, update it, and bring them back next meeting if that's okay. >> Perfect. >> With those adjustments. >> Yeah. >> All right. Moving into old business. We have enrollment. No change. >> Pretty steady. >> And then we have GMS project. >> Yep. Um, so we had our uh second community forum last night. Better attendance than the first one, which is great. um we took some different uh advertising [clears throat]

171approaches and you know we asked at the end if how people heard about it and they seemed to hear from the different things that we tried. So uh I'll probably continue that for for the next time we have a forum as well. Um we discussed two uh we got the PowerPoint from uh Herman late this afternoon. So we we'll get that up on the website and share that out um when we can. um and uh presented two primary options in the sense of one a renovation in addition to GMS um and keeping the grades as they are throughout the throughout the schools and the second um shifting grades around utilizing the space at CHS um doing some renovating there to to add some classrooms to account for seventh and eighth grade moving up there 3

172to six in the the middle school and then the prek through two remaining at at GMS. Um, our construction manager, uh, how representative was there as well, um, who was great, offered some good insight. They're working on the numbers for all of us. Um, we're looking to do our our third forum. Little uh, they're a little jumped the gun a little bit on the date last night that they showed last night. I wanted to wait till we meet tomorrow to finalize that date, but we were bouncing around dates with them. So, we're targeting December 9th. It may not be specifically December 9th, but that kind of window of time as we kind of align some other things um for for our next community forum which would have um numbers for people to see of the

173different options and stuff like that. Um and uh we'll go from there. >> Any way we can accelerate that? >> We're trying. Harvey is trying, right? Like and that's why they've been >> I spoke [clears throat] to them last night, too, and I reiterated the fact that we have a meeting on December 3rd and how it would be really nice. Yeah, I think they know. >> Is [laughter] that enough time to really get a good a good a good price though? Is it because there's a lot of moving parts in there? >> There's a lot moving parts and we've been providing a lot of information, right? And I think they're gonna update us with prices as prices kind of they can start doing it like so I think we're going to get you know as

174we talked through it originally we're targeting December 5th right with the idea of getting numbers to us and the SAU that we can share out to the board and visor committee and stuff like that and then making sure we all understood what it was and and and what we're working with and stuff like that. Um and then kind of having some dialogue and and finalizing the number that [clears throat] kind of week that everyone was comfortable and understood what the options and what they represented and different me different things meant like that >> and when do we have to have the warrants out? So ideally, I'm looking at the calendar over here, right? So, uh, again, ideally, we want to see Warren articles draft December 3rd at our next meeting. And I want I'd like

175to start to see some numbers if possible, but certainly we want to see numbers definitely at our December 17th meeting. And we want to be able to share those numbers as soon as we have them with the budget committee going into their meeting on the 18th. >> Yeah. And if we can give them at least a review as soon as we have them so they have time to review it going into their meeting of the 18th that's great. >> It is a tight window we're working with here. You know um we continue to make progress you know I sometimes I'm surprised when we have these meetings with herman like how much gets done in the last time we've seen them you know uh it's kind of crazy but I mean they're professionals. This is what

176they do. I got to be honest with you, the thing that's really impressive is >> how much they're able to get done. I mean, I know that you're interacting with them, but like the last goound there were I mean, I was on meetings with Dan like it was all the time. >> Yeah. >> So, they're doing things very efficiently. >> Y um Yeah, they've had their engineers here. They've they've gone through stuff. We they've asked for different reports and whenever we we try to send it right away so they can look at the numbers and stuff like that. So, >> we're trying. As soon as we can get it, we'll we'll send it out to everyone. We know that's a absolute critical piece to all of this. So, >> Yep. Okay. >> Um, >> you

177said it. >> The last little bit is just the folder. We talked about this at the last meeting. Bond examples that we got from the bond bank. Um, this is these are just examples. I can't stress enough of the difference between level debt and level principal. And, uh, 20 259 years. It uses $20 million. is just a round figure. We're not saying the project's going to be $20 million, but just as a round figure, give the board an idea of the what the different bonds uh like how the length of time affects it and the different ways to approach it and how it would do. >> Um the bond bank did kind of say like there's a rate that they that the rate they're using in those examples was last July's rate, July 25, >>

178and that was 4.3%. Yeah, they think it's going to be uh lower in this July um due to the federal rates um coming down and then anticipated another rate to come down. Um so we could be looking at more favorable rates than than those ones that are presented in those examples. As we get closer, we'll have an estimated rate which we won't know the final rate. So later on. So yeah, that's why I want you to look [laughter] remember it's at 20. It's not what the number's going to be. Okay. >> Yeah. Any questions on timeline, what we're working towards. >> Aggressive. >> Yep. Okay. >> Appreciate it. >> Yep. Thank you again for all the work and special thank you to all the people that you're working with. >> Yeah, it's a it's a

179great team that we're kind of working with both with Haramman, with Harvey, with our own people. Um, everyone's been super flexible. I mean, they came on Veterans Day to do the walkthroughs to the schools, so they wouldn't interrupt, you know, any of the education going on, then they don't have to do that, but they did that, you know, in in the sign of knowing that what we're working against here. [clears throat] So, kudos to them. They're they're great so far. >> Awesome. [snorts] >> All right. Uh, shifting gears into manifest this evening. So, uh, does the manifest have signatures? >> Yes, it does. >> Okay. Uh, we have accounts payable of $67,689.68. We have another accounts payable of $25,164.77. We have a credit card manifest of $7,23752. We have a payroll of $433,18644. We have

180LEA and LSSA dues uh $10,83.54. And we have 403b uh and NHR. I don't know what NHR is. >> Retirement. Thank you. and $256,739.72. And that covers it for manifest this evening. Uh with that, uh we are now into our second community input that I'd like to open up for the public. All right, we'll close community input and move into schoolboard comments. I wanted to say I had the opportunity to see the play that goes wrong this weekend and it was great. >> It was hysterical. Like I was like the the whole theater was laughing. Um it was a fantast fantastic production. Um the kids worked really hard on it and so kudos to them for all of her work um over that weekend. Um that's it for now. >> Excellent. Lots of exciting things

181happening as we uh progress into the holiday season, right, as uh Dom has presented. So, looking forward to getting out and getting into some of these events as well. So, all right. Uh with that, the board does have non-public business this evening under RSA 91 A3 A through C. Uh and with that, I will entertain a motion to go into non-public. So, move. >> We have a motion by Mr. Shoemaker. >> Second by Mr. Plansky. This will be a roll call vote. Mr. Mr. Plansky. >> I >> Mr. Shoemaker. >> Hi. >> I am an I. Miss Sims. >> I >> That carries 4 Z. Thank you everyone. Uh we are now in non-public session.