001Yes. Okay. It is 5:00 with public meeting order 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. And if it is okay, we will move right to section four, new business item A, the YTA field trip request. and then we will go back to the agenda as prepared. Sure. Do you need me to stand up or can I just go over here? You could sit, but if you could just say your name. Yes. Christopher Marks, school district employee, teacher. Um, so before I uh go into the request for this round of trips, I thought I'd update you since the last time I was here. I believe it was October, I think, when I was looking for
002we had two courses. Those have been completed. One was the Alta High School um retreat that was well attended. That was a leadership collaborative experience. So we had eight students who went down for that on November November November 15th and 16th. Um most of those students then eagerly signed up for the subsequent wilderness first aid course which was this past March. So we included a few more and we had that's a that was a 16-hour course over the weekend. it's pretty much a college level led to a national certification. So all eight participants earned their certification. So those were both very successful in my view. Um so kind of going along with that this year we've also had the LEAP program that I've been working with Michelle and with the DAP. So that's middle schoolbased.
003We go every Monday off campus 11:30 to 2:30. Um today for example that's why my hair is all frizzy. I was in a helmet up on hardest bluff. We were going with the students. I was up in the wind, you know, I was bowling around, but we're going to take them rock climbing after break. So, that's kind of building and we've actually backfilled in some more students from the general population that we feel have leadership potential because we're trying to build a pipeline. So, you're artist today. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Pretty chilly and windy, but they did a tremendous job. um all but two they all got to the edge but just two elected to not then go down over the edge of the cliff which was fine but they they did everything you know got
004ready so more to the point then I'm here tonight before you all to speak about there is a middle school adventure camp so much in the same way we did the high school retreat actually ahead of myself it's the alta middle school retreat is what I'm talking about first so that's coming up in May um May 18th and 19th. That's pretty much a carbon copy of the high school retreat, but for middle school students. So that's kind of building in our scaffolding approach. That's at the AMC Highland Center in Crawford Notch. So that's a Sunday and a Monday. So with an overnight on Sunday night, so that's lodging, meals, and the students. Then they're collaborating with about a hundred other middle school students from across the North Country. Um, last year we did things such
005as several different levels of hiking. We did rock climbing. There's a bunch of indoor activities. So, that was very well attended. So, we're looking to run that again coming up in May, as I said. And then um, as we did again last year, there's another um, overnight. We did a uh, middle school adventure camp the first week after we were out of school last summer. So we're looking to do that again Monday the 16th through the 18th of June. So that's down at ADAP's base camp. So last year we did rock climbing and then it was during a brutal heat wave. I don't if you remember that it was so hot it was 100 degrees down in wilderness and we were on the water went down Swan Lake. We were at Echo Lake because that
006was other than the first day when we went climbing in the shade. It was just too hot. But this year planning an overnight camping trip as part of those 382 nights. So those are the two events. So it's the the middle the middle school retreat coming up in May and the middle school adventure camp for Wilton. That's in June. Cool. I don't remember it being hot, but I'm sure it was I'm sure that I will remember what hot feels like. Sydney, my car thermometer on the highway on 93 going the speed limit of course was 100°. So that's said that's after it had already like kind of adjusted 100 degrees on 93. So that's one of the eight students [clears throat] in March is a part of the outdoor rep for CE. So those students
007are part of that our program and that is embedded in here. So they all get investor and recognized credentials for that part certification as part of our completed program. Any questions? We'll look then for a motion to approve the YTA field trips as presented. So move second. Any discussion? All those in favor. I I opposed state. Motion passes 40. Thank you very much. Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity. I think this is really kind of getting bigger. I won't use a snowball as a term, but it's getting larger and larger. It's I'm very appreciative of Michelle for kind of supporting this and kind of working with the grants and the funding because this is really unique. There aren't really many public schools anywhere in the nation to do this and is kind of a real
008standout. So, I'm glad to be part of it. Thank you for championing. Thank you. All right, we're going to go back to the agenda as originally prepared. So, we're moving on to section two and um look for a motion to approve the consent agenda, which includes minutes from the April 7th school board meeting. Motion. Is there a second? Any discussion? All those in favor I I opposed same motion carries 40 Z. We move on to the business report. [clears throat] Just as a reminder since I'm the worst, we have to make sure we're looking at the things that JC and Christine are sending us and signing them electronically because we've pivoted to a digital notice up around that. Yeah. Um, four out of five of you, we're up to we're up to date now. So,
009we certainly have majority of the signatures, so we're good. I'm going to assume that the board is in support of using electronic signatures. We started using it with contracts. That way, we can manage that a little bit easier than just sending it to the building and guessing when they're going to look at it or if they got it or what have you. So, um, we are using it for more items within the business office. Um, as of last week when I did this report, [clears throat] we have a minimum of about 560,000 left to reduce taxes. I'm always on the lenient light side of my estimate when it's only April. Um just the past couple days um Michelle and I have been working on a grant um that's basically a transportation reimbursement buying another van.
010So two how come Michelle said no and you said so. Those are different words [laughter] but they do run. Yeah. Yeah. We're not buying it but I have the opportunity to be reimbursed for it. Yeah. So, it's just going to be revenue coming back and if we're approved the whole amount, it's going to be pretty significant. If we do return 500 whatever thousand, can we return it in pennies and can I personally deliver it to the town manager's office? Well, um let's talk to Erica about that. It's her, you know, her study that. We'll see if she can order that many pennies. Um, but yeah. Um, a van to deliver. [laughter] So, that's right. We have tons of vans. We I even thought of that. Don't we have a tractor, too? Yeah. With a bucket.
011Very well. So, anyways, um, so if we are approved and we get the full amount or even partial, that will significantly change this balance. So, we're going to talk about other things under committees that changes this figure a little bit hopefully, but for now, what I know of is at a minimum. That's what we're at for just reducing taxes. I supplied you guys with that detailed estimated unreserved fund balance sheet that shows you where our overages are under budget and all that good stuff is as of last week. Um, like I said, we still have POS open and they have till the 1 of May to get them on for our purchases from the budget. So, um, we'll see exactly where we're at. Probably two meetings from now, I'll have a much better estimate and
012by then we'll know if we're getting that grant slash reimbursement from the Department of Ed. So, um, let's see what else did I have. probably two meetings from now, the second meeting in May, we'll talk about um cost per pupil and setting our tuition rate for July 1 because we haven't done that yet, but we've had a lot of other things going on. So, I keep pushing it back. And the only other item that I need from you is I need you guys to appoint three representatives to the co-curricular committee. I did supply you with a copy of theou from when we well negotiated this past fall. Um Matt and Travis were both part of that negotiating team and um the teachers to my knowledge have not appointed their three members yet. Um but we
013started getting the ball rolling because it really we need to settle this by um beginning of the school year. April 15th actually. Well, it was supposed to be done by April 15th, but obviously neither side has been working on it. Um so we need to appoint the three. I've already started working on the comparison of North Country co-curricular stipens with Littleton. So I will have that done before we have our first meeting. So we'll be able to the six of us sit down and review that even before we have our meeting so that people can come to the table with questions and stuff. Do you have a recommendation to submit the three that we are three that we should appoint? Well, in other words, who are the two that will be with you? Well, we
014were thinking that a board member from the negotiating team Yeah. Yeah. and um sorry and and maybe a building administrator or something. I don't what did you think? Yeah, we talked about someone from arts. Yeah, that may come from the union. Yeah, that's Yeah. So, I wish I knew who they were appointing because then we could kind of offset that with someone with experience in whether it's an advisor or a coach. You know, you know what I mean? I don't want to have all coaching experience or Yeah. Do you Well, you can appoint the two of us and then we'll come back for the third. Is that all right? No, we have a lot of other things we have to get back to, right? like u facilities or that till they report we're y general
015asurances renting facilities all that stuff coming up here. Yeah. So that that's all that I have for now. Okay. So um first off any questions for Patty things that we have discussed. Second call. Is anyone willing to make a motion to appoint Travis Howard and to the co-curricular committee as student in the recently approved LCA? So moved second discussion is Travis. Okay with that. All those in favor? Opposed? Stain. Motion carries 4 Z and we'll we'll please give us your recommendation for who the third person should be and we'll go from there. Okay, we'll carry on with the agenda. Um going then next to uh new business having already done the alt field trip request, we'll move on to the above the notch state eval report. So I believe they're in your file. They are.
016Okay. The lower the number, the better the program's doing. So, so under ADP, I got a 35 this year. So, out of a 100. Um, that's where we stand. And then under the ADL, we're at a 43. Um, and that we're considered in a very low low risk for school um out of a 100. What started is that Steve came in while I was reading these [laughter] and getting ready to write my risk assessments. So, and you have to do an improvement plan based on your reports and um that's what I was I've been working on. They're 36 pages each and I need to do Berlin's as well. Um and Berlin does 63. So, they're they're they're they're not as good, but um I I hope to change that around for the coming year, but
017it's just an overall checkpoint that they do for the state. We do quarterlies um every year from VOA because I'm under that workforce. These are both workforce grants. So, I just go through them and um write um our improvement plan for what our plans are for the following year. and they've come down significantly every year. We always always have the number. We don't we just don't have the d demographics up here of how many people need a high school diploma. So that's always a five for me. Um but everything else was in pretty good shape. Our numbers this year, just to give you an idea, there's 70 students enrolled for this year for um and 16 were dually enrolled, meaning they're under the age of 18. 54 are over the age of 18. in the
018title two format. Berlin has 26 students. They're all title two students. Um and then this year for us um we will have under diploma 12 students graduating and five high sets um will be graduating in May this year. So the numbers um continue to do well for both programs. And then I have the integrated education training program and I had um six people complete um more than one IET this year. So I had Microsoft offices specialist and I also have child development associate certifications. Congratulations. Thanks for the report. A lot of work. Any questions then? I know that none of you have ever seen these before. We've never really shared them, but Dr. Mal thought it would be interesting for you to see them to see where the programs are. And these these reports are
019um then put into a formula for funding. So again, lower number. It's it's a combination of things, but level funded for right now for next year. So that will be up over 100,000 for both Littleton and um Berlin. So thanks for clarifying the number because I was reading and going 35. [laughter] No, I was like, yeah, I'm so happy to get on [laughter] that. This has happened in a year though. So yes, [snorts] no, I thought so. I was gravitating towards this is a loan. Is this a low number? So I didn't know. So yeah, it's hard. You see that score graphic case, but it's overall risk rating is very low. Yeah. Which means um our programs are doing very well. Yeah, that's good. What's what's the status of funding more? So for the WEOA,
020which is not the ADP one, the 35 one is still in the air. um if you if you followed anything. So the state budget capped all ADP off the floor for that funding. Um that is the smallest grant I got for adult ed. Um but the other two are we owa and they're saying level funded for wea next year which means I would stay at the same rate that I got this year which was 114,000 for little and 114,000 for Berlin. And then the IET I got I received 35,000 for that. So I'll get 35,000 for that again. So ADP we received um 33,000. So we're holding what where that was. But I'll have enough within the WEOA to to um support ADB questions. Okay, thank you very much. Summer, you know, just to bring
021it bring it back. Um, we'll talk a little bit about the compensation structure later. I think the the big the big question I know the board had is talked with Crystal and Kelly quite a bit more about that is we're we're not going to this program as it's staffed right now as proposing doesn't serve the same number of students but it goes back to levels we had pre-COVID. Um the the different the difference being that the co funds were were mandated specifically to spend some of our co funds I think it's 20% on addressing learning loss. So summer school is a perfect place to direct a lot of those funds and support learning loss activities. We opened up the uh the admission process, recruited went out, everybody tried to bring in a lot of kids
022for that and as most districts did. I think the summer school programs have benefited greatly from the co money. Now we're back back into reality and uh you know this is not to imply that everybody is perfect back where they were before co I I think that the numbers don't lie. We're not we're not there yet nationally or as a state or certainly locally but we're we made a lot of progress. So this goes back more to the required uh services via IEPs of students uh extended school year services uh that can be instruction uh related services and so on and we will have we will have some students uh invited as well based on teacher referral you know uh so it it does include some students that we think could benefit most mostly from
023uh summer school We talk about going cutting back a little bit 3 weeks restored back to four weeks uh that it has been before. Um and like I said the main thing we we need to visit a little bit further about uh is the conversation structure. Sorry if I missed this in the shuffle but we're now back to parody with last year. No, no. It's a le it's a lesser lesser program because the loss of fun lesser funds for we talk more about it. Any questions in the meantime? Move on to the procedure for renting facilities. We've had a we've had we did have a request uh from a community member regarding our our policy and process which is delivered uh to that individual. I think I think the essence of the question the concern
024was uh we we don't we don't charge a lot you know in in cases where involve close students I think the question was look okay these are people that uh or individuals who are giving other time to help our students and not only they using it a chance in the summertime and even in the school year sometimes but in other areas as well and we want to revisit of the policy. We follow we follow policies. Judy Judy Hass gets to be the the bad guy sometimes and tell people look this is this is what it is following the procedures of policy and if the board I you know wishes for the policy committee to look at it carefully do some research uh we can certainly do that and in my report I spoke to reviewing
025the procedures and policies with the staff that have the direct contact. The elementary school's been used a lot that's fully booked. Um, and Kappler and I have worked Chris, sorry, Chris and I have worked hand inand every time someone's come through. So, the communication's been really clear. I do want to implement the form that I supplied to you guys and we just need to make sure we're collecting money ahead of time because they're booking that space. If they choose not to come because they were at a tournament for the weekend and now they're tired and they're not going to practice that Monday night, they're going to have to pay for it because they reserved it. So, we haven't been able to um rent it out to someone else. So just I think it's just a
026clarification and I did see a few places where things didn't line up exactly from this policy to this procedure to this. So I think it's just needs to be reviewed and I think all the people people that have a hand in it need to just sit down at the table together and and work through that so that everyone's in the same team. So the recommendation at the moment is to keep enforcing the policy without change but have the policy committee or some extension of the policy committee or some group of people do a review and come back. Yeah, exactly. So continue charging. If it's not school sanctioned, then they are charged. 3750 for 90 minutes. Yep. That's not terribly steep. No. So just I like I said in my report, I don't want to be
027a head counter. It's not school sanctioned. It's an entity that's funded outside of this district. So I just feel that they should be paying if if we give one person an exception or one group because of this reason, then what's the reason for the next group? So I just plain and simple, everyone gets charged unless it's stale, you know, and it's something school sanctioned. What what do you tie the funds to once they've been collected? Are they tied to just a miscellaneous fee or they go do they go to facility expenses? They It's just a miscellaneous um revenue is what it is. Any of the basketball coaches in the room have a particular opinion that differs from the administrations on this? No, I think they're right. We've got four boys from Middleton. We've got 12
028total. And you just what a nightmare to try to well there's so many kids in Middleton. They should get it free and they shouldn't. And we pay extra to have the kids play this. That goes towards that gym time. So I think we pass a policy and say if the elementary school is passed and built, the gym can be free. Although it's double then 275. Yeah. All right. Any uh we don't want you to take a look at any questions or concerns. Okay. Then we're going to move on to general asurances. The moment you've been waiting for. So there's a lot of requirements and I think that you know that uh it changed slightly from year to year but u this is the same thing. you've been looking at for for some time. We're required
029to go through these, answer any questions that the board may have or the public may have if they were to be if there's any public here questions about what we're required to do to get the the federal grants. Um, a lot a lot of these are are pretty common sense uh procedures and laws. Making sure that we're following procurement procedures correctly, making sure that we're not discriminating, that we're following Title 9 or excuse me, Title Six regulations, uh, that we uh that we we use fair practices in in what uh what we spend the money on for the grants. Um and just a lot of a lot of other uh little provisions, the Hatch Act, uh which limit the political political activities of employees whose principal employment activities are funded in whole in part with
030federal funds. So there's a there's a number of of items in here uh that we're signing off on. In this case, I [clears throat] sign off and Matt signs off if the board in fact does approve this document. These are our title funds. Title one, title two, title four, title five. We will through this a few times every year, but we just need to make sure that I answer any questions you have. I always I always look to see if the u reducing reducing text messaging while driving survives the next iteration of this. It did. It's under number 16. Um 17 pro-children act and just a lot of by American preference 18. There's a lot of pieces to this but uh we do our very best of all. So I'll open any questions anyone might
031have. Any questions about the general assurances? This isn't completely new. Just pieces of it have been modified slightly. Yeah. Nothing. I went I went over I had I had a sidebyside document actually Marian Anastasia from the regional was kind enough to provide pro provide a document that had been put together and uh it's for the most part very minor. oftentimes it's it's a things like a a something that's referenced might have a different reference number that kind of thing but the basic content of it hasn't changed much [clears throat] any additional questions I don't think we need to take a formal vote correct no I think we yes yes it's in the on the general insurance that we voted on. All righty. Well, then we'll look for a motion to approve. Sorry. Motion to accept
032the general assurances for grants for the school year 2025 2026 presented by superintendent. Motion second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I oppose. Abstaining. Motion carries. 4 Z. We'll [clears throat] move on to report on the joint town school budget committee meeting. Most of us were there. Everybody who wasn't kind of got the gist of it. Um, I think the actionable items to come out of that discussion for the board to be aware of is that the superintendent will be meeting with the town manager and perhaps engaging also with the chair of the budget committee to explore how budget guidance could work and be shaped. I'll just remind the superintendent as he embarks on that perilous journey that the board had previously been adamant that we're not in a position to agree to non-binding requests
033from the budget committee and I can't imagine the board's position is going to change on that just my way or the other is that it evidently needs to reaffirm our representative on the capital improvement plan effort that had been Steve and I and Bill joined us at the last meeting. I would be partial to just say three of us are still be involved and maybe a video objects to that we can just So he would communicate that to [clears throat] um and obviously I think it will be imperative once the tax rate is set for the business administrator for us to make a big exploitative deleted deal about updating that group at whatever that is now final to restore some of the brain damage that was inflicted on December. I I did meet with Diane
034today and through uh gonna talk through some things that I have reached out to [clears throat] something we were asked to do. So I make sure that the besties receipt I won't I won't I won't be negotiating any any numbers as I I realize I don't have the authority to do that frankly I don't I don't have a crystal ball either. So [laughter] yeah we we do the best we do the best we can. And I do think I don't I think it's premature especially when I was just saying if these meetings continue to unfold the way they unfold I think the board needs to reassess whether it has to continue because here did not really accomplish There we go. I think that's what we don't have any additional observations from their attendance. We didn't
035discuss what I thought we were going to discuss. So, that was just I I do agree that it's we're off to an extremely slow start more experienc I was virtually for that meeting said the CIP planning board was going to take over the effort. Yeah, that was eight weeks ago. Yeah. And they were meeting the following week. Yeah. And I did not get the vibe in that discussion that we were just gonna put let it die or let it lie. And for the town manager to comment on Thursday night, you know, oh well, the only problem here is that we have plan schools represent just totally off base from every discussion that we had up until that point. So we'll see. Okay. Anything else under the banner of new business? Move on then to the
036residency program. We'll be meeting on Wednesday with our our new residents for the upcoming school year and we'll have a number of individuals involved with that. Brian Walker and Sarah Scribner will be coming from State and of course Kristen Morland myself Crystal Martin several of our teachers who are either cooperating teachers or co- teachers uh mentor teachers will be there Melissa Jones will be there and purpose of that meeting is to get them get them over here let them meet the people of Lakeway see the the school be working in next year. Uh take a take a tour of the rail trail where the apartments will be where they'll be living in next year and just kind of get the take the first steps on that transition and get them a company or used to
037a few of the people that they'll be working with and the first step in the process for them and we're excited to welcome them in and look forward to spending a little time with I I will be present for the entirety of the orientation as well. [clears throat] Okay. Any questions on that, Steve? So, are we only committed to the number of units at the rail trail that we have for students, but we don't we're not responsible for four units regardless of how many students are. Yeah, we reached out to them. and Patty actually reached out to them some time ago just to clarify a couple things when when they needed to know the number first of all then once we wish they gave us a little more time. It was a little bit unclear
038when they need to know that they say agreed to give us till May 1st to notify them of the number which we did. Yeah. And we have we do have a new agreement. We do the dam I mean that downside of that of course is that we we lose the four. We just have the two now going forward if that's avail. So if we were to get back up to four, availability to have available. Correct. Correct. You know, if we go back to four, I still go back to my idea that um you know, so that that's where where we are at this point. I say we're excited to welcome a couple new residents in that program started on a good start for next year. Any additional questions? Oh, one other thing I was going
039to mention I did before reiterate I did reach out to another situation so that I freed up additional questions. move on into the lake building out anything to report today. Anything else under the banner of unfinished business? Any reports negotiations to I don't think facilities we have a slate of projects to recommend as well to report to. So the facilities meeting was a relatively longer meeting [laughter] my entire ride to look over at the flash. Um just uh some updates on equipment storage sheds. The high school shed should be completed. It's all if you look across the parking lot. Uh you can see it built on the other side. um balancing of the rooftop units scheduled uh over uh April vacation. Um second floor maintenance uh monitoring um also through over uh April vacation. Um
040upper school street doors um are obviously installed. No new issues. I think they're great so far. Um big difference at least on my what I see. Um, additional April vacation projects. Uh, Lakeway Elementary School dirt parking lot is going to get uh a refresh now that we're past the winter hopefully. Uh, outdoor cleanup and then uh moving drama storage uh from its current area to the old channel 2 room um which is down in uh downstairs one level down. Um then we get a bunch of projects which Dale can probably go through but we worked as a group at the end to kind of prioritize them for the board as to uh focusing on life safety items first and then any items that didn't really qualify for life safety but might have been their aesthetics
041or um just overall enhancement to the building. Um so uh we've got uh those presented today um with some quotes as well. Um, I think that was the majority of what we Oh, we've got uh Work Camp New England um that is uh looking to come in and utilize some of our high school and middle school space um while they're in the area doing some kind of as Dale said, it's similar to like Habitat for Humanity, but it's not that group. Um they come in and help um community members with projects, house projects. Um it's a mix of adults and students and students. The only thing I didn't ask Dale, are there any students from our community involved in this or is it outside from our community coming in? Do you know? They can apply
042through our website or their website. Sorry. Um so, you know, they're they're going to be here for looks like about two and a half weeks or so. Two weeks. um utilizing our space to kind of camp out and um clean up after each day's work and um be adult chaperons um here with those students. Um so uh first time for us to um involve this group but they are involved with other schools throughout the state and uh so we talked through that. Um and then um a couple of other items I think um the liquidity playground we just talked about that we need to address it, look at um some updates to the the material on the ground. Um I think that was about it. Did I miss anything other than details on the project?
043Uh just the discussion that Crystal now need to have regarding the holiday concert and the spring musical concert. Move from lightweight to the high school because of capacity. Say that last part again. Moving because of capacity. What? To this location, the elementary this facility. You're probably supposed to go to that. [laughter] Maybe I'll remember to come here instead. Okay. So, do we want to go through then the items that are being proposed in some detail? We can I would recommend if you didn't open Patty's year-end project, she has them in order. Yep. And they're on the the list as well, but there seems to be a there seems Oh, you want to talk about each? We can go down. Well, there seems to be a a a subjective decision for 180,000 as part of that
044slate, correct? If I'm reading the notes correctly. Um, yes. So, we should probably talk about that, I would say. So, I think you know what the propane fencing is. We've been talking about that since we installed it. It is a little bit higher because we did choose to go with the black because we have the black fencing down by um the preschool area. So, we just wanted it everything to blend in. Um, the gym interior doors at least that is truly just a guess. Um, we have not got a firm quote yet. That's why I was requesting a little bit more than the figure that's at the bottom. Um, and also the reason for that is the current doors are not fire rated and there's no window. Correct. And they don't lock. You can't Oh,
045and they don't lock. You can't secure them. So, there's a few issues there. Um, let's see. Exterior clapboard replacement. Um, we did submit for the whole building to be done. We did request two quotes, one for just the front, one for the entire building. When everyone compared the two quotes, it's right off the bat saves 5,500. I believe that was the the amount 5,500 just by doing both at the same time. So everyone agreed that should happen. And that comes to the the equipment necessary to rent to do the work. You would have to rent it twice versus rent it one time. First floor um ceiling tiles in the hallways. We did get a quote that included the classrooms and the hallways, but to add the classrooms, that's the 188,000. I think the group was
046a little mixed, but we didn't really take a vote or anything, but I think the group was a little mixed. Everyone agreed definitely, especially if we're doing the hallway floors, we should be doing the hallway ceilings. I agree that if I'm saying something wrong, just tell me. But this is what I get out of it. Yeah. Um because you don't want to put somebody on the spot because they don't agree. But but then some they talked about the convenience of doing the classrooms and having access above the ceiling with a drop down ceiling compared to what we have now. Um that it would be convenient to have the classrooms done also. But I think the dollar figure I truly just think it was the dollar dollar figure alone that kind of scared people or what
047have you. Um and then um the vestibule floors and the hallway floors. Got ahead of myself, but yeah, replacing those. And those were all um life safety um concerns. And then down below is the high school acoustic panels. Right now, DL is renting curtains that have to be taken up, put up, and taken down for for events, for plays or what have you. Um, this like I think Steve's the one that actually said, this is just an expansion of last year's project that we did not take into consideration when we remove that ceiling that there was going to be some sound barriers issues um that maybe we should have budgeted in for those panels, but we know now. Not that Dale said he can't live with the curtains, but um we have to put them
048up, take them down, and we're going to rent them. So, and I know it was kind of short notice, but I think we talked about on Friday about trying to get a quote of what it would be if we purchased our own curtains instead of renting them each time. Obviously, we've had one day to get that. I emailed her Friday. She emailed me back this morning and said she'd get it to me, but I don't have it as of right now. So, that might be an option. um at least for you know for the next couple years until we budget into a you know strategic plan putting the panels up. Dale, do you know off the top of your head how many panels we're talk I mean 17,000 106. Yeah. So it's a lot of
049pianos just so you know 17,000 is a lot of money but it's that many pianos that would be permanently there. Okay. So question, if the board approves all these excluding the classroom tiles, the estimate to reduce taxes is 313 changes. Correct. How does that compare to last year? Um last year it was just over 700. The prior year was six something. This is a lot less than this year. Mhm. [clears throat] But this is just my first estimate. This is April, right? Um it will be more. But I'd rather tell you to get you could have more money than to come back and say, "Oh, sorry." And the budget itself predicted 200,000 back. Correct. So it's still a reduction you know from what we estimated at March meeting but then again I don't know what
050valuation is going to be when October comes too. So that impacts the tax rate. Um, one of the things that I mean I'd like to be able to turn back over as much money as we can, but at the same token um it doesn't get any cheaper to make repairs to the buildings and we have a long list of stuff um that needs to be done. So, I would rather be a little bit more aggressive right now. Um, because I think a lot of projects could get cleaned up over a short period, two or three years. We can pass that more into a maintenance phase and we can always turn more money back over to the town later. That was part of my reasoning why. Okay, you know what? This is an extra 188,000, but
051like let's bring it back to the board and suggest it. In some of these things, [clears throat] we need to get vendors under contract sooner than later because the projects have to start by June 30 in some shape or manner. So, we're not rushing you for support, but there is pieces of this that Dale needs to line up so things can get ordered and be here in time and and and they can get started. Um, I think there definitely is support within the community majority support to get the classroom ceilings done, but Dale, do you agree that that could be something that we possibly could put off and notify them in May? Did you Yeah, I mean, one thing that I I sent an email today to the company to just ask if that was
052in if that was to be done, what are we looking at for a time frame? Um because if we're doing the floors, we're doing the ceiling, trying to do summer school in the building, like what we don't want to have happen is, you know what, the gym where it ended up being middle of October before it was done. We have 11 classrooms or nine classrooms, whatever the number was, that aren't available to start the school year. So, um I did not hear back on that question either, but I think the consensus was supported for that. Um I think the only two people that were hesitant really were Henry and I. And really it's the price from my perspective. We're putting a lot of money into a building that the board has said that we would
053like to move away from um at some point and we don't know until next year what the community thinks about it. That's the next Okay. So, somebody's got to make a motion be a motion to approve with some sort of NTE that reflects not incorporating the classroom. So, I'll I'll make a motion to approve um the work list submitted by the facilities committee. Um not to include the classroom uh ceilings. Um I'm not going to put the dollar amount in there, but not to include the classroom ceilings. Um what's the [clears throat] total amount? It it's 246, but I did put in the vote um not to exceed 250 is what I put. Okay. not to exceed $250,000. Is that sufficient enough? Yeah, I'll second that. Anyone looking to make any amendments to that motion
054made [clears throat] any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries 4. Thanks for the report and recommendations. policy committee. I think it makes sense to look at the classrooms after we hear after we see what next year. Okay. Um policies committee which you need to talk about [laughter] I'll be right here behind you. Yeah. We have uh not had a policy committee since our last meeting. Um, next one is welcome. We look pretty fast and furious here for a while. I don't think um we are in receipt of a report from our student representative, but did correspond with her on a number of occasions uh since our last meeting. She informed me that she hopes to be back with us soon. I also did get some outreach uh from a local principal who
055wanted to have a young lady in her school system who is considering uh becoming a student representative to chat with our student representative find out just how horrible we really are. And so I I did connect with permission from uh from Mr. Smith and the superintendent and from Mr. Brown connected with principal from the Danville Middle School. I see their uh their infosc policy blocked my email. We're getting back to the student though. So hopefully they at least got to the principal. We'll move on then to the superintendent report. Okay. Kind of kind of short tonight. Um just a few things. Um, well, I always like to talk a little bit about student activities also linked in the agenda there, I will go through the number of activities, but just for FYI, lots of stuff
056coming up as we head toward the end of the school year. Um, do want to comment on the drama production week before last. Uh, and four four great production performances again. It was a musical, which is unusual in the spring. Usually to have in the past is then a musical in the fall and then a a little dinner theater sometime in the winter and come back with a more conventional uh frankly a little less taxing production than a musical entails. But she decided to go two go with two musicals this year. And so she did and great uh great success. Uh you we talked about the the acoustics in the gym a little bit and Dale as before and his crew made sure that we had the sound dampeners in there. I thought the sound
057was excellent. Uh really I mean with in my opinion the sound with the sound dampeners in there and even with with the ceiling changes the sound there's better than it ever was. I remember back several years ago. So uh so that's that was again a great performance. um funding uh you know we we keep I keep going to meetings and they keep saying uh you read the same news and listen to the same uh radio programs or whatever else or not radio programs but videos YouTube whatever uh podcast I can't believe I said um and we don't know any more than you do that that's coming from the department of education in New Hampshire other than saying the indication are that uh funds are will be available uh on a little bit of a delay
058and I know that there's been some statements made that regarding title one IDA being saved for funding. So we'll see um at the state level legislature is down down to the home stretch. uh if you've been following that that was that's been I I can't imagine the position that the legislaturator is in right now and the governor and everybody else but you know when you when you're disagreeing by $700 million on what you got to spend in terms of revenues that makes tricky budgeting to say the least so uh we're never that far away [laughter] I know but you know and I do want to I know we were talking about this a little bit earlier but with the with the joint meeting the other night I do want to acknowledge Daryl Lewis and Calvin
059Bolier and and Joe what's Joe Martin Martin you know Joe Martin being there and as I said the other night they've been responsive when I reached out to them all three of them as has David by the way. So anyway, that they got their work cut out with it, but uh there's a few things. That's why I asked Michelle what she knew about adult and a few few things that they are looking at. They are looking at putting money into special ed specifically catastrophic aid. So that's one that I think is of note. The one thing that one of the things that is happening right now in the legislature that terrifies Patty and I especially and should terrify us all frankly I think is is redoing the insurance pool and how that all works and
060I don't know 297 the risk pool. Yeah, that's a concern. Yeah, it's definitely a concern. Um we have three health insurance for school companies in the state and um one has already pretty much closed their doors whether 297 passes or not the other and that's New Hampshire interlocal trust they carry covered program insurance then there is health trust who carries Anthem and if 297 passes is um they will end carrying health insurance next year. So if you work for a town, it will end this December. If you work for school, it will end next June. They will just do like dental life disability. I think they're going to look into like liability, building liability and stuff like that, but not health insurance. So, school care, whom we're with, seems to be not supportive of it
061whatsoever because part of this bill will require school districts to establish establish a capital reserve fund for health insurance risk. Um, and it just increases their percentage that they have to put away, right? They're regulated now that you know they can't make income. You know what I mean? Like they are heavily regulated already these risk pools. Now it's just taking it to another level of increasing that threshold. And some of them just can't do it. And if they did our premiums would be huge like you know. So there's a lot going on. I mean, just less than two weeks ago, several North Country schools found out that they won't have health insurance as of July 1 because they're closing up. So, regardless, so it's pretty scary. I'm glad it wasn't us um to go out
062to bid and have a board decide where they're going to go. You have your budget set. You don't know what your premiums are going to be until you get under contract again. and you have negotiated agreements that you have to follow and to provide health insurance. So, it's it's just crazy. It it just this one bill has just spiraled and um I personally don't want to see private insurance rates. I went out to bid when I first started here and um health insurance through the private insurance industry is a lot different than going through a risk pool that's governed by your state, you know, basically. So yeah, it's crazy world out there right now in conquered. Do you know anybody? No. 297. Anything else? Peter, is there any update on the voucher [clears throat] program
063for the state of nature? That was is that 115 bill? Uh the current status of that is that the income threshold will rise next year and then disappear entirely. There's that. There's a there's also a bill. I don't think it's going anywhere this year apparently, but open total open enrollment either universal school choice. Um the tax cap is pronounced never dead. It's never over till it's over. But that has been removed by tax. Um we are I think I made this before but we are going to have to do a lot of work and you know it's important work anyway to make sure that we're involving parents more more expectation of parental involvement rights and things if the bills out of right now in in process sign they've got a lot of work to do
064like the city governors I think it's just pushing hard for the budget that she presented and the numbers that she used arrive at that budget. So, we'll see what what all all shakes up. And another question I have is there any update on Lisbon? I know they've separated from SC 35. Are they with another SEU now? Are they shopping? Are they what? Do you have any idea what the That's our close neighbor. Yes, it is. Yeah. Um, not a lot at this point. I have I have reached out, you know, I think at this point they're going to go their own. I mean, obviously they're going to go their own. I'm not sure on services and those kinds of things. U seems like they got some of those services that they can house already. Uh,
065but there could be some levels of them shopping possible. We'll have to see what is doing once they get older. It would be July 26. Okay. So, next year they stay with 35. Yeah. Yeah. That's important. Okay. Any additional questions? Then the public input. for a properly worded motion to enter the nonpublic. Well, hold on. Can you hold that thought for one second? Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry. And we have we have other personnel stuff they want to have the same thing. Yeah. I was like, did I miss that? I could have missed it. I could have been spaced out. Okay. Okay. I making a motion to enter into non-public session under paragraph two section 3 of RSA 9183 law number one the dismissal promotion or compensation of any public employee or the discipline of such
066employee or the investigation of any charges against him number three to number one um I had one two and three were all listed okay yeah sorry that's okay two the hiring of any is a public employee. Three matters which if discussed in public adversely affect your reputation of any person other than a member of this board and you will be taking with us the superintendent. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor roll call please. Bill Chenro motion car right now and n public. Thank you.