WEBVTT
1
00:00:10.115 --> 00:00:11.295
So I'm gonna call the meeting
2
00:00:11.295 --> 00:00:15.495
to order at 6:34 PM We'll do a roll call.
3
00:00:15.495 --> 00:00:16.655
Dr. Welch. Present
4
00:00:17.475 --> 00:00:18.475
Mr. Patel.
5
00:00:19.165 --> 00:00:21.975
Here. Ms. Brunell here. And I'm here.
6
00:00:23.155 --> 00:00:26.495
So I'm gonna make a motion to enter into executive session
7
00:00:27.795 --> 00:00:30.775
to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining,
8
00:00:30.775 --> 00:00:31.935
including an analysis
9
00:00:31.935 --> 00:00:34.055
of recently settled contracts in preparation
10
00:00:34.055 --> 00:00:35.095
for upcoming negotiations.
11
00:00:35.445 --> 00:00:38.535
Because discussion in open session may have a detrimental
12
00:00:38.535 --> 00:00:40.495
effect on the school committee's bargaining position.
13
00:00:40.965 --> 00:00:43.295
Nursing director, if the chair declares
14
00:00:43.295 --> 00:00:44.335
and the chair does declare.
15
00:00:45.595 --> 00:00:48.655
Second.
Seconded by Dr. Welch. We'll do a roll call.
16
00:00:48.655 --> 00:00:52.135
Vote. Dr. Welch? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Ms. Brunell? Yes.
17
00:00:52.235 --> 00:00:54.095
And I'm a Yes. That's four. Zero. Zero.
18
00:00:54.105 --> 00:00:55.375
We're now an executive session.
19
00:00:55.435 --> 00:00:57.615
We should be returning at approximately seven o'clock.
20
00:01:07.085 --> 00:01:08.435
Appreciate it. All right.
21
00:01:08.615 --> 00:01:10.075
So we're back from executive session.
22
00:01:10.305 --> 00:01:14.915
This meeting is being recorded by Pegasus
23
00:01:15.055 --> 00:01:16.955
for future consumptions also being streamed
24
00:01:17.645 --> 00:01:19.635
right now live and via Zoom.
25
00:01:20.295 --> 00:01:23.355
So we are going to start with the Pledge
26
00:01:23.355 --> 00:01:24.635
of Allegiance in a moment of silence.
27
00:01:24.775 --> 00:01:26.995
But prior to that, Dr. P, do you wanna?
28
00:01:27.495 --> 00:01:29.795
Yes. I'm very excited to welcome both June
29
00:01:29.895 --> 00:01:31.755
and Andrew are who are here from Brown
30
00:01:31.755 --> 00:01:33.315
to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
31
00:01:33.315 --> 00:01:34.315
Welcome,
32
00:01:41.735 --> 00:01:42.735
When you ready?
33
00:01:44.285 --> 00:01:46.825
Yep. I pledge to the flag
34
00:01:47.445 --> 00:01:49.385
of the United States of America.
35
00:01:50.205 --> 00:01:54.065
And to the republic for which it stands, one nation
36
00:01:54.635 --> 00:01:58.945
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
37
00:02:08.305 --> 00:02:10.175
Thank you. And thank you
38
00:02:10.235 --> 00:02:12.575
to our standard bearers for being here tonight.
39
00:02:12.995 --> 00:02:14.135
Do you want a picture before,
40
00:02:14.555 --> 00:02:16.495
Do you I,
Yes.
41
00:02:17.575 --> 00:02:18.935
I All right. Everybody in the audience.
42
00:02:18.935 --> 00:02:20.375
Come on up for a picnic note. Hold this
43
00:02:22.645 --> 00:02:23.735
here. Hold this. Yeah,
44
00:02:24.285 --> 00:02:25.285
Hold this.
45
00:02:27.945 --> 00:02:32.055
Super cool. This is the first time I've touched it. Great.
46
00:02:32.505 --> 00:02:35.815
Right now look at me. Ready? 1, 2, 3.
47
00:02:40.885 --> 00:02:42.415
Does he wanna, do you wanna hold
48
00:02:42.415 --> 00:02:43.695
The gavel too? You wanna try it? Yeah.
49
00:02:43.925 --> 00:02:45.815
Jack?
No. Good. Okay, good.
50
00:02:46.305 --> 00:02:47.335
Thank you. Thank you so much,
51
00:02:47.335 --> 00:02:51.015
so much. Take care. Thank you so
52
00:02:51.015 --> 00:02:52.015
Much. I don't wanna hold it either.
53
00:02:52.845 --> 00:02:56.535
That was awesome.
All right. Okay.
54
00:02:57.035 --> 00:02:59.095
So we're gonna move on to announcements. Dr.
55
00:02:59.355 --> 00:03:00.485
Pash, do you have any announcements?
56
00:03:01.125 --> 00:03:04.725
I do not.
You have one and then I have one,
57
00:03:04.725 --> 00:03:06.005
unless yours is the same as mine.
58
00:03:06.105 --> 00:03:07.105
So let's see.
59
00:03:07.885 --> 00:03:09.605
Tomorrow is election day.
60
00:03:09.865 --> 00:03:11.965
Yes, there's that. Do you wanna make it with
61
00:03:11.965 --> 00:03:12.965
Me?
62
00:03:12.965 --> 00:03:13.165
No, you're doing great. I,
63
00:03:13.165 --> 00:03:15.725
We encourage everyone to go vote in local, well,
64
00:03:15.725 --> 00:03:16.765
it's not a local election,
65
00:03:16.765 --> 00:03:18.405
but it's a state and federal election.
66
00:03:18.705 --> 00:03:21.165
We have students that have recently turned 18. Right.
67
00:03:21.225 --> 00:03:23.365
So if you can vote, go vote.
68
00:03:25.095 --> 00:03:27.605
There is information on the Natick Town website.
69
00:03:27.785 --> 00:03:28.925
If you don't know where to vote,
70
00:03:29.225 --> 00:03:31.485
you can go find out on the town website, which,
71
00:03:31.765 --> 00:03:33.245
which polling location is for.
72
00:03:33.245 --> 00:03:37.165
You. See, we have the same exact thing in mind.
73
00:03:38.705 --> 00:03:41.205
All right. We are gonna move to public speak.
74
00:03:41.425 --> 00:03:44.405
Public speak is scheduled for a period of 15 minutes.
75
00:03:44.515 --> 00:03:46.925
Each speaker will be permitted a maximum of three minutes
76
00:03:46.925 --> 00:03:49.445
during which time they can speak about topics within the
77
00:03:49.445 --> 00:03:51.005
scope of responsibility of the school committee.
78
00:03:51.025 --> 00:03:52.165
All remarks will be addressed
79
00:03:52.165 --> 00:03:53.165
through the school committee chair.
80
00:03:53.465 --> 00:03:55.245
Public speak is not a time for debate
81
00:03:55.265 --> 00:03:57.885
or response, the comments by the school committee.
82
00:03:59.145 --> 00:04:01.725
So I believe there's one person online,
83
00:04:02.145 --> 00:04:06.165
unless there's somebody who, yeah, this is Ms. Harris.
84
00:04:06.765 --> 00:04:09.605
I see you. So we're gonna, you're, we're gonna get you
85
00:04:09.605 --> 00:04:10.765
to unmute if that's all right.
86
00:04:10.785 --> 00:04:12.405
And there'll be three minutes, I dunno if you can
87
00:04:13.385 --> 00:04:16.485
see me while you're speaking, but at around two
88
00:04:16.485 --> 00:04:20.725
and a half minutes, I will put my hand up to re
89
00:04:20.795 --> 00:04:23.285
that signal will be that you have 30 seconds left.
90
00:04:24.565 --> 00:04:25.885
Excellent. Thank you. Can you hear me?
91
00:04:25.985 --> 00:04:29.525
We sure can.
Okay. Hello, my name is Courtney Harris.
92
00:04:29.835 --> 00:04:31.925
I've been a resident of Natick for five years.
93
00:04:32.565 --> 00:04:34.685
I have one child, a first grader at Benham.
94
00:04:35.275 --> 00:04:36.725
Overall, we've been very pleased
95
00:04:36.755 --> 00:04:38.845
with our experience at the Natick Public Schools
96
00:04:39.025 --> 00:04:41.725
and feel the quality of the education, the commitment
97
00:04:41.725 --> 00:04:43.445
of the teachers and the community
98
00:04:43.445 --> 00:04:45.085
and atmosphere fostered at the school.
99
00:04:45.145 --> 00:04:48.165
To be positive, I have been somewhat surprised
100
00:04:48.385 --> 00:04:49.405
by the proliferation
101
00:04:49.425 --> 00:04:52.365
of screens in both kindergarten and in first grade.
102
00:04:53.105 --> 00:04:54.965
In our household, we minimize screen
103
00:04:55.015 --> 00:04:56.365
usage as much as possible.
104
00:04:56.705 --> 00:04:58.845
Our child doesn't watch television on a TV
105
00:04:59.065 --> 00:05:00.125
or a personal device
106
00:05:00.275 --> 00:05:02.965
because we believe kids learn best without screens.
107
00:05:03.425 --> 00:05:05.205
At the same time, we also understand
108
00:05:05.225 --> 00:05:06.845
and know that screens are a part of life
109
00:05:06.905 --> 00:05:08.445
and not completely avoidable.
110
00:05:09.195 --> 00:05:12.325
However, the amount of screen usage that my child reports
111
00:05:12.325 --> 00:05:13.485
to me is concerning.
112
00:05:14.005 --> 00:05:17.205
I find it especially discouraging when screen usage
113
00:05:17.275 --> 00:05:18.525
doesn't seem necessary.
114
00:05:19.185 --> 00:05:21.165
The use of videos on the projector
115
00:05:21.265 --> 00:05:24.165
for brain breaks is not adding a meaningful educational
116
00:05:24.165 --> 00:05:25.365
experience in the classroom.
117
00:05:26.205 --> 00:05:29.365
I understand that they often read books on the projector
118
00:05:29.385 --> 00:05:30.605
rather than paper books.
119
00:05:31.065 --> 00:05:32.765
And to me, this undermines the joy
120
00:05:32.825 --> 00:05:34.845
and experience of reading a physical book.
121
00:05:35.845 --> 00:05:38.365
I would like to see a comprehensive study of the use
122
00:05:38.365 --> 00:05:39.565
of the projector screen
123
00:05:39.705 --> 00:05:42.085
and what portion of the day is being spent using that.
124
00:05:42.515 --> 00:05:46.565
When the projector use particularly videos is coupled
125
00:05:46.565 --> 00:05:48.405
with the twice weekly iPad use,
126
00:05:48.625 --> 00:05:50.165
it is resulting in a large portion
127
00:05:50.165 --> 00:05:52.205
of the school hours involving screens.
128
00:05:53.525 --> 00:05:55.645
Students learn best when using pencil and paper,
129
00:05:55.985 --> 00:05:57.365
and the youngest children need
130
00:05:57.365 --> 00:05:59.325
to learn basic fine motor skills
131
00:05:59.465 --> 00:06:03.285
and stamina through writing, using screens unnecessarily,
132
00:06:03.535 --> 00:06:05.765
especially for testing, robs them
133
00:06:05.765 --> 00:06:06.925
of this essential learning.
134
00:06:07.355 --> 00:06:10.245
Therefore, I would like parents to have an option to opt out
135
00:06:10.245 --> 00:06:12.005
of iPad usage and digital testing.
136
00:06:13.005 --> 00:06:15.845
I recognize that teachers are under a lot of pressure
137
00:06:16.025 --> 00:06:17.725
and there are high expectations for them.
138
00:06:18.195 --> 00:06:19.645
Therefore, I would like to see
139
00:06:19.645 --> 00:06:21.245
that the money spent on technology
140
00:06:21.305 --> 00:06:24.645
and screen usage be redirected to providing more resources
141
00:06:24.785 --> 00:06:28.205
for teachers and students to learn in an analog method.
142
00:06:28.535 --> 00:06:29.535
Thank you.
143
00:06:30.535 --> 00:06:33.325
Thank you. All right.
144
00:06:33.325 --> 00:06:35.245
We have nobody else who signed up for public speak.
145
00:06:37.665 --> 00:06:38.805
Seeing none. All right.
146
00:06:39.225 --> 00:06:41.525
So we are now gonna move on to
147
00:06:42.145 --> 00:06:45.885
our representative updates, Mr. Wood.
148
00:06:47.135 --> 00:06:48.765
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have nothing
149
00:06:48.765 --> 00:06:50.285
to offer at this particular time.
150
00:06:51.235 --> 00:06:54.285
Okay. Do our student reps
151
00:06:54.285 --> 00:06:55.325
have anything that they would like?
152
00:06:55.345 --> 00:07:00.205
Oh, all right. We don't have anything either. Alright.
153
00:07:00.625 --> 00:07:03.165
And Ms. Gomes not with us tonight at the meeting, so
154
00:07:03.985 --> 00:07:06.165
we do not have, we're good with that.
155
00:07:06.265 --> 00:07:07.845
All right. Onto the consent agenda.
156
00:07:09.275 --> 00:07:12.005
Anybody wanna pull anything out? Yeah,
157
00:07:12.625 --> 00:07:15.525
I'd like to pull out item a acceptance
158
00:07:15.525 --> 00:07:18.245
of the high school PTSO 26 27 budget.
159
00:07:18.915 --> 00:07:21.845
Okay. Anything else? If, if not, we will vote on the rest
160
00:07:21.845 --> 00:07:24.005
of the consent agenda and then come back to item A.
161
00:07:24.865 --> 00:07:27.485
Seeing none. All right. Motion on the consent agenda.
162
00:07:28.915 --> 00:07:30.525
Move to accept the consent agenda.
163
00:07:31.145 --> 00:07:34.325
Second motion by Ms. Purnell, seconded by Dr. Fesman.
164
00:07:37.855 --> 00:07:42.325
Let's, nobody's on virtual. All in favor? And you opposed?
165
00:07:44.035 --> 00:07:47.245
Okay. So what are we, 5, 5, 0, 0 on that.
166
00:07:47.705 --> 00:07:48.405
And then we
167
00:07:48.885 --> 00:07:53.485
will, we will come back.
168
00:07:53.515 --> 00:07:56.525
Well, now let's do a, and then we have a hand up
169
00:07:56.525 --> 00:07:58.285
and I'm trying to figure out what that is.
170
00:08:00.385 --> 00:08:01.885
So I pulled it out of the agenda
171
00:08:01.885 --> 00:08:03.085
because the consent agenda,
172
00:08:03.085 --> 00:08:04.685
because we don't have to vote on a budget.
173
00:08:04.825 --> 00:08:06.325
We need, the school committee needs
174
00:08:06.325 --> 00:08:08.725
to vote on only donations.
175
00:08:09.545 --> 00:08:12.285
So this was a past practice of our committee
176
00:08:12.425 --> 00:08:14.085
to vote on PTO budgets.
177
00:08:14.265 --> 00:08:16.285
And it really is cumbersome for them
178
00:08:16.385 --> 00:08:18.725
to create the budget, send it in.
179
00:08:18.725 --> 00:08:20.565
They are their own 5 0 1 C3.
180
00:08:20.665 --> 00:08:23.285
So we actually have no jurisdiction on their budgets.
181
00:08:23.825 --> 00:08:28.525
We have state law that obligates,
182
00:08:28.525 --> 00:08:29.765
that we approve donations.
183
00:08:30.225 --> 00:08:33.005
So when the high school PTSO wants to make a donation
184
00:08:33.225 --> 00:08:35.365
to the schools, that's what should come before us.
185
00:08:35.465 --> 00:08:39.445
But I just want to reinforce that the PTOs are, are
186
00:08:40.335 --> 00:08:41.445
tremendous partners
187
00:08:41.505 --> 00:08:44.005
and we trust them as their own 5 0 1 c threes.
188
00:08:44.105 --> 00:08:46.205
And I don't wanna make extra work for them.
189
00:08:47.385 --> 00:08:51.445
So I, I dunno if I need to make a motion, but we don't.
190
00:08:51.665 --> 00:08:53.085
It is just, we don't need to vote on it.
191
00:08:56.745 --> 00:08:59.325
So if we don't need to vote on it,
192
00:08:59.325 --> 00:09:00.365
then I don't think you need to make a
193
00:09:00.365 --> 00:09:01.445
motion. We just didn't vote on it.
194
00:09:01.445 --> 00:09:03.725
Perfect. Right. Have I been persuasive?
195
00:09:04.525 --> 00:09:05.645
Well, pleasure of the committee
196
00:09:05.955 --> 00:09:07.925
with persuasion, Dr. Fugman.
197
00:09:08.885 --> 00:09:09.925
I I, I'm persuaded,
198
00:09:10.985 --> 00:09:14.925
but I'm wondering if it's worth just quickly checking
199
00:09:14.995 --> 00:09:16.765
with our council just
200
00:09:16.765 --> 00:09:20.565
because in the past, both na na as a district
201
00:09:20.565 --> 00:09:23.885
and other districts have been got into trouble
202
00:09:23.985 --> 00:09:25.205
for not approving donations.
203
00:09:25.225 --> 00:09:29.285
So I think it might be helpful just confirm
204
00:09:29.285 --> 00:09:30.605
that there is that separation.
205
00:09:31.025 --> 00:09:32.805
If that separation is in fact there.
206
00:09:33.085 --> 00:09:35.805
I completely agree that we shouldn't vote on it
207
00:09:37.065 --> 00:09:38.065
Either way.
208
00:09:38.065 --> 00:09:40.165
I think we can not vote on it now tonight. Yeah.
209
00:09:40.165 --> 00:09:41.125
And if it turns out that we
210
00:09:41.125 --> 00:09:42.325
are supposed to vote on it, yeah.
211
00:09:42.325 --> 00:09:43.805
And I, I suspect we probably aren't,
212
00:09:43.805 --> 00:09:45.765
but if we no harm in checking and Exactly.
213
00:09:45.765 --> 00:09:49.605
If we do need to vote, we can bring it back. Okay.
214
00:09:50.665 --> 00:09:51.805
Mr. Chair? Yes, please.
215
00:09:51.905 --> 00:09:53.485
Can I just add a clarification to Dr.
216
00:09:53.695 --> 00:09:56.565
Sen's question, which is, if parents make a donation
217
00:09:56.585 --> 00:09:57.885
to the high school PTO,
218
00:09:58.895 --> 00:10:01.605
which is the first item on the budget
219
00:10:02.355 --> 00:10:04.485
that the high school has shared with us under income
220
00:10:05.185 --> 00:10:06.485
is direct donations.
221
00:10:07.325 --> 00:10:09.725
I would appreciate clarification from our council if
222
00:10:09.725 --> 00:10:12.085
that constitutes a donation that then needs to be accepted
223
00:10:12.105 --> 00:10:13.125
by this committee or not.
224
00:10:14.185 --> 00:10:15.185
Got it.
Thank you.
225
00:10:19.155 --> 00:10:22.225
Okay. Tricia, can you
226
00:10:24.005 --> 00:10:26.385
ask Emily Warmington to unmute please?
227
00:10:27.455 --> 00:10:29.145
Yeah, I'd like to bless you.
228
00:10:29.245 --> 00:10:32.225
I'd like to, Emily, once we have that opportunity,
229
00:10:32.365 --> 00:10:33.545
do you have a question about
230
00:10:33.725 --> 00:10:35.145
did I miss you for public speak? Hi,
231
00:10:35.225 --> 00:10:36.985
I just have my hand up 'cause you guys are on mute
232
00:10:37.045 --> 00:10:38.425
and nobody on Zoom can hear you.
233
00:10:39.685 --> 00:10:43.065
Oh, Can you hear us now?
234
00:10:44.805 --> 00:10:48.385
How about now? How do we know? Thank you.
235
00:10:54.805 --> 00:10:58.585
Can you, Emily, or anybody else, if you can,
236
00:10:58.725 --> 00:11:01.665
if you can hear, so I wanna say that hand down,
237
00:11:03.125 --> 00:11:04.345
if you can hear us and you're on Zoom,
238
00:11:04.345 --> 00:11:06.185
just put your virtual hand up for a quick second.
239
00:11:06.185 --> 00:11:09.705
Anybody please? Okay, good. Thank you.
240
00:11:11.245 --> 00:11:14.305
All right. Thank you for that. We'll start over.
241
00:11:14.455 --> 00:11:16.625
Take it from the top. Where are those kids to do the pledge?
242
00:11:16.655 --> 00:11:20.865
Nope. All right. We are gonna move on.
243
00:11:20.865 --> 00:11:22.225
We're just so everybody knows a little,
244
00:11:22.225 --> 00:11:24.025
a little heads up on the, we're gonna to a couple
245
00:11:24.025 --> 00:11:25.065
of things a little out of order.
246
00:11:25.605 --> 00:11:29.505
We, tonight we're gonna start with the, the things
247
00:11:29.505 --> 00:11:31.065
that are at the beginning, the NPS spotlight,
248
00:11:31.475 --> 00:11:32.665
those first couple of things,
249
00:11:33.205 --> 00:11:35.145
and then the, the school calendar discussion.
250
00:11:35.145 --> 00:11:38.425
After that, we're gonna jump down to what you would see
251
00:11:38.425 --> 00:11:40.225
as item 10 on the agenda, the natural
252
00:11:40.325 --> 00:11:42.265
and synthetic turf field study group report.
253
00:11:42.265 --> 00:11:45.465
And then we'll come back up to the top and go in that order.
254
00:11:45.805 --> 00:11:49.425
All right. We have a a pretty heavy agenda tonight, so
255
00:11:51.075 --> 00:11:53.125
we're gonna try to go through it as efficiently as possible.
256
00:11:53.745 --> 00:11:54.965
All right, Dr. Sp
257
00:11:55.955 --> 00:11:56.955
Okay, great.
258
00:11:57.825 --> 00:11:59.605
The first item is the NPS spotlight.
259
00:11:59.735 --> 00:12:00.885
We're really, really excited
260
00:12:00.905 --> 00:12:04.365
and I'm pleased to recognize Ryder who's here today.
261
00:12:04.395 --> 00:12:07.365
He's a high school sophomore, known by many
262
00:12:07.385 --> 00:12:08.525
as the Compost King
263
00:12:08.865 --> 00:12:13.725
and a recipient of the 2026 Mass Recycle Youth award,
264
00:12:13.735 --> 00:12:15.965
which only goes to one student per year.
265
00:12:16.025 --> 00:12:17.685
So a remarkable achievement.
266
00:12:18.285 --> 00:12:21.845
I found Ryder's passion for composting so compelling
267
00:12:21.845 --> 00:12:23.125
that I now meet with him monthly.
268
00:12:23.275 --> 00:12:24.885
It's a bright spot in my calendar
269
00:12:25.785 --> 00:12:27.645
to help build momentum towards his vision
270
00:12:27.705 --> 00:12:31.565
and operationalizing composting across all of our schools.
271
00:12:31.625 --> 00:12:33.805
So, congratulations Rider. We're so happy to have you.
272
00:12:33.805 --> 00:12:35.925
We're gonna invite you and also
273
00:12:35.925 --> 00:12:37.285
Jillian, to kind of say a few words.
274
00:12:37.285 --> 00:12:40.685
Jillian was so helpful in helping with that nomination.
275
00:12:40.745 --> 00:12:41.765
So welcome to you both
276
00:12:41.785 --> 00:12:43.445
and tell us a little bit about what you do
277
00:12:43.445 --> 00:12:44.685
and what you received this award for.
278
00:12:45.635 --> 00:12:45.925
Okay.
279
00:12:52.645 --> 00:12:55.805
Meeting with Rider's, also a bright spot in my month.
280
00:12:56.185 --> 00:13:00.325
And I will give Guild most of the Florida rider
281
00:13:00.645 --> 00:13:03.325
so he can share his vision for composting
282
00:13:03.645 --> 00:13:05.365
and native post schools and what he's been working on.
283
00:13:05.425 --> 00:13:08.365
But I know this board has,
284
00:13:10.145 --> 00:13:13.445
has met with Ryder in the past since I've been working
285
00:13:13.445 --> 00:13:15.005
with Ryder since he was in eighth grade.
286
00:13:15.185 --> 00:13:16.765
And he was a member of the student council
287
00:13:16.905 --> 00:13:18.005
at Wilson Middle School.
288
00:13:18.585 --> 00:13:22.085
And he was excited to help us solve a problem
289
00:13:22.085 --> 00:13:23.765
that we saw there, which was dealing
290
00:13:23.765 --> 00:13:25.445
with contamination and compost.
291
00:13:25.905 --> 00:13:28.205
And so with the help of his advisor, Mr.
292
00:13:28.565 --> 00:13:31.245
Dumont and his peers on student council, they came up
293
00:13:31.245 --> 00:13:33.685
with a plan to help us reduce contamination.
294
00:13:34.145 --> 00:13:35.845
And Ryder really led the charge
295
00:13:35.945 --> 00:13:38.605
and created this great public awareness campaign at Wilson
296
00:13:38.605 --> 00:13:39.765
called Compost May.
297
00:13:40.145 --> 00:13:43.085
And since then, he has really brought
298
00:13:43.085 --> 00:13:44.285
that passion to the high school.
299
00:13:44.625 --> 00:13:48.085
And even before he graduated eighth grade, he was asking me,
300
00:13:48.145 --> 00:13:49.965
you know, is there composting in Nat High?
301
00:13:50.225 --> 00:13:52.565
And that's a real mission of his that he's been working on
302
00:13:52.565 --> 00:13:55.125
for the past year and is now collaborating with Dr. Chen
303
00:13:55.385 --> 00:13:57.205
how they can come up with a plan to move that forward.
304
00:13:57.205 --> 00:13:58.605
Understanding that once again,
305
00:13:58.605 --> 00:13:59.645
there's a problem to be solved.
306
00:13:59.905 --> 00:14:02.645
And Rider really interested in taking that on.
307
00:14:04.525 --> 00:14:07.005
I wanna thank you all. I'm really excited to be here.
308
00:14:07.445 --> 00:14:08.445
I didn't know
309
00:14:08.445 --> 00:14:11.165
what the Master Cycle award was when I walked into the room.
310
00:14:11.505 --> 00:14:14.045
And then when I got there, everyone was really excited
311
00:14:14.045 --> 00:14:16.165
to see me because apparently this was the first year
312
00:14:16.165 --> 00:14:17.565
that they've ever offered the youth award.
313
00:14:19.625 --> 00:14:21.845
It was a really exciting experience to get to go through.
314
00:14:22.105 --> 00:14:24.165
And I got, I've been able to meet
315
00:14:24.225 --> 00:14:25.805
so many amazing people because of it.
316
00:14:26.665 --> 00:14:29.365
Mr. Dumont and Amber Keller are the two people who've helped
317
00:14:29.385 --> 00:14:30.525
me since the very beginning.
318
00:14:30.745 --> 00:14:32.685
And now that I get to work with doctors Fashion,
319
00:14:32.755 --> 00:14:35.525
Jillian here, it's just become such a large project
320
00:14:35.525 --> 00:14:37.125
that started as something so small.
321
00:14:37.765 --> 00:14:39.965
I always tell kids that I work with, you know,
322
00:14:40.155 --> 00:14:41.925
it's takes every level of government
323
00:14:41.945 --> 00:14:43.805
and it takes every single type of person.
324
00:14:44.065 --> 00:14:46.365
And it's not a project that just I can work on.
325
00:14:47.125 --> 00:14:49.445
I think it's really exciting that I get to work with
326
00:14:49.445 --> 00:14:51.725
so many people because being able to work with
327
00:14:51.725 --> 00:14:54.045
so many people allows me to actually get things done
328
00:14:54.075 --> 00:14:55.965
that I am really excited to see get done.
329
00:14:57.515 --> 00:15:00.645
This award has allowed me, firstly, just to be able
330
00:15:00.645 --> 00:15:03.885
to tell people I'm, things are moving, things are happening,
331
00:15:04.505 --> 00:15:06.045
and the progress is definitely slow.
332
00:15:06.755 --> 00:15:08.685
It's not always the most visible thing.
333
00:15:08.945 --> 00:15:11.725
And yet I think when we look at something
334
00:15:11.725 --> 00:15:12.925
that's actually like feasible
335
00:15:12.925 --> 00:15:14.485
and being something that I can hold,
336
00:15:15.185 --> 00:15:16.845
it shows we're making progress
337
00:15:17.025 --> 00:15:18.845
and the future is getting brighter.
338
00:15:21.325 --> 00:15:22.405
I I have a feeling
339
00:15:22.405 --> 00:15:24.765
that you'll hear more from Ryder this year
340
00:15:24.905 --> 00:15:27.485
and in the coming years as he works to achieve his goal.
341
00:15:28.065 --> 00:15:31.365
And I hope you'll join me in congratulating him,
342
00:15:31.385 --> 00:15:33.205
in supporting his vision as he moves forward.
343
00:15:33.745 --> 00:15:35.485
We
Will, thank you. Before
344
00:15:35.505 --> 00:15:38.245
We finish, congratulating you though, as is the case
345
00:15:38.245 --> 00:15:40.725
with often, often with the NPS spotlight, members
346
00:15:40.725 --> 00:15:41.965
of the committee might have a
347
00:15:42.085 --> 00:15:43.125
question or comment, if that's all right.
348
00:15:43.265 --> 00:15:46.245
Of course. Anyone, any questions or comments?
349
00:15:46.645 --> 00:15:48.165
'cause I, Ms. Brunell,
350
00:15:48.795 --> 00:15:51.445
Well, since you're the first person to receive this award,
351
00:15:51.685 --> 00:15:53.325
sometime they, they name the award Yes.
352
00:15:53.325 --> 00:15:57.045
After the person. So I, I would suggest No, I'm joking.
353
00:15:57.825 --> 00:16:00.565
No, congratulations. It's a huge, huge accomplishment
354
00:16:00.625 --> 00:16:03.005
and I remember you coming as a Wilson student,
355
00:16:03.025 --> 00:16:04.285
so it's good to have you back.
356
00:16:04.425 --> 00:16:06.685
And thank you. Just that persistence, I love
357
00:16:06.685 --> 00:16:07.925
what you just said about how it,
358
00:16:08.025 --> 00:16:09.685
it takes every level of government.
359
00:16:10.835 --> 00:16:14.285
It's just, it like that is inspiring to me
360
00:16:14.345 --> 00:16:15.805
as somebody who's gonna vote tomorrow.
361
00:16:16.145 --> 00:16:17.405
That's what you just said.
362
00:16:17.545 --> 00:16:19.645
That's why I'm gonna vote tomorrow. Thank
363
00:16:19.645 --> 00:16:20.645
You.
364
00:16:21.265 --> 00:16:24.965
So anybody else? Because I'll keep my, I have one comment
365
00:16:26.075 --> 00:16:27.165
that will hopefully be brief.
366
00:16:27.915 --> 00:16:30.245
When you were here last, you were here with us last year,
367
00:16:31.765 --> 00:16:33.685
I remember thinking this and now you,
368
00:16:33.685 --> 00:16:37.045
you're just adding more evidence someday when you're like
369
00:16:37.045 --> 00:16:39.365
famous, we're gonna all get
370
00:16:39.365 --> 00:16:42.125
to say we knew you when, and I'm serious.
371
00:16:42.635 --> 00:16:44.205
Like, I think it's pretty unusual
372
00:16:44.465 --> 00:16:47.325
for somebody your age to be this ambitious.
373
00:16:47.665 --> 00:16:49.125
Not just like with big ideas,
374
00:16:49.185 --> 00:16:50.965
but the ability to actually execute on them.
375
00:16:51.315 --> 00:16:55.285
It's really impressive and I, I look forward to working
376
00:16:55.285 --> 00:16:59.285
for you someday and, and, and
377
00:16:59.585 --> 00:17:01.765
or you know, if I'm, if I'm lucky enough
378
00:17:02.225 --> 00:17:05.805
and I just think I don't leave Natick ever,
379
00:17:05.805 --> 00:17:07.405
maybe that'd be good for all of us.
380
00:17:07.585 --> 00:17:09.485
If that's all, if that's all right, you can go, you know,
381
00:17:09.485 --> 00:17:10.805
for a little bit of time, but then come back.
382
00:17:11.405 --> 00:17:12.725
'cause I think there's a lot of great work to be done
383
00:17:12.785 --> 00:17:14.565
and I am confident that you'll be able to do it.
384
00:17:14.575 --> 00:17:15.765
Thank you. So thank you for being here.
385
00:17:16.535 --> 00:17:19.005
Thank you all.
Thank you.
386
00:17:24.465 --> 00:17:26.085
I'm, I'm just gonna say one more thing too
387
00:17:26.085 --> 00:17:29.085
because in I've been working
388
00:17:29.105 --> 00:17:32.165
as a town sustainability director for I think 13 years now.
389
00:17:32.385 --> 00:17:35.045
And every, and it to Mr.
390
00:17:35.285 --> 00:17:38.205
Renell's point and your point, it does take a lot
391
00:17:38.225 --> 00:17:40.605
to rally local government to make a change.
392
00:17:40.905 --> 00:17:43.365
And it can really be a downer sometimes.
393
00:17:43.385 --> 00:17:46.365
And you can run into a lot of obstacles and your persistence
394
00:17:46.385 --> 00:17:48.125
and dedication and passion is really an
395
00:17:48.125 --> 00:17:49.130
inspiration to me too too.
396
00:17:49.130 --> 00:17:51.365
So thanks for keeping me motivated to do my work
397
00:17:51.385 --> 00:17:52.885
as well. Thank you. So thank you.
398
00:17:53.375 --> 00:17:53.805
Thank you.
399
00:17:57.995 --> 00:18:01.805
Awesome. Okay.
400
00:18:04.425 --> 00:18:05.565
You can stay and continue
401
00:18:05.565 --> 00:18:06.725
to be entertained by the school committee.
402
00:18:06.725 --> 00:18:08.565
Yeah, so
403
00:18:08.795 --> 00:18:11.725
tonight we have a few more.
404
00:18:12.775 --> 00:18:14.805
Thank you so much. We'll see you at the farm
405
00:18:16.485 --> 00:18:17.525
tonight I have the honor
406
00:18:17.545 --> 00:18:20.805
of recognizing three outstanding high school seniors
407
00:18:20.955 --> 00:18:24.125
with the through the Massa Massachusetts Association
408
00:18:24.125 --> 00:18:25.365
of School Superintendents.
409
00:18:25.365 --> 00:18:28.925
We call it MASS Academic Excellence Award.
410
00:18:29.515 --> 00:18:32.525
This award recognizes students who've distinguished
411
00:18:32.525 --> 00:18:34.565
themselves through their academic achievement
412
00:18:34.665 --> 00:18:37.205
and pursuit of excellence throughout their high school
413
00:18:37.205 --> 00:18:39.245
careers to our recipients.
414
00:18:39.265 --> 00:18:42.365
We are super proud of your hard work, your dedication,
415
00:18:42.825 --> 00:18:44.365
and the commitment to learning
416
00:18:44.365 --> 00:18:45.965
that has brought you here tonight.
417
00:18:46.675 --> 00:18:49.125
It's a privilege to celebrate this accomplished with you,
418
00:18:49.195 --> 00:18:51.405
your families, and our school community.
419
00:18:51.925 --> 00:18:54.445
I like to invite, invite all three recipients
420
00:18:54.465 --> 00:18:56.845
to come forward and stand with us to be recognized.
421
00:18:57.035 --> 00:19:00.085
Principal Blocker will share more about each student might
422
00:19:00.085 --> 00:19:02.645
get a little embarrassing and their accomplishments.
423
00:19:02.775 --> 00:19:04.965
After each introduction, I'll present the student
424
00:19:04.965 --> 00:19:06.845
with the award principal blocker.
425
00:19:06.965 --> 00:19:08.685
I will turn it over to you. And
426
00:19:08.685 --> 00:19:11.085
Why don't principal blocker, why don't you stand here
427
00:19:11.425 --> 00:19:13.125
and have the students come sit up front.
428
00:19:14.565 --> 00:19:15.565
Excellent.
429
00:19:15.915 --> 00:19:16.605
This is good.
430
00:19:21.055 --> 00:19:22.565
There you go.
Welcome.
431
00:19:25.675 --> 00:19:29.885
It's my school phone.
All right.
432
00:19:29.985 --> 00:19:33.765
So is seniors and senior parents.
433
00:19:33.955 --> 00:19:35.925
This is one of the first times
434
00:19:36.075 --> 00:19:40.365
that you're gonna be celebrating all of the senior things.
435
00:19:40.665 --> 00:19:43.805
And I have a feeling that I'm gonna be giving awards
436
00:19:43.945 --> 00:19:46.685
to the three of you again this year at some point
437
00:19:47.685 --> 00:19:49.685
because reviewing the list
438
00:19:49.685 --> 00:19:52.285
of your accomplishments was very impressive and humbling
439
00:19:52.785 --> 00:19:54.685
and so I just encourage you to soak it in.
440
00:19:54.905 --> 00:19:56.165
Here's the embarrassing part,
441
00:19:58.265 --> 00:20:00.605
Bernie Klau is our first student
442
00:20:00.985 --> 00:20:04.125
to recognize Bernie is an exceptional student whose
443
00:20:04.125 --> 00:20:06.925
intellectual curiosity, maturity, leadership,
444
00:20:06.945 --> 00:20:09.685
and genuine care for others distinguish him
445
00:20:09.745 --> 00:20:11.885
as a remarkable member of our school community.
446
00:20:12.225 --> 00:20:14.405
He has earned high honors throughout his high school career,
447
00:20:14.765 --> 00:20:16.885
participated in the National Honors Society
448
00:20:16.905 --> 00:20:18.885
and the National English Honor Society
449
00:20:19.225 --> 00:20:21.485
and was a National Merit Scholarship nominee.
450
00:20:21.905 --> 00:20:23.165
Beyond these accomplishments,
451
00:20:23.165 --> 00:20:25.165
Bernie is an intrinsically motivated learner
452
00:20:25.425 --> 00:20:27.285
who asks thoughtful questions, engages
453
00:20:27.285 --> 00:20:28.645
with deeply complex ideas,
454
00:20:29.105 --> 00:20:31.645
and welcomes perspectives from d different from his own.
455
00:20:32.305 --> 00:20:35.205
His willingness to take an intellectual risks contribute
456
00:20:35.205 --> 00:20:36.685
meaningfully to discussions
457
00:20:36.745 --> 00:20:39.325
and continually expand His understanding reflects the
458
00:20:39.325 --> 00:20:41.005
curiosity and commitment to learning.
459
00:20:41.905 --> 00:20:44.125
His excellence extends well beyond the classroom,
460
00:20:44.125 --> 00:20:47.245
particularly through his extraordinary dedication to theater
461
00:20:47.265 --> 00:20:48.285
and the performing arts.
462
00:20:48.905 --> 00:20:50.645
He has embraced both onstage
463
00:20:50.745 --> 00:20:53.485
and backstage responsibilities while demonstrating
464
00:20:53.485 --> 00:20:55.365
leadership across multiple organizations,
465
00:20:55.365 --> 00:20:58.125
including West Street Show Choir, Natick Academy
466
00:20:58.185 --> 00:21:00.405
of Performing Arts, and Westin Drama Workshop.
467
00:21:00.945 --> 00:21:03.525
His accomplishments include a district level honors choir,
468
00:21:03.525 --> 00:21:06.125
distinction selection for the Jimmy Awards
469
00:21:06.185 --> 00:21:09.565
and a statewide METG nomination for best featured actor,
470
00:21:10.465 --> 00:21:13.245
his peers have also recognized him as MVP
471
00:21:13.245 --> 00:21:15.085
of both his choir and acapella group.
472
00:21:15.915 --> 00:21:17.285
Most impressive, however, is
473
00:21:17.285 --> 00:21:19.125
how Bernie uses his talents to serve others.
474
00:21:19.395 --> 00:21:21.845
Through hundreds of hours devoted to youth theater,
475
00:21:21.865 --> 00:21:24.005
he has taught and mentored younger performers,
476
00:21:24.235 --> 00:21:25.845
helping them develop their skills
477
00:21:25.865 --> 00:21:27.205
and find a sense of belonging.
478
00:21:27.665 --> 00:21:30.085
Having experienced firsthand the power of theater
479
00:21:30.185 --> 00:21:33.365
to create community, Bernie is intentional about ensuring
480
00:21:33.395 --> 00:21:36.405
that others feel welcomed, valued, and supported.
481
00:21:37.065 --> 00:21:40.125
His leadership is defined not simply by his accomplishments,
482
00:21:40.185 --> 00:21:43.045
by by his ability to help those around him flourish.
483
00:21:43.265 --> 00:21:44.565
Congratulations Bernie,
484
00:21:51.945 --> 00:21:52.845
to give you the award.
485
00:21:53.685 --> 00:21:57.165
I, the congratulations.
486
00:22:02.585 --> 00:22:04.685
All right, Taylor, it's your turn for the embarrassment.
487
00:22:04.685 --> 00:22:05.845
You ready? Yes.
488
00:22:06.945 --> 00:22:10.445
Taylor Lynn Taylor is an exceptional student whose
489
00:22:10.445 --> 00:22:13.005
accomplishments are matched by the depth of her curiosity,
490
00:22:13.005 --> 00:22:14.445
independence, and character.
491
00:22:14.865 --> 00:22:16.885
She approaches learning not simply as a means
492
00:22:16.885 --> 00:22:19.005
to earn a grade, but as an opportunity
493
00:22:19.105 --> 00:22:20.725
to understand the world around her.
494
00:22:21.185 --> 00:22:23.645
Her interest span mathematics, physics, history,
495
00:22:23.645 --> 00:22:24.925
and the philosophy of science.
496
00:22:25.385 --> 00:22:28.165
And she consistently pursues questions beyond the boundaries
497
00:22:28.165 --> 00:22:29.365
of the traditional curriculum.
498
00:22:29.905 --> 00:22:32.285
Taylor sought increasingly challenging coursework
499
00:22:32.585 --> 00:22:35.045
and independent opportunities, including research
500
00:22:35.225 --> 00:22:37.605
and writing that earned her a place on the short list
501
00:22:37.665 --> 00:22:39.725
for the John Locke Global Essay Prize.
502
00:22:40.555 --> 00:22:42.965
What distinguishes Taylor most is her ability
503
00:22:42.985 --> 00:22:45.325
to make meaningful connections across disciplines
504
00:22:45.745 --> 00:22:48.965
and her genuine desire to understand not only what we know,
505
00:22:49.425 --> 00:22:51.045
but how and why we know it.
506
00:22:51.465 --> 00:22:53.765
Taylor is equally impressive beyond the classroom.
507
00:22:54.345 --> 00:22:56.765
She has been deeply involved in music serving
508
00:22:56.985 --> 00:22:58.445
as the student elected director
509
00:22:58.445 --> 00:23:00.045
of communications for her band program.
510
00:23:00.585 --> 00:23:04.045
And as co-president of the Tri M while studying obo.
511
00:23:04.045 --> 00:23:06.685
Since fourth grade, she has devoted years to ballet
512
00:23:06.785 --> 00:23:07.845
and contemporary dance,
513
00:23:08.645 --> 00:23:10.685
demonstrating remarkable discipline and persistence.
514
00:23:11.185 --> 00:23:14.005
Her commitment to the arts is complimented by a genuine,
515
00:23:14.185 --> 00:23:16.445
is interest in people and cultures.
516
00:23:17.065 --> 00:23:21.085
Taylor Journals extensively reads widely studies Chinese in
517
00:23:21.085 --> 00:23:22.725
part to communicate with her grandmother,
518
00:23:23.185 --> 00:23:25.085
and spent six weeks volunteering at a
519
00:23:25.085 --> 00:23:26.445
bilingual kindergarten in Taiwan.
520
00:23:27.385 --> 00:23:28.845
Across all these experiences,
521
00:23:29.225 --> 00:23:30.765
she demonstrates the same qualities
522
00:23:30.765 --> 00:23:34.325
that define her academic life, curiosity, thoughtfulness,
523
00:23:34.655 --> 00:23:36.805
creativity, and a willingness to step
524
00:23:36.825 --> 00:23:38.165
beyond what is familiar.
525
00:23:38.795 --> 00:23:41.045
Perhaps what is most remarkable about Taylor
526
00:23:41.305 --> 00:23:42.405
is her authenticity.
527
00:23:42.935 --> 00:23:45.525
She's intellectually ambitious without being defined
528
00:23:45.585 --> 00:23:48.205
by achievement, confident, while remaining open
529
00:23:48.205 --> 00:23:50.245
to new perspectives and thoughtful,
530
00:23:50.255 --> 00:23:53.205
while retaining a wonderful sense of humor and playfulness.
531
00:23:53.945 --> 00:23:54.945
Congratulations.
532
00:24:03.175 --> 00:24:03.925
Thank you.
533
00:24:07.965 --> 00:24:11.025
All right. Sil, you are next. Sil.
534
00:24:11.025 --> 00:24:14.545
Cheryl is a highly motivated, intellectually curious student
535
00:24:14.925 --> 00:24:17.745
who combines academic excellence with creativity,
536
00:24:18.225 --> 00:24:20.465
resilience, and a genuine desire to make a difference.
537
00:24:20.965 --> 00:24:23.505
She has pursued the most rigorous coursework available
538
00:24:23.815 --> 00:24:25.065
with a particular strength
539
00:24:25.065 --> 00:24:26.465
and enthusiasm in stem,
540
00:24:26.655 --> 00:24:29.025
including AP chemistry and AP physics.
541
00:24:29.565 --> 00:24:32.345
Her interest in biomedical engineering reflects both her
542
00:24:32.345 --> 00:24:35.225
analytical abilities and her desire to apply science
543
00:24:35.245 --> 00:24:36.985
and engineering to improve patient care.
544
00:24:37.945 --> 00:24:39.585
Siegel consistently seeks opportunities
545
00:24:39.605 --> 00:24:41.745
to extend her learning beyond the classroom,
546
00:24:42.135 --> 00:24:44.385
including hands-on exposure to med tech
547
00:24:44.385 --> 00:24:46.625
through her experience with LU and Technologies.
548
00:24:47.495 --> 00:24:49.625
Equally impressive is Sal's
549
00:24:49.625 --> 00:24:50.945
commitment to leadership and service.
550
00:24:51.535 --> 00:24:54.585
Through Project 3 5 1 Natick above the influence
551
00:24:54.805 --> 00:24:57.025
and her nonprofit horizon of opportunities,
552
00:24:57.565 --> 00:25:00.305
she has demonstrated initiative, creativity
553
00:25:00.645 --> 00:25:03.585
and an ability to translate ideas into meaningful community
554
00:25:03.605 --> 00:25:06.305
impact her extensive involvement in swimming
555
00:25:06.685 --> 00:25:10.585
and Barta NATA further reflects her discipline,
556
00:25:11.025 --> 00:25:13.265
perseverance, and ability to collaborate with others.
557
00:25:14.095 --> 00:25:16.465
Overall, SIL stands out as a dynamic
558
00:25:16.605 --> 00:25:17.745
and compassionate young woman
559
00:25:18.205 --> 00:25:21.025
who combines intellectual ambition with a strong sense
560
00:25:21.025 --> 00:25:23.465
of purpose and a demonstrated commitment
561
00:25:23.565 --> 00:25:26.345
to using her talents to make a positive impact on others.
562
00:25:26.765 --> 00:25:27.765
Congratulations.
563
00:25:34.885 --> 00:25:39.185
Congratulations. Remarkable. Okay, now I Dr.
564
00:25:39.285 --> 00:25:40.505
Sp, can I have all three of you
565
00:25:40.685 --> 00:25:41.945
and principal Blocker and Dr.
566
00:25:42.085 --> 00:25:43.665
Sp for a picture over here please.
567
00:25:47.735 --> 00:25:51.005
Motivating company? Yes, it is phenomenal.
568
00:25:53.045 --> 00:25:57.185
Okay. Ready? Yes. Nice. Nice presentation.
569
00:25:58.005 --> 00:26:01.865
1, 2, 3. Alright, parents, you can wait.
570
00:26:01.865 --> 00:26:04.545
One parent, just wait one second. Now do it again.
571
00:26:06.725 --> 00:26:07.225
Get another one,
572
00:26:19.235 --> 00:26:19.895
get a screenshot.
573
00:26:21.105 --> 00:26:25.095
Thank you so much. Thank you. Ready to go guys?
574
00:26:31.325 --> 00:26:32.325
Awesome.
575
00:26:36.315 --> 00:26:40.055
All right. Aye.
576
00:26:42.075 --> 00:26:44.005
All right, Dr. Sp shall we proceed?
577
00:26:44.945 --> 00:26:46.405
Did you say we were moving to the calendar?
578
00:26:46.505 --> 00:26:49.645
Yes, let's do that. So I'm gonna pass it over
579
00:26:49.745 --> 00:26:52.165
to Deputy superintendent Sue Baloni to bring us
580
00:26:52.165 --> 00:26:53.205
through the memo.
581
00:26:53.385 --> 00:26:56.925
And I do have, we'll do the memo first.
582
00:26:56.985 --> 00:27:00.125
And I did receive a request I think later yesterday
583
00:27:00.145 --> 00:27:03.885
to give some data on June, attendance from prior year.
584
00:27:03.905 --> 00:27:04.905
So we'll do that as well.
585
00:27:18.655 --> 00:27:21.605
Thank you. So the memo that I
586
00:27:21.805 --> 00:27:23.605
provided to you actually has
587
00:27:24.945 --> 00:27:29.285
the 27 28 calendar as well as the
588
00:27:29.985 --> 00:27:31.445
28 29
589
00:27:32.065 --> 00:27:35.125
as we discussed.
590
00:27:36.505 --> 00:27:40.405
The plan is that in the fall we would vote the
591
00:27:41.365 --> 00:27:44.645
upcoming school year calendar as well as review
592
00:27:45.065 --> 00:27:48.605
and vote a non-binding for
593
00:27:49.145 --> 00:27:51.605
the following year calendar.
594
00:27:51.825 --> 00:27:56.365
So we have two versions of the calendar
595
00:27:57.715 --> 00:28:01.565
last spring you voted a non-binding
596
00:28:01.705 --> 00:28:02.845
on version A.
597
00:28:03.255 --> 00:28:05.805
There were some questions that came up yesterday
598
00:28:06.775 --> 00:28:07.805
about that calendar.
599
00:28:07.985 --> 00:28:09.645
If you wanna now pull up that.
600
00:28:15.875 --> 00:28:18.855
And there were a couple of typos. Thank you Ms.
601
00:28:18.985 --> 00:28:21.255
Brune, for noting those.
602
00:28:21.255 --> 00:28:23.095
So I did make those corrections all
603
00:28:23.095 --> 00:28:26.935
but one actually that I fixed,
604
00:28:28.145 --> 00:28:29.895
Sorry, she'll pull that up in just a second.
605
00:28:31.925 --> 00:28:36.535
Version A has the start date of August 25th,
606
00:28:36.585 --> 00:28:38.775
which is the week prior to the week
607
00:28:38.795 --> 00:28:41.695
before Labor Day, which is similar to
608
00:28:41.795 --> 00:28:43.255
how this school year went.
609
00:28:43.805 --> 00:28:46.975
That happened because of the way Labor Day falls
610
00:28:47.515 --> 00:28:52.295
and it has the last day of school as June 7th
611
00:28:54.515 --> 00:28:56.215
if we have no snow days.
612
00:28:56.435 --> 00:29:01.295
And then June 14th, if we do have snow days,
613
00:29:02.415 --> 00:29:04.735
a couple of corrections that I did make to the calendar,
614
00:29:04.745 --> 00:29:08.335
there were some borders on some of the dates
615
00:29:08.475 --> 00:29:10.095
and some dates were highlighted wrong.
616
00:29:10.915 --> 00:29:13.655
One date that is a little
617
00:29:15.155 --> 00:29:17.535
that's shaded is May 5th.
618
00:29:18.395 --> 00:29:20.455
And I'm not sure how you want me to fix that.
619
00:29:20.795 --> 00:29:23.935
School is closed that day just for kindergartners.
620
00:29:23.955 --> 00:29:27.255
So we usually highlight that in that beige color.
621
00:29:27.715 --> 00:29:32.135
It is also an observed holiday school is open.
622
00:29:33.765 --> 00:29:37.335
It's not really possible to split the day
623
00:29:37.555 --> 00:29:39.335
and highlight it in two different colors.
624
00:29:39.475 --> 00:29:41.725
So I can change the color
625
00:29:42.105 --> 00:29:43.805
and denote it in a different way
626
00:29:44.385 --> 00:29:46.845
if the committee would like me to do that.
627
00:29:50.095 --> 00:29:52.035
So I'm not sure how you want me to do that.
628
00:29:52.805 --> 00:29:57.395
Draft B, which is just on the next tab,
629
00:29:58.855 --> 00:30:02.475
so that is the calendar that you voted on.
630
00:30:03.325 --> 00:30:07.115
Draft B has the start date
631
00:30:07.215 --> 00:30:08.435
of September 1st.
632
00:30:09.355 --> 00:30:11.035
I made the edits on this one as well.
633
00:30:12.265 --> 00:30:14.995
Last day is June 14th
634
00:30:15.785 --> 00:30:19.755
with the 22nd if we have five snow days.
635
00:30:21.415 --> 00:30:22.835
The memo that I shared
636
00:30:27.265 --> 00:30:30.395
Also included some feedback that we received around
637
00:30:31.715 --> 00:30:34.555
challenges with the last day of school being on June 7th
638
00:30:34.625 --> 00:30:39.395
because things that are dictated
639
00:30:39.545 --> 00:30:41.075
that are out of our control,
640
00:30:43.735 --> 00:30:46.395
and I'm actually gonna ask Ms Blocker to come up
641
00:30:46.975 --> 00:30:48.035
and speak to some of this,
642
00:30:48.175 --> 00:30:51.275
but it relates to when AP exams are scheduled
643
00:30:51.275 --> 00:30:55.515
that we don't have any control over, typically fall.
644
00:30:58.415 --> 00:31:00.995
And I think, sorry, I'm just gonna go back to
645
00:31:06.975 --> 00:31:09.675
AP exams typically get scheduled between May 1st
646
00:31:09.675 --> 00:31:12.875
through May 12th and we don't have any control over that.
647
00:31:12.875 --> 00:31:14.595
That's set by the college board.
648
00:31:15.465 --> 00:31:19.155
Following AP exams, we have to schedule exams for seniors,
649
00:31:19.375 --> 00:31:23.115
the senior events and graduation as well as MCAS tests
650
00:31:23.175 --> 00:31:24.195
for underclassmen.
651
00:31:25.095 --> 00:31:28.195
And those dates are also set by DSI Science.
652
00:31:28.515 --> 00:31:30.795
MCAS is always scheduled in the first week of June.
653
00:31:31.125 --> 00:31:33.035
Again, that's scheduled by Desi
654
00:31:33.295 --> 00:31:36.715
and we're given exact dates that we have to schedule them.
655
00:31:36.945 --> 00:31:40.035
It's not even within a window like it is for
656
00:31:40.615 --> 00:31:41.835
grades three to eight.
657
00:31:42.215 --> 00:31:44.315
So we don't have any flexibility in that.
658
00:31:44.975 --> 00:31:47.035
And we also have to schedule final exams
659
00:31:47.055 --> 00:31:50.755
and make up for students in grades nine through 11.
660
00:31:52.095 --> 00:31:55.515
And that we typically schedule for after graduation.
661
00:31:58.175 --> 00:32:02.075
So having feedback that we received is that having
662
00:32:02.695 --> 00:32:07.275
the last day of school be June 7th, makes it challenging
663
00:32:07.275 --> 00:32:10.315
to fit all of those things in between graduation
664
00:32:11.865 --> 00:32:13.155
with all of the other pieces
665
00:32:13.655 --> 00:32:17.115
and traditional events that our students have, such
666
00:32:17.115 --> 00:32:18.315
as the Junior Book awards.
667
00:32:19.515 --> 00:32:20.515
I looking at Ms.
668
00:32:20.515 --> 00:32:21.715
Blocker to make sure that I'm
669
00:32:21.875 --> 00:32:23.315
accurately representing that piece.
670
00:32:25.145 --> 00:32:28.835
Another question that came up was around the
671
00:32:29.545 --> 00:32:32.475
date in November where we typically have our full day
672
00:32:32.475 --> 00:32:34.835
professional development day and whether
673
00:32:34.835 --> 00:32:38.035
or not that was a day that we still wanted to maintain.
674
00:32:39.865 --> 00:32:43.005
And I know that Dr. Spa and I spoke about that today.
675
00:32:44.425 --> 00:32:48.725
We have worked very diligently around
676
00:32:49.245 --> 00:32:52.685
ensuring that the professional development that is provided
677
00:32:53.065 --> 00:32:56.485
and offered to our staff on that day aligns very closely
678
00:32:56.625 --> 00:32:57.965
to our strategic plan.
679
00:32:58.505 --> 00:33:01.125
And that every offering that is
680
00:33:01.565 --> 00:33:05.805
provided, we actually call it our,
681
00:33:05.865 --> 00:33:08.885
the learning intentions for each session, which aligns with
682
00:33:09.115 --> 00:33:11.325
what our strategic plan is looking at
683
00:33:13.195 --> 00:33:17.365
very clearly aligns to each of the areas
684
00:33:17.465 --> 00:33:19.165
of our strategic plan.
685
00:33:20.025 --> 00:33:24.765
And I think that it really focuses on
686
00:33:24.825 --> 00:33:26.845
how we can move the work forward and
687
00:33:27.705 --> 00:33:30.605
and push the pieces of our strategic plan that's going
688
00:33:30.605 --> 00:33:33.045
to help have the greatest impact.
689
00:33:33.785 --> 00:33:36.085
Dr. Sp, did you wanna speak more to that piece?
690
00:33:36.945 --> 00:33:38.485
No, I just would advocate there's,
691
00:33:38.485 --> 00:33:39.885
there's only one day per year
692
00:33:39.895 --> 00:33:41.645
where the whole team gets together
693
00:33:41.645 --> 00:33:43.725
and can work vertically on a vision like that.
694
00:33:43.785 --> 00:33:46.405
And so the afternoon is action planning,
695
00:33:46.405 --> 00:33:47.885
which is often aligned to sips.
696
00:33:48.225 --> 00:33:49.565
So I'm a huge fan.
697
00:33:49.965 --> 00:33:52.565
It's on us to make sure it's valuable to our staff.
698
00:33:53.345 --> 00:33:55.485
Our staff often are ones presenting at it.
699
00:33:55.485 --> 00:33:58.285
So I mean, I think it's an essential piece of our calendar.
700
00:33:58.445 --> 00:34:00.925
I appreciate the question. I, it's actually prompted me
701
00:34:01.225 --> 00:34:04.765
to put it on the 1116 agenda to give an overview
702
00:34:04.765 --> 00:34:06.725
of the structure of the day and kind of how it aligns
703
00:34:06.725 --> 00:34:09.445
to our strategic plan so we can help make that more visible.
704
00:34:10.425 --> 00:34:13.205
But I, I'm, I'm definitely supportive of it.
705
00:34:15.625 --> 00:34:18.965
Do you wanna speak to the June attendance now or?
706
00:34:19.085 --> 00:34:20.685
I can. Whenever it feels good. Okay.
707
00:34:21.785 --> 00:34:23.325
Can we pull up that deck? Awesome.
708
00:34:24.745 --> 00:34:27.245
So as I mentioned, we received a request in the last 24
709
00:34:27.245 --> 00:34:31.085
hours to share some June attendance, meaning June of 2026
710
00:34:32.005 --> 00:34:34.445
before voting on the 27 28 calendar.
711
00:34:35.245 --> 00:34:37.685
We pulled this together today, so it's just a few slides.
712
00:34:38.345 --> 00:34:42.285
So first I'll walk through the 20 25, 26 school year
713
00:34:42.285 --> 00:34:45.485
with a focus on June, 2026 across all eight schools.
714
00:34:46.025 --> 00:34:47.125
And then it made a high
715
00:34:47.625 --> 00:34:50.365
and show how this year compares to the two years before it.
716
00:34:50.465 --> 00:34:54.285
So next slide please. The headline is pretty simple.
717
00:34:55.025 --> 00:34:56.285
For the first half of June,
718
00:34:56.285 --> 00:34:58.885
attendance looked pretty much like the rest of the year,
719
00:34:59.225 --> 00:35:03.285
96.6% across all schools from June one to June 15.
720
00:35:04.185 --> 00:35:07.005
And then in the last five days of school, June 16
721
00:35:07.205 --> 00:35:10.245
through June 23, it fell to 91%.
722
00:35:10.985 --> 00:35:15.885
Put another way, we had 2,374 absences in those last five
723
00:35:15.885 --> 00:35:20.005
days, more than 1,945 in the 11 school days before.
724
00:35:20.305 --> 00:35:24.045
That's roughly 475 absences a day compared
725
00:35:24.045 --> 00:35:26.245
with about 1 77 across the district.
726
00:35:27.755 --> 00:35:31.525
Next slide please. Sorry for being small.
727
00:35:31.525 --> 00:35:33.405
This is like literally a pull right off
728
00:35:33.405 --> 00:35:36.485
of our open architects, which is fed by PowerSchool.
729
00:35:37.635 --> 00:35:40.765
This is the whole year, week by week across the schools.
730
00:35:41.535 --> 00:35:44.605
Early June was steady at 96 to 97%
731
00:35:44.785 --> 00:35:48.885
and the week of July, June 15th dropped down to 92.6,
732
00:35:48.995 --> 00:35:50.845
down more than four points in a single week.
733
00:35:51.105 --> 00:35:54.325
And then those final two days of school, June 22
734
00:35:54.505 --> 00:35:57.005
and 23 came in at 90.3.
735
00:35:57.065 --> 00:35:59.005
So you can kind of see where we get to the 91.
736
00:35:59.925 --> 00:36:02.365
The chart runs through the week of June 15th.
737
00:36:02.465 --> 00:36:05.205
So those two days are, are shown separately to the right.
738
00:36:06.145 --> 00:36:09.085
So you can kind of see a few other dips there with a,
739
00:36:09.085 --> 00:36:10.805
which align to school vacations.
740
00:36:11.565 --> 00:36:13.525
So it's good data to just be seeing in general,
741
00:36:14.305 --> 00:36:15.605
but the focus of this is June.
742
00:36:16.075 --> 00:36:20.605
Next slide please. So breaking it down
743
00:36:20.625 --> 00:36:23.965
by level elementary went from 97.2
744
00:36:24.065 --> 00:36:27.645
to 94.1 from the first half of June to the second
745
00:36:28.225 --> 00:36:31.485
and middle school from 97.1 to 94.5.
746
00:36:32.065 --> 00:36:34.045
So the late June drop is broad
747
00:36:34.145 --> 00:36:35.725
and not just a high school issue.
748
00:36:36.505 --> 00:36:40.085
The high school is where it is sharpest 95.7 down
749
00:36:40.085 --> 00:36:42.925
to 83.6 a drop of about 12 points.
750
00:36:43.555 --> 00:36:45.605
Much of that lines up with final exams.
751
00:36:46.005 --> 00:36:47.005
Students who don't have scheduled
752
00:36:47.005 --> 00:36:48.005
finals often don't come in.
753
00:36:50.225 --> 00:36:53.725
The single lowest day for the district was Monday June 22,
754
00:36:53.735 --> 00:36:55.045
which is the first day back
755
00:36:55.045 --> 00:36:56.685
after the Juneteenth long weekend.
756
00:36:57.075 --> 00:36:58.925
That was 86.7%.
757
00:36:59.425 --> 00:37:02.245
So elementary and middle schools both fell to about 97,
758
00:37:02.245 --> 00:37:03.365
90% that day.
759
00:37:04.235 --> 00:37:07.125
Next slide please. Hard to see,
760
00:37:07.125 --> 00:37:09.165
but I think you're just looking at a trend line here
761
00:37:09.385 --> 00:37:11.245
so we're not trying to scrutinize exactly.
762
00:37:11.355 --> 00:37:12.885
It's really a trend line over the year.
763
00:37:13.505 --> 00:37:16.045
For context, this shows the running year
764
00:37:16.045 --> 00:37:18.885
to date attendance rate for each of the last three years.
765
00:37:19.465 --> 00:37:21.805
You could see that dark green is last year.
766
00:37:22.145 --> 00:37:24.165
So in the, on the left for all schools, it's sort
767
00:37:24.165 --> 00:37:26.205
of the middle line and for them, for the high school,
768
00:37:26.205 --> 00:37:27.325
it starts off at the top
769
00:37:27.465 --> 00:37:31.805
and kind of merges districtwide 2025
770
00:37:31.825 --> 00:37:35.005
to 26, finished near 95.5%
771
00:37:35.715 --> 00:37:37.285
between those two prior years.
772
00:37:37.665 --> 00:37:40.885
And at Nat High it finished near 93.4%
773
00:37:40.885 --> 00:37:41.965
with a dip in late June
774
00:37:41.965 --> 00:37:43.725
that left it slightly below prior years.
775
00:37:44.585 --> 00:37:47.845
So because these are cumulative averages a week,
776
00:37:47.845 --> 00:37:50.925
final week barely moves them, which is why the weekly
777
00:37:51.025 --> 00:37:53.885
and daily views matter more for the calendar question.
778
00:37:54.845 --> 00:37:56.565
Attendance is recorded the same way every year.
779
00:37:56.585 --> 00:38:01.125
So the year to year comparison holds. Next slide please.
780
00:38:02.785 --> 00:38:05.885
So what this suggests for the 27 28 calendar,
781
00:38:05.885 --> 00:38:09.725
which you're considering for tonight, the last school days
782
00:38:09.725 --> 00:38:12.205
of the year, mid-June onward have the weakest attendance
783
00:38:12.625 --> 00:38:15.845
of the spring two, a school day, right
784
00:38:15.845 --> 00:38:18.165
after a long weekend in late June, June 22,
785
00:38:18.165 --> 00:38:19.845
this year was the lowest day for the district.
786
00:38:20.575 --> 00:38:23.685
Three, how late the year ends and how many school days
787
00:38:23.895 --> 00:38:27.005
after the Juneteenth holiday are the calendar choices most
788
00:38:27.005 --> 00:38:28.965
likely, likely to affect June attendance.
789
00:38:29.585 --> 00:38:32.485
And then finally, I just wanna mention, many
790
00:38:32.505 --> 00:38:34.245
of our schools have school improvement
791
00:38:34.245 --> 00:38:36.820
or sit plan goals that are focused on attendance
792
00:38:37.425 --> 00:38:40.085
and personally recommend hearing those results
793
00:38:40.085 --> 00:38:42.405
of those goals and hearing from them about what they need
794
00:38:42.405 --> 00:38:43.765
and what, how it affects the calendar
795
00:38:44.145 --> 00:38:46.365
before making large changes to the school year.
796
00:38:46.365 --> 00:38:48.085
Even though the June data is compelling,
797
00:38:49.195 --> 00:38:52.205
this is just one year of June, June date data.
798
00:38:52.345 --> 00:38:54.365
So this is something we pulled together quite quickly.
799
00:38:54.365 --> 00:38:56.045
Hopefully it's answering the questions.
800
00:38:56.835 --> 00:38:59.565
Depending on how detailed your questions may be,
801
00:38:59.695 --> 00:39:01.325
we're likely to need to follow up on them.
802
00:39:01.525 --> 00:39:03.005
'cause we literally made this this afternoon.
803
00:39:05.355 --> 00:39:06.285
Principal blocker,
804
00:39:06.285 --> 00:39:07.325
do you have anything you'd like to add or
805
00:39:09.605 --> 00:39:12.445
I, I'm happy to take sort of specific questions,
806
00:39:12.465 --> 00:39:15.285
but I will just mention that the final exam period, which
807
00:39:15.285 --> 00:39:18.965
for us is that June 16th week, students have half days.
808
00:39:19.145 --> 00:39:20.485
And I think that this committee
809
00:39:20.505 --> 00:39:22.565
and other groups have talked in the past about student
810
00:39:22.565 --> 00:39:23.645
stress during exams
811
00:39:23.645 --> 00:39:25.045
and how it was important
812
00:39:25.045 --> 00:39:27.325
to have students have no more than two exams in a day
813
00:39:27.325 --> 00:39:28.845
and have the afternoon to study.
814
00:39:28.945 --> 00:39:32.365
So much like most of the Metro West schools in the area,
815
00:39:32.825 --> 00:39:34.325
we give half days for exams.
816
00:39:34.325 --> 00:39:36.925
And what that means is that students who are not there
817
00:39:36.925 --> 00:39:39.085
for the entirety of the morning for
818
00:39:39.085 --> 00:39:42.325
that half day get are marked absent according to DESI regs
819
00:39:42.325 --> 00:39:44.085
because you have to be there for at least a half
820
00:39:44.085 --> 00:39:45.605
of the school day to be marked present.
821
00:39:46.145 --> 00:39:49.885
So the students who for example, may have not had a, an exam
822
00:39:49.905 --> 00:39:52.045
but may have had a project in a class that was due the week
823
00:39:52.045 --> 00:39:54.805
before, but still were having class to do sort
824
00:39:54.805 --> 00:39:56.925
of a final debrief or a closing activity
825
00:39:57.105 --> 00:40:00.285
and chose not to attend that because they wanted to go home
826
00:40:00.285 --> 00:40:01.365
and study or they were tired
827
00:40:01.505 --> 00:40:02.765
or for those various reasons
828
00:40:02.765 --> 00:40:04.645
that students have those students,
829
00:40:04.675 --> 00:40:07.165
even though they showed up for the one final they had
830
00:40:07.165 --> 00:40:10.205
or marked absent for the day because of the DSI regs.
831
00:40:10.225 --> 00:40:13.405
And so some of this is sort of the competing goals
832
00:40:13.625 --> 00:40:16.365
of wanting students to have the time to prepare
833
00:40:16.365 --> 00:40:17.485
for the exams, wanting
834
00:40:17.505 --> 00:40:20.245
to not have full school days on the days of exams,
835
00:40:20.585 --> 00:40:24.165
and then also trying to figure out how to manage that
836
00:40:24.165 --> 00:40:25.365
with the competing priority
837
00:40:25.365 --> 00:40:27.365
of having our attendance data be positive.
838
00:40:30.515 --> 00:40:32.645
Okay. So before we take questions
839
00:40:32.645 --> 00:40:35.205
or comments from from the committee, I just wanted
840
00:40:35.205 --> 00:40:38.685
to briefly recap the whole process so everybody can know.
841
00:40:39.385 --> 00:40:41.565
In previous years we would,
842
00:40:41.625 --> 00:40:43.765
the school committee would vote on the calendar.
843
00:40:43.825 --> 00:40:46.805
So in this particular year we voted at end of January,
844
00:40:46.805 --> 00:40:48.005
beginning February, something like that.
845
00:40:48.005 --> 00:40:49.165
That's when we typically did it.
846
00:40:49.185 --> 00:40:51.845
So in for example, end of January, 2026,
847
00:40:51.865 --> 00:40:53.005
we voted on the start date
848
00:40:53.185 --> 00:40:56.445
and the calendar for the 26 27 school year.
849
00:40:57.015 --> 00:41:01.365
Based on a, a lot of feedback that we got, we shifted
850
00:41:02.225 --> 00:41:06.765
the timeline and so to, to what we're doing tonight.
851
00:41:07.665 --> 00:41:10.005
In April of this year, we voted on, as Ms.
852
00:41:10.005 --> 00:41:12.365
Balone said, we voted on a draft
853
00:41:13.225 --> 00:41:15.685
for the 27 28 year.
854
00:41:16.145 --> 00:41:17.605
So a year and a half in advance.
855
00:41:19.825 --> 00:41:22.445
Now what we're going to do, so there's been six months in
856
00:41:22.445 --> 00:41:24.965
between, we've gotten some feedback from a variety
857
00:41:24.965 --> 00:41:26.885
of different stakeholders and community members.
858
00:41:27.425 --> 00:41:30.125
So tonight the discussion is about setting the calendar
859
00:41:30.185 --> 00:41:32.285
for the 27 28 year.
860
00:41:32.545 --> 00:41:35.085
And in addition, we are going to set similar to
861
00:41:35.085 --> 00:41:39.885
what we did in April for 27 28, we are going to set a draft
862
00:41:40.435 --> 00:41:45.125
non-binding calendar for the 28 29 school year.
863
00:41:45.785 --> 00:41:48.445
So we are trying to, to listening to all the feedback,
864
00:41:48.445 --> 00:41:52.045
trying to give people as much notice as possible on
865
00:41:52.045 --> 00:41:55.805
what the potential calendar for 28 29 will be.
866
00:41:57.305 --> 00:42:01.485
And we are a handful of months ahead of what we used to do
867
00:42:01.945 --> 00:42:04.685
for the 27 28 school year,
868
00:42:04.685 --> 00:42:05.885
which is hard to even think about that.
869
00:42:05.885 --> 00:42:07.445
It feels like a, a long time away.
870
00:42:07.545 --> 00:42:08.605
But that's what we're doing.
871
00:42:09.025 --> 00:42:12.925
So again, we, we, this particular calendar
872
00:42:12.925 --> 00:42:14.925
that we're discussing tonight, we've been discussing since
873
00:42:14.935 --> 00:42:17.085
April and getting feedback since April.
874
00:42:17.585 --> 00:42:21.885
So with that questions or comments
875
00:42:22.305 --> 00:42:25.605
or motions from the committee, Dr. Welch,
876
00:42:26.555 --> 00:42:30.205
Principal blocker in one of your newsletters last year
877
00:42:30.305 --> 00:42:33.005
to the school community, this was the one dated May 1st.
878
00:42:33.425 --> 00:42:36.125
You mentioned there were an unusual number of requests
879
00:42:36.265 --> 00:42:39.845
by students to take final exams at alternate times.
880
00:42:40.595 --> 00:42:42.285
That would, that was information obviously
881
00:42:42.285 --> 00:42:45.245
that would've been coming to you Junta by late April for
882
00:42:45.245 --> 00:42:46.525
that to be come out in May.
883
00:42:46.575 --> 00:42:49.725
Could you just speak to what was going on at that time
884
00:42:50.605 --> 00:42:53.365
that might inform calendar decisions as people looking
885
00:42:53.385 --> 00:42:56.165
to cut out early to go on vacation, go to summer homes,
886
00:42:56.265 --> 00:42:57.725
go to camps, something like that? Sure.
887
00:42:57.985 --> 00:43:00.845
So I think it's, I think that what frequently happens is
888
00:43:00.845 --> 00:43:02.805
that people try to predict the end
889
00:43:02.805 --> 00:43:04.165
of school based on past years.
890
00:43:04.185 --> 00:43:06.165
And we'd had a few years without any snow.
891
00:43:06.545 --> 00:43:08.445
And so I think some folks took a shot
892
00:43:08.445 --> 00:43:10.525
that we would not have four or five days.
893
00:43:10.585 --> 00:43:13.085
And so we wouldn't go into that last Monday
894
00:43:13.145 --> 00:43:14.565
or Tuesday that following week.
895
00:43:14.585 --> 00:43:17.365
And as a result of the snow we had,
896
00:43:17.395 --> 00:43:19.605
they were suddenly in a position
897
00:43:19.605 --> 00:43:21.645
to have an exam on Monday and Tuesday.
898
00:43:22.185 --> 00:43:23.445
And so we were getting a lot of really
899
00:43:23.445 --> 00:43:25.125
panicked phone calls about that.
900
00:43:25.585 --> 00:43:28.645
And so that was, that particularly was what skewed
901
00:43:28.645 --> 00:43:30.205
and it was all of what you mentioned, people
902
00:43:30.205 --> 00:43:33.125
who had planned a vacation, people who had signed up
903
00:43:33.145 --> 00:43:35.885
and told their employer for the summer that they could start
904
00:43:35.885 --> 00:43:39.285
that Monday and a variety of other things in between.
905
00:43:39.345 --> 00:43:41.965
And so we tried to work with students and families.
906
00:43:43.625 --> 00:43:45.805
If I may comment on some of the things Ms.
907
00:43:46.085 --> 00:43:48.845
Valone mentioned earlier, if that would be all right,
908
00:43:49.585 --> 00:43:51.845
having an end date of the seventh would be
909
00:43:52.985 --> 00:43:55.405
fairly prohibitive for our current structures.
910
00:43:55.425 --> 00:43:56.645
And so I just wanna outline
911
00:43:56.645 --> 00:43:57.925
what that'll look like for folks.
912
00:43:59.145 --> 00:44:02.925
We would have graduation, the senior picnic,
913
00:44:03.535 --> 00:44:07.205
ninth grade MCAS and ninth, 10th and 11th grade final exam.
914
00:44:07.205 --> 00:44:08.925
Half day is happening all at the same time.
915
00:44:11.105 --> 00:44:13.485
So what that would essentially look like is
916
00:44:13.485 --> 00:44:16.245
that we would have the senior picnic on a day where the rest
917
00:44:16.245 --> 00:44:18.005
of the school had a half day as well
918
00:44:18.005 --> 00:44:19.285
as a graduation rehearsal
919
00:44:19.865 --> 00:44:21.725
and graduation on a day where the rest
920
00:44:21.725 --> 00:44:22.725
of the school had a half day
921
00:44:23.305 --> 00:44:25.045
and the ninth grade MCAS happening
922
00:44:25.115 --> 00:44:28.405
because those other three grades had exams those days.
923
00:44:29.025 --> 00:44:32.005
And so running final exams and an MCAS
924
00:44:32.005 --> 00:44:34.285
and graduation at the same time would be
925
00:44:34.845 --> 00:44:37.445
a pretty extraordinary feat.
926
00:44:37.585 --> 00:44:41.405
And I am concerned that we would not have a realistic
927
00:44:42.265 --> 00:44:44.725
amount of staff for all three to go well at the same time.
928
00:44:45.545 --> 00:44:48.765
So that's what, when I look at the calendar as sort
929
00:44:48.765 --> 00:44:50.845
of the single most salient piece of it
930
00:44:50.845 --> 00:44:52.085
that is concerning to me.
931
00:44:54.025 --> 00:44:57.845
Dr. Welch, you
Got another just a a, a follow up. Yeah.
932
00:44:57.985 --> 00:45:00.605
The i I don't wanna vote for something
933
00:45:00.605 --> 00:45:02.485
that is gonna put you deep underwater.
934
00:45:02.675 --> 00:45:06.845
Yeah. You know, on the other hand, watching students take
935
00:45:07.705 --> 00:45:10.885
AP courses, they're already doing homework in the summertime
936
00:45:10.885 --> 00:45:12.565
leading up to the taking of that course.
937
00:45:12.565 --> 00:45:14.325
Sure. And they're already giving up part
938
00:45:14.325 --> 00:45:15.525
of their study period
939
00:45:15.875 --> 00:45:17.045
because the period
940
00:45:17.045 --> 00:45:18.845
during the day is not enough to cover the content.
941
00:45:19.865 --> 00:45:22.685
So in preparation for those classes, those,
942
00:45:22.745 --> 00:45:24.405
and what did we have, 83%
943
00:45:24.405 --> 00:45:25.725
of our high school students took
944
00:45:25.725 --> 00:45:27.045
an advanced course last year.
945
00:45:27.525 --> 00:45:29.405
I know, I understand those aren't all aps,
946
00:45:29.505 --> 00:45:31.565
but it's a decent chunk of our students.
947
00:45:31.575 --> 00:45:34.805
We're gonna give them one fewer, one less week,
948
00:45:35.185 --> 00:45:38.125
one fewer week, we're gonna give 'em less time,
949
00:45:38.295 --> 00:45:39.885
fewer days to prepare for that.
950
00:45:39.885 --> 00:45:41.405
We're gonna give 'em some fewer days to prepare for.
951
00:45:41.405 --> 00:45:44.765
That would be one of my concerns there.
952
00:45:45.065 --> 00:45:48.005
And then the earlier date, I was responding
953
00:45:48.005 --> 00:45:49.245
to your newsletter from last year
954
00:45:49.305 --> 00:45:51.845
and thinking, are we gonna create another situation
955
00:45:51.845 --> 00:45:54.605
where people are gonna try to cut out on exams
956
00:45:55.185 --> 00:45:56.565
and they're gonna be contacting you
957
00:45:56.565 --> 00:45:57.925
and asking for extension?
958
00:45:57.945 --> 00:46:00.165
So I I, I don't wanna put you in a difficult position
959
00:46:00.165 --> 00:46:02.965
with the scheduling, but it was the, these other pieces
960
00:46:03.165 --> 00:46:05.525
of the schedule that made me
961
00:46:05.685 --> 00:46:06.765
inclined to look at the earlier day.
962
00:46:07.085 --> 00:46:08.285
I'm wonder if you could speak to those two pieces.
963
00:46:08.515 --> 00:46:10.485
Yeah, fair enough. So I think that the,
964
00:46:11.265 --> 00:46:12.645
the piece about the exams,
965
00:46:12.845 --> 00:46:16.485
I think no matter when we give exams people,
966
00:46:16.595 --> 00:46:19.085
some people are gonna gamble with whether
967
00:46:19.105 --> 00:46:20.445
or not the snow is gonna happen
968
00:46:20.985 --> 00:46:23.485
and sort of plan their lives around that.
969
00:46:23.905 --> 00:46:26.125
And that happens a fair amount each year
970
00:46:26.455 --> 00:46:29.165
where people don't really think the snow is gonna happen.
971
00:46:29.345 --> 00:46:32.245
And I have, as long as I've worked in a high school,
972
00:46:32.425 --> 00:46:33.645
had families that sort
973
00:46:33.645 --> 00:46:35.365
of are in tears over that when there's snow.
974
00:46:36.905 --> 00:46:41.445
So I anticipate that whatever date we set, if we have a lot
975
00:46:41.445 --> 00:46:43.885
of snow, people will be talking to me about exams.
976
00:46:45.345 --> 00:46:47.365
And so what happens last year is
977
00:46:47.365 --> 00:46:50.845
that when people had a choice, we were able to work
978
00:46:50.845 --> 00:46:52.405
with them and then we were able to work out an
979
00:46:52.405 --> 00:46:53.645
alternate plan for the others.
980
00:46:54.035 --> 00:46:56.885
What we didn't want is people sort of booking things,
981
00:46:57.525 --> 00:46:59.685
thinking we would automatically give people
982
00:46:59.685 --> 00:47:01.005
flexibility for exams.
983
00:47:01.245 --> 00:47:03.925
'cause having, having kids take their exams in September
984
00:47:04.025 --> 00:47:05.125
is a really bad plan.
985
00:47:05.445 --> 00:47:09.965
Academically they've had two months in terms of our staff
986
00:47:10.105 --> 00:47:13.045
and the who teach the AP exam AP courses.
987
00:47:13.635 --> 00:47:15.845
They are given the option to do a lab
988
00:47:15.845 --> 00:47:18.805
during CDS if they feel like they're crunched for content.
989
00:47:19.025 --> 00:47:21.325
And we start earlier than most
990
00:47:21.325 --> 00:47:23.245
of the Metro West High schools in the area have,
991
00:47:23.245 --> 00:47:24.845
like this year we were by almost a week.
992
00:47:25.425 --> 00:47:28.965
And so our kids are on pretty even playing fields in terms
993
00:47:28.965 --> 00:47:31.365
terms of how much content exposure they get relative
994
00:47:32.005 --> 00:47:33.525
to the other Metro West High schools.
995
00:47:34.545 --> 00:47:36.805
The courses where the content is really deep
996
00:47:36.865 --> 00:47:38.005
and the teachers are worried
997
00:47:38.005 --> 00:47:39.365
that they aren't gonna get through it all.
998
00:47:39.635 --> 00:47:40.965
They have the option of saying,
999
00:47:41.025 --> 00:47:44.045
I'm gonna run a once every four day lab during CDS.
1000
00:47:44.045 --> 00:47:46.525
And then the students know that ahead of the signup so
1001
00:47:46.525 --> 00:47:48.885
that they actually get additional content time.
1002
00:47:49.185 --> 00:47:51.325
And then the teachers have the flexibility of whether
1003
00:47:51.325 --> 00:47:52.725
or not they feel they will need that.
1004
00:47:53.675 --> 00:47:56.765
Some of our advanced courses, like for example, AP gov
1005
00:47:57.325 --> 00:48:00.205
that a lot of our kids take in 10th grade in some schools,
1006
00:48:00.355 --> 00:48:02.485
it's a half year course and we do it over a full year
1007
00:48:02.485 --> 00:48:04.205
to give them maximum time for exposure.
1008
00:48:05.785 --> 00:48:08.445
And I think that scores over time have not suffered
1009
00:48:08.495 --> 00:48:09.525
based on that calendar.
1010
00:48:09.555 --> 00:48:11.405
Kids have done really, really well based on
1011
00:48:11.405 --> 00:48:12.525
our calendars in the past.
1012
00:48:14.205 --> 00:48:15.765
I would worry about our ninth
1013
00:48:15.765 --> 00:48:19.285
and 10th graders trying to take the MCAS almost overlapping
1014
00:48:19.285 --> 00:48:20.525
with their other finals though,
1015
00:48:20.835 --> 00:48:23.165
that I actually would have greater concern about
1016
00:48:23.825 --> 00:48:26.445
and concern about how that would look at the end there.
1017
00:48:27.065 --> 00:48:28.965
And just to put a finer point on that, yeah,
1018
00:48:29.105 --> 00:48:30.805
the earlier start date is the one
1019
00:48:30.805 --> 00:48:32.845
that creates the overlap that you're concerned about
1020
00:48:33.145 --> 00:48:35.765
The Correct, the June 7th end date Okay.
1021
00:48:35.865 --> 00:48:37.165
Is the prohibitive one for us.
1022
00:48:37.165 --> 00:48:38.165
Okay. I just wanna be crystal
1023
00:48:38.165 --> 00:48:39.125
Clear. Absolutely. Thank
1024
00:48:39.125 --> 00:48:40.125
You.
1025
00:48:40.125 --> 00:48:40.965
I can yield and let some other folks ask
1026
00:48:41.125 --> 00:48:42.245
questions. Ms. Brunell,
1027
00:48:43.135 --> 00:48:44.135
Thank you.
1028
00:48:44.865 --> 00:48:46.565
On the MCAS question. Yeah.
1029
00:48:48.225 --> 00:48:50.085
It looks like you could, we could opt
1030
00:48:50.085 --> 00:48:54.085
to take the MCAS in February for ninth
1031
00:48:54.265 --> 00:48:56.645
for the 10th grade science that there's two windows,
1032
00:48:56.715 --> 00:48:58.405
it's February and June.
1033
00:48:58.945 --> 00:49:00.485
So is that an option for Natick?
1034
00:49:01.105 --> 00:49:05.205
No. So if, so, students who
1035
00:49:05.745 --> 00:49:06.885
in the past, they've run that
1036
00:49:06.885 --> 00:49:09.165
because there are students who go to schools
1037
00:49:09.165 --> 00:49:11.405
that are semesterized where, for example,
1038
00:49:11.675 --> 00:49:12.885
when I worked at Cambridge Range
1039
00:49:12.885 --> 00:49:16.005
and Latin, their students took four courses for 90 days
1040
00:49:16.025 --> 00:49:18.125
and then another four courses for 90 days.
1041
00:49:18.945 --> 00:49:21.685
And so for those students, it was really appropriate
1042
00:49:21.685 --> 00:49:24.125
after they had finished their bio class, for example,
1043
00:49:24.385 --> 00:49:27.685
to take their MCAS in February for us, our students,
1044
00:49:27.745 --> 00:49:28.885
if we took it in February,
1045
00:49:29.055 --> 00:49:30.525
would only have had half the content
1046
00:49:30.625 --> 00:49:32.325
of the physics class prior to the exam.
1047
00:49:33.965 --> 00:49:35.885
I thought we took physics freshman year. We
1048
00:49:35.885 --> 00:49:36.965
Do, sorry.
1049
00:49:37.075 --> 00:49:39.885
Some schools do bio in ninth and some do physics in ninth.
1050
00:49:39.945 --> 00:49:42.405
We do physics, but they'll only be halfway done
1051
00:49:42.405 --> 00:49:46.085
with physics in February. Does that make sense?
1052
00:49:46.465 --> 00:49:48.725
No. 'cause I thought it was a 10th grade. MCAS.
1053
00:49:48.995 --> 00:49:51.205
It's so science, we are required
1054
00:49:51.225 --> 00:49:54.445
to give them the exam sometime during ninth or 10th grade.
1055
00:49:55.105 --> 00:49:57.165
So all students by the end of 10th have
1056
00:49:57.405 --> 00:49:58.725
to take a science MCAS.
1057
00:49:59.305 --> 00:50:00.965
So we could do the 10th grade,
1058
00:50:01.945 --> 00:50:05.325
we could do sophomores taking February MCAS if we,
1059
00:50:05.385 --> 00:50:07.805
but that would be a semester after they've taken physics.
1060
00:50:07.995 --> 00:50:11.125
Yeah, that would go badly. Okay. Yeah. It's retest a year.
1061
00:50:11.125 --> 00:50:14.005
What do you guys think? Yeah,
1062
00:50:15.385 --> 00:50:17.445
No, I've heard, because I've heard the argument about
1063
00:50:17.445 --> 00:50:18.525
physics being freshman year.
1064
00:50:18.715 --> 00:50:19.725
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
1065
00:50:20.405 --> 00:50:22.525
I, yeah,
1066
00:50:25.165 --> 00:50:26.765
I don't have any questions right now. Thank
1067
00:50:26.765 --> 00:50:28.245
You for, for the clarification about course.
1068
00:50:28.245 --> 00:50:31.005
Yeah, of course. Other questions or comments or motions?
1069
00:50:31.205 --> 00:50:33.685
'cause we can have emotions and then debate the motions.
1070
00:50:34.025 --> 00:50:35.025
Mr. Wood.
1071
00:50:36.885 --> 00:50:38.525
Thank you Mr. Chair. I wanted to chime in
1072
00:50:38.525 --> 00:50:41.525
because aware of the concern about the calendar,
1073
00:50:42.485 --> 00:50:45.125
I did put out a survey to our members
1074
00:50:46.305 --> 00:50:47.805
and while I didn't hear back from everyone,
1075
00:50:47.965 --> 00:50:50.565
I heard from just a, a smattering over a hundred people.
1076
00:50:50.745 --> 00:50:52.725
So that's a pretty representative amount.
1077
00:50:53.265 --> 00:50:57.565
And if it was 50 50, I wouldn't bother speaking to on this,
1078
00:50:58.025 --> 00:51:00.485
but it was almost 75%
1079
00:51:00.945 --> 00:51:03.205
of our membership preferred the option
1080
00:51:03.445 --> 00:51:05.005
B with the later start.
1081
00:51:06.185 --> 00:51:07.685
And when asked why,
1082
00:51:07.685 --> 00:51:09.485
because it was a, it was an optional question.
1083
00:51:10.505 --> 00:51:12.525
So I should say that the, the majority of people
1084
00:51:12.525 --> 00:51:15.285
who prefer the earlier start really just said like, Hey,
1085
00:51:15.285 --> 00:51:17.245
personally I'd like to start early and get out early.
1086
00:51:17.505 --> 00:51:20.125
You know, and that was it. The reasons as
1087
00:51:20.145 --> 00:51:22.045
to why people prefer the later option,
1088
00:51:22.045 --> 00:51:23.285
I found much more compelling.
1089
00:51:23.985 --> 00:51:27.005
The primary one that came up often had to do with the fact
1090
00:51:27.005 --> 00:51:31.325
that because if Natick is dramatically out of alignment
1091
00:51:31.355 --> 00:51:35.365
with surrounding districts, for parents who live
1092
00:51:35.435 --> 00:51:36.725
outside in another district,
1093
00:51:36.995 --> 00:51:38.805
have school aged children in another district,
1094
00:51:38.805 --> 00:51:40.725
but work in Natick, they have
1095
00:51:40.725 --> 00:51:43.725
to cover oftentimes childcare costs for the times when
1096
00:51:44.415 --> 00:51:46.205
their, the alignment doesn't match up.
1097
00:51:47.465 --> 00:51:50.765
And in some cases that can be up to, you know, one, two
1098
00:51:50.865 --> 00:51:52.645
or in some cases two and a half weeks.
1099
00:51:53.305 --> 00:51:55.525
That's, that's a significant cost to some of our members.
1100
00:51:56.225 --> 00:51:59.805
The other concerns that came up primarily had to do
1101
00:51:59.805 --> 00:52:01.365
with personal preferences.
1102
00:52:01.465 --> 00:52:03.565
The fact that the later start didn't seem
1103
00:52:03.565 --> 00:52:04.605
to be that much later.
1104
00:52:05.245 --> 00:52:07.525
Someone did mention the physics MCAS
1105
00:52:07.965 --> 00:52:09.205
overlapping with finals.
1106
00:52:10.225 --> 00:52:13.325
So I did feel that there were some more compelling arguments
1107
00:52:13.325 --> 00:52:16.565
to be made for a later start time for the membership.
1108
00:52:17.495 --> 00:52:20.125
Thank you Dr. Fugman.
1109
00:52:20.225 --> 00:52:22.805
So I'd like to make a motion for the school committee
1110
00:52:22.805 --> 00:52:25.165
to adopt option B as a calendar.
1111
00:52:25.705 --> 00:52:27.685
Second, it's a motion by Dr.
1112
00:52:27.745 --> 00:52:32.285
Fugman, seconded by Mr. Patel. Any debate, Dr. Welch, just,
1113
00:52:32.335 --> 00:52:33.445
We've heard from principal
1114
00:52:33.445 --> 00:52:34.685
blocker on behalf of the high school.
1115
00:52:34.865 --> 00:52:36.885
I'm wondering, I know we don't have any elementary school
1116
00:52:36.885 --> 00:52:38.885
principals here, but Mr. Wood,
1117
00:52:39.005 --> 00:52:40.365
I know you teach in an elementary school
1118
00:52:41.105 --> 00:52:43.125
or from anybody from the central office staff.
1119
00:52:43.185 --> 00:52:46.405
Do they wanna speak on any potential academic impacts
1120
00:52:46.425 --> 00:52:49.045
or benefits of either option A or option B?
1121
00:52:51.045 --> 00:52:54.525
I can speak to one brief that one member reminded me that
1122
00:52:55.425 --> 00:52:58.445
one of the advantages that option B has is the,
1123
00:52:58.625 --> 00:53:00.845
is the slow rollout at the elementary level.
1124
00:53:00.905 --> 00:53:03.765
We really love the three day week to start, followed
1125
00:53:03.785 --> 00:53:05.525
by a four day week followed by a five day week.
1126
00:53:05.655 --> 00:53:06.805
Which option B does give
1127
00:53:06.805 --> 00:53:08.325
Us, particularly for the split kindergarten.
1128
00:53:08.845 --> 00:53:09.925
The split kindergarten is,
1129
00:53:10.025 --> 00:53:11.485
is somewhat agnostic in this regard.
1130
00:53:11.485 --> 00:53:15.005
Okay. But yes, because it's a shorter time, they,
1131
00:53:15.005 --> 00:53:17.285
they have a shorter amount of time that first week.
1132
00:53:17.425 --> 00:53:19.525
So it, it, it is a little bit easier for them as well.
1133
00:53:23.605 --> 00:53:26.045
I don't have additional
Academic concerns that are,
1134
00:53:26.105 --> 00:53:30.205
are similar in, in size to what principal blocker went over
1135
00:53:30.205 --> 00:53:31.365
for the elementary or the middle.
1136
00:53:33.275 --> 00:53:34.525
Okay, thank
You. I have nothing further
1137
00:53:35.025 --> 00:53:36.025
Dr.
1138
00:53:36.025 --> 00:53:36.245
From Smith.
1139
00:53:37.025 --> 00:53:39.685
So the reasons for picking option B are,
1140
00:53:39.685 --> 00:53:42.365
are pretty obvious and and stated by both Ms.
1141
00:53:42.395 --> 00:53:45.645
Blocker and Mr. Wood in terms of the preferences
1142
00:53:45.705 --> 00:53:46.885
of of our professionals.
1143
00:53:49.225 --> 00:53:51.285
So that's why I'm picking option B
1144
00:53:51.665 --> 00:53:53.085
or I'm supporting option B.
1145
00:53:53.395 --> 00:53:56.085
What I would like to also add is to appreciate
1146
00:53:56.145 --> 00:53:58.285
to show appreciation both for our chair
1147
00:53:58.285 --> 00:54:00.485
and our administration for bringing this up
1148
00:54:00.665 --> 00:54:02.725
so early in the year.
1149
00:54:02.725 --> 00:54:05.765
Because I know that from previous experiences,
1150
00:54:06.145 --> 00:54:07.725
it doesn't matter what we choose,
1151
00:54:08.195 --> 00:54:10.165
someone is gonna be unhappy.
1152
00:54:11.145 --> 00:54:13.725
But what I've also learned is that the earlier,
1153
00:54:14.385 --> 00:54:18.325
the more time people have to plan, the easier it's
1154
00:54:18.325 --> 00:54:19.765
for everyone, parents, educators.
1155
00:54:20.505 --> 00:54:23.005
So I'm glad that we're making this decision November.
1156
00:54:23.565 --> 00:54:25.325
Yeah, early November rather than February
1157
00:54:25.385 --> 00:54:26.765
or March when we've done it before.
1158
00:54:28.675 --> 00:54:30.085
This is, this seems like the right option
1159
00:54:30.085 --> 00:54:31.885
because of all the reasons mentioned before
1160
00:54:32.065 --> 00:54:34.645
and I think that the early decision
1161
00:54:34.645 --> 00:54:36.405
that we're making will be helpful for everyone.
1162
00:54:39.555 --> 00:54:42.765
Brinley please. She goes,
1163
00:54:43.845 --> 00:54:44.925
Hmm? She goes Can I say
1164
00:54:44.925 --> 00:54:45.925
Something?
1165
00:54:45.925 --> 00:54:46.205
Yeah please. Brinley.
1166
00:54:46.205 --> 00:54:48.525
Just wait one while you're traveling Ms.
1167
00:54:48.525 --> 00:54:49.565
Brunell is gonna make a comment.
1168
00:54:49.675 --> 00:54:51.285
This would've come up for either calendar.
1169
00:54:51.305 --> 00:54:52.565
So one thing I just wanna flag,
1170
00:54:52.725 --> 00:54:54.845
I am concerned about November next year
1171
00:54:54.845 --> 00:54:57.565
because of the where Veterans Day falls
1172
00:54:58.265 --> 00:54:59.925
and November 12th being a Friday.
1173
00:55:00.785 --> 00:55:04.685
And I did wonder, given that we have some flexibility,
1174
00:55:04.945 --> 00:55:08.765
if there was any way to condense the two half days
1175
00:55:10.235 --> 00:55:12.125
into a full day off,
1176
00:55:12.405 --> 00:55:14.805
I just think we're gonna have low attendance on the 12th.
1177
00:55:15.605 --> 00:55:17.885
I know the half days count to the 180 days,
1178
00:55:18.025 --> 00:55:20.725
but I thought maybe there was, we could be some creative
1179
00:55:20.945 --> 00:55:24.565
or we might just be expect that kind of dip
1180
00:55:24.565 --> 00:55:26.125
that we saw in the data and thank you
1181
00:55:26.145 --> 00:55:27.605
for the data 'cause that was fantastic.
1182
00:55:28.745 --> 00:55:31.885
The early release days are only for elementary in November
1183
00:55:32.105 --> 00:55:35.685
for conferences and it,
1184
00:55:36.755 --> 00:55:38.285
they don't have them at the middle school
1185
00:55:38.305 --> 00:55:41.965
or the high school, which would be an issue
1186
00:55:41.965 --> 00:55:43.965
because of time on learning.
1187
00:55:44.425 --> 00:55:47.165
We can't add additional release days
1188
00:55:47.585 --> 00:55:48.765
to the middle school and the high school
1189
00:55:50.985 --> 00:55:51.845
Briley. Just
1190
00:55:51.845 --> 00:55:55.645
Very quickly, since there's two calendars on the agenda
1191
00:55:55.745 --> 00:55:58.405
and everything, I wonder if maybe the motion should actually
1192
00:55:58.475 --> 00:56:00.165
include what year you're
1193
00:56:00.675 --> 00:56:01.675
Motioning.
1194
00:56:01.675 --> 00:56:04.125
Yes. The so fair we are.
1195
00:56:04.255 --> 00:56:06.965
We're discussing the, we can just add that today,
1196
00:56:06.965 --> 00:56:08.605
but we are discussing the 27 28 calendar.
1197
00:56:08.705 --> 00:56:10.205
But if you wanna Yeah,
1198
00:56:10.205 --> 00:56:11.285
I can rephrase my motion.
1199
00:56:11.545 --> 00:56:16.365
So a motion to approve option B for the 2027.
1200
00:56:16.365 --> 00:56:18.845
2027. 2028 school year.
1201
00:56:19.355 --> 00:56:23.325
That was the 2027. 2027. 2028 year for clarity.
1202
00:56:24.315 --> 00:56:28.205
Long year long. It's a long year. That's why we're voting.
1203
00:56:28.585 --> 00:56:31.965
That's right. Jamon, do you accept that? Yes. Alright.
1204
00:56:32.665 --> 00:56:36.405
Any other comments or questions or debate? Seeing none.
1205
00:56:36.545 --> 00:56:37.685
All right. So we're gonna vote. We can
1206
00:56:37.685 --> 00:56:38.805
do a show of hands, Sue.
1207
00:56:38.805 --> 00:56:41.325
All in favor? Any opposed?
1208
00:56:42.755 --> 00:56:46.325
5 0 0. We have a calendar for 27 28.
1209
00:56:47.415 --> 00:56:49.325
Great. There won't be any snow.
1210
00:56:49.325 --> 00:56:50.885
I've already determined it. That's
1211
00:56:50.885 --> 00:56:51.845
Awesome. We appreciate
1212
00:56:51.845 --> 00:56:52.845
It.
1213
00:56:53.145 --> 00:56:55.565
All right Ms. Palbo, we wanna do the next one?
1214
00:56:56.555 --> 00:57:01.245
Sure. Okay. So 2028.
1215
00:57:01.245 --> 00:57:05.805
2029 school calendar. This is for a non-binding vote.
1216
00:57:07.475 --> 00:57:10.725
Very similar. I have given you two versions.
1217
00:57:11.465 --> 00:57:13.285
The first version has,
1218
00:57:13.955 --> 00:57:18.165
they're actually both almost identical with staff starting
1219
00:57:18.705 --> 00:57:20.005
on the 28th
1220
00:57:20.145 --> 00:57:24.965
and 29th student start date on August 30th, last day
1221
00:57:24.965 --> 00:57:28.565
of school being June 15th with no snow days
1222
00:57:31.105 --> 00:57:35.845
and June 25th, if we have five snow days,
1223
00:57:36.705 --> 00:57:40.125
the only difference being that November
1224
00:57:40.705 --> 00:57:44.725
is very choppy with early release days
1225
00:57:45.545 --> 00:57:46.805
and holidays.
1226
00:57:47.465 --> 00:57:52.445
So version A has the two
1227
00:57:52.445 --> 00:57:55.645
elementary early release days for conferences
1228
00:57:57.545 --> 00:58:02.325
as the first and the 15th version B, we actually shifted
1229
00:58:04.185 --> 00:58:06.245
the release days.
1230
00:58:07.825 --> 00:58:11.205
So that one is on October 25th
1231
00:58:11.545 --> 00:58:15.605
and the second one is on November 1st, which allows
1232
00:58:15.665 --> 00:58:17.765
for a little bit less of
1233
00:58:19.675 --> 00:58:22.245
that disjointedness in November.
1234
00:58:24.385 --> 00:58:26.365
One thing to note here is
1235
00:58:26.365 --> 00:58:29.525
that the full day professional development day was moved so
1236
00:58:29.525 --> 00:58:30.925
that instead of being the Monday
1237
00:58:31.095 --> 00:58:34.165
after the Thanksgiving break, it is
1238
00:58:35.625 --> 00:58:38.805
on November 7th, which is the primary election,
1239
00:58:38.875 --> 00:58:40.605
that is the presidential election.
1240
00:58:43.425 --> 00:58:47.525
We have historically moved that to that day
1241
00:58:47.595 --> 00:58:50.245
because of the high turnout
1242
00:58:51.665 --> 00:58:52.965
and for safety reasons
1243
00:58:53.105 --> 00:58:55.525
of having students in school on those days.
1244
00:58:57.005 --> 00:59:01.285
I also, it doesn't impact anything in our calendars right
1245
00:59:01.285 --> 00:59:06.165
now, but we have been talking a lot about safety
1246
00:59:06.305 --> 00:59:07.965
in schools around our elections,
1247
00:59:09.225 --> 00:59:10.965
the large primary elections.
1248
00:59:11.105 --> 00:59:12.965
And I've met with our town clerk
1249
00:59:14.745 --> 00:59:17.685
and we've had some discussions around the
1250
00:59:19.565 --> 00:59:21.085
November elections moving forward
1251
00:59:22.465 --> 00:59:24.005
and I just wanna bring this to your attention
1252
00:59:24.145 --> 00:59:26.645
as it will impact our calendars moving forward
1253
00:59:26.945 --> 00:59:28.685
and decisions that need to be made.
1254
00:59:29.185 --> 00:59:32.165
He did make a request that every other year we
1255
00:59:35.235 --> 00:59:39.805
have our professional development day on that election day
1256
00:59:41.065 --> 00:59:43.965
in November.
1257
00:59:44.955 --> 00:59:49.165
That to me, while it makes perfect sense,
1258
00:59:49.685 --> 00:59:53.325
I think it would be confusing if we alternate it every year.
1259
00:59:55.665 --> 01:00:00.205
So something for us to be thinking about is just
1260
01:00:01.585 --> 01:00:04.645
moving it to that Tuesday moving forward
1261
01:00:05.715 --> 01:00:09.805
from this calendar on it would be too confusing I think
1262
01:00:09.805 --> 01:00:12.405
for parents and for the safety of our staff and students.
1263
01:00:13.965 --> 01:00:15.405
I think it just makes more sense.
1264
01:00:19.345 --> 01:00:22.365
In the past we had had our,
1265
01:00:22.595 --> 01:00:24.325
that professional development day, the Monday
1266
01:00:24.325 --> 01:00:28.045
after Thanksgiving because of attendance.
1267
01:00:29.085 --> 01:00:30.925
I think that's sending the message that
1268
01:00:33.375 --> 01:00:37.165
attendance isn't a priority and attendance is a priority
1269
01:00:37.165 --> 01:00:38.205
and that is a school day.
1270
01:00:39.905 --> 01:00:42.005
But I think for the safety of our staff
1271
01:00:42.005 --> 01:00:45.765
and our students, we have put parameters into place.
1272
01:00:45.925 --> 01:00:49.365
I worked with the town, we've hired an additional
1273
01:00:52.385 --> 01:00:54.125
detail for tomorrow at Wilson
1274
01:00:54.125 --> 01:00:57.405
because we're concerned about ensuring the safety
1275
01:00:57.505 --> 01:00:59.045
of our staff and students in the building
1276
01:01:00.225 --> 01:01:05.005
and we've put some additional pieces into place to ensure
1277
01:01:05.595 --> 01:01:08.525
that we have those measures in place
1278
01:01:09.035 --> 01:01:10.285
following our protocols.
1279
01:01:10.305 --> 01:01:14.565
But I think it just makes more sense to move that,
1280
01:01:17.075 --> 01:01:19.765
that professional development day moving forward.
1281
01:01:19.865 --> 01:01:22.765
But this is what we've we're proposing.
1282
01:01:24.125 --> 01:01:27.125
I think that, and we talked to the union
1283
01:01:27.265 --> 01:01:29.605
as well about the elementary conferences.
1284
01:01:31.665 --> 01:01:35.085
One of the things that we like about shifting it slightly up
1285
01:01:35.225 --> 01:01:39.005
is that it better aligns
1286
01:01:39.005 --> 01:01:41.965
with when we give our benchmark screening so that
1287
01:01:42.565 --> 01:01:44.885
teachers will have the data to speak
1288
01:01:44.885 --> 01:01:47.565
to families in a more timely manner as well.
1289
01:01:49.595 --> 01:01:51.765
Yeah, I just wanna follow up on that.
1290
01:01:51.825 --> 01:01:53.885
So the, the thing is that now with the,
1291
01:01:54.805 --> 01:01:56.805
with the benchmark testing being released
1292
01:01:56.905 --> 01:01:59.885
and for greater transparency,
1293
01:02:00.195 --> 01:02:02.805
what ends up happening is we're getting requests from
1294
01:02:02.875 --> 01:02:05.525
parents wanting to talk about the data
1295
01:02:05.525 --> 01:02:07.925
that they got from the schools about the tests.
1296
01:02:08.505 --> 01:02:10.845
And we're kind of in that awkward, well can you wait?
1297
01:02:10.905 --> 01:02:12.205
You know, a week and a half we're gonna
1298
01:02:12.205 --> 01:02:13.285
be meeting for a conference.
1299
01:02:13.665 --> 01:02:14.685
So it, it's just,
1300
01:02:14.705 --> 01:02:16.925
it would be a little bit easier if the conferences were
1301
01:02:16.925 --> 01:02:19.485
already scheduled in a closer alignment
1302
01:02:19.545 --> 01:02:21.845
to when the parents are gonna be getting these scores.
1303
01:02:23.315 --> 01:02:25.445
Alright, so before we comments
1304
01:02:25.585 --> 01:02:27.365
and questions from the committee, we take those.
1305
01:02:27.965 --> 01:02:29.085
Just a, a quick reminder,
1306
01:02:29.245 --> 01:02:31.405
'cause I don't think I said this in the recap
1307
01:02:31.425 --> 01:02:34.045
before, the non-binding draft version
1308
01:02:34.045 --> 01:02:37.285
that we vote on tonight, we will then
1309
01:02:37.915 --> 01:02:40.405
make final a year from now.
1310
01:02:41.345 --> 01:02:44.765
So this, so we will have a year to collect feedback.
1311
01:02:45.785 --> 01:02:49.245
The April thing was a transition into this new process.
1312
01:02:49.505 --> 01:02:51.165
Now we are officially in the new process.
1313
01:02:51.865 --> 01:02:54.245
So again, what we do, what we do tonight is we'll be
1314
01:02:54.865 --> 01:02:58.085
set in stone a year from now approximately.
1315
01:02:58.695 --> 01:03:01.685
Right. Comments, questions, motions from the committee. Ms.
1316
01:03:01.885 --> 01:03:02.885
Renell,
1317
01:03:03.605 --> 01:03:05.685
I actually have a SA separate motion from this
1318
01:03:05.985 --> 01:03:08.085
and it's, a lot of it is based on the June data.
1319
01:03:08.705 --> 01:03:12.765
And then I didn't know I was gonna do it tonight
1320
01:03:12.765 --> 01:03:16.445
to be honest, but I, looking at the 20 28, 29 calendar,
1321
01:03:17.385 --> 01:03:20.405
and I don't, let me say first that Dr.
1322
01:03:20.545 --> 01:03:22.045
Spa, I'll take your recommendation on this
1323
01:03:22.045 --> 01:03:24.365
because it might just be too busy right now.
1324
01:03:25.065 --> 01:03:27.685
But given that we have the strategic plan in place,
1325
01:03:28.385 --> 01:03:31.525
and given that we started a calendar discussion in 2022
1326
01:03:31.595 --> 01:03:36.285
that we have truly never finished, I
1327
01:03:36.895 --> 01:03:39.245
would like to not get too far ahead of ourselves.
1328
01:03:40.405 --> 01:03:41.565
I came in tonight thinking
1329
01:03:41.565 --> 01:03:43.765
that I was gonna support version A of next year
1330
01:03:44.075 --> 01:03:46.485
because I like the consistency
1331
01:03:46.485 --> 01:03:48.725
of starting the last week in August for families.
1332
01:03:49.065 --> 01:03:52.645
And I've always heard teachers ask us to get us as many days
1333
01:03:52.745 --> 01:03:55.045
before June as possible.
1334
01:03:55.745 --> 01:03:59.325
And so I changed my vote tonight because of the,
1335
01:03:59.325 --> 01:04:01.165
because of the conversation that happened.
1336
01:04:01.165 --> 01:04:02.765
And that's, that's good governance, right?
1337
01:04:02.765 --> 01:04:04.885
That we listen to each other and we make adjustments.
1338
01:04:05.585 --> 01:04:07.725
But going next year we get lucky
1339
01:04:08.765 --> 01:04:11.045
because the calendar is more simple
1340
01:04:11.265 --> 01:04:15.485
and in future years it will not be as simple
1341
01:04:16.905 --> 01:04:18.565
in terms of the number of days
1342
01:04:18.675 --> 01:04:20.485
that we have built into our calendar.
1343
01:04:21.305 --> 01:04:24.845
And it's just none of all of it could be based in values.
1344
01:04:25.105 --> 01:04:26.245
All of it is based in values.
1345
01:04:26.305 --> 01:04:29.325
But I think as a school district, we need
1346
01:04:29.325 --> 01:04:31.645
to take one more shot at actually defining
1347
01:04:31.645 --> 01:04:32.965
what those guiding values are.
1348
01:04:34.425 --> 01:04:37.005
So before I make the motion,
1349
01:04:37.485 --> 01:04:40.725
and I'm sorry that this is coming in real time, I can wait
1350
01:04:40.865 --> 01:04:42.845
for a future meeting this, if we want time
1351
01:04:42.845 --> 01:04:47.005
to think about this, but I am at least foreshadowing
1352
01:04:47.005 --> 01:04:49.965
that I think that we should recreate a subcommittee
1353
01:04:50.585 --> 01:04:53.725
to review the Natick Public School's calendar in order
1354
01:04:53.785 --> 01:04:55.125
to define guiding values
1355
01:04:55.475 --> 01:04:59.165
that are based in our strategic plan. And
1356
01:05:00.025 --> 01:05:01.025
Is there a motion?
1357
01:05:01.025 --> 01:05:02.005
Well, no, because I'd like to get
1358
01:05:02.205 --> 01:05:03.285
feedback before I make a motion.
1359
01:05:04.125 --> 01:05:05.525
I think so appropriately.
1360
01:05:05.685 --> 01:05:07.445
I think you can, as long as you're alright with it,
1361
01:05:07.445 --> 01:05:09.205
you can make the motion then we can discuss the motion.
1362
01:05:09.355 --> 01:05:11.365
Okay. I moved, and I can send this to you.
1363
01:05:11.365 --> 01:05:14.485
Tricia moved to create a school committee subcommittee
1364
01:05:14.865 --> 01:05:17.445
to review the Natick public school's calendar, starting
1365
01:05:17.445 --> 01:05:20.645
with the 20 28, 20 29 and future
1366
01:05:21.705 --> 01:05:24.285
and future years in order to define guiding values
1367
01:05:24.345 --> 01:05:26.725
of the calendar that are based on the strategic plan.
1368
01:05:27.145 --> 01:05:30.165
Second,
Now we can debate that.
1369
01:05:32.065 --> 01:05:33.525
Dr. Fesman, so first of
1370
01:05:33.525 --> 01:05:36.245
All, I love seeing Julie smile as,
1371
01:05:36.385 --> 01:05:37.845
as we're having this conversation.
1372
01:05:39.265 --> 01:05:40.485
You've been so
Quiet.
1373
01:05:40.785 --> 01:05:42.085
I'm not sure what the smile's about,
1374
01:05:42.185 --> 01:05:44.085
but we can all try to interpret it.
1375
01:05:44.825 --> 01:05:47.725
No, I I support this motion. Ms. Brunell is right.
1376
01:05:47.785 --> 01:05:52.045
We, we had a lot of discussions about this when we added
1377
01:05:54.425 --> 01:05:57.645
the two additional holidays, the more recent ones, Diwali
1378
01:05:57.745 --> 01:05:58.965
and Eid.
1379
01:06:00.185 --> 01:06:02.405
And I remember having conversations about, in fact,
1380
01:06:02.405 --> 01:06:04.605
it was Julie who did this calculation that
1381
01:06:05.065 --> 01:06:06.765
for the first several years, it doesn't have much
1382
01:06:06.765 --> 01:06:11.245
of an impact because between the, between Diwali,
1383
01:06:11.785 --> 01:06:13.845
EID and the Jewish holidays, one
1384
01:06:13.845 --> 01:06:15.045
of them always falls on the weekend.
1385
01:06:15.105 --> 01:06:16.445
So it doesn't add too many more days.
1386
01:06:16.465 --> 01:06:19.245
But eventually all those days are gonna add up
1387
01:06:19.245 --> 01:06:22.405
to like eight days off in a year beyond what we planned.
1388
01:06:23.905 --> 01:06:26.445
And we want it to be ready about it for that.
1389
01:06:26.585 --> 01:06:27.645
And, and clearly we're not.
1390
01:06:27.705 --> 01:06:31.325
So I think we definitely need to revisit that.
1391
01:06:31.385 --> 01:06:33.325
So I I support that, the motion.
1392
01:06:34.985 --> 01:06:39.525
Any other? So just to, to be procedurally clear,
1393
01:06:39.985 --> 01:06:44.965
the, the, we are discussing the 28 29 draft calendar
1394
01:06:45.425 --> 01:06:46.765
and now an additional thing
1395
01:06:46.765 --> 01:06:49.405
that is not directly related, right?
1396
01:06:49.405 --> 01:06:50.965
Because it's more of a long term strategy.
1397
01:06:51.905 --> 01:06:56.085
So we can pleasure the committee vote on that,
1398
01:06:57.425 --> 01:07:00.125
but then get back to the 28 29 thing.
1399
01:07:01.675 --> 01:07:03.565
Anybody? Are we ready to vote? Yes.
1400
01:07:03.705 --> 01:07:04.485
Can I make a comment?
1401
01:07:05.225 --> 01:07:06.485
Dr. Sp would like to make a comment
1402
01:07:06.665 --> 01:07:07.665
If the committee wants to hear it.
1403
01:07:07.705 --> 01:07:11.205
We do. So several things come to mind.
1404
01:07:11.365 --> 01:07:14.605
I took some notes on it. Love the idea of guiding values.
1405
01:07:14.865 --> 01:07:17.725
We just made guiding values for our strategic plan.
1406
01:07:17.825 --> 01:07:19.405
And so inserting them here is,
1407
01:07:19.465 --> 01:07:21.205
and seeing how they come alive in the calendar.
1408
01:07:21.275 --> 01:07:22.565
It's critically important.
1409
01:07:23.645 --> 01:07:26.405
I mentioned earlier that our school improvement plan work
1410
01:07:27.065 --> 01:07:29.845
is highly orient oriented on attendance.
1411
01:07:30.125 --> 01:07:32.165
I think we're going to learn from that process
1412
01:07:32.235 --> 01:07:34.245
that these teams are deeply working on.
1413
01:07:34.595 --> 01:07:36.245
They're assembling structures
1414
01:07:36.245 --> 01:07:38.285
that didn't previ previously exist.
1415
01:07:38.285 --> 01:07:40.485
They're bringing this into our child study meetings.
1416
01:07:40.635 --> 01:07:43.085
They are, it's becoming a living, breathing thing inside
1417
01:07:43.085 --> 01:07:44.725
of our schools that we will learn from.
1418
01:07:45.025 --> 01:07:47.725
And so that will also inform, I think the committee's work
1419
01:07:47.745 --> 01:07:49.645
or the proposed committee's work.
1420
01:07:50.565 --> 01:07:53.045
I think we've also, it shouldn't be lost on us.
1421
01:07:53.865 --> 01:07:57.165
We may also always have said attendance is is important,
1422
01:07:57.505 --> 01:08:00.125
but we're bringing a data literacy to it recently
1423
01:08:00.125 --> 01:08:03.245
that is really hard sometimes to hear.
1424
01:08:03.865 --> 01:08:06.045
And I don't wanna like slap solutions on it
1425
01:08:06.045 --> 01:08:07.605
that we don't give some deep thought to.
1426
01:08:08.065 --> 01:08:10.405
And so that's another reason why I like this idea,
1427
01:08:10.405 --> 01:08:11.525
which involves kind
1428
01:08:11.525 --> 01:08:14.645
of taking a deeper look at analyzing the data.
1429
01:08:14.765 --> 01:08:17.285
I did it briefly on June, but there's more to do.
1430
01:08:17.745 --> 01:08:21.445
And then lastly, we are soon to convene this year
1431
01:08:22.365 --> 01:08:24.445
a the siba, which is the Student Experience
1432
01:08:24.445 --> 01:08:25.845
and Belonging Advisory Council.
1433
01:08:25.905 --> 01:08:28.085
And I'd love to get their view listening to students
1434
01:08:28.185 --> 01:08:29.245
who are the ones who are coming
1435
01:08:29.265 --> 01:08:32.845
or not coming in terms of what engages them with attendance.
1436
01:08:32.985 --> 01:08:35.685
So we have a lot to learn. It is a five-year plan.
1437
01:08:35.785 --> 01:08:38.605
The calendar's a critical part of it, of the structures
1438
01:08:38.605 --> 01:08:39.605
and systems of schooling.
1439
01:08:39.625 --> 01:08:43.165
So I think we owe it to do this. I think it's a great idea.
1440
01:08:44.455 --> 01:08:45.685
Thank you. Can I offer
1441
01:08:45.915 --> 01:08:47.885
what might ultimately be a friendly amendment?
1442
01:08:48.225 --> 01:08:49.925
But I don't know. So I'm gonna just say it out loud.
1443
01:08:50.315 --> 01:08:54.005
Yeah, I can, here's what I'm thinking.
1444
01:08:54.005 --> 01:08:56.845
Should I agree to that? I'm, yeah, I agree with me.
1445
01:08:57.865 --> 01:09:01.445
My concern with the wording of the motion is the,
1446
01:09:01.625 --> 01:09:03.685
for the 28 29 year.
1447
01:09:04.185 --> 01:09:06.165
And here's why I, I am motivated.
1448
01:09:06.765 --> 01:09:09.365
I think like everybody to, to be efficient and quick.
1449
01:09:09.595 --> 01:09:14.325
However, the reason that we are doing the draft tonight is
1450
01:09:14.325 --> 01:09:17.205
to give people a year of feedback
1451
01:09:17.225 --> 01:09:21.245
and thought if this subcommittee was formed instantly,
1452
01:09:21.595 --> 01:09:23.565
like right now, it would have to get
1453
01:09:23.565 --> 01:09:26.165
to work right now in order to finish its work
1454
01:09:26.545 --> 01:09:29.245
and still give us the benefit of plenty of time for people
1455
01:09:29.345 --> 01:09:32.645
to then have another discussion about a potential different
1456
01:09:32.655 --> 01:09:34.845
draft right in time
1457
01:09:34.985 --> 01:09:37.005
for next November when we would lock it in.
1458
01:09:37.305 --> 01:09:38.765
So I'm just nervous about the timing.
1459
01:09:39.565 --> 01:09:43.325
I think if we were to just say generally, I don't know
1460
01:09:43.325 --> 01:09:46.525
how we would actually word it if I just don't know.
1461
01:09:46.525 --> 01:09:48.765
There's a lot of variables that need to get figured out.
1462
01:09:48.985 --> 01:09:50.885
If we, I don't know what, what would be reasonable.
1463
01:09:50.935 --> 01:09:53.165
Let's say that the committee could be finished by April.
1464
01:09:53.685 --> 01:09:55.045
I don't even know if that's possible.
1465
01:09:55.395 --> 01:09:57.165
That puts us back in the same timeframe
1466
01:09:57.165 --> 01:09:59.365
that we were in this year, which is better
1467
01:09:59.365 --> 01:10:00.405
than it has been in the past.
1468
01:10:00.665 --> 01:10:03.685
I'm just not sure. So I just don't, it's too early for me
1469
01:10:03.685 --> 01:10:06.485
to be able to, to sort of in my own mind determine
1470
01:10:06.625 --> 01:10:08.045
how quickly this work could get done
1471
01:10:08.235 --> 01:10:09.805
with all of the different inputs. Dr.
1472
01:10:09.805 --> 01:10:11.365
Spatch, I'm so glad you brought this up.
1473
01:10:12.125 --> 01:10:14.125
Honestly, I don't think this, I don't think we have the
1474
01:10:14.365 --> 01:10:16.605
capacity to do it this year in frankness with the amount
1475
01:10:16.605 --> 01:10:17.805
of meetings and just kind of the launch
1476
01:10:17.805 --> 01:10:18.845
of the strategic plan.
1477
01:10:19.225 --> 01:10:20.965
So to the, if the committee needs it
1478
01:10:20.965 --> 01:10:24.405
to vote the 28 29 calendar, that would be compelling
1479
01:10:24.425 --> 01:10:26.165
and we could redistribute some stuff.
1480
01:10:26.345 --> 01:10:28.285
But otherwise, if it's not harmful to kind
1481
01:10:28.285 --> 01:10:31.525
of do it later in the year two starting kicking off more in
1482
01:10:31.525 --> 01:10:34.445
the summer, that would be what the district would need.
1483
01:10:35.345 --> 01:10:38.645
So, so my friendly amendment would be to do,
1484
01:10:38.905 --> 01:10:43.405
to remove the 28 29 from the motion,
1485
01:10:44.105 --> 01:10:45.325
but still form the committee
1486
01:10:45.825 --> 01:10:49.405
and start the work to the extent that it's possible and,
1487
01:10:49.665 --> 01:10:54.485
and gather data perhaps without the,
1488
01:10:54.515 --> 01:10:56.205
without the administration until they're ready.
1489
01:10:56.645 --> 01:10:57.685
I don't, I don't exactly know how
1490
01:10:57.685 --> 01:10:59.365
to phrase it, but does that make sense?
1491
01:11:00.155 --> 01:11:01.765
Okay. Now did you have a comment?
1492
01:11:03.525 --> 01:11:04.845
I would like it to be time bound
1493
01:11:04.845 --> 01:11:07.485
because we have been talking about this since 2022,
1494
01:11:07.585 --> 01:11:11.165
so I don't, I I would like some sort of time in the motion.
1495
01:11:12.865 --> 01:11:15.765
And the reason I did 28 to 29 was be is
1496
01:11:15.765 --> 01:11:20.085
because if we get snow in the winter of 29, we are in school
1497
01:11:20.085 --> 01:11:23.285
until June 25th the way our calendar is.
1498
01:11:23.545 --> 01:11:25.165
And so that is gonna be a problem.
1499
01:11:25.865 --> 01:11:27.285
So all the work that you've done with the,
1500
01:11:27.505 --> 01:11:30.085
the school improvement plans, that will
1501
01:11:31.145 --> 01:11:33.285
be our district will be impacted.
1502
01:11:33.465 --> 01:11:36.405
So I, to me there's some urgency around this
1503
01:11:37.225 --> 01:11:39.685
and I wonder if we waited till the spring
1504
01:11:40.345 --> 01:11:42.765
and then we're able to make a recommendation
1505
01:11:43.185 --> 01:11:47.205
by next November given that we have literally worked on this
1506
01:11:47.855 --> 01:11:49.685
again since 2022.
1507
01:11:49.875 --> 01:11:53.285
Like we have studies and surveys
1508
01:11:53.465 --> 01:11:55.565
and do you know, like we have, we have,
1509
01:11:55.565 --> 01:11:57.805
we're not starting from ground zero, so,
1510
01:11:58.465 --> 01:12:00.605
or from square one I should say that's better.
1511
01:12:01.225 --> 01:12:03.845
So would be the proposal just from a timeline
1512
01:12:03.845 --> 01:12:06.285
so we can understand start work in the spring,
1513
01:12:07.705 --> 01:12:09.365
finish work in the fall.
1514
01:12:09.745 --> 01:12:11.205
That's what I heard from Dr. Bash.
1515
01:12:12.245 --> 01:12:14.925
I would suggest what I'm thinking the work is,
1516
01:12:14.925 --> 01:12:16.605
is less like meeting and discussing.
1517
01:12:16.675 --> 01:12:19.245
It's more the analysis that informs this.
1518
01:12:19.745 --> 01:12:21.365
And so I think we could start
1519
01:12:21.365 --> 01:12:23.725
with our teams are already working on their SIP goals.
1520
01:12:24.125 --> 01:12:26.645
I think those who have an attendance goal would happy to
1521
01:12:26.845 --> 01:12:29.885
because they're already already compiling it to report on
1522
01:12:30.065 --> 01:12:33.245
to their own school councils and to me is to come in
1523
01:12:33.245 --> 01:12:34.925
and present on what they learned.
1524
01:12:35.065 --> 01:12:37.165
So we'd have like now several schools
1525
01:12:37.235 --> 01:12:39.605
with some attendance story that we could kick
1526
01:12:39.605 --> 01:12:43.085
that off in June and move through starting it there.
1527
01:12:45.325 --> 01:12:47.245
I just, it's not in our operating plan
1528
01:12:47.345 --> 01:12:48.565
and I just don't know how to add
1529
01:12:48.565 --> 01:12:49.725
that layer of work in this year.
1530
01:12:49.725 --> 01:12:50.805
Frankly, I really don't.
1531
01:12:52.265 --> 01:12:57.045
So if I change the date to say with a report in the fall
1532
01:12:57.105 --> 01:12:58.365
of 2027
1533
01:12:59.635 --> 01:13:01.765
Yeah,
Because then there's time
1534
01:13:01.825 --> 01:13:04.645
It aligns with the next vote of the calendar at the Yeah.
1535
01:13:06.625 --> 01:13:07.965
Are you okay with that? Yeah,
1536
01:13:08.285 --> 01:13:09.285
I
Would second that.
1537
01:13:09.285 --> 01:13:10.525
Can that be your friendly amendment? That's
1538
01:13:10.525 --> 01:13:12.085
Exactly what my friendly amendment was gonna
1539
01:13:12.085 --> 01:13:13.925
be. Whatever you just said.
1540
01:13:14.385 --> 01:13:17.005
So to review the native public school's calendar
1541
01:13:17.035 --> 01:13:19.285
with a report to be presented
1542
01:13:19.285 --> 01:13:21.165
to the school committee in the fall of 2027.
1543
01:13:23.045 --> 01:13:26.125
Seconded a second time.
Dr. Fruman,
1544
01:13:26.365 --> 01:13:27.445
I just have a general comment.
1545
01:13:29.345 --> 01:13:32.365
So the very first time I walked into this room as a
1546
01:13:33.805 --> 01:13:35.405
resident, as a citizen, I came to actually
1547
01:13:36.685 --> 01:13:40.685
advocate back then, this was like 15 years ago to have
1548
01:13:41.795 --> 01:13:43.885
keep the second day of Rosh Hashanah.
1549
01:13:43.945 --> 01:13:45.285
I'm not gonna ate that.
1550
01:13:45.385 --> 01:13:49.365
But at the time I came it was easy as a resident, not
1551
01:13:49.365 --> 01:13:50.925
as a school committee member to advocate
1552
01:13:50.945 --> 01:13:52.725
for my interest, my family's interest.
1553
01:13:53.925 --> 01:13:58.605
I remember once I joined the school committee being
1554
01:13:58.665 --> 01:14:01.285
so thankful that I, I wasn't a school committee member back
1555
01:14:01.285 --> 01:14:04.205
then because it is such a, such a hard decision,
1556
01:14:04.315 --> 01:14:05.725
it's much easier to be in the audience
1557
01:14:05.725 --> 01:14:07.125
advocating for your interest.
1558
01:14:07.825 --> 01:14:12.085
And I bring this up because as I was listening to Dr.
1559
01:14:12.225 --> 01:14:16.685
Sp talk about the importance of attendance
1560
01:14:16.945 --> 01:14:21.685
as a, as a key value, I guess
1561
01:14:22.405 --> 01:14:23.485
we don't need to change the motion,
1562
01:14:23.585 --> 01:14:25.445
but I, I would just urge whoever's a part
1563
01:14:25.445 --> 01:14:28.925
of this subcommittee to really consider all the different
1564
01:14:28.925 --> 01:14:31.005
perspectives and really make this, try to collect
1565
01:14:31.005 --> 01:14:32.245
as much data as possible.
1566
01:14:32.245 --> 01:14:35.885
Because unfortunately it's a really difficult decision
1567
01:14:35.885 --> 01:14:38.045
because there's so many really critical values
1568
01:14:38.115 --> 01:14:39.525
that are kind of competing with each other.
1569
01:14:40.035 --> 01:14:41.565
There's the belonging piece
1570
01:14:41.825 --> 01:14:44.405
and that was why we added Eid and, and and Diwali.
1571
01:14:44.425 --> 01:14:47.525
We wanted to make sure that everyone in this district felt
1572
01:14:47.725 --> 01:14:50.605
that their holiday, their cultural restrictions are
1573
01:14:51.115 --> 01:14:52.405
reflected in our calendar.
1574
01:14:53.825 --> 01:14:55.485
And yet attendance is also very critical
1575
01:14:55.585 --> 01:14:58.045
and the messages that we're providing that we're sending out
1576
01:14:58.385 --> 01:15:00.125
around attendance are critical.
1577
01:15:01.185 --> 01:15:03.205
And that's the hard decision that we have to make.
1578
01:15:03.685 --> 01:15:04.725
I don't, I'm not advocating
1579
01:15:04.725 --> 01:15:07.445
for anyone decision over another just, just thinking about
1580
01:15:07.545 --> 01:15:10.325
how do we, I'm glad we, that's is,
1581
01:15:10.325 --> 01:15:12.005
this is why I'm supporting the, this motion
1582
01:15:12.005 --> 01:15:14.405
because I think it's important for us take a step back
1583
01:15:14.405 --> 01:15:16.565
and figure out how do we balance all these
1584
01:15:17.435 --> 01:15:18.525
competing priorities
1585
01:15:18.705 --> 01:15:21.165
and really taking the time to, to speak
1586
01:15:21.165 --> 01:15:23.405
to the administration, to, to speak, you know, if,
1587
01:15:23.465 --> 01:15:25.565
if Mr. Wood allows me to say to the, to the union
1588
01:15:25.665 --> 01:15:28.245
to really get all these perspectives, to really make sure
1589
01:15:28.245 --> 01:15:30.685
that we're making informed decisions and
1590
01:15:30.685 --> 01:15:34.645
and providing future school committees with an easier set
1591
01:15:34.645 --> 01:15:36.325
of guidelines for making
1592
01:15:36.565 --> 01:15:37.685
decisions about the calendar in the future.
1593
01:15:38.575 --> 01:15:41.245
Great. Thank you. Alright, so I propose
1594
01:15:41.245 --> 01:15:46.165
that we vote on this, that we then in a n near term future
1595
01:15:46.165 --> 01:15:48.845
meeting, put it back on the agenda to discuss the makeup
1596
01:15:48.905 --> 01:15:53.125
of the subcommittee and then we get any motions
1597
01:15:53.465 --> 01:15:55.165
for the draft of 28 29.
1598
01:15:55.335 --> 01:16:00.325
Right. All right, so we ready to vote? Okay. All in favor?
1599
01:16:01.305 --> 01:16:03.245
Any opposed? 5 0 0.
1600
01:16:05.255 --> 01:16:06.685
Thank you for the suggestion.
1601
01:16:07.185 --> 01:16:08.685
Now everybody can con do you have a
1602
01:16:08.845 --> 01:16:10.285
question or are you still voting?
1603
01:16:11.075 --> 01:16:12.485
I've already voted once. Okay.
1604
01:16:12.785 --> 01:16:15.605
I'd like to be recognized to make a motion please.
1605
01:16:15.605 --> 01:16:17.045
2029 calendar. Yes,
1606
01:16:17.085 --> 01:16:18.085
I would love that.
1607
01:16:18.485 --> 01:16:22.685
I move that we adopt draft version B
1608
01:16:23.865 --> 01:16:24.925
as our draft version
1609
01:16:25.345 --> 01:16:28.685
of the 28 29 Natick public schools calendar.
1610
01:16:30.065 --> 01:16:32.405
Go second. So Dr. Welch
1611
01:16:32.405 --> 01:16:34.045
with the motion Mr. Patel with the second.
1612
01:16:34.185 --> 01:16:37.645
Any debate ready to vote?
1613
01:16:38.705 --> 01:16:41.045
All in favor? Any opposed?
1614
01:16:43.545 --> 01:16:46.445
One abstention. Any ab?
Any abstain? Any abstention?
1615
01:16:47.355 --> 01:16:51.805
4 0 1. We have a draft for 28 29.
1616
01:16:53.835 --> 01:16:58.325
Okay, it's back to me. Yes.
1617
01:16:58.325 --> 01:17:02.405
Alright, so we're gonna jump now
1618
01:17:02.865 --> 01:17:07.365
to the natural and synthetic turf field study group report.
1619
01:17:07.505 --> 01:17:11.365
Ms. McDonough, could you join us Sit there? Yeah please.
1620
01:17:12.225 --> 01:17:16.645
And just to, to sit to, while Julie is commuting
1621
01:17:18.425 --> 01:17:20.885
the, as we went through at the previous meeting,
1622
01:17:20.965 --> 01:17:22.965
I just wanna highlight what this process is going to be.
1623
01:17:23.415 --> 01:17:28.325
Again tonight we're gonna get the report from Ms.
1624
01:17:28.325 --> 01:17:30.965
McDonough. We will take questions
1625
01:17:30.965 --> 01:17:33.445
or comments from committee members but not questions
1626
01:17:33.445 --> 01:17:36.285
or comments from the public for this presentation.
1627
01:17:36.465 --> 01:17:39.245
At our next meeting on November 16th,
1628
01:17:40.385 --> 01:17:43.245
we will hear from our athletic director, Mr.
1629
01:17:43.275 --> 01:17:46.845
Brenneman, who is joining us tonight our good.
1630
01:17:46.845 --> 01:17:49.045
He is going to be here as well at that meeting.
1631
01:17:49.745 --> 01:17:52.125
And so we will hear specifically about the needs
1632
01:17:52.425 --> 01:17:55.445
for the high school and then at the meeting
1633
01:17:55.455 --> 01:17:58.565
after that the committee will have a discussion about it.
1634
01:17:59.225 --> 01:18:03.045
And then January 11th we'll have our public forum similar to
1635
01:18:03.045 --> 01:18:05.085
what we did with the memorial ed program last week.
1636
01:18:05.745 --> 01:18:08.205
And so there and then it will be the meeting
1637
01:18:08.215 --> 01:18:12.205
after that when we potentially vote on a recommendation
1638
01:18:12.985 --> 01:18:14.125
for a direction for the field.
1639
01:18:14.505 --> 01:18:16.405
So there will be any time between.
1640
01:18:16.625 --> 01:18:18.565
The goal now is for the committee members
1641
01:18:18.565 --> 01:18:20.125
and community members to hear a variety
1642
01:18:20.125 --> 01:18:21.885
of different presentations and discussions.
1643
01:18:23.105 --> 01:18:24.525
Get together on January 11th
1644
01:18:24.545 --> 01:18:25.845
for a public forum on the topic.
1645
01:18:26.585 --> 01:18:28.685
People are always welcome to email the committee
1646
01:18:28.875 --> 01:18:31.445
with their thoughts or questions between now and forever.
1647
01:18:32.665 --> 01:18:34.765
And then that sounded like a song not,
1648
01:18:35.025 --> 01:18:36.645
but you can feel free to email us
1649
01:18:36.705 --> 01:18:38.565
and that's how we're gonna walk through this process in the
1650
01:18:38.565 --> 01:18:40.165
same way we did with the more ed program.
1651
01:18:40.235 --> 01:18:44.365
Alright, great. Julie, welcome back.
1652
01:18:44.635 --> 01:18:47.685
Yeah, thank you. Nice to be here. Nice to see everyone.
1653
01:18:49.545 --> 01:18:51.405
It was nice to hear the little
1654
01:18:51.405 --> 01:18:52.965
discussion on the calendar again.
1655
01:18:55.425 --> 01:18:58.885
So I am here tonight on behalf of the natural
1656
01:18:59.025 --> 01:19:00.965
and Synthetic Turf Field study group.
1657
01:19:01.805 --> 01:19:04.525
I was the chair of that group that met
1658
01:19:05.035 --> 01:19:06.805
over the course of last year.
1659
01:19:07.545 --> 01:19:09.885
And I wanted to start tonight to,
1660
01:19:10.545 --> 01:19:12.725
I'm gonna do my very best not to read from the slides
1661
01:19:13.625 --> 01:19:15.525
and just provide a little more color around that.
1662
01:19:18.105 --> 01:19:19.525
Not included in the report,
1663
01:19:19.745 --> 01:19:23.925
but I think important to the school committee to understand
1664
01:19:25.065 --> 01:19:27.765
how this committee came to be
1665
01:19:28.385 --> 01:19:29.885
is I wanted to give you a little history.
1666
01:19:29.985 --> 01:19:32.645
So in the spring of 2023, which was three
1667
01:19:32.645 --> 01:19:35.685
and a half years ago, the poor condition
1668
01:19:35.685 --> 01:19:37.965
of the practice field at the high school was brought
1669
01:19:37.965 --> 01:19:39.405
to the attention of the school committee.
1670
01:19:40.285 --> 01:19:43.885
Subsequently, while we had an interim superintendent in
1671
01:19:43.885 --> 01:19:46.125
Bella Wong, the committee worked
1672
01:19:46.425 --> 01:19:49.485
to incorporate into the capital budget a redesign
1673
01:19:49.625 --> 01:19:52.365
or a design of that field for construction.
1674
01:19:52.385 --> 01:19:54.845
And it owes money only for the design of the field.
1675
01:19:57.065 --> 01:20:00.205
And that was approved by town meeting in the spring of 24.
1676
01:20:00.345 --> 01:20:04.485
So a year later in the fall of 24 at spring,
1677
01:20:04.625 --> 01:20:08.205
at fall town meeting, there was a citizen PO petition
1678
01:20:08.205 --> 01:20:12.085
that was brought forward for a moratorium on synthetic turf.
1679
01:20:13.315 --> 01:20:17.645
That moratorium was not supported at the FinCon level.
1680
01:20:18.265 --> 01:20:20.645
And so FinCon made a re recommendation
1681
01:20:20.645 --> 01:20:25.045
to town meeting in the fall of 24 to refer that article
1682
01:20:25.755 --> 01:20:27.085
back to the school committee,
1683
01:20:27.145 --> 01:20:28.765
the select board and the board of health.
1684
01:20:30.185 --> 01:20:35.125
24 25, as you'll remember, we had a new superintendent,
1685
01:20:35.665 --> 01:20:39.885
we had negotiations with the union, we had an override.
1686
01:20:39.895 --> 01:20:43.005
There was really no time for the select board,
1687
01:20:43.005 --> 01:20:45.125
the school committee, and the board of health
1688
01:20:45.185 --> 01:20:46.845
to take this up in that year.
1689
01:20:47.065 --> 01:20:51.205
So really no progress was made on the design
1690
01:20:52.145 --> 01:20:55.125
or anything else.
1691
01:20:55.385 --> 01:20:58.965
So again, so in the fall of 25,
1692
01:20:59.115 --> 01:21:02.925
another citizen petition came forward this time
1693
01:21:03.385 --> 01:21:07.765
for a advisory moratorium.
1694
01:21:08.705 --> 01:21:10.805
And as part of
1695
01:21:10.805 --> 01:21:13.045
that there was the superintendent
1696
01:21:13.065 --> 01:21:14.085
put together a working group.
1697
01:21:14.525 --> 01:21:16.165
You'll see the slides that were shared
1698
01:21:16.625 --> 01:21:17.645
at the FinCon meeting.
1699
01:21:18.585 --> 01:21:21.045
The advisory was approved by town meeting.
1700
01:21:21.195 --> 01:21:26.085
However, it excluded construction of indoor turf fields
1701
01:21:26.345 --> 01:21:28.405
and replacement of existing turf fields
1702
01:21:28.505 --> 01:21:29.525
to that end town meeting.
1703
01:21:29.665 --> 01:21:31.445
Did support replacement
1704
01:21:31.445 --> 01:21:34.725
of coal field at the most recent town meeting by a vote
1705
01:21:34.725 --> 01:21:36.125
of 97 to six.
1706
01:21:36.945 --> 01:21:40.405
So in January of 26, based on conversations
1707
01:21:40.405 --> 01:21:43.605
that had happened at town meeting in 24 and 25,
1708
01:21:43.625 --> 01:21:46.485
and of course this $200,000 that had been allocated
1709
01:21:46.505 --> 01:21:48.205
for the design of the practice field.
1710
01:21:49.885 --> 01:21:52.125
I would say that this referral motion
1711
01:21:52.155 --> 01:21:54.965
that happened in 24 finally came to be the town
1712
01:21:54.965 --> 01:21:57.525
and schools came up with a plan
1713
01:21:59.065 --> 01:22:00.245
to separate the two.
1714
01:22:00.545 --> 01:22:04.285
So the practice field would then move as you all approved,
1715
01:22:04.295 --> 01:22:07.005
would move to Art Goodine at dpw.
1716
01:22:07.465 --> 01:22:09.325
And this committee was formed.
1717
01:22:09.745 --> 01:22:13.445
It was formed through a memo by the superintendent
1718
01:22:13.505 --> 01:22:16.805
and the select board and then supported
1719
01:22:16.905 --> 01:22:18.965
by you all and the select board.
1720
01:22:19.305 --> 01:22:20.605
And then we started to meet
1721
01:22:25.305 --> 01:22:28.885
the the, I already covered that.
1722
01:22:28.995 --> 01:22:32.085
Okay. These were the members of the study group.
1723
01:22:32.145 --> 01:22:34.805
So I'd worked on this issue while I was on the school
1724
01:22:35.045 --> 01:22:38.125
committee and was asked to be a part of it.
1725
01:22:38.225 --> 01:22:41.285
And then representatives from the three boards
1726
01:22:41.285 --> 01:22:43.685
that I mentioned there.
1727
01:22:45.115 --> 01:22:48.805
It's important to note in this that there has been a lot
1728
01:22:48.805 --> 01:22:50.005
of talk about the size
1729
01:22:50.005 --> 01:22:51.485
of the group and the members of the group.
1730
01:22:51.705 --> 01:22:54.845
And it was just really clear to us
1731
01:22:55.065 --> 01:22:58.405
or made clear to us that this was the resources
1732
01:22:58.405 --> 01:23:00.485
that the schools and the town had to devote to this.
1733
01:23:00.585 --> 01:23:04.285
We could not take staff time regularly meeting,
1734
01:23:04.585 --> 01:23:05.845
it just wasn't possible.
1735
01:23:06.105 --> 01:23:09.965
So the best bet was to take these elected representatives
1736
01:23:10.065 --> 01:23:12.005
and have them be a part of the group such
1737
01:23:12.005 --> 01:23:14.245
that they were electing, they were representing
1738
01:23:14.245 --> 01:23:15.405
their boards and the town.
1739
01:23:16.825 --> 01:23:20.045
So our charge in the study group was to collect research
1740
01:23:21.705 --> 01:23:25.805
and on turf and synthetic
1741
01:23:25.865 --> 01:23:28.725
and natural grass and to identify the considerations
1742
01:23:28.725 --> 01:23:31.285
that you might take into consideration if you were going
1743
01:23:31.285 --> 01:23:34.365
to undertake the design and construction of a field.
1744
01:23:37.315 --> 01:23:40.045
When we first met as a group, we just realized
1745
01:23:40.075 --> 01:23:41.605
that there just volumes
1746
01:23:41.605 --> 01:23:44.325
and volumes of research out there on natural
1747
01:23:44.465 --> 01:23:45.685
and synthetic turf fields.
1748
01:23:46.715 --> 01:23:50.525
There's also a lot of studies conducted by other towns
1749
01:23:50.705 --> 01:23:53.165
who devoted more resources to this.
1750
01:23:53.275 --> 01:23:54.965
It's something you'll see on our website
1751
01:23:55.265 --> 01:23:56.725
and I'll talk a little bit about later.
1752
01:23:56.755 --> 01:23:58.525
There's a lot of other towns
1753
01:23:58.525 --> 01:24:00.045
and cities who've done this work
1754
01:24:01.065 --> 01:24:04.365
and thought about what are the things that should go,
1755
01:24:04.865 --> 01:24:07.325
you should consider when you're thinking about what type
1756
01:24:07.325 --> 01:24:08.365
of fields to design.
1757
01:24:09.225 --> 01:24:11.805
So we thought as a committee that the mo,
1758
01:24:11.865 --> 01:24:14.245
the best thing we could do was to
1759
01:24:16.065 --> 01:24:17.805
gather information about Natick
1760
01:24:18.305 --> 01:24:20.845
and give that to whoever might be making a
1761
01:24:20.965 --> 01:24:22.205
decision on fields.
1762
01:24:24.025 --> 01:24:27.485
So we met regularly, we met publicly, all the agendas
1763
01:24:27.485 --> 01:24:32.405
and minutes are posted and we base,
1764
01:24:32.505 --> 01:24:35.685
we invited experts, we invited staff, we invited users
1765
01:24:35.705 --> 01:24:40.285
of the field and we did gather some
1766
01:24:40.525 --> 01:24:45.445
research studies, but our focus really was on being
1767
01:24:45.585 --> 01:24:47.325
as unbiased as possible.
1768
01:24:47.785 --> 01:24:51.165
So we focused a lot on aggregate research studies,
1769
01:24:51.455 --> 01:24:52.605
comparison studies
1770
01:24:53.345 --> 01:24:56.605
and studies conducted by other towns and cities.
1771
01:24:59.225 --> 01:25:00.925
So what you saw in the report
1772
01:25:02.185 --> 01:25:05.005
is it talks about field space, field usage.
1773
01:25:05.745 --> 01:25:09.565
It has a little bit of professional expertise for those
1774
01:25:09.665 --> 01:25:11.925
who know about natural and synthetic turf.
1775
01:25:12.425 --> 01:25:14.005
It has resources
1776
01:25:14.105 --> 01:25:16.685
for you on the environment and public health.
1777
01:25:18.065 --> 01:25:19.805
It has aggregate research studies
1778
01:25:20.265 --> 01:25:23.085
and it has the studies from other towns.
1779
01:25:24.505 --> 01:25:25.565
The interview themes.
1780
01:25:25.705 --> 01:25:27.965
Now these are themes based on people
1781
01:25:29.585 --> 01:25:32.245
in discussions we had, we invited people at our meetings.
1782
01:25:32.245 --> 01:25:34.445
We asked a series of questions, we went back
1783
01:25:34.445 --> 01:25:35.565
and forth, we took notes.
1784
01:25:36.825 --> 01:25:41.285
So the themes that came out in those discussions were
1785
01:25:41.285 --> 01:25:44.405
that our existing fields are over capacity
1786
01:25:45.995 --> 01:25:48.045
maintenance resources are really limited.
1787
01:25:48.585 --> 01:25:51.325
And I think that's really important for this committee to
1788
01:25:51.885 --> 01:25:54.085
consider and was something
1789
01:25:54.085 --> 01:25:55.845
that really stood out when we talked
1790
01:25:55.905 --> 01:25:57.645
to the professionals there.
1791
01:25:58.665 --> 01:26:02.045
Safety is in Natick was more
1792
01:26:02.645 --> 01:26:05.445
dependent on field condition than surface type.
1793
01:26:06.985 --> 01:26:10.685
We heard in our discussions with the folks who came
1794
01:26:10.865 --> 01:26:12.085
to the meetings
1795
01:26:12.235 --> 01:26:15.805
that synthetic turf improved scheduling and reliability.
1796
01:26:17.705 --> 01:26:21.645
And then we also heard that in our future planning
1797
01:26:22.035 --> 01:26:25.805
that groups should try to balance cost capacity
1798
01:26:25.945 --> 01:26:28.325
and long-term maintenance, which would get you to
1799
01:26:29.915 --> 01:26:30.925
lifecycle costs.
1800
01:26:35.045 --> 01:26:38.035
There was in general broad agreement
1801
01:26:38.185 --> 01:26:41.635
that our athletic field systems are under tremendous stress.
1802
01:26:41.635 --> 01:26:44.475
They're beyond capacity, there's limited availability.
1803
01:26:45.065 --> 01:26:49.435
It's very difficult for organizations
1804
01:26:49.655 --> 01:26:51.075
to expand offerings.
1805
01:26:51.095 --> 01:26:52.595
We heard that from parks and rec.
1806
01:26:53.265 --> 01:26:54.795
It's hard for them to expand
1807
01:26:54.895 --> 01:26:57.995
to different sports like flag football,
1808
01:26:59.045 --> 01:27:01.115
youth field hockey, things like that.
1809
01:27:01.225 --> 01:27:03.955
It's, it's very, because we're just at capacity,
1810
01:27:04.565 --> 01:27:07.955
there was a lot of support for a balance system
1811
01:27:08.185 --> 01:27:10.035
that combined natural grass
1812
01:27:10.215 --> 01:27:12.115
and synthetic turf, which I think is
1813
01:27:12.115 --> 01:27:13.875
what you'll see when you read through the,
1814
01:27:13.875 --> 01:27:18.555
what the other towns did in the studies that they combined
1815
01:27:18.775 --> 01:27:20.155
or they, that they put forward
1816
01:27:21.815 --> 01:27:23.635
for the sustainability department.
1817
01:27:23.735 --> 01:27:25.955
We, we didn't have a chance to speak
1818
01:27:25.955 --> 01:27:27.235
with Jillian Wilson Martin.
1819
01:27:28.735 --> 01:27:31.755
She submitted a me, we sent her a list of questions.
1820
01:27:31.975 --> 01:27:33.995
She sent back a memo. It is linked here.
1821
01:27:34.355 --> 01:27:35.595
I recommend that you read it.
1822
01:27:36.095 --> 01:27:39.955
It has a variety of resources cited related
1823
01:27:40.095 --> 01:27:43.875
to public health, the environment and compliance.
1824
01:27:44.585 --> 01:27:48.475
It's a memo that comes from Claire Relli
1825
01:27:49.175 --> 01:27:51.515
and Jillian and our Goode.
1826
01:27:52.295 --> 01:27:56.355
So that provides you with some of the resources, studies.
1827
01:27:56.615 --> 01:27:58.595
She has a lot of studies that she lists
1828
01:28:00.135 --> 01:28:02.955
and it importantly kind of identifies
1829
01:28:03.255 --> 01:28:07.075
and puts forward a recommendation of things that committees
1830
01:28:07.215 --> 01:28:10.315
and elected bodies should consider when
1831
01:28:11.385 --> 01:28:14.035
they decide on how to design a field
1832
01:28:14.135 --> 01:28:17.395
and what the, the parameters around that field should be.
1833
01:28:19.415 --> 01:28:23.315
As I said, we, our committee,
1834
01:28:23.375 --> 01:28:26.915
we talked a lot about being as unbiased as possible.
1835
01:28:26.915 --> 01:28:28.755
That was the really did not wanna
1836
01:28:33.465 --> 01:28:35.475
sort of sway one way or another
1837
01:28:35.475 --> 01:28:37.155
because we felt like that would,
1838
01:28:38.465 --> 01:28:41.395
that our results then wouldn't be respected in the way
1839
01:28:41.395 --> 01:28:42.515
that we wanted them to be.
1840
01:28:44.325 --> 01:28:47.115
We've, I think it's important to note that
1841
01:28:47.855 --> 01:28:50.275
you will find a lot of conflicting information.
1842
01:28:50.425 --> 01:28:54.755
There's a lot of studies that are pre,
1843
01:28:54.755 --> 01:28:55.915
see I'm even doing it right now.
1844
01:28:55.995 --> 01:28:57.595
I can, it's hard to speak about it without,
1845
01:28:57.835 --> 01:28:58.915
without appearing bias.
1846
01:28:59.335 --> 01:29:04.045
But you, I would encourage you to read the studies.
1847
01:29:04.265 --> 01:29:07.725
You can Google them, you can use your favorite,
1848
01:29:07.985 --> 01:29:09.085
you know, AI tool.
1849
01:29:09.235 --> 01:29:13.245
There's just a lot out there that you will find a lot
1850
01:29:13.245 --> 01:29:14.925
of divergent views on this.
1851
01:29:16.465 --> 01:29:18.725
We tried to, on our website
1852
01:29:18.985 --> 01:29:23.245
and linked in the report, find studies that aggregated
1853
01:29:23.245 --> 01:29:24.525
and analyzed research.
1854
01:29:25.665 --> 01:29:29.005
But we would, our committee recommends that you try to look
1855
01:29:29.025 --> 01:29:31.965
for current studies 'cause the field is rapidly evolving
1856
01:29:32.625 --> 01:29:34.365
and you look for non-partisan studies.
1857
01:29:37.855 --> 01:29:39.845
Other towns like Brookline
1858
01:29:39.945 --> 01:29:43.165
and Arlington, towns in
1859
01:29:43.165 --> 01:29:45.125
California, towns in New Jersey.
1860
01:29:45.705 --> 01:29:47.885
We have those all linked on our website,
1861
01:29:48.565 --> 01:29:50.085
which is on the town website.
1862
01:29:51.305 --> 01:29:53.725
You can see how they evaluated their decisions
1863
01:29:54.545 --> 01:29:57.445
and think about how their research
1864
01:29:57.745 --> 01:30:00.805
and how they approach things could be applied to Natick.
1865
01:30:00.805 --> 01:30:02.925
We talked a lot about finding other towns
1866
01:30:02.925 --> 01:30:06.845
that were like ours so that we were dealing with towns
1867
01:30:06.845 --> 01:30:08.885
that had the same amount of field space
1868
01:30:08.945 --> 01:30:11.965
and the same amount of staffing.
1869
01:30:13.225 --> 01:30:15.485
So that is another thing
1870
01:30:15.945 --> 01:30:18.765
to think about when you're looking at those studies is are
1871
01:30:18.765 --> 01:30:20.005
those towns like ours?
1872
01:30:22.065 --> 01:30:24.885
And like I said, it's a rapidly evolving field.
1873
01:30:25.485 --> 01:30:28.845
I did wanna highlight this on the next slide is the,
1874
01:30:30.915 --> 01:30:35.205
this Haley and Aldrich study, which it's, it's, it's a memo
1875
01:30:35.265 --> 01:30:36.725
but it's a 45 page memo
1876
01:30:37.145 --> 01:30:41.645
and it's, it was the,
1877
01:30:43.345 --> 01:30:47.125
our board of health representative indicated that Haley
1878
01:30:47.145 --> 01:30:48.925
and Aldrich is a well-respected
1879
01:30:48.925 --> 01:30:51.845
environmental engineering firm.
1880
01:30:52.145 --> 01:30:56.245
And they were asked to do this study by Swarthmore College.
1881
01:30:57.265 --> 01:30:58.925
And I find it particularly,
1882
01:30:59.465 --> 01:31:01.525
we found it particularly compelling
1883
01:31:01.525 --> 01:31:06.205
because it walks through a comparison of natural grass
1884
01:31:06.225 --> 01:31:09.445
and synthetic turf for all of the areas that we
1885
01:31:10.525 --> 01:31:14.205
identified throughout our research as that were areas
1886
01:31:14.305 --> 01:31:19.005
of concern, usable hours, maintenance, how to approach, how
1887
01:31:19.005 --> 01:31:20.165
to approach environmental
1888
01:31:20.225 --> 01:31:24.125
and health impacts the composition
1889
01:31:24.265 --> 01:31:27.205
of synthetic turf fields and the composition of soils.
1890
01:31:27.675 --> 01:31:31.605
They get into PFAS, microplastics, injury and heat.
1891
01:31:31.605 --> 01:31:33.885
Those are all things that are issues and,
1892
01:31:33.945 --> 01:31:38.805
and I think it is it, it takes the science
1893
01:31:38.945 --> 01:31:41.605
and the data and and analyzes it
1894
01:31:41.745 --> 01:31:43.805
and then provides it to you in a way
1895
01:31:43.805 --> 01:31:45.485
that can be easily understood
1896
01:31:46.905 --> 01:31:48.805
and sort of addresses the things
1897
01:31:48.805 --> 01:31:51.285
that you might be thinking about related to this topic.
1898
01:31:53.065 --> 01:31:54.325
So I wanted to highlight that
1899
01:31:56.825 --> 01:32:01.325
we did have a little bit of information from tie
1900
01:32:01.325 --> 01:32:04.805
and bond, which is the firm that's on under contract
1901
01:32:04.805 --> 01:32:06.885
to do the design of the field.
1902
01:32:08.105 --> 01:32:10.125
We have a little bit of information on what it takes
1903
01:32:10.145 --> 01:32:12.205
to construct a natural grass field, what it takes
1904
01:32:12.205 --> 01:32:13.885
to construct a synthetic turf field.
1905
01:32:14.425 --> 01:32:17.885
As I said before, maintenance is really important
1906
01:32:17.915 --> 01:32:20.685
because if you do not take care of these fields,
1907
01:32:21.715 --> 01:32:25.245
they degrade and then the chance of injury is greater.
1908
01:32:26.065 --> 01:32:30.405
The chance that they can, they can't be used to the extent
1909
01:32:30.405 --> 01:32:33.165
that they should be or were designed to be used
1910
01:32:34.065 --> 01:32:35.325
in terms of playable hours.
1911
01:32:35.425 --> 01:32:36.925
That's really important
1912
01:32:37.145 --> 01:32:40.445
and something that if you have questions about that
1913
01:32:41.485 --> 01:32:44.925
DPW in particular our good, he is a really great resource.
1914
01:32:47.595 --> 01:32:49.725
Financial considerations, this was something
1915
01:32:49.725 --> 01:32:52.725
that had been looked at in the fall of 25,
1916
01:32:53.105 --> 01:32:57.285
but we looked at it a little bit too in terms of what,
1917
01:32:57.965 --> 01:32:59.325
a little bit of what tie and bond
1918
01:33:00.245 --> 01:33:02.765
provided to us that natural grass fields have a lower
1919
01:33:02.765 --> 01:33:05.645
investment, but long term
1920
01:33:05.985 --> 01:33:09.565
and a lower initial investment than synthetic turf fields.
1921
01:33:10.685 --> 01:33:12.725
Synthetic turf fields have a higher initial investment,
1922
01:33:12.865 --> 01:33:14.965
but lower maintenance costs.
1923
01:33:16.305 --> 01:33:18.845
But all of these should be considered when you're thinking
1924
01:33:18.845 --> 01:33:23.165
about the lifecycle cost installation, maintenance disposal.
1925
01:33:23.385 --> 01:33:25.845
But you should also be looking at playable hours,
1926
01:33:26.055 --> 01:33:28.605
field rentals, program of revenues, staffing
1927
01:33:29.225 --> 01:33:30.765
and benefits to users.
1928
01:33:32.425 --> 01:33:33.605
So in conclusion,
1929
01:33:38.035 --> 01:33:41.085
this choice really depends on a range of factors
1930
01:33:41.385 --> 01:33:44.485
and there's really no single right answer.
1931
01:33:45.665 --> 01:33:48.885
It really is looking at all of the factors
1932
01:33:49.265 --> 01:33:51.765
and trying to make the best decision that you can.
1933
01:33:54.385 --> 01:33:57.485
It, as I said, it's meant to show, it's meant
1934
01:33:57.485 --> 01:34:02.165
to share primarily what the town of Natick leaders
1935
01:34:02.305 --> 01:34:04.525
and experts wanted to share with you.
1936
01:34:06.385 --> 01:34:09.645
And I'm just hitting home the maintenance
1937
01:34:09.645 --> 01:34:12.605
because that came up time and time again.
1938
01:34:12.905 --> 01:34:16.205
And it comes up a lot I think in Natick town government
1939
01:34:16.205 --> 01:34:19.325
about making sure that our investments are protected
1940
01:34:19.425 --> 01:34:20.525
by proper maintenance.
1941
01:34:21.345 --> 01:34:23.925
We have a website, it's up on the town,
1942
01:34:23.925 --> 01:34:25.325
you'll find the final report
1943
01:34:25.745 --> 01:34:28.885
and the various studies that I've mentioned
1944
01:34:30.545 --> 01:34:34.885
and all the interviews that we did, those are posted.
1945
01:34:36.435 --> 01:34:39.325
Jillian's report is posted for reading.
1946
01:34:39.585 --> 01:34:40.885
So I think there's just a lot
1947
01:34:40.885 --> 01:34:42.005
of really great resources there.
1948
01:34:42.145 --> 01:34:43.165
So that's it.
1949
01:34:43.865 --> 01:34:47.885
All right. Thank you for the presentation then again, to
1950
01:34:48.535 --> 01:34:50.965
recap, tonight is not about a,
1951
01:34:51.065 --> 01:34:54.885
the specific field at the high school tonight is just laying
1952
01:34:54.905 --> 01:34:56.485
the groundwork for that conversation.
1953
01:34:57.005 --> 01:35:01.205
Two weeks from now, we will hear about the specific problem
1954
01:35:01.475 --> 01:35:03.285
that we're trying to solve for.
1955
01:35:04.025 --> 01:35:07.085
So questions or comments from the committee on the field
1956
01:35:07.095 --> 01:35:09.205
study group and the report.
1957
01:35:11.395 --> 01:35:13.575
And if there are none, that is okay as well.
1958
01:35:13.575 --> 01:35:16.335
There's a lot of information obviously to read.
1959
01:35:16.435 --> 01:35:18.615
My, the reason that we're sort of doing this,
1960
01:35:19.475 --> 01:35:23.095
it it sequence like this a little slow is not only
1961
01:35:23.095 --> 01:35:25.455
because there's so much information for people to
1962
01:35:25.795 --> 01:35:28.255
to consume, but we wanna make sure that members
1963
01:35:28.255 --> 01:35:30.455
of the community have a lot of time not just the members
1964
01:35:30.455 --> 01:35:33.015
of the committee, to not only consume all their information
1965
01:35:33.015 --> 01:35:35.935
but participate in the various stages of the conversation.
1966
01:35:37.715 --> 01:35:41.015
So like Julie had mentioned, the point
1967
01:35:41.035 --> 01:35:45.455
of the this group was not to come up with an answer for what
1968
01:35:45.455 --> 01:35:46.895
to do with one field or another.
1969
01:35:46.915 --> 01:35:51.015
It was to create this artifact set of artifacts of for
1970
01:35:51.075 --> 01:35:53.175
how one who might be making that decision
1971
01:35:54.435 --> 01:35:57.655
or tools that the groups who make those decisions might use.
1972
01:35:58.155 --> 01:36:01.335
So that's what that report was.
1973
01:36:03.715 --> 01:36:04.935
And Julie, I don't know if you want
1974
01:36:04.935 --> 01:36:06.975
to say a little bit more about the following.
1975
01:36:07.135 --> 01:36:08.535
'cause this came up in a bunch of our meetings.
1976
01:36:09.155 --> 01:36:12.735
The, we had a lot of discussion about
1977
01:36:14.545 --> 01:36:17.655
collecting kind of research and
1978
01:36:17.655 --> 01:36:19.895
because we were trying to be so careful about not,
1979
01:36:20.285 --> 01:36:24.615
well if we find a report on safety of the safety
1980
01:36:25.355 --> 01:36:29.615
of a synthetic tur turf field versus a natural grass
1981
01:36:30.245 --> 01:36:31.935
turf field, well if we find one,
1982
01:36:31.995 --> 01:36:34.295
we should make sure we find a report on the other.
1983
01:36:35.795 --> 01:36:39.175
And if so, so that we have a balanced num you know, number
1984
01:36:39.175 --> 01:36:42.175
of reports on all of the different topics.
1985
01:36:43.735 --> 01:36:45.535
I don't know if there's any like that that came up
1986
01:36:45.535 --> 01:36:47.015
so often it just might be worth,
1987
01:36:47.415 --> 01:36:49.655
I dunno if there's anything more you you wanna say.
1988
01:36:50.085 --> 01:36:52.055
Yeah, I mean, I thought about this a lot
1989
01:36:52.055 --> 01:36:56.295
because there's a lot of discussion at town meeting
1990
01:36:56.295 --> 01:36:58.335
and there has been a lot of discussion at town meeting
1991
01:36:58.475 --> 01:37:03.175
and there's a lot of reports out there that have a bias in,
1992
01:37:03.275 --> 01:37:06.375
in a, that you, we actually, we listed the,
1993
01:37:07.275 --> 01:37:10.295
the moratorium files are up on the website so you can see
1994
01:37:10.295 --> 01:37:11.335
that the resources
1995
01:37:11.335 --> 01:37:13.255
and the research studies they were pulling from.
1996
01:37:14.515 --> 01:37:17.415
And then you have some other
1997
01:37:17.415 --> 01:37:20.255
environmental studies.
1998
01:37:20.555 --> 01:37:23.815
But I, I actually have been thinking that
1999
01:37:25.635 --> 01:37:27.335
to the detriment of this report,
2000
01:37:27.805 --> 01:37:30.415
there's actually now no listing.
2001
01:37:30.715 --> 01:37:33.575
And maybe if I had to go back, maybe we should have done it,
2002
01:37:33.955 --> 01:37:36.015
is to go back
2003
01:37:36.115 --> 01:37:41.015
and list the studies that show that,
2004
01:37:42.515 --> 01:37:45.655
for example, that there, there's many studies
2005
01:37:45.685 --> 01:37:48.775
that have shown that there's no significant human health
2006
01:37:48.885 --> 01:37:50.615
risk to using turf fields.
2007
01:37:52.215 --> 01:37:55.285
I can list them, but they're not listed anywhere.
2008
01:37:55.545 --> 01:37:57.845
And I think that maybe in hindsight
2009
01:37:58.545 --> 01:38:00.045
we should have included those
2010
01:38:00.585 --> 01:38:03.725
and we should have included the other studies
2011
01:38:03.835 --> 01:38:06.925
that are already posted on the website about from
2012
01:38:06.945 --> 01:38:08.165
the, the moratorium.
2013
01:38:08.185 --> 01:38:10.485
And so you have studies from
2014
01:38:11.575 --> 01:38:13.965
state governments like California and New York
2015
01:38:14.025 --> 01:38:15.445
and Washington State and,
2016
01:38:17.505 --> 01:38:21.005
and they're not finding a human health impact related to,
2017
01:38:23.585 --> 01:38:24.845
to synthetic turf.
2018
01:38:24.995 --> 01:38:27.485
There's studies that, there's been a lot of studies
2019
01:38:28.595 --> 01:38:32.205
that have been cited that show an increase of injury.
2020
01:38:32.355 --> 01:38:35.605
There's, we found studies, there's also studies out there
2021
01:38:35.635 --> 01:38:39.445
that show there's no increase in injury related
2022
01:38:39.625 --> 01:38:42.045
to football and soccer.
2023
01:38:42.385 --> 01:38:46.845
And so there's studies out there that show
2024
01:38:46.875 --> 01:38:50.565
that actually synthetic turf is safer
2025
01:38:50.705 --> 01:38:53.045
and better outside rather than inside.
2026
01:38:53.225 --> 01:38:55.045
And so in terms of air quality.
2027
01:38:55.745 --> 01:38:58.925
So I just, I think that, that we didn't do
2028
01:38:59.075 --> 01:39:03.965
because we were so concerned about ha having it.
2029
01:39:03.985 --> 01:39:05.605
So maybe we should have done a side
2030
01:39:05.605 --> 01:39:07.165
by side, but we didn't do that.
2031
01:39:07.665 --> 01:39:10.645
So I would encourage everyone to seek out
2032
01:39:11.175 --> 01:39:12.405
these types of studies,
2033
01:39:12.975 --> 01:39:14.645
Which is a, a another good point.
2034
01:39:14.665 --> 01:39:16.965
One of the things that kept coming up also in those meetings
2035
01:39:17.025 --> 01:39:20.245
was these are just, this is just a set of tools
2036
01:39:20.275 --> 01:39:21.845
that people can use, but the hope is
2037
01:39:21.845 --> 01:39:23.525
that people will also do their own research
2038
01:39:24.705 --> 01:39:29.565
and if we take too long it all that research will be defunct
2039
01:39:29.585 --> 01:39:30.685
and there'll be a need to.
2040
01:39:31.005 --> 01:39:33.565
Yeah, the technology changes so frequent, you know, so,
2041
01:39:33.625 --> 01:39:36.285
so often that we have to stay on it.
2042
01:39:36.285 --> 01:39:38.845
Alright, without other questions
2043
01:39:38.845 --> 01:39:41.565
or comments, we can, there's nothing to vote on here, so.
2044
01:39:42.945 --> 01:39:44.165
All right, well thank
2045
01:39:44.165 --> 01:39:45.725
you. Thank you. And thanks for being here.
2046
01:39:45.945 --> 01:39:46.965
Thanks for the opportunity.
2047
01:39:47.195 --> 01:39:49.285
Yeah, first time sitting at, that's Abel right there.
2048
01:39:49.285 --> 01:39:51.165
Yeah, it's a big one. He's warming up.
2049
01:39:51.225 --> 01:39:53.005
He wanted to warm up so he can come back in two weeks
2050
01:39:53.025 --> 01:39:54.045
and use a microphone.
2051
01:39:54.585 --> 01:39:58.365
All right. So we are going
2052
01:39:58.465 --> 01:40:01.765
to go backwards now to the,
2053
01:40:03.425 --> 01:40:06.765
the MASC conference, which is this week.
2054
01:40:09.815 --> 01:40:11.405
Who's going from us?
2055
01:40:11.865 --> 01:40:14.045
I'm going, we're going, are we all going? Oh cool.
2056
01:40:14.885 --> 01:40:16.085
Sebastian going. Yeah. Oh nice.
2057
01:40:16.385 --> 01:40:18.045
So what did we wanna talk about with this?
2058
01:40:19.055 --> 01:40:22.285
Other than it's happening one, can you all the packets,
2059
01:40:22.985 --> 01:40:25.685
oh, what a great idea. Guys's idea
2060
01:40:25.705 --> 01:40:29.605
To wanna take the credit
Ms.
2061
01:40:29.605 --> 01:40:30.605
Pernell.
2062
01:40:31.675 --> 01:40:34.565
Well, there are different sessions, so it is always good
2063
01:40:34.565 --> 01:40:36.365
for us to communicate beforehand just so
2064
01:40:36.365 --> 01:40:37.725
that we don't all show up in the same session.
2065
01:40:38.185 --> 01:40:41.285
Or if we do show up in the same session, for example Dr.
2066
01:40:41.315 --> 01:40:45.685
Folkman's session, maybe some of us would go
2067
01:40:45.685 --> 01:40:47.885
to other sessions, you know, so
2068
01:40:47.885 --> 01:40:49.885
that we can bring more research back to the committee.
2069
01:40:50.765 --> 01:40:52.245
That's one thing. Does everyone know
2070
01:40:52.245 --> 01:40:55.885
that there's an app that you can use? So there's a,
2071
01:40:56.025 --> 01:40:57.025
Oh, it's outstanding.
2072
01:40:57.155 --> 01:40:59.205
There's a good conference app to use.
2073
01:41:00.345 --> 01:41:02.325
It allows you to browse the entire agenda
2074
01:41:03.065 --> 01:41:05.645
and like put things in your own agenda so you can see
2075
01:41:05.705 --> 01:41:07.845
and connect with other folks who you might, you know, meet.
2076
01:41:09.185 --> 01:41:12.325
And then just one more thing, in, in future years,
2077
01:41:12.465 --> 01:41:15.605
we might consider becoming a committee that sends a delegate
2078
01:41:15.985 --> 01:41:17.725
to vote on some of the resolutions.
2079
01:41:17.785 --> 01:41:19.005
Our committee's never done that
2080
01:41:19.005 --> 01:41:22.405
before, so just maybe something for us to pay attention
2081
01:41:22.505 --> 01:41:25.365
to this year and decide if in the future we either want
2082
01:41:25.365 --> 01:41:26.485
to submit a resolution
2083
01:41:26.665 --> 01:41:29.565
or support resolutions that are on the floor.
2084
01:41:30.025 --> 01:41:31.285
And just correct me if I'm wrong,
2085
01:41:31.405 --> 01:41:33.525
I think the deadline for that was September. It was,
2086
01:41:33.525 --> 01:41:34.525
Yeah.
2087
01:41:34.525 --> 01:41:35.245
Right. So that's, we can't do it this year.
2088
01:41:35.345 --> 01:41:37.525
No, but we should put, make a mental note that if we got
2089
01:41:37.525 --> 01:41:39.365
to make that decision prior to September
2090
01:41:39.945 --> 01:41:42.885
of next year if we wanted to, if we wanna do that.
2091
01:41:42.905 --> 01:41:45.965
We are division two, right? Are we division two?
2092
01:41:46.005 --> 01:41:47.525
I think we're division two. Oh
2093
01:41:47.525 --> 01:41:48.525
Yes, yes.
2094
01:41:48.525 --> 01:41:49.805
Sorry. Because there's division meetings on Thursday
2095
01:41:49.805 --> 01:41:51.205
afternoon or Friday or something like that.
2096
01:41:51.745 --> 01:41:52.965
And then anyone can be part
2097
01:41:52.965 --> 01:41:54.725
of division 10 if you'd like to be
2098
01:41:56.065 --> 01:41:57.065
In addition.
2099
01:41:59.705 --> 01:42:03.525
And this year for just in case Mr. Patel, it's in Danver,
2100
01:42:03.525 --> 01:42:04.885
not the Cape, I'm aware.
2101
01:42:04.885 --> 01:42:09.445
Alright. All right. Good.
2102
01:42:10.105 --> 01:42:13.645
Mr. Gillis, what is this?
2103
01:42:13.645 --> 01:42:15.245
You all right.
2104
01:42:20.025 --> 01:42:22.405
So thank you. This is the first quarter report ending
2105
01:42:22.895 --> 01:42:27.205
first quarter of the year for, for the teachers
2106
01:42:27.275 --> 01:42:29.285
that is about 20% complete.
2107
01:42:30.065 --> 01:42:33.765
And for the, for the rest of the staff,
2108
01:42:33.795 --> 01:42:37.565
it's a little more than a about 30% complete based on the
2109
01:42:37.565 --> 01:42:38.965
number of payrolls
2110
01:42:38.965 --> 01:42:40.285
and the number of school days that we have left.
2111
01:42:40.905 --> 01:42:45.405
So we've spent about 28% of the budget thus far
2112
01:42:45.555 --> 01:42:48.365
between actual expenditure and encumbrances.
2113
01:42:48.825 --> 01:42:49.885
We don't encumber payroll,
2114
01:42:50.505 --> 01:42:54.445
but we do project it out when we finish all that projection.
2115
01:42:54.445 --> 01:42:56.245
At the moment, it looks like we're in great shape
2116
01:42:56.795 --> 01:42:58.805
with about $700,000 to the good.
2117
01:42:59.235 --> 01:43:02.765
That could change pretty fast tuitions,
2118
01:43:03.515 --> 01:43:07.405
long-term subs, maternity leaves, any number of things.
2119
01:43:08.185 --> 01:43:09.885
We usually start out a little better
2120
01:43:10.225 --> 01:43:11.325
at the beginning of the year.
2121
01:43:11.325 --> 01:43:15.565
And then as the year goes on, life happens, things happen.
2122
01:43:16.065 --> 01:43:19.285
Do we have to pay for whether or not we, we choose to
2123
01:43:19.285 --> 01:43:22.325
because they happen inside our zip code and we have legal
2124
01:43:22.385 --> 01:43:24.565
and contractual obligations and then we honor that.
2125
01:43:25.025 --> 01:43:26.405
So we're off to a great start.
2126
01:43:28.505 --> 01:43:33.125
You know, it's about 0.7%, so we're still about 99.3%
2127
01:43:34.085 --> 01:43:35.645
likely to be expended as of today.
2128
01:43:35.645 --> 01:43:38.645
It'll probably get down to the 99.8
2129
01:43:38.645 --> 01:43:42.285
or 99.9 plus percent as it has in the past.
2130
01:43:43.385 --> 01:43:44.485
Not too many big changes.
2131
01:43:46.145 --> 01:43:49.085
One one worth noting prior encumbrances
2132
01:43:49.625 --> 01:43:52.445
should get posted into the budget soon.
2133
01:43:52.945 --> 01:43:54.765
And then the, the voc agri
2134
01:43:55.565 --> 01:43:57.765
vocational agricultural tuition line
2135
01:43:57.765 --> 01:44:01.405
for the VOC Aggie school, Norfolk, Norfolk,
2136
01:44:01.415 --> 01:44:02.965
Aggie over in Walpole,
2137
01:44:03.745 --> 01:44:07.285
we were about 50,280 more than what we budgeted.
2138
01:44:07.625 --> 01:44:10.765
We had two more students wind up going then we estimated,
2139
01:44:11.505 --> 01:44:14.005
we estimated conservatively for the tuition,
2140
01:44:14.105 --> 01:44:15.485
but not necessarily
2141
01:44:15.665 --> 01:44:17.765
for the continued popularity of the program.
2142
01:44:19.265 --> 01:44:21.445
My first year here, we,
2143
01:44:21.625 --> 01:44:23.445
we had I think five kids going to school.
2144
01:44:23.505 --> 01:44:25.165
Now we're now we're, we've got about a dozen,
2145
01:44:25.575 --> 01:44:29.885
we're running two vans instead of one vocational program.
2146
01:44:29.975 --> 01:44:33.365
Seems to be popular. Grants were in pretty good shape.
2147
01:44:35.065 --> 01:44:36.525
You can see the attachment there.
2148
01:44:37.865 --> 01:44:41.085
And then revolving funds were also in, in pretty good shape.
2149
01:44:41.225 --> 01:44:43.405
The athletic revolving fee looks like it's a little short
2150
01:44:43.565 --> 01:44:46.965
'cause but the new athletic director
2151
01:44:47.065 --> 01:44:49.405
and the, the staff there, they've got just about everything
2152
01:44:49.405 --> 01:44:51.725
that they can expect for the year to go in
2153
01:44:52.065 --> 01:44:54.925
and the revenues post after they've been received.
2154
01:44:55.065 --> 01:44:56.965
And I think most folks are familiar
2155
01:44:56.965 --> 01:44:58.125
that we have three seasons.
2156
01:44:58.125 --> 01:44:59.485
So we have three seasons of revenue.
2157
01:44:59.945 --> 01:45:01.565
So all the revenue isn't posted yet that,
2158
01:45:01.585 --> 01:45:03.005
that's an actual posting.
2159
01:45:05.585 --> 01:45:07.645
We do have a a, a late posting
2160
01:45:07.745 --> 01:45:10.685
and one to find for an underage drinking prevention program.
2161
01:45:11.395 --> 01:45:14.365
It's kind of a combination of what used
2162
01:45:14.365 --> 01:45:17.405
to be a student activity has been sort of picked up by the
2163
01:45:18.015 --> 01:45:19.245
towns public health department
2164
01:45:19.305 --> 01:45:21.325
and they combined forces to make things happen.
2165
01:45:21.825 --> 01:45:25.485
We did have a deposit this summer, be chasing that down,
2166
01:45:26.105 --> 01:45:28.485
but for the most part we're in really good shape.
2167
01:45:28.785 --> 01:45:31.565
And the summaries are there attached.
2168
01:45:31.625 --> 01:45:35.685
And if folks have any questions or want any more detail
2169
01:45:35.685 --> 01:45:39.365
and backup, happy to, happy to bring that in.
2170
01:45:39.365 --> 01:45:41.405
Future meetings or answer questions now.
2171
01:45:43.285 --> 01:45:47.165
Questions from the committee? Ms. Rene,
2172
01:45:47.905 --> 01:45:50.165
Can you say what you mean by posted?
2173
01:45:52.065 --> 01:45:55.805
So if you, in the report
2174
01:45:56.785 --> 01:45:57.725
on page
2175
01:46:01.615 --> 01:46:03.645
seven of eight, the athletic,
2176
01:46:04.125 --> 01:46:06.485
I mean in the revolving revolving summary,
2177
01:46:07.015 --> 01:46:08.165
we've got a beginning balance.
2178
01:46:08.175 --> 01:46:10.525
We've got revenue, we've got encumbrances expended,
2179
01:46:10.525 --> 01:46:14.045
and then an estimated or year to date ending balance.
2180
01:46:14.745 --> 01:46:16.845
We don't, we don't
2181
01:46:18.355 --> 01:46:19.845
show any estimated revenue.
2182
01:46:20.265 --> 01:46:21.765
We only show the actual that's,
2183
01:46:21.765 --> 01:46:23.525
that's received in and posted.
2184
01:46:24.265 --> 01:46:27.565
So when the money comes in from whether it be the, the bank
2185
01:46:28.025 --> 01:46:31.885
or the state and by the bank for our online payments
2186
01:46:32.265 --> 01:46:35.525
or any other deposits, when the treasurer's office posts
2187
01:46:35.525 --> 01:46:37.205
that, that's reflected here.
2188
01:46:37.265 --> 01:46:39.205
We don't keep two sets of books.
2189
01:46:40.585 --> 01:46:43.765
And so for, for example, the athletic revolving fee,
2190
01:46:43.765 --> 01:46:46.765
the second line up the top, you know, we're expecting
2191
01:46:46.765 --> 01:46:50.205
to probably get $550,000 in revenue approximately.
2192
01:46:50.865 --> 01:46:55.285
And we've gotten 1 65 that was posted through November,
2193
01:46:56.205 --> 01:46:59.685
I mean through October 18th or 16th, the date of the report.
2194
01:46:59.785 --> 01:47:02.085
So it would've been the day before that.
2195
01:47:02.345 --> 01:47:04.365
That's all that we have at that point.
2196
01:47:04.465 --> 01:47:06.005
But there's, there's probably more than that.
2197
01:47:06.225 --> 01:47:10.325
And for example, the football season still isn't over,
2198
01:47:10.705 --> 01:47:12.325
but yet we, the gate receipts
2199
01:47:12.825 --> 01:47:14.845
for the Thanksgiving Day game if we
2200
01:47:14.985 --> 01:47:16.845
for the home team haven't posted.
2201
01:47:17.465 --> 01:47:19.525
So there's, there's other things that keep coming in.
2202
01:47:19.755 --> 01:47:20.925
Like, like I said with the winter
2203
01:47:20.985 --> 01:47:23.845
and spring, spring seasons as well, that
2204
01:47:23.915 --> 01:47:26.845
that negative balance will, will decline
2205
01:47:27.265 --> 01:47:28.365
as the revenue posts
2206
01:47:28.365 --> 01:47:30.165
because you can see the encumbrances there.
2207
01:47:30.955 --> 01:47:33.685
They're pretty much in for the year already.
2208
01:47:34.985 --> 01:47:37.965
So that, that's what I mean by when revenue hasn't posted.
2209
01:47:38.185 --> 01:47:39.565
So Circuit Break is another one
2210
01:47:39.565 --> 01:47:41.725
where we've received 1.2 million,
2211
01:47:41.905 --> 01:47:44.165
but we're, we've got three more quarters
2212
01:47:44.825 --> 01:47:48.565
of 1.2 million likely to come in or act.
2213
01:47:48.635 --> 01:47:53.085
Yeah, it's a little under that but likely to come in.
2214
01:47:53.105 --> 01:47:56.125
So, but we don't esti we don't show the projected revenue.
2215
01:47:56.275 --> 01:47:57.685
This is really just actuals.
2216
01:47:58.025 --> 01:48:00.725
The encumbrances show our planned expenses so
2217
01:48:00.725 --> 01:48:01.965
that we don't spend the money twice.
2218
01:48:04.465 --> 01:48:08.125
So it just, it requires just close cooperation
2219
01:48:08.125 --> 01:48:10.605
with the treasurer's office and your office.
2220
01:48:11.625 --> 01:48:16.525
It it does definitely the, I, the school finance office
2221
01:48:17.465 --> 01:48:19.645
tracks it and prepares entries
2222
01:48:19.785 --> 01:48:21.805
and try to, try
2223
01:48:21.805 --> 01:48:24.765
to make sure we get everything posted correctly.
2224
01:48:24.765 --> 01:48:27.805
That's supposed to be there. There's been some turnover in
2225
01:48:27.805 --> 01:48:31.685
the treasurer's office, I'll call it the last six,
2226
01:48:31.685 --> 01:48:33.965
seven months with a long-term treasurer
2227
01:48:33.965 --> 01:48:35.205
leaving an interim treasurer.
2228
01:48:36.165 --> 01:48:39.645
They hired a new treasurer, Janine Smith. She's great.
2229
01:48:39.915 --> 01:48:41.845
Unfortunately, I think tomorrow's her last
2230
01:48:41.865 --> 01:48:43.005
day she took another job.
2231
01:48:44.105 --> 01:48:47.365
And then, so we'll be back to an interim treasurer again.
2232
01:48:48.155 --> 01:48:51.405
Hopefully that, you know, things, things have improved
2233
01:48:51.425 --> 01:48:53.125
and hopefully they'll continue to stay that way.
2234
01:48:53.515 --> 01:48:56.205
Okay, thank you.
Other questions?
2235
01:48:58.265 --> 01:49:00.085
All right, thank you Mr. Gillis. Let's move on.
2236
01:49:02.625 --> 01:49:05.365
So next one is the architect's contract update.
2237
01:49:05.365 --> 01:49:07.285
We have a tentative agreement with AI three.
2238
01:49:07.835 --> 01:49:10.085
This will be their fifth school in Natick.
2239
01:49:10.095 --> 01:49:11.245
We're happy to have them back.
2240
01:49:12.715 --> 01:49:13.965
They know us, we know them
2241
01:49:14.305 --> 01:49:16.205
and we're excited to be working with them.
2242
01:49:16.755 --> 01:49:19.565
They did come in under what we had budgeted
2243
01:49:20.345 --> 01:49:22.165
as we negotiated some contract terms.
2244
01:49:22.905 --> 01:49:26.845
So generally when you start a feasibility study project
2245
01:49:26.945 --> 01:49:29.165
or construction project, you're,
2246
01:49:29.165 --> 01:49:31.125
you're looking at about a 10% contingency.
2247
01:49:31.125 --> 01:49:34.965
At the moment we're at about 14%, which is a healthy start.
2248
01:49:35.625 --> 01:49:38.725
It gives the, the building committee a little flexibility
2249
01:49:38.745 --> 01:49:40.525
to answer some questions if they need to
2250
01:49:41.585 --> 01:49:44.085
get some other consultants to dig into some other research
2251
01:49:44.085 --> 01:49:48.325
that's not initially captured by the architect
2252
01:49:48.325 --> 01:49:49.605
and all the sub consultants.
2253
01:49:50.225 --> 01:49:53.245
So like I said, we're off to a good start
2254
01:49:53.305 --> 01:49:55.325
and hopefully we'll hear back from MSBA.
2255
01:49:56.315 --> 01:49:58.565
They, they were hoping by Friday this week
2256
01:49:58.595 --> 01:50:00.405
that we could execute the contract
2257
01:50:01.025 --> 01:50:03.765
and then away we go.
2258
01:50:06.375 --> 01:50:08.525
Again, looking forward to it, it's nice to have the,
2259
01:50:08.545 --> 01:50:10.205
the whole team signed up
2260
01:50:10.545 --> 01:50:12.685
and the project really ready to proceed.
2261
01:50:14.775 --> 01:50:16.845
Great. Dr. Bash, is this you?
2262
01:50:17.355 --> 01:50:19.685
Yeah, for the ED program update, we just really,
2263
01:50:19.985 --> 01:50:21.725
we had it on our original schedule
2264
01:50:21.785 --> 01:50:23.125
to kind of hear an update today.
2265
01:50:23.885 --> 01:50:24.965
You've heard the updates.
2266
01:50:25.065 --> 01:50:27.365
We as the team has have put together so far.
2267
01:50:27.655 --> 01:50:30.605
We're meeting with AI three the architects on November 9th.
2268
01:50:30.985 --> 01:50:33.645
And so we're thinking the next time we come in we'll give an
2269
01:50:33.645 --> 01:50:34.885
update with those incorporated.
2270
01:50:36.465 --> 01:50:39.005
So originally we were gonna vote on that tonight
2271
01:50:39.865 --> 01:50:42.405
and instead we will not
2272
01:50:45.335 --> 01:50:46.925
until probably the 16th.
2273
01:50:48.215 --> 01:50:50.885
Right. And if we decide that we need more time
2274
01:50:50.885 --> 01:50:53.125
to consider based on that feedback, we can always do that.
2275
01:50:54.875 --> 01:50:56.885
Yeah, as I mentioned last time, we kind
2276
01:50:56.885 --> 01:50:58.365
of set an aggressive deadline
2277
01:50:58.365 --> 01:50:59.605
because we said we would have that
2278
01:50:59.605 --> 01:51:01.485
to you in the fall and so we did.
2279
01:51:01.545 --> 01:51:04.085
So it's really yours to decide when you wanna vote on it.
2280
01:51:04.565 --> 01:51:07.765
I, I personally would recommend hearing from AI three
2281
01:51:07.825 --> 01:51:09.365
and we just weren't under contract
2282
01:51:09.385 --> 01:51:10.965
yet in order to have such a meeting.
2283
01:51:13.645 --> 01:51:15.605
Questions Dr. Welch,
2284
01:51:16.735 --> 01:51:21.205
There is an element of the memorial plan at the moment
2285
01:51:21.995 --> 01:51:26.845
that is predicated on some assumptions that
2286
01:51:27.665 --> 01:51:30.805
we made back in the spring when we voted on option B
2287
01:51:30.905 --> 01:51:34.045
to locate a portion of the preschool classrooms at East
2288
01:51:35.065 --> 01:51:36.365
and a portion of the preschool,
2289
01:51:36.365 --> 01:51:37.845
preschool classrooms at Memorial.
2290
01:51:38.945 --> 01:51:41.245
We did this just to remind my colleagues to
2291
01:51:41.955 --> 01:51:45.805
free up space at the high school to reduce preschool
2292
01:51:45.825 --> 01:51:49.645
to two sites to make this more efficient operationally
2293
01:51:50.865 --> 01:51:52.925
and to do this in a way that was most efficient
2294
01:51:52.945 --> 01:51:54.125
to local taxpayers.
2295
01:51:54.125 --> 01:51:56.405
We're gonna maximize the state's distribution
2296
01:51:57.665 --> 01:51:58.885
and we were gonna free up
2297
01:52:00.055 --> 01:52:02.845
space at the high school at the lowest possible cost.
2298
01:52:04.665 --> 01:52:07.725
My understanding is that at the moment there has been a
2299
01:52:07.725 --> 01:52:10.565
shift in posture on the part of the town in terms
2300
01:52:10.565 --> 01:52:13.365
of the willingness to engage in a long-term
2301
01:52:13.365 --> 01:52:14.445
agreement at East.
2302
01:52:16.035 --> 01:52:18.885
I've heard discussion of them potentially going to a year
2303
01:52:18.885 --> 01:52:21.005
to year agreement rather than a long-term agreement.
2304
01:52:22.425 --> 01:52:27.005
And I have some concerns about moving forward with a plan
2305
01:52:27.005 --> 01:52:30.365
that assumes 40% of our preschool capacity
2306
01:52:30.905 --> 01:52:34.045
is at Memorial while the other 60% is accounted for.
2307
01:52:36.075 --> 01:52:37.735
If at some point we're gonna wake up
2308
01:52:37.735 --> 01:52:41.175
and find that we don't have a home for 60%
2309
01:52:41.175 --> 01:52:42.415
of our preschool capacity.
2310
01:52:43.835 --> 01:52:48.805
And so I'm prepared to move to amend this plan
2311
01:52:50.025 --> 01:52:52.885
to account for a larger number of preschool classrooms
2312
01:52:54.385 --> 01:52:58.045
unless we have an alternate plan or
2313
01:52:58.105 --> 01:53:00.165
unless I'm not aware of
2314
01:53:00.985 --> 01:53:04.405
the town government being more willing to agree
2315
01:53:04.425 --> 01:53:07.765
to something other than a year to year agreement
2316
01:53:09.065 --> 01:53:11.085
on the use of east
2317
01:53:12.475 --> 01:53:14.165
this six classrooms.
2318
01:53:14.195 --> 01:53:19.125
It's at least 90 students preschool age, many
2319
01:53:19.125 --> 01:53:20.805
of whom have significant disabilities.
2320
01:53:21.665 --> 01:53:23.045
We gotta know where they're gonna go
2321
01:53:24.465 --> 01:53:27.045
and if we tell the architect who we've just agreed
2322
01:53:27.045 --> 01:53:30.045
to a contract with that there's four classrooms there
2323
01:53:30.905 --> 01:53:32.325
and we have to come back later,
2324
01:53:33.985 --> 01:53:36.645
that's gonna cost the taxpayers money to make a change.
2325
01:53:38.535 --> 01:53:42.285
Conversely, if in fact it turns out
2326
01:53:42.285 --> 01:53:44.805
that the town has changed their mind on the use of East,
2327
01:53:46.705 --> 01:53:49.765
we have to add these classrooms at Memorial, which is also
2328
01:53:50.295 --> 01:53:52.365
going to cost the taxpayers money.
2329
01:53:53.985 --> 01:53:58.165
So my concern is that we had town government here
2330
01:53:58.265 --> 01:53:59.965
and we had a conversation about this
2331
01:54:00.505 --> 01:54:05.045
and they made certain assurances and at least Dr.
2332
01:54:05.045 --> 01:54:06.645
Folkman and I made comments about
2333
01:54:06.905 --> 01:54:08.245
how could we do this in a way
2334
01:54:08.245 --> 01:54:10.285
that was most efficient to the taxpayers.
2335
01:54:11.465 --> 01:54:14.445
And now it seems like
2336
01:54:14.445 --> 01:54:16.845
that option may not be available to us.
2337
01:54:18.145 --> 01:54:19.605
So I, forgive me Mr.
2338
01:54:19.765 --> 01:54:21.645
Chairman, I don't wanna hold the floor just for the sake
2339
01:54:21.645 --> 01:54:23.205
of holding the floor, but I just want
2340
01:54:23.205 --> 01:54:27.245
to get it on the record that assumptions that we had
2341
01:54:27.245 --> 01:54:28.405
that went into the creation
2342
01:54:28.405 --> 01:54:30.645
of this plan may no longer be valid.
2343
01:54:31.825 --> 01:54:35.965
And I am very reluctant to cost the Natick taxpayer millions
2344
01:54:35.965 --> 01:54:37.165
of additional dollars,
2345
01:54:38.545 --> 01:54:40.405
but I cannot in good conscience vote
2346
01:54:40.405 --> 01:54:41.805
for a plan if we do not know
2347
01:54:41.805 --> 01:54:43.285
where these preschool classrooms are gonna go.
2348
01:54:44.705 --> 01:54:48.845
And so unless we have a, some assurance now
2349
01:54:49.995 --> 01:54:54.885
from the town, I, I'm prepared to, to make a motion
2350
01:54:55.585 --> 01:54:57.525
to add these additional classrooms to this plan.
2351
01:54:57.905 --> 01:54:59.725
So I'm, I'm happy to yield for questions
2352
01:54:59.725 --> 01:55:01.125
or feedback from my colleagues
2353
01:55:01.125 --> 01:55:04.085
or feedback from the professional staff, but
2354
01:55:04.085 --> 01:55:05.285
otherwise I, I'll be asking
2355
01:55:05.345 --> 01:55:06.965
for recognition again to make that motion.
2356
01:55:07.435 --> 01:55:10.805
Okay. Any comments, questions from the committee
2357
01:55:11.025 --> 01:55:15.165
or anyone else just start Dr. Sebastian, does that
2358
01:55:15.195 --> 01:55:18.485
Move, I mean I've, I have a bit of an update or context.
2359
01:55:20.145 --> 01:55:23.005
So it is true that we don't yet have an MOU,
2360
01:55:23.115 --> 01:55:25.925
it's been something we've been working on since last spring
2361
01:55:27.145 --> 01:55:29.565
and having gone a bit back
2362
01:55:29.585 --> 01:55:31.885
and forth with Jamie who,
2363
01:55:32.545 --> 01:55:36.245
who did suggest prefer keeping the MOU set
2364
01:55:36.265 --> 01:55:39.645
to one year at a time to which I responded, I continue
2365
01:55:39.645 --> 01:55:42.005
to advocate for an agreement through June, 2030.
2366
01:55:42.745 --> 01:55:44.365
We don't currently have another location
2367
01:55:44.385 --> 01:55:45.405
for this preschool program
2368
01:55:45.625 --> 01:55:48.405
and a multi-year agreement would provide important stability
2369
01:55:48.465 --> 01:55:50.725
for students, families, and staff in our planning.
2370
01:55:50.725 --> 01:55:55.005
That's what I wrote. I did receive an email back from him on
2371
01:55:55.005 --> 01:55:57.365
October 28th, which I believe was last Wednesday
2372
01:55:58.055 --> 01:56:00.325
where he indicated he was still working
2373
01:56:00.325 --> 01:56:03.445
to create a more formal MOU in the standard town format
2374
01:56:03.875 --> 01:56:06.005
that he would share in the coming week or two.
2375
01:56:07.465 --> 01:56:08.525
It will read more clearly
2376
01:56:08.585 --> 01:56:10.605
and incorporate some language to provide
2377
01:56:10.665 --> 01:56:13.165
for the needed flexibility for space utilization.
2378
01:56:13.705 --> 01:56:16.205
My understand it doesn't respond
2379
01:56:16.205 --> 01:56:18.325
to the one year in that email.
2380
01:56:19.145 --> 01:56:22.805
So my assumption always was that this MOU would be
2381
01:56:22.805 --> 01:56:25.005
around the four classrooms, not the six.
2382
01:56:25.065 --> 01:56:27.645
The six is a different issue that we have to figure out
2383
01:56:30.015 --> 01:56:32.725
Every, I think this group is aware of the work
2384
01:56:32.725 --> 01:56:33.805
that the select board is doing
2385
01:56:33.805 --> 01:56:35.965
around the Johnson Johnson interim use.
2386
01:56:36.785 --> 01:56:38.565
And if my understanding that
2387
01:56:38.765 --> 01:56:41.165
that would be something from town department head meeting
2388
01:56:41.175 --> 01:56:44.485
today and I'm reporting this secondhand,
2389
01:56:44.545 --> 01:56:46.565
I'm not a decision maker on this so I wanna be clear
2390
01:56:46.565 --> 01:56:48.925
that this is not my jurisdiction to say, you know,
2391
01:56:49.105 --> 01:56:51.445
I'm gonna say what I heard in the meeting today, which is
2392
01:56:51.445 --> 01:56:54.045
that the idea would be that this would be kind of something
2393
01:56:54.105 --> 01:56:55.805
for just to kick off next year.
2394
01:56:56.345 --> 01:56:58.925
So if they were, our proposal in there is
2395
01:56:58.925 --> 01:57:01.805
to move our ASAP offices, not children offices
2396
01:57:02.595 --> 01:57:05.085
over into the Johnson for interim use,
2397
01:57:05.305 --> 01:57:07.765
in which case we could free up one to two.
2398
01:57:07.985 --> 01:57:09.685
Mr. Gillis would be better to kind
2399
01:57:09.685 --> 01:57:12.365
of address the space there at East that we would vacate
2400
01:57:12.705 --> 01:57:14.285
and then without brick
2401
01:57:14.285 --> 01:57:16.565
and mortar kind of reconfigure for classrooms
2402
01:57:16.565 --> 01:57:19.725
or preschool, we could move some something
2403
01:57:19.725 --> 01:57:20.925
outta the high school right now.
2404
01:57:21.555 --> 01:57:23.565
Like one to two, one and a half.
2405
01:57:23.565 --> 01:57:24.725
I don't know, we have to talk about that.
2406
01:57:24.745 --> 01:57:26.685
We haven't gone over to work that out yet
2407
01:57:26.685 --> 01:57:28.245
because honestly we don't have time
2408
01:57:28.245 --> 01:57:29.365
until we know it's our space.
2409
01:57:31.145 --> 01:57:33.045
But we see some opportunity there.
2410
01:57:33.585 --> 01:57:37.765
The others at East, I've continued to advocate
2411
01:57:37.995 --> 01:57:41.085
that if some space at Johnson were to be taken by
2412
01:57:41.845 --> 01:57:44.245
another organization that is currently at East
2413
01:57:44.245 --> 01:57:45.845
and could be moved over and prioritized,
2414
01:57:45.875 --> 01:57:47.285
that would be our great preference
2415
01:57:47.285 --> 01:57:48.485
and I think it would be a win-win
2416
01:57:48.485 --> 01:57:49.845
to the town schools, everybody.
2417
01:57:50.605 --> 01:57:52.045
But that is also not landed
2418
01:57:52.105 --> 01:57:54.445
and I understand the select board's in a process there.
2419
01:57:54.545 --> 01:57:57.685
So I just wanna be clear that the MOU
2420
01:57:57.685 --> 01:58:00.005
that I'm anticipating receiving would only be
2421
01:58:00.005 --> 01:58:02.685
for four classrooms, which we currently have
2422
01:58:02.685 --> 01:58:03.725
kids in classes in.
2423
01:58:04.025 --> 01:58:05.445
It wouldn't be for the two extra
2424
01:58:05.445 --> 01:58:06.885
that we voted for in option B.
2425
01:58:07.305 --> 01:58:08.885
So that's just to clarify.
2426
01:58:11.145 --> 01:58:15.245
But I do expect, you know, Mr. Erickson said he expected
2427
01:58:15.305 --> 01:58:17.485
to get that to me in the coming week or two
2428
01:58:18.985 --> 01:58:20.565
and that was on October 28th.
2429
01:58:20.705 --> 01:58:22.165
So that's the update I can provide.
2430
01:58:24.135 --> 01:58:28.165
Great.
Other comments, thoughts Dr. Fussman?
2431
01:58:29.525 --> 01:58:33.205
I, I guess I just support everything Dr. Welch said
2432
01:58:36.705 --> 01:58:38.605
and I'm trying to figure out what is the best way,
2433
01:58:39.105 --> 01:58:43.205
and it's an open question for us to engage in conversation
2434
01:58:43.435 --> 01:58:46.325
with our colleagues in the select board and,
2435
01:58:46.345 --> 01:58:47.765
and also obviously Dr.
2436
01:58:47.905 --> 01:58:49.605
Sp with the town administrator
2437
01:58:50.995 --> 01:58:54.125
because while there's, these are different jurisdictions,
2438
01:58:54.125 --> 01:58:56.365
what the select board has jurisdiction over versus
2439
01:58:56.365 --> 01:59:00.805
what the schools have jurisdictions, the cost of any
2440
01:59:00.805 --> 01:59:03.325
of these changes goes to the same taxpayers.
2441
01:59:04.345 --> 01:59:06.765
We don't have different taxpayer pools.
2442
01:59:07.425 --> 01:59:08.685
So anything that we do
2443
01:59:10.235 --> 01:59:12.285
that ends up costing the taxpayer more money
2444
01:59:13.385 --> 01:59:15.205
is not only not the benefit of the school committee,
2445
01:59:15.205 --> 01:59:18.845
it's also not who you know and, and people who elected us,
2446
01:59:18.945 --> 01:59:21.165
but also the people who elect the select board.
2447
01:59:21.185 --> 01:59:24.285
You know, they also lose out by not
2448
01:59:25.275 --> 01:59:27.325
helping us make these decisions upfront.
2449
01:59:28.705 --> 01:59:31.285
So we should be making these decisions collaboratively.
2450
01:59:32.625 --> 01:59:34.485
So for example, following Dr.
2451
01:59:34.485 --> 01:59:38.605
Special's idea of moving ASEP staff
2452
01:59:38.605 --> 01:59:42.485
and the other organization staff out of east so
2453
01:59:42.485 --> 01:59:44.925
that we can use more space at east
2454
01:59:45.305 --> 01:59:47.405
and then move forward with a memorial plan
2455
01:59:47.875 --> 01:59:50.565
that won't require the architects to come back
2456
01:59:50.565 --> 01:59:52.245
and redraw the blueprints.
2457
01:59:54.685 --> 01:59:57.965
Deciding that sooner later I think would be the benefit
2458
01:59:58.025 --> 01:59:59.045
to, to the whole town.
2459
02:00:00.585 --> 02:00:02.005
I'm not sure if I made any sense 'cause
2460
02:00:02.385 --> 02:00:05.605
You made so much sense. Other thoughts?
2461
02:00:05.925 --> 02:00:09.445
I have one thought. Do you have something you want to add?
2462
02:00:09.885 --> 02:00:11.805
I, I do provide that colleagues
2463
02:00:11.805 --> 02:00:13.965
who have not spoken on this yet have nothing further
2464
02:00:15.185 --> 02:00:16.185
Go for it.
2465
02:00:18.395 --> 02:00:20.725
Even if the agreement is extended
2466
02:00:20.725 --> 02:00:23.725
through 2030, Mr.
2467
02:00:23.905 --> 02:00:27.205
Gillis, what is the likelihood that Memorial is open
2468
02:00:27.465 --> 02:00:28.885
by September of 2030?
2469
02:00:32.565 --> 02:00:33.765
Probably about 50 50.
2470
02:00:34.115 --> 02:00:37.605
Okay. So there's a
2471
02:00:39.495 --> 02:00:43.525
50% chance that we could be opening a school
2472
02:00:44.075 --> 02:00:45.685
with four preschool classrooms
2473
02:00:46.315 --> 02:00:48.965
roughly concurrent with a time.
2474
02:00:48.965 --> 02:00:50.125
Would we be finding out
2475
02:00:50.175 --> 02:00:52.245
where four other preschool classrooms
2476
02:00:52.245 --> 02:00:54.405
that we could have put in that school that's fixing
2477
02:00:54.465 --> 02:00:58.325
to open that they don't have a home?
2478
02:00:59.135 --> 02:01:00.135
Right.
2479
02:01:00.915 --> 02:01:01.925
That that's correct.
2480
02:01:02.705 --> 02:01:07.165
And, and if I may, I think the fair question ask the town is
2481
02:01:07.165 --> 02:01:08.765
what else are you gonna use the building for
2482
02:01:08.765 --> 02:01:12.245
that you're gonna displace the current preschool program?
2483
02:01:14.845 --> 02:01:16.885
I would, I would love to know, I mean my,
2484
02:01:17.025 --> 02:01:20.445
my direct question to what is now an empty chair,
2485
02:01:20.515 --> 02:01:22.485
what at one time was Mr. Erickson was,
2486
02:01:22.545 --> 02:01:26.845
do you foresee anything in state law, state Article
2487
02:01:27.495 --> 02:01:30.565
57, whatever article we talked about, the condition
2488
02:01:30.565 --> 02:01:32.165
of the building, brand new windows,
2489
02:01:32.865 --> 02:01:34.325
all the other investments
2490
02:01:34.835 --> 02:01:37.085
that the taxpayers have already made in this building
2491
02:01:39.155 --> 02:01:40.405
that there, there was,
2492
02:01:40.405 --> 02:01:42.645
there were no preclusions on future use.
2493
02:01:43.225 --> 02:01:45.285
So I don't know what happens in 2030.
2494
02:01:45.445 --> 02:01:46.925
I don't know if they're putting in a bid
2495
02:01:46.925 --> 02:01:48.445
to host the Olympic games over there
2496
02:01:48.825 --> 02:01:51.245
and so we have to be out in time for them to do that
2497
02:01:51.705 --> 02:01:55.165
or what, but I if, if so I, I don't have
2498
02:01:55.165 --> 02:01:56.925
to hold the floor anymore tonight if we don't have
2499
02:01:56.925 --> 02:01:58.285
to vote on this plan tonight.
2500
02:01:59.065 --> 02:02:02.565
But when, when we meet again in November,
2501
02:02:03.625 --> 02:02:07.205
if we don't have a a home for these preschool children,
2502
02:02:08.125 --> 02:02:10.965
I will make this motion to amend this plan and
2503
02:02:11.205 --> 02:02:12.485
provided that my colleagues support it.
2504
02:02:12.605 --> 02:02:16.685
I just want the taxpayers to know I am very reluctant to add
2505
02:02:16.685 --> 02:02:19.645
to your bill, but this is millions of additional dollars
2506
02:02:19.715 --> 02:02:20.725
that you're gonna have to pay.
2507
02:02:20.925 --> 02:02:23.045
'cause we have to put these kids someplace
2508
02:02:23.465 --> 02:02:26.725
and we cannot get anyone on the townside to tell us whether
2509
02:02:26.725 --> 02:02:29.125
or not we can use this building in the long term.
2510
02:02:29.785 --> 02:02:31.445
And I'm done. I yield back. Thank
2511
02:02:31.445 --> 02:02:32.445
You.
2512
02:02:33.265 --> 02:02:36.565
So no, we're not gonna vote tonight. So that's good.
2513
02:02:36.565 --> 02:02:40.205
And that gives us at least two weeks, two weeks
2514
02:02:40.865 --> 02:02:44.445
at at hopefully by then we should have more information,
2515
02:02:44.975 --> 02:02:46.845
which is, which is great.
2516
02:02:47.045 --> 02:02:50.605
I do think my understanding also of the, the original 2030
2517
02:02:52.205 --> 02:02:56.045
MOU plan was that it wasn't that it ended in the, the,
2518
02:02:56.065 --> 02:02:58.485
it ended in 2030 and it was time to vacate that.
2519
02:02:58.485 --> 02:03:01.405
It was, it could be extended beyond that.
2520
02:03:01.545 --> 02:03:02.605
So I, I don't know yet
2521
02:03:02.605 --> 02:03:04.525
because there's not an, you know, an MOU,
2522
02:03:04.985 --> 02:03:07.125
but it's a, it's a fair point
2523
02:03:07.145 --> 02:03:08.285
and I think it's definitely something
2524
02:03:08.285 --> 02:03:10.405
that we should discuss in two weeks if we don't
2525
02:03:10.405 --> 02:03:11.485
have more information.
2526
02:03:11.645 --> 02:03:15.125
Ms. Purnell Yeah,
2527
02:03:15.125 --> 02:03:16.125
Go ahead.
2528
02:03:16.125 --> 02:03:18.045
Yeah, I'm sympathetic that to the select board and,
2529
02:03:18.105 --> 02:03:19.885
and the town administration that there are a lot
2530
02:03:19.885 --> 02:03:22.085
of moving parts in all of this, right?
2531
02:03:22.195 --> 02:03:24.525
It's the Kohl Center, it's E-school, it's Johnson,
2532
02:03:24.835 --> 02:03:26.485
it's the new memorial.
2533
02:03:27.065 --> 02:03:30.045
So I I hear your point Dr. Welch.
2534
02:03:30.045 --> 02:03:33.125
And I think that we have to be really good communicators
2535
02:03:33.125 --> 02:03:37.925
between now and the vote to understand what we need
2536
02:03:37.925 --> 02:03:39.925
to advise the architects towards.
2537
02:03:41.245 --> 02:03:44.725
I also think that 2030 feels like an arbitrary date
2538
02:03:45.025 --> 02:03:49.725
and that our committee is gonna have
2539
02:03:49.725 --> 02:03:54.565
to think beyond 2030 for the preschool.
2540
02:03:56.225 --> 02:03:58.445
And I don't know what, that's what that looks like
2541
02:04:01.305 --> 02:04:02.305
For context.
2542
02:04:03.035 --> 02:04:05.245
It's a really fair question
2543
02:04:05.465 --> 02:04:09.845
and this is the origin of the 2030 came out of us.
2544
02:04:10.405 --> 02:04:12.765
I think I've said this story before when I first came here,
2545
02:04:12.885 --> 02:04:15.725
I was like, why is everyone calling this space temporary?
2546
02:04:16.305 --> 02:04:19.765
I'm like, we have 60 or whatever preschoolers in here.
2547
02:04:20.255 --> 02:04:23.245
There were decisions being made about it, wifi, things like
2548
02:04:23.245 --> 02:04:26.125
that, like a reluctance to sort of invest in the space
2549
02:04:26.125 --> 02:04:27.805
because it was considered temporary
2550
02:04:28.265 --> 02:04:31.805
and I heard it in multiple spaces inside of our team
2551
02:04:32.425 --> 02:04:33.605
and within town teams.
2552
02:04:34.065 --> 02:04:36.005
And so I was like, this can't be like,
2553
02:04:36.005 --> 02:04:37.205
we need to lock this in.
2554
02:04:37.225 --> 02:04:40.245
And so we suggested a five year MOU at that time, which was,
2555
02:04:40.245 --> 02:04:42.325
when did we first start meeting my first year here
2556
02:04:42.875 --> 02:04:43.875
Immediately.
2557
02:04:43.875 --> 02:04:45.525
So immediately. Clinton administration. Pardon?
2558
02:04:45.925 --> 02:04:46.925
Clinton administration.
2559
02:04:48.605 --> 02:04:51.285
I just wanna name that probably Aaron, Matt
2560
02:04:51.285 --> 02:04:53.445
and I when we were meeting on this, came up with the,
2561
02:04:53.465 --> 02:04:55.605
and Dennis came up with the five years
2562
02:04:55.905 --> 02:04:57.525
as like something that wasn't temporary.
2563
02:04:58.155 --> 02:05:00.685
That was before we even kind of learned
2564
02:05:00.685 --> 02:05:02.205
where we were headed with Memorial.
2565
02:05:02.505 --> 02:05:05.205
So just for context, but I do agree the alignment
2566
02:05:05.225 --> 02:05:06.685
of it now doesn't feel right.
2567
02:05:09.345 --> 02:05:14.285
Ms. Brune. And
Given that we have a option to perhaps
2568
02:05:15.025 --> 02:05:18.125
add two more schools to the e-school, would it also,
2569
02:05:19.335 --> 02:05:21.365
would it also be a good idea
2570
02:05:21.465 --> 02:05:23.405
to take it from four classrooms in the
2571
02:05:23.525 --> 02:05:24.765
MOU to six classrooms.
2572
02:05:28.355 --> 02:05:29.405
What do you mean by two schools?
2573
02:05:29.405 --> 02:05:34.045
You, you're talking that two classrooms, bigger conversation
2574
02:05:34.225 --> 02:05:35.565
and one that we need to be having.
2575
02:05:35.925 --> 02:05:38.525
I agree. In order to kind of think about the scope we choose
2576
02:05:38.585 --> 02:05:43.125
for this ED program, again, I kind of asked about it today.
2577
02:05:43.265 --> 02:05:46.845
To my understanding right now, there's no plan for the YMCA
2578
02:05:46.845 --> 02:05:49.765
to current, according to what I heard today, to leave east,
2579
02:05:50.615 --> 02:05:52.725
which would mean that plan, that part
2580
02:05:52.725 --> 02:05:54.165
of our plan is an assumption
2581
02:05:54.595 --> 02:05:56.165
that really might be inappropriate
2582
02:05:56.305 --> 02:05:57.885
for the ED plan plan we build.
2583
02:05:57.945 --> 02:06:00.245
And I do hear Dr.
2584
02:06:00.355 --> 02:06:02.845
Welch's comments, like, we don't want to design something
2585
02:06:03.115 --> 02:06:04.245
that then we have to go back to.
2586
02:06:04.825 --> 02:06:08.205
So I think the, those two rooms are really at risk
2587
02:06:08.785 --> 02:06:11.325
at this time in a long-term plan.
2588
02:06:14.385 --> 02:06:15.045
Ms. Vickers,
2589
02:06:20.735 --> 02:06:21.735
Thank you so much.
2590
02:06:21.735 --> 02:06:22.965
B Brinley Vickers Precinct eight.
2591
02:06:23.525 --> 02:06:27.325
I am, I value this conversation a lot.
2592
02:06:28.645 --> 02:06:31.445
I feel as a town meeting member
2593
02:06:31.465 --> 02:06:35.445
and as someone who listens to select board meetings a lot
2594
02:06:35.445 --> 02:06:37.045
and has been paying very close attention
2595
02:06:37.105 --> 02:06:38.445
to this memorial process,
2596
02:06:42.105 --> 02:06:46.125
I'm very concerned about two things
2597
02:06:46.235 --> 02:06:48.925
that I think really need to be a part of the conversation.
2598
02:06:49.465 --> 02:06:54.325
If there is motion to add more pre-K classrooms
2599
02:06:54.345 --> 02:06:57.685
to Memorial, there becomes the conversation about whether
2600
02:06:57.745 --> 02:07:01.405
or not the ask to the town would even be passed for
2601
02:07:01.405 --> 02:07:02.445
that size of a school
2602
02:07:03.225 --> 02:07:07.045
and the ask of the property that
2603
02:07:07.825 --> 02:07:09.205
we are currently looking at.
2604
02:07:09.465 --> 02:07:10.925
I'm, I'm guessing that we're
2605
02:07:14.355 --> 02:07:16.605
Looking at the current property it's on
2606
02:07:16.705 --> 02:07:19.205
as a primary location for it.
2607
02:07:19.955 --> 02:07:21.605
I've heard that there's another location
2608
02:07:21.605 --> 02:07:22.885
that we're, we're thinking at.
2609
02:07:24.065 --> 02:07:26.245
I'm very confident that the other location
2610
02:07:26.245 --> 02:07:28.325
that's being discussed could not handle
2611
02:07:28.355 --> 02:07:29.485
that size of a school.
2612
02:07:29.865 --> 02:07:32.765
So I do think that's a conversation that really needs
2613
02:07:32.785 --> 02:07:35.445
to be had in had in a broader context.
2614
02:07:35.585 --> 02:07:39.965
And so I really do hope that you guys are able
2615
02:07:39.965 --> 02:07:41.045
to find a way to sit down
2616
02:07:41.045 --> 02:07:43.045
and have a real conversation with
2617
02:07:43.705 --> 02:07:44.965
the select board about this,
2618
02:07:44.965 --> 02:07:47.525
because I think that these are some issues that
2619
02:07:50.385 --> 02:07:51.405
it, it's one pie.
2620
02:07:52.585 --> 02:07:54.085
We all know that it's one pie.
2621
02:07:54.465 --> 02:07:56.285
You guys hear it, you reference it all the time.
2622
02:07:57.165 --> 02:07:59.925
I, I really do have some pretty serious reservations about
2623
02:07:59.925 --> 02:08:02.685
whether or not we could get a memorial with 10,
2624
02:08:03.185 --> 02:08:04.365
all 10 pre-K down there.
2625
02:08:04.675 --> 02:08:06.965
Plus then I do think that the equity conversation will come
2626
02:08:06.965 --> 02:08:10.365
up again, richest part of town,
2627
02:08:11.935 --> 02:08:16.565
brand new, forcing all of the entire town to drive there.
2628
02:08:16.625 --> 02:08:18.485
For pre-K, there are no buses for pre-K.
2629
02:08:19.065 --> 02:08:20.765
So it is adding traffic to an area
2630
02:08:20.765 --> 02:08:22.325
that already is heavily trafficked.
2631
02:08:23.405 --> 02:08:25.285
I don't say these as a discouragement
2632
02:08:25.285 --> 02:08:28.765
because I don't want pre-K I say this
2633
02:08:28.765 --> 02:08:31.445
because I really do think that it is a great big,
2634
02:08:31.635 --> 02:08:32.725
huge picture to look at
2635
02:08:32.725 --> 02:08:34.525
and I want to make sure that these are part
2636
02:08:34.525 --> 02:08:36.845
of the conversation when we're looking at it,
2637
02:08:36.915 --> 02:08:40.565
because I would also hate for us to make this plan
2638
02:08:40.945 --> 02:08:43.445
and then not get a school.
2639
02:08:44.805 --> 02:08:49.085
I think that's the biggest thing. Thank you so much for the
2640
02:08:49.085 --> 02:08:50.085
Time.
2641
02:08:50.085 --> 02:08:53.685
Thanks. All right. We ready to move on? All right.
2642
02:08:54.225 --> 02:08:58.245
So policy subcommittee. Ms. Collins not here.
2643
02:08:59.425 --> 02:09:02.045
You were away. I think the meeting was just didn't ha
2644
02:09:02.105 --> 02:09:03.125
we was canceled.
2645
02:09:03.395 --> 02:09:06.525
Yeah. Okay. So I say that. Good job. Thank you.
2646
02:09:07.105 --> 02:09:08.965
All right, so we'll get an update from,
2647
02:09:09.325 --> 02:09:11.165
from the policy subcommittee next time maybe
2648
02:09:11.665 --> 02:09:13.405
budget subcommittee, Ms. Purnell.
2649
02:09:13.835 --> 02:09:16.965
Okay. We have two requests to the full committee.
2650
02:09:17.405 --> 02:09:19.765
We met on October 29th.
2651
02:09:19.905 --> 02:09:23.085
The first is a recommendation
2652
02:09:23.085 --> 02:09:26.045
that we extend the current contract of the bus
2653
02:09:26.505 --> 02:09:29.325
for Connolly bus company through FY 28
2654
02:09:29.795 --> 02:09:34.045
with the understanding that we will look at FY 29 in October
2655
02:09:34.265 --> 02:09:35.325
of 2027.
2656
02:09:39.985 --> 02:09:41.085
So
You, this is the document that
2657
02:09:41.085 --> 02:09:42.165
I shared, but I'm not sure.
2658
02:09:42.825 --> 02:09:44.845
So, so we have a,
2659
02:09:45.315 --> 02:09:47.765
this is can be voted on in a future meeting.
2660
02:09:47.825 --> 02:09:48.925
Am I right Mr. Gillis?
2661
02:09:48.925 --> 02:09:52.565
So, so just know that we have a bus contract
2662
02:09:52.565 --> 02:09:56.085
that ends this year with the option to extend it.
2663
02:09:56.585 --> 02:09:57.765
And so our recommendation
2664
02:09:57.765 --> 02:09:59.285
after reviewing the contract with Mr.
2665
02:09:59.345 --> 02:10:02.165
Gillis and Dr. Bash is to extend the contract
2666
02:10:03.515 --> 02:10:05.045
through FY 28
2667
02:10:05.625 --> 02:10:08.605
and we'll make that same recommendation hopefully in a year
2668
02:10:08.785 --> 02:10:09.885
for FY 29.
2669
02:10:10.385 --> 02:10:13.445
So one year at a time is what the option is. Great.
2670
02:10:13.865 --> 02:10:16.925
So we, we don't have it on the agenda today,
2671
02:10:16.925 --> 02:10:19.485
but that's our recommendation capital
2672
02:10:20.505 --> 02:10:21.605
we discussed at our meeting.
2673
02:10:22.125 --> 02:10:23.645
I think this is a really smart idea.
2674
02:10:23.745 --> 02:10:25.685
The administration has noticed that the
2675
02:10:26.365 --> 02:10:29.885
capital request process right now is really not aligned well
2676
02:10:29.885 --> 02:10:30.965
to a school calendar.
2677
02:10:31.265 --> 02:10:35.245
And so the, in the future, the capital requests are going
2678
02:10:35.245 --> 02:10:38.885
to be moving to the spring, starting in 2027 so that
2679
02:10:38.895 --> 02:10:41.565
after the school year has happened and things break
2680
02:10:41.705 --> 02:10:43.685
and the principals don't have the first start
2681
02:10:43.685 --> 02:10:46.605
of the school year happening, they can actually think about
2682
02:10:46.605 --> 02:10:48.965
what the school needs are as summer approaches.
2683
02:10:50.625 --> 02:10:52.485
So we support that decision,
2684
02:10:53.505 --> 02:10:56.565
it will impact the FY 29 capital request cycle.
2685
02:10:59.145 --> 02:11:02.725
And so that's, that's, that was one piece of capital.
2686
02:11:03.145 --> 02:11:05.765
Did you say spring 28 is when it was moving
2687
02:11:06.065 --> 02:11:08.125
Spring 2027.
2688
02:11:08.595 --> 02:11:11.405
Okay. Right. So a couple months now. 26. Yeah.
2689
02:11:11.905 --> 02:11:15.445
Got it.
The other, the other piece related
2690
02:11:15.465 --> 02:11:17.845
to the fields is that we recommend the, the,
2691
02:11:18.065 --> 02:11:19.845
the budget subcommittee recommends
2692
02:11:20.625 --> 02:11:23.725
the school committee create a subcommittee on the field
2693
02:11:24.465 --> 02:11:29.165
to consider a wor article for this spring in part
2694
02:11:29.305 --> 02:11:31.085
to get ready for town meeting.
2695
02:11:32.585 --> 02:11:35.365
You know, we're not sure how the, what will happen
2696
02:11:35.365 --> 02:11:36.485
with the field, but we know
2697
02:11:36.485 --> 02:11:38.245
that in January there will be a
2698
02:11:38.365 --> 02:11:39.405
decision made at this committee.
2699
02:11:39.545 --> 02:11:42.645
And so then to be ready for a spring warrant article,
2700
02:11:43.705 --> 02:11:45.885
we recommend that we start working on this now
2701
02:11:46.385 --> 02:11:49.165
and build partnership with community partners so
2702
02:11:49.165 --> 02:11:52.685
that potentially we are not going to town meeting
2703
02:11:52.785 --> 02:11:54.525
for the cost of the entire field,
2704
02:11:54.585 --> 02:11:56.565
but hopefully might be able
2705
02:11:56.565 --> 02:12:00.525
to solicit some community partners to help
2706
02:12:00.525 --> 02:12:02.245
with the defray the cost of the field.
2707
02:12:04.105 --> 02:12:06.725
So that might be something that we put on the next agenda.
2708
02:12:07.745 --> 02:12:09.925
We, we can have that discussion on the next agenda.
2709
02:12:11.225 --> 02:12:12.685
And then finally, and Dr.
2710
02:12:12.785 --> 02:12:15.485
Sp have to tell me if this can wait to the next agenda,
2711
02:12:15.625 --> 02:12:18.245
but there was APA sabbatical request made
2712
02:12:19.505 --> 02:12:22.485
and that goes per the EAN contract that goes
2713
02:12:22.625 --> 02:12:23.885
to the superintendent
2714
02:12:25.265 --> 02:12:28.125
and just in good relationship with the committee
2715
02:12:28.125 --> 02:12:30.245
because it has budgetary impact, Dr.
2716
02:12:30.425 --> 02:12:32.045
SP has the final approval of it,
2717
02:12:32.045 --> 02:12:35.165
but brought it to us to look at the budgetary impact
2718
02:12:36.465 --> 02:12:39.165
and with careful consideration, we support her
2719
02:12:39.905 --> 02:12:42.725
recommendation to approve the sabbatical
2720
02:12:44.865 --> 02:12:48.885
as, as long as it is less than a $10,000 budgetary impact
2721
02:12:48.885 --> 02:12:52.125
for FY 28, which we do assume that that's gonna happen.
2722
02:12:54.065 --> 02:12:55.885
Is that something that we can wait on or,
2723
02:12:57.245 --> 02:12:59.365
I think it's, I I don't know if we crunched the numbers
2724
02:12:59.365 --> 02:13:00.525
to see what the impact is.
2725
02:13:01.945 --> 02:13:02.965
No, I apologize.
2726
02:13:03.245 --> 02:13:05.325
I haven't gotten to that yet today,
2727
02:13:05.945 --> 02:13:08.925
but we'll finish that tomorrow morning. So if,
2728
02:13:09.825 --> 02:13:11.925
If the short answer is it can wait.
2729
02:13:12.035 --> 02:13:14.605
Yeah, I mean there could be an approval now to within
2730
02:13:14.605 --> 02:13:17.365
that $10,000 and if we needed another, we could come back.
2731
02:13:17.365 --> 02:13:18.565
What if you just wanna do it once?
2732
02:13:18.725 --> 02:13:20.725
I would suggest waiting until we do the numbers.
2733
02:13:21.845 --> 02:13:23.845
I think it's an opportune moment to say
2734
02:13:24.555 --> 02:13:27.045
that I think this is the district we want to be the rest
2735
02:13:27.045 --> 02:13:28.725
of the committee didn't have the chance to hear that,
2736
02:13:29.225 --> 02:13:31.485
but this is just an excellent opportunity, a way
2737
02:13:31.485 --> 02:13:35.245
to grow our educator and bring something back here
2738
02:13:35.905 --> 02:13:37.325
that's kind of learning from the outside.
2739
02:13:37.345 --> 02:13:38.805
So we're super supportive of that,
2740
02:13:39.465 --> 02:13:41.085
but we just need to know the cost impact,
2741
02:13:41.085 --> 02:13:44.005
especially since we've made a commitment to come in at 5%
2742
02:13:44.005 --> 02:13:47.205
or lower this year, which is a significant impact
2743
02:13:47.265 --> 02:13:48.885
to our choices around budget.
2744
02:13:48.905 --> 02:13:50.885
And so that's why we wanted it to be discussed.
2745
02:13:50.885 --> 02:13:53.725
So we don't have the number now, so you can either vote it
2746
02:13:53.725 --> 02:13:55.285
with that 10,000 cap
2747
02:13:55.705 --> 02:13:57.925
or we can get you a better number and come back next time.
2748
02:13:57.995 --> 02:13:59.125
It's really up to the committee.
2749
02:14:01.515 --> 02:14:05.525
What do you think?
I don't wanna delay
2750
02:14:06.345 --> 02:14:08.245
the information for the staff member,
2751
02:14:08.985 --> 02:14:12.525
so I would rather just vote it tonight with the $10,000 cap
2752
02:14:13.025 --> 02:14:16.645
and then hope with the hope that you could, you know,
2753
02:14:16.865 --> 02:14:18.845
get her the information that she's requesting
2754
02:14:19.265 --> 02:14:21.005
and if not, come back to us.
2755
02:14:22.525 --> 02:14:24.045
I mean, we did the back of the envelope math.
2756
02:14:24.045 --> 02:14:26.445
Yeah, but that's just not vote on it. Math. Yeah.
2757
02:14:26.765 --> 02:14:28.085
The 10,000 covers.
Well,
2758
02:14:28.085 --> 02:14:29.805
and I don't even know if we need to vote on it.
2759
02:14:29.805 --> 02:14:32.965
Like I, I think is, is the, can, can Dr.
2760
02:14:33.105 --> 02:14:36.085
Sp see support from committee members that you're willing
2761
02:14:36.085 --> 02:14:37.365
to support the sabbatical?
2762
02:14:37.995 --> 02:14:39.285
It's Article 23
2763
02:14:41.185 --> 02:14:43.525
and as you know, as long as there is a budget
2764
02:14:44.155 --> 02:14:46.285
with minimal budgetary impact, I think,
2765
02:14:46.405 --> 02:14:49.045
I think even like a consensus is gathering
2766
02:14:49.045 --> 02:14:50.645
that consensus would be enough for
2767
02:14:50.645 --> 02:14:51.645
You.
2768
02:14:51.645 --> 02:14:52.845
Yeah, we just, we'd need to get direction on
2769
02:14:52.845 --> 02:14:54.125
how we should proceed with the budget.
2770
02:14:55.215 --> 02:14:56.445
Given this request,
2771
02:14:56.705 --> 02:14:58.685
Dr. Welch,
I, I would support a motion
2772
02:14:58.785 --> 02:15:00.645
of no greater than $10,000
2773
02:15:00.825 --> 02:15:02.245
and in accordance with the terms
2774
02:15:02.265 --> 02:15:04.125
of the collectively bargain contract.
2775
02:15:04.385 --> 02:15:05.925
Did you just make a motion or did
2776
02:15:05.925 --> 02:15:06.965
you say you was gonna support a
2777
02:15:06.965 --> 02:15:07.965
Motion?
2778
02:15:07.965 --> 02:15:08.525
I would be supportive of a motion.
2779
02:15:08.725 --> 02:15:10.365
I would, I would leave that to the chair
2780
02:15:10.365 --> 02:15:12.765
of the budget subcommittee to actually make that, but
2781
02:15:14.385 --> 02:15:15.385
So moved.
2782
02:15:16.225 --> 02:15:18.565
Second. Second. So the motion is by Ms.
2783
02:15:18.565 --> 02:15:21.285
Brunell and the second is from Dr. Welch. Okay. All right.
2784
02:15:23.265 --> 02:15:26.925
Any more discussion? All in favor?
2785
02:15:27.985 --> 02:15:31.005
Any opposed, any abstentions? No. 5 0, 0.
2786
02:15:31.935 --> 02:15:33.925
Thank you.
Anything else for the budget subcommittee?
2787
02:15:34.065 --> 02:15:36.725
That's it. Okay. One more move to adjourn. There it is.
2788
02:15:37.265 --> 02:15:41.085
Second Dr. Welch and Dr. Fugman. All in favor?
2789
02:15:42.145 --> 02:15:43.525
Any opposed? Goodnight.