WEBVTT

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<v Speaker 1>I am gonna call the meeting to order.</v>

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It is 6 32 on Monday the 28th.

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We will do a roll call. Dr. Welch.

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<v Speaker 2>Present.</v>
<v Speaker 1>Dr. Fugman Present. Mr. Patel? Present. Mr.</v>

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Brunell present? I am here. That is it for Ms.

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Gomes. You're here. I can see. That's it. Thank you.

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All right. I'm gonna make a motion

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to enter into executive session to discuss strategy

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with respect to collective bargaining, including an analysis

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of recently settled contracts in preparation

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for upcoming negotiations.

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Because discussion in open session

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may have a detrimental effect on the school

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committee's bargaining position.

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The chair declares.

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Could I get a second?

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<v Speaker 2>Second.</v>
<v Speaker 1>Second.</v>

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So that's a motion by the chair and a second by Ms. Purnell.

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We'll do a roll call.

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Vote now to enter into executive session. Dr. Welch? Yes.

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Dr. Fugman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Ms. Purnell? Yes.

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I'm a Yes. That is 5 0 0. We are now in executive session.

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We will return to the open session at

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approximately seven o'clock.

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Okay. Welcome back everybody.

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Hi. Hi. Hi.

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<v Speaker 3>Hi.</v>
<v Speaker 1>All right.</v>

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So for the record, this meeting is being televised

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and broadcast and recorded on Pegasus

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for any future consumption.

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So we're back from executive session

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and so now we'll, we'll all rise for the Pledge

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of Allegiance and then a moment of silence.

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<v Speaker 3>Pledge allegiance</v>
<v Speaker 1>To the flag</v>

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<v Speaker 2>Of the United States States America</v>

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to the Republic for which stands?

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One Nation Underg Invisible and Justice for all.

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<v Speaker 1>Thank you. We take that moment of silence to honor all</v>

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of our troops serving domestically

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and abroad announcements.

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Dr. Bash? Yes,

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<v Speaker 4>I have one I wanted to introduce to the committee,</v>

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Trisha Cormier, who's here taking minutes

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and kind of helping us with the tech side

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and all things our secretary would do.

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As you know, Sue Schuler is no longer with MPS

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and will miss her very much, but Tricia's here

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and she has some experience in this.

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We're very grateful that you're here today to help us out.

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And Tricia is the Assistant Director

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for Finance in Macular Assist Department.

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<v Speaker 1>Welcome. Welcome. Now's the time when you do a speech.</v>

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No, I'm just kidding. No, you don't have to do a speech.

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Any other announcements for members of the committee?

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Oh, so just one for me.

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A couple weeks ago, two Saturdays ago, whatever it was,

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we had an awesome Natick days.

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The weather was perfect for anybody who wa was at nat days

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and the school committee table as usual was filled

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with lots of activity.

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Anybody who's in the room with us, when you leave the room,

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you'll see outside there are two big poster board things

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where we had students

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and some ambitious grownups come

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and tell us what their favorite school lunches are

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and what the things that they're most looking forward

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to learning this school year.

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And as always, it's, it's just a really fun day.

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And so thank you for everybody who stopped by.

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Nate Day is a great event. Any other announcements?

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No, I think we're good. We didn't do it.

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All right, so we're gonna move to public speak.

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Public speak is scheduled for a period of 15 minutes.

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Each speaker will be, I have the, I have it. Thank you.

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Each speaker will be permitted a maximum of three minutes

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during which time they can speak about topics within the

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scope of responsibility of the school committee.

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All remarks will be addressed

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through the school committee chair.

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Public speak is not a time for debate

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or response to comments by the school committee.

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We have four people who signed up for public speak.

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I'm gonna get a timer before I call anybody up.

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And just wanna let you know when there are 30 seconds

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left in your time.

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I don't wanna be rude, but I will wave my hand

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or something so that the speaker knows

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that there are 30 seconds left.

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At three minutes I will cut you off. Sorry.

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Just telling you in advance. Okay.

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Ms. Hopkins, and like she is doing,

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please come to the podium and introduce yourself.

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And then I will start your timer.

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<v Speaker 5>Good evening. I'm Mary Hopkins</v>

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with Schools Beyond Screens.

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Natick, thank you for the outstanding leadership you showed

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by completing the strategic planning process

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and through it identifying parent concerns

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around classroom technology.

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It's very impressive that you are following up with a review

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of digital wellness and learning.

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It positions Natick to be a leader for other districts.

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Tonight I'd like

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to ask two questions related to budget planning.

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First, are there redundant

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or automatic EdTech subscriptions that can be scaled back?

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Apparently many school districts find they can save money

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by uncovering these hidden costs.

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Maybe Natick is one of them. My second question is broader.

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Given the compelling national

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and local concerns about educational technology being

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overused, ineffective,

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and in some cases unsafe, is now the time to rethink

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how much money we spend on it.

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What if all Ed Tech in Natick schools had

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to pass a basic test?

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Is it necessary and is it effective?

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Perhaps that would free up funds for what we know

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to be necessary and effective, highly trained

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and dedicated teachers.

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Thank you very much for your time.

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<v Speaker 1>Thank you. Nicole. Small please.</v>

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<v Speaker 6>Good evening. My name is Nicole Small</v>

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and I'm speaking about breakfast.

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Good evening again. I hope everyone survived the no Easter.

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Okay. My name is Nicole Small, as I've already mentioned,

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I'm here tonight speaking as Natick public school's mother

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and also a teacher, not Natick.

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I'm speaking on behalf of not only myself,

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but many other concerned Natick public school parents.

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This is our second year with Natick Public Schools.

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We have a kindergartner and a second grader

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and have been very happy with many things about NPS.

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With that being said, we have major concerns

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with the breakfast options in our schools.

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The breakfast that is provided to students is disappointing.

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The guidelines include no mention of protein requirement,

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just milk or whole grain.

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There's no fiber guidelines.

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Items such as cinnamon toast, crunch bars, pop, Pop-Tarts,

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and Lucky Charms fit the existing requirements.

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All technically have whole grains,

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but they're also ultra processed and have minimal fiber

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and protein and contain lots of sodium and sugar.

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These are also items that I do not give my children at home

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and would not expect them to be offered at school.

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I understand that these items may be different from the

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store versions, however, they are packaged the same

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and look the same to a kindergartner.

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Young children simply do not have the developed impulse

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control to choose to not choose these items.

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I'd argue that many adults don't either.

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I am bringing forth these four main points.

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On behalf of a group of Natick moms.

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Young children need guidance around healthy food choices.

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Our schools are helping to shape our kids eating patterns.

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For better or for worse, schools have the opportunity

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to show our kids how to eat

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to support their mental and physical health.

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The focus should be on whole

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and minimally process options

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with well-balanced macronutrients,

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which we know are the best options to support mental

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and physical health and proper development.

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As an educator, I believe

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that learning should take place in every

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aspect of the school.

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Building nutrition in the cafeteria should be no exception.

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Our kids don't need ultra processed high sugar foods

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as breakfast options, even if they do contain whole grains.

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We know that these foods devoid of protein

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and fiber are not satiating

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and also negatively impact mood, attention

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and behavior, especially when consumed

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first thing in the morning.

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This is not setting our children's brains

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or bodies up for learning.

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Families whose children depend on these breakfasts

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for economic reasons are vulnerable to poor nutrition.

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And schools should be a place where

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that's rectified not reinforced.

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Good nutrition is universal design. It benefits everyone.

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If the breakfast were higher quality, more families were

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to encourage their kids to eat them,

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which would in turn be reflected in learning

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and behavioral outcomes.

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I know this is not an easy ask

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and the solution might not be simple,

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but I hope that the committee will strongly consider

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reviewing the food guidelines

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and breakfast options at our schools.

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Thank. Thank you, Ms. We can do better for our children.

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Thank you for your time. Thank

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<v Speaker 1>You.</v>

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Okay. Eric, small, please. We're all set.

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She's finished in time. Okay.

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Christian Buller please.

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<v Speaker 7>Good evening. My name is Christian Buller.</v>

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I'm the father of a three-year-old girl

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and a newborn baby boy in Natick.

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And thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.

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My wife and I chose to live in Natick in large part

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because of its strong schools.

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We plan to send both of our children

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to Natick Public schools,

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and we talk with other parents about educational

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experiences for our kids.

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And I'm talking to tonight in particular,

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about technology in Natick schools.

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One member of schools Beyond Screen shared

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that their third grader uses Canva for school projects.

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Tonight we'll focus on this specific use

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of classroom technology as a case study of ed tech

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that is unnecessary and potentially detrimental.

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As most of you know,

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Canva is a graphic design platform which provides templates

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and drag and drop content.

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And now it includes generative ai.

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It's used by young children in school, is

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concerning for three reasons.

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First, it does nothing to develop fine motor skills

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like physical handwriting, cutting

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and coloring that are essential for life

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and brain development.

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Second, relying on pre-made templates, thwarts, creativity,

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and Rob's children of the necessary step

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and joy of creating something from scratch.

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Finally, use of Canva can crowd

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out critical thinking, thinking.

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Do we want our third graders searching for the perfect font

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and graphic, or worse using Canva's built-in AI features

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to make decisions for them?

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Or do we want them to focus on the content of their project

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and learn through the unique challenges

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of hands-on creation?

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I'm using Canva as one example of classroom technology

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and I hope the school district will apply these questions

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to it and to all Ed Tech.

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One, is it necessary and two, is it effective?

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I can certainly see the value of an older student learning

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how to design a dig digital

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presentation for a school project.

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I certainly do that in my daily work, but is unnecessary

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and detrimental for a third

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graders learning and development.

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My children will have years to learn to click

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and drag in front of a screen,

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but they'll only be children once they deserve a

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concentrated time in their development.

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When they can build their attention span,

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tolerate frustration, and lean into

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the friction of learning.

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I believe this is essential

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for their brains and their lives.

255
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Thank you for your time. I so appreciate your service.

256
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<v Speaker 1>Thank you. Okay,</v>

257
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those are all the people who signed up for public speak.

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I have the wrong pen. So we will move on

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to our teacher and student and METCO reps.

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Does our teacher rep have a microphone

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<v Speaker 8>Now?</v>

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I do. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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I have nothing to offer right now at this

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particular moment, but thank you.

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<v Speaker 1>How about our students?</v>
<v Speaker 9>We'll just add</v>

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that for student council.

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We're starting off our year.

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We're starting our food drive preparation

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and starting our freshman elections in a few weeks to kind

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of get the ground running for the year.

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<v Speaker 1>And that's all. Thank you. And Ms. Gomes,</v>

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<v Speaker 10>No updates at this time. Thank you.</v>

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<v Speaker 1>Alright. Okay, we're gonna move on to the consent agenda.</v>

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I will take a motion if

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anybody wants to make one move to approve

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<v Speaker 9>The consent agenda.</v>

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<v Speaker 3>Second.</v>
<v Speaker 1>Second. A motion by Dr.</v>

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Fugman, seconded by Mr. Patel.

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Because we have remote members,

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we are gonna do every vote as a roll call.

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Vote tonight. Dr. Welch. Yes. Dr.

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Fugman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Ms. Brunell? Yes.

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Ms. Collins? Yes. Ms. Corset? Yes.

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And I'm a Yes. That's 7 0 0

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for the consent agenda.

286
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Alright. All right. We will, actually,

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before we go to the superintendent's report,

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we're gonna take one thing out of order.

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So we had an executive session tonight.

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The executive session had one item on the agenda, which was

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to discuss our superintendent's

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contract in.

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And so now we have an action item in, in

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that executive session.

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We took a vote on that contract after we've had a process.

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We've had that in executive session

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for, you know, a little while now.

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And a sup, Dr.

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Bash, by the way, it's super awkward

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to talk about the superintendent's contract while

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she's sitting right next to you.

302
00:14:44.265 --> 00:14:47.645
But, so in that executive session, we took a vote

303
00:14:47.785 --> 00:14:50.605
and now we are going to do that vote publicly.

304
00:14:51.585 --> 00:14:54.765
So before I say anything else, I would,

305
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I would love a motion

306
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<v Speaker 11>Move to approve the superintendent's contract</v>

307
00:15:00.435 --> 00:15:03.085
with the red line items

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00:15:04.025 --> 00:15:07.045
as presented on September 28th, 2026.

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<v Speaker 1>Second. So that's a motion by Ms.</v>

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Brunell, seconded by Ms. Collins.

311
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Any debate or discussion? Seeing none.

312
00:15:20.305 --> 00:15:21.965
So we will do a roll call vote.

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I'll make a comment on this after we do that. Dr. Welch?

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00:15:24.865 --> 00:15:29.685
Yes. Dr. Fugman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Ms. Brunell? Yes.

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00:15:29.905 --> 00:15:34.525
Ms. Goeth? Yes. Ms. Collins? Yes. And I'm a Yes.

316
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That is 7 0 0 in favor of

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approving Dr.

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00:15:40.395 --> 00:15:41.485
SP's successor contract.

319
00:15:41.485 --> 00:15:42.925
That's the next contract, by the way.

320
00:15:42.945 --> 00:15:45.005
So now we should just say thank you.

321
00:15:46.545 --> 00:15:47.925
We, there was a great process

322
00:15:48.585 --> 00:15:52.125
and we're very excited that we are gonna have you

323
00:15:52.705 --> 00:15:55.205
for a long time after this contract.

324
00:15:55.225 --> 00:15:57.965
So this is, Dr. Sp is entering the, the third year

325
00:15:57.965 --> 00:15:59.485
of her first contract with us.

326
00:15:59.505 --> 00:16:03.525
And now we have voted to essentially extend that contract

327
00:16:03.525 --> 00:16:05.765
for, I don't know, like a hundred more years.

328
00:16:06.205 --> 00:16:10.365
Right. So we're really happy that this,

329
00:16:10.475 --> 00:16:12.485
this is working out and we're really happy

330
00:16:12.485 --> 00:16:15.365
with the job you're doing and let's keep it up.

331
00:16:15.545 --> 00:16:17.285
We have a lot of big things to do together, don't we?

332
00:16:17.615 --> 00:16:18.805
We're kind of busy. Yes.

333
00:16:19.465 --> 00:16:21.325
So I don't know if you're glad

334
00:16:21.325 --> 00:16:22.405
that that's part of done. Yeah, I,

335
00:16:22.485 --> 00:16:23.485
<v Speaker 4>I was.</v>

336
00:16:23.485 --> 00:16:25.325
If it's okay with you, I just wanna express my profound

337
00:16:25.325 --> 00:16:27.925
gratitude, not only for the,

338
00:16:27.925 --> 00:16:30.645
our collaborative work together, your vote

339
00:16:30.645 --> 00:16:32.685
of confidence in myself and my team,

340
00:16:33.185 --> 00:16:35.445
and the huge privilege to work here.

341
00:16:35.605 --> 00:16:37.605
I love working here. I love our families.

342
00:16:37.995 --> 00:16:40.525
It's deeply meaningful to me every single day.

343
00:16:40.625 --> 00:16:42.445
And I'm glad you're seeing that

344
00:16:42.585 --> 00:16:45.565
and you're investing in the team we have for longer.

345
00:16:46.145 --> 00:16:49.645
I'm so grateful for your support and your hard work on this.

346
00:16:49.725 --> 00:16:51.885
I know it took a bit of time, but thank you so much.

347
00:16:51.965 --> 00:16:53.245
I can't wait for the next round.

348
00:16:55.915 --> 00:16:57.725
<v Speaker 1>Well, thank you. And now you get to talk more</v>

349
00:16:57.725 --> 00:16:59.485
because we'll go now we'll jump back

350
00:16:59.485 --> 00:17:00.765
to the superintendent's report.

351
00:17:01.945 --> 00:17:02.945
Dr. Stash.

352
00:17:04.155 --> 00:17:07.445
<v Speaker 4>Okay. I'm really excited at,</v>

353
00:17:07.445 --> 00:17:10.045
this is our second time doing the NPS spotlight

354
00:17:10.385 --> 00:17:13.365
and we're thrilled to be recognizing

355
00:17:13.385 --> 00:17:15.205
and having the Achieve program with us tonight.

356
00:17:15.505 --> 00:17:19.085
We have Achievable Printing, a student led business operated

357
00:17:19.085 --> 00:17:21.005
through the Natick Public Schools Achieve program.

358
00:17:21.845 --> 00:17:24.805
The Achieve Program serve students 18 to 22,

359
00:17:25.155 --> 00:17:28.325
providing individualized opportunities to build independence

360
00:17:28.325 --> 00:17:31.645
through life skills, vocational experiences, recreation

361
00:17:31.665 --> 00:17:32.685
and support for life

362
00:17:32.685 --> 00:17:35.565
after high school with support from Achieve staff,

363
00:17:36.205 --> 00:17:39.885
students design and produce playbills posters,

364
00:17:40.005 --> 00:17:42.805
NPS branded items and other materials for the district.

365
00:17:43.215 --> 00:17:44.845
Along the way, they build workplace

366
00:17:44.865 --> 00:17:46.885
and communication skills, gain confidence

367
00:17:46.885 --> 00:17:49.525
and contribute to the overall NPS community.

368
00:17:50.065 --> 00:17:51.925
I'm personally very excited that they,

369
00:17:51.955 --> 00:17:54.125
they gifted me this sticker that I took my,

370
00:17:54.125 --> 00:17:56.285
like other skin from my laptop.

371
00:17:56.285 --> 00:17:58.845
And this is now what lives here. So thank you for that.

372
00:17:59.505 --> 00:18:01.605
And without saying more, I'd love to turn it over

373
00:18:01.605 --> 00:18:03.645
to the Achi Achievable Printing team

374
00:18:03.865 --> 00:18:05.405
and please introduce yourselves

375
00:18:05.425 --> 00:18:06.685
and a little bit of what, what you do.

376
00:18:06.935 --> 00:18:08.885
We're so excited to have you here.

377
00:18:12.785 --> 00:18:13.565
<v Speaker 3>Sit in these chairs.</v>

378
00:18:18.785 --> 00:18:21.245
<v Speaker 12>Hi everybody. Hi.</v>
<v Speaker 3>Hello. What's</v>

379
00:18:21.245 --> 00:18:22.245
<v Speaker 12>Your name?</v>

380
00:18:22.245 --> 00:18:25.605
Good, how are you? Good. Hi. Hi everybody.

381
00:18:25.905 --> 00:18:29.485
I'm fa ti Nice to meet you too guys.

382
00:18:31.275 --> 00:18:35.605
What I like in Achievable printing, I like,

383
00:18:36.125 --> 00:18:39.605
I like printing customs customers orders

384
00:18:41.705 --> 00:18:42.765
and hallway.

385
00:18:43.315 --> 00:18:44.445
Hallway passes.

386
00:18:46.785 --> 00:18:49.085
<v Speaker 3>We print them anymore.</v>
<v Speaker 12>Yeah. Yeah.</v>

387
00:18:49.275 --> 00:18:53.325
It's a touchy shoulder. We can, I like

388
00:18:53.345 --> 00:18:55.365
to print some all and all.

389
00:18:55.465 --> 00:18:56.565
And all and all.

390
00:18:57.435 --> 00:19:00.005
<v Speaker 3>Okay. Stop it.</v>
<v Speaker 13>Can you move it over to Ilia? Just</v>

391
00:19:00.145 --> 00:19:01.145
<v Speaker 3>Yes.</v>

392
00:19:03.065 --> 00:19:06.645
<v Speaker 12>Amelia. And Achievable Printing</v>

393
00:19:06.905 --> 00:19:08.645
is very fun.

394
00:19:08.915 --> 00:19:11.365
It's very active with your hands

395
00:19:11.865 --> 00:19:16.085
and you can build,

396
00:19:16.545 --> 00:19:18.205
you can do anything in there.

397
00:19:19.825 --> 00:19:22.125
<v Speaker 13>How long did it take us to make those 400 stickers?</v>

398
00:19:24.125 --> 00:19:25.125
'cause you were a big part of that.

399
00:19:28.965 --> 00:19:30.525
<v Speaker 3>Remember</v>
<v Speaker 12>A week?</v>

400
00:19:31.155 --> 00:19:36.005
<v Speaker 3>Yeah. Wow.</v>
<v Speaker 13>It's a long time. Nice job.</v>

401
00:19:36.005 --> 00:19:39.245
Right? You, you don't have to talk

402
00:19:39.245 --> 00:19:40.605
to Mike if you want to, but tell

403
00:19:40.605 --> 00:19:41.605
<v Speaker 3>What you need.</v>

404
00:19:42.025 --> 00:19:43.965
Why they were to me. Yeah.

405
00:19:44.225 --> 00:19:45.845
<v Speaker 13>And what do you like about a thing?</v>

406
00:19:51.265 --> 00:19:52.445
<v Speaker 3>Who stop staring at me.</v>

407
00:19:54.145 --> 00:19:55.725
<v Speaker 13>You can look at us if you want. Tell us</v>

408
00:19:56.385 --> 00:19:57.405
<v Speaker 3>What's</v>
<v Speaker 13>Your favorite part?</v>

409
00:20:01.745 --> 00:20:03.925
<v Speaker 14>Do you like printing or do you like mugs?</v>

410
00:20:04.795 --> 00:20:06.565
Mugs. I don't blame them

411
00:20:07.385 --> 00:20:09.045
<v Speaker 13>In</v>
<v Speaker 3>Printing.</v>

412
00:20:09.885 --> 00:20:12.235
<v Speaker 14>Printing.</v>
<v Speaker 13>What's your favorite thing that we make?</v>

413
00:20:13.545 --> 00:20:18.155
<v Speaker 3>Mugs.</v>
<v Speaker 13>Mugs good. What do you guys want? I'm Aaron.</v>

414
00:20:19.015 --> 00:20:20.035
<v Speaker 14>I'm Larry Cohen.</v>

415
00:20:20.405 --> 00:20:21.675
Thank you for the opportunity

416
00:20:21.855 --> 00:20:23.715
to showcase Achievable Printing.

417
00:20:24.495 --> 00:20:26.195
<v Speaker 13>And we have some stuff that the students</v>

418
00:20:26.195 --> 00:20:27.395
are gonna bring around to show everybody.

419
00:20:27.535 --> 00:20:28.555
<v Speaker 12>Oh, outstanding. You</v>

420
00:20:28.555 --> 00:20:30.035
<v Speaker 3>Guys wanna come over here and grab some stuff?</v>

421
00:20:32.175 --> 00:20:35.395
<v Speaker 14>You wanna come? Guys? We walk around.</v>

422
00:20:37.855 --> 00:20:40.395
<v Speaker 3>So Larry, do you think it would help for the committee</v>

423
00:20:40.495 --> 00:20:43.755
to know how they can access Achieveable printing? Yes.

424
00:20:44.745 --> 00:20:47.285
<v Speaker 14>This codes back there. Thank you Maria.</v>

425
00:20:47.425 --> 00:20:49.765
<v Speaker 1>You can just say it into the microphone please.</v>

426
00:20:50.695 --> 00:20:53.005
<v Speaker 14>Sorry about that. There's codes back here</v>

427
00:20:53.065 --> 00:20:55.485
and business cards with QR codes.

428
00:20:55.785 --> 00:20:59.285
You can scan that and we'll take you to the ordering system.

429
00:20:59.745 --> 00:21:03.285
And also if you have any questions, feel free to call us,

430
00:21:03.745 --> 00:21:05.005
notify us, email us.

431
00:21:05.135 --> 00:21:06.405
<v Speaker 1>Thank you very much. We can help you</v>

432
00:21:06.405 --> 00:21:06.885
<v Speaker 14>Out. Thank</v>

433
00:21:06.885 --> 00:21:07.885
<v Speaker 1>You.</v>

434
00:21:07.975 --> 00:21:10.565
<v Speaker 11>Thank you. Larry, I have a question.</v>

435
00:21:10.875 --> 00:21:12.965
<v Speaker 1>Yeah. Ms. Brunell has a question. How long</v>

436
00:21:12.965 --> 00:21:14.885
<v Speaker 11>Have you been in Natick?</v>

437
00:21:16.955 --> 00:21:20.205
<v Speaker 14>Well my, I spent my career in printing</v>

438
00:21:21.265 --> 00:21:24.805
and I came to Natick, well I moved

439
00:21:24.805 --> 00:21:26.445
to Natick 39 years ago

440
00:21:26.865 --> 00:21:29.245
and I started with the school six years ago.

441
00:21:29.705 --> 00:21:31.885
So it's a very rewarding job.

442
00:21:32.685 --> 00:21:34.285
I worked in production management

443
00:21:34.305 --> 00:21:38.365
before, so this is rewarding and very fulfilling.

444
00:21:38.585 --> 00:21:40.285
So it's been great. Thank

445
00:21:40.285 --> 00:21:41.285
<v Speaker 11>You.</v>

446
00:21:42.185 --> 00:21:46.365
<v Speaker 13>And last year for the high school for their student</v>

447
00:21:46.705 --> 00:21:48.285
or their teacher appreciation,

448
00:21:48.635 --> 00:21:52.165
they had us make 250 of the badges.

449
00:21:52.345 --> 00:21:55.365
And this year we're gonna add on some new things.

450
00:21:55.465 --> 00:21:59.205
So we started making lanyards and those just started.

451
00:21:59.265 --> 00:22:04.165
And Mia, do you wanna hold wf? Show everybody? Yes. Oh wow.

452
00:22:04.265 --> 00:22:08.125
And then what about these? I did, yep. Get the stickers up.

453
00:22:11.515 --> 00:22:13.805
Ilia made these stickers today actually. Oh.

454
00:22:14.625 --> 00:22:16.965
And we have key chains and we have all of the school logos.

455
00:22:16.985 --> 00:22:21.125
And then a few years ago I worked at Benham for a long time.

456
00:22:21.715 --> 00:22:23.885
Just joined two years. I'm sorry.

457
00:22:23.885 --> 00:22:27.965
It's, we made a new logo,

458
00:22:28.715 --> 00:22:31.765
0 1 7 6 0 Natick, probably four or five years ago.

459
00:22:32.285 --> 00:22:33.485
But it's pretty popular with a lot

460
00:22:33.485 --> 00:22:34.525
of the stores around in Natick.

461
00:22:39.545 --> 00:22:42.565
<v Speaker 1>Any other questions or comments from the committee?</v>

462
00:22:42.695 --> 00:22:45.485
Thank you. Ms. Goeth has a question or comment.

463
00:22:46.305 --> 00:22:48.685
<v Speaker 15>Hi. Yeah. So thank you guys for coming. Thank you.</v>

464
00:22:49.305 --> 00:22:53.085
If people wanted to buy your products, did I hear you say

465
00:22:53.085 --> 00:22:55.325
that some of them are available in Natick stores?

466
00:22:55.335 --> 00:22:56.965
Where could we find them?

467
00:22:57.895 --> 00:22:59.085
<v Speaker 13>We're in Tilly's</v>

468
00:22:59.145 --> 00:23:01.525
and we're supposed to be back into Paper Fiesta.

469
00:23:01.885 --> 00:23:03.005
I need to go over there on Wednesday.

470
00:23:03.625 --> 00:23:05.605
We also have, we'll pass out,

471
00:23:05.625 --> 00:23:06.805
or we actually leave a lot of this,

472
00:23:07.205 --> 00:23:08.725
we do a lot of this stuff on Instagram.

473
00:23:09.625 --> 00:23:11.005
We have an achievable printing Instagram

474
00:23:11.005 --> 00:23:12.005
and there's a form on there

475
00:23:12.005 --> 00:23:13.485
that you can order directly from the form.

476
00:23:15.365 --> 00:23:17.055
<v Speaker 15>Okay. Very cool. I didn't know that.</v>

477
00:23:17.395 --> 00:23:18.615
And then just one other question.

478
00:23:19.155 --> 00:23:23.655
Do you guys make student driver magnets for your car?

479
00:23:24.795 --> 00:23:26.535
<v Speaker 13>We probably could. Have</v>
<v Speaker 15>You ever thought of doing</v>

480
00:23:26.535 --> 00:23:27.535
<v Speaker 13>It?</v>

481
00:23:27.535 --> 00:23:28.815
Yeah, we probably could. We make magnets. So

482
00:23:29.795 --> 00:23:30.795
<v Speaker 1>Sounds like Ms.</v>

483
00:23:30.795 --> 00:23:33.935
Goth, goeth needs a student driver magnets.

484
00:23:34.475 --> 00:23:37.455
<v Speaker 14>And I'd like to add one more piece. Yes, please.</v>

485
00:23:37.835 --> 00:23:39.975
The way that we have the business set up,

486
00:23:40.115 --> 00:23:44.015
we have a ticketing system, we have an electronic workflow.

487
00:23:45.145 --> 00:23:48.565
And the skills that the students get exposed to,

488
00:23:48.675 --> 00:23:51.925
whether it's customer service, reading tickets,

489
00:23:52.625 --> 00:23:55.845
or quality control, those are all transferable skills

490
00:23:56.105 --> 00:23:57.925
to whatever you go into.

491
00:23:58.145 --> 00:24:00.165
So this is, it's a great program.

492
00:24:01.145 --> 00:24:02.765
So it's great to be a part of it.

493
00:24:05.025 --> 00:24:08.215
<v Speaker 1>Thank you so much for being here and for all the hard work</v>

494
00:24:08.915 --> 00:24:10.735
<v Speaker 13>And we're gonna leave a lot of this stuff over there</v>

495
00:24:10.755 --> 00:24:12.775
so you guys can look at it and we'll come

496
00:24:12.775 --> 00:24:13.935
back tomorrow and pick it all back up.

497
00:24:13.935 --> 00:24:15.295
<v Speaker 1>Alright, thank you. Oh,</v>

498
00:24:15.395 --> 00:24:16.855
Dr. Fuman would like to say something.

499
00:24:16.855 --> 00:24:19.135
<v Speaker 16>Yeah, I'd like to make a comment. So first of all,</v>

500
00:24:19.135 --> 00:24:21.575
thank you all for, for being here

501
00:24:22.075 --> 00:24:24.055
and for all the work that you're doing, which is amazing.

502
00:24:24.155 --> 00:24:26.815
The quality of it is, is just amazing. It's professional.

503
00:24:27.285 --> 00:24:29.695
It's what better than what you would find anywhere else.

504
00:24:31.175 --> 00:24:34.215
I also wanna let you know you all are, you are role models

505
00:24:34.915 --> 00:24:37.135
for children who are younger than you are,

506
00:24:38.115 --> 00:24:41.055
who someday may want to do exactly what you're doing.

507
00:24:41.515 --> 00:24:46.295
You're demonstrating to them that there's fun, exciting,

508
00:24:47.125 --> 00:24:48.175
high quality work

509
00:24:48.365 --> 00:24:51.015
that just like you are doing, they can do as well.

510
00:24:51.395 --> 00:24:53.255
So thank you for being a role model for so many

511
00:24:53.255 --> 00:24:56.055
of our young children who hopefully, maybe not tonight,

512
00:24:56.055 --> 00:24:58.895
but at some point will watch you on a TV

513
00:24:59.325 --> 00:25:01.295
tonight, the recording of tonight.

514
00:25:01.815 --> 00:25:03.575
And if not, Lauren, about you some other way and,

515
00:25:03.675 --> 00:25:05.815
and be inspired by the work that you're doing.

516
00:25:06.995 --> 00:25:07.995
So thank you

517
00:25:08.855 --> 00:25:09.815
<v Speaker 1>Ms. You Thank you</v>

518
00:25:10.105 --> 00:25:11.105
<v Speaker 11>Aaron.</v>

519
00:25:11.105 --> 00:25:12.895
I didn't get to guys. Oh, you're so welcome.

520
00:25:13.195 --> 00:25:14.295
And Aaron, how about you?

521
00:25:14.295 --> 00:25:17.215
What, what is your tra, what has your path been in Natick?

522
00:25:17.215 --> 00:25:19.655
What? How have you served Natick while you've been here?

523
00:25:20.405 --> 00:25:23.855
<v Speaker 13>This is my 14th year. I started at Benham.</v>

524
00:25:24.615 --> 00:25:26.455
No, I started at Wilson and then I went to Behe

525
00:25:26.475 --> 00:25:28.015
and now I've been in Achieve for the last few years

526
00:25:28.075 --> 00:25:29.895
and I coached the JV girls hockey team.

527
00:25:30.115 --> 00:25:32.975
Woo. With Mr. Brand's daughter. So we have a great time.

528
00:25:32.975 --> 00:25:35.135
Come on down and watch us sometime in the winter.

529
00:25:36.045 --> 00:25:37.495
<v Speaker 1>5:00 AM practice, we'll be there.</v>

530
00:25:38.035 --> 00:25:39.215
<v Speaker 11>And Mr. Cohen, am I right</v>

531
00:25:39.215 --> 00:25:41.415
that you also coach the unified track team?

532
00:25:41.415 --> 00:25:44.295
Yeah, I help out and I think Vasil, you're on Unified track.

533
00:25:44.565 --> 00:25:48.375
Yeah. Anybody else? Yeah. Yeah. Okay, great. You too. Yeah.

534
00:25:48.375 --> 00:25:50.455
And Ryan as well. So it's just, it's so wonderful

535
00:25:50.455 --> 00:25:54.175
to have a program for students

536
00:25:54.245 --> 00:25:56.135
that can teach these life skills

537
00:25:56.315 --> 00:25:59.015
and then you get to participate in the wonderful parts

538
00:25:59.015 --> 00:26:03.975
of Natick after school and that everyone benefits from that.

539
00:26:04.115 --> 00:26:05.775
So thank you for being a part of it.

540
00:26:06.865 --> 00:26:08.735
<v Speaker 13>Thank</v>
<v Speaker 14>You. Thank you. Thank</v>

541
00:26:08.735 --> 00:26:09.735
<v Speaker 1>You.</v>

542
00:26:09.735 --> 00:26:10.215
Thank you for being here.

543
00:26:11.605 --> 00:26:12.095
<v Speaker 13>Alright.</v>

544
00:26:17.165 --> 00:26:19.815
Over. And it'll come back tomorrow and get it. Okay.

545
00:26:20.995 --> 00:26:23.135
Can you take all that stuff? Yes, I would. Actually.

546
00:26:23.135 --> 00:26:25.735
You can pass this around. Thank you so much. We'll pass it.

547
00:26:25.735 --> 00:26:27.215
Start with that way and they can, I need to tour

548
00:26:30.205 --> 00:26:32.175
Instagram has a lot of our pictures on it.

549
00:26:32.625 --> 00:26:33.055
Thank you.

550
00:26:37.765 --> 00:26:40.815
Okay. You very well. Yes. Thank you. Take job.

551
00:26:42.805 --> 00:26:45.725
<v Speaker 3>Okay. Thank you Erin. Thank you.</v>

552
00:26:46.195 --> 00:26:50.365
<v Speaker 4>Take care.</v>
<v Speaker 3>He's a great face. Thank you everyone.</v>

553
00:26:50.515 --> 00:26:53.845
Okay. Okay.

554
00:26:54.785 --> 00:26:57.405
<v Speaker 4>All right. I wanna just thank Erin Miller for pulling</v>

555
00:26:57.405 --> 00:26:59.565
that together pretty quickly and getting everyone here.

556
00:26:59.635 --> 00:27:02.485
That was awesome. Okay, we'll go

557
00:27:02.485 --> 00:27:05.525
to the next thing on the superintendent's report, which is

558
00:27:06.725 --> 00:27:09.725
a fantastic recognition of one of our schools.

559
00:27:10.565 --> 00:27:11.645
And we'll pull up the deck.

560
00:27:18.545 --> 00:27:22.725
So Ben Hem Bennett Hemingway Elementary has been named a

561
00:27:22.725 --> 00:27:25.725
2026 Massachusetts School of Recognition.

562
00:27:25.725 --> 00:27:29.245
This is a huge honor and it very significant

563
00:27:29.385 --> 00:27:31.485
and I wanna share a few of the results behind it.

564
00:27:32.425 --> 00:27:34.565
So next slide please. So what does this mean?

565
00:27:35.325 --> 00:27:36.805
It's a rare state honor.

566
00:27:37.675 --> 00:27:41.605
This year DESI nominated or recognized 56 schools

567
00:27:41.985 --> 00:27:44.365
and we have one school in Natick on this list.

568
00:27:45.235 --> 00:27:49.045
Next slide. The state, actually they notified,

569
00:27:49.275 --> 00:27:50.405
they didn't even notify us.

570
00:27:50.425 --> 00:27:53.765
It went up on the, on the website, but it's definitely firm.

571
00:27:53.845 --> 00:27:57.365
I did my work on that. So 56 schools this year

572
00:27:57.915 --> 00:27:59.685
they will be doing a formal announcement

573
00:27:59.685 --> 00:28:01.605
of when they hold a ceremony at the State House.

574
00:28:01.715 --> 00:28:03.045
Last year they did that in January

575
00:28:03.265 --> 00:28:05.325
and last year they did 63 schools.

576
00:28:05.385 --> 00:28:08.605
So it's sort of a big deal. Next one.

577
00:28:10.025 --> 00:28:12.845
So for the context, it's really about the scores.

578
00:28:13.185 --> 00:28:15.565
It, you may have heard in recent press releases

579
00:28:15.565 --> 00:28:18.205
around MCA statewide scores slipped yet again.

580
00:28:18.505 --> 00:28:20.525
But BEHE is a school who moved forward.

581
00:28:20.585 --> 00:28:23.525
That's part of the data that turned into this reward.

582
00:28:24.625 --> 00:28:29.365
Our English language arts scores, 61% of our students met

583
00:28:29.365 --> 00:28:30.845
or exceeded expectations.

584
00:28:30.845 --> 00:28:33.685
That's up a point from the prior year when the state

585
00:28:34.405 --> 00:28:37.005
actually went down two points in mathematics,

586
00:28:37.135 --> 00:28:40.005
69 points up nine points from last year

587
00:28:40.055 --> 00:28:41.325
while the state was flat.

588
00:28:41.705 --> 00:28:44.605
So this is just exceptional performance of our students

589
00:28:45.345 --> 00:28:47.205
on the state tests above

590
00:28:47.225 --> 00:28:48.965
and beyond their peers and and with growth.

591
00:28:49.785 --> 00:28:53.565
The next slide please. This is huge.

592
00:28:54.105 --> 00:28:56.765
So the state sets targets many targets.

593
00:28:57.435 --> 00:29:02.005
Behe met 100% of them, very, very rare in the prior year.

594
00:29:02.005 --> 00:29:03.685
They had, they had met 30%.

595
00:29:03.745 --> 00:29:06.445
So a very big shift over year, over year.

596
00:29:06.865 --> 00:29:10.205
The percent of their percentile accountability percentile,

597
00:29:10.205 --> 00:29:12.845
which basically puts every single school in the state

598
00:29:13.345 --> 00:29:14.605
as a hundred percentile.

599
00:29:15.105 --> 00:29:17.885
And we're at 91 for behe going up

600
00:29:18.435 --> 00:29:20.445
five points from 86 a year prior.

601
00:29:20.905 --> 00:29:23.245
The state considers any shift of two

602
00:29:23.265 --> 00:29:25.725
or more points to be statistically significant.

603
00:29:26.345 --> 00:29:30.005
So that means that Behem is outperforming nine out

604
00:29:30.125 --> 00:29:32.365
of 10 SIM similar schools in the state.

605
00:29:33.055 --> 00:29:34.845
Great news. Next slide please.

606
00:29:36.755 --> 00:29:40.005
Just to show you kind of scores Rose both in ELA and math.

607
00:29:40.095 --> 00:29:41.565
These are scale scores.

608
00:29:41.785 --> 00:29:43.205
And you could see they that just,

609
00:29:43.205 --> 00:29:45.925
if you look at the red English language arts went up

610
00:29:45.925 --> 00:29:47.125
3.5 points.

611
00:29:47.675 --> 00:29:49.045
Math went up 3.8,

612
00:29:49.295 --> 00:29:51.965
which resulted in an exceeded target rating.

613
00:29:52.875 --> 00:29:54.605
They also had 99 to a hundred percent

614
00:29:54.605 --> 00:29:56.325
of their students participate, which is huge.

615
00:29:56.915 --> 00:30:01.725
Okay, next one. The students grew faster than their peers.

616
00:30:02.035 --> 00:30:04.085
This is called the student growth percentile.

617
00:30:04.425 --> 00:30:07.405
The average student is at 50th percentile, which is

618
00:30:07.405 --> 00:30:10.965
that red line 60th percentile is considered high

619
00:30:10.965 --> 00:30:12.205
growth for the state.

620
00:30:12.785 --> 00:30:15.525
So we had a 60 percentile in ELA growth

621
00:30:16.265 --> 00:30:19.205
and math, 66.6, huge numbers.

622
00:30:20.515 --> 00:30:25.325
Next one. And really the nice story

623
00:30:25.325 --> 00:30:27.685
here too is that the gains reach, the students

624
00:30:27.705 --> 00:30:29.485
who need it the most need us the most.

625
00:30:30.025 --> 00:30:33.005
Our lowest performing students in accountability measures.

626
00:30:33.005 --> 00:30:34.725
Every year we get a list of eligible students

627
00:30:34.745 --> 00:30:36.645
of the lowest 25th percentile.

628
00:30:37.105 --> 00:30:38.525
So that's who those kids are.

629
00:30:39.105 --> 00:30:42.325
And they increased 12.1 points in their average math score.

630
00:30:42.505 --> 00:30:45.325
So we're moving that kind of bottom quartile up, which

631
00:30:45.325 --> 00:30:46.325
as you see in the sips,

632
00:30:46.325 --> 00:30:48.125
that's been the focus of our recent goals.

633
00:30:49.185 --> 00:30:52.925
95% of our high needs students, high needs per dsi.

634
00:30:52.925 --> 00:30:56.485
This is not what we make up, is our multilingual learners

635
00:30:56.625 --> 00:30:58.885
and former mul multilingual learners.

636
00:30:59.425 --> 00:31:03.645
Our low income and our special education students, 95%

637
00:31:03.645 --> 00:31:05.445
of their target points were earned.

638
00:31:06.115 --> 00:31:07.725
This is great. And then chronic

639
00:31:07.835 --> 00:31:09.445
absenteeism was another one of their goals.

640
00:31:09.445 --> 00:31:11.485
This is where I hope you can see those SIP goals at work

641
00:31:12.075 --> 00:31:14.725
with 7.7% the year prior

642
00:31:14.785 --> 00:31:18.245
and went to 3.4% massive gain.

643
00:31:18.865 --> 00:31:23.805
The state is at 17.1% for elementary. Next one.

644
00:31:25.145 --> 00:31:26.885
So we just wanted to give you this ahead

645
00:31:26.885 --> 00:31:29.045
of our MCA presentation, which you'll see in a few weeks

646
00:31:29.075 --> 00:31:31.365
because it is public and it will be out there.

647
00:31:31.365 --> 00:31:33.365
And we wanted to make sure you heard it from us first.

648
00:31:33.805 --> 00:31:36.805
I did invite Principal Hoffman as well as she wanted

649
00:31:36.805 --> 00:31:38.485
to also invite Principal Gani

650
00:31:38.485 --> 00:31:39.685
who was there, of course the year prior.

651
00:31:39.795 --> 00:31:41.165
They both had commitments tonight

652
00:31:41.165 --> 00:31:42.285
because I called them on Friday.

653
00:31:42.285 --> 00:31:44.525
Understandable. But they are

654
00:31:44.585 --> 00:31:46.085
so excited they credit their teams.

655
00:31:46.145 --> 00:31:47.885
Of course they're, they're always so graceful

656
00:31:48.105 --> 00:31:49.525
and they credit one another

657
00:31:49.585 --> 00:31:51.005
and their partnerships, so

658
00:31:51.405 --> 00:31:52.685
that's why they're not here tonight.

659
00:31:52.685 --> 00:31:54.885
But we just wanted to make sure this was in your hands and,

660
00:31:54.945 --> 00:31:56.885
and really shows some massive movement

661
00:31:56.905 --> 00:31:58.205
of one of our schools this year.

662
00:31:58.305 --> 00:31:59.445
All of our schools do. Great.

663
00:31:59.655 --> 00:32:00.965
We'll talk about that in a few weeks.

664
00:32:03.355 --> 00:32:05.765
<v Speaker 1>Yeah. We have some comments or questions. Dr. Fuman,</v>

665
00:32:06.245 --> 00:32:07.245
<v Speaker 16>This is exciting.</v>

666
00:32:07.245 --> 00:32:08.285
This is amazing. Yeah.

667
00:32:09.425 --> 00:32:13.205
If the two principles were here, if I,

668
00:32:13.225 --> 00:32:14.405
if I may ask the question

669
00:32:14.405 --> 00:32:18.245
that I would ask them in case anyone has answers

670
00:32:18.505 --> 00:32:20.205
or we can hear from them later.

671
00:32:20.565 --> 00:32:24.165
But this idea of positive deviance,

672
00:32:24.165 --> 00:32:25.805
which is finding things are really, really well

673
00:32:25.945 --> 00:32:28.045
and figuring out what about, what made them

674
00:32:28.165 --> 00:32:29.445
so good so we can scale up.

675
00:32:29.985 --> 00:32:32.405
So what was, what do you all think

676
00:32:32.405 --> 00:32:35.525
or what do the principals think were the factors that led

677
00:32:35.525 --> 00:32:40.005
to success and what can we learn from that so

678
00:32:40.005 --> 00:32:41.765
that we can continue the success in at

679
00:32:41.765 --> 00:32:43.085
Benham and and elsewhere?

680
00:32:43.085 --> 00:32:44.085
Elsewhere as well?

681
00:32:45.115 --> 00:32:46.525
<v Speaker 4>It's a great question and one</v>

682
00:32:46.525 --> 00:32:47.965
that I hope we can kind of spend time.

683
00:32:47.965 --> 00:32:50.165
You're gonna see all the principles on October 5th

684
00:32:50.165 --> 00:32:51.765
for their SIP presentations.

685
00:32:52.105 --> 00:32:53.365
And of course we'll go through the MCA

686
00:32:53.365 --> 00:32:54.405
results at the next meeting.

687
00:32:55.805 --> 00:32:57.725
I, I don't wanna say what they would say

688
00:32:57.925 --> 00:32:59.605
'cause I don't know, but if I were them,

689
00:33:00.765 --> 00:33:03.485
what I would probably, I really think giving them the

690
00:33:03.725 --> 00:33:07.845
latitude to fo to really turn to their school's data,

691
00:33:07.845 --> 00:33:11.165
their school's teams, their school's voice in determining

692
00:33:11.165 --> 00:33:12.605
what they wanted to focus on is huge.

693
00:33:13.025 --> 00:33:14.365
And so all of their sips are

694
00:33:14.965 --> 00:33:17.325
directly re resulting from the data that they see

695
00:33:17.325 --> 00:33:19.085
and what their teams are motivated to work on.

696
00:33:19.465 --> 00:33:21.125
And I think where there's will

697
00:33:21.225 --> 00:33:23.245
and there's, you know, they're digging in

698
00:33:23.245 --> 00:33:24.445
and they're making their own plans

699
00:33:24.445 --> 00:33:26.725
around those based on their data and they nailed it.

700
00:33:27.225 --> 00:33:31.085
You should, the, the plan behind that percentage

701
00:33:31.085 --> 00:33:32.565
for chronic absenteeism was,

702
00:33:32.745 --> 00:33:35.125
was a deeply operationalized plan.

703
00:33:35.535 --> 00:33:37.525
Which, you know, knit together many parts

704
00:33:37.525 --> 00:33:38.605
of the community and teams.

705
00:33:39.185 --> 00:33:40.925
It had a playbook, it still has it.

706
00:33:40.985 --> 00:33:42.925
And the answer to what you're kind of saying,

707
00:33:42.985 --> 00:33:45.325
we launched last year data in action,

708
00:33:45.325 --> 00:33:47.845
which Sandy Lemon were rolls out.

709
00:33:47.845 --> 00:33:49.085
And we were smart enough, she

710
00:33:49.185 --> 00:33:50.405
was smart enough to record them.

711
00:33:50.945 --> 00:33:52.245
And so this year is more

712
00:33:52.245 --> 00:33:54.125
and more people are taking on an attendance goal.

713
00:33:54.155 --> 00:33:56.045
They can go look at that, they can take the playbook.

714
00:33:56.145 --> 00:33:59.605
So we are definitely sharing resources and best practices

715
00:33:59.705 --> 00:34:00.885
and sort of collegiality.

716
00:34:01.585 --> 00:34:03.965
And so what I've noticed always in Natick is

717
00:34:05.105 --> 00:34:06.845
our peers are happy to learn from one another

718
00:34:06.845 --> 00:34:08.285
and happy to see each other succeed.

719
00:34:08.705 --> 00:34:10.645
And so I think there's a lot of sharing going on

720
00:34:10.645 --> 00:34:12.805
and one vehicle for that is data in action.

721
00:34:13.305 --> 00:34:14.725
But I think, you know, it's fun.

722
00:34:14.865 --> 00:34:17.605
Benham and I mean all of our schools have stories like this.

723
00:34:17.625 --> 00:34:19.365
So I, I'm focusing on them right now.

724
00:34:19.385 --> 00:34:21.845
But every single one of our schools has great stuff

725
00:34:21.845 --> 00:34:23.125
to celebrate with the MCAS.

726
00:34:23.625 --> 00:34:25.005
One of the team members there.

727
00:34:25.005 --> 00:34:27.725
They all had a word and one of them last year was joy.

728
00:34:28.345 --> 00:34:29.645
And it showed through in their work.

729
00:34:30.565 --> 00:34:32.085
So that's one thing I would at least say

730
00:34:32.185 --> 00:34:33.605
conceptualized to Benham.

731
00:34:33.915 --> 00:34:35.285
They were happy in doing this work.

732
00:34:35.465 --> 00:34:39.085
It was hard, but they did a lot with that word kind of alive

733
00:34:39.085 --> 00:34:40.885
for them and as a team.

734
00:34:41.065 --> 00:34:42.605
So I'm not answering in their words,

735
00:34:42.705 --> 00:34:44.165
but I think they'd say something similar

736
00:34:44.225 --> 00:34:47.485
and they'd recognize their partnership as kind

737
00:34:47.485 --> 00:34:49.845
of one principal who left and went to another school

738
00:34:50.265 --> 00:34:51.485
and then another who came in.

739
00:34:51.545 --> 00:34:52.605
So good story.

740
00:34:53.345 --> 00:34:55.045
And they would, they would give it to the team.

741
00:34:58.605 --> 00:35:00.025
<v Speaker 1>Any other comments</v>

742
00:35:00.125 --> 00:35:04.425
or questions? Ms. Brunell?

743
00:35:05.065 --> 00:35:06.985
<v Speaker 11>I, one thing I noticed was the math scores.</v>

744
00:35:07.945 --> 00:35:11.225
And I do, I think it's important that we acknowledge

745
00:35:11.225 --> 00:35:14.145
that we rolled out a new math curriculum, which is a huge

746
00:35:14.895 --> 00:35:15.945
lift for the teachers.

747
00:35:17.085 --> 00:35:20.465
And when teachers have high quality instruction materials

748
00:35:20.465 --> 00:35:23.345
with excellent teaching, I think you see scores go up.

749
00:35:23.405 --> 00:35:25.905
And I hope this motivates us for the reading program,

750
00:35:26.385 --> 00:35:29.625
which I'm sure is a lot of work for our teachers right now.

751
00:35:30.525 --> 00:35:32.505
And I just, I'm really happy that our

752
00:35:33.225 --> 00:35:36.145
district is moving in this direction with excellent teachers

753
00:35:36.285 --> 00:35:38.285
and giving the teachers the tools that they need.

754
00:35:39.595 --> 00:35:43.325
<v Speaker 4>Totally agree.</v>
<v Speaker 1>Anyone else?</v>

755
00:35:45.675 --> 00:35:47.885
Okay. Well thank you. Great presentation.

756
00:35:48.935 --> 00:35:50.845
Let's keep the good vibes rolling. Yep.

757
00:35:51.875 --> 00:35:53.805
<v Speaker 4>Good stuff. We'll let you know when we go</v>

758
00:35:53.805 --> 00:35:55.805
to the state. Okay.

759
00:35:56.735 --> 00:36:00.485
<v Speaker 11>Field trip.</v>
<v Speaker 4>Yes. Okay. The next one.</v>

760
00:36:00.485 --> 00:36:02.245
Are you gonna talk to this one? Yeah, we'll talk

761
00:36:02.245 --> 00:36:05.885
to the memorandum of agreement on special advisory matrix

762
00:36:06.105 --> 00:36:09.365
for 26 27 and Jackie Mendoza is gonna discuss that.

763
00:36:10.425 --> 00:36:14.485
<v Speaker 17>Yes. So we have up for tonight the official vote</v>

764
00:36:14.985 --> 00:36:16.445
for the side letter of agreement.

765
00:36:17.835 --> 00:36:21.965
That is, has to do with our Article nine, section eight,

766
00:36:21.965 --> 00:36:23.725
part of our contract where

767
00:36:25.025 --> 00:36:28.245
it establishes stipend review committees at both middle

768
00:36:28.245 --> 00:36:31.045
schools and the high school to review

769
00:36:31.185 --> 00:36:34.125
and recommend the annual allocation of specialty

770
00:36:34.645 --> 00:36:36.205
advisory stipends.

771
00:36:37.265 --> 00:36:40.685
And so you have the draft in front of you.

772
00:36:41.845 --> 00:36:44.645
I spoke with Mr. Wood earlier today

773
00:36:45.505 --> 00:36:47.005
and the, the teacher's union is

774
00:36:47.005 --> 00:36:48.085
ready to sign off on it as well.

775
00:36:48.085 --> 00:36:52.925
So we are in agreement and it has not changed from the last

776
00:36:52.925 --> 00:36:55.165
time you saw it, but I'm happy

777
00:36:55.165 --> 00:36:57.005
to answer questions if you have questions around

778
00:36:57.005 --> 00:37:00.765
that process or this, this side letter.

779
00:37:03.345 --> 00:37:06.005
<v Speaker 1>Any comments or questions from the committee?</v>

780
00:37:08.265 --> 00:37:09.965
Dr. Welch? Just

781
00:37:10.105 --> 00:37:11.105
<v Speaker 18>One.</v>

782
00:37:11.105 --> 00:37:14.125
And that is at a, approximately how many

783
00:37:14.145 --> 00:37:15.965
of these positions are filled

784
00:37:17.555 --> 00:37:18.555
<v Speaker 17>Currently?</v>

785
00:37:18.555 --> 00:37:21.965
Yes. That, I don't actually know that answer

786
00:37:21.965 --> 00:37:23.205
because that's kind

787
00:37:23.205 --> 00:37:24.605
of handled on the school level right now.

788
00:37:24.605 --> 00:37:27.445
Okay. But I, from what I re can tell in all

789
00:37:27.445 --> 00:37:28.965
of the communications that I see

790
00:37:28.965 --> 00:37:31.045
that probably 90 ish percent, yeah, the

791
00:37:31.045 --> 00:37:32.845
<v Speaker 18>Vast majority,</v>
<v Speaker 17>The vast majority. Great.</v>

792
00:37:32.855 --> 00:37:33.925
<v Speaker 18>Thank you. I yield back.</v>

793
00:37:34.705 --> 00:37:39.125
<v Speaker 1>Anyone else? If not, I will take a motion.</v>

794
00:37:39.155 --> 00:37:41.205
This is on the agenda as an action item.

795
00:37:43.875 --> 00:37:46.685
<v Speaker 16>I'll make a motion to approve the memorandum of agreement</v>

796
00:37:46.705 --> 00:37:49.965
and special advisory matrix for 2026. 2027.

797
00:37:50.825 --> 00:37:53.045
<v Speaker 1>Second. So that's a motion by Dr.</v>

798
00:37:53.145 --> 00:37:57.085
Fugman, seconded by Mr. Patel. Any discussion or debate?

799
00:37:59.145 --> 00:38:03.045
Seeing and hearing none, we will vote. Roll call. Dr. Welch.

800
00:38:03.345 --> 00:38:07.765
Yes. Dr. Fugman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Ms. Brunell? Yes.

801
00:38:07.905 --> 00:38:12.245
Ms. Collins? Yes. Ms. Goeth? Yes.

802
00:38:12.385 --> 00:38:14.165
And I'm a yes. That's seven. Zero. Zero.

803
00:38:16.355 --> 00:38:17.885
Very good. Thank you. Thank you.

804
00:38:17.915 --> 00:38:19.605
<v Speaker 17>Okay.</v>
<v Speaker 11>In addition to the stipends,</v>

805
00:38:19.605 --> 00:38:21.725
I just wanna thank all the people that stay

806
00:38:21.725 --> 00:38:23.245
after and run these clubs.

807
00:38:23.525 --> 00:38:26.405
'cause they really do create a huge wonderful experience

808
00:38:26.405 --> 00:38:27.525
for our students after school.

809
00:38:30.215 --> 00:38:32.485
<v Speaker 4>Thank you. It's worth noting that we did kind</v>

810
00:38:32.485 --> 00:38:34.565
of gather the names of the people who were on the committee

811
00:38:34.705 --> 00:38:37.805
and all of that to kind of keep for posterity.

812
00:38:37.805 --> 00:38:39.245
So we're gonna kind of keep a record of

813
00:38:39.245 --> 00:38:41.125
that which came up at the prior meeting.

814
00:38:42.395 --> 00:38:46.845
It's joint with the union, the, those records. Yeah. Okay.

815
00:38:47.625 --> 00:38:51.445
The next item is the FY 27 operating plan overview.

816
00:38:55.525 --> 00:38:57.345
And this is a bit of a detailed document,

817
00:38:57.405 --> 00:38:59.625
but I wanted to give the committee

818
00:38:59.645 --> 00:39:02.065
and the public a bit of an overview

819
00:39:02.065 --> 00:39:03.505
that brings us into year one.

820
00:39:03.605 --> 00:39:04.705
The plan for year one.

821
00:39:06.285 --> 00:39:08.505
You can imagine there's quite a bit of detail behind this,

822
00:39:09.025 --> 00:39:12.025
including really my goals as well as the cabinet goals,

823
00:39:12.055 --> 00:39:13.985
principle goals, and educator goals.

824
00:39:13.985 --> 00:39:16.705
But we'll go into it. So the next slide please.

825
00:39:19.375 --> 00:39:23.665
Okay. Tonight I'm sharing really how we're putting

826
00:39:23.665 --> 00:39:26.985
that 26 to 31 strategic plan into

827
00:39:26.985 --> 00:39:28.065
action during the first year.

828
00:39:29.285 --> 00:39:31.665
The operating plan identifies what we're going

829
00:39:31.665 --> 00:39:34.665
to accomplish in FY 27, who's responsible

830
00:39:34.665 --> 00:39:36.745
and how we're going to check our progress.

831
00:39:37.485 --> 00:39:39.665
The strategic plan gives us a five year direction.

832
00:39:40.655 --> 00:39:42.665
Year one is really a foundational year.

833
00:39:42.955 --> 00:39:44.785
We're gonna set common expectations,

834
00:39:45.545 --> 00:39:48.385
strengthen our instructional work, test our practices,

835
00:39:48.805 --> 00:39:50.945
and establish the information we need

836
00:39:50.945 --> 00:39:52.065
to make some sound decisions.

837
00:39:52.125 --> 00:39:54.065
As we went through this, as you remember,

838
00:39:54.085 --> 00:39:56.465
it was a big committee that kind of set our priorities

839
00:39:56.925 --> 00:39:59.305
and we didn't necessarily have data on every single

840
00:39:59.335 --> 00:40:00.545
part of those priorities.

841
00:40:01.165 --> 00:40:03.385
So, so this year we're going to be doing some work

842
00:40:03.385 --> 00:40:05.545
to actually start to get some baseline data in place.

843
00:40:05.965 --> 00:40:07.705
So it's worth noting that for the committee

844
00:40:09.165 --> 00:40:11.585
and we should expect meaningful progress this year while

845
00:40:11.615 --> 00:40:12.745
also recognizing some

846
00:40:12.745 --> 00:40:13.945
of the results will take a little

847
00:40:13.945 --> 00:40:15.105
longer than a year to achieve.

848
00:40:15.105 --> 00:40:17.825
That's why it's a five year plan. Okay, the next one please.

849
00:40:18.495 --> 00:40:20.505
It's also important to just note the coherence

850
00:40:20.505 --> 00:40:21.545
that this is one system.

851
00:40:22.005 --> 00:40:23.985
So school committee, as you know, sets policy

852
00:40:24.945 --> 00:40:27.145
allocates resources and monitors progress

853
00:40:27.305 --> 00:40:28.585
towards strategic plan goals.

854
00:40:29.285 --> 00:40:30.745
My goals are linked to this.

855
00:40:31.085 --> 00:40:33.465
The cabinet's goals are all linked to this as well

856
00:40:33.465 --> 00:40:36.105
as the EILT executive instructional leadership

857
00:40:36.105 --> 00:40:37.745
team and principals.

858
00:40:37.845 --> 00:40:40.385
And then down in through educators and staff.

859
00:40:40.935 --> 00:40:43.225
Last year I published cohesion memos.

860
00:40:43.265 --> 00:40:46.025
I think I shared it with the committee around kind of

861
00:40:46.045 --> 00:40:49.225
how aligned our educator goals were to the bigger goals.

862
00:40:49.225 --> 00:40:50.345
And we'll do that again this year.

863
00:40:51.155 --> 00:40:53.625
We're excited to say, and you'll hear this next time we

864
00:40:53.625 --> 00:40:56.665
meet, that all eight schools have improvement plans

865
00:40:56.665 --> 00:40:59.705
that name a priority tied to the first priority

866
00:40:59.705 --> 00:41:00.945
of closing achievement gaps.

867
00:41:01.005 --> 00:41:02.665
You just saw that in the behem data.

868
00:41:03.685 --> 00:41:05.465
Ben, he's the one we're kind of highlighting first.

869
00:41:05.565 --> 00:41:06.825
But every single one of the schools

870
00:41:07.495 --> 00:41:09.625
have a very deep plan around that.

871
00:41:10.735 --> 00:41:15.345
Next slide please. So there's four focused

872
00:41:15.395 --> 00:41:17.025
areas, 12 priorities.

873
00:41:17.165 --> 00:41:19.385
You guys probably very familiar with this by now.

874
00:41:22.645 --> 00:41:24.105
You can see the them on the left.

875
00:41:24.465 --> 00:41:25.825
Academic excellence, belonging

876
00:41:26.365 --> 00:41:28.185
and student experience, communications

877
00:41:28.185 --> 00:41:30.745
and community engagement and resources and infrastructure.

878
00:41:31.245 --> 00:41:33.885
And this is just to kind of show in a summary statement,

879
00:41:34.065 --> 00:41:35.965
if you were to synthesize it up to that level,

880
00:41:36.075 --> 00:41:37.165
what we're focusing on.

881
00:41:37.505 --> 00:41:39.005
So under academic excellence,

882
00:41:39.005 --> 00:41:40.805
it's about consistent core instruction.

883
00:41:40.805 --> 00:41:42.365
We talked about tier one instruction

884
00:41:42.745 --> 00:41:43.845
and formative assessment

885
00:41:43.905 --> 00:41:45.965
or how much we're checking kind of what kids are learning

886
00:41:46.185 --> 00:41:47.365
and looping back when there's

887
00:41:47.365 --> 00:41:48.445
kids who haven't mastered it yet.

888
00:41:49.345 --> 00:41:51.165
In belonging, in student experience.

889
00:41:51.325 --> 00:41:53.085
It's about access to programs

890
00:41:53.225 --> 00:41:55.445
and to to items in their experience,

891
00:41:55.475 --> 00:41:57.085
student voice lifting that.

892
00:41:57.585 --> 00:41:59.565
And then consistent approaches to behavior

893
00:41:59.625 --> 00:42:01.525
and support, which you'll hear a little bit more later.

894
00:42:02.645 --> 00:42:03.805
Communication is one thing.

895
00:42:04.245 --> 00:42:06.405
Strengthening how families receive information

896
00:42:07.185 --> 00:42:08.205
and how we hear from them.

897
00:42:08.905 --> 00:42:11.125
And then lastly, in resources

898
00:42:11.125 --> 00:42:14.125
and infrastructure addressing facilities safety,

899
00:42:14.235 --> 00:42:15.725
both cyber safety as well

900
00:42:15.725 --> 00:42:17.365
as physical safety, financial planning.

901
00:42:17.825 --> 00:42:19.165
And then the systems we need

902
00:42:19.165 --> 00:42:20.725
to actually track the progress on this plan.

903
00:42:20.725 --> 00:42:23.245
That's a huge piece of this year. Next slide please.

904
00:42:24.285 --> 00:42:26.165
I gave slides sort of on each one

905
00:42:26.315 --> 00:42:27.965
that I'm not gonna read through here.

906
00:42:28.025 --> 00:42:31.285
But I wanted to be transparent about the deliverables

907
00:42:31.285 --> 00:42:34.645
that sit inside all of the people's plans.

908
00:42:35.155 --> 00:42:36.405
Everybody, every level

909
00:42:36.425 --> 00:42:39.045
of this organization has goals aligned to this.

910
00:42:39.185 --> 00:42:41.245
And here you can see what we hope to deliver to you,

911
00:42:41.245 --> 00:42:43.005
what we're gonna work to deliver to you this year.

912
00:42:43.655 --> 00:42:45.925
Again, on the academic excellence, this is

913
00:42:45.925 --> 00:42:47.725
that instructional center of the plan.

914
00:42:48.255 --> 00:42:50.605
We're working toward consistently strong

915
00:42:50.605 --> 00:42:51.885
instruction in every classroom.

916
00:42:51.915 --> 00:42:53.485
Formative assessment, like I said.

917
00:42:53.905 --> 00:42:55.725
And we'll, we're gonna learn what, what?

918
00:42:55.825 --> 00:42:57.885
You know we're gonna use learning walks, coaching

919
00:42:57.985 --> 00:42:59.565
and student results to sharpen the

920
00:42:59.565 --> 00:43:00.605
work as the year moves along.

921
00:43:02.105 --> 00:43:03.445
Unless you want me to go through each

922
00:43:03.445 --> 00:43:04.845
and one of those bullets, I'm not going to.

923
00:43:05.115 --> 00:43:08.165
Okay. In terms of belonging

924
00:43:08.165 --> 00:43:09.165
and student experience,

925
00:43:09.165 --> 00:43:12.365
the focus is on whether students can fully participate in

926
00:43:12.365 --> 00:43:14.565
school and experience consistent support.

927
00:43:15.365 --> 00:43:17.125
We're going to list in listen more

928
00:43:17.125 --> 00:43:18.365
systematically to students.

929
00:43:18.525 --> 00:43:20.445
A lot of that will happen through our student experience

930
00:43:20.445 --> 00:43:22.805
and belonging council, which we're soon

931
00:43:22.805 --> 00:43:23.845
to launch in November.

932
00:43:24.835 --> 00:43:26.485
Examine barriers to access.

933
00:43:26.485 --> 00:43:28.805
This is an area where we'll continue to gather data

934
00:43:29.225 --> 00:43:30.325
and implement the code

935
00:43:30.325 --> 00:43:33.885
of conduct across the district in communication.

936
00:43:35.095 --> 00:43:38.885
Sorry, next one. And then the next one. There you go.

937
00:43:38.885 --> 00:43:40.245
That one. In communication

938
00:43:40.245 --> 00:43:42.645
and community engagement, we want families

939
00:43:42.645 --> 00:43:45.485
to have a more consistent experience, getting information,

940
00:43:45.925 --> 00:43:47.005
reaching us and being heard.

941
00:43:47.975 --> 00:43:50.085
We're also gonna take stock of our partnerships.

942
00:43:50.105 --> 00:43:51.205
We have a lot of partnerships.

943
00:43:51.205 --> 00:43:52.205
We're actually gonna document

944
00:43:52.205 --> 00:43:54.045
what they are and take a look at those.

945
00:43:54.585 --> 00:43:57.005
So that's a good example of a goal that's kind of like,

946
00:43:57.005 --> 00:43:59.085
let's just gather data so we can see the initial picture.

947
00:43:59.385 --> 00:44:01.405
No one's done that before. So that's one.

948
00:44:01.605 --> 00:44:03.405
I, I kind of call it Goldilocks in.

949
00:44:03.405 --> 00:44:04.765
Some are big, some are small,

950
00:44:04.785 --> 00:44:06.245
but we're gonna deliver on all 12

951
00:44:06.545 --> 00:44:08.645
and we might switch it up where some stay big

952
00:44:08.645 --> 00:44:09.885
and some get bigger next year.

953
00:44:11.795 --> 00:44:14.165
Okay, next slide please. And then on slide eight,

954
00:44:14.165 --> 00:44:15.965
this one's about planning responsibly

955
00:44:15.965 --> 00:44:18.965
and making the systems that support schools more reliable.

956
00:44:20.355 --> 00:44:23.685
That includes facility safety, the FY 28 budget.

957
00:44:24.185 --> 00:44:25.485
And then the dashboard

958
00:44:25.505 --> 00:44:27.245
and surveys we're going to be pulling together.

959
00:44:27.905 --> 00:44:30.925
So there's, I think someone counted them,

960
00:44:31.005 --> 00:44:32.845
something like 53 deliverables.

961
00:44:32.925 --> 00:44:34.685
I try not to say that 'cause it scares people,

962
00:44:35.285 --> 00:44:38.125
but we really made a plan that we think we can do

963
00:44:38.265 --> 00:44:41.285
as we spread it across all members of our organization.

964
00:44:42.125 --> 00:44:43.685
And the next slide will kind of show you

965
00:44:43.705 --> 00:44:44.845
how it links to my goals.

966
00:44:46.505 --> 00:44:48.885
So my goals ladder right into this operating plan.

967
00:44:48.985 --> 00:44:50.685
And you have looked at, these are on here

968
00:44:50.685 --> 00:44:51.805
for a second read today.

969
00:44:52.345 --> 00:44:55.165
The first one around student learning is my support

970
00:44:55.225 --> 00:44:57.205
of the instructional work for this year.

971
00:44:57.505 --> 00:44:59.685
That's focus areas one, one and one two.

972
00:45:00.325 --> 00:45:02.925
Professional practice goal is about deepening student

973
00:45:02.925 --> 00:45:04.725
engagement with student, staff and families.

974
00:45:05.865 --> 00:45:08.685
And you'll soon see a plan on kind of what that entails.

975
00:45:09.665 --> 00:45:13.205
The district improvement goal will focus on strategic plan

976
00:45:13.205 --> 00:45:16.565
measurement and con continuous improvement system.

977
00:45:16.585 --> 00:45:19.045
That's where we're gonna actually have the monitoring system

978
00:45:19.105 --> 00:45:21.085
for the strategic plan as well as surveys.

979
00:45:21.085 --> 00:45:23.645
So implementing three surveys for students, staff

980
00:45:23.645 --> 00:45:25.845
and families is a significant enough thing.

981
00:45:25.845 --> 00:45:27.965
But we're gonna wrap that into an overall dashboard.

982
00:45:28.745 --> 00:45:31.565
And then the last one is just as we always need

983
00:45:31.565 --> 00:45:33.645
to do an increasingly challenging environment,

984
00:45:33.955 --> 00:45:37.085
develop a sustainable FY 28 budget aligned

985
00:45:37.185 --> 00:45:38.645
to the strategic priorities.

986
00:45:38.645 --> 00:45:40.685
You already saw that last meeting when Mr.

987
00:45:40.705 --> 00:45:42.445
Gillis went through and showed you the transfers

988
00:45:42.445 --> 00:45:44.125
and what exactly they aligned to in terms

989
00:45:44.125 --> 00:45:45.565
of our strategic plan.

990
00:45:47.035 --> 00:45:48.965
Next goal. Okay.

991
00:45:50.015 --> 00:45:52.365
We're certainly going to look to keep you informed

992
00:45:52.465 --> 00:45:54.245
and the public informed all year long.

993
00:45:54.505 --> 00:45:56.205
So kind of the first stage is goals,

994
00:45:56.205 --> 00:45:57.325
governance and baselines.

995
00:45:57.325 --> 00:45:59.845
Well, hopefully we land my goals today, our goals

996
00:45:59.865 --> 00:46:04.645
for educators are due next month, year one probably.

997
00:46:04.645 --> 00:46:06.805
We're gonna implement that and actually do the work on it.

998
00:46:07.625 --> 00:46:10.525
Create the dashboards and surveys, do learning walks.

999
00:46:10.525 --> 00:46:13.565
We did some today and then we'll be reporting to you.

1000
00:46:13.785 --> 00:46:15.285
So I'm assuming we'll go

1001
00:46:15.285 --> 00:46:16.925
through the budget cycle, which will be aligned.

1002
00:46:16.925 --> 00:46:20.085
Then we'll come in with a mid-year report as I usually do,

1003
00:46:20.755 --> 00:46:23.645
make some recommendations on operating budget.

1004
00:46:23.705 --> 00:46:26.445
And then we're gonna do myself evaluation

1005
00:46:26.445 --> 00:46:28.125
where it will be very transparent, kind

1006
00:46:28.125 --> 00:46:30.365
of the movement we made along all of the items

1007
00:46:30.395 --> 00:46:32.885
that were more detailed in those mid

1008
00:46:32.885 --> 00:46:34.605
slides that I didn't read.

1009
00:46:35.795 --> 00:46:38.365
There's an appendix here that kind of aligns the ownership.

1010
00:46:38.845 --> 00:46:40.525
I, again, I think that's too granular

1011
00:46:40.785 --> 00:46:42.725
for presenting, but I think it's important.

1012
00:46:42.865 --> 00:46:44.885
If you ever had questions, I'm happy to answer them.

1013
00:46:45.385 --> 00:46:47.685
And my bringing it up here is really just to show

1014
00:46:48.075 --> 00:46:50.885
that the strategic plan we made, which had a lot of voice

1015
00:46:51.065 --> 00:46:54.485
and a lot of aspiration in it, we're working very hard

1016
00:46:54.485 --> 00:46:56.085
to bring that down into operation.

1017
00:46:56.425 --> 00:46:57.645
And we took it a year at a time.

1018
00:46:57.985 --> 00:47:01.085
We don't have year 2, 3, 4, 5 mapped out yet

1019
00:47:01.085 --> 00:47:03.125
because we have to learn from this year.

1020
00:47:03.625 --> 00:47:06.805
I'm trying to keep every, everyone steady and not trying.

1021
00:47:07.115 --> 00:47:09.325
It's a good example of kind of, we can't rush through this.

1022
00:47:09.395 --> 00:47:11.125
It's human beings behind the work

1023
00:47:11.845 --> 00:47:15.485
and I, I don't, I, you know, I wanna make sure it's slow

1024
00:47:15.485 --> 00:47:16.965
and steady wins the race here

1025
00:47:17.505 --> 00:47:19.245
and we're being very methodical

1026
00:47:19.585 --> 00:47:21.165
and intentional about the work.

1027
00:47:21.545 --> 00:47:24.165
And hopefully that's conveyed through this presentation.

1028
00:47:25.585 --> 00:47:28.845
<v Speaker 1>All set. That's it. Any comments or questions from</v>

1029
00:47:28.845 --> 00:47:29.845
<v Speaker 4>The committee?</v>

1030
00:47:30.465 --> 00:47:32.485
<v Speaker 16>Dr. Fugman? I a, I guess it's more</v>

1031
00:47:32.485 --> 00:47:33.565
of a common than a question

1032
00:47:33.925 --> 00:47:36.965
unless you have answers then it's a question.

1033
00:47:38.785 --> 00:47:40.925
So as Matt mentioned

1034
00:47:40.925 --> 00:47:42.325
before, we,

1035
00:47:43.265 --> 00:47:46.805
we had a pretty lively table at Nick days

1036
00:47:47.865 --> 00:47:50.365
and the strategic plan was one of the things

1037
00:47:50.365 --> 00:47:51.885
that we talked about the most.

1038
00:47:51.945 --> 00:47:54.725
We had the big poster, that one right there.

1039
00:47:57.025 --> 00:48:00.045
And I think the community is very, the people who came by

1040
00:48:00.045 --> 00:48:01.885
and asked questions that a lot of people took the flyer.

1041
00:48:02.525 --> 00:48:04.085
I think a lot of people really excited about this.

1042
00:48:04.425 --> 00:48:06.045
So I guess that's the comment. That's great.

1043
00:48:07.125 --> 00:48:11.165
A lot of, even when they had very specific comments about

1044
00:48:11.165 --> 00:48:15.725
the schools, aside from the plan, it was very easy to say,

1045
00:48:15.865 --> 00:48:18.765
oh you are concerned about X, here's

1046
00:48:18.975 --> 00:48:20.805
where on the plan we're gonna be addressing it.

1047
00:48:22.865 --> 00:48:25.565
So I guess the general comment slash question is

1048
00:48:27.985 --> 00:48:29.695
under area three,

1049
00:48:29.945 --> 00:48:33.415
3.1 specifically is improved coherent two-way communication.

1050
00:48:34.375 --> 00:48:35.575
I love the deliverables.

1051
00:48:37.255 --> 00:48:38.575
I guess the comment is it would be great

1052
00:48:38.575 --> 00:48:41.815
to incorporate the actual strategic plan, the rest

1053
00:48:41.815 --> 00:48:45.415
of the plan under that two-way communication in in other,

1054
00:48:45.415 --> 00:48:47.255
in other words, find ways to continue

1055
00:48:47.255 --> 00:48:50.975
to engage the community in learning about what you're doing,

1056
00:48:51.395 --> 00:48:55.015
how you're moving this forward and if

1057
00:48:55.155 --> 00:48:56.375
and when there's opportunities

1058
00:48:56.995 --> 00:48:58.815
for greater community engagement

1059
00:48:58.815 --> 00:49:01.215
around any specific priority area.

1060
00:49:01.915 --> 00:49:04.935
So you know as, as you, as we've heard now a couple

1061
00:49:04.935 --> 00:49:06.535
of meetings, there's obviously a lot

1062
00:49:06.535 --> 00:49:08.975
of families concerned about technology in the classroom.

1063
00:49:09.515 --> 00:49:12.015
So how can parents, community members

1064
00:49:12.075 --> 00:49:13.855
who are concerned about that help address

1065
00:49:13.855 --> 00:49:15.015
that specific priority?

1066
00:49:15.155 --> 00:49:17.815
So that's just something that again, we heard

1067
00:49:19.165 --> 00:49:22.895
through the conversations we had at Natick days.

1068
00:49:23.235 --> 00:49:25.055
So just kind of passing it along

1069
00:49:26.475 --> 00:49:27.475
<v Speaker 4>If I can respond.</v>

1070
00:49:28.215 --> 00:49:30.255
I love that you got so much traction from this.

1071
00:49:31.005 --> 00:49:32.095
It's super exciting.

1072
00:49:33.175 --> 00:49:36.575
I think there's two way communication is one thing, one,

1073
00:49:36.715 --> 00:49:39.815
but one way sometimes can generate more two-way, right?

1074
00:49:39.995 --> 00:49:42.135
So even here we see some people coming

1075
00:49:42.135 --> 00:49:43.215
in and really talking about it.

1076
00:49:43.315 --> 00:49:46.375
So that's a formative assessment on kind of our fluency

1077
00:49:47.745 --> 00:49:49.415
we're going to actually be in,

1078
00:49:49.915 --> 00:49:51.655
we just put it in the engage today.

1079
00:49:52.335 --> 00:49:53.695
Putting together some coffee hours

1080
00:49:53.715 --> 00:49:55.055
or virtual hours, some in person,

1081
00:49:55.365 --> 00:49:57.495
some in the evening, some in the morning.

1082
00:49:57.655 --> 00:49:59.295
I don't know Jackie's working it out.

1083
00:49:59.595 --> 00:50:02.655
But we're definitely gonna be open to kind of drop in.

1084
00:50:02.685 --> 00:50:03.735
Tell us what you're thinking.

1085
00:50:03.765 --> 00:50:05.455
There's not a lot of structure to it.

1086
00:50:05.455 --> 00:50:08.655
We wanna just hear good, bad, whatever it may be.

1087
00:50:09.545 --> 00:50:11.975
We're planning on doing a state of a u, the union.

1088
00:50:12.595 --> 00:50:14.735
So several times, I think it was three times this year

1089
00:50:14.985 --> 00:50:18.335
where, we'll we wanna do it in a digestible format.

1090
00:50:18.435 --> 00:50:20.175
That's a good example of like a one way.

1091
00:50:20.175 --> 00:50:22.375
But we hope will generate coming back to us

1092
00:50:23.795 --> 00:50:27.365
and we're considering the idea of re bringing, bringing back

1093
00:50:27.365 --> 00:50:28.445
that annual report.

1094
00:50:28.445 --> 00:50:29.925
We don't know exactly what it would look like

1095
00:50:29.985 --> 00:50:32.645
but I think we we're seeing through the strategic plan,

1096
00:50:32.745 --> 00:50:35.365
the the will to kind of participate and digest.

1097
00:50:35.505 --> 00:50:37.685
And so we should be accountable to people

1098
00:50:37.745 --> 00:50:39.925
by sharing our story each year.

1099
00:50:41.145 --> 00:50:44.525
You know, even on October 26th we're having a a public

1100
00:50:44.525 --> 00:50:46.045
hearing here on Memorial.

1101
00:50:46.845 --> 00:50:48.205
I know the digital wellness committee,

1102
00:50:48.365 --> 00:50:50.245
I can almost guarantee there's gonna be more

1103
00:50:50.985 --> 00:50:52.645
so more people wanting to be on

1104
00:50:52.645 --> 00:50:53.845
that committee than we will have spots.

1105
00:50:53.985 --> 00:50:56.445
I'm just gonna say that right now, just from my own read

1106
00:50:56.445 --> 00:50:57.725
of the the climate.

1107
00:50:58.475 --> 00:51:00.525
That group will absolutely need

1108
00:51:00.745 --> 00:51:02.845
to be holding many forums to hear people.

1109
00:51:03.025 --> 00:51:04.405
So there's not just

1110
00:51:04.405 --> 00:51:06.085
because someone is not maybe on a committee,

1111
00:51:06.235 --> 00:51:07.925
there's only a limited amount of spots.

1112
00:51:08.335 --> 00:51:09.925
We're gonna very much encourage people

1113
00:51:09.925 --> 00:51:10.965
to participate in kind

1114
00:51:10.965 --> 00:51:13.325
of open session discussions around it.

1115
00:51:13.345 --> 00:51:16.725
That's a firm belief I think of this committee

1116
00:51:16.785 --> 00:51:19.005
and as well as myself is to hear people

1117
00:51:19.005 --> 00:51:20.165
and kind of get their opinions.

1118
00:51:20.545 --> 00:51:22.285
So more to come,

1119
00:51:22.585 --> 00:51:25.965
but that's a, a value we share so we'll deliver it.

1120
00:51:26.595 --> 00:51:27.595
Yeah.

1121
00:51:29.305 --> 00:51:32.045
<v Speaker 1>Any other comments or questions from the committee?</v>

1122
00:51:33.265 --> 00:51:34.265
Dr. Welch

1123
00:51:35.025 --> 00:51:36.685
<v Speaker 18>In the first slide in the appendix</v>

1124
00:51:37.245 --> 00:51:40.845
where it says every school anchors a priority to one, one

1125
00:51:42.385 --> 00:51:44.685
in the left hand column under SIP priority one,

1126
00:51:44.685 --> 00:51:47.405
there's some terminology there that's fairly broad.

1127
00:51:47.965 --> 00:51:50.365
I know we're gonna hear from SIP or

1128
00:51:50.385 --> 00:51:53.245
or hear about SIP plans later

1129
00:51:53.305 --> 00:51:55.365
and get some presentations on SIP plans later.

1130
00:51:56.265 --> 00:51:59.245
In the conversations you've had so far, to

1131
00:51:59.245 --> 00:52:01.045
what degree do you feel like there's some common

1132
00:52:01.045 --> 00:52:03.645
understandings of some of these broad terms here?

1133
00:52:03.785 --> 00:52:05.845
So academic excellence at Kennedy

1134
00:52:06.225 --> 00:52:09.445
or rigorous standards based instruction at lja.

1135
00:52:10.125 --> 00:52:12.405
I don't necessarily need as a committee member for you to

1136
00:52:13.025 --> 00:52:14.485
des define those for me now,

1137
00:52:14.745 --> 00:52:16.285
but to what degree are you satisfied

1138
00:52:16.285 --> 00:52:19.645
that folks at the schools have a common understanding of

1139
00:52:19.645 --> 00:52:22.925
what those broad terms mean in practice in the different

1140
00:52:22.925 --> 00:52:25.645
grades and subjects that they teach at those schools?

1141
00:52:26.145 --> 00:52:27.245
<v Speaker 4>That's a great question.</v>

1142
00:52:28.035 --> 00:52:29.725
What I can say is process-wise

1143
00:52:30.195 --> 00:52:32.165
that these SIP goals have been

1144
00:52:32.735 --> 00:52:34.845
first developed I think in response to data,

1145
00:52:35.135 --> 00:52:37.045
maybe from an instructional leadership team,

1146
00:52:37.105 --> 00:52:40.645
but absolutely disseminated and discussed with teams there.

1147
00:52:40.865 --> 00:52:42.925
And that's where they would gain that fluency

1148
00:52:43.305 --> 00:52:47.965
and I guess cohesion around the language, it's easy on lja,

1149
00:52:47.965 --> 00:52:49.645
the rigorous standards based instruction.

1150
00:52:49.645 --> 00:52:52.085
They literally brought a team which included teachers

1151
00:52:52.185 --> 00:52:54.085
to professional development on that in June.

1152
00:52:54.195 --> 00:52:55.965
Yeah. So like that one's nailed.

1153
00:52:56.245 --> 00:52:59.405
I I, I feel highly confident that every single one of those,

1154
00:53:00.105 --> 00:53:01.365
the jargon and the language

1155
00:53:01.365 --> 00:53:03.605
and the intent behind it is well known by the team.

1156
00:53:03.675 --> 00:53:05.965
Yeah. And increasingly deeper into the team.

1157
00:53:06.065 --> 00:53:07.485
But that happens once you launch

1158
00:53:08.025 --> 00:53:10.005
and you actually start to get to meet in PLCs,

1159
00:53:10.485 --> 00:53:11.645
professional learning communities

1160
00:53:11.865 --> 00:53:15.325
and to discuss there's measurements behind each

1161
00:53:15.325 --> 00:53:16.325
of these two, which helps

1162
00:53:16.585 --> 00:53:18.845
to solidify the meaning be behind it.

1163
00:53:19.505 --> 00:53:22.645
But it, that's not to say we haven't been on a journey

1164
00:53:22.865 --> 00:53:26.965
of kind of leaning in towards some of this language

1165
00:53:26.965 --> 00:53:28.845
and some of these concepts as we move along.

1166
00:53:29.145 --> 00:53:31.685
But I think I feel very confident

1167
00:53:31.685 --> 00:53:32.925
that our teams know what those are.

1168
00:53:33.075 --> 00:53:34.405
Yeah. And I'm excited for you

1169
00:53:34.405 --> 00:53:36.285
to see the sips when they come in a couple weeks.

1170
00:53:36.455 --> 00:53:37.455
Great.

1171
00:53:38.465 --> 00:53:40.645
<v Speaker 18>One other question if I could, I, you've got,</v>

1172
00:53:40.845 --> 00:53:43.565
we've got some goals here around both student voice

1173
00:53:44.665 --> 00:53:46.725
and around parent engagement.

1174
00:53:46.825 --> 00:53:48.205
To what degree do you see

1175
00:53:49.205 --> 00:53:52.085
school site councils playing a role in

1176
00:53:52.885 --> 00:53:55.165
facilitating parent voice at all levels

1177
00:53:55.465 --> 00:53:57.965
and student voice at the middle and high school levels?

1178
00:53:59.435 --> 00:54:01.005
<v Speaker 4>It's a great question. Is one I share,</v>

1179
00:54:02.045 --> 00:54:05.285
I can tell I feel very confident that we do

1180
00:54:05.515 --> 00:54:08.485
what the policy binder requires of us in our student,

1181
00:54:08.545 --> 00:54:09.605
in our school councils.

1182
00:54:09.945 --> 00:54:12.245
But I actually put it on my engagement plan to go

1183
00:54:12.245 --> 00:54:14.565
to at least one per school this year just to learn more

1184
00:54:14.665 --> 00:54:16.085
and to ask them to hear them.

1185
00:54:16.335 --> 00:54:18.405
How's it going? What would, what do you wish this group did?

1186
00:54:18.405 --> 00:54:20.725
So I honestly say more to come on that

1187
00:54:20.725 --> 00:54:23.045
because I want to listen and learn myself

1188
00:54:23.905 --> 00:54:25.965
and enter into that space with humility

1189
00:54:25.965 --> 00:54:27.925
because getting all those people together

1190
00:54:27.945 --> 00:54:29.845
and getting your head around the school

1191
00:54:29.845 --> 00:54:31.085
system can be challenging.

1192
00:54:32.065 --> 00:54:35.165
But I think, you know, as I went through

1193
00:54:35.515 --> 00:54:37.965
what the policy say, it doesn't say like you have

1194
00:54:37.965 --> 00:54:41.125
to have the code of conduct heard by school council,

1195
00:54:41.345 --> 00:54:42.605
yet we did it right.

1196
00:54:42.675 --> 00:54:43.965
Certain things you have to do.

1197
00:54:44.465 --> 00:54:47.405
But I think increasingly they can be a really powerful

1198
00:54:47.405 --> 00:54:49.525
partner to us as we roll out new things.

1199
00:54:49.785 --> 00:54:52.165
So I think we all know what that goal might be.

1200
00:54:52.185 --> 00:54:54.565
We just need to, it needs to be another place we kind

1201
00:54:54.565 --> 00:54:57.325
of work collaboratively to decide what we're going to be.

1202
00:54:57.785 --> 00:54:59.525
So I don't have a, I'd also wanna talk

1203
00:54:59.525 --> 00:55:00.405
to every single principal

1204
00:55:00.405 --> 00:55:01.485
to give you a better answer on that.

1205
00:55:01.485 --> 00:55:02.925
Yeah. 'cause it might vary and,

1206
00:55:02.985 --> 00:55:04.965
and to be honest with you, I haven't spent much time on it.

1207
00:55:05.035 --> 00:55:07.165
Yeah. So I'm excited to learn myself. Yeah.

1208
00:55:07.375 --> 00:55:10.965
<v Speaker 18>Great. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I yield back. Ms. Brunell,</v>

1209
00:55:11.765 --> 00:55:13.645
<v Speaker 11>I noticed this year for the elementary schools,</v>

1210
00:55:13.825 --> 00:55:15.325
the curriculum night is new.

1211
00:55:16.735 --> 00:55:18.885
Would you consider that a one-way communication

1212
00:55:19.025 --> 00:55:22.245
or two-way how parents asked me about it this week

1213
00:55:22.305 --> 00:55:23.805
and I like to Che's point you can,

1214
00:55:23.805 --> 00:55:25.525
we can point back to the strategic plan.

1215
00:55:25.885 --> 00:55:28.165
So could you talk about that and how it fits in? Yeah,

1216
00:55:28.515 --> 00:55:29.515
<v Speaker 4>Sure.</v>

1217
00:55:29.515 --> 00:55:32.485
I really appreciate that. This is a hard one.

1218
00:55:32.865 --> 00:55:34.485
So there's limited amount of time, right,

1219
00:55:34.485 --> 00:55:35.885
that we can all spend at night.

1220
00:55:36.035 --> 00:55:40.685
It's got contractual limitations as well for, for teachers

1221
00:55:40.685 --> 00:55:42.445
to be out at night on an additional night.

1222
00:55:42.505 --> 00:55:44.165
I'm just gonna name that. And so

1223
00:55:44.705 --> 00:55:47.725
we right now in the elementaries have a very protected space

1224
00:55:47.725 --> 00:55:49.445
called an open house that they greatly value.

1225
00:55:49.965 --> 00:55:51.045
'cause it's community, it's

1226
00:55:51.045 --> 00:55:52.205
getting everyone into the school.

1227
00:55:52.315 --> 00:55:53.965
It's like it's very loved.

1228
00:55:54.545 --> 00:55:57.765
And so we didn't feel that we could add the curriculum night

1229
00:55:57.765 --> 00:55:59.045
to that and do both well.

1230
00:56:00.265 --> 00:56:03.165
And so we added a curriculum night that is virtual, right?

1231
00:56:03.585 --> 00:56:05.205
And that the principals will be there,

1232
00:56:05.205 --> 00:56:06.205
the coaches will be there.

1233
00:56:06.235 --> 00:56:09.405
It's absolutely two way. We've never done it before.

1234
00:56:09.745 --> 00:56:11.685
So honestly, sometimes we worry

1235
00:56:12.195 --> 00:56:13.485
that when it something is virtual,

1236
00:56:13.495 --> 00:56:14.765
there won't be a good turnout.

1237
00:56:15.125 --> 00:56:16.445
I really hope there's a great turnout,

1238
00:56:16.445 --> 00:56:18.205
we're gonna be prepared for a great turnout.

1239
00:56:18.945 --> 00:56:21.045
But it is hard for people to get there at night.

1240
00:56:21.065 --> 00:56:24.285
And so this is sort sort of our inaugural, we could,

1241
00:56:24.355 --> 00:56:27.485
we'd be remiss if we did not do a specific curriculum night

1242
00:56:27.485 --> 00:56:30.405
when we're rolling out new ELA curriculum in K to eight.

1243
00:56:31.115 --> 00:56:32.285
That just wasn't gonna happen.

1244
00:56:32.865 --> 00:56:35.005
And so this is kind of our first rollout

1245
00:56:35.105 --> 00:56:37.605
and we're gonna learn and hear from people what worked

1246
00:56:37.605 --> 00:56:39.085
for you, what didn't, what else do you wanna know?

1247
00:56:39.085 --> 00:56:41.005
And it's gonna be a journey just like everything else.

1248
00:56:41.785 --> 00:56:44.965
But it is a very much we wanna hear from people we wanna

1249
00:56:44.965 --> 00:56:48.045
open, we'll facilitate it with frequently asked questions.

1250
00:56:48.305 --> 00:56:50.165
If we can't answer 'em then we'll answer 'em later.

1251
00:56:50.185 --> 00:56:52.005
But it is intended to open dialogue

1252
00:56:52.265 --> 00:56:55.245
and as well as to inform people about what we're doing.

1253
00:56:55.245 --> 00:56:56.485
It's a very big move we did

1254
00:56:57.005 --> 00:56:58.205
and we want people to know about it.

1255
00:56:58.205 --> 00:57:00.405
But we figured it'd be more productive to do

1256
00:57:00.405 --> 00:57:03.165
that when we didn't have a lot of kids, little kids around.

1257
00:57:03.385 --> 00:57:06.325
It might be harder to listen and center people in one space,

1258
00:57:06.705 --> 00:57:08.805
but I wanna see if Deputy Superintendent

1259
00:57:09.045 --> 00:57:10.845
Aloni thinks I missed anything. 'cause I might have,

1260
00:57:11.515 --> 00:57:13.365
<v Speaker 19>Yeah, I just wanna clarify it.</v>

1261
00:57:13.425 --> 00:57:18.165
It will be more of a, it'll be a Zoom session

1262
00:57:18.295 --> 00:57:20.525
where we will be presenting our coaches,

1263
00:57:20.575 --> 00:57:23.205
principals will be presenting about the curriculum

1264
00:57:24.265 --> 00:57:26.925
and it will, there'll be a chat feature in the sense

1265
00:57:26.925 --> 00:57:29.125
that parents can write in their questions.

1266
00:57:29.705 --> 00:57:32.845
It will allow for translation for families who require that.

1267
00:57:34.225 --> 00:57:37.125
And then we, any questions that we are unable

1268
00:57:37.345 --> 00:57:40.365
to answer at the time, we will then put,

1269
00:57:40.415 --> 00:57:42.085
we'll be putting out acute

1270
00:57:42.805 --> 00:57:44.845
frequently asked questions document after the fact.

1271
00:57:45.865 --> 00:57:48.205
And then because of the timing of when it falls,

1272
00:57:48.515 --> 00:57:50.605
conferences happen shortly thereafter.

1273
00:57:51.185 --> 00:57:53.205
So teachers will know what the questions were

1274
00:57:53.205 --> 00:57:54.805
because we'll be providing them with the

1275
00:57:55.325 --> 00:57:56.605
frequently asked questions document

1276
00:57:56.625 --> 00:57:58.245
and they'll be able to then follow up

1277
00:57:58.245 --> 00:58:00.325
with more personalized interaction with

1278
00:58:01.005 --> 00:58:02.165
parents after as well.

1279
00:58:06.105 --> 00:58:09.975
<v Speaker 1>Anyone else? Seeing none?</v>

1280
00:58:09.975 --> 00:58:12.815
So I'll just say, just a comment

1281
00:58:13.265 --> 00:58:18.055
after quite a while of working on hearing about

1282
00:58:19.835 --> 00:58:23.215
the, the strategic plan from 50,000 feet.

1283
00:58:23.535 --> 00:58:24.935
I think it's actually really exciting

1284
00:58:25.875 --> 00:58:28.655
to feel like we're zooming in and,

1285
00:58:28.915 --> 00:58:31.815
and like, I know this is the process,

1286
00:58:31.915 --> 00:58:34.655
but I just think it's exciting to sit like we're here.

1287
00:58:35.075 --> 00:58:36.535
You know, it's like where you're getting excited

1288
00:58:36.535 --> 00:58:38.935
to go on a vacation and it's like a year from now

1289
00:58:39.235 --> 00:58:41.015
and then you get, you are like wake

1290
00:58:41.015 --> 00:58:42.095
up and it's time to go to the airport.

1291
00:58:42.095 --> 00:58:43.375
You're like actually gonna go do it.

1292
00:58:43.875 --> 00:58:45.175
And this, this is the,

1293
00:58:45.205 --> 00:58:46.695
it's just, I think it's really exciting.

1294
00:58:47.095 --> 00:58:49.015
I look forward to getting

1295
00:58:49.015 --> 00:58:50.415
check-ins on this throughout the year.

1296
00:58:51.175 --> 00:58:53.375
I don't wanna look too far forward to year two

1297
00:58:54.055 --> 00:58:57.055
'cause we're just, we should live in this year first.

1298
00:58:57.555 --> 00:58:59.575
But I just think it's really exciting.

1299
00:58:59.715 --> 00:59:01.855
So thank you for that artifact,

1300
00:59:01.855 --> 00:59:04.255
which I think will be really, hopefully for folks

1301
00:59:04.275 --> 00:59:05.615
who are interested in the strategic plan.

1302
00:59:05.615 --> 00:59:08.215
And like Shai mentioned, we had a lot of people who came

1303
00:59:08.215 --> 00:59:09.575
to native days who want to talk about

1304
00:59:09.765 --> 00:59:11.215
different aspects of it.

1305
00:59:11.285 --> 00:59:12.535
Hopefully they're watching

1306
00:59:13.475 --> 00:59:16.015
and they can, they can take a look at this artifact

1307
00:59:16.015 --> 00:59:18.175
and learn a lot more about what's happening.

1308
00:59:18.795 --> 00:59:19.795
So. All right.

1309
00:59:21.675 --> 00:59:26.445
<v Speaker 4>Okay. And so the next item on my piece is</v>

1310
00:59:27.005 --> 00:59:29.645
student handbooks, which we go through with you every year.

1311
00:59:30.425 --> 00:59:32.685
And specifically the district code of conduct.

1312
00:59:32.685 --> 00:59:34.205
You've had some, a chance had

1313
00:59:34.205 --> 00:59:35.805
that document in your hand since late August.

1314
00:59:36.585 --> 00:59:38.485
Dr. Ferguson is going to bring us through,

1315
00:59:38.545 --> 00:59:41.885
and this one's with a specific lens on student handbooks

1316
00:59:41.885 --> 00:59:44.525
and there is a vote we will ask you for tonight per policy.

1317
00:59:44.845 --> 00:59:47.045
CHCI think it's CHCA.

1318
00:59:50.455 --> 00:59:51.605
<v Speaker 20>Thank you Dr. Sp.</v>

1319
00:59:52.345 --> 00:59:54.725
So I'm here to talk about the code

1320
00:59:54.725 --> 00:59:56.165
of conduct in the handbook

1321
00:59:57.025 --> 01:00:01.445
and primarily this presentation sort of draws from

1322
01:00:02.265 --> 01:00:04.565
the CHCA policy that Dr.

1323
01:00:04.705 --> 01:00:08.245
Sp referred to that requires committee approval for

1324
01:00:08.825 --> 01:00:10.085
any standard of conduct.

1325
01:00:10.305 --> 01:00:12.205
So it, it sort of achieves

1326
01:00:12.595 --> 01:00:15.325
that committee approved regulation.

1327
01:00:17.425 --> 01:00:18.645
So first slide please.

1328
01:00:18.825 --> 01:00:22.845
So you received the code on the 31st of August

1329
01:00:23.305 --> 01:00:25.645
and had your initial review.

1330
01:00:25.705 --> 01:00:29.485
The process outline sort of shows the framework,

1331
01:00:29.505 --> 01:00:30.565
the implementation plan.

1332
01:00:30.665 --> 01:00:32.565
As you recall, there was a committee

1333
01:00:32.565 --> 01:00:35.205
that was involved in this work from much of last year,

1334
01:00:36.645 --> 01:00:38.325
questions raised up to the first read.

1335
01:00:38.345 --> 01:00:41.325
We had a number of not many questions.

1336
01:00:41.385 --> 01:00:43.725
We had a couple things that I can address a little later.

1337
01:00:44.605 --> 01:00:48.485
A lot of it was mostly edits and some suggestions,

1338
01:00:48.485 --> 01:00:51.565
but nothing, no substantive change to the code.

1339
01:00:52.425 --> 01:00:56.685
And at this point we're looking for a formal adoption.

1340
01:00:56.865 --> 01:00:59.725
So it really achieves that committee approved

1341
01:01:00.575 --> 01:01:03.405
regulation status as it is a standard of conduct

1342
01:01:03.505 --> 01:01:05.125
and required by CHCA.

1343
01:01:05.835 --> 01:01:10.515
Next slide please. So some

1344
01:01:10.515 --> 01:01:14.475
of the things that you'll see, both in terms of the code,

1345
01:01:14.535 --> 01:01:18.275
but also the handbook, these two things have sort of gone

1346
01:01:18.945 --> 01:01:21.355
hand in hand together over a period of time.

1347
01:01:21.355 --> 01:01:22.795
And I'll talk a little bit about the journey

1348
01:01:22.865 --> 01:01:25.395
that the handbook itself has gone through.

1349
01:01:25.855 --> 01:01:28.835
But in terms of the code, we've made sure

1350
01:01:28.835 --> 01:01:30.555
that we've instilled the mission,

1351
01:01:30.555 --> 01:01:33.115
vision values from the strategic plan

1352
01:01:33.115 --> 01:01:34.635
that's now built into the code

1353
01:01:34.985 --> 01:01:38.235
that we've engaged in a very clear, streamlined process

1354
01:01:38.585 --> 01:01:40.355
that aligns by grade span.

1355
01:01:40.415 --> 01:01:44.075
And so you'll see that elementary at the appendix,

1356
01:01:44.075 --> 01:01:46.275
you'll see that all the handbooks across

1357
01:01:46.335 --> 01:01:47.715
the district are included.

1358
01:01:47.895 --> 01:01:50.675
And elementary is, is built into a single framework.

1359
01:01:50.675 --> 01:01:52.035
And the middle school similarly.

1360
01:01:52.035 --> 01:01:55.875
And the high school, the district code of conduct is

1361
01:01:55.875 --> 01:01:58.915
that singular frame that includes rights, responsibilities,

1362
01:01:58.915 --> 01:02:01.555
accountability, and discipline procedures that are outlined.

1363
01:02:01.615 --> 01:02:03.035
And you've seen that in the code.

1364
01:02:04.335 --> 01:02:07.155
And one of the things that's exciting about sort

1365
01:02:07.155 --> 01:02:09.275
of balancing out both what we were able

1366
01:02:09.275 --> 01:02:11.915
to accomplish from the handbook perspective, the code

1367
01:02:12.735 --> 01:02:16.395
and for each school, is the ability to

1368
01:02:17.035 --> 01:02:18.755
maintain the school's own unique identity.

1369
01:02:18.775 --> 01:02:20.805
And so you'll see when you review the handbooks

1370
01:02:20.805 --> 01:02:22.605
that all the schools maintained

1371
01:02:22.705 --> 01:02:25.765
and retained aspects of who they were in the community

1372
01:02:25.765 --> 01:02:27.325
and how they're known in the community.

1373
01:02:27.665 --> 01:02:30.285
And we've been able to sort of balance that with

1374
01:02:31.585 --> 01:02:34.045
the district's vision, mission and values

1375
01:02:34.345 --> 01:02:37.085
and the code as the unified standard

1376
01:02:37.985 --> 01:02:39.765
of conduct across the district.

1377
01:02:40.075 --> 01:02:44.565
Next slide please. So again,

1378
01:02:44.605 --> 01:02:45.685
I just referred to this earlier.

1379
01:02:45.755 --> 01:02:49.165
There's a common core that includes the rights responsibly

1380
01:02:49.165 --> 01:02:51.645
of the code, common policies and procedures.

1381
01:02:52.285 --> 01:02:56.245
Some of the specific actions that we took included

1382
01:02:57.085 --> 01:02:59.285
updating links and making sure that, you know,

1383
01:02:59.285 --> 01:03:01.645
over time there were lots of copying

1384
01:03:01.645 --> 01:03:03.365
and paste that pacing that had happened.

1385
01:03:03.385 --> 01:03:06.165
And obviously laws changed and, and, and policies changed.

1386
01:03:06.265 --> 01:03:10.085
So we made sure we looked at every single reference

1387
01:03:10.085 --> 01:03:13.965
that was made and ensured that there were working accurately

1388
01:03:14.855 --> 01:03:16.205
coded laws and regulations

1389
01:03:16.205 --> 01:03:20.125
that are embedded across all the co the, the handbooks

1390
01:03:20.665 --> 01:03:23.805
and in fact updated the mission vision values.

1391
01:03:24.025 --> 01:03:25.685
And each school was able to use

1392
01:03:25.685 --> 01:03:28.565
that in creating its own handbook.

1393
01:03:29.595 --> 01:03:31.365
Some of the things that were specific to each school,

1394
01:03:31.385 --> 01:03:32.925
as you would imagine would be arrival

1395
01:03:32.985 --> 01:03:36.525
and dismissal times specific routines within the school,

1396
01:03:36.945 --> 01:03:39.565
any local information drop offs and pick up times.

1397
01:03:40.125 --> 01:03:42.085
They're obviously unique to each school,

1398
01:03:42.175 --> 01:03:43.725
given different dismissal times.

1399
01:03:47.415 --> 01:03:49.875
In terms of the code, there are clear expectations.

1400
01:03:50.415 --> 01:03:52.515
One of the things that was very exciting

1401
01:03:53.055 --> 01:03:56.275
in developing the code was that it wasn't just a standard

1402
01:03:56.295 --> 01:03:59.115
of conduct, but was included rights

1403
01:03:59.115 --> 01:04:03.635
and responsibilities that have been able to articulate

1404
01:04:03.735 --> 01:04:05.755
and develop by developmental levels.

1405
01:04:05.855 --> 01:04:09.355
So each set of our students at each grade band understands

1406
01:04:09.355 --> 01:04:10.995
what their rights and responsibilities are.

1407
01:04:11.455 --> 01:04:14.515
So again, it's, we refer to it in short as the code

1408
01:04:14.515 --> 01:04:16.755
of conduct, but really it's the rights, responsibilities

1409
01:04:16.815 --> 01:04:19.755
and standards of conduct across the district.

1410
01:04:19.815 --> 01:04:22.675
So those two, the two first pieces are really critical to

1411
01:04:23.335 --> 01:04:26.035
the sort of the, the value

1412
01:04:26.295 --> 01:04:29.755
of this document is not just about a standard of conduct,

1413
01:04:29.825 --> 01:04:32.515
it's really about students understanding their respon,

1414
01:04:32.515 --> 01:04:34.915
their roles and responsibly as members of the community

1415
01:04:35.055 --> 01:04:36.755
and ensuring that we are teaching

1416
01:04:37.435 --> 01:04:38.795
those standards to our students.

1417
01:04:39.835 --> 01:04:42.675
Embedded in that is due process supportive accountability

1418
01:04:42.735 --> 01:04:46.995
across expectations, both in terms of students who are

1419
01:04:48.495 --> 01:04:51.235
in the general gen ed sort of frame,

1420
01:04:51.375 --> 01:04:55.195
and also students who require special attention

1421
01:04:55.385 --> 01:04:58.515
regarding aspects of their identity that might,

1422
01:04:58.515 --> 01:05:00.035
different laws might pertain to,

1423
01:05:00.775 --> 01:05:04.275
and their consistent application that requires a recognition

1424
01:05:04.295 --> 01:05:08.035
of different developmental levels, our interest

1425
01:05:08.135 --> 01:05:10.875
and investment in restorative practices as part

1426
01:05:10.875 --> 01:05:12.755
of our value system that we wanna share.

1427
01:05:13.255 --> 01:05:16.155
And understanding that students are individually

1428
01:05:17.695 --> 01:05:21.445
responding to the code of conduct based on unique identities

1429
01:05:21.465 --> 01:05:23.005
or unique experiences they have

1430
01:05:23.345 --> 01:05:25.405
or bring into their experiences

1431
01:05:25.405 --> 01:05:26.765
as students in native public school.

1432
01:05:27.235 --> 01:05:32.015
Next slide please. So the

1433
01:05:32.015 --> 01:05:36.615
initial review, both in terms of the work we've done,

1434
01:05:36.775 --> 01:05:40.175
principals have directed their school councils

1435
01:05:41.115 --> 01:05:42.935
and engaged them in the process.

1436
01:05:43.165 --> 01:05:46.095
Obviously these are scheduled at different points in the

1437
01:05:46.095 --> 01:05:47.335
fall, September and October.

1438
01:05:47.595 --> 01:05:50.375
So there are some conversations that are ongoing.

1439
01:05:50.435 --> 01:05:53.055
But over the course of the, the handbook

1440
01:05:54.135 --> 01:05:56.295
principals have always had the practice

1441
01:05:56.295 --> 01:05:59.455
of engaging student coun their school councils in

1442
01:05:59.455 --> 01:06:01.975
conversations about the handbook in general.

1443
01:06:02.515 --> 01:06:04.495
And this is no different from anything

1444
01:06:04.495 --> 01:06:05.535
that's been done in the past.

1445
01:06:06.235 --> 01:06:08.215
And as I said earlier, some

1446
01:06:08.215 --> 01:06:10.935
of those meetings are scheduled across September

1447
01:06:11.075 --> 01:06:12.215
and the beginning of October.

1448
01:06:12.755 --> 01:06:15.455
So those reviews and those conversations and ongo

1449
01:06:15.475 --> 01:06:18.495
and ongoing, and I'm sure there are conversations

1450
01:06:18.495 --> 01:06:20.935
that are being reflected back to principals about

1451
01:06:22.075 --> 01:06:23.535
the changes in the handbook.

1452
01:06:25.515 --> 01:06:27.535
And School Council will participate in

1453
01:06:28.045 --> 01:06:32.055
regular reviews in the spring in anticipation of next year's

1454
01:06:32.565 --> 01:06:35.095
anticipated changes to the handbook.

1455
01:06:35.095 --> 01:06:36.855
Hopefully there won't be as much

1456
01:06:36.995 --> 01:06:38.735
as there has been in the past three years,

1457
01:06:38.795 --> 01:06:40.255
but if there are, those would be the

1458
01:06:40.255 --> 01:06:41.375
times for those conversations.

1459
01:06:42.725 --> 01:06:46.975
Next slide please. The journey

1460
01:06:46.975 --> 01:06:49.375
of the handbooks has been a very fruitful one.

1461
01:06:50.015 --> 01:06:53.015
I don't know if you, you recall the handbooks over the

1462
01:06:53.015 --> 01:06:54.375
past several years.

1463
01:06:54.485 --> 01:06:56.935
Some of them were in the order of hundreds of pages

1464
01:06:57.435 --> 01:06:58.815
and very cumbersome.

1465
01:06:59.075 --> 01:07:03.295
And oftentimes there are informations that was redundant

1466
01:07:03.515 --> 01:07:05.175
and outdated.

1467
01:07:05.555 --> 01:07:07.775
So over the past three years we've engaged in the process

1468
01:07:07.875 --> 01:07:10.055
of really updating the handbooks

1469
01:07:10.435 --> 01:07:14.335
and each that work has been primarily handled

1470
01:07:14.395 --> 01:07:15.695
by the principals, their teams

1471
01:07:15.795 --> 01:07:18.095
and central office participation collaboration.

1472
01:07:18.715 --> 01:07:23.655
And we are now at a stage where we have very well aligned

1473
01:07:25.815 --> 01:07:27.055
district vision value

1474
01:07:27.075 --> 01:07:29.695
and mission statements that are embedded into each

1475
01:07:29.695 --> 01:07:31.895
of the handbooks, that we have a district-wide code

1476
01:07:31.895 --> 01:07:35.015
of conduct that aligns our standards of expectations

1477
01:07:35.075 --> 01:07:37.615
and accountability across all great bands.

1478
01:07:38.315 --> 01:07:42.055
And we are moving toward consistent implementation

1479
01:07:42.155 --> 01:07:43.575
and equitable implementation

1480
01:07:43.835 --> 01:07:48.055
and monitoring of all our expect of standards of practice

1481
01:07:48.515 --> 01:07:50.335
and ensuring that this annual improvement

1482
01:07:50.435 --> 01:07:52.975
as we move forward into the future.

1483
01:07:53.845 --> 01:07:58.555
Next slide please. So I'm gonna pause there

1484
01:07:58.555 --> 01:08:01.475
because I think at the end of this conversation is really to

1485
01:08:03.655 --> 01:08:07.675
engage this committee in our, in the next step of this work,

1486
01:08:07.675 --> 01:08:11.155
which is adopting the student rights and responsibilities

1487
01:08:11.215 --> 01:08:13.195
and code of conduct effective

1488
01:08:13.435 --> 01:08:16.765
September 28th, 2026.

1489
01:08:17.265 --> 01:08:19.485
But I'd love to see if there are questions

1490
01:08:19.545 --> 01:08:20.965
or discussions that we want

1491
01:08:20.965 --> 01:08:22.965
to engage in before we move forward.

1492
01:08:24.115 --> 01:08:26.805
<v Speaker 1>Anybody from the committee have comments</v>

1493
01:08:26.945 --> 01:08:28.525
or questions for Dr. Ferguson?

1494
01:08:30.145 --> 01:08:31.145
Ms. Pernell,

1495
01:08:33.465 --> 01:08:37.365
<v Speaker 11>The way you talked about restorative justice earlier you</v>

1496
01:08:37.365 --> 01:08:41.445
said it sounded like it was, it was like run of the mill

1497
01:08:41.585 --> 01:08:42.965
and I just wanna call it out

1498
01:08:42.965 --> 01:08:44.605
because it's really profound

1499
01:08:44.745 --> 01:08:46.125
the language that you use in here.

1500
01:08:46.185 --> 01:08:47.325
The way that this has been written.

1501
01:08:47.545 --> 01:08:51.085
It is, this is gonna impact students in a positive

1502
01:08:51.085 --> 01:08:52.285
way for a long time.

1503
01:08:52.665 --> 01:08:54.965
And I just wanna thank you and your team for doing it

1504
01:08:54.965 --> 01:08:57.325
because this is really thoughtful, careful work

1505
01:08:59.275 --> 01:09:02.765
that I have, I haven't seen in our district like this.

1506
01:09:04.105 --> 01:09:06.045
So I just wanna thank you for it.

1507
01:09:08.785 --> 01:09:13.005
One question I have, I, I mean I just, I could go on and on

1508
01:09:13.005 --> 01:09:14.965
because I, restorative justice has been something

1509
01:09:14.965 --> 01:09:16.085
that's been really important

1510
01:09:16.085 --> 01:09:17.765
to me since being a classroom teacher.

1511
01:09:19.955 --> 01:09:22.645
Just the way that you start with students have the right to,

1512
01:09:22.825 --> 01:09:24.925
and students have the responsibility of like,

1513
01:09:24.925 --> 01:09:28.205
it's just automatically putting students in a mutual,

1514
01:09:28.845 --> 01:09:31.645
a relationship of mutuality with one another

1515
01:09:31.945 --> 01:09:34.965
and with their, with the staff

1516
01:09:34.985 --> 01:09:38.965
and their teachers, which then brings everybody up, right?

1517
01:09:39.025 --> 01:09:43.325
So it's just like this code of conduct if we use it,

1518
01:09:44.385 --> 01:09:46.605
and I trust that you have a plan to implement.

1519
01:09:46.605 --> 01:09:50.765
It will create the restorative justice

1520
01:09:51.555 --> 01:09:54.805
when we need it, but it will create relationships which goes

1521
01:09:54.805 --> 01:09:56.325
right back to belonging, right?

1522
01:09:56.325 --> 01:10:01.085
Right. So it's like I just, I can't say how strongly enough

1523
01:10:01.185 --> 01:10:04.245
how impressed I am with this document and it's, it's boring.

1524
01:10:04.475 --> 01:10:06.165
It's like a boil, you know what I mean?

1525
01:10:06.285 --> 01:10:07.885
This is like putting a roof on your house,

1526
01:10:08.475 --> 01:10:10.565
like this is like stuff that you don't wanna do.

1527
01:10:10.825 --> 01:10:13.685
And the fact that you took the amount of time and the nu

1528
01:10:13.745 --> 01:10:18.565
and involved the number of people is really important to me.

1529
01:10:19.505 --> 01:10:20.645
Or just want to say thank you.

1530
01:10:20.805 --> 01:10:23.485
I do my one question and I'm sorry that I didn't submit this

1531
01:10:23.485 --> 01:10:25.685
before M 16

1532
01:10:26.025 --> 01:10:28.405
and I don't wanna make this only about the codes.

1533
01:10:28.565 --> 01:10:29.565
I think the codes are awesome.

1534
01:10:32.245 --> 01:10:34.405
I was curious about M 16 the violation

1535
01:10:34.405 --> 01:10:35.765
of any school committee policy,

1536
01:10:36.595 --> 01:10:38.965
including but not limited to.

1537
01:10:39.045 --> 01:10:40.485
I mean we have a lot of policies,

1538
01:10:41.065 --> 01:10:44.165
so I just wanna make sure I was curious about that language.

1539
01:10:46.465 --> 01:10:48.485
<v Speaker 20>So the question is why is it included in the code</v>

1540
01:10:48.625 --> 01:10:52.685
<v Speaker 11>And like why Yes, why is it, and then why are gambling</v>

1541
01:10:52.825 --> 01:10:54.805
and stalking called out the way they are?

1542
01:10:54.835 --> 01:10:57.045
Even though we have, we unfortunately have like

1543
01:10:57.045 --> 01:10:59.365
that 200 page document of policies too.

1544
01:10:59.365 --> 01:11:00.365
You know what I mean?

1545
01:11:00.985 --> 01:11:04.165
<v Speaker 20>So it's a good question. I would say the, the short answer</v>

1546
01:11:04.185 --> 01:11:08.845
to that question is as we build the code, we are,

1547
01:11:09.665 --> 01:11:10.965
we build the code modeled

1548
01:11:10.965 --> 01:11:12.765
after a number of other codes that we looked at.

1549
01:11:13.645 --> 01:11:15.685
That's one piece that I think will continue

1550
01:11:15.685 --> 01:11:18.605
to iterate over time as we, as we look at

1551
01:11:18.625 --> 01:11:19.645
how it's implemented

1552
01:11:19.705 --> 01:11:23.725
and the feedback we get around sort of these standards of,

1553
01:11:23.785 --> 01:11:24.885
of, of expectations.

1554
01:11:25.085 --> 01:11:28.805
I think as relates to the school policy violation,

1555
01:11:29.455 --> 01:11:34.445
there are many aspects of how when we, when we provide

1556
01:11:34.545 --> 01:11:37.205
or have need to provide discipline, it has

1557
01:11:37.205 --> 01:11:39.485
to be anchored in acceptable standards.

1558
01:11:40.105 --> 01:11:42.205
And those standards are informed by the code.

1559
01:11:42.305 --> 01:11:45.485
But we know the code cannot be all, all inclusive.

1560
01:11:45.575 --> 01:11:48.125
There may be aspects of the code that are,

1561
01:11:49.275 --> 01:11:53.285
that miss certain things for which we have to discipline

1562
01:11:53.825 --> 01:11:56.005
and those things may be better captured in the policy.

1563
01:11:57.265 --> 01:12:01.245
And so we, it's really an a way of leaving enough room

1564
01:12:02.345 --> 01:12:06.325
to justify our need to perhaps

1565
01:12:07.275 --> 01:12:11.805
provide some standard of discipline that is regulated

1566
01:12:11.865 --> 01:12:15.965
by the committee's approval of our standards.

1567
01:12:16.025 --> 01:12:17.845
So the code is there

1568
01:12:17.985 --> 01:12:20.085
to provide the guidance on a day-to-day basis,

1569
01:12:20.265 --> 01:12:22.605
but there may be times when aspects that are not covered

1570
01:12:22.665 --> 01:12:24.605
by the code are better addressed

1571
01:12:24.605 --> 01:12:25.925
by the school committee policy.

1572
01:12:27.565 --> 01:12:29.455
<v Speaker 21>Okay.</v>
<v Speaker 20>Set.</v>

1573
01:12:31.235 --> 01:12:32.775
<v Speaker 1>Dr. Fesman and then Ms. Collins,</v>

1574
01:12:34.515 --> 01:12:37.575
<v Speaker 16>I'm also very excited about this point in the process</v>

1575
01:12:37.895 --> 01:12:39.055
'cause I know it's been a long process.

1576
01:12:39.365 --> 01:12:41.415
It's a good, it's been a very good process.

1577
01:12:41.895 --> 01:12:43.415
I hope you felt that way.

1578
01:12:44.875 --> 01:12:47.735
But, so it's really exciting

1579
01:12:47.755 --> 01:12:49.535
to have this much like a strategic plan,

1580
01:12:49.535 --> 01:12:52.815
much like Matt was saying about we finally got here,

1581
01:12:52.955 --> 01:12:54.375
now we actually get to see it

1582
01:12:55.235 --> 01:12:56.695
and put in place is really exciting.

1583
01:12:59.535 --> 01:13:02.495
I also know that you've been working a lot on

1584
01:13:03.895 --> 01:13:06.735
PBIS, I know PBIS is part of a strategic plan.

1585
01:13:07.755 --> 01:13:12.375
As I think about the code of conduct being approved,

1586
01:13:13.995 --> 01:13:17.575
the next step is now to share those,

1587
01:13:17.575 --> 01:13:19.655
especially the expectations, share those expectations

1588
01:13:19.655 --> 01:13:22.135
with students, make it part of the culture of each school

1589
01:13:22.965 --> 01:13:25.135
that we have a way in which we behave.

1590
01:13:25.955 --> 01:13:27.655
And PBIS is perfect for that.

1591
01:13:27.835 --> 01:13:28.935
So I'm wondering if you wanna talk,

1592
01:13:29.035 --> 01:13:30.335
if you mind talking a little bit about

1593
01:13:30.675 --> 01:13:33.455
how you see the connection between the implementation

1594
01:13:33.455 --> 01:13:37.575
of PBIS being almost like the

1595
01:13:38.315 --> 01:13:42.415
driver or the mechanism by which this code

1596
01:13:42.535 --> 01:13:43.975
of conduct takes life in schools.

1597
01:13:44.225 --> 01:13:45.415
<v Speaker 20>Right. Thank you for that question.</v>

1598
01:13:45.415 --> 01:13:48.975
It's an excellent question. I think I wanna refer back to

1599
01:13:49.565 --> 01:13:51.775
what it really is, which is the student rights

1600
01:13:51.775 --> 01:13:53.735
and responsibility and code of conduct.

1601
01:13:53.995 --> 01:13:56.295
And I think what you're talking about is our tier one

1602
01:13:56.855 --> 01:13:58.855
PBIS structure really is informed

1603
01:13:58.915 --> 01:14:00.375
by the rights and responsibilities.

1604
01:14:00.635 --> 01:14:03.495
And so across the district, one of the things

1605
01:14:03.635 --> 01:14:07.855
that's built into the, the code of conduct is a playbook

1606
01:14:07.965 --> 01:14:09.935
that was created precisely for that reason,

1607
01:14:09.985 --> 01:14:13.165
which really talks about how do we implement the code

1608
01:14:14.265 --> 01:14:16.005
and how do we teach students about

1609
01:14:16.025 --> 01:14:17.205
rights and responsibilities.

1610
01:14:17.265 --> 01:14:18.725
So across great bands,

1611
01:14:19.225 --> 01:14:22.005
we have used the language in the student rights

1612
01:14:22.005 --> 01:14:23.565
and responsibility section of the code

1613
01:14:24.105 --> 01:14:25.725
to really push into schools

1614
01:14:25.985 --> 01:14:30.285
and push into our SEL meeting times with students

1615
01:14:30.385 --> 01:14:33.565
to push into a high school conversations

1616
01:14:33.635 --> 01:14:36.365
that teachers in their classrooms are having conversations

1617
01:14:36.365 --> 01:14:38.165
about rights and responsibility.

1618
01:14:38.405 --> 01:14:40.285
'cause that is the foundation of everything.

1619
01:14:40.945 --> 01:14:43.365
My hope is that the code itself, that portion

1620
01:14:43.385 --> 01:14:47.805
of the document only really touches a very small percentage

1621
01:14:48.145 --> 01:14:51.925
of our students, whereas PBIS and the rights

1622
01:14:51.925 --> 01:14:52.965
and responsibility touches

1623
01:14:53.165 --> 01:14:54.285
a hundred percent of our students.

1624
01:14:54.865 --> 01:14:56.485
And so that's really the focus

1625
01:14:56.745 --> 01:14:58.885
and that's why it leads the document.

1626
01:15:00.915 --> 01:15:03.485
<v Speaker 22>Good. Thank you Ms. Collins.</v>

1627
01:15:05.345 --> 01:15:07.325
Yes, thank you Dr. Ferguson.

1628
01:15:07.985 --> 01:15:12.085
I'm very excited by even the title, which I know sounds kind

1629
01:15:12.085 --> 01:15:15.845
of wonky even for me, but that the focus on rights

1630
01:15:15.845 --> 01:15:19.485
and responsibilities and code of conduct, not code

1631
01:15:19.485 --> 01:15:20.765
of conduct and oh yeah,

1632
01:15:20.765 --> 01:15:22.285
you have these rights and responsibilities.

1633
01:15:24.425 --> 01:15:27.085
I'm excited that it is going to,

1634
01:15:28.385 --> 01:15:32.005
in great appropriate ways, be consistent

1635
01:15:33.425 --> 01:15:38.365
across schools so that we don't have a student who goes

1636
01:15:38.365 --> 01:15:41.645
to one school who thinks it's perfectly okay to do X,

1637
01:15:43.025 --> 01:15:45.845
but a student who goes to another school, I,

1638
01:15:46.025 --> 01:15:50.245
I'm keep hearkening back to the dress codes and fingertips.

1639
01:15:51.105 --> 01:15:54.845
For those of you who've been around for a while, you know

1640
01:15:56.035 --> 01:15:57.845
your shorts could be shorter than your fingertips.

1641
01:15:57.845 --> 01:16:02.565
Were down your leg at one school, but not another.

1642
01:16:02.675 --> 01:16:05.605
This is the same thing with rights and responsibilities.

1643
01:16:05.705 --> 01:16:07.325
And so I'm very excited about that.

1644
01:16:07.945 --> 01:16:09.805
And I just wanna make it clear, and,

1645
01:16:09.805 --> 01:16:12.285
and maybe you need to say something as well

1646
01:16:12.955 --> 01:16:17.325
that the restorative justice that's spoken of in this is not

1647
01:16:17.715 --> 01:16:21.045
what we're seeing at Cornell at the moment.

1648
01:16:22.785 --> 01:16:25.565
So I don't want people to panic that, oh,

1649
01:16:26.795 --> 01:16:30.405
that means there's no real responsibility, there's no

1650
01:16:32.085 --> 01:16:35.565
expected behavior pattern that isn't

1651
01:16:36.315 --> 01:16:39.925
what you're seeing in online isn't restorative justice.

1652
01:16:40.545 --> 01:16:44.925
And I just want to be clear that our intention here is to

1653
01:16:46.425 --> 01:16:48.405
be only as punitive as we need to be

1654
01:16:49.345 --> 01:16:52.845
and no more so for all of that,

1655
01:16:52.965 --> 01:16:54.125
I, I just really want to thank you.

1656
01:16:55.495 --> 01:16:57.805
<v Speaker 20>Thank you. Just a quick comment on that.</v>

1657
01:16:58.165 --> 01:17:01.125
I, I would say that I, I tend

1658
01:17:01.125 --> 01:17:03.565
to use restorative practices over restorative justice

1659
01:17:03.835 --> 01:17:08.325
precisely to avoid any conflation of understanding.

1660
01:17:09.425 --> 01:17:13.045
And the goal really is to balance the accountability

1661
01:17:13.475 --> 01:17:16.805
with our obligation to teach students how

1662
01:17:16.805 --> 01:17:18.765
to be responsible members of society.

1663
01:17:19.065 --> 01:17:22.125
And restorative practices is really a way

1664
01:17:22.125 --> 01:17:24.365
of holding students accountable to the relationships

1665
01:17:24.715 --> 01:17:27.205
that they have with each other in the community.

1666
01:17:27.785 --> 01:17:29.645
And ensuring that they learn those lessons

1667
01:17:29.905 --> 01:17:32.565
to provide punitive action is actually much simpler

1668
01:17:32.955 --> 01:17:36.565
because the student sustained some sort of

1669
01:17:37.285 --> 01:17:42.045
disciplinary action and they return back to the community.

1670
01:17:42.185 --> 01:17:43.805
And we don't know if they've learned the things

1671
01:17:43.805 --> 01:17:46.645
that got them into that challenge in the first place.

1672
01:17:47.145 --> 01:17:49.805
And so restorative practices really holds them accountable

1673
01:17:49.825 --> 01:17:53.005
to that and ensuring that students can take responsibility

1674
01:17:53.005 --> 01:17:56.405
for their actions and learn from the challenges

1675
01:17:56.405 --> 01:17:58.685
that they may have sustained and hopefully do better.

1676
01:18:02.555 --> 01:18:03.755
<v Speaker 1>Absolutely. Thank you. Alright,</v>

1677
01:18:04.055 --> 01:18:05.595
any other comments or questions?

1678
01:18:06.215 --> 01:18:07.215
Dr. Welch,

1679
01:18:09.275 --> 01:18:10.195
<v Speaker 18>Thank you for being here,</v>

1680
01:18:10.195 --> 01:18:11.635
Dr. Ferguson, for your work on this.

1681
01:18:12.575 --> 01:18:14.755
The back half of the document in particular,

1682
01:18:14.895 --> 01:18:17.795
as it gets into more significant consequences, obviously has

1683
01:18:17.795 --> 01:18:19.635
to put whatever we're planning

1684
01:18:19.635 --> 01:18:21.715
to do here locally in line with state law.

1685
01:18:22.065 --> 01:18:24.155
There's a number of state laws here.

1686
01:18:25.555 --> 01:18:29.675
I I'm not in a position to evaluate whether this is in line

1687
01:18:29.705 --> 01:18:32.595
with, with state law, but to the extent that you

1688
01:18:32.595 --> 01:18:34.995
and the committee have done that work, could,

1689
01:18:34.995 --> 01:18:36.475
could you just talk a little bit about the process

1690
01:18:37.025 --> 01:18:39.155
that you went through and your level of confidence that

1691
01:18:39.425 --> 01:18:42.955
what we have here accords with laws

1692
01:18:42.975 --> 01:18:45.435
as they're implemented in schools in the Commonwealth?

1693
01:18:45.855 --> 01:18:47.235
<v Speaker 20>That's actually a very easy answer.</v>

1694
01:18:47.255 --> 01:18:48.795
We had a consultant, an attorney

1695
01:18:49.055 --> 01:18:50.875
who wrote most of that section.

1696
01:18:51.135 --> 01:18:53.395
And so she's not here today,

1697
01:18:53.415 --> 01:18:57.995
but yeah, the, the work that she did in consulting with us,

1698
01:18:58.315 --> 01:19:00.315
ensuring that the laws that we have

1699
01:19:00.955 --> 01:19:02.875
documented in this rights response

1700
01:19:03.175 --> 01:19:06.035
and code of conduct are current, are up to date

1701
01:19:06.215 --> 01:19:09.355
and address the more challenging aspects

1702
01:19:09.415 --> 01:19:11.155
of discipline that occurs in schools.

1703
01:19:11.215 --> 01:19:15.635
And our obligation by DSI and 37 h

1704
01:19:15.635 --> 01:19:19.555
and a half mg L 71 is I'm confident in,

1705
01:19:20.095 --> 01:19:21.955
in the laws that are recorded

1706
01:19:22.175 --> 01:19:24.595
and are used to determine student

1707
01:19:24.595 --> 01:19:26.675
discipline in our code of conduct. Right.

1708
01:19:26.965 --> 01:19:28.475
<v Speaker 18>Thank you so much. I yield back.</v>

1709
01:19:30.055 --> 01:19:33.235
<v Speaker 1>Anyone else? No one else.</v>

1710
01:19:34.935 --> 01:19:39.075
All right. Dr. Ferguson, thank you for the presentation

1711
01:19:39.255 --> 01:19:40.275
for everybody watching.

1712
01:19:40.275 --> 01:19:42.435
This is not the first time we've talked about this in a

1713
01:19:42.435 --> 01:19:43.595
meeting, so this is the time.

1714
01:19:43.865 --> 01:19:48.195
When should the committee want to, somebody wants

1715
01:19:48.195 --> 01:19:51.715
to make a motion, we would accept that before that happens.

1716
01:19:52.315 --> 01:19:54.315
I just wanna say thank you

1717
01:19:54.495 --> 01:19:56.795
for being here again and for doing this.

1718
01:19:56.985 --> 01:20:00.155
It's really impressive how much you seem

1719
01:20:00.155 --> 01:20:02.315
to know about all this and like the, the answers

1720
01:20:02.455 --> 01:20:04.435
and the, the, the prep and all of that.

1721
01:20:04.625 --> 01:20:08.245
It's just, there's a, the, like everybody,

1722
01:20:08.285 --> 01:20:10.365
I don't wanna repeat what everybody else said.

1723
01:20:10.625 --> 01:20:13.245
So I'll just say there's an even greater level

1724
01:20:13.265 --> 01:20:14.565
of confidence that I have.

1725
01:20:14.685 --> 01:20:18.405
I won't speak for anybody else when the, when the, the folks

1726
01:20:18.425 --> 01:20:20.165
who are actually implementing the things

1727
01:20:20.165 --> 01:20:23.845
that we're hearing about, so clearly

1728
01:20:24.315 --> 01:20:25.445
know what they're talking about.

1729
01:20:25.705 --> 01:20:27.845
And so it just, you know,

1730
01:20:27.905 --> 01:20:29.885
I'm not the one in the schools making this work.

1731
01:20:30.075 --> 01:20:35.005
None of us are. So it, it feels good knowing that

1732
01:20:35.795 --> 01:20:38.245
this kind of action is in the right hands.

1733
01:20:39.105 --> 01:20:42.965
So with that, I would entertain a motion. Please.

1734
01:20:43.525 --> 01:20:46.165
<v Speaker 16>I move to adopt the NAIC public school student rights,</v>

1735
01:20:46.645 --> 01:20:47.645
responsibilities and code

1736
01:20:47.645 --> 01:20:50.805
of conduct conduct effective September 28th, 2026.

1737
01:20:51.385 --> 01:20:52.385
Second. Second.

1738
01:20:53.225 --> 01:20:56.525
<v Speaker 1>So the motion by Dr. Fugman, seconded by Dr. Welch.</v>

1739
01:20:56.785 --> 01:20:59.605
It was just slightly faster than Ms. Collins on this one.

1740
01:21:00.205 --> 01:21:02.285
I would yield to Ms. Collins if well too late.

1741
01:21:02.465 --> 01:21:05.965
You got the second? Okay. Any discussion?

1742
01:21:08.385 --> 01:21:12.205
All right, we will do a roll call. Vote. Dr. Welch. Yes. Dr.

1743
01:21:12.265 --> 01:21:16.565
Fugman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Ms. Brunell? Yes. Ms. Collins?

1744
01:21:17.025 --> 01:21:18.085
Yes. Ms. Goeth?

1745
01:21:19.225 --> 01:21:21.685
<v Speaker 3>Yes.</v>
<v Speaker 1>And I'm a yes. That's 7 0 0.</v>

1746
01:21:21.815 --> 01:21:23.965
Thank you Dr. Ferguson. Awesome. Thank you very much.

1747
01:21:24.575 --> 01:21:26.165
<v Speaker 3>Thank you. Welcome.</v>

1748
01:21:28.155 --> 01:21:30.765
<v Speaker 4>Okay, there's one more item on my report,</v>

1749
01:21:30.765 --> 01:21:32.245
which is the superintendent goal's.

1750
01:21:32.245 --> 01:21:35.645
Second read. I do just wanna explain to the committee that,

1751
01:21:35.645 --> 01:21:40.245
and I think I did this last time, but the advice

1752
01:21:40.425 --> 01:21:43.605
and feedback you provided last time are all incorporated.

1753
01:21:43.675 --> 01:21:45.805
Most of it was under the budget goal

1754
01:21:45.805 --> 01:21:47.685
and I reviewed that with the budget subcommittee.

1755
01:21:47.825 --> 01:21:48.885
So I don't,

1756
01:21:49.025 --> 01:21:51.965
unless you want me to go through again, I don't plan to,

1757
01:21:53.145 --> 01:21:55.485
but I'm really excited and I think they have great coherence

1758
01:21:55.485 --> 01:21:58.045
with our plan and with our operating plan and with our team.

1759
01:21:59.105 --> 01:22:01.285
<v Speaker 1>So just as a reminder, before we take any comments</v>

1760
01:22:01.345 --> 01:22:04.125
or questions for anybody who is not, who is sort of new

1761
01:22:04.125 --> 01:22:07.205
to this process might be watching these goals,

1762
01:22:07.865 --> 01:22:10.325
should we vote to approve them are the goals

1763
01:22:10.355 --> 01:22:11.845
that we will evaluate Dr.

1764
01:22:11.915 --> 01:22:13.245
Bash on at the end of the school year.

1765
01:22:15.185 --> 01:22:20.085
So we will re-reference this in in the May

1766
01:22:20.085 --> 01:22:21.285
and June timeframe.

1767
01:22:22.625 --> 01:22:25.445
Now, any comments, questions from the committee

1768
01:22:26.105 --> 01:22:27.885
on the superintendent goals?

1769
01:22:30.625 --> 01:22:34.005
Seeing none. So a motion please

1770
01:22:35.155 --> 01:22:36.925
<v Speaker 11>Move to approve the superintendent goals</v>

1771
01:22:37.025 --> 01:22:40.125
as presented on September 28th, 2026.

1772
01:22:44.495 --> 01:22:47.395
<v Speaker 1>Second. There it is. Motion by Ms.</v>

1773
01:22:47.395 --> 01:22:52.155
Brunell, seconded by Mr. Patel. Any debate? None.

1774
01:22:53.615 --> 01:22:58.235
We will vote. Dr. Welch? Yes. Dr. Fugman? Yes.

1775
01:22:58.495 --> 01:23:03.075
Mr. Patel? Yes. Ms. Pernell? Yes. Ms. Collins? Yes. Ms.

1776
01:23:03.285 --> 01:23:06.965
Goeth? Yes. And I'm a yes at 7 0 0.

1777
01:23:07.955 --> 01:23:09.085
Very good. Thank you.

1778
01:23:10.665 --> 01:23:13.925
All right, shall we

1779
01:23:14.165 --> 01:23:18.865
continue Mr.

1780
01:23:18.965 --> 01:23:19.965
Gillis, is this gonna be you?

1781
01:23:21.665 --> 01:23:25.855
<v Speaker 23>Seems like it seems like it.</v>

1782
01:23:25.855 --> 01:23:27.815
So the FY 27 budget book amendment

1783
01:23:28.675 --> 01:23:31.575
is basically gonna be the memo that was sent out

1784
01:23:31.575 --> 01:23:34.335
and approved last week regarding field trips,

1785
01:23:34.425 --> 01:23:36.575
which is on page one down the bottom.

1786
01:23:37.355 --> 01:23:39.615
The changes again were basically the school

1787
01:23:39.615 --> 01:23:41.095
committee, which was recommended.

1788
01:23:41.115 --> 01:23:43.935
The school committee, which they voted to approve, was

1789
01:23:43.935 --> 01:23:45.455
to take the money out of field trips

1790
01:23:45.595 --> 01:23:48.135
and put it into high school athletics.

1791
01:23:48.395 --> 01:23:53.255
So basically it was not increasing high school athletic fees

1792
01:23:53.915 --> 01:23:58.175
in a sense for reverting field trips back to more

1793
01:23:58.725 --> 01:24:01.495
user based payers, whether that's be the, the PTO

1794
01:24:01.495 --> 01:24:02.655
or individual families.

1795
01:24:02.985 --> 01:24:05.655
We're moving more towards families meeting with some

1796
01:24:05.655 --> 01:24:09.935
of the PTO presidents next week to discuss how we can bridge

1797
01:24:09.935 --> 01:24:12.455
that and work together

1798
01:24:13.035 --> 01:24:14.655
in other ways to, to make that happen.

1799
01:24:15.235 --> 01:24:17.615
So that's really again, kind of the update.

1800
01:24:17.615 --> 01:24:19.175
That's page one of the two of the memo.

1801
01:24:19.315 --> 01:24:22.495
I'm waiting for the town to post that, which I expect

1802
01:24:23.205 --> 01:24:24.575
with my reminder today

1803
01:24:24.575 --> 01:24:26.655
that it'll be done in in pretty short order.

1804
01:24:28.035 --> 01:24:29.655
So that's about it with that part of it.

1805
01:24:29.655 --> 01:24:32.895
And then once that's done that we'll amend the budget book

1806
01:24:32.895 --> 01:24:34.935
and that'll be the new first page.

1807
01:24:34.935 --> 01:24:39.895
It'll say updated amend, amended FY 27 budget.

1808
01:24:41.675 --> 01:24:43.775
<v Speaker 1>Any questions from the committee?</v>

1809
01:24:45.865 --> 01:24:47.135
We've covered this before too.

1810
01:24:48.925 --> 01:24:51.135
None. Okay.

1811
01:24:51.555 --> 01:24:53.455
<v Speaker 23>So the next is the capital plan timeline</v>

1812
01:24:53.455 --> 01:24:55.815
that's been sent off to the principals and department heads.

1813
01:24:56.255 --> 01:24:57.335
They've been working on it.

1814
01:24:57.745 --> 01:25:00.215
We're gonna check in with a lot of people last Thursday.

1815
01:25:01.415 --> 01:25:03.415
Thursday didn't go exactly as as planned

1816
01:25:03.595 --> 01:25:05.255
as happened sometimes during the school day.

1817
01:25:05.255 --> 01:25:06.655
We had a little dis

1818
01:25:07.915 --> 01:25:10.935
little fire drill at the high school that we weren't planning on.

1819
01:25:11.115 --> 01:25:15.375
And so I'll be getting that information from 'em this week

1820
01:25:15.515 --> 01:25:17.495
and we'll probably be moving up the Capital

1821
01:25:18.045 --> 01:25:21.055
Capital plan timeline to coordinate better with the town

1822
01:25:21.055 --> 01:25:22.375
as they're looking for information

1823
01:25:22.925 --> 01:25:24.455
earlier than they were last year.

1824
01:25:24.455 --> 01:25:27.415
Even though that the process printing process seems

1825
01:25:27.415 --> 01:25:28.735
to come out a little, little later.

1826
01:25:29.235 --> 01:25:30.655
But I expect, I expect we can do that

1827
01:25:30.855 --> 01:25:32.135
'cause I don't think we're gonna have too,

1828
01:25:32.155 --> 01:25:34.615
too many surprises.

1829
01:25:35.675 --> 01:25:37.975
So I, the memo that was in there was for them.

1830
01:25:38.075 --> 01:25:40.935
And then the next item is actually the draft

1831
01:25:40.935 --> 01:25:42.575
budget timeline for the school committee.

1832
01:25:43.435 --> 01:25:44.935
And if we could pull this up and,

1833
01:25:44.935 --> 01:25:46.055
and talk about it for a minute.

1834
01:25:47.755 --> 01:25:51.295
The items in yellow are items that we can move up.

1835
01:25:51.295 --> 01:25:55.375
The Adams in blue discuss with the school committee

1836
01:25:55.375 --> 01:25:57.175
and the Adams in purple are still kind of draft

1837
01:25:58.125 --> 01:25:59.255
from our historic plan.

1838
01:25:59.405 --> 01:26:00.695
<v Speaker 1>Matt, can you just hang on one second please?</v>

1839
01:26:00.805 --> 01:26:02.655
Just so we can get it on the screen? Yeah, sorry.

1840
01:26:02.655 --> 01:26:04.245
So people can follow along. No, it's okay.

1841
01:26:07.185 --> 01:26:10.525
<v Speaker 11>And we just wanna note that it does say draft FY 27 on the</v>

1842
01:26:10.525 --> 01:26:13.645
agenda, but the materials that are attached is FY

1843
01:26:13.645 --> 01:26:14.725
<v Speaker 23>28 28 budget.</v>

1844
01:26:15.335 --> 01:26:16.885
Sorry, I didn't catch that on. No, it's

1845
01:26:16.885 --> 01:26:17.885
<v Speaker 1>Okay.</v>

1846
01:26:17.885 --> 01:26:18.565
You didn't catch it either. It's fine.

1847
01:26:19.745 --> 01:26:24.285
<v Speaker 23>So we started the capital budget planning, already asked</v>

1848
01:26:24.285 --> 01:26:25.325
for 'em to have things back

1849
01:26:25.905 --> 01:26:29.005
and then we're gonna send out the regular budget information

1850
01:26:29.025 --> 01:26:30.645
to all the folks that that do that.

1851
01:26:30.645 --> 01:26:33.805
And then they'll return that back to us in November.

1852
01:26:35.025 --> 01:26:38.605
And we kind of worked through there.

1853
01:26:38.785 --> 01:26:41.485
So a couple of things for the school committee,

1854
01:26:43.905 --> 01:26:45.765
you know, are in blue and we've got,

1855
01:26:46.115 --> 01:26:48.565
when we finish putting the budget together,

1856
01:26:48.975 --> 01:26:50.925
we'll have a draft when we can run it

1857
01:26:50.925 --> 01:26:52.085
by the budget subcommittee.

1858
01:26:52.865 --> 01:26:54.965
That's gonna be right around the fifth through the 18th.

1859
01:26:55.825 --> 01:26:58.365
And then, so there's a December 7th school committee

1860
01:26:58.565 --> 01:27:01.765
meeting, which if you know, that's really kind of tight

1861
01:27:01.785 --> 01:27:03.125
to get anything in there for the budget.

1862
01:27:03.225 --> 01:27:05.005
So that's a great meeting for you

1863
01:27:05.005 --> 01:27:06.365
to talk about all things not budget

1864
01:27:06.465 --> 01:27:07.845
before you get into budget season.

1865
01:27:07.905 --> 01:27:10.405
And you talk about the budget from December

1866
01:27:10.405 --> 01:27:12.325
through March, April.

1867
01:27:12.915 --> 01:27:16.285
Just wanted to put, put that on your radar screen.

1868
01:27:16.285 --> 01:27:17.445
And then the Adams in purple.

1869
01:27:17.945 --> 01:27:21.245
We might be changing how we, how we go over this.

1870
01:27:21.245 --> 01:27:24.125
There might be a little more focus on linking strategic plan

1871
01:27:24.275 --> 01:27:26.805
instead of principal requests.

1872
01:27:27.595 --> 01:27:32.445
Some of the other departments that historically have fees

1873
01:27:32.705 --> 01:27:34.725
and or take up significant portion

1874
01:27:34.725 --> 01:27:37.085
of the budget would still probably be presenting to you.

1875
01:27:37.185 --> 01:27:39.445
But we haven't finalized that yet

1876
01:27:39.445 --> 01:27:41.605
because we're still still waiting to see

1877
01:27:41.605 --> 01:27:42.685
what we get back from folks.

1878
01:27:43.895 --> 01:27:45.925
There is sort of a natural respect for the process

1879
01:27:46.015 --> 01:27:50.045
where we gotta see what people are, are asking for also with

1880
01:27:50.045 --> 01:27:52.125
what we're asking of them as we tie it all together.

1881
01:27:52.145 --> 01:27:54.525
So it's not like we can script everything in advance

1882
01:27:55.185 --> 01:27:58.205
and expect to get a completely honest response from the

1883
01:27:58.405 --> 01:27:59.565
teachers and the budget directors.

1884
01:27:59.585 --> 01:28:02.245
So we gotta give them a chance to give us some,

1885
01:28:02.275 --> 01:28:04.965
some feedback and then we, we make some slight adjustments.

1886
01:28:05.025 --> 01:28:08.085
But for the most part everybody's aware of the process.

1887
01:28:08.305 --> 01:28:12.925
And for this year, I think for everybody,

1888
01:28:12.925 --> 01:28:14.245
just about everybody, they'll,

1889
01:28:14.245 --> 01:28:16.325
it will be their second budget working on

1890
01:28:16.355 --> 01:28:17.765
that they've worked on or more.

1891
01:28:18.225 --> 01:28:19.925
So we'll be in, in pretty good shape.

1892
01:28:19.945 --> 01:28:21.925
And for folks where it's, where it's new for them,

1893
01:28:22.315 --> 01:28:25.525
like our new athletic director will make sure that that we,

1894
01:28:25.825 --> 01:28:29.245
we spend extra time getting them will

1895
01:28:30.475 --> 01:28:31.925
well acclimated with the school.

1896
01:28:31.925 --> 01:28:33.565
But all of our principals are returning.

1897
01:28:34.145 --> 01:28:36.085
You're familiar with the special ed department

1898
01:28:36.085 --> 01:28:39.045
and the IT department we're in,

1899
01:28:39.045 --> 01:28:42.125
we're in overall pretty good shape with leadership

1900
01:28:42.345 --> 01:28:43.325
and folks with budget

1901
01:28:43.325 --> 01:28:44.885
responsibility returning in their roles.

1902
01:28:49.305 --> 01:28:52.205
And the votes are kind of put down there green.

1903
01:28:52.505 --> 01:28:55.645
And if it does get really interesting,

1904
01:28:57.065 --> 01:28:59.405
the school committee can't have three meetings in the month

1905
01:28:59.405 --> 01:29:01.405
of February and, and possibly another,

1906
01:29:01.795 --> 01:29:03.325
another meeting in in March

1907
01:29:03.505 --> 01:29:05.565
before we have to vote to send it to town meeting.

1908
01:29:06.345 --> 01:29:07.485
But if things go well

1909
01:29:07.985 --> 01:29:12.325
and are predictable then we don't need as many meetings.

1910
01:29:15.425 --> 01:29:18.205
<v Speaker 1>All set.</v>
<v Speaker 23>That's it. Okay. This is questions. So</v>

1911
01:29:20.285 --> 01:29:21.285
<v Speaker 1>Comments, questions.</v>

1912
01:29:21.285 --> 01:29:23.605
So this agenda item is the, actually the

1913
01:29:24.285 --> 01:29:26.325
FY 28 budget timeline and the entire process.

1914
01:29:26.435 --> 01:29:27.685
Does anybody have any comments

1915
01:29:27.825 --> 01:29:28.925
or questions on the committee?

1916
01:29:29.075 --> 01:29:33.005
This is a really nice summary of all the dates. Dr. Welch.

1917
01:29:33.755 --> 01:29:35.565
<v Speaker 18>Yeah. First of all, just thank you for laying this out.</v>

1918
01:29:35.565 --> 01:29:38.685
This is excellent. I have asked this question in many

1919
01:29:39.005 --> 01:29:41.245
districts in the commonwealth, what is your budget timeline?

1920
01:29:41.265 --> 01:29:42.885
And it's rare that somebody can hand

1921
01:29:42.885 --> 01:29:44.365
me a sheet of paper like this.

1922
01:29:44.385 --> 01:29:46.045
So thank you very much for preparing this

1923
01:29:46.825 --> 01:29:49.845
in yellow in February it says education

1924
01:29:49.845 --> 01:29:51.085
subcommittee follow up.

1925
01:29:51.085 --> 01:29:54.045
Is that the education subcommittee of the finance committee?

1926
01:29:55.705 --> 01:29:59.725
<v Speaker 23>Yes.</v>
<v Speaker 18>Okay. And then the other question is,</v>

1927
01:29:59.885 --> 01:30:02.445
I believe last year you and Dr.

1928
01:30:02.635 --> 01:30:06.005
Bash presented to the select board. I don't see that here.

1929
01:30:06.025 --> 01:30:07.765
Is that because that's not something attended

1930
01:30:07.785 --> 01:30:08.965
by the members of this body?

1931
01:30:09.795 --> 01:30:11.445
<v Speaker 23>Well I think we did it in a joint meeting</v>

1932
01:30:11.865 --> 01:30:15.005
and there might be another joint meeting is I've heard

1933
01:30:15.115 --> 01:30:16.245
some discussion about it.

1934
01:30:16.275 --> 01:30:20.425
Okay. But yeah, we we did

1935
01:30:20.425 --> 01:30:22.545
that in December last year, right? Yeah.

1936
01:30:22.815 --> 01:30:25.065
<v Speaker 18>Yeah. But that's not that a date has</v>

1937
01:30:25.065 --> 01:30:26.185
for, that hasn't been set yet.

1938
01:30:26.885 --> 01:30:28.385
<v Speaker 23>Not yet. One</v>
<v Speaker 18>Of these dates could</v>

1939
01:30:28.385 --> 01:30:29.465
be used but it's not set yet.

1940
01:30:29.465 --> 01:30:32.385
Understood. Those are all my questions. Thank you.

1941
01:30:32.425 --> 01:30:33.425
I yield back

1942
01:30:34.005 --> 01:30:34.745
<v Speaker 1>Ms. Brunell,</v>

1943
01:30:35.545 --> 01:30:39.545
<v Speaker 11>I greatly appreciate the thought about restructuring some</v>

1944
01:30:39.545 --> 01:30:42.545
of those presentations and specifically about the strategic

1945
01:30:42.615 --> 01:30:46.705
plan because often as school committee members, we have

1946
01:30:46.705 --> 01:30:47.985
to explain the budget to people

1947
01:30:48.165 --> 01:30:51.185
and the easier it is for us to explain the decisions

1948
01:30:51.185 --> 01:30:54.425
that we're making based on the presentations

1949
01:30:54.425 --> 01:30:56.345
that you create, the better we will

1950
01:30:56.365 --> 01:30:57.425
be able to communicate it.

1951
01:30:57.485 --> 01:30:58.825
So I think that's a great idea.

1952
01:30:59.795 --> 01:31:02.465
Those pink things that you highlighted and,

1953
01:31:03.765 --> 01:31:06.385
and yeah, it's like literally always budget season.

1954
01:31:06.485 --> 01:31:10.465
When's it budget season now. So here we go.

1955
01:31:12.005 --> 01:31:13.705
<v Speaker 23>It, it is good for the committee to,</v>

1956
01:31:13.845 --> 01:31:15.025
to not talk about budget.

1957
01:31:15.025 --> 01:31:17.105
Sometimes my feelings are not hurt.

1958
01:31:18.885 --> 01:31:21.505
<v Speaker 24>Set</v>
<v Speaker 1>Dr. Brookman and then Ms. Collins,</v>

1959
01:31:21.615 --> 01:31:24.545
<v Speaker 16>Just very quickly, Al first I wanna echo what Ms.</v>

1960
01:31:24.545 --> 01:31:27.385
Brunel just said. I love the idea to of organizing this

1961
01:31:27.385 --> 01:31:28.825
around the strategic plan

1962
01:31:28.985 --> 01:31:31.065
'cause those are our priorities so we can talk about

1963
01:31:32.125 --> 01:31:33.865
how we bring our priorities to the budget.

1964
01:31:34.845 --> 01:31:39.465
The other quick thing I'll say is if possible, and,

1965
01:31:39.485 --> 01:31:42.545
and I'm channeling here the chair of the finance committee

1966
01:31:42.705 --> 01:31:44.025
'cause it's something he mentioned to me a couple

1967
01:31:44.025 --> 01:31:46.945
of times in the past for the finance,

1968
01:31:47.145 --> 01:31:51.625
I wonder if there's a way to organize a timeline in a way

1969
01:31:51.625 --> 01:31:53.545
that the school committee votes first

1970
01:31:53.765 --> 01:31:55.745
and then it pres, it gets presented to the,

1971
01:31:56.085 --> 01:31:58.385
to fcom if it's possible.

1972
01:31:58.465 --> 01:32:01.045
I know it's not always possible, but try to align it somehow

1973
01:32:01.355 --> 01:32:05.245
because his rationale is it's easier

1974
01:32:06.025 --> 01:32:10.085
for fin income to review a final budget, meaning a budget

1975
01:32:10.085 --> 01:32:11.805
that the school committee is actually presenting

1976
01:32:12.145 --> 01:32:15.965
to town meeting as opposed to them reviewing it.

1977
01:32:16.225 --> 01:32:19.165
If we then make any changes, they have to re-review it.

1978
01:32:19.865 --> 01:32:21.845
So that's just something that may come up

1979
01:32:21.845 --> 01:32:23.405
that you may hear directly from him.

1980
01:32:23.505 --> 01:32:27.085
So I'm just putting out the here now while we're on it.

1981
01:32:28.905 --> 01:32:30.725
<v Speaker 1>That's it. Yeah. Ms. Collins.</v>

1982
01:32:33.425 --> 01:32:35.925
<v Speaker 22>Yes. One is, I forgot to mention this.</v>

1983
01:32:36.125 --> 01:32:39.245
At the budget subcommittee, given that

1984
01:32:40.275 --> 01:32:42.365
Patriot's Day is the 19th of April,

1985
01:32:42.365 --> 01:32:45.285
that would make the first night of town meeting the 27th.

1986
01:32:47.615 --> 01:32:48.875
You have a blank date in there?

1987
01:32:49.945 --> 01:32:51.435
<v Speaker 23>Yeah, I I wasn't sure what</v>

1988
01:32:51.435 --> 01:32:53.035
what was gonna be the first date of town meeting.

1989
01:32:53.035 --> 01:32:54.115
That's why that was blank.

1990
01:32:54.385 --> 01:32:56.395
<v Speaker 22>Well it's the Tuesday after the Patriot</v>

1991
01:32:56.605 --> 01:32:57.915
after the school holiday

1992
01:32:59.775 --> 01:33:01.475
<v Speaker 23>And this year that's gonna be the 27th.</v>

1993
01:33:01.815 --> 01:33:03.955
<v Speaker 22>27th makes sense.</v>
<v Speaker 1>Well now, you know.</v>

1994
01:33:04.185 --> 01:33:05.475
<v Speaker 23>Okay. It's, yeah. Alright.</v>

1995
01:33:06.535 --> 01:33:10.275
<v Speaker 22>And I understand what Dr.</v>

1996
01:33:10.335 --> 01:33:13.875
Truman just said about it's easier to, to look at

1997
01:33:14.755 --> 01:33:15.835
a completed budget,

1998
01:33:16.495 --> 01:33:18.915
but if I don't see a,

1999
01:33:19.915 --> 01:33:21.795
historically the school committee has not voted

2000
01:33:21.815 --> 01:33:24.635
before early in March about

2001
01:33:26.375 --> 01:33:31.275
the final budget that would leave seven weeks between

2002
01:33:31.345 --> 01:33:32.875
that date of March 8th

2003
01:33:33.135 --> 01:33:35.995
and the April 27th, two

2004
01:33:35.995 --> 01:33:38.435
of which are full school break weeks

2005
01:33:39.375 --> 01:33:42.315
and one of which the finance committee needs

2006
01:33:42.315 --> 01:33:45.155
to get the immaterial in the hands

2007
01:33:45.295 --> 01:33:47.795
of town meeting.

2008
01:33:48.295 --> 01:33:49.755
So while it's lofty,

2009
01:33:49.755 --> 01:33:54.155
and I encourage, you know, that we look at this

2010
01:33:54.375 --> 01:33:58.035
as we go in terms of trying to make all

2011
01:33:58.035 --> 01:34:00.355
of our changes as early as we can.

2012
01:34:01.235 --> 01:34:03.595
I don't know that it's reasonable

2013
01:34:03.595 --> 01:34:06.315
that the finance committee not begin their work until

2014
01:34:06.315 --> 01:34:10.355
after a date the say the second week of March.

2015
01:34:11.315 --> 01:34:13.475
I, I just don't think that gives them sufficient time.

2016
01:34:15.095 --> 01:34:18.835
So, but other than that it's always nice to have a roadmap

2017
01:34:20.105 --> 01:34:21.115
what Mike Tyson said.

2018
01:34:21.275 --> 01:34:22.275
Everyone has a plan.

2019
01:34:24.215 --> 01:34:26.915
<v Speaker 1>Yes. Thank you. There's an end to the that quote.</v>

2020
01:34:27.355 --> 01:34:31.155
I think it's a good one.

2021
01:34:31.775 --> 01:34:33.075
Any other comments or questions?

2022
01:34:34.675 --> 01:34:36.675
I have one and it's a,

2023
01:34:37.155 --> 01:34:40.475
I I actually think this, maybe I'll just do it.

2024
01:34:41.235 --> 01:34:44.395
I think that if we created like a one page artifact

2025
01:34:44.415 --> 01:34:47.755
of this timeline that we could share on social media,

2026
01:34:48.455 --> 01:34:52.035
I'm sure other boards in town fin com

2027
01:34:52.215 --> 01:34:54.595
and members of town meeting in the select board would be

2028
01:34:55.085 --> 01:34:59.885
interested in having like a really easy to consume artifact

2029
01:34:59.885 --> 01:35:02.325
that shows the whole school budget timeline

2030
01:35:03.865 --> 01:35:05.365
as I think this is really helpful

2031
01:35:06.265 --> 01:35:09.725
and to, to Catherine's point, like it's sort

2032
01:35:09.725 --> 01:35:10.885
of always budget season,

2033
01:35:10.905 --> 01:35:12.885
but in particular, like there are a lot

2034
01:35:12.885 --> 01:35:15.125
of steps along the way

2035
01:35:15.825 --> 01:35:20.245
and the more people who understand the entire process,

2036
01:35:21.065 --> 01:35:23.325
the, the better it goes, right?

2037
01:35:23.425 --> 01:35:25.725
The the, they don't have to wait

2038
01:35:26.265 --> 01:35:27.645
for the public hearing in order

2039
01:35:27.645 --> 01:35:29.605
to participate in the process and,

2040
01:35:30.305 --> 01:35:31.925
but they have to understand when certain things are

2041
01:35:31.925 --> 01:35:33.525
happening in order to be able to show up

2042
01:35:33.585 --> 01:35:35.165
or to send questions or all that stuff.

2043
01:35:35.505 --> 01:35:38.485
So I can probably just work on making something using this

2044
01:35:38.485 --> 01:35:40.445
because I think it would be helpful for people.

2045
01:35:40.675 --> 01:35:45.405
This is great. All right. Anything else?

2046
01:35:46.185 --> 01:35:49.045
If not Ms.

2047
01:35:49.335 --> 01:35:51.285
Goths have her hand up. Does she

2048
01:35:51.665 --> 01:35:52.665
<v Speaker 23>She does.</v>

2049
01:35:52.665 --> 01:35:54.365
<v Speaker 1>Just raise it Elise. Yeah, so just</v>

2050
01:35:54.365 --> 01:35:55.365
<v Speaker 15>Please.</v>

2051
01:35:55.365 --> 01:35:59.645
Yeah, just a quick question. So I appreciate this timeline.

2052
01:35:59.875 --> 01:36:01.845
Very, very understandable, very clear.

2053
01:36:02.615 --> 01:36:06.645
Where, can someone remind me where it is that the town

2054
01:36:07.865 --> 01:36:11.205
or the select board has their first meeting where they kind

2055
01:36:11.205 --> 01:36:15.365
of look at projected revenue for the next fiscal year?

2056
01:36:15.465 --> 01:36:16.845
So where they kind of have that,

2057
01:36:17.655 --> 01:36:19.045
where does that fit into this?

2058
01:36:21.625 --> 01:36:22.725
<v Speaker 1>Do you know the answer to that? I,</v>

2059
01:36:22.945 --> 01:36:23.945
<v Speaker 23>Mr.</v>

2060
01:36:24.035 --> 01:36:26.565
<v Speaker 1>Yeah. Mr. Gillis, do you know the answer to that? Yeah,</v>

2061
01:36:26.945 --> 01:36:30.245
<v Speaker 23>We, we don't fit our budget request into their</v>

2062
01:36:30.435 --> 01:36:31.765
revenue. Oh, no

2063
01:36:31.765 --> 01:36:32.765
<v Speaker 15>Projection.</v>

2064
01:36:32.765 --> 01:36:34.365
Oh, I understand that. I'm just asking when that meeting is

2065
01:36:34.995 --> 01:36:37.405
just to sort of, I I identify

2066
01:36:37.415 --> 01:36:39.325
where in this process that's happening.

2067
01:36:39.875 --> 01:36:42.525
<v Speaker 23>Well they, at this point they've already started.</v>

2068
01:36:42.805 --> 01:36:44.525
I don't know if they're gonna re-update it

2069
01:36:44.525 --> 01:36:47.325
because they, they posted their five

2070
01:36:47.325 --> 01:36:48.485
year projection already.

2071
01:36:50.195 --> 01:36:52.325
<v Speaker 15>Yeah. Okay.</v>

2072
01:36:52.785 --> 01:36:54.725
So we have that number already is what you're saying.

2073
01:36:55.315 --> 01:36:57.165
<v Speaker 23>Well, we have a, we have a draft number.</v>

2074
01:36:57.435 --> 01:37:00.125
What we don't have is the free cash number,

2075
01:37:00.125 --> 01:37:02.845
which hasn't been certified and Right.

2076
01:37:02.905 --> 01:37:07.485
Budget to actuals, you know,

2077
01:37:08.405 --> 01:37:12.125
property tax overlay the surplus.

2078
01:37:12.745 --> 01:37:15.845
So, you know, when you look at those projections,

2079
01:37:16.875 --> 01:37:21.245
they're fairly conservative on both the revenue amount and,

2080
01:37:22.265 --> 01:37:24.245
and it's estimating that everything, you know,

2081
01:37:24.645 --> 01:37:26.325
budgeted is gonna be expended.

2082
01:37:26.345 --> 01:37:28.445
And and both of those things have historically,

2083
01:37:28.665 --> 01:37:32.045
at least recently proven better than than expected.

2084
01:37:33.225 --> 01:37:36.845
So, so saying that we're in a deficit right away without all

2085
01:37:36.845 --> 01:37:40.365
the information, sometimes can, can cause a, a little,

2086
01:37:40.565 --> 01:37:42.445
a little bit more stress than maybe it's warranted.

2087
01:37:43.875 --> 01:37:45.125
<v Speaker 15>Yeah, that's not what I'm saying.</v>

2088
01:37:45.265 --> 01:37:46.725
I'm just wondering when that is.

2089
01:37:46.965 --> 01:37:51.605
'cause I just think in the spirit of, you know, WI think we,

2090
01:37:51.775 --> 01:37:54.605
we've been working so well collaboratively

2091
01:37:54.605 --> 01:37:55.885
with the town on this budget.

2092
01:37:56.145 --> 01:37:58.485
I'm just wanting to know that information.

2093
01:37:58.825 --> 01:38:01.685
So, but I can, I can contact the select board

2094
01:38:02.145 --> 01:38:03.765
<v Speaker 23>Too to, we'll, we'll ask and get that information.</v>

2095
01:38:03.855 --> 01:38:05.285
We'll, we'll ask and we'll get the answer

2096
01:38:05.465 --> 01:38:07.685
for the next school committee meeting if they haven't

2097
01:38:07.835 --> 01:38:09.925
figured it out we'll, we'll, we'll let them know

2098
01:38:09.925 --> 01:38:11.445
that school committee's looking for it.

2099
01:38:12.585 --> 01:38:15.525
<v Speaker 15>All set. Thank you</v>
<v Speaker 1>Ms. Collins.</v>

2100
01:38:17.955 --> 01:38:19.935
<v Speaker 22>The budget is required to be published</v>

2101
01:38:20.955 --> 01:38:23.615
by the town administrator on the

2102
01:38:23.615 --> 01:38:25.095
first business day of February.

2103
01:38:26.205 --> 01:38:28.575
That doesn't mean that all the revenue numbers will be up

2104
01:38:28.575 --> 01:38:31.895
to date because state will have barely gotten

2105
01:38:32.465 --> 01:38:34.015
house one at that point.

2106
01:38:36.065 --> 01:38:38.895
<v Speaker 1>Thank you. All right.</v>

2107
01:38:40.455 --> 01:38:42.895
'cause we do have updates from the

2108
01:38:42.895 --> 01:38:44.095
budget subcommittee a little bit.

2109
01:38:44.155 --> 01:38:46.535
So we can move on from this

2110
01:38:46.535 --> 01:38:49.055
and we can always come back to more budget stuff in a,

2111
01:38:49.075 --> 01:38:50.255
in a few minutes.

2112
01:38:52.035 --> 01:38:55.895
So shall we move on to the MSBA portion of the evening?

2113
01:38:57.355 --> 01:38:59.375
<v Speaker 23>Yes, this is a brief update.</v>

2114
01:38:59.475 --> 01:39:01.935
So last week on Tuesday

2115
01:39:03.635 --> 01:39:05.255
we had three finalists that were in the

2116
01:39:06.085 --> 01:39:07.455
SBAs designer selection panel.

2117
01:39:08.835 --> 01:39:12.455
And there were I think 14 people that were present

2118
01:39:12.455 --> 01:39:15.215
that devoted, you know, it was pretty, pretty narrow

2119
01:39:15.235 --> 01:39:19.535
and tight race between AI three

2120
01:39:19.675 --> 01:39:21.135
and this other firm, DLR.

2121
01:39:21.635 --> 01:39:24.815
And fortunately we hired AI three

2122
01:39:24.815 --> 01:39:28.975
and I say fortunately as myself, the superintendent

2123
01:39:29.155 --> 01:39:31.735
and the school building committee chair all had them as our

2124
01:39:32.395 --> 01:39:33.455
top ranked firm.

2125
01:39:34.195 --> 01:39:36.375
And if they sound familiar it's

2126
01:39:36.375 --> 01:39:37.975
because they did the Kennedy project,

2127
01:39:38.605 --> 01:39:41.975
they did the high school project, Wilson and Ben Hem.

2128
01:39:42.355 --> 01:39:45.775
So they, they've, they've been, their offices have been in,

2129
01:39:45.775 --> 01:39:47.415
in Natick indoor Framingham.

2130
01:39:47.435 --> 01:39:49.375
And they've been working here for the better.

2131
01:39:49.375 --> 01:39:51.735
Part of the last, for the, for this century,

2132
01:39:51.785 --> 01:39:53.175
every time we've had a school project

2133
01:39:53.795 --> 01:39:55.175
and we're getting some of the same people

2134
01:39:55.175 --> 01:39:56.535
that have worked on past ones.

2135
01:39:57.155 --> 01:39:59.335
And it's not like they say sta stay

2136
01:39:59.615 --> 01:40:01.175
stagnant in what they do.

2137
01:40:01.285 --> 01:40:02.975
They seem to listen to their clients well.

2138
01:40:03.875 --> 01:40:07.775
And just down the street in Watertown, they've got

2139
01:40:08.555 --> 01:40:09.695
net zero high school

2140
01:40:10.555 --> 01:40:12.615
and zero carbon emission building

2141
01:40:12.725 --> 01:40:16.215
that just opened the doors, which is appealing to us.

2142
01:40:16.395 --> 01:40:17.775
And they did that on,

2143
01:40:17.795 --> 01:40:20.615
on a relatively friendly budget level for a high school.

2144
01:40:21.085 --> 01:40:23.335
High schools in elementary schools do not cost

2145
01:40:23.335 --> 01:40:24.415
the same per square footage.

2146
01:40:24.515 --> 01:40:26.655
So there's a little little gap to bridge there.

2147
01:40:29.635 --> 01:40:32.295
And some of the folks

2148
01:40:33.445 --> 01:40:36.055
that are on the MSPA panel regularly said

2149
01:40:36.055 --> 01:40:38.655
that it was the best presentation they had ever

2150
01:40:38.655 --> 01:40:40.695
seen by an architect.

2151
01:40:40.765 --> 01:40:42.495
They were exceptionally well prepared.

2152
01:40:43.085 --> 01:40:44.615
They wanted this job pretty badly

2153
01:40:45.275 --> 01:40:47.695
and they had just gotten a job last week.

2154
01:40:48.115 --> 01:40:50.135
And so kind of the pressure was on to,

2155
01:40:50.795 --> 01:40:52.215
to prove why they should have two jobs.

2156
01:40:52.395 --> 01:40:54.645
Not that they can't handle it, not that they're not staffed

2157
01:40:54.645 --> 01:40:57.525
for it, it can certainly handle two, two jobs.

2158
01:40:57.825 --> 01:41:02.445
But they, they needed to bring their, their very best

2159
01:41:02.445 --> 01:41:04.205
to get the job and, and they did.

2160
01:41:04.445 --> 01:41:05.605
'cause if they didn't, they might not

2161
01:41:05.605 --> 01:41:06.645
have, we might not have had them.

2162
01:41:06.665 --> 01:41:08.285
So I'm, I'm pleased

2163
01:41:08.345 --> 01:41:09.725
and I I think the superintendent

2164
01:41:09.725 --> 01:41:10.845
could have if there was anything else.

2165
01:41:11.065 --> 01:41:14.085
But we're, we're pretty happy to be working with folks that

2166
01:41:14.595 --> 01:41:15.965
already know our community

2167
01:41:16.145 --> 01:41:17.725
and are, are looking forward to,

2168
01:41:17.785 --> 01:41:19.645
to doing one more project with us.

2169
01:41:21.875 --> 01:41:22.885
<v Speaker 4>Yeah, I don't have anything</v>

2170
01:41:22.885 --> 01:41:24.805
to add other than I was impressed just

2171
01:41:24.825 --> 01:41:25.925
in general with the process.

2172
01:41:26.385 --> 01:41:28.885
It was, it was pretty intense

2173
01:41:29.225 --> 01:41:31.725
and I was impressed with all three firms

2174
01:41:32.625 --> 01:41:34.285
and happy that we got our first choice.

2175
01:41:38.145 --> 01:41:39.725
<v Speaker 1>Any comments Dr. Welch?</v>

2176
01:41:40.845 --> 01:41:43.805
<v Speaker 18>I just wanted to clarify AI three in addition</v>

2177
01:41:43.805 --> 01:41:46.605
to the experience that they have had here in Natick,

2178
01:41:47.705 --> 01:41:50.365
did you mention that they were located in Watertown

2179
01:41:50.545 --> 01:41:52.165
or that they designed Watertown High?

2180
01:41:52.715 --> 01:41:55.805
<v Speaker 23>They recently, they did the design work</v>

2181
01:41:55.805 --> 01:41:57.645
for Watertown High, which recently just opened.

2182
01:41:57.995 --> 01:42:00.005
<v Speaker 18>Yeah, I, I'm very pleased to hear that.</v>

2183
01:42:00.065 --> 01:42:01.845
I'm very impressed with that building. Yep.

2184
01:42:02.025 --> 01:42:04.125
So that's great to hear. Thank you. I yield back that.

2185
01:42:05.795 --> 01:42:07.205
<v Speaker 1>Alright, any other comments</v>

2186
01:42:07.265 --> 01:42:10.485
or questions Mr. Patel Just wanted

2187
01:42:10.485 --> 01:42:12.245
<v Speaker 25>To add, we got an email from the chair saying</v>

2188
01:42:12.245 --> 01:42:13.685
that this Thursday meeting's canceled.

2189
01:42:14.705 --> 01:42:15.705
So

2190
01:42:16.355 --> 01:42:18.085
<v Speaker 1>It's a good update for those of you who had</v>

2191
01:42:18.085 --> 01:42:19.125
that meeting and now you don't.

2192
01:42:19.555 --> 01:42:22.485
<v Speaker 26>Will we go to the conference? Can we still take a sweat?</v>

2193
01:42:26.145 --> 01:42:28.165
<v Speaker 23>The law always be one more project. Yeah,</v>

2194
01:42:28.165 --> 01:42:29.165
<v Speaker 1>That's right.</v>

2195
01:42:29.265 --> 01:42:30.805
<v Speaker 23>So one other thing. So we did start</v>

2196
01:42:31.715 --> 01:42:33.605
reviewing the contract negotiations.

2197
01:42:33.925 --> 01:42:35.965
We got a notice to proceed from MSBA today.

2198
01:42:35.965 --> 01:42:39.205
So we started that as well with, with legal counsel.

2199
01:42:39.505 --> 01:42:41.645
So we're off and running.

2200
01:42:41.785 --> 01:42:43.245
So that, that's why there isn't really much

2201
01:42:43.245 --> 01:42:44.445
to update on Thursday.

2202
01:42:45.625 --> 01:42:47.525
So maybe next following week.

2203
01:42:49.155 --> 01:42:51.365
<v Speaker 1>Alright, so thank you for that.</v>

2204
01:42:51.365 --> 01:42:54.045
Nothing makes me feel younger than hearing about all the

2205
01:42:54.045 --> 01:42:57.525
projects this century, so that's great.

2206
01:42:59.185 --> 01:43:01.125
All right. School committee goals are next.

2207
01:43:01.525 --> 01:43:03.605
I do not think we are prepared to discuss those.

2208
01:43:03.915 --> 01:43:06.605
Does anybody else think we are? Am I the only one? No.

2209
01:43:06.865 --> 01:43:08.525
All right. So we do need to,

2210
01:43:09.025 --> 01:43:10.365
we can't wait too much longer

2211
01:43:10.515 --> 01:43:11.685
into the school year to do that.

2212
01:43:12.105 --> 01:43:14.805
So the hope would be

2213
01:43:14.805 --> 01:43:17.325
that perhaps at our next meeting we can actually do it

2214
01:43:18.745 --> 01:43:21.645
and discuss what we want our goals for this year to be

2215
01:43:21.645 --> 01:43:23.165
and who's going to be part of each of those goals.

2216
01:43:23.785 --> 01:43:27.445
And if I, I can send out what we had for the previous year

2217
01:43:27.465 --> 01:43:29.285
and so people can have that as reference.

2218
01:43:30.945 --> 01:43:34.605
And with that, let's go to subcommittee updates,

2219
01:43:35.505 --> 01:43:36.525
policy subcommittee.

2220
01:43:37.065 --> 01:43:39.325
Ms. Collins, do you have anything you

2221
01:43:39.325 --> 01:43:40.405
would like to do tonight?

2222
01:43:41.485 --> 01:43:44.765
<v Speaker 22>I do. Oh, I would like to vote</v>

2223
01:43:45.825 --> 01:43:50.565
on the new policy that we re you received in your packets

2224
01:43:52.225 --> 01:43:56.685
two weeks ago now, which is

2225
01:43:57.835 --> 01:44:02.485
file ACL Alpha Charlie Lima

2226
01:44:04.045 --> 01:44:06.445
entitled, interacting with Law Enforcement Officers Engaged

2227
01:44:06.445 --> 01:44:10.365
in Civil Enforcement Parentheses Protect Act.

2228
01:44:11.505 --> 01:44:14.245
So as I mentioned two weeks ago, this is something

2229
01:44:14.245 --> 01:44:17.685
that the governor signed at the beginning of August,

2230
01:44:18.545 --> 01:44:20.285
wanted everyone to be on board

2231
01:44:21.025 --> 01:44:22.645
before the beginning of school.

2232
01:44:24.285 --> 01:44:26.365
Apparently spent a long time she spent in school

2233
01:44:26.425 --> 01:44:27.965
and realized how things go.

2234
01:44:29.705 --> 01:44:33.885
But this just brings us into compliance with that.

2235
01:44:34.505 --> 01:44:38.285
But the thing that I wanna make sure I emphasize is that

2236
01:44:39.145 --> 01:44:43.185
we are already started these procedures.

2237
01:44:45.585 --> 01:44:47.705
We didn't wait for the governor's action.

2238
01:44:47.885 --> 01:44:51.025
So we will update if we need to in the procedures,

2239
01:44:51.405 --> 01:44:54.625
but the policy should be good to go as it stands.

2240
01:44:56.205 --> 01:44:58.385
<v Speaker 1>And this is, this meeting would be our second reading.</v>

2241
01:44:59.055 --> 01:45:00.625
<v Speaker 22>This would be our second reading. Yes.</v>

2242
01:45:02.005 --> 01:45:06.665
And unless Ms. Ms. Balone thinks I've missed something.

2243
01:45:08.855 --> 01:45:10.105
<v Speaker 3>Nope,</v>
<v Speaker 1>She does not.</v>

2244
01:45:13.875 --> 01:45:17.655
<v Speaker 3>Oh,</v>
<v Speaker 1>The, the it,</v>

2245
01:45:17.975 --> 01:45:19.455
I think the policy is not currently attached

2246
01:45:19.455 --> 01:45:23.015
to the agenda itself on, on Granite case,

2247
01:45:23.015 --> 01:45:25.095
but I think it was two weeks ago.

2248
01:45:25.755 --> 01:45:28.135
And so we can certainly reference

2249
01:45:28.135 --> 01:45:29.295
it if people would like that.

2250
01:45:31.745 --> 01:45:33.645
<v Speaker 22>Yes, I believe it was.</v>
<v Speaker 1>Yeah. Well yeah.</v>

2251
01:45:33.885 --> 01:45:35.005
'cause we read it at the last one.

2252
01:45:35.625 --> 01:45:39.005
All right, pleasure of the committee. Any motions

2253
01:45:42.565 --> 01:45:43.885
<v Speaker 18>I move to</v>
<v Speaker 22>Move to adopt?</v>

2254
01:45:44.745 --> 01:45:48.725
<v Speaker 3>Go</v>
<v Speaker 22>Ahead. File ACL policy interacting</v>

2255
01:45:48.725 --> 01:45:51.085
with law enforcement officers engaged in Civil

2256
01:45:51.085 --> 01:45:53.165
Enforcement Protect Act

2257
01:45:54.625 --> 01:45:55.625
<v Speaker 18>Second.</v>

2258
01:45:55.625 --> 01:45:58.045
<v Speaker 1>That's a motion by Ms. Collins, seconded by Dr. Fesman.</v>

2259
01:45:58.065 --> 01:46:02.845
Any discussion Dr. Welch in debate

2260
01:46:04.065 --> 01:46:07.005
<v Speaker 18>Ms. Collins, in forming this in the policy subcommittee,</v>

2261
01:46:07.545 --> 01:46:10.645
to what degree is there dis local discretion in the

2262
01:46:10.805 --> 01:46:11.885
forming of this language?

2263
01:46:11.885 --> 01:46:14.605
And to what degree are we just adopting something

2264
01:46:14.605 --> 01:46:17.045
that is pretty strictly prescribed by the state?

2265
01:46:18.265 --> 01:46:19.925
<v Speaker 22>The language in the policy</v>

2266
01:46:20.905 --> 01:46:23.605
is fairly strictly defined.

2267
01:46:25.105 --> 01:46:29.525
The language and the procedures will also likely continue to

2268
01:46:30.185 --> 01:46:35.165
mon to mirror the state guidelines.

2269
01:46:35.255 --> 01:46:36.925
These were all adopted. The procedures

2270
01:46:36.925 --> 01:46:39.685
that are outlined here are all adapted

2271
01:46:39.685 --> 01:46:42.045
from Desi.

2272
01:46:43.715 --> 01:46:45.125
<v Speaker 18>Yeah. Understood. And I think Ms.</v>

2273
01:46:45.175 --> 01:46:47.085
Balbo, you clarified a question about this last time,

2274
01:46:47.185 --> 01:46:48.765
but the difference between policy and then

2275
01:46:48.765 --> 01:46:49.765
<v Speaker 1>The procedure.</v>

2276
01:46:50.735 --> 01:46:54.925
Thank you. Any other, any other debate or discussion?

2277
01:46:57.265 --> 01:47:01.845
Seeing none. All right. We'll vote. Dr. Welch. Yes. Dr.

2278
01:47:01.985 --> 01:47:06.325
Fugman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Ms. Brunell? Yes. Ms. Collins?

2279
01:47:07.345 --> 01:47:08.345
Yes. Ms. Cor

2280
01:47:09.695 --> 01:47:11.845
<v Speaker 15>Going to abstain 'cause I have not read the, read</v>

2281
01:47:11.845 --> 01:47:12.845
<v Speaker 4>The</v>
<v Speaker 1>Policy.</v>

2282
01:47:12.845 --> 01:47:15.325
You may and I'm a yes. So that's 6 0 1.

2283
01:47:17.425 --> 01:47:19.405
The policy is therefore updated.

2284
01:47:22.475 --> 01:47:27.085
Okay. Budget subcommittee. Ms. Purnell, anything?

2285
01:47:27.705 --> 01:47:31.885
<v Speaker 11>Yes. So I know it's at the very end of the agenda,</v>

2286
01:47:31.905 --> 01:47:33.925
but stay with me 'cause we got a little bit of stuff

2287
01:47:33.925 --> 01:47:35.885
to talk about that's pretty important right now.

2288
01:47:38.255 --> 01:47:39.365
Three, two things

2289
01:47:39.365 --> 01:47:41.485
that are just very careful are just very quick.

2290
01:47:42.065 --> 01:47:43.445
Our minutes are going to be posted.

2291
01:47:43.665 --> 01:47:46.605
We, I've sent them to the chair of the school committee

2292
01:47:47.325 --> 01:47:49.605
acknowledge that I have not done what I should have done

2293
01:47:49.605 --> 01:47:52.005
as the chair and get those minutes posted before this.

2294
01:47:52.065 --> 01:47:53.885
But we do have a great record of all

2295
01:47:53.885 --> 01:47:57.845
of our minutes from the last two and a half years at least.

2296
01:47:57.945 --> 01:47:59.845
So I, that will be up, up

2297
01:47:59.865 --> 01:48:04.445
and posted the,

2298
01:48:04.505 --> 01:48:07.885
in our last meeting we spoke about two main things.

2299
01:48:08.985 --> 01:48:13.325
One was really it's one item was the financial management

2300
01:48:13.325 --> 01:48:16.685
principles that the select board is currently reviewing.

2301
01:48:17.265 --> 01:48:18.605
And in that conversation,

2302
01:48:22.525 --> 01:48:25.605
a select board member asked about the cuts that we have made

2303
01:48:27.175 --> 01:48:28.205
prior to this year.

2304
01:48:29.265 --> 01:48:31.085
And that's an important conversation to have

2305
01:48:31.085 --> 01:48:34.925
because their, their financial management principles

2306
01:48:36.385 --> 01:48:39.485
are going to cause a careful review of the budget.

2307
01:48:39.585 --> 01:48:43.165
So before I go into financial management principles, Dr.

2308
01:48:43.255 --> 01:48:45.205
Stash or Mr. Gillis, would you like to

2309
01:48:45.975 --> 01:48:50.405
speak about the memo we looked at in the budget committee?

2310
01:48:50.825 --> 01:48:51.825
Budget subcommittee?

2311
01:48:59.505 --> 01:49:03.805
<v Speaker 4>So we actually sent a memo on September 24th</v>

2312
01:49:03.985 --> 01:49:07.005
to the budget subcommittee in which we,

2313
01:49:07.945 --> 01:49:10.765
and that kind of came outta the September 22 meeting

2314
01:49:11.375 --> 01:49:12.525
where we explained

2315
01:49:12.525 --> 01:49:17.285
that in FY 25 the district reduced the budget by $650,000.

2316
01:49:18.145 --> 01:49:20.885
The reductions included four central office positions,

2317
01:49:21.485 --> 01:49:23.965
staffing, attrition related to the Johnson closure,

2318
01:49:24.635 --> 01:49:27.885
four elementary library paraprofessionals and a math coach

2319
01:49:28.225 --> 01:49:29.285
and a fifth grade teacher.

2320
01:49:30.025 --> 01:49:32.485
All planned reductions were ultimately implemented.

2321
01:49:32.905 --> 01:49:34.925
So not only was that a cost reduction,

2322
01:49:34.925 --> 01:49:39.845
but it took, it included FTEs in FY 26.

2323
01:49:40.705 --> 01:49:45.565
The district made a further $1.4 million reduction

2324
01:49:46.115 --> 01:49:48.165
even alongside the override.

2325
01:49:48.615 --> 01:49:51.805
These included change changes to digital resources,

2326
01:49:52.205 --> 01:49:53.605
professional development

2327
01:49:53.745 --> 01:49:56.165
and staffing as well as fee increases.

2328
01:49:56.945 --> 01:49:59.805
The district also completed a separate budget neutral

2329
01:50:00.125 --> 01:50:02.445
reorganization and replaced five personalized learning

2330
01:50:02.445 --> 01:50:05.245
coaches with three roles supporting curriculum,

2331
01:50:05.355 --> 01:50:06.365
data and finance.

2332
01:50:07.425 --> 01:50:11.485
So if you add that together, it's 50 thou, it's 2,050,000

2333
01:50:13.665 --> 01:50:14.685
in FY 27,

2334
01:50:14.745 --> 01:50:19.565
the budget included $912,647,000

2335
01:50:19.665 --> 01:50:23.325
in reductions in fee adjustments that were fully offset

2336
01:50:23.585 --> 01:50:27.845
by 912,647 in targeted investments.

2337
01:50:28.355 --> 01:50:30.485
Meaning we made our investment

2338
01:50:31.045 --> 01:50:34.765
strategic investments based on reductions that we made.

2339
01:50:34.765 --> 01:50:38.285
So it was a neutral, but we didn't go in ask for more

2340
01:50:39.635 --> 01:50:42.045
changes included eliminating vacant

2341
01:50:42.385 --> 01:50:45.245
or reorganized positions, adjusting the school share

2342
01:50:45.245 --> 01:50:49.085
of shared IT staffing costs, reducing projected out

2343
01:50:49.085 --> 01:50:51.925
of district tuition costs and increasing selected fees.

2344
01:50:52.535 --> 01:50:55.445
Those reallocation had no net budget impact

2345
01:50:55.505 --> 01:50:57.045
and required no reductions in force.

2346
01:50:57.865 --> 01:50:58.865
Do you want me to go on?

2347
01:50:59.865 --> 01:51:01.605
<v Speaker 11>No,</v>
<v Speaker 4>I just dunno how much of this you want me</v>

2348
01:51:01.605 --> 01:51:04.485
to go in terms of kind of the historical increases.

2349
01:51:04.555 --> 01:51:07.245
<v Speaker 11>Yeah, I think that's good. I think just like, just one</v>

2350
01:51:07.245 --> 01:51:09.205
to note, let everyone know that that memo exists,

2351
01:51:09.215 --> 01:51:10.685
we'll get it posted on the agenda

2352
01:51:11.385 --> 01:51:12.765
in under budget subcommittee.

2353
01:51:14.195 --> 01:51:17.125
Just to always remind ourselves that we're not,

2354
01:51:19.305 --> 01:51:22.685
we are, because of the work that's being done on the budget,

2355
01:51:23.305 --> 01:51:27.405
we are carefully making decisions all the time.

2356
01:51:27.405 --> 01:51:29.885
Budget season is all the time about

2357
01:51:29.985 --> 01:51:31.765
how we move forward with future budgets.

2358
01:51:31.765 --> 01:51:33.365
And that brings me to the forecast

2359
01:51:34.305 --> 01:51:36.005
and the financial management principles

2360
01:51:36.005 --> 01:51:38.005
that the select board is reviewing.

2361
01:51:39.635 --> 01:51:43.125
They are reviewing them again on Wednesday,

2362
01:51:43.235 --> 01:51:46.045
this Wednesday in this select board meeting.

2363
01:51:46.075 --> 01:51:48.405
They were first published on Friday.

2364
01:51:48.675 --> 01:51:50.605
That was the first time we saw a draft of them.

2365
01:51:52.105 --> 01:51:56.395
And in the financial management principles, there's,

2366
01:51:56.395 --> 01:51:58.275
there's a lot of language change

2367
01:52:00.215 --> 01:52:04.315
and some is, you know, some is great like a,

2368
01:52:05.255 --> 01:52:07.635
an update because they haven't been updated in 10 years.

2369
01:52:08.375 --> 01:52:12.035
And you know, cleaning up policies,

2370
01:52:12.035 --> 01:52:16.275
taking out the technology one-to-one fund

2371
01:52:16.275 --> 01:52:17.755
that we had because we don't need it.

2372
01:52:17.775 --> 01:52:21.235
So a lot of it makes, makes sense in just terms

2373
01:52:21.235 --> 01:52:23.355
of like updating things 10 years later.

2374
01:52:24.535 --> 01:52:27.435
And some of it really will change the financial management

2375
01:52:27.435 --> 01:52:28.795
principles of the district.

2376
01:52:28.815 --> 01:52:30.235
So I of, of the town.

2377
01:52:30.655 --> 01:52:32.155
So I highly recommend

2378
01:52:32.155 --> 01:52:34.115
that each member looks at the

2379
01:52:34.115 --> 01:52:35.395
financial management principles.

2380
01:52:35.655 --> 01:52:39.275
And I don't wanna go into a lot of detail

2381
01:52:39.295 --> 01:52:41.235
unless you want me to about the differences.

2382
01:52:42.135 --> 01:52:44.955
Not yet. But let's happy.

2383
01:52:45.505 --> 01:52:47.805
But there, there are differences in terms of,

2384
01:52:48.945 --> 01:52:52.445
and Kathy get ready to maybe speak more

2385
01:52:53.195 --> 01:52:55.565
like granular than I'm going to in this review,

2386
01:52:56.145 --> 01:52:57.445
but there, there are differences

2387
01:52:57.545 --> 01:53:01.405
and basically if you think about the, you know,

2388
01:53:01.905 --> 01:53:05.205
the general fund, we have money

2389
01:53:05.205 --> 01:53:06.725
that comes in from these different sources,

2390
01:53:06.835 --> 01:53:08.685
whether it's the tax levy or state

2391
01:53:08.685 --> 01:53:13.045
or federal money, you know, new growth, free cash, all,

2392
01:53:13.045 --> 01:53:14.245
all these places come in.

2393
01:53:14.305 --> 01:53:16.965
And then with our financial management principles,

2394
01:53:16.965 --> 01:53:18.725
just like you would do with your house budget, okay,

2395
01:53:18.725 --> 01:53:21.085
you gotta cut this much out to pay for your mortgage,

2396
01:53:21.085 --> 01:53:23.485
you gotta cut this much out to pay for health insurance.

2397
01:53:24.105 --> 01:53:26.085
You know, you, the things that you would cut out

2398
01:53:27.545 --> 01:53:31.725
we the town does to make sure that the town is sustainable.

2399
01:53:32.345 --> 01:53:35.365
And then after they take, you know, they put things

2400
01:53:36.225 --> 01:53:38.205
in places for capital for example,

2401
01:53:38.385 --> 01:53:40.885
or the rainy day fund in case something were

2402
01:53:40.885 --> 01:53:44.965
to happen like COVID, then there is

2403
01:53:45.795 --> 01:53:48.285
what becomes available for operating capacity.

2404
01:53:48.825 --> 01:53:51.965
So what you take out based on the financial principles

2405
01:53:52.025 --> 01:53:54.085
really determines what is then available

2406
01:53:54.785 --> 01:53:58.565
for the year over the year spend

2407
01:53:58.625 --> 01:53:59.805
for town and schools.

2408
01:54:00.425 --> 01:54:02.725
And so that's why the financial management principles

2409
01:54:02.825 --> 01:54:04.445
are one a good idea.

2410
01:54:04.985 --> 01:54:08.445
And I know that we, I I the budget subcommittee talks about

2411
01:54:08.445 --> 01:54:10.645
how we support them in general the concept

2412
01:54:11.465 --> 01:54:14.445
and that we would really like to be included

2413
01:54:15.025 --> 01:54:16.725
in them in an official process

2414
01:54:17.155 --> 01:54:19.565
because they will greatly impact the school

2415
01:54:19.565 --> 01:54:20.885
budget for years to come.

2416
01:54:21.745 --> 01:54:24.925
One example that I've shared with a select board member is

2417
01:54:25.435 --> 01:54:28.885
Wellesley actually written into their financial management

2418
01:54:28.885 --> 01:54:31.525
principles is language that they will consult

2419
01:54:31.525 --> 01:54:34.725
with other boards, you know,

2420
01:54:35.135 --> 01:54:37.325
about the management principles

2421
01:54:37.325 --> 01:54:39.125
because they, they may need

2422
01:54:39.125 --> 01:54:41.205
to change things from a year to year.

2423
01:54:41.305 --> 01:54:43.445
And so it's would always be appreciated

2424
01:54:43.445 --> 01:54:44.805
that we would be consulted

2425
01:54:45.705 --> 01:54:47.925
and I would love to have that in writing.

2426
01:54:50.535 --> 01:54:51.885
Kathy, before I move on,

2427
01:54:51.885 --> 01:54:53.725
do you wanna say anything about the

2428
01:54:53.725 --> 01:54:55.245
financial management principles?

2429
01:54:57.285 --> 01:54:59.605
<v Speaker 22>Just a couple of things. One, the last thing</v>

2430
01:54:59.605 --> 01:55:04.045
that Catherine spoke of the being included, part of it is,

2431
01:55:04.185 --> 01:55:06.845
is a language that's not particularly clear

2432
01:55:07.615 --> 01:55:11.045
about who's determining the budget under the charter.

2433
01:55:12.345 --> 01:55:17.285
The superintendent provides the perspective budget,

2434
01:55:17.735 --> 01:55:21.805
which shall be included in the town administrator's budget

2435
01:55:21.835 --> 01:55:23.925
when it's published, not

2436
01:55:24.305 --> 01:55:26.645
as an appendic at shall be included.

2437
01:55:28.025 --> 01:55:32.165
And unless there's discussion beforehand about

2438
01:55:32.785 --> 01:55:37.205
the principles, it's really hard to know

2439
01:55:37.915 --> 01:55:40.765
like what they mean by the language that they've included.

2440
01:55:41.225 --> 01:55:43.605
The one big change is that they're planning

2441
01:55:43.985 --> 01:55:48.915
to use no free cash in the budget beginning,

2442
01:55:49.295 --> 01:55:51.235
is it FY 31 or

2443
01:55:51.235 --> 01:55:54.075
<v Speaker 11>32 that Yeah, that was the consensus they came to</v>

2444
01:55:54.655 --> 01:55:56.115
was FY 32.

2445
01:55:56.785 --> 01:55:57.835
<v Speaker 22>Yeah,</v>
<v Speaker 11>The phase out.</v>

2446
01:55:58.855 --> 01:56:00.995
<v Speaker 22>But there are things in budget, for example,</v>

2447
01:56:01.095 --> 01:56:02.955
the finance committee reserve fund,

2448
01:56:03.525 --> 01:56:05.795
which is a perfect space to use free cash.

2449
01:56:05.975 --> 01:56:09.875
So it's unclear when they say

2450
01:56:09.875 --> 01:56:12.235
that something exactly what they meet

2451
01:56:12.235 --> 01:56:16.235
and we haven't been able to meet with them to discuss

2452
01:56:16.305 --> 01:56:18.635
that I know of and I wasn't able

2453
01:56:18.635 --> 01:56:20.315
to speak at the select board meeting

2454
01:56:21.385 --> 01:56:23.235
when these were first discussed.

2455
01:56:23.335 --> 01:56:24.335
So,

2456
01:56:26.115 --> 01:56:27.815
<v Speaker 1>And just, if I may,</v>
<v Speaker 22>That's what makes it difficult.</v>

2457
01:56:27.875 --> 01:56:29.895
<v Speaker 1>If I may interrupt for for one moment, just to,</v>

2458
01:56:29.895 --> 01:56:32.015
to be clear, this is a draft

2459
01:56:32.315 --> 01:56:34.055
of the financial principles, right?

2460
01:56:34.315 --> 01:56:35.895
So nothing's been voted yet. Nothing

2461
01:56:35.955 --> 01:56:36.955
<v Speaker 11>Has been voted well.</v>

2462
01:56:36.955 --> 01:56:38.895
Okay. So they, nothing has been voted,

2463
01:56:38.995 --> 01:56:43.735
but they have made a decision by consensus on two things.

2464
01:56:44.955 --> 01:56:47.255
One is that free cash will come out of the budget

2465
01:56:48.205 --> 01:56:51.175
will come out of the operating budget by 2030

2466
01:56:51.855 --> 01:56:54.895
<v Speaker 1>FY 32</v>
<v Speaker 11>I think FY 20, maybe 31.</v>

2467
01:56:56.435 --> 01:56:57.935
But it free cash will,

2468
01:56:58.125 --> 01:57:00.415
will remove from the operating budget.

2469
01:57:00.915 --> 01:57:05.175
And they have agreed to by consensus, again not by vote

2470
01:57:05.595 --> 01:57:06.695
to fund opep.

2471
01:57:06.795 --> 01:57:09.775
So that's our other pensionable employee

2472
01:57:10.175 --> 01:57:12.295
benefits at a rate other

2473
01:57:12.295 --> 01:57:13.935
<v Speaker 22>Post-employment,</v>
<v Speaker 11>Ah darn it.</v>

2474
01:57:13.935 --> 01:57:15.575
I tried so hard. That's hard close.

2475
01:57:15.915 --> 01:57:17.615
<v Speaker 1>That's great. 75% good.</v>

2476
01:57:18.915 --> 01:57:23.295
<v Speaker 11>So opep anyways, they to fund</v>

2477
01:57:23.295 --> 01:57:24.575
that at a rate as low

2478
01:57:24.575 --> 01:57:28.455
as possible without losing our AAA rate bond rating.

2479
01:57:29.515 --> 01:57:30.575
And that is important

2480
01:57:30.575 --> 01:57:32.695
because right now we are,

2481
01:57:33.425 --> 01:57:37.855
every year Natick is putting about $15 million towards our

2482
01:57:37.855 --> 01:57:38.855
pension liability.

2483
01:57:40.755 --> 01:57:43.695
And once that money, once that is paid,

2484
01:57:43.765 --> 01:57:46.695
that will be paid off in 2030, which

2485
01:57:46.695 --> 01:57:49.255
by the way makes Natick a leader in the state in

2486
01:57:49.255 --> 01:57:50.375
funding our pension.

2487
01:57:52.885 --> 01:57:57.135
Once that comes off the, off the expenses

2488
01:57:57.705 --> 01:58:00.055
right now, the way the financial management principles are

2489
01:58:00.055 --> 01:58:02.135
written is that a hundred percent of

2490
01:58:02.135 --> 01:58:05.175
that $15 million would have to go towards opep.

2491
01:58:05.795 --> 01:58:09.815
So the select board has rightly already

2492
01:58:10.615 --> 01:58:12.215
identified that that would be way too much

2493
01:58:12.475 --> 01:58:13.615
to put towards opep.

2494
01:58:13.675 --> 01:58:16.695
And so that's another good example why these financial

2495
01:58:16.695 --> 01:58:18.375
principles need to be revised.

2496
01:58:19.955 --> 01:58:22.815
Now there's the consensus is

2497
01:58:22.815 --> 01:58:24.455
that they'll do it as low as possible.

2498
01:58:24.955 --> 01:58:27.455
The numbers we've seen in the select board have not been

2499
01:58:28.005 --> 01:58:31.375
something that has been identified as as low as possible.

2500
01:58:31.795 --> 01:58:33.455
And they will, the numbers

2501
01:58:33.485 --> 01:58:36.375
that they've presented will impact the school budget.

2502
01:58:36.505 --> 01:58:38.495
Again, because of that ex example I gave

2503
01:58:38.495 --> 01:58:39.935
where if we tie money up here,

2504
01:58:40.245 --> 01:58:41.885
there's less money to spend here.

2505
01:58:42.465 --> 01:58:45.565
So that's an example of where the consensus

2506
01:58:46.145 --> 01:58:50.685
is very important to me about what is that number for OPED

2507
01:58:50.685 --> 01:58:51.685
that we should be funding?

2508
01:58:53.315 --> 01:58:57.045
What is the consensus around being conservative? Right?

2509
01:58:57.205 --> 01:59:01.085
I think everybody wants to make sure that we pass budgets

2510
01:59:01.115 --> 01:59:02.485
that don't have

2511
01:59:02.485 --> 01:59:05.245
to be changed a hundred times throughout the year

2512
01:59:05.305 --> 01:59:08.685
or put us, put anyone in a place of panic,

2513
01:59:09.585 --> 01:59:12.525
but conservative by one person is defined differently

2514
01:59:12.585 --> 01:59:14.005
as conservative by another person.

2515
01:59:14.625 --> 01:59:17.845
And then the final thing I'll say about this piece is that

2516
01:59:18.965 --> 01:59:23.805
revenues, there is not a consensus yet around

2517
01:59:25.595 --> 01:59:29.365
what the appropriate revenues are to put into the forecasts.

2518
01:59:30.025 --> 01:59:31.685
So that is interesting

2519
01:59:31.685 --> 01:59:33.245
because you would think that that's a pretty black

2520
01:59:33.245 --> 01:59:35.765
and white thing if we were to look back at actuals

2521
01:59:36.465 --> 01:59:38.165
and make those predictions.

2522
01:59:38.945 --> 01:59:40.725
But I haven't seen them yet.

2523
01:59:41.205 --> 01:59:44.565
I came up with my own actuals this this weekend

2524
01:59:45.105 --> 01:59:46.605
and I'm not gonna share them here,

2525
01:59:47.305 --> 01:59:50.325
but I, I would love to see them presented

2526
01:59:50.985 --> 01:59:55.125
to the select board so that we could also comment about

2527
01:59:55.705 --> 01:59:57.445
the actuals that we're looking at

2528
01:59:57.545 --> 02:00:00.205
and why the forecasts are presented the way they are.

2529
02:00:02.885 --> 02:00:05.325
I have one more topic related to this,

2530
02:00:05.465 --> 02:00:07.685
but I wanna give anybody else a chance to jump in.

2531
02:00:08.225 --> 02:00:10.925
You should keep rolling. You're the keep rolling. Okay.

2532
02:00:10.925 --> 02:00:14.325
So the other piece that they'll, that the, the,

2533
02:00:17.195 --> 02:00:20.485
that the select board is considering based on the financial

2534
02:00:20.485 --> 02:00:23.565
management principles is the guidance that they will give

2535
02:00:23.585 --> 02:00:25.965
to all town departments, which is

2536
02:00:25.985 --> 02:00:28.125
to Kathy's point an interesting term to use

2537
02:00:28.125 --> 02:00:31.325
because the schools are not a town department.

2538
02:00:32.465 --> 02:00:33.845
And while,

2539
02:00:34.265 --> 02:00:36.685
and we, the school c it is the school committee's budget,

2540
02:00:37.305 --> 02:00:39.285
but the select board will give guidance

2541
02:00:39.785 --> 02:00:42.725
as written now in the draft to all town departments,

2542
02:00:42.875 --> 02:00:46.645
including the schools about what the rate

2543
02:00:46.645 --> 02:00:47.685
of increase can be.

2544
02:00:48.265 --> 02:00:50.405
And it's a great conversation to have

2545
02:00:50.405 --> 02:00:52.125
because we're all adults in the room.

2546
02:00:52.265 --> 02:00:56.085
We know that there's not, there's not, you know,

2547
02:00:56.235 --> 02:00:58.325
unlimited funds to have to spend,

2548
02:00:59.385 --> 02:01:02.645
but we have to, I am hoping that we can

2549
02:01:04.355 --> 02:01:08.485
receive that guidance in a way that has incorporated

2550
02:01:09.805 --> 02:01:13.605
a consensus about the forecast that we can all agree on

2551
02:01:14.025 --> 02:01:18.725
and what the needs are of the school district

2552
02:01:18.785 --> 02:01:20.965
and what we see as our

2553
02:01:23.305 --> 02:01:25.725
responsibility to the students and staff in Natick.

2554
02:01:29.565 --> 02:01:31.825
One thing that I just wanna note tonight we voted the

2555
02:01:31.825 --> 02:01:35.465
superintendent goals and in the goals we set goal

2556
02:01:35.495 --> 02:01:37.065
four is Dr.

2557
02:01:37.195 --> 02:01:41.725
Stash will create a budget that is 5% or lower

2558
02:01:42.745 --> 02:01:46.365
and the or lower is in small print.

2559
02:01:46.635 --> 02:01:48.285
From what I've seen in the budget, I know

2560
02:01:48.285 --> 02:01:50.405
that we have an entire, it's not in small print,

2561
02:01:50.425 --> 02:01:53.565
I'm making a joke, but we have an entire budget calendar

2562
02:01:53.565 --> 02:01:56.205
to go through to go like in

2563
02:01:56.715 --> 02:01:58.565
more minute di detail.

2564
02:01:59.265 --> 02:02:01.405
But because of the work that Mr. Giles

2565
02:02:01.405 --> 02:02:05.685
and his team have done, we know that 5% is about

2566
02:02:05.705 --> 02:02:09.325
as close as we can get to the proper forecasts

2567
02:02:10.985 --> 02:02:12.245
for FY 28.

2568
02:02:12.625 --> 02:02:16.325
And so we're, you're gonna see numbers on Wednesday

2569
02:02:16.715 --> 02:02:21.005
that I've seen in the, in the materials that have a 4% one,

2570
02:02:21.265 --> 02:02:25.125
one number has a 2.9% out in the future.

2571
02:02:25.905 --> 02:02:29.245
And so I think we need to get re real here about

2572
02:02:29.245 --> 02:02:31.445
what these numbers are and what the guidance is gonna be

2573
02:02:34.585 --> 02:02:38.845
and make sure that we are all able to serve Natick

2574
02:02:38.845 --> 02:02:40.845
with a robust sort of set of services

2575
02:02:40.915 --> 02:02:43.165
that I know everybody voted for for the override.

2576
02:02:47.165 --> 02:02:50.495
<v Speaker 1>Good. Yeah, good. That was a great update. Have I</v>

2577
02:02:50.495 --> 02:02:51.655
<v Speaker 11>Put a foot in my mouth? I don't know.</v>

2578
02:02:51.655 --> 02:02:53.215
<v Speaker 1>No, no, no. It's, it's, it's really helpful.</v>

2579
02:02:53.565 --> 02:02:55.855
This is complicated stuff and I think that,

2580
02:02:55.955 --> 02:02:57.215
and I appreciate you giving that.

2581
02:02:57.635 --> 02:02:59.935
It is a thorough but not dense,

2582
02:03:00.045 --> 02:03:01.575
like easy to understand update.

2583
02:03:03.175 --> 02:03:06.095
W we, you know, I've had a conversation conversations

2584
02:03:06.095 --> 02:03:07.655
with lots of people in lots of areas of town.

2585
02:03:07.655 --> 02:03:11.975
They, most people, most people don't understand

2586
02:03:13.285 --> 02:03:14.935
what Opep is or how, you know,

2587
02:03:14.935 --> 02:03:16.255
all the dynamics of the budget.

2588
02:03:16.275 --> 02:03:17.975
And so the more we talk about it

2589
02:03:18.235 --> 02:03:19.735
and the more the select board talks about it

2590
02:03:19.735 --> 02:03:21.335
and other, all the other boards

2591
02:03:21.335 --> 02:03:22.975
and communities, the more we all talk, the more people

2592
02:03:23.395 --> 02:03:25.855
who are included, the better the understanding will be.

2593
02:03:26.835 --> 02:03:30.055
And so we should be talking about it

2594
02:03:30.075 --> 02:03:32.655
and they're not always easy conversations and that's okay.

2595
02:03:32.755 --> 02:03:36.655
That's part of the process. So do other members

2596
02:03:36.675 --> 02:03:39.455
of the budget subcommittee want to contribute anything

2597
02:03:39.515 --> 02:03:41.255
or add anything to what Ms.

2598
02:03:41.255 --> 02:03:43.135
Brunell talked about or what Ms. Collins had already

2599
02:03:43.785 --> 02:03:45.615
added or anybody else?

2600
02:03:46.905 --> 02:03:51.575
Other folks can talk. Anyone at all have comments.

2601
02:03:53.555 --> 02:03:56.375
And so based on what we saw from Mr.

2602
02:03:56.555 --> 02:04:00.455
Gillis earlier, there are gonna be ongoing conversations

2603
02:04:01.065 --> 02:04:05.015
about the budget for, you know, all the way through

2604
02:04:06.625 --> 02:04:08.335
April 27th and beyond.

2605
02:04:08.915 --> 02:04:12.975
And then we will just start talking about FY 29 after that.

2606
02:04:13.395 --> 02:04:16.695
So before we move on, Ms. Goeth has a question or comment.

2607
02:04:17.365 --> 02:04:21.175
<v Speaker 15>Yeah, no, I just, I really appreciate that, you know,</v>

2608
02:04:21.175 --> 02:04:23.175
really clear overview

2609
02:04:23.395 --> 02:04:25.535
of these financial management principles

2610
02:04:25.535 --> 02:04:26.615
that are being proposed.

2611
02:04:27.395 --> 02:04:28.855
And I guess I have a question

2612
02:04:29.735 --> 02:04:33.975
'cause I know that like a year ago, I, I remember, you know,

2613
02:04:33.975 --> 02:04:37.445
in, in the meetings I had when I was chair with the members

2614
02:04:37.505 --> 02:04:41.005
of the select board and in in fin com, you know,

2615
02:04:41.005 --> 02:04:42.165
there was some discussion.

2616
02:04:42.295 --> 02:04:43.845
These, these policies were still being

2617
02:04:43.845 --> 02:04:44.885
developed then, right?

2618
02:04:44.985 --> 02:04:47.285
And there was like a request from us at that time

2619
02:04:48.025 --> 02:04:49.565
to have a seat at the table,

2620
02:04:50.265 --> 02:04:51.725
but things progressed kind of slowly.

2621
02:04:53.025 --> 02:04:58.005
So has there been that formal request for us

2622
02:04:58.005 --> 02:04:59.125
to have a seat at the table?

2623
02:04:59.305 --> 02:05:00.645
It sounds like there has,

2624
02:05:01.145 --> 02:05:02.145
<v Speaker 1>Yes.</v>

2625
02:05:02.145 --> 02:05:04.285
<v Speaker 15>It just feels like it's very, it's right.</v>

2626
02:05:04.355 --> 02:05:07.805
It's, it's how could these policies possibly apply

2627
02:05:07.805 --> 02:05:09.405
to us if we're not a town department?

2628
02:05:09.935 --> 02:05:11.725
Right? If we don't have a seat at the table

2629
02:05:11.865 --> 02:05:15.805
and agree that they're appropriate for us.

2630
02:05:17.415 --> 02:05:19.035
And I know that's probably what you're saying,

2631
02:05:19.215 --> 02:05:21.595
so I guess I just am wondering what is the mechanism

2632
02:05:21.735 --> 02:05:26.595
by which we can get sort of

2633
02:05:27.655 --> 02:05:32.075
how that robust discussion that we need to have in

2634
02:05:32.735 --> 02:05:35.755
the time before these financial principles are approved

2635
02:05:35.755 --> 02:05:37.235
by the select board Potentially.

2636
02:05:37.535 --> 02:05:40.715
<v Speaker 1>So, I mean, I I I can take a crack at that.</v>

2637
02:05:41.195 --> 02:05:43.755
I, so we, we have talked about the idea

2638
02:05:43.755 --> 02:05:46.195
of having a joint meeting select board

2639
02:05:46.375 --> 02:05:47.435
and the school committee to talk

2640
02:05:47.435 --> 02:05:48.515
about these types of things.

2641
02:05:49.815 --> 02:05:50.875
It is on the agenda

2642
02:05:50.935 --> 02:05:52.595
for the select board's meeting this Wednesday.

2643
02:05:52.655 --> 02:05:54.035
So certainly there would not be a

2644
02:05:54.035 --> 02:05:55.075
meeting between now and then.

2645
02:05:57.435 --> 02:06:00.475
I don't know if the select board will vote on

2646
02:06:00.475 --> 02:06:01.515
what their principles are.

2647
02:06:04.165 --> 02:06:05.505
That's their purview.

2648
02:06:05.805 --> 02:06:09.265
If they, if they choose to vote on principles

2649
02:06:10.775 --> 02:06:14.425
that, I mean, I, I suppose there's That's fine.

2650
02:06:15.205 --> 02:06:16.385
We, to what Ms.

2651
02:06:16.385 --> 02:06:18.185
Pernell was saying before, we will still put forth

2652
02:06:18.805 --> 02:06:21.545
the budget that we think we need.

2653
02:06:22.325 --> 02:06:24.665
And then ultimately, just so everybody understands,

2654
02:06:25.625 --> 02:06:27.865
'cause this is, this was alluded to in Mr.

2655
02:06:27.905 --> 02:06:30.345
Gillis's timeline, town meeting is the body

2656
02:06:30.345 --> 02:06:34.025
that actually ultimately decides if the budget that

2657
02:06:34.725 --> 02:06:36.825
we put forth is, gets approved.

2658
02:06:37.165 --> 02:06:38.625
Mr. Gillis, do you have something to add to that?

2659
02:06:39.205 --> 02:06:40.985
Oh, I look like you may have, so

2660
02:06:41.925 --> 02:06:43.545
it would be great to have a seat at the table.

2661
02:06:43.665 --> 02:06:46.425
I think everybody, including, I don't wanna speak certainly

2662
02:06:46.425 --> 02:06:47.465
for the select board.

2663
02:06:48.545 --> 02:06:50.305
I think there's a lot of openness to collaboration.

2664
02:06:50.305 --> 02:06:52.105
There has been in the past. There continues to be,

2665
02:06:52.765 --> 02:06:55.345
and I, I think there are a lot of folks who are hopeful

2666
02:06:55.345 --> 02:06:57.025
that we will continue to do that.

2667
02:06:58.605 --> 02:07:01.425
So I don't, I don't know the answer unfortunately just yet.

2668
02:07:01.725 --> 02:07:03.545
So I'm gonna, I plan on being there on Wednesday nights

2669
02:07:03.545 --> 02:07:04.785
listening to that conversation.

2670
02:07:07.575 --> 02:07:09.555
And so we'll see.

2671
02:07:09.875 --> 02:07:12.235
<v Speaker 11>I mean, but Elise, your question was formal.</v>

2672
02:07:12.575 --> 02:07:14.075
Has there been a formal request?

2673
02:07:14.775 --> 02:07:17.035
No, in the sense that we as a school,

2674
02:07:17.035 --> 02:07:19.835
the school committee has not, we have not made that request

2675
02:07:20.095 --> 02:07:21.515
to the select board as a body.

2676
02:07:22.275 --> 02:07:25.475
I have made it to individual members of the select board.

2677
02:07:25.635 --> 02:07:27.955
I have sent language that is used in other towns.

2678
02:07:28.695 --> 02:07:30.875
And I, I wanna make sure that I, that I clarify

2679
02:07:30.905 --> 02:07:32.635
that Wellesley is not in our dart,

2680
02:07:32.695 --> 02:07:36.685
but Wellesley is one of the towns that does have some,

2681
02:07:36.885 --> 02:07:39.445
a process like this and has been beneficial to them.

2682
02:07:39.905 --> 02:07:41.565
You know, so I'm not denying

2683
02:07:41.565 --> 02:07:43.005
that these financial principles aren't,

2684
02:07:43.015 --> 02:07:44.045
can't be a good thing.

2685
02:07:44.185 --> 02:07:45.205
We talked about how this,

2686
02:07:45.315 --> 02:07:47.725
it's basically like a strategic plan of

2687
02:07:47.725 --> 02:07:49.725
how you're gonna move, how you're gonna spend the money.

2688
02:07:50.505 --> 02:07:54.605
It, it could be an awesome way to elevate the conversation.

2689
02:07:54.605 --> 02:07:56.725
That's what I talked about with the chair of the,

2690
02:07:56.825 --> 02:08:00.165
of the select board in when she

2691
02:08:00.165 --> 02:08:03.685
and I met about how this could elevate the conversation

2692
02:08:03.685 --> 02:08:05.605
around finances and budgets

2693
02:08:05.665 --> 02:08:08.085
and take a fight that used to happen in the spring

2694
02:08:08.225 --> 02:08:10.285
and move it into an actual dialogue

2695
02:08:10.545 --> 02:08:12.845
before everybody starts to do their work.

2696
02:08:14.505 --> 02:08:16.525
And we could be the boards that are part of that,

2697
02:08:16.915 --> 02:08:18.205
elevating the conversation.

2698
02:08:20.385 --> 02:08:21.925
So that's my desire.

2699
02:08:22.065 --> 02:08:25.445
And I, I don't know if, if as a board we want

2700
02:08:25.445 --> 02:08:27.885
to say formally, we would like a place at the table.

2701
02:08:28.585 --> 02:08:30.765
We would like to be written into the financial

2702
02:08:30.765 --> 02:08:31.805
management principles.

2703
02:08:33.905 --> 02:08:37.165
<v Speaker 1>We can, I don't know if that's a vote</v>

2704
02:08:37.225 --> 02:08:39.925
or if that's just us nodding our heads.

2705
02:08:40.145 --> 02:08:42.405
<v Speaker 11>We could do it by consensus, given that some</v>

2706
02:08:42.405 --> 02:08:45.125
of their principles have same, same thing.

2707
02:08:45.205 --> 02:08:49.285
I don't know. I'm not, I haven't drafted a motion, but I,

2708
02:08:49.505 --> 02:08:50.725
but to your point, Elise,

2709
02:08:50.725 --> 02:08:52.765
it hasn't been a formal request from the board.

2710
02:08:54.565 --> 02:08:56.525
<v Speaker 1>I do think the board, so, so I, I</v>

2711
02:08:56.525 --> 02:08:58.085
<v Speaker 11>Mean our board,</v>
<v Speaker 1>Right, when</v>

2712
02:08:58.085 --> 02:08:59.085
<v Speaker 11>I say board, okay.</v>

2713
02:08:59.085 --> 02:09:02.885
<v Speaker 1>Right, right. There is, I i, there is an understanding,</v>

2714
02:09:03.285 --> 02:09:05.725
I believe from the chair

2715
02:09:05.825 --> 02:09:08.565
and vice chair of the select board that

2716
02:09:09.305 --> 02:09:12.005
we would be interested in having that discussion.

2717
02:09:13.145 --> 02:09:14.725
But to Ms. Brunell iss, right?

2718
02:09:15.545 --> 02:09:18.085
So we could, what do we wanna do?

2719
02:09:19.535 --> 02:09:22.365
<v Speaker 27>Let's do,</v>
<v Speaker 1>Mr. Patel says, let's do it.</v>

2720
02:09:22.835 --> 02:09:26.125
Does that count's a request, right? Make, make an eye.

2721
02:09:26.405 --> 02:09:30.885
I second Dr. Truman. So, I mean, I think we can do it.

2722
02:09:31.025 --> 02:09:33.125
We, we can make it, make it formal in,

2723
02:09:33.345 --> 02:09:34.525
in a couple of different ways.

2724
02:09:35.465 --> 02:09:38.725
And so if people wanna do that, we should do that.

2725
02:09:41.595 --> 02:09:42.695
<v Speaker 11>I'm just trying to pull up, I mean, I think</v>

2726
02:09:42.695 --> 02:09:43.695
<v Speaker 15>It would Go ahead.</v>

2727
02:09:43.915 --> 02:09:46.335
<v Speaker 11>Go</v>
<v Speaker 15>Ahead. Yeah. If, if I may,</v>

2728
02:09:46.495 --> 02:09:47.615
I I think it would be helpful

2729
02:09:48.155 --> 02:09:49.695
to at least request the meeting

2730
02:09:49.805 --> 02:09:53.615
because if, you know, I, I don't want there to be any

2731
02:09:54.235 --> 02:09:55.335
con confusion.

2732
02:09:55.815 --> 02:09:57.895
I mean, I, I think Ms. Brunell, you've explained it

2733
02:09:57.915 --> 02:10:01.935
so clearly tonight, but if these principles get passed

2734
02:10:02.875 --> 02:10:07.255
and there's this, you know, confusion

2735
02:10:07.255 --> 02:10:11.775
or misunderstanding in the general public about

2736
02:10:11.835 --> 02:10:15.215
how those apply to the schools or don't apply to the schools

2737
02:10:15.355 --> 02:10:17.815
and who the ultimate decision maker is with our budget,

2738
02:10:18.735 --> 02:10:22.135
I think that we could per perhaps prevent some of that

2739
02:10:23.175 --> 02:10:25.975
misunderstanding by having a preemptive meeting.

2740
02:10:27.115 --> 02:10:29.095
Or you, one

2741
02:10:29.095 --> 02:10:30.815
or two of you having a preemptive meeting, even

2742
02:10:30.815 --> 02:10:34.525
with the select board, just to ensure that that things are,

2743
02:10:34.745 --> 02:10:39.325
are clearly documented as to how,

2744
02:10:39.345 --> 02:10:41.685
how this could, could apply to us or could not apply to us

2745
02:10:42.045 --> 02:10:43.725
and, and how we might be a part of it.

2746
02:10:43.925 --> 02:10:45.365
'cause I, like, I also liked what you said, Mr.

2747
02:10:45.565 --> 02:10:47.245
Ella, about elevating the conversation.

2748
02:10:47.865 --> 02:10:50.365
And I think we, we, I think we all wanna be good partners

2749
02:10:50.635 --> 02:10:53.045
here with the select board and with the town.

2750
02:10:53.665 --> 02:10:56.725
But how best to do that, given that this, you know,

2751
02:10:56.725 --> 02:10:58.605
really significant process is happening

2752
02:10:58.605 --> 02:11:01.605
and has been happening for more than a year without really

2753
02:11:02.875 --> 02:11:05.085
finding out what our needs are

2754
02:11:06.425 --> 02:11:07.965
<v Speaker 11>And to the, so I</v>
<v Speaker 15>Vote for</v>

2755
02:11:08.395 --> 02:11:09.395
<v Speaker 11>Okay.</v>

2756
02:11:09.395 --> 02:11:10.765
To their, they did say that they,

2757
02:11:10.765 --> 02:11:13.125
they initially started the conversation and then

2758
02:11:13.125 --> 02:11:15.245
because Ari was coming in, they stopped it.

2759
02:11:15.265 --> 02:11:17.765
So I know, I know. They haven't consistently been working on

2760
02:11:17.765 --> 02:11:22.205
this for a year just to like, not make it look like they've,

2761
02:11:22.465 --> 02:11:23.965
you know, haven't included us for a while.

2762
02:11:23.965 --> 02:11:27.005
Right. Like they, it just, it did just come back in the, the

2763
02:11:27.005 --> 02:11:27.405
<v Speaker 15>Fall. Oh no.</v>

2764
02:11:27.945 --> 02:11:30.085
<v Speaker 11>But</v>
<v Speaker 15>Yeah, it's been an extensive</v>

2765
02:11:30.085 --> 02:11:31.885
and thoughtful process on their part.

2766
02:11:32.075 --> 02:11:33.075
Yeah. Yeah.

2767
02:11:33.905 --> 02:11:36.005
<v Speaker 1>So what's the best way for us to formally,</v>

2768
02:11:36.585 --> 02:11:37.765
do you have something in front of you?

2769
02:11:38.115 --> 02:11:40.165
<v Speaker 11>Well, here's the language that Wellesley uses.</v>

2770
02:11:40.305 --> 02:11:42.005
The select board makes the determination

2771
02:11:42.005 --> 02:11:42.965
after evaluating,

2772
02:11:46.965 --> 02:11:49.085
I guess the determination would be confusing, but

2773
02:11:49.215 --> 02:11:52.325
after evaluating the town's financial position as presented

2774
02:11:52.325 --> 02:11:56.005
by the finance director and with input from other boards

2775
02:11:56.005 --> 02:11:58.485
and committees regarding their anticipated priorities.

2776
02:11:59.465 --> 02:12:01.645
So it's a simple statement.

2777
02:12:01.685 --> 02:12:04.445
I, I mean, maybe we just want to be consult.

2778
02:12:06.965 --> 02:12:08.485
I don't know if we wanna suggest a statement,

2779
02:12:08.485 --> 02:12:09.885
but we want to be consulted.

2780
02:12:10.345 --> 02:12:13.165
<v Speaker 1>We could, I maybe at the very least,</v>

2781
02:12:13.385 --> 02:12:15.925
the school committee could send an email to the select board

2782
02:12:15.925 --> 02:12:19.925
and request that language be considered Right. To be added.

2783
02:12:20.185 --> 02:12:21.645
<v Speaker 11>Oh, we could empower the chair</v>

2784
02:12:21.665 --> 02:12:23.405
to send an email to the school.

2785
02:12:23.905 --> 02:12:24.905
We, to the

2786
02:12:25.755 --> 02:12:26.755
<v Speaker 1>It's me.</v>

2787
02:12:26.795 --> 02:12:29.965
Yeah, we could, yeah. I like that. We could start with that.

2788
02:12:30.075 --> 02:12:33.165
Yeah. And you know, the timeline is quick.

2789
02:12:33.245 --> 02:12:35.725
I, again, I have no idea if this board will ultimately vote

2790
02:12:35.785 --> 02:12:38.165
on Wednesday, but I think certainly the one thing

2791
02:12:38.165 --> 02:12:39.205
that we can do prior to that,

2792
02:12:39.205 --> 02:12:40.645
or one of the things we can do prior to

2793
02:12:40.645 --> 02:12:42.245
that is send something like this.

2794
02:12:43.435 --> 02:12:44.645
Like anybody you know,

2795
02:12:44.745 --> 02:12:47.045
in town could send their thoughts on any agenda item.

2796
02:12:48.855 --> 02:12:51.765
Right. If the committee would like that to happen,

2797
02:12:51.995 --> 02:12:53.685
then I can work on that.

2798
02:12:53.785 --> 02:12:55.165
And Ms. Brunell, I think would love

2799
02:12:55.165 --> 02:12:58.245
to help me, wouldn't she? Would

2800
02:12:58.265 --> 02:12:59.265
<v Speaker 11>She?</v>

2801
02:12:59.265 --> 02:12:59.485
Yes. Yes. Okay.

2802
02:13:00.525 --> 02:13:03.365
<v Speaker 18>I support that. Okay.</v>
<v Speaker 1>Does everybody else support that?</v>

2803
02:13:04.865 --> 02:13:07.405
<v Speaker 18>Yes. I, I just want to be clear what that is.</v>

2804
02:13:08.145 --> 02:13:11.565
My, my colleague Mr. Patel's motion was Let's do it. Yeah.

2805
02:13:12.715 --> 02:13:15.565
Very specific. And, and I generally am supportive of Mr.

2806
02:13:15.635 --> 02:13:18.405
Patel's positions, but I just want to be clear what it

2807
02:13:19.625 --> 02:13:21.085
is here that we are supporting.

2808
02:13:22.485 --> 02:13:24.525
<v Speaker 1>I think that, I think that it would be an email from the</v>

2809
02:13:24.525 --> 02:13:25.805
chair of the school committee Yeah.

2810
02:13:25.985 --> 02:13:28.365
To the select board requesting

2811
02:13:28.365 --> 02:13:29.965
that language similar to what Ms.

2812
02:13:29.965 --> 02:13:33.165
Brunell, just Kate, you know, maybe, you know,

2813
02:13:34.005 --> 02:13:37.845
massaged a little bit for us to, to be considered,

2814
02:13:37.845 --> 02:13:39.445
to be added to the financial principles

2815
02:13:39.445 --> 02:13:43.645
that they are considering in addition to, in that same email

2816
02:13:44.245 --> 02:13:48.045
consideration of a joint meeting prior to a vote to,

2817
02:13:48.465 --> 02:13:50.925
in order to have a better understanding

2818
02:13:50.945 --> 02:13:54.165
and more transparency around what the impact

2819
02:13:54.905 --> 02:13:59.605
of these principles might mean for other departments,

2820
02:13:59.635 --> 02:14:00.645
including the schools.

2821
02:14:01.065 --> 02:14:04.445
<v Speaker 18>And so this input is really requesting</v>

2822
02:14:06.085 --> 02:14:09.045
consultation as part of the adoption

2823
02:14:09.425 --> 02:14:12.045
of the select board's financial management principles.

2824
02:14:12.545 --> 02:14:17.365
Or is it requesting consultation on an annual basis

2825
02:14:17.505 --> 02:14:19.205
as part of the finalization of the budget?

2826
02:14:19.315 --> 02:14:21.525
<v Speaker 1>That one second.</v>
<v Speaker 18>The second one, yes.</v>

2827
02:14:21.675 --> 02:14:25.525
<v Speaker 11>Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead. Yeah.</v>

2828
02:14:25.525 --> 02:14:27.525
Well, and just, I mean the, the town, the town

2829
02:14:27.525 --> 02:14:29.965
and the schools do this from an administrative perspective.

2830
02:14:29.965 --> 02:14:31.165
They meet every other week.

2831
02:14:31.685 --> 02:14:33.605
And so they've already been in communication.

2832
02:14:34.065 --> 02:14:36.605
So this is a way for our governance structures

2833
02:14:36.945 --> 02:14:40.045
to model the same type of communication

2834
02:14:40.475 --> 02:14:41.765
that the administrators do.

2835
02:14:41.995 --> 02:14:44.445
Okay. And I like the idea of requesting the joint meeting

2836
02:14:44.445 --> 02:14:46.045
because input could be anything.

2837
02:14:46.345 --> 02:14:47.965
So I like the, I like the idea

2838
02:14:47.965 --> 02:14:49.045
of requesting the joint meeting.

2839
02:14:49.955 --> 02:14:52.245
<v Speaker 18>Well, I would be supportive of the chair pursuing</v>

2840
02:14:52.245 --> 02:14:53.845
that on behalf of the committee. Great.

2841
02:14:54.145 --> 02:14:55.525
<v Speaker 11>And then I think that's the key part</v>

2842
02:14:55.585 --> 02:14:56.685
on behalf of the committee.

2843
02:14:56.945 --> 02:14:57.945
Yes.

2844
02:14:58.685 --> 02:15:00.725
<v Speaker 1>I can definitely put the words on behalf of the committee.</v>

2845
02:15:02.395 --> 02:15:03.685
Anybody else from the committee?

2846
02:15:03.865 --> 02:15:06.565
If not, we have a member in the audience who would like

2847
02:15:06.565 --> 02:15:08.165
to speak on this.

2848
02:15:08.985 --> 02:15:09.985
Mr. Jacobs.

2849
02:15:13.735 --> 02:15:14.925
<v Speaker 28>Hello Cody Jacobs,</v>

2850
02:15:15.735 --> 02:15:18.485
definitely not speaking on behalf of the select board.

2851
02:15:18.485 --> 02:15:22.125
This is an individual, but I think to the point that Dr.

2852
02:15:22.295 --> 02:15:25.125
Welsh brought up a minute ago, it would be really good,

2853
02:15:25.365 --> 02:15:27.645
I think in your, in your letter or your email

2854
02:15:27.665 --> 02:15:30.245
or whatever to kind of clearly separate

2855
02:15:30.385 --> 02:15:32.125
and maybe the, I, I think from

2856
02:15:32.125 --> 02:15:33.125
what I'm hearing the answer is,

2857
02:15:33.185 --> 02:15:34.405
is you wanna weigh in on both.

2858
02:15:34.505 --> 02:15:36.525
But, because my understanding is we're gonna be talking

2859
02:15:36.525 --> 02:15:39.525
about two different sort of separate decisions, essentially.

2860
02:15:39.665 --> 02:15:41.805
One, about these financial management principles,

2861
02:15:41.805 --> 02:15:44.205
which are general principles that, you know, if,

2862
02:15:44.205 --> 02:15:46.965
if you guys have read them, like they do have some specific

2863
02:15:46.965 --> 02:15:48.805
numbers on things, but they don't have budget numbers.

2864
02:15:48.835 --> 02:15:51.805
They don't have numbers like, oh, in, in FY 20, whatever,

2865
02:15:51.805 --> 02:15:53.005
we're gonna grow by this percent.

2866
02:15:53.005 --> 02:15:55.125
Right? And then a separate thing that,

2867
02:15:55.125 --> 02:15:56.685
that we may vote on on Wednesday

2868
02:15:56.685 --> 02:15:59.285
that we discussed at the last meeting, as, as Mr.

2869
02:15:59.285 --> 02:16:03.925
Brunell said, is what these percentage,

2870
02:16:03.925 --> 02:16:07.445
these guideline percentages might be for FY 28.

2871
02:16:07.695 --> 02:16:08.805
Those are two different things.

2872
02:16:08.985 --> 02:16:11.445
And so if you want to be consulted on both of them,

2873
02:16:11.505 --> 02:16:12.565
if you want to be, you know,

2874
02:16:12.565 --> 02:16:13.885
if you're just talking about one or the other, I mean,

2875
02:16:13.885 --> 02:16:15.005
that's obviously up to your committee.

2876
02:16:15.025 --> 02:16:19.405
But I think as a member, for me, again, just speaking

2877
02:16:19.465 --> 02:16:23.565
for me very clear about that, that might be a good idea.

2878
02:16:23.785 --> 02:16:25.085
So that's all. Thank you guys.

2879
02:16:25.345 --> 02:16:27.285
I'm glad we're having this conversation. Thank

2880
02:16:27.285 --> 02:16:28.285
<v Speaker 1>You.</v>

2881
02:16:28.285 --> 02:16:31.445
Thank you, Mr. Jacobs. Anyone else?

2882
02:16:32.725 --> 02:16:36.085
Thoughts? If not, I can draft an email

2883
02:16:37.985 --> 02:16:39.565
and I'll consult

2884
02:16:40.665 --> 02:16:42.885
and then send it on behalf of the committee prior

2885
02:16:42.885 --> 02:16:44.205
to Wednesday's select board meeting.

2886
02:16:47.235 --> 02:16:49.935
All right. All set? All set. Thank you.

2887
02:16:49.995 --> 02:16:51.335
We have one last thing to do tonight,

2888
02:16:52.235 --> 02:16:54.775
and it's one motion and I'll take it.

2889
02:16:55.835 --> 02:16:59.375
Motion to adjourn. Second. That's a motion by Dr. Fugman.

2890
02:16:59.375 --> 02:17:02.535
Seconded by Mr. Patel. We will vote. Roll call Dr. Welch.

2891
02:17:02.955 --> 02:17:06.935
Yes. Dr. Fugman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Ms. Brunell? Yes.

2892
02:17:07.115 --> 02:17:11.975
Ms. Collins? Yes. Ms. Corset? Yes. And I'm a yes.

2893
02:17:11.975 --> 02:17:14.415
7, 0, 0. Goodnight everybody. Thank you.