[0:00] To announce that the meeting is being recorded. And I will open the meeting with a roll call vote.

[0:09] Oh, sorry, Jody. Are you trained?

[0:19] All right. All right. I'll just ask for everyone to say that they're here. Tara here.

[0:30] Sorry, I was muted. Welcome. No worries. Jody. Well, you're muted.

[0:41] At the bottom of your screen.

[0:47] I'll go on to crystal. Come back to you, Jody.

[0:49] Sorry, I'm going to have to have both of these.

[0:53] I'm here.

[0:55] Okay.

[0:56] And Crystal?

[0:57] Here.

[0:58] Jessica?

[1:00] I don't think she's here.

[1:02] Okay.

[1:03] All right.

[1:05] Our first agenda item is to vote a new budget amount.

[1:11] I can read it.

[1:13] And if someone just wants to say so moved to,

[1:17] or so we can have it presented and then you know make a motion you can say so

[1:26] moved and then someone can second and then we can vote on it but I have the

[1:30] wording right in front me so I'm happy to read it or move that the Halifax School

[1:37] Committee approves 7,732,438 dollars as the fiscal 2027 local educating budget

[1:46] operating budget, and further that the total appropriation of $7,732,438 is in compliance

[1:55] with Education Reform Acts of 1993. Further, the school committee directs a superintendent

[2:01] to allocate the following additional funding sources, which total $424,616.

[2:09] dollars. Fiscal FY27, anticipated circuit breaker, special education reimbursement of $324,616

[2:19] and anticipated FY27 grant and revolving account funding totaling $100,000. The final

[2:27] approved expenditures for the schools will be $8,057,000. $57,054.

[2:35] dollars.

[2:44] Sorry, that's me. I think we have to move it first to someone kid. All right,

[2:50] I guess I made the motion. Okay. So, Jody seconded. Oh, Stephanie. Sorry about that. So,

[3:01] what was voted the additional 200,000 plus the offsets, I apologize, is 8,157,000,

[3:13] $5.54. Not $8.057. It's $8.157. Okay. I will amend the emotion. The motion.

[3:25] Wait. Oh, yeah.

[3:27] When we just triple check those numbers, I still don't know if that's right.

[3:30] Yeah. So it's $7 million. The proposed total appropriation is $7,732,438. Correct? Correct?

[3:40] Yes. Can I watch? We need to add the circuit breaker and grants, correct? And that was 426,000, 416.

[3:55] I think that's 8,158,854.

[4:00] Yeah, so that's the...

[4:04] That that's what I'm saying so she doesn't vote in like the wrong total appropriation for the school year.

[4:13] Okay. Should we should we should we should we we sat and we do.

[4:18] Yeah. Okay. All

[4:22] right.

[4:23] I can start over.

[4:25] Move I make a motion to move that the Halifax School Committee approved seven million seven hundred thirty two thousand.

[4:34] $438 as the fiscal 2027 local education budget operating budget and further that the total

[4:41] appropriation of $7,732,438 is in compliance with Education Reform Acts in 1993. Further

[4:51] the school committee directs the superintendent to allocate the following additional funding

[4:55] sources which total $424,616, FY anticipated circuit breakers,

[5:04] special education reimbursement, $324,616, and anticipated FY27 grants

[5:12] and revolving account funding totaling $100,000.

[5:16] The final approved expenditures for the school will be $8,157,554,

[5:24] 54 dollars.

[5:29] So maybe a second or we can second because I made the motion.

[5:34] Okay. Second. Thanks Tara. All right we'll do roll call vote. Tara. Yes.

[5:41] Jody.

[5:52] Is Jody still here? I'm sure she's still here. Crystal? Yes. Okay.

[6:03] I know Jody's having

[6:03] troll alert sound.

[6:07] Oh, you're muted, Jody.

[6:13] Okay, can you hear me now? Yep. Sorry, I had

[6:16] to allow my microphone. Yeah, yeah, access. Yes. Okay, perfect. Okay. All right. Okay.

[6:23] So now that's great. We'll move on to the subcommittees. So we did assign some of them

[6:33] in our July meeting I believe. So now we have a few subcommittees to still fill. So we have the

[6:46] written policy committee which since there's a lot, we've had some new folks on here, the written

[6:53] policy committee helps with policies in the districts where if there is a change to any policies due

[7:01] to changes in laws or changes in decisions of how we need to handle things as a district,

[7:07] then the policy meeting would, policy committee would meet together and bring those policies

[7:12] back to our committee for us to vote on.

[7:20] And is anyone interested in being on policy committee?

[7:24] We would need two people.

[7:29] I'll do it.

[7:29] Okay.

[7:31] I'll take your review on again.

[7:33] Anyone else?

[7:36] I'll unmute this time.

[7:38] Okay.

[7:38] You can put me on there.

[7:39] Okay.

[7:41] And then the next committee is I have to be on negotiations because I am the chair.

[7:48] And so I need a second person because we need to have two members attend negotiations.

[7:54] And then we also need an alternate.

[7:56] it.

[7:59] I really want negotiations. Okay. If everybody else agrees, I don't know. I feel

[8:06] like I have, I just think my experience like with the things that I do for work would

[8:11] be really helpful. Yeah, I don't, that's fine. I'll put you as the second. Would anyone

[8:18] like to be alternate? So if I or Jodie are not available? I'm happy to be alternate for

[8:22] that. Tara okay.

[8:26] And then Union 31. So Union 31 is when we all the elementary schools meet

[8:35] together and it's often with the Silver Lake School Committee and it's just to make like decisions

[8:41] about contracts or shared costs and three of us need to be on that and I believe I need to be one

[8:48] of them, correct?

[8:51] So I can't remember, but I think I'll be on it. And then I would need

[8:57] two other volunteers. Lauren, if you want to put me on, I'll go with Crystal. Okay.

[9:05] I'm happy to as well. Are we taking any just page? Have any of these or these just the open ones that

[9:30] Yeah, and I took over signal single signature warrant, but I'll keep her on youth and rec. And we do have some other ones too.

[9:41] And we also need an alternate. So I'll put her down as the alternate for being in 31.

[9:48] I can do it if you want.

[9:51] That's fine. I mean, just so we're giving Jessica some too because you know and then all right. So then we have admin review and admin review is when we do the evaluation of the superintendent.

[10:10] And so we need two people for that.

[10:14] What? Can I ask a question about that?

[10:17] Sure.

[10:18] So I know, so we did, when we did the review,

[10:22] everybody filled out the questionnaire, right?

[10:24] For Dr. Pru.

[10:27] So if everybody does it, what is specifically the people on the

[10:30] admin review committee do in addition?

[10:34] Great question.

[10:36] Yeah, I'll defer to Jill.

[10:40] So prior to having the ability to get all of the data in one place, they used to compile

[10:47] it.

[10:48] But now with Google Forms, not only can I see the individual responses, but the committee

[10:54] can compile the responses and even summarize them more easily.

[10:58] So usually the chair is responsible for summarizing them, scheduling the meeting with me to go over

[11:03] those in open session.

[11:04] And the other thing that we tend to do is if we are introducing new positions for shared

[11:12] cost, we tend to present those first to the administrative review committee.

[11:16] That's just traditionally how it's been done before we bring it to the joint meeting to

[11:22] see if we have the support of the administrative review team first.

[11:30] And then can I also ask when we, you know, to bring it to, for review in open session for

[11:35] your evaluations, is that done at our individual school meetings or at the Union 31 meeting?

[11:42] It's done at its own separate meeting.

[11:45] Okay. Understood. Thank you.

[11:47] With just the admin review team.

[11:49] I see.

[11:50] Okay.

[11:51] Sometimes it happens at the high school.

[11:53] Sometimes it happens at the middle school.

[11:54] Sometimes it happens at central office.

[11:56] It depends on the team and their preference.

[12:01] Is this typically a certain time of year?

[12:03] Like a regular time of year?

[12:05] or typically April May, so that we have time to get some data into the community about

[12:11] the annual goals.

[12:16] And in terms of presenting new positions for joint to consider, that usually happens

[12:24] around February, if not earlier, if we can, because we want to make sure that our joint session,

[12:30] we have a sense of what types of positions might have an impact on the assessments.

[12:36] And

[12:41] so are we, if whoever's on the admin review for HES, is that part of the admin review

[12:47] also include members from the other elementary schools as well as?

[12:52] And Silver Lake.

[12:53] Okay.

[12:54] Thank you.

[12:57] It is nice when you get to work with the other school committees too, just to have cohesiveness.

[13:04] So would anybody be interested in admin review?

[13:07] I would need two folks, two people.

[13:10] I'll be happy too.

[13:12] Okay.

[13:14] Yeah, I can do it too.

[13:16] Okay.

[13:19] I want to make sure no one's signing up for too much.

[13:22] Yeah.

[13:23] I know.

[13:24] I don't want to sleep on.

[13:25] I don't even remember.

[13:26] I'm going to.

[13:27] Well, I will have to.

[13:28] Yeah.

[13:28] Because we already did something for you.

[13:29] I have you on.

[13:30] Tara.

[13:31] Yeah.

[13:31] I have you on sickly bank.

[13:33] Yep.

[13:34] And then the alternate for.

[13:37] And you're also the secretary.

[13:39] So, I think we're okay right now. I'm just more looking at Jody.

[13:46] You can take something away from me. That's fun. No, I just want to be helpful.

[13:50] No, I appreciate it. No. Yeah, I'll see. Well, now, and we have sickly bank,

[13:56] and I'll put Jessica down there after Tara, and then we'll need an alternate too. I'll put myself down.

[14:06] And then, so the last two, we'll actually be three.

[14:11] PTO LA is on, and then an alternate for youth and rec.

[14:17] And I don't, Jody, you were PTO last year, but I, and it was great,

[14:24] but I think feel like you sign up for a lot.

[14:26] And I would say it's, I like having someone on the PTO

[14:31] that has kids in the school, just because I think it's a good bridge, but I think all of you do.

[14:39] Except for me. So anyway, Crystal, do you mind doing that being our PTO liaison? Is that okay?

[14:51] All right. And I'll have Jess could be a backup for that. And then

[14:56] And if we do it wouldn't

[15:00] Anyone like to be the alternate for youth and rec?

[15:07] I'm happy to do that unless crystal you want to. We can flip a coin. I'm good either way. The kids are on for it. So, yeah, all right. Oh, um, let's see. Just one two. I'm just trying to keep it pretty fair.

[15:24] I'll put, um, I'll put you down to her as the alternate and then actually crystal. Can I put you on capital budget? Okay. I know. I was like, actually, this works out.

[15:36] Okay.

[15:39] All right.

[15:40] I was going to say, can we nominate Crystal for capital law, but I nominate.

[15:45] You know, I was like, I paid attention when we were meeting, right?

[15:50] All right.

[15:51] So we have our organization.

[15:53] All right.

[15:54] I asked a question.

[15:55] Sure.

[15:56] Do you want an alternate for single signature warrant?

[15:59] I didn't know.

[16:00] What would you like to put one in?

[16:02] Yeah.

[16:02] That's a good idea.

[16:03] Yeah, so signals single signature warrant. I've been doing them online. So there's generally not a time. I'm not going to be able to do it, but I'll still it's still good to have an alternate. So basically just any warrant that only requires a signature of one member of school committee.

[16:22] I signed up for and I just need a backup for that.

[16:27] Do you want me to do it?

[16:29] Two said that.

[16:31] Crystal?

[16:32] Oh, yeah.

[16:32] I can battle.

[16:34] Thank you.

[16:35] All right.

[16:37] Thank you, Sue.

[16:39] Appreciate that.

[16:39] I just skipped over that.

[16:41] All right.

[16:42] So we are good for our re-organization.

[16:48] Jill?

[16:50] I believe Stephanie has her hand raised.

[16:52] I just want to make sure that I'm very Stephanie.

[16:55] Thank you.

[16:55] sorry about that so there's a warrant that's gonna go out tomorrow and I just

[16:59] want to make sure I have the right person is it is it still Jessica oh it's me

[17:04] now okay got it thank you and you're okay with signing it digitally and not I am okay

[17:12] with that thank you thank you okay

[17:19] thanks too all right yeah I appreciate that

[17:23] anything else? All right, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.

[17:34] Maybe one like

[17:34] direction to adjourn. Can I ask you a question before I move on? Sure. Can I ask

[17:40] another question before you do that? So just with the additional money that we got

[17:43] from the budget, right, that we just voted in for the updated budget, I wanted to

[17:47] ask what like how long do we have to wait until we get those job postings out

[17:51] there, and hopefully five people to fill those positions that we're hoping to use that

[17:57] money for.

[17:59] Go ahead, Jill.

[18:02] So we can post the positions as early as tomorrow, assuming that all of the information

[18:08] for the PAF is ready.

[18:10] But then it has to be posted for 10 days.

[18:14] And at the close of 10 days, then as selection can happen, the principal can actually start

[18:22] interviews prior to the closure of 10 days, but typically they like to wait to see all the applicants

[18:26] and then decide who they're going to call in for interviews based upon who it has the required

[18:32] credentials.

[18:35] Yeah, to build on that. I have those PAS ready to go for tomorrow morning

[18:40] for the positions that we're looking to fill for the teaching positions. And then just like Jill said,

[18:46] I'm also looking to build out a committee of teachers to do some for to be on the the hiring

[18:51] committees as well. And do you post specific grade level teachers or is it yeah so so we're so

[19:00] we're posting specifically for a second grade and sixth grade.

[19:05] We have a full 10 calendar or

[19:07] full business 10.

[19:15] But what do you think we're just I believe it's 10 calendar days. Thank you.

[19:23] And did the teachers come back to partake in those committees like given it summer break like unionish like issues or anything?

[19:33] Um, no, so it's all volunteer so I've reached out to teachers already for, you know, to be on those committees as well as starting to break up classrooms into smaller classrooms.

[19:44] They're absolutely incredible and they're willing to do the work and I can't thank them enough.

[19:49] And it is fairly customary for teachers to volunteer for search committees as well that

[19:54] happened in the past, so yeah I hired all summer yeah all last summer I was constantly

[20:01] hiring people and people were willing to come in and give their professional lives on

[20:06] the people so it was great.

[20:10] It's great is there a way that we can after that search committee you know does that work

[20:17] that we can be notified of who those teachers were perhaps just to send them a

[20:21] thank you for volunteering their time. Yeah, that's typically what I do do. I usually you know

[20:27] circle back with them, thank them for their time. And like and whoever we we move forward,

[20:33] they'll probably be in the communication to families to like who was on the hiring committee.

[20:37] Oh, that's right. Yep, that's how you post that. You do, you do do that. I remember that now.

[20:42] So, if all goes well, we're potentially between the 17th and 24th, having new classes,

[20:50] teachers, teachers, teachers who are signed to the signing.

[20:53] Yes.

[20:56] Yeah.

[20:58] And family's notified and making sure things are as smooth as possible.

[21:03] I know it's a big undertaking, but it's a great problem to have, being with the hired

[21:08] some people, and to make sure those class sizes are smaller.

[21:13] And there's nothing in contracts or anything that requires us to, you know, look at previous,

[21:20] like HES teachers that will let go first, correct?

[21:24] This is a new post day.

[21:26] No, these are new postings based on the non-professional status piece.

[21:31] Perfect.

[21:31] Okay.

[21:34] Do?

[21:37] Oh, you didn't answer that.

[21:39] Thank you.

[21:39] Okay.

[21:40] I got it.

[21:40] All right.

[21:42] Any other questions?

[21:47] I just want to end on a thank you for all the support from the community, from the school committee.

[21:52] Lauren from getting up there and talking, same with Jill.

[21:56] I just can't thank you enough for all the support from behind the school to make sure the kids get whatever they need.

[22:01] So thank you very much.

[22:03] Thank you.

[22:07] Thanks for being there too.

[22:11] Anytime.

[22:13] All

[22:16] right.

[22:17] Okay.

[22:18] I'll enter.

[22:19] Oh, sorry.

[22:20] Go ahead Jill.

[22:21] I'm also going to thank Gordon Andrews. I see that he's on this call and it was his petition that brought this to the attention of the town and allowed us to make this happen. So thank you.

[22:34] Thank you Gordon.

[22:36] Thank you Gordon.

[22:39] Thanks Gordon.

[22:40] I should have timed that and I'll set it at the same time.

[22:43] all right

[22:47] all right so I will entertain a motion to adjourn now a motion to a

[22:54] adjourn thank you a second I'll second second thanks jody all right roll call

[23:02] Tara yes jody yes crystal yes my self is yes thanks everybody thank you

[23:14] Have a great night, everyone.

[23:16] You too.

[23:17] Bye, have a good night.

Kingston School District, MA meeting

Transcript