1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:09,720 The April 6, but a sub-good meeting meeting at 6.53 p.m. in accordance with MGL Chapter 38, Section 20F, this meeting is being recorded by the Mansfield 2 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:17,180 Gable Access Channel. It could be broadcasted at various times over several days. The law permits members of the public to make their own recordings of this meeting, 3 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:26,240 after giving notice of the chair, and subject to certain restrictions. If anyone in the audience intends to make a video or audio recording of this meeting, I would ask that you please inform me at this time. 4 00:00:26,240 --> 00:00:28,180 your cooperation is appreciated. 5 00:00:29,500 --> 00:00:29,920 Seeing none. 6 00:00:30,740 --> 00:00:35,700 The first item is discussion and consideration to approve the March 16th meeting minutes. 7 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:39,080 So quickly I open the school committee because we have. 8 00:00:39,140 --> 00:00:39,880 Oh yes, of course. 9 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:43,720 I'm going to call to order the school committee meeting. 10 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:48,040 Thank you. 11 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:48,460 All right. 12 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:53,540 So discussion and consideration to approve the March 16th, but it's a committee meeting minutes. 13 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:57,320 Make a motion to approve the March 16th budget sub minutes. 14 00:00:57,320 --> 00:00:59,020 I'll second. 15 00:00:59,380 --> 00:00:59,800 Any discussion? 16 00:01:01,420 --> 00:01:02,200 All those in favor? 17 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:02,980 All right. 18 00:01:03,700 --> 00:01:04,880 Thank you. 19 00:01:04,980 --> 00:01:05,920 I'll be staying. 20 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:06,540 You're abstaining. 21 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:09,520 Should I abstaining too, I wasn't there? 22 00:01:09,660 --> 00:01:10,320 I don't think you have to. 23 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:11,060 You don't have to. 24 00:01:11,960 --> 00:01:12,040 Okay. 25 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:12,700 Motion passes. 26 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:14,440 Okay. 27 00:01:14,820 --> 00:01:21,620 Next item is discussion on the fiscal year 27 budget for town and schools for the town meeting. 28 00:01:22,860 --> 00:01:28,880 The select board not approved the override option or option 2 to go on to the ballot. 29 00:01:29,180 --> 00:01:33,980 So we just wanted to confirm the amounts and the budgets that are going forward for 30 00:01:33,980 --> 00:01:39,100 Article 1 and Article 2, and that they are not different than what was presented to the 31 00:01:39,100 --> 00:01:39,400 boards. 32 00:01:44,100 --> 00:01:49,240 We had our budget hearing and approved the budget that we had discussed. 33 00:01:51,940 --> 00:01:52,320 Is that correct? 34 00:01:54,500 --> 00:01:57,580 You approved the budget that was presented. 35 00:01:58,260 --> 00:02:01,260 So including the FDA reductions, the reductions, 36 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:03,340 all the programatics that you have talked about. 37 00:02:03,580 --> 00:02:05,540 So nothing has changed, though, so we're voting on, 38 00:02:05,900 --> 00:02:07,360 OK, thank you any discussions? 39 00:02:08,940 --> 00:02:09,280 Questions? 40 00:02:10,820 --> 00:02:11,660 OK, just want to make a comment. 41 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:13,300 I put my thoughts together for a second. 42 00:02:13,540 --> 00:02:13,900 OK. 43 00:02:14,540 --> 00:02:15,860 I just want to level set. 44 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:19,560 Last year, Zilberrad was $500,000 in it failed. 45 00:02:20,540 --> 00:02:22,500 We have a $2 million deficit this year. 46 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:27,020 But this year all the contracts with major unions are up, and if we don't make any structural 47 00:02:27,020 --> 00:02:28,720 changes, we'll be stuck with three years. 48 00:02:29,600 --> 00:02:35,240 So if we basically just cut, but don't change anything structured as driving it, we're 49 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:36,840 going to be in the same boat next year. 50 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:40,940 And December we wanted to get together with the school committee, talk about the health 51 00:02:40,940 --> 00:02:46,220 care on the raises, follow it up, and meeting in March, we're just unable to get on the 52 00:02:46,220 --> 00:02:47,620 calendar to do it. 53 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:52,200 Review of the prior contracts indicate that health care percentage is written into the 54 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:56,740 contract and wanted to meet me and address those. 55 00:02:57,300 --> 00:02:58,920 Because the select board, we're looking at everything. 56 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:01,080 We're looking at the percentages that the town pays. 57 00:03:01,540 --> 00:03:02,840 We're looking at different plans. 58 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:05,240 We're looking at other cost savings measures, 59 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:06,880 like the mitigation fund, et cetera. 60 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:10,940 We're looking to find a permanent solution to the problem. 61 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:12,100 I'm not just throwing it up. 62 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:15,960 To me, the easy answer is just give it to the people 63 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:20,560 to say, well, hey, you guys voted or you didn't vote it. 64 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:23,060 But it doesn't change the structural issues that we face. 65 00:03:23,640 --> 00:03:29,280 Towns people are going to ask what sacrifice that we make or actions that we took to impact the budget. 66 00:03:30,820 --> 00:03:36,080 If we're going to ask them to throw in 300 or 400 hours more for an override, what have we done 67 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:39,540 to make sure that we do not face this next year and we've been the cost curve. 68 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:44,140 If last year's 500K was passed, would still have a million five deficit. 69 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:44,620 Correct? 70 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:47,080 Can I just support, I don't think it was $500,000. 71 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:48,780 I think it was $2 million last year. 72 00:03:48,780 --> 00:03:50,640 No last year was 500,000 dollars. 73 00:03:51,060 --> 00:03:51,540 No, no. 74 00:03:51,540 --> 00:03:51,560 No. 75 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:51,640 No. 76 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:52,080 Much higher. 77 00:03:54,020 --> 00:03:57,740 There's 2.8, I think, with the crash V2, then. 78 00:03:58,060 --> 00:03:58,280 With that. 79 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:00,080 If it's, oh, you're right. 80 00:04:00,180 --> 00:04:02,300 If the chimney in override was proposed in past, 81 00:04:02,460 --> 00:04:04,480 which will face over 1.5 million dollar deficit, 82 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:05,840 mainly kicking down the road. 83 00:04:06,060 --> 00:04:06,740 The kicking came down. 84 00:04:06,740 --> 00:04:07,880 The road is not fixed the problem. 85 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:10,240 You know, for members of one in override, 86 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:11,520 addressing health care, 87 00:04:11,900 --> 00:04:13,780 at least it's going to have some type of impact 88 00:04:13,780 --> 00:04:17,280 on long-term costs that our town faces. 89 00:04:17,280 --> 00:04:25,360 The feedback that we've received has been at least a feedback I've received and we all live in our own echo chambers has been three to one against the override 90 00:04:26,660 --> 00:04:35,420 Right now basically 85% of the override is salary and benefits and we all we've eaten the expense piece to that that 15% is nothing else 91 00:04:35,420 --> 00:04:39,820 You know, you can only cut back on so many rooms of paper, so much painting, so much electricity 92 00:04:39,820 --> 00:04:45,340 You know, the real way for us to impact the budget is to adjust the health care contracts 93 00:04:45,340 --> 00:04:48,460 is best as possible, and then ask for a multi-year contract. 94 00:04:50,460 --> 00:04:54,580 If we were going to do an override, we would have to have a combination of a multi-year contract 95 00:04:54,580 --> 00:05:00,560 and then a multi-year override in order to offset some of the finances and some of the 96 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:02,900 expensive impacts that we would have feel in the first couple of years. 97 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:17,680 So that was the position, you know, we as the select board feel that there are ways that we can get down to balance the budget based on the fact that union contracts are open now, and then we're going to try to negotiate those as best as possible. 98 00:05:18,520 --> 00:05:27,340 You know, nobody wants to have massive playoffs, but at the end of the day if we do not fix the structural contract, the structural issues now, those contracts don't come up for the two or three years. 99 00:05:27,340 --> 00:05:34,360 And that's that's what the problem is going to be going to be in the same boat sitting here next year even if it if two million dollar override passes 100 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:41,140 It was still going to end up upside down to get next year and you're going to be coming back to the people because we're not changing anything on the expense side 101 00:05:42,280 --> 00:05:51,680 So that's any comments just like add to a real quick bit. I think another reason at least for me why I've over the way I did was 102 00:05:52,940 --> 00:05:58,660 If we can get if there are any changes to the contracts, you know, we see a way a path forward to get 103 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:01,900 close to the $2 million deficit with contract negotiations. 104 00:06:02,220 --> 00:06:06,280 But even if you only got some of it, that means you no longer need $2 million. 105 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:09,780 So how do you ask for $2 million when in the end, 106 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:12,040 maybe you need $500,000, maybe you need $600. 107 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:15,700 That the number right now is still floating. 108 00:06:16,580 --> 00:06:19,980 That there's no way if we get the changes that we're looking for 109 00:06:19,980 --> 00:06:24,980 or that we're investigating, then that changes the deficit number. 110 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:28,340 If the deficit number changes and why are we still going to ask for the same amount, 111 00:06:28,340 --> 00:06:31,340 and bird in the taxpayer the same amount. 112 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:33,080 Are there comments? 113 00:06:33,980 --> 00:06:38,780 Yeah, so I was at the select fort meeting last week and then I left and I watched it 114 00:06:38,780 --> 00:06:41,260 at home on TV so apparently you watched it twice? 115 00:06:41,860 --> 00:06:45,760 I was live and then I watched the ended at home and apparently I missed the part where 116 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:51,240 so I'm questioning, did the select wood vote not to put the override on the ballot? 117 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:52,580 Was it near the end of the meeting? 118 00:06:52,580 --> 00:06:58,560 or are we voted the most after the warrant. 119 00:06:58,600 --> 00:06:59,540 I have to be voted the warrant. 120 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:00,260 So, something about halfway through. 121 00:07:00,260 --> 00:07:03,620 Was it unanimous or was it a photo warrant? 122 00:07:04,020 --> 00:07:05,120 No, I thought it was three to one. 123 00:07:05,340 --> 00:07:05,620 I wanted to have that. 124 00:07:05,620 --> 00:07:09,770 What if Sanchez Brennan was, you know, in cost is, 125 00:07:10,740 --> 00:07:12,000 and both of us were yes. 126 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:16,400 So, not so but second question is, 127 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:18,160 and again, I'm a little slow here. 128 00:07:18,580 --> 00:07:20,260 Didn't the budget subcommittee, 129 00:07:20,260 --> 00:07:29,080 Didn't we support putting both the balanced budget and an override or Sarah correct if we have not gotten to that point because I thought we 130 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:40,800 The process that we had laid out, and I think here's the material issue where I think there's frustration, is that where we were going along is this was a multi-year effort. 131 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:48,560 We had to reduce costs structurally. We also believe that we also probably need an override, and it is ultimately the people's decision. 132 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:55,340 And I think for the select board to come to this decision, it's perfectly acceptable. It's your prerogative. 133 00:07:55,800 --> 00:08:01,900 I think from a process perspective, I think we would have preferred a more, look at a chance 134 00:08:01,900 --> 00:08:06,740 to weigh in as a tribe ward prior to that, or as, or even at the meeting to say, invite 135 00:08:06,740 --> 00:08:07,720 the tribe ward to it. 136 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:08,660 This is the process. 137 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:12,560 I think my biggest problem with this is that we have set all along, we're going to bring this 138 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:16,640 to the people, and continue to work all the other things, and we just took that away from them. 139 00:08:16,900 --> 00:08:17,860 That's my biggest concern. 140 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:19,260 Here's my response to that. 141 00:08:19,260 --> 00:08:28,040 I sent two emails to Jen asking for a joint meeting, specifically discuss a strategy on health care with no response. 142 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:29,520 That's not true, Walter. 143 00:08:30,660 --> 00:08:31,720 I rolled back to you. 144 00:08:31,720 --> 00:08:32,460 I can't find anything. 145 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:36,520 And we talked about how we were already in open negotiations. 146 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:38,140 And we put it to last month. 147 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:39,060 That was last month. 148 00:08:39,380 --> 00:08:41,140 The first email I sent, I believe, was November. 149 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:43,700 Second email I sent was January of February. 150 00:08:44,140 --> 00:08:45,340 They will copies that were provided. 151 00:08:45,340 --> 00:08:50,640 So, we wanted to get together and have the whole group sit down and have a discussion because 152 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:51,720 the contracts are open. 153 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:56,860 Once the contracts close, and this is closed for two or three years, then we have no opportunity 154 00:08:56,860 --> 00:08:57,320 to do that. 155 00:08:57,360 --> 00:08:59,460 I realize that you can't back out because you guys have already negotiated. 156 00:08:59,820 --> 00:09:00,060 Right. 157 00:09:00,140 --> 00:09:03,200 We also can't talk about contracts in an open meeting. 158 00:09:03,520 --> 00:09:03,800 Correct. 159 00:09:03,940 --> 00:09:04,920 That's why I feel like it's a note. 160 00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:08,780 If we wanted to have an executive session to discuss a joint strategy. 161 00:09:10,560 --> 00:09:10,760 Yes. 162 00:09:10,760 --> 00:09:13,300 So we, I mean, we had multiple conversations about that 163 00:09:13,300 --> 00:09:14,740 Walter, so this is a little bit disappointing. 164 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:18,160 But again, the school committee doesn't set the health 165 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:20,780 care rates that's solely with. 166 00:09:20,780 --> 00:09:23,340 But okay, so if we go forward and we change the health 167 00:09:23,340 --> 00:09:26,120 care rates, then you don't have to negotiate with the teachers 168 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:26,380 union. 169 00:09:26,500 --> 00:09:29,000 They automatically fall in line with the rates. 170 00:09:29,140 --> 00:09:32,520 We have to impact bargains so we bring it back to them. 171 00:09:33,220 --> 00:09:36,140 So then that's why I was trying to get everyone together 172 00:09:36,140 --> 00:09:37,440 to work at the same time. 173 00:09:37,460 --> 00:09:40,460 So if you said, hey, we're paying 30%, you're paying 30%. 174 00:09:40,460 --> 00:09:44,660 now we want you to pay 35, it was for everybody, it wasn't just for the town, it wasn't 175 00:09:44,660 --> 00:09:48,440 just for the schools, it was everybody was going to be a change in the health care across 176 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:52,900 the board, just as an example. Or if we said we're taking a PPO plan out, it's not for the 177 00:09:52,900 --> 00:09:59,420 town, it's not for the schools, it's for everybody. So now we're locked in to what you negotiated. 178 00:09:59,780 --> 00:10:04,580 We're not locked in because the health care is set by the town and it says that. So if you 179 00:10:04,580 --> 00:10:09,340 change it, then we bring it back and in part bargain. I mean we had exhausting, like, amounts 180 00:10:09,340 --> 00:10:19,880 discussion. We met with Josh and Jen and Matt in talked links. It just seems odd to me 181 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:22,420 that the process is still unclear. 182 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:36,580 Well, I think from what I understand, the percentage is set by each negotiation on for 183 00:10:36,580 --> 00:10:41,300 understanding is, at least from other towns, like the school committees, when they have a contract, 184 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:44,780 they negotiate the percentage with their teachers and then- 185 00:10:44,780 --> 00:10:49,620 They never done that. It's always set by the town, because otherwise you'd have different rates 186 00:10:49,620 --> 00:10:53,440 for every bargaining unit, and that doesn't make sense from a logistical standpoint. 187 00:10:55,720 --> 00:11:00,160 But the 30 percent's written into the contract now. So if we went to 35, we would have to impact 188 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:04,300 bargain, versus if we negotiated the beginning starting in 35. 189 00:11:04,300 --> 00:11:06,140 So we can't negotiate at the beginning. 190 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:09,160 You would have had to, in order for us to negotiate at the beginning, 191 00:11:09,340 --> 00:11:11,000 you would have had to change your rates, 192 00:11:11,420 --> 00:11:14,560 and then we would have had to bring it into negotiations with us. 193 00:11:15,560 --> 00:11:17,660 But we're almost done with our negotiations. 194 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,440 So, but if no one there was going to be perhaps 195 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:25,520 changes where the new could have gone into the negotiations saying, 196 00:11:25,920 --> 00:11:27,500 there might be changes to the healthcare, 197 00:11:28,420 --> 00:11:32,300 so that that bargaining happens while the bargaining is open. 198 00:11:32,300 --> 00:11:41,340 we can't bargain something we don't know the end result on. We can't say well it might change it might not you might like it you might not so 199 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:48,940 we don't know what they're doing. I don't know from our when we discussed with our labor council they specifically told us that 200 00:11:50,060 --> 00:11:55,100 we would basically only be negotiating the town side of the healthcare split. 201 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:59,420 So nobody told us that because we've never 202 00:11:59,420 --> 00:12:06,120 That was in our last executive session, but they told us that it's the town negotiating 203 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:09,960 their side, the school negotiating their side, because I think what Walter and I are getting 204 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:18,420 at is that through any number of different ways getting creative with negotiation, still keeping 205 00:12:18,420 --> 00:12:25,180 things fair, everything, we can find a way to cover the town side of the 2 million to 740,000 206 00:12:25,180 --> 00:12:31,220 to get most of that through changes, and the only way to do it is through changes in the contracts. 207 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:36,240 And this is really the only year to do it for three years, unless we were going to ask for three years of 208 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:42,420 overrides. We've already asked for three years of overrides between the overrides two years ago, 209 00:12:43,080 --> 00:12:46,600 last year's failed overrides, and then talking about it this year. We didn't have enough right 210 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:53,420 two years ago. The trash tree was an overrides. But it's not an overrides. It's not an overrides, 211 00:12:53,420 --> 00:12:55,520 But technically it's not. 212 00:12:56,800 --> 00:12:56,860 Yeah. 213 00:12:56,860 --> 00:12:59,300 It's taking, I mean, shifting of expenses. 214 00:12:59,860 --> 00:13:00,060 Yeah. 215 00:13:00,460 --> 00:13:02,400 And raising a rate for the rate bears. 216 00:13:04,660 --> 00:13:07,340 But either way, we've been talking about it for three years. 217 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:12,040 We'll be talking about it for another three years without getting changes in the contracts. 218 00:13:12,420 --> 00:13:14,380 Now, it'll just be the same thing next year. 219 00:13:14,420 --> 00:13:15,380 Here's another override. 220 00:13:15,540 --> 00:13:17,000 It's either an override or cuts. 221 00:13:17,060 --> 00:13:22,120 It's either an override or cuts without getting changes made that are substantial 222 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:37,500 Because there are the main problems with balancing the budget every year is with the contracts, whether it's the health care, whether it's salaries and whether it's the salary increase or the salaries where they are now existing today. 223 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:48,120 If they are higher than they should be, or if the raises are higher than they should be, those are the problems that are driving the budget every single year that eats up the new revenue before anything else increases. 224 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:53,400 that if those are not addressed, we're not fixing anything with an override this year and over 225 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:57,140 right next year until they're fixed in the contracts and nothing is fixed. 226 00:13:59,220 --> 00:14:01,340 But, you know, I just want to have a discussion. 227 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:07,280 To Sarah's point about why didn't we, meaning this select what bring it to the tribal ed, and secondly, 228 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:13,220 we also, separately, we also talked in this board, and I know the finance committee is like 229 00:14:13,220 --> 00:14:18,080 possibly talking about a multi-year override, and I understand the reasons why we didn't 230 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:25,620 that road and we recommended a one year override proposal. So I guess my first question is, 231 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:31,560 why did we bring, why did we talk about it at Tribord? Like not putting the override on the ballot? 232 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:36,700 I mean, my position was pretty clear that I got every bunch of stuff in Tribord meeting that I was 233 00:14:36,700 --> 00:14:43,520 never there on an override because I knew we needed to make these steps to get there. 234 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:49,480 Like if we do all these things that we still have an override, well, okay, we at least we've done all these steps 235 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:53,520 But again, if we make some of these changes or get some of these changes and 236 00:14:55,060 --> 00:14:59,900 It's it reduces the deficit by you know 800,000. Well, now we only need 1.2 million 237 00:15:01,220 --> 00:15:28,640 So we don't even really have a set number, because we're in the middle of negotiations, and we see ways that we can make changes and have been saying that, since we started looking at this in November, November, probably when we really knew the contracts are coming up. So it's really hard to go to voters who have last year shot down a $2 million dollar override to ask for another one when we had to stand up and tell me to a while you're asking for $2 million. Well, we think that's what we need. 238 00:15:29,140 --> 00:15:29,880 That's what we're talking about. 239 00:15:29,880 --> 00:15:30,780 But budgeting is though. 240 00:15:30,980 --> 00:15:32,000 You think it's a projection. 241 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:33,240 There's things that change. 242 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:35,360 That's what budgeting is. 243 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:44,700 So I would look at it the way we want to go through our negotiations that we can reduce a lot 244 00:15:44,700 --> 00:15:45,200 of that. 245 00:15:45,420 --> 00:15:46,380 And we should budget for that. 246 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:50,840 Like not just throw out 2 million because we don't have a federal contract though. 247 00:15:51,320 --> 00:15:51,560 So yeah. 248 00:15:51,740 --> 00:15:52,480 So it could go either way. 249 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:54,040 Why does it have to stay at 2 million? 250 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:55,460 It could go up even. 251 00:15:55,720 --> 00:15:56,480 But it could go down. 252 00:15:56,480 --> 00:16:09,880 I think from a committee perspective and a process perspective, if you guys were this, like we're just not voting for it, I think making that explicitly clear much earlier in the process, because it wasn't to me it was a discussion in the entire time. 253 00:16:10,300 --> 00:16:20,120 Right, just basically how we did it and to say that no we're not going to put this forward or we're going to take a, you know, however we do it at the next try word, that would have saved all of us a lot of time. 254 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:23,120 If for anything, I mean, we made them create two budgets. 255 00:16:23,940 --> 00:16:26,700 If this wasn't going to happen, and we knew it wasn't going to happen, 256 00:16:27,260 --> 00:16:29,200 they wouldn't have had to create two budgets. 257 00:16:29,980 --> 00:16:31,580 It's a lot of work. I'm guessing. 258 00:16:31,780 --> 00:16:32,780 I mean, it's still a lot of work. 259 00:16:32,900 --> 00:16:36,160 It's still create two budgets, so you would know what the Delta is and where the gap would be. 260 00:16:36,460 --> 00:16:39,440 Yeah, it's a lot to figure out what the cuts would be from the two million, 261 00:16:39,500 --> 00:16:40,600 and you have it at the two million. 262 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:44,360 More than two million, the schools are cutting 2.2. 263 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:50,300 Now, like the actual amount we're cutting is 3.8 or 3.9 million in total. 264 00:16:50,620 --> 00:16:56,140 So I think, again, it's, you know, the decision is your per view and I understand the concerns. 265 00:16:56,580 --> 00:17:02,100 I guess I echo Sarah in terms of just communicating this out earlier on in the process, 266 00:17:02,180 --> 00:17:06,440 because we would not have gone down the route of saying, let's have two budgets. 267 00:17:07,340 --> 00:17:08,740 That's to a balanced budget version. 268 00:17:09,580 --> 00:17:11,700 And still need both budgets though. 269 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:13,460 Yeah, because you just created a balanced budget. 270 00:17:13,460 --> 00:17:19,100 No, you wouldn't just stand in both budgets because yes, you do because then you're going to negotiate and you if you don't get a hundred percent of what you want 271 00:17:19,100 --> 00:17:24,180 You still need to come back to that budget and say we've got eight hundred thousand dollars off. We got a million two off 272 00:17:24,180 --> 00:17:27,020 So he needs to cut that but you need to find the million two 273 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:32,920 That's not how we 274 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:33,380 negotiate 275 00:17:36,860 --> 00:17:37,660 any other 276 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:38,560 comments 277 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:46,120 I just a general question. Why not why not let the town decide like I can look at the numbers but I pretty sure I was 278 00:17:46,120 --> 00:17:50,880 pretty close to us, two-thirds, one-third last year, and I understand I'm not 279 00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:55,020 we're all intelligent people and realize if we had a bet which would not 280 00:17:55,020 --> 00:17:57,960 have a lot to bet, like it probably wouldn't pass this year, but why not let 281 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:02,140 the people speak? But here's the thing, the hard decision is not letting the 282 00:18:02,140 --> 00:18:04,460 people speak, the hard decision's fiction, the problem. 283 00:18:04,900 --> 00:18:08,200 You feel both at the same time. How can you? 284 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:12,760 You continue with negotiations. You put forward a, this is an estimate of what we 285 00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:18,840 that we need. You guys, this is the impact of if we are not able to get there and let them decide, 286 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:25,220 we need money regardless. Even if we, even if we pass the $2 million over right, 287 00:18:25,580 --> 00:18:29,380 and you reach the negotiating stance that you feel like you can get to and we're structurally 288 00:18:29,380 --> 00:18:35,180 fix it, then we have room to, we need additional police officers, we need additional stuff. 289 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:41,660 There are needs for this, and we are dramatically low on contingency funding and also to 290 00:18:41,660 --> 00:18:47,160 gas prices are going up like you can do both, even though the outcome is the same, you could have done both at the same time. 291 00:18:48,220 --> 00:18:49,660 I don't think it won negates each other. 292 00:18:51,060 --> 00:18:54,980 But it is what this is, it's just, yeah, unfortunately. 293 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:59,460 But when you go to the town and you say to the town, if you vote for this, 294 00:18:59,720 --> 00:19:02,640 there's still going to be a seven-figure override coming up again next year. 295 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:06,500 How do we do, that's, and then? 296 00:19:06,500 --> 00:19:10,400 Not if you go to everything you can say doing, but maybe we can solve the problem. 297 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:12,080 But you might not solve the problem. 298 00:19:12,700 --> 00:19:16,720 But if we put it on the warrant to go to town meeting, 299 00:19:16,920 --> 00:19:18,100 we'd definitely not solve it in the problem. 300 00:19:18,300 --> 00:19:19,360 But it's easy for us because we're like, 301 00:19:19,460 --> 00:19:21,180 oh, we let the people vote. 302 00:19:21,860 --> 00:19:22,500 We let the people vote. 303 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:25,540 Is nothing stopping you from trying to get the structural changes 304 00:19:25,540 --> 00:19:28,760 that you want to make, while also trying 305 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:30,480 to get additional revenue for the town? 306 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:33,320 I think the way I look at it, having 307 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:35,680 continued to look at everything from the fall, 308 00:19:35,820 --> 00:19:39,520 through the winter, I would push back 309 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:42,060 But I think there's a revenue problem with the town. 310 00:19:42,640 --> 00:19:47,220 I would say without saying exactly where they are, 311 00:19:47,360 --> 00:19:53,400 you can see where there's an allocation issue more 312 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:54,720 than there is a revenue issue. 313 00:19:57,180 --> 00:19:58,680 That you could have both. 314 00:19:58,820 --> 00:20:01,840 You could still add to police and fire, perhaps. 315 00:20:01,840 --> 00:20:06,760 You could add in programs, but there is a structural issue 316 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:09,940 with salaries, and we can get into the specific ones. 317 00:20:09,940 --> 00:20:17,900 But that are so out of whack, you could almost attribute our entire deficit this year to it. 318 00:20:19,820 --> 00:20:23,340 And I think you can contribute our deficit to a lot of different things. 319 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:29,620 It's a culmination of them, of which the ones that we have controller are what you're trying to navigate. 320 00:20:32,260 --> 00:20:38,200 I would say there's some obvious ones that almost eat up an entire $2 million. 321 00:20:39,320 --> 00:20:47,780 If you look at, I've said it before, the top lane salary of teachers of which 35% we know 322 00:20:47,780 --> 00:20:55,760 are in is $10,000, $9,000 more than $1,000 per year, $13,000 more than east in a year, 323 00:20:56,040 --> 00:21:01,980 with $16,000, I think more than North Adabura year, any town around your KPA, I think it's $8,000 324 00:21:01,980 --> 00:21:09,120 more, you take that lane, take those numbers right there. That's over a million dollars. That's 325 00:21:09,120 --> 00:21:15,420 half the deficit, more than half the deficit. To say that there's a revenue problem when I see that 326 00:21:16,100 --> 00:21:23,280 is really hard to argue in my opinion. Do you just say it was another problem? I thought that's what I heard. 327 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:28,300 No, I said I don't think there's much of a problem. I think it's a more of an allocation problem. 328 00:21:28,300 --> 00:21:35,520 But the teachers and 30, 30, 30% in the top lane, what can be done about that? 329 00:21:35,620 --> 00:21:38,320 I mean, it's a problem. 330 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:44,540 But how do I go to voters or constantly telling me what are we doing? 331 00:21:44,620 --> 00:21:45,300 What are we doing? 332 00:21:45,380 --> 00:21:46,360 What is the problem? 333 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:48,360 And I can tell them what the problem is. 334 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:49,480 And how can I tell them? 335 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:57,540 So that's why we need more for you is to add raises to what are the top earning teachers. 336 00:21:57,540 --> 00:22:02,460 in this entire area, Bristol, Norfolk County, there's, there's nobody higher. 337 00:22:04,120 --> 00:22:10,100 So, how, how do you add it? We're higher than Sharon. We're higher than Ken, than Walpole, 338 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:17,980 and Rentham, Plainville. I think that's most of that, but I've looked at it. 339 00:22:19,100 --> 00:22:26,240 I, again, like the decision is your purview. So, I, I respect the reason you have for not voting for it. 340 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:29,960 my concern honestly is the process and that we went through this whole 341 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:58,500 All year with the thought that we would be presenting these two budgets, and I feel that. And I hear what you're saying, and I don't think that those are new concerns. So again, I go back to if they were, if if the decision was made collectively by the three boards to have the two options and to move forward with preparing those two options, then for the decision to be made. 342 00:22:58,500 --> 00:23:04,380 last week and I do feel like that an invitation could have gone out to the other two 343 00:23:04,380 --> 00:23:09,260 boards to attend to have a conversation and it's really for me at this point is more 344 00:23:09,260 --> 00:23:18,080 about the process and whether we are going to be able to continue to have this forum, this 345 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:25,700 space to share information and communicate because we've seen how it goes when the schools 346 00:23:25,700 --> 00:23:31,980 the town and the board gets siloed right and we don't want to go back to that so for me it's more 347 00:23:31,980 --> 00:23:37,960 that. But to that point you just said that you've known about these issues for a long time 348 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:43,380 so the process hasn't addressed them for years now and I do know we have Michelle and Matt 349 00:23:43,380 --> 00:23:48,260 and Mallory at Whole New Administration who I think are doing a great job at really diving into these 350 00:23:48,260 --> 00:23:53,960 looking at these and recognizing the problems but so far if we've known the problems have been there 351 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:57,960 How come they haven't been addressed at all in the last, I mean? 352 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:00,320 They better address your cuts. 353 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:04,960 But exactly, but that doesn't address the problem. 354 00:24:06,600 --> 00:24:07,840 That doesn't change the future. 355 00:24:07,980 --> 00:24:10,900 I'm like good to Jack, your point about a multi year override. 356 00:24:11,120 --> 00:24:12,340 Well, all that does is kick the can. 357 00:24:12,520 --> 00:24:14,760 And if you do a two year override, it kicks it down two years. 358 00:24:15,140 --> 00:24:20,420 Right? Because you still haven't fixed the problem that's driving the issue year after year. 359 00:24:20,420 --> 00:24:22,580 We've obviously would have asked for a bigger number. 360 00:24:22,580 --> 00:24:26,500 like whatever it's seven or eight million, but that's what I mean, 361 00:24:26,520 --> 00:24:29,340 they'll say we need a seven million over two years to cover it, right? 362 00:24:29,480 --> 00:24:31,940 But the point is if you don't need a three year in the same boat. 363 00:24:32,140 --> 00:24:34,500 The other dressing health care and that addressing this 364 00:24:34,500 --> 00:24:36,280 pay structure that he's talking about. 365 00:24:36,280 --> 00:24:39,080 We're not talking about current teachers saying, hey, we're going to cut 366 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:42,820 or you, whatever, he's talking about just saying marks against other towns. 367 00:24:42,860 --> 00:24:46,260 If we don't address those somehow or come to ground that he's wrong or he's 368 00:24:46,260 --> 00:24:50,480 right on those, then we're not, we're not fixing it for the town. 369 00:24:50,580 --> 00:24:52,240 We're not helping the town by doing that. 370 00:24:55,940 --> 00:25:16,640 So I mean, I can say, again, I understand that you brought this up before, my comment was more about the process this year, like if we had said early on, like know there's really significant concerns and we really feel like it's in the best interest of the town to not put forth an override and to only do a balanced budget. 371 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:22,700 Because I think everybody on the three boards was on the, in industry there's one of the 372 00:25:22,700 --> 00:25:28,540 understanding that it would be a balanced budget option and an order right option going forward. 373 00:25:29,080 --> 00:25:32,160 So again, for me, it's really more around. 374 00:25:33,900 --> 00:25:46,620 Should we have had a try board meeting to just, or be asked to invite it to come to the 375 00:25:46,620 --> 00:26:10,340 And I understand, and I think that I'm not on negotiations this year, but I will say that in previous negotiations, we did add, we did slow down the lanes and the steps, but it takes a while to get those in, and just because one side wants something, it is a collective bargaining, you are collectively deciding what the agreement is going to be, so we can't go in and say we just want this, right? 376 00:26:10,340 --> 00:26:16,740 So, it's a longer process, but it doesn't mean that it can't happen, but it's not going 377 00:26:16,740 --> 00:26:20,640 to happen just because one side wants something to happen. 378 00:26:20,940 --> 00:26:24,600 And I think that's the challenge with collective bargaining, but it's a, you know, the 379 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:27,980 ever right to collective bargaining, and that's what we have to have to go into the process 380 00:26:27,980 --> 00:26:28,720 with. 381 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:34,320 I do think it'll be helpful to get clarity about the health insurance rates, because my 382 00:26:34,320 --> 00:26:39,240 understanding has been the town set, those and the school district simply impact bargains 383 00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:44,260 that. So once the rate split is finalized, then it's up to the limit. 384 00:26:44,560 --> 00:26:45,440 It's in that part of it. 385 00:26:45,600 --> 00:26:48,620 Does that mean that you might have to give them more of a salary increase or whatever, 386 00:26:48,620 --> 00:26:49,600 if you went impact part of it? 387 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:52,820 It would be separate from this contract, 388 00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:55,820 it would be outside of that contract negotiation. 389 00:26:57,340 --> 00:27:00,100 And I think that when, you know, 390 00:27:00,100 --> 00:27:02,160 this, I think predates all of us at this point, 391 00:27:02,340 --> 00:27:07,240 but I think when the telemanager at the time 392 00:27:08,260 --> 00:27:14,500 implemented some changes, that's where that mitigation fund came out of, but that wasn't 393 00:27:14,500 --> 00:27:15,780 bargain by the schools. 394 00:27:16,040 --> 00:27:18,020 I don't think that's in your contract, either. 395 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:19,480 But they get it. 396 00:27:21,490 --> 00:27:23,110 Yeah, but I don't think it's in a town's contract either. 397 00:27:23,270 --> 00:27:25,490 I know they get it, but I'm not sure it's in either contract. 398 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:30,660 I think we found from labor councils and some, it's not another sort. 399 00:27:31,340 --> 00:27:32,100 For all my concern. 400 00:27:33,340 --> 00:27:35,840 So, some we have some in the middle of what's I'm not going to. 401 00:27:38,870 --> 00:27:40,890 So, we are, we are. 402 00:27:41,790 --> 00:27:44,470 I mean, I wish that we had had a joint meeting. 403 00:27:44,690 --> 00:27:46,290 We've had many joint meetings. 404 00:27:46,330 --> 00:27:52,990 An executive session with the schools and had had a conversation, like I've requested 405 00:27:52,990 --> 00:27:56,910 early on, and then maybe we wouldn't have wasted time doing this. 406 00:27:57,010 --> 00:27:58,950 And maybe somebody I'd hear is, hold on, hold on. 407 00:27:59,310 --> 00:28:04,470 We had many conversations when we had many conversations, and we came to agreements. 408 00:28:05,190 --> 00:28:10,630 So this is, like, it's, you know, it is what it is. 409 00:28:11,850 --> 00:28:16,750 I'm not sure what a green we came to, but the only thing is, could we have gotten the whole thing? 410 00:28:17,010 --> 00:28:22,170 No, we might not get anything, right? But at least we try and, at least people in town say, hey, you know what, you try to do it. 411 00:28:22,390 --> 00:28:25,790 But next year we can't do it because the contracts will be closed. 412 00:28:26,190 --> 00:28:26,950 Contracts closed. 413 00:28:27,690 --> 00:28:30,610 You can change the insurance rates and impact bargain them. 414 00:28:31,050 --> 00:28:35,610 I know, but we're going to end up shaving five bucks over here and paying five bucks back over there. 415 00:28:36,610 --> 00:28:36,750 Okay. 416 00:28:38,930 --> 00:28:42,310 I'm going to move because I know that we have time for insurance. 417 00:28:42,890 --> 00:28:46,930 So previously in one of the budgets of committee meetings, when we thought this is going forward, 418 00:28:47,050 --> 00:28:52,510 we had planned five public outreach sessions to explain the options to the town. 419 00:28:53,050 --> 00:28:56,730 I now assume that we are canceling all of those and we're not going to have any public outreach sessions, 420 00:28:56,750 --> 00:28:58,070 because there's no need. 421 00:28:58,830 --> 00:29:01,770 And it's session concerns. 422 00:29:02,290 --> 00:29:13,070 My expectation would be the town manager who to the regular explanation of the warrant and the superintendent would join in for the school. 423 00:29:13,870 --> 00:29:15,710 I don't think we would need any separate. 424 00:29:16,830 --> 00:29:18,590 The school committee has already had their public hearing. 425 00:29:20,830 --> 00:29:25,050 On this on, we've discussed that length of process for 27. 426 00:29:25,050 --> 00:29:28,990 And I assume that we still want this 427 00:29:28,990 --> 00:29:33,670 tribe ward process for and budget process for this year, 28. 428 00:29:34,850 --> 00:29:37,830 I would assume that we do unless we want to expand the committee. 429 00:29:38,910 --> 00:29:40,950 Things are going to shift with the committees. 430 00:29:41,390 --> 00:29:46,410 And so my recommendation is that school committee at Per the charge calls for a meeting, 431 00:29:46,530 --> 00:29:47,950 probably in the October timeframe. 432 00:29:48,110 --> 00:29:49,250 I think that makes sense. 433 00:29:49,430 --> 00:29:50,150 And where we'll kind of know. 434 00:29:50,270 --> 00:29:54,410 And then we can kind of lay out the process from there, depending on how people are charged to the 435 00:29:54,410 --> 00:29:59,970 to submit a process. Any concerns, changes? I think we need it earlier then. 436 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:20,000 October, because when I tried to do it earlier, everyone yelled at me. I'm sorry, we are going to need to know kind of the parameters, because at the school budget process will start in October. So we need to know essentially October is usually tough for schools to do on August, just why we say August and the charge. Sorry. 437 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:25,500 So I'm going to ask for the school committee to make a request for that and then we can figure 438 00:30:25,500 --> 00:30:26,080 it up from there. 439 00:30:26,240 --> 00:30:27,020 You guys okay with that? 440 00:30:30,300 --> 00:30:36,520 I think another thing that would be helpful to get clarity on is there's usually, unfortunately, 441 00:30:36,660 --> 00:30:43,340 the decision at the state level about chapter 70 funds comes in after town meeting and sometimes 442 00:30:43,340 --> 00:30:48,860 after the fiscal year starts, but it's usually an increase to funding per pupil. 443 00:30:50,840 --> 00:30:56,840 And that has not traditionally come to the schools, even though it's a per people 444 00:30:56,840 --> 00:30:57,680 extended church. 445 00:30:57,900 --> 00:31:03,960 So I would like to make sure we come back to that, that a future day once that 446 00:31:03,960 --> 00:31:04,920 amount is known. 447 00:31:08,910 --> 00:31:08,990 All right. 448 00:31:09,450 --> 00:31:10,290 Any public comment? 449 00:31:13,980 --> 00:31:14,600 Let's try and get to that. 450 00:31:18,850 --> 00:31:19,190 Yeah. 451 00:31:19,250 --> 00:31:21,110 Scott Feeley, 49th Root Street. 452 00:31:21,850 --> 00:31:23,050 I'm listening to all this. 453 00:31:23,110 --> 00:31:27,250 And I absolutely don't understand why the concept of all the work you want to do and 454 00:31:27,250 --> 00:31:33,050 trying to bend the curve. And override our mutually exclusive. Nothing says they are. Nothing 455 00:31:33,050 --> 00:31:36,990 says we couldn't do both. You decided to just do one and out the other. That was the 456 00:31:36,990 --> 00:31:44,330 decision you made. That brings my next comment. We had a collaborative process. I was here 457 00:31:44,330 --> 00:31:51,010 when we started 110 one budget. And this is the first time we've actually stopped on it since 2012. 458 00:31:51,250 --> 00:31:56,150 But we did. We took 110 one budget. We sort of threw it out as far as this decision is concerned 459 00:31:56,150 --> 00:32:02,170 because we were collaborative, right up until you guys made a decision, and for anybody this 460 00:32:02,170 --> 00:32:07,090 been following this and looking at all the public information out there, I'd say they 461 00:32:07,090 --> 00:32:11,930 got a wonder if we have any idea what they're doing, because all these meetings and everything 462 00:32:11,930 --> 00:32:16,530 we talked about, and then to have it turn like it did, and then for this discussion tonight, 463 00:32:17,450 --> 00:32:20,910 it certainly doesn't look like we've known what we've been talking about and all these meetings 464 00:32:20,910 --> 00:32:25,330 we've had and all these numbers we've come up with and all the work people did, short 465 00:32:25,330 --> 00:32:29,610 staff at the time to come up with all these numbers that today we simply don't need, we don't 466 00:32:29,610 --> 00:32:34,090 need that over right budget. We don't need one budget. The balance budget, because we have 467 00:32:34,090 --> 00:32:37,710 to have a balance budget, we're going to put that forward. All that other time was a waste 468 00:32:37,710 --> 00:32:43,170 of time. Waste of our time. Hey, my volunteers here, I'm making a paid. We were paying people 469 00:32:43,170 --> 00:32:46,970 to do that stuff. And they were wasting their time because we're not using any of it. We 470 00:32:46,970 --> 00:32:51,170 should have been having different discussions. What we didn't. And frankly, I don't think 471 00:32:51,170 --> 00:32:54,670 it makes us look very good to anyone who's been following all this and looks at all the 472 00:32:54,670 --> 00:33:00,110 information that's out there. We were collaborative. This was not one 473 00:33:00,110 --> 00:33:03,430 town in Budge. It just got put in jeopardy and it was the decision to 474 00:33:03,430 --> 00:33:06,490 meet. So now we're going to live with it. 475 00:33:06,770 --> 00:33:08,470 Thank you. Any other public comment? 476 00:33:16,380 --> 00:33:22,080 Diane readie 38, North Farm Drive. I just want to echo everything that Scott 477 00:33:22,080 --> 00:33:26,960 just said. We do talk about being one town on budget and last week's vote didn't 478 00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:31,860 make it feel that way. We talk about being transparent and involving 479 00:33:31,860 --> 00:33:38,140 the public and our decision-making, and eliminating the public's option to hear about 480 00:33:38,140 --> 00:33:44,260 how we came to the budget options that we were proposing, all the careful work that 481 00:33:44,260 --> 00:33:53,220 was done, all the methodical, painstaking, cutting that was proposed, even as part of the 482 00:33:53,220 --> 00:33:58,880 override. All of that does seem to be out the window. And I think something that bothers 483 00:33:58,880 --> 00:34:09,580 me perhaps the most is number one, the lack of communication, too, we seem to be just assuming 484 00:34:09,580 --> 00:34:20,240 that a few people's personal feedback in discussions with neighbors should supersede democratic 485 00:34:20,240 --> 00:34:25,560 process where people can come out and hear more and learn more and it's almost difficult 486 00:34:25,560 --> 00:34:34,140 to say, people can't really process unless they're us, in the public can process, just because 487 00:34:34,140 --> 00:34:41,460 something was turned down last year or 10 years ago or 20 years ago, we could also say 488 00:34:41,460 --> 00:34:45,120 20 years ago, people have improved things, because they care about school and they care about 489 00:34:45,120 --> 00:34:51,260 education, they care about the town's health. If we really believe in democracy, we believe 490 00:34:51,260 --> 00:34:55,240 the people can come out and listen and make a decision, and if they vote against it, 491 00:34:55,340 --> 00:35:00,040 if they vote against it, that's fine. But I don't know why we would exclude the public 492 00:35:00,040 --> 00:35:05,520 based on our assumptions about how they were vote, otherwise why bother to have voted, 493 00:35:05,880 --> 00:35:11,100 why bother to have town meetings. So that's my feeling, and I also want to echo structural 494 00:35:11,100 --> 00:35:16,320 structural changes can happen at the same time. I don't know why it's mutually exclusive, 495 00:35:16,320 --> 00:35:19,120 And that's, that's all I have to say. 496 00:35:19,460 --> 00:35:20,200 Thank you. 497 00:35:20,420 --> 00:35:20,560 I know. 498 00:35:24,080 --> 00:35:26,460 When you come up, can you also identify which committee you're on? 499 00:35:26,640 --> 00:35:29,020 So people at home know that school committees got on the finance committee. 500 00:35:29,020 --> 00:35:31,180 That's on finance committee school committee school. 501 00:35:32,380 --> 00:35:32,520 Yeah. 502 00:35:32,880 --> 00:35:34,080 Jamie Vuitton is three-liner circle. 503 00:35:34,280 --> 00:35:35,480 I'm also on the school committee. 504 00:35:36,880 --> 00:35:39,620 I'm still concerned and someone confused by the decision, 505 00:35:39,860 --> 00:35:41,220 not to move forward with an override vote, 506 00:35:42,340 --> 00:35:45,360 and allow a man's field residents the opportunity to decide for themselves, 507 00:35:45,460 --> 00:35:48,080 whether they have the means or the willingness to support one. 508 00:35:48,080 --> 00:35:54,600 As you know, even before the override vote, we would be making a significant number of cuts to the schools. 509 00:35:55,320 --> 00:35:59,820 I understand it has been suggested that they're underlying structural issues. I get that. 510 00:35:59,820 --> 00:36:04,840 That need to be addressed first. It sounds like it was mainly driven by the negotiations. 511 00:36:06,320 --> 00:36:12,080 But from my perspective and looking across Massachusetts, many communities are facing similar pressures. 512 00:36:13,140 --> 00:36:19,040 health care costs, for sure, utilities, transportation, reductions in state and federal aid. 513 00:36:19,260 --> 00:36:21,500 It feels like we're in the same boat. 514 00:36:22,120 --> 00:36:27,240 As someone who has been in the profession for 27 years, and was in Mansfield Schools for 4, 515 00:36:27,840 --> 00:36:33,780 I also want to clarify a few points that I've been hearing discussed in what I think are overly simplified terms. 516 00:36:34,700 --> 00:36:38,000 It's of course true that declining enrollment can reduce the need for some staffing. 517 00:36:38,000 --> 00:36:43,360 However, that does not fully reflect how schools operate today or the breadth of services and 518 00:36:43,360 --> 00:36:44,720 support expected of them. 519 00:36:45,500 --> 00:36:49,500 Over the past three years, the district has already reduced nearly 20 classroom teaching 520 00:36:49,500 --> 00:36:50,140 positions. 521 00:36:51,300 --> 00:36:53,460 The current proposals, of course, would add to that number. 522 00:36:54,480 --> 00:36:57,880 At the same time, our reductions have extended well beyond classroom teachers. 523 00:36:58,460 --> 00:37:04,240 We've lost, I think, two assistant principals in that time, one from the high school and 524 00:37:04,240 --> 00:37:05,440 another one from one of the elementary. 525 00:37:05,440 --> 00:37:10,480 These people play critical roles in supporting teachers and students. 526 00:37:11,280 --> 00:37:16,140 We've lost adjustment counselors, school nurses, special education teacher, among others. 527 00:37:17,360 --> 00:37:23,020 In many cases, these reductions are less visible because they don't affect class size calculations, 528 00:37:23,480 --> 00:37:24,580 but they're equally impactful. 529 00:37:25,520 --> 00:37:29,980 Fewer core sections causing increased case loads and expanded risk. 530 00:37:31,420 --> 00:37:39,520 We've already placed a significant strain on the school system, I believe, and have lost a number of promising early career educators. 531 00:37:40,540 --> 00:37:45,160 And that raises another concern, and I think it's related to, I think, what was mentioned earlier. 532 00:37:46,380 --> 00:37:49,860 But this has to do with a long-term sustainability of our educator workforce. 533 00:37:51,700 --> 00:37:56,480 Mansfield currently has one of if not the highest percentage of veteran teachers in the region. 534 00:37:57,240 --> 00:38:01,280 That experience is no doubt a tremendous asset in the classroom. 535 00:38:02,360 --> 00:38:05,380 But we're steadily losing younger educators due to these cuts. 536 00:38:06,160 --> 00:38:11,880 In my experience, it's the younger teachers who are the ones who often volunteered to take on additional responsibilities, 537 00:38:12,740 --> 00:38:18,420 advising clubs, coaching athletics, providing extra help, supporting school events. 538 00:38:19,840 --> 00:38:23,340 They represent the next generation of those experienced teachers. 539 00:38:23,340 --> 00:38:29,560 Using them year after year creates an experience gap that will be felt, especially when 540 00:38:29,560 --> 00:38:31,620 our veteran teachers actually do retire. 541 00:38:33,180 --> 00:38:38,460 We've also seen reductions in specialized supports last year, for instance, the Bridge 542 00:38:38,460 --> 00:38:40,940 Program and our partnership with McLean Hospital. 543 00:38:41,980 --> 00:38:46,100 These programs provided critical mental health services to students and families. 544 00:38:46,540 --> 00:38:51,580 Their absence may not be immediately visible in a budget document, but it is deeply felt 545 00:38:51,580 --> 00:38:54,720 by those who relied on those services at critical times. 546 00:38:55,580 --> 00:38:58,800 I recognize that an override may not have been supported by voters, 547 00:38:59,440 --> 00:39:02,320 particularly given the financial pressures many residents are facing, 548 00:39:03,100 --> 00:39:06,920 however, schools are a central driver of property values in our community as well. 549 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:12,580 In that way, decisions that have the potential to significantly impact the quality of our schools 550 00:39:12,580 --> 00:39:18,040 also have implications for homeowners. For that reason, I believe residents should have had the 551 00:39:18,040 --> 00:39:21,920 opportunity to weigh the advantages or disadvantages on their own. 552 00:39:22,220 --> 00:39:22,300 Thanks. 553 00:39:22,900 --> 00:39:23,540 Thank you. 554 00:39:23,680 --> 00:39:24,560 Can I ask you a question? 555 00:39:25,480 --> 00:39:28,260 What would your, you've been in an education for many years? 556 00:39:28,920 --> 00:39:30,000 How would you balance the budget? 557 00:39:30,480 --> 00:39:33,500 I mean, it's easy to say just give it to the people without solving the problem, 558 00:39:33,620 --> 00:39:34,780 but how would you balance the budget? 559 00:39:36,560 --> 00:39:40,280 How would you, in other words, how would you, like, probably, or... 560 00:39:40,280 --> 00:39:41,440 How would you take care of the health care? 561 00:39:41,460 --> 00:39:42,900 How would you take care of the teachers' reasons? 562 00:39:42,900 --> 00:39:43,920 How would you take care of the townery? 563 00:39:44,060 --> 00:39:44,680 What would you do? 564 00:39:44,720 --> 00:39:46,600 I think there are limitations right now. 565 00:39:46,600 --> 00:39:57,180 I mean, to me, the options or the override or significant cuts, I mean, I don't think that 566 00:39:57,820 --> 00:40:05,940 the negotiations, I mean, we're not going to ask for a great reduction in the steps I think 567 00:40:05,940 --> 00:40:10,180 right now, like the percentage or what the bottom line is. 568 00:40:10,460 --> 00:40:12,500 We do have a very, very veteran staff. 569 00:40:12,500 --> 00:40:24,280 I think over time, we're going to find that that better and staff is going to retire, and we're going to be in a much better position financially, but not as well in the classroom. 570 00:40:24,980 --> 00:40:26,240 I might be. 571 00:40:26,620 --> 00:40:27,200 It's a trade-off. 572 00:40:27,480 --> 00:40:28,320 I think they all learn. 573 00:40:30,460 --> 00:40:31,240 I just have a comment. 574 00:40:31,900 --> 00:40:33,300 Just based on the last couple. 575 00:40:34,460 --> 00:40:42,740 It's the select board's job and purview to take on whether or not an override is needed. 576 00:40:42,740 --> 00:40:46,920 And kind of what was just heard is that if there's any cuts 577 00:40:46,920 --> 00:40:48,660 per pose, we should put out an override. 578 00:40:49,680 --> 00:40:51,040 And I just don't think that's feasible. 579 00:40:51,900 --> 00:40:53,660 And to talk about the democratic process, 580 00:40:53,880 --> 00:40:57,360 was only two years ago, we didn't have a democratic process 581 00:40:57,360 --> 00:41:00,120 with the shoe on the other foot of raising revenues. 582 00:41:01,880 --> 00:41:04,600 So it sounds like some want it when they want it. 583 00:41:05,160 --> 00:41:09,600 And then when they want to have it the other way. 584 00:41:09,600 --> 00:41:17,840 They have it the other way and that was the trash fee two years ago is implemented not through a democratic process that the voters wanted it through a vote of the select board 585 00:41:18,900 --> 00:41:21,100 to raise the rates on the rate pairs 586 00:41:26,130 --> 00:41:27,710 on that 587 00:41:27,710 --> 00:41:30,950 no items no anything for you hours. I just 588 00:41:30,950 --> 00:41:32,090 I don't want 589 00:41:32,090 --> 00:41:33,390 I don't want to do this 590 00:41:33,390 --> 00:41:34,570 Yeah, do we have anybody online? 591 00:41:34,810 --> 00:41:35,870 I'm virtual visitors 592 00:41:36,330 --> 00:41:39,110 Okay, we'll give them a chance to have a cup of tea 593 00:41:39,110 --> 00:41:41,780 What do you need to go? 594 00:41:41,980 --> 00:41:43,000 No, she hasn't picked up yet 595 00:41:43,000 --> 00:41:44,280 Are you ready for that now? 596 00:41:44,400 --> 00:41:45,800 Yes, we're ready for that. Sorry for that delay 597 00:41:46,900 --> 00:41:51,480 If you have joined us virtually and you'd like to make a comment, please use the raise your 598 00:41:51,480 --> 00:41:54,520 hand tool and we'll identify him. 599 00:42:03,580 --> 00:42:04,000 I see none. 600 00:42:04,820 --> 00:42:05,020 Okay. 601 00:42:05,040 --> 00:42:05,960 Thank you for that. 602 00:42:06,920 --> 00:42:13,000 No, items not knowing 40 hours and before we adjourn, I just want to remind ourselves that 603 00:42:13,000 --> 00:42:14,740 although we disagree, we are also neighbors. 604 00:42:15,400 --> 00:42:18,160 So we need to try to move forward together. 605 00:42:18,880 --> 00:42:19,540 Thank you. 606 00:42:19,760 --> 00:42:20,920 I just want to welcome anyone to your turn. 607 00:42:20,920 --> 00:42:21,440 Oh yeah. 608 00:42:22,160 --> 00:42:22,920 I don't make up much of the order. 609 00:42:23,400 --> 00:42:23,800 Thank you. 610 00:42:23,960 --> 00:42:24,640 In a second. 611 00:42:24,720 --> 00:42:25,180 On the second. 612 00:42:25,660 --> 00:42:26,280 All those in favor? 613 00:42:26,840 --> 00:42:27,000 Hi. 614 00:42:27,520 --> 00:42:28,620 Motion passes five zero. 615 00:42:29,600 --> 00:42:31,160 A call for the budget sub two. 616 00:42:32,560 --> 00:42:33,920 Call for budget sub two adjourn. 617 00:42:33,940 --> 00:42:34,540 I'll take a motion. 618 00:42:34,780 --> 00:42:35,940 Who adjourn? 619 00:42:36,100 --> 00:42:36,260 Second. 620 00:42:36,880 --> 00:42:37,380 All those in favor? 621 00:42:37,960 --> 00:42:38,100 Hi. 622 00:42:38,360 --> 00:42:38,460 Hi.