[0:06] I will call to order this meeting of the summer separate the regional school committee at 601 p.m. do notice having been posted.

[0:13] pursuant to the open meeting law any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium.

[0:20] Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions may be made whether perceived or unperceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible.

[0:27] We'll do a well-called members present Ms. Ferreira, President.

[0:31] Mr. Pastor-Nac, Ms. Solomon, and the chair is present also with us as even our superintendent

[0:39] of schools, Dr. Jeffrey Spoonover, our chief financial officer, Raquel Pellarin, our director

[0:44] of Special Education, Meg Astin, and our recording secretary, Robin Cacaro. Please rise

[0:50] with the pledge.

[0:55] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which

[1:01] stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

[1:12] Thank you, everyone, please note that the next regular scheduled meeting of this committee

[1:15] will be held on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 at 6 p.m. here in the summer separately regional

[1:21] high school library. First, I am on the agenda this evening, I understand teaching the

[1:25] Lord of Israel, update from our students' reps. I don't know, did they pass anything on

[1:29] You don't just ignore her.

[1:31] All right.

[1:31] We'll catch up with them next time in the zone.

[1:36] Is the time of year brings sports and such.

[1:41] The next item on the agenda is recognition of our March visionaries, committee would like

[1:45] to commend the following students.

[1:47] Hazel Aiken, Resilian, Sarah DuSett, empathetic, Troy Faria, Resilian, Olivia Hardin,

[1:55] digital citizen, Theo Murphy, Independent, Chloe Parotti, Academic,

[2:02] Paisley Sylvia, Academic, and Loop Tibnan respectful.

[2:07] Congratulations to those students.

[2:10] The next item on the agenda is public input on topics on the agenda.

[2:13] Is there any public input this evening?

[2:15] What

[2:27] perfect time

[2:31] would a student represent with it, just kidding?

[2:49] The next item on the agenda is under new business is to discuss and act on the 2026-2027 school choice participation.

[2:58] participation. You received a memo from Dr. Spoonover.

[3:02] Did information about that? I don't know if you want to elaborate.

[3:07] I tend to give you a little bit more information than what you need, but just to

[3:10] show to provide some background about what the projected

[3:14] moments are for next year.

[3:17] So we currently have 888 students attending

[3:21] some of the Berkeley right now.

[3:23] We are forecasting an incoming grade nine class of 203 students

[3:29] that is assuming we have 15 school choice of seats.

[3:35] But I provide some information just about what we

[3:38] currently know from Berkeley Middle School

[3:41] and Summer Sentimental School as the vocational schools recently

[3:45] had their lotteries.

[3:47] So we are projecting out of the 185 students

[3:50] who are currently attending Somerset Middle School,

[3:54] that we will be receiving 146 here.

[3:58] That's after the 36 typical students who have had diamond

[4:02] and three who we know are going to Bristol Aggie.

[4:05] At Berkeley Middle, they have a combination of the residence students

[4:10] in school of choice, 84 and all.

[4:13] 42 of those of the resident Berkeley students

[4:16] will be attending Somerset Berkeley.

[4:17] And I gave you some information regarding how many go to Bristol Planet, Bristol Aggie and some of the private schools.

[4:27] So with those, to the 146th and the 42th, we're forecasting 188 students from Somerset in Berkeley and there are of the 14th school choice students right now at Berkeley Middle School.

[4:44] Five of those have been grandfathered in to the system before the school choice rules changed several years ago.

[4:53] So they if they can come directly here without having to go into a lottery.

[4:59] There are four other school choice students at Berkeley Middle School in eighth grade who would have to go into the lottery since they came in after that date whenever that was.

[5:08] So my recommendation is, as we've done in the past, 15 school choice students bring us to a total grade nine of two or three.

[5:20] And I'm always concerned about over-aligned on school choice.

[5:25] We've seen some districts who do that and then something changes.

[5:29] It's just, it's not something I'd like to do, I think the 15 per year has worked well for us now for 10 or more years, so I would recommend maintaining that same system.

[5:47] So you have five grandfathers, yes, the MS students, and then four additional students.

[6:03] Well, that is a separate set of dates for the school choice.

[6:09] So about, I don't know how many years ago, I'm guessing 67 years ago, the school choice

[6:16] was changed, up to that point, the school choice students and many feeding feeder school,

[6:23] automatically were accepted into the high school.

[6:28] And then once that changed, it granted all those important role the school choice students

[6:33] by any future school choice kids have to enter the lottery like everyone else.

[6:38] So of these nine students at Berkeley Middle School who are school choice, who want to come

[6:47] to some separately, five are automatic, the other four have to go into the lottery along

[6:52] with the applications of all other school choice students who want to come here.

[6:56] So the five are automatic and then that will leave ten seats for the lottery for a total

[7:02] So the five would be automatic anywhere, even if we did it.

[7:06] So it's really that they come here.

[7:08] The five and then the other ten seats are just for anyone,

[7:11] with those four.

[7:12] They wouldn't have to get truffins.

[7:14] They would not be perfect enough.

[7:16] That's been a lot of it.

[7:22] All right.

[7:23] Okay.

[7:25] In that case, I would entertain a motion to allocate 15 grade nine school choice seats.

[7:29] Thanks for watching!

[7:30] 2020-26, 2020-27s, will you? Second, motion by Ms. Ferrer, and seconded by Ms. Ashlee, anything further on discussion. Hearing none, all those in favor, aye, opposed, so voted.

[7:45] Thank you. The next item on the agenda is a citation for Kelly O'Brien. Unfortunately, Kelly couldn't be here this evening for her last meeting. She had a work commitment, but Ms. Ferrer is kind enough to read the citation into the record for us.

[8:01] The meeting of the Somerset Berkeley Regional School Committee on April 7, 2026, a site

[8:05] patient was prepared, signed by members of the committee, and voted inscribed in the

[8:10] permanent records.

[8:11] Whereas Helio Brian has served as a value member of the Somerset Berkeley Regional Committee

[8:16] for the past four years, and whereas throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated commitment

[8:20] to the students and staff of the Somerset Berkeley Regional School District, with particular

[8:24] care and attention to the condition and improvements of the district's athletic fields,

[8:28] and we are as her efforts have been surveyed to the maintenance and enhancement of facilities

[8:34] that support student activities and the overall school experience and be here by resolve

[8:40] that the Somerset Berkeley Region School committee extends its sincere appreciation for her service,

[8:45] dedication and thoughtful contributions to the school committee and wishes her continued success

[8:51] in her future endeavors.

[8:54] Yeah, welcome. I would entertain a motion to adopt this citation as prepared

[8:59] for Kelly O'Brien.

[9:00] Some of us.

[9:01] Second of a motion by Mr. Pastor McIncended by Ms. Ashley, anything on discussion?

[9:08] All those in favor?

[9:09] Aye.

[9:10] Opposed?

[9:11] So voted.

[9:19] The next item on the agenda is the annual appointment of the superintendent to the Reed's Collaborative

[9:24] Board of Directors.

[9:25] I don't know, folder, thank you.

[9:29] I don't know that.

[9:32] This is standard annual operating procedure.

[9:38] Oh, is there anything that I can say?

[9:39] No, no, no.

[9:40] Just, it's just funny already.

[9:42] Proving things for the 26th, 27th school year.

[9:45] But yes, this is a standard procedure for the school committee.

[9:50] I have a question.

[9:52] OK, then I would entertain a motion that Dr. Jeffrey Scooner

[9:56] would be appointed to serve as the Summer Separately Regional School District's representative

[10:00] on the Board of Directors of Reeds Collaborative in accordance with Massachusetts General

[10:05] Laws Chapter 40's Section 40 as amended by Chapter 43 of the Acts of 2012 for the

[10:12] 2026-2020 Science School year.

[10:15] So moved.

[10:16] So moved.

[10:17] Motion by Ms. Ashley, second by Mr. Pastor neck, anything on discussion?

[10:21] Hearing none.

[10:21] All those in favor.

[10:22] I post, so voted, very much.

[10:28] Next, I'm on the agenda.

[10:29] It's a superintendent's update.

[10:30] No, I just want to write.

[10:31] A couple of nice items to start.

[10:35] First of all, congratulations to our health

[10:38] occupation students of America, our host of club,

[10:42] who recently competed in the Massachusetts competition.

[10:46] We have 20 students who will be attending the

[10:49] national competition in theapolis, in June.

[10:55] So, congratulations to those 20 students or multiple first place winners,

[11:01] a number of students who placed.

[11:04] We have one student, Grace Tweetie, who was elected to represent Massachusetts on the

[11:09] Tulsa Executive Board.

[11:12] So, congratulations to students and thanks and congratulations to

[11:17] Spurntston and Miss Littlefield for teaching them and advising them and Miss Alvara for

[11:25] another project lead the way teacher. We've talked about the Innovation Pathway in Biomedical

[11:31] and just the incredible success that they've had. We've gone from 64 students, I think,

[11:42] Just four years ago to 169 students, currently.

[11:48] So we've seen incredible growth in that program.

[11:51] There's so much interest.

[11:52] So congratulations to all of them.

[11:57] I want to let you know that Congressman Aquaclos will be visiting

[12:02] the high school later on this week.

[12:05] Having a student town hall meeting with a number of our students.

[12:09] and also be meeting with some of the adults before that event takes place.

[12:15] So we're excited to host him here.

[12:19] And today, Representative Thurber hosted our championship field hockey team up in Boston.

[12:26] They visited the statehouse. They had their own championship dub tour.

[12:31] I think it was a little cold on how hopefully they will well dress,

[12:35] but thanks to Representative Thurber for hosting our students up there and celebrating their achievement.

[12:42] I Mr. Francis told me they had a great day. Speaking of sports and Mr. Francis,

[12:48] I did before our capital planning meeting, when I'm side with them, just to check out the baseball field.

[12:56] As you may know, because of the work that was done this past summer, the outfields are absolutely amazing.

[13:01] With all the rain that we've had, there's been no gathering of water or straining beautifully.

[13:06] The Infield has been a little wet.

[13:09] So this has been some work that's been done there this week.

[13:14] I know more work I think on Thursday.

[13:17] There is a game tentatively scheduled for tomorrow.

[13:21] Hoping that maybe the winds today will dry it up when they can play,

[13:25] but we'll have to take that on a day by day basis.

[13:29] But the work is there, and whatever still needs to be completed on the infield this week

[13:36] is to try it up more, more faith-wise, rather than that, everything else is looking great out there.

[13:43] And in addition to that, just on your agenda, sharing with you a few appointments and

[14:10] some

[14:19] Yes, there are a total of 16 budget amendments.

[14:24] What these are meant to do is cover the overages in the line items or the function code

[14:29] line items that exceed 10,010%.

[14:34] We did go deeper and try to get most of the variances and if and when these are approved,

[14:40] We can update the budget document to reflect the changes in the 26 budget, which will give you that better alignment when you're comparing that to 27.

[14:51] We do intend to come back with any future budget amendments that we have from now until the end of the year that accelerate our plan.

[15:00] Um, amendments would not be in the final budget.

[15:36] And all those are paper, I suppose, so go to,

[15:44] but I'll put next on the agenda, and so

[15:46] as I put in the discussion on July 6th, by the time I said, I'll put it in the last

[15:51] day, but first we'll put it on the budget, the entire budget document is now put together

[16:00] that the financials have been approved, like we had just said, we will update it with the budget

[16:07] amendments for the financial section in 2016 but the whole complete document

[16:14] is in the full-duffoyer U.R.U.R.U.R

[16:21] .U.

[16:21] Thank you.

[16:23] Good afternoon.

[16:25] Good afternoon.

[16:26] Thank you.

[16:27] Can there letters for these?

[16:32] Does anyone have any questions?

[16:36] Okay.

[16:39] Thank you.

[16:40] There's been so long since we've seen you.

[16:42] Thank you for all your work from that.

[16:48] It's much appreciated.

[16:51] The next item on the agenda is to approve the Sergeant Brian Cordero Memorial Fund Scholarship.

[17:10] And then this is pretty, pretty standard that over there's a new scholarship only.

[17:15] It just comes before the committee for approval, so you can see that warm and your folder

[17:23] doesn't even have any questions.

[17:25] I'd just like to make a comment.

[17:27] So I didn't get there.

[17:29] I was a very well respected member before I would please the parliament for a very tragic passing.

[17:37] And he was really always, you know, a great community member too.

[17:40] care deeply about this community, and this schools are a big thing it is, and I think this

[17:47] is a great art. I have this scholarship and this name, and I just want to make that point.

[17:54] Thank you. I'll just, um, for everyone's benefit, I'll just read a lab in the form. It's a

[18:02] Brian was loved by many and was very proud of this military service and very public safety

[18:06] walls. Brian was also very proud to be a summer set high school graduate. I was very much a

[18:11] person. This scholarship will do him proud.

[18:17] We're grateful that we can support our students

[18:20] post-secondary endeavors in a way that honors his memory. Thank you. I would entertain

[18:30] a motion to establish the Sergeant Brian Cordero Memorial Fund Scholarship. Second. Motion by Mr.

[18:37] passed her neck, seconded by Ms. Ashley, and Ms. Amanda Session.

[18:40] During none, all those in favor, I opposed, so voted.

[18:50] The next item on the agenda is the capital planning subcommittee update.

[18:54] Thank you, just met.

[18:55] We did just me.

[18:56] We had our first meeting at five, and we talked about, we looked over the past, the one

[19:02] from 2019, Mr. Corro was here, Mr. Corro was here, Mr. Corro was here to talk with us,

[19:10] or will we land it is we're going to look into doing an assessment, have somebody come and actually

[19:16] look and see what means we're done with the life expectancy so we can have a better plan moving forward.

[19:23] So they're going to work on that and then we'll probably come back next month with some information as to what

[19:28] possible be for the committee to discuss.

[19:32] This is that something we want to answer. How does that?

[19:39] What's it?

[19:40] All right.

[19:41] You look forward to update.

[19:44] Thank you.

[19:47] Next on the agenda, under other matters of information updates, you saw that any updates

[19:54] from Berkeley.

[19:58] Our last meeting was the budget presentation, which, I don't think any of you, don't

[20:05] Do you think, too, I've stated before, they request there's 6% across the board.

[20:13] For everyone, which obviously is not free.

[20:17] So it wasn't a fun presentation, isn't it, fairly?

[20:21] There is an override on the balance, and I can mention it as well.

[20:25] 4.8 million for the override amount, and our elections are on 5.9, may night.

[20:33] Next week's school committee meeting, the superintendent intends to list the specific proposed cuts should the override not pass.

[20:45] We're talking about, she's saying between 10 and 15.

[20:49] Our next meeting will have those specific cuts.

[20:53] It's not obvious.

[20:54] It's from her claim.

[20:58] That's our update.

[21:00] That means that next Monday, it's the 13th of Monday,

[21:10] yes.

[21:10] And that did some research.

[21:12] So some research is still working on our budget.

[21:18] And we actually have not taken a final, we'll earn our budget.

[21:24] Then how to public hearing.

[21:25] I believe that's our next meeting.

[21:27] Our next meeting is also after the election.

[21:30] So we'll be reorganizing.

[21:32] so this might be my last meeting. We don't know until we get to the meeting who's going to be

[21:37] sitting in these seats. So I just want to thank you all for allowing me to fully participate in this

[21:44] committee and hopefully if I'm not back next year hopefully I'll be back some day

[21:54] and otherwise you'll see me on the other side for sure.

[21:59] We hope to have you back to bring a lot of a committee, a lot of them.

[22:04] Thank you.

[22:06] Yeah, a lot of them.

[22:08] Yeah, a lot of them.

[22:09] Yeah, a lot of them.

[22:12] Yeah, a lot of them.

[22:12] You basically, again, I want me to...

[22:13] Never say that, excuse me.

[22:15] I'm not liking those updates.

[22:19] But we understand, but yeah.

[22:22] See that.

[22:23] Either way.

[22:26] Okay.

[22:26] Um...

[22:30] All right. Next item on the agenda topic is not anticipated by the chair.

[22:40] I have one, I'll probably just mention it as an action item for a future meeting, but I have nothing else.

[22:47] So, the next item is action items for future meetings, just at the Jose Advisors reached out to us.

[22:56] But the good news that Dr. Smith overshared, they are also looking for some financial support to help with the trip to the international competition in June.

[23:08] We can feel like we've got that request in time for this meeting.

[23:13] I came up sort of last minute and wanted to make sure the committee had time to consider that.

[23:18] So we will agenda that item for the next meeting.

[23:24] Just so give time to the trip is not too much.

[23:28] Right.

[23:28] And we actually have to approve the trip as well.

[23:30] So that will be on the agenda for the next meeting.

[23:34] I recall we gave them some financial support last year for it.

[23:40] So, who is that one?

[23:41] Jack?

[23:42] Yep.

[23:42] I think he likes to kind of have those totals from last year.

[23:45] Mm-hmm.

[23:46] Yes.

[23:47] Oh, God.

[23:48] He gave me that.

[23:51] Does anyone have anything else that you want to identify with?

[23:54] Maybe they should do capital movements too.

[23:56] So hopefully we have that information we can put that before.

[23:58] You come to do a school, you come.

[24:03] If I have a coffee or the way I mentioned,

[24:05] you come to me all the time,

[24:06] or on site for a higher time.

[24:09] But it's been a long and review

[24:11] as the next piece.

[24:12] So I hope I can do that.

[24:13] And then I'll give you a lot more information

[24:16] based on your onsite.

[24:18] So I'll give that to you.

[24:20] That'd be great.

[24:26] As always, I've got other items to come up.

[24:28] Just please.

[24:29] Yes, ma'am.

[24:30] We have our good opening for the truck to track the user.

[24:37] It's taking time.

[24:37] We'll need to have it for eight.

[24:42] Pointing.

[24:44] That was a good one.

[24:48] That was a good one.

[24:50] All right.

[24:53] Next item on the agenda.

[24:56] If there are no objections, we'll take them as a batch.

[25:00] I would entertain a motion to approve the March 3rd, March 12th, March 60th, and March

[25:08] 31st, 2026, open session minutes as presented.

[25:13] So, so, okay.

[25:15] Motion movement is actually segmented by Ms. Ferrer or anything on discussion.

[25:19] Hearing none all those in favor.

[25:20] Hi.

[25:21] I opposed.

[25:22] So, voted.

[25:25] Next, we have some executive session minutes with, you can see.

[25:28] the reductions highlighted.

[25:32] I would entertain a motion to look through the executive session

[25:35] minutes of March 3rd, 2026 as presented and to release them with reductions. So moved.

[25:41] So motion by Ms. Ashley, Stephanie by Ms. Ferreira, anything on discussion?

[25:48] Hearing none. All those in favor. I opposed. So voted.

[25:55] And then next I would entertain a

[25:58] to enter into executive session, pursuant to Massachusetts General Law's chapter 30, a section 21, a 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation, and if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares American Federation of State County and Municipal Employee's administrative assistance and custodians, and I would note that the committee will not return to open session.

[26:25] Do I have a motion, so moved, a motion by Ms. Ashley,

[26:30] every second, Mr. Posternaf, I think we'll do a roll call,

[26:34] I'll always agree from Mr. Posternaf.

[26:37] Ms. Ferreira, Ms. Ashley, hi, Ms. Solomon and the chair of both of us.

Somerset Berkley Regional School Committee

Transcript