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And will take the call to the the roll call

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Chair.

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DeAngelo Here. Member Feller. Here.

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Member Holman. Here. Member Richardson. Here. Member Rich.

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Here. Member Smith Here. Student Rep Lian here.

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And student rep Rio

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Bloss here.

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And if you are interested in joining us, you can stand

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for the Pledge of

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Allegiance. Pledge Allegiance

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To the flag of the United States of America.

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And to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation

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under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice.

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Thank you.

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So, as this is a public proceeding,

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unless the Board of Education specifically votes

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to enter into executive session, the public has the right

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to hear everything and to look at all exhibits.

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Please let us know if you experience difficulties

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with accessibility.

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Members of the district staff are located in the lecture

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hall and can provide assistance.

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The school board works from a prepared agenda,

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which is posted in advance on the district website.

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And the printed copies

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of this evening's agenda are available near the

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entrance of the lecture hall.

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Fellow board members please remember that Robert's Rules

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of Order states members may speak no more than twice on the

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same question at any one meeting except

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by permission of the board chair.

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Questions brief ques, brief suggestions

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or points of clarification are not counted.

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As speaking in debate, the board asks

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that the public audience refrain from clapping, booing

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side comments or other behaviors

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that may interrupt the flow of speakers.

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Every person is entitled to speak their opinion

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and to feel safe in the process.

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Thank you. In the report

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of the chair, I would just say our next regular meeting is

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Wednesday, October 14th at 6:00 PM Here in the lecture hall,

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the board is doing a retreat on Monday,

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the 21st from 4:00 PM

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to 8:00 PM at Cobblestone Coffee and Company.

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There are also two forums

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that are coming up on reconfiguration that are

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September 28th, which is a Monday,

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and that will be five 30 to seven.

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And that will be at the middle school

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and Wednesday, October 7th, which will be at the same time,

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five 30 to seven

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and will be at the Red Bank Community Center.

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And we are up to Member

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Rios Plus on the report of the student representative.

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Hello. Okay. So for the elementary school updates,

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We've got that the first week of school went very well.

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Students were taught routines and expectations

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and students have been positively welcomed by staff

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State Testing is or was today.

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And the MTSS team supported

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students for the middle school.

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The start of the year also went very well.

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Students have learned school expectations,

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community building and more.

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We welcomed Nicole Katu, I'm pretty sure,

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I don't know if I'm saying that right.

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As interim assistant principal

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and Mitch as our new director of operation

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and safety For the high school updates, we've got

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that the first week went well as well.

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And picture day in class meetings read successfully,

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which was on the first day.

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Students were informed of goals

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and expectations for the year, including credits

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and attendance class officers

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and student board representatives were introduced at at

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class meetings and ninth graders have been informed

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of their grade elections.

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Students transition with the phone ban has

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been going very well.

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And for the adult education updates,

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the SPAE ended their summer learning in mid-August.

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The ESOL summer session had many participants.

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English for Healthcare Careers is a new ESOL class

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and it's been very successful.

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And the 13 high set graduates from 2025 to 26 school year

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had their graduation ceremony on August 6th.

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And the new workforce training is going to launch.

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Thank you. And we are up to the report

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of the superintendent.

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Okay, thank you. So I have a little bit

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of an overview from our departments.

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Just wanted to update folks on all the work that happened,

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well maybe not all, but as a good amount of the work

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that happened during the summer to set the stage

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for a strong school year.

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And also give some updates on how the school start has gone.

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So we have some sections from each of our departments

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and tonight we'll highlight our team summer work

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and the start of the school year at the elementary schools.

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Our leaders were ready for the school year.

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We have heard a lot about the elementary boundaries

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deliberation, which continues in the summer.

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Some highlights included onboarding three elementary

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principals and one elementary assistant principal.

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The new leadership team is enabling

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and necessitating common plans

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and practices across all elementary schools.

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We've also seen our pre-K expansion,

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which now includes six in-district classrooms

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and three formal partnerships for classrooms.

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As part of our new early childhood special education

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responsibilities required by the state,

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we have added staffing and a special purpose pre-K.

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And then definitely during drop offs.

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The elementary boundaries

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and configuration was on everybody's mind

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and I expect it will continue to be through the fall.

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These are, I wanted to highlight

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and share some pictures from our elementary teams since we

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have a strong and new slate.

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So we have returning Ms. Petski at Brown.

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She is in a new elementary school. Then we also have Ms.

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Rumson stepping up into the skill and principal role. Ms.

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Pier stepping into the skill and assistant principal role.

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Mr. Chatto as small principal

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and Ms. Fowler is back as the dyer principal for the year.

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Our secondary schools spent a good amount of time

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during the summer developing grants

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for our community school model supports

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and also preparing for the new cell phone policy.

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So they partnered on the submission

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of a United Way Promise Neighborhood Grant.

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That's a federal grant

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for staffing capacity at middle and high school.

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And also engaged in a community design process

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for a Nellie Mae grant application

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that would increase supports for students

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with low attendance, including those in special education

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and from families experiencing poverty.

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And then at the beginning of the school, the implementation

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of the personal electronic device policy has

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been an important part of this, of the school opening

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for students, staff and families.

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Our technology department, our team,

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our team there has organized,

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organized intentional technology event this summer

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prepared devices and advanced cybersecurity.

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So they prepared 450 new iPads

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for students in grades five through nine.

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Hosted the multi-district intentional technology

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screen time framework event.

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Welcomed new staff

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with technology support at our orientation

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and have been working on ongoing implementation

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of cybersecurity strategies

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to protect our district resources at such

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as segmented wifi.

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Our operations team,

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the summer is a major work time for this team.

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And so they spent that time preparing students

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and facility schools and facilities for staff and students.

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They completed the secure vestibules projects at Skill

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and Dyer Schools.

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The South Portland Middle school field is ready for play

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and we've seen kids out on that since the start of school.

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We have new fencing at small

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and brown schools, which now provides fence protection

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around the vernal pool area

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and separate space for our pre-K students.

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We have new ovens at the elementary schools

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that we are replacing 25-year-old ovens.

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We have new salad bars at Brown, small and dire.

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And we and our facilities team also work to relocate 42

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KR staff members into new schools.

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At the start, our transportation has been safely delivering

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870 students to and from school.

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And our nutrition services prepares over 2,600 daily meals

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for students between breakfasts and lunches.

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Our business office has been working to close out the FY 26

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year and then has been preparing for the annual audit,

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worked on onboarding staff and has updated purchasing

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and reconciliation workflows.

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So we've been working

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to finish up those FY 26 year end financials

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and with some preliminary closeout data already shared

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at this meeting and with the finance team.

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And now we're working towards the annual audit preparation.

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The team was had some,

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they restructured the leaves management

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and accounts payable supervisors

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and then we onboarded new staff for

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a benefit specialist

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and accounts payable front desk assistant.

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So just wanna welcome Marvin Tallah

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and Eden Furman who have been really great additions.

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They've also, they also over the summer piloted internal

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purchasing and reconciliation procedures, which helps

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to build a more secure and financial system.

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So at the school start the new hire payroll

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and benefits has been set up.

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We've for, they've done the payroll encumber encumbrances

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for or started those for FY 27,

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which is also continuing.

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And then they have, we've been implementing digital

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timecards for some of our staff,

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which would should help us have less errors

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in our timecard data.

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Our special ed team, it has, it was,

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it's fully staffed with teachers

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for all programs at all levels.

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We have also been working on pre-K transition planning,

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lining up placements and services with community partners,

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which happened throughout the summer at the school start.

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Our additional instructional strategists

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positions have has been able to support the launch details

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and receive students in developing plans.

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So those have been helpful.

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We've been creating new teams, trying to be thoughtful

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and purposeful as we welcome Kler students

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and staff throughout the district.

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A challenge has been

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filling in the vacancies in our elementary functional life

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skills programs.

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We continue to actively recruit for those positions

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and have also reached out to subs

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to notify them of opportunities.

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And we are currently looking into the option of

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securing support from a recruitment

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and staffing agency with which is becoming

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a much more common practice among districts in our region,

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our multilingual programs.

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They planned for the transition

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and welcome of our Taylor multilingual

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students into their new schools.

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They hired and we hired

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and oriented a new director of multilingual programs

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and McKenney Bento liaison Mr.

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Carlos Gomez.

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They supported multilingual families in our school district

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who were adversely affected

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by the community law enforcement events at the school start.

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Our multilingual specialist

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00:13:03,545 --> 00:13:05,485
and ESOL program coordinator called

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and communicated with all new multilingual students

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to confirm transportation arrangements for the first day

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of school to make sure that they had

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their information and were ready.

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So we have definitely been working hard this summer

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and planning to set the stage for a strong start

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to the school year.

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And then we also have some announcements,

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just a reminder that it is Arts in Education week this week.

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So we just wanna recognize

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and celebrate the power of arts

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as fundamental in education this week and beyond.

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And then I have just an informal update on our personal

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electronic devices.

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We do have two more formal updates scheduled for

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our business meetings, one in November

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and then another one in the spring

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where we'll present more detailed data about

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how the personal electronic devices implementation is going.

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But you already heard from students that it seems

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to be going pretty well.

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Also checked in with our school leaders

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and that has has gone smoothly.

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I think we've had a couple of questions about

270
00:14:19,745 --> 00:14:22,085
safety from a few parents

271
00:14:23,505 --> 00:14:27,685
and so I did wanna just kind of speak to that a little bit.

272
00:14:28,645 --> 00:14:31,325
'cause we recognize that while many parents see the benefits

273
00:14:31,345 --> 00:14:32,405
of a phone free

274
00:14:32,505 --> 00:14:34,125
and educational environment,

275
00:14:34,475 --> 00:14:37,245
some parents may also have concerns about student safety.

276
00:14:38,745 --> 00:14:41,965
And so while much of the conversation around cell phones

277
00:14:41,985 --> 00:14:45,685
and safety focuses on emergencies, our primary approach

278
00:14:45,745 --> 00:14:49,125
to keeping students safe relies on prevention

279
00:14:49,265 --> 00:14:50,645
and daily wellbeing.

280
00:14:51,305 --> 00:14:53,845
The most effective way to protect our schools is

281
00:14:53,845 --> 00:14:57,085
by cultivating a positive school culture, building strong,

282
00:14:57,525 --> 00:15:00,245
trusting relationships between adults and students,

283
00:15:00,625 --> 00:15:02,045
and ensuring that students

284
00:15:02,105 --> 00:15:03,925
and community members feel empowered

285
00:15:03,925 --> 00:15:05,165
to bring concerns forward.

286
00:15:06,035 --> 00:15:07,965
Furthermore, the day-to-day harm

287
00:15:07,995 --> 00:15:11,165
that students can experience in schools such as fighting,

288
00:15:11,525 --> 00:15:12,565
bullying, cyber bullying,

289
00:15:12,745 --> 00:15:15,765
and hurtful peer conflict is often instigated

290
00:15:15,865 --> 00:15:19,285
or severely exacerbated by unrestricted access

291
00:15:19,305 --> 00:15:22,045
to smartphones and social media during the school day.

292
00:15:22,545 --> 00:15:24,765
So by implementing a phone free environment,

293
00:15:24,825 --> 00:15:27,165
we are directly removing a major catalyst

294
00:15:27,185 --> 00:15:29,285
for these conflicts, allowing us

295
00:15:29,285 --> 00:15:31,205
to maintain a more supportive, focused

296
00:15:31,265 --> 00:15:33,605
and emotionally safe climate for all students.

297
00:15:35,345 --> 00:15:37,285
One of the questions that's come up is like,

298
00:15:37,305 --> 00:15:40,325
is my child safer in an emergency if they have a cell phone?

299
00:15:41,265 --> 00:15:44,885
And so there have been worries about having a cell phone

300
00:15:44,905 --> 00:15:47,245
stored away during an emergency are an

301
00:15:47,245 --> 00:15:48,725
understandable concern.

302
00:15:49,305 --> 00:15:51,805
As parents, we all want our students to be able

303
00:15:51,805 --> 00:15:52,805
to call 9 1 1

304
00:15:52,865 --> 00:15:55,365
or contact their family as quickly as possible.

305
00:15:55,755 --> 00:15:57,205
However, top safety

306
00:15:57,305 --> 00:16:00,245
and security expert experts agree that smart phones

307
00:16:00,265 --> 00:16:02,365
and schools do not improve student safety

308
00:16:02,585 --> 00:16:06,205
and can create dangerous distractions in a real emergency.

309
00:16:07,425 --> 00:16:09,645
Our cell phone protocols were discussed

310
00:16:09,645 --> 00:16:11,885
with our South Portland Police department prior

311
00:16:11,885 --> 00:16:14,965
to implementation and they do not have any concerns about

312
00:16:15,285 --> 00:16:17,005
limiting access to student cell phones

313
00:16:17,005 --> 00:16:18,045
during the school day.

314
00:16:18,585 --> 00:16:20,925
On the other hand, it's important that adults

315
00:16:20,985 --> 00:16:23,805
and main office staff have easy access to phones

316
00:16:23,985 --> 00:16:26,525
and other communication device uses used

317
00:16:26,525 --> 00:16:27,925
during emergency situations.

318
00:16:27,945 --> 00:16:32,325
And our safety protocols ensure that they do just a few

319
00:16:33,035 --> 00:16:36,245
ways that cell phones can interfere

320
00:16:36,315 --> 00:16:38,325
with emergency protocols.

321
00:16:39,045 --> 00:16:41,605
They can be a distraction to students when we need them

322
00:16:41,805 --> 00:16:44,885
to follow instructions quickly.

323
00:16:45,705 --> 00:16:48,485
It can lead to network con congestion

324
00:16:48,595 --> 00:16:51,045
with high call vol volumes.

325
00:16:51,495 --> 00:16:55,165
Noise risk can also create situations

326
00:16:56,155 --> 00:17:00,405
like just like that perfect timing that was planned,

327
00:17:00,835 --> 00:17:04,045
that was totally planned where we might not want people

328
00:17:04,185 --> 00:17:06,605
to know where students are.

329
00:17:07,245 --> 00:17:10,245
They can also lead to kind of spread of misinformation

330
00:17:10,765 --> 00:17:13,285
before we have accurate information

331
00:17:13,285 --> 00:17:14,405
ready to share with the public.

332
00:17:14,705 --> 00:17:18,085
And then also whenever if folks are called on site

333
00:17:18,085 --> 00:17:20,725
that can lead to traffic Andes congestion

334
00:17:20,865 --> 00:17:24,645
and create problems for our actual emergency responders

335
00:17:24,665 --> 00:17:25,765
to getting onto campus.

336
00:17:27,545 --> 00:17:29,965
So I know folks may be wondering how will my student

337
00:17:30,025 --> 00:17:31,845
and I communicate in an emergency?

338
00:17:31,945 --> 00:17:33,805
So in the event of a school emergency,

339
00:17:33,805 --> 00:17:36,765
administrators will communicate directly with families.

340
00:17:37,305 --> 00:17:39,445
So students should not use personal devices

341
00:17:39,545 --> 00:17:41,605
unless directed by school personnel.

342
00:17:42,105 --> 00:17:44,925
The South Portland School Department utilizes the standard

343
00:17:45,365 --> 00:17:47,925
response protocol from the I Love You Guys Foundation

344
00:17:47,945 --> 00:17:49,365
to ensure a coordinated

345
00:17:49,425 --> 00:17:51,525
and safe reaction to any crisis

346
00:17:52,065 --> 00:17:55,045
in a real emergency once students are in a safe location

347
00:17:55,265 --> 00:17:56,645
and the threat is mitigated.

348
00:17:57,055 --> 00:18:00,165
Staff would assist students in access accessing their

349
00:18:00,165 --> 00:18:02,205
devices so that they can contact their families,

350
00:18:02,205 --> 00:18:03,285
let 'em know everything's okay.

351
00:18:03,865 --> 00:18:06,045
But if the threat is imminent, texting

352
00:18:06,225 --> 00:18:08,045
and calling would not be permitted

353
00:18:08,045 --> 00:18:09,325
as we will want all students

354
00:18:09,425 --> 00:18:12,365
and staff focused on following our response

355
00:18:12,645 --> 00:18:13,725
protocols and staying safe.

356
00:18:14,345 --> 00:18:17,965
So I did just wanna speak to that since that has been

357
00:18:18,795 --> 00:18:23,365
come up a few times really just in a handful of cases.

358
00:18:23,625 --> 00:18:25,725
But I know that it is a concern

359
00:18:26,985 --> 00:18:30,965
and we again, will have an update to the board on those

360
00:18:31,565 --> 00:18:33,365
personal electronic devices in November.

361
00:18:35,065 --> 00:18:37,205
So Superintendent Doina,

362
00:18:37,205 --> 00:18:38,965
before we go on to the enrollment report,

363
00:18:39,045 --> 00:18:41,725
I just wanna see if there are any questions about the

364
00:18:42,165 --> 00:18:44,125
announcements and recognitions. Claire,

365
00:18:44,125 --> 00:18:45,765
Claire raised her hand first. I'm happy to,

366
00:18:45,825 --> 00:18:48,285
Oh, this about everything that, the things we just heard.

367
00:18:48,285 --> 00:18:50,885
And one of mine was, you said that,

368
00:18:50,985 --> 00:18:53,245
and this goes back several slides, you don't have to switch,

369
00:18:53,305 --> 00:18:56,085
but that there's

370
00:18:57,355 --> 00:18:59,725
digital card cards system or whatever that's called.

371
00:18:59,875 --> 00:19:01,725
Time cards. Time cards. They digital time cards

372
00:19:01,785 --> 00:19:02,965
are for some staff.

373
00:19:03,265 --> 00:19:05,685
I'm just curious who,

374
00:19:05,955 --> 00:19:10,045
Yeah, so it's mostly been with our service staff,

375
00:19:10,105 --> 00:19:11,565
so our hourly employees

376
00:19:13,305 --> 00:19:17,245
and that's, and it's just being implemented right now.

377
00:19:17,745 --> 00:19:18,745
So

378
00:19:19,535 --> 00:19:21,645
Thank you Member Richardson.

379
00:19:22,775 --> 00:19:26,805
Thank you. The, I have a couple of questions kind

380
00:19:26,805 --> 00:19:29,565
of all over the place, but the, the grant applications

381
00:19:29,595 --> 00:19:32,725
that were highlighted in the middle school discussion,

382
00:19:33,115 --> 00:19:37,285
when do we learn about the outcome of those applications

383
00:19:38,425 --> 00:19:40,805
and how do we track those?

384
00:19:41,225 --> 00:19:45,485
How do we track those? Yeah, I would, I'm gonna defer

385
00:19:45,485 --> 00:19:47,445
to Joanna if she knows when our,

386
00:19:47,555 --> 00:19:48,965
when we would expect to hear back.

387
00:19:49,045 --> 00:19:50,685
I feel like it was like October, but

388
00:19:57,455 --> 00:19:59,605
Hello Johanna Prince, assistant superintendent.

389
00:19:59,905 --> 00:20:02,165
So there's two grants that we're working on right now.

390
00:20:02,865 --> 00:20:05,845
One we'd be a sub-recipient of and that was the United Way.

391
00:20:05,985 --> 00:20:08,205
We actually should hear back by the end

392
00:20:08,205 --> 00:20:09,925
of this month on that grant.

393
00:20:10,225 --> 00:20:13,325
But again, it would be United Way that would be notified as,

394
00:20:13,345 --> 00:20:14,405
and then they would let us know.

395
00:20:15,025 --> 00:20:19,005
The other grant that we are is submitted this week

396
00:20:19,025 --> 00:20:21,925
and we would find out by the end of October on that.

397
00:20:22,065 --> 00:20:24,645
And that we are the primary author of that grant.

398
00:20:25,945 --> 00:20:28,485
And how much, what, what is the amount

399
00:20:28,485 --> 00:20:29,645
of the, of each of those grants?

400
00:20:30,225 --> 00:20:32,405
So the grant that we are submitting this week

401
00:20:32,705 --> 00:20:34,405
is a three year grant.

402
00:20:34,865 --> 00:20:38,925
The first two years a request of $300,000

403
00:20:39,625 --> 00:20:42,565
and then if approved, you're allowed to submit

404
00:20:42,565 --> 00:20:45,045
for 200,000 more in year three.

405
00:20:46,345 --> 00:20:48,725
The United Way Promise grant,

406
00:20:49,885 --> 00:20:52,045
I actually did not see their final figure,

407
00:20:52,865 --> 00:20:57,365
but it would probably be a direct add

408
00:20:57,585 --> 00:21:00,485
of two FTE positions for the district

409
00:21:00,505 --> 00:21:01,765
for community school work.

410
00:21:02,225 --> 00:21:07,205
So again, that one was a multi-year multimillion

411
00:21:07,205 --> 00:21:09,885
dollar grant that was a statewide infrastructure.

412
00:21:09,985 --> 00:21:11,885
So I don't know what the total was on that one.

413
00:21:13,235 --> 00:21:14,725
Primarily for middle Thank you.

414
00:21:14,835 --> 00:21:18,925
Primarily for middle school staffing or you said that

415
00:21:18,985 --> 00:21:22,245
Is for United Way to really be the statewide

416
00:21:23,045 --> 00:21:25,125
infrastructure for community school

417
00:21:25,675 --> 00:21:27,325
development across the state.

418
00:21:28,505 --> 00:21:31,285
And so they would be supporting director positions.

419
00:21:31,965 --> 00:21:34,605
There's not a specific level in that,

420
00:21:35,265 --> 00:21:37,485
but rather to help us build out that structure.

421
00:21:38,835 --> 00:21:41,045
Okay. Thanks. Any other questions?

422
00:21:42,105 --> 00:21:44,845
At some point I would love an update on

423
00:21:46,305 --> 00:21:49,925
how we're preparing for the CDS transition for pre-K

424
00:21:50,265 --> 00:21:54,325
and you know, we're,

425
00:21:55,205 --> 00:21:59,565
I know I think that sort of ties to the capacity

426
00:22:01,495 --> 00:22:03,605
discussion that you spoke about earlier.

427
00:22:03,865 --> 00:22:07,405
So I just would, I'd like to put a pin in that.

428
00:22:08,945 --> 00:22:12,565
And then the FLS staffing issues that you highlighted

429
00:22:14,305 --> 00:22:18,845
are, are those roles roles that were unimpacted

430
00:22:19,105 --> 00:22:20,365
by the reduction in force,

431
00:22:24,545 --> 00:22:25,965
are those open roles roles

432
00:22:25,965 --> 00:22:28,205
that were unimpacted is what I'm trying to say.

433
00:22:30,665 --> 00:22:33,525
I'm not, so I'm not, the vacancies that we have

434
00:22:33,755 --> 00:22:36,325
Yeah, the vac, yeah, the vacancies we're trying to fill.

435
00:22:37,745 --> 00:22:42,005
And are you asking if we have like, I'm not sure,

436
00:22:44,065 --> 00:22:45,645
I'm not, I don't think I'm clear on

437
00:22:45,645 --> 00:22:46,885
the question, Len. Yeah,

438
00:22:47,265 --> 00:22:49,485
Why don't I ask again with more words.

439
00:22:51,905 --> 00:22:55,365
So we had a pretty massive reduction in force. Yeah.

440
00:22:57,155 --> 00:22:59,765
That resulted in 75 positions being cut.

441
00:23:00,105 --> 00:23:02,645
We now have vacancies that we need to fill

442
00:23:03,555 --> 00:23:05,765
that are causing staffing constraints.

443
00:23:07,065 --> 00:23:11,685
If I'd like to understand if those positions that are open

444
00:23:11,745 --> 00:23:14,685
and were, were, would would've been open no matter what

445
00:23:15,225 --> 00:23:18,805
or you know, how we're reflecting on those, those vacancies

446
00:23:18,805 --> 00:23:21,165
and the constraints that staff is

447
00:23:21,165 --> 00:23:22,405
feeling as a result of them.

448
00:23:23,065 --> 00:23:25,245
And I know that's kind of a loaded question. Yeah.

449
00:23:26,885 --> 00:23:28,925
I don't know that I could, I don't know that anybody

450
00:23:29,915 --> 00:23:31,965
here could, would be able to answer

451
00:23:32,035 --> 00:23:35,445
that if those positions I would suspect, you know, judging

452
00:23:35,665 --> 00:23:39,125
by the vacancies that you've had in the past

453
00:23:39,715 --> 00:23:43,765
that having vacancies for the start of the fall,

454
00:23:46,035 --> 00:23:47,045
it's not unusual.

455
00:23:47,385 --> 00:23:51,485
And I, I think we all also started out with fewer

456
00:23:51,995 --> 00:23:54,765
vacancies, especially

457
00:23:54,945 --> 00:23:57,085
for in the special education field.

458
00:23:57,905 --> 00:24:00,685
We are seeing lots of vacancies.

459
00:24:00,805 --> 00:24:03,925
I mean, I guess I can understand why from

460
00:24:04,765 --> 00:24:08,645
a perspective you might think if we cut that many positions,

461
00:24:08,945 --> 00:24:13,045
why isn't it easier to like make sure that our all,

462
00:24:13,145 --> 00:24:14,525
all our positions are filled.

463
00:24:15,385 --> 00:24:17,885
And I just don't think that it's a kind

464
00:24:17,885 --> 00:24:21,005
of direct correlation like that with the way that our,

465
00:24:21,705 --> 00:24:25,045
the special education field is right now.

466
00:24:25,305 --> 00:24:29,965
So there is relatively high turnover in

467
00:24:29,965 --> 00:24:32,365
that field with, especially for ed techs

468
00:24:32,465 --> 00:24:35,045
and so there are lots of changes that happen.

469
00:24:35,265 --> 00:24:40,205
So, but, and there are some strategies I think as a district

470
00:24:40,205 --> 00:24:43,725
that we haven't used that other districts are using.

471
00:24:45,545 --> 00:24:49,845
So you know, it's, we might be able to like, use some other

472
00:24:51,035 --> 00:24:55,485
recruitment avenues using staffing agencies that help

473
00:24:55,505 --> 00:24:59,205
to fill with temporary positions until we can get permanent

474
00:24:59,825 --> 00:25:04,245
people in or helping to identify people with the,

475
00:25:04,665 --> 00:25:07,365
the skills to recruit them to our positions.

476
00:25:07,505 --> 00:25:10,365
So we are not as a district set up

477
00:25:10,425 --> 00:25:12,445
to be full-time recruiters.

478
00:25:12,445 --> 00:25:16,205
Even though if you look at Trina's time

479
00:25:16,385 --> 00:25:19,845
and how she spent her time this summer, a lot of it was on

480
00:25:19,845 --> 00:25:23,005
what you would think of like an recruiter doing.

481
00:25:24,025 --> 00:25:26,965
But there are, so I think some of the agencies

482
00:25:26,965 --> 00:25:30,445
that are working with districts now to help fill in some

483
00:25:30,445 --> 00:25:32,805
of those spots and special education isn't something

484
00:25:32,805 --> 00:25:35,205
that our district has made use of in the past.

485
00:25:36,545 --> 00:25:39,845
And I think that that would help us fill our vacancies.

486
00:25:41,185 --> 00:25:43,365
So that's something that we're looking into now

487
00:25:43,385 --> 00:25:46,285
and obviously we wanna make sure that the people

488
00:25:46,285 --> 00:25:49,085
that we bring in are highly qualified and ready to

489
00:25:49,105 --> 00:25:51,685
and prepared to meet the needs of students.

490
00:25:51,945 --> 00:25:56,885
But, so I don't, I don't know that I can add anything more.

491
00:25:57,105 --> 00:25:59,965
I'm just looking to see Jeff, Joanna sees anything,

492
00:26:00,185 --> 00:26:02,645
any additional insights there, do you?

493
00:26:03,115 --> 00:26:04,115
Sure. If you,

494
00:26:10,445 --> 00:26:11,785
The vacancies

495
00:26:11,785 --> 00:26:15,905
that we have in special education right now are in the sspa

496
00:26:15,905 --> 00:26:17,105
unit, which is EdTech

497
00:26:17,885 --> 00:26:22,505
and clerks is that unit in the reduction in force

498
00:26:22,615 --> 00:26:23,945
that happened last spring.

499
00:26:24,245 --> 00:26:28,265
We were able to offer every impacted member of that unit

500
00:26:28,985 --> 00:26:31,465
a position with us on staff this year.

501
00:26:31,775 --> 00:26:34,745
Some of them chose not to accept the position,

502
00:26:35,245 --> 00:26:38,425
but we were able to offer everyone a placement.

503
00:26:38,605 --> 00:26:41,945
So the, the EdTech vacancies that we are starting

504
00:26:41,945 --> 00:26:44,285
with are similar to what we have started

505
00:26:44,285 --> 00:26:45,605
with in recent years.

506
00:26:45,785 --> 00:26:46,845
And we can work to try

507
00:26:46,845 --> 00:26:49,165
and pull some of that data if the board is interested.

508
00:26:51,335 --> 00:26:54,765
Thank you Dr. Prince. Any other questions?

509
00:26:54,965 --> 00:26:57,285
I, I think just a, just an ongoing update on,

510
00:26:57,385 --> 00:27:01,525
on this issue is, is important for, for us as a board,

511
00:27:02,245 --> 00:27:04,925
I know this is a topic we talked a lot about

512
00:27:04,925 --> 00:27:08,725
during the budget and I, it sounds like there's

513
00:27:09,795 --> 00:27:11,685
some really good observations being made

514
00:27:13,715 --> 00:27:17,045
that it would be good to hear more about and

515
00:27:17,045 --> 00:27:21,125
and hear how they're panning out. So thank you.

516
00:27:22,105 --> 00:27:26,165
Any other questions at this point in Dr.

517
00:27:26,425 --> 00:27:30,245
Deen's report? Okay.

518
00:27:30,305 --> 00:27:34,165
Do you want to go on to your enrollment? Sure.

519
00:27:34,705 --> 00:27:35,925
So lemme make sure I'm,

520
00:27:38,305 --> 00:27:41,525
you do have a full enrollment report I think in your packet,

521
00:27:41,745 --> 00:27:42,765
but right now,

522
00:27:42,985 --> 00:27:46,885
or the late, at least as of September 9th,

523
00:27:47,545 --> 00:27:50,605
it was 2,739 students,

524
00:27:51,855 --> 00:27:55,245
which is down 36 students since

525
00:27:55,905 --> 00:27:58,685
the last report I think that we gave you.

526
00:27:59,185 --> 00:28:03,005
But there, if you compare it to last year around, you know,

527
00:28:03,065 --> 00:28:06,045
we, we try and get to Octobers when we think

528
00:28:06,045 --> 00:28:07,645
of our official count.

529
00:28:08,225 --> 00:28:13,005
And so if you look at like the October figures from 2025,

530
00:28:13,675 --> 00:28:18,485
this number is pretty, the 27 39 is pretty stable,

531
00:28:18,905 --> 00:28:21,245
so not any major changes there.

532
00:28:22,145 --> 00:28:24,565
So last month it looked like we would increase enrollment

533
00:28:24,565 --> 00:28:26,965
over the fall of last year by about 20 students.

534
00:28:27,025 --> 00:28:29,125
And now it looks like we're simply holding steady,

535
00:28:33,245 --> 00:28:34,245
Thank you.

536
00:28:35,235 --> 00:28:38,315
And also had a resignation from a teacher,

537
00:28:39,075 --> 00:28:41,395
an instructional support teacher at South Portland.

538
00:28:41,735 --> 00:28:43,675
So that was effective August 31st.

539
00:28:43,775 --> 00:28:45,595
So that's notifying you that here.

540
00:28:48,455 --> 00:28:50,715
Any other questions on either the resignations

541
00:28:50,895 --> 00:28:52,875
or the enrollment report?

542
00:28:56,775 --> 00:28:59,635
Seeing none, we are up to the first public comment.

543
00:29:01,575 --> 00:29:04,035
The board's public comment time is an opportunity

544
00:29:04,615 --> 00:29:07,075
for the board to listen to opinions of the public

545
00:29:07,705 --> 00:29:10,315
that relate to school and education matters on

546
00:29:10,315 --> 00:29:11,915
or off this evening's agenda.

547
00:29:13,215 --> 00:29:14,395
The board is here to listen.

548
00:29:15,135 --> 00:29:17,515
Anyone wishing to speak will be asked to proceed

549
00:29:17,515 --> 00:29:21,995
to the microphone and state your name and the town

550
00:29:21,995 --> 00:29:23,435
or city where you reside.

551
00:29:24,615 --> 00:29:27,035
All questions will be recorded by the superintendent

552
00:29:27,135 --> 00:29:29,475
and the chair and will be answered at the end

553
00:29:29,475 --> 00:29:31,835
of public comment to the extent possible.

554
00:29:32,735 --> 00:29:35,395
If the answers are not available, someone will be assigned

555
00:29:35,415 --> 00:29:38,795
to reply to you as soon as the answer is available

556
00:29:39,095 --> 00:29:40,795
and you'll be given three minutes to speak.

557
00:29:41,575 --> 00:29:42,845
There will be no interaction

558
00:29:42,845 --> 00:29:44,805
between the public and the board members.

559
00:29:45,285 --> 00:29:46,645
Additionally, no clapping, booing,

560
00:29:46,645 --> 00:29:48,725
or other interrupted behavior will be allowed.

561
00:29:49,465 --> 00:29:52,165
As a reminder, school board meetings are broadcast, live,

562
00:29:52,605 --> 00:29:54,765
recorded, and posted on the city's website.

563
00:29:54,985 --> 00:29:57,085
Please consider the impact of your comments,

564
00:29:57,925 --> 00:30:02,845
Ms. Edwards. Hi,

565
00:30:03,105 --> 00:30:04,445
My name is Stephanie Edwards.

566
00:30:04,555 --> 00:30:05,565
I've been, I'm,

567
00:30:05,845 --> 00:30:08,005
I live in South Portland on Pennsylvania Ave.

568
00:30:08,355 --> 00:30:11,165
I've been here before, but today I am here just

569
00:30:11,165 --> 00:30:12,765
to introduce myself as a candidate

570
00:30:12,785 --> 00:30:14,605
for an at large seat on the school board.

571
00:30:15,455 --> 00:30:17,285
South Portland schools have been a part

572
00:30:17,285 --> 00:30:19,005
of my family's life for many years.

573
00:30:19,585 --> 00:30:21,205
I'm the parent of three children

574
00:30:21,385 --> 00:30:24,405
who have attended our school since kindergarten two,

575
00:30:24,435 --> 00:30:26,405
have recently graduated from the high school,

576
00:30:26,505 --> 00:30:28,445
and my youngest is currently an eighth grade

577
00:30:28,445 --> 00:30:29,605
student at the middle school.

578
00:30:30,715 --> 00:30:33,045
I've also experienced public education from the other

579
00:30:33,155 --> 00:30:34,325
side of the classroom.

580
00:30:34,925 --> 00:30:37,645
I am a former teacher within the district

581
00:30:37,785 --> 00:30:39,605
and I'm currently working in another district

582
00:30:39,605 --> 00:30:41,005
as a special education teacher.

583
00:30:41,965 --> 00:30:44,805
Those experiences have given me a perspective

584
00:30:44,915 --> 00:30:47,565
that I believe would be valuable on the school board,

585
00:30:48,105 --> 00:30:50,725
not only as a parent and a community community member,

586
00:30:50,785 --> 00:30:52,725
but as someone who understands

587
00:30:52,725 --> 00:30:54,925
what the decisions made at this table

588
00:30:55,625 --> 00:30:57,205
can look like when they reach a classroom.

589
00:30:58,595 --> 00:30:59,605
I've decided to run

590
00:30:59,605 --> 00:31:02,365
after spending a lot of time watching, listening

591
00:31:02,505 --> 00:31:04,165
and reflecting, particularly

592
00:31:04,165 --> 00:31:06,605
through some very difficult budget decisions.

593
00:31:07,035 --> 00:31:08,605
Like many people in our community,

594
00:31:08,765 --> 00:31:11,045
I have found myself asking hard questions about

595
00:31:11,185 --> 00:31:13,245
how we prioritize limited resources,

596
00:31:13,625 --> 00:31:16,045
how we support people doing the day-to-day work

597
00:31:16,045 --> 00:31:17,165
with our students and

598
00:31:17,185 --> 00:31:19,965
how we communicate difficult decisions to the community.

599
00:31:20,745 --> 00:31:23,365
But I'm not running simply because I have concerns.

600
00:31:23,505 --> 00:31:25,685
I'm running because I care deeply about the

601
00:31:25,685 --> 00:31:27,165
school district and the community.

602
00:31:27,465 --> 00:31:28,805
And I believe that I can contribute

603
00:31:28,805 --> 00:31:29,845
something meaningful to it.

604
00:31:30,445 --> 00:31:33,285
I believe that we need thoughtful fiscal responsibility,

605
00:31:33,665 --> 00:31:35,925
not simply spending more or cutting more,

606
00:31:35,945 --> 00:31:38,885
but making sure that our resources reflect our priorities

607
00:31:38,885 --> 00:31:40,845
and have the greatest possible impact on students.

608
00:31:41,725 --> 00:31:42,925
I believe that our teachers

609
00:31:42,925 --> 00:31:44,605
and staff need strong supervision,

610
00:31:44,605 --> 00:31:46,245
meaningful professional development

611
00:31:46,625 --> 00:31:48,845
and support that allows them to do their jobs well

612
00:31:48,905 --> 00:31:50,765
and want to stay in our schools.

613
00:31:51,545 --> 00:31:54,445
And I believe that communication and transparency matter.

614
00:31:54,465 --> 00:31:56,645
People may not always agree with the decisions

615
00:31:56,645 --> 00:31:58,765
that a board makes, but they should understand

616
00:31:58,765 --> 00:32:00,525
how those decisions were made, feel

617
00:32:00,525 --> 00:32:01,565
that their voices were heard,

618
00:32:01,565 --> 00:32:03,125
and trust that the process was honest.

619
00:32:03,735 --> 00:32:06,125
Above all. I believe deeply in equity.

620
00:32:06,495 --> 00:32:07,685
Every child who walks

621
00:32:07,685 --> 00:32:10,085
through the doors at a South Portland school deserves the

622
00:32:10,085 --> 00:32:12,485
opportunity to be successful, even when

623
00:32:12,485 --> 00:32:14,565
what they need looks different than

624
00:32:14,565 --> 00:32:16,045
what another child might need.

625
00:32:16,635 --> 00:32:18,325
There's so much worth protecting

626
00:32:18,325 --> 00:32:19,845
and building upon in South Portland.

627
00:32:20,475 --> 00:32:23,085
I've seen the incredible heart of our educators and staff.

628
00:32:23,315 --> 00:32:25,405
I've watched our schools rally around families

629
00:32:25,425 --> 00:32:28,005
and our community and have seen the effort

630
00:32:28,005 --> 00:32:29,645
that goes into making our schools, places

631
00:32:29,655 --> 00:32:31,525
where children can feel safe, accepted,

632
00:32:31,545 --> 00:32:32,805
and comfortable being themselves.

633
00:32:33,545 --> 00:32:35,605
I'm running because I wanna help strengthen that work

634
00:32:36,305 --> 00:32:39,685
and I will bring the perspective of a parent, an educator,

635
00:32:39,745 --> 00:32:41,325
and a community member to this table.

636
00:32:41,845 --> 00:32:43,485
I will ask questions, I will listen

637
00:32:43,665 --> 00:32:46,205
and I will be willing to have those difficult conversations.

638
00:32:46,785 --> 00:32:49,085
And I'll approach the work with honesty, integrity,

639
00:32:49,645 --> 00:32:50,845
kindness, and a commitment

640
00:32:50,845 --> 00:32:53,245
to keeping our students at the center of our decisions.

641
00:32:53,495 --> 00:32:54,495
Thank you.

642
00:32:55,175 --> 00:32:59,005
Thank you Stephanie. Mr. Parsons.

643
00:33:01,055 --> 00:33:04,765
Hello. Carl Parsons, south Portland

644
00:33:05,225 --> 00:33:07,565
and 3 58 Clarks Pond Parkway.

645
00:33:09,125 --> 00:33:12,565
I just wanted to say it's been such a joy to

646
00:33:13,965 --> 00:33:15,925
actually decide to run a campaign

647
00:33:16,225 --> 00:33:18,805
as if I'm an as if I'm opposed.

648
00:33:19,765 --> 00:33:21,525
I have basically been going out

649
00:33:21,545 --> 00:33:23,245
and meeting members of the community.

650
00:33:24,445 --> 00:33:27,965
I have so much feedback, thoughts just going in

651
00:33:27,965 --> 00:33:30,485
and direct con meeting directly with voters.

652
00:33:32,025 --> 00:33:35,885
And I will say that it is really been a joy to see

653
00:33:36,145 --> 00:33:40,005
how much faith people have in our schools when they meet

654
00:33:40,005 --> 00:33:42,685
with someone that has the positivity and joy

655
00:33:43,505 --> 00:33:44,965
and is excited to run.

656
00:33:46,065 --> 00:33:49,325
So one thing that I'll be kind of really working toward,

657
00:33:49,395 --> 00:33:51,405
I'll be doing obviously some pre-work,

658
00:33:52,345 --> 00:33:55,925
but one of the biggest things that I'd like for the council

659
00:33:56,185 --> 00:34:00,525
to consider is really looking at our policies from our

660
00:34:00,805 --> 00:34:05,325
neighbors, from Portland and Westbrook in terms of budget.

661
00:34:05,475 --> 00:34:08,605
They've done some radically incredible things

662
00:34:08,865 --> 00:34:09,885
in order to do so.

663
00:34:10,725 --> 00:34:14,205
I think continuing to educate folks on the

664
00:34:15,785 --> 00:34:18,485
the blocker to raising revenue in a radical

665
00:34:18,785 --> 00:34:19,845
and empathetic way.

666
00:34:20,785 --> 00:34:25,725
We continue to have taxes, everything be attributed

667
00:34:25,785 --> 00:34:28,405
to property taxes and making sure we work

668
00:34:28,405 --> 00:34:31,685
with our friends in the legislature to make sure

669
00:34:31,685 --> 00:34:33,685
that our hotels pay our fair share.

670
00:34:34,705 --> 00:34:37,845
In terms of education, I think retention

671
00:34:38,145 --> 00:34:40,525
and inspiring our teachers.

672
00:34:41,425 --> 00:34:43,965
You know, there's a hidden cost every time we have

673
00:34:43,965 --> 00:34:45,125
to go in and recruit.

674
00:34:46,235 --> 00:34:47,725
There's soft cost to that

675
00:34:47,725 --> 00:34:50,125
that don't show up easily in a financial sheet,

676
00:34:50,185 --> 00:34:52,525
but do come in burdens at the end of the year.

677
00:34:53,785 --> 00:34:56,925
But ultimately I've heard is that people want stability.

678
00:34:57,225 --> 00:35:00,485
And this is not from everyone, this is from teachers.

679
00:35:01,385 --> 00:35:02,965
No matter whether they're progressive

680
00:35:02,965 --> 00:35:05,365
or conservative, everyone wants stability.

681
00:35:06,105 --> 00:35:09,005
So I think one of the biggest things that I hope I can work

682
00:35:09,005 --> 00:35:12,645
with you guys on the council is to do more long-term

683
00:35:14,045 --> 00:35:15,045
planning and budgeting

684
00:35:15,065 --> 00:35:18,045
and forecasting so that way we can give predictability

685
00:35:18,225 --> 00:35:21,525
to our upcoming, to our constituents,

686
00:35:21,785 --> 00:35:23,005
to our community members.

687
00:35:23,785 --> 00:35:27,365
And also as we consider reconfiguration, make sure

688
00:35:27,365 --> 00:35:29,765
that we don't speed into a decision

689
00:35:30,235 --> 00:35:32,285
that we also consider grandfathering

690
00:35:32,285 --> 00:35:33,445
and our current students.

691
00:35:34,185 --> 00:35:36,605
So that way we can have the most stability

692
00:35:36,825 --> 00:35:37,925
and help everyone.

693
00:35:39,465 --> 00:35:42,845
And I would love to know when the next finance committee

694
00:35:43,105 --> 00:35:47,805
and the the next finance committee and policy meeting is.

695
00:35:48,405 --> 00:35:49,445
I don't know if it's recorded,

696
00:35:49,585 --> 00:35:52,085
but I would love to just continue to learn

697
00:35:52,145 --> 00:35:53,885
and understand not just from members

698
00:35:53,905 --> 00:35:55,165
of our community, but others.

699
00:35:55,785 --> 00:35:57,485
And I appreciate you guys. Thank you.

700
00:35:59,735 --> 00:36:01,525
Thank you Mr. Parsons. Ms. Marshall.

701
00:36:02,945 --> 00:36:06,205
Hi, I'm Jennifer Marshall. I am a community member.

702
00:36:06,605 --> 00:36:07,765
I work for transportation.

703
00:36:08,725 --> 00:36:10,725
I am also president of the service employees.

704
00:36:11,885 --> 00:36:14,005
I am AIA tonight, not just speaking

705
00:36:14,225 --> 00:36:16,565
for the service employees, but also Sarah Gay

706
00:36:16,565 --> 00:36:18,405
and Connie to Santo.

707
00:36:18,405 --> 00:36:19,725
Were unable to be here tonight,

708
00:36:19,785 --> 00:36:22,045
so I am also speaking on their behalf too.

709
00:36:23,465 --> 00:36:26,205
All three of our units would like to welcome all

710
00:36:26,205 --> 00:36:27,685
of the new admins that we have

711
00:36:28,065 --> 00:36:29,205
and we are looking forward

712
00:36:29,205 --> 00:36:31,605
to having positive relationships with them in the future.

713
00:36:34,325 --> 00:36:37,205
I did want to bring up the last school board meeting we had.

714
00:36:37,905 --> 00:36:40,565
We had a student that got up and spoke about bullying.

715
00:36:41,265 --> 00:36:42,485
So I would like to know

716
00:36:42,835 --> 00:36:45,365
what we are doing on all school levels

717
00:36:45,505 --> 00:36:46,805
to address that issue this year.

718
00:36:49,125 --> 00:36:51,445
I know I, living in the community,

719
00:36:52,445 --> 00:36:54,485
I have memorials in Red Bank

720
00:36:54,495 --> 00:36:57,285
where we've lost students from suicide and things like that.

721
00:36:57,725 --> 00:36:59,485
A result of bullying and other things.

722
00:37:00,365 --> 00:37:01,845
I don't want us to lose any more kids

723
00:37:02,825 --> 00:37:03,885
and I'd like to know what

724
00:37:03,885 --> 00:37:06,445
as a district, what we're gonna do. Have a good night.

725
00:37:06,855 --> 00:37:10,485
Thank you Mr. Daniels.

726
00:37:17,305 --> 00:37:21,565
My name's Ismael Daniels, south Portland, Orland Nav.

727
00:37:22,265 --> 00:37:24,805
I'm running for school board at large.

728
00:37:31,785 --> 00:37:34,245
My running, my reason for running for school board isn't to

729
00:37:35,195 --> 00:37:36,925
impress upon the community some of the things

730
00:37:36,925 --> 00:37:41,125
that I've heard other people say about dreams.

731
00:37:44,825 --> 00:37:46,285
I'm 16th generation American

732
00:37:47,525 --> 00:37:49,675
I 16th, right?

733
00:37:50,695 --> 00:37:54,775
And I've heard a lot of dreams come and go.

734
00:37:55,125 --> 00:37:58,415
I've heard a lot of hopes and wishes dissolve.

735
00:38:00,355 --> 00:38:02,655
I'm not here to say, and most people already know

736
00:38:05,595 --> 00:38:09,655
I'm gruff, but I ask a lot of common sense questions.

737
00:38:11,575 --> 00:38:13,775
I ask simple questions. I like intelligent answers.

738
00:38:16,155 --> 00:38:17,495
I'm not gonna sugarcoat the position

739
00:38:17,495 --> 00:38:19,095
that I take in the community.

740
00:38:20,035 --> 00:38:21,175
I'm blue collar. Most

741
00:38:21,175 --> 00:38:23,015
of my clothes have holes in them because I'm a welder.

742
00:38:24,215 --> 00:38:27,535
I don't come from a lot of means ****,

743
00:38:27,535 --> 00:38:28,575
we barely ate dinner today.

744
00:38:29,795 --> 00:38:32,375
But as a school board member,

745
00:38:34,655 --> 00:38:36,005
I don't really, really wanna replace anyone

746
00:38:36,005 --> 00:38:37,125
that's sitting on this council.

747
00:38:37,875 --> 00:38:42,145
What I'd like to do is make an alignment,

748
00:38:42,575 --> 00:38:44,705
make an alliance with some people, some people

749
00:38:44,705 --> 00:38:47,425
that I've spoken with, and really just make sure

750
00:38:47,425 --> 00:38:51,385
that the trans, the transparency, the communication,

751
00:38:52,285 --> 00:38:54,625
and the diversity, that's the big one

752
00:38:54,625 --> 00:38:55,665
that everyone keeps talking about.

753
00:38:55,725 --> 00:38:57,385
The diversity is actually diverse.

754
00:38:59,175 --> 00:39:01,345
There's a lot of people out here that work day to day

755
00:39:01,345 --> 00:39:02,785
that have real honest questions

756
00:39:02,815 --> 00:39:04,865
that aren't getting those questions answered.

757
00:39:07,705 --> 00:39:09,705
I speak a lot to people in my community

758
00:39:09,705 --> 00:39:12,905
because I engage with a lot of people in my community,

759
00:39:13,005 --> 00:39:15,465
not just trying to get their vote,

760
00:39:15,605 --> 00:39:17,465
but also just trying to pick their brains

761
00:39:17,465 --> 00:39:18,505
and see where they're struggling.

762
00:39:18,505 --> 00:39:19,865
Just like myself and my family,

763
00:39:24,405 --> 00:39:25,665
I'm not doing this to be liked.

764
00:39:26,445 --> 00:39:27,945
I'm doing this to make sure that my daughter

765
00:39:28,965 --> 00:39:33,545
and my stepdaughters all just get the proper information

766
00:39:33,965 --> 00:39:38,345
and education and opportunity to be more than just

767
00:39:39,415 --> 00:39:40,705
another TikTok video.

768
00:39:42,005 --> 00:39:45,465
So you'll still see me up here,

769
00:39:45,465 --> 00:39:48,385
even if I don't make school board, I guarantee you that.

770
00:39:48,845 --> 00:39:52,745
But I just wanna make sure

771
00:39:52,745 --> 00:39:54,105
that people see me,

772
00:39:55,745 --> 00:39:57,945
Ishmael Daniels at large Ridgeland Nav

773
00:39:58,405 --> 00:39:59,825
and thank you to the community up here.

774
00:40:00,955 --> 00:40:03,425
Right? Very good question. Right?

775
00:40:03,445 --> 00:40:07,065
Did those vacancies, did those vacancies come at a

776
00:40:07,065 --> 00:40:08,225
cost of 75 jobs?

777
00:40:09,995 --> 00:40:12,985
Right? That's a great question and I appreciate your time.

778
00:40:13,375 --> 00:40:14,375
Have a good day.

779
00:40:16,625 --> 00:40:18,385
Thank you, Mr. Daniel. Yes,

780
00:40:20,455 --> 00:40:21,455
Good evening.

781
00:40:21,455 --> 00:40:22,705
Sarah Cohen, Vincent Street.

782
00:40:22,985 --> 00:40:25,105
I am a proud parent of four kids this

783
00:40:25,105 --> 00:40:26,225
year in the school district.

784
00:40:26,305 --> 00:40:28,865
I have a seventh grader, a fourth grader,

785
00:40:28,945 --> 00:40:30,385
a third grader, and a kindergartner.

786
00:40:31,465 --> 00:40:33,905
I just wanna say that I am excited for this school year.

787
00:40:34,065 --> 00:40:36,385
I think that we have a lot of new leadership

788
00:40:36,485 --> 00:40:38,705
and I am hoping that this is an opportunity

789
00:40:39,285 --> 00:40:40,505
for some creativity.

790
00:40:40,805 --> 00:40:42,185
We have new superintendent welcome.

791
00:40:42,245 --> 00:40:44,705
We have a lot of new elementary school principals

792
00:40:44,705 --> 00:40:48,065
who have shifted a lot of shifting that happened, which I,

793
00:40:49,205 --> 00:40:52,865
it is a new challenge as our newer board members know,

794
00:40:52,925 --> 00:40:55,345
but I am looking at it with excitement

795
00:40:55,405 --> 00:40:56,505
and I'm excited to see

796
00:40:56,505 --> 00:40:59,065
what happens in these meetings over the course of the year.

797
00:41:00,645 --> 00:41:02,945
One thing I wanna ask and challenge

798
00:41:03,165 --> 00:41:06,385
and question the creativity of is a year ago,

799
00:41:07,015 --> 00:41:09,785
less than a year ago, when this budget process started, one

800
00:41:09,785 --> 00:41:12,505
of the items that was discussed for saving money

801
00:41:13,925 --> 00:41:16,625
was a single start time for the middle school.

802
00:41:17,485 --> 00:41:20,825
But one of the issues with that was the months long process

803
00:41:20,885 --> 00:41:22,905
of dealing with the Department of Transportation.

804
00:41:23,085 --> 00:41:25,625
So I'm curious, where are we at with that?

805
00:41:25,645 --> 00:41:27,145
Is that still a conversation on the table

806
00:41:27,205 --> 00:41:28,665
and how does that affect the bigger picture?

807
00:41:29,385 --> 00:41:31,545
I asked that with a seventh grader whose bus time

808
00:41:31,605 --> 00:41:32,665
is at 7 0 9.

809
00:41:33,565 --> 00:41:36,685
And I want to remind the board that the CDC

810
00:41:36,745 --> 00:41:41,045
and many other pediatric organizations recommend that middle

811
00:41:41,045 --> 00:41:43,885
and high schoolers do not start times for school and

812
00:41:44,345 --> 00:41:48,445
before 8:30 AM I know Portland schools has adjusted their

813
00:41:48,445 --> 00:41:50,365
whole school system to account for middle

814
00:41:50,385 --> 00:41:52,325
and high school having a later start time.

815
00:41:52,905 --> 00:41:54,965
And I'm just encouraging the board to do

816
00:41:55,625 --> 00:41:57,045
to think about that in the bigger picture.

817
00:41:57,885 --> 00:42:00,205
A lot of the conversation that we've had over the last year

818
00:42:00,305 --> 00:42:03,005
has been about budget cuts and reconfiguration.

819
00:42:03,585 --> 00:42:06,565
And I'm encouraging you in this new time, in this new season

820
00:42:06,905 --> 00:42:08,325
to let's look at the whole district.

821
00:42:08,325 --> 00:42:09,325
Let's look big picture

822
00:42:10,105 --> 00:42:13,125
and let's see how all of the pieces fall into place

823
00:42:13,125 --> 00:42:14,885
and what are the dominant o effects of

824
00:42:14,885 --> 00:42:17,765
what we make changes here and how they affect people here.

825
00:42:17,965 --> 00:42:19,965
I know as a parent of multiple kids,

826
00:42:20,445 --> 00:42:22,445
having my kids in one three

827
00:42:22,445 --> 00:42:24,165
of my four in one school has been amazing.

828
00:42:25,265 --> 00:42:27,285
But I also think about all the different types

829
00:42:27,285 --> 00:42:29,125
of families in all the moving pieces that happen.

830
00:42:31,445 --> 00:42:34,885
I will note that at small, we have

831
00:42:35,815 --> 00:42:38,525
52 kindergartners this year, which they had

832
00:42:38,525 --> 00:42:40,765
to move from two classes to three, which is exciting.

833
00:42:41,445 --> 00:42:43,925
But also with the addition of three pre-Ks,

834
00:42:43,925 --> 00:42:47,285
there are now six classrooms where there used to be two,

835
00:42:47,615 --> 00:42:49,125
which put my fourth grader

836
00:42:49,125 --> 00:42:50,805
and the fourth graders back in the portables.

837
00:42:51,105 --> 00:42:54,685
So I'm just sharing that for those who are not aware

838
00:42:54,685 --> 00:42:56,085
that we do have spacious issues,

839
00:42:56,085 --> 00:42:57,765
30 seconds in some of these are buildings.

840
00:42:58,785 --> 00:43:00,405
And I have a question about the surveys.

841
00:43:00,585 --> 00:43:01,885
We filled out so many surveys

842
00:43:02,105 --> 00:43:03,565
and I hope that they're effective.

843
00:43:04,565 --> 00:43:09,165
I am asking for the a genera generated surveys

844
00:43:09,305 --> 00:43:11,085
to be evaluated for bias

845
00:43:11,275 --> 00:43:14,205
because often when I'm taking the surveys it feels like it's

846
00:43:14,205 --> 00:43:16,285
leading me towards one direction

847
00:43:16,285 --> 00:43:18,605
and it doesn't, doesn't always feel good.

848
00:43:18,625 --> 00:43:20,205
So can we look at surveys from a

849
00:43:20,665 --> 00:43:23,085
survey research perspective?

850
00:43:23,185 --> 00:43:24,185
Not ai. Thank you.

851
00:43:25,655 --> 00:43:27,525
Thank you Corinne.

852
00:43:31,625 --> 00:43:33,445
Oh no, good evening.

853
00:43:33,585 --> 00:43:34,965
My name is Corinne Altham

854
00:43:35,025 --> 00:43:40,005
and I'm the librarian at Brown Chair DeAngelo.

855
00:43:40,505 --> 00:43:44,245
May I speak about the item six two?

856
00:43:46,145 --> 00:43:51,005
Excuse me. May I speak about policy BEDH,

857
00:43:51,145 --> 00:43:54,205
public participation at board meetings?

858
00:43:54,545 --> 00:43:57,245
Yes. May I speak about that now and

859
00:43:57,245 --> 00:43:58,885
after you have your conversation?

860
00:43:58,905 --> 00:44:02,285
Can I speak again later? Yes. For three minutes each time.

861
00:44:02,335 --> 00:44:04,085
Thank you. I appreciate that

862
00:44:04,635 --> 00:44:06,805
because this is a public meaning and

863
00:44:06,805 --> 00:44:08,485
because we're in America and

864
00:44:08,485 --> 00:44:13,205
because this is a democracy,

865
00:44:15,205 --> 00:44:16,285
I think that people should be

866
00:44:16,285 --> 00:44:17,405
able to speak when they want to.

867
00:44:17,675 --> 00:44:21,685
That being said, I thought about people coming up behind me

868
00:44:21,825 --> 00:44:24,085
and then offering their three minutes

869
00:44:24,745 --> 00:44:28,405
and how many people that could lead to the entire

870
00:44:29,115 --> 00:44:31,205
teacher's union could make a line

871
00:44:31,205 --> 00:44:32,805
and we could be here till 2:00 AM

872
00:44:33,465 --> 00:44:35,365
So I understand the policy,

873
00:44:35,945 --> 00:44:39,885
but any policy that's going to limit intellectual freedom

874
00:44:40,545 --> 00:44:44,565
and the ability to share your opinion about this public

875
00:44:44,565 --> 00:44:49,125
meaning and this public institution should not be limited.

876
00:44:50,755 --> 00:44:53,125
However, whenever we can't agree on something,

877
00:44:53,125 --> 00:44:54,405
we can find the gray area.

878
00:44:54,545 --> 00:44:58,205
And so I would encourage you to find

879
00:44:59,225 --> 00:45:01,565
new ways to have more voices heard.

880
00:45:03,265 --> 00:45:05,525
I'm very glad that you're talking tonight about

881
00:45:07,625 --> 00:45:09,885
our new recon, our new configuration

882
00:45:11,075 --> 00:45:13,645
because well it is one year only

883
00:45:14,265 --> 00:45:15,765
and I'm really glad about that

884
00:45:16,835 --> 00:45:20,845
because the way that it is right now is

885
00:45:21,785 --> 00:45:24,205
in my mind in some ways inequitable.

886
00:45:24,205 --> 00:45:26,045
And I would love to speak about that

887
00:45:26,585 --> 00:45:28,565
in any committee you might invite me to.

888
00:45:29,825 --> 00:45:33,525
And finally, I would like to say congratulations

889
00:45:33,745 --> 00:45:36,325
to my fellow South Portland

890
00:45:38,255 --> 00:45:41,485
leadership cohort member Nicole Kutu for her new job

891
00:45:41,705 --> 00:45:42,885
as assistant principal.

892
00:45:43,505 --> 00:45:48,125
And welcome back Elizabeth Fowler and to congratulate Mitch

893
00:45:48,345 --> 00:45:50,005
and to congratulate Helen.

894
00:45:50,705 --> 00:45:53,285
And I don't know Shelby, but I'm sure she's amazing

895
00:45:53,765 --> 00:45:54,965
and I wanna say congrats

896
00:45:54,985 --> 00:45:56,245
and welcome back to my friend

897
00:45:56,275 --> 00:45:59,285
Mary Catherine Short and that's all. Thank you.

898
00:45:59,695 --> 00:46:02,965
Thank you Ka Ellen.

899
00:46:05,875 --> 00:46:08,365
Good evening. I'm Ellen Clancy from

900
00:46:10,205 --> 00:46:11,565
Delbert Street in South Portland.

901
00:46:12,445 --> 00:46:15,565
I am running for city council in district two.

902
00:46:16,365 --> 00:46:19,445
I wanted to just introduce myself to you here

903
00:46:20,585 --> 00:46:21,765
at the school board meeting

904
00:46:21,765 --> 00:46:26,085
because I've been hearing out in my campaigning a lot

905
00:46:26,085 --> 00:46:27,765
of questions about the school

906
00:46:28,345 --> 00:46:31,445
and school budget particularly, which is where we interface

907
00:46:32,265 --> 00:46:34,045
as board and council.

908
00:46:34,945 --> 00:46:39,725
And I wanted to just say that I am up for any kind

909
00:46:39,725 --> 00:46:43,365
of collaboration with the school board that's allowed.

910
00:46:43,605 --> 00:46:45,085
I don't know all the rules yet,

911
00:46:45,145 --> 00:46:47,925
but I do think it would be a very, very good thing

912
00:46:48,465 --> 00:46:50,805
for members of the council to meet

913
00:46:50,805 --> 00:46:53,485
with the school board on a mu more regular basis.

914
00:46:53,495 --> 00:46:56,845
Especially as we approach budgets so that we can understand

915
00:46:57,215 --> 00:47:00,085
where everybody's coming from in some of the issues that,

916
00:47:00,705 --> 00:47:02,125
you know, you folks are dealing with.

917
00:47:02,705 --> 00:47:05,285
So with that, that's all I wanted to say.

918
00:47:06,245 --> 00:47:07,245
I think you do great work

919
00:47:07,505 --> 00:47:09,525
and I hope we can see more

920
00:47:09,525 --> 00:47:11,285
of each other in the future. Thank you.

921
00:47:11,415 --> 00:47:15,965
Thank you. Ellen. Any other people

922
00:47:16,055 --> 00:47:19,485
interested in public comment for this first time?

923
00:47:22,085 --> 00:47:24,405
Seeing none, we will close public comment.

924
00:47:26,775 --> 00:47:30,445
There were a couple of questions that I think we can answer.

925
00:47:31,265 --> 00:47:36,245
One is our committee meetings, both finance

926
00:47:36,745 --> 00:47:41,245
and policy are always posted on the website

927
00:47:41,665 --> 00:47:44,965
and they are public meetings so people can come.

928
00:47:44,995 --> 00:47:46,085
They are not recorded.

929
00:47:46,705 --> 00:47:51,125
So, but you are more than welcome to attend to those live.

930
00:47:51,745 --> 00:47:53,405
The Buildings and grounds committee,

931
00:47:53,845 --> 00:47:56,445
I believe is usually virtual, is that correct?

932
00:47:56,445 --> 00:48:00,165
That's right. And that's also public.

933
00:48:00,305 --> 00:48:03,725
You can, you can't make comments but you,

934
00:48:04,425 --> 00:48:09,125
but you can, you can partic you, you can listen

935
00:48:09,185 --> 00:48:11,325
to the meetings publicly.

936
00:48:16,235 --> 00:48:17,325
That was the first question.

937
00:48:17,785 --> 00:48:20,965
The second question, I don't have any answer,

938
00:48:21,145 --> 00:48:23,005
but I don't know whether the superintendent

939
00:48:23,025 --> 00:48:26,645
or the assistant superintendent has, it was by Jen Marshall

940
00:48:26,665 --> 00:48:29,525
and it was about what, what is our bullying program

941
00:48:30,025 --> 00:48:32,445
or what is it we're doing around bullying uhuh?

942
00:48:32,685 --> 00:48:33,885
I would recommend if that,

943
00:48:33,885 --> 00:48:36,245
if the board would like a fuller report on that,

944
00:48:36,245 --> 00:48:37,965
that we could come back at a later time.

945
00:48:39,035 --> 00:48:41,525
Okay. So we will report on that at

946
00:48:42,835 --> 00:48:44,325
October and November meeting.

947
00:48:44,635 --> 00:48:48,725
Okay, thank you. The

948
00:48:52,415 --> 00:48:56,765
other question I I, I I think is, is just

949
00:48:58,225 --> 00:49:02,325
was regarding the middle school start time

950
00:49:02,425 --> 00:49:04,165
and I don't know where we are with that.

951
00:49:04,505 --> 00:49:07,205
We do have a meeting on the books with the Department

952
00:49:07,205 --> 00:49:11,325
of Transportation, which is happening actually

953
00:49:11,915 --> 00:49:14,885
this week and also with the city.

954
00:49:14,895 --> 00:49:17,485
There are a couple of studies that would, we would have

955
00:49:17,485 --> 00:49:22,285
to do in order to transportation related in order to move

956
00:49:22,305 --> 00:49:23,405
to one start time.

957
00:49:23,745 --> 00:49:28,365
So we are, you know, taking the steps to

958
00:49:28,965 --> 00:49:30,725
evaluate whether that's something we can do

959
00:49:32,885 --> 00:49:34,045
With regard to the surveys.

960
00:49:34,045 --> 00:49:36,045
We will be reporting more on the surveys.

961
00:49:36,045 --> 00:49:39,805
So we can give you more information about that at that time.

962
00:49:41,825 --> 00:49:44,565
And we will be,

963
00:49:45,105 --> 00:49:46,845
the board will be discussing

964
00:49:47,505 --> 00:49:50,085
the amendments on public comment

965
00:49:51,325 --> 00:49:52,525
a little bit later in the agenda.

966
00:49:54,665 --> 00:49:54,885
So

967
00:49:59,625 --> 00:50:01,765
we are at the report of committees.

968
00:50:02,065 --> 00:50:05,165
So we will start with Ms. Holman doing

969
00:50:05,305 --> 00:50:07,165
the finance committee. Okay,

970
00:50:07,735 --> 00:50:08,735
Thank you.

971
00:50:09,825 --> 00:50:13,605
So are we gonna look at the, any

972
00:50:13,605 --> 00:50:15,125
of the materials here?

973
00:50:15,785 --> 00:50:20,085
So the finance committee, one of the, one of the ideas

974
00:50:20,085 --> 00:50:22,245
that's been in the works and that is, is starting

975
00:50:22,245 --> 00:50:25,805
to become reality is that, that the superintendent

976
00:50:26,065 --> 00:50:29,565
and our finance director will be reporting to city council.

977
00:50:30,655 --> 00:50:32,285
There, there are some details about,

978
00:50:32,745 --> 00:50:35,565
and one of the things that we hope to ha see happen

979
00:50:35,905 --> 00:50:40,725
as a result of that is eventually for the city.

980
00:50:40,835 --> 00:50:42,045
They, they had generously offered

981
00:50:42,045 --> 00:50:43,125
to cover some things for us.

982
00:50:43,555 --> 00:50:45,925
Some, some finance, some overages.

983
00:50:47,345 --> 00:50:49,965
And there's, we,

984
00:50:49,965 --> 00:50:52,045
we haven't gotten the total green light from our legal

985
00:50:52,045 --> 00:50:53,765
counsel to go forward with that.

986
00:50:53,785 --> 00:50:55,485
So it's to actually make that,

987
00:50:55,635 --> 00:50:58,005
that vote is not on the agenda for tomorrow.

988
00:50:58,185 --> 00:51:01,765
But nonetheless, I understand that superintendent Angela

989
00:51:02,185 --> 00:51:06,525
and financial director Abigail will be meeting with going

990
00:51:06,525 --> 00:51:10,045
to the city council tomorrow, the start of a grand, grand

991
00:51:11,245 --> 00:51:12,885
relationship and

992
00:51:13,185 --> 00:51:15,445
or continuation of a grand relationship I should say.

993
00:51:16,165 --> 00:51:18,045
A lot of other things I think were mentioned by,

994
00:51:18,745 --> 00:51:23,285
by our superintendent in her report audits getting underway.

995
00:51:23,465 --> 00:51:27,565
And in general, if you are able, can we see the,

996
00:51:28,705 --> 00:51:30,405
do we see, can we see any of the reports on

997
00:51:30,405 --> 00:51:31,845
this on the screen?

998
00:51:31,865 --> 00:51:34,685
We don't have to I guess, but we're,

999
00:51:35,495 --> 00:51:37,445
we've really gotten into different kinds of shape where,

1000
00:51:38,465 --> 00:51:40,525
and Abigail, you can correct me if I'm wrong on this

1001
00:51:40,685 --> 00:51:43,165
'cause it just seems like too incredible to be true,

1002
00:51:43,345 --> 00:51:46,005
but if you look at the, if you look at,

1003
00:51:47,225 --> 00:51:49,845
if you look at the report that's called

1004
00:51:54,305 --> 00:51:57,045
Fiscal year 26, local budget article summary report.

1005
00:51:57,675 --> 00:52:01,645
Okay. And it that at the end of it, the, the,

1006
00:52:02,265 --> 00:52:04,605
the part that's in red in parentheses, which means

1007
00:52:04,605 --> 00:52:06,725
that we are over is starts

1008
00:52:06,725 --> 00:52:08,845
with it's only got four figures to it.

1009
00:52:08,865 --> 00:52:10,765
1000, 1000

1010
00:52:11,265 --> 00:52:14,525
and 1080 $5, which is

1011
00:52:15,195 --> 00:52:17,205
mind blowingly amazingly great.

1012
00:52:17,745 --> 00:52:19,845
Yay. That's very, very good news for us

1013
00:52:19,865 --> 00:52:22,005
and hopefully we can continue in that direction

1014
00:52:23,585 --> 00:52:24,885
as usual going forward.

1015
00:52:25,425 --> 00:52:27,685
One of the big things that has to happen with the budget is

1016
00:52:27,685 --> 00:52:30,925
that encumbrances need to be rolled out.

1017
00:52:30,925 --> 00:52:34,125
Encumbrances mean that you set aside money

1018
00:52:34,125 --> 00:52:35,445
that you know you're gonna have to pay, such as

1019
00:52:35,465 --> 00:52:38,045
for salaries, which are the biggest cost anyway

1020
00:52:38,265 --> 00:52:41,165
and other kinds of things, utilities and others.

1021
00:52:41,625 --> 00:52:43,525
So that's underway. It's hard to, in other words.

1022
00:52:43,525 --> 00:52:45,565
So it's hard to get a total reading without

1023
00:52:45,565 --> 00:52:46,605
those things all set.

1024
00:52:47,345 --> 00:52:49,845
And of course there are always adjustments end up getting me

1025
00:52:49,915 --> 00:52:50,925
made when there is an audit,

1026
00:52:50,945 --> 00:52:52,845
but we'll have the auditor come talk to us.

1027
00:52:54,345 --> 00:52:57,205
Yes, we will. Anyway, have I left anything important out?

1028
00:53:00,535 --> 00:53:04,285
Thank you. Okay. Policy committee.

1029
00:53:05,385 --> 00:53:06,385
Oh, I'm sorry.

1030
00:53:07,465 --> 00:53:10,245
Yes. I was unable

1031
00:53:10,245 --> 00:53:13,125
to attend the finance committee meeting.

1032
00:53:15,165 --> 00:53:18,365
I understand tomorrow we're that we're planning

1033
00:53:18,425 --> 00:53:20,125
to go in front of city council

1034
00:53:20,465 --> 00:53:25,085
and I imagine present the FY 26 hypothetical

1035
00:53:25,235 --> 00:53:29,325
that we're only a thousand dollars potentially in the red.

1036
00:53:31,465 --> 00:53:36,125
The facts and circumstances of the hypothetical we presented

1037
00:53:36,125 --> 00:53:38,685
to council is significantly different.

1038
00:53:39,505 --> 00:53:41,725
We are not looking at a one

1039
00:53:41,725 --> 00:53:46,205
and a half to $2 million payment or credit.

1040
00:53:46,235 --> 00:53:49,605
They called it a transfer from the city

1041
00:53:50,765 --> 00:53:52,445
budget over to the school budget.

1042
00:53:53,505 --> 00:53:55,645
The, while it is wonderful

1043
00:53:55,675 --> 00:53:57,605
that we are only in the red a thousand dollars,

1044
00:53:57,835 --> 00:54:01,925
what this means is we have no fund reserve balance,

1045
00:54:02,455 --> 00:54:04,445
which is very concerning to me.

1046
00:54:05,545 --> 00:54:09,485
And I am wondering if there's a way to present

1047
00:54:10,035 --> 00:54:14,165
this tomorrow to council as something to discuss given

1048
00:54:14,875 --> 00:54:17,445
they, they understood the gravity

1049
00:54:17,445 --> 00:54:18,685
of the situation we were in.

1050
00:54:20,295 --> 00:54:22,765
We're now, we've now done really good belts

1051
00:54:22,765 --> 00:54:25,805
and suspenders at a cost, at a substantial cost

1052
00:54:25,905 --> 00:54:27,925
to our staff this past school year.

1053
00:54:28,665 --> 00:54:31,165
But now we have a pretty irresponsible

1054
00:54:32,445 --> 00:54:33,525
situation of no fund balance.

1055
00:54:33,905 --> 00:54:37,965
And we have, we've had members

1056
00:54:37,965 --> 00:54:41,285
of the public tonight discuss about partnering

1057
00:54:41,285 --> 00:54:42,285
with city council.

1058
00:54:43,365 --> 00:54:45,245
I think this is a pretty grave situation

1059
00:54:45,505 --> 00:54:49,205
and I'm wondering if we're, you know, kind of what the tone

1060
00:54:49,205 --> 00:54:52,285
of our conversation with city council is gonna be

1061
00:54:52,285 --> 00:54:53,325
on this topic tomorrow.

1062
00:54:54,025 --> 00:54:55,325
In other words, could I just say

1063
00:54:55,585 --> 00:54:56,805
may, may, I may, may a comment.

1064
00:54:57,195 --> 00:55:00,645
Yeah. Thank you. Can they help us out

1065
00:55:00,645 --> 00:55:03,125
with the fund balance is the question, right?

1066
00:55:03,225 --> 00:55:04,225
Yep.

1067
00:55:04,985 --> 00:55:08,405
So I I I'm gonna go

1068
00:55:08,405 --> 00:55:12,005
to the superintendent for this. I have my thoughts about

1069
00:55:12,005 --> 00:55:13,205
It, but I'll go to the superintendent.

1070
00:55:14,305 --> 00:55:15,885
You know, a fund balance is there

1071
00:55:16,265 --> 00:55:18,085
for an emergency situation.

1072
00:55:18,365 --> 00:55:20,285
I, I don't think we need them

1073
00:55:20,345 --> 00:55:24,325
to tra I mean it would be an a very unusual situation

1074
00:55:24,325 --> 00:55:27,445
for them to transfer some of their fund balance

1075
00:55:27,625 --> 00:55:29,125
to our fund balance, right?

1076
00:55:29,805 --> 00:55:30,805
Whenever it we're.

1077
00:55:31,985 --> 00:55:36,125
We, we have shown that we have, you know,

1078
00:55:36,125 --> 00:55:40,125
through some very serious, through the, your efforts

1079
00:55:40,125 --> 00:55:42,405
around the freezes and being

1080
00:55:42,545 --> 00:55:45,805
and the financial controls to really set yourselves up for

1081
00:55:46,365 --> 00:55:49,085
a better, stronger financial situation this year.

1082
00:55:49,265 --> 00:55:53,125
So that said, you know, they have, they, it was,

1083
00:55:53,555 --> 00:55:56,965
they very graciously have agreed, agreed to support the,

1084
00:55:57,065 --> 00:56:00,765
the school department in, in,

1085
00:56:00,835 --> 00:56:02,925
when there was an emergency situation.

1086
00:56:03,205 --> 00:56:06,765
I think we're, we're coming out of that we're there

1087
00:56:06,785 --> 00:56:10,405
to be an emergency situation, financial situation.

1088
00:56:10,605 --> 00:56:13,765
I think that we still, it's, I would expect

1089
00:56:13,765 --> 00:56:15,245
that they would still be open to that.

1090
00:56:15,865 --> 00:56:18,645
We definitely have some facilities issues

1091
00:56:18,645 --> 00:56:20,685
that could become an emergency situation.

1092
00:56:20,845 --> 00:56:22,365
I don't, hopefully they will not,

1093
00:56:22,545 --> 00:56:26,245
but that might put us in a precarious situation

1094
00:56:26,925 --> 00:56:28,645
where something like that to happen this year.

1095
00:56:28,825 --> 00:56:33,165
So I don't, yeah,

1096
00:56:33,245 --> 00:56:37,005
I think it would be unusual if we, if we were to have

1097
00:56:37,635 --> 00:56:40,685
them transfer the fund balance here.

1098
00:56:40,705 --> 00:56:42,925
So I don't, I, but I don't think that means

1099
00:56:42,925 --> 00:56:45,685
that we were in the same kind of boat of being able to,

1100
00:56:45,685 --> 00:56:48,805
if we were in a serious situation of probably having to go

1101
00:56:48,805 --> 00:56:50,325
to them if we needed

1102
00:56:50,345 --> 00:56:53,205
to rely on a substantial fund balance of some sign.

1103
00:56:55,705 --> 00:56:56,765
Any other questions?

1104
00:57:00,605 --> 00:57:03,245
I I will just add that,

1105
00:57:05,835 --> 00:57:08,405
That the, the reason I would be opposed

1106
00:57:08,505 --> 00:57:09,885
to asking the city council

1107
00:57:10,025 --> 00:57:12,205
to move money from their fund balance

1108
00:57:12,305 --> 00:57:15,845
to ours is it is stealing from Peter to pay Paul.

1109
00:57:16,165 --> 00:57:17,805
I mean we're the, it's the same.

1110
00:57:17,995 --> 00:57:21,525
It's still the taxpayers, it's still the same money.

1111
00:57:22,265 --> 00:57:24,725
So we are a department of the city.

1112
00:57:25,225 --> 00:57:27,725
We would be, it would be no different than if the

1113
00:57:28,905 --> 00:57:31,725
police department or the fire department or the parks

1114
00:57:31,725 --> 00:57:35,405
and rec department asked to say, Hey,

1115
00:57:35,545 --> 00:57:37,205
can we have some of your money?

1116
00:57:37,425 --> 00:57:39,965
And we just wanna put it in our savings account

1117
00:57:40,505 --> 00:57:41,525
and hold it here.

1118
00:57:41,785 --> 00:57:45,805
So I think what the superintendent is explaining is

1119
00:57:45,805 --> 00:57:50,445
that if we came into a crisis and something happened

1120
00:57:50,445 --> 00:57:53,845
and we had to go to the council to ask for money

1121
00:57:54,545 --> 00:57:58,165
for a particular item, that, that, that's a,

1122
00:57:58,165 --> 00:58:01,925
that's a different question than just asking them

1123
00:58:02,065 --> 00:58:04,525
to give us some money for our fund balance.

1124
00:58:04,745 --> 00:58:05,745
So,

1125
00:58:06,315 --> 00:58:07,315
Yeah.

1126
00:58:07,315 --> 00:58:10,725
So can I just wanna add how, I really just wanna say that

1127
00:58:11,525 --> 00:58:14,405
through these efforts, which I know were painful,

1128
00:58:14,555 --> 00:58:17,525
that you have set the district up for a much stronger

1129
00:58:18,205 --> 00:58:20,205
position and I think

1130
00:58:20,205 --> 00:58:23,125
that the public really expects departments

1131
00:58:23,185 --> 00:58:26,125
to manage their funds in a way

1132
00:58:26,125 --> 00:58:28,805
that doesn't put us in this kind of situation.

1133
00:58:29,065 --> 00:58:34,005
So I, I think really we, that's

1134
00:58:34,005 --> 00:58:36,485
what we wanna do is we wanna be able to kind

1135
00:58:36,485 --> 00:58:38,125
of stand on our own two feet

1136
00:58:38,385 --> 00:58:42,045
and be able to manage our own expenses

1137
00:58:42,265 --> 00:58:44,765
and finances within the budget that we have.

1138
00:58:44,865 --> 00:58:49,645
And so I think we're, it's, it's to me, a relief

1139
00:58:49,645 --> 00:58:51,965
that we're not having to request

1140
00:58:52,225 --> 00:58:55,485
so much support from the city.

1141
00:58:55,795 --> 00:58:59,445
Also, I, having had some experience

1142
00:59:00,305 --> 00:59:03,645
in Portland that was in a situation like probably 20 years

1143
00:59:03,745 --> 00:59:07,725
ago where there were financial situation,

1144
00:59:08,185 --> 00:59:13,085
you do end up in a place where you set up more controls

1145
00:59:13,085 --> 00:59:17,125
and more kind of, you know,

1146
00:59:17,605 --> 00:59:20,285
approvals from the city in certain situations if you get

1147
00:59:20,315 --> 00:59:22,725
into a very serious situation

1148
00:59:22,945 --> 00:59:27,365
and it can take decades to untangle yourselves from

1149
00:59:27,365 --> 00:59:30,685
that kind of more tighter relationship.

1150
00:59:30,905 --> 00:59:32,565
And so I think really it's a,

1151
00:59:32,565 --> 00:59:34,005
you're in a much healthier place.

1152
00:59:34,665 --> 00:59:37,045
We do not have to do that this year.

1153
00:59:37,045 --> 00:59:41,965
That doesn't mean that we're, we are kind

1154
00:59:41,965 --> 00:59:43,605
of out of the woods so to speak.

1155
00:59:43,705 --> 00:59:46,965
We still need to be very mindful of our fine finances so

1156
00:59:46,965 --> 00:59:50,965
that we get into, you know, a much safer place

1157
00:59:51,065 --> 00:59:52,645
and we continue to be mindful of

1158
00:59:52,645 --> 00:59:54,565
how we're managing our, our budget.

1159
00:59:54,745 --> 00:59:55,745
So

1160
00:59:57,255 --> 00:59:58,255
Thank you.

1161
01:00:00,665 --> 01:00:02,765
Policy committee, what's

1162
01:00:02,765 --> 01:00:06,645
before you are the minutes that have been approved from the,

1163
01:00:06,955 --> 01:00:08,165
from the August meeting.

1164
01:00:08,225 --> 01:00:09,685
We just had the September meeting,

1165
01:00:09,745 --> 01:00:11,965
but the August minutes were approved.

1166
01:00:13,845 --> 01:00:17,565
I we can't present the minutes to you until the committee

1167
01:00:18,255 --> 01:00:19,925
makes an approval of those minutes.

1168
01:00:20,665 --> 01:00:25,325
So we will have the second read tonight on the,

1169
01:00:27,425 --> 01:00:29,285
the, the rules and regulations

1170
01:00:29,465 --> 01:00:31,605
for personal electronic devices.

1171
01:00:31,905 --> 01:00:35,725
And we will have the first read on recommended changes

1172
01:00:35,985 --> 01:00:38,085
for public participation board meetings,

1173
01:00:38,085 --> 01:00:40,925
which we will talk about when that comes up on the agenda

1174
01:00:43,825 --> 01:00:44,845
and report.

1175
01:00:45,785 --> 01:00:49,325
And, and so I will just say that the,

1176
01:00:51,145 --> 01:00:54,805
let me just say that the, the conversation

1177
01:00:54,875 --> 01:00:59,285
that the board will have about public participation is

1178
01:00:59,385 --> 01:01:03,805
to get our public comment in line with

1179
01:01:04,525 --> 01:01:08,845
surrounding districts and also with city council

1180
01:01:09,015 --> 01:01:12,805
where there is not any allowance for yielding time.

1181
01:01:13,355 --> 01:01:17,565
That we do have two public comments at the school board,

1182
01:01:17,595 --> 01:01:21,165
even though we are only required by state regulation

1183
01:01:21,185 --> 01:01:23,445
to have one, we have two

1184
01:01:23,705 --> 01:01:28,085
and there isn't any there, there wasn't any

1185
01:01:29,505 --> 01:01:32,845
action by the policy committee to limit,

1186
01:01:34,865 --> 01:01:36,445
to have only one comment.

1187
01:01:37,165 --> 01:01:40,845
Comment period. So we will talk more about that and,

1188
01:01:42,065 --> 01:01:45,325
and the second read will be on the electronic devices.

1189
01:01:46,745 --> 01:01:50,725
So report a buildings and grounds. Great. Mr. Fowler.

1190
01:01:50,725 --> 01:01:51,725
Thanks.

1191
01:01:52,105 --> 01:01:54,405
Yes, we had our first building

1192
01:01:54,465 --> 01:01:56,805
and grounds committee meeting of the year.

1193
01:01:58,225 --> 01:02:02,325
The, the committee is myself, member Reish,

1194
01:02:03,045 --> 01:02:05,005
the superintendent, Mitch Ette

1195
01:02:05,425 --> 01:02:07,965
and Harold Blaney, who's the director

1196
01:02:08,065 --> 01:02:09,325
of Buildings and Grounds.

1197
01:02:09,795 --> 01:02:10,805
It's a really great discussion.

1198
01:02:10,825 --> 01:02:13,045
I'm not gonna mention all the items that are were discussed.

1199
01:02:13,065 --> 01:02:15,845
You can refer to the link minutes, couple items

1200
01:02:15,845 --> 01:02:18,845
that I wanna touch upon, some exciting stuff.

1201
01:02:19,065 --> 01:02:20,485
The solar array at the middle school

1202
01:02:21,445 --> 01:02:24,485
produced more electricity during many times

1203
01:02:24,585 --> 01:02:27,205
of the summer than the building was consuming.

1204
01:02:27,345 --> 01:02:29,485
And so we're gonna buy some relatively

1205
01:02:29,485 --> 01:02:30,645
inexpensive inverters.

1206
01:02:31,035 --> 01:02:32,725
They're gonna allow reverse metering

1207
01:02:32,725 --> 01:02:36,085
and we'll actually, you know, run the meter backwards so

1208
01:02:36,085 --> 01:02:38,165
to speak, and accumulate credits

1209
01:02:38,195 --> 01:02:40,845
that will offset later electricity usage in the winter.

1210
01:02:41,305 --> 01:02:42,325
So it's a really great thing

1211
01:02:42,345 --> 01:02:44,325
and thanks to Harold for taking that,

1212
01:02:44,475 --> 01:02:46,965
that initiative skill and boiler.

1213
01:02:47,145 --> 01:02:50,005
So we're currently working with Siemens, who's kind

1214
01:02:50,005 --> 01:02:51,205
of a long-term partner of the

1215
01:02:51,205 --> 01:02:53,525
department on a couple of different things.

1216
01:02:54,675 --> 01:02:58,645
They're looking at some HVAC components here at the high

1217
01:02:58,645 --> 01:03:00,005
school that have been problematic,

1218
01:03:00,145 --> 01:03:02,925
but more importantly they're doing a study,

1219
01:03:03,065 --> 01:03:04,805
an energy efficiency study at Skill.

1220
01:03:05,745 --> 01:03:08,405
And that's really the first step towards replacing

1221
01:03:08,405 --> 01:03:09,685
the HVAC system at Skill.

1222
01:03:09,785 --> 01:03:13,085
And I think a lot of folks know last year there was concerns

1223
01:03:13,085 --> 01:03:15,365
about the boiler at skill, which is actually original

1224
01:03:15,365 --> 01:03:17,125
to the building, which I think is from the seventies.

1225
01:03:19,065 --> 01:03:20,885
So yeah, so we're, we're working towards that.

1226
01:03:22,545 --> 01:03:25,125
We really want to have a plan in place in case

1227
01:03:25,125 --> 01:03:28,285
that boiler does fail midwinter, this is not likely,

1228
01:03:28,815 --> 01:03:30,405
we're not expecting the boiler to fail,

1229
01:03:31,865 --> 01:03:33,925
but Mr.

1230
01:03:34,205 --> 01:03:36,165
Ette, who's the interim director of operations

1231
01:03:36,165 --> 01:03:38,085
and safety is gonna draft a contingency plan.

1232
01:03:38,145 --> 01:03:40,765
So, you know, if that boiler does have problems in the

1233
01:03:40,765 --> 01:03:42,005
midwinter, that we can get a

1234
01:03:42,165 --> 01:03:43,365
temporary boiler in there really quickly.

1235
01:03:43,545 --> 01:03:45,565
So we just, we really wanna be prepared for that.

1236
01:03:45,565 --> 01:03:49,485
Worst case scenario, high school athletic complex,

1237
01:03:50,145 --> 01:03:54,285
I'm gonna get into a habit of providing an update every

1238
01:03:55,085 --> 01:03:56,845
meeting about the athletic complex.

1239
01:03:56,985 --> 01:03:58,925
So right now still in the design phase

1240
01:03:58,945 --> 01:04:03,205
and in drafting permits, if you don't know, we're working

1241
01:04:03,205 --> 01:04:05,085
with Actus, who's the project manager,

1242
01:04:05,265 --> 01:04:07,205
not the construction firm for the project.

1243
01:04:07,745 --> 01:04:11,645
So actus drafting permits,

1244
01:04:12,245 --> 01:04:13,805
which will be submitted in October

1245
01:04:13,825 --> 01:04:15,245
and November for construction.

1246
01:04:15,825 --> 01:04:18,165
And then shortly thereafter

1247
01:04:19,715 --> 01:04:22,445
they will be soliciting bids for construction.

1248
01:04:23,465 --> 01:04:25,805
So yep, that's that final issue.

1249
01:04:26,115 --> 01:04:27,285
I'll addresses,

1250
01:04:27,385 --> 01:04:29,245
we talked a little bit about long-term planning.

1251
01:04:30,665 --> 01:04:33,085
You know, we haven't had a comprehensive facilities

1252
01:04:33,085 --> 01:04:34,085
assessment in some time.

1253
01:04:34,865 --> 01:04:36,245
That's something that we want to do

1254
01:04:36,885 --> 01:04:38,445
with particular attention to skill in

1255
01:04:38,465 --> 01:04:40,765
as it is our oldest building.

1256
01:04:41,665 --> 01:04:42,685
And so we're gonna look at

1257
01:04:42,685 --> 01:04:44,565
what neighboring districts have done in terms of

1258
01:04:45,195 --> 01:04:47,805
assessing all the facilities and,

1259
01:04:47,865 --> 01:04:50,805
and really trying to focus on prevention

1260
01:04:50,805 --> 01:04:53,725
of issues rather than, you know, this very costly kind

1261
01:04:53,725 --> 01:04:54,845
of wait and see approach

1262
01:04:54,865 --> 01:04:56,445
and then you, you kind of get behind the ball

1263
01:04:56,445 --> 01:04:58,765
and you have to spend money when you didn't expect it.

1264
01:04:59,945 --> 01:05:01,605
So yeah, that was the building grounds meeting

1265
01:05:01,785 --> 01:05:04,005
and yeah, it is, it's virtual

1266
01:05:04,345 --> 01:05:08,965
and we're holding it during the workday, which I think

1267
01:05:09,475 --> 01:05:11,205
kept kind of everybody on their toes

1268
01:05:11,205 --> 01:05:12,245
and they're really ready to do work.

1269
01:05:12,445 --> 01:05:14,085
I think that was preferred to,

1270
01:05:14,185 --> 01:05:16,645
to having it, you know, after hours.

1271
01:05:16,705 --> 01:05:20,965
And I will say for other folks on the board, I used the,

1272
01:05:21,025 --> 01:05:24,725
an AI program, generated the entire transcript

1273
01:05:24,745 --> 01:05:27,805
and then had it generate literally perfect meeting notes

1274
01:05:28,265 --> 01:05:30,325
and it was just such a time saver.

1275
01:05:30,325 --> 01:05:32,685
It captured really the nature of all the discussions.

1276
01:05:32,745 --> 01:05:35,805
So, you know, if we can get in the habit of that as a board,

1277
01:05:35,925 --> 01:05:37,605
I think it's really a, a helpful technology

1278
01:05:37,625 --> 01:05:39,405
so we can really stay present

1279
01:05:39,405 --> 01:05:41,885
during committee meetings rather than trying to take notes

1280
01:05:42,565 --> 01:05:43,845
and having our attention be elsewhere.

1281
01:05:44,025 --> 01:05:45,525
So highly recommend that.

1282
01:05:47,525 --> 01:05:52,165
Questions for Mr. Feller member Richardson,

1283
01:05:53,875 --> 01:05:56,245
Last board meeting, we had a question

1284
01:05:56,275 --> 01:05:58,045
that someone was supposed to address.

1285
01:05:58,945 --> 01:06:01,805
Was the field cleared of debris from construction materials?

1286
01:06:01,805 --> 01:06:02,885
This is the middle school field.

1287
01:06:03,345 --> 01:06:05,725
Did we ever get an answer to that question?

1288
01:06:07,205 --> 01:06:09,605
I don't know if, I think we may have discussed it.

1289
01:06:09,685 --> 01:06:12,525
I we definitely discussed it during the committee meeting.

1290
01:06:14,195 --> 01:06:15,805
Haven't been any reports of that.

1291
01:06:16,165 --> 01:06:18,085
I think multiple folks have gone over there

1292
01:06:18,085 --> 01:06:19,245
and looked, including myself,

1293
01:06:19,665 --> 01:06:21,285
didn't find any construction debris

1294
01:06:21,305 --> 01:06:24,325
or anything concerning to my knowledge

1295
01:06:24,325 --> 01:06:25,765
that field is in great shape.

1296
01:06:26,115 --> 01:06:29,725
It's being used for athletics, it's not being used for,

1297
01:06:30,265 --> 01:06:33,165
you know, kind of recess or other activities of that nature.

1298
01:06:34,225 --> 01:06:37,925
And there will be an additional application

1299
01:06:38,265 --> 01:06:41,205
of fertilizer in the fall as well as some,

1300
01:06:41,875 --> 01:06:43,285
some composted loam.

1301
01:06:44,225 --> 01:06:46,645
So Harold and his team are working hard on the field

1302
01:06:46,705 --> 01:06:50,085
and there's no evidence of any construction debris.

1303
01:06:51,815 --> 01:06:53,125
Thank you. Other questions?

1304
01:06:55,645 --> 01:06:59,365
I, I had one question which was about the athletic complex

1305
01:06:59,905 --> 01:07:03,805
member feller and it was just, I, I think I heard you say

1306
01:07:03,835 --> 01:07:06,685
that activa will be

1307
01:07:08,115 --> 01:07:10,365
seeking bids for the construction.

1308
01:07:10,945 --> 01:07:14,765
And so my question is are are they looking at,

1309
01:07:16,625 --> 01:07:20,045
are they, are they looking at organic vendors

1310
01:07:22,145 --> 01:07:25,245
Or, yeah, so who, who focus on kind of more organic,

1311
01:07:25,665 --> 01:07:27,685
who tells it, sorry, more organic substrates for the,

1312
01:07:27,685 --> 01:07:28,885
the field surface itself.

1313
01:07:29,675 --> 01:07:33,845
Yeah, and exactly for the replacing of the field.

1314
01:07:34,515 --> 01:07:38,045
There's a whole different process that happens if there's,

1315
01:07:38,625 --> 01:07:41,005
if there's use of organic materials. Yeah,

1316
01:07:41,005 --> 01:07:42,005
That's a good question.

1317
01:07:42,005 --> 01:07:44,605
I can report on that next time. We'll make a note of that.

1318
01:07:44,605 --> 01:07:45,605
Thank you. Thank you.

1319
01:07:47,025 --> 01:07:51,045
Any other comments? Okay, so we are up

1320
01:07:51,045 --> 01:07:54,005
to the consent agenda, consideration

1321
01:07:54,025 --> 01:07:56,845
and action to approve the consent agenda

1322
01:07:57,275 --> 01:07:58,325
with the following items.

1323
01:07:58,765 --> 01:08:01,125
Approval of the minutes from the regular meeting held

1324
01:08:01,185 --> 01:08:02,845
on August 17th.

1325
01:08:02,905 --> 01:08:04,205
That's 7.1.

1326
01:08:04,535 --> 01:08:08,605
7.2 approval of the following personnel elections.

1327
01:08:09,105 --> 01:08:12,245
Nicole Kutu, assistant principal at the middle school.

1328
01:08:12,635 --> 01:08:14,205
Elizabeth Fowler, principal

1329
01:08:14,225 --> 01:08:16,325
for one year only at Dyer Elementary.

1330
01:08:16,695 --> 01:08:18,765
Mitch Willette, director of operations

1331
01:08:18,825 --> 01:08:20,965
and safety, one year only.

1332
01:08:21,415 --> 01:08:23,805
Helen Peltier, assistant principal Skill

1333
01:08:23,805 --> 01:08:25,605
and elementary, one year only.

1334
01:08:25,985 --> 01:08:28,325
Shelby Santor, kindergarten teacher,

1335
01:08:28,605 --> 01:08:30,005
Dyer Elementary, one year only.

1336
01:08:30,585 --> 01:08:32,845
And Mary Catherine Short kindergarten teacher,

1337
01:08:33,255 --> 01:08:35,445
small school one year only.

1338
01:08:37,345 --> 01:08:40,485
And then 7.3 approval of the donation grants.

1339
01:08:41,435 --> 01:08:45,525
$4,176 value from DEGO Reads

1340
01:08:45,985 --> 01:08:48,205
for every first grader in the district

1341
01:08:48,225 --> 01:08:51,965
to receive a new book each month between October, 2026

1342
01:08:52,265 --> 01:08:53,525
and May, 2027.

1343
01:08:54,415 --> 01:08:59,245
7.4 is approval of all needed transfers for current

1344
01:08:59,505 --> 01:09:01,925
and prior school year.

1345
01:09:02,615 --> 01:09:05,405
Prior year deficits as part as the f part

1346
01:09:05,405 --> 01:09:07,485
of the FY 26 closeout process.

1347
01:09:09,305 --> 01:09:12,765
So we will have a motion to

1348
01:09:14,355 --> 01:09:16,365
approve that consent agenda

1349
01:09:18,065 --> 01:09:20,925
unless there is something that people, somebody wants

1350
01:09:20,985 --> 01:09:23,165
to remove from the consent agenda to

1351
01:09:24,145 --> 01:09:25,245
be considered separately.

1352
01:09:28,325 --> 01:09:31,465
So if there is nothing, if we can have a motion

1353
01:09:33,045 --> 01:09:34,665
for approval of the consent agenda.

1354
01:09:35,555 --> 01:09:39,985
Moved by member feller and seconded by member Smith.

1355
01:09:40,295 --> 01:09:45,225
Sure. George had his hand up. Sorry, George won. Oh sorry.

1356
01:09:45,285 --> 01:09:48,065
Oh, sorry. I didn't see, I couldn't see George fell there.

1357
01:09:48,605 --> 01:09:49,625
George, you're down there.

1358
01:09:49,905 --> 01:09:53,945
I didn't see that We need more any, sorry, I can't, this,

1359
01:09:54,015 --> 01:09:55,905
this table should scratching his face

1360
01:09:58,455 --> 01:09:59,625
like we need go for a handshake.

1361
01:10:00,545 --> 01:10:02,545
Member feller any com. Any comments?

1362
01:10:03,175 --> 01:10:07,385
This is a question that one year only caveat,

1363
01:10:08,265 --> 01:10:11,825
I think that's new have, is that new is, I guess a question

1364
01:10:11,925 --> 01:10:14,865
and is that common practice to do that?

1365
01:10:15,335 --> 01:10:17,745
Well there, I will let the superintendent speak

1366
01:10:17,745 --> 01:10:18,825
to that. There's, there's

1367
01:10:18,825 --> 01:10:20,105
Reason for this one, you know, here.

1368
01:10:20,525 --> 01:10:22,305
So some of 'em I think makes sense

1369
01:10:23,055 --> 01:10:27,985
because we had, so for instance, you know, Mitch

1370
01:10:28,685 --> 01:10:32,145
in Mitch's case was taking a, wanted to have, we wanted

1371
01:10:32,145 --> 01:10:35,665
to have an interim position to during this transition

1372
01:10:35,765 --> 01:10:38,665
as we kind of look at what is the right organization for

1373
01:10:38,665 --> 01:10:41,385
that, we had a couple, we,

1374
01:10:41,385 --> 01:10:43,265
so we looked at internal candidates.

1375
01:10:43,285 --> 01:10:48,025
We had, and this allows

1376
01:10:48,955 --> 01:10:52,425
Mitch to have an opportunity to try the the position.

1377
01:10:52,485 --> 01:10:55,385
But he did, he does want to still have the option

1378
01:10:55,405 --> 01:10:58,145
of returning to his position if he doesn't.

1379
01:10:58,145 --> 01:10:59,705
So that kind of is one thing

1380
01:10:59,705 --> 01:11:04,225
that sets off situation like that.

1381
01:11:04,325 --> 01:11:08,465
And then the other one is the, that you know,

1382
01:11:08,535 --> 01:11:12,225
late in the hiring season, it can be helpful to

1383
01:11:13,595 --> 01:11:16,045
have an, an interim position like that.

1384
01:11:16,345 --> 01:11:18,125
Got it. It's not the same thing as

1385
01:11:19,715 --> 01:11:21,765
sometimes you have one year only positions.

1386
01:11:21,865 --> 01:11:24,365
If like we needed to add an extra teacher

1387
01:11:24,425 --> 01:11:25,565
and it was outside the budget

1388
01:11:25,665 --> 01:11:27,685
and we might say, okay wait, it's a one year only.

1389
01:11:28,015 --> 01:11:30,445
These are really kind of interim positions.

1390
01:11:30,445 --> 01:11:32,445
They aren't those positions.

1391
01:11:32,445 --> 01:11:34,405
We are expecting them to continue beyond,

1392
01:11:34,435 --> 01:11:36,125
even though the makes sense.

1393
01:11:36,195 --> 01:11:37,195
Yeah. Got it.

1394
01:11:38,575 --> 01:11:40,565
Thank you. And anything else? Members Smith?

1395
01:11:41,345 --> 01:11:44,685
No, just very excited to have everybody in place,

1396
01:11:44,785 --> 01:11:46,885
all the administrators, A lot of changes

1397
01:11:46,955 --> 01:11:49,405
that happened very in very short order.

1398
01:11:49,625 --> 01:11:53,165
So very exciting to see everything come into place.

1399
01:11:53,855 --> 01:11:56,645
Thank you. Okay, so

1400
01:11:57,835 --> 01:12:00,565
vote all those in favor of approving the consent agenda.

1401
01:12:03,105 --> 01:12:07,085
And that is unanimous with the two student votes approval

1402
01:12:07,145 --> 01:12:08,445
of the consent agenda.

1403
01:12:08,575 --> 01:12:11,405
Thank you. New business is consideration

1404
01:12:11,625 --> 01:12:13,325
and action to approve policy.

1405
01:12:13,885 --> 01:12:16,525
J-I-J-C-R rules

1406
01:12:16,545 --> 01:12:19,085
and regulations for personal electronic devices.

1407
01:12:19,705 --> 01:12:21,925
And that is the second read.

1408
01:12:22,425 --> 01:12:26,085
If I can have a motion to approve that.

1409
01:12:26,235 --> 01:12:28,405
Move by member Richardson

1410
01:12:30,305 --> 01:12:32,245
and seconded by Member Rich.

1411
01:12:32,745 --> 01:12:37,445
Oh sure. And

1412
01:12:37,835 --> 01:12:39,325
comment Member Richardson.

1413
01:12:41,565 --> 01:12:44,525
I look forward to getting a more comprehensive update on

1414
01:12:44,625 --> 01:12:48,045
how the implementation of this policy is going,

1415
01:12:48,345 --> 01:12:53,165
but I did reach out to our

1416
01:12:53,805 --> 01:12:56,485
director of technology and principal on the first day

1417
01:12:56,485 --> 01:12:58,005
of school, principal of the high school

1418
01:12:58,385 --> 01:12:59,405
on the first day of school.

1419
01:13:00,265 --> 01:13:03,565
And I was floored by the observation

1420
01:13:03,565 --> 01:13:06,445
that it was very peaceful and serene in the hallways

1421
01:13:06,785 --> 01:13:10,005
and that brought me a lot of joy thinking about

1422
01:13:11,625 --> 01:13:15,485
the real benefit that this policy is gonna bring our

1423
01:13:15,685 --> 01:13:16,845
students and our teachers.

1424
01:13:18,125 --> 01:13:21,685
I understand there's concern from parents about wanting

1425
01:13:21,685 --> 01:13:23,885
to be in touch with your child when they're going

1426
01:13:23,885 --> 01:13:25,405
through a very scary situation,

1427
01:13:25,505 --> 01:13:29,085
but I actually, I think

1428
01:13:29,085 --> 01:13:32,125
that this is gonna keep them safer in the end if

1429
01:13:32,125 --> 01:13:34,285
that ever is to happen, God forbid.

1430
01:13:36,425 --> 01:13:38,405
So yeah, that's all I'll say. Thanks.

1431
01:13:38,405 --> 01:13:39,845
Thank you member. Rich.

1432
01:13:40,725 --> 01:13:42,085
I don't really have any comments. Thank

1433
01:13:42,085 --> 01:13:43,085
You.

1434
01:13:43,085 --> 01:13:44,205
Thank you. Any other comments?

1435
01:13:45,635 --> 01:13:49,845
Okay, seeing none, all those in favor of 8.1 consideration

1436
01:13:49,845 --> 01:13:52,885
and action to approve policy JIJC.

1437
01:13:52,885 --> 01:13:56,685
Second read and that? Yeah. Oh, okay.

1438
01:13:56,905 --> 01:14:00,165
And that is unanimous with the two students as well.

1439
01:14:03,125 --> 01:14:06,485
Consideration and action to accept as a first read policy,

1440
01:14:06,845 --> 01:14:10,325
BEDH, public participation at board meetings.

1441
01:14:10,865 --> 01:14:13,405
If I can have a motion to put that on the table.

1442
01:14:16,045 --> 01:14:17,085
Member feller.

1443
01:14:17,095 --> 01:14:20,325
Moved by member Feller and seconded by Member Smith.

1444
01:14:22,945 --> 01:14:23,965
Member Feller.

1445
01:14:25,105 --> 01:14:28,605
Yep. I'm really glad to see that this,

1446
01:14:28,605 --> 01:14:32,125
this was an item addressed now and not later in the year.

1447
01:14:33,825 --> 01:14:36,445
You know, I think it's, it was really great to, to call out

1448
01:14:36,965 --> 01:14:41,445
specifically allowing six minutes for individuals

1449
01:14:41,445 --> 01:14:42,725
that are using an interpreter.

1450
01:14:43,445 --> 01:14:46,445
I guess I had a question that we could discuss later about,

1451
01:14:47,585 --> 01:14:50,125
are there parameters for the provision

1452
01:14:50,125 --> 01:14:51,325
of an interpreter, right?

1453
01:14:51,325 --> 01:14:55,245
Like how does someone go ahead and request an interpreter?

1454
01:14:55,245 --> 01:14:57,245
Are they just gonna magically appear at a meeting when

1455
01:14:57,595 --> 01:14:59,125
someone whose language

1456
01:14:59,585 --> 01:15:01,685
of choice is not English chooses to speak?

1457
01:15:01,985 --> 01:15:04,245
So we should discuss that? I think

1458
01:15:04,965 --> 01:15:06,605
I do support preventing individuals from

1459
01:15:06,645 --> 01:15:07,845
yielding time to another speaker.

1460
01:15:08,245 --> 01:15:12,405
I think last year when folks would come up and,

1461
01:15:12,425 --> 01:15:15,965
and speak for six minutes during the first three minutes, I,

1462
01:15:16,205 --> 01:15:19,645
I typically would understand their point of view

1463
01:15:20,705 --> 01:15:24,725
and I really, I do want everyone to have an opportunity

1464
01:15:24,725 --> 01:15:26,645
to speak and I think, you know,

1465
01:15:29,005 --> 01:15:30,405
limiting anyone's opportunity

1466
01:15:30,405 --> 01:15:32,725
to speak would be not not allowing them to speak.

1467
01:15:32,785 --> 01:15:34,605
And it's not that we're trying

1468
01:15:34,605 --> 01:15:36,005
to prevent people from speaking at a meeting.

1469
01:15:36,765 --> 01:15:38,165
Everyone will have the opportunity to speak,

1470
01:15:39,145 --> 01:15:41,525
but I do think limiting each individual speaker

1471
01:15:41,525 --> 01:15:42,765
to three minutes if they're not using an

1472
01:15:42,765 --> 01:15:43,885
interpreter is smart.

1473
01:15:45,205 --> 01:15:47,725
I guess another question aside from the provision

1474
01:15:47,725 --> 01:15:49,565
of interpreter be would be, what would the vote

1475
01:15:49,565 --> 01:15:50,725
to extend the meeting look like?

1476
01:15:52,425 --> 01:15:55,765
You know, so we had dis I think in the,

1477
01:15:55,865 --> 01:15:59,085
in the policy it says we'd end board board meetings at 10

1478
01:15:59,085 --> 01:16:03,805
o'clock and so at what point would it be at 10 o'clock

1479
01:16:03,915 --> 01:16:05,285
that we would take a vote whether

1480
01:16:05,305 --> 01:16:06,565
to extend the meeting or not.

1481
01:16:06,945 --> 01:16:07,965
So those are my questions.

1482
01:16:10,295 --> 01:16:12,965
Thank you. And I can answer a couple of those,

1483
01:16:13,025 --> 01:16:15,125
but I wanted to go first to members. You can answer first.

1484
01:16:15,275 --> 01:16:19,765
Okay. Let me say first,

1485
01:16:20,025 --> 01:16:21,685
so comments, we're still making comments on this.

1486
01:16:21,685 --> 01:16:23,205
Yes, but I'm trying to answer his questions.

1487
01:16:23,275 --> 01:16:24,845
Yeah, just trying to answer his questions.

1488
01:16:25,905 --> 01:16:27,045
The parameter for use

1489
01:16:27,045 --> 01:16:29,085
of an interpreter is a really good question.

1490
01:16:31,465 --> 01:16:33,725
We often have interpreters present.

1491
01:16:34,305 --> 01:16:36,765
If somebody brought somebody as an interpreter,

1492
01:16:36,765 --> 01:16:39,285
they would be able to use that person as well.

1493
01:16:40,555 --> 01:16:42,565
Otherwise, if somebody came

1494
01:16:42,865 --> 01:16:44,645
and we didn't have an interpreter,

1495
01:16:47,545 --> 01:16:50,125
you know, I, I don't know that we would have any other,

1496
01:16:50,905 --> 01:16:53,805
any option if we have not made a phone.

1497
01:16:53,865 --> 01:16:56,485
Oh. And we would be able to use a phone. Thank you.

1498
01:16:58,175 --> 01:17:02,925
Thank you. And your second question,

1499
01:17:02,925 --> 01:17:04,845
what would a vote look like to extend a meeting?

1500
01:17:07,435 --> 01:17:10,525
I'll, I'll use the model that's used at the city council

1501
01:17:10,785 --> 01:17:11,885
to answer that question.

1502
01:17:12,395 --> 01:17:17,325
Typically, the item that whatever is being discussed,

1503
01:17:17,345 --> 01:17:21,805
if there's, if there's a, a topic that's, that's

1504
01:17:21,825 --> 01:17:25,245
before the board right then that they finish that item

1505
01:17:25,785 --> 01:17:27,805
and then the meeting is adjourned

1506
01:17:27,985 --> 01:17:31,805
unless there is a motion to extend the meeting.

1507
01:17:32,225 --> 01:17:35,245
So somebody could make a motion to say, I move

1508
01:17:35,265 --> 01:17:37,205
to extend the meeting until 10 30,

1509
01:17:37,385 --> 01:17:39,645
or I move to extend the meeting until 11 o'clock

1510
01:17:39,705 --> 01:17:42,245
and somebody seconds it and then it's a vote of the board

1511
01:17:42,265 --> 01:17:43,685
and it's just a majority.

1512
01:17:43,915 --> 01:17:45,645
Just like anything. I mean,

1513
01:17:48,075 --> 01:17:51,445
otherwise the, the meeting would be adjourned

1514
01:17:52,195 --> 01:17:54,325
following the conclusion of that item.

1515
01:17:54,785 --> 01:17:57,445
If we were in the middle of public comment,

1516
01:17:59,425 --> 01:18:01,485
public comment would close and

1517
01:18:01,985 --> 01:18:06,045
unless there was a motion to finish public comment.

1518
01:18:06,585 --> 01:18:10,325
And so again, it's all about whether

1519
01:18:10,885 --> 01:18:14,205
somebody on the board makes a motion to do, otherwise,

1520
01:18:14,355 --> 01:18:17,085
otherwise the meeting ends at 10 o'clock

1521
01:18:18,145 --> 01:18:21,765
or the item that's before the board is completed.

1522
01:18:23,865 --> 01:18:27,045
So, and, and that would need a motion as well.

1523
01:18:27,145 --> 01:18:29,005
So there would need to be, I move

1524
01:18:29,005 --> 01:18:32,365
that we complete the motion, the, the action that is

1525
01:18:32,385 --> 01:18:33,845
before the board right now.

1526
01:18:34,425 --> 01:18:36,405
And there's a second and there's a vote.

1527
01:18:36,825 --> 01:18:40,565
So it, it was just the, the goal,

1528
01:18:44,025 --> 01:18:47,285
the, the goal of doing this was

1529
01:18:49,025 --> 01:18:53,165
to address one of the things that you said member feller.

1530
01:18:53,225 --> 01:18:55,405
And that is, first of all,

1531
01:18:55,405 --> 01:18:57,405
there are two opportunities for people to speak.

1532
01:18:57,505 --> 01:18:59,365
So somebody could speak for three minutes

1533
01:18:59,465 --> 01:19:00,845
and they could speak again

1534
01:19:00,865 --> 01:19:03,325
for three minutes on the same item if they want,

1535
01:19:03,465 --> 01:19:08,365
as was asked before that, that is

1536
01:19:08,955 --> 01:19:11,685
very different from how it's allowed at the city council.

1537
01:19:11,905 --> 01:19:14,965
You, you cannot speak on an item, the same item twice.

1538
01:19:15,425 --> 01:19:16,645
But we're allowing that

1539
01:19:16,645 --> 01:19:20,125
because this is the only time there's public comment is

1540
01:19:21,175 --> 01:19:25,485
prior to discussion and after the board debates

1541
01:19:25,585 --> 01:19:26,885
and then afterwards.

1542
01:19:32,665 --> 01:19:34,605
And the second reason was,

1543
01:19:34,985 --> 01:19:37,925
and this was raised by one of the members of the committee,

1544
01:19:39,505 --> 01:19:43,805
is that at a certain point people are not doing good work.

1545
01:19:44,225 --> 01:19:46,445
You know, so after 10 o'clock people

1546
01:19:46,475 --> 01:19:47,645
just aren't doing good work.

1547
01:19:47,745 --> 01:19:50,045
And we have people in the audience as well

1548
01:19:50,045 --> 01:19:53,205
as two student members who have to get up

1549
01:19:53,425 --> 01:19:57,325
and go to work at six or six 30 in the morning

1550
01:19:57,785 --> 01:20:01,085
and they need to be alert and they need to be attentive

1551
01:20:01,085 --> 01:20:04,925
and they need to be responsive to what's happening in front

1552
01:20:04,925 --> 01:20:06,285
of them, whether they're a student

1553
01:20:06,345 --> 01:20:08,565
or whether they're somebody working in the district.

1554
01:20:08,985 --> 01:20:13,005
And so the feeling was that in the, in an effort to

1555
01:20:14,575 --> 01:20:17,445
allow people to do their best work,

1556
01:20:18,355 --> 01:20:19,885
that the meeting would be adjourned

1557
01:20:21,625 --> 01:20:24,845
and the items would be moved to the next agenda.

1558
01:20:26,145 --> 01:20:28,885
Unless there was again, an action

1559
01:20:29,465 --> 01:20:33,405
to add an additional meeting by a member of the board.

1560
01:20:33,665 --> 01:20:37,925
And that would be at the next available Monday session so

1561
01:20:37,925 --> 01:20:40,365
that we're keeping meetings on Monday evenings.

1562
01:20:42,145 --> 01:20:45,645
And a board member could say, I'd like us

1563
01:20:45,705 --> 01:20:47,125
to meet next Monday.

1564
01:20:47,385 --> 01:20:48,525
And if there's a second

1565
01:20:48,745 --> 01:20:52,605
and there's a majority vote, if there's not a majority vote,

1566
01:20:52,745 --> 01:20:56,485
the items just get added to the next meeting agenda.

1567
01:20:56,795 --> 01:21:01,405
Does that answer your questions? Yep. Yes. Member Holman

1568
01:21:02,645 --> 01:21:06,005
Somewhat tangential but also related in and, and

1569
01:21:06,225 --> 01:21:09,165
and also belonging to the good news category is that

1570
01:21:09,925 --> 01:21:14,245
I learned from the superintendent's report

1571
01:21:14,545 --> 01:21:17,285
to the board this week that we now have an email that's

1572
01:21:17,355 --> 01:21:18,485
that you, where you can email

1573
01:21:18,485 --> 01:21:20,445
with the one email, email the whole board.

1574
01:21:21,205 --> 01:21:23,285
I think that's a great, a great innovation.

1575
01:21:23,445 --> 01:21:25,165
I don't know if that was your idea, whose idea that was,

1576
01:21:25,265 --> 01:21:26,765
but it's a great, great idea.

1577
01:21:26,865 --> 01:21:31,485
So board@spsdme.org, you can hit every, everybody,

1578
01:21:31,845 --> 01:21:35,285
everyone will get it Seems a lot more efficient and yay.

1579
01:21:36,935 --> 01:21:37,965
Thank you member Holman.

1580
01:21:37,965 --> 01:21:42,085
And the other thing was, again, not trying

1581
01:21:42,185 --> 01:21:46,285
to limit anybody's voice So people have the opportunity

1582
01:21:46,345 --> 01:21:48,965
to send emails, they have the opportunity to come

1583
01:21:49,065 --> 01:21:51,845
and speak at one or both of the public comments.

1584
01:21:53,585 --> 01:21:57,685
But this policy was recommending

1585
01:21:58,635 --> 01:22:01,845
eliminating the opportunity to yield yield time

1586
01:22:02,945 --> 01:22:03,965
member Smith.

1587
01:22:04,035 --> 01:22:08,205
Yeah, and I just wanna add, I think an important piece

1588
01:22:08,205 --> 01:22:11,365
of this is that board meetings are really awkward places

1589
01:22:11,505 --> 01:22:15,125
to have dialogue and the public comment should not be the

1590
01:22:15,195 --> 01:22:19,245
main place that we as a board have the opportunity to engage

1591
01:22:19,315 --> 01:22:20,725
with people of the public.

1592
01:22:20,905 --> 01:22:23,205
And so I think what's really important, what we're doing

1593
01:22:23,225 --> 01:22:26,925
for example, for reconfiguration of having different kind

1594
01:22:26,925 --> 01:22:31,125
of setups, like forums as ways to have real dialogue

1595
01:22:31,865 --> 01:22:32,965
is gonna be super important.

1596
01:22:33,105 --> 01:22:36,325
And so the kinds of board meetings that are gonna

1597
01:22:36,875 --> 01:22:39,685
push up against this issue are the kinds of board meetings

1598
01:22:39,685 --> 01:22:41,565
where we're gonna be talking about very important issues.

1599
01:22:41,745 --> 01:22:44,645
And I think as a matter of practice, it's gonna be valuable

1600
01:22:44,645 --> 01:22:48,085
for us to say this, the board meeting is not the place

1601
01:22:48,085 --> 01:22:50,445
where we can have the primary dialogue, right?

1602
01:22:50,445 --> 01:22:52,165
There's gonna be forums about this issue.

1603
01:22:52,165 --> 01:22:54,525
There's gonna be places where we can reach out

1604
01:22:54,545 --> 01:22:57,325
to constituents to, to gather feedback.

1605
01:22:57,785 --> 01:22:59,685
And so creating just more of a culture of

1606
01:22:59,685 --> 01:23:03,525
that rather than people feeling like the only time I can get

1607
01:23:03,525 --> 01:23:04,965
my view across is if I show up

1608
01:23:05,045 --> 01:23:07,405
and have this, you know, I can talk at you

1609
01:23:07,425 --> 01:23:08,605
for three minutes, right?

1610
01:23:09,305 --> 01:23:13,805
So I think the policy is fair for all the reasons

1611
01:23:13,805 --> 01:23:14,925
that Rosemary said

1612
01:23:15,625 --> 01:23:18,925
and just kind of encouraging more of a culture of dialogue

1613
01:23:19,245 --> 01:23:20,285
and creating spaces for that.

1614
01:23:21,775 --> 01:23:24,925
Thank you. Any other comments?

1615
01:23:27,325 --> 01:23:30,485
Seeing none. All those in favor of 8.2 consideration

1616
01:23:30,485 --> 01:23:33,925
and action to accept as a first read policy, BEDH,

1617
01:23:33,925 --> 01:23:36,085
public participation at board meetings

1618
01:23:39,265 --> 01:23:43,005
and that that is unanimous with the two student votes.

1619
01:23:47,585 --> 01:23:50,845
And we are at the second public comment.

1620
01:23:52,205 --> 01:23:53,885
I don't need to read the rules again.

1621
01:23:53,885 --> 01:23:55,165
They've been only read once.

1622
01:23:55,225 --> 01:23:57,405
So anybody who's interested in speaking

1623
01:23:58,145 --> 01:24:01,125
at the second public comment can come forth.

1624
01:24:01,935 --> 01:24:04,325
Again, you're not required to give your address.

1625
01:24:04,505 --> 01:24:06,205
You can just say I live in South Portland

1626
01:24:06,545 --> 01:24:08,565
and that's more than acceptable.

1627
01:24:09,625 --> 01:24:10,625
Yes.

1628
01:24:14,315 --> 01:24:16,365
Bill Newton, I do live in South Portland.

1629
01:24:16,605 --> 01:24:20,085
I have a first grader at Skill

1630
01:24:20,465 --> 01:24:22,645
and a nearly 3-year-old.

1631
01:24:23,465 --> 01:24:25,205
So it's nice to see you all again,

1632
01:24:25,205 --> 01:24:26,725
things got busy over the summer,

1633
01:24:26,785 --> 01:24:28,525
so I am just kind of catching up.

1634
01:24:30,045 --> 01:24:33,005
I am actually wondering about this deficit,

1635
01:24:33,265 --> 01:24:34,805
how we managed only get down

1636
01:24:34,805 --> 01:24:39,245
to a thousand dollars when the last I knew it was gonna be a

1637
01:24:39,245 --> 01:24:40,525
million or millions of dollars.

1638
01:24:42,385 --> 01:24:46,445
And I think this result is kind of exactly why

1639
01:24:47,265 --> 01:24:49,805
it was kind of foolish to enter this,

1640
01:24:51,875 --> 01:24:55,525
this agreement with the city council versus trying

1641
01:24:55,545 --> 01:24:56,925
to raise revenue

1642
01:24:57,265 --> 01:25:00,245
and on the taxpayer burden another half or 1%.

1643
01:25:01,005 --> 01:25:03,125
'cause now there is nothing here.

1644
01:25:03,125 --> 01:25:05,645
Like as member Richardson said, we have no fund balance,

1645
01:25:05,825 --> 01:25:09,325
we have nothing going on, nothing to fall back on.

1646
01:25:10,545 --> 01:25:14,525
And so I think, and this argument came up at the time,

1647
01:25:14,865 --> 01:25:16,205
and I mean one of the things

1648
01:25:16,205 --> 01:25:19,365
that I keep thinking about is I'd like the board

1649
01:25:19,385 --> 01:25:21,965
to act in the interest of the school department

1650
01:25:22,385 --> 01:25:25,885
and not be scared of the city council or the voters,

1651
01:25:26,105 --> 01:25:28,685
but act as if the,

1652
01:25:28,785 --> 01:25:32,685
the school department was acting in its own self-interest in

1653
01:25:32,685 --> 01:25:34,245
what is best for that department.

1654
01:25:34,265 --> 01:25:35,565
And I think that should be a guiding

1655
01:25:35,565 --> 01:25:37,525
principle going forward. Thank you.

1656
01:25:38,295 --> 01:25:41,405
Thank you very much. Bill Aiden?

1657
01:25:42,425 --> 01:25:44,565
Hi, Aiden Renehan, south Portland.

1658
01:25:44,765 --> 01:25:46,085
I have a kindergartner,

1659
01:25:46,165 --> 01:25:47,925
a first grader at Brown's New School here.

1660
01:25:48,905 --> 01:25:51,365
Couple things. One, I just wanted to respond

1661
01:25:51,365 --> 01:25:53,405
to Sarah Cohen's comment from the,

1662
01:25:53,475 --> 01:25:56,085
from the first public comment session just

1663
01:25:56,705 --> 01:25:58,085
in the name of public transparency.

1664
01:25:58,785 --> 01:26:00,965
All of the data from the reconfiguration

1665
01:26:01,485 --> 01:26:04,125
committee surveys are available in the board minutes

1666
01:26:04,125 --> 01:26:05,965
of the reconfiguration committee survey.

1667
01:26:07,185 --> 01:26:09,405
In the meeting minutes, you can see all the cross tabs,

1668
01:26:09,405 --> 01:26:10,445
you can see all the raw comments.

1669
01:26:10,625 --> 01:26:12,725
So to the extent people are interested in the results,

1670
01:26:13,045 --> 01:26:15,165
I would encourage everybody to go there because it is public

1671
01:26:15,265 --> 01:26:17,365
and I hope that we have a, a presentation of

1672
01:26:17,365 --> 01:26:18,365
that data in public forum.

1673
01:26:18,865 --> 01:26:22,725
Second, I, I want to sort of echo Bill Newton's comments,

1674
01:26:22,725 --> 01:26:23,925
which I think are very sage.

1675
01:26:24,045 --> 01:26:27,125
I I certainly see the value of managing the school budget

1676
01:26:27,785 --> 01:26:28,925
within the school budget

1677
01:26:28,945 --> 01:26:30,805
and not relying on City city Council,

1678
01:26:30,905 --> 01:26:34,085
but sort of good budget practice is being able

1679
01:26:34,085 --> 01:26:35,685
to handle emergencies like the skill

1680
01:26:35,685 --> 01:26:37,765
and boyer, like boiler, like cost of diesel,

1681
01:26:37,795 --> 01:26:41,205
like transportation overruns that requires a fund balance.

1682
01:26:41,765 --> 01:26:43,965
I, my recollection from last year was

1683
01:26:43,965 --> 01:26:45,885
that if everything goes well, we'll end up

1684
01:26:45,885 --> 01:26:48,725
with something like six or $8,000 in fund balance.

1685
01:26:48,755 --> 01:26:51,605
That doesn't seem like a lot to be able to manage overages.

1686
01:26:51,605 --> 01:26:54,685
And so I, I would really encourage thinking about sort of

1687
01:26:55,385 --> 01:26:56,405
how we're going to do

1688
01:26:56,405 --> 01:26:58,765
that without replenishing the fund balance.

1689
01:26:58,765 --> 01:27:00,685
Because any overage in one account means

1690
01:27:00,685 --> 01:27:02,045
that we're cutting in another account

1691
01:27:02,045 --> 01:27:03,725
and that's gonna be a real thing we face this year.

1692
01:27:04,605 --> 01:27:06,005
The real reason I came is 'cause I wanted

1693
01:27:06,005 --> 01:27:10,605
to talk about the policy BEDH about public comment,

1694
01:27:11,195 --> 01:27:14,525
totally understand the need to limit time in the meetings.

1695
01:27:14,525 --> 01:27:16,725
And I'm wholly supportive, totally supportive

1696
01:27:16,725 --> 01:27:18,725
of the interpreter extension.

1697
01:27:19,325 --> 01:27:22,285
I I am really opposed to the idea that we cannot yield time,

1698
01:27:22,355 --> 01:27:24,005
that people can no longer yield time.

1699
01:27:24,485 --> 01:27:26,845
I would really encourage you to think about when

1700
01:27:26,905 --> 01:27:29,845
and how people yield time in these public comment section.

1701
01:27:30,445 --> 01:27:34,125
I'll use a couple examples how, right now I'm giving

1702
01:27:34,965 --> 01:27:37,245
multiple a comment on multiple issues, right?

1703
01:27:37,475 --> 01:27:39,605
That could potentially go over my three minutes

1704
01:27:39,865 --> 01:27:42,645
and curtail good dialogue on certain topics.

1705
01:27:43,125 --> 01:27:44,125
I would encourage you to think of

1706
01:27:44,125 --> 01:27:47,005
how many times the union representatives are yielded time in

1707
01:27:47,005 --> 01:27:49,485
order to talk about multi-point issues

1708
01:27:49,485 --> 01:27:50,725
that they are facing when they are

1709
01:27:51,045 --> 01:27:52,125
representing their communities.

1710
01:27:52,485 --> 01:27:54,445
I would encourage you to think of the number of times

1711
01:27:54,475 --> 01:27:55,885
that district admins

1712
01:27:56,145 --> 01:27:58,845
or school leadership have used their public comment period

1713
01:27:58,845 --> 01:28:01,045
and yielded time because they have complex issues

1714
01:28:01,045 --> 01:28:02,765
that they wanna discuss in a public forum.

1715
01:28:04,005 --> 01:28:05,485
I think in my mind,

1716
01:28:05,485 --> 01:28:07,565
what I see this is it really reflects a lack

1717
01:28:07,565 --> 01:28:10,485
of trust in the community to, to be respectful

1718
01:28:10,485 --> 01:28:12,885
of the time in the public comments they're making.

1719
01:28:14,045 --> 01:28:17,765
I, I take board Member Smith's point, that board,

1720
01:28:17,795 --> 01:28:19,565
this is not a time for dialogue.

1721
01:28:19,565 --> 01:28:20,965
This is not a place to have dialogue.

1722
01:28:21,145 --> 01:28:22,805
But then I think I would encourage you to think about

1723
01:28:22,805 --> 01:28:24,725
how are you having dialogue with constituents?

1724
01:28:25,185 --> 01:28:27,165
You have emails that you don't answer often.

1725
01:28:28,245 --> 01:28:29,965
I, I cannot express the frustration

1726
01:28:29,965 --> 01:28:32,165
with questions asked during public comment.

1727
01:28:32,165 --> 01:28:34,725
They're not recorded, they're not accurately reflected,

1728
01:28:34,755 --> 01:28:36,205
they're not followed up on.

1729
01:28:36,435 --> 01:28:37,685
There's such simple things

1730
01:28:37,685 --> 01:28:39,485
that can be done like transcription services,

1731
01:28:39,665 --> 01:28:41,645
having people sign in for public comment

1732
01:28:41,705 --> 01:28:43,725
so you can reach back out to them if you don't know

1733
01:28:43,725 --> 01:28:46,125
who they are, recording all the comments so

1734
01:28:46,125 --> 01:28:47,485
that you make sure everything gets answered

1735
01:28:47,505 --> 01:28:48,765
and divvied up on board members.

1736
01:28:49,365 --> 01:28:51,965
I understand what we're entering into in the fall

1737
01:28:51,965 --> 01:28:53,525
with boundaries and reconfiguration,

1738
01:28:53,585 --> 01:28:56,165
but curtailing public comments.

1739
01:28:56,165 --> 01:28:58,005
Thank you. That's your time only gonna backfire.

1740
01:28:58,005 --> 01:28:59,165
Thank, thank you den.

1741
01:29:00,715 --> 01:29:04,765
Yeah, Isha,

1742
01:29:06,925 --> 01:29:09,685
Ishmael Daniels, south Portland Dire Elementary.

1743
01:29:09,745 --> 01:29:12,445
Now quick question.

1744
01:29:12,905 --> 01:29:16,365
So I do these and I come up here and my phone goes crazy.

1745
01:29:18,925 --> 01:29:22,565
I have a question from the KA community, mostly

1746
01:29:22,665 --> 01:29:23,925
for the new superintendent.

1747
01:29:24,815 --> 01:29:28,925
There is some items from Kaler Elementary

1748
01:29:29,635 --> 01:29:33,165
that some staff, parents, PTA members have been wondering

1749
01:29:33,165 --> 01:29:36,165
where they found new homes and where they've been relocated.

1750
01:29:37,405 --> 01:29:39,685
I know that this isn't the actual best place

1751
01:29:39,705 --> 01:29:44,085
to ask these questions, but this is where they popped up.

1752
01:29:45,225 --> 01:29:47,085
So there is some,

1753
01:29:47,585 --> 01:29:50,965
and I can wait till another time, an email or whatever,

1754
01:29:51,585 --> 01:29:55,845
but there's some things that are missing per se that

1755
01:29:56,675 --> 01:30:01,245
some parents, teachers, staff, PTA members are looking for.

1756
01:30:01,625 --> 01:30:05,765
And if there's an itemized way to find out where a lot of

1757
01:30:05,765 --> 01:30:09,925
that, where a lot of those pieces of furniture, pieces

1758
01:30:09,945 --> 01:30:12,565
of equipment and certain items may have went to

1759
01:30:13,325 --> 01:30:14,605
where they found new homes.

1760
01:30:15,085 --> 01:30:17,365
There's a lot of people that are in search

1761
01:30:17,825 --> 01:30:21,005
and would like some, some, some definitive answers on that.

1762
01:30:22,095 --> 01:30:23,365
Again, Ishmael Daniels,

1763
01:30:24,195 --> 01:30:25,605
I'll see you on Wednesday. Thank you.

1764
01:30:25,855 --> 01:30:30,205
Thank you Ishmael. Yes, Mr. Ladd. Hi. Hi there.

1765
01:30:32,025 --> 01:30:33,405
I'm Dawn Lad and I'm nine

1766
01:30:33,685 --> 01:30:34,885
Highland Avenue in South Portland.

1767
01:30:36,475 --> 01:30:38,605
I've been living South Portland for 42 years.

1768
01:30:39,595 --> 01:30:41,885
I've worked in accounting and finance for 40 years

1769
01:30:42,465 --> 01:30:43,725
and I also taught full-time

1770
01:30:43,785 --> 01:30:45,565
as a faculty member at university

1771
01:30:45,585 --> 01:30:46,805
for 10 years in accounting.

1772
01:30:47,145 --> 01:30:49,285
So I understand governmental accounting just a little bit.

1773
01:30:50,905 --> 01:30:52,965
My taxes went up 9% this year

1774
01:30:54,695 --> 01:30:57,765
since over the past four years my property taxes have gone

1775
01:30:57,785 --> 01:31:00,085
up 52% on Highland nav.

1776
01:31:00,745 --> 01:31:02,165
No auditions, no improvements.

1777
01:31:02,975 --> 01:31:05,405
62% of that money comes to the school district.

1778
01:31:05,865 --> 01:31:07,325
So I'm obviously very concerned about

1779
01:31:07,325 --> 01:31:10,645
how my money's being spent as well as the accounted for

1780
01:31:12,105 --> 01:31:15,645
the common theme of the fiscal 2024 and 2025.

1781
01:31:16,085 --> 01:31:20,605
Material weaknesses per the annual audit were in areas

1782
01:31:20,625 --> 01:31:23,925
of lack of reconciliations and also budget non-compliance.

1783
01:31:24,465 --> 01:31:25,885
In other words, overspending the budget.

1784
01:31:27,095 --> 01:31:29,005
There were many other areas of concern,

1785
01:31:29,305 --> 01:31:31,605
but my questions are on the two that I've just noted.

1786
01:31:32,945 --> 01:31:35,445
So my question is to the finance director

1787
01:31:35,585 --> 01:31:38,205
or the school board our superintendent,

1788
01:31:39,105 --> 01:31:40,885
are the account reconciliations

1789
01:31:40,885 --> 01:31:42,285
occurring on a monthly basis?

1790
01:31:42,505 --> 01:31:45,885
That's very basic process in accounting.

1791
01:31:46,705 --> 01:31:49,045
Are there any lingering surprises out there?

1792
01:31:50,365 --> 01:31:51,405
I asked because I noticed

1793
01:31:51,405 --> 01:31:53,765
that there were significant adjustments effecting the

1794
01:31:53,765 --> 01:31:56,685
general fund in prior years in the amount

1795
01:31:56,685 --> 01:32:00,485
of $1,422,000 on top of that

1796
01:32:01,025 --> 01:32:05,525
for fiscal 26, transportation overspent 500,

1797
01:32:05,595 --> 01:32:07,125
$5,400

1798
01:32:07,785 --> 01:32:10,765
and also administration overspent over 200,000.

1799
01:32:12,185 --> 01:32:13,365
So as far as I'm concerned,

1800
01:32:13,365 --> 01:32:15,525
there's certainly either lack of budget.

1801
01:32:17,505 --> 01:32:19,645
That's your time. Okay boy,

1802
01:32:19,645 --> 01:32:21,005
time flies when you're having fun,

1803
01:32:23,065 --> 01:32:24,065
But thank you.

1804
01:32:24,065 --> 01:32:27,765
And I encourage you to back send, yeah,

1805
01:32:27,795 --> 01:32:29,525
send an email about those questions.

1806
01:32:29,525 --> 01:32:30,885
Thank you Carlton.

1807
01:32:32,025 --> 01:32:34,885
So I think one thing, can I Introduce yourself

1808
01:32:34,985 --> 01:32:35,985
Please?

1809
01:32:35,985 --> 01:32:37,885
Sorry. Carl. Carl Parson, south Portland.

1810
01:32:39,145 --> 01:32:43,045
One thing that kind of really came up as I was doing more

1811
01:32:43,045 --> 01:32:46,685
of my research into just different policies that we have,

1812
01:32:47,405 --> 01:32:52,005
I think when I really am focusing on working with, you know,

1813
01:32:52,005 --> 01:32:54,125
the city council, I would love

1814
01:32:54,465 --> 01:32:57,565
to have it not just be specifically about the budget,

1815
01:32:58,025 --> 01:33:00,485
but specifically about how

1816
01:33:01,985 --> 01:33:05,685
the city council can address root causes of affordability.

1817
01:33:06,235 --> 01:33:08,925
Because I think that for working families,

1818
01:33:09,905 --> 01:33:12,805
things like daycare are a major part

1819
01:33:12,985 --> 01:33:16,725
of a reason why we can no longer kind of working.

1820
01:33:17,125 --> 01:33:18,285
Families are starting to leave

1821
01:33:18,785 --> 01:33:21,725
and this is causing some enrollment issues as well.

1822
01:33:23,065 --> 01:33:27,165
And I think that it always comes back to like we are going

1823
01:33:27,165 --> 01:33:29,245
to be at a loss address trying

1824
01:33:29,245 --> 01:33:33,685
to address the affordability crisis through our tax rate.

1825
01:33:34,985 --> 01:33:39,805
On average, property taxes only constitute eight to 10%

1826
01:33:40,105 --> 01:33:42,565
of a total expenses of a household.

1827
01:33:43,105 --> 01:33:47,045
So keep in mind is that when we even try to do drastic cuts,

1828
01:33:47,045 --> 01:33:50,805
we're really doing, you know, percentages of percentages,

1829
01:33:51,145 --> 01:33:54,965
you know it's not gonna address food can go up by 10%

1830
01:33:55,105 --> 01:33:58,805
and then all of a sudden our tax cut that we fired a bunch

1831
01:33:58,805 --> 01:34:01,725
of teachers for laid off, closed the school, all

1832
01:34:01,725 --> 01:34:03,005
of a sudden it's moot.

1833
01:34:03,005 --> 01:34:05,325
And we have to do that again to address affordability.

1834
01:34:06,025 --> 01:34:10,125
So I think in that case is we can here

1835
01:34:10,705 --> 01:34:12,885
do our fiscal responsibility on the budget,

1836
01:34:13,265 --> 01:34:15,085
but people will continue to come up

1837
01:34:15,625 --> 01:34:16,965
and complain about taxes

1838
01:34:17,375 --> 01:34:19,885
until we address the root causes of affordability.

1839
01:34:20,235 --> 01:34:24,085
This is far beyond what we can do as a school board,

1840
01:34:24,585 --> 01:34:27,845
but certainly because our main,

1841
01:34:30,025 --> 01:34:32,205
our main benefactors are our kids

1842
01:34:32,425 --> 01:34:36,405
and our families, they also deserve not to have

1843
01:34:36,405 --> 01:34:37,845
to pay the price

1844
01:34:38,385 --> 01:34:40,925
to address our root causes of affordability.

1845
01:34:41,385 --> 01:34:44,965
So I'm hoping that as we continue to work together,

1846
01:34:45,515 --> 01:34:48,125
that it's not just a one-sided dialogue

1847
01:34:48,155 --> 01:34:51,925
that we work together to afford to address affordability

1848
01:34:52,265 --> 01:34:54,925
and issues around our diverse communities

1849
01:34:54,985 --> 01:34:57,365
as well, including ice. So thank you.

1850
01:34:58,175 --> 01:34:59,165
Thank you. Carlton,

1851
01:35:03,585 --> 01:35:05,005
Can you stop?

1852
01:35:06,825 --> 01:35:09,085
Lauren Shapiro, south Portland parent.

1853
01:35:10,415 --> 01:35:12,325
Thank you for the general enrollment numbers

1854
01:35:12,465 --> 01:35:13,485
you provided earlier.

1855
01:35:13,895 --> 01:35:17,045
While these numbers are helpful as a high level overview,

1856
01:35:17,405 --> 01:35:20,845
a more complete picture would help the community understand

1857
01:35:20,845 --> 01:35:23,805
whether there are significant differences between schools,

1858
01:35:24,065 --> 01:35:26,525
grades, or individual classrooms.

1859
01:35:27,335 --> 01:35:29,925
Could the board commit to providing a detailed school

1860
01:35:29,945 --> 01:35:33,045
by school class by class breakdown for the next meeting

1861
01:35:33,995 --> 01:35:36,645
with the loss of staff and a school's closure?

1862
01:35:37,025 --> 01:35:39,085
We are all sensitive to what that now means

1863
01:35:39,145 --> 01:35:40,445
for current class sizes.

1864
01:35:41,845 --> 01:35:43,605
I also think it's worth asking

1865
01:35:43,905 --> 01:35:46,685
how much we are relying on screens in the classroom.

1866
01:35:47,415 --> 01:35:50,445
Using technology to meet each child at their individual

1867
01:35:50,885 --> 01:35:52,805
learning level can be a great tool,

1868
01:35:53,625 --> 01:35:55,925
but are we overusing it beyond that benefit?

1869
01:35:56,915 --> 01:35:59,405
I've been told that advertisements have been displayed

1870
01:35:59,405 --> 01:36:01,645
to children in the middle of educational content

1871
01:36:02,425 --> 01:36:03,485
and I'm also aware

1872
01:36:03,485 --> 01:36:05,845
that games are incorporated into the learning tools.

1873
01:36:06,625 --> 01:36:08,365
At what point does screen time begin

1874
01:36:08,365 --> 01:36:10,045
to replace teacher instruction?

1875
01:36:10,165 --> 01:36:12,285
Hands-on learning, reading, writing

1876
01:36:12,985 --> 01:36:14,685
or interaction with classmates.

1877
01:36:15,345 --> 01:36:18,805
Are these, are there currently guidelines around screen time

1878
01:36:19,305 --> 01:36:22,085
and what is considered appropriate for each grade level?

1879
01:36:22,935 --> 01:36:26,445
Could we establish clear boundaries around screen use so

1880
01:36:26,445 --> 01:36:29,645
that technology supports learning without becoming the

1881
01:36:29,925 --> 01:36:31,285
default way children learn?

1882
01:36:32,685 --> 01:36:35,725
I also want to rera the issue of the safety

1883
01:36:35,785 --> 01:36:38,805
and security of the portables, which was mentioned

1884
01:36:38,805 --> 01:36:40,125
by a teacher at the last meeting.

1885
01:36:41,035 --> 01:36:42,285
What specific safety

1886
01:36:42,425 --> 01:36:44,565
and security concerns have been identified

1887
01:36:44,945 --> 01:36:47,125
and what has already been done to address them?

1888
01:36:47,995 --> 01:36:50,325
What additional measures are currently planned

1889
01:36:50,505 --> 01:36:52,405
or being considered to ensure the safety

1890
01:36:52,425 --> 01:36:53,525
of students and staff?

1891
01:36:54,175 --> 01:36:57,765
Could the district create a secure enclosed vestibule cont

1892
01:36:57,895 --> 01:37:00,645
connecting the main building to the portable classrooms?

1893
01:37:01,515 --> 01:37:04,285
This would allow students to access critical resources,

1894
01:37:04,625 --> 01:37:06,325
the nurse guidance counselor

1895
01:37:06,325 --> 01:37:09,405
or even the restroom without having to go outside,

1896
01:37:09,545 --> 01:37:10,765
be exposed to the elements

1897
01:37:10,765 --> 01:37:12,685
or leave the secured area of the building.

1898
01:37:13,625 --> 01:37:15,725
It would be helpful for families to understand

1899
01:37:15,725 --> 01:37:17,685
what safety measures are currently in place,

1900
01:37:18,115 --> 01:37:19,245
what concerns remain

1901
01:37:19,245 --> 01:37:21,285
and whether improvements are being considered.

1902
01:37:23,025 --> 01:37:25,805
As for the brave young man who spoke last meeting,

1903
01:37:26,345 --> 01:37:27,645
we see you, we hear you,

1904
01:37:27,865 --> 01:37:31,685
and we ask the school community to do better for him

1905
01:37:31,745 --> 01:37:34,205
and for all those whose voices have gone unheard.

1906
01:37:35,145 --> 01:37:37,365
The question now is, what will we do to make sure

1907
01:37:37,365 --> 01:37:40,925
that being heard leads to meaningful change Further

1908
01:37:40,995 --> 01:37:42,325
what is currently being done

1909
01:37:42,325 --> 01:37:45,005
to promote genuine positive connection across

1910
01:37:45,065 --> 01:37:46,285
our middle school community?

1911
01:37:46,345 --> 01:37:50,925
30 seconds Specifically, what concrete steps are being taken

1912
01:37:51,305 --> 01:37:53,645
to ensure the lunchroom is a safe, welcoming

1913
01:37:53,665 --> 01:37:56,845
and inclusive space where no student has to sit alone?

1914
01:37:57,935 --> 01:38:00,645
Thank you for your dedication to our students and staff

1915
01:38:00,785 --> 01:38:02,205
and all the hard work that you do.

1916
01:38:03,255 --> 01:38:07,245
Thank you, Lord. Is there anyone else

1917
01:38:07,665 --> 01:38:09,605
who wants to make public comment?

1918
01:38:11,265 --> 01:38:14,925
Seeing none, the second public comment is closed.

1919
01:38:16,255 --> 01:38:19,965
There were some questions that are a little more extensive

1920
01:38:20,265 --> 01:38:23,885
and the superintendent has recorded those

1921
01:38:24,345 --> 01:38:26,965
and they will be answered

1922
01:38:27,505 --> 01:38:31,605
either at a follow up meeting or through email.

1923
01:38:33,305 --> 01:38:36,045
But there was a question an asked

1924
01:38:36,145 --> 01:38:39,445
by Mr. Daniels about items that were

1925
01:38:39,995 --> 01:38:42,485
remaining at Kaler and what's happened to them.

1926
01:38:43,405 --> 01:38:45,045
There was a question asked by Mr.

1927
01:38:45,425 --> 01:38:49,525
Lad that was about whether their

1928
01:38:50,245 --> 01:38:52,805
accounts are being done,

1929
01:38:53,005 --> 01:38:55,525
accounts are being reconciled monthly.

1930
01:38:57,465 --> 01:39:00,765
And there was several questions by Ms.

1931
01:39:00,835 --> 01:39:03,725
Shapiro about the security

1932
01:39:03,985 --> 01:39:06,925
of the portables.

1933
01:39:07,505 --> 01:39:09,445
So those questions will be answered

1934
01:39:11,145 --> 01:39:15,525
either on the website or at a follow up meeting or by email

1935
01:39:16,215 --> 01:39:17,215
Chair.

1936
01:39:17,215 --> 01:39:19,525
I do think Abigail Kein is here

1937
01:39:19,785 --> 01:39:22,085
and she would be able to speak to the finance.

1938
01:39:22,565 --> 01:39:25,565
I know we've, in my report, we did report on some

1939
01:39:25,565 --> 01:39:27,005
of the reconciliation work

1940
01:39:27,035 --> 01:39:29,045
that they have been have been doing.

1941
01:39:29,225 --> 01:39:30,405
And I think

1942
01:39:30,785 --> 01:39:32,445
If you wanna come up to the podium you

1943
01:39:32,445 --> 01:39:33,565
can come up and answer that.

1944
01:39:33,565 --> 01:39:36,165
Thank you. There's another question.

1945
01:39:40,395 --> 01:39:42,845
Good evening. I'm Abigail Chen, finance director.

1946
01:39:44,675 --> 01:39:46,925
Yeah, the speaker who brought up reconciliations.

1947
01:39:47,035 --> 01:39:51,205
That was indeed a theme, not just of that one year

1948
01:39:51,205 --> 01:39:52,885
that he brought up, but of several years.

1949
01:39:53,385 --> 01:39:55,525
It will continue to be a theme in this

1950
01:39:55,525 --> 01:39:56,725
next year's annual audit.

1951
01:39:58,065 --> 01:40:00,965
As he mentioned, monthly reconciliations is fundamental.

1952
01:40:01,325 --> 01:40:06,245
I agree as the seventh finance director

1953
01:40:06,245 --> 01:40:07,565
in about six to seven years.

1954
01:40:07,635 --> 01:40:10,245
This is also something that I've identified

1955
01:40:11,145 --> 01:40:14,365
as incredibly important and fundamental.

1956
01:40:15,155 --> 01:40:17,085
It's, it's, we are working on it,

1957
01:40:17,705 --> 01:40:19,405
but it is definitely a work in progress.

1958
01:40:19,765 --> 01:40:21,965
We've had some new team members who I think

1959
01:40:23,395 --> 01:40:24,845
will be helpful in this process.

1960
01:40:25,705 --> 01:40:29,725
We are working like a heavy focus really is on our benefits

1961
01:40:29,725 --> 01:40:32,565
monthly reconciliations that's comparing vendor bills to

1962
01:40:32,565 --> 01:40:34,765
what people are charged, what the employers charged.

1963
01:40:35,245 --> 01:40:37,205
So we've got kind of a first month

1964
01:40:37,785 --> 01:40:39,485
run at this in this fiscal year,

1965
01:40:40,165 --> 01:40:41,405
but that's something we're working on.

1966
01:40:41,965 --> 01:40:45,405
We have a few months. Then there's grants, receivables,

1967
01:40:45,405 --> 01:40:47,165
reconciliation, that's another finding

1968
01:40:47,165 --> 01:40:48,685
that we've been tackling.

1969
01:40:49,245 --> 01:40:53,285
We've had, we have this FY 26 in pretty okay shape.

1970
01:40:53,305 --> 01:40:56,605
So I'm looking forward to what this annual audits results,

1971
01:40:56,605 --> 01:40:58,405
we'll bring on that front, but that's another one

1972
01:40:58,405 --> 01:41:01,445
where we've also brought in some consultant help

1973
01:41:01,945 --> 01:41:03,045
to learn more about that

1974
01:41:03,065 --> 01:41:04,765
and to make sure that's getting set up.

1975
01:41:04,765 --> 01:41:06,725
And then our withholdings reconciliation,

1976
01:41:06,725 --> 01:41:08,205
that's another finding that we have

1977
01:41:08,205 --> 01:41:10,485
and that is what we, that we are also working on

1978
01:41:10,485 --> 01:41:12,245
that pretty heavily.

1979
01:41:13,145 --> 01:41:15,365
So that's all to say reconciliation is,

1980
01:41:15,545 --> 01:41:17,645
is a big important project that we are working on.

1981
01:41:18,485 --> 01:41:21,445
I definitely anticipate findings in general in this next

1982
01:41:21,445 --> 01:41:23,885
annual audit, but hope that I'm,

1983
01:41:24,565 --> 01:41:28,605
I am optimistic about the FY 27 annual audit

1984
01:41:28,605 --> 01:41:31,045
that we will experience in FY 28.

1985
01:41:31,605 --> 01:41:35,125
So we'll see what, what that brings other further issues.

1986
01:41:36,005 --> 01:41:38,365
I think. Of course there certainly could be other unknowns

1987
01:41:38,365 --> 01:41:39,725
and we'll, you know, handle them

1988
01:41:39,745 --> 01:41:41,485
as they come, as they come up.

1989
01:41:42,185 --> 01:41:44,325
But overall, I think we're in better shape than we have

1990
01:41:44,325 --> 01:41:45,365
been in some time.

1991
01:41:46,205 --> 01:41:48,645
He mentioned the transportation over spend,

1992
01:41:49,105 --> 01:41:51,085
that's a combination of under budgeting

1993
01:41:51,105 --> 01:41:54,965
and overtime, the system administration overspend.

1994
01:41:54,965 --> 01:41:58,045
That's a combination of having half the year

1995
01:41:58,045 --> 01:42:00,925
with two superintendents salaries posting to our accounts,

1996
01:42:00,925 --> 01:42:02,805
which we wouldn't have budgeted for naturally.

1997
01:42:03,585 --> 01:42:07,405
As well as just writing off bad debts, such as issues

1998
01:42:07,485 --> 01:42:08,925
with our withholdings to get some

1999
01:42:08,925 --> 01:42:10,645
of those accounts in balance.

2000
01:42:12,145 --> 01:42:14,085
And then overall, I would just encourage that person

2001
01:42:14,085 --> 01:42:15,725
to join our finance committee meetings.

2002
01:42:15,725 --> 01:42:17,765
They're open to the public and we talk,

2003
01:42:17,825 --> 01:42:20,005
we talk a lot in those meetings about all

2004
01:42:20,005 --> 01:42:23,165
of these nuanced facets to our budget. So thank you.

2005
01:42:24,095 --> 01:42:27,285
Thank you. Before you leave there, member Holman,

2006
01:42:27,285 --> 01:42:28,325
did you have a question for

2007
01:42:28,545 --> 01:42:30,885
No, no, but I will say no, You're

2008
01:42:30,885 --> 01:42:31,885
All set.

2009
01:42:31,885 --> 01:42:32,285
There was just another

2010
01:42:32,485 --> 01:42:33,925
question I think that needs to go on that list. Oh,

2011
01:42:33,925 --> 01:42:34,925
Okay, go ahead.

2012
01:42:35,175 --> 01:42:40,045
Which was, is there a policy on, on how much screen time?

2013
01:42:40,545 --> 01:42:43,205
Oh, and I think it's a very relevant question, especially

2014
01:42:44,095 --> 01:42:46,765
based on recent, some of the recent research I've seen.

2015
01:42:46,945 --> 01:42:49,445
Yes, but also I think that this, this gentleman did come

2016
01:42:49,445 --> 01:42:50,725
to one of our finance meetings

2017
01:42:50,725 --> 01:42:51,765
too. Didn't you come one time?

2018
01:42:52,195 --> 01:42:56,885
Yeah, yeah. Thank you. We will record that question.

2019
01:42:56,985 --> 01:43:00,405
How much screen time and do we have a policy about that?

2020
01:43:00,455 --> 01:43:04,685
Thank you. Okay,

2021
01:43:04,905 --> 01:43:06,125
so, and thank you.

2022
01:43:06,735 --> 01:43:07,805
Thank you Ms. Tran.

2023
01:43:08,705 --> 01:43:11,765
We are up to 10.0,

2024
01:43:11,895 --> 01:43:13,845
which is school board communications

2025
01:43:15,745 --> 01:43:17,525
and the people have

2026
01:43:20,145 --> 01:43:21,765
things I wanted to announce

2027
01:43:21,945 --> 01:43:24,845
or things they've been to that they wanted to report

2028
01:43:25,025 --> 01:43:27,325
or whatever. Member Holman

2029
01:43:27,505 --> 01:43:30,125
My yes, what I'm gonna be talking about, where I've been

2030
01:43:30,125 --> 01:43:32,605
to mentally and,

2031
01:43:34,065 --> 01:43:37,485
and where I've been mentally is I, I am, I'm quite obsessed

2032
01:43:38,195 --> 01:43:41,325
with learning about what AI is

2033
01:43:41,825 --> 01:43:43,405
and what it means for us.

2034
01:43:43,985 --> 01:43:46,845
And I've got some, some resources.

2035
01:43:46,865 --> 01:43:48,285
I'd be happy to recommend anybody,

2036
01:43:48,385 --> 01:43:52,685
but if anyone who follow the news news knows that, you know,

2037
01:43:52,735 --> 01:43:55,125
diary Ade from philanthropic just asked us

2038
01:43:55,125 --> 01:43:57,325
to put on the brakes following some terrible,

2039
01:43:57,475 --> 01:44:00,485
some not terrible, some upsetting incidents that,

2040
01:44:00,515 --> 01:44:03,885
that occurred including the, the, the departure of a,

2041
01:44:03,885 --> 01:44:07,285
of high profile staff member who just said,

2042
01:44:07,285 --> 01:44:08,605
this is too, this is too dangerous.

2043
01:44:08,605 --> 01:44:10,005
I don't wanna be part of this anymore.

2044
01:44:10,625 --> 01:44:14,845
And, and others, others seconded him in general,

2045
01:44:15,785 --> 01:44:17,925
you know, Elon Musk said Dario's, right?

2046
01:44:18,425 --> 01:44:20,605
So, so this is,

2047
01:44:20,605 --> 01:44:21,925
this is going somewhere the related to schools.

2048
01:44:21,925 --> 01:44:23,205
Don't worry, it's not just about that.

2049
01:44:23,505 --> 01:44:28,325
But also in Dario ADE's statement, he said, well,

2050
01:44:28,325 --> 01:44:29,365
we're gonna work internationally.

2051
01:44:29,365 --> 01:44:32,805
And in fact, just today I saw that the top Chinese spy chief

2052
01:44:33,065 --> 01:44:35,525
who said that, a, that the AI is a threat to them.

2053
01:44:35,705 --> 01:44:37,885
So the word is out and I,

2054
01:44:37,945 --> 01:44:40,885
and we, we really need to have an AI policy in our school.

2055
01:44:41,185 --> 01:44:43,085
We really need to have one. I think that's understood.

2056
01:44:43,105 --> 01:44:44,925
I'm not the only person who thinks that I know that,

2057
01:44:45,305 --> 01:44:47,405
but I do think it's urgent

2058
01:44:47,585 --> 01:44:49,005
and we just shouldn't let this slide.

2059
01:44:49,005 --> 01:44:51,125
We know that both, both the schools,

2060
01:44:51,305 --> 01:44:53,885
the country's two largest school districts, New York City

2061
01:44:54,065 --> 01:44:58,765
and Los Angeles have, have a student AI use bands.

2062
01:44:59,525 --> 01:45:01,045
I think one is least is K through eight.

2063
01:45:01,045 --> 01:45:02,165
And I'm not, I don't, you know,

2064
01:45:02,475 --> 01:45:03,885
it's easy to find out what though they are.

2065
01:45:03,905 --> 01:45:07,285
But anyway, I think we really need to take it seriously.

2066
01:45:07,285 --> 01:45:11,445
This doesn't mean that, for example, for the kinds of things

2067
01:45:11,445 --> 01:45:14,165
that, that Daniel Feller was mentioning earlier,

2068
01:45:14,165 --> 01:45:15,685
that you can't, you know, use it

2069
01:45:15,685 --> 01:45:18,045
to help you organize meeting notes or staff

2070
01:45:18,045 --> 01:45:19,125
and teachers wouldn't be able to use it.

2071
01:45:19,125 --> 01:45:21,205
But we really need to think very carefully.

2072
01:45:21,985 --> 01:45:23,965
So yeah, let's do it.

2073
01:45:24,825 --> 01:45:26,605
And that goes along with the screen time limits,

2074
01:45:26,605 --> 01:45:27,765
because I think in, I,

2075
01:45:27,845 --> 01:45:29,765
I think in California they just ban screen time.

2076
01:45:29,865 --> 01:45:31,765
We do have some kind of a policy, I forget

2077
01:45:31,765 --> 01:45:32,805
what I can't remember what it is,

2078
01:45:33,145 --> 01:45:35,925
or some kind of, if not a policy

2079
01:45:35,925 --> 01:45:37,485
parameters that are generally accepted.

2080
01:45:38,525 --> 01:45:39,765
Policies is a, is a kind

2081
01:45:39,765 --> 01:45:41,205
of a specific thing that we vote on.

2082
01:45:41,265 --> 01:45:43,565
But that's the screen time thing

2083
01:45:43,565 --> 01:45:44,725
is something we need to think about too.

2084
01:45:44,725 --> 01:45:47,765
There's some interesting research about that type of thing.

2085
01:45:49,015 --> 01:45:53,525
Thank you Member Holman. Someone else, a member feller

2086
01:45:55,345 --> 01:45:58,245
Wanted to thank the staff at the high school for

2087
01:45:59,165 --> 01:46:01,325
hosting the grassroots music festival

2088
01:46:01,345 --> 01:46:02,445
in the auditorium yesterday.

2089
01:46:02,465 --> 01:46:04,085
It was really, it was a great time.

2090
01:46:04,605 --> 01:46:06,205
It was a bit bummer about the rain,

2091
01:46:06,265 --> 01:46:08,525
but you know, the sound in the auditorium is really good.

2092
01:46:08,705 --> 01:46:10,845
So please thank the custodial staff

2093
01:46:10,845 --> 01:46:12,685
for cleaning up after everybody.

2094
01:46:13,445 --> 01:46:15,005
I wanna thank folks for filling out the survey

2095
01:46:15,025 --> 01:46:16,245
on elementary reconfiguration.

2096
01:46:16,245 --> 01:46:17,685
I think it's really helpful.

2097
01:46:18,675 --> 01:46:19,805
Last thing I wanna talk about,

2098
01:46:19,985 --> 01:46:22,885
and I think I might talk about it at most meetings is Trump

2099
01:46:22,885 --> 01:46:25,805
accounts, unlike a degree from Trump University

2100
01:46:25,805 --> 01:46:27,045
or Trump's stake, Trump

2101
01:46:27,045 --> 01:46:28,325
accounts are actually worth something.

2102
01:46:28,785 --> 01:46:32,165
So for any child, and this is not

2103
01:46:32,165 --> 01:46:34,085
because I'm a Trump booster, I'm obviously very not

2104
01:46:35,105 --> 01:46:36,845
for any child born

2105
01:46:36,845 --> 01:46:38,765
after January 1st, 2025,

2106
01:46:39,195 --> 01:46:41,485
they get a thousand dollars from the Treasury department

2107
01:46:42,025 --> 01:46:43,485
and that's for an investment account.

2108
01:46:44,865 --> 01:46:47,925
So I would hope that folks are aware of this.

2109
01:46:47,925 --> 01:46:49,005
Like there it's a thousand dollars

2110
01:46:49,085 --> 01:46:50,325
with no strings attached, right?

2111
01:46:50,325 --> 01:46:52,485
Like everybody in South Portland who has a kid born

2112
01:46:52,485 --> 01:46:54,965
after January 1st, 2025 should take advantage of this.

2113
01:46:55,905 --> 01:46:57,365
You can go to the IRS website

2114
01:46:57,385 --> 01:47:00,925
and submit form 45 47

2115
01:47:02,655 --> 01:47:04,445
again form 45, 47.

2116
01:47:06,275 --> 01:47:08,525
Yeah. So just wanna let folks know about that.

2117
01:47:09,195 --> 01:47:10,725
Just to add on to that, it's,

2118
01:47:11,115 --> 01:47:13,445
even if you don't have a kid born

2119
01:47:13,735 --> 01:47:16,445
after that date, you can still start a Trump account

2120
01:47:16,505 --> 01:47:20,125
for your kid and it's more expansive than a 5 29.

2121
01:47:20,185 --> 01:47:22,765
So it doesn't just, it's not, the money can go

2122
01:47:22,765 --> 01:47:25,645
to more things when they turn 18 than just school.

2123
01:47:25,745 --> 01:47:28,005
It can go to like down payment

2124
01:47:28,145 --> 01:47:29,765
for a house, a bunch of other stuff.

2125
01:47:29,945 --> 01:47:32,605
So worth considering

2126
01:47:33,515 --> 01:47:35,805
even if you don't have a kid that's newly born.

2127
01:47:36,975 --> 01:47:39,285
Thank you member Richardson.

2128
01:47:39,285 --> 01:47:41,885
Since we're talking about investment planning for,

2129
01:47:42,065 --> 01:47:45,805
for children, may MA Maine does have the

2130
01:47:46,075 --> 01:47:47,325
5 29 Yeah.

2131
01:47:47,555 --> 01:47:49,765
Plan. True. It's all there.

2132
01:47:49,985 --> 01:47:51,165
So, but I am wondering,

2133
01:47:51,305 --> 01:47:53,325
can I also do the Trump account on top of that,

2134
01:47:54,345 --> 01:47:56,205
but since the a you Yeah.

2135
01:47:56,205 --> 01:47:57,685
Okay. The ALP Fund, yeah. Yeah.

2136
01:47:58,185 --> 01:47:59,325
So if you don't have that

2137
01:47:59,505 --> 01:48:02,365
and you wanna know how, I'm happy to be your resource

2138
01:48:02,505 --> 01:48:03,845
for, for the how to do that.

2139
01:48:04,995 --> 01:48:08,165
This seems to be the coming out party for at large

2140
01:48:08,935 --> 01:48:12,045
board candidates, of which I am one as well.

2141
01:48:13,635 --> 01:48:15,685
It's whether or not this is appropriate.

2142
01:48:15,745 --> 01:48:17,565
It feels uncomfortable to not address the fact

2143
01:48:17,565 --> 01:48:18,685
that I am a candidate.

2144
01:48:20,345 --> 01:48:22,725
And while I'm an incumbent, I'm only,

2145
01:48:23,155 --> 01:48:24,845
I've only been in this role for one year.

2146
01:48:25,025 --> 01:48:26,725
So I do consider myself

2147
01:48:26,745 --> 01:48:30,165
to be a pretty a a relatively new member of this board,

2148
01:48:30,695 --> 01:48:32,965
still learning, still

2149
01:48:34,595 --> 01:48:35,805
growing in my role.

2150
01:48:35,865 --> 01:48:37,645
And I, and I believe my job is not done,

2151
01:48:38,215 --> 01:48:41,485
which is why I submitted my papers for reelection.

2152
01:48:42,665 --> 01:48:44,525
And my three priorities

2153
01:48:45,345 --> 01:48:49,245
are developing a strategic wide plan that establishes

2154
01:48:51,215 --> 01:48:53,165
clear priorities to support, accountability,

2155
01:48:53,235 --> 01:48:55,725
financial stability, and community diversity,

2156
01:48:55,855 --> 01:48:58,525
while improving teacher retention and morale

2157
01:48:58,655 --> 01:49:00,405
after our recent budget challenges,

2158
01:49:01,105 --> 01:49:04,845
the board's fall 2026 agendas focusing on elementary

2159
01:49:04,845 --> 01:49:06,125
school reconfiguration.

2160
01:49:06,665 --> 01:49:08,925
And I remain committed to responsible changes

2161
01:49:09,115 --> 01:49:12,125
that promote equitable opport opportunities made

2162
01:49:12,125 --> 01:49:14,045
with community input throughout.

2163
01:49:15,075 --> 01:49:18,925
Finally, I also believe that the board, the board has

2164
01:49:18,925 --> 01:49:21,125
to evaluate classroom use of technology

2165
01:49:21,145 --> 01:49:24,525
and AI to ensure that we're using it responsibly.

2166
01:49:25,035 --> 01:49:27,045
That we have appropriate safeguards in place

2167
01:49:27,185 --> 01:49:30,405
and that policies are supporting student success for all.

2168
01:49:31,425 --> 01:49:32,805
I'm a working mother of two boys.

2169
01:49:33,765 --> 01:49:35,525
I live with my husband and my mother moved

2170
01:49:35,555 --> 01:49:36,605
into this last year.

2171
01:49:36,825 --> 01:49:38,725
So we are a multi-generational family

2172
01:49:39,425 --> 01:49:41,725
who loves South Portland. Thank you.

2173
01:49:42,615 --> 01:49:47,125
Thank you. Member Richardson. Anyone else? Member Rich.

2174
01:49:47,545 --> 01:49:49,485
I'd like to thank everybody for coming out and running.

2175
01:49:49,595 --> 01:49:51,645
It's, it, it, it shows a certain amount

2176
01:49:51,645 --> 01:49:54,085
of interest in the school system and,

2177
01:49:54,105 --> 01:49:55,605
and always like

2178
01:49:55,605 --> 01:49:57,565
to see people taking their ideas into action.

2179
01:49:57,825 --> 01:49:59,125
So thank you for running everybody

2180
01:49:59,705 --> 01:50:01,485
and we should be careful with ai.

2181
01:50:01,825 --> 01:50:04,805
It can make you feel alone and stop talking to people.

2182
01:50:04,945 --> 01:50:07,485
So if we can still keep that human connection

2183
01:50:07,485 --> 01:50:09,565
and focus on the human connection, that's

2184
01:50:09,565 --> 01:50:11,525
what I would appreciate in in schools.

2185
01:50:12,315 --> 01:50:13,965
It's my AI statement.

2186
01:50:15,815 --> 01:50:20,725
Thank you. Either one of the students. You Okay.

2187
01:50:22,405 --> 01:50:25,645
I will just say the, that I wanted

2188
01:50:25,665 --> 01:50:28,925
to comment on the first day for the staff.

2189
01:50:30,395 --> 01:50:31,965
That was at the end of August

2190
01:50:32,225 --> 01:50:36,525
and it, I really wanna thank Mayor Tipton for coming

2191
01:50:36,665 --> 01:50:39,445
and speaking and Superintendent Dena as well,

2192
01:50:40,025 --> 01:50:43,885
and also assistant superintendent Prince for, for,

2193
01:50:45,185 --> 01:50:47,405
for being the mc for the event.

2194
01:50:47,585 --> 01:50:51,765
So that was great. Our two students were there as well.

2195
01:50:52,315 --> 01:50:57,205
They were both in the choral music, which was incredible.

2196
01:50:57,385 --> 01:51:01,765
The band in the entry was phenomenal

2197
01:51:01,985 --> 01:51:05,765
and the choral music was, was brilliant.

2198
01:51:05,825 --> 01:51:08,405
It was really beautiful and it was really impressive

2199
01:51:08,905 --> 01:51:11,445
and I wanted to thank members Holman

2200
01:51:11,445 --> 01:51:14,805
and Richardson for making it that day as well.

2201
01:51:16,405 --> 01:51:21,245
I also attended the Music Boosters Breakfast

2202
01:51:21,435 --> 01:51:24,325
that was at the Masonic Hall on Saturday.

2203
01:51:24,705 --> 01:51:27,645
And I want to thank you for the hard work for all

2204
01:51:27,645 --> 01:51:32,165
of the music boosters and also for the time

2205
01:51:32,185 --> 01:51:34,845
and donation that was by the Masons who

2206
01:51:35,915 --> 01:51:37,605
sponsored the breakfast.

2207
01:51:38,145 --> 01:51:41,885
And it was, it was great to have that.

2208
01:51:42,285 --> 01:51:46,805
I attended the Grassroots Music Fest

2209
01:51:47,145 --> 01:51:51,765
as well at the auditorium and it was really fabulous.

2210
01:51:51,945 --> 01:51:55,765
And if you were there, you may have seen the man

2211
01:51:56,025 --> 01:51:58,085
who changed his clothes three times

2212
01:51:58,115 --> 01:52:02,325
because he danced for the entire eight hours.

2213
01:52:02,705 --> 01:52:05,525
And I said to him like, I, I just can't believe this.

2214
01:52:05,545 --> 01:52:08,805
And he said, yeah, and I was in Boston last night, you know,

2215
01:52:08,825 --> 01:52:12,805
so I, I mean he's clearly, he did not stop moving

2216
01:52:14,065 --> 01:52:16,485
but did change his clothes multiple times.

2217
01:52:16,945 --> 01:52:20,925
And, and so I

2218
01:52:22,265 --> 01:52:26,405
was able to hear Bubb Lee

2219
01:52:26,705 --> 01:52:29,485
and his band with Desert Blues

2220
01:52:29,945 --> 01:52:33,685
and also the Co Toco Brass Band,

2221
01:52:33,855 --> 01:52:35,725
which was the last band that played.

2222
01:52:37,625 --> 01:52:40,365
So it was really great. I would agree with Member Feller.

2223
01:52:40,665 --> 01:52:44,405
It was really unfortunate that the weather didn't,

2224
01:52:44,405 --> 01:52:47,965
even though though it did sound great, it would've been,

2225
01:52:48,065 --> 01:52:50,685
it would've been wonderful to have it outside at Bug Light

2226
01:52:50,685 --> 01:52:54,245
because there were so many people who randomly come

2227
01:52:54,245 --> 01:52:57,165
to Bug Light and would've been able to appreciate

2228
01:52:57,265 --> 01:52:59,565
and experience the music as well.

2229
01:52:59,625 --> 01:53:03,085
But it was, but it was fabulous. So thank you.

2230
01:53:04,945 --> 01:53:06,605
If there are no other comments

2231
01:53:07,145 --> 01:53:10,085
and without objection,

2232
01:53:11,385 --> 01:53:12,405
the meeting is adjourned.