[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:36] Okay, the time is now 6 o'clock. I'd like to call this meeting of the Spentry's Bookfield Regional School Committee to order. Today is Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Please be seated.
[0:48] be reminded that this meeting will be audio and video recorded.
[0:51] Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
[0:56] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States and America, and to the Republic for
[1:02] which it stands one nation under God, individual, with liberty and justice for all.
[1:11] Okay, good evening everyone.
[1:13] Looking at our agenda, first item is student reports.
[1:29] Hello.
[1:30] Hi.
[1:32] On March 2nd, the David Proudy building project achieved a big milestone.
[1:36] The construction crew lifted the new building's last structural beam into place.
[1:42] This topping off ceremony brought together student leaders amongst all the different
[1:46] grade levels, local government, staff, and members of the building committee.
[1:51] The beam which had signatures of most students and staff at David Proudy was placed after speeches
[1:56] from the senior class president and the superintendent.
[1:59] it. On March 9th, a group of students visited UMass Amherst as part of the early college high school
[2:08] program. The students were able to take campus tours, visit important buildings, and eat at
[2:12] the dining hall. This program helped students prepare for and gain college experience to make the
[2:18] best choice for their future. Matthew McNichol represented the Spencer Eastburg Field Regional School
[2:24] district. He was honored on Wednesday, March 25 as a Worcester County Superintendent's Association
[2:32] Scholar. He also received a Massachusetts Academic Achievement Award for his leadership
[2:38] and dedication to his studies. On April 3rd, David Priority High School hosted a speaker Kyle Simpson
[2:46] who discussed the dangers of distracted driving. He shared his personal experiences with the student
[2:53] and stress the importance of staying while driving.
[2:56] Last week, the David Proudy Student Council also hosted
[3:00] the prospective eighth grade students for tours and presentations
[3:04] and walk through all the extra curricular programs
[3:08] at David Proudy.
[3:10] This was a very successful event
[3:14] and students and staff are excited to see everyone again next year.
[3:18] On April 11th, members of the David Proudy National Honor Society
[3:22] We held a fundraising event for the Autism Resource Center.
[3:25] This event was well organized and had a very good turn out.
[3:29] It was fun and exciting for all those who attended.
[3:33] We are entering the final quarter of the school year.
[3:36] Next month brings many senior events that lead up to graduation.
[3:40] We look forward to celebrating this milestone.
[3:42] Thank you for your support.
[3:45] Thank you, nice job.
[3:46] Thank you.
[3:50] Okay, next item on the agenda.
[3:52] And bargaining units, leadership reports.
[4:02] Thank you for that.
[4:05] Okay, next item is the consent agenda.
[4:10] Okay, a motion to move that the school committee votes to approve the following item,
[4:14] school committee reading minutes of 31026 and 32426, payables, warrants, 1089, 1090 and 1092.
[4:24] Two, fundraisers waving the reading and listed as listed in the agenda for
[4:29] UNICEF, candle fundraisers, spring candy grams, double-grid popcorn fundraisers,
[4:34] and the car wash for the sophomore class, as well as the many school field trips
[4:39] as listed in the agenda.
[4:41] Do I have a motion?
[4:43] So moved.
[4:44] Motion by Chris?
[4:46] Second?
[4:47] Second?
[4:47] Second by Heather?
[4:48] Any further discussion on these?
[4:50] That's the question, Mr. Chief, 40-50% is all we get from a fundraiser like this, huh?
[4:55] I was looking at the numbers, and that's about, is that typical, is that the standard?
[5:03] I mean, I'm not pointing on any one particular one, and I did do an AI search, and it seems
[5:07] like that's actually the case across the public school, fundraising, 40-50%, giving up in
[5:14] fees.
[5:22] I mean, I guess that's something to think about when we're choosing, but you know what,
[5:28] if any money is made, I think it's good money.
[5:30] Oh, absolutely.
[5:30] Of course, the thing is, the hard work that young people do, and everything that people
[5:35] contribute, it's hard to see 50% of that go away.
[5:46] I have a motion and a second on the table, any additional discussion?
[5:52] All those in favor?
[5:53] Aye.
[5:54] In the Chair votes, aye.
[5:58] Okay, moving on to the Secretary's report.
[6:02] Looking for a motion to move that the School Committee vote to approve the following
[6:05] payroll warrants as printed in the agenda.
[6:07] They were warned 10.86, 10.87, 10.88, 10.94, and 20.
[6:14] So moved.
[6:15] Motion by Chris.
[6:17] Second.
[6:17] Second by Pat.
[6:18] Any discussion?
[6:19] Yes, Mr. Chairman.
[6:20] I'm going to recuse myself from the vote.
[6:22] Okay.
[6:23] How the recuses are self from this vote.
[6:25] I recuse myself as well.
[6:27] Seeing you will still have a quorum.
[6:30] All those in favor?
[6:31] Hi.
[6:33] Motion passes.
[6:35] Okay.
[6:35] Next item on the agenda is citizens' input.
[6:37] I'm sorry, anyone who wishes to be heard this evening.
[6:41] Seeing none, we're going to move on to select board input from East Brookfield and Spencer.
[6:50] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to thank you and the board for the courtesy you've shown me over the last
[6:56] umpteen years that I've been coming up here.
[6:58] Many of you know I'm not running for re-election, 15 years as enough.
[7:02] Actually, obviously the same number of years I spent on this committee when I was a couple of longer younger than I am now.
[7:09] I am running for town moderator, which doesn't involve as much being out at night, which my wife really is looking forward to.
[7:17] I think as I am, too, to a certain extent.
[7:19] But I did want to thank you for the courtesy you've shown me.
[7:22] It's greatly appreciated.
[7:24] I did want to talk a little bit about the upcoming override question that you folks asked us to put on the ballot.
[7:32] Jeff, I saw your posting. It's a home run.
[7:35] I've already seen it on Facebook and Jeff and I talked earlier today.
[7:42] If you want this to pass, okay, it's imperative that all of you with board members get involved.
[7:49] Be it posting on Facebook, writing a letter to the new leader, talking to your family who
[7:56] may live in town, your friends, your neighbors, impress upon them, the cuts that you have already
[8:03] made.
[8:03] All right, you're already bleeding and that you shouldn't, the kids shouldn't have to
[8:09] see the district bleed anymore because it directly affects them terms of the quality
[8:14] and of education that they get.
[8:17] It's important that people know that in 2006, which seems like an eternity, when I sat
[8:24] in Dr. Hawi's chair, we had a successful override, so as you may remember it, we needed a million
[8:32] bucks and we decided the board at the time in May that we wouldn't go for the whole
[8:38] million because at that point it would have been a dollar on the tax rate and we
[8:43] really felt and I really felt strongly that it wouldn't pass if it was that
[8:47] high. So we went down to about about about that one I mean about 45 cents little
[8:53] under 50 is almost a half million bucks and it passed but what we did there was
[9:00] a vigorous campaign by board members and teachers and folks in the community to educate
[9:07] the public about the cuts that already had occurred because we did have to lay several
[9:14] teachers off. I think that and the fact that it wasn't going to break the bank, it passed.
[9:20] All right, that's the first to my knowledge, the only override that's ever been passed for
[9:25] the school district. There's been debt exclusions for schools, but not overrides. So it's very
[9:30] imperative that you all get involved, and that you stress two people. That number one,
[9:36] the tax rate in Spencer is $10.98. Talk to your friends and relatives that live in other
[9:42] towns. You'll be hard pressed to find any town or city where they lower tax rate. Also
[9:49] stress that this is 14 cents on the dollar. That's what it's on for the tax rate. So for
[9:56] every $1,000 raised, it's 14 cents that will be added to the tax rate. Jeff, if you go
[10:02] to Jeff's Facebook page, he's outlined it beautifully about how much it's going to cost the average
[10:08] citizen depending upon how expensive their home happens to be praised at. So I can't
[10:15] stressed us enough. I lose my voice. Sorry. I've been doing this a long time and I tried
[10:24] it. We tried to get an override up an aspirin. I'm Westpister. When I was there, we did
[10:27] not get it. A few years after I left, it did pass. But sometimes you have to go back more
[10:35] than once. But I don't think you folks can afford to go back another time. You've already
[10:40] cut so deep and the public doesn't know that. Not not everybody watches this
[10:46] meeting or the select been meeting or you know a small number of people do. So the
[10:52] only way to do it is to get out there and get and let them know through the
[10:56] leader and through your your Facebook and whatnot. If you belong to Facebook just
[11:02] what it's going to mean what's already been cut and what it's going to and what
[11:06] But what this money is going to be used for when you go to them on May 12th and ask for their vote.
[11:14] Okay, any questions?
[11:17] Any questions?
[11:18] Okay, thank you very much.
[11:19] I'm going to leave around just before seven because I have another meeting to go to.
[11:24] I had one to four o'clock, by the way, also.
[11:26] Thank you.
[11:27] Thank you, Dr. Hexson.
[11:29] Thank you for showing up at all of our meetings to support the town.
[11:33] Make sure another voice is heard and help, like, teaching us all different things.
[11:37] Thank you.
[11:37] You're welcome, and I, it's been a pleasure.
[11:39] Thank you.
[11:42] Okay, moving on next item in the agenda, a superintendent's report.
[11:46] So, in the green folders, ladies and gentlemen, I've included the report for this month.
[11:51] I wrote it out because there was just so much coming at us very quickly from a number of different sources.
[11:56] So, I broke it out accordingly.
[11:58] Some of its in response to questions asked out of last month's meeting and then additional information I wanted to provide.
[12:04] So, to start, I'm very pleased to provide the following updates on the progress and achievements of this district as we head into the final quarter of the academic year.
[12:13] First off, I'd be remiss if I don't kind of highlight our emergency responders, police and fire, as we've had a number of different incidents within our school community from faculty and staff, having medical emergencies to students falling down and getting hurt.
[12:29] In every situation, our first responders and emergency respondents have been incredible.
[12:35] Along with our faculty staff and administration and being responsive, I can't thank them enough for their dedication.
[12:42] And continuous partnership support and commitment to working together to keep our schools safe.
[12:47] I will make clear safety is not a negotiable for us.
[12:52] We take it very seriously and it's not possible if we're not working together.
[12:55] In terms of 2026-27 registration and enrollment is now open for kindergarten and preschool and our numbers are really coming in quite strong.
[13:06] I encourage anyone interested to please visit our district website to complete your applications and material so you can register appropriately for kindergarten to be clear for the public at large who may or may not be watching at this time but seeing a recording later on.
[13:22] Eastbrookfield students go to Eastbrookfield, Spencer students go to Spencer.
[13:26] That's not something I'm going to be able to do anything about, and that's just the way it's going to be.
[13:32] Pre-school will be moving to the high school.
[13:34] There will be an informational meeting coming up on April 30th, that the preschool is looking forward to hosting.
[13:41] And there's a great deal of information about not only the transition of the high school,
[13:45] but the program itself and how it will be structured and organized for the public.
[13:48] I encourage anyone interested in enrolling their child and our preschool program to fill out an application, make sure it's on file, and to attend the informational evenings plan for the 30th of August.
[14:00] In terms of our enrollment, at the time I wrote this report, where 1,481 students enrolled within our district, there are 323 students enrolled at David Proudi.
[14:10] I don't know where 303 came from, but I assure you it's 323.
[14:15] Knox Trail Middle School has 408 wire villages sitting at 465.
[14:20] I do believe that's 30 over where it was a year ago and probably the highest enrollment it's had in some time.
[14:25] Eastbrook Phil Elementary currently has 271 students, including 118 students enrolled in the Cubs Corner Pre-School.
[14:33] In terms of personnel, a lot has changed in the month as I mentioned.
[14:37] We've had some adults get hurt, have health issues and the like.
[14:41] and this has created opportunities for the public to join our team.
[14:46] As part of professionals, substitute teachers, or substitute nurses.
[14:50] I will emphasize, right now, we have a dire need for substitute nurses as field trips are coming up this spring, with no sub-nurses, no field trip can take place.
[14:58] We need...
[15:00] Your involvement, engagement, and are happy to run a process. You can apply at schoolspring.com, and I would encourage anybody interested in a substitute nurse, substitute teacher or a professional position of please continuously check our website as well as schoolspring.com. In terms of the informational reports on your packet, Mr. Chair and ladies and gentlemen of the committee, those packets include the exact breakdown for enrollment for the month, personnel,
[15:30] and the principal director reports.
[15:32] These are all in your packets for your review.
[15:34] Should you have any questions,
[15:35] we have the entire leadership team here this evening
[15:38] to answer any questions that you have.
[15:42] Apologize, minus the academic affairs director,
[15:44] Chris she's at an event dealing with a grant.
[15:47] So I apologize, minus one.
[15:49] But everyone else is here to answer any questions,
[15:51] comments, queries, or concerns you have,
[15:53] ladies and gentlemen of the committee,
[15:55] related to their reports.
[15:58] I gotta give it to Chris, moving on.
[16:01] He did an excellent job.
[16:02] I've been kind of stolen some of my students' spotlight, but I have to say he did a great job.
[16:07] So I'm going to be even quicker with this portion of the report around academics and student spotlight.
[16:12] MCAS testing this spring is currently underway across the district.
[16:16] Please ensure that your child gets plenty of rest and needs a helping breakfast.
[16:19] Let's support our students in doing their very best on this assessment this spring.
[16:24] Senior Spotlights for 2026 have begun, our class of 2026.
[16:29] I'm letting us know their future plans for college career and life choices.
[16:33] As we learn their plans, I will continue to work with the high school and senior class to post that information on the live feed of the website and celebrate their decisions with them.
[16:43] Please take a moment to celebrate our class of 2026 with us as they approach this milestone in life.
[16:50] This is an exciting time for them and we want to continue to celebrate their success at this time.
[16:55] And as mentioned by Chris earlier, congratulations to Matthew McNeckle, my apologies, Matthew McNeckle, with thrilled to announce that as a senior here at David Prattie, he has been named the 2026 Worcester County Superintendent's Association Scholar, and has received a number of different accolades throughout his career.
[17:14] Congratulations on this, not easily obtained recognition, and I can't say enough great things about Matthew as an honor and privilege to have him attend with Mrs. LeFrenner and myself out at Holy Cross recently for a scholar luncheon.
[17:32] Project 351 ambassadors continue to do an incredible job with their projects, Victoria, Malrain and Cole Millgate.
[17:40] continue to demonstrate incredible service leadership and set an exceptional example as our 2026 project 351 ambassadors.
[17:48] And finally, I'd be remiss if I did not highlight the incredible achievements of our spring of flutics.
[17:53] I don't know what's in the water lately, but between track, baseball and softball, they're on fire.
[17:57] My hometown is still crying over the softball defeat the other day, which was a complete route.
[18:03] And again, it just speaks to getting the kids out and about and
[18:07] involved in our programs throughout the district.
[18:10] So kudos to our spring teams as they continue to be extremely competitive throughout what has been undoubtedly one of the most unpredictable weather condition type seasons and quite some time.
[18:20] One moment on Monday, it's raining, Tuesday, it's snowing, and the next minute, it's a hill storm.
[18:25] I can't make this weather up, but despite the incredible conditions earlier this season, they've done an incredible, incredible job.
[18:32] Questions on academic or student spotlight, ladies and gentlemen of the committee.
[18:37] Moving on, Desi, so I've been talking to Desi way too much.
[18:41] I appreciate their partnership and support, and really do know that they're coming from a place of care, but they are really working hard to make sure we're well informed about expanding opportunities not only for our students but our staff.
[18:55] As such, one of the deputy commissioners and I have been talking too much about the accelerated academy partnership work for more than six weeks.
[19:02] We have been working closely with them on this initiative to provide targeted support for
[19:08] student achievement and growth and we will be volunteering to take part in this partnership
[19:13] beginning this month.
[19:14] The timeline and information is in the green folders for your edification.
[19:18] I even boil down what is an FAQ quite frankly that has just got a lot of information in it.
[19:24] There are five key points regarding arguments, decisions and opening concerns that I would
[19:31] drive you to look at, and we've read it, leisure.
[19:37] The bottom line is this, it's an opportunity for us to kind of be a little more focused
[19:41] and purposeful and be collaborative in our communities of practice with like districts
[19:46] and unlike districts about what works with students like ours and neighboring communities as well.
[19:53] So the benefits are quite frankly, there are 80 prioritized LEAs
[19:59] aiming to accelerate student achievement through technical assistance, peer teaching, and learning, and grants.
[20:07] Participation is required for information sharing, and voluntary fiscal improvement supports with no accountability designations or adverse impacts on non-peticipation.
[20:19] This is a governor's priority as well as the new commissioner's priority.
[20:23] One year from now, Dessie's goal is to get rid of all districts that are in what they designate as receivership.
[20:31] One year from now, there will be no such thing as receivership.
[20:34] This will be the new model that the legislature is currently debating and discussing at this time.
[20:40] This is where the importance of getting involved will entirely becomes important for us.
[20:45] At one point, as all of you know, we were designated as in the bottom 10% of districts and
[20:50] Massachusetts, along with Northbrookfield, Westbrookfield,
[20:55] Webster, Southbridge, us, Oxford, I can continue.
[21:00] Recently, Kueh Bog was added to that list, along with others in and around our region.
[21:05] Dessie is looking to streamline reporting and technical assistance and supports.
[21:10] With the idea of hopefully integrating district improvement plans and
[21:13] some reporting requirements to offer school accountability status.
[21:17] and assist us in building capacity as a district.
[21:22] It is not going to be as a program
[21:26] absolved of having charter and virtual schools
[21:28] remain subject to existing accountability systems.
[21:30] That isn't really necessarily our lane,
[21:32] but they will be part of this as well.
[21:35] Districts with strong existing improvement plans
[21:38] may focus partnership, engagement on implementation supports
[21:42] and peer learning.
[21:44] What I can tell you is in the last 18 months
[21:46] Since we have gone from 18 to 27, and there's only 29 districts in the bottom 10%.
[21:52] So we are on the right path, ladies and gentlemen, in terms of our improvement work.
[21:56] As you know, our leadership team submitted to you as a committee some time ago.
[22:01] Plan you supported and endorsed and voted in support of where we would put in four academic coaches.
[22:08] We would put in ten interventionists with the use of Title I funds and
[22:12] have an academic affairs director and a point quarterback in all that work.
[22:17] As a result of our budget, almost all those supports and resources in that plan will be gone.
[22:23] We will have two instructional coaches this time, come September.
[22:28] That's it, that's what you have.
[22:31] The interventionist in Title One will not be in place at this time, I believe was sitting at four.
[22:38] This time next year we may be able to squeeze two or three and that's with some real hustle and work
[22:43] Recently we received a report just on Friday stating that the
[22:47] Impact from the census would bring us from 10% reduction in title one to 7% that is approximately a $30,000 cut to a district like ours
[22:57] I believe we will see title one at around three hundred and nineteen thousand dollars Mr
[23:02] and I have not had time to verify that information with Dessie, but I plan to do so in the next month and have it for you in the next meeting.
[23:10] So it's nice that we want to volunteer and get involved in these partnerships with Dessie and do this work.
[23:15] But as I said at Legislative Advocacy event yesterday, we can only work with what we have.
[23:21] And there are communities much like us and districts much like us that are doing it the same.
[23:27] We cannot be responsive to desi and unfunded mandates anymore.
[23:31] And I will be ultra clear and have said such things to the deputy commissioner directly.
[23:37] We'll do the best we can with what we're given, but we can't give you what we don't have.
[23:41] So if it means reports are filed in a timely manner, that's the way it's going to be.
[23:45] I don't know what penalty looks like.
[23:47] I don't know of a special ed jail or some penalty, but maybe they would hold 70.
[23:52] I don't know, but I do know desi is concerned.
[23:54] We've had a lot of dialogue about the work that we're doing, and they continue to put this partnership and
[24:00] an expectation on over 80 districts at this time.
[24:03] There are 240 schools out of the 80 districts, and
[24:08] to be clear with everyone in this road.
[24:09] So everybody's on the same page.
[24:11] Wire village and Knox Trail are invited and more like
[24:15] Valin told to participate.
[24:18] And it's not growth.
[24:20] The teachers are teaching the families off, they've done an exceptional job.
[24:23] the growth scores are out of sight so it isn't the growth it's the achievement we take students from
[24:29] every walk of life and we do the best we can with what we're given and they've done well but
[24:33] desi knows we can do better on the achievement side and that's where the work is so to have
[24:38] the resources cut the way we have in this budget I know it's not what anybody on this committee wants
[24:43] and not anything we'd ever advocate for but some of the lead to what Dr. Hicks mentioned under public
[24:48] a comment or good and welfare, I apologize.
[24:51] You know, time to get involved, time to get off the couch
[24:54] and really lean into this.
[24:57] And I can't tell people what to do.
[24:59] I have no voice in that, what for or against.
[25:02] But I just know, you know, you deserve to be heard.
[25:06] These are your schools.
[25:09] Dessie is willing to do their part in support of us.
[25:11] And I have said if we're gonna volunteer,
[25:13] here I would ask and truly encourage as the deputy commission as I spoke to have financial
[25:20] resource put behind this initiative in support of us.
[25:24] So you know that request has been made ladies and gentlemen, formally in writing as well
[25:28] as verbally.
[25:30] Yes, ma'am.
[25:30] I apologize.
[25:31] I see the chair.
[25:31] Well that was my big question.
[25:33] I mean, it's hot.
[25:34] Resources are going to be brought in.
[25:35] Shared learning opportunities.
[25:37] It's great to have resources.
[25:38] But if you don't have the staff to deliver whatever those resources are and it's a waste
[25:41] of time for everyone.
[25:42] money. Right. So they've been well informed. We've had excellent dialogue as I said. I think there's a lot of benefit to being a part of this because like districts and unlike districts districts. We can share practice with. I think it's important. We can be more collaborative.
[25:57] So there's some benefit there, but to what degree I don't have the financials grant money for staffing. So to that question specifically, if I may, Mr. Chair, there is an FAQ in your packet as well.
[26:10] But I asked to drill down on that specifically.
[26:13] They can't give us the answer to that until legislature passes this as a governor and
[26:17] priority of the legislature.
[26:19] There's no financial information behind this at this time.
[26:23] That's being debated, and I do believe, Gary, if I heard right yesterday, Wednesday tomorrow morning they'll be coming up with the House budget.
[26:32] So that's our next pass at knowing what's in and what's out for money.
[26:36] And that's what I'll be looking at with Gary and the team accordingly.
[26:40] So, again, mine's already there, but I've said you can only work with what we're given.
[26:47] So, I think that needs to resonate more with the power of the big.
[26:51] They've been more clear with the resources that they've been sharing with us?
[26:55] Out of the gate, they have a designated person that will be supporting the districts.
[26:59] Each district will be assigned a liaison from Dessie and they will be quarterbacking the resources and
[27:05] forming up cohorts.
[27:06] I think what types of research curriculum, instructional practices, assessment practices, technology, I don't think so, I would not expect that to be fair.
[27:16] But again, this is the work ahead.
[27:19] I boiled down, that FAQ is beefy, so I did the same thing you're doing, Mr. Chair.
[27:25] And what I try to do is boil it down into a few slides for everyone so you have the information.
[27:30] There will be more coming on this.
[27:32] We have a conference call with Dessie shortly as well as some meetings coming up with them
[27:37] and probably a day long virtual meeting or in person meeting with them depending on
[27:42] what we decide in terms of timing.
[27:44] The timeline for the project is also in your packet, ladies and gentlemen.
[27:49] So it's this yellow form for everyone and I'll hold it up.
[27:54] As you can see, this first survey is being taken back in March from Desi and Desi, you know, is like, hey, we're about to start collecting data and sharing data with you.
[28:06] LEAs in schools will then be expected by June 30 to complete a needs assessment.
[28:10] So what's nice about this, ladies and gentlemen of the committee, is it gives us an opportunity to provide feedback as a leadership team and operation to Desi in a really clear format and submit our plans.
[28:24] and start cleaning those up for, you know,
[28:28] just your improvement work.
[28:30] And all of that will go in by June 30th to desi
[28:33] for them to review.
[28:35] And they'll allocate resources
[28:36] according to where our data drives us.
[28:39] It may be more math, it may be more literacy,
[28:41] it may be a little above,
[28:43] but typically that's been essentially where it's gone.
[28:46] I don't think the work we've done locally
[28:48] is too far off of what they're going to be providing
[28:50] for supports.
[28:51] However, it's just not a lot of personnel
[28:53] now behind it at this time to be fair.
[28:57] As I said, this is information only.
[28:59] I wanted you to have it.
[29:01] Our SOA plan was due at the end of the month.
[29:04] It started at the beginning of this month.
[29:06] It was submitted around our early education and care
[29:08] and preschool programming.
[29:10] We right on target and did everything we mapped.
[29:13] And that proposal was submitted to Dessie.
[29:18] They were quite pleased with the fact
[29:20] In fact, they didn't need to remind us because when they did, they didn't really communicate
[29:25] that they needed an update, but we did a really good job this year getting it in way in
[29:29] advance.
[29:30] So it detailed our commitment to a closing achievement gaps and making sure we're providing equitable
[29:35] educational experiences in the early years, especially for our preschool young ones.
[29:41] And our SOA money is not a lot.
[29:44] Gary can clarify it's probably like 30 grand, 40 grand, give it a take, right?
[29:48] on any given year from S.O.A. and all that money is put into preschool ladies and gentlemen.
[29:54] That's what our plan said. We would do eight years ago, six years ago, six years ago.
[30:00] A couple of years ago, and now that is exactly the report I filed is, hey, every penny we use for that purpose. What is SLA again? Suit number two, yeah. And we get it on a whole
[30:10] harmless basis, which isn't like the urbans that needed it. We needed to have their count on sales adjusted. We only got the minimum. So that's that state of affairs. Any questions on those pieces with desi? Because there was a long month with them. To be fair.
[30:29] Any other questions we've got to add?
[30:32] Excellent.
[30:32] Thank you, sir.
[30:33] All right.
[30:34] Moving on, League of Innovative Schools.
[30:35] So, at the request of a few people, there was some questions asked to me about what
[30:41] we get for that.
[30:41] And Mr. Chair, I appreciated you asking that some time ago.
[30:44] So, I even, when I went out to Seattle recently, I said, well, now that we're inducted, what
[30:49] is this include?
[30:49] Like, what do we get?
[30:50] Like, how does this work?
[30:51] And I was very fortunate to be able to go to Microsoft, Boeing, Kent, and Isoquois School
[30:58] districts just to name a few to go see best practice.
[31:01] My focus in going there was to kind of look at CTE and things we could do different
[31:06] and better, but also kind of see if we're on the right path and validate our work here.
[31:11] Some nice takeaways from that experience.
[31:13] There's a lot of resources for our faculty, staff, administration, and the future through
[31:19] Google, Microsoft, as well as Power School.
[31:22] These are all vendors that we use currently and have used historically.
[31:26] So, it's not like we have to go reinventing a wheel, we already have it.
[31:30] There's a lot of excellent national work being done around graduation requirements,
[31:35] as well as the impact of AI on the field of education and workforce.
[31:40] That was another really nice takeaway.
[31:43] Something that struck me during the work that I want to highlight for you is the challenges that rule districts
[31:49] and people in the areas of math are experiencing nationally.
[31:53] That was something that kept coming up over and over.
[31:56] So no sooner did I get off a plane and literally land, I was invited and we were invited
[32:02] as a district to, if we had any interest in doing envisioning rural futures, there's a
[32:07] project that digital promises got a sponsor, they would pay for hotel, meals, and even pay
[32:12] a stipend to anyone interested in taking part in that project.
[32:16] The second one was professional development around math this summer.
[32:21] And this is on top of kind of doing some of the coach work that we already have taken on at the local level.
[32:28] It kind of validates and reinforces some of the work we've already undertaken on our own.
[32:33] And kind of gives us an idea that the work is solid.
[32:39] But this is districts from throughout the country.
[32:43] I mean, we're talking over 300 people in a room sharing best practice and
[32:46] and small large group and then share outs.
[32:50] So I think it's worth our time to work on this
[32:53] in terms of professional development
[32:55] if we have people who are interested.
[32:57] Again, they will pay for the math one
[33:00] for hotel, meals and a stipend.
[33:03] So that's what they're offering
[33:05] in terms of supports and resources.
[33:08] Recently, we've had opportunities with Hula Packard
[33:11] and the AI 2.0 community.
[33:13] I'm working with Microsoft on the AI policy work.
[33:18] They've been really helpful there in terms of us suggesting our acceptable use policy.
[33:23] Given some of the policy demands with cell phones and social media adjustment in law through the Attorney General and Governor,
[33:30] I think it's okay that we slow down a little on the policy work side for the moment until we get some clarity from our legal counsel.
[33:37] But I just want to highlight that there are some really nice opportunities with HP, Microsoft, Google, and Power School,
[33:46] Phinex, school year and beyond for faculty, staff, administration as it relates to how we utilize responsibly AI,
[33:53] as well as in the areas of math and literacy.
[33:56] So just because we may be losing some resources, there may be some other opportunities that we can realize.
[34:03] In terms of regional collaborations as well, recently, the superintendant Kwabin Regional
[34:12] School District, Colleen Muha and I jumped on a call of Central Mass Regional Planning
[34:16] Commission Committee, sorry, and so CMR, PC has been exceptional in putting together a
[34:24] horticulture survey.
[34:25] This is to look at possibly establishing a shared resource where we could do something with horticulture.
[34:35] I bring this up because there's no agricultural programming in this catchment area.
[34:43] And so there's clearly a gap in terms of the economic landscape for central Massachusetts that, you know, we need to fill.
[34:49] And our kids aren't going to not get the opportunities if they really feel that
[34:54] passionately about agriculture and a horticulture, they're going to go seek that out.
[34:58] So being that we're small and
[35:00] Quabin and Northbrook Field and Quaybog and others are small.
[35:04] We are looking to put in for a grant through CMR, PC and desi, as well as others to
[35:10] realize a program that we could create for the entire central mass region.
[35:16] And the survey currently in effect will run through the end of April, early May.
[35:21] I would encourage any parent, family member, or young person, student who has interest in horticulture, agriculture, animal science, veterinary sciences, environmental science and technology like we have here to please take part in this survey.
[35:37] Central Mass Regional Planning Commission will take all that data and share it out with all the local districts and
[35:43] and work with us to kind of put a proposal together to Dessie.
[35:47] And having Dessie involved at the ground floor is really helpful because it gives us a chance to not necessarily have it be ours.
[35:54] I know there were some members of the committee, including the chair who expressed some disappointment when I said we couldn't do it ourselves.
[36:00] And so this was the alternate path that the neighboring districts and myself kind of sought out.
[36:05] I really give a lot of credit to Colleen Mouha, she's been exceptional and wanted to form up a parent advisory group.
[36:12] And right now, we're looking at a tentative date sometime at the end of April, early May.
[36:17] As I get more information on following a parent advisory group for
[36:20] whole-to-culture or agricultural studies, I'll share that information once the survey data is been collected.
[36:27] I know that's a lot, Mr. Chair, so please feel free to ask any questions that you have.
[36:31] I apologize.
[36:32] No, if anyone has any questions, feel free to.
[36:34] Through the Chair, if I may, I know you mentioned they were going to be reaching out to all of the families.
[36:40] I'm guessing it's probably based on enrollment.
[36:44] People that have students in the current system.
[36:47] What was the timeline on that?
[36:49] Sorry, which one?
[36:50] For the survey.
[36:51] So the survey, they actually said they wanted it posted
[36:54] on the website.
[36:55] Any family member that's interested can go to the website,
[36:58] click the link and take the survey.
[36:59] Okay, so you have to visit the website.
[37:01] It's on our website.
[37:02] It's on our website.
[37:03] Yes, correct.
[37:05] Okay, homepage of our website is where people would go
[37:08] to access that.
[37:09] Okay, sorry.
[37:09] I miss my eyes, so there's something, you know?
[37:11] Nope, great clarifies, my apologies.
[37:13] Yep.
[37:14] So yeah, and again, if parents, families, or students
[37:18] have any interest in any of those sciences,
[37:22] animal science, veterinary science, horticulture,
[37:25] I'd encourage them to please take that survey.
[37:28] Central Mass has been exceptional to us
[37:29] in putting it together, and they want to support
[37:32] not just us, Spencer Eastbrookfield,
[37:34] but the neighboring community districts around us
[37:36] informing up a program, so there's opportunity there, and I will tell you, because that's
[37:42] the question I know it's going to come from, yes there's money, I asked.
[37:47] So there was grant opportunities there that would fund the research and establishment
[37:51] of the program, that's kind of part of the process, it would probably be three years in terms
[37:58] of getting it started to study and research and establish.
[38:01] Okay,
[38:04] if it's okay, may I move on?
[38:06] Okay, just check it.
[38:08] So in terms of the building project, our building project is moving at rapid speed.
[38:12] We have our next building committee meeting, April 16th, this Thursday at 6 p.m.
[38:16] at the High School.
[38:17] Community members are encouraged to attend for the latest design and construction updates.
[38:21] I am posting photos and updates as I get them.
[38:24] But it is steady progress now that we are behind, the bad weather is behind us.
[38:30] As a point of information, yes, I mean, part of the reason we were given three days waiver from Dessie is because of the building project in order to open on time in the fall and September 1st for students.
[38:42] Yeah, we needed to get the building in the district closed in a timely manner as we ended this school year.
[38:48] So, we met our time on learning requirements and I want to thank the high school administration
[38:54] at length, Mary and Sarah were exceptional in making sure we had our time on learning.
[38:59] In our 1,014 hours was accepted over the 990.
[39:04] Unfortunately, we didn't need the three days, so we made up one and a half of the four and
[39:08] a half and have been awarded the three days as a waiver.
[39:11] That's all good news, all good things because it gives us an opportunity to open the new year
[39:15] a fresh with a clean experience for the kids in the fall.
[39:20] So those are things around the building project that I wanted to bring forward this evening.
[39:24] There's a lot of things that have to get done though in those eight to ten weeks,
[39:28] and it's going to be a busy summer for the building team.
[39:31] So I'm excited for the work ahead, but felt it important to kind of bring you up to speed on that at this time.
[39:38] Anything specific please feel free to attend or ask at our next building committee meeting this Thursday.
[39:45] And for grants and innovation, I know there was a question on grants and how we were doing with them, so what I did was as a result of our recent meetings with Dessie, as I mentioned, I wanted to share the increased number of grant opportunities we have taken hold of over the past few years.
[40:00] In the amounts of money each grant has afforded us resulting in improved teaching and learning experiences and opportunities for our faculty, staff and students.
[40:08] Our district has been and will continue to remain aggressive in pursuing external funding sources to modernize our curriculum.
[40:15] Recent highlights include but are not at limit to and you can see this in the green folder in your packets, ladies and gentlemen.
[40:23] The fact that we have just recently been awarded grants for science leadership.
[40:28] Congratulations, I cannot say enough great things for Knox Trail Middle School in East Brookfield Elementary.
[40:33] for being awarded OpenSci of Massachusetts grants.
[40:36] These funds will provide high quality investigation
[40:38] and based science materials for our students.
[40:42] And most recently, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
[40:45] put out an update which was totally unanticipated.
[40:49] We've been told we got the grant for about $194,000.
[40:54] And so in total over the three years, it is $194,000.
[40:58] But the specific breakdown of how it breaks out year by year
[41:01] and how we support our faculty staff in that work is mapped out for you in the grant report in your packets, ladies and gentlemen.
[41:11] I'd like to end my report this evening, and I know it's probably one of the longest ones I've given in some time, and I apologize, but I am this evening talking about budget and operations.
[41:21] Look, in response to the inflationary pressures and increased costs, this district has experienced.
[41:25] I want to thank the school committee, the leadership team, and the entire district for working together to land a number and certify a budget that will reduce, while reducing over a million dollars that expense from our operation, we truly are working to maintain and keep student achievement and fiscal responsibility at the forefront to be clear.
[41:46] We are going to remain focused on transparent processes that prioritize the classroom needs while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
[41:57] As a result of the FY27 budget, I want you to know, on the front page of the website, it is posted.
[42:05] It is accurate, and every number in there is spot on, so all the work is accurate or reflected.
[42:12] I couldn't say that at three o'clock, it was a mistake, which we caught, but I can say it now.
[42:17] So we welcome your continued input and feedback from our members of the community as we move to town meetings this May and June.
[42:27] In no way do I think this is a perfect budget, it isn't.
[42:30] I can assure you after meeting with the legislative delegation yesterday within many districts, school committees,
[42:37] these superintendents, business administrators, board of
[42:41] selection, and finance committee members, I can assure you no one's happy with the state of the union at the moment.
[42:47] So it is going to require all of us working very diligently to land a budget.
[42:52] And you know, have options available as we go forward, should we fail?
[42:56] And that is the work of our team and the work we're committed to doing.
[42:59] And I think each and every person for taking part in the process, it's not perfect.
[43:03] But where we can't do it alone, we need everybody pulling in the same direction and with that, Mr. Chair, I close my report and
[43:11] humbly turn it over to you and the business administrator for his financials.
[43:16] Thank you, Dr. Hawkeye. Before we move on, are there any other questions for Dr. Hawkeye on his report?
[43:22] Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Hawkeye. Thank you, sir.
[43:26] Gary, that was longer than any of your presentations.
[43:35] I would just like to start off and refer back to the budget to Dr. Harvey mentioned earlier.
[43:41] I'd like to thank Chris and the town of Spencer for funding our semen's payment through their capital process.
[43:48] That was a surprise when I heard that last night.
[43:51] That was a great meeting last night. Thank you.
[43:54] And just as Dr. Hicks had mentioned earlier, the budget is not the optimal budget for the district.
[44:01] We did make a million dollars worth of cuts.
[44:03] It involves teachers, some paraprofessionals, administrators, some non-teaching or
[44:08] non-payroll related costs as well, and some transportation.
[44:14] And there are plenty of things and resources that we could use at all the schools that aren't in this budget.
[44:19] So, just so people know the amount that we're looking forward is not an all-inclusive number.
[44:26] It's just to kind of keep our head above water, so I just want to say that.
[44:31] Last month, we talked briefly about the state of our current budget, fiscal 26,
[44:37] and that we did have some problems with that.
[44:39] So, you have some transfers tonight, and the transfers coupled with your approval for
[44:46] us to use excessive deficiency to fill some gaps, the combination of those two will fix
[44:53] the fiscal 26 budget going forward.
[44:57] So, I don't know if anybody has...
[45:00] Any questions on the expenditure report? I'll be glad to answer those. But again, the transfers take care of all the issues we had in the prior month's report. Using E&D takes care of some of the larger problems we had, like the additional electricity costs for the high school.
[45:21] Some insurance issues related to the new high school and so forth. There were issues with, we're seeing a rise in
[45:28] in substitute teaching costs.
[45:32] Some of that is because of maternity leaves,
[45:34] FMLA medical issues with employees.
[45:38] But nonetheless, it's kind of blown up over the past few years,
[45:41] so that's an issue that we continue to try to grapple with,
[45:44] but that's been fixed in this as well.
[45:46] Some good news in this is that we've got the new charter school,
[45:51] and school choice tuition came in in March, and they went down.
[45:56] So we're not paying as much as we thought we were going to pay this year.
[45:59] So we were able to use some of the surplus that that generated in those lines to fix some of the other things in the budget, so that was helpful.
[46:08] The only thing I will say that the part of the plan to fix this year's budget is means we're going to dip a little further into our circuit breaker funds for this year to handle some of the extraordinary special ed costs that we've incurred this year.
[46:23] which means we'll have less circuit breaker to start next year, but we're hopeful that the legislature will come through with a bigger reimbursement next year and
[46:32] they'll replace those funds that we're having to spend now.
[46:36] So I'll answer any questions on the expenditure report and or the transfers, again, the transfers total $297,102.
[46:47] All of us.
[46:50] Gary, we'll say, looking at the transfers and seeing that we were able to take from charter school tuition,
[46:55] normally we're giving two charter school tuition, only the past few years, was like a really positive sign for the district.
[47:00] Yeah, that's a result of the March enrollment, when the state gets that and they adjust what they charge us for
[47:06] the remainder of the fiscal year.
[47:08] That was the surprise to me as well, that was great.
[47:12] It did help a lot.
[47:15] With E&D, we have to get pressure from the town to use that, correct?
[47:18] We have to notify them of what we're spending and I have a letter prepared, so if you vote it tonight to send that letter out tomorrow, and they actually have 45 days to vote it or not vote it, but they typically don't act on it because it doesn't increase their assessment so they just let it let the 45 days run out and then it's approved.
[47:42] Okay. Any questions for Gary at this time about the transfers as presented?
[47:47] Okay, so if you'd like Gary, want me to take the vote on the transfers?
[47:50] Yeah, then I'll have to go into the E&D.
[47:52] Okay, so at this time, look for a motion to move that the school committee vote to approve transfers.
[47:56] I mean, amount of $297,102.
[48:01] So moved.
[48:03] Motion by Pat.
[48:04] Second.
[48:06] Second by Amanda.
[48:08] Any other questions on it?
[48:09] or discussion?
[48:10] All those in favor?
[48:12] Aye.
[48:13] Any opposed?
[48:14] Chair votes aye.
[48:15] Thank you.
[48:16] So, just to let you know, so we're looking for approval tonight or a motion to use $300,638
[48:25] of our excess and deficiency funds, and I'll read you what we're going to use them or what
[48:30] lines in the budget.
[48:32] So, $62,000 is going to go to our retiree health insurance, and as you remember, that
[48:36] That went up 66% in January, so that'll fill that gap.
[48:40] $43,354 for property insurance was a result of the new building and
[48:46] the increased cost of ensuring the building.
[48:50] $12,000 for district ground maintenance contracted services.
[48:54] That's some of the work we had done on the football field in the fall,
[48:58] when we were having trouble with the grass.
[49:00] And then that also reflects the cost of fertilization and some spring work
[49:04] that we're going to do up there as well.
[49:07] All the transfers in here for HVAC costs and every building and what that is is the
[49:16] energy management system that we installed to our Siemens project has not been updated.
[49:21] It's a software platform so we're on an old version and it won't be supported any longer.
[49:27] So it's $36,000 to upgrade that platform and that includes managing.
[49:32] It's the same software used for the high school so we got to enter into an agreement with them. It's going to be 36,000
[49:39] For the first year of the 24 for the second year and 20 for the third year. So without that it won't it won't work properly. So
[49:48] We should have done that sooner
[49:51] So that's part of that
[49:53] And then of course $136,000 for additional cost of electricity for the high school
[50:00] Because last year we did the budget, we had no idea that it was going to increase so much this year.
[50:06] So, 136,000 will get us through the rest of this fiscal year.
[50:11] And again, next year we had to put 217,000 in the budget, additional to cover next year's full year's cost of the entire building.
[50:19] So, we need a motion or approval to use $300,638 at excess and
[50:27] for the purposes that I explained.
[50:32] So, Garrett, no, if I may, at the, our last meeting we've talked a lot about the electricity on, like this budget, on next year's budget and the additional cuts we had to make to kind of still meet the number we want to share with the towns.
[50:46] Have we started the work with reach now to, like Steve and the team and looking at the energy management at the high school making sure temperatures are set appropriately.
[50:55] really AC is set appropriately and all that work.
[51:00] I think he's, I don't think, I know he's working with the colliers and
[51:04] the construction people to do that and they're all working their way through it.
[51:08] So we're hoping by the close of this school year, we'll have a handle on that.
[51:13] So when we open up the new school year, the system will be running efficiently.
[51:17] Okay, yeah.
[51:19] We're still in the process of training the high school custodians and
[51:22] Steve on the energy management system for the high school, so it's a kind of a work in process.
[51:29] Okay, so at this time, I'm looking for a motion to move that the school committee vote to approve the use of access and
[51:36] deficiency funds and the amount of $300,638 motion by Heather.
[51:45] Second.
[51:47] Second by, I'm going down the calendar.
[51:51] Okay, any additional questions or discussion?
[51:55] Okay, all those in favor?
[51:57] Aye.
[51:57] Any opposed?
[51:59] Chair votes aye.
[52:00] Thank you.
[52:03] Okay, thank you very much for your presentations.
[52:07] Okay, next item on the agenda is on an unfinished business.
[52:14] Okay, see you, no, no, no, it's unfinished business.
[52:17] I was just curious if we heard from Espreque Field and how they're going to support the budget.
[52:21] We have not, we have not, so my last conversation was, if I may, through the chair, sorry, real quick, my apologies.
[52:32] I did have conversation with Mr. Carpentier and finance about their approach.
[52:38] I think everybody's going to do what they can with what they're given and they're willing to try.
[52:43] That was how it was left in the last dialogue.
[52:45] I had had, we did go to Eastbrookfield and it had spent a sense of amount of time with the Finance Committee, I think they get it, and we're all trying to do the same thing.
[52:55] We've not heard back from board or any other membership on the town leadership side.
[53:00] That said, you know, we were a community reading day, and Mark and I found each other, and Mr. Carpenter and I found each other and just made a point of, if there's something they need of us, we're happy to provide whatever information or things that they need along the way.
[53:14] and we recognize this is a long process in a long road.
[53:18] So I think we have lines of communication
[53:21] that when they're ready to engage, we'll do so.
[53:24] My understanding at this time is that E.B.
[53:27] is targeting a June meeting.
[53:29] Now, I don't know when in June or what that looks like,
[53:32] but I'm expecting more information shortly,
[53:35] like later this week.
[53:36] So no indication of override or dead exclusion
[53:38] or anything like that?
[53:40] I do not know.
[53:41] I don't want to speak for the board.
[53:44] We gave an extensive amount of time and presentation with them and them with us.
[53:49] I thought it was excellent, I won't say it wasn't, it was excellent.
[53:52] And I think we did what we didn't spend so the night before and the next night we went
[53:57] to EB.
[53:58] And it was the same dialogue and conversation, it was very productive.
[54:02] That said, only a board can set that war.
[54:05] So I don't want to misspeak now, I can only give you what we got last year.
[54:13] Good question, thanks for following up on the other.
[54:16] Okay, we've been on any new business.
[54:22] Next item, committee comments, future agenda topics and meetings.
[54:29] I would just like to take a moment to thank Pat and Chris,
[54:33] because I believe this is their last meeting and both have been valuable members to the school committee.
[54:38] Chris, with your expertise at the town level and being on the finance committee is certainly coming handy.
[54:43] many occasions for us as a school committee and Pat is my EV partner. So it's been a great
[54:50] asset to the school committee. I'll miss them. I'll still see him a big while though.
[54:53] You will. Thank you both. You're definitely going to be missed, but I think you're still
[54:58] going to hopefully be able to support the towns and the schools in different capacity.
[55:04] Hopefully. Yeah, so good luck with that. Thank you. I just want to take a moment and thank
[55:08] Thank you, good thanks to everybody in the committee.
[55:12] Throughout my six years here, I really want to thank all the teachers, all the support staff within the schools,
[55:19] the administration, for everything you do on a day-end, day-out basis for the children's community.
[55:25] It is appreciated, thank you very much.
[55:28] And now Mr. Tudor, if I could, it's been a professional and personal pleasure for me as well.
[55:32] I've always been interested in education, I thought at one point I would teach, but
[55:36] having been away from it, and for a long time, and then getting a second round of parenting
[55:42] with a daughter to be back in and see the dedication of the district.
[55:48] You don't see that when you're outside of this zone.
[55:52] You don't see what goes on all the time.
[55:53] All the work that goes on, I mean, you all are the self of the earth people, so keep up the
[55:59] great work.
[55:59] It's not easy.
[56:00] I've seen that.
[56:01] But I've learned a lot as well, so thank you all as well.
[56:05] And again, thank you both and if there's always roles at the substitute level, should you
[56:10] do it?
[56:16] Any other comments?
[56:20] Okay.
[56:20] Next and last item for today is looking for motion to adjourn.
[56:24] So moved.
[56:25] Motion by Pat?
[56:26] Second.
[56:26] Second by Chris, all those in favor?
[56:28] Aye.
[56:29] And the chair votes aye.
[56:30] Thank you all very much.