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Good evening, I'll call the February 25th, School Committee, meaning to order at 6 p.m., we all stand for the pledge.

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Congratulations to the flag.

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Vodges, if you take roll, there's a new seat here.

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Chair, the table's not in there, okay?

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We got an interesting set up, I apologize for this tonight.

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I feel like we're in a classroom.

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Sayanna Coen.

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Press it.

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Kira Thompson.

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Here.

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Colleen Merkins.

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Here.

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Kathy Elevers.

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Here.

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Robert Mancini.

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Here.

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Julie Ann Weiss.

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Here.

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Mary Telt.

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Here.

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Thank you.

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student representatives report, Ms. McNulty, you at least have a regular seat.

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Hi, I'm Abby McNulty, the school committee representative from WSHS.

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I'm happy to be here this evening.

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A couple of updates, we just got back from break, but West Side has a lot going on in the next few weeks.

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The students for the Italian trip are leaving March 5th and we're very excited.

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And the students leaving for Ireland are leaving May.

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They're very prepared to immerse themselves in the culture and enjoy this once in a lifetime opportunity.

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We also have grade 10 ELA MCAS coming up the 25th and 26th, so while freshmen and sophomores

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will be at school.

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Local upperclassmen get the morning off. And as we head into spring, students are meeting with counselors to discuss the future, whether that be upcoming classes for the following year, or just plans in general for the future, even though it's still February, it's never too early to start talking about the end of the year. Winter sports are wrapped up for the most part right now, but spring sports around the corner and tryouts for the spring season will be starting in a few weeks. And a little note from Mr. Dambi, May 30th is the last day for seniors.

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and graduation is June 8th at 3pm, which differs from the graduation time from previous years.

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Caps and gowns are on sale this week from Wednesday through Friday.

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There's been a lot going on at West Side and a lot coming up.

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As always, if you're curious about learning anything specific, feel free to email me for more information.

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Thank you.

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And just to put a point home of what Abby mentioned, the graduation being at 3 instead of 11,

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And it's because the triathlon is the iron man's going to be in town, and we know traffic will be chaotic if you're trying to get there at 11.

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And any time to finish to make sure I can go home and shower, put a suit on to come out of the river.

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Any questions from Miss Mignoli?

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Stephane, I think you have something.

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I do, so Abby, we want to recognize you this evening.

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And so we were notified that you were selected as the director of legislative affairs for the Massachusetts Association of Student Representatives.

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So I just want to give a little background on what that is about because it was so interesting and it's quite an accomplishment.

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So the Massachusetts Association of Student Representatives, MASR, is a student-led organization dedicated to amplifying student voices in educational policy and governance across the state.

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It is compromised of student reps from school committees and student councils.

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MASR advocates for student interests, provides leadership development opportunities, and

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fosters collaboration among young leaders.

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The association works to ensure that students have a meaningful role in shaping decisions

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that affect their education, promoting equity, civic engagement, and student empowerment.

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The MASR is governed by a five member executive board elected by the delegate assembly.

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The executive board then appoints five directors, including a director of communications,

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one of legislative affairs, another one of resources, a director of curriculum, and

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a director of finance.

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Abigail McNulty, Westringfield student, rep to the school committee, was eligible to join

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this organization.

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In early December, Abigail attended the MASR conference and was asked by the executive

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board to serve as the director of legislative affairs.

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As a director, Abigail oversees a committee, assists in the daily operations of MASR,

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and serves as an advisor to the e-board.

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So, Abigail, your dedication to student advocacy and commitment to amplifying student voices and educational policy will undoubtedly make a meaningful impact.

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We look forward to seeing your leadership drive positive change for students across the state.

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Any questions for our student rep?

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That?

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Very cool. Thank you. Congratulations. Subcommittee reports, starting with budget.

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Budget subcommittee met earlier this evening. We reviewed and approved some additional FY25 grants.

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Approved the transfer of funds for the purchase of a new vehicle for our mayoral career.

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Senses old vehicle didn't pass inspection. And then Mr. Tarkeini also updated the subcommittee on the FY26 budget.

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Thank you. Any questions for budget? Policy? Good evening. The policies of committee met on Valentine's Day to 14, 2025 to review policies pertaining to Section B. Board governance and operations. These policies will be reviewed in actions later on in our agenda.

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Yeah.

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Any questions for Paul Zay?

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Anyone else but any other, yeah, Ms. Marcus?

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I just wanted to give a shout out to Principal Greenwood and the John Ashley staff.

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They had a Talls and Smalls Valentine's Day dance before the holiday break and I had the

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opportunity to go.

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And although I'm a huge proponent of kindergarten preschool and our neighborhood schools, there

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There is something truly magical about four and five-year-olds in a gymnasium filled

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with their family and love, so it was a truly great evening and, again, congratulations

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relations to Principal Greenwood and her staff.

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Staff and thank them for all their hard work for putting together such an event. Anyone else?

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Seeing none, we want to approve a open session minutes. We'll begin with January 28th, 2025. Motion to approve open session minutes from January 28th, 2025. Second. Motion to second, additions, deletions, or corrections. Seeing none, by Michelle Hans, all those in favor. Opposed, unanimous. February 11th, 2025.

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Motion to approve, open session minutes from February 11th, 2025.

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Second.

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Motion on a second, any additions or corrections?

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Seeing none by a shallow hands, all those in favor.

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Opposed, unanimous.

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Superintendent's report.

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Okay, in your packet, there is the staff updates listed in there.

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And then the other piece is our Grin Spoon Excellence in Teaching Award recipients,

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which we have, many of our educators here this evening.

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And so it's a pleasure to be here to celebrate five amazing teachers from the West

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Springfield Public School System who have received the Harold Grinspoon Excellence in Teaching Award.

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This award recognizes their dedication, hard work, and the positive impact they have on students and in our community.

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We know that teaching is more than just a job.

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It's a chance to inspire, guide, and support the young learners.

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These teachers go above and beyond every day creating classrooms where students feel encouraged, challenged, and excited to learn.

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We had the opportunity to go visit and surprise them in each of their buildings, but tonight we're going to honor their commitment and the difference they make in so many lives.

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Their efforts help shape the future and we are so grateful for everything they do.

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There will be a larger reception at the log cabin on May 7th to honor them.

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To our five award-winning teachers, congratulations.

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Your passion and your dedication to the students really does make a difference.

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Oh, I'm announcing the names.

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Okay.

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As I say your name, you can come right up through here.

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Each school member will congratulate you.

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I'll give you your certificate.

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And then if you can just hang out right in front, we'll come down and get a picture.

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Elena Burke,

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Brian Calderon,

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Julia Duffy.

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Karen, Philly, Dimaio,

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Amy, right on.

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So I just want to congratulate all of you. You truly do represent the best of the best. And I do think West Springfield has the best teachers, so you are truly exceptional. I also need to give a special shout out and let Karen, Thiele Domeo know just how proud I am of her. I had her in first grade. I won't tell you how many years ago that was.

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Again, congratulations to you all. And thank you.

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Is

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there a superintendent of one more staff update?

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Yes, I have one other staff update.

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So the new principal of Menneg has started.

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So it's Michael Pescatelli who was one of our assistant principals at the high school.

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And Aaron Pantoliakis is the new assistant principal at the high school.

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And she was formally with us.

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So those are two administrative staff updates.

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Thank you, any questions for the superintendent?

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Senate?

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Seeing none, I'll move on to items for action, beginning with transfer of funds for

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event purchase.

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Yep, so as I mentioned earlier, our mail couriers vehicle, which was a 2010

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hand-me-down failed inspection was obviously, he was unable to drive it.

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So we were able to purchase a new vehicle for him on state contract.

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So I'm going to make a motion to transfer funds in the amount of $39,495 from district-wide staff attrition.

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to district-wide vehicle replacement for the purchase of a new vehicle for the mail courier.

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Second.

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Any discussion?

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Seeing none by a shall of hands all in favor, posed unanimous, thank you.

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Policy approvals, we have seven of them.

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Ms. Colleen, could you give us some motions in a brief description?

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All right.

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We have a motion, the following policies are contained within Section B board governance and operations.

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May I have a motion to approve file BB, School Committee legal status.

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Second.

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Thank you.

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So the policy subcommittee met, as I noted earlier, I won't repeat it again on 214.

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We reviewed verbiage, including nominal updates for clarity and cross reference, updates for

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this policy.

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There was a vote of 2-0 with one absent, all affirmative that were in attendance, any further discussion?

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Any questions?

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Seeing none, by a show of hands, all those in favor?

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Opposed, unanimous.

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Okay.

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BBA.

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BBA.

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Motion to approve, filed BBA, school committee powers and duties.

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May I have a second?

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Second.

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This was reviewed for Verbiage, including nominal updates for clarity and cross reference.

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Policy subcommittee was 2-0 with one absent affirmative.

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Any other questions?

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Any questions?

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Seeing none, by a show of hands, all those in favor?

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Opposed?

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New unanimous.

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BBAA.

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a school committee member authority may have a second.

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Second, we reviewed verbiage and cross-reference.

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Questions for updates? Policy subcommittee was 2-0, one absent, affirmative, and any other discussion or questions? Any questions? Seeing none, may I show our hands all in favor? Opposed, unanimous. I'm not maybe going to bother the next one. Number four. Motion to approve. File B, B, B, A, and through B, B, B, B.

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The school committee member qualifications oath of office may I have a second?

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Second.

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We reviewed the verbiage and cross reference updates.

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Subcommittee was 2-0 with one absent affirmative.

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Any further discussion or questions?

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Seeing none, by the show of hands, all those in favor?

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Opposed?

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unanimous.

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The next I have a motion to prove file BBVC, School Committee Member Resignation.

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This is a new MISC policy.

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May I have a second?

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Second.

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We reviewed Verbiage and Cross Reference Updates for this new policy outlining steps should

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a School Committee Member resign.

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This policy cross references the next policy that will be up, which is BBBE.

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and we were two zero one absent affirmative regarding this policy. Any further discussion?

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Any questions? Seeing none by a show of hands all those in favor? Opposed? You know I miss.

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All right. Final one. I don't know. We have two more. We're getting there though. Motion to approve file B, B, B, E,

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An expired term for fulfillment, also a new M.A.S.C. policy. May I have a second?

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Second.

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We reviewed the Verbiage and Cross Reference updates. This obviously, as I mentioned, it is

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cross-referenced with the BBBC. We just approved and there are also cross-references to the

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West Springfield Town Charter.

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policy subcommittee was 2-0, one absent affirmative, any questions or further

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discussion?

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Any questions? Seeing none, by a show of hands, all in favor?

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Opposed? Anonymous. And the final motion I have tonight is to

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approve file BCA, school committee member ethics. May I have a second?

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Second. All right. We reviewed verbiage and

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cross-reference updates, policy subcommittee was 2-0, one absent affirmative, any questions

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or further discussion?

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Questions?

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Seeing none, by a show of hands, all those in favor.

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Opposed?

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Anonymous.

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Thank you, Ms. Colleen.

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Items for information.

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We have one enrollment advisory committee update, Miss Eleveris.

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Last night we met for the first time our enrollment advisory committee was two school

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committee members, two town council members, and nine community members and our special advisors,

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Erin, Joe Tremel and Neil Guile.

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We went over open meeting laws, Robert's rules of order, and our mission statement, and

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the advisory group headed discussions.

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We discussed how we were going to go forward with enrollment-popular projections, focus groups,

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redistricting, pull out programs, just a long-term plan for the community.

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We need to set goals and topics, so we need to come up with agendas.

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We did discuss a facilitator.

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We're going to come up with that at a further meeting.

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We may have to come to the school committee for an RFP,

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if it goes over the $9,999.

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nine dollars after we put out the scope of work.

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With full transparency, we're going to be on Channel 15 every two weeks.

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It's the second Monday and fourth Monday of every month at 6 o'clock.

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You can go to the town of West Springfield dot org and click on the icon for the advisory

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enrollment committee and all information is out there.

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All the master plans, enrollments, feasibility studies, anybody can have access to all that

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information.

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Just to add regarding the outside facilitator, there was a bit of discussion regarding that

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I think in general the committee was generally supportive in terms of our discussion of an

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outside facilitator, but there were questions that had been

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I raised regarding prior discussions and I did want, I don't mean to kind of put you guys on the spot, but I think folks perhaps need to better understand what conversations may have a, did occur. Prior to the committee being, being determined informed.

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And that being outside of the four of us, meaning Kathy, Councillor Griffin and Councillor

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the frame, we had met with a consultant as well prior to the committee coming together.

229
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But it's the same person.

230
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So I was hoping you might be able to help provide clarity to the public just because there were

231
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their questions and I just feel it would be helpful for folks to know.

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So originally, you will recall the scope of this project was much larger.

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It was a quarter million dollar project.

234
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And we had had discussions about the need for a facilitator and who could possibly do that.

235
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So we reached out to MASC, Mass Association of School Committees, and

236
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and spoke with Liz LaFont from M.A.S.C.

237
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to see if M.A.C. did that type of work

238
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or if they knew of anybody who did that type of work.

239
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She said they did not do it.

240
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However, she did refer us to a gentleman, Jake Everwine,

241
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and his consulting firm,

242
00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:42,060
which I believe is like Berkshire,

243
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Berkshire XII,

244
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and it's a nonprofit consulting firm

245
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which does this type of work.

246
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And again, at this time, we were looking at a massive project.

247
00:26:53,640 --> 00:26:56,520
So the mayor, Stefania, myself,

248
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Kato Brian, and I don't,

249
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Sean Powers.

250
00:27:03,140 --> 00:27:10,220
Sean Powers, met with him to, again, just discuss projects that he was working on,

251
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what we were possibly looking for, and what he could do for us.

252
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And he came back with some ideas and was certainly willing to bid on the RFQ RFP.

253
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I don't know what else went out.

254
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But in the meantime, we had decided that because of the FAUSI project, FAUSI Ashley project,

255
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was this a good use of funding at this time to spend that kind of money for

256
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something that is going to be done as part of the MSBA project.

257
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So we kind of put all of that on hold.

258
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Then when the smaller group was being formed, I don't know,

259
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someone said, reach out and see if he is willing and able

260
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to help facilitate this group.

261
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So I reached out to him.

262
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I spoke to him very briefly on the phone, and said,

263
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if you're willing, I would like to connect you

264
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with the people involved with running the project

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because I don't want to be the go-to person.

266
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And so that's kind of how it all turned inspired.

267
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And the idea too was we didn't want,

268
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we wanted someone with an education background,

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not an architecture engineering background.

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All the previous master plans have been done

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by someone with, by engineering firms.

272
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The former superintendents.

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Yeah, with, and then no fault to,

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They did awesome jobs, but we wanted some, we wanted kind of a different, we wanted more

275
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of a program I and who looked from someone that came from education specifically.

276
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And they just did it in Pitzfield, yeah.

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00:28:57,260 --> 00:29:04,680
So I will, oh I'm sorry, I was going to just kind of summarize this and put it back out to

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the committee just so they have some of the tracking points, because there was discussion

279
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about it last night.

280
00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:19,740
They discussed it last night and a lot several of them felt more comfortable going with another group, so there was no like affiliation with the past group.

281
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Do they have another group in mind?

282
00:29:22,240 --> 00:29:24,100
No, that's another thing I know.

283
00:29:24,640 --> 00:29:25,480
That's a problem.

284
00:29:25,700 --> 00:29:25,880
Yeah.

285
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I know.

286
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But some had some feelings about it.

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I mean, I'm not with Jake myself too and he's wonderful and very accommodating.

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but I can see like the transparency part that some of them aren't comfortable with.

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They certainly could reach out to any of us.

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00:29:50,400 --> 00:29:53,540
I mean, there was no, they were in the meetings we had.

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00:29:53,540 --> 00:29:59,980
there were attended by town council city council for the

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00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:02,340
The town of West Springfield, they were not, there was nothing.

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00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:29,240
Conspiracy theories were in theme now. Well, I also proposed that perhaps Jay could come and present what he had planned, had present, even to Kathy, Mike, Brian, and I on the 22nd of January, because we met with them then as well. You can also just put an RFBO. Yeah.

294
00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:36,640
Yeah, yeah, and then see what you get exactly. Yes. So we have to come up with scope of work now. Yeah, it's a new one. Yeah

295
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With the RFP that we did put out

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To the mayor's point they were architectural firms. Yeah, responded

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So which I'm not gonna pay for right right because we're just we don't need already done it. Yeah, we don't need it

298
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Berser 12 is an educational consulting firm, and if you look them up, there's you know, I don't yeah

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I know maybe there's other ones out there. I don't know. Well, they come maybe from different states, but I

300
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I just wanted you to know we might have to come back.

301
00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:05,620
Yeah, I mean $10,000 is not a lot of money.

302
00:31:05,780 --> 00:31:05,940
No.

303
00:31:06,660 --> 00:31:08,980
It may be better just to do it on our feet in the beginning anyways.

304
00:31:09,280 --> 00:31:10,940
I'll weigh some of the concerns that are out there.

305
00:31:11,960 --> 00:31:12,360
Okay.

306
00:31:12,680 --> 00:31:13,240
And a big response.

307
00:31:13,780 --> 00:31:14,220
Thank you.

308
00:31:14,860 --> 00:31:15,520
Thank you.

309
00:31:18,330 --> 00:31:19,110
Any other questions?

310
00:31:21,810 --> 00:31:22,370
Public comment?

311
00:31:26,800 --> 00:31:28,940
It must be like a school thing.

312
00:31:29,080 --> 00:31:30,220
No one talks in class either.

313
00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:32,180
It's because of the room setup.

314
00:31:33,060 --> 00:31:33,380
All right.

315
00:31:33,520 --> 00:31:35,080
With no public comment,

316
00:31:35,080 --> 00:31:38,740
Our next meeting is March 11th.

317
00:31:38,740 --> 00:31:39,760
Mayor, can I just jump in?

318
00:31:40,080 --> 00:31:40,860
A few budget announcements?

319
00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:42,320
Sure.

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00:31:42,640 --> 00:31:43,200
Before I go ahead.

321
00:31:43,340 --> 00:31:43,440
Quickly.

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00:31:44,580 --> 00:31:50,440
One, our proposed budget for FY26 will be in this Thursday's record.

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00:31:51,360 --> 00:31:57,400
The superintendent and I will be meeting with the town council subcommittee on budget sub on Monday to go over that.

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00:31:57,500 --> 00:32:00,200
See if there's any questions they have as we move along the budget process.

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00:32:00,200 --> 00:32:06,600
and our public hearing on the budget is before next meeting on March 11th at 5.30.

326
00:32:09,070 --> 00:32:09,850
Thank you.

327
00:32:11,110 --> 00:32:12,050
Anyone else?

328
00:32:12,390 --> 00:32:13,850
You guys want to make announcements?

329
00:32:14,850 --> 00:32:14,930
No.

330
00:32:15,570 --> 00:32:15,990
All right.

331
00:32:16,570 --> 00:32:20,930
With that, next meeting will be March 11th with the public budget hearing at 5.30.

332
00:32:21,690 --> 00:32:25,670
A move to enter executive session and not to return to open session.

333
00:32:26,410 --> 00:32:30,670
Motion to move to executive session and not to return to open session.

334
00:32:31,110 --> 00:32:31,470
Second.

335
00:32:31,470 --> 00:32:32,470
motion.

336
00:32:32,650 --> 00:32:34,150
Second, Miss Rogers, do you take roll?

337
00:32:36,480 --> 00:32:37,660
Sayanna Coyne?

338
00:32:37,700 --> 00:32:37,820
Yes.

339
00:32:38,280 --> 00:32:39,060
Karen Thompson?

340
00:32:39,540 --> 00:32:39,660
Yes.

341
00:32:40,020 --> 00:32:40,620
Colleen Marcus?

342
00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:41,080
Yes.

343
00:32:41,460 --> 00:32:42,140
Kathy Levers?

344
00:32:43,000 --> 00:32:43,320
Yes.

345
00:32:43,740 --> 00:32:44,720
Robert Mancini?

346
00:32:45,180 --> 00:32:45,340
Yes.

347
00:32:45,620 --> 00:32:46,620
Julie Ann Weiss?

348
00:32:46,860 --> 00:32:46,940
Yes.

349
00:32:47,420 --> 00:32:48,060
Mary Kelt?