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Good evening everyone.

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It's Thursday, March 12th.

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Welcome to a regular meeting of the Army School Committee.

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We will start this meeting with the pledge of Allegiance.

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Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

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And to the Republic for which it stands.

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One nation under God, indivisible,

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with liberty and justice.

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Right.

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We will move on to roll.

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Call Emily Bryson here and Fleming here.

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Kelly Hall here.

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Tom McGinty. Present.

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Sarah Olivares here.

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Christina. Patrick.

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I'm here.

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Michael Wilber here.

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Andrew Jolliffe here.

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Linnea herring here. Elise Garcia there.

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Right now. Here.

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The tastic. We have everyone here.

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Well, I think many of you know, because you're here for this.

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We I'm excited to move to our next agenda item, which is the recognition of

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several Yarmouth High School, state championship teams.

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Yes. It's been quite a winter

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sports and, co-curricular season.

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Our winter sports, teams are here this evening that were, state champions.

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We have some robotics teams and hopefully the playmakers to recognize

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coming up, April 9th.

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I'll talk about

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those groups during my superintendent's report in just a few minutes.

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But at this time, I'm

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going to ask Sarah Holmes, our director of athletics, to come up.

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She's going to introduce coaches and athletes from boys

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Nordic skiing, girls alpine skiing, girls ice hockey, and indoor track.

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Who, captured state championships this winter.

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So yes, Miss Holmes.

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So thank you for having us today.

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We're excited to always come back and and introduce you to our state champions.

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Winter, as you know, is a very long season.

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For our student athletes, it starts in early November

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with girls ice hockey, which actually overlaps with the fall season.

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And then goes to this last,

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Saturday, March 6th with ice hockey and swimming.

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So over that course of the season, we compiled three regional and conference

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champions, two sportsmanship awards, and six individual and state team titles.

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And many of them are here tonight.

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So along with their success in their sport,

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their classroom dedication should also be celebrated.

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We had 41 senior student athletes,

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recognized as a Western Maine Conference, all academic.

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And if you remember, they must have a cumulative GPA of 93

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and above through seven semesters.

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So 41 student athletes is a tremendous accomplishment.

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So I'd

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like to now start with our first, state champion of the year.

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Girls ice hockey.

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And David interviews Otto.

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Thank you for all your support.

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And, of course, thanks to the girls that are here.

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Can girls, can you please stand up and be recognized?

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Yeah.

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Stay up. Stay up there.

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Yeah.

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Well, I mean, if all the raise your hand.

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My Anna's with Chuck Presley.

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Strout, Erin O'Connor, Lydia Costa, Dylan McElhinney,

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Eric O'Connor, Celia Zinman and Celia Smith is in the back.

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So not everybody could make it, but they're here.

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So thank you for everything.

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Appreciate all your support.

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Thank you.

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Congratulations.

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And next, I'd like to introduce

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Sarah Kerrigan with indoor track.

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All right.

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Thank you to the school committee for having us.

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And to Sarah Holmes for introducing us and keeping us going all winter long.

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We had three state champion, events this year for track.

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So the girls four by 200 and Mya Jacobs, who is in the four by 200.

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They are currently in route to Nike Nationals in New York.

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So they couldn't be here.

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But they'll still be running.

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Here with us today is Bow and Mitchell, who won the two mile and ten minutes

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and 12 seconds, which, if you do the math, is like five in some change

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for two miles or just crazy.

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So bow and come on up and I'll give you.

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Guys.

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All right.

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And let's hear here. Nope.

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So I'm going to have Zander Gordon, one of our senior captains, introduce

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the boys.

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And any girls, Nordic skiers that are here.

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It's just any girls.

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Thank you for having us tonight.

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If the boys could stand up.

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I'd like to introduce Eli Chalmers,

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Jackie Chalmers and Lachlan Dodge, all part of a

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and Finn Marion ski and Life Hall stood in the back up our winning team this year.

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Thank you.

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I'd like to also add that the girls and the boys Nordic team won

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the sportsmanship award this year, which is voted on by coaches of our league.

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Now you can clap them.

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And our last, coach is Shawn Lynch with girls.

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Alpine.

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Thank you.

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If we could have the girls stand up.

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Second year consecutive, state championship

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for the girls alpine team, we have Gwen Zimmerman, Finley Jaeger,

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Sophia Tippy, Quinn Laval, and Logan McLeod here tonight.

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Thank you.

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That's it for the season.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Congratulations. Another outstanding season.

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You know, many schools go years without amassing 3 or 4 state championships.

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And to, to continue to have them,

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brought before us each season is pretty impressive

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and an indication of the, the, hard work and dedication that you folks put in.

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So congratulations to each of you.

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Do we need a new trophy case?

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We do. We need several new trophy cases.

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As a matter of fact, doctor, doctor Hartnett has been trying to,

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with Miss Holmes, negotiate how to maybe remove some of the older

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trophies from the trophy case and put some of the newer ones in.

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But that is not always met with great enthusiasm by those

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who were maybe on some of those teams and are now coaching these teams.

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So we go in a real, I think, just a real, note

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of appreciation for the sportsmanship awards as fantastic and the student

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athletes, these are long nights and long season, and knowing that you have

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to do your homework on the bus and all your free time when you get home.

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I think that just speaks volumes

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to all you guys and your dedication to your sports and your school work.

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So just congratulations.

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It's super impressive each and every one of you. Yeah,

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truly.

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And thank you for being with us tonight so we can help celebrate you.

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And to Sarah's point, you are welcome to stay

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for the full meeting and we will pause for a moment.

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So if there's anyone in the room

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that would like to head out to other things, that is A-okay as well.

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Thank you.

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Congratulations.

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Congratulations.

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As Lyon was chasing me, I'm going to do one five minute mile.

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That's crazy.

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Thank you.

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That's great.

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Thank you.

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Oh, yes.

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I just came home.

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No, I have to.

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Yeah.

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While I'm thinking I'm just.

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Are you able to time.

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You got it.

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Excuse me.

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I never wear my watch.

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My, How do you turn off so much?

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Yes, I know, it's not like.

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Oh, here it is. Power. Yeah, that's a

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no. I'll do it.

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But I have my third. Is that us?

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I know I can't. It's probably not us.

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I really hope it doesn't ring.

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Wouldn't be while I have my time.

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It looks like little.

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Sports program.

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Public comments.

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See what you

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think.

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Okay.

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Thank you to all of you that are still with us.

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We appreciate it.

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We will move on with our agenda to agenda adjustments.

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I have none for this evening. Okay.

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So we'll move to approval of minutes from our last meeting,

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and I would like to make that motion.

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Kelly, anyone like to second Emily?

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All in favor?

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All opposed?

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Thank you very much.

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Approved.

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Next on our agenda are reports, starting with myself with a chair report.

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There are a few updates that I wanted to share this evening.

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First, an update on the superintendent's search.

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You might recall if you memorized the timeline, but it's okay if you didn't.

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The superintendent application deadline just happened last week.

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That's when applications were due.

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Our search firm, Ziel education Group, has vetted all of the applications

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and shared those materials with our search committee.

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As you might recall, the search committee is made up of members of the school

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committee, parents, staff, and administrators in the district.

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And this month, during the month of March, the search committee will be reviewing

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all of those applications, deciding which candidates to bring in

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for interviews, interviewing those candidates, and deciding

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which to advance as finalists to interview with the full school committee.

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So our goal is for the school committee to interview finalists

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in April and appoint a new superintendent this spring.

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So just wanted to keep everyone updated on where we are in the process.

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We will continue to keep you updated as we have news.

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And remain very grateful for all the members of the community

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that shared input on the front end

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about what you care about in our next superintendent.

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So that's one update.

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Two other quick notes.

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Local elections are coming up.

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The snow is melting.

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Mark your calendars.

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That voting is on Tuesday, June 9th.

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We will have two school committee seats on the June ballot.

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Interested candidates can stop by town hall to pick up nomination papers.

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And those papers are due back to town Hall on April 10th.

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And I think I can speak on behalf of the committee if anyone is pondering

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whether to run or to serve, I'm sure any of us would be happy to talk

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to folks about our perspective or to answer questions.

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And third, I just wanted to share a quick note of gratitude

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as we move into budget conversations later this evening on our agenda.

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We so appreciate all of the input and questions and feedback

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we've been receiving from members of the community.

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And perhaps that's why some of you are here tonight.

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So thank you. Wanted to express my gratitude.

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That is my chair report.

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Now, I will pass it to Doctor Della. Yes.

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I have several resignations to announce this evening.

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Paul Lampson, La Plume wife's mathematics teacher of 20 years.

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Rick Bishop y H.S., physics teacher of 41 years.

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Lexi Drew, language arts, social studies teacher at Harrison Middle School.

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Laura Elder Rowe School, of 18 years and Doctor Patrick Hartnett,

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y just principal of four years, have all announced their resignations

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or retirements from Yarmouth.

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You just met our state championship athletic teams.

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I'm pleased to announce that our robotics teams also had

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an outstanding, performance throughout the entire season.

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And certainly this past weekend, the high school robotics team,

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captured the state championship with teams Paradise Oaks and Voyager.

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There are there are several teams

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within the larger scope of the high school and middle school teams.

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So teams Paradox and Voyager, captured the state championship.

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That's read carefully.

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Crosby. Nay.

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Will. Huckle. Bauer. Pablo. Sonnenberg.

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Let's see. AD like.

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Goodwin. Noah.

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Van Allen, Henry Halligan, and Colin Swank.

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So they were all, members of the state championship team.

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Several other

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awards were, captured by the high school and middle school teams as well.

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And you'll be hearing all about that on April 9th.

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We'll have those teams present with us,

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in the high school, alumni room,

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where they'll be able to actually demonstrate their robotic prowess for us.

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The HMS robotics, we had a state finalist, team kinetic collision.

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That's Ryan de Courcy and Fisheries, Nathan Pat Stone,

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Gabriel Ballard of Oliver Copsey and Grant Chadwick.

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And they were in the tournament final, so congratulations to our robotics teams.

257
04:50:12,367 --> 04:50:14,900
Again, you'll be seeing them on April 9th.

258
04:50:14,900 --> 04:50:18,000
The playmakers won the regional competition

259
04:50:18,500 --> 04:50:23,433
for their one act play performance, which was Saturday, afternoon.

260
04:50:23,433 --> 04:50:29,000
They are now headed to the state championship on March 20 and 21,

261
04:50:29,000 --> 04:50:32,066
I think is the state, competition for that.

262
04:50:32,867 --> 04:50:33,900
Lots happening.

263
04:50:33,900 --> 04:50:36,900
So although we just sent out a February update,

264
04:50:37,333 --> 04:50:40,634
all of this good news means that we've got a march update.

265
04:50:41,233 --> 04:50:44,233
Just about ready to go out as well to the rest of the district.

266
04:50:44,533 --> 04:50:45,500
That's all I have for this evening.

267
04:50:46,533 --> 04:50:47,467
Thank you.

268
04:50:47,467 --> 04:50:49,000
We'll move to the finance committee and.

269
04:50:49,000 --> 04:50:50,100
Fleming.

270
04:50:50,100 --> 04:50:50,900
Thank you.

271
04:50:50,900 --> 04:50:54,734
We met this past Monday for our monthly finance committee meeting.

272
04:50:55,100 --> 04:50:56,800
Quickly went over.

273
04:50:56,800 --> 04:50:59,066
Where we're at with expenditures, we're on track.

274
04:50:59,066 --> 04:51:02,066
And where we want to be for this year.

275
04:51:02,100 --> 04:51:05,000
We spent a lot of the time we are in the middle of budget season,

276
04:51:05,000 --> 04:51:08,634
and we talked, that meeting about some potential updates to the budget,

277
04:51:09,000 --> 04:51:12,433
which our superintendent will be speaking to those later on this evening.

278
04:51:12,433 --> 04:51:17,100
So that would really serve as most of our finance update for this evening.

279
04:51:18,000 --> 04:51:18,467
Thank you.

280
04:51:18,467 --> 04:51:21,333
And policy committee, Sarah Olivares. Thank you.

281
04:51:21,333 --> 04:51:25,000
So in the last two consecutive policy

282
04:51:25,700 --> 04:51:30,433
meetings, we have been considering, along with Doctor Hartnett,

283
04:51:30,500 --> 04:51:35,900
further restrictions to cell phone or personal device uses at the high school.

284
04:51:36,367 --> 04:51:39,100
A lot of work has already been done,

285
04:51:39,100 --> 04:51:42,100
in this regard, to implement restrictions at the high school.

286
04:51:42,100 --> 04:51:46,800
So for the public who aren't aware, they do not have access to phones

287
04:51:46,800 --> 04:51:50,166
during class time, that you have access during passing and lunch.

288
04:51:51,000 --> 04:51:54,166
And in light of community feedback,

289
04:51:54,433 --> 04:51:57,533
school committee feedback, parent feedback,

290
04:51:58,000 --> 04:52:02,100
we've been, you know, in discussions with Doctor Hartnett about implementing

291
04:52:02,100 --> 04:52:06,100
further restrictions up and including, to a Bill Bell band.

292
04:52:07,166 --> 04:52:07,700
With the

293
04:52:07,700 --> 04:52:11,734
considerations of distractions still presented to students

294
04:52:11,734 --> 04:52:15,867
when they have their phones on them and potentially looking forward to it

295
04:52:15,867 --> 04:52:18,634
at times like passing and lunch and impacts

296
04:52:18,634 --> 04:52:22,066
on socialization, at lunchtime and things like that.

297
04:52:22,734 --> 04:52:26,634
In terms of the implementation of it and the exact policy

298
04:52:26,634 --> 04:52:31,066
that's still in, in discussion, and Doctor Hartnett is taking back,

299
04:52:31,066 --> 04:52:34,367
sort of an implementation strategy, options

300
04:52:34,734 --> 04:52:37,634
of a bells bell band to the staff

301
04:52:37,634 --> 04:52:40,533
and I think perhaps also to the student Senate.

302
04:52:40,867 --> 04:52:43,000
So more coming,

303
04:52:43,000 --> 04:52:46,800
in subsequent school committee meetings and policy meetings.

304
04:52:47,266 --> 04:52:49,867
As a as a side note, but very much related,

305
04:52:49,867 --> 04:52:54,266
if you follow the last, state to state, address from Governor Mills,

306
04:52:54,266 --> 04:52:59,000
she did announce her desire to have all school, public schools in Maine enact,

307
04:52:59,100 --> 04:53:03,367
a bill to ban, that is in budget appropriations,

308
04:53:03,367 --> 04:53:06,734
I believe, because that mandate is tied to funding,

309
04:53:06,734 --> 04:53:08,734
which amounts to about $13 a student.

310
04:53:08,734 --> 04:53:11,867
If schools choose to go with something like a yonder pouch

311
04:53:11,867 --> 04:53:14,000
or other storage device.

312
04:53:14,000 --> 04:53:17,233
And so just wanted to note

313
04:53:17,233 --> 04:53:20,500
that it's not the progress in terms of Yarmouth.

314
04:53:20,533 --> 04:53:24,867
And, what Doctor Hartman is proposing is not tied to whether or not that passes,

315
04:53:24,867 --> 04:53:27,900
but still, you know, informs the importance of that,

316
04:53:27,900 --> 04:53:31,066
just the importance of that discussion and sort of the

317
04:53:31,100 --> 04:53:34,100
the tide and how things are changing nationwide, really.

318
04:53:34,734 --> 04:53:37,066
So that is our update and we will have more to come.

319
04:53:38,100 --> 04:53:39,533
Thank you sir.

320
04:53:39,533 --> 04:53:42,433
Mission committee, Kelly Hall.

321
04:53:42,433 --> 04:53:45,800
Yes. The mission committee met this evening prior to this meeting,

322
04:53:46,000 --> 04:53:49,000
and we really just focused on the hiring process.

323
04:53:49,100 --> 04:53:53,266
I think that we all agreed that we have a very comprehensive hiring process,

324
04:53:53,467 --> 04:53:54,467
which is great.

325
04:53:54,467 --> 04:53:59,000
And just really reflecting to make sure that it is reflective

326
04:53:59,000 --> 04:54:03,700
of our school culture, but also appeals to a broad range of applicants.

327
04:54:03,700 --> 04:54:08,266
So how do we maintain, our clear expectations?

328
04:54:08,734 --> 04:54:12,100
And also, how do we welcome in folks

329
04:54:12,100 --> 04:54:15,100
who might bring something new, to the table

330
04:54:15,533 --> 04:54:18,533
and then also really focusing on limiting, biases

331
04:54:18,533 --> 04:54:21,533
in the application process.

332
04:54:22,266 --> 04:54:23,500
Thanks, Kelly.

333
04:54:23,500 --> 04:54:27,634
Any updates from other committees or liaisons?

334
04:54:28,367 --> 04:54:30,266
For Emily and then back to Kelly.

335
04:54:30,266 --> 04:54:35,467
So we had our third and final turf meeting.

336
04:54:36,867 --> 04:54:37,734
And I'm going to

337
04:54:37,734 --> 04:54:41,100
be emailing Andrew the recommendations of the committee.

338
04:54:41,533 --> 04:54:48,100
Essentially replacing the track and the term very similar to how it is now.

339
04:54:48,100 --> 04:54:52,100
It was really awesome hearing from our students

340
04:54:52,100 --> 04:54:55,900
and our coaches that our turf is the best turf that they play on.

341
04:54:55,900 --> 04:55:00,166
Even now, even though it's 13 or however many years old at this point.

342
04:55:01,100 --> 04:55:04,533
So we did just get an update,

343
04:55:04,533 --> 04:55:08,066
from activities on light replacement.

344
04:55:08,066 --> 04:55:11,233
We were still kind of, waffling on.

345
04:55:11,333 --> 04:55:16,000
Re lamping our current lights or replacing our lights with LEDs.

346
04:55:16,467 --> 04:55:20,367
So we just got that information, and so I'll build that into my report

347
04:55:20,367 --> 04:55:24,000
to Andrew, and I'm looking forward to talking about it with you guys.

348
04:55:25,000 --> 04:55:27,100
Thank you. Emily.

349
04:55:27,100 --> 04:55:29,166
Yes. So also there's a collective

350
04:55:29,166 --> 04:55:32,266
that meets, to talk about vocational school.

351
04:55:32,266 --> 04:55:35,166
So that's the Parks and Rec collective.

352
04:55:35,166 --> 04:55:38,266
Mostly made up of leadership and school committee members.

353
04:55:39,066 --> 04:55:41,367
Not a ton.

354
04:55:41,367 --> 04:55:43,233
That's new and exciting to report.

355
04:55:43,233 --> 04:55:46,066
We just talked about enrollment numbers.

356
04:55:46,066 --> 04:55:49,066
What programs have filled up, what programs are still open?

357
04:55:50,634 --> 04:55:51,700
And then

358
04:55:51,700 --> 04:55:55,367
what I thought was really interesting paths has traditionally had a horticulture

359
04:55:55,367 --> 04:55:58,433
program that they're moving towards, landscaping

360
04:55:58,700 --> 04:56:03,100
and really giving kids the opportunity to learn,

361
04:56:03,100 --> 04:56:04,333
not just like the landscaping,

362
04:56:04,333 --> 04:56:07,333
but also the hard scaping and how to use the equipment.

363
04:56:07,333 --> 04:56:09,000
And really plan.

364
04:56:09,000 --> 04:56:10,467
So it's good design as well,

365
04:56:10,467 --> 04:56:13,467
which I think is going to appeal to a lot of, students.

366
04:56:15,000 --> 04:56:17,467
RVC is changing some of their computer

367
04:56:17,467 --> 04:56:20,634
based programing to appeal to a broader range of students.

368
04:56:20,700 --> 04:56:23,433
They've had a lot of trouble filling those, which is it

369
04:56:23,433 --> 04:56:26,233
seems weird in these times.

370
04:56:26,233 --> 04:56:29,900
So they're trying, to shift one program

371
04:56:29,900 --> 04:56:35,066
to be more focused on, the coding, the programing things.

372
04:56:35,066 --> 04:56:37,367
I don't I mean, I don't understand I'm going to be honest.

373
04:56:38,734 --> 04:56:41,800
And then also cybersecurity and ethical hacking,

374
04:56:41,800 --> 04:56:45,100
which again, we're hoping will appeal to a broader range of students.

375
04:56:45,467 --> 04:56:49,266
And then something else to note is that PA's is looking at adding

376
04:56:49,266 --> 04:56:53,233
an arts program in the near future, which I think would be amazing as well.

377
04:56:54,634 --> 04:56:56,533
Thank you. Kelly.

378
04:56:56,533 --> 04:56:59,533
Other committees or liaisons?

379
04:56:59,734 --> 04:57:02,734
If not, we'll move to student Senate linear and at least.

380
04:57:03,634 --> 04:57:05,900
So Senate has been pretty busy.

381
04:57:05,900 --> 04:57:08,066
We have a lot on our plates right now.

382
04:57:08,066 --> 04:57:11,500
It's just today we had a successful spring assembly.

383
04:57:11,734 --> 04:57:16,533
And we also, have a new schedule for our school assemblies.

384
04:57:16,634 --> 04:57:19,000
Which are student run.

385
04:57:19,000 --> 04:57:23,000
And now they're going to be happening, only four times

386
04:57:23,000 --> 04:57:26,100
a year instead of once a month.

387
04:57:26,233 --> 04:57:29,000
So that means fewer assemblies.

388
04:57:29,900 --> 04:57:30,734
But we still want to get

389
04:57:30,734 --> 04:57:35,066
those updates out on sports clubs, upcoming events, all sorts of things.

390
04:57:35,266 --> 04:57:38,100
So we are trying to, bring

391
04:57:38,100 --> 04:57:41,100
back, like, intercom announcements.

392
04:57:41,266 --> 04:57:43,700
Those aren't something that happen anymore.

393
04:57:43,700 --> 04:57:45,700
And we're trying to bring them back

394
04:57:45,700 --> 04:57:49,000
as a way to continue spreading important information for students.

395
04:57:49,367 --> 04:57:52,634
And we're trying to work through some of some hiccups

396
04:57:52,634 --> 04:57:56,000
because there is a wide variance

397
04:57:56,100 --> 04:58:00,100
in the audio quality of the speakers throughout the school.

398
04:58:00,100 --> 04:58:02,333
So we're trying to figure out,

399
04:58:02,333 --> 04:58:03,066
how to work through that.

400
04:58:03,066 --> 04:58:06,100
And if you remember my name

401
04:58:06,100 --> 04:58:09,500
on the room, little tidbit that is still happening.

402
04:58:09,500 --> 04:58:11,166
I am not involved.

403
04:58:11,166 --> 04:58:13,100
They're very reserved about it.

404
04:58:13,100 --> 04:58:14,367
I think it's secretive.

405
04:58:14,367 --> 04:58:16,467
But it's the gnome is out there.

406
04:58:18,233 --> 04:58:20,100
I hope they don't bring back detention.

407
04:58:20,100 --> 04:58:22,700
Who's in detention as announcements at the end of the day,

408
04:58:22,700 --> 04:58:24,367
as some of us might remember.

409
04:58:24,367 --> 04:58:26,800
Yeah, yeah. Look at called out.

410
04:58:26,800 --> 04:58:29,800
I'm sure that it's not part of the talk about that one. So,

411
04:58:30,734 --> 04:58:33,000
in academic, we've been working on standardizing

412
04:58:33,000 --> 04:58:34,166
the honors challenge policies.

413
04:58:34,166 --> 04:58:37,734
So for those who don't know, we have some classes of like AP classes

414
04:58:37,734 --> 04:58:42,066
and like CP classes, and some classes just have what's called honors challenge.

415
04:58:42,066 --> 04:58:46,000
So it's like an extra, like bonus part on the test or like a bonus project

416
04:58:46,000 --> 04:58:47,900
that people will have to do in order to gain that.

417
04:58:47,900 --> 04:58:51,367
So we've been working on standardizing that across classes and across subjects

418
04:58:51,367 --> 04:58:53,000
just so it's more equitable.

419
04:58:53,000 --> 04:58:55,000
And then also, in light of all the new hires

420
04:58:55,000 --> 04:58:56,100
that we're going to be doing,

421
04:58:56,100 --> 04:58:59,467
we've been rewriting and like adding some new questions for the teacher,

422
04:58:59,467 --> 04:59:02,467
interviews for when students are helping to to do those panels.

423
04:59:02,867 --> 04:59:05,500
Yeah. That's it. Thank you both.

424
04:59:06,900 --> 04:59:09,000
Next on our agenda is public comment.

425
04:59:09,000 --> 04:59:12,734
And I'll share a few sort of parameters about how public comment works.

426
04:59:12,734 --> 04:59:14,100
But I'm also excited to announce

427
04:59:14,100 --> 04:59:17,066
we're going to offer a second public comment spot this evening.

428
04:59:17,634 --> 04:59:19,100
We'll have one right now.

429
04:59:19,100 --> 04:59:22,000
And any individual who wants to address

430
04:59:22,000 --> 04:59:25,166
us on any issues related to the schools is welcome to do that.

431
04:59:25,166 --> 04:59:27,000
We prioritize,

432
04:59:27,000 --> 04:59:30,533
residents of Yarmouth and folks connected with the schools directly first.

433
04:59:31,066 --> 04:59:34,533
We cap everyone at three minutes for their comments, and we do keep a timer

434
04:59:34,533 --> 04:59:38,100
to make sure that everyone who has a desire to speak has a chance to speak.

435
04:59:38,533 --> 04:59:42,266
And I want to note, and mention this briefly when we get later

436
04:59:42,266 --> 04:59:46,000
in our agenda and discuss the school budget for next year.

437
04:59:46,333 --> 04:59:51,100
Doctor Delph is going to present some proposed changes to the budget proposal.

438
04:59:51,266 --> 04:59:54,467
And so if there are folks in the room that want to speak specifically

439
04:59:54,467 --> 04:59:57,467
about the budget, we wanted to give you the option

440
04:59:57,634 --> 05:00:01,500
to hear the latest news about the budget proposal coming out of recent

441
05:00:01,500 --> 05:00:05,100
finance committee meetings, and new information that's been evolving.

442
05:00:05,467 --> 05:00:09,900
So what we will do is, after Doctor Dollar presents

443
05:00:09,900 --> 05:00:13,533
the updated budget proposal a little later this evening,

444
05:00:14,066 --> 05:00:16,900
we will open up a second public comment period

445
05:00:16,900 --> 05:00:20,000
for anyone who wants to address us specifically on the budget.

446
05:00:20,000 --> 05:00:23,000
And we'll do that before we move to our school committee vote.

447
05:00:23,233 --> 05:00:26,000
So I know I just said a lot of things, but the highlights are

448
05:00:26,000 --> 05:00:27,800
this is public comment now.

449
05:00:27,800 --> 05:00:30,000
And if you want to wait and hear more about the budget

450
05:00:30,000 --> 05:00:33,266
and then react and speak to it, you will have an opportunity to do that

451
05:00:33,266 --> 05:00:34,467
later this evening.

452
05:00:34,467 --> 05:00:35,266
So with that said,

453
05:00:35,266 --> 05:00:38,266
if you'd like to address us, we welcome you to come up to the podium,

454
05:00:38,433 --> 05:00:41,433
and start by introducing yourself with your name

455
05:00:41,500 --> 05:00:44,500
and your connection to Yarmouth schools and anything you'd like to share.

456
05:00:45,066 --> 05:00:49,100
I will be kindly giving you the three minute time.

457
05:00:49,467 --> 05:00:51,100
That's right. Our friendly timekeeper.

458
05:00:54,734 --> 05:00:55,266
Good evening.

459
05:00:55,266 --> 05:00:58,900
Tim Shannon, 47, West Elm Street, parent of three Yarmouth kids.

460
05:00:59,100 --> 05:01:01,233
Just a procedural question.

461
05:01:01,233 --> 05:01:03,467
I'm mindful of the time.

462
05:01:03,467 --> 05:01:07,266
If we have some discussion before the next public comment period,

463
05:01:07,433 --> 05:01:09,367
to have any sense of how long that discussion will take place.

464
05:01:09,367 --> 05:01:12,166
I want to make sure that the kids in particular, who are here tonight

465
05:01:12,166 --> 05:01:13,734
have a sense of how long they're going to.

466
05:01:13,734 --> 05:01:15,333
They're in for, if you know what I mean.

467
05:01:15,333 --> 05:01:16,900
That is a great question.

468
05:01:16,900 --> 05:01:19,333
We don't have much before the budget. Yeah.

469
05:01:19,333 --> 05:01:20,734
Ten calendar. Yeah.

470
05:01:20,734 --> 05:01:24,100
I mean, we will discuss the two other items first,

471
05:01:24,100 --> 05:01:27,367
the school calendar and an update on technology devices.

472
05:01:27,367 --> 05:01:30,100
So I don't anticipate it would be too long. Fabulous.

473
05:01:30,100 --> 05:01:30,900
I appreciate your.

474
05:01:30,900 --> 05:01:32,100
Did I just burn all my three minutes?

475
05:01:32,100 --> 05:01:34,433
I didn't I didn't start it. Noted.

476
05:01:34,433 --> 05:01:37,100
It was procedural and for the good of the group. Thank you.

477
05:01:37,100 --> 05:01:37,734
Thank you.

478
05:01:39,000 --> 05:01:40,100
Thanks for your consideration

479
05:01:40,100 --> 05:01:43,100
of the group. Yes.

480
05:01:45,000 --> 05:01:46,734
Okay.

481
05:01:46,734 --> 05:01:49,100
Yes.

482
05:01:49,100 --> 05:01:49,867
Good evening.

483
05:01:49,867 --> 05:01:51,100
My name is Margo Downes.

484
05:01:51,100 --> 05:01:53,634
I'm a resident, parent and educator.

485
05:01:53,634 --> 05:01:56,500
In recent months, you have scrutinized cell phone

486
05:01:56,500 --> 05:02:00,100
and personal device policies designed to protect our students.

487
05:02:00,467 --> 05:02:05,000
Our schools did not purchase these devices, nor do we require them.

488
05:02:05,166 --> 05:02:07,100
Yet you entrust our educators

489
05:02:07,100 --> 05:02:10,533
to enforce their safe and responsible use by students.

490
05:02:11,333 --> 05:02:16,467
It is therefore contradictory for this board to disregard the Technology

491
05:02:16,467 --> 05:02:21,066
Department's evidence based proposal for iPads, a platform that offers

492
05:02:21,900 --> 05:02:26,634
superior security, safety, greater classroom versatility

493
05:02:27,000 --> 05:02:30,100
and a more cost effective option for taxpayers.

494
05:02:31,000 --> 05:02:33,367
While community feedback matters,

495
05:02:33,367 --> 05:02:37,900
relying solely on a single survey to drive an expensive five year

496
05:02:37,900 --> 05:02:41,700
fiscal commitment, including repairs is flawed

497
05:02:42,467 --> 05:02:46,533
by providing inadequate time for staff to gather meaningful input.

498
05:02:46,900 --> 05:02:51,000
You have prioritized a voluntary response survey over

499
05:02:51,000 --> 05:02:55,000
empirical evidence and expert guidance of your own staff.

500
05:02:55,734 --> 05:02:59,000
Any Yarmouth statistics student can tell you that

501
05:02:59,000 --> 05:03:02,000
this type of sample is riddled with bias.

502
05:03:02,100 --> 05:03:07,100
It misses the middle of the curve and amplifies strong polarized responses.

503
05:03:07,533 --> 05:03:11,100
The results cannot be generalized to an entire population.

504
05:03:11,734 --> 05:03:15,533
The survey summary before us represents 900 responses.

505
05:03:16,000 --> 05:03:18,100
How many did not respond?

506
05:03:18,100 --> 05:03:22,867
The board's proposed decision is especially confounding given

507
05:03:22,867 --> 05:03:27,000
our current budget climate and swiftly changing educational landscape.

508
05:03:27,700 --> 05:03:30,066
My seventh grader navigates her academic

509
05:03:30,066 --> 05:03:33,066
world safely and competently on an iPad.

510
05:03:33,266 --> 05:03:37,166
Meanwhile, my college freshman is saving for an iPad

511
05:03:37,500 --> 05:03:41,900
because the laptop we purchased lacks the flexibility needed for her coursework.

512
05:03:42,467 --> 05:03:43,900
It is disheartening

513
05:03:43,900 --> 05:03:47,467
to see the board put their support behind a more expensive device,

514
05:03:47,734 --> 05:03:52,000
while simultaneously reducing staff positions in the Stem programs.

515
05:03:52,700 --> 05:03:56,734
As a young builder and designer, my seventh grader and many others

516
05:03:57,100 --> 05:04:01,367
represent the very future these programs should support and inspire.

517
05:04:02,000 --> 05:04:06,700
In my 25 years in Yarmouth, I have never seen financial priorities

518
05:04:06,900 --> 05:04:09,900
in such direct conflict with our educational mission.

519
05:04:10,333 --> 05:04:13,734
Choosing a more expensive, less secure device

520
05:04:13,734 --> 05:04:19,266
at the expense of invaluable staff and programing is fiscally inconsistent.

521
05:04:19,900 --> 05:04:24,333
If I had to vote on this budget today, it would be my first note ever.

522
05:04:24,634 --> 05:04:25,000
Thank you.

523
05:04:26,900 --> 05:04:29,900
Thank you very much.

524
05:04:34,066 --> 05:04:34,700
I'll pause.

525
05:04:34,700 --> 05:04:37,700
In case anyone else would like to make a public comment.

526
05:04:43,000 --> 05:04:43,800
Hey. Good evening.

527
05:04:43,800 --> 05:04:46,867
My name is Adam Owen.

528
05:04:47,066 --> 05:04:49,500
37 Pitt Creek Way here in Yarmouth.

529
05:04:49,500 --> 05:04:54,000
First and foremost, thank you to everybody for being here.

530
05:04:54,000 --> 05:04:56,467
I appreciate all your volunteer work.

531
05:04:56,467 --> 05:04:59,166
And thank you to all the people that are,

532
05:04:59,166 --> 05:05:02,166
transitioning to retirement or resigning

533
05:05:03,100 --> 05:05:04,266
regardless.

534
05:05:04,266 --> 05:05:07,467
For elder, I've got four children that have moved

535
05:05:07,467 --> 05:05:10,467
through this system to be on high school.

536
05:05:10,467 --> 05:05:12,467
A sophomore in high school.

537
05:05:12,467 --> 05:05:14,634
A sixth grader.

538
05:05:14,634 --> 05:05:17,734
I see numerous friends and colleagues

539
05:05:17,734 --> 05:05:23,000
in the audience here, and my my, biggest thank you

540
05:05:23,000 --> 05:05:26,700
is thank you to everybody that volunteers their time and energy.

541
05:05:27,000 --> 05:05:31,533
And one of the things I most appreciate about being in this community,

542
05:05:31,533 --> 05:05:36,266
which I grew up in, is our genuine

543
05:05:36,266 --> 05:05:39,266
interest in developing young people.

544
05:05:39,333 --> 05:05:43,100
And that might be in academics, that might be in sports

545
05:05:43,100 --> 05:05:46,367
and science and literature, like, whatever it is,

546
05:05:46,800 --> 05:05:51,900
like there's a lot of energy to go around and, it's a lot of work.

547
05:05:51,900 --> 05:05:54,000
So thank you to everybody up here.

548
05:05:54,000 --> 05:05:59,100
Thank you to all our educators, that are in our current roles or moving on.

549
05:05:59,266 --> 05:06:05,000
And I my, my reason for comment is to contemplate,

550
05:06:05,166 --> 05:06:09,266
as we move forward, how we support our young people moving forward.

551
05:06:10,100 --> 05:06:11,000
Whether that's in

552
05:06:12,433 --> 05:06:16,000
the sciences or the arts or the sports or whatnot.

553
05:06:16,000 --> 05:06:18,000
It's it's hard to balance everything.

554
05:06:18,000 --> 05:06:20,266
So I appreciate everybody's efforts.

555
05:06:20,266 --> 05:06:23,100
It's not easy to balance everything.

556
05:06:23,100 --> 05:06:26,734
But I appreciate everybody's contemplation in that.

557
05:06:27,100 --> 05:06:30,433
And we'll, we'll probably hear from other people as the night goes on.

558
05:06:30,700 --> 05:06:33,233
But thank you very much. And I appreciate your effort.

559
05:06:33,233 --> 05:06:33,900
Thank you.

560
05:06:33,900 --> 05:06:34,233
Thank you.

561
05:06:34,233 --> 05:06:37,233
Thank you.

562
05:06:38,533 --> 05:06:40,433
Any others that would like to address us?

563
05:06:40,433 --> 05:06:43,433
To please step up to the podium?

564
05:06:46,100 --> 05:06:47,166
Okay.

565
05:06:47,166 --> 05:06:47,867
All right.

566
05:06:47,867 --> 05:06:50,867
We will move forward to unfinished business.

567
05:06:51,000 --> 05:06:53,800
As we mentioned, there are a couple other items to address.

568
05:06:53,800 --> 05:06:59,000
The first being the second reading of the 2026 2027 school calendar.

569
05:06:59,100 --> 05:07:01,100
Yes. This is the second and final reading.

570
05:07:01,100 --> 05:07:06,100
So your vote this evening will put this, into effect for the coming year.

571
05:07:06,533 --> 05:07:09,000
You have a copy in front of you again?

572
05:07:09,000 --> 05:07:12,333
This calendar must agree with the calendars of six other school

573
05:07:12,333 --> 05:07:15,734
districts in the greater Portland area that send their students primarily

574
05:07:15,734 --> 05:07:19,266
to Portland, using Technology High School for Career and technology education.

575
05:07:20,100 --> 05:07:22,734
This calendar meets that standard,

576
05:07:22,734 --> 05:07:25,734
which is a standard set forth in state law.

577
05:07:26,000 --> 05:07:29,100
It will be one of the few times that Yarmouth will be starting school

578
05:07:29,100 --> 05:07:32,433
before Labor Day, because Labor Day comes on Monday the seventh.

579
05:07:33,233 --> 05:07:36,233
You'd still be starting only in the month of September, though,

580
05:07:36,233 --> 05:07:39,700
with students coming on Tuesday, September 1st.

581
05:07:40,634 --> 05:07:43,634
Staff would start the week prior to that.

582
05:07:44,100 --> 05:07:47,100
The rest of the calendar pretty much follows

583
05:07:47,333 --> 05:07:51,233
the traditional calendar that Yarmouth has followed for a couple of decades.

584
05:07:51,900 --> 05:07:54,467
With the Friday before

585
05:07:54,467 --> 05:07:57,533
Indigenous Peoples Day as a staff day.

586
05:07:58,266 --> 05:08:01,100
Then you have, Veteran's

587
05:08:01,100 --> 05:08:06,634
Day off in November on the 11th, three days around Thanksgiving,

588
05:08:07,000 --> 05:08:12,000
a little bit shorter holiday break there from December 20th 3rd to January 1st,

589
05:08:12,000 --> 05:08:16,066
instead of the lengthy two plus weeks that you had this year.

590
05:08:17,100 --> 05:08:19,533
Martin Luther King Junior Day is on the 18th.

591
05:08:19,533 --> 05:08:22,433
One week in February for the vacation.

592
05:08:22,433 --> 05:08:26,266
You continue to have the Friday before the April vacation off.

593
05:08:27,100 --> 05:08:29,467
Memorial Day would be off, and this would allow you

594
05:08:29,467 --> 05:08:34,734
to finish school on Friday, June 11th, without any snow days.

595
05:08:35,433 --> 05:08:40,266
That provides you the opportunity, as we've been doing the last few years,

596
05:08:41,000 --> 05:08:45,367
to have, for traditional snow days if needed.

597
05:08:46,533 --> 05:08:47,266
Before going

598
05:08:47,266 --> 05:08:50,266
to remote days in order to keep you from

599
05:08:50,800 --> 05:08:52,533
having school.

600
05:08:52,533 --> 05:08:55,500
The last full week in June, starting on June 21st.

601
05:08:56,233 --> 05:08:58,634
Note that Friday,

602
05:08:58,634 --> 05:09:02,100
June 18th next year, is the holiday

603
05:09:02,533 --> 05:09:07,066
when when Juneteenth falls on a Saturday, the holidays is on Friday.

604
05:09:07,634 --> 05:09:10,900
If Juneteenth falls on a Sunday, the holiday is on a Monday.

605
05:09:11,734 --> 05:09:16,533
So even though it looks as though you could go to school through the 18th,

606
05:09:16,867 --> 05:09:20,000
you actually cannot go to school on that day because of Juneteenth.

607
05:09:20,433 --> 05:09:23,433
So this calendar meets the law, and it is,

608
05:09:24,166 --> 05:09:27,266
pretty much in line with what you've done in the past when we have had,

609
05:09:28,000 --> 05:09:31,100
when Labor Day has been as late as the seventh,

610
05:09:31,100 --> 05:09:34,100
you have started school on Tuesday, the first.

611
05:09:35,367 --> 05:09:35,900
Thank you.

612
05:09:35,900 --> 05:09:38,867
Would anyone like to make a motion to approve the second reading of the.

613
05:09:38,867 --> 05:09:41,867
Thank you, Sarah and second, Michael.

614
05:09:41,867 --> 05:09:44,867
Any discussion or questions about the calendar?

615
05:09:46,900 --> 05:09:48,333
Seeing none, we will move to a vote.

616
05:09:48,333 --> 05:09:50,500
All in favor?

617
05:09:50,500 --> 05:09:52,266
Thank you. Calendar passes.

618
05:09:52,266 --> 05:09:52,533
Thank you.

619
05:09:52,533 --> 05:09:56,634
Get that up on the website and out to folks within the next couple of days.

620
05:09:57,433 --> 05:09:59,066
Start planning our summers.

621
05:09:59,066 --> 05:10:02,066
Next up, we have student technology devices.

622
05:10:02,100 --> 05:10:04,100
Yes.

623
05:10:04,100 --> 05:10:08,867
So, you've had this discussion before,

624
05:10:09,000 --> 05:10:12,634
and it is directly related, obviously, to the budget

625
05:10:12,634 --> 05:10:17,066
because there is a significant difference between purchasing iPads,

626
05:10:17,066 --> 05:10:21,000
which were the recommendation from the technology department and purchasing,

627
05:10:21,467 --> 05:10:24,467
MacBook airs.

628
05:10:25,266 --> 05:10:28,233
This discussion has become more

629
05:10:28,233 --> 05:10:32,900
complicated in the last, 32 hours or so,

630
05:10:34,000 --> 05:10:35,433
because we

631
05:10:35,433 --> 05:10:38,467
had a visit from the Apple representatives.

632
05:10:38,467 --> 05:10:41,467
And Director Arnold is here this evening,

633
05:10:42,500 --> 05:10:46,700
and the MacBook airs that we have typically purchased.

634
05:10:47,467 --> 05:10:52,100
We were notified Tuesday afternoon that they are significantly

635
05:10:52,734 --> 05:10:55,900
more expensive next year than,

636
05:10:56,266 --> 05:10:59,867
we have planned for in the past.

637
05:11:01,066 --> 05:11:03,000
At the same time,

638
05:11:03,000 --> 05:11:07,367
Apple has notified us of a new product, which was just released yesterday,

639
05:11:07,367 --> 05:11:11,000
but they made us aware of it Tuesday afternoon, which is a

640
05:11:11,333 --> 05:11:14,333
a, a laptop called the Neo

641
05:11:15,867 --> 05:11:19,533
with a price point closer to that of an iPad

642
05:11:19,533 --> 05:11:22,533
than that of the MacBook air.

643
05:11:23,433 --> 05:11:26,900
And we were under the gun here

644
05:11:26,900 --> 05:11:30,533
in terms of the budget decision,

645
05:11:31,100 --> 05:11:33,634
but we're not

646
05:11:33,634 --> 05:11:36,900
we aren't hard pressed to make a quick decision

647
05:11:36,900 --> 05:11:40,367
on which of these devices we end up going with.

648
05:11:40,433 --> 05:11:42,000
We have some time there.

649
05:11:43,867 --> 05:11:44,900
But if you want

650
05:11:44,900 --> 05:11:47,900
the option for the more expensive model

651
05:11:47,900 --> 05:11:50,533
tonight is your opportunity,

652
05:11:50,533 --> 05:11:53,467
and your only opportunity really to make that decision.

653
05:11:53,467 --> 05:11:56,433
Because the next agenda item is your budget.

654
05:11:56,433 --> 05:12:00,734
It is your second reading of the budget at your second reading.

655
05:12:00,800 --> 05:12:03,900
Your budget is approved.

656
05:12:04,333 --> 05:12:07,900
And we then begin preparing the documents

657
05:12:07,900 --> 05:12:10,900
for the town council presentation.

658
05:12:11,100 --> 05:12:14,066
So it is important that you have some,

659
05:12:14,734 --> 05:12:16,700
that we have

660
05:12:16,700 --> 05:12:20,000
the administration has some direction as to where you would like to go

661
05:12:20,166 --> 05:12:25,467
with the purchase of laptops or iPads,

662
05:12:25,467 --> 05:12:28,900
I suppose, are still in the conversation.

663
05:12:29,634 --> 05:12:32,066
I've asked Mr.

664
05:12:32,066 --> 05:12:35,166
Arsenal to be here this evening to answer questions that you may have

665
05:12:35,166 --> 05:12:38,166
around the new solution.

666
05:12:38,233 --> 05:12:41,100
I will tell you, I think it's fair to say that Mr.

667
05:12:41,100 --> 05:12:44,700
Arsenal is not a, huge fan of the new

668
05:12:45,266 --> 05:12:48,433
offered solution, and he can explain why

669
05:12:48,433 --> 05:12:52,900
in much greater detail than I can for you, because it's very technical.

670
05:12:54,000 --> 05:12:56,233
And it's by its nature.

671
05:12:56,233 --> 05:12:59,233
If you were to.

672
05:13:00,734 --> 05:13:03,634
If you were to adopt

673
05:13:03,634 --> 05:13:06,634
or direct us to purchase

674
05:13:07,000 --> 05:13:10,100
the neo solution,

675
05:13:11,233 --> 05:13:14,233
you could leave your budget

676
05:13:14,266 --> 05:13:17,266
where I'm going to be presenting it later this evening

677
05:13:18,367 --> 05:13:21,634
with no added funds for thousand dollars

678
05:13:22,100 --> 05:13:25,100
of added funds for technology.

679
05:13:25,900 --> 05:13:31,367
If you were to direct us to purchase the laptops

680
05:13:31,367 --> 05:13:34,634
that we have purchased in the past, the MacBook airs,

681
05:13:35,533 --> 05:13:39,000
you would need to add $48,000

682
05:13:39,734 --> 05:13:42,734
to the overall budget,

683
05:13:43,000 --> 05:13:45,000
which would

684
05:13:45,000 --> 05:13:48,000
increase the overall budget by approximately

685
05:13:48,233 --> 05:13:51,233
one tenth of 1%.

686
05:13:56,100 --> 05:13:57,000
I think that

687
05:13:57,000 --> 05:14:00,100
probably the best way to move forward

688
05:14:00,066 --> 05:14:02,500
would be to hear some information from Mr.

689
05:14:02,500 --> 05:14:07,000
Arsenal as to what these two devices are, and then move

690
05:14:07,000 --> 05:14:12,000
directly into our budget discussion so that I can share updates

691
05:14:13,000 --> 05:14:16,000
from the Finance Committee and from the administration,

692
05:14:16,066 --> 05:14:19,066
and you can hear from the public as soon as possible,

693
05:14:19,634 --> 05:14:22,634
and then have your discussion around the budget

694
05:14:23,100 --> 05:14:25,100
inclusive of that technology piece.

695
05:14:25,100 --> 05:14:26,900
Does that make sense? Great.

696
05:14:26,900 --> 05:14:30,900
And I guess my question, I think you answered

697
05:14:30,900 --> 05:14:33,900
is yes, is in light of.

698
05:14:35,867 --> 05:14:37,166
The technology discussion

699
05:14:37,166 --> 05:14:40,467
and the potential increase in 48,000.

700
05:14:40,467 --> 05:14:43,467
If iPads was the choice, which is

701
05:14:43,533 --> 05:14:46,100
if the MacBook airs was the choice.

702
05:14:46,100 --> 05:14:49,100
Sorry, MacBook. MacBook air was a choice.

703
05:14:49,100 --> 05:14:53,233
And, you know, the consideration of the

704
05:14:54,000 --> 05:14:57,266
the half time position that I believe we're going to be talking about,

705
05:14:58,066 --> 05:14:58,900
we can't we're not going.

706
05:14:58,900 --> 05:15:03,533
We can hold on those things as a as a whole.

707
05:15:03,533 --> 05:15:05,000
We talk about the budget. We're not accurate.

708
05:15:05,000 --> 05:15:09,100
So we don't we're not going to be making the decision on the devices

709
05:15:09,266 --> 05:15:12,266
before we get to the budget, which is inclusive of the position.

710
05:15:12,266 --> 05:15:16,367
That I think is exactly why I recommended we move forward into that conversation.

711
05:15:16,734 --> 05:15:19,100
Okay. Yeah, great. Thank you.

712
05:15:22,233 --> 05:15:23,166
We want to hear from.

713
05:15:23,166 --> 05:15:24,734
Yes, I think it'd be great.

714
05:15:24,734 --> 05:15:25,734
Thank you.

715
05:15:25,734 --> 05:15:29,900
Could you talk a little bit about both of the laptop solutions

716
05:15:29,900 --> 05:15:32,333
that are now being recommended? Sure.

717
05:15:32,333 --> 05:15:35,000
So last week, Apple

718
05:15:35,000 --> 05:15:37,734
did what Apple does and announced new devices.

719
05:15:37,734 --> 05:15:41,000
And there's a lot of energy, a lot of excitement

720
05:15:41,000 --> 05:15:44,000
around that new MacBook neo device.

721
05:15:44,166 --> 05:15:47,000
Since it's education, price

722
05:15:47,000 --> 05:15:52,000
is for it starts at 499, which is by far the lowest cost MacBook,

723
05:15:53,000 --> 05:15:56,000
you know, laptop device that they've ever created.

724
05:15:57,266 --> 05:15:59,066
On the other side of that is they've gone

725
05:15:59,066 --> 05:16:02,066
to the newest processor, the M5.

726
05:16:02,066 --> 05:16:04,266
On the MacBook air line.

727
05:16:04,266 --> 05:16:09,000
And with that, they're also now bumping up the price of the device.

728
05:16:09,000 --> 05:16:12,634
It stayed fairly stable over the past several years,

729
05:16:12,634 --> 05:16:16,000
as our current devices are the first iteration when Apple started

730
05:16:16,000 --> 05:16:20,367
creating their own processors, which are the M1's.

731
05:16:20,433 --> 05:16:23,433
And that's what the students and staff at the high school

732
05:16:23,500 --> 05:16:26,166
and middle school as well are currently using.

733
05:16:26,166 --> 05:16:30,100
So they've gone from that to the M2 to the M3, M4

734
05:16:30,100 --> 05:16:33,100
and now M5 just got released this past week.

735
05:16:33,867 --> 05:16:35,800
And so with that, it's,

736
05:16:37,066 --> 05:16:38,266
you know, the latest

737
05:16:38,266 --> 05:16:41,266
that they have in terms of the MacBook air line.

738
05:16:41,634 --> 05:16:45,066
And that's the only laptop that they make in the MacBook air line.

739
05:16:45,066 --> 05:16:48,066
They used to carry on one of the older models

740
05:16:48,066 --> 05:16:51,800
as well, to offer a less expensive alternative.

741
05:16:52,100 --> 05:16:56,734
They're not doing this time because they have just released the MacBook neo.

742
05:16:57,166 --> 05:17:00,867
And so the difference between the two, they're both the same size.

743
05:17:01,233 --> 05:17:05,000
The MacBook neo is slightly smaller, is still a 13 inch device,

744
05:17:05,500 --> 05:17:10,100
but it's definitely a little bit smaller than the, the the MacBook air is

745
05:17:10,634 --> 05:17:15,100
it's I had my hands on one today, and it's very sturdy.

746
05:17:16,000 --> 05:17:17,100
Well-built.

747
05:17:17,100 --> 05:17:20,100
The biggest differences between them

748
05:17:20,100 --> 05:17:26,000
is that the neo uses a mobile processor.

749
05:17:26,000 --> 05:17:29,467
So it's a similar processor that's used in iPhones,

750
05:17:30,066 --> 05:17:33,066
and has less memory, so less Ram

751
05:17:33,000 --> 05:17:36,066
and the device than what Apple provides in

752
05:17:36,066 --> 05:17:39,533
any other of their other devices, like the MacBook air, starts

753
05:17:40,066 --> 05:17:43,800
at 16GB of memory and can go up from there.

754
05:17:44,100 --> 05:17:46,900
The neo is only available in eight gigabytes,

755
05:17:46,900 --> 05:17:50,800
which is concerning for me over the longevity.

756
05:17:51,000 --> 05:17:53,533
We typically purchase these on a four year lease

757
05:17:54,900 --> 05:17:56,900
and then use them for five years.

758
05:17:56,900 --> 05:17:59,533
And in that fifth year, when we're not paying for the lease,

759
05:17:59,533 --> 05:18:03,333
we put that money towards infrastructure for the network wireless,

760
05:18:03,333 --> 05:18:06,734
which is all the things that make all the everything work.

761
05:18:07,000 --> 05:18:12,900
And so my concern is whether that device would be durable to now.

762
05:18:13,000 --> 05:18:15,900
So I shouldn't say use the word durable but hold up as new

763
05:18:15,900 --> 05:18:19,000
operating systems are released to

764
05:18:19,000 --> 05:18:22,000
still have the speed and

765
05:18:22,000 --> 05:18:26,066
and that we need to do the work that the kids are doing in the classroom.

766
05:18:26,266 --> 05:18:28,333
And so it's

767
05:18:28,333 --> 05:18:30,266
it's a nice device. Okay.

768
05:18:30,266 --> 05:18:33,266
Like I said, I had my hands on it and right now it runs great.

769
05:18:34,467 --> 05:18:36,734
But the my concern is time,

770
05:18:36,734 --> 05:18:40,700
and especially as the device is run more

771
05:18:41,100 --> 05:18:45,467
artificial intelligence on board memory is key there.

772
05:18:45,467 --> 05:18:47,634
And that could be problematic down the road.

773
05:18:47,634 --> 05:18:50,734
So my biggest concern is the longevity of the device.

774
05:18:50,734 --> 05:18:53,634
Like I said, short term it's a great device.

775
05:18:53,634 --> 05:18:55,734
It'll do everything that our students need it to do.

776
05:18:55,734 --> 05:18:59,066
I'm just worried if if we'll be able to make it five years on them,

777
05:18:59,500 --> 05:19:02,867
which then could get costly as we might have to refresh sooner,

778
05:19:03,000 --> 05:19:07,900
which could impact the ability to do, the infrastructure work in year five.

779
05:19:09,100 --> 05:19:11,333
Thank you.

780
05:19:11,333 --> 05:19:14,166
Does anyone have specific questions about the devices themselves?

781
05:19:14,166 --> 05:19:15,100
Emily.

782
05:19:15,100 --> 05:19:18,500
How much memory does iPad have?

783
05:19:19,000 --> 05:19:24,066
The iPad has six gigabytes, but it runs a completely different, operating system.

784
05:19:24,100 --> 05:19:24,734
Okay. Yeah.

785
05:19:24,734 --> 05:19:28,000
The Mac OS is much more taxing than especially the desktop

786
05:19:28,000 --> 05:19:31,066
apps that run on it as well.

787
05:19:32,066 --> 05:19:32,467
Thank you.

788
05:19:32,467 --> 05:19:33,800
No questions at least.

789
05:19:33,800 --> 05:19:37,233
Just so you're not concerned about, like, the memory of the iPads holding up

790
05:19:37,533 --> 05:19:39,266
in the same way that you are. But then.

791
05:19:39,266 --> 05:19:41,233
Okay. No.

792
05:19:41,233 --> 05:19:43,000
Could you say more about that? Sorry.

793
05:19:43,000 --> 05:19:44,500
I'm just.

794
05:19:44,500 --> 05:19:45,700
Can you say more about that?

795
05:19:45,700 --> 05:19:49,634
I'm interested if if there's a concern about the memory

796
05:19:49,634 --> 05:19:54,867
and the how the NIO would hold up given I was not.

797
05:19:55,000 --> 05:19:55,233
Yeah.

798
05:19:55,233 --> 05:20:00,533
Because the NIO runs Mac OS and Mac OS is much more robust

799
05:20:00,533 --> 05:20:03,166
in terms of what it can do in terms, you know,

800
05:20:03,166 --> 05:20:08,166
and requires more processing power than the iPad operating system,

801
05:20:08,166 --> 05:20:10,100
which is a completely different operating system.

802
05:20:10,100 --> 05:20:13,000
So it doesn't need as much horsepower to keep it going.

803
05:20:15,000 --> 05:20:15,266
Ellie.

804
05:20:15,266 --> 05:20:18,533
And then, my question was answered, I don't know.

805
05:20:18,634 --> 05:20:21,734
I'm curious, with all the new information, everything.

806
05:20:21,734 --> 05:20:26,266
That is it still your recommendation that you think iPads are the best solution?

807
05:20:27,000 --> 05:20:28,734
I would like,

808
05:20:28,734 --> 05:20:32,066
you know, when I see the opportunities of what the iPad can do,

809
05:20:33,000 --> 05:20:36,333
I think it's going to do 95%

810
05:20:36,333 --> 05:20:39,367
of what students are currently doing as well.

811
05:20:39,433 --> 05:20:41,634
There are some hits that well that will be in there

812
05:20:41,634 --> 05:20:45,367
as far as some of the especially in some of the Steam classes and so forth.

813
05:20:46,066 --> 05:20:51,100
But it will also bring a bunch of capabilities that we don't have current

814
05:20:51,266 --> 05:20:55,634
with the laptops or will ever have with the laptops in terms of the ability

815
05:20:55,634 --> 05:20:58,634
to interact with a touchscreen

816
05:20:59,000 --> 05:21:02,100
and all the things that that can do. The,

817
05:21:04,100 --> 05:21:04,533
yeah, we've

818
05:21:04,533 --> 05:21:06,066
been over this multiple times

819
05:21:06,066 --> 05:21:09,900
on, you know, as far as some of the those pieces that I'm particularly

820
05:21:10,100 --> 05:21:13,100
looking forward to in that respect, it also gives us

821
05:21:13,100 --> 05:21:16,100
the ability to better

822
05:21:16,266 --> 05:21:19,367
manage the devices in terms of the students and what they can

823
05:21:19,367 --> 05:21:24,166
do with them, and in terms of filtering and restrictions that we can put in place.

824
05:21:25,100 --> 05:21:27,500
Kelly and and Sarah.

825
05:21:27,500 --> 05:21:29,100
So just a clarifying question.

826
05:21:29,100 --> 05:21:32,066
I think you mentioned before, you're not getting rid of all laptops.

827
05:21:32,066 --> 05:21:34,100
So let's say there is a steam class.

828
05:21:34,100 --> 05:21:38,000
There are potentially laptops available to use for that specific purpose.

829
05:21:38,100 --> 05:21:41,000
Yes. Okay.

830
05:21:41,000 --> 05:21:43,000
This may be a difficult question to answer,

831
05:21:43,000 --> 05:21:47,333
but I just wanted to address it, especially in light of public comment,

832
05:21:47,333 --> 05:21:48,433
which I appreciate.

833
05:21:48,433 --> 05:21:52,533
And and really the overwhelming, you know, we we did

834
05:21:53,100 --> 05:21:56,100
I think maybe it's like contradiction to the speaker.

835
05:21:57,100 --> 05:21:58,100
Mr. Jones, we

836
05:21:58,100 --> 05:22:02,066
you know, we had a pretty solid number of, of survey responses.

837
05:22:02,066 --> 05:22:05,000
And I'm just curious if you could

838
05:22:05,000 --> 05:22:09,700
speak to the survey responses and perhaps why

839
05:22:09,700 --> 05:22:15,266
you think particularly students and staff really lean towards

840
05:22:15,634 --> 05:22:20,100
at the high school, lean towards the, the, the laptops?

841
05:22:21,000 --> 05:22:24,000
Why do you why do you think that is?

842
05:22:24,634 --> 05:22:27,367
You know, that is, you know, under consideration and what the school

843
05:22:27,367 --> 05:22:31,100
committee has been really looking at, in addition to it,

844
05:22:31,100 --> 05:22:34,533
I mean, there's there's personal opinions here, but I think we're really looking to

845
05:22:35,066 --> 05:22:39,166
to staff and students for what's workable, what's some continuity

846
05:22:39,734 --> 05:22:44,000
form factor, ergonomics, a lot of things like equity in terms of

847
05:22:44,000 --> 05:22:45,500
if you have an iPad, you

848
05:22:45,500 --> 05:22:48,634
maybe if you don't like you buy a laptop with your family or buy your laptop,

849
05:22:48,634 --> 05:22:50,800
if there's there's a lot of discussion, there's a lot of considerations.

850
05:22:50,800 --> 05:22:54,634
We've had a lot of emails on this which are over whelming pro laptops.

851
05:22:54,634 --> 05:22:59,900
So again, why do you think, you know, and to totally respect your,

852
05:23:00,100 --> 05:23:01,233
your, your feedback

853
05:23:01,233 --> 05:23:04,734
and your input as a technology director and that you're recommending the iPad.

854
05:23:04,734 --> 05:23:08,900
However, the sort of the overwhelming responses has been the other way.

855
05:23:08,900 --> 05:23:11,000
Just if you can comment on that. Sure.

856
05:23:11,000 --> 05:23:14,100
I think a lot of it is what people are accustomed to with this would be a change.

857
05:23:14,100 --> 05:23:15,634
It would be a big change.

858
05:23:15,634 --> 05:23:18,467
The other part of it is,

859
05:23:18,467 --> 05:23:22,000
I think that the success of our iPad program

860
05:23:22,000 --> 05:23:25,634
at the elementary level impacts what people think about the device.

861
05:23:25,634 --> 05:23:29,000
They look at it as a device that little kids use.

862
05:23:29,000 --> 05:23:34,066
It's a toy, when it's can be a significant learning device and,

863
05:23:34,500 --> 05:23:38,734
so I think that that has impacted how people view the device itself.

864
05:23:39,100 --> 05:23:41,867
I feel that staff and students

865
05:23:41,867 --> 05:23:45,467
who have had the opportunity to see what it can do, have been

866
05:23:46,433 --> 05:23:47,066
pretty excited

867
05:23:47,066 --> 05:23:50,734
about the idea of what, you know, how things could be different

868
05:23:51,100 --> 05:23:55,066
with that, and especially as we move into again,

869
05:23:55,066 --> 05:23:58,233
I'll bring up the big topic of the day is of,

870
05:23:58,800 --> 05:24:01,900
you know, artificial intelligence as we're working to do more

871
05:24:01,900 --> 05:24:04,900
and more to

872
05:24:05,000 --> 05:24:08,166
give students the ability to demonstrate their learning in ways

873
05:24:08,166 --> 05:24:14,000
that artificial intelligence doesn't exceed, that creation is where that lies.

874
05:24:14,000 --> 05:24:17,000
And the iPad is a much better creation device.

875
05:24:18,166 --> 05:24:20,266
Thank you. Other questions. Linnea.

876
05:24:20,266 --> 05:24:25,066
I just wanted to comment on that part where you said that students

877
05:24:25,066 --> 05:24:29,634
and teachers who have interacted with the devices have been pro iPad.

878
05:24:29,634 --> 05:24:34,000
I have seen that as well among my fellow student senators.

879
05:24:34,066 --> 05:24:40,433
Who were able to talk with you about it and, you know, actually feel that iPads.

880
05:24:40,433 --> 05:24:43,900
I think that most students at Yarmouth

881
05:24:43,900 --> 05:24:46,900
High School are probably pro laptop

882
05:24:46,900 --> 05:24:51,634
because most of them don't know anything about the iPad.

883
05:24:51,634 --> 05:24:52,000
Really.

884
05:24:52,000 --> 05:24:56,467
And like you said, I think that there is a perspective of

885
05:24:56,467 --> 05:24:58,734
that's for little kids that we're for high schoolers.

886
05:24:58,734 --> 05:25:00,233
We're going to be in college next year.

887
05:25:00,233 --> 05:25:02,000
What are we doing with iPads?

888
05:25:02,000 --> 05:25:05,634
So I think that that's both of your points are definitely true.

889
05:25:08,000 --> 05:25:09,734
I will just Kelly, I will just add to

890
05:25:09,734 --> 05:25:13,433
I work in another school district and we're moving towards the same thing.

891
05:25:13,800 --> 05:25:17,100
And for staff and students who have had those experiences as well,

892
05:25:17,100 --> 05:25:19,000
they've been overwhelmingly positive.

893
05:25:19,000 --> 05:25:22,000
So I can just add that as well.

894
05:25:25,634 --> 05:25:27,634
Let's see no further questions.

895
05:25:27,634 --> 05:25:30,900
In this moment, we can segue into our budget conversation.

896
05:25:31,000 --> 05:25:32,100
I think that's thank you.

897
05:25:32,100 --> 05:25:34,634
Thank you.

898
05:25:34,634 --> 05:25:36,266
Doctor Di.

899
05:25:36,266 --> 05:25:36,500
Yeah.

900
05:25:36,500 --> 05:25:40,634
So this is your second reading of the, school department budget.

901
05:25:40,634 --> 05:25:43,233
Your vote this evening will,

902
05:25:43,233 --> 05:25:47,066
make this official and will be a budget that we send on to the town council.

903
05:25:47,066 --> 05:25:51,500
Although there is always the opportunity for an adjustment with the town council

904
05:25:51,900 --> 05:25:54,900
because we have health insurance premiums still to be

905
05:25:55,500 --> 05:25:57,433
determined.

906
05:25:57,433 --> 05:25:59,634
So we'll talk about that in just a second.

907
05:25:59,634 --> 05:26:03,533
So in work over the past couple of weeks with the Finance Committee,

908
05:26:04,066 --> 05:26:07,533
and administratively, we have some recommended changes

909
05:26:07,533 --> 05:26:11,800
to the budget that, you folks had had approved.

910
05:26:12,166 --> 05:26:15,100
And first is that,

911
05:26:15,100 --> 05:26:18,500
I recommend that we amend the turf field funding plan.

912
05:26:19,000 --> 05:26:22,734
The way that the turf field has been funded over the past,

913
05:26:23,266 --> 05:26:26,000
dozen years that I've been in the district.

914
05:26:26,000 --> 05:26:28,367
And it may have started a year prior to that.

915
05:26:29,900 --> 05:26:30,734
Is that

916
05:26:30,734 --> 05:26:34,533
at the time the school department took over the turf field, it originally

917
05:26:34,533 --> 05:26:38,233
was purely, town property, and the town

918
05:26:38,233 --> 05:26:41,233
operated that, the turf field

919
05:26:42,000 --> 05:26:43,266
12 or 13 years ago.

920
05:26:43,266 --> 05:26:46,100
The school department took that over.

921
05:26:46,100 --> 05:26:48,367
And at that time

922
05:26:48,367 --> 05:26:51,367
there was a debt service payment

923
05:26:51,367 --> 05:26:53,266
on the field,

924
05:26:53,266 --> 05:26:55,500
and the debt service payment

925
05:26:55,500 --> 05:26:58,500
would go down each year, not only on the field.

926
05:26:58,500 --> 05:27:01,700
You had debt service on some of the facilities

927
05:27:01,700 --> 05:27:07,000
that were still being paid for that had been updated in the, 2000.

928
05:27:07,100 --> 05:27:08,634
Okay.

929
05:27:08,634 --> 05:27:12,166
And the plan was or the agreement was between the school department

930
05:27:12,166 --> 05:27:15,734
and the town, that while the debt service

931
05:27:16,100 --> 05:27:20,000
payments would go down, the school department

932
05:27:20,000 --> 05:27:23,533
would continue to fund the same amount in the budget.

933
05:27:24,100 --> 05:27:26,800
And that extra money

934
05:27:26,800 --> 05:27:30,467
right where you filled the gap would go into a reserve fund

935
05:27:31,000 --> 05:27:34,333
to help pay for the next generation of the artificial turf field.

936
05:27:36,100 --> 05:27:39,100
At some point in the past 12 years,

937
05:27:39,700 --> 05:27:44,266
all of that old debt service went away and the school department

938
05:27:44,467 --> 05:27:49,500
continued to simply place $85,000 a year in the budget.

939
05:27:50,066 --> 05:27:52,900
And that would go into a reserve fund.

940
05:27:52,900 --> 05:27:57,333
So you have in your budget and in the proposed budget for next year,

941
05:27:58,000 --> 05:28:00,500
$85,000

942
05:28:00,500 --> 05:28:04,100
to go toward the next iteration of the turf field.

943
05:28:05,867 --> 05:28:08,066
I would propose that

944
05:28:08,066 --> 05:28:14,100
you look at your new debt service number because you have debt service

945
05:28:14,100 --> 05:28:17,000
from the projects that were done five years

946
05:28:17,000 --> 05:28:20,000
or so ago at all four schools.

947
05:28:20,333 --> 05:28:25,000
And you take that same approach that was originally applied

948
05:28:25,266 --> 05:28:28,266
to your debt service from the prior projects.

949
05:28:29,634 --> 05:28:32,634
If you do that, you'll remove

950
05:28:33,000 --> 05:28:37,100
an $85,000 line from this year's budget.

951
05:28:37,867 --> 05:28:41,166
But over the next ten years, as your debt service

952
05:28:41,166 --> 05:28:45,166
drops on the projects that were approved five years ago,

953
05:28:45,900 --> 05:28:50,634
you will continue to budget that same amount, and you will put money

954
05:28:50,634 --> 05:28:56,533
into a reserve fund to pay for the next iteration of the turf field.

955
05:28:58,000 --> 05:29:00,734
If you do that,

956
05:29:00,734 --> 05:29:03,734
according to the debt service schedule,

957
05:29:05,000 --> 05:29:08,000
in the year 2039.

958
05:29:09,467 --> 05:29:14,000
2039 long after

959
05:29:14,333 --> 05:29:17,333
I am spending my winters on a beach somewhere.

960
05:29:19,367 --> 05:29:22,100
No. My wife says that's not true.

961
05:29:22,100 --> 05:29:25,100
You will have,

962
05:29:25,100 --> 05:29:28,100
amassed.

963
05:29:30,000 --> 05:29:33,000
And get to the second page here.

964
05:29:35,100 --> 05:29:36,100
A contribution

965
05:29:36,100 --> 05:29:39,867
of approximately $1.9 million

966
05:29:40,800 --> 05:29:44,100
without having to increase your debt, service

967
05:29:44,100 --> 05:29:47,634
payments or budget this separate amount now,

968
05:29:49,000 --> 05:29:52,000
right now, we have about $1 million

969
05:29:52,266 --> 05:29:56,900
from the strategy that we had employed over the past 12 years.

970
05:29:57,433 --> 05:30:01,533
The project that Emily referred to earlier, the Turf Field project,

971
05:30:02,000 --> 05:30:07,100
is likely to be somewhere in the $2.5 million range.

972
05:30:07,467 --> 05:30:10,867
And when we add the needs from the playgrounds

973
05:30:10,867 --> 05:30:13,867
at the middle school and Yarmouth Elementary School

974
05:30:14,000 --> 05:30:18,000
to that, it's probably going to push it closer to 3 million.

975
05:30:18,000 --> 05:30:19,100
So you have a million.

976
05:30:19,100 --> 05:30:20,634
You're going to need a couple million more.

977
05:30:20,634 --> 05:30:23,533
That means you're going out to the voters at some point soon

978
05:30:23,533 --> 05:30:25,166
and asking them to bond.

979
05:30:25,166 --> 05:30:29,066
That if you take this plan and implement this,

980
05:30:30,333 --> 05:30:33,066
you've got some early gains.

981
05:30:33,066 --> 05:30:36,066
Next year, you can take $85,000 out of your budget,

982
05:30:36,100 --> 05:30:39,634
but in the long run, you're going to have a significant amount of money

983
05:30:39,634 --> 05:30:45,000
to put toward the fourth generation of your turf field.

984
05:30:45,333 --> 05:30:49,000
Tom Gibb I just wanted to point out that that iteration also

985
05:30:49,467 --> 05:30:53,634
will not include a complete redo of the track, most likely.

986
05:30:54,100 --> 05:30:57,467
So yeah, so it may be, but who knows what happens to cost in that time?

987
05:30:57,467 --> 05:30:58,100
Clearly.

988
05:30:58,100 --> 05:31:00,100
But you'd have it's a

989
05:31:00,100 --> 05:31:03,800
you know, I think the strategy and it wasn't one that I had thought up.

990
05:31:04,266 --> 05:31:09,000
The strategy that you put in place 12 or 13 years ago was a sound one,

991
05:31:09,734 --> 05:31:13,533
because it kept your budgeting level, but it built up funds

992
05:31:13,800 --> 05:31:17,000
that are going to reduce your need to go to the taxpayers

993
05:31:17,233 --> 05:31:21,433
for bonding, for that significant, project.

994
05:31:22,900 --> 05:31:24,900
I suggest that you do the same thing

995
05:31:24,900 --> 05:31:28,467
now with the current debt service level,

996
05:31:29,000 --> 05:31:33,500
you'll have $1.9 million in the year 2039,

997
05:31:34,000 --> 05:31:38,066
and you can take $85,000 out of this year's, but you can.

998
05:31:38,000 --> 05:31:41,800
It's actually 68,410 the way that it works out.

999
05:31:42,100 --> 05:31:44,433
But you'll be able to remove that from this year's budget,

1000
05:31:44,433 --> 05:31:46,100
which gives you a little bit of room

1001
05:31:46,100 --> 05:31:48,467
to do some other things that we're talking about.

1002
05:31:48,467 --> 05:31:49,100
All right.

1003
05:31:49,100 --> 05:31:53,266
So that's the First Amendment would be to remove that

1004
05:31:54,000 --> 05:31:56,734
line, the second one and working with Mr.

1005
05:31:56,734 --> 05:32:00,800
Arsenal and looking for any savings that we can find,

1006
05:32:02,000 --> 05:32:04,100
we determined that

1007
05:32:04,100 --> 05:32:08,233
while we have this five year cyclical replacement plan for student

1008
05:32:08,233 --> 05:32:13,233
and staff technology devices, there's one grade level

1009
05:32:14,100 --> 05:32:17,100
currently,

1010
05:32:17,000 --> 05:32:19,734
these are seventh grade iPads

1011
05:32:19,734 --> 05:32:23,533
which were scheduled to go to second grade next year or to be replaced.

1012
05:32:24,066 --> 05:32:26,100
But there are 2024 iPad.

1013
05:32:26,100 --> 05:32:31,000
So we can we can delay the purchase of those for one year.

1014
05:32:31,367 --> 05:32:34,500
Saves you another $15,000.

1015
05:32:35,100 --> 05:32:38,900
So you've now got savings up, you know, over $80,000.

1016
05:32:39,634 --> 05:32:43,634
Members of the school committee have expressed their interest

1017
05:32:43,634 --> 05:32:49,100
in reinstating a point five FTE full time equivalent.

1018
05:32:49,734 --> 05:32:52,634
Teacher at the high school

1019
05:32:52,634 --> 05:32:56,634
that would come at a cost of $52,610.

1020
05:33:00,066 --> 05:33:02,867
While you've expressed interest in reinstating that,

1021
05:33:02,867 --> 05:33:07,266
you have stated to the administration and to the high school

1022
05:33:07,700 --> 05:33:11,900
that you would like to see an intentional plan for increasing

1023
05:33:12,500 --> 05:33:16,867
interest and enrollment and subscription in those courses, which are,

1024
05:33:17,333 --> 05:33:21,000
significantly under subscribed at this time.

1025
05:33:22,166 --> 05:33:24,533
And we've already begun that work.

1026
05:33:24,533 --> 05:33:27,533
We actually met with SMC today

1027
05:33:28,066 --> 05:33:31,266
and identified two of the classes that we offer,

1028
05:33:31,900 --> 05:33:37,000
CAD and architectural Design, as being courses

1029
05:33:37,000 --> 05:33:40,467
for which they would be very interested in offering dual credit.

1030
05:33:41,100 --> 05:33:44,100
So that's one significant step that could,

1031
05:33:44,367 --> 05:33:47,867
encourage more students to enroll in those courses.

1032
05:33:48,266 --> 05:33:51,634
Another step will be to, conduct

1033
05:33:52,100 --> 05:33:55,900
an interest survey for students to see if there are other courses

1034
05:33:55,900 --> 05:33:59,233
that might be offered that would generate, more subscriptions.

1035
05:33:59,867 --> 05:34:02,867
So that would be an increase to the budget

1036
05:34:03,000 --> 05:34:07,000
that would offset some of the decreases that I'm proposing.

1037
05:34:09,000 --> 05:34:10,266
The fourth

1038
05:34:10,266 --> 05:34:14,000
item that you need to be continue to be aware of

1039
05:34:14,367 --> 05:34:17,000
is that we do not yet have our health

1040
05:34:17,000 --> 05:34:20,000
insurance premiums for the coming year.

1041
05:34:20,500 --> 05:34:24,900
We project those at a 10% increase every year.

1042
05:34:26,100 --> 05:34:28,266
In the 12 years that I've been here,

1043
05:34:28,266 --> 05:34:31,266
we've had savings in that line.

1044
05:34:31,500 --> 05:34:35,467
Each year because our health insurance

1045
05:34:35,467 --> 05:34:38,467
premiums have come in at a lower

1046
05:34:38,867 --> 05:34:41,467
increase than 10%.

1047
05:34:41,467 --> 05:34:42,500
They've been up around eight.

1048
05:34:42,500 --> 05:34:45,500
Sometimes they've been over ten.

1049
05:34:46,166 --> 05:34:49,367
The timeline never works with our budget process,

1050
05:34:50,000 --> 05:34:52,634
because we have to approve the budget now,

1051
05:34:52,634 --> 05:34:55,367
and we have to get it to the council

1052
05:34:55,367 --> 05:34:56,433
at the first meeting.

1053
05:34:56,433 --> 05:34:59,433
At their first meeting in April.

1054
05:35:00,634 --> 05:35:02,734
At the end of this month,

1055
05:35:02,734 --> 05:35:05,734
we've been told by anthem we will be

1056
05:35:05,734 --> 05:35:08,734
given the state wide ranges.

1057
05:35:09,000 --> 05:35:13,100
Remember, each school district has its own health insurance rates.

1058
05:35:15,166 --> 05:35:18,166
And anthem will tell us at the end of this month

1059
05:35:18,734 --> 05:35:22,700
the increases or the adjustments are going to be somewhere

1060
05:35:22,700 --> 05:35:26,000
between 2% and 11%.

1061
05:35:27,367 --> 05:35:30,367
If they say that, if they give us those numbers two and 11,

1062
05:35:30,700 --> 05:35:34,634
I'm going to feel pretty good about our 10% projection

1063
05:35:35,000 --> 05:35:38,100
because our use rate

1064
05:35:39,000 --> 05:35:41,800
is is right in the middle.

1065
05:35:41,800 --> 05:35:43,734
It's right around 100%.

1066
05:35:43,734 --> 05:35:47,800
So I would feel good about that if they come to us in a couple of weeks

1067
05:35:47,800 --> 05:35:52,867
and say the increases are going to be somewhere between 7 and 16.

1068
05:35:53,634 --> 05:35:57,100
Now, you know, we're we're on the edge.

1069
05:35:57,533 --> 05:36:01,100
At some point

1070
05:36:01,100 --> 05:36:04,266
in mid-April, we get our actual number.

1071
05:36:04,900 --> 05:36:07,266
So first they release the range, then a couple weeks later

1072
05:36:07,266 --> 05:36:08,734
they give you your actual number.

1073
05:36:08,734 --> 05:36:10,634
So we just have to be prepared for that.

1074
05:36:12,100 --> 05:36:12,467
On the

1075
05:36:12,467 --> 05:36:15,900
on the good side, if we've budgeted too much at 10%,

1076
05:36:16,166 --> 05:36:19,166
you have an opportunity, as we've done every year,

1077
05:36:20,066 --> 05:36:23,000
to go back to the council and say

1078
05:36:23,000 --> 05:36:27,000
we are able to reduce our budget by a certain amount,

1079
05:36:28,100 --> 05:36:33,000
if the number comes in higher than 10%,

1080
05:36:34,634 --> 05:36:37,433
there are obviously two options.

1081
05:36:37,433 --> 05:36:39,333
The council may say

1082
05:36:39,333 --> 05:36:42,233
your budget is your budget, figure it out,

1083
05:36:42,233 --> 05:36:47,000
and we would have to go in and reduce our budget by the corresponding amount

1084
05:36:47,800 --> 05:36:54,000
or the council may say upon your request,

1085
05:36:54,000 --> 05:36:57,734
we need to increase the budget by $32,000 or whatever it may be.

1086
05:36:58,433 --> 05:37:01,333
So that piece, we still have to hold on,

1087
05:37:01,333 --> 05:37:05,100
but I'm recommending this evening that we

1088
05:37:05,867 --> 05:37:09,100
alter our, turf field funding plan,

1089
05:37:10,266 --> 05:37:13,000
that we remove one

1090
05:37:13,000 --> 05:37:16,233
grade of technology, devices

1091
05:37:16,634 --> 05:37:19,634
from the replacement cycle in 26, 27

1092
05:37:20,100 --> 05:37:25,700
that we reinstate the point five Stem teacher at the high school.

1093
05:37:29,100 --> 05:37:31,533
48 hours ago,

1094
05:37:31,533 --> 05:37:35,266
this would have been a very clean proposal, because I could have told you

1095
05:37:36,433 --> 05:37:38,433
exactly what number

1096
05:37:38,433 --> 05:37:41,800
that you needed to be at the laptop.

1097
05:37:42,734 --> 05:37:45,066
Confusion is

1098
05:37:45,066 --> 05:37:48,066
is going to make this more complicated

1099
05:37:49,066 --> 05:37:51,066
if you want to have,

1100
05:37:51,066 --> 05:37:54,066
which is probably the the recommended approach,

1101
05:37:54,100 --> 05:37:57,100
if you want to have the flexibility

1102
05:37:57,266 --> 05:38:00,100
to determine later

1103
05:38:00,100 --> 05:38:03,433
what technology devices you want to purchase for the high school,

1104
05:38:04,367 --> 05:38:07,867
then your motion this evening would be to approve for a second

1105
05:38:07,867 --> 05:38:11,100
reading the proposed FY 27 budget

1106
05:38:12,000 --> 05:38:18,634
in the amount of $44,212,213,

1107
05:38:19,634 --> 05:38:22,634
which is a 4.65%

1108
05:38:23,100 --> 05:38:26,100
increase over the current year

1109
05:38:26,734 --> 05:38:29,734
and impact to the taxpayer.

1110
05:38:32,100 --> 05:38:35,100
Hang on 3%.

1111
05:38:36,700 --> 05:38:40,867
Of 3.14%,

1112
05:38:42,066 --> 05:38:47,800
that is $46 on every 100,000 of valuation.

1113
05:38:52,867 --> 05:38:54,000
I just want to add one more piece

1114
05:38:54,000 --> 05:38:59,000
of information for you, because I think it's important to note that

1115
05:39:00,433 --> 05:39:02,867
you'd be looking at a 4.65%

1116
05:39:02,867 --> 05:39:05,867
increase on the budget.

1117
05:39:07,000 --> 05:39:09,233
In a survey of my colleagues

1118
05:39:09,233 --> 05:39:12,233
around Cumberland County.

1119
05:39:13,500 --> 05:39:14,066
The budget

1120
05:39:14,066 --> 05:39:17,333
increases in their districts run anywhere

1121
05:39:17,734 --> 05:39:20,734
there is one lower than ours.

1122
05:39:21,433 --> 05:39:24,533
The others run anywhere from 6.3%

1123
05:39:24,533 --> 05:39:28,266
to 9.9% increases.

1124
05:39:29,000 --> 05:39:32,066
Some of them you're reading in the paper while

1125
05:39:33,533 --> 05:39:36,333
dealing with an 8% increase are also cutting

1126
05:39:36,333 --> 05:39:39,333
dozens of teaching positions.

1127
05:39:39,367 --> 05:39:44,800
So I feel very good about the position that we are in where with this change,

1128
05:39:44,800 --> 05:39:47,900
we would be talking essentially about

1129
05:39:48,467 --> 05:39:51,367
reducing district wide

1130
05:39:51,367 --> 05:39:54,533
one edtech position at the high school

1131
05:39:55,066 --> 05:39:59,000
that works with multilingual learners, and that is because

1132
05:39:59,000 --> 05:40:03,000
our numbers in multilingual learners have dropped precipitously.

1133
05:40:03,000 --> 05:40:06,333
And we still have three full time teachers for that program.

1134
05:40:06,533 --> 05:40:08,634
We're just removing the edtech.

1135
05:40:08,634 --> 05:40:12,233
So we we definitely have the capacity to meet the need.

1136
05:40:12,233 --> 05:40:12,533
There.

1137
05:40:15,066 --> 05:40:17,634
I turn it over to you folks for your questions,

1138
05:40:17,634 --> 05:40:20,000
and then I think, to turn it over to the public for their comments.

1139
05:40:20,000 --> 05:40:21,100
Let me just clarify.

1140
05:40:21,100 --> 05:40:23,900
Do we need a motion to discuss?

1141
05:40:23,900 --> 05:40:27,066
I don't I wouldn't go to a motion yet because you want to have public

1142
05:40:27,066 --> 05:40:28,233
comment, right?

1143
05:40:28,233 --> 05:40:31,800
And you can't have public comment after you have a motion on the table.

1144
05:40:31,800 --> 05:40:32,533
Okay. Thank you.

1145
05:40:32,533 --> 05:40:35,433
So the this is a time for specific questions for you.

1146
05:40:35,433 --> 05:40:36,800
And then we will go to public comment.

1147
05:40:36,800 --> 05:40:40,066
Michael, I just I want to make it clear in my mind

1148
05:40:40,066 --> 05:40:43,233
and other people's mind when you're talking about that.

1149
05:40:43,700 --> 05:40:50,100
212 200 and 212,000,213 44 million

1150
05:40:50,900 --> 05:40:54,100
was that 44,212,000, $13,

1151
05:40:55,900 --> 05:40:57,066
212 million.

1152
05:40:57,066 --> 05:40:59,166
It's like it's a pretty big difference.

1153
05:40:59,166 --> 05:41:02,700
If you wanted to make sure that was clear to everybody.

1154
05:41:02,700 --> 05:41:06,533
People just fell off of Chair School 412.

1155
05:41:06,533 --> 05:41:08,000
I'm looking at your numbers.

1156
05:41:08,000 --> 05:41:10,900
Look at what I had carried down. I was looking at the difference.

1157
05:41:13,000 --> 05:41:13,800
That does

1158
05:41:13,800 --> 05:41:16,800
include restoring that standard position to full time. Yes.

1159
05:41:17,000 --> 05:41:18,900
Okay. Thank you.

1160
05:41:18,900 --> 05:41:20,467
And did you have a question or.

1161
05:41:20,467 --> 05:41:23,900
No. No, I just wanted to clarify the correct number.

1162
05:41:24,100 --> 05:41:25,266
Okay.

1163
05:41:25,266 --> 05:41:27,867
Yes. That that number includes

1164
05:41:27,867 --> 05:41:30,867
all of the changes that I've recommended this evening.

1165
05:41:31,066 --> 05:41:35,266
Sarah, I just make a comment and, I know of appreciation

1166
05:41:35,266 --> 05:41:40,734
for all of the community feedback we received on the Stem position.

1167
05:41:41,000 --> 05:41:44,166
We heard from students and staff,

1168
05:41:44,266 --> 05:41:48,700
probably the most emails we've really received all year.

1169
05:41:48,700 --> 05:41:52,467
So I do want to note that the school committee and the finance

1170
05:41:52,467 --> 05:41:58,000
Committee really took this to heart and had some in-depth conversations about,

1171
05:41:58,433 --> 05:42:02,800
you know, the original reason that that position

1172
05:42:02,800 --> 05:42:07,634
was proposed to be eliminated and it was strictly based on enrollment,

1173
05:42:08,000 --> 05:42:12,000
I think really taking a hard look at the enrollment,

1174
05:42:12,734 --> 05:42:17,100
but also looking at the interest was a big point of discussion.

1175
05:42:17,100 --> 05:42:19,700
So interest in enrollment, two different things.

1176
05:42:19,700 --> 05:42:21,900
I think the feedback we were getting

1177
05:42:21,900 --> 05:42:25,166
and the conversations we were having with Doctor Hartnett,

1178
05:42:25,734 --> 05:42:30,433
and others really suggested that, hey, there are students who want to sign up

1179
05:42:30,433 --> 05:42:34,000
but aren't able to find space in their schedule

1180
05:42:34,000 --> 05:42:38,000
in consideration of meeting all of their requirements.

1181
05:42:38,233 --> 05:42:43,533
And that's why, Doctor Dolf and Doctor Hartnett, you know, have done

1182
05:42:43,533 --> 05:42:48,634
the work and are continuing to do the work to look at how to increase enrollment,

1183
05:42:48,634 --> 05:42:52,333
by looking at various options that he's already highlighted.

1184
05:42:52,900 --> 05:42:56,266
And I think it's, you know, it is important that we're looking at this

1185
05:42:56,800 --> 05:42:59,800
on balance of, you know, comments also from

1186
05:43:00,533 --> 05:43:04,000
putting more money into technology while cutting staff.

1187
05:43:04,000 --> 05:43:06,634
Well, we're, you know, we're coming to the table

1188
05:43:06,634 --> 05:43:09,734
and really considering them both together.

1189
05:43:10,166 --> 05:43:13,100
Because we do value

1190
05:43:13,100 --> 05:43:16,433
staff, we value the position and the program.

1191
05:43:16,433 --> 05:43:19,734
And also, I think a lot of the discussion too, was looking at

1192
05:43:21,066 --> 05:43:22,467
the the

1193
05:43:22,467 --> 05:43:26,266
interest that's coming up from the lower grades

1194
05:43:26,266 --> 05:43:31,100
and the investment that's been made in Stem programing there.

1195
05:43:31,100 --> 05:43:33,233
And the kids that had started that

1196
05:43:33,233 --> 05:43:37,100
when the program was initiated are just about to hit the high school.

1197
05:43:37,100 --> 05:43:43,000
So another piece is perhaps enrollment will look different when we see this

1198
05:43:43,000 --> 05:43:48,100
bolus of kids coming into the high school and we see the robotics interest,

1199
05:43:48,100 --> 05:43:53,066
we see the interest and the excitement for Stem programing in the lower grades.

1200
05:43:53,066 --> 05:43:56,900
And that could also make a change in terms of enrollment.

1201
05:43:57,100 --> 05:43:59,266
It's you know, we can't we don't have a magic eight ball.

1202
05:43:59,266 --> 05:44:00,867
But that's likely.

1203
05:44:00,867 --> 05:44:04,867
So just noting that there has been a lot of consideration

1204
05:44:04,867 --> 05:44:08,333
of sort of the mechanics, the logistics, the trends, what's coming

1205
05:44:08,500 --> 05:44:12,100
as well as as feedback from across the board.

1206
05:44:13,333 --> 05:44:16,000
Go to Elise and then Linnea.

1207
05:44:16,000 --> 05:44:19,266
I, I'm hearing what you guys are saying, and I understand the desire

1208
05:44:19,266 --> 05:44:22,900
to have the halftime Stem teacher come back to being a full time teacher.

1209
05:44:23,100 --> 05:44:26,700
But my question is, if we are seeing that there is very low

1210
05:44:26,700 --> 05:44:28,533
demand for a lot of these classes, I've heard of classes

1211
05:44:28,533 --> 05:44:31,634
that have one student, classes that have like 3 or 4.

1212
05:44:31,800 --> 05:44:34,066
That's really not enough to justify this.

1213
05:44:34,066 --> 05:44:34,900
And my question is,

1214
05:44:34,900 --> 05:44:38,533
why are we not using this if we're willing to add them back into the budget?

1215
05:44:38,533 --> 05:44:42,266
Why are we not using this to add a halftime teacher for an AP class,

1216
05:44:42,266 --> 05:44:46,000
that there is demand for it, just to name a couple off the top of my head?

1217
05:44:46,000 --> 05:44:48,734
Microeconomics, macroeconomics?

1218
05:44:48,734 --> 05:44:51,000
AP government, AP Human Geography.

1219
05:44:51,000 --> 05:44:53,634
There's a lot of classes that we don't offer that I think

1220
05:44:53,634 --> 05:44:57,333
there is much more demand for than like a Stem class, which,

1221
05:44:57,333 --> 05:45:00,333
while important, has maybe 3 or 4 people signed up for it.

1222
05:45:00,900 --> 05:45:04,000
So I was just wondering why we're doing one or the other.

1223
05:45:04,266 --> 05:45:05,700
Thank you. And I,

1224
05:45:07,100 --> 05:45:08,100
I would just like to second that.

1225
05:45:08,100 --> 05:45:11,634
I know that a lot of my peers are taking classes online,

1226
05:45:11,900 --> 05:45:15,100
because we don't offer them, but that's not what I wanted to say.

1227
05:45:15,100 --> 05:45:15,900
Well, it's very true.

1228
05:45:15,900 --> 05:45:21,634
Also, I just wanted to mention that we recently approved,

1229
05:45:22,867 --> 05:45:26,734
a, the policy to, increase

1230
05:45:26,734 --> 05:45:30,634
the amount of requirements for credits for graduation.

1231
05:45:30,634 --> 05:45:35,900
I think that that will likely result in people taking more extracurricular,

1232
05:45:36,066 --> 05:45:39,066
not extracurricular, elective classes.

1233
05:45:39,634 --> 05:45:43,066
So I think that we might see an increased,

1234
05:45:43,433 --> 05:45:47,100
enrollment in those Stem classes as well.

1235
05:45:47,467 --> 05:45:51,066
Just because students are forced to and then, you know,

1236
05:45:51,066 --> 05:45:54,100
maybe they discover an interest or a passion and they keep going.

1237
05:45:55,066 --> 05:45:58,100
Yeah.

1238
05:46:01,100 --> 05:46:02,867
So perhaps we will pause

1239
05:46:02,867 --> 05:46:06,233
and return to our second public comment period of the evening.

1240
05:46:06,500 --> 05:46:09,634
And this is an opportunity, if anyone present would like to address us

1241
05:46:09,634 --> 05:46:12,867
specifically about the budget and what we've just heard in terms

1242
05:46:12,867 --> 05:46:17,433
of the latest proposal, same rules apply up to three minutes to speak.

1243
05:46:17,433 --> 05:46:20,066
And if you want to share something, please come up to the podium

1244
05:46:20,066 --> 05:46:23,100
and start by sharing your name and your connection to the, the schools.

1245
05:46:34,100 --> 05:46:36,000
That's Tom, I'm sure.

1246
05:46:36,000 --> 05:46:37,233
My name is Michelle Dietz.

1247
05:46:37,233 --> 05:46:39,634
My children are Evan Eliana Goldman.

1248
05:46:39,634 --> 05:46:40,433
They are.

1249
05:46:40,433 --> 05:46:43,100
I guess I'm supposed to give my address, 26 Ryan Drive.

1250
05:46:43,100 --> 05:46:46,100
They are in sophomore and senior year.

1251
05:46:46,333 --> 05:46:49,700
I was preparing for this, and my daughter put it best.

1252
05:46:49,700 --> 05:46:53,266
She said, mom, there's nothing more valuable than investing in a teacher.

1253
05:46:54,634 --> 05:46:57,533
In most of these discussions, I hear concern and desire

1254
05:46:57,533 --> 05:47:00,900
to support students in developing skills and interest for the workforce.

1255
05:47:01,166 --> 05:47:04,700
As a matter of fact, it came up in the survey around the laptops.

1256
05:47:05,000 --> 05:47:06,100
People said,

1257
05:47:06,100 --> 05:47:10,066
If I'm going to switch to an iPad, will I still develop skills for the workforce?

1258
05:47:10,066 --> 05:47:12,700
So it's it's obviously coming up frequently,

1259
05:47:12,700 --> 05:47:15,700
but the outcomes do not seem to align with this motivation.

1260
05:47:16,100 --> 05:47:19,333
Science, Stem, computer science and math are going to be important

1261
05:47:19,333 --> 05:47:20,367
foundational elements

1262
05:47:20,367 --> 05:47:23,867
in all children, for our children, in all walks of life, in their careers.

1263
05:47:24,166 --> 05:47:26,900
The content is incredibly important.

1264
05:47:26,900 --> 05:47:30,734
If we want our kids to try out the areas that might lead to career passions,

1265
05:47:31,100 --> 05:47:31,867
they need to.

1266
05:47:31,867 --> 05:47:34,734
They need exposure to skills of the future.

1267
05:47:34,734 --> 05:47:38,233
Instead, we have potentially sacrificed the content for the tools,

1268
05:47:38,734 --> 05:47:42,066
as maintaining MacBooks is a big budget expense.

1269
05:47:42,333 --> 05:47:46,066
As Linnea commented in prior meetings, students use iPads now

1270
05:47:46,066 --> 05:47:49,066
in environments such as apps and cities.

1271
05:47:49,000 --> 05:47:50,533
And as Michael reiterated,

1272
05:47:50,533 --> 05:47:54,066
the software platform would remain the same regardless of the tool.

1273
05:47:54,734 --> 05:47:57,266
We are so fortunate to have access to

1274
05:47:57,266 --> 05:48:00,266
excellent computer science and Stem education.

1275
05:48:00,533 --> 05:48:03,000
Having watched my younger daughter in Python class

1276
05:48:03,000 --> 05:48:06,000
where the hands on education helped her dive into a new field,

1277
05:48:06,266 --> 05:48:10,100
I am concerned that a shift to virtual education, as Mr.

1278
05:48:10,100 --> 05:48:14,000
Hartnett recommended, or a self-driven approach, would not be adequate.

1279
05:48:14,000 --> 05:48:17,066
I've tried to learn Python myself, online.

1280
05:48:17,066 --> 05:48:17,900
It's really hard.

1281
05:48:17,900 --> 05:48:20,867
And I actually switched to an in-person class.

1282
05:48:20,867 --> 05:48:23,433
New leadership initiatives like campus demonstrate

1283
05:48:23,433 --> 05:48:26,433
that there is energy for career and skill development.

1284
05:48:26,433 --> 05:48:29,433
What are we doing to continue that thread through the curriculum?

1285
05:48:29,867 --> 05:48:32,467
It seems we have presumed that we should come in lower

1286
05:48:32,467 --> 05:48:36,100
than a roll forward because we think the tax burden will be too high.

1287
05:48:36,333 --> 05:48:40,100
But as said in prior documentation on a $500,000 house,

1288
05:48:40,233 --> 05:48:43,800
a 4% increase is estimated to be $215.

1289
05:48:44,166 --> 05:48:48,266
With such a household tolerating an additional 0.5% for computer science

1290
05:48:48,533 --> 05:48:53,266
or Stem career foundations, I think that equates to under $50.

1291
05:48:53,900 --> 05:48:57,233
For context, Falmouth is introducing iPads and has focused

1292
05:48:57,233 --> 05:49:00,734
its budget increase at 6% on staff investments.

1293
05:49:01,066 --> 05:49:03,867
And as was talked about in prior budget conversations,

1294
05:49:03,867 --> 05:49:07,000
Ta and Gorham have also already switched to iPads.

1295
05:49:07,634 --> 05:49:10,000
It is a time to be careful and prudent.

1296
05:49:10,000 --> 05:49:12,100
We have a leadership transition.

1297
05:49:12,100 --> 05:49:14,800
Our leadership has made tremendous contributions,

1298
05:49:14,800 --> 05:49:19,266
but in any leadership transition, it's really important to be careful.

1299
05:49:20,000 --> 05:49:23,000
We're losing a fair amount of math and science tenure as well.

1300
05:49:23,734 --> 05:49:26,100
This is my iPad.

1301
05:49:26,100 --> 05:49:27,433
It has a keyboard.

1302
05:49:27,433 --> 05:49:31,066
I've used it in two academic institutions, in graduate classes.

1303
05:49:31,867 --> 05:49:33,734
It's actually six years old.

1304
05:49:33,734 --> 05:49:35,000
I'm pretty frugal.

1305
05:49:35,000 --> 05:49:37,734
I've had no reason to replace it. I actually love it.

1306
05:49:37,734 --> 05:49:38,700
I travel with it.

1307
05:49:38,700 --> 05:49:42,500
So that's our not so subtle.

1308
05:49:42,500 --> 05:49:44,000
Sorry. That's a loud timer.

1309
05:49:44,000 --> 05:49:44,634
I'm sorry.

1310
05:49:44,634 --> 05:49:46,900
Mean she's allowed, you know, I'm sorry about that.

1311
05:49:46,900 --> 05:49:48,166
Thank you.

1312
05:49:48,166 --> 05:49:49,634
Thank you for your comments.

1313
05:49:49,634 --> 05:49:52,333
We welcome others that would like to address us.

1314
05:49:52,333 --> 05:49:54,000
Turn it down a little more subtle.

1315
05:49:55,900 --> 05:49:58,367
Well.

1316
05:49:58,367 --> 05:50:01,367
Probably.

1317
05:50:11,266 --> 05:50:11,634
Hello.

1318
05:50:11,634 --> 05:50:14,100
My name is Adler Goodwin. I am a sophomore.

1319
05:50:14,100 --> 05:50:18,266
I am on team Voyager, on the robotics team, and,

1320
05:50:18,266 --> 05:50:21,266
I live 364 Davis Street.

1321
05:50:24,000 --> 05:50:26,100
When I first moved to Yarmouth in the fifth grade,

1322
05:50:26,100 --> 05:50:28,433
I did not know what to expect.

1323
05:50:28,433 --> 05:50:31,433
Everything was new, and I was still trying to figure out where I belonged.

1324
05:50:31,800 --> 05:50:33,900
That changed when I found robotics.

1325
05:50:33,900 --> 05:50:38,166
Since I joined robotics in sixth grade, it's become a huge part of who I am

1326
05:50:39,634 --> 05:50:42,634
because of this program, because the teachers, parents and students

1327
05:50:42,867 --> 05:50:46,266
who have worked so hard to build it, I have had the opportunity to compete

1328
05:50:46,266 --> 05:50:50,100
with teams across the state, New England and the rest of the world.

1329
05:50:51,066 --> 05:50:54,100
But more importantly, robotics has helped me find my people,

1330
05:50:54,433 --> 05:50:57,734
the community of students who share the same curiosity, creativity

1331
05:50:57,900 --> 05:51:00,100
and passion for building and problem solving

1332
05:51:01,634 --> 05:51:02,266
through robotics.

1333
05:51:02,266 --> 05:51:05,100
I've also just discovered what I want to do in the future.

1334
05:51:05,100 --> 05:51:06,900
I want to be an engineer.

1335
05:51:06,900 --> 05:51:09,634
Vex has taught me what it truly means to think like one.

1336
05:51:09,634 --> 05:51:12,634
Design test, fail, but keep pushing forward.

1337
05:51:13,066 --> 05:51:15,467
It has shown me that engineering is not just about machines,

1338
05:51:15,467 --> 05:51:18,066
but it's about teamwork, collaboration, and persistence.

1339
05:51:18,066 --> 05:51:21,000
The applications are simply limitless.

1340
05:51:21,000 --> 05:51:24,100
But right now, our entire technology program hangs in the balance.

1341
05:51:24,100 --> 05:51:27,867
As the world moves forward, technology will only grow in importance, and schools

1342
05:51:27,867 --> 05:51:30,867
play a critical role in preparing students for the future.

1343
05:51:32,000 --> 05:51:35,000
At a time when technology is present in every industry,

1344
05:51:35,066 --> 05:51:38,066
this is the worst time to be cutting this program.

1345
05:51:38,166 --> 05:51:39,333
Those classes matter.

1346
05:51:39,333 --> 05:51:41,500
Over the years, I've signed up for four of them,

1347
05:51:41,500 --> 05:51:45,000
but I've only been able to take one so far due to scheduling conflicts.

1348
05:51:45,266 --> 05:51:48,000
I plan to take others, and it'll be incredibly disappointing

1349
05:51:48,000 --> 05:51:51,367
to see those opportunities vanish for me and other students who come after me,

1350
05:51:52,367 --> 05:51:54,433
this is something very meaningful here.

1351
05:51:54,433 --> 05:51:58,000
It is not just a class or a club or an activity is a place

1352
05:51:58,000 --> 05:51:59,433
where students can discover their interests,

1353
05:51:59,433 --> 05:52:02,467
challenge themselves, and build skills that will last a lifetime.

1354
05:52:03,100 --> 05:52:06,734
I hope the value of this program and the impact it has on students

1355
05:52:06,734 --> 05:52:09,734
like me, is taken seriously.

1356
05:52:10,533 --> 05:52:13,533
Thank you very much.

1357
05:52:27,467 --> 05:52:30,100
Oh, I'm Nat Bessey, 59 Winding Way.

1358
05:52:30,100 --> 05:52:33,634
I'm a parent of two kids in seventh grade and ninth grade in the schools.

1359
05:52:33,867 --> 05:52:37,367
Echoing one of my fellow citizens, I do want to start by just thanking

1360
05:52:37,900 --> 05:52:40,900
the school committee for this difficult job that you do and Doctor

1361
05:52:40,900 --> 05:52:43,900
Dola, for many years of great leadership, we've been very fortunate.

1362
05:52:44,333 --> 05:52:47,333
I came here today with the intention of speaking in support

1363
05:52:47,333 --> 05:52:52,066
of the Restoring the Point five, position for Stem.

1364
05:52:53,100 --> 05:52:54,734
I appreciate that is now under consideration.

1365
05:52:54,734 --> 05:52:58,634
I strongly urge the school committee to go forward in that regard.

1366
05:52:58,634 --> 05:53:01,100
I think it's a very valuable,

1367
05:53:01,100 --> 05:53:02,333
very valuable area.

1368
05:53:02,333 --> 05:53:04,367
It's an area of the future. One we've identified.

1369
05:53:04,367 --> 05:53:09,000
Yarmouth has has brought forward the Stem endorsement

1370
05:53:09,000 --> 05:53:09,867
now at the high school, which

1371
05:53:09,867 --> 05:53:13,066
is going to be very difficult to satisfy if you don't have the Stem classes.

1372
05:53:13,634 --> 05:53:17,467
And there simply is no substitute for in-person education in these areas.

1373
05:53:17,634 --> 05:53:19,266
I know budget discussions.

1374
05:53:19,266 --> 05:53:21,266
We're talking about about positions and not people.

1375
05:53:21,266 --> 05:53:24,266
So I'm not going to talk about any individuals, but it is a,

1376
05:53:25,266 --> 05:53:28,333
you know, to, to make a, to reduce a position

1377
05:53:28,333 --> 05:53:31,333
from full time to a half time, it's very likely

1378
05:53:31,333 --> 05:53:34,333
that you're going to have also have to replace whoever's in that position.

1379
05:53:34,734 --> 05:53:37,533
And I just think that in the long term,

1380
05:53:37,533 --> 05:53:40,333
it's important to have the vision to support a program long term

1381
05:53:40,333 --> 05:53:42,800
and maintain the strength that we have already in the district.

1382
05:53:44,000 --> 05:53:45,000
Thank you very much.

1383
05:53:45,000 --> 05:53:48,000
Thank you.

1384
05:53:55,634 --> 05:53:57,266
Hi. My name is Iva Goldman.

1385
05:53:57,266 --> 05:54:01,000
I'm a sophomore at Yarmouth High School and I live at 26 Ryan Drive.

1386
05:54:01,000 --> 05:54:02,533
My mom just spoke.

1387
05:54:02,533 --> 05:54:06,900
I was not a person that was particularly interested

1388
05:54:06,900 --> 05:54:13,100
in computer science or, workshops that happened with Mr.

1389
05:54:13,100 --> 05:54:14,734
Pittman in Stem.

1390
05:54:14,734 --> 05:54:19,533
Last year, I, enrolled in programing in Python

1391
05:54:19,533 --> 05:54:23,433
because I had to fulfill a class for the Stem endorsement,

1392
05:54:23,867 --> 05:54:25,700
and it wasn't a class I would take otherwise.

1393
05:54:25,700 --> 05:54:28,000
And I'm so glad that I did.

1394
05:54:28,000 --> 05:54:31,266
Not only did I learn a skill that I never would have learned before,

1395
05:54:31,266 --> 05:54:36,066
I also brought skills like, critical thinking and problem solving with me

1396
05:54:36,066 --> 05:54:40,634
to other parts of my life from that class, and it was such a great opportunity.

1397
05:54:41,634 --> 05:54:43,800
I have not personally taken,

1398
05:54:43,800 --> 05:54:47,100
any other Stem classes because they didn't fit into my schedule

1399
05:54:47,100 --> 05:54:51,734
and weren't particularly a priority for me, but my freshman year I did it.

1400
05:54:51,734 --> 05:54:54,900
Yellow. It was to build a aquaponic system.

1401
05:54:55,433 --> 05:54:56,867
And Mr.

1402
05:54:56,867 --> 05:55:02,734
Pittman, the Stem teacher, was such a resource and so helpful in that project.

1403
05:55:03,100 --> 05:55:05,066
I had never done anything like it.

1404
05:55:05,066 --> 05:55:07,066
And he was so helpful.

1405
05:55:07,066 --> 05:55:10,233
He was not my ELO, advisor.

1406
05:55:10,233 --> 05:55:12,100
I was not his student.

1407
05:55:12,100 --> 05:55:16,634
But he helped me through all of my problems and all of my,

1408
05:55:16,734 --> 05:55:20,367
frustrations with that project because it was really frustrating.

1409
05:55:20,367 --> 05:55:22,000
But I completed it.

1410
05:55:22,000 --> 05:55:24,734
I could not have done it without those resources.

1411
05:55:24,734 --> 05:55:27,700
And I think those teachers are so invaluable to our school,

1412
05:55:27,700 --> 05:55:29,734
and I'd be really sad to see them go.

1413
05:55:29,734 --> 05:55:31,500
Thank you. Thank you very much.

1414
05:55:38,433 --> 05:55:42,000
Hi, I'm Jenny Carlisle, 53 Martin Road.

1415
05:55:42,467 --> 05:55:46,900
I'm the parent to three Yarmouth students and fourth, sixth and ninth grade

1416
05:55:47,100 --> 05:55:52,100
and also a founding member of the Yarmouth Steam Boosters, which is a nonprofit

1417
05:55:52,734 --> 05:55:56,066
to, support steam programing.

1418
05:55:56,100 --> 05:56:00,100
In the Army schools outside of what the schools are supporting.

1419
05:56:00,734 --> 05:56:06,000
And I came here today to urge you not to cut the, the full time,

1420
05:56:06,700 --> 05:56:10,100
tech position to 0.5, which, I'm happy to hear

1421
05:56:10,100 --> 05:56:13,100
is now under consideration.

1422
05:56:13,533 --> 05:56:15,066
I was disappointed listening

1423
05:56:15,066 --> 05:56:21,000
to the school committee budget meetings about, when I saw the lack

1424
05:56:21,000 --> 05:56:24,900
of conversation about the implications of that potential cut.

1425
05:56:25,166 --> 05:56:27,066
And so I wanted to speak to that.

1426
05:56:27,066 --> 05:56:30,066
Now, these aren't just tech classes.

1427
05:56:30,100 --> 05:56:33,066
These are classes like build a guitar.

1428
05:56:33,066 --> 05:56:36,066
Intro to engineering, electric car design,

1429
05:56:36,634 --> 05:56:41,500
entrepreneurship and design process, architectural design outside of the box.

1430
05:56:41,734 --> 05:56:45,634
These are really cool, interesting classes that are designed to appeal

1431
05:56:45,634 --> 05:56:47,000
to a lot of kids.

1432
05:56:47,000 --> 05:56:50,066
These aren't, you know, just just for the robotics kids.

1433
05:56:50,066 --> 05:56:52,634
These are these are far reaching.

1434
05:56:52,634 --> 05:56:56,100
And what we'd be losing if we lost these classes is we'd be

1435
05:56:56,266 --> 05:56:59,867
not only we'd be losing the essential skill building,

1436
05:56:59,900 --> 05:57:03,266
you know, the the the skills that the kids are learning in these classes.

1437
05:57:03,533 --> 05:57:07,100
But we'd be learning the mentorship and we'd be losing the the sense

1438
05:57:07,100 --> 05:57:10,900
of community that that we're hearing the kids speak to today.

1439
05:57:11,166 --> 05:57:15,100
We'd be taking away from their sense of belonging,

1440
05:57:15,800 --> 05:57:20,367
when we take away the classes, that are especially appealing to them.

1441
05:57:20,367 --> 05:57:23,233
And this would be devastating to the kids.

1442
05:57:23,233 --> 05:57:24,000
A year ago,

1443
05:57:24,000 --> 05:57:28,066
when I was looking at the course catalog with my my rising ninth grader,

1444
05:57:28,734 --> 05:57:32,233
I said to him, you're in the right place at the right time.

1445
05:57:32,233 --> 05:57:36,367
When I saw those pages on the Stem offerings, they were so,

1446
05:57:38,000 --> 05:57:39,734
perfect for him and so

1447
05:57:39,734 --> 05:57:44,700
totally different than anything that I saw in my high school course catalog.

1448
05:57:44,700 --> 05:57:51,233
And, it was disheartening how quickly it seems like that could have changed.

1449
05:57:51,233 --> 05:57:55,867
And so I came to you today to urge you, to

1450
05:57:56,100 --> 05:58:00,266
to try to, you know, please maintain those courses,

1451
05:58:00,266 --> 05:58:04,367
so that Yarmouth continues to be the right place for all of our kids.

1452
05:58:04,900 --> 05:58:09,233
And in fact, I, I think we shouldn't be here talking today about

1453
05:58:09,500 --> 05:58:12,900
how do we maintain the current Stem offerings.

1454
05:58:13,000 --> 05:58:15,500
We should be really pushing this to the next level.

1455
05:58:15,500 --> 05:58:15,800
Right?

1456
05:58:15,800 --> 05:58:19,800
Like the we should be talking about how can we increase,

1457
05:58:20,100 --> 05:58:23,100
stem, how can we improve Stem?

1458
05:58:23,000 --> 05:58:25,867
And, I won't get into it now,

1459
05:58:25,867 --> 05:58:29,000
but that your Mustang boosters, we've got some suggestions for you.

1460
05:58:30,734 --> 05:58:31,266
Thank you.

1461
05:58:31,266 --> 05:58:32,533
We will look forward to that in the future.

1462
05:58:32,533 --> 05:58:35,533
Thank you.

1463
05:58:39,433 --> 05:58:40,533
Hello.

1464
05:58:40,533 --> 05:58:41,734
My name is Mary Gallaudet.

1465
05:58:41,734 --> 05:58:45,000
I live at 423 Gilman Road and my kids are much younger,

1466
05:58:45,000 --> 05:58:48,000
so I want to sort of speak from that point of view for a second.

1467
05:58:49,100 --> 05:58:51,867
Whenever there's a Steam night or a robotics tournament.

1468
05:58:51,867 --> 05:58:55,000
They are so excited to see these kids over here

1469
05:58:55,000 --> 05:58:56,000
and the things that they're doing.

1470
05:58:56,000 --> 05:58:59,266
I want to consider here that we have representation

1471
05:59:00,100 --> 05:59:03,000
in our older students, for our younger students who are coming up

1472
05:59:03,000 --> 05:59:06,000
and feeling like a little bit different than the kids around them,

1473
05:59:06,800 --> 05:59:09,333
if we lose that representation because there isn't a community

1474
05:59:09,333 --> 05:59:12,100
for them to come into, it's going to be a very hard.

1475
05:59:12,100 --> 05:59:13,433
It's going to be a hard land in middle school,

1476
05:59:13,433 --> 05:59:15,266
which is already a hard time developmentally.

1477
05:59:16,333 --> 05:59:19,500
So I just wanted to sort of hold space for the kids who are looking forward

1478
05:59:19,500 --> 05:59:20,867
to be old enough

1479
05:59:20,867 --> 05:59:22,867
to have the chance to do the sorts of things

1480
05:59:22,867 --> 05:59:24,900
that they've been hearing about and seeing.

1481
05:59:24,900 --> 05:59:26,700
There are those kids. They are here.

1482
05:59:26,700 --> 05:59:28,734
I have a kid my own, who's at a different school,

1483
05:59:28,734 --> 05:59:31,233
who says he doesn't want to go to middle school anywhere else

1484
05:59:31,233 --> 05:59:34,100
because he can't wait to be part of the robotics.

1485
05:59:34,100 --> 05:59:37,100
It'll be a really hard sell to pull him back and see that gone.

1486
05:59:37,333 --> 05:59:40,100
So I just ask you to and I mean, you know, he's just my son.

1487
05:59:40,100 --> 05:59:42,000
There are plenty of other children that are looking up

1488
05:59:42,000 --> 05:59:45,100
and finding a community that they can belong to.

1489
05:59:45,233 --> 05:59:47,467
The mission statement is to empower all students

1490
05:59:47,467 --> 05:59:50,500
right to lead fulfilling lives in a changing world.

1491
05:59:50,734 --> 05:59:52,266
This is a real important subsection.

1492
05:59:52,266 --> 05:59:55,634
I think, of our community that we need to support and embrace and hold on to,

1493
05:59:56,100 --> 05:59:58,734
and they need to see a place where they can continue to excel.

1494
05:59:58,734 --> 06:00:00,533
So my wish would be that you all find a way

1495
06:00:00,533 --> 06:00:04,533
to lean into enriching the program, supporting all kinds of learners.

1496
06:00:05,166 --> 06:00:07,700
And I think the access that we give, the visibility

1497
06:00:07,700 --> 06:00:11,000
it has means that there are kids who might not self-identify as Stem

1498
06:00:11,000 --> 06:00:12,900
kids, whatever that means, you know, early on,

1499
06:00:12,900 --> 06:00:13,634
who then discover

1500
06:00:13,634 --> 06:00:16,634
a passion and an interest and a talent that they might not have come across

1501
06:00:16,634 --> 06:00:18,100
in another district.

1502
06:00:18,100 --> 06:00:21,233
So to lose the opportunity to be that kind of place

1503
06:00:21,467 --> 06:00:24,433
seems a shame to me, and I hope that you'll hold on to it.

1504
06:00:24,433 --> 06:00:26,500
Thank you. Thank you Mary.

1505
06:00:30,734 --> 06:00:31,433
Good evening.

1506
06:00:31,433 --> 06:00:34,533
My name is Adam Goodwin, 364 Bayview Street.

1507
06:00:34,867 --> 06:00:36,867
I had to do a little bit of self editing.

1508
06:00:36,867 --> 06:00:38,734
I was not aware that there was a three minute time limit.

1509
06:00:38,734 --> 06:00:41,734
And I've got about 20 minutes of.

1510
06:00:41,734 --> 06:00:46,467
Anyway, I'm a Yarmouth Education Foundation board member and Yarmouth Steam

1511
06:00:46,467 --> 06:00:50,634
Boosters founding member, but I'm not here to talk on behalf of those groups.

1512
06:00:50,634 --> 06:00:53,634
I'm here to represent my two children.

1513
06:00:53,634 --> 06:00:57,467
I'd like who you heard from and Acadia, who are both extremely passionate

1514
06:00:57,800 --> 06:00:59,734
about science, arts,

1515
06:00:59,734 --> 06:01:03,433
engineering, math, and most relevant to tonight's discussion, technology.

1516
06:01:03,433 --> 06:01:05,100
I brought a little show and tell with me.

1517
06:01:05,100 --> 06:01:07,166
It's behind me. It's, photo.

1518
06:01:07,166 --> 06:01:11,266
My kids are standing among their peers at the Maine State Robotics Championship

1519
06:01:11,266 --> 06:01:13,000
that we heard about earlier.

1520
06:01:13,000 --> 06:01:16,000
There are more than 65 students represented in that photo.

1521
06:01:16,100 --> 06:01:19,266
But, across five grades, 5 to 12,

1522
06:01:19,533 --> 06:01:23,467
more than 100 students in Yarmouth, participated in robotics this year.

1523
06:01:24,000 --> 06:01:27,066
Robotics truly represents an amazing intersection

1524
06:01:27,066 --> 06:01:30,367
of Steam disciplines, and this is where I have to make a big edit.

1525
06:01:30,367 --> 06:01:31,233
So forgive me.

1526
06:01:31,233 --> 06:01:36,100
Really, what we're talking about with the technology program is much more,

1527
06:01:36,367 --> 06:01:39,700
as the previous speaker alluded to, than just robotics.

1528
06:01:40,333 --> 06:01:43,000
It really represents kind of what

1529
06:01:43,000 --> 06:01:46,100
was when I was growing up referred to as shop class.

1530
06:01:47,066 --> 06:01:51,734
It's a real hands on, discipline where you're learning to use machines and tools.

1531
06:01:52,000 --> 06:01:55,867
And I'm going to skip ahead because I'm getting a little out of order.

1532
06:01:55,867 --> 06:02:01,634
But we live in a time when AI and automation is rapidly changing the future.

1533
06:02:03,100 --> 06:02:04,433
And white collar work,

1534
06:02:04,433 --> 06:02:07,634
may change very drastically in the future,

1535
06:02:08,634 --> 06:02:11,634
but what will remain are the skilled trades.

1536
06:02:12,000 --> 06:02:15,000
They will remain a rock foundation of our economy.

1537
06:02:15,000 --> 06:02:18,634
So electricians, mechanics, robotics technicians, yes.

1538
06:02:18,634 --> 06:02:19,500
But welders,

1539
06:02:19,500 --> 06:02:21,000
these are the things that will continue

1540
06:02:21,000 --> 06:02:23,533
to be the backbone of the 21st century workforce.

1541
06:02:23,533 --> 06:02:27,333
And those careers, they begin in courses like the technology course

1542
06:02:27,333 --> 06:02:30,000
we have here at the high school.

1543
06:02:30,000 --> 06:02:34,066
We also need to, talk about the reality of our labor market here in Maine.

1544
06:02:34,066 --> 06:02:37,166
We're in a high need crisis for technical educators.

1545
06:02:37,867 --> 06:02:41,066
Data from the Maine Department of Education shows that finding

1546
06:02:41,066 --> 06:02:46,000
high quality and, highly qualified and energetic technologies

1547
06:02:46,000 --> 06:02:49,634
instructors are already a massive challenge, and finding one

1548
06:02:49,634 --> 06:02:54,000
to come in and accept a 0.5 FTE position because it is very likely

1549
06:02:54,000 --> 06:02:57,100
we will lose the one has not indicated if we,

1550
06:02:58,266 --> 06:03:00,066
if we lowered it to a point five,

1551
06:03:00,066 --> 06:03:03,233
finding somebody to come in at half time is nearly impossible.

1552
06:03:04,533 --> 06:03:09,233
So, we find we could find ourselves, you know, in the near term,

1553
06:03:09,233 --> 06:03:14,533
with an empty shop class, and a dead technology program by next fall.

1554
06:03:14,533 --> 06:03:17,533
So I'm encouraged by the direction of the conversation tonight.

1555
06:03:17,634 --> 06:03:20,100
And I encourage you to keep the position that one fte.

1556
06:03:20,100 --> 06:03:21,066
Thank you.

1557
06:03:21,066 --> 06:03:22,500
With 10s to spare.

1558
06:03:22,500 --> 06:03:25,500
Those could and thank you for your comments.

1559
06:03:26,066 --> 06:03:29,066
You're always welcome to email the rest of us later. Yes.

1560
06:03:33,000 --> 06:03:41,500
Talk. Hi.

1561
06:03:41,500 --> 06:03:43,000
My name is Cecilia.

1562
06:03:43,000 --> 06:03:45,900
I live at 78 village Brook road.

1563
06:03:45,900 --> 06:03:48,867
I'm a sophomore, and I'm part of the Stem endorsement.

1564
06:03:48,867 --> 06:03:49,900
This is a new program.

1565
06:03:49,900 --> 06:03:52,900
I'm not sure if you all know about it, but it's for students who would like to have

1566
06:03:52,900 --> 06:03:56,100
more opportunities in science and math related fields.

1567
06:03:56,166 --> 06:03:59,500
One of the requirements for this program is to take classes

1568
06:03:59,500 --> 06:04:00,867
in engineering and technology

1569
06:04:00,867 --> 06:04:05,100
to kind of just expand your learning and go across all the areas of Stem.

1570
06:04:05,100 --> 06:04:08,467
Just because I feel like in our usual classes, it's usually just science

1571
06:04:08,467 --> 06:04:12,734
and math, but this is kind of like an opportunity to expand into that.

1572
06:04:13,100 --> 06:04:18,634
And, most of these classes are taught by our current Stem teacher, Mr.

1573
06:04:18,634 --> 06:04:19,500
Pittman.

1574
06:04:19,500 --> 06:04:22,533
And I'm very concerned that if his position is reduced,

1575
06:04:22,867 --> 06:04:24,333
a lot of these classes will go away.

1576
06:04:25,367 --> 06:04:28,467
In my junior and senior year, I know that I want to take classes

1577
06:04:28,467 --> 06:04:31,467
like entrepreneurship and design, architecture.

1578
06:04:31,533 --> 06:04:35,900
Python, like even mentioned, because I've heard a lot about them,

1579
06:04:35,900 --> 06:04:38,900
and I wasn't super interested in them in my freshman year.

1580
06:04:38,900 --> 06:04:42,000
But now that I'm involved in the Stem endorsement, I really

1581
06:04:42,700 --> 06:04:43,734
learned more about them,

1582
06:04:43,734 --> 06:04:47,734
and I feel like I can appreciate what they mean to other students.

1583
06:04:47,734 --> 06:04:51,634
And I think that they are kind of becoming something

1584
06:04:51,634 --> 06:04:53,100
that I'm pretty passionate about.

1585
06:04:53,100 --> 06:04:55,166
So I really hope that we have the opportunity

1586
06:04:55,166 --> 06:04:57,800
to keep these courses so I can take them in the future.

1587
06:04:57,800 --> 06:04:58,433
Thank you.

1588
06:04:58,433 --> 06:05:01,433
Thank you for being here.

1589
06:05:21,367 --> 06:05:22,000
Hello, I'm

1590
06:05:22,000 --> 06:05:25,000
Max, I'm a sophomore at, 20 Clippy circle.

1591
06:05:26,000 --> 06:05:28,634
I'd like to bring up the point that nobody talks about yet

1592
06:05:28,634 --> 06:05:31,000
with the half time steam teacher position.

1593
06:05:31,000 --> 06:05:32,000
Is that

1594
06:05:32,000 --> 06:05:36,000
not only does he teach important classes, but he's also an important resource

1595
06:05:36,000 --> 06:05:37,634
inside the school. There's been,

1596
06:05:39,066 --> 06:05:39,900
even though I haven't had the

1597
06:05:39,900 --> 06:05:43,100
space in my schedule to take his classes, even though I've signed up for him,

1598
06:05:43,800 --> 06:05:46,266
I've still come to him with a bunch of different projects

1599
06:05:46,266 --> 06:05:49,233
that I've needed his help with and

1600
06:05:49,800 --> 06:05:52,100
the most recent one that I can think of is building a treehouse

1601
06:05:52,100 --> 06:05:55,100
for Spirit Week, and he just helps with that.

1602
06:05:55,734 --> 06:05:59,000
I think of his position almost like a librarian, where it's

1603
06:05:59,000 --> 06:06:03,000
not just the classes he teaches, but also the resources and help

1604
06:06:03,000 --> 06:06:06,000
that he gives to students that need it.

1605
06:06:06,000 --> 06:06:07,533
Yes. That's all.

1606
06:06:07,533 --> 06:06:08,000
Thanks, man.

1607
06:06:08,000 --> 06:06:08,333
Thank you.

1608
06:06:08,333 --> 06:06:11,333
Thank you.

1609
06:06:12,266 --> 06:06:15,333
People really like Mr..

1610
06:06:18,734 --> 06:06:21,367
Bob Zimmerman from 65 Center street.

1611
06:06:21,367 --> 06:06:25,367
I have a daughter in high school, and,

1612
06:06:26,066 --> 06:06:29,900
she would be the first to tell you I'm not qualified to be up here right now

1613
06:06:30,634 --> 06:06:33,367
speaking about the differences between computers

1614
06:06:33,367 --> 06:06:36,367
and iPads, but,

1615
06:06:36,367 --> 06:06:41,533
I feel like I was disqualified, when the survey came to me

1616
06:06:41,533 --> 06:06:44,533
and I was trying to compare

1617
06:06:44,867 --> 06:06:49,700
the value to utility, usability and value.

1618
06:06:51,000 --> 06:06:52,100
Not just in a dollar

1619
06:06:52,100 --> 06:06:55,066
sense, but, you know, to how I want to learn

1620
06:06:55,000 --> 06:06:58,367
between an iPad and a MacBook.

1621
06:07:00,066 --> 06:07:03,233
I hadn't touched an iPad probably for 7 to 10 years.

1622
06:07:04,100 --> 06:07:07,100
And, so I think you were asking the wrong person.

1623
06:07:08,867 --> 06:07:12,000
And I would say I'm probably one of the older parents,

1624
06:07:12,000 --> 06:07:15,000
so I probably don't represent the median

1625
06:07:15,734 --> 06:07:18,066
person surveyed, but I'm probably not

1626
06:07:18,066 --> 06:07:22,233
so far from a lot of people that you, you ask

1627
06:07:22,233 --> 06:07:26,266
to opine about whether to have a laptop or an iPad.

1628
06:07:27,066 --> 06:07:30,066
And if we have an expert in the room who says

1629
06:07:30,800 --> 06:07:33,367
you're advisor, right.

1630
06:07:33,367 --> 06:07:36,100
I think an iPad is a great idea.

1631
06:07:36,100 --> 06:07:39,100
And, not just budgetary, but

1632
06:07:39,467 --> 06:07:42,333
for all its, you know, utility.

1633
06:07:42,333 --> 06:07:45,333
That's kind of the guy I would listen to instead of me.

1634
06:07:48,800 --> 06:07:49,634
Thank you.

1635
06:07:49,634 --> 06:07:50,100
Thanks, Bob.

1636
06:07:50,100 --> 06:07:53,166
Thank you.

1637
06:07:54,066 --> 06:07:59,100
And I'm Julian Lampson, the plume, junior at the high school.

1638
06:07:59,266 --> 06:08:02,266
I am, regrettably, not a resident of this town.

1639
06:08:02,734 --> 06:08:05,000
I'm here to talk about why I believe it would be a mistake

1640
06:08:05,000 --> 06:08:08,000
to cut the technology position in half to half time.

1641
06:08:08,367 --> 06:08:11,734
First, as a member of the robotics club, the loss of the guidance

1642
06:08:11,734 --> 06:08:15,266
and mentorship from a dedicated Stem teacher would be insurmountable.

1643
06:08:15,734 --> 06:08:19,100
Not only would a full time Stem teacher always be there to teach us

1644
06:08:19,533 --> 06:08:21,266
how to use a tool in the shop, or give it advice

1645
06:08:21,266 --> 06:08:24,467
and the best way to approach a problem, but they'd also be able to give us

1646
06:08:24,467 --> 06:08:27,900
those extra hours in the lab to work and achieve our goals.

1647
06:08:27,900 --> 06:08:28,467
That competition.

1648
06:08:29,867 --> 06:08:30,266
But robotics

1649
06:08:30,266 --> 06:08:33,266
students aren't the only students who rely on a full time Stem teacher.

1650
06:08:34,266 --> 06:08:37,367
The Stem classroom and shop are places where students go

1651
06:08:37,634 --> 06:08:42,266
during flex lunch, study halls, and after school to work on projects.

1652
06:08:42,634 --> 06:08:44,533
If the Stem teacher position is cut in half,

1653
06:08:44,533 --> 06:08:47,800
the students will not have the opportunity to experiment,

1654
06:08:48,333 --> 06:08:52,100
learn, or grow skills they wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to explore.

1655
06:08:52,533 --> 06:08:56,066
Cutting with demolition and half means fewer chances for students to learn skills

1656
06:08:56,233 --> 06:08:59,233
that may lead to them creating fulfilling lives in a changing world.

1657
06:09:00,700 --> 06:09:03,734
Stem education is incredibly important for the future.

1658
06:09:04,000 --> 06:09:07,700
Technology and engineering are the fastest growing fields right now, projected

1659
06:09:07,700 --> 06:09:11,634
to grow 11% compared to 5% of other fields that are non-stem related.

1660
06:09:12,266 --> 06:09:13,800
At a minimum, the schools should be keeping

1661
06:09:13,800 --> 06:09:15,433
these programs the same, not cutting them

1662
06:09:17,266 --> 06:09:19,533
on a more personal level outside of robotics.

1663
06:09:19,533 --> 06:09:22,634
In my sophomore year, I was really unsure about what I was interested in.

1664
06:09:23,000 --> 06:09:25,634
I'd been considering things like mechanical engineering or physics

1665
06:09:25,634 --> 06:09:30,100
or computer science had some options to discover what I wanted better.

1666
06:09:30,467 --> 06:09:34,100
I signed up for the architecture course, where I learned not only how to draft

1667
06:09:34,100 --> 06:09:35,700
and had houses or sheds,

1668
06:09:35,700 --> 06:09:39,000
but got the opportunity to physically make them and build them myself.

1669
06:09:39,734 --> 06:09:41,100
And after taking that class, I decided

1670
06:09:41,100 --> 06:09:44,100
I was pretty committed to becoming a mechanical engineer in the future.

1671
06:09:44,266 --> 06:09:46,634
And finally, on a more pragmatic note,

1672
06:09:46,634 --> 06:09:50,433
cutting the position to half time will attract less qualified candidates.

1673
06:09:51,066 --> 06:09:54,500
Well, Yarmouth no doubt has one of the best hiring processes in the state.

1674
06:09:55,000 --> 06:09:58,000
More qualified individuals for the role of a Stem teacher

1675
06:09:58,000 --> 06:10:01,000
will be less likely to apply for a part time position.

1676
06:10:01,266 --> 06:10:04,100
This will most likely lead to a smaller pool of applicants

1677
06:10:04,100 --> 06:10:06,900
who are less qualified and experienced for the job.

1678
06:10:06,900 --> 06:10:09,700
For the sake of robotics, student innovation, discovery,

1679
06:10:09,700 --> 06:10:12,634
and the future of Stem at our school, I urge you not to reduce the position.

1680
06:10:13,634 --> 06:10:14,066
Thank you.

1681
06:10:14,066 --> 06:10:14,900
Thank you very much.

1682
06:10:14,900 --> 06:10:17,900
Thanks, Julie.

1683
06:10:21,734 --> 06:10:23,533
Bucketload.

1684
06:10:23,533 --> 06:10:24,867
My name is Cassandra Baker.

1685
06:10:24,867 --> 06:10:27,734
I live at seven Bittersweet Circle here in Yarmouth.

1686
06:10:27,734 --> 06:10:29,634
And, just a couple of comments.

1687
06:10:29,634 --> 06:10:32,000
My own experience with, Mr.

1688
06:10:32,000 --> 06:10:36,467
Pitman has been he has been a profound resource for people in my household,

1689
06:10:37,066 --> 06:10:40,066
regardless of if they go into engineering or not.

1690
06:10:40,233 --> 06:10:45,066
I really do feel like when we are cutting positions for human beings

1691
06:10:45,066 --> 06:10:49,333
and our teachers, who are such amazingly dedicated individuals in our community,

1692
06:10:49,900 --> 06:10:54,900
it taking somebody who's a full FTE to a 0.5 FTE is one way

1693
06:10:54,900 --> 06:10:58,533
that we take advantage of people in a way that's a little bit inhumane.

1694
06:10:59,800 --> 06:11:01,266
Their benefits go down.

1695
06:11:01,266 --> 06:11:04,800
They're not shown to be given the,

1696
06:11:05,734 --> 06:11:09,066
the appreciation that they deserve for the hard effort that they put forward

1697
06:11:09,467 --> 06:11:12,266
for our community of students who love them so much.

1698
06:11:12,266 --> 06:11:14,367
And so I, you know, I, I really

1699
06:11:15,800 --> 06:11:19,000
just fundamentally, I think that putting teachers at 0.5 ft

1700
06:11:19,100 --> 06:11:22,900
should be avoided whenever possible because they dedicate so much time

1701
06:11:22,900 --> 06:11:26,100
outside of just their class time and their production

1702
06:11:26,100 --> 06:11:29,734
of their curricula, that this is something that should be avoided.

1703
06:11:29,734 --> 06:11:31,000
Often.

1704
06:11:31,000 --> 06:11:34,367
But also, I do, you know, counter to,

1705
06:11:35,100 --> 06:11:38,533
sometimes what we think about with the budget in percentage

1706
06:11:38,533 --> 06:11:43,000
marks and small percentage increases and how they aren't that big of an increase.

1707
06:11:43,100 --> 06:11:46,900
Our current a economy at this point,

1708
06:11:47,266 --> 06:11:51,433
I think it's a smart thing in our community to be really thoughtful

1709
06:11:51,433 --> 06:11:56,700
about the fact that every percentage, every point, oh 1% increase in the budget

1710
06:11:56,867 --> 06:12:01,100
is going to increase the likelihood that this budget will not be approved.

1711
06:12:02,066 --> 06:12:04,066
I think after last year's process

1712
06:12:04,066 --> 06:12:06,634
and what happened at the end of that process

1713
06:12:06,634 --> 06:12:10,634
and the way that people looked back on that, we really need

1714
06:12:10,634 --> 06:12:13,634
to be thinking about cutting dollars for this, this budget.

1715
06:12:14,100 --> 06:12:17,634
And I don't want to be the armchair budget person who is coming in

1716
06:12:17,634 --> 06:12:20,233
at the end of your process, because obviously you guys are almost,

1717
06:12:20,233 --> 06:12:22,000
done with this. But,

1718
06:12:26,000 --> 06:12:27,100
those

1719
06:12:27,100 --> 06:12:30,000
I really appreciate the input about the technology.

1720
06:12:30,000 --> 06:12:31,433
And I know even in my household,

1721
06:12:31,433 --> 06:12:34,800
the discussions around the iPads versus the laptops

1722
06:12:35,800 --> 06:12:38,533
was very emotional and very much about what

1723
06:12:38,533 --> 06:12:40,533
the student representatives were talking about.

1724
06:12:40,533 --> 06:12:43,266
But there's, it sounds like there's a lot of great reasons

1725
06:12:43,266 --> 06:12:46,233
to think about considering change, even though change is hard,

1726
06:12:46,333 --> 06:12:50,533
if change is cheaper and we don't need every student

1727
06:12:50,533 --> 06:12:55,734
in our schools to be having the shiniest, fastest technology every year.

1728
06:12:56,000 --> 06:12:59,066
Even though technology agencies and businesses will tell us

1729
06:12:59,066 --> 06:13:02,500
that every single year, we don't need to have all of that.

1730
06:13:02,867 --> 06:13:06,634
We need to have great teachers, and we need to have the

1731
06:13:08,533 --> 06:13:09,900
areas of the school

1732
06:13:09,900 --> 06:13:13,100
that need technology that's really high tech,

1733
06:13:13,266 --> 06:13:18,533
like the Stem areas they need to have great technology,

1734
06:13:18,734 --> 06:13:23,100
but every student in the school does not need to have the best technology.

1735
06:13:23,166 --> 06:13:28,367
They can have a five year old iPad and I'm okay with that as parents.

1736
06:13:28,734 --> 06:13:30,266
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

1737
06:13:33,634 --> 06:13:35,100
Come to your crazy online.

1738
06:13:35,100 --> 06:13:38,100
I turned it off.

1739
06:13:38,333 --> 06:13:40,100
During.

1740
06:13:40,100 --> 06:13:41,500
My name is Stan Van on.

1741
06:13:41,500 --> 06:13:43,533
I live on 71 West Main Street.

1742
06:13:43,533 --> 06:13:48,734
I have a ninth grader who's been in robotics for four years, and,

1743
06:13:48,800 --> 06:13:54,000
is doing the Stem endorsement and excited about taking the Stem electives.

1744
06:13:54,000 --> 06:13:58,734
Very encouraged to hear that you're considering restoring that,

1745
06:14:00,100 --> 06:14:04,066
tech position to a full time, status.

1746
06:14:04,066 --> 06:14:08,867
I guess I just want to give you some bigger picture perspective on this

1747
06:14:08,867 --> 06:14:13,000
and your role here on the community, Yarmouth Education Foundation

1748
06:14:13,000 --> 06:14:17,266
and certainly other, you know, past school committee members

1749
06:14:17,266 --> 06:14:22,100
have been trying to stoke demand for Stem in this community for quite some time.

1750
06:14:22,266 --> 06:14:26,700
You know, Yarmouth Education Foundation, there grants anywhere

1751
06:14:26,700 --> 06:14:31,634
from 55 to 85% of their grants go to Stem, Stem, programs every year.

1752
06:14:31,900 --> 06:14:33,634
And that has worked there.

1753
06:14:33,634 --> 06:14:37,734
As others have mentioned, there are 100 kids just in robotics.

1754
06:14:37,734 --> 06:14:42,433
That's like a whole grade of of kids just on a robotics team.

1755
06:14:42,900 --> 06:14:46,100
And then in addition to summer camps and other programs,

1756
06:14:46,233 --> 06:14:49,500
and now so you've had that amount of funding

1757
06:14:49,500 --> 06:14:53,533
and now you have other nonprofit groups like, Yarmouth,

1758
06:14:53,634 --> 06:14:57,800
like the Lions and the Rotary and Maine Community Foundation.

1759
06:14:58,100 --> 06:15:02,166
And now a lot of support from some of your biggest taxpayers

1760
06:15:02,166 --> 06:15:05,333
in town, Tyler Technologies,

1761
06:15:05,333 --> 06:15:08,367
bath savings, Swift Current,

1762
06:15:09,700 --> 06:15:12,700
Dugas Construction, Hancock Lumber,

1763
06:15:13,000 --> 06:15:16,900
Sebago technics, Trillium engineering, Brooks automotive, Maine.

1764
06:15:16,900 --> 06:15:19,100
Bass, Maine love water cask and pump.

1765
06:15:19,100 --> 06:15:20,233
It goes on and on and on.

1766
06:15:20,233 --> 06:15:25,533
So you have all of this wonderful funding and energy from folks in the community.

1767
06:15:26,000 --> 06:15:29,500
Well, now, with the loss of three experienced

1768
06:15:29,500 --> 06:15:34,100
math teachers and potentially cutting a Stem position,

1769
06:15:34,100 --> 06:15:38,266
what you don't have is this full time skilled educator human there.

1770
06:15:38,533 --> 06:15:42,100
And if you don't have that person, then you know,

1771
06:15:42,266 --> 06:15:45,266
all that funding and all that energy is just going to gather a lot of dust.

1772
06:15:45,634 --> 06:15:48,700
So we've really you play a really important role

1773
06:15:48,700 --> 06:15:50,367
in whatever decision you make here.

1774
06:15:50,367 --> 06:15:54,500
So you've heard these, all of these people speak so passionately

1775
06:15:54,867 --> 06:16:01,266
and I think as parents, you can understand how important it is

1776
06:16:01,266 --> 06:16:04,734
and how meaningful it is when your kids find something they love.

1777
06:16:05,100 --> 06:16:09,100
And it's just so amazing that the thing they love,

1778
06:16:09,066 --> 06:16:12,700
you know, is going to help them in a million ways moving forward.

1779
06:16:12,700 --> 06:16:17,467
I mean, robotics, Stem courses, it teaches them to try things

1780
06:16:17,467 --> 06:16:19,100
and do things hands on.

1781
06:16:19,100 --> 06:16:23,000
It teaches them to fail and try again, and it teaches them to lead

1782
06:16:23,100 --> 06:16:24,433
and work together.

1783
06:16:24,433 --> 06:16:26,734
So thanks for your consideration.

1784
06:16:26,734 --> 06:16:27,634
Thank you, Mr..

1785
06:16:40,467 --> 06:16:44,000
My name is Jack Crawford for the 134 annual.

1786
06:16:44,634 --> 06:16:47,100
When I originally came here tonight,

1787
06:16:47,100 --> 06:16:50,533
my intention was to urge you all

1788
06:16:50,533 --> 06:16:53,533
to keep the full time Stem position.

1789
06:16:53,867 --> 06:16:57,000
It's just such a wonderful community that provides.

1790
06:16:57,000 --> 06:17:00,100
And I think it would be a great loss

1791
06:17:00,100 --> 06:17:03,266
if those cut, happy

1792
06:17:03,266 --> 06:17:06,266
that the conversations seem to be moving in the right direction.

1793
06:17:07,000 --> 06:17:10,533
I am, however, concerned about potentially replacing

1794
06:17:10,533 --> 06:17:14,100
your laptops with iPads for the upcoming years.

1795
06:17:14,800 --> 06:17:18,066
I know that there are potential benefits to iPads,

1796
06:17:18,066 --> 06:17:21,066
and that it would be foolish not to consider them.

1797
06:17:22,100 --> 06:17:24,066
But at the same time, Yarmouth

1798
06:17:24,066 --> 06:17:28,467
has always prided itself on being an intelligent, educated community

1799
06:17:29,066 --> 06:17:33,100
that likes to make the best decision that possibly can.

1800
06:17:34,233 --> 06:17:38,066
A survey was sent out with over 900 people.

1801
06:17:38,066 --> 06:17:42,367
I think responding overwhelmingly, they agreed do laptop.

1802
06:17:43,000 --> 06:17:48,467
Well, I understand that there may be an iPad kids stigma or potentially

1803
06:17:49,433 --> 06:17:51,533
misconceptions.

1804
06:17:51,533 --> 06:17:54,100
I think that if we are presented with data showing

1805
06:17:54,100 --> 06:17:57,100
overwhelming support for laptops,

1806
06:17:57,367 --> 06:18:00,100
these are people who most likely

1807
06:18:00,100 --> 06:18:04,266
understands both options and have made

1808
06:18:05,333 --> 06:18:08,333
an educated opinion on what they want.

1809
06:18:08,634 --> 06:18:11,634
And I think that as a town and school board,

1810
06:18:12,266 --> 06:18:15,100
we should

1811
06:18:15,100 --> 06:18:17,634
deeply consider what the community wants,

1812
06:18:17,634 --> 06:18:21,166
as well as what experts have put into our hands.

1813
06:18:22,100 --> 06:18:25,100
And I think that moving forward,

1814
06:18:25,233 --> 06:18:27,467
if we do want

1815
06:18:27,467 --> 06:18:30,433
to make a decision about technology for next year,

1816
06:18:30,634 --> 06:18:34,867
laptops would probably be the better choice and also the choice

1817
06:18:35,333 --> 06:18:39,066
the town wants, then yeah, that's pretty much it.

1818
06:18:39,634 --> 06:18:40,533
Thank you very much.

1819
06:18:40,533 --> 06:18:43,634
Thank you.

1820
06:18:53,233 --> 06:18:55,066
Hello, my name is Finn.

1821
06:18:55,066 --> 06:18:58,734
And I am a eighth grader in high school.

1822
06:18:58,867 --> 06:19:00,100
This year.

1823
06:19:00,100 --> 06:19:03,000
And I'm pretty much the same as Jack.

1824
06:19:03,000 --> 06:19:07,100
And one good that we both came here to talk about the Stem position

1825
06:19:07,100 --> 06:19:12,066
at the high school, but, now I'm going to talk a little bit about laptops.

1826
06:19:12,700 --> 06:19:17,467
Since in, like I am in fifth grade,

1827
06:19:17,467 --> 06:19:22,233
we got my grade, got the iPads, and not very much.

1828
06:19:22,433 --> 06:19:27,100
And so I have experienced those as well as the laptops for the past three years.

1829
06:19:27,867 --> 06:19:31,000
And I have preferred the laptops by a lot.

1830
06:19:33,000 --> 06:19:37,333
So that opinion I feel like might be helpful

1831
06:19:37,333 --> 06:19:40,333
since I've been on both sides of it and used both.

1832
06:19:40,900 --> 06:19:43,233
And the laptops were definitely much more,

1833
06:19:43,233 --> 06:19:46,066
for put productivity.

1834
06:19:46,066 --> 06:19:49,500
They were very helpful, as well as just general,

1835
06:19:49,700 --> 06:19:52,700
ease of use.

1836
06:19:53,000 --> 06:19:53,533
Thanks, Finn.

1837
06:19:53,533 --> 06:19:54,066
Thank you.

1838
06:19:54,066 --> 06:19:57,066
Finn.

1839
06:20:01,100 --> 06:20:02,634
My name is no Van Allen.

1840
06:20:02,634 --> 06:20:05,100
I'm a freshman at Yarmouth High School.

1841
06:20:05,100 --> 06:20:07,734
So I just wanted to talk about,

1842
06:20:07,734 --> 06:20:11,634
Yeah, I came in with the same intentions, as Jack and Finn.

1843
06:20:12,066 --> 06:20:14,467
I really support that Stem position.

1844
06:20:14,467 --> 06:20:18,533
It's been, really life changing, and it really affects me in my day to day

1845
06:20:18,533 --> 06:20:20,867
life.

1846
06:20:20,867 --> 06:20:24,634
I, you know, I think about and participate in robotics every day,

1847
06:20:25,100 --> 06:20:28,266
and, I take my intro to engineering class every other day,

1848
06:20:28,867 --> 06:20:32,533
which is really important, and it's provided me with a lot of skills,

1849
06:20:32,634 --> 06:20:35,734
you know, both online with, like, tools,

1850
06:20:35,734 --> 06:20:39,000
like Onshape for computer aided design.

1851
06:20:39,533 --> 06:20:43,100
And also physical things like using a drill press

1852
06:20:43,100 --> 06:20:47,333
or saw or working with metal or a laser cutter.

1853
06:20:48,867 --> 06:20:51,867
I also think that

1854
06:20:51,867 --> 06:20:54,734
since Yarmouth is a district that provides it,

1855
06:20:54,734 --> 06:20:57,900
that prides itself with being innovative

1856
06:20:58,166 --> 06:21:02,000
and looking at the best technologies,

1857
06:21:03,233 --> 06:21:05,533
I've noticed and observed

1858
06:21:05,533 --> 06:21:08,533
a lot of students who have

1859
06:21:09,467 --> 06:21:13,467
expressed that they don't think that iPads

1860
06:21:13,634 --> 06:21:16,634
would be the best step forward.

1861
06:21:16,634 --> 06:21:18,900
I talked to some younger

1862
06:21:18,900 --> 06:21:24,500
students, in the fifth and sixth grades when I was volunteering at robotics,

1863
06:21:25,100 --> 06:21:28,500
and they said that their iPads were hard to use,

1864
06:21:29,000 --> 06:21:31,900
and that one student even said

1865
06:21:31,900 --> 06:21:34,867
that they had a 16 year old windows laptop

1866
06:21:34,867 --> 06:21:38,000
that they felt like was preferable to their iPad.

1867
06:21:38,634 --> 06:21:39,500
Now, I'm not saying that

1868
06:21:39,500 --> 06:21:43,266
that's a generalization that iPads are worse than MacBooks,

1869
06:21:43,634 --> 06:21:48,100
but I am saying that I think that we have a good system with MacBooks right now,

1870
06:21:48,900 --> 06:21:51,367
and I think that it would be a shame to lose that.

1871
06:21:51,367 --> 06:21:52,734
In regards to the budget.

1872
06:21:52,734 --> 06:21:56,100
I think the MacBook neo looks like it would be a great option

1873
06:21:56,533 --> 06:21:59,100
from what I've seen, and I've researched.

1874
06:21:59,100 --> 06:22:03,266
It looks like it has a very good price point and very good features.

1875
06:22:03,266 --> 06:22:06,467
That involves a lot of the career readiness

1876
06:22:07,000 --> 06:22:11,000
and typing factors that students like about laptops,

1877
06:22:11,266 --> 06:22:14,467
but also incorporates the budget factor of iPads.

1878
06:22:14,634 --> 06:22:17,066
So I hope you'll consider that. Thank you.

1879
06:22:17,066 --> 06:22:18,634
Thank you know, I thanks think, you know a.

1880
06:22:30,100 --> 06:22:31,100
Hi. Good evening.

1881
06:22:31,100 --> 06:22:33,867
Charlie Crawford, 134 Newell Road.

1882
06:22:33,867 --> 06:22:38,166
I have an eighth grader and a ninth grader, both heavily involved in robotics.

1883
06:22:38,734 --> 06:22:44,333
I just wanted to raise another point, about that, restoring that Stem position.

1884
06:22:44,333 --> 06:22:46,000
And I'm encouraged by where the

1885
06:22:46,000 --> 06:22:49,000
the direction of this conversation seems to be going.

1886
06:22:49,100 --> 06:22:53,734
I am a home health physical therapist, which means

1887
06:22:54,367 --> 06:22:58,100
my the average age of the people that I spend all day with is probably 75

1888
06:22:58,100 --> 06:23:02,533
and up, and probably a bit of a harder demographic to sell,

1889
06:23:02,634 --> 06:23:06,467
a school budget to, even if it's, about 5%.

1890
06:23:07,266 --> 06:23:10,000
You know, only about a 5% increase, give or take.

1891
06:23:10,000 --> 06:23:12,734
What that also means is Medicare

1892
06:23:12,734 --> 06:23:16,266
pays me to brag about my kids for an hour at a time.

1893
06:23:16,266 --> 06:23:18,367
To everyone I see.

1894
06:23:18,367 --> 06:23:22,000
And the overwhelming response,

1895
06:23:22,333 --> 06:23:25,333
from the people I treat and from the people I talk to

1896
06:23:25,867 --> 06:23:30,800
is everyone is so happy that this is a school district that

1897
06:23:31,734 --> 06:23:33,066
kids who might not have

1898
06:23:33,066 --> 06:23:37,000
that much interest in sports or theater, kids who are very kind of

1899
06:23:37,066 --> 06:23:41,000
academically and Stem focused, have extracurriculars

1900
06:23:41,000 --> 06:23:44,233
that involve competition and team

1901
06:23:44,233 --> 06:23:47,166
building and problem solving.

1902
06:23:48,166 --> 06:23:50,800
They get all of the benefits that

1903
06:23:50,800 --> 06:23:53,867
the soccer teams do and that the football teams do.

1904
06:23:53,867 --> 06:23:58,433
And but they get it in their personal area of interest.

1905
06:23:58,634 --> 06:24:04,066
And it's it's just the response is tremendous.

1906
06:24:04,066 --> 06:24:08,333
Everyone is so happy to hear that Yarmuth gives this opportunity to these children.

1907
06:24:08,467 --> 06:24:12,100
So I'm very encouraged to hear where this conversation is going.

1908
06:24:12,800 --> 06:24:15,000
Thank you. Thank you. Charlie.

1909
06:24:15,000 --> 06:24:18,000
We may need to add a stipend for,

1910
06:24:19,634 --> 06:24:21,900
publicizing

1911
06:24:21,900 --> 06:24:26,166
efficiency of the arts, at least to the to the elderly community.

1912
06:24:26,233 --> 06:24:27,734
Hi, I'm Avery Crawford.

1913
06:24:27,734 --> 06:24:30,000
I live at 134 Newell Road.

1914
06:24:30,000 --> 06:24:33,000
I'm an eighth grader at Yarmouth's middle school.

1915
06:24:33,100 --> 06:24:36,800
I've done robotics, all my years in middle school.

1916
06:24:37,000 --> 06:24:38,100
I really enjoyed it.

1917
06:24:38,100 --> 06:24:41,867
And I also think it's a great opportunity for our futures.

1918
06:24:42,066 --> 06:24:46,000
We learn so many skills, like in the engineering field, and also

1919
06:24:46,000 --> 06:24:50,000
shows social skills at competitions where some of you might not know this,

1920
06:24:50,000 --> 06:24:53,800
but we have to talk to alliance partners and say why

1921
06:24:53,800 --> 06:24:57,634
we should be part of their Alliance for competition,

1922
06:24:58,000 --> 06:25:01,000
which I think is a great skill for later in life.

1923
06:25:01,266 --> 06:25:05,867
I also think in relation to good skills later in life,

1924
06:25:05,900 --> 06:25:11,000
the laptops are way better for that, in my opinion,

1925
06:25:11,000 --> 06:25:14,500
because in a workforce you're not going to be using an iPad.

1926
06:25:15,000 --> 06:25:17,367
You are going to be using the laptop.

1927
06:25:17,367 --> 06:25:21,000
And I think if we want to prepare students for,

1928
06:25:22,266 --> 06:25:23,100
like later in

1929
06:25:23,100 --> 06:25:27,000
life, then we should give them what they're using later in life.

1930
06:25:27,100 --> 06:25:30,000
Also adding what Finn said,

1931
06:25:30,367 --> 06:25:33,333
I have also used an iPad and a laptop.

1932
06:25:33,533 --> 06:25:37,533
The laptop is way easier from school assignments.

1933
06:25:37,634 --> 06:25:40,634
It's a lot easier to work with.

1934
06:25:40,634 --> 06:25:42,634
And with robotics,

1935
06:25:42,634 --> 06:25:46,533
it's also more, compatible with robotics

1936
06:25:46,533 --> 06:25:51,000
because sometimes they've had Bluetooth issues with the robotics on the iPads.

1937
06:25:51,266 --> 06:25:54,100
As of talk to younger grades.

1938
06:25:54,100 --> 06:25:55,433
So, yeah.

1939
06:25:55,433 --> 06:25:57,467
So I have to say thank you.

1940
06:25:57,467 --> 06:26:00,467
Thanks, Avery.

1941
06:26:19,100 --> 06:26:21,100
Hi. My name is Ryan. Q.

1942
06:26:21,100 --> 06:26:23,100
I live at 186 Royal Point Road.

1943
06:26:23,100 --> 06:26:26,734
I'm a junior at the high school, and I wanted to quickly point out

1944
06:26:27,100 --> 06:26:31,900
there are some programs that you can't really run

1945
06:26:31,900 --> 06:26:35,500
on iPads that I find very beneficial in the high school.

1946
06:26:35,867 --> 06:26:38,634
And that's not just in the technology, department.

1947
06:26:38,634 --> 06:26:43,367
I'm in the, robotics club, so stuff like coding and catting.

1948
06:26:43,367 --> 06:26:48,800
So computer aided design, those things, we use like Onshape and VS code,

1949
06:26:48,800 --> 06:26:54,266
which I think are less usable on iPads and the ability

1950
06:26:54,266 --> 06:26:58,734
to go home and program that kind of stuff outside of school is very helpful.

1951
06:26:59,100 --> 06:27:02,800
But also, I have interest in music,

1952
06:27:03,000 --> 06:27:08,100
and I like to make music on a program called Ableton, Ableton Live.

1953
06:27:08,634 --> 06:27:11,800
And I don't think that's available on iPads.

1954
06:27:12,000 --> 06:27:14,100
And that would,

1955
06:27:15,367 --> 06:27:18,100
that would kind of hurt my music

1956
06:27:18,100 --> 06:27:22,000
creating, experience because I use my school laptop to do that.

1957
06:27:22,500 --> 06:27:24,100
And I just wanted to point that out.

1958
06:27:24,100 --> 06:27:25,100
Thank you.

1959
06:27:25,100 --> 06:27:25,734
Thank you.

1960
06:27:25,734 --> 06:27:28,734
Thanks, Ryan.

1961
06:27:34,734 --> 06:27:37,734
Good evening, Tim Shannon again, 47 West Elm Street.

1962
06:27:38,000 --> 06:27:41,000
I too have had to edit a little bit, but here goes.

1963
06:27:43,100 --> 06:27:46,066
Members of the school committee, I urge you to oppose the reduction

1964
06:27:46,066 --> 06:27:49,533
of teaching staff by one full time equivalent as the high school

1965
06:27:49,533 --> 06:27:52,533
at the high school as originally proposed by the administration,

1966
06:27:53,100 --> 06:27:56,100
and instead to move in the direction set forth by the ever

1967
06:27:56,100 --> 06:27:59,166
excellent doctor off and perhaps go further.

1968
06:28:00,100 --> 06:28:02,000
A point of clarification.

1969
06:28:02,000 --> 06:28:05,233
My understanding was that with the proposal originally on the table

1970
06:28:06,100 --> 06:28:10,266
was for 1.0 FTE reduction and an edtech reduction.

1971
06:28:11,467 --> 06:28:12,734
If that is the case,

1972
06:28:12,734 --> 06:28:16,734
I urge you to restore the full 1.0 FTE teaching staff

1973
06:28:17,100 --> 06:28:20,333
and perhaps you can take that up during the Q&A amongst yourselves.

1974
06:28:21,467 --> 06:28:24,467
By any standard, shrinking the faculty would be a step down,

1975
06:28:25,100 --> 06:28:28,700
but it is especially alarming because it is part of a troubling trend

1976
06:28:29,066 --> 06:28:33,233
the steady chipping away of standards and aspirations in Yarmouth.

1977
06:28:34,266 --> 06:28:37,266
We offer fewer apps than Cape,

1978
06:28:37,266 --> 06:28:39,700
fewer apps in Falmouth,

1979
06:28:39,700 --> 06:28:42,233
far fewer apps than Scarborough.

1980
06:28:42,233 --> 06:28:44,000
And we're about to cut fewer.

1981
06:28:44,000 --> 06:28:46,066
We're about to have more rather,

1982
06:28:46,066 --> 06:28:49,367
as I've talked to other parents, I've heard stories of kids struggling

1983
06:28:49,367 --> 06:28:52,367
to find sufficient challenging in-person classes,

1984
06:28:52,634 --> 06:28:55,266
including one family that pulled their daughter from the school

1985
06:28:55,266 --> 06:28:59,367
entirely, in part because the course offerings were, quote, too thin.

1986
06:29:00,066 --> 06:29:02,000
Close quote their words, not mine.

1987
06:29:03,900 --> 06:29:06,533
6 or 7 kids this year had the grit to forage

1988
06:29:06,533 --> 06:29:09,800
for their own education and take AP macro online.

1989
06:29:11,066 --> 06:29:14,100
What about the other seven kids who are interested in macroeconomics

1990
06:29:14,100 --> 06:29:17,100
but can't bear the sterility of online classes?

1991
06:29:17,533 --> 06:29:20,533
What about the other seven kids whose home life is not conducive

1992
06:29:20,533 --> 06:29:23,500
to online learning?

1993
06:29:23,533 --> 06:29:26,333
There seems to be a powerful psychological

1994
06:29:26,333 --> 06:29:30,100
or social pressure in Yarmouth to say that everything is all right.

1995
06:29:30,266 --> 06:29:32,634
The schools are fine.

1996
06:29:32,634 --> 06:29:35,166
Everything is not fine.

1997
06:29:35,166 --> 06:29:38,100
There's a bigger troubling trend here.

1998
06:29:38,100 --> 06:29:40,900
A smaller faculty not only limits stem.

1999
06:29:40,900 --> 06:29:44,700
As we've discussed tonight, it not only limits existing

2000
06:29:44,700 --> 06:29:48,467
and or potential apps, it limits other courses to.

2001
06:29:49,867 --> 06:29:52,000
We live in a time of global turmoil.

2002
06:29:52,000 --> 06:29:55,000
Falmouth offers a course in citizenship and society.

2003
06:29:55,367 --> 06:29:56,066
We do not.

2004
06:29:57,000 --> 06:29:59,800
We live in a time of institutional crisis.

2005
06:29:59,800 --> 06:30:03,800
Scarborough offers courses on patriotism, indifference and progress and power.

2006
06:30:04,233 --> 06:30:06,066
We do not.

2007
06:30:06,066 --> 06:30:09,066
We live in a time of AI and existential angst.

2008
06:30:09,100 --> 06:30:12,100
Cape Elizabeth offers a course in advanced philosophy.

2009
06:30:12,100 --> 06:30:13,734
We do not.

2010
06:30:13,734 --> 06:30:16,266
Yet we are poised to shrink the faculty.

2011
06:30:16,266 --> 06:30:19,367
In short, this budget discussion is not just about denying

2012
06:30:19,367 --> 06:30:24,100
Stem kids classroom experience in favor of Covid or isolation.

2013
06:30:24,533 --> 06:30:25,900
It's about a broader problem.

2014
06:30:25,900 --> 06:30:28,066
It's about vision.

2015
06:30:28,066 --> 06:30:30,900
Instead of maintaining a full roster of challenging courses,

2016
06:30:30,900 --> 06:30:33,700
helping kids explore their interests fully.

2017
06:30:33,700 --> 06:30:36,734
Yarmouth is risking employing a one way budget ratchet.

2018
06:30:37,367 --> 06:30:40,367
If kids don't sign up for a particular class one year,

2019
06:30:41,000 --> 06:30:43,900
the position is cut rather than redeployed.

2020
06:30:43,900 --> 06:30:45,734
I urge you to keep the school strong.

2021
06:30:45,734 --> 06:30:47,634
Thank you. Thank you Tim.

2022
06:30:58,333 --> 06:31:01,333
Any other public comment?

2023
06:31:02,467 --> 06:31:05,467
We're so grateful for all of you being here.

2024
06:31:05,900 --> 06:31:10,000
This input is so valuable to us and here in your personal experiences

2025
06:31:10,000 --> 06:31:13,000
and your advice and your questions, we really appreciate.

2026
06:31:13,000 --> 06:31:17,000
So we'll close public comment number two and we'll turn it back to the school

2027
06:31:17,000 --> 06:31:21,266
committee discussion about where we are with the budget proposal.

2028
06:31:21,533 --> 06:31:22,433
Until we feel like

2029
06:31:22,433 --> 06:31:25,433
we are in a place where someone is ready to put a motion forward.

2030
06:31:26,500 --> 06:31:28,533
Come.

2031
06:31:28,533 --> 06:31:32,500
But do we need a motion just to begin discussion at this point?

2032
06:31:32,533 --> 06:31:35,367
You could you could do that.

2033
06:31:35,367 --> 06:31:38,100
And if you want to do it

2034
06:31:38,100 --> 06:31:41,100
and provide us with the greatest flexibility,

2035
06:31:42,000 --> 06:31:44,800
then the motion would be to approve for a second reading the proposed

2036
06:31:44,800 --> 06:31:50,000
FY 27 budget in the amount of $44,212,213.

2037
06:31:50,467 --> 06:31:51,734
I'll make that motion.

2038
06:31:51,734 --> 06:31:52,233
Thank you.

2039
06:31:52,233 --> 06:31:55,333
Second, and thank you for the clarification that we need about.

2040
06:31:55,333 --> 06:31:58,066
So we will now open for discussion.

2041
06:32:01,734 --> 06:32:03,066
I'll start, I guess.

2042
06:32:03,066 --> 06:32:08,634
I wanted to thank everybody for their, comments tonight.

2043
06:32:08,634 --> 06:32:09,734
It's really appreciated.

2044
06:32:09,734 --> 06:32:13,367
And the emails that have come in, it's already been said by,

2045
06:32:14,100 --> 06:32:17,100
my fellow committee member, Sarah, just that it's

2046
06:32:17,900 --> 06:32:20,900
helpful to,

2047
06:32:21,734 --> 06:32:23,100
Hear what people are thinking.

2048
06:32:23,100 --> 06:32:25,066
And we don't always get that opportunity.

2049
06:32:25,066 --> 06:32:28,066
And I really appreciate it when we when we do.

2050
06:32:28,634 --> 06:32:32,800
And I do think that, I'm in full support of,

2051
06:32:34,100 --> 06:32:37,266
bringing the Stem position back up to 1.0.

2052
06:32:37,800 --> 06:32:40,800
I do think that we.

2053
06:32:42,000 --> 06:32:44,000
It's a it's a hard place

2054
06:32:44,000 --> 06:32:47,266
to sit when you're hearing and you're trying to look at a budget.

2055
06:32:47,900 --> 06:32:51,066
And I also agree with everything that's been said.

2056
06:32:51,100 --> 06:32:55,333
We have, I've been on the school committee for a long time.

2057
06:32:55,700 --> 06:33:00,100
And I remember when we added, the steam, classes

2058
06:33:00,100 --> 06:33:04,066
to the elementary school and the enthusiasm, Ryan Gleason had,

2059
06:33:04,100 --> 06:33:07,867
as we voted on those programs and the financial backing

2060
06:33:07,867 --> 06:33:11,166
to those programs, those kids, to my understanding, our current

2061
06:33:11,166 --> 06:33:14,500
eighth graders, the ones that started in, the elementary school.

2062
06:33:14,500 --> 06:33:16,533
So they will be coming up into the high school.

2063
06:33:17,500 --> 06:33:20,500
The Stem endorsement that is new as of this year.

2064
06:33:20,533 --> 06:33:25,734
There are a million wonderful, and compelling reasons

2065
06:33:25,734 --> 06:33:30,333
to, keep this position at, 1.0,

2066
06:33:30,333 --> 06:33:34,100
that full time rather than, point five.

2067
06:33:34,100 --> 06:33:37,500
And yet and I also appreciate the conversation

2068
06:33:37,500 --> 06:33:40,500
that we've had around it, looking to

2069
06:33:41,066 --> 06:33:42,634
looking to the budget overall.

2070
06:33:42,634 --> 06:33:46,233
I guess I'll, I have the floor.

2071
06:33:46,533 --> 06:33:48,100
I'll just continue.

2072
06:33:48,100 --> 06:33:53,734
I you know, I've been pretty staunch in my,

2073
06:33:55,000 --> 06:33:56,734
support of laptops.

2074
06:33:56,734 --> 06:34:00,800
I don't know that that's changing,

2075
06:34:00,800 --> 06:34:03,800
but I would like to

2076
06:34:04,800 --> 06:34:06,900
keep the money in the budget for right now

2077
06:34:06,900 --> 06:34:11,467
and not to be able to have more time to discuss

2078
06:34:11,467 --> 06:34:15,533
and think about this rather than, having to decide

2079
06:34:16,000 --> 06:34:19,066
tonight if I know that that sounded like a possibility.

2080
06:34:21,900 --> 06:34:22,900
What else?

2081
06:34:22,900 --> 06:34:26,100
I guess for the moment, that's it. Lanaya.

2082
06:34:26,100 --> 06:34:27,100
And then Michael.

2083
06:34:27,100 --> 06:34:31,100
In my near two years of serving as the,

2084
06:34:32,166 --> 06:34:35,233
student voice,

2085
06:34:35,233 --> 06:34:38,233
I've never seen this much community involvement.

2086
06:34:38,433 --> 06:34:40,100
This is incredible.

2087
06:34:40,100 --> 06:34:44,467
And I think that speaks volumes to the impact

2088
06:34:44,467 --> 06:34:48,100
that our Steam program has on our high school students.

2089
06:34:48,100 --> 06:34:53,066
And I just wanted to bring that to attention, even though it is very clear.

2090
06:34:54,100 --> 06:34:57,100
Just how much this matters to our students.

2091
06:34:57,500 --> 06:35:01,100
So I just wanted the committee to consider that as well.

2092
06:35:04,800 --> 06:35:06,100
But I want to start.

2093
06:35:06,100 --> 06:35:09,100
Well, I hate coming after. And because.

2094
06:35:09,233 --> 06:35:11,166
And I sound like I'm just agreeing with you.

2095
06:35:11,166 --> 06:35:11,800
It's okay.

2096
06:35:11,800 --> 06:35:15,100
But I want I do have a different comment slightly,

2097
06:35:15,066 --> 06:35:18,066
and that is that I am so impressed to hear the students.

2098
06:35:18,066 --> 06:35:23,533
Not that I don't appreciate the parents opinion, but that the articulate way

2099
06:35:23,533 --> 06:35:26,700
that students have presented their ideas and their beliefs

2100
06:35:27,266 --> 06:35:29,433
to me is very impressive.

2101
06:35:30,634 --> 06:35:32,533
And you have

2102
06:35:32,533 --> 06:35:36,266
each, in your own way, sort of discussed your passions and your interests

2103
06:35:36,266 --> 06:35:41,500
and how those have been supported by this particular program.

2104
06:35:42,066 --> 06:35:45,100
And although I came into this meeting

2105
06:35:45,734 --> 06:35:49,100
expecting to support the the increase in the Stem position,

2106
06:35:49,634 --> 06:35:55,533
hearing the passion that you guys have, cements that that belief in me.

2107
06:35:56,100 --> 06:35:59,100
I also I concur with and that

2108
06:35:59,533 --> 06:36:03,734
I think that with some of this new information

2109
06:36:03,734 --> 06:36:09,266
coming out about the MacBook neo, and I feel as

2110
06:36:09,266 --> 06:36:13,333
if there's more discussion needed before we may come down one way or another.

2111
06:36:13,333 --> 06:36:16,900
And so I would support preserving that money in the budget.

2112
06:36:17,100 --> 06:36:20,467
So we can make that decision at a later date.

2113
06:36:21,266 --> 06:36:22,100
That's all I have.

2114
06:36:22,100 --> 06:36:26,433
And I support the the budget, that number, that $44 million number.

2115
06:36:29,533 --> 06:36:32,533
Stands hand and then we'll go to Sarah Kelly.

2116
06:36:33,100 --> 06:36:36,800
So, one continuing comment and then I will be quiet for a little while.

2117
06:36:36,800 --> 06:36:42,000
Elise, I just also wanted to acknowledge your, thoughts, and I, I do there's

2118
06:36:42,000 --> 06:36:47,266
been a lot of discussion recently about, the AP offerings at the high school.

2119
06:36:47,266 --> 06:36:51,100
And I do think it is a really worthwhile topic to discuss.

2120
06:36:51,100 --> 06:36:56,000
Maybe not tonight as part of the, you know, the second reading of the budget.

2121
06:36:56,266 --> 06:37:00,100
But as you know, as we do these workshops

2122
06:37:00,100 --> 06:37:03,000
every year and I can, kind of say

2123
06:37:03,000 --> 06:37:06,433
that I'll be adding that to my list of requested workshops for next year.

2124
06:37:06,433 --> 06:37:08,333
I think it is something we should be,

2125
06:37:08,333 --> 06:37:12,500
looking at further and and putting some time and discussion into.

2126
06:37:12,900 --> 06:37:13,634
And thanks.

2127
06:37:13,634 --> 06:37:17,367
We'll get to Sarah Kelly and then Elise for a couple of comments.

2128
06:37:17,367 --> 06:37:22,100
And first, to start with, the proposal, which,

2129
06:37:23,000 --> 06:37:26,266
you know, we heard from many of you and thank you to restore the,

2130
06:37:26,333 --> 06:37:29,333
position to full time,

2131
06:37:29,500 --> 06:37:32,533
again, appreciate so much all of you, in particular

2132
06:37:32,533 --> 06:37:37,000
the students, for really articulating, all of the different reasons

2133
06:37:37,000 --> 06:37:41,000
and the variety of reasons that you find this position to be important.

2134
06:37:41,700 --> 06:37:44,734
And I want to underscore, I guess first, as a parent,

2135
06:37:44,800 --> 06:37:47,700
I've got kids in kindergarten, third grade, and I'm a senior.

2136
06:37:47,700 --> 06:37:51,533
I see both the benefits that have been given to my senior,

2137
06:37:51,634 --> 06:37:55,266
from the Army school system, and I see the excitement in my two younger

2138
06:37:55,266 --> 06:37:59,533
kids, especially my kindergartner, who is, like, interested in being an engineer.

2139
06:37:59,533 --> 06:38:03,800
And I look forward to the opportunities that he has in the upper grade levels.

2140
06:38:04,000 --> 06:38:10,000
And I think that this school committee and this administration does have a,

2141
06:38:10,066 --> 06:38:14,100
you know, very high standard and a strong vision for our schools

2142
06:38:14,100 --> 06:38:18,266
in preparing our kids for a changing world, in ensuring

2143
06:38:18,266 --> 06:38:22,367
we have a rich curriculum and then just sort of to fall back on.

2144
06:38:22,800 --> 06:38:26,367
I'm also a taxpayer, and I also think this administration and school committee

2145
06:38:27,100 --> 06:38:30,233
has to wear both hats and be very balanced in

2146
06:38:31,900 --> 06:38:33,000
giving a wide

2147
06:38:33,000 --> 06:38:37,800
variety of students a rich curriculum that meets their needs, while also

2148
06:38:38,266 --> 06:38:42,266
respecting the taxpayer and the responsibility we have to the town.

2149
06:38:42,266 --> 06:38:46,000
And last year was a bit hairy when it came down to the budget,

2150
06:38:46,467 --> 06:38:50,000
and I think that is has been really weighing heavily on our minds.

2151
06:38:50,000 --> 06:38:54,333
And I, I just want to say that I know that this administration,

2152
06:38:54,900 --> 06:38:57,734
when preparing the budget, did their very best

2153
06:38:57,734 --> 06:39:03,100
to maintain the excellence while putting forth a responsible budget.

2154
06:39:03,100 --> 06:39:07,100
And it's never going to be popular.

2155
06:39:07,433 --> 06:39:09,266
And I think maybe that's the making it obvious statement.

2156
06:39:09,266 --> 06:39:12,500
But I just want to say that no proposed cut

2157
06:39:12,500 --> 06:39:15,634
to staff is ever something that any of us want to see.

2158
06:39:16,000 --> 06:39:19,000
It's never something that any of us take lightly.

2159
06:39:19,166 --> 06:39:22,166
The majority of this budget is a human budget.

2160
06:39:22,500 --> 06:39:25,634
These are teachers that are valued and work very hard.

2161
06:39:26,066 --> 06:39:31,333
And yeah, I, I am very much in support of this,

2162
06:39:31,333 --> 06:39:34,533
restoring this position for a variety of reasons,

2163
06:39:35,066 --> 06:39:38,533
including the feedback that we've received from the community

2164
06:39:38,533 --> 06:39:42,734
and the consideration that in reducing it to a half time

2165
06:39:43,000 --> 06:39:45,700
position is like,

2166
06:39:45,700 --> 06:39:49,166
you know, potentially going to result in the exit of this individual

2167
06:39:49,166 --> 06:39:53,333
and would result in a difficulty in hiring a high quality person.

2168
06:39:54,000 --> 06:39:57,000
A high quality, technology educator.

2169
06:39:57,100 --> 06:40:02,166
As far as the iPad versus laptop, issue,

2170
06:40:02,800 --> 06:40:06,634
I mean, I think my personal opinions are maybe not useful here.

2171
06:40:06,634 --> 06:40:07,700
I think I'm always,

2172
06:40:07,700 --> 06:40:11,533
yeah, I'm a scientist by training and I'm, like, interested in data.

2173
06:40:11,533 --> 06:40:14,000
And I also I also respect

2174
06:40:15,000 --> 06:40:17,734
our staff and I respect Mike Arsenal's,

2175
06:40:17,734 --> 06:40:22,233
input and work in the discussions that he's been so gracious and having with us.

2176
06:40:22,233 --> 06:40:27,266
And the information has given and I also and, you know, really compelled

2177
06:40:27,266 --> 06:40:32,233
by the overwhelming feedback of our community and students

2178
06:40:32,233 --> 06:40:36,734
and in particular students whose feedback has been overwhelmingly

2179
06:40:37,166 --> 06:40:42,066
pro laptop and a lot in some of the emails and comment share

2180
06:40:42,066 --> 06:40:46,734
tonight about programs that they don't believe or capabilities they don't believe

2181
06:40:47,100 --> 06:40:52,100
are capable, in terms of the iPads to do or do adequately.

2182
06:40:52,533 --> 06:40:54,467
And, and I think what

2183
06:40:54,467 --> 06:40:58,166
despite the hard work of Mike, Arsenal and some of the teachers

2184
06:40:58,166 --> 06:41:02,066
to do some testing with iPads, what I'm worried about is

2185
06:41:03,166 --> 06:41:05,166
that we haven't done a deep enough

2186
06:41:05,166 --> 06:41:09,533
dive with students and staff at the high school to really do

2187
06:41:10,066 --> 06:41:13,500
the comparison and really probe into the capabilities

2188
06:41:14,100 --> 06:41:16,900
in all of the classes, with all of the programs

2189
06:41:16,900 --> 06:41:19,000
that you all actually use on the day to day basis.

2190
06:41:19,000 --> 06:41:23,000
So long story short, I'm very much in favor of keeping that

2191
06:41:23,000 --> 06:41:26,533
additional money in the budget to give some additional time.

2192
06:41:27,066 --> 06:41:32,333
And if it is an I, a laptop decision, you know, we can we

2193
06:41:32,433 --> 06:41:33,700
it gives us more time

2194
06:41:33,700 --> 06:41:37,433
over the coming years to gather more data to really understand

2195
06:41:37,433 --> 06:41:42,100
the capabilities of a next generation iPad or neo versus a laptop.

2196
06:41:42,100 --> 06:41:45,734
My feeling is really just that this decision came too quickly,

2197
06:41:45,734 --> 06:41:48,800
and even though it involves a consideration of some staff,

2198
06:41:49,333 --> 06:41:52,700
I personally thought it didn't reach enough staff in time

2199
06:41:52,900 --> 06:41:54,100
to make an informed decision.

2200
06:41:54,100 --> 06:41:57,100
Which again, is why I'm in favor of adding that money to the budget

2201
06:41:57,100 --> 06:42:00,634
as proposed, so we have the time to make the proper decision.

2202
06:42:01,634 --> 06:42:02,734
Thank you.

2203
06:42:02,734 --> 06:42:05,634
Kelly, I wanted to acknowledge the students

2204
06:42:05,634 --> 06:42:10,000
for coming here and hanging out until 9 p.m..

2205
06:42:11,266 --> 06:42:14,100
And just being so brave and,

2206
06:42:14,100 --> 06:42:17,500
candid, and I just, I want to celebrate that.

2207
06:42:17,500 --> 06:42:19,066
And I think it's a testament to everything

2208
06:42:19,066 --> 06:42:23,100
that you were sharing tonight about how these programs have impacted

2209
06:42:23,100 --> 06:42:26,100
your life and given you more confidence, more purpose.

2210
06:42:26,900 --> 06:42:28,634
So again, just want to acknowledge you for that.

2211
06:42:28,634 --> 06:42:31,900
And parents also, you know, even as adults,

2212
06:42:31,900 --> 06:42:35,066
it's not always easy to get up, and speak in front of your peers.

2213
06:42:35,066 --> 06:42:37,333
So kudos to you as well.

2214
06:42:37,333 --> 06:42:39,900
I am so grateful

2215
06:42:39,900 --> 06:42:44,634
that you spoke so passionately about keeping, the,

2216
06:42:44,867 --> 06:42:49,900
Stem position as a full time position because I will say for myself,

2217
06:42:49,900 --> 06:42:54,867
we've had all these other really big pressing, concerns,

2218
06:42:54,867 --> 06:42:57,233
whether it was about technology or cell phones,

2219
06:42:57,233 --> 06:43:00,100
and I don't think personally, I gave it due diligence.

2220
06:43:00,100 --> 06:43:04,066
So I appreciate that you all, took the time to come here

2221
06:43:04,066 --> 06:43:08,066
to write emails, and really give us more time

2222
06:43:08,066 --> 06:43:11,000
to be thoughtful and intentional with this decision.

2223
06:43:11,233 --> 06:43:14,500
I do have concerns again, because of the low enrollment,

2224
06:43:14,500 --> 06:43:17,000
but it sounds like this is an issue

2225
06:43:17,000 --> 06:43:21,000
that can be resolved, with some scheduling differences.

2226
06:43:21,100 --> 06:43:24,100
So again, I applaud you and thank you for that.

2227
06:43:24,100 --> 06:43:24,867
And that's

2228
06:43:24,867 --> 06:43:28,100
what is so great about living in this community is having so much involvement.

2229
06:43:28,367 --> 06:43:33,367
I mean, I'm sure on the staff side, sometimes it's like a little overwhelming.

2230
06:43:33,800 --> 06:43:38,533
I may have been one of those parents and it's like, Kelly Hall get $20 notes.

2231
06:43:38,634 --> 06:43:40,233
I didn't know each other a long time.

2232
06:43:41,166 --> 06:43:44,166
I've never said never.

2233
06:43:44,266 --> 06:43:47,266
So again, I feel lucky to live here.

2234
06:43:48,634 --> 06:43:52,100
I think I've been pretty open that I'm in support of the iPads.

2235
06:43:52,266 --> 06:43:55,066
Again, because I work at another school district.

2236
06:43:55,066 --> 06:43:59,000
And so being on the leadership team, I know that this is something

2237
06:43:59,000 --> 06:44:01,066
that's happening across the state.

2238
06:44:01,066 --> 06:44:03,000
And again, I trust the experts

2239
06:44:03,000 --> 06:44:06,367
who are immersed in that field, and they're all working together.

2240
06:44:06,734 --> 06:44:09,734
They're all going to the schools that have already made the transitions.

2241
06:44:10,800 --> 06:44:13,266
You know, they're having experiences with these schools.

2242
06:44:13,266 --> 06:44:15,700
And again, we're still going to have laptops.

2243
06:44:15,700 --> 06:44:18,000
Okay. So they're not completely going away.

2244
06:44:18,000 --> 06:44:21,000
We're going to have them for the students that need them.

2245
06:44:21,000 --> 06:44:22,700
And I think that's something to remember too.

2246
06:44:22,700 --> 06:44:24,433
That's like the privilege that we have here, right.

2247
06:44:24,433 --> 06:44:27,066
That we can have options for students.

2248
06:44:27,066 --> 06:44:29,900
I know change is hard, but I think,

2249
06:44:29,900 --> 06:44:33,100
I mean, and again, we all have our own personal experiences.

2250
06:44:33,100 --> 06:44:36,900
And for me, having a child who's just naturally gifted with technology,

2251
06:44:37,100 --> 06:44:40,100
trying to control him on the laptop has been a nightmare.

2252
06:44:41,000 --> 06:44:44,000
So I love the idea that we're introducing a tool

2253
06:44:44,166 --> 06:44:47,266
that provides a little bit more security,

2254
06:44:47,266 --> 06:44:50,700
and the ability for staff to,

2255
06:44:51,100 --> 06:44:55,867
be able to monitor what students are doing on the device in the classroom.

2256
06:44:55,867 --> 06:44:57,700
Because, again, I've also worked in the district,

2257
06:44:57,700 --> 06:45:01,233
and I've seen how much time it takes away from instruction.

2258
06:45:01,233 --> 06:45:05,000
When you have students on a laptop doing things that they shouldn't

2259
06:45:05,000 --> 06:45:06,634
be doing at that time.

2260
06:45:06,634 --> 06:45:08,000
And the difference with the iPad

2261
06:45:08,000 --> 06:45:10,367
is that the teacher can see exactly what they're doing

2262
06:45:10,367 --> 06:45:13,367
with that classroom feature, which I think is so helpful.

2263
06:45:13,734 --> 06:45:16,734
So that's maybe something at least.

2264
06:45:16,800 --> 06:45:20,900
So, I, I know everyone here has spoken very passionately

2265
06:45:20,900 --> 06:45:24,100
about how they're very much in support of bringing the halftime position

2266
06:45:24,100 --> 06:45:25,100
back up to full time.

2267
06:45:25,100 --> 06:45:28,100
And I really admire and acknowledge the,

2268
06:45:28,233 --> 06:45:31,100
emotion that you guys have shown.

2269
06:45:31,100 --> 06:45:35,100
And I am going to make the unpopular stance that I don't.

2270
06:45:35,100 --> 06:45:37,000
I think we should keep it at halftime.

2271
06:45:37,000 --> 06:45:38,634
And I don't say that because I don't believe

2272
06:45:38,634 --> 06:45:42,100
that these are incredibly valuable roles that are being taken away.

2273
06:45:42,367 --> 06:45:45,367
It is these classes are very valuable for a lot of students,

2274
06:45:46,000 --> 06:45:49,333
but I think we have to be cognizant of the fact that there is a limit

2275
06:45:49,333 --> 06:45:52,333
to how many teachers we can have, how many rooms we have in the school.

2276
06:45:52,734 --> 06:45:56,066
And, as Tim mentioned, there's maybe like 6 or 7,

2277
06:45:56,066 --> 06:45:59,367
half a dozen or so students who are taking AP macroeconomics online.

2278
06:45:59,367 --> 06:46:00,800
I'm one of those students.

2279
06:46:00,800 --> 06:46:03,166
I would much rather be taking this class in person,

2280
06:46:03,166 --> 06:46:06,166
but I'm unable to do so because we do not have a teacher to do that.

2281
06:46:06,500 --> 06:46:10,634
So when you tell me that we have half a dozen students

2282
06:46:10,634 --> 06:46:12,100
who are unable to take this class,

2283
06:46:12,100 --> 06:46:13,867
who are being forced to take this class online,

2284
06:46:13,867 --> 06:46:15,100
who knows how many other students

2285
06:46:15,100 --> 06:46:17,900
are not taking it because of the fact that it's online.

2286
06:46:17,900 --> 06:46:19,533
And then you tell me that we are going to

2287
06:46:20,700 --> 06:46:21,900
in the position that

2288
06:46:21,900 --> 06:46:23,533
potentially could have been held by someone

2289
06:46:23,533 --> 06:46:25,634
who could be teaching this class in person.

2290
06:46:25,634 --> 06:46:29,500
You were prioritizing lower level.

2291
06:46:29,500 --> 06:46:33,100
And by lower level I don't mean less valuable, but they are not AP classes.

2292
06:46:33,100 --> 06:46:37,900
You are prioritizing lower level classes that have one to 3 to 4 people in them.

2293
06:46:38,367 --> 06:46:41,000
That in my mind, is,

2294
06:46:41,000 --> 06:46:44,066
a disparity that I think is not justifiable

2295
06:46:44,266 --> 06:46:47,900
when we claim that we want to have the highest level school

2296
06:46:47,900 --> 06:46:50,800
with the highest performing students, and yet we're prioritizing

2297
06:46:50,800 --> 06:46:54,000
how to build a guitar over how to take AP macroeconomics.

2298
06:46:54,000 --> 06:46:58,467
I think that's just a disparity that we need to think about.

2299
06:46:59,000 --> 06:47:02,000
So thank you.

2300
06:47:05,100 --> 06:47:07,266
Everybody said what I would say.

2301
06:47:07,266 --> 06:47:10,066
I don't really need to keep everybody here longer.

2302
06:47:10,066 --> 06:47:12,100
I will only say that I,

2303
06:47:12,100 --> 06:47:15,266
I'm with Kelly in the fact that I've been pretty clear that

2304
06:47:15,266 --> 06:47:20,066
I support the change to iPads, but I also want to say that I support

2305
06:47:20,266 --> 06:47:23,000
keeping the funding in the budget so we can discuss it further.

2306
06:47:23,000 --> 06:47:27,000
I think there's, a lot of new information that we've received that's worth

2307
06:47:27,433 --> 06:47:28,800
conversation to talk about.

2308
06:47:28,800 --> 06:47:31,700
And and keeping the money in there for now.

2309
06:47:31,700 --> 06:47:33,634
So we can do that, I think is very valuable.

2310
06:47:34,533 --> 06:47:35,266
And I

2311
06:47:35,266 --> 06:47:39,000
and then Kelly, I also just wanted to acknowledge

2312
06:47:39,000 --> 06:47:41,700
everybody and the parents too, because I've talked in front of the town

2313
06:47:41,700 --> 06:47:45,000
council and I'm like, up there, I'm shaking you all were very composed.

2314
06:47:45,000 --> 06:47:47,533
I was impressed, and I feel like I need to go meet Mr.

2315
06:47:47,533 --> 06:47:50,266
Pitman now because he sounds amazing.

2316
06:47:50,266 --> 06:47:53,467
So I wanted to say thank you to everyone to come out and talk

2317
06:47:53,467 --> 06:47:59,100
and on the behalf of these programs, I think it's valuable.

2318
06:47:59,100 --> 06:48:03,467
I think it's just as valuable as, macroeconomics.

2319
06:48:03,467 --> 06:48:04,533
I could not do that.

2320
06:48:04,533 --> 06:48:10,533
I, I think that, you know, that leads to really great academic opportunities.

2321
06:48:10,533 --> 06:48:15,000
I think not everyone is built and designed for that sort of academic opportunity,

2322
06:48:15,000 --> 06:48:17,000
and providing them the opportunity to learn

2323
06:48:17,000 --> 06:48:21,000
how to use their hands and learn skills in a different way is just as valuable.

2324
06:48:21,100 --> 06:48:24,100
So just putting that out there, I also,

2325
06:48:24,634 --> 06:48:27,266
I'm torn on the laptop iPad.

2326
06:48:27,266 --> 06:48:29,533
I really value Mr.

2327
06:48:29,533 --> 06:48:33,000
Small and his opinion and I really I,

2328
06:48:33,734 --> 06:48:37,166
I really appreciate, Margo Downes,

2329
06:48:37,500 --> 06:48:40,266
you've talked to us a couple of times and I feel like you're very eloquent,

2330
06:48:40,266 --> 06:48:43,166
and I appreciate your input and what you have to say to us.

2331
06:48:44,734 --> 06:48:47,100
So. Oh,

2332
06:48:47,100 --> 06:48:51,000
I remembered so when I was at the high school for the policy presentations,

2333
06:48:51,000 --> 06:48:54,867
I was speaking with the staff there, and I just wanted to share with you.

2334
06:48:54,867 --> 06:48:58,166
I was just talking with the teacher after when there was some time,

2335
06:48:58,166 --> 06:49:03,000
and she was saying that she really liked the idea of iPads

2336
06:49:03,000 --> 06:49:06,734
because students can set them down and then they're not having

2337
06:49:06,734 --> 06:49:09,100
that barrier in front of them.

2338
06:49:09,100 --> 06:49:13,800
And when I was there and I witnessed the students having their laptops open,

2339
06:49:13,800 --> 06:49:19,634
I saw like I actually saw and felt what that meant, and it was pretty significant.

2340
06:49:19,634 --> 06:49:23,166
And I also had been thinking about the ergonomics of an iPad.

2341
06:49:23,533 --> 06:49:26,500
But then when you were there and I saw this like

2342
06:49:27,000 --> 06:49:29,634
junior, like,

2343
06:49:29,634 --> 06:49:33,367
you know, he's like a full grown man, like trying to type on a laptop.

2344
06:49:33,367 --> 06:49:35,734
It really wasn't ergonomic either.

2345
06:49:35,734 --> 06:49:39,100
So I just wanted to turn the other to you guys.

2346
06:49:39,100 --> 06:49:42,533
Because that I just had that in mind when I was at my high school,

2347
06:49:42,533 --> 06:49:44,233
and it was an interesting experience for me.

2348
06:49:44,233 --> 06:49:45,900
So I wanted to share that with all of you.

2349
06:49:45,900 --> 06:49:49,100
But I am in favor of the full time staff member

2350
06:49:49,100 --> 06:49:52,166
and of keeping that money in the budget for now, so that we can make sure

2351
06:49:52,166 --> 06:49:55,700
we have an informed decision and we're not rushing into it.

2352
06:49:56,166 --> 06:49:57,233
Thank you. Emily Kelly.

2353
06:49:57,233 --> 06:50:00,734
Yes, I just wanted to add is that I'm in favor of keeping the full budget.

2354
06:50:01,100 --> 06:50:04,533
And it's just that we have more time to talk about the technology.

2355
06:50:04,533 --> 06:50:06,533
Despite that, I lean towards more iPads.

2356
06:50:06,533 --> 06:50:09,266
I'm totally okay with keeping that money in.

2357
06:50:11,734 --> 06:50:12,900
I just wanna make one comment

2358
06:50:12,900 --> 06:50:17,700
about staffing with our, staffing budget

2359
06:50:19,000 --> 06:50:21,734
as it is

2360
06:50:21,734 --> 06:50:23,533
taking this year's staff

2361
06:50:23,533 --> 06:50:28,333
and moving it forward to next year, and recognizing the retirements

2362
06:50:28,333 --> 06:50:33,233
and resignations that we have, we already have a plan.

2363
06:50:36,166 --> 06:50:37,533
Hope that

2364
06:50:37,533 --> 06:50:40,634
that we think is we're pretty optimistic about that.

2365
06:50:40,634 --> 06:50:44,500
We would be able to restore more

2366
06:50:44,500 --> 06:50:48,166
staffing at the high school within the budget that we already have.

2367
06:50:48,166 --> 06:50:51,333
So that's not a that's not something

2368
06:50:51,333 --> 06:50:54,266
that we need to act on to add money into the budget.

2369
06:50:54,634 --> 06:50:59,000
Those funds are already they're made available by the

2370
06:51:00,100 --> 06:51:04,100
what some people term breakage from this year's

2371
06:51:04,100 --> 06:51:07,233
staffing and next year's projected staffing.

2372
06:51:10,100 --> 06:51:13,533
I'll just offer my $0.02 before I think we're ready to move the vote.

2373
06:51:13,800 --> 06:51:18,000
Like everyone at this table, I take the taxpayers investment

2374
06:51:18,000 --> 06:51:20,000
in our schools really seriously,

2375
06:51:20,000 --> 06:51:23,800
and I take the experience we're offering for our students really seriously.

2376
06:51:23,800 --> 06:51:26,367
Thank you all for being a part of this process.

2377
06:51:26,367 --> 06:51:29,367
I think I'm in agreement with many people up here.

2378
06:51:29,700 --> 06:51:33,233
In terms of technology devices, I'm really compelled

2379
06:51:33,233 --> 06:51:36,433
by our experts that are recommending moving towards an iPad.

2380
06:51:36,433 --> 06:51:40,900
And I'm even more compelled by the students and staff that don't want it.

2381
06:51:41,266 --> 06:51:45,100
And so for me, I, I support maintaining the budget for a laptop

2382
06:51:45,100 --> 06:51:48,533
and thinking about what might be our process or change management

2383
06:51:48,533 --> 06:51:52,100
in future years to evolve to technology that students and staff

2384
06:51:52,100 --> 06:51:56,000
are not just comfortable with, but excited and prepared to use.

2385
06:51:57,000 --> 06:51:58,000
And like

2386
06:51:58,000 --> 06:52:02,000
others, I support using our Stem teacher to a full time

2387
06:52:02,000 --> 06:52:05,233
position for all the reasons that have been shared tonight.

2388
06:52:05,634 --> 06:52:10,266
And I think about how do we collectively and really the work of our high school

2389
06:52:10,266 --> 06:52:14,734
administration and and team think about connecting our strategic

2390
06:52:14,734 --> 06:52:18,000
priority around Stem and all the interest and the amazing experiences

2391
06:52:18,000 --> 06:52:21,066
people are having and these really low class sizes.

2392
06:52:21,066 --> 06:52:24,066
I want to see that gap closed.

2393
06:52:24,100 --> 06:52:26,166
So that is what I wanted to share.

2394
06:52:26,166 --> 06:52:30,734
And if there are no other comments, I think we can move to a vote.

2395
06:52:30,734 --> 06:52:33,734
All in favor of the motion on the table.

2396
06:52:36,266 --> 06:52:39,166
All opposed?

2397
06:52:39,166 --> 06:52:40,333
Thank you.

2398
06:52:40,333 --> 06:52:43,900
With that, it is 916 and we are adjourned.

2399
06:52:44,867 --> 06:52:46,800
Thanks, folks. Thanks, everyone. You.