School Committee: March 6, 2026

Transcript captured from YouTube auto-captioning. No speaker labels; proper names and dollar figures occasionally misheard. Click any timecode to jump to that moment in the source video.

0:11 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one indivisible with liberty and justice.

0:26 Just like superintendent for a few minutes. » Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This past Sunday night, our school community was devastated by the sudden loss of Todd Bloodgood, our facilities director. Todd was a kind and gentle man who dedicated himself to our district since 2018, and they would be sorely missed. We are proud of how he oversaw the school facilities, supervised our maintenance to custodial staff in a way that ensured our students, staff, and community partners were safe. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. I ask that we please remember Tom with a moment of silence.

1:25 » Okay. Um, we move on to public comment. And I want to remind folks that our policy allows individuals up to three minutes. Uh and the total segment shouldn’t exceed 15 minutes. If you would like to submit a comment that does not fit within our time limit, you could submit it via email. Uh public comment is not a discussion, debate, or dialogue between individuals and the school committee. It is an individual’s opportunity to express an opinion on issues within the school committee’s authority, budget, superintendent performance, and school policy. » Progress

1:59 I will give folks a 15 seconds to know their time is expire.

2:21 » Sorry about that. Anybody else from comment please let me know uh folks remotely can raise their hand

2:43 » Sarah Fox 46 Street I want to give a commendation to Todd look bloodg good having had the opportunity to work with Todd for many years through the building committee and as a school committee member, community member and parent. Todd was a friend to anyone who ever met him. He was the kindest man. He literally would stop what he was doing and do anything to help anyone from, you know, giving up countless hours on the building committee to moving an entire school building in one weekend to make sure kids didn’t miss a beat when it was time to go back to school on Monday after a move to transitioning literally moment to moment on the floor of town meeting to make sure that 2,000 residents in this town had a place to

3:31 hear their voice heard. Todd showed up. He never complained. He did everything with a smile on his face. His rapport and relationship with the people who worked from for him spoke volumes. To see Todd anywhere in town with anyone in his department, a custodian, a maintenance worker, town officials, whether it was the fire chief, or really anyone. Todd formed relationships and he showed up and he really exemplified this a sense of community that we all should strive for. He put others first of all the times. So I just wanted to take this opportunity and offer an additional accommodation because he he truly was a very kind kind wonderful

4:20 man. Um and our community will be less because he is gone. Thank you. » Thank you, Senator.

4:31 » Okay, we will move on to our student representative. Well, what do you have for us tonight? » Uh, thank you. Last week, the drama club performed the Mender play written by themselves alongside drama lead teacher Miss Skington in the Northeastern Massachusetts Drama Fest. I heard it was a great performance. Kudos to them. Um, it’ll also be a quick turnaround for many of them. Uh, as auditions for the spring musical are now ongoing. Um, it will be a performance of MMA Mamma Mia. Students are encouraged to reach out if they’re interested in acting or stage crew. This weekend, Aspen, our gradebook software, will send out a midquarter report card. This is the first time in my time at Marblehead, um, that I think something like this is happening, but I think it’ll be a positive impact on students and parents, encouraging them to be more aware of where they stand

5:18 academically. So, I’m excited for that, I guess. I don’t know. Um, this week, uh, spring sports will start officially on the 16th. Uh, but all sports are currently hosting captain’s practices, unofficial practices led by the captains and without the presence of coaches during this interse. Um, juniors and seniors are working hard to achieve their collegiate goals uh, and post-graduate goals. Juniors are touring colleges, taking the standardized tests, and in the process of meeting with their guidance counselors, uh, discussing schools and the process of applying for next year. Similarly, many seniors are receiving decisions from schools over the next few weeks, hopefully making the rest of the year fun. Also, uh, scholarship applications are now open. Um, school counseling walked us through the process a few days ago, um, for both local and

6:03 national level scholarships, most of which are open until early April. Finally, the junior class auction is currently going on. Uh it’s a huge event for the junior class. They have over 100 items to bid on um from around town, parents, families, um and awesome businesses. Um and proceeds will go to supporting their class events through the rest of their high school years. Highly recommend checking it out. That’s all I have. Thank you. » All right. Thank you, Mo. And we’ll move on to our superintendent update.

6:37 Yes. Um good evening. Um it appear that the weather is finally trending towards spring until this latest winry mix that we’re expecting tonight. So um see how that goes. Uh if I do a delay I’ll then do that tonight or first thing in the morning. We’ll have to see how that how many inches come tonight. Um it’s kind of up in the air right now. Um hopefully at some point uh the sidewalks and streets will be fully visible again and travel to and from school will be back to normal quoteunquote. Um, spring begins all sorts of activities leading up to our summer break, which will now begin on June 23rd due to the three and hopefully no more snow days. Um, given that we just had a school committee last week, I’m going to jump right into the shout outs. Um, so we can we have some other stuff we need to talk about. So, um, from Julia Ferrer, our assistant superintendent teaching learning. Um, Miss Fer wants to congratulate Ashley Skepington for writing and directing The

7:23 Menor, which you just heard about, which was a phenomenal high school play formed last week for Drama Fest. expert writing and fantastic acting to the top-notch production crew. The show is outstanding. We are grateful to Miss Miss Skington and the friends of the performing arts team who helped make the production happen and we are so proud of our talented MHS students. From Lisa Maria Fledo, assistant superintendent student services. A huge thank you to our incredible administrative assistants for everything that they do. Your organization dedication and behind the scenes support keep our programs moving forward every day. You juggle countless details. support staff and families with kindness who bring calm, consistency, and professionalism to every challenge. Your work makes a real difference for our students in our entire community. Um, and she specifically is thanking the uh secretaries for the student services

8:08 department, which Katie Kamanji, Katherine Percy, Rebecca Raymond, and Peg Slattery. We appreciate you more than words can say thank you for your hard work and commitment to Marblehead public schools. From Scott Williams, principal of Village School, um, I’d like to acknowledge and celebrate all the village instructional assistants. Day in and day out, they go above and beyond working with students, covering classrooms, engaging our village ducks, all with a smile. They are truly the unsung heroes of our school. They glue the keys that all held together. Special shout out to our amazing village instructional assistants from Matt Levi, our principal at Veterans Middle School. Bill Shaw and Rachel Smallen. Congratulations to Bill and Rachel whose advisories won the winter wonderland door decorating contest at vets. Mr. Schaw’s advisory took first place in the seventh grade contest while Miss Smallen’s advisory won the eighth grade contest. There were so many amazing

8:54 doors on display and both students and staff did an outstanding job bringing creativity to the school. In the end, Mr. Scholes and Miss Mullen’s advisories took home the victory. Well done to everyone who participated. Really cool. I know it was big uh competition there. So, it was kind of neat way to bring all the classes together from Frank Kowski, our principal at Glover, Maggie Dobin. Uh Maggie runs an amazing art program which speaks it for itself. Maggie goes above and above each and every day greeting students with a smile and making sure they all feel special. Um, Maggie meets with me and helps plan special school events and has put together beautiful studentfriendly bulletin boards. Whenever I ask for help or ideas to make lovers special, Maggie always volunteers or leads the initiative. Um, from Michelle Carlson, our principal of Marblehead High School, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dan Richards and Kate Kelly for

9:39 their outstanding work organizing and overseeing the recent school trip to Morocco, Spain. The thought of planning and leadership created an incredible learning opportunity for our students. I also want to recognize the flexibility and care shown when the trip was extended due to the blizzard including the addition to Paris of Paris to the itinerary during unexpected change. Dan and Chaprons Aaron Burke, Jay Gutadaro, Anukica Pascreeni, Bob Taylor and Diana ensured our students remained safe, supported, and well cared for throughout the extended trip. Kate communicated continuously with the school and parents to ensure everyone had the most up-to-ate information throughout their time traveling. Because of the team’s dedication and commitment, our students had a truly memorable and enriching experience. We’re deeply grateful for your time and energy on making this trip

10:26 a success. Page almost there. From Mary Maxfield, uh, principal at Brown, I would like to shout out the neighbors and families of the Brown School. The past month has made arrival and dismissal procedures extremely challenging for driving, parking, navigating, maintaining safety throughout our through our adjacent neighbors have I’m sorry. Th though our adjacent neighbors have had their hands full managing their driveways and walkways. They have also done lulling and additional work of shoveling and clearing sidewalks so our children can walk safely to and from school. Our brown school families have been extremely cautious and safe to our through our streets and parking lots. Thank you families and neighbors for working together to keep our kids safe during this most challenging times yet um for travels to and from Brown School. Those are my shout outs. That’s my Thanks, Mr. Cherry. Thank you.

11:14 Thank you. Okay, now we’ll uh do a financial update from Michael Bifain who is our assistant superintendent of finance and operations. Mike, » good evening. Thank you everybody. Um certainly it’s been a tough week for all of us. So thank you for your patience. Um to give you the financial update, as you may recall, we did not give a financial update at the end of January just because uh we were converting through the mun payroll system and not everything had come over in the systems yet. So, uh, we do feel like we are now encumbered for all salaries, which is amazing. Uh, thank you to my my team of, um, Kristen and Carlen who have just worked around the clock to make sure that this transition could go as smoothly as possible. And it’s not without a ticups, but they have rolled well with punches. Anyways, uh, our

11:59 unexpended balance at the end of February was $2.7 million. That was $422 uh, $422,000 less than we had available at the end of December. uh not to be it’s not unexpected. You know, we should be spending down. We shouldn’t carry a 2 or $3.2 million balance for the entire year. Um we anticipate that that will also go lower. Uh one of the main things that was the driver in that $422,000 differences, you may recall at the end of December, we had identified that we had over encumbered out of district tuitions in our circuit breaker revoling account. And in order to get that back into line, we had to transfer some of those uh not expenditures, but uh update some of those purchase orders to reflect coming out of the local budget versus

12:44 the revolving account. Uh so that actually made up a large portion of the 422. Uh I will say that um we have asked our principles to get all known purchase orders or purchase requirements or needs in by the end of this week. Uh it is our intention to have a better idea of where we might end the year having that information in. So I get feedback. It’s just mess with my ear. Um we’re calling it a budget freeze, but as you can see from our balance, we don’t need to freeze the budget this year, but this just really gives us an idea of how much money we’ll be able to return to the end of the town potentially or reallocate to other needs within the district. Um, I know that there are some after I did these reports, there were

13:30 some purchase orders that came through and some needs identified uh just within the last two days. So, obviously that $2.7 million is going to be considerably less, not not anything to be concerned about, but considerably less by the end of this week. So, our March end of month report will be uh more in line with what we’re seeing around this time of year, which is about $2 million service. Um attached is the full report. Um still trying to clean up some of the lines. Uh that conversion from soft to munis still has a couple of us scratching our heads as to where the money hit. All the money’s accounted for, but it just might not be in the right lines. So we we were spending a lot of time working on that. We’ve been shifted in other directions

14:17 recently. So we we may get back to that. Uh otherwise we may just do transfers uh at some point just to get everything lined up. Thank you. If you have any questions, so let me know. Any questions? » I just had a question because there are some lines within the document you provided that are highlighted. Are those the ones that you’ve just referenced or are they highlighted for some other? » Yeah, you’ll see in the footnote that we highlight lines that we don’t encumber in the system. They’re mostly salary lines or overtime lines. So, every school will have an overtime line for custodial. And because we can’t project what overtime will be, we manually encumber that. Um, and then there’s a couple other in here. Over time, um, so athletics, we have police duties for some of our athletic

15:03 events. We can’t project those all the time. Um, bus drivers for our athletics. That’s an overtime budget line in there. So yeah, most of these are for that purpose. I do have one highlight in there just questioning why there’s not enough cover at the end at the in the system. Uh and then there’s utilities, gas and electric. You know, I think we’re getting a better handle on that right now with the new system and uh I should be able to more accurately encumber uh at least the heating fuel by the end of March. You know, right now we’ve got everything encumbered partially manually. There may be a surplus, there may be an overage. I just need to dial them out a little bit. Yeah, those are most of the lines.

15:50 » I didn’t get fish. Did was it the shared drive? » Because I didn’t get a link to the shared drive. Did Did everyone get » I don’t know if I got a link and I swear » I can’t I’ve never been able to be in trouble for a long time. That’s why we used to get a link with all these documents every week. That’s been the experience for years. Um I didn’t see a link this week. either we’ll follow up. » I can’t get into I’ve never been able to get into that shared drive that’s been precipitated. So, but when Lisa sends that link that you then are allowed in, » correct? » Okay, we’ll just follow up. » I understand why it may not but you know that has been in practice. So, » I’m sorry. I just assume that everybody had access to the share drive that was cool.

16:37 » I do from the link, but I can’t I never been a I’ve never been able to get in. So, a link that Lisa Lisa sent out » to send. » Okay. » No, that did not go out this week » from Lisa. Correct. » Okay. » I’ll take a look at it with you at some point. We’ll take a look at your shared drive. » I understand the the now the practice will be that we go to the drive. We don’t we don’t get an announcement with stuff because normally stuff comes in. That’s been the practice um in the past. Actually, I should look at the chair. Um » has been the practice since I’ve been chair. So, this has been going on for many months. So » to get the link or not get » to get the link. Yeah. » Right. So that so it didn’t make sense I felt right to send out the same thing that you were going to receive automatically typically. Right. So it sounds like we had a little bit of an issue this month this month. This week

17:23 no this week. » I’m not My issue is that it’s just that um do you usually ensure that that goes out or do you not? » Yes. I usually do. » I did get it. So » yeah. So that’s where the minutes are and all the other » and maybe it might make sense to sit down with Steve so you can have direct access yourself.

17:49 » Okay. Um we will not be voting to approve the February 26 26 meeting tonight. So I’m looking for a motion to approve the identified schedule of bills totaling $11,58410. » So moved. » Second. » All right. A motion has been made by Kate and seconded by Henry. » All those in favor.

18:16 » All right. The motion passes. Four in favor. One abstension. » And we’re not doing the » I do not have a minute. The the » Okay. So, the minute is » there. Yeah. You know, you’re missing my time. I just need to go back and » No, I I didn’t see the drive. I didn’t know. Okay. » Good. All right. Um, looking forward to these next two items. Uh, next up is our Glover School spotlight. » Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, um, tonight we have our first spotlight from Glover School. Um, Frank Wowski, the principal, will come up and, uh, introduce. Frank, you want to go up so you can introduce your folks? Um, so we try to do spotlights to kind of share some of the really cool things that are going on in our schools so that the school community

19:01 kind of see what some of the stuff we do dayto day. Sorry, our cherries. Frank, I don’t know if you want to introduce me. Well, » we’re just passing some. » Thank you, guys. » All right, my favorite. Yeah, right right over there. It should be good to be able on screen. » So, this is this is Maggie Dovin and as Lucky had it, Maggie got our shadow out tonight. Maggie does everything at the

19:48 school. Not only is Maggie a fantastic art teacher in the school, Maggie is there. She she runs she run summer clothes drive. She’s always doing projects for the kids. She’s right around the school and we are so lucky to have her in the barber and I’m so lucky to have her among my staff members. So Maggie’s introduced the children that she chose especially today for this event. Maggie, take it away. » I’ve actually been around long enough that Will was my second. Um but these are my Glover students and they’re going to talk to you about something that we call community art. So, um, the way our special schedule works at Glover School is students have their allied arts blocks every day and then on an alternating every other week they get a bonus session. So, they’re going to talk to you about what happens when they come to the art studio on that

20:35 other every other week alternating and they will speak for themselves. Um, and can we pull up the slide deck just to kind of run as they’re doing their sweeping and the artwork that they made for this project is on there. um so as they read you can see what they crafted in the project they’re going to talk about » at school we have two kinds of art we have grade level art and community art all the kids in your grade do the same thing with community art all kids do the same thing helps us to feel connected to one another this fall for community art we all made we inspired by artist day abstract

21:29 match. For example, red often, blue means sad, yellow, joyful. Green often means calm and peaceful. Feel many emotions, sometimes one at a time, sometimes mixed emotions. We used whatever colors we wanted to show emotional screen.

21:55 » So what the kids did was they had bits of clay like you have in front of you and they had a cutting board and they were breaking off to think about the mood meter. We can just skip past the video part. This is um when the students come to the studio, we always have a slide deck that helps guide the project. So, we start together on the carpet for a mini lesson and then they go to active engagement and then we regroup. Um, and these are what kids crafted using clay on tile. So, we thought it would be fun for you to explore what that felt like where you just take your finger and you make what we call the shmear. And we got to try out lots of different colors. They had a full color spectrum and also mix colors. So, hold up. So, this is Amelia’s, Adam, Jack, and Charlotte. And these are what they made in the studio. And then we also brought it to faculty meeting

22:41 where the faculty and an opportunity of the whole premise behind community art is how we bring our community together through both temporary and permanent installations in the school. Um just this past Monday for community art we had an artisan resident parent Matt Cronin who has two children at Glover School and owns Northshore Glass School. So he came and spent the day with us from uh 7:30 in the morning until 3 o’clock in the afternoon doing a glass project with kids where every child in the school got the kids meant to be the glass artist. See um and touch tools that Matt used. We were gifted a beautiful um blown Rocky the lobster that Matt made for our school. And then together what did we make?

23:27 » A lobster. We made a giant glass lobster um that will be a fused glass permanent installation in the art studio for every child in the whole school prek through three including a lot of families who came to help us out make sure everyone was safe and faculty. So we have over a thousand pieces of glass that will become part of this permanent installation. So thank you to the students and thank you for listening to us. Just want to get a picture for the » school.

24:46 » All right, next up we have the Veterans School Spotlight. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Langi is going to come up and um let us know what he’s brought tonight for his school spotlight.

25:31 over a little bit. All right. Oh, go for the mic. Both of the mic, guys. » Got to get a little closer to the mic. This is the mic here.

25:54 » All right. Um, this is the uh MBMS engineering club. Um, we had a need early this year. We had kids super super excited about creating things. we had 3D printers and like we weren’t utilizing them and I you know it was like all right well how how can we get that done and you know we needed someone to sort of take control of this club and uh like so many things Mr. FM who’s on school advisory council who volunteers for absolutely everything was like I’ll do it. Um so he hit the ground running. Um I thought okay we’ll kind of dip our toe in the water and um I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised what these guys have done. It’s been uh above and beyond. I’m so impressed. Mr. FM, it’s your show. » Thanks. » So, we do have a slideshow that

26:39 accompanies us here. And uh my name is Mr. FM, but mostly I want to lean on our students today. There’s going to be a couple students who couldn’t make it. We’ll be filling in with some of their statements there. But our first slide, we’ve got Saurin up first. » Uh hi, my name is Saurin Lorenz. And I’m so glad to be talking about such a perfect love. Ever since I could even think, I loved engineering. But I never really shared or did anything with that interest. So when I heard about the engineering club, I could not wait but to join. It was here that I could finally do something with this talent and talk to people who share the interest. It’s because of this place that I can do something with my life and

27:25 be free. So sit back, relax. must be my club or my club and I tell all about engineer

27:50 So yeah, um my name is Jaden Stanchfield and I am in eighth grade at MVMS and I really like fishing. In engineering club, we have learned many things like computer parts and taking apart and rebuilding stuff. But my favorite part is simply we can also make our own our own design to print or find our and an already made model or print like this fishing lure. while we use a 3D printer to make sure some of the parts and assemble the rest of the eye screws. When I printed the first one, it didn’t turn out as best as the eye screws that I used were not strong enough, but I learned from my mistake and reprinted the fishing lure with more support from the connections. Now I can use it to catch fish in the scr. And I’ll be reading on behalf of Jackson who is in his basketball final for the

28:37 town tonight. Best of luck for so Jackson says in engineering club there was a drone that’s back right propeller was not working and there was one small gear and one larger gear that attached to the blade. The small gear was on a piece of metal that rotated the blade. So when I turned the blades I noticed the gears had fully malfunctioned. So I took apart and reassembled the drone and made it fly again. We are now seeing if we can enlarge the gears with 3D printing to increase the drone’s performance. Engineering Club is a great place to figure out how to solve problems in everyday life. » Okay. » Okay. » Um, hi, I’m Fiona. I use

29:22 I use advanced CAD in engineering club and I use a computer aed design software called Blender which excels at both complex and precise designing as well as stylistic details. I mainly work on making my own 3D printable designs like keychains. With a process like computer Aed design, there’s a lot of trial and error. When I first opened the software, I was overloaded with thousands of buttons and icons that I knew nothing about, and I was diving into blind with no experience. Through failing, getting confused, and trying over and over again, I slowly got used to shortcuts and actions in Blender. My favorite button was and is the undo key. And the more I get things wrong, the more I learn. Now with more experience under my belt, I have to make things with ease that would taken me a bunch of tutorials when I started.

30:05 » My name is Bruce Fer. Um, one of the first things we did in engineering club was learn how computer work. We started by working on disassembling and reassembling the desktop computers that our school use. After cleaning and reapplying thermal bases, we worked to improve air flow and add more RAM into the computers, which we now can use for our 3D renderings and designs. Mr. Sure inspired me to build my own PC and learn more about how computers actually work. When my personal computer wasn’t working, we took the time to troubleshoot, helping to figure out problems step by step instead of giving up. That is that experience made me more confident with technology and showed me how engineering is really about solving problems to learning as you go. It also inspired me to keep doing more like making my own drone from scratch and using 3D printed parts to build and enhance my projects.

30:53 In engineering club, I learned how to use software like tater, which is software used for 3D design, electronics, and coding. It’s pretty easy to learn, and it is the easiest soft version of of the software Autodesk to professional engineers. I have made a lot of 3D designs so far, but spent last week making a 3D design of a logo that was handdrawn by Riley Parker. I was able to use Tinkercad to make Riley’s design into a 3D keychain which has the M for MVMs made for wrenches and screw. We then 3D printed their designs Sorry.

32:08 much. much. » Of course. » Did everyone get one? » Yeah. be lucky to have you all someday. Thank you. » Great job, guys.

33:22 » we will move on to discussing our fiscal year 27 budget. Um so last night uh two scenarios were presented. Um, the first one talked about eliminating dozens of positions and shuttering several town departments. The second option talked about keeping most services intact, introducing a trash free a fee, excuse me, and additional school budget reductions of approximately $1.5 million. Um so these things may change but I guess what I want to get what I which I I want to ask the committee is um do we want to act upon this information? Do we want to start preparing a budget with that reduction?

34:09 What are your thoughts? Uh I’m happy to jump in and I think um as we discuss where we go next I want to start the discussion by commending our administration. Um the level funded budget that was presented to our committee last month was less than ideal. Um but you should be commended for the process by which it was created. Um you worked very hard in partnership with our budget subcommittee in Fincom. their work was timely, thorough, rigorous, transparent, all the things that I think we should aspire for our budget process to be. And I really appreciate that. » Um, what we heard at the town last night was very struck. And I think that we

34:55 find ourselves in a position where the fiscal crisis that we’re facing impacts our entire community. And as much as I would like for the schools to be immune from that, I don’t see a path forward um where we are. I think it is imperative that we collaborate with the town side as we move forward. That’s always important. Um but right now, more than ever, open ongoing lines of communication with town leadership are essential. challenges of the magnitude that were discussed last night cannot be effectively addressed if we stay in a siloed approach. At the same time, I think that there are a lot of questions that need to be addressed for the committee about the scenarios that were presented last

35:40 night. Um, I think we need to more deeply understand the numbers that underpinned the presentation that was made. I think that there is a lot of work to do to understand the basis for the number that is being requested of us of our budget. Um, and I think we had a duty to our current and future students and to look at this very seriously and to thoroughly consider the impacts that those additional reductions would have on our budget. Um, I think we all recognize we’re in a place where further reductions will directly impact students and fundamentally alter the experience of a moral head education. Um, further cuts will also have a very

36:26 real implication for the jobs and lives of the dedicated educators who work with our students every day. At the same time, we have to work together with the town side and try and come, you know, to some sort of an approach that will let us move forward and effective and effective way. Um, I do want to emphasize I appreciate the town leadership’s effort to think about fairness as we go through this process and try to understand how reductions are shared across departments. But fairness requires a true apples to apples understanding of department’s initial FY27 budget requests, reductions that have already been made, any additional new cuts being put on the table, um, and the impacts that those will have on our own community.

37:13 It is also essential that if a joint override proposal which was mentioned last night as part of you know what could be happening comes forward it has to be developed as a genuine town school partnership and it is imperative that it reflect our administrator’s professional determination of what our schools need in order to succeed in both the short and the long term. Um so to that end, what I would like to see happen um is for our chair to collaborate with the select board to establish a joint working group that be can begin this process immediately um and start looking at what a joint override would look like and really drill into understanding the numbers uh that came out yesterday. And

37:58 simultaneously, I think that our budget subcommittee should start doing the work of understanding how these cuts will affect our district because that is an essential component of the decision-m process that we find ourselves with. Um, I want to say I am extremely frustrated and disappointed that we are finding ourselves here. I think there is plenty to criticize about this year’s budget timeline and the long-standing challenges around our town’s revenue structure, but frustration and criticism are not going to solve this problem. What I hope for from our committee, from other town leaders, and from the community at large is a willingness to come together to have meaningful conversations about the kind of town that we want Marblehead to be and to commit to the hard work required to get us there.

38:45 us there. us there. So that’s where I

38:51 » other comments. Well, I’m obviously very concerned about an additional 1.5 limited cuts and particularly I think it’s important to focus on what that means for our students and not separate that by from, you know, keep that separate from the budget, you know, because sometimes we’re talking about numbers, but we really are talking about students and and kids and sort of the future of Marblehead. Um, I think we do have to be prepared for that 1.5 member. But I we do need to know more about how they got there. We we that’s not final

39:47 » Um » Um I echo a lot of the sentiment that you have. I I can’t sit here with a high degree of confidence and say I understand where the 1.5 million comes from. And I was even trying to reconcile the amount they were saying the schools have already reduced the 1.9 that they talked about to the 1.6 that was in our presentation. And I being a finance person, I’m like, well, their starting point is wrong. And then I’m just kind of like that just makes me think what else is wrong in here and what other te’s have not been crossed or eyes have not been dotted. And so I struggle to get on board with the 1.5 with the presentation that was given last night because I do not have a high degree of confidence in numbers that were presented last night.

40:40 » Yeah, I totally agree with you stuff. Um and I think I think we while I appreciate your written statement um I think we need to take a few steps back and realize that um as a school committee we and I too am very proud of what we did this year. We had um we set out a timeline which was a very reasonable timeline. We are prepared on March 5th to vote our budget based on the information that we were given from our finance committee. uh understanding that you know things can change but you know typically municipalities should be in a position less than 12 you know 8 to 9 or months before they’re in fall or fiscal year to be projecting out what the next year’s so that’s what we were you know that’s what we were basing that on and we met all of our deliverables in terms of the

41:27 timeline we had you know we had some heated discussions at some point but you know we got where we needed to be we got got the information that we we needed to have and the bottom line is the school committee um is um endowed with the right to go forward to request what we believe is the right number for our for our school. And you know that’s a relative term. We heard a few folks last week, nobody tonight interestingly uh from either staff or um or the union or even parents um in terms of their thoughts on this. Um but we did hear from a few folks last week about you know why aren’t we going for a fully funded budget? You’ve talked about that at length in the past. You had strongly advocated for that in the past and we are nowhere near that. Right. We were

42:13 tasked with coming forward with a level funded budget which in my 20 plus years uh working in or around school committee. This is the first time we’ve ever done that. We’ve ever been asked to do it or we’ve ever actually done it. Um which was both this year. So that in and of itself was a very very big step you know I would argue backwards to not have any kind of an increase given the reality that we all everybody faces that costs go up um so so now we’re being asked um to consider even more additional cuts and we are partners with the town we are residents of the town we live here we have an obligation to u be stewards of uh the town’s uh um you know

43:00 assets and budget um while advocating for the for the schools. So I too agree there I felt last night was not um accurate in a lot of ways. Um I think there were some real um questions around what we’ve what we’re being asked to cut and and why and where that is supposedly coming from and then the actual data behind that as well as the I guess I would call proper accounting of uh cuts on the town side being being um actually paid for in a different part of the balance sheet with with a with potentially a new fate. So that did not seem to you know jive. So I think there are some um very real u Kate

43:45 as you point out some very real questions and um additional data that we need to see. We were told last night I believe that the the this $1.5 million they’re asking for is predominantly based on our staff benefits that are being projected to go up. And so, uh, okay, you know, we and you know, I can tell you in October of 2023, we sat at a table and we sat here and we’re told we were going to be migrating over those budgets that but that those line items with the with the corresponding revenue and we would be managing to that that was, you know, two and a half years ago. Um, and I’ve never seen a number associated with a benefit in terms of

44:31 insur basically insurance or uh retirey retirey benefits. Um, and I think that’s a very fair I think it’s a fair piece of data for us to ask for. That’s what we’re being asked to meet cuts with based on our employee benefits. and we ought to at the very least see what that data is, what that’s projected to be, I guess, $1.5 million and what that’s based on. Um, which I understand they still didn’t have they still don’t have the final numbers. The other thing that was a little bit concerning to me um and I I the answer the question I understood the answer was a little bit unclear but the question was poised as to you know if that benefit amount ends up being less and we’ve made you know cuts to that where where does that uh well

45:16 surplus but you know additional funds come back and that was a little squished um I guess goes back free cash the following year yeah » right so and and these This means these are people’s jobs. » Yeah. You know, people’s jobs. So, I think it’s very I think we’re being reasonable if this is what the agreement on this committee is to say that we need, you know, we definitely need some more data and those numbers need to be, you know, kind of buttoned up a little bit. Um, what I will push back a little bit on, Kate, is, and I have said this going back to January, is this idea that we want to go back to the subcommittee because we’re eight weeks from town meeting. Um we with the way it works postings and then trying to have you know subst meetings and then coming back

46:01 to school committee I’m not convinced that we’re going to have the time. We are going to have to move pretty quickly. Number that actually should have been they buried the lead. That should have been number two. The the first you know primary concern I have is that this is the first time we’ve ever been potentially tasked with cutting a budget. And I think that, you know, that that the administration is going to have to work um hard to do this. And this is uh you know, this is a you know, we’re in new territory now that I think the full committee really should be part of. I mean, I really feel strongly about that. That’s the goal of the committee to go back to the subcommittee. You know, we can we can talk about that, but I think there’s some compelling reasons that it should be at the committee level. Now, maybe we’re doing, you know, offcycle meetings. We probably will. Um,

46:48 you know, and I but honestly I I do think that the work to do the cuts I don’t want to speak for either one of John or or Mike, but that you guys tend to turn around in a reasonable amount of time. It’s not something you want to do, you’ll do it. that I think where we’re going to be feeling some time crunch is getting the data we need to make this decision and we probably need to work with Mike and get some clarity on what it is that we need you know I guess from the town side and then what does that actual number really mean and then task the administration with coming back that and then we both » can I chime in a little bit or do you want to go peep » yeah I was just going to say I’m just um I guess I don’t know if I’d

47:34 say it would be ideal if it was all of us participating, right? One part being that you know all of us involved, but I’m a little worried about sometimes that means a lack of agility and as you said there’s only eight weeks and so I want to make sure we do this appropriately with the right data. Um, and again, it’s up to the will of the committee, but whether it’s all of us or a subcommittee of us, I’m I’m still open to that second option. Also, John, you want to say something? » Um, I just want to say first of all, thank you for recognizing the hard work that that our administrative team has done. Um, I will say, um, a couple things. One, we started working on developing a level funded budget back in early November. Um, and we’re ready to go. Uh,

48:20 go. Uh, go. Uh, the number from the town side has vacasillated hugely over the last six weeks. Um I’m not convinced the 1.5 is actually the number. Um I haven’t seen the data that’s Jen mentioned. I haven’t seen exactly what that is. And so if it if it’s the benefits and the benefits are 1.5 and we’re being asked to absorb that that’s fine. I want I want to I would like I would think the committee would like to see that number. Sorry, I don’t want to see what I there’s a bunch of things I would want to see, but I would think the committee would want to see that number in the actual number. One, two, I believe that 1.5 is predicated on a 15% insurance increase and sounding like it’s going to be more in the 7 to 8% range. So, if my math is correct, that’s

49:05 roughly half. Um, so 1.5 then becomes half of that, which is a lot more manageable than than the full nut. Um, so I I’m concerned um in line with what Jen Jen just said, I mean a level funded budget is not an easy task to begin with where 14.75 ft cut already. 1.5 is I’m not going to say number, but it’s a vast amount cost that we would have to make to absorb that 1.5, which would put us at the number is actually 2.6 that we reduced already. So the 1.5 on top of that now we’re at 4.1. So that’s huge. I I’ve heard the number from the town side. It’s an $8 million deficit, 4 million, 6 million, 5 million, 8 million. I And this is not a criticism of the town. This is this is

49:52 us trying to do um what we’re being tasked with with actual information and actual data. Now, we worked to get a level fun budget. It took us a couple months time cuz it is it’s not just like this many staff equals $1.5 million. It’s what’s the trickle down effect of that and what staff can we shuffle? What staff are we all there’s a lot of stuff. It’s not just as easy. I mean I know numbers people want to say you know x amount of staff equals this money. It’s yeah spreadsheet that’s really in reality it’s not. Um so anyway I think going back to the original conversation we have 11 budget on the table for the consideration of the committee. That’s what I proposed to the committee. I think the committee needs to either decide tonight whether you got to quote

50:37 that budget or not and then we take whatever next steps have to. So that’s that’s I won’t get any more on my soap talks about that. I think that’s a reasonable request and then we’ve done the work that we’ve been asked to do and I think the committee needs to make a decision on whether we vote on that tonight or back and give us another directive but um I don’t know that subcommittee work in between is going to get it. you know, if you tell us if if you give us the directive, this is the number and that number is based on reality, then we’ll do the market period. » So, so John, that’s like that’s a good segue of something I’ve been considering, too. And that, you know, if we’re talking about an override, right, that changes, right, in

51:22 fact, significantly, right? So, » so would we want a two and a half override to get to a level funded budget, Jen, or do we want a fully, as you mentioned, a fully funded budget » to » Well, we have to come forward with a balanced budget. That’s the first thing we need to do in conjunction with the town. Has nothing to do with anything beyond that. We are tasked right now with getting to town meeting balanced budget between us and the town. » Mhm. » And that’s what we’re working through here. What goes beyond that is a completely separate discussion. It is because you because you can’t count on an override. So whatever budget you bring to town meeting is the budget you have to be prepared to live with under the assumption that you not the possibility that you won’t have

52:09 » you know you won’t have a an override. So, um, so they’re basically two different budgets, um, that you would be going for. And, and while we’ve made a place marker at this point, you know, for an override on the warrant, this committee has not made any decision around an override. U, » right, but that’s something we have to do the next eight weeks. » We don’t have to do anything. We have to come town meeting with a balanced budget. That’s it. Mhm. » And choose, this committee may choose to come forward with a with an override for an additional budget. That is true. That is something that we would deliberate » and we would vote. » Same thing with what ends up being the budget. And to John’s point, maybe we’re going to vote this budget tonight or not. I don’t know. Um but if

52:54 we don’t and there’s going to be a change that needs to be a collective decision and vote by this committee to direct the superintendent the administration what to do and what to come back to us with. » I guess my question is we they presented two scenarios. So scenario A didn’t did in my understanding that did not include $1.5 million. » Both scenario A and B included $1.5 million. Yeah. So the only thing we’re concerned with is 1.5 million because that’s sleptboard. That’s their option. Their their A and B had to do with the trash fee. um which is uh irrespective of the that both their scenarios had our

53:44 I’m sitting here thinking knowing how much work the administration team has done going line by line to look at staffing across grades the trickle down effect of all these cuts and kind of what they would have I can’t in good conscience ask them to go back and find another million dollars in cuts, whatever that might be. Um, I appreciate we have to work with the town, but I I don’t feel good about the data or information we have coming out of the town, and I do feel really good about the work that this team has done to put the budget together. Um, so I personally am prepared to vote on the budget as as they have presented it while the town

54:29 continues to pull information on their side together. » That’s the c I’m sorry. The caveat is if we recall the last conversation budget for voted tonight and something does end up changing, you get a different number, real number, whatever, there’s nothing that says we can’t come back and do another budget again. So, I just want to make sure that’s in the conversation. » I guess I’m not sure what the steer would be to them right now because we don’t feel good about that 1.5. That 1.5 might change based on what came out today. We don’t even know what that 1.5 is. As a finance person, again, I would expect to see literally a per person headcount, what the benefits are per person allocated very clearly between both parties, understanding when the money is coming back, when the money is going out. And it just feels like a very

55:15 just round number that I don’t » I mean you could be on the one hand I I agree I pay tonight William um you know but there you know there was a presentation discussion last night. Um you know I do think that it is to John’s point we we certainly could vote a budget. We could have another budget hearing and change it. you know, it that’s probably not necessarily ideal, but just from a time standpoint, um uh and having to, you know, post the budget hearing, you know, all that sort of stuff. But for the spirit of transparency, I think we we would need to do that if we would literally end up voting two budgets. Um I do think though it is fair and maybe this is something on the subcommittee level we do um to go

56:03 back and perhaps articulate clearly what it is we are looking for in order to be able to make at least start having this discussion about any additional cuts because I think that’s that’s very fair. The other thing I forgot to mention earlier too and Melissa you can attest to this. I mean we I’ve been working in Fin Kong for years, you know, and and how it works out other towns city towns I know, but in Marblehead for years processes we work with finance committee. They’re sort of the uh lynch pit if I don’t know what the word is that you know they’re sort of the drivers of this process and well they don’t Alex doesn’t like me and Molly to say this. We do take our directive from the FinCon in terms of um you know um kind of general direction um going into each budget season and it has been

56:49 clearly articulated this year multiple times as well as certainly been in the past practice that we’ve looked at a 50/50 split on Revit um and that has has been the practice um with the benefits still residing over in the town side so that our certainly our actual portion of the budget town budget is higher% And when I looked at the revenue numbers last night, 50% of those revenues was like 50.6 million, right? And we’re at 49.1. And that was based on 50 I mean, Alec was clear. 50% of the revenue that has been our experience. So if that’s going to change pretty significantly if we do this, then I I just guess I need to understand why. And if and if the driver of that is in fact

57:34 the benefits then we very should have that information and in fact have those on on our balance sheets on the way but on the budget side and then we control that ourselves with » doing that making that happen in March or April or June is not ideal like if that’s a plan planning forward great » that was the plan in 2023 » right so it happened so I mean you know if it’s say hey next budget cycle of resource. I mean, that’s that’s different. It’s it’s it just doesn’t feel it feels like a knee-jerk reaction to all of us to say, “Oh my god, we have all this money that we need to make up or put throw the benefits on the school side.” And I know that’s not that simple, right? But it feels knee-jerk to me, especially with the amount of work that we’ve done on the school side to

58:20 get to where we are. That’s not pat ourselves on the back. We’ve done the work. And I just feel like » based on the directives we went to we met » but you know so so two comments one is but things have changed right last night » have they » is from what I heard last night I » have they actually changed from like in other words » now the amount of change I think there’s concerns right and I think we do have to move forward with getting better understanding of the data but um it does sound like some reductions are coming right at based on last night and I think if we were personally this is Al Williams I feel that if we voted the budget as we already described it is a

59:06 little tonedeaf we’re not reading the room you know I think we’re sending a message yeah we heard last night that yeah we probably need to reduce things but we’re we’re going ahead and vote a budget that doesn’t do that and I think that budget is established it’s there we can vote on it there’s many meetings between now and you know we could vote it at a subsequent meeting. I just think it’s a bit inappropriate to do so tonight again. » Well, is it the will of this committee to make additional cuts? Not for me. » I think we have to work with the the town to understand things better before I I answer that or we answer that. » I’m that’s where I am. I you know certainly do not want to make additional cuts. I think that the ramic ramifications

59:52 of not working collaboratively with the town here are also something that we need to really understand and take into consideration as we make decisions. And so I am not in a position today to say yes or no this is the right path. And I think what I would like to see us decide now is how do we move forward to get the information that the five of us need to feel that we are prepared to make those decisions. Is it that we task two people to sit down with Fincom and whomever else and work through this? Is that something the full committee wants to be part of? you know, a combination of, you know, what gets us all the information that we need and what can be done, you know, in an expedient way because, you

1:00:39 know, as you said, the clock is ticking. It has been ticking. » I want to open 10 days to notify staff that they don’t have a job. So, let’s let’s throw that timeline in view. » Well, well, in before that, March 28th is uh the finance committee’s budget day, Saturday. Uh well, they won’t be voting the budget. They I don’t think there’s anybody here for » um but you know presumably that could change if it needed to but I I think they put that out there and I think they’d like to especially since it’s a Saturday and you know anybody’s setting their schedules that should probably be the um date we think of as pretty permanent um and we in good

1:01:24 practice or in what would be good governance is we would vote our budget before that date. Um, so that’s even before your one. So, if we were to get data back from them that supported the 1.5 million or refuted the 1.5 million, do would folks still be in favor of cutting if if it if the 1.5 was substantiated and it does follow headcount and whatnot? Would we then would folks want to move forward with additional cuts to meet that? » Well, it might not be 1.5. » It might maybe it’s 800. Maybe it’s 700. Maybe it’s more. Maybe it’s maybe we don’t we don’t know.

1:02:10 » I think that’s a theoretical conversation at this point. » Yeah. And I can’t and again I can’t disassociate a potential override with that because I I don’t want any reductions, right? I I think would all much prefer level services at least. Um so yeah, to me that is a factor. Um, » but you also have to keep in mind that next year is an even more significant increase. » Correct. » And perhaps and I’m hearing maybe an over I should address multi-year. I don’t know. » I’ve heard that that needs to be verified, but um » Oh, you do anything. » It’s » and I will be very much in favor of doing something. Let’s address the issues as we know them,

1:02:56 » not only this year, but next year. And that should all be baked in. » Can I just ask a question? So, in regard to the number that we’re trying to find out from this committee, how do we who is who is tasked with getting that number and who is it coming from and how do we know that that’s the number? And the reason I’m saying that is because I think many of us have had conversations with different people around different times around the number, right? So, who’s generating the number? Why is it being generated? and who’s sharing that with whom so that we know that it’s accurate because I’ve heard 1.5 D75 500 back to 1.5 and that makes me mad mad uh that it’s gone all over the place. But my question is it has to be where are we getting the number from?

1:03:43 Who is verifying that number and where is it going to be shared to so that we can have the next conversation about what the next steps you guys are going to ask from us if that makes sense. So I I don’t know the answer to that. I I don’t know the the politics in this town or the way things operate in this town are a little weird to me. So, I just I take the lead from whatever whatever you guys need to figure out, but someone has to generate that number, substantiate it. Like Melissa said, communicate it and then you guys decide whatever you’re going to decide and let us know. And that has to happen within like » and John that’s what I and L tell me if I’m I’m misspeaking but I think that’s the small group getting started with and that’s that’s what they be would you know obviously be one of their big tests to to figure that out and then obviously report back to this committee

1:04:28 » but it’s this committee that needs to give John the directive not a subcommittee. » No that’s so they would report back to this committee. Absolutely Jen I agree. and then give a directive and then have John do the work and then come back and » what’s what’s a quicker way? » I don’t think involving the whole committee is making it quicker. It could be because it’s one less meeting like in other words we » potentially » do a workshop we meet we pass through it and you know we put together a word is a a uh a time here um

1:05:11 a list or you know a a model of what we need from the town side but um you know what do we need from the town side um in terms clarity and we can work, you know, FinCom could probably possibly help us with this, but what do we need in terms of clarity um

1:05:32 to be willing to be able to make consideration of additional cuts, possibly an additional cut now, the other thing I’ll throw out there too that I asked is, you know, is anything else on the table? We have the option of make, you know, of coming forward with a reduced budget and making, you know, potential cuts. we have certainly the opp the opportunity to go forward with additional revenue um sources through an override. Um and then one question I have don’t know what the union feels about this just the biggest single um group that’s affected by it. So I have no idea if there have been any conversations if there’s any desire to bargain anything or discuss anything. I have no idea. No idea. And that might be something worth at least opening up and and involving

1:06:17 because we’re in, you know, sort of uncharted territory. And that includes not just collective bargaining agreements, but agree, you know, agreements around insurance and benefits and things like that. I mean, I don’t know. It seems to be the real pressure point here.

1:06:40 All right. So I think we’re back to how do we verify the information we feel we need to continue the process right whether it’s a reduction that we’re more comfortable with the number in keeping with the budget that we’ve come up with so far right and then maybe you know a model that takes into account additional funding lean over » I think I think just to simplify Okay, simplified is to find out what the number is that we need to meet and then you tell us that number and then we figure it out and whether it ends up being an override to make up that number. From my the way I look at it, I think the expectation is make the cuts

1:07:27 to meet to meet that meet that number, right? Obviously, that’s what folks are looking to do. We do that and then because we have to be prepared to do that period because if the road doesn’t go we have to be prepared to do that and the union’s going to be involved with that and like feel that right. So um we have to do that and then the override conversation is however that has to happen on the town. So is it group override no override a school override not a town override town override? I don’t know that’s that’s not a me thing. That’s a you tell me what to do and I and we’ll figure it out thing. But I I’m gonna say emphatically I am not moving one number in this budget in this fun budget until I get a directive from this

1:08:12 committee or whatever that is. If you come back and say it’s the 1.5, it’s 1.5. You come back and say if we verify it’s 800, then it’s 800 and you know be a little fabulous about it and obviously we’ll start doing some work. I’m not I’m just I’m not going to waste our time and energy with fake numbers. Quite frankly, I’m just not going to do it. It doesn’t make any sense. We have we have way too much stuff going on. Um running a school district, figuring out facilities, etc., etc., etc. Um so » happy to do the work, but I need I need numbers that make sense. I still, you know, think that a working group is an approach that makes sense, especially, you know, we end up moving forward in this direction. But I’m also taking away from this conversation that

1:08:59 this decision is weighing heavily on the full committee. And I think all of us need the opportunity to see the information for ourselves, ask questions, you know, and and be comfortable with it. So what if we have Al’s schedule for next week, a workshop for our committee along with whomever is determined to be the right person from FINCOM, the select board side. um it can be a joint meeting of of those various groups if that many people need to participate um so that we can have our questions answered and get the information that » I don’t think that having a joint meeting select board makes sense this committee needs to all right so this is

1:09:46 what it sounds like today » that it sounds like the consensus is we’re not we’re not looking forward to the vote today that » I think that’s fair personally » I I’m so conflicted because I feel like we’ve done the work. We have a budget and again, like you said, we’ve met and but I also, you know, » you can make a motion. » I don’t want to be, you know, toned up to the issues of the 10 and and I think if we’re going to expect the town to continue to work with us next year and then the year after that in future that We can’t just move forward with our own

1:10:33 plan without one of the Now, the one thing that really concerns me is that we’re talking about 1.5 million dollars, but again, it’s it I would rather talk about it in terms of what’s the reduction to staff, you know, what what are we actually talking about the impact of this rather than just a dollar. And I I don’t I don’t know if it makes sense or if if you would agree with asking John to prepare what 1.5 in cuts looks like. I don’t want to spin your wheels. You know, I don’t want to create make work for you, but I’m not as comfortable talking about

1:11:19 $1.5 million in abstract. You know, I would rather understand what the impact of that really is and I think the community needs to really understand what the impact of that really is. » But we don’t know that it’s 1.5 » or we don’t know that it’s 1.5. » So I think before we can we will have to give John a directive. John Ian should not do anything without this committee giving a directive just like we gave a directive to the level funding budget. So that that I think is you know is clear. Um the question is what is that number? And so before we give a directive I think we do need to find out what that number is because it may not be one vote. But I think if we find that that what was it March 28th slot that I mean I just feel like that’s too late

1:12:07 for us to move effectively particularly when » too late for us to make these what are going to be devastating cuts and have » you have to make it by April 15th. » Yeah. Can I just add that 1.5 if that was ever the number or is the number at some point in our lives here that’s to me means staff reductions. We’ve cut everywhere else we cut. If we reduce by 1.5, we also have to budget for unemployment for those staff reductions. So that 1.5 is probably closer to two. Yeah, I mean I definitely understand at this point » more staff make up the difference. So,

1:12:55 » and your average is around » depends on what positions we’re looking at, right? Yep. I mean my number in my head is 75,000 but that’s » that’s and you you can ask us for that number but that number is not a number until we know what staff and I’m not I’m not doing that work and following all the members cuz that’s that’s you’re talking people’s livelihoods and people’s careers and people’s everything and even when we did the initial reductions that we already put on the table which were pretty substantial if you ask me um that already started people spending this at me is that in and that’s a bad place to be cuz I can tell you right now there’s I’m sure there’s people looking for jobs like I I’m likely going to be in the chopping block so you know so those are real things so the retirement stuff

1:13:40 stuff stuff » correct so I mean yes I could say 1.5 million equals this many teachers and I and this many it’s a it’s an effort it’s a exercise of futility till I know the person and I don’t mean to keep saying that but I’m going to keep saying it because it just it’s I’m I’m not playing people’s lively until I know what it is and we can really do the work cuz the work is the amount of work that we had to do to get the level funded is was difficult to do this next level of cuts. It’s going to be three times difficult in a very abbreviated time frame. So, it means that a lot of other things are going to be put by the wayside. I’m not going to be able to be in 17 different subcommittee meetings. I’m not going to

1:14:25 be able to do a lot of the other stuff that I’m doing, which is just part of the legality, right? So, I just I just share because it’s when you’re talking that amount of cuts in that short amount of time because quite frankly, I’m just going to say this once and then I’ll stop talking. If we if the town I don’t know how we didn’t know it was 1.5 or 75 500 whatever way back when because we were asked to do a fun budget. We know what our fun budget is. The town should know what to have a fun budget. I don’t know why we’re having this conversation in March to be honest with you. Um, but if if that conversation happened in November saying, “Listen, we’re looking we’re not looking for you to do $2.6 million cut. We’re looking for you to do $4.1 million cut.” We would have had all that time from then until now to figure stuff out differently. I feel like I

1:15:11 stuff out differently. I feel like this is just the school is a big place. They have plenty of people. You just got to cut it. We’ll figure it out. And you just got to kick the can down the low because now whatever the cuts end up being, how many ever staff that is next year when we the following year when we go into our contractual obligations of 3.5%. On top of that, I mean, the hole is just getting bigger. » Well, it’s unless people bought it, but I mean, you know, when talking, you know, so yeah, the » it’s another it’s another we knew this. We knew this when we went to » what were you know, protractive negotiations um that this, you know, that we would be facing this. So, so I thought I was hearing, you know, we we need to meet with the right people to get clarification on the numbers. » I don’t think we need to meet with them.

1:15:58 I think we need to make the request as to what we need, right? Like I feel like we need to know if they’re saying that it’s a benefits. That’s what I heard. Is that in fact what it is that you’re asking us to cut? Is that is that where it is? And if so, then we want the actual data on on the on the whatever the system it is like how many of our people how many, you know, what benefits are they use and what is the increase based on the increased was voted today. » During during our conversation, I’ve already requested that I’ve requested a roster of all school-based employees, what health plan they’re on, whether it’s a family or an individual plan. And in addition, I don’t know if select board was basing it on active school employees or if it included retirees. So I said if it includes retirees, include

1:16:44 them in the roster. » Yeah, we need to clarify. » So I I requested that information. You know, Alicia’s and her team are usually quick to respond to me. So hopefully within 24 mill tomorrow, no later than Monday. I’m hoping that » and also to clarify that’s in fact what it was. That’s what was stated, » but I think we probably also need that clarified that » the request that this that number was based on was the increase in the benefit cost to the employees on the schools district 5 side and we’d like to see that. » Yeah, I think we need that. So I I’ve made that request to the town as of 20 minutes » as well as how much they budgeted. » What’s in their budget? What are they projecting for? » That’s why I think we need a meeting. I agree that we need data, but I also think we need whether it’s FinCom or,

1:17:30 you know, who it is, I think we can figure out, but I think our committee needs to be able to ask these questions in a setting where there is someone who can answer them. Um, my experience is that you’re not going to get the answer. You can put it in writing, put it in an email and say, “This is what we need. Here’s the here’s what we need um for order and us for for us to go back and direct our administration to make this.” That’s what I think. I mean cuz my experience has been we’ll sit at a meeting, you know, time’s chicken. We’re going to ask these questions. We’re not going to get answers at the meeting. They’re going to have to go back and come provide the answer to it. So, we might as well just deliver it in basically writing. » Sounds like a process. » Yeah, there’s some things that I don’t understand like I heard 60s something% and 30 something%. Again, I don’t know if it includes retirees. I don’t know

1:18:18 exactly what that percent is. Um not to throw away my two cents, but I will. But if we are 60% of the town’s benefits, that means we’re probably 60% of the town’s operating budget. » And why we’re only getting 50% does not make » and not even. » Now, I get it. They’re holding the benefits on their side. » Million dollar for that’s what was on this document last night. That’s what they » and they’re putting us at 47.6. » So that’s if they’re holding the benefits, then yes. And and just say that number is 8 million. Take that 8 million off the top and then split what’s left. I’m still not sure we’re getting efficient. But I we don’t have the date. » Yeah. » All right. So » 101 155. » So it sounds like Mike has already started maybe a subsequent ask. But are we okay that Mike continues to based on

1:19:04 what he’s heard from us to continue to ask those questions? » No problem. » When do we process that? We’re not meeting again until the 19th. » Can’t wait until the 19th. If this is something that we are going to » we should meet on this » consider we need to » um is do you the information that Mike has requested is that going to be everything that you need I mean you seem to have a specific ask about Melissa you have specific ask about what you want to see can you ask for that » what he just described » yeah so we’re getting that » I want to see all the employees that they’re assuming what the cost is for those for the benefits, what the increase is and do math. Does it add up to 1.5 million?

1:19:52 » And also back up, is that 1.5 inclusive? Yeah. Does that just include the benefits? Was there anything else just a general function there? Like that’s what was stated to to clarify that? » What was that? What was that ask based on » or was it based on, » you know, this, you know, this deficit they had? They just sort of looking. Other thing to keep in mind is that this is showing, you know, initially last night they was showing a town cut, town only budget cut of $4.46 million, but if you back out the trash fee because that is a revenue source. Other they took it as a cut, but there’s a separate re potentially a separate revenue source for it. Then that’s then the town cut is uh I’m sorry goes from 4.46 to 2.4. » 2.4.

1:20:39 » We’ve cut 2.6. section is 50/50. We’re good. » Yeah. » Well, so that so but but we’re being asked to cut $4.1 million. So um now again I know it’s also based on you know what does this mean for actual staff but you know maybe that’s there’s some discussion around they’re looking parody on that I don’t know but that’s where we need clarity is what are they basing what are what are the aspects » can I ask another question um I was still in the car for most of the meeting last night so I didn’t need to log in um did are we not that it’s our job to ask this question but I’m going to ask anyway Do we know that the that the town side actually did allow a fun budget like they asked us to do? Cuz I’m still not convinced they did that either because I

1:21:26 don’t know that they they this is a general that folks understand what the level of funded budget is. We understood what the fun budget is. I haven’t seen that again. I haven’t seen » their scenario B which didn’t seem to be their kind of without taking their collective um shows 48.87 2017 » that’s on the down side. Now that’s » including that trash which is being offset potentially potentially being offset by state. So that’s not really a cut. That’s just shift. I mean that’s like saying » that’s like you created a new » it cuts you from the appropriation but it doesn’t it doesn’t you know cut it out. So I think that’s » I’m hearing two things that may be okay with folks to let me know.

1:22:13 So one is Mike will follow up some of the specific questions that we’ve asked and then potentially meeting next Thursday to process that information as a committee. » Yeah. And if we don’t have the information we need if we don’t have the evidence at all 1.5 I’m going to vote that we have. » Yeah. I’m hoping we do have clarity. But you’re right, but we need to act regardless. » So my my assumption is based on the vote for the GSC today, GIC voted 7 12%. » Johnson, » my assumption, it was an approved vote today. I just looked it up. We’re waiting for that. Alicia was waiting for that. Alicia budgeted 15%. If our benefits I’ve heard a rough number that we are $8 million of the town’s

1:23:01 benefits, 15% of that would have been $1.2 $2 million. » If it came in at half of that, it’s $600,000. So that 1.5 as of tonight should be they should be calling you right now saying it’s now 900,000. They should be dropping that. And I haven’t heard any from anybody up the top side cuz Alicia said if it goes up we share it. If it goes down we share it. So if if our portion just went down by half of the insurance cost, » we should be down to 900,000 already tonight. » Yeah. What? 600 » 600 down from » which leaves us at a at a deficit of 900,000 if if that’s where we want to be. » Well, and we are we getting that trash fee? I mean, that’s repetitive, right? » No, that’s they specifically excluded. » Yeah.

1:23:46 » Yeah. » Yeah. » Why? » Okay. » Okay. » I can’t. » Yeah, I know. » So, just so one more thing, too. I think this the point’s not lost on me. maybe lost sons of other folks is that like we’ve returned money to the town every year and I’m not I’m not there as to where that how that money goes back to us if it comes back to us or if it’s you go to free cash. » Yeah. But is that credit back to us or not? I don’t know. » No. And that’s not how you know it goes back to free cash and we start all over again and we balance and we we do a you know level funded budget which are this is the whole crux of this issue is that we balance our budget by supplementing it with free cash. We’ve been doing that for years and we’re just eating. It’s like using your you save money over years. You got a

1:24:32 savings account and then all of a sudden you spend every year and your household budget depends on your savings account and it you know so going back to the trash feed conversation since again just a question since they’re using that as a a cut. What about the fact that we » because that is in their budget. » Yeah. Correct. Yeah. » But where’s the Medicaid money that we generate for Tyler University? Can we can we use that as our as our credit towards I mean these are questions I have to ask because » what’s chapter seven » yeah chapter seven because everyone kind of goes oh there it is it’s all there like we need to look at that piece as well so it’s okay you’re asking let’s just say it’s 1.5 and we generate 120 in Medicaid that should take off what’s the chapter 7 like that should come off like and then we get to a real maybe a closer

1:25:18 to a real number so if Mike if what Mike just said and I said at the beginning that 1.2 two is now 0 1.5 is now 900 I mean that’s a different number that’s a much different number and then let’s subtract all those things if they get to do it on that side I’m I’m being a little a little hyperbole here but like » like we have to have those conversations like no one seems to like » but that to me I think that’s why while it’s critically important that we understand the basis of the 1.5 I think we need to understand just more generally what the philosophy is behind the approach that they’re taking And what you know, are we looking at apples to apples in initial requests? You know, are we factoring in all the same, you know, cuts

1:26:04 cuts cuts when we’re looking at what people have cut? Because if we’re not, then we can’t be saying that this is a fair practice where we’re working towards, you know, sharing the pain across the community if that’s not how this is working. And so that’s where I think you know there is value in conversations with you know I’m really thinking fin who’s been heavily involved in this process you know in order to whether it leads us to agreeing to do this or not it at least leaves us in a position where we have the information to feel comfortable making that decision as opposed to just » so should we have either aome or several folks at our Thursday meeting. » Well, I think you’d have to leave that

1:26:50 up to that. » Okay. But maybe that’s an ask them. We should ask them, you know, » because Mike’s going to ask the questions. We’ll get some answers, but I’m sure it may we might have some additional questions, right? And we don’t want to that’s we don’t have that many cycles. » I think this to have some representation from the select board and the fin would would benefit us from not having to say we need to schedule another meeting till we get those answers. » Yeah. Uh but I think asking those question answers asking those questions in advance so they can come prepared. I was going to » say that makes sense. » I think yeah. So to me you should continue send the questions that you’ve heard tonight and then we’ll look into we’ll have a meeting I’m hoping Thursday night we’ll have a » board meeting Wednesday. Should we try to

1:27:36 » I think maybe I can just coordinate with some sort of joint » you I think my opinion is I don’t think that I can ask for a joint meeting. One of the questions I can’t ask so sorry » but I think you know » we haven’t ranked them would it be uh first select for second » I think they should vote » yeah I don’t think they need people here are the questions that we you’ve asked us this this effectively the select board because the one without sping wasn’t representative then at the date so that’s what um the town administrator select authority that have asked of this committee. So I think it’s very reasonable for us to say okay well we need to understand what that was based on and you sure the you know if

1:28:22 you’re these you’ve already asked the first round and then you’re asking these other question I don’t think you’re going to actually and I don’t mean this as a criticism to anybody on the town side you’re not going to get an answer because the way this has worked is it’s been you know a bunch of ingredients go in to make the cake it’s not you know we do this part and then this part of the cake it’s all been mixed together all the revenue sources and just here you go 50/50. So if we and I’m not saying that this I’m advocating for this but if we start to want to get into counting this revenue source we bring in this one we bring in this we bring in be careful what you’re asking because then it may be like you know okay and then you know it’s worked all for for a while but now we’ve

1:29:08 reached you know this cliff and now these are very legitimate questions. I don’t know that we’re necessarily going to get answers to maybe something for future years to say we might want to, you know, we might want to shift how we’re calculating revenue or how we’re assigning revenue or the revenue streams, you know, to the to the to our school guide. Um, but these we’ve been asked to do something and because I think we’re justified in wanting some clarity on this. Um and so that may mean sitting down with whoever they decide to send. But here are our questions. This is what we need before we can go forward and task our um direct, you know, direct our administration. Send whoever you want who can give us these answers. Mike, if you just see some of those questions, what I’ll do is I’ll see if I can get

1:29:55 » I only have one right now and that’s the roster of employees and does it include » Yeah, that was my question is that we’ve talked shuttle we’ve talked about the trash fee. We’ve talked about the is it a 50/50 split? I mean what are we actually » Yeah. Well, I think you know my question is is this is it is it a 5050 split? If it is 50.6 million » Yes. Um, and but there’s a diet. So that’s why that, you know, theirs is at 48.8 and they’ve got us at 47.6. Yeah. Yeah. » Can’t ask that. You’re saying, » well, no, I think and I I can’t speak to that, but I believe the 50/50 split is somebody sat down, somebody from the select board, from what I heard and did the benefits analysis and said, “We’ve been paying your entire benefits 80% or

1:30:41 I’m sorry, 60some percent, whatever that I didn’t hear the full percentage last night. 60s something% of that is on the schools and we’re carrying them in the town’s budget. So we need to on paper move that money over to the to the school side although they’re not giving us the money. It’s not coming into our budget. » Then that’s that’s not over has the money has I think when they’re when they’re laying out the money and it cannot this is why we should have them in the room. When they’re laying out the money they’re saying that that the 13 million in benefits 8 million belongs to the school employees or retirees or a combination of the both. Um, and so that takes their $50 million budget to $58 million budget and now they’re at 60% of what they’re what they’re getting.

1:31:25 » I I’m not suggesting that anybody’s playing funny math. » Yeah. » But until we see the data, » it’s it’s a trust but verify. I trust that they’re giving us good information, but we need to verify it. So that is the that that’s the main crux is first of all either ask the question or the assumption is this this cut you’re asking us is exclusively based on the benefit costs that’s my first question and if that’s the case what is that actual cost based on their calculations based on the new premiums that have been set and then we we have that » and I believe the the 50/50 split when somebody did the math they said okay so the school department’s budget is 58 million. Just take for 57 million. In

1:32:11 order for us to actually truly be 50/50, they need to cut another 1.5 because they move the 8 million over in and I’m only talking from » Yeah. » what I’ve heard and what I’ve what I’ve » still added in revenue though. That’s the other issue. » What the revenue 126 million or something? » 101 million. » Well, that’s tax levy revenue, right? Oh, I know. » Yeah. » Okay. No, it’s No, it’s the all the revenue less the debt exclusion, you know, the debt uh » Okay. So, maybe it’s maybe the 126 includes debt. » Um, so yeah, and these are all I think » I pulled something from from the state to our website » 101 155 as of last night. It was the FY27 projected revenue levy new growth free cash cherry sheets stabilization

1:32:58 light surplus enterprise funds local receipts total other funds 101.

1:33:07 » All right. So Mike will continue his interaction with pay when you’re at you already asked. » I I’ve asked the benefit question and I asked that at the time. suggest that you might want to send an email to the sheriff select board and maybe » and so Mike’s going to do that. I will follow up with uh getting representation from FINCOM and the select board at next th at our this coming Thursday meeting. » Is everybody Is everybody okay meeting Thursday again? Next Thursday. But I » I think the other thing I’ll just throw this last thing out just to something to you know chew on is that you know we’re now in this scenario we’re being asked because in that spirit all that but all

1:33:53 of these years from this gone in answer to your question about where the what the thought process was the benefits were always held on the town side and there was all every union town would budget for benefits including that you know health insurance and there was always a very generous budget number there and traditionally incoming much lower. So there was, you know, that was one where the choice was made, you know, to overbudget for that. Um, and so when that number came in lower, that stayed on the stand, we never would ever see any of that, you know, that line item. So, you know, that system worked then and, you know, now it’s a challenge. I’m

1:34:41 just put it in perspective. Okay. » Okay. » All right. Thank you everyone. Our next item is uh an update on the district improvement plan from our superintendent. » Uh thank you. Um not a whole lot to update on at this point, but I was asked to just kind of narrow in the process. So I had sent it out to staff and input from the staff um on the on the sheet that I’ve shared with this committee a couple times. Um, so I integrated the feedback from the staff into that. Um, there’s just one goal I still need to tweak a little bit based upon the feedback and then I’m going to the next round is to send it back out to um to parents and community, you know, our our caregivers. Um, with that, I’m going to just do a little bit more of a narrative because I know it’s a lot of edge speak

1:35:27 obviously in the in the um in the district improvement plan. So I decided to craft the narratives go along with it. for us just a little bit more know explanation. Um the point’s not lost. I mean that there’s a lot of information there. So uh you know hopefully we’ll get more good input and then once I integrate that input I’ll bring back to the committee and at that point we’ll go you know I’ll share it with you. We’ll get ask questions we’ll tweak whatever each week and then once you are comfortable with it as far as where we are um then the following step would be more on that. in place for start of next school year. Um you will start » what’s that » fiscal year? » No, September. » So you would it wouldn’t be July 1st. » No, it’s it’s No, it’s based on the school year. Um that’s the plan. I mean unless this immed it’s it’s a long process, right? That’s

1:36:14 why it’s where we are. So the other thing is you’ll start hearing from the schools around their school improvement plans and I think I mentioned this already but as they delivered their school improvement plans they’re starting to dovtail some of the overarching goals um because you know their going to carry into next year and that it hasn’t been approved yet. So you know we’ve had conversations they know it they’ve seen it um and then the following year will be falling into green. So um and I just want to say one more time that the you know plan for success that was developed was was a you know was developed in a in a robust way. There’s a lot of people had a lot of input into that. This is a shift um cuz I feel it’s necessary to to kind of be a little bit more um you know encompassing of the uh the strategic plan. So I don’t want to um negate the work that had gone

1:37:01 into this plan for success. I think it’s just a matter of you have to kind of grow and move forward and it’s the way to do it in my opinion. So, um yeah, that’s the next step. So, I was hoping to get that out this week and it still happen tomorrow, but if not tomorrow, you know, the weekend of the week, I’ll get that out to parents and then we’ll set I’ll let you know when I feel comfortable like presenting the whole thing. I give them a little bit of time to give me the feedback they need. A little bit of time for me to integrate it and probably see see where we go from there. But I’m pretty happy with where it’s going so far. Is there any questions discussion? » Okay. Thank you. » It is. » All right. Uh subcommittee and lays on updates.

1:37:48 » the one thing I would mention because is that I have been had a couple conversations with the um tree warden whom I happen to know um and he’s looking to do a couple of u planting projects um of trees one is a grant he’s going after for the high school parking lot and the other oh my way the other is um for the access road on village at village school um so I’ve spoken to John and Mike about that which is all great great stuff. Um that does necessitate some you know some um maintenance on our part. Um so we just need to make sure the you know crews on it. So I was suggesting we you know we bring it to the not bring it but the facility subcommittee maybe we go out and off you know site tree just and like um and and the maintenance crew just

1:38:34 make sure you know it’s going to be something that would be done this spring » and and I was thinking to Jen if that’s and has some sort of I know it’s coming to us has some sort of monetary guy so we know what that is acceptable » and it doesn’t mean we’re going to get the grant No, we do. We want to make sure that we stay in line with our donation. I received our donation. Oh, you guys received the donation. So, I thought about that last phase. » Well, same too with the planting project, I guess. Although that’s the town. I don’t know. » I just I just » the planting project. I’m sorry. The planning project for village school is town funds. » Okay. » Or the tree wooden. » All right. Budget. » One of the high school is specifically grant which we certainly may we may not get. So, we get it. So, that we » I just want to make sure we keep that in

1:39:20 mind. I don’t do it. Okay. I’ll be back. technically. » Yeah. I just wanted to let you know, you know, because I couldn’t talk about lines. So, » no, we did talk about that briefly at the last. » We did. Okay. All right. Then then we got a new one which is the school. So, that that was » and we we were set to be um facilities sub this week. So, » yeah, we we’ll regroup. » All right. Um any correspondents?

1:39:55 Okay. Um I am looking for a motion and vote to meet in the executive session for the following reasons. Executive session pursuant to chapter 38 section 2183 purpose 7 to comply with or act under the authority of any general or special law or federal grant in aid requirements. specifically the open meeting law uh 30A chapter 22FG relative to the school committee’s executive sessions for the following dates September 18th 2025 September 30th 2025 October 15th 2025 October 30th 2025 November 6th 2025 20th 2025 August 7th 2025 August 21st 2025 and

1:40:43 September 4th North, 2025. Also, executive session pursuant to chapter 38 section 21 A3 purpose 3 to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation. Jay Baky is an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the school committee and the chair so declares without intent to return to open session. Executive session pursuant to chapter 38 section 21A3 purpose three to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining specifically to deliberate regarding a grievance regarding the lead teacher stipent as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the school committee and the chair so declares without intent to return to open session. » So second

1:41:29 » right motion has been made by Henry and seconded by Kate. Um, we’ll do a roll call for this. Uh, Jen » in favor. » Henry » in favor. » Melissa » in favor. » B » in favor. » Al in favor. The motion passes 50. So we will now enter into executive session pursuant to chapter 38 section 2183. Purpose 7 to comply with or act under the authority of any general or special law or federal granting a requirement specifically the open meeting law. uh chapter 30A 22 FNG relative to the SPE school committee’s executive sessions for the following dates September 18th 2025 September 30th 2025 October 15 2025 October 30th 2025

1:42:17 November 6 2025 November 20th 2025 August 7th 2025 August 21st 2025 and September 4th 2025 also entering into executive session pursuant to chapter 38 section 2183 purpose 3 to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation J Bucky as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position on the school committee the chair so declares without intent to return to open session also entering into executive session pursuant to chapter 38 section 213 purpose 3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining specifically to deliberate regarding agreements regarding the lead’s teacher stipen is an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the barding the motion of the school committee. The chair so declares without intent to return to open

1:43:05 session. All right. We will meet in executive session soon next door.

1:43:20 I mean I mean small

1:44:14 » I mean they are going to they’re meeting talk about this

1:44:20 » over » over a little bit. Yeah,

1:44:46 Yeah, I don’t know. I’m just trying to make the decision. I do what I want to do. Sh.

1:45:17 » Sean said tonight, “Sit on your hands and be quiet.” Still didn’t listen. I’m sorry, boss. » It’s okay. I didn’t listen to myself. » What’d you like? Oh, I I said it was » Are these mics still on? No. Yes. No. » Yeah. » That’s » It’s on. Yeah. » No, it’s on. » Yeah. » With the green. » Oh, he is. » Yep. » Unlike Tom. » Yeah, they’re still on. » Okay. Good.