School Committee: March 20, 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.

0:46 someone already low. » Yeah, she she’s already » got

1:04 going to call them the um meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. on Thursday, March 19th, 2026. I just want folks to know this meeting is being recorded. So, we’ll start with the pledge of allegiance.

1:27 » I pledge allegiance to the republic of the United States of America and to the republic stands, one nation, indivisible, liberty, justice, republic.

1:49 » Go ahead. » Um I’d actually like to commend Mike Piping. Um in Todd Blood Good’s absence, he’s um had to really step up um Lisa Manning to just uh make sure that things are continue to go well with the facilities. And obviously there’s always facility stuff that are transpiring that’s being done on the high school today that was not planned. Um, and I just want to take a moment just to thank him for his extra due diligence on that on top of obviously deal with um the the budget um situation we’re in. And I just thought it was uh it would be good to just kind of recognize him for extra the work that he’s been doing. So, thank you.

2:34 Thank you, Superintendent. Anybody else have any accommodations?

2:41 Okay, we will move on to public comment. Eve Cronin. » Do I sit here? » You sit there. And just to remind people, we, you know, three minutes. » Put the timer on so we can » I haven’t started yet. » Um, so just let you know you have three minutes. Please keep on topic of things that we’ll be discussing tonight. So » Oh, I don’t know topics that you’re » budget. Is it around the budget? Yes, you’re fine. » Okay. Um, my name is Eve Cronin. I have three young children, two of whom are at Glover. The next one will join next year. Um, I would like to say that I love Glover. I love the community. My kids have had phenomenal teachers. The staff is amazing. There’s smiles every day. They work under height

3:30 restrictions. And I just the all arts teachers phenomenal. When we elect people to the school board, I hope we elect people that are there to fight for our schools and to stand up for the necessary budget, which is a big budget that schools need to run in this day and age. And I’ve heard over and over people talking about like my family runs on a budget, school has to, but there isn’t seems to be presented that like the budget my family used to run on is no longer working and sometimes those adjustments have to be made. Um, and I’m just advocating to the school committee, please fight. I don’t know if it’s called back, fight bite back, but fight to support our schools. And that does mean financially supporting our schools because um, every

4:17 budget cut is felt at Glover. Like it is felt hard. My son is in the second grade. That class has been cut to three teachers and those are absorbed by our teachers and our teachers are tired. I think I mean they don’t complain to me but I’m nosy and I’m in tune and I try to figure out what’s going on along the steps like and I understand that our community has 75% of people that do not have kids in the schools but we live in a community and somehow that has to be conveyed to people that if you don’t want to live in a community if you don’t want to help your neighbor out then you should live somewhere more rural but if you do want to live in a community that like then just like I would like to support elder care. I would love to try to educate

5:05 people in the 75% who do not have kids in the schools that there’s a lot of reasons both for themselves but also just for like community that they would want to support our schools fully. And the idea that they’re now trying to take another $1.5 million was just I just don’t understand how like I just know Glover. I don’t know how Glover could operate like that. is just a sad state of affairs. So, I applaud you guys for doing this. Um, I think all I can talk to is love her. Like, Maggie Dobin is the most amazing art teacher. Miss Hatalano is the most amazing kindergarten teacher. My daughter loves Miss Briana. Miss Chillette works under uh craziness. And these are teachers that like we don’t want to lose because

5:51 they just get tired and every year they just get another really hard class and it’s like they just do not have the support around. So whatever I can do to help an override or help you guys fight for a budget, let me know. And I’m not the only one. the playground, school pickup, people don’t have time to come or they’re busy, but people in my realm of life feel the same way. They want the school supported financially. » Thank you. » Can I just make one comment? I know we don’t usually respond, but I just want to thank Miss Cronin for her comments, and please don’t apologize ever for coming. We really appreciate folks

6:37 coming and speaking. this is how we, you know, how we work. This is the only way we can um do the work we do is by hearing from from folks in the community. So, so thank you. » Okay. Um Leslie Conley.

6:58 Um, hi, my name’s Leslie Conlin and I just want to be a voice saying that we support whatever financial needs the schools have and we’re here to fight for that in whatever way we can. That’s really all I have to say. » That’s funny. Thank you, » Jonathan Hill.

7:27 Jonathan Hellard with 26 Royal Road and I’m here as a resident tonight as a father of two students in Marblehead public schools and as a teacher in Marblehead as well. So, at the heart of our community is a shared responsibility to protect what we value about this town while ensuring that our children, our residents, and the services our town depends on continue to thrive. Right now, our town faces a $7.7 million budget gap. The decisions in front of us will impact positions and services across our entire community from our schools to our library to wreck and parks and could result in the loss

8:12 of senior programming or other key town services. This is something we are all facing together. We also know there are real concerns in our community. There are residents on fixed incomes and families feeling the pressure of rising costs along with the strong desire to ensure that every dollar is used wisely. Those perspectives matter and are part of what makes this community thoughtful, engaged, and responsible. As enrollment has decreased, staffing has adjusted alongside it, but student needs have grown more complex and require consistent support throughout the school day. And while those needs are increasing, we

8:59 are not in a position to expand staffing to meet them. That means additional reductions to classroom teachers, support staff, or student services will be felt in very real ways by our students. Communities across Massachusetts are facing these same challenges. This is not unique to Marblehead and it’s not the result of any one decision. It is the reality of rising costs and limited revenue. So this moment calls on all of us as a community because we are one town and every part of our town matters. Moving forward together began as a guiding vision in our schools at the start of the school year. In this moment, it becomes a shared responsibility.

9:44 responsibility. responsibility. It means choosing a path that supports our students, a path that sustains our town services, a path that reflects both care and responsibility. And it means coming together around one comprehensive solution that supports the needs of the entire town. Because when we invest in our schools and in our town services together, we are not just sitting through the moment. We are deciding who we are as a community and we are protecting what makes Marblehead a place people are proud to call home. So let’s take this next step together as one town to ensure we move forward

10:33 stronger than ever. Thank you. » All right. Thank you, Jonathan. Sarah Fox.

10:45 Sarah Fox, 46 Feet Street. Um, so I sat through the entirety of the select board budget meetings today. Got a lot of information. In fact, left with the line item select board budget, a document that people have been trying to get their hands on for over a decade and no one’s been able to see into the to do. And I’m I’m fairly certain that many of the select work hasn’t even gotten to see that. So, I mean, there’s a lot of information in this that still needs to be digested. What I did walk away with, which concerns this board, is right off the get-go, they already introduced the idea that you will not be one town in an override. Select board member Moses Brader said multiple times at the start of the meeting to clarify. He kept saying, “I’m clarifying.” And commended the schools for agreeing to cut the 1.5.

11:31 So if he knows there’s an agreement on the table, it’s news to me because I watch every meeting and I’m here and you have not voted in a public meeting, which is your only option. So anyway, he commended you. And then he said, “And if the schools need to seek an override, they should do that on their own.” And he looked at that. That confirmed not one select board member spoke up and said, “No, no, no. We’ll do this together.” So maybe that’s what’s out there in the community, but the in their public meeting tonight, what was floated out at a soft launch by one member was, “You guys have a placeholder. You’ll use it.” And that one person corrected. So I caution you. I’ve sat at that table. I’ve been part of this whole game before

12:21 that before you go to cut another 1.5 million that you make sure your numbers can be trusted. Mike has done a tremendous amount of work. To my knowledge, I’d be shocked if he tied out dollar for dollar that 1.5. Um, additionally, » additionally, I see it. Um, they’ve added areas. They added $70,000 line items for civic events, which they described as flag raisings like Junth. That was the And I’m not saying these events aren’t important, but that’s a teacher. They also double dipped. Later on in the budget, you see they’re carrying a line item. Usually when you cut I’m going to ask that you give me 15 extra seconds. This is really important to your budget. » 15 seconds. » We car we self we self-fund our unemployment. You carry that. There’s two methods of thought. You carry the

13:07 unemployment number that you estimate at about 30 35% depending on where you are. Or you don’t move your health insurance because it all kind of comes out of the wash. They’re carrying both. Not only are they carrying both, but they’re carrying unemployment to the tune of $576,000, which far exceeds what the school is carrying. I trust Mike’s number. My point is, you guys are cutting jobs on numbers that don’t have any bearing to reality right now. Check your numbers before you cut it because once it’s gone, you’ll never get it back. » Thank you, sir.

13:45 right, we’ll move on to our student representative. Well, the efforts tonight. » Um, hello everyone. Uh, shorter update today, but um, we’re most way through the third quarter now. Uh, and everyone’s hard at work at their schoolwork, of course. Um, I calc’s been an issue, but we’ll figure it out, I’m sure. Um, test tomorrow, so I’ll get studying. Um, the course recommendation and selection process is ongoing. Students are meeting with their teachers and school counselors right now. um getting guidance and planning out the classes for next year. Uh tomorrow the high school is hosting community arts night down in the cafeteria from 6:00 to 7:30. You can stop by to create your own um your own art with many of the national or honor society students here at the high school. Uh March 24th and 25th next week, the sophomores will be working hard on the

14:31 year’s English MCAST. Uh good luck to all of them. And March 24th will also be the all bands concert. stopped by the pack at 6 PM to see band musicians from the fourth grade through the high school. I myself play trumpet in the band and we’ve been working very hard um over the last few months and I’m very excited to perform for the community. Uh similarly, the All Strings concert is one week later on March 31st. Um I’ll throw in the food. I mentioned this a couple weeks ago. It’s been banging recently. So um huge props, credit where credit’s due. Um we had this awesome like uh roast beef 3-way special. So that was like totally unexpected, really good. Um, and it’s also just really creative, too. It was like faux um the other day. That was really fun. Um, and uh, Irish beef stew on St. Patty’s Day.

15:16 So, I really appreciate that. And I know the consensus among the students have been it’s been pretty awesome. So, um, props uh, and thank you. But that’s all I got. Thank you. » Thanks so much. » That’s nothing. Thank you. Thank you, Mo. All right, we’ll move on to the superintendent update. » Mr. Chairman, calculus, figure it out. Was that fun? Fun. That was pretty good. Um, right. Uh, good evening. I just have a few uh items to share tonight. Um, as indicated at our last meeting, I sent the district improvement plan draft out to parents. I’m beginning to call feedback and I’m planning on sharing the proposed DIP at our next meeting. I truly appreciate the input from the community. So, thank you for that. Um, by all accounts, our kindergarten orientation at Brown and Glover went well and folks are excited about

16:02 welcoming our newest students to Marblehead public schools in the fall. Thank you to principles Maxim and Kowalsski and their teams for welcoming our parents and ensuring that they receive the necessary information for this important transition into our schools. We had a large contingency of our leaders attend the Women’s Educational Leadership Network, also known as Welm conference yesterday in Framingham. And whereas I don’t get the opportunity to attend this particular conference if King’s educational leadership um I know that it’s always a day of fruitful and meaningful PD conversations and networking. Kudos to Julia Ferrer for work helping with the planning the conference partaking in the panel discussion and for introducing the way finder founder along with Adrian Graciano um to the packed house. I had folks from other districts reach out to me unsolicited about the awesomeness

16:48 that they experienced with our school and district leaders that they met at the conference. So kudos to all of you is um that’s great. Team Marblehead has represented um us proudly at the conference. So thank you. Um I want to share that music in March is transpiring every day in the morning at Brown School. This is an issue that Miss Maxfield has put in place and supported by our music teacher Eileen De Moore. Um it’s such a cool way to start the day for our younger students. Thanks to Mary and Eileen for this. It’s another great way to share student voice. I absolutely love this. I only got a chance to get over there once, but it was like well worth this price of admission. It was really cool. Um going buggy was a big hit. Um I was able to get over to Glover yesterday to witness the awesomeness. Uh they were singing, dancing, storytelling from a whole bunch of ladybugs, fireflies, spiders, and caterpillars. Our bugs did a fantastic job performing.

17:34 And our students, especially our prek kiddos, did a great job as audience members, too. Thanks to France Simone whose energy is definitely contagious. Uh I wanted to share that we have hired uh Christine Silva as our new assistant athletics director who will be taking over for Mark Ty next week. Thanks to Mark and all his years of service to um Marblehead public schools. He’s been an institution missed. Uh we feel like Christine will be a nice you know addition and I know they’re working together do some transition stuff. So thanks again to Mark and all it hard work. Um, our athletic director, Kent Wheeler, in addition to ensuring that spring sports are becoming full swing, is busy planning for senior signing day for college athletics, which is on May 28th. I know it’s a little ways out, but it’s it’s really exciting. We’re going to be doing it a little bit differently this year. Um, so just a great way to

18:20 celebrate our student athletes as they transition to college level and we’re looking forward to that special day. Speaking of special days, but that segue vets principal Matt Benji and I were asked by eighth grade teacher Kobe Kawuchi to speak to our middle school students this afternoon about our roles as principal and superintendent in conjunction with their civics group. It was a great way to share our experiences and help students understand what we do as educational leaders. The students were attentive and very thankful for the time and I wholeheartly appreciated being inviting to share. It was a great way to take a break from the budget discussions taking place and to connect with students. Um, I promise to cut my update short tonight so that Ferrer can share an update on our recent awesome PD day. Okay. » Yeah. Yeah, please. » Great. Thanks.

19:23 » Thanks. » Thanks. Thanks. » Well, thank you for having this opportunity um to the school committee. Uh just really appreciate the opportunity to share about an amazing day we had last Friday. Uh March 13th um was our professional development day. It was really nice. one of our educators came over this evening just to have some nice it just it was such an amazing day and I really feel like I wanted to give a little glimpse into the day um to share just how wonderful and amazing it was. So I’m just going to go through um the plan and um also a lot of gratitude. So you’re going to hear that through that because it took a team um to to do this. So starting with the office of teaching and learning team and the PD

20:10 committee um just phenomenal collaboration to plan the day. So, we have obviously our goals um through teaching and learning do align uh where we’re uh looking to continuously support our educators through professional development. Um linked here and I’ll I’ll make sure it’s in the dropbox for you guys as well. Um we have a a pretty robust professional development plan. Um but the conditions have to be right for a type of day like what we had on Friday for educators, teaching educators. And in my time in normal hip public schools, I finally feel that we’ve had this opportunity under John’s leadership. Right. And the fact that our our educators feel that they’re ready to to lead this type of work with one another. I mean, the conditions were right and it would just made for an amazing day. So, um, credit to the superintendent for his

20:56 leadership to get us to the point where we’ve had this goal for many years to do something like this and and we finally been able to do it. So, a little glimpse into the schedule. Um, we our motto is moving forward together. So this year we really wanted to live that and and really walk the walk on that one. So and talk the talk. So we started with coffee and connection that was very purposeful where we plan the day for for staff to come together and see each other and we were all together here at the high school. All the all educators, everybody was here, all of our administrators. Um so it’s a really nice way to start the day. Um and then we had four sessions of learning. So sessions one and four uh those were focused on our goals around teaching and learning multi-ter systems of support engaging our learners

21:41 supporting all learners um and educators um led every session it was every session was led by an educator um all four sessions. Session two um so actually session one there were 22 options for c for classes. Session two there were three options. Session three there were 13 options and then session four there were 16 options of classes. So a variety of throughout the day. The second session was on artificial intelligence. That’s one of our focus areas this year. We started in August with a professional development on artificial intelligence and our AI steering committee um helped present on this this uh PD day. And then we had uh the PD committee came up with a brilliant idea to um have a a break but a break that will still like serve us in

22:28 terms of just do something to help us as educators. Um so we did a wellness and exploratory session instead of just a break and go do whatever you want. They they engaged in phenomenal and I’ll show you some pictures. It was really great. So a little wellness and exploratory session that was a real uh hit and then we came back for session four. Um and then um they did a reflection and feedback. Here are some of the classes. These are just a few. As I mentioned, we had 40 almost 40 sessions. Um so these are just a few of the ones. So engaging the class titles, engaging all students, engagement strategies for any classroom, brain breaks, helping teachers implement brain breaks for community building, engagement in a world classroom management, working with multicultural populations. I mean, you can see a the range and the the depth and the

23:14 amazingness of the learning that was happening. Um, a lot of our teachers actually that are here tonight, shout out to them for leading some of the sessions, too. They were so great. Um, so we did it. So, if you’ve ever been to a conference where you have to uh submit a proposal to run a class, that’s what they did. They they submitted a proposal and the PD committee reviewed those and um these were just a sample of the many ones that were approved. A big shout out. This is so much gratitude. This day was possible because of our educators. So our we had 44 presenters and so this is just a little uh snapshot of those amazing 44 presenters that I’m just so grateful. They put so much time and effort into this um to making really engaging sessions and I wish I could have just

24:00 bottled up the the energy and the positive feedback and it just the smiles and the connection was just amazing and and our educators help make that happen. So, thank you so much to the team. There’s some pictures from the day. Uh we had one of our amazing high school students, uh Mario Oonnell, she took uh she volunteered hours of her day off to come. Um so we have a lot more pictures coming. Um these are just some that I grabbed. So the top left was one of uh that was one of the wellness and exploratory. It was art as a regulation tool. In the middle we have um Rebecca Bran, that’s one of our instructional coaches leading on phonics routines. Uh Emily Perez in the top right is leading about math fluency. I should have mentioned um in the top left is Maggie Dovven doing the ark one um who was here

24:46 recently. Um bottom left that’s Jay Gudadaro and he was with Connie Callahan and um they presented on AI and in the middle Angie Graciano on the street engagement and on the right Carol and Todd and she was doing conditional formatting with Google Sheets that was a huge hit for um very niche but very very important for those who were in that class. They really enjoyed that. So just a sample um of of that learning in action. So high engagement, lots of smiles, lots of learning. Um and then we asked, so session five of the day was our reflection time where we asked um our educators to reflect and and share out um feedback because this was the first time that we’ve done something like this in in any kind of recent history. Um I

25:31 guess it I think it happened like decades ago. I guess I was hearing about that. Um but in the recent times this is the first time we’ve done something like this and it was really important for the PD committee to get feedback on how it went and this is just I mean you can see the snapshot you know it was the love we were feeling the love we were big time so really thrilled um I think there was so much more you can see I tried to fit as much as I could on the screen here but there was so much and and truly just I think really resonated because it was about learning from one another And I think that’s really um speaks to the the level of knowledge and expertise um that our educators can bring and share with our Butler educators. So credit to our amazing educ you guys

26:21 and thanks to Java is just incredible support and to our office of teacher learning team and our professional. We’re really happy and thank you for the opportunity to share. So, I’ll put this in the Dropbox and share some more pictures later when we get to our student. » Yeah. » Um Julie is really really humble. Like, she did » she did so much work for this. It’s um it’s amazing how much work, » you know. So, she’s part of the PD committee and and all the educators, but I watched um and saw how much work he did and um I I miss not recognizing that. Um one two I was there in the morning helping to greet people saying hi and um came back and then try to come in and out. Um so every time I came by

27:06 like people just this is the best this is awesome we got to do this again. It was all positive all day. I looked in the session I didn’t like sitting I I don’t like to interrupt folks. I was in like some really cool stuff going on. Um, it was just I’ve been doing this a long time and hands down. Um, this is probably the best PD day that I’ve seen in my 20 plus years as as a educational leader. It’s um it’s a lot of work. It was definitely work that made second of everybody’s work that they’ve contributed and I think the educators really love it. So, this is the work. this is what we do and why we do what we do because this all benefits students and I just want to say thank you again for to Julia and then I mean made it so successful

27:52 thank you thank you all right um under the consent agenda I am looking for a motion to approve the following the identified schedule of bills totaling $976,75.93 and the meeting minutes from March March 5th, 2026 and March 12th, 2026. » So moved. » Second. » Okay. The motion has excuse me been made by Henry, seconded by Melissa. Any discussion? » The only thing I would say I I um I I think there might have been a little discrepancy on the a motion I made last week in regards to the um budget number

28:39 for tonight. I I think it’s basically okay, but I’m not sure. We maybe when we discuss it, we’ll it it’ll change. But um my intention in my motion and what I said in the motion was to um direct Mike Piferling and Mike Pifferling and John Robidoux to go back and um solidify the numbers and come back to us tonight with a with a final number um for those cuts. So that was my motion. Um and I’m not really sure the minutes actually reflect that. Uh that’s the 12th, right? » Yes. Yeah. Last week. » Um I’m happy to Do you want to send me the change and we can we can approve these next week with that change? » Sure.

29:27 » So can we amend the motion to approve just the 35 minutes and table of 312 minutes? A motion to approve the schedule bills um in the 358. » All right. Motion » second. » Seconded by Melissa. Any further discussion. » All right. Um guess we’ll do a roll call. Uh Jen, » uh in favor of the amended motion. » Thank you. Henry » in favor. » Melissa » in favor. Al in favor. The motion passes 4 Z. » Okay. Our next item is around uh well uh the Brown school spotlight. We were

30:12 asked to push that to a subsequent meeting. So we will not be doing that tonight. Uh the next item is uh the board school trip. » Mr. Chairman. Um so we’re uh you guys come on. Uh Jonathan Heler and Courtney Cummings are going to come and uh tell us a little bit about Borndale and what trip entails um and take it away. » Thank you. Uh and our superintendent, assistant superintendent got a chance to do some shout outs. I think we want to do some shout outs as well. Um behind us are, you know, some village school educators that are very much a big piece of this experience. Um, this trip could not

30:57 happen without the support of the staff, the families, uh, our students. Um, I don’t know if people realize how much the staff give to make this trip happen to using time, you know, after school to get all the paperwork done, to enter all the information into our shared sheets to our nurses that are going through every single health form to make sure it’s completed. Uh, to getting us ready for the trip and preparing all the medical supplies that we need to go down there. our custodians that come down to help us load the truck on the day we leave, drive the truck down, come back and pick us up and help load the truck and unload it back at Village. Um, our guidance staff that we go through all the students to make sure that we set them up to be successful down there. Um,

31:44 it is a tremendous effort and mind you when they’re going down to Boro for the three nights, four days, they are working well beyond their contractual hours at no additional segment. Uh so we’re doing this truly because we want to give our students an experience they’re going to remember. Hence the name the village experience. Uh so the village experience is something that’s been happening for decades. And the great like the cool thing is this is a marblehead right of passage. So many of our students have parents that have also gone down to booting our teachers as you know as students themselves. We have some new teachers at Village that were students that went down when we were leading the trip » and are overly excited. » Yes. » Um so it is a three night 4-day

32:30 experience. Uh they go down there six core classes. Uh they and it’s hands-on interdisciplinary classes and it’s they’re two and a half classes and they are engaged for every single minute of it. In addition to those core classes, we go do an off-site trip to canals. Uh we have rocketry which is all about engineering design. So they design two types of rockets. One is more with a combustible engine and one’s air compression and they design it and they they go through the design process through it. Uh we have some adventure programs down there. So it’s all about teamwork, cooperation, trying to bring you know four teams together to become one class. Uh we have marine lab where they’re dissecting a dog fish, pond studies, um » geocaching, » geo geocaching as well. Um, so tie in

33:17 social studies, fishing. Uh, so we have they have rec time. So they always ask, you know, about recess down there. They have about three hours a day just to play, which our kids need. And they’re interacting with every student on every team. And no, yeah, fishing we have down there. So Mr. Goldie, who is our grade five teacher, will come down and that is it is a village experience. We’re bringing down teachers from other grades. And we have some sixth grade teachers that can’t go down that go and and substitute in for that class of fourth and fifth. It is really cool to see a sixth grade teacher down in fifth or fourth. And for a fourth and fifth grade teacher or one of our art teachers come down to Borndale. Um but fishing those kids are down there in that dock every rec time that we have and I don’t know how know Steve does it but he’s

34:03 like the fish whisper. Kid kids that have never caught a fish, catch a fish, and they come back home to Marblehead and they’re asking their parents to go and buy themselves a fishing rod and they want to go fishing and No. Did you end up catching a fish? » A shark. » The shark. He caught a shark last year in the freshwater pond. » Other than that, » it’s bigger every time. » That’s right. » There’s a picture though. » There’s a picture. Um so it is a tremendous experience for our students and in terms of chaperoons we have about 67% of the parents have volunteered to be a chaperon. Okay that’s the 109 parents that are volunteering to be a chaperon. It is the largest single trip that we do in the district and it

34:49 is amazing to see them down there interacting with our students. They’re they’re supporting them when we have our recck time through our classes to just make sure that you know we talk about being responsible, being respectful and being safe and they help make sure that you know our students are set up to be success successful in classes in rec time in the dining hall and in their cabins. Um and we also have a second program uh because we do have some students that choose not to go down to they want to stay back home. Uh so we try to make it a comparable program to Bourneill and some of the things that we have we’re partnering with spur and the the village organic garden. Uh so they’re going to work with that. Last year they we got some um supplies to make birdhouses. So they did a design project and built birdhouses for the

35:34 garden. Uh they’re going to Taste Buds Kitchen where they can work collaboratively together to prepare their own meal. Uh we have Project Adventure coming this year. So we tried to get them last year. They just all booked up, but we started we we called them at the end of last year to make sure we can get them down here. So, they’re coming in to do some teamwork and some, you know, adventurebased activities with them. Uh they’re going to cranes beach. Boston Jumps is coming. Uh Boston jumps. I don’t know how to describe it. Mrs. K do » like the moon. » Yeah. They have like moon shoes and they bounce. » Yeah. So, they’re bouncing all around the backing school. Um and they’re still integrating with their alllet arts as well. that doing some of the outlet arts within the day program as well. So that’s a 4 day program but it’s all project based. Yeah.

36:20 And I mean that’s pretty much you know again it is a program that has happened for decades and it truly is a tradition for generations.

36:32 I don’t know if anyone has any questions for us about the trip. I know » I want to go on. » I’m on. » Yeah. And we I know you know John came down last year and he’s told he’s coming down again. We’re gonna try to get make sure Julia comes down again. Um » Mike’s gonna come down. We’ll do we’ll have him do some budget number crunching down at count all the kids in the classes and stuff like that too. » Um so it is a phenomenal experience. So we appreciate the opportunity to to continue do this trip for our students. Um and it’s going to be something that they will remember for the rest of their life.

37:10 to vote on the school committee. So I can make a motion to second. » Okay. Motion’s been made by Henry, seconded by Melissa. Any further discussion?

37:25 Okay. Uh we’ll go to a vote. Uh Jen » in favor. » Henry in favor. » Melissa » in favor. » Al in favor. The motion passes four to zero. » Thank you. Thank you. I just want to say thank you for alling that goes to this. I know just explained it all, but it’s it is a mean I I saw them having the stuff on the way down. I’m down there saw like it’s it’s a lot of work. All the teachers go down, all the chaplain that go down. Last year it was 20° and raining and when I went down it was, you know, and everyone still need what they did. And I just wanted to say thank you. It’s a lot of work. So, but um as you mentioned, it’s a right of passage and it’s something I’m excited about going down again to make sure I pick a sunny day this time. » That’s right. And if you I mean we try to bring back the experience to everyone

38:11 here in Marblehead through our socials as well. Um and so you can you know we’ll share I can share that out with the superintendent. You can share the link out to all of you too. So you can see the photos and the video down there and then we will stream live back. We do what we call a sixth grade idol and the the students are um taking a content era that they’ve done in sixth grade and then taking a popular song rewriting the lyrics and they do performances at village school and then each team selects one and they perform down there and we have judges that will be down there. I was hoping that our superintendent wasn’t going to be a judge last year, but maybe this year if not. » Yeah. » Start watching American Idol now. What’s that? » Is there too? » Yeah. » Thank you.

39:04 » Paul Gleason is supposed All right. » I see him. » You see my name. » Is he doing a presentation or just needs to talk? He’s just gonna explain all the that we » and I’m here to support you. Um, » hey, hey, Paul, can you say something? Just want to make sure we have you set up properly. » Yeah, I just saw a note on my screen. Um, I guess you can’t see me though, right?

39:29 » The camera must be off. » I don’t see a camera icon. I can My camera’s working though. I can see myself. Can you hear me? Okay. » Yeah, we can hear you.

40:16 » There we go. Uh I think by now you should be able to see me and hear me. » Yeah. » Yeah, we can. Thank you. » Good good evening. Uh I’m sorry I usually try to attend uh these school committee meetings in person. Uh but I had to uh zoom in this evening. Um Paul Gleason, Marblehead High School. Uh so I’m uh addressing the committee to ask for well I was here a short time ago requesting approval for our trip that occurred last weekend. It was the state competition for uh Massachusetts DECA, the state development uh the care state career development uh conference. We had 13 competitors and of the 13 competitors, five qualified to move on

41:02 to the international career development conference in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a really uh it was a exceptional showing. Just to put things into context, last year we had 35 competitors at the state conference and only four made it to the international conference. So we had fewer state competitors and a very high percentage of them made it all the way through. Uh, two competitors have other commitments, uh, a college visit and and a rowing competition, but, uh, three competitors, two of them, two of two of them are freshmen, uh, have decided that they would like to attend the conference in Atlanta. Um, I believe you have I saw my my memo and all of the

41:50 information on the um agenda. So I am asking for the uh school committee to approve this trip. Uh just to add a couple of details, the three students are female students. I would be going on the trip and I will be bringing uh another chaperone with no additional hotel cost. Um she’s generously offered to cover her own airfare. Uh just so the optics of a man taking three high school girls traveling. Um, and she’s a she’s a uh registered nurse. She’s been previously coreied and fingerprinted by the district and she went on the trip uh last weekend and the kids already know her. So, um additional

42:35 cost that I could only estimate um was airfare. And I did a quick look today. There are a lot of flights uh into Atlanta from Boston. They’re running between three and 400. » I’ll make I’ll make a motion to approve the decorative school trip. » I’ll second. » All right. A motion’s been made by Henry and seconded by Elosa to approve this school trip. Any further discussion?

43:11 All right, we’ll move to a vote. Uh, Jen » in favor. » Henry » in favor. » Wilson » in favor. » Al in favor. The motion passes four to zero. » Uh, thank you, superintendent. Thank you, committee. » Thank you. » Thanks, Paul. Appreciate it. » Okay. Um, we’ll move on to the executive session minutes. So, um, under under the law, the school committee needs to announce its determination in open session as to whether the executive session purpose still applies to the minutes that we reviewed in executive session on March 5th. So, on March 5th of 2026, the school committee reviewed minutes from nine different executive sessions in order to determine if the executive session

43:57 purposes from those sessions still applied. On that date, the school committee determined that the executive session purposes cited for the executive sessions on all of these are 2025, August 7th, August 21st, September 18th, September 30th, and October 15th, and October 30th, November 6th, and November 20th warranted non-disclosure of the executive session minutes. The school committee also reviewed minutes from September 4th, 2025, determined that the executive session purpose no longer warranted non-disclosure for a portion of those minutes and they will be disclosed.

44:42 Okay. Okay. All right. Um, we’ll move on to the fiscal year 27 budget agenda item. And as Jen alluded, it sounds like it may have been a little bit of misunderstanding possibly with the motion, but I do know at least that and Jen, please I know you’ll, you know, come in and and correct me if I’m wrong, but there were some clarifications that Mike was looking forward was looking towards doing that. I know that’s one thing that we addressed him and the administration to follow up and provide more information around.

45:21 So, I know Mike has a presentation Yeah. » Yeah. So as you as you call out um so we left this meeting um and part of the conversation was you know been this the T’s looking for us to reduce the budget by to five. We weren’t comfortable with that number. So this this committee said my understanding was go back and start looking and just really try to hone in and see where where the number might land if it is truly 1.5 million or not. Um Mike did an extraordinary amount of um back and forth with with town on the town side to try to get to a number. Um and then you know I think part of the conversation today with um he’ll share we’ll share the um the budget the slides and the slides just really kind of outline what it would look like or what

46:08 some options would be if the if we were to um go with the town cutting like five. So that’s part of the that will be part of the discussion. One of the what are the potential options there. Um but I want to just preface the whole conversation by saying that because I think part of the confusion is you know what is the superintendent proposing the school may do. Um my initial proposal and I’ll stick with the fact that you know initially on the upset of the budget level services budget was was what we’re looking to create and put before this committee. We were told, we can argue whether we’re told or not. I was my understanding, we were told to do a level funded budget. So the level services kind of went out the window. We created through the budget subcommittee discussions in collaboration with the

46:57 town a level funded budget which was you know a reduction of quite frankly $2.6 million um total. Um and we presented that in our budget um presentation, our budget hearing. Um and then obviously the town came back and said has said in many different forms that they want us to cut another $1.5 million. Um so the so some of the slides tonight just reflect like what it would look like if we were to if the committee was to say yes 1.5. Um that’s what we’re asking you to you to do. Um some of these options are kind of out of the game. Um, the other part is I’ll just say straight out, I still recommend the 1.5 1.5 and and we’ve done a lot we speaking French

47:43 here. Mike’s done a lot of his uh his due diligence around trying to get to that number. Um, and and I don’t want to be disparaging to I really think we need to collaborate. I think we need to work together. I think we need to come to some understanding of how do we get out of this fiscal crisis that we’re in. a fiscal crisis that affects the schools and all the town departments. Um, this isn’t, as Jonathan H said earlier, this isn’t a one decision thing that that made this happen. This is ongoing. This has been taking place for a long time. Um, and quite frankly, no no one should be surprised that we’re in this situation. However, we’re in this situation. So, we’re going to continue to do our do what we need to do to meet the school community’s expectations of us. Um, and some of the conversation is

48:29 how we how we would do that. Um with the caveat being we still need to come back and present a full um adjusted budget if that if that’s what the committee um if the willow committee is to do that. Um and just to refresh the final level funding webs been presented. So if whatever committee decides to fit no certain than that then Mike and the and our team will come back with a whole just a budget if that’s what » so just to reiterate from our meeting last week John members of the committee uh the motion that I made was to direct the superintendent and assistant superintendent to go back and work with the finance director on the town side to determine the exact amount of money that was reflective of the cost of our of the benefits for our employees. That was the

49:16 directive from the chair of the finance committee and the chair or well the request of the chair of the finance committee and the chair of the select board at our meeting last week and that was the motion I made. Um perhaps there was some and then Al corrected made sort of an addition to it and we voted it. The motion that was made um was the directive to determine what that number is and that was it. And then to come back to us tonight um with what that what that number is and then this board would deliberate in theory um on whether you know how comfortable we were with that number and where we wanted to go forward and then perhaps direct the superintendent and his administrations administrative staff to go forward. So,

50:02 I believe that that’s what we voted last week and that I was not prepared tonight to hear recommendations on actual cuts. I was here tonight um expecting to understand the numbers that were determined um by our assistant superintendent of finance and operations and then discuss some other information that goes with that which you know I’ve done some research on. Um so that’s where I am and it sounds like we we need to hear the presentation. Obviously, we’ll go forward with it, but it sounds to me like there’s still some question about those numbers. And that was my motion that was approved 5 to zero was to come back with a number. So hopefully that’s what we’re going to hear tonight because I think given everything that’s going on and I’ve lived through this

50:50 before seven years ago when there’s a lot of moving parts and there’s a lot of um you know um work going on um in a very very difficult challenging financial situation. Process and staying focused on what the process is is very important. because there’s a lot of opinions. There’s a lot of conversations going on offline and all we are we can do and all we will do is convene in an open meeting with a quorum and vote to give direction to the superintendent and his staff and then that’s what we bring forward to town meeting. » So to hear the numbers » yeah so I appreciate that Jen. Think I think maybe what got lost in the

51:36 translation on my end and I’ll take ownership of this is we had that conversation there was a conversation from the town side that said the 1.5 go back and forth I said I wasn’t comfortable with 1.5 they talked about you know we had to look at that number and then what my understanding was and a little a little misunderstanding but there was a lot of conversation going on was that we I thought the director was to say is it is it 1.5 is it less than 1.5 then to start thinking about what it would look like so if that that’s my bad on takeback. Um but we can share what we kind of came up with as a as a potential um look at what what different options would be. If the committee still doesn’t feel that that’s the way to go, that’s fine. Um we’ve done some of the work. Um and then you know we still need again we

52:21 still need to come back with a with a budget that either reflects something different than what we’ve already proposed and and so some work’s been done if if it is a further reduction. Um and if not then we have we have a budget on the table. So um yeah so I think I think we can go through the budget um with the slides that Mike and I kind of prepared and then um if there’s further questions and further clarification that we need or that you guys need we can certainly have that conversation. » Can we just I guess talk directly about what work has been done to validate the one point. » Can I just ask Frank to the presentation just now? what could kind » I think it would be helpful to understand what conversations you can have with Alicia and what you’re comfortable with what is still open to understand path towards getting that note

53:07 note note » so I I did ask Frank to hold up on the presence is because I think you know hearing the comments already tonight um our task was to go and review the benefits and and town hall costs on their side um I don’t know if anybody caught this but Alec had it up on screen last week there There are six buckets that are held on the town side of their budget that are directly related to school costs. Um, and I’m going to go through those six items relatively quickly, but we can back up if we need to redo any. And I didn’t have these in slides, so that’s why I asked Frank not to put up a presentation yet. Um, the first one is employee life insurance. So employee life insurance is a employee opted in insurance. It’s it’s a $15,000

53:54 policy offered to the employees and the employee pays 25%, the town pays 75%. Uh the

54:05 uh cost of the school’s portion of employees at 75% was listed as 20,300. I did some really quick math on that, but the number’s so small it’s it’s not going to make up to 1.5. It didn’t have a great impact. It was off by $100 one way or the other. blessing going to be um it it’s not worth wasting your time tonight to discuss it. The second thing is OPB uh which is other post employment benefits. This is for um retirees and uh it has to do with their health care costs, their uh their healthcare benefits, I’m sorry, their prescription drug coverage uh dental and vision. This is a this is very similar to the next one I’m going to talk about is pension but this is something that’s been un unfunded. means the town did not put enough money aside. Like I liken it to social security. We’re using this year’s

54:52 money to pay last year’s work, right? Or last 30 years worth of work. OPED is the same way. We’re paying for some of these benefits that should have been funded back when the when the workers were here and they were working. So that’s a debt to me. Um I can tell you that the debt to the town is $142 million. It’s a big number and we are only funding that at $250,000 a year. So at that rate, it’s going to take quick math a thousand years or something. Anyways, um it’s outrageous the amount of money that is owed to OPED. Uh but there is not a requirement for us to fund that unlike the pension, but the funding is $250,000. It’s done on a percentage of retirees. Um so the the schools have 61% of the retirees and that portion would

55:40 be 1525. Again it’s a relatively small number to go and go employee or retirey by retiree to see what needs to be funded. It’s to me it’s relatively small and probably would have taken me a month worth of work to do that. So they have actuaries on the baron network and we’re just going to take I’m going to take care of the worries. That’s good. » Mike, can I ask a quick question there? » Sure. » Uh well two things. one you said we have 61% of the retirees. » Uh that’s what the town Yeah. » I mean I guess if that’s what they’re saying but most of our employees or a large portion of our employees are not paid their » this this is yeah this is not pension this is this is benefits other postmployment benefits excluding

56:25 pensions. Pensions is the next line. » Okay. So okay. » Yeah. Okay. So, anybody who retires from Mobblehead, the town of or the public schools um receives benefits paid for partially by the town and not MTRS or any other pension system. » Well, MTRS wouldn’t be part of it because that’s retirement. » Correct. » Right. So, it would be um uh Thank you. Wasn’t spending my dinner. Thank you. Um um it would be » health and what » I you know I Google search it. um retirey health care benefits, prescription drug coverage, dental and vision, but may also include life insurance, disability, long-term care, and other services.

57:11 So, what is that 142 million? Is that some estimate of like is it a future cost of benefit I mean retirement can be calculated based on the but the how does the health insurance calcul I mean calculated but the only reason I’m asking is I know you say it’s not a lot of money because we’re only paying $250,000 per year for the town but at some point there could be a requirement that it get fully funded right » so yeah I’ll get to that in a second so um two and three kind of go together. So if I can explain three then I I it might help us understand two. So the pension system um the pension this is outside of Mass Teachers Retirement. So this excludes any licensed educator or administrator. This is for for uh

57:58 unlicensed people in the town whether it be the town side or the school side. Uh, for example, our instructional assistants, our custodians, our maintenance, our clerical, our lunch and recess monitors. Um, I’m sure there’s more that that I’m not thinking of. U, but anybody who’s not licensed by DESIE does not go into MTRS. They went under the town pension. So, the town pension similar to OKAB was not funded properly 30, 40, 50, 100 years ago. And I can tell you right now, I know that because I pay 11% into retirement. and my mom when she worked for the for a different city was paying like five or six percentage retirement. So obviously they’ve realized this. They upped our retirement percentage but they’re trying to make up previous lack of of pension. Um and I may not be

58:45 explaining that 100% accurately, but the top debt is $60 million. The expectation is to pay that off by 2036, 10 years from now. Uh at a tune of about $6 million a year to get to that $60 million. Um the town allocated 5.8 million in next year’s budget for that and 61% of that is on the town side. 39% is on the school side. And that makes sense because most of our all of our teaching or licensed staff is in MTRS. So it’s not part of this pension system. Um, so $8 million or I’m sorry, $6 million approximately of our budget money, of our levy, of our income has to go to fund the pension, which is again frustrates me because we’re trying to work today, but we’re paying off the

59:31 debt from the past and that’s that’s difficult to swallow. Anyways, um there is no way for me to cross that out whether the 2.2 million or 2.3 million of that 5.8 8 is really the schools and that the 3.5 million is flew with towns. Uh I was assured that this was done by an actuary service uh for every town and the percentages were were done by an actuary outside service. Um I can’t substantiate it. It is a big number but uh at the end of the day I’m there’s no way I could I could substantiate that. There’s not a roster of people that I can look at and say so and so retired in 1985 and you know they’re now x amount of years old. They contributed x amount. they’ve withdrawn so much we expect them to live another four years. You know, it’s a whole big formula and

1:00:17 it’s not something that I’m qualified or capable or quite honestly willing to not to be disrespectful both of the committee but something that that I think is best use of my time. Uh so that’s the pension and the op go hand in hand. So once the the 6.8 or 5.8 million or $60 million pension deficit is paid off. Then Jen, they are going to look to pay off the OPED debt of 142 million. So that’s why OPED is so much smaller because they they they’re I think they’re mandated to get the pension funded and then they will have to go fund OPED which is not at this time mandated. I think the mandation mandate is on the pension and not on the impact. So that brings us to the fourth item

1:01:03 that’s on the list. Uh Medicare Part B. Um so it’s my understanding that retired employees over the age of 65. So once you hit the age of 65, you come off GIC insurance and you go on to unless you’re unless you’re still actively employed. Um, but if you can retire as a teacher. Some teachers can retire as young 58. I think young, as old as 58, as young as 58. Um, I’m not there yet, so I can say as old as 58. Um, when they retire at 58, they stay on the GIC until they hit 65. Even as a retiree, once they hit 65, they’re mandated to go on to Medicare. Once you’re on Medicare that’s you you have the option or or the town funds what they call Medicare part B partially

1:01:52 funds at a 75 to25 split town fund 75% of the employee the former employee the retiree pays 25% of that part B Medicare um that part B medic um so um I just lost my train I apologize Oh, so the town actually through their PEC, public employees commission reimbures the retirees for that part B Medicare at least. So the the employees themselves 25% even the town reimbures some of some of that 25%. It’s in the PEC we have no control over it. Um it’s about the tune of $1,200 a year per per retiree over age 65 and or

1:02:38 their spouse or survived. So if I was a retiree and I didn’t make it past 70, but my spouse who is covered under that system, their part B is also covered whether I’m alive or not, their part is covered also. So um so that um I was able to tie out and the allocation paid to be tax. So 4 for4 so far there’s no discrepancy. 44. So, the last two items. » Hey, Mike, can I just ask another question because I’m sorry I’m lost here. » I don’t understand what OPED is if it doesn’t include Medicare Part B. Like, who are we insuring? What is in that for $142 million? $142 million. Um, » I think I’m gonna have to get an answer

1:03:24 for that and get back to you. I mean because it would seem to me the Medicare part B would be you know in other words people retire and you know a few years later or when they retire they go on I get that but then what could possibly be in that other one that doesn’t » so yeah but I what I have Medicare part B covers outpatient services doctor’s visits home » I understand that but I assume that was what was in OP » um I sorry I can’t intelligently answer that question at this time I I can certainly get you an answer and find out what the difference is between OPED and Medicare Part B. » Um the other thing » let the committee know is I requested a copy of the PE contract which I got earlier this week. Um and that contract

1:04:11 expires in on June 30th. I’m assuming there are current negotiations going on right now for um the insurance and whatever else is in that » I would assume so also but I I don’t believe anybody from the administrative team on the pack no one’s no one’s mentioned possible » okay I can share that with the committee the copy of the contract and it gives all the details as to what on the currently on the town side um are the terms of the um of that contract. » All right, so that brings me to number five and number six, which is actually really just number number five because I put them together. It’s health insurance

1:04:58 benefits. Um so give you just a little idea of what the health insurance benefits cover. There are eight plans that get available for an individual and eight similar plans or identical plans for family. So there are actually 16 plans eight family 8 g eight individual the town covers 83% of the plan for active and retired employees not yet age 65 and the employee or retiree not age yet 65 cover 17%. uh uh straight into um again once the retirey reach rate reaches 865 they go off to GIC they go on to Medicare and the Medicare part is 75% town 25% employee

1:05:49 uh I’m just a lot of this is just explaining what what the 65H difference does um So,

1:06:00 uh, Alicia made clear to me that the roster, so I requested the roster. Um, we identified or roster that was given to me originally had 785 school employees or retirees or survivors or dependents. And it’s also playing that if they’re not yet age 26. And you know, I guess we have some retirees who have dependent who aren’t super 26. God bless them. Um, so I got the list. It was 785 millions on that register. I started going through it. Um, Alicia then pulled a more act more recent list. The one she gave me was originally from January. So then she gave me a new list more

1:06:47 recently. Um, she identified 88 or 807 school employees or retirees and we went through them. Um, I went through them. I came up with 87. I think she had 88. We were within one. You know, I think we were pretty close. That roster changes could change. It could change daily because you have somebody retires, somebody resigns, somebody gets hired. That number can change daily. So, just keep that in mind. So, we we settled on the 807 808. Um, what I did was I took every employee on there and put in their health insurance costs for last year. I’m sorry, for this current this current end of last year, this current year. Um, set rates by the GIC for the plan they’re on. So again, all 16 plans, all 800 employees. I put all their 26 rates

1:07:33 in there. Then I put all their 27 rates. Now, the 27 rates were approved the Friday after uh Thatcher’s presentation at at the select board, which would have been early in March, March 4th or 5th. Um I can’t remember the exact date, maybe the 6th. Friday was the 13th, right? » Yeah. So, it was the week before that. So, it would have been the sixth. So, March 6th, you guys see approved all the rates for 27. So, I put every employee their not their rate for both years. simple math x minus y equals the difference. Um so when I did the difference between so the increase to the schools both insurance um for for retirees and active employees um I came up with a

1:08:18 difference and I need I have a lot of figures in here so I just want to be accurate about this. So, I came up with a difference of 757,000 votes of what was originally on um this the list of six items that were point um item item outline item out by percentage by school and town and the percentages different depending on how many employees what system it was. So, I came up with $757,000 a difference. Um, » when you say difference, Mike, you mean an increase from FY26 to 27 insurance costs?

1:09:04 » No, I’m sorry. So, the increase was $784,000. » I I don’t think I said that. The increase from 26 to 27 was $784,000

1:09:20 » or or well, will be, right? Because that will be effective July 1st. » Correct. provided the roster stays identical, which we know is not going to happen. » Is what you’re saying that once you guys agreed on that list of 800, you put in the actual costs and then you actually applied a percent increase on top of that that the allocation that was presented to us for the schools amount was overstated by 700. » I I don’t know if it was overstated. » I think I’m not sure that when I and I can’t speak to this. I’m not sure with when they when they created this. This is this is the graph I’m talking about the six items when that was originally created. It was not created by me. I didn’t have any input into it. I don’t know if they actually took the rosters and went person by person like I did or if they did a scatteragramgram and said

1:10:05 there’s there’s x amount of people on this plan and we and and also at the time when this was created it did not they were working on assumptions. Yeah. » And I think the assumptions were » I heard 18% I heard 15% I heard 12%. Um, I I heard a whole bunch of different percentages. Uh, and and I didn’t do the calculation, so I couldn’t. All I was looking for is what was the difference between what they presented, what I felt the true cost was, and the difference was $747,000.

1:10:35 » 78. Okay. So, and those are actuals. Melissa, I think you asked about estimates, but these are actual premium possible. » So, so their estimate to my actual is about $750,000 difference. That included the cushion, that included some other things, but all total I felt like we that our side of that board was over inflated by $750,000. » And did Alicia agreed with you? » Um, I would not speak for Alicia and and I » did you guys come to an agreement that that was the case based on information that we put together to share with our » um I think we came to an agreement after future discussions that the number could be closer to 200 to $250,000. the delta » the delta between what was what was proposed and what was um what I what I

1:11:21 came up with for a number » so » but what does that mean she they were estimating 1.5 million and you are saying the actual 784

1:11:36 » perfect thank you » wait but then you just said but subsequently you came to an agreement there’s 250 so what changed between 750 to get to the 250 MD uh been a lot of numbers in my head. M apologize. Right. I had this all typed up all very clear but there are a lot of numbers here.

1:12:05 some this number this chart changed at some points and that’s where I had some frustration that that chart changed between March 5th 4th March 4th we gave his presentation and the following week when that again or even when when um Alec brought it up on screen last week the numbers were different so they made some adjustments So after they made their adjustment, which I would argue is if you’ve made that adjustment, you still built our $1.5 million deficit or or requested additional cuts off the original number. The number then changed. So the new number was a difference between 250,000.

1:12:53 200,000 to 250,000. So that’s where Alicia is saying, “No, Mike, it’s really only 200 to 250.” Because I’m not using the numbers from here. I’m using the numbers from a week later. the six and the six numbers from a week later. » We tried to play back but I think I hear you. So the initial view that we had of the split from the March 4th meeting was one set of partners. They obviously are continuing to update and change their inputs as they get more information. You are saying that since they made those updates, the new numbers have closed that big gap that you originally were reconciling to with the first seven numbers where you saw a gap of $750,000 using round numbers down to 250 with the updated

1:13:40 inputs that they have a week or two after. Is that a fair playback? » That’s very very » I don’t understand then. Then we instead of talking about 1.5 million, you’re talking about $250,000. » I am talking about 1.5 minus 250. » Well, I guess what you’re also saying is » But let’s just back up for a second because we sat here a week ago. It wasn’t that long ago, 7 days ago, and the conversation because I specifically asked this of the two chairs that were there. Are you asking us to cut the amount of money necessary to meet the increase in the insurance cost for the employees because they they moved all the expenses as well as the revenue over to our side in their in their um handouts that they had or their

1:14:26 presentation or are you asking us to cut a million five because you need a million five and I did not get an answer but our the motion I made that was passed five to zero was to direct Mike to reconcile the numbers based on the insurance premiums that have been now quoted um and the number of our employees and that’s the number that we should be considering. So I don’t know whether any of this is germanine. » I think the missing pieces we’re right now just talking about he went through the other line items life insurance pensions oped those are all increasing year-over-year. he validated those inputs. So there’s those are increases year-over-year for those pieces that

1:15:14 would go towards the 1.5. The piece that he had an issue with where he was reconciling and did not feel 100% aligned to what they did was the GIC health insurance piece of which you identify 250. So I think the 1.5 is the sum of the increase of the rest of those pieces. You’re saying that 1.5 should come down by 250 based on the work that you did, I think, is what you’re saying. » Well, you’re also saying that the 150 the 1.5 came from your the original numbers from which you found $757,000 difference. And that 1.5 did not adjust the way that the the other. » So So you’re right. So when the original numbers dropped to a to a second round

1:15:59 of numbers, they did not drop our 1.5. So when I’m working with the second round of numbers to my actual actual calculations, it’s another 250 below that. So 200 250 below that. Alicia and I differ by about $50,000. So her number is 200 mus 250. Splitting hairs over a very $50,000 is is a is an FTP in some in some positions. » I am totally lost, Mike. I’m sorry, guys. I have absolutely no idea what we’re talking about. » All right, so maybe I can start over. So, » and I just also want to make note that folks realize that today it was said at the select board meeting that they are not funding OPED this year on the town side. » So, on March 4th,

1:16:45 Patrick made a presentation. Alicia sent me the spreadsheet that night in case there was questions with that explaining. That number That number had our entire benefit number at 10,953,000. That was the town the school department’s portion of the GIC and retirees 10,953,399.

1:17:17 A new set of numbers came out. It was 10,700,000. 10,700381.

1:17:38 » I mean this year. Sorry. This year. » I don’t have that really at my fingertips. It’s in my It’s in one. That’s what we’re that’s what we’re talking about I think was what is the current insurance and retirement and then what is uh the cost for FY27 and that’s what they’re asking us to fund or that absorb. » So I came up with $747,000 difference then their numbers moved. So I have a difference. their numbers came down to $249,000. So as soon as their numbers dropped $249,000, $249,000. My question to them was, well, that 1.5

1:18:25 should automatically come down to 1.25. If you change the numbers, it automat and and now I have a discrepancy that I still think we’re off 747,000, but but if I take off the 250 because they they already lowered the number, it’s it’s more like $500,000 maybe. I’m sorry. 250 + 5 750 total. So I think we’re we’re being asked to cut $750,000.

1:18:54 Now preface this with if this is truly about benefits and after conversations today I understand that maybe they said it was for benefits but it’s based on the formula of 6337. So as long as the 6337 holds why they even brought in that this has to happen because the benefits shouldn’t have h shouldn’t have come in. They should not have tied this to benefits because we tie out that the benefit number is not accurate. And once I think I I brought that to their attention, they said it’s still the 63 and37 split of costs and the costs are X and you guys need to be responsible for 63%. Which » again, no offense to you, Mike, but those conversations should would be happening on the board’s level. Like we had this conversation with the board members last week. So, I’m confused as to why administrators are having

1:19:41 conversations after we’ve made motions and given directives » because in order to get the the information, we had to have conversations with people. That’s that’s why the conversations happen. But to Mike’s point, and this is what I’ve said since the very onset of this is that I don’t think the numbers up until side are accurate. And I think Mike’s numbers banded out. And as Tom continues to say, well, we still think that schools go 1.5. So there in lies the the issue, right? So I don’t know how to rectify that piece because I think Mike did an extraordinary amount of work in a short amount of time. Um and the number isn’t close to 1.5. Um that’s I mean the members sat here last week and said it’s 1.5 basically

1:20:28 regardless of whether it is or not. That’s that’s what we’re going to ask to be thought of. So again, I don’t want to pit one side against the other, but I’m not convinced. I’m still not convinced the talent side did a level funed budget in any of the parties more like we were asked to do. And I think that’s that’s again where the conversation should have started. If we were asked to do a level funed budget, so shouldn’t we the 14 different departments that actually met with today should have also done a level funed budget, which I don’t think happened. So I’m going to continue to advocate for the fact that we did our due diligence. We did what the rest of us did and I don’t feel that anyone else did the same level of due diligence that we did. » Well, I also think that Sorry, go ahead. » I was just going to say I know that doesn’t give you your answer, so to

1:21:13 speak, Jen, but that’s that’s the frustration that we’re all feeling. Um, » well, I feel it too and that’s why I don’t, Mike, I don’t want you to think I’m like I mean I I appreciate everything you’ve done and I I know how hard you’re working on this and and that’s where, you know, I’m feeling a little frustration because I you know, I want to do this. Uh, but we I think we made it clear in our our deliberations last week that we all need in and it was in the Bion that we all need to be comfortable with what the number is. Melissa, you were pretty clear about that. Um I felt like that was some clear clarity I heard um from from you. Um and that was in the motion last week. So um the other, you know, issue is that it was stated today that OPED is not being funded on the town

1:22:01 side. So again, that number should come down. » Well, according to what Mike just told us, there would be another $150,000$150,250

1:22:11 that we can credit against that that number, right? » Yeah. And » I think I think after two weeks of spreadsheets and work um I I think I really got the feeling today that this is not about benefits that this is about a percentage of 6327 and um that because we’re in a negative growth this year because of having to you know we don’t have free cash to rely on like we have in the past and other contracts that have come in higher than they expected or or planned for. um because we have negative cash, we’re going to have to take a bigger hit on the negative revenues, negative revenues coming in. And they spin that as next year when we have positive revenues, you’re going to get 63%. So you’re going to get a larger. » So all right. So then if that’s the case

1:22:58 then, and I’m not saying this is whatever, and I think that before anybody agrees to anything that that some type of an agreement like that should be memorial that » well, in other words, like let’s just hang on one second. whatever this number ends up being once we decide I fully expected that that number would be off of around a $61 million budget because I think it was like or 61 and change last week we were looking at um with the revenue and the expense side coming to us so that right so that’s the first thing that we probably need to nail down when we go to vote a budget that should be a level funded budget based on 63% of the revenue of what? 97 million in revenue approximately. That’s what you’re thinking.

1:23:43 thinking. thinking. » 6% of 97 million is approximately 61 million. » Yeah. » And we’re being asked for our budget to be approximately 48 million. 47. What is that? » 475 or something. But once we’ve cut one, if if we were to cut the 125, we would be somewhere 475 plus adding back in the benefits cost that they’ve highlighted in that thing that we were trying to » Well, I think we were clear last week that I understood when I left the meeting last week that the plan was to go forward with the I that was what was presented to us, right? was that this revenue and the expense would come over to the school side and that’s what we would be dealing with. So I guess I am now even more confused.

1:24:31 » That is my impression as well is that if you know when we came out of that meeting I said I’m going to look at the numbers they said well if you find the savings that’s great you know you keep the savings. So » I and I and I did not hear that from from Mr. Goolsby. I I really got the the impression that go look at the numbers. You’re not going to find it now. Right. And no disrespect. He’s a very intelligent person. Keeps it. But I said » if the data going into your spreadsheet is not verifiable and you’re putting that number in, how do you know that our number is 1.5 million? And that’s why we wanted to go back and verify these six items that were going in. And I I believe I believe that the plan is to put the the costs over on our side of the benefits, not bring the revenue.

1:25:17 » I mean that we can’t I mean that doesn’t that doesn’t make any sense, » but that I know it doesn’t make any sense, but that’s my understanding at that where we stand right now. I mean I could be wrong at both models but quite frankly if the cost over and revenue please over Mike already identified what at least 350 » plus 400,000 in cushion that we » so 700,000 sitting there that » and I know the town wants to have the cushion on their side but you can’t hold us accountable and then keep the cushion » or keep the cushion of 27%. » And we get 63%. I mean that you have everything has to be » proportionate. Y » you can’t have both ways on that side. Yeah. » And I know the town is the the finance committee is questioning whether 700,000 is too much of a cushion for benefits

1:26:02 and that’s you know if it was on our side I would say I do not need 462,000 in cushion. You know I don’t feel we do but we do. I mean, I suppose one option is we go forward with Mike’s numbers based on 63% of the revenue, 63% of the cost that you’ve calculated, and that I mean, I guess that’s the budget we could vote. I mean, I I mean, without barring any other direction, that would be our responsibility. So, and I I’m going to have to do some really quick math here, but

1:26:42 sorry my calculator. So, yeah, somebody could do this at the same time so we come up with the same number. 20,300 for life insurance, 152 500 for OP. Now we can discuss that whether that’s actually funded or not. Pension 2278 910

1:27:11 that is 2x 307214 for Medicare part B 8407 879 879 for health insurance 462,000 for the cushion and 1834502 for retired benefits. We tie up. Yes. So 113,463,35.

1:27:49 add that on to our proposed budget of 49 120 285

1:28:04 » 62583 » 62583 » 59 » That’s what I have also. » Can you say that again? 63,583,649 62 62 » 62 million 62,583,590. » And if the if the revenues are 97 million townwide, which is what I’ve heard, but I can’t confirm that. » Weren’t they saying there are 965 last week? » Um

1:28:33 96493 96493 94. So, and and this so I I’ve got their number right here. So, if I take 97 million times 63, that means the town should be giving us 61.1 million. And we’re saying they should be giving us Well, that’s a 63% if we agree with 63%. If I add everything up, it’s 62.5. So, here’s a 1.5 approximately 62.6 is a $ 1.5 million difference. And that’s where they’re saying it’s not about benefits. It’s about 63%. » But it but that adds up. » Yeah. So So what I guess what I’m saying is is if I take the benefit cost that is in that is it was in

1:29:19 the most recent chart of six items and take them at their number and I add it to our 49120 285 which is our level funded budget without any additional cuts. Our budget would need to be 62,583. » Yes. If the town is saying their revenues are only $97 million and we get 63% of that, they’re saying we should only get $61.1 million, which is a difference of 1.5 million. So that’s where they’re coming up with their 1.5. To me again this has nothing to do with benefits other than somebody said it as one of the things that we have to account for

1:30:01 not so much the numbers » if we are going to take this on that we should also correspondingly have the revenue on our side and the cost on our side and then we manage our you know our employees accordingly. » Correct. Yes. » Right. and it and if the numbers just come over to our budget, we can manage it. I’m not going to say better, but manage it to our needs just like they brought Medicare over because they thought like what three years ago they brought Medicare over Jen 3, four years ago in the budget, they brought Medicare. » Yes. » Which is what the employee pays into. So the employee pays more. 45% of their salary into Medicare. The town matches that. So the town match now comes out of our budget. They brought the revenue. They brought the the budget money over,

1:30:47 but they also charged us for it, but they didn’t do prior she was born. So that that seems to have worked flawlessly. Why we can’t bring the benefits over also, I’m not sure. So who who ultimately makes that part of the decision » over? » over? » Yeah. I mean I mean sounds like it makes sense and we bring bring the money over. we bring the b revenue over make sense in theory » but I don’t know like who actually makes that decision » have the authority » right that’s what I’m asking » we can um we have the authority to vote whatever budget we decide to vote » oh I understand that no I understand we could vote that amount now you know that you know probably I guess necessitate a conversation I guess I’m I don’t

1:31:34 understand where when we left last week I was under the understanding I mean that was presented to us the numbers. It was, you know, it was like a it was $61 billion in revenue and it was all broken down. They had done a lot of work with the spreadsheets on that. So that’s how I took it last week. » 61.1 is their number. That’s their number. 63% of of 97 million. So 61 61.1. And that’s the target they’re asking us to hit. » We’re currently at 62.5. » Yeah. » 62.6. six. It’s It’s about a million a million five. » But we also don’t know what the actual the actual costs are for those six line items for this year to see what the increase is to see if that gets to 125 million.

1:32:19 million. million. » The biggest one is health insurance. And yes, I mean we do have the health insurance. That’s the biggest piece. The roster I compared roster to roster. We have that piece. So if the town were to give us the $8.4 million in GIC active insurance, the 1.8 8 million in GIC retire retirey insurance unspecific and the $462,000 cushion then we can manage it on our sides and I don’t believe that we need to cut $ 1.5 million in services. » So I mean we could do that. I don’t know that we necessarily should do that tonight. It wasn’t listed as a vote. Um, we don’t have all school committee members here, but I mean I’m prepared to give that

1:33:05 directive to Mike and John to come back with that budget number and then what that would consist of. So if so if the committee discusses that and deliberates and that’s the directive I just and discuss it but so we would come back the next meeting with a re calculated budget with all the things they just talked about present that back to the committee well for go right so I just want to make sure as we talk I don’t miss anything apparently I missed something last time so okay that’s fine I think that I think that’s reasonable and that gives us time to actually run the numbers properly and budget sheets that we do. » I do want to be conscious though like we need to fit into the task. I think we all agree obviously this process has

1:33:50 been less than ideal. Numbers are moving. We maybe have issues with some of the things that have gone in there. But we will not be successful as one town getting any sort of general override pass if we start to go down our own path. like we still need to be working very closely with the town and forcing alignment. Like it’s it’s a it’s challenging because it’s a bit of a circular conversation where like we think one one thing, they think another and we’re we’re trying to reconcile all these numbers. And it’s the answer is not for us to say, well, we just don’t agree with them, so we’re going to go down this path on our own because that won’t result in a success su success story for this town overall. So, I just I want to make sure it’s not lost that we continue to collaborate on

1:34:36 the town side. » How are we not I mean, I agree with you, Melissa, but how are we not in agreement? » Because I don’t think that the town is in agreement with the numbers that Mike is proposing. » Sounds like it sounds like I think it sounds in agreement that our number is 61.1 million or something. » Only 1.5 million that we have to cut that. » Cutting 1.5. Our number is 61.5. » Yeah. Will it be easier to cut that 1.5 if it’s in our budget? I believe so. I believe I believe that there is inflation in the benefit side that we can we can capture s. » Okay. I see. I see. » But I don’t know what that does to the town side because you’re right because » if they don’t have it on their side to cut that may need additional cuts or » this cushion on their side, it may

1:35:23 require additional cuts somewhere else. And again, we’re trying to work together. We we are one town. It’s not us against them. It’s how do we move forward as a town because we are » because I don’t think either one of us going for an individual override is going to be successful » or » well I will I mean it was stated early in the public comment but I attended the select board meeting today and select board member Mr. grader did say that and I believe the quote because I wrote it down was the schools are on you know on their own um the schools will pursue this on their own uh once they’ve made this you know the assumption was by the select board that there would be $ 1.5 million in cuts okay um and that uh the school would go forward on its own if it if the school felt it needed an an override and there was no I mean it wasn’t a vote but there was no there was

1:36:08 wasn’t a vote but there was no deliberation on that so again I don’t know I mean who knows what that means means but » I think that should be a joint a joint meeting between the two committees to understand their intentions. I mean that was one member saying that and I don’t know others I was on the meeting also listening in um I I didn’t hear anybody say that they opposed that comment any of the other for members of the committee but you know it’s » No, I didn’t either. Now, arguably they, you know, they had a lot going on today, but um there would have been an opportunity to say that. So, I mean, one option is Melissa, you and I go back as a subcommittee and we meet with SimCon and just present this to them.

1:36:58 » What exactly? » Yeah, they’ll take 61.1, but we want all six of those categories moved into our budget. I don’t think it’s operationally possible. I want to do it, but if you think about that the town is managing all these benefits together, like I see my company’s benefits invoice to be able to just pull out certain employees to an entirely different group and have it managed separately would definitely require probably splitting the contract and doing some sort of like a lot of operational like and I’ll just say simple. So in munis when we do the Medicare » y » it used to be before we had munis that the time we take the entire Medicare portion then multiply our salaries by.145

1:37:44 and move that into our budget as a transfer in munice we can now code what the employee is and it knows whether to take the Medicare out of the town budget or the school budget. So I would assume that it would be the same exact methodology with benefits. Now, Medicare is one line that we split into two. » Town benefits would be 16 lines that we’re now splitting into 36 because 32, I’m sorry, 32 because there’d have to be 16 for the town and 16 for the school side, but not possible. Maybe we do a lot of other different splits. So, now some of the other things, the OPAD, the pension system, those maybe we don’t bring those over. I’m saying we should at least bring over the health insurance. So biggest piece pension they can continue to split at 6139.

1:38:33 Uh the the life insurance they can continue to split. It’s 2971. » Would that be something we have to decide with the town though? Not FTO. Presumably it would be the town side that would have to agree that » well the finance committee has been kind of the you know like the lynch pin between the two sides. I don’t I you know I don’t I don’t know. I mean, it just doesn’t seem to make sense to me to cut $ 1.4 million$5 million out of which is primarily around um benefits when we have no control over that. » Well, we have no control over the bud. We have no control over the budgeting of it. » That’s in other words, that’s what I’m saying. If we don’t have other words, if they’re asking us to » make these cuts based on, you know, employee costs, which I understand, then

1:39:19 the whole thing ought to come over to us. They’re setting the budget. They’re setting the cushion. We have no control over either one of those two numbers

1:39:40 But all all week that’s gone through my mind is we need to work together. The town has got a structural deficit. whether the if we don’t take it on our side, which I’m not saying we should, they’re going to have to make additional cuts on their side. And I get that there’s only so much money and and if we fight for it in our pot, they’re not going to have it in theirs. If they fight for it in their pot, we’re not going to have it in ours. » Yes. » You know, I I heard the library. I went to FinCom earlier this week. The library saying that they need 350 $320,000 more. Where does this Everybody needs money. Where does it come from? So, I’m sitting here going, we’re fighting over 1.5 million, which is a lot. Library is fighting over 300,000. public safety I’m sure is well probably they’re they’re I guess they’re pretty level funded level serviced um Wreck and Park somebody

1:40:27 mentioned Reckon Park earlier Jonathan did um cemetery commission I mean everybody’s been cut and everybody’s coming back saying you can’t cut us that deep public planning today which Brendan’s department » it’s planning planning development » community development » I you know I I think I heard that they cut um the building commissioner a a line on his budget that funds software that’s required in order to issue building permits. So everybody’s saying you can’t cut these things. You can’t cut the library because of this. You can’t cut we we can’t cut because we have you know student services. You know we have the requirements around student services. There’s just not enough money. I don’t know where it breaks. So, so Jen, you suggested maybe tasking the budget subcommittee

1:41:13 with kind of maybe helping to get to the bottom some of these questions or issues. » Does that make sense? » Well, I mean, in theory, we could, you know, we could have one session with, you know, with Mike really, you know, button up these numbers unless you feel these numbers. I mean, you just kind of did the math, you know, Mike, tonight, you know, button up this 61.1. Um we can sit at the table with FinCom and invite them or invite whoever we I don’t or invite the you know if the select board wants to come they can come too solidify what this number is um and you know get I mean you know run it by them I guess and then come back to the committee. Yeah, I think the one » included with this will be a recommendation because there will be probably cuts, John. Right. » Yes.

1:41:59 » Yes. » Yes. » The one number that I I totally used as an estimate tonight was revenues of 79 $97 million. I I need a firm number. » I think it’s 96493. So I think you » 96493 and and you know, as I as they told me earlier today, it’s not 1.5, it’s 1.6, but we told you we’ll do 1.5. So that you know, that plays into that. » Where did 1.6 6 come from » say 96453 » 9646343 » 63 » 63 » 60 million7 » 60 what? » 60771717

1:42:43 » and we’re talking about uh 61% right.

1:42:51 50 years of efforts. » So that’d be 60,480,000. That’s why we need to » because I’ve identified 200,000 in new new data and they said the number is 1.6. So if they took that 200,000 into consideration for for what I found in the GIC insurance benefits of of the difference between my number and Alicia’s number, that 200,000 would get us at 1.6. And that makes the numbers only. » You have control over that coaching » $462,000. » Yeah. » And and not to say we we’re not cautious in our hiring practices, but I think if we need to hire a position, you know, we sometimes have to consider it’s not just the salary, it’s

1:43:37 the benefits also. So $50,000 position might now be a 60 or 70 or $80,000 position. We just need to be cautious of that, conscious of that. And I think if it’s on our side, we’re just going to do a little bit more due diligence as to whether that position could be » and and just like we do with anything else. What’s the trend? We look at even at you know utilities and we say this amount of time we spend and roughly this we have some estimations going on right. So you can do the same thing. We map you know the cushion is like for something thousand and we say we want to hit that for 150,000 150,000 200,000 then we can we can say right needed to that cushion right so once we have that data and when it’s on our side we can figure out that is when someone else is controlling that and but then telling us that we need to

1:44:22 cut it but we have no control over how we get to that number. That’s that’s where » we need to figure out who can agree to the revenue of the cost. » What does it take to get that agreement number one and then if we do that and if you have still have a 1.5 delta then at least it’s within your control to know that of that 1.5 there’s a certain amount of cushion in there and you can manage however you see fit. » That was summed up very nicely. Thank you. » That should get them what they what what’s needed on the town. I think I mean I think » yeah because then how we get if if the delta is still 1.5 I mean how we get to 1.5 it’s still it still gets really cheap.

1:45:09 So So » who who represented us at the super Saturday at the Thincom Saturday meeting when the departments discuss their » next Saturday? » That would typically be the superintendent. » Okay. I should get an invitation to that. » But what I’m just trying to now I want to work back from that. That’s the reason right who is you know sounds like it’s the superintendent. That’s fine. That’s not going to change. But by the 28th, we have to have I think right this is what we » No. Nope. » Okay. » We can vote. We can vote our our budget at any point. » Sure that we’re kind of aligned with the town.

1:45:55 » Yeah. So, and I think I heard that it would be in our best interest to do that. So, if it is, it sounds like we need to have a presentation on that day of what we think makes sense working with the town. Is that a fair statement? » Typically, we would typically we we would have voted our budget before that day. » Yeah. » And that FINCOM would have known about that. Um hopefully would be comfortable with it. So when they have their um their budget hearing that John and presumably Mike would present at um the full members of the finance committee, you know, have an opportunity to ask questions, but the liaison have typically, you know, um agreed and the vote is to recommend the school committee approved budget,

1:46:42 » right? Typically typically sort of been a budget presentation, the public hearing, the back vote. really send that to the FIN they have it so that when we go before them it’s basically saying do you have any further questions and then they say oh this is great we we understand everything we’re going to go able to recommend or not or three people do so that’s always been nice the last 18 plus years um this obviously is different because of the situation we’re in and you know again I mean the 28th is » we have no correct » we have no meeting after tonight » unless we do a subcommittee meeting » and we can change that, right? Or have a subcommittee, but I’m just trying to drive home. » Here’s my thought is select boards having meetings, FINCOM’s having

1:47:28 meetings, school committees having meetings. We need all three parties in one room, same time, and get to an answer because we can’t keep going back and them keep coming back and then I think that we need to say we’re willing to I don’t know if we are, but if you agree to bring the benefits over, we agree to X dollars in our budget. That’s that’s I think that’s where we need to get cuz I’m not sure that they’re willing or able or even aware that we would like that to happen. Sure, they are now, but I’m not sure that they understand that. And for them to take it back to their committee and for us to go back to our committee and this committee and that committee, we need to be in the same room. We need to have, you know, publicly posted public meeting said everything’s on the table and we know what we’re getting and what we’re expected to do. and and that means a subcommittee

1:48:14 meeting with select board invited and fin invited. I think that’s and and one say that journalis need to be there too. I mean it’s John and I. » Yeah, we still would still in theory need to have the full school committee voted. But » at least we know what we’re coming back to the full committee with. Mhm. Like you said, Jen, we don’t know tonight that we can’t take a vote on any cuts because we don’t have the data. » I’d be happy to have that be a full school. » There’s some urgency. » Mhm.

1:49:00 Yeah. Yeah, I mean it’s just that if we if we did it as a subcommittee, it is a smaller group. We crank through the numbers, we presumably come to an agreement. If we don’t come to agreement, then we don’t uh we’d have to come back to the full committee anyway with with that. Um but if we come to agreement on it, then we just come back and present that to this full school committee. I whatever you know » happy with that too. That’s the d I would think that that’s the directive the full committee says we give the directive to the subcommittee to we just said and bring back brings back the number that’s probably more more streamlined way to do it in my decision. » Yeah, I’m happy » somewhere in there. John has to have an actual you know budget but you know maybe we just have to vote the number and then

1:49:46 what that looks like that may take place after. » Yeah. And and that’s and that’s why I I said to her if she were to have a chat I mean it’s one of those things where the number is the number right so if we decide like okay this number is accurate it’s 61 whatever the number is that’s that’s the number and then then we figure out how to get there how we get there is you know there’s a bunch of different ways we can get there so I think I’m fine with that I think the the presentation that we kind of had um preparing tonight I can just kind of sit there it doesn’t make sense to go through that at this point it’s a totally different conversation And I’ll again apologize for my misinterpretation of the directive. So um by the way it would please. » Yeah. So it sounds like Henry you’re

1:50:32 supportive of I believe I am around the subcommittee right. » Um » who do you guys want at the meeting? Fin select board these guys. That would be up to us probably Melissa, but I think um we invite everybody and you know maybe it ends up being probably my guess is it may be the fin leaison. It may be the chair um and the finance director maybe. » Okay. » Okay. Well, then John, I mean, John, I did review the presentation, so I don’t care. I don’t know if you’re willing to present it, but » I I don’t know that it makes sense at this point given given the conversation

1:51:17 we’ve had today because it’s it was really predicated on, you know, the 1.5 of the » Yeah. And I understand that. I think the what I appreciated is that it turned, you know, a number into the impact of that number. Mhm. » You know, and um I I understand that maybe wouldn’t want to present the impact of the number that

1:51:43 it it is worth driving home that what we’re talking about is student success that falls with. » Yeah. » I mean I mean regardless how how we get where we get to there’s going to be more impact staffing stand out since day one goes slowly. for 14.75 FPS now. If we were to actually cut if we were actually needed to cut 1.5 million more dollars out of our budget solely out of staff that’s that number is huge in addition to 14.75. So, so all right. So it sounds like we’ve t budget subcommittee pretty tall task very important obviously but um how do we

1:52:29 have an override subject too right or is that something that is done when spin comes down on the 6 like do we have a joint we which I think we’d all recommend and you know sounds like maybe not everyone of the select board is a proponent of that but who how should we address that » well that » so just so you know um Al the way it works is the super Saturday or whatever that so-called the fan con that is a budget hearing where they will be voting whether to recommend um or what v what budget to recommend to town meeting for both the town side and the school whether they re whether they vote to recommend our budget and they will make a recommendation for a budget um to

1:53:15 support the select board. Um, it would not be a vote on an override. That would be their warrant hearing, which happens later in April. And that would be the hearing on all of the warrant items um articles on the warrant that have any financial implication, including potential overrides. And that’s where they would be voting at if if we are going forward or any other entity and town government’s going forward. » VINCOM doesn’t decide whether we do one or three overrides. They recommend favorable or unfavor or don’t recommend favorable action. So they could say we don’t recommend that we go with individuals. » Noct warrant articles, Mike. So we have

1:54:00 warrant articles. The select board has warrant articles. They will vote. They are voting whether to in favor of those particular warrant articles. » Right. They’re recommending favorable or not favorable action. The select board can still move forward with their own without board. » I mean just like the school committee can move forward with their own » articles without Fin Kong’s you know blessing. That’s all finally given blessing. » Well I didn’t think it makes sense to to discuss it. It was on the agenda. Maybe we don’t have numbers but I mean the select board has already discussed what it might look like. » We did you guys did have numbers in the back couple pages of the presentation. Correct. » They did, you know, if we’re not if that 1.5 is, you know,

1:54:47 » um and and that’s what people are asking me. » So, you know, I know it’s a little early. We don’t have any kind of concrete information, but I think it would be worthwhile to » the override projections that I put in the slides were based upon us cutting 1.5 addition from the budget. Okay. Yeah. So, it probably wouldn’t make sense to present that. » I mean, I’m interested in supporting an override that is not a band-aid fix, that is a long-term structural fix to this. So, whatever those numbers are when we have this finalized, but based on these cuts, like I will throw all of my energy and effort supporting that

1:55:37 ideally collectively with the town. Um but » well what the town was proposing to I the meeting I listened to I think thatcher is coming back with a recommendation on Wednesday on Wednesday the 25th I believe. » Yeah. So what they were talking about was a three- tier override. And if we are going to work with them, you know, what do our three tiers look like? » Or are there three tiers? » That’s the conversation. » And John, what you proposed was that at the very least it should restore level services budget. » Yeah. I think » funding. I mean in general

1:56:22 » level of service I believe is what you will propose into both of them. So I think so I think there’s two things I if if you are asking me my opinion on how the override should be structured I think I don’t think a one year override is reasonable I think I think we need to look at longer term like itself whatever that number ends up being for this coming year and the following year if possible third year what that number looks like I think becomes the I mean that’s how much we know we’re going to be next year the following year so to do it piece in my opinion and one person. I I don’t I don’t know that’s a good reason to go. It’s not my decision. But um I think you know the tiered approach from the talent side u I think you know if we’re if

1:57:09 we’re truly moving forward together I think that that’s that’s potentially pitting one one against the other cuz if one includes a school right one doesn’t includes this and then one doesn’t I mean split in here. We have to be sure that if they’re going with a tier, right? Then we are » tiering our services as well cuz their top tier is is about investing in the town » or that we don’t know yet. But that was the discussion. But then you’re saying, okay, well, what does it mean to invest in schools to expand programming, you know, and you put, you know, and to to fund full day kindergarten? What is that? R2, is that our tier three, you know, » right? Because can be considered automated services. Yeah, that’s a good question, right? Is it the intermediate

1:57:54 tier or is it the top tier? » And I think, you know, I think we established what our bare minimum ask is, which for me, in my opinion, it would be a level services bled. » So, that would be the restore the first the first » except it’s not restoring the 1.5, it’s getting us back to level services, which we really haven’t addressed » fully as a because we looking at level of funding. » We’ve only been looking at level of funding. None of my projections say gratisaction federal services. Yeah. » Okay. » Your projections? » Yes. I do realize that » maybe that’s our tier two. It’s level services loss, but I think I don’t want

1:58:40 to discuss too much without knowing what that number is, without making that agreement. But I think people in the community want to know what we’re planning because they’re all seemingly ready to support. People who I’ve spoken to are ready to support and I’m ready to support it. But » what do you tell them? » You know, » what are you supporting? Um and we’re like we’re not there yet, but I hope to get there soon. It’s fair to say that, you know, we do want to restore to a level right level services perhaps. And then when we talk about augmented services, I think I’ve heard kindergarten a few times. And then when we talk about

1:59:26 I think what Melissa said, try to not make this just a band-aid for one year and we know we’re going to have issues with potential certain contracts next year. We’d probably like to put that in. and what tier is I think we need to discuss. But I’m sensing those are kind of the potential pluses that we would like to bake into these tiers. And um now I further we do this together. » Yeah. » Right. Not separately with the town. That obviously is further discussion with the town. » Yeah. And well and also I look we’re going to have to defend ourselves if we’re you know we’re not teaming up with the town. It’s going to be up to us. You know, I know we can’t put together

2:00:11 any a forwardlooking threeyear, you know, expanded services budget before town meeting, but there are things, you know, that I would be interested in funding around new programming, health and wellness, technology, and you know, um I guess we’ll get to the study, but that there’s capitalists as well. And I guess we kind of have to leave it at that for now because we don’t have » All right. So any any further discussion?

2:00:54 » I will just apologize for my thoughts not coming up clearly tonight. » You don’t have to apologize. » No. Yeah. No. » No apologies. Um good. Um the next item on the agenda, our April 2nd scheduled meeting is uh it falls on two religious holidays. Holy Thursday and I believe the second day of Passover. Sorry if I had that wrong. um you know like to understand where where the committee is around potentially rescheduling that date so that we don’t you know we uh don’t conflict with those holiday » would be moving to the following week or what’s the proposal

2:01:47 » show calendars talk about who talks initially while moving to the » bill.

2:01:56 And then again, that’s after FinCon does their super Saturday and their recommendations on the 6th. Now, that may be fine. Maybe we have to based on what the subcommittee does. » Have to schedule a meeting » before that. So, we’re talking about moving it to the ninth. Okay. Are we all comfortable with that? Think the nth? » Yep. » Did you say the ninth? » Yes. » Does that work for you, Jen? » Yeah. » Okay. So, we will not have a meeting on the 2nd and we will have a meeting instead on the on the 9th, April 9th, 2026.

2:02:44 » All right. Are there any subcommittee updates? I just need to text that you’re points. » Uh I have two um first of all, um see that and um it was a great discussion as usual. Thank you, Lisa Marray. Um I think a lot of the discussion was around the budget obviously and um funding. I think again there as I mentioned earlier people are looking for guidance for what to rally around and um we had a discussion about them being advocates for the special education student services because they understand it really well and I think what we’re

2:03:30 seeing you know conversations around town from people looking at school budget is already spending so much um we just need the community experts to to chime in and help people understand. And I’d also like to point out that CPAC is looking for members. They’re looking for leadership. So if anybody is interested, please contact them. They’re they are actually a they’re a fabulous and friendly group. Um join one of the meetings. Their next meeting is on Thursday the 9th. Uh so uh tune in and if you’re interested in participating, please do » um Lisa, anything to add to that?

2:04:17 » Um I also put that out in my parent newsletter today. » I saw » try to get parents more involved. So fun group like you said and everyone’s so lovely and great conversations. So and thank you Henry for all you add to the » Thanks as well. Um the other the other update I have is that we have saving subcommittee meeting. Um and

2:04:45 see we see we I believe we wanted to discuss capital asks and Jen chime in if I’m wrong here. I’m just trying to dig into my notes, but we we wanted to we have a placeholder on the catalog capital requests and we did approve a list of capital requests that that John and Mike brought to us. Um are we going to discuss putting that on the warrant? » So, traditionally, we we submit that that request to the town and they put it in with all of theirs. Uh I understand that that has what I’ve been told has been removed from the town’s budget as a possibility to fund any capital this year with the budget situation the way

2:05:32 it is and that they are going to go for it may be part of the override some some type of additional funding to fund capital. So I don’t know where our asks have landed on the town side if it’s part of an override because I’m not sure I understand what they’re asking for in an override. Um, » so I’m not sure that we’re ask for it and the town’s ask for it. I’m not sure if we’re not asking for it. The town’s not asking for it. I’m not sure where that but that’s to add on to your comments and be. » Yeah. Well, I mean, I think it’s important to note that what we’re what we were talking about was bus camera systems, the block and PA system, you know, there was a lot of stuff on there that we cut that list off sort of at the

2:06:19 level of student health and safety. » Mhm. So, anything that we’re not asking for in these capitalized, I mean, it’s almost an additional budget cut for us, you know, to say, “Okay, well,

2:06:33 bus cameras aren’t growing on trees. They’re not going to, you know, if we don’t get them this year, we going to have to ask for them next year.” Um, and it is health and safety. So,

2:06:50 disappoint. So typically um we do participate with the town in their capital ask which is usually part of their budget every year. We usually give the list. We usually don’t get everything on that list but we do prioritize. Um and we’ve been able to you know there’s been some lean years where we’ve had you know like a $100,000 allocation. Um I it it some folks may recall from last year maybe Al does that um we had expected a certain amount Mike I forget what it was last year. I don’t know, four or $500,000 and ended up getting cut at the last minute right before town meeting. Um so I think it’s fair that maybe this first of all the subcommittee can confirm um with the town side that they have zeroed out their capital outlay expense um um in

2:07:36 their budget and we can certainly inquire as to what their plans are. I haven’t heard any deliberations so it’s it’s really whether the select board has deliberated on this. We have an placeholder on the warrant which we have every year u for debt exclusion override for capital expenses. So it would be up to the school committee to decide if we wanted to go forward with that um to fund some or all of these items and that would need to be done on or before technically town meeting but you’d probably want to have that voted for the FINCOM warrant hearing because they will be voting whether to support that or not. We can put that on the if we read if it » Yeah, we should. And and

2:08:21 Mike, it probably makes sense to share this list that you sent J. We already looked at it and approved, but you know, because he’s categorized this by priority, by the risk. It’s got the counts on here. Um, I think if we were to focus on only critical risk, high priority items that sort of bottom tier, it it looks like it’s about $200,000 or thereabouts. Um, and I say I did check with the town. What I was told is that all capital was removed except for the recurring leases for traditionally rolling stock or vehicles. We have commitments that we have to make on those. Those have remained in the budget for the capital ask but from what I

2:09:08 understand no new capital one-time capital projects were placed in that they those would be put into some type of overright abcde efg I’m not sure for the tact » or for you know what » depends on who you ask I don’t know » you got Thank you. All right. Any other sort of committee or less on updates? » Can I just go ahead? I’m sorry. Two minutes. Not even. Um Sean drew accommodation with me this this evening. And I have to say I couldn’t do what I’m doing without Lisa Manning. Uh she was Todd’s right-hand person. She remains Todd’s right-hand person. I know she’s

2:09:55 she was like Todd’s work wife. That’s an acceptable thing to say. Um no. He was her work husband. I don’t get it, you know. But anyways, she is grieving so hard and she has not missed a beat. She has not let me miss anything. She has worked just as hard as she continues to be, if not more. Um, so kudos to her. Thank you so much to her. I know she’s hurting. Um, and and she has not missed a beat. And Gberto and James have just gone above and beyond. Uh, those two have just stepped I don’t I’m saying they stepped it up. They may have already been at that level. I just didn’t see it until now. So those two, thank you so much to those those three individuals because quite honestly I couldn’t even be looking at the budget numbers if I was dealing with stuff. So thank you. » Sorry.

2:10:41 » Sorry. » Sorry. » Another needed apology. » All right. Move on. Do we have any correspondence items?

2:10:59 All right. Um, I’m looking for a motion and vote to meet in executive session for the following three 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 for federal grantee requirements specifically the opening the open meeting law chapter 38 section 22 relative to the school committee’s executive sessions for the following dates July 31st 2025 September 12th 2025 and October 10th 2025 also Purpose three to discuss strategy with respect to and in preparation for collective bargaining with the Marblehead Education Association, occupational therapist, physical

2:11:44 therapist, board certified behavior analysts and occupational therapist assistance, physical therapist assistance, certified nurse assistance because 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. Also, executive session pursuant to chapter 38A section 2183 purpose 3 to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation with J. Bucky as 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. » So moved. » Second. » All right. Motion has been made by Henry, seconded by Melissa. » Yeah, I’ll just need a link to that.

2:12:32 Oh, sure. Um, okay. Um, okay. We’ll move to a vote. Uh, Jen » in favor. » Henry » in favor. » Melissa » in favor. » Al’s in favor. So, the motion passes 4 to zero. So, we will now enter into executive session pursuant to chapter 38 section 213, purpose 7 to comply with or act under the authority of any general special law or federal granted aid requirements. Specifically, the open meeting law, chapter 38, section 22FG, relevance to the school committee’s executive sessions for the following dates, July 31st, 2025, September 12th, 2025, and October 10th, 2025. Also for purpose three in the description from spread two and in preparation for collective bargaining

2:13:20 with Marblehead Education Association, occupational therapists, physical therapists, board certified behavior analysts and occupational therapist assistants, physical therapist assistants and certified nurse assistants because 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. Also pursuant to chapter 38 section 2183 purpose three to discuss strategy with respect to potential litigation around J. Bucky as an open meeting may have potential effect on the litigating position of the school committee and the JSON declares without turn to open session. » Okay, we’re now in executive session and it’s next door. » Jen, I’ll send that. I believe I sent it

2:14:05 to you, but I’ll I’ll send it again right moment. I actually voted to you authorities. Yeah, thank you.