Select Board: January 23, 2023

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

0:00 Green is on June. I owe you. I am. Yes.

0:12 Aaron and Alexa, can you hear us? Okay.

0:18 Can you hear you fine? Perfect. Thank you. Yeah.

0:27 I think looks like everybody. Yeah, he’s in place. Are we is everything all set time.

0:36 Okay, thanks. I’d like to convene a meeting of the select board. Good evening. It’s 7pm. And I’d like to call the January 23rd 2023 meeting of the select board to order. And if I could have a roll call, please sure miss singer. present Miss Noonan

1:01 present tonight

1:11 Thank you very much Madam chair, if you would be so kind as to convene your the meeting of the school committee.

1:25 Okay, and with that we’ll go ahead and assume that we’re ready to go. Okay, I’d like to welcome the chair of the school committee and the school committee members for being both here and at online and I’d also like to really welcome all the candidates who Brave the snow and endless reschedulings to be here today. We really appreciate it. It’s your kind of your determination that keeps our town going and you’ve exhibited it today by being here we very much appreciate it. I don’t know. If you have anything you’d like to you know, say to the to the no I just want to thank everyone who has thrown their hat in and showed interest in supporting our schools. We appreciate that and thank you for joining us good.

2:11 What I’ll do is I’ll explain a little bit the purpose and the process for today’s meeting and hopefully it’s you know, we’ve done this multiple times in the past with where we’ve convened joint meetings to do just this which is to replace a vacancy. So we’re going to the purpose is to conduct a roll call vote pursuant to chapter 41 section 11 of the Mass General law to fill a vacancy as a result of a resignation of a town official from the school committee in last year in 2022. Now the process that will undertake is pretty simple as I mentioned before it’s we’ve done this we’ve done this before we’ll proceed in two stages. One is interviewing the candidates.

2:57 So each candidate will come up to this to this table wanted a time and will proceed in alphabetical order. For the interview process and the interview process is one one board one member of this joint committee will vote will ask a question. One question the same question to each of the candidates. Okay. So all the candidates while we’re interviewing the will remain in the town administrators office until called upon to be interviewed. Okay, so that avoids the possibility that you can hear the answers of the you know of the candidates that are good at being interviewed. So once you’re interviewed as a candidate, you’re welcome

3:43 to stay in the room and listen and to listen to the rest of the questioning. Will then? Conduct a roll call vote after we’ve entered nominations. We’ll take a vote to enter nominations of the candidates and Thatcher will explain a little bit the mechanics of the vote because he’ll be conducting the roll call. But the first candidate to receive a majority will be the the appointee and if there’s not a majority in the first round will basically just have continuous rounds of elimination until we do get a majority for a particular candidate. So it’s a very straightforward process. It’s basically rank order voting. Okay, and with that Madam chair, do you have anything else to add it should be pretty straightforward. So

4:29 what I’d like to do, this is the only thing we have on our agenda tonight. So what I’d like to do is start with our first interview if we could Paul Baker if you’re you’re the first candidate by alphabetical order and the rest of the candidates if you could kindly follow Kyle into the town of Administrators office much appreciated

4:51 All right. Paul thank you very much for for coming here. I am now we’re gonna as I said, we’re going to ask

5:02 Nine questions of you. It’s it’s it’s a bit of a process. And I’d like to turn it over to the chair of the school committee to begin the to begin the interview. Thank you. I’m going to start off with Sarah gold leave your questions. So, can you please tell us what you find to be the most interesting part about being becoming a school committee member?

5:26 I would say. Some people would see as a poison chalice.

5:33 judging by what you ladies have gone through and anybody who’s putting themselves forward for the school committee I think that. The most important thing is to back the school department and Dr. Bakke and Dan Murphy white is still with us. I think that they have come in for an awful lot of. unwarranted Flack one of a better word And I think that somebody should join you ladies on the board who is willing to work with you and for the school department so better because the end of the day it’s a kid and my youngest has now back in the system having to spend a couple of years away. So I’m invested in him doing well in

6:20 the schools and I’m invested in an hour schools doing well. I’m a resident. I’ve been here for 20 years, I believe and I want him to have great school experience. I want other kids to have great scores. Help that that’s great. If somebody else chosen, that’s great, too, and I hope they can do the same thing.

6:40 Megan so Paul given the temporary nature of this position at the moment. How do you plan to hit the ground running to effectively support this committee? That’s a really good question. I’m sorry, I could say to all of them right? It’s I think the fact that I’ve served on the mccps charter Board of Trustees for seven years. Puts me in a good position to know the workings of a school committee. as I said in my

7:13 Letter of interest that sometimes we have a charter school. We have a maximum of 15 committee members and a minimum of nine. so I’ve worked with up to 13 maximum and that’s a lot of people to juggle and not make happy but but to work with and to come to some kind of agreement and I think I’ve done that over time. We’ve dealt with head to school leaving and hiring and I’ve worked well with others. I feel feel like that will put me in a good position to help you ladies. on the board for unfortunately, it’s very disappointing that’s taking this long to get not that I’m blaming. You know, it’s taken this longer to get here because it’s three months since Emily resigned and whoever takes over tonight

8:00 will only have four months. So that’s a very short period of time to really do anything. So whoever comes in if they can help you ladies and the school department. Move the ball forward. I’m very much in favor of an override. I think the schools needed. I think the towns need Town needed. And I would be looking to support that if I join.

8:25 Allison if you’d like to ask your questions, thank you for for coming and braving the weather. Could you just kind of in your own words versus what’s written on paper? Yeah, what professional or personal experience you think sets you apart? Specifically as a candidate for this position first of having read some of the other resumes, I don’t think there’s too much to save me about some really qualified candidates. I think my experience as a head of school the last four years going through covid six months into my tenure. And together with my staff who I don’t myself our staff we work together. We managed to get through covid only missing two days of school.

9:11 In two years two plus years, which is some achievement. We’re very proud of I’m good at I don’t say Joe being but adapting because quickly as possible having my own business for me on 20 years. I mean that puts been a great position dealing with people. I’m really good with people. I believe as part of the job that I enjoy at school. I’m always dealing with with people and this is part you have to a pretty thick skin some of the time and I know you really have thick skins. and I think I can deal with that whether I would be willing to carry on. And seek re-election or election. I think I would the the bonus of this situation is it

9:58 gives somebody the chance to get their feet wet without having to go through the horrors of an election? and I think I’d be good at it. And if I can help schools and that’s great. And if you choose somebody else that’s going to it’s a volunteer position afterwards. It’s a pay position. So like I’m looking for the money. Yes as I’ve learned, yeah. just one follow-up to that. Do you think that

10:27 Do you? Feel given that we’re here. Due to issues with with conflict of interest. Do you? See any concern or I know you mentioned it in your letter or problems with? Your Charter involvement versus here given that you are still you know, and they’re very grateful. I feel sure involved there. Right? No, I gave I told them that I was applying. For this position. I think that Actually, I can go back to when Dr. Bucky was being interviewed for his position. I was at that interview and I specifically stood up and asked him the question whether he would be

11:14 willing or able to work with Mother charter school because I believe the charter school is part of the school district and kids come from the greater District into the charter school and they also leave and go back in to the public system. So they really are part of the public schools. Obviously. I’ve done my best over the time. I’ve been them to grow enrollment there at obviously to the detriment of the public system because you’re taking kids away. I always work at a private school which deals with kids between three and twelve years of age 11 years of age. So the school is Miss the public schools are missing some of our students. But again, the majority of them do go back into the system and they do very well and I believe in choice.

12:00 of school, which we’re lucky to have work in Devil we we’re very actually open this kindly affordable for private schools in the area. and I just feel that I don’t think a bit Conflict at all. I’m always willing to talk to parents. They often ask because I have all the children, you know what my experience with the school district with the childix my office spent five years of the charter school. He also went to the wearing school for two years during covid here. Any benefit from that but he also benefited from great time to the coffin and the Gary and his young years High School. Just just on clear. So you you do agree. There would be a conflict or you don’t get confidence. So no, I think I’m very even very fair. Sure. Okay, and I never

12:50 Do one above the other? I like people to have a choice and they make up those decisions as they should that their children.

13:01 Please share what you see is the current challenges and strengths of the school budget also include what you know about our Reliance on outside funding to include. Grant based funding as well as private and if you could please identify what you’re involvement has meant to date with our budget process. Well, you’ve paid the first part I take a piece by piece. What are five questions? The first part is what please share what you know about our current challenges and strengths of our school. I was fortunate enough to have the time to sit in on your last meeting with the finance committee just before Christmas and it became abundantly Claire that money is running out especially for the special education already

13:46 over budget this year, and we’re only in January. I realized that the school department has been relying on free cash has has a town for a number of years. And that’s not sustainable and or should it be? I feel that an override is due. I think I wish it would pass last year. I wish it had been. asked for many years ago at the time the Gary school was closed I believe I was only person who spoke up I think is the only actual person. live at that meeting when the Gary school was finally closed and a lot of the Outstanding maintenance issues on the newer schools are still there that were there that

14:34 time two scores have been closed but one has been or three schools been closed. I guess when we built And it’s an aging it’s still the newer schools are still aging. They still need to be maintained and it just isn’t enough money to do it the bottom line from last year the maintenance that’s ongoing and that’s just year by year. It’s still there and it needs to be addressed and I don’t see anywhere. LSU can get the money from the schools the school department get the money for other than racing taxes. That’s fine and the next part so that’s part was tell us what you know about our Reliance on outside funding both Grant based and private. Um, I’m not I’m not familiar to that degree. I did look at what was

15:21 on the line and I’ve looked at it from prayers.

15:26 Coming from the charter school. We rely on a lot of Grants and we do very well. The last two years the grants have been available in covid have been great. I’m not quite sure how well the school department has had in Lark or being able to apply for private grants. And local cards free cash again as I said earlier. It needs to stop we need to raise money. I think the only way to those taxes.

15:50 And then could you identify what you’re involvement has been to date with the Marvel head Public Schools budget process. You did mention you. Yeah, actually I did that prior to this year. I haven’t done much for the last 18 months sober prior to covid. I was very very US president many many meetings Fortune our self-employed at that time have my own hours. I was able to attend many many meetings. We’re Maryann Perry was still on and afterwards as well. Thank you very much. Okay. Thank you. Alexa you could ask your question. Yeah, hi Paul. Thank you. Sorry for the Echo and the echo, but I do sorry. And if we were faced with a hypothetical

16:35 influx of money from the state, let’s say something, you know that was earmarked for the school specifically. Would you recommend returning it to the town to fund additional Town department needs or using it for the school budget? That’s it’s a two part. But that’s the first part. Yeah, I would. I’ve been in an Ideal World you split it between the two obviously we will need money all departments need money. Just look at What’s going on in town? For the last three four years? We’re on our Fourth Town manager in six years maybe seven years, which I think third in six. right seven It’s been a while. I lose track had long tenures. Hope we yeah, it’s been a while, you know record and stuff is going on and and I liked

17:23 the previous Town manager very much. I don’t know you sir, but I’m sure you’re doing it for wonderful job right now. So I’m going to sit on the fence and say I like to split it. Okay. The next part of that is few elected to keep it or in this case any of that funding what are the two areas that you would advocate for the committee to focus on I would love for it to go towards curriculum the outdated books, which I’m finding out now in sixth grade through friends of mine who have had the child children in the district the whole time. I’m now getting to realize that there needs to be money spent also as I mentioned on the maintenance and upkeep needs to happen and also salaries

18:09 Teacher salaries, I think they’ll be good you get good teachers by paying a decent amount of money and I’m not saying that the teachers are underpaid but teachers can always do more do with more money and they certainly deserve it especially after the last two years.

18:24 Thank you. And then the last part of that is if there was a budget budget deficit if you were facing that what are two areas you would identify for possible Cuts if that was something that had to be done. That’s tough.

18:42 two areas Nobody ever wants to cut staff ever programming is not something that I think should be done. I know there’s been a lot of clamor for an elongated day or stretch day which again would cost money. I’d have to look and see how things were when it comes up on it. He wouldn’t like to say I mean as as has happened. Starting reductions have been made in all areas. It’s tough because like I said, we need the infrastructure. We need the people in place and they need to be paid you cut jobs, then you’re cutting. service

19:28 In the short term. Is that cutting your nose off? Despite your face, Maybe.

19:35 Thank you. I appreciate that. You followed your brow a lot during that is that I’m think that’s my thinking. Okay. That’s just whatever.

19:48 We’re worried that thank you Aaron you that’s what I think.

19:53 Aaron if you could ask your question, please is it just gonna be one Aaron?

19:59 Sorry, is it just gonna be one? Hey Paul, thanks for being here. My question is last spring to school committee voted to bring forth a general override request to the town in response to unmet budget needs. Please share your thoughts on the request and whether you participate regularly in local Town elections. That’s good. I think you know the answer to that one. Yeah, I know you.

20:27 Yeah, I recently became a citizen of this wonderful country last summer last August. I have been a permanent resident since 1998 lived in town since 2004 owned a business from 2002. Onwards so it once got it back again. Got another business sold it again and finally jumped out around. It’s 2017. I have as my letter for everyone’s ready if anybody in the audience has I’m a participated. More and more once my business was finally sold in 2016-17. I’ve said publicly that’s very hard to own a business in town

21:13 and to be vocal. For fear of upsetting customers or alienating customers. It’s a very small town but once one is free of that. I call it a yoke. It’s easier to to be who you are and be confident and express your feelings and I feel like I tended many many meetings to educate myself as you well know. I was very against the closing the Gary School. For those who don’t know I live next door to it. And I had a gate out into the backyard as Moses know. He’s a neighbor. So I was very attached to that school. In hindsight and and through you could join me. I came to the right side and I participated in supporting the

22:00 brown school and going around delivering leaflets on Sunday mornings in the rain. so I feel like I’m invested.

22:10 Is that answer the question and being a big? Oh, yeah, the second the second part. I just wanted to give you the opportunity to answer the first part which was just to get your thoughts on the general override request. Absolutely. Yeah presented to the town right? I I think that it could have been presented in a better way. I don’t think the Outreach was as good as it can be. That’s all in hindsight. I think that the whole town needs to be educated and that’s a hard thing to do because you how you reach everybody different papers that have begun to re-emerge obviously Facebook and zoom and and the

22:55 Excuse me. The thing that Dr. Bucky sent out. I forget the name of it thought exchange. Thank you very much. That’s great sitting on on your meeting with the finance committee. One thing that really struck me was the member of the finance committee had never heard of the thought exchange. He had no idea what it was and that I think he said I’m coming along you only had like 250 responses to that second thought exchange as if you’re trying to get information out. to the greater Marblehead public and get out that we need an override. There’s got to be a way to.

23:34 Get the message out and engage them. So that come the time of the vote there is not a ninja reaction as all we need to pay tax. We need more money. It needs to be explained to them really well and let’s face it. There’s any four months. From now that’s going to happen. It equal to 250 respondents to a thought exchange and you you need it out there yesterday. So yes, I’m in favor of right. Thanks, Paul. You’re welcome. Thanks Sarah. Thank you, Jim if you would answer your question. Thank you very much for volunteering. What impression do you have about the current School committees functioning that may have contributed to your desire to be part of this process? a good one

24:21 I followed as a thicker City my medicine since

24:26 just before the closing of the Gary. I have followed it. Quite deeply at that time. I remember asking the venture. for all kinds of matter related to facilities and maintenance ahead of not had happened over the last 20 or so years prior to that. Only to be booked at a some crazy price. It was quoted for having more the found and printed out for my delectation of sins. Got some from other members who of the community who did um, share them with me since at that time. I feel that there was not a committee should not agree the entire time but there was a lot of Discord at that point.

25:12 And since then there has been Discord. I’m not saying whoever comes on after tonight. There won’t be Discord as well. But I think there needs to be a more harmonious way approaching the committee as a member working with your fellow committee members. I’m very disappointed in the way the the person who is not here tonight. Emily was not able to continue that’s by the vibe, but that’s my personal feelings. and I think that her not being the or whoever the fifth member might have been for the last three months have been detrimental to the committee as a whole.

25:58 I also think that. A seven person committee would be best. because I think that would open the possibility of less. I don’t want to say sides but less. you know people earring one way or the other the more committed members are the harder it is to gain an advantage let’s say and I just I just think. It could be better. And I hope whoever’s word, you know voted in today can be better and I really hope that you know, it’s greatly 11 people put themselves forward for this. There’s only seven of us left. It’s it’s Kim here tonight six seven six six, okay.

26:46 That not all of those people run come to you in but a good number of people will because these ladies know it’s been one or two people. Sometimes the same one or two people running again and again, It’s not pretty it can get a little. um nasty for a better word and I just wanted to be better. Thank you.

27:11 Jackie if you would ask your question, please. Hi Paul. Hi Jackie. What is the role of the school committee in relation to the superintendent? To oversee the superintendent. He’s the one and only

27:24 thing we have to do. All the committee has to do it’s the same where I am at the charter school. We are.

27:32 polite professional we don’t hang out. We don’t do anything together. I only see him if I go into the school, which unfortunately is less and less where am I don’t have a student there. Is to oversee the superintendent and make sure that he does the right thing by the students and by the town I was lucky enough to be invited by I call it Big Huggy but Bill McAuliffe to sit on the hiring committee for Nan Murphy. And that was a pleasure and a privilege. It was great to meet her and I and the other members there was who or the other? Interviewees or a number of really good people. I think they’re 12 of us on that committee. There were heads of school there were, you know people I myself and was a great experience.

28:20 I just yeah, I just want what’s best for the schools. I think Dr. Bakke does a great job and I think he needs supporting but not to the extent that you know, we give my blank slate. I’m familiar with the format of the superintendent review. We use the same thing at the charter school. It’s very very similar. So I know how it works. We used to that.

28:47 And you know, he needs supporting the school district need supporting teacher need supporting.

28:54 Paul I’m the bearer of the last question not bad news just question. Well based on your experience, which is extensive. What would you describe as your best approach to to team building? I think I’m very comfortable with people from all walks of life.

29:16 I’m not a professional if you call a professional chef a profession, but I’m not professional. I went back to school late in my late 20s. I didn’t apprenticeship right out School in England at the age of 16. We’re all my friends went off to college and Work 10 headphones. I worked we didn’t have fun. But I went back in later years and I did what I wanted to. And enjoyed every minute of it, but I love cooking. So that’s what I I’ve always done and you know working in kitchens here Canada, Britain, Australia. I’ve met all kinds of people I get on. With most people I’m pretty searchable. That’s part of what I loved about having the cafe as you know, and it’s a great part of what I enjoy now at Devoe school.

30:03 I see the parents every day. We only have a I think I have a hundred students this year. That’s 200 parents grandparents caregivers, and I love seeing them every day. You know them all by name. Teachers are great. We’re a team. Everybody’s first name. That’s how it should be. I mean people knock on I share an office with my great co-work Elizabeth and teachers sometimes knock on the door. And that’s the most obnoxious thing. I could possibly nobody needs to talk about my office our office and somebody called me sir the other day. Really? I’m just poor. I’m just poor there work with you guys. You know, that’s how it should be. I hopefully, you know, you can do

30:49 it on a committee as well. We won’t always agree whoever’s gets appointed when always free but I I like working with people. I enjoy people I enjoy different points of you and we don’t always see the same side of things but that’s like Thank you very much, Paul. Okay, that brings our our questions to to a conclusion. You’re welcome to to stay right? Thanks so much. Thank you everyone. Thank you very much.

31:19 Don DeWitt is next.

31:54 Hello, Don welcome. Have a seat at the table.

32:01 Thank you very much for coming in. We really we really appreciate it, especially on in like a night like tonight and and for going through our scheduling process and I think as I mentioned we ask the same questions about the candidates. And I’d like to pass the Baton on to the chair of the school committee to start the interview. Thank you for joining us. I’m going to start off with Sarah Gold’s question. Hi, can you please tell us what you find to be the most interesting aspect of being a member of the school committee? Well currently we have two beautiful kids in the school systems here 12 and 17. So for me, it’s incredibly important to be. To be active, you know, we’re active in the community. We have a small business. We’re engaged in every or I

32:48 am in every possible way in the community. So I think this is just another level to be engaged with the school systems and how it works and what experience I have and how I can help, you know, bring that to to the board.

33:04 Um Megan Taylor. Thanks. Hi Don. Thanks. How are you? Good. Thank you. So given the temporary nature of this position. How do you plan to hit the ground running to? effectively support the work of this committee I think the first thing I probably do is Maybe. Get with shell. Michelle thank you just to Just to really get into the budgets and see where where we are with budgets and and also to meet with Dr. Bucky, you know, as he’s running the schools to make his job easier to see what his needs are. I know right now. He’s hiring a new principal at

33:52 High School. And so whatever whatever I can do to support him to support the committee I think is what it’s about. And and if there’s any I think there’s also some

34:06 Some online training you could also do for these committees and I would also love to do that. You know anything that would make what I’m doing better to make my strengths better. Thank you. Allison if you will Thanks for bringing the weather. Um good to see you. So my question is Are you know obviously you have your cover letter on the way just in your own words, if you could just share what you think professionally or personally kind of sets you apart from some of the the other candidates in the pool. Well, I honestly don’t know any of the candidates but I think what might set me apart is I’m very engaging, you know, I think I’m very easy to get along with and I’m a good listener. You know,

34:53 I think we all have difference of opinions, but I’d like to listen to what you bring to the table, you know, and then to talk about it, you know, I think I think people waste too much time arguing their points instead of sometimes just listening to what the other person’s saying. You know, so and and I just love building teams. And and work in collaboratively with everybody.

35:21 I’ve also I’ve you know worked with budgets my whole life, you know in large corporations again, I have a small business now. And and I love numbers. I love numbers. Just a quick follow-up again. If I may sorry. I’m not personally.

35:42 I’ve talked a little bit before the previous. Person mentioned how it you know owning a small business can make it harder to be in this position. I don’t notice how this is. I would imagine it would make it harder do you have any additional concerns about that or conflicts that might no because sorry interrupt. No, I learned a long time ago how to manage my time. And so when I worked for corporations in the past before Currently in our small business you learn how to juggle the balls, right? You learn how to keep 20 balls up in the air and that’s what you don’t need to do. So and that’s in anything and anything all of us do to

36:27 So no, I don’t see a conflict at all.

36:33 Right that brings it to me and it’s a multi-point part question. I apologize. I’ve learned to show shorten that. Please share what you see as the current challenges and strengths of the school budget.

36:50 friends and distress and weaknesses well I mean a weakness would be if the goals are unrealistic right and it takes too long to to make the budgets. Right. I think it’s important to the the cash flow for the budgets are really important that we’re maybe involving the principles of the schools to help with the budget not to make them but maybe possibly to engage them to buy into the process because at the end of the day 95% of the money I believe that is in the school’s budget comes from the taxpayers of Marblehead. So I think it’s important to see what their needs are.

37:37 Right and then to help develop these budgets. Okay, that leads me into the next part. What do you know about our Reliance and outside funding both Grant Beach and private? I know there are some federal and state grants. I know for example for special ed. I think this special ed is about four million dollars on the budget. I think about half of that comes from federal and state grants. But I know currently are the school budget now. Again, I think about. 95% of it is from the taxpayers.

38:17 Um and last part is please identify what your vaultment has been to date with the Marblehead Public Public Schools budget process.

38:34 Ment I apologize.

38:42 Where where it’s gonna kick back, please identify what you’re involvement has been to date with the marbleheads public schools budget process. Well in the went to the town hall meeting and I’m constantly on all the Zooms for all the meetings, you know, just again to listen. I think it’s really important for all of us to listen to everyone’s opinions. Thank you very much. Threw me off a little bit the kickback with the noise. I apologize. That’s you. Alexa if you would please ask your question.

39:18 Hi, thank you for being here tonight appreciate your time. So if it kind of a double part question, the first one was if you were faced with a hypothetical influx of funding from the state that was earmarked for the schools. Would you recommend returning that funding to the town to fund other Town departments or using it within the school budget? If this money was coming did you say from the state or the federal government? I would believe there’s some type of guidelines that they would have what that money could be used for and I also would see what the wish list is what’s most important, you know that that

40:03 money needs to be appropriated for. Okay. And then the second part of that question is and let’s say you’ve elected to keep the funding what are two areas that you would advocate for the committee to focus on of the schools to focus on and then in the flip side of that if there was a budget deficit what are two areas that you would identify for cuts. Well if there was extra money absolutely teacher salaries. Absolutely. I know there’s going to be

40:37 a new contract coming up and it’s obviously their salaries are going to go up. But if there was extra money it absolutely should go to. the teachers

40:51 if there’s What was the second part? Can part was kind of the opposite if you were faced with a budget deficit and you had to look at budget cuts. What are two areas that you would turn your attention to to focus on first. budget cuts

41:16 would be blind items, but hopefully it’s a good budget. You know and I think again to my point is that’s what’s really important to work on the budget not just to add numbers to the budget. I think it’s important to be fiscally responsible. when creating these budgets and hopefully we’re not in the red.

41:41 Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Aaron. Hi Don, thanks for being here tonight last spring the school committee voted to bring forth a general override request to the town in response to unmet budget needs. Could you just share your thoughts on that request and then also generally speaking whether you participate regularly in our local Town elections. The override I supported the override for the roads for roofs and so forth the public schools. For the second part of the override I didn’t support it because they didn’t seem to be any funding. For teacher salaries and again for me.

42:30 It’s important the administration the teachers because at the end of the day, it’s to have the best best education for the students for all these all these boys and girls in Marblehead. I think that’s what everyone should be here for.

42:48 Thank you. Thank you. Welcome Don Thank you, very

42:55 What what Impressions do you have about the current School committees functioning that may have contributed to your desire to be part of this board? Good question.

43:14 I I just want to I want to be somebody who’s active in the community again, you know, we’re I’m as active as possible in all aspects, but we have two students currently in the Marblehead system and I just want to do whatever I can for the students and for the schools of Marblehead, you know, I think it’s the most important thing is to have the best education as possible for the students. So at the end of the day, I’d love to be on a board and working collaboratively with everybody on this board on the budgets. Working with the super to again to make his or her job is easiest possible and just to provide whatever

44:02 knowledge. I have to this committee. Good. Thank you. Jackie hi, Don hi. What is the role of the school committee in relation to the superintendent?

44:19 That’s another good question.

44:23 I believe the the job is to manage the super in his position. It’s to create a budget. for the fiscal year and also to set policies for the district, you know for our town.

44:46 Thank you. Darn, the last question for you based on your experience. What would you describe as your best approach to team building? Based on your experience. That doesn’t question.

45:03 For team building, you know, it’s just not a word. I think it’s important to get to know everybody again and for team building, I think it’s important not to get to know everybody. but to see What everybody’s about and just again listening? I don’t think we listen enough and and I think by doing that by listening and understanding also understanding. The budgets and how the committee works as well as everyone here on the board currently. I think it becomes big my job easier and I’ll be able to bond these relationships with everybody.

45:47 And well, thank you very much. This brings the interview to a conclusion. You’re welcome to stay. Thank you very much. Thank you my buddy. Thank you.

45:58 All right. We have a Raymond Hanson next.

46:15 Saturday

46:29 Tires. It’s like I’m not putting myself to say. Hello, Mr. Hanson. Hello. How are you? I’m doing well. Are you absolutely well? Thank you. We’re gonna all of us are gonna ask you one question a piece and it’s the same questions that we’ve asked the other candidates and just want to thank you very much for for making it here today. We absolutely really appreciate it. And with that I’d like to turn it over to the chair of the school committee. Thank you. And I’m gonna pass further along to Sarah gold who will be asking the first question.

47:06 Most interesting aspect would probably be the determining technological needs and and resolution of those so tying that in with both needs Gathering and budgeting would be what I find probably the most interesting piece.

47:30 Thank you. So given the temporary nature of this position. How do you plan to hit the ground running to effectively support the work of this committee? Hitting the ground running, of course pretty critical for a short period of time. I’ve gone and reviewed a good bit of the the previous meeting minutes. They’re out available on on the website, but also hitting the ground running I think involves a lot of listening to start with to make sure we’re all in the same page here is as well as just, you know, asking questions and being engaged right from the start. It’s not something you can sit back on your hands for for five months and be like, okay. I’m ready in five months because then it’s over.

48:20 Hi, welcome. Thanks for what do you think? You know clearly having having your resume? What do you think just in a few words? Is something either professional or personally that would help set you apart from you know, the other qualified applicants in the pool. I think my background in higher ed is a great facet of this. It’s a great asset to have having been a faculty member. I understand the The Faculty side of this. So all of the teachers having to do curriculum development of having to get resources ready every day for class understanding The Faculty side now being in the administrative side having insight into what goes into actually scheduling delivering

49:06 curriculum support for faculty of getting facilities organized and and prepped with support staff. I think that’s a asset that I bring that I don’t believe any of the other applicants have

49:25 I am a Wentworth grad. So I feel like I could say that he works it currently that’s where you’re yes. I I don’t interact with industrial design to our sorry interior design all that frequently, but

49:40 Challenges and strengths of our school budget. This is a multi-part question.

49:47 clearly with the the election question of for funding it’s looking for how to how to get the biggest bang for our buck to support resources. There’s facilities needs there’s technology needs. So the biggest challenges I think is finding funding for those pieces.

50:12 Beyond that is a little more nuanced than I I have insight into right at this particular moment. But that’s again the areas of interest that I really have is is looking at the technology looking at facilities and how can we fund those to best support students to best support the faculty the teachers and the support staff to deliver engaging curriculum that not only meets the the state requirements but excels and exceeds. Well beyond that that continues to support students so that they’re not just good students now, but they’re good students continue. It’s tickle my throat. I apologize. I understand if my answer chokes you up.

51:00 Are Reliance on outside funding both Grant based and private? Thank you. I am uninformed in in both of those.

51:16 Public Schools budget process my involvement has been I am a happy taxpayer.

51:25 yes, so apart from that I Have done a small amount of review of what’s in the meeting minutes of a handful of school committee meetings and and some of the Town meetings.

51:40 Thank you Alexa. If you could ask your question, please. Yes. Hi. Thanks for being here tonight. So the first part is if you were faced with a hypothetical, you know influx of money from the state that you know is perhaps potentially earmarked for education, but didn’t need to be definitely spent on education would you? Recommend returning that funding to the town to fund additional Town departments needs or to keep it inside the school budget. That’s the first part. This is part If the intention of the funding was originally towards the education of town students, then I would probably lean very heavily towards the money remaining there. I’m a

52:29 strong believer of if that’s what the money was sought for then that’s the intention of what that money was given so staying within that I would Probably lean heavily in that direction unless there was a very compelling reason why not too. great, and then the second part of that is You in this case? Had to like the funding at what would be to areas that you would advocate for the money to be spent on or if you were faced with the opposite situation where there was a budget deficit what would be the two areas that you would identify for budget cuts?

53:12 So if the money were left in the education side, okay. Yeah. I would probably Focus first on some of the technology needs of the classroom technology is a great enabler, I believe so ensuring that we can enable students to be successful with maybe marginal increments of money across different School settings to identify which school could potentially benefit from that the best and try and focus that money there. So I would think technology would probably be my first my first thought of expenditures second would potentially be additional support staff as needed

53:58 looking at the

54:03 website for employment right now. It seems there’s a large availability of special education. That’s what our greatest need is in terms of available positions. So potentially that would would help support some of the special ed cases as we as we look to fill those positions.

54:25 So budget cuts. Now. You’re asking the hard question. Where do you take money away from from the school?

54:36 That’s a good question.

54:39 And I probably don’t have a great answer because I haven’t thought about it really a whole lot.

54:49 well I would have to think probably some of the biggest budget cuts could be made in again. That’s the first thing that most people cut is is support staff, unfortunately.

55:08 But that also probably doesn’t have the biggest bang for the buck of if you’re reducing headcount of taking the the heads that that make the least amount of money. I’ve also probably You know other things that the janitorial side the maintenance side tends to be something where money is is removed. I’m not so sure that doing so is a good move. So deferred maintenance is probably where I would would look for the second piece. Thank you. Thanks for taking the time to think about that. I know that’s a hard question, but I appreciate your thoughtful. Thank you. Aaron Hi Raymond, thank you so much for participating tonight. So last spring the school committee

55:54 voted to bring forth the general override request to the town in response to unmet budget needs. Could you please share your thoughts on that request? And also whether you participate regularly in our local Town elections?

56:09 so yes, I do participate regularly in in town elections both in the the primaries and in the general elections the question that was put forth personally. I have to say

56:28 funding the schools is a an investment not only in today, but tomorrow so in that regard. you know a funding increase is a probably a very strong thing leaving it open-ended in perpetuity is probably not where most taxpayers are interested in seeing. Oh, let’s give another million or two million dollars to the school this year and next and the next and the next that just becomes a standard budget item then.

57:04 by understanding

57:07 what a long-term plan. Is that going to be just a long-term budget increase or is that a short-term increase to bridge a gap that we have identified I think is a question that needs to be answered more clearly for me to have a deeper insight into how long that should last. Great. Thank you. Appreciate your answer. Thanks. Jim thank you for volunteer.

57:36 Ing, what impression do you have about the current School committee’s functioning that may have contributed to your desire to be part of this board. the the current functioning of the school committee seems evenly split with four it’s hard to get a majority or if there’s two votes in One Direction. The fifth person is of course the tie break. So the the school committees seems to to be able to run the school committee reasonably well for for a fifth person to to join and participate in that is really my opinion of the school committee. I could see myself

58:22 easily sliding in there having chatted with the the other members outstanding in the other room seems like all of us have a desire that yes we could serve here. Otherwise, I think we probably wouldn’t be sitting here today, but we all have a desire to and and hopefully the capacity. Thank you jacket. Thank you. Hi Raymond. Well. What is the role of the school committee in relation to the superintendent? The role of the school committee is ultimately his evaluator. in simplest terms I think in more nuanced terms the school committee is both enabler Advocate support.

59:12 But so that doesn’t exclude critic from that that position either. So I believe school committee should should be essentially treated as a solid partner to the superintendent. Superintendent is ultimately the one responsible for the success of our school system. And it’s the school committees responsibility to make sure that that continues. Thank you. Great, and I’m the last question Raymond So based on your experience. What would you describe as your best approach to team building? My best approach to team building start with common ground.

1:00:00 Realizing in a scenario like this. We are all generally in in the same position of wanting what’s best for the school system for the students for all of the the stakeholders of this this and environment. So finding that middle ground and building from there.

1:00:20 There’s there’s already four established members of this committee. So I think the the team building aspect is in this case would be me joining and finding that middle ground and and working from there. Standing thank you very much. This brings the interview to to a conclusion. You’re welcome to stay for the rest.

1:00:45 Okay, Thomas Mathers is next.

1:01:21 Mr. Mathers welcome thank you. The heat has been building in here. So I was like, it feels like but welcome very welcome, you know as you as I explained earlier, we’re gonna ask the same questions same questions and we’re gonna March through with that. I’m going to turn it over to the school committee chair to start the questions, you know, and I’m gonna ask Sarah gold to lead us off with the first question. All right, sir. Make it easy. I’ll try. Can you please tell us what you find to be the most interesting? Of being a member of the school committee. Wow, so I have not served as a school Committee Member here in Marblehead, but I did have the opportunity to serve on the mass economic Regional School System school committee

1:02:07 for three years. I also served as a trustee at Butler University for four years. So I think from my perspective in a public setting such as the mask us whose system in here in Marblehead, you know, understanding your role as a school committee members really important. You know, you’re here to hire and fire the superintendent evaluate their performance you’re here to approve a budget develop and formulate a budget and you’re here to you know, really provide governance on policy formation and implementation. It’s not your role to develop a curriculum. It’s not your role to hire and fire teachers It’s Your Role to provide the best governance for for all students and stakeholders in town.

1:02:52 I think from my perspective. I really enjoyed the policy subcommittee when I serve because I think that you can have a tremendous amount of Input and impact on long-term kind of policy formation within the school system. You have a chance to really understand the impact of or how your school is performing against other like districts and think through how to Institute policy that may or may not impact improvements throughout the school whether it be standardized score performance, whether it be, you know, different policies with even things like Athletics or things of this nature, I sort of the finance subcommittee, which

1:03:39 will also was very kind of In The Weeds on fun, but it’s necessary and it’s where you know, the sausage gets made and for me, it was pretty interesting. I also had a chance to sit on the negotiating committee for contract discussions with the various unions in the school district, which was eye-opening to say the least. I think that when you recognize kind of how that whole system works with who actually represents the various unions in particular the teachers who the stakeholders on the other side of the table was was quite eye-opening, but the impact of those negotiations are so important to the fiscal status of the school district.

1:04:25 It has to be done. It’s you know can get emotional at times and gotta keep you cool, but I found it really interesting. And then finally, I think the school district that I served in the committee for was a pretty diverse background of folks on the school committee. Everyone had their own ideas and passions, but everyone was there to serve which for me was exciting because you get to work with really motivated people. Everyone’s smart. Everyone’s committed. And so, you know to me it was a great way to give back to the community. That it you said one question.

1:05:04 No next. I’ll be in Taylor Hi Megan. I’m well. Thank you.

1:05:18 Support the work. Yeah, I think it’s a I think it should be noted that you know, my my call to service was I thought because of all the public dissemination of we need volunteers. We need people to apply. I thought there have been nobody apply. And so I applied the very I got off the plane came home was informed that they were seeking people to apply literally apply. The last man I just sent in my resume. So it’s always been my intention to fulfill. This open position until the general election. When a permanent School Committee Member could run for and be elected through an appropriate campaign. I think from my perspective. I’ve had a chance to look through some of the budget development documents, you

1:06:04 know kind of the wish list if you will, I’ve had a chance to review the superintendent’s performance review. I’ve had a chance to look through some of the committee meeting minutes, you know, it’s really interesting. I I was laughing there was this discussion they survey the kids in high school, you know, what are your wants and needs and all the kids say we want to go to school later. Right? And I remember this whole discussion at Moscow we talked about inverting the the school day so that the older kids could sleep in and go and the younger kids who are up anyway bothering their parents before seven in the morning could get to school early it made all the sense in the world until you start thinking well, wait a minute like Athletics like How’s that gonna work and how does a change and work conditions impact the union to negotiation. It’s a lot more.

1:06:49 Cop a complex and the common sense solution of just inverting the the school’s schedule and then how is the bus schedule and I remember all this stuff. So I feel like I’ve had a chance to do this before and so in a period of time until a full-time member can be elected. I feel like it hit the ground running. I don’t you know, I don’t know anyone on the school committee. I don’t know anyone on the select where I’ve met Moses once before, but I don’t know anyone at the school district. My my kids are 27 and 25. They did not go to school in Marblehead. So I have no institutional bias. You know, I don’t come in here with any fixed view on any member of the administration. I don’t think it’s my role or any school committee members role to come in here with we got to

1:07:37 throw the bums out and get new people. That’s just not we that’s not what good governance is and not what you guys should look for in these candidates that you’ve got great candidates here. I’m sure you’ll make a great decision. sure next will

1:07:52 Be awesome. Thank you for braving the storm and thank you for your service as well my question. You’ve kind of already touched on some of it, but I have to ask you a question. Anyway, so my question is it just kind of if there’s some additional items that you can add to you’ve already shared. That would set you apart personally professionally, you know to make you the best fit for this role. Oh, I think that’s for you guys to determine I’m not gonna stand up here and brag about myself or talk bad about somebody else. I think everyone you are considering would be a worthy candidate. So I feel like I’ve got a lot of relevant experience, but if you choose somebody else then I’m so happy for everyone. You know again, I’m happy to serve if call but again, I’m not seeking to run for an

1:08:40 election. I’m seeking to fulfill this role for a period of time until you guys can sort out the town can sort out the best candidate to run for a permanency. So maybe that sets me apart.

1:09:01 Who not enough money? to do everything you want to

1:09:06 I would say that I’m not as well learned on your budget as perhaps other people could be or are I think that from my perspective I was surprised. To see an override go before the town for a specific position within the school district and and certain kind of on Dei. I was just surprised by that. I had never seen that before in a public school district. So for me, I don’t know if the challenge within special mandates to the school district, whether it’s set by the school committee, whether it’s mandated that has to go to a town override that feels really really hard. And I would hope that as a school.

1:09:52 As a school committee, we would not. Have referendums on certain initiatives through an override. It just it. I don’t think that’s the purpose of an override. To isolate one particular issue. So I think that’s a real challenge. I think you have a you know an extraordinary tax base here. So I think there’s a lot to work with with prudent management. So there

1:10:21 outside funding Grant based and private which you may have some experience from masculum. There’s probably similarities across the district. Yes. So I think the when I was serving in Damascus School District, the biggest wild card the biggest variable expense we had to deal with special ed, right and so you from year to year you had no idea in many regards what that number was going to be and you I think it’s in common on the school district to do everything possibly can to accommodate all kids within the district with the best, you know possible education these children can be afforded with the minimally, you know, the least minimally restrictive environment. If you will, it’s really hard and I think is a school district when you look at out of District placements and the extraordinary cost now of some of these,

1:11:07 you know, there’s this natural tension between trying to do what’s right. Versus being fiscally responsible and it is unpopular. It is uncomfortable. It is tough. And so there’s Reliance on you know circuit break back then it was they called it circuit. I don’t know if they still yeah. Okay. So there was a great Reliance on you know funds for circuit breaker for special education. There was also really in that particular district. There was a dependence on Regional School District transportation supplementation from the from the state and that was always, you know, an interesting discussion and never enough money Etc. I found it interesting too that in the former District. It was really hard to accept public monies into a

1:11:52 public District. I was just telling somebody in the waiting room there that you think it would be easy somebody shows up and says, I want to give you a million dollars to build a field. It’s not that easy. It’s just not that easy and the class of 20 the class of 2013 at Masco raised a bunch of money. It was managed under a special account the Regional School District and yet the money was sort of earmarked and Untouchable and then the kids all leave to go to college and then you’ve got this pile of money there. You know Public Finance laws are are extraordinary. So for me, I don’t have any idea of what the Reliance of the district is on private donations or grants, but In the next five months certainly could come up to speed on that necessary. You did.

1:12:44 pretty good zero Thank you, Alexa Alexa. If you could ask your question, please. Yes. Hi. Thanks so much for being here tonight. Are you like the Alexa that’s on your countertop or a real Alexa? Yes the real one, but it gets really hard and zoom meetings because everybody’s machine starts going off. So it’s part of problem and okay, so if you were faced with, you know, say a hypothetical in blocks of money from the state something that was earmarked for this schools. Would you recommend returning it to the town to fund, you know additional Town department needs or using it for the school budget and if you be a little bit more specific, where’s the money coming from? It’s hypothetical. There are some sort of hypothetical influx that

1:13:31 you know what came into the town. Yeah. So it comes in for the town finance committee and select board to deliberate upon how to appropriate and then as a school committee member we would Lobby the town. Is this what we’re talking about? Yeah, just like you had a hypothetical Surplus like is the money came to me. I go down to Maddie’s and like open up the bar. But if we’re not talking about that situation you’re talking about true governance where the money comes back to the town belongs to the town and obviously has to go through town governance. There’s a select board here. There’s a finance committee school committee is going to be, you know, obviously Nation or teeth and we’re gonna try to get our hooks into as much of that as possible. But I think that’s why you have you have all these

1:14:17 volunteers representing the town and various positions to deliberate and come with the best conclusion. Okay, great. And the second part of that was? Let’s say you had that influx of you know funding that was allocated to the school’s two-part questions. So the first would be you know, so this time we don’t it’s now allocated. Okay? Yes. Now you have it. It’s yours. What would two areas you would focus with and then I’m gonna flip it to the opposite extreme of if you had to do budget cuts. What would be two areas that you would look at it for cuts based on what you’re you know, your current understanding of this, you know, Marblehead help at school. Yeah. Sure. I think I think from my perspective It’s always important to think through curriculum development and student performance. Right? And

1:15:05 so when you think that is kind of an overarching policy to supplement with investment you have there’s a lot of things to consider you look at class size you look at teacher confidence, you look at standard score performance or other metrics to measure student performance within the district within schools across, you know between Tricks if you will to Benchmark and see how we’re doing, you know, it’s really easy to say. Oh, well, you know our emcast went down over the last three years. Oh, but it’s covid. Well, you know, everyone’s had this common problem, right? And so we all deal with how to address these problems differently as districts, right? I think that from what I understand there’s been turnover at the senior level within the

1:15:50 district at the assistant superintendent level and principal. We need to get the best people into those positions. We possibly can. I don’t know any of the characters or contestants if you will, I have no fixed view but have been through the process of of selecting seeing your leadership within School District at the principal level before superintendent. I was not involved in that search. So making sure we have the best people to fulfill those roles right now would be I think really important independent of the money that comes in and I think you know, there has to be a commitment to and I don’t know what the long term liabilities are. For the the district and how the district views addressing some of those long-term unfunded liabilities. If you will versus investment in

1:16:39 infrastructure, if necessary and then programs if there’s additional it depends on how much money is coming in Alexa. Are we talking to big number or a little number? Well in the hypothetical thought experiment you can take it any direction you wanted but improved I approve the food for sure kids are always complaining about the food.

1:17:01 Great. Awesome. Awesome. Thank you. All right Aaron, please a lot of questions. You said one question her, right? Yeah one each. Y’all know that Moses will Marine he ate those crayons so much, you know like Friday’s brain. Okay, so you touched upon a little bit of my question earlier, but I want to give you a chance. There’s more you want to say last spring the school committee voted to bring forth a general override request to the town in response to unmet budget needs. Could you share your thoughts on that request and just whether you participate regularly in our local Town elections, I do not participate in town meetings. I have voted on the in the

1:17:49 town elections. I did vote to approve the town override only because I was less well versed in the issue itself and figured that our school committee would make a recommendation to support that based on good deliberation. I trusted the elected officials. So I I told you I had a strong view on. I was just surprised if you know part of that override was around a specific issue to be honest with you. At least that’s what was reported or what I heard it. down fishing on the rocks Thank you. Yes, ma’am. Jim Tom welcome and thank you for volunteering.

1:18:31 What Impressions do you have about the current School committee’s functioning that may have contributed to your desire to be part of this board. I have no opinion at all because I don’t know any of these people other than I’m trying to bring some diversity to school committee. Apparently, there’s no guys in the school committee. But if unless I’m missing somebody, that’s it. I have no opinion. Thank you. Yes, sir. Jackie hi, Tom Hi, Jackie. What is the role of the school committee in relation to the superintendent? The role is superintendent school committee, the superintendent by law is to hire and fire the superintendent and measure his performance or her performance. So I take that very seriously because you know

1:19:18 having served on corporate boards, you’re not the CEO you’re there to provide governance to the CEO and you may choose to remove the CEO of the CEOs underperforming and I think that’s the role of a school committee. But you know, it’s in common on the school committee to make a good hiring decision in bringing in that CEO and then setting up the CEO or the superintendent for success. Um, you know, I did read the superintendent’s evaluation, which was interesting to say the least you guys are tough graders, but I think at the end of the day, you know, we want a see a superintendent to be successful because it’s for the betterment of everyone and if it’s not the right person then it’s incumbent on the school committee to make a change.

1:20:05 Yeah. Yes, ma’am. Tom I’m the last question. Oh, so this should be an alley for you as a army Apache pilot. What based on your experience what would you describe as your best approach to to team building? So it’s interesting. I’ve been part of large organizations and small organizations. And I think you just get the best people around the table. You possibly can a lot of people get really hung up on kind of titles and roles and responsibility. I’ve generally found in my experience you get qualified people who are motivated. You people will sort it out. I explain it to my daughter that hiring people good people.

1:20:50 It’s like Putting a bunch of people putting a bunch of different gases in an elevator don’t mean to be gross but they fill the volume right people find their way and I think you know your role as somebody on a school committee or leading an organization is to help Shepherd everyone finding their way to build an effective team. I think that I’m not a good micromanager. I’ve tried in my career to micromanage from time it always backfires. but I think if you trust in people you hire the right people you Empower those people and get out of the way. Typically it works out. Well, that’s my experience. Tom thank you very much for coming this brings our interview to oh, thank you inclusion and thank you very much against me all. Thank you.

1:21:42 awesome Okay. Our next interview was with Liam McGowan.

1:22:11 Hello. Welcome. Are you guys have a seat Liam? Yes. Nice to see you guys know tonight. Thank you. As I mentioned earlier on we’re all asking one question per Committee Member here and I’m gonna turn it over to the chair of the school committee to ask to direct the first question. I’m gonna start off with Sarah Gold’s question. Hey. Tell us what?

1:22:43 You find that I’m not already but what you looking forward to?

1:22:49 my motivation was talking to a bunch of parents and then people were saying You know, like what I was saying and talking positive stuff about the school. This is you should try it out. So I was I’ve been looking for a place to get involved and I tell my kids all the time say, you know, if you have ideas about something get involved. Don’t just keep saying them all the time, you know get involved try to make a difference. So I suppose if I were to be on the board with you guys would be to like listen to everybody get to know you find out what you’re sort of. Goals are you know and see if we can all work together to achieve those goals? Through the process through the right process that makes sense. Thank you Megan Taylor last the next question. How are you? Yeah.

1:23:34 So given the temporary nature of this position. How do you plan to?

1:23:41 Hit the court the work of this committee. Well, I’d probably use a different word than running, you know, probably take take a walk. You know, I’d probably get to know everybody, you know. Again, I think the process for me. I like the process of something figuring out. What are what is the destination Point? What are we trying to achieve? I think talking to each person because I haven’t sat with you guys. I think it would be Naive to just sort of come up with an idea. But I think if we all talk together and said, you know, what can we really accomplish putting our putting our ideas together? Where do we overlap?

1:24:16 So I think I think taking my time to listen to each person. And trying to like figure out everyone’s personalities and different things. I want getting together. And and then like how do we I think good discussion will all of a sudden we find ourselves in a path of different. I mean, there’s a lot of different things you guys are kind of looking at so I think each one we try to find Solutions, you know, everybody can point out the problems right? But I think if we can be solution based that sort of accomplishes or accommodates as many people as possible. Make sense. Yeah, Alison Taylor. Hey, how are you? Um, thank you for braiding the storm. My question is give us some thoughts on you know, what sets you apart professionally personally, whatever you’re comfortable with from, you know, the rest of the candidate pool.

1:25:04 I don’t know all I don’t know all the candidates. I think like I Know Myself pretty well. So I would start by saying, you know, I went to school here. I grew up here my mother’s from here. My wife’s family’s been in Marblehead forever. I really love Marblehead. I’ve barely ever leave I pack a lunch if I’m going anywhere, I love so I mean loving the town is like a huge thing to me. My children are growing up here. I have two businesses in the town. I mean, I’ve been a million. I have a million different stories. So a lot a lot of the Town itself means a lot to me. It’s number one. Number two education was like a huge thing to me because I just I can’t I think I just imagine like gonna get married and have a house gonna have kids and let’s just sort of works out and through some point like middle school high school and a couple of different times in my life. I realize man, this is

1:25:52 very very hard, you know, it’s not just going to happen and I realized you know the help of my parents and some good school administrators. I went over I went to Landmark. I got like a lot of a lot of help in my education. I really found at the value of sort of knowing Putting the way my education sort of worked out eventually was kind of like here’s what you’re good at, you know, so I spent a lot of time finding what I’m good at what I’m not good at again putting a team together and finding out what each person is good at in the team to get something done. So I think my and then I had to put that into process I’m not someone who can read very quickly or write very quickly. So I had to focus on verbal skills and trying to listen well the people and then really really hard work, you know, like not giving up I try to work more than anybody if

1:26:39 I can, you know, I mean I put in the time again, I also love the process of something. I’m not just goal-related which is important but I think liking the process of something each part of it is unique. So I think I don’t know again. I don’t know what sets me apart from the other people. Sometimes you don’t I know what I’m not, you know what I mean, which leaves more what I am and I think we can work together to focus. Focus has a group to get something done. So I don’t I see myself as a strong individual helping you guys out, but I think my everyday job as I own a Jujitsu school and I have to work on a team but I have to work with individuals guys that are 22 years old or or eight or six or four to guys that are 72 make sure their mind and physical bodies they can grapple and and train really well which is

1:27:27 a unique thing, you know, and I have to this is all both sort of physical and mental and spiritual part of my day and then I have marble and movers where you’re dealing with a group of young men. Typically that have to move extremely valuable items or extremely valuable to the person we’re moving them for so you have to have like a unique sense of like empathy and emotional sort of gauge what’s going on here in order to be I think every move or every student that I have. It’s my goal is Success. What is success is sort of listening to the student and trying to provide them with that. So I think I hope that answers your question. And in some ways yeah. Good minus multipart question. Sure.

1:28:07 Please see what you please share what you see as the current challenges and strengths of our school budget. I think that I would have to sit down with you guys like that the strengths and can repeat it again. What are our strengths and challenges? Are it’s working. What’s not working? I think that would be just it like what is working. What is working? That’s why I’d be sitting with that. I think one of the biggest I don’t even think it’s an issue. But it’s communication. You know, I mean setting up a good way to To be able to communicate.

1:28:40 basically The more the parents students and teachers are on the same page as spending and knowing whenever like where the budgets at and knowing what we’re spending it on again. I’m under the impression that we’re sort of working for the citizens or that or the taxpayers or marbleheads. So having a pulse directly related to like where they want to spend their money. And then like I think that’s all being out in the community and listening these people and saying then coming back together as a group say and you know, are we should we should we fund this thing is are we building critical thinkers. Are we building independent people? So I mean, I think like the strengths are we have great programs keep spending and is that I mean is this help you spending money? And they write I mean again, is it money like or is it like trying to make sure each student has value? Yeah.

1:29:28 I mean, I think those are the key things. I don’t look at it as money. I look at things as value. Anyone can talk about cost. Dollar sense, but we’re talking about students. Teachers environments. I just think that that does that that requires special discussion that I don’t think anyone just sitting here is going to go this is the pluses and Pros, you know, I think we have a great school system great springboard, I think.

1:29:55 fresh people fresh discussions Good communication. And I think we’ll be in that we’ll be in the right direction of that what the taxpayers want what the students want what the teacher want what’s superintendent it’s looking to do and I think we should be that force that force of reason that sort of puts it together and pushes the button. That’s right. Yes, and I’m just gonna go to the other parts. I feel like with other people but it’s a lengthy question. What do you know about our Reliance and outside funding whether that be Grant or private Granby? I don’t know much about that. Okay.

1:30:30 And please identify what you’re involvement has been to date with the our budget process. the involvement with the budget process not much. Okay. Yeah, I don’t have I I

1:30:42 but once again, I think that like Entering this group. I would I would tell you that. Ideal every single day with numbers. I’ve been dealing like that. I’m just one of these sort of numbers obsessed person. And again, it’s about how do we deal with the money and how do we deal with value to student stuff? So I don’t have much on the actual wearable head budget and stuff, but I would think the group that would again, I’m not an accountant, but I have an accountant and I very on on the numbers quite a bit. So I think a quick You know glance at the numbers. I think I’d be on track pretty quickly.

1:31:23 Thank you. Ask your question. Yes. Hi Liam. Thank you for being here this evening. So my question starts with kind of it’s reporter, but let’s say you were this just a thought experiment. But if you were faced with a hypothetical influx of money that you know, we got some money that was coming from the state that was you know, potentially your March for education, but there was some flexibility there. Would you recommend returning it to the town to fund additional Town department or use it within the school budget? Um to answer your question. I think we’d have to assess how much money we talking about. I think we’d look at I think we’d have to look at like what what programs were deficient. I think I think one part of our community always

1:32:09 affects another part of the community so in this hypothetical of some town group was completely deficient but we saw that this was a big piece to the whole economy or process of the town. Maybe we’d say we should We should spend this money here because that’s where it’s best used. But maybe we have a program over here that is a two-in-one or something that we just couldn’t turn down. So I think the hypothetical would have to let me know. Is there a massive deficit in the town? That would be like a whole like a you know a hole in the dam that could be stopped that could create a better Foundation that might create more money down the road. You know, that would be a good thing. If I said well we could stop the bleeding here and then we’re gonna see

1:32:57 a down the road more money here that I think that would be good to spend it over here. If we saw we didn’t see anything was really needed and these different areas of the town that we might say. Let’s let’s build a program here. That seems to be really Again, bringing a lot of value to the students teachers or you know community. right and that that kind of second part of that is and what would be let’s say we use that funding for Education. What would be like two areas you might decide to focus on or just the flip of that if there was a need for cuts something that you would identify as an area to focus on. Well, I believe strongly in like Philosophical process a system. I think

1:33:43 if you just every day make up a new way of deciding something it doesn’t work. So if you have a system that says, you know, does this what type of student or what’s the outcome we’re looking for. We’re looking for like a critical thinker who becomes independent, you know, and there’s this program. Does that whether it’s a music program whether it’s a special needs program, you know again, we’re looking at where the holes in the system. So it’s I think we I think I would back or fund or push for any program that’s creating, you know sort of an independent critical thinking student who can enter a community and create jobs or work really well and accomplish things that would eventually probably again if you I guess what I’m trying to say is building individuals can build a whole community. So I’m big

1:34:30 into funding or behind any program. Whether it’s music art Sports. Business Development space languages if it if the Box the box that’s covering accomplishes the same thing inside. Does that make does that make sense? Yeah. Yeah. Thank Yeah, and if there’s a deficit I don’t what we would cut again. I would have to be I’d have to look at all the numbers and talk again, I think communication if there was an overwhelming majority of parents or taxpayers. Or the board or superintendent or teacher saying man, this isn’t working. We’re just We’re losing money here. And it’s this program isn’t run. Right or we don’t have the right people or the right equipment. We got to

1:35:16 just cut our losses. I think, you know higher slow Fire fast kind of thing. would be my Approach To That Thank you. Awesome. Thank you so much. All right, Aaron. Hi Liam, thank you so much for being here tonight last spring the school committee voted to bring forth a general override request to the town in response to unmet budget needs. Could you please just share your thoughts on that request and also whether you participate in our local Town elections regularly? My knowledge of the of the exact amount of the override or the specifics is limited. And I don’t participate in all voting.

1:36:02 Is that answer your question? Yes, it does. Thank

1:36:06 Alright, thank you Jim. Welcome Liam. Hey, how race for volunteering? Yeah. Thank you. What impression do you have about the current School committees functioning that may have contributed to your desire to be part of this board. It was honestly curiosity and wanting to get involved. I don’t I didn’t do a ton of research on any individual or anything. I just I honestly heard a lot of parents saying that would seem to be really interested in what what’s going on and it’s and I said, you know, they someone actually said to me you should do it you should look into it. And so I said, yeah and I I I’ve heard just only good things and that people said, you know again, I think you take any team of people and sit down hear him out. Listen again. I think if you have in

1:36:53 A destination point and we have a plan. We can accomplish those things. I kind of I’m repeating myself a little bit, but Going into this. I didn’t have a huge impression one way or the other except. I know I want I know that education is like a Cornerstone. Let’s say of people’s self-esteem of an entire economy, you know putting you know, whether it’s the teachers jobs or it’s the the students that we’re producing that are going on and coming back to Marblehead and living here Etc or people coming here because of our strong school system. So I only saw it as a As a strong. Board to be on that I think if you could just make I remember talking to my cousin years ago. He worked for DSS or Os ended up working under the governor and he said, you know, I’m just starting to make policies

1:37:40 that are changing these children’s lives and he was really excited about that and it’s just stung with it as my original outset for career was gonna be working with children DSS Doss and I worked at the plumber home. I don’t want to digress off the side, but it wasn’t I saw myself I could help more like going out creating a business. creating jobs and then using my my time and my influence or you know, what I’ve learned to get back on things like these boards and this is the second part of sort of my career in life would be to get more involved in community again, there’s no coincidence that my children are entering the community at one end and I’m sort of In The Middle on another so that I hope that answers it. Well, thank you. Thanks Moses.

1:38:28 Hi Liam, how are you? Good you I’m good. Thank you. What is the role of the school committee in relation to the superintendent? I believe that they oversee the superintendent, they encourage policies and things again, I think coming in here. I’m under the impression that this board sort of meets and it talks a lot about budget and different policies and things and again, I think my my unique ability to get involved and ask like my goal is to give a service to Marblehead. Marblehead has been incredibly. generous If there’s a better word to my business to my family, I mean just environmental. I love Marvel. I love the beach I grew up on different Beach if I can give

1:39:14 back to this town, you know. Wow, you know I’m saying so it’s like getting where my education where I saw my life at one point is sort of dark. And I didn’t know where it was going exactly and then to find the right people in education and for a whole world to open up. This is where I wanted to perch they say a say a bird can’t take off unless it can push off from something, you know, so this would be a good I think pushing off point. And again, I think I I don’t want to come across as I can figure it out. But I think that’s how I’ve gone through life. I think I could get in here talk with you people find out what it is. Like what’s important to everybody and quickly be a driving force.

1:40:00 of like Positive energy and vibe to getting things done from our blood great. Thanks. Yeah again. Sorry. Alright Liam, I’m your last question. Right? Let’s go based on your experience. What would you describe as your best approach to team building? I think listening. I mean, I think that’s kind of a platitude I suppose. I mean everyone probably says listening right? I’m not afraid to you know, make decisions either indecision. Sometimes the worst decision right? Sometimes you’re going to fail. I’m not afraid to fail on any level every single day. There’s so much potential for failure. And I think that’s like that’s the golden trick get out there. Don’t be afraid to fail. If the group says Hey Liam,

1:40:47 did it fine? I did it. I think we can correct things. We’re smart group of people. We’re awesome town. I think again, I think it comes back to communication. I think I mean again another sort of Car alarm going off like listen communication. What does that mean? Well, I think getting to know each person uniquely, you know, maybe you like X or this is really important to you. Well, let’s compromise. What do you think about this? You know, so I think like right from like

1:41:14 Knowing knowing a little bit of what’s going on. Someone’s life and giving them a little you know extra because maybe they’re something’s going on and they get a focus to their views on the board, you know, so I think like a full boat of getting to know people and then Really having again. I think pushing the team towards what is defining. What is success? Defining the process to get there. Be willing to some failure in that process be willing to take responsibility for the failure in that process and then being able to reevaluate and go back for that goal. And the goal might change but be willing to you know. Be malleable in some ways before the final result. And again, I think the goal is always success. What do we

1:42:00 got to do take it as a team? All right. Thank you very much brings our interview to an end. Oh, and you’re welcome to stay. I’m welcome. I’ll keep talking. All right, I just someone else. Thank you. Thank you. All right. So Scott stunkel is Is up next?

1:42:29 You the color looks much nicely. Just look at this part. Okay is it really isn’t two hours?

1:42:49 Hello, Scott. Hello. Welcome. Thank you. Nice to meet you all nice to meet you too. Thanks for waiting on deck for for so long there. Of course still being here that listen we’re gonna go around the table and ask you each member of the chance to question you and I’m gonna turn it over to Sarah Fox chair of the school committee to to start welcome to lead us off. Hi, can you please tell us what you find to be the most interesting aspect of being a school committee member? Um, I think it’s the opportunity to help our town. It’s about that that sort of volunteering Spirit of the you know, the town needs people to help run it and and you know, and I think it’s

1:43:35 just exciting to to get involved and You know, bring whatever your unique skill set is to and your life experiences to sort of to that table. Yeah, that’s what I’m excited about anyway. Megan Taylor Hi, thanks for being here tonight. We appreciate it given the temporary nature of this position. How do you plan to hit the ground running to effectively support the work of this committee? Uh, well fortunately there’s a lot of video content online that open meetings is is always helpful. I’ve already reviewed some of it but there’s plenty more to you know, but also reaching out to the school other school committee members and and

1:44:21 I think you all are the best resource for knowing like what’s important to know off the bat. And so I think establishing fast connections to the to the existing school committee members you you would all know the best of what is important to pick up quickly.

1:44:39 Until next thanks so much for coming and braving storm. I so my question is what what do you think personally or professionally kind of like set you apart for this role and help you the most in this role?

1:44:56 Well, I have a very strange background. It’s been it’s been a it’s been a career path of unique steps, but it’s I think it’s a mix of I have an education background. I’ve taught in in a high school for four years. I taught computer science and multimedia technology and in Chicago and I obviously, I have a education degree which was really helpful in understanding sort of the problems of Education today and sort of the academic background to the the problems we face and then combine that with the the fact that I’m in the the Technology field now so, you know. My current job I have a lot. I have a lot of responsibilities that I think could

1:45:42 be apply especially now. It seems like maybe interviewing is a good is a good skill to have I interview people constantly. It sounds like you guys are in need of some people that do some interviewing. You know, I I do technology vendor selection all the time in my current job that also sounds like an issue that maybe you all face from time to time.

1:46:04 Yeah, it’s it’s just you know, just seeing what sort of skills I have that I can bring to bear on the role. And those are some of them I would say.

1:46:16 Please share with us what you see to be the current challenges and strengths of the school budget. challenges and strengths of the school budget Well a challenge certainly is the the higher than normal amount of special education students we have in the district. I I taught those students before fortunately we were a bigger dis. I mean the Chicago Public Schools is a bigger district with a lot more more resources to handle that. It sounds like it sounds like the Marblehead School District struggles a little bit with that and and the budgetary constraints that provides because you need to provide these people quality, you know, these kids the quality everyone deserves a quality education, right, but

1:47:04 It’s expensive. It’s expensive to give them the right support that they need and that’s absolutely a challenge and understand that that’s a challenge.

1:47:15 A strength so that’s a challenge. I can go with two challenges or straight.

1:47:23 No, I think a strength is it seems like there are a lot of good. support Personnel around around managing the district’s money. I’ve noticed on your school committee meetings. There’s a couple Keepers that key people that that it really have a high degree of professionalism and keeping sort of the lights on. I mean just just in the last year that we the town we turned out a prop the prop override and I know that must have been a tough blow, you know to the people that you know, feel it. Like they’re challenged every day in the school, but you know, it seems like there’s been a high degree of professionalism in keeping things going and so that’s that’s a strength right that that’s definitely a strength of the budget. I guess. I would

1:48:09 say

1:48:16 the grant based in private funding that we Have a Reliance on I I have been part of writing grants before but I I don’t know anything specifically about the Marblehead what what grants the Marvel school district is currently involvement. And then if you could just identify any involvement you may the Marblehead Public Schools budget today. Other than watching a couple of your YouTube videos. I have not had any involvement in that that’s been mindment. I guess that’s something where what’s going on? You’re a thank you very much. Thank you Sarah Alexa, if you would ask your question, please. Yes. Hi. Thanks so much for being here. So my question is more like a hypothetical thought experiment type question if you’re faced with

1:49:03 if we the town with space with the hypothetical influx of like it’s a funding from the state and you know, it could be used for education but potentially could end up elsewhere and would you recommend and returning that funding to the town or you know to utilize for department needs or using it for the school’s budget?

1:49:28 Ah, it’s a good question.

1:49:32 Investment in in schools is kind of an interesting thing because it it’s something it’s it’s a rising tie that looks all boats, right it we all benefit like as Town residents. We all benefit a little bit if we can improve our school system. So it’s not like it’s not like investing in the school doesn’t benefit like everybody in town and in some way or the other even yeah, I’m talking both the benefits of having a healthy and vibrant public education system, but also the direct benefits as how you know homeowners in the district, so

1:50:08 I I do think it would be. I do think it’s wise to invest in the school district from where we currently are. I think I’ve heard youth Sarah talk about, you know, a comparable districts and and that our funding level is not not really where people think we should compare to and and so, you know, if a windfall like that came came around obviously we’d have to evaluate what other options there are in the pros and cons of each of those but I rarely seen investment in the school to be like a bad investment for everyone really so. Great. That’s awesome.

1:50:53 Unfortunately tends to be more of our commonly face problem is um, yeah as as all towns and what are two areas that you might identify for possible Cuts if necessary.

1:51:08 These are the tough decisions right that always comes.

1:51:14 You know usually schools offer support to the X after school extracurricular programs. Look, there’s no good answer to cut. Everything has everything has a choice. Everything is the value. I mean, you should you should go out and evaluate the options that you have but you know, usually usually the what I’ve seen in in past experience the first things you get caught our either after school programs or ex-curricular programs or art and music and and that’s that’s heartbreaking but it’s it’s, you know, everybody has to make a budget. Were no different from that so evaluate the options, but I guess those are the kinds of programs. I’ve seen happen at other schools or other schools that I’ve been a part of.

1:52:00 Great. Thank you so much. I really appreciate your time.

1:52:06 participating tonight so last last spring the school committee voted to bring forth a general override request to the town in response to unmet budget needs. Could you please share your thoughts on the request and whether you participate regularly in our local Town elections? I do participate the regularly in our local Town elections. I was get a kick out of voting right here. So as some I come from Illinois and we don’t have quite as as historical buildings as this one is in terms of sorry. What was the first part of your question about the override? Yeah, if you just care to share your thoughts on the request of the school committee last spring.

1:52:50 I think that.

1:52:53 Clearly I say clearly it’s nothing it’s clear. But you know, there was a mismatch in communication over. Well, meaning people across the board. But but obviously that the town spoke that that what was communicated about what the override was for was not what matched The public’s Expeditions and they exercised their right to to say, you know to say that this isn’t what matched their expectation so

1:53:25 I’m not not against this so, you know, it’s just it’s just about making sure. That what’s being asked for aligns with what the town wants really.

1:53:39 Thank you so much Scott. That’s great.

1:53:43 Thank you volunteering. What impression do you have about the current School committee’s functioning that may have contributed to your desire to be part of this board.

1:53:55 Um

1:53:57 It seems like it function.

1:54:01 I don’t know. Obviously, you know through the open meetings and through the YouTube content. It’s very what you know, it’s it’s Open it’s easy to sort of come up to speed on events. It’s easy to get. Sort of into the the you know, what are the specific issues of the time? So so I really do appreciate that.

1:54:24 To be honest, I’m not sure and how to answer the rest of your your question. Just just you know, I want to to try it volunteering and seeing if my skills. Can help you know the what the school committee needs to get done.

1:54:47 What is the role of the school committee in relation to the superintendent?

1:54:54 It’s extremely important role.

1:54:58 the the school committee is ultimately the voice of the the town right? It’s it’s

1:55:09 the people, you know, you know you can you can solicit feedback from people people and and the school committee obviously does that like is part of organizing that feedback but but ultimately members of the school committee are selected to be that voice that that tells us, you know that tells the superintendent what what the town wants I don’t

1:55:35 it sounds very simple. But I like I think it’s it’s you know in a representative democracy. It’s really important that that the superintendent hear that here that voice and here loud and sort of clear. Thank you. It’s good. All right, I’m the last question. Okay, so good based on your experience. What would you describe as your best approach to to team building? To team building. Yeah.

1:56:09 Yeah work with teams a lot these days. I think that getting to know each member of the team talking with them one-on-one understanding who they are how they came here. What what they

1:56:25 What drives them what motivates them?

1:56:29 You know, I’m a pretty open person and I attend it to find that that just that openness is reflective. If you talk to somebody else and you get to understand each other and then eventually you’re in a year you share some common interests and goals and before you know it you have a team that’s working toward those common goals. That’s that’s what I do in my job. Anyway, it seems to work seems to work. Okay, again, it seemingly very simple answer but

1:57:01 It’s what I found works. Well, it’s a real answer. So thank you. Thank you very much. You’re welcome. Let’s not bring this interview to an end. Thank you. You may take a seat. And it also brings the interview interviews of the six candidates to a conclusion as well. And I’m going to suggest since we’re running up on two hours here that we take a five minute break so that we can take a breather and we will come back and then do do the second part of our agenda, which is to do a roll call vote to elect them.

2:02:08 About an extra points. Thank you.

2:02:17 That’s fine. Hopefully we’re all ConEd.

2:02:25 We did from from an estate I think.

2:02:29 All right. I think we’re all reconvened here. And this is the second part of our agenda. What I’d like to First do is entertain a motion to put all the applicants into nomination Paul Baker Don DeWitt Raymond Hansen Thomas Mathers, Liam McGowan and Scott stunkel second. It okay now before going to a roll call vote. Thank you before going to a roll call vote. I’d like to ask if there’s any deliberation that we would like to have or we can take the time to take our own council with our notes and so forth. I just if I may we’d like to take the opportunity to thank everybody that came out.

2:03:16 It’s it’s very welcome to see so many people invested in our schools interested in making a difference giving up time because it’s no shortage of giving up time for this but I’m just very appreciative of everything. Everyone had to say you all brought a different perspective and what we’re obviously looking for right now is limited term appointment. However, you know, there’s I I encourage any of you to you know, stay in this in to come back and consider, you know running again, no matter how this turns out because it’s it’s very it’s I very much so welcome and grateful for all all people coming to the table.

2:04:01 I completely agree with what Sarah just said. I’m thankful for everybody who has put their name in and come out tonight to talk with us. I was really hoping that as we talked with all of you that it would become a parent and that it would become easier and it’s the opposite so, you know, it’s been a really interesting evening and I’ve appreciated all the thoughts and kind of I’m after Chennai is over. I’m gonna go back to my notes and reflect on a lot of the things that all of you said because there were some really lovely nuggets of wisdom in from I think probably every one of you so I really appreciate that and I agree with Sarah that I would encourage all of you to think about running this spring.

2:04:45 I’m not gonna repeat what you guys said. Thank you all for coming. I think it’s been you know, we’re really lucky and fortunate in this town to have so many people willing to to step up to such an important role and it is, you know, does take quite a bit of time to to volunteer. Absolutely. Please continue to stay engaged and encourage everyone to run come June. All right. I’m not gonna be labor the point. Yes, it’s late enough or Jack. It’s really it’s really fantastic, see how passion and everybody is about the town in the schools and very much appreciate everyone volunteering in this a very difficult decision for all of

2:05:31 us. Coming up to choose one because everyone would do it. Fantastic job. Alexa or

2:05:44 I’m here. Sorry about that. I thought I was on it’s not yes, so same thing, but just always want to say just first and foremost. Thank you for taking that that not only the time but just the commitment that it takes to put yourself out there into this sort of situation and want to participate and share your thoughts and your ideas and just the the commitment not only the time but everything else that’s involved in it. So, thank you and I hope that you continue to be engaged in the process. cute Aaron Yeah, I mean, I just want to Echo what everybody has said before I commend everybody all of the candidates here tonight for their time for their thoughtful and

2:06:32 really candid answers and unless there’s old said just you know wisdom in just kind of being along with the process for me in terms of deliberation. I I have so much respect for every member on that school committee. So I’m hoping to do it justice with my vote tonight. I feel that.

2:06:58 given the general override request last year and the you know kind of impending they can see with the higher Administration moving on in career promotions that and the you know that we’re a bit at an inflection point and so I just wanted to say that I you know, I’ve been listening for who who stands out as the most invested in being a part of the committee as well as You know given that we have four and a half months basically until the citizens will decide who has their confidence to serve in in the roles. Just who has the most substantive knowledge?

2:07:44 walking in you know walking in to the next meeting in terms of

2:07:51 you know participation in you know over the last couple of years with with regards to the school committee the budget process, you know. and such so that’s sort of those are the two things that are I’m kind of weighing with the most here. Thank you. I would also like to thank everyone and it was very interesting sitting here and listening to each perspective. It’s really everybody who was you sitting at this table had something interesting and valuable to say, so, thank you.

2:08:36 Well, you know all has been said really but I have to tell you one of the most one of the most moving parts of the volunteer work that we do. Is to see the surplus of talent in this town that shows up and has the courage to stand up quite frankly because it is it is a process and we completely rely on that. So thank you very much again for for coming out. With that I’d like to have we have a first emotion and a second and I’d like to have our Town Administrator go ahead and conduct the roll call vote and perhaps offer a brief explanation of how it’s going to be around sure. So and chapter 41 section 11. It is a majority vote. Of the of the joint meeting.

2:09:21 So the process will be as as the motion said vote by name. So I’ll call out the names of all the members you’ll say say the person you’re voting for if there is after we go around if there’s not a majority vote for for an applicant. What will happen is we eliminate the lowest folketters from the process than we do another round and we repeat that until there is a majority vote. So whoever the you know, the lowest recipient would fall off the on the next round until we we have a final majority. Um traditionally I’ve been doing the the protocol of names that I learned years on Beacon Hill but

2:10:08 given the duplication of school committee names. I’m gonna just call it the full names. It did not have any confusion. So in the same order that we all did the the questions I’ll start with Sarah gold.

2:10:37 Paul Baker

2:10:40 We’re just giving a reason. you

2:10:46 Care, well, no, we don’t I mean you can just offer a name and remain silent or you can make comments as you see fit. I would like to say a little thing because I think it was a really hard decision. We’ve you know, we’ve all said that we’ve got some great candidates here, but for me, you know, this is a temporary role and that’s why I asked the question. I did like, how do we get someone in the seat who can really start to be effective and add value from day one and so it you know for me it has to be someone who’s really well versed in the current issues of what we’re facing and so for that reason, I’m I guess my preferred candidate is Paul Baker. Okay. So Megan Taylor Baker Alison Taylor

2:11:31 So I would mirror the sentiment of the fact that this is a temporary. Position and I think your question was well served. You know, we need someone that can hit the ground running that will understand. How school committee Works what their role is here? And you know be able again just thinking of the you know these next four months. Five months whatever it might be that we have but but also someone that will be invested in the community because I think that that’s equally important. So I I’m gonna do it, please.

2:12:15 Allison Taylor done do it Sarah Fox

2:12:20 what I what I heard tonight was

2:12:25 it stood out to me that one one can in particular having served on a school committee in the past really understood all the pieces that were coming into it as far as

2:12:38 how the budgets made what our purview is so on and so forth and it’s appealing to me that he was not interested in doing anything but studying the ship because I really I feel strongly it’s for the voters to decide so for that I will go with Tom Mathers.

2:12:58 Okay, Sarah folks from others. Alexa singer

2:13:05 Okay, thank you. And so I was looking at several different factors. And obviously this is the end of January and we are up against a number of very specific. Parameters and things that are carried over from last year as well as the things that we’re looking going into this budget year and looking at the Town holistically, I think qualifications is important and understanding of the intricacies that are involved with the Town versus the schools and what that looks like and also the importance of this short-term. appointment leading to then a situation where the decision is then LED back to the voters as

2:13:52 well. So for all of those reasons specifically as well as the ability to completely understand the role from day one and execute it for this very specific and zoom. I’m going school committee. for for Town matters. Thank you.

2:14:13 Singers Mathers matters. Yes. Okay, Aaron, Noonan.

2:14:24 Don DeWitt and is do it Gemini.

2:14:36 Ray Hanson, please.

2:14:41 Nice handsome, okay. Jackie Beth Becker

2:14:49 Paul Baker I for me he checked off all the boxes.

2:14:56 Okay. Who’s Baker? What was this greater? I am going to vote for Tom Mathers.

2:15:09 It was greater from others. Okay.

2:15:14 so the tally is we have two with three votes Paul Baker and Thomas Mathers with three no one. Has gotten the majority. Don DeWitt with two and Raymond Hansen with one So without a majority we would go to a second round receiving no votes Liam McGowan and Scott. uncle

2:15:41 Would fall off the list. So the remaining candidates would be Baker DeWitt. Hanson and Mathers So I’ll start from the beginning.

2:15:55 Sarah gold

2:16:00 I’m going to keep my boat with Paul Baker. I didn’t say anything the first time around so I will just say that one of the important pieces to me is.

2:16:12 Is the possibility of a desire to continue forward in an election? And so that is really what is my husband my my Tipping Point both these times? Okay. Megan Taylor

2:16:29 Alison Taylor

2:16:32 I think for me and other thing I just want to to make clear is. conflicts of interest and social media presence is really important. Or what someone’s presence was and I think those things do matter. That’s why we’re here today. So I I would like to achieve my vote to matters, please.

2:17:01 Sarah Fox

2:17:11 And Alexis singer. And Lego world made the same mothers.

2:17:19 Aaron Noonan

2:17:29 Tom Mathers

2:17:35 gym night

2:17:52 I’ll stay with right handsome.

2:17:57 Okay, handsome. Jackie Beth Becker Paul Baker

2:18:06 And Moses greater. I’m going to keep my vote to Tom Mathers.

2:18:12 Okay, so the tally is Tom Mathers has received the majority of one two, three four five members. Paul Baker with three Raymond Hansen with one so Thomas Mathers as succeeded the appointment I will be in touch the next couple days to talk about the steps of the onboarding many of which are probably familiar to you, but I will be here follow up with your contact information and Bella and and I want to thank everybody again for joining. Okay. Thank you, sir. Congratulations, Tom well done, and I want to thank everybody for again for for taking part in this process

2:18:58 please

2:19:04 and with that I think that concludes is there anything else that we in the public comment from? Yeah, we do have a public comment. That’s true at the at the end of the evening here. So if any if anybody in the in the public would like to make a comment now you’re now’s your chance.

2:19:22 He does have to swear in tomorrow. That’s not forget this. I understand that. And by the way, crayons don’t don’t overestimate and they taste pretty they taste pretty good.

2:19:34 All right. I don’t have any.

2:19:42 You don’t have any way you stand thank you. No, no raise hands anything in the in the chamber. Okay. Do I have an emotion to Adorn? So oh, you know what? Actually we have the school committee Adorn first and I will adjourn our meeting at 9:19. Okay, and do I have a motion to a remote? Second. Okay. Well singer yes doing yes now. Yes. Yes, I hear thank you. Heard them all. Okay, very good. Yeah.