A new mic. This is enormous.  How. I feel about this. All  right? Thank? You all right,  Can everyone hear me? Who I got  a new I got a new mic. I'm loud  now. All, Right? Um, good  evening. Uh, I called to order  the meeting, the Hamilton went  in regional school committee at  seven o'clock on Thursday April  25th 2024. And to begin the  meeting. I'd like to invite you  to join us in the pledge of  Allegiance. To the flag of the  United States. The justice as  well. OK. Um, So, the first  order of business this evening.  Um, is as you know, Since. We  Last met. We had an election.  And. Our Regional Agreement  says that, um uh after an  election in this meeting, we  will tabulate the votes, um,  and make an announcement  regarding them. Um, because, um  Our elections are now run  slightly differently, and the  votes have been tabulated.  We're not going to count them,  but I am going to read the  official results. Um, I did  compare you'll see that there  is an exhibit from both  Hamilton and wham! And as our  town clerks have done, And, I  did the, um Match so we don't  need to read them separately.  Because. They are identical.  They Did their jobs. OK? Um, So, as you know, we had, um one  seat opened to F to fill a the  remainder of a two year term.  Um Trenton Honda received 540  votes from Hamilton 389 votes  from when I for a total of 929  votes. The blank votes were 226  from Hamilton 107 from Wenham  for a total of 333. The right  in votes. Um Were, um From  Hamilton zero from Wham and a  total of eight and then there  was a right in vote  specifically for Courtney  Ashwood, nine from Hamilton,  zero from Wno, and a total of  nine Um So. That means that, uh, for the two year term, Trent  Honda has, um, been elected to  the committee. Congratulations.  And my understanding is the  town clerk has informed me you  properly sworn in and ready to  go. Is that correct? That's  correct. Alright, Welcome. Good  to see you. Um Uh, next. We had  two openings for a three year  term. Um Julia Campbell  received 531 votes from  Hamilton 402 votes from Wenham  for a total of 933 votes.  Jennifer. Carr received 530  votes from Hamilton 390 votes  from Wenham for a total of 924  votes. The Blanks were 446 from  Hamilton 193 from Wenham and  639 for total. Write ins, uh,  from Hamilton were 71 of or two  for a total of nine and right  in specifically for Courtney.  Ashwood was 48 for Hamilton.  Far from Wham and a total of 53. And that means that for the two  slots, uh that Julia Campbell  and Jennifer Carr have been  elected to the, uh, three year  term. On, the Hamilton win  Regional school committee. It's  Welcome back. I am I'm sworn in  all right, and, uh, my  understanding is both. Um,  Julia and Jen have been  properly sworn in and are ready  to go for this evening. Thank  you. Um Right? Any other  members have any questions or  Comment. Um I will say  congratulations on everyone on  beating the blanks. Um All  right. Um Next up on our agenda. We have an opportunity for  citizens. Comments, Um Oh did I  skip something? No, OK. Um Oh.  Yeah. I sort of introduced the  members as we went along. Good?  Yes. No. Do you wanna offer  that we could Cuz it's a big So  Um, yeah. No. I'll just move  that we, uh, changed the agenda  just to have this student rep  speak before we open the  Florida public comment. Um all  right. I'll just, um Uh I. I  mean I think we can just say if, um, without if there unless  there's an objection. Um, I  hear a suggestion that we might  ask our student Rep Jake  Collins to give his  presentation ahead of citizens  comments. Um Looks looks like  that seems to work, Jake that  work, OK? Right? Um I actually  think it'll be nice? I hope I  hope the citizens enjoy. It's  always good to have us. Our  student rep give a presentation. Um, for news for HWR MS. We  have Um, our Spain trip just  came back and are also our  Taiwan trip. They had a great  time and they would love to do  it again, but sadly, some of  them can't And we have We have  the Decca National Conference  is tomorrow and that's very  exciting. We have a couple  Hamilton one and people  supporting us there. And. The  prison concert went very well.  We saw a lot of support there.  And for sports we have track  has the biggest team they've  had in years and for baseball,  they pulled out a 6 to 3 win  against Newburyport Softball  had a tough loss against  Newburyport. And. The boys.  Lacrosse won their first game  of the year. Uh 13 to 3 to 13  to 9 against Ainsbury and the  girls game sadly got canceled,  but they are playing tonight.  And for Miles River Middle  School. We have 6th and 7th  graders had their EL a MC a ST  this week as well as they are  having a play on May the fourth  And for the elementary schools.  We have A lot of M CS this week  because the fifth graders and  4th 5th, 4th and 3rd graders  all had their M CST this week  as well as there was a special  guest at Winthrop on the April  10th. Thank you. Thank you very  much. Does. Anyone have any  questions for Jake? All right.  Um, Jake. Uh, did you say? I  just had a quick question about  the Decca nationals. Did you  say that we had two people? Uh,  I'm not sure about the number,  but I know we have a T least  one, but we have some people  supporting us there. It's  pretty impressive. Yeah. Great.  Thank you for sharing that I  appreciate it. Um So. Um, Jake.  We always appreciate getting to  hear right from the students.  Um, it really means a lot that  you take the time to come here.  You are absolutely welcome to  stay. And. We also understand  that it's possible you may have  other things to do. And. If You  like homework, for example. And  if you'd like to depart, you  can do that as well. Um The one  Thank you very much. Right, Um  OK? Uh, Thank you to all of you. It's always good to hear that  from the C, the students Um  Alright, so next up. We. Have  citizens Comments, Um we have  an availability. Um to your  comments, either, um, in person  or on Zoom. Um, Any citizen  who's wishing to wishing to  speak if you're in the room, I  would ask you to approach the  podium when it's you know when  it's your turn, and I'll give  you We'll offer three minutes.  I'm gonna ask if someone on the  committee would be willing to  be the timekeeper. David. Thank  you, Um David will just give  you a little heads up when you  have about 30 seconds left. Um,  when you approach the podium, I  ask that you give, uh your name  and address so that we can  properly note um that for the  minutes when we, um dock  properly document, please know  that citizens comments are an  opportunity for you to be heard  our job in listening to  citizens comments is to listen.  It's an opportunity for us to  hear what you have to say. So  it's not a back and forth. It's  not a dialogue or a debate.  It's our opportunity to hear  what you have to say. Um, I ask, Um, just that you keep, uh your  comments to those things that  are within the purview of the  school committee. And, uh, with  that, I think we'll get started  in the room. It. Looks like we  have maybe a couple of people  on zoom, but maybe we'll start  in the room. Um And. I will  just say, um, I'm Gonna say  we'll go about 20 minutes. That  goes till 730. Then. I'll do a  little check in and see where  we are at that point OK? Right.  Good afternoon. First is up. My  name is Nicholas White. I work  at I work I work and live at 1  53 3, Woodland Mead and I do  wanna appreciate the work of  the committee both on Tuesday  Night and here tonight so  certainly as public servants we  I really do appreciate the work  and dedication but in terms of  the, uh, decision that was made  on Tuesday, uh, with regard to  the mega mega project that was  approved, I Just wanna  reiterate my comments from  Tuesday? I feel that the mill  rate here in Hamilton is  unsustainable and Or really  puts an unfair burden on the  community and the residents and  I think it forces many people  not to live in this lovely  place. I also think that from  my, uh uh, open space, Uh,  perspective, uh, getting rid of  some of the open space to put  this mega operation in place,  uh, is disingenuous or not  consistent with why many of us  moved here. And they also  reiterate many of the comments  on Tuesday regarding the  character of small schools,  which really is consistent with  why many of us moved here. My.  Some of my kids went to the  public school here and really  benefited from that small  environment, so I would just  urge. Um, the, uh, committee to  obviously you're not gonna  reconsider that. But. I did  want to say that I will be very  much in favor of of, uh, on the  hustings, putting, putting out  many, uh, supporters to try to  turn this down. Comes to vote  this fall because it really  does do think it really doesn't  um Doesn't do this town justice  and I understand a lot of the  pressures, uh, from a tax  perspective, But. I just I  really think that it's the  wrong thing for this community.  Thank you. Thank you. OK, um  Mister. Tracy, Is there anyone  on zoom that wants to speak.  Anyone on zoom would like to  speak. One. Just a second, Mr  Musso. We. Wanna make sure we  get your mic so everyone can  hear you. Go ahead. Good. Eric.  Hi. Good evening. My name is  Eric Muster. I live And And. I  appreciate the time tonight to  speak. Uh uh, You know. I'm  Sorry. We still can't hear. I'm  not young kids. And so I'm in  By the school consolidation  project that is being put forth. Um, by this committee, um I  want to say that I am.  Adamantly opposed to this idea,  and there is a growing cohort  of not just young families. But  elderly families, Um single  people. Uh, local, Um just  friends and Other community  members in this committee are  within this community that are  opposed to this project. Um,  and there are several reasons  as to why we are. It's not just  financial. It's not just  because we're opposed to more  development. It's not because  Of, um increased traffic or or  whatnot. The main idea and the  reasoning behind being opposed  to this Mega school for little  Children is because it's not so  not what is best for them.  That's That's it That's the  That's The main factor here, a  mega school with first graders  through 5th 5th graders. Of  over 700 Children in one  massive school is not what's  best for them. Research has  shown us this studies have  shown us this other schools  that have done this. It's not  been successful. It's not It's  not going to have a good  outcome. That's Why all these  families That have moved to  this little community are so  upset because we're going to  lose out on why we moved here.  The communities that we've  built within the Booker school  system have been fantastic.  Just this past week. The  principle Send out an email.  And in the email, he said. The  reason why our school is so  great because it's so small.  Word for word. And it's great  because it is small. We know  our principle. We know our  teachers. We know all the staff. My son is a kindergartener and  loves his school. He wants it  to keep a small school. Right,  Colton. You want to keep it a  small school keep it as small  school and so we have more  little community members that  realized that dramatic impact  is going to have To create a  high school size school for  these little kids, it's going  to completely change the town  and It's not what's best for  the school and we were willing  to vote this project down  because we know it's not what's  best for our kids, and that's  why we moved here for what's  best for our Children and our  education. So unless you're  willing to risk this project  failing which I hope you are  not. I ask humbly. That you  review the proposed idea? And  keep our schools under the 300  threshold for each school. Do  one at a time. 30 seconds state  reimbursement for each school.  And go through the process. I  don't want to have an Ipswich  situation happened where we  lose out on schools on state  funding. Because we have not  listened to our voters were  telling you right now we have  over 500. Signees of a petition. That number is just gonna grow.  It's not gonna get smaller. So  unless you're willing to risk  it. I humbly ask you to  reconsider. Thank you all for  your time. Thank you. Thank you. We have one more person on zoom. It will just continue. Continue  on Zoom. Maybe Angela, Did You  want to speak? That's okay.  Okay. Um, is there anyone else  in the room that would like to  speak? Hearing Cheeseman 75  Pleasant Street one. I grew up  here attended the Bucher school  and center school. Over the  last couple of weeks as  blackboard I've received Many  emails, um, mostly long on  emotion as Might understand.  Detailing Great memories of  these three schools. But short  on actual understanding of the  process that's gone on over  these multiple years as well as  what the true costs are. Three  elementary schools. Are really  inefficient. You can make the  arguments as to what size is  the best. But the fact is It's  being characterized as a mega  school. Ashley the size  proposed to just slightly  larger than the average school  in Massachusetts today. In, a  town where my parents built for  schools coming into a blue  collar. Town at the time.  Compared today, where the two  towns having assessed value  over $4 billion The idea that  we cannot afford to stay at the  art school for our students is  difficult to understand. We  have one shot at the state aid.  It's a significant portion of  the total amount. That we could  obtain. The schools I visited  with Dark Harvey and with Dr  Tracy They are 70 year old  schools, no matter what our  memories are, they are out of  date. They don't meet security.  Don't need instructional. They  don't need structural standards  for the day. If you have any  questions on that? I would  suggest Go see the New  Manchester Essex school or the  Swamp Skit School? That's. The  type of schools are our kids  deserve And? Yes. It's gon be  expensive and yes, I understand  that our tax rates are very  high, but the fact is, it's a  critical portion of our Town to  have state of the art schools.  That's what really attracts it  here. It's not The attraction  is not for a Cutler school that  has A myriad list of problems.  That's My point of view, and I  hope we go and used the largest  possible access to the state  aid because that's where dash  hold help for our The town's  country tax wise. Thank you.  Okay? Um all right. It looks  like we have maybe have someone  new on Zoom You want to speak?  I speak Let me. Just see if  there's the first non zoom  wants to speak. Yeah, maybe.  You go ahead in the room. Can  you hear me? Oh hold on one  second one person in front of  you. Go ahead. Yes. Can. You.  Hear me, OK Terranova 54  woodland, meet, Um First. I  want to thank the school  committee for the time that's  been invested in this, um I'm  afraid for a number of reasons,  and Mr Cheesman Mentioned this  at the beginning of his talk.  And that is the emotion  associated with this project.  Um This town is being torn  apart. Hamilton's being torn  apart when I was being torn  apart. Fight over the turf  fields is indicative of where  this is going ahead with the  school project. Case. You  hadn't noticed our society is  being torn apart. Because of  issues. Issues like this on a  small scale. Instead of Pushing  Divisive issues. We need to  find some way to compromise and  the compromise is not going to  come from a 740 students Mega  school. It's got to be  something smaller. And  something that's affordable.  There's going to be a lot of  emotion over the next year as  this subject is being taken  into consideration. You have a  responsibility. I know that  you're aligned with the school  district. But. You all live in  this town. You live in  Hambleton. You live in winter.  Understand the responsibility  that you have to keep this town  together and not to push  something that's going to  continue to tear our towns  apart. Thank you very much.  Thank you. Next. We're gonna  take, uh, person on. Zoom. Are  you ready? Hi. You're on.  You're you're all set. You have  three minutes. Hi. Yes. I'm  sorry. I can't really hear from  the doom. For some reason it  sounded like somebody was  speaking. But. I couldn't  really hear what was said just  so for for you to know that  it's kind of hard to hear.  What's what's been spoken about  over zoom. Um, In. Any case.  I'll start to say this is  Francesca Connors 343 Baby Road, former school Committee member  and I've spoken in multiple  occasion about the importance  of small schools in a community  like ours. Sorry. My son just  came into the room. Ah! Ah,  sorry. Can I. Just is there  anybody else that can speak  right now? Joey, please. Okay  I'm gonna put Yeah. This is  actually want to keep going.  That's going to go into the  mega school that I'm really  hoping he doesn't have to do  that. Um But. I wanted to say,  really, I thought Many, many  times about The. Importance of  north Coast in different forums  that were kindly offered by the  School bending committee and  the death strict gave  opportunity to people to talk.  I spoke about how little we  know about the finance of all  this and how many pieces are  out there that are not just  related to the building of the  school, but a lot of other  things that will be really  important to talk about. As a  community. Ah, And. How  frustrating It is that  different committees? Are not  talking to one another, like  finance committee pointed  fingers to the other committee.  The school committee point the  finger to the town. The town  point the finger to the school  Building Committee. Nobody  seems to really own The  responsibility of this and will  be nice to have somebody that  actually owns it. That weekend  that puts together all the  pieces In any case where I  really want to talk about his  equity. I've heard. Equity  being a big and maybe the only  argument. Just support  Consolidation. Let me tell you.  Do. We really think about words  when we speak? I grew up in a  town that was divided into a  part that was very poor. And  apart there was wealthy. Two  different elementary schools in  two different places of the  town. One that was catering.  There was catering the wealthy  group and one with the catering  the poor part of town. That is  Not equity. That's what it is.  What we're talking about here.  Like really consolidating  through school, which have very  similar demographic here. Very  similar demographic. Very  similar, Uh, Financial status.  Very very similar. Everything  really? And kids are all  friends. I mean, saying that  it's an equitable Issue. If we  don't consolidate or if you  don't address all the school at  the same time, I think it's  just kind of not not using  words, the right way and kind  of almost offensive to what in  this world is an equitable  right now, so I just wanted to  raise this because I've heard  it many, many times that the  only argument brought up in  support of business holiday  shin and I just want to say  Please don't do that. It just  doesn't make any sense. And  with this. I am concluding  because my my toddlers is  really right here behind me and  doesn't let me speak. Thank you  for? Thank you for listening  and thank you for all that  you're doing and appreciate you  giving us the time to to speak  today. Of course and just so  you know, just so you know,  it's it's a lot easier and  clearer to watch on W camp  because after this, we shut  down the zoom link after  community comments. But, I  thank you, okay? Yep. Come on  up. Hello. Good evening.  Arrogant Tortorici 85 Woodland  Mead. Um, I appreciate you  taking the time to listen to us. I moved to Hambleton to bring  my daughter to small school. I  love the charming little town  and Um, I just couldn't imagine  dropping her off as a six year  old at a mega huge school. I  just I live near Cutler. I See  all the little Children  sprinting out at recess. Sorry,  I'm getting emotional. What  looking at the horses, and I  just it's gonna We're gonna  wipe out all the green space at  the kids have and put a mega  school with a parking lot, and  all they have is their little  courtyard. To go out to in the  middle of the school, and I I  just can't imagine that for our  Children, and I just This is  not why we came to this town  and we're just over developing  it and we want to walk to  school with the families he  want to the principal to know  everyone we want to know all  the parents and then then bring  them to the high school when  they're ready, not bring a  first grader to a high school  80,000 square foot. Huge school. So, Please, Please Think of the  Children think of their  experience. What. We're robbing  them of what? What we had when  we were kids. Think of the  school that you went to and  think of what you're robbing  the parents of when they bring  their little scared first  grader to a huge, huge school,  so please rethink it. And I  appreciate everything. Thank  you. Thank you. Nancy McWhorter. 18 Cunningham drive. Um, do any  of you people know who the  colors are? Do any of you  people know who the riches are.  Do, do you? Not? You, sir? Over  there. Do you know them? Do you  know anything about the town?  No, it's not. Okay. Well. There  you go, so Nancy McCord is  standing here in front of you  30 years ago, no sidewalks. In  this town. Do. You know why we  have sidewalks. To any of Raise  your hand. Any of you know why  we have sidewalks in this town.  Because the richest son Died on  Sagamore Road. By a double  horse trailer. She said. Old  money here. The town is  changing. Do you know that to  any of you people know that on  Sycamore Road, he died. And she  gave money to the town. To say  I'm going to put aside walk and  so nobody else's child dies  riding their bike. On a narrow  road. Being written over by a  double horse trailer. I moved  here years ago. There were no  sidewalks. She funded us  sidewalks. Do you know that? Do? You know the colors? Do you  know that the rich family They  did a lot for this freaking  town. A lot for this town. I  sat here and I talked to you.  Two days ago instead, when I  came here, they want to redo  all the sidewalks. And. There  was a lot of controversy with  people even in my own  neighborhood that stood behind  me, and they wrote about me in  the paper. And they said, Get  out of our town, go back to the  city you came from. I didn't  want to a sidewalk, although I  wanted with my sidewalk in  front of my house to be  refurbished because my house is  a A circle and the sidewalks  went halfway up and the rest of  them because the town never  maintain them. They just took  it over. And I sat here and I  said. I want my sidewalk  refurbished the my daughter and  my son could walk on a sidewalk  and walk all the way around to  go to Cutler School. That's why  I moved here so my kids could  walk to their elementary school. Do. You know I had people in my  neighborhood said Oh, well,  they can cut through my yard  and I go. Well, that's really  great in three years. Are you  going to let my kids go through  your rose bushes, and you know  what? They shut that down  because we couldn't go to  Cutler anymore. So all those  kids are all being bussed.  They're all being driven by  their parents and I am done  with this mega school. Crap. I  am done with these people who  don't know the history of this  town. We are a small community.  Where Karen Karen. Anybody want  to come here? My kids with  special needs. My kid could not  be in a school with 700 kids.  He was five years old. They had  a tape him to which chair so he  could write his name. I am  against any mega school. I  couldn't even find my way  around the high school on  parents' night. Thank you.  Thank you. So. Thank you so  it's about 730. It. Looks like  we've got someone in the room  that is approaching the podium  is Is there also someone on  maybe one more on zoom, So.  Let's do let's have one more in  the room, and then we'll check  in and like I said, You know  Well, we may wrap up soon we  had slated about 20 minutes, so  I'm going to go ahead. Great.  Thank you very much. Michael  Madden Highland Street,  Hambleton. Um As. I've been  thinking about this for the  past several weeks. A couple of  months. Actually. I've been  thinking about lots of  different things to say. I  spoke at length here the other  night at the school Building  committee, so I won't take up  that much of your time tonight.  But I echo the concerns of  Everyone we've heard here  tonight except for this  gentleman over here, which,  incidentally, I live in the  neighborhood. Cutler. You.  Don't. It's in your interest.  That. The students move over  there. I! Get that I understand  that, but We've all heard  comments, you know? Smaller  schools are better. I've heard  from a number of elementary  school teachers that that is  their point of view as well. Um, I have a daughter at Cutler  school. She even said to me  this morning I was trying to  introduce the concept. Her In.  Other words, she said. To me  words said that that's scary. I  wouldn't want to go to a big  school like that. And I'm sorry. It is a mega school. In, a town  like Hamilton's, and when it is  a mega school, we're not in the  suburbs of New York City or  Chicago or anywhere else like  that. But. I'd like to also  approach it from another angle  as well. I'm project manager  being a project manager for 20,  plus years, remember the  project Management Institute.  PM Me, the gold standard and  Project management as P M P  certification project  management Professional. OPM  owners project managers that we  have on this project. I asked  them, not one of them, or P m p  certified. And I'm concerned  because of that they're not  managing this project the way  it needs to be managed. So, for  example, and have worked on a  number of projects. The biggest  thing that can derail a project  are your key stakeholders.  These people here tonight.  People on the phone. And  consume and the people that are  going to vote next April. Daria  key stakeholders and to manage  your key stakeholders. You need  to take two things into  consideration those that are  interested in the project from  least interested, very  interested on the X axis and  those that have influence on  the Y axis. All these people  here are very interested and  have a lot of influence because  we'll all be voting next April.  So far as it was mentioned, we  have over 500 signatures that  will not decrease it will only  grow. So I would urge you all  to please take it into  consideration because a mega  school like this will not get  voted in next April. Thank you  very much for retirement. Mr  Tracy. Do we have someone that  wants to speak on zoom. Think  so okay. I think it is and this  will be the last one I. Think  will take on Zoom if that's um  And then did you want to speak?  Okay. Looks like no. Alright.  Um it looks like we've got two  people in the room that want to  speak. Is that correct? Right?  Mhm. Sure, we'll do two and  then and then I'm going to  check in with the committee. Go  ahead. Kennedy newest elected  selectman in Hambleton, very  happy to be there to represent  the residents of this town. I  have two comments that I wanted  to make actually three. The.  First one is that I supported  the building of a new school.  The Cutler school. I believe  that that school needs to be at  the very least renovated, If  not totally, um Rebuild. I  think that our Children deserve  that. The second thing I wanted  to say was that I was just  stressed during one of the  meetings, the community  meetings where Um The school  superintendent was heard to say  that they corridors in this new  building will be so big that I  can drive my jeep down it. And  I worry that there's more  concern about the status of  this than there is for the well  being of a child. I have a  child who has special needs.  He's older now. But a lot of  people here are very concerned  about the impact on their young  Children. Kids are terrified. I  can remember being terrified  going into junior high as it  was called when I was a  youngster, it is terrifying and  our Children are exposed to  enough stress in their lives  Day to day without incurring  this additional stress they  cannot settle down and study  when they're so overwhelmed by  their surroundings. And I've  not heard a whole lot of  concern about that. Which  Concerns me and concerns the  parents and residents here. And  then the third thing I wanted  to talk about was how this  school district manages its  finances. Last year. Um, there  was, um, a stabilization fund  that was incurred to put in the  access funding from the  previous year or years. Last  year There was a significant  significant amount of money in  that I believe a few million  dollars And. We've also been  told that the high school needs  a new roof to the tune of $2  million. Instead of investing  that money in a new roof. This  school district Invested that  money in the athletic fields.  What kind of a school district  would put the physical needs of  a school behind an athletic  field. I urge you to three.  Think your commitment to this  mega school. I urge you to  rethink where you put your  maintenance money, and I urge  you to think about the impact  upon the young Children, the  families and the residents in  general in these two towns.  Thank you. Thank you. So. I'm  gonna have one more. And. Then  I think we're going to wrap up  the citizens comments? Boston  Sharon Road. Um, Eric, you  heard my spiel the other night.  Um, we did move here for small  schools. We didn't move. We had  an optional Beverly, much  larger school. We moved here.  The small schools. They are in  disrepair. We need to do  something about that. A large  school for this town is not the  answer. We need to just fix  what we have. And if it's if  it's redoing color, and then do  any other schools over time.  That's the way to go. Like Mr  Muster and Fuel said. This is  about the Children. It is it is  really scary for young child to  introduce themselves to school,  this massive school and its  massive this town like  something, someone said.  Additionally, I keep on hearing. You know we're going to get all  this funding from the state,  which You know, I don't know if  that's guaranteed. But You know, the $50 million is being  claimed. And. Then I heard  another number. That's $20  million from Winthrop's  property sale afterwards that  doesn't account for all the  debt we incur afterwards. The  numbers that have been run  right now don't even include  debt that is is comes after the  project, the demolished of  Winthrop The cleanup of  Winthrop. What happens when we  put housing on that afterwards.  I know you want to separate the  two but then they tied together. When. You put a new apartments  over there for the NBT or  whatever There's new housing  projects that adds more  students was the cost of sent  one student to this quote  school. Yeah 200 apartment  units over there and then some  into one him as well. That all  is more debt for us. We're not  doing this fiscally responsible. Across the board this this  project team, the O. P. M or P  m o team is not doing it  fiscally responsible. The towns  are acknowledging that the  finance team seems to be  overwhelmed with all these  numbers. The school board.  Follows it back to the rest of  the committees. We're not.  We're not doing the town  justice and more importantly,  as the other, German said. The  Children. Keep the small  schools repair we have keep the  open spaces. We moved here for  the small schools, the lack of  overdevelopment and the open  green spaces. Honor those  things that make this town what  it is today. Thank you. Thank  you. Okay. Um, at this time, um  Miller to the committee. But. I  feel like we're going to close  up citizens comments Um, I.  Wanna thank you all very much  for taking the time to come and  share your views. Um, it's  important to hear a wide  variety of views, and I really  do appreciate everyone taking  the time. And for the  respectful and thoughtful  comments. Thank you. Um, next  up on our agenda. I realized  that I I didn't Give people the  Protocols and Mission statement, So. I'm hoping people just jump  up and say that they're, uh,  who's interested in reading a  small portion of our protocols?  Julia. Thank you so much. This  page two As elected members of  the Hambleton one and regional  school committee. We, including  the superintendent, except the  high Honor and trust that has  been placed in us to ensure  that the students of the  district received the best  education possible to that end,  we hereby commit to the  following in the conduct of our  business. Number 11. A School  Committee meeting is a business  meeting that is held in public,  not a public meeting. The  committee will make every  effort to ensure meetings are  effective and efficient. Thank  you? I appreciate it. Um  alright and who would like to  read a portion of our mission  statement? David Franco wants  it. There we go. Can. You speak  right into the The Hambleton  when UM regional School  committee will lead and inspire  a district that empowers  administrators to seek  innovation. Responsiveness and  creativity and all aspects of  district operations. Thank you.  Um all right, and we have  already heard from our student  representative. So. Next up is  the consent agenda. Does anyone  have any items from the consent  agenda that they would like to  hold? Oh, David, If. You're  willing, I'm ready for a motion  consent agenda? Um, moved at  the regional school committee.  Um, except the consent agenda  as written Do. You have a 2nd  2nd 2nd By John Karr. Um, there  is no discussion on the consent  agenda all those in favor. That  is unanimous and the motion  passes. Okay? Um so I am going  to look to the committee. Um,  on this next a new business. Um, you will see that, um, item G  is the preferred elementary  school option discussion. Um, I  am going to just look to the  committee to see whether people  would like to move that up. I  Only suggest that because I I  suspect that many of the people  here that's what they would  like to hear about. Um Sure  that's fine. I'm just looking  for any objections about going  out of order. Okay. Um, alright, Looks like that's what we're  going to do, so we are going to  move item G up, Um to the first, um New business item. Um, this  agenda item is, um just to  discussion. It's going to turn  it over to Mr. Tracy is going  to give us Um, an update and my  vision on this item is that  it's an opportunity for members  of the committee to ask  questions. So that we can have  clarity. About. What where we  are exactly right now in the  process and what the next steps  are. Um so that and I encourage  the committee to ask your own  questions. And. Also, if you  have questions that you've  received from the community to  this is an opportunity to ask.  Eric to you. Thank you. Just  switch this over. Put together.  A quick presentation, uh, kind  of pulled some of the pieces  from the other night. The  Monday night School Building  Committee meeting, So I just  want to run through that at  least kick off the discussion.  As you know, we've been in the  process of for a while. Now, um  Completed Module one, Module  two, and we're just at the end  of Module three. Of the M s B a  process module three requires a  May 2nd submission for PSR,  which is preferred schematic  report. Which is basically  everything we did during the  feasibility study component of  the process. That process.  Excuse me. Jen has a question  this screen so people could see. Yeah. We can do that. Thank you, John. I want to make sure that  you guys can also that Trent  and Jen and Julia, can you all  see too? No If you pull that  mike off and just put it on the  seat. You can move the podium.  There you go. Thank you all.  Knowledge Group assistance. You. See it, Julia, right? Yeah. Can  you guys I want to make sure  the committee can all see it?  Yeah, okay. Alright. Can you  back up just a little bit, Eric. Sure. Suicide just outlines the  process Msb a process that we  started back in. 2022 Um,  eligibility period We went  through. We were eligible found  eligible. We formed. The  project team went through that  process. Now. We're in the  feasibility mode where at the  end of feasibility study. And  the feasibility study has a  final report known as the  preferred schematic report,  which is really just saying,  Okay, you've gone through the  process, and in our case we've  rounded down from 14 options  down to a single option that  gets submitted to the MSB A,  and that goes through their  approval process over the next  few weeks and then Ultimately,  the determined at their board  meeting in June. Um Whether or  not to invite Schools into the  next module of which is  schematic design. Schematic  design takes you well into the  fall. It's about it, probably  about a seven month process is  fairly long. Really extensive,  so that would be our next step  there. Hmm. The Statement of  interest was submitted. Believe  it or not, the 1st 1 2008.  We've submitted six for the  Cutler project, and I think  four or five for each of the  other two schools. Cutler was  accepted. We entered the  eligibility period in 2022. Um  and that really just saying,  Okay, let's get pieces of the  puzzle together and move  forward into the authorization  with the school committee.  We've gone through all of that.  Form the project team in 2023  and then jumped into  feasibility. From there. We'll  go into schematic design with  with an ultimate, um With an  ultimate Opportunity to secure  funding. For. Whatever project  is chosen in April 2025 Town  meeting. Is the current members  of the building committee.  Someone had asked me to Display  this one. And then we have the  eligibility period. If you go  back to the beginning in  November 3rd 2023. We were sent  us. Uh, letter to be sent this  letter to the MSB A, and it's  really their letter about the  certification of enrollment  design. Hold on one second,  just so you know if you go into  the agenda for tonight, you can  get this entire slide shows you  don't need to keep this one's  not, but I will post it. I got  it at the last second before I  got here, so we'll make this  available. I will post it and I  will can. I might just also  interrupt. W Cam, Can I ask you  a question is the screen That's  being displayed is that, um  Being filmed. Okay good, So.  It's on. It's also part of the  video that H W Cam is  presenting right now. So. This  slide is the the eligibility  period certification of design  enrollment when we were  initially invited in Agreed  with the M S B, a said we would  love to be into the process.  They went through a process of  examining some options that  were available to us after  touring all three of our  elementary schools, Um they  were very willing to take on  the Cutler project as one of  the most needy buildings out of  the three elementary schools.  Um And all of these design  Enrollment center about the  Cutler property, and that was  the s o. I. They accepted, so  they they do their studies.  They do growth and death rates  and real estate sales and they  go through a fairly sense of  process. Um Then they come up  with these design enrollments,  all of which are anywhere  between 30. 50 or 60 kids about? Excuse me, 5050 or 60 kids  above, Um, where we're at now.  So, For example, the 285  students School K 25 color if  you just rebuild Cutler right  now, we only have 252 149 kids  in that building. So. They.  They do build in cushion in  each of the options, so the  four options were presented to  us and they said, if you want  to move forward, and you  believe that you would be  willing to build these four  options. Sign. This document  move forward as approved by the  school committee sent in and in  November of 2022. Some of the  coming Schedules are milestones. If you will we did the school  Building Committee vote to  select the pervert option last  Monday. The School Committee  meetings tonight. Obviously,  school Building Committee vote  to approve the PSR submission,  and that's just that's the  submission of everything that  we've done. In the PSR process  since about February. Until.  Now it's probably about 1000  page document that gets  submitted to the state. Um Then  There'll be another school  committee meeting next to next  Thursday. Excuse me which we  would actually vote. On. The  grade refried reconfiguration,  which is a requirement of the  state. Any project where you're  reconfiguring in your district.  Any of the current models that  are in place it has to come  back before the school  committee for approval. In this  case, if if you go with the 740  students option there is a  reconfiguration where you take  all of the kids in 1st, 2nd,  3rd, 4th and 5th grade and all  three elementary schools. Put  them in one building and then  convert. The Bucher would be a  pre K K. Early lot. Ernie Early  Learning Center early childhood  center. Um And. Then on the  third, we would submit the PSR  to, uh To the M S B. A And,  then that goes off to their  facilities Assessment  subcommittee meeting that is a  meeting They determined we  haven't been told whether we're  on the 14th of the 22nd.  Basically they go through all  of our information come up with  a list of questions and we work  with them to answer the  questions related to the PSR  submission. Early. June. We're  going to do another community  forum. We wanted to push it out  because we wanted to get at  least to the facilities  Assessment subcommittee to see  what the state was thinking  with their questions and  answers. Get that another  fourth community option out  there, then the board of  directors meet in early. Excuse  me in June in June, 26th They  do it every other month meeting  with just 2 June 26th would be  anybody that did their  facilities Assessment  subcommittee meeting either in  on the 14th of 22nd. We're not  the only school district that  would be involved in that we  would be one of several, um, so  the board of directors comes  together. They take the  recommendations from the  subcommittee that subcommittee  meeting and determine if they  want to invite us into  schematic design. You know they  could also say no, Go back and  tweak, tweak the design or they  could they could definitely not  agree with the choice that we  make. So, um Again. We're still  Really checking boxes for the  MSB a along this process. Um,  as you probably know. This  outlines all of the original 14  options and the five arrows.  I'll get closer in on those in  a second, But. This was the  initial tallies of, uh, the  school building committee. When  we were first asked to evaluate  The The five options. And. Then  they were asked to do it again.  Leading into Monday night's  meeting for the five options  that were left on the table. Um  and these are the results of  those and the other than the  code upgrade and the addition  renovation. The scores were  right around the same 99.699  0.3 100.1. Those. Those were  the scores for those C 31 c  3334 all the new construction  Um, so those that that was the  result of the, uh, tallies  going into the school building  committee going into Monday  night's meeting. And then We  voted accepted options to see  3.4 as we know. Which brings us  here tonight. Thank you. Thank  you. Um, So. What I'm hoping  will have an opportunity to do  is we can just make sure that  each committee member gets an  opportunity to ask questions.  So, um I don't know We can just  go around. I don't know who  wants to start. But. My thought  is that we want to let everyone  speak before anyone speaks  again. Um So Questions.  Questions. Amy. Um, I am  curious about I know, I think  it was either February or march? You presented the initial plans  or the ideas to faculty. I was  wondering if you got feedback  from them about any of the  plans that the faculty uh the  elementary fact that I met with  them back in February and just  presented all of Everything  that's been going on along the  way they get all the same  updates. Everybody else does  they get all the same options  to chime in on surveys and  things like that? Uh,  elementary schools are excited.  Teachers are excited because Of  where they're working. Now. I  mean some of some of the some  of the classrooms of tight Some  of them are hot all the time.  Some of them are cold all the  time. So you know, uh, It's  just It's a fantastic  opportunity for them to really  improve their working  conditions and and, uh, gonna  grow and grow along with kids  in a really strong teaching and  learning environment, so I mean  I haven't had anybody come to  me and say, Don't do this. No,  just bring that up, because you  know as Um, of course we're  concerned about the students  and their needs. But. Also.  This is our faculty. Our  teachers workspace, So. I think  that's important to keep in  mind when we're thinking about  this new building. Thank you.  Okay, Who else has questions? I  apologize, Eric because I know  we were supposed to meet so  that we could talk about this  and I'm supposed to be, you  know, not here. Um, but, alas,  this is how we are. And. So.  That means that, um We. I  didn't get to preview you with  some of my major questions here. Um, but I do have first and  foremost the biggest concern  for me is that we succeed in  getting funding from the state.  I think that that is of utmost  importance. And. I think that  anything that we could do to  jeopardize that would be folly.  And my concern is that the  outpouring of information from  the community As. This project  has neared. It's next milestone. Has been gargantuan. And. It  makes me concerned. That we are  leading the town after  appropriating a million dollars  for this feasibility study to a  place where we're going to get  nothing and that causes harm.  But my My. My concerns here are  not about what option Is  actually coming before the  committee but about process So.  Um, I I think In thinking about  this a lot that there might be  a disconnect between the  information that the committee  is getting And the information  in the community. That's the  only explanation that I have  for the what? Hundreds of  emails that we've gotten at  this point in time. Getting  accosted at at Crosby's When  I'm trying to buy something  because Honda's a rare name, it  turns out, um so That the the  reason that I think that there  might be a disconnect is  because the committee Is  constituted unlike any other  committee in the entire town,  as I can tell. There is a large  number of people. You're you're  the chair of the committee.  There's a large number of  people on the committee that  are your direct reports or  indirect reports. Correct.  Several. Yeah. I think my  account. It's less than it one  less than a majority on the  committee. And, then a large  number of people on the  committee are not actually  members of the town. But it's  not clear in any of the  information that's been made  available. Sorry. You're not  talking about the school  committee committee. You're  talking about building  committee. I think they're very  important distinction between  the two. So I think we just  should make that course. Yeah.  You were just saying committee,  so I just and I was getting  confused. Totally Get it? Yeah.  Because. We are not direct  reports to Eric. Everybody Here  is town resident right? And?  Everybody here was duly elected  by the public and our statutory  authority is is vested from  that election, right? And  that's where I think this  committee is very different,  right? There's not in order to  be on a town committee in  Hamilton's or when, Um you have  to be a Member of the community, right? Um And so that that's  where I think that that there's  there's maybe not the same  information that's getting to  this committee as what's out in  the public, and I do think that  it's really hard if you have a  committee constituted people  that report to you for them to  vote their true opinion, right?  Um, I know that if I was on a  committee And my boss had a  vote. And. I had to raise my  hand against that. That would  be a hard thing for me to do  right. I have I have there's a  conflict of interest there. It  doesn't mean that there was  bias introduced. It means that  there's a potential for bias  being introduced. And. I also  think that Yeah I just want to  clarify what the what you're  asking for. The committee is  put together by the MSP a right, So. There's a requirement of  who needs to actually be  involved on the committee. The  M S P. A requirement is that if  you read it, it's It was  interpreted very stringently by  this group. Yeah, but it says  you have to include one or more  of you have to endeavor to  include one or more of the  following people. And then it  lists a large number of people.  But it doesn't list. It is the  only person on there that I can  tell that it's actually  required is you Because it says, be a according to the MSB a  document everybody else it says  must include at least one right  so they didn't constitute the  committee. The committee was  constituted as far as I can  tell by this group. But It  doesn't have its. There's no  information publicly available.  There is a question on the on  the Building Committee website.  How many people are actually  town residents, and there's a  link and if you go to that link  it gives mostly the  professional addresses. Of  where people work in town. It  doesn't actually tell you who  is a town resident or not, And.  The reason. I think that's  concerning is that The impact  is going to be on the town  residents now people who have  great information because they  work in these environments.  Such as schools definitely need  to have a voice in an opinion.  But I do think that when you're  a town resident, and you're  looking at it, it gives you  pause about the process, right?  Are people making a decision  that are going to be affected.  By the Negative aspects of the  decision. And then again, I  think that The other piece of  information that the committee  collected was in a survey that  was sent out. And. The idea, of  course, was to involve the  public and ask them their  opinion. And what have these  options was going to be helpful. Um, but that survey was was  Fundamentally flawed and I.  Actually. I sent an email. To  you. Indicating that it was  fundamentally flawed and I  think that there's a problem  the reason it was fundamentally  flawed for those that were on  the email is that you can fill  it out as many times as you  wanted. So there's no way of  knowing I think 100 and 73.  People responded to it. It  could be one person that  responded to it. There's no way  of knowing. So I think that if  we're going to be Appropriating. $100 million from residents and  $50 million from the state. We  could spend money to get a  polling company to actually  determine what is going to  succeed in the town. Because I  fear that we're going to end up  with a lot of time energy  effort and money, and it's  going to go to vote and it's  going to get turned down. And  then it's all on the taxpayers  and we have the ability like I  can't imagine it would be more  than a few $1000. Maybe 10. But  in the $150 million, you know,  on the line. Environment. I  think that getting a  professional company to  actually determine what the  will of the voting public is  would allow us to say? Are. We  going for something that's not  going to actually succeed. I'm  done a lot of the faculty. Um,  a lot of the faculty don't live  here. Excuse me. A. Lot of the  faculty do not live in  Hamilton's Excuse me. Excuse me, Julia. Excuse me, Julia. Hold  on one second Hold on, So. I  just want to say I absolutely  I'm thrilled that you're all  here, Um And just to remind you  that this is actually a  business meeting and that takes  place in public. It's not a  meeting for you to participate,  and it's actually distracting  for us in terms of hearing if  people are making noise, so I'm  thrilled that you're here and I  just want to encourage you to  Allow us to do our work. Thank  you. I couldn't hear what you  said Julia. A. Lot of the  faculty do not live in Hamilton. And when, um so I think they  should. Also their point of  view should also be considered  as what I'm trying to say. Just  because they don't live in the  town. Okay, So, Eric. I want to  give you the opportunity to  there was there was a lot there  and I just want to give you,  Eric, Um, the opportunity to  respond, And then I. And. Then  David, too, is As, the  representative to the School  Building Committee If you have  something to add to Have your  point of view on or response.  Go ahead. Thank you. The The  building committee. Template If  you will comes from the The M S  B A and it was presented to  this committee. Um Word for  word. We basically took their  template off of their website  and talk to them about who has  to be there. So Town managers.  Town administrator selects  board. Incom people, um When.  We started this process. There  were I want to say 21 or 22  people that were originally the  original group and slowly but  surely, as as as usually  happens with long term  committees, you you lose people  along the way. So the The  reality is the committee is  really Reaching out to all  these people in the community,  so select board member of town.  My town manager, Town  administrator. To get them. As  part of that committee, using  the school committee member,  and then there are other open  slots for people in the  community. So we have an  architect. We had a contract  attorney. We have, uh, building  specialist. Excuse me  engineering specialist, so  they're really reaching out and  trying to get some people with  expertise. That whole document,  then goes to the MSB A for  their approval. They sent it to  a legal team. Make sure That  the You know the town  administrators, the founder  administrator, and then they  approve it or not, they can  send it back and say You need  more people in this area or you. You know you don't have enough  people in that area, so That  was approved by the school  committee and school. Excuse Me  the school business. The M S B,  a During the initial stages of  the process. I think it was  back in June of I think it was  June 22. When that first was  presented here to this  committee and move forward to  the MSB a. Now. It's dwindled  as many committees do, and  realistically, we haven't been  filling voids. The director of  facilities is not on there any  longer. The principal who's  leaving is not on there any  longer, but the other principle  is so that helped to fill the  void. The Msb was okay with  that. Um so we really just  tried to continue to keep the  body that's in place moving  forward. That's how it just  came together. It came together  with people who are in the  community. I think it should  have people in the school  district. You're building a  school. They should have some,  some say especially teachers.  We have Two teachers and a  couple of administrators on  their from from school  buildings and some of those  positions are required, and  some of them are not so. Am. I  able to respond. Yeah as my my  reading of the of the msb a  document I'm not disagreeing  with any of the things that  they listed as preferred  options, But they're all  preferred. And so I just I  think that in terms of Like,  the the public seeing  themselves in the committee  again. I'm trying to talk about  like what explains the  disconnect between what I'm  seeing in my in like I've been  doing this for I was sworn in  today and I've got You know 300  emails from Townfolk, right? Um, I think the disconnect is that  they don't see themselves  represented in the decision  making process on that  committee and I look at the  committee and I really have a  hard time disagreeing with it.  But I think that that is part  of the explanation as to why  we're seeing this. Like very  surprising to my mind, Maybe  not to your mind, um,  contesting of of the decisions  that were made. Can. I ask a  question, actually. Well. I'm  gonna let David If you have  anything just as from as a  school building committee  members. Can you talk into the  mike David, Can. You use the  mic. Sorry. Sorry usually don't  need no, um No, I. I, actually,  really like that idea. The idea  of sort of a survey company  because I mean there Two.  Definite right. There's there's  just too definite right now.  This is a big school and its a  lot of money. Everything else  is sort of You know, measuring  and what sort of Think makes  sense right in we can go back  and forth, right. We can  disagree. I completely respect  where you guys are coming from,  But, you know It's a big school  and it's expensive. Um You know, And. I've said this before, and  I don't mean to sort of be  little it minute by any means,  But like You don't tend to hear  from the people that agree with  you. Right. Um so I do think  that it's a great idea to sort  of get a better poll of the  community at large because this  is a lot of money. It's on our  It's It's. It's on us our our  shoulders to be selling this to  the public to try to get those  votes. We have a very difficult  task in this has to be voted.  To be approved for different  times, right? So that's gonna  take a lot of work on us. Again. We can disagree on many facets  of this. It is said it the  other night. I will continue to  say it. There's no perfect  solution to this project it  just trying to sort of look at  it as a whole and see what you  can sort of. Do To fix the most  needs right to check the most  boxes and it's you know, again,  it's up to us to sort of try  and get Truth or herds, at  least of the voting majority to  agree with us and that that's  the best route for the town  because again the big school a  lot of money right now, and  these are the new lights. By  the way these energy saving  energy, so I really like that  idea, you know, I hear I. Hear  what you're saying and even You  know, sort of don't want to say  it's confusing because I know  exactly where you're coming.  From. What? You're saying it,  but like sort of this  disconnect in how the committee  was put together or sort of,  like, Oh, here's some holes,  right? They know what I mean  like? That's important because  we are starting to realize that  there is sort of this  disconnected message, right?  And like I went home the other  day, and like I mean you guys  don't make me you know, most of  you guys know me like I'm  really hard cookie to crack  whatever but like it was kind  of panicky When I went home  after my other like video. My  wife was like, you know what's  going on with you and I'm like  I just got yelled at because  I'm trying to build a school.  You know, and I might get a  town that I've lived in since  1986 in like I understand it's  not a perfect solution. But  like You know I'm not trying to  harm anyone you know and like,  and so like there is this  disconnect and again. I respect  where you got, you know where  everything is coming from.  You're shaking your head of me  like why I'm telling you I'm  hearing you, but I was I. Look  at things holistically. I see  things differently as an  educator, as you know, an  elected official as someone who  represents the school district.  I'm seeing things and the needs  of this town and this  opportunity we have You know to  sort of get all this money and  there's something lost right?  Like we're 20 ft away and  you're shaking your head at me  and I'm saying I hear you and I  respect you and we're just not  agreeing Right. I'm trying to  just Build a school right like  and it's just funny to me that  are being attacked for it.  Right So. I like this idea and  again. You know, the Eight  emails. I got 10 emails. I got  the 25 people in the room right  now. Right? I've been at this  nine almost nine years now. So  I'm. I'm used to this. Excuse  me. Um but I mean, I've also  Always had every vote. I've had  go. And like I said the people  were support show up when the  votes had at or they don't  necessarily come to yell at me  that I'm doing everything right? So Just something sort of keep  in mind. But again. I kind of  agree. I think it would be in  our best interest to make sure  that we're not going through  all this work for nothing. Okay. Um, you know, I think Amy's  next I'm going to everyone's  going to get a turn. Go ahead.  Amy already asked. You already  speak question about but I have  a response to trend Generally,  I think I'm Gonna let everybody  speak first, Um Ah! Don't.  David. Go ahead. Sure, I'm  totally in favor of a well  constructed survey and and  proper random sampling kind of  approach to to how to get it  short of an exhaustive survey.  Although In a town this size it, It's actually possible do an  exhaustive survey but at the  very least, do a statistically  significant one and, uh, and a  questionnaire designed to not  be loaded one way or the other  in terms of its opinion, not  steering to an opinion, but  getting a Opinion neutral. Set  of messaging in it in order to  get a genuine view of Of  alternatives. Now there's Going  to be some questions about what  alternatives you lay out in a  survey light is to see Who will  support which particular  alternatives so You know  there's that's not a simple  overnight thing to design, but  I absolutely think That one way  to defuse the the heat in this  is an issue in the community.  We were all elected. To  represent the whole community.  Um And. We should therefore go  out of our way to find out what  the the majority vast majority  of the committee really feels.  We're getting a very strong  feeling about what one group  Fields, But I. Think. What?  What trend is is proposing. Is  probably about the only way to  really ascertain. The opinions  route rather than by the  strength of who shows up at a  meeting like this. We need to  get that overall picture. So  totally in favor of that. Gen.  Um So As. Many of the people  here have gotten multiple  emails actually looked for  Guess historical examples on  what happens if this fails at  town meeting And the best  example I've been able to find  is what happened in Ipswich. Um  If. I'm, remembering the dates  correctly, and I may not be  They had a similar proposal to  combine two elementary schools.  In 2018. The fee for the new  combined school was estimated  at 66 approximately $66 million  It failed. They had to start  over at the beginning. They  still don't have Guaranteed  funding for a combined school.  They're working on developing  community support. But again.  The combined school is the one  that is still on the table. The  big change has been the price  tag. So instead of paying $66  million for a combined school.  The estimates I was able to  find on various websites were  in between 90 million And, 100  and 15 million So by putting  this off. Nobody's disagreeing  that this has to be done. Like  I think that's one thing we can  all agree on. Our schools do  not meet the needs of the  community. They're not even up  to code in many respects, and  they dangerous. Ah! If. This  fails if we can't get community  behind us Are. We going to be  looking at the same thing in  five years, only with a 30 to  60% increase. I mean 100 and 50  Million is a hard number to  swallow. But 200 to 225 million  in five years. I mean, People  might not I think this is the  best option for the community  and I've looked at the plants  and there are things that You  know? Oh I love and there are  things that I'm like, Yeah. But  I don't want to be on this  committee in five years and  have to come back to you guys  and say We've got to do this,  and it's gonna cost more. I  mean if we just looked and  again I'm a numbers person if  we just looked at the estimates  for updating Cutler and  Winthrop with current numbers,  we're looking at $200 million  To do both. And. If this fails  like We're going to have to  come back to you, and it's not  going to be a cheaper price tag. You know. I mean, even if we if  everybody got what they wanted,  and You know we were able to do  whatever option we wanted. It's  still going to cost more in  five years, and it does now.  Thank you, Julia. Sorry. I'll  let you finish schools aren't  gonna get any better. In  between now and maybe 2028. So  Julia. Um, I actually have a  question for Eric. But before I  do. Um, I know it's really  enticing to villainize the  school committee. Um, but I  have a student at Booker. And I  have a daughter who went to  Winthrop. So You know I  actually am living and I do  know a little bit about this  community. Um, but my question  for Eric is Next week. What  does a yes vote mean? Um, this  might be a very long answer.  And. What doesn't know Vote  mean like, what are the  consequences of a no vote And  what are the what would happen  with the yes Vote. So It  actually isn't simple Answer  with a yes vote if you you as a  committee said Yes, we support  the school building committees  Answer. Then the project moved  just continues to move forward  meets them, I May May 3rd  stated as voted on by the Spc  voted on currently by the Spc.  Okay. Can I. Just clear. I'm  sorry. This is the same guy I  just want to. It's the same  question. The vote. It is. I  understand that the essential  Though it is technically to  reconfigure the grades correct.  Because because the current  preferred option is  reconfiguring. The grades as  they stand now. There's a  required vote now. You're  you're saying if if you say if  you guys all vote 70 to support  the school building committee's  recommendation The process  moves forward. But. Are. We  voting to reconfigure the  grades or we're voting on this  project both as the  reconfiguration. You're  accepting. Yes vote would be  yes to both your your voting on  the accepting the  reconfiguration of grade, which  which says you're accepting the  project as voted by the school  building configuration is  contingent on the built right,  Right. Right, right. You  wouldn't reconfigure. The very,  very clear configuration is  contingent on The approval of  the suggestion by the SBC. No  vote If you just built for I'm  Just gonna use the example  build a Cutler school right?  Where, a new collar school.  Then. There's no real  reconfiguration and you can  just move forward. I would  still say, Bring back to the  committee to make sure  everybody's on board. But No  vote. To the recommendation of  the school building committee.  Um Has a couple of consequences  time because it pushes things  out further. Which is not a big  deal when you're making an  important decision and in my  mind, but I think it's also, uh, an opportunity to say the  building committee. Okay? We  don't think this will fly. Just  use as an example. We have a  number of people here would say, You know we're going to vote  against this at town meeting  and we feel that way You can  say no, we don't support the  school building committee's  recommendation. Send it back to  the committee. To go kind of  back to the table, but I think  if you do that, you need to  outline your reasons. Why very  clearly so that they can go  back and and come to another  decision over that over the  remaining five options that  they started with. And, then  that would push the process out, depending on how long Um the  state would allow us. I think  the state would just push us  into the next Um, segment. They  do them every other month, so  The May To the two F A s  meetings in May 1. We would get  invited to if we stay on the  current track. That would shift  to, uh, June July. So. They  will be two f A s so basically  pushes. The project out a  couple of months, which could  impact the Possibility of  getting it on town meeting for  2025. Okay, That's very helpful  because the only because the  schematic design process is  about seven or eight months, so  Does the M s B. A look at that.  And say there's no appetite in  this town for anything and  we're not going to give you  anything like that. Are we  penalized. I had a conversation  with them today because I was  curious about that question  myself. S B A wants to work  with us. They want to CSB  successful and the reality is  they are comfortable if the if  the community is comfortable,  you know they're they're  realistically looking at, okay.  They want to project to succeed  that? They're they're they're  in the in the business of  making. Make Sure. We're  building schools and making  sure our communities are happy  with those schools, you know,  because you know you may  someday have to go back because  you really want to show that  you're working towards A  realistic solution. Because if  If it goes in all of a sudden  you're building just a collar  school. You're still submitting. So. It's for the other schools  the roof at the high school.  The Bucher schooled. Um  Winthrop school, so Those  things still are. Continue on.  You know you want to you don't  want to ever fall out of that,  and Yeah. It's just I think it  lengthens the process. And. I  think you know, in a lot of  ways this this opportunity for  for I think as trends had a A  deeper dive into the For the  full spectrum of the community.  I have a question, but I know  Amy's been waiting. Go ahead.  Um I just have, um, point of  clarification, I guess and a  concern. The. Concern is I did  not receive hundreds of emails.  So I, don't I'm a little  confused emails. Yeah. So, Uh,  I was gonna actually that was  gonna actually say that  separately that if if you if  you are receiving, um we do  have as part of our protocols  that if you're receiving emails  Um, that you that the rest of  the school committee is not  CC'd on, please. Um please  forward them to the entire  committee because I think while  I did Receive. Tens of emails.  Um I did not receive hundreds  of emails so I haven't counted.  It might be hyperbolic. Yeah,  and I will and I will say I as  as, um as the committee  certainly knows, And I suspect  the public probably also knows  I am not much of a social media  user, And. I do know, um from  working with many of my  colleagues. Sometimes If you  are reading a lot of social  media posts. Um, it feels like  you're receiving a lot more  emails than Um Yeah. Then you  are because I have found as not  a frequent user of social media. I often have a little bit of a  different experience. Um, so  anyway, and I didn't say that  to know that you weren't being  truthful. I just I want you  want receiving all of the  information? That's all. Um and  then the other thing is just a  point of clarification. Like  your analogy about Eric being  the boss of the school Building  Committee. I. Don't think quite  suits because of bus at a job  you get paid for would have a  different Air of like wanting  to side with that person, then  the way the school building  committee is designed to be a  collaborative, so I just wanted  to also make that point of  clarification because it is a  confusing process. That's all.  Can. I respond to that. Yeah,  quickly, and then we do still  have a long agenda. But. This  is an important conversation.  So yes, please do I I don't  know if that's the perception  of the people on the committee  and interesting because if if I  had somebody if there are  teachers on the committee,  right, so these teachers your  their Busses Busses boss. Maybe. I included one more boss in  there than necessary that  that's that's an intimidating  hierarchy. Right? And when you  want to have everybody on a  committee voice there. True  opinion having a hierarchy on  the committee is is something  that could obscure that. Well.  I'll just have some questions,  but I just take this  opportunity to say, I think  both things can be true. I  think it's super important to  have teachers and  administrators on the committee  and I see your Point. I think  both things are true. I don't  know that square that circle.  Um I'm gonna take my turn to  out to ask a couple questions.  Um, quick question when you're  done, Okay. Um So what? What?  I'm going to start with? I  actually just have a clarifying  question, which came from a  member of the public and an  email that I wanted to make  sure that I understood. Um A  member of the public asked  something about the This is a  very specific question, but I  just want to make sure that I  got it right. That, the number  the school number of students  is 740. And I believe that what  the member of the public was  trying to ask in an email was  Since our actual number is  lower than that. I. Think what  she was trying to say is, is  that would that be an  additional at like with that?  Is that room to grow or an add  on But? It's not we would be if  we went with this option we  would be building for 740  students correct. So that the  the MSP a Plan B A has a space  summary and the space summaries  designed about numbers they  come up with, so they come up  with 740 in this case, or 285.  In the smaller case they are.  There are larger than what you  actually have in place because  they they're doing the  examination of the communities  and looking at growth. Across  both communities they're  looking at, like as I said  earlier home sales, death  spurts, things like that. They  actually build in two  mechanisms for that they  require all projects no matter  what you're building. To have  extra space. So the 285. As I  said earlier. There's about 202  149 250 kids at the collar  school right now, so there'll  be this space for another 35  students. This currently in the  grades one through five is  currently 679 students in  grades one through five. Um, so  there's there's room there at  the at the other end of the  spectrum, so they do build it  in in the second mechanism is  they require You, while the  architects to design and make  sure they include future  expansion, so whether that  means putting something adding  onto the building or going up.  It just depends on what you're  building and how you're  building even for the smallest  option if you build the 285  student option, you still are  required to have To show you  don't you're not building  anything. You're just showing  on plans like this is a spot  that is appropriate for a  future expansion of Classrooms.  I think that's exactly I think  that's the clarification I was  looking for. I think I don't  want to speak for this person.  But I think that she was trying. I think she was asking about is  the jump from the 679. 740 is  that future expansion or are we  looking at building a building  the cost estimates at 740. I  think the answer is we're  looking at building a building  at 740 correct and I just want  to make sure because I think  her question was a good one was  her fear or I'm not. I. Don't  know for sure, but was like Are  we really looking at the cost  is only for the 679. And then  we would have an expansion. But  really, we would be looking at  74 correct based on again this  base summary where they say  they'll take numbers of  classrooms and sign their  averages. 22 average is lower,  but they average 22 and they  just multiply it important part  to think about all of these, um  from the smallest to the  largest, has, um Brum has extra  sort of head count in there  right for expansion, plus the  other part, which can I've  heard a little bit of confusion  about is that every single plan  needs to go through has to have  some sort of option for future  expansion population boom,  every single plan that we put  forward. So far has had at some  point because I know it got  noted the other night, you know, like, Oh. What's this dotted  line for future expansion,  Everything needs to have future  expansion, which is really  important to think about,  especially in our case because  the You know we're talking  about what color school rather  when Cutler was first built. It  was immediately irrelevant. It  was immediately Two small like  literally, They open the doors.  There was too small. So then  they had to put extension units  on the back, and that's how we  got sort of into the mess we  got into, you know, 60 years  ago, so now the whole process  is, you know, um is them  building in the fact that it  can grow right so again seven.  40 not gonna lie. It sounds  like a huge school. I Not 100%  comfortable with that number,  but that isn't our total  population. You know and again.  You know, like, how do you get  to that number, but like it's  the fact that if they're, you  know is more housing, because  if the turnover right the, um  you know, we're getting a lot  more young families coming into  the community, right? We have  more people coming into the  system. Hey, listen, I'm  telling you right now you build  a new school. People are moving  to town, right? It's It's got  to be on the MLS flyer, right?  Excuse me so we know that's  there but it But the thing is  the M s P A has also figure  that out, and they have now  because they used to not do  this right. This is another  reason why the timing is so  poor They now do factor in the  fact that there you know to let  all of this stuff Be able to  grow and then should you need  to add on at some point it  would be, you know, faster and  cheaper because you're sort of  planning that in the initial  stages. Sometimes it seems  expansive. I mean and again.  I'm not lying. I'm not going to  say it's not. It is a big  school but like part of this  design is to Sort of To take  care of all these problems all  at once, right? They they've  learned from their mistakes  were trying as a community sort  of learned from our mistakes  again. Actually me. I've been  doing this in a part of this  project for eight years now,  you know the first time you  went through Cutler. When. I  moved to town. I was I came to  Bucher. My Kids have all been  to Booker. So you know, I  didn't know the The. Other  school is as much until I got  into this process and you know  again, you go into the weeds, I  think are sort of staff and you  know our principles and our  custodians would ever do a  great job of sort of You know,  making the schools look as good  as they can. But in some cases,  I mean they're polishing turds  right there like these things  are Are really just falling  apart, crumbling infrastructure, and we have to sort of think  about doing that. And when you  actually start really touring  it with professionals starting  to look about what everything.  Um You know what everything  really is and how it's all  piecemeal, literally piecemeal  together, right and then, like  trying to make a ta access  ramps to these, At addition, so  they put a ramp through the  middle of a of a classroom  right in in, you know, And.  That's not a solution, right?  And, um and again now you have  to have you know classes in  hallways because the The  buildings are too small and  they're not flexible, right?  And really, when you're talking  about like, why, Why do you  want to brag about driving a  jeep down the hallways so you  can actually have students out  in the hallways doing breakout  War doing large scale projects.  So when you actually walking to  and from the hall, you're not  running over one another worked  in schools or if you have both  both case scenarios and trust  me, it's really a lot nicer  Having all that. Breakout space  and I've had. You know I've had  the luxury of sort of working  in a lot of new buildings, and  I've seen a lot of great things  happen. And you know again. I'm, currently in Beverly and You  know that school is still  considered brand new in this  community and at school is  drastically outdated and too  small, you know, so you know,  trying to learn from all of  that and bring it into our  community, right is where you  start getting, um You know,  getting all of this stuff out,  right? Sort of important to  sort of keep that all in mind.  As, you know, try to get like  this whole picture on on what  makes the most sense, right?  Alright. Um, thank you. Um, I  know Jen has something to say,  and it looks like David has  something to say. And then,  like I think this is a really  good conversation, But I do  also want to and I want to give  it the time that it deserves  and They also do I'm aware we  have another whole agenda so  But, you know, be mindful, Jen,  go ahead. Whether we are school  committee members like it or  not. The project. That, the  town of Hamlet but town of  Hamilton's select board. As  proposed to go in where the  Winthrop School It is. Has  become linked with ours. What?  What. What what is beyond us?  But the but we do not. I'm  sorry to interrupt, but it is  outside of our purview. What,  the town of Hambleton chooses  to do that is but I think not  for us to say station. Is that  People in the community don't  know what the town of  Hamilton's going to do. And. Is  there a way for us to like.  Find out at the very least,  when they will know that, like  I would just like to have a  date to send to people and say  like this is out of my purview,  but This is what I know. Bye.  This is the one time I say I  like operating in a silo. It's  our job to speak, concentrating  on what the best school is  right. It's not my job. I live  in Wenham for me to actually  try and think about what the  town of Hamilton's going to do  with the available of their  space like and and I couldn't  even possibly recommend that I  don't even think they know  they're looking for the I am  going to jump in its I'm in a  little bit of a Challenging  position I was I was on I was  the school committee  representative to the Hamiltons  master planning. Um which for  those of you mean master  planning is more of a visionary  process. It's not in the weeds  and detailed and specific And,  so it wasn't spelled out  explicitly, however. I will  tell you and that document has  not been. We have completed our  work, but that document has not  yet been approved and put  forward by the Planning board  and the board. So You know, but  there was a lot of discussion.  And. Those were public meetings. People can watch those meetings. There was a lot of discussion  by members of various elected  positions in Hamilton's about  the interest in potentially  developing that site. That  being said there weren't a lot  of specifics. I think that's  smacking us upside the head.  But Like it or not, it is  really very much, even though I  like I That's why I'm a little  uncomfortable because I felt  you know that was there's a  hard wall there. It doesn't  it's not. That's why I'm just  purview to say what the town of  Hamilton's chooses to do.  Plenty of lobbying going on  associated with that site. That  that is an accurate statement.  Where that ends. Uh um. So. Oh,  I'm Sorry David, go ahead. Two  things to Trent. Did You have  emotion that you you wanted to  make about two motions about  the questionnaire or in the  survey. And. Secondly. Is this  something that you would  recommend from your experience.  In regards to fixing up the  governance issues that you  identified. I think at this  point in time. Um Hmm. My  guiding principle here is I  want to make sure that we  secure some state funding? I  don't know what that looks like, because that's up to the voters. I think identifying what the  voters are interested in  supporting. Is key. And so I  have I have two motions. Um  I'll, um You know, do away with  the suspense. The first is To  contract with a professional  polling company. Then. The  second is to Delay the  submission to the MSB until we  get that information. Um at a  time. Maybe you want to do that? Um, only in the interests of  having all the information and  the fact that we have a meeting  next week week table The vote  on hiring a professional  polling company until we know  how much it costs like I'm  asking one week, so okay, so he  had nobody is actually made a  motion. We're just discussing  so And this is no no, no, This  is so because I, I'm going to  ask a question related to this,  Eric. I think that what you  said, was that I think What you  said. You tell me if I'm wrong.  Was that One of the things that  the MSB a I would listen to is  if The committee. Wanted time  or information about a specific  area. It and I'm not agreeing  or disagreeing. I'm just making  clarifying question. It sounds  like this could the specific  area B About because part of  their part of the feasibility  process was community input. So  Could it be that we want to  just Check in on community  input is that Like does it need  to be the MSB A. Like, In other  words, doesn't need to be about  the building or can it be that  like as part of this process we  are curious about We did all  these things for community and  put we did we did the forum to  to do that. I think I think  it's 100% appropriate. So that  being said So, I guess, um  Trent, So. I guess I'm not. I  don't want to. But I'm  wondering if what you kind of  were all saying. Is it a motion  that That occurs today or is it  emotion? Next week to look To  put it on for next week is that  is the question? Well I. I  think that if we go forward and  submit to the MSB, a The option  that's on the table. Right. Now  it's a gamble. And, So I think  that? Oh, I know, but if we're  if we're voting on, understand  that I think I was actually I.  Guess I think I'll just be  honest with you. As you started  speaking, I thought Oh, next  week when we get to this voting  item, he's going to make this  motion. So I was wondering is  by making it now. But. Then. I  hear people's concern about?  Well, I don't know how much  that got, like, I just don't  I'm looking for you to For.  Like what? Your timeline,  vision is like you're looking  for a vote tonight. In  anticipation anticipation that  because it doesn't seem like we  would have that information by  next Thursday. I think that we  just need to make sure that we  get the That. The plan is to  collect the information that's  going to guide what gets  submitted to the MSB A before  we submit to the MSB, a And. So  to my mind, you're looking to  make the motion and take a vote  on it tonight. I think that if  we are going to if there's any  plan to vote on the M s B  option next week, there's no  way we're going to have the  requisite really was just  clarifying question just to  make sure that I understood  what you were looking at. Um, I  know you haven't actually made  a motion yet. So. We delay the  vote. Well. I think it would.  It would need to think that you  have if, if he passes be would  then go into a of course. And.  So my only question would be  then for Eric, right? We were  probably get pushed back, say a  month. With the M F B a or two  months or two months 27th of  two minds. I think they're two  months cycles think it would be  a In the same way. I really  agree that we should be, you  know, start pounding our  chickens A little also don't  want to meet like where we are  in the process and we have the  rate at which I don't think it  was slow us down, But. I. Don't  concern us down will definitely  right. I. It's a worthy  cautious have two concerns,  though one is Does. The delay  push us So that we're not  looking at an April vote, but  we're looking at a right. I  guess that or a fall vote,  which is fine, but it's just a  question and then Second is.  Does the delay jeopardize us  with the M s B A, which I think  is a bigger question? I. Don't  believe it does my car I had  called them today specifically  to say What happens if Given  the tenor of you know the  community. So. Um they were  actually very good at saying we  want your product to succeed.  We want you to feel comfortable  pushing something forward to  the MSB, A Which in turn makes  everything else smoother down  the road. So the the there, you  know. They're on board. I think  it pushes us out, maybe a  couple of months. It depends on  how long it takes to get  somebody on board. Get the  surveys done. Get, get the  information back, So. That's a  timing thing. Um, I don't know  if we would be on be beyond, um  The town meeting in April, but  we do have the ability to  request special town meeting.  In the summer and fall that it  depends. It's whatever the town  want to do, but we do have the  ability to Request, a special  time meeting as the school  committee, um, in the interest  of time. We're not discussing  emotion, so I maybe just ask if  somebody has a motion so that  we could be actually discussing  emotion. Sure move that the  Hamiltons Madam School  committee contracts with a  professional survey or Pulling  company. To determine the will  of the voters around the school  building project. Second sorry.  Second by Amy, Come Burger. For  clarification. I Yeah. I want  to say I was that? I think the  hesitation was not about the  spirit. It was more about to  make sure that the wording I  think I think I don't want to  speak for the country. But that  was what I was editorialize.  That was the same thing. Go  ahead. In in your thought  process right in. Um Are you  thinking that We should be sort  of saying Here's the proposed  scenario. That's what we should  be pulling directly. Or I think  that we should I think that we  should be asking people like if  the goal is to determine what  people are willing to support.  I think we need to Put the  options on the table committee.  The the options that the  committee considered on Monday.  So not not all not going back.  No. No, no, no, no, I think  that, like I said that the  there's been tremendous amount  of work That's done. I don't  want to, you know, dishonor  that in any way. I do think  that if we Opposed to people.  Yes or no vote. We lose  information right Anytime You  make something binary. All of  the continuous information has  gone, um, for us to get the  best idea of what is going to  be supported. I think we put  those options in front? Of  people and see what happens  similar to the way that you all  did in the in those survey. Uh,  I'll tell you a little bit  fairy that, actually, you know,  I don't want to take over this  conversation, but I'll tell you  what my fear is in that. No,  I'm not going to look over  there because they're not going  to be happy with this, Um The  By, giving the option of lesser  money smaller. Vote. The  smaller school It doesn't solve. All the district problem. In  fact it solves very few. Of the  district problems. It. Which  point you're taking on a silly,  very large right? It would be  100 currently estimated $106  million. Project. For something  that only solves Best 30% of  the district prop current  district problems with the  elementary school. Right. So  the reason I'm sort of putting  that out there right, And it's  just sort of some of the some  of the, um conversation is  getting lost in the in the  diligence that's happening with  this, Um You know the building  committee, right is the fact  that like I mean? You know, I  sort of gave the scenario the  other day. If the if the Your  town one mega millions and we  had a billion dollars. Is  rebuilding. All three  elementary schools the way they  exist, still the best for the  town If money was not you take  money off the table. In a  analysis say I do not believe  Rebuilding as we are is The  best thing for the town. But. I  have a multitude of reasons Why, Right. So, my I get nervous.  Not saying yes or no. But. My  hesitation comes from I am very  Aware of this project, right?  It didn't and and this is sort  of falls into my general  warehouse of You know what I do  for a living What I've studied,  you know, for all these years,  Um and you know I have my  trepidations in looking at all  of this information. On myself.  So when you obviously opening  that up To people who aren't as  privy to as much information as  that. It can then sort of muddy  You know money that Suggestion  would say, Can I. Just add the  survey is a survey. It's not  going to direct how we vote,  right? I mean it's information  information that we will have,  but say Everybody wanted the  school and I didn't want it. I  would still vote, however, so  I'm just saying. It's a survey.  We're getting information. It's  not correct. We don't want to  offer something that can give  us information of how people  might vote in that town meeting. So if we could change this  survey, right, I, I just I just  wanted to shape the survey Give, Every school Committee member  of the opportunity to to  include their essay if you will, on their view. To go with it so  that you have the divergent  views on the school committee  needs to that's we can't have  individual Like. We can't write  individual That's not how the  school committee works. We have  to. Like what? I think Some of  these questions or comments are  about the design of the survey.  So I. My point of clarification  I was going to ask about your  motion is I feel like it needs  to be more specific about Who  is designing the survey. What  it says because we want to make  sure people have the correct  information when they're making  these decisions, right. That's  that's my concern is and I'll  use this as an example because  it's off the table. But like in  my just my In my heart of  hearts. I really thought Iron  rail was the perfect place. I  really did. I really thought  that And. I was very sad when  they that deterrent was  determination was that that  that was not the right place  for a new school? It wouldn't  be right to put Iron Rail on a  survey to say, Do. You think  Iron rail is a great place.  Because lots of people probably  would making that up. I don't  know idea whether other people  felt that way or not, but  somebody else might think. Oh,  yeah, That's a great idea, but  it's not feasible, so we don't  want to be. We. Don't want to  give people options. We want to  be really sure that We're  giving people options of things  that are real, and we don't  want to like that's a really  important we don't want. Sorry.  I don't I'm trying to. I'm just  I'm just being I think we're  all on the same page. I think  we We just want to be  thoughtful about the pros,  right? Yeah, I. I. Really. I  think that, um You know, a A.  Different approach to this  would be having a first motion  where we Um, charge the school  building committee. To produce  Data on the five options that  were considered and the pluses  and minuses as they saw them at  the time that exists that  already that already exists.  Yeah, Okay, is it Is it? Is it  like so complete that you would  put that in front of Voters in  this on the website. Okay. Now  I've I've seen the one that's  on the website. It's just You  were just expressing that there  wasn't the the information on  the pros and cons, Right. Well,  I mean, where I would still  again are great. I didn't want  to sort of say that to South.  But, yeah, People just sort of  don't understand what they're  looking at. It's complicated  again. So that's why I try to  sort of again. I've said it  many times had to be the  Lightning Rod. I'm the elected  school committee member here,  Right. That's My Job, pushing  that information out. You know  it. That's how? What I see my  role. As, right and and again,  it's sort of The idea of, you  know, having subcommittees to  then go to committees is to  actually have so you know, have  people going in doing the deep  dives, right? I mean? I know  I'm preaching the quiet hair.  But, You know the idea of going  in doing those deep dives doing  that having those, you know,  long harvested long, tedious  conversations going over all  this. You know with Dana. I  would have bet my house that  this as soon as school was  going to be At Iron Rail.  Excuse me. And you know But  like you go through there. Even. I filled out those You know we  we started with what 1516 at  first and in in, you know, 14,  right? And you And you went  through and you voted for  everything. Does this meet this  right Where. Where does this  meet this requirement this  requirement and you know you do  get lost in it pretty darn  easily. And even knowing what  I'm looking at, it can get it  got confusing at times. I have  to imagine as educated as our  populace is. That their eyes to  start blurring when they look  at that at some point, right,  so like the information has  been there. All along, right?  The information is there It's a  transparent process. However.  If, You know you're not I don't  mean this in a derogatory term,  but like if it's not being  explained to you and what it  means, then it it's not really  doing a good job of giving the  information that you're looking  for. So. I'm gonna just because  I'm really am mindful that we  do have a lot of other things  on our agenda. And. I'm sorry.  You're all going to have a late  night and, um, I already told  David Polito. I told him I ate  a big dinner at 445 because I  knew but Um Drake may so we  have nothing to go home. Um, if  I may just so Uh, I'm not sure  that right now we're going to  be able to design A specific  survey. In this group right now. I'm not sure that we're going  to be able to do that  accurately does that do we need  to design it? Or can we task  task that that's what That's  not what the motion says The  motion doesn't say that, And.  That was my point is the motion  doesn't say that. Um I guess I  want To sort of find a way to  move forward but also You know,  I don't know if that looks like  Voting on whether or not to  Create a survey. And Having an  agenda item next week that says  this is a proposed Method to  get to that survey. You know I  don't know. I'm just putting  that forward because I don't  know that And I. And. If you  disagree. Please let me know. I  don't know that that we're  going to just sitting around  here come up with the best  possible survey. No. So  possibly the motion. We should  to between now and the next  meeting to solicit proposals  for from right. I mean the  motion was just too. It was not  specific. It was To contract  with a polling committee. I  mean a polling company to  determine the will of the  voters. Which, I. Think is  pretty general, you know, So I  mean it does say that we're  going to do it by contracting  with the polling company. Not  that we're going to mean So. It  is a little bit specific, so I  don't know generally been very  patient. Thank you, um so my  concern with Putting, for  example. Book Cutler and  Winthrop on a survey as  separate schools. That's not an  option for us. That's what I  was trying to say. We don't  want to do things that are not  an option, so Right. It's  either Cutler or a combined  school. The MSB is not going to  give us permission to do Cutler  and Winthrop with our current  set. We could do whatever we  want, but they're not gonna pay  for it to pick money back to  state. My problem with putting  Cutler and Winthrop As separate  schools. Is that there is no  way for us to know. When. We're  gonna get approved because we  are going to have to go back to  the MSB A most likely How long  that approval will take And how  much it will cost Jennifer  might interrupt. I. Don't think  I'm not sure, but I. Don't  think I. Don't want to speak  here? I don't think Trent was  trying to say Put. I think that  the the options would be The  five from nothing. Renovate.  Build, a new Cutler school.  With the Cutler population or  the combined School, Correct.  Whatever the four options.  That's five but I just don't  think we can put a new Winter  school on a survey. We don't  know enough information, but I  don't think I wasn't saying  that. I wasn't I don't think we  were saying, that's what I'm  trying to say is, I don't think  a new Winthrop school and I do  and I do appreciate what John  is saying, because we have  gotten I've gotten many much  feedback from people, mostly  not an emails, but in public  forums where people say, Well,  it's fine. We'll just build  Cutler and then we'll build  Winthrop afterwards, and that's  Very specifically not something  that the state has offered us  like that is not going to  happen. The state has not  offered us to build Winthrop.  Um So Um, I do understand why  you're saying that because that  is sort of in the narrative in  the wind that I mean it's one  thing to say. Build Cutler at  $112 million or build a  combined school at $150 Million, but we can't say bill or we  can't say accurately build  cutlery at 112 and then in 6 to  5 to 7 years because we have no  idea what the timeline is.  We're gonna build Winthrop and  You have no idea what it's  going to cause. I. Don't think  I. Don't think I don't I don't  want to say I don't So. We're  not going to figure out what is  actually on the survey, But I.  Don't think that was what was  being suggested to help sum  this up, right? Welcome to our  life for the past for the past  year, right there more than an  answer to this problem. It is a  very Very complex problem that  even with the you know, decent  amount of work that was put  into it and options that we  have, you know, there's nothing  that That is Perfect. There's  no perfect answer. It's just  sort of trying to figure out  what makes the most sense right  and I think it does make the  most sense. To make sure if  we're doing all this work and  putting all this time and money  into it, that it is going to  pass or not, So at least we  don't look like Ipswich. I do,  I will, I will say I and I and  I and then I will say, My two  cents is I do think it would be  important to include the  information for the public that  the recommended option by the  school Building committee is  this? Because. I don't the work  that you guys have done? I mean? In other words, you've been  deeply steeped in this in the  minutia of this very related  way. It's funny, they it's been  in the back of my mind and  remember, really sort of  verbalized before, but I've  actually wondered if we should  have Been hiring a marketing  team the whole time to help  Push. Let me finish my second.  David. David! David! David!  David over here! Talk to us.  Please help explain the process  of everything that's going on.  So. That's stuff that isn't You  know that Is it clear couldn't  least be clear. So the  conversation, Okay, I'm going  to just interrupt because we  are. I think we're outside the  bounds of the motion right now,  which is, um and I think the  motion has been made and  seconded and the motion that I  have on the table is I moved to  contract with a polling company  to determine the will of the  voters on the school building  project. Does that seem  accurate? Tent yes polling  company to interpret that. Uh,  yeah. Can. We make an amendment  to the motion or No. Sure. I  mean you can make one. I don't  know whether it will get  seconded. Go ahead to amend the  motion to Um, moved to allow  the school building committee  to work with an outside vendor  to create a poll. Second Ah!  Okay, so the motion the  amendment is To keep the  wording of the motion, which is  to contract polling company to  determine the will of the  voters on the school building  process and to allow the school  building committee to work with  an outside vendor. Is that  correct? Mhm. Yeah one second  did that. I think Okay? Um oh.  Work with the chosen vendor.  Maybe I just I think we should  saying in 19. Don't is that  it's just the work back to the  school building the school  Camilla. I wasn't clear on who  the, um, survey would be coming  from like who the work would be  coming from, And. I think the  school building committee is  the appropriate body. I agree.  Is it? Can. I ask a question.  Yeah. I don't Well, I hold on.  I'm still into my Robert's  rules question here, Which is  that? I think that the I think  that if the person who made the  first motion accepts this, and  then it becomes a friendly  amendment, and we don't have to  debate and discuss it, so it's  becomes automatically part of  the main motion, which we are  still correct. Thank you so we  are still within the main  motion, which has now been a  It's A. It's a friendly  amendment accepted That. The  School Building Committee would  be The one test, we would be  asking the school building from  a day to do. To work with the  outside vendors that correct  that sounds good. You guys.  Okay, Um Eric. Can. I ask your  feedback on what you're hearing  and thinking about the  challenges that this  conversation is, are many you  look like you have a question.  Every school building  commitment. I think that Second  part. Second part would be.  Yeah pushes it over there, Eric  Here's my concern. This evening. I was Basically told that I  loaded the committee. Oh, yeah.  And. I don't think it's  inappropriate to ask for the  school Building committee if  there are people on this  committee will feel the  committee is loaded. Um, would  it? I'm just throwing things  out there? I'm not making a  motion. I mean, is it the kind  of thing that we put Select a  couple members member or two  from this committee. I mean, I  don't know how it works. I  don't know how we find the  polling company. I don't know.  Just hunt down. Right? I mean  do we want a representative or  two from the school committee  to work with that vendor? Do?  We Want to task. Eric with  working with that vendor. Can I  say for approval, like what do  we want? I think if the motion  is To have the school building  committee work with a  professional polling company to  determine the will of the  voters. And if all of us vote  yes, And if that passes Then we  are saying that we trust The  school Building committee.  That's what I? That's How. I  see that vote And if you don't  trust them, then you would  probably vote. No. Okay so  working with this professional  company, this is good debate  around the motion. That's  that's on the table. Um, I'm  going to just share my personal  view. On the which is that, um  I think Eric's point is a valid  one and might make me vote. No  on this and want to revert to  having it be that some other  body So, but I think your point  is a good one that we could  vote on this and determine  whether we want to put it to  the school building committee.  Um Well. Maybe you should vote  on the amendment if anyone  wants anymore. Discussion on  the amendment. We don't have to  vote on the amendment because  Trent accepted it. Okay. We  don't do it anymore. So Um, So.  Is there any more discussion on  the motion at hand? I think  Julia made a good point. That.  It's on the table, and if we  voted, it would go to the  school Building committee if it  were voted down. There's no  reason we couldn't have another  motion. Right? Mine's more of a  question. Um, slope. We  obviously don't know how much  this costs, Vinnie. But is this  something we would have to send  out to bid over 50,000? Yes.  Over. How much. I'm Sorry.  50,050 take a couple of weeks.  I don't know how much it pulls  up. I don't know That's why I  was asking about it's going to  be that much, but I don't. I.  Don't think so either, but I  just couldn't remember what the  cut off was. Yeah, three beds  either way. Um So I guess. I  would Are. We ready to vote? I  mean this is already a vote.  Just to be clear that the  motion is Sort of two parts now  at this point Can. You read it  again. I move to contract that  the Hilton one original school  committee contract with or I  guess now that it's amended. I  guess it's I move. We contract  with the polling company to  determine the will of the  voters on school building  project. And allow the school  building committee to work with  that outside vendor. Thank you.  Hmm. I second that It's already  been second was just clearing.  I just asked her to read it  again. Down. Um Alright. I It  looks like we're ready to vote.  I feel like I want to say  something that I already said,  But I We can vote. I guess I  Not in love with the language.  I'm not I personally think I'm.  I mean I'm just be Frank. That  seems off. Well I Yeah and I  personally think I'm going to  Vote. No, but not because I  don't want a polling company  because I think that Eric Has a  really valid point about Optics, and I think he might be right,  but it might not be best in the  hands of the school building  committee. Even though I I'm  torn about that. Um Would you  accept another amendment to the  only Yes, we can only have one  more amendment, and then we  can't you only get two on one  motion. Could You read it again. Give it a shot. Alright I move  that we contract with a polling  company to determine the will  of the voters and the school  building project. And to allow  the school building Committee  to work with the outside vendor. So. My amendment would be I'm  not going to try to restate the  whole thing. I'm just going to  go for the words, um, that the  school committee Um, in panel  and add hock. Committee of the  School committee members to  work with you, outside vendor.  Instead of the school building  committee instead of school  Building committee. Second  Second. Can I second coming.  I'm just writing. Yes, it's  seconded by Amy number. Um okay. So, now the amended the  proposed amendment. Everyone is  getting quite more paper vote  on the On what trench? Is that  correct right. The proposed  amendment is to say that, um we  would get the polling company  and the school committee would  assemble and Adducts Committee  to Work with the polling  company correct. Correct, OK?  We're ready to vote on the  amendment voting on just all we  are voting on is whether we  would like to amend the motion  to say the school committee  will assemble an ad hoc  committee rather than saying  the school building committee.  We'll work with the polling  company. So that was not a  friendly amendment. We will not  right. This is just an  amendment. We're going to vote.  Only on whether it's not. It's  not voting on the whole thing,  whether you want to do this,  you're just voting on amending  the motion. Everybody clear on  what we're doing. Any questions, all right. Alright, so All.  Those in favor of the amendment. Okay. All those opposed. Okay.  So that is 6 to 1 and the  amendment passes. Okay, and now  we are moving on to the main  motion, which is, shall we  Contract with the polling  company to try to determine the  will of the voters and create a  school committee. The school  committee will assemble an ad  hoc committee to Do that work  with the polling company. One  last clarifying question. This  is fun. Hit much myself in the  face right now, Um Would the ad  hoc committee, then. Sort of do  the diligence do the work and  then For approval from the  bigger committee first, or then  run everything and give And  give the results after I think  the policies say that these are  advisory committees and so  everything that they do is  advisory to this committee,  according to the crumpled,  Bring it back here. I mean, in  other words, my hope would be  it would be Here's the pool.  Here's the polling company like  Okay? I'm good. We do realize  this is going to cause another  vote after this is going to be  honest. Okay. Um I was going to  announce at the end of our  meeting. How Great. Our meeting  times have been, but okay?  Alright. Is everyone clear on  the motion. It's okay. Next  Week's meeting. Just got to  look at short. All right? All  those in favor. All right, and  that is unanimous and the  motion passes. Alright having  done that is anyone have  emotion moved to remove myself  from the ad hoc committee Hate  to break it to you want both  committees? It seems like it  would be counter and doing it.  You can't be on it. I would.  Well whatever you could think  you could do any way way before  they get to the BC would you  make of me? Okay? David is if  that trust me my concern, David, is that if you're not on it, we  lose your expertise. I do too.  I was just voted. That. We  didn't want the SBC to be  involved, and I feel like David  is a lightning rod. I mean? I  will just say My. My personal  concern was the concern that  Eric Mentioned, which was more  around the direct reports that  We're on the committee. And as  we know that is not the case  with David. He's No, that's  true. Um You truly represented.  Now you heard presented was  saying that you are the  opposite of a direct report to  Eric. Um, so the same conflict  doesn't arise with Um Hmm.  That's How I viewed It also is  how I viewed that. Comment. Um  Do we have? So. Are we looking  at two people. I would have to  be three. I. Don't believe that  the committee the policy  stipulates. No, I think it  could be any. I mean it can't  be a four because it can't be  us. But Um Do. We have any  nominations. How many trends.  Alright I heard one nomination  for Trent. Trent, Would You  accept that nomination? Okay.  I'm going to do both at once,  is anyone have another  nomination? Nominate David  Polito Second. Do. You accept  that nomination nomination.  Except sure, Okay. Any other  nominations volunteered to do  it. Plenty of Did you  experience David is  volunteering himself, all right? Um Anyone else? Nominations?  Don't we have to get a second  on that. Oh, Ah! I don't think  we got a second idea of them. I  don't think I have to. Did I  Alright. Do I have another  second on trends. 2nd 2nd on  David. Alito second, Okay  second and David Frankel second. Yes, okay. Um, I'm Truly  exhausted. Um fair enough, okay? Any discussion. No. Well, no,  but we need to three right  unless you guys want to do  three. What I thought we were  looking for two people. I  thought they were looking for.  Oh. Okay. Well, all right, then. Ah! Okay? Okay? All right. Okay? All those in favor of Trent  David Pulido David Frankel as  the ad hoc committee to work  with the Hypothetical polling  company or the future pulling  company on this pole. Not as  unanimous in the motion passes.  Okay? I hate to ask, But. Do.  You have another motion. No.  Just Did you really and you  just were like, couldn't deal  anymore. I think that we can  talk about? Delay to the MSB a  next week. I think they made  that I think it may be all  related and in Yeah, Thanks.  Okay? By, um Hmm. Thank you all  for that? Important  conversation and everyone's  willingness to stick with it.  Alright. Um, Next up. Vote on  the 2025 2425 change in the  calendar. Eric. There are two  Small changes to the calendar  that was originally voted had  gone back to the H W. A  president Christine O. He's  fine with the changes. Um,  generally how we Work on count  calendar changes. August 28th.  Is actually the new date. It  was the 29th. But. Um, we have  We need that data bring a  speaker in for the staff. So  Similar to what we did. This  year We moved on, Um, the  orientation for grade sixth and  nine back to Wednesday. The  28th And, then the graduation  date after a long conversation  with all of the superintendents  and North Shore Superintendents  Roundtable, we've all agreed to  settle our, um Graduation date.  Instead of the seventh, which  would have been really a week  later than just about everybody  around here to bring it to the  31st of May next year in the  room, the rule for the school,  uh For. The Mass Department of  Education is You can you can  graduate 12 days previous to  the original last day of school. In this case, it would be the  17th and you count back 12  school days, and that puts you  on that weekend, so you can  graduate Saturday the 31st and  still be within the  requirements of the department  of Ed. It came up in a  conversation with all of the  superintendent's because they  were All over the map. There  were some of the 31st some of  the seventh. Some of the fits  something, so everybody's  trying to move closer to that.  Um 31st date Because we're on  Saturday. We just moved it one  week earlier. Do. You have any  questions, comments? We have a  motion. David So we're moving.  The, the 2025 graduation date  to the 13th may 31st and  changing orientation Update.  You updated calendars. I'm  sorry I'm still going over the  last decade. Tell me about, um,  moved to Hamilton and, um, we  just school committee approved  the updated 2024 2025 calendar  as presented. Second Second by  Gen Car any further discussion.  All those in favor. And that is  unanimous and the motion passes. Okay? Office personnel  agreement. Yeah, yeah. Eric or  David, Do. You want to speak? I  don't know which wants to speak  David. Um, yes. So I don't know  if everyone saw their email. Um, before we came It was just to  us. I don't know that the  office personnel did ratify.  Their contract. Um, I believe  earlier today. So now It's up  to us to vote to approve it and  Put it into effect beginning  July 1 Hey, Um, can you start  us off with the motion? And  then if anyone has any  questions, Um Yeah, so I vote  Hamilton on a regional school  district vote to approve the  office personnel agreement for  2024 to 2027 as presented in  the agenda. 2nd 2nd by Amy,  Come Burger. Anyone have  questions? All right. Um Very  excited about that. Get that  done. Um all right, all those  in favor. Any opposed. All  right, and it was unanimous and  the motion passes. Nice work.  Um, Eric. Do. We have that here  to be Signed. Yes. Excellent,  So we'll get that signed at the  end of the meeting. And I'll  bring him to chickens. Have him  sign tomorrow. Fantastic Okay  for you guys to sign. Fantastic, Alright. Um Next up is the  superintendent. Summit of  evidence to you, Eric. Thank  you? This is the final  submission of evidence that  comes every year did the mid  year earlier in February and  Basically you just continue to  add to that evidence along  through the school year? And  get the information available  to you as you work on the  Evaluation for the end of the  year. Um All of this evidence  is I'm going to continue to add  to it can still doing Certain  things still still building  through the rest of the school  year. But, this is this is the  kind of the bulk of Uh, the  things that are designed to  align with the goals that I set  beginning school year and also  meet the tenants of the the  administrator rubric for  superintendents. You guys Some  of you have been familiar with  that you have in the past, so I  just wanted to make sure that  you had this on time so that  you could have enough time to  work through the process of, uh, Summit of, um, evaluation. I  have a question on timeline. Do. We have this timeline? Great  question I was going to say, I  don't think we have the  timeline and I'm not. I think,  Eric. You and I have that  hopefully on an agenda. We need  to do that. I don't think we  have a timeline, Do we? For,  the for the evaluation. What  day, it needs to be done. I  think we've done that yet? No  working on another. So. Um so  we do need to do that, And I  think it really needs to be, um  We're in a different situation  this year for the first year  since I've been on the  committee is that we didn't  have any turnover. Um at the  election, and so, um You know  we don't have that sort of  situation where people are  rolling off and we need them to  get there. Evaluation in  beforehand. Um but, yes, next  meeting and I probably should  have put on this meeting,  though. Frankly. I'm Glad I'm  not Didn't. We need to talk  about that timeline And when?  When, um when people's  evaluations are due, um And, Um, for those of you, which I think  is just trying hasn't done this  before the evaluation. We'll  have a timeline about when the  evaluation is due. And then a  separate timeline for who and  when the consolidated  evaluation will be presented,  and then we'll vote on it, But.  We'll get that timeline. I  think we should put that on  next agenda? Um and hopefully I  will awful offer. We will offer  a Brief workshop. Um, for those  of you who want to go to a  workshop on how to do Um How to  actually do the evaluation and  evaluation itself is, um, the  first time is a little bit  daunting of a process just like  Once you get going, It's fine,  but just the it's very, um Very  structured and the way that you  have to do it. I just heard  that I was going to spend  Mother's day doing it.  Excellent. Perfect. Yeah,  that's when you have a penciled  in on your calendar Mother's  Day my next free time. Remember  last year doing it. Excellent.  Um Okay. Does. Anyone have any  questions? Um, about the  evidence? I mean take, you know  there's obviously a lot there  and take time to go through it  and speak to Eric about about  it. Anyone have any questions  here? Okay? All, right. We'll  be discussing this several  times. Throughout the Uh um, I  don't well, the after Summit of  evidence. Yes, Um No. Are. You  looking to have a presentation  of the evidence. Is that what  you're looking for? I don't  need a presentation. But. Last  year. It was everybody kind of  wrote their own submitted that  somebody think David did it  last year submitted to one  person pilot all And it was  presented in June. Okay? Yeah,  that's fine. Um, but certainly  at any time. You know if you  have Questions about something  in the evidence that you want  to dress and even even if you  wanted addressed in a meeting,  we can certainly do that. If  you have something Um Okay?  North Shore Education  Consortium. So the attached  exhibitors is, um All the  superintendents in this area  are required to be on the board  of the North Shore Education  Consortium and the Court  Consortium just asked us To  make this approved budget for  2025 available to each of our  communities for for viewing. So  you can understand some of the  programs they have. It has a  really nice breakdown of Who's  involved in all the schools  that are involved in this  particular consortium. There  are a number across the state  with their mission and core  values are talking a little bit  about their school programs,  and they're very specific does  specialized educational  programs for kids with, um  severe disabilities. Kids that  need, um Smaller classrooms and  they take in. Uh, as you can  see, they take in kids from  Number of up to 20 districts  now. Across their all of their  schools. And this this is just  their their budget breakdown  and they just can ask us to  bring it forward so that the  school committees can at least  see how things are being done.  Each member, uh, pays a fee to  be part of the consortium each  year, which gives us a  reduction in costs. Um For  certain. Students that we send  there. So if we send up Student  to them. That. It may be a  $50,000 program members who are  paying annually we pay $5000 a  year to be a member would get a  reduced rate. Let's say $30,000  35,000 or something. So in the  in the realm of special  education is helpful to  continue to find ways to reduce  costs for a specialized program. So Um so history budget  histories are here. Tuition  rates are here so you can see  what What's happening on a  daily rate for specific schools. Each school has a specific type. Kids in the school there.  There's a specific, uh, program  specific for kids with Higher  level autism. There's there's  kids with autism and behavioral  connections. There's another  school for medical fragile kids, so they really take on students  that are really difficult for  us to keep in. You know our  regular school buildings. They  just need specialized attention, Specialist care, etcetera, So.  There's just a breakdown they  want. They want us to share it  every year and I just wanted  everybody to build a Take A.  Look at it, and, um No. Because  see how they're running. They  actually Do a really good  service. They're working with  us right now. All the Groups to  be able to Um, look at the way  to condense bussing for  transportation out of districts  that that are really high cost  for a lot of districts millions  of dollars. In many cases.  We're looking working with all  of the 20 districts and NBC to  try to figure out a way. Two.  Kind of group transport. So if  we got three kids and three  connecting towns going to the  same place we can set up  everybody paying for their own  transportation at $300 a day.  You know they would combine it  and reduce the rate. So there  is really working with us to  help reduce costs across the  board. Okay? Questions. By  can't remember. Last year there  was this Stan Shal increase in  the costs were paying for this  correct. There was. Ah, yeah,  there was a shortfall. And each  of the communities was  reassessed. Are. We going to be  reassessed again this year.  Okay. That was my question.  Thank you. The the The rates  will go up next year. Say that  the membership rates they'll  probably set those in May and  then Generally they go up every  few years? They haven't for a  couple of years. They've been  like $5000 Remember, nor  tuition rates. Membership  membership rate. Sorry  membership tuition rates  consistently go up every year.  They slightly go up. It wasn't  like 16% last year, 14%. They  did not go 14%. Fortunately.  They didn't go 14%. They were  one of the few schools that  didn't go 14%, wasn't it that  they were, it was that they  were allowed to go up to 14%.  And. So we had to Make our  budget guests based on the fact  that they could potentially go  up four PT in percent. Couldn't  remember, Thank you, and then  If. It's special projects  occurring things like that the  districts of member districts  can can be assessed fees like  there's a H back project that  will be assessed the fee for  Just part of being in the  consortium and working part as  part of the consortium. Other  questions. Okay? Thank you.  Okay. Um All right Next up. We  have the policy subcommittee Um, it has brought forth and I  policy discussion. Um And. So.  The Policy subcommittee is, um  Julia Jen and David Frankel is  the chair, correct? Okay, So,  um I would like to start this  item off emotion I'd like to  table this to a future meeting  because it will take up along  with what else has left. I  think it'll drive us. To turn  on or beyond side. I thought  with what? I'm hearing motion  to table a motion to table a  future meeting. Future many do  we have a second Second by Amy  Come burger, Please Just get  this done. Well, this is  discussion. So I'm hearing from  another policy member that you  would like, not like to table  it would not like to table it.  I just want to vote on it. You  want to kill it? So be Frank.  If that's the vote and that's  voting. You got to live with it. I I absolutely lived by the  okay. So Right now we're  discussing whether or not to  table so policies doorstep for  months. Hmm. We have other work  that we need to be doing. Just  Which is one way or the other.  Putting this off for months.  All right? Is there any other  discussion? I just would like  to point out that it's 930,  right? Yeah. I think that  there's a very good possibility  that I would not give my utmost  attention to it. I would say,  um, I was just gonna say to you, but also the whole committee.  We as a policy subcommittee  will not be discussing this  until it is voted on by the  full school committee. Correct.  Okay, so I I'm happy to table  it. I feel bad that I'm split  between two members, but either  either way we can go forward or  we can table But can we specify  the date that we table it, too?  So. It's like this is when it's  happening because this has been  put off, right? I agree.  Multiple meetings. Well. Yes. I  actually I was Because we have  to at the After this we have to  vote on the chair. I actually  can't say that I will guarantee  you that I'll put it on the  next meeting, so I think you  would need to specific specify  that you want to table it until  the next meeting, which I  believe it would fit on. So  Yeah. Do. You want to add that  to your table Ng? Sure meetings  next week. Is that correct?  Okay? Hopefully that won't be  as crowded agenda. Um yeah.  Alright, so the motion is to  table until the until this next  week's May 2nd meeting. Second,  okay? There any further  discussion? You look like you  have something to say. Honestly, like, just okay. Hard. Time  keeping alright. Alright. Um  alright, so the motion is to  table until next week. All  those in favor Discussion is  unanimous and okay. All right.  Um and okay. And that will get  on next week's agenda. All  right. At this point the way  that this will work next is  that we are going to reorganize  the committee because we've had  an election and we have  actually don't have new members  that we have newly elected  members starting a new term.  We're starting a new term. Um  at this point, I will turn the  gavel over to, uh, Mr Tracy, he  will ask. He will Get  nominations for the chair and  we'll move forward from there.  Away. My home actually need to  use it here, but Um, thank you,  everybody. I am currently  taking nominations for the  chair for the next school  committee year. I nominate Dana  Alero 2nd 2nd seconds all over  Trent second. Do, You accept  this nomination? Any discussion. Other nominations. No other  nominations, Okay? Let's move  to vote in favor of moving Dana  Lara's the chair for the next  school committee year. Looks  like it's unanimous. Thank you.  Thank you. Motion passes. I'm  gonna hand this back now. Thank  you. Didn't when I saw the  agenda, I didn't really think  that was gonna be a fun vote.  Thank you all? Um At this point  I would like to take  nominations for the vice chair.  Do. I have any nominations. I  nominate Amy number for the  vice chair. Amy, would you  accept that nomination except  There. Oh, do I have a 2nd 2nd  2nd by Juncker. Um are there  other nominations for vice  chair? Okay, curing none. Is  there any discussion? Go any  Yeah. Alright all those in  favor. That is unanimous and  the motion passes.  Congratulations, Amy. All right. Um Next up. Um so we do have we  need a secretary and warrant  signer? Um And, um David. I  will just say that David very  graciously. Volunteered to be  secretary and was Pretty  specific that it was to get us  through till the end. I think,  but I don't want to say I  thought I would great job. If  if you decide you like me to  continue, I would accept the  nomination and I probably  remember I was the secretary.  Go, Um That, So I was really  just trying to put an opening  in case anyone is particularly  one else's welcome willing,  whole opportunity. Nominate  David Plato as our secretary,  actually don't hate it, so I do  accept Alright. I heard a  second. Um and I heard you  accepting is there are there  any other nominations for other  people for secretary? Hearing  none. All. Those in favor of  David. Does Secretary, David  Alito. I appreciate you guys  actually have to vote all those  in favor side right? That is  unanimous in the motion passes  14 to nothing win, right, Um  Next. I need a nomination for  warrants. Signer. Does. Anyone  have a nomination. I would like  to be the Warren signer. I know  that you have been the warrant  signer David for a while, Um I  just found that I Really liked  coming into the office and  seeing what's going on and  actually seeing the operations  and I really enjoyed it, and I  felt like it kept me really  connected. I'm willing to you  know. Entertainment. If. You're  still I just I would love the  nomination, but I'm just  putting my name out there. I'd  be happy to nominate you.  Campbell Iswaran signer didn't  want loved it. I didn't want to  take it away from him. No, no,  no, Do I've enjoyed it, But I'm  happy I will say the good thing  which I know we're in the  middle of it, But, I will say  the good thing about Warren  signer as we Um We do need a  warrant signer. We also need a  backup. Um I'll just be fully  transparent that because we  have most often asked a  newcomer to do it, I have  actually, I actually already  asked, trying to feel would be  willing to do it, which is But  what is good about this is that  We do need a backup and I'll  actually just get ahead of  ourselves. We'll ask. You also  need to vote that anyone could  sign a warrant. We don't ever  want to be in a situation where  Nobody as well. Nobody's  available to sign We actually,  um Well. I have. It's typically  at three o'clock. On Wednesday,  so I'm happy to be back right?  It is definitely an  availability issue like you  definitely have to be available  Logistics thing. So. Okay, So  I'm Sorry. I derailed myself.  So Julia Got nominated and  seconded and she accepted.  Right? Yes. Vote. Okay, Um all  right, all those in favor. That  is unanimous. And. The motion  passes. Um and then do we want  to Uh, do I hear have  nominations nominations for the  I. Guess I don't know if it's  not an official position, but  we really do need to have a  backup can be nominate Trent  Unda as our backup warrant  signer. Excellent trend is that  something time was available to  do that. Excellent. And, um  Well, we could take a vote  first, um Is everybody Okay  with that all in favor. The  motion passes. Um all the  backup really means is that  Julia, if you know you're not  going to be there, that Trent  is the person you call, um And.  Then it gets done. I do want to  take if someone makes is  willing to make a motion that  we could all sign in case um  That's a good thing to have on  the books. David Oh, no. Who.  Is our secretary Forgotten. Can. You make a motion that about  all of us being able to sign  the winner moved that the  Hambleton School committee Um,  allow All. Committee members to  Side. Warrant. In an as needed  basis. 2nd 2nd by gender.  Alright questions on that. All  those in favor. Um And the  motion passes and that is an  important one. Thank you, um  and I did want to say it sounds  like David Frankel is available, So. Maybe that's a good chain  of command, right? Like you get  but will not let it go unsigned, You know, Um it's good to know  who's who is You know, I I also  often available, but good to  know. Be there in a pinch. Okay. Um yes, Spirit do we also  usually choose a vice secretary? Oh, yeah, we do. And again. I'm  not sure it's really an  official position, but it  actually comes up quite a bit  that we need to have someone  who's willing to be, uh, the  backup secretary Vice secretary  assistant secretary think  that's what it is. Assistant  Secretary. Do. I have any  nominations? Thank you very  much for assistant Secretary.  I'll do it. Alright I nominate  Jenn car car as assistant  secretary, right assistant  assistant secretary. Um All  right, um Okay? Ah! Ah, Do we  have any Discussion all those  in favor. Congratulations, Jen  and thank you very much alright. And the motion passes. Okay? Um  I think we did it next up?  Assistant treasurer. Update.  Vinnie just have subcommittees.  Sorry. Oh, I thought we wanted  to know. We. Don't read.  Reorganize them. Yeah  reorganized. It says that But I  have to be on next week's Yeah.  That is my my I actually told  people we were doing it next  week. I'm sorry it is on there.  I apologize. That is my error.  Um Emotional Uh, next week. I  moved to table subcommittees  and actually liaisons next week. MM. Second subcommittee  discussion the next week. You  can't sorry. Second. Thank you,  David. Goodbye, Gender, Um  Alright, uh, all in favor. And  that's unanimous and we will do  that next week. My apologies on  that. Um Yeah. Um okay,  Assistant Treasurer update,  Vinnie. So. Unfortunately Katie  LaVoy, Our assistant Backup  treasurer has resigned, She  found a new job and this  doesn't fit with the kind of  every Wednesday demand. Kevin  district treasurer and I went  through the job posting posted  it on school spring. We have  three applicants right now, I'm  just looking for guidance if  anyone wants to be involved in  the process, technically both  treasurer's report directly to  the school committee or do you  want to continue with our past  practice where Kevin and I go  through the resumes interview  and kind of bring our final  candidate to you for approval.  Can. I ask a question. I  actually think I. Not sure, but  I feel like when we hired Katie  that we I believe it was Anna  was. I think she reviewed the  resumes? Is that accurate or  not? I don't exactly remember  that, but she certainly could  have I just I. Don't remember  voting on whether I wanted to  say that I think maybe we did  have a school committee member  go and review the resume. I  went back and looked at the  minutes. You didn't take an  official vote on it, but I  didn't Notice it didn't We did  vote on the on the appointment  of her on the appointment of,  um so I may be wrong about that. I could be wrong. Not sure. Um  So your idea would be that you  would bring forth the candidate  that you and then we would  correct that me and him kind of  Interviewed. And how long do  you anticipate that would take  How long You said. Probably two  weeks we could have a candidate. Discussion. Oh call the  assistant treasurer twice a  year. I want to just say,  though, you know you have to  have it. I will just say we had  a situation. Whatever that was  34 years ago, where our  assistant treasurer was  critical. Like when you need  them, you need them. So like  This is while it is important  to have well, it's not very  often. It's really important I  would. It makes me nervous not  to have one. We really So this  board so long I was the  assistant treasurer. Yeah. You.  Definitely from the start. Um  okay, so well, um I. Mean. Does  anyone have any mean? Vinny  sort of asked him question of  the committee? If it doesn't I  don't not hearing any emotions.  On that so Okay, so we'll look  forward to having that and I  think we did post the rent with  the resume on and we voted to  resume on. Maybe. That's just  what I'm remembering. Okay.  Thank you. Thank you. Um okay,  Committee reports Capital  Finance. Um we were supposed to  meet this week. Um Trent. I  wasn't able to make it and I  was definitely ill. So we did  not meet this week. Sit down  and reschedule meeting when is  allowed? Do you know when the  last time you guys met was I  think I owe minutes for it Was  it. March 11 March 11th. I have  the minutes for it. You have  the minutes. I think it was  march? 11th. Okay, So you met  in March? I was just so you did  you met in March is what I'm  Yeah. Okay, yeah. Okay? Um and  11th. Right, and you anticipate  getting that on the books? Soon. Ah! Policy. Nothing. We're just  waiting for me to Okay. Do. You  have a scheduled meeting. No,  no, no, we we have noticed Sign  mint from this committee. Great, Okay. Um, this one All right,  um Negotiations. David on me,  and I actually not sure I can  look it up. Tuesday. It's  coming right up was Our. Next  meeting is Tuesday. Obviously,  we Ratified the Office  personnel this evening and I  think we're making Really? Good. Headway. Moving pretty quickly.  With the teachers, so we'll see  how Tuesday goes, but You know?  I'm pretty optimistic. So  Looking good. Okay? Um Mr.  Secretary. Do you have a report  for us? I. Don't think I  actually requested one. Don't  okay, so could actually just  about to look at it. I was  gonna say, Could we request I  request that you bring one next  time. Be good. Okay. Excellent.  Um Thank you. Um All right.  Eric back to you. Alright  actually quick and dirty this  evening last night, I had the  opportunity to attend the  annual National Honor Society  ceremony, which is always fun.  Um 34 new students to seniors  and 32 juniors were in  conducted into the group. If.  You've never been. You. Gotta  go. It's really you know, it's  It's a great ceremony where  each of the current members Has, an inductee that they speak  about and they really speak  from the heart and speak from  you know their their connection  with this with this particular  person, um, either on a team or  in theater or in classrooms or  just in the community so really, really fun to kind of listen to  the way Kids talk about each  other and and really help to  make the connections to the  tenants of Nationalist society,  So it's a fantastic ceremony.  Job well done last night, and  it was fun to do something  where I didn't have to speak. I  forgot it was last night. I  really want to? I went to  Beverly's a couple weeks ago,  and I got to go to Hamilton's.  It was good. Okay? Um, right.  Is that it? All right, well, X  Stole what I was going to talk  about. I got to go last night.  It was truly it was really  lovely, Lovely And it's The.  Kids are amazing when you hear  them talk about each other and  accomplishments that, um, it's  a really low I don't know  whether all National Honor  societies do it that way, But  it's so Nice to have they're  just, you know, just the one  the senior talking about the  junior member and it's lovely.  So. It was really nice recorded  on. I don't think it was  remember seeing someone taking  photographs, but not taking  pictures. I don't think yeah,  Throw it out there, Eric. That.  If, um you know, opportunities  like that, where people Great  for us to sort of go and  represent that you can sort of  give us a Email reminders. Yeah, absolutely. I really meant to  it. I hate that It's slipped my  mind. So Uh um. Okay? Let's see  what work. Yeah. Exactly. Um,  um okay, so I guess, um, I want  to just quick to give some  quick updates, Um, just to let  you know that, um Janelle is  going to be reaching out to the  select boards. Um, in order to  get the regional agreement  meetings started. So, um, we  all It was a request to wait  until after the election  because there was some turnover. Um, so that's exciting. She has  agreed to try to Rangel that  schedule Um, which is relevant  to me trying to wrangle the  retreat date schedule. Which  brings us to our next topic, so  I got 12345 people said they  could do The August 9th. I'm  not sure that Eric can do.  August 9th And so I don't know  whether that's a Friday Eric.  Sorry Friday Friday. Okay. It's  a Friday. The people I did not  hear from where I could do it  by. Gosh August 9th Well done.  Wow. Okay. Sorry for not  answering. You know, that's  Retreat Oh my gosh. That's  August 9th Okay and hours we  don't have exactly but I'm  we're looking at probably like  a 9 to 1. Yeah like something  like that. I think 92 something  like that. Um, awesome. Thank  you so much. Um I think I'm not  going to say anything else, I  think, um, well, except that So  not counting tonight. Who wants  to take a guess. At. What are  many are meeting length has  been so far for fy 24. 90  minutes 1945 You must be a  numbers guy. One hour 46  minutes, Vinnie Cuban track.  Spreadsheet in front of, um  alright, um, but again, you  know, it's not a stated goal  anywhere. My dream, though, was  keep it under two hours. And so  that's kind of exciting. That's  why I contributed 20 to 30  minutes. Um all right. Um, Does  anyone have any questions for  me? I have a Quick clarifying  question for the group. Um, we  are We just sort of created our  subcommittee tonight. So. Now.  We have to post when we meet,  correct? Yes because there's  three committee care we meet  remotely, Yes. Yep. We'll talk.  Yep and as we've discussed many  times, you can have as many  scheduling conversations as you  want, and you cannot violate  open meeting law. As long as  you're just talking about  scheduling. Um okay. Ah!  Alright topics for future  meetings, Anyone I just wanted  to make sure that we added the  MSB a submission. Date  discussion to next week. Yes. I  think it's yes. We are already  Uh, There's an item on there.  Not? Sure. It's something that  exactly, But yes, there is an M. S B A. It's wording changed to  vote. Yeah, um We'll work on  that. But guard Liss that would  be the appropriate place to  make a motion or would be  within the bounds of that  agenda item Regardless. Um,  that sounds like you're looking  at To specifically discussion  around delaying the timeline  due to the pole. That's correct. Um We had mentioned at an  earlier meeting, too. Discuss  Next steps on the change to  school start times. Truth be  next meeting just If. We could  do it before the Hmm. So your  ins for the school year ends.  Yeah. Yeah, because Okay,  definitely is going to affect  teacher contracts if we decide  to change anything, Yeah. Um  Okay? And then What did Julia  just It was something Julia  said earlier. That was like  making sure that's on the  agenda. Subcommittee. Oh,  subcommittee. Just something  that's on there. That's already  there. Um Yep. Um Okay. Anybody  have anything else. Motion to  adjourn. Have a 2nd 2nd. All  right. All the Is there any  discussion? All those in favor.  49 9 49. That's not even 10  o'clock.