At the forefront of the meeting, the committee discussed the staffing situation at Baker School. The need to add a full-time equivalent (FTE) position was identified to ensure a full-time certified English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and a full-time certified Social Studies teacher could be appointed at the school. The discussion also covered the necessity to codify the process for staffing requests and the identification of suitable funding sources.

The meeting progressed with an update on the third-grade class sizes at Hayes School. A decline in the number of registered students was reported, with an average class size projected to be 23. The committee discussed the impact of the Rise program on class sizes and considered the implications of maintaining three classes for the third grade. Public comments during the meeting revealed concerns about the challenges large class sizes pose to students and teachers.

The committee also examined the acceptance of a sizable grant from the Innovation fund, totaling $227,082 with additional non-salary costs of $30,000. While the grant supports the Strategic plan, its acceptance prompted discussions regarding the sustainability of programs funded by such grants and the potential for teacher reductions and changes in staffing models. The committee’s motion to recommend the grant’s acceptance to the full school committee underscored the balancing act between embracing new funding opportunities and ensuring long-term program viability.

Finance policies were another major topic of the meeting, with the committee deliberating on the need for updates to align with the school’s educational goals and values. Specific discussions revolved around the use of language pertaining to equity within the policy and the inclusion of details such as purchase orders and submission timings. The committee showed a preference for a flexible approach to these details.

The timeline for the budget emerged as a issue, with some committee members questioning the necessity of the February 15th deadline in relation to the town meeting scheduled for May. Concerns were raised about the stress this timeline places on the school side and whether it aligns with practices in other towns. The need for clarity in the budget approval process and the frequency of financial reporting were also debated, with suggestions to enhance reporting practices and establish clearer guidelines for handling grants, gifts, and the role of Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs) in funding.

Finally, the administration of scholarships was discussed, with a proposal on the table to transfer the responsibility from the public school district to the Brookline Community Foundation (BCF). The debate focused on the school staff’s ability to identify students who would benefit from financial assistance and the importance of maintaining transparency in financial reporting and budgeting. The committee considered prioritizing certain policy updates and reconvening in three weeks to further discuss and potentially draft a new policy.