The meeting began with an important update on the financial status of the district. Dawn, a new member of the school administration team, outlined the efforts required to reconcile the previous fiscal year’s financial records. She described the situation as “fairly traumatic” for school principals and others who depend on accurate financial data. Dawn explained that the financials for fiscal year 2024 were currently unprepared for reporting, necessitating extensive reconstruction of information from the previous year. This included integrating records from Harkers Payroll Service into the general ledger. Despite these daunting challenges, Dawn expressed confidence in her financial expertise and her ability to navigate these complexities. She also mentioned seeking guidance from the Massachusetts Association of School Business Administrators to enhance her understanding of school finance.

In response to these issues, an actionable proposal was introduced to process warrants on a bi-weekly basis. This change aims to align more effectively with municipal practices and reduce late fees associated with invoice payments. Dawn noted that some surrounding school committees had already approved similar changes. The committee members agreed that this adjustment would likely fall under administrative actions rather than requiring formal policy review.

As the conversation progressed, the urgency to reconcile past fiscal discrepancies was emphasized. Committee members expressed a desire for a detailed update on expectations and timelines for financial reporting by November. One member highlighted the importance of understanding the current fiscal landscape and acknowledged the challenges the new leadership has inherited.

The meeting also addressed personnel changes, including the introduction of Amy Drake, who began her role three days prior to the meeting. She joins a revitalized central office team that includes the recently appointed assistant superintendent, Michael Fet. The central office leadership expressed optimism about their direction, emphasizing collaboration, communication, and support for school principals and teachers. Their philosophy of service, encapsulated by the phrase, “What can I do to help?” aims to create a positive environment amid financial difficulties.

Dawn, who had been on board for two weeks, shared her excitement about returning to her alma mater and highlighted that students had been invited to interview members of the central office team to foster understanding of their roles. She stressed the need for clear financial information and pointed out the backlog in reporting due to the previous fiscal year’s challenges. Despite the complexities, Dawn expressed confidence in her ability to navigate the financial landscape.

Additional discussions focused on contracting a retired business manager, Carrie Sheen, to assist with grant writing for the upcoming fiscal year. Productive discussions with Jay Sullivan regarding essential deadlines for extension requests were mentioned, emphasizing compliance with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) while addressing various financial challenges.

The committee then turned to the performance of an external IT company, referred to as “suar it.” Concerns were raised about the efficiency and effectiveness of their services, particularly unresolved tickets that had accumulated over the summer. The new administration had taken a stance by addressing these concerns directly with the company’s leadership. If performance did not improve, there might be discussions about not renewing the contract. The superintendent expressed understanding of why the previous administration had engaged the services of suar it but acknowledged the dissatisfaction expressed by teachers and principals regarding the timeliness and quality of support.

Further discussions included updates on school policies and community engagement initiatives. The principal was pleased with the ongoing implementation of a phone policy, though suggestions to provide shoe bags for students to drop off their phones were met with resistance from teachers. The committee also received an update from the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO).

The meeting also touched on the school council’s plans to recruit parent volunteers and the Title IX policy updates, which were scheduled for ratification at the next meeting. A field trip request for fourth graders to visit the Connecticut Science Center in December was approved, with parents covering the $27 per student cost.

Lastly, the committee discussed security upgrades, noting that the project was 90% completed with camera installations and hardware in place. However, issues with overly sensitive motion sensors were reported. The meeting concluded with an update on a new van for transporting preschool children.