all right we'll start with the Pledge of Allegiance I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all we just stay standing and do a moment of for Norman forette [Music] you this is notify that the regular meeting of the greater new Ben Regional Vocational Technical High School District committee will be held on Tuesday May 14th 2024 at 11:21 Ashley Boulevard New Bedford Massachusetts at 6:30 pm in the student Forum Stewart could we get a v call please yes Mr olera here M Pento here Mr Shay here M rero here Dr Marlin here Mr durgen here Mr Tumi Mr there any public comment tonight no there were no comments received as of 3 p.m. yesterday we'll move along so we next on our agenda is election of officers can I get a vote to appoint Mr Watson as the secretary of the regional district committee effective July 1 2024 through June 30th 2020 make a motion to appoint Mr Watson as our secretary second second all in favor okay thank you Miss Benton Court uh with the meeting turned over I would now entertain motion for the nomination of chairperson like to make a motion for Wayne oliv to be the chairperson second motion is made and seconded to nominate Mr Ola as chairperson are there any other nominations seeing none I'll close the nominations for chairperson call for a vote all in favor I any opposed motion carries unanimously I would open the floor for a motion to be made for the nomination of Vice chairperson make a motion we nominate Carol pental chairman motion is made and seconded for Carol pental as Vice chairperson are there any other nominations seeing none I'll close the nominations all in favor I any opposed the motion carries unanimously speech Ola your accepted speech you're you I have gav is handed back I was set up yeah well thank you very much uh I just would like to take an opportunity to um thank kimbery beton court for her dedicated um dedication and Leadership this past year as chair uh let me say that it was an honor to have served as your Vice chair so thank you very much for your year of service [Applause] all right next we have under reports for the Auditors report we have Robert Russell from Hagen aiti my name is Robert Russell I'm part of the audit team at company perform the fiscal year 2023 financial statement audit and single audit excuse me excuse me Robert could you speak up a little bit today I would like to briefly go over the audited financial statements and new AUD report for fiscal year ended 30 2023 I'll start by discussing the financial statement now to start you'll notice on pages 1 and two should be mentioned that District received a clean or unmodified opinion on the financial statements which are presented in accordance with the US Gap generally accepted accounting principles and any pronouncements issued by the government accounting standard moving on to page five you'll see the Management's discussion and anal analysis section I'd like to highlight some important figures for both government financial statements and governmental fund finan stats the difference between these two is the focus of transactions captured for example government wide captures all long-term assets and liabilities F financial statements are both more a short-term focus on your inflows of spendable refes as well as on balances of spendable Reflow available this information is arguably more useful in evaluating near-term financing requirements if you'd like more information on the two presentations please use Pages six through seven now the largest differences shown on the government wide and not on the governmental fund financial statements are the three following items the first are the changes in the net pension liability the second are the changes in net other post employment benefits or oped liability and the third being Capital assets and and Associated depreciation and additionally the district presents fiduciary funds separately which are comprised of scholarship funds and the opep trust fund These funds are excluded from the government wide financial statements because the district cannot use these assets to finance its operations as detailed on page five on the government wide basis General revenues accounted for 45.7 million in revenue or 75% of all revenues program specific revenues differently in the form of charges for services operating and capital grants and contributions accounted for 15 million or 25% total revenues of 60.6 million General revenues increased over the prior year by 2.7 million or approximately 4.9% primarily due to increases in Chapter 70 school aid the district had 62.3 million in expenses now excuse me 15 million of these expenses were offset by for Services Grants and contributions General revenues which were primarily member assessments and state aid were adequate to provide for the remaining expenses on the governmental fund basis among the major funds the general fund had 53.4 million in revenues and 52.3 million in expenditures the general funds fund Equity balance increased $530,000 during fiscal year 2023 state aid and town assessments of 38.8 million and 41 million excuse me 14.1 million respectively for The major portion of general fund Revenue to highlight some additional figures on page nine the total net position of the district decreased by 1.6 million on the government life basis decrease part the following changes first primarily Capital outlay exceeded depreciation expense by 1.3 million second there was a $664,000 increase in the district's share of the total pension expense and the related outflows and inflows of resources pertaining to the new bford retirement system if You' like more information regarding theion liability please see Pages 30 through 34 and third the net opip liability for the district increased 4.3 million over the prior year due to plan exper and assumption changes related to the Actuarial estimate of future increases in healthare costs for more information regarding the calculate um the estimates the Actuarial estimates and the net liability in Pages 35 through 38 moving on to page number 12 in the managements discussion and Analysis briefly request some general budgetary highlights like deal line items on revenues and expenditures are on pages 45 through 47 while the district adopted a balanced budget for the general fund utilizing 400,000 for excess and deficiency the actual results for fiscal year 2023 showed a positive turnback of 582,000 before utilization of the end actual revenues were 671000 more than expected during fiscal year 2023 the savable variance was a result of chapter 71 Regional Transportation receipts 213,000 higher than budgeted unbudgeted other Revenue receipts being 178,000 these other revenues consisted primarily of retire drug subsidies and school-based Medicaid revenues actual expenditures were 89,000 more than expected during the fisal year and the district was carrying forward encumbered goods and services totaling 3.4 million at fiscal year end briefly moving on to Capital assets and debt Administration which is also highlighted on page 12 dur FY 2023 the district invested in a broad range of capital assets including land improvements building improvements machinery and equipment and furner and accessories total depreciation expense for the year was 4.2 million which increased 187,000 the PRI year which is logical given the investment last year page 29 details Capital asset schedule for the district and regarding debt the district had General obligation bonds outstanding at the end of fiscal year 2023 in the amount of 1.95 million as a result of the school building addition a payment of 364,000 is due in fiscal year 2024 for 300,000 of that payment representing principle additional economic factors include the district's Chapter 70 funding increasing by 2.1 million and member assessments increasing by a total of 307,000 I'd like to now move on to a brief discussion of the single audit report now the single audit is a federal compliance audit of federal programs required and a nonfederal en when Federal expenditures meet $750,000 and as detailed on page six the district's total federal expenditures discal year 2023 4.9 million the major programs selected for the single audit for the school breakfast national school lunch program which compris the ad cluster pass the US Department of Agriculture and the Esser Grants Pass through the Massachusetts Department of Education these major programs are selected using a risk based approach based on factors detailed in tcfr power 200 which we commonly refer to as the uniform guidance as Auditors we use the uniform guidance to T risk based approach which includes consideration of current and prior audit experience with Federal programs oversight by federal and fastor agencies and the inherent risk of the federal programs it's important to note that we issued a clean single audit report for fiscal year 2023 as there were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies identified over internal controls of major programs and there were no findings or question costs over Federal Awards during the year that summarizes both the fiscal year 2023 financial statement audit and single audit does anyone have any questions thank you very much for your time thank you thank you thank you Robert Robert I'm sorry I just have one question that is on page six what is the point um of those characters is that like six point oh the size oh it's you like it to go smaller no I think I think you have space you could go a little for the future for the future thank you thank you thank you all right next we have the approval of bills including packet materials is copy of Warrant 24-10 the amount of 9244 $948 VI your approval make a motion it be approved second motion with a second any discussion all in favor all anyone opposed they moved student representative is not here this evening all next we have the superintendent shout out thank you Mr chairman uh this month again a lot of lot of great work as we ramp up towards the end of the school year but um you know this week tomorrow night we are hosting the senior Awards uh ceremony so I'd like to take a just a minute to shout out Suzanna Dorman and Stacy D who jumped into assist this year um in their preparation for that event it's the first of our senior activities uh to round out the year it's a lot of work that goes into the scholarship presentations and the awards the organizing uh so this month and just a special shout out to Suzanna and uh Stacy for their help in the guidance department to get us ready for that event tomorrow night very good all right next uh for superintendent Watson the parent Communications yep embedded within your packet are the bi-weekly posip reports for the last several weeks um Dennis who's behind me this evening is uh continuing to do the work of followup uh for all uh parent inquiries where phone numbers are left um we can certainly provide well I will be providing evidence of that the evaluation by into next month one question sure goe this is very informative and I guess my question is now that we've done it for a while and we're seeing time is there any way that you're looking at maybe to add tweet drop or whatever there a lot of information at least to comprehend but I'm wondering now that what what are some of the one or two big things that we like one of two things that we know we have to work on yeah um and Yanda can jump in if if she wants to uh so you know communication the two-way communication is a is a Paramount importance to us it's something we're continuing to work on and as we uh we restructure some of the the functions within the organization uh the goal is to provide better access um and more consistency across the board for all families and all kids and so um having this centered in in Yolanda space has really helped us to be able to uh F the calls to respective areas in a more in a more efficient way uh but also to be able to make sure that families are getting the information and response to back and so for us it's literally one of the strengths I think is is providing a system in place to make sure that those calls are coming in Stu work to do on that uh making sure those calls come in they're received and addressed promptly uh by the Departments and so that that's not only going to fall on the folks that are working in this space but also the followup that has to happen when those calls are disseminated into other areas throughout the building so well I'm I'm happy with the program I'm happy with the progress that we've made uh there's more work to do in terms of our our Outreach and making sure that we're consistent across the board and so part of the efforts that we've undertaken as a school community in restructuring this is to be able to provide uh a systems upgrade uh to that both in our operations and compliance going forward so that way we're making sure that every parent who calls leaves their name and number is getting a phone a phone call back with with answers to their questions and while I think we've done considerably better um you know sometimes I'll get a call well no one answer the phone okay so we got we got to talk about how that happens because if you call the school you need to the phone needs to be answered you need to be transferred to the appropriate place and we need to be able to follow up on those pieces and so it's an ongoing process we'll probably never get perfect at it but that's a main goal for us uh in terms of two-way communication with families and I appreciate that because I like you said you're never going to get everyone on board but I appreciate what your your comments because I think that was the intent and now I'm hearing it is going that way and that will just continue B thank you all changes take unfortunately a couple of years for them to fully get felt you know up to three years and sh AR yeah we're working to do Mr chairman yes question of Mr Watson I noticed that uh in the the freshman and sophomore year is a number of parents that are communicating it seems to fall off in the Junior and Senior year is there any way we can get these people to communicate yeah uh so we're trying every year during the freshman orientation that's a big part of what I say right is that we need your feedback we need to hear from you and generally we see it right away big spikes from freshman parents um but over the years as kids get closer and closer to being 17 and 18 obviously they take greater and greater responsibility uh for that work and so we hear from parents we we tend to hear from parents unfortunately when we're in dire situations not passing not promoting uh you know serious offenses to to the school's discipline conduct or policies um but for the most part we just we just hear less from senior parents we do from freshman parents i' just like to comment too also that there's no very favorable comments in here so it's much appreciated and I do really believe you know that some of that is not only about the good work that we're doing every single day but the I have to believe to Mr Shay's point the follow through has improved our follow through has improved and um you know we're in the process of kind of adding pieces to that to make sure the fall continues uh but I think that's a big part of it too we're not getting much comments that I didn't hear back right if you call and you leave a phone number we're calling back um and that's a that's a I think a big step in the communication with with folks in the community on a daily basis the other thing I noticed is that we're doing it in various languages I get any responses back in Portuguese and Spanish the key is and what we talk about kind of from the district view is we have to meet people where they are and that includes uh that includes the language that they speak right so we have lots of different and you're going to see this again in my evaluation binder next month one of the district goals is to provide services and in multiple languages right so we've contracted with multiple venues we have data and information about usage in those venues I'm going to be providing that uh as evidence of of my support how I feel like I've met the goal that'll be ultimately up to you folks but that's important right so from the the big picture lens it's simple instead of asking people to come and fit into our system we have to take our system and meet people where they are um it's almost a reversal of how maybe schools ran 10 15 20 years ago not perfect but we're making progress towards that goal every single day any other questions for superintendent okay next we'll move on to the uh superintendent weekly update to the staff again you have three letters this week cuz we did have the April vacation but those are the Monday morning Communications I've been doing that Faithfully for the last 3 years um trying to update folks on uh important initiatives that are coming up that week work that we've done things that we're going to see in the next month um it's just one piece of our communication strategy to make sure that I'm talking directly to all staff members um every single week um next under new business uh do we have the I do I'm going I'm going to try to pinch hit for Mr Williams who had a commitment this evening this this will be a challenge because Mr Williams and his team did this but uh I've done it before so I think I can handle the questions if there are any this is just a first read of this as well we'll have final approval next month so we need a y motion for the uh first reading make a motion to accept the first reading we have a motion to accept a second any discussion on that heing none all in favor I anyone to poose you're fast I'll save it for next time yeah if you have any discussion no I just had a question but it's okay can wait not not in okay and any changes uh to the handbook are highlighted on the first couple of pages so um if you have any you know anything that we changed is is right there on the front if you have any questions at all in between readings feel free to reach out and I'll do my best to get you that answer prior to our June meeting all right next to established uh meeting date for the superintendent's evaluation subcommittee yes so um I put two things on the agenda this month um the first of which is the superintendent evaluation subcommittee as you know this is my third year um and assuming all goes well my last of the one-year plans which will be good uh so I can take a little breather on the the goal piece for the fall um not that we won't have goals but there'll be twoyear goals after this uh so I KN do need to meet with the uh subcommittee uh superintendent of EV valuation subcommittee so I can present my binder to those folks we'll have full complete binders ready for all members of the school committee uh Mr all it'll fall I guess on Mr Olivera and Miss Pento to compile the results of the full committee piece before the June meeting to present but we can walk through what those steps um should look like but I'd like to meet with the I think it's three members of the evaluation subcommittee team prior to that and then just kind of walk them through the bind if they can assist their colleagues if there are any questions on that information so you refresh us and I you know as I looked at the agenda I was like boy yeah so I know I know it's the two of you as former Educators and I believe it was Mr Duran but it may have been Mr olera I thought it was Mr Duran so those are the three I believe so I was kind of looking to see if we could coordinate a date um that would work for you folks in a couple of weeks okay get by the next two weeks right yeah well I want to I comp finished my compiling I was thinking the Memorial Day week so the 28th 29th or 30th if any of those days would work for you guys and I can be available during the day or I'm more or less available all of them so it's up to the other okay long as I can get a ride 28 29th and 30th um a couple of night commitments but I could do during the day I can do the 28th after like 12: to 2 or something like that after lunch I can't do the 28th sorry I could do the 29th like in the later afternoon okay could we do what I could do I could do I have a do appointment in North 10:40 but anything after 12 I could do what would that be a Wednesday afternoon Wednesday afternoon Wes afternoon oh Thursday afternoon yeah the mornings were kind of busy yep so Thursday afternoon we have Union negotiation so I won't be able to do Thursday afternoon but all right so what about Wednesday afternoon Wednesday afternoon if we can do three I can grab um Randy if we could do 3 o' that'd be great that'd be great all right because I can leave work at 2:30 and I can come get you and then 3 o' works for you mik 3 o'clock works for me 3 o'clock on 529 okay thank you okay okay good uh the next one will be to establish a meeting date for the admissions subcommittee I believe is um s Kim and Rita yes so that we that one I'd like to talk about a date for that as well so um we have a little less pressure on the date on that one we don't have a policy that needs to be done um until the fall but I do think it's really important that we start to talk about what the the results the data have showed us um as you know I am meeting with the Department department on the 22nd um as a result of U request for methods of review of made new me Vex admissions policy we have since had time to really digest um some of the Statewide data as well as the local data we're really diving into the local data as well uh Mr Karen has done a really nice job uh being able to to point out Reasons Why students are admitted and not admitted internally with the data that we have um we can certainly look at that on a on a broader scale in terms of what the state data is um I'd like to to sit down and have that conversation with you folks and again that can be in the morning or the afternoons and that is less time sensitive in terms of the next two weeks but the sooner the better you want to wait till after graduation or before I can do yeah no I'm going to make as long as I can make it work between the negotiations and all the other things that are going on I can I can do it so doesn't matter for me it's more I could do like an early like 8:30 I know that's usually good for you R what about Wayne you still working Monday nights um yeah okay so Monday Monday day is oh you talking 8: a.m. correct I could do like an 8 8:30 like Monday June 10th what does that look like for you guys I'm fine it doesn't matter for me I can do that so June 10th 8 o' um yeah it looks like that works okay on the 10th you brought up about the dusty group do you know how big that committee is that like a big thing coming in of numbers coming to meet with us evaluate us uh so which part of the question let me ask Dy to come in to talk about our acceptance plan yeah so one two people or is it a team so I don't know the exact number of people that coming Liz Bennett is leading it with her team so they'll be here on the 22nd I'll know more then okay I just want if they told you yeah they no they've sent me the documents they they they've told me what they're looking for for evidence we're compiling evidence there are binders that are in the process of being created to kind of validate what the steps that we've taken I'm going to do my best to answer their questions um certainly engage in a conversation about the things that we see uh in the data um hear what they have to say and then hopefully we'll take it from there and I think it makes sense from a proactive standpoint to also be engaging the subcommittee of this group um so that we're holding conversations around what what we're all seeing as stakeholders and the sooner we get started on that I think it'll be better positioned um for the fall so that's the intent of the strategy between working the those barall systems excuse me Mr I think the policy subcommittee should be there for that the policy subcommittee talking about the missions right yeah um the only thing with the subcommittee meeting is once we cross the 50% uh we'd have we'd have to bring the full Committee in we have more than 50% of the members present or at least post a meeting we'd have to post a full committee meeting if we had more than four people here we'd have a full if we're going to have a quum it would just have to be posted the idea is for subcommittee to hash out everything and bring it to policy committee if if if G adopts something that would be my preference I think what makes sense is for us to talk about it with those members of the admission subcommittee first and then bring it to the full committee um we certainly can can do it however the committee wishes but my preference would be for us to move that way um I would expect you know it's going to be a public meeting even as a subcommittee so I'd expect that we will have folks present um that's generally what's happened and I certainly would welcome uh Community involvement as well I agree I think to initially hash it out between you know get get a lot of it worked out and then when we feel we're ready the the policy committee uh kind of a joint meeting sure you'll have your meeting on the 22nd you'll get the information on what they're looking for what the data says bring that to subcommittee we'll you know everything and bring it to the AUD Comm methodical I think that makes sense parallel systems is how I've kind of couched it with the team um I think that that gives us the best chance to kind of learn listen evaluate discuss and chart the path [Music] forward okay next we have um approval for out of state travel for two field trips uh drafting to the Newport Mansions and collision to the Newport Comm Museum motion second motion with a second any discussion all right we have a motion with a second all in favor anyone oppose being a wisey okay next we have a vote to transfer Transportation reimbursement funds based on time and effort and expenditures not to exceed the chapter 71 reimbursements and we need a motion for that motion with a second any discussion hearing none all in favor I anyone opposed so move and we have um to take a vote on the listing of materials for a surplus equipment I'll move second motion with a second any questions hearing none all in favor anyone opposed okay so moved uh we have uh notification of retirements receive in place on file with a second all in favor placed on file just for informational we have um senior award night will be Wednesday May 15th be tomorrow 6 p.m. uh senior prom in the after prom party Thursday May 23rd we have graduation scheduled for Friday June 7th at 6: pm. and the last day of school will be June 13 want to any committee discussion yes graduation school committee does attend and um I believe everybody had the in sorry okay I didn't read it um yeah so the school committee uh you'll get a packet from uh from the office um giving you times and information where to meet and then school committee sits uh in a specific area up by the stage okay yeah so that'll be forthcoming I'm sure y coming weeks yes yes as we get closer uh for is always very good about getting a whole complete packet so all right um have a question Mr chair Mr Duran could through you could we ask the superintendent how we did at BPA this weekend so we're I'm awaiting the final results of that but some several students and several teams were involved in call backs on Monday um it was great to see the kids uh out there they were certainly excited well prepared I think represented the school very well um I'm waiting to see I don't know if I haven't been on my email in several hours if we've had a uh uh a final report of kids who who medled or or won specific competitions but uh overall uh very very productive weekend um I think the kids enjoyed themselves more importantly represented the school very well no one ended up in trouble or anything not that I'm aware of and I just want to say though that because I heard you know superintendent went out and I just think that shows the staff there and the students that that's important for the school and so I appreciate you making the effort during the busy time of May to go and let the students and staff know you were there so thank you yeah I appreciate that Mr sh I think it's very well received by kids it was great to see them out there and also the advisers who did a really nice job um out there you know for me it's it's it's a chance to see the work up close I hear the work I see the back end of the work but to be able to watch the coordination of activities with advisers up close uh you know special shout out to them as well because I think and same with skills those folks are working really really hard to get kids in good opportunities and situ ations and I'm proud of that work it's a great show of support all right is there any other business uh to come before the school committee okay hearing none the uh committee will be adjourning to Executive session under chapter I'm sorry just I have one question Mr chair yes Mr Duran can we discuss um what we're going to do about Mrs Fett's husband that that after okay take a moment to discuss that later on okay uh the committee will be adjourning to Executive session under Chapter 30 section 21 to meet for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to negotiations with the gnb EU and to meet for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to negotiations with the NB NB gnb Au and the chair has determined that an open meeting would have a detrimental effect to the B position of the committee members will not be returning to open session we'll have a um need a roll call we'll have a roll call to go into executive session MTO yes Mr sh yes Mr rero yes Dr Marlin yes Mr durgen yes Mr Tumi yes Mr