City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire School Board, 25 Jan 2023

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From YouTube: 1.24.2023 School Board

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1.24.2023 School Board

A

That's a huge accomplishment. I hope you all enjoy your day off tomorrow and use.

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It smartly wisely healthfully um healthy that good and also to our middle school.

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Students for their completion of their first semester and their first round of.

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Parent conferences, I hope you found it as a good chance to revise and assess your goals.

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And set your eyes forward so snaps to all of our students, tough to get through the first half. But.

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um We are proud of you go ahead, perfect timing, so uh mine, if you uh were monitoring seacoast.

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Online or or our facebook page, uh we had a student who was recognized as a male athlete of the week.

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um Charles timmons who's on our unified basketball team, um and uh so it was a you know, great uh great.

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For charles and then in addition to that, also wonderful recognition for for the unified programs.

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That we have not just you know, I came from a district where unified basketball was the sole.

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Unified program that we had, and that was a program that always brought me great joy at the tail end.

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Of each year- and here in portsmouth, we have a variety of unified programs, but it was awesome.

B

To see charles get recognized and congratulations to charles, that was a great article by the way.

A

The other announcements and recognitions at this time.

A

Oh all right, so then, let's move on to the acceptance of the january 10th, regular.

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Meeting minutes do I have a thank you and a second brian, any discussion on those minutes.

A

Oh okay, all those in favor hi hi, any opposed great motion. I'd like to abstain. I wasn't.

C

Present, okay, so we have well, we don't have nancy yet, no, so six in favor one abstain. Two absence.

A

Okay, do I have a motion to open public comment, okay, pip, followed by brian: do we if no one in.

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Our large audience, sir, anyone, no one on the sign up forums. Do we have anybody online.

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If you'd like, if you are online and would like to make a comment, please raise your hand.

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And we will acknowledge you.

A

Okay, at this moment, I'd like to close public meeting. Do we have a motion.

D

Motion carry followed by lisa. Thank you for public comment. That's the new policy by the new.

A

Hampshire, school board association. Do we vote you don't have to vote, you just have to open it and.

A

Close it okay yeah, because if we have to open it again at the end, it can't be open the entire time.

A

Gotcha; okay, that moves us on to the public hearing section on fiscal fiscal year. 24 budget, which is.

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A separate public commentary section, so if there is anybody in our zoom audience that would like.

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To make a comment with regards to the fiscal year 24 budget, we will take those comments now.

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And if you would like to please raise your hand, so we can acknowledge you.

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Nobody, no okay, and we have no one on our sign up sheet. So I would just remind folks that if you.

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Would like to use your representative school board to share thoughts with before our next school.

A

Board meeting, that is a appropriate venue. You can use for raising comments and I would offer that.

E

We reopen our public hearing on valentine's day. That's right conveniently enough, so that folks can.

E

Choose to do that instead, but we'll we anticipate that we'll be in chambers that night and we'll.

E

Reopen the public hearing in case there's any further comment from the public and just to.

A

Be clear: that's the last public hearing comment period for this year's next year's budget yep. Okay,.

F

And we might get a couple of people great okay, recording in progress.

A

I do now. Okay, thank you. So at this point we can move on to our superintendent's report.

B

So you have um a couple of uh summary pages for you. One is just a email correspondence.

B

uh Summary we talked about this last meeting, uh how we're going to move to a summarization of the.

B

Emails, the board collectively receives- and this one was not entirely unusual.

B

um Just that somebody had an email and they were looking for a school in portsmouth, virginia you've.

B

Done the uk earlier this year, um and uh so that was the sole, um so email to the board.

B

As a collective, during that period, um that paulette accounted, which is through the 17th.

B

um And then, second, second, one is just a summary, my understanding this has a.

B

Been an ongoing thing, while the approval process comes through the superintendent's.

B

Office that, as a courtesy to the board, we've provided a summary of trips overnight trips.

B

That folks are going to be on, and this represents ones that we've approved up through the last cycle.

G

Right I did receive and I think it went to the whole board um about yeah. It was on the 19th, so.

G

That that is, I don't know, if that's so this is so. Can we address that um did? Were you copied on that.

G

Are you familiar, I was I um I saw a copy of it. um I do I don't. I have it here. It's regarding the the.

G

Class size of dunderal dondero of 20 20 students- I know the max by state is 25 for kindergarten, but.

G

um 20 students, but that we normally do try to keep to 20 or lower if we can, in our classes,.

G

That's what historically we've aimed for so um I just wanted to address it, because I think it.

G

May have been prompted by my question that I asked in their last meeting regarding you know.

G

We were talking about expansion of a building, not necessarily expanding classrooms, so I think there.

G

Could have been some confusion and listening in on the meeting, but there wasn't a need to expand.

G

The building with numbers that we have right now or redistrict at this time but are there's been.

G

No requests for additional classroom teachers, so are we trying to stay at 20 or or if we end.

G

Up bumping past that and schools, especially at the elementary level, will we be trying to hire.

G

Or how are we approaching so I I think the the question, the approach, the way in which we've.

B

Been talking about is about a redistribution of teachers. How would we redistribute across grades.

B

First within buildings, and if we had to go beyond buildings and redistribute across buildings, so.

B

um That's where that's where at the moment at the moment, but I'm happy to have a more.

B

Detailed response to that specific email which I wasn't ready for uh today. No that's fine.

G

But there's but that's the we would start with redistribution, okay, but the goals still.

G

Historic, it has been historically trying to stay around that number of 20 at younger. Is that what.

B

I think that's still good. I haven't put that as a heart I haven't. I haven't in this cycle. I haven't.

B

um I haven't put that as a hard cap right when people are saying that you can't go beyond you.

B

Know x, numbers x, number of students. um Part of this, too, is around is around kindergarten's.

B

um What's challenging, is we find out very late um about kindergarten, so it's also trying to and.

B

Trying to anticipate you know, what's going to happen with kindergarten students, so.

B

um So it'll be interesting to see where we're at each. You know in the fall okay. So, but I'm happy.

B

To come back with a more detailed response, okay or even respond to the person in general, I don't.

G

Necessarily need an additional response. Yep um and you went through the overnight field trip memo.

A

Do you want to go through the correspondence letters that we have in the packet.

B

So um so you have a pay. um You have several requests for.

B

Yep, so um you have two: I have a lot of resignation, a letter of retirement from two uh two employees.

B

uh Ali frawley who's been serving in a case manager role at portsmouth, middle school.

B

um Just put in a request that was affected for her. You know we was effective yesterday to resign. Her.

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Position as a case manager at portsmouth middle school, and then we also received a.

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Letter of retirement from nancy moore, who has served in the district for for coming up on 40.

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Years, almost for nancy, in an adapted pe she'd be retiring, effective at the end of this school year.

A

So, do I have a motion to accept these two letters in our pat. We can do them as a group right.

A

Hope all those in favor uh I any opposed great motion passes. Michael, could I just say something.

H

I think you're gonna take a vote. People are on zoom, you need to do a roll call, yeah yeah yep, all.

G

Right, let's see so yeah, let's take that back, okay. So it's we have a motion to um accept the letter.

A

Of resignation and the letter of retirement, so dr mclaughlin, if you could take a roll call vote, sure.

B

How's barrett pip clues; yes, yes, lisa rapaport; yes, ann walker; yes margaret peabody, yes, nancy, claiberg,.

H

Yes and I'm supposed to say that I'm.

H

This time- and my vote is yes: pope beneps, brian, french, yes and carrie nolte, yes, great.

A

Any discussion, great okay, so nathan will turn it over to you for the administrator report.

A

On this month's financial, it's a full agenda and in deference to that and the fullness of.

E

Every night, I'm providing you a memo each time. I hope that that's providing uh some.

E

Some greater insight to target some things, a lot of it's rep repetitious month after month,.

E

I've tried to change some of the words so that it wouldn't read exactly the same, but I think.

E

The biggest takeaway is that what andrew and I are still you met andrew the other day, timing.

E

Mr mr bartlett anytime, it's true. This thing told the story of time. This thing is all about timing.

E

um In this case, andrew and I are still working on narrowing down the spread of roughly two million.

E

Dollars across the salary and benefits lines and we'll work to get that done, so that your next.

E

Financial will look a little better and you won't see all of the negatives in in your salary lines.

E

Other than maybe subs, because I think we're going to continue to see the subs is reaching beyond.

E

Over budget yet, but it certainly again aggressive in its timing, so.

E

Were there any specific questions as you're working with through the financials.

A

Well question: when the 13 will be running at all 13 buses? Is there a sense of when we'll get more.

A

Drivers- I don't have that answer off the top. uh It's funny we were just ahead had nicole.

E

Actively involved in some of the changes that we made this week for the schedule she's to by all.

E

Reports, I think things are going okay so far, but I uh I have carried the buses into your next budget.

E

She was hopeful that she'd be fully staffed the first of the year and we clearly weren't.

E

So, okay, but I'll work to make sure that I've got a complete report from her for the next meeting. Okay.

B

Do just want to say that too that we did pull her in, as we were trying to we sent.

B

Out the communication was it yesterday get my days off um just yesterday, wow.

D

It's been a long day uh just around all the reshuffling we were doing as a result of.

B

um The snow day and the parent conferences and all the other things we had going on and it was great.

B

That it was very limited uh time that nicole was at the table from sta and that everybody was able.

B

To pull together and and repeatedly, as is usually the case, nicole's answer not to can we do this.

B

Here's this creative solution to that we will make it happen, um so we really appreciate the ongoing.

B

Partnership with them, I had one question and I've read your memo a couple of times like so forgive.

G

Me if it's in there and I somehow still missed it but um 114 extracurricular- was driving. That number.

E

It is, it is like the salaries of teachers um increase was built into the stipends that we pay.

E

Out for extracurriculars and new extra curricular stipends were added in the in the collective.

E

Bargaining agreement, so the value of those plus the increase on all of them isn't yet reflected in.

E

The budget so we're operating beyond budget okay, although it's funny because I made note of the.

E

Fact that my intuitively, that doesn't feel like the right number it still feels like I might cover.

E

Better than a half of that maybe two-thirds of that, but it still feels like I'm 20 or 30 beyond.

E

What I ought to be, but again this is all about a comparison to plan, as opposed to a comparison.

E

To reality so I'll I'll chase that so that when we talk again um it either will have been washed.

E

Away by the new money being added to the budget or if it stands out I'll have an answer for why.

G

Okay, great, thank you. Thank you. That's great any other questions on the financial report, foreign.

A

Okay, so at this point we'll move on to old business, the first items of agenda under old.

A

Business are second readings of the two policies we had before us at the last school board meeting.

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On january 10th policy adc, the only changes made was two small typos that were caught and those.

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Have been adjusted other than that this is the same policy you looked at on the january 10th.

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Again, this was coming off the recommendation of the new hampshire school board association.

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To combine multiple policies into one location, which would be under day under section a and.

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To rename it as well as to better properly define the various sections of the policy.

A

And the second program, uh second policy: that's in there has no changes from our last meeting and.

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That's policy jjj, which is access to public school programs, move to approve the both policies. I hope.

A

Is that a second? No, it's that discussion, we'll discuss after second pip, okay, discussion, hope.

G

um In line 40, it says no employees shall use any tobacco product device. E-Cigarette la la la.

G

um Just sorry, I called thefts in this second reading.

G

um Do we have anywhere in the schools posted that it's a a no smoking school zone? Yes, yes, posted on.

A

All of our campuses, okay, all right, yeah yep, I'm sure I've seen it. I just was trying to remember.

G

Yeah and it's in good, visible location, so we're covered yeah great question. I have a lot of.

G

Subs and stuff coming in and out of our buildings, these days good question lisa. I just wanted to ask.

I

If you could explain what you explained to us in email, because I think this did come up with the.

I

Original discussion around this policy, in terms of how do we try to anticipate what is the version of.

I

Vaping that kids will be doing next year or next month, and I thought that kathleen dwyer.

I

Had a really good explanation, but if you might and I'm sure on the spot. But if you can just.

I

Summarize that so that sure we're worried about, if you can hear you yeah in fairness, the part of.

A

The discussion on adc that the board raised last meeting was: could we put some flexible language in.

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There to stay modern with as products and devices morph and modernize could we stay flexible with.

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The policy so that we're not constantly having to bring it back for an edit and I discussed.

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It with our school lawyer and while that was an astute recommendation, she said the challenge is.

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Any sort of generic language that we might use wouldn't hold up well in the court of law, so so.

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For example, we discussed or any other stimulants, which would carry a broad range and would cover.

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Us, but there are a lot of things under that that wouldn't hold well in court. She used an example of.

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Red bull, you know we do. Are we really going to say if a student has two red bulls? That's technically.

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Classified as a stimulant, so what was nice about it, though, is our policy does refer to state rsa. So.

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As that rsa list changes, our policy is in lockstep with it. So it's not in fairness, it's not always.

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On time with the state, but our policy will mirror what the state is listing as illegal substances in.

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School buildings, so we are locksteps. So if that changes, our policy would not require another.

A

Edit thanks thanks lisa, and I was just commenting over the years that when I was in policy, the the.

F

State quite often would let us know when they were changes coming up. So, yes, we got a heads up on that.

A

So we will get and that we can distribute again both push out to our students and to our teachers.

A

That's a great reminder: any other discussion kerry we're doing jjj. Also, yes yep. um I can.

J

Do it now or there's nothing else, is it is yeah? Is there anything else on adc while we're at it.

A

Great gary jjj, um I'm I'm supporter of this. I think this makes sense. I just wanted to clarify.

J

um This discussion for me brought up um questions. I asked in the budget around use of cte programs.

J

And that we weren't collecting tuition, which was completely incorrect and I just wanted.

J

To address that as nathan had clarified with me after I had read previously the cte report.

J

Where it tracks non-traditional students and somehow made uh of um of of my interpretation.

J

That that was non-enrolled students taking courses, so those numbers were huge.

J

um And so I just wanted to put that out there, but it's came from this policy good.

A

Clear yeah those happened to be locked up at the same meeting, so we have good clarification.

A

Any other questions on policy jjj, only the my most my new line, 25, that's just an errant.

E

Apostrophe that will strike. Oh, yes, thank you on and before participating for participation. I.

A

Thought that was something on my screen yeah. Let's change, okay, with no further comments. um Let's I.

A

Would like to take a roll call vote to approve the second reading of policies adc and jjj. Please.

B

B

Pick clues: yes, this rapport, yes and walker. Yes, margo peabody, yes, nancy clayburgh! Yes,.

B

Pope van epps, brian french, yes, carrie, nolte, yes, okay, great um moving on to our second order of.

A

Business under old business, we presented the draft of the school board goals from our 822 retreat and.

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The minutes of that retreat are included in here with the homework assignment of offering.

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Any feedback on those goals so that we could move to approve those goals during this meeting at this.

A

Time I have not received any feedback on the goals so I'll. I would happily take a motion to accept.

A

The school board goals, as presented it's brian first, any second, second carrie. Any discussion.

G

I assume the formatting will be corrected before they're posted.

G

Correct off yes yeah, it won't be in that. That's it! Yes, great great question.

A

Don't want to make assumptions any other discussion on the presented school board goals.

A

Great uh yeah, um what have we agreed that once these are publicized that the previous schools.

C

That had been identified will still be public but fall under some other name or our that's a great.

A

Question our minutes reflect that those wouldn't disappear, but they would fall under. If I go to.

A

Those minutes pillars something guiding principles or pillars. I think we had used the words which.

A

We can determine which we prefer now pillars guiding principles. Anybody have a, I think, pillars.

A

Preference: okay: I think we had also discussed, though, that part of the strategic planning process.

G

Might unveil or write other things that may need to be considered or right where those do fall and.

A

So as a placeholder until the strategic plan yeah just for clarification as a placeholder, the former.

A

Goals will remain and will change the title to pillars. The current goals are just for school.

A

Year, 22 23, which we are moving to approve, which were formed during our 822 board, retreat great.

A

Points of clarifications lisa comment question one quick point of clarification on these. I, when.

I

We had the retreat. We talked about these goals as the sort of short-term goals for this school year.

I

That we would use to guide our conversations with our new superintendent around what sort of the.

I

Top short-term priorities are, and that's still how we're looking at these correct. Yes, okay, yep.

A

Really good clarification, so it's really. We have aligned ourselves on moving the district forward.

A

With the implementation, beginning and roll out of a strategic plan, as well as focusing.

A

On our communication as a district, strengths, weaknesses, priorities and appropriate timeline,.

A

For moving communication towards improvement, okay, well without any further comments.

A

I would love to take a roll call vote to approve the school board goals as posted in the agenda.

I

Motion here we go liz barrett pip clues; yes, lisa rapaport, yes, margo margo,.

B

Sorry, ann walker, yes, you're going to be margo walker, margot, yes, nancy, claiberg,.

G

Yeah she's on mute she's on mute yeah. I saw you she kept a visually. Yes, okay,.

B

All right here we go yeah, I hope and brian french. Yes, very nice! Oh sorry, I didn't I'm.

G

Sorry, I didn't say: okay, my apology, yeah, that's, okay. I thought you're waiting. Yes, okay, great.

A

Job everyone we're moving along to item c of our old business. I will turn it over to.

A

um Dr mclachlan, to give us provide us with the current strategic plan update so uh at the moment.

B

um To where we're at is we have a? We have a template of an agreement with an outside.

B

Vendor uh that is being looked at, fine um went last week to city legal to make sure that they.

B

Feel it's all tip-top shape and then on friday I had some conversations uh that about a few tweaks.

B

To that and I'm anticipating a draft back this evening from that vendor, um so what I'm hoping for.

B

Is a a approval from city legal in the original template, and then these are very slight tweaks.

B

um That would be I'd be getting that new draft back to city legal, I'm hoping you know by the.

B

Middle this week, end of this week actually wrote tuesday, so I'm hoping the next couple of days. It's.

B

Done it's signed and we are um we're in motion and the vendor is, is ready to come really soon uh to.

B

Participate so with um I'll leave it at that for now. Oh, so when do we expect to have um committee.

G

And how will they make up for time? Because the original timeline was for sign contract date.

G

Established committee timeline plan engagement for january, but we're in the last week, so we.

G

Won't have we already discussed and we're just going to have to we're going to have to double.

B

Up a little bit and the hope is we go from three starting off kind of in a three week hole we trim.

B

Off a week in each month, along the way, but we'll have to double up on some of the work, we're going.

B

To do so, we're still looking at the same time, same timeline on the incremental piece that we.

B

Pull information for the end of this school year, the I would so I'm being somewhat kg, because some.

B

Of what we we talked about was a non-public, but I think, if we're talking about the same.

B

Thing, yes, so the that incremental step being completed by the end of the school year, yeah.

A

Can you um what's your plan for communicating out once you hopefully get the assigned contract.

A

How do you plan to share that board and the district, so my intent would be that.

B

The we would have the vendor come in right away. Maybe the next board meeting okay, if.

B

Not you know, if not sooner, but I think that initial that initial conversation.

B

Would be with the board? Okay, so will the committee be made of all stakeholders.

B

um They're, I think, there's still some conversation to be had about the makeup of the committee.

B

um What this particular vendor has done, I think you're going to have a.

B

um Think you're going to have a variety of stakeholders on a not huge team.

B

In terms of the steering committee, I think there'll be other opportunity, structured opportunities for a lot of other people to contribute. But I.

B

Think you're, looking at multiple multiple categories of stakeholders on a small team.

A

Regarding the strategic plan update.

A

Okay, great: let's move on to our next order of business, which is the communication plan.

A

um Just it's been a while, so let's bring ourselves back up kind of convenient that these all fell.

A

In the same point, if you remember correctly, we established at our august 22nd board retreat that.

A

We had two goals this year we would be operating under the goal of strategic plan and communication.

A

If you reference those minutes that are posted in this agenda item, we talked about what was.

A

Important under communication was the need to identify strengths and weaknesses. Prioritize.

A

Which of the weaknesses we're going to focus on and come up with an appropriate timeline and.

A

Tools for improving those areas that need work. One of the ways we establish that as a board, was the.

A

Development of a communication plan, so as the as we've seen, there was an initial draft presented in.

A

November to members of the communication team, and then there was a second draft presented.

A

um On friday, um of a uh an update to the first draft, my thoughts on that are, if I look at.

A

um How do I want to say this? I think, there's some really fantastic elements in that november draft.

A

That hold on to those things we discussed in the minutes on what are standards for best practice.

A

What are benchmarks, what are the tools we're using? Who are the audiences we serve? So I would.

A

Love to keep that aspect of the november draft and then use the january draft. As um with I'd.

A

Like to get a little bit more clearness from you and your listening tour on of all those.

A

Buckets that are included what are the what's the order of priority, and I appreciated the asana.

A

That I tend to mean that is what your internal team would be working on. So maybe what are the.

A

General goals under those buckets on how we're going to move towards improvement in those so.

B

Talk to me more about that yeah, if you, if we look at our minutes from 8 22 we all talked about, I can.

A

Refer them here, would we say, gather data assess what exists in the district that has been done.

A

Develop benchmarks for evaluating communication define district standards for good communication.

A

I think both of those are in your november plan and well written with good visuals, and I would.

A

Think those are really good aspects of a strongly written communication plan. Then we talk about.

A

Developing a basic communication plan: what was one of the summaries in that communication plan.

A

That came out of that retreat was. This was part, a small scale, look at something that was going.

A

To be rolled into a larger scale, roll up into the strategic plan, so the goals for this year.

A

Was what's let's assess, what's working? What's not working of? What's not working, what are the.

A

Priorities that we're going to focus on and what are the tools we're going to use to improve them.

A

So I see parts of that in the second plan. I don't see that specific to portsmouth in the first plan.

A

So what I'd like to see is take the good chunk of the first plan and roll in a more effective.

A

Understanding of priorities and tools to that, what were some of the tools and priorities you'd like.

B

To have rolled in well of the ones that you stated and I'd open it to the group. You talked about.

A

Website again, I don't know what the priorities are, because I haven't been on the listening tour.

A

We talked about use of parent square, talked about building. Communication talked about social media. I.

J

I interpret that, as with the dates that are set in the plan, does that make sense or like the private.

J

Can you just clarify your question for me yeah, you interpret right, you mean you're talking about.

J

The prioritizing yeah, what of our weaknesses, is our number one priority? Okay, what's our second.

A

Priority and what's our third priority- and I guess when I saw the dates on the on this plan- that kind.

J

Of gave me how each is moving forward. So what do you see as the three priorities in the second plan.

J

I might not be on the right plan, maybe the plan that we got on friday. I didn't see any priorities.

A

That's what I'm asking about what were the I saw a bunch of buckets yeah. I would say the bucket.

J

I interpreted the bucket okay. What um would it be helpful? So if you, if you take the same.

B

If you take the asana piece right and the sub and we'll, if you call the subtitles buckets, I look at.

B

Those as priorities, so do you just need those ranked? What would you I guess it doesn't read.

A

To me, it reads to me, as here are all the areas of communication in our district and then it.

A

Reads to me as punch lists for internal of what they're working on in that area. But I don't get a.

A

Sense of when, when we've listened and gathered data, what are the things we're most concerned.

A

About and where are we focusing our energies first, I know from chatting with you one of.

A

The first was building newsletters and I know- and I read in the thing that we are principals.

A

Are sending drafts in advance so that we're more locked up on timing and that we're more.

A

Consistent on the information that goes out, so I take that to mean that was your first priority.

A

But I don't, I don't see this anywhere in either draft of of um principles. I I think one of.

B

The challenges I'm asking questions because because I think one of the challenges is what.

B

I I want to respond to the to the board what the board wants.

B

And I think I continue to struggle to fully understand what that is, so the.

B

So I had one draft that I thought was more kind of like.

B

Theory of action: what are we trying to do? What are we trying to accomplish why it was like a.

B

Lot of it almost less nuts and bolts and then in the second draft I went nuts and bolts here are.

B

The things we're going to do here are the actual tasks we're going to try to accomplish in order to.

B

um Do what I talked about in the cover, which was to try- and I try to make it is what I thought was.

B

Reflective of what the board was trying to do, but to boil it down into one sentence, which was.

B

An ensure the district produces timely, accurate information that is easy to understand and find so.

B

So all right, so let's keep workshopping this so um so from so a prioritization and at what grain size.

B

Let's start with this, so let's not, let's not drill down on the granular. Let's make.

A

Sure that, as a board, we're in agreement that what we talked about on the 822 when we said.

A

Communication plan meant we would define best practice for communication, define the standards.

A

The tools we'd use the audience we serve and then part of the plan making it a plan is what.

A

Are our strengths? What are our weaknesses of our weaknesses? What are our prayer in this.

A

Year, knowing that we have a strategic plan, what are we prioritizing of the weaknesses and how.

A

Are we going to push those forward? That was my understanding from the 822 meeting as a board and.

A

We discussed we needed to develop a communication plan that would be approved by this board, so.

C

um I I think I thought the same way you did and um to that, and I I agree with what you said about.

C

It being it looking more like an internal document that you would use to create a plan, but not a plan.

C

That we would present to the public, for instance, you know brand identity, I think, is something that.

C

Should be in a communications plan, but but this is a generic brand. You know um explanation of brand.

C

Identity, our plan, I think, should include our brand identity, our school colors, our you know, fonts or.

C

Or, however, we're willing to present ourselves, our logos etc so that that's consistent across across.

C

All brands, so I recognize that you may not have had time to do that yet, but I don't think this is.

C

A plan that's ready to go public. I think this is a plan, that's that that lays out what needs to be.

C

Done but it hasn't been done yet is the intent, so I mean going back to october. I think trying.

B

To think about what I sent to memo, I talked about an internal facing document. At that time,.

B

And I didn't receive feedback at that time and said: no. We want an external facing document. We.

C

Didn't well I I guess I'm I'm using the word public, but I don't okay. I shouldn't say that.

C

um I don't think this is a document you can share with. You can share it to workshop with staff, but I.

C

Don't think it's ready to go to staff to use as a guide, because the information isn't all there.

C

Right the answers: aren't there the directives. Aren't there right, so it it does, lay out what.

C

Needs to be done to get there, which makes sense for you to work from, but it it doesn't tell us.

C

How to communicate yet lisa! Thank you pep, so so I agree with margot and pepper, saying about.

I

This- and it was my understanding when we sat with you in november that that original draft.

I

That you made was a really great start and had a lot of great ideas on it, and I think what I don't.

I

Want to do is presuppose for you what of all the various things with communication in our district.

I

Should be your top priorities to do, but I wanted to hear from you if it is the website which it.

I

Seems like it is because you've put that in both documents. So that's maybe one of your top things.

I

To focus on or if it's fixed, figuring out what we can do with parent square or if it is dealing.

I

With the calendar or newsletters or whatever I was looking for you to say these are the things.

I

I've heard, or I see, are the biggest issues to fight first yeah and then how we're going to do.

I

And I think there's elements of that in both of the plans. But I think what I was hoping for and.

I

What I thought was going to be the end product was something we could put in the board packet.

I

And present at a meeting so that people in our community who've been saying for a long time that.

I

They're really concerned about various aspects of communication could see where we're going with it.

I

And certainly the internal piece is very important. Obviously the teachers and the.

I

Administrators and all the staff who are going to be producing this content need to know the.

I

Rationale and the things that they need to do sure, but I think that the people in the community also.

I

Really want to know, what's happening, what's the goals and how are we going to move the.

A

Throttle so my hope was to have at a board meeting a kind of a little bit more finished.

I

Draft that could be in the packet in advance, so people could see it, and so we could be kind of.

I

Looking at something that was finished, okay, thanks, lisa, hope and then carry so. I too understood it as.

G

You did margo and I think the very fact that we just went over and approved our goals and one of.

G

Those goals was around communication and four guiding principles that it's significant; that.

G

Those guiding principles are part of the plan, and so I think the first draft I I've said this.

G

I know to zach, but I'll say it aloud to the board. I think was a good catch of information and moving.

G

On the right track for being able to identify the principles in which we're going to guide our.

G

Communication by and measure those by recognizing who our audiences are, you had identified kind of.

G

Four key areas of messaging and who might own that messaging. Let me be very specific in saying that.

G

Identifying that at a high level, not specifically an employee but, like maybe you know, emergency.

G

Stuff might be central office again, I'm using that. As an example, you know. Maybe it's building.

G

Heads but whoever zach determines, but at a high level, information of ownership and assignment.

G

And and then identifying what those messages would be as far as the tools that we would use.

G

For each of the areas of messaging right, so, for example, what parent square would handle um and.

G

Then what are the long short and long-term goals immediacy, for I think that's what you were saying.

G

Is prioritizing those? I understood that as well. It's like, let's prioritize what those short-term.

G

Goals are going to be understanding that some of this may morph, as the strategic plan comes along.

G

um But just for the context of this this year, and so I kind of had the expectations.

G

um Of somewhat of a timeline again, I think in the second draft: it's not so much a plan as it is a.

G

Example of tools that you may use to execute and implement a plan, and so that can be to me.

G

Shared out and I kind of high level, so you know I appreciate that you went into granular for dates.

G

But I think that's more internal for your benefit and your staff and that something that we would.

G

Post to the public would be more higher level of like this semester this month, um I too understood.

G

That we would have something we could put out to the public and but that it would be a document.

G

That could be usable to you and your staff and when I say that I don't mean again in check.

G

Section 5 article one of the communication plan, but that it would be a road map, and so I agree.

G

With pep and I'll just say this and pass along, but um that I I do think the second document.

G

That was provided is not a green light, ready go document even even internally to staff, while it.

G

It again is a selection of examples and templates that may be used, but they're templates that are.

G

Not specified and customized to to our district, and so I think that's important enough like if.

G

You're analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of our district. That needs to be specifically.

G

Tied to the strengths and weaknesses of our district, not a generalized business document.

G

Of how it might look like, maybe that's something you get, I think in all these cases it's just.

B

Tools, so what I was trying to provide you with are: what are the tools we're going to utilize.

B

To do that analysis, so what does that look like? So, if the I think what would be helpful- and this goes.

B

Back to the conversation we had in the first draft is if the board I'm clearly having a hard time.

B

Understanding and product desired by portions of the board, if not all important,.

B

And so what would help me is an identification of a product whether it's in the private, private.

B

Sector or in the public sector that would be reflective of this is not because I want.

B

To steal their stuff just so I understand what that product would look like, so in any of your.

B

Experiences in any of your different industries, an example of like here it is this- is what this.

B

Would be, this is the standard of what it would look like, and I so because I've gone out to.

B

Try to find those things we did provide some of that in november, you gave us a google doc.

I

And we linked in the google docs several sample communications plans from several school districts.

D

Okay, so, for example, to look at like setting goals for communication for the year we link to sample.

I

Plan like for setting up, you know, sort of a way to think about website communication planning. We.

I

Link to sample plan- and they may not be exactly what you want to do so is the question that you.

I

Would like more examples like that for each of the elements of the plan, you want a specific template.

G

Point zach like, for instance, I do appreciate that you're trying to show tools but like tools, could.

G

Be in a plan simply identified as a few bullets saying like I'm, going to use the asana software.

G

Right to manage the plan in-house I'm going to use templates for branding I'm I'm going to do.

G

You know for implementation and rollout there will be x amount of updates to the board, but so it's.

G

More of a high level than what you're going to get in the granular with your execution execution on.

G

Your side with what you might be providing to your staff right, you might provide your staff with all.

G

Of these examples of the tools, I want to make sure we get to carrie and danielle unless you wanted.

A

To respond to that first, just because carrie said people talking, okay, I'm still trying to understand.

A

Okay, carrie yeah. I think- um and I I think, looking back at our goal. I think we need to be really.

J

Clear that we were- and we just voted on it right, but this does not have a delivery of a plan with.

J

X elements or this element, so I think we have to sort that out. I mean to me, I, like all the.

J

Specifics because um but communication is not my wheelhouse, but project management is and I'm like.

J

Great, I can see where establishing a branding guide establishing this optimizing. All of these.

J

Like I see how all of that improves communication, so I have always been of the minds that our board.

J

Goal and looking back on it, it is, it says, to me: we want to improve communication and I think we've.

J

Agreed on multiple meetings, that communication has been improved and yet here's 20 more steps for how.

J

It's going to continue to improve, so I, if there, if, if the goal, was a specific plan, that was not my.

J

Understanding either and and if it's a standard that I'm just not aware of in communications.

J

I don't, I don't think we can come back to that unless I've.

J

Just missed the boat and everyone wanted a very specific, had a very specific ask.

J

Because that's not what I felt like we wanted improvement and I feel, like we've seen improvement.

J

So I will, I will just say in those minutes step four: we all signed off on develop basic.

A

Communication plan step five implement the plan, but it's not on the goals, but that is.

A

The communication and basic sequences of events was accepted as a goal, with understanding that.

A

Strategic plan will also incorporate a larger communication plan in this communication.

D

Objectives, no, but then under it we wrote here were our objectives for communication right. I I so I.

G

Guess in the retreat we were very explicit right what the plan would probably just even on goals.

J

Is not at all explicit and those are the marching orders that we're giving to a new superintendent.

A

The goals that we just voted on do say the development of the communication plan it it does.

A

Not yes, it says right here. We therefore find this an appropriate note. Sorry, right here to create.

A

um The school board will approve a plan that focus on communication that will, that is the last line.

A

Of our communication goal that we just approved, so I just want to make sure we are all speaking.

A

The same language, I'm going to call danielle why carrie finds it danielle and then brian actually.

D

Oh sorry, daniel's hand up first, then brian then pip. So I'm just sort of chiming in as an onlooker.

K

um And I'm wondering if part of the clarification is that we're looking that you guys are looking.

K

For more specific communication community facing saying here are current tools, we're.

K

Redefining what the purpose of each one is, who should be using them, and why and.

K

Then tagging to that the piece of how are we going to measure if it's effective moving forward? No.

K

Okay, because that's what I'm hearing, just as like a total outsider, that's good observation.

J

Clarify my yes now that I'm yeah, um so I guess my piece and and I see that, but then we have.

J

Four bullets right above we have evaluate and hire for. We have very specific- and I remember.

J

When we agreed upon these, we were clear. This was a little different right, but I guess with all of.

J

These, I I don't see the plan as a document as a as a this is the thing our. I thought that the board.

J

Evaluation of our superintendent was: do we agree that communication is doing these four things.

J

So I guess I don't. No, that's. Definitely not what I understood brian duncan.

L

Well, clearly, we don't all agree. I mean I would. I personally thought we're. Gonna have a plan.

L

um I think, let's start now and and make it pretty clear. I think most of us wanted to plan.

L

And um maybe maybe we weren't perfectly clear or weren't, um I don't. I don't recall dates.

L

That we put together on some of these things. Maybe we need to do that as well.

L

um But yeah, I think let's just have some clarity and instead of coming back and forth. Thank you.

C

Brian pip, um that was actually where I was gonna, go to it's like it doesn't matter so much where.

C

We I mean what we did before. We thought what, but now it's clear that zach is not understanding what.

C

We're asking for uh clearly enough to yeah: it goes to communication right right. Exactly that's! Why.

A

It's a goal, it's a perfect example, um so yeah. So I think I would like to see us kind of figure out.

C

The best way to clarify that, whether it's looking at these examples that have been provided again.

C

Or having another meeting with the communications committee that doesn't exist anymore or you know, I.

C

Don't know I it seems like we need to just choose a way forward, rather than trying to give specific.

C

Feedback right, this kind of setting- yes and I yes go ahead lisa. So I think that we did not come to.

I

A consensus at our retreat in august around the exact timeline for delivering a communications.

I

Plan I remember discussing the idea that it would be done by the end of this year just to deal with.

I

Some short-term goals, and then we did discuss the idea that we would talk about it during the.

I

Strategic planning process, but I think for where we're at right now it would be helpful to just.

I

Get some kind of emotion out there that says today what we're looking for at these points.

I

Moving forward from these two drafts is some type of deliverable by some date, and I feel like we're.

I

Mainly in agreement that we did expect some type of document that could be shared with the public.

I

That would give an overview of what the top sort of priorities were for right now. So I hope, and.

A

Then we'll round out from the retreat, I do recall we did set a deadline of november. I don't remember.

G

The exact day of november, but it was you're right. I misspoke at a deadline for a plan by november.

G

And some things to be finished and we we did raise that it would be a written document plan.

G

Because I'm the one that raised concern around that, knowing that we were going to do strategic.

G

Planning of is that even a reasonable thing to do, knowing that we're going to also enter strategic.

G

Planning, if we're going to have that, be part of that uh piece which it doesn't seem like from the.

G

Proposal it is so zach's taking that on. So those two things just to clarify if we can go back and.

G

Check minutes were specifically uh brought up, but what I'm hearing at this point is it seemed.

G

Like there was consensus in agreement around all the information you had provided in your earlier.

G

Document zach around the guiding principles, which is one of our goals around identifying the.

G

Audiences, which you did in multiple ways, through graphs and otherwise identifying the four key.

G

Points of communication with our district and how what tools we would use and then identifying what.

G

Is currently the strengths that you have found in your listening tour and being here during.

G

This time, as well as the weaknesses and and in assessing that information, what is in your.

G

Opinion the best approach forward in addressing those weaknesses and utilizing and continuing.

G

To grow out our strengths in the district that that's what I've heard thus far now, as far as the.

G

Project management tool that you presented here in the timeline- I I'm all for project management.

G

um But I think that's not the high level that we need for an outside plan. I think the project.

G

Management is something that you certainly can use within your tool from the standpoint of deadlines.

G

And the board can speak otherwise if they want very specific, but it seems like we could have.

G

Higher level within january within february, which, in whatever the quarters or, however, you have your.

G

Project management, stuff tied up- you can roll that up to a higher level and then the other tools that.

G

Can be used for implementing can be shared as like we're going to look at branding and we're.

G

Going to look at using these type of tools, for that we're going to you know, manage our timelines.

G

And time frames using asana software we're going to do x y, but right at a much higher level, not at.

G

A project management level that you'll be using for your staff does that make sense.

G

And so that would be somewhat mainly those those components that aren't in that first draft.

A

Ed to that first draft, the timelines and what doesn't even have to necessarily be.

G

A full swot analysis, but really just what's the strengths and weaknesses right and what.

G

Have you identified since you've been in the district and then how do you prioritize sure.

G

Whether it's a website or anything else, if you feel like brandy whatever you feel.

G

Like look based on being with my admin team and being here and what I see happening with.

G

Communication, these are going to be the top priorities and then this is going to be the.

G

Tools we're going to use to address those priorities or strategies. Maybe it's not a.

G

Specific tool, maybe it's a strategy and here's the time frame, high level that we're going to.

G

Be prioritizing those priorities for and how you get in the weeds with your staff, that's for you.

G

That's a project management decision for you of specific dates around that that that's what I'm.

G

Hearing so it's really more of a taking some of what you have in your project, management raising.

G

Up at a high level and kind of just integrating in that first proposal, nancy that makes sense.

B

B

Well, I think you have a tangible example by what what you gave us before. It's just adding. I still.

B

Don't I three categories so so I've taken two shots at this so far and and I'm still not.

B

Conceptually clear about like I'd love to be in a position where I, where I understood just in terms.

B

Of um again not the actual prioritizations, not the um the strategies, but in terms of grain size.

B

Being able to look at again some organization that has an example in terms of the sectioning.

B

In terms of conceptually, how it, how it breaks out, what you're looking for so can we provide.

G

You a template for that. Absolutely okay! You could do that great. So it sounds. I don't think we need.

A

To look at, I think, that's what's missing. If I were to speak in the nancy, I know you have your hand up.

A

I think to me: what's missing, is it's not personal to portsmouth and I think that's what we decided.

A

On is like: what's we all agree, communication is a goal. We've gathered a lot of data, you've done a.

A

Lot of listening so in the short term in this one year that we have a goal of communication, what can.

A

We realistically focus our efforts on and how- and I don't mean how step one assess, how many years.

A

How, like okay, we're gonna gather data on what's the percent of juice of parent square and admin.

A

Team is going to discuss. Is that high enough and you know whatever, but I don't want to speak before.

A

Nancy go ahead. Nancy! Thank you. I am I'm hearing in a bit of an echo chamber, so I'm not sure I'm.

H

Getting everything that everyone's saying, but um I did have some comments that I wanted make.

H

I think, first of all, we will all agree that the communication that's come out since zach has.

H

Been here he's been a big improvement over what we've seen in the past with the memos weekly memos.

H

From principals to parents and students in the community, and um also the parents wear all that.

H

That I think I I like the goal that we've set for this year, that we're going to have a communication.

H

Plan, but I also think- and this is something that I've realized and I don't know how this happens.

H

Zach has come, you know we have a superintendent that came from a totally different district, a.

H

Totally different state, it takes a long time to learn. What's going on in our district, the ins.

H

And outs: the staff, the students, the procedures, the strategies, the programs, it's a monumental.

H

Adjustment or monumental um just want the right word, a monumental task that zach is going through.

H

This year, to just try to get to know everybody and know what's going on, I think, in my opinion- and I.

H

Don't know if others agree, maybe we need to push back a little bit on this communication plan. It's.

H

A goal we have for the entire year so can we let zach kind of take a breath here and all of us take.

H

A breath and say, let's just come up with a plan within by the end of the by the end, by the time we.

H

Have our retreat again, I think it's it's been hard for him because, like he just stated, if I heard.

H

It correctly he's not exactly sure what the board wants he's, not exactly sure what the communication.

H

Committee wants, I think, we're putting too much pressure on him. I think we're putting too much.

H

Stress on him, you're asking for deadlines and how you set it up and who's going to get. Why? I think.

H

It's a lot to ask him right now. I think if we could just ask him to continue to work on this and.

H

When he's comfortable get a plan back to us, but I would say, let's give: let's give him definitely.

H

Until august, until we have our next retreat to come up with a plan, that's just my idea. I think.

H

I think with zach, I think, he's doing a great job. I think you know our district is in a good position.

H

Right now, but it's been a monumental task to adjust to our to learn about our district to.

H

Communicate with everybody, that's involved to get to know the staff, the students, the board. I.

H

Mean he's had a learning process getting to know us board members, um that's just my you know. I I.

H

I've been thinking about this, as I'm sure all of you have, and I think we need to to lay back.

H

A little bit, thank you nancy. Thank you, I'm going to let zach speak and then brian and then carrie.

A

I super appreciate what what uh the supportive uh nature of uh what nancy's saying and in.

B

Simultaneously, don't think we have to wait until the end of the year. I just again it's I think, once.

B

If, if I can- and I don't know that, I'm just not uh what my challenge is in understanding, what.

B

The end products the desired end product is, if I understand the desired end product I'll, deliver.

B

The desired end product so- and I think we're talking about give me a template. It's great, I'm.

B

Ready so I've got pieces, you have the information, I think yeah, you have. The information you've seen.

G

In my view, it seems like you're struggling with like how granular do I need to go. It is totally.

B

About brain size, I think that if we can give you a template, then you can see like I so appreciate.

G

What you broke down for your team right in what you would do for a project management for your.

G

Team and put that out it's very clear: it gives them very good target dates. It keeps you and.

G

Your admin team on track for moving and improving things in the district. It's just, I don't think.

G

That level needs to be in a plan. I think that you can go at a higher level for something that's.

G

Going to go out to the district, and- um and I would I would so yeah- I think the frustrating. How would.

B

You say the frustrating part is, I think it's twofold. It was me giving a memo saying I'm going.

B

To be creating an internal document, not getting any feedback saying nope, that's not what well.

I

That came to us on friday, night zach. What the memo is saying it would be an internal document. I don't.

B

Know, remember back. This is a couple months ago. No, I didn't. I don't know what document.

G

So so it's that the combination of yeah, I think well anyways. I I think, there's been.

B

uh But I to nancy's, no I'm gonna just pause and just make sure we go around.

A

Because brian's had his hand up for a while brian all right, I think I still keep coming.

L

Back to like okay, let's move forward, yes, I agree, so I agree um for me the way I think about what.

L

What it's being said about priorities is, I kind of, I think, sets the granularity that it's really.

L

Like what's the low hanging fruit, what's the big things? Because I don't think a branding exercise.

L

Right now is appropriate, I mean I, can you could picture a a communications plan. That's like 300.

L

Pages with a lot of detail in it, but I I don't think that's what I mean, I'm looking for something.

L

More pragmatic and practical at a high level that says yeah, you know what we're screwing up on our.

L

Website or we're we're doing that, we know what are the big things that we can and these these are the.

L

Approaches that we're going to take- and this is how we're going to follow it- that's I think.

L

That's kind of what we're looking for! It's not really that 300 page right down to the detail of.

L

And if branding's important for, if you think it's important, then absolutely put it in. But I think.

L

You know highlighting and focusing on those big things and I think that's where the priorities.

L

Conversations you say: big rocks a lot right so yeah. I think that's what I'm. I think. That's what.

L

We're kind of looking for because we can, these can evolve right and they can be over years right.

A

And they can get more depth and I think over strategic planning we'll get a lot more depth.

L

Or maybe even a different focus on a couple of things, but thinking just really high level. We've.

L

This year, obviously we're not doing a great job, even as the board may be communicating either so.

L

um But I'm hoping that we can, you know I don't know I'm trying to trying to redirect it a.

L

Little bit, yes, I don't want to go back. You know months ago, at this point, it's not super pretty.

A

No, I think at this point we let's say what we really want. Hopefully we can make it succinct.

L

Put dates on it and make it realistic something that will be useful, so carrie I'm going to have.

A

You comment and then lisa and then we're gonna wrap this conversation up. So I think, on that note.

J

And hopefully more specific, but I feel like this is I'm confused. I'm confused at the public facing.

J

Piece, I don't think that has been defined well, but I would like to recommend that this that this.

J

Conversation go to chair and vice chair to outline it. I do think it would be a good responsible thing.

J

As a board to come back, maybe after budget cycle with an outline of this is explicitly what we're.

J

Asking for in this communication plan and come to consensus on it, because even in this conversation.

J

I hear six different things that we want and I think until we and I just don't want to come.

J

To the fifth conversation of this, so I don't know if that's appropriate nancy and margo to.

J

Put that on you, but to summarize this maybe come back with an outline in march and then.

A

Why don't we thank you, let's hear from lisa, so I really agree with what brian is saying.

I

I do think we need to move forward. I felt, like you know, as a sort of similar process like with.

I

The strategic plan, rfp committee, you know we sat down, we identified what are the top priorities.

I

As a board, I think, with the communications plan conversation that we had with zach, I hope and.

I

I said tell us what your sort of top three or four priorities are based on your observations.

I

Because we don't want to dictate to you, maybe you think that the newsletter is important.

I

Maybe you think that the website is the most important. I know I personally am really like.

I

I want the calendar, but like that's not on your list and that's okay like I want it to be your.

I

List, if you can say these are my three or four things: the big rocks that you care about based.

I

On your observations, and then what you need from your communications committee is to give you a.

I

Template to organize that structurally, we can do that like it would take us an hour because.

I

That's something that we do all the time and we have that expertise like we're, not educators.

I

But I would love to be able to move forward by supporting you and giving you a template. That.

I

You want and if you're able to articulate like, could you say right now? I think from reading this.

I

The website is clearly one free. You put a lot of time into that. You know, and I noticed this.

I

Week, for example, I think that's the first time I have ever seen the website change. Yes, when we.

I

Change the schedule- and that was amazing, like as a parent who was like what the heck is going on.

I

With my kids in all the different buildings, it was so cool to be able to see that, on the.

I

Website so it's clear, you're thinking about it and you're moving it in a good direction.

I

And I'm not trying to say that's your top priority, but it seems like it's clearly won. I mean, are.

I

There a couple others off the top of your head that you could say these are the other ones that.

I

Are the big rocks? I mean you've been working on the newsletters with the principals made a lot of.

I

Progress there yeah in terms of I mean in terms of the big, I think, the big three for me so number one.

B

Is is what people identified during the during the hiring process, which was that information from the.

B

School district and specifically people would use the high school as a reference was not credible.

B

And um and then- and it was not timely, so things would come out from kids before they came out from.

B

The school the school would the school would respond too too late to those types of things.

B

um So I think that that stuff and then the misalignment of communication from different.

B

Schools and different schools saying different things about the same issue. um You know so that.

B

Like alignment and credibility of messaging from the building and from the district was.

B

Number one: I think we have taken significant steps already around that is it a consistent.

I

Messaging across the schools in the district is one yep yep incredibly yeah combine this yep. I got.

G

It alignment and credibility is one and and then the um and then the um the I mean the website is.

B

Problematic, I think there are, you know there are as a as what should be the default resource for.

B

Or all stakeholders it is not in the best of shape and then there's the question of social media and.

B

I'm going to loop parent square into social media, okay, here's the three things. So that's it! We can.

I

Give you a template around those three things pretty easily. I think- and it's just about great.

I

Communication committee: well, I think it's and it's just within that. It is again about for the.

B

Document you want to be a forward-facing document, just it's identification of grant size yep. We can.

L

Do that, that's it I mean the material I mean the whether it's here or it's down the weeds. I would.

I

Say 70 of it's between these two documents? Yeah, I think it's just a matter of combining it and.

I

Organizing it and if you're comfortable with us, as you know, the board members on the communications.

I

Can you just taking a stab at structuring it for you and then just giving it back to you to finish.

I

It why don't you just give me a template? We can do that so then. What I'm hearing is our action.

A

Plan going forward is that the members of the communication committee on the board, lisa and hope.

A

Will provide zach with a template of what will be present in the communication plan? How many weeks.

A

Do you need to bring that template back to the board first yeah? That would go one step in between.

J

I think the template needs to go to you, as the communication structure of nancy represents the.

J

Board supervision of zach, and then it comes back to the board. We all get on the same page and agree.

A

I that's fine that is very different from the memos that we've gotten and the minutes that we.

A

Took at that meeting, I'm really struggling that the memo said from you. Oh gather, my information.

A

From the communication committee and then disband the committee, the minutes say it was noted that.

A

The communication committee already has lots of data and established benchmarks, so they will work.

A

With zach on developing a communication plan, so do we we've already as board, voted on them passing.

A

The information forward, which has three years of work behind it and and we've established in this.

A

Meeting tonight, some very common themes of what needs to be in the communication plan. What needs.

A

To happen is it needs to be a communication plan, that's personalized for our district. With these.

A

Details that we've included and a draft goes to the board. I I don't. I effectively don't see the.

A

Need of running back around to the board with a template that needs approval from our already.

A

Elected members of this communication to me it's pretty simplified. It seems like we've.

G

We've identified from the first draft strong information that zach has already crafted that.

G

Will continue to be used right so again, I will repeat them if we need to but who's our audience.

D

What are our standards, our guiding principles? What are the messages that he's identified as.

G

Four key areas for messaging to those audience: what are the tools that are effective and what.

G

Is not working which he just identified, four of those those things right. What is he doing.

G

Well, which I will go back to nancy's point, he's already done a bunch of things that I feel like.

G

To his discredit he didn't put in either one of the plans that I think people it's already done.

B

So people should be aware that our changes in our district and where to find and see those changes.

G

And why those changes may drive other decisions of continued improvement in those areas and so to me.

G

He's done the legwork, it's really simple he's just asking. Forgive me instructional time playing and.

G

Then he can plug his work in I. I don't see why we're keep revisiting. It is pretty simplified.

A

Thank you last two comments, pip and then carrie um in the interest of moving this conversation along.

C

um I was actually going to make a motion that we please, that we allow the members of the committee.

C

That I mean the former the committee formerly known as the communications committee to um send.

C

Zach a template that he can then use to flesh out, combine and combine the two previous drafts and.

C

Flesh out what what we as a board had hoped to see and then we can, then we can review that. Can we add.

G

To that motion to copy both our chair and coach, both chairs um on that email, should they have any.

G

Which email like we can share it with sure so to leave, I'm going to repeat the motion and see if.

A

We have a second. The motion on the floor is that we have a second. The motion on the floor is that.

A

The last standing members of the communication committee on the board will send zach a template.

A

For the communication plan, which you will use great gathering data from the ones he already.

A

Has to go forward and that draft communication plan will come back to the board for approval.

A

And the chair in the vice chair will be included on the sending of the template.

A

That was the edit you had yes, and, and second did that yeah I was going to ask.

G

Is there is there a deadline on that that it should come back to the board by what.

G

Date so that we know what time frames we're working in with zach think, let's see one.

I

Of our meeting our we have a meeting on the february 7th and then the 22nd. I think it is.

A

We have winter break and bring it back to the board february um 21st. I'm sorry.

A

I think that's reasonable the 21st exactly does that seem reasonable to you? Have a budget here.

J

's plan I mean right basically so restructure. That's all I'm doing is I'm putting I'm taking.

B

The three buckets of narrowing it down to the three that we just discussed, I'm discussing in.

B

Higher level terms and then identifying a couple of bullet points that are broad strategies that.

B

Would address those things? That's that's a week yeah. If that's more than a meeting to give you a.

I

Template so if I can throw another twig on the pile, um the current policy around social media.

K

Prevents us from doing some of this work and being compliant aaron, and I are in conversation yep. Yes,.

A

So to bring it back and move it forward. We have a motion on the floor that a template will be.

A

Sent to zach ceasing the chair and the vice chair, which he will use to identify the three priorities.

A

Deliver some high-level timelines include standards, benchmarks and audiences and hope to.

A

Return to the board by our february 14th meeting great. Are you comfortable with that motion? No, not.

G

The 14th 21st, I thought that, but then nathan corrected me that we don't have a meeting on.

A

The 21st, so I was wrong. He said we have the wrap up of the budget. Yeah, I would say, then make it.

G

Be the whatever one right after march 7th yeah the march: that's not it like a really long time for.

G

Well, we have three weeks in february because we have a week off right too, so.

B

A member of the board would it be feasible for me to be included in that conversation as.

M

I was previously a member of the communications, I think, um if you can meet when yeah I mean if it's.

A

Not feasible for me to, I think all efforts made to include the student voice would be fantastic.

A

Great and fancy.

H

It was what that date was yeah march march 14th. What thank you. I thought that was the.

K

First one I thought he said it was march 14th. I don't have the schedule march 7th.

A

Do we have one on the 70.? Don't you meet second and fourth tuesday? I think we do so. We don't know.

B

February, 14th and march 14th.

H

Your second, your second regular meeting yeah there is no okay right. There is no so first.

A

Week so the end date is 14th. It's gonna take us an hour to do this. Template [laughter] february.

G

14Th is two weeks from now. Are you comfortable with that date set? It all depends on the template.

B

Just to be clear, it will be done the week before and in the packet packet. Yes,.

A

Let's move for a roll call vote and move the agenda along. Please.

G

Oh nancy's talking but she's in mute, can't hear you nancy. Your lips are moving, but.

D

Nancy there we go. Did I um no? No.

A

That's fine, perfect, I think, really really stupid right now and I would like to see it.

H

Will be done by by march 14th or sooner yeah. That's what he just said: perfect.

A

I'm getting I'm sorry, no, that's a zoom challenge. Okay, roll call vote, please: okay, uh liz barrett.

B

Pip clues: yes, lisa rapaport; yes, ann walker, yes margaret peabody, yes, nancy, clayberg,.

B

Vet apps brian french, yes, serenity. Yes, thank you, everyone. I know that was a challenging.

A

And it informed our own board of our own needs for communication and nancy, and I have taken.

A

Copious notes on how to better structure retreats going forward, so I appreciate it. I appreciate the.

A

Honesty and the feedback- and I will incorporate it on that note- on feedback, it's 8 30 and I'm keeping.

A

To a schedule so moving on to new business, we have two leave of absences for consideration.

A

Motion to approve second book of absences- and I have a second from lisa any discussion.

A

Without any discussion, I call for a roll call vote to approve.

A

Both leave of absences as published in the agenda.

D

Back sorry, uh all right here we go liz, barry pip clues; yes, lisa rapaport; yes, ian walker, yes, margo.

B

Peabody, yes, nancy clayburgh; yes, oh vin, epps, yes, brian, french, yes, carrie, nolte! Yes, thank you. Okay,.

A

The next order of agenda under new business is the consideration and approval for a single reading of.

A

Two policies, these policies we already had, so I will explain them separately. J-I-C-H is our.

A

Drug and alcohol use policy by students. We know that or the policy committee met with.

A

Sean donovan at the high school to best understand the current practices that were happening at the.

A

High school would return with regards to for a disciplinary responses to students with drug and.

A

Alcohol violations on campus- and it was in that meeting sorry I'm pulling up my um policy. It was.

A

In that meeting, that the recommendation was made that, under the first offense we for the second.

A

Bullet under for first offense, we've changed it to say a participation in a or a referral to a.

A

Substance, a student assistance program and then, following that, the the meeting that would happen.

A

Which was always there attend a meeting between the student parent or guardian or school principal.

A

Develop a plan to implement the recommendation as a result of the referral that will be followed by.

A

The students, so this was a we refer, the student to a student assistance program. Carrie listed a.

A

Bunch at last meeting that exist that the meeting that happens upon return from suspension goes over.

A

Creating a plan that student can meet with success that incorporates the results that came out of the.

A

Referral so that we can guide that student forward you'll see in the policy committee minutes the.

A

Number of students since 2007, we are a fortunate district in our success with this policy, but there.

A

Were aspects of it that needed modernization to the practices we were following, the other.

A

Changes we made under the second fence um under line 30. We changed the word from shall to may.

A

um In the and then in line 31, we used we added. The word shall to be consistent with the previous.

A

And then we added that at that point under the second offense, that they would be evaluated.

A

By a substance, abuse counselor that that would be a requirement under second offense.

A

We've only had one student in the last since 2007 that's reached a third offense.

A

um Just for historical data, so really the massive change. This is a policy we already had the only.

A

Change was that we would refer after our first offense. All students will be referred to a.

A

Student assistance program and that the results of that referral. What comes out of that will be.

A

Incorporated into the plan that we make with the student upon return from their suspension so that.

A

We are partnered with the student and their family on best meeting success going forward.

A

Secondly, there were some small language changes to the second offense and the requirement of.

A

An evaluation by substance, abuse counselor: those are the changes to jich questions, hope.

G

um So I have a few questions and I understand I just want to preface but saying I understand.

G

That this policy is written up mainly for drugs and alcohol abuse. But in the essence of past.

G

Experience with policy and how things can be worded and sometimes taking out of context.

G

By this is what it says um I do have concern around. um It also incorporates over-the-counter.

G

Drugs and prescription drugs, and so I'd like to understand the word unauthorized and who.

G

Is who is authorizing then prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs? Because I know I have to.

G

Sign off as a parent, and so I just feel like the current language, leaves room for confusion. If a.

G

Student has permission from a parent to be taking something, but maybe there's been room for era of.

G

Not following the letter of the law to communicate that to the school or if a teacher or sub or just.

G

Anyone I just feel like it doesn't allow for room for era when it comes to prescription.

G

Drugs that are authorized by doctors, but did it go through the nurse you know who's been notified.

G

So that makes me a little nervous and to the point of then what the offense might be if there.

G

Is miscommunication or room of error? I would like to see line 16 change from shall to may because.

G

Again, it doesn't allow for any room of era. It says basically under any and all circumstances.

G

The student would be suspended and it may not be for an abusive alcoholic or drug related. It.

G

Could be some other contexts of? I don't know. I just know at the high school every day, there's.

G

Confusion of you know or possible confusion of situations right and I will I will respond to that.

A

We do have a clear policy on prescription, drugs and authorization, so um we can send it back to.

A

The committee with that recommendation- or we can also make the recommendation- that we need to link.

A

Reference here to that policy, we just approved the policy. I can't actually remember the number of it.

G

A couple weeks ago, when you say unauthorized, prescription, drugs or over-the-counter drugs.

G

Who is so this in that characterization of who is giving authority? So if it's and that's.

A

What that the prescription, med policy, I can't remember- we just approved it three four weeks ago,.

A

Describes the process for how what you need to do to be authorized to have prescription drugs on.

A

You on campus okay, does that also discuss over the counter it does and cough drops, because I.

G

Remember at one point like I had to sign off right, like it's all outlined in that in that policy, but.

G

Again, I would just appreciate if we could re-look at line 16 of the first time. Offense shall be.

G

Subject to the following discipline versus, maybe because it doesn't, which we've learned. I feel.

G

Like we learned from an old policy that we just took a year to go through, it does not give room.

G

For the disciplinary to have discretion, discretion based on the circumstances and.

G

Details and as we were told by our staff and faculty, I still have to follow the policy and.

G

This is what the policy says. It doesn't give me any room to use discretion, so I I find that.

G

A little noticeable punitive and I feel like it, it's putting us in a position to revisit.

G

Situations that we've already visited and other policies for a year. Thank you carrie. um I think.

J

You know, without I think possibly just I know we don't want to put policy letter references but.

J

A piece of like, as defined in separate, can you refer just to clarify you're, referring.

A

Back to that online yeah, okay, yeah, just to put as defined in whatever, however, make sense to you all.

J

um And then I was wondering- and um I know that we've discussed the student assistance program.

J

But do you recall where that's referenced just so I can cross look at that. ah That's a great.

A

Question that I cannot recall the answer to yeah and we talked about, we did, I think the challenges.

B

It's a specific, it is off campus. We currently um we don't have a laid act on staff right and.

A

So this the the reason why in zach and pip can pipe in if I'm wrong the reason why we changed.

A

It to this was because the other programs that we were referring to had often a three-month.

A

Wait and so to have an aspect of a policy that you're suspended, and you have to complete this.

A

They'd be out of school for forever until they could come back. That's a it's an area where it's.

A

Very difficult to find placement in, but the student assistance program does not have that.

A

Our feedback from the high school was that the student assistance programs that we are.

A

Using does not have that gap, and- and I don't I- I will try to find it as we talk, but I guess I.

J

Would like that specific reference as well, even if it's general, as as within other school board,.

J

Policy or something okay, good, no, we think nick was waiting after me, nick go ahead. Yeah, I'm just yeah.

M

I think you might have touched on it a bit, but I'm curious as to why it says shall be subject.

M

On the first offense, but then we changed it to may on the second, and I I think that's. Why hope.

A

Was catching it and suggesting that the first needs to change to may that was a great yeah.

A

Because I think that definitely makes sense now their system consistency great catch, both of you.

G

um Oh just quickly, is it possible that we can approve this one on a second read, so that the.

G

Policy committee can provide that. I I don't know what you're referencing for the prescription drug.

G

Policy, so I would like to have a chance to read that and read what kerry is referencing before.

G

Approving something that is going to reference those two, so we can take a motion to send this.

A

Back to policy with the recommended edits and then come back for another reading. Well, is it possible.

G

That we can get those two policy references that you're referring to. Yes, I think zach's got them.

B

So two, so one is on the reference and two is on a something to consider. So the reference.

B

So the policy we pass not that long ago is jlcd administering medication to students, jl jlcd and.

B

It's titled administering medication to students and it goes through what you know. The process.

B

um For medications to be administered by a nurse or school staff, um and then what are.

B

The exceptions where a student would be able to self um medicate, and that includes like.

B

A um epipen inhaler, you know those types of things so um and in each of those situations.

B

Under the self-administration staff, apparently regarding when he will provide written proof of.

B

The diagnosis, otherwise things would be expected to go through the nurse effectively. Okay, so so.

B

That's the reference, and I was just going to say too the thing to be cognizant of is when you, when.

B

We name a specific position. You're then walking yourself into you, can't eliminate that position.

B

Ever right or you can't restructure it or you can't, I mean it's like you: will you are by policy.

B

Locking yourself into, we must have a student assistance program counselor, so just something.

B

Else to think about- and that was originally that was born right. Yes, I think the dialogue.

B

Was I think we had about a state certified? Did we start there? We originally said certified substance.

A

Abuse counselor, which we've moved so we're trying to make a second offensive. First, was a more likely.

A

Still part of that and as sean, if you read the minutes, what sean donovan was saying is.

A

That at that first stage we're really trying to identify. Is this a student with a serious problem.

A

That we need to intervene is this a student that made a dumb choice and there is a difference in.

A

Students and so the assistance program he said, has been very successful in siphoning out that.

A

Information and coming back to the school, with an appropriate plan to best support that student.

A

um But that's why we didn't go to a specific position. Yes on on that note, could we.

J

um Could we rename that, generally, like you know more of a um a program, uh an in-house program that.

J

Seeks to support students with substance use like does it have to? Is that hopeful or no I'm just.

B

Trying to figure out yeah what is what's, what am I missing about? What's wrong with student assistance.

A

Programs because it locks- and we will always have a student assistance program, it will always be.

J

Called a student assistance program where it might be a well-being, council or a something.

J

Or other you know, so um we wanted to give feedback back to the policy committee to consider language.

A

That's more flexible is that what you're saying zach sort of I I mean as long as you go in eyes,.

B

Wide open to the fact that you're, if you were to come to it, but just do things with the sap.

B

um One is you're, it's a particular person, a particular fte position with a particular.

B

Structure, there's also a particular funding source connected to it, which is dwindling funding source.

B

I don't know nathan what the percentage is. I think that's an sap at this point that we actually of an.

B

Fte that we 60. 69.7, but it's a dwindling source. So it's one of those things where you know you're.

B

You're, locking yourself into a grant funded thing with the grant that is slowly going away, but.

J

That's on the search: that's fine counselor, not on the student assistance program. Well, student.

B

Assistant the student assistance program, though, is a specific grant funded program that is inhabited.

J

Right now by, I see a person part-time part of a full role. So that's all I mean, but I mean you can.

B

Just be like well we'll have to make sure we keep an eye on that. If we change that position in the.

B

Future then we'd have to change policy, that's got it. So what I'm hearing is the motion on the floor.

A

Is that the board would like to send this back to the policy committee with the recommended.

A

Recommended edits, which addresses the concern about unauthorized and lines. Two and three.

A

Making a referral to policy jlcd changing the word shall to may on line 16 and considering.

A

The language that we use in line 19 on student assistance program and then those changes with.

A

The policies that they refer to come back to the board for approval of hope. I don't know if.

G

That that encompasses what I'm looking for about the authorization, because jlcd does not mention.

G

um It's really specific to epipens and inhalers. It does not talk about authorization for.

G

Over-The-Counter drugs, it's administing medicines to students, so I just want to make sure that when.

G

It is taken back that there is an understanding of clearness. Where is that authorization? Okay? I.

J

Actually recall this is a state law that those are the only two substances that are authorized.

J

To be carried on people which, as a provider, I've fought against and it just doesn't it's a state.

J

Law issue: okay, good to go to the policy committee yeah, let's see, but let's see where the sticking.

A

Point is that's just really helpful, I'm just looking at the so administration administering.

B

Medications by school nurse or staff, and the case where medication must be taken during.

B

School hours, medications are to be administered, are to be administrated administered by a school.

B

Nurse in the absence of a nurse, the building principle or their designee is permitted to.

B

Assist the students in taking medication by one making such medications available to the.

B

Student as needed to observing the students to take the modification in three school nurse may.

B

Administered non-prescription medication during the day, if written instructions or.

B

Verbal permission from the parent or guardian have been provided and then there's a cell medications.

G

Yeah, so I it has been I in in orientation. It has been communicated at the high school that.

G

Students cannot like even administer a cough drop to themselves right. I don't know if that is still.

G

The case because I haven't gone to orientation and a while, but I will say this and I will be.

G

Honest about that, like that's crazy, I'm not gonna. Have my kids leave the classroom to go down to the.

G

Nurse to ask for a honey cough drop that they can have in their pocket and have them stand and give.

G

It to them and go upstairs so my kids, if, if under this policy, they could be suspended for five days.

G

Because their mom says stick this in your pocket and take it when you need it, because you need to.

I

Get through class and there's yeah, that's helpful feedback. Yes, lisa! There's one other piece to this.

I

That a parent actually asked me about because many of our seniors are 18. and parents do not.

I

Authorize their medical treatment at that time, so there was a question that came up about. You know.

I

My senior who handles their own medical records, you know and I'm not trying to like undo the whole.

I

Policy just for that subset of kids. But that's like a substantial portion of the senior class and.

I

So just to consider do we need any language around authorization when they are over the age. That's.

G

Why I'm asking no, I agree with you republican. My kid was on the older age of his class. He was still.

G

In high school- and I no longer had legal rights over his like, he had to give me permission to.

G

Even talk to his doctor, who didn't have access to their kids, I just want to define when we're.

G

Saying authorization, authorization for what and who is so it sounds to me what I'm hearing is at.

A

This point we are recommending. This goes back to the policy committee for updates with all of those.

A

um With all those suggestions and concerns, okay, one thing just for policy to consider, because I.

J

I do think that the over-the-counter thing is going to be a state issue.

J

um Would the policy can committee consider taking out over the counter from this policy.

J

um Just because the punishment uh should be for having ibuprofen in your backpack should.

J

Be different yeah um then heroin or marijuana or alcohol yeah totally. These are great comments and.

A

I feel as policy committee this feels a good point to go back to. I don't think we need to.

A

Have a role called vote to send it back, but no, I think I'm remembering now that kerry said that.

C

I think that, on that policy that was referenced. That is why we listed only inhalers and applicants.

C

Because it was state policy, as I recall so I think you're right about that and that's how we landed.

C

There I too was uncomfortable with it, because we all want to send cough drops with our kids and.

F

Sometimes other things um yeah, so uh I think it makes sense to go back we'll we'll confirm that.

C

From that old that policy we've already voted on and then and go forward that area. So that goes.

A

Back to policy committee second policy um under new business, this is again married or pregnant.

A

Students jie: this is a policy we currently have. This is a state mandated policy that we must have.

A

So it was simply a time to update the language. So it's not pretty language, but we tried to make it.

A

A little bit less archaic, so in line you can see and read the changes that we made, but we.

A

um Because it's state mandated policy, we couldn't make any changes that would change.

A

The intent or meaning which was really just to um fair treatment of these students nick and.

A

Then carrie yeah, so I understand we're trying to clarify it it right now. It does technically imply.

M

That the pregnant students themselves should only be changed based on their assessed needs.

M

um Just I think, switching and to which, in the part that we changed wait, um you mean line four.

M

Yeah line five yeah because it says pregnant students she'll be permitted to continue in.

M

School without any variation from continuance in regular school classes and then that clause ends.

M

And then it says and showing a change which would refer to them. Change that, to which yeah, which.

M

I think yep makes it crystal clear what we're going out for, I think great carrie two changes.

J

So maternal and paternal is very gendered, yep um and so parental status is a bit more encompassing.

J

um If there's better words too, but they're mouthfuls um um and then my other change.

J

As always, is going to be students, healthcare provider instead of physician, oh yes, thank you.

J

um I have to say that I recall another change that I thought we had made in the policy committee.

C

Which was to strike that piece and referred to ada compliance? Wasn't that where we landed.

C

With this, because that was sort of the purpose of making sure that that these that pregnant students.

C

Had whatever they need needed according to the ada law, so would we prefer the suggested edit.

A

To be changed from physician to health care provider or change, the last line based upon.

A

Their assessed needs as delineated with ada compliance. Is that what you're saying.

I

Well, both, instead of eliminating that okay, so healthcare provider and ada compliance any other.

A

Comments on j, I e brian just line one married. Why is that there? Thank you, brian [applause], yeah.

J

So strike married and well that I'll have to ask if that's a state requirement, that's the name. It.

I

Actually is a state requirement. I think it is, but then it's not referred to anywhere else in the.

C

Policies right it should probably it should probably be added back or added to line two.

L

Because I'm watching our time- and I know that we can do this- um I am- I am taking a motion. I.

A

Am I am taking, I would like to take a motion for j-I-e to pass on first reading, with the edits of.

A

Line one, if legally appropriate, drop married or line two change, maternal or paternal to parental.

A

Line five swap and for which line: six changed, physician to health care provider and add and.

A

Ada compliance I'll make that motion. Thank you. Second, by anne uh roll call vote all right. Liz.

B

Barely changed hip clues, yes, lisa rappaport, yes, while objecting to the paternalistic.

I

Nature of state law. Thank you, hey walker! Yes, margaret peabody, yes, nancy, clayberg,.

G

Yes hope that ups, brian french, yes, carrie, nolte yeah, thank you. Everyone. The last uh policy related.

A

Items, if you remember correctly, it was the state recommendation when they devised adc, which we just.

A

um Approved on second reading that that would get rid of all the other areas where we had a.

A

Non-Smoking and tobacco, so since we have now officially uh gone through second approval,.

A

Of adc, I need to take a motion for the removal or the sorry. The elimination of.

A

Policies gbed, which was our employee and jicg, which was our students specific non-smoking.

A

And tobacco policies. Thank you. Second. Brian roll call vote a discussion. Roll calls out.

B

Here we go the liz barrett pip clues; yes, lisa rapport; yes, ann walker, yes, margo peabody, yes, nancy,.

B

Clayberg, yes, hope: ben epps, brian, french, yes, carrie, nolte, yes, great, excellent, everyone. We were doing.

A

Really well with our timeline goals, so moving on to committee updates lisa. I turn it over to you.

A

For the legislative committee updates- and I will get myself on this- thank you margo, so I dumped.

I

A bunch of stuff into the packet in the hopes that we could not spend the next hour with me.

I

Reading a list of 255 bills, um if you didn't have a chance to go through the materials. Yet there is.

I

A list that the new hampshire school board association maintains throughout the legislative.

I

Session links to the full text of all of the bills that they are tracking, that they will.

I

They believe will have a potentially significant impact on our schools right now. There's some 250.

I

On their list, they are working to narrow it down and, as more bills, start to have full text and.

I

Starts to go into committees, they will start to whittle down their list further. I also included.

I

In the meeting packet, two pdfs of the first two legislative session, webinars from nhsba.

I

And in those webinars they really did drill down and highlight a much shorter list of bills that.

I

They think may be of particular interest to school districts um in the interest of time. My sense was.

I

That having that in the packet was sufficient, I am not personally expert on every single one.

I

Of these bills, at this time, the committee, when we bring things to the board, to consider taking.

I

Positions would do our homework, but we haven't had that meeting and our last one was uh snowed out.

I

So I mean: is there anybody on the board? Who would like me to try to read through some of the stuff.

I

On those slides, or do you feel like what's in the packet for that piece in terms of the update on.

I

Bills that we're following is sufficient like I don't want to not do it, but I also don't want.

I

To like read it with our self-explanatory and sufficient for okay, okay, so the one thing that.

I

I did want to go through just really quickly with everybody and marco. I think I gave you my slides.

I

Because my stupid macbook won't do zoom anymore, I get it, um but I put five slides in the packet.

I

From the legislative committee, where we tried to sort of mock up for a fake bill, giving every k-12.

I

Student, a free pony and writing lessons just to take the politics out of it but say this is how.

I

We would go through the process of tracking bills and then potentially taking a position on bills.

I

So I wanted that to just be really transparent for everybody and just get feedback from the.

I

Board on whether people feel like that process makes sense, not this one, I'm so sorry, it's not.

I

That one, it is hang on margo, I'm sorry! It's think procedures. Sorry about that. My mistake.

I

um So slide two in that margo just sort of shows. There are basically four steps to this process and.

I

The intention from the committee for at least this year was to slow our role a little bit focus more.

I

On having consensus from everybody on the board and the trade-off for that, is we're not going.

I

To be quick, we're not going to be in a position to run into the house education committee. This.

I

Week or next week and immediately start sharing our opinions on bills that are already starting.

I

To move through, what's more likely, is that as we watch things go through the legislative session.

I

That we might reach a point as a board where, if we choose to take positions on bills, we might.

I

Be ready to have have a written statement of support or potentially consider oral testimony.

I

More realistically, maybe by late march- maybe by april it would most likely be after bills. That.

I

Started in the house moved to the senate, or vice versa. So it's later in the process, we're not going.

I

To make as much of an impact on the early shaping of things, but it still gives us an opportunity to.

I

Weigh in if we choose to- and I think also gives us time as a board to be more aware of what we're.

I

Following and have time at each point along the way, so margo, if you don't mind skipping just to.

I

Slide four and I apologize for the tiny white french. It's looking bad to me up there now on.

I

The screen, but basically our intention is that any bills that we're tracking we're putting in.

I

The agenda packet, which we did for the meeting tonight if we reach a point where we have a short.

I

List of bills, where we want the board to consider taking just a position to support or oppose then.

I

That would also go into the meeting packet with links to the bills. We would try, where possible, to.

I

Include whether there is a formal position, that's already been taken by the school board association.

I

By the teachers union by the school administrators association, so people have some sense broadly of.

I

Where these groups involved in education weigh in on these bills, and so with our pony bill, just as.

I

An example- let's just say that was on our track list of bills in the nh sba list tonight. I would.

I

Consider that having notified people that that was tracked, if we decided to take a position in the.

I

Committee, that would go into a packet at a future meeting and then come to the board to take a vote.

I

If the board votes, yes, then the committee might consider discussions about whether we want to do.

I

Written or oral testimony, if the board initially says no, we do not want to take a position. Then.

I

The committee is not going to bring it back, I mean, if there's some sort of extenuating circumstances.

I

Where the text of the bill dramatically changes- or you know other crazy things happen, maybe we.

I

Might but we're not going to come back again and say we're really upset that you said no once and.

I

Now we want you to say yes the next time, because I just don't think that's the best use of our time.

I

um So I guess what I want to open it up to is, if everybody feels okay with this as a process in a.

I

Timeline if people have questions or concerns, we had consensus on our committee around this, but.

I

The goal is to make sure, as we're moving through this process, that people have a chance to be.

I

Aware of what bills we're talking about, you know be thoughtful about how you want to vote.

I

And so we may go slower this year in the interest of building consensus and.

I

Focus on fewer things and then in the summer we can discuss it. The retreat.

I

You know what's the future for this, if that makes sense.

G

Okay, so I'll just call on myself. Oh sorry, I'm sorry.

G

um So I had one question because when we discussed like [music] um what's the word.

G

I'm sorry I'm getting tired, um creating this committee, not such a simple word. Creating this.

G

Committee, one of the I think it was brian that brought it up of like wanting to make sure that.

G

That we weren't always taking a stand, or you know that we are pushing things bills. One way.

G

Or the other um in our work, and so that the other piece of it was educating the public just about.

G

What's coming down the pike around education, how they can reach out in their stance to their.

G

Their own representatives- so I'm just wondering this- this is kind of a great timeline. I think for.

G

The boards process and the board's education, but how are you guys, educating the public of.

G

These fields and along in this process, um because unless they are chiming into a board meeting, how.

G

Would they because that I thought that was one of the initial that is, I think, goals and a good goal.

I

And we did discuss that. I will be candid with you, since the school board doesn't push out.

I

Communication as a board, I'm not quite sure what else to do to communicate publicly through the.

I

Committee other than doing updates at the board meetings and putting things in the packet I'm.

I

Going to open to it, I mean all of that material like if you had the time I mean I know it's a ton.

I

And my hope is it's: a legislative session goes on like that list will get shorter. There will be more.

I

Detail and it will be easier to follow, but right now it's still kind of a free-for-all. um So what.

I

You would like to see is: maybe I'm just trying to understand what would you like to see, because what.

I

We have in there right now is the legislative updates from nhsba, which have sort of like one.

I

Or two sentence, summaries of maybe about 50 bills, that we're tracking and that's sort of the stage.

I

That we're at right now. I guess I just want to make sure that we are following all the right to.

G

Know and being as transparent as we can should we find something that we want to take a vote.

G

On and it may have opinion in our community that doesn't necessarily align with what our vote is.

G

And parents come forth or stakeholders come forth and say. I wasn't aware that this was discussed.

G

It's not promoted, you know it's in a packet, but quite frankly, our board, packets, they're posted, but.

G

Go back to some of the communication problems that we have it's they're hard to find people don't.

G

Know, there's nothing in our communications from our any newsletter that has a policy section or.

G

That has a legislative section, or that has a board news section. So I'm not certainly not asking that.

G

We create another newsletter in this district, but I do recall in discussing this committee that was.

G

One piece that was it was going to serve as an educational piece for the public and I feel like.

G

That's kind of missing, and I do recall that you asked about that when we discussed it and I agree.

I

That's a good goal to aim for I'm just not sure what vehicle we have other than the public packets.

I

I mean in terms of complying with public records, putting it in the pocket. You know putting it in.

I

The packet as we're going to do is complying, but that's not really educating people in the.

I

Community, so I'm open to suggestions about that. I just don't know I mean practically speaking what.

I

Vehicle would we use, I mean if you have a thought about that, I'm not opposed to it. I just don't know.

G

I'm not serving on the committee, so I just felt like if that was one of the goals of the committee.

G

If it was being chartered to educate the board and weigh in on legislation and the other charter of.

G

The committee was to educate the public around educational bills. Okay, will you you did raise.

I

The education component, the motion that formed the committee was not as an educational committee. It.

I

Was to track bills and make recommendations for some number of positions on bills. I agree the.

I

Educational component's important, but so something we can work um towards incorporating and if you.

I

Have a suggestion for how to do that, I'm certainly open to it, but I'm just not sure. Well, no, I agree.

G

With you, we don't control communication in the district. Well, I don't know lots of questions.

A

And nancy sorry go ahead, carrie, um so I and I think to- and this is an overall suggestion of like.

J

um I would love to see if the prince, if the legislative principles that we agreed on were.

J

Matched with the bills, eventually, they will be at the point when we're making.

I

Recommendations for positions at this point candidly carry. That was my intention for like.

I

A presentation, but our committee meeting was canceled due to our snow day. I know right so.

I

You're right and I think that that makes sense, big things that happens in new hampshire and and.

J

um I'm just so I'm I'm just putting I don't know the answer to this question. Do we do background.

J

Checks on volunteers, like yes, every person designated volunteers, every single person, if you.

L

Go on a field trip sort of like not necessarily going to get fingerprinted. But if you volunteer.

B

Every other tuesday in the library, okay, so it because interesting, I was there for the hearing.

J

On hb 107, which is around, which was around uh sex offenders and employment, and things like that and.

J

But it included volunteers and it essentially, the concern that came up was that this was going to.

J

Require anyone who's within the schools who is directly involved because the schools themselves.

J

Their business is to serve children that every single person was going to have to.

J

Do it, and so it like anyone in there, and so these things come up. It's like it's. Never the.

J

Thing you think like, and it's always just this left field like amendments and things like that.

J

um But the primary ones that on that, looking on that list that, if it's appropriate, I would love.

J

For you know, zach nathan, the comment was the funding ones, because I don't understand this.

J

I don't understand the school construction and capital improvements funding in the history in.

J

The state, so I couldn't at all interpret what the changes were, but obviously those seem.

J

Like something, we would want to prioritize early involvement on, as opposed to others.

F

Okay and my big concern basically, is the fact that, because the powers have changed, the rules.

F

Have changed and you can have guns on the floor of the house and the senate: it's not a rule. It.

F

I mean it's not a bill, but it's a rules that they make and when the powers change back again.

F

Hopefully they'll say no guns, but a letter to the editor might be a way to give information.

F

Okay: okay, a good suggestion: uh pip did you have your hand up um yeah? I was just sort.

C

Of gonna respond to the concept of of sharing the information, um and I think that there's.

C

A lot of things that we talk about here that we expect is shared with the public or is at.

C

Least accessible to the public so um think in the absence of our board actually putting out.

C

Any information directly we're going to have that's going to have to suffice for a while.

C

Unless zach can figure out a way to incorporate this information into some newsletter, but.

C

Okay, yeah, that was just you, don't want to create a new newsletter. It's not in our bullet points.

C

It matters, but I like the idea of sharing it more widely. I do too, and I'd like to.

I

Think about that- and I think we can talk about in the committee and certainly if somebody reflects and has a good idea for how to do that. That's not overly burdensome.

I

I I wonder too, if the trigger is really the nhsba, like uh I didn't mean to say.

J

Trigger after you talked about gunzan, but it just can't disconnect it now.

J

um With their saying, we need stories because I think in in if it's a bill around you know.

J

Students who are disabled- or you know something or have different differing needs um in the community.

J

It's the stories that change the approach in the state. You know what I mean, so I could you foresee.

J

A way where we get something from nhsba, we say we're going to put it out through the district.

J

Or is that like way down the road, I think another advocacy? I love the idea of that, but I think.

I

When we talked about this, the intention, for this year at least, was to keep the scope pretty small.

I

Yeah um and sort of see how it works, um I mean I think it might, depending on how things shake out.

I

At the board, retreat in the summer be worth spending a little time. I mean it's first of.

I

All we do, we want to continue the committee, I mean, I hope that we do, but maybe we don't and.

I

Then, if we do what changes do we want to make? I mean, I think, for example, the city council's.

I

Legislative committee, I believe, there's four or five council members on it and I think that.

I

It would definitely be appropriate to have more board members in the room so that those initial.

I

Conversations include more perspectives, I mean the attention this year was to keep it small.

I

So that we could be quick and try to at least come up with some processes to start and get it moving.

I

um But I agree, I think the communication is an important piece, I'm just not sure what the.

I

Tool would be right now beyond this. I can certainly take feedback from people if you.

I

Think about it there may be some better or clearer ways to present it in the packet. I mean for this.

I

Particular meeting with just the avalanche of bills at the beginning of the session, and this.

I

Is our first year doing it? I just didn't, have a cleaner way to do it than leaning on nh sba.

I

Yep, but certainly going forward if we expand the committee and there's more, you know, hands to share.

G

The work ptas in any way. Well, I don't know, I don't know, I guess it would have to be a really special.

J

Circumstance, sorry I know, but if it is something that we feel is important right, that's coming down.

G

The pike as a change that can impact our students or our faculty if, if I'm not on the board, that's.

G

Something I want to know as a parent, so that I can put fourth letters and I can put phone calls and.

G

Right and so to advocate for that change not to occur or for that change to a card social media at.

K

All do you have a board? No, no, do you guys update your website, we don't have it advocacy is not one.

D

Of our goals, though, like that is not you know what I mean yeah, but that it raises, and I think it's a.

A

Question to take back to the legislative committee to ponder and what a hear release is saying is.

A

As we all ponder it, there's space for feedback there. I also want to remind that lisa has been.

A

Very clear with us that this this is a trial year, we're going to march slowly we're going to try to.

A

Figure out what works and what doesn't work so we are not going to cover it all, but the second.

A

Half of that is, there are important things that sometimes fall within the guise of school board.

A

That we may not be tracking, but that might be of interest to parents and one the question that we.

A

All have to think about is how do you share that information out in a way that people can.

A

Read it at their own leisure, the board isn't isn't presenting a stance on it. It's more of a this is.

A

An awareness piece, the public service announcement of this could potentially affect your students and.

A

Then and then maybe if there's a lot of feedback, there's a town hall, but I overspot brian, had his.

A

Hand up sorry, I think nancy has her hand up for me too. Okay, you want to see the yellow one yellow.

I

Nancy but yeah I mean I I'm a big proponent of going, making the scope pretty narrow, because I'd.

L

Like to see how this goes, I do I voice my worry that I don't want to. You know: have this become.

L

A partisan thing, though, though I think it could be done responsibly. I mean I don't know how how.

L

I feel about opposing ponies, but I don't know my non-partisan effort failed already, but I do I do.

L

Like trying to narrow it and see what works yeah, I mean that's just my my thoughts on it nancy. I just.

H

Wanted to say that in the past the void- it hasn't happened very often, but the board can certainly.

H

Put out a press release or I'll, let it let it to the editor. Unfortunately, the paper doesn't.

H

Utilize that tool very much these days, but there is a way that the board can communicate.

H

A message out to the community if they want to buy a refresh release- um or you know a similar kind of.

H

Saying it but remember our meetings are recorded they're online. So if people it's not like we're.

H

Trying to keep anything cool public, so if somebody really wants to know how we feel about something.

H

It's a it's a republic record so but keep in mind that you know if we feel strongly.

H

About something, there's no reason why we couldn't put out a message from the board.

H

um Conveying to the community what um what's going on.

H

um The other thing I want to mention was um lisa, and I talked briefly about remember: we have at.

H

The end of the budget session when the posts and the senate are ready to vote on the budget. They.

H

May tack in a bill at the last minute to try to get it through and I know lisa's going to.

H

Watch out for that for us, because that can be a a hot kettle too. So thanks to the committee for.

H

um Looking at the budget and seeing what amendments are added to that at the very end,.

H

Yeah four in the morning about an hour before that point, we're on it nancy and he thanking it. Yeah.

A

Great comments, nancy. Thank you. Any other comments for lisa zach, I'm just curious.

B

I I haven't. I need to look more closely at the city council's group, which I think we 've modeled.

B

And are trying to model in a lot of ways. Do they have an educational component to their.

B

Stuff, or they just kind of like we're, one of our principals is their education principle.

I

As well so the last one that focuses, I forget, how we worded it, I don't have it in front of.

I

Me that the one that focuses on the idea of donor town funding models was taken word for word from.

I

The city council's legislative principles, most of their legislative action, is focused.

I

Around funding- which, I believe you know has you know, come up in this room as a priority as well.

I

And that's the only education specific one. Let me change my change. What I was saying so in the uh I.

B

Didn't communicate well, uh the um I mean we were talking about the educating the public component.

B

Of our group right does the city council have a educating the public component, or do they just.

B

Like no we're doing this as a public body, here's our here's how we're acting! I can circle back with.

I

Them on that to ask, but, generally speaking I know I mean their meetings are public too.

I

um They have some number of bills over the years that they have stuck on their website.

I

Where they felt like it was exceptionally important and they really wanted the public.

I

To pay attention, but there's not that money on there. I could look on their website. I mean.

I

There's it's it's rare, I mean nancy. Are you I'm not aware of them doing it does a summary.

G

Though of all their meetings on social media right, but it's not specific so much to like.

I

The legislative committee: no, but if there's any discussion or or something that they're voting.

G

On anything that they vote in, but they don't vote on legislative they'll just at the city council.

I

They go straight from committee to concord, so it doesn't go through that process. It's a different.

I

Setup so maybe that's something in light of I, I wrote those notes on what to discuss at.

A

The retreat with regards to the future of the legislative committee, but maybe one question.

A

There is having a conversation with the city council on has. Has that question been raised.

A

To them, is there history there of how they've educated and just can we learn from something.

A

That's already been happening, yeah or models of other districts right, certainly not suggesting.

G

It happened in the short order of right now, I'm just trying to understand that it's a.

I

Fair question and I think it's an important one totally think about um there are. I think I want.

I

To say five or six other districts that have also started legislative committees of some type in the.

I

Last many of them this year, I think there was one or two that were just last year towards the.

I

End of the year and we're trying to get a group together of all of those to just kind of touch.

I

Base and see how people are doing it, so that may also give us some ideas, um and I just want to make.

I

Sure, before we step away from this item, did people feel generally okay, with that process specific to.

I

Tracking bills- and I don't know if we need a roll call vote on that or I just want to make sure that.

I

How we're going to go about? It is okay, because I want to make sure that that's up front people feel.

I

Good about that before we come back with any bills where we want to take a position like. I don't want.

I

To start to debate that, while we're debating whether we want to do something with a specific.

I

Bill do we need a row call vote in the minutes to be able to refer back to since uh yeah? That's.

G

Like our memories are all different, sometimes, can I make a motion to approve the legislative.

I

Process outlined in slide number four okay slide forward this one or this one I mean either one I.

A

Think this one works a little more specific and slide. Two is a little simpler, I'll take.

I

Whichever one people want I'll toggle still move a second good okay, so any further discussion or.

A

Ready for a roll call here we go, let's bear it hip clues. Yes, lisa rap for it. Yes, ann walker! Yes,.

B

Margaret peabody, yes, nancy clayburgh, yes, hope then epps. Yes, brian, french, yes, carrie, nolte, yes,.

A

Thank you, everyone. We are almost there we're doing it policy committee. uh The update, is you.

A

Have the minutes there um in your packet, I will be adding to the agenda follow-up on the uh jich.

A

Policy with the concerns that we brought tonight, so I will send that back to the policy committee.

A

Otherwise, you have detailed minutes we're following a new format. I hope you're finding.

A

Those a little easier to follow and interpret the changes that have been made and that's that.

A

For the policy, does anybody oh nancy, go ahead? I attended the um catch portsmouth high school.

H

High school sportsman, 400 and.

H

um It was a great meeting with marlon julian, and they are working on it, as I think I mentioned,.

H

And they will be housed in our library and the who's going to pick up name forever. So.

H

You know you know 100 years from now, you need to look at these videos and see what people were doing in portsmouth in 2023. um They could use some help with.

H

Editing these videos. So if anyone has any expertise or if you want to learn.

H

If you're doing it at ppm tv, so if anyone has that interest, you can let me you have.

H

More of them know what I can get the word to them so, but they're great great kids and.

H

They're doing a great job on this project. They also have trees that have been donated to us.

H

To the city and they they're they're, going to be responsible for 100 of those trees.

H

So planting them and finding the best places to put them the city is working with them on.

H

So um so that they're doing great and I'm very proud, we all should be very proud of.

H

Them that's awesome, nancy's bearing the lead too, because one of the prominent citizens isn't it.

J

The little preview our group got might have included a board member as part of.

B

The preview I was gonna ask: how do you nominate a prominent citizen, so we can.

J

Get an empty up there. Yes, that's check that off. Any other committee updates.

A

Any other I know this is the time of year, where it's not as many meetings.

A

Happen because we're between vacations- that's where I was going with that.

J

um I do have an update, I don't know if we want to turf it, but we were approached by futures about.

J

um Board members, so their bylaws or guidance has one board member. We have been appointing two.

J

um I am happy to sir it's currently it's liz and I so it just needs to be. I guess a word of yeah.

J

Or leadership decision, but I don't think liz has gotten back had time to get back to that right. So.

A

We're still we're we're on it, but treading water with it currently, but hopefully we'll have that.

A

Update by the next meeting, if it was good to know that we hadn't been following the bylaws for years.

A

Speaking of communication, uh just the other thing is just be aware. You know we continue.

B

uh uh Several us at the table continue in para negotiations and continue to roll.

B

Along and and uh more will be coming soon, but we're in multiple sessions in at this point so.

A

The only other announcements I would remind everyone is, we have a document for opposing.

A

Questions for our budget sessions, so please use it so that we can maximize.

A

Preparedness going into those sessions so that we can have an effective conversation.

A

And we have a feedback form. That's due february 1st. Please make sure you do that.

B

And one of the one of the couple of documents I've hand carried to today was um the it's we're going.

B

To refine it for you, but you had questions about mental health services and we'll say things under.

B

That umbrella within the district and people that indicated an interest in those things so.

B

So this is a collaborative document we're working on we'll, like I said, we'll refine it there's some.

B

Things there's multiple people who are involved in putting it together right now, so we'll try.

B

To make sure it's more standardized and we're also going to attach a dollar figure to these different.

B

Services, so you also know like what's right now: if these are the types of mental health services were.

B

Provided in different levels, what um what's your? What's your investment in terms of the overall.

B

Budget in terms of those services, so I just want to say thank you for this. Whoever was involved in.

G

It I really appreciate it and find it extremely informative. I didn't get one. Thank you. Oh this.

F

Is awesome, I got it. Thank you. This is really great. Thank you very much for responding to that concern.

J

I asked a question on other materials: danielle had her hand up first, so I'm going to call on.

A

Danielle and then you yup mine, seems really way less important. Now I was just gonna. Do a personal.

K

Plug for kids at lister we've been um discussing ways to get them to really embrace this idea of.

K

um Refinding value in otherwise rough on the outside objects and so we're starting a.

K

Elective class, which will turn into a fundraiser that we are pitching to potentially become a new.

K

Fundraising event, where kids are making um objects out of found and discarded items and we will be.

K

Having a day before mother's day, um our usual yard sale is now going to expand to be a yard and craft.

K

Sale where kids will be able to bring in some of those um skills to talk about their process.

K

But how they also relate to the idea of the process. And so it sounds all nebulous and and.

K

Hippie dippy, but it's really fantastic, and so the extra plug with that is. We are collecting.

K

um Wood furniture and the kids will be learning hands-on skills. They're big, culminating projects.

K

Are going to be to redo furniture, pieces, um antiquing and distressing, and looking at that.

K

Idea of something that was thrown away can now find new value and beauty. I love that yeah that'll.

A

Be exciting and hopefully bring in some funds to help them with their end of the year trip. That's.

K

Our big push with our those kids, that's great close that opportunity gap yeah. I love the leaf.

F

Busters, did you make a lot of money we did, um and so with change comes change, and so we have.

K

Ever evolving interests and commitment to that one particular so we're looking to branch out and see.

K

If this might gain some traction to offer choice, because what we are finding is that kids really.

K

Want choice? Not everybody wants the most please. So some really do some do some, not so much and so.

K

We're going to look at what other types of making opportunity opportunities hands-on great carrie.

J

I'm good, I believe, if no one has anything else I would happily take. Oh, yes, ann has a question.

A

Those are two uh parts of uh kind of uh once we got into the conversation about the detail. I was.

B

Looking at metrics and so there's two different things that I supplied you with, which is around.

B

Social media analytics, um who who is engaging us on what social media platforms um and then I had.

B

Supplied as part of that document, um targeted rates of increase of people utilizing facebook.

B

Instagram, twitter and parent square apps. So that's what that that is- and I had some target target.

B

um Some targets over the next uh two years around how to where that should be, and that was that part.

B

And the second was around, you know the website not having us we're still diving into kind of google.

B

Analytics and what google analytics can show us in the backside of what our web what's happening with.

B

Our website, so I just gave you a sample of what types of things we can see and included. Basically.

B

I gave you a couple of levels of the same thing, which was to look at a snapshot from uh basically.

B

The last from this from july, until now this year, compared from july until now of last year,.

B

um And what is happening in terms of first? It was on the school side of things, which particular.

B

Schools are people going to in those two years in comparison, how often do those things being clicked.

B

On how often are those unique visits by people, and it gives you an idea of kind of like where.

B

Where are people going and then you can drill down another layer deeper, and I give you the pms.

B

An example of pms and what's happening on pms's site over the same two-year period in comparison.

B

Of what's going on not to necessarily zero in on on that specific thing, um but to say, here's.

B

A here's another means of creating some targeted um outcomes around what we would like to do around.

B

Communication, so the google analytics on the website would still be to be determined. The other.

B

Ones were ones that I was putting forward with the idea that they would be um referencing points at.

B

Periodic times for us to look at to see whether or not the elements that were part of project.

B

Management approach were creating results; the board can measure and track. So that's what those.

G

Things were, was this part of your superintendent update and we just missed it or no. I I had pushed.

B

It I had pushed it out as a hand carry connected with connected with the communications plan. I.

B

Felt based on the where the conversation had gone, that these were no longer relevant items.

A

Excellent fascinating data, I'm gonna ponder those anybody else have anything else or I will take.

A

Emotion to adjourn so moved second great, this meeting is adjourned, have a great night. Everyone.

A

Okay, I'm out of space.