City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire School Board, 14 Dec 2021

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From YouTube: 12.14.2021 School Board

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12.14.2021 School Board

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Everyone um go ahead and call to order the portsmouth school board public meeting for.

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December 14 2021. um we'll start with the roll call or jeff landry hope van apps, margot peabody.

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Anne walker, yeah tara kennedy here- kristen jeffrey here, nancy clayburgh here brian french, here.

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Here, kimberly malinchi here make that one.

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Excellent, um can we go ahead and rise for the pledge of allegiance? Please.

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Pledge allegiance to the life of the united states of america and to the.

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Republic, for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

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All right, we'll start with the acceptance of minutes from our.

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November 23rd regular meeting oh to approve.

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Thank you any discussion or questions.

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um We'll go ahead and do a do. We need to do a roll call, roll call with him on the line here. I.

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Think we do um we'll go ahead and do a quick roll call vote for acceptance of minutes. uh Ann walker.

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Yes, eric kennedy: yes, kristen jeffrey, yes, nancy, claire bird, yes, brian, french, yes, chip, clues.

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Einstein great, thank you all right go ahead and move into public comment. um We have a.

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Few folks on our list tonight welcome and um go ahead and call folks up to the podium.

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um Three minutes we'll keep a timer and I'll. Just let you know when you have about 30 seconds left.

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So the first one is becky. Are you here come on up and um if you can just say your name.

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And your address to start us off: okay, great becky and molly. Oh maya, sorry.

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My name is maya mckinnon, and um this is becky sidwa and we are members of we speak and the naacp.

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Youth council um we're here tonight to thank miss jeffrey for her contributions to our community.

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As we move forward, making the portsmouth school district an inclusive and safe community for all.

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Specifically her advisorship during the last two years that has helped our work with.

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Teachers, administration and city council during these two years she has attended our meetings.

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And worked collaboratively with us to write policies that are being used to create a change.

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And as such, she has supported the we speak mission.

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The we speak mission and vision is that portsmouth school district will function as fully inclusive.

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Space safe space to grow and joyful place where students and staff are trusting relationships.

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And practice progressive educational practices that value all individual and differences.

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Students and staff will experience an enriched community where all voices are recognized as.

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Important and strengthened due to our differences, not spite of them again. We thank you for your.

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Continued support and we have a small gift of appreciation that I'll present now. Thank you, lady.

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um All right, so next we have lisa rappaport.

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Hi, my name is lisa rappaport 139, a south street in portsmouth.

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I'm speaking today with some reluctance, because I'm not sure if I have the right words but.

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As a parent of kids in our district as a volunteer in our schools and as a member elect of this board,.

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I just feel like I have to say something today. um Today is the anniversary of the school shooting at.

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Sandy hook where 28 people died, including a lot of kids, who would have been in high school today,.

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Last week there were many different unsubstantiated reports circulating.

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In our community about a portsmouth high school student, who allegedly had plans.

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To bring a gun to school and a hit list of people they intended to target.

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These rumors started circulating early last week and spread rapidly as students and parents took.

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To social media and I fully appreciate that we can't believe everything that we see on.

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Snapchat and facebook, I fully appreciate that our students have a right to privacy.

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And I fully respect that details of any emergency response plan would not be shared publicly so that.

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It remains effective if there's an emergency, but our school community is badly shaken by.

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These rumors and students, and parents and teachers and staff are anxious and scared, and rightly so,.

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These rumors circulated a week after a school shooting in michigan, where school administrators.

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There allegedly investigated a potential threat and then sent the shooter back to class with a gun.

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Against this backdrop, as much as we want to trust that everyone in a position of responsibility did.

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The right thing in portsmouth, I think we have a right to know more about what actually happened.

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And how it was handled and how we can get more transparency, if there's a situation like this.

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In the future, it might be that everything worked exactly like it was supposed to in.

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Portsmouth last week, with an investigation and a response that was exactly right and addressed.

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Any potential threat if there was one but without more transparency and communications, we're left.

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Only with the rumors that are, quite frankly, really terrifying. um Our students are dealing with really.

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High anxiety, already right now from living with this pandemic for so long and the situation last.

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Week only made them feel more anxious and a lot of kids stayed home from school because.

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They didn't feel safe or because their parents didn't feel safe, sending them and our teachers.

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Are stressed to the max from this pandemic and the situation only added to their stress.

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And we all need to trust that our schools are safe. So I would ask respectfully that any details about.

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This situation, that can be shared right now be shared, and if the rumors aren't true at all or if.

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There's misinformation that needs to be cleared up. I feel like this just needs to be done as clearly.

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And as quickly as possible, um these issues are so hard and we all want, what's best for our kids.

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And for our teachers and our schools- and we want everybody to be safe, but we also.

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Need to trust and understand, what's being done to protect our kids safety. Thank you. Thank you. Lisa.

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Do we have anyone else here for public comment.

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Did you have anyone on the can ask anyone, that's in the zoom audience if you'd like.

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To raise your hand for public comment, we have some folks, you can use the raise hand, feature.

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And we'll give you your three minutes.

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Zoom audience going once voice no comments from the zoom audience. Okay, thank you.

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Go ahead and close public comments and before we move into special presentations um one thank you.

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So much obviously to our we speak group and students and um yes, I'm gonna save some. My.

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Comments for the end, but um I really do appreciate it and you know so many people have reached out.

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Already so we know several of us, this is our last meeting and maybe I should have started with that.

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um I don't know it's a funny small group tonight, but uh but we we deeply appreciate all the kind of.

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Love that you guys have been giving us um in different places so um and uh lisa to just.

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um Kind of I guess, address the the question um we have been talking a little bit as a board.

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With our administration, two things are kind of happening right now. One is there's. Definitely.

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Heard the the call for as much transparency as possible and we'll be continuing to talk about.

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That, with the high school staff and kind of figure out, what's appropriate there in the short term and.

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Then, um while we didn't want to put it on the agenda that had already gone out for this week,.

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We did make note for the first meeting in january to have a conversation just about you know what.

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Can be public in terms of our our plans and ensuring that the public understands kind of.

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What we do have in place systematically for any issues of uh safety in the buildings and things.

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Of that nature, not just this specific one, so um you know everyone out there. Thank you for bringing.

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Up concerns, and obviously, if folks are feeling anxious or if students have that um you know.

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There's definitely reach out to counselors and building administrators, and things like that.

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All right, so I think that brings us to our special presentations tonight.

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And are you guys good going in the order on the agenda here jeanette that would.

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Be you first great, so we're going to start with our special education presentation and.

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Hear from jeanette we, um I know we had a chance. You know last meeting to read over.

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Your notes and your report, thank you in advance, for just being so thorough and.

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Certainly, you can just you know, assume that we've kind of gone through that and um come with some.

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Of the questions and things of that nature too so sure and thank you so much for accommodating.

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My household needs, which were both uh illness in the house as well as a move and moving with.

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Four children in toad six chickens, two cats and two rabbits was quite a task, so.

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I appreciate you guys flexibility and let me get bumped a little bit a couple things I'll.

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Just highlight- and you have them in front of you- is uh in that success column. There's a lot about.

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Compliance and some reviews that we had by the department of education that we came out, fine, the.

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Indicator 13, I don't put a lot about it, but it really is our iep's written for our high school.

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Students with a look at their life after high school and their transition into adulthood and.

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Their specific requirements around that, but, more importantly, it's about thinking about students.

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Transition outside of our school and into the community, and so we came out fine compliance, wise.

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And that was I'll give credit to the department of ed. They did a lot of front work with us.

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Two years in advance, letting us know what they'd look for um giving some trainings.

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And our staff really felt prepared for that visit that happened in the spring, so.

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That was a nice relationship builder with the department of ed, where we had good training.

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Good awareness ahead of time that we really felt prepared for that indicator, 13 review.

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um I would like to also highlight preschool in that column and that we did make some.

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Changes this year and expanding the length of our hours for our programming and also.

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Promoting enrollment beyond what we're required to do, which is special education services.

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To invite peers in, on a tuition basis, a very small monetary fee to come to our preschool.

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And we're certainly seeing that demand is increasing, that I talk about later.

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uh Challenges are what we're facing across. I think the education system of everyone kind of.

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Feeling stretched in their their duties and we are lucky enough to be professionally staffed.

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Right now, other than we were attempting to add a second bcba for behavioral needs. We have had.

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Not a single applicant for that position that we had not planned for at the beginning of the year.

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And we advertised and I haven't had any takers, but I do, I would say, we're filled because we.

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We are where we thought we would be at the end of last year for professional staff, paraprofessionals.

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Not I haven't had a full pair professional staff, this entire school year or last school year.

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At the point of this, it was seven we've been as high as 13 vacancies. This school.

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Year for paraprofessionals, and certainly I referenced throughout this increased demands.

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Referrals in special education, for example, I'll use the high school.

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They had 13 referrals to special education in the first couple of months.

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That's typically about the number of referrals we have in a school year at the high school level,.

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Some of those led to evaluation- some did not, but there certainly was a heightened level of concern.

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That people were bringing to the table students that they wanted a team to brainstorm around.

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A highlight on work related to school board, goals, kind of everything we do in.

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The department of uh what my role is and people support is related to those school board goals.

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I think something that I heard when I reached out to staff to say what would you like me to share.

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With the board was they felt our students that had been invited in early last year, really kind of.

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uh Were very comfortable with the return to school this year and the in-person learning, because many.

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Had already started that in the fall and the spring of last school year, more so than some of.

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Our students that weren't on ieps- and I also heard very clearly that there was a collaboration going.

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On between special education uh and regular educators as a resource, um you know coming.

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To our special educators, with um difficulties for problem solving more so than they ever have before,.

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So major initiatives that might have future budget impact kind of relates back to uh earlier.

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Things that were on here we're certainly seeing a need for early interventions, and that has been.

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I feel sometimes, like I'm saying the same thing every year, that early interventions and the.

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Support for such that is around preschool. We we we opened it up and we certainly filled it up.

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Immediately with what we opened for available spots were filled, we have no spots to offer.

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And we'd like to offer more for anyone that would like to come to a preschool program that.

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We're offering we'd like to have the availability and right now we do not. When I talk about staff.

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Being stretched, I feel that particularly- and I think I said this last school year-.

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In the elementary case loads, we are meeting the iep needs from a legal standpoint, but certainly.

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To improve quality and to lower that stress level of our elementary case, managers.

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It certainly would be helpful to have additional staff there and then our related service providers.

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Our occupational therapist speech therapist, for example, we have not this year, been able to provide.

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The interventions that would, for example, going into a kindergarten classroom, something clicked on.

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Going into a kindergarten or first grade classroom, we really have been at the level of just providing.

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Iep services- and we had gotten to a point when we added some stuff in ot and speech, to be able.

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To do more intervention and we're back to the point of really we're just providing iep services.

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And a theme that you've probably heard from other administrators is mental health concerns.

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And the need for family centered supports- and I I put this on here- but I think it does go beyond the.

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Need in special education, it's a universal need that doesn't have to be a special ed initiative.

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It can certainly come from general education. We've talked about clinical social workers.

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I talked about additional bcbas school psychologists. All those could.

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Help in this arena uh just some points to make medicaid training we're always training, because.

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The rules are always changing, so uh we we have a round of trainings uh with a a contracted person.

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That keeps up to date and then keeps us up to date. So we can keep that funding stream in place.

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And again, expansion of preschool needs is uh something that we're always looking at and what.

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We can do there. I highlight a few other things. We have two school psych interns and those have.

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Helped tremendously, with our evaluation processes, um little harbor make a note that we just met with.

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New hampshire, best buddies and they're going to start a chapter and the thought is for them.

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To start chapter and then look into the other elementary buildings as well, those are kind of in.

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Process not yet in place, but definitely interest and kind of moving forward. In addition to special.

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Ed, I am the homeless liaisons for the district, and I just make a note here that we're currently.

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Splitting transportation costs for 12 students from eight different school districts and I give.

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A quick note about the expenses around such uh for two months, basically september and october,.

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That certainly has been a change from last school year, where we had very limited transportation.

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Costs because students were using remote services. I give some figures here about the ida funds. There.

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Really hasn't been a substantial fluctuation, our costs go up, the funds remain about the.

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Same so that's the story there we did get a small amount of money from the american rescue plan act.

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That we're going to use for supplies, technology and things of that nature, and then I give the.

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Numbers uh of a point in time I always say I take a snapshot just stick with the date.

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Because I can check the next day and we have plus or minus one or two. So this is the snapshot.

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Of students that were in our iep system as of the 12th of november, so certainly I'll.

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Answer any questions just want to run through a couple of quick highlights.

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Go ahead ann. I just wanted to comment. I I appreciate.

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Having the number of ieps at each of the schools, it kind of gives us a.

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I realize that was november, and this is december and everything changes.

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Plus or minus 10 on anything in any direction exactly so. Thank you very much. You're welcome.

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If you had to add up um how much it would cost for us to give you every staff person that you.

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Would like to have like the bcba, the paraprofessionals? How much would that be um I'd.

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Turn to maybe those figures, what I'll say first of all is there's there's a piece of if we were fully.

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Staffed and hired that would be right now, an additional eight or nine people, because I would.

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Right now be looking for a bcba and to fill those seven pair of positions which are budgeted for.

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So that's one piece: uh the second piece is looking towards the future, um we'll be talking more about.

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This in budget times, but a couple of additional case managers, is going to be discussed as well as.

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Some related service provisions, in addition to, I would hope to be fully staffed with what I would.

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Like to have right now- and I just you know it's that times whatever it costs to have a teacher.

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I just nathan, can we use esser funds for any of these um vacancies? That I mean especially when she.

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When you're talking about mental health of students, I mean, is it possible that we can.

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Supply a bcba with that kind of with that funding.

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So so I guess we've said I'm going to want to repeat it. We've said right along.

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Mental health support social, emotional learning even to some great extent faculty- I mean you could.

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The esther funds could be used flexibly, but we've just tried to caution every step that, like.

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We learned with the era funding back in the early 2000s. The cliff effect is you get comfortable with.

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Having staffing at a level that you then have to work into your budget, so we're hoping that we can.

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Focus more on one time kind of needs. In this case, I think it's less about the funding and more about.

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The hiring people yeah they're, trying to find they have the money. Yeah we've got budgets.

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All these vacancies correct. It's just they're down correct for the eight for a snapshot of.

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This year, those seven pair positions that are not filled and the bcba due to us not hiring.

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For an extended time, we have the money to do that this year and we have not had applicants to do it.

D

Is it because we're not paying a competitive we're not offering a competitive rate for the bcba for.

D

Instance uh we are, we are comparable to others in the education field. Certainly, a bcba is a unique.

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Position and that can be done through a medical provider and oftentimes. It's also through special.

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Purpose, schools which may run year-round and then have a salary that is comparable to that. However,.

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That could make us attractive for some people that don't want to work. For example, during the summers.

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I think we'll have better luck in advertising that, in a more typical time in the spring, for a.

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Person to prep their family for a decision to work in a school system for next school year.

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They'll have have a degree of hope related to higher in that position for next school year. Okay,.

C

I'm I'm wondering also, is there um are there organizations that have bcbas available to like.

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Work on a contract basis- or we currently do that um so that's been part of the discussion- is.

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We're at a level where we contract to a level that it's uh more cost effective to hire our.

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Own staff moving forward, but we currently have a relationship with both constellations and.

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Birch tree to make sure that we're providing the services that are currently on the iep.

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Okay, so, despite that opening, we still have enough coverage.

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We have enough, we are currently covering through those contracted services. Our hope would be to.

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Move to first of all, a collaboration between two bcbas and district would create a nice partnership.

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For a colleague rather than contracting out we're covering our services, we have room for growth and.

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We'd like again to be a resource for interventions rather than strictly covering iep services right.

G

Okay, I have another question too: um did you see a shift in the number either the number of ieps.

C

Actually, I'm interested in both the number of ieps did the number of ieps increase after the pandemic.

C

Or during the pandemic um and then my other question is, did you see a shift in the number of.

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Of students leaving the district going to charters, or so I would say last school year, I think we saw.

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More students enrolling in different types of programming, private schools, charter schools,.

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Et cetera, I haven't felt that effect as much this year in my arena, and I can't speak to just.

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A typical student, as far as increase in iups, I think that is still in the process.

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Because there is a process when a student's referred of a referral meeting, an evaluation.

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So the uptick in referrals could mean that we have a kind of an uptick in ieps in the coming months.

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And sometimes we always want to try interventions and making sure that we've done everything we can.

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Through our regular typical resources and some of those are still being.

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Tried by school teams- and so I think there could be an uptick- these numbers that are on here.

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Are pretty similar to last year's iep numbers again plus or minus 10 to 20 students.

G

Since I've been here, it's been in this kind of range. We could see a slight.

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Uptick, but I know that teams are also putting into place plenty of interventions so that special.

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Education, isn't the only resource available to handle any concerns that come up as a result of.

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Remote access covered the social emotional, certainly that doesn't necessarily have to be.

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Through a disability, it could just be a reaction to the current situations. That's happening in our.

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In our society, but you said you are seeing an uptick in referrals. Yes, we have this at.

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The beginning of this school year, thank you, some of which are leading to evaluations which could.

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Lead to identification, some of which are just a group of people brainstorming around what does.

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This student need at this point in time, but it's really not a special education issue. Okay, thanks.

A

Just one I just had one question and I feel like I always ask this one too, but.

A

um The the percent of the school um with ieps, so it's just interesting. You know I mean.

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Both it's I understand these numbers are not um static, so this is a snapshot but don daryl and new.

A

Franklin, it looks like about 18 of the. The student body has an iep which it feels high um and then.

A

At little harbor it's eight percent and I actually don't know why I said it feels high. I don't know I.

A

You know, I don't know what the national norm is so I'll. Give I'll give you a kind of a benchmark.

G

Generally, the state is running between 16 and 17 percent um as an average, uh and so.

G

And that's since I've been here there's a range of about 15 to 18 percent uh in the last six to seven.

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Years as a state, if you look at the state averages, uh so eighteen percent is on the higher end of.

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That and certainly little harbor's numbers are on the lower end of that um and kind of continue out.

A

I mean just the socioeconomic dynamics to the school and obviously we don't want to sort of.

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Be equating that, like you know, poor kids are on ieps and you know that sort of thing. I was just.

A

Curious, what like it's something that the teams in the buildings are always looking at and.

G

Part of it is also then drilling down to what are the circumstances in any particular school year.

G

um In some cases, at least one of these school buildings, I know we had a little bit of an uptick.

G

Of move-ins that came with ieps at the beginning of the school year that drove those numbers up.

G

Don darrow didn't start the summer with those numbers had a little bit of an uptick in move-ins.

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Or kids that came in with iups our concern will always be our processes for identification and.

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Making sure that we're following unbiased valid processes for identification um and so a student.

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That moves in with an iep we're going to have that opportunity to look at that again in the.

G

Future, but when they first come, we don't we accept the iep and move forward, but that that.

G

Would be where we would kind of drill down to see? Do we think we're making correct identifications.

G

In tandem, what is the what's the current thinking? That's around the gap, then, what what gap I mean.

A

Just are around the fact that they're so high, I mean besides this, it sounds like there were a few.

A

Move-Ins yeah again year by year, that's looked at by the school teams. I was just a variety of.

G

Things come into play, certainly socioeconomic status. We do have our homeless shelter located.

G

Within uh dondero's bounds, and so students can come in there and many times may have ieps.

G

But that's a factor as well: yeah.

A

Thanks, that's helpful. um Well, I don't yeah. I don't have any other comments on the side.

A

You know it's hard when it's like. Oh there's, you know, there's money and there's resources.

A

I think to nancy's point earlier, maybe where you were where you were going with it. You know.

A

And if, if it is a matter of oh we're, you know we should be allocating more esser dollars.

A

Outside of the budget cycle, or whatever the case is, but it sounds like some of the.

A

Pain points right now are not necessarily just straight dollars, driven it's its resources and.

G

Yeah I mean, I can certainly say and steve and george and everyone it's like if we could hire the.

G

People that we've even budgeted for or even had an application to consider that would be a step.

G

In the right direction, it got to the point where I was in george's assistant's office and she was.

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Trying out the application system to see if it was working, because we had had not had a single touch.

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Of the application system for a three week period, and so she said I went in and did an application.

G

To make sure that it wasn't like an error, because that's the level of uh non-application that we've.

G

Had this school year, which is consistent with everywhere but yeah, that's that's tough! um Well,.

A

Thank you jeanette, so much for coming in and thank you thank you for sharing with.

D

Peas and us had so much money to spend. Oh, my god.

A

I mean it's not even about that.

H

Hi nancy good evening good evening. um Are you comfortable if I take this off? No, yes by all means.

H

How many hours of the day.

H

Well, I'm glad to be able to be here tonight, especially since a few of you are moving on to.

H

Other things, so I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting me personally.

H

But also support for all the learners in the portsmouth community, and I wish you the best.

H

In your endeavors moving forward and who knows, maybe our paths will cross again? You never know.

H

So, let's see what do we want to talk about tonight? um Our census, um as of today, as a matter of fact,.

H

Is 24 it's a little high for us? Typically, we like to be around 20, given our staffing.

H

We have 18 in district students, there is a waiting list for portsmouth students and we have.

H

As of today, six out of district students and we started out pretty slow without a district until.

H

Quarter, one closed and grades shook out and now we have six and I've got more interviews coming.

H

So there'll probably be a wait list for out of district. Also, we are pretty lopsided in our.

H

Classification of grades, we have 11 seniors three juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen.

H

And I have to say, you've heard it before. I'm sure that the beginning of the school year was.

H

Bumpier than usual for us, that's usually my favorite time of the year other than.

H

The ending of the school year beginnings and endings, but we really saw some pretty.

H

Concerning behaviors and safety concerns in the beginning of this school year, so what.

H

We did, is we really kind of circled the wagons increased, our community building.

H

Activities with students increased our seacrest mental health services from one and a half days to.

H

Two days hired a part-time paraprofessional, which has been amazing and partnered with the seacoast.

H

Y for increased physical activity, we spend all day every day with our students, so.

H

Our student, we are with our students during breakfast break lunch um class and so.

H

We really made an effort to um extend ourselves in a even more relational way to our students.

H

And fortunately, by mid october I would say we had settled back down into a.

H

Non-Behavioral um place so that was that feels more normal to us and we've remained there.

H

We've continued all of our initiatives that I've told you about numerously in the past, so.

H

I'm not going to go into all those details, one a couple of things that we've done this year is.

H

As you know, we've had a relationship with great bay community college, which we continue to do.

H

um But we are are really looking at. A lot of our students are not choosing to go to um a two-year.

H

Or four-year school I'd say, maybe you know two out of 23. we'll choose that path. So we really wanted.

H

To figure out how we can expose our students to employment, where they would have a living.

H

Wage and a health insurance without having to do a lot of post-secondary um training, including even.

H

A certificate program so on wednesdays, we do um a career days basically, and we either have we either.

H

Go out to a business or we have people come in, and the kids have. The kids then do a reflection. After.

H

That and they have really enjoyed it and it's been kind of unexpectedly cool, because the people that.

H

Have come so far have really connected with at least one student and remained in contact with.

H

That student, so I have to give a shout out to jesse anderson because he's an alumni of.

H

An alumni of the welding program at the high school and he opened his own business in.

H

Barrington and so we went there to see his shop, he also has a side business of a construction.

H

Business too, um and he was able to share his story of um how he was when he was 15 years old and.

H

Kids were able to see where he is today and then he hired us, of course, um to do his lawn at his.

H

Home in dover um for listener busters, so they were really able to see kind of a different um world. He.

H

Also donated um just love this boy, um man, I should say um he donated a trailer with a leaf sucking.

H

um Machine for us, so um that was awesome, so he did a really great job. uh We were the first tour at.

H

The portsmouth naval shipyard, since they started doing tours this year and we have two students.

H

That are targeted to apply to their apprenticeship program in the spring irving gas who knew.

H

Two, gentlemen and a woman from irving gas came, and they did an amazing job talking about their.

H

Training program they pay for students to get their commercial driving license. They do in-house.

H

Training starting salary at 18 is 45 to 50. wow 12 years ago. That was my daughter's tuition and.

H

First year of college, so I mean there was really we are really trying to instill hope that you can.

H

Be employed be responsible, make money without having to do something that you don't enjoy.

H

Such as school, we, a waypoint, came and um shared about all the different positions in whitepoint.

H

uh We went to great bay community college to their advanced manufacturing program, we're big fans.

H

Of that program we went to new hampshire, school of mechanical trades. Cb honey came.

H

In because we did a somatic unit really somatic quarter around beehives, we have four colonies.

H

The one has swarmed somewhere else in the universe. I have no idea where it is.

H

So but that was a real neat experience and our smart goal was around vocabulary. Acquisition.

H

And so being able to have kids over all content areas, looking at vocabulary in regard to hives and.

H

Bees and honey making and all the equipment and pollination and all that stuff it was really.

H

A neat experience and then we're going to move right into in february. Our maple syrup.

H

Collaboration with the third greatest so we'll continue that also lister leafbusters was up.

H

And running full-time this year, for the first time in a couple of years, we made.

H

Well, that's it. We've got over eleven thousand dollars so hopefully, depending on what happens.

H

With covet at the end of the year, we'll be able to actually take a trip, um so that will be exciting.

H

Schedule wise, we have done lots of different things this year to accommodate the physical.

H

Activity every day and things like that, we have two intervention blocks during the school day.

H

And one after school intervention block, we do all of our own transportation home for kids.

H

So last year we did three days of intervention block after school and no intervention block.

H

During school and um and that was difficult, so this seems to be working a lot better.

H

Students have been, with the exception of the bus, um really good about covid protocols and.

H

I'm grateful for that. They've been they've, been awesome and our staffing you know once again, I.

H

Am so fortunate because the staff is amazing and they keep getting older and they don't get grumpy.

H

um So they stay motivated, they stay engaged they're willing to extend themselves outside of.

H

The school day, and as you all know, you know as we get older and our lives get complicated and.

H

We may or may not have children. You know your own responsibilities become different, so it's really.

H

um A tribute to the staff that they're willing to do what they do to the degree that they do it.

H

So kudos to them they're amazing um things that we have not mastered, um that we are.

H

Still in the emerging level of competency um is our transitions to the high school, and I know.

H

That what would work we just don't necessarily have the resources. So we have five kids who will.

H

Be over there, third quarter for some class or another, some in cte or really all of them. If you.

H

Because some of them are in the computer track um the beginning of the year. We had a couple.

H

Kids, they lasted three days, so we know that we need to bridge that, and by bridge I mean go.

H

Figure out a way that we can go with them, whether a paraprofessional goes with them to that class.

H

That there's something around needing to do something: to bridge that transition.

H

And we did that once before and that was successful. So we we need to take a different look.

H

At that, another challenge will be our possible. Hopefully, probable, move to a new school site.

H

um Who knows what will eventually come of that and then another challenge obviously will be.

H

The transition to new leadership, both within our program since I'll, be also moving on and within.

H

The district steve's been a wonderful advocate for us, so staff will experience that as a real loss.

H

So I think that, um as we get closer to the end of the school year, there'll be.

H

Increased anxiety around what is that going to look like next year? um Our you know, work related.

H

To school board goals is pretty self-explanatory. um Initiatives for future budget so depending upon.

H

What happens with the community campus looking at how that space will be? Reconfigured obviously, is.

H

Is something to have an eye on and then I would really like people to consider.

H

The development kind we've always talked about going when we look at the program development.

H

May be larger in terms of our program, but what I'd really like to look at is the other end. You know.

H

Because, even though we're so small, we still have students that are not successful in our program.

H

And this year I can think of two that are dear to my heart, that, for a variety of reasons were.

H

Not able to stay with us and they are at um an out of district place. um Well, I can't say.

H

In a program that may not meet all of their needs, um so I would really like to look at flexing the.

H

Other direction, so is there a way that we could staff with a teacher in a para like a more of.

H

A tutorial program for students that aren't successful in our program but don't have to push.

H

Them out of the district, we can push them into a more intensive, even smaller program, and I might.

H

I don't know the details, but my guess would be that there are students at the high school that.

H

May or may, for a variety of different reasons have to be in tutoring of some sort.

H

That we could also utilize that model and then have different benchmarks and goals for them to.

H

Hit to then transfer back into um our program and we could utilize the same. You know guidance staff.

H

Cico's mental health, so some program components would be accessible, both directions. Do you mind.

H

Articulating that okay, so I think that I don't like it when we're not successful with kids.

H

And I don't think that um I don't think people could do it any better than we could. So I think.

H

That you know looking at how we might be able to continue to serve those students that.

H

um Really are needing something even more intensive than what our program offers would be.

H

Would behoove us to look at because, as you all know, um when I'm looking at kids that are being.

H

Referred to us, you know we're being very selective. There are some it is. It is a.

H

Different ballgame in terms of the level of complexity and the level of services.

H

And you have to kind of like that balance beam. You really have to look at who's already in your.

H

Program and what the resources can withstand so I think I think that would be exciting and I think.

H

It certainly would be compatible with our philosophy about relationship and being able to.

H

Repair and heal and restore and and stick side by side. So I hope that that's something that.

H

In the future could be considered in regard to at the high school level anyways and then.

H

I've said this numerous times before, but um going forward. I think the board is going to.

H

Have to make some decisions about, you know where your priorities are in terms of who.

H

We're servicing, um you know in district out of district, a combination of both you know, whatever.

H

um I think that's going to become more and more of an issue as you move forward, so any questions.

A

Go ahead! Tara! Yes! Thank you so much! um This is always one of my favorite.

I

Presentations, it's like where I would like my student to go to your school because it just.

I

You do so many amazing things, so I appreciate all the work you've done. um I did have one question. I.

I

Know that you work with the cte program and you're in contact with courtney.

I

Do you um work with steve um turner through her for big bring back the trades yet.

H

You know he we've done some work with them. They came and did a workshop day with all.

H

Of our students and had different industry different trades people there that was awesome.

H

But other than that we haven't done a lot of work except for refer people to their program.

H

To automotive and welding and yeah, I think he doesn't, I mean he's expanding so much and he does.

I

So many things for our, like all the students in new hampshire, but also you know around the country.

I

um But I think he would have maybe have even more connections for your. You know your students who.

I

Are interested in trades? It sounds like you have a lot already, which is great, but I think.

I

It would be a good collaboration. um I agree. I forget, you know I get so busy today. Thank.

I

You that's one thing, I'm doing I'm staying on the cte um board. um So, as I don't know what I'd.

I

Be called, but not as a school board member, but um I I would like to help set that up, because.

I

I think he's great and I think it would be good for you guys to work together. That'd be great.

C

Questions or comments go ahead. um I have a very dear friend who I won't mention the name.

D

uh Recently substituted at the lister academy and he couldn't believe what a fabulous program.

D

It is um how well organized it is. He knew exactly what he had to do when he walked into that school.

D

um So I just had to let you know that, because I I just had a conversation with this person.

D

So, congratulations I mean it sounds like you run a top-notch program. We all know that you.

D

Do thank you and it was fun to have him, but I have a um question with 11 seniors, graduating.

D

Are you worried about filling in the spots for next year? um Well, so we have some that.

H

Are graduating in january, so I have three that are leaving in january, so I think um no.

H

Because what I'll do is, I will um front load so I'll, take more at the um in the spring. So um but.

H

I do I do think it will be interesting because, as you know, the out of district kids.

H

That pool of students depends upon what's happening in the larger. You know, state.

H

So I knew that um there's an organization here that lost a state contract, which means.

H

That a bunch of kids that need respite will no longer be local, they'll, be going.

H

um To nashua- and so you know all of those little things that change you know affect.

H

You know it's like that: mobile affect everything else so, um but I think that we would still be able.

H

To maintain, you know between five and six out of districts, if that's the will of the board.

D

Remember years ago, when we had more out of district than portsmouth students- and we were.

D

Making some money on that program, but obviously we want the emphasis to go to our own students so.

D

So and I guess I'm trying to ask we're not really making money on the program right now,.

D

Or we do from those students that come from out of district.

D

Correct, I think, right. I think that if you, you know it's kind of one of those numbers.

H

Games that if you added up all the 18 students and had to pay for them to go out of district.

H

um That would be quite a plus transportation would be a lot of money. Okay,.

H

Did you want to weigh in on that nathan? No, I listen. This is. This is great information. I'm.

C

Taking notes- and I loved your question because I wanted to ask it and I'm completely panicked.

F

About where all the students will come from, if her vision isn't identifying where they all are.

F

But we on on paper, the program is funded um in a transfer from the general fund to help, as well as.

F

From the tuition dollars that are raised and- uh and it's certainly in in the very short time.

F

I've been here a couple of couple of cycles: it it is covering its costs comfortably. So.

F

You know- and I say that covering its costs with that amount that we put in our budget. We know.

F

We're going to spend and that it hasn't needed more than that, so it seems to be right on target.

F

Thank you nancy. I think you alluded to this in the um in sort of just the nuances of you know,.

A

Having the right group and the staffing and all that, but the wait list that currently exists.

A

Is there because of a variety of issues or because.

A

You know we you're just maxed out in terms of ratio or is it? Is it a confluence of stuff? Just.

A

Depending on who's on that wait list yeah, no, it's really more of a safety concern. We couldn't really.

H

Take more kids right now, unless somebody left um because of staffing because of staffing and.

H

Because of the complexity of the student, yeah, yeah, okay, great anyone else have anything else.

C

Awesome. Well, yes, oh sorry, go ahead, ann I have had one. I had noticed that you had the.

C

Wait list and I understand how that works: I'm amazed that your leafbusters made so much money.

H

Yeah we've got some people that treat us very well and they also have really big properties.

H

So I have to say, that's not something I'm going to miss.

H

And your maple syrup yep we're going to we're going to start that in fact. Well, we'll start.

H

Right after the holiday break um going to the elementary schools and doing some work.

H

But then the tapping, I love that yeah, the tapping will start around february vacation.

H

So, as always, I always I love your presentation, thank you for all you do and your staff is amazing.

C

Thank you nancy. I know you're retiring and I just want to say good luck and thank you so much for.

D

What you've done for our school district? How many years have you been at lister academy,.

D

It's been a lot a lot, I think since 2001. Maybe you are amazing. You really are amazing. Thank you and.

D

Good luck to you! Thank you. We'll miss you a lot. Oh, I know I'll pile on because I was going to say the.

A

Same thing to wrap this up and I was sending stuff to post it like is it? Is it public wait? Is it.

A

Totally public she's leaving oh I've, been shouting it, um but yeah I mean I think, from the very first.

A

Presentation that you gave six years ago in here kind of in terms of someone who comes in and walks.

A

The you know walks the talk, the relationship piece, the conviction around your program.

A

And just kind of that um focus on individual kids. Thank you. So much and yeah.

A

Ditto um we wish you the best of luck. We also have many months to celebrate you kind of out.

G

The door it sounds like so no goodbyes yet and hopefully to see you before. Yes, um well,.

H

I have a goodbye I, this is a little awkward, so please know that. um Do you want to help me.

H

There's two beautiful young women who left smart said: would you mind giving these to.

C

But now it's like.

C

At the end, okay,.

A

All right well um all right. Moving on then we're gonna go to our superintendent's um report and.

A

You've got a little list on here sure yeah, just some of the usual things. uh The email.

B

Correspondence that you've received since the last meeting and a summary of that you have.

B

And I think we've we've talked about this already just we're heading into budget season, and so we.

B

Have the schedule of dates, so you can mark them in your calendars, particularly our new board members.

B

As well, but thankfully our you know those of you stepping off the board will not have to go through.

B

Multiple budget meetings this year, unless you want to you're, welcome public meetings. You know.

B

um You have the december edition of the board administrator notice of some of the overnight.

B

Field trips, that we we are looking at this coming spring as, as nancy alludes to we, we.

B

Of course are watching conditions and we'll follow all travel guidance that we have, but we certainly.

B

Look forward to getting back to some of our trips. uh You have the policy committee minutes two sets.

B

Of those and both of them will uh relate to some of the policies. You'll discuss a little bit later.

B

In the examiner, and just because it was mentioned at public comment, I do want to take a moment and.

B

First and foremost uh thank the those involved with investigating thoroughly uh the rumors.

B

That we're at circulating around portsmouth, high school and on social media end of last week.

B

um And I know uh principal lyons has this on her agenda for the pac meeting. I think there's.

B

A zoom meeting tomorrow night um and so, but I would, I would say, just again we'll go through.

B

A process of putting more information in the public, primarily so the public understands.

B

Clearly, what our process is anytime, something comes up that could even be interpreted as a.

B

As a rumor of a threat, it's a very, very thorough process, and I would I would just say in short, the.

B

Incidents or the the factors involved in the rumors last week actually were for three.

B

Separate groups of students, it wasn't all tied into one student until it hit social media and.

B

Then it became a a one, big threat, but it was actually three smaller issues that were quickly.

B

Investigated very thoroughly quickly found to be unsubstantiated, um and, uh and then um you know in.

B

The communication thereof after certainly we're taking time to reflect on that, and uh certainly.

B

Take some lessons learned to how we can better prevent uh the spiraling of that kind of a thing.

B

um But again her uh pac meeting is tomorrow night and also I know she intends to send something out.

B

They had a meeting of their crisis response team today so, um and that is the report.

A

uh Anybody have questions or additional comments on any of those items yep. um I just appreciate.

I

I don't want to just say the same. I appreciate what the response was. I understand there needs.

I

To be a little more better communication, and I think that the new board and all of you will.

I

Help with that, and but I felt like I felt like some people were comfortable- some were not and.

I

I think that there was a good job done on how to handle whether you were or not like the kids, who.

I

Weren't comfortable going to school friday were still still able to maybe play in their sports.

I

That night, like there was there, was definitely some flexibility involved based on comfort levels.

I

And I I think we have to because of the.

I

Because of what can't be said, we definitely have to have some um reliance and trust.

I

In the people that we trust to do their job, so I I understand there should be a little.

I

Bit better communication, but I appreciate what was done so thank you and to your staff as well.

A

Anything else on superintendent items.

A

Okay, so nathan, I think we'll move over to financial report, so the financial report.

F

Month, ending november 30th is in your packet, um I you know I I hate to be a broken record.

C

Yeah, it's a lot about timing and I and you know what we will in the next year. I mean we'll.

F

Certainly hold on to I mean there's some value here that uh I know the board has seen this for.

F

A number of years, um what I guess I would do is take you to this financial report like I have in.

F

The past and remind you that there's some areas of red that you see down the center in the variance.

F

To plan remember that the plan is a pre is a projection of how much you might reasonably have.

F

Spent at this point, based on the rolling average of the last five years at this point in the year.

F

But with a new with a new business administrator, asking staff to do some things differently for.

F

Instance, some of these things are popping out and they look like we're off the plan and ahead of the.

F

Plan or behind the plan, I'm less concerned with some of these red items, because if you take your.

F

Your numbers on the far left, which is what you'd spent as of the end of november,.

F

And compare it to the next to the last on the right, which is your budget they're they're very.

F

Much within budget and they're very much within hey we're we're we're to november there's still.

F

Six more months, seven more months uh to go, and so I I'm not seeing anything jump out. You will.

F

See some some big numbers that are not negative, some, not some. You know some variances in the other.

F

Direction and those are really driven by some of the vacancies that we're experiencing on staffing.

F

In addition to that, you'll see uh out of district tuition will pop out for you on page three, but.

F

The reality is, we are way within budget and, in fact, that's really about the fact that the.

F

Special ed office has been working hard to to document and make payment in some of the.

F

Some of their bills differently this year, so that I've got a better. I've got better information to.

F

Project how we'll end up the end of the year? I've mentioned before to you that uh middle of.

F

That page, the the impacts in central office and school board are really related to, for instance,.

F

We we made an annual payment against the cro of cro, the uh sro, the school resource officer.

F

um Very much so, and we made that payment in july simply to rather than rather than making that.

F

Payment at the end of the year to to the other side of the city, ledger uh and, uh and so there's.

F

Easily some explanations here we still have some dollars at the end of page three they're sitting.

F

um We they're dollars that have been identified as perfectly aligned with the esser funding rules.

F

And so we expect some of those are things like the tents that we had up in the field and.

F

Some of the ppe that we continue to purchase for the schools etc. So.

F

Really not a lot of news there, it still seems to be marching forward and I I would bring.

F

It to your attention, if I saw something that really popped in and was of concern.

A

Folks have any questions for nathan, hey. The really good news is the dental insurance isn't.

F

Over budget it seemed to be like a parent. You know the last couple of years that I walked in.

F

The dental was over budgeting cycle after cycle. We seem to be doing okay um out of district tuition.

A

Yes, um is that again, a timing thing, or is that something that yeah? No, that really is that one.

F

Is I mean if you look the year to date, is at 770 000 the annual budget's two and a half million.

F

It's simply that at this point, historically, we hadn't made payments, and part of that is because.

F

Ms salter and her and her staff had identified in a couple of cases.

F

Some tuition contracts that could be paid for discount and they had attached language.

F

That the full refund was available if the student for some reason stopped attending.

F

So they made initial payments, um for I don't know, for the quarter or for the six months for.

F

The semester, uh and so it looks, shows up red and says wow you're spending faster than you.

F

Have in the past, and that's because they've made prepayment against some of those okay.

C

Yeah kim um the energy category what's going on there, so uh in energy, I think that's another.

F

Classic timing, it simply is tying out uh how we've paid the bills versus how we've paid in the past.

F

um Although in this case, you see that it's the excess there or the overage.

F

Is eight thousand dollars and against a quarter of a million dollars? It's not much.

F

But one of the things that uh one of the things that mr linchi is finding is that.

F

The uh I think the the energy cost, the energy consumption at new franklin.

F

With the new air handling uh in place is greater than we had anticipated, so one of.

F

The budgetary impacts that he and I've already talked about is that, in that particular line for.

F

Electricity and franklin will uptick a bit this this year. When you see the new proposed budget.

F

Simply because we, you find some level of efficiencies when you bring in the new equipment.

F

But in this case it wasn't new equipment, it wasn't replacement equipment, it was new equipment. We went.

F

From having nothing moving the air to having these units that are, that are doing that, and.

F

um And we had estimated that there would be some increase, but it's greater than we had expected. So.

C

Okay, thank you nathan. Thank you all right. um I think we can go into old business. Then.

B

Sure yeah, actually we want to roll into um just a conversation with you, uh speaking of finances,.

B

Of our esser funds that we are anticipating that we've had confirmation of in total in the order of.

B

3.7 ish million dollars um and one of the things that we've done is uh back, I think, towards the.

B

Beginning of the year we put out a survey, we were trying to engage in some conversations with.

B

Stakeholders just around what are the um you know: what are some of the possibilities with the use of.

B

These funds, we would always caution against hiring a bunch of new stuff, as nathan's already said,.

B

For fear that we would face a cliff once the funds go away, but one of the things that I know.

B

You're well aware of the that the city has been talking about is the purchase of community campus.

B

And one of the things that we have pursued a conversation with the doe is to explore the use of.

B

Esser funds for a capital um for being a partner in that capital purchase of community campus for.

B

Which we could talk about multiple uses? Certainly one of the major discussions would be the lister.

B

Academy program itself in finding a much more suitable home for it or face what would be.

B

In a minimum three million dollars, but more likely in the order of eight to ten million.

B

Dollars to actually do to sure burn school, what we've done to other facilities, so uh so we are.

B

Looking at um to see, if there is approval or see if it would be possible for us to discuss.

B

Using um two million or somewhere in the order of dollars for that capital, investment with the city.

B

We don't know yet: we've gotten some preliminary conceptual approval, but we don't know yet whether.

B

That would be formal, and if it were to come that it is a formal approved use, then we would.

B

Of course still talk about is that, where does that line up against other discussions? Other priorities.

B

Here, but we certainly would hold out again what is an amazing opportunity to think about the use.

B

Of the community campus space from a school perspective, so I'm going to turn it over to.

B

Nathan for anything else in terms of some of the process, points for esser funding and then.

B

See you know some of the other things that we've talked about some major possibilities with that.

F

So one of the things, if I thank you steve if I jump right on and suggest to you, one of the one.

F

Of the items that I'll speak to on thursday night in front of the planning board, uh with our cip.

F

Submission with the city is that there continues to be a project proposed for the cip. It's it.

F

It now shows up in fiscal year 25 and that's a three three million dollar investment to to make.

F

Upgrades at sherbourne school for lister, we had our preliminary meeting with the subcommittee of.

F

The planning board and that question was boldly asked. You know quickly. You know what I thought.

F

We were, you know, there's this opportunity, a community campus. What about this? 3 million.

F

It's it's a couple of. It serves a couple of purposes so when you hear us speak to it uh number.

F

One it it identifies on uh in a very public way, for the state, for instance, that we expect costs.

F

To be significantly greater than what it might cost to be a capital partner at community campus.

F

It could cost significantly more to make repairs and deal with what we need to a children's school.

F

And- and it also holds on to for a city conversation- a dollar amount, that's been.

F

In that debt plan for some number of years, because we expect it to do something, so those are dollars.

F

That I I suggested I suggested to the to the planning board subcommittee that day that maybe.

F

Those dollars, if not used at sherburne, could benefit other items in our out years of our cip.

F

So I'll just tell you that, because I know I'll talk to it again and it's not because we intend to.

F

Do both if we are able to move forward and become a capital partner at community campus and can move.

F

The lister academy program there we certainly would not be looking to spend those kinds of.

F

Dollars investing back into sherburne, also on the list of things that have come through the survey.

F

And I spoke to it one night back over the summer when we talked about the survey results but also.

F

From other collected feedback there are, there are there's an interest out there to introduce.

F

Air conditioning and dehumidification into our schools that aren't already provided with that.

F

That new franklin elementary school is, we put the ductwork in two summers ago so that it has.

F

Their handling, it was very timely that we that we made that happen before kovit hit.

F

But this summer we will put air conditioning dehumidification in throughout that building.

F

In the case of dondero and little harbor, they have air handling that freshens there, but no.

F

Cooling and and so cooling zones that could be located in areas like like the cafeteria.

F

Or or the library and some of you know connected spaces to provide the principles with some cooling.

F

Spots so that, on those shoulder season hot days, there'd be an opportunity to move students through.

F

It may not, I don't know that we have the dollars to fully air condition either of those buildings.

F

Nor both, but some cooling zones would go a long way towards giving principals some flexibility.

F

Additionally, expanding air conditioning in other buildings, repairing replacing windows to provide.

F

For uh air, air quality and ventilation, when need be, would be uh items that could be considered.

F

On the list, in our survey and in subsequent conversations, there's been talk about advancing.

F

Outdoor classroom opportunities and spaces, these kind of fall under the category that I.

F

Spoke to a second ago and steve, echoed of one-time expenditures that provide for not only near-term.

F

But longer-term benefit for the district and and uh and our students purchasing activity, vans.

F

Has come up to add flexibility to district-wide co-curricular and extracurricular transportation.

F

And so again that would be something that would be a one-time thing that would have benefit for some.

F

Period of time, but none of those are not to not to forget that the survey and other feedback has.

F

Also suggested um adding to and providing social, emotional learning and mental health staffing.

F

And supports are important, counseling and social work and, and there have been calls for staffing.

F

In general, again, we continue to encourage.

F

The kinds of things that you can purchase at our one time don't have long-term ripple on the budget.

F

Which can create challenges, but I wanted to make sure that we talked about some of those.

F

And so appreciate your feedback and the feedback of the public as we continue to march forward.

F

Procedurally, we do have years yet to spend these dollars so that it breaks down into esser, 2 and.

F

S or 3 really, which are left and uh and s or 2, can be spent through september of 23 and sr3.

F

Through september 24 and uh and so they're, not immediate, some of the decisions that you have.

F

To make, although I think it's fair to also talk uh just to discuss the fact that we continue to.

F

Spend dollars routinely on things like ppe and we went ahead and did tents for outdoor space and and.

F

Those are not yet charged off formally to to the esser funds, because you may choose to do something.

F

Different with the assert funds, but we we are continuing to do the business of of schooling.

F

In a in a pandemic and so we're continuing to buy ppe and the like, and so when you see on the.

F

Financial and I've left it there for that benefit. So that's that purpose. When you see 130 000.

F

Spent it was spent on things that are classically, you know or easily arguable um in the category.

F

Of essa, and so some of the dollars are being spent and and the set aside of 20.

F

Which amounts to about 540 some odd thousand dollars over these years.

F

We're moving on some of that with some of the after school programming and summer program.

F

That we've already done, and so we want to be mindful of those and add to those as need be. But.

F

um I haven't put it in writing, but I know that a board member has that had asked.

F

Previously about the process, and certainly I expect that at some point, this list becomes.

F

Longer and more formalized, but it becomes something that you have as a document.

F

Or as a as a dynamic resource to start contemplating, so that, ultimately, the board.

F

Can make some decisions about how we want to allocate those dollars across these priorities?.

I

Thank you, as always. um Obviously I'm not gonna have a say in the matter, um but I just want you.

I

Know you talk about like one time. Obviously that's. We have talked many times about the concern about.

I

Spending things that um would be a continued cost for sure. I think, having a few items that are.

I

One time if there was any way to get staffing for the needs that we already have and that we.

I

Want more of like not only regular staffing but mental health like if that was there, I think it.

I

Would be wise to spend it anyway, just because we, the staffing and the hiring, is the problem.

I

um But I think, as we move forward, you know you. There are a couple years to spend these monies and.

I

Setting aside some of it like in an ideal world, we have all these people coming to us.

I

And wanting to work um and setting aside some of that for that. But in the long term, planning.

I

Budgeting like knowing that we might want to add some like, maybe not all, because you know hopefully.

I

The knee some of the needs for the um the mental health will get a little bit better over the next.

I

Few years and the long-term planning won't need those, so I think the balance is, you know in an.

I

Ideal world: if there was all these people, you know working, um that's what it would be. It would be a.

I

Balance of the two different types of costs and the staffing um short term and long-term into.

I

The budget so- and we have talked about that- that staffing- it's not that it's off the table, but.

B

It has to be a phased-in plan with it, and so even with the use of funds over the next two years, you.

B

Could imagine similar to what we've done with some grant funded positions we'll take on 50.

B

Of it in the second year, we'll take on 100 of it in the 30 or something like that, yeah hey. I.

F

Don't want to before your question. I don't want to forget the fact that I didn't add it to this list.

F

I guess because it echoes in my head more than it might in others we took, uh we took a hatchet to.

F

Technology in this last budget round- and we did so with the confidence that we had esther funds.

F

Right to to backstop that so chromebooks, especially and some of the other networking.

F

Infrastructure are things that we expect to continue to support with.

F

And relative to relative to two two plus million dollars, or you know the a million and a half.

F

That might be there, it's it's small dollars, necessarily, although it was big when we.

F

When we made the impact on our budget, so I don't want you to forget about that because.

F

I think the technology is another piece that wants very much to be addressed here.

D

I do have a question which I think is unrelated. um We all know that the effort for us to get.

D

Sound barriers at new franklin was declined by the state. um Is there any way in the cip if we could.

D

Put it in for 20, 2027 or 2028 I mean, can we have a placeholder for sound barriers at new franklin.

D

Obviously, the state's not going to pay for it. So do we have any idea how much it would cost.

D

For sound barriers at new franklin, I don't have I I don't know I certainly will be. I will get.

F

Educated, I um I think in the out years there will. There will always be an opportunity to have that.

F

Conversation if we didn't submit it as a part of this 23 28 cip, that they're reviewing this.

F

Week but but I know that that's been a very public conversation and I'll I'll find some.

F

Some data, so we have a, we have better information moving forward. I remember when I was on the city.

D

Council I mean there's some items in that cip that have been there for like 25 years.

D

And they they just never get acted on, and I would hope that this would not be like that. But at least.

D

If we could get it in there so that it could, it would be in the cip. That would be awesome.

C

Yeah, I know that at the meeting that we had at new franklin school, that there was a lot of.

C

Discussion about having air conditioning because they don't want the windows open because of the.

C

Pollution and the noise and all of that- and there was talk about air conditioning for.

C

The building so so that's a possibility. So we're I mean and that's definitely what we're moving.

F

Ahead with that, the dollars were appropriated, or I say, appropriate, the dollars were.

F

Included in the last bonding resolution coming out of the cip for 22., um we have 1.3 million dollars.

F

That will separate, and apart separate apart from all of the other conversations we're having.

F

That's already been approved and that's um and and that's happening you know it's a it's a difficult.

F

It's a difficult market construction, wise in terms of the costs and such, and so we haven't.

F

Finalized numbers there, but but we expect that we will complete that work this summer, thanks.

A

For bringing it up again, yeah. Thank you. Okay for kim, you have thoughts or anything else on this.

A

On what I just that's her funds conversation.

B

Okay, thank you folks, um yeah, thank you. So I mean thanks for just clarifying where we are.

A

And um you know, of course, we're all eager to understand like the real feasibility um and.

A

Like tara said, my opinion, is you know one of a community stakeholder at this point, but um I.

A

Mean it does I'm excited about lister having a new home, it seems like a very ideal um sort of.

A

Situation, I'm excited about the school district, having a true stake in that building um over time.

A

We would I mean, I think, that I guess I maybe it's encouraging the new board, but to really understand.

A

How the purchase and the resources tie into other critical needs um for the esser funds.

A

You know tara mentioned the mental health resources after school programming care.

A

Expansion- that is a pain point every single year and I think if some of those programs are really.

A

Clear on the onset and as clear as like this is where lister will sit. Well, here's where.

A

The additional aftercare will be, and that sort of thing um I think it's an exciting, could be an.

A

Exciting move- um and I I think you were, I think this is what you were saying too tara. um I hope.

A

During this budget process- and I was anticipating, as you go into the budgeting process this year,.

A

That, while I know it's dynamic in terms of how these funds are going to kind of, um you know, take.

A

Hold over the course of three years, it does seem like there's going to be pressures on the money.

A

And we really have to get ahead of having a proposal on the table for.

A

3.7 million dollars that is going to get tweaked. You know as as time goes on, and technology all.

A

These different priorities, but um that the the school district is able to say here it is here's.

A

Everything's been earmarked, here's what this looks like in as we lay it down with our other budget.

A

And then we can have the conversation, because it's hard right now to say you know great idea.

A

When it's still sort of nebulous, where some of the other buckets sit so from a process side, I mean.

A

Again, I understand it's not going to be static, but there does need to be. It seems like a static.

A

Moment for a draft you know in january um to just play it down as a so it's my two sunset before.

C

Then I'll come to public forum and see how it's going but yeah kim. Well, I just wanted.

C

To bring up a point nathan, um you had said to me that we, we also have to have some caution.

C

Because if we spend the money and submit it, there is always a chance that they can boot it back.

C

Is that correct and say no, so the the application process is uh the application process. Is the cart.

F

Before the horse, so we we apply and and uh and as long as we we operate after we have received.

F

uh Application approval from the department of ed, then we should be fine okay, but we can't purchase.

C

And then say: oh right, may I please have that money and they say no, which is why some of the decisions.

F

That we've made, are, you know we we've, the tents and the ppe are. Com are completely completely.

F

Within the spirit of the funding and other districts have already applied and received, and so.

F

We are tracking those dollars with the expectation that we'll include those in esser 2 or s or 3, as.

F

As we move forward, but we are, I mean I like what kristen just said. We are um we're waiting for some.

F

Of the bigger the bigger elements of the plan to kind of take shape, are we doing air conditioning.

F

In a couple of the other buildings, and what do those costs look like and how does that fit, and.

F

The community campus as a as a as a player, getting it all laid out. Now I mean I'm. I have a.

F

I have a rudimentary one that you know the pluses and the minuses and the you know: okay,.

F

This is great um because we have conversations about covered almost every day. Well, what about.

F

This you know and so-and-so, had to go and pick up more masks. Well put it in this kitty, because.

F

I think reasonably that will be part of the ppe budget that comes out of this application, so.

C

What is the time frame on that? So, when you think something goes in.

C

Then you submit it an application to the state. Is that correct? We I mean again.

F

Based on based on the fallout or not follow, but the result of some of the bigger conversations.

F

Yeah, we'll we will submit an application to the state for some of the smaller elements.

F

Including the learning loss, elements that we'll put together um and uh and that that can be done.

F

I mean that application is an ongoing process, so you don't actually have to submit to the doe.

F

The entirety you can submit elements of it as you as you move through again, the two or three.

F

Years that we're talking about and then how long does it take for them to to grant you the funds.

F

So there's I've had mixed reviews from other business administrators across the state.

F

Sometimes sometimes it the review takes just a few days, and sometimes there are questions and.

F

Challenges, and sometimes it can take longer, but by and large the application process should not take.

F

You know should not take more than 30 days of again. That's just anecdotally in my mind, but it's.

F

The application process so long as your your application is really consistent with.

F

The spirit I guess, with public consumption, I should say this again- these are supposed to be.

F

Things that are related to covid, and so the state has given us the litmus test again of.

F

Does this prepare for prevent or respond to the kova 19 pandemic? So, okay, thanks nathan. Thank you.

A

All right, um so the second thing on old business is actually the consideration approval of two.

A

Policies um I wanted to ask please the rest of the board. We actually were interested in.

A

Making a motion to move these um two second readings to the january meeting, just given.

A

The kind of overlap in um you know the ebca is crisis prevention and emergency response plans.

A

And that kind of lines up with conversations we're having and there was some interest in potentially.

A

Bringing some of this back to policy to just take a look at it through some updated lenses and then.

A

I don't know for fire and all hazard drills if it makes sense to keep those two together or yeah.

A

Okay, so um because that's the assailant, do we need a? I don't know if I need a motion or not to move.

A

These to the january, um if it please I'll move to do so. Thank you. Second great. All in favor, aye aye.

A

um So we'll go ahead to new business, then um for the consideration approval of um some first.

A

Reading policies and I'll, let's steve and any policy committee folks, um do you wanna.

A

I think, ideally we could um take a motion for first reading as a group and then ask questions.

A

um So, do you want to do any kind of framing before yeah sure I mean it makes sense, because it.

B

Is first reading to take them as a block and what questions we have we'll take all um questions and.

B

Comments back to the policy committee meeting, uh the first one is is really out of. um I don't know.

B

If nathan, the first one is one of the three items that uh that we were reminded of by our federal.

F

Federal grants review are fiscal monitoring; they didn't like that. They didn't like the version of.

F

Drug-Free workplace that we and drug-free schools that we were working with and recommended that.

F

We update that to more recent language that has become commonly commonly implemented so.

F

We have used the policy recommendations coming out of the school boards association and this version.

F

Will satisfy uncle sam and I would say that that characterization matches the other three policies.

B

There, which is, we are taking a a closer look at new hampshire school boards association model.

B

Policies, updating policies as we need to for current changes in the law, and there have been.

B

Some changes around the process for student discipline student conduct, so you would see.

B

Policies j, I j, I c g, I c d all relate to student conduct in some way and all of those are.

B

Are modified to be more in line with the current model policies, as well as the current laws.

A

Great with that and then we'll we'll see if there's questions or discussion.

A

For these, but do I have a motion I would move to approve to approve for first reading.

A

Second, thanks pip um any discussion or questions on where these are now.

D

Kristen, I I did have a question and I can't find it now, but.

D

I thought it said that the school department will endeavor to give every employee a copy of.

D

The policy- and I thought maybe that should be changed to the school department- will give am.

D

I right am I on that yeah. It was something like that and like that is disabilities, or.

A

Yeah, it was interesting to read the new drug-free workplace yeah policy, because obviously they are.

A

Incorporating a lot more um around, you know trying to sort of manage the medical marijuana stuff and.

A

All the different pieces there and you know- and I can just offer up in the fiscal monitoring.

F

They didn't reference. This section is wrong. You've used this they've.

C

What they said was that's interesting, you're, a member of the school boards association, no.

F

Reason why you wouldn't simply implement that that will satisfy the the deficiencies that policy has.

F

So I can't even tell you what, in our own version, mirroring what the school board association has.

F

Because because that has satisfied the federal law yeah, I don't know, but there.

F

Were some big changes I mean there's some there were yeah, there were a lot of changes.

A

I don't know yet. Does anyone else have comments, there's questions, I don't at this point and.

A

Our second reading, all right with that, then I guess we'll take a roll call vote for first.

A

Reading uh ann walker, yes, eric kennedy, yes, tristan, jeffrey yep, nancy, clayburg, yes, brian french,.

H

Yes, yes, okay, great, thank you guys go back to the in january as well.

A

It over for the federation of teacher retirement yeah, um so if it pleased the board, we would.

B

Propose a consideration; approval for a teacher retirement incentive which.

B

Is something we did not do last year? We have done in some years past and typically we do see a net.

B

Financial gain for the the sort of the the swap out of salaries, but but we we would propose to you.

B

The last retirement incentive we had was approved by the city council with permission to offer it.

B

Again, under those terms at any time the board so wishes, so we would offer up that any employee.

B

With a minimum of 15 years of service eligible for retirement, who would uh who would declare.

B

Retirement and and retire would receive a one-time payment of twelve thousand dollars.

B

And any eligible member with less than 15 years uh again he's eligible for retirement.

B

And actually retires would receive a one-time payment of ten thousand dollars.

B

And so we would offer that up for consideration to offer the professional staff the teaching staff.

B

With a date for them to acknowledge- and let us know by january, 21st.

C

A

I'll go ahead and take a motion and see if we have any questions move to.

A

Approve okay, second, second, anyone have questions or just clarifications on this.

A

I guess I'll just ask the obvious one. Given we've had a a meeting about hire a lot of questions.

C

About hiring and thinking about um vacancies and difficulties, filling vacancies and then.

A

Juxtaposing it with an incentive, can you just speak to that? A little bit yeah we'll exclude.

B

Certain positions that we can't no bcba may retire. No, um so we we are you're right and we're.

B

um As jeanette had mentioned, we face the greatest challenge in our paraprofessional.

B

Ranks right now um with plenty of notice, uh which we would anticipate in this budget season to.

B

Hire for the positions we wish to refill, there was always that question over.

B

What we would do with the vacancies, but if we can get those out in a reasonable time, early.

B

This spring, we have a lot of confidence, we'll get all of those positions filled.

A

All right any other comments: okay, we'll go ahead and take a roll call, though.

B

Anne walker, yes, sarah kennedy; yes, kristin, jeffrey, yes, nancy, claiberg, yes, brian, french, yes,.

B

Pip clues. Yes, thank you um great. So the last um formal agenda item here is consideration.

A

And approval of two leaves of absence uh yeah, and then we have the para educator moa.

B

um Almost uh but yeah so we have two requests for leave of absence. One is a portsmouth high.

B

School teacher, kate, fitzpatrick and the other is a little harder teacher drew mcnamara.

B

Mike for uh for a leave of absence uh for the reasons they've specified in their letters.

A

Yeah we can take both of these together. Thank you, ann for the second uh roll call vote and.

B

Walker? Yes, sarah kennedy, yes kristen, jeffrey, yes, nancy, klaiber, yes, brian, french, yes hip clues! Yes,.

A

Thank you all right, and so I apologize for some reason. My version does not have that on there.

B

So the last piece: okay. So the last item is a consideration: approval for uh paraeducator moa.

B

This uh moa is very similar to what you've already passed for teachers and clericals and really just.

B

Cover some of the considerations and extenuating circumstances we continue to operate under in our.

B

Working conditions given covid and the pandemic, so we would ask for your approval of this moa.

A

Second, thank you. Any questions or comments on the mla.

A

I don't think so, we've had you know, obviously time to review and discuss and.

A

You know feel good about where this is so, I think we'll do a roll call vote. Anne walker.

B

Yes, eric kennedy: yes, kristin jeffrey, yes, nancy, claire berg, yes, brian, french, yes, pip clues. Yes,.

A

Great. Thank you very much.

A

All right: um well, I think that's it any committee updates or future agenda items for us.

C

I can just mention that the um holiday giving tree is up, um and you can, I think,.

C

Do it virtually so I'm not, I don't have the link I wish nick was here.

C

Because I'm pretty sure he would be able to explain it more, but.

C

It is up, and there are leaves on the tree, so you could go into the school building and pick a leaf.

C

um And donate, or I do believe there is a website where you can rally up fun page. Did you have.

F

Why don't we just forward it to the board? It's go rally up: dot com.

F

Backslash phs holiday, raffle, 2021. I'll, ask paulette to send it out to everybody. Okay,.

A

Thank you. That's great, thank you for highlighting that yeah. I was in touch with.

A

Sarah, yes, this week in the guidance office and yet there's there's like four different ways.

A

You can contribute right now, so there's lots of opportunities. If you want to.

A

Adopt a family or do the leaves or all these different things, it's great yeah. Well, I know.

B

Other board members want to chime in I'm sure, but before we wrap up, we did want to acknowledge.

B

uh The two of you for all of your years of service and what probably seems like decades.

B

Of service, uh so on behalf of the the school uh department, we wanted to uh extend to you um gift.

B

Certificates to our gourmet to go program through our cte program. Thank you. um You you've both.

B

Not only been wonderful leaders in uh particularly through our amazing roller coaster of a last year.

B

And a half but you've been strong, strong advocates of our district work around equity and true.

B

Leaders and examples of what can be accomplished, so we really do appreciate all that you've done.

B

For the district and for the students of portsmouth, thank you very much.

C

And, oh, you can okay, no! I was just going to say on that note. We also have some fine gifts for you and.

C

Really, I hope you enjoy these because you deserve them. um You've worked really tirelessly and hard.

C

Through a pandemic, which many people cannot say they have done, I mean what we can now.

C

In terms of you know, managing a board and a district with all kinds of meetings going to 1201.

C

A.M in the morning, one time and um all the things that went on in between and quelling.

C

The voices and all of those great things um really takes tremendous leadership and um the.

C

Board has all chipped in and we have some nice things for you to enjoy this spa day. What's that.

C

Thank you that was the arts and crafts bucket. Thank you. Can I say something I I was had a.

D

Conversation with a cousin of mine today- and we were talking about christmas eve and you know two.

D

Years ago, 2019 on christmas eve, you know she had 37 people at her house and we all had a big potty.

D

And a yankee swap and all that- and I was saying I mean imagine just think about- what's happened.

D

In those two two years ago I mean we had a normal life, and now we don't and when I think of what you.

D

Two did during that pandemic to keep our schools together. To keep I mean we had to. We obviously.

D

Parents were concerned, students were concerned, staff were concerned, administrators were concerned.

D

I mean you guys, did an awesome job, keeping the school department, the school board and all of the.

D

People that are connected with it, we went through a world where we're still in a worldwide pandemic.

D

And whoever thought you know two years ago when we're all thinking about christmas.

D

That this was going to happen, so thank you both so much you're, amazing women. You really are amazing.

A

Did you want to say something yeah, I don't I I mean. Obviously we couldn't have done it.

I

Without everyone sitting here and who is people missing, um but I felt all the support like from.

I

This table from the community from staff from students from parents from people who don't have.

I

Kids in our district, like I've, felt so much support and throughout all of this, and none.

I

Of it was going to make me change my mind, but I really appreciated everyone who reached out.

I

Everywhere, um I'm going to miss everyone a lot, but I will try to stay involved where I can, as I've.

I

Mentioned I just want to be a little more hands-on. You won't see me at a policy meeting.

I

We'll stay out of that, but yeah so hopefully we'll all stay in touch. Yeah. Absolutely I'd like to say.

C

To you, too, one of the things that that I found myself saying consistently over the last two years.

C

In all the questions I would get about the school board. My answer would always be yeah, but you know.

C

What we work so well together as a board mm-hmm, and it doesn't matter what you know if somebody.

C

Has a different opinion or we you know can't we we always seem to come to an agreement, one way or.

C

Another- and that is unique- I mean I've done a lot of boards and I haven't had that experience so and.

C

I I think that that's thanks to youtube in large part in your leadership, so thank you. Thank you.

C

Thank you. Well, we appreciate yeah thanks so much. It means a lot. It does and um appreciate all the.

A

All the kudos and the love from everybody- and um I know in it we are going to miss it in a weird in a.

A

Weird way, but also yeah hope won't be going too far and hope to stay. Obviously, a lot of skin in.

A

The game in portsmouth and want to stay connected in some different things so um and I yeah I feel.

A

Proud to have gotten to work with this group and um yeah we, we will always have many stories.

A

To tell um in terms of um the last few years and ambience, so thanks everybody. I appreciate it thank.

C

You thank you yeah. The vlog has really worked so well together from here on the other side here to.

C

Join us, but I so yeah we're sending out the uh work together collaborative juju. Your way now.

A

um All right, well with that and in the flowers um so hope had picked up those beautiful bouquets and.

C

um She, of course, had them in her car and there was a little logistical problem, so she gave them to.

C

Maya and becky who gave them to nancy and um they are gorgeous and and she picked them out yourself.

I

I can smell them through my mouth, but we'll make sure and give her.

A

That story is actually perfect, really pretty, and there was like logistically very difficult.

A

That tracks um all right well uh with that, let's, let's wrap it up I'll, take a motion to adjourn.

A

I'll do that.

A

And we'll say: goodnight everybody thanks. So much have a good evening.

A

Thank you happy holidays, happy holidays. Oh my gosh, happy holidays.

C