Meeting Recap: 11/18/24

Agenda | Video

1. Consent agenda approved

2. Superintendent updates - Election Day actions and outcomes, Veterans Day activities, MSBA visits, UnboundedEd visits, digitalization of yearbooks, new assistance dog, upcoming middle & high school drama club performances, safe firearms storage, Thanksgiving

3. Before and After School Programs report - enrollment & waitlist numbers, other in-town programs, plans for grades 4-5 program at the Andrews (this was paused due to lack of buses), and other proposals on or recently on the table. Questions & comments focused on staffing, City Year, how to close out low wait lists, partnership with SNL Sports Academy, busing plan, and big picture view of needs and capacity.

4. CTE enrollment update - enrollment & waitlist numbers, staffing updates, general program challenges and specific program achievements, scheduling & selection protocols, student messaging and family communication, expansion opportunities, new initiatives, intersection with arts electives

5. New schedule for budget preparation - Budget Analyst/former Director of Finance Gerry McCue requested that the committee shift its budget planning timeline to allow for more front end research on spending needs. The committee flagged some specific dates that needed to be adjusted and/or adhered to and expressed an intention to approve the request once these are incorporated. 

6. Resolution to authorize a contract related to the HVAC work at McGlynn and Andrews - passed

7. Resolutions related to school staffing, budgets, and overrides - These two resolutions (one re: a report on the implementation and impact of spring position reductions, another re: preparation of a supplemental budget for new override funds in FY25) were combined in order to streamline the request to the district, the result of which will be presented at the January 13 meeting. It was explained that the passing of questions 7 & 8 will result in $5.25 million for FY25 (currently underway) and $7 million for FY26. We asked central administration to present a proposal for the use of these funds in the current fiscal year, and to identify staffing needs related to positions that were cut in the FY25 budget. 

8. Resolution to appoint Will Pipicelli, the district’s not-so-new-anymore Director of Communication as a non-voting member of the MSBA Building Committee - approved following a description of the ways in which Director Pipicelli has been involved with efforts thus far

9. Condolences and adjournment