00:00:05,640 S1: Wednesday, August 19th. Regular Palmer School Committee meeting to order. 00:00:18,840 If you are able, could you please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? S1: I apologize. 00:00:19,440 S2: Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. 00:00:23,280 S3: And to the Republic for which it stands. 00:00:26,360 S2: One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:00:35,440 S1: A first order of business is the reorganization of school Committee. The first seat would be that of the chair. 00:00:48,640 Do I have a nomination for chair? S3: I nominate Bonnie Rathbun. 00:00:51,360 S1: Second on, seconded by Miss Noonan. 00:00:58,920 Any discussion? S1: All those in favour? 00:01:01,170 S2: I. 00:01:04,650 S1: Congratulations, Miss Rathbone. 00:01:06,890 S2: Thank you, thank you, thank you. And now going on to Vice chair, please. 00:01:15,530 Do I have a nomination for vice chair? S3: Tony, nominate Sandy Noonan. Okay. Second. 00:01:19,450 S2: All those in favor? 00:01:20,890 S3: Aye, aye. 00:01:22,250 S2: Okay. Thank you very much. Welcome aboard. Sandy. Thank you. Congrats to you. Your votes also. Thank you. Okay. Now we're looking at subcommittees policy budget slash finance and wellness. 00:01:43,530 So the policy subcommittee um, do I have a nomination for that or someone like to volunteer for it or what? S3: I volunteer. 00:01:44,290 S2: Okay, unless you're sick of us. Okay. And, Sandy. All those in favor of Tony and Sandy, I. Okay. Very good. Thank you very much. And you've already put a tremendous amount of work into that. So thank you very much for staying with him. Budget and finance. 00:02:05,070 Do I have anyone who is interested in budget and finance math? S3: You can do that again as well. 00:02:06,350 S2: Okay, so Matt and Joe, all those in favor say a very good thank you very much. 00:02:17,790 And Wellness Superintendent Francis, would you like to just talk a little bit about that? S1: So last year we revived the wellness policy. Uh, in that policy, we have a wellness committee that consists of one rep, um, from the social committee. Um, Mr. Braden was, uh, volunteer or volunteered for that rep last year. So we were just looking for a rep on the Wellness Committee. Based off of policy, we have to meet, um, I think it's quarterly throughout the year. Um, so once school starts and all the committee members are appointed or told about, then we will schedule our meetings for the year, but we're just looking for a rep from the school committee to be on that committee. 00:03:02,920 S2: Are you interested in doing it again, Tony? Because if not, I'll volunteer it for us since everybody else is on the committee is. 00:03:08,760 S3: Up to you. I'll leave it up to you. I'm neutral. I'll either take it or you can take it. 00:03:13,320 S2: Do you want it? That's what I'm saying. Yeah. Okay. You're happy with it? Yeah. I'm fine. Okay, then. Tony. 00:03:20,400 All those in favor? S3: Okay. 00:03:22,840 S2: Thank you very much. Thank you everyone. Number four, approval of the agenda. 00:03:30,560 Superintendent Francis, are there any changes to the agenda tonight? S1: Yeah. The one thing that I would like to go under new business is the finance budget report. I think it would be counterproductive since our budget report is always a month, the month prior, the first month of the school year, at least, this meeting would result in presenting just encumbrances. Our salaries are only the 260 employees, the year round employees. So that's pretty much other than encumbrances. I don't think it's a true picture of our any spending trends that are going on. So I would like to forego, uh, number nine and just move, uh, till September. You'll get a truer sense of at least the start of the year, where more monies and salaries are hitting the budget. Uh, in addition, you'll probably see the end of FY 26 how that, uh, finished up as well. So we'll break it up into two, uh, presentations. Um, during the month of September. 00:04:32,020 S2: I was wondering if that was the reason why there was nothing about finance in the packet. 00:04:36,620 S3: Okay. 00:04:37,020 S2: Sounds good. Any questions on that or anything? 00:04:39,180 S3: No, that makes sense. 00:04:40,060 S2: No. Okay. So let's see. We're there okay. Item number five public comment A letter is communication from the public. And we'll start with you. Sandy. 00:04:51,020 S4: Um, just a few people. few who commented on the early start to the school year, and I informed them it was one day earlier than last year. I think it's the two weeks before Labor Day. But then I had other people say, yeah, but we'll be out early in June. So. But just a couple of people who really one of them really gave me and it's like, whatever. So just that. 00:05:16,870 S5: One comment and I think it's more of a town issue, but the the polls that are put in place around Legion Field are these metal poles in this person was concerned of in risk of impaling. But kids running around the field down there during games. So I just wanted to make sure I mentioned that. 00:05:35,550 S4: And Legion. 00:05:36,790 S5: Legion field. 00:05:37,350 S2: Yes, there are poles. 00:05:38,830 S5: There's yeah. When the temporary fencing that they put up to hold the metal wire, there are these green like garden type poles and there's nothing on top. 00:05:47,510 So S5: it's a little bit of an imagination, but it could happen. 00:05:50,430 S2: So that's more like a town issue, right? Yeah. As you said. 00:05:53,930 S5: Yeah. But it's only during school events usually that those are there, so. 00:05:57,490 S3: Right. 00:05:59,970 S6: I have no communications. 00:06:01,810 S3: Um, I had one communication. It was regarding visitors to this campus and even some of the soccer players, family members, they were requesting signage to point out where the soccer field is up on the track. I guess there was a couple of people that kept walking in circles. 00:06:20,330 S1: To get up to. 00:06:20,970 S3: It. Yeah yeah yeah yeah. The name of the field. And like, maybe with an arrow pointing its way. I had one guy kind of going in great detail. I was at a different sporting event when he pulled me aside and I said, I know where it is. But again, I could see how if you weren't from this area. 00:06:35,850 S1: If you're not. Yeah. 00:06:37,250 S2: Good point. I wouldn't think about it. But as I said, as you said, we all know where it is. 00:06:42,290 S3: Think of that. That was it. I told him I'd say something. Okay, good. 00:06:46,370 S2: And public comments. I had someone ask me again about why school was starting so early. So I called Mr. Francis and he said to me, well, Bonnie, it's only a day earlier than it was last year. So I said, thank you very much. And I passed that information on after I had told the person, you know, I'm sure this has gone, been gone over with a union with administration and everything. And it was a joint decision. So that was the only thing I had. Okay. Now it's time for public comments. I don't see anyone out here in the audience. 00:07:22,340 So, superintendent, since no one's here, do I have to read this? S1: I was making a public comment then. 00:07:24,260 S2: No, no one's making a public comment. Okay. Thank you very much. Item number six. Superintendents report a handbook presentation. 00:07:33,420 S1: Yeah. We're going to spend some time going through the changes in the handbook. I'll present it, uh, on the monitor you have you should have a colored copy in your packet as well that shows the highlighted changes before I do that handbook presentation. Um, I would like just to publicly thank Anthony Grainger and the maintenance uh, uh, custodians group that we have here in the school district. It amazes me each summer, uh, the amount of work that they are able to pull together. Um, and we use every last second, uh, getting all of the, the jobs, uh, all the other, um, different builds, you know, trying to organize all that we are doing throughout the summer. The moves that go on in the classroom, uh, the cleaning, the repairs, they do a phenomenal job. Um, Mr. Granger is not one to tell anybody. No. Um, he might give us a look. And we know when to ask him for certain things, but somehow everything gets done and I'm just surely amazed at the work. You know that that Anthony and the rest of the crew are able to do so. I wanted to do that. Also, I just want to do a quick thank you to the Parks Department and Jeff Pardo. We have seen them in that department more often this summer than in summers past, uh, with field work with, uh, tree. Uh shrubberies. Um, so I just wanted to make that, uh, public, uh, acknowledgment as well. 00:09:23,090 S2: Thank you for doing that, Superintendent Francis. 00:09:26,890 S7: Thank you, sir. 00:09:31,970 S1: I'm going to start off the changes in the handbook, and then I will turn it over to, uh, Principal Riopelle, who goes through, uh, on these changes, and then, uh, Principal North, who will go through phases changes. There are less changes this year and some important changes, but less than we have seen in the past and we've had to bring up. Last year in 25, 26, we had to make a couple different revisions because of the the review we were, uh, undergoing as well. Um, so it should not take us a lot of time when we go through, uh, the table of contents, depending on the formatting, we will change numbers. So if the table of contents doesn't necessarily line up, um, that does get altered, uh, to, to, uh, correctly reflect where the topic is. So the first change within the district piece that you will see starts on page six. Other than the dates that are highlighted going in, but on page six. 00:10:45,560 S1: At the end of last year, uh, we approved the, uh, policy. IJN DC acceptable use of digital resources. So we had to reflect that change. Minor change. The policy was changed in the June, but the reference needed to be changed on page six. The next page within the or the next change within the district portion is on page 21. 00:11:18,440 S7: Again. 00:11:20,480 S1: Highlighted again for your reference. Let me get there for everybody else. 00:11:33,920 S1: It's a minor change, but it used to say 530. It does say 5:00. Now the, uh, our bus company. That's the earliest. They're kind of. That's their sweet spot of whether or not they are calling drivers in or whether or not they're not. They are not. So. Previously, it said 530. I just moved it up to 5:00. I start watching as early as humanly possible and we'll call it as early as humanly possible. Uh, all the other change, uh, is reference to electronic notifications in the previous uh, handbook. It referenced whether or not we were using one call or one call system, which we no longer use. And I didn't want to handcuff us by naming a specific, uh, system. So I've changed it just to electronic notifications. Uh, it will be still put on our website. It will go out through Parents Square. Whether or not you know, the individual signs up for parents where they will still receive the notice and then it goes up on local, um, TV stations as well. Uh, Parent Square will be the quickest. It'll also go on our social media. But that was why I was changing electronic notifications, getting away from no, uh, naming a specific platform. The next change, and we'll revisit this change in one of the policies. I am asking, uh, the committee to approve later in the meeting, but it starts on page 30 and carries over to 31. 00:13:17,430 S1: So the state has, uh, changed the regulations in regarding timeout and seclusion. So on page 30 and 31, it just reflects the definition because they redefined those two terms. So we had to change those so that they reflected within uh, the handbook as well. Like I had said, we will revisit the policy that this affects later on in one of our action items. 00:13:50,050 S1: Any questions on any of the. My I don't want to say minor, but the changes that I spoke on right now. 00:13:57,450 S4: So we'll be able to ask questions about seclusion when we visit the policy. 00:14:03,890 S1: Uh, yeah, we can. Or if you if you'd like to take it, take it on now. 00:14:09,530 S4: Well, seclusion. So the confinement of a student alone, with or without adult supervision. So how would that happen? But is it does it say somewhere that someone's able to monitor that student at all times? 00:14:26,210 S1: Yes. And the the key, the key difference of seclusion is the inability for that student to leave. 00:14:34,730 S4: Yep. Yeah. Okay. I was just my concern was we just put this kid in there and leave the child there. 00:14:42,700 S1: And in some, in some instances and not in, in, in our school system, but in some instances. And I think of privatized school facilities, um, that work with a certain clientele there might be apt to a seclusion if the student is, um, dysregulated to a point where they would be secluded, not able to leave an area, um, and supervision. You go back and just use an example, a room that had a window in it, and you stood outside of the window and looked in. If that student is unable to leave at that point, that is now, even though you are observing that student right through that window. Um, they are it is it falls under seclusion. 00:15:31,300 S4: Does it happen that often? No. 00:15:34,140 S1: In this district? 00:15:35,040 S4: No, I wouldn't think. 00:15:36,960 S1: I can't imagine it ever happened. 00:15:41,680 S4: Okay. Thank you. 00:15:46,280 S1: Any other questions on the changes that I referenced? So I will go now to Old Mill Pond and invite Miss Rappelle 00:16:00,680 S1: to go through you. I just had mine. 00:16:04,120 S8: Yeah. Thank you. Okay. Yep. The mouse. Yep. I got you. Good evening everybody. Thank you for the opportunity to go over some of my changes. I'm just going to scroll down. We're going to bring you to page of 43. The changes on page 43 are to our lunch and recess schedule. Um, you will see that grades, um, needed to shift and you will see. Um, and the first one, it is usually kindergarten in grade six. This year it's kindergarten in grade five. We've helped the lunch room by making sure that numbers, when we join two of those lunches together are pretty, um, pretty close to what you know, they would be seeing with the other classes. So this is just times and lunches that have changed. And these usually reflect the special schedule because of when their specials are. We have to change their lunch and recess time. So it's the first change. 00:17:08,050 S8: Next we will go to okay. Next we'll go to page 50 okay. This is just going to reflect the J LCD. Um that was that will be affected August 19th for administering meds medication. 00:17:35,110 S8: On page 51. The highlighted is an addition. We saw an uptick last year in Apple Watches instead of phones. So we would like to add in Apple Watches. Those are personal belongings, and they do not need to be in the classroom for any reason. 00:17:55,790 S5: To the same point where you didn't you kind of generically named the electronic. I think we should more generically name that to include smart devices. 00:18:04,270 S1: Okay. I think what um, and this goes to another, uh, later on this year, we're going to have to revisit our, um, cell phone. Uh, we had paused it, uh, two years ago to bring on yonder pouches with the new law, um, that, that in regarding, uh, access to phones. And I think that could then take and take in, uh, the effect of not just cell phones, but all of these devices for for it being billed a bill. So I don't know if you want to wait at that point and do it under the policy, or if you just want to take away all of them within the handbook. 00:18:44,760 S5: No, because that that list or how we define it might change based on that meeting. So it probably wait to change this. 00:18:50,720 S1: Okay. But what we should probably do that in, in one of our first subcommittees is bring up that policy. We've we suspended the policy. Um, but now we have to we have to because of the, the new law. And pretty much we are doing a build a bill, no electronic device slash cell phone. We should now just put it into policy. 00:19:16,160 S5: Give you an example of what to look out for. We have smart glasses now that you know the difference right. 00:19:20,880 S2: So really. 00:19:21,800 S7: Seriously. 00:19:22,600 S6: About that. 00:19:23,360 S3: Are you where I am? 00:19:25,120 S5: That's how I knew. 00:19:27,800 S8: I'll bring your attention next to page 52. Under student lockers. 00:19:35,940 S8: We share lockers now at Old Millpond. Because of class sizes, we do have to double up some lockers. So I am asking for that to be removed because there are bigger class sizes that we are sharing lockers. 00:19:58,340 S9: Next we will go to. 00:20:02,380 S8: Page 55. 00:20:06,860 S8: Each student now receives a set of headphones along with their Chromebook and their case and stuff, and the headphones reflect the $18.65 that is currently the pricing that we were given if they are lost or damaged. 00:20:28,470 S9: That just updates that section. 00:20:30,310 S2: Now, do you find that there's a lot of destruction damage? Loss of Chromebooks or the headphones or anything? 00:20:39,110 S8: There are. Um, yes. We are finding that, um, this year we're doing an incentive where we are going to start at an earlier age, and we're really teaching the children the responsibility of carrying the Chromebooks. Um, they're still little. So, you know, they're walking in and they're they're swinging them along and they're bouncing off of walls. Um, so they're teachable moments. Um, and some of the headphones come at an earlier level where they, they pull them and they rip them off and they don't know enough, you know, like glasses, you know, kids that get glasses too, you know, they're they're moments that they need to be taught, you know, how to zip it, how to care for them. 00:21:20,870 S2: And do we have a good percentage of people who reimburse us for any damages and lost items. 00:21:25,610 S8: Sara, can you speak to that for me? 00:21:27,810 S10: I suppose that depends on your definition of good percentage. 00:21:33,290 S1: Well, recover. We do recover funds. 00:21:35,930 S10: Yes we do, Bill, and we do follow up. Um, and, um, there there can be repercussions for unpaid bills. Um, but we bill for everything. 00:21:46,250 S7: Okay. 00:21:47,570 S8: Any questions on the sections that I went over for ol Mill Pond? Okay. Mrs. North, you're up next for the high school. 00:21:56,090 S7: So thank you. 00:21:59,450 S2: Thank you. Holly. 00:22:00,290 S11: You're very welcome. 00:22:01,130 S12: Good evening everyone. 00:22:02,450 S2: Good evening. 00:22:03,370 S12: I'd like to say thank you to Amy Herring and Enrique Sanchez, who worked with me on the changes for this document. 00:22:20,010 S12: So Superintendent Francis was so kind, but okay, there it is. 00:22:32,020 S12: Okay, there's the first one. Okay. On page 60 we have updated the two links here. So the first one is the graduation the competency determination. So the links go directly to the DC website. So you get the most accurate and updated information. Um underneath here is also the MCAS requirements I'm sorry your copy had the graduation but the correct link is now there which is the mixed information. 00:23:11,340 S12: Next. 00:23:16,980 S12: 69 should be page 64. 00:23:25,040 S12: So here we have added the chemical health brochure information so that families are able to click on it and to see the actual document from the M.I.A. It is about the rule number 62, which is about chemical health, alcohol, drugs and tobacco. 00:23:54,720 S12: Next should be page 69. 00:24:01,800 S12: Right here we have updated the information on our lunch schedule. So we have um, right at the beginning, the first lunch we have put it for that start time as 1104 last year was 11:00. And the reason why we did that is so that the transition time between the lunches is three minutes. Last year we had seven minutes and it created a problem. So we wanted it to be consistent. And so we changed our time so that it is three minutes. 00:24:36,730 S2: So so it says first lunch 1104 to 1128. And then there's a semi-colon, then class. 1028 to 1101. 00:24:45,770 S12: Yes. Correct. So C block is a longer block and starts at 1025 or 1028. And then it goes so the kids are in the class. And then the first lunch was our seventh grade lunch. That's when they go down which is at 1104 okay. So they go for their lunch and then they go back to their C block class. And then the eighth grade will go down, same process. And then our ninth through 12th grade for the third lunch. 00:25:15,330 S2: That's why it gives a three okay. 00:25:17,490 S12: Yep. Three lunches. 00:25:19,470 S11: Okay. Thank you. 00:25:21,310 S12: So the next change is on page 72. Um, we have updated the information on the cost of Chromebooks, chargers, the screens, and the protective case. Um, so if there's any damage, then families are aware of the cost that they would need to pay for replacement. 00:25:44,470 S2: And I would ask the same question to you as I did to Miss Rappelle and Sarah, how are we doing? High school? Same thing. 00:25:51,350 S10: Same answer. 00:25:52,350 S12: Yep. Same process. But we have an additional piece. When they're seniors, they do not get to participate in senior activities unless they have paid for any of their charges. So, um, they get paid very good. Yeah. So seniors are. 00:26:10,870 S2: I'm glad I. 00:26:11,310 S12: Asked. They're all set. 00:26:12,550 S2: I'm glad I asked that. Thank you. 00:26:14,310 S10: To clarify, it's all past bills. So it's not just this year. Bills. I figured from. 00:26:19,960 S2: Seniors. I figured it was everything. Yes. Not just Chromebooks or anything like that. 00:26:26,480 Any charges? S10: So we encourage families to pay their bills earlier. So then it's not a surprise. 00:26:30,600 S2: Right. And that way it's not one lump sum up. 00:26:33,760 S11: Okay. 00:26:34,480 S7: Yes. 00:26:35,400 S12: Um, next is on page 74 about the yonder pouch. We have added this piece right here that is highlighted. So if there's any damage to the yonder pouch, it's unknown substances and stains that are on there. We are charging families for that because we want them nice and clean. Next is on page 76. 00:27:03,000 S12: So here is outside food deliveries. Um, so we've added these two paragraphs here so that it is clearer for families to understand. But basically there is no outside deliveries during the school day, so there is no DoorDash. They will be turned away and if parents bring a lunch to school, it will go into the office. The students will go into the office to eat their lunch. We are trying to keep our students in the class so that they're getting a maxing out their instructional time. If it starts to become a problem that this is a pattern that's happening with families, then administration will call a parent meeting, and then we will figure out what is the problem because we are serving lunch to the students. They do have the opportunity to bring a lunch in as well. But we serve lunch to our students and they have a wide variety of choices available for them. So if it's a problem, we'll have a parent meeting. We'll figure out if there's something that is going on so that we can solve that problem, but absolutely no deliveries here at all. 00:28:19,390 S2: Parents get advance notice about this. So before the school year starts. 00:28:23,270 S11: Yes. Good. 00:28:24,030 S12: Yes. So I have the next newsletter going out this Sunday at 5:00. And all the changes from tonight's meeting will be clearly listed in that newsletter on Parents Square. 00:28:41,910 S12: Next is on page 79, which is failure to serve detentions. So what will happen is we wanted to have the language clearer for families, but it is important that if a detention is issued to a student, hopefully not. But if it is, then they need to serve that detention. If they do not serve that detention, then there is Greater consequences. Um, they will not be able to participate in athletics, clubs, field trips, dances, um, performances, ceremonies, anything in which this school is providing. So we are going to be working really hard this year, um, and being proactive with this piece. So we wanted to make sure it was very clear in the Handbook for families. 00:29:39,650 S2: That certainly is very clear. 00:29:41,330 S11: Yeah. Reading it. 00:29:42,450 S12: Thank you. And 82, an extremely important piece. Um, last year we definitely saw an increase in e-bikes, um, and electric mobility devices here on campus. And so worked with Superintendent Francis um, in Amy and Enrique and myself to come up with language so that it is very clear it is a little long, but because it's so important, I do want to read through these pieces again. It will be posted in the newsletter on Sunday on the Parents Square. So Palmer High School supports safe and responsible transportation to and from school. Students who choose to ride an electric bike or other electric mobility device are expected to do so in a manner that promotes safety and respects school property. So we have listed student expectations here. Students who ride an e-bike to school must follow all traffic laws. That is extremely important. They must ride responsibly and safely while traveling to and from school. Yield to pedestrians at all times on school property. Reduce speed and operate at a walking pace when entering school grounds, parking lots, sidewalks, or other areas where pedestrians are present, dismount and walk their e-bike and designated areas. When directed by school staff, this is extremely important. They should be over near the bike rack in that parking lot, park and secure their e-bike only in designated bicycle parking areas using appropriate lock. Leave the e-bike parked and turned off during the school day unless authorized by school administration. Respect the safety and property of others and avoid reckless riding, racing stunts, wheelies, and other unsafe behaviors. Follow directions from school staff regarding the operation, parking, and storage of e-bikes. 00:31:53,640 S11: What is. 00:31:54,200 S12: Prohibition? 00:31:55,240 S2: Yes, the one that's right here at the top of the parking lot. The only place where bikes can be stored. You know what I mean? When we come into the parking lot. 00:32:03,240 S1: Down by. It's down by the student parking lot. 00:32:06,480 S11: Or. 00:32:07,000 S2: Some down there? Oh, okay. 00:32:08,090 S11: I do have the. 00:32:09,210 S12: Tennis courts, the basketball. 00:32:10,530 S11: Courts, and. 00:32:11,050 S12: All the students are. 00:32:11,970 S11: Parking. 00:32:12,410 S12: There. There is a bike rack. That is right there. 00:32:15,610 S11: That is where the students. 00:32:17,130 S2: Will run up here. 00:32:18,210 S11: Okay. 00:32:18,690 S12: Devices. 00:32:19,530 S2: Good. Thank you. 00:32:21,250 S12: Um, the following are prohibited on school property. Riding at excessive speeds. Carrying passengers. Unless the e-bike is specifically designed and legally equipped for more than one rider operating an e-bike in a manner that endangers people or property. Riding inside school buildings, on athletic fields, or areas where bicycles are prohibited. Tampering with charging or storing e-bike batteries inside school buildings are prohibited. This is extremely important. There is no batteries that is allowed in the school to be charged, or on the outside of the school to be charged. Blocking entrances, exits, sidewalks, ramps, or emergency access routes with an e-bike charging an e-bike, electric mobility device or battery on school property, including school electrical outlets. That piece is extremely important. There is no bringing those chargers in the school building. The strong the school strongly encourages students to wear a properly fitted Dot approved bicycle helmet, use front and rear lights and reflectors when riding in low light conditions, and regularly inspect and maintain their bike to ensure it is safe operating condition. Wear bright or reflective clothing when appropriate. Responsibility and liability students are the ones that are responsible for securing their own e-bikes. Palmer High School and Palmer Public Schools are not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to bicycles, e-bikes, accessories or personal property left on school grounds. Students who fail to comply with these expectations may be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct, and may lose the privilege of bringing an e-bike to school. It's an extremely important piece that we have added to our handbook. We want to make sure that our students are safe. 00:34:29,880 S11: Thank you. 00:34:30,480 S2: Safety problem. Thank you very. 00:34:32,000 S11: Much, Jeff. 00:34:32,760 S5: A few questions on the e-bike thing. Yeah. Um, what? Like, how are we defining an e-bike? Um, there's a lot of different products out there now. Um, a lot of kids in town have these products that aren't e-bikes. They're dirt bikes. Um, but they look like an e-bike, right? Um, and it's hard to tell the difference. 00:34:50,760 S11: It is. 00:34:51,080 S12: And we started to come across that issue, um, in the spring. And so our SRO Officer Wood has been working hand in hand with students and administration to have conversations. He will look at the bike. He will determine if it is an e-bike or if it's a some other device. And then he is having conversations with the student and the families so that they know what the expectations are. 00:35:21,820 S5: Okay, um, so one other question then. And so they're expected to follow all applicable state laws, which technically they should be riding on the street, not on the sidewalks. Um, so if students are coming into school, are they going to be in the car pickup line with us now? And if they are and something happens, who's liable? Um, if a kid gets hit or if a kid dent somebody's car. 00:35:41,780 S1: And I think the important piece, you know, I mean, jumping in. 00:35:44,980 S12: I don't mind at. 00:35:45,700 S11: All. 00:35:45,860 S1: Principal North, um, was the walking, you know, the walking. Once they get into campus at the bottom and or student parking lot, there's there's no reason why they couldn't walk the 200 yards with their bike, so. 00:36:01,110 S5: They should be expected to walk their bike up the hill on the sidewalk when they got onto campus. 00:36:04,750 S1: That's how I would interpret that. Yeah. 00:36:07,070 S12: For safety? Yes. 00:36:08,870 S5: Yeah. No I agree. But sometimes you have to be crystal clear with these things. So. 00:36:14,590 S11: Right. 00:36:15,030 S12: And it is important that our SRO is going to be helping us with this piece. He's extremely concerned about the safety of our children. 00:36:23,590 S5: Horrible stories in the news about this. 00:36:25,710 Correct? S12: Correct. And we do not want that to happen to our kids. 00:36:29,630 S5: Yeah. All right. 00:36:30,070 S11: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 00:36:32,750 S2: Thank you. Sue and Holly and Superintendent Francis. Thank you very much for that. 00:36:39,630 S11: Okay. 00:36:40,230 S2: I believe that brings us to old business item number seven minutes deliberation on the minutes of the regular meeting of June 17th, 2026. And thank you, Amy Sacco, once again, for the wonderful job you do for the minutes. 00:36:54,070 S11: For. 00:36:54,270 S2: Us. Okay. That being said, let's look at page one, please. 00:37:02,330 S2: If you have any changes or anything. Feel free to let me know. 00:37:08,330 S2: Page two. 00:37:09,050 S11: Please. 00:37:18,970 S2: Page three. 00:37:28,210 S2: And page four. And for those people watching, please know that we get them in as well ahead of time so we're able to look them over with. This isn't the first time we see them at this meeting. So do I have a motion to accept the minutes of the regular meeting on June 17th, 2026? Tony seconded. Um. Let's see. I don't think you can. Because you were absent. 00:37:54,090 S3: Yeah. 00:37:54,210 S11: You were. Okay. 00:37:55,810 S2: Sandy. Sandy. Seconded by Jo. 00:38:01,020 All those in favor? S11: Aye, aye. 00:38:03,060 S2: And Tony is abstaining. Thank you very much. And thank you again, Amy. Okay, that brings us down to new business. Item number eight. Personnel. The personnel. 00:38:16,020 S11: Report. 00:38:17,660 S2: There are a lot of personnel on here. Yes. 00:38:23,300 S2: And the question I always ask, Superintendent Francis is we have some open positions that are listed at the top there. 00:38:32,980 How are we doing with those since we got this a while ago? S1: We do the. There is some updates in regarding open positions. Um, the elementary teacher music. We have a verbal and are just waiting on boarding. Um, our LPN at pH. S uh, we are under contracted for the individual who did contracted services last year. We have a three month contract for that individual. We'll keep that posting open to see whether or not we are successful with a candidate. Um, there is. We do have a plan in place at OMP regarding the special education sub separate to start the year. Uh, so we are not too concerned with that one. Um, and then the OMP special Education inclusion, we have a plan in place that when both of those are still being posted. Um, so we're not concerned. The one thing is we are looking for football assistant coaches. So if anybody knows anybody out there. 00:39:35,760 S2: Uh, was wondering about that, I was surprised. 00:39:37,480 S1: We have assistant coaches that we are. We are looking for. Okay. Head coach has been, uh, hired. Appointed? The individual is a new paraprofessional at, uh, the high school as well, so. 00:39:51,520 S11: Okay. 00:39:53,760 S1: So we're in good shape. I mean, there were, um, we still have, you know, knock on wood a couple of days before the students arrive on Tuesday. So hopefully we don't have any, uh, surprise, uh, postings that will need to go up for last minute, uh, resignations. But both buildings were extremely busy. Uh, this summer. 00:40:17,170 S5: Is the, um, change with the music teacher. OMP is I can have any impact on the revitalized band program that was taking off last year. 00:40:25,370 S1: We hope that it that it won't. Yeah. 00:40:29,530 S2: Because we did have some fairly decent numbers. It was a growing program. So that was nice. And we have an athletic trainer. Is that right? Superintendent. 00:40:38,610 S11: Dancer. 00:40:39,010 S1: Yep, yep. Mister Blackton, uh, recent graduate from Westfield State, um, has been on boarded and been in the building past couple of days. 00:40:51,010 S2: Oh, wow. Yeah, I saw him today when we were in the building. 00:40:57,030 S2: And I happened to see him this afternoon when I was up here. 00:40:59,470 S5: So that's graduated with Anthony. He speaks very highly of him. 00:41:02,230 S11: Oh, really? Oh, wow. 00:41:04,390 S2: Oh, that's nice to hear. Thank you for sharing that, Joe. 00:41:11,590 Any other questions from anybody? S11: No. 00:41:12,190 S7: Okay, good. Okay. 00:41:15,910 S2: And finance taking that off. So now we're going. Item number ten action items a deliberation on the approval of the first reading of policy j, l, c d and waive the second and third readings. So in this policy, it's about administering medicines to students in Massachusetts schools. That is governed by Massachusetts Department of Public Health Regulations 105 CMR 210, which was recently revised. The strict guidelines ensure students receive necessary medication safely while maintaining compliance with state laws. After carefully reviewing the revised regulations, along with legal memos, the Parma Public Schools nurse supervisors under the direction of Mr. Brück, Director of Student Services, updated our procedures. Additionally, it is important to update the current policy JLC administering medicines to students. Both the current and proposed policy is attached for your review, and thank you for always showing which one is the current and which one is the proposed. This really helps when we're reading this. 00:42:42,560 S2: So we have the current, 00:42:46,200 S2: the current which was one page right. And the proposed is to. 00:42:54,060 S11: Two, three. 00:42:55,540 S2: Almost four pages. 00:43:00,580 S1: In the in the change in the regulations and even in the change of policies really didn't change our procedures. When the new regs came out, we called an immediate meeting with both building nurses, Miss Dubuque and myself, to say, all right, how does this affect anything currently that we are doing? And their answer was pretty short. It doesn't. So it it really just updates our policy to match what we were currently already doing. 00:43:26,460 S11: Just. 00:43:26,740 S2: Practicing. 00:43:27,260 S11: And what we're. 00:43:27,780 S1: Doing with the regulations. 00:43:30,420 S2: Any questions on this or concerns? 00:43:32,260 S4: Sandy, on the fourth page, I think it's fourth of the proposed the section on the administration of rescue opioid antagonist. Are we considering are we going to vote on that approved training? Is that something that's going to happen? Um, I mean, it doesn't have to happen according to this paragraph, but what is our feeling on that? So on that page, if the school wishes medical personnel to train. Do you see where I am. 00:44:06,590 S2: On the fourth page? 00:44:07,590 S4: On the fourth page of the proposal? 00:44:09,670 S11: So the last. 00:44:10,510 S2: Paragraph, all students, all schools, districts. No, no. 00:44:14,470 S4: First paragraph. 00:44:15,510 S11: First. Okay. 00:44:17,310 S2: Which is medical personnel to train non-medical. 00:44:19,430 S4: If the school district wishes medical personnel to train. 00:44:22,550 S11: Yeah. 00:44:23,510 S2: Um, train non-medical staff. 00:44:25,390 S4: Is that something that we're considering? 00:44:29,190 S1: I mean, that's something that would be a discussion point later on, because that would be I would see that as being a separate vote. As the policy is written, it's allowing you the the possibility to take that up and vote on it. Um, whether, you know, the nurses can administer, but whether or not you want them to train others to administer. 00:44:51,730 S4: They are trained in how to administer. Correct. I mean, I know they have it like at the library. So it's in public buildings. 00:44:58,370 S3: So they're having the bathroom in the E.R.. It's just there. Some people steal it just to have it on them. Other people. I mean, they're always replacing it, but it's just a simple. 00:45:08,650 S2: So for Narcan, you're talking about things like that. 00:45:11,090 S3: I think it's a great idea. 00:45:12,050 S4: And I know people themselves can have access to it. So I just wondered when I saw that if we were. 00:45:19,970 S1: It's something we can table and bring up in policy. Ask em, ask you know, their input as well. See what else other people have done as well. But yeah, that this policy just allows you to bring that under another topic of whether or not you want to. 00:45:39,210 S2: And where are those emergency rescue opioid drugs stored in the school? Are they in boxes in different parts of the schools or. 00:45:50,820 S1: No, just as office, just nurses. 00:45:53,100 S2: Okay. 00:45:55,060 S5: And that's it's you know, the stereotype there is it's just drug addicts that would be affected by that. But some of these drugs are so strong that if you're in the presence of them, then you might have an emergency. So having somebody other staff in the building trained to administer these I think is important. And I think that's something that we shouldn't wait to have a vote on. I think it's something we it doesn't. Not tonight, obviously, but I think that's something we should do soon to get more people able to do that. 00:46:21,140 S1: So in our buildings just I mean, we are fully when when we are staff, we have two individuals in the, in the clinic at all times. Um, so it's, it's I think with our, uh, campus footprint for individuals on staff that could administer at this time, um, could be adequate. I'm not saying that. It's. That's not. I mean, it's ultimately you guys a decision if you want to allow them to train other individuals. But I don't want the general public to say, oh, if if there's an individual right now in the school that in the cafeteria, FFS, you know, we are staffed with two, uh, nurse personnel so that one could, you know, leave and go down to deal with that situation. 00:47:08,480 S2: Now what about like at games and things? Athletic training. 00:47:11,440 S1: Whether or not the trainer carries. I don't know offhand, but I can I can look into that. 00:47:16,280 S2: I just I'm while we're talking about this, I'm thinking if we're, you know, down a legion at a football game and what what do we do? We're even way up here. 00:47:25,680 S3: Unfortunately, it's going to be just as common as a defibrillator. That's what I was saying. These kids have these vapes. You don't know what the hell is in them. And it's. But I think that if the staff is comfortable, I mean, we did stop the bleed over at Old Mill Pond and it just, you know, knowledge is power. And I think the more comfortable you get with becoming familiar. Unfortunately, it's sad that we have to say this, but it is as simple as spray. 00:47:52,570 Does the SRO carry one on him? S1: I thought they came. They had him, at least in their cruisers. But that's I don't I don't know. 00:47:58,490 S3: But again, I don't think it's a bad idea. And maybe sooner than later we do a vote on it just because I, I mean, I just you see the way this trend is going and it's becoming so commonplace and, you know, you don't want to lose kids when all it would take at least just to get them to the ER and then get them on some sort of a trip. 00:48:16,250 S2: So we put that on for our next school committee meeting. 00:48:18,530 S1: Superintendent added it on for my to do list. 00:48:21,250 S2: Thank you very much. We appreciate that and good conversation on this topic. And it's sad that we have to discuss this as you said, Tony. 00:48:29,610 S11: But yeah. 00:48:30,490 S2: Better to be safe than sorry. 00:48:35,490 Any other questions on this? S6: Madam chair, I don't have any objection to the policy. I have a subtle objection to the recommendation to waive the second and third readings. My objection is last year we dealt with the memorial policy and we waived the second and third readings. The second and third readings are intended for the audience to see the policy and have an opportunity to provide feedback to the school committee before taking a final vote on the policy. Last year we had feedback that came in after we voted, which if we had left at least one of the readings, we would have been able to modify or at least take the feedback into consideration. Um, so my objection is to the recommendation waiving the second and third readings. 00:49:35,150 S2: Um, so you're making that motion. My own movie. 00:49:38,560 S1: If I. 00:49:38,960 S2: Can. 00:49:39,520 S1: Yes. My only concern with these two two specific is our policies currently, as they are written, doesn't meet the law and regulations set specifically for medications. And then the other one that has to do with time out and seclusion. 00:49:57,720 S6: And that's why my my objection is subtle, because I understand also that some of these policies may transfer over to the to the handbook, which needs to be out by the beginning of school. So I'm not voting against this, but I'm saying. 00:50:16,200 S1: These two specific I would caution just because of the legalities. 00:50:20,560 S6: Exactly. 00:50:21,600 S5: The the conversation would come up a little bit last year too, because we did have one that we did do the second and third readings on. And I think the way the correct me if I'm wrong, but the first time policy was on, it was one action item with a bunch of policies, and we started bullying them and making them separate action items just so that we had the opportunity to vote one in and and not the next. 00:50:45,300 S4: You can always amend right after the fact. It's not great, but we can vote it in tonight, for example, and then amend it. Um, which then it has to go back to committee. And so then it takes some time. It's not ideal, but but I understand the time sensitive nature. 00:51:15,060 S6: So, Madam Chair, I will make the motion that the school committee vote to approve the first reading of the revisions to the policy of the Palmer School Committee Policy Manual, and waive the second and third readings. 00:51:29,580 S2: So you want to stay with it just as it is? 00:51:31,900 S6: Yes. 00:51:32,500 S2: That's what you're saying. Yes, yes. Okay. Second, you have that motion. Seconded. 00:51:39,630 All those in favor? S4: Aye. 00:51:41,070 S2: Thank you very much. And yes. So we can look at amending if we need it. Okay. Or if we think it has to be of what we've already talked about. Okay. Thank you. 00:51:52,550 S7: Thank you. Ma'am. 00:51:54,790 S2: Item C deliberation and the approval to renew the district wide school physician agreement. No, I'm. Yes, I'm at the right place. Yes I am. 00:52:08,430 S7: Uh, b. 00:52:09,510 S2: No, no, I'm on B right now. I'm sorry. Deliberation on the approval of the first reading of policy JKA and waive the second and third readings. Thank you. Sorry about that. In June 2025, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved the proposed amendments to 603 CMR Zero. Zero and six. Oh three. Ah, 18.00. And the spring of 2026. The Department of Elementary and in Secondary Education issued guidance addressing the implementation of amendments to 603 KMA for 6.00. Prevention of physical restraint, restraints and requirements if used and 603 CMA 18.00 program and safety standards for approved public and private day and residential special education school programs. The amended regulations, effective August 17th, 2026, clarify the appropriate use of time out and seclusion in Massachusetts public schools. Approved special education schools and collaboratives. Key changes include an updated definition of time out, which clarifies the time outs must occur in an unlocked space and expands the requirements for the condition of that space. The definition of seclusion has also been updated to clarify that it may occur with or without adult supervision. The amended regulations further establish safeguards for emergency seclusion, including continuous adult monitoring, observability of the student parental and principal notification, and required documentation and review. So we have the current policy here, which is two pages back to back. And then we've got proposals for JKAA. 00:54:19,140 S5: This is one that has scary words in it. So I can imagine somebody reading this later and wanting to have an opinion, but we're really just updating it to include the definitions based on the state's legal definition of these. So. 00:54:32,640 S2: We're making the changes that we've been asked to make. 00:54:35,200 S1: Correct. 00:54:36,720 S4: If I can just ask the proposed first page time out from which the student is permitted to leave with permission by that, that student's own decision to leave it says the student must be continuously observed in an unlocked setting from which the student is permitted to leave, so the student can leave at any time. 00:55:03,200 S1: We we are continuing to meet. We started this conversation in an all admin meeting. Um, I think there is, uh, some avenue or some, some interpretation to that and the differences of interpretation. We have to iron out so that we are all on the same, uh, page of what that permissible to leave looks like. Um, and those those conversations will continue when we meet with the admin teams. Uh, regarding that specific terminology. 00:55:43,290 S5: I read that as, almost as with law enforcement, when you're detained and can't leave versus you're free to go, that sort of, uh, type of language. 00:55:51,930 S2: So do we need more clarity with that? Is that what you're saying, superintendent? 00:55:55,530 S1: It's. What does that look like? What does that look like in practice at the buildings? What is that permitted to leave? Um, you know, there's is further discussion has to occur with an extremely dysregulated student, um, and the fine line of what is seclusion and what is, uh, time out. 00:56:20,170 S7: Okay. 00:56:21,210 S1: Um, we talked earlier. You know, I forget if it was with Miss Newton or Miss Rathbone and in regarding to uh as a result of chapter 222, which is 37.75 the the discipline law that was enacted, I think in 2022 ish time, um, a lot of restorative practices would put into place where a student, um, or we asked many, if not all classrooms to have a corner or a timeout corner within the classroom where a student could at their own, uh, choice, go to that area to kind of regulate themselves. 00:57:11,750 Is that, by definition, a timeout? S1: That is open for interpretation and further discussion of of whether or not we see those places and whether or not our legal counsel sees that, because there are certain now documentation that has to occur at the building level, at the classroom level for time when student is in timeout. Um, so we we are continuing those discussions so that all of our, uh, interpretations are with, with or without a standard deviation of one another. And, and what our legal counsel, uh, would then say. 00:57:48,600 S2: As we were talking about that earlier. So if Johnny or Susie comes in and says it's having a tough day, and just as I need some time and teacher says, you want to just sit back there and kind of relax, you know, that's not time out, but it's still in the class. But it's a timeout. 00:58:02,360 S1: And and if you read if you read each of the words within the regulations, someone could interpret that right as time out. 00:58:12,440 S5: This is one of those things that people get frustrated about because it seems like common sense until you start bringing lawyers and politicians into the conversation. 00:58:22,000 S1: I appreciate you saying that it not myself, Mr. Knowledge. 00:58:25,700 S5: Somebody had to. I just want people to know that are hearing this, that we get it. This is the stuff that we. 00:58:32,340 S3: Have to discuss. 00:58:34,540 S2: And that we have to make decisions on it. But we have to go by what we're advised to do as well. So it's kind of one of those tough ones. 00:58:44,340 S4: So on page three, under three conditions for use of emergency seclusion. The sixth bullet there is psychological or behavioral justification. And there are no psychological or behavioral contraindications documented by a licensed mental health provider that has to be established ahead of time. Correct. 00:59:06,700 S1: That's how I would read that. Yes. 00:59:08,220 S4: Because you're not going to get a mental health provider. So it would be in a plan or something more than likely. 00:59:15,220 S1: An a doctor or physician signing off on. 00:59:17,980 S7: Yeah, yeah. Okay. 00:59:20,460 S4: And I'm sure I had others. 00:59:25,110 S4: Oh, yeah. Under the next page, no medical counter indications. A licensed physician must confirm that no medical conditions makes its use unsafe. The same thing, but respiratory seizure. Cardiac. That seems like it should be at that time. 00:59:47,190 So who makes that determination? S1: Well, and there's there's also doesn't, you know, the the ability of restraining when need be doesn't necessarily, you know, stop a certain situation as well. So that has to take into consideration as well. And all of our individuals that our safety care trained are the only ones that would be doing that. 01:00:17,550 S4: It's all the emergency procedure of last resort and do so under, um. Oh, God. This is long where it's it's page. Sorry to one, two, three. I think we used page seven restraint procedures in training that still is taught principles North and rappelle. That still comes up at the beginning of the year. You still have to do a thing. 01:00:56,650 Or do we have to do did we have to do a, um, uh, internet training on that physical restraint? S8: So we have in our building and I believe ensues. Also, we have safety care trainers who trained certain staff in our building. 01:01:05,650 S4: Right. 01:01:06,050 S8: And they do that, um, once a year. They have to do the renewal of that. 01:01:12,050 S7: All right. 01:01:12,690 S8: Is that what you're asking? 01:01:13,890 S4: No, because this says to provide all program staff with training. 01:01:18,980 S1: The ad which we use to the platform or lineage, I think they changed the name. Um, it's part of the mandated training. 01:01:26,980 S4: Yeah. Okay. That's what I thought I could. 01:01:29,700 S12: So at faculty meetings, we go through those pieces as well to cover. 01:01:34,580 S4: Yep. But I thought there, as I'm asking it, I seem to recall that we had to do the training. Yeah. That's all I have. 01:01:42,060 S7: Thank you. 01:01:43,020 S2: No, I had a lot of things underlined, too. 01:01:45,380 S7: It's. 01:01:48,060 S4: Voting on something. I want to know what we're voting on. 01:01:50,660 S2: Absolutely. Anybody else have any comments or questions? 01:01:57,900 S2: Okay. So the recommendation is that the school committee vote to approve the first reading of the revisions to policy JKA of the Palmer School Committee Policy Manual, and waive the second and third readings. Do I have a motion to move on that. 01:02:10,940 S7: Please. 01:02:12,100 S2: Go. Seconded by Sandy. 01:02:16,880 All those in favor? S4: I. 01:02:18,160 S7: I go. Okay. 01:02:21,240 S2: Okay. Now I'm on the right place. See? Deliberation on the approval to renew the district wide school physician agreement. And we do this annually. At the start of each year, the agreement for the provider of our district wide school physician services need to be established. The agreement is attached for your review. So we have it right here and we're using. 01:02:46,400 S1: It has not changed last year. 01:02:48,480 S2: And we're using the same. 01:02:49,480 S1: Same provider same cost. 01:02:51,640 S7: So. 01:02:56,280 S2: Any other questions or comments on this. Okay. The recommendation is that the school committee approved the renewal of the Valley Medical Group as a provider of school physician services for the Palmer Public School District during the 2026 2027 school year and authorize the chair to sign. Do I have a motion to move on that and accept it? Tony. Seconded by. No. 01:03:22,330 All those in favor? S7: Aye. Five. Oh. 01:03:23,850 S2: Thank you very much. 01:03:26,890 S7: Okay. 01:03:30,690 S2: Now we're to D. 01:03:34,650 S2: Okay. Deliberation on the approval of the district wide school handbook. Each year, the Student Guardian Handbook is provided as a guide to the policies, procedures, and expectations of the district. Attaches a draft copy of the Student Guardian handbook for the 2026 2027 school year. And we went over the district wide one and the elementary school and the high school. 01:04:10,090 Anyone have any questions or comments about this, Sandy? S4: Well, I was trying to decide whether I was going to say it or not. the dress code bothers me because it's not enforced. Do we have to have a dress code in our policy, in our handbook? It's not enforced. 01:04:28,910 S4: I mean, I've been here so many times when there are violations of the dress code. And I remember as a teacher getting chewed out by a parent when I spoke to the child about that, they were in violation of the dress code. So I know it's fraught with there's a lot of anxiety, there's a lot, and I know there are civil rights, but I, I guess I'm wondering why we vote on it every year and then we don't enforce it. 01:04:58,990 S5: I do agree, but I think before we do that, I think it could be rewritten. It's such a challenging thing to write dress code for, you know, kids with different body sizes. What works for one kid is. 01:05:12,080 S4: Not to be for. 01:05:12,720 S5: All to buy leaves for somebody else. So it was very, very difficult to write. Um, and then, uh, yeah, it's, it's. So yeah, I think enforcement does need to be an issue, but it's incredibly hard to enforce because of the different types of people. 01:05:27,000 S4: Shouldn't matter. 01:05:28,360 S5: What it. 01:05:29,320 S4: Does. Putin has short shorts that are in violation. Doesn't matter. Their body type is a violation. 01:05:34,560 S5: Good example. I can bring three of our friends in here and one of their arms is going to go, you know, ten feet past their knees and the other ones are going to be right up here. 01:05:42,400 S4: It's should be proportionate to the body. 01:05:44,440 S5: But that's that's the hard part to write the policy. The policy doesn't state that right now. 01:05:48,800 S4: But bare midriff cleavage okay. 01:05:52,080 S5: So again it doesn't. It just needs to be rewritten a little bit and be more specific and use the words you need to use to say it. 01:05:59,120 S2: But so this one does do that. This one does. 01:06:01,880 S4: It says it right in the policy. I just. 01:06:04,280 S2: And I think it still says. 01:06:05,400 S4: And it's not only. 01:06:06,160 S2: Here stands down at your side and your shorts have to end with your middle finger ends. 01:06:11,940 S5: Right? 01:06:12,300 S2: And that's that's something with the hats and the hoods. 01:06:15,540 S5: Agreed. A lot of it's right, but a lot of it, I think, needs to be rewritten. 01:06:19,420 S2: It's disrespectful, but that's clearly written. Hats and hoods. 01:06:23,580 S5: Some of it's clearly written. Like, for example, the fingers pass the shorts. Thing is. That's. 01:06:29,060 S4: It's clearly written. It's just. I see what you mean. I didn't. 01:06:32,260 S7: Know. 01:06:32,460 S5: If it's going to. It's some kids. It's going to. They're not going to be able to buy clothes. What do you want them to wear to school if they can't go to the store? Like for, you know, some of the shorts you can buy for girls, having a 14 year old daughter is incredibly difficult with clothes. I can't find shorts that are appropriately length to meet dress code. So, you know, how do we how do we accomplish that? So I think there needs to be more discussion around it before the enforcement piece of it becomes over the top. 01:07:00,540 S2: The only thing I want to add is at the high school level, we start preparing kids for the real world because after high school you're going off into the real world, whether it's college, whether it's employment. And, you know, in many jobs you have to dress a certain way. You don't have a choice to. 01:07:17,310 S5: The real world is a little bit different, I'm telling you, even, even even professionally, the dress code is different right now. Yeah, yeah. 01:07:25,350 S2: And I would not know that. 01:07:26,990 S5: And I don't and I don't mean to. 01:07:28,510 S7: I would not know. 01:07:29,230 S2: That, but I mean, I know in many places you're not allowed to wear a hat if I'm going into the big. Why. Oh, the employees have hats on. None of the employees are dressed inappropriately or any places you go. I mean, it's just one of those. It's a tough. 01:07:45,110 S5: One. I think Tony should handle this in subcommittee. 01:07:48,670 S4: And your willingness. 01:07:52,910 S3: To nominate. Mr.. He did accompany me. 01:07:56,230 S2: I second that. 01:07:57,430 S5: I did want to point out, though, as far as the consequences. So another new policy that we brought in last year was the energy drinks. One of the children that I know that go to the school was drinking an energy drink, and I said, isn't that a thing? And they're like, oh no, they don't care. That's the attitude some of the kids have about these things. So I know it's hard because this looks like an energy drink and it's just a seltzer water. So it's not the easiest thing to enforce. 01:08:20,530 S2: Or if it's tough, it's in one of those reusable containers. You don't know what's in that. 01:08:24,850 S7: You know. 01:08:26,090 S12: And teachers are holding students accountable when they see the energy they are. 01:08:30,610 S5: I know it's. 01:08:31,290 S4: Dumb and it's just like it's just like always. Sue. There were people that enforce the dress code at converse, and there were people that didn't care. So if you have a policy, everyone should care. 01:08:44,490 S5: There's I just don't think there's a when I when I went to school, anyway, I was afraid of all my teachers so I wouldn't break and I wouldn't break the rules. So I don't think that exists as much, but. 01:08:56,050 S2: It can be a different world too. 01:08:58,810 S5: One other comment for Palmer High that you have in here. 01:09:03,370 Can you get that to me? S7: What did you say? 01:09:04,090 S5: Logo that you have in here for Palmer High and the rulebook. It's a good logo, I like it. 01:09:07,140 S4: Yes, I like it too. Yes. Very nice. It looks sharp. And the new mat coming in the door. Huge, huge. That looks really nice. Wait till the first snowstorm. 01:09:20,380 S3: But this is nice too. 01:09:23,580 S5: Yes. 01:09:24,100 S3: Yeah, we're gonna get some, though. 01:09:26,020 S4: Yeah. You know, I could be. Yeah. I'm good. 01:09:32,060 S3: We could do Palmer public schools and Sandy. 01:09:35,460 S7: I like it. 01:09:36,220 S4: I like my seat here. 01:09:37,820 S3: And I'll get you some. 01:09:39,420 S4: I hear better. 01:09:40,660 S2: And, Sandy, you brought up dress code. I know, I know, I always hear a lot of things about inappropriate language being used. 01:09:48,220 S7: Yep. 01:09:48,740 S2: And again, we're not preparing kids for the real world because we don't have a job. Or you tell someone to do something and you're going to get fired. And we have expectations. 01:09:59,180 S4: So that's that's also changed in the real world. There was just an article on how much that language is used in Congress and by the president. So it's also changing about. That's a change in the real world. 01:10:12,440 S2: Voices in different offices. 01:10:14,120 S4: And that's where they hear. 01:10:15,080 S2: It from places I don't. 01:10:16,920 S7: Know. 01:10:17,200 S5: HR is a little bit out of control now. 01:10:18,720 S7: So yes. 01:10:20,480 S2: Okay. Any other questions on this. Comments. 01:10:26,840 S7: Okay. 01:10:30,400 S2: So the recommendation is the school committee vote to approve the 2026 2027 Student Guardian Handbook. Do I have a motion to move. 01:10:38,280 S7: On that. 01:10:39,160 S2: Joe? Seconded by Tony. 01:10:41,800 All those in favor? S7: Aye, aye. All those. 01:10:43,600 S2: Opposed? Okay. 01:10:44,280 S7: Five. 01:10:44,560 S4: Oh, yeah. Five. 01:10:45,480 S7: Oh, I'm sorry. 01:10:46,120 S2: Sandy, I didn't see your hand up. Okay. Thank you. And thank you for everyone who prepared that as well. Okay. Item E deliberation on the approval for the superintendent to explore regionalization. Feasibility. New England communities historically have maintained a healthy but strong independence. Deciding to forgo autonomy is not an easy decision. During the past decade, Massachusetts has experienced three very dramatic changes that have caused many communities to consider the possibility of utilizing district consolidation to improve their school district. One. A decline in student enrollment. Two. Economic uncertainty and three. Facility issues and school building slash renovation incentives. The process to form a new regional school district may take 3 to 5 years. Step one of the process is to begin discussion and contact mass. Desi. So do we have any questions or comments or. 01:12:00,410 Superintendent do you want to start talking before we do anything here? S1: Yeah, I go back to, um, I think it was March of 23. Mr.. Non pledge at the time of my interview asked the question what my feelings was, and at that time I didn't have enough information to answer his question. Um, there is some concerns, uh, from a financial, uh, standpoint in regarding the algorithm by which chapter 70 is, uh, formulated to fund school districts. We are, and I'm proud of the fact that we are a district that does not have user fees. And as long as I'm around, I will argue that it is inappropriate to have user fees in a public school system. Um, and we as a town have been, uh, successful and not asking or requiring taxpayers to consider an override. My concern is FY 29, FY 30 because, you know, there is a commission to study chapter 70 funds in the algorithm. We all have been in this state how long and seen commissions come together and studies done, and whether or not anything that it then is in place and enacted. Um, so you're looking at FY 29 and further, um, of whether or not the feasibility, I mean, in addition to the number of programs that we continue to offer going into this year, when you number the number of AP classes that we are able to offer, the the programs that we are able to offer in every year when it comes to budget time, we are looking at, you know, deficits, we are looking at cuts, but we're continuing to make these offers and without user fees and the like. My concern is FY 29 and further over whether or not we will be able to continue that, and I think we should at least begin discussions, um, with area communities, um, and or with mass, decide to see whether or not it makes sense for our town. Uh, we are logistically handcuffed as well. Um, because of our, our, uh, geographic region in the state, we don't have a lot of options, too. Um, so I think at least those discussions need to begin sooner than later. And it might come out as. No, it's it's not feasible to, um, we might not be able to, uh, discuss or find what I call a dance partner. Um, to have those discussions, but I think they should at least be explored. This doesn't. And when I talked with the all admin team the other day to talk about it. This does not change any plans for FY 27, FY 28, or FY 29, but I think we at least have to begin the discussion. 01:15:09,790 S2: And am I correct? Superintendent Francis recently I read it recently I think was the governor that was looking at funding more rural communities, am I correct? 01:15:19,990 S1: There is, and we do not fall under that because of the and I looked at the years ago like Monson falls under rural aid. We do not because of our uh the I think it's a per mile person per mile squared is the formula by which they, they figure out who gets rural aid. Um, there is. 01:15:45,230 S2: A wondering why. Monson. 01:15:46,710 S7: Yep. 01:15:47,470 S1: There is a struggle every year and a huge advocacy push for those rural communities To increase the rural aid. And they don't, you know, it's the extra money that the state can put into rural aid. But, you know, a couple of years ago, it was an additional 30 to $50,000 to an area community that fell under rural aid. Yeah. An additional 30 to $50,000 is nice. But when your budget is, you know, 21, $22 million, it's not going to, you know, buy you much in rural aid. But to make a long story short, we do not based off of. 01:16:28,130 S2: Wondering why we weren't in. 01:16:29,290 S1: That we do not fall within how they constitute what what communities are rural or not. But I wanted it also, you know, in this meeting and wanted your approval because of the transparency. I don't want, you know, rumors to go out that that the superintendent is talking with this approaching, you know, the town manager because you know those discussions. I'll have those discussions with him as well, because town government has to get involved as well with these discussions. So I didn't want it looking like I was doing this, you know, not out in the open. 01:17:07,300 S5: I say yes, and you should also put up billboards because I think the word needs to get around that this is something that we're looking into. And, and I think the town needs to get behind it. 01:17:16,340 S1: And they're in, you know, past couple of years. Other towns have at least expressed but you haven't heard much after that. So I think at least us getting out there and expressing, hey, you know, we'd like to start talking to different entities. I think that might. 01:17:34,380 S5: Well, you saw what happened last year with budgeting. Um, it didn't impact us as much as other communities, but you're going to see it far more communities happening over the next few years. And if people wait for that to happen, it's you're going to fail a lot of students if you didn't plan for it. So I think this is the only way to move forward. 01:17:52,200 S2: And it's nothing that happens immediately. It's a long process. 01:17:55,600 S1: Is. 01:17:55,760 S7: A process. 01:17:56,600 S2: Several people have said to me, well, you know, do you think, what about regionalisation? In fact, I think it was one of the town council meetings. Someone asked me, I said, look, this is not something that gets done in a year. 01:18:05,840 S7: I wish we. 01:18:06,280 S2: Started a process. 01:18:07,400 S5: Which we started years ago. 01:18:09,400 S7: They said, you know. 01:18:10,720 S2: If you can't undo what you haven't done. 01:18:12,960 S4: It's interesting because in the in our Senate district, there's a region, there's a regional school. And I remember hearing my daughter worked for the senator at that time, that it has its own set of problems. And my daughter at the Cape is on the regional school committee, and it's a hassle. And it's it's not a it's not a cure all, but I just think we have to think of our students, what we can offer them. And I totally agree that it needs the discussion needs to start and see where it takes us, but not to wait until You know, we don't have. 01:18:51,490 S2: They don't. 01:18:51,810 S4: Want a dance partner or. 01:18:54,010 S1: As a district. I mean, we we are a good, um, we look good to other peoples that would want. When you look at our facilities, when you look at the programs that we have offer, we are not a district and we have buildings in disrepair. Um, that you would or, you know, campuses that are in disrepair. I think we are we we present. Well, um, so I think it's, it's, um, advantageous at least to begin those conversations. 01:19:23,170 S5: I think there's something to be said about being the first district in the area to start having those conversations and start pioneering it as far as having, um, you know, a bigger seat at the table or, you know, more knowledge and experience in when it does happen. If it does happen. 01:19:40,530 S13: Start at the time, you know. 01:19:44,250 S2: Any other questions or comments? So, Lieutenant Francis, do you have anything else? 01:19:49,310 S7: Nothing else. Okay. 01:19:53,670 S2: So the recommendation. The school committee approved the superintendent to begin to explore regionalization. Do I have a motion to accept that recommendation and move on it? Sandy. Seconded by. 01:20:04,870 S7: Joan. 01:20:05,750 S2: All those in favor? 01:20:07,230 S7: Aye. 01:20:09,630 S2: Thank you very much, Superintendent Francis. Okay, now we're looking at school committee member reports and comments. Go ahead, Sandy, we'll start with you. 01:20:19,310 S4: Please just welcome back, everyone. It's it's hard to believe. Um, and many thanks to all of the people who worked over the summer and are still working. Get things ready. We certainly appreciate all your efforts and look forward to beginning a great school year. 01:20:39,230 S5: Joe James, welcome back and I look forward to another great year. 01:20:44,390 S6: Yeah I'll did all that. Welcome back and it will be a good year. 01:20:50,840 S2: Sam and I echo and Matt, thanks for thanking. You know, Anthony Granger and his group and and acknowledging the parks department with Jeff Pardo. And thanks to everyone who's been in the buildings getting ready and preparing for the beginning of the school year, the 2026, 2027 school year. Wow. It's just gone by so fast. Certainly a lot of planning, work and preparation go into it, and I love our new mantra and our t shirts. Together we thrive and we're still keeping the banners up for the core values. Superintendent Francis and Central Office has moved here and it looks like everything is working very well. They're not the phone systems yet. Superintendent Francis, but that will be happening. Right? And it looks great. And I really did not know what to anticipate when you were talking about moving Central office over here. It looks great in the library. Everyone's asking me if there are still books there. I said there's loads of books there. None of those have been returned. It looks great. And it's nice to see the new tables and chairs and the library and everything looks great. Thank you very much. And very, very well planned out. And the offices are great. We had new staff orientation to welcome the new members of our Palmer Schools community. That was very nice. And Congressman Richie Neal was here today on campus to see our beautiful track. And because he made sure that we had some funds from Arpa, Arpa, the American Rescue Plan Act, to help with that track. And we certainly have a wonderful facility. And over at OMP, we have a playground that's being updated, am I correct? This is Rappelle and it's at the kindergarten, the pre-K playground that's being done. 01:22:37,900 S8: Yes, but there is also some mulch that is getting spread on the what we call the blacktop playground. Okay, so they're getting a spruce up, too. 01:22:45,430 S2: And when is that? Oh, is that the 27th of July? I mean, of August, I mean. 01:22:49,790 S7: Okay. 01:22:50,630 S2: And what time is that? 01:22:52,070 S4: Ten. I have on my calendar. 01:22:54,110 S2: Ten I didn't think I was going to be in town, so I didn't write it down. And am I correct that Senator Oliveira may be there as well, because he helped procure some grant money for that. And I can't wait to see this. It's great. And we're going to have a shaded area as well. That's great. Um, and we'll also have a scoreboard for softball and field hockey. Long overdue. I can't wait for that. 01:23:21,830 Any idea? Superintendent Francis? S1: No. My hope is that it happens during the field hockey season. 01:23:25,310 S2: Oh, great. 01:23:26,350 S1: That's my hope. 01:23:27,510 S2: And then the tennis courts is new benches there and picnic tables. 01:23:31,070 S1: That was a concern that was relayed to us that the lack of seating for, uh, spectators and or players. Right. So we updated that. 01:23:40,150 S7: Oh my goodness, that's great. 01:23:41,850 S2: Oh my goodness great news. And is there going to be another set of bleachers up here by the track? 01:23:45,930 S7: Did I reach that? 01:23:46,810 S1: I read that the pieces are in the preschool parking lot right now, and they are set to four tomorrow. 01:23:53,930 S7: Oh, wow. 01:23:54,450 S2: That's great. Oh my. 01:23:55,570 S4: Goodness. A lot of this was grant money. 01:23:57,970 S1: Uh, there was some surplus that was used, uh, some grant money as well from FY 26 that was used, um, from maintenance that wasn't spent, um, from other areas that were moved that wasn't, weren't spent as well. 01:24:15,770 S2: And I think the congressman was very impressed by the facility up there. It looks that track is beautiful, absolutely beautiful. So it just so we've got a lot of updates coming and that's all positive. And just a reminder, first day of school for grades one through 12 is Tuesday the 25th. And kindergarten is Thursday September 3rd and pre-K Tuesday. I'm sorry. Thursday, September 3rd for kindergarten and pre-K. Is Tuesday the eighth. 01:24:47,060 S7: Good. 01:24:47,580 S2: For pre-K? 01:24:48,220 S7: That's great. 01:24:49,300 S2: We're so fortunate we have that pre-K program. I hear wonderful comments about it from everybody. We're fortunate to offer that. And families and caregivers, once again, we look forward to welcoming your children into our school community. We will work with you to ensure that our students have the best possible educational opportunities. Because remember, together we thrive. And I would be remiss if I did not take this time to extend sincere condolences to the family of longtime Parma resident Jaime Sinema, who passed away in July. He served on the Palmer School Committee for years and was on the board of Selectmen as well. And his daughter Andrea, served on the Palmer School Committee for a while as well. So sincere condolences to the family of Jimmy. 01:25:38,200 S4: Cinema and the teacher? 01:25:40,840 S2: That's right. Yes. His wife was a teacher here. That's right. And unfortunately, condolences also to the family of dear Mary Newland, who was a long time Spanish teacher here at Palmer High School, where she organised numerous trips to Spain, Costa Rica and Mexico. And I had the sincere pleasure of working with her here at Palmer High School, and she retired in 2012. So again, sincere condolences to her family. And now, do I have a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the Palmer School Committee and August 19th, 2026? Do I have a motion? Sandy. Seconded by Jo. All those in. 01:26:20,760 S7: Favor? Aye. 01:26:23,160 S2: Okay. I hereby adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m.. 01:26:28,480 S7: Thank you.