Washington Central Unified Union School District - August 19, 2026 [WCUUSD]

call the meeting to order at 6:15. A new school year is here. Uh we have a lot of work ahead of us and our agenda tonight is certainly full. I hope that we'll continue to work toward understanding of each other and be able to create a path forward with all of the transitions and the work occurring with the start of the school year and in our search for a new superintendent. So there is uh one adjustment to the agenda. We do need to add an executive session to discuss uh the the superintendent search the personnel. Um, I would move that we put that right after public comment so that it makes sense when we're talking transition updates. >> Is there a motion to add? >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. >> Order. Uh, Chris moved that. Lisa asked if in case Lisa Grace who is taking our notes from online. So Chris moved it and it was seconded by So welcome this evening. Um this is the time for public comments. We have 15 minutes total. So a minute and a half. Um those who are trying to figure out our timer. Um and so let me just get my timer set. Are there any people online um and in person who would like to speak? Oops. Did we turn recording back on? >> I did. Okay. Any come up? And I think that might >> I can hear. >> Thank you. Great. Hello everybody and everyone online. I'm Linda Gray from Callus. Um, and I want to tell you I'm delighted with that vote. And I'll tell you why. Because we had an extraordinary turnout in Callus and Listister. Callus had a 50% turnout, highest in the state. and it could be uh a statewide record for an August non-presidential primary. So, it's really very strong vote. Um Worcester also had more than 40% of their voters, their registered voters showing up. The two towns pulled in a third of the total votes that day. Um, and because we knew in a granular way how people were voting, um, because they told us either before they voted or after they voted, we it looks to us as though the voting callous was about 6 to1 not approved. And in Worcester, it was even higher. We looked under the tables in Worcester. We looked on every road in Worcester. we couldn't find anybody who was voting approved on this. So, I wanted to uh point out that um uh this was a a a really strong vote, probably the strongest you'll ever see. Um and I think it's something to consider as you move forward. Thank you. >> Thank you, Linda. >> Any other uh public comments? Make sure I'm not missing anything online. >> All right. Is there a motion to go into executive session? >> I move that we go into executive session for the purpose of discussing next steps for our search. >> And I'm wondering if it makes sense to include Heidi as our HR person who has been engaged in this work >> to include Heidi Benick. Yes. >> Second. >> All right. Um is the all those in favor of executive session say I >> opposed. >> All right. So um >> going through >> you. >> So the uh we want to thank the screening committee not to be confused with the steering committee. the screening committee which was the committee of of community members uh um school personnel staff leadership team um as well as board members who was searching doing the search for the superintendent. So we thank them very much because their work has completed for now. Um we did receive word that Heather Buchet who was the the candidate still standing has asked to be withdrawn from the search. So, um, so that was information that was shared. It will be up on the website, uh, tomorrow morning. I told Sashley I would reach out to her after this meeting. And we do have a motion coming out of executive session. >> Yeah. I move that the board authorize uh, the steering committee to work with acting superintendent to explore and pursue the hiring of an interim superintendent. >> Second. Just sorry I'm realizing the owl is not showing up. That's because it's not plugged in. Sorry. Um people online, were you able to hear anything? >> Can you hear everybody? Everything but the motion. >> Okay. So, >> yeah, I'll repeat the motion. >> Just a minute. Just a minute. Yeah. I'm trying to get switch to the There it is. Go ahead. >> Okay. The motion was that the board authorized the steering committee to work with acting superintendent to explore and pursue the hiring of an interim superintendent. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Thank you. So, in terms of superintendent transition updates, uh we have Jen and Alicia still working with us. The steering committee will begin to uh meet with you all as well and to look at the needs of of moving forward and then we'll um explore um an interim. So, that's where we're at with that. Thank you. >> So, CISA, >> yes. Um I will keep it short. The CISA board did meet for the first time on July 29th. We met at Spalding High School. The Berry District office um or Berry District hosted us being the largest district. We formed or we formed a small group to work to form the bylaws. Nothing really happened at that meeting. But the important thing, the thing that I do want to point out to you is if you go to the district website and you click on schoolboard, there is a new link um and you will see it says CISA, it will take you to the a website that Barry has created that has all of the information for our CISA in it. It has agendas, it has minutes, um it has who's on the board. And so I would just direct you to take a look. Not much happened at that meeting. you can look at the minutes. We did establish our next meeting will be in October. Um, and so I won't have really anything to report until then, but just if you're curious what happened, I would encourage you to go to the to our site and it'll take you to the Barry site. >> Any questions? And in at our September meeting, we will need to be discussing the merger committees and um committee and the uh representative to them. So that will be part of our first September meeting. Um all right, inservice day and start of school. Yeah. Um school starts tomorrow. It's super exciting. If you've been around, um we've actually had new teacher training for the past two days and restorative practices training for U32 teachers started Monday. So, um our teachers have four days of inservice. Tomorrow, they're working in their buildings doing various activities depending on the needs of the building and whether it's a um a principal who's been there for a while or new changes to the team. Uh, Friday is our flex day for our teachers and then our ESP staff, our school year staff starts on Monday. We are starting together in the auditorium for a kickoff as an entire district as has become our tradition. We'll have a breakfast. You are all warmly invited if you'd like to come. We'll the three of us will make some opening remarks. We'll have a keynote about executive functioning skills and then from there it's sort of differentiated depending on role and subject. and then back in buildings for the remainder of Monday and Tuesday. We will plan to give you all a report on September 2nd about um more details about the inservice days and the the first couple of days of school with our students. >> Any questions? >> What time does it all start? >> Uh breakfast is 8 to 8:30 on Monday and we'll start in the auditorium promptly at 8:30. >> Okay. breakfast. Nobody really wanted to know. >> Any other questions? >> All right. Thank you. So, we will move into our Central Vermont Career Center uh building project uh overview. Uh I know that we have Chris and David here to answer questions. Um we didn't talk about the structure of it. >> I'm happy to. I sent you a long email today. I wish I could have sent it before today, but it took up until today to get all the information. You at the last meeting had asked several questions. You wanted to know current square footage usage of this building, the parking lot space usage. Um Chris and David put that together for you, which I shared. Uh you also had talked about there being a conflict of interest having Shui. I did reach out to um PO Lynn at uh the firm that we use and they had recommended Joe McNeel who drafted up the lease. Um you can see in red all of the changes he suggested. The one piece that he wasn't comfortable um and said nor should the board set the rate for rent. he recommended finding a realtor, a local realtor who could provide us with some good information. Um, and then Jody shared uh from Dave Epstein and Chooks Cullens the question that you had asked about could we build on from this building and where so I would open it up to any questions of any of those of us who are here. >> Thank you. So questions, >> was there information about where there's buildable areas >> on the site? I didn't I didn't notice that there's a map. >> The map shows two spots. If you >> Oh, is it where this? >> Yeah. Oh, okay. That Oh, you can look at that. Thank you. So, those are the only buildable spots if we want to expand on the on the building. >> I'm looking at Jody. Those were the two that came up first. >> Come a little closer. Jody, that might >> I don't think I'm the right person to answer this question necessarily, but um when I broached that question with our architect team who has worked with U32 in Washington Central District in other capacities, they shared that there were two spaces that they saw that when they when they were asked the question by us of could we just add on and have a connected building where that might happen. So, I think you have that space plus any space that they've already put an option for a building before, but I'm not the expert on that and I bet your facilities crew knows more. >> Did Did you Did they have any conversation about how many square feet um that those areas that were highlighted are? >> No, I did not have that conversation. Is Cam Featherston online? So, and >> if he's not, I can get him online um in a little bit and we can come back to that question. >> And I don't know if Dave or Chris, either one of you want to weigh in on that. >> We haven't seen it. >> Okay. >> Zach, a thought which also raising questions about Jerry's comment about like sort of, you know, anywhere else that we've previously proposed a building would also work. Um I wonder in terms of how we do this agreement you know what one of the things that sort of you know feels like in strange options is how you know sort of how it goes building field parking and if we are are you know I don't know sort of what the legal status that parking is going to be if that's something that we're leasing that then we is sort of locked down and is that something we need to say the agreement is we'll we'll lease the land for the building clearly you know you you know you have the lease for the land the building's on and then we also provide you with a certain amount of parking, but potentially maintain the ability to move where that's going to be. If we, you know, you know, down the road, we're looking at a regional middle high school and need to build something there and say, "Okay, we, you know, the thing that actually makes sense is to take a plot of land the central office is currently on and that parking lot is on in the fields and consider that all as one to put a building on. I I wouldn't want to have the parking lot be the one thing that's saying you can't build a regional middle school. >> Daniel, >> so I had two follow-up questions. one was maybe I'm forgetting that the timeline wasn't possible on this, but the the wetland delineation. Do we have any any updates on the wetland delineation and the possibility of using that space in the woods for an extra field, a replacement field? >> We did get it. Um, I haven't I've passed it on to the architect, so if Cam comes online, he may have had the opportunity to look at that. Um, but let me pull it up and see if I have a map as part of that. >> And then the other question was for Chris, the with the parking projections, there's this maximum potential parking need. Um, I was curious how many current parking spots we estimated we had and how might how many we might lose um with this with this site construction. >> Um, we we would have uh let me see here. 373 total. >> Yeah. Chris, would you mind we would have three. >> Press the button. I think I don't >> back here. Press and hold. press it and hold it and then >> it's like on the >> There's a green light if it's on. >> Thank you. >> Um so currently we have 314 spaces and if we add in the um 59 in the dirt lot that the proposal shows that puts us at 373. And the information that I got from uh JB on potential drivers, you know, in total would be 357 people, but realistically his conser his conservative number is 223 spots. So that's 123 faculty and staff and 100 students. That's that's where he's thinking it's going to be for this year. >> Okay. And Jody, do you know roughly how many parking spots between students and staff CBCC would need? >> I'm going to say definitely less than 100 um because we would have potentially about 35 staff and we also can tell students they need to ride buses, right? So right now we have 25 spots for our 200 plus kids. And so we have to be very diligent about making sure that our students who are not from sending schools that send buses have a exacting space first and then our co-op students, our adult students and then if there's anything left, it goes to seniors. So what it's a privilege, not a right to park. So we can >> we can work with that. What is it? >> Oh, okay. The mic's there. Um, yeah, I was just looking at section 11 in regards to subleting an assignment. Um, I the way that I'm reading it, and please forgive me, I am not in real estate or lease design. Um, is that let's say they made a decision to just sublet the entire premises. Um, that can happen without approval of our district. Is that correct? And if that is then why why would why why why would that benefit us? >> They may not do they may >> they may not it says they may not assign um without advanced written consent. >> Sorry. Thank you. So that is a big big red flag. Thank you very much. >> Yes. >> Other questions >> about the lease as well? >> Yeah. Um, >> any of the above. I would say Joe also said he could be available by phone if if we got in to a place where we needed him. >> I think that'd be help available. Um, just cuz it >> is that possible now. >> Are we going through the lease now? >> I don't see >> we Yeah. So, I mean, so there's a couple of things as consideration. Even as we go through our lease, there's also, you know, my understanding is there's still lease work being done. Correct, Jody? On your side. >> I understood that our lawyer was going to reach out to your lawyer today. I have not seen anything. So, you have new edits on your side, which makes sense, right? >> Um, that I haven't seen, but we haven't seen anything on our side yet. Yes. >> So, and the only reason I'm asking that is if he's not available and we capture all the questions, there's it's still working and that. So, um so and yes. So, are there additional questions going before we go to the lease since it's the second thing on the agenda on this section? Were there additional questions that we had around placement of buildings? um looking at uh the use of impact on fields and parking in that. Were there any other questions in that regard? >> You know, I just um during the construction phase um is there is there a concern about the noise factor of construction um on the operation of U32? uh because inevitably there will be noise from a construction site uh which may vary. I don't know. I'm assuming that once it starts it's going to go through um the year until it's completed. Uh and I I just raise that as a potential concern. >> I think you would you would have to face it. We I I know we did it in East Montilia, right? That you face the noisiest parts. It's it is with I'm not going to say that it's not going to be disruptive, right? There would be there would be some but but it's up to the you know the builder the clerk of the works facilities people to figure out what is the best way to move forward without creating too much disruption. So how do they face it in order to not bring too much stress to the system as it is right like it could be so that people can park so that it's safe you know there there's a whole I I Chris you could speak to this >> I think about staging equipment >> and if we're in the middle of the school year or during the school year at any time and where does all that equipment go because that's a pretty big project >> and so there would have to be a place to park that stuff there would have to be a place for materials to be stored. Um, you know, similar to the the work that we do during the summer, but there's, you know, no one here during the summer. So, um, I hadn't even thought of that. That's a good point. >> I mean, just and I support this project. I just wanted one of the factors that we don't want to be in constituents going, "What the hell? We, you know, and just at least plan for it. We recognize it." Michelle, I would just say um U32 in 2000 went through a major renovation, right? >> School classrooms were happening in hallways. Everybody survived and it was school happened the whole entire time. >> Survive. >> Yes, they they do things to mitigate the noise levels. Daniel. >> Um, well, first I just wanted to say for those online, the what you didn't hear was Chris O'Brien just describing the potential uh um challenge of having equipment staged and stored and materials staged and stored on site. Uh, in response to Chris's Chris McVeyy's question, um, I I just from for for me personally, I'm not I wouldn't say I'm comfortable with the level of uncertainty around our potential future building sites or the clarity of like what we have to work with in terms of a replacement athletic field. But neither of those seems like cause to pause this process. And I and another observation is that I don't know if it's the board's best use of time just in anticipation of some of Chris's comments to like line by line micromanage the the writing of the lease. And it feels like the appropriate action for us is to authorize the chair to, you know, work out the details with the lawyer of of a of a lease. And that gives CBCC sort of the clarity of purpose that they're looking for from us today. >> I think the clarity of what we're looking for, but the approval. Jody, you were going to say >> I actually um sent ballot language that Sean did approve today um kind of late in the day. I should probably stand up and it basically at when it goes to the voters either of our of both districts, it says um that they approve an lease agreement period that the board approves. So, it doesn't require the full detail of that. it gives you the authority to move forward with a lease agreement. So, I think that's super helpful for us because we weren't sure how much detail do we need >> for our communities, but it basically gives says we approve moving forward with a lease agreement and gives the board the both boards the approval to move that work forward. So, I think that's helpful to us because it it it gives us more time to make sure that we can nail down those details. >> And that's sufficient for you, that kind of authorization is sufficient for you to warn >> Yes. >> Of course. >> Yep. >> So, the um and and I hear what you're saying, Daniel. My only hesitation around it is if there are questions or details that Chris has come up with that we hadn't thought about that it's helpful for you know what I mean depending on how much minutia you've gone into. >> I don't ever for I don't think it prohibits Chris for sending you the information and then you can work with it with with the with with the with the lawyer. You could also work with the steering committee, whatever. It makes it easier to move it forward. Maybe the steering committee could help with that, but you can you can decide, but then we don't have to spend to go line by line. I think that the information that was provided by the superintendent with the four points of clarity there is was really helpful. So, if everybody had a chance to read that, >> we could move forward. >> So, I yeah, I would say send me your information. um checking in then with you Alicia around the conversation with Joe and that we also know that um there's additional work occurring as we will then look toward that work as well. Um just as a caution um the board should know what they're signing or what they're authorizing someone to sign and be aware of the factors because it doesn't do well to say I didn't read it later um and didn't know what you're getting into because it again it's a legal relationship with between two separate entities >> and that this would not be I I'm not being authorized to sign it. It's it is something that from what I heard Jody say was that we don't have to have signed, sealed, and delivered um um in order to have the ballot. >> Um we were concerned that if if the communities needed to vote on the lease and that came after the November vote, if the lease went down, then it would create this. So what we have found out through that information is that it's authorizing the boards to complete that work. And so none of this it is still very drafty. It still needs to be um uh looked at together and before any um signing would occur. >> Would you like me to read that ballot language? >> Sure. >> Okay. And is this on? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, um, this ballot language is our version, but you would also have to do this, too, for your voters. So, insert your district. Shall the voters of the Central Vermont Career Center School District authorize the school board to enter into a 30-year ground lease with the Washington Central and Unified Union School District for property located at the U32 Middle and High School campus, 930 Galston Hill Road, Mont Leo, Vermont, for the purpose of constructing, operating, and maintain maintaining facilities for the Central Vermont Career Center pursuant to the terms of the ground lease agreement negotiated by the school board. and and so you would flip that right to say should Washington cycle with CBCC but that's the language that we were given. >> So in terms of the mechanics of the this election am I am I assuming correctly that that our voters will receive two ballots one one written one way one written the other way. Yes, they have to redundantly vote on this because they are members of our district and members of yours which people will get confused about. So we will have to be very clear about that. >> All right. So that knowing that information um Jody, what are you hoping to get from us tonight? I believe there were three things that I requested last time and this is going to test my memory because I didn't I know the presentation might be in your your packet again. Um you already had said we could work with Sean. We've got that legal piece worked out so that we can continue moving forward working on those details for the lease. We want to know if you're uh approving the location of the design of the option that we presented to you. It's like a pop quiz >> and uh general support for us moving forward with a November bond vote. >> Can I say one thing? Um so Chris and David are here because they did walk the property. They do have some historical knowledge and they do they could give you a little bit more if that's helpful about the exact location. That first question Jody asked. >> Yeah, >> that would be great. >> Yes, please. >> Thank you. >> So, we're looking at option four, correct? That's the that's the proposal and David and I have looked at this that looks to us like the the best of the four. >> Um it doesn't impede on the entire bank where all the spectators are watching football, soccer, and all the other sporting activities. Uh that that bank gets packed with people. So there would be an impact there if we had to disrupt that. Um, a couple of the questions we did have looking at the proposed um, relocation of the field on on what we have on this and I don't know if I have the latest. This is from July 21st down back in back of the tennis courts >> and it looks like it kind of overlaps where there's a current storm uh, storm drainage. There's a big swale over there. Um, just curious why that landed there. I wasn't sure. Maybe Jody knows. >> I I'm gonna guess that you when you guys walked it that it was actually further down. >> Yeah. We were looking at a spot out in the woods. >> So that is where it should look. Not It shouldn't be located on top of your swale. >> Gotcha. Okay. Yeah. And that is getting close into the wetlands back on the far end of that where it goes into the woods. >> Yeah. >> Would be another issue, but >> I'm not sure. We haven't seen that report yet, >> right? And I looked at what I have from Brad Wheeler who did the wetlands delineation and it's just some GPS coordinates. So I think what the information he sent to um the consultants is a little more detailed around what that looks like and they do the mapping of it. So I know that I had it sent to civil engineers and to them and so that's something that they're working on. What I heard Cam say is um that we are going to have to shift the field a little bit from what they originally planned, but it still will fit down there. >> Okay. >> Um some of the other things I mean it looks like flow I saw a note um on drop off and pickup times, right? To not >> right >> have everything happen all at once because it's it's pretty crazy out there now with what we have. Um it works but it just it's just busy. Uh, but the flow to me where the parking and everything looks good. Um, I can't really, you know, I can't really think of much. The one other issue was with the dirt lot on the way they have it way looks like it's modified on this drawing. >> Paid >> paved, but it's not matching what's there right now. And where that >> comes down, it runs into one of our storm water issues. into the storm water >> and we had to add that one in particular with the parking lot project because we added just a little bit more imperous material and it put us over that three 3 acre rule, >> right? So, if we add even more, we're going to have to do something more for wetlands. >> Yeah, we're going to have to do >> that's part of our contingency plan on the costs. So, some of the um contingency has some improvements to the site here to think about that piece and and potentially other pieces. So that's important. >> I think one of the other pieces I think we're we all right with the the sewer that we have set up out there, but water will be an issue. >> Yep. >> Um right now we have a 4 in line that comes from this building to Superior and unfortunately it's buried under the sidewalk. >> Oh man. >> Okay. >> Yeah. We know that we're either going to need to add a similar system or we're going to need to add more pumps at the base of the hill to get more water up here. >> And uh it also it also looks like this latest drawing doesn't impact the sewer line that comes from the central office all the way over to Shapiro. That's like a 900 foot span. does impact or >> it does not look like the latest drawings would clear it and it doesn't interfere with the technology lines that run from ship over to central. >> Y that's all that's all we had for thoughts on that but option four definitely looks like the the best at this point for us anyway. >> Yes, >> that makes sense. >> Any questions for Chris or David about what they just shared? >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you for the opportunity. >> Would it be okay to make a motion to authorize for the site and then discuss that? So I I would make a motion that we authorize Central Vermont Carrier Center option that we agree with option four of the site. Does that make sense? Chris, I'm looking at you too, Jody. For for the second, it was one of We're in support of the allocation shown on on four. >> Second. >> Second discussion. >> Zack. >> So, it says I'm just sort of reading this more closely now. It says, you know, for the for the parking for for the additional parking proposed behind central office. It's that you know, says potential. Is that sort of a firm part of the plan or is that a is that a thing that we're thinking about? Maybe, maybe not. >> I can answer that one. >> Um, so in that plan, there is a potential expansion and that is only if Washington Central 32 becomes the regional high school and we have to move the entire tech center here and we need to build out a future expansion. That's what that parking is about. >> Got it. So this would not be covered under the under the current agreement. This is said thinking about a future agreement. >> Yeah. So they they drew out some future if that like if that happened, this is what it would look like, >> but the current proposal is only that piece and we believe we can use existing parking for that. >> Awesome. >> And there's maybe a little piece on the side of the building. >> Great. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> All those in favor say I. I opposed. >> No, >> there was one. Lisa, >> you want to know who seconded it? >> Um, yeah. >> Yeah, >> sorry for the echo. >> I I couldn't really hear floor's motion. So, can you repeat that and also tell me who seconded it and who voted no if that's important to note? >> Sure. I can just say that we as the board authorizes the Central Vermont Career Center U32 site option 4 location in at U32 and it was seconded by Michelle. >> Did you get that Lisa? >> Yes. Thank you. And it was uh there was one nay motion passes. >> So the the draft lease agreement we are still working on >> and um and so >> can I clarify two um just as next steps? >> One next step is finding a commercial real estate agent to work on the rent. Um, and then the other I just wanted to I wasn't sure where you landed with should you include language around the parking like a limited number of spots or something. There was discussion around it, but I if we go back to Joe to ask him, do you want something added about a number of parking spots? So, so Alicia, my my concern there was I didn't looking at the map I did I had interpreted this as saying that the that the potential future parking was was something dedicated to the career center and I was worried about that you know sort of you know that that that you know reducing flexibility in the future given Jod's responses now that this that's not the case think about for down the road I don't have those concerns anymore. One thing Lisa and David Delor both have their hands up which suggest it may I wonder if it's a technical issue >> right because unfort you know we we Lisa did you have another question? >> Sorry >> I I did I just Who who voted no? I mean it should have been a roll call, right? because you're not all in the room. >> Well, I mean, you know, >> Marty >> Marty voted no. >> Okay, cool. Thank you. >> All right. Um, >> yes. So, my my question to clarify, Jody, the the parking improvement that that you're you're making, would you be counting on those spaces? Are we sharing? So, it might be worth it to have the lawyer look at something related to parking when you're doing the lease is what I'm getting at. Just because you're going to be making some improvements, >> we would use some of what's currently the dirt lot because that's where there's space available. It would become paved and that's the where we would likely be parking our people. That's something we can talk about collaboratively. So, be like you instead of that. Yeah. To what I'm hearing you say is that >> like I don't think anyone like you own it. >> We'll have people parking there. We're updating it and up updating a segment of it to make it so that it's easier for more people to park there >> and then we would know exactly how many U32 needs and you would let us know approximately how many we had so that we could figure out how many student slots we have. We obviously want to make sure our staff have parking >> and then >> right to me that would become part part of the agreement is that you are improving some of the space is increasing and then the other part of it is thatou around shared um shared spaces because that becomes part of the shared spaces >> and some of the students are going to be shared students are >> yes yes >> oh so Cam just joined Jody, if you wanted did you have anything you wanted to have him try to remember what the My >> Yeah. So, Cam, thanks for jumping on. Um, there were two questions. One was a question about the potential additional square footage on the map that had additions to U32 where you can put them. Um, how much is there? And then there was a question about the wetland impact on the replacement fields and so I didn't have the answers to those and if you do that would be wonderful. Thank you. >> Um so the the wetland impact on the replacement fields I believe is fairly minimal. Um and that can be worked around. Uh I haven't seen the actual map yet but I don't believe it's a huge incursion. Um, and uh, to be honest, they don't at the tip of my fingers have the, but those aren't the only possible additions either. Um, I had shown something that was, you know, roughly the same size or a little larger than the the middle school wing. Um, and also something that was approximately the size of another gymnasium. But we don't really know what would be needed there either. um in what scenario would lead to a potential expansion? I think uh you know my opinion is that there's sufficient room around the building to add square footage um and increase the capacity if needed uh in various places. >> Yeah. And there was also a question >> that's a very very different proposition to expand the >> um there was also a question about staging of equipment and I think that was on the other it impacted the other practice field for that time when there's building is that accurate >> um maybe I mean that's also to be determined you know um contractors are pretty good at uh using what space is available. If there's space available, they'll use it. If there's not space available, they'll get space nearby. Um, so I think that's also, you know, to be determined. If the field is needed during the time of construction, I'm sure there's a way to figure that out. Um, it's nothing is set in stone. >> Thank you, Cam. >> Yeah, of course. So then the Chris >> just dirty, do you need anything more from us to move forward with >> November? >> Well, yeah, for that. Do you need anything more for that or you need an okay that we think we're okay for a November vote? >> I do need that. >> Okay. >> It's up to us to figure out how to word that. Well, I think we only need to if we're willing to support the project and we have to just get our warning >> set by the 14th of September, I think. >> So, is there a motion? >> Yeah, I I'll move that we support moving this project forward to make it ready for a vote in November of 2026. >> Second. >> Discussion. Any questions? All those in favor. Oh, Daniel, >> I was just going to make a friendly amendment that we explicitly say election day, November 3rd, 2026. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? >> No. So, and then I think that there needs to be an authorization for me to work with Alicia and Joe. Correct. Or is that already? >> I did what you asked after the last meeting. I It would be helpful to know what you want after this meeting. >> Yes. >> So, >> authorization to work with Jo. Does that have anything? Okay. So, I will move that we authorize Diane and our interim superintendent to work with attorney Joseph O'Neal on preparing a lease. >> Second by Zach. Any discussion? >> Just a friendly amendment that we say acting a acting and interim superintendent in case there's a transition during this period. >> Did I say interim? >> Did I give you a promotion that you didn't want? Now we have both. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> Opposed. >> Abstain. >> And one abstension. >> And that's all you need right from us, Jody. >> Yes. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, >> Chris and David. Thank you. >> Yes. Thank you. >> And please don't feel like you need to stay. >> I have a couple more things. Oh, okay. >> All right. So, yes, >> finance. The next agenda item is about the partial corrective action plan proposed uh for the renovation area at U32, which is the kitchen area. We have Jennifer Cipher here from Stone Environmental. That's our contractor that's been working on the plan. And online we have Evan Pendleton and Rob Farley from the Agency of Natural Resources to answer any questions. But I might just uh invite Jen up to give a little recap of it. >> I'm breaking. >> Sorry. >> You and not me, right? >> Still working. >> Probably not. >> Maybe uh help tech. at all. >> I can also hold it if you hold it for I sure can. >> Okay. Hi everybody. Um so I did prepare some slides and then of course I'm here in person and not logged into the Zoom so I'm just going to use this to reference. Um, there was a a link provided, I believe, in the materials for the full corrective action plan. So, um, I'm not going to go through all of the details, but I'll try to give you a brief overview of kind of the history and where we got here and and what this corrective action plan entails. Um, so this is all about the PCBs that are present at U32, which y'all are aware of already. So historically, the Vermont legislature had passed Act 174, which required schools to test for PCBs. We did that at D32 starting in 2023 and found that PCBs were present in indoor air above the school action limit, which for the school um the population, the high school population of grades 7 through 12 is 100 nanogs per cubic meter. So when that happens, then it it kicks off an additional investigation where we did additional air monitoring and also tested a variety of building materials to try to figure out what building materials might be contributing to those PCBs in indoor air. Throughout 2024 and 2025, we sort of underwent several uh rounds of those investigations. And ultimately what we're going to talk about tonight is the kitchen area. Uh we in early 2026 we did testing and determined that there's um cocking present in need kind of doorways and window sills within that kitchen area um that do have PCBs that are higher than the bulk product threshold. And so knowing that U32 is investigating or looking at renovation in the kitchen area that sort of um precipitated the need to drive forward um corrective actions associated with that area. the rest of the school is still kind of in the process of investigation. So, we're not going to talk about that today. Um, so in the kitchen specifically, as I said, there is coughing present um that needs to be removed or remediated. Um, the toxic substance control act gives us a few options and we go through a process called an evaluation of corrective action alternatives or an ECU. And what that does is say what are our options for dealing this? Option one, we do nothing, which is really a nonoption because it doesn't satisfy uh cost or requirements. Option two would be full removal of the of the product um and disposal appropriately. That's kind of the best option in terms of actually removing the source completely, but it can have a near-term higher cost. And option three was um in in theory, option three would be like a targeted removal and encapsulation. So you can scrape the caulking off and then kind of apply some kind of sealant to what's behind it so that it can't continue diffusing into indoor air. That one's a little bit complicated in this case because the renovation that's being done in the kitchen necessitates the removal of some of those walls. So, it was like this hybrid, remove some things and encapsulate the others. That uh option also carries with it long-term monitoring costs. If you if you ultimately leave some of those PCBs behind, you'd have to monitor them in perpetuity. So, that can add up significantly over time and cost a lot of money. You'd have to go, you know, be doing ongoing monitoring on and plan similar almost to like an asbestousment plan. Um, so ultimately working with Suzanne and with Chris and with others at the school, we determined that that second option of just completely removing the PCBs from um all of those doorways and window sills in the kitchen would be the most long-term cost-effective approach. So with that in mind, we um designed this corrective action plan. And what that does is specifically detail how we're going to remove it, how much we're going to remove um PCBs. If you kind of don't know the chemistry behind them, they were used as a plasticizer up until 1980. And so they're present in things like cauling and sealants. And so you have your primary source, which is that caulking, but they can also diffuse into the materials around them. And so through our testing, we determined that the PCBs have actually diffused into like the masonry, the concrete block walls around those doorways a bit. So we know how far they've diffused in which informed the corrective action plan. So this plan calls for removing not only the doorways themselves but 9 in in perimeter around those doorways so we know that we got all those PCBs out um and and satisfying the TUSCa requirements. There is a contingency in there. We do have to do testing to make sure the material that's left doesn't have PCBs above what's called the remediation standard. Um, and if if so, we'll just have to keep taking more material until we get there. But again, we we did testing 3 6 and 9 in away and determined that between six and nine it fell below that threshold. So, we're pretty confident that this will be a one and done approach. So following that, the idea is um the the school and and will help them with the bid specification but hire a contractor that is licensed and and has the experience to be able to approach a project like this this hazardous materials handling their be appropriate waste disposal um on site while the work is happening. There's going to be like plastic sheeting to kind of um create like a contamination zone so that the the air and the dust and stuff aren't migrating elsewhere uh elsewhere. And then following the removal of that material, we come in, we do it, like I said, an additional round of testing to make sure we got it all. And if that's the case, then the rest of the renovation project would proceed as normal, hopefully. So, that's the long and short of it. Uh if anybody has any specific questions, I'm happy to answer them. >> Are there questions from the board? >> Thank you for your presentation. Um is immediation done separate and apart from any renovation? >> Yes. So the remediation and the the removal of that material has to happen first. Thank you. I just might ask you Robert if you want to Rob or Evan you can also feel free to add anything if I missed something >> Daniel and then >> yeah I mean I think my question's more for Suzanne but I don't know if we are covering sort of the bigger topic of kitchen renovation authorization or just the report itself >> this is the report itself and I as a clarification when I look when we see what was in the packet. This is also the opportunity for public comment. So the community can also even though this is um out of the timing of it, it is part of this agreement. So also if there are comments, questions from the community as well around this um this the PCB mitigation plan. Sorry. >> Seeing any >> any hand Linda? Yeah. >> I'm Linda Gray from Callus. I think it's working. >> Yeah. >> Um I wondered about the other buildings other than this building. Um have they been examined and to what extent they need mitigation? So, uh, Romney Memorial has been tested in, uh, all those levels were below the seal. Callus was started on the material inventory to test and then the breaks. The legislature has had a break. So, uh, it's only been U32 and RDNY that have fully been tested in callous partially just on the material sampling like the cove base around the bottom of the walls and stuff like that and then it was stopped. So, that's where we are districtwide. >> Other questions from community or board? And then next steps, Suzanne, is there is there a part that's next steps or is it >> next steps are more combined with the capital improvement project plan which is later in your agenda is coming up. Um but it's the uh stone environmental will work on the bid proposal for the uh remediation of the PCBs in that area. We also are working on the planning for the PCBs that were found in the remainder of the school, but we're working closely with the ANR group uh to work on a path forward that might look a little closer to what an asbestous plan is >> uh and and be sort of maybe guinea pigs on that because um we have an SAL level that is just borderline over the level and so we're just we're exploring opportunities with What does SA stand for? >> Uh school action level. >> Thank you. >> Right. School action limit. Okay. >> And so will there be once that plan is in place, will it be similar where it will come back for a community dialogue? >> Yeah. Yep. >> Any other questions? Well, just just for the record, Suzanne, can you uh put the what I understand are very preliminary cost estimates of the PCB corrective action in the broader context of the kitchen renovations. >> Yeah. So, we've included the estimates, the early estimates on the remediation in the kitchen project estimates that you have in your capital improvement project. >> Um, and we are tracking them separately. So all of the expenses that that we've incurred so far, we're tracking as well as anything that will come. Uh that way if the legislature approves any funding to fund the project that they've approved, uh we will put in for money. >> Okay. >> So what's the remediation alone? >> 75. Okay. The $75,000 number. >> Okay. And I see that Rob has his hand up online. Go ahead, Rob. >> Yes. Uh, so I'm the project manager for U32 in the PCB plan here. And I just want to let you know this is um the corrective action plan is in the 30-day comment period that's required before we approve the plan. And so that's hence why we try to coordinate this with this meeting so that we could take um comments from the public. Uh but the public still has 18 days to provide comments to it that may help improve the plan or something to for us to reconsider before we approve the plan. But once the 18 days go by and we've looked at comments, we will then approve the plan and it will be able to be implemented. >> Thank you, Rob. Suzanne, have we been sent the entire plan? >> Yeah, it's definitely I don't know if it's distributed with the package. >> Oh, yeah. Because she couldn't like mold it into the packet. So it was like a separate attachment on your >> on the website. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> So yes, so that um community member board members um review it if you haven't had a chance to and you still have 18 days to make those comments. Chris, >> do we have a space where the comments should be forwarded? >> Does it say on the report? >> It does say on the report, I think. Uh yeah, Rob, I think you could probably I know it's posted on the environmental notice board available through the state's website. Um Rob, do you happen to know better than than that specifically or can they just send it to you? >> I'm not sure of the question again. >> Uh how people can submit those comments? Oh. Um they can um submit it through the um board or they um I think my contact is there on board and and um believe the notice was to submit comments uh attention me at rob.farley rob.farley vermont.gov. >> Thank you. I I I think the one thing that we do need because the this is the time that the board has to discuss this and the finance committee had a chance to discuss it at length which is part of the reason you're not getting as many questions from from the finance committee is that as a district we remain very committed to having a safe learning environment and that's part of why we're saying this out loud today and and and also we discussed that or or it was part of the packet that you guys have talked with all the property owners. Maybe I missed that when you were talking with the waters and that has been also part of the the work, but we're committed to safety of all our students and staff as a board and as a leadership team. >> Any additional comments? All right. Well, thank you very much and also Rob and others. >> Thank you. Yes. Thank you. >> And Suzanne, do you have the next >> um do you want a motion and then question? >> So if you look in your packet, is there someone who would like to make the motion for the for the next? >> Yeah. It's in your packet. I I I move the the board I move the board authorize the superintendent you or acting superintendent to purchase a 2027 Chevrolet Silverado with plow from Cody Chevrolet in Mont Pillar for an amount not to exceed $72,533. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. All right. The next one is about the kitchen. Um, is there a motion or do you want to talk about Why don't we do a motion and then we'll have the discussion. >> The board authorized the completion of the recommended projects as identified above for the amount not to exceed 967,25 and approve the district moving forward with bid documents and preparation and bidding as necessary. Second. >> Second. >> Second by Patrick. Any discussion? >> Yes. Um I think we should seriously consider putting a hold on any capital improvements until we know what our budget situation is. We've heard that we are going to have to find two to three million dollars to reduce our budgets. That's still an accurate estimate for this upcoming year. not to go into the penalty zone. >> I don't have an exact number for you and I don't have a great estimate. I would say it's at least 1 and a half to 2 million. >> Okay. Cuz I think we we're hearing two to three from Steve. >> It's all about enrollment. So I don't have enrollment numbers yet. So as our enrollment declines, that threshold um becomes harder and then the budget itself, how much our negotiations will land. Um so there's some a lot of unknowns right now. Okay. So, but given that uh my concern is that the board committee $957,000 uh to capital improvements when we're going to be looking at potentially cutting uh 1 to2 million um out of the budget. That should be part of the mix um and in part of our consultation when we're going through the budget process. Um so that that would be my concern about approving this commitment of funds now out of our next budget. Zach, I saw your hand. >> It's okay. >> Okay. >> Other questions floor. >> I I think we should ask ourselves to like the some of this money is what we have set apart in our capital plan and the work that we're doing. We have done a lot of work to be sure that we maintain our capital plan and we maintain the assets that also affect the student outcomes for for our kids. So, so I think the the what we're seeing here, you know, electrical panels, the kitchen renovation are all things that are going to have an impact on our students. And we're not, you know, it's not if if we take into consideration how many buildings we have and the cost of each of the of the of the projects, we have put money aside for for this. And we have made a commitment as a district to not, you know, we don't take money out of our capital plan to put it into other things. We have made this commitment as a as a district to stay to not find ourselves in a possible bono because we have delayed the maintenance of our buildings too. Daniel, >> I was just going to ask Suzanne if you could remind us when um the kitchen renovation in particular was identified as a priority. That's part one. And part two was just the the process of uh refining the scope of work and bidding and and final project approval like what that what that timeline looks like for those steps. >> Sure. Um well the kitchen project uh has been something that's been talked about since before me which I've been here 5 years now or more than five years and been in the plans for about two years. Um, and the initial allotment for the kitchen was designated in your FY27 approval, but because of the PCBs, it had to be tabled. So, on the on page 42 of your packet, uh, you can see that $418,15 was approved in that FY27 aotment and the remainder of the costs were for the other projects. So really for the FY28 projects, we're um approving about half is adding to that kitchen project. >> What was the second part? >> Uh bidding process and any final approval steps. >> Yeah. So Black River Design has given us their soft cost or their cost estimate to develop the bid documents. They have not finished those documents yet. So nothing's been bid yet. Ideally, we would get things bid uh this fall so that we can be awarding things by January >> and we the board would vote on any any >> awards. Yep. >> So, there's a just to state that self-evident fact, there's another opportunity for us to approve or deny the process. >> Yes. >> Thank you, >> Zach. and then Chris. >> Oh, okay. I I think I know I know historically we've bid a lot of these things you know in you know you know you in a large group it may thinking about potential budgetary pressures thinking about potent you know thinking about whether that option to to have a have another decision point is a real one we may want to look at you I know look at bidding things separately so that if we if we set if we need to to rank things and say these really need to go forward these don'ts that we have the ability to do it at that point rather than just getting a complete bid for everything and and just have a yes or no. >> Yep. >> So Chris and our project manager Andrew Lar Roa and myself work pretty closely with Black River Design and we did bring some of your questions and concerns uh and and are going to work with them some more to identify if there's opportunity that will maximize the stretch of our budget uh by splitting them. Generally, we've chosen to lump them. thinking that that will attract more contractors to bid on the projects. So, we're really leaning heavily on Andrew and the professionals at the architect firm. Thank you. And I I think there are two there are two separate, you know, issues. There's there's the issue of are there some smaller things that, you know, you you don't want some big company doing. You want someone with a pickup truck and a post hole digger to do. Um the the other but the other piece is just the for us is the decision point question and the question of can we move forward with everything and so I think I want to make sure that we understand those are separate those are actually two separate concerns even though even if it's pointing to the same sort of process >> right Chris >> um so you mentioned about the facility and student outcomes um are you aware of any specific studies that tie um facil ities to beneficial impact on student outcomes or is that an assumption? >> No, absolutely. There's been several studies and it's done in Europe. It's done everywhere. Actually, even David Epstein wrote a little book about it. But for example, natural light, one of the arctics from Turks and Collins, he did one little booklet where it showed the link with student outcomes and the facilities. But we do know that the built environment affects us all, right? So student out like if you have better natural light if you have a better unit for heat and ventilation your kid the seats you know they can wiggle you know the kids are better able to pay attention so it does the built environment affects those I can't give you exact numbers but I know for a fact that the built environment affects children affects students and it can affect you know lighting for example is one of the things that we're doing right >> yeah so >> so one The other things I've been concerned about here is we have two Friday projects um for for Callus. Um and there has been a move of foot to close Callus. Um and I I'm assuming that that movement has not gone away. Um and so why would we be expending capital funds into a building that um the district as a whole may eventually close when when it's not an emergency to do it and when we're looking at a very difficult budget year that may necessitate um cutting programs. I just don't see where we're not having that discussion about those priorities um and where that is the proper balance to strike. Um, and I think we should have that fuller discussion before we commit again. I understand that we can say later no, but I think once you're further down the line and we have the, you know, the bid documents already done, ready to go, the pressure is there to go forward. Uh, so I think having a fuller discussion before we get to that point would be helpful, especially in a tough budget year. I can't emphasize that part enough. >> So we have floor, Daniel, and then Elizabeth. I I would just say to that it's still our building. It's still part of our community. We own you know Kalis is as much owner of Isma as we are much owner of Kalis. You know we're still as the community as a taxpayers is still our our building. So if it's uh I'm not going to keep talking about that. I it was going to be to add to what Suzanne was saying the finance when the finance committee met we asked Suzanne to at our next meeting we are going to be discussing a little bit more in detail getting a better understanding of the questions that sack had asked and that we've been asking about bidding and how we go about it and informing ourselves and inviting Chris and >> Andrew and Black River to be part of that meeting so that we have a federal you were at that meeting too, so just wanted to share that. >> Yeah, Daniel. >> Yeah, I was just going to disagree a little bit with some of the uh characterizing statements because I think we've we've already retracted from what is our preferred most responsible approach to capital improvement, which was a five-year plan. We're effectively on like an eight-year schedule for capital improvements, which really should be happening within a 5year time frame. So that's one thing number one. Thing number two is as you said we will have another opportunity to scrutinize that these projects individually and in the context of better budget information at that point and I think you know thing number three is just to reiterate what floor said there there are buildings it's in no one's interest ours or the towns to have you know decrepit facilities >> I agree >> in in those spaces and and it's so it's in everybody body's interest. The the correlary is it's in everybody's interest to keep them up and keep maximize and optimize their use as long as we can include them in the capital improvement plans like continue to maintain them, continue to invest in them because they are community resources. >> We agree. >> Um yeah, I just want to say that I I agree with Chris. I think that um given the narrative um from our last budget season and the concerns about being able to maintain um programming, I really do have deep concerns about driving forward without really understanding what what what is coming and what how the board might move. I recognize the importance of honoring and moving forward with capital improvements, but I think we're gonna have to be more creative than we ever have been with this budget season. And so I do have similar concerns to Chris. And I think that we need to really make sure all the decisions we're making, we feel as sound as possible. And I don't feel sound making this decision right now. Um I I would like to have a lot more information. And I think that we owe it to our communities to really look at this very very carefully. I'm I'm deeply concerned about the budget season and I think we all really need to make sure that we're being as intentional as possible. >> Marty, uh I agree with Chris and when I look through this I see some things that we should jump on um that they're important to do. The lighting for one I think is going to save money in the long run. But there are other items on here that I don't see that they're an absolute necessity to do immediately, particularly when we're from everything I'm hearing from everybody, our budgets, we've got to really work hard on the budget if we want it to pass. So there's a number of things on here that I just don't see the necessity moving forward with. So I want to clarify too though if you know again we have heard that with with the bids if if we say no bids then we have no options. You know what I'm saying? If we say bids then we do have another time when there's more budget information and there's more discussion that can occur. So you know what I hear you saying Chris that sometimes it feels like it you know the trains left the station once you get the bids. I I am not sure any of us are going to be thinking that way as we go through this budget process though. >> Um we could we could authorize to get the bids drawn and not vote on on this particular amount. >> I mean there's a distinction between bidding putting out the papers to bid the project uh and then actually putting the bids out. So there's no reason I think to vote on this now in terms of this amount. We can authorize the bids to be drawn. I don't know what cost that would be. >> What $17,212? >> Yeah. >> I I just had one other thing to add about these projects and I'm I'm curious about u Marty's statement. Most of these projects are secure uh safety and security items. So in our capital plan uh we have priorities and safety and security is one of our first priorities and we're still tackling those projects. So the mag holes on the doors are a safe a security project. The PCB remediation is included in the kitchen project. Paving requires doing because if you know somebody trips and falls that's a safety issue. electrical panels. If nothing else, that one absolutely should go forward. Um, and the security system, those are all safety and security issues. >> I'm sorry. >> Um, I would like in this process though, what you just have been doing over the past couple months with CBCC's exploration too, there are um, there balances and checks and balances in the system along the way. We have um in this district worked very hard in the time that I've been here to um establish safety and security measures in our schools and to continue to build these facilities so that they can be um the best ones for our students. This has a not to exceed amount and it allows the process to continue to move in ways that help us gather information to bring to you and the decision- making is still in your hands. But again, without the ability to to go forward, um then then we're sort of we're stuck. So I would just I would recommend allowing to us to go forward with the project to bring information to you so that then you can make even more informed decisions as we get more information about budgeting. At the same time, this doesn't mean you're approving everything. It means you're letting us move forward in a in a contained way so that we can continue to do the work and service to this district. So if we voted for to authorize 117,000 whatever the number Suzanne said was that would allow the process to move forward. >> Yes. >> I mean it it would allow us to to move forward at a certain state. I mean >> I mean none of this work is scheduled to be done this year. >> Is that correct? >> Not this year. No, >> not this year. So, it's not pressing safety uh issues because it was pressing safety issues, we'd be allocating money from the fund balance to get it done right now. Um, so this is future looking and if we're again, it's in the the context of a very difficult budget year. Um, because that that has been the the drum that we've heard beating all through the end of our our semester last year. uh and you know it's just matter if we're doing are we cutting programs or we saving buildings um and and that that's a real start and discussion and I think that's what it may come down to. I don't know that but if we have to cut a million or two dollars out of our budget um that's where I think it comes down. So you know I don't oppose these projects but if I'm the balance for me is for um programs. Okay. So >> floor my concern >> I'm wondering Chris what was what was with the finance committee who reviewed this what was the recommendation of the finance committee >> say yes but I you know I abstain and but it's for the fuller discussion it's a full >> discussion I'm just I'm just saying that you know as as the finance committee also made the same recommendation that that we're hearing. So if you allow us right now, if if the board, you know, we obviously called the vote, but if the board allows us to move forward right now with with this, you can still come back and say no later on to to the bits. But to do, you know, 17 investment without commitment from for this security issues is not is also not responsible of us right now. >> I saw Patrick's hand and then Daniel's. Yes, I have a mathy question. So, this is nearly a million dollars, but it's not but to to Chris's point, it wouldn't actually save if we'd said zero wouldn't actually save us a million dollars on this year's budget because this is not work that would necessarily happen this year. Is that is that accurate? >> It's transferred to the next year. >> It's next year's. >> So, it's next year's budget. >> It's money to be spended out of the capital fund which currently has an amount that will have an allocation from this fiscal year. And then when I prepare the budget for you next fiscal year, there'll be an allocation. We are at a point where we are almost putting in the amount that you're funding for the project that the projects that you're doing in that year. In the past, we've had a very sizable fund balance in capital >> and been able to plan ahead and spend ahead. Um we're we're approaching that, you know, fine balance where you're putting in about as much as what you're planning for the the coming year. >> Yeah. That was my next question in that the capital improvement budget is is is something that we put in. So you might have just explained this but but it's it's also and and therefore it's separate from money that goes towards programs. >> The fund is the fund is >> right but when we prepare the budget every year we we put in an allocation from the the general fund to transfer into the capital fund which helps fund those projects in upcoming years. helps us plan for them in that five-year plan that we've developed. Right? So, we've actually developed a plan that all lots a certain amount every single year. And that's how we've said, "Okay, this is how we'll find how we'll uh do these projects in 2028 and these projects in 2029. The board has to allot a certain amount of money in each of those years to complete those projects. If we don't, we will be deferring capital projects. we will be putting off things that need to be done. >> And so the the ways so what is our situation right now? Are we are we to the point where we we can afford to pay for these projects out of the out of the existing capital fund or or do we need to contribute have we been contributing appropriately for the last few years to be able to to to pay for these projects? >> Um we have the money in the fund to pay for these bud these projects. >> Right. Okay. Thank you. So, I'm going to say that, you know, Daniel had his hand, then Zach was the final, and then we're going to take the vote, and the vote will be the vote. >> Daniel, well, I was I mean, I was just going to mention the context that I'm thinking about the the number specifically was our conversation in finance committee, which was, you know, do we put oursel at a disadvantage by putting the number out there? And do people is it sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy that if you say something is not to exceed a million dollars. You get five bids between $950,000 and $999,000. And I think some of us thought maybe yes, that that does happen. I'm curious Diane, excuse me, Suzanne, if um there's any material challenge to you in preparing bid documents if we if we still authorize the completion of the projects and approve moving forward with document prep, but don't explicitly name a number. No, because you've already approved your plan that allows me to well allows the superintendent to sign that agreement with Black River Design to prepare um the bid documents. So I guess I would suggest as a friendly amendment to floor that we just um change the language of the resolution to uh authorizing the completion of the recommended projects as identified above and approve the district moving forward with the document preparation and bidding as necessary. >> Just omitting the language for an amount not to exceed. So that's that's a requested friendly amendment. >> It's up to you to accept or not accept. >> Zack, I don't. >> Okay. So the the motion before us is that we authorize the completion of the recommended projects as identified above for an amount not to exceed 967,25 and approve the district moving forward with bid document preparation and bidding as necessary. All in favor say I. >> I opposed. >> Nay. >> So there were two nays or three? >> Abstain. >> Two nays and one abstension. All right. And the um so then moving on to our next part is about personnel. I don't have the updated sheet. That's on me. Um is there a motion and um vacancy report? >> Oh yes. Sorry. Yes. vacancy update. >> Yeah. So, um we've been working very hard to hire. We're in really good shape. Um big thanks to Heidi in HR for helping us get this together. We currently have um four vacancies um in our in the professional faculty. We have a 0.1 opening in library media and tech integration at Dodie. We have a 1.0 0 athletic trainer slash assistant athletic director at U32 vacant. We have a 1.0 school psychologist position that is vacant and we have a we're still seeking a special educator for um U32. We are almost um completely staffed with Paris. We have a few in and out and we still have a little bit of uncertainty with students. We're um waiting to see who who ends up coming. We've also been doing quite well with um staff and community connections and afterchool programming at Berlin. Um and just yesterday or today you got the updated packet because we found a school counselor at um at Callus. So we're in pretty good shape right now. >> Anything? >> That sounds like great news. I I was curious um what our full staffing for special educators at U32 would look like. So, what percent down are we if we don't have one? >> I don't think I have that number at my fingertips, but we have um in the past had had more vacancies at U32 in special education than we currently have now. >> Thanks. >> Yeah. >> Any Elizabeth? >> Yeah. Um I'm not sure if you can answer this, so I apologize if you can't. Are there um candidates for the school psychologist position at U32? So we have been um advertising that position in an ongoing way. We are we need to meet that need. That was a vacancy that was created in the spring for us. So we've been working um with a cons with a cons consultant to get that work done so that we can complete them in a timely manner while simultaneously continuing to um to seek somebody in the permanent position. >> Sorry, one more question. um for the library tech at Dodie, is there a possibility to share that with somebody who's currently doing it at a different school so that that isn't vacant truly vacant? >> Yeah, the the position itself is not 100% vacant as I recall. It's just partially vacant right now. Um because of the shifts in the FTA, you could probably you had that at your fingertips. Um, so it's a.3 position and there all of our librarians are shared among buildings. There just isn't enough of them to add up to that other.1. >> So it would be it's two people who need to serve in that.3. One of them is already um working at Callus and Small Pillar. >> Okay. >> Next year Dodie as well. >> Thank you. >> That one is is also advertised as a long-term sub is advertised as both. >> Oh, great. just so we can >> try to get someone in the role. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> All right, then moving on to the U personnel the um new hires and resignations. Is there someone who can move that? I move we approve the new hires of Elena Smith. I'm liter literacy inter interventionist at U32, Jasmine Nway. I'm school counselor at Callus, Caitlyn Zino, I'm PE in health at Berlin and Callus, and Teal Church. I'm school nurse at U32. >> Second. >> I'll second floor. Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. So ordered the resignations. >> I move that we accept the resignations of Ruth Presenda, a school counselor at Council Elementary and Anthony Snow, dean of students 32. >> Thanks. >> Second by appreciation with thanks and appreciation. Thanks. >> Any discussion? >> Uh I have a question about the dean of students. Are you intending to find somebody to fill that position? >> Oh yeah, that's a great question. even though they're um overloaded with administrative people. >> So, U32 has done a lot of um thinking about how best to meet that need around supporting students in discipline. They've actually reconfigured that position for an ESP position as schoolwide behavior support, which is similar to positions, parent educator positions we've had in other buildings. So, that's how they're going to meet that need. And then they're continuing to reorganize their administrative support. So, it will not be a licensed position. It's going to be replaced by um two positions to meet that need. >> Any additional questions? >> I guess how will we know that that's working? >> Well, I think that uh one of the things we're doing is monitoring the behaviors. Uh we collect behavior data on a regular basis and analyze that to figure out what our students need. So by examining our data, we'll figure out if that is best meeting our students needs. Any additional questions? All those in favor say I. >> Opposed? So ordered. >> So moving on to the consent agenda, the minutes of 85. >> I move to approve the minutes of 85 2026. >> Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. So ordered. Uh so future agenda items. We did mention about the um the need for we'll talk about the merger study updates at our next meeting and um we'll need to elect um a person representative. Thank you. Um to that. And so there the steering committee as we're launching into the next year will look at all of those items that we talked about last time. So do know that the text information and there was a variety of points that we will put on there. Um any additional agenda items that people wanted to make sure were noted? >> Just the one for the ballot um for the vote. >> Thank you. >> Um >> yes. Well, I guess I'm just curious in in terms of our work plan in our calendar um and our plan to have a board retreat when uh a superintendent were um identified. Now, we have a different timeline and I'm curious whether we want to go ahead with our retreat sooner rather than later because of that. So, I would I would say that's a great future item because I think we need to see um what the next couple of weeks bring and whether or not what that planning would look like. >> Okay. >> Uh reflections of the meeting. >> Don't get excited board. We have another executive session. I'm just letting you know. >> So, change that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Change that reflection. >> All right. So, um so this is the next time the second time in our agenda for public comments. Um so, please. Yeah. Um just a minute, Laya. Let me get this situated. All right. Um so, if you would like to I see Yla. So, just one minute, Laya. And then if others please do raise your hand. Um and go ahead Laya. >> Yeah. Laya Richardson from Worcester. Um I've mentioned before that I'm very concerned that the steering committee just meets and discusses items um without a public meeting, without any minutes, without any recording. Um it seems that the board is delegating more and more to the steering committee. Um it was explained to me at one point that the steering committee only prepares the agenda and that's clearly not what's happening anymore. Um, and I really hope that the uh board reconsiders that um I'm looking at the calendar that was um reviewed the draft calendar that was reviewed a few meetings ago and it appears that the steering committee has a sort of regular time slot which is the alternating Wednesday from the board meetings. um the last Wednesday of the month. And so next week there will be a board meeting and you'll be talking about the superintendent position um which is a really important issue for the district. So, I'm asking you to make that a public meeting. Um, and um, just on the topic of the open meeting law, um, I would point out that David Delore is correct. If you have board members who are participating virtually and there's not a unanimous vote, the open meeting law says that you should be taking votes by roll call. And I and people want to know who is voting if it's not a you know which on which side if it's not a unanimous decision but the law actually requires that as David said. >> Thank you. Any additional >> Oh, Denise. >> Alice, I just wanted to say I support the technical center, career center, or whatever you're calling it. My concern is we have heard ad nauseium about how there is so much space because there's not enough students. Why is there not somebody looking at repurposing East Montpillar, Berlin, whatever to make that into the career technical center? We also have heard at Nauseium that it's okay to bust students here, there, and everywhere. So, why spend a millions and millions of dollars to add on or add buildings to what we already heard was underutilized space? >> Thank you, Denise. Any additional comments? All right. So, they're not hearing any. Um, is there a motion to go into executive session for negotiations? Um, >> I'll move that we go into executive session for the purpose of negotiations to include anybody else. >> Um, Suzanne and Heidi. >> Suzanne and Heidi. >> And there are um there are three board members currently. And so um >> so let me see. Can you create a >> So, we're going to try to create a room. I'll bring my computer in. >> Oh, yes. >> Each second >> there's three. So, now that Ursula was there as well and um maybe she's not there anymore. >> Is there a second to go? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I Diane >> I because I have a spouse. I also >> Yes. Yes. So there are two recruitments. >> I made a motion. I will make a motion to approve the ESP collective agreement and the salary schedule. >> Second. >> Second. And um now that we've been reminded about roll call since um there are um two people online. Um let me start with uh Julia. Yay or nay? >> Yay. >> Andrew. Yay. >> Uh, Elizabeth. >> Oh, abstaining. Sorry. Thank you. Uh, Marty. >> Yay. >> Michelle's. Yay. >> Yay. >> From Judy. >> Zack. >> Chris. >> Yes. >> Patrick. >> Yay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, so the the motion passes. >> Did you get that, Lisa? >> You speaking Scott? >> Lisa. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. That is it for tonight. Looking at the agenda. Is there a motion? >> Make a motion to adjourn. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I.