{"utterances":[{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2026-05-21","video_id":17,"video_title":"Boards and Commissions - Appropriations and Oversight May 21 2026 Budget Hearing","meeting_id":5937,"start_sec":52.41,"end_sec":136.48,"similarity":0.856,"text":"Hi, everyone. Thank you for having me. My name's Jen McAndrew. I live at 12 Sears Ave. I'm here to speak tonight, and proudly support the appointment before you of Mark McKinnon to the Melrose Housing Authority board. I've known Mark for 20 years, um, as a family friend, a former colleague, and a Ward 1 neighbor. And, um, I've had the privilege of working with Mark on two occasions, first in the Massachusetts State House, and then on staff in the U.S. House of Representatives. He's gone on since, as I know you've seen from his materials, to success and leadership in the private sector as well. Among the qualities that make Mark ideal for this type of role, I think, are that he listens and works collaboratively, he understands how government works, and he values good government and understands what it can bring to communities. He loves Melrose, and after growing up here, returned as a young professional and purchased a home here, which I think speaks volumes about his commitment to the community. And most importantly, he cares about people and leads with understanding and empathy. I'm really glad that the mayor nominated him for this role and that he's willing to serve in this civic leadership position. I thank you all for your service to Melrose, which I really appreciate, and for listening to me tonight. Thank you.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1194581324#t=52s","page_url":"/video/17"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":2.24,"end_sec":24.87,"similarity":0.793,"text":"Good evening everyone, and welcome to this meeting of the Melrose School Committee. The date is Tuesday, December 16th, 2025. The time is 7:00 PM My name is Jen McAndrew. I'm the Vice chair of the committee. Ms. O'Connor, will you kindly call the role? Yes, Ms. McGrew? Here. Mayor I. Here. Ms. Ozzie Thomas. Here. Mr. Kelly. Here. Ms. Driscoll? Here. Mr. Hartman here.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=2s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":26.25,"end_sec":33.62,"similarity":0.773,"text":"And with six present and one absent. We have a quorum and are ready to proceed. Let us stand as we are able for the pledge","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=26s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":53.66,"end_sec":66.42,"similarity":0.819,"text":"Thanks everyone. Uh, let me note for the record that tonight's meeting is being, um, recorded and broadcast by our friends at MMTV, with our thanks as always.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=53s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":67.41,"end_sec":81.11,"similarity":0.812,"text":"Um, first up tonight we have public comment. Um, if there's anyone who would like to speak tonight during public comment, you can go ahead and sign in. Um, and we're happy to, um, hear your thoughts this evening.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=67s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":84.65,"end_sec":91.12,"similarity":0.749,"text":"While we're waiting for that, Ms. O'Connor, is there anyone online for public comment? There is not. No one online","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=84s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":92.54,"end_sec":117.08,"similarity":0.868,"text":"And no commenters in person, or are there none. Okay. Thank you so much, Mr. Driscoll. Thanks everybody. Um, I will note that we received, um, about a dozen emails this week and we're, I know the committee member, it's all read and considered those as well. So thank you to everyone who reached out to the committee. Um, next up we have, um, the report","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=92s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":117.81,"end_sec":138.44,"similarity":0.868,"text":"of our student representatives. Our student representatives are not here. I know tonight there is a lot going on, including varsity bas, girls basketball, and VER track and a band concert Districtwide. So we look forward to an update soon. Um, and next we have announcements of the superintendent, interim Superintendent Berman. Great.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=117s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":173.51,"end_sec":219.02,"similarity":0.874,"text":"Any questions on the enrollment port? Looks pretty similar to last one. Mm-hmm. Yeah, very similar. Excellent. Thank you. Alright, that's all I have is any other updates. Okay. Thank you. Moving on. Um, next on our agenda is the consent agenda, which tonight includes the following items, the meeting minutes from December 9th, 2025. The cafeteria report, the Melrose High School Ski Club Field trip request, and the warrants as follows. Fiscal 26 school warrant S 2 6 0 44 in the amount of $274,289 and 97 cents. And the fiscal 26 refunds and officials warrant S 2 6 0 4 5 in the amount of $399. Is there anything that anyone would like to remove from the consent agenda at this time?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=173s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":220.08,"end_sec":225.8,"similarity":0.838,"text":"Seeing then, is there a motion to approve made by Mr. Kelly? Seconded by Ms. Rezi Thomas. All in favor?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=220s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":226.68,"end_sec":229.44,"similarity":0.696,"text":"And that carries with six in favor and one absent.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=226s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":233.52,"end_sec":237.78,"similarity":0.736,"text":"Excellent. Alright, now we move on to the work of our subcommittees. Up first is finance and facilities with Mr. Kelly.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=233s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":609.58,"end_sec":625.38,"similarity":0.82,"text":"Um, um, thank you, um, very helpful as always on the information in the packet. I, um, this is, it's, this is not really, it's a just a request for the superintendent to just go over one more time because, um, we, we got a couple of, um,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=609s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":626.25,"end_sec":644.55,"similarity":0.811,"text":"really helpful emails this week about this, uh, from residents and, um, which I'm sure you've seen. And, and I, um, just wanted to sort of reflect back that what we are doing tonight is, uh, and I know we talked about this last time too, but we are, um, being asked","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=626s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":645.33,"end_sec":689.71,"similarity":0.826,"text":"to approve a proposal from you and the district to, um, apply the supplemental funding from the override across our budget categories. And for the position, the number of positions that's here. So, for example, middle school, high school is eight educators and one administrator. Correct. Um, but we are not being a asked to at this time, to, um, like approve a program of studies for next year, for example, or approve a leadership chart for next year. For example. We haven't actually made decisions necessarily about, for example, where that admin will be at the middle school or high school. Correct. I just wanted you to maybe talk a little more about that. 'cause I think there is some confusion of that and I get why. Yep,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=645s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":788.83,"end_sec":830.18,"similarity":0.769,"text":"Great. Thank you. So for fiscal 27, no decisions made in terms of, like, for example, that admin position or what even the program of studies might be up at the middle school, high school, or even, um, where some of those, um, those elementary school teachers will be. I know you're trying to hire them as soon as possible. Um, I would just point out that we had also an email from one of the chairs of cpac, um, among other things encouraging us the committee to look in fiscal 27 at hiring a full-time special ed director. Mm-hmm. I know we have two wonderful part-time folks filling that role right now. Um, so thank you for that. That's helpful. You're welcome. That's all.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=788s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":961.15,"end_sec":968.15,"similarity":0.702,"text":"To approve the districtwide admin supplemental appropriation in the amount of $700,300.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=961s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":985.05,"end_sec":1009.05,"similarity":0.777,"text":"Motion to approve the remaining supplemental appropriation lines, um, as follows, 97,000 for the Franklin 650, 6,000 for the elementary, 533,000 for the middle school, 363,000 for the high school, 1.4695 million for teaching and learning, and for a total of 3.1185 million.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=985s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":1063.53,"end_sec":1066.66,"similarity":0.7,"text":"Thank you, Mr. Kelly. Next up is policy and planning with Mr. Hartman.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=1063s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":1381.49,"end_sec":1511.0,"similarity":0.865,"text":"Excellent. We're moving right along here, folks. Um, okay. Next up is announcements of the chair. We have two items. The first is a continuation of our discussion from last time, um, about the path forward for the superintendent hiring process. Um, so just thought I would start out by giving a little summary of where we are. Um, uh, over the past several meetings. Um, we have discussed various pieces of this. We conducted a mid-year performance review of the interim superintendent. Um, and then last time we had, at last meeting, we had a discussion about the different, um, possible paths forward for us as a committee. At this time. There is a memo from Chair Withey and our council, um, Amy Lindquist in the packet that was also in last time around the hiring processes, uh, for superintendents. We had lengthy discussion at our last meeting. Um, we have heard from members of the public, um, before the last meeting and in the interim week between meetings. Thank you to everyone who wrote in. There's a wide range of views expressed, and I know that we all considered all of that feedback. Um, and appreciate it. We heard from some folks also in public comment last time. Um, so my suggestion now, um, would be, um, oh, I should also mention that I think the superintendent's resume documents, um, were added, um, in the packet as well, including a letter from Superintendent Berman. Um, so I thought tonight we could start with, um, a continuation of the conversation. Any, um, questions or comments, um, to or from the superintendent, uh, from the committee or questions and discussion amongst the committee. Um, and then, um, we can entertain any motions if there are any from the committee, uh, tonight. So that, that's a suggestion. Um, is there any discussion or questions? Anyone wanna get started tonight?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=1381s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":2384.26,"end_sec":2392.15,"similarity":0.617,"text":"We're in a mode of questions for the superintendent. So are there other questions for the interim superintendent at this time? Ms. Razzi? Thomas, did you have another one?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=2384s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":2396.24,"end_sec":2402.24,"similarity":0.735,"text":"I think folks also have some comments as well, but we'll do questions first. There are some,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=2396s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":2699.75,"end_sec":2706.88,"similarity":0.653,"text":"Thank you. Um, okay, moving on to some discussion, comments from the committee at this time? Any Mr. Kelly?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=2699s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":2882.81,"end_sec":2886.18,"similarity":0.637,"text":"Thank you, Ms. Withey. Any other comments at this time?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=2882s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":3294.71,"end_sec":3297.34,"similarity":0.721,"text":"What is the will of the committee at this time? Mr. Kelly?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=3294s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":3303.09,"end_sec":3310.09,"similarity":0.795,"text":"Second Motion made by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. School on discussion. Mayor gti.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=3303s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":3499.87,"end_sec":3620.08,"similarity":0.845,"text":"Thank you. Any other comments? Um, seeing none, I have a few comments I'd like to make as well. Um, thanks for the indulgence. Um, thank you all for your questions and comments throughout this process. And to everyone who reached out to us, um, over the last few weeks, I support this motion. Um, and let me just say why, um, I did speak to some of this last week, but I wanted just to go over a couple of things. Um, I've served on the committee for eight years, as I mentioned last week. During that time, there's been five superintendents and four mayors. Um, and again, change can be a very good and powerful thing and often is. Um, but it's also true that during that time I have seen tremendous leadership and professional growth and also deep care for students from our own school leadership team here in Melrose, including Interim Superintendent Berman. Um, my tenure on this committee also means that I have personally, um, been through several superintendent search processes. I have interviewed, um, many candidates to be our superintendent of schools over the years. Um, and we have had some really highly qualified education leaders come before us. People who dedicate their careers and their lives to children and to teaching and learning. And I applaud all of them. But the truth is, and has, has been mentioned here by several of my colleagues, Mel Ross has had a pretty mixed track record in landing these processes. We've had a failed search during time, my time on the committee. We've had finalists drop out at the last minute, et cetera, et cetera. We've hired another interim before Carrie Berman during my time on the committee as a result of all of that. And I also wanna say, and I think we have not talked about this tonight, so I wanna add that that track record is not particularly unique to Melrose right now. Um, especially right now actually, communities are experiencing leadership turnover and failed searches. Some, um, are elevating internal candidates or appointing their own interims or deputy superintendents.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=3499s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":3621.12,"end_sec":3739.32,"similarity":0.854,"text":"And, you know, you can read, um, the education press, uh, search online and, and learn more about that if you want, including in some of our neighboring communities. Um, I would also add that we have a lot of momentum right now in this district. The override was a tremendous achievement and a historic investment in our schools. This has been mentioned in our city departments and in our community. And it should be a big point of pride and hope. I know it is for me. Um, and the interim superintendent and her team are already acting on that investment, uh, presenting. And tonight we approved a plan, a budget plan to begin to implement those much needed funds that the community has trusted us with. Um, we have appointed an interim deputy superintendent and an excellent one in Ken Kelly. We're kicking off negotiations with our educators. Um, we are in, we are a third of the way through a school year. Um, so plans are being made, plans are being implemented, and they're, they're being done well. Um, and all of those reasons, and all of the ones expressed tonight are very good reasons to appoint Gary Berryman to be our superintendent of schools. And they've been closely considered, I know by all of us. But for me, all of that is important. But it's not the most important reason to appoint her. Um, the most important reason is that she is an excellent candidate. She has served this district with distinction for many years. She has led us as assistant superintendent and then is interim superintendent with skill, knowledge, and care. She has served 10 years as a teacher in this district, 10 years as a Melrose High School based administrator, and five years in central offices, an assistant superintendent. In interim, she has deep education, deep experience in special education, which we heard about tonight. And of course we know. And that is one of the most challenging parts of public education today. She knows our teachers, she knows this community. And most important, she knows our students and she leads with that.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=3621s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":3740.12,"end_sec":3791.1,"similarity":0.851,"text":"I hold Carrie in very high esteem and she has my trust and full support. I just wanna close on a personal note. Um, tonight is my last regular meeting as a school committee member. Um, and I have made some very tough decisions in this chamber during those years. Um, I have come into votes here or during the COVID time online. Uh, not sure what I will do. Looking forward to listening to my colleagues and heavily weighing different outcomes and risks and considerations. Um, so there have been many tough votes over the last eight years, but for me, this is not one of those, actually, this is not a tough vote for me. This is a very proud vote for me, and I believe this is a very proud vote for Melrose as well. And so with that, we have a motion to appoint Carrie Bermans, uh, subject to successful negotiations made by Mr. Kelly and seconded by Ms. Driscoll. All in favor? And","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=3740s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":3792.5,"end_sec":3796.36,"similarity":0.713,"text":"that motion carries unanimously. Congratulations Ms. Berman. Thank you.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=3792s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":3807.0,"end_sec":3817.38,"similarity":0.785,"text":"Thank you all so much. Um, we do have outreach reports on the announcements of the chair tonight. Are there any, since last week, have you done a lot of outreach, everyone? No. Okay. Can I say something? Yes, you may.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=3807s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":3856.7,"end_sec":3863.82,"similarity":0.714,"text":"Thank You. And thank you for inviting the community and for holding that first ever new lighting at City Hall. Um,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=3856s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":3932.37,"end_sec":4005.45,"similarity":0.8,"text":"Okay, Ms. Withey, Just a moment of quick personal privilege. Um, one I'm really excited for Melrose. I just wanna say that really quickly. Superintendent Verman and two, Ms. McAndrew, I wanna just thank you. I know you just said this is your last meeting of eight years and I feel so thankful to be able to have sat alongside you during that timeframe. So thank you for your support this year as vice chair and for your support for the past eight years too. Thank you so much. Um, and, um, I'll thank you as well. Ms. Withey, this is of course With's last meeting, um, as a member of the school committee and as the current chair. Um, I think folks know that she is a educator, um, an education leader in the city of Boston Public Schools. Um, and, um, just what a, what a pleasure to serve with you and thank you for your services as Chair. Um, I think people may have a sense of this, but the role of chair of the school committee is a tremendous undertaking. As someone who has served in that role, others here have as well. Um, and it's just, um, a really heavy volunteer load on top of being a member of the school committee. So thank you Ms. Withey for your service to students both here in Melrose and in the city of Boston.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=3932s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":4273.47,"end_sec":4276.1,"similarity":0.62,"text":"Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. Kelly.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=4273s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":4403.57,"end_sec":4411.73,"similarity":0.765,"text":"Thank you. Um, thanks everyone. Um, I'll just very quickly say, you know, um, quite unlike me, I did not prepare something to say,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=4403s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":4412.38,"end_sec":4506.95,"similarity":0.831,"text":"as you know, I, we had a lot of real business tonight that I was preparing for. Um, and, and, um, just, uh, but I really just wanna say a huge thank you to everyone. Um, I'll start by thanking my family because, um, the mayor's right, they put up with a lot, um, for everyone in these positions. Um, and, um, it's just been, um, you know, a real journey over these eight years. Um, when I, um, started, I had three kids in the public schools, um, all different levels. And now I have two that are in college and one who's at Melrose High School. So they've sort of, um, grown up in the Melrose Public Schools while I've been on the school committee, which has been really wonderful. Uh, I wanna thank everyone, um, who I've, um, worked with, um, now superintendent about to be, I guess, we'll, we'll still call you interim mentally negotiate that contract. But, um, interim Superintendent Berman, deputy Superintendent Kelly, our principals team, our prior superintendents and interim superintendents and everyone, um, who served, um, the, the students of Melrose so well, um, the, the educators. There are some here. Um, it's been just wonderful getting to know you on many different levels, um, as a parent in the district, um, and also through the school committee. Um, just, you know, just so much love and respect for all of our educators. Um, and of course, um, to everyone here, I wanna thank Ms. O'Connor for all of her hard work. Um, it is, um, you know, it's a big,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=4412s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":4507.6,"end_sec":4625.34,"similarity":0.852,"text":"it's a big ask for someone to be here at some of these meetings, um, so late into the night, uh, when she's worked all day in the superintendent's office, um, and just, um, and Diane Hogan, who was her predecessor in that role. So thank you. Um, thanks to everyone that I've served with, the folks who are here and the folks who, um, previously served with me on the school committee. Um, thank you also to everyone in the mayor's office who gives us so much, uh, support, um, in these roles and really appreciate it. Um, I, I am really grateful for the opportunity. Um, I, you know, just didn't, I decided not to run for another term, um, really just because eight years felt like a good amount of time and 12 years felt like too much for me. Not that I was assuming I would be reelected, but, um, you know, it's been a really wonderful experience. It's, it's only been one part of my civic engagement and my civic life here in Melrose. And, um, you know, those, those other venues for civic engagement will certainly continue. Um, I'll continue to, um, be your champion, uh, from the sidelines for everyone on the committee and also for our new members. So I'm very excited about their leadership, um, within the city of Mel Rosen on the school committee. So, um, thank you all. Um, I think I'll just, um, close by saying, you know, it can be, it's funny when you tell someone that you're on the school committee, I'm sure this is, you know, happen to all of you. They, you know, have this sort of horrified reaction usually, um, around, you know, oh, it must be so hard. Oh, the meetings are so long. Oh, everyone is, you know, complaining. Oh, well, you know, just how do you do it? How do you do it? That's always what people ask. You know? And, um, and, and I will say that there, there it can sometimes. I've always, I I don't think it's been a terrible experience at all. I think it's been great actually, but, um, it can be lonely sometimes.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=4507s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":4626.55,"end_sec":4679.94,"similarity":0.822,"text":"Mm-hmm. Um, and I've often reflected on how, um, I, I sometimes feel lonelier or, you know, I might have some like, dread about something we're working on or doing, um, when I am not here in this room actually. Um, but I've never, um, felt lonely when I'm here. And I think that's because even on, you know, the hardest days that we've had, um, it's because of all of you and everyone that I've worked with and served with. And it's because the people who I've served with and the people who've led the district, um, and taught in the district during that time, um, have always put kids at the center. And that's what I've tried to do too. So thank you for that. And I know you all will continue to do that. Um, and I just really appreciate you all and thank you for your, your service with me. Um, and with that, um, we do have need for an executive session tonight. Oh, we're still Okay. We're not done. Sorry. Sorry.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=4626s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":4706.68,"end_sec":4731.56,"similarity":0.861,"text":"Okay. Are we done? Alright, great. Okay. Um, and with that, we do have need for an executive session tonight to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel. Carrie Berman. Do I have a motion to adjourn to executive session motion? Adjourn made by ms. With, I'm gonna let her make it seconded by Mr. Kelly. Um, Ms. O'Connor, will you kindly call the role?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=4706s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-16","video_id":58,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 16th 2025","meeting_id":5720,"start_sec":4741.31,"end_sec":4751.48,"similarity":0.827,"text":"Um, and with that I will say that we will adjourn to executive session. We will not be returning to public session this evening. Thank you all very much and goodnight. Goodnight","url":"https://vimeo.com/1147186389#t=4741s","page_url":"/video/58"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-09","video_id":61,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 9th 2025","meeting_id":5707,"start_sec":895.51,"end_sec":917.26,"similarity":0.846,"text":"I just have a process question. It's also related to our next item, um, and thank you for this. I think they both look very good at this point in the year. Um, I'm just, um, anticipating that if and when the School Committee votes the supplemental appropriation for school 26, that we would then see those amounts reflected here in the DESE- DESE categories. Is that correct?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1145108161#t=895s","page_url":"/video/61"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-09","video_id":61,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 9th 2025","meeting_id":5707,"start_sec":927.76,"end_sec":931.01,"similarity":0.651,"text":"can see it's there. So it would be distributed across, not held in a separate.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1145108161#t=927s","page_url":"/video/61"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-09","video_id":61,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 9th 2025","meeting_id":5707,"start_sec":941.76,"end_sec":943.76,"similarity":0.65,"text":"Okay. Excellent. Thank you so much.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1145108161#t=941s","page_url":"/video/61"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-09","video_id":61,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 9th 2025","meeting_id":5707,"start_sec":2347.2,"end_sec":2472.45,"similarity":0.815,"text":"Thank you. Um, thank you for this. I found the memo to be incredibly helpful and straightforward. Um, I really appreciate you also sort of cross-walking us through the ballot question itself and how this supplemental budget, um, request for the operating budget of the schools, um, is linked back to the, the ballot question that passed and the number of positions. Um, I, you know, had some of the same questions that you've already answered, so I won't go through that. I will say, um, I think it's really important to continue to emphasize that of the 17 positions you are recommended, recommending, 15 of those are teachers, Unit A teachers, um, and two administrators. I agree with Ms. Rasse-Thomas that we are, you know, um, not only are we relatively lean district on administrators, we cut a ton of administrators over the past... We cut, like, half of our administrators over the past year. So, we knew, um, even at this incredibly historic override amount, that we would not be restoring all the positions. I think, um, very much in favor of, um, those two admin- administrators being restored at each level. Um, I think that our, um, principal and deputy principal at the six to 12, um, campus are doing an incredible job this year, um, and I've heard a lot of positive feedback, um, from educators and from parents. And so, I'm greatly appreciative of that and have seen it myself. Um, but, um, you know, they, they're, they're heroic, but they need support up there, uh, not just more classroom teachers, but also, um, at least one or more ad- admins. So, um, greatly appreciate that as well. Um, one f- I had the same question as Mr. Hartman on the, on the math curriculum. Um, one additional question there. Does that include, um, consumables, like for class... Okay, 'cause that's something we hear is, you know, we sort of sometimes, you know, we, we haven't had the resources for some of that. Um, so that pen-to-paper, pencil-to-paper consumables, um, especially at the elementary level.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1145108161#t=2347s","page_url":"/video/61"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-09","video_id":61,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 9th 2025","meeting_id":5707,"start_sec":2895.09,"end_sec":2898.09,"similarity":0.612,"text":"Motion to postpone the vote to December 16th.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1145108161#t=2895s","page_url":"/video/61"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-09","video_id":61,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 9th 2025","meeting_id":5707,"start_sec":6100.43,"end_sec":6167.52,"similarity":0.857,"text":"I just... I don't know if I'm being, like, extra reflective 'cause I'm coming on my time at the end of the school committee. God bless you all. (laughs) (laughs) Um, uh, but I just want to start off by saying, like, how, um, how excellent I think this committee is. I mean, I just listened to all of you talk about this so thoughtfully, um, and I know that everyone has, um, you know, the absolute best interests of Melrose and the Melrose public school students, um, at the fore of this conversation. Um, I think we have an excellent interim superintendent as well, who gets to sit here while we talk about, um, her future, which is... You know, this... These are always public hiring processes. Um, and excellent deputy, interim deputy superintendent as well. So, I just... I wanna thank everyone. Um, I thought I might just sort of try to capture what I'm... What I heard from everyone so far, um, what some options are going forward for us, um, and then I, I think I'll... You know, I'll say what, what I think we shouldn't or should, should do within, as well just personally,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1145108161#t=6100s","page_url":"/video/61"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-09","video_id":61,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 9th 2025","meeting_id":5707,"start_sec":6168.25,"end_sec":6258.23,"similarity":0.819,"text":"um, as everyone else has shared. So I'm hearing, um, you know, uh, some really, um, clear, strong support for a potential appointment of the interim superintendent to the superintendency permanently. Um, you know, there's the two options, the two paths laid out in the memo. That is certainly one, um, for... And I'm not gonna restate all the reasons that, that people have said tonight, but I think they're been really compelling. Um, there's also the idea of the f- the full, the full search. Um, I, I think I'm also hearing some, some concerns about the, you know, moving directly to the, um, to the appointment, um, and, you know, is there kind of another option. I... You know, I've been thinking a lot about this over the past couple of weeks, um, and, you know, I think there may be some things we can do within the two options, um, and I just kinda wanted to voice those out, um, before I give what my own views are, just because I think, um, it's worth kind of putting everything on the table, in terms of trajectory, I think. Um, I do think those are the main two paths forward. I don't really think there's, like, a lot that we can, we can or should legally stray from, but I did wanna say that, you know, in some ideas that we could consider, um, with the appointment of an interim superintendent, um, that is pending contract negotiations. That would be what the vote would be, if that was the vote. Um, and so within that,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1145108161#t=6168s","page_url":"/video/61"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-09","video_id":61,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 9th 2025","meeting_id":5707,"start_sec":6259.0,"end_sec":6294.43,"similarity":0.782,"text":"um, negotiated items could include, um, and again, this is all subject to negotiations, we could consider a two-year contract- Mm-hmm. ... for the superintendent. Um, most superintendent contracts are three years. Superint- current interim superintendent is already serving a first year, so that could be an option to do two years and sort of keep the interim superintendent on the three-year overall, um, contract cycle. Mm-hmm. Um, we could, um...... talk to the superintendent, even make it part of the, the contract, that there's, um, public listening sessions in January. Um,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1145108161#t=6259s","page_url":"/video/61"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-09","video_id":61,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 9th 2025","meeting_id":5707,"start_sec":6295.46,"end_sec":6344.21,"similarity":0.785,"text":"uh, for, you know, the, the new superintendent, if that's the will of the committee, if that's the direction we go and if that's negotiated. Um, we could also have a consideration within the contract negotiations of a public review of roles and responsibilities and job description. Um, uh, you know, putting that out, um, out there. Um, these are just some of the things I, I've been thinking about over the past couple weeks about, you know, is there sort of... What is the framework within those two options? Is there any sort of additional considerations we could take? Um, and then there's the, the search process itself. Um, I guess just to say where I'm... So that, uh... You know, maybe not in, not at that (coughs) . ... moment of no interest to the committee, but I did want to sort of put that out there, right? Um,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1145108161#t=6295s","page_url":"/video/61"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-09","video_id":61,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 9th 2025","meeting_id":5707,"start_sec":6346.77,"end_sec":6434.03,"similarity":0.847,"text":"I would say that, um, from my experience being on the committee, um, these eight years, what I do not think we should do is some sort of truncated search. I personally do not think that is a good idea. I don't think we should do, um, you know, kind of come up with another kind of search process. I think whether we love it, hate it, have been through it six times, five times, three times, two times, the superintendent search process in the State of Massachusetts is pretty well established. It's what's laid out in the memo. And people who are at the level of applying to and considering superintendencies in the commonwealth expect that process, and I think they have a right to expect that process. And so, um, you know, I, I think anything less than that, you know, maybe there's some tweaks we could do to speed it up, for example. But anything really that differs from that I think would be considered unserious actually in the field, and I would not, um, support something like, you know, a shorter posting or, you know, seeing what we... you know? I just... I, I think it's, um... I don't think that's a good idea. So, I'll, I'll say that's my own view. Um, and, you know, I'm... Just to say, 'cause everyone's been so generous in sharing their thoughts, um, I, um, want to continue to talk as a committee. We will talk next week at our next meeting, I know. Um, I,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1145108161#t=6346s","page_url":"/video/61"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-12-09","video_id":61,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee December 9th 2025","meeting_id":5707,"start_sec":6434.87,"end_sec":6625.57,"similarity":0.82,"text":"um, am, you know, really compelled by and agree with many of the comments that were made tonight about Ms. Berman. Um, I think, you know, as Mr. Kelley said, she's been interviewing on the job certainly since July 1 with us, um, but actually throughout her years in this district. Um, and I, you know, I just... I agree with much of what's been said. I'm not gonna add to it. I thought Ms. Rassou-Thomas's long list of attributes that she's looking for in a superintendent were quite good. Um, I would add to that someone who really knows Melrose, um, is actually incredibly unique qualification that we would have in Ms. Berman. Um, and, you know, I've been... Just to say, uh, finally, um, this idea of, um, change. You know, we've all mentioned how many superintendents we've worked with. Um, mine, mine is five. Uh, five superintendents, um, over eight years. Um, I, I also was thinking about this, um, the other day, you know, I've also served with four mayors, you know? We talk a lot about the five superintendents. (laughs) Um, four mayors, um, and there was a year, uh, where, um, in one election cycle, nine of the 11 city councilors turned over- Mm-hmm. ... in one year. So, I mean, the can-... And, you know, was... Mr. Hartman talked about the overrides and the... You know, we have had a lot of change, I mean, in the past decade in Melrose leadership across the board, um, and that can be great. Um, it... There's so many good things about that. Um, but one of the things that I was thinking about is actually, um, not so much the, the benefits of change versus stability, but, um, what else has happened during that time. Mm-hmm. And one of the things that I've seen happen is that some of our more junior leaders in the district have grown into these leadership roles during that time. Um, and, you know, probably eight years ago, they, they weren't ready to be a superintendent or interested in being a superintendent or deputy superintendent or the principal of the 6 to 12 campus, but now they are and they're serving in those roles. And I, I think it's actually a really terrific, um, testament to the community, to Melrose and Melrose Public Schools that we have these leaders who are in these roles now. Um, and I'm actually thinking about that, um, you know, w- we're talking about the superintendency now, but I'm thinking about all the other leaders who are in those roles now and the actions that I think the committee should consider taking over time. I, I won't be here after January 11th or whatever it is, but, um, you know, the... There are really important leadership changes that have happened and people who have grown into those positions, who love Melrose and who, who know Melrose. So, I'll just say finally that my, you know, my decision in this will be guided by what I hope I've always used to guide my decisions on the committee, and that is, um, what is best for Melrose and for kids in Melrose. So, um, thank you for listening to that long, rambling series of thoughts. Thank you. Are there any other comments as we discuss pros and cons this evening?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1145108161#t=6434s","page_url":"/video/61"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-11-18","video_id":67,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee November 18th 2025","meeting_id":5679,"start_sec":767.32,"end_sec":935.21,"similarity":0.797,"text":"Thank you. Um, just wanna add my, um, my thanks to the community, to the voters, to all of the volunteers who worked so hard, um, to get this historic override, um, passed for our city and our schools, and especially for our kids. Um, I echo everything that's been said. I, I just wanna put a fine point if I could, on a point that the interim superintendent made, which is that this body, if it's the will of the city council to appropriate, um, in the manner proposed by the mayor in her memo, um, will appropriate. Um, and sort of what will come to us is the operating budget of the school district. Um, that supplemental appropriation, um, the, which, if you're following along in the city council materials that they have is 3.8 million of a supplemental budget for this year, including restoring the 17 positions. Um, that, but the total appropriation that will impact the schools, um, from the supplemental budget as proposed if it's passed by the council, um, for the school, for the schools is $8.7 million. So that is literally almost $9 million. Mm-hmm. Um, of the 13 and a half being, um, appropriated towards the school. So that includes $4.3 million in school building maintenance and improvements projects there. Um, the proposed list is in the DPW part of the budget, but it goes directly to school projects. Um, the instructional learning piece, which is the piece that would come to the school committee is 3.8 million. And then there's also technology pieces within the IT line of the city budget. Again, that would be appropriated to the city it, but it serves the schools of half a million. So I just wanted to really put a fine point on that to say how, um, much of an impact this override, um, had on the school department and the, the functioning and operation of the schools. Um, overall, it also, I think, makes the point that you hear all of us talking about ad nauseum during the regular budget processes, which is process, which is how connected the city departments and the schools are, and how all of that serves. Um, so much of the city budget serves our schools and our students. So I, I really, um, appreciate all the hard work that's gone into the council process thus far. All the hard work that's being done, um, by the superintendent, deputy superintendent, and their colleagues, including the principals who I know are all weighing in. Um, and just really appreciate the hard work and look forward to, uh, what's next for us after the city council acts. Thanks,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1138344934#t=767s","page_url":"/video/67"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-11-18","video_id":67,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee November 18th 2025","meeting_id":5679,"start_sec":6056.36,"end_sec":6068.42,"similarity":0.699,"text":"Thank you. This is helpful. Thank you. And thank you to Mr. Fogerty as well. Um, I do think that, um, you know, in the explanatory memo, and based on what you said, um, you know,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1138344934#t=6056s","page_url":"/video/67"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-11-18","video_id":67,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee November 18th 2025","meeting_id":5679,"start_sec":6069.23,"end_sec":6110.46,"similarity":0.705,"text":"I know we don't know why this rate doubled or the number doubled in one year. Um, and that year to year certainly different differs for many reasons, including increases in participation, which we're definitely seeing overall. Um, I will say if, you know, we're at, I know we keep saying this, but we are at a time where, you know, we have additional resources in the district. Um, and I, you know, I would just be like, interested to hear about from your assessment and Mr. Kelly's and, um, ad fogerty if there are, you know, like areas of professional development for coaches,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1138344934#t=6069s","page_url":"/video/67"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-11-18","video_id":67,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee November 18th 2025","meeting_id":5679,"start_sec":6111.34,"end_sec":6159.71,"similarity":0.778,"text":"for the nurses. I know that's a city function, um, budgetary wise, but, um, equipment and, you know, uniform, whatever is sort of if there, if, if there is an assessment there, there are things we can be doing. I think it would be helpful to hear about it when we discuss the report itself from year to year. You know, just getting the number is like, it's fine. I know we have to report it, and I know that it varies for all the reasons that you've laid out. But if there are like any recommendations along with that for trends or ideas or even things that other districts are doing that we're not doing either because, you know, we don't do it for another reason or because of resources, it would just be helpful to like, hear about that at the time that we're talking about, um, the report. So thank you. Thank you, thank you.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1138344934#t=6111s","page_url":"/video/67"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":498.76,"end_sec":500.76,"similarity":0.608,"text":"To pull the concussion report, please.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=498s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":1047.48,"end_sec":1062.23,"similarity":0.72,"text":"To, for clarification, um, also the dates will be updated, I'm assuming, um, are we, is the motion now just related to the policy? Yes. Yes. And we'll do the procedure next. Yes. Because I have questions on that. Okay. Thanks.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=1047s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":1173.59,"end_sec":1234.15,"similarity":0.734,"text":"Thank you. Um, thank you for this. Um, agree. I completely agree that this is a big need and a big improvement and step forward. Um, I think it's just as a general practice for the committee to have a specific policy that is short and clear. Mm-hmm. And then a procedure that illuminates that policy for the day-to-day is really helpful and important. Um, and this one in particular for student activity accounts, um, we've seen a real proliferation of student clubs and extracurriculars, which is awesome. And our students are leaders and they, they wanna do this work, but, you know, they are collecting, in some cases, collecting money, putting money in bank account, you know, in the school, bank account, et cetera, and drawing down on those accounts. So this is a really important step forward. Um, I just wanna clarify a couple things and ask just a couple quick questions. So my understanding of what's here and what's in the policies that student activities accounts","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=1173s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":1234.82,"end_sec":1260.06,"similarity":0.723,"text":"are for student facing, things that are not part of school, not part of the curriculum, not part of school. So extracurricular activities. Um, I think there's some, uh, confusion sometimes about what can be paid for out of these accounts. And I was happy to see the clarification around staff. So if staff are paid out of these accounts for say, um,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=1234s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":1260.88,"end_sec":1276.36,"similarity":0.656,"text":"like, uh, something that, that is a benefit to them, um, like travel or something like that, that is considered income. Am I understanding this right? You are. And it's reported that way? You Are correct. Okay. Um,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=1260s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":1283.81,"end_sec":1299.96,"similarity":0.705,"text":"like fundraising for, so let's just take a fictional student club at the high school, and there's like a trip, I don't mean a, like a global languages exchange trip. I mean, like, there's, you know, some sort of like","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=1283s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":1300.65,"end_sec":1321.4,"similarity":0.697,"text":"science fair that they wanna go to that's somewhere else. And there's, they have to travel and they're, they're using and they fundraise for that. So to offset the cost, is there a direction around how the fundraised money is, um, distributed? Is that something that we help the students with?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=1300s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":1379.06,"end_sec":1417.06,"similarity":0.661,"text":"Okay. So one, one, like in this simplistic example, um, you know, the club is, you know, fundraising for, um, limited travel by, let's say train, um, and the to and for some sort of entrance fee to whatever, this is competition, and the total cost is a thousand dollars, and they raise 500 through fundraising. And then, um, the students who are participating would then maybe be charged a percentage of the 500, and that would go into the student activity, and then the cost would be paid out through filling out the form, getting a check, doing the procedure.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=1379s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":1419.31,"end_sec":1456.08,"similarity":0.756,"text":"Yes. Okay. Um, I guess what I'm, one of the things that this made me think about is that this, you know, being the leader of a student club is a really great opportunity for a high school student as a real growth and development opportunity. And I wonder how, um, and they have a lot of different responsibilities on them, including being careful about money, um, in consultation with their cl with their club advisor. How do we, are we thinking at all yet? And I know we're early in the process of, you know, putting out this procedure, but, um, about like, training for student leaders?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=1419s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":1498.54,"end_sec":1514.79,"similarity":0.635,"text":"Great. Thank you. Yeah, I really think it's a great learning opportunity all the way around. And I think even just having this document and distributing it to the student leaders of the clubs is a great opportunity for them to say, oh, they're actually, you know, here's this policy that I can learn about and follow and ask questions about.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=1498s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":1943.12,"end_sec":2016.37,"similarity":0.687,"text":"Um, just one more question on this. Thank you for, um, raising this. I think it would be no surprise to me if our costs were considerably higher, um, as opposed to one year ago, which is what the report shows. Um, given the inflationary pressures on literally on groceries on every part of the economy right now. Um, I also just wanted to point out, 'cause I think it's important in the context of the cafeteria report, um, and the grants report that, um, we are likely to be in a situation where, um, SNAP benefits expire on Saturday. Um, that is, um, food support for, um, children and families in need. Um, and so the focus on, um, school lunch and um, meals at school is probably going to be even more significant than it already is, even in places like Melrose. Um, and so I just, I'm, I know for a fact without even asking that, our superintendent and deputy superintendent are thinking about that and all of our principals. But, um, just something that's definitely on my mind in the context of this, uh, report and also with keeping our, uh, family supported. So thank you","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=1943s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":3918.16,"end_sec":3982.66,"similarity":0.741,"text":"Um, thank you Principal Patty for being here. Um, it's great to see you and the whole Lincoln School community who's here. Thank you. Um, thank you for the plan. I think it's very clear and accessible as they all have been very focused on, you know, the one, two or three key things that you're working on, and you've been clear about that, which I appreciate. So I have two questions, um, about the second strategy goal. Mm-hmm. Attendance. Um, I just, just first of all wanna just commend you for naming that as a central challenge because I think, um, the more you talk about it in the Lincoln School community in the, in our wider community, the, the more helpful that will be. Mm-hmm. Um, so that, my first question is just about how are you, um, kind of socializing these two goals, and especially that one with the whole Lincoln community, especially the families and caregivers. Um, it's a good question just to know, like not just that, oh, here are the statistics and there's a percentage that's chronically absent, but like why that's important to consider and look at as a school community. Yeah,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=3918s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":4110.91,"end_sec":4140.16,"similarity":0.682,"text":"For that. That's really helpful. I just really commend your very supportive approach to this and very public approach. Um, and so the, the second is related just how, um, I totally get your point that the Lincoln School community has, um, special challenges, needs and opportunities. I'm wondering, um, how we, how you as a principal are working to maybe get ideas, support, um, feedback from other principals and or, um, districts outside of Melrose","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=4110s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":5025.14,"end_sec":5109.47,"similarity":0.691,"text":"Um, So I just, I think my, looking at this report, we can see there was a significant increase in concussions from 2023 to 2024. It's more than double. Um, the, it's not, it's, um, you know, I think there could be a lot of reasons for that. Um, we know from looking at the athletics participation reports that in 2024 we were at or exceeding pre pandemic levels of participation in sports. So part of it could be like a literal population thing, more students playing sports, more games, et cetera. Um, although I see that the level is still above pre pandemic concussion levels as reported here. So, um, could be that we're doing better with tracking and reporting and with relationships with physicians in the community, et cetera. Um, but I think what, um, so there could be many reasons and I, I actually don't know. And that's actually what my point is, that there's not enough information in this report. So my suggestion would be that we, um, uh, unless there's a reporting requirement that we need to meet, I'm, which I'm willing to hear about that we hold this and get a little bit more report, um, information in the report about what, like what is the analysis as to why there's such a big increase this year?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=5025s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":5167.85,"end_sec":5174.37,"similarity":0.637,"text":"Yeah, that would be helpful. I think. I just think that, you know, and we may not know and that's fine, but we don't have any, um,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=5167s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":5197.53,"end_sec":5272.53,"similarity":0.672,"text":"That information can't be shared because of confidentiality. Just Yeah. How are we using this information to inform our training of coaches? Mm-hmm. Um, how is this information used by the athletic trainer or sometimes we have contracted athletic trainers 'cause um, our salary's not high enough to fill the position for a full-time athletic trainer. Um, you know, what are we like, just a little more information here, I think beyond what's required that we report to the state, which I think is the number mm-hmm. Correct. Um, I think would be really helpful. And, um, again, it could be that we're doing better with getting the information, reporting it, and tracking it, and then that means that we're doing better with the protocols for re return return to participation for those students. Um, and you know, I also know this is, I think it's from six to 12. Yeah, it's, Yeah, Grade six to 12, sorry. So, you know, that could also be, we have, you know, a big middle school population participating in, um, sports and other extracurriculars as well. So I would just like to see a little bit more, or, or maybe a format for a more, um, little bit more robust report going forward. Thank you. Thanks, Mr.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=5197s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":6284.35,"end_sec":6352.53,"similarity":0.719,"text":"Um, I echo all that and thank you. Um, I know we'll be getting more into all of these, um, throughout the, the rest of the school year. I, um, I also think to me something that comes through here is your, um, the longevity of your career in this district. Um, so I, um, I'm really glad that you mentioned student voice and sort of student feedback. Um, and I'm not surprised by that because of course you came up through the secondary, uh, school and system here. Um, and I just, I really appreciate that and I, I really think I'd like to hear more, more about that going forward. What your plans, how you plan to do that and sort of instill that, uh, throughout the district. Um, I think you probably have a lot of students at all levels, um, all the way down probably to pre-K I mean four year olds have a lot to say mm-hmm. Um, that have feedback and, and ideas for you. And I think, I think you're the perfect person to hear that because, um, you know, this district and those students so well and have known them for so long. So thank you.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=6284s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-28","video_id":71,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 28th 2025","meeting_id":5646,"start_sec":6463.06,"end_sec":6481.48,"similarity":0.736,"text":"Gander motion to remind, um, everyone that the school committee has monthly office hours, some on zoom, some in person, and all of those dates and locations and times are on the, um, school website. Um, thank you Ms. O'Connor for doing that. Um, and encourage people to come and see us.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1131531461#t=6463s","page_url":"/video/71"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":1737.34,"end_sec":1849.64,"similarity":0.821,"text":"I didn't raise it very high. Hi. Thank you both for being here. Uh, great to see you. And thank you for these plans and presentations. I actually have my two comments apply to both of the plans. So, um, thank you. It's not really a question, but I, um, the first relates to something that, um, Ms. Driscoll said earlier, which is I noticed that both of the plans depend on outside resources from grants, from the ED Foundation and other sources. And, um, well, I hope as Ms. Churchill said that, um, we'll learn things from these new initiatives that we can apply to all of the elementary schools. Obviously that would require additional resources to, you know, to do this across all of our buildings. And, um, so I'm just mindful of that as well. And, um, you know, that's not something that we have available to us at this moment. So, um, it's the first thing. The second is a suggestion, which is, I think one of the great things about these accelerated improvement plans is that they're pretty straightforward and clear and accessible to the community and to parents and families in your schools and the wider community. And so I think it would be helpful to, um, include like a functional glossary in attached to some of these. Um, maybe it probably only need one for the district. Um, not just saying what all these acronyms stand for, which you've told us today, but also what they mean. You know, even if you know what UDL or, you know, even IXL are, um, what does it mean? Like, what does it mean to my kid? You know, what is, so, um, if that's something that we could think about, I know that you're very stretched right now, but I do think that it would go a long way to helping the wider community understand what our, our, um, goals and operations are in your school. So thank you.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=1737s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":2817.3,"end_sec":2824.33,"similarity":0.735,"text":"A question about, um, the records that we say that we'll provide.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=2817s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":2825.16,"end_sec":2828.78,"similarity":0.651,"text":"Um, what do we mean by, um, discipline records?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=2825s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":2836.78,"end_sec":2859.03,"similarity":0.826,"text":"We, do we provide anything that's on or is that, I, I'm asking 'cause I feel like I recall that there is quite a debate in the legislature around providing disciplinary information about students because there was concerns about what kinds of disciplinary information we'd be providing, whether that would put students at a disadvantage for admission to vocational schools.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=2836s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":2859.53,"end_sec":2868.43,"similarity":0.71,"text":"Um, so I just don't know like where that landed or where we land. Is it like attendance? Is that part of it?","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=2859s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":2906.8,"end_sec":2918.05,"similarity":0.683,"text":"Um, that, so anything that would meet the threshold for a disciplinary infraction according to our student handbook would be reflected in their disciplinary record. And that would be reported if that vocational school asks for it.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=2906s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":3341.76,"end_sec":3351.51,"similarity":0.692,"text":"Just the point of order, the motion now is just about suspending the process. It's not about the vote that we will then take to approve, which we could amend Right.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=3341s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":3359.26,"end_sec":3364.9,"similarity":0.728,"text":"Mm-hmm. Or just taking a vote to suspend our process now. Alright. And then we will have to vote on approving, if","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=3359s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":3365.59,"end_sec":3374.97,"similarity":0.731,"text":"that's the will of the committee, then we'll have to take a first vote and there we could make amendments to the policy as part of that vote.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=3365s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":3424.33,"end_sec":3442.11,"similarity":0.754,"text":"Ms. Mcg. So I would just make a motion to approve with one change to make a first, a first vote with one change. So to change the, the language that says, and discipline records to read and records of disciplinary and fractions as required by statute.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=3424s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":3444.16,"end_sec":3448.41,"similarity":0.628,"text":"Just recognizing that what those are might change over time.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=3444s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":3462.32,"end_sec":3477.53,"similarity":0.756,"text":"Um, yes. It's in two places. It's on the fifth bullet and it's also in the bottom, the section below that, collaboration with member vocational vocational schools, um, in that second paragraph.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=3462s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":3496.84,"end_sec":3499.84,"similarity":0.605,"text":"and records of disciplinary infractions as required by statute.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=3496s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-10-14","video_id":74,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee October 14th 2025","meeting_id":5614,"start_sec":3841.91,"end_sec":3845.66,"similarity":0.697,"text":"I make a motion to make the calendar changes outlined in the memo.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1127366187#t=3841s","page_url":"/video/74"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-09-09","video_id":84,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee September 9th 2025","meeting_id":5588,"start_sec":2622.36,"end_sec":2646.36,"similarity":0.752,"text":"Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for this as always. Um, just another quick question on the grants report. Um, a couple of grants that, um, are scheduled to end at, um, the end of this month, um, which is the federal fiscal year. Um, and just wanting to make sure that we're on track to fully spend all of those funds. Yes,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1117292488#t=2622s","page_url":"/video/84"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-09-09","video_id":84,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee September 9th 2025","meeting_id":5588,"start_sec":2914.09,"end_sec":3010.36,"similarity":0.756,"text":"Yeah. Thank you for this. Um, really appreciate all the work that went into it and, um, the analysis as well as we talked about last time. I just wanted to say two things. Which one is that? Um, as, um, deputy Superintendent Kelly referred to, um, I really am looking forward to, um, us sort of tracking the use and the groups and how, like, which categories people, uh, groups fall into and what they, and, you know, um, because I think we have to, you know, we just have to make sure that we're, we're, um, maximizing the revenue, um, for not only the district, but also I think for the sake of the facilities themselves, because that's a source of revenue to keep them updated so that our students can use them and our students are the first priority. Um, so looking forward to learning more about that. And the other thing I will just say is like, you know, we went through a budget process where we raised all of the fees, um, student activities, sports, we put in a new fee for middle school drama. We, um, raised fees for ed stations and for the ECC and the city raised fees in the city council budget process across the board. So, you know, we don't really, I don't think we have a choice except to raise fees. I mean, the, the district in the city is, um, you know, we are in near dire straits with our financial situation. So I agree that we don't wanna price ourselves outta the market. And to me these seem like reasonable, um, fee increases. Um, but we probably need to look at doing, um, something like this every year. Thanks.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1117292488#t=2914s","page_url":"/video/84"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-09-09","video_id":84,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee September 9th 2025","meeting_id":5588,"start_sec":3219.01,"end_sec":3306.01,"similarity":0.807,"text":"Uh, thank you. I'll just say, um, we're continuing to do our monthly office hours for community members to meet with members of the committee. Um, we do this monthly and the dates and times and locations are in the packet. Um, we will make sure that we work with Ms. O'Connor to get these up on the, um, school committee website, and we'll publicize them as well. And like everyone's help in doing that. Um, we do have, um, a session on Zoom as well to try to increase participation. I will say I've been loosely tracking over the past year and a half or so, our participation from the committee and from the community who come to officer. And it seems like when we've tried weeknights, it does not work. That's my, uh, scientific analysis. So, um, we are going with the weekends, um, and different times during the weekend and, um, as well as the Zoom option on, um, in October so that, um, the dates and times are there Folks can just let me know your preferences for when you would like to attend. We usually try to have two or three committee members at each session, so just send me an email with your top date picks. Um, I did try to be careful about holidays and other, um, observances in choosing these dates, but if something is awry, just let me know. Thanks.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1117292488#t=3219s","page_url":"/video/84"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-09-08","video_id":85,"video_title":"Melrose City Council and School Committee  Joint Meeting September 8th 2025","meeting_id":5580,"start_sec":4172.06,"end_sec":4195.62,"similarity":0.706,"text":"Um, I think Melrose has, um, the most thoughtful, well qualified state delegation of any city or town, um, in the Commonwealth, so thank you. I guess Wakefield too. Yeah, I was gonna say. Um, so, uh, thank you. I really appreciate it. And you know, we've talked a lot about heard, um,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1116953618#t=4172s","page_url":"/video/85"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-09-08","video_id":85,"video_title":"Melrose City Council and School Committee  Joint Meeting September 8th 2025","meeting_id":5580,"start_sec":4196.41,"end_sec":4225.17,"similarity":0.793,"text":"about a lot of great ideas, a lot of great questions and, and I sort of wanna bring it back a little bit to where we started because great, great ideas, great questions, but none of that is gonna solve anything for Melrose before November 4th. Um, and so I wanna talk about, um, the relationship between the state and, and Melrose and just clarify a few things. Um, so, um, you know, to Councilor Rae's earlier set of points, um,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1116953618#t=4196s","page_url":"/video/85"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-09-08","video_id":85,"video_title":"Melrose City Council and School Committee  Joint Meeting September 8th 2025","meeting_id":5580,"start_sec":4225.92,"end_sec":4316.91,"similarity":0.803,"text":"when we look at our, our net state aid from last year and our net state aid from this year, the change is roughly $110,000 now. It's still, you know, over $15 million a significant investment from the state. And I think that you, um, both worked hard to get that number higher for Melrose than it would've otherwise been. Um, we cut $6.3 million out of our budget. So $110,000 increase is not anywhere near making that up. And it's not going to be, and that's not a knock on you actually, um, at all. Um, because I wanna go back to something that you said earlier, which is that, um, Melrose funds its government through a combination of state and local funds. And those state funds come in part from the federal government. Those federal funds are being devastated. Um, and the most vulnerable people in Massachusetts will suffer. And that will be many, many children, including children in Melrose. Um, and even so, um, even with the $6.3 million that we cut, we actually aren't yet feeling the impacts of those devastating federal cuts in Melrose, yet. They're on the horizon, as Mr. Hartman pointed out. But we actually haven't felt them directly. The state budget is starting to feel them.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1116953618#t=4225s","page_url":"/video/85"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-09-08","video_id":85,"video_title":"Melrose City Council and School Committee  Joint Meeting September 8th 2025","meeting_id":5580,"start_sec":4317.53,"end_sec":4349.76,"similarity":0.786,"text":"Um, as the rep mentioned, we might see a change in the state budget partway through the year. We could see nine C cuts as Mr. Driscoll mentioned. Um, so we are really sort of, um, we're starting from a place of a pretty devastating budget from my perspective on the school committee in Melrose for kids in Melrose. And we're facing more, um, cuts that will affect us. And uh, you mentioned earlier that Melrose is a minimum aid district, and I was wondering if you could just super briefly, very briefly say what that means.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1116953618#t=4317s","page_url":"/video/85"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-09-08","video_id":85,"video_title":"Melrose City Council and School Committee  Joint Meeting September 8th 2025","meeting_id":5580,"start_sec":4474.8,"end_sec":4513.3,"similarity":0.783,"text":"Right. So thank you for that. I think we didn't go over that. I think it's really important because what that means, if you don't mind me summarizing it in a dumbed down way, um, for myself is that, um, and tell me if you disagree with this, but I think what it means is that the state believes when you look across all the cities and towns in Massachusetts, and you look at the amount of state revenue, which is also limited, that you are bringing in the state believes that as compared to other cities and towns, that Melrose has the wealth to fund its own government. Is that what minimum","url":"https://vimeo.com/1116953618#t=4474s","page_url":"/video/85"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-09-08","video_id":85,"video_title":"Melrose City Council and School Committee  Joint Meeting September 8th 2025","meeting_id":5580,"start_sec":4541.05,"end_sec":4557.56,"similarity":0.786,"text":"So thank you for that. So the state believes that we have the wealth to fund our own government, and the statistics show that actually we are as also compared to cities and towns, not using that wealth to fund our own government.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1116953618#t=4541s","page_url":"/video/85"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-09-08","video_id":85,"video_title":"Melrose City Council and School Committee  Joint Meeting September 8th 2025","meeting_id":5580,"start_sec":4558.64,"end_sec":4590.82,"similarity":0.808,"text":"And prop two and a half gives us that option through overrides and many cities and towns that are just like Melrose that would fit the description that I just laid out are minimum aid districts. Same amount of minimum aid that other cities and towns in your district too. Probably Winchester a minimum aid district, I'm guessing. Um, um, they much more routinely than Melrose Pass overrides, um, to fund their schools and city. So thank you for that. This was really helpful.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1116953618#t=4558s","page_url":"/video/85"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-08-19","video_id":89,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee August 19 2025","meeting_id":5562,"start_sec":895.1,"end_sec":1005.41,"similarity":0.672,"text":"Can I, um, just ask you to clarify something that, um, sometimes we get questions about. I think, um, because, you know, in this, um, like pretty severe budget year that we're in, um, we cut a lot of educator positions. And so I think sometimes when people see that we're hiring, they're confused about that. Um, and I think we all know here and talk a lot about, you know, why that is. Maybe there's there in addition to the positions that are cut, people retire, people move, move, people change positions, but you're also trying to fill different holes in things because of the, the cut. So I just, I didn't know if you wanted to speak to that. 'cause I do think when we talk in here about hiring, it's sometimes a little confusing to people because we're also operating in a deficit in terms of positions and budget. So, uh, if, if that's something you could talk to, I think that would be helpful to the Community. Sure, sure. I think, you know, what you mentioned is we, we've had people who, who move on or, or who decide to retire last minute or who move to a different community or even move out of state. Um, so we do have people who have given, um, notice that they will no longer be working with us. Um, all of the positions that are outlined as they exist right now, I think with the exception of the deed Dean of students, which was recently approved, you know, by, by this committee, um, all of those positions were the exact same positions that were in the approved budget, um, in whenever that finally got approved. May. Um, so none of these positions are, are new at this time? They are, they are budgeted positions who had people in them who then, because of the turnover, resignations, different things. Um, we've had to hire new staff now. Um, we have the smallest, you know, new teacher orientation that we've had in, in many years. I think we had 17. Um, you know, it's usually much, much larger than that when we talk about new teacher orientation. So","url":"https://vimeo.com/1111513850#t=895s","page_url":"/video/89"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-08-19","video_id":89,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee August 19 2025","meeting_id":5562,"start_sec":1006.3,"end_sec":1016.47,"similarity":0.702,"text":"Thank you. So we always have an influx and an outflow of staff. Mm-hmm. Is what I'm hearing you say. And this, this year, the, the inflow is small because we have so few positions. Correct. Thank you.","url":"https://vimeo.com/1111513850#t=1006s","page_url":"/video/89"},{"person":"mcandrew-jennifer","date":"2025-08-19","video_id":89,"video_title":"Melrose School Committee August 19 2025","meeting_id":5562,"start_sec":1960.92,"end_sec":1973.42,"similarity":0.721,"text":"Thank you. Um, echoing the thanks to, um, DPW and, and to your office, Mr. Kelly, for all of this work. Um, really appreciate it. I think this discussion is, um, really important,","url":"https://vimeo.com/1111513850#t=1960s","page_url":"/video/89"}],"next_cursor":"u|2025-08-19|89|1960.92"}