School Committee — 2025-12-16
Agenda
- CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE
- PUBLIC COMMENT
- REPORT OF THE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES
- ANNOUNCMENTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
- Report: Personnel
- Report: Enrollment Update
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Meeting Minutes: December 9, 2025 Regular Meeting
- Cafeteria Report
- MHS Ski Club Field Trip
- Warrants FY26 School - S26044 - $274,289.97 FY26 Refunds/Officials - S26045 - $399.00
- SUBCOMMITTEES (COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE)
- Finance and Facilities - Seamus Kelley/Jennifer McAndrew
- Monthly Budget/Grants
- Report: Special Education Expense Update
- Vote: FY26 Supplemental Budget Request
- Policy and Planning - Matt Hartman/Margaret Driscoll
- Vote: 2026-2027 School Year Calendar
- Vote: MHS Competency Determination Policy
- Vote: CTE Policy Amendment
- Educational Programs and Personnel - Jennifer Razi-Thomas/ Margaret Driscoll
- ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE CHAIR
- Vote: Superintendent Hiring Process
- Report: Outreach
- ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
- EXECUTIVE SESSION
- To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel Cari Berman.
- ADJOURN
Minutes
Melrose School Committee Regular Meeting Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 7:00 PM 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 Council Chamber, First Floor, Melrose City Hall MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Dorie Withey Chair Present 7:19 PM Jennifer McAndrew Vice Chair Present Jen Grigoraitis Mayor Present Jennifer Razi-Thomas Member Present Seamus Kelley Member Present Matt Hartman Member Present Margaret Raymond Driscoll Member Present Cari Berman Interim Superintendent Present Also in attendance: Interim Deputy Superintendent, Ken Kelley and Recording Secretary, Kristen O'Connor. With a roll call vote with six (6) present, the meeting convened at 7:00 PM 2. PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment was opened by Vice Chair McAndrew then closed as no one wished to speak. 3. REPORT OF THE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES There were no Student Representatives present this evening. 4. ANNOUNCMENTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT 1. Report: Personnel Interim Superintendent Berman presented the personnel report from the packet and offered to answer any questions from the Committee. 2. Report: Enrollment Update Superintendent Berman also shared the enrollment report from the packet and offered to answer any questions. 5. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION: To Approve the Consent Agenda RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Seamus Kelley SECONDER: Jennifer Razi-Thomas 1 ABSENT: Dorie Withey AYES: Jennifer McAndrew, Jennifer Razi-Thomas, Jennifer Grigoraitis, Seamus Kelley, Margaret Raymond Driscoll, Matt Hartman 1. Meeting Minutes: December 9, 2025 Regular Meeting 2. Cafeteria Report 3. MHS Ski Club Field Trip 4. Warrants FY26 School - S26044 - $274,289.97 FY26 Refunds/Officials - S26045 - $399.00 6. SUBCOMMITTEES (COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) 1. Finance and Facilities - Seamus Kelley/Jennifer McAndrew A Monthly Budget/Grants Interim Deputy Superintendent Kelley presented the monthly budget summary and grants from the packet. Mr. Hartman asked about some FY25 balances, and the Deputy Superintendent clarified that many of the grants are multi-year grants, all grants are in compliance, are monitored closely and are in good standing. MOTION: To Approve Monthly Grants RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Matt Hartman SECONDER: Jennifer Razi-Thomas ABSENT: Dorie Withey AYES: Jennifer McAndrew, Jennifer Razi-Thomas, Jennifer Grigoraitis, Seamus Kelley, Margaret Raymond Driscoll, Matt Hartman B Report: Special Education Expense Update The Special Education Report from the packet was reviewed. Ms. Razi-Thomas inquired about the integrated monitoring cycle. Interim Superintendent Berman explained the DESE process, which involves a three-year cycle focused on special education and civil rights (Section B). The district submitted a self-assessment and will receive a final report after January. Today's on-site visit included two DESE representatives visiting six schools to observe programs and classrooms, Thursday's activities will include interviews with educators, administrators, and SEPAC. Ms. Razi-Thomas then suggested inviting the current co-directors to a future School Committee meeting 2 C Vote: FY26 Supplemental Budget Request Finance and Facilities Subcommittee Chair Kelley initiated the discussion on the Supplemental Budget Requests, presented for review prior to a Committee vote. The discussion included: the process for approving the supplemental funding from the override, emphasizing that this vote is for distribution across this year's budget categories and does not include approval for the FY27 budget, which has not yet begun. It was clarified that no changes would occur in the middle school principal position at this time, as Mr. Merrill and Mr. Corrigan are under contract until the end of the current school year. The leadership team will work to determine the best way to utilize these funds for the second half of the school year. Also, it was clarified that the Committee would be voting on Column 2 on the chart in the packet. MOTION: To Approve the District Wide Admin Supplemental Appropriation in the amount of $700,300.00 RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jennifer McAndrew SECONDER: Matt Hartman ABSENT: Dorie Withey AYES: Jennifer McAndrew, Jennifer Razi-Thomas, Jennifer Grigoraitis, Seamus Kelley, Margaret Raymond Driscoll, Matt Hartman MOTION: To Approve remaining supplemental appropriation lines: $97,000 for Franklin, $656,000 for elementary, $533,000 for the middle school, $363,000 for the high school, and $1,469,500 for teaching and learning, for a total of $3,118,500. RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jennifer McAndrew SECONDER: Jennifer Razi-Thomas ABSENT: Dorie Withey AYES: Jennifer McAndrew, Jennifer Razi-Thomas, Jennifer Grigoraitis, Seamus Kelley, Margaret Raymond Driscoll, Matt Hartman The Deputy Interim Superintendent noted that the final FY 24 report was received yesterday. He confirmed that the information contained in the final report matched the data presented in the prior packet. The final report was a procedural formality and will be included in the next meeting's packet for reference only. 2. Policy and Planning - Matt Hartman/Margaret Driscoll A Vote: 2026-2027 School Year Calendar Policy and Planning Subcommittee Chair Hartman presented a revised 2026-2027 school calendar setting June 18th as the official observance day for Juneteenth. This adjustment also established the new last possible day of school if snow days extend the year. A motion was made by Ms. McAndrew to approve the 2026-2027 school year calendar, 3 seconded by Ms. Razi-Thomas. With all in favor, and one abstention, the motion passed. Ms. Withey arrived 7:19 PM MOTION: To Approve the 2026-2027 school year calendar RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jennifer McAndrew SECONDER: Jennifer Razi-Thomas ABSTENTION: Dorie Withey AYES: Jennifer McAndrew, Jennifer Razi-Thomas, Jennifer Grigoraitis, Seamus Kelley, Margaret Raymond Driscoll, Matt Hartman B Vote: MHS Competency Determination Policy The Competency Determination Policy was presented for a second vote. MOTION: To Approve the Competency Determination Policy RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Seamus Kelley SECONDER: Jennifer Razi-Thomas AYES: Dorie Withey, Jennifer McAndrew, Jennifer Razi-Thomas, Jennifer Grigoraitis, Seamus Kelley, Margaret Raymond Driscoll, Matt Hartman C Vote: CTE Policy Amendment Mr. Hartman reviewed the CTE Policy. Following feedback from DESE, the policy was amended with a sentence added clarifying that the hosting school will pay all costs associated with the school tours. A memo in this week's packet highlights the changes made. Therefore, a vote must be made on the amended policy. MOTION: To Approve the CTE Policy Amendment RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Seamus Kelley SECONDER: Jennifer Razi-Thomas AYES: Dorie Withey, Jennifer McAndrew, Jennifer Razi-Thomas, Jennifer Grigoraitis, Seamus Kelley, Margaret Raymond Driscoll, Matt Hartman 3. Educational Programs and Personnel - Jennifer Razi-Thomas/ Margaret Driscoll 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE CHAIR 1. Vote: Superintendent Hiring Process 4 Ms. McAndrew provided a summary on the status of the Superintendent Hiring Process. Her summary included a discussion of the Interim Superintendent's mid-year performance review, the various potential paths forward discussed during the previous meeting, and the legal and procedural guidance provided in the memos from Ms. Withey and Attorney Lindquist. Ms. McAndrew also acknowledged the lengthy discussion that had occurred and thanked members of the public for their input. She referenced the addition of Interim Superintendent Berman's resume and letter of interest in this week's packet. Ms. McAndrew opened the floor for the Committee to continue their discussions and questions. . Interim Superintendent Berman responded to a variety of Committee questions on her vision and experience within the District. She highlighted the value of her time as Interim Superintendent, noting the opportunity to gain a broader perspective beyond her previous role in special education and to deepen her understanding of the entire District. Ms. Berman discussed her collaborative work with the district leadership team and the current seasoned interim PPS directors to develop a strategic plan. She also discussed her work with Interim Deputy Superintendent Kelley to stabilize funding for the special education program, appropriate budgeting, pre-paying tuitions, and early identification of needs in areas like mental health, early ELA and math and emphasized the importance of high- quality Tier One instruction. While acknowledging her primary expertise lies in special education, secondary education, and budgeting, she shared how she is actively learning more about the elementary level. Ms. Berman referenced the importance of the "ABC's" of accountability, sense of belonging, and consistency and also outlined plans to enhance dialogue with families and educators. Committee members shared their reflections on the Superintendent hiring process, focusing specifically on Ms. Berman's qualifications. Their reflections centered on her strong leadership, her history as a long-time employee with deep knowledge of Melrose, the stability she offers, and the importance of having a Superintendent with an educator's voice, perspective, and core values that align with the District's. Mr. Kelley made a motion to officially appoint Ms. Cari Berman as the Superintendent of Schools, contingent upon successful contract negotiations. The motion was seconded by Ms. Driscoll, and with all members voting in favor, the motion passed unanimously. MOTION: To Appoint Ms. Cari Berman as Superintendent of Schools pending successful negotiations RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Seamus Kelley SECONDER: Margaret Raymond Driscoll AYES: Dorie Withey, Jennifer McAndrew, Jennifer Razi-Thomas, Jennifer Grigoraitis, Seamus Kelley, Margaret Raymond Driscoll, Matt Hartman 5 2. Report: Outreach Mayor Grigoraitis took a moment to thank members of the Committee and incoming Committee members who attended the first ever lighting of the Menorah at city hall. Superintendent Berman took a moment to thank the Committee for their recognition and support. Ms. Withey recognized Ms. McAndrew's final meeting after eight years of service, expressing gratitude for their collaboration. Ms. McAndrew reciprocated, thanking Ms. Withey on her final meeting as both a School Committee member and Chair, acknowledging the significant workload associated with the Chair position. The remaining School Committee members each offered thanks and shared individual stories celebrating Ms. Withey's and Ms. McAndrew's dedication and contributions. Mr. Kelley, on behalf of the School Committee, presented both Ms. McAndrew and Ms. Withey with flowers 8. ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Vice Chair McAndrew stated the need for Executive Session to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel Cari Berman. MOTION: To Adjourn to Executive Session RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Dorie Withey SECONDER: Seamus Kelley AYES: Dorie Withey , Jennifer McAndrew, Jennifer Razi-Thomas, Jennifer Grigoraitis, Seamus Kelley, Margaret Raymond Driscoll, Matt Hartman The meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 8:20 PM and did not return to Public Session. 9. EXECUTIVE SESSION 1. To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel Cari Berman. 10. ADJOURN 6
Transcript
▶ 0:00 Jennifer McAndrew: Here we go. 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. 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 To, to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thanks everyone. Uh, let me note for the record
▶ 0:55 Jennifer McAndrew: that tonight's meeting is being, um, recorded and broadcast by our friends at MMTV, with our thanks as always. 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. While we're waiting for that, Ms. O'Connor, is there anyone online for public comment? There is not. No one online 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.
▶ 1:54 Jennifer McAndrew: Um, next up we have, um, the report 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. Thank you Madam Vice Chair. Um, tonight there are two items, uh, that I'd like to share with you. Um, the first is the personnel report. Um, there is the detailed report in your packet, and as always, I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have about it. Are there any questions on the personnel report? See none. Let's move on.
▶ 2:40 Jennifer McAndrew: Okay, great. Um, you also have the updated enrollment port report. Um, similarly, um, happy to answer any questions, staying pretty consistent. 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
▶ 3:32 of $399. Is there anything that anyone would like to remove from the consent agenda at this time? Seeing then, is there a motion to approve made by Mr. Kelly? Seconded by Ms. Rezi Thomas. All in favor? And that carries with six in favor and one absent. Excellent. Alright, now we move on to the work of our subcommittees. Up first is finance and facilities with Mr. Kelly. Oh, Okay. Good evening everybody. Welcome to Finance and Facilities. We've got a couple of agenda items tonight, including, um, the monthly budget, uh, slash grants update, the special education update, and the supplemental budget. So, uh, let's start with the budget and grants update. Are there any questions for, uh, Mr. Kelly or the superintendent? Mr. Hartman?
▶ 4:40 Um, thank you. Uh, just a quick one around, um, some of the balances in here. I see there's some FY 25 balances. I just wonder if you could talk us a little bit through, um, how those are closed out and whether those are multi-year grants that are overlapping to fiscal Years. Sure. Thank you. Um, yes. Many of our grants are multi-year, which means there are multiple years as a spending window. And so, um, all of our grants are in compliance. We, all of our spending windows are open. Um, we do monitor that closely through the business office. We have, um, Kim Candelaria is one of our, uh, um, strongest grant, uh, uh, folks. And so she, um, is very good about knowing timelines and letting people know.
▶ 5:16 So we very much appreciate her coordination there. And yeah, all of our grants are in good standing right now. Okay. Thank you. That's All. Okay. Any other questions? Mr. Ozzie Thomas, Um, are, I would like to ask a few questions about the special education expense update. So when we get there, are we there now? Sure. People are ready to go there. Um, so I would like if, um, superintendent Berman could explain the integrated monitoring cycle and what's gonna happen today that there were two representatives from DSI that'll be onsite looking at our programs, um, our specialized programs. So can you explain what they're doing and, and what we hope to get out of it? Sure. Um, so our integrated monitoring cycle, um,
▶ 6:06 occurs every three years. So we're in section B, um, of this. So three years ago we did, um, the, the a part of it. So, um, b looks at, um, special education, um, as well as some small parts of, of civil rights. So we submitted a self-assessment on that. We did get some feedback on that, and we'll be getting a final report, um, after January. So today, this week was our onsite visit, which is actually only a day, even though they, they tell you it's a, it's a week long onsite visit. So they were here visiting, um, some of our programming, some of our special education rooms, some of our rooms, um, where we service our students, um, our multilingual language students. And, um, they visited six schools, um, today.
▶ 6:54 So they visited Hoover Middle School, high School, Roosevelt Franklin, and I'm missing one Horseman. Um, horseman. Yes. Um, so, so there were two representatives on site, um, asking, um, or I guess visually taking in, um, that piece. And then on, let's see, Tuesday, on Thursday, they will be conducting interviews with some of our staff, um, our educators, some of our administrators, um, they'll be speaking with our CPAC, um, I believe one of the co-chairs. And, um, some other people, they also put out a survey to our, um, parents of students with special, um, needs. And, um, they get feedback from them as well. So we will get a report after the new year, which will then, um, guide us and hopefully we do very well.
▶ 7:43 Great. I would love to, to, I know we, me, we mentioned this I think at the last meeting as well, but I'd love to have the current co-directors come in and share that report with us and talk about, um, their vision or what they're seeing within the district. Almost like consultants, since they're here for just one year, if we could kind of get a sense from them and from this report, how we're doing and how we can do better. Sure. Thank you. I'd love to see the self-assessment too. Did you guys do a self-assessment? Is that what you Said? So we, we did do a self-assessment. Yes. We, we actually, they gave us some initial feedback on that, and we actually did very, very well where we were meeting all of our requirements.
▶ 8:22 Um, there was like one, um, they don't call it a potential finding, but they, they give you some feedback and then you can resubmit before the end of January. Mm-hmm. Um, so it's like they have some questions about where we are in the process, so, And then they come see you, you know? Yep. And then they come and they visit and so, but, um, so far we're doing pretty well on meeting all of our requirements to date. Good. Thank you. You're Welcome. Mr. Harbin, a follow up question to that. You mentioned there's, there's different stages. We did a a couple of years ago, now we're in B. Is there a C or What are the It's just A And B. So three years late from now. We'll also we'll engage in a again. Okay. Mm-hmm. Alright.
▶ 9:00 Thank you. And if they do have any findings, then they have, you do like progress monitoring. Mm-hmm. Just like we do with our students, you come up with a plan, um, and then you have to submit evidence to show that you're making, um, progress toward any of the things that weren't meeting requirements. Mm-hmm. Have we completed everything from the A cycle or are we still Yep. Okay. Yep. And we did also did very well on that. Great. Thank You. You're Welcome. Okay. Any other questions about these two items? Nope. Um, I think normally we vote to accept the budget report it, I think with the new, um, system, we've lost that. So, uh, the way it's listed. So let's do a vote to accept the, uh, monthly budget.
▶ 9:35 Jennifer McAndrew: Is there anybody motion to approve the Okay. Grant report. Motion. Motion to approve by Mr. Hartman. Seconded by Ms. Ozzie Thomas. All in favor being opposed. And that passes unanimously. So moving on to the, uh, supplemental budget requests. Last week we got a presentation from the district about this, and I think tonight, uh, all likelihood we will vote on it. So let's see if there are any follow up questions, uh, for the interim superintendent or Mr. Kelly, Mr. Mccr. 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,
▶ 10:25 Jennifer McAndrew: 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 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.
▶ 11:16 Jennifer McAndrew: 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, Yep. No, I understand why. So I think, um, it maybe being privy to some of those emails, maybe not all. Um, I know there are are some, um, feelings in, in many directions regarding, we'll just use the example of the middle school principal. Right. So, and I think we had said before and, um, shared before that, you know, Mr. Corrigan and Mr. Merrill are under contract until the end of this school year. So, um, this year we would not see any change in
▶ 11:58 that position, meaning that we would not post to bring back a middle school principal, um, for that piece. Um, what we, what we are thinking are, are ways, again, that we can be creative. Um, we, we do have a lot of ideas. Once the money is allocated into these categories, we'll be working again with the leadership team and, and the principals to really determine for the second half of this year, what can we do and what does that look like. Um, and then as I had mentioned in the last meeting, and I think, you know, Mr. Kelly had as well, in an ideal world that dovetails in some way with what we do for FY 27, however, we haven't even started that budget process yet. Mm-hmm. Um, so I know everyone's anxiously awaiting that
▶ 12:42 Jennifer McAndrew: and, and we have a lot of ideas for that. Um, but I think given the additional resources that we have this year, that's gonna also help us think strategically about next year as we assess, um, again, our, our students' needs, our students' progress. Um, identify those areas, um, where we need more assistance and then, um, also ensure that we are working toward our goals and our strategic plan. 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.
▶ 13:29 Jennifer McAndrew: 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. Anyone else? Okay, Ms. Zi Thomas, could you also pull your microphone in a little bit closer? Sure. And MTV's having a hard time picking up. Okay. What we're approving now is really just, uh, approving money to go in six out of the eight established school committee spending categories, and then we're gonna see where we can hire people strategically to get through this year.
▶ 14:16 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: Correct. And so you've suggested that we put some money at the Franklin, put some positions at the elementary school, the middle school, the high school teaching and learning, um, and district-wide administration. And you've started to look at buying curriculum. Um, and then there's gonna be a lot of planning and talking about next year as we head into budget season. Correct. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Any other questions, Mr. Still? Yeah, I just had a, a question. Um, I see that, um, um, the, in the, um, it's page 32, uh, there's this, the FY 26 approved column, the supplemental appropriation column, and the adjusted FY 26 school committee categories column. So tonight we are voting on column three or column two
▶ 15:12 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: because the language underneath indicates, or it infers that we are, um, voting on column three. And I just, those are very different things than, than column two. So I don't know if that should go to the superintendent or to the, um, the chair or to Mr. Kelly. I don't, you go ahead. Sure. Thanks. And it's my understanding that, that that city council has appropriated the 3.8 million and then it would be the school committee to allocate that to the different categories that we proposed. Right. So are we voting on column two? Yes. Or are we voting on column three two. Column two, the Additional, 'cause some of those funds have Already been approved. Correct. Okay. Very good. Thank you. Okay. And at our last meeting, um, I made a recommendation
▶ 15:55 Jennifer McAndrew: that maybe somebody could, uh, address districtwide admin separately, uh, Ms. McAndrew motion To approve the districtwide admin supplemental appropriation in the amount of $700,300. Okay. Is there any discussion? Second. Oh, second. I'm sorry. Any discussion? All in favor? Any that are Okay, then that passes unanimously. Alright. Um, any motions on the rest? Ms. Ms. McAndrew? 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. Okay. Is there a second? Okay. Seconded by Ms.
▶ 16:51 Rozi Thomas. We have a motion to approve by Ms. McAndrews, second by Ms. Razi Thomas. All in favor? Any opposed? And that passes unanimously. Uh, that concludes finance and facilities. Thank you very much. Mr. Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry. Just Two quick things. Um, just yesterday I did receive the, um, the final report for FY 24 interview report. Everything is the same. You have that information in a prior packet. This is just the actual formality of the final report. And that will be, I will respectfully ask Ms. O'Connor to include that in the next meeting, just so you have that. Um, but again, that was, um, just procedural. We did have the information already. Cbis has been a little bit backed up,
▶ 17:27 so we were, we were glad to get that. Also, just wanted to thank, uh, chair Withey and, um, vice chair McAndrew for all their help and guidance o over the past several years. Uh, it's been a pleasure working with both of them. Thank you. Okay. Well, that concludes finance and facilities. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Kelly. Next up is policy and planning with Mr. Hartman. Oh, I see. Got It. Um, we have a few items on the docket for policy and planning this evening. Um, all of them have been before us before. Uh, so some of these are coming up for a final vote and others are coming for a revote. Um, starting with the school calendar, uh, our last meeting, we discussed the, um, impact of Juneteenth on the calendar.
▶ 18:23 Uh, it is now appearing as June 18th. Should we need that as a day based upon our weather situation this winter. Uh, if we have this school year reaching into June 18th, June 18th would be a day off. And presumably we would have Monday to complete the school year that at that time if we needed those days. Um, so that's reflected in the calendar at this point. It's up to the committee. If we wanna move forward with this calendar and approve it. If there's a motion to approve the calendar. Msre. Motion approve. Seconded by Ms. Razzi Thomas, any discussion on the calendar as Ms. Withi takes her seat? No discussion. All those in favor? And that's approved. Uh, six. Yes. Any anyone against or abstaining? Abstaining
▶ 19:11 Right now? Abstaining. Okay. Thank you. Um, so we have six in favor and one abstention on the calendar. Moving to another item that we've seen before, this is the competency determination. We, um, had a discussion about where this comes from and, uh, how it needs to be implemented by the end of the year and sent to Desi. Um, at this point, we are approving it for a second vote. After having combined our informational reading and our first vote at our last meeting, um, if the will of the committees to move forward, I'll entertain a motion to approve the competency determination. Motion to approve Kelly Second by Ms. Razzi Thomas. All those in favor? Discussion? Oh, discussion. Yeah. Discussion.
▶ 19:51 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: Thank you. So, no, I appreciate that. And, um, you know, I've had raised questions, um, in the past. I would like to see, um, um, some kind of report out relative to the competency determinations and, um, whether, you know, what, whether the teaching and learning side of the house is really seeing, um, or what, what is being seen are. Is this, does this seem to be meeting our goals? Um, are you seeing that students are performing well? Are they more, um, it are the determinations more reflective of their actual abilities and skills, um, reaching towards mastery? So I'd just like to learn more about how this is, um, how this is working for us. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Driscoll. Um, any further discussion from committee members?
▶ 20:39 And maybe that's something we can think about for our rolling agenda going into next year, that we would have some report back about that. Any further discussion with a motion on the table to approve? I seeing none. All those in favor? We have seven in favor. Any against or abstaining? Seven in favor and none abstaining or, or against. So that moves forward. Our final piece on the table tonight, uh, is something we saw, I believe about six or eight weeks ago. Um, and it was a policy regarding our voc schools and how we introduced voc schools to our middle school students. A requirement, again, from DSI to have a policy in place. Um, it's my understanding that some information was returned. Um, we have Ms. Acevedo, if we need her to explain
▶ 21:27 what the interaction was or if the superintendent wants to handle the comments back that we received. It looks pretty simple to me, but Yes. So, uh, again, I, there is a pretty, um, detailed memo in your packet. I think the only change that we made was under school tours. And I can highlight and it is highlighted, but, um, we added the sentence that the hosting school will pay all costs associated with these tours. Um, that was really important that the, that, um, the hosting school is the one who, who, um, helps to, uh, take on that cost. So that is the only addition, um, that was made after it was submitted, and we received feedback from desi. Um, so we are asking you to consider that feedback
▶ 22:08 and, um, hope for approval. Great. And so just to be clear, that's Desi's guidance in te telling us that we should include that as a Yeah. So after we submitted, Desi sent back feedback that we needed to add that language, specifically Questions from the members. Seeing no questions. Is there a motion on our action here, Mr. Kelly? Motion of proof. Second by Mr. Ozzy Thomas. All those in favor? We have seven in favor and none against, none obscene. Um, with that, that concludes policy and planning, and we've moved through those three pieces. Thank you. All right. Thank you to our committees. Excellent. We're moving right along here, folks. Um, okay. Next up is announcements of the chair. We have two items.
▶ 23:09 Jennifer McAndrew: 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.
▶ 24:04 Jennifer McAndrew: 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
▶ 24:54 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? Mr. Razzie Thomas? Um, Well, I'm actually eager to ask a lot of questions of the superintendent, so I don't know if we are going to discuss things separately or when we will actually get to ask her questions. Now is great. Okay. Um, so I'm curious, um, if you can help us kind of remind us of your vision that you've shared with us here, um, in two other meetings, but also I would like to specifically ask you about special education, um, given all of your years of service in Melrose, as well
▶ 25:50 as your expertise in special education, having, um, prior to the position that you're in now, been the assistant superintendent for, um, student and, um, personnel, right. Student services and personnel. It's a very funny title. Um, I would like to understand now that we have had a very successful passage of this override what your vision is beyond being a compliance person. Because the last, at least for the last two years, if not since coming out of the pandemic, our district has been focused on compliance, um, and not really had the resources, kind of the time, the energy even to be able to put forward our vision for special education. Um, I think that the community has a lot of questions about that.
▶ 26:39 Um, and I think it would be really helpful to hear, you know, if you were to become our more permanent superintendent, what would you be doing with this extra money that we have now through the override to build out a vision? Okay. So I'll, I'll start and if I don't answer every piece of that question, I'll back to you can certainly, uh, bring me back to it. Um, so this opportunity, although I feel like over the last, you know, four and even five years, even in my role in as an assistant principal being part of like the district leadership team, I've gotten to have an understanding of the district. But, um, moving into central administration certainly allowed me to see that even greater. And then these last seven months, having, being able
▶ 27:29 to actually step back from special education a little bit, um, and, and see it a little bit differently without being in the weeds has been really, really helpful. Um, we also have two very highly qualified and seasoned interim directors. So I've been able to, um, take some of, you know, what they know what our district has and to really start thinking about a plan to move forward that they actually have start to really put on paper. Mm-hmm. Um, so, you know, we could, we can certainly share that after the new year as well. Um, my time, you know, as assistant superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services, PPS, um, I feel like with the help of Ken Kelly and many other people, we were able to really stabilize the program.
▶ 28:16 So yes, there was that compliance element, but we were able to budget appropriately. Um, which then resulted in, in stabilization of the funding, which then allowed us to prepay some tuitions this year, which was, was a goal that Mr. Kelly and I had as well as some other people. So we were able to do that with that. That also gave us a little bit of extra to start thinking even before, um, the override passed. So with thinking with, um, you know, mark Kbo and, and Linda Chase and, and thinking about some of their experiences and them coming in and, and hearing kind of what we had and what we've been doing, but also other things that they've done and having like three heads to come together as well
▶ 28:59 as many other people as well, educators, principals, um, we've been able to identify some real areas of need. Um, and those fall under, I would say, um, early literacy. I would say early, early math also falls under there. Um, mental health, um, some looking, we, we have been able to hire some consultants, um, to do some program reviews that we haven't really had that money in previous years when I was in the role to ever think about like, Hey, how can we do a program review? So that is really helpful. I think this year we are able to create a plan and a vision. We, they have met with a number of consultants to be able to help, to help build programming, but also to provide some professional development, um,
▶ 29:49 and to strengthen our existing programs. We're also looking at, um, doing a full, again, with some override funding that will help us hopefully do some, um, really examine the students we have out of district and what are their needs and can they come back. So we just haven't had that personnel. So using a consultant to help us do that. Um, so having a little funding through that p prepayment of tuitions, and that shifted some things. And then with the override, um, doing some digging into that to be able to, to bolster our programming and to identify our key areas and also to just ensure that we're using our personnel wisely and effectively. Um, I've been doing a lot of that work too, just even just looking at the number of students with IEPs,
▶ 30:34 the case loads, the workloads. What does that look like for our educators? Are we staffed appropriately in every single building? Um, so I've had the opportunity to kind of step back and do that work because even in my old role, I was so compliance driven, um, and our budget kept us so compliance driven. Um, so, so that's where we are with special ed, and that's where I see, I think we need to, um, continue to build our program. I think, you know, again, I'll, and I'll keep saying this tier one instruction, so instruction that happens for all students in the general education classroom is paramount. If we can do that well from an early age with highly qualified, we have, we have really awesome educators.
▶ 31:16 I say this all the time. We have really dedicated educators. We need to ensure they have the tools in their toolbox to, to meet the needs of our students. And we know our students look different, you know, post pandemic. Um, I think, you know, if, if I kind of like use that to kind switch and fall into like, some other goals, we need to get back to those pre pandemic scores, those pre pandemic levels. Like that is something that, um, you know, Ms. Acevedo and I talk about oft often, you know, she's an instructional specialist. Um, you guys all know, I, you can look at my resume. It's very detailed. Um, also provided that executive summary for those who want just a quick look. Um, it, you know, I am clearly a, um, a secondary person.
▶ 31:59 Um, although I was involved in special education pre-K through postgraduate, so age three through 22. So I, I do, you know, I have had many interactions throughout my years, um, with, with that level. Um, but I, I'm not an elementary school person and that's something that I've been working on, right? I have been working on doing professional development, learning all about like early literacy and early math skills and, you know, trying to do those things and trying to be part of as much as we can do. But that's really, that's why we have a team, right? Because me, Melanie is an expert in that area. Mm-hmm. Um, I have a lot more expertise in, you know, special education. I would say even budgeting is, is a strong point for me.
▶ 32:42 Even, you know, managing the, what special education budget of three, $9.5 million or what, averaging or whatever mm-hmm. 20 to 25% of our budget, not including the personnel, um, over the last five, four or five years. You know, just closing this, doing this work that we're doing with the supplemental budget. Mm-hmm. I feel, you know, very comfortable with that. So we have to be fiscally responsible. We need to ensure, um, you know, that, uh, it really comes down to those ABCs. I don't know that I'll ever let that go as an educator now. Like accountability, you know, sense of belonging and consistency. Um, so accountability, high quality materials. Make sure our teachers, teachers are licensed,
▶ 33:20 make sure they're getting what they need. Make sure we have successful negotiations. Make sure they feel like they belong. Then that will trickle down, you know, into our culture and climate of our buildings, which will then, you know, trickle down to our students and families. Um, I think Great. If I can. Is that good? Yeah. Okay. I'm gonna, I'm gonna ask you a different question, but it's Oh, great. It's related to it. So, you know, um, you and Mr. Ro and Mr. Kelly gave us a great redesign of our, um, central office. Mm-hmm. Right? So one of the questions that's coming up kind of over and over again as special ed director mm-hmm. What, you know, if you were to remain in the superintendent
▶ 33:59 position longer term, what do you, what's your vision for the, the structure? Because I don't think people understand it yet, or I wanna double check what you would see. Would there be a special ed education director and not have that person pulled in as many positions? It Would probably would not be an assistant superintendent role. Yeah. Um, I think we, you know, given our current structure, if that was to continue, then, you know, we have, um, superintendent, uh, in interim Deputy Superintendent Kelly. Um, it's a mouthful. A lot of Words over there. Um, You know, continuing with, with that model, um, I think we would have to, because we are such a small district, we'd probably have to call it a PPS director.
▶ 34:40 Mm-hmm. Um, and, and give it a, a few more pieces. But some of the big compliance pieces actually move to that student relations director. Right. That's what I wanted, um, with looking at the, the McKinney-Vento mm-hmm. Looking at, um, you know, as the Title IX coordinator, um, looking at the DCF piece. So that, that also was a huge part of my position. So we were able to kind of take my prior position, um, and, and disseminate some of those pieces through the, the structure that we developed. Okay. Um, I know I'm gonna have more, but for now I'll pass the baton. Excellent. Any other questions at this time, Mr. Hartman? Thank you. Um, and this will just be my question phase. I have comments phase later. Um,
▶ 35:31 I wonder if you could talk a little bit about, um, how, uh, you envision communications with the school community, uh, going and, and what sorts of things you'd, you'd like to implement, um, if you were in the role permanently and, and how you develop a, a more of a dialogue with the school community, more of a dialogue with our, our families and, um, even our educators. Um, what do you see as communication strategies that are helpful to, to start thinking about as we head into another budget cycle as we head into, um, another school year beyond that? Mm-hmm. Um, so I think that that is something that, um, I would want to really think about what people need. Um, I, I did get some feedback, you know,
▶ 36:12 that maybe like a weekly thing was too much. You know, you hear from the principal, kind of let that fall on the principles. Um, so I would love to find that sweet spot about that. Anything that's really, um, I don't wanna say important 'cause everything's important, but Right. Anything that's, that's time sentence sensitive, important. Like, okay, it's gonna be 10 degrees outside, let's make sure that we, you know, put, put on our hats and gloves for all our children. Um, I, I'll certainly do those things in the moment. I, I, you know, I wonder if there's a more consistent way to communicate. I think what I would like for people to do is, and I, I try to, I think this is just who I am, but if people email me, educators, parents, um, you know,
▶ 36:51 students, whoever that may be, I try to get back to them as quickly as possible. Have I lost an email once in a while? Sure, of course. Uh, have I realized I haven't responded? Sure, of course. Um, but I think if I can get the word out that if you have a question, then I'll do my best to answer it or, or to do those things. I think proactive as we get into budget cycle, um, we, we have to share that information. You know, we have to have those listening sessions. We have to get feedback from, um, you know, again, student, staff and families. So that would be what I would spend more time doing. Thank you. Mm-hmm. Um, I wonder if you could take a second and, um, your resume was quite extensive and detailed,
▶ 37:30 and hopefully the community is looking at it as well. There's, there's a lot in there. Um, you came from a background working in the buildings and moved up to assistant principal, moved into the, the assistant superintendent role. Um, it's very spelled out very well. Um, and I wonder if you could just talk a little bit about that transition from, from working directly with students to working in the administrative side of things and, and give us a sense of, you know, you pursued leadership. Mm-hmm. Um, tell us a little bit why you're pursuing more leadership beyond that. Um, I have found in Melrose that there have been opportunities that have been opened that I'm like, I could be a good fit for.
▶ 38:11 Um, that's really just my honest, frank answer. Um, I did not go to school, as you'll see, to be an educator. I totally fell into education. Um, after nine 11, I decided I didn't want, wanna work in downtown Boston in an office building anymore. Um, I started subbing and fell in love with it, you know, two years later, three years later, whatever it was. I can't remember. COVID brain, I still call that, um, you know, got that master's degree. Had seen a lot of turnover in administration in the roles of like that special education coordinator. And I think my first 10 years, I think we had nine. We called them ETFs and I was like, it went up. I'm like, I can do this job. Like I wanna do this job.
▶ 38:51 Right. So stepping away from students is hard, hard for me. 'cause I, I really do love teaching. Um, I do have the opportunity. I teach adults now. I teach for both. I, I shifted from UMass Boston. Um, it's now shifted to Fitchburg State. So I do teach teachers, um, you know, a class addressing the needs of students with special needs right at my alley. So I do still get to teach, I still get to practice all of those teaching practices. I love going into the buildings. I mean, kids at the high school, they probably think I'm crazy. 'cause like, I walk down the hall, I'm like, hi, how are you today? You know, put your phone away. But, um, yeah. So I mean, I think it has come from, from opportunity.
▶ 39:31 Jennifer McAndrew: I, I have never said maybe until I put it in writing a couple days ago that I want to be a superintendent. So Thank you. Yeah. I'll yield for now. That's Great. 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? Well, I didn't think it was gonna get back to me this so quickly. We, I think folks also have some comments as well, but we'll do questions first. There are some, Well, you know, one thing I I wanna keep kind of drilling, um, down on is there has been a big shift in early literacy back towards phonics, which is definitely the right way to go. And I think that's where we're at right now.
▶ 40:16 And we're gonna spread that out into every, into every elementary school if it's not already there already. And then there's this big problem of dyslexia. Mm-hmm. And so you're, one of the challenges of that is getting everyone trained to Orton-Gillingham. Right? So one of your solutions this year was to use the final appropriation that we got prior to the override to fund a, some training in that. And you have 36 educators that have signed up. Correct. So When the state is also doing some free training, and, and we have some educators who have applied for that as well. They have to, they have to get in, but they've applied for it. Yeah. Yeah. Um, so I'm wondering, you know, how you see that paying off in terms of how
▶ 41:01 that's gonna affect change across the district and how that's gonna impact special education in particular? Well, yeah, I mean, the goal, so I guess that that parallels that tier one instruction. So if we can get, um, if we can catch kids early and we can do interventions early, and we can teach 'em the skills and the strategies, um, in order to access whatever that may be in this case, reading, um, that which will then, you know, lead to comprehension and all of those other things. Um, but, but that's, that's what we need. Um, you know, we all have to be able to read, right? We first learn to read and then we read to learn, um, all of our children as they, you know, get to that, you know, third,
▶ 41:38 fourth grade, fifth grade level. They need to be able to read and comprehend words so that they then can access the rest of their curriculum and content as they move throughout middle and high school. So, um, putting a supports in place early, doing progress monitoring for students early, communicating with families early, um, and, and really ensuring that we're doing those interventions. Because if we can do that, and if a student is making progress, um, then we may not have to find them eligible for special education. Um, that's, that's the goal. We can have children who are dyslexic, who may not qualify for special education, um, because they're able to make effective progress given the supports and the tools that we can provide in
▶ 42:24 the general education classroom. So we really need to bolster our general education classroom, um, focus on those skills and then hope that, um, we can close some gaps and do better. How would you know if you're actually making progress in providing better tier one instruction for our students at earlier ages? Yes. I mean, that's all, that's all gonna be all, all of our, all of our progress monitoring that we're doing, um, through, whether it's like our DIBELS assessments and, and different things, our IXL assessments, and we can certainly, you know, those are giving our growth trajectories for each student. Their families can, you know, we can provide reports for their families. Educators can see that. Um, and, um,
▶ 43:07 and we'll know that they're meeting targets and, and, and meeting standards and not, um, that they're proficient. You and I have had some conversations that are more private, and I'm not gonna suggest that we talk about like, private personnel issues, but I think one of the things that's so important for people to understand is that as a superintendent, you have to be the face of the district, and you also have to make really, really tough decisions sometimes. So without harming anyone in terms of personnel stuff or privacy and confidentiality with students, can you give us an example of one time when you had to make a very tough decision that you would feel sharing publicly? That's tough. Um, so
▶ 43:54 as a special ed person, director, assistant superintendent, I actually often had to say no. Um, I don't really like saying no, but, you know, you kind of, I, I guess I would just root everything. I don't know that I could give a specific example that I'd feel comfortable with, like, in this forum. Um, but there have been hard decisions that have, have had to have been made. Um, whether it's it's personnel or, um, oftentimes it's, you know, we're, we're in the business of people, so all of our decisions, when you have to say no, somebody's gonna be unhappy. And, and, and you have to go kind of back to the process and the why. Um, you know, so if it's for a student, we're using our code of conduct or our expectations, you know, if it's
▶ 44:44 for a teacher, we're using our, our policies that are outlined, um, you know, so clearly through our, um, through all of the policies that have been developed. Um, so yeah. Okay. Thank you. Yeah, That's good. Thank you. Um, okay, moving on to some discussion, comments from the committee at this time? Any Mr. Kelly? Sure. So, um, I think no surprise to anybody that heard my comments last week, but I think, you know, on reflecting on Ms. Berman's leadership for the last six to seven months, I really do think she's the best person, uh, for the Millers Public Schools. She's a longtime employee who clearly has a trust of the school committee and the staff. At the, our last meeting, it's, I think it was noteworthy
▶ 45:29 that both key administrators and the union, uh, to paraphrase them, basically said she has the loyalty and knowledge of Melrose that nobody else has. I think for me, stability is also extremely important. We talked last week about the number of superintendents that have cycled through here. We've talked about some of the challenges with doing, um, full superintendent searches where either we've come up empty handed in the last couple years, or maybe the person hasn't actually been been the best fit. So I think we're very lucky with having Ms. Berman here and her being interested in taking on this role. Uh, she's been with the district for over two decades. She knows all of the challenges that come
▶ 46:08 to leading our schools, which include our kids, our parents, staff, and our budget. I think she's really jumped into this role and has really been willing to lead us with all the challenges she knows that Melrose has. So I'm very comfortable moving forward, um, as a committee with, um, offering a position to Ms. Berman, but of course, I'd like to hear what other people here have to say. So thank you, Ms. Thank you. Just wanna start off Ms. McKen by saying you did a beautiful job recapping where we've been. Uh, we provided strong mid-year feedback based on the experiences we've had thus far with interim superintendent in your leadership. We've heard from educators, I believe when they came last week,
▶ 46:49 they said there was an overwhelming super majority in support and in favor of appointing Ms. Berman. We heard from one administrator, and we also heard from our deputy superintendent, again, all in favor of us moving forward with an appointment. For me, educator voice and perspective matters, and so does the voice and perspective of our community members. And if I'm being honest, we've heard from our community, and I think they've expressed a desire to hear from interim Superintendent Berman a bit more too. So if we were to move forward with an appointment, I would hope that the interim superintendent would schedule community outreach activities, meet with families with caregivers, hear what they want from a superintendent,
▶ 47:30 share your vision and make a plan, and then share it proactively. I think we have the opportunity right now to create a plan that can go beyond just a year based on the stable leadership you've already been providing in the district. So, with your expertise and with your understanding of Melrose, I would hope that we would think about this plan and also think about what we're hearing from community members as well to really make sure that we're doing best for kids and for families that are in this district. Thank you, Ms. Withy. Any other comments at this time? Mr. Hartman? Um, Thank you. And, and I, I really agree with the, the comments of my colleagues here in terms of, um, where we're headed
▶ 48:16 and, and how we're evaluating this decision. This isn't an easy decision by any means. I think anytime you choose a, a district leader like this, it's a, it's a challenge to think about how you should go about it. Um, I think we're all kind of navigating that as, as we work through this. Um, you know, I think there's been a lot of really great values that have been listed off that we wanna see in a new superintendent. Um, discussions about budget, strategic thinking, long-term interest in staying in the district, I think is, is one that we really need to be focused on. Um, and then we, we've certainly heard a lot about the importance of support from within and, and what we've heard from our educators,
▶ 48:50 from our other district leaders is really important in that. Um, and I think, you know, we've also heard from our community, I, I agree with Miss Withy around, um, what we've heard and what they desire is, uh, you know, I made a comment at the last meeting about how we get to know Ms. Berman through this process, and I think to some extent we've, we've learned more tonight. Um, I, I hope that we can build in more opportunities should we move forward in that direction to give the community that, that direct kind of relationship as well. Um, I think she spoke a lot of tonight about, um, what types of communication she's interested in doing direct communication, listening sessions. Those are things that I think are really important in
▶ 49:25 maintaining that community trust and support and building it, um, as we go forward. So I, I would like to see that happen as well. Uh, I agree with Ms with you on that. Um, and reflecting on, on this as a, as a place where we are, um, I think putting myself in, in, in where I am as a school committee member and, and having seen, worked with now three different superintendents, um, and thinking about how we continue to move the district forward, one of the things that is really weighing on my mind in, in terms of how we make that happen is that with each of the superintendents that I've, I've worked with, I've had to get to know that superintendent. I've had to figure out what is their operating process,
▶ 50:04 what, what are, what are their goals in the next few weeks and months. Um, and I know our educators have to do the same thing. Our administrators have to do the same thing when we bring somebody in. So if we delay and, and, um, you know, further put out a process and maybe we find somebody who, who seems like they're a really good fit, um, we'll be in this situation where, again, we have to start from whatever their zero is and start to build back, uh, our steps going forward on, on what our, our district is gonna look like through their eyes. Um, and, you know, at this point, I've had six months to work with, uh, superintendent Berman, and, and I've gotten to know her working style. I've gotten to know, um, how to, to speak
▶ 50:43 with her about ideas and, and hear how she's receptive to them. Um, these are all things that, that, um, on top of the fact that I've enjoyed working with her, I wouldn't want to have to redo again. And I think that's an important part. I I want to echo that to our community. That, um, that is a really time consuming and labor intensive process to figure out as a committee to work through. Um, and, and certainly in the buildings as well, I'm sure it is, to, to figure that all out. And I, I really wanna make sure that at the center of this, our district is, is focused on, um, providing the best quality education for our kids that we can. And you know, I think we've, we've, as I mentioned at our last meeting, we've had
▶ 51:21 so many things hanging over our head for so long that we've got an opportunity here to, to take the funds that our community has generously provided for us. Take the, the leadership that exists here, and start to turn it into really the next generation of our school district and think about how we can really deploy that, uh, you know, potentially through the leadership of Ms. Berman. And, and I think, you know, we're in a place where we want to get going as fast as possible on that. And, and, you know, from what I've heard tonight and from the, the, the information in front of us, the, the resume and so forth, I, I think we have a well qualified person, a person that, um, I feel comfortable in moving forward as this stage and,
▶ 51:58 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: and, um, you know, I just want to make sure that folks understand where I'm standing on that. So that's, that's about all I have to say at this moment. Thank you, MRK. Thank you so much. And I agree, um, with the comments that have been made, and I would add a couple of things. One is, um, I think of things, um, in terms of return on investment. So we do, um, have options and what is the return on the investment. And I think everyone, um, has spoken at one time or another about the challenges that are, um, our investments relative to capacity, um, expense and so forth about conducting a search and the chances of getting a what is perceived or real, you know, better, if you will, superintendent, and I'm,
▶ 52:47 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: I'm just not seeing the return on investment. Um, given our experiences in the past of, of doing an extensive search, um, I would say two things about, um, interim Superintendent Berman. And that is the first is that, um, her, I believe that her core values align with the district's mission, mission and values. And to me, if they did not align, that would be a complete showstopper. So, um, that gives me great faith and hope. Um, the second is we're going to expect our superintendent to see the future and not react to it, but respond to it. That is a heavy lift. Artificial intelligence is a game changer for society, and certainly in education. I believe that the way that students learn, experience a classroom, experience their classmates, um,
▶ 53:42 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: and interact will profoundly change. So I believe that we'll be expecting her to not only follow that trajectory, but navigate it for the students of Melrose and meet us where we are and bring us to the next level with help and support from a variety of stakeholder groups, I have every confidence she can be successful. Um, it means that the onus is on us in many ways because we help each other. We are codependent and interdependent, and if we don't help each other, then we have all failed each other. So I believe that Superintendent Berman can be successful in this, and that it is our, uh, privilege and opportunity as, uh, parents, as community members, as a committee, um, as faculty members to come together
▶ 54:33 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: and, uh, find a path forward. Sometimes fail, sometimes make mistakes, because we're all going to fail. We're gonna need to give ourselves some permission to do that, and then we're going to need to potentially shift gears. But I have every confidence that those things can happen. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Driscoll. Other comments? What is the will of the committee at this time? Mr. Kelly? I'd make a motion to appoint Carrie Berman, the Superintendent of schools pending successful negotiations. Second Motion made by Mr. Kelly, seconded by Mr. School on discussion. Mayor gti. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. Um, just like my colleagues, just wanted to summarize my comments from last time. Um, obviously in my day job,
▶ 55:18 Jen Grigoraitis: I play a slightly different role. I'm the CEO of the city. The city and the schools do not always do things the same. We know there are many good reasons for that. I do have reservations about our lack of a process. While I appreciate the questions that were asked tonight and Ms. Berman's willingness to answer them with possibly zero prep, so good job. Um, I, you know, I, I do feel like that is not how I've wanted to conduct things as a chief executive, but I'm not a chief executive here. I'm one of seven. That's the joy of a legislative body. So I certainly respect the comments and thoughts and approaches of my colleagues. Um, I think very highly of Ms. Berman. I know many of those hard decisions that you're making,
▶ 55:53 Jen Grigoraitis: we are often conferring on, and I'm grateful to have you as a partner. I also just wanna say, as a parent of children in this district, how nice it is to hear someone say that we're their first choice. Um, I think having watched other searches on the outside, not having been in the seat, it often feels like we are not the first choice. That for whatever reason, somebody goes somewhere else or they get a better offer. And I think Melrose is pretty great. Um, I know our community's made a huge investment in us, and it's really nice to have someone say clearly and plainly, I want to be here. Um, so that really means a lot to me personally as a parent. As a, um, parent of students here. So just wanted to offer both of those perspectives.
▶ 56:32 Thank you. Any other comments, Ms. Razzi? Thomas? Um, one last one. So, um, last week we talked about the process over the last, you know, seven, eight years. Um, you know, we had Cindy Mour for seven years as a school, as a superintendent. Then we had Julie Gutenberg for three, then we had John Ro for one year. Then we had Adam Delany for one year and less than one year. And now we have interim, um, Berman. Um, and I just wanna say that our whole system, our whole education system has been dealing with uncertainty since the pandemic. So we had the pandemic, we had a superintendent. Um, and there was a lot of uncertainty during that time. And now since that time, we've also had a lot of uncertainty
▶ 57:20 because we have had a failed search. We've had, um, in short interim leaders. And I think the reason, the very clear reason why that Melrose Education Union said wholeheartedly, they want Carrie Berman is, first of all, they know her, they trust her, but they're also really sick of uncertainty. Like we're all kind of sick and tired of uncertainty. 'cause we all had to deal with it through the COVID years. So I just think like we are putting students first, and we're putting educators first. If we go with what we know. And what we know right now is Gary Berman as our superintendent, who's willing to go forward and learn with us as a community and as a committee to commit to putting the students first,
▶ 58:08 Jennifer McAndrew: improving our school's district and improving our systems. So I think you're ready, and I think we'd be lucky to have you continue to serve. 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.
▶ 58:51 Jennifer McAndrew: 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.
▶ 59:36 Jennifer McAndrew: 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
▶ 1:00:16 Jennifer McAndrew: or appointing their own interims or deputy superintendents. 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
▶ 1:01:01 Jennifer McAndrew: 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.
▶ 1:01:44 Jennifer McAndrew: 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. I hold Carrie in very high esteem and she has my trust and full support.
▶ 1:02:24 Jennifer McAndrew: 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
▶ 1:03:05 Jennifer McAndrew: successful negotiations made by Mr. Kelly and seconded by Ms. Driscoll. All in favor? And that motion carries unanimously. Congratulations Ms. Berman. Thank you. 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. As long as I'm not emotional, you may Please do. I might need a minute. Great. Okay. Um, okay. Yeah, I can do an reach report While you Okay. While outreach report to the Mayor. No, I just wanted to thank, there were many members of this committee, as well as incoming members who attended Sunday nights, um, first ever lighting
▶ 1:04:01 of the Menorah at City Hall. Um, obviously that dovetailed with the tragedy that had occurred in Sydney the night before, as well as what had happened at Brown University. So I just wanna thank, um, all of you for showing up for our community. I know it really mattered to many, so thank you. Thank You. And thank you for inviting the community and for holding that first ever new lighting at City Hall. Um, Thank you for inviting me. Yes. Unfortunately I would family, so not, not able to do that. So I'll see how long I can hold it together. I just sincere thank you for, um, everyone support, um, recognition. Um, I'm not good at taking those things. But also, um, Ms. Whit and Ms. Ra, thank you guys for your
▶ 1:04:49 leadership and support. And hopefully we'll like see you in the audience. I don't know, like, are you gonna watch us online? Public comment baby? Public comment. Yeah. You can count how many times I say, um, during the night. I don't know, something. So, um, yeah. Thank you. This is, this is like wild. So thank you. I'm, I'm excited. Um, again, I can't say that I ever really aspired to be a superintendent, but it's been really Quite a journey. Um, again, Melrose has been my home in so many ways. Um, Yeah, just appreciate it. So thanks. Thank You. And thank you for your service to our students. Excellent. Okay, Ms. Withy, Just a moment of quick personal privilege. Um, one I'm really excited for Melrose.
▶ 1:05:39 Jennifer McAndrew: 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. Withi, 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.
▶ 1:06:23 Jennifer McAndrew: 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. Withy for your service to students both here in Melrose and in the city of Boston. Um, Ms. Driscoll Point of personal privilege Chair. Sure thing. Thank you. Um, now I'm gonna get emotional. Um, it has, um, it has been an incredible privilege to serve with Ms. Withy. Ms. McAndrew, you have done some very hard things in this room. You've had to say no, sometimes you've had to shepherd conversations.
▶ 1:07:07 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: You've had to lead us in a wide variety of ways, at different times in different places. Um, and all of those conversations meant so much to you. And you have treated every one of them with respect and authenticity. That is very hard to do, especially when you have your own personal feelings about them. But you need to bring everybody together to get to an end that is appropriate for everyone. That is very hard. There are very few people who can do that effectively and with kindness. And you have both done that. So I just wanna say how grateful I am and I know that the committee has a little something that we would like to give to you. And if, I don't know if anyone would else would like to say anything, but I don't wanna, um,
▶ 1:07:54 Thomas, I would love to say, um, that it's been an honor, um, and a privilege to serve with you, Jen. The Jens are gonna be one down and we're gonna miss you, number one. But number two, I have admired all that you've done for Melrose over the last eight years, but a lot longer than that. I think there was some talk about you having something to do with the kindergarten, becoming like a full day thing. Um, and that might've been your first foray. And then, um, the Melrose Education, um, foundation, I think you were one of the founders of that. Uh, you are tireless. Mm-hmm. You do so much behind the scenes, you do so much in the front. Um, I just admire you. You're political savvy, your incredible intellect,
▶ 1:08:40 your dogged determination. You never give up. There's been so many hard moments, but I will always remember you fighting the good fight for the kids, for the families, for Melrose. And I just have to say, great job. Great job. And we're gonna miss you here. Thank you. 'cause you've done so much. And then D Dubs, you did it. D dubs, we were gonna order out tonight, but I know we thought that would be disrespecting the process of the, of the school committee. But, um, you know, we want, we've always had at least ordering food here in the middle of a meeting, but we're not gonna do that. No. But it's been really, really incredible to have you serve for four years. You did so much in such a short time.
▶ 1:09:24 And I've learned a lot about education, especially the, um, younger years. 'cause I know the older years, but I don't know the younger years. Um, and I just, your impact was, was fast and furious and I wish it was gonna be longer, but the Boston Public Schools are very lucky to have you. Thank you. And, um, maybe you'll serve after Mrs. Berman. But anyway, it's been such a pleasure and I love laughing with you, so I'll keep watching what your star is gonna do in the future. Thank you. Thanks for your work here. Thank you. Thanks, Mr. Hartman. I'll make some brief comments. Um, I am grateful to have served with both of you on this committee, uh, even just for the two years, um, in different capacities.
▶ 1:10:05 You've helped navigate through some, some things that we've faced. And, uh, personally, I I really help really like the help that Ms. Mc, Andrew always gives on a, on a calling, a vote, and figuring out how to navigate that. Um, uh, there's a lot of ways of doing it and, uh, she's always helpful at the table to do that. So I've appreciated that as well as, um, all of the work that you've done in the community and, and, um, the advocacy that I've partnered with you on in so many cases has been, and I'm sure I will in the future as well. So, um, I know it's, it's goodbye in this forum and, and hello in another forum, I'm sure. But, um, and Miss Withy, it's, it's been a pleasure to get to know you.
▶ 1:10:41 I didn't know you very well before coming on the committee. Um, but we've partnered very well on things and, and I've been grateful for your, um, dialogue, particularly around, uh, as Mr. Razzi Thomas is talking about your, your deep experience with education has been such an insight for me to, to, um, learn from and to apply in the work here. And so we're certainly gonna miss that as, um, Ms. McAndrew says, change can be good or bad. But I would also say it's almost always, uh, uh, hard to go through. But we're gonna end up in a great place. 'cause I think we have some, some great futures ahead of us. But it's, we're gonna miss you both. Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. Kelly. Sure. So I want to thank both of you
▶ 1:11:17 for your service to Melrose. Eight years, four years, and then the two years that I've been able to be on the committee with you. Um, I was thinking back about what I might wanna say tonight, and I got to know both of you in kind of strange ways. I got a call or a text from a then city counselor telling me, oh, you might hear from Jen mc Andrew, she wants to take you to lunch. And at the time I heard there might be some openings on the school committee. So we had a, a lunch that I think went about two and a half hours. Um, so that was, that was kind of an interesting thing. And then at the same time, I heard a voice, but I didn't know who I, a voice that I, that I recognized at the SGAs YMCA gymnastics center.
▶ 1:11:57 And it's our two kids were, uh, on the same program together. So I got to know Dory that way and talk to her and really learned a lot about just what motivated her to wanna be on the school committee. Um, so just, that's kind of a, the funny way I've met, got to know both of you. I'd like to thank you, Jen, for all of your work during the COVID years. I know that was certainly was not hard. I, I certainly was not easy. And then some stuff that came afterwards and then Dory for your leadership around literacy. Um, it's been super helpful. I think one of the funny things about being on a school committee is academics doesn't really sit under school committees. And you've, I know at times you've probably crossed the line
▶ 1:12:34 Jen Grigoraitis: into wanting to provide a little bit more literacy direction. Absolutely. Absolutely. But I think that's a good thing. And I think, you know, ultimately we're better for that. So thank you both. Thank you. Oh, Sorry, I can I regret this. Um, since everyone else says I am tremendously grateful to both of you for on many, many levels, um, thank you for making me better every day for making this committee better and for making Melrose every be better. Um, you will both leave holes. I'm excited for our new folks to join. I also just wanna thank your families, which I don't think we say enough. This is hard. Um, there is an impact of this at home. Um, there are times when this has been not just hard,
▶ 1:13:10 Jennifer McAndrew: but downright ugly. Um, and so I just wanna say thank you to your partners and children and parents who, you know, have kind of been on this journey with you to provide love and support. So we we're grateful to them too. 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, 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.
▶ 1:13:57 Jennifer McAndrew: 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.
▶ 1:14:42 Jennifer McAndrew: 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, 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
▶ 1:15:30 Jennifer McAndrew: 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,
▶ 1:16:15 Jennifer McAndrew: 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.
▶ 1:16:57 Jennifer McAndrew: 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. 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,
▶ 1:17:40 Jennifer McAndrew: 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. Did you wanna see? Oh wow. Those are beautiful. Oh no. I'm bringing these back to Candace. Take it back. Thank you. Those are so nice. Thank you. Lovely. Thank you so much. Beautiful. 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
▶ 1:18:36 Jennifer McAndrew: 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? Yes. Ms. McAndrew? Yes. Mayor I, Greg? Yes. Ms. Ozzie Thomas? Yes. Um, Ms. Withy? Yes. Mr. Kelly? Yes. Ms. Driscoll? Yes. Mr. Har? Yes. 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 Everyone. Thank you.