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Home My WebLink About2022-01-04-SC-minLEXINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday, January 04, 2022 Conducted by Remote Participation Meeting Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 6:45 P.M. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Kathleen Lenihan, Chairperson Eileen Jay, Vice -Chair Scott Bokun Deepika Sawhney Sara Cuthbertson, Clerk STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Sara Mei SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT Dr. Julie Hackett, Superintendent The minutes were taken by Julie Kaye, School Committee Meeting Recording Secretary. The School Committee convened in-person in the Select Board's Meeting Room. Members of the public can view and participate in the meeting webinar from their computer or tablet by clicking on the link provided with the meeting agenda. Please note that this meeting is being recorded, and that attendees are participating by video conference. This evening's meeting is being broadcast live and also taped by LexMedia for future on -demand viewing. All supporting materials that have been provided to members of this body are available on the Town's website unless otherwise noted. SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND LIAISON REPORTS: • Ms. Cuthbertson stated that the MLK Day of Service is coming up, part of the MILK Day of Service is the Community Conversation on Race. The topic for this year is the Purpose of Education, honoring Dr. King's legacy with a racially inclusive curriculum. The event is virtual. • Mr. Bokun added that LHS and NHS Service Hours are offered for the MLK event. You can check out the Lexington Human Rights Committee (LHRC) website for more details and registration. Mr. Bokun wanted to discuss our core value #4, Care for yourself and others. As we head into 2022, we've got to all keep this core value at the forefront of our minds. Like our LPS staff did as they secured masks and LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK testing kits to make sure that the return to school was safe. Like our educators and students: wearing masks, getting vaccinated and boosted, and testing often. The Town of Lexington has a mask mandate in place until at least January 15. If we all follow the rules and stick to core value #4, we can keep people safe and keep our kids safe in our school buildings. It's not that hard to think about and care for others • Ms. Jay attended a virtual METCO presentation back on December 15, 2021. Students gave a tour of Nubian Square in Boston (formerly Dudley Square) where the new METCO headquarters is located. Students did research on the history of the area. It was a nice way for kids to show their interest in their home area and show some pride and learn some new facts about it. The video is posted on the METCO website. • Ms. Sawhney announced that Lexington is going to be receiving funding ($350,000) for one electric school bus. This is thanks to the work of Select Board Member Mark Sandeen and the task force. • Ms. Lenihan attended a subcommittee meeting of the Vision for Lexington Committee that is working on the town -wide survey that is done every five years. The survey is ready to go live on January 18, 2022. The survey can be found at lexingtonma.gov/survey2022. It will also be sent in the mail and schools will be sending it out. The survey helps the town set priorities and planning, it is important for as many people as possible to fill out the survey. COMMUNITY SPEAK Teresa Wright, 35 Reed St: She is so glad that we were able to open schools today and thanked everyone that was involved with that. She thanked all the parents that tested their kids before school. She asks if we can rethink how we can use the COVID funds, such as hiring long-term subs. She also mentioned that her friend is a teacher in Texas and they are giving retention bonuses and she thinks it would be a nice way to recognize our teachers' efforts. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT • Congratulations and Celebrations o Dr. Hackett thanked Senator Barrett for helping with the LPS electric bus. o She also gave a shout out to Ms. Alyson Brown, Clarke Drama teacher, and the students. They invited Dr. Hackett to join in a conversation with Kristin Chenoweth, a Broadway and TV star. Ms. Brown did a great job organizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Clarke's upcoming production of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown on January 27, 2022. Kristin Chenoweth was very excited to answer the students' questions! Kristin had some great advice for the students. She said that they should embrace what is unique and special about themselves and be proud of themselves. Dr. Hackett can't wait to see the upcoming production. • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK o Dr. Hackett mentioned the Massachusetts state -level bills, S.365 and H.584. These bills are focused on anti -racism, equity, and justice in education across the Commonwealth. Our Director of Equity and Student Supports and the Chief Equity Officer for the Town of Lexington drafted a letter in support of the bills. The letter essentially outlines our Community Input Team efforts for DEI and a comprehensive PK -12 DEI curriculum. • LPS COVID-19 Update o Dr. Hackett stated that we are still crunching numbers on the positivity rates. o The communication on COVID has to change, the incidents are getting higher. It will be impossible to communicate every case. We are directing people to our dashboard. o Dr. Hackett discussed why we can no longer offer remote learning. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) states that remote learning does not count towards the time -on -learning requirement that all schools must follow. We value in-person learning and even if Dr. Hackett wanted to offer remote learning, she could not. o DESE sent us test kits and KN95 masks, and we were allotted 45 cases of masks but were only able to pick up 21 cases because they ran out. Central Office staff picked up the test on Saturday and then assembled and distributed the kits on Sunday and Monday. o In Lexington we required 100% participation of staff to test. We had a positivity rate of 5.5% or 77 staff members across the district. o The one -day Monday Jan. 3 school closure allowed us time to make plans and to determine how many people were going to be out and how to cover classes safely. o During the distribution process, a LPS educator brought to attention that the KN95 masks are not recommended by the CDC. Dr. Hackett was informed that the KN95 masks were tested by MIT, with a filtration efficiency of 87.5%. DESE put out an update after that stating the same information. There are two types of these masks, a medical version and a non-medical version. MIT tested the medical version, not the non-medical version and there was a significant difference in filtration rate. It was reiterated that your choice of mask is voluntary. o There was earlier communication that two kinds of antigen rapid tests were presumed to be better than others; this reference was removed from the communication. o Dr. Hackett has gotten many questions about food consumption and how we keep kids safe while eating. It is now January in New England so it is difficult to utilize tents and the outdoors. Principals have reviewed protocols, windows should be open during food consumption, and we are encouraging kids to take a bite and then put the mask back on while chewing. When it's possible, they are having a seat in between children while they eat. LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK o LHS was in the process of moving from to a 3 period lunch from a 4 period lunch. This plan is being put on hold until February when things are safer. In the meantime, students are spreading out more. o We are not seeing in -school transmission, schools are very safe with vaccines, masks, high air quality and ventilation. People are more likely to catch COVID in a household environment. o We have upcoming vaccination clinics, but we are no longer taking walk-in appointments. We are encouraging everyone that is eligible to get a booster. To make an appointment go to this link. The full Superintendent's Report can be found here. School Committee Questions/Comments: Ms. Lenihan asked if staff were able to get complete test kits with two tests. Dr. Hackett replied that we did have to divide up the test kits, each staff member received one test. Ms. Lenihan also added that the number on the masks indicates the filtration level. Ms. Jay asked if some of the ESSER money could be used to obtain more tests or masks. Dr. Hackett replied that we still have funding to do these things, it's an issue of actually getting the product or personel. Mr. Coelho and his team are already working on getting more masks. Ms. Sawhney asked if it is possible to get the vaccination rate by school. Dr. Hackett replied that they are still working on the numbers, they are due in to DESE in two days. We will update this info on the Dashboard. Ms. Cuthbertson clarified that when clicking on the link to schedule an appointment for the vaccine clinics to select Central Office as the location. She encouraged everyone to participate in the pooled testing tomorrow. Also, the CDC is going to discuss approving boosters for 12-15 year olds. If this is approved, would we be able to offer boosters to this demographic? Dr. Hackett replied yes. Ms. Cuthbertson asked if we know what our attendance rates look like today across the board. Dr. Hackett stated that we do not know yet, we are still tracking the data. Ms. Cuthbertson asked if there will be any changes or updates on sports., Dr. Hackett replied that there has been discussions on this and there are two strategies that are being contemplated. One is to require masks of all people who are spectators at games and the other is to only allow students who are from the school community to be spectators, in other words you can't attend an away game anymore. No decisions have been made yet. Absence rates: LHS: 10.7% Diamond: 11.8% Clarke: 8.7% Hastings: 13.3% LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK Harrington: 16.8% Fiske: 16.0% Estabrook: 17% Bridge: 14.8% Bowman: 16.1% LCP: 26.6% Mr. Bokun asked if Monday's school closure will be made up at the end of the year in June. Dr. Hackett confirmed that is correct, it's not a lost day and we will make it up. Ms. Jay mentioned that there were a lot of different points of view coming into this post holiday period and return to school. She wanted to say that all concerns are valid. She hopes that people understand that we are all doing our best. It is important to detect cases as soon as possible and for high participation in testing. Ms. Lenihan thanked Ms. Cuthbertson for the pooled testing reminder. All of the reminders are helpful. She brought up that Dr. Hackett mentioned a report on vaccination numbers that gets sent to DESE. Ms. Lenihan explained that when people talk about the percentage of vaccination rates of a school or town they are using the State Covid Dashboard. She gave an example of one issue, a school will have say 12,000 children between the ages of 16 and 18 years old and then they will report that 14,000 out of those students have been vaccinated, the numbers don't add up. Ms. Lenihan is hoping that this report to DESE will be accurate. Dr. Hackett mentions that we have been reporting weekly to DESE since the beginning of the pandemic. It feels like DESE is making an effort to have accurate data. Ms. Lenihan also brought up our open positions, she asked Dr. Hackett if she could remind people of our situation. Dr. Hackett said that it is very difficult because we don't have all of the people that we are used to having on one hand, and on the other hand, we have lots of staff who can help cover (some districts don't have that luxury); but it is incredibly stressful for the people assuming all of the responsibility, that contributes to being overwhelmed during the pandemic. It sounds like we have a lot of vacancies (40), this is double compared to normal but Dr. Hackett is hearing in other places that they are in danger of shutting down. We also have not had a significant turn over and that we are in a good place comparatively. Sara Mei shared a student frustration that was brought up to her. The absence report only accepts PCR tests, but on the communications sent out by administration it states that it will accept PCR or third party antigen tests. In order to be marked as present you have to have a positive PCR test but they are really hard to get. So the student was wondering if a positive test from a third party test will count. Dr. Hackett explained that expectations are changing and shifting a bit. The "gold standard" is the PCR test and Dr. Hackett will look into the form discrepancies. LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK Ms. Cuthbertson added that she has been looking at the weather for Friday and is wondering that if we get snow, will the vaccination clinic be canceled? Dr. Hackett replied that we will have to "wait and see." LIPS FY 2023 SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDED BUDGET Dr. Hackett went through the budget presentation. Slide 1: Introduction • Lexington Public Schools Fiscal Year 2023 Budget • Level Service and Budget Recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools • January 4, 2022 Slide 2: Budget Timeline and Process • August 2021 - review of prior year spending and expected changes impacting FY 2022 • September 2021 - development of School Committee Budget Guidelines and Calendar for School Committee review • October 18th and 27th - Special Education Department budget meetings • November 1st and 17th - Departmental and Principal budget meetings • December 3rd - Departmental budget narratives due • November 30th to December 20th - Superintendent reviews requests and budget is finalized • December 16th and 22nd - final review of budget narratives; begin building budget tables and charts • December 22nd and 23rd - draft budget document is sent to Print Center • December 28th and 29th - Budget Recommendation book printed for distribution to School Committee • January 3, 2022 - Superintendent presents budget to LIPS staff (postponed) • January 4, 2022 - Superintendent presents budget to School Committee • January 18th and 25th - School Committee Public Hearings • January 13, 2022 - Town Summit III "White Book" Review • February 8, 2022 - School Committee Budget Deliberations and Review • February 10, 2022 (tentative) - Town Summit IV "Brown Book" • February 15, 2022 (tentative) - School Committee Budget Recommendation Adopted by School Committee • March 2022 - Total Town FY 2022 Operating and Capital Budget Recommendation Distributed to TMMs • March - April 2022 - Annual Town Meeting • June 2022 - School Operating Budget Opens for Requisition Entry Dr. Hacketts note: Approximately 400 hours goes into the budget, it is not a final budget until the School Committee approves it and Town Meeting votes. LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK Slide 3: FY 2023 Revenue Allocation Process • Summit I: October 2021 - FY 2022 o Financial Indicators • 5 -Year Forecast o Initial Revenue Projection • Summit II: November 2021 - FY 2022 Revenue Allocation • Summit III: January 2021- FY 2022 "White Book" Review • Summit IV: February 2021- FY 2022 "Brown Book" Preview Dr. Hacketts comments: The summits are attended by members of the Appropriations Committee, the Capital Expenditures Committee, The Select Board, the School Committee, the Town Manager and his staff, and the Superintendent and her staff. Slide 4: FY 2023 Revenue Allocation Model • $258,921,000 - total revenue available for allocation • $251,651,000 - allocated across municipal and school accounts • $7,269,000 - incremental revenue balance available FY 2023 • Apply Revenue Allocation Model (LPS - 74.0%; Municipal - 26.0%) • FY 2022 LPS Base Budget of $122,876,981* (Additional FY 2023 Revenue Application +$5,377,447 or 4.38%) • FY 2023 Total LPS Allocation = $128,254,447 Dr. Hacketts comments: This is how we get to the total budget allocation amount ($128,254,447). There are about 1700 school staff and about 200 municipal staff, to give a sense as to why the school side gets more than the municipal side. Slide 5: FY 2023 Budget Overview • The budget for Salary and Wages in FY 2022 was $102,654,658, the FY 2023 recommended budget is $106,450,152. That is an increase of $3,795,494 or 3.7%. • The Expenses budget in FY 2022 was $20,222,323, the FY 2023 recommended budget is $21,804,295. That is an increase of $1,581,972 or 7.82%. • In total the FY 2022 budget was $122,876,981, the FY 2023 recommended budget is $128,254,447. That is an increase of $5,377,466 or 4.38%. • Note: The FY 2022 budget figure does not include the additional $500K funding allocation from Special Education Stabilization Fund LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK Dr. Hacketts comments: This slide is a visual representation of how the budget is broken down. We have been trying to not spend the $500,000 from the Special Education Stabilization Fund. 83% of a school's budget is in salary and wages, the business is in personnel. Slide 6: LPS Revenue Allocation History • FY 2023 - 4.4% • FY 2022 - 3.8% • FY 2021 - 4.3% • FY 2020 - 5.4% • FY 2019-6.9% • FY 2018 - 6.6% • FY 2017-7.2% • Note: FY 2022 figure does not include the $500K allocation from Special Education Stabilization Dr. Hacketts comments: This is how the increases have looked year over year. The increases have gotten smaller. We are generally around 4%. Slide 7: FY 23 Budget Assumptions • Continue with full in -school model • Enrollment stabilizes and new projections are calculated • Staffing levels return to normal; no new additions or enrollment impacts • Expense increases: transportation, tuition, special education services • As of October 1, 2021, PK to 12 enrollment was 6,790. • Enrollments have declined locally and nationally throughout the pandemic (last year there were 290 fewer students than the previous year; this year 111 fewer students). • For more detail see LPS Annual Review of Student Enrollment & Projections: 2021-22. See page 8 for more details on how enrollment change varies by level Dr. Hacketts comments: Enrollment formulas have been discussed, but there are many variables. Some students cost more than others to educate, making it hard to say that many students cost a fixed rate. With the pandemic we have seen a drop in enrollment, this does not mean we need less teachers. The loss of say 100 students do not all come from the same class, we would have to redistrict in order to cut teachers. We are getting some of the students back since the beginning of the pandemic. Slide 8: Kindergarten Enrollment • 2000-01:394 • 2001-02:382 LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK • 2002-03:349 • 2003-04:405 • 2004-05:354 • 2005-06:403 • 2006-07:384 • 2007-08:341 • 2008-09:389 • 2009-10:376 • 2010-11:427 • 2011-12:389 • 2012-13:437 • 2013-14:442 • 2014-15: 431 • 2015-16:448 • 2016-17: 414 • 2017-18: 412 • 2018-19: 401 • 2019-20:383 • 2020-21:309 • 2021-22:343 • FY 22 entering Kindergarten cohort rebounded in Lexington but still lags behind pre -pandemic years. Dr. Hacketts comments: Our highest kindergarten enrollment in Lexington history since 2000 was in 2015-16 (448 students). We are starting to rebound. Slide 9: Reason for Withdrawal: FY20 - FY22 • Chart broken down into five main categories; Transferred - In state public, Transferred - In state private, Transferred - Out -of -State (public or private), Transferred - Home-school, and Combined Transfer Reasons. • Highlighted in purple is the following: o K-12 ■ Transferred - In state public- FY20: 50, FY21: 93, FY22: 90 ■ Transferred - In state private- FY20: 45, FY21: 157, FY22: 135 ■ Transferred - Out -of -State (public or private)- FY20: 104, FY21: 136, FY22: 150 ■ Transferred - Home-school- FY20: 1, FY21: 15, FY22: 8 ■ Combined Transfer Reasons- FY20: 8, FY21: 200, FY22: 383 LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK • Similar level of students transferring to other in-state public schools as last year, both higher than pre -pandemic levels. • The # of students transferring to in-state private schools is lower than last year, but still significantly higher than pre -pandemic levels. • The # of students transferring to schools out-of-state has continued to increase. Dr. Hacketts comments: This outlines where students go when they leave Lexington. We are starting to see some of our students return. Slide 10: Summary of Staffing Changes • A net decrease in staffing of 1.31 FTEs. • Administrators and program leaders identify reductions during the budget development process based on student needs. • Staffing increases identified to meet legal and contractual mandates. • History of FTE Increases o FY23 —1.3 FTE o FY22 —6.0 FTE o FY21 +3.19 FTE o FY20 +28.07 FTE o FY19 +22.25 FTE o FY18 +49.34 FTE o FY17 +50.58 FTE Dr. Hacketts comments: A FTE is a "Full Time Equivalent"; 1.0 FTE represents one employee. The proposed amount for FY23 is -1.3 FTE, but this still meets our needs. Shifting our resources, re -organizing personnel at Central Office. Slide 11: Salary and Wage Budget FY 22 and FY 23 Request • Chart; highlighted is the "Grand Total" line with the following information: ■ FY22 FTE (Adj): $1166.86 ■ FY22: $102,654,658 ■ FY23 Request: $1165.55 ■ FY23 Request: $106,450,152 ■ FTE Request: (1.31) LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK ■ $ Change: $3,795,494 ■ % Change: 3.70% Dr. Hacketts comments: We are currently negotiating with many personnel units. Slide 12: FY 23 Budget "Request Changes" Overview FY23 Expense Budget Net Increase $1.58M or 7.8% • Funds identified mandated service requirements. • Special Ed Tuitions $631.6K. • Student Transportation (Special Ed Transportation, McKinney Vento Transportation, and Day Transportation) $560K. • Increased per pupil expense allocations by August CPI inflation rate of 4%. • Added funding to support curriculum implementations in K-5 subject areas. • Additional funding for updates to school safety emergency response materials. Dr. Hacketts comments: It's hard to do comparisons because of grants. The pie charts show FY 2023 Expense Budget Breakout and Percentage of Total Expense Increase. Mr. Coelhos comments: The top pie chart shows where we spend our money, the below chart is a breakdown of what drives the increases. Slide 13: How do we arrive at a net decrease of 1.3 FTEs? • FY 2022 Base • +/- Mandates • +/- Enrollments • +/- Program Improvements Net FTE Dr. Hacketts comments: How we get the -1.3 FTE. We add positions (students who need additional staff members to support their needs, like a one-on-one) and take away positions (if a student ages out of a special program). We look at if enrollment is high or low, we keep staff if we are on the cusp. Slide 14: FY 23 Budget Request Changes Overview LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK • Chart with Request Category: Base, Program: Special Education, K-12 Curriculum, Finance & Operations and Sys Wide, a column of different positions and the value of FTE. The Grand Total is (2.02). Mr. Coelhos comments: During the budget process we look at what do we need going forward for proper staffing. Students age out of programs, this helps look at staff that are no longer utilized. Slide 15: FY 23 Budget Request Changes Overview • Same chart as previous slide, Request Category: Enrollment, Program: Special Education, K-12 Visual Arts, Clarke, K-12 Curriculum, Diamond, a column of different positions and the value of FTE. The Grand Total is (4.21). Mr. Coelhos comments: There are +/- as students move through different programs. Enrollment is fluid but individual student needs are not; we need flexibility to have staff in the right places. Slide 16: FY 23 Budget Request Changes Overview • Top chart: Request Category: Mandate, Program: Special Education, 3 positions listed, and the FTE granted totally 4.82 • Bottom chart: Request Category: Program Improvement, Program: K-12 Visual Arts, FTE granted: 0.10 Mr. Coelhos comments: This is driven by IEP's and different programs. Slide 17: FY 23 Budget Request Changes Overview • Chart highlighting that the total recommended amount is $128,254,447 and that is a dollar increase of $5,377,466. Mr. Coelhos comments: This is a traditional slide shown in the budget book. Slide 18: Strategies for the Future Beyond FY 2023 Lean Year Budget Strategies LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK • Phase I o Reduced fixed personnel costs through attrition and reduction. o Offset budget utilizing revolving and special funds. o Reduce supplies and software contracts. o Review special education placements. o Access Special Education Stabilization Funds at Town Meeting. • Phase II o Address staffing needs based on mandated requirements. o Identify additional expense account costs. o Revise revenue from fee funded accounts and adjust expense line -items such as Transportation and Athletics. o Expand use of Circuit Breaker or Special Education Stabilization Fund. • Phase III o Explore cutting electives and increasing class sizes. o Reexamine fees previously increased in 2018 . o Review use of stabilization funds. o Review all Transportation services, routes and ridership requirements K-6 and 7-12. • Note: The scenarios above are included to show possible strategies to use if there is a pandemic -related change to teaching and learning models. Mr. Coelhos comments: Back in the FY 21 process, we started to strategize and came up with the three phases. This makes sure that we are buying what we really need. Slide 19: FY 2023 Budgetary Risks and Unknowns • Impact on local economy and Town revenues due to lingering pandemic issues. • Chapter 70 State Aid - impact of State revenue and October 2021 Enrollment on Ch 70 Allocation funds. • Federal 94-142 Grant Aid - Special Education allocations driven by enrollment and set -asides. • FY23 Enrollment rebounds and return to normal participation rates for Transportation, Athletics and Food Service programs and revenue generation. Mr. Coelhos comments: Every year there are risks and unknowns, we have to project on the following year. Lunch has been free for the past two years but that can end at any time. In the LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK last school year we were transporting less students because of the hybrid/remote model. Paid bus riders generate revenue. Slide 20: FY 2023 Budgetary Risks and Unknowns • Continuing lingering Impact of COVID-19 and vaccine distribution and efficacy; continued impacts on student enrollment and staff. • Continued shortages in staffing and substitutes. • CPI inflation adjustment on expense accounts and impact of higher costs for some materials due to supply chain disruptions; need to manage a leaner budget. • Plan for future disruptions in staffing availability during and after school breaks; additional staffing and expenses for testing prior to school reopening dates. Mr. Coelhos comments: We are more concerned about being able to get supplies at this time because of the issues with supply chain, things are also costing more because of inflation. Slide 21: Front Cover Art and Back Cover Art Mr. Coelhos comments: Every year we put student artwork on the back and front cover of the budget book to showcase our students' talents. Slide 22: Special Thanks • • Laura Reinholm, Assistant Director of Finance; Kathleen Kim, Financial Analyst; Adrian Leone, Executive Administrative Assistant; and LPS Finance & Operations Office Staff. • Student Artists Front Cover Top, left -right, Samantha Michel, Tony Liu, Aria Rana, Middle, left -right, Sarah Liu, Alexander Kingdon, Kieran Somers, Bottom, left -right, Cecilia Riordan-Bourges, Maya Silverman, Ava Davidson. • Back Cover Top, left -right, Tasmai Garnsey, Abra Dubrovsky, Chloe Wang, Middle, left -right, Gema Fandila-Bunce, Ashley Zhang, Collaborative Piece, Harrington Elementary School, Bottom, left -right, Doris Sun, Nora Yenikomshian, Avery Guo. Mr. Coelhos comments: Mr. Coelho is very grateful for everyone's help, there is also a list of students who have artwork on the covers. School Committee Questions/Comments: LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK Ms. Jay asked about the pie charts on slide 12, she wondered if those increases are typical of past years. How did you come up with the increases for Special Education and tuition? Mr. Coelho responded that we have to look at tuition rates and the amount of students and the programs. In this budget, we have 4 or 5 students that have extra tuition costs, unlike previous years. A school year is only 180 days, some students may need a program that goes 365 days. There is a page in the budget book that shows where these students are. With transportation, we have day and in -district programs but also have special education students who have special transportation needs. COVID restrictions allow for less students in a van for example. We are anticipating a higher rate during the bidding process. Ms. Jay pointed out that there were a lot of COVID-related expenses, and when creating the budget those expenses are unknown. Are things such as ESSER money factored in? Mr. Coelho explained that our budget has few expenses that perhaps could be COVID expenses. The back of the budget book lists the ESSR grants. The operating budget is meant for core activities, the COVID money is separate. Ms. Sawhney thanked Mr. Coelho for answering her emails. She will pass them along to the rest of the School Committee. Technical difficulties occurred in the Select Board's Meeting Room, the School Committee decided to end the meeting because of the unresolved audio and visual issues. It was suggested that the remaining items on the agenda be added to the next meeting. Ms. Lenihan made a motion to adjourn at 8:55 P.M. Ms. Lenihan took a roll call vote (Approved 5-0). LSC 10/26/21 - Approved on 2.1.22 JK