The Halifax Elementary School Committee met in-person on Monday, April 4. Committee Chair Summer Schmaling opened the floor for public comment. Richard Bayramshian of the Halifax Teachers’ Assocation (HTA) spoke saying, “it’s important to understand why the Teachers’ Association is making their plea tonight for a fair and respectful contract moving forward. After receiving a 1.6 percent raise for one year in January of 2021, seven months after our old contract expired in June of 2020, negotiations started back up in February of 2021; the starting point was an offer of 0 percent until Finance Committee and final budget was set for the upcoming fiscal school year of 2022-2023.”

Bayramshian said that the HTA requested that they be paid the stipend that all town employees received but he said that request was denied. Bayramshian said that the final offer the School Committee proposed was for two years at 1 percent and 1.5 percent which the HTA brought back to the Union, who voted it down. He said that a second meeting was scheduled for March 9 which Bayramshian said was put off several times by the School Committee due to not having a quorum. He said that the mediation date was set for May 3, nearly three months after the original scheduled date.

“I’ve been a teacher here for almost 30 years; I’ve been negotiating for nearly half that time. I’ve considered the town of Halifax and HES as my second family. I’ve run over 20 years of fundraisers… I’ve run after school sports programs…,” Bayramshian said. He said that the HTA has been without a contract for nine months and that what they really hoped to accomplish was a three-year contract in line with cost of living increases and inflation rates. “My own paycheck has decreased the last three years,” Bayramshian explained.

Steve Ruisi, also of the HTA, spoke next saying that he shared many of the same sentiments expressed by Bayramshian. “Our message is simple; invest more in teachers,” Ruisi said. He went on to say that it was disappointing to be there to discuss the lack of progress with the negotiations. “It has been very clear throughout these negotiations that investing in teachers’ salaries have never been a serious priority,” Ruisi told the Committee. He said that both Kingston and Plympton settled their contracts early in the winter saying the towns rewarded them for what they have done over the last two years throughout the pandemic. Ruisi said that in initial drafts of the budget, teachers’ salaries were decreased by $36,000 rather than being level funded. He said that the HTA received no response from the School Committee when they pointed out the decrease and demanded to be level funded. “Earlier in the spring as unprecedented stimulus money was approved for towns and schools, we were again optimistic; at that time and still, a large majority of that money was and still is unspent,” Ruisi said. He also said that inflation is estimated at 6 percent and the teachers were only asking for a 2 percent increase. He said it was important to note that as the previous year’s inflation rates were used, in part, to justify the one year, one percent contract. He said the teachers were “crushed, shocked, and disappointed” to be the only town employees not to receive the stipend.

Kindergarten teacher Tiffany Easter spoke next. She began by thanking the School Committee for the opportunity to speak before them. “I just wanted to get up here tonight and shed some light on the reality of teaching in Halifax right now. I know I speak for many others when I say this as a sixth-year teacher with a Master’s degree working toward paying off undergrad student debt, keeping up with the cost of living, paying for rising health insurance costs – right now I am forced to work three jobs,” Easter told the Committee. “We can’t put students first if we are putting teachers last,” she finished.

Tara Tonello, a parent of a student at HES, spoke after Easter. She acknowledged that she could not fathom the “intricacies” of the tasks faced by the Committee. “However, I am aware that the teachers have been working with an outdated contract this current school year,” she said. She said that when it takes this long to accomplish something, in this case agree to a new contract, the general impression is that it is not a priority. The reply, addressed to the teachers said, “I hope you know that you are valued, appreciated, and incredibly respected.”

School Committee member Jim Keegan spoke saying he has a child at HES as well as another at the Middle School. He said that both himself and his wife were born and raised in Halifax and that they wanted to make sure that their children went through the Silver Lake school system. Keegan said that he could not be happier with the education that their children are receiving and said that everyone that he speaks to in town are in complete agreement. “I support our schools and I support our teachers,” Keegan said. He cautioned against using social media as a member of any group including a union, saying that it can easily become divisive. “When we are using social media and using bits and pieces to fit our agenda, it doesn’t do anything but separate us; as a parent, I would hope that everyone would use caution when using social media,” Keegan said.

Schamling thanked everyone for attending but said that she wished that more people would have been in attendance during their budget hearing.

There was a school choice hearing which allows the School Committee to opt out of school choice. School choice is a program that allows Massachusetts schools to accept students from other towns in the State. Superintendent Jill Proulx made it clear that school choice does not allow for discrimination based on race, gender, athletic achievement, academic achievement, etc. The administration recommended against choosing school choice due to the large class sizes. The School Committee voted unanimously to opt out of school choice.

Keegan provided a Youth and Rec update. He said that sinkholes were currently getting fixed that were located on the Babe Ruth Field. Keegan also said that adult volleyball was scheduled to begin April 29 at 7 p.m.

A PTO update was given by committee member Jennifer Carroll. She said the bookfair this year was the most successful one to date raising $50,000. She also said that field trips are returning. The newspaper club for Grades 4-6 was approved by Youth and Rec and is seeking volunteers to chaperone. Field Day will be Monday, June 13 with a rain date of Tuesday, June 14.

Principal Kayne Beaudry began his update by saying, “I just want to put it out there to just recognize the fact that we don’t appreciate teachers enough…we do appreciate all that the teachers do especially the last two years were rough, and I wouldn’t want to be beside anyone else… they did a wonderful job trying to figure out how to teach during COVID.” Beaudry said that conferences were held and were offered either in-person or remote. He also said that kindergarten registration went live on February 7. MCAS would be held that week.

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch spoke about the Student Opportunity Act saying that it sought to close learning gaps. He said that additional Chapter 70 funding did not happen in 2021 due to the pandemic and additional federal aid. He noted that the funds would be available for 2022-2023 and that based on Halifax’s demographics, that increase netted about $16,000. He said that one of the goals was to take a math interventionist position and move it from a 0.49 position to a 1.0 or full-time position. Lynch said that Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) funds can be used to fund that position through 2024.

Administrator of Special Education Marie Grable provided an update on an assessment that was completed regarding special education services in Halifax. She said that of the 36 areas reviewed, 35 were deemed successfully implemented. Only one service was considered partially implemented. She said that every district has an obligation to locate students with special needs that are either homeschooled or enrolled in a private school by their caregivers. The district has a responsibility to identify these students and with parent consent, consult on how and if any eligible funding would help the student to obtain eligible services. She said that since this area is only partially implemented, they would be looking to finer tune the process.

Proulx asked the Committee to increase the pay for long-term substitutes to make them more aligned with other local districts. She said the possibility to reduce the rate in the future could be explored should long-term substitutes become more readily available. Committee Chair Gordon Andrews asked Beaudry if there were currently any open long-term substitute positions at HES and was told there was not. Andrews clarified that voting the increase would not cost them anything right now but would make them competitive should the need arise for a long-term substitute. The increase would be from $95 a day to $272. Schmaling said she was in favor of learning more about the increase’s full impact on the budget before voting in favor of it. The Committee decided to discuss it further at their next meeting.

The Plympton School Committee met virtually on Monday, March 28. Committee Chair Jon Wilhelmsen brought up the ongoing issue of dog waste on the school fields as well as a recent incident involving a dog bite. Resident Heather Sanda said she was out for a run when she encountered three dogs with an owner on school grounds. One of the dogs jumped on her and bit her hip and knee which prompted her to call the police. “There is no leash law in Plympton so all that happened was this dog was taken home and put under house arrest for ten days to be monitored for rabies,” Sanda explained. “People just use it as a dog park and it is not a dog park,” Sanda said of the school fields. Sanda said that some of the first-grade teachers have recalled students coming in from recess with dog waste on their shoes. “I know we have had this conversation too many times; we have given people the opportunity to clean up after their dogs… my understanding is nothing is any different than it was before,” Wilhelmsen said. Amy Hempel spoke on behalf of the Plympton Athletic Youth Sports (P.A.Y.S.) saying that while preparing the fields for spring sports, there was considerable waste on the fields. “It is unfortunate for the folks that have been using it appropriately, but it is not designed to be a dog park,” Wilhelmsen said. Hempel noted that 90 percent of surrounding towns do not allow dogs on their sports fields.

The Committee discussed placing signs around the area alerting residents that dogs will no longer be permitted. Wilhelmsen said the difficult part would be enforcement. “We are not in a position as a School Committee or Peter [Veneto] as an administrator to be enforcing who is on the grounds and who is not, especially after school hours…I think we will need to work with the Selectmen to see if we can engage the Police,” he explained. Regarding the lack of a leash law, Wilhelmsen said, “It is incumbent upon all of us that have dogs to understand and know your dog and be able to make sure that dog is acting appropriately and healthily with everyone that is around.” The School Committee voted to ban dogs from the Dennett grounds. Sanda thanked them saying, “I’m glad it was me and not a kid.”

Playground Update

Committee member Jason Fraser said, “with the help of Rep. LaNatra and her staff, we did trace the path for those fenced off funds which are for the enrollment increases we realized this year. They are supposed to be for fiscal year 22 which is ending June 30… DESE [Department of Elementary and Secondary Education] has some preliminary numbers for us… I don’t think they are official yet… we are supposedly in line for $80,000.” Fraser said that the money could be used to help finish the rubberized surfacing on the new playground at the Dennett.

Capital Improvement

Wilhelmsen said they plan to have an article at the special town meeting for several purposes. He said there were four classrooms that need floor replacements. Wilhelmsen told the Committee that an upgrade to the intercom system would cost about $35,000. They are also looking to upgrade the building entrances with key fobs. Five HVAC units also need to be replaced but will likely be funded using ARPA funds.

Legislative Update

Fraser said the federal government was lapsing on their free meal programs for students for both breakfast and lunch. He said there is currently a bill at the State House called the Free Meals for All Plan. He said that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) were in support of it. He said it has also been requested that the per pupil minimum increment be changed from $30 to $100. “With inflation wreaking havoc on budgets across the State, $100 just seems a little bit more appropriate,” Fraser explained. He said they were also asking that Circuit Breaker be fully funded. The school loses money from charter school tuitions that are taken directly out of the town’s Chapter 70 funds. “We actually have the ability within Mass General Laws to reach out to all of those students who go to charter schools and send them flyers and brochures of our own, advocating for our schools and the great programs that we have,” he told the Committee. He further said he would like to see the administrative team prepare something to send out.

CASA Update

Hempel provided the CASA update saying they just finished the end of Winter Fest. “I think it was a big success looking at the number of people that went,” she said. She also said that they were looking for volunteers to bring back the talent show.

Principal’s Report

Dennett Elementary School Principal Peter Veneto said that they currently have 241 students enrolled. The school recently held the honor roll breakfast and any sixth grader on the honor roll was allowed to bring a family member. Veneto said that a former Dennett student, Dan Lyons, who is now a senior also came and spoke to the students about what they can expect at the middle school and high school. Veneto also said that the entire school participated in Read Across America week where students got to wear different themed attire each day. Former student Payton Devonshire is leading a clothing drive for Cradles to Crayons. There will be a box for collections in the lobby of the school as well as at the Police Station. Veneto also said that the Assistant District Attorney recently spoke to fifth and sixth grade students about the dangers of the internet as well as “how to remain safe while online.”

“We also had another really interesting project that we tried for the first time in Grade 6,” Veneto said. He said a Deputy from the Sherriff’s Department introduced a CIA unit kit that students tested in class. “They did fingerprint experiments, footprint analysis, working with unknown powder and liquids,” Veneto explained. He called the program “hugely popular.”

Assistant Superintendent’s Update

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch provided data on a recent professional development day centering around social and emotional learning and anti-bias training. He said that they surveyed teachers and had 228 responses. Eighty-five percent of staff rated the training as either a 1 or a 2 out of 4 with 1 being extremely effective. Lynch also provided an update on ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund). They are using some of the funds for a program that includes visits from an expert to help aid the school improvement plan.

Budget Update

Proulx told the Committee that it was her hope that they would approve the budget that night, so they could have a budget to present to the community. Wilhelmsen said that himself, Proulx, Fraser, and Director of Business Services Christine Healy all met with the Finance Committee to review the budget and the addition of the new director position being added to the budget. “We didn’t get too many questions… but I think overall they were very, very pleased with the budget,” Wilhelmsen said of the Finance Committee. He said there would be no increase in the budget after taking all factors into account. “I think this is a good, strong budget,” he continued. The Committee approved the 2022-2023 elementary school operating budget of $2,767,440, the special education budget of $1,136,022, and the out of district vocational budget of $60,000.

The Halifax Finance Committee met Monday, March 28, in preparation for a balanced budget to present to the Halifax Annual Town Meeting, which will be held May 9 at the Halifax Elementary School.

First on the agenda was the Park Commission budget. Speaking to the article  was Michael Schleiff.   Responding to a letter from the Board of Health, the Parks Commission is asking to put in a handicap accessible “porta potty” that would be rented in increments of 28 days.  While the request had been for three portable toilets, the Park Commission  is requesting one for the Lingan Street beach area at a cost of $1100.  This will protect the beach, pond, and surrounding area from urination and defecation and help lessen the problems and answer the Board of Health concerns. This would bring the budget up to $1562.  FinCom agreed and voted to approve that amount.

In an effort to bring in some money to help cover expenses, the parks department is considering offering out of town beach stickers for a fee.  There are officers at the recreation locations monitoring the areas, and there is signage stating that parking is for Halifax residents only, but they can’t keep out of town vehicles from parking at the boat ramp.

“We’re going to get some help this year from the highway department with clearing the parking lot across the street from the Holmes Street beach,”  Schleiff said.    

Next project the Park Commission is looking at is some “beach nourishment” to alleviate the deep gullies at the beach formed by stormwater runoff.  They have bids from local sand and gravel merchants and Schleiff explained they have to match the sand in size and texture to the current sand, and it has to be washed sand, with no sediment.  The price for this is $14 a ton.

Schleiff said they would also like to continue the Holmes St. boat refurbishment.  “We’re working on the drawings so we can get accurate prices.   We know it’s going to be way over the $5,000 we have.”  He told the committee that three tri-axels of sand will be about $1100.“  If we take out one truck it will be $800 or so,” Schleiff said,  “It would be nice to have it in this budget so the work can be done this year.”  Town Accountant Sandy Nolan pointed out that the boat ramp is a capital expenditure and the warrant for the spring town meeting closed last week.   She encouraged Schleiff to get her the information and she will see what she can do, but most likely they will have to draw up an article for a special town meeting in the fall.

Pam Aducci, Town Treasurer/Collector, told FinCom she wants the assistant treasurer position raised from its current 32 hours to 40 hours.  “ I’ve given my notice and will be leaving at the end of April.  Whoever comes in will need training and that will need more hours.”  Nolan said she knows how the asstant treasurer has been pushed – especially with the fraudulent unemployment claims that came in during the pandemic – and also just keeping up with all the day to day business in the treasurer’s office. “We’re going to need that person for 40 hours a week no matter what.”   The increase was approved.  Adducci said that she realizes the town needs to find new revenue sources and suggested Halifax raise its demand fees.   Halifax charges $5 while surrounding towns charge $15.  “Not a ton of money, but it needs to be approved by Town Meeting.”

FinCom went on to a general discussion of the budget.

Still faced with the Halifax Elementary School budget, the major issue is the special education transportation price increase.  FinCom has made inquiries into utilizing one of the vans from the Council on Aging.  They have three vans with three drivers.  FinCom has asked the school committee to explore that.  COA was quite amenable to sharing.

There has been no news on the Town Administrator’s salary line.   If it is voted at $125,000 and the selected candidate requires more, then they might have to go to a special town meeting to fund that position.

• IT Expense budget at  $110,191 was approved.  Nolan said she thought it was a fair amount.

• Police and Fire budgets  are complete.

• Building Inspector – Selectmen are aware that assistant building inspectors are being paid out of the building inspector’s  expense budget as vendors.  The building inspector asked that his assistant budget  be transferred to the expense budget so he can use it to pay contractors. His assistant works as a contractor at this time.  Voted unanimously.

• Animal Control Officer budget – $982.  The budget is formulaic.  Unanimous approval.

• School budget is waiting until next meeting.  Halifax’s assessment went up, Kingston’s went up and Plympton’s  assessment went down.  Cheryl  asked if the special ed transportation cost is fixed and was told that there are no companies  willing to bid on the project.    

• Reycling center wages  were voted to cover the three people working there, the driver, center operator, and part time helper totaling $75,274.  Sue Johnson communicated to FinCom that the hazardous waste collection line can be lowered from $14,560 to $5,950.  They will do alternate years as there was a very low demand for the service. They are also looking at a regional option.   Unanimously voted.

As for the trash collection, that department says they should be able to lower this amount but recommends putting this price into the town warrant and when prices come in, they can bring the cost down at Town Meeting.  “Is this a straight pass through to the residents?” Chairman Connolly asked of Nolan.  “We would have to increase the price of the bags.   This is paid for by the bags and we would have to increase the price.   That’s why we’re working hard not to have it that price because we do not want to have to increase the bags like that,” Nolan said.

• Council on Aging expense went up by  $650 due to increases in electricity and dues.  “I think they’re going to need it,” Nolan said.  Voted unanimously.   

• Parks expense – change from $450 to $1562.  Voted unanimously.

• Fireworks committee is asking for $3300 to cover the cost of police and fire details.  Unanimous approval..

• Debt service –  all three items went down from last year.   This is the last year for the landfill capping item.  The principal is $90,000 and the interest for this year is $1,857.  The other items are the elementary school roof and repairs and the fire suppression debt.  “These will be with us for a while,” Nolan said.

• Plymouth County Retirement wants to be fully funded by 2030.  This will keep increasing.  We have no choice.

• Halifax group insurance.  Expecting a significant drop due to people going from family plans onto Medex plans which saves significant sums – the difference of about $1400 per month down to about $400 per month.   I would like you to vote $1,054,560, for total health group insurance.   Voted unanimously.

• OPED trust – committee is  asking for $1,000 again this year to bring the total to $39,000.    

• Assistant Treasurer/Collector salary increase by $11,000 who is now  at 32 hours.  It is an additional 8 hours “and it is quite necessary,” Sandy Nolan said.  From $141,854.  Increase by $11,000 to make the department line  $152,854.  Voted  unanimously.

• Article 6  Reserve Fund.  $75,000 to raise and appropriate from the general fund, and also $50,000 from water  retained earnings.   “The same as last year,” Nolan told the group.  Total $125,000 for the reserve fund.  What was the total of all the reserve fund transfers for all of last year?   “There was a $100,000 transfer from the reserve fund to the legal expense line last year but I’m not sure if that’s going to come up again.”  Said Assistant treasurer Lind Cole.   Nolan said “There’s a chance that it may come up again this year.  Basically I think we’re doing OK with the amount.”  Connolly asked, “Where does the unused money go at the end of the year?”  Nolan answered that it goes back to the general fund as free cash.

• Plymouth County Extension Service – $150.  This is the same every year.  They help us with 4-H and other things.   Unanimous approval.

• Road maintenance.   Last year increased it was increased from $150,000 to $300,000.   “Steve (Hayward) would like to keep the $300,000.  And we can afford to.”   Approved unanimously.

• Assessors recertification article for $18,600. “ It’s the annual fixed cost and we have to do it,” Connolly said.  Unanimous.

• Police vehicles – one police cruiser and one chief’s vehicle for $110,000 as part of the annual rotation.  Approved unanimously.

• Police Bulletproof vests for $5,000.  “We do sometimes get refunds from the state, but that just replenishes the account.”  Approved.

• Replacement of 20 station cell cameras  at $7,379 was approved.

• Halifax Elementary School elevator.  The current elevator is so old that they can’t get parts.  They want to upgrade the control panel for $66,941. “This is a one-time expense and it should last quite a long time once we put it in.  This is something that we would naturally fund through free cash,” Nolan told the board.  Approved.

• Highway medium duty dump truck for plowing and sanding for $200,000.  Can be more useful than the larger trucks.   Approved.

• Highway 500 gallon double walled waste oil tank.  $50,000.  The one we have now is single walled and not in compliance with state standards.  “This allows us to burn used oil for heating oil.  She said the last heating oil bill they got was $5 per gallon so the ability to burn the waste oil is a huge savings.

Nolan asked the commission to go back to fixed costs. “ The gas line we have at $90,000 … I think we need to increase it by $20,000 to $110,000.  For heating oil I think we need to increase it by $10,000 to $60,000.”  If the money isn’t used it goes back into the general fund.  Approved.

• Water recycling unit at the wash bay for the highway dept.  We’re pumping the water out of the pipe tank which is not in compliance, Nolan said..   The cost will also add a roof over the wash bay.  $75,000 total.  Approved.

• South Shore Coastal Counties Legal Service and South Shore Resource and Advocacy for $3500.  Same as last year.

• Town clerk needs a new time stamp for $850.  The one they have is so old it can’t get parts for it.  Approved

• Library computer – $1000 for a new computer at the library as part of a rotation replacement program.  Approved.

• The request for three copy machines has been reduced to two.  The water dept.  doesn’t want to replace theirs at this time.  This will cover highway and library.  Nolan suggested purchase instead of lease.  $4,000.  Approved.

• Fire – new ambulance.  $340,000. They are locking in a price, and not going to take delivery for two years.   Have to commit the funds to the article.  The money won’t all go at once.  “ We pay a deposit to begin it, might have a payment halfway through, and then the balance when it’s delivered,” Nolan said.

• Security cameras for town buildings.  Sixteen cameras on new buildings including the Town Hall, COA, Highway Dept. and  Holmes Library for $36,800.  These buildings don’t currently have security cameras,  Caesar Coloruso, head of IT, explained.  Approved.

• Middle School Resource officer – “Again this is a raise and appropriate because it is an operating  item.”  Really belongs in the school budget, it will be listed as a sub line under the school budget.   This is Halifax’s share of the resource officer.  Halifax pays 2/3 and Plympton pays 1/3. Kingston pays 100% of the resource officer at the High School.  Approved.

•  Council on Aging.  There is a need for a new building for the Council on Aging. “We are looking at the Halifax Museum library to see if we can be rehab it with a small addition to the building.  It would allow more space and all on one floor.   The architect came in with a price – a very rough estimate of $1.2 million,”  Nolan said.   “We are looking for $1.5 million to cover everything.   This will come from the school roof bond.   Interest rates were very low and the school roof came in at less leaving an extra $1.5 million left over in that account.  She would like to transfer the funds from school roof project to the Council on Aging project.   The one catch is there would need to be an article on the warrant to do this because it was debt excluded.  An article on town meeting to make the transfer as well as a question on the ballot to approve the COA project through debt exclusion is needed.  This money is already debt excluded.  If we do this, there is no increase to the levy at all.   The state asks that we use the funds on another project of equal length… We cannot use it to pay down the bond,” Nolan said.   Approved.   

• Silver Lake Tennis courts repair $110,000 Funds were returned from Silver Lake.  There were  $312,000 in refunds from Silver Lake and they’re asking that we take $110,000 from that to repair the tennis courts.  Being from the stabilization fund it needs a 2/3 vote.   Approved.

• Police Body Worn Camera Program.  They’ve been trying to get grants but haven’t gotten them. Not yet a requirement, but the chief would like to get them and have his officers get used to them. Chief Joao Chaves told the commission that it is prudent to get it now.  Body cameras are probably going to be mandated and Police Chief Joao Chaves said it is a prudent program.  The cameras themselves are $46,380 for the five year program and at three years they change out all the cameras.  Approved.

Library /water department network refresh.  $12,500   We do have the money to do it.    Approved.