Committee forwards four agreements, an amendment and procurement items to full board

The chair moved to forward to the full board one abstract, four agreements (CREC, LEAP, Arte and ALK), an amendment with Birch & Moses, two purchase orders and two change orders as listed on the agenda. The motion was seconded and the committee recorded votes in the meeting: Doctor Yarbrough — yes; Miss Downer — yes; chair — yes. The chair announced the motion passed.

The agreements include: CREC (augmentative communication assessments and staff capacity building), LEAP (after‑school programming serving about 60 students), Arte (after‑school services in Fairhaven), and ALK (mindfulness and social‑emotional supports at designated sites). The amendment with Birch & Moses would create an authorization to anticipate and cover legal costs related to special education, Title IX and other student matters; staff explained litigation day hearings can be costly and the amendment is meant to ensure funds are available if needed. Purchase orders included convection ovens for several schools and a boiler installation at Conte School; change orders covered ADA lift repairs at Fairhaven and ongoing heating system repairs.

Committee members asked clarifying questions on categorization of services in the Birch & Moses agreement (legal services vs. training) and on timing for grant‑funded after‑school work. Staff said the Birch & Moses work includes both training and legal defense as needed and that after‑school grants often arrive late from the state, which affects start dates.

What’s next: The items will appear on the full board agenda for consideration.