Thank you. Are there any other board members who have questions relative to the agenda items tonight? Uh I can I ask one more question? I'm sorry. I know I'm not on finance. I I appreciate it. So I know that we talked they they're talking about and I know that you had sent an update. Carol, maybe you could speak a little to it regarding uh the cuts that we might be seeing at the federal level, Connecticut specifically regarding um the education and the federal anything that you see, you know, hitting us or any kind of a number that might impact Danberry if you know there's, you know, if we don't comply with the with the administration's um you know, DEI policy. if you could just speak to that a little bit. Thank you. Yeah, I so right as of right now, just for the for the sake of the group, um you know, the our our commissioner has sent a response on behalf of all school districts in Connecticut as to our compliance with current um title six uh and and and policies that that we believe we um the state department has certified us as um following, you know, in in compliance, I should say.
um to at this moment in time, I think there's going to be some things that we're going to have to be very aware of. Um what you know, what we have on in terms of policy and what we do in practice can be different. Um but at this very moment in time, um the state of Connecticut thinks, you know, has positioned us to say that we are in compliance and we should be okay. Um now, I haven't heard of any loss of funding uh for us uh as of yet or that that is anticipated. Um I I do know that there would be um some type of a review process if there was some sort of inkling that we were not um operating according to um you know sort of the the rules that have been set out. Um we do have this you know like I said we had a two grants the IED grants um increasing educator diversity grants.
Um we've been told that to proceed as normal um that to continue on with those. Um, I do have I did reach out to attorney Tom Mooney to just review our IED plan, our policies to give it a second once over even though the state of Connecticut said um, you know, we're we've we've responded for you and and everybody's good at the moment. Um, but I do did want to get an opinion and so that'll be forthcoming. Um, and and Tom's office will review some of our materials for us just to be sure. Um, and if there's anything that we should change or anticipate or head off, we can do so in advance of any any further um, things coming down the line. As of right now, Michelle, I have no knowledge um, directly or indirectly that there is any particular funding stream or source that could be in jeopardy.
It's not to say that there can't be some something coming down the line, but how much is the grant? I'm sorry. Go ahead. It's a couple hundred. Each each one of those may be like 200 something thousand dollars. All right. Thank you. They're not supporting um we don't have staff tied to them. They are to support teacher residency, recruitment, diversifying school. So be if it went away, it wouldn't be the worst, you know, thing. Okay. Thanks so much. I appreciate that. Yep. Y clarification. Sure. Therefore, if there are no further questions of 7:42, I'm going to ask for a motion to adjourn. I'll make a motion. Second. Thank you. are above us.
Good evening. I would like to call this meeting to order. Miss Richards, may I have roll call, please? Yes. President Wade, members of the board, let the record show that four board members are present at this time. Thank you.
especially in dance. Please join us in the pledge of allegiance 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. Can't see that. No. No. Charles here. Gorson here. Moons here. And tire here. We're six tonight. Thank you. Um, perfect. Thank you. All righty. So, two more. I think this one and then the May meeting. Um, we are smack dab kind of right in the middle of the semester here. We've got quite a couple weeks left. The seniors are obviously looking forward to our bit of celebration. We'll have prom this weekend and then we'll have senior sunrise next week. So, that'll be nice for all of us to get together out in the stadium and kind of showcase to the world, if you will, where we're going.
We call it the witching hour. The witching hour. It is now 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025, and I call this meeting of the board of education to order. City, would you please lead the roll call vote? Arandu here. Gonzalez Thomas present. Meadows present. Sliger present. Matis here. Lock here. Gilbert present.
Everybody sign in. Everybody ready? Good. All right. We welcome by everybody here tonight to our school board meeting. We're going to start out with the pledge of allegiance followed by a prayer.
They're not as attached to the direction and the decisions you as a person are making. Yeah. And that detachment allows them to guide you with less pain and anxiety than uh even if you had a family member trying to help you, you know, because they have perceived notions about how you're thinking and what you're doing. Yeah. And their own attachment to things. Yes. And so by having a detached accountability partner uh you know they are able to keep you on track and keep you on the path. Yeah. To success. to success.
Hello clockers. It is good to be back with another segment of WACA news blog. My name is Hi Silver and today I'll provide you with a quick update on the latest happenings in Ashland as highlighted in the town manager newsletter. Some news you need to know. The priority project downtown revitalization. This week we spotlight downtown Ashland. A project years in the making that's really coming to life. Seven and a half years after the Boston Globe covered Ashlin's goal for a vibrant, walkable downtown, phase two of construction is wrapping up. Sidewalks and building trenches are being repaired, and we're preparing for phase three, removing the utility poles for good. We expect major visual improvements by year's end. You'll also see crews restoring the exterior of town hall, a symbol of our town's civic pride and historic charm. And thanks to new businesses, downtown has a whole new vibe.
[Music] Hello and welcome to Around the Clock. I'm your host Yolanda Greavves. We have a technology update that we'd like to share with you. Uh the state legislature has updated and res extended the remote meeting bylaws that are here in the state until July of 2027. Here in Ashland, we have been doing first fully remote meetings and then we came back to hybrid at Ashlin Town Hall in the select board meeting room through some great work by Paul Bowden here from WACA as well as with the support of the WACA board. There was funding made available and there was work done to upgrade the technology in the select board meeting room. We removed the seal and the old screen and projector that were starting to fade and it was replaced by a large uh screen at the head of the room as well as new monitors put throughout the room for those in attendance at the meetings to be better be able to see what's being shared either via Zoom or in person.
But at least when you set goals, it gets you on the map. Like you've written something down and you're on the map. You're on the road. So it it kind of helps and like, "Oh, well, I don't really want to go there. I think this is a straighter location. I just checked Google and they said this. I think I'm going to go this way." That's totally fine. But goals and actions keep you on the map. They keep you on the road, on the map, or however you want to say it. Like you've got a logical plan. Yeah. And if you if you want to keep to your navigation, yeah, we've got the philosophy. Yeah. You know, you'll notice when you're using your navigation system, when you make a turn different than the navigation system thinks you want, it reroutes you to ultimately keep getting you to your final goal.
And um one of the big issues I have is a lot of times when I'm working with families, the families, the the children will come to me and say, you know, how did you get mom or dad to do that and to move forward? We've been struggling with that. And it doesn't matter whether it's a filing cabinet or a china cabinet or a uh kitchen cabinet or someone's uh plan for the future. You know, we haven't been able to get them to approach that and deal with that and make the decisions we think they should make. and they've already highlighted the key issues in that because they're not listening to what the individual or the couple wants. They're imposing their views and their values. But at least when you set goals, it gets you on the map. Like you've written something down and you're on the map.
This might It's going to be just short. Unable to get that one down. And we're going to see two runs here, maybe even three as he slings his way towards third. And he got him out. Lewis got a little greedy.
Do the pledge of allegiance. Silence. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisibley and justice for all. And uh would you all keeping your thoughts and prayers? The tragedy that happened in Dominican Republic a few weeks ago. Last I heard there was over 220 dead. Wow. And uh it does affect a lot of our families and our hearts go out to everybody. And I want you to keep in mind all the rescue personnel who have to retrieve those bodies. Thank you. Call show please. Mistler. Mr. Jones here. Mr. Mia present. Mr. Here. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes of March 25th and April 1st, please? I'll make a motion. Second. Second.
Please join me in a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. I motion to approve the agenda. That would be Miss Van Hook. Seconded. All those in favor? I I motion carries four to zero. All right, Miss Richards, you're up. President Wade, members of the board, um Miss Johnson would like to share something with you on this slide, so I'll turn it over to her. President Wade, members of the board, um new to Higgley this year, we will uh for employees that um qualify will receive a market stipen. First, I' I'd like to explain the slide. So, the market stipen for special education teachers resource for new and continuing teachers this year will be $2500 annually. That would be paid over the course of their contract. Next is a market stipen for a special education teacher self-contained new and continuing teachers. That would be $5,000 annually, again, paid over the course of their contract.
Um, and then we'll have more celebration along the way with athletics. So, it's kind of a celebratory transitionary month between here, April and May. So, starting off with our big community- based event, we held our annual kilometers for Africa event. It used to be named kilometers for Kenya. It's now named kilometers for Africa. And the National Honor Society puts that on as one of their big second semester events. Um it also works as more of a fundraising event, right? And then that money is sent off to um countries in Africa through the uh Angaza center which is what we actively use um as sort of our way of liazisoning between the countries and us um to provide more technological access. So we are, you know, giving them technology. We're giving them computers, laptops, phones to try to increase digital literacy in that region. Um, we had over 260 students run laps.
I would like to invite Raquel Gonzalez Thomas to lead us in the pledge allegiance 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. Great. Thank you, Raquel. Tom, are there any items to add or remove from the agenda? No. Great. All right. This evening, we will celebrate the success of the computer science program at BHS. The college college board recently recognized BHS for improving female representation in AP computer science principles. According to US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, women represent just 26.9% of the 6.5 million people employed in computer and mathematical occupations. Joining us today are Chris Ozarka and Kevin Jensen, BHS computer science teachers, and three of their students, Sarah, Mthali, and Michaela. So, Kevin actually had a baseball game, so he wasn't able to make it.
I pledge allegiance 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. Heavenly Father, we thank you today for your many wonderful blessings, all that you've given to us, this wonderful sunshine and the weather that we're enjoying. We thank you today, Father, for an opportunity to come together and serve in our community we live in. Lord, serve the staff and the students that we represent today. Father, today we just pray that you would give us wisdom, knowledge, help us make the decisions that would best impact our students, the staff, and this community. Father, we just pray for your guidance and all that we do will glorify you. We pray in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. All right, future board meetings. Our next one will be May 27th, followed by June 10th and July 8th.
From flower shops to breweries, locals are embracing the walkability, connecting with neighbors, and supporting small businesses like never before. Clover Road Brewing, ribbon cutting. Speaking of vibrant businesses, Clover Road Brewing celebrated its official opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Located in the beautifully renovated old fire station, the brewery has quickly become a community favorite. with dogs, kids, and families all enjoying the space. It's not just a brewery, it's a hub of community connection. If you haven't visited yet, it's worth checking out. Scholarships are now open. Graduating seniors do not miss these opportunities. The Ashlin Select Board is offering two $2,000 scholarships due May 1st. The Ashlin Fish and Game Club offers scholarships for students pursuing studies in wildlife, environmental sciences, or forestry, also due May 1st. The Ashlin Business Association has two $1,500 scholarships open to seniors entering higher ed or apprenticeship programs due May 2nd.