001All right. I'd like to call to order the Farmington Board of Education regular meeting on Monday, June 1st, 2026 at 7:02 p.m. Um, can we all rise for the pledge of allegiance? >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The next item on the agenda is item five, approval of minutes. Can I have a motion? >> Yeah. I move to approve the May 11th, 2026 board of education regular meeting minutes as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> I'm going to abstain. Andrea. >> Okay. All right. Motion carries. Um, next item on the agenda, six, consideration of superintendent report, summer learning. >> Uh, assistant superintendent Veronica Rusek
002will share with you all the summer learning opportunities happening in the district this summer. >> Next slide. >> So there you can see um that the summer is a very busy time for our schools. Um, and generally a lot of our programs are at FHS and Westwood's Upper Elementary School. We were not in that building last year due to some construction that was going on. We were at IR, but we're back to Westwoods um which works out really well because you'll hear a report from Brian and um his team over here um about all the programs they have. So, in addition to the programs that you'll hear about from them, these are the ones that are um really on the academic side of the of the the house in terms of summer programs because there's
003also extension um programs that they'll talk about. Um and so um many of these we offer every year. Um I just wanted the first one is extended uh school year for special services. Um and there's a really long list of things that happen. So these are these are services like uh Farmington preschool, the SLC preschool, academic support, SEAL programming. Um this is a time when some students get intensive decoding, counseling services, SLP, occupational therapy, and homebound instruction. Um you don't get a full report here today because this ends up being a fall report where you get all the details of how many students participated and all of that. So, this is just to remind you that our uh our schools are very busy time in the summer. There's lots of opportunities for our credit recovery.
004Um, and these are really designed in order for there not to be a summer slide for the most part. You can see on some of them though, they are uh credit recovery. So, there's a couple of credit recovery opportunities for FHS students. Um, the one thing I'd really like to emphasize though is the ready for kindergarten camp. This is a new program um that we're able to offer due to a a CRE grant that was offered, a wraparound CRE grant. So, everything is paid through um through that grant. Um and we're able to open up again some um support in the summer for students who are moving from um ready for kindergarten. So, from our preschool, we take about um 10 students um in through the choice program. Um and so they were all offered
005the opportunity and almost all of them will be coming here. And um we've also opened up several cases for Farmington students um into the ready for kindergarten camp. So each school had a chance to to send two students to that. So that'll be um a very exciting camp with lots of uh really highly talented um teachers um giving the students a little uh extra boost before they go to kindergarten. Um, ideally we'd actually like to move that to be um a August program like right before school, but given the way that the grant fell, it'll be a June. It's our first try. So, we're seeing it as a pilot. Um, we'll continue to sort of monitor that program and see whether it's something that we would ask for to repeat um in years to come.
006So again, very very uh very busy time in the summer that our schools are going to be buzzing with all of these different programs and more because I know that uh Brian in a little while will tell you about all the programs he has. I also want to thank Brian for his partnership because many of these programs actually end around noon, 11 o'clock, 11:30 or or noon. Um but many um parents really need students in order to participate in this. They need to stay all day. And so we've partnered with Excel and they're able to offer them spots um after the this these programs are over so they can stay for the entire day and then all the other thank yous that need to be said we I'll do in the fall when we talk
007about the the programs and what has happened. But so many people working on this so I extend a thank you to all those people. They know who they are but they'll be in in the booklet next year. questions, comments? Okay, thank you, Veronica. Um, next item B, continuing education annual report. >> Okay, so Brenda Donlin is here to provide the annual report. Uh, Farmington provides uh, continue education programs both to this community and the surrounding ones, and I think we've grown to one of the largest in the state at this point. So something to be proud of. Brenda, >> thank you. Um for every uh Oh, I have a slide. I think >> there. Here it is. >> Um so my program um really straddles two areas. We have our enrichment program which supports a
008lot of the youth activities as well as adult community enrichment classes. um that continues to be, as um Jess said, one of the biggest and strongest in the state, fully self- sustaining. Um so we we run um about a dozen bus trips a year for um area residents. Uh this year we had over 250 separate courses during the school year that you know ranged from knitting and needle felting which is one of my personal favorites uh to um Spanish, French and um meditation. So any of that if you you should all hopefully get our catalog in the mail. Um, our overall enrollment declined a little bit, but due to some cost cutting measures, we're still financially strong. Um, no concerns there. And, um, one of the big changes was we moved um, the ski club
009program, which we had been running for a number of years back, over to Farmington Recreation. That seemed to be a seamless process. Um many parents had had students participating in that for years and you know just some a few questions through email and phone calls but nothing um no complaints. Um it it went off without a hitch. Um and so it just gave us an opportunity to focus more on a lot of the more academic enrichment programs for our um area students. Uh the main reason for our program is um what we refer to as the mandated program. For anyone who isn't familiar with that, the state of Connecticut mandates that we that every district has to offer um a high school completion option, a citizenship classes and um English for speakers of other languages
010for adults. And so we um usually have a little over a hundred students every year come through our program. Uh this year 22 of those students were in our GED program and we have nine graduates out of those 22 which is a pretty pretty good performance record. Um, which will lead me to, if you look at the top right, our um, lead GED instructor, Lisa Tamasovich, was honored this year by our state association as um, one of the three state educators of the year for her um, just dedication and performance with her GED students since she joined us. Uh, this I believe is the end of her fourth year with us. and we've seen every year we've seen an increase in both enrollment and completion with her. So, it was um a great honor for
011us to to nominate her and for her to receive that. Um we have um a few students and one of them is pictured there, Lucilla, who earned her citizenship. Um we have one of our star students of the year, um Suichi. He spent over 200 200 hours studying English with us. Um, some of that was on his own through an online platform that we were able to provide. And he moved up um to one of the top ESL levels, ESL level six, and is now working on his, uh, resume interview skills and hoping to get back into the workforce. And so, um, you'll see the flyer for our working world class. We have a a PEP grant that this was the end of the second year out of a four-year grant cycle on that. And
012so we're currently running um a six-w week um intensive workshop style course for any of our eligible students and they're getting one-on-one resume help um interviewing uh mock interviews and um leads on how how to do job searches and then we bridge them into local areas like the American Job Center. Uh, Tungstus is another strong partner. And so, um, that's so far been pretty popular and it's it was a change from the way we ran that grant program last year. Um, and we're hoping to build on that for this coming year. And then I just gave you um, a few little um, tidbits on the value of our program. and we do collaborate with four other districts for um to help bring in more students in the area and also um keeps costs down for
013all of the districts. So, thank you for always funding us and supporting our program. And I think that's about all you >> any questions, comments? >> Thank you. All right. Um, next item on the agenda, uh, we have Farmington Extended Care and Learning Annual Report. Welcome, Brian. >> Good evening. My name's Brian Zario. A lot of new faces here. Um, at the core, the extended care and learning program is a program provided to provide a safe and enrichment enriching um, environment for students after school at all elementary schools in Westwoods. Um, we had a great year today. Uh, we continue to be self- sustaining. Um, but today I brought my leadership team with me. Um, they do everything behind the scenes. Um, I have Amanda Mashad who oversees the Excel program and all the summer
014programming. Connie Rogala is our early childhood coordinator. And I have uh Lawrence Akash Terra who is uh going to be the new uh site supervisor over at East Farms. He currently was a year ago and he's coming back to us. He left for a little bit but he's coming back to us. So um this core leadership team is just great. I can't say enough great things about them. Um one of our highlights I think there's a slide there. One of our highlights every year we um we do leadership team on the left that represents all the site supervisors for all the elementary schools. Um our STEM expo this year was one of our biggest ever. I think we had close to 400 people and for the first time since I've been here we have had
015a represent from preschool all the way through 12th grade students there helping and it was a wonderful evening in this wonderful space. At this time, I'd like to invite any questions if there's any. >> Brian, can you just introduce us to You missed one person on your team. I just want >> Okay. Now, so Ericman is um a Farm High School graduate um from a little while ago and he is the program facilitator for the mandated program. And one of his biggest accomplishments is this is the end of his second year in his role. And he has brought up our measurable skill gain rate from the low 20s to 41% in just two years with his dedication, his data analysis and uh relationship building >> which is significant in the sense that that has now
016raised it above the um state average. So >> and exceeds the federal average the federal targeted rate. So within these two, we have adult ed, extended care learning, preschool. We're all down at One Depot place. I invite everyone to come in, stop by, take a look at our place. I also would love anyone to come down, take a look at our preschool programs or after school programs. We invite you to come down and see what's going on. >> Thank you. Questions, comments? Matt, >> I got one. Just I just want to ask about preschool. Um, I was curious how many students attend our preschool. Are we maxed out? Are we at a wait list? I noticed you're like exploring that. Just talk about obviously preschool is a big issue in the state. Just curious how
017that's going here in Farmington. >> Preschool is a huge um demand in this district. Right now we have 72 spots that we have for tuition based students. Right. The other side of that would be students who come half day for special services. Yep. >> Um, this year we revamped our enrollment process, weight list, how we do it to a lottery system, second year running. We currently have 131 families on there. We have, I think as of last week, we have the last six remaining spots and I think we are at um I don't want to give a exact number because I don't have that with me, but we are high in the 70s of that 131. So there will be families who will not have that. >> Got it. So if we >> didn't want
018to have a wait list, we would need to open up 50 more family slots essentially. >> Yeah. I mean we would have to open probably six to seven classrooms of 15 students and that is on my future goal to explore spaces. >> Is that is that a space issue, a PE personnel issue or a money issue? Right now it's a a space issue. Yeah. Which would turn into a >> Right now it's a space issue. >> Okay. Yeah. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Do you feel um because I've heard a lot about the preschool how you got in and it was previously you had to sign up at 8 a.m. and then people were signing up and not getting in after they signed up at 8:00 and 1 second went to the lottery system. Um,
019but are you feeling feeling that was the positive like are you feeling getting positive feedback from that or are people now still complaining because I've now heard the flip side that you're not granting like siblings even in siblings are not necessary. >> Yes. So we mainstreamed everything to be as even and equal as can be. So um yeah, no sibling. We're just because that's not everyone has a sibling. So we tried to make it as transparent and equal as we can for everybody. >> So you think you feel like this new lottery system is working better than the previous? >> Yes, I think there we've made Yeah, I can give a uh I'll say a qualitative analysis of that when I first, you know, came in. That was one of the things other than transportation
020that I got bombarded with, right? People giving feedback about, you know, once again waiting. It wasn't working. It wasn't fair, you know, like it's not fair that people have time to be able to do it. I have to work, you know, like a lot of different things. And so since now this was the second year of going technically I like to call it randomization process as opposed to lottery for some technical reasons. But um didn't get any like at least last time um but this time really there you know didn't you know people just understand that sometimes there's just not enough spots. Um but there wasn't the complaints about like the system isn't fair or there's you know there's opportunities. We've also worked to um phase out the the priority that staff members at Farmington
021staff members had that and and so they felt there like you know unfair advantage for that. Um and so that one we but we also felt that some staff had felt that you know this was kind of a perk of coming in so we wanted to try to be fair to them. So we worked toward phasing that that piece out which then opened up more spots to Farmington residents. Um, so I think the residents appreciated that because that was another kind of uh concern there. So overall I can say at least from from my level um I haven't I didn't get the same um passion um that I got maybe a year ago. >> Yeah, we definitely put the residents first and I think it's a good >> because I think that was the other
022feedback I always heard was there you said 72 spots. I was going to ask how many of those are those 72 for Farm Fington residents or are there other spots or is that inclusive of these other ones that you're giving to? >> 60. Yes, about 60. We have 10 open choice students every every year. >> So, there's also 10 open choice students that are involved in that as well. >> Correct. >> Has that been evaluated at all too? I mean, if we have Farmington residents on the wait list, but we're giving them to open choice students. Has that been looked at all? I don't think we've evaluated it, but it's part of our process here for bringing choice students in. The philosophy being the earlier we get them as part of our community, the more
023success they'll have long term. Uh, and so we primarily bring in students in preK and K. Uh, and have found again that just to be one of the greatest ways to bring a successful experience about for those families and those students. I don't know when the last time it's been examined is, but that's the philosophy behind opening those seats. >> There's great longevity to that. So, students that we bring in in prek do stay with the district for >> Yeah. And out of that number, obviously, we have returners. Um the new kindergarten age date does change that. Um so we're cycling through more students rather than before where a student could have stayed for >> three years. So now it's more two years. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> Oh, Ann, >> uh, what
024about children if they get a referral from something like birth to three because they have educational needs where they're a little bit behind where they should be. >> So, a special service department handles that. That's not that's not part of those numbers. That's just tuition students. >> Okay. >> And how has it going at Westwoods? Now, you've had a full year there, right? >> Yeah, it's going great. Yeah, we put in a brand new beautiful playground this year. We have um three classrooms running right now in one L S L S L S L S L S L S L S L S L S L S L SLC. It's working really well there. >> Good. >> I just like to thank Brian and Brenda for and their their team for doing an incredible job
025um with these programs. Um you know, we kind of check in on on on you know, them, but they they really, you know, go with it and and do a fabulous job. do just for from almost an educational standpoint kind of just also remind that you know their programs are you know primarily operating outside of the operating budget. So they are self-sufficient um you know programs there. So if you know sometimes people have concerns about you know from opera but they are you know kind of self-funded self- sustaining create their own budgets each year maintain that um even have you know u been successful to have a reserve so in case that there were some you know leans they can they can kind of balance it out and so they are they're doing a tremendous
026job so I just want to personally thank them. >> Thank you a wonderful evening. >> Thank you. All right. Uh, next item, professional appointments, resignations, and retirements. So, there are four resignations in your report this evening, which are effective at the end of the 2526 school year. Um, you'll see two special education teachers, one from East Farms and one from the high school, a social studies teacher at Farmington High School and a speech and language pathologist at Westwoods Upper Elementary School. >> Questions? >> I'll just say those are the ones remember we said that there were some and that you get them in this report. So, these were anticipated and so some of those positions are already filled. >> Okay. Um, next item, deeper learning update. So the in this edition you'll find updates from
027all seven of our schools including information on a partnership uh with the Stanley Whitman House in which students engaged in place based play-based learning exploring local historical sites, archival records and material culture to better understand how history identity and public memory are connected to the community today. Um, you may also be interested in hearing about a group of third graders from Union School, um, who recently presented to the town's green efforts committee about our waste sorting and, uh, reduction program, a student-led initiative that started this spring. >> All right, comments, questions, um, updates, >> just a couple. Uh not that anyone is counting, but there are 12 days of school left at this point. Uh and just seven until graduation. We recognized our seniors this evening, so I'm sure if anybody's counting down, it's them.
028But uh I think uh for me, the takeaway this evening is our students uh mentioning how they'll be sad to go, right? That they feel a strong connection to the Farmington community, to Farmington uh public schools, and that they've had a positive experience here. Uh and so while there'll be some celebration, I'm sure there'll be lots of tears uh on graduation uh which is scheduled for the class of 2026 on Wednesday, June 10th at 6 PM. Uh and the ceremony takes place right here at Farmington High School. So we look forward to seeing you all there. Uh, in addition, there's one other large promotion ceremony which is for Irving Robbins Middle School. That will take place here at the high school as well at 5:00 pm on June 17th. They have found that being here
029at the high school is preferable. It's also kind of a nice bridge to ending their time at the middle school and being here at uh the high school. And then our last day of school is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17th. It's an early release day for students. Uh and so again, 12 days left and uh then we'll be off to the summer. But as Veronica uh said, we never sleep. We'll be working all summer to get ready for the new the new school year. So that's it. >> All right. Um seven, unfinished business. Item A is budget impact budget update. >> Hi everyone. Uh so a as you know as we get into that last month we're kind of you know monitoring the the operational budget um for there one of the other pieces that
030we focus on this is really kind of wrapping up also grants um you know and spending those down. We usually have um you know this week's kind of a last time to make sure we process them so they can get covered by June 30th. Uh you know the team has done you know really nice job on those. Uh, and you know, you'll you'll see I'll kind of give you like a little preview then when we get to September. There's a few different grants um that we won't fully expend, but these were kind of more um not the entitlement grants that kind of, you know, uh I'll say complement operating expense. These are kind of more like enrichment type things that sometimes we don't get them until like December or something. And so to try to
031spend them down in there, it it would be difficult um to do the PEP grant is a continuing ed grant. Um that's probably an example that we might not be able to spend down fully, but I can assure you it's not um it's not really at the expense of of you know kind of any type of you know offsetting an operating thing. It's just you know kind of certain things that like I said whether it's the time we get them or sometimes too the the grants might be very um narrow in focus. So, as far as what we can do and sometimes if they don't align really with what we want to do, um you know, there's an ARPA right to read grant that has very uh kind of strict guidelines about the type of
032programming they want us to get, which doesn't really kind of go along with the curriculum. So, so we'll kind of expend there, but sometimes there might be some some other opportunities there. So, we're working through that this month. And then, you know, once again, the uh overall good news is we're still projected to finish uh very strong at the end of the year. And you know, as I mentioned before, just you know, always looking for any uh you know, kind of input as we talk about uh that you know, the money that wasn't expended for the three kindergarten teachers there and and and looking to return to town. We've talked a little bit about wanting to to um add some money to the non-lapsing account. um you know if if whether if Jess or me
033I'd be happy to kind of talk a little bit about you know the thought process on really trying to move that non-lapsing account to have where um we would have enough for uh two you know theoretically two non-deployed teachers those are those teachers that we put in the budget for those kind of surprise enrollment things at the end and so if we have that um you know I think we've talked about of having about $100,000 for any unexpected uh capital or or u major projects so when you have that, you know, the the water heater at at central offset goes, it doesn't really kind of take from there. And then just putting in for a couple like those surprise, you know, um of out of district placements that can kind of put a little bit
034impact. And so the thought is if we had that when we plan for the 27828 budget and even really moving forward, we can kind of I don't know if being more aggressive, but but not you know, you wouldn't need to necessarily put in those non-deployed teachers in there that are placeholders. you can kind of do that which would bring you know the the overall operating down and if we did need them once again we would then have this um this opportunity this venue this you know source to be able to kind of pay for those. So, it's kind of a even though it's having that money um that's there and some people just use it to bring it down, you know, doing that creates this what we call fiscal cliff, you know, where if you
035you know, if you put in $250,000 there that you don't have a way to bring it every year, now the next year you're kind of actually starting at minus $250,000 and so that makes that following year. So, it gives you a little relief in one year, but then it then it takes it there. So the thought process is to create kind of this buffer that allows us to kind of budget I would say like not more true but but not worrying so much about those unexpected um variables that that unfortunately come up more often than not. I'd add to that too that we, you know, a question that can be asked is, well, haven't you had unanticipated outplacements in the past or had to add a teacher even above uh perhaps like an unassigned teacher?
036And the answer is yes, those things do happen. Um, in the absence of the non-lapsing fund, right, that would be where we would go into the operating budget and we're we're making cuts, right? uh we're making decisions about what types of um equipment resources that we might not be purchasing in that fiscal year in order to address that unanti unanticipated expense. So, as Dan mentioned, this would allow us to make some adjustments and and bring down some requests in the overall operating budget, but also ensure that that budget that's proposed, you know, comes to fruition with a greater level or, you know, a greater amount of success in future years, uh, and dependability. So, there's a couple things that we think this accomplish accomplishes. Sorry, questions. Angela, >> you know, my only thought when you
037were saying it with the non-lapsing account is I like the idea of it covering expenses that are unforeseen like a water heater as you gave an example. I think that's like a perfect use of it. I am a little hesitant when you're saying to use that potentially for like non-deployed teachers if you use them kind of what you are saying then. So if you do have to use that the next year, where does that money then come from? Like you're using that for that one year that you need them. But I mean, we all know that teacher is probably not going to go away the year after that. That teacher's then on our on our payroll. So that would be my only like hesitation from in terms of any recurring expense that would occur to
038use the non-lapsing account. But I do agree and I'm in favor of using it for these one-time hit things that you know you have damage for or something like that. So, I'm sure this will come up again during budgeting, but when you were saying that, that was just what was resonating with me. And you know, and just history repeats itself. We don't really get rid of positions here that often. So, I'm assuming if we want them one year, they're probably going to come back the next year. And then where do we put that? >> No, I listen, I think those are great points. uh you know I think one of the things that ideally is you know in in this case where let's say it was the water heater right and we used the non-lapsing
039account you know you would hope that maybe you know in in a year or two maybe you wouldn't be able to put you know like replenish it there but if we had a little bit of excess in that year's budget could kind of put it back in right and so the thought would be you know you would you would hope you wouldn't hit like the trifecta where you needed like the water heater two placements and two non-deployed teachers and so now you go there. And so if you, you know, if the next year you needed something from the non-lapsing that that might kind of go into that little bit of maybe the water heater until maybe we get another good year where we can kind of replenish that, right? So the thought would be kind
040of always, you know, maintain that range to that that has it. And so you know that that that we're always kind of maintaining that, you know, you don't you don't want to, you know, to get it that surplus to get so big, you know, that you're thinking they're like, okay, well, you know, there's that piece to it, but but just to have that. so that we can continue to to provide, you know, really strong budgets. >> Yeah, just something to think about. It doesn't have to be solved here, but just a thought, Matt. Thank you. >> Yeah, I I I appreciate Angela's point, but I think there uh you don't necessarily need to be so conservative with the non-lapsing account, right? Because part of those funds could be used for those classrooms that have 22,
04123, 24 students. And as we saw this year, we did riff four teachers and it ended up being three. So this board certainly saw enrollment drop and we took we we did make the sort of tough budget and we we discussed that and uh about reducing teachers, right? So it's sort of one year and we have to look at the enrollment and if enrollment went down, we didn't necessarily just keep the teachers flat, right? We actually made like not an easy decision with teachers very early in their career to riff them. So, I think, you know, if there are those hot spot teachers, I appreciate everyone kind of looking and trying trying to do their best there. And I think um I think there's always a balance with with the budget to provide services to
042what Farmington families expect. And I think again those classrooms where it is becoming overcrowded, especially at the K through2 level. I think that that makes sense to me. Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> All right. Next item, uh, policy update, second reading. Make a motion, right? Yep. >> First, >> yeah, I move to approve the policy updates listed below for a second reading. Uh, 3170, board budget, procedures, and line item transfers. Uh, 5112.1 and 5112.1A, admission to the public schools at or before age 5, and 6153 and 6153A, field trips. Second >> discussion. Okay. All those in favor >> I opposedension. Okay. Motion carries. Um next item eight, new business, cafeteria contract renewal. Can I have a motion? >> I think I'm in the right thing, right? >> Yeah. Yes. I move to approve the
043amendment number three dated June 1st, 2026 as presented. Amendment number three sets the management and administrative fees for the 2026 2027 school year. In management fees, there will be a 0% increase and in administrative fees, there will be a 2.5% increase. >> Second discussion. So this is uh you know our our annual uh approving of the Chartwells uh kind of running our food services program. Um they've overall done a very nice job uh since that you know even the time I've been here and looking historically and the back you know previously to that um each year uh you know there's the management fee. This is the same um percentage that we had last year. So we kept everything flat kind of rolling over. uh you know like I said they continue to do a really
044nice job providing you know healthy options for students providing uh you know right meals and programming uh and also you know still providing it at a um still maintaining there's a minimum profit level that they must meet every year and they continue to meet that and exceed that which then allows us to use that funding to reinvest um into the our school and into our infrastructure. So, you know, once again, another, you know, benefit of that is when we start talking about capital projects, major projects, one thing that you would probably have maybe noticed, maybe didn't notice is you don't see us having to put in for, you know, new ovens, new fridges, new, you know, all those that this fund that comes from there, um, kind of self-sustains that. So, we, you know, we
045were able to put some new serving lines over at IR and Westwoods, some new, um, you know, we're just, uh, purchasing, I think it's a, it's a new dishwasher. I believe it's at Westwoods. Um, and these are, you know, pretty expensive items as you can imagine, industrial, you know, grade type appliances and things. Um, so, so those are things that that aren't, once again, being having to put on the, um, operating budget. Happy to take any questions. Angela, >> can I just ask so I understand the management fee versus the administration fee? What is that? And that's nothing that's being passed on in like the prices of the food or anything. This is strictly like chart or is that being passed on in the prices of the food? >> You know, it's I mean not
046not kind of directly in there, but I mean it's all kind of uh of you know kind of built in where they you know kind of they take it. However, we still have control over setting the you know the lunch prices. Uh we actually work with the state of Connecticut and so even the state of Connecticut they even tell us uh give us a guidance about what the like how much the fees can be like what is the the the the limit. I think, you know, the the cap on it was I think like 3.7 or something was was the most that they can do. And so we work kind of with what the state gives us, you know, they give us a number, we negotiate, we go back and forth. Um, you know, ultimately,
047like I said, kind of landed at just flat from last year. Um, we just actually um there's an equity tool that state has us kind of fill out to kind of take a look to see where we're setting prices at. They've actually said that, you know, we could if we want to move it up up to like, you know, it's a there's an average because each school, you know, each level has different prices for lunches. So, we can move it the average up to like 40 cents up. Um, we'll probably look to maybe do a little bit. I don't know if we need to go to the full 40 cents on that, but just, you know, given obviously the increased gas prices and food and, you know, inflation kind of numbers there. Just want to
048kind of be able to adjust it a little bit. Um, so you know, we'll kind of take a look at that and, you know, in the next meeting, but I I don't think we've changed lunch prices. I believe it's been a couple years. I think maybe three years ago there was like a 60 cent bump. Um, I think if we do that though, it'll you uh it won't be nearly to that level. Um, but like I said, the average could go up to 40 cents that just gave us some guidance. And so, >> so we're not really voting on that though specifically now. That's in consideration with this 2 and a half increase. Like you'll take that into consideration when you do that. Correct. >> We're not involved or are we involved in that? Uh
049I I will double check to see historically. I don't believe at least I couldn't see that you guys were involved in that. Like I would probably give you a budget update impact and let you know kind of where we landed on that. But I don't think the board needs to take action on the actual >> Got it. You know 420 or 435 for Yeah. >> Uh there. But this this would be the one that the state requires us to to have you guys take action and then we submit it to the state and then the state actually needs to approve our contract with Chartwells. >> Okay. Got it. >> Question. And um and not necessarily well because we're talking food, lunch, breakfast. Didn't the breakfast pass for free breakfast for students? Right. >> Yeah. So
050the two So uh as part of this legislative session that it was passed that um breakfast will be free for all students regardless of free and reduced lunch status. And I believe if I have it right, I'll double check that if you are on reduced lunch status now, lunch will also be free. So they're going to cover that that differential for lunch for for students who So if you're free or reduced, it'll be free. And then breakfast for all. And actually, we just had our cafeteria advisory meeting uh earlier today. And so that's going to be some of the conversations we have because now um you know logistical and spacing and you know at the elementary school you know you have the cafeteria that can hold maybe 80 students but now you might be feeding
051you know having everybody going through the lines and space and that but not putting too much of a burden on custodial staff and and and you know so uh be thoughtful about you know students with food allergies and location. So so that'll be some of our summer planning to try to be thoughtful about that. But yes, that just got passed and and and that'll obviously have an impact on on participation. >> Dan, we had that though situation like a few years ago, so we shouldn't we have data probably that says how many kids took advantage of the free lunch, right? Like I mean the free breakfast that was free and then it went back just recently to >> Yes, absolutely. And some of that though was kind of during COVID and so you know, you
052kind of, you know, some of those rules about like eating in the classroom was a little bit more relaxed and so like I said, we'll have to kind of see how how the two kind of merge. uh you know we you know we'll you know we'll come up with something and you know uh I'll I'll work something out that that works best for for all the people who are impacted by it. But >> just uh two quick ones. My colleagues are are similar uh thought process to me if I can use the term hot lunch cold lunch. Is there a more hot lunch less hot lunch over the past couple years? Do we have any sense of how many how much Charles is actually meals they're serving? Yeah, I mean we, you know, I don't
053have the data in front of me, but you know, we meet monthly, uh, with Joe Walsh, who's our food services director, uh, and Beth Hab, we know, we oversee, like, you know, we take a look at financials and different pieces. And so, um, he has, uh, you know, he gives us all those numbers and and the data. And, you know, once again, one of the things that we responded to from the leadership team is at the elementary school is, uh, students were had the ability to purchase snacks at the kindergarten and first grade level. and and that you know it was ultimately decided by the the team and some feedback we got from parents that they weren't maybe ready to handle that amount of time on there. So we and we also realized that schools
054were kind of doing things a little differently. So so we've moved to be a more consistent so that uh it was there. So kindergarten they're they're not allowed to purchase snacks beyond the meals. They can buy multiple meals. So if we have some students who are really hungry and they want to get a second meal, they certainly can. they can't kind of start with two ice creams and then work their way to the meal. And then in first grade, same thing. They're now uh snacks except for I think they're allowed a like a fun Friday, which I think most of the schools have adopted like ice cream on Friday, the one day we kind of that piece to kind of get them in the practice of of that. So, we'll kind of take continue to
055take a look at that. But despite putting that in this year uh during a cafeteria um the the alle cart sales you know the the the non- kind of you know certified meals that they have still continue to go up mainly with the the Westwoods IR and the high school offsetting some of the decrease there and that's even despite the you know 100 less kids in the district right so you would think fewer kids in the district you're going to sell fewer meals >> um but they were able to kind of offset that. >> Got it. Thanks. >> One more. Sorry. It's a silly one, but I have to say they must have introduced nachos because that's I constantly get requests for nachos at home now. Like nachos like nacho meals like I don't know
056even I've I've learned how to make it now but it's like a like not Yeah, I a favorite for my Westwoods kid. Yeah, they've done some really kind of creative things, you know, as you know, when when they have the snacks here, you know, they find ways to reformulate Doritos so that they meet the health requirements. And then they have these uh, you know, sometimes I call them like taco boats, right? Where, you know, where you just basically, and it's funny cuz the concept is is amazing. You take the bag of Doritos, you go sideways, you cut it open, and so then you have it, and then you just put in the ground beef, you put in the like the lettuce and tomatoes, and they just eat it right from the bag. And it is
057We have a demonstration next. >> Listen, I Yeah, Walking Taco is is another name. Uh, so that's been very popular. Uh, and it's funny, I even see it now at food trucks, like when I go to fairs and stuff, I see it there. And, uh, so it's really, uh, it's been, it's been, you know, >> it's a popular request. >> It is a very popular, >> Angela. I will see what I can do for, you know, join the cafeteria advisor. >> I know. Well, I mean, my son's 22 and he still does the whole taco thing. It >> So, it's been going on for a while. >> It's legendary farming for Keystone. >> All right. Um, let's see. Oh, B. Uh, approval of gift donation. Farmington High. We do have to vote. >> Okay. All
058those in favor? I >> opposed abstensions. Motion carries. Um, next item B, approval of gift donation Farmington High School drama program. Can I have a motion? >> Yep. I move to approve the gift donation of black and white scrim curtains to benefit Farmington High School drama productions in accordance with board policy regarding gifts and donations exceeding $12,000 in value. >> So, I'm going to pretend like I can really talk about scrim curtains and and so >> Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, sorry. >> Second. >> Uh, so we have uh Paula Ray, who my understanding is a former resident of Farmington no longer works here, but uh longtime resident supporter of public schools and the arts program here um and has generously donated um a uh you know this the money for including insulation for these scrim
059curtains. So these are this is clearly an enhancement. You know, this is something that we wouldn't ordinarily put in our operating budget. This was something that even I asked did it get value engineered out of the high school project and even though they told me it it didn't even kind of get that far and it it was just something that you know it's like always be a really nice to have but it's hard to justify given all the other needs to kind of put that in. And so, um, you know, Paula Ray was was, uh, kind enough to to, um, you know, like I said, to to be willing to pay for this, including, like I said, the the installation. Sometimes you get a donation and then they're like, "Okay, well, now the the district
060has to come up with money to install and and and do this." But this is, you know, to get it purchased, installed, and ready to go for for the drama program. >> So, we're very appreciative. >> Wow. She's a former board member, too, right? >> Former town. >> No, I know. Just giving a recognition on the board. >> Oh wow. Okay. Student alumni of Farmington High. >> Awesome. All right. >> Thank you. So all those in favor? >> Opposed? Abstension. Motion carries. Uh nine. Consideration of assistant superintendent of finance and operations report. Approval of April 2026 financial statement report. I have a motion. >> Yep. I move to approve the April 2026 financial statement report as presented. on a roll tonight. >> I'll just keep going here. Um, so you know, as I talked about
061the budget impact and update, uh, as you can see in the report, um, you know, right now, like I said, you know, trending there, it it's looking at a balance of, you know, you know, currently there about, you know, $220,000. Um, you know, I I still do anticipate that going up a little higher as some of the incumbrances get released and we find, you know, we don't end up meeting those. um there's still going to be some additional revenue um that that we get when we get through you know our you know choice grants and our bill back um you know program. So we'll so we'll have some of those pieces. Uh you know we'll also look at some opportunities. Uh I know one thing that we're we're looking also to be able to take
062advantage of is you know once again I'll test your memories. Some of the major projects we were talking about is some uh cabinets redoing at East Farms and we were kind of phasing those in and doing like seven this summer and then the plan was to do seven next summer and you know kind of finish it out. So we we probably will have some opportunities to kind of say while they're in there to also save, you know, expenses to say, "Hey, let's go ahead and just do all 14, right?" And so we'll be able to like save some long-term money on that and and you know, kind of either move forward on our major projects on, you know, we call those outyear projects um and and be able to do that and so still kind
063of take advantage of of some of those pieces. So So like I said, looking uh uh you know, really good. Um we're really excited um you know to to be able to uh kind of have the luxury of being able to see how do we take advantage of this and put ourselves really an even better fiscal thing as opposed to trying to you know as you see sometimes other districts where they're just doing freezes and just hoping to to to get to you know to land um at zero. Happy to take any questions. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Extension. Motion carries. So the next item 10, executive session. Um >> make a motion to um go into regular session. Yeah. Yeah. Invite Dan and >> do you have the motion? Yep. Okay. Go ahead.
064>> Yep. I move to executive session at >> You have to read it all. >> Oh, I have to read the whole thing. Oh, okay. >> All right. >> So, I move to executive session for the discussion of school resource officer report. Um discussion and approval of employee leave of absence request, discussion of technology department staffing shifts, consideration of appointment of the supervisor of special services. And the discussion and approval of nurs's contract for the years 2026, 2027, 2027, 2028, and 2028, at >> Well, you also have to invite >> who's included. >> Oh, okay. Never had to do that before. Um, attendance at the Yeah. Attendance at the executive session shall be limited to members of the board of education, superintendent of schools, assistant superintendence, uh, others whose testimony or opinion is necessary for
065the period of time required to present information related to the purpose of the executive session at 8:35. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed abstension. We are in executive session. I uh move to return to public session at 10:06 p.m. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I I opposed. Abstension. Motion carries. >> I also move to extend the meeting past 10:00. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Absention. Motion carries. >> All right. Excellent. >> All right. So, we are back in regular session. Um, so I will need a a motion for the leave. >> Yep, you got it. Um, I move to approve Allison Fitzpatrick's request for a one-year extension of their leave of absence uh for the period of the 2026 2027 school year without pay.
066>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I I opposed abstensions. Motion carries. Um I move to approve the nurse contract for the years of 2026 2027 2027 2028 and 2028 2029 as presented. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed extension. Motion carries. >> And last but not least to I move to approve the superintendent's recommendation to appoint Melissa Sutton to the position of supervisor of special services effective July 1st, 2026. Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Abstension. >> Welcome Melissa. >> Well, welcome Melissa and uh thank you for just staying so late. Um you know, we're really pleased to have you join our district and look forward to your experience and leadership and dedication that you're going to bring to this important role. you know, we're confident that you
067will be a value valuable addition to our team and our school community. So, welcome to Farmington >> and thanks again for being here so late. >> She should stay, right? >> I have a contract for her. Yes. >> All right. So, >> we're almost done, Melissa. So, you don't have to wait that much. >> All right. So, Oh yeah, the last thing is Are we on 13? >> We are on 13. >> 13 report of the board chair. >> I have something to longer to say and I'm not going to I'm going to be brief since it's late. Um but no, I just wanted to um you know just thank everybody for all their hard work during the school year since it is you know the end of the school year. Um, thank you to
068Jess and your team, the um the faculty and staff and um families, you know, and all the students for all their hard work and um you know, I just hope everybody has a a great summer, everybody has a chance to uh reset um and just have a a healthy healthy summer. Um so with that um can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> I move to adjurnn at 10:09. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I abstension. Opposed. Absention. Motion carries. We're adjourned at 10:09. >> Then we have to go back.