Farmington Board of Education Meeting - 12/08/25

001Good evening everyone. Like to call to order the regular meeting of the Farmington Board of Education for Monday, December 8th, 2025. And we'll start with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. >> Is um Mr. Tim here? Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um anyway, folks, we're is this is a special night. It's the last night of this board of education's term. Um five of us, I'm sorry, four of us are leaving the board. Um and make way for a new uh group of uh members uh in January. Um so tonight there's going to be some recognitions for uh the board members that are are departing. Um, and

002uh, but before we start that, I wanted to recognize someone who's running a little late. >> So, I'm sorry for the for the for the pause for a second, folks. Be here in a moment. >> Mr. Very loud. We're also very excited to hear from the students this evening. So, we are going to um adjust our agenda. In fact, we believe we can do that now. Can I get a motion to move item five? I'm sorry, 6A consider consideration of superintendent report. Uh welcome comments from Union School. Can I have that moved up to replace item four uh advant comment? motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> Okay. So, that that's great. So, after we're done with the recognitions, we'll go right into the uh

003principal hecklers and the team's uh comments. Here he is. >> Tim, do you mind coming forward a little bit? I'm sorry. I try to put you on the spot like this. I know you're not someone who likes to be the center of attention, but um um we have a bit of a a relationship. I've known you for a long time here and I know you're leaving our district uh in a couple of weeks or a couple days, frankly, next week. And um you've meant so much to the Union School community that I would have been remiss, I think, if the board didn't recognize and express our gratitude for what you've done for our community. And I just want to state u Mr. For those who don't know, Tim Shonne is our security guard and he's

004been here for several years, but he's been so much more. He starts every day for every family, every child that walks into school and greets them all with a warm smile. He makes them feel safe and seen. He's not just a security guard watching the front door, but he's present all day for every child in in the school and for the staff. I know the staff loves him, too. You filled the hearts of so many Union School families, Tim, with your kindness and your love. Uh, you will be missed. We wish you the best. You and your wife, we wish you the best in the future. Uh, farewell. Good luck. I just have a couple of gifts for you from If you want to say anything, you can. If you like to say something, you're

005more than welcome to. >> Where do I go? >> Right up there. That's fine. >> Well, thank you so much. I just want to say it's been an honor to serve this community uh since 2014 starting at AR and then working throughout the district with Excel and uh filling in at many different schools but my time at Union definitely is very special to my heart. Um I know that I was placed here for a reason to leave an impact and I believe I did that to the best of my ability. Um, it's been a joy to serve and I'm looking forward to a new season and a new place to impact. I'm not sure what that's going to be yet, but um, I take all the memories that I've made here and hopefully you will,

006too. And who knows, maybe they'll end up in a book pretty soon. Thank you so much. I appreciate that. All right. Next up on our agenda items, recognition of board members. Um, also want to acknowledge that our our state representative Mike Demo is here. Uh, and he will also have some recognitions as well uh as part of as we go through each board member. Perhaps you can go along with that. Does that sound good? Terrific. All right. Our first up is Sylvie Benet. It's my privilege uh to read a proclamation in recognition of Sil Benet's service to the town of Farmington. Whereas Farmington Board of Education's mission is to enable all students to achieve academic and personal excellence, exhibit persistent effort, and live as resourceful, inquiring, and contributing global citizens. And whereas students in the

007Farmington public schools effectively learn important academic content, demonstrate skills and achievement at high levels, and develop their individual talents and interests aligned to our vision of the global citizen in an atmosphere that promotes cooperation, respect, and lifelong learning. And whereas Sylvia Benet has served with dedication as a member of the Farmington Board of Education for six years from January 2020 until January 2026 and has shown a commitment to high quality education in the public schools by her unwavering commitment to the board of education and the children of Farmington. Sylvia Benedet worked with fellow board members, students, faculty, staff, and families to develop and support Farmington's vision of a global citizen. And whereas Sylvia Benet was a member of the policy committee, curriculum committee, the board's liaison for the FHS extended learning opportunities committee, the green

008efforts committee, and member of the 2025 superintendent search committee, generously sharing her knowledge and expertise in the area of educational leadership and innovation. And whereas Silly Bane has played a key role on the East Farms principal school principal search committee and the IR assistant principal search committee helping to identify and support strong educational leaders for Farmington schools. Whereas Sylvia Benet supported the efforts of the elementary ad hoc committee to address enrollment imbalance across elementary schools successfully resulting in a balanced elementary enrollment for many years to come. and whereas Sylvvi Benet led efforts to transition to a new high school and central office athletic fieldhouse and the approval and implementation of a new transportation contract. The new FHS facility and new central office athletic fieldhouse is a point of pride and accomplishment for the farming community

009and will serve generations of children and residents within our community. and whereas Sylvia Vanet strengthened the school's district's partnership with the town council through a collaborative approach to leadership through successful to successfully pass budgets getting the support of the Farmington community in providing the resources necessary to achieve the mission and goals of the Farmington public schools and whereas Sylvia Benet's contributions and thoughtful compassionate and collaborative approach helped drive Farmington's nationally recognized school district in improving academic outcomes for all students over several years and now therefore I Bill Becker on behalf of the Farmington Board of Education and the Farmington community hereby commend board of education member Sylvia Benet for her committed and compassionate work on behalf of our community and I hereby thank her for her dedication and commitment to quality education for the children

010of Farmington dated this 8th day of December 2025 I'll call up if I could our state representative Mike De Mo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair, and and uh good evening. Uh I just want to say uh very briefly and very quickly um I I I really admire and and and uh am gratified by the u the members who serve on the board of education and uh I think I have a little bit of knowledge about this. I believe that the board of education is the toughest by far the toughest board in the whole uh town uh any any in any town being on the board of education is a really hard job. you don't get paid and you get a lot of um uh input uh shall we say from from the public. So I

011I really want to congratulate all the members of the board, the the outgoing members in particular, but also all the the remaining members of the board for all your hard work and your dedication to to the children of of uh Farmington. So without further ado, um it might surprise you, Mr. chair to know that the legislative citations are far less verbose than uh than the ones from uh the board of education. So, this will be relatively brief. >> You're right, Mike. That does surprise me. >> Okay, so State of Connecticut General Assembly official citation introduced by Representative Demo, Representative Martinez, Senator Slap, and Senator Lopes. Be it hereby known to all that the Connecticut General Assembly hereby offers its sincerest congratulations to Sylvie Banette. Did I say that right? >> Okay. In recognition of your

012dedicated service to the children of Farmington and Unionville as a member of the board of education, students, parents, and educators have all benefited from your commitment and leadership. The entire membership extends his very best wishes on this memorable occasion and expresses the hope for continued success. given on this eth day of December at the state capital in Hartford and it's signed by Martin Looney, president prom of the state senate, Matthew Ritter, speaker of the house of representatives and Stephanie Thomas, secretary of the state of Connecticut. So congratulations and thank you Sylvie. You should be able to. >> All right. Next up, we uh are going to recognize um outgoing board member and soon to be town council woman uh Naen Kanto. Um my colleague Andrea Sabinsky had asked if she could uh pro provide the

013proclamation given their close work together on the negotiations committee. >> Right. Farmington Board of Education Proclamation for Naen Kanto. Whereas Farmington Board of Education mission is to enable all students to achieve academic and personal excellence, exhibit persistent effort, and live as resourceful, inquiring, and contributing global citizens. And whereas students in the Farmington public schools effectively learn important academic content, demonstrate skills and achievement at high levels, and develop their individual talents and interests aligned to our vision of the global citizen in an atmosphere that promotes cooperation, respect, and lifelong learning. And whereas Naen Kanto has served with dedication as a member of the Farmington Board of Education for four years from January 2022 until January 2026 and has shown an unwavering commitment to highquality education in the public schools by her commitment to the board of

014education and the students and families of the Farmington public schools. And whereas Naen Kanto was a dedicated member of the personnel and negotiations committee, successfully negotiating contracts for all associations and served as the board liaison for the cafeteria advisory committee and served on the 2025 superintendent search committee. And whereas Naen Kanto also served on the communications committee from 2022 to 2024, helping strengthen communication, transparency, and community engagement across the district. And whereas Naen Kanto contributed meaningfully to the Noah Wallace Fund, supporting its mission to enrich educational opportunities for Farmington students and ensuring the continued success of this long-standing community partnership. And whereas Naen Kanto supported the efforts of the elementary ad hoc committee to address enrollment imbalance across elementary schools, which successfully resulted in balanced elementary enrollment across all schools for the foreseeable future. And

015whereas Naen Kanto worked with fellow board members, students, faculty, staff, and families to develop and support Farmington's vision of the global citizen 2020 to 2025 and 2025 to present. As a result, she collaboratively initiated new and initiative programming across schools throughout a student centered, highly engaging, deeper learning and mastery based approach that has resulted in students who are leaders of their own learning. And whereas Naen Kanto led efforts to transition to a new high school and central office athletic fieldhouse and approval and implementation of a new transportation contract. The new FHS facility in central office athletic fieldhouse is a point of pride and accomplishment for the Farmington community and will serve generations of children and residents within our community. And whereas Naen Kanto enhanced a strong partnership with the town council to successfully pass budgets,

016gaining the support of the Farmington community in providing the resources necessary to achieve the mission and goals of the Farmington public schools. And whereas Naen Kanto's contributions helped drive Farmington's nationally recognized school district in improving academic outcomes across all success indicators for all students over several years. And now therefore, I, Bill Becker, on behalf of the Farmington Board of Education and the Farmington community, hereby commend board of education member Naen Kanto for her committed and compassionate work on behalf of our community. And I hereby thank her for her dedication and commitment to the quality education for the children of Farmington dated this 8th day of December 2025 at Farmington, Connecticut. Signed, Bill Becker, chair of the Farmington Board of Education. All right. Uh, next up for uh, recognition is board member. Oh, sorry. Apologies. Go

017ahead, Marty. Go ahead. Go ahead, Mike. Go ahead, Mike. Sorry. Sorry, Mike. >> So, thank you, Mr. Chair. So, so Nadine, I wish you all the best on the town council and I'm sure you'll do a great job. So, congratulations and thank you. So, state of Connecticut General Assembly official citation introduced by Representative De Mo, Representative Martinez, Senator Slap, and Senator Lopes. Be it hereby known to all that the Connecticut General Assembly offers its sincerest congratulations to Naen Kanto in recognition of your dedicated service to the children of Farmington and Unionville as a member of the board of education. students, parents, and educators have all benefited from your commitment and your leadership. Uh the entire membership extends its very best wishes and expresses the hope for continued success given on the 8th day of December

018at the state capital in Harford and it's signed by the president prom of the state senate Martin Looney Matt Ritter Speaker of the House and Stephanie Thomas secretary of the state of Connecticut. Again, congratulations and thank you Naen. Yes. >> Thank you, Representative Domo. All right. Next up is a member, a board member who's leading us, Martin Skellyy. Uh Martin, uh Marty, uh Kathy had asked to read the proclamation. Is one retiring educator to another? >> Um I used to read these proclamations in font 10. 16 years later, it's font 16. So I'm keeping up with the uh years of service here. So whereas Farmington Board of Education's mission is to enable all students to achieve academic and personal excellence, exhibit persistent effort, and live as resourceful, inquiring and contributing global citizens. And whereas students

019in the Farmington public schools effectively learn important academic content, demonstrate skills and achievement at high levels, and develop their individual talents and interests aligned to our vision of the global citizen in an atmosphere that promotes cooperation, respect, and lifelong learning. And whereas Martin Skellyy has served with dedication as a member of the Farmington Board of Education for two years from January 2024 until January 2026 and has shown a commitment to high quality education by his strong commitment to the board of education and school district. Martin Skelly worked with fellow board members, students, faculty, staff, and families to support Farmington's vision of the global citizen. and from 2022 to um I'm sorry from 2024 to 2026. Whereas Martin Skelly was the board's liaison for the town board of ed green efforts committee and superintendent search committee

020during his time on the board of education. And whereas Martin Skellyy contributed meaningfully to the Noah Wallace Fund, supporting its mission to enrich educational opportunities for Farmington students and strengthening this long-standing partnership within our community. And whereas Martin Skellyy supported the efforts of the elementary ad hoc committee to address the imbalance of enrollment across elementary schools which resulted in actions that have balanced elementary school enrollments which will benefit the children of Farmington for many many years to come. And whereas Martin Skelly exhibited dedication and care to the students, families, faculty, and staff by supporting annual school district budgets that promoted excellence for all. And whereas Martin Skellyy was a dedicated member of the board during their transition to a new high school and central office athletic fieldhouse and approval in implementation of a new transportation

021contract. The new FHS facility and central office athletic fieldhouse is a point of pride and accomplishment for the Farmington community and will serve generations of children and residents within our community. And whereas Martin Skelly's contributions helped drive Farmington's nationally recognized school district in improving academic outcomes for all students through his dedicated service. And now therefore, I Bill Becker uh on behalf of the Farmington Board of Education and the Farmington community hereby commend board of education member Martin Skellyy for his committed and compassionate work on behalf of the community. I hereby thank him for his dedication and commitment to quality education for the children of Farmington. Dated this 8th day of December 2025 at Farmington, Connecticut. Bill Becker, chair of Farmington Board of Education. All right. Um, next up as I guess the presentation, uh, >>

022oh, sorry. Sorry. >> Sorry, guys. >> So, I just wanted to offer my congratulations and my thanks to Marty. Uh, not only was he a dedicated board of ed member, but he had a long career as an educator prior to that. And those are probably the two toughest jobs in any community. So thank you Marty for doing that. So State of Connecticut General Assembly official citation introduced by Representative De Mo, Representative Martinez, Senator Slap, and Senator Lopes. Be it here by known to all that the Connecticut General Assembly offers its sincerest congratulations to Martin Skellyy in recognition of your dedicated service to the children of Farmington and Unionville as a member of the board of education. students, parents, and educators have all benefited from your commitment and your leadership. The entire membership extends its very

023best wishes and expresses the hope for continued success. Given on the 8th day of December at the state capital in Hartford, signed by President of the Senate, Martin Looney, the speaker of the house, Matthew Ritter, and Secretary of the State of Connecticut, Stephanie Thomas. Thank you and congratulations, Marty. Thank you. >> Um, next up is uh presentation and proclamation for the chair. Right there in the right place. Here she goes. >> Kathy, I'm right with you with the font 16. This is not font 16. Okay. Farmington Board of Education proclamation for William F. Beckert Jr. Whereas Farmington Board of Education's mission is to enable all students to achieve academic and personal excellence, exhibit persistent effort, and live as resourceful, inquiring, and contributing global citizens. And whereas students in Farmington public schools effectively learn important academic

024content, demonstrate skills and achievement at high levels, and develop their individual talents and interests aligned to our vision of the global citizen in an atmosphere that promotes cooperation, respect, and lifelong learning. And whereas William F. Becker Jr. has served with dedication as a member of the Farmington Board of Education for over 16 years from September 2009 until January 2026, serving as chair from January 2024 through January 2026 and has shown a tireless commitment to highquality education in the public schools by his dedication to the board of education. And whereas William Feckert Jr. worked with fellow board members, students, faculty, staff, and families to develop and support Farmington's vision of the graduate from 2010 through 2020 and vision of the global citizen 2020 through 2025 and 2025 through the present. As a result, he led efforts

025to initiate new and innovative programming across schools through a student- centered, highly engaging and mastery based learning approach that has resulted in students as leaders of their own learning. And whereas William Fecker Jr. has served on several committees during his time as a board member, Bill served on the policy committee for 11 years along with serving on the communications committee, Farmington High School building committee. In addition, he was the board liaison to the Farmington Public School Foundation, Focus CRE, the Community Council for Equity and Inclusion, Elementary Ad Hoc Committee, Superintendent's Interscolastic Athletic Advisory Committee, Town of Farmington's racial racial equality task force, Chamber of Commerce, and served on the 2025 Superintendent Search Committee. Whereas William F. Becker Jr. established a strong partnership with the town council to engage in collaborative school and town facility projects,

026including the initiation and completion of short and long-term K through8 and high school facility review reports and recommendations, light lighting projects, security vestibules, and many other facility improvements that improved educational programming in Farmington. In addition, he enhanced the partnership between the board of education and town to successfully pass budgets, gaining the support of the Farmington community in providing the resources necessary to achieve the mission and goals of the Farmington public schools. Most recently, his visionary and collaborative leadership contributed to the successful passing of a new Farmington High School facility completed in August of 2024, which will benefit generations of students as well as the entire Farmington community. and the central office athletic fieldhouse and and new bleachers at the turf fields completed in 2025. And whereas William F. Becker Jr. served as chair of the

027Farmington Board of Education for two years, transitioning to a new high school and central office athletic fieldhouse facility approval and implementation of a new transportation contract and implementing the recommendation recommendations of the elementary ad hoc committee. He also helped to establish and transition to a new mascot, the Riverhawk at Farmington High School. Many generations to come will benefit from the new FHS facility and new mascot as a point of pride and accomplishment for the Farmington community. And whereas William F. Becker Jr. steadfast steadfastly and with great compassion supported the Farmington public schools administration, teachers, students, and community with care and excellence. And whereas William F. Becker Jr.'s valuable contributions drove Farmington's nationally recognized school district in improving academic outcomes and the social emotional well-being for all students over many years. And now therefore, I, Andrea

028Sabinsky, on behalf of the Farmington Board of Education in the Farmington community, hereby commend board of education member and chair William F. Becker Jr. for his committed and compassionate work on behalf of our community. and I hereby thank him for his selfless dedication and commitment to quality education for the children of Farmington. Dated this 8th day of December 2025, Farmington, Connecticut. Andrea Savinsky, vice chair of Farmington Board of Education. Bill Okay, Mike. Sure, why not? >> One more time, Mr. Chair, if you can stand it. So, I just wanted to offer my congratulations and my thanks uh for your many years of service uh on the board of ed. And I know you'll do a great job on the town council, and we're counting on it, but I know you will. So um state of

029Connecticut General Assembly official citation introduced by Representative De Mo, Representative Martinez, Senator Slap, Senator Lopes, be it hereby known to all, the Connecticut General Assembly offers its sincerest congratulations to William F. Becker Jr. in recognition of your many years of caring commitment and dedicated service to the children of Farmington and Unionville as both a member and chair of the board of education. Your collaborative, inclusive, and forwardthinking approach to education issues has earned you the gratitude and respect of countless students, parents, and educators. All have benefited from your compassionate and thoughtful stewardship. The entire membership extends its very best wishes and expresses the hope for continued success. dated December 8th at the state capital in Hartford and it's signed by the president of the Senate Martin Looney, Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, and Secretary of

030the State of Connecticut Stephanie Thomas. Congratulations again and thank you, Bill. Okay. Um, thank you all. Um, next item up, uh, is the approval of minutes from November 17th, 2025 DOE regular meeting. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. Um, I'm obstaining. >> No, you're abstaining. Sorry. Sorry. Fair enough. >> Um, okay. Next up is the uh consideration of the superintendent's report of 6B tools for schools IQ presentation. >> Go hand this over. Sam Hilpatrick is here and Dan Sune. This is an annual report that you will receive as a board of education along with our community. So, welcome Sam. So, yeah, just to uh start everyone off, as you remember, uh last year we

031talked about legislation has been updated for schools facilities review and adjusted some of the current mandates and some new ones. So, the indoor air quality or tool tools for schools as we call it, which we pull up, um is now required annually and needs to be reported to the board of ed annually. Uh, additionally now there's a requirement to do HVAC assessments for each schools and that needs to be completed within starting from last year within 5 years with the first 20% completed by 2027. So, uh, Sam, our dire Sam Cabetra, director of facilities is going to report both on the tools for schools indoor air quality process and the HVAC assessments. >> Thank you. Um, so, uh, as Dan mentioned, uh, we have two indoor air quality reports. uh will be uh presenting here

032tonight. Uh the first of which is the tools for schools which we've used for uh probably over two decades. Uh but the frequency of that has changed annually. So while we were here last December um we did the process again this year. Um so if you actually hop to the next slide uh you can see we we mirrored the same process we did last year. uh the the checklists that you see above were distributed to each school building and completed by the appropriate party. Um after those were completed, each school convened their own IAQ committee. Uh those committees typically uh included school administration, the head custodian, uh the school nurse, and then and of course uh faculty and staff representation. Those committees at each school reviewed the checklists above and then they conducted their own

033checklist uh in a in a walkthrough of the entire building. Um additional to that while it's not required uh we did conduct the teacher checklist. Again not part of the regulation but it has been something we've always done and we do get some important information from that. So we distributed a Google form for that checklist as well that went out for each teacher at every occupant of every classroom throughout the district. Um so again very similar uh most most of the items that we found on the checklist uh revolved around general cleanliness andor uh room temperatures. Um those items that were listed were all gone through by our head custodians and or shift supervisors at each building. The ones we could address uh ourselves were made into work orders and are mostly complete at this

034point but will be completed soon if if not. Um the items that are remaining typically will take a larger project um a major project or more likely a capital project uh such as uh the HVAC projects that we have ongoing uh the the design for HVAC projects at the K4 schools. Um so really that kind of leads us to the next report that we have uh which was the HVAC uh assessments that were conducted at East Farms Noah Wallace West District and Union School. So as you can see that requirement by the state is that 20% of our schools need to be done by 2027 and then 20% each year after that uh to completion by 2031. So, with the four schools we've completed, we're ahead of schedule and we'll stay that way as we

035conduct Irving Robbins next year, Westwood's the year following, and then we'll finish our five-year cycle of that testing um and and reporting with Farmington High School last. So, a couple important notes there. At the bottom you'll see that um the reason we started with the four elementary schools K4 uh K4 elementary schools is that completion of that assessment is a requirement for any HVAC grant applicant. So um this year HVAC is now a reimburseable category for school construction grants. So similar to a school roof or an abatement it is now a category. So, just like we anticipated last year, we'll be able to um determine which projects we go forward with and and it'll be a much more familiar process as far as the reimbursement process, the application process with the state and all those

036timelines and complications that came with the previous HBAC grant um are gone away. Uh so as I said, we have the four K4 HVAC designs currently ongoing. We're we'll have some revised pricing. The last time uh we brought you that. Um you know, it's been a couple years since we had cost estimating done on those projects. So we'll have revised pricing on those uh for the capital budget process in January. Uh so this slide will show you uh there's a the HBA assessment executive summary is in your packet. Um but this slide will tell you essentially a summary of that summary. Uh you can see the the items that were listed as uh deficiencies at all the schools and the vast majority of those we were able to address and close out on our own.

037uh the ones that are remaining uh would need to be addressed by a pro uh project such as uh the the HVAC projects we'll be bringing forward. So with that um I don't know if I was under three minutes or not but I might have um any questions or comments question I'm just looking through these checklist but some of the questions that are very interesting um but for some of them like I'm looking at FHS where we we have no as the answer so it's like established information and counseling program for smokers provide literature on smoking and secondhand smoke and we got no for that. Are we trying to action some of those? Like I feel like that could be beneficial. Um am I looking at the right thing here that you did or presented?

038>> Yeah, again the tools for schools program has been around for for decades and I think the forms haven't changed in that time. Um, I think probably in in terms of our and and again I that the what the health uh what the nurse program does I I don't really have any say in that but I think as far as the priority of that I know um >> yeah sometimes I think you know with it like I said the questions you know it's just kind of stay form we follow it along uh you know sometimes when you have the committee members they're not aware of some of the things that might be happening ing within like the PE and wellness curriculum they might not be happening what's going on with like within a counseling if

039there's like some you know smoking sessation programs or you know just various kind of things in there. So a lot of times it's you know but having said that it's helpful to know because there may be some of those programs going on but then these members who are filling this out weren't aware of them. So that means maybe there's more work for us to do to make some of these programs more prominent and more um you know more known to people. So you know there's there's you know kind of looking at uh you know the various ways but uh >> trying to be I'm I'm trying to be kind about the forms we we are kind of working with some you know >> outdated >> it goes to the it goes to the nurse of

040the school so if if the if the program doesn't come through there then then that's where that no check comes. >> Yeah. I mean I think that one's applicable for sure. I think that is an issue that you know could use additional support. I mean, there's other ones here that we got nos on that I feel like are good. Like, I mean, we got no one telling trucks to not idle by school property. I actually think that's a good thing that we should enforce. Like, why are trucks idling and >> looping admissions around kids? I mean, that just seems like common sense, but I would just wonder if we're actioning any of the things that we were deficient in. >> So, I mean, in particular, that one we did actually a couple of years ago,

041um, we had student involvement with that. We had a group at Westwoods who designed some signs. Those uh you will see throughout the district at all our school buildings um specifically in regard to the to the idling and we tried to focus on parent drop off loops with that as well because that's that's where the majority of that was going on. Um so like I said, I think the person that's filling it out may not be aware of some of the things that we're doing on that end. So where somebody says no on that doesn't necessarily mean that no there's there's not a program that we have implemented. >> Okay, fair enough. Yeah, just something to consider. >> Yeah. uh you know ju just a couple things you know I just kind of want to

042highlight you know Sam did a great job with the overview is you know for the HVAC assessments that we did CES who um did the report you know did highlight uh at the end you'll see the summary of each of the schools how that um after they did the initial one uh Sam's team uh working with Patrick Ken our district mechanic uh were able to meet uh all the listed items on issues and and close all those items uh or the majority of those items. Uh and then they had noticed that they had commented that the entire custodial team for their hard work and dedication in keeping these um sorry the reviewed by facilities and staff have been closed out. Bington public schools facility staff was helpful and responsive to efforts for a properly operating

043building. So you know we appreciate that they noted the hard work of of Sam and his team to make sure anything that was addressed in the HVAC uh assessments were addressed with right away. Um, and just also to highlight kind of, you know, you know, we talk about balcony and floor a lot that the HVAC assessments is a state regulation that we're required to to do. Having said that, as a district, we've been looking at HVAC as particularly at the elementary schools. Um, you know, over the past few years, three out of the four elementary schools qualified for uh funding through our excess cafeteria funds to have the cafeterias have uh AC installed. So, we'd be able to make some progress there. West District was the only one that the state um didn't uh approve

044for for that one. Um and you know, I won't get into the details on that their process there, but they did not approve for that one. And then currently, we've been using the the capital budget money that we had to come up with schematic designs and costs and we uh so we did go out to bid for that. We do have an architectural firm who is uh not an architecture firm, they're a >> engineering firm. engineering firm uh who is working on the design schematics and costs and so we're expected to present those uh we're supposed to get those by the end of December and to have those in time to present those for the capital budget planning uh for looking at you know full air conditioning at all four elementary schools with multiple you

045know we haven't worked out the piece multiple it might be you know one a year for four years it might be two you know do two each year there there's possibility they this engineering firm did seven schools in East Harford did them all in one summer. So there's possibility look so you know a lot of different options and and variety but this really meets our state requirement which also helps for the reimbursement process. But as a town we've been looking at the HVAC at particularly at the elementary schools now for a few years. I don't know if there's any other questions. >> Anybody else? >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Thanks. >> Thanks. I would say um with respect to the HVAC stuff that's going to be relevant I think when the town you know when

046you're starting to put when you're presenting the budget to the town council I would have that stuff like available. >> Thanks. Okay, next item. Cash up the enrollment report. Um so in oc in October of every year we give you an enrollment um report that gives the current enrollment versus the projections from last year and then going forward what the projections are and um Dan can give an overview as Veronica and Dan were doing staffing meetings they definitely noticed something about first grade didn't seem uh that that the numbers seemed right. So, it was pretty um it was pretty great that we had a math activity tonight. Yes. >> Because we ended we're talking about that in the enrollment report. So, um this is also good a good thing because it's prior to our budget

047being set. So, we want to take care of anything that might not look quite right prior to the budget. So, >> yeah. So, as you know, uh you know, last year we had the MD planning group do uh an enrollment projection for us. We hired the firm to do that because the Prada one that was used before was about a 10-year uh report and we were noticing it was it was kind of losing its accuracy over time. So, we did the MP planning group. We utilized that because we had the ad hoc and the and the uh redistricting across the schools. So, we kind of wanted to get a thought there and we we kind of use as our guidance. um you know in particular in kindergarten through the September 1 uh registration date and

048things that was a little bit off for the for the kindergarten. So we kind of relied back on the other formulas that we lean on which is the um pushup numbers and the retention ratio and those numbers usually are kind of somewhat kind of in a range. So we did this enrollment port. We kind of went with the retention ratio. you know, there's a formula and we put it in and as Veronica and I were doing staffing, we noticed that there was a huge discrepancy between push-up numbers and the retention ratio uh as we were doing that. And so we said, you know, and each each school we looked at it, we thought maybe one school was anomaly and each school like, huh, happened again. So we went back into the spreadsheet where we had

049the formula, we did identify an error in that uh first grade formula uh on the retention ratio. So we we you know, we fixed that and adjusted that. And so now you'll see an updated enrollment report. It did, you know, from a I'll say from a financial standpoint actually would benefit because it shows fewer students moving to first grade in the retention ratio, thus probably creating less sections of a need. Um, but I think that also just goes to show, you know, obviously always wanting to double check your work, but having those layers of systems where, you know, we kind of do the work, we do that, but then as we meet with the principles, we're kind of going through that work again. And so you have these redundancies kind of built in to hopefully

050catch those those um you know the errors when when they do appear. Um but we feel good we make sure we check through the other numbers for accuracy and and moving along in in there. So >> just advance the slide. >> Yeah. I was just going to say what are the numbers that you're referring to here. So it went from what to what? So if you go in um sorry let me just double check for it's these have kind of for the overall summaries in there but if you look in the enrollment report let me give you the Dan can you go to the slide that says October 21st. So that was the projection and there you see the retention ratio is 5,30 sorry 4,31 >> and there was an issue in the first grade

051primarily >> and um so then you go to them looking at the retention ratio spreadsheet making a correction in the retention ratio for first grade. So now we're looking at 3,990 which would mean fewer elementary teachers would be required in that first grade. >> So it was a total of about 41 students but like approximately 10 students at each school. 10 at East Farms and O Wall and you know >> lower you're saying >> lower. Yes. Lower. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Got it. Okay. So, we just wanted to bring it forward and officially put this updated report on our website and be clear that this is the report that we're or the numbers we're going to use for staffing purposes for the 2627 budget. >> I think it was over 40,000 other. >> Okay. >>

052Any other questions? Um I I do want to comment u it was brought up uh at the town council uh meeting uh in public comment about uh the fact that because of this error we u >> this is last year's budget correct >> consult >> the consultant's budget sorry the consultant's recommendation because of this right from the consultant we included two FTEEs that we have not actually three three FTE that we did not actually they're in the budget but they've not been hired the money is still in the budget it hasn't been allocated or >> we only um actually hire what's needed. So when we saw that the enrollment in kindergarten was much lower than the um projection done by the consultant, we did not hire all the staff that was allocated in the budget.

053So there are three FTE I think Dan mentioned this in last month's or the last um meeting that we did not hire three uh teachers um which is a savings in the budget and if all goes well in our budget th that savings would be seen at the end of the year >> and I think you know as we kind of talked about the you know the process and the redundancies kind of built in at the time we would use M uh the MP planning number which I think was about 243 that's how we based it you know you go based on your projection you know that are there. We you know we we budgeted the staff for there as we were going through and you know watching the numbers we knew historically that kindergarten

054registration is pretty much completed by like April and May. You don't have a lot of registrations after that. So we saw that the number was significantly lower. So we held off on hiring for those kindergarten teachers waiting to see what would happen. Um and then they just like I said they just never materialized. So once again, you know, a tribute, you know, for me, for the team, you know, and and Veronica and, you know, everybody in the central office for kind of working and, you know, uh, Jen Hower, who's our new residency clerk, so having it centralized really also allowed us to kind of see it all in one location and to be able to just kind of identify and say, "Hey, we're not seeing, you know, the the projections kind of line up, so

055let's hold off on this." Um, and which, you know, which we did. and then you know if the numbers go up in August or if we have some late registrations we had that flexibility but we wanted to make sure that we were being good stewards of the taxpayer dollars and not hiring and then ending up having class sizes of you know 11 or 12. Um so once again hopefully if if all goes well with the budget you know through the operating budget for the year then we'll be able to see higher than usual uh savings at the end of the year. >> Thank you again. >> Bill quick question. >> Sure. Is the retention ratio usually the number that we're basing the budget off of? Like is was it just an anomaly last year because

056we had the consult we had a consultant number in because of the whole elementary ad hoc so we use that number instead but typically it's based off of the retention ratio. Yes. Which is that is that just a straight number a percentage? What is it like 95% or is there is it a more complicated? There's a there there actually is a spreadsheet and and there is a formula built in and that formula does add some students and cohorts because if you look at our history uh we gain students in cohorts as they move through the grades. So given that history that that spreadsheet is actually developed with that in mind when we use the pushup numbers they're not always accurate because if push-up numbers are we just take the students in class on 10 one

057and we put them forward to the next year. It doesn't it doesn't really help in the kids coming in and out of the district and the fact that we gain a few kids along the way. Our retention ratio over time has been really accurate. I mean, there's years where we're well over what we projected and then there's years but but not when I say well over it could be at the worst I think we were 50 students over what we projected but they're spread throughout the grade levels it really doesn't have an impact on the budget and the same thing happens when we're below the uh projection because they're spread within the grade levels they don't come in groups of 20 kids but this actually because of that consultants it it mainly did come in

058the kindergarten and I would say I think the consultants formula didn't take into account the new law about the start date for kindergarten you know the age I don't think they took that into account so that was part of the issue and then I think just um you know our retention ratio usually works much better and even that was a little off if you looked it was a little off too last year so there there is something in the earlier grades. We may be seeing decline in enrollment for the first time in the time I've ever been here because now we are we see a kindergarten cohort this year that's smaller and potentially a first grade and then they go up to first grade and another kindergarten cohort that may be smaller. you know, you

059can maybe I mean we we're guessing in some ways it's a housing shortage of like available homes and uh the expense of homes, but we're not really sure what the new you know this new trend of early grades because we're actually adding kids in the cohorts. When I when I looked at it, we were adding kids in the cohorts. We always see a little dip from 8th to 9th. that does happen because of um private high schools, sports, things like that. You know, parents make different decisions um at that point. We always see a big gain in fifth grade when kids go to Westwoods for some reason. You know, there's just trends that we see that remain, but we have and we also lost a very large 12th grade. They graduated. It was a huge

060cohort. So when you lose a large cohort and a smaller cohort comes in, you know, you see that um decline, but we we think we're going to enter a second year of incoming cohorts being smaller. >> Although I think this kindergarten one supposed to come up a little bit cuz so you know once again without getting too deep into there um you know the retention you know there's no pushup for kindergarten right because you don't have any point of data. really your your initial data is you look you go to town clerk and you look at births for that year. >> It's a huge gap. >> Yeah. And so so that's you know and so there's that that piece of it that kind of makes that first initial projection right >> challenging. So to be

061to be fair to like retention ratio formula and stuff it's actually surprising you know in my mind it's actually impressive that it can stay that somewhat accurate when it goes from birth and then you're talking about five years of variability on there. The other piece that at least for me as you know and you know obviously you learning more about Farmington is you know we're seeing this influx of a lot of these apartments and a lot of these uh developments that that are coming and so some of that I think is when they're moving into there they're not you know you know I think farming was traditionally you know you you kind of bought a house here and you you know had children you raise them here now you're having a lot of people moving

062in with children at different age so they're not starting at kindergarten you know their starting point might be third grade sixth grade eighth grade in different pieces is. And so that's where the push-up numbers also become extremely challenging, right? Because sometimes you're just getting them dropping in at different points as opposed to more of a steady, you know, you you kind of have a decent idea where that is. So those are things that as as they keep emerging, you know, you know, we talk about with budgeting, there's like trends and there's actuals, right? And so, but the the the trends are starting to fluctuate a little bit because of some of these other conditions. And so, now it's a matter of it's harder to pinpoint the actual. So, unfortunately, there's going to be this and

063this is why, you know, we have the, you know, I think Farmington does a nice job of creating sometimes whether it's the one or the two non-deployed so that like like right now as we're as we're budgeting and we're looking at staffing, we can already identify there's a few hot spots, right? It might be a a Noah Wallace grade two. It might be an East Farms grade four where you're sitting there and you're and you're and you're putting those numbers and you're like, "All right, we got to watch that." Like we're we're gonna we're going to do it here, but three or four kids move into this, we're going to be we're going to be in trouble. And then you traditionally historically and you know, we're in union school, so you know, because of the

064smaller numbers, usually they their their numbers kind of fluctuate a little easier and there's a little bit more space there. Just because doing two sections feels maybe a little smaller than you want to go to, but then you know but you know doing two makes it feel sorry bigger than you want it to be but then going to three makes it a little too small right and it's just it's that divisor being two to three and so that becomes challenging and so sometimes you're like wait why does Union have 16 kids in a class but East Farms has 22 and it's it's just the hard breaks that that there it has been helped by the the redistribution of students right even though you lose some of the efficiency we've been able to kind of distribute

065a little bit more evenly across. So, that's been helping with class numbers. So, all those factors are going to hopefully help us move toward getting better projections, but I I do think for the next two or three years, it's going to be a little rocky um in being able to get accurate uh you know, spot-on numbers. But what we're going to do is keep doing what we're doing, which is as we look and say, "Hey, we have these three kindergarten teachers. Well, we're not going to hire for them because we don't look like we're going to need them." and and you didn't utilize that when when to to be thoughtful from a financial standpoint. >> I would just add I'm using the board policy as our guide. So the board policy has a ratio in

066there that is a district-wide ratio. So that's what we're using to build um the budget and the staffing report. So gave a nice preview of the uh when we get to the staffing report, that's a pretty good preview. So you'll hear that all again. >> Yeah. When you're looking at the projections for the incoming kindergarten, have you changed uh I guess you normally you would go January 1 to 1231 of that calendar year. Have you changed it to September 1 of one year through August 31st of the next year? >> Yeah. So what we did is usually the town clerk gives it to us, you know, by year. So we have made the request for them to give it to us by month so that we can look and see you know because right there

067might be uh you know in in that number that we got for birth in that year if there's a a larger number than you know um you know just taking the birth and dividing it by 12 but maybe there was a lot in September, October, November and December which could impact a section. So yeah we haven't put in that request for the town clerk to kind of get it broken down uh by month so we can get a little bit more accurate with our projections. >> Thank you. Yeah, I was just like looking at the records. It's a huge like obviously from COVID it went up, you know, to 2023 in the 200s and then it dropped significantly and 25 to like 130. So, it's a gap of like 74 births in that time period.

068So, I would agree with the assessment of holding off and on the kindergarten and hiring because I think it's going to be a little bit low. Maybe it's a housing. Obviously, we're talking about housing, but that could also impact. >> Yeah, absolutely. So, like I said, we'll continue to monitor and and um you know, try to be thoughtful about uh how we do it. >> Thanks. >> All right. Anybody else? All set. Okay. Update enrollment. Oh, we did that. Professional appointments. >> Uh we have one midyear retirement and one resignation. >> Thank you. Deeper learning update. Um just that uh you know these are uh we put these together to communicate our focus uh and you actually experienced it on meaningful authentic and rigorous learning experiences that really promote that curiosity in our students. So

069we got to experience that tonight which was a nice example. >> Thank you. Okay on to item seven unfinished business budget impact budget update. Yeah. >> Uh so just one >> so just want to give one update. Um it doesn't deal with this year's operating budget but it does with the capital budget um and and capital use. So uh as you may know the IR flooring is scheduled to be done for this summer. Uh we already budgeted capital funds for that. We're ready to go. Doing some initial work. It was determined that there was some abatement that was going to be needed for this project that wasn't anticipated. I guess there was some flooring done a little bit before there wasn't any abatement. So they thought that they were in the clear, but they identified

070that there was going to be some abatement needed. The good news for that is now because abatement is needed, it does qualify for state reimbursement uh projects. Um and so the for the process, so we're going to go forward with that. So the process is uh tomorrow at the town council meeting Sam and I will um ask the town council to create a separate I flooring project. We're going to move the money from structural and architecture that was there. Move it in there but then also move in um $235,000 from code and safety into that I fund. And so that'll move that total to 785,000. We expect to be able to get 31.79 is our current uh anticipated reimbursement. So we're hoping we're expecting to get around 180,000. So when it's all said and done,

071that differential will probably be the IR project will come across at around $50,000 more than what was initially projected, but we have that money in structural architectural. So no new money will be needed to get that project done. Um uh if assuming town council approves that motion and lets us do that, I'll come back to you as a board probably in the January board meeting for you guys to then approve the same project so we can kind of move along the state uh requirements and guidelines for reimbursement. So the timing of it was just a little interesting because we got the town council meeting tomorrow. You had board, but we need to go through the town council first and then we'll come back to the board event. So, I just want to kind of keep

072you up to date on that. You know, obviously that impact piece and see if there's any questions I can answer now or if you want to wait until next uh board meeting when we would formally put in the motion. >> Thank you, Dan. Any questions? >> Okay, next item up. Uh review of the 26 27 BOE meeting schedule, second reading, action anticipated. This was presented at the November meeting. Um any revisions, changes, requests or anything like that? No. Okay. Uh then I call for a motion uh to approve the 2627 BOE meeting schedule as presented. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. >> Next up, policy updates. Second reading. Uh there are about a dozen or so policies that are up for second reading.

073Um, it is my intention, unless there's I'm going to ask for a motion and a second to approve all of these policy updates, second reading, uh, as presented. But before I do, oh, I I'll I'll call for a motion and a second and then we'll have discussion about individual policies. How's that sound? Or should we do it? All right. Can I get a motion to uh approve the policy updates? Second reading is identified in our agenda as uh as presented. >> Motion second. >> Okay. Discussion. Any discussion? All right. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Opposed. >> Nay. >> Thank you. Um Okay. Thanks. Uh next up, policy repeals. Um, second reading. Again, can I get a motion to approve the policy repeals um as presented and

074as set forth in our agenda? >> Motion. >> Second >> discussion. We're hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. Next item, adoption of new policy item E. Uh, second reading. Again, this is presented at the November meeting. Um motion to approve um the library collection uh develop. Here we go. >> Motion to approve the adoption policy listed below for second reading 6215 library collection development and maintenance library displays and programs and library material review and reconsideration. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Discussion. I >> I do have a question. >> Sure. 6215. So, library collection. What are we >> I just want to make sure I'm clear. Are we I keep Oh, sorry. >> Um, are we keeping this? Is this changing at all? I know there was

075discussion and they were looking at it. Did we make any changes to that or No, this is a new >> No, these are this is a brand new >> right uh due to legislative uh mandate. >> Okay. And what was required by law were three policies. Shipment put them into one policy, but all three elements of the law are covered within the one policy. >> Gotcha. Thank you. No discussion. >> Yeah. I mean, I have concerns about this policy, so I won't be voting for it. I just feel like the verbiage in my opinion specifically when it states like um uses like the term in good faith. I just feel like who's the arbiter of good faith? Like I don't I just feel like it's a very it's just too loose for me. So that's

076just just my opinion on it. >> Thank you. >> Um just a comment. This is model policy though from Shipman and Goodman. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Did you say that again? I'm sorry. I just made a well question or comment that it is model policy given to us by the board's attorney shipment of ribbon. Okay. >> Okay. Uh hearing no further discussion. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> Nay. >> Thank you. Motion carries. Next up, new business. Establish Farmington High School graduation date. Can I get a motion to approve June 10th, 2026 as a Farmington High School graduation date? >> Motion. >> Second. Any discussion? >> All those in favor signify by saying I have a question. So is June 10th that we just had a snow day. So

077was June 10th the that's not the last day of school. What's the last >> It was the 9th. Uh that was our last day on this calendar was June 9th since we had a snow day. It's June 10th. We're going to set the date now for uh graduation because of project graduation and the need to sign a contract for that. So no matter what, Farmington High will graduate on the 10th of June. We may have additional snow days in the winter. The rest of the school district will continue until they hit that 180 days, but we are allowed by law to set it uh at any time during the year as at the 180th day. So right now the 180th day is June 10th. >> Got it. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying

078I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. >> Next up, the approval of an anonymous donation for $50,000 uh distributed across elementary schools as a student assessment fund. Kathy. >> Yes. So um this is very generous individual who has come forward and would like to donate this amount of uh money to our elementary schools for a student assistance fund. Some examples I you know we it might be that there's a field trip coming up student wouldn't be able to afford that or there's a balance and this is a student with need on their lunch uh food services fund or um it could be a host of things but it's for it is intended for students who need assistance is very kind and and generous and wonderful and it just speaks to the spirit of Farmington and

079our residents and just amazing gift. >> Uh Kathy, the only question I have is in the in the packet that was sent to the board, the recommended motion refers to $54,000. >> The motion here is 54. >> Yeah. So, just uh quickly, he the the individual called to say that there's actually gave me like a late update that the company that the individual works for has like a matching, >> okay, >> and hasn't expended all of that matching. And so then asked me at the end if if you know we could do it. So, so I tried making that up as accurate as possible. So, >> so it's actually $54,000. >> It'll be about $54,000. 54, you know, I think change. I think there's still some, you know, you know, we don't have the final

080exact number worked, but approximately, but it will uh it will get distributed across all four elementary schools. >> So, what I'll say is, can I get a motion to approve an anonymous donation in the amount of approximately $50,000 distributed across the elementary schools as a student assistance fund? It's 54,000. >> Approximately 50. Well, he said >> No, no, no. I thought you said approximately 50,000. >> I did. I said approximately 50 because Is it 50 or 54,000? >> I think it's approximately 54,000 right now. >> Okay. I'll I'll amend my motion to reflect. It might >> approximately $54,000 distributed across elementary schools as a student assistance fund. >> Motion second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. Please send a letter on behalf of the board of education.

081Thank you. Right. >> I thought there was discussion. I just have a question. Sorry. Um who is managing this fund? So it's $50,000 is split evenly amongst the four elementary schools and then who's like going to decide? So if there's a child in need, do they go to a certain individual to ask for the money or who's managing the monies within the schools? >> So it'll go to the discretion of the principles where in their um internal accounts they'll have a student assistance fund. Some have something similar to that like a principal's fund, students fund. So they'll have it there. So it'll go through the the principal's um you know the principal's fund. >> Is there a timeline for I mean this can carry over then if they don't use it all in one year

082or is the anticipated action that this is all used in a certain given amount of time? So what what I feel comfortable being able to share with this uh individual is the expectation is that it gets expended by the end of the year because the individual currently intends and we would you know need to go through the board of ed again to make the same donation next year and potentially >> in perpetuity. Okay. >> Uh or uh through throughout uh yeah through through a probably in their mind a designated period of time. >> Okay. So, and you're saying year as the uh school year. >> Yeah. The academic year. >> The academic year. Yes. >> Okay. Great. >> So, they don't you know this individual said no, I want them to spend the money because

083it is it is their hope that they'll make another one next year. >> Very nice. >> The donation is being made with the sp with the intent of it being spent. >> Yes. Yes. >> Good. Thank you, Angel. Fair point of order. So, can I get a mo can I can I All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Close. Motion carries. All right. Next up, I'm going to skip C discussion of school resource officer because we have executive sessions as item 10 and we'll go to item nine, consideration of assistant superintendent report approval of October 2025 financial statement. >> Um boy, I'm just busy today. So um so yeah I mean nothing uh nothing really any major issues things once again you know following trends and and and looking at actuals at

084the beginning of the year. Um the data is though helpful and helping us as we start developing the the the 2627 budget that that's there. The one thing I will point out um uh or a couple things to notice that we usually don't talk about kind of those second third pages in there is with the grants. You know, continue work with Wendy and Veronica to utilize those various federal and state grants to help offset some of those operating expenses. Uh but another one that's uh I say an interesting trend, although hopefully positive, and I'm hoping I'm not jinxing anything here, is currently through October, if you took a look at the self- insurance fund, um currently we're about $300,000 over projections. If you looked at the August one, it was actually over. Uh but then

085uh September and uh um you know, you're going to see some of those ones are the next couple months there were sorry, July was over, but then August, September, and October were above projection. So there there are some big fluctuations that occur. So that you know, while I can be like, hey, this is great. Next month you can see it, you know, I don't say crashing down, but you can see it level off a little bit. But it is something in the positive column to to kind of highlight as something that's um you know probably uh unexpected. >> Thank you. >> Any questions? >> Okay. A motion to approve the October 2025 financial statement report as presented. >> Motion second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carries. Um, next

086will be item 10, executive session, discussion of school resource officer report, which will result in disclosure of public records or the information contained therein described in subsection B of section 1-210 of student records. So, uh, I moved like I I'm going to move motion to move to executive session at 9:37 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the school resource officer's report as I previously described and that the attendance in the executive session shall be limited to members of the board of education, the superintendent of schools, and the assistant superintendent. >> Motion second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carries. We're in executive session. Can I get Can I get a motion to return to the public session at 9:59? >> Motion. >> Second. All those in favor signify by

087saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Can I get a motion to extend? We're going to go past 10 o'clock. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carries. Of course, we're going to go past 10 o'clock in my last meeting. >> Of course. >> Wouldn't have it any other way. >> All right. Next item on our agenda is the um report of chairs. >> First. Yeah. Report of committ report of committee chairs. Sorry. uh personnel. >> Um there is a meeting tomorrow um with negotiations uh to discuss security monitors and um adding them the FPS. >> Thank you. Policy. >> Yes. So um you know timing is everything. I kind of feel badly that this comes after our members of the public who were concerned

088about Eid. Um, but the policy committee met last Thursday. Is that right? Um, and that was as requested by the full board at our November 18th meeting um to review and discuss possible implications of adding Eid alfitter as a day off school closure in future years um within the school calendar policy and regulation. So we met, it was Erica, Sylvia and I and um Kathy and Jess was there as well. Um, so we reviewed the policy and regulation. We discussed all the different, you know, lots of different aspects of adding an additional day off to the school calendar. Um, of course, we all have in mind the community feedback that the board's received over the past several months. Um, and it was the consensus of the committee to recommend that the board direct the superintendent

089to provide the policy 611 and regulation 611A as well as two versions of the 2627 and the 2728 school calendars. one that follows our current calendar and uh policy and regulations and then one with the possible addition of Eid as a day off and that's to inform the reading the first reading approval and to kind of guide our consideration the discussion and possible action at our January 12th 2026 board meeting. So that'll be the first meeting of the new board and the new superintendent. Um, so that's what we're bringing forward to the full board tonight is that recommendation. I >> So, so he calls for a vote. Um, it's just it's the policy committee will be recommending more formally when the consideration of the calendar is presented to the to the board pursuant to policy.

090In other words, we have a policy that says that the calendar is presented at the first January meeting, >> right? >> Um, so that would be what would happen in the January meeting, right? with the two versions >> with the two versions >> and discussion obviously materials and information like the contextual information we have >> you know a grid that it's all in the regulations we have the criteria that we look at when we're >> so you guys consider whether or not >> you do have two calendars one that has eat on it and one that does not >> for consideration got it >> would the just a quick question um would the intention be that after first reading we would go forward with one calendar for the second reading >> I believe Right. I

091think I think you have to we would decide after the first reading, right? And then that meeting >> and then the next meeting we would go for a second reading with just the one that we've >> agreed upon. That's the way I understand. >> You would just say um >> it we'll do the first reading. You could do the one that aligns to the policy with questions. You could do the one with uh another school day off still have question research questions to come back to the second reading. So, it's really up to the board how you how you want to handle it. But either one of those or another version, you know, there could be um we were talking about policy. You could say let's do the first reading as is with the following

092research questions and it could be we not only want to look at that day, but are there any other adjustments you want to make for the second reading? You may want to do more adjustments because adding a day may impact. You might say, "Well, could we look at this other day?" And then we switch them off so there's not like another uh delay in the end of the year. There's lots of different things. So, I would just, you know, keep an open mind and and look at the criteria and, you know, see if there's something else in the calendar you wanted to look at as well. >> All right. Thank you, Beth. Curriculum. >> Um, the next meeting. >> Oh, I'll try it. See, Sunny, sorry. I just wanted to add a little bit to

093that if that's okay. >> So, I just want the community to know that this is not something we're ignoring or we're not addressing. Um, we do approve a two-year calendar. I don't know if people are aware of that. Um, and that this was a very thoughtout. We we are listening. We are um keeping an open mind. Um, and we uh there's a process that we're following. So, we're just not ignoring the community. we are actually behind the scenes doing the work. Um, so I just wanted to make sure that the community knows that and that we're not ignoring them. We're acknowledge them and we're we're listening to all their beautiful stories. Um, but I just wanted to say that, you know, there's just a process that we have to follow. So, I just wanted to

094make sure that community knows that that we're not ignoring them. Um, >> and that it just takes a little time and then a new year you guys will um, come forward with the process that we're following. >> Yeah. And the timeline is in in policy. So it's, you know, >> I appreciate you saying that, Sylvia. It's very important, very important for the >> I guess the only thing I would add to that too and I think it's around the timeline and and thank you Sylvia for saying that too and I just wrote a note for myself because as we were listening to the public comment and uh parents and you know expressed about other districts that they only had to go for one one me one meeting to get the vote. I I think again

095it's very critical and important process. I thank you so appreciate you for saying that because the more community understands the process, yes, our policies are out there, but sometimes it's what you read and what you hear is not understood exactly the same. So sometime or what you read is not understood. You may have to have different ways of learning about what you're seeing. And so and in hearing today several parents speak about how they know of other districts that that's their policy. They have a different policy. They may not have the same Exactly. So there is I think it's very critical as this board moves forward that we are more transparent about how we make decisions. >> I would just want to add to I I heard that comment about one meeting we we actually

096made that mistake um when we were discussing holiday holidays several years ago when we kind of didn't really think it through. We didn't really have a clear policy and I think the board learned from that experience how important it is to have a deliberative process. Uh so there is transparency and it's done in a timely way in a thoughtful way not in a thoughtful way so that the community does have buy in. So thank you for bringing that up Sylvie. Uh communications sorry curriculum. Sorry curriculum. >> Um the next meeting is January 26th. >> Communications. >> Um so we're meeting next Monday the 15th at 4:30 central office and that's when we'll review and discuss content for winter newsletter. >> Thank you. Okay. Okay. Reporter committee leison correct leaison. Uh no report extended learning. >>

097Um um yes they have actually a business nonprofit open house will be held on January 28th um 2026 from 5 to 6 at the Farmington High School library. Um more information to come soon. Scholastic superintendent I'm sorry superintendent's intercolastic athletics advisory committee. Andrea >> uh there's a meeting tomorrow and uh Beth is going to attend for me because I'm going to be at a Cape conference. >> Uh Farmington Public Schools James Foundation. >> No updates. >> Health and wellness. Angela, >> we actually had a meeting earlier today. Um I think just the message of the whole meeting was the committee is becoming more than just health health and wellness. Um Angela Vasser who runs it. It's all about the whole school, whole community, whole child. So she's trying to get different aspects of all of

098these things into the the meeting. Um she had different speakers speak today. Um the one that resonated the most with me was the Chartwells. We won a grant and now they're going to offer smoothies for breakfast from the grant. So, you know, just different little tidbits I think to make it more interesting, engaging. People can like touch upon what this means. Um, so yeah, it was informative. Um, Veronica was there as well. I think that covers it. Um, yeah, I think that's it. My only other note was I think we should get rid of on here, including focus. I was going to ask you about that. >> I don't think that has anything to do with this anymore. So, um, I think we can >> I was I was ab that's exactly where I was

099going. >> I just saw it again. I was like, I think we need to get rid of that. So, yeah, I think productive meeting though today. It's a shame because focus was a really important thing for a very long time but there's just no interest in it or Yeah. Again, >> I I would say though that Angela also talked about how she will be reestablishing Yeah. Oh, sorry. Yeah. Angela Basser, you're both Angela. Angela Vasser will be reestablishing that connection though. We've always worked with Farmington Town Services, Nancy Parent and Bob Marsh there um for this and so um she is reviving some of the work that was done through focus with them. So I and under the umbrella of of this committee actually so I think that there'll be more work to be more

100work done on that but through this whole child whole whole what is it whole child >> school whole whole community whole child >> oh so kind of changing the the name but kind of >> she'll incorporate it into this >> more holistic kind of approach to that challenge >> but hasn't dropped the idea of what that's stood for >> so so important okay uh cafeteria advisory Yes, we met earlier this evening um for the client business review meeting. Uh there was some change in um some of their key folks. The head chef is new. There's a new um student engagement individual talked about some of the uh sea total fresh food being integrated into the uh menus. December is spice it up. Um so there's also uh which I love like their their foods um

101global eats so bringing in Caribbean food and so different countries they're introducing food they do a lot of deliveries also to faculty within FHS I and they promise tomorrow um that central office will get a request they can request food to be delivered what I did like hearing was that working with the Farmington Diagnostic Center and Bear Partnership they're delivering meals there as well um every day so that's really cool talking about the smoothies Um they received a grant to have a food processor to make which not only makes smoothies but other healthy snacks. >> Um and then we talked about just you know overall how um we're seeing the trends in spend or purchasing of meals and ironically West District has the highest alle cart snacks being sold. Um and then working with the

102transition academy that they're helping to stock um at IR and West District and most of the schools are getting new equipment in the cafeteria which comes out of the excess cost coming from COVID funds, right? Did I say that? >> Yeah. And just all the profits that they um when Chartwells at the end of the year they run, they have a profit. Those profits go into the excess funds that can only be used to help support and improve the food services program. >> So it doesn't come out of our budget. >> Correct. >> That was the key point. >> That's always the best part. That's always the best part. >> Green efforts party. >> Uh last Tuesday was our last meeting for the year. Uh next one's January 6th, I believe. Um, biggest news is

103that I will be uh composting hopefully in the next couple months. >> Cool. >> Community council for equity and inclusion. Erica, >> uh, the next meeting is January 14th at >> Thank you. FHS building committee, Beth. >> Uh, yes. So, the committee last met November 19th. Um, we reviewed and approved invoices. It's, you know, basically at this point punch list items, change orders for the high school building and central office and we meet again December 17th at 5:00 p.m. It's all Zoom now for the most part. >> Thanks, Beth. >> Down. >> Thank you. Okay, last item, uh, report of the board chair. Um, nothing really to report. just like to take a moment uh if I could if you indulge me uh just to express my uh gratitude uh to all of you. Um

104for the last two years uh we've had a lot of challenges, some hard moments and some big questions and some really cool things happen and um we have always worked uh I think with an unwavering commitment to focus on uh the children of Farmington and I'm a proud part I'm proud to be a part of that. Um, I want to thank uh Kathy Greeter. Uh, we I know we acknowledged your years of dedication and service back in June when you retired. Uh, but staying on as superintendent, interimm superintendent, uh, demonstrated your commitment to our community by giving us the time we needed to get the hiring of your successor right. So, thank you for that. I want to thank um our staff from the DLC to the teachers, the paras, and the custodians. Uh we

105are so lucky to have so many dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to make our schools the envy of the state and if not the country. I want to thank a special thank you to Andrea Sabinsky for a hardworking, supportive and dedicated vice chair. Truly the best vice chair Premington's ever had. I think everyone in this room, every member of this board can say you are uh ind the indispensable person. Really thank you for everything you've done. Um, I want to thank my family for uh their sacrifices over the last 16 years. I was driving down tonight and I remember thinking one of the first times I was going to a meeting and my kids were going to bed and we were having to explain daddy had to go out cuz he had to go to

106a meeting. And um I did that a lot when they were little. And now one's a junior. The one who one who wasn't even in school when I started is now a junior in college. and the other one's teaching and and I couldn't be prouder of her. It's been an absolute privilege to serve with you all and to serve this town and I I thank the people of Farmington. I thank you for the trust you've placed in me over these last 16 years. Your support has meant everything to me and it's never something I took lightly. It's been the greatest honor of my life to serve on this board. And with that, I don't have anything further to say. I think we're adjourned.