001[music] Good evening everyone. I'd like to call this meeting of the New Britain Board of Education to order. The time is 60:01. Um, we'd like to start with the pledge of allegiance. Miss Luna, can you start, please? To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Can you please Diana >> here? >> Vice President Barino >> here. >> Secretary Amy Porski >> here. >> Anthony King >> here. >> Miss Annie Parker >> here. >> Miss Hannah Patrisco >> here. >> Miss John Pina >> here. >> Mr. Richard, >> he's excused. >> Sister Jose and Miss Tina Santina right here. We'd like to have a moment of meditation. Um I would like to keep in mind um
002our former educator Elaine Zatollah who passed away um since our last meeting and two of our students uh Nishas Korea and Carlos Gonzalez. Um I I do want to say that I was at the funeral for Carlos Gonzalez and um I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of the family for so many staff and um educators and admin that came out. Um the family really appreciated it. Thank you. Um, is there anyone present who'd like to address the board? >> Anyone who would like to address the board? >> Thank you. We will move on to the superintendent report. >> Good evening everyone. Uh, as Mr. Kane said, nice to see you again after such a short time. Um, as is our practice, you have before you an advanced copy of the district dispatch
003and as always, lots of really positive things to celebrate. Do you know about the Savannah bananas? >> They're quite they're quite viral. Really nice visit um by a member of the organization to advance school. Uh the first article is uh really great opportunity for some of our high school manufacturing, engineering and technology students to get access to really what that looks like beyond the school thanks to um the help of Mr. Greg Kaine. Any relation? >> No. Who uh who is actually a former colleague of mine um who's uh really providing great opportunities there. thankful to see the kids out with that. Um, kind of a bumper crop of student of uh staff and students receiving superintendent challenge coins. Some of the cutest faces you'll ever receive. Um, really nice that Miss Turkot nominated some
004of her students for really going above and beyond in the prek classroom. Great story there. Um, another really shout out and salute to Coach Abraham who's been inducted into the Connecticut Women's Volleyball Hall of Fame. A deserving honor after many, many years of service to the kids of New Britain. Thank you to her and a wonderful feature article. Then the article I mentioned, uh, really nice connection to Savannah Bananas, one of a member of their organization actually used to volunteer at Bane's school. So nice to have him on the uh kind of the recognition have and as usual lots of really good highlights from our social media posts that follow. Want to highlight for anybody watching and of course a reminder for the board that uh this Thursday, January 15th, at the Small School Library,
005we will hold a community public forum about our budget. um looking forward to having members of course staff and the public attend so I can be give a a shorter version of the presentation that I gave to the board and also answer any questions that folks may have and listen to their input. I do want to say I did have um a good first productive meeting with Mayor Sanchez today about the budget. Not my first meeting with him, but my first meeting regarding the budget. um thankful to hear that he's already been speaking to our legislative delegation and fellow urban mayors about our needs and really how those needs are not unique to New Britain. They are they are indeed uh found in other districts like ours. Um other than that, I hope that uh
006everybody enjoyed a wonderful holiday break. Students got a surprise extra day which was a present from the superintendent. [laughter] Um, those are the tough days. Those days when I have to make a decision based on the forecast. When I look at the forecast at 4 in the morning and I decide it's going to snow later, those are the ones that are tough. The snow didn't really come in the way that the forecast said it did, but I'm sure the kids didn't complain about it. >> I didn't care. They loved you anyway. Yeah. [laughter] >> About an extra day added on to an already long vacation. Keeping it brief. That's my report for this evening. Madam President, >> thank you. Committee reports. We'd like to start with uh policy. >> Yep. We we met. We've got
007a couple policies here added on to the consent agenda. They should be good to go. >> Curriculum. >> Uh so [clears throat] our last curriculum meeting um we had the English department um presenting an overview of the grade um 12 u 11 through 12 curriculum um focus on the strength of the students. And we also had the math department presenting overview of the updated 9 through 12 curriculum. And um they highlighted the fact that they're trying to make math more accessible for all students and even the students who are feeling like math does not um they have no use for math. They try to make new classes based on that to get more kids interested in math and seeing how math can be applied to their lives. So we thought that was great presentations and
008those are just presentations. >> Thank you personnel. >> Yes, we met and uh we have a few items on the uh consent agenda. Uh we have one new position for student voice advisor and they're continuing to update job description the PTO language acquisition and uh partnership and engagement. That's it. >> Thank you. And finance facilities transportation. >> Okay. on finance. Um uh we were given an update on our finances um and everything is moving along there. Consents were sent to the um to the board agenda on the school construction is moving along at Jefferson is in conver having conversations now with Jefferson. uh transportation we still have some issues but administration is on top of it and it gave us updates on CSDN's website pages view for the last 28 days and the fishing security
009test report and that's my reports thank you >> so Ryan is monitoring social media correct and there because there was an issue about the bus stop than a an angry individual >> harassing students on a bus. I'm just hoping >> at the bus stop. >> Yes. >> So, um if it's the one that I believe you are referring to, parents at that school got a communication directly from the principal regarding that. >> Okay. Okay. Just, you know, everything's on social media as it is and of course Tina and I got called out to, you know, check on it and whatever. So, it's just I just want to make sure we don't need students being harassed at bus stops at all. >> And not that you couldn't put a cop on every bus either. So, >>
010everybody should call a complaining feed. Yeah, cuz this class will come back outside. Yeah. >> Um, board reports, >> Dr. I wanted to be the one to start, but um I have a few things actually. Um, the first is to start the year by thanking Ms. Edwards uh whose work is invisible until you get 36 meeting invited [laughter] for the upcoming year. Um so thank you so much uh and for doing things like registering us for conferences. Um I went to the new board um education overview board of education overview where we learned things about things like how not to have an illegal meeting. And someone said, you know, there's always that person who will reply to everything and you cannot do that. [laughter] And I was that person doing that. >> We love you
011anyway. [laughter] Like don't reply to don't reply all the um since the last um meeting um the magical feast was performed. It was really lovely. Congratulations to all the high school students who um just were phenomenal performers. Um Miss Suabi invited us at the last meeting to the mental health resources um overview. Several of us were there. I think there was some worry that we weren't reaching the families or there were not as many families there as were expected, but we got some really good feedback from the ones who were there who said it's really difficult to come out at the end of December. Um, but you know, we'll find a way. The the media team is amazing. So, I think we should keep working on that. Um, followed up on CCSU's involvement on um
012dual um enrollment or early college enrollment. Um, so we're working with the English department to get writing 110 version of writing 110 taught at the high school. And then there is a new project called Blue Devil Scholars. So, um students, high school students will uh go to CCSU and take two classes. One of them will be writing um 100. Um what else did I want to say? Um back to the budget hearing, just to underline what Dr. Gasper said to the community members out there, please attend Thursday. We wanted people to be educated on the budget, but also like the process. Um, and I took a meeting with the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, George Rodos and Jack Isaac, who knows Miss Parker. Um, they want to sponsor two teams from New Britain High to
013p to compete in September for a cash prize um, testing knowledge of Greek history and culture. So, I wasn't sure what to do with that. I'll send you a message tomorrow [laughter] decide to pursue that. But they were so excited to talk about Greek history and you know put money on the table for us. >> So that's wonderful. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Anyone else? >> Um just just to expand on what you last said, they've actually done it for years, but nobody's actually participated as vigorously as they would like to. Um and as you know it is I think it's just a in truth with the times because we have a very strong um sister city program. Um and oddly enough one of those towns was there because of their efforts. Um and George is
014wonderful. They're very very um but either way the rats really are um and they're great. So they've done it the Society has done it for um many many years. >> Okay. So maybe I should speak with you or maybe it's like reinventing No, no, no. Stay the course. Send the message over to him and um and if Well, tell George Tina. Um but it's funny because we were always in receipt of their Greek goods. Um and I make it a point to go to every Dianisis festival there is just because it's close by. Um I'm not a wine drinker, but just because I enjoy going. But um so that was just and then I'll just raise my hand for myself. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Um so you'll notice that on the agenda today is
015the um where the announcement comes in for any in pending retirements. Um and two that really struck to me that I just needed to make sure that so that way I don't forget later on to say thank you for their work. Um for anybody that knows I played volleyball in New Britain High School under Michelle Abraham while having her volleyball coach as my science teacher at the same time which made it for very interesting class time. So, um I'm class of 1995 along with Diana, but I played she was in magical. I played volleyball under Michelle Abraham who has been a wonderful educator and I have um for years just you know sent messages and hey, how are you and kept in touch with her that way um and I just can't say enough about
016her and I just want to be able to at least thank her um where I just can't tell you enough. she really has always made it a point to get to know the student, get to know the person and be able to connect with the larger community. And in this case, it was athletic community in Janelle. Um, and the other one is Cliff Parker, who is near and dear to my heart because he has had multiple of my special needs kids in his class. And the wonderful thing is that he and I survived CO together. um you'll remember because we were often on co meetings while he was at home with Annie and she'd be in the background saying something. [laughter] And the wonderful thing is that he was still able to pull off testing
017her um testing Haley in particular for just some, you know, just like an inventory of questions. And he came back and he goes, "And she wants to be a farmer." I said, "Well, yeah, that sounds about right. We're in Puerto Rico right now tending some chickens, yo." And yeah. And [laughter] so he just I love the fact that he is always for and he didn't just know the one or the two or the three. He knew all four. Um and it was just amazing that he took the time out to be able to do that. And that's just a testament to how wonderful he is as a person, as an educator. He didn't just stop at teaching. He he made sure that learning was all inclusive and just really made my kids feel special and
018know that they meant something. and and thank you to you too because you were chiming in the background. It was wonderful because they thought it was so cute. >> Thank you. >> So that's what I wanted to say about that. Also, just please if any parents know in anticipation of their attendance to the budget talk if they have a need for language translation or anything like that. Um and I'm sorry I didn't say this to anybody that went to church with me on Sunday. I was at 10:00 mass instead of 12. And I should have let people know if you need any assistance, there is always somebody on hand. Um, I speak fluent Spanish. It's not even a problem. But I want to make sure that you are able to ask your questions. You can
019send your questions ahead. We love to get them. Um, and that was it so far. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Well, I will also like to just give kudos to our students. Um, the magical feast was amazing because first of all, it was emotional because >> I did that magical feast so many years ago. So, it was so nice to go back to it, but then it >> it had all the like scary movies which I love. So, it was phenomenal. I loved it so much. Um, and also going back to the mental health forum. Um, the panel did an incredible job. Um, we would have loved to see more families out there and we definitely uh need to get the information out to them and I know they're they're trying so hard but um
020the panel was really really great. >> Um that's all uh we have our >> Can I make just one note? >> Sure. Absolutely. >> In follow up to Miss Santana's noting of the retirements. I would just point the board towards the things that these people teach. You'll notice there's a there's an overabundance on that list of our harder to fill >> areas among these retirements. >> Thank you for letting me >> and the years of service are a testament working at Etna my department our average years of service was 35 years and I looked at this and went whoa okay >> this this is this is a big deal. >> Yeah, >> very big deal. >> It was very impressive. >> Thank you. Can I [clears throat] just add to um I see that Evelyn
021Houdinga is on here Jacqueline and scholars and uh Cynthia Neil the secretary at the high schools I just want to note their contribution and work that they've done such as >> in our student reports we have our lovely student representative here. >> Um good afternoon. So, um, as I know you guys know, we've just kind of eased back into school from our break and we've been transitioning, but I think it's so far, I would say for most of the schools as well, it's been a pretty smooth transition. The staff has been really welcoming and I think it's been nice having so much encouragement going back into the year, starting off pretty strong. Um, I hope that, you know, as we continue this year, we continue our strong communication. I feel like that's something that's been
022improving and I hope to see that improve throughout the school years in all schools, keeping, you know, students and parents involved in everything that's happening in our district as well as putting a bigger focus on mental health and hopefully making sure that every every student has access to, you know, a good mental well-being because that's kind of the foundation to having a good, you know, structure in school as well as more involvement in community and having our students just kind have also access to different activities and sources in our community. Um, I hope that me and my partner get to stay involved and kind of keep reporting back all the good that we've seen in our district because we have been making many improvements and just kind of [clears throat] keeping note of what we
023do think may need a little bit more attention. >> Thank you. >> Thanks very much. Um, so do I have a motion to go into executive session inviting attorney Dal, uh, attorney Bartlett, Dr. Sanders, and Dr. Gas? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I back and on to new business. A, um, to approve the minutes from the regular board of education meeting on December 1st, 2025. So >> all those in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Thank you. >> Um on to report of personnel transactions and extracurricular appointments. >> Motion to approve. Second. >> All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Thank you. And now on to our enrollment um enrollment report. >> As the board can see, when you uh look at the overall between the upper district total and then the
024lower, we continue to trend upward just slightly negative 80 in regular programs and plus 92 in the early childhood programs. So also as you saw in the budget book, we continue to trend up in enrollment. We do have a motion to accept. So move. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Item D, approve purchase order between CSDNB and -ate online for renewal of online consulting services in the amount of $9,500 district. Second. >> Any questions? All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? >> Thank you. And item E, approve 2026 2027 academic calendar. >> Second. >> It helps us plan for things like convocation and it helps parents plan for vacations. >> Thank you to um principally Miss Langanger and and Dr. Velasquez who worked on this, but others as well. So the prek
025TBD early dismissals that's just cuz >> on which date please >> um there's the green section under the right in the middle on the top >> there's a lot of TBDs >> development >> oh is that what it is >> it is staff development in the past so they can do that again but they statement. >> Um, okay. >> I'm sure we can confirm that well in advance to help parents plan. >> Well, yeah, I would. I just was I didn't know what that meant. Why? >> Any other questions? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Thank you. >> Consent agenda. Um, are there any items anyone wants to remove? Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Oh, sorry, Annie. >> No, no, no,
026no. [laughter] >> Okay. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Great. Is there any other business? Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. All those. Thank you very much everyone. >> Thanks everyone. Have a good night.