001Use a fancy gavvel. >> Good evening. Good evening and welcome. Um I'm calling to order the meeting of the board of education tonight, January 15, 2026. It is 7:05. Um, and for our first agenda item, we have a pledge of allegiance and it's going to be done by a student tonight. So, if you want to come over to the microphone, that would be great. Please stand. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. All right. Our second agenda item is um open to uh a meeting open to the public. So this portion of the meeting is set aside for any comments um from the public. We just ask
002that speakers identify themselves with a name address of where they live and then try to limit their comments to two minutes on any topic. Is there anyone here that wishes to address the board this evening? Adant Bosdan Bosle 28 West Drive uh student at Rockel High School. Many of you guys are pretty familiar with me by now. Um so good evening all. I just wanted to share a quick update on our model UN club. So today they're actually participating at the Yale model UN conference as we speak. So they're um competing. I think they're in their first committee session soon. So they'll be debating global topics there. Um, and I I really wanted to share this moment because three years ago, um, I went with my father and a couple other students from Rocky Hill
003as an independent delegation separate from the school. So, my dad commuted all those three days to go to Yale. Um, and now three years later, we have our school being represented by adviserss, uh, thanks to Mr. Dudis, thanks to Mr. Fod and the entire board of education, thanks to Dr. Zto, we've been able to do it three years now. So, there's so much progression in the club. And I know as today we're voting on um the Boston Model UN trip. I I obviously encourage you guys to to vote in favor of that because we have learned so much from this experience. I have learned so much and we're only going to continue to grow as a club and as a school climate and I can't wait to see where the future is going. And uh
004funny story, I I created a petition uh three years ago for the same club. I got 209 signatures and one of those signatures happened to be a mom of a student and she commented on my petition saying that my son is 11 years old. When he gets to high school, he would love to try this. And I'm proud to say that today he is in Yale at the Model UN conference uh participating and delivering on that the promise that he gave. So uh I'm really really glad to talk about Model UN today and to see the growth and hopefully we can continue uh this club's growth and it can become more prosperous in the future and um thank you guys for everything. So I really really appreciate it. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Is there
005anyone else that wishes to address the board? Okay, seeing no one, um we are going to turn the microphone over to report for student representatives at the high school. >> Um good evening everyone. As we move further into January, it's hard to believe that the first few the first semester is already coming to an end. It's been a busy few months filled with learning growth and opportunities for our students to excel both inside and outside in the classroom. On January 6th, many of our students took the ASBA test, which helps them explore their strengths and consider potential career paths, whether it's in the military, college, or other future career paths. It's great to see students taking advantage of our to oh my god of her tools that help them plan ahead. On January 17th, at
006our athletics department hosted a CCC breakfast to honor 17 all conference students athletes. These students have shown exceptional dedication, teamwork, and skill, and it was inspiring to celebrate their achievements. Finally, our winter sports teams are in full swing. From basketball and wrestling to swimming and hockey, our students continue to work hard and represent our school with pride. I encourage everyone to support them at their games and matches. While this is a short update, I want to share these highlights of the month as we wrap up the first semester and look forward to opportunities ahead in the new in the new year. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Uh moving on to agenda item number three. It's approval of minutes. We have quite a number of minutes um that were attached in your board packet. December 18th
007board of education meeting which was a regular meeting. January 6th was a board of education special meeting. The 8th was our voice committee meeting. Um I do want to just let you know that there are two copies of that. Um, I had uh taken a peek at it uh and let Sandy know that I needed to amend. Um, Mr. Shabra was not able to make that meeting, but I was sitting um not in place of him, but um as just board chair at that meeting. So, you'll have two copies in your board packet and um January 13th, uh which was a curriculum meeting that just occurred the other evening along with the facilities. Can I have uh is there any um questions or comments or anything else that you see that needs to be impended?
008Nothing. Okay. Excellent. Can I have a motion to um uh to approve the minutes uh as stated on the agenda for this evening? >> Motion to move approval of the minutes as stated by Miss Chairwoman. >> Uh thank you, Miss Manella. Can I have a second? >> Second. Thank you, Miss Dudanowitz. Um, all in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, motion passes. >> We are 89 tonight. Um, okay. Moving on to correspondence uh for uh Dr. Zitto. Are there any correspondents? >> One item [clears throat] this evening. Um, sadly need to announce the planned retirement of Kirsten Hasset and a teacher in this district for 37 years. Dedicated, loyal, committed educator and she uh formally notified me a couple of days ago. So, she is going to be greatly missed. I can't believe
009she's been here 37 years. She has. She's uh bittersweet, but ready to move on and do some new things with family, spend a little more time with her parents and her grandkids on the other end of the equation. Finish up the year with us. See her, you know, congratulated >> Congratulations on 37 37 years is quite an accomplishment. sad to share that. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Dr. Zto. Uh, moving on to agenda item number five, the consent calendar. We have approval tonight of the West Hill roof uh, educational specifications. Going to open the floor. I know you received something in your packet, but I didn't know if there w was to be more discussion before we moved to consent calendar. We reviewed this. Ron is uh out tonight. He's not home. We reviewed the
010EDS specs at the facilities meeting earlier this week. Um I don't see any problem. It's pretty standard. It's a roof job. I I know that the board has requested the digital blueprints and we will get those prints out um next week. Ron has reached out to Mr. Chapsky, the architect for that. But it's a pretty straightforward uh project. I'm recommending that you pass the consent calendar and I so that we go the next steps with the resolutions through the town council get the bids out there hopefully in mid-March and get this thing rolling on the last as soon as school ends with this move on overhead. >> Yeah, I'll just add to that Dr. Thank you for the summary. But yeah, it's just so people that don't know, it's it's just one step in the
011process of getting the uh grant application put in and the grant approved for the money to get reimbursed uh for the money from the state for the um roof. So, it's just kind of one step in the process. It's pretty straightforward. It's a one-page uh brief explanation of the the again replacement of the roof at West Hill. Uh the plan for that and what the project entails. So, um, just kind of a step in the process and then it kind of move on from there and and the the goal is to be out to bid, uh, what was it, Brian? I think >> Yeah, March. Yeah, March. Going out to bid in March or so. So, thanks. >> Okay. Any other questions or comments? >> Okay. Can I have a motion to approve the consent
012calendar for West Hill Roof? >> So, Mr. Addie, thank you. Can I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Uh, Mr. Costco, thank you. All in favor? >> I. Any opposed or abstensions? Okay, motion passes. 89. Thank you. Moving on to committee reports. Number six, curriculum. Mr. Danowitz. Thank you. Uh, the curriculum committee met this past Tuesday, January 13th. Um, I'd like just to provide a brief update. It was pretty lengthy meeting, so I'm going to um try to keep this short. Um, the district continues to expand curriculum connected enrichment opportunities, particularly in STEM. Um, STEM DOT programming will be available to students both at Rocky Hill High through the career and technical education courses and at Griswell Middle School through an afterchool STEM program. Um, these efforts focus on early exposure and sustained interest
013in career pathways such as engineering and architecture. Career exploration has also been expanded through the career center with the use of interest inventories and discovery education resources um which will better align student interests with learning pathways. Uh Rocky Hill High School has partnered with the Middle Sex Chamber of Commerce to explore additional pathways, mentorship opportunities, and student ambassador roles. Um this work has been led by Jordan Shagal. Um and he has done really really amazing work um with the career center at the high school. So huge kudos to him. Um and he really is demonstrating strong momentum and a shared commitment to student engagement and future readiness. Um regarding school climate, family communication and restorative practices as part of our legislative required school safe sorry school climate work. Um each school now has an identified
014website, a dedicated safe school climate web page to improve transparency and communication. The district continues to roll out the restorative practices training focused on relationship building, accountability, and restorative responses to conflict. All schools have also developed tiered discipline charts to support consistent decision-making while maintaining flexibility to meet individual needs. Student supports and multi-tered system of supports, MTSS. Um, this still remains a priority for the district. MTSS provides six to eight weeks of a six to eight week cycles of academic, behavioral, and social emotional support for students through early identification and intervention. At both the high school and Griswald Middle School, progress monitoring tools have been implemented and staffing has been added to strengthen intervention supports. At Griswald Middle School, a needs assessment has identified priority goals and the district is working with a correct consultant
015through a phased instructional support process currently focused on ELA. Um, previously they've already done um a couple of their subjects including math, social studies, and foreign languages. Um, in closing, this work reflects a coordinated district approach to student support through meaningful enrichment pathways, continued investment in school climate and strengthen intervention systems. The curriculum committee remains committed to monitoring the implementation through staff feedback and partnering with administration to make adjustments as needed. Um, I welcome any additions from other committee members and I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Good. Good job. No questions. Thank you very much. Moving on to facilities, Mr. Costco. >> Uh, yes, we had a meeting of facilities on Tuesday. Uh, it was a very brief meeting. I think an all-time record of seven minutes. It was very short. Uh, which says
016a lot because that I was the chair and was talking. So, it was seven minutes. Um, it was just simply to talk about the West Hill roof. So, we approved that and that was it for this month. Um, I'm sure we will be busy this spring with CIP work, so we will have some uh meetings planned once budget season gets in full session. But that is all for tonight. >> Very good. [snorts] Uh, finance. Yes, I have um we have not met, but I have um some news that we did all of our the board members received our budget books and wanted every the public to know that we will be holding the budget workshops for um on January 27th at 6:30, January 29th at 6:30, and also February 5th at 6:30. So um please
017stay tuned for those budget workshops and um that's it for tonight. Thank you. Policy. >> Uh, no update at this time. We're trying to schedule our first meeting. >> Special education. >> Uh, we have not met since last meeting. >> Council. >> Uh, so yesterday there was a finance and audit uh committee meeting via Zoom. Um, the covered agenda items focusing on reviewing key financial documents and audit reports. It was a quick not even 15 minute meeting. Um they reviewed a document which included accounts requiring council approval due to recommended increases. There is no questions or objections from the group. Uh discussion of the auditor's um governance letter which reported a successful audit for fiscal year 2025 with no significant issues. Um and then they they discussed a letter that explained the audit proc audit
018process um which was also accepted without further discussion. Um and then they also provided their nearly 200page budget report. Um while they did not review it during the meeting, it was noted that it will be reviewed in depth um in the February council meeting. Um so I get to sit through two two budget meetings. Um [laughter] yay me. Um and um they have a meeting on February 10th which I will attend their legislative forum at the Capitol. Um, we're supposed to be discussing legislative priorities and their next council meeting is January 21st and February 18th and I plan on attending both. >> Thank you. Uh, school safety, >> uh, we have not had a meeting yet. >> Technology, >> same. >> And voice. >> Okay. So, um, voice, um, again stands for values of inclusion,
019community, and equity. Just a reminder there. Um, on Thursday, January 8th, the voice committee held a public meeting focused on amplifying the voices of families in our community. The purpose of the meeting was to listen, to learn, and to better understand the experiences of our students and families so that those experiences could be guided um, can use as a guide meaningful progress moving forward. This focus aligns directly with the board of education's policies and with state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination and harassment against members of protected classes. We believe that no student should ever endure negative, demeaning or harmful language and behaviors in our schools. Dr. Diaz shared an overview of the district's ongoing initiatives, including the recent words matter student assemblies, which launched a district-wide campaign promoting civility, kindness, and respect. The PowerPoint
020presentation is available on our district's website under the board of ed tab and you just click on voice. During the public comment, families and community members shared powerful experiences including incidents including racial slurs and other harmful language and the impact these words have on students mental and emotional well-being. It was noted that many of these incidents happen on school buses or outside of school walls, highlighting the importance of the words matter initiative extending beyond the school campus. It is unacceptable for any student to feel uncomfortable or unsafe because of their skin color, religion, weight, clothing, or any personal characteristics. Discrimination, bullying, teasing, and the use of racial slurs, regardless of intent, have no place in our schools will not be tolerated. While this meeting marked an important first step, it also highlighted the muchneeded work
021needed ahead. As next steps, the committee plans to meet again with the administration to discuss further actions, including expanded mental health supports for students, and will hold another voice committee meeting in the near future. The board of education, district leadership, and building administrators remain committed to listening to feedback from students, families, staff as this work continues. Continued [clears throat] community input is essential and families are encouraged to stay engaged as we move forward together to ensure all students feel safe, respected, and supported. And now, if I may, I want to speak directly to our students, especially those who may be feeling like they don't belong. And to those who want to help their friends, but aren't always sure how. I want you to hear this clearly. The world is not meant to be on your
022shoulders. You [snorts] are not responsible for fixing everything. That is our job as adults. We need to step up and do better. If you're hurting, please talk to an adult you trust. And if you are, if you see a friend who is struggling, remind them of their worth and let an adult know. No one has to carry that weight alone. Feeling like you don't fit in does not mean you don't belong. It means you were never meant to blend in. You were made to stand out, to do something only you can do. Stand tall in who you are because ordinary people don't change the world. So, please be proud, be different, lift each other up, speak up, ask for help, but remember, you don't need to do this alone. Um, I'm happy to take any
023questions or concerns from the board. And any committee members have anything else to add. >> I'll just add one quick comment. Uh, as a member of that committee, I thought it was a great meeting. Uh, again, I think great first steps. Thank you for the summary. I thought the summary was great. uh some very powerful uh you know comments and messages from from the people who shared their messages that night. I said it at the meeting I was brought to tears more than once and so a lot of powerful stuff a lot of work to be done ahead but again kudos to Dr. Diaz to the administration to Dr. Zitto and the work that's already been done and you know starting not six months ago or so. I mean a lot's happened pretty quickly and
024and we're moving in the right direction. So appreciate all the work being done and more work to be done and we we'll be listening to you all. So thank you. I agree. Thank you, Mr. Kusker and Miss Morfa and of course, Dr. Diaz. All right, moving on. We have no unfinished business. Uh, so we're going to move on to new business, which is the approval of the overnight field trip to Boston University, and I believe that is a model UN trip. And Mr. Fod is here. Come on up, Mr. Fod. [cough] >> Good evening, everyone. Ad, you want to come up here? Huh? Yeah. Come on up here. You're like my right-hand man hand man hand man hand man hand man hand man hand man hand man hand man hand man hand man anyway. [laughter]
025Some sometime you know this guy next to me sometime he looks me he makes him himself look way better than me. So um >> so um the the model you in is is a big big uh club for us right now. They they have a huge voice in our building and um you've supported them. They've gone to the Boston trip for three years and well and um they would like to go February 6th to February 8th to go to the Marriott Copley Hotel and um they have 13 students that go and they compete all day long. So um you know hopefully you consider allowing them to go this year. They and um it kind of speaks to the the type of kids they are. they went out and they fundraised because they realized that it
026can get costly going to Boston, you know, and so, uh, they went and they fundraised some money to help defer the cost. And so, um, you know, I'd like to support them as the principal, like to support Adant. Um, I think it's it's it's a great great cause and, um, you know, I'm I'm hoping that the program can continue to to flourish even though, um, he won't be here next year. >> So, >> yeah, go ahead. Uh just to just to add um so we did fund raise. We raised $2,800 um that we'll be using to different events such as our um Yale trip. Some of the funding we will distribute there. Also we can also contribute some to the Boston trip as well. And we're also want to contribute it to our conference that
027we are hosting which is March 29th. So you guys can all save that date March 29th. Uh there's a we have an official website rhhmmun.com and um it's a great website. I think you guys should all take a look at it. Um, and yeah, this trip is has been so special to us. It's been special to many of us, and we've grown as leaders there. So, I would love for you guys to um approve our um our trip again. So, thank you. Yeah. >> Any questions at all? >> Can you just repeat the date in March? >> February 6th to February 8th. >> No, the March date that we're hosting >> 29th. 29th. >> Sunday, March 29th. Yep. And if you go on the website, you'll be able to find the full conference schedule. And
028>> it's early, too, right? It's like 9:00 or something. >> It's around 9 o'clock. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Do you have an idea how many schools will be coming this year? >> Um hopefully all So that's another thing to add is right now we don't have a full confirmation because we just started registration start of 2026. But if you could all you know reach out to other board of education members in different towns, other school teachers in different towns that that we're having this event, it would be really helpful in getting the word out there and we could get as many schools as possible. So if you could reach out to, you know, our Weathersfield, Berlin, Yuington, Cromwell, um, you know, schools in our region, even in other parts of Connecticut, we could get a
029lot of schools to attend this event and it would be, I would say, a really, really strong event in Connecticut because they don't have something as big of the size that we want to do. So, uh, getting 10 schools would be really great and it would show some, you know, Connecticut coming together. So, I encourage all of you to reach out to as many people as possible and I would love to, you know, connect. you can give me, we can connect afterwards and um see which way to go. >> If if you have a flyer that you're going to be making, could you please send it along to the board because I can I there's a list served through CABE that I can contact other boards >> through that and I can get the word
030out. >> Perfect. Yeah, we can do >> so be more than happy to do that. Any other questions? Go ahead, Mr. >> Website again was RHS >> Oh, RHSM.com. I I really one of our members Suhan he did a spent like in total maybe 40 50 hours working on this website he's fully fleshed out so uh definitely take a look at it big congrats to him and big thanks to him so yeah [snorts] >> any other questions Mr. Patty. >> Um, [clears throat] so I'm looking here at the form and it says that you have 13 students and one chaperon. Um, looks like you have six hotel rooms with students doubled up. Um, the 13th student will be staying with the teacher. Is that how I take it? And is that acceptable? >> No. And
031uh, there's two chap rooms that be going. >> Two. Okay. >> Mr. Papiaak and Mr. Davis will be going. >> Okay. >> Mr. So, one room will have three kids. Mr. Frank. >> Oh, for the for the Boston one, it's going to be Mr. Pacia. >> Oh, >> yeah. Mr. Frank is with them at Yale this weekend. They had the [snorts] >> Thank you. >> So, I'm still confused about your question because that didn't really answer the question. One room would have three three students, >> I guess. >> One room's got three kids, right? >> Okay. >> Not staying with an adult. >> Correct. >> That's what I when I'm looking at the numbers. >> Yeah, I didn't hear a affirmative. >> We'll get it from you. >> We're just >> make sure that there
032is no student in the room. >> Okay. >> As far as >> there's always going to be two chaperons. There's always [cough] you got to have two anyway. >> Yeah. >> Something happens. We want two adults. Somebody needs to get medical treatment. Second adult stay behind the students. >> I think the question form says two in a room. >> The odd number student. >> They're working out the details. [laughter] >> So that that one odd student cannot stay overnight. So the parents are going to take them um back home and then drive up the next day because it's a religious thing. >> I think they might stay they might buy they might buy their own their own hotel room because for religious reasons and that's how the student that's how it functioned last year. So
033it'll still function as six rooms two students in each room based on gender and then having that extra student live um stay with her family because of so that should clarify. >> Thank you for that clarification. >> And again the two chaperons are Mr. Papsak and Mr. Mr. Frank. donated their time for the entire weekend to go >> those two trips >> form need to be refilled out with a different name or can be waited out or >> okay are there any other questions or concerns about this model United trip >> I just >> go ahead Mr. I just want to make one comment. I attended the >> last year's convention you had on a Sunday. >> It It was It was a great show. It was >> educational for me. I learned a lot.
034[laughter] >> You guys did a great job. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Well, seeing no other comments or concerns or questions, um can I have a motion to approve this overnight field trip to Boston University for Model UN? A motion to approve the overnight field trip to Boston University as outlined on the uh request. >> Thank you, Mr. Kasker. Can I have a second? >> Thank you, Mr. Shaber. All in favor? >> I. Anybody opposed or abstaining? >> No. Okay, motion passes. There we go. Just one question. >> John, >> yeah, >> I need if this form has different adults going, I need it revised. >> Okay. >> Right. Mr. Frank. >> Okay. >> I know. >> Correct. Okay. I'll get that for you. >> All right. Moving on to agenda item
035number 18. Board discussion of meetings schedule and locations. I'm going to um this I was asked to place this on our agenda. So, I'm going to open the floor up to Mr. Costco and let him jump in since this was his request. >> All right. Thank you. Um yeah, I asked this to be on the agenda having been on the board for only two years, so I'm still a fairly new member. Um but, uh just thinking about some of the subcommittee meetings, our regular meetings are held generally speaking the third Thursday of the month. It does fluctuate a little bit, but those meetings and dates are planned well in advance. We plan them now for next school year, so they're planned well in advance. And sometimes our uh in the previous two years I've been
036on the board, the first two years, scheduling of the meetings is challenging and it often happens very quick because there's a lot of players that need to be invited and we're trying to line everyone up and so often it's I wouldn't say last minute, but it's shorter notice than I think is is it makes it difficult sometimes to clear your schedule to make the meeting. So, I wanted to just bring up the idea of maybe a couple thoughts I've had and I just wanted to have a conversation with the board about it. One was having set days of the month. I know that's not always easy because there's lots of things happening both district-wide in personal lives, etc. But if we could plan out in some way that the first Tuesday and the second or
037third Wednesday or something, I don't know what they are, we could figure that out what works best around calendars. But that was one thought I had uh was around scheduling the dates of them. Um, I I will say that it's been better in this last, you know, few months that we've had more notice of them, which is really helpful. Um, I know in the past we haven't always been able to poll. Now, the committees are fairly small. They're three or four members. You know, they're pretty small. So, if we could poll the members like, are you available for the meetings? Because it's challenging when we schedule a meeting and there's three of us on the committee and one can't make it. Um, that's, you know, not the best situation. Um, so anyway, so yeah, just
038some of those ideas and I'm I'm really put it on the agenda, asked for it to be put on the agenda just to have the conversation with other board members and get their thoughts and ideas and I figured we could come together to talk about some ideas to make this a little bit better. Um, so that was on the scheduling on the location. Also, I know generally speaking, um, our full board meetings are held here, uh, at town council chambers. On occasion, we'll have our committee meetings or full meetings at Rock Hill High School. Um, as far as I know, those are the only two locations that can record and and either stream or record meetings for recording later. Um, we do have meetings in other locations. Mocher School, GMS Library. We've had a lot
039of different locations over the last two years. Um, so just thinking about can we think about what locations would allow for if there are other locations that allow for recording of meetings because I think that's always helpful um to capture a record of the meeting for public that wants to hear what happens at these meetings. Um the minutes as we know are usually pretty light uh on the details. Um though the last couple me meeting minutes I thought had some more details. So, I appreciate that. Um, on a side note, but anyway, so those are my thoughts. Um, just to kind of get us started and and yeah, I'll defer back to you. U Madam Chair, >> would anybody have any would would you like to jump in and give any comments on Mr. Costco's
040suggestions? >> I think we've tried really hard to make sure that uh we're a looking at the district calendar. Mark and I have kind of worked on that because we don't want people missing out on basketball games or concerts, things like that that you know your children might be involved in. So, we're really trying to be cognizant of that before we schedule meetings. Um, I think the right now I think a lot of our meetings have been scheduled on a Tuesday or a Thursday and we're trying to work around work schedule as well like starting at a 5:30 or six o'clock to accommodate everyone. Feel free if you want to digest the suggestions um from Mr. Costco, if you have any other suggestions and you want to send them across email. Please do. You know,
041I think we're trying to make this easy on everyone. I do appreciate the time and effort that you've put into committee meetings, so we do want to make it easy on everyone. Okay. All right. Thank you. Um, we're going to move on to agenda item number 19 and, uh, that is Dr. Diaz. >> Good evening. Good evening, everyone. Uh the Connecticut State Department of Education has developed the Connecticut Special Education Employment System, CCS. Uh and this is a free statewide recruitment platform designed to support school districts in attracting highquality professionals to the field of special education. And this is a one-stop resource that allows district to post and manage special education employment opportunities efficiently. We have registered our district with CC's and we are currently utilizing the platform to recruit for a behavioral specialist position
042and we anticipate to using this resource to support future recruitment efforts as well. Presently there's 128 school districts statewide that are actively using this system. So this is good in regards to recruiting the best of the best um across the state. Uh I would like to thank Stephanie Malcin um and her connection with Renee Deno and Kenway's cause. The Rocky Hill public schools has been invited to participate in an upcoming interview on Hello Connecticut on channel 3 next week. Aaron Harold will highlight the pup treat fundraiser and the work of the animal advocacy club which is a partnership with the Rocky Hill High School animal advocacy club uh group and 20% of each pup treat bag sold will benefit Cenway's cause which supports animal welfare through medical care rescue and adoption. This month, the Dream
043and Pathway staff hosted the first breakfast with friends initiative and it was really wellreceived by all students. This program recognizes students of the month for meeting personal goals and demonstrating growth, perseverance, and commitment to themselves. The district will also recognize two students from one of our schools each month. We hope that this will begin next month for their outstanding civility. This is all part of the voice [snorts] committee work and the civility framework. These are students who consistently demonstrate kindness, responsibility, and respect for others, helping to foster safe, welcoming, and inclusive school environments where all members of our community feel valued. They show that being kind to others is what really makes you the cool kid. and we want that. >> Additionally, um we have to schedule policy subcommittee meeting. There's a quite a few
044policies uh reviews um to uh to discuss the recommended policy updates from Shipment and Goodwin. And this concludes my report. Are there any questions that I may answer? Yeah, >> I'm sorry, I missed a date. When is it going to be aired on um on Hello Connecticut? >> It's next uh it's next week. I don't have the date. I can get the date for you. >> Okay. Thank you. Or maybe even I know in the past when we've had TV interviews, maybe we can even get a link um sent to us afterwards if if possible. That might be easier. >> Absolutely. I will work on that. >> Did I see some other hands up that had questions? I had the same question. >> Oh, same question. Mr. Costco, your hand was up, too. No. Mr.
045Costco. No. Okay. Anyone else? No. Um, I just want to say um I know Dr. Diaz, you are currently our interm um assistant superintendent for personnel and student services, but you have spent a lot of time making sure that um all of our ducks are in a row as far as reporting out on the dream, you know, cafe and um making sure that we're um still hiring some really great or looking to hire some really great um educational um you know, teachers and um in our district. Uh you've kept us up to date obviously policy. Good, good to note that we've got to get a policy meeting on the calendar. Um, but thank you. Thank you for highlighting all of these wonderful things in our district and for keeping us afloat. So, we appreciate it.
046>> All right, if there's no other questions or comments, I'm going to move on to Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, Dr. Nosik. >> Good evening, everybody. Uh, in your board packets, you have the regular financial report reflecting year-to- date uh figures for the month ending December 31st, 2025. Um there are several line items that I wanted to highlight. Um line 114, salaries for substitute teachers currently reflecting a deficit due to the need to utilize uh daily subs in addition to our budgeted building subs. Line 205, Medicare is currently reflecting a deficit due to the need to employ additional staff beyond original projections. It's a small overage and we've hired only a couple of people. So that's the difference there. Um the next one, group insurance line 210 is currently reflecting deficit due to new
047staff enrolling plan changes. Um and in addition, one of the things that we looking at was um and we'll get into this in the next uh couple weeks with the budget presentations, but this is really a forecast. So last year during the budget process um we budgeted uh 8.5% increase for insurance. Um, we didn't have that number until much later after the the budget was adopted, I believe, and that came in at 9.4. So, uh, we're currently reflecting at just over a $400,000 deficit. We were about $160,000 uh in the red last year at this time. So, we do expect to make up some ground between now and the end of June. Um, but I would anticipate probably uh between three and $325,000 uh that we'll have to make up in other line items throughout
048the budget. Um, line 235, the pension for non-certified currently reflecting deficit due to unanticipated pension costs with the hiring of a couple new employees. And then uh again, this will be on there probably until right through June. uh line item 561 tuition uh currently reflecting a deficit. This does include tuition for magnet schools and students with special needs. And of course there will be future offsets against the deficit from the excess cost reimbursement grant that we get from the state. I believe the first check that we'll get is in uh February and then the other one I believe is it in March or June? >> May usually >> is in May. Split the difference there. And of course, we'll continue to look at those those numbers and keep you informed on a monthly basis. >>
049Any questions or comments for Dr. Nosk? Go ahead, Mr. Costker. >> Um, yeah, thanks Scott. This is great. Um, and I I assume that you'll be, you know, with this good work we have in this budget book. I'm sure there's some good stuff in here about the group insurance and and the estimates and that. And I know it's always speaking from experience back in the day when I was responsible for doing for business, you never know, right? So it's very difficult to predict. Um I would assume you're trying to build in a little extra this year or do you have estimates? Usually the the kind of there's some winds out there on which way things are going and what estimates they feel like are looking like for next year. Are you getting a sense of
050that yet? >> We are. Um there the state is also aware that um there are a lot of districts that are part of the the state partnership plan and they realize that when these projections come out, most towns have already adopted a budget. Um and so they've made a conscious effort to try and get those numbers to us a little bit earlier. Um we have we've already had one uh meeting with the state partnership plan uh adviserss. We have another one scheduled next week. Um, so they gave us a number uh a couple weeks ago. Um, then they gave us they'll give us another number. Uh, they're gonna they're going to continue to fine-tune it, so we'll know a little bit more next week. Um, and then after that, instead of waiting until I want
051to say it was March last year when we got our number, um, they're going to try and get it to everybody by February, which may or may not be great for us still, but um, it's better than, you know, February is better than March. uh and if it is a major adjustment, you know, we can always revisit those things. But, um I think we'll have a better idea. Um but, uh in terms of building in anything, I can't say that I can't say that's been um >> it's not easy. It's not easy. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um >> All right. Thank you. Yeah. And just looking I mean 325,000 sounds like a huge number and it is a big number but it's also a percentage of a really big number which is a total of
052you know millions of dollars for group health insurance for the whole district. So percentage wise it's in the single digit percentage wise. >> Yeah we it's a razor thin margin all >> right the number looks bigger than the percentage would if once we get into the details later but >> awesome. Thank you. >> Sure. >> Any other questions or comments? >> All right. Um, thank you Dr. Nosik. Moving on to assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Miss Durant is >> under me to do a couple updates uh for Mr. here. So on Tuesday, June 13th, as you know, we had a board of ed curriculum subcommittee meeting where Mr. Dan provided updates on several board initiatives. the career center uh safe school climate implementation and year two of the teacher evaluation program are highlighted. Uh
053this month students are completing the midyear assessments. In addition, the ML students are taking the language acquisition loss link assessment uh grades K through 12. High school students start their midterms next week and tomorrow staff will engage in uh their third study session on the restorative practices book. This is the book here, Restorative Circles and Schools. Board members received copies tonight. We brought copies for Mr. Addie um and Miss Studanowitz because they were not on the board during the last term. So, everybody should have a copy of this book at this point. Um Wendy also wanted me to inform you that the district wellness committee met this week to review the upcoming February Wellness Professional Development Day for staff. This is an opportunity for staff members to focus on maintaining their own health and well-being.
054Uh we have a wide variety of activities planned with many new sessions. Mr. Anne looks forward to reporting more information at the February board meeting after staff have have participated in the wellness day that we'll be providing for them. So that's her quick update. Um hopefully she'll be feeling better in a couple of days, but uh was not able to make it tonight. >> Can I just make a comment about the book? I believe we got the blue book. There's a blue book out there that's for teachers and administrators about restorative circles. So, it is not that one unless it's changed. Okay. >> And I gave actually So, the two new board members might be ahead of you because they got two books tonight. >> Should Are they Is one blue and one green? >>
055No, they're not. >> One is red and one is green, right? >> One is red, one >> the blue books are in back order. So, we will make sure every board member has all three copies. >> Okay. All right. I thought maybe they changed the um covers or something. Okay. This was texting today and someone who's not feeling well and I'm scrambling around trying to cover all the bases today. So, >> no worries. >> Yeah, but this is uh this is one of the books that we'll get we'll get you guys a copy of all three. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. >> I think Kristen and Brian are a little ahead. They have two already. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Get reading. You can report out. >> Read one to get to two to three.
056>> It's sequential. >> Um no, I don't think so. >> I don't think they're sequential. >> No, no, >> you got to report by. >> Yeah. No, right. [laughter] Okay, moving on to superintendent report. Dr. Zto again. >> Okay, very briefly. So, I just want to thank Dr. Nosik, Cynthia Cotto, Diane Krauss, Dipy Sandu, Gina Munch, Rupali Bra, Sandy Maul, and Tom Canson for their efforts to pull the book together. You have your budget books. It's uh the first time for Scott through this process. He's been working really hard. Um, I think I've been able to give you some pretty good advice on some things we needed to work on and we had a pretty in-depth conversation about health insurance today, Mr. Costco. So, you we are monitoring those numbers. Um, >> but it was
057a major effort like it is every year and just really positive spirit and collaborative teamwork. Uh, I appreciate the folks in the office who put all this together. Um, you have your your books in front of you. Um, we know the workshop dates we start on January 27th. I do anticipate after speaking with Miss Lefredo and I agree with her initial uh prediction that we'll use all three nights. So January 27th, January 29th, and February 5th, we start at 6:30. As you dig into these books over the next 12 days, um if you have the time and you have the inclination, send the questions to to Scott and to me in advance. What we like, what we've been doing probably for the last five or six years is if you if if you find you
058have questions, we can come prepared at the session and once we go through the overall initial presentation, we can start to address specific questions and it speeds speeds thing along things along for us. So, that's always a good thing to do. Uh, we'll be prepared to the best of our ability to respond to questions. Again, if I get a question at 5:15 before a 6:30 meeting, it's harder to respond, but if we have it a couple days in advance, we could typically pull that information together. And the other update, um, just as a tenative, but we have him scheduled, is uh, Nick Caruso, who you all met with for the required uh, CABE training session. He's the associate executive director of Cape. Mr. Lefredo had asked him to come back um, and meet with the
059board to review Robert's rules of order. So Tom, this is a big advanced notice on this. We were able to schedule him for February 19th um in advance of the regular meeting at 7. So I think we have him set for 5:30, which gives us about an hour and a half u the same night as your regular February meeting to again go over Robert's rules of order with Nicaruso. >> That's my update. >> Okay. Thank you, Dr. Zitto, and thank you for mentioning our Robert's rules training. Okay, our last agenda item is board chair report. Um, I will make my report pretty quick, but I wanted to also highlight our budget season coming up. So, since November 20th, the board has made deliberate and meaningful commitments to strengthen community awareness, foster open dialogue, and increase
060clarity and accountability in our committee work. And I would really like to commend all of my fellow committee members. Um, you have been very active in participating in all of your committees. I appreciate your time, your preparation, your willingness to engage in thoughtful questions that have been instrument instrumental in moving our work forward. The progress that we've made is a direct result of your dedication and your shared belief that we can work together and make our district stronger. As we enter the budget season, community engagement becomes even more critical. I encourage residents to listen in to our live stream meetings or watch the recordings when possible. join us in person. Um, we'll be right here in this room. The discussions surrounding the operating budget and capital improvement plan are very important, and hearing them firsthand
061provides valuable insight to both the challenges that we face and the priorities that we're setting out for our district. For some time now, our budget has not been fully funded, and we recognize the impact it has had on our district. It is my hope that through continued open lines of communication with the town council, the mayor, and the town manager, the proposed budget that will be presented soon will be highly considered, including the additions that directly address the needs of our students, educators, and staff. These investments are not only about funding. They are about enriching the educational experience and supporting the overall well-being of every student in our schools. Our schools truly are the cornerstone of this community and investing in them is an investment in our students future. We remain committed to keeping the
062community informed and engaged throughout this process. Transparency will continue to guide our work and we will ensure that residents are aware of both our requests and the reasoning behind them. And finally, I'd like to expend extend a special thank you to our school liaison Amy Forsier and counselor Mimi Thorough. Your dedication and communication serve as vital connections between the board of education and the town council which is helping to ensure that the needs of our district are clearly articulated and understood. Thank you. And we'll see you on the 27th for our first budget meeting. Again, as I always do, I'd like to open the floor to anyone on the board that would like to make any other comments this evening before we close. >> Mr. Addie, >> you first. Mr. Addie, >> you got your
063hand up first. >> Thank you. [clears throat] So, uh, being the new person on the board, I just have a general question. Um, Dr. Diaz Santiago, I see, has interim written in front of her position. What's the, uh, plan or >> is that in the works? I'm just wondering, I've I've seen that in front of her title for many months now, and uh, I don't know if >> what the plan is, if that is part of your budget. [clears throat] >> Yeah, it is. You'll see it. Um, so advanced notice on your budget because you didn't see it. you didn't get your books till tonight, but uh last year the board had asked me in preparing the budget to consider creating two positions. So, you'll see in the um cover letter um that there's a
064recommendation to eliminate the position of assistant superintendent for personnel and uh student services and create two positions. One is a director of uh personnel and performance management kind of like an HR position but also that would be able to work directly with principles, help out with staff evaluations, and be involved with uh some of the equity diversity type work that's going on with the voice committee and so forth. The second position uh would be a secondary special ed supervisor. We have secondary, we don't have that position right now. We have uh administrative support in the area of special education at the three elementary schools. This would be a shared position between the high school and the middle school. uh almost like an assistant principal but but focused exclusively on assisting uh with special ed issues
065which is a big workload. We've we've essentially doubled the number of special education students in the district over the last 12 to 14 years but the overall en enrollment has stayed about the same. We've gone from about 230 kids to well over 400 450. So you can read about it in the letter. We'll be discussing it in depth but that's just kind of an overview. >> Thank you. U also From a contractual standpoint, Dr. Diaz um is still entitled to her position at Moer School if she chooses to go back as principal. Mr. Cassello right now is the interim principal. He is contractually entitled to his assistant principal position at that school. And we have a teacher serving on an interim capacity right now. Um and she would go back to a teaching position depending
066on how things shake out. So, no one I I don't plan on anyone being out of a job, but we have to see how um the posting process goes, how the budget process goes, and where the hiring might go if the positions are approved as I've laid them out. >> Thank you. Welcome, >> Mr. Costco. >> Yeah. Uh I just want to give a shout out um to uh some players on our Rockill High School girls basketball team. And if you're paying attention in any way, you might have seen it in the news and the newspaper, um, a couple newspapers. But on December 29th, uh, Katie Harding and Kelsey Lame, both seniors on the Rock Hill High School girls team, both hit 1,000 career points, which is quite an accomplishment. And it turns out they
067both hit it in the same game in the fourth quarter within like a few minutes of each other. Uh, they were kind of like racing to get to a thousand and it was very close, but they played, it was a win against Coventry. uh they won the game and uh they were undefeated at that point. They did lose this past week and are currently at seven and one with a very high rating in the state and have big plans and uh high aspirations for this year to to go on to the state tournament. Uh they're playing tonight actually at Eio Smith. >> Eight and one now. 8-1. Okay, there you go. Eight and one. Why is that tonight's win or >> tonight's win? I expected it to be a win. I wasn't I didn't want
068to present, you know, presume, but there you go. Latest and greatest. eight and one. Um but anyway, just a big shout out to Katie Harding, uh Kelsey LaMay, the four year starters and been been playing uh extremely well along with the rest of the team. The team's doing really well this year. So, um that's all. Thank you. >> Very good. Anyone else? No. Okay. So, I'll take a motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. Thank you, Miss Manella. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Clemens. All in favor? >> Any opposed? All right, we're going to close out tonight. Thank you so much. I think that should be Bryant.