001back in from executive session at 2014 hours. I'm going to go back to the regularly scheduled agenda, hit the items at the end of from the executive session. Uh reports of standing committees, T&L. >> Teaching and learning did not meet in May. We are meeting second year re- uh review all year. As compared to mid-year and beginning of the year. >> Understood. Finance Committee met. Um You're going to handle that, Carol? >> Sure. >> Thank you. >> The Finance Committee met at um 6:00 p.m. on March 27th. I will give you the highlights. Um mainly the deficits in our accounts. Um health care, we have I'm sorry. The uh this report reflects to March 31st, 2026. Um health care has spent 96% of its allocated budget with 4% remaining and April, May, and June to
002go. Uh the overall total tuition is showing a year-to-date deficit of $618,896. Excess cost grant funding was allocated to um tuition, sped public transportation, and sped private transportation in the amount of 1.6 million. And the special education public transportation is showing a deficit of $502,120. Um year-to-date total expenditures uh $62,832,694. Um and our next meeting will be um in June. >> Very good. Any questions for the Finance Committee? I I have one question. You gave an interesting number. Um Jackie's not here. Um but health care is at Expel 96%? >> We have 4% remaining in the allocated budget. Yes, that's correct. >> Do you have was a number presented, an exact number? >> Um the um account reflects a year-to-date expenditure of 7.8 million, which reflects 96%. I believe the budgeted amount was about $8
003million. >> 8.1 million >> And what's the current amount? Sorry. >> 7.6 >> Um 7.8 million we have spent to date. Well, to March 31st, this report reflects to March 31st. So, we have 2 and 1/2 months to go. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> That's what I need. Any other questions for Finance Committee? Policy Committee >> So, in the consent agenda, we uh approved the revisions to the transportation policy, and we have a big meeting on the 2nd of June just regarding uh different policies or bylaws of the board. >> Questions for Policy Chair? B&G uh >> uh base uh both building and grounds did not meet or meet. >> Sure. >> um >> CES >> The CES Cooperative Educational Representative Council met on Thursday, May 7th. The biggest um information coming out
004of that meeting, Dr. Chip DuMay informed the Rep Council of his intention to leave CES after 8 years and shift direction as he has passed the bar and is moving into educational law. He informed staff and districts a week later. He is willing to stay on board for several months to allow the rep council to find a replacement. This, in addition to the retirement of finance director Peggy Sullivan, announced last month that there will be a lot of changes in the fall. In addition to that, I met with executive board this afternoon. We're having um a meeting of the full rep council next Thursday to discuss the replacement, um eliminating our regular monthly reports, and we also found out that the director of special education is retiring, Mike McGrath. So >> Mike McGrath >> Yes.
005Yes. Such a good guy. Okay, and then the risk critical issues work group brought together representatives from nearly every state educational group to develop a statewide agenda of educational priorities for a legislative agenda. Associate director Chris LaBelle completed a mediation course, as well as a seminar on collective bargaining and workplace investigations. He has also retrained in Title IX regulations. Luke Foreshaw, professional development, and his team have achieved certification as partners in the OpenSciEd professional learning that can support implementation of resources in K-8 classrooms from a set of free data-proved instructional materials that move science beyond lecture-based learning. Why does my this always go when I'm reading this? Finance director reported that we still await over $2 million in capital grants that have been approved by the state, yet have to go through the bond commission,
006which has postponed meetings several times. The rep council approved a budget for 2026-2027 of $64,394,041, a decrease of 0.8% due to the sale of the workspace property in Bethel that we profited from. Special education tuition increases will be 5% for Oak View schools and RISE, which is the 18 to 20 group, and 6% for Merit Academy. Salary increases account for a 4.19% increase over this year's cost. Several staff will be added due to the expansion in the early learning program, as well as one new consultant consultant. The professional development team has achieved certification as a partner in open Oh, I'll take that twice. Excuse me. Candidates from urban areas for open choice admission to suburban schools are currently being notified. Of 90 students accepted to RCA, 82 accepted and have enrolled, a very high percentage.
007They are reaching out to the waitlist and will start next year at full capacity. The RCA senior trip was to New York City to see Hadestown, after which the students participated in a question and answer session with the cast. CES students participated in a Walk for Wishes in May to raise money for Make-A-Wish. The Regional Center for Early Learning received a random visit from Nyack on April 8th and received notification that they have passed, and enrollment will begin soon for next year. Six to six magnet school has benefited from several STEM-focused school partnerships, including with Trumbull Nature Center, Save the Sound, the Connecticut River Museum, and the Mill River Wetlands Commission. And as I previously mentioned, the Rep Council will meet the first Thursday in June, and we will probably have additional meetings over the
008summer replacing the direct >> Any questions for CES or Gabe? Seeing none, superintendent's report. >> Oh, wait. It's he in >> Patty has C >> Hey, Pat. Go ahead. Oh, I'm sorry, Pat. My bad. >> Okay. Thank you, Patty. Appreciate it. Thank you for speaking up. >> Can I Can I just um >> Go ahead. >> Um I just want to give Patty information that because I missed the CABE training because I was in the residential hearing when the when Mr. Caruso came to um train the new board members, I arranged to have an online um training with Mr. Caruso on April on Tuesday, April 7th, and that was registered in the state's in in CABE's database. So, I have been trained. Thank you. >> Excellent. >> Thank you for pointing that out cuz it's
009important. For your tenure here. Uh I'm not to, uh, as superintendent, sorry, sir. Thank you. So, I don't normally do this, but I did write something up to be read. I just wanted to add something prepared for tonight. Uh, I I want to begin to say that I'm very proud and honored to be the superintendent of the schools. Shelton is my home. With that said, I want to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in the budget process over the past several months. Budget development is never easy, particularly during periods of financial uncertainty and increasing operational demands. Yet, throughout this process, I believe we remain focused on what matters most for our students and the families of Shelton. I have approached my work with professionalism, respect, responsiveness, and a sincere belief in collaboration. I
010continue to believe that all of us, regardless of their perceptive perceptions, uh, ultimately share the same goal in providing the best possible future for our students, the school system, and the city of Shelton. This year, the Board of Ed approached the budget development with an intentional focus on transparency. The goal was to present a complete and accurate picture of the actual costs of operating and supporting a public school system. Every projection shared was supported with data, documentation, and contractual obligations. The Shelton Public Schools have always taken great pride in being fiscally responsible. Each year, the district undergoes an independent audit conducted by the city of our financial systems and reporting practices, and continue to demonstrate accountability, accuracy, and sound management. Throughout this budget process, the Board of Education and the administration worked diligently and respectfully
011to communicate the realist the reality facing our schools. These conversations were never created to cause fear to this of this. Rather, they were about ensuring that decision-makers and the public fully understood the impact of various funding levels on students, staff, programming, operations, and services. As the superintendent, it is both my professional and ethical responsibility to implement all directives from the Board of Education and ensure the district operates within the financial allocations provided by the city. Like every superintendent, I never want to be in a position where reductions to staffing, programming, or the opportunities for students must be considered. At the same time, I remain proud of the work this district has done to innovate, improve services, and seek efficiency whenever possible. In particular, many of our specialized programs developed within our school system have created
012first and foremost to better serve students in their own community and provide the most appropriate educational support possibly possible. An added benefit to these efforts have been significant long-term cost savings for both the district and the city while allowing our students to remain connected to their school, the their peers, and their community. No programs were created to generate revenue as that is not a function of a school system. The funding allocation approved by the city will require the Board of Ed to make significant adjustments as we prepare for the 2026-2027 school year. Those decisions will not be easy, and I recognize the uncertainty and concern many of our staff and community may be feeling right now. However, I want and staff, families, students, and community to know that the Shelton Public School System will continue
013to move forward with purpose, professionalism, and commitment. We will continue to prioritize teaching and learning. We will continue to support students to the very best of our ability within the resources available to us. We will continue to work collaboratively to solve problems, adapt to challenges, and persevere through the strength persevere the strength of the school system. Most importantly, we will we will remain focused on children where where we serve every single day. The Shelton Public School System has overcome challenges before, and we will continue to do it again. Thank you. >> Any questions for the superintendent? Seeing none, I believe the health care questions were answered. Um the were our current statuses. Uh I've no comments from the chair. Um celebration. Actually, we have one uh to discuss would be Lorraine. Is she still here
014and we're >> Yeah, I made it through the darkness. >> For those that don't know, obviously, Lorraine had a little bit of a medical scare and glad that you're here. You're doing well. And how are you feeling? >> I am fine. Thank you. >> Any communications to the board? Uh Roman staffing reports are inside your report. Uh I'd like to go with the next item uh regards to the superintendent, Ms. Rosner. >> I would like to make a motion to extend the superintendent's contract for 1 year and empower the BOE chair to negotiate this contract regarding other items. >> Is there a second? >> Seconded by Ms. Kutash. Original motion made by Ms. Rosner. Any discussion on the matter? Being none, all in favor? >> Aye. >> Any being opposed? Motion carries unanimously. Uh let's
015go to uh the next item would be Ms. Kutash. >> Uh yes, with regards item number 15, the stipend ad hoc committee for the SCA collective bargaining agreement. I would like to make a motion that we table this action based on the fact that we don't know which, if any, stipend positions will exist after we balance our budget next week. >> Second. >> Motion made by Ms. Kutash, seconded by Ms. Rosner. Any discussion on the Actually, it was a motion to table, you said? >> Yes. >> Uh motion to table is no discussion. All those in favor say by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Any being opposed? Motion carries. Okay, let's uh put that on uh a tabled promotion on there, please, for future. Uh let's see. I don't believe we make any action on
016the next one, correct? >> That is correct. >> Information. With that being said, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. >> I'll make the motion to adjourn. >> I'll second it by Ms. Palazzo and Ms. Lee, we got to give you one, so you get to say. >> Go ahead. Go. Second. >> All those in favor say by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Any being opposed? Motion carries unanimously.