001Good evening, everybody. I'd like to welcome everybody to the April 27th Somers Board of Education meeting. It is 7:00. I will now call this meeting to order. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge 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. >> Okay. So, we have two separate meetings to approve. First, we'll need an approval of the minutes for the March 23rd meeting. Um So, we'll take a motion for that. >> Motion. >> Gina. Second. >> Second. >> Derek. All those in favor? That's unanimous. >> Who's unanimous >> Okay. And then, uh we will need a motion to approve the April 2nd special meeting minutes, which was um to approve the
002changes in the budget before we sent it. So, it should Derek first, second. Ann. All right. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. Abstain. >> Okay. We have uh six and then one abstention. Okay. Dr. Galloway with our superintendent update. >> Thank you. So, I have a lot of enthusiasm tonight. Students, good to see you. I promise I will not steal your thunder when I talk about the high school. Uh I have a few updates for this evening to share. I just want to advise the the full board and community that on Tuesday, April 21st, I presented our proposed school budget at the town public hearing. Mike and Gina, thank you for attending the meeting uh to support. Uh the presentation, in my opinion on this, was generally well received in our crowded meeting
003room. However, attendees did express concern over the recent property reevaluation and its effect on property taxes. So, we didn't get a lot of questions. Maybe we got three. Um but, it was a a lengthy meeting, lengthy discussion. Uh shifting gears, uh Somers High School is now recognized like another accolade for you guys. Now recognized among the top 10 in the state for the largest growth and participation in the UConn Early College Experience Program between the years 2014 and 2016. So, congratulations on that. Uh waiting for that official press release to come out from UConn. When it comes out, you can guarantee I will push that out to the board and community. Moving on, on Wednesday, April 22nd, we had two representatives come to our district from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, NEASC.
004Uh mentioned before about the initiative to seek district accreditation. Uh wanted to be an early adopter in this process, and we are. We're among uh eight school districts in the state who are pursuing district-wide accreditation. So, to that end, Kathy Greeter, retired superintendent from Farmington, and Paul Smith, retired superintendent from East Hampton, came here and met with our team to brief us on the district accreditation process. So, I've invited I I believe the team I believe the team was enthusiastic, right, Dr. Right, Dr. Reckmeyer? >> Okay, good. >> Always excited. >> Yeah, I'm glad to hear that. Uh So, uh Paul Smith has agreed to come to our board meeting on May 11th to talk to the board about uh this process. I think that um a lot of superintendents will probably jump on on
005this uh once this gets rolling. You know, it's kind of a external stamp of approval that over time, uh has been solely based at the high school level, but you know, for several years I've been talking about coherence. I've been talking about alignment. Uh and this is just another step forward and it times up nicely with our with the time for strategic planning. So, I'm really looking forward to this process. And lastly, uh our new HR specialist started today. Uh we do miss Miss Lori Karen, who's you know, she's now the director of HR Ellington. So, her time here was well spent. Um However, our new person is Mrs. Jen O'Brien. She's a Somers resident. She's a well-seasoned HR professional from Glastonbury Public Schools and she's just started today. So, that concludes uh my update
006pending any questions. >> Any questions? Dr. Galloway? Thank you, Mr. Wright. A lot of exciting stuff going on here. This is great. Um okay, for my favorite part of the meeting, I think our high school students >> Yeah, Aiden couldn't make it here sadly. Okay, I think this is our last meeting with you guys this year, so Okay, so a lot has happened recently, so let's keep up. First of all, we had the junior planning night, which was where we taught parents about like the financial part of the college application. And then we had our last SAT academy on the um 28th of March. And then SAT day was on the 31st, which was pretty stressful, but we got through it. And then the trade fair was on the 2nd of um of April. Right
007after that, the fourth quarter started, and that's our last one. >> god. And the Spain field trip just happened 2 weeks ago, started on May 2nd to the 11th. Right after that, we had the pep rally to start off spring break, which was from the 13th to the 17th. >> Can you talk a little bit about what senior tradition is during a pep rally? >> You can see that in the next photos. >> Oh, sorry. >> You're stealing their thunder. >> Yeah, I'll I'll keep going, and then we'll look at the photos. >> Um the banquet for music and arts also happened, and um two of our high school seniors, Sophie Ludua and Maverick, um were both awarded for their art. >> And CAS, that's the CAS banquet for music and arts. >> Um and
008then on the 21st of April, the film studies class took their field trip to the movie theater, where they watched the Super Mario the new Super Mario's um movie. And then this past weekend, the French class took a field trip to Quebec, Canada for a couple days. That was really fun. And then the tech department's R&D class had their race car trip um last Friday. And then today, we launched um a new recycling program for it's it's with um one of the juniors' um capstone projects, where we're trying to reduce um food waste and um improve our recycling during lunch. >> Okay, so photos to start off. This is the Spain field trip, which I don't They had a lot of fun. I didn't go, just out of doubt, but I heard there was a
009lot of fun things. Mr. Mascara had a blast. The entire class was just like laughter, fun things. I kind of sad about it, but they had a fun time. I wish I was there, but there are some photos. This is the group that went. They met with a Georgian group there, which I heard they had a blast, too. Every They met some French kids, as well. I don't know how that happened, but somehow some of them knew some French, but they had a lot of fun. This is the Spain trip. Oh, what happened to the Oh, there's nothing there. >> Well, there was a lot there. >> Um I don't know what happened, but you can show you guys more. >> I saw that earlier. I thought that there was something there. >> deleted it.
010>> It said no photos. >> What's missing? >> Lots of photos. >> Wait, their senior trip >> Oh, wait, now that's there. >> Like we had a We thought DC needed a part two, cuz DC was so much fun. So, thank you guys for briefing that trip. That was That's us with like I We think we had like 10 Burger King hats, and we didn't get I think we did that entire trip. It was so much fun. We We created some pose. The entire class had a blast. It was a long trip, but the best thing ever. There was all this fun. Yeah. And yeah, we got to watch the changing of the guard, which was really cool. I highly recommend it, and hopefully you'll approve the trip again next year. >> Um so, this
011is pictures from the trade fair, and that happened earlier this month, and all the students really really enjoyed the trade fair, cuz the college fair is like you get to talk to all the colleges and stuff, but the trade fair you get to be more interactive and hands-on. And you can see all the students getting to try all the tools and stuff. And we also have our famous senior Our famous student >> Listen, my dad is a contractor. I thought I could do way better than I did. >> Yeah. >> I would do this as a principal. >> It's okay. We learn a lot. >> We had fun. >> Yeah. >> It was It was great. That the number So, Nick Kozlowski is one of our CTE teachers and he organizes our trade fair and
012he does a phenomenal job. Absolutely phenomenal. As you move through the trade fair, he has it organized by industry. He The outreach that he had, I think he added another 15 or 20 vendors this year. So, and the kids just walk away getting that greater sense of like these are options that are real for me. >> It was Yeah, there were a lot more people and it was so much fun. >> And then the pep rally, the one that got spoiled. So, the seniors >> Sorry. >> The senior tradition is to wear togas even though the Spartans didn't wear togas. By the way, we just think finally got to do it this year and we had a lot of fun. It's like a final like this is my last pep rally after starting off as
013a freshman where you just had to wear boring stuff. It's like the tradition. We're finally going up and they had a lot of fun. I wasn't here sadly, but as you can tell, the big smiles were dominant. The best. >> The games are always historical to watch and we have um a significant amount of senior cheating that we did get We we we are in >> We're going to put our thumb on this time around. So, I was happy about that. >> So, happy they're graduating now or not? >> They all the beginning of >> They just love to like just push a little. >> Yeah. >> Um but it was fun. And it's funny because we have a number of staff members that graduated from Summers High School and they have been doing the
014toga tradition from from the time that they were >> I have my outfit planned out and like the body glitter >> Oh, so okay. >> Oh, yeah, Spain again. We did this. >> And then this is pictures from the Quebec picture. That was just this weekend. And it wasn't as long as the Spain field trip, but they still got to see a lot of um fun things and yeah, I had just as much fun. >> Yeah. All of them got to test out their languages. I heard the Spain kids really like actually having to order in Spain, but they wanted English back. >> It was nice. >> Okay, and then back to sports. So, this year we're crushing it, by the way. The boys lacrosse won six to one on all their games so far.
015And then the girls lacrosse also doing amazing six to two win. And then the track and field, they just went to their Ellington um wait, invitational. Yeah, this last week? >> Last week. And they did a pretty good job. >> And then baseball and softball doing amazing, too. They have an eight to one record. And for JV's they have five to zero. And then softball um record is six to three. And on this past Saturday, we had a Spartan shutout because um softball, baseball, and both the lacrosse teams won all their games. >> That's excellent. >> Crushing. >> Yeah. If you've ever been to a lacrosse game, >> Yes. >> Okay. And then we have a lot of upcoming events, too. So, today um the district art show had their opening night and it's going
016to be open until May 7th. And you guys should really visit because my ceramics piece is in it. Um and then on on April 30th, the EC chemistry class is taking their field trip to UConn where we get to do um a really fun lab. And that's also a very scary day because SAT scores are being released that day. >> You have your scores? >> I will know them tomorrow. And then on May 1st, and >> is holding their blood drive again and um the sign-ups are now open to the entire district. So, if you want to donate blood, the QR code's right there. >> And you might get something and you can also save lives. >> And then May 4th starts um teacher appreciation appreciation week and we're trying to plan something special for
017the teachers for that. Um NGSS testing is on May 7th and then on May 9th, the juniors are having their fundraising car wash from 12:00 to 2:00. So, if you guys need your cars washed, we'll just we'll be there, yeah. >> Is it going to be here? >> Um it's at the high school. Yeah, yeah. >> You can get really clean. >> Yeah. Um and then the music department is having their Coda concert on May 13th, so. >> So, that is a little bit more than just music. It's going to be the celebration of the arts. So, there are fine arts um displays throughout the building on top of theatrical presentations. There's chorus and choir presentations, band presentations, all sorts of things happen that. It's a fantastic evening. >> And then the band is having
018their fantastic-al fantastic festival competition on May 15th to 16th. All right. How many people are going >> We have a lot more. Yeah. Oh, wait. Yeah, okay. On that note, we have AP testing to the 14th, which is going to go amazing for everyone. Actually, we did a really good job. I heard last year for the AP like class, they That was the most successful, right? >> They did a really nice job last year. >> Yeah, yes. So, we're going to keep up that tradition, don't worry. And then senior awards is on May 27th. So, for any for you, you need to know that. Oh, yeah. Oh, okay. And then prom is on the 28th, which is so exciting cuz I finally have it, guys. And then senior outing is on June 1st. Capstone presentations,
019which you should all come to, is on the 2nd. I'm there and I'm presenting mine and many of the amazing ones. We worked really hard on it, so please come. >> What's your top What's your topic? >> I'm doing how food connects people. That's why food service has been such a big thing. And I actually have this like um cooking night with the kid Well, cooking day with the kids on the 18th of May. So, hopefully if anyone has like those coolers, they'll tell you about it. >> I like it. >> And then senior exams start on the 3rd, because unlike the rest of us, they get to leave early and graduation is on the 10th, which I think I'll be there to help out. And then underclassmen awards start on the 11th with June
02017th as the makeup day for anyone who misses it. You look pretty confused, Dr. Calloway. Okay. Okay. There's no more pages. >> No, that was it. That was it. Okay. >> All right. Um any questions? That was a lot. >> So >> We're busy. We're a busy school. >> That's good. >> That's how we stay this all the I continue to be amazed at how you come in here and present and how comfortable you are. I I couldn't do that when I was your age. I was I'd have been frozen up there. So, you you should feel really good about that um cuz it's not easy to do. >> Future school administrator {slash} board of ed member. >> I think so. I think so. So, the school year is winding down, right? So, I'm going
021to I think I know the answer to this question. But what was your favorite part of the year? >> Ooh. Okay, um the DC trip or Halloween when I just went around trick-or-treating. That was fun. >> That's not academic. >> That's not >> How about the academic side of it? Does the DC trip count? >> Um let me think on that. >> I thought you were going to say coming here, but No problem. >> That's just like my entire life. That was the best part. Not even just >> Can I just tell you Can I just tell you so I graduated from Somers High School, too, right? And if I when I think of my memories come senior year if Mr. Briggs asked me the same question, I would say the DC trip. Yes. >>
022Yes. DC trip was >> mind-blowing. >> We got to see things that we saw on things like actually there. Like, oh my god. Like, I remember that from current affairs. >> Yeah, that's actually really cool. >> Then what are you most looking forward to next year? >> All the senior events, to be honest. Like, I'm um You say something intellectual, please. Like I'm trying my best to train them, and they just won't. >> Perfect. >> This is the best part. >> I think it'll be like bittersweet cuz it's our last, but it's also like we've already been through the three years, and we're kind of ready to move on. >> Yeah. >> Enjoy every minute because it's going to go by so quickly, and I just want to thank you, you know, to take time
023out of your busy schedules, both to prepare for this and to come and present. Um it We really appreciate it. So, thank you. >> This is really great for us cuz we don't we don't get to see what goes on the really in the schools, and it's it's I enjoy it. I don't I don't I don't want to speak for everybody, but >> It's so much fun. >> You want to get a good way. >> Yeah. And I'm coming for a half day on the second to help out. >> Oh, for Okay, come give me a sticker on my cap so, please. I need one. >> Well, it's not that easy. You have to be able to answer the questions and >> I will. Don't worry. I know that rubric now. >> I don't, so
024good beat. >> All right, girls. We're going to shut the lights off soon, so Uh thank you. Thank you again. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Good job. >> Okay. Miss Stephanie. >> Hold on, I think they have more to say. >> I had one. >> Yeah, or a little um what can we do for you? >> What? What? What can we What can we do for you? What? >> Um we have two requests again. >> Okay, so this one we're going to start off with thank you guys so much for helping out with food service. We heard that it's going to be a class and we're very grateful. Everyone's really excited and thank you so much for like actually taking the time to listen to us and like actually like you know, it
025feels like you actually care about the school and changing it for the better. >> Good. That's That's good. >> We definitely care. >> Yeah, I'm glad. >> Okay. And now some improvement time. >> Yeah. >> Um so a lot of of the high schoolers especially um feel as though that advisories aren't used as time wisely as they could be because um every other Wednesday I think we have advisories. Um we use them as time to do school links and if you don't know what that is, it's a website where we get to build our resume for college which very important, but it's been really repetitive and a lot of the students are losing interest and advisory is like a 30-minute block where we could be doing more um efficient things and we were thinking that
026we can use that time Yeah, shout out shout out to Aiden who's not here. But um we we were thinking that we can use this time to do more like school bonding and form a more tight-knit community and like build school spirit because I feel like throughout throughout the past few years that's been declining. >> We have like the talking tables that you have every month and a lot of the concerns like people don't really know each other in a way and it feels like it's like causing a big divider. And I feel like if a lot of the people just like had an actual conversation with the people in the class you would realize how similar you are. It's just way more fun that way. So, hopefully you can talk the middle school and
027the high school into using that advisory. I mean, not even like every month, but every quarter or something. Something just to get to know your class and a little project would be nice just to >> Do you have a proposal? >> Cali project night, we're thinking making dogs like blankets for dogs. It's just tie fleece blankets. It's a lot about communication and planning. It takes about like two advisories or just one you can get it done. And you could just learn some team building stuff. We had this like learning how to stack cups, but you had like little tongs or something you had to figure it out yourself. Lots of communication cuz we definitely need that. I Yeah. >> All right. Seems reasonable. >> Yeah, I think if we start young in the middle school
028it's a good way to like keep it going and have them that like kind of connection. >> And how nice would it be to do that then you come back in 10 years and that's what they're doing and you can say that's your little >> Legacy. >> summer school. >> I'd be very happy and very grateful that like the kids can finally connect and cuz we could live in a very small town and that's the best part just getting to know everyone. And our second thing is a >> What? Hold on. >> Okay, we can't have two this time? >> All right, cuz it's the last Okay. >> Yeah, this is the last time. You might see us next year again, so be ready. But, we'll be really thinking We just want to say thank
029you guys for like the support we received this entire year. The whole group feels the same exact way. We're very grateful to have you guys as our board members. And we want to keep having your support. >> Thank you. >> Mhm. >> Thank you. You all set? >> Yeah. >> All right. Then Stephanie topped that with our MONTHLY BUDGET. >> WORKS, MAN. CAN YOU PLEASE STAND? >> NOPE. All right. So, this report is from March. So, I know that we're already a month out really kind of from the date of this report, but um I'll have even more updates next week. However, I do want to uh make sure that the board is aware the last meeting I believe we have like a $91,000 balance. That number has greatly increased to 225. That is due
030to the Board of Selectmen approving those payments uh in the amount of $191,973.46 at their April 16th meeting. Um there is a remaining balance uh on the town side of just over $54,000. I did submit in more invoices last week in the amount of $52,583. Um I believe that their next regular meeting is May 7th. So, uh hopefully they'll those will just get approved um for payment and those will go out. Um we do anticipate another deposit in May from the excess cost grant. I'm not sure exactly how much that will be being this hopefully in the 60-ish um range. And then um I'll just continue to send bills to exhaust that money um mid-May, end of June. Um so, as long as all goes well you'll have an update regarding that as well. Um
031at the Board of Finance meeting on April 7th, the district did agree to use the money that we were going to see in excess um in our operating budget to help pay down some of the capital improvement projects that we had proposed to be paid for by the town. Um the two biggest projects are the phase two of the Somers High School library project, which will include painting, carpeting, and new furniture. And then the gym divider over at the middle school um replacing the divider with a curtain. Um so, we did agree to pay for those two um, projects out of our operating budget and then any additional projects that Dr. Galloway and I are reviewing currently that need to be done that have been unbudgeted. Um, we'll put those forward to be paid and
032and have those projects go forward. Um, some of those projects include a climate survey software. Um, it's more robust than what we are doing right now. Um, so that is on the agenda to be scheduled to do. Um, we have never had a kitchen audit of our equipment in the kitchen so we're going to have that done so that we can develop a preven- a preventative maintenance schedule. Um, for that equipment. Some of that equipment is getting up in age um, just due to the nature of the age of the buildings. Um, so it will be necessary for us to understand where our equipment is on the timeline of its life. Um, and then we did order um, we are implementing a new work order system through the maintenance department. Um, that is a little
033bit more maintenance friendly than the old system. Um, so we are starting that and there'll be additional training this week on that for our maintenance people. >> What's the new program? >> Um, they are using Operations Hero. >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. Oh, and locker repairs at the middle school. Another big one that has just kind of gone by the wayside so we'll have that project done, too. >> Just what was the old system? >> For the maintenance the work order um, we used Arbiter which was yeah, it was um, our school I believe is it's more a um, like our sports department uses it. Our athletics department uses it but there is also a component that's like a work orders, I guess and but it was never built for that and we were just
034kind of try yeah, we were just trying to make it work for us. The Operations Hero will work much better. That's its The is to be a maintenance work order. >> Yeah. So, I have one question if that's okay. You said locker repairs are all students still using lockers in the middle schools? >> I believe they have the option at the middle school to use Yeah, I I believe that they have the option to use lockers if they want to. Um there's repairs and some replacements that probably need to happen um once the company gets in to really kind of do an evaluation of the um the repair situation, we'll have better idea. Um it's about $10,000 project. >> I just have one question about the April >> About the what? >> The checklist thing.
035>> Oh, we're not there yet, Mike. >> Oh, okay. All right. >> I'll sit I'll sit here well until you do the consent agenda and then you can ask me the question. >> All right. >> Any questions about the March budget? Okay. >> Okay, opportunity to add or delete agenda items. Opening? Okay. So, we'll move on to the consent agenda. Um I did have one question. >> Sure. >> On the uh >> Which one? The 13th or the 27th? >> You want a motion first? >> Oh yeah, you might need to do a motion first to >> So, we'll need a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> I second. >> Second. >> Shane, any discussion? >> Yes. It's your turn, Mike. >> It was just one question. >> have a question?
036>> Um I Oh, uh e-land e-love financial, is that credit cards? >> Yeah, that we have a Webster bank card, just a district card. So, there are some companies that don't take purchase orders, so there's a credit card that's housed in the business office that we'll use um occasionally. >> Okay. I didn't know if it was like a processing thing for the lunch stuff or >> No. Nope. It's just a Webster Bank credit credit card account. >> Okay. That was it. Anybody else? Okay. All those in favor to approve the consent agenda. Opposed? Nobody. That is unanimous. Okay. Old business. We have the second posting of the modifications to the Algebra 1 course at the the high school. Um It's been a little while since we talked about it. Ed talked about it last time.
037I don't know if you want to take 2 seconds to just refresh everybody. >> Yeah. So, essentially they had a We've always had Algebra 1 over 2 years for a certain level. Um they're revising that to 1-year Algebra where essentially they'll do all the essentials of Algebra 1. And so, students who take this now will be able to get to more advanced level mathematics. They'll also get the mathematics they need prior to SAT when they take that their junior year. Uh having doing this over 1 year versus over 2. Essentially, right? Dr. Galloway, would you add anything to that? >> No, it's good. >> Okay. Great. Thank you, Ed. So, we will need to approve that. So, we'll need a motion to approve the um modifications to explorations in Algebra 1 at the high school.
038>> So moved. >> Gina, second. Ed, any other discussion? No? All those in favor? That is unanimous. Okay. New business. Um nothing to vote on, but we do have a quite a few uh first postings for some policies um that are in the packet here, so you have time to go over them. I don't know if Ann, you have anything you'd like to >> No, and if anyone has any questions, just, you know, drop me an email. So, I think, um, our our project for this year is to go through actually all of the board policies that are more than 10 years old. And so, we've started with the Board of Ed section first. And, uh, this is going to take a while, and I'll just do two things at once. What we gave you
039in your your red folder, these are all the policies that we hope to go through at some point during the year. So, they're at least 10 years to 35 years old. Um, and we just want to make sure if there's something needs to be updated, are we doing what the policy says? So, you can review that list and go back. Every one of the policies is on the website. Read over it if you've got questions, just send us an email, and, um, we'll go from there. >> I did a quick scan. It looks like you're just updating them. There's not significant changes from the >> Nothing really significant in this group. >> Yes, that's what I saw. >> Again, it might be significant to you, and so, we'll take all the questions. >> Yeah, thank
040you. >> Hey, thank you, Ann. Committee reports, curriculum. >> All right, thank you, Mr. Briggs. Tonight we met as a curriculum committee, and we, uh, discussed the summer reading list and summer work for our students that will be released, uh, maybe within a month or so for the public to see. Uh, but if you have any questions about that, we, uh, essentially it's pretty much the same as last year. Uh, they'll be using the math uh, list for reading. Uh, we also looked at PSAT data. We looked at ASPIRE data and DIBELS different um uh, performance assessments that are done throughout the year. And so, um the teachers and administrators talked a little bit about the work that's being done throughout the year on this. Uh, great progress. A lot of excitement from both teachers,
041students, administration around the work and learning that's been done this year and preparing for for all of these assessments. So, really exciting meeting that we had with the you know, some anticipated anticipation about how these results are going to look this year. But just the the sheer amount of work that went into preparing for these tests uh, is really positive and indicates that they're likely to be great great improvements. So, nice job, students. >> Great. Great stuff. Okay. Okay, policy. >> So, our next meeting will be May 11th. And we're going to continue with the remaining policies under the Board of Ed section. Um and go on. And I think at the uh There's a list that was on the agenda of everything that we've done so far. So, we're not planning on reviewing every
042one of these with the board. I think they're can do that on their own. >> Okay, planning and finance. Uh, Kim is not here. She's recovering from hip surgery, but um the budget is done. The budget has been presented. Um as Dr. Galloway said, we had a meeting last Tuesday. >> Tuesday, yeah. >> Um where members of the town were able to ask questions and voice their concerns about it. The next meeting for that is May 5th. That is the town meeting at 7:00. Um if anyone's got nothing to do, I encourage you to go over there and see it. It's great. >> Um Mike, just we are probably going to need to do a virtual planning and finance meeting probably in the next week just about transfers. >> Okay. >> I just wasn't able
043to get it in before tonight. >> Okay. Okay, salary negotiations. Um Thursday at 3:00, we have our mediation with the maintenance um union. So, that should be taken care of by the end of this week. And then we have our meeting with the nurses on the 27th of May. And that is at 4:00? >> I have to double check. >> 4:00. I'll I'll check. >> I 4:30. >> 4:30. So, um so we got two contracts we're negotiating now. So, hopefully we'll have those things taken care of before the school year ends. Um okay. Building committee. Okay, that's me again, but I wish it wasn't. Okay, so our friends at CES, everybody remembers. So, we're waiting on them to do a uh they have to get us some some documents, I'm understanding this right, so we
044can do a pre-construction review with the state before we can really start the project. Okay? We haven't got anything from CES yet. So, we're still waiting for that. But, here's the better part. So, in the meantime, uh we're waiting for a legal opinion because this project, because it's taken so long, when we first started, the way the the laws worked was that you you couldn't have more than four bidders. So, we were in compliance. Since then, they have changed the laws to you have to have a minimum of three bidders, which we didn't have. So, the legal opinion we're searching for is are we still in compliance? Because when we were in compliance when we did it, how does that work? So, we're waiting to hear back from that because if we don't do it
045right, there's a risk that we could not be reimbursed for the project. >> That's for the construction management piece, just so >> So, now we're waiting to find out if in the past we were actually compliant. >> No, if they were right now >> they changed the law since we started. >> So, do we have to be compliant with the new law or if we were compliant we're grandfathered into the new >> Correct. >> And the risk is the thought is because we already hired Gilbane as the company, will they be disqualified when we do it again because they were already involved? So, we're waiting to hear back from that. So, in the meantime, we're going to do the the boilers in the basement. Well, it's something, you know, we're going to work on something
046that's HVAC, so >> And that was part of the plan. >> Yeah. >> We didn't just come up with this. >> The boiler project was a three-phase over two years. First, they they now asked us to shift it into cuz it would qualify in the bond that we would be getting for HVAC. So, they've asked me to get a design together for SCS boilers for the whole project. >> And how many boilers is this? >> 24? It's not a small project. >> No, they're They're probably like the size of these chairs. So, they're it's just a rip and replace. Um but, we're going to get an opinion. I have a meeting on Thursday. >> Is there an estimate on the cost of the boilers? >> Uh the first phase was um so, we were doing
047six, then 12, and then six, the last six. Uh it's about $10,000 per boiler that we were estimating. But, that was 2 years ago that we started the phase one and the the design product manager has been difficult to get um been a little difficult to get in touch with on a regular basis, so now I've moved to a different project manager. That's who I'm meeting with on Thursday. And just try and get the whole project done all in one shot. Maybe it'll be cheaper than phasing it. >> I'd like to add one for 39 North Road. Someone's kidding me. >> I'm just kidding. >> Yeah, have an excellent >> I know. Yeah. >> Okay, so our next uh building committee meeting is also the 5th of May. Um So, CIP. >> Uh no report
048for CIP. >> Okay. Rec? >> Yep. So, um I attended the meeting virtually this past Wednesday. Just a couple of highlights, um three to be exact. So, they're starting a new partner pathway. So, Advance and Connecticut State uh Central Connecticut State University are partnering and they're developing a new 18 to 22 transition program. 18 to 22 transition programming is not new. However, this this partnership is new, um which is providing more opportunities for students um to be able to continue with uh having an integrated college experience, getting exposure to campus life, and you don't necessarily have to be college bound. So, it's also for just work experience. And they are um anticipating that for 2027, I believe, and then they're looking at a pilot launch for this summer coming up um for again with individualized
049pathways for kids that whether you're college-bound or not college-bound, but it's for 18 to 22 students who qualify for the transition program. >> Will it include any of the post-secondary trades schools? >> Um you know, that's a good that's a good question. I don't I don't know that I don't know all of the like really fine-tuned details. Um so, I'll going to jump to the third highlight, but I'm I'm hoping to be able to talk to some people because they're having prac 60th um anniversary is coming up. So, they're having their celebration on May 20th, which at 11:30 a.m. and I'm hoping to attend that um and be able to get to see meet people in person and be able to have some more you know, intimate conversations around that. So, um the other thing
050I wanted to really end with that. Cuz the next part they're still review um they're they've reviewed the uh $467 million proposed budget for 2027. And they're continuing to advocate for the ongoing push to restore the $12 million funding shortfall that's going on. So, but again, I'm going to the 60th anniversary celebration, so on 5/20. So, there's a lot going on, but yeah, that's just the highlights for right now. >> All right. Thank you. Uh SEF? SEF, uh it's an exciting week for SEF. The annual fundraiser is this Saturday at Iron Fox Steakhouse, uh May 2nd at 6:00. Tickets are selling fast. I don't even know if they have any left at this point. Last time I attended the board meeting, they had 95 of the 100 tickets already sold, so I think some folks
051have bought tickets that may not be able to attend due to last minute conflicts, so if you did want to attend, uh definitely reach out and figure that out now. Um so, that's exciting. Uh they have a little over 1.3 million in endowment, which is just incredible. I feel like we just announced that they have reached that threshold that their target was a million. And it just is now 1.3, so it's compounding interest for you, Mr. Briggs. I know he loves his compounding interest. And uh that's really working out in our favor. I I did notice that the high school, and we had a really good discussion around that. So, the high school seems to take real great advantage of the SEF, just writing grants, taking advantage of the investment opportunity, and and and building
052certain programs like the robotics program and and so forth. Um we had this really cool idea of actually putting stickers and signs all over all three schools, taking credit for what SEF has actually funded. So, now all the students and faculty and and most importantly like the parents of the community when they're walking through the schools can see all these contributions that have been made by SEF. You know, just trying to create more awareness on what exactly they do outside of a sign at the end of Vision Boulevard talking about grant numbers, right? Like really see uh the uh the physical results, you know, if if if you can, right? And then I joked that the guest speakers should have some type of sticker on their forehead. But in in all seriousness, I I think
053that they have such great momentum with the endowment that, you know, creating more awareness I think with all three schools, we had some really good discussion around how we can do that. I wanted to bring out bring that to to our discussion this this evening because they have 1.3 million, right? They have certain bylaws they can only grant so much, but I think we need to really start educating anyone and everyone around how to write those grants and take advantage of of those investments. It's a unique opportunity, and it's a great problem. So, I think now they're I think they're shifting the focus of, you know, we're we're getting great funding and great support, but we got to figure it out. And then uh I think I think that'll conclude my SEF update for tonight.
054>> Great. >> Thank you. >> You got it. >> So, there might be a couple tickets left, so run, don't walk if you haven't got them yet. >> Is there a secondary market for that? Like StubHub? >> Yeah. >> StubHub. >> It's $50 a ticket for the meal. >> Yes, $50 a ticket. >> $50 a ticket, everybody. >> Okay. Thank you, everybody. On to the advanced calendar. We have a busy, busy month coming up. I know the high school girls have touched on some of this. We have the district-wide art show going on currently. Uh that started today and it goes to the 7th um of May. We have the annual blood drive, which they mentioned on the 1st of May. Uh SEF, the annual event is coming up as as Shane just told us
055about on the 2nd. Um the 13th, we have a PTO meeting coming up at at 5:30. Also on the 13th, we have the celebration of the arts, um the drama awards, a cabaret dinner, and art show. Um that's at the high school. That's at 5:45. Um on the 23rd, we have a Memorial Day celebration. That is also at the high school 10:00. We have the spring capstone session, um which is the 2nd, and that is from 7:30 to 2:00. Um I know they're looking for volunteers to be judges. If you If you haven't done it, it is a fun experience. Um the kids work hard on this stuff and it it shows. Um you know, they're they're enthusiastic about it. They're nervous. They're It's but it's a it's a fun day. So, um it's good
056to watch them do it. So, then on the 10th of June we have a huge day. That is graduation day. Graduation day. So I let's hope the weather's good for that out on the field. And then on the 17th we have the last day of school for everybody. And then that's it for the advanced calendar. One thing I would mention to the board is it's getting to that time of year where we have to start talking about Dr. Galloway's review. So we'll be on the lookout for packets, stuff in your packets, stuff like that. But just put that on your radar. Okay, audience to citizen, staff, and students. Nothing. Okay, so we'll need a motion to adjourn. >> Can we make just one note, just PS on the calendar for May 19th? Is the budget
057referendum. >> Oh yes. >> 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. May 19th. >> Right at the town hall? >> Right in town hall for everybody. >> Yep. That is an important one. Thank you Anne. >> But the town meeting is >> on the fifth. >> Town meeting which >> The fifth and then the referendum >> to move it to referendum. >> Yeah. The referendum's on the 19th. >> Right. We're more educated on that now. >> Okay. So we will need a motion to adjourn. >> I make a motion to adjourn. >> Shane, second. >> Second. >> Derek, all those in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? >> No thanks. >> That is unanimous. Okay. >> Mhm.