001Association register. a whistle. [Music] Good evening. Welcome to the summer's board of education meeting on April 28th. I'm going to call the meeting to order at 7:02 and please rise for a 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. So, tonight is our regular board of education meeting, but tonight is also a very special board of education meeting for some special recognition. And I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Galloway. Thank you. Good evening. Good evening. I'm so excited. Um I'll say my commentary for um my report uh and I'm just thankful very quickly for your effort e efforts, your resilience, and your teamwork, your cohesiveness that you
002can feel walking through your hallway. So, I'd like to uh turn over the microphone to the Connecticut Association of Schools Assistant Executive Director who is here to award you the school of the year award. So, Miss Tiffany Caret, would you mind coming forward? Uh so good evening. It's great to be back. Um it's with immense pleasure that I stand before you tonight to present the 2425 Connecticut Association of Schools Elementary School of the Year award, the Summers Elementary School. This prestigious recognition celebrates an elementary school that truly embodies a commitment to holistic education and a vibrant, nurturing community. I want to explain the selection process because it's rigorous. The selection process for this award involves a thorough application review and an insightful site visit. And I will say in the last three years, we continued
003to see an uptick in applications. And again, it was a really competitive year. So, congratulations. Um, even getting to the point of being a finalist is amazing. Getting recognition for the actual award is fantastic. Uh there are so many amazing schools in the state. This year the visiting committee was deeply impressed by the uh palpable sense of community at Summers Elementary School. When we do a site visit after we selected two finalists, we go and do a site visit and we meet with board of ed members, central office, um administration, staff, certified and non-certified teachers, I mean uh parents, students. We meet with every um stakeholder that we think will give us a good picture of what really happens daytoday within the school. The motto we're a family and we're a tree isn't just words.
004It's a feeling you experience and we experience as a visiting committee the moment we walk through the doors. What truly stood out at Summers Elementary School was the unwavering focus on the social emotional well-being of each and every student. You have seamlessly woven empathy, responsibility, and problem solving into the daily learning for students, creating a supportive environment where every child feels valued. We also witnessed the wonderful way that the staff integrates the arts throughout academics, celebrating creativity of students. I see a lot of schools who say we bring the curriculum to life and they don't really bring the curriculum to life. We saw the curriculum really brought to life in many places. Um, and it was obvious this was not just a show for us. The school embraces hands-on experiential learning in a remarkable way.
005From the inventive projects in STEM classes to transforming classrooms to bring history to life, the staff makes learning tangible and engaging. This commitment to active participation truly captures students imagination and fosters a deeper understanding. Your dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion was also very evident. The presence of a dedicated adaptive PE program was one example, one of many, of how the school ensures that students feel supported and included. At Summers Elementary School, every voice matters and the richness of diversity is celebrated. The selection process also highlighted the incredible resilience and strong community spirit at Summers. Their ability to come together and support one another during a time of unimaginable loss last year speaks volumes about the strength of their bond. And if anybody has ever gone through the loss that you've gone through, I hope
006they haven't um in other districts, but I can tell you it we knew the moment we walked in and started talking to you about that um just what a not just a tragedy, but how close it brought everybody. So, it's with great honor that I present the 2024 25 CAS Elementary School of the Year award to Summer's elementary school. Congratulations to the students, the dedic uh the dedicated staff, the entire summers community, board of education. Thank you for supporting such an amazing place. like a little [Applause] more. I just have a few things I want to say. Thank you. Thank you. [Music] Thank you, Tiffany. Um, good evening everyone. It is an incredible honor to stand here before you as principal of Suns Elementary School Newing 2025 past school of the year. This award is
007a true reflection of the heart and soul of SCES. A place where our motto, as Tiffany said, we're a family and we're a tree is not just spoken, but live every single day. Throughout the selection process, from the application to the site visit, the cast committee witnessed, as Tiffany said, the community that we are so proud to be in. A school where social emotional learning is woven into absolutely everything we do. where creativity is celebrated in both our classrooms, hallways, and where hands-on engaging learning is at the center of what we do each and every day. As I reflected on how to capture all of what makes SCS such a special place, I could be standing here for many, many, many, many hours talking about it, my mind took me back to a message from
008our 2025 Summers public schools teacher of the year, our SCES's own Arlene Rouse. [Music] I keep on going back to your message, Arlene. You have to find your people. SCS, we have found our people. We are our people. From our colleagues to our students to our parents, to our families, we are each other's people. Each and every day, the bright days, the dark days, the tough days, the hurays. All of those moments we celebrate together because we are each other's people. Our staff dedication, perseverance, and belief in the power of strong relationships because you know that relationships matter to me most are what makes SCES truly exceptional. Exceptional relationships are the foundation of absolutely everything we do. The connections between staff and students, with families, with one another. These relationships are what allow our students
009to take the risk to ask the question and what makes our school a place where every child can find their place, their voice, and our purpose. Thank you, Cass, for this recognition on behalf of SCES. It is a true testament to what makes the district of Summers and Summers Elementary School a special place to grow and learn. Special thanks to everyone including my home family who also, yes, we all have our own family. There they are each and every special Sunday. I know that I make a cup of coffee and I give everything I have to everyone that gives everything to me. Um, and I appreciate you both for that. Um, who you allow me to ensure that the school keeps moving and that for me is holds a special place in my heart. But
010I want to say thank you to all of you and Dr. Galla and the leadership team and the board of education because we are the Cath school of the year. Let's give her Can we do it all the way I have to get down. We can sit with our legs. I'm sorry, guys. I think we should go a little I guess I don't like a [Applause] Carolina. Yeah. in the middle. Oh, all right. Tighten it up. Where are you? Smiling. What do you look at? Good. CJ CJ paparazzi. All right. Thank you guys. [Applause] All right. Got it. Yeah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Okay, I think We can go ahead and continue with our meeting. Is this being picked up on the mic? Yes. Uh so we'll need a motion to approve
011our minutes of March 24th from Kim and a second JT. Corrections or additions? All those in favor? And all those opposed? One abstension. Yes. one of potential. We need a second motion here for the special meeting on April 21st. That was our virtual meeting from Kim. Okay. And a second from Jim. All right. Any corrections on those minutes? All those in favor? And that's also unanimous. Dr. Galloway, we'll turn it back to you. Thank you. It's not turned it off. No worries. Thank you and good evening. I have a a brief update uh tonight. I'd like to talk about the public meeting that I where I presented the budget to the town. I have an HVAC update, an SEF update, and lastly, an SES update. So, first, on Tuesday evening, April 22nd, I presented the
012board's budget at the town meeting. I want to publicly thank the teachers, staff, board members, and community members who attended the meeting. I'd like to provide some clarification around the budget and where we are right now. I'd like the public to know that our budget in dollars is 30,476,322 which is a 5.68% increase. It's important for folks here and also watching online to know that the board of ed supported this budget. We then move forward to the board of finance. The board of finance approved this budget and that speaks to just collaboration uh and communication. I'd like to also thank the teachers who showed up to the budget meeting and became part of the process. A public display of teamwork. And selfishly, I I feel like even though I've only been here for 2 years,
013that you showing up is a demonstration of engagement and teamwork as a district and organization. So, thank you for that. So, here's the thing. If the town supports the budget on May 20, all positions are secure. And what we ask for to move forward to continue on this path of excellence stays in place. So, please support the budget on May 20th. Moving on to the HVAC update. And I know there's been a lot of unfortunate back and forth regarding the SCES HVAC situation. I was advised by the board of selecting that the build the existing building committee has been dissolved. They meet on May 1st and I do believe that they will reconstitute the building committee at that meeting. I don't know for sure, but I'm I'm hopeful that that will happen and I'm hopeful
014that a lot of the good work that the existing building committee has engaged in can carry forward. However, uh we are at a pause and I know that causes some angst for some parents. Uh and I did send out a communication last month and apologies if it seems vague, but I did put at the very latest that June 1st would be an announcement of we can't relocate students. I'm I'm really holding out to see what the actions are, what the the new budget committee looks like. Um, you know, there's a big process. Will we still use the same companies? Do we have to go back out to bid? Once I get an understanding of that, I will immediately communicate that out to the community. I know people are waiting. So, I'm not being vague on
015purpose. I'm trying to be hopeful, but wait to see what that next action looks like. I would also like to publicly thank the Summers Education Foundation. I've said it several times. I've never worked in a school district where a community organization supports the school system the way that they do. It is an amazing amazing foundation. They do great work. So, I did have the opportunity on sat Saturday evening to go to Springfest. had some really great conversations and I just want to once again publicly thank the foundation for the good work and support. And lastly, SES, you know, I don't want to be overly dramatic, but I am, and I don't use this word often, but I am overjoyed. I'm overjoyed that you guys garnered that award because some of you may not understand about
016two years or so ago when I first got here I was going through walking tours with all the principles. I went through principal Martell, thank you for coming and supporting. I walked through MBA. I walked through SCES and you know on my drive home I said I I think that there there's something special there and I've said it before. We have the talent, motivation, and care to be an elite school district. So based on that, I strongly encouraged the principles to submit their applications. I wasn't sure where we would land, but I really felt like this school district would be competitive. I felt like MBA would be competitive and I felt like SCS would be competitive. As things would have it, NBA won last year and congratulations for that. Here's the story about SCES and
017we all were here last year. We know what kind of year that was and they didn't win and that was disappointing quite frankly because these are conversations that I had with principal that people don't know about. you know, you think you you put everything into it because to Tiffany's point, it is not just a gimy. It is a very challenging application and when they you have to walk the walk when they come to your school building. So, we didn't win and we I was disappointed. I think you you were too. So, the year came around again to next year to this year and it was in my head I was like, they got to apply again. And I and I was dropping hints to her before we left for summer like you know we could
018do it you the application was strong we were almost there but the school year started and I did not push her and she came to me first and said we're going to resubmit that application and I was so happy that you took that initiative and look at what it's done you know even Though I wasn't sure two years ago whether we would be competitive, this is what I knew. By engaging in that process of self-study, you get to bring your teachers together. You get to bring your parents together. You get to bring your students together to really find out where your school is, how close are they, how strong are they? And amazing, there are 169 towns in this state and we have two title holders. So, I'm so proud of you, SCES. I can't
019say enough about your resilience. Um, what an example that is, a community example that rallied around our school district. So, congratulations. Please celebrate this as long as possible. I know there'll be problems tomorrow but you know in the back of your head in the back of your head I don't want you to forget that as far as a career is concerned this is a noteworthy achievement so thank you for your hard work and showing up. Thank you. [Applause] So, we have some student representatives. Hello. Um, congratulations. Um, my name is Emma. I'm a senior. I'm Caroline passed away and I'm a sophomore. So, Some recent events with the high school is we had the beta club induction ceremony on the 23rd of April. Um honors and high we had 50 students that achieved high honors
020and 141 students that achieved honoral. Yep. And we also right before spring break we had our spirit week and pep rally where all of our students kind of you know participated and we had a lot of fun. Along with that was a cash stall fundraiser where it was um an hour through the day or so where you the students would pay the teachers in the class to kind of stall the class. Um so the teacher teaches Mr. Safer came into classes and started playing his guitar. Um he's he's pretty good by the way. Um then also we had the music department field trip to New York. um saw Hamilton and it was amazing. And then on Earth Day, Mr. Mezer's honor honors Spanish classes gave back to the MBA campus and clean up a little
021bit. And the these are just some pictures throughout the past couple of weeks highlighting all of the good stuff going on. So, some more recent events, we had the USC speaker bar challenge where students and staff have been getting buckets of ice water. Uh, we had our AP US history annual field trip to Washington DC. Our film studies class went to Buckland Hills to see a Lego movie. Our research and design class competed at my rock last Friday and they did very well. And we also had our career in trade fair. And then here is some more pictures of the career and trade fair. Went really well. It was very educational and it was well put together. And those are some pictures from Washington. Yeah. All right. Now, some upcoming events. Uh the summer's art
022show has opened just today. Um so encourage to go check that out because there's some really good art. Um the SHs paint night is on May 1st. Um this will help fund the trip to Austin that the honors and art students are going on. Um decision day for our seniors is coming up on May 1st. Um the celebration of the arts or kota is on the 13th of May. Um celebrating chorus, band, our arts programs and all of that. And then the schoolwide biob blitz is on the 22nd of May which is going to combine all of the schools going what's on our campus. So that should be uh lastly for sports all our spring sports have started and they're also going to do very well. Thank you. And if you have any questions we'd
023love to answer them. [Applause] Thank you. Okay, next item on the agenda is opportunity to add or delete any agenda items. Seeing none, we'll move ahead to the consent agenda and we'll take a motion to approve that. Shane and a second from Derek. All right. Any questions, comments on the consent agenda? All right. Not all those in [Music] favor? It's unanimous. Okay. Old business? None. New business. We just have the first posting of 5118.2, 2, the waiver of tuition for non-resident students. If you have any questions on that, you can talk to anyone on the policy committee. And we'll move into committee reports. Uh Jan, curriculum, we just had a meeting tonight. We were discussing the new math program and our next meeting is May 12th. It's from 6 to 7. Okay. policy committee. We
024met and we have the one policy that we're posting and our next meeting will be on our the end of May uh prior to the board of ed meeting planning and finance. Uh we met last Monday on the budget transfers that were then approved in the special meeting. Uh we have no meeting scheduled right now. Okay. S and negotiations um Carl is not present. Building committee mic. Is there still building committee? Um, when I get more info, I will I'll pass it along. Okay. Uh, Shane, anything you want to report from SCF? Well, they did have a successful springfest on Saturday. I don't have the numbers just yet. I don't know if anyone else on the board does, but I haven't gotten that email yet. But I do trust that that was a successful event
025and I should have a more detailed update in the next meeting after I connect with Dr. Salva. But obviously that's their largest fundraiser event of the year and uh they put a lot of effort into it. Got a lot of very creative with some of the ideas and looking forward to uh planning for the next one next year. Okay. All right. K correct. There's no report there. All right. Audience to citizens, staff, students. Anyone has comments or questions? Hi. Um, regarding Dr. Gway's update about the HVAC, um, I'm just curious, you may have to shout a little bit. Oh, sorry. I'm just curious regarding the HVAC program if there's some any kind of deadline by which it's, you know, use it or lose it in terms of the state grant money. Thank you. That's a
026great question. We did apply for the extension to expend funds and the extension was approved. So, believe it's December 2026. So, we have a little bit of time. Sorry, just a followup. You have to start the project by December 26th. Complete it. Yes. By the 20 December 2026. Yeah, we could apply for another extension. That was just my first request cuz we wouldn't have finished January, would we? We would have been right at the end. Okay. Yeah, but we knew that we were going to have to ask for an extension regardless. Okay. Yeah. Right. So, it has to be shoveled in the ground by that date. Has to be done. Oh, so here's my between the lines you'll because the the timelines are frankly so tight. Yeah. that I don't know how schools could actually
027turn that work around that fast. So, I think we got our response fairly quickly when we requested the extension. Yeah, it was about a week. Yeah. Other comments from anyone in the audience? Okay. Before we adjourn, um I don't want to miss the opportunity to say on behalf of the entire board of education how proud we are of the summers elementary school and the award that you have received and thank you for all your efforts and teamwork and the feeling that anybody gets when they walk into that elementary school is unbelievable. You can't you can't miss it. It's there every day. Whether it's Monday or Friday, it's there all the time. So, we just want to make sure that we didn't forget to acknowledge that. Thank you. So, with that, we'll take a motion to
028adjourn and a second. Shane. All right. All those in favor? All right. And we'll adjourn 7:34. Thank you for coming.