001I thought it would be nice to hear from the alumni. Would anyone give me a little thing for announcements tonight? So, we do. I'm just going to um Oops, get the screen loaded up here. We have some kiddos who have done some amazing artwork. Yeah. And that artwork is available at the Tolland Public Library. They did as you know, um they have those nighttime events now which are incredibly successful and the librarian has done an amazing job with those. So, these are some of the pieces of art the kids have shown. I I created Mostly these are high school kiddos who have done these piece. And so, I'm just going to going to list the names of the kids, but uh you can see them uh there and you can see the names on them
002there if you want to. And the pictures only so good for those of you who are online. Uh they're much much more exciting in person, but I just want to congratulate the kids for um for their awesomeness and for contributing to the art in the art program. So, uh featured are Grace Nash, Kajari Belden Herrera, Marissa Donath, Brend Neeman, Andrew Freeman, Kendall Naborsky, Savannah D'Onofrio, Nora Russell, Nicholas Deforge, Mason Gerard, Heaven Bose, Natalie Climber, Adriana Lamp, Josh Howe, Ledaou Doulo Doulo, Aaron Leichner, Luke Carey, Madison Manfre, Viola Michaud, Emily Lowe's, Anna Fargo, Nathaniel Glidden, April Provantique, uh and April Provantique Provantique. So, you can see it's really awesome artwork. The kids are doing an incredible job. Um you can check that out. And I just wanted to make sure we gave them a nod during
003this meeting. Great. Thank you. I recommend all of the things great work. All right. Are there any additions to the agenda? Okay. I will accept a motion for the March 11th, 2026 So moved. Second. Any discussion? Jaden? Aye. Ryan? Aye. Phil? Aye. Dana? Aye. Wayne? Aye. Noel? Aye. Kennedy? Aye. Nine. Approved. Thank you. That brings us to public participation. The members of the Tolland Board of Education welcome members of the public to share their thoughts and ideas at this time. When appropriate to do so, members of the board and the administration may respond to comments during points of information. However, in consideration of those in attendance and in an effort to proceed in a timely manner, follow-up discussion may need to take place outside of the meeting setting. All right. Dr. Reilly, you have the
004uh turn. Thank you, Dr. Reilly. Thank you. What? No one's Okay. Would anyone in the room or anyone online like to speak at this time? Please state your name and address for the Good evening. My name is Leanne Heims. I live at 22 Austin Drive. I'm here to address my concerns because the district is not abiding by policy 5070. Over the past 4 years, my child was harassed by numerous students and several times we requested for formal investigations for harassment. Each time we were denied. We asked for help from school administrators, the Title IX coordinator, the superintendent, and the BOE without success. Even the state of Connecticut Department of Education attempted to intervene. However, the district refused to investigate. Within a few weeks of reaching out to the Connecticut Department of Education and the BOE
005for help and filing a complaint against the Title IX coordinator, the district retaliated against my family and they attempted to remove my child from the district and misuse BOE funds to outplace my child against our wishes. After exhausting all options regarding having our allegations investigated by investigated by the district, I filed a federal complaint with the Office of Civil Rights. That complaint was accepted and Tolland Public Schools have been involved in a federal investigation since April 2024. This has already been done to my family and the impact on my child will be long-lasting. Check your email for additional information. I urge the BOE to launch an independent investigation into the superintendent and his staff as to my allegations. Investigate the amount of money the district spent to cover its improprieties. Audit the last 10 to
00615 years of Title IX complaints. Look at the data since the current Title IX coordinator took over the role. And launch an independent investigation regarding students being outplaced, enrolled in alternative programs, and the reasons for students to be unenrolled in the district. I ask other families to come forward if you have had similar experiences and encourage people in town to urge the BOE to investigate. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Anyone or anyone online like to speak at this time? Okay. Seeing none. Would anyone else in the room like to speak at this time? Yes, I would. Okay. Um my name is Patty Phillips. I'm at 202 Anthony Road. Um I also had a issue with the way a Title IX was handled about 4 years ago for my daughter. Um she was in middle
007school at the time. Um and I even came to the meeting during the time the investigation was happening. And I don't know if any of you were here, but there were some people here that uh expressed how how they felt that um my daughter shouldn't experience what she was going through in school. No No kid should. Um so, you know, I don't you can probably pull up what I said at the time and anything you all might have said. Um my issue was with the way it was handled towards the end with the appeals part part of the investigation. Um I felt that I did have some information um that was omitted from the investigation and it seemed like the determination was made with information that was cherry-picked. Um and I did send emails. I
008sent an email to the investigator. I think it was Jen Merritt. And her response was she could not answer my questions. I had to reach out to um Susan Waterhouse, the Title IX coordinator, which I did. And I never got any response. So, to me, if there are policies in place for a Title IX investigation, I think they need to be um recognized and supported and followed up appropriately. Um my daughter had another experience last year with sexual harassment and bullying. Um she was sent videos by some of her peers at school. Um I felt that Ms. Meriden did a great job helping her through the process and you know, the way she was feeling. I was asked at the time um if I wanted to file a Title IX and I did not because
009that's how horrific the experience was 4 years ago. I didn't want to go through that again. But I was told by Ms. Meriden that um if they felt appropriate that, you know, Tolland Public Schools could file a Title IX on my daughter's behalf. And I sure hope that a video of a boy humping a couch would have prompted somebody to file a Title IX. Thank you. Would anyone online like to speak at this time? Seeing none. Would anyone else in the room like to speak at this time? Seeing none. One more check online. Would anyone like to speak at this time? No. One more check in the room? Yes. Yeah. Hi. I'm Mary Most Debaric. Uh talking to uh speaking uh Ryan Road Tolland High School Booster Club. Uh I just wanted to note that
010we are getting well underway in some senior activities. And one of them is the senior banner program and the lawn signs. Uh um so currently they're online. Folks want to get them. But I actually wanted to recognize we had about 12 um moms um one day for about 3 hours working on cutting, ironing, sewing. And we had 15 moms and three of them are here tonight, too. Bettina and Shane and Rebecca on Sunday working on them. And I just wanted to share cuz it was really a nice group effort and we're excited about our seniors. And some have younger students, so we're excited about that. But I just wanted to share. Thank you. Thank you. Time for online? Anyone in the room? No. Okay, we can close public participation. Moving on to correspondence statement. Um
011>> [clears throat] >> yes, we received um a dozen emails regarding the the grade busted bus situation. And that's something that the district and TI S and Mr. Williams and them working on alternatives. Yes, for resources and then but Okay. All right, Department of District Points of Information. Would any members of the board like to speak at this time? If none Okay. We do not have our student representatives tonight, so we will not have a report. Brings us to committee and liaison reports. Jaden, have you had a policy meeting? Uh we had to cancel this morning's um well, um things come up. So that's okay. We're going to just move it to the next month. Next month's discussion is going to sort of double down. We're we're moving full speed ahead on policy, so um
012we're not going to slow that. So we're got uh two policies on the next agenda. And then uh other than that, um just tonight's policy of the use of the school facilities and the fees and whatnot, fee adjustments. So um that's all that's it. Great, thank you. Brian, communications? Yeah, we had a meeting last week. Um just kind of touched base on a lot of the uh potential legislative Um we had a summary that we'll put together of 35 odd plus uh different uh policies that our senators have put forward for the state of Connecticut. So I'll be updating those uh end of session to see what makes it through doesn't through whatever that might put more. Uh pluses or minuses for the district to monitor to safety to all constituents. So And it's in
013the folder if anybody wanted to look at the whole list. Sounds good. Yeah, that's it. Dana, Board of Ed seat? Um we met last week and we did uh we had our monthly um review of the finances. Um we talked about the ERF and excess funding as well as the ER quarterly credit card audit. We went through but we'll be going through it every quarter to keep up with the new credit card we have. Okay. Thank you. Joel, you just have curriculum, right? >> Yes, we just had a curriculum meeting uh 5:30 this afternoon prior to this meeting. Um myself, Elaine, and Jaden with Dr. Willard discussed the um recent inspection from the from the NEASC or recent to visit from NEASC. I don't want to use the word inspection. I don't know if they
014should use that word. The the recent visit from NEASC um a lot of good uh things came out of it. Of course, that's not the official report. The official report's going to take anywhere from 9 to 12 weeks. Um so once that uh report comes in um we'll bring it here to the board so we can all see it and and assume we distribute it to the public or at least post it so the public can see. So Tom Poland and his team over there at the high school for doing an amazing job really really providing um the folks that came here for the visit, you know, all that they wanted to see. And and you know, it's it's easy to see that the high school is operating in all seven areas and they did
015a great job. So I look forward to the report from Dr. Willard whenever they send it back to us. Great. All right, moving on to the chairperson's report. Um do you have one tonight? If I can see it. Uh we uh we did the we've had some instructional rounds since our last meeting, so I just wanted to talk about those a bit. Um the one we had the other day, we had one at the high school. We had the opportunity to observe ninth grade students that are receiving academic support during Eagle Block, which is now expanded to twice weekly this year. Um increasing intervention at the high school is a critical priority not only to drive student growth, but also to align with our NEASC goals. Currently identified students in academics and academic support receive
016targeted support in English and math. But the entire student body can sign up to utilize this time with specific teachers for extra help, make up assignments, or access to extended time for assignments. We We briefly spoke to Mr. Fields, who discussed how music and band students also utilize this time. We met with our teacher intervention leaders, who is our Mr. Matthews and Mr. Areola alongside Principal Poland and the Humanities Director Cara Hennessey. And we discussed the program mechanics, specifically how they're utilizing the current data to track progress and their road map for expanding the supports to the upper grade levels. Um just you know, strengthening our MTSS has been an important goal for us in the high school. Our students come from the middle school custom to a more robust intervention model. And maintaining that
017momentum through our high school years is important. Proactive support is not just the right thing to do for our students and our families, but it's more fiscally responsible path for the district as well. By addressing academic gaps early, we reduce the need for more intensive costly resources later in a student's career. Finally, we discussed the integration of SEL, social emotional learning within Eagle Block. We recognize that SEL looks different at the high school level as teenagers aren't always eager to dive into their feelings. Um but we did have the opportunity to meet with both academic support students as well as those engaged in SEL activities. And as always, I was incredibly impressed by their candor with us. They briefly shared both their concerns and their successes. And I assured them that their feedback is valuable
018and will directly shape the guidance experience for the students who follow them. So I thank the superintendent and the high school staff for preparing that event for us and for their transparency and their commitment to making Eagle Block a success. And then we also had rounds at Birch Grove where we had the opportunity to observe students in pre-K and kindergarten in their specials or integrated arts as we call them in the upper grades. Uh those are keyboarding {slash} ruler kind of combined now, library, gym, music, and art. We witnessed how Portrait of a Graduate goals and our SEL ruler structure are utilized with our youngest learners. Some of these goals are empathy and kindness, resilience, persistence, and perseverance, integrity, and growth mind integrity and growth mindset. We observed our youngest students in preschool working in
019art on abstract art with strings and glue. One student told me his goal was to make 10 poop doodles. I don't know if that's an official art term, but it's my favorite art term now. Uh we saw kindergarteners in the library um using maker space maker space. They read a story about a plane crashing into a tree and a rabbit and a mouse that needed to reach it. The kids were working in small groups and already showing compromise and collaboration skills as they built ways with blocks for the rabbit and mouse to reach the plane. I had a great time talking to them about how the rabbit and mouse were going to climb their structure and who they thought would get there first. Um in keyboarding ruler, we saw our students read a story about
020the feeling of hurt. And it was really surprising and very rewarding to see the students listening quietly and then answering questions about how it feels to be hurt and what can hurt your feelings and how you can feel better. In music, the students were learning about high and low sounds and then they worked with different materials to make a visual of what they learned. Um they again worked in small groups and they shared ideas and they also made independent structures on their own. Uh we saw them in gym in different stations. They worked on the building project, rock climbing, yoga, and a basketball activity. And they were using ruler throughout their activities. We had a group of second graders meet with us and they individually expressed what their favorite special was and told us why.
021Uh they talked about moments of adversity and and what they overcame, what they did to overcome those moments. We met with Principal Swanson, Vice Principal Guglietta, and Curriculum Director Jen Webster. And we discussed the background as well as vision and strategy of both um Portrait of a Graduate and ruler. We also sat with all of our special teachers to go over what we observed and the positive impacts SEL has had in their programs. Uh it was great to see SEL in action at this young age and get more of an understanding of how emotions can affect learning and helping our students with tools to manage their emotions so they can be as successful as possible in their learning day. So we also thank the Birch Grove staff. Um and I just wanted to mention that
022in both the rounds um a common theme from our staff was discussing the importance of their planning and meeting time with their peers. [clears throat] In TR in THS, our intervention leaders they discussed how gathering information from teachers really helps inform how to address the needs with the students. And obviously this becomes increasingly important as students progress year to year. And their histories can be part of this process. In Birch Grove, they really appreciated any time to come together as a team, which they're now able to do more since we created the Humanities link to our curriculum staff under Cara Hennessey. And all the positives that come from collaboration with their peers on so many levels and how they can share practices and ideas on themes and lessons that are shared in the curriculum. So,
023that's all I have for the chair report, but I do want to mention that we had both write the Anthem of the Opera since our last meeting and we had the Wizards game. Both were so successful. So thankful to all of our staff and our students who put those on and our families who attend these wonderful events. That's it. So, moving on to the superintendent's report, K1 is the NEASC update. Excuse me. So, you did hear from Mr. Lopez that we went over that in the curriculum today. We have actually completed the NEASC process. Um we're very proud as as he had said of the student team, the teacher team there, all the staff related on at the high school, our curriculum staff. Um I'm going to venture to say that you know, it was
024really it was a very rewarding visit. Um they came and they they're a great team. They did a a deep dive for 3 days and as you know, those of you who know about the process, there's a 7-year point, 10-year point. Um and so the the real short version is that um due to the efforts of our staff, um a great community, you know, this this is the NEASC report is is going to be good. So, it's a good report. Um shows that you know, there are things that we grapple with as a community, you know, acknowledge that there are budget situations and that we face it as other districts face it. Um got amazing group of teachers, amazing kids and you know, overall showing progress in all these areas that um that we had
025endeavor to do. So, you know, there's always space to grow and I'm sure that will be a part of it too cuz they they have good suggestions and that's that's really you know, part of the NEASC process is to say, "Hey, you're doing great at this, but keep going on that." And you know, that's more or less what we're going to see. So, um I was able to see um some of the preliminary notes. He did address the high school staff, the chair of the team. I shared that entire address with the with the curriculum team today. Um and you know, very effusive, very kind um and said um really rewarding things. So, I just I anticipate that um once we get this back, um it'll be a rewarding experience for the board and um
026and it was a great experience for the district. And I expect to have some constructive feedback in there, too. So, um overall, I think it was a success to me. I've been here now for, you know, decades and uh I think this is probably one of the most successful ones. You know, that one is a decennial, also it's every 10 years. Um but I I think they just did an amazing job. So, um 6 to 8 weeks from now I'll be able to update you on that, but um you know, but we're through it and we won't have another one until, you know, 10 years from now. So, um so, you guys probably will may or may not be important to that, but uh this is it was really I just can't say enough compliments
027about the high school and their team. They just um they really knocked it out of the park and I think you'll you'll enjoy the process of reviewing it when it finally is submitted to us. Great. Thanks, Brooke. Any questions or comments? Okay. I just want I'm sorry. Sorry, Jen. I just wanted to say to kind of piggyback what Dr. Willett just said, you know, that whole inspection that went on during the high school, Dr. Willett is completely removed from it. That's that's Tom and his team. You know, he doesn't get involved in it unless they absolutely need it or they NEASC wants to talk to him. And the same thing was when we as some of the board members went to talk to NEASC, it was the same situation. So, um it was totally independent
028from from from Dr. Willett and which is nice that, you know, the team is able to do what they have to do without feeling that someone else is over their backs saying, "No, say this. No, say that." You know, so I just wanted to say that. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. I'll move on to K2, the field trip update. So, periodically I'll kind of give the board of it an update on and typically it's overnight field trips because there's a lot of field trips that happen all the time, whether it be Sturbridge or you know, various and whatever. But um I do try to update the board on things that you know, are are more overnight or international trips. So, there are some trips that are coming up that the board may want to
029be aware of with respect to it being international. We have the Spain trip, Madrid and Barcelona, grades 10th through 12th, April 10th through 17th, 2026. There's 11 kiddos going on that. Ms. Canty has done an amazing job. We're in the final stages of, you know, final meetings on that one. Um but just as um you know, putting it forward for the board, that is meant to be happening and then the DECA international competition as they call it. Uh it's an international competition, but it's in the United States. Um so, that that's uh an overnight, though. We have 13 of the kids going to compete. You're aware of the um DECA competitions because they'll often share that information with us and we'll post it in the into the boards, you know about that. Um so, that's
030coming up as well. So, these are the two big ones that are coming up that are overnight trips or international trips. Um there's obviously a field trip update that we'll probably be talking about a little bit tonight, too, but but um this this was more because of things going on, I think there was if we're flying places or going overnight or going international. Um so, these are the ones that are upcoming for that. >> [clears throat] >> Uh where is the DECA trip? Yeah, I'm talking to him. I know they move it around in Florida. I Atlanta, I think. Is it Orlando this year? I think it's Atlanta this Is it Atlanta this year? Yeah. I always get cuz there's a couple key places they always go and I get mixed up. Atlanta, Atlanta, Nashville,
031and Orlando. It's typically the rotation. This year is Atlanta. Are there any concerns with, you know, the government shutdown and the TSA? Would will that impact it any? It really could. It could slow things down. I think right now, um there isn't an anticipation that will happen. Uh you know, Anyone who's been in an airport in the last 2 weeks or 3 weeks probably experienced some of that. But it's not it's not talking they're not discussing delaying it or canceling it or anything like There hasn't been any discussion of that, yet. Right. Have there has there been any additional, you know, security kind of implementation or anything while Well, I think that as airports have, yes. Yeah. I mean, we've heard about that and there's other um measures that the United States has taken and
032that they still have a favorable rating, obviously, for Spain. You know, Nothing different as a district? As a district? Mhm. Nothing different as a district? So, we've had to do as a district with these No, no, no. We're still having meetings at this weekend, you know, current events are fairly new. So, it it could be that something that happens in the next what, 2 weeks could impact what the United States does or you know, its airports and whatever, but right now there isn't anything that has been given to us that suggests any aspect of these trips would change. Will they fly direct from Boston, I assume? Uh I believe so, yeah. Yeah. But they're half of the air line. TSA. Yeah. Any other question? I Um so, Dr. Willett, is there are the kids having
033to do any kind of um training something from like from the State Department with all the instability of the world right now? Is it I mean, I would feel a lot better if the kids had some kind of brief from the State Department or something saying, "Hey, this is what's going on. This is the current security threats in Spain and so on and so forth if we're traveling." So, is that happening? Do we know of We'll look at that cuz we do. But um the tour companies that that do the contracting for this also look at that. And um you know, if there is a major concern, then it would be brought up and you know, it would be discussed and people could make their decisions accordingly, but they haven't changed the level, you know,
034the travel level. For instance, some countries you go on there and it will say, you know, "Don't travel here." That type of thing. And so, we're not faced with anything like that here, but I having having gone on two trips and the reason I asked is sometimes a lot of times with the travel companies, unless you specifically ask for it, they're not going to provide it. So, I I would definitely feel a lot more comfortable if whoever's spearheading this this trip is Canty, that that she ask these questions are like, "Hey, is there something you can provide us even if it's a, you know, a PowerPoint that kids can sit down and watch." Or you know, if she has some, you know, during Eagle Block that she can get all the kids that are going
035on the on the trip to come into her class so they can sit down and watch it. I just You should have a guy who's traveling all over the world in the military. That those are the things that, you know, that stand up in the back of my neck when when you travel cuz kids are not they they don't see that. They're not thinking it. You know, and and a lot of adults are not thinking it either cuz it's to them it's normal business on a plane and going to another country. So, And I'll do that. I'll reach out to them. We do have a meeting, so I'll reach out to them and discuss it. Thank you. You're welcome. Great. Yeah, I was just going to say, if you just go to the State Department,
036click on the country, it tells you what the warnings and all kinds of restrictions and cautions and all the whole list. Like usually every country have their own tag of things that you can review prior to traveling internationally. And we do we do look at that. Yeah. Yeah. I was saying, make it simple by you pull it up in 20 seconds. I appreciate the safety questions and I appreciate it. You're looking into it further. Just a quick acknowledgement when it comes to the DECA trip Um and how rare it is for somebody to run for international DECA president. It is a rarity. One of the biggest regrets from my time on the board. It is an amazing opportunity and it requires a lot of work, but also it requires you to know what you're doing,
037right? And so this this student, I won't say your name because you know, God forbid, but she's an amazing student. She's been in this room speaking to us several million thousand times. Just I mean just brilliant. And so I I I want to make sure she gets acknowledged because even going for that position is their name? I will. We'll see Zion. She's an amazing amazing amazing talent student and she deserves the credit for putting her hat in the ring and running. And and and I I couldn't believe it when I saw I said, oh, she's the perfect candidate for it and I wish her all the best and I I'm sure everybody here does, but it's just such a cool It's a cool thing. It's a it's a talent student running for president of all
038DECA, right? You know, student student president, but president nonetheless for there's there's chapters in Japan. There's chapters in in in Canada. There's chapters I mean all over the place and and we've got student running for out of it's just so cool. So good luck Elsie. Thank you for pointing that out. We usually have the DECA students in here after the competition too. They will definitely be a highlight. Yeah. Okay. All right, thank you. All right, anything else on field trips at this time Dr. Willard? Unless people have questions. I am. I'm interested. No, I just I just wanted to play. Yeah, I just wanted to leave some of the comments for people at home or people who haven't received that I don't know if there was an email that was sent out. I don't know
039if it went to the entire district, just the fifth grade families or whatever, but there was an email about potential looking for feedback about a potential trip to Mystic area or a condensed Boston trip or other ideas to select the um uh input regarding that and then also another tab if you were interested in any sort of monetary donation as we did have a few emails come in regarding that. Um so I just wanted to make sure the record that people are at home wondering about that that there's stuff happening and it looks like hopefully by uh in a week or so we'll have some decisions on what trip we is actually going to be doing. I think that email just went to fifth grade families, right Dr. Willard? TIS. Yeah. Yeah, they were yeah,
040TIS. Okay. Okay. [clears throat] Already. Next. New business. L1 policy 1010. This is the first read, right? Right. So the shortest version of this policy has seen it and reviewed it. They discussed it twice. They actually accepted put it on hold, came back, discussed it again. And really the shortest way I can describe it is that the district reviewed its fee structure and based on in the back of there are energy costs that are rising and that is a consideration in rentals adjusted to have energy surcharges. So you know, in the past there was a fee for usage because it takes you know, opening the building, getting people, doing all these things, but we were never really charged for electrical view or energy usage. So it was brought up that it was brought up that
041that would be a something to consider because you know, we that's something that if it was an event or a community event or a dance club or dance troop whatever you call you know, that's going to be something that this the district would be eating the impact of the energy on unless there was a charge for it. So that's where that came from. The rates were analyzed by looking at the overall rates and overall usage and then making a per cost per hour per section. Like an area had a certain amount of usage and cost and so you know, the figure was put together on a cost per hour ratio of use versus how much it cost to use that space for that specific span of time and that's where you get your surcharges. So
042they're not a ton of money for the groups that are coming in, but they will add up to balance out with districts eating on those and that's a good thing. You'll probably get somewhere between 7 and 10,000 from that if that if if there's a lot of usage in these facilities. It could be as low as two, could be as much as seven and could be as high as 10, but probably won't get a lot more than And Jean, do you want to add anything? I would just comment to the last part of that. The best thing about that is it's above zero. So you know, we talk about a lot of how to you know, we're not a revenue generating entity, right? But how how can we offset some of the expenses that the
043you know, this huge department of the Board of Education is or excuse me, the Board of Education is. So you know, some years it might be two, some years it might be eight. Great, but it's better than zero. So I I am absolutely in full support of some of the updated changes that all the updated changes on two minutes. policy. So That's it. Any questions? All right. Yeah. So So I'm looking at these Mystic for example just for our personal use. So my son participates in the rec basketball. So we used the middle school this year. The weekend rate $60 according to this chart it looks like. Rent town $60 the rec run by the rec. Not to the rec, right? Right? >> don't know. They are considered town. So we don't charge for them.
044Oh, you don't charge for them. Yeah, it's you you the policy people that are like uh dance How about okay, how about they would get charged you know, any outside >> How about the town boys travel which is an outside organization using the >> Travel travel make it they'll get charged cuz they're not a cuz travel can span a bunch of towns and >> Yeah, yeah, it does. Yeah, yeah. So yeah, that that would be a charge cuz But anything considered there but Holland No. That was the whole first one. Just one. So for clarity, so that's $60 according to this. What is the what are they being charged now? What we have now. I have struck out those rates. Those Excuse me? The rates that you're I think you're looking at that page right
045there. That's No, this is uh Let me look at it. Yeah, the strikeouts there. It's just that there's an energy surcharge now. You you know, there's >> So these are No, the rates have changed though. Those have not gone up. Is the right consideration with inflation of changing the rate to say 60 to 70? That could happen. 35 to 42 or Yeah, this policy is reviewed every couple of years. You know, now usually about we're going to do kind of five years. I mean there's a big gap there from the original one, but you know, we're looking at it about every five and there'll be some bargaining unit agreement changes between now and the next couple of years and all that that could push the overall price of doing things higher. This was meant to
046be a modest kind of change for the community that you know, that wasn't coupled with other increases. So it's looked at as just being reasonable because of that and there was many discussions on it. I don't know if Mr. Registered wants to comment going on that. I'm just kind of recapping, but yeah, that will be looked at too. And it's generally looked at as also what are the what other towns doing? Does other towns also have their rates and so you know, you we can compare ourselves to the other towns see if we're charging the same amount for the same kind of space in the same utilization. And those will probably change too, but just not now. Why wouldn't we do it now while we have if this this is open for change or change
047in the policy? >> It would be reviewed again in a few years. You can you can tell me to go back and raise those. I think the the feeling was just think incremental and not everything all at once. Um Jean, do you have an opinion on it? >> Yeah, part of the I think my thought process on this was because you know, there's other for example, pay to play, right? It's going to go up to $400 next year for families, right? As of right now. God knows where it goes after this. We're adding so many other expenses to people's daily daily lives and weekly lives and monthly lives that I think this is a step in the right direction. We could revisit this. We have we could bring this up again next year if we
048really wanted to, but then you know, then we're changing fees on people every year and now do people really want to use our services or what was the town doing So all of it was considered. I think this is just a step in the right direction while also acknowledging some of the other added fees we're throwing on to people with the with the with the with the budget that's coming up. So I guess that's just sort of how I took in and I think the way to do that is to start with those energy surcharges, right? Where it's per hour charge and the fixed rate is not touched just yet, but it always it absolutely always can. So I think they're generally felt like there's support for that right now because the there's clear impacts
049on energies and that that is something that you're eating otherwise. So Is there a way that we can have some sort of a cross comparison you know, even if we want to move forward cross comparison of our high school rate versus Coventry or Ellington or whatever town Vernon or whatever town uh because you know what I mean? That was the way at least have an idea whether our $40 for the middle school library use on a weekend is too low or you know, we don't know if we're in line, right? Is more or less what I'm getting at. We can say, "Oh, we don't want to hit everybody at once." But if we're you know, the cheapest in the town or in the county, so to speak, by you know, 20 bucks an hour, then
050maybe you know, we need to nudge it up a little bit. Okay. So, we need to go back to that. >> Because we're not we're most likely not paying charging these pay-to-play participants cuz they're an in-town school and uh you know, an activity, correct? Right. Yeah, we're not charging our own players by the hour. Not if you're town Yeah. We're only paying for the administrator. Right. I would just go back to, again, those other towns. They're all in different budget circumstances, right? They're all different reasons as to why they've kept their rates the same or why they've increased them or why they They never decrease them. Um so, we're just in a situation, I think, that is different from most of the towns that you're thinking of right now in a financial aspect. Uh and
051what we're adding to taxpayers. So, that don't mean in taxes. I mean in everyday expenses, whether it's sports, whether it's clubs, whether it's, you know, whatever it might be. So, um I agree with the premise of, "Well, let's look around." I just think no matter what we find, and we can look. We We can absolutely look. No matter what we find right now though, all those budget processes are so different from ours that I just don't think they're comparable, if that makes sense. So, I think going with the surcharge method, going with adding this, you know, small increase of, hopefully, two to What did you say? Seven? Was it two to seven grand? You know, hopefully, it's a step in the right direction until we can get more data on Okay, we've got 10 districts
052near us. Those 10 districts, getting information about how their budget is is is is put together and also how that relates to what fees they charge, that's going to take so much time. And so, I I just don't think we're at that point right now. Um but we absolutely can. I'm not I'm not opposed to it. I just think, again, this is a step in the right direction. Yeah, yeah. Can I jump to a line? Yeah, I'll start. Go ahead, Darin. I'll come back. Then, um okay, so I see that the material surcharge has been taken out. We're not charging 970 an hour for paper and disinfectant and some hand soap. All that's Those. Yeah. That was taken out. So, then it or like [clears throat] salt. So, then are we losing money cuz it
053looks like these energy costs aren't going to be near 970 an hour? The That was a concept that um There were two things that were discussed to add as a as uh additional fees. One was like a materials usage and the other was the electric energy, right? And then there was a there was discussion about how to do materials because you know, there's there it the cleaning, the salt, all these things that have to be done sometimes if a group is coming in, you know, these are things that have to be deployed. >> Right. And then there was a couple of discussions about how to quantify that, and I think it was there was a feeling that quantifying that was going to get difficult to to do right now, and that that's something we'd go
054back and do later. Just come up with some quantification for materials because there was a fear that if you charge people for, for instance, things and toilet paper is in there, now people will say, "Oh, bring your own toilet paper. We're not going to pay the fee." or whatever, you know, that it would create very negative consternation. Energy, everybody understands, but paying for materials like that, you know, soap in a bathroom, things like that if, you know, for groups that's that this is occurring, it would it would require tracking, and it might actually dissuade people where they would not pay it. And that was part of the concern, I think, or you know. So, do we currently charge them a material surcharge? Okay. >> We don't. We need to add a surcharge. That was the
055idea. I think that was more like the question of, "Yeah, we Yeah, we don't We need this money currently. Okay. So, they're not charged for material surcharge. We went with the Yeah, it was taken The option was, "Let's do the electric surcharge instead of Okay. It was taken out of the proposal, not taken out of the policy. >> Thank you. Yeah, sorry. Um your ice the ice salt example you gave in the meeting, I think, was the best description. I I couldn't repeat it cuz I don't have the way of the same way with words as you do, but um it made it very clear. Do you remember that example of Yeah, we've got Can you explain like that simplified it for me? Yeah, the example with the ice and the salt and some Well,
056there's no really building prep, and we're not If we weren't using the building on that day, but now you have to throw ice, salt, sodium, labor, all that, it does cost something, and there's a charge for that. The salt, as we all know, we buy it for our homes, and there's a cost to that. So, if you have to use more because a group is coming in, there's a feeling we should apply that charge. But right now it's just not the time for that because the it needs to be further reviewed and quantified. Energy is pretty easy to do a mathematical equation on cuz there is use, and there's cost, and we can divide it, and there it is. But quantifying exactly how much soap someone uses during that time or toilet paper or, you
057know, whatever, that's not easy to find a clear measurement for. So, that was looked at as that'll have to be done sometime later when we can think of maybe a way of explaining that or quantifying it better. Um So, this was just meant to try to make sure you're not losing, you know, losing funds because of groups that are coming in that you're not recouping some of the energy for. An example would be too, you know, um the minute you walk into the gym, that thing activates, and it goes on, and you're you're starting a massive heating unit ventilator on the on the roof by walking into that gym. So, you know, there's considerations for energy that even a group of 10 kids, that gym is activated, that whole thing starts. Um and you know,
058that was something that you'd lose money on if you didn't collect something for it. So, that was really where I think the conversation came from. Um as far as the rates, we do periodically look around at what the other rates are uh for for rooms like, you know, broken out like that, and we did it 5 years ago, compared them all, and changed some. And then we'll do it again. But um one other thing also to think about is the market. You know, like there are certain towns that have certain facilities. You're competitive right now, so you do have people coming here to use it. And you know, we manage it. But um But if you raise them just a certain amount, sometimes you become less competitive with the people around you, and then they
059won't use your facility, and then you won't get the revenue from or whatever from that. So, it's like it's kind of a tricky thing. We may be appealing right now because we are at a certain price point, so more people come to us than they would not otherwise come to us. So, we usually try to be careful with those particular rates for those rooms because you can have the contrary if, you know, um in fact, sometimes if you raise it, and then somebody goes, "Well, if I'm If they're going to ask that, I might as well go to you know, insert town." Well, I completely understand that. So, I just wish for Well, we had something to compare our rates to. And we're going to be having a policy here. How often are our um
060facilities utilized? Very frequently. Very frequently. Yeah, it's a thing to manage, yeah. I guess my opinion on it right now would be, you know, respecting the policy chair's decision. Um and I do agree with um you know, the increases that we have and especially since we don't, you know, we're still in the middle of budget. Mhm. Um so, we're not sure what it's going to be. So, I think that, you know, a responsible increase that doesn't overburden families is understandable. I certainly do understand the inclination to make sure that we're competitive with other towns. So, I'm okay with that, too. Um but in my opinion, you know, unless the grand majority wanted to go to vote on this, I would let you decide whether you wanted you wanted to go forward or you wanted to
061kick it back to policy and just more of a deal. That would be my opinion at this time. Well, I can tell you uh we're we can That'd be three things on the docket for the next meeting. That did, you know, so um I can tell you, again, I feel comfortable. I think we can do both, almost. I think we can get sort of the answers that Brian's looking for, and we can revisit this conversation, but at least I mean, this would be enacted for what? Next school year? Like this would this would kick in July It start July 1st. July 1st, right. So, we can get at least the surcharges kicked in right now, and then we can have that conversation again once we've once the nearby districts are are looked into even more
062so than they were. So, um how I personally feel right now, um I would love to approve it as it is tonight with a caveat of, "Let's not ignore the request that you just made, Brian. Let's take a look, and and we can work on that, Dr. Willard, over time with policy, and we can talk about a timeline what that might look like um to make sure we get some of those answers." cuz I think those are all fair questions. So, how I feel, I'd say let's pass it. All right. I can I can hop on that ship. Uh the only other thing I would say this is outdoor athletic facilities. Mhm. There's a notation here with the price, and it says, "Other than the turf field." Is there a turf field price? The town
063No, the town Uh Okay. There's the rental zone of the turf. Okay, understood. if there are if not >> Thank you. if there isn't a new And it just said No, I'm sure there was. I just didn't see it. It was just thought only the word "turf". Yeah, the turf field. And this time, this is just a first read, So unless anyone wants to make a motion to move this to board action. This is a first read and we can read this again. I'd like a motion to move it to board action. I'll second that motion. All right, we have a motion, we have a second. Do we have any discussion? I just think it's important the question that Brian asked about other athletic facilities. I think it's important. I think we probably need to
064add it to our discussion in another capacity as to discussing with the town. I just want to know the benefits and rewards monetarily for utilizing the high school field. Um, it could probably be also another conversation when we're talking about groundskeeping. And if it things in that capacity, Dr. Roy, uh, would that be a good start in FFC? We can do that. And but I think it's important that we Yeah, I think I think it's a good point. So thank you for bringing that up. Yeah, yeah. Dr. Roy, do you think FFC would be a good place to start with that conversation? It's good. I I think so. Okay. We'll put that on future agendas. And just for the discussion it I know you talked about, you know, finding out what the other towns charge.
065Maybe possibly could we consider having a seasonal charge instead of a material surcharge? So maybe we charge more in the winter with the understanding that we might have to sand versus salt or, you know, have somebody out there to clear the sidewalks. So maybe instead of material surcharge we're maybe our winter fees are slightly higher to accommodate that. More heat, more salt. >> Right, exactly. Everything would go up. So why not have, you know, from December to March, you know, an extra $5 more for the facility or some, you know, It's a good idea. I just think and then it's like less nitpicky than here we're charging you for hand soap or charging you for toilet paper because people will be like, well, exactly. I'll bring my own hand soap or I'll take the hand
066soap with me because I paid for it. Or here's my toilet paper now. They're going to be like, you know, exactly. I paid for it so it is now my roll of toilet paper that's in this bathroom. Right. Right. Mhm. No, it's a good point. And and again when you, you know, if you check into what other towns are doing, maybe there is something comparable there as well. That's a good point. Yeah. Okay. Any other for discussion on the motion into action? No. All right. So let's vote. Jaden? I. Brian? I. Bill? I. Dana? I. Elaine? I. Joelle? I. McKenzie? No, hold on. Yeah, McKenzie, we're unmuting you. I. So we will move that to That will now be Brian. Board action N1. All right. So we have new old business. So that brings us
067to board action N1. >> [laughter] >> Uh, I will I believe that there is a suggested motion. So I will entertain that motion if anyone wants to read that. Where is It is at the bottom of that policy attachment. It is a motion to accept the changes to policy 1010 use of facilities. >> Motion to accept the changes to policy 1010 use of facilities. Second. Any discussion? No. All right. Should we vote? Jaden? I. Brian? I. Bill? I. Dana? I. Elaine? I. Joelle? I. McKenzie? >> [clears throat] >> It's still open. I. And I. That passes. Thank you. All right. That brings us to public participation. Uh, there will be a two-minute limit. Please um, state your name and address. Would anybody in the room like to speak at this time? Nope. Seeing none. Would
068anyone online like to speak at this time? Yeah, seeing none. Back to the room. No. Back online? All right. We can close public participation. And that brings us to a motion for adjournment. So moved. Second. I had a point of information. Yep. One. Oh, I'm sorry. I skipped points of information, Elaine. I told you I was going to skip points of information. I'm sorry. >> [laughter] >> I'm sorry. Talk about it. I withdraw my motion to adjourn. If he said Leave it on the chair. All right. I'm sorry. Points of information. Would anyone on the board like to speak at this time? Please someone speak. So, uh, and Mary Rose, correct me if I'm wrong. $3,000 in the bottle drive, right? Right. So that's like $30,000. 30,000. And in bottles and So and volunteers were
069there for hours and hours and hours. And when I drove up there was cars and waiting in line and so it was fantastic. So thank you to all the volunteers. The students were hard at work. Um, and they were people were coming to their cars and they're loading them. So it's such a fantastic thing for project graduation to help our our seniors have a safe graduation night. Um, so that was really awesome to see the community come out and support their seniors. Um, And then Friday's the hoops challenge. So big deal. It's a big deal to my middle schooler. Um, if you're a basketball player or cheerleader you get in free so you just save the $5. Um, but they have the students versus the staff and they've been slowly leaking the staff players on
070Facebook through the week so I think it's been fully announced to the You know, I think this summer was in there like, you know, anyways. She intimidated summer. She played last weekend, too. Did she? And it was a good game. What time is that at? Yeah, we'll send out Okay. You can get out now. Last night his baseball till 7:00 so it's kind of where it goes up. Can I get over after It's going to be at 7:00. But um, yeah. It's $5 to get in. At the Thank you. We're sort of done. Anybody else? Uh, yeah, good evening. Hey, I just wanted to say to the parents who came up and spoke. I know sometimes it's very difficult to come here and kind of air out your business about what's happening with your kids
071but you know what, if we can't be advocates for our own kids, who who can be for you know, so I appreciate that and I can speak for myself, it doesn't fall on deaf ears. I'm speaking for myself. Um, the second thing, um, you know, a lot of little [clears throat] bit off topic from board of education but that instability in in the world right now and um, the thing was my son being on spring break last week let me know that one of his classmates was deploying to the Middle East with the craziness so, you know, thoughts, prayers for the individuals going out there and for the families, for the parents, brothers, sisters, spouses or whatever. Just know that there's always always a veteran out there that if you need to talk, have questions,
072feel free. I'm one of them, of course, and then there's plenty from the veterans commission. So if you have any questions, if you, you know, have some uncertainties, feel free to reach out. Thanks. I'm sorry it's a little bit off topic but I. I. And just for the town, um, next Saturday in the evening, if you happen to see teenagers going through your neighbor's yard with flashlights, please know that it is the ski club. We are putting eggs in your yard. That's the best. Do not need to call anybody. I promise we are supposed to be there. I am responsible for at least three of those teenagers. So, um, hopefully everybody's yards we're going to this year actually knows we're coming. We did have one student last year, two years ago, who bought eggs the
073week egged one of his teacher's yards. It was great. It was a lot of fun. They plastic eggs or but the teacher came out and he's like, wait, what's going on? >> [laughter] >> Like, um, no, really. We're supposed to be here. He had no idea the student did this to him. Again, it was all done in in good fun. Um, but yes, so please, you know, be aware that there might be some teenagers running through your neighbor's yards if not your own yard hiding these straight. That was so smart to announce. I just saw on one of the social media, somebody not in Thailand but a post of a young girl saying like her mother had just called the police on the person that killed her for the senior uh, Oh, yes. What happened?
074Yeah, right. Right. Yes. Yes. Yeah. It's just for me to make you aware that this might be going on. Right, absolutely. You get it. We have like almost 60 houses we're doing this year. So That's that's that's our really big fundraiser for ski club. That's really fun. Thank you so much. Anybody else? 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30. 6:30 p.m. Doors open at All right. I'm sorry and I'll go. Thanks. All right. Anybody else? No. Okay. Now I will accept a motion for adjournment. So moved. Second. Any discussion? Jaden? I. Brian? I. Bill? I. Dana? I. Elaine? I. Joelle? I. McKenzie? You're on time. I know. I probably get to go outside with the kids on Friday night. Hi. What's up? I am in line. I got to get outside for baseball tonight. No, that's
075your problem.