Torrington BoE Facilities & Technology Subcommittee Special Meeting and Regular Board Meeting

001Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Order this special facilities and technology meeting. Um 5:01 April 22nd Roll call. Jeff Joe Lena John, Bill Ron Dean All right, we're going to go over the the bids. Okay, uh thank you. All right, what you have in front of you is and what we're here for tonight is the um grounds um overview and looking to tie somebody into a contract for 3 years. The paperwork in front of you shows the bid results along with some data that goes with it regarding how the bid went. So, first page page three out of 40, you can see that um there were only two people who bid it. Who actually handed a bid in. There were four people who came to the pre-meeting and they decided not to show up for this. Um

002the reason why on this bid form there's no other information on here. Premier dropped a bid off about an hour before bid was due, but they didn't stay for the bid opening. So, that's where you see it. Okay. Um 440 shows a tally sheet that's got some general data on what was expected in the bid package along with some numbers. They're you know, some of their bid numbers and comparison. As you can see the public bid the bid tally, some of the items that were included um and some that were not. Jasper Sun included his um addendum and non-collusion. Premier um included his I'm sorry, his addendum and but he did not include it was missing the non-collusion affidavit executed. So, uh because of that normally that would null and void his bid if he

003didn't complete the bid package as it was presented. It was it was in there. It was it was um I'm going to say highlighted, but there was a bullet point saying, you know, don't forget this and that. Just happened to miss it. So, at this point I you know, I think the Jasper Sun bid is what I would recommend at this point. Um and you can look at some of his numbers on on the other page. Uh he he did a few different things. Now, uh you guys are all aware how we broke it up. Each individual school was uh each group of schools was broken up. It was also broken up and it was given an option to give a a um a bulk price for the entire job. Turf is excluded. Turf is

004not in this at all. This is This This what we're talking about tonight is strictly all the grounds and maintenance minus the turf, barriers and sweeping and stuff of that nature. So, if you if you look at the numbers, um you can see there was there was a uh a bit of a difference, but Jasper sends for four uh 3 years is total is at is at uh $807,000. Um What What I did is I broke it down for myself. I probably should have put it in there, uh but I didn't. So, how it breaks down is this is uh the first year and and if you back up kind of the algorithm that he used um per year, I backed it up a little bit out of that $807,000, it looks like the first

005year 2026, it'll be uh 250,924. 2027 will be 268,777 and 2028 will be 287,300. Okay, that's just backing up that bulk number um and the percentage he used per year, I was able to come up with that number. So, um you know, my recommendation again is to go with them. Um I just and I made some other notes, too. I just want to make clear if this complex wasn't done, I went back to his contract, in year 2025, which is this past year, we would have we would have paid him $225,000 for let's just say this building the way it was, okay? Um what I did with this is I added a lot of many things that were we paid him to do that were not in the contract. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $47,000

006spread about 3 years depending on what task had to be done. If the trees at the middle school had to be cut if at Touring Ford if behind the fence line had to be cut. So, it wasn't every single year it was $47,000 but in the neighborhood of the total like 3 years we would spend that just to get it to where we are here. So, it's all-inclusive. So, we shouldn't see these individual prices coming in anymore. Uh that included um claying and and and mulching. We're still buying the mulch but he is now responsible for spreading it and installing it and doing things of that nature. Um so you know, looking at the numbers it's we're we're not that far off from where he was. If he's at 250 for the first year we

007were paying up 225 with this additional with this additional scope of work. The other thing I want to make note of is is this complex here. Um you know one argument's going to say well, he doesn't have to cut the grass anymore which again is true uh especially the baseball fields. But if you look at if you look at cutting the grass, the amount of time it takes to cut grass an open field as opposed to our new landscaping um that we have out there with islands and edging and mulch beds and weeding and things of that nature. The old complex didn't have anything near the architectural landscaping that we have here. So, there is a substantial increase of work here on the complex that was added also. Um so I just want to note

008a few of those things that there is there's been a This is not the same contract that he signed for $225,000 4 years ago. Um, this is a much more intense and um, clear scope of work. So, with that, um, if anybody has any questions? Uh, yeah, I have a couple. Um, >> [clears throat] >> I guess well, well, first I mean, do we even have a choice? Is it like is is I know you're recommending Jespersen, but is it even an option with with them not including I I know in my line of work I'm not certain how this changes with with this type of a budget where the money comes from and all that, but yeah, you're correct. I mean, if you don't have a part of your checklist, your bid gets thrown

009out. Um, whether or not things like that get an opportunity to be re-bid, I'm not certain of that. Um, I don't think so. Uh, we have In the past, we've had people who missed uh, items in their bids and we've thrown them out right because of that. >> Okay. Uh, and let me just say much less um, intensity of an item. Sure. Yeah. I believe one of them might have been uh, initialing pages that the guy forgot to initial a page or two or maybe it was the whole package and we like he didn't do it, so um, as far as legality end of it, I'm not sure if that is a possibility to do that. Yeah. Um, well, I mean, I guess my other question maybe doesn't necessarily matter. I'm just curious to see

010how the conversation would have gone if they did have everything and but I I guess that's that would be a waste of time to discuss that, but um, I guess that's all I had for Okay. I have a quick question, so the the all services bid down below the the bid doc What page you on? Uh, on page What's page five? I don't have the the bid request document here, but No, out of the tonight's package. >> Yeah, tonight's package on number five where it says all services. So, Yep. what we're looking at is 261. Now, the document said all items except number eight in the RFP. So, so we will clarify he bid it the proper way. We will clarify that in our in our on in our uh contract with him. That did

011get bounced around when I changed the scope of work. So, that is a clarifying item that will be in the contract, but he bid it the proper way as he should have. It's not a um we're not going to have to go back to that. Okay, so that would be a 261 plus the 50. >> Yeah. So, we'd be it would have been 311 verse 217. >> Right. Okay, that's >> [clears throat] >> that is a that is a big difference. So, that's about 300 grand over the course of 3 years. Um were there any other reservations? Um the only other thing I have to clarify um is um and we're going to specify um um is and and I did you know, I have to make sure it's clear with him this complex here

01250 Major Bessi Drive um dealing with the landscaping that is happening, that's going to happen. Okay, it might be segmented segmented here a little bit because we don't own it yet and we're not clear yet on when we do own it. So, there will be a deduct of the first year and again, I have to work with the lawyer on this and I have to get a little bit more clarity from ONG, you know, when will we when when is it our responsibility? Cuz right now it's not our responsibility. We have some stuff here, but we don't have a lot of stuff. Uh as you can see, it's going on right now. They're seeding today, they're weeding today. So, they're they're still taking care of everything right now. And until uh they accept it, us

013including the architect accept it, uh they own it. Meaning not not us right now. When that happens, that's going to be the only thing that I'm going to speak to the lawyer how we going to clarify that and if we decide to go with Chase how he is going to back that up. Okay, so this is all this was assuming that the the facility was totally open. >> Absolutely. This is totally open 100% ours. Okay. And my other question was I didn't see the bid bond attached. Um >> To I to either of them. So it was Okay. Um didn't Did we I'd have to look in here deeper. >> we required a bid bond to both to all anybody who bid and then it was a performance bond. Obviously the performance bond is at

014contract award. Uh >> So I just didn't see it on the checklist. I wasn't sure if it >> in there. If it wasn't a checklist, that's my fault. But if you look in here the bid bond is in here. Huh? I didn't I I I didn't see it on either one of them. Okay. In which case we probably have to rebid it anyways. Which because it would be fair to give both of them the opportunity to that point. If no if nobody >> want to make sure that I did not make sure that's that's in the package here. It was in the the request was in the RFP you gave us in the full board meeting that we approved. It showed the outline of what was required and number one was bid bond, two was

015performance bond. Okay. I I'd have to just double-check that it didn't not get in here, but yes, I guess if that's the case. So, I guess if that's the case, we're Well, we're if we have if we're going to throw them out, which obviously is what we need to do we need to do if we don't have it on either one. I can't see it. Mhm. We don't have it for either one, that would be a problem. Yeah. Yes, it would. And I must have missed that. And I don't have the and I don't have I didn't include with me right here the actual RFQ for it. So, it was included in the outline that I gave you or was it was it included in I'll have to check and see if it was actually

016included in the RFQ that went out. Yeah, the one that you gave us at the we did a facility we didn't have the full one, but it you attached the full one to the full board. >> the The full board one has it. >> The only thing we waited for is the lawyers to finish buttoning it up. And that's the one that we went with. So, for some reason that didn't happen. So, I'd have to go back to the one that actually went out to bid. And I again, I don't have it with me here. Um I would have grabbed it if I if I knew to see if it was in there. So, that's my point. When we approved it, it still had to go through the lawyer's hands with his blessing cuz we

017changed the entire contract that we were using the contract RFQ that we were using. Ours was way outdated, so it took him a while to get that together put together. So, it might have been eliminated from that. The actual one that went out to the contractors. Without the without the bid bond or the performance bond? >> I'm just saying >> I don't think that would be eliminated. Uh yeah, I'm just saying it may it may not be, but that's what I want to check. Okay. Is that something that we that was emailed to us or not? The uh I'm just Is it >> No, it went public. So, we went and went from it went from the full board that next day he finished it up, and then we put it out to bid. So,

018it's it's if if you actually if we go online now, I'm sure we can see it. If we go online. Go to our website. Yeah. To look at the actual posting. I'm going to guess it was in there because the the committee was pretty adamant about the bid and performance bonds. So, I'm going to guess they probably didn't pull them out. >> No, the only thing that um the lawyer kind of um didn't agree with the was the performance bond. Um on landscaping, he says not a norm on something like that. On a construction project it is, but on a landscaping project it wasn't. So, his reasoning behind that, he went through a couple of different reasons why and and we kind of left it at that. So, >> So, the performance bond came out

019of the I believe so. I guess I would have liked to have to have known that, but I mean that is what it That's just a that was one of the was a large conversation about the performance bond cuz of the whole issue we had with the snow >> with the snow removal. >> [clears throat] >> Could we learn a little bit more about why performance bond would be removed cuz I think we learned our lesson for the snow thing. I mean, the snow snow removal has got to fall under the same category as landscaping cuz it's pretty much labor and equipment. I would think landscaping would fall under that same category as labor and equipment. So, I don't see why we couldn't carry a performance bond for snow plowing and or landscaping it for

020that matter. So, if there was a reason to remove it, I'd like to educate myself on that. Be good information. >> Yeah, I will definitely get the reasoning from Steve on that. Or Shipman. I would I guess without these answers it would be very difficult to send this to the full board. If you would stop in the in the one that went out. The performance bond and the bid bond are both removed from the the RFP that went out. >> Yes. That's That's yeah, I would say that's Joe just said that's not ideal. Um That was one of the maybe you remember call that was one of the big conversations we had. I do, especially on the snow plow. I do. And he he was adamant that it doesn't fit into a project like this.

021It's more for construction. And with him redoing everything in these contracts, um I mean everything got redone in those in the RFQs, I should say. So, you know, I did not question or doubt him on that being our our lawyer. So, you tell me. Potentially a dumb question, um but is there a requirement to have to Do you Are you required to provide those once your bid exceeds a million dollars? Or is that is that like a job Isn't there a requirement of >> I don't I'm not sure. That might be I might be making that up. Yeah, I'm not sure. I don't know that one either. I mean, if we want the bid and performance bond, thing to do would be to just reissue it fast. Then they both come back with the Obviously,

022you risk you risk two scenarios there. I mean, we've had it happen to us before. Now they know each other's price, but I mean, the only other option is to It's an inconsequential item. I don't know the the full terms, but there are some provisions in Connecticut General Assembly for like minor changes things. I don't know how it applies to something like this, but there are certain things that don't cause you to toss something. We've certainly seen that on the building committee. So, I think we would want to get more information on this. Anybody else? I I don't know. I I understand wanted to get this settled. I I don't feel great either way. I don't feel great doing this without a bid and performance bond, and I don't necessarily feel thrilled I've kind of

023putting our tail between our legs and being like, "Hey, we Now we messed up a little bit." Kind of Unless that's not how this looks. That's kind of how I view it, but um if that's what we end up going back for and asking for, it just kind of you're giving somebody a second chance when I don't know. Maybe they didn't really get it. You know, and didn't deserve it. Look, I'm trying to look at this from both sides, that's all. I I understand entirely. I mean, it's a it's it's a big it's a big bid overall for everybody. >> Right. It's a big dollar amount. It's not a We're going to hold everybody accountable. We asked for what the bid asked for. I get it entirely. I just kind of feel weird about changing

024things now. It's like but unless we feel that's totally necessary. I would go with what was the intent of this committee to have a bid and performance bond? I do Okay. I do as well. That is what we discussed, so. If I may, I understand the conversation and I think in terms of what Mr. Colello just shared and what Mr. Pergola shared, I I would then recommend if the board so wishes to just do an expedited because now that this had went through legal and the RFQ is obviously um been approved by legal, I think to adding performance bond as the board wishes, I would say that that could be done in a quicker turnaround um as opposed to lagging it out for a number of days. So, I think a if the board would

025if that's the board's pleasure to make that motion, I would suggest just in essence of time, especially we are in the spring season, to do an expedited um RFQ pro RFP process so that we can get the bids back whether or not the other companies choose to bid on it or not, they would have that option. Um but then they would at least know that one additional piece and then legally by adding an additional piece, all said bidders would have that opportunity again. We wouldn't the other piece that Mr. Pergola had mentioned earlier with the one company not providing a piece of documentation. Obviously, if they were doing their homework and tuned in, they would know what they were missing and would then put that plus the performance piece in, but that would be up

026to them. Um but I think that would probably the better way to do it rather than to drag out another extended period of time. But, that would be my opinion since we are in the spring season and lawns need to be done and things of that nature. If it's allowable to modify the the request, I don't have a problem with that myself as long as it's we follow and we get those items that we wanted in there and look whoever comes back and bids it bids it. If somebody chooses not to, they choose not to, but anybody else? I I agree. Mr. Putnam, I agree. Yeah, I agree. So, what action do we take? Well, we don't take anything. Anything is fine. I'm sorry? Take any action and we'll have to come back probably to

027Well, I think the action you can definitely take since this was a special meeting is to to request the expedited RFP. And that being said, then Dean could work on that immediately and get that out forthwith after we're talking to the attorneys tomorrow. I think that would be the motion made from this subcommittee recommendation to the full board. Or, actually this subcommittee could recommend it since it came across from facilities the first time. Yeah, I would assume we would just tell you to do that. I don't even know that it needs a motion, really. As long as the board is okay with expedited, that's where I get just so that no one thinks that it's expedited is a short amount of time to get it in. So, if you want a five-day turnaround, seven-day, as

028opposed to the normal 10 to 15 days. But, would it would it matter if if um you can't I guess because we didn't put it in there. We didn't put it in the specifications like we wanted to. Can you just add it to that? Yes, but it's still an expedited. You'd have to resend it out. So, that's what I'm saying if you Well, without resending it out, I'm saying. Now, you do have to re- you'd have to repost it. But, it can be a shortened period of time. Okay. That's my understanding, at least. I will be on the phone with the lawyer when we leave here and see what his idea is behind this. Also, I'll tell him where we stand. Follow his lead. And I will get an I'll get a explanation on why

029it was not in there. Uh that'd be much appreciated. Once we have that, we can convene a quick special meeting and get this taken care of. Okay. Thank you. All right. So, hearing all this, um no action till the full board. Comments for the good of the order? No. Good meeting. Thanks. Good meeting, guys. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you. Motion to adjourn. So moved. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Adjourned at 5:26. >> Mhm. >> The order of this regular meeting of the Torrington Board of Education at 5:33 p.m. If everyone could please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. The flag is above the door you came in. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of Yeah. Okay, Madam Secretary, when you are ready you may call the roll. Ms. Conway? Here. Mr. Corey?

030Here. Mr. Cronin? Here. Mr. Ucolito? Here. Mr. Kisco? Mr. Knight? Mr. Kellesha? Here. Mr. Putnam? Here. Ms. Sileo? Here. Mayor Spino or representative? Dr. Baker? Ms. Ferguson? Here. Ms. Labby? Mr. Pergaola? Ms. Scholte? Here. Ms. Vianna? And Mr. Wilson? Thank you. Um, we have next the approval of the agenda. I would just ask for uh, I think one adjustment um, which is uh, in new information and action, um, I would add an item 11 and bump the other items down one number and that item would be review and approval of a communication from Torrington Public Schools to the city of Torrington um regarding the former administration building on Migeon Avenue. We would like to discuss turning that over to them now that we've moved out. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Okay, any further

031discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. >> Aye. Any opposed? Okay, we have our agenda. We have next um school community service and public participation. I did see some folks sign up, so I'm just going to read the paragraph. The board invites members of the community to speak on topics to be addressed in the agenda or on other topics of interest. Individuals wishing to make comments are requested to fill out the speaker sign-up sheet including your name and address which must be stated at the beginning of your comment. The board will not allow comments regarding specific staff members, parents, students, or personal grievances. Courtesy is expected in this limited public forum. The participating time will be limited to 3 minutes per person and 10 minutes overall. Um I just have one

032person um Carly Goodwin, come on up. Okay. Can you hear me now? My name is Carly Goodwin and I'm here again tonight to speak on the concerns I have with the nutrition. Children come to school to learn and if you can see that every room they enter holds a learning experience, then you will come to realize that the cafeteria is not just a lunch room. It is the most important classroom. This is the room that influences every other learning experience in that day. And teaches life-long habits that stay with these kids long after they graduate. Right now, we're teaching kids that Pop-Tarts and Teddy Grahams is the best way to start their day. Well, we all know that's not correct. We wouldn't start our day like that. So, why are we teaching this to our

033kids? A lot of people are under the assumption that because we are federally funded, this is what we get. Well, that's not true. Yes, we are federally funded, but the USDA foods availability list provides plenty of whole food options that give us the chance to serve real food. We're just not ordering them. I suggest getting a nutritionist to come and speak at your next PD day so that everyone can truly come to understand the importance of this. It's not a matter of preference or opinion. This is science. Food directly impacts how a child develops, performs, and behaves. And yet, we continue to choose convenience over quality every single day. We need to start investing the same time, attention, and resources to this classroom as we do to every other. Torrington is paying one of the

034highest salaries in the state for their nutrition department. So, for a top-tier budget, we should be getting top-tier effort. Yet, our menus appear to be the worst. USDA guidelines are defined as minimum nutritional requirements. So, you can sit here and tell me that you're meeting the guidelines, well, great. You've done the bare minimum. Essentially, you've got a 65 on the test. Guidelines don't restrict us from doing better. And these kids deserve more than just the minimum for the amount of taxes we pay in this town. Now, I understand this will take time and a little bit of work, but if you're not willing to put in that extra effort for something as important as a child's growth and development, then maybe this is not your calling, and education should not be in your career path.

035As a parent, I'd like to remind you all that these might be your students, but at the end of the day, these are our kids. And it's insane that in 2026, a parent has to beg a school not to serve Pop-Tarts and donuts for breakfast. Along with this comes the concern of our wellness policy. It is federally mandated that in order to receive the USDA funding, the district has to have an active wellness committee. You claim this exists. However, I've been keeping track. And under this requirement, it states that a parent and other equal stakeholders are to be a part of this committee. So, I would like to know who the members are, how often they meet, and where exactly and what exactly they are implementing. I'm sure tonight you'll throw out a quick blurb

036about health because I've already brought this concern to your attention, but the real effort has already been noted, and over the past 3 years, all these minutes show a huge fail in this area. If you need active members, sign me up because I'm not just here to complain. I'm willing to help, and there are so many things that we could be doing to change these kids' lives. I strongly urge the board to start viewing this wellness policy as the primary tool for improving the district's overall outcomes. Let's start practicing what we preach by applying our motto to our menus, which is quid fussiest benefact. What you do, do well. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Um that was the only speaker I had on the sign-up sheet. Uh is Is anyone else

037here who wishes to address the board? Okay. Thank you. We will now do recognition, so I'll turn it over to the superintendent and our administrators. Good evening. We have several recognitions this this tonight. We are going to start with intermediate school, Principal Klein. Thank you very much. It looks like my students may have gotten their signals crossed. However, we had a few winners that we wanted to announce and recognize. >> [clears throat] >> Pardon me. We had three winners from our recent spelling bee contest that we hosted at Torrington Intermediate. One of those was Journey Johnson, the other was Nora Kovacs, and the third place was Gabrielle Zeffi. We're super proud of their accomplishments. They fought through and did some wonderful spelling well past what my spelling degree would be, but at the same time

038they did wonderful with that. We also had a local math Olympiad winner who is also Gabrielle Zeffi, who had a two perfect scores through the contest as well. We are super proud of some of our um National History Day state qualifiers as well. We had two groups. One was our fourth place performance group, which was on the Connecticut witch trials, which was Max Saint Germain, Nora Kovacs, Alex Grant, and Teagan Domain, all of our sixth graders. And then a fourth place individual exhibit on the Salem witch trials, which was Anaya Zychowicz. Um and then lastly, and equally as important, we also had some Invention Convention state qualifiers, which will be going up to Yukon on May 2nd. One was Dexter Miller, and the second was a group presentation from some of our fourth graders, which

039was Jackson Hurd and Jonas Layton. We are super proud of them, and unfortunately, it appears that we will be doing this again at the intermediate school to recognize them because I apologize they are not here tonight. So, thank you very much, guys. For FAST Academy, Dr. Torres. Hello. So, we are excited tonight to recognize one of our students, Xander Knox. Um and with me tonight, I brought Mr. Hemenway, one of our teachers, um to share a little bit about Xander and why we selected him for recognition this month. Yes, [clears throat] thank you, Dr. Torres. Um for those who don't know me, I'm Sam Hemenway. I'm the history teacher over at FAST Academy, and I'm just going to start off real quick. Um Megan Lamontagne, who is our science teacher, uh and is very close

040to our student here, Xander, uh but she was unable to be with us tonight. So, she gave um a little written statement that she asked me to read, and I'll do that real quick. >> [cough and clears throat] >> So, the team at FAST Academy would like to recognize Xander Knox for recognition based on his consistent demonstration of kindness, perseverance, and a growth mindset. If you had met Xander in eighth grade, you likely would not know how big his smile can be. Through middle school, Xander hid under his hood, under his hair, and behind a personal wall. This is when he joined Ms. Cohen, who is now our math teacher at FAST, in the alternative program at TMS. Xander felt comfortable and started to come out of his shell during that year, and staff was

041able to see glimpses of his big personality. He had always demonstrated strong academic skills, and we knew he was a very strong student, uh but many times he felt uncomfortable in an activity or maybe he was just having a rough day. Then last year in ninth grade at the alternative program over at the high school, when it was still there, uh it took the full year for him to finally show his personality and more of his face. And so, when the year started, he had uh only one classmate, and the pair proved to be a great team. Ms. F and I were able to see how intelligent and kind he was. He started to participate more in class conversations, and always completed his classwork with excellent quality, even completing a full seven uh credits using

042the extra opportunity of ingenuity, the online uh credit platform. By the end of that year, you might not have noticed that Xander's all-black attire started to become more comfortable, and sometime he even wore a sweatshirt or a T-shirt without a hood. And this was truly the year of Xander growing to his confidence. Now, this year as a 10th grader, Xander uh chose to continue in the alternative program at FAST Academy. Xander is the first person to help a teacher out by volunteering to fix a stuck lock or put together a new piece of equipment. In class, he will gently re-explain concepts to a struggling peer. He does this kindly and with great encouragement. After school, you can often find him working on schoolwork or just visiting with staff. In his personal time, he likes to

043work out, which means that he plays games in uh PE with a fierce level of competition, while always maintaining excellent sportsmanship, which is not easy at that age. Um these are There really not enough words to explain the changes that we have seen in Xander over the past few years. We recognize that some of the changes are because he has teachers that understand and support him, but this is only a part of it. He has persevered through emotional moments and maintains a growth mindset on how to deal with it when he encounters a moment of frustration or sadness now. This commitment to growth and perseverance is what truly has catapulted Xander into the vibrant compassionate person we see now. Rarely does a day go by when you don't catch a great big smile on his

044face. Um and I would So, that was the statement from uh Ms. Lamonte, our teacher at FAST Academy. And obviously, I will just quickly um agree with everything that she said about Xander. Uh but I'll briefly add uh my own to reflect on my own experiences with Xander. Um he's not just a strong student. He is truly a model for others. Day in and day out, he sets a very powerful example for his peers on what it means to take responsibility, stay engaged, lift others up, uh rather than tear them down. He's the student who steps forward without being asked. The one who's helping a first-year teach- teacher like myself uh fix the sink in his room, which I would have been helpless doing. Um but he somehow could do it, you know, this is

045a very hands-on learner. Um and I'm very grateful for that. Um he's the one who will set uh sit and help a friend better understand a concept. He doesn't seek recognition for it, but it matters. So, he raises the standard around him for everyone in the classroom. Um and but what makes Xander truly stand out is his growth. As you've heard, there's a time when he kept himself and maybe confidence didn't come easily. And yet, through perseverance and a commitment to personal improvement, he has transformed into someone who is really willing to meet challenges head-on. Um today, he stands out as an example of what is possible, uh the kind of student that we're hoping to really uh nurture at FAST Academy. Uh he's someone that this whole community should be proud of and really

046represents Torrington well. So, uh I thank you for letting us speak tonight to recognize him. Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Vogel Wetmore, principal pay. Hi everybody. Thank you for letting us come tonight and share about one of our students, Jackson Hall. I'm going to let his kindergarten teacher, Ms. Lopez, talk to you about why he's so wonderful. As you can see, he looks a little surprised. Did you wonder why you were here tonight? Yeah. Yeah, we're proud of you. I'm going to say some wonderful things about you. Okay. Okay. All right. So, Jackson is a wonderful member of our classroom community. He's kind, caring, and respectful to everyone around him. I get emotional about everything, so I apologize. Each day he comes to school with a positive attitude and a genuine excitement for learning.

047He's very smart, inquisitive, and curious, and always asking thoughtful questions, and eager to discover new things. His enthusiasm for learning is contagious and helps create a positive environment in our classroom. He is always incredibly helpful to both his classmates and the adults in the school. He often offers a helping hand to a friend who may need support and shows patience and kindness kindness in his interactions with others. He consistently follows classroom and school rules demonstrating responsibility and maturity beyond his years. His strong character, love of learning, and a caring nature make him a role model for others. Just a little story actually from today. We had a couple visitors in our room and Jackson was What were you building? A rocket. What What's the rocket called? The Artemis. >> The Artemis because we've been learning

048a little bit about the Artemis as a class which was an amazing time to learn about and he the the staff members that were there were asking him questions and he answered every single one. I was like, yes. So, he did awesome and we were so proud of him. I am very proud to have him as a student in my class and honored to have him represent Bogota More School. He truly embodies the values of kindness, respect, and a love of learning that we hope to see in all our students. Congratulations. >> [applause] [applause] >> And Southwest School, Principal Michaelson. >> Hi. This is Casey Jones and her teacher Miss Shevinsky is going to have a a few nice things to say about her. >> a few words. >> She's a little shy, too, so

049be [laughter] nice. Okay. So, Casey's done an amazing job coming into school by herself, happy, and always ready to learn. At the beginning of the school year, it was very challenging. We had to um have some other staff members help her and she didn't like to leave her parents, but now she's very courageous and doing a great job coming in all by herself, ready to learn, and enjoy school. And she overcame that and she lights up when she sees me as her teacher and especially her friends and gives her friends lots of hugs. And Casey's also very respectful to me and the other teachers in the building. She always listens while I'm teaching. She has excellent manners, um and she's very responsible as well. She always makes good choices. And Casey's always a hard worker

050during school and always tries her best at everything. And always wants to do it the right way. Um Casey also works hard at home and she reads lots of books and she even reads to her younger sister. And Casey also works on math skills at home with mom and dad. Right? Which has helped her especially practicing adding those double digits cuz that was tricky. So, we are very proud of you. Well done, Casey, and proud of being we're proud of you being a role model for Southwest School. So, keep up the great work. Okay. >> [applause] >> Okay, we'll go get our picture. >> [applause] >> Thank you all for coming and congratulations to all of our great students who are being recognized. Um we next have our student representatives report. Come on up. Before

051our student representatives report, we did not do our traditional monthly student recognition this month, but I did ask Ms. Sullivan to come and speak very briefly because we just had our students return from their trip to Europe. So, she's just going to say a few few quick words before we get started with our students. So, we had 25 students go with us to Rome, Florence, um the northern area of Greece and Italy. Sorry. I'm just getting up. Okay, sorry. Uh we had 25 students go from to Rome, Florence, the northern part of Greece and Athens. Um as always, our students did us proud. They were curious, engaged, um mature, respectful, punctual. We didn't have any issues this trip um with punctuality and uh really just thrived off of the experience. We um finished the um

05210 days that we were together with a Greek evening that included dancing and music and they were the loudest group in the best way. Um the opas were were screamed quite loudly and they got up and they danced and they encouraged everybody else in the place to get up and dance. So, they were the sort of enthusiastic Raiders that that we like to see. They were respectful and um, engaged when we saw were at the Colosseum at the at St. Peter's Basilica. They were led into discussions of um, rock formations with Miss McGillicuddy at Meteora in Greece and the architecture of the Duomo in Florence. And they showed off their mythology knowledge and Greek history at the Acropolis and it was really just a very rewarding, very curriculum heavy, um, but also culturally engaging trip.

053So, they did you proud. Thank you. Yes. Thank you. Uh, good evening. My name is Cheyenne Chen and I will be your student presenter tonight. Here are some highlights from Torrington High School over the past month. Our HOSA Future Health Professional students had an outstanding showing at the state leadership conference earning top honors including a third place finish in medical law and ethics, winning the state pin design uh, contest, and celebrating Miss Brewer as Connecticut HOSA advisor of the year. Our JROTC cadets hosted a memorable military ball at the New England Air Museum showcasing tradition, leadership, and school pride through a formal evening of ceremonies, recognition, and celebration. Students in our UConn ECE geology course had the opportunity to visit the University of Connecticut where they explored campus, engaged with faculty, and experienced hands-on learning

054that brought their studies to life. We are also proud to celebrate excellence in the arts such as Sophia Sadlak and Ashley Gentry that were recognized by the Connecticut Association of Schools for their achievements in music and art. Our Interact Club was honored by the Rotary Club for their continued commitment to service, raising funds for several local organizations, and volunteering throughout the community with more service projects planned this summer and spring. Finally, our arts department continues to thrive with students exploring photography techniques and digital art while building foundational skills that support both creativity and real-world application. Overall, it has been an exciting and successful month at THS, and we look forward to continuing this momentum into the final stretch of the school year. >> [applause] >> Fabulous. Thank you. Um, and you're more than welcome to

055stay if you're passionate about government, but don't feel obligated uh because we will next dive into a series of reports starting with the superintendent. Good evening. Um, my comments will be pretty brief this evening as we just got back from April break. I hope that everyone did have time to rest up and recharge. I'd like to take the opportunity to publicly thank the entire team sitting at this table in particular uh for their presentation last night of our budget to the Board of Finance. I think it went very well, and we are very hopeful, and we will anxiously await our number. Earlier this month, I attended the Connecticut Superintendent Conference uh where some really good learning took place, a lot of good workshops on a variety of topics, and we got to hear from Dan

056Heath who wrote the book Reset. Pretty interesting read which talks about just some organizational change if needed and things to go about doing that. I know I shared it with my central office cabinet, and that book is currently being passed around as well. But, it was a great day of new learning for not only me, but for all the superintendents across the state. Uh our spring sports programs are well underway, and our student athletes continue to shine both on the field and in their classrooms just as our drama students and our band students and everyone else and speaking of drama very excited that the joint TMS THS production of The Music Man will take place from May 7th through May 9th. So make sure to get your tickets in advance. We're looking forward to our

057ribbon cutting to really officially welcome this brand new beautiful complex and that will take place this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. That has been broadcast um on our Parent Square, on our social media, as well as the mayor giving us a nice plug last evening. So everyone knows where to be on Saturday. My entire central office cabinet team as well as myself continue to be visible throughout all of the buildings in order to see the great work that's going on. You see our students being recognized here this evening and that's a highlight for the board. We get to see that each and every day when we go into the building. So I know we cannot be prouder of their hard work and the hard work of all of our teachers and administrators. We know that May

058and June are super busy. Mr. Kisco is a former educator, Miss Salio as an educator, they know that this is the end of the year assessment time which there's a lot going on as we look forward to end the year, but I know that our students are going to continue to work hard and really end the year on a strong note and continue to make us proud and do their best to shine. So we're very excited um and we look forward to that and we look forward to a strong finish. Thank you. Any questions from members of the board for the superintendent? Hearing none, uh we will move right to the human resources report. Take it away, Kim. Thank you very much. So you have uh my HR report for this month. Um I am

059very pleased to report that we have no current vacancies for our certified staff. So that's very exciting. For our classified positions, we currently have a total of eight positions. To put that in perspective, for this report last year at the same time, we had two certified openings and we had 20 non-certified openings. So, I feel like our positions we're in a good place. We're actively interviewing for the eight classified openings that we have, so we're in a very good position with our vacancies. For our substitute fill rates, we went down a little bit as expected at this time of year. It tends to happen with, you know, flu season and everything. So, we are at the month of March with 77.5 and paras for teachers it was 77.5, paras was 53.1. If you look at

060our year-to-date numbers, again, we are still trending significantly higher than where we were at this time last year. So, we're almost 20 points higher in both of those categories year-to-date. And our absences continue to trend about consistent with our teachers where they've been last year, but our paraeducators are down almost four percentage points from where they were at this time last year year-to-date. So, we are actually trending very good in all of those metrics. For our updates of what's going on in HR, we have been out and about with job fairs. So, we attended Southern Connecticut State University, University St. Joe's, UConn, CCSU, and we have attended this season CCSU mock interviews with potential teachers and student teachers. And next week we are going to Quinnipiac, myself and Mr. Michaelson and Dr. Torres are going

061to go to Quinnipiac to do mock interviews with potential teacher candidates as well. And we have posted our tentative vacancies for 26-27 and we are actively looking and sourcing candidates. So, especially for our high shortage areas. We have scheduled office hours for May, so we'll be out and about in the schools answering any and all HR questions for anybody on site. And then, very exciting for our wellness initiatives, we have returned to our on-site yoga offering that we have at Torrington they do once a week for a six-week yoga session and our annual walking challenge will start next week. If anybody has any questions about page one before we move on? Uh, I would just I have a couple quick ones. So, um this for security, um does that include both the security pairs and

062the ASOs? Okay. >> Correct. Um, and then I feel like I've asked you this before, but we've been carrying them for a long time. >> Mhm. What exactly are the two support staff positions? >> So, one is the athletic trainer, which we talked about I believe at the last budget meeting and we've you know, per the board's request we've increased the salary. So, we're working on trying to source a candidate for that now. Um, and the other one was a tech position that was vacant and I think we're kind of on hold for that one right now while we're waiting to see what happens with budget. So. Okay, and which would what tech position is that is that just a support tech? Uh, technology position one of for Rachel's department. So, there's a vacancy we

063had a resignation. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Is it So, just again because we've been carrying it for a long time. So, is it a support tech or is it some kind of network administrator job? >> Just a technology specialist. >> Okay, so it's just a technology specialist. Yep. Thank you. Anyone else? Uh, Miss Saleya. Following up to some previous, um, questions in previous board meetings, I just had a few questions. What is the difference in pay between regular Torrington subs and ESS contracted subs if you have Uh, the rate that they make is the same. We pay the same. It's consistent. So, um, so 145 is what a building sub makes and 135 is what a daily sub makes, but it's the same rate. Okay, so what is the cost savings with direct hire versus ESS

064contracted >> markup. So, there's a I don't know it off the top of my head. I'm sorry, but there's markup for ESS, so it definitely costs us more for ESS, but the benefit is that they do all the hiring and the onboarding, so we we the savings on our end is is from the maintenance and the management of it. But there is a cost savings. So, would you be able to find out how much we paid our our own subs for the last 12 months versus the ESS subs or the the the markup in that? >> I can get that information. And are we routinely hiring the ESS subs out of convenience because they do all of the the work and the onboarding and the background checks? We've historically not hired daily subs for to

065in Torrington Public Schools. The only daily subs that we hire are are certified retirees that are in the VARP program, but outside of that, the maintenance of the the management of the absence management system where the substitutes pick up the jobs and and all of that piece. So, their team manages that. They have the call center that manages all of that, so we don't have anybody internal to Torrington that manages any of the the daily jobs that get entered and who's picking up the jobs and calling people to come in and work for jobs. That's something that ESS does. So, we don't have any internal subs? We don't have any internal daily subs. The only ones The only ones that we have are we hire building subs that work dedicated in a single building and

066then our retiree subs, the ones that are working on the VARP on the retirement incentive. But other than that, we don't hire any daily subs that just go into the general pool. We don't do any >> So, what happened to those people that were daily subs? Were they supposed to be ported over to ESS? Yes. Okay, so um you had asked me for some names via email and I provided you to the those names to you um and I didn't get a response. I sent you a follow-up email. Um, so have these people just been dropped from our list? Were they told that they needed to pour over to ESS and and helped with that? I'm just concerned with that lack of follow-through. Yeah, I can actually address this. So, um, I asked Michelle Teat

067not to continue that conversation because it uh is highly inappropriate for central office administrators to discuss with Board of Education members the prospect of specific individuals receiving employment from the district. Um, so that's not Kim's fault um that you can put it on me and be upset if you would like, but uh I just uh put a stop to it that particular thread of the conversation um because we do have to be very careful to follow uh both state and city ethics rules uh around sort of how we might interfere with employment and potential employment for many reasons. I understand that, but do you understand that I was asked to provide those names? Yeah, and I I think I think uh the central office folks were trying to be accommodating uh to the situation as

068they always would be to a member of the Board of Education um which is why I um sort of brought this issue up um because, you know, ultimately like not no individual one of us is anyone's boss at this table, but collectively, right? Um, you know, we are in charge of the school district and it can be difficult, I think, for us the people who work for us to to say no. Um, so I I it was one something that I opted to to step in um and address. Um, so that's kind of where that that went. Um, so it was not, again, um you know, central office administration's fault uh to not respond to you. Um, that's something that I asked them uh, not to do, largely to protect, uh, you and the board,

069um, because again, we just have to be really careful about, uh, what could be seen as an ethics problem, uh, even if your intentions are, of course, pure. I'm not accusing you of anything. It's It's more of protecting you from an inadvertent risk. >> I was just ask answering the questions that were asked of me. Follow up. Um, and I want to make sure that we're doing the most cost effective savings that we can be doing. Um, and then so in the future if that could be communicated to me that why the conversation stopped, again, I just want to do what's best for the district. So, I appreciate your follow up now. And And it is I just want to make it clear. It is a completely reasonable discussion to talk about, um, building subs

070versus daily subs, agencies versus non-agency, uh, the circumstances under which in the abstract an individual may or may not be retained, hired, et cetera. Um, the the Board of Education member is unless there is, uh, a legal process happening like a termination hearing, uh, grievance, things like that, um, would not be engaged in individual personnel matters. So, that's where the actual line is. So, I am not by any means interested in trying to cut off any discussion about how we hire substitutes. Um, it just it can't be how did we hire or not hire a specific substitute. If that makes sense. Okay, thank you. Um, and I if you want I can just there is, um, when I bring the other information back about I want to say a 4 years ago or so, I

071did a full assessment on the cost savings, uh, using an agency versus having it in-house because of the staff that we would have to hire to manage it in-house plus, uh, liabilities and penalties with the Affordable Care Act and the things that ESS manages for us that we would then have to absorb those costs, and there was a significant savings on our side, but I'm I'm happy to do that assessment again and bring that back for you to see, so that you can understand where the cost savings is. Or even the old data, I would love to take a look at it. I don't want to make you do Sure. >> much more work. >> No, I absolutely have that and I can bring that forward just so that you can you can take a

072look at that cuz it's a very valid question, but um there is significant cost savings just because of penalties with Affordable Care Act and things like that that having an agency certainly helps us from that perspective. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Um any other questions on the first page? Okay. Uh moving on to the second page, just going over again, where you know, you can see that our fill rates are good and we have a significant number that are filled by the ESS subs, so you can see that ESS has been successful in recruiting and retaining additional candidates. And then in looking at our um you can see the absence percentages. I won't go over that in detail, but just in looking at the staff turnover, our staff turnover is pretty consistent with where

073we've been um at this time last year. Uh in particular, paraeducators, custodians, nurses, and teachers are all below where we were at this time last year. So, I'm happy to answer any questions on page two. Any further questions, Mr. Putnam? Just one quick one. The little note that says 15 year end, are they included in the 25 or is that one? >> They are included in the year end. Yes. I said one thing. Yeah, good. >> Just Elena, just so you know, we had a long conversation about ESS versus Kelly. I don't know, was it two or three years ago, four years ago? We had I remember that being a very difficult time finding subs at the time. We were If you can correct me if I'm wrong, Jeff, or or anybody else, but we

074went with ESS and it doesn't really address your issue, but we had an incredibly difficult time filling these slots and it was costing a lot more money to have a teacher act as a sub all day or taking teachers in and out. I think and again Kim, with the SS we've had much more success in filling it doesn't really answer your question, but it's been a long discussion about how to fix the problem. So, I don't know the answer otherwise to what you're faced with, so. Anyone else? Okay, thank you Michelle. Uh we next have Dr. Baker with the special education student services report. Good evening. Um I'm going to start with the overall special ed numbers for April 1st. As you can see um on page one, the overall rates of students that have

075either moved in or have been newly identified um in district from pre-K to 22 is up by nine students. Our in-district K-12 students was up by seven. Our overall in-district prevalence rate was only up by 0.1%. Um we're still remaining at 17.7%. Our in-district pre-K were up by five students. Our in-district age 18 to 22 at our TTA Academy has remained the same at 13. Our outplacement for our 18 to 22-year-old students has remained steady at three. Our current outplaced by PPT in grades K through 12 has remained steady at 67. Our agency placed by DCF or court was down by one student and our magnet parent choice and Vo-Ag students are down by two from 40 to 38. Our 504 students um did increase this month by 20 new students added on to 504

076plans. Um any questions regarding that page? I do. Certainly. Sorry. Could you explain again, I don't I've asked the question before and I didn't understand the answer and Uh-huh. prevalence rate I asked about the increase. This is a great bridge to the to page two and three that I provided for you so that I can kind of explain and understand. So, prevalence rate in terms of the definition is really meant for the State Department for us to be able to monitor either an over-identification or an under-identification of students overall and in addition by their specific primary disability. So, what I provided for you on page two is on EdSight, the public dashboard, there's two different ways that they look at the prevalence rate there. Um and I'm going to be able to summarize it pretty

077neatly for you. The top portion, it shows you that's our DRG. We are in our district um um rating group, which is towns that are similar to us. That top dashboard that comes off of EdSight is pre-K through 12. That prevalence rate for us in Torrington in 2024-25 um was last at 20.1%. I'll tell you that the top DRG was 22.9 and the lowest DRG was 19.8. We remained steadily in the middle of that rate. I'm also sharing with you what's called the APR prevalence rate. It's just a different way to calculate prevalence rate for special education. The only difference in these two um charts is that the bottom chart doesn't include pre-K students. That number is given to every special education department annually on what's called our annual report card. What I did do

078for you guys on the bottom one was I went into each of our DRGs over the last 5 years' report cards and was able to report out on the prevalence rate for Torrington, where you'll see we are currently at 19%. The highest DRG rate was 21.4, the lowest was 16.8. So, again, we're in the median range of both of those different prevalence rating charts. Simplistically, top chart doesn't have pre- does have pre-K kids in it. A lot of times districts will use that to just look at how to service kids, making sure programming is in place. I then did on page three just a quick five-year prevalence trend so that you could see Torrington's prevalence rate, the DRG, which is surrounding towns that are like us, and then the Connecticut prevalence rate. In Torrington from

0792019 to 2024, over those six years, we had incurred a 2.3% increase in students who are identified with a primary disability. In the DRG, they also had an exact 2.3% rate. Um, so we were right on target with our DRG. And lastly, the state of Connecticut has incurred a 2.2% prevalence rate. So, we are right on track not just with our DRG, but also with, um, the Connecticut state average. Everyone has gone up about 2 to 2 and 1/2% in the area of identification of students with primary disability. The last piece I did put in for you, um, was the primary disability trend because we track this data not just weekly, this is daily. We're consistently on EdSight. We also keep track of our primary disabilities and what that trend is looking like because that

080helps us plan for programming within district and making sure that we're supporting, the students, um, within our community. I will tell you, um, our most, um, our deepest increase right now had been in autism, and you could see that five years ago where we had had 96 students, we're up by 45 students being identified with that primary disability rate. Um the acuity in servicing the students with that primary disability does vary, but I wanted you to be aware that the increase we had in autism, emotional disability, and intellectual disability is typically in students that have a higher acuity rate and tend to be in programs. Um I do want to give a special shout-out to the special education staff in this district is outstanding. The teachers, the support uh personnel, the clinicians that we have,

081I meet with them monthly, but they've done an outstanding job at working with our pupils, and I just wanted to say that this prevalence rate being on point with a median rate is is really something to be celebrated. It means that we're keeping kids in our district community when they need to be, and our teachers are actually able to meet kids' needs. Does anyone have specific questions about any of those charts? I do. Go ahead, Gary. Let's go. Well, you you bring up autism and emotional disability and intellectual disability. Those are They're big increases. Um yes, sir, in that order. Autism, then What can you What do you think you're going to contribute attribute it to? Um I will tell you the variable ratio. This is not just a statewide issue right now. We're seeing

082this nationally. Many of our families are coming in with pediatricians' notes. They are supporting, giving kids the extra help that they need so that they can come to school so that we can actually be able to work with them. Um there's an increase not just, you know, in those three disabilities for us in Connecticut, but that's a national trend that we're seeing. But you see learning disability go down. Well, and you have to remember there's 13 primary disability categories on on front page. So, you do see that go down, but we do see the variability spike in the other disabilities. So, just know that they aggregate in that large where it says other disabilities and other health impairment, there's multiple disabilities within there. But, that is something we have to keep track of in terms

083of all 13 of those categories. Um but, there is that spike specifically in autism, and we will keep monitoring that to make sure that we're programmatically supporting all of our families and our community and our students. Thank you. You're welcome. You know, in that same vein, um I've I've read this argument made quite often that um like many of the students who maybe in the past would have just been uh in the you know, learning disability or other disabilities category, or even you know, emotional disability, are now being positively identified with autism as that field of of medical science has expanded. >> Absolutely. And there's comorbidity in so many of these different primary disabilities where kids can share two and three sometimes different primary disabilities. Um all making sure for us that however the primary

084disability comes out, for us the end result is making sure that programmatically we're meeting the needs of all of the different comorbidities. But, you are correct. That is an issue nationally. And one more question. I'm sorry. So, how let's let's stay on this thread actually. We talk about primary disability. How does that impact like what program a student's in? So, let's say That's a great question. >> Like a student has a significant physical disability, and that's very noticeable, and that's their initial primary disability, but they are later diagnosed with autism. How do we balance the various comorbil- co- comorbilities as we look to place them in programs? So, in the district, we have a wonderful what's called a continuum of services, right? So, that LRE needs to be represented. So, from inclusion models where kids

085can go in and be included, we also have resource rooms where kids can get some private instruction for certain subjects and still go out, but then we have programs in our district. So we have something called a thrive program that is from K all the way up that supports students with the emotional disabilities. We have something called our voices program which does support the students who have autism. And then we also have something called life skills program for kids who are more intellectually disabled or maybe more physically disabled. They would be able to be supported a full day if they needed within those programs. Great. Um, sorry Gary, I have a couple. Um, so I'm actually looking at the categories. Where do students whose primary disability is physical, where do they live? Do they live

086in other health impairment or >> a No, it's called a multiple disability. So all 13 are not charted on here. You'll notice that they clump some when they called other disabilities. That's um, a bunch of different disabilities together, but that would be a child who has what's called a multiple disability. So like an intellectual disability in addition to a physical disability, that would be categorized as a multiple disability because primarily we can't say one versus the other, so we try to make sure that we're inclusive of all of the diagnoses. Okay. Um, and so what what gets included in other health impairment versus other disabilities? >> That is typically ADHD. It's called another health impairment and it is done with ADHD with and without hyperactivity, so there's a couple of different disability categories that fall

087within there. Okay. All right, I won't I won't pester you with any more. >> No, that's okay. >> could go at this topic for a long time. But Gary, you had something you wanted to bring up. You asked a couple of them, but in terms of budgeting, Mhm. um, the autism emotional and intellectual. How do we Does it take more more dollars per student in those in those categories of disability? And how do you budget for that? >> Yes. Overall, of course it would because the programming is going to be more specialized. Um, I will tell you what we are seeing is there's a lot of students moving in district that were not necessarily just ours and now are being um, labeled with this disability category. But yes, they will be more um, intensive in

088terms of the services. We have something called related services. So, above and beyond them getting special education in their classroom, they would also be receiving speech and language services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, all um, counseling. Those are all related services. So, yes. So, our budgets reflect the future growth of You think those are the >> Yes, we're we're monitoring very closely. This is why I'll tell you we're on um, looking at this kind of data daily is because we're making sure that what's happening in the classrooms we're able to support the students and their families. Okay. Yeah, go ahead, Jeff. Thank you so much [clears throat] for this data. I This was great. A lot of things to go over. It did bring one other question to me. I know there's been a big push

089over the years for, you know, more push-in service first pull-out services for special ed. How are we doing and and what what do we do to continue to support that, you know, in our district? What what does the >> That's a great question and I will tell you everything is 100% individualized. There'll be plenty of times where, you know, families and students will want that push-in and we will support to be able to do that. But there are times that that is not what's most appropriate for a child. So, every single one of those decisions has to be driven by the IEP. We're working um, now with making sure we're supporting inclusion teaching teachers on like embedded coaching cycles for next year. We want to work with Edvance on how to do a good job

090of co-teaching, but it's a constant weekly meeting with the special ed supervisors and our teams to talk about making sure we're supporting our teachers in delivering the service that is right for students. Oh, great. Thank you very much. And again, thank you for the data. It was very good to go through. >> Yeah, that actually does bring me to one more question. Sorry. Um it's kind of a big one, but uh like I'm familiar obviously like with how the process goes and sort of what an IEP meeting kind of looks like. Um but like what's sort of the push-pull for you know, the family right >> Mhm. versus the district's ability to provide. And what I mean by that is that not unreasonably, every parent is going to come into this PPT meeting uh looking

091for the absolute best and most for their child as anyone would. >> Um and as a school district, we have limited teachers, space, resources. So, how do we balance that cuz obviously we we can't shut down a family's request for support, but we also cannot provide every student with a $500,000 education unless their family's willing to pay the tax rate that would require. So, where do we kind of land? >> I'm going to tell you I think that's where the shout-out to this current special ed department, the teachers, um and the special ed supervisors are actively involved in all of those meetings. That just takes continuous meeting time, meeting with families, and going over what is best for a child. There's no panaceic simplistic answer to it cuz there's so many variables, but I think

092that's where the human connection and the care just comes into play um that I've seen over this past year that I just couldn't be prouder of the special ed supervisor and the special ed teachers and the related services people in our district because that is just a constant monitoring. And there will be times when we can't support a student, and they will need an LRE outside of this continuum. Um, but those are just consistent meetings that have to take place. Thank you. You're welcome. No, that's fine. I did too. Go ahead. So, I'll bring in the discussion of food. Do we look at you bring up autism and and ADHD? Can it is it possible for the special department or do they look at their diet and how it may impact their behavior because there

093is a lot of science on that. Um, medically we're not allowed to like have conversations even within the PPT realm that are specific to things like, you know, medicine or but, you know, diet it it can be discussed. >> mean, can we offer something as part of our cafeteria program? Can we offer something >> No, it's not typically under IDEA, food doesn't fall under the IDEA component. >> us to maybe suggest what might work for certain disabilities. I I mean, Again, it's within we're within the educational realm that we have to remind people all the time. We're not doctors at the table. Like, these are called educational primary disabilities specifically so that we can write a goal and objective about how a child can access their education better. That's under IDEA, not foods. There's no

094way to to incor- The reason I say this is if it will help some children and we can provide that diet at no at a slightly different cost and it can improve the outcome, can you make a recommenda- I don't mean to the parent, I mean, to the board as to there is a possibility of us offering something Is there a reason why we can't do that other than >> Um, just under IDEA, our charge is specific to education. So, not that I know of. >> What's IDEA cuz I don't know? Um, so under these IEPs, it's we're under a federal law, the IDEA law is where we can do all of these individualized education plans. So, that law is about accessing education. So, when we write an IEP, we write an IEP that's an

095educational goal, um, and how kids can access our education system. Anyone else? Thank you, Dr. Baker. Thank you. Um, we will next hear from Ms. Ferguson from the Office of Teaching and Learning. Good evening, everyone. So, tomorrow is our final, um, professional learning, district-directed professional learning session for this current school year. And tomorrow afternoon, our K-12 educators district-wide will be working on anticipating student needs in advance of instruction to support rigorous thinking and protect cognitive demand led by OTL. They will refine lessons to ensure that the lesson design builds access for each and every learner, strengthens students' abilities to productively struggle. You've heard us talk about that this year. Promotes more targeted and meaningful student-to-student discourse, increases student engagement and in student confidence, and catches misconceptions before they take root. Um, during the professional learning

096session, teachers will focus on the thinking process that students will need to engage during the instruction, reasoning, justification, problem-solving, and sense-making. They will evaluate a task. They will refine it to support the development of higher-order thinking skills. Um, they will determine effective supports for students who may not know how to begin the work so they can make progress without being told exactly what to do and how to do it. Uh there are additional offerings for our special educators. They will be working on IEP goal development in alignment with standards. Uh special ed paraeducators will be working with our board certified behavior analysts regarding school-based behavioral support strategies. Our library media teachers and paraeducators will be reviewing the state K-12 model digital digital literacy and well-being curriculum and current TPS programming. And our middle school staff

097is going to be focusing on boosting student engagement. Um unrelated to that, but very important is that testing season is currently underway. Our high school juniors took the SATs on April Fools' Day. Um those who missed it, who were absent, uh took the makeup today, actually. As we work our way through the remainder of the month of April and into May, we will administer the ASBA, the NGSS, as well as our own universal screeners, the STAR, the DIBELS, etc. We're just about finished testing the 50 juniors and seniors who opted in for yet another test. This one to test their proficiency in a language other than English in an attempt to be awarded the Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation. These 50 students tested in eight different languages this year. Spanish, French, Italian, Mandarin, Latin, Burmese,

098Vietnamese, and Fulani. We will be honoring our Seal of Biliteracy Award winners at Awards Night and at a special ceremony for the students and their families in June. Uh we are firming up plans for some of summer learning. We'll be posting those teaching opportunities at the beginning of next week. Fabulous. Thank you. Anyone have questions related to that report? You are off the hook. Thank you. Um we will now hear from Ms. Gagnon for the food service report. Good evening. I would love to announce our Facebook page is up and running. We had our first share today. It was a monthly newsletter. So, I want to go ahead and start, hopefully monthly, posting newsletters about what's going on in our program. Um just to really get the news out there to the parents. Um I'm

099also proud to announce we'll be entering into a pre-purchase plan with a local farm right here in Torrington. They will be growing our produce for the '26-'27 school year. They're going to be growing lettuce varieties, cucumbers, tomatoes, lunchbox peppers, and many more items for the growing season. And we're looking forward to offering these to our students. They're excited to be partnering with Torrington Public Schools and look forward to visiting our students in the cafeterias. Um he's willing to come out and do taste testing with the students and have them recognize the difference between his lettuce varieties or his produce versus the store-bought stuff. Um there is a substantial difference. So, he is more than excited to jump on and join us for next year. Um where he is bringing potential for field trips to his

100farm. Um I will be bringing our managers there by the end of the school year to have that connection so we can grow our relationship with him. Um and then I would like to address the concerns that have been brought to my attention. Um I do want to acknowledge I always work with food service staff um to come up with new offerings that fit within the federal guidelines. My assistant and I attend food shows regularly to find new products for our students that offer a healthier visual. Uh the breakfast items being served to students are not standard products purchased off the grocery store shelf. The Pop-Tart and on our menu is not actually on our menu, but it's offered as an alternative for students who don't want what is on the main menu that day.

101Instead of a child going hungry, they're given something that they would like. These Pop-Tarts are formulated with natural colors and flavors and do not contain high fructose corn syrup, include a higher content of calcium, protein, and fiber that normal Pop-Tarts do not. Please view the newsletter and you will see all the guidelines and standards that we do have to follow every day. >> [cough and clears throat] >> The grain options are a required component of the school breakfast program. These items are not being offered, we are violating our compliance regulations and putting our program at risk of losing our federal funding. That funds 95% of our program. My um our upcoming May menu will include new items that fit the style of breakfast served in each school. We have schools that have the opportunities to

102sit and eat in the morning. They're currently offering breakfast sandwiches, breakfast pizza, yogurt parfaits. It's the grab and go schools that are difficult. These children are grabbing their little bags in the morning and they're eating in their classrooms. So, time temperature sensitive items, it's really hard to come up with new products. I got my team together last week, we came up with ideas. So, you will see them in the new May menu coming out. Looking forward to that. Um I do also want to share that our participation rates on a standard national average breakfast is 19 to 22%. We are currently at 45%. These kids need food and they're eating food. Keeping us very busy at that. Um and as far as lunch, the national average is 56%. We are currently 75 and 1/2. The

103men and women in our kitchens work very hard for our students and I would just like them to know they are appreciated. One more positive note, I am excited to share my technology assistant and I have found a new software program that I have been struggling to find. Um we have found a software program that parents will be able to access every single product we purchase. They will be able to click on it. They will know all the nutrition facts and ingredients. They will be able to build their students' meal. It will have every component, everything that their child is consuming. Um very helpful for the nurses, too. The nurses have all of our nutrition information, but this will be so much more streamlined. It takes at minimum 90 days to build it, so next

104school year it'll be up and running. Thank you. Um that's all all very exciting. I think especially the nutrition facts stuff um is going to be really good. So, just so I understand like what you're describing, so what it sounds like is um you know, let's say I want to see the stuff, so I go and I look at the menu or go wherever this lives and I just say, all right, what's uh you know, what's my kid going to be eating for lunch on Monday? How many calories? How much sugar? And then I can just it's one click and it's there. Yep. Fabulous. >> Yep, you can build a meal. There's a build a meal option right in the corner. You can select the apple slices we purchase, the muffins we purchase, um build

105the breakfast sandwich, it'll be on there. And it's in 180 languages, so Good. I'm hoping it's a one-stop shop. Fabulous. Um I just Um well, I just wanted to ask then um one other thing just kind of looking ahead, right? Cuz we we went over um like the program's budget this year as part of the discussion and you know, uh we discussed how there's like a modest yearly surplus. Um so I'm not asking I don't I'm not putting you on the spot now, but um like we discussed last night with the Board of Finance, um that's one area that is a real positive for us, right? We have high rate of participation, it's bringing in more money than we're spending. Um so let's start to think about what we can do to sort of build

106on that, right? To spend that that surplus maybe on one-time things, but really I would love to you know, talk about like programmatic stuff, right? Maybe you're going to come back and say well, we're going to put, you know, X amount more into food or maybe you want to bring in a specific employee with certain skills. Um you know, let's uh let's let's take this money that we're getting and and kind of reinvest it. Um so I don't expect you to have an answer right now, but it's something that I think I we want to put on the radar. Yeah, we have definitely moved um uh a year ago I applied for a grant to hire a chef for the district. So unfortunately, we didn't receive it. Um but never know what the future holds.

107Well, and what um I mean, what are we pulling in in in surplus revenue, if you will, for the for your program right now? I mean, would that be sufficient to sustain that position? Cuz if so, I mean, I think it's something the board would be interested in supporting for you. At this time, not right now. We wouldn't be able to um because I have invested money this year into other things. Going forward, it's something we can absolutely revisit next year and see where we're at and incorporate it even if it's a part-time position. I'm not against it. Yeah, I mean, I I think that that that sounds to me just at first hearing of it. It sounds like something that would really be worth doing. Yes. Um that's all I have for now. Um

108put a pin in that discussion as we roll out some of this new stuff. Does anyone else have anything? Kristen. Hi. Um, so first of all, um, I'm happy to hear of all these these changes. Um, I do tend to agree with what Miss Miss Goodwin said and I know that I really can't address her. Um, but I I would like to see some some changes uh to our school menu and I'm glad that you're making those changes. Um, I hope that it continues to go in that positive direction and we continue to see more changes. >> [cough] >> That being said, if you can't um afford a a chef, I'm happy to volunteer my time. I would love that. >> I I'll be happy to go to any school that that you need me

109to. Um, and I am ServSafe certified and I have a culinary degree. All right. >> So, I will I will do that if it helps these kids. >> Perfect. You're continuing it. I love it. >> All right. >> I love it. All about it. I thank you for the report. Question for you, and this is just theoretical. I'm going to piggyback off of the special ed. Every child gets a free meal here in Torrington. I know there are some families that can afford meals. Probably a lot more than people in this room would admit to. Um, I don't believe in everybody getting a free meal because there are families that can afford it. I understand there's the equity issue and the and the embarrassment at the counter if your card runs out. My kids always

110ran out. Um, my wife always forgot. But, can we offer a menu, identify things like autism or ADHD or these other issues? Can because you can create a menu now, can you create a menu to satisfy the parents that have children with those disabilities? Um, and offer that by picking and choosing whatever the offerings are. And also, for the parents who want to pay a little more, can we offer a different menu. To to And I don't know if we can legally um charge or they can opt in to pay another $2 for each meal um to give them a healthier choice. I'm not saying our choices aren't again, I'm not I'm because of her her her discussions and my to be honest with all my grandkids, they they don't have any of these issues.

111Um we're lucky, but they they have a very all my grandkids and kids have a very strict diet. Um um I don't, but So with paid districts, paid districts you can do tiered pricing. Um and you can offer those different >> is this? I'm sorry. Paid districts, um going back to being a full paid district, you can offer tiered pricing per product that is being sold. So deli sandwiches can have one price. Um the main meal will have another price. You can do that. But because we're CEP, we cannot do that. Um CEP being what? CEP being what? Uh community eligible provision, meaning we are an in need district and we offer our meals for free to students. And as far as answering the question with the different food items for the specialty needs, um

112we can provide any meals just as long as we have a medical note from a for a student. We have to abide if there's a medical professional saying that this student should be eating this, we will provide that. We just need to be given it. Um and their their profile will be noted. So they cannot leave that register with something that they're not supposed to have. So just as long as a medical professional signs off on it, we have to abide by that. It might be a good announcement to make for families who are concerned. It might alleviate some of the stress and anxiety. There it has been there for a very long time. >> Yeah, I'm not familiar with it, so. Back when I was a manager, um there is many students in there

113that have the dye allergies. They have blueberry allergies. It's an allergy requirement. We have to have that, and it pops up and stops the student in their tracks. They cannot pass you until you clear that note in the screen. So, any medical needs that a student has is in our profile. Do we have any parents that have ADHD children with ADHD diagnosis? Do we have any parents that opt in, or are they aware of it? Because I do believe food has a lot to do with it, but I you know, it can is there something they you can create for those parents and any other parents? >> Unfortunately, that's none of my information to even know. I can't know this the this information comes directly from our nurses. Our nurses provide the cafeteria managers with

114the restriction that the child has. We do not know their medical diagnosis is. Oh, I get it, yeah. But parent if there is a doctor's note, or there is a an issue like ADHD, we you can do that. You will do that. >> as long as the nurse gives us the information, we will note their file, and it'll stop the child in their tracks. Yep. Thank you. You're welcome. Yeah, to be clear, right? Like the the physician, the child's physician, would have to specify specific things they either must eat or must not eat. They can't just say, you know, this patient this child's a patient, they should be on an ADHD diet, because we're going to say, "Well, what is that?" >> Right. Um Right. I would expect the parent to work with them to

115get the the doctor the the menu with the doctor, but Mhm. Right. So, in all cases, and this is true in this department as in every other department, right? If if a physician uh who is treating the student says, "This must happen." Um we accommodate that in food service and in everything else. Um cuz Cuz don't to what Dr. Baker was saying, we're not physicians, we don't employ a physician. Uh we don't make diagnoses and we don't set treatment plans. Any other questions, Mr. Cisco? Earlier in the year, the school improvement committee heard a very enthusiastic presentation from someone from the extension service about the farm to cafeteria program. That's maybe not its real name. Is your contract with the farmer a part of that? Yes. Thank you. >> They were our direct connection to

116him. Yep. Anyone else? Yep. Um this [clears throat] is actually a question I uh had last night from something you uh had said, Mr. Corey. And correct me if I'm misremembering this, but I I know this is kind of like you explained this is a self-sufficient system and we're, you know, we're reimbursed for the meals, so it's no money out of our pocket. And then in some cases, I think where this had come up was that question was asked like uh streams of revenue, this being kind of a small area in which there is revenue. You had explained that that money gets reinvested as it should for better quality. I I guess my question is like is it a a large surplus? Is that a every year is that reinvested? Is that you kind of

117let it wait to accrue for a couple of years and then, you know, just I'm just curious about how that works. Yeah, so part of the discussion this year was we've made some like um some one-time investments, right? Um both in the food service program and uh approved transfers out for certain things. Um cuz it is monitored by the state of Connecticut, right? So they have to tell you if things are okay. Um we uh the the not issue, but the question at hand um that we were just talking about, I think that you're talking about, is there is a year-over-year surplus, right? Generally in what the program receives in reimbursements through the grant versus what we spend. Um that number fluctuates a little bit, of course, year-over-year. So that's that's really, I think, what

118we're talking about now, cuz we have mostly spent the built-up surplus money on various improvements. Um but now we're talking about, you know, stopping it from building up, right? If if we're pulling in I'm and I'm this is a fake number, I'm just making it up. If we're pulling in $20,000 a year extra, what can we spend that on so that it doesn't accumulate? And that's where we were talking about potentially a chef and and you know, one thing while we're talking about it, too, um nothing as far as I understand would preclude the Board of Education, if we had money, um from kicking in extra dollars for this program. I mean, it doesn't have to live on what it receives from from grants. Um it just does because it can, and we don't have

119any money. Um but if we, you know, if part of your proposal is for a chef, right, and it's you have an operating surplus of 40,000, but you really is going to cost 70,000, we could have a discussion as this group about an investment of $30,000 a year out of our operating budget to support that. Um so, I think that's worth keeping in mind, too, that it may be an investment the board is looking to to make. I hope that addresses the the question. Anyone else? Okay, thank you. Thank you. Um we next have the monthly financials. They are Well, I before I say they are in the packet. What's Oh, I skipped the liaison before. Sorry, I checked them off erroneously. Um all members have copies of the liaison reports which have been received.

120Uh they're available online, as well. If any of the building administrators or liaisons would care to append additional information, now is the time. Great. Thank you all. Um now it's monthly financials. I have to find them. I don't know what page they're on. I'm looking I assume they're They're They are here. >> 31 Um Great. Uh Donna, would you like to just tell us a little bit about them? Certainly. Good evening, everybody. Um everyone received their packet for the monthly financials up to March 31st, 2026. And we are um in good shape. We're about 75% through the fiscal year. And [clears throat] about 75% through our budget. Um so, we did go over some items that were a little under and over at our budget committee meeting, but in in general, we are looking good.

121Uh you will see in the bottom left corner of page 31 that we do actually have a little revenue coming in for the rentals for our facilities. Um so, uh that's something that has been uh updated. And I didn't know if anybody had any other questions, concerns over the um line items? Will you please let the City of Torrington know that I was a liar last night when I said that this was a four-digit number um cuz it's not. It It was It was a four-digit number for a long time. So, we we just actually brought that in. >> [laughter] >> Okay. >> But I will. Thank you. Anyone else have anything for the monthly financials? If not, I will hear a motion to approve them. Is there a second? Second. Uh motion's made and

122seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? The monthly financials are approved. Uh we now have committee reports starting with Mr. Kiskow. The April School Improvement Committee meeting heard a report uh school a community partner presentation from the Western Connecticut Coalition, which went very well. Uh presented by Travis Tanius and others, and Travis is well known to to this committee. And we heard the report on the high school, finishing up our school reports for the year. And that was handled a little differently with various members of the faculty and students making the the basic presentation. Students as young as the class of 2040 came to the table to make their presentations. Those of us who were at that meeting know what I'm saying. And that went very well.

123School visit. Kristen, would you like to say anything about the school visit? You were You were part of that. You take better notes than I do and pay more attention than I do. I did. And I no longer have those notes. >> I'm putting you on the spot. I know that. >> That's That's perfectly fine. Thank you to Mr. Scott. We had a wonderful visit as always. Um The We saw the auto shop room that's new. That was really cool to see. We got to see a ramen demonstration and the cooking class. We got to see some classrooms, hands-on work. Um yeah, it was a nice visit. So, thank you. Love to see all the great things happening at the high school. Thank you. And the other thing we did, and now I'm going to

124put Mrs. Ferguson on the spot because we chose our district distinguished alumnus, and would you like to say a couple words? But you did the work, so you should be able to make the announcement. Oh, thank you. So, you want me to go ahead and share the name? Oh, we're ready, right? It's okay. >> We're ready. Um so, the committee has selected Cheryl Madau Abbott as the recipient of this year's distinguished alum award. I've had the privilege of speaking with her a couple of times. She is a prima ballerina. Um we are very excited. Came all the way through school in Torrington. I believe her family still lives here in Torrington. Her folks live off of Charles Street, I I She's very excited. It took me uh several days to She and I went back

125and forth. She was away out of state. Um, she may have even been out of the country traveling and teaching. She still is a teacher of dance. She is She was blown away by the the outreach [clears throat] and um so excited to accept the award and she can't wait to come. She's bringing her family the evening um of the uh scholarship night. So, very excited. So, I'm I'm really excited to meet her. Thank you. Uh we will not be meeting School Improvement Committee in uh May because we have given up our meeting slot to the ad hoc artificial intelligence committee. And we will meet in June and that will be our last meeting for the year. Questions? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Kisco. We will next hear [snorts] from the Policy Committee. Mr. Eufalido,

126has the Policy Committee been convened and have you been attendant or should we pass to somebody else? I didn't attend building. That'll be collection tonight. Um Policy was pretty quick last time. Um we have action and action item number 10 regarding the age five um admission to public school cutoff. Um uh September, I forget the date, but we are in favor of that. Uh and the other thing was uh screens and it will continue on May 6th. Um we discussed it, but it's going to take more time and we will be discussing it on on May 6th after the school Oh, after the AI meeting, I should say. Um and that was it. Questions? I Thank you. Uh we have Facilities and Technology, which I understand not only had its monthly meeting, but has also

127just met. Um so, Mr. Cronin, you want to tell us about that? I I was out of state, so I'll have to defer I'll I'll cover the first half then. Uh the first meeting we had earlier in the month, we went through the technology stuff as we usually do. Had a nice presentation from Ms. Veins. And then we also went through the revised capital budget. We looked at um the landscaping RFP. We also looked at the snow plowing costs we were incurring for this year. Went through all those things and uh just been overall normal meeting in facilities. And do we want to cover the special meeting? I know the agenda items that were on that agenda are also later on our agenda this tonight, so we can wait. It's Mr. Cronin will cover that.

128>> Sure. Yeah, um we're going to push that off until um we get all the necessary paperwork. So, that just to be clear, the committee made no recommendation on the items that were in front of it. Great. Okay. Thank you. And I I know um I'm told that there are some answers to some of the questions the committee was asking. So, when we get to that on our agenda, um we'll we'll afford some time. Uh you have to do it right now. When we get to those items, we'll afford some time to get those some of those answers for you. Um we next have the budget committee. Uh Mr. Cronin. Sure. We had our monthly meeting for the budget. We went over the monthly financials you guys all just saw in the packet. The budget

129team also came to us with our a student activity account summary that we get once a year and see the different amounts of funds in the different accounts. And we had a just general discussion on those items and some topics for future meetings about bringing revenue into the district, uh how we can do that with uh various special ed programs and things. Just a a future discussion. And then of course we had our presentation of the budget to the city last night. So, other than that, uh it's been pretty tame on the budget front. Okay. Thank you. And we do have some time on the agenda to just uh discuss the budget happenings later as well. Does anyone have anything for the budget committee? Okay. Thank you. Um and Mr. Ippolito called you out, so

130Mr. Kluscher tell us about the building committee. >> Yeah, no, not a problem. Um so over the break we had some of the inside work was completed. The biggest part of that being the access to central office and the elevator there. I hear that it's large for the most part working. I think there's some minor tweaks that have to be done, but that I think is still coming down the shoot. Some of the concrete walkways outside have been completed and then the other sidewalks that surround the varsity baseball field and softball field are currently underway. Uh Eagle fence, about 90% done with the fencing around the baseball fields and the dugouts remain to be done. Um for the [snorts] the again the varsity baseball fields are shooting for a May 1st opening. So I think

131that's still on track. I don't think there's any worries with that. Um let's see. Softball, the backstop poles are set. Liberty Landscaping will start the field work as soon as the sidewalks are done. So that'll be that'll follow right right with the sidewalks. And weeding, mulching beds, all that's all that's starting now that we have the warmer weather. Hydroseeding is going to start as well and lastly the mowing will start tomorrow. Okay, yes. Does anyone have any questions or did you guys have any additions? Any questions about the building committee's work? Okay, thank you. Um Okay, we next have the Board of Education minutes starting with the regular meeting minutes from March the 18th. Um are there any amendments, additions, or deletions? If not, I will hear a motion to approve them. Is there a

132second? Second. Okay, made and seconded any further discussion. Hearing none, all those in favor please say aye. Any opposed? Okay, that's done. We will next receive the subcommittee meeting minutes. Um, as provided there is no objection, I would hear them as one item. So, it's facilities and technology from March 11th, the budget from uh March 1st and March 16th, school improvement from March 4th, policy from February the 4th, and building committee from March 19th. Um, is there a motion? Is there a second? Okay, any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor please say aye. Any opposed? Those are all done. Uh, we have next the uh receipt of the consent agenda of appointments, retirements, and resignations. Uh, is there a motion? Is there a second? Second. Uh, any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor

133please say aye. Any opposed? That is concluded, and we now are on to new information and action beginning with field trips. Um, they're listed together um, for the middle school to Broadway in January of 2027. And also the middle school to Washington D.C. in March of um, sorry, May of 2027. Uh, that is a typo. The packet reads March 25th to 28th. It is May 25th to 28th. Is that right? Great. Um, take it away, gentlemen. All right, so good evening. Um, we're proposing two trips um, for this evening, both for the 8th grade full class trips. Um, the first is Wednesday, January 27th to go see The Outsiders on Broadway. Um, this would be um, to all 8th grade students, and it aligns directly with the core novel that we read. Um, the reason

134and January is to keep our teachers on track for completing that book within the time frame that we're hoping for. Um it I normally we would present this type of a trip as the alternate to the DC trip, but because of the curricular connection and my desire to go see this play again, um we're putting it in January. Um I've already secured 337 tickets for all staff or for chaperones and for all students to go. Um so now it's just getting the approval and then fundraising the money so that we can go along with uh the buses. Um That was supposed to be the show that we saw this year, but because of the popularity of it, um tickets weren't available. The day I received uh I put this in, I received an email saying

135that they've extended the the play from ending in this September through July of next year. So I immediately put in the request for tickets knowing that if it wasn't approved that I can cancel those. So um the tickets can be canceled um at any time prior to payment. Um the cost of the trip is around $150, um which is about $50 less than what it was for Hamilton because of the the cost of the uh the outsider tickets. Um first concern, January with the weather that we've had. Um so I did contact the uh ticket comp- the provider and unless the performance itself is canceled, all tickets are non-refundable once paid. Um if the group misses the show, there is a possibility to pass date their tickets for another performance, but this cannot be guaranteed.

136So I did ask that question. Um so that's the first trip. The second trip is I'm very happy to be coming back um to present for the Washington DC trip. Um I would like to bring it back as a four-day, three-night trip from Tuesday, May 25th to Friday, May 28th. This precedes the Memorial Day weekend. The cost of the trip, if registered before the end of the school year, is $1,124 with a $49 initial deposit to register. After June 30th, the price goes up $50 to $11,000 to $1,174 and an initial deposit of $115. I am wanting to move back to World Strides for several reasons. I use them for seven of the 10 years that I ran the trip prior to the COVID cancellation. Their central office is located just outside of Washington, D.C.

137So, it gives us that locality for safety and contact with the company. They're willing to lock in the current price for the next 3 years, which is also a huge huge gain. They offer their own scholarship program for families reducing the cost of the trip based on their annual income. It's a simple phone call. They don't have to provide necessarily They provide very little paperwork to verify what their yearly income is and the price of the trip is reduced based on the cost of what they what they bring in annually. They [snorts] also have their own online fundraising program that allows students to write letters to family and friends or through social media, emails, and 100% of that money goes directly to their account and reduces the cost that reduces the cost of what they're

138paying. The cost is all-inclusive, transportation, hotel, food, all admissions, as well as personalized TMS t-shirts, a souvenir picture in front of the Capitol, and a return of the Major League Major League Baseball game. They do have a full refund program for an additional $139 fee. It was supposed to be a but because of my relationship from the past years, knowing the socio-economic makeup of our city, they did bring that down to the $139, um which protects payments should a student not be able to travel minus the protection plan and certain fees. They also have a job loss protection, should a student not be able to travel due to a parent's job loss, they get everything back. So very nice. We do also have just started an extended payment plan, so families can call customer service

139to enroll. If 70% of the cost is paid by the date travel, they can continue to pay for the trip up to 6 months after the travel date. So really giving our families that opportunity who aren't otherwise able to do something like this. At this point, we would be looking at well over a year for them to register and pay for this trip. Um The one thing that wasn't in the application and something that we're kind of dealing with right now with our DC trip going next week, as well as the Hamilton trip going, is chaperones being all in-house teacher chaperones and having a one-to-nine ratio. It may be helpful to add in substitutes as part of the cost of the trip. We're having some pretty large class sizes right now. I'm trying to remember

140exactly the board's policy on how those substitutes are paid for. I believe it's through fundraising and through the trip. Um but I would like to possibly look into reserving the right to do those depending on how many students register. Um So and just to give you a cost comparison, the three-day trip brings the price down to $899 before early registration $949. So that one extra day is a $225 difference. Um with everything that we do from basically 6:00 a.m. in the morning to 10:00 at night. The 3 days is really a a packed packed day and giving it the 4 days is a much better itinerary, so. Answer any questions. Thank you. I just before we get into the questions, the board doesn't actually have a written policy requiring to my knowledge requiring fundraising for

141the subs. It's customarily what has been done. However, we have from time to time engaged in spirited discussions you might say about whether or not that's the morally right thing to do. I frankly don't care if the Board of Education has to cover the cost of some substitutes for a few days. They're not that expensive and we budget for them anyway. And with that, does anyone have any questions for Mr. Lafreniere? Mr. Burnham. I just wanted to add and say thank you for bringing the 4-day trip back. It's a great opportunity for the kids who have gone in the 3-day kids had a great time, but you're going to take the bus all the way down there and all the way back and you put all those long hours in. It's It's great to have

142the time to really appreciate the opportunity that's being given to them, so thank you for bringing that back and to your point, the cost isn't all that much different than it was for 3 days on a prior trip. And I'll be starting fundraising right away. There There's actually seventh graders who already have money banked from the spice fundraiser, so there's some families who anticipated having the ability to go on the trip and and took part in that, so So, yeah. I also just wanted to thank Mr. Lafreniere and Mr. Beckett for their efforts to put this together based on our conversation when we approved the trip for this year. The group had asked what does the 4-day trip look like? What does it look like to bring that back? We've reached out to the company

143we're using this year as well. They were not able to respond and give us an amount of money for next year, so we did try to price shop the two of them against each other with the financial incentives for our students and families that this provided for us as well as locking in the three-year price, was why we made the decision to recommend switching back to this company. But, we tried to price shop the both of them. But, Mr. LaFramboise and Mr. Beckett did a wonderful job of trying to give the board what they had asked for and give our students back the four-day trip. Thank you very much. Anyone else? Thank you for doing that and for offering a company that allows scholarships for our students cuz that's really important. Mhm. And I'll look

144at different grant opportunities as well as I've done in the past um through uh the um SYTA Student Youth Travel Association. Um I've been able to get students trips paid for um in full and and just with outreach to the community, we've had teachers as well as community members offer to pay for students who otherwise wouldn't be able to go. So, it's a great tradition in town and and I'm looking forward to getting back to it. Anyone else? Yeah, Kristen. Yeah, I'm just going to say the same thing. Thank you again for making this a four-day trip again. Really, three is just not enough. Uh I really, the only thing they're they're missing is is the game, but there is more to it's about time and having a little more downtime and a little more

145sleep and not being on a bus, you know, back to on bookend days with only one in between. So, really, thank you. Um but, my my daughter's still very much looking forward to going next week. So, thank you. She doesn't need to know it used to be four days. I never I never got a Washington, D.C. trip as we've discussed before. So, three days is better than the zero that I got. Um let's have a little order here for anyone else who wants to ask any questions. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Um is there any more discussion on this before we bring it up for a motion? And we would uh they are listed under the same item. I'm happy to hear them together for everyone's convenience, but if people would like to separate them,

146we certainly can hear motions and vote on the Broadway trip in Washington D.C. separately. Um I'll make a motion to take them together as a pair. Okay. Is there a second? Okay, seconded by Ms. Leo. Any further discussion questions before us? Hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, so those are approved. Um we now have healthy food certification. Those of you who've been on the board uh for a year or more will remember that I have to read this out precisely. Um so uh I will first hear a motion that pursuant to the Connecticut General Statutes Section 10-215F, the Torrington Public Schools certifies that all food items offered for sale to students in the schools under its jurisdiction and not exempted from the Connecticut Nutrition Standards published by the

147Connecticut State Department of Education will comply with the Connecticut Nutrition Standards during the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. This certification shall include all food offered for sale to students separately from reimbursable meals at all times and from all sources, including but not limited to school stores, vending machines, school cafeterias, culinary programs, and any fundraising activities on school premises sponsored by the school or non-school organizations and groups. Is there a motion? Is there a second? Great. Uh made motion's been made and seconded. Um So I I'm happy to just give the brief overview and then if folks have questions, maybe we could dive in a little deeper. We do this every year. Uh it is as I recall associated with a grant. Um and it just means that we can't sell the

148students uh certain things. It doesn't This has come up before, so I'm just going to throw it out there. It doesn't change, say, classroom birthday parties and things like that. Um it just means that we can't sell you certain things um that don't comply with the state's standards. Um but it does necessitate that we read this out exactly um and vote on it as it is written. It cannot be amended. And is there any other discussion or any questions? Are there any changes from previous years? Are there No. Anyone else? Uh okay, then uh we already have a motion on the table, so all those in favor, please say I. Any opposed? Okay, that carries Okay. That carries um with just uh Ms. Conway voting in the negative. Um Okay, we have to do the

149second one associated with this, which is Uh I will hear a motion that the Torrington Public Schools will allow the sale to students of food items that do not meet the Connecticut nutrition standards and beverages not listed in section 10-221q of the Connecticut General Statutes, provided that the following conditions are met. One, the sale is in connection with an event occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend. Two, the sale is at the location of the event. And three, the food and beverage items are not sold from a vending machine or school store. An event is an occurrence that evolve involves more than just a regularly scheduled practice, meeting, or extracurricular For example, soccer games, school plays, and interscholastic debates are events, but soccer practices, play rehearsals, and debate team

150meetings are not. The regular school day is the period from midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. Location means where the event is being held and must be the same place as the food and beverage sales. Is there such a motion? Is there a second? Second. Second. Motion's been made and seconded. Um and this is in association with obviously the previous motion. Um it just says under certain circumstances, certain groups of people at certain events can sell certain things that we otherwise could not be selling. Um that a fair? Okay. Anyone have any questions or discussion? Okay, hearing none, all those in favor please say I. Any opposed? Okay, any abstentions? That carries and is adopted. Um thank you for all the work of course that goes into this.

151Um I know it can be a little bit tough uh for this grant. Um we next have the 25-26 calendar update. Mr. Wilson. >> Yes, good evening. As this board has already approved, uh June 19th will be a half day for students and staff. I am asking the board to consider June 22nd and June 23rd, which will be our official last day of school, to also be half days. And those are a Monday and a Tuesday, correct? >> correct. Um I'm not explicitly opposed to that. Um I don't think that there are going to be I think I think we are likely to see a very high rate of absences, you might say, on that day. Um frankly from uh you know, students and employees. So um I'm pretty kind of fine with that. But

152what does the rest of the board think? Yeah, I mean it's just tough, right? We're going late into June because statutorily we have to have 181 days, but it's really tough to tell people that you've got to come back to work and you've got to come back to school that late in June. So um you know, there's not going to be a lot of learning going on anyway. Uh so I will I will hear a motion to amend the calendar to make those uh it's the 22nd and 23rd of June uh half days, if there is such a motion. So moved. Is there a second? Okay, made and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Uh all right, Gary is opposed. Uh he wants you to come

153to work and stay at work all day on the last day of school. Don't let him forget it. Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Um great, thank you. That is approved. Those will be half days. Um so, I I know that the committee for the chiller and the landscaping bid uh did not make a recommendation, um but uh you did mention to me before the meeting started Dean Dean that you had some answers to some of the questions that were raised. So, now would be the time if you want to share that. Uh yeah, as far as the chiller goes, um so, um not going with the um purchase uh cooperative uh streamline procurement, that's going to go out to public bid. That is in the lawyer's hands now as we speak also to get the back

154end of that uh squared away. So, I'm waiting for him to uh give me that so that can go out to public bid. Um uh as far as the landscaping bid uh goes, again, uh I spoke to the our lawyer right after that last meeting. And the decision to not include the performance and bid bond was solely based on how we broke up the project into smaller segments so that local smaller contractors can bid on it. The fear was smaller local contractors wouldn't have the capabilities of getting a bid, especially in that time frame that we were looking at. I apologize not remembering that detail in the last meeting, but this was not something that we just said we're going to take out. It was It was long discussed as we were segmenting the whole

155uh RFQ to break it up into those uh sections as you guys have in front of you. So, that was the That was the reason why, because of afraid that people would not bid the job that couldn't get bonded uh both performance and bid bond in a timely fashion or at all. Come to find out there was only two people who bid. Um and it it it it didn't play out like we thought it would as far as breaking this up into smaller bids and getting local people in there to do it. So, I just want to clarify that's the reason why it wasn't something that we did uh without any discussion and thought. Thank you. Um now while we're on the topic, um were both of the landscaping contract bidders qualified? I thought I

156thought I heard that one of them may not have completed the bid packet. >> Yes, uh one of them did not complete the bid package that we asked for stuff in the bid. The second one completed everything that was asked for, but we didn't ask for the two things we just spoke about. Right, right. Um okay, so there was only one actually qualified bidder. Um what is going to happen, I guess? Um so, the committee took no action. Um are we looking to send this back out because there was only one qualified bidder, or what is the what's the grand plan here for the folks who were part of that discussion? So, do you want to go ahead? No, I I I we talked about one plan there. I didn't know if this bit of

157information would change that. I did That's why I'm bringing it I wanted to bring it to your attention that, you know, that that bit of information. So, go ahead, Jeff. Sure, I what we had spoke about in the last meeting was sending it back out for an expedited bid with with the performance bond in it and at that point anybody who anybody could rebid it, of course, who had been to the to the get was the the actual walk-through, I believe. That's how that's where we landed in the last meeting, I'm Okay, so the consensus seems to be among the committee members that that's kind of where we would like to go is to And can I just say one thing Yeah, go ahead. unrelated to that discussion there there are the committee members. So,

158the one thing I would be worried about I had mentioned it to Glenn. To get landscapers to get performance and payment bonds, I I mentioned to Glenn I think that might hurt us possibly hurt us. I mean What was the total for the for the contract? Um approximately 260 a year. Somewhere in that neighborhood. Somewhere in that area. A lot of the local guys you'll find very few few local anything that actually will go out and get a payment performance bond because they have to sign personal sometimes you know, put their house um sign their house away. I mean I get payment and performance bonds, but I have to really provide a substantial PFS and and bank account. So, I don't I don't stand on any side of this. I'm not sure what the outcome

159will be. Well, in that that was the exact >> You may not get bids, but you may. That was the exact thought of the lawyer and I when we put this together to get it out was we weren't going to get local guys to bid it. Um or small not just local I keep on saying it, but smaller people who would take on a smaller job to bid it if they wouldn't be able to do we wouldn't be able to put it together. So, again, I think and I don't know if this could be done, but I think the bidder who completed his paperwork probably wouldn't have a problem um giving us a performance bond. To me at least it if now that we're further into discussion, if we ask for this performance bond it

160doesn't seem like it's really going to change anything other than giving these guys like Just because he's not going to lower his number just cuz he saw the other guys, you know what I mean? He's not going to leave money on the table like re-bidding this it doesn't seem like it's going to get us anywhere other than now that I'm now that I'm looking at this. All right. From where we're at it doesn't it doesn't seem like it's just going to drag it out longer for no reason. I mean my thought frankly is just that um when you have you know, two people who are or two entities which are interested in a contract and one of them screws it up somehow um sending it back out would entitle them to complete their bid paperwork

161and in this case they were the low bidder um which is kind of what I'm interested in um especially when the next highest right the other bidder was a substantial price uh difference. Um so you know, there's some legwork involved of course um but the amount of money we can save year over year if we were able to even consider accepting the lower bidder uh would be pretty serious. And the only reason why we can uh is because there was um what I understand it was the uh non-collusion in the equipment list. Um so we can't we can't ask them to cure it right but if we send it back out they can submit uh their package with those things. Um so I you know, that's the issue is if it were legit legal and

162legitimate to just say hey can you cure these issues these deficiencies with your bid then we could consider two different bidders but I don't really relish the idea of somebody the the more expensive option winning a contract by default um especially when it costs taxpayer significant amount more. That's kind of where I sit but maybe I'm not understanding it or seeing the whole picture. I mean that's one of the the unfortunate part of bidding a job that's that's the down that I mean I'm not saying that like oh therefore like well we're just going to spend more money and that's the way it is but you know, that's the process of bidding jobs you you run that risk. Yeah, they give you a checklist for a reason so. Can Can you reach out to them

163Is it legal to reach out to both of them? Cuz I don't know if either one can get a performance bond, but if if you should find out, can you call them to see if they can provide because if if your low bidder can't he's not going to Yeah, I could you know, I definitely want to >> what saves you is if he's processed right now or can't. a little I want to get the lawyer involved in this process a little bit more just because even not awarding it to Jessup person right now kind of um you know, could be something. So, I I called him quickly to get to give you guys the answer on that. Um I guess I could talk to him to I will talk to him tomorrow to see how

164we can move forward either way going out to bid or if again quickly um and requiring a performance bond and a bid bond or if the bond can be added to this. Is that Is that what you're asking Mr. Uglito? Well, no. I'm asking if who qualify Can Can they do it? What will happen is if they can't and you go back out to bid, you're going to have to go back out to bid. They're not going to bid and you're going to get higher bids. Because the bidders are going to be people who have an issue. But if you ask them now you know, can they provide the bond both of them? They both can arrange to get the bonds if it's possible. So, you Again, the low bidder might be the one who

165gets the bond. I I don't just to avoid an extra two or three weeks of going back and forth. Because time is of the essence and if they can't get a bond, you need to find out. I mean, you can call me and I'd say yes, I can get a bond up to X amount of dollars. So, they can stay in the pool. But at least know if you're not going to at least know they're not going to be kicked out of the pool because they can't get them. You know what I'm saying? Unfortunately, Mr. Uglito, I totally agree with what you're saying. However, that would be um legitimate and a great option if both parties had their packet complete to Mr. Collazo's point. Um but because one party did not, you would you cannot

166call both parties and ask for that. You would only be able to ask for the party that would be awarded the bid as an add-on. The only other option would be to go out to the expedited process again. Unfortunately, because as I said, both parties would have to be equal to make any call back to ask for the same document from either party. You can't just call both parties if one did not have everything in and then say, "I need this and this." It would not be prudent to do that. I just that just One thing, um, I think part of the contention in the pre- previous meeting was that the bid package as presented to the committee was to include performance bonds. And to the the the knowledge they didn't have the knowledge that

167the performance bond was removed from the bid package that was actually submitted. Um, I think we had all agreed that projects of that value, as we learned with the snow plowing, should be mandatory to include performance bonds in the contract value. Um, I'll I'm going to say that contract for the lowest responsible bidder in that package was $900,000 for 3 years. That's a significant amount of money and I think that would warrant performance bonds as such. I mean, we the bonds are there to protect the owner. Us, the Board of Ed. Um, as we learned with the snow plowing. And maybe this is going to be a policy discussion where we need to rewrite policy, what is it, 30-10? I believe on procurement and purchasing. Um, we need to have our standards and guidelines. Um,

168even purchasing through your consortium. I mean, just going out and getting three quotes, it should be a formal RFQ just like a bid package. That RFQ has to go out, which has detailed scope of work, whether a performance bond is required. All those things need to be presented to someone to get a proposal so we have an accurate number. Um it's not just sending out, "Hey, give me a quote to, you know, replace five tables in the cafeteria." It's it's got to have a detailed scope of work, even if buying off a contract to avoid the bid process. It still needs should have a formal scope of work and detailed requirements just as a formal bid package would. So, I think the big disconnect here was that the performance bonds were removed without the committee's

169knowledge, so that's why they chose not to move it forward. Um so, I think that's the big contention here. In my opinion, I whether policy needs to add it to theirs and start talking about revising the purchasing requirements. Can we in the future, because I I'm the one who said we need to set up performance and payment performance bonds in a lot of things. I would worry about at a certain level we would be probably getting much higher price, you know, depending on who has to qualify for the bonds. Can we put out, not in this case, but future, can you put out a request for a a project or whatever it may be with a a bond preference with or without two different prices, so somebody without a bond can can bid and and

170we can cover both, because I I don't know how public bids work, but you know, for certain things we don't want to overpay. I'm not referring to here, but in general, there are certain things that bonds will preclude certain people from doing, especially local people. And it's just a something we'll have to talk about to figure out to see if we don't eliminate a lot of individuals or different LLCs that just can't put up a bond for smaller values. I don't know what that value is, but we should talk about it. So, maybe it would be helpful just so that there's some direction. Um So, I And this is just a straw poll, this is not a vote. Um if you want this to go back out to bid in lieu of simply accepting the

171current single qualified bidder, um, raise your hand. Wait, with or without? We'll get there. That's going to be the second question. First, I want to know if we're ready to accept Jespersen's bid as it is or if we want to go back out. Yeah. Okay, so here's the issue. We do have a qualified bidder based on his bid spec that was sent, which did not include a performance bond. The board, because of that, could right now accept the Jespersen bid and just move along. I don't think we want to do that. I don't want to do that. But, I need to know because if that is what the board wants to do, then any discussion or directive about performance bonds, uh, effectively is is moot because we're just accepting a bid. So, if we're not

172going to do that, that's okay. Then we can talk about whether we want to go back out with a performance bond or without one. You see what I'm saying? So, it's it's preclusive. First, I need to know is the board going to override the decision of the committee, which it has the right to do, and accept this bid cuz there was some discussion about doing that, or are we going to go back out? Yes. I have I've spoken with counsel on the essential question of whether you can, um, ask a bidder to cure their bid. And I suspected the answer would be no, and it is. We cannot say, "Hey, you didn't submit this." Um, that's not permissible. So, there's only one qualified bidder right now. The The committee voted not to do anything. Um,

173it did not vote to recommend to the board that we go back out to bid unless I'm misunderstanding its report. >> No, we just We did not make a a motion. We just didn't send it to the full board. We said We gave the facilities folks the direction that we would like to see an expedited rebid. Okay, so that was the committee's decision. >> the committee's decision. Okay. Just we didn't make a motion for it cuz it wasn't the motion would have been to send it to the full board, which we did not do. Well, actually um the Board of Education still does need to cast a vote on directing the administration to send this back out to bid. The The committee doesn't have that power cuz it hasn't been delegated the ability to do

174so and with contracting, the recorded vote matters. Um so we have to vote on that and we also have to decide if we want them to put a performance bond in this or not. Those are the two questions. They're somewhat linked, but they are distinct. Mhm? So, I'm new to this, you know, performance bond stuff, but would it make sense to go straight back to Jesperson and ask for him to get a performance bond since, correct me if I'm wrong, he came didn't Isn't this the company that came to our rescue when the old company left us high and dry? For snow plowing, yes. And isn't he currently our landscaper with glowing references? And uh and great recommendations and he's also um a former Tarentum Public Schools student, which in my mind, says a lot

175because he's giving back to us, we're giving back to him. So, would it make sense to just ask go straight to him and ask for performance bond? I My understanding is that it would be legally acceptable to do so because he's a qualified bidder, so we could ask him to place an addendum uh of a performance bond. Um so, it would be legally acceptable to do so. If you want to know my opinion, I you know, I think it's he's the much higher bid and it would be better for the taxpayer to at least have acceptable options placed before the board cuz right now due to the deficiency of the other bid, there is only one legally permissible option. I feel like the other guy if he didn't follow through on these basic, you know,

176these qualifications for submitting a bid, is he going to follow through on well, on the job? That's what the bond's for. Mr. Pergola, I think. Um I think that he did not complete the paperwork. And that does reflect sometimes. Um and he also did not give me a list of the equipment that he has. So, if and when this if this goes out to bid and let's just say he bids with the performance bond, I still have to make that assumption that everything is in line. I have to go out, take a look at his equipment, make sure everything is there. Um and as I explained in the earlier meeting, if you look at the cost that we are paying, we would have been paying as opposed to what we are paying, is really not

177as much as it looks. It does look like that comparing prices, but we we can go back to comparing prices to the snow plowing. And and we know where that landed us. So, I have a reputable, uh responsible um contractor that's bidding it right now who actually has been doing some work on the cuff right now uh for us. He lined our our um he lined our um I forget the sport, the pole vaulting sport, the the track. He did that for us um you know, because we didn't have a contract in place. So, um and we did not ask for it for that reason. So, we didn't ask for the performance bond and the bid bond for that reason. It didn't happen that way. And again, if you look at what we were paying

178him or what we had have paid him as supposed what he's asking for this new contract with an increased scope of work and his reputable and appreciative help that he's given us. I would recommend going with Jespersen. I just would say in reference to our quality and performance bonds, um, while we're giving reviews, this is the same contractor who dumped fill full of broken glass into our athletic fields and then tried to charge us to clean it up. Now, that was some years ago, but uh, you know, no matter how reputable somebody is, um, I advocated at that time to for terminating the contract early because it was such an egregious breach of performance. Um, so, you know, that's I think I I'm it's certainly in strong agreement with Mr. Burger that there ought to

179be a performance bond. Just I've been here long enough to see what even landscape contractors can do to a to a school district. Um, it doesn't seem like they they can screw things up that badly, but they most certainly can. Um, and this contractor has. And again, this long time ago and I think he's performed well since. I don't want to defame him, but that happened. It's factual. So, uh, you know, I I I I really would much prefer to put it back out to bid, but that's I think why we ought to at this point get like a a view from everybody and if there's a majority in support of that, we'll do it. If there's a majority in support of accepting the bid as it is and asking for a performance bond as

180an addendum, we can do that. I mean, you know, I don't I don't tell the board what to do. The board tells me what to do. I just want to know where we're going. Go ahead. Uh, quick question. Do we have the time to go back out to bid? Sorry, Dean. I don't mean to put you on the spot here, but Well, I mean, well, the grass is growing. So, you know, I mean, we have nobody to cut the grass right now. Um, you know, I guess if we did go out if I if we did go out to bid again and it was a five or six or seven-day um, and then by the time, you know, we go through the contract and all that, it might be 2 weeks. Um, I I I

181don't know if we would sub it out and and and get a price to somebody come in and cut it quickly if if I I really don't know, to be honest with you. So, um, you know, as you can tell by your grass and the rainy nights and sunny days right now, it's popping. It's growing everywhere. And, you know, we did some stuff around here to maintain and got rid of the leaves. I had our guys going out there and rake and all the schools, they went out and they did, you know, some some general cleanup so it's presentable. Um, and that's where we stand. So, I don't have a If if we were to expedite this, you could set a day, get bids back by the end of the last day of the month.

182The the the review of the bid is not going to change in term Nothing's changing about the bid. You're not going to get more bidders, I would think, from asking for a performance bond. You're going to get the same two guys bidding this. The numbers going to have change. You're going to look at the numbers. The scope of work is not going to change. The evaluation shouldn't take much longer or long at all, I should say. I I don't foresee this if we put this back out to bid taking too long. I mean, the these guys don't have to come back out here, take pictures, look at the site. They know exactly what's going to go down. If anything, the only time-consuming thing is that now they know each other's numbers and they're going to

183have to play that game internally and be competitive and see how much they can shave the number if they want. That's the only thing that's going to take time. And by the end of the month should, in my eyes, be enough. That's I look at that. I I'm okay with the facilities people, the committee, what they've what they've it's it's their recommendation. I wouldn't go against it, but I I'm still worried about what happens if they can't get the performance bonds. Then we'll be Then we're going to have a longer delay. So, I think somehow, some way, we need to investigate whether whether or not they can get them because if you wait till the end of the month and neither one bids because they can't get bonds, It sounds like if they don't get

184the bond, we wouldn't really be interested in possibly having them do the work in the first place. So, that's why Well, I I understand. That's why I'm saying as a policy we have to decide because it may it may force us into a much more expensive level. I I don't know how landscapers work, but I don't know many that can get them, but we have talked about needing them. I just don't know how it's going to help us by the end of the month. That's all. I'm just looking at it as if it were me, I'd be worried about that because of the schedule, but I'll go with the committee recommends. Okay, so I'm my my read here is that there's a majority in support of the committee's recommendation to go back out through the

185expedited bid process, but we have not heard from Mr. Kisco or Mr. Knight. Um, so I guess I just want to straw poll this again. If folks want to Here's what we're straw polling. You're going to raise your hand if you either want to or are content with going with the committee's recommendation to send this back out through an expedited bid process with a performance bond. Raise your hand. Okay. All right, so that's a clear majority. So, I will at this point um now that we know the direction the board is going to vote for, I will hear a motion to do just that. Is there a second? Okay. Um, so moved by Mr. Knight, seconded by Mr. Klesha. Any further discussion on the question before us? Hearing none, all those in favor, please say

186aye. Any opposed? Mr. Leo, anybody else opposed and Mr. Cronin. Any abstentions? Okay, so that's adopted. So, now we know what we're doing um with that and I Yeah, well we just cast the vote. So, um if you want to continue discussion on these items, I suppose it's within the rules to do so. Well, if you're talking about landscaping, go ahead and you speak first. Turn your mic on. To avoid coming into the end of the the the the the bid process end of the month and not having anybody with um performance bonds available. Does the facilities committee want to agree to not require it for this particular bid? Or are we going to insist on that and go out to bid with only performance bonds on this particular on this particular contract? Cuz I

187don't know what we're going to run up against. Or at least we should talk about it before we get there. The board just voted to direct that there will be performance bonds included in the the bid spec. That's what we just voted for. Can I answer your attorney's question? I mean, that's something the policy committee should take up and draft a policy. To extend what for another month? Now, hold on a minute. No, I'm saying but when we go out to the end and neither one can provide a performance bond, [singing] then we're going to have to go out and request performance bonds from other bidders, is all I'm saying. Who who are more qualified. And that will push us further. I don't know how far we can go. I'm just What are you looking

188to extend? If we don't get any bidders for another month because they can't get performance bonds. These two people. Okay. So, let's ask them first. Okay. If they come in and they say we can't get them, then we're at the end of the month, we have no bidders. Well, that's we can't do that. Well, that to be clear that the same result will occur, right? If only one of the bidders now, under what we just voted for, if only one of the bidders can get a performance bond, they're now the only bidder who's qualified. So, if that's what happens, that's what happens. Um and I I don't see the point. He either can or he can't. The board wants there to be a performance bond. The board has voted that there shall be a performance

189bond. Uh so, why are we beating a dead horse on this? And in worst case, we can emergency contract out the mowings uh and any other services. I don't think that it would all come to that and I don't want that, but there would the lawn will be mowed. I don't think that that will occur. If it is, you can tell everyone that you were right and I was wrong at the next meeting. It'll give us an indication of what we can expect if they don't if they don't get them. That's all I'm saying. I do it all the time in terms of trying to find out who's qualified, what I have to provide a bond for, what I don't have to provide a bond for. I stay out of those things if I can't

190can't provide the value, but the people who can might be some of the larger firms that probably will come in higher. So, at least that's we can know tomorrow if Jasper's and can provide one or not. Let's ask the question because it may be an indication of whether we can get the bids or not. I I would do that if it was my job. Look, it it if you want to call them and ask them that outside of the formal bid process, nobody can stop you. So, okay, great. Just please don't meddle with the bid process here at central office, but if you really need to satisfy your own burning curiosity, feel free. Sure. And look, the board has voted you voted in favor. If you want to recall the motion and have a second

191vote, you have that right. Okay, great. We will now hear about the roof project update. >> One access, could we back back up to the chiller because last time I just wonder why it's going out to bid versus the through through the source well. Is there any more I want because I that was the consensus of the board. They talked about it in facilities? No, about the going back and go putting it out to bid versus buying off the but buying off a contract. >> Uh Mr. Pergola had indicated that he was going to he had the bids for the equipment. He was going to get official spec together for all the remaining services. I That was where my why I had left I understood it at the end of that meeting. And he was

192going to bring that information if he chose it and got it all together, he was going to bring it to tonight's meeting, but was my assumption when it wasn't in the packet that he hadn't gotten that far or something that held up and which happens, you know, we're busy a lot of it. There's a lot of moving pieces to that particular project. >> going out to bid versus buying off state contract. >> That's what he informed us, yes. Yeah. Yes. So I I I was at that committee meeting. I don't remember talking about, hey, not buying off state contract and avoiding the bid process but avoiding the bid process, but now we're going to go out to the bid process. Yes. Now it's going out to bid through public bid process. After speaking to the

193boss that next day, we decided we thought the intention was to not use our procurement source well that we had and to go out to bid. So that's how we move forward. Okay. And we're still waiting for We haven't We have not gone out to bid. I'm waiting for the paperwork from the lawyer to present to you guys before we go out to bid. Okay. I'm sorry, my confusion. I thought it we were going to be charging forward buying through buying through a contract to avoid the bid process. That's what I remembered last. If I'm incorrect, my apologies. Okay. Thank you. So now we will hear about the roof project update. And you know, the referendum passed. I guess the questions are, you know, has the city authorized the bond issuances and if so, where

194are we at in getting the project moving ahead? I'm going to let Donna take that one. Yes, we heard from the state and they wanted to just clarify two questions. One was the referendum um count and also there was one question uh about the bids. And so, we are waiting. We gave them their answers and we are waiting their reply. So, we're just waiting on the state now to give us our final approval um for that. Do we still feel good about a summer time project? I mean, we're getting real close. I'll defer to Mr. Pergola. That's what we're hoping for. And what do what what do you what do you think the the odds are? I mean, I I I just I'm asking Look, if the answer is probably not, I mean, that's the

195answer. I just kind of want to know cuz I'm If we're getting close and these things can be slow. Uh you know, I'm over for two tonight, so I'm I'm going to say that uh I'm going to say that the odds The odds are in my favor, so yeah, I think we're going to uh we should be able to get this off and running before school starts. Fabulous. Does anyone else have anything related to the roof project? Okay. Thank you. Um Okay, the forensic audit vendor selection. So, just so everyone's clear on the occurrences, um the board did engage a vendor and then uh shortly after being engaged, that vendor stopped responding. I think we've discussed this once before. Stopped responding to both the board's legal counsel and the board's administrative employees. Um so, we

196have terminated our relationship with that vendor without having written them any checks for any services and without any services being rendered. Um and so, because this has been put out to bid before, uh the advice we received from the board's counsel is that we can now accept uh one of the other bids. I believe there were three that came in for that. Um so, we can just do that without having to go through a bid process, without having to re-engage the board's legal counsel on this matter. Uh well, so is it in the packet here somewhere? The amount, or can you tell me the amount that we're seeking? So, I see the proposals. I'm asking you. Oh, okay. Yes, so there were two other um vendors that we could look into that made it um

197to The amount of the second vendor uh was around 32,000, and um the third vendor was about 40,000. Um but I I do think it would be worthwhile for us to, you know, reach out, and as you noted, our attorney said that we just need permission to do so to get more accurate and up-to-date information on those um on the prices, and if they're willing to do the actual work. We could bring that back to you. Okay, um yeah, um I understood this agenda item to be that we would be selecting a vendor and moving ahead. So, we uh so um the way we would structure the motion, cuz I see what you're saying, that we want to make sure that the 32,000 still holds. Um so, what I would propose, and which one was

198it? Was it Cohn Reznick who was 32,000? >> was the uh 32, and the other was Cohn Reznick was the, you know, 40. But, you know, again, we would need to see if they'd want to engage. Right. So, what I would do is and then this subject to discussion of course, but what I would suggest is we would do the motion structured that we would authorize the administration to accept that bid provided that it remains valid, meaning they're going to honor that bid price in the amount of $32,000 and authorize them to engage the firm if that is the case. So, basically go ahead and do it as long as they're not raising the price. Does that seem I mean, does that seem amenable to folks? Do folks have other discussion items related to this?

199What are people thinking? The same as with the other vendor that didn't show up. Do we know anything about these two these two bidders? Are they both qualified that we checked their qualifications? Yeah, and the interesting part is all three of these vendors were qualified and had good references. So, it was very shocking for the initial vendor to simply disappear. And what I mean by that is not just a single contact. I mean, we reached out directly to their office. We tried to reach multiple people. So, I don't know if something bad happened to this company, but they just disappeared. But they were at that time considered quite reputable and and had met all of the standards. Um I've never heard of Grassi. I've heard of Cohn Reznick if that maybe is helpful. Well, I

200know it's a much smaller dollar value and it's not normal for something of that size, but that's the whole purpose of bid bonds. I think it is a good a good example, although in order to use the current bids in front of us, we have to continue to maintain the bid spec that they were submitted under in this particular matter. Um anyone else? Okay, so I would hear a uh to the effect that the administration be authorized to engage with Grazi. Correct. Um for those forensic audit services in an amount up to $32,000 provided that that bid amount um is still an available price for those services. Second. Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Abstentions, okay. So that's taken care of. Almost there. Um the updated

201capital plan 2026-2027 um we've been over this. It's been discussed. It was even presented to the council um but just due to the timing of or sorry, to the Board of Finance. But just due to the timing of that meeting last night versus this one, the board does need to formally adopt this and and discuss it discuss it. Um and obviously if the board makes changes tonight, we will submit those to the city in accordance with the board's wishes, but um do folks have any discussion? Anything that really burning a hole in your pocket on this? Okay. Um so then I would hear a motion to approve the presented uh and amended 2026-2027 capital plan. There's a second. Um any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Okay. That

202is adopted. Um Sorry, I just crossed off the wrong thing. Uh we have 2026-2027 budget. We presented it to the Board of Finance. Um I don't really have any anything else beyond that. I I sort of had this placed on here as a placeholder in case there was something of question or note from that meeting. Did Did Did anyone on this side of the table want to bring up anything about the budget that we don't already know or that you're wanting to discuss? Uh did anyone on the Board of Ed side or do we feel good about where we are and wait for the city? Go ahead Mr. Mayor. I'll just add that I think it was one of the more productive meetings that we've had with the city. It was a respectful meeting. There

203was no massive disagreements or anything. So, hopefully it was a good step forward with the new administration. Thank you. And and just on the budget note, I am uh hearing pretty consistently that in the next couple of weeks before the legislative session ends, the legislature intends to adopt um a plan that will fund towns and cities for education on top of the current appropriation somewhere between two and seven percent of what they get in ECS and Alliance. So, for Torrington, that's between about 600,000 and 2.4 million. The structure remains in flux. I believe it will go straight to the towns and cities um as revenue for them, which is not my preferred mechanism, but um it's just something to keep uh keep an eye on that I will keep an eye on on the board's

204behalf um cuz there's probably some education money somewhere for either us or the city or both. Um we just have to wait another week and a half or so to see it. Um okay, next is the policy that Gary discussed as admission to the public schools at a before age five review of uh Shipman and Goodwin's update of the legislation. Do you want to take that, Sue, Kim, somebody? >> I'll go ahead and start. So, uh you may recall a few years ago the date for which students can enroll in kindergarten was moved from it used to be December 1st and then they moved it uh or January 1st and then they moved it to September 1st. And in that change, school districts were required to offer a waiver process for uh families of students

205who were in that window. Um and now the new law, which goes into effect July 1st, 2026, um changes that slightly. So, July 1st, 2027, the waiver option is going to go away completely. But, for the school year 2026-2027, boards of education have an option to offer the waiver or not. So, there has not been a model policy that has been created by Shipman and Goodwin yet for us to actually adopt, but in the interest of time, because of the fact that we have to kind of begin our kindergarten screening process and everything now, and I'm going to defer to Sue to add anything more on that, we need to know from the board, you know, just as a straw poll to confirm whether or not the board would like to move forward with an

206optional waiver process for this 2026-2027 school year or not offer that waiver process. I think it's important just to add that, um, the policy committee spoke about this, and I believe it was unanimous among the committee members, um that we we adhere to the law as it's written and stick with September 1st. So, if a child does not turn five by September 1st, they are not eligible for kindergarten. I um I I have questions, and then, uh, well, John, can you go first? You know, I usually go first, you go first this time. No, only to say that there were a large number of our educators at that policy committee meeting, and they were universally against younger children in the kindergarten classes. How many students are currently, uh, benefiting from that waiver? Benefiting from the

207waiver? Yeah, yeah, how many have it, I guess, if you don't want to use the word benefiting. How many kids got the waiver this year? For this current school year, we screened maybe 20 students and enrolled six, I believe. Okay, so it's a very small population of students who are It is a small population. Yes. Anyone else have anything? Okay. Um because this is sort of Well, actually, what does the board's policy currently say about this? We don't Does it say anything? No, we And And that's So, what the way that this is written is that if the board decides to stick with you know, the child aging becoming age eligible on September 1, the board has to do nothing. If the board decides they want to allow the waiver, then they need the board

208would need to adopt an early admission policy. And what are the criteria under which you evaluated those approximately 20 students and admitted six? Um we gave the same evaluation, the same screening tool we used that we would have we used on all the children that entered kindergarten. So, there's some academic components, behavioral components, you know, how easily does the child separate from the parent, what is the attention span, um that sort of thing. Okay. So, if the board takes no action, then there would be no If the board takes no action, and then we can just not allow the waiver this year. So, I guess my thought is um the board would effectively be establishing what is then an administrative policy where if the board is silent on the issue, then the administration makes the

209policy. Similar to that like the student handbook, right? If the policy manual from the board is silent, the administration can set the rules. I believe that's correct. >> Yeah, that's how that's how it's written. Yeah. Right. Um, or the board can at its leisure simply take a vote to decline um an early admission, right? So that we can sort of we can make the board responsible for this. Um, if the board wants to do that as well. Um, it's really open to the group. I think that's a good idea to take the uh administration and not make them responsible for making decisions. I agree with you. Kristen. We Go ahead. Not so much uh regarding that question. I I do just want to reiterate and kind of piggyback on what what John said a little

210bit. We did hear some very compelling arguments um for um to not allow uh four-year-olds uh to attend kindergarten um and really have that um strict cutoff of September 1st. I think it was uh Sandy Mangan who uh really gave us some good stats um about the long-term and short-term effects of a child starting early. >> [clears throat] >> And it was really a a compelling argument. Um kind of changed my mind um so to speak. So I guess if you were in that meeting, you might have some more information. Um I know this is a kind of a touchy subject. Um But as I had said in the policy committee meeting, I started both of my kids early and I wish I had that information that Sandy told us a couple weeks ago. I'm

211sorry, Miss Miss Mangan. Um >> [cough and clears throat] >> I wish I had that information when I started my kids in kindergarten cuz I probably would have held at least one of them back. Jeff. I think it's also worth just reminding everybody that Connecticut is one of the very last states to move to this 5-year requirement on September 1st, if I'm not mistaken. Over 80% of the United States already requires this, so we're just late to the party on something that's already been proven. The data has existed for decades on the benefits of this. Okay. Anyone else want to discuss or question? Um so if at this time there is a motion to I suppose to be fair, uh either permit or expressly not permit uh early admission. Um that would be the time

212to make that motion. >> I'm I'm moving that that that that that that we expressly not not not allow early admission for pre-kindergarteners. Okay, is there a second? Okay, so moved by Mr. Knight, seconded by Mr. Mr. Ucolito. Uh any discussion on the question before us? Um so just to be clear, if you vote yes here, you are voting to not have early admission. Um and with that I'll take the vote. Any All those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Okay, so that carries. Um we should at some point probably stick this into the policy manual somewhere um because the board has voted to adopt this as its formal policy. I guess I didn't raise that, but but we can put it in there kind of whatever now that the vote's been

213taken. >> Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, we're we're checking for when the new model policy comes [clears throat] out, and as soon as it does, we'll bring it forward. >> Right, but in the meantime because we did just take a board, but maybe just a line that uh like the the board shall not uh permit early admission waivers, just so that it's clear that this is the board's vote and the board's policy. Um and it's it's not something that the big bad central office is doing to people. All right, thank you. Um okay, so that is done. Um so we have our new item 11. Um this draft communication was passed down. Um you have it in front of you uh for Mr. Knight's benefit and the benefit of the public, I'm just going to read it.

214Um, it's communication from the superintendent to Mayor Spino that reads, "This letter is to notify you that the Torrington Board of Education is no longer using 355 Migeon Avenue for educational purposes. Our director of facilities has worked closely with the public works director, Mr. Sikora, to ensure that the building was emptied and ready to be transferred back to the city of Torrington. As a result, the city will now regain its exclusive use as well as properly maintaining that property, including all utilities and services needed." Um, we've talked about this before. Uh, when you don't have an educational use for a building, in theory, we can hold on to it for a couple of years in case we might, but I think we're all at a point, uh, you know, where our central office folks are

215telling us that they don't need this building and don't anticipate needing it. And we all know that it needs lots of repairs and it's kind of expensive to heat. Um, so it's to our benefit uh, to transfer it and our budget also does not reflect a heating oil purchase. So, if we do decide to keep this, we're going to have to make that change. Um, does anyone have any questions or any discussion on this? Okay. Uh, yeah, we Just thank you to everybody who participated in pulling all the stuff out of that building. That was a That basement had decades worth of things, so. Thank you. A- And I would just ask, um, that like, uh, you know, I know that you're going to mail it, but, uh, the city is a little bit antsy

216to receive this, so if we could, uh, email it to Attorney Kalanoski, um, that would probably be desirable on their end. Although, I'm just going to put on the record, I really hope they don't sell it for a dollar. Um, but with that, I will hear a motion to authorize the superintendent to, uh, to approve this communication and to authorize the superintendent to send it to the mayor. Is there a second? Second. Uh, any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That's done. Um Someone's going to destroy the woodwork in that building. I just know it. Um okay, we next have Yeah, okay. Just want to make sure I read this right. Uh possible executive session regarding a memorandum of agreement between the Torrington Board of Education

217and the Torrington Public Schools Administrators Association regarding the position of Director of Director of Athletics Activities uh PK through 12 Physical Education, Health, and Wellness. That is a cumbersome title. Is there a motion to enter into executive session inviting in the superintendent and Miss Scholte? Is there a second? All those in favor? Uh all those in favor? Any opposed? Uh okay, we are in executive session at 8:08. >> Mhm. >> Uh we are back in open session at whatever time it is, 8:22. Um we have next possible action regarding memorandum of agreement between the Torrington Board of Education and the Torrington Public Schools Administrative Association regarding the position of Director of of Athletics Activities PK through 12 PE, Health, and Wellness. Um is there a motion to approve the memorandum of understanding as presented to

218the board? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Um any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Any opposed? We are good there. Uh items for the upcoming agenda will probably include um budget rescission. Um we'll hopefully have some more of these uh projects and capital improvements um moving along. That's all that I've got on top of my head. Anyone else have anything? Great. Um comments for the good of the order. We are running late, so I'm not going to go through every person. If you have something you would like to say for the good of this body, raise your hand and say it. Uh Mr. Knight. >> Through uh through my counsel, they're applying for a uh a new one for me, but that's going to take some time. Okay.

219Thank you. Mr. Cisco, had a second. Your allusion to Rush Kolnik caused nightmare was entirely accurate, sir. Anyone else? Okay. Um we Oh, actually, I just want to reemphasize something the superintendent discussed with us uh the on Saturday, we are having the ribbon cutting um for this building. Everyone should please join us for that. Um 9:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Um future meetings we have uh they are in the agenda. I'm not going to read them out. All members have copies. They're available to the public. I will hear a motion to adjourn. Uh one second. >> Oh, yes. Uh what about the Board of Ed retreat on Monday? Do we need to list that on here? >> Oh, yes, we are pending. Uh and I have to ask you to post that, by the way. Um

220we are having the Board of Education's retreat um on Monday at 6:00. Um it is at the Chamber of Commerce. Anyone else? Okay, I will hear a motion to adjourn.