001Okay. I'd >> like to call to order this regular meeting of the Torington Board of Education at 5:33 p.m. If everyone could please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. It's located above the door you walked in. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, >> to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay, Ellen, for your final time, if you could call the role. >> Sure. Mr. Burgerer, >> here. >> Miss Miss Conway here. >> Mr. Corey, >> here. >> Mr. Cronin is excused. Mr. Pis >> here. >> Mr. Yucalo is excused. Miss Hona here. Mr. Kiscoco >> here. >> Mr. Knight here. >> Mr. Putnham >> here. >> Mayor Carbona representative. >> Dr. Baker >> here. >> Miss Ferguson
002>> here. >> Miss Labby >> here. >> Mr. Pragola >> here. >> Miss Schulty >> here. >> Miss Vian >> here. >> Mr. Wilson >> here. >> All set. >> Thank you. Um we have approval of the agenda. Uh with just I would ask for one change. Uh it's come to my attention that many of the students who are being either recognized or giving the student report this evening have to be at NHS down the hall. Um so I would ask the board to move those just ahead of the uh community service uh public participation portion and otherwise I would ask for an approval of the agenda. >> So move is the second. >> Okay moved and seconded with that amendment. Uh any discussion hearing? None. All those in favor please say I. >> I.
003Any opposed? Okay. That's our agenda. So we'll go right to recognitions. Take it away Mr. Wilson. >> Thank you. We have several students that we'd like to recognize tonight. So, Aaron Sullivan will be doing the honors for the high school and I know Andrew is here as well. So, if Andrew wants to come up as well, that would be wonderful. Students who are eligible have a high GPA and SAT score have taken AP and honors level courses in learning and can be a first generation college. Only 25% >> [applause] >> You want to sit? Okay. So, at Vogle, we have had the honor of working with Delissi since kindergarten. She is sweet and kind. She follows the rules and makes sure to be safe, respectful, and responsible at all times. She has learned so much
004throughout the years. We are so proud to see her blossom socially and academically. She is a great student and a wonderful friend. When she arrived, she did not speak English and to see her now as a fully bilingual student is so rewarding to us here at Vogle and especially to your multilingual teachers. Keep up the great work, Jalissi. >> [applause] >> Take a picture. >> [applause] >> Academy. Good evening. It's my pleasure to recognize an outstanding Fast Academy student, Corey Berdick. Corey couldn't make it tonight because he recently became our first student at Fast Academy to secure employment and begin our work experience program and he didn't want to miss his it's his second night of training tonight. Um so his family and both Corey and his family send his regrets. Um this is a
005significant milestone for both Corey and our program. Corey embodies perseverance, responsibility, and personal growth. He has maintained strong grades, approaches his coursework with maturity, and he was the first student to complete one of his online courses. Within Fast Academy, Corey continues to set the standard. His excellent behavior, consistency, and leadership has earned him the highest level in our points and level system, which is considered off point sheet, which is an achievement that's uh reached by very few students. So, we're proud to have Corey in our school community, and even prouder to recognize Corey tonight. Thank you. >> [applause] >> for Toringford is so proud and honored to recognize Isaac Garcia. Isaac Garcia is one of the students in Miss Lou's class and there is a whole team of people who support Isaac in our school
006and he's made such growth and progress. So I brought Miss Goodwin and Miss Lou with me to share a little bit about Isaac. >> Thank you. Toringford School is honored to recognize Isaac Garcia for his tremendous growth this year. He has made remarkable academic progress building his reading skills, writing words with increasing independence and solving addition and subtraction problems with confidence. He has worked hard on real world skills such as understanding money and telling time and he applies these skills in meaningful ways throughout the school day. What stands out most, however, is his growth socially. Isaac has become a more independent and active member of our school community. He navigates his day on his own and greets staff with a cheerful good morning. And he engages positively with his peers. One of his favorite roles
007is helping run our Friday snack carts where he sells snacks and drinks to staff and he takes great pride in this job. What we are incredibly proud of his progress, his confidence and the wonderful person he's becoming. Congratulations, Isaac. [applause] >> [applause] >> Good morning. >> [applause] >> Mr. Wilson, >> we actually are other scholar here. If you want to grab a picture, um, and fittingly, she actually was coming from Winston where she is taking right now. So, that's why she [applause] >> [applause] >> Okay, congratulations everyone recognized. And I will just say uh that if Isaac wants to come run the snack cart at my job, we could sure use one. Um we next will hear from our student representatives who are there this time. We changed. >> Okay, we changed it up. Take
008it away. >> Hi, I'm Samir Gana Dioro. >> And I'm Xavier Vega. >> And first thing we'll talk about our Raider spirit week. So spirit week brought part strong participation and Raider pride all across our campus. We had pink out Monday, twin day Tuesday, and pajama day Wednesday, which then led into our class color day in a high energy pep rally in our new gymnasium. The week concluded with a homecoming victory over Oxford with us winning 40 to 20 and our City of the Stars homecoming dance highlighting exceptional student engagement and school spirit. >> Next, our science club members created the Haley Foreign Memorial Garden using plants from last year's spring native plant sale. The garden serves as a lasting tribute and a demonstration of students commitment to environmental stewardship. Club members will maintain the
009space throughout the year. >> For our staff and student recognition, our band and orchestra director, Wayne Splitzo, was nominated as a CMA Foundation music teacher of excellence, continuing his long record of distinction in music education. Our PE teacher and boys assistant soccer coach, Mr. Anderson, was named NVL assistant coach of the year for his leadership and positive impact on student athletes. On November 3rd, senior Brendan Cascoula competed in state opens for cross country. This is the first male athlete to compete in opens since 2001. THS Theater Arts presented The Bomdy of Errors, a hiphop adaptation of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. On November 13th, 14th, and 15th, the show showcased student creativity and the strength of the district's performing arts program. The third annual ths harvest festival welcomed more than 60 vendors and hundreds of
010families for a successful day of fundraising and community engagement hosted by the international travel club. The event raised significant support for upcoming student trips and providing fundraising opportunities for numerous school clubs. Visitors consistently praise students professionalism and enthusiasm. On November 11th, the JOTC presented a meaningful Veterans Day ceremony for students and staffs honoring the service of current and former members of the US Armed Forces. Their presentation reflected respect, preparation, and leadership. >> Oh, sorry. The science department continues providing rigorous hands-on instruction across courses. Some of those highlights include our integrated science which is currently focused on force and motion investigations through collision and basketball labs. Our astrophysics which is currently focused on applying Kepler's laws through simulations and modeling. Yukon ECE biotechnology which is currently focused on bacterial DNA for transformation and molecular anthropology case
011studies. Our ECE biology 1107 um currently focused on advanced tech te tech te tech te tech te tech te tech te tech te tech te tech te tech te tech genetic techniques including PCR and gel electrofarensis ECE biology 1108 t which is currently focused on taxonomy projects using documentaries games and infographics and lastly ECE geology which is currently focused on classification and formation of ignous sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. >> Lastly, the English department is also focused on rigorous hands-on instructions, beginning with American literature students who are creating multimedia character analysis videos to deepen their understanding of narrative structure. The Radar Report has also been actively producing new content and were able to participate in a learning experience at Columbia University. Students were also able to meet recently with ths alumni Glenn KD, who is now
012a Fox 61 sports journalist to discuss careers in media. And lastly, the ths yearbook finalized its cover and theme. This year, the class book will be the Raider Revival and will celebrate the spirit of the new campus. >> Thank you so much. [applause] >> Thank you both. Um, so we'll now uh get back in order with the uh school community service and public participation. >> There's no one signed up. Um before uh I go further with it, I also should say as I usually do um that nobody ca who came for recognitions uh or to give the student report should feel obligated to stay. But of course, you are all most welcome. Um, is there anyone here who would care to address the board as there's nobody on the signup sheet? Anyone at all? Okay.
013Um, then we'll move right along uh to our first report from the superintendent, Mr. Wilson. [clears throat] Good evening. As the board is aware, we had our full day PD back on November 4th. It went very well. A special thanks to Assistant Superintendent Ferguson and the entire team at the OTL. They did a wonderful job organizing and planning this day for meaningful learning. Mrs. Ferguson, myself and the entire admin team went around to see all of the wonderful new learning that was taking place and it was a great day for everyone and the we are excited to see that new learning taking place when we visit our school. So very very great day of uh PD. I've continued to attend various sporting events in the fall and I'm very proud to say that our student
014athletes continue to amaze both on and off the field and while it's a little sad uh most people don't realize that for our seniors this was their last fall run and some of them have come to a close or will be coming to a close. So we wish our seniors well and we will miss them both on the field and obviously in the classroom. My entire central office team went around to each of the buildings to witness the I'm sorry to experience the Veterans Day ceremonies and each of the schools did an amazing job recognizing and honoring our veterans. I think that we don't do that enough where we get an opportunity to thank our veterans and our schools and our students really made our veterans feel very very special. So I know that I
015had a wonderful time and I can 100% speak from my cabinet who's up here this evening. They all shared with me how wonderful it was and I know I was sitting with board member Conway and Mr. Kiscoco and Mr. Knight at touring for and we had a wonderful time there as well. The songs and the students uh were great. And last, next week we have Thanksgiving coming up and on behalf of the entire central office team. I just wanted to wish the board and everyone in the community a wonderful and very happy Thanksgiving. >> Thank you. Anyone have any questions, remarks for the superintendent? >> Uh, Ed, excuse me, sorry. Um, I sent you an email this afternoon to be read into public comment. >> I Michael has a copy, I think, on his uh
016he should have one, too, if you don't have access to it. >> Okay. Um, well, while he fishes that out, I think what I can do is read that into the record near the end of the meeting. Um, just because I don't have it immediately in front of me. did see it and I apologize for not >> I forgot about it and Marissa just remind >> so yeah if you could read it at the end that'd be great thank you >> yes I I most certainly will okay >> um anyone else have anything for the superintendent uh I appreciate your thanksgiving message as I have yet to buy a turkey and it reminds me that I need to um we next have the human resources report take it away Kim >> okay so you have
017my report in front of you um you can see that we do have some vacancy ies. Uh we are actively working with um the schools and with the departments to fill the vacancies that we have. So uh I think even in the last few days we've filled um the cafeteria positions and um we are working on the administrator positions. So I have every confidence we're going to fill those very quickly. Um I'm excited that we actually have a significant candidate pool for all of these opportunities. So um our sub rates continue to be excellent. So you can see that our teachers we were at 92.8% for October and for comparison in October last year we were at 78%. So that is a significant improvement. Um and we are uh seeing that growth from our pool
018from ESS. So we're very happy about that. Uh PAR educators uh same thing we're at 72% and last year we were at 42% at this time. Um and that was uh year to date was also 78 and 42. So we were we were right in that general vicinity. So we are really seeing significant movement on both sides. Um our absences uh continue to trend downward. So the 7.2 for the teachers is just a little bit less than what we saw last year and uh the paras at 9.5 is uh a whole percentage point better than where we were at this time last year. So uh we're seeing good movement on both sides. Uh on the second page you can see the the standard turnover and the absence monthly percent to totals and I'm happy to
019answer any questions about anything. >> Um I just have one and >> this might be kind of dumb but um when I'm looking at your vacancies list I see support staff which is a little bit nebulous. Uh what roles are in that category? >> Sure. Uh so so sometimes when we have those as you say nebulous ones. So these two positions are actually uh an IT position and a uh the athletic trainer and the athletic trainer we've had open since the beginning of the year. We've struggled to fill it but we have uh we have a solution that we're using through Yukon that uh Mr. McKenna has uh found. So we are meeting the needs of the students but we haven't been able to find our own athletic trainer. It's a tough position to fill.
020Great. Um, anyone else have anything? Okay. Uh, thank you. I I will say uh to be at uh 91.6% substitute fill rate for teachers is just tremendous. The par educator rates great, too. But to be to be filling nine out of 10 teacher absences um with the substitute instead of pulling a teacher out of their prep period to cover a class or something is really just it's good for everybody. It's good for the district, good for the teacher, the student. So, um, you know, everyone who's working on that is to be commended. That's a great outcome. >> Thank you for that. I will relay it. Um, additionally, Mr. Corey, I did start to do some of the research that you had asked for on workers comp. So, I just have some kind of preliminary anecdotal
021data to share, but you know, I'll certainly be able to provide more detail if if needed. But, um, our average over the last three years is anywhere from 75 to 100 total claims per year. And that could be anything from a scratch or you know uh something more significant. Of those 75 to 100 injuries about 40% have something to do with students. It may or may not be you know a a a difficult injury. Um an average of those 75 to 100 over the last three years an average of three per year resulted in any lost time. So the a the injuries that occurred even of those 40% that were student related didn't result largely in any lost work time. So >> right. So the the bulk of the claims would be something like you
022know they go to the walk-in at the end of the workday just to make sure and all's well and they come to work the next day. >> Correct. >> Okay. Great. That that's actually that's really helpful. I appreciate it. Anyone have any questions with that included in the report? Okay. Great. Thank you. Um, it's always in the same order, but one day you people are going to trip me up, so I'm going to look anyway. Uh, so we'll hear the special education report from Dr. Baker. >> Good evening. Thank you. The special education department's been working diligently across all of our schools to ensure the success of every student. Our team remains committed to providing the highquality instruction, strong supports, and our inclusive practices that uphold the excellence we expect from all of our Torington
023students. And we are seeing stable and consistent student numbers at this time as you can tell from the numbers in my report. Um currently you can see that we were down by two overall in the district in terms of outplacement. Our ind district K12 numbers are exactly where we were last month. Our prevalence rate has remained exactly at the same percentage point 16.8%. Our in district prek has gone up by two students. Our in district age 18 to 22 students is exactly the same at 11. Our continued outplacement for 18 to 22 year old students is down by one student. Our current outplaced by PPT K12 is up by one student. Agency placed by DCF in court has remained the same at five. Our magnet parent choice and our VOAG schools is down by four
024students. And lastly in the regular education totals are 504 plans for our students in district is up by 14 students. >> Fabulous. Thank you. Does anyone have any questions or remarks? >> Great. Thank you. Appreciate it. Um we have next the office of teaching and learning, Miss Ferguson. >> Yes. Hi everybody. Good evening. Um, I'm excited to be able to share with you some of the highlights from the election day of, you know, professional learning that the Office of Teaching and Learning was able to host. And before, I'd just like to give you a little summary of the highlights, but I'd first like to just give a very public shout out to the women uh in the OTL because due to some staffing issues for many weeks, um, they've been pitching in to provide coverage.
025So kind of pulling double duty yet still able to produce and execute this amazing day for our staff. So thank you all so much. Uh we had a wonderful day. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We had something for everyone. Our only regret honestly is not having any more time. um in this business it's a little bit bizarre but there's so much to learn and so much to do and just not enough time to do it all. So the design of the day um we had full day sessions and we also had morning and afternoon sessions. So our full day sessions consisted of curriculum writing. So our teachers in art, music, fizzed, CTE and uh ELE participated at the middle and high school in some curriculum writing. We had teachers of mathematics in K through
0268 participate in math training with folks that actually came out from Illustrative Mathematics, which is our new program, our new resource. Uh that training revolved around lesson pacing, optimizing assessment, supporting fact fluency, enhancing mathematics for linguistically diverse students, um understanding by design, which is kind of a backwards model, building thinking classrooms, which is about actively engaging all kids. So that was a little bit about the full day sessions. our morning sessions. We had um a largely attended session for everybody who wasn't directly involved in teaching of mathematics um about productive struggle in in the classroom and how important it is to engage students in that productive struggle to really build their perseverance and that whole notion of grit. Um in the afternoon we had learning based play for our specialists at our lower grades. So
027art, music and phys. We had chemical hygiene training for 9 through 12 science. We had more curriculum writing. We had literacy intervention. Uh special session for our media specialists. Uh prek um through grade 12. Our special education teachers participated in something called goal book and assist of technology. Um we met with our pedock just by happen stance honestly. I'd love to say it was by design but it just kind of happened that way days after um the PD and we got really positive feedback from PEK and you know shout out to PEK also for helping us to plan these days. But one of the things we can always count on PED for is their honesty. Um so I was very delighted to to know that honestly the feedback from the staff was largely positive. Uh
028people were very excited about the productive struggle about the highquality instruction. Um, you know, some of the key takeaways were that, you know, if if we engage students in high quality tasks, provide appropriate scaffolds and a supportive climate, it's going to result in deep learning for everyone. Um, so very excited about the day. Again, just wish that we had more days to do it. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyone have any questions, comments? Okay. Thank you, Miss Ferguson. Um we have food service report. Miss Gagman, >> good evening. Um going with the Thanksgiving theme. Um students around the district today enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner in their cafeterias. I believe Fast Academy is coming up soon. Um every other school had it today and they did an amazing job. I have pictures of plates from all the managers
029and they just really gave the students a great variety of Thanksgiving dinner today. Um I'm also happy to report that our numbers are just on an upward trend. We are up 8 and a half% for breakfast participation which is huge. Um 2% for lunch and as Kim was saying we are fully staffed. One position was somebody who had just found different employment and another was a new position. So both of those have been filled and even better news that they have released. We will be receiving more federal funding for local foods so we can continue to keep the local foods on the trays and local beef and keep going in that trend. >> Fabulous. Thank you. Does anyone have any questions or remarks? I'm really excited to hear that the numbers going up. Um, so
030thank you for all of your hard work. Please thank the team as well on our behalf. >> I will. Thank you. >> Um, [clears throat] we have liaison reports. They are in the packet and in board members email inboxes. Um, so barring any objection, we will wave the thorough review of them here. Um although if there are liaison uh you know principles John who would like to add anything to the report they sent now would be the time. Great. Um okay then we next have the monthly financials which are buried somewhere in this packet. U but Donna do you want to tell us a little bit about them while I look for them? >> Sure. Good evening everybody. So, everybody received the packet uh for the budget as of October 31st, 2025, and we're in
031good shape. At the budget committee meeting, we did go over some lines that were under, some that were over, but there was enough to compensate to um be in the black. So, we're happy there. We're about a little over a third uh with the fiscal year through our school year, and we're about a third through our budget. Uh so we are in uh good standing and um basically that's where we're at with the budget. If anybody has any questions, please uh feel free to ask me. >> Great. Any questions from members of the board? Uh okay. Um I Oh, I do have just one quick one. Um looking just at the the cover sheet of the report, the building use revenue, the number is the same. Um, so are we are we finding difficulty in
032getting people to pay these bills or what's uh what's going on there? >> We have one outstanding bill, but we have a payment plan set up for them, but we do have another fee that came in that was about $1,200 that isn't represented here, but will be in the next cover sheet. >> Okay, great. So, this 1357 is uh, you know, it's one bill and the the party has paid. >> Correct. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Uh, that's all I got. No one else had anything, so I think you're off the hook there. Uh but I will hear a motion to approve the monthly financials. >> Is there a second? >> Uh any discussion hearing? None. All those in favor, please say I. >> Any opposed? Okay, those are approved. And we have next Mr.
033Kisco with the school improvement committee. >> We met the beginning of the month and uh we had parent input uh from in the public participation part of that meeting. But equally, perhaps more excitingly, uh, one of our intermediate school students came and read a report she had written advocating for more social studies classes in the lower and intermediate grades, something I can really get behind. So, that'll be on the sick agenda coming up fairly soon. uh for the meeting on not next week but the way the weeks run the week after uh I think the 3rd of December we have the school intermediate school report a community partner report perhaps that's that's not sure uh more discussion about the board of ed self-evaluation forms which I'm hoping to get more of sometime within the next
034week or or week and a half and we will begin a preliminary discussion of the fizzed program uh so as to perhaps help with the overall uh evaluations and uh figure out what's going on there and maybe start the discussion about what can uh make it better. Questions? No questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. uh as somebody who uh took a summer vacation to the Gettysburg National Battlefield instead of somewhere more exciting, I too would be thrilled to see more social studies options for our students. Um so I'm glad that the committee will take that up. Um policy committee, uh Mr. Ukalo is excused this evening. If there are members of the policy committee, uh who want to discuss the one that we have on our agenda, feel free otherwise we can just discuss it
035then. We can discuss it then. >> Excellent. Um, facilities and technology, Mr. Burgerer. Busy meeting last week. Um, I'm just going to go down our agenda here. TMS roof update. Um, those bid results came in a month or so ago. We were over budget. Um, we had a rather lengthy call today with the state of Connecticut and Gail Associates and basically there's a few steps we got to do. Right now they're re redoing the bid packet to meet some new new requirements within the bid specifications. Um, redoing the AIA documentation. Um, since we were over budget, there's a step we need to go to the city and get more funds appropriated to get that approved. And then from there, once that approved, we Donna can do her magic with the grant and get some additional
036grant money. Once those two steps are in place to get it increased, then we can put it back out to bid. And if I'm I might have missed the end of that call today. I really had to get out to get here. But if there's anything else you'd like to add on that at when I'm done, that'd be great. Um, solar update. We got uh an update from I missed half of that too cuz I was late to that meeting but we talked about solar. I think we're still into discussion on that. Correct. >> Yes. >> Um so we didn't move anything to the full board on that. We're still reviewing the solar proposal. Um project updates. Uh Dean and his team are doing a great job picking away at a lot of the little
037things uh to do around the school and planning some of the larger projects. Um fast academy signage that is an action item for tonight. So, we could talk about that then. Um, and the Seaman's BMS contract, we reviewed that. They're doing a very good job, and the building's more efficient, cleaner, and I believe they updated some equipment that we approved that's going to go through. That's from the facility side. And from the technology side, Rachel and her team are always doing a great job as usual. And our social media updates and tech updates, everything's running smooth. So, if either of you guys would like to add anything that I forgot or left out, no. Anybody have any questions? And that would be it. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, we have budget
038committee. Ellen, >> uh, monthly financials we just went over. Um, we discussed the student activity accounts and the PTO accounts. More to come on that. Um, budget timeline. You'll see that in the packet tonight also. And we had an update on the audit and it was wonderful. >> Right, Donna? >> Is that true? >> Sure. >> We had it. We had good results and it was a big team effort. Just want to thank all of central office finance, the the whole central office team. um not only finance, but they really were able to deliver every single thing that the auditors requested and I'm happy to say it's completed. So, thank you. >> Excellent. Thank you. Uh and I don't know if it got picked up by the microphone, but Ellen says no findings, which for
039an audit is very good. Findings are bad. No findings good. Um so, thank you and thank you for thank your team as well for all the work. Um, okay. Building committee. Um, do you want to do All right. An update was texted to me, but it would probably be better if you were to, >> unless you'd like to read. Um, so this was from Mario and Ed, I believe. So, the inside work is continuing on the punch list items, balancing of the HVAC units where needed, and other miscellaneous items are still being worked on. H-wing has been completed for a few weeks or so, but a decision has been made to leave it vacant for the most part until December 1st. OMG is taking advantage of this downtime for the next 10 days or so
040by completing the punch list items and repairs in the H-wing on a first shift basis and the occasional Saturdays still needed. The auto shop is complete. There will be a future meeting to discuss the placement of the lift, which the staff finds unsatisfactory. That should occur next week hopefully. Even still, the room is available for use. Outside, the varsity baseball diamond and multi-purpose field is ready for turf. We expect them to arrive on Friday, originally scheduled for today, but they were delayed on another project. Rough grading and cleaning up of the softball diamond is underway and is largely dependent upon the weather at this point. The goal would be able to get that completely finished without the turf and the fence, which can be done pretty rapidly in the spring with minimal impact on the
041softball season. Fencing continues all around the complex, including the underside of the bleachers and some gates. The thanks, excuse me, the Thanksgiving football game being next week. The masonry brick entrance with a concrete tea between the peers will all be done by then. Fencing will be moved to allow for large area for people to gather and there shouldn't be any issues. The parking lot around the H building that connects to the loading dock area has been paved and has been lined. And that is the building committee project that was sent. >> Any questions, comments? Great. Thank you. Um, okay. We'll go through the minutes quickly. Um, so I would hear a motion uh to approve the board of education's regular meeting minutes from October the 22nd. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >>
042Second. >> Okay. Uh, any discussion, amendments to the minutes, corrections? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Okay, those are approved. Um, I will hear a motion to approve the board of education special meeting minutes on the following days. We have October 9th, October 13th, October 20th. Uh, two of them. Uh, sorry, three of them on the 20th. Um, October 21st, and November 3rd. We really see each other a lot. Is there such a motion? Is there a second? Okay. Um, is there any discussion? Amendment. Correction. >> Okay. Um, so if whoever was the maker and secondary of the motion would take the 1013 off of the motion until we can put them in the packet next month. >> Okay, great. Everybody's okay with that? Um any additional
043corrections minutes uh to the minutes hearing none. All those in favor please say I. I. Any opposed? Okay. So that amended motion carries and we will do the October 13th uh minutes at our next meeting. Thank you John for catching that. Uh I am not the most thorough minute reviewer so I appreciate it. Um, we next have the subcommittee meeting minutes for uh I'll hear this as one motion as long as there's no objection for facilities and technology on October 8th and budget on October 8th and school improvement uh on October 1st and policy on September 3rd. Um, is there such a motion? >> Is there a second? >> Uh, any discussion, corrections, amendments? Is that your hand going up, Jeff? No. Okay. Um uh all those in favor please say I >> opposed. >>
044Okay, those are approved. Uh I will hear a motion to receive the consent agenda of appointments, retirements, and resignations. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Uh any discussion? All those in favor, please say I. Any opposed? That carries. Sorry, I'm flipping through so I can be where I need to be for the next couple of things. Um because we next will hear about the signage at Fast Academy. Who's who wants to tell us about the sign at Fast Academy? Anyone? Okay. So, um we had a couple of options with the sign and um for Fast Academy. It's in the packet. Um and our facilities meeting the other night um decided to go with the um traditional I guess I can say the the um non-colored chrome looking letters. >> Okay. And that's that's very
045similar to what's been on the building before when it was Forbes. Yeah. >> Yeah. And all the buildings are pretty much similar when it comes to that. Yep. >> Right. >> Any questions, complaints? >> So long as the font is the same. Correct. Okay. Keep the font. >> Keep the font. >> Brand identity is important. That's what people tell me. Uh any other questions or discussion? Thank you. Uh I will hear a motion then to approve the proposed signage for Fast Academy. >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Uh any additional discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor please say I. I. Any opposed? Okay. So that one is approved. Oh my eyes. >> Um, we next have policy number 4005, the family and medical leave of absence policy. I assume this is
046due to a change in the law. Kim, you want to tell us about that? >> Yes. So, uh, we reviewed, uh, updates to the family medical leave policy that were from Shipman's model policy as a result of new legislation that was effective October 1st of 2025. The Connecticut FMLA regulations previously did not apply to boards of education, but as of October 1st, 2025, there are some components of Connecticut FMLA that apply to some of our employees. So this policy reflects those changes and and how we implement those as a district. >> Great. Thank you. Any questions, discussion? Hearing none. Uh I will hear a motion to approve the policy. I forgot the number. Was it 4005? It was policy number 4005 is presented. Is there second? >> Second. >> Uh any further discussion hearing? None.
047All those in favor, please say I. Any opposed? >> Okay, that policy is adopted. Um, just before we get there, uh, we have, uh, G4 and five, which are locker usage. Uh, I've just been informed by the superintendent that Mr. Penny, uh, who is going to handle that, uh, discussion and presentation for us, is currently dealing, um, with a student related emergency um, and is therefore unavailable to us. So, it may be the board's pleasure to discuss that item. Um, but just, uh, I wanted you all to know that he will be unable to, uh, provide his perspective. Um but first we do have the budget um 2627 timeline. It's written as uh 26 26 but we all know what we mean. Um I have one amendment to that and it would be to just
048remove the December 10th date um from that timeline. Everything else should be fine. >> Okay. Cross out that was a special board meeting for capital review. You want >> correct? >> Okay. Um do we have an anticipated date when the board might be able to review that? >> It's it's on I believe January 14th would be the um regular >> Okay. All right. So, we just won't do a special meeting for it. Y >> gotcha. Yes, sir. >> Okay. Um, anyone else have thoughts on this? Or if not, I would hear a motion to um adopt this budget timeline uh with the amendment that the December 10th special meeting be removed. >> Is there a second? >> Anyone? >> Second. >> Thank you. Uh any further discussion? I have a question. >> Yes. >> Um
049when will we see it? Will it be presented to us ahead of that time? at night. >> So, I think your microphone's on. >> Sorry about that. >> Are you referring to the uh capital plan? >> Yes, you will see it um before that date. Okay. >> Most likely the Friday before that regular meeting in the regular packet. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Excellent. Um, and I know it'll be a draft and not adopted by the board, but um, because we're not going to review it in public at a meeting, I think it may be helpful to post it, uh, for review, the public's review on the website as well before it comes before the board. Just so if we're seeing it virtually, I feel like everybody else can um, if we're not going to
050discuss it in advance, you know. Um, okay. Any further discussion on the question before us? There is a motion on the table. Hearing none, all those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? Okay. So, that timeline is adopted um with the caveat of course that the board can change it as it needs to and it almost always um does. Um okay. So, like I like we discussed these two agenda items we're looking to push off if possible just due to this um unfortunate emergency. Um unless someone considers it so pressing that we should move ahead without Mr. Penny. Okay. Um, were you gonna add something? >> Oh, well, I was Yeah, I'll read that for comments for the good of the order. with some >> it was uh put on the agenda that um
051just asformational to get an update on how the backpack uh in the lockers was going at the middle school and then that second agenda item was placed as the possible extension to move it over to the high school. So, that was placed by one of the co-chairs and obviously just for the board's pleasure to hear how it was going by Mr. Penny. Um, but unfortunately, as Mr. Cory said, he can't be here this evening. That was the only thing. So once he once he can present, I think to to Ed's point, it's appropriate to push them both off because once you hear once the board is able to hear how it's going at the middle school, you can have further discussion about implementing it at the high school if it's being if it's been successful
052at the middle school. I haven't gotten any feedback yet. So I think it'd just be beneficial to everybody to get that information at this time. That's the the history behind that. >> Okay. Anyone else have thoughts on this matter? >> I would agree to push it off just in that he was the one who started the policy here or started to implement it. We would really need his feedback. So, I'm in favor of pushing it off. >> Okay. Yep. So, then um well, we don't even need to table it because there's they're not looking for a vote. We can uh simply take no action um and place it on the agenda at the board's next meeting. Um so, we'll do that. Uh, and that's a great segue for items for the upcoming agenda. Um, oh,
053Mr. Go, >> last meeting we heard students from the high school talk about the inability to post things as kids are want to do and we were told that it had to do with the wall coverings and things like that. I was hoping it would show up on the agenda or at least as as some part of the facilities meeting. It didn't. So, I'd like I'd like someplace to be able to talk about how fragile our wall coverings are that that don't allow for kids to make the school look like a school. I mean, that that wall there is a perfect example of sort of uh builder white sterility and school shouldn't look like that. >> That's it reminds me of all the apartments my landlord owns. Um did I know you were working on
054it. This could be an appropriate time if you wanted to share. >> Sure. So, um I have samples that I received this week and we're going to start installing them in the hallways of uh strips of metal that are going across. We we had a manufacturer u manufacture them so they kind of blend in with the trim that's around the windows and these pieces of metal allow um to hang things magnetically um from that. So, I I did want to try them to see how it does work with the sheetrock and it seems like it's going to work just fine. Um, and I've been going through the classrooms and the hallways the last couple days to get a count of actually how many we're going to need and where we're going to install them. So,
055um, you know, you're going to start seeing them in when I say the hallways, the stairwells where it comes down. Uh, a lot of times the kids will will, um, put their posters or their, um, advertisements on the windows on the frames of the windows using magnets. Now, these will be along the sides of the wall that they'll be able to do it. So, between that in the hallways and in the classrooms and again these um I don't know if you can see the whiteboards behind me, those were installed. They're also magnetic and the students haven't been able to, you know, draw on them um whatever event they have coming up um because they are white whiteboards. So, um to answer your question, as far as the strength of the walls go, it's just a
056matter of um you know, h how to hang um uh the appropriate strip that we're going to be putting up. and we seem to have a system for them now and it's just a matter of getting a count and installing them. The manufacturer um you know didn't give me a time frame on them because I didn't give them a full count yet and I will be giving them to that by the end of the week. >> Okay. And we will supply magnets. >> Yes. And we have already um for it for for all the other whiteboards and all the other metal strips in here. We have supplied magnets beginning of the year. Sure. we're going to have to look at again uh and get more uh once we start install these. But um the teachers
057were aware um you know that if they want to hang something go to go down to the office and and we're handing magnets out then, >> right? Because the whiteboards at the beginning of the hallway here, not the part we come in, but at the beginning get rubbed against and anything that's written there with dry erase marker gets wiped out. So that's not a good solution. >> It's like that at all of them to be honest with you. I mean, unless you use permanent marker, it's going to get wiped off when the kid, you know, when somebody rubs up against it. So, >> thank you. >> Yeah. Thank Thank you, John, for bringing that up and and Dean, for sharing that with us. I, you know, I said at the last meeting, but I think
058it bears saying just in the same way that houses are meant to be lived in, schools are for kids, and um, you know, anything that we can do to to give them even a little bit of that control over the environment um, I think is productive for them, and it really will make it look a little less sterile in here. So, I appreciate it. Um, >> yeah, >> just out of curiosity, are these boards that are outside the window here, are they magnetic? >> So, just throwing this out there, they're empty. So, with everybody in the school having things to hang up, do we have any idea why they're not actually using? We've provided them. And just kind of a thought here. Are we giving them what they need to do that? I agree with
059John that it's it's a school. It should have some welcoming amount to it. But if we have provided some and they're not using it, have we sought the feedback as to why they're not using it? >> Well, if you go into other if you go into other um parts of the school, they're they're being used tremendously. I think it's just a matter this one here, and I'll be honest with you, in between the high school, middle school right here is kind of an area that's not who owns it type of thing. That might be what it what it is right here, but you'll notice in the hallways they've been using them, the majority of them pretty pretty good. You know, we we went through with the with the principles to try to figure where's the
060best location for him. So, we said here, here. Um trying to get again when you walk up a stair, seems like that was a good place to put them around the drinking fountains, you know, outside the bathrooms. Um and again, in the hallways, um where you'll see those, but now we're going to be able to add additional ones to that. >> And it's a learning curve, right? We've never done this before, so you got to figure it out as we go. So, thank you. >> Okay. Thanks, everybody. Um, so if we still want to hear a little bit bit more about this, we are on items for upcoming agenda. Um, so we could always there's something in there or for the committee's agenda for facilities really wherever it wants to live. Um, I'm happy to
061do that. Um, what else? Anyone have anything else they want to discuss for future meetings? I'm sure there'll be plenty coming down the pike either way. Uh and next meeting of course, next regular meeting of course will be the board's organizational meeting. The new members of the board will be um sworn in uh and we will uh determine the board's leadership. Um so you'll get to call that one to order. Um okay. Uh we have next comments for the good of the order. I I'm actually going to take it first this time just because I did promise that I would read this into the record earlier and I forgot. Um so where are we? Start right here. >> Dear sir, >> no. Does it start up there? Oh, it's for the clerk. Um, okay. Um,
062I respectfully submit a sideby-side comparison and analysis of the current board of education dress code policies for students and teachers in comparison to a model dress code. Uh, additionally, I offered the following public comment. Uh, in preparing this document for public comment, I identified 17 items teachers cannot wear, 15 items students cannot wear, 33 examples of vague, ambiguous, or subjective language in the teacher's dress code, 11 examples of vague, ambiguous, or subjective language in the students dress code, seven examples of student uh, excuse me, seven examples of gender specific or oriented language in the teacher's dress code, and six such examples in the students dress code. Uh, as you know, this dress code discussion and implementation has generated a lot of negative attention for our district. Here are two examples of why so many people
063are talking about the dress code. One, the teachers dress code prohibits inappropriately sheer, this is a quote, inappropriately sheer, tight or low cut clothing, eg mid riffs, halter tops, backless clothing, tube tops, garments made of fishnet, mesh or similar material, muscle tops, skinny jeans, beachwear, etc. that bear or expose uh traditionally private parts of the body, including but not limited to the stomach, buttocks, back, and breasts. End quote. I submit to you the term quote traditionally private end quote is incredibly nebulous. In the United States of America, a woman's wrists or ankles were at one time considered quote private uh not for public display. Today, some religious traditions considered a woman's natural hair to be private, i.e. private part of her body. Do we really need to tell a group of highly qualified educators not
064to expose their red buttocks or breasts at work? Can we not trust the employees of trying to public schools to choose uh for themselves what parts of their body they identify as private? If not, why is this included in a formal policy? Two, uh teachers are prohibited from wearing clothing that uses quote legally lialist language and quote. The board enacted this policy and that uh suggests concern about civil litigation. Has a defamation suit been filed? Are teachers using clothing to be malicious? At the same time, the policy highlights a desire to avoid lawsuits. Currently, our district is actively encouraging and promoting the sale of merchandise via district sponsored website. Several items for sale include the phrase quote Torington Raiders Nation end quote. This is a potentially this is potentially actionable under copyright law as the
065phrase Raiders Nation end quote is a registered trademark of the NFL team, the Las Vegas Raiders. The board appears to be selectively enforcing its litigation concerns. Additionally, I respectfully submit for reconsideration and removal the following. I'm almost done. I promise. Uh, one, any implication that the way a person dresses can quote provoke others to react violently. End quote. Students and teachers alike are responsible for maintaining self-control and handling conflict in a civil manner, implying that clothing can provoke violence, is not reasonable and does not model normative behavior. It verges on victim blaming and carries a very strong current of, "Well, what did you think would happen when you wore that?" um the numerous items of clothing that are traditionally worn by female students that are um that are explicitly prohibited. This creates inequity in the
066enforcement of the dress code for female students and places an undue burden on them to follow more rules and therefore be more likely to violate the dress code. Three, the explicit and implicit concept throughout both dress codes that a student or teacher can dress in a manner that is quote distracting and quote to others. Every person is responsible for managing their own distractions. No one's clothing can distract someone else. Also, please consider that as written, these policies are uninforceable without great effort and burden to school staff. If enforced, a teacher can be sent home. Has the board considered the financial implications of this? The policies also create barriers to attendance for both students and staff. The policies assume staff and students have a means to purchase clothing in order to be in compliance. This is
067unfair and out of touch with the reality many of our students face. In some, I strongly encourage you to reconsider revising both policies to be in line with the model dress code I provided. Uh it is just wise and prudent for us all to remember that no uh no matter how far we're going down the wrong road, we can always turn back. Thankfully, thank you for your time, attention, and consideration. This was submitted by um Callie Blakesley um who did not provide her address for the record, but um I'm sure we can find it if it really has to be in there. She did also include an attachment, which I will send to the board. That was a mouthful. Um, this is comments for the good of the order, but I'm just going to leave
068that, I think, cuz I have lots of thought about thoughts about it, but really I would rather go home. So, comments for the good of the order. Uh, Mr. Knight, >> Mr. Miss Conway about the public participation that was just read, but I will save that for committee. >> Great. Is anyone to your left, Jeff, or is just you? >> Just me. >> Okay. Um, thank you both to Sue and Ellen for their years of dedication to the Torington students, the staff, and the families. We appreciate it, Ellen. Uh, thanks for all you've done for me over the years. We're going to miss you guys. And, uh, best of luck in your future endeavors, whatever they may be. Happy Thanksgiving everybody who's stuck with us tonight through the the meeting and, uh, welcoming our new
069board members who start next month. Thanks again, >> Ellen. Thank you everyone for your kind words. Um and the gifts and the flowers and the food and everything. Um Sue, good luck in your retirement. Um happy Thanksgiving to all and I wish you luck and welcome to the new board members. >> Thank you, Glenn. >> I'll echo Mr. Knight and um Mr. Kiscoco, Sue, and Ellen. Thank you very much for your service and everybody happy Thanksgiving. Please everybody have a safe and enjoyable holiday. >> Thank you, Rachel. >> Great meeting and thank you to Sue and Ellen as well. >> Kristen, >> great meeting and happy Thanksgiving. >> Happy Thanksgiving, Donna. Thank you, Ellen and Sue. I really appreciate everything you've done for the community and for us. And happy Thanksgiving, everybody. >> Dr. Baker,
070>> thank you again to Sue and Ellen and happy Thanksgiving to the entire team. >> Kim, >> I'll echo what everybody else said. I know I've already said it, but thank you to Sue and Ellen and everybody has a great uh recess. >> Sue, >> thank you to Sue and Ellen. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. >> Mr. Wilson, >> happy Thanksgiving. Thank you to Sue and Ellen. And just because you're retired, you could always come back and volunteer to read to our little ones whenever you'd like. Just email me and I will make sure it gets to the appropriate people because reading is always wonderful and I know that that's a highlight for every board member and I don't want you to miss out on that. >> Uh I think Oh, that's right. Sue, I almost skipped
071you because you're already semi-retired up there. >> I am. Oh, uh, thank you. This was a great meeting. A really quick one, too. So, I appreciate that since I'm on vacation. Um, I'd like to thank each of you as well for the the wonderful going away farewell that you threw for Ellen and I. That was supposed to be for Ellen, but I do I appreciate the gifts and the the kind words, and I I will miss working with you all. You're a great team, and I look forward to just watching you continue to succeed in the future. So, thank you all. Thank you. We we were never going to celebrate just Ellen. Sue, I lied. >> Yeah, whatever. I [laughter] know you guys don't listen. >> Uh, thank thank you both Sue and Ellen for
072all you have done for our community and for our students. Um, this is, as I often tell people, the worst job in government. Um, but sometimes we get to do something really worth doing. Um, and I'm thankful that both of you were here to be a part of it. Um, and with that, um, I always have to read future meetings after this. We should move these so the comments for the good of the order go right into adjournment. Um, the board will meet on Wednesday, December 3rd at the Torington Intermediate School Library uh for school improvement committee relations and the policy committee starting at 5:30 with school improvement. Then uh the committees will meet again Wednesday, December 10th. Uh those will be facilities and then budget again starting at 5:30 in the Torington Middle School
073cafeteria that's right here. Uh and then Wednesday the 17th of December for the 5:30 p.m. regular board of education meeting. Um I although um we should check when uh terms actually expire um to make sure that we can get um you know folks at these committees if um you know Sue and Ellen if their terms will already be expired just so we can >> full board meeting. >> It is until the next full board meeting. Okay. Excellent. Um in that case I will hear a a motion to adjurnn. So move. >> Is there a second? >> Anyone second? >> Thank you. Uh, all in favor?