001[music] Good evening everyone and welcome to the Waterberry Board of Education regular meeting here at beautiful Waterberry Arts Magnet School. We'll begin tonight with a silent prayer. Commissioner Van Stone, would you lead us in the pledge, please? >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, >> we have a roll call, please. >> Yes, we did. I started silent prayer. >> She didn't ask. You can do >> Oh, did you want >> have some reme? >> We're going to pray a little longer. Darren has some memorable memor memorials. >> Thank you, uh, President Brown. In our moment of silence this evening, let us remember former members of the Waterberry Public Schools educ education community
002that have passed away. Margaret Perol, retired principal at Rean School, passed away on March 8th, 2026. Agrron Lame, retired electrician for Waterberry Public Schools, passed away on March 30th, 2026. And Joan Caruso, retired clerk of the board of education, passed away on April 4th, 2026. >> Thank you. Thank you. Roll call, please. >> Commissioner Hayward Bowen, >> present. >> Commissioner Anthony Ireland. Vice President Latoya Ireland >> here. >> Commissioner Jackson. >> Commissioner Lopez >> present. >> Commissioner L here. >> Commissioner Munz. >> Commissioner Orso here. Commissioner Van Stone, >> President Brown >> here. Quorum is now uh ask uh Commissioner Bowen number four, please. >> I make a motion to receive [clears throat] place on file communication as >> second. >> Discussion. All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstain. Motion carries. Thank you. Okay. Public address
003to to the board. Commissioner Lopez >> there. There's nobody. >> Oh, there's Oh, sorry. Okay. Uh, we have nobody signed up. Is there anyone who wanted to speak but didn't have an opportunity to sign up? Right here. Commissioner Lopez. >> I motion to suspend a regular order of business to hear from the public. All speakers are encouraged to submit prepared written statements to the commissioners. Comments shall be limited to a maximum of five minutes. There will be no responses this evening to any questions or concerns raised. They will be referred to the administration for review and response. >> Second >> discussion. All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstain. Motion carries. Thank you. The first uh speaker is Arman Torres. Mr. Torres. >> Good evening. Um I'm here in behalf of the uh Brass City Athletics. Um
004I'm a Waterberry resident and um we just I'm here to um for the uh gyms in the school so we can conduct practice to uh nine basketball teams that we have. Um we were told that we no longer can practice and that um they're going to start charging us to use the uh the gyms. And I would like to know um what's going on. Why is that? Um, in the past we've been running many programs throughout the summer and we haven't had the need to pay for um, use the gym and this is a program nonprofit that we try to that we built to try to keep and maintain kids in the summer, you know, away from the streets. Um, I don't know if um, if there's any problem with that. >> How many students
005are you uh serving? We got nine teams, 12 in each team. >> Okay. >> And we made a request of um several gyms to be used. Um Gil Marty uh Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursday cross Tuesdays and Thursday. Thinker Tuesdays and Thursday. Kennedy Tuesdays and Thursday. Maloney Wednesdays and Friday so we can conduct it's just one hour and a half max. >> Okay. Thank you. We'll ask uh Mr. Albini to apprise you of the decision. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Okay, Commissioner Lopez. >> I motion to return to the regular order of business. >> Second. Discussion. All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstain. Motion carries. Thank you. Okay. Superintendent announcements. >> Thank you. Good evening, President Brown, uh, board of education commissioners, and our student representatives. Uh, good evening to everyone. I wanted to start it
006off, uh, with a long overdue, uh, video that we've been working on for almost a year now. And uh I see Justin who has really uh Justin Amenta he's a wham who's really helped us. He got roped into this uh this project and he has stayed with us thankfully. Um and he's also videoing with students Wishfest on Thursday. So just thank you for everything that you do for our students and all the extra u mile that you go. Uh it means a ton uh to me and and and for our students. And so, uh, our students for the superintendent council last year really wanted to focus on mental health and mental health awareness. And so, we came up with this really bold idea of creating a PSA. And then, um, thankfully Chris Raldi from Works
007um, came in and really talked to the students about how they would go about creating a PSA. And it was um a little bit more complicated than we originally thought it would be um because PSAs are usually about a minute long and uh there's a lot you have to fit into that one minute. So thankfully uh these students and uh our teacher uh stuck with us and uh we created a product and then when we edited and revised that product and then we edited and revised that product and a few more times later we have a finished product that we just wanted to show you all tonight. Um, and I want to uh specifically thank uh students Eron uh from Crosby who couldn't be here tonight. Uh Glory Andy from Kennedy and Mary Lou who
008is here tonight uh who is also uh represented in this uh short PSA that we wanted to show you all. And then um if you want to ask Mary Lou any questions about it uh we can we can go with that. So let's hit the video. Am I good enough? >> Why is everybody looking at me? >> I wish [music] I had someone to talk to. Me, too. I just want to give up. >> Don't do that. You're not alone. [music] >> We are not alone. Access to support can be found at Waterberry Public Schools website. [music] >> Navigate to the parent or student tab and click on the mental health support. >> From there you can get help using the road map to mental health supports. There are options like access to support >>
009Connecticut options for prevention, mental health, and substance use recovery, >> as well as community- based support for Well, and the urgent care center. >> That's it. PSA. >> Wow. [applause] >> Short and snappy, but to the point. >> Absolutely. >> So, um, thank you, Mary Lou for taking the time. Why don't you come up just to the microphone real quick? And oh, there's Ahan. >> Oh, good. Okay. >> Second star of the show. We'll wait for you. >> We'll have Ahan join Mayor Lu's at the at the podium. Um, and any questions? Fire away andor Mayor Lu can take it. >> Okay, fine. >> Talk about timing. Ahan, >> you're late. >> Just introduce yourself and say what? >> Ladies first. >> What happened? Why did you, you know, make this and what prompted you
010to do it and how do you feel about it? >> Um, hi everyone. I'm Mary Lou Ramos Hernandez. I'm a senior at willby. >> Hello everybody. I'm Arhon. I'm also a senior at Crosby. And the reason why we wanted to do this was because out of I think it was 10 people within or 15 people within the superintendent council, the most pressing matter was mental health. something we needed to focus on as students, what we can do to better impact uh you know students and how they feel. So we thought we should make a lovely video. I don't know if it was played yet, but >> they did. >> We thought to make a lovely video. A lot of time went into it with the great help of him. It wouldn't have been done and
011our superintendent. So it was just something that we thought we needed to do and the superintendent supported us a thousand%. So thank you very much. >> Thank you. Any questions to our guests? in general >> May 1st. Um, where are we going to play the PSAs? Like how will that communication go out to students? >> Yeah. >> Um, so we wanted to like kind of put it on blast. So maybe on social media, student square, parent square. It's definitely something that the parents should see. Um, the emails too, just everywhere, anywhere. Um, but yeah. >> Great. Any other questions? Well, great job of Commissioner Van Stone. >> Thank you, Madam President. you do incredible job and you did pick a great topic to do your PSA on and I really like the ending where basically
012you were just on support for each other and that goes a long way. I mean, you you know, you're not the psychologist in the school. You're, you know, not the counselor. You're a pair and for you to, and I hope it's, it's being done. You know, I've even heard, I don't know if you guys have thought about this one. I've even heard where uh in the cafeteria not to allow any student be sitting at a table by themselves and go sit at that table. and what you're doing in the video, play rolling, um, role playing, just being there for somebody and what it may mean. These guys are your friends. You see them every day. You probably know when they're having a bad day just by how they look. And an arm around them, you're
013not alone, is is a great small phrase. And what you did there is fantastic. And I I hope it does. I know social media is your kind of thing, but um I would even hope maybe we send it out to the local TV stations and just see if they'll play it. Hopefully not two o'clock in the morning, but um because I think it's important. Great job, guys. >> Thank you. >> Commissioner Orso. >> I also want to say as Commissioner Vance Stone said is a great job and I'm proud of you kids. And the beginning of that uh video was very touching. >> Yeah. >> And it hit me right here. Thank you, >> Commissioner. >> Great job. Um definitely a person who works in that field. Um definitely. I think are they able to
014play it during school? >> Yeah, we can we can even make it I mean I know Crosby uh Mr. Verino loves to get on that mic in early in the morning and do his, you know, his his announcements and um they cast into a lot of the rooms now. So, we could find ways to do that as well. >> I think that would be definitely beneficial as well. But great job. >> Thank you. >> And I want to thank also Wendy John's, our people services director who helped create that part of the website and put together the road map for the students and helped kind of navigate some of these conversations uh last year. So, I want to thank you Wendy as well. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. Great job. [applause] >> Okay.
015Um, some more announcements. We want to uh publicly uh we will have a press release going out very shortly about this, but I want to publicly uh commend Miss uh D. Thomasella, the principal of Roberto Clemente. Not only did we get word that she was the 2026 Kalas uh su exceptional principal of the year award um which I had mentioned I believe last time but we just found out that um she also received and earned another prestigious award in the state. Uh there were three finalists in the state for elementary principal of the year uh for the entire state of Connecticut and we got word recently that uh um even though it was highly competitive, she was selected as the cast elementary principal of the year for the state of Connecticut. >> Um it's a
016well-deserved recognition for her and her team and we want to thank Miss Thomasella for that and we'll let you know of um when these events are are coming up. >> It's exciting. >> Congratulations to her. >> The Kennedy Marching Eagles made it to Hawaii. They came back um and they had just a wonderful time uh there and uh as they were invited to march in the National Vietnam Veterans Day parade in Honolulu. And while they were there uh among many other things they were able to do, they were able to play alongside the United States Pacific Fleet Marine Band. What an experience for them to be a part of that uh in that parade and what a life experience for them. So congratulations to for pulling it off. [snorts] take a moment to uh uh
017celebrate the willby music department. Uh Joeli De Jesus Estasio and Julian Rosario participated in the Connecticut Music Educators Association Allstate Festival Choir at the Hartford Convention Center on full scholarships, dedicating many hours to rehearsal before performing in concert under the direction of a renowned conductor. Additionally, Tatiana Leandri and Carlos Zapata Dunn had their original composition selected for the CMEA songwriting gallery and attended a songwriting workshop. So, congratulations to our students at willby. And how about this? A rotella fourth grade competed in a national engineering competition. I see Commissioner Van Stone nodding his head. How did I know that would strike a chord? A group of fourth grade students at Rotella Magna School have been selected as one of the top 10 group recipients of a $1,000 prize in the 2026 Science Buddies Engineering Challenge. Uh
018it's an amazing honor. More than 5,000 entries from around the world. Uh throughout the month of March, students worked in small groups during their science lab block with Mrs. Gruner. Uh there were 19 successful entries submitted into the contest from our uh from our school, Rotella. and we are so proud of all of the students and their innovation and dedication to their teamwork. So, congratulations to our students at Rotella. >> Great. >> For those that are interested, on Thursday we will uh be having Wishfest and it will start at the Palace Theater. Um and if you just go quickly and just do a Google search of Wishfest, uh you can register to attend uh Wishfest on Thursday. It starts at 9:00 would be a great great time to get there. Um, if you want to
019uh get there a little earlier to get a better seat, recommend 8:30. Uh, but nine o'clock at the Palace Theater. This year's theme is wish to cultivate innovation, inclusion, and a healthier future. Our students from grades 6 to 12 will be uh at the Palace Theater in the morning, and then they get to go to Yukon Waterberry in the afternoon for in um interactive uh workshops and activities to learn more about health and a healthy future. So, uh we have some really cool keynote speakers. We have Rachel Lamont who was a winner of CVS survivor and we have Temple Grandon who's a renowned animal uh welfare scientist. >> Hey folks and I want to congratulate Mr. Mendoza. Uh he was also uh recently uh provided earned an award as well from uh our Hispanic coalition
020here in Waterberry. Uh so congratulations to Mr. Juan Mendoza. We just learned uh of him getting the excellence in education award and we look forward to celebrating with you at the Koki Awards on May 15th at the Palace Theater. So congratulations Mr. Mendoza. >> Wow. [applause] >> So before I tell you to follow us on social media like we usually do um I just want to mention two things. I have a report in front of you that I was able to provide. Uh this is um um the end of year report from last year from the YMCA truency report. They asked for some data. Um I received it today so I thought it'd be better just to bring it to you um because I was afraid you might miss it if I emailed it today.
021So it does have some of that information um that was requested at last meeting uh that you can peruse. Um I wish I could have got it to you earlier, but um I would uh give you a moment to to look through that. And I also wanted to point out uh for my second comment before I end this is that uh for item 9.4 for the Harlem Children's Zone. I think you received information uh from Carrie. uh we uh decided to make sure that was a uh instead of a multi-year agreement, it is a one-year agreement which would allow us um after at the end of one year to be able to amend that contract if we want to continue that to make sure that um um you know we stick to that one year
022and then be able to to move forward if it's meeting our goals and desires and working together as we uh as we prepare for for this opportunity to to receive that support from them. So, I wanted to make that mention publicly that uh you received a change in your packet to make that a one-year agreement rather than a multi-year agreement. Happy to answer any questions. Any questions for superintendent? Okay. Thank you very much. Wow, what a talented district. All kinds of awards and recognitions. So, I think we should should really give give a a round of applause to our our school district and the amazing students and faculty. [applause] >> Okay, I just want to say happy spring everyone. I hope the weather continues. Okay. Our student representative uh comments. Uh which who's starting? >>
023You want to start? Okay. >> Good evening, President Hernandez. >> Is it on? >> Okay. Speak speak into it loudly. >> Good evening, President Hernandez, Vice President Brown, Commissioners, and Superintendent Dr. Schwarz. My name is Annalia Bayz representing Waterberry Career Academy, and I'm currently in the 12th grade. I'm going to be giving you an update on our academics in our education and training academy. We are proud to share that WCA's educators rising program attended the state conference on March 17th at Southern CT State University where students participated in opening and closing ceremonies, engaged in informative breakout sessions, and had nine students compete in seven different competitions including lesson plan and delivery STEM exploring non-core teaching careers, children's literature, K through three, English, public speaking, and inside our school's English. We are excited to announce that
024five of these competitions placed first, second, and third at the state level, and four qualify to compete at the national conference in Portland, Oregon this June. For our health academy, our su senior students in the EMT course are given the opportunity to ride along in ambulances to gain hands-on experience, and they will also attend a day at Yukon Stores to participate in hands-on codes, simulation, and medical medication administration. On March 14th, HOSA hosted 26 schools for the 2026 CT HOSA state conference while three juniors qualified for the school for the national conference of public health. Additionally, 80 health juniors attended a full day academic experience at Yukon Waterberry's allied health department and Yukon allied health students visited Farmington Health Center for work site experiences. Furthermore, 75 11th grade students were trained and certified CPR and
025first aid. In the manufacturing academy, sophomores are currently completing CAD, computer aid design work, where they are learning how to create 3D objects on the computer that can be translated into detailed 2D drawings. Juniors are finishing their matching their machining projects using both the Lath and Milling machine with a strong emphasis on precision as their final pieces must match a drawing to a 0.005 inch tolerance. Seniors are working through their career safe and online OSHA tent training program and upon completion will resume hands-on work with their next machining project. Additionally, students recently had the opportunity to design and create their own objects such as fidget spinners, bubblegum dispensers, and dice which are now proudly proudly displayed in the case of front of the manufacturing classroom. In IT and engineering, the IT sh provides career connected
026learning that builds academic skills and real world readiness. Students develop technology, literacy, digital responsibility, financial decision making, problem solving, and leadership skills. Freshmen will study digital citizenship and online safety. Investing students will apply financial concepts through a stock marketing game. Video game design students explore artificial intelligence in its ethical use and gaming. Leadership students analyze business leaders in effective leadership practices. Overall, the program prepares students for future academic and career opportunities through practical relevant experiences. And for now, an update on clubs and activities. Our Ed Rising is hosting a spring blood drive partnered with our HOSA club. Our Ed Rising also hosted their annual tape teacher to the wall fundraiser before spring break. NHS is organizing a spring fundraiser featuring the sale of carnations in a v variety of vibrant colors. Eight of our students
027were given the opportunity to go to Hopeville Elementary School and give insight and information about their chosen strand. Some of our students were able to participate in the Special Olympics which gave them the opportunity to have fun and participate in something new. We hosted a fast night fiber junior class on March 17th. Our String Club photos were taken earlier this month. On March 27th, our unified sports participated in the NVL basketball tournament at Crosby High School. On April 16th, our unified sports will be participating in the NVL cornhole tournament at Willoughby High School, as well as our debate club recently had the opportunity to go to Southern and watch the great debate between Howard and Yale. >> Thank you. Wow, lots of good things. >> Hi, my name is Jaden Labasser. I'm also representing Waterberry
028Career Academy. I'm currently in 11th grade and I will be updating you on our athletic and student accomplishments throughout the school. So for sports, our boys basketball team had the opportunity to play in the NVL championship game and also made it to states. Indoor track had a very competitive yet successful season with many students competing in NVL's and states as well. We just began our spring sports which include boys baseball, girls softball, track and field, boys volleyball, and co-op teams for golf and tennis. Our boys volleyball team had their first game today against Kennedy. And our girls softball team had their first game on April 4th against Derby. And for our past and upcoming events this year, juniors and seniors are taking trips to many universities, including Southern, Eastern, and Yukon. Representatives of our student
029council took a trip to CASK, the Connecticut Association of Student Councils. Our college decision day is coming up on May 1st, which allows seniors to celebrate and share their college decisions. Student council members hosted a winter sports pep rally. Our Black History Month celebration took place in February with many students showcasing and sharing their cultures and traditions during a schoolwide event. The student council also hosted a door decorating contest where students competed in a friendly competition to see who could decorate the best winter themed door. Our school celebrated Heritage Day on March 13th where students dressed according to their heritage and showcased their traditional clothing. Juniors will be taking their SATs while sophomores and freshmen will be taking their PSATs on April 21st. AP testing will also be taking place in the first two weeks
030of May. Field day will be taking place on the 29th of May. Senior students have their field trip to Holiday Hill on May 29th. Junior students have their field trip to an aquarium in Boston on May 15th. Our senior students have also begun Senior Assassin as a way to conclude the school year in a fun manner. So, moving on to the student narrative. Um, students have repeatedly expressed concern about the graduation date not being set yet. Uh, this concern has led to ongoing frustration and uncertainty as many seniors are trying to plan for an important milestone without knowing when it will take place. The lack of a confirmed date has created conflict for many students and their families, especially for those who need to arrange travel, request time off of work, um, or prepare for
031other commitments that might create conflict with the graduation season. Um, as a result, many students feel stressed and unprepared as the delay has made it difficult to organize their schedules and fully look forward to celebrating their end of high school experience. >> Thank you for that um, information, >> superintendent. Well, we could just decide to make it later and then everyone that makes it easier for everyone, but I think people would prefer the earlier date. So, um, unfortunately, you're not going to know that until early May. Um, and that's that's just the state. That's beyond anybody on the board's ability to be able to decide this and uh my ability, but you know, it's counting on others who have the decision-making power to decide the end of the year date for us based on uh
032what happened here in Waterberry between the um the you know, the water main break and the emergency snow days. So, we will have that date set. Unfortunately, people are going to have to stay somewhat flexible. The good news is is we have the Palace Theater uh booked for no matter what occurs. Uh we are engaging with those decision makers though to make sure that we can uh receive that information as soon as possible. So uh we will know at some point uh but it won't be until early May. >> Thank you. Any questions for our students? >> Well, what's what are you going to do next year? Well, I committed to UHart last month. >> All right. [applause] >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Do you have a major in mind? >> Yeah, I'm majoring
033in nursing. >> Oh, wonderful. Awesome. >> Well, best of luck. >> Thank you, >> Darren. Regarding the graduation date, is there any way we could set I mean, is it is it based on the number of of school days? >> Yeah. Yeah. So, the water um the state of Connecticut requires 180 school days to be a completed school year. >> But I mean, could we set the dates? I mean, because they can be considered in school, correct? Even though they're graduating or not, >> we don't have that ability to decide that. So, I mean, the fact that um there are other states that have allowed for virtual during these these types of days, uh the state of Connecticut doesn't allow for that. um which sometimes is a I get emails every snow day. Why can't
034we be virtual? And it's not our decision. It's the state of Connecticut has decided nobody is allowed to do virtual during snow days. And so um we can't count those as school days. Uh but if we schedule for 182 or 181 days, we can go back to 180, but we can't go below that. So um I think the last two years we've gone back to 180 to try to reduce the number. But I um be anything below that would have to be decided at a at a at a different level than than this board and and the superintendent. So, you know, for right now, uh you know, that decision hasn't been made yet, but I think um like I said, I that's something that we would know um early next month. >> Okay. All right.
035Thank we'll try our best to get it for you. >> Thank you very much. Okay. Okay. The consent calendar. Does anyone wish to remove any item from the consent calendar? Commissioner Van Stone. >> Thank you, Madam President. Through you, I'd like to uh remove 9.1 and 9.4. >> Thank you. Any other removals? Okay, I'll proceed with the uh reading of the consent calendar. 9.2 Two, request approval of the preparation of schematic drawings and outline specifications for the proposed Waterberry Preschool Center project. 9.3 request approval of the establishment of a building committee for the proposed Waterberry Preschool Center [snorts] project. 9.5 request approval of amendment one to the nocost education affiliation agreement with KRE-BSL Husky East Farms Operations LLC to provide certified nursing assistant clinical hours to students. 9.6 request approval to apply for the CSD
036Carl D. Perkins Secondary Supplemental Enhancement Grant for 2026. 9.7 request approval of amendment one to the agreement with Wheeler Clinic, Inc. for educational services in accordance with students IEPs. 9.8 8. Request approval of a professional service agreement RFP number 8699 with all electric construction and communications LLC for operations and maintenance services for city-owned solar photovolactic systems. 9.9 request approval of a service agreement with Clearwater Industries, Inc. RFP number 8592 for chemical water treatment at various schools. 9.10 request approval of a construction contract with infrastructure repair service LLC for pool slab repairs at Kennedy High School. 9.11 Use of school facilities by school organizations andor city departments. Commissioner Orso, may I have a motion? Motion to uh to approve the consent calendar items 9.2 eliminate to 9.3 and then from 9.5 to 911. >> I have
037a second. >> Second discussion. All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstain. Motion carries. Thank you. Okay, going to the items removed from the consent calendar. Okay, who's doing 9.1? Commissioner Ireland 9.1. Ladies and gentlemen, I move that the Waterberry Board of Education approve to file a grant application for the proposed Waterberry Preschool Center project. Second discussion. Commissioner Van Stone. >> And thank you, Madam President. Through you. Uh this is where I routinely uh you know get hate mail because I'm going to act on something that is the public really wants and and in turn I' I well I I know the situation up at um Bucksill School as well as the annex. Um you know and the fact that a prechool center is in need. However, uh in these times, we don't even know for sure
038if the state's going to accept it. U there's no money attached. There's not even a guesstimate, never mind an estimate that we've done on this. Uh Commissioner Lot did a great job, you know, of asking some questions on this, but I didn't really hear I listen I watched the video uh when I got back from my vacation and and the answers just aren't there. So, you know, and you know, we'll talk about something similar in 9.4, but in this case, we're talking about a building that in my opinion could be 80 to $100 million. And if that's the case, and we get approval from the state, and just for easy math, say they give us 80%. We're still coming back to the city to ask for between 16 and 20 million. I didn't hear that.
039Well, you're shaking your head. No, but the math is 80% if the building's going to cost 80 to 100 million, and I guarantee it will. >> Let them finish the >> Then we're coming back to the city to ask for that money. Where's it? We're going to go to the alderman, ask for bonding for $20 million. I just don't see it. Um, and I'm going to finish up and if the superintendent would like to interject anything, that's fine. But I've been here a long time and I know how these buildings go. And it would have been nice to at least give us an information that told us approximately what we think we're going to be spending. Um, and again, the state, they're getting real tough on handing these out. They're probably denying more than they're
040accepting on building plans. So, um, I get it. we're at this stage of the game, but to not even have an estimate uh to at least get us to think about what it is we're spending. Last week, we asked for 11 million more and this potentially is asking for 20 million. That's a lot of money, and I just don't see it coming together. I I would like to see a better uh request come to this board. Now, it's going to pass. I know it's going to pass, but I just needed and I purposely didn't bother with 9.2 and 9.3. It's the same difference, but um I just had to get out what I'm thinking about this proposal. Everyone else could think whatever they want, vote whatever they want. I'm just letting you know that I
041don't have enough information to make a uh affirmative decision on this. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Schwarz. >> Oh, thank you. So, one of the unique things that uh Connecticut has recently passed and some of the urgency around trying to do this before July 1 um uh commissioner is uh as the money is there, which u is there right now for the state of Connecticut, they are giving a plus 15% to districts that apply uh for early childhood centers, specifically for preschools. Um, so if we if we wait past July 1st, our our fear is is that the next round, to your point, the money might not be there anymore. And so from the estimates that we have, um, and again, once we establish the building committee, we can go over the ED
042specs and we can kind of talk in more detail to your point. um about an approximately $100 million building, which is approximately what it would be. The reimbursement rate would be $94 million from the state for this project. That's that's the indication that we've gotten uh from Frier. That's the indication that we've gotten from the legislators. So, it would be um an extra 15% to your point. Typically, it would be 79% and change reimbursement. So, you're talking about 20 million. If um this does get passed and it and it does get accepted by the state um for something that I think we all know at some point needs to be done, this opportunity would save the city $14 million and difference between that with this extra 15%. So, um, you know, I just wanted to
043make sure, uh, you know, we said that out loud because there is a, um, there is an opportunity here, uh, that we believe is, uh, as as as the funds exist will continue to be there. Um, and just wanted to to to reiterate that. Thank you, Commissioner. >> Thank you. Any other comments? Commissioner L. >> Thank you, Madam President. Just a question for you, Dr. Schwarz. Now, how close do we get to doing this project and getting everything set till we get to a guarantee prior to that July 1 date? So, let's say this gets approved, we made the plan, we submit it, like how close we need to a guarantee. Once they say yes, we're getting the money no matter what, no matter who's in office, no matter who changes the hedge or what?
044Like, is this something that >> I I mean, it's a good it's a good question. I've never seen the state pull the rug under a under under a community that says we're accepting. I I believe they earmark the funds right away once they say yes and they protect those funds. Um you know Dorene, you might be able to or or Nick, you might be able to chime in on that, but I think, you know, I've never it's never happened in the state of Canada where they pulled it back from our knowledge. Uh and so I believe they earmark it and they set it aside. So once they agree to saying yes to it, they they agreed to saying yes. We still have to go through the the process uh for we would actually have to
045bond. Uh the way that it works is um we would bond for the whole project. We would ask for bonding for the whole project, but we would only issue bonds for our our portion of it. So say it's a $100 million project, we'd ask for $100 million bonding package, but we would uh be only bonding for about six million of it. Um even though we authorized up to 100 million for the the package. So again, part of this is is just securing that up. Uh again, uh this is this was from legislation. Uh again, the plus the 15%. To your point, uh what's the what's the guarantee? I mean, we have it in writing. We have it in guarantee from the state of Connecticut. If they pulled it from us, I think it would be
046chaos across the state. Uh so, I don't know if there's ever such thing as a 100% guarantee because I'd never go on record to tell you that because god forbid. I just don't know uh the just the chaos it would cause across the state of Connecticut if they pulled these funding back. I guess in the end we just wouldn't build the building. I mean that's what would happen is worst case scenario if they said you're not going to get that money we would just have to find an alternative solution to the the the situation that we have up to Bil Pri. Um right now this seems like the most feasible way to do it. But I just I think in good conscious we wouldn't be able to build the building um because we we're going
047after the idea of 94%. >> Okay. Thank you. Do you have any clarifications? Um, >> no. I think Dr. said it all, but uh this is a I think everybody that has their questions still realizes that this is a a valid um initiative to take on. Um we're not only looking at the 94%, but we're looking to add another feature that may even give us another one or 2% that uh that came up. And all we're doing right now is putting the ED spec specifications together. What we would like to see, what do we want? How big do you want the building to be? What do you want to have for playscapes? What do you want for furniture, for bathrooms, for how many students? I mean, I think we're at 11 classrooms and maybe 290
048students now. And we're looking at something that would service close to 600 students. So, think of your wildest dreams of students that can go AM or PM or AM and PM and take care of our special education population, our special needs students. There is no initiative, as much as I know what I have a philosophy and what I like to see, there is no initiative that have could have a a greater impact on the education of Waterbury public schools other than this prek because we know that our students when they enter kindergarten are woefully unprepared in many areas educationally, socially, uh physically, um so psychologically. So this could offer so much. just think of this great um this building and and all we're doing is doing a lot of leg work right now, Commissioner. We're
049we're we're investing very little money but a lot of time and we'll get it to the point when we can submit it by the deadline and wait for that committ from DAS that says you're approved with this and it'll be specified with the uh with the reimbursement rate and we'll just wait on that award letter and and then we would be able to start the final design pro project and process. us uh whether it's a board of ed property, board of uh city of Waterberry property, private property, as long as we follow our proper procedures, land acquisition would be part of the reimbursement rate. So, if we don't have our own property that we think is right, we can get the right piece of property as long as we follow the process of getting three
050uh appraisals and making sure that that sale price, purchase price is within that, that would be reimbured just like just like we did with um Roberto Clemente. >> Same thing. >> Thank you, Commissioner Vansstone. >> Just a a quick comment and a followup. Thank you, Madam President. through you. Uh Nick, it's funny when you say the pro uh the property and reimbursement if it's property we have to go after. Last time we tried to do that, it went to referendum and it got shot down and now Chase and General are still overpop populated. So let's hope we don't have to go after any land because if it ends up on a referendum uh like it did the last time, >> it could. Correct. Uh but we have >> we had a great plan the last
051time >> yesterday >> but like I said Chase and General Alley are still overcrowded. So thank you >> and and a couple others as well. You are absolutely correct. But uh this will prepare our students and we hope that we can find that right location uh whether it's our own or city. We hope that we get that right piece of property and and just just think of the and I know we have uh Mrs. Bergen here. We have Mrs. Sims here. Uh we're we're taking early childhood offices and putting it with it together. I mean, it's just a natural fit and initiative to take on at least this leg work. I think for the next two months, I certainly put my heart into it. >> Commissioner Orso, >> thank you. Um, I have to agree
052with uh Commissioner Van Stone's uh uh you know what he was thinking about before, but I'm glad you clarified that it's 95%. All the time I've been with the city, I've never even heard of anything like that. It's always the 79% and that's it and forget it, you know. But if it's 95 96%, I can't see how we could say no, you know. I I I definitely approve it now. But the 20 million I was a little worried about. >> You know, I was, you know, I would I would agree with with with Commissioner Van Stone with that. But when it gets to 95 94%, I I can't see how we could turn it down. >> And thank you, Commissioner. I think that's what the urgency is right now, and this is the first application
053going out to the entire state. So, you can imagine what smaller towns are. I know they're they have plans. I'm going to add a room onto the school over here to a preschool. And we're we're thinking big because we have since I've been here I think I've had conversations with Moren and Amy and you go up to those portables and year after year they're hanging on for dear life and >> and again I think organizing even just a we talked about having a a walkthrough up there just for us to all have a kind of a sense. I know it's a school that not not all of us have been to. So I I will organize that with everyone. But I I think you'll you'll you'll see that uh why there is a sense of
054urgency and when you start thinking 94 possibly 95 96 it's it's hard not to put the everything we have into it to just try because I think it's worth the try. The kids are worth the try on this one. >> Yeah. One quick thing and you're right. I've been there a couple of times at that school. God bless them. That's all I got to say to those teachers up there. They do miracles in those portables. >> And principal Sims is here with us tonight. We do appreciate you. You make that place the most welcoming uh you know enriching experience with the tools you're given and we understand that. So hopefully we'll give you a better environment. Okay. Any other comments? Okay. Uh all in favor? I >> I opposed >> abstain. Okay. Motion carries. Commissioner
055Ireland 9.4. Ladies and gentlemen, I move that the Waterberry Board of Education approve a memorandum of agreement with William Julius Wilson Institute Harlem Children's Zone at no cost for the Promise Pathways Program. Could I have a second, please? >> Second >> discussion. Commissioner Van Stone. >> Thank you, Madam President. Through you once again, I'll be getting my hate mail. [laughter] Um, >> no, >> I know where it's starting. >> We always We always appreciate your point of view. Absolutely. >> Oh, you do. There's others out there, however. [laughter] Um, th this is a wonderful program. I read all the backup information. It truly is. I've heard the commissioner speak so highly of it. I heard Dr. Schwarz speak so highly of it. Um, you know, but it to promote this as a zero cost is
056uh, you know, I have a lot of adjectives I could use for that, but I won't. But, um, it's not we're gonna have a lot of time we're going to spend in it. You know, I heard examples of the things they do down in Harlem and you know, and I one of the examples mentioned last week or two weeks ago when I watched the video was, you know, people are requesting to have lights and locks on their houses. That's not the job of the Department of Education. Um, I felt that this is one more item that we're taking on that doesn't belong under education. Uh, you know, we we all were in discussions and all very upset with the legislation that would put homeschooling on us because of what it would take away from our
057personnel and what we had to do in leg work. You know what this is the same thing. This has taken our personnel to do other things where we're supposedly so short-handed. Um you know it's a lot of leg work even more leg work probably than homeschooling bill. Um, I I just I think this is a wonderful item that probably belongs on the alderman's agenda for the city to take on. Uh, and I heard a lot about the community that get so involved. Well, if you know Harlem, there's really two Harlems. There's Harlem's that you guys visited that really need this sort of event to come in. But there's also the side of Harlem that this entire board put together couldn't afford to buy an apartment, right? >> Okay. So, there's two Harlem. So, when they
058say they have community input, as far as I know, we don't have those luxury apartments that you see when you drive down 9A, uh, you know, they don't exist in Waterberry. That community dollars aren't there. Um, this concerns me the in what is going to happen in the end when we don't get the community dollars, we're going to be playing checkers with our financials so that we can give more money to them. Um, you know, our waterberry scholarship fund comes to mind. Supposed to be a nonprofit, but we toss them a half a million dollars every year. I'm going to fight real hard to get that out. We can't be that community. The community is a community. We're not the budget for every social event that needs to take place, but not under education. So,
059I struggle greatly. The one year going to one year instead of three really doesn't make a difference as far as getting grants. Grants are a dangerous thing. I know we're talking state funding that is already supposedly a pot of money. grants disappear like nothing and more now than ever. So um you know there's great event shouldn't be under education. That's my point. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments? Okay. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> No. >> Two. No. >> No. >> Three. No. Okay. Let's see. One, two, three, four. Motion carries. Thank you. Okay. All right. Um did that. Okay. Vice President Latoya number 11. I move that the Waterberry Board of Education approve the use of school facilities by the following groups organizations subject to fees and insurance as required. Second
060>> discussion. Just clarify now these we're voting on the ability of these organizations to use the facility. The next vote will be on the the waiver. So this vote is on whether they can use the facility. The next vote is the waiver. Okay. So, all in favor? >> I opposed abstain. Motion. >> You're abstaining. Okay. One abstension. Uh motion carries. Okay. Commissioner Ireland. I move that the Waterberry Board of Education approve the use of school facilities at no charge by the following school organizations and or city departments. Uh I would just request I don't know Mr. um Albini do you have the list of pe of organizations seeking waiverss just so that everybody's clear. >> Good evening once again. [clears throat] So, um you have uh two requests for waiverss. Bridge to Success Reed Cap
061for $168 and the Patriot Cheerleaders Hopeville Gym for $1,08. >> Not the Not the uh >> the basketball. >> Then there are others as well. Yeah, you you have um Waterberry ballers and the um >> Brass City Athletics. >> Okay. Thank you. >> To to clarify the Brass City Athletics and I I spoke to the gentleman uh Mr. Torres, uh, they weren't denied use. It's just couldn't be before this vote. So, they had to wait for the approval tonight before they can use a gym. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Any discussion? Commissioner Orso, >> uh, correct me if I'm wrong, but we have a meeting, I believe, on the 23rd of this month. Yes. To discuss the the waivers. So, how can we approve something tonight if we don't know what we're doing until next
062week? >> Well, we're going by the existing regulations until we until we change them because we we we've been doing that since we decided that we might review them. So, >> Okay. Just ask. >> Okay. Commissioner Lopez, I'll just add that again. We're looking at an almost 12 million deficit and I am not objecting to organizations using our facilities, just it shouldn't be at the cost of our students. Thank you. Any other comments? Okay. All in favor of the waiverss? >> I want to do a roll call vote. >> Commissioner Haywood, >> can you just repeat what you're saying? I just want to be clear. >> We're voting on whether or not the organizations that Mr. Albini just outlined who asked for a waiver will receive a waiver from this board for the cost. Okay.
063>> Yes. >> Commissioner Bowen. >> Yes. >> Vice President Ireland. >> Abstain. >> Commissioner Lopez. >> No. >> Commissioner, >> abstain. >> V stone. >> Yes. President Brown. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh Committee on Finance, Commissioner Orso. >> Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Waterberry Board of Education approve an agreement with the Waterberry Young Men's Christians Association for Truency Prevention Services. Second discussion. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstain. Motion carries. Thank you. Okay. and uh superintendent's notification to the board. Commissioner L. >> I make a motion to approve the superintendent notification to the board 13.1 through 13.9. >> Second >> discussion. All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstain. Motion carries. >> Thank you. Do we have any uh committee chair reports this evening? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Latoya.
064>> Thank you. >> Vice President Latoya. >> That's okay. Thank you, Madam President. Just through you. Um, so there is a legislator um legislative wrapup Tuesday. Actually, CAB is hosting Tuesday, May 12th, 9:00 in the morning, and it's going to be at the legislative office building, but the room will be determined. And if you want to register, commissioners, you can see Carrie for that. >> Okay. Thank you. And I believe there's a isn't there an up when is the next uh health and wellness committee? I think that's coming up, right? >> I think. Yes. I think it's like the I think it's the 27th. I'm not mistaken. >> 27th. Okay. Thank you. I think it's coming up. >> And I I did invite the health department to come to that meeting to talk about um
065programs uh concerning uh vaping and uh you know, prevention resources that uh are available in the city. and um you know it's something that maybe uh the students would be interested in eventually because a lot of it has to do with mental health. So um we'll be in touch with you. Any other committees? Okay. Okay. Motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? I Okay. >> Motion carries. Have a great evening.