Board of Education - Regular Meeting - January 13, 2026 - 7PM

001world, you know. >> Good evening, everyone. Uh, I'd like to bring the meeting of the Winchester Board of Ed to order at 7:02 p.m. Uh, I'd like to uh um call for a motion to approve the agenda for tonight's meeting. >> No. Oh, sorry. >> Sorry. Uh, >> sure. Sorry. Let's uh do the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Roll call. Joseph Santoro, >> Chrissy Rylander, >> Frank Oliver, >> Kurt Warner, >> Julie Lubby, >> Nora McCarski, >> Eleanor Bishop, >> uh, Carol Kichek, and, uh, Shane Crella are excused. Uh, and Jonathan's going to be running a little late tonight. >> You have a quarum? >>

002We do. All right. Uh, can I go to item two, approval of the agenda? Do you have anything to add to the agenda this evening? >> Can I make a motion to approve the agenda? >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. >> Nora, [clears throat] a second. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> One more. >> All right. On to item three. Oh, can we vote uh for the approval of agenda? All in favor? >> I motion passes. On to item three, student showcase. We have some special surprises tonight. I see one of our new innovation teachers with us. So, you're going to get to a little bit about our library innovation special. This is Mr. Hbot. >> Hello. >> All right. Good evening event members and families. We're very excited to showcase this

003evening our innovation program. As some of you may be aware, we revised our program in our library to include more STEM activities, still including library and taking out books in the love of lit. but really juing it up a little bit so that our kids are really excited to come to the program, learning some 21st century skills. And I have three second graders here with me today and our wonderful innovation teacher at Hinsdale, Mr. Jesse Hurlberg, who are going to share some things. So, first I'd like the students to introduce themselves to you. [clears throat] >> Go ahead. You could be first. Hello, my name is Ethan and I'm in second grade and I'm also in second grade. >> My name is >> All right. Excellent. Take it away, Mr. Herbert. >> All right. So,

004let's have you do the work. Can you explain the chop for us? >> So, you can't really get hurt because this thing right here um protects you from like um the part of its cardboard under it and even if you could touch it, it it wouldn't be strong enough to hurt you. So, um each like strip on this that shows numbers is an itch. So, if you want to make like slits in it to um put stuff together, you go to like the one and you like put it to another piece of cardboard. [clears throat] >> So, if you're familiar with like a band saw or a jigsaw, it works very similar to that. Um, there's an oscillating uh cutting head in here, just like you would find on a band saw, except it is

005completely childproof. I mean, my 2-year-old could use this. >> Um, it's designed not to catch hair. It's designed not to catch clothes. Um, our pre-K students at Hinsdale have used it extensively. Um, our second graders have used it the most. They've gone through a whole badging process of having to do an eightstep uh process in order to uh really become masters at it. Um, and it's really teaching kids about early vocational skills. Um, getting kids used to using tools. Um, it's something I grew up doing and I think it's something that's very important. Um, you know, on Friday, my wife had a flat tire and I had to change her tire. And I'm very thankful that I had that skill set that I learned as a young child. Um, so getting these kids to be

006able to use some of these tools as simple as they can be, um, is something we look forward to and something that they truly enjoy. Um, and it really aids in the creativity process that comes in with the innovation part of it. Um, and they have some projects they would like to show you. >> [clears throat] >> You show off your work. [clears throat] >> Wow. >> These are all made and designed by them. >> Wow. >> So cool. [clears throat] >> Wow. [laughter] >> Wow. The rest of your other ones will pop on the table. >> Wow. >> Explain what you made. >> I made I made I made a rain a rainbow because I thought it would be >> okay. [clears throat] >> This that I made was a cub. >> Yes. >>

007Sean, can you explain to them how you are able to cut through without having. >> There was this um tool that you would put into the cardboard and then you would screw it to the end and then it would and then you would put the knob into it and then you would go around the lines of what you wanted to cut. >> Nice. [clears throat] [cough] >> I made a pieces of pepperoni because [clears throat] >> very nice. [applause] >> Anything else you want to say about? >> Nice work. >> Wow. Very good. >> Thank you very much. Thank you all so much. >> I have to say that um one of the um indicators of successful youth is um a sense of ethicacy, that belief that you are capable. And I think uh this

008class in particular really feeds that. When kids can put their hands on tools and build things, they see themselves as capable. And I think that is exactly where we want to be with kids. Well, I'm I'm glad that this the tools are safe. >> Yes. [laughter] >> And you're willing to experiment with creativity. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Nice job, guys. [applause] >> Okay, let's move on to item four, public comment. The Winchester Board of Education welcomes you to its business meeting. There are two opportunities to set aside to hear comments from the public. We welcome and encourage public participation as a valued part of communicating input with the Winchester Board of Education. We appreciate your adherence to the following. Complete the requested information on the sign-in sheet if you wish to speak. Name,

009address, and [clears throat] email. State your name and address when called upon to speak and you will be allotted three minutes to share your comments. Please be advised that is not at the practice of the board of education to engage in dialogue regarding commentary. The superintendent of schools will be directed by the chairperson to prepare an appropriate response in a timely manner. We appreciate your time and thoughtful commentary. Does anyone wish to speak? Does anyone wish to speak? Okay, seeing no one, uh, move on to item five, the approval of the minutes. Uh, minutes of the regular board of ed meeting on December 9th, 2025. >> I make a motion to approve the minutes from December 9th. >> Okay, we have a motion to approve. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All in

010favor. >> Okay. All right. [clears throat] Can I uh make a motion to uh approve the amendments for the special board of ed meeting on December 18th, 2025. >> Make a motion to >> approve the minutes from the special meeting on December 18th. >> Okay. Second. Second. I'll second. >> All right. Frank will second. All in favor? >> Okay. All right. Moving on to item six, communications. Uh chairperson's comments. Um we found some I think good news on Friday for some. for others. Uh we might be a little disappointed in the decision. Uh but I would like to thank uh our principal of Pearson, Barbara Saria, for her uh time for the 12 years she's served with us. Uh she is choosing but at the end of the year to retire. Um so thank you

011for your service. We appreciate it. I know my wife appreciates you. Uh so thank you very much. >> Can we have a round of applause for her? [applause] >> [applause] >> Okay. Um, moving on. Student representative reports. Hello, my name is Zion Harris. I'm in second grade. This month, students in kindergarten through grade 2 are engaging in mid year assessment preparation. Students are reviewing strategies and showcasing all their skills and knowledge they learned so far. This year, we look forward to celebrating all of our growth so far. Each grade level is busy learning. In preschool, they are learning about animals. They are also adding and subtracting math problems up to five and about what makes a pair. on kindergarten. They are learning lot a lot about farms like the plants that are growing on farms

012and the animals that are raised. They are also they also learned many new sounds and are now able to read simple phrases and sentences. They are even reading some books in grade two. In grade one, they are learning about the Mayers as text and incoras. They are working on using number lines to count and subtract. Grade two, we are learning about the different states of matter which include solids, liquids, and gases. We are learning how to read words with our controlled vowels. One thing I would like to see happen at Hinsdale is fun activities to help spread kindness. Thank you for having me. [applause] >> Great job. Good evening members. Hello, my name is coming for school activities and events. We just started ready testing this week. For our academic highlights, something new that students

013have been learning in grade three in math. Students have been learning how to calculate elaps time, measure mass and volume to solve problems as well as model and fractions in different ways. In lingo, students have been studying the rise and decline of the Roman Empire. In science, students continue to learn about forces and motion. Throughout this unit, students ask questions and define problems as well as plans and carried out investigations. In math, we are learning about fractions. In fourth grade, in students learn about the Islamic Empire and the rule. We also learned about the civil wars. We are writing historical fiction where we pretend to be part of a caravan traveling across the desert. In science, we'veing testing the level of energy spirits have as they build around limbs from different types and will continue

014to experiment with the transfer of energy in the next weeks. In fifth grade in math, students are studying multiplication strategies leading up to standard algorithm. In linguage arts, students are studying the adventures of Donote and how he tries to learn. In science, students are learning about states of matter. In sixth grade in math, sixth graders are studying unit rates and percentages. In language arts in ELA, sixth graders are finishing up unit on chocolate. Students are writing an essay. They can write anformational essay is about the history of chocolate or an opinion essay on whether or not chocolate equals happiness. In science, students are experimenting convection currents in the classroom connected to our weather and climate unit. Improvements in needs are to improve technology, increase field trips and learning experiences, and to have more fundraisers and

015donations to local needs. One great thing about Pearson is the wide selection of glue dot lunch in the well organized dismissal plan. Thank you for inviting me to share Pearson school happiness with you this evening. [applause] >> [applause] >> I know it was unfortunate that part of the uh chocolate um curriculum they were supposed to go to a chocolate shop in Waterberry um and due to the water mane break they were not able to go. So um they got they did miss out on that aspect of it. So that was unfortunate. Thank you. All right. On to item C, superintendence report. Draw your attention to a few things in the report. We continue to keep our eye on the prize. We focus on relationships and high quality instruction and try and block out noise. Those

016are those are our objectives. And we stay steady. We are um just completing midyear assessments, literacy assessment uh using dibbles and I ready and math assessment also in the I Ready. Um we are trying to um have literacy live large in our schools. We have a literacy night coming up uh January 26 that um is a book tasting. It's sort of chef themed and should be phenomenal. Thank you to Miss Stair who's been taking the lead with our uh coach Shannon Ball to get that planned. It should be fabulous. Uh we've just completed our uh first round of parent conferences. We [clears throat] do those twice a year, once in late fall and once in the spring. Uh we had greater than 90% of our parents attend um conferences, which really is remarkable. I suspect

017that there are not school districts that have that level of participation. Uh we did attend um not without a little bit of drama the holiday concert at Gilbert and had a wonderful time. It was monsooning out. Um special thanks to the bus company that um made lap after lap after lap bringing us back and forth. Um the teachers were such good sports because they had billy goatated up the hill in the pouring rain. Uh there were a few slip and falls. Um but my understanding is the bus company um is not charging us for this event that um there were enough things that went wrong about it I think that um they were very gracious and will not be charging us. So that was lovely of them and a great opportunity to partner with the

018Gilbert school. Uh we also had a very special event at Pearson school goes right along with what you're hearing as the children talk to you about the tools that they use and the things that they're learning. Um Pearson school each fall hosts a talent show which gives kids opportunity to really show off their stuff and it was a huge success. Um, roof update we're going to talk about. You have really heard the state of the roof. You know the moisture is prevalent. We'll have that under an action item. And uh the preschool expansion. I'll just tell you quickly now that um Oh, shoot. I think they're called H2M. I'm going to double check that before we get to the next part. But we have Oh, I have it on >> H2M is the consultant. Yes,

019that's the that's their name. H2M. Yes, >> thank you. H2M has been so gracious um in offering us um just a little bit of support in thinking through the feasibility of doing an expansion. And so I'm bringing you when we get to it on the action item um just a concept drawing that they did for us um after coming and visiting and looking at the plans to see if this was even worth pursuing or if it was not feasible. So, they have been spectacular and ultimately we landed on um the idea of putting something where the small playground is in front of the school, relocating the prek playground behind the school, which I actually really like the idea of. Anyway, um so we'll talk more about that in a bit. Um we are reading forward

020the budget process. I will be presenting to this board in this room on February 3rd. We'll start getting out about that. We hope to draw a crowd. I guess we could bring popcorn if we wanted. Um but know that so much work is going into the process in terms of identifying needs and then um working with the board as you all know to establish priorities and then make tough decisions about what will be in the budget that I share with you on the third. By the time it gets to you, it will already have been paired down and when I present it, I'll share with you all of the things that didn't make it even into that draft of the budget, but you know, I live in the real world and recognize that not every

021need will get filled in one budget. So, um, just as a quick update, Nora, >> the cover is clean. >> That's fantastic. >> I knew you'd be excited. >> Oh, very much so. You see, I wrote hooray. [laughter] >> We appreciate you holding our toes to it and making sure we got it. >> Yes. >> I deal with cos too at the water. did that for my old Korean. >> Oh, really? God, let's get away from this. >> Well, then you know, hooray. [laughter] >> Yes. >> Okay, good. >> So, I'll drive by. Take a look. See, >> we hosted a wonderful lunchon for the students um through grant funds. So, it didn't cost the district any money, but the kids had a real nice holiday meal right before break. And several uh board of

022ed, board of selectmen members, um community members came and had lunch with us as well. Um I meant to be able to say the last day of school and I apologize. I never figured out the date. I started to write it and didn't do it. >> My apologies. We've had, I believe, two snow days. So, whatever is on the calendar plus two. >> Um, when we have a snow day, we do always add it on. So, you can always follow that way. >> It's one for one then for every snow day. It's not two for one sale. >> No. >> Okay. [laughter] I mean, some just wait. >> Okay. >> I grew up in a city. Wouldn't that be effective? >> Sometimes you need two to move. >> I went to school in the city.

023puts a snow day. >> Um, in the past I've talked to you about um the community table I've referred to or the LPG LGP LGP local governance partners which is the early childhood initiative with the state. Our group has met twice under the direction of Bnee St. and has is working on drafting their mission and vision statements and has after um a very democratic process and um honing and working on it come up with the name. They are the Winchester Families and Futures Collaborative and there are more than 20 people participating. Uh there are people from so many town organizations, the YMCA, the Winet Area Childare, AMP, um social services, all of the groups. And >> can you say the name again? Winchester family. >> It's right there. First thing under ed leadership, >> Winchester,

024WFC for all future reference. >> Um but it's going to be a powerhouse team. >> Uh my advisory council is awesome. I have um six members. We've met twice already. Uh at this last meeting, we actually um drafted a beginning uh communication plan for the district. This group is awesome. We are talking about issues. We're talking a little bit about uh budget advocacy and we are [clears throat] doing work. Um, one of the things that came out of that that we're meeting um, as a district leadership team on is the transition between Hinsdale and Pearson and looking for ways to um, add some pieces into that um, that will just make it an even smoother transition. So, that was something that came out of that work. Um, I won't say too much tonight except to

025also say um, thank you to Barb. Um, you know, coming in new as a superintendent, you never know uh what your leadership team will be like and whether you will be well received by um the existing leaders in the district. Um, and when I got here, I remember meeting with Barb and Rosie um actually for my dad's in South Carolina before I started on Zoom a couple of times to just get my bearings and um start talking about some of the issues that were going on in town last fall. And from the very first conversation, I knew that Barb was completely the most um kind professional ever. And she was warm and welcoming and has a can do attitude. And no matter what it is, she handles it with grace and wisdom. And it will

026be nearly impossible to fill her shoes. Um that said, we will run a very inclusive search. We will um Before we even start posting the job and advertising, we will do some um gather input from all of the stakeholders, kids, parents, staff to figure out um what we really feel the district needs at this moment because at different historical moments, districts need different things. So, we'll make sure that we um adjust our job description to really reflect where we are today and what we feel we need. Um once we get that input, we will post the advertise it as broadly as we can. As of sometime in the last 48 hours, we have a LinkedIn page now where we're able to post jobs which will hopefully broaden our ability to search. Um we will have

027inclusive committees, do screenings and interviews um and eventually the board will um interview and approve a final candidate because Barb was so gracious to give us this news. Now we have the luxury of our process thoroughly and carefully throughout the spring and hope to have someone in place to start on July one and potentially be able to transition with Barb before she goes. So, >> thank you. [clears throat] >> There will be so many opportunities this spring to celebrate Barb and we do have a district um end of the year um celebration at which we will definitely be honoring Barb. >> Go out quietly. [laughter] >> So, Uh we've started negotiating the paraprofessional contract. [clears throat] We are looking to up our website game. We're not satisfied with the status of our website. So Matthew,

028Tiffany, Charlene, and I have been um reviewing other website companies, ruling out ones that cost particularly more than ours, considering the ones that cost more or less the same as ours. And I think we're looking at switching companies, which um if nothing else, gives you a strong reset. And the company that we're leaning towards actually does not have like the you know how all the websites kind of look the same. This company doesn't actually have a template they design to you. So that's a little daunting and also a little exciting but it will give us the opportunity to reorganize and sort of refigure out what the right categories are and just update our information. We will make sure that we are crossosting between website, Facebook, um I guess those are two pract from it to

029ours. >> Yes, you we already are linked through the town website and we will continue to I don't think you can cross post between them but but we can have our Facebook posts appear in our feed I believe. >> Um so we're underway with that. Um although we've already celebrated Jenny Frell, I'll just let you know that um I was very proud to walk her across the stage um and shake the commissioner's hand when she was recognized as our teacher of the year. And you know we participated in our budget workshop which was um very valuable. I feel gave me a great opportunity to hear the hopes and dreams of the board and um what are the things that are sort of the non-negotiables in your eyes. that will be reflected in the budget draft

030that I bring you. >> I have just a a couple of questions on on some of this. Um >> do do we have administ we have the contracts you mentioned um paraprofessional negotiations underway. Is there any other contract this year? The school lunch. >> Y >> that's also underway. >> That's it. Right. >> Next [clears throat] year will be administrator >> admin is the following year. Okay. I think that may be everyone. We did three last year. >> You [clears throat] did? Yeah. >> Some of them starting as soon as my second day at work. >> Um I just wanted to let the community know about the roof just to make sure it's clear that everybody knows that the roof is 30%. taxpayer 70% reimburseable by the state of Connecticut because in case people tune

031out before the end of the evening and then the preschool program should it go is 100% reimburseable. I think that's important that because we're talking about budget moving forward. Um do we have it may not be appropriate for now. Do we have a retreat date? Is it February? >> It's January 31st. >> It is January 31 because I know CA wasn't available. So it's 31st not in February. Okay. Um, that's it. That's it. Congratulations, Barb. >> Thank you so much. >> Um, and for the preschool, we can get into this. Um, the referendum, we're going to have to put out to vote the 30% that will eventually be reimbursed. >> So, for any total 100%. We so the town has the option to go to referendum for the full amount or just the town's portion.

032Um the if you only go to referendum for the town's portion, so example 30% to do the roof. Um the state may look at you a little crossside and worry because if the job comes in more than estimated, you don't have any wiggle room. So, it'll be a decision that the town manager and board of selectman will ultimately make on how much to go to referendum for to make it work. Um, but you only have to go for the portion that is your portion. >> Okay. >> And that was checked again um by a couple sources because there's a lot of mixed um beliefs about that. >> Okay. >> I think it's typical to go for more than just your portion but within reason more >> because again just for a safety net. >> Do

033you want to point out any dates or anything? >> Um >> are you good? >> I'm good. Let's see. Well, for anybody who doesn't have the paper in front of them, let's see. We have a magic show coming up. Should be fabulous. We'll have our concerts in January, the literacy night. We have our first round of committee meetings the 27th and again the budget presentation on the 3. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> All right. Moving on to committee reports. Um >> since we have not met for any of the committees. Uh we can move on from that. Uh so let's move on to the liaison report. Perfect timing Jonathan. >> Indeed. So updates include uh the official approval of the Gilbert school uh year calendar and we informed Gilbert at our last meeting about the

034creation uh of our standing committee in lie of our ad hoc. Uh and uh we got a report from uh Mike Susi that the ASO has been certified to carry. Uh and also policy 7551, the naming of facilities went to second read last meeting and uh should be approved soon. >> Okay, perfect. All right, on to item seven, information items, enrollment reports. >> Okay, you will see that you have updated enrollment data. Uh there is nothing very Um, notable on the enrollment report, it doesn't change drastically monthtomonth. We currently have 401 of our students at the Gilbert School and are forecasting 390 at the number maybe eight um for next year. [clears throat] Um, as far as the attendance data goes, we are running a little bit better than we were this time last year

035in terms of our average daily student attendance. Our chronic absenteeism is a little bit more than it was last year across the district and sale was a little bit lower at this time last year, but the 25% in December with only 17 days is not uncommon. Again, remembering that two days would make you chronically absent. So, you'll find that any given month those numbers are much higher, but you across the year we're tracking at 9.5%. I would love that number ultimately to get to 5%. Would be phenomenal and our average daily attendance to be at 95%. Those are sort of in my mind >> outstanding indicators. We're not there yet, but we continue to hammer away at that. >> I'm actually surprised with the flu variant that our attendance is >> better. Um there's no

036doubt, you know, it's winter and it's all going around. Um let's see. We did fill our accounting specialist role. Um our new president, Lynn, seems to be doing a wonderful job. So that is very exciting. That's a very important role. That's who pays our bills. So if we don't get that right, we are um not good neighbors. So, we're thrilled that Lynn's off and running. Um, [clears throat] and I think that's all I'll draw your attention to today. We have posted and are beginning to screen for um a replacement school safety officer for Pearson School and we are I think did I share last time? I may not have. our um power school data person is retiring. Um she's still working for us um on an hourly basis keeping us afloat while we run a

037process, but she has done a beautiful job for us and is hanging in there with us um until we replace her. But she is retiring and going to focus on her health and other personal pursuits and financials. So the overunder is that we are on target to stay within the appropriated budget without decimating grants more so than intended. Um some of the varants you'll see for example um some positions that were planned for in um which direction do I want to go? Wages ended up being paid. We have a speech teacher being paid in the professional technical services line. That should be should be in wages, but since we didn't find a direct hire, that goes in a different place. That's probably one of the biggest variances. Um the pupil transportation um running over as

038a function of Mckin Vento, which we hadn't budgeted much for, but it is um a blossoming budget line for us. So, we'll we will be budgeting for it next year. You'll be a a real number based on what we've been spending these last couple of years. Um because that's not going away. And our special education um transportation is a little bit above what was planned as our our out of district tuition, not insanely out of line, but already over. Um, and >> how much over are we like on the the Mckin Bento estimation because we were in the same position last year. We talked about this being over. We've got about 60,000 right now in >> Mckin Vento >> and I think we budgeted five 10 two >> two or five >> like 5,000 >>

039and we're at 60,000 >> and they came in at the end of the school year already done. So >> yeah, >> kind of carrying it over >> and that represents the shift from when the state started to say we are half responsible for regardless of if kids are um in or you know whichever direction they're going. It used to be you only paid in one direction but >> pay half of every child. >> What was it in 2024 25? Because if we're at 5,000 and 6,000 in in the whole Were we >> we were way more than five or six thousand calling saying that's what we put in the budget for this year >> or 60,000? >> No, we put 5,000 we spent 60 we put five. >> What did we put in 2425? Any

040idea? Wasn't it the same like >> in the budget? Yes, that's >> so it's two years in a row at 5,000. >> Okay. >> And prior to that it wasn't even a budget line. just sort of >> moving chips >> in there with special education and other places. >> So this budget will be more realistic. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> What do you recommend then going forward? 120 >> over by 60 right now, >> right? >> So the balance of special transportation but um trying to I' had >> all righty. >> I must remember. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Another um sort of over under you'll see is property services. We ended up doing the lease for the Chromebooks. So that that line is running over but the supply line is running under. >>

041Um and just as a reminder on the grant page, our um IDA grants go almost exclusively for wages, a little bit for supplies. Um all four lines of the IDA. Um in case anyone doesn't know, the grants are designed to be two-year grants. That's why every grant is on there two times. So there's the new grant and the old grant. So the carryover is the old grant. And we do that, we basically spend one year's grant money each year, but we spend the end of one and the beginning of the other so that god forbid something enormous financially happens, we would have the part of the previous year and all of the current year. We would never want to do that. But it's smart hedging on NY's part to just keep us going that way.

042So title one again also almost exclusively wages a little bit for supplies. Title two is professional learning. Title three goes to wages. Um and title four as you can see is very small. Um and I just draw your attention to that by way of saying that the grant money that we get is used to offset the appropriated budget. It's not like going to some other special projects. It is applied to the budget. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? >> All right. On the item E, social media discussions. Um, I wanted to bring the attention to the board uh that we do have a social media page out there currently. um Winchester uh Board of Ed uh with your names attached to it. >> Correct. >> All right. Um what we want to discuss tonight

043is uh one, do we want to have a social uh media page? Um one, I think one of the things we discuss discussed is getting information out to the public. So I'm all in favor for it. uh but I want to make sure that we're putting it in out into proper format. So, uh I just wanted to have a discussion about whether we want as a board to have a social media page so we continue to get the word out to the public um and kind of mirror what we're doing already for the Winchester public schools. Um and then we want to discuss how that's going to operate um and who will be the administrators and all that. So, I'd just like to open up discussion for that. So >> when you say social media,

044do you mean Facebook? What's the extent? >> I think I think >> I think Facebook I don't know if I want to >> I'm not comfortable with Tik Tok as any >> I don't know. Snapchat. >> Yeah, [clears throat] I would say I would say let's let's lean into Facebook for now. >> Yeah, because I think for the majority of us I think we're comfortable uh >> I feel like it functions in place of a newspaper basically. most of our community relies on Facebook to get information about the happenings. So that was what that was our thinking. >> Um and yeah like so if we all want to be included um obviously we you know make a summary of the meetings but then does everybody want to give like a thumbs up like can that

045be done via email? Do we want to entrust one person to just do it? And we just say like, yeah, you know, I'm sure everybody will want to approve what is being >> with your name attached to. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, this is separate from the Winchester Public Schools Facebook page. >> This is exclusively a board of ed Facebook page >> to kind of just like summarize important notes. It's a good place to talk about the roof and the preschool expansion just to highlight like, you know, make sure people are aware that there is, you know, really good reimbursement and it will be going out to referendum. And I think it's just a good way to do like a quick update for maybe people that don't have the time or ability to tune in

046to these meetings. Do other boards have exclusive board of ed Facebook pages? >> So, I've researched it. Um, one of the boards, Watertown, I reached out to the board chair. Um, they've had a Facebook page since 2021. Um, it is administered by the chair, the vice chair, and then depending on the party affiliation, someone from the other party line that administers it. um from what he says that the vice chair and and the other person does the content, they ask for approval and then it gets out there. It's strictlyformational. Um there's nothing as far as um anything that could uh create discussion or uh you know >> how Facebook >> if we start if we start commenting we become a meeting right >> that becomes a problem. >> Yeah. Yeah. So there are also rules

047through the state for boards to have social media pages as well or even individual pages as a board member. So, we want to make sure that we're not putting ourselves out there and opening us ourselves up to stuff. >> Sure. I would be not in favor because it someone whoever the opposite party would be >> would need to have the time to be able to vet what is going out there by the chair and the vice chair, which tends to be the same party. Not always. >> So, The three people need to be active members. In addition to committee meetings, there are four now. We also serve on the Gilbert School Corp. There's four of us. And we serve on our own board. So that's a lot of time. I'm not sure that persons would

048be able to be robustly available, if you would, to put things out there and then timely okay it and then to timely put it out. I think communication's important. I'd rather have a newspaper. >> Um I know this is the reality. We don't tackle that. >> We don't have a paper. Um >> bring the post, >> but it would require one, someone's got to control the comments. >> Y >> and you allow them you could cut them off. You would have to cut them off >> because that would mean it'd be a full-time job >> for somebody to respond. And that and that's why I want to have this discussion because I don't think allowing comments would be if this is strictly anformational page. I don't think we necessarily need comments. >> Um people don't

049need to comment on, you know, hey, we we have a board meeting tonight or we could link our meetings after after the fact. So, um yeah, I think that's one thing that we're gonna we if we're going to do it, we're going to look at, you know, not allowing comments. It it would be I think a time commitment on behalf of this board to manage it. And my concern is that it will either be dormant, we don't look good, or B, there's going to have to be a lot of collaboration that people just won't be able to >> if we do it. It has to be active. >> That's it. In order for you to get the hits in the following, you has to be active. >> Yes. >> So, it's a tremendous commitment. >>

050I agree. >> And there's nine of us. And the reason why there's nine of a board of ed, which is the busiest board of all boards, I think is because there's so many subcommittees and and it's hard to run a school system um to me to run that too would hamstring us. I don't know about how you guys feel, but you got a lot of committees going on. You got a lot of projects going. >> I'm not one for this. I mean for I don't have a Facebook page but there's a reason being because someone who was very knowledgeable in that showed me how your personal information financial and everything else is out there. I'm not. But since we meet twice a month or three times a month, I think maybe we should not just

051use do not use our own personal peace, Facebook or whatever to comment on what happens at these meetings and not have a Facebook page. But let's come to an agreement that we don't use our personal Facebook page or whatever system we want to use to make comments of the meetings and what other other things we discuss at the budget or anything else. >> I mean >> that could be a restriction on free speech. >> There's nothing >> there's a fine line there. >> First of all, our bylaws don't cover social media, right? That's right. So >> as board members, >> but there is guidelines from our attorney. >> Yeah. >> On as a member of the board, what is your free speech limit and rights as a board member in the public? You're not stripped

052of speech, but there is some sort of guidance out there. I'm not an attorney. I can't speak to what the guidance is, but I I I don't I know that it's not completely lost. We have the right to put things up on our personal pages within limits. Can't say you can't. But your point though, Frank, is that the more you're present on social media, the more you do give yourself exposure to people out there on the web for nefarious purposes, identity theft, um personal information that now there's another hit, somebody can find you. Um, I think [clears throat] Facebook can be a place where stuff can happen. >> Well, and the other thing >> sure I want to be out there. I'm not really out there. >> The other thing that we have to look

053at is um we have to be careful of the message that we're putting out there um as board members um and who is directing that message. So, uh, just as we've learned, um, from CAVE and and the new board member orientation is if somebody comes up to you in the supermarket, um, and says, "Hey, what's going on with this and this?" How do you react to that? Same thing on Facebook. >> How do you personally react to it? How does the board react to it? So, there should be one clear, definitive message. So, if we're going to do it, it's going to be a united, clear message on the board. Um, what I would ask for the time being that the page that currently is up, we we do not utilize that right now. >>

054Sure. >> Okay. Because the way it reads is the Winchester Board of Ed >> and then um are you know are you aware that your name is on it? >> No. >> Okay. Um, so and then so that that could come off as that you are speaking on behalf of the board even though every item that's been on there isformational. >> There's no message being put out other than information. >> We have a what is it called? Um, a web page. Remember those? We have a web page, right? So, and we do put information out there. We put our budget out there. So I'm wondering whether if you want to do this Facebook thing because that's where the community is. They're not coming to our web page. >> They're sitting out in Facebook that you

055mirror the information that way. My concern about time constraint and vetting actually goes through you because you're putting up the web page. Um, in terms offormational, okay, you can find somebody to on the opposite party, if you will, to vet that, but at least the D, but you know, >> in speaking to the Watertown board chair, he said it's not all it is isformational. It's pretty um the vice chair and and the other member any information they want to put out there, uh, they bring it to me and then it's out there. It's not I don't know how much time that they put in to put the information out there. Um, but obviously whoever decides they want to do it, that's on the if they want to make that commitment, they want to make that

056commitment. If no one else want to make the commitment, then we don't do it. >> So, this is just we're just discussing this. >> You'd have to have like a discussion over rules and procedure, for example. You check it before it goes. Make sure it's accurate, >> right? You have to vet that information before you send out wrong information or incomplete information or maybe there's more information that they need because it's a part of the communication piece. >> Anything that sounds complicated is complicated [laughter] and means it's going to get screwed up somewhere down the line, probably the the third time it goes out. yourself. [sighs] >> The thing with social media though is that's a really good way to get more community involvement >> and that's kind of been completely >> that's our motivation.

057>> Yeah. And I think it's a really good way to reach people and give them andformational only. Absolutely. Um, but just give them the information or have a a summation so they're not watching twoour meetings, right? >> And even like when you look at the the notes from the meetings, it's like 20some pages. >> So, this is a good way to get information out and get more people involved >> and we need those things. Okay. >> Um, >> well, I would like to see, well, I'm kind of taking my my position back a little bit as we talk. Um, [clears throat] I think maybe for the next meeting, somebody comes to the table with procedural rules and agreements that we would all see on paper to say, if we want to post X, Y, and

058Z, this is how it happens. Here's the checkpoints, the check and balance before it goes out. Um yeah, >> I do think the community would or does appreciate hearing the summations of the meetings from us, getting that information in a more concise manner so that >> and I really I really envision it as being a tool for like I said the referendum and then the budget vote. Like I really think that that's a way >> you know everybody's scrolling on Facebook. they're going to see it a bunch of times going by from here and there and it just will make it stick in their minds even more. Um, so that was that's my thinking. That's how I envision it being used. >> Yes, it does invite >> I like the idea of no comments, turning

059up comments, keeping it com I mean if it's going to be just anformational page I don't think comments are necessary. >> No, we don't allow comments on the district page. because you have to moderate that if you do. >> Yeah, >> that's a full time. >> Well, that could be terrifying as well. [clears throat] >> I think maybe part of the conversation then for next month would be a proposal like extent of information like who's on it, what of our information goes, what's that extent and then can you map it out like I don't know how Facebook exactly works. If we create one, does it link to what is the one for Winstead? Winstead helping neighbors neighbors helping neighbors. Does it link inside of that? I don't know how that all works. What's what's the

060web? >> I know I know the one you're talking about because my name [clears throat] share it within those other pages. >> So, I'd be just curious about what what we're >> posting an announcement sort [clears throat] of. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'd be curious. And then where would we post? Where else? Park and Mech. Uh I don't know if they've got Facebook pages. So just sort of like a possibility >> of its reach. >> Just curious out of curiosity. >> You have a page uh uh on your own like a lot of uh pe people and organizations might come to you the page to go see it. And then also once you make a page uh whoever the moderator is if we make the chair or whoever uh you can often invite people

061to like someone to like a page. Blank invited you to like this. blank invited you like this. We could have Kurt invited you to like WPS so we can send it to a lot of prominent people in the community. That could be an idea. >> I think it can't hurt to reach more people. Um our website is followed by lots and lots of people who are already likely our supporters and our parents, >> right? >> So reaching [clears throat] who don't think to follow us because they don't have kids in the schools would be important. And I think a board page could take our posts and crossost them if they're interesting. Or if I post remember to vote, you know, the board can just >> pop it right in there. >> So, we're talking the

062extent is just Facebook and the extent is information only. The extent is no comments allowed. Um, I would like to keep personal information off as much as possible. Oh, yeah. >> As a board member, >> just >> not even them >> because go to the web page for Winchester if you want to know who we are. >> Yeah, I don't think we need to. I think it would just be the Winchester Board of Education. >> Um I don't think we need to like >> they'll figure out who we are. >> Yeah, true. I mean, our names are even though we're being recorded. >> Put a link [laughter] on there. >> The web. >> Okay. >> But it's one less thing. >> Put your coffee mug picture right on the >> Yeah, I think I think

063the coffee mug image actually is a great image for the page. >> So, thank you, Julie. bipartisan and the check review before those sort of things. >> So we won't >> do we need to >> do anything with it? >> No, just this this is just a discussion. Maybe maybe uh >> so next month you come with like a handy little handout. >> Yeah. And maybe we can do it as an action item. >> Sounds like you just pretty much hit all the key points anyway. Represent the full board. >> No comments information only. Well, I think it's it also we have to figure out who who wants to >> be the administrators. So, that's what we'll >> Yeah, we'll figure that out. >> Anything any other discussion on this? >> Okay, perfect. On to

064item F, leadership opportunity at advanced board of directors. >> Um, this is an invitation for someone who um is interested in participating. No one has to, but I would encourage you to consider it. Um, the state of Connecticut is divided into, I believe, six different regions for education, and each of the regional education centers has a board. And, uh, all of the boards in the districts that are served by the REST have the opportunity to have a board member serve on the RESK board. Um, so if you're interested in that, the information is here. That'll give you a lot more specificity than what I'm saying quickly, but you can see that we are part of Ed Advance is our region. We use them uh they run our kitchen. We use them for professional learning. Um

065we interact with them in a lot of ways. They managed the grant that provided us um two halftime school counselors for the last two years. Um so we're very intertwined with them and being on their board um could only be a benefit to our community and it would help us probably think the biggest benefit would be increasing our awareness of services and opportunities. So, if anyone's interested, it tells you what to do, I think. >> Does it say how often? I have to go to the website. How often they meet? >> Yep, >> it does. Um, >> not in this. Okay. So, I will find the email and forward to you all. I just assume the flyer they provided with it told you what you needed. Um, I will find the that promoted it. I

066believe in it meets monthly um maybe nine months out of the year and I think six or seven of the meetings are virtual. Um but I will find that email and forward it to you tonight forward. >> This is a rest, right? It advances the Licho County res. >> Okay. Jonathan Costa, right? >> Okay. Should be working with him. How many members on the board? like is it? >> Well, it could be as many as all of these tests, but I don't think they have that many. >> Okay, I see what you're saying. >> Because you don't have to. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> On to item eight, action items. Uh potential roof projects. >> Um I invited Roger Laflur to join us this evening. Um at prior meetings we've discussed the condition of the

067roof. You're aware it requires um the big job. I think the estimate we've received is ballpark $2.8 million. Uh there is moisture when you do moisture scans. I do believe the asbestous scans were clear. Um so Roger is a project manager. Come on up to the table. >> And if you just touch the ring there, that should Thank you, Renee. >> Um, so I asked Roger to join us just to sort of give us 101 what happens now. And on your motion, she had given you a potential motion. um if anyone chooses to make a motion and our work on our referees uh at our reimbursement rate of 70%. So I'm here not really to do any presentation. I'm really here to answer questions you might have on the gr grant process with the state.

068Um, [clears throat] if your roof meets certain criteria, you qualify for your reimbursement rate, which at the current rate uh moment is 72.14%. [clears throat] That changes annually. Um, so it could be, and I I was checking the trend. Um, it's been trending slightly down over the last probably five or six years. Okay. >> Yeah. Last I looked I thought it was 70 for this year, but >> no, it's I just checked the 26, right? 72.14. Um, that being said, on almost every school construction project, there's items that that happen during the construction project that are considered what they call ineligible for reimbursement. And it could be because you used school personnel to do some of the work that's ineligible. Uh, it could be some of the some of the work had to occur off

069site because maybe you're connecting utilities. That would be ineligible. So, there's a bunch of there's a list. They've got four pages of things that are ineligible, but for the most part, I see 99% of the projects tend to be eligible. So, I'd say for the the bulk of the project, you'll get reimburseed for the rate you're supposed to get. That being said, um the process is that a grant application has to be submitted. Uh it's a non-priority project and the and the pro application has to be submitted within a reasonable amount of time and that would be in the next few months. Uh, but my guess is that your project wouldn't be really eligible to do until the following summer. This summer's we just don't have enough time. >> The summer of 26. >> Summer

070of 27. >> That's [clears throat] what you mean by >> the following summer. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. >> I didn't bring enough, but I can pass around. This is a little bit of the process. [clears throat] And if you want, I could just pass around. You can take a look at it. What has to occur uh for the grant application? And be if I were to be involved in your project, I would be doing these items along with the administration. [clears throat] >> I should take a picture of that. >> There'll be uh you'll need educational specifications. Any grant application has to have educational specifications. I would write those. Uh they would have to come back before this board. They would have to be approved by this board. Um we would also have to

071work with the town and we'd have to have certain motions made. Uh the first set is three motions to establish a building committee uh to establish the um authorize the uh board to apply to the commissioner for the grant and then authorization given to proceed with schematic drawings. So, um, we would need a cost estimate and then that I will put together this whole checklist and then it would go forward to the, uh, to the state. >> Is this DAS? Is that is that the state being DAS or >> DAS? They changed all the time. It used to be Office of School Construction Grants Review. It used to be Office of School Construction, but it's all under DAS now. >> DAS. Okay. Um, I have lots of questions. Where do I start? We talked about

072asking for 100% perhaps that work. I mean, >> reimbursement comes in stages back to the town, right? >> Well, you know, this depends on the project. If it's a long-term project like a school building project, >> yeah, >> you would go progress payments and >> but almost every single project except for the one for early childhood would be paid at your rate of 72.14 if it were applied for in this year. Now next year when the rates are re reformulated, you might be 77 72.1 or something and that would be your new rate. So whatever year you make the application in, that's the rate you live and die by. lock in. >> How long is the lock in period for? >> Once you apply, submit your application, you're good till the project's over. >> But

073the interest, excuse me, the interest is that's a requirement of the town or the board of ed to pay for it. That's there's no reimbursement for the time. Let's say this is going on for two years. The interest for the loan >> Oh, for bonding costs, like for example. Yeah. No, the bonding costs are paid by the town. No reimbursement for bonding costs, >> but you don't have to pull the full amount. I know Paul has very careful thoughts about only drawing what you need when you need. >> Right. I hope he still holds on to that. Anything. >> You mean of the 72% you draw only what you need when you need it? >> To pay the bills. >> You only borrow money to pay your bills as you need it. >> Okay. >>

074Typically a roofing project is completed within about a three-month period. So most roofing projects actually don't make progress payments. They might make one uh but usually the projects are done within a few months and then what you do is when you submit your final your final aspect of the grant application which is called an49F uh that's when you apply and you get your your your bulk of your money and then they'll hold about 11% until the final audit >> change orders or anything like that. That's on you. >> Now, what do you mean by that? >> Well, something you design a job. I mean, >> I'm not a designer. >> No. Okay. I I'm an engineer. [clears throat] You design a job. Yep. >> But things come up, right? >> Utility things come up. >>

075Unforeseen circumstances. >> You can't go back to them and say, "We need this other 30,000." >> No, but you carry contingency. >> Okay. You carry a It's recommended you carry somewhere between five and 10% contingency. Um and then and then some of the activities that take place ahead of time are are like I think you did the moisture testing >> moisture scan we asbestous test >> and the asbestous testing. So those are usually the big ones. Other than that the only other thing that can really happen is that you might find portions of the roof that have been deteriorated because of water prolonged water damage. So what we usually do in the in the documents is we require that they carry u unit pricing for replacing of decking or whatever else we might think they

076need. That way you kind of go in knowing what your cost is going to be. >> All right? Or you can carry it as an alternate. That money is all figured in in the very beginning of the budget. >> Okay? And so it's unusual. In fact, in my 25 years of doing this, I've never had a project go over the amount. >> We have to request proposals at some point, right? Does the building committee do that or does this board do that? >> Proposals for what? >> For the construction company. Who's going to be comp? Who's going Who does that? The building committee puts out >> I work I work with the town doing that >> building committ >> because what happens is the board that is responsible for for getting the grant. The grant

077then is handed over to your building committee which is run really by the town. The money is run by the town. >> In other words, you folks won't be >> okaying invoices. It'll be the building committee >> and then I attend those meetings. I review along with the architect all of the uh invoices. Uh we make sure that they're okay. Um if they're not, we work through the issue. Uh, and then when the invoice is what we think is proper, then we'll give it to the building committee with a recommendation for payment. >> How many members typically are on a building committee for a roof? >> A roof, I would say five to six. >> Does that include the the business manager, I would imagine, and the superintendent. >> It's whoever it's whoever the town

078decides >> the town. So that would be >> my recommendation is also to have someone from the board of add >> I'm trying to make more work for you but it's it's a good idea though. >> So our budget process is starting in February and we go to referendum in May for the regular budget, the annual budget. Um, is it feasible to do you think to get this rolling so that we have a referendum to the community about the roof March? >> Yeah. Yeah. I think I think already there's been some information collected on the roof and the roof condition. Um, I'm working with another gentleman who's kind of a roof advisor. Uh, he's a technical person, knows a lot more about roofing itself than I do. I'm more about process and administration. He's more

079roofing technician and he can he can tell you more about what the uh conditions are and the cost >> but we've done enough of the leg work that yes we should be able >> I think you have a lot of that information go quickly >> we have to apply for this with the state how quick do they move >> yeah if they're not real busy they can move [clears throat] pretty good um what'll happen is if it passes referendum, then I would say we'd be prepared to go out for architectural services right away. Bring on your architect, get the design process going. I have actually put together, again, I only brought one copy, but it's a kind of a timeline for the process. Okay. And it looks like, you know, we would be if you've

080got I don't think I have the referendum figured in here, though. I wasn't sure what your referendum date would be in this town. It differs on communities. So, but if you had your grant uh amount authorized, of course, we're doing it the following summer. So, we got plenty of time. But I still would like to see u communities move quicker when they can because the process can get bogged down here and there. So, my feeling is you have an opportunity to be in really good shape for your to do this roof by the summer of 27. So, I would say move forward on it and get get as much done as you can. Um, one of the other reasons I like to move earlier is because there's only about five or six major roofing companies

081that are qualified to do this work in the state of Connecticut because they have to be DA T D T D T D T D T D T D T D T D T D T Dasqualified. So if you look at all of the schools that are in the state of Connecticut and you have uh this work being divided up by about you know six or seven companies the first guys that come out or the first districts that come out for bid on their projects are are going to get those are the jobs that are going to get taken by the contractors. And then what'll happen is as projects come on late contractors that already have a lot of work will then start hitting and their price is going to go up. So, I like

082to be one of the first ones when I get a roofing project to get out there. I like to get out to bid in February, March, not April, May, or June. Okay. >> Okay. So, walk me through this process for a second. Um [clears throat] the the application to the state has to happen after the referendum >> because we have to show the state we have a commitment from the community. >> Ideally, I think the state allows for an application to be submitted with the understanding that there's a hard date for the referendum. >> Okay. And then you're saying bids should go out about February, March >> for the contractors, >> right? And does that then happen after the application? >> So no, what would happen is the first the first thing you'll be going

083out for, assuming your referendum passes, you'll be going out for design services. >> It's a separate contract. >> After the the architectural design, so referendum, architectural design, and then the application from the state >> simultaneous. Oh yeah, they can all they kind of parallel one another, but what would happen is if >> if I got involved here, I would start the process of the grant application. There's a number of things that have to happen. I would start on the edspecs. I'd be back before you folks in about two months having you approve the EDS specs. Once the EDS specs are approved, um I would would that's really the only thing I'd be waiting on. I could then submit the grant application to the state. In the meantime, if it looked good for the referendum, you

084could start the process for hiring an architect. Okay. Once you had confirmation on the on the budget, um then then the architect could be engaged to start services and to start the design. Um, I think the only other thing that I'm not sure about what it would take with this town and that's your funding resolution after the referendum is that I don't know if you have to have a separate if you have to have a separate approval by your is it board select. >> I don't know if you have any need to supplement on that or not or if the referendum automatically does it for you. >> I think the se I think we have to bring this to the selector >> selectman who then send it >> send it to referendum. Oh, it goes

085to selectman then >> that's >> how we've been operating under that assumption. >> Okay. So, [clears throat] yeah, we'll we we'll have to talk that through then. I'm not sure exactly how that because the language they would make an authorization for their share. Okay. >> But it really wouldn't be binding if the referendum didn't pass. Right. >> Okay. So, I just >> So, we could probably still submit the application pending the referendum, the result of the referendum. And that way we're not losing time. We're just pushing things forward. And if the referendum doesn't pass, you withdraw your application. >> So what we're doing here tonight is getting it to the point of getting it to the select if if that's what we [clears throat] vote on. So any other questions? >> I may have a

086question. Maybe it's better. um the town's um burden the the town what the the town's payers the taxpayers are [clears throat] responsible for. Does that go out as a supplemental tax or is it within the budget? Um that would be up to the town manager to so the town has to agree to um [clears throat] >> we do that first >> to expend the funds but Paul would weave that into the budget process for the following year in terms of um how much of it >> fits within the existing budget and so there's no guarantee of how it will impact taxes if at all. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Question for you. Uh this EAS [clears throat] certification, you said a number of contractors have to have this certification in order to get on this job.

087>> Yes, they do. >> It's EAS. Okay. >> Yeah, it's DS certified. >> DSA. >> DA. That's why you said DAS. >> You're saying there's only seven or eight, six or seven >> roofing contractors. Yeah. The state. And you you have to understand too, most of these roofs are fairly good size. So it's not just any roofing company that can come in do the roof. Um they're pretty specialized. Um and most of the companies that would come in would come in with probably 30 40 personnel on the roof. >> So and uh you know if it's modified Benjamin they have to have the the kettles and it's a whole process. The other thing is CHRO. Are you folks familiar with that at all? CHRO requirements. >> No, it's the Commission on Human Rights. Um, as

088soon as you go for state money, you now are uh bound to meet CH CH O requirements. >> Okay. And which means the contractor has to >> they have a minimum number. >> They have to submit a plan. They have to and it has to be approved. >> Um, a lot of a lot of the smaller companies don't do that. They they don't go. It's the large ones that do this all the time. They're the ones that's another limiting factor on the amount of companies that would actually apply and get this. Okay. So, what do you want from us? Is the a motion to um move this to it says initiate the project to repair the Pearson roof 70% reimbursement which we now edit to 72.14. um approximately 2.8 million resulting in LA to request

089that the town initiate a project. The town being the board of selectman like tonight we could put this in the board of selectman's hands. >> Yes. If you vote to do this tonight on next fall [clears throat] right away and it be on the next board selectman agenda but that's coming up next I'll say Monday I think. So he would want to know right away >> next Tuesday. Yeah, the holiday >> but that number should be included 10%. >> The contingency. >> See, but yes. Yes. >> So that's I guess the motion says approximately and it says approximately. So I think >> because [clears throat] we got our best estimates of a range between 2.8 and 2.9 was a worst case scenario number. Um >> you know our moisture worse than we [clears throat] expected.

090So that bumped it up a bit, but that is the that number was intended to be the absolute worst case scenario. >> Well, let's just say it's worse than worst case. Can this motion we don't have to come back to the board of ed if it goes to 2.9 million, >> right? >> Or you mean board of select >> I mean does it come all the way back to go? >> No. What happens is this um based on the estimate by the advisor and what the state also usually recommends that you carry at least $50 per square foot. That's their recommendation. They don't they don't require but they recommend it. So we would we would use that number or even slightly higher. It doesn't mean you have to spend it, but it just means that

091you're prepared. You've you've authorized that amount of money. Now that's the whole amount. [clears throat] You're not required to authorize the full amount. You're only required to authorize your share. You follow the other roughly 30%. Okay? Our recommendation is that you should always carry more maybe somewhere around 35 to 40%. Okay? So that unforeseen circumstances something comes up that you didn't that you weren't aware of, you don't want to have to halt the project or not be able to pay something. So you you have a little bit extra there >> and you're not identifying how I mean we're not the ones writing the referendum that would go out. We're not making that decision. I consider that to be selected fall to figure out you know the financial >> how it would work best for the

092town which is why we tried to craft this so that it >> I also >> describe the scope without pinning anyone down to this has to do with the u the regulation. >> Thank you. That's been a question. >> Authorization for the local share of the project. Thank you. >> So if we do this tonight, we can probably possibly get a refer referendum out there by March. [laughter] >> Sure. Okay. It's more than question. >> Okay. We already really have the >> sure that we need. So, >> okay. >> If the board of selectment were to vote yes, next week. >> I mean, it it's been on the well. >> I make a motion to request that the town initiate a project to repair the Pearson school roof anticipating a 72% reimbursement rate of an

093approximately 2.8 million cost resulting in approximately a cost of 840,000 to the town. We'll second that motion. >> I would say 2.8 plus 10%. I think that% buffer would be good. >> We can get clarification, but I'm pretty sure this is a buffer number already. I mean, the $50 um number that Roger just said comes out to 2.4. So, >> I think you're in pretty good shape. the the only thing that again I the only not to disagree with you but I just would like to check with Chris Y >> prior because he's the one that has a little bit better handle on that but he was he was pretty assured that you were at a good spot at 2.8 2.9 in that range. So, okay. >> Right. >> So, I'm going to lean in

094on the word approximately and then approximately resulting in a cost of 840,000 to the town. >> That's good. >> And second, >> all in favor? >> Thank you very much. >> I appreciate it. Appcate it. >> Thank you. Thank you very much, Roger. >> Okay, on to item B, potential preschool expansion. >> Okay. Um, this is a very similar conversation. Um, I have a very informal drawing from the H2M um, architect and engineer who visited us. Really just to give you a sense of what we're talking about. extra. >> Again, this is charitable or donation of time, but this is very graciously provided to us by the folks at H2M and we are grateful they spent time at the school. We [snorts] added as a leadership team that we wanted to add um three preschool

095classrooms was the scope and then the other thing that was sorely lacking at Instale School was adult laboratories. There are literally two single person bathrooms in the entire building for adults um which there's got to be the better part of 75 people working there. So um and they have their you know planning periods for at a time. It's it's tight. So um this provide three classrooms. And again, this is really in concept. We obviously work closely with an architect, have better drawings. If this were going to referendum, we would um hire on someone to give us real drawings so that people could see what they were voting on. Um the rep uh reimbursement for a project in this scope um is able to be 100%. You can't go beyond 100%. So even though Roger said

096we're up to 72% um either way you don't get to go beyond 100. That'd be pretty cool if they started paying you. Um but they don't. So the reimbursement rate is 100%. Um I asked around My sort of rule of thumb is asked two different people and if you get similar responses um and based on our Hinsdale project um conservatively no more than 5% of a project's costs are likely to be um unreimburseable and in fact on the Hinsdale project our percent was I think less than 2%. Um, so what I've got here for you is a motion that is very similar to the one you just voted on for the roof project, uh, three preschool classrooms, 3,700 square ft. Again, these are rough numbers, but to give you a sense of scope, anticipating a

097100% reimbursement. Um, loosely it looks to be about $3.5 million project and we should get back all but maybe 150,000 of that. Um, and that 150,000 is closer to the 5% than the 2%. Um, 2% of that would be like $70,000. So somewhere between the 70. So, it's really probably not a heck of a lot more than $100,000 for us to add that space. What you're looking at is classrooms that would be in the front of the school. That's sort of the bus loop um that passes in front of it in the parking lot and the little playground that's there would go um behind there's a narrow tract um behind the current grade one classrooms that would make a nice spot there for that. >> I'm I'm having a hard time visualizing this. Where's Dunkin

098Donuts? >> Over here. >> Okay. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Williams is down the right side. >> Yeah. >> Williams. >> Yeah. Duncan will be >> Yeah. So Duncan would be over here. >> Correct. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So the green is in the back. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Green is in the back of the building. >> No. It' be the front. >> That's the front. going right on the front of the school. >> Oh, but I'm a little bit in the parking lot. >> That picture. >> Where's the shed? >> Yeah. >> Right here. >> Yes, the shed. >> I got you. So, this is the backyard. >> Correct. >> That old field. Gilbert owns that field. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. So, Duncan should be over here. >> Over here. We're

099over here. Oh, wait. Yes. Duncan, that's why you were. So, Nora, for my own head, if you flip it over, yeah, this is the front of the school where these are. Duncan is back there. >> This picture is upside down for my head. >> Okay. So, >> take your favorite culvert over here. >> Now, my culvert is over here. >> Yes. >> Okay. And >> right here, this is the driveway going out like if you're going to go across and over to Duncan. So Gilbert's >> Gilbert's up this hill. This is probably baseball diamond maybe playground this away. >> This isn't the only option, but this was the simplest option. >> So we walk in through this door for committees. >> Uh no, we walk in >> we park here and we walk >> we

100come in sort of here. >> Okay. >> This is the This is where that little playground is. >> Yeah. >> So, we're bumping out. We're saying we're we're eliminating or removing the bus loop. >> We're pushing the bus loop. >> Nope. >> This is going sort of within the confines of the little playground there. >> Oh, this is the least intrusive. >> No, >> they're not tiny. >> No, they were based preschool classrooms are actually very large classrooms and they have a bathroom in them. >> Wow. >> Is that the blue box? Bathrooms. >> It's pink, I think. Pink is the bathroom. >> Pink is the bathroom. >> Pink is the grownup bathroom. I'm not sure what blue is, honestly. >> Because don't you mean facilities in each of these rooms for children? >> Yes.

101>> Okay. >> All right. >> What we have existing >> and then tweaking the driveway and some of the little islands. Yeah. >> Right. He said we would not have to lose uh parking spots, but we would have to do a little bit of site work >> to keep the number. We can't afford to lose parking spots. >> Yeah. >> What about the size of like the calf? We talked about that. If this had more kids in it, we'd have to modify the calf and modify the >> these kiddos don't eat in the cafeteria. >> Okay. >> If we were doing a bigger project, we would have loved to build a big gym >> and separate it from the cafeteria. There are bigger versions of this. So no gym change. Well, no gym. >> We're

102not separate gym changing anything about the school. We're just adding >> adding these one. >> Nothing above in the second story. None of that conversation is that's all moved. >> Really cool would be to purchase this property here >> and then do all kinds of great things. But that's a much larger complicated, you know, then it just takes this to a whole other scope. So this is the >> smallest project that accomplishes what we wanted to do. It doesn't really address other issues that we would love to address in the school, but it provides more space to provide preschool for more four-year-olds. >> So, how many are you anticipating um students? >> Um, currently we run 16 students in a classroom for preschool. That's a lot. I would love to see us um if we

103were to use the space in the building and these three rooms, I would love to see us do um six classrooms of four year olds at students in a class, which is a much more manageable preschool size, and then one classroom for three-year-olds. >> And would we be open to the surrounding towns to have them >> tuition fill with our own kiddos for some reason? We would take tuition students from other towns. >> I think our vision here is to make something spectacular. that essentially the goal is to sort of start school for all Winchester for free the year prior to when we start now. So instead of taking all 5-year-old, it would be we take all four year olds, >> which would make, you know, in terms of community appeal, that's a nice selling

104point for people who are looking to move into the community. >> What were we talking about? At one point we're just Winchester area child care. How does that affect? And then there was a Torington equivalent to this, wasn't there? >> So Torington does have their own preschool. This is designed for our kiddos, so it doesn't overlap the Torington public schools. Um, Winston area child care currently takes three-year-olds, four year olds. They would continue to get children who need year round care or who need longer than a school day care. Although we can provide, we do transport kids for before and after school care to area. Um, we currently take more three-year-olds than we probably would. Um, so, and there's also an an advanced classroom and um, two an advanced classrooms at Pearson School. They might

105not need to have both of those if we fill our spaces. So, the goal of the state and the goal of our district is to provide universal preschool. We don't have to the only game in town. So, we work in partnership with local daycare like Win area. We work in partnership with Ed Advance. If we were to grow, Ed Advance was not concerned about the possibility that they might need one less classroom. Um, they said their only thought was if they have good people that we would consider hiring them, which of course we would. Um, one possible benefit of that is that we might gain back a classroom at Pearson School, which we could really put to good use because the preschool, the Ed Advanced classrooms [snorts] are in Pearson School. >> Did you I'm

106sorry. Did you talk to Winstead Area Childare people? Because Ed advance says it's okay as long as we hire their people, if you will. Softens the blow. What about the Winstead Area Childare >> folk? >> We have talked with them as well. >> They would rather we don't do this. >> Okay. because they are a business, you know, >> business that pays all its people. Um, >> we think we do a great job with preschool and are upping our preschool game. We're working on our NYAK accreditation >> and feel strongly that a 4-year-old program in our schools would be of extraordinary benefit to the community. >> So, understanding this, the state has really they're putting money towards this, right? And it sounds like as we go further down the road, this is going to be

107>> more of a requirement by the state >> mandate >> more like almost a right. >> So, you know, without >> without the possibility of >> the funding. >> My hot take is that this is one of those times where you can take the money and be on the forefront and solve a problem before is a problem. Um I don't know that they will one day require it, but they are certainly all in for preschool and early childhood. There's again the 15% and the you know preschool in particular hits two buttons because it's special education programming and it's early childhood and both of those are hot buttons in the state right now. The early childhood has its own endowment which is unheard of in the world of state grants. Um, so it is >> and

108that will help fund >> the educators. >> Yes. >> So what we're talking about is >> facilities >> the facility, but we also want to be aware that um the educators that are going to be educating these three new classrooms and these students are going to be paid for. >> So it's to plus years out because if we approve this now and then you start building it wouldn't be running next school year and it wouldn't be running the school year after next school year probably in the spring or possibly in the fall of the following year before we're open and ready to go will be the next grant cycle for early start seats and we would be applying for those. So it would be starting in the year 2728 >> or 28 29. >> Um

109>> right now we're in 25 26 >> 28 >> 26 >> we would be planning during the 26 27 year. We would be building in the 27 28 year and opening in the 28 29 year. >> Wow. >> So it's not a quick process. >> But now is when the 100 the 100% is there. If we, you know, in 28 29 find out we need to do this, we might be back to our 70% standard um reimbursement >> and we turn kids away. So we know that there are more kids that would come >> and we are working hard to make our program >> amazing. >> Do we gamble and say we go with this for this year for the bond and next year for the roof? I wouldn't risk it because we can risk

110losing that 100%. >> So totally at the appetite of the board and also the board of selectment. The one thing I will say to you is the roof project hurts, right? Going out to the community and saying we want $800,000 to fix something like it's just not pretty. But if we need $800,000ish for the roof and we need $150,000 for the preschool, we're under a million dollars. We're adding preschool, fixing a room. So something to me about putting them together feels like a potentially winning proposition. But that's just one man's opinion. >> I would buy that if you can show me something what we can give up for the 150,000 if we can't do that. In other words, we want theund we want to do this. What are we willing to give up in the

111budget to do it? >> So it's free free. >> Free free is it? >> It's a fair question. if we committed that if the town went ahead with the preschool project that we would figure out you so we have our 440 line theoretically we could fund the ineligible costs to the tune of $100,000 to $150,000 from that >> one time cost 440 is one time >> right >> it's good >> it's a good match >> um we would >> I know NY's switching a little but I don't hate that I mean it's the only thing standing between us and bankruptcy. But it to your point if you feel like that's a huge um >> in this climate this year. Yes, I think it is. I think people are looking for something. If you want something,

112give something up. >> Theoretically, we could cover the ineligible costs with that grant. >> Oh, so $150,000 is the ineligible cost. >> Yeah, probably. Again, that the 150 is probably a worst case scenario, but the project amount is a very loose number because >> this is a very loose, you know, >> if we're if we approve this, we would um look to get more serious withdrawings and >> but if we're not going forward, I just really didn't want to spend a penny. >> So, um so the the thing is that the the the grant opportunity might run out. >> Well, it might not happen. In other words, it'd only be for one year and then they take it away. >> That's right. So, we're against the wall on that. >> Right. >> And then, um,

113we'd have to put out a pamphlet so the community understands the value of this thing in structurally, programmatically. >> I mean, one of the things that we're not talking about tonight is we're forgetting this tune of funding is also $100,000 per classroom on teacher material, teacher salary, right? I would that's the other >> talking about the early start. >> Yeah. So again, we don't have that funding to secure it. So I want to be cautious about how we say that. But we would be applying for a grant >> that would um help out the classroom as well as pay for the staffing. >> Now, could we word it as like the $150,000 or the ineligible cost will be over like the time until the project is completed or do we have to frontload that money

114at the start? >> You have to have it approved at the start. you in order to get the grant, but you don't have to fund it at the start. >> Okay. >> You know, that project, unlike what Roger said about a roof, because it's a three-month project. >> Yeah. >> You're spending money along the way, you're getting reimbursed along the way. >> So, what what is the project cost then? >> So, what what are we So, what would the referendum look like as far as numbers that the town will be voting on? Is it the 840 and 150? That'll be up to >> or is it 2.8 and 3.5 project? >> Yeah, because if we're looking if the town is looking at both of those numbers together, >> that's a that's that's going to be

115a tough tough sale. >> Plus, insurance is going up. not going to sell. >> Paul would be the one to craft the reference and it would likely have to explain that we are committing the town to the projects to the tune of these amounts. Sort of the way I've said it here with a net cost to the town of blank and blank which hopefully to the bargain shopper should feel exciting that you're getting $7 million worth of work for1 million. In as much as we can say that the preschool project is 100% reimburseable, >> they're just going to look at the total amount. >> Well, that's what I mean. You got to educate and you got to have that pamphlet and the math. I mean, honestly, >> yeah, I know. >> So, so that's that

116that's my concern. Um, I I honestly think I don't think the town will have an issue with the roof. >> No. >> That's health. That's really something you have to do. >> I think that matters. >> I what I've said from the beginning is we have a brand new school in Hinsdale. If we're adding on to that already um at the tune of whatever number we put out there, I think that could be a deterrent to the to the taxpayers. >> Are these prefab units? >> Are these pre No, could we use prefab units like they do in the city? I've never seen anything that would be appropriate for a preschool, but it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Usually, you mean like a modular classroom? >> Yeah. >> So, those usually are like trailers. So,

117they're like you've seen other Butler buildings. They're you know, they're getting more and more they used to be trailers. They're getting much more sophisticated over the years, but we could explore it. >> Becomes permanent. >> I don't know that that would be reimbursible in the same way. In fact, temporary classrooms are not usually reimburseable actually. Once they get secured to the building or to the ground to the foundation, they're no longer temporary. >> So, it's something we would definitely explore. I >> I'm just saying that might bring numbers. But >> I think brick and mortar is good for these students because any trailer I think they can just destroy. >> It's a pretty nice building. Believe it. >> You've met our preschoolers. >> Am I wrong? >> Um you mentioned that once, let's just say

118this goes ahead. green light to build. We would apply for a grant to outfit the class and to pay for staffing, right? >> Yes. >> How many staffing members does this you anticipate for this again? >> It would be three teachers for three classrooms and three teaching assistants. >> Three teachers. >> Six. And that would be grant funded. So then would there be a f fiscal cliff eventually if these folk these folk would have to roll in to the budget at some point? Well, our early start, our um school readiness grant has been around for I don't know 20 plus years probably and never >> and it is based on an endowment. So, it's not >> like a one time. The one time is the building grants. Those are like get it now or lose

119it forever. But the staffing, if you get early start seats, there's no reason those would ever go away >> because [snorts] it's under >> right and it's been in existence for ages and ages under the name school readiness. They've just rebranded. But >> so would this be one of those if we want to open the year 2028 2029 that we need to get a ball rolling for March with the roof? So, this is a project that would have to um we would have to get grant approval by June 30. They do like it's a once a year thing. >> Okay. >> So, um >> Great. >> So, the hope was to put these two together. >> That's the version of the story. You don't have to, >> but if we wait longer, we might lose

120the opportunity for the grant approval June 1. I mean, could we do a can we do a >> 30th >> March for the roof and then come back >> by May and ask the town for this project? I don't know what the best way to do this is. >> You're going to try to pass a budget at the same time, >> right? So May or so now June 30th is >> we're up against it >> and you're going to, you know, >> well, >> and you probably need to know you're going >> How does it work if we ask for the referendum for the roof now? this this what we're discussing this budget year and then after the next next September we make that our priority for the school for the classrooms. >> We're going

121to lose the 30. >> You could definitely do that and the 30 might come back next year, but it is there's no assurance that the extra two 15% bonus grants will be there. That's they're only guaranteed for this school year. >> We'll lose that 100%. >> We get that bonus at 70% >> I don't know if we'd be having this conversation. The beauty of this again, you know, I bring it to you because what kind of superintendent would I be if I didn't come to you and say we can get 100% reimbursement to do construction? >> Um if it were 70% I don't think we would have brought this to you. I think >> I look at the state and saying if it's such a wonderful idea, why are you dangling only this little thing

122in front of us and not do like you do for the regular grants and say this is available to you next year? >> I think they allocated the funding for this, you know, um bonus grants they allocate on a each legislative cycle. I feel like on one of the calls that I had with DAS, they said, you know, it might be there next year. We hope it'll be there next year, but >> nobody can guarantee nothing. Nobody can. I learned that in budget processes. >> No. >> And until it gets voted on in the legislature, they can't say yes. They don't know that. Sounds like they would like it to be available, but it's only approved or authorized for this year. And I think the timing question is probably one that if the board wants

123to go forward and then it can go to board selectman and it can go to Paul It can be a strategy conversation with the board of selectman, chair, yourself, Paul. I mean, we're not specifying when it would go to referendum. I think Paul has a lot of thoughts about that. Um, and the board of selectment can also tell us no. So, >> I I I think it's I think we take a motion, we push it to the board of selectmen. I think that we educate folk to let them know it's 100% and that 660 fund can pick up the 150 overage if necessary. We put a flyer out there, but this means fullcourt presses aboard to communicate to the program uh to the community its value. >> I think that's essential. That is essential >>

124and that's now until March. I think it becomes part of the referendum with the >> biggest thing. Yeah, absolutely. >> If we were really serious about this. >> Well, I think it's such a great asset to the town. I mean, and also supporting more preschoolers be ready for a full day at school. I mean, helps down the line, too, um, as they grow and get older and therefore can help teachers as well. So, it's just it's a really great opportunity. Well, and it's something that will bring people to our town knowing that there's a prek program, not having to pay for daycare anymore. That's huge. I know >> for struggling families. >> It sure is. >> I do. Not only is it a benefit to the children and teachers, it's a benefit to the community

125and helping build our community. Any other discussion on this? >> Okay. I make a motion the town initiate a project to add plus or minus 3,700 square feet or is a dollar amount. >> Oh yes, sorry. >> 3700 approximately approximately 3,700 square feet including three preschool classrooms into Hinsdale. anticipating 100% reimbursement rate of an approximately $3.5 million cost resulting in approximately the cost of $150,000 to the town taxpayer. >> I'll second that. >> All right. Second. >> All in favor? >> I say nay. >> Okay. >> No. >> Okay. >> so all of Frank all in favor is five. All >> oppose. >> Okay. >> 510. >> All right. On to item D, policy for deletion, business equipment, authorized use of school owned materials. >> We got a project close out before that. I'm sorry.

126>> Oh, yep. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. >> Um Nancy just handed me something I'm gonna provide to you. It's got a lot of numbers on it, but basically there's a very long motion that needs to be made. Um, >> speaking of Hinsdale, >> yeah, this is the final closeout of the Hinsdale project, which may feel a little crazy >> from the work that was done. >> I'm sorry, >> that was from the bonding and the work that was done, >> right? This was the total renovation of him school. You can see that was a almost $16 [clears throat] million project. Um, and I'll direct you to see 250 ineligible costs. So that gives you some sense of in a $16 million project there was only 250,000 of eligible. This we're talking about something that's about

127a fifth the size um in terms of financial scope. So basically this says it's done done. Um, even when the work is done, the work that we see like on the building, there's a lot of work still going on behind the scenes with the paperwork of it and the reimbursement and getting every last penny from the state to close it out with DAS. And that is um a lot of work that the town has been diligently pursuing. We back them up, but they're, as Roger said, the town does the money. Um so finally that is closed and um in order to finish finish it they need us to um approve the motion >> that's here literally like this is their script that we have to say >> Nancy you want to add >> I also

128would like to add that DAS will not consider approving >> a new project unless this one is closed out. >> Okay. Okay. So, does the warranty start from today's date on anything? Like, you know how a roof has a 20-year warranty >> when you moved in? >> Yeah. >> Not tonight? >> No. >> Okay. >> However, I think what Norah is riffing off of is the roof project with the former Pearson roof. It was never properly closed out which created a huge issue of >> our reimbursement for the current project and it took a lot of leg work of finding the old warranty and such. I do believe that the clock whatever number of years they say before you can do a renovation again that clock probably starts ticking with this motion. I think >>

129you mean tonight once >> there's a signal. >> I'm not sure about that but that would follow the logic of the roof project that either it's the you um closed it or when like for the roof it was when the warranty could prove when it was done. >> Yeah. >> But I don't know that we have a warranty say this is done done. >> So >> okay. So I would say >> somebody want to read the motion to close out. Okay. Um, I'll make a motion that the board of education approves as complete and accepts the Hinsdale school renovation building project here and identified for public school purposes that certifies the project has been accepted by the architect and construction management firms. All change orders for this project have been approved by the state department

130of administrative services. The grant received for this project does not represent a duplication of funding and that funds received do not exceed 100% of the total cost of the project. All bills for the project have been paid have been paid or funds to pay such bills are deposited in a separate escrow account. The total sum noted in this application was expended for the school building project here and described. All applicable provisions of chapter 173 of the Connecticut General Statutes have been met in the completion of the project described herein. All the statements contained in this application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and application is hereby made under CGS section 10-287D for payment of the school building project grant due based on the completion of the project described herein.

131>> Thank you. Mhm. Do >> I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? All right. On to item D, policy for deletion, business equipment, authorized use of school owned materials. I think this one >> came back to us >> popping around. It's already been um by you before. There was a question um and I just had to go back and look. We have a policy for shipment that is in conflict with this. This says like teachers will never use a computer for personal use. Our current policy says that it is for incidental use. Meaning if you're sitting at your desk at work and you check your email, like that's fine. Um because the world has changed a lot since the policy that we had from Cape was written. So >> shipments is better

132than this. >> Yes. And shipments you've already adopted. This is one that I probably could have deleted just because it had been replaced. But I didn't want to do that now that I had already brought it to you once. I wanted you to see that it >> one of the I objected to this because I said, "Well, what if a teacher goes ahead and uses an overhead projector for a birthday party pulling it off campus?" Does shipments policy cover that sort of thing? >> Well, it says uh use well so we don't have projectors but um >> incidental, >> right? It says incidental use. >> So >> incidental means >> Yeah. What is the clarification for incidental? >> I'm going to say if it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, it

133probably is a duck. If somebody um pauses to check their email at work, that's an incidental. If they were take an Elmo home for the weekend and not ask about it and it broke and that's why we found out about it. That might be a little more than >> it's not an incidental, >> right? Um >> guess it's management. >> Yeah, >> that's that's supervision and management. >> Okay, >> we'd like to make make a motion to delete. >> Motion to delete. >> Second. >> All in favor? All right, >> on to item nine, public comment. The Winchester Board of Education welcomes you to its business meeting. There are two opportunities set aside to hear comments from the public. We welcome and encourage public participation as a valued part of communicating input with the Winchester

134Board of Education. We appreciate your adherence to the following. Complete the requested information on the signing sheet if you wish to speak. Name, address, and email. State your name and address when called upon to speak. You'll be allotted three minutes to share your comments. Please be advised that is not the practice of the board of education to engage in dialogue regarding commentary. The superintendent of schools will be directed by the chairperson to prepare an appropriate response in a timely manner. We appreciate your time and thoughtful commentary. Does anyone wish to speak? As I see none, uh we will move on. Uh item 10, future agenda items and board member comments. >> I have a suggestion for maybe another future agenda item. You know how we're dealing with tests like dibbles and these acronyms are starting

135to fly. Can you share with us perhaps as an educational opportunity for the board and the community to see what question types look like? Like what is a dibbles? What does it look like when a kid tackles a dibbles? Um what does it look like when they tackle an exback question? What does it look like when they tackle NGSS type of question? I found that very informative um because I don't have my hands in those areas. I thought that would be kind of cool. >> And how about also does Ire >> Oh, I Ready is another >> Does I Ready um >> conform to our curriculum? Is our curriculum following or I Ready? Are there answers to I Ready that we are not teaching in our curriculum? >> So, are we properly preparing? >> Yes,

136>> we purchased I Ready a while ago. remind me if I'm and we spent quite a bit for it because of its response to the teacher to enable them to then deploy a project, you know, instructional components based on the students need. >> We've actually pulled that piece back. Okay. We're using it now as a three time a year screener. >> Yeah. >> Uh which is particularly important in um the earlier grades where we don't get sack data. So the I Ready is really our beginning, middle, and end of year screener that >> in add the dibles that allows us to know with the little ones how they're progressing. >> Um >> maybe that's part of the conversation then. What does an I Ready look like? >> So >> does our curriculum prepare our kids

137for I read? >> Well, so I Ready should be telling us what the kids >> have learned and what they're ready to learn next. And it is based on um the >> Oh my goodness, the standards the common it's aligned with common >> um let me ask this do you see this is something you'd like to do at a whole board meeting or that you'd like to do at a committee meeting >> I mean it's sort of fits with committee >> but could be either but it's a little bit of a deep dive so it might be more committee >> are parents curious about what these tests look like because we have a camera here but we don't have a comm camera at committee >> yes please Rosie thank you send home um a one

138that explains each of the assessments attached with a score so they get a print out of the letter of what each of these assessments are >> so they understand that for some of the assessments like I read we can't go in the back and see what the questions are that the students are being asked so it's a little bit tricky >> not released >> dibbles we can of course >> so you don't get parents clamoring for hey show me an example. >> Okay. So maybe just committee >> I think with the way that we present the information data as well as it with the conferences and explaining what students are learning I think all seamlessly >> that I honestly when I've gotten the ready testing I haven't had any questions about what the students were

139being asked because there was it's pretty comprehensive told you what each score like what they were test on where their weaknesses are where their strengths are within those categories. >> Okay. >> Um maybe a future agenda item will be the Facebook policy procedure steps and all of that in agreement and then um >> uh the marketing strategy for the roof and the marketing strategy for this preschool initiative. >> Our message. >> Yes. because of the educational piece that needs to happen to the community. >> Can I suggest to your point that um if these both make it on the board of selectment agenda for next Tuesday that some of our board members try to attend >> in case there are questions or to show support. >> Yep. And that's the 20th is >> no that

140would meet on Monday nights or >> Oh, that's right. I'm sorry. Okay. So, the 6:30 Winchester Board of Selectmen, there's an EDC meeting at 6, just to let you know. >> Anyway, 6:30 on the 20th. >> I'm sorry. >> No, the EDC's next door. So, >> will be in here, >> correct? >> ETC is six. >> Anything else? >> I just have one comment. Um, this is actually in regards to our teacher of the year. Um, I we are very blessed to have her as my son's second grade teacher this year. I did just want to say that recently, within the last couple of weeks, he did declare to the entire family that he is now a nerd because he loves going to school and that is because he loves his teachers so much. >>

141That's fantastic. >> So, makes all this big work. >> Love it. Thank you for sharing that. >> We did let him know that there are worse things he could be than a nerd. So, >> good point. Good point. >> Anything else? >> All right. Someone can make a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Jonathan second. >> Joseph. >> All in favor? >> Thank you everyone. This is what I need. >> That's where I was trying to go. >> No, thank you.