001Do we keep them all? >> I think we keep them on though. >> No, no, no. The speaker. >> Oh, the speaker. Oh, yeah. I think we keep them on the whole time. >> The whole time. >> I think so. >> All right. >> Yeah. Turn your speakers on green if you would >> just because it's a communal. >> All right. Yeah. And they're pretty good, but they're not the best best. >> Okay. So, are we all ready? >> Okay. I will call the Winchester Board of Education meeting to order. August 12th, 2025 at 7 p.m. We'll do some roll call first. Jonathan Moore, >> Janette Broer, >> Sandra Stubar, >> Nora McCarski, >> Julie Lubie, >> Kurt Warner, Tory Lvetry, >> and on the phone, >> Renee Waldren. >> Okay, thank you. Uh, why
002don't we stand for that pledge of allegiance? I aliance 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. >> Thank you everyone. Allison is absent, excused for tonight. Okay. Item two, approval of the agenda. Do we have anything for approval or to add to move? Okay. Item three, public comment. Just getting my language here. Um, the Winchester Board of Ed welcomes you to our business meeting here tonight. 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. Uh, we appreciate your adherence to the following. Complete the requested information on the sign-in sheet if you
003wish to speak. Your name, your address, and your email. State your name and address when come up when called up to speak. You'll be allowed at three minutes to share your comments. Please be advised, it's not our practice to engage in dialogue regarding commentary. The superintendent would be directed by the chairperson to prepare an appropriate response in a timely manner. We appreciate your time and thoughtful commentary. Does anybody wish to speak? Come on up. Oh, can you hit that so it turns green? Perfect. Thank you. >> Hi, I am Chrissy Rylander, uh, 46 East Mountain Avenue. I have two children in Winchester Public Schools. My son is going into second grade, my daughter into fourth grade. Um, I am actually very excited to share that I'm going to be running for the board of education
004in this upcoming election. Um, thank you so much for all that you have done. And I know there are part of you who will not be returning this upcoming year and those are very big shoes to fill um if I am elected. I am very excited to to continue the good work that you have done. Um I'm very committed to Winchester Public Schools as I do have two children in the system and the town. I think it's an amazing little town, a wonderful place for my children to grow up. Um and I'm I'm just thrilled to be given the opportunity. Um, I believe in the smart spending makes for strong schools and I hope I look forward to being able to work with the remaining members of the board and others who are elected if
005I am elected to continue the success of our schools. >> Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Anyone else wishing to speak? Sorry. Um, hi. My name is Eleanor Bishop. I go by Ellie. Um, I'm thrilled to say that I'm also going to be running for the board this fall. Um, I wanted to thank you all for the hard work that you do for our current students. I think that public education has never been more important than it is today. Um, I really look forward to learning a lot from everybody. Um, listening. I know there's a whole lot to learn. Uh, but I think together we can make a great team and we can have a very positive impact on the kids in our town. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Anyone else wishing
006to speak? Ellie, if you could sign in as well, you you could take that thing over to the side, your desk there. >> Hello. Um, my name is Eric Nelson. Um, I live at 30 Cherry Street right here in Winston. Um, I've only been a resident of Winston for about four years now, which is actually pretty remarkable for me to say. Um, I was born and raised um outside of Buffalo, New York. Um, both of my parents um were public educators in varying capacities. So, I was raised in a culture where education, including public education, is incredibly important to communities. Um, so I'm submitting my name u to be on u the ballot for the board of ed. Very excited about the opportunity. Um, the second part of my life was actually spent in Clearwater,
007Florida. So 25 years. So I'm sure some of you are thinking, man, what are you doing here? Um, my wife is originally from here. Um, so that's what brought us back. in this direction. Um, she absolutely refused to go to Buffalo, so this was her compromise. Um, my professional career has taught me a lot um, a lot about fiscal responsibility as well. And you can educate and be fiscally responsible in the same breath. And that's the kind of the vision. And I know it's um kind of a generic one, but that's the vision that I'll bring to this role with at with Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. >> Y >> anyone else wishing to speak? >> I'm sorry about my hat. I wear a face called cap all day long. >> Anyone
008else wishing to speak? Anyone else wishing to speak? Okay, seeing none, moving on. Item four, approval of the minutes. Item A, minutes of the board of ed meeting, June 12th. This is that special meeting that we had moved, but it's a regular board of ed meeting content. Um, do I have a motion to accept the minutes of that June 12th meeting? >> Motion made. >> Thank you, Jonathan. You have a second. >> I'll second. >> Is um >> you in the meeting now? Uh, he did not call. >> Okay. So, he's not in yet. Okay. So, the first motion is Jonathan, seconded by Janette. Um, be mindful this is the 12th. Yeah. Persons need to be there to to say yes. All right. All in favor. One, two, three, four. There were four. Okay. Thank
009you. Uh, >> Renee. Rene's in favor. >> Renee. Thank you. That's five. Opposed. abstension. One, two, because you are absent. >> Okay, so that's two. All right, that's seven of us. One, two, three, four, five, six, one on the phone. Seven. Thank you, everyone. Okay, item B, minutes of the ad hoc negotiating meeting, June 26th. Do I have a motion to approve? >> Make that motion. >> Thank you, Sandra. Second. >> Second. >> Okay, Jonathan. All right. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five, and re. Okay. O, opposed. None. Abstension. Myself. I wasn't there. Renee, >> extension. >> Okay. That's true, right? Okay. So, that's two of us. That's June 26. Thank you. That motion passes. Item C, minutes of the special board of education meeting July 9. Uh, this, you might remember, was
010to appoint Renee St. Heler to the director of teaching and learning, the creation of the teaching and learning position. uh not changing any footprints in the in the comm in our budget and it was an online meeting. You might remember that. Okay. All right. So, do I have a motion to accept the meeting minutes from July 9? >> I'll make a motion to accept the meeting minutes from July 9th. >> Thank you, Janette. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Jonathan. All right. Um all in favor? One, two, three. Okay, that's Renee. >> Renee in favor. >> Okay, that's four opposed. Zero abstension. One, two, three. Okay, great. That is seven. Thank you. 403. >> I was there. >> Oh, you were online, Tori. Yeah. >> Do you want to switch your vote? >> Too many
011meetings, guys. >> Uh, so let's do it. Let's do it again. >> I'll approve. I'll approve. >> Okay. >> Or I can abstain either way. It doesn't matter. Does it? >> Well, you were there. You were there. 502. Okay. Item C, 502, July 9. Okay. Thank you everyone. Item D, minutes of the special board meeting board retreat July 26th. This is inside the Pearson Library. Okay. Do I have a motion to accept? >> Motion to accept. >> Thank you, Jonathan. Any second? >> A second. >> All right, Sandra. Okay. All in favor? One, two, three. Three. Renee. >> Yes. >> Four. >> Okay. Thank you. Abstension. >> Sorry. Opposed rather. Apologies. Opposed. Zero. Abstension. One, two, three. Thank you. That is seven. All right. Thank you everybody. All right. All right. It is. How you
012how you doing over there? >> Okay. All right. Thanks, Tiffany. All right. Uh, >> item five, communications chairperson comments. Okay. So, it's not quite 51 days back yet from the holiday break. I am so sorry, but I'm hoping everybody had a really great break. Uh, we do have one more week really of official time out and time off. But I also do and I do understand the administration was working really hard to get things going and rolling for next coming year. Um, of which includes schedules and hiring and variety of different things. So, the work never really ends. Um, and I do really appreciate, and I think we can all appreciate Renee St. Heler's new position, teaching and learning, being a full-time position year round, helping us to create um, a learning environment for our
013kids, getting them ready on day one. I really do appreciate that. And, and Barb, your administrative support and Ros's administrative support and getting us all going because it really does not end. Um, just a couple things just so you all know, we do know, as you mentioned, we have new board goals. I just want to reiterate what those board goals are for the community and make sure that they're okay with that so that they're well okay and knowledgeable with it. Um as a board we had a retreat in July and it's every year in July where you visit your board goals for the year. So ours as we decided uh collectively was to support the superintendent goals which have been subdivided, encourage and monitor student learning and performance and I'm on page 12 in the
014packet for everybody that knows engage in the community or engage the community into our school system. Complete the process of reviewing and updating our policies which is ongoing. Ensure the fiscal responsibility and transparency as a community. So these one, two, three, four, five goals are what we're going to be driving our decision- making uh in teaching and learning and the things that we do throughout the school year. So I just wanted to point that out a little bit to you. Um just a little FYI, it's like my little bugaboo. Um just so you know, Julie and I have been in contact with the uh town manager and um the department public works guy, >> Jim Rollins to talk about Hinsdale. You all might remember the reconstruction or the the redoing of Hinsdale and the investment
015the community made in Hinsdale and part of the issue was that the river ran through it, right? So, the state was not going to give us money unless we remove the building over that river and we did and that exposed the river and inside that area then is rip wrap that the river throw flows through. Um, part of that rip wrap needs to be looked at. All of it needs to be looked at to make sure it gets maintained so that it it is up to its engineering specs. So um we are going to take on that responsibility have persons Julie's going to work on it have persons come in take a look at what vegetation stays because it should what vegetation comes out because we need to make sure the engineering specs are legit
016and that if a flood comes that it it is appropriately flowing and doing what it was designed to do. So, I just want to let you know that that's out there in terms of maintenance and uh moving the house forward. Okay. Um that's it. We'll talk about the roof update eventually. And that's all the points that I have to make, but it's very exciting to move ahead with our with our with our district. Uh we do have a vision statement. Students are provided with the nurturing and caring community that enlightens and inspires and empowers our kids to explore their creativity, their talents, and their desires so all kids can learn and realize their dreams. So, here we are. We're starting a whole new another year. Okay. Okay. Item B, superintendent report. >> Good evening, everyone.
017I'm excited to be back with all of you. I'm sad as could be that summer is slipping away because a I love to sit in the sun, but B, more importantly, it's such a great time to work closely with teachers and administrators and really examine all our practices and do great work. and we've had so many great things going on that I'll tell you a little bit about. One of the things that I've shared with you a little bit along the way, but wanted to share tonight when we have a more formal meeting was um we took a look at our specials rotation PE art, music, and library. And um Renee will talk later in the meeting. It's on as an information item, but I'm just so excited that um we are having innovation lab
018or something with a similar name. I don't know if we've landed there, but um that should be very engaging to students and we um are doing that very mindful of thinking about things like student choice and student engagement, increasing attendance, increasing school climate, really making sure that we are um lighting a fire under kids and getting them excited at school. So, we're excited about that and Renee will give you all the down and dirty details. Um, another exciting thing that happened this summer, um, actually through our networking with, um, the alliance grant group at the state, because we are an alliance district, they come out, we have goals with them, they say, "How's it going? What can we do to support you?" Um and they connected us with um a group um being led by
019um West Ed, which is a group that the state uses for a lot of different things. And they're facilitating an improvement network around literacy. And we're in a cohort with I think five other districts, all of whom are using the same CKLA that we implemented this past year for the first time. >> Um and the purpose of it will be to improve our implementation. We're off to a great start. Um, like with any product, I think we got a year into it and we're like, okay, so here are the things we like and here's the things we don't like and how are we going to use the program with integrity so it's effective and yet also do the things we know that matter like small groupoup instruction and differentiation and literature. Um, so we're excited
020that we're in a cohort with other districts that are using the same thing we are and have some of the same questions that we do because we'll be facilitated in our growth. our um reading specialists will work in that, our administration, Renee will take lead on that, but it's going to be great. Um, another thing that's come up um I think again I've mentioned sort of along the way that there's some a great emphasis on the state level um at moving towards a time where school districts offer universal preschool for all students. And so going in that direction, they keep um creating more and more opportunities for grant funding to grow um your preschool programming. And through that conversation, one of the things I became aware of is that in order to be eligible for
021some aspects of the grant funding, you need to be NYAK accredited. >> I'm going to liken that for those of us who don't spend as much time in preschool a little bit like when we talk about high schools and we say they're NAS accredited. Well, NYAK is what we do with Little People. So, we are not currently NYAK accredited. Um, but we, I think, intend to seek that accreditation. We've done a good look at what the standards are and the expectations and requirements and feel that we will be able to meet those. Um, and so much like a NEAS evaluation, I think it will be a process for us of identifying our practices, documenting um, and making sure that we're in alignment and then seeking that accreditation, which I think will be a nice boon
022for the district to be able to say that our preschool programs are accredited. Um, I'm going to go a little out of order on my superintendent's update because I'm going to highlight two things that came out of under leadership I've mentioned last weeks. So, um, this summer we put the opportunity out to teachers and invited them to come in. Um, we did two different splashes. Splash stood for summer professional learning and strategy huddle, which is a little corny. It's hard to make acronyms, you know, especially in the land of education where everything's already an acronym, but um, we had about 20 to 25 people in each of the two weeks, which is pretty outstanding when you think about the fact that we probably only have 75 certified staff. So, we really had almost a third
023of our people volunteer and say, "Hey, I want to work on this thing." So, we brought people in. Um, the first week that we did was focused around high quality instruction. And I won't belabor and bore you, but I will tell you it was so exciting in the corniest of ways. Um, but we, you know, a lot of school districts say, "Oh, we believe in high quality instruction or we deliver high quality instruction." But never take the time to say, "What does that actually mean here to us?" Like, what actually is? So, we've spent the time and really um crafted a description of high quality instruction and it's something I'll be able to share with you um in the coming weeks. We're going to roll it out. So, under teaching and learning, we are preparing
024to roll that out with teachers on the opening professional development day and let it guide all of our work. It will be um one of the things we did. I also uh put together a week with the administrative team, a leadership retreat with the administrators and the coaches. And um one of the things that we did was revamp our uh protocol for doing um in the past we called them walkthroughs. We decided just to distinguish it, we'll say instructional rounds now, just to recognize that we've sort of refocused those to be specifically when we're doing these, it will be to inform our professional learning because feedback we got from our climate study was that our professional learning has maybe not been applicable to everyone or not been of the highest quality. And that's a shame.
025We have very precious little time to work with the teachers. It should be great. So, we'll do better. Um and it a lot of it will be around high quality instruction. So those instructional rounds will be prior to professional learning days gathering information about where we are, what practices are we seeing lots of, what things are we ready to lift up and spend time talking about together, working on together. So that's an example of something we did the leadership retreat was sort of reframing that as a team. Um so that's where we were with the high quality instruction um splash week. The second splash week was focused around um positive behavior supports. One of the things that I heard um throughout last school year as I did the listening sessions and focus groups with teachers
026and parents um there was a lot of talk about student behavior interfering with teaching and learning and we can't have that. We're here for a purpose. It is teaching and learning. So anything that's interfering with that is a problem. So, we spent some time figuring out what were the problems we're seeing and which ones were most impactful and sort of putting aside things that were not really impactful and really focusing on the things that are getting in the way. And then we sort of shifted our focus to and what are the things we wish we saw and really started describing the positive behaviors um and that what would it take to have a learning environment that is very positive. So again in regards to the positive school to the school climate study and also within
027our description of high quality instruction one piece of it is what is the classroom environment like and so that folds right into this. So they all really went well together and within the work that we did around um the positive behavior. One of the things that came out of it was a desire on the part of staff to have a consistent non-negotiable morning meeting protocol. Um there's a lot of research uh responsive classroom is one big organization that has promoted morning meeting. We're not necessarily like buying, if you will, responsive classroom, but we are training up and we've created our own protocol with again a bunch of teachers came back in and wrote up here's our purpose, here's our protocol, and they'll be presenting on the opening uh professional learning day to their colleagues what
028this morning meeting needs to be. And it's 15 minutes, but it's greetings. It's that way that you bring kids into a school day that says, "We're happy you're here. Let's put aside. let's and let's learn. And so it's helping kids get into their school day and we're really excited for that protocol. It's going to be a dynamic tone setter to the day. And I do think lots of teachers have morning meeting in their classrooms, but I think different classrooms, different, you know, different people came in at different times. They had different training along the way. So this is a good reset for us to say and this is how we'll do it. Um so the teachers have been working to design it and it's going to be fabulous. And it's coupled with um descriptions of
029the positive behaviors and language for kids um within the zones of regulation. It gives kids instruction around like the words I feel angry, I feel sad, I feel mad, I feel happy because sometimes kids just stomp their feet and throw something because they don't have the words. >> So we're going to work on growing that. Um so all really good things in regard to that. Um so that's the splash piece. It's the morning meeting. It's the HQI. Um, and then the leadership retreat. I'll just add again it was the full admin team and the coaches and it was great. We spent some time focusing on leadership behaviors and then and then specifically within leadership behaviors, instructional leadership behaviors and then some of our district procedures like the um walkthroughs which have now become instructional rounds.
030But really just um it was so exciting to work with the team. Our administrative team is fabulous. I mean, I can't tell you how happy and between the splash weeks and the leadership week. I I don't take credit because the vast majority of these people were here when I got here, but you have great talent in this district and that is phenomenal. >> Um, and then finally, the piece about the goals. You know that because you've done yours and we work during our retreat to work on district goals and think we actually got them pretty far along. I think we just need to go back to the document and like tidy it up and make it pretty, but we're close on that. >> Were the district goals first like from our retreat and then it
031went to leadership? >> Yep. >> Yeah, that's right. Okay. >> Um, so a couple things on the operational front. Um, tomorrow is tomorrow. No, Thursday. I don't have no idea what day of the week it is. On Thursday, we have um mediation. We are going to mediation with uh the custodians union and the secretar's union >> which uh the state sends a mediator. Thankfully it's not even at a cost to us but when you're you know this far apart with your negotiations you bring in a mediator and hopefully they're going to and they'll find the middle and we can be done. Um but they also know what all the other settlements are. Um and we were really far apart when we sat down for negotiations. So um so that's moving along with that on Thursday.
032Um, so the roofing project, I think I sat here at our last meeting in June and said, "Yeah, I don't know what's going on." But the state was insisting that we did a roof in 2009 and we were insisting we did a roof in 99. And I was starting to think like, "What's going on?" >> So, as it turns out, we did the roof in 99, but we didn't finish um submitting and closing out the project until 2009. And the state said, "Sorry, under the statute, the year you have to start counting 20 years till we could provide more reimbursement is from the date you closed it out." Unless they said you have a warranty. So, we we did a lot of digging and we reached back out to the vendors and we have produced
033um two warranties because there were two project excuse me, two projects that took place around together, but for whatever reason they were separate projects. Um, I sent those off to DAS. They reviewed them and they said, "You're good to go." So, on the subject of roof, when we do proceed, we are back to 1999, which means we're more than 20 years since that and we are eligible for reimbursement. Our rate for the coming year seems to be 70%. Um, so that's a piece of it and we have now restored that eligibility for that. So, that was exciting. Um the other piece is we did um you probably all remember at a board of selectman meeting Troy said I have a friend and Troy's friend came and we ended up we had a great meeting with
034him and he um did a first like little test for us and he measured the roof and he um put holes to see what he did was he came back and he said um you have one roof not Oh, that's good. >> So, we don't know yet the answer, but it's possible that a a put a layer on, there was a fancy term like go over. We could do a go over or a full rip up. And what will determine that? The next step would be you have to do, according to Chris from Garland, a $5,000 moisture test where they go back and they figure out if what's under that first layer is like if you have wet as um insulation, >> you got to do a ripup because you can't put good over bad.
035Um, so I spoke with Paul Harrington a little bit today and um his thought was to um sense out the board's appetite. The board of selectmen dedicated $50,000 in the town budget set aside to the board of ed for the purposes of >> sort of that research stage of the project. So, we could either go ahead and tell Chris, go ahead and do that moisture test, which would then tell us if we're on a go over or a ripup, difference being like 1.2 or $2.2 million. Um, or Paul said the other option would be just do that next step of getting like the engineering people. His worry was if we just went ahead and did the $5,000 test and then we know which we want and then we go out to bid for someone to
036like do the engineering of it, they might say, "Well, that's someone else's test and that was done a month ago." And so he was a little worried we could end up having done a test that was for not. >> So I guess the question is to the board and it's something we can talk about. Um, if we if we think we want to do a roof next summer though, it's actually time because the folks at DAS tell me you've got to get like by October you're putting in your stuff to get your approvals in place and get your plan in place and all of that to be able to do it next summer. So, we should be talking about maybe we can put it on the September board meeting >> if you want to proceed
037with the first step of getting that moisture test as part of an engineering look. Can we start maybe with committee finance? Can we go into the finance committee meeting just as a first blush to talk about it in August? >> Except there isn't committees in August. >> Oh yeah. >> What does the test require? How much money is that? >> 5,000. >> Right. >> The moisture test is a $5,000 test >> and then we'll be putting out to bid for the actual roof. >> Um I think that there's a step before putting out to bed bid for the roof. I think there's like putting out to bid for the engineering like the planning of the rough, right? >> And then that once you have your plans, then you put out to bid the actual doing
038is my understanding. >> Engineered plans, right? >> We got committee meetings on the 26th of August. Most we canled them. >> We didn't cancel them, but I don't. Last year you had August committee meetings because there was like a reason. I don't think we do have August committees. If we do, that's great, but >> Okay. I don't think it's on the website. >> What um what's the consequence of putting a roof on top of a roof? I mean the weight, right? You would have to engineer that. >> So it's typical to do two roofs, I'm told. Don't look at me. I mean clearly not a roofer. >> It was from August regular meeting to September regular meeting. >> That was >> no mention of a committee. >> It wasn't planned for last year. Doesn't mean
039you can't do one. It would just be a special meeting if you want to have a round of committees. >> Okay. >> Um I asked about that. They said either way, you're having I think if you do the second layer, it's like 20-year warranty. If you do the brand new, it's a 25-year warranty. Um, I don't think there's any reason not to do the go over if you can. I think it's typical you do your second one and then you do the ripoff when you can no longer. >> How long does this >> It's the same for your house. >> Exactly. >> That's I'm a little bit leaning into that. >> Yep. Like of course you >> except for the insurability. >> Yes. Yeah. >> For homeowners insurance. Yeah. Now it's less years and all
040kinds of crazy. >> Well, no. They won't take >> Two layers anymore >> for us. Apparently they still do our buildings flat roof. >> Did you say 1.2 million or 2.2 million? >> I think that uh I have that with me. I apologize. But >> I believe Shane's on the phone right now. >> Oh, he is. He called in a few minutes ago and when he called in. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Um, when we're discussing it, I'll come armed with >> Okay. >> as much specifics as I can, but I just wanted to put in your thoughts that it's something I need to get your right >> like there's a possibility that if we do the moisture test and then we bid it out eventually to a company, they're going to want
041to do their own >> perhaps. >> Exactly. That's what Paul was concerned. >> That's where we're going to be. >> Okay. >> So, it probably makes more sense to do the bigger piece, but to bid it out first >> to bid out the engineering and then we'll determine. >> But we have to there's no point spending the money that that will cost unless we're looking each other in the eye and saying, "Yeah, let's get this done." >> Right. >> Um >> with 70% reimbursement if it's a $2 million roof. >> Just getting ready to do the calculation. >> You know, $300,000. >> Yeah. >> To the town, right? Did I do that right? $2 million roof would be 200,000 would be 10%. 300,000 would be 15%. Oh, no. I'm sorry. I'm doing the 85% which
042is so many of our other projects. It would be 600,000 to the town. Yes. >> Um and it would have to go to referendum and all of that. >> Yeah. That's over 500,000 >> town charter. >> But I think Paul is >> the two million >> thinking we should >> for the go over. No, >> that's for the ripoff. >> And that's a loose number, but >> right, >> I think it was one point. And again, that's really a loose number because this is a guy who has not done the moisture test and isn't actually bidding it. He's just just kind of >> guessing, >> you know, when I talk to people, I make them give me numbers even if they didn't do the math and get prepared. So, I don't hold them too much
043to it. But, um, so that's where we are with roof. Um quick update central office. Um so much credit to Dave Crudin who um has taken the schoolbased health center which was all kinds of I don't know what else to say but puke green. Um really like like the color of that nerd's bag green and equally crazy yellow and you know super like fun for kids but a lot of colors and um has put it just painted in a nice neutral color and done the rip out that needed to be done. We've spent nothing more than really paint at this point, but are creating a space that's going to be able to house um our whole business department of Nancy, Lyndon, um Amy, and then um Charlene, myself, Nancy, and Tiffany, and Mary. And I
044think it will just make for so much ease in terms of information sharing, and it's going to be great. So, it's coming along nicely and I invite any of you to come by and visit. Give us like another week and a half. It's still dirty. >> Looks good. >> Um, but we're close. >> Um, and also, I'm sorry. I know I'm going on and on. Um, couple other things under operations that have come up since I put this together that I wanted to share. Um, we are getting divorced from the town. Uh, the town has asked us to divorce them in terms of turns out we don't have our own tax ID number. So we um are completely joined with the town. Like when we pay bills, we actually like have to give it to
045them and they actually have to run the checks and give them back to us. Like we really >> are married. >> Um and they want to make some changes including going to an outside payroll system and there was some other reason that I can't remember at the moment but they've asked us to get out. So, we are in the process of learning all the different things. We'll need to get a tax ID number. We need to get a EIN number. Um, we will open up our own accounts. Same place at Bank of America for ease. At least I think we'll be we'll go talk to Bank of America and make sure that they'll be conducive to us with the arrangements and we don't want to pay fees or anything like the town doesn't. But the
046idea then is um when appropriated budget money is going to us, it's not nobody's paying for a wire transfer or anything like it's, you know, we're connected. It's easy. >> Um so that's something that's in process. The goal is to do that um December 31 so that employees of the board of ed don't end up with two W2s. >> Oh. because >> our we get our own tax ID number kicking in on January 1st means the following year you worked for us in that year and so >> that seems to be how that moment was picked. So, you know, it's a little bit making us nervous, but we have good people and they'll figure all out. There's also a lot of like duplication right now because we're tied and so like some things we do
047the things but then um the nice lady to my left, Cindy, right? in Texas. Yeah. >> Cindy. >> Yeah. >> Cindy ends up having to like all the things we do and then she has to do them again because it's actually the town. And so there will be some efficiencies, but then there will also be more work on our side, some tax filings >> and things that we don't like we prepare but then they submit and so we're going to have to get all our own portals and but is what it is. >> The divorce is happening it would seem. Um the other thing that um Yes, that was part of the conversation. It was funny just the dynamic. We were sitting in the fishbowl room upstairs and Paul and I were at opposite ends
048of the table and then the two business managers and Amy and Cindy and it really we there were a lot of good jokes about the divorce. Um Paul promised we'll still be friends. Um >> we do. So the other really cool thing that's just come up in the legislation in uh so we get a report from shipment of all the legislation that went through that could affect us um and so I read the entire like 40page document this weekend really closely and one of the things that I found exciting that I wanted to share with the board is that they have approved drip funding >> which is money for um school districts that unlike like the big construction money um there's there's going to be an allocation and they're going to say to you and
049it's based a little bit on your um I think it'll actually be tied back to like how they calculate ECS. So, it has to do with your size and your socioeconomics, but they're going to say you've got $100,000 or whatever that number is and we can spend it all in one place or we can actually take it and hold it till the following year. So, we have $200,000. I'm making up numbers. wishful thinking perhaps, but whatever that amount is, it is for um district repairs and improvements. So, we can use it for things like boilers, HVAC, any kind of capital repairs. We could be using it, you know, our capital plan that we put into the budget, we could be applying it to things in there. Um >> Like a gym floor. What's really interesting
050is that it specifically calls out by name endowedmies is also going to have their own allocation. So I believe that means and again we have to wait a minute till they actually say how much but I think we're going to have a a dollar amount and Gilbert will have a dollar amount for things like science labs and improvements like that need to be made which will be a huge boon to taxpayers if we've got this extra little bit that will chip away at some of the stuff in the capital plan. >> Um and once >> not a use it or lose it save it put it aside. That was what I read. I, you know, you probably have to draw it down or something. Um, I would also say to you that there is a
051lot of money being tossed around right now for districts who want to expand preschool or who want to expand um, special education programming, which preschool is, of course, um, to the tune of if we're 70% reimbursement, let's just say we said we want to expand and do more preschool, we our reimbursement rate would go to 85%. the regular 70 plus the 15 and then there's competitive funding on top of that available. I love the paragraph where it says at no point can your reimbursement go above 100%. I was like, I'm okay with that. But if you get close to I mean, you could do a $10 million project that costs the town $150,000 like or $1.5 million like >> really >> 15%. >> That's nothing. >> That's pennies by comparison. You could So really interesting.
052My thoughts are all around preschool and thinking about the state's vision of universal preschool. And then the early start funding is all about we'll give you $100,000 for every preschool classroom that you open so you could buy all the furniture and all the startup stuff and then they'll give you $90,000 a year towards the teacher in the classroom. Like so when I was talking with um uh Dean Petraelli I had to call to get the information about the culvert and what's required for the vegetation and all that. Um he we were talking just a little bit about all of the money around construction right now and he said someone's going to use it. He's like there's a lot out there and if you don't take it other towns will like so it's something to think
053about if there's something that we feel like makes sense for us. I don't think you'll ever find a time with better >> I mean 85% guaranteed reimbursement is >> that's that's a wow. So, I think it's something that we should start talking a little bit about of what visions we have in terms of special education, preschool. >> Um, could be really interesting. >> September September agenda. >> Sure. >> Rolling up our sleeves for ideas maybe. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Special transportation bus. Our own bus. Special ed. We'd look into having our own bus. >> Big big money, but why not? >> 85%. >> Who's going to drive it? >> Transportation. >> We looked into >> Yeah, I know. >> I said I was going to say we're going to need from Kathy if we're going
054to do special ed. >> Yep. >> Right. >> So, >> it >> maybe at our committee meeting. >> Yeah. >> Um, so I think that's it for superintendent's report. That's all the things. >> Um, >> is it like 2 in the morning? Have I been talking? You're fresh. >> No, it's good. >> It's been a long summer. I missed you guys. >> Finance. >> Um, quick. Anybody have any questions for teaching and learning operations, educational leadership, or any of the upcoming events? >> Um, go ahead. The convocation. >> Convocation. It would be lovely if any or all of you could be there. If you can only come and even stay, you know, the first 15 minutes, I would happily introduce you right at the beginning and you could wave and say to the teachers, have
055a great year and hop out if you wanted, but it would be so nice for them if you're able to. We're right in Pearson in the cafeteria. >> Is that a Monday? >> Yes, it is. >> Um, and everything else kind of is what it is. And then our next regular meeting is September 9th in the evening, which should be on your calendar. You have a Google invite to all of the regular meetings as best I can tell. I think they went on there as soon as the meetings were set up. >> How about uh for committee meetings? Google invites for those as well. >> If we don't have them, we'll add them. >> Okay, that'd be great. We >> probably do >> for the year, right? Okay. >> Well, only through December because they
056don't exist until we I've got that on my list of things for probably the September board meeting is to set the meetings. >> Oh, okay. >> For the you know, you do those by calendar year. So yeah, >> I'm not sure why, but >> they need to be posted too for the year, the committees and regular on our website. >> Well, they are, but they only go through December 31st until we meet and pick the new ones for the next year. >> Okay. Um, you're doing high quality instruction. You were talking about walkthroughs. >> Yeah. >> Um, to help with the, you know, the the PD the following day. not day by >> or right there after um do you envision the board of ed members being invited to the walkthroughs at one point any
057point? >> Probably not those walkthroughs, but if that was something the board had an appetite for, we could absolutely I could um offer a couple of different dates and invite the board to come in and guide you on walkthroughs of things. >> Okay. >> The ones that we're designing are going to have teachers, kids. It's already going to be a three- ring circus. I would probably do something dedicated for you guys. >> Okay. Anybody else or any questions? >> All right. There's a lot. Thank you. Okay. Uh committee reports item C. Um item one, finance committee. Just to let you know, the federal government released federal funds for title 2, three, four. So we don't have to worry. Our exposure was 25,000. So I just want to let you know that that's all released. So
058that should be in goodstead. Um we don't have committee meetings in August. So we're starting a new year. We'll take a look at the committee information in September. Um one of the things that we had talked about and was requested is to get down to some level of detail with regards to the budget. Um so there would be more detail provided at a committee meeting and then uh the usual report the fiscal report for the board packet won't change but the detail will be there in the finance committee. That's the intent right. >> Yep. I'll talk a little more about that when we get to the financial report. >> Okay. >> Uh item two curriculum. Renee, I'm not sure if you have anything. >> I don't think the committee's met since the last meeting. >>
059No, I don't believe we had anything for curriculum um at the last meeting. I know we talked about recess time previously and I don't think we have met since then. >> Okay. So, we would meet in September to continue that conversation. Policy. Sandra. >> Yep. Julie and I have met. We're having another meeting. We're just fine-tuning what we still need to put through. >> Okay. So, again, September, you'd have things >> we'll have things for September committees to start the process again. >> All righty. And then item four, the Gilbert School Contract Negotiating Committee. >> Yep. Uh we met over a month ago, June 26th, um met with Gilbert's negotiating committee to talk about possible an agreement between the town and the schools. Um I think we came into it, both sides came into it
060with two uh different viewpoints. Um what came out of it is uh just having something that has language um and I'll talk to it specific uh language saying that Gilbert is our high school. Um and the statement that we came out of it with was the Winchester Board of Education designates the Gilbert School to provide educational services to the town of Winchesterers for its middle and high school students. in the Gilbert school agrees to provide educational services to the town of Winchester for middle and high school students for a period of not less than 10 years after the completion of grant payments or for a period of 20 years after insert date signed. Um, one thing that we wanted to bring this to the board earlier, uh, we were waiting on uh, some information from
061the state that what would constitute what length of con contract would constitute um, long >> allowing uh, Gilbert to get reimbursement. We still do do not have that information. Um but if you refer to uh the statute 10-20 285B um it basically states as what I just read to you in order for an incorporated or endowed high school or academy to be eligible for a grant commitment pursuant to this section such as high school or academy shall provide educational services to the town or towns designated in as a high school for such town or towns for a period of not less than 10 years after completion of grant payments under this section and provide that at least half of the governing board which exercises final educational financial and legal responsibility for the high school or
062academy exclusive of the chairman of such board be representatives of the board of boards of education designating the high school or academy as a high school for each. So that's where the language came from. Um that's what we discussed that's what we're bringing to the board. Um, so that is how we left it. >> So waiting for the for the state department of dead. >> I don't think we're getting there. >> So when we sent to them, they wrote back quickly and said, "We're on it. We'll get back to you." And then unsolicited, they wrote back to us a second time and said, "Just let you know, we're still working on it. It's with legal." And in fact, when I was talking to them about the roof mystery, um, they commented that they knew it
063was off with legal. Um, I did send a tickler to them maybe just yesterday saying, "Hey," but I haven't gotten a response yet unless it came in in the last couple hours. >> Okay. All right. Anybody want to make any statements, comments? Okay. Item D, Leaison reports the Gilbert School Court. >> So, in between this meeting and last, I met with Mike Susi. Uh, he had meetings with Gilbert CPS members uh to get a better idea of governance. Uh the Gilbert school also had a special meeting on July 23rd which I did not attend because I was sick. Uh but I called Holly got an update. Uh so basically uh the meeting involved Nicholas Caruso of Cab uh to discuss board goals with members. Uh board goals are likely going to be uh set at
064the September 24th meeting. Uh and that's facil that's planned to be facilitated by Caruso. Mr. Susi will present his superintendent goals uh in this month's Gilbert Core meeting. Uh based on the goals of uh both parties, a format for superintendent evaluation uh will be agreed upon by Mr. Susi and the board. Uh there was also no regular meeting uh in the month of July uh even though it says so on the events calendar. We didn't meet on the 16th. >> All right. Thank you, Renee. Anything to add to the Gilbert School Corp report? >> No, nothing. >> Okay. Okay. Item number six, information items. Enrollment reports, there's nothing. Attendance report, there's nothing. My apologies. >> There is no report because obviously school's not open, but I did want to just give a quick update on
065where we were with the kindergarten numbers. >> Okay. >> Um, last year, as you know, we were watching kindergarten closely because we were anticipating 80 plus students and So, we continue to watch that. It is a nailbiter. As of today, we have 71 students and two more that we think are coming, but we have not had confirmation, which really is custoy. It's putting us at 18 in a section, which is fine. I wouldn't add the fifth class if we're at 18. The problem is um the history of the school is that in the last like two weeks before school opens, 10 more kids walk in the door, which is >> what makes this a nailbiter. So, what I wanted to say to you is assuming the number stays at 18 or even if one of
066them goes up to 19, what I would be inclined to do, and I know the school would prefer, is to stay at four sections of 18. I'm being very mindful that we told the community we would not have overly large kindergartens, which is why we put in the position. But I think at 18, if instead of hiring a teacher, we hire a teacher's assistant and stay at four sections, we'll do better for kids with an assistant in each classroom and four sections of 18 than five sections of 15 without consistent support because right now we have um three TAs across the four classrooms. We would have four TAs across four classrooms. They wouldn't be popping in and out. But so what works to our favor is that we have a kindergarten teacher on maternity leave.
067So we have a kindergarten teacher in our hip pocket. We've already hired the long-term sub and she's great. So if let's say the 12th, so school opens the 27th. So in the next couple weeks, if all of a sudden the flood happens and the kids all come out of the woodwork, we can take the teacher we've hired as the long-term sub, position her as the fifth class. it would take them a day to switch out the class list and power school and be ready to go. But my sense is we're not going to need to do that. But again, I've never been here at the end of August and I don't know who's going to walk in the front door. So, we are poised and ready to go either way is the point. We're trying
068to be nimble and responsive. Um, definitely not stressing that one at all. >> Um, >> the only person more stressed than me is poor Rosie, who's like, I have to get a room ready if this is going to happen. If it's five classrooms, we breathe. >> We'll be okay. It'll be okay. Whatever it is, we're going to make it work. But we don't want to open with large classes after we were so planful about not needing to do that. Um, so we're watching. >> So, you have a long-term sub in there now to take care of when the maternity happened. >> Oh, it's already happened. It's a teacher who was out from mid last year who's coming back mid this year. It would leave us looking for a long-term sub at the last minute. >>
069That's a little We would find someone. There are elementary certified teachers who have not yet found a job. >> Some positions like special education, >> you can't grow people. You truly cannot find them. But elementary ed is always an area there's always someone who doesn't have a position yet. So, we would be able to at a minimum find a long-term sub replacement. And we've already been through our process. We've already had our long-term subcandidate do a demo lesson. You know, she's been fully vetted already. So, I love that we sort of have her in our her pocket. Okay. And we like her a lot. So >> great. >> Well, that's a nailbiter. >> Yes. >> Item C, personnel report. >> Um, okay. So, personnel report. This obviously goes back a pretty far way, so there's
070a lot of people on here. Um, >> and the reason the new hire list is longer, the departure list is not because we're hiring more people than are leaving, but because there were people who left before um June 1st. who were people we knew were leaving who were on the June report I guess. Um so within the departures we have several retirements. Um actually many are retirements. The both of our speech and language teachers unfortunately left. Um we love them. I think they love us as well. They both um so there are 55 openings at the moment for speech and language providers across the state of Connecticut. So it is ridiculously competitive and both of our speech and language people who were full-time with us have taken positions that will be only four days a
071week but making more money than they were making here full-time. So that's a good gig if you can get it to have one day off a week. So I don't begrudge them going. I mean how do you not? We have hired one speech and language person. Um, and we'll probably have to contract for the other because with 55 openings, they're not exactly banging down our door. Um, and similarly, we've hired some special education folks, but we probably will end up having to use contractors for some of that as well, although we still have a couple weeks and we don't give up. Um, we're very excited. Um, wait till you meet these folks. So, I have to figure out how to get them here in the meeting, but we've just got a fabulous new music teacher.
072Um, our classroom teachers are going to be great. Our person who's replacing Glenna is the inclusion coach. Um, our instructional coach with the special education background is awesome. She participated in our leadership retreat week. Um, both of our innovation teachers are bang up fabulous guys. So exciting. Um, we've got a great new PE teacher for Hinsdale. Um, we made some great hires for the elementary classroom positions, the upper elementary and also for the preschool. Um, and then we are still looking for um, a few things. The PT, well, I guess because it's contract isn't on here, but mostly it's special education. The PAR positions, I know we have some people in the queue, right? They fell out of the queue. Okay, we're back to looking for those. Okay. Um, if you know anyone, anybody who
073happens to be listening to this meeting, right? >> We had nothing better to do on a summer night. Um, we really need if there's any retired teachers out in the world, we would be thrilled to hire you back to teach or be a parah or a sub. >> Um, we are so eager to hire PAR educators to work with our kids. Um, we will train you. What you need is patience and a interest and enthusiasm for working with kids. We'll teach you what you need to know. >> Um, so we do have some positions left to fill, but we have, as you can see, done a lot of great hiring this summer. Our principles and Renee have and Kathy have just been hard at it. Um, the worst is when you find someone like we
074had a music teacher in place and then I'm not really sure what ever happened. He never made it here. He must He said his life circumstances changed and he wouldn't be coming. I don't know if he's leaving the area, but those are hard. You know, you've been through your process, you brought in the kids, you did the lessons, you picked your person, and then a month later. >> But you know what? It's funny. You know, I'm a big believer things always work out because the person we found instead for the music position. He was going to be great, but I think she's going to be even better. Like, I'm so excited. So, >> um I think our principles have been sharing with me they feel that um our candidate pool has been really good this
075summer. Like, we're we're getting applicants. So, not using Indeed and these other larger fish things. >> Well, when we post a job on CT reap, it's out there that way in the education world. Yeah. And when we post it on our applet track, they do cross- post as part of our >> arrangement with them. I think it is indeed where they post maybe. So, it's a little bit out there. >> And any minute now, as soon as I come up for air, I'm going to establish our presence on LinkedIn and start putting our postings there as well. >> Okay. >> Um, >> also posting all the specialist stuff on the There's a shortage. >> There's a shortage of special teachers. >> Sure is. >> Yeah. And we are open to um for example, we have
076a teacher who has one endorsement, but she's adding a special education endorsement. So, we will work with people who need durational shortage permits um while they work through their programs. The other thing on the personnel front that I wanted to share with you, um a year ago, January, the state put in a requirement that you needed to do an exit survey with all certified staff. Um, and it was really around the DEI work and it was intended to sort of look at patterns of people leaving a district. And so our district was using a piece of paper that said basically why are you leaving? And there were like four options. Um, and it was only given to certified staff. So, we've upped our game on that. And um we've just put into use um a
077Google form that we will use with all staff, not just certified staff, but anybody who's leaving us will be given an opportunity to provide feedback. And we're asking people what role they were in the district, um what their reason is for leaving. And there's, you know, more pay, leaving the area, like all the different reasons. um unhappy, not supported, really trying to pick it apart. And then also about their experience with us. So it asks them about, you know, while you were here with us, did you feel like you had good staff development, access to resources, support from your team, and just really trying to use it as an opportunity to hear people's voices? And it does end with, would you like to have an exit interview with the superintendent in case, >> in my
078experience, sometimes people have something they really want to say on their way out? And I'm always >> happy to hear that. um you know survey data. I think it was friendlies that used to say this on the table card where it asked you to like leave them feedback. It's free market research, right? Like no matter what someone says, it's great that you have that information. So we've got that survey designed. We actually just had the most recent resignation was a special education teacher who has filled it out. So it's up and running. So really glad that we're going to get that feedback from all employees. >> Great. Any questions on the personnel report? Okay, moving on to item D, year end budget summary. >> So, if we have specific questions, we can call on Nancy.
079But what I'll say to you is these are preliminary. We haven't closed out the year yet. NY's got until September 1, I think, before we start getting fined to have it all done. Right. >> It's got to be done done by then. >> Yeah. So, we're getting close. And I would consider these fairly reliable, but but not definitive. And so, like always, she's got the um different funds, if you will, down the left side of the first page. Town appropriation, town support, the non-lapsing. You're right, Nancy.$1837. I kept saying, 1400 earlier today, $1,800 in the non-lapsing fund. Um, >> yeah, that's been there all year, >> right? >> That's our go-to stamp stamp. >> So, um, >> yeah, we don't use stamps. So, as it stood when Nancy did these reports about a week ago,
080we were due to have 14,000 more to move into non-lapsing. >> Wow. >> Whether or not that sticks, I don't know. But >> I have to say in a budget the size of ours, that's >> that could be >> that's Hey, that's a set of Chromebooks or something. >> It could take anything. So, what I did want to point out about the reports, like if you look at the next page, um Nancy and I have been working closely on um how to add some information into these to just make it easier to interpret what we're looking at. I find each month I sort of like don't know what to say to you when we turn to these pages like what do you want me to draw your attention to? And I have to ask Nancy
081the same questions each month and I struggle to figure out how I know how we're doing because I look at these with a lens for are we doing what we said we were going to do? Are we trending on plan, under plan, over plan is probably the thing that feels most pressing to me. And so we're going to be adding some columns. And when we come with the first actual months at the September board meeting, we'll have not only year end stuff, but we'll also have the first one of the month, right? Because by then we'll have had spending. Um, so at that I'll show you there'll be a few more columns that will just be helpful in terms of seeing like we're going to have the previous month on here so that you can
082more see the pattern and the trend than just >> it's hard to keep like referencing back to the beginning of the year. So that'll be helpful. same thing. Um the next page that has um this is very similar information, but it puts the appropriation and the town support side by side. Um and then the grant page also too we'll be adding some columns on because again and I think actually the spent prior year that's already new on there, right? >> No, that's always been there. >> That's always been there. Okay. So, we're adding again a little bit on here so that we can understand because some grants straddle more than one year. I'm always asking Nancy, but how much of that grant did we plan to use this year versus next year? Basically, we spend
083the whole of each grant each year. But what we do is we spend like say 50% out of one year and 50% out of the other year, which means you're still spending the same amount of money. But by doing it that way, you always have a safety net so that if the federal government says, "Whoops, just kidding. You're not going to have that grant anymore." We have half a year before we're underneath it. Like it just it puts you >> a minute ahead of yourself. um it would only help you in that one year and then you're out of luck, but at least it gives you time to plan. Um so it's really smart that Nancy does it that way. Um that only applies to a few of the grants, but in cases where we
084are planning to use some, carry some, use some, carry some, we're adding a little information here so it'll be easier to see if we are trending according to plan. Hey Nancy, under the um page 16, professional technical services, the 30 thou 300s, you know, we were over on that line. >> Yes. >> For 130. What drove that most >> most $25,000 subs,000 >> nurse subs. Okay. And is Tom Dylan in there as well? >> He's like 10 grand. >> Yes, he's in there for 16 >> 16. >> I'm sorry. What was the nurse subs total? >> Subs was 28. The nurse subs was 28 >> 28,000 for nurse subs. And you'll see the wage line is we didn't spend everything planned because again Freeman was paid out of >> professional technical instead of out of
085wages which if he were a keeper he'd be paid out of wages. So >> that offset makes sense. >> Sure. >> Security. >> Oh, I forgot to point out the best news of all. >> Um if you go back to the grants page. >> Yep. and you go down to line 682. Um, you'll remember at one point there was sort of a doomsday outlook and we thought we were pretty deep into the 660. The 660 looks like it's back around 440, >> which when I got here in September it was 460. So, turns out we didn't >> end up killing it. >> Good to have a cushion. >> Yeah. How about um substitutes? Do we have a high number of substitutes? Does that kill us? >> No. What happened was we had a nurse that
086was out for an extended period of time and that was a very extended that was a very expensive contracted substitute agency. So it came at a premium. >> Okay. So the dayto-day sub for root you know various teachers that's not really the driver there. No, no, this is really a specific thing. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, we can also take a look at that 660 fund maybe as an option for a gymnasium floor as well as the other pieces that we're talking about in the state of Connecticut. >> My suggestion would be let's see what we're getting in drip. >> Y absolutely. It's a drip of $50,000 use this money, >> right? >> And whatever we can get state, we should get from the state for the board to remember maintenance of equity
087fund, the 660 fund, whatever you want to call it, >> does not have an ending window that it must be spent by. >> Right. >> So that's what makes it really >> Special. So >> yeah. Okay. >> Spend the other money first. We're going to losedeed. Absolutely. >> Okay, I'm agreeing with you, Nancy. >> There's light at the end of the tunnel. Okay, thank you everyone. Item E, library transformation. All right. Well, I have to tell you this is a particular favorite information update of mine. I will say that when Nora, you read our mission and we're talking about having our students realize their desires and dreams, I think this is a perfect example of where we're going in the right direction to help with that. This summer, I was fortunate enough to attend a
088week-long training on drones. >> And our two new hireers who have a lot of steam experience and uh computer technology experience are going to be joining me in implementing drones for our grades four through six. So, all of our students will get to experience uh coding, learn how to fly drones, and from there we will call out three teams that will do competitions. Um it's an afterchool commitment, but it's one that we're really excited about. In addition, uh the new innovation teachers will continue our tradition of supporting kids love of literacy, taking out books, um integrating that with some of our new curriculum that we're working on designing. We're looking at Project Lead the Way and really extending those opportunities for all kids to get excited about learning. As Julie said, it's one of our
089ways we hope to get people to get the kids I really want to come to school because I have this innovation class today. And uh we'll also be taking a look at kids interests to help build our our curriculum here. So, lots going on in that area. Any questions regarding that? This makes me happy that we're bringing the drone program back. Makes me happy that we're trying to reach all child's interests and potential. Glad that we've made that a focus. competition. I just couldn't remember the kids just couldn't. >> They are so excited. They were so happy. >> And I forgot to mention too that I've also signed us up to host a drone competition like we did before. >> So in March, we'll be doing that. There's a lot of planning going into it.
090And >> uh remaining board members and new potential board members, I'll again be looking for uh even those of you who are leaving, I'll I'll be looking for judges and other volunteers. I would love >> that help. It really takes a village to run that, but what a a great jewel for the town and um the excitement of the children. It's just great. >> That's good. >> Thank you for the energy. I know it takes extra effort and time on behalf of everyone, including parents, to get their kids ready. So, I think that's fantastic. So, appreciate it. >> Y All right. >> And I think I have the next item, too. >> Early childhood update. Okay. >> So, um this uh early childhood is a big reason why I'm in this position. I want to
091just give you an update and what I've been working on. We've already had two uh meetings to sort of get this kicked off and going. So, it's being run by a group called Shine. Uh they are uh contracted by the state to kind of lead the the grant. So, we're looking at uh applying for this grant. It's really based in school readiness. The wonderful thing about this is we will be really integrating the community. So, currently we do have a community table that we were currently running, but this sort of lifts that up even more. Uh we'll be looking to hire two one or two parent ambassadors as a part of this grant. um and continue the work that we've been doing with other community members such as our uh town librarian and other uh
092dayc carees within the community. So, what it really will do for us is help build the school readiness of our entire community and figure out ways in which we as a public school can support parents and students from birth right on up to school age. Okay. That helps with one of our goals, which is to engage the community. You mentioned the parents and the town library, and I think that's critical, those partnerships. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's awesome. >> Appreciate it. Yeah. Thank you for your work. >> Okay. Um item G, personnel matter. Um, I need a motion to go into executive session inviting Julie on the personnel matter at 8:13 p.m. >> Motion made. >> Thank you, Jonathan. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Tori. Okay. All in favor for executive
093session. One, two, three, four, five, six. Uh, Renee >> seven Shane. >> Okay, that's eight to zero. Thank you. It's 8:13. Okay, Tiffany. So, um, we'll eventually come back. All right. The video stays on. >> The video stays on. Everything stays and we'll be back. But, um, >> but the agenda is essentially done. So, Barb, Kathy, Nancy, Renee, go. >> Um, I think I have a set unless I took them out of my folder. >> I have a set right here. >> Thank you for everything. >> I'll see you tomorrow at 10. tomorrow. >> Isn't it Thursday? >> It's tomorrow, not Thursday. >> Yes. >> You keep that one. I'll get the shut off these. Thank you. Yeah. >> Back. >> I don't think you have to do public. Yeah, everybody's green. Okay. All right,
094everybody. Um, I need a motion at 8:27 to come out of executive session. >> Make a motion. >> Second. >> Okay. Shane, Jonathan, all in favor. All right. Renee, how say you? >> Yes. >> Okay. Favor. >> All right. So, at this point, it is 8 to zero. Thank you. We're out of executive session. Okay. Um, item four, five, six, seven. Action item is none. So, item eight, public comment. Anybody wishing to speak? I see no one in the room. Item nine, future um agenda items or board member comments. Okay. Other than the little things that we talked about moving budget things like the roof forward and all that and uh I have notes on a couple of committee things, right? We talked about putting things on committee. Okay. All right. Um item 10. Do
095I have a motion to adjurnn at 8:28 p.m. >> Thank you, Jonathan. >> Second. >> Thank you, Shane. All in favor? >> Renee, how say you >> in favor? >> Okay, the eight to zero. We are now adjourned, everybody. Thank you, everyone. >> Thank you. >> Good night, Renee. >> Turn off the TV. >> Oh, man. I need to stand. >> Wow, Shane, you got here just in time. All right. Oh my. All right. So, we still we're really on TV.