2-26-18 Groton Board of Education Meeting

001Hi, my name is Jane Dow. My name is Alex Watson. My name is Aaron Sier. And my name is Taylor Goch. >> You're watching GPS 19. >> Keep it on. [music] >> [music] >> You are moving up in the world. >> You don't actually have to do all right. Good evening citizens. >> I am going to call the board of education >> meeting to order. It is about 6:04. Got it. I've called the meeting to order with the mission statement is uh teaching and learning and the goals is to provide dynamic rigorous curriculum to ensure effective and engaging instruction and embrace excellent learning environments. At this time I'm ready to stand [laughter] up. >> I'm going to take VA's uh lead and I'm going to stand up for the pledge of allegiance. It's right over

002there. They moved over. And Mike, would you be willing to lead us? Mike Whitney, would you be willing to lead us in the pledge of >> allegiance? 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. >> Yeah, they're better in that corner than >> Yeah, but I keep looking over there. >> They should be over there. There's more room. >> All right. Do we have um any >> No, I'm just >> No. >> Okay. Um my my understanding is that we do not have um visitors or other um special guests. So we are going to be moving um on to the comments section um of our agenda and this is um the comments from citizens

003which is the agenda items and other subject of concern that lie within the jurisdiction of the board of education. This is the portion of the agenda where the board welcomes comments from citizens. Each presentation shall be limited to 5 minutes or less and citizens should if possible submit written comments. Presentation should be related to matters pertinent to Graten. Board members will only ask questions in order to clarify the speaker's presentation and cannot respond during the comments from citizens portion of the board meeting and citizens should make their presentation from the podium and state their names and addresses for the record. Um, and my understanding from my friend Miss Joan, uh, that actually Mike Whitney, you had asked to come speak, so please feel free. I'm Mike Whitney, uh, 112 Deerfield Ridge Drive, Mystic, Connecticut. I'm

004also on the RTM. And, um, I'll I'll keep my comments brief. And I I'll say that I can't stay here the whole meeting. It's not because I'm storming out. It's because I have to get my daughter orchestra. Um, so I submitted a email to to you and I you probably have read it, but so this is a much shorter version of that, but I just want to say that um my my main question I couldn't tell from from um my information on the budget yet is um I want to know if the number of teachers and aids supported in this year's budget are at least as numerous as um uh the the amount we currently employ this year. And um I really hope so because it looks like enrollment is up at least a little

005bit and uh I I don't think we can raise our district performance without our talented teachers and staff. Um secondly, this is more specific to my district. Um I'm concerned that uh the Northeast Academy Arts Magnet school class sizes have grown. I I I see I see that effects in um in my my children's classes. uh and um at least according to the numbers I saw, they're among the largest in the district for elementary schools. So, I'd like to see them smaller, but uh definitely don't want to see them increase next year. And so, I'd like that uh those considerations to be uh thought of when considering this year's budget, but also um um when opening magnet slots for next year. Uh the magnet program is is a wonderful addition to our school. I just

006want to make sure that the class size still stays reasonable. Uh finally, I'm encouraged that the state of u state department of education allocated the funds to help for the alliance uh district planning and that there's been a good uh spending plan for that for this year. And I I'm hoping uh that the state will provide at least as much and hopefully more for the same purposes next year. Uh it's it's an important step in the right direction. Uh I hope more broadly that um we can plan together strategically how we're going to grow out of the alliance school district designation and increase our performance and um I'm not sure the exact venue the mechanism for that but uh perhaps a a task force incorporating teachers the board of ed um and and other members

007um parents and students would make sense. So, uh, as a whole though, as we go into this, um, uh, as we already are in this budget season, uh, I really emphasize that our town, um, should be serious about improving, uh, student performance. And I hope, uh, we get behind a budget that fully supports our education system. And I thank you all for your your hard work. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mike. Is there anyone else that would like to have a conversation with us? Hearing none. Um so the response for for Mike um which is the next part of our um agenda is is that um I love the idea of in your email um about setting up a task force. And so that was going to be something that I was going to address

008um with in my conversation with um Dr. Grineer tomorrow um about you know what if that was to happen what would that look like um and you know how many bodies and and such. Um my understanding is is that the 600,000 that we received was for this year the 17 and 18. And my understanding is is that that was actually um a special funding actually out of the state. Um this is just to make sure I've got all the information correct. So the state department of education um but there is no guarantee. In fact, we've been told that we would not be receiving that 600 um 600,000 grant um before that our monies will come in through the educational cost sharing um that that will not be impacted. Um so um yes, as I can

009see on your face. Yes. Um so that's sort of what we are um faced with as well. Um and um I'm going to ask Dr. Grineer to get together with the principal and kind of take a look at the projected enrollment um for NEA for next year. Um >> but I I can tell you one thing. Uh last year because of the closing of Pleasant Valley School, we did add some children to the third, fourth, and fifth grade. That is not the plan this year. We're not going to increase the class sizes. the the only openings that we're going to have essentially will be for the kindergarten children. So we're we are we are not going to allow class sizes to to exceed 24 by the way is is the maximum uh desired uh class

010size by by the board. So we're we're not going to exceed that. So we can uh talk about that. Um and in terms of teachers and aids, the the only there there actually only two teachers identified as I think you know in in the budget. Uh both of them for enrollment purposes. So u we we have currently I forget what school it is but we have currently say three uh fourth grade teachers but we only have we only have two third grade classes coming in. So that it's not so much that we're cutting a teacher, just that because of enrollment. Uh and you're right, the the enrollment the enrollment drives us a little crazy because it's taken officially on October 1st. Right now we're 122 up. Um you know, talk to me next month, we

011could be 122 down. Uh so we're you know we're always we're always trying to balance that but we will make sure uh that sufficient staff uh is uh is allocated in the budget. I can assure you that's all. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. I will be moving on but once again thank you Mike. >> Thanks. >> Um and so now we're at which has become like my favorite part of the evening which is the student representative report. Um and before you start, I just um I was thinking about this on the way over um about um just for the people to to know that uh in the past year actually with the your the two viewers leadership um you've become an active participant in our committee of the whole meetings um that we had

012and they have enriched our dialogues. Um you have actually saved a lot of work for many of us because of your techsavvy or just you have your you have your feet to the ground. um so you know what's kind of happening in the district and so I just wanted to to once again say thank you so much for what you are um h how you're helping us as a board to grow um so I wanted to say thank you but you're on >> okay so [clears throat] a couple updates from the last meeting our Fitch Jazz Band attended the Berkeley Jazz Festival in Boston and they came out placing third which was a great accomplishment and then also last week um all the students had the opportunity to write a little message on hearts that

013were going to get sent down to Stoman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. So, the plan is is to have all the hearts hung up so for the students and faculty members there to read them um and see that here even in our little town here in Grten, Connecticut. Um we're here to support them as well. So, with that, we also have some class council updates. The seniors are super busy with a long list. There's uh this Wednesday um the seniors will be holding an Applebee's fundraiser and that'll be from 11:00 a.m. to close. Um there's also the Irons restaurant fundraiser which is located in Hilton Mystic which all the students uh refer to as the hotel next to Starbucks and Mystic if you know where that is. Um [laughter] on Thursday, March 8th and

014that will be from 5:00 p.m. to 11 p.m. which is closed. Um they'll be holding another Applebee's fundraiser on Tuesday, March 13th, as well as a GR in townhouse fundraiser on Friday, March 16th that will run all day long, 24 hours. And then a bake sale and a drawstring bag sale um during parent teacher conferences, which will take place on Thursday, March 22nd from 6:00 to 7:30 at the high school. And then this is one event that I highly recommend to bold it, underline it, star it in your calendar, and it's our annual Mr. Falcon Pageant, which if you don't know is our annual pageant that is a little bit different and takes a play on a regular beauty pageant, except it's just senior males. So, you're going to see them come out. They're going

015to perform choreograph dances. They're going to show off their talents and there's even a Q&A portion. So, the judges will ask them a question on the spot. They don't know the question beforehand. They'll have to come up to the mic and answer it to their best of their ability. Um, so it's a great night. It's a big fundraiser for the senior class as well this year. Pre-sale tickets are $8 and the outdoor tickets are $10. So to mark it in your calendar, it will take place on Friday, March 16th, 2018 and it's at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. So it's definitely one not to miss. Um last year I had the honor of helping out the class of 2017 with their Mr. Falcon and I can say it was definitely one of those

016events that will stick with me forever. I laughed I laughed the hardest when they were practicing one of their rehearsals. I remember they were practicing their Q&A and some of the males responses were quite hilarious. Um, so I'm really excited to see the show this year as well. So if you're able to make it, definitely come out. Friday, March 16th at 6:30 and it's open to the public as well. So any students, family members, teachers from all across the districts are welcome to attend. >> I also second that Mr. Falcon Pageant. It's probably my favorite event of each year. I've helped out I helped out last year. Uh and [laughter] >> I will uh on Thursday uh there will be a mental health summit at Fitz High School from 3:30 to 7:30 and it is

017open to the public. Also on March 12th is spring sports night in the auditorium at 6:30 and uh anybody who is particip participating in a spring sport is encouraged to attend. and a parent or guardian is asked to come with that uh student athlete. And also if you are participating in sport uh the athletic department reminds you to sign up on family ID. Uh the AP the social studies department is putting on AP uh social uh is putting on studies uh study sessions for students that are taking the AP exams. Uh it is AP gov, AP US history and I believe that's it. uh M Miss Hajj, Miss Rising, Mr. Higgins, and Mr. Crump. Well, we'll be doing that on March 19th after school. There's a calendar on uh the uh Fitch homepage. Uh and

018also, Falcon Academy starting Wednesday is going to be doing SAT study sessions in the library after school from 2:15 to 3:15. And that is going to be every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday uh leading up to the ACTs. And then SAT as we go into the SATs. SATs day is Wednesday, March 21st, 2018. Freshman and sophomores will be taking the PSAT. Juniors will be taking the SAT and seniors will be working on their college application process and it will be an early dismissal day for students. That's it for us. >> Any questions? >> I have a few questions. [laughter] um at the Falcon Academy that takes place, you said Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Who are the instructors? >> I can answer that. So, it's actually a peer-led tutoring. So, we have student tutors um from all

019grades actually that come out and help tutor. Um but it is supervised by two of our teachers on different days. So, um it's peer tutored, but then there's also supervisors in case they um have any questions. And um I know there's two national school walkout days coming up, March 14th and March 24th. One is for students rising up against gun violence, you know, in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting. And I was wondering and hoping that um Fitch High School was going to be partaking in that. I was wondering what you were doing with the national, you know, with your your group that you host. >> Yep. So actually I have met with Mr. Aarice just recently and he is totally in agreement and would love to have to participate in this national walk out.

020So we are planning to host a little um event on March Wednesday March 14th. So it's in the works right now. U we're putting together a principal advisory. So we're able to get um student input from all the grades to see specifically what we want to do. Um see if they're interested in doing the 17 minutes with reading off the names to do a moment of silence. So that is in the works. Um the date that we have is Wednesday, March 14th for Fitch. >> And I think it's very important that you not only have um you have a place for the students to go that don't want to march out, leave school because I think it's both that has to be addressed. And then the March 24th, I think, is March for Our Lives

021and that that's another date that has has come up >> because the third one is April 20th and you'll be on vacation. So I was hoping you do one of the March dates. That's great. Thank you. Anyone else? All right, we'll move on. Thank you guys. >> Um, next we are to the superintendent and ad and administration reports. Um, so Dr. Baneer, >> uh, ju just a little bit. I I I [clears throat] wasn't planning on talking about this, but um since we brought up the 14th um actually I also spoke to Mr. Arie in in a student group today and the teachers union and the teachers uh by contract are are not allowed to to to to walk out. Uh so the teachers have approached us about a walk-in uh that students uh voluntarily

022might congregate some safe place like perhaps the football field uh and there would be some speeches and there would be some reading of names and perhaps moment of silence and in solidarity with the students uh the teachers would would walk into school but uh Mrs. Austin was uh at a lunchon today and invited Congressman Courtney uh who said he would be very happy to come and and participate and perhaps uh have a US House of Representatives member uh talk about legislation regarding uh violence. So the the students the the idea would be there would be staff members in school uh attending to the students who chose not to participate in this uh walk-in or teach in or whatever we want to call it. Um, and I I know it's nationwide. It is certainly regional. Uh,

023the the schools involved in the More Than Words program are coordinating. So, everything seems to be aiming for us towards the 14th of of of March. So, we're we're looking forward to that. We're going to reach out to Congressman Courtney's office tomorrow. And that that that'd be that'd be excellent if we could uh get him. But the the the other other things I plan to talk about was I I gave out uh I gave out the accountability index. Um and if anyone I'll send a couple each way if anyone doesn't have it in their in their in their packet. U the I always like to go to the proverbial bottom line. uh the the this is the the comparison of the 1516 uh to the 1617 uh index and so the index index is bash

024you as I' I've said uh before it takes in uh initially the the scores for the students all students and high need students meaning those students with free and reduced lunch who are English language learners or who are special education children. We take in all the the literacy scores, all the math scores and all the science scores for those students. Uh and then we we take in the percentage of the targeted growth that our students uh achieved in uh literacy, math, and then we talk about chronic absenteeism. And by chronic absenteeism, I mean those students who uh have missed 10% of the school year. So if a student was with us for a 100 days, they are only allowed before they become chronic to have 10 days absent. So a full year of course would

025be 18 days. So u then we have chronic needs for all students and high need students. Then we have uh college and career courses on track for graduation, four-year graduation, six-year graduation, post-secary entrance, physical fitness and arts access. Those are those are the 12 index measures. Uh and all of that gets reduced to a number and last year it was reduced to 73.2 and this year it fell to 72.1. threearters of the districts in the state a actually uh it their score went down. U but if you look at the scores uh fairly carefully if you look at the 156 uh the first score for English language arts went from 67.2 to 68.1 which is probably very close to our targeted growth for high need students we went from 594 to 592 tiny decline math

026students went from 62.2 2 to 63.3. High need students went from 545 to 548. Science students went from 58 7 to 566. So a bit of a decline there. Our high need science scores went from 52 even to 49.8. So again, uh some some problems there. Uh I won't read all of it, but you could you can compare all of those things. One of the one of the interesting things is our chronic absentee rate actually went up very slightly but it went up. Uh and our absentee rate for high need students i.e. students who missed 10% more the school year went from 15.8 to 16.6 again the wrong direction. Uh and we are actually we have a meeting tomorrow with the principles and we're trying to trying to get at that number. Uh and Miss

027Austin and I are working with the alliance office although they're not they're not account they're not responsible for this actually the performance office is responsible for this and to be frank we still don't know of the 12 measures how it's a fairly complex calculation but I I would love to know uh if you look at if you look at the the the top six items you you see that uh that that graten if you look at the state average uh for our 16 and 17. We were above the state average in in literacy, above the state average significantly for high needs literacy, above the state average for math, uh significantly above the state average for high needs math. Uh above the state average for all students in science and significantly above the state average for

028high needs uh science. So is a bit perplexing to me. Obviously there are other measures and so I I I don't want to hang my hat on on on just those academic measures. I mean this is this is sort of as Mrs. Austin has said in the past, this is a little like the the graten yard stick. It actually measures a lot of things. But what we don't have a great handle on is what what is driving us to a score of of of 72. As as Mr. Whitney said we want to work our way out of this. Working our way out of this means to get to about se 70 about 74.5. If we had a index score 74.5 a few years from now, actually four years from now, you you can't get off

029during this time. So, we're uh we will we will be alliance district uh until uh 2022. And regardless of what our scores are and and and of course the revenue from the state, the education cost sharing grant will remain constant for until 2022. Um but I I I wish and we continue to get this clarified that I knew what the each of these scores meant. I I I wish I knew which because I don't think it's one 12th each because we did too well on the academic side to then go down. it doesn't doesn't doesn't exactly make sense to me. But uh the the the calculation I I I know for a fact is is is is quite uh quite complex. But I'd be happy to answer any any questions although this is going to

030be on a CO meeting. We we we're going to go through this in detail. >> Rita, I had one. Um has it been explained to you yet when that they came down from the state? I think we talked about this about the postsecondary entrance class of 2015 that were you know so far below this the state average and I was and it seemed like it went down in 201617 and I'm and I'm wondering is this just for college is does it include military I was wondering what did they say about that >> I I don't have a clear answer on that yet I I was very surprised that with these numbers I I I'm sure it does not include the military. Uh but my understanding is that we have a good twothirds of our students

031go to two or four-year colleges and then another 10 12% go to training post-secary training institutions. So maybe those don't count but I find it hard to believe that the state is at like 72%. Uh we have >> well I think you know at graduation uh as I chat with the kids uh the vast majority of of our student the truly the vast majority are going on to au >> to to a two-year uh or four-year college but I do think they go through the the national clearing house. So these are apparently accurate numbers. What we don't know is who's reporting what to the state. These are clearly not our numbers being reported. >> Um so that's another sort of little frustration. >> The same with physical fitness because physical fitness is >> yes physical

032fitness went went down. Um >> no we do report that. >> Yeah. That correlates with a physical fitness test that's given in fourth grade and eighth grade. >> That's right. >> And then again 10th. So we we need to really bring in our physical education teachers and >> we do well and in in in some schools I can I can tell you that they have like sort of walking uh walking clubs every morning. >> But I'm in the high school. >> Yeah. Yeah. In the high school. Yeah. >> Right. Right. And and and we are uh we are as I said we're we're working on this absentee chronic absentee problem. Uh which is a problem. If kids are not in school uh they're not learning as well as as they should be. That's for sure.

033>> Gretchen, >> um, do we still do the president's physical fitness test every year? >> We do. That that Well, it's a state physical fitness, but yes, that's it. >> Okay. So, we're still the kids are still have that little like get this. >> Yes. Right. Right. >> Building up competition between them and themselves and the kid behind them and beating 114 pull-ups. >> That's right. >> The next girl next to you. That was like a really For my high school at least, it was a really >> Oh, yeah. It's it's a big push. Well, and of course, we have 92% of the kids. Well, we had 94% of the kids participate. So, we have good participation. Uh and we had a a slightly increased uh score, but we we need to do better. >>

034All right. Any other questions about the alliance? you still on >> the the next item is as some of you I I hope everyone knows there will be a a major meeting tomorrow night uh there is a public hearing uh about uh to talk about the merit property conversion meaning uh when the graten 2020 20 plan was developed the ultimately state department of environmental protection uh deep it's actually department of energy and environmental protection [cough] uh considered 31 properties and and ultimately decided on on on the Boulder Run property as as a quote comparable uh conversion of the restrictions on the merit property uh which is was partially uh paid for by a recreation and open space grant that those those restrictions would go on the boulder run property and the merit property would be

035freed uh so that we would be able to build a school. Uh the uh there was a recent challenge because there was not a public hearing held uh two two years ago um and the town council agreed that holding a public hearing is appropriate. So, tomorrow night there'll there'll be a public hearing which uh really will focus on the issue of should the merit property uh have its be converted and and the boulder run uh have have the restrictions. Um obviously it's it's it's extremely important. Uh without the merit property uh pretty much the the 2020 plan uh would would not be able to go forward. We certainly would not have an adjacent school. we would not have the ability to use as we are currently doing. It's already designed to to use the auditorium

036at the high school and only a smaller space at at the middle school would save 20,000 square feet. Uh it's it's a it's a great efficiency of putting those two schools together. And of course, if the schools weren't together, we would not have uh high school teachers be able to come and teach advanced courses at the middle school or even have some advanced middle school students take high school courses. We would not be able to have an onampus softball field. So there there's there's a lot of elements uh that have gone into it. And of course that once the middle school is is built the the two schools one school will be built at the Cutler site and because of the racial imbalance the town has received 80% reimbursement for that school and there will

037be a school built at the west side site and all of that uh really is contingent upon the merit property. Uh, like I say, I I I think tomorrow night will will be helpful for the public because I I know the town planner is going to make a presentation which which will include the review of these 31 sites. >> Gretchen, >> Dr. I don't know if you've thought about this and it probably has not even entered your mind, but this will enter the mind of many, many parents and many, many citizens. Uh, Grten is divided into two youth leagues for baseball and softball. Mystic baseball, little league. They have six fields. Two are at Rossi, two are at Williams Beach at YMCA, and two are at Cutler. If we build a building on top of

038our two baseball fields, >> well, we would knock the building down and then we put the baseball fields back. >> Okay. We just need to make sure those baseball fields stay there. >> That Thank you. That that's the other thing that one of the hearts of the Graten 2020 plan uh is to build a softball facility in two large other fields. One of which may be synthetic surface which would really be a field multiplier plus to have a a full high school gymnasium open for public use plus a dance studio plus a full fitness center. So the the site would provide an an expanded recreation. So I know a lot of recreation people are very interested in this. So and of course those fields would be adjacent to a football field, a lighted football field,

039a lighted baseball field and soccer field. So it would really give us a a a really nice complex at the top of the hill there. But but tomorrow's meeting is about just really understanding the conversion between the mayor property and the property. >> All right. >> And that's it for me. >> All right. >> Miss Austin, welcome. >> Hello. Just keeping everybody up to date with curriculum instruction. Um we have I have met with the task force. We have a science task force. We have a math task force and we have an English language arts task force that have been meeting on a regular basis. And this past month we met to look at the priorities with curriculum writing and then they presented to the curriculum and instruction council what we hope to accomplish. And

040basically we need to really look at the curriculum documents that were written. Many of them were written with a program in mind. So we really have to decouple that and just keep it related to the common core standards and really look at that. But in addition, I think you saw from the math department or math task force that they had created a um a platform uh kind of pacing guide as you will that would put in all of the common core standards and it would be a teaching document that they could use and it would have everything at their fingertip tips, common assessments and different um kinds of problems and um contextual problems and grammar and phonics. within the ELA so that everything would be like in one place. So, we're looking at doing that

041kind of work and we're supported by the alliance grant this year, but the alliance grant ends at the end of June and if you know the amount of snow days we've had, it gives us very little time. So, um, Lori Le Pine is putting out a posting and we're going to be looking for teams of teachers in each of those three areas to work on curriculum and it might just have to happen after school, you know, like three-hour segments at a time. So we'll get together the people who are really interested in working on that and we'll find time that we can use because we definitely want to use those funds and it's you know really um enormous work enormous challenge but we really hoping we can get a lot of it accomplished before the

042end of June. So business is that is that all? Do I have any questions about that? So you are you are on >> All right. Everyone should have a a a schedule like this. It says FY208 budget summary at the top and down in the uh right hand corner uh number of 203323. Uh and I think there's extras back in the table if anybody is looking for this. Uh the main drivers uh uh that that drive this under budget by 203,000 uh is coming from salaries uh about 521,000 uh offset by some over overages in benefits of 547,000. Uh the other main driver is some anticipated uh savings in tuition uh approximately 487,000. Um uh but you know as as we talked about that number is subject to change as as the bill has come

043in. Uh yeah >> and this is and this is sort of what we talked about in our last committee the whole meeting. So there's so there is nothing new from that. Okay. So once again, I I I don't want people to think that we're not having a discussion about it, but we've had we've had our conversation around in the in the committee of the whole >> and then also and we looked at this uh at the at the last uh committee of the whole as well. uh the uh healthc care um schedule. And I just want to go over one more time that uh the the yellow box in the middle of the uh page 1,63,0006 that's our uh Anthem costs for the month of January. Uh and you know just to reiterate that that

044is over uh budget for the month. Uh that's what the 110.9 is on the right hand side. But on a year-to-ate basis, we're still we're still tracking below budget, 88.5%. Uh we anticipate uh uh still achieving the uh 115 from Anthem. I guess the one thing I do want to uh caution you on is that uh you know, we we didn't uh budget OPEB uh separately last year. So that that that has the uh you know, it can have an effect of uh we're going to need to fund that. And so in the past it's been funded by claim savings. Uh and so uh we're hoping that there's going to be some savings here to offset the OPED mount, but if not, we have to find another way to uh to take care of that.

045And that may or may not have to be the reserve. >> Could you just um for the public explain what OPED is? >> OPE is uh other postemployment benefits. Uh these are benefits uh that uh uh are paid to uh retired uh uh uh folks uh health benefits. Uh it's monitored or or taken care of by the town. But uh as far as the bill for the the folks that retired from the from the board, uh that's that's what this represents. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? If not, we are going to go to um Mr. Kilpatrick. Honest, we'll stay with you. And just for the board um to know is that I asked um for us to have a um school security update specifically um a after in light of what happened um

046in Florida that I figured that we would want to know and then also that our public would like to know about about that. But it's up to you. >> Yeah. I have two items to report on the Graten 2020 plan. Uh uh we continue uh the staff continues to meet with SLAM, our architects on the middle school project [snorts] and provide them with the any information that they've requested uh electrical bills, all kinds of things like that. Uh we did meet with the uh permanent school building committee on the 15th of of the month and at that meeting the uh permanent school building committee did uh determine what we're going to be using for a heating system for instance for the school. So, uh, they are working on mechanicals. Uh, last week, at the end

047of last week, we did go down to Clinton to, uh, visit the Morgan school. Uh, West Green Leaf walked us around, uh, to so that we could see the systems that, uh, that they chose in action. So, uh, the group went down there and was were guided by West Green Leaf down there. Uh, the second item is the school security update. Um I was able to deliver the updated all hazard safety and security plan to the state uh uh just about a week ago, maybe 10 days ago. Uh so that's been uh delivered. Um uh each year it's uh required for us to submit that to the state. Uh generally speaking, uh most of the changes in that plan, the plan remains pretty much the same. Uh but the uh names of teachers and things

048change in in the schools. So that's the biggest uh biggest change on this. So uh in addition to that, the district-wide safety and security committee meeting uh just happens to be meeting this Wednesday at 2 o'clock. That was our regularly scheduled well actually our regularly scheduled meeting was on a snow day. Uh so uh about 3 weeks ago we we chose this coming Wednesday. So it's landing at a good time for us to be meeting. Uh that that committee uh consists of uh school staff uh principles, teachers, custodians, administrators, uh also includes the police department, fire department, fire marshals. Uh so it's it's a wide range of people from throughout the town that uh continue to discuss the uh the needs of the district as we uh move forward with our plans. Uh I know

049that there have been a lot of uh questions uh from the public over the last uh few days about uh with their concerns about what we're doing with regard to safety and security with the new school with the new middle school. uh this I can tell you the the short answer is um don't really don't like to discuss particulars about what we're doing with security and safety in our buildings. However, um the state has a very um specific uh guidelines when it comes to safety and security in our buildings now and they are being very uh followed very closely by the uh school committee and by the architects. So um everybody knows we're going to have lots of cameras and things like that. So those things will continue. Uh and there are some other things

050that uh the state requires with regard to building new buildings and and uh increasing security and safety in our buildings. >> Gretchie, >> um in regards to the school safety, they had a security officer, some kind of officer, I'm not sure exactly what he was, and he sat there for four minutes. He got there in two minutes and it took four minutes to get inside. that in six minutes the event was over in nine. How will our will our response be faster than that? >> I I I I think that that's a hypothetical question and really what we were looking for safety updates and I think that that would that be a question that you could ask actually the police chief um or Dr. >> I could go to which is that what time and

051where >> we could talk tomorrow. I can tell you the answer. >> Thank you. >> Mike just you know >> I I hear you. I just think it's a very sensitive issue and I >> um >> I appreciate your question. >> Any any other question for Mr. Kilpatrick? Awesome. Thank you, sir. Uh moving on to committee reports. Um and uh I do know Rita, you have learned. Yes, I do. Um we had a um a couple of meetings since we last met and um one was with the new let's see the new principal from Ledger new new superintendent um his name is Jay Hartley. >> Yes. >> Who you've met obviously. Yes. He gave a a wonderful presentation about his vision you know for the um Ledger public schools. But one thing that he mentioned

052that I thought really was sounded great was they revamped their elementary school um day and and they have an intervention block and I know we have something like that at our middle school and I thought gee wouldn't that be great to have that at our elementary school also. So, I was wondering if we could ever think about >> getting together some staff and and and looking at redoing that, especially now that we're an alliance district, having time to for intervention. >> I can I can address that. >> Oh, great. Um since um really statewide we were really mandated to have a response to intervention or an SRBI for the state of Connecticut, Graten Public Schools in each of our you know SE in our elementary, middle school and high school does have allocated time for

053intervention. It's not you we don't have a common schedule between all six elementaryaries but they absolutely have the staffing for intervention um that's really based on enrollment but equitable. Um now we actually have tutors a math tutor in each of the buildings but those people do service children in this additional time frame. We've either extended our literacy block and added the half hour to the block and had all of our resources come in or we've designated an additional half hour at some point during the day. So we have that already. >> So we have an hour because this was an hour of an in of intervention. >> Well, we've we've extended our core. So, um, it's really important that you you work on your core curriculum and make sure that's why with teachers college, Columbia

054University, we have kids reading more and we have, you know, the instruction and then you get the additional guided reading or the additional whatever the child needs, you know, in that. So we do have probably I I wouldn't know what Ledger has but we do have an extended block that's basically two hours of literacy every day. So okay but not just literacy math also. >> Well and math is a full hour and then the additional half hour if they need that. >> Okay. >> The one place we went >> marketkedly is it science? >> Wait. I'm just talking about learn >> about the report from the superintendent. Yeah. No, we're on we're on committee reports now. We're on the community. >> I'm sorry. My bad. >> Um the other thing is that the the rest

055directors, they've changed the way people are fingerprinted now. They want each district to have fingerprinting rather before you could go to learn and a whole area. So now a substitute, if they want to be a substitute in let's say eime, they have to go to Elime and be fingerprinted. In Grten, you'd have to be fingerprinted. And it's something new the state has just changed and the rest directors are trying to get together because for each one it's like a hundred dollars >> expensive >> and um I think it's important that the state realize what a burden it is for for towns >> and especially you know we have a lot this is for any volunteer that walks into the school no matter who it is has to be fingerprinted where before you could go to

056and it was a nominal cost >> like 25 >> yeah uh $25 to $35 and now it's $100 and and if you go to multiple places it's multiple fingerprinting. >> Yeah, it's a pain in the neck. >> So, I'm hoping that the state enough people respond and and contact the state so that they realize that um this is not a good thing, >> right? Yeah, we'll push it. >> Is there is there a contact point that we can make our feelings known? Um I I believe if you you know with the state it would be anybody let's say our state legislators >> representative Conley or Dela Cruz. >> Yeah. Either one would be great. >> Lori has some >> Lori has just >> So Rita your your points are correct and the appropriate course of

057action would be to talk to the legislators. This is legislation that was written in. So, unfortunately, we're all bound by it, but certainly if we can get the legislators to get some movement on it, they might be able to revise the regulation so that we can >> um start to share information again, which is what's preventing us from doing that with the subs like you had talked about. >> That's the that's the issue. You can't share from one district to another. >> Thank you. >> So, if you want to do four different school systems, you have to have 400 $400. >> $400 if you Yeah. So Gretchen did scholarship or the trails committee >> um I have not met with trails committee scholarship had a very brief meeting to which I was working >> okay

058>> it didn't make >> they have an upcoming >> so but >> I think that they have they have an upcoming it's the what the third Wednesday or the third Thursday >> the third they generally meet the third Thursday it is not 5:15 it is 5:00 they're usually done by 5:15 so if you show up at 5:15 you missed it >> okay >> wow >> I just didn't get I had to work that So that was last Thursday. Any other committee reports? All right. So we're going to move on to the consent agenda which is um that all matters uh listed under the consent agenda will consider to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. Um but we will allow points of clarification will be allowed. Um and so I will um actually

059ask for an approval uh actually a motion uh to accept the consent agenda. I make a motion to accept this. >> That'd be Rosemary. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> That would be Lee. >> Is there any discussion? >> All those in favor of the acceptance of the consent consent agenda, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Abstain. The motion has so carried. Um the board of ed would like to thank very much the Graten Elks to make who made a donation for $600 to the food service department. And that also um a big thanks to Bethany Traverso who has made a donation of um $150 to the Fitch High School fencing team. I almost said 150,000 which would have been a really exciting thing but that's not what it was. Very generous.

060>> Um so we're now on to the old business part. Um, and Jay, would you please read number one? >> Move approves the second reading policy P2151, the recruitment and selection of certified and non-certified employees. >> Can I have a second? >> Second, >> Rosemary. All right. So, it's been in our our packet. Do we have any uh more comments or Gretchen? When we say minority, I think that term has changed a great deal throughout this recent policies we have done. When we say minority, what are we talking? Are we talking about people of gender difference or are we talking how much melanin you have in your skin? Is is that just is that just state or >> I just want to know what we're discussing when we say minority >> when you talk about

061minority it's recognize both an ethnicity and gender. So it's actually both >> and that is a is that a federal reg? >> It's a it's a federal regulatory. >> So if we're an elementary school a male would be a minority because there are very few elementary teachers who are guys. I my guess is that's not true that it's it's a federal regulation and our policies and and procedures have to kind of follow the language that's set up by the state regulation and and federal regulation. So my sense is is that the minority student is we are using by the definition by the federal regulations. >> We use the federal categories so to speak that define what's considered a minority. Correct. >> Yeah. We need to be very specific at this at this juncture of our

062>> I I think we can only go by what the federal regulations have stated um for us because that is the that is the letter of the that's the law of the land >> that's the land of the law that we still >> the discussions we've had earlier on gender >> yep no I I appreciate that >> that we are also keeping in mind that that may be a minority >> I I I I believe I understand >> equity in That's for sure. >> Yes. Thank you. Any other further uh conversation? Hearing none. All those in favor of the motion to approve a second reading policy P2151, recruitment and selection of certified and non-certified employees, please say I. >> I. >> Oppose. >> We have one. Oppose. Abstain. Motion so carried. Rosemary, would you be

063willing to read number two? I'd >> be delighted. >> Thank you. Um discussion and possible action regarding approval as a second reading of policy P4111 recruitment and selection which is enclosed and I make a motion to approve the second reading. >> Okay. So, can I have a second? >> Second. >> That would be come from Lee and I'll entertain discussion. Any discussion? All those in favor of the second um the second reading of policy 411 uh recruitment and selection please say I >> oppose one op one opposition. I can't say the word >> opposion so carry. >> Lee, did you abstain? >> No. >> Oh, okay. I just saw you raise your hand. >> No, we never did. >> Okay. Um, and Lee, would you be willing to read the motion for number three? >>

064I will. Discussion and possible action regarding approval of a second reading of policy P 4112.51 employment verification and offer. >> Can I please have a second? >> I second. >> Second. >> That would be Rosemary. And discussion. I have a question of clarification on at least two maybe three of the sections and one is on the first page. It's under um three section three or C. >> I can't >> and I find >> it's hard to understand you. >> I can't actually >> really better. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Better. All right. Let me say that again. There were at least three places where I found things that I just didn't understand. One is on the first page number three, section three C. I I can't I can't make wake up make out what this

065means. So maybe you can help me or maybe we can send this back for a second for looking at it again. C says has never had a professional occupational license or certificate suspended or revoked or has ever surrendered one while an allegation of abuse or neglect was pending under investigation by DCF or an investigation of sexual misconduct was pending under investigation or because an allegation substantiated by DCS of abuse or neglect of sexual misconduct or a conviction for abuse of neglect. or sexual mutton script. I have no idea what that means. >> So maybe we can send it back to >> Lori. Yeah. >> So what they're defining here is there are several situations in which a person may have their license suspended or revoked. So they're defining the specific situation. So it's saying you're

066pending under investigation by DCF. um you there's an investigation of sexual misconduct or because an allegation substantiated by DCF. So, it's going from a pending allegation to substantiated, which means an investigation was conducted and now um they're saying that the the complaint was substantiated. So, that's the last part of that section that talks about substantiated by DCF of abuse or neglect or misconduct. And then the last part is or if there's a conviction of such which obviously would be a criminal proceeding. >> How did you get that out of this? [laughter] >> You have to be familiar with the new regulations which define all of these situations. So it it this tries to consolidate a little bit. The regulations are quite lengthy. So it's trying to summarize those points in the section. >> Okay. And

067one of the issues, unfortunately, in years past, there have been teachers who have been hired after having already been convicted of uh sexual misconduct, for example. So, this is the law getting at that that uh those people the question is has that ever happened or have you even been under investigation? because sometimes people people will resign pending the investigation and then they get hired again because they weren't quote quote uh convicted right >> so uh I think that's the >> so everybody's comfortable that [clears throat] everybody will understand that when it's written because I'm sure we do >> well they have to provide a written statement it is conceivable that they could be under investigation then provide a written statement saying yes I was under investigation but here's what happened it doesn't mean they go

068ahead >> yeah I was going to say I've been has several meetings. We meet with other school districts. We meet with the state to talk about these specific regulations. So to answer your question, I feel like people are pretty well informed on what this means. We're actually exchanging this information among school districts, amongst universities. Um so those state agencies are pretty well verssed in all those scenarios and when they're supposed to um provide that information to us. And we've been doing it since July. It's going, you know, pretty well at this point. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I have another >> Yep. And that's on the second page. It's employee employment verification and offer. And it if you can explain this, I'll be happy. >> So it says it's the very first first one. Prior to

069offering an employment to an applicant, the district shall make a documented goodfaith effort to con to to contact each current and any former employer. No less than three references or all if a board council which cause the applicant to have contact with children >> in order to obtain information and recommendations which may be relevant to the applicant's fitness for employment provided such effort shall not be construed to require more than three telephone requests made on three separate days. Does that mean that if I try calling three times and I don't get an answer, I don't have to do this? >> There is a provision in the statute that says if if you make good faith attempt to get this information and businesses don't respond to your phone calls, then you have to try on three

070separate occasions on three separate days before you can move on to somebody else or something else. So, it's telling you you have to make three attempts to reach these individuals. I mean, at the end of the day, sometimes organizations don't return our call. And I wouldn't say that happens within the school communities, but sometimes that happens with private employers that aren't responsive. Um, so it's saying before you can move on to someone else or get another reference, you've got to make these three attempts on three separate days. You can't just say they didn't call me back. You have to keep trying is what that's saying. >> I understand that part, but Can I say, "Oh, well, I didn't get an answer, so I like him anyway, and I'm going to hire this serial killer whether

071I because I didn't get an answer." >> Yeah. No, it's a good question. What we do in those situations, we actually go back to the applicant and say, "We're having difficulty reaching your reference. Give us someone else to talk to. Let's talk to one of your other supervisors, uh, employers, um, someone who can speak about your performance." So, we actually go back to the applicant and ask them to give us other references who might be more responsive to our calls. >> I guess the bottom line is if you don't ever speak to a um an employer, a former employer or a reference, whatever, that you move to the next one, you don't hire them anyway. >> But that's not clear. >> That's not clear in this at all. >> Yeah. >> So, I think that

072that might come back. >> Let's see if there's anything else. Well, we we don't correct me if I'm wrong, but if if we literally couldn't find a reference, I think that would influence our hiring decisions. >> Oh, for sure. >> But in this case, uh we have to make these good faith efforts. Uh but as as Laura said, it it doesn't happen very often. Nor do we have to hire the person. So, in other words, when someone of perhaps questionable background applies, if we can't get clearance from their references, we just move on to another applicant. >> Okay. >> What just let me hammer this one more time. What what if this person doesn't appear to be of questionable background? What if this person appears just fine, but we still can't find anybody to speak

073for? >> I mean, it it rarely comes up. We usually do get some other form of reference. Um, like I said, we go back to the person and press them if they really want the job. They really do make an effort to help us track the person down. A lot of times we found out person's on vacation. They just they didn't mean to just not call us. >> We get an email, >> you know, we'll get some type of communication. >> I can tell right now. >> Yeah, >> we we also are that's just on one reference. >> We ask I think for three references, don't we? >> That's right. So it would be unlikely if you can't get anybody to answer to three references three days then they it may be that they don't

074want to answer >> and maybe we should that tells >> you exactly correct on that but that's not what this says. >> Yeah. And the statute just so you know the statute's defining the three calls on the three days. We did build it in because it's actually written into the statute. they're trying to define for um for individuals what does good faith effort look like. It doesn't mean that we um do it that way all the time, but it's meant to be there. It's written into the statute. It's meant to be there for clarification purposes. If someone says, "How many attempts do I need to make before I move on maybe to another reference or or move on with the decision, you know, maybe to go without without them." >> Okay. Any more on this

075policy? Was there one more? >> I'm not sure. Let me know. >> No. No. >> All right. Anyone else have discussion on this? Hearing none. Um, all those in favor of the uh motion uh for the sec to approve the second reading of the policy um P4112 um-51 employment verification and offer. Please say I. >> I. oppose. Abstain and we have one absent. >> So that that passes. Um >> can I just make one clarification? We still have to have the minimum number of references. >> Yes. >> So right >> that's in the policy, >> right? >> Yeah. So Rita, would you be willing to read number four to a motion to approve as a second reading policy P5114 suspension expulsion due process? Okay. Can I have a second? Second. Very heavy on this side.

076So any discussion? >> Yep. I'm I'm not even they're not numbered so I don't know what page it is but it's >> what's the first word on the >> it's section five expulsion and of students and it's number >> section five >> so F is at the top >> page >> letter F is at the top >> I'm sorry that again >> letter F is at the top >> oh where it says section five >> yes and it's on the next page >> next page section >> okay so number four >> section four. Yeah, >> assistant. >> And it's just a >> number four, right? Is that the top? >> Correct. >> Okay. >> And this is just a clarification. Three members of the board of education shall constitute a quorum for an expulsion hearing.

077A student may be expelled and so on and so forth. But I thought that we got rid of that three member. We we well the board has a choice between a hearing officer or it could have a three member quorum board. It is it's really the board's choice. >> Let me see that here. >> So just to orient you remember this um this document was revised several times by several people. So anything in black was our original. Anything red outlined was what we got rid of. Anything in blue is what the lawyers added to it >> based on the law. >> How can the lawyers decide whether or not we're going to have three board members? >> Well, I think that's probably what the standard is. We could put in or um you know to

078have a hearing officer >> because this is what we're going to do, >> right? >> We should have a hearing officer because that's what we do as a >> That's right. >> Yep. We can do that. >> So, it should be added. This one was the one where um people were concerned about the 2 and 1/2 in knife. So I rechecked with Floyd and that is the letter of the law. That's for the pocket knife. That's [clears throat] just the way it's defined under that two and a half. So you know that's just the legal definition. So, do we do we want to put three members of the board of education shall constitute a quorum for expulsion hearing or a hearing offic? >> I think you'd want to keep both just in case you you

079know >> I think it should read that way then >> that I will I'll make sure that we do that. Thank you for bringing that up. Yeah. So, does it does this go back then or >> No, I think that I think we could accept it with that with with that um >> Okay. >> Uh addition. >> Excuse me. If you turn the next page, which has K at the top, >> the red what came out was Board of Education or a subcommittee of the board which constitute three or more members as required or an impartial hearing board of one or more per that's the hearing officer. >> Okay. >> That's what you want to capture. We crossed it out when it should be back in. >> That's right. >> When Floyd put this in,

080that came out. >> Yeah. >> So, put it back in. >> We could just put that particular provision in. Yeah. >> Yep. >> And that's about the two and a half inch knife >> because it's the law. I realize that, but do we have to, let me rephrase this and not say, do we have to abide by the law, but do we have can we strengthen our position and say no knives, no matter 2 and a half inches or not, or do we have to have this in? >> I think I think we do knives. >> We won't we've talked about that, too. >> Well, a plastic knife if with the wrong intent could be considered pencil >> or a pencil >> could be considered, you know, >> dangerous. >> I think that the it's

081it's a bit of a moving target because this the legislature defines uh uh a a deadly weapon that that's where this comes from. And and if it is a deadly weapon, it is a mandatory expulsion. It's it's it's not the board does not have discretion >> about that. uh the the zero tolerance on knives. I I I can tell you uh through hard experience was is can be very painful because a fourth grader >> has a mother sends me with an apple pairing knife and he goes to a teacher >> uh my mom sent me this knife and the kid is expelled. I've actually seen that. >> So we we don't want that. We we we have a sort of a common sense. Kids bring a dangerous weapon to school. Uh we we go after

082them. Uh kids uh find that they were at at a Boy Scout camping trip over the weekend. It's like, "Oh my god, I I left my pocket knife." They give it in right away. Then we we have the parent >> and we confiscate it. The parent comes and gets it and they realize >> I'm fine. >> Okay, Gretchen. >> Okay. Um, I just want to make sure that we understand that students who put something in a teacher's drink is or food is here. Uh, this is a long time ago, but there was an incident in New York where a teacher was drugged because their coffee cup was on the desk and some dropped stuff in. So, we need to address that somewhere in here. >> I think it is. It may be somehow, but I

083can't seem to find it. >> I don't think it needs to be in here. And the other thing we need to keep be aware of is a 11-year-old with a baseball bat can hit a person at 60 miles per hour. >> Right. Well, all of those are dangerous instruments. You're right. I mean, a baseball bat could be used. I've been there, done that. Make sure that cover all our bases on this. >> So, you'll notice under administrative required any willful physical assault with only serious injury on school grounds. Uh, you know, I I would I would say a physical assault if you put poison in somebody's cup, that is a physical assault. >> Assault. >> Yeah. >> So, I think it gets covered. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure >> you know I

084have had the chair. >> Yep. >> Throw it at me. >> So, any any further discussion? >> Yeah. >> Hearing Okay. Thank you. So, hearing none. Um, >> oh, I forgot one more thing. This is a moving target considering we're an alliance district and we need to figure out ways to decrease our suspensions in school suspensions and expulsions. So we may need I can re you're not you're not wrong on that >> in terms of >> how we are going to deal with these things in the future. Not that we want to take away our ability to discipline children. We just I think that it should be >> but probably our policies and procedures won't change but maybe we need to do that >> to go back and be rethought a little bit. >> Oh

085okay. I mean you can you are more than welcome to vote down the second meeting. >> That's fine. >> Like it to be reought. >> Okay. >> Or she's >> or you can make a referral. >> I can make a referral. >> All right. So for all those in favor to approve a second >> Oh >> may I understand? Are you not meeting that's one particular >> as amended as amended >> as amended my my amendment will >> the motion should be to approve it as amended >> and the amendment >> amendment I have to have an amendment >> right right and so the amendment is to add um >> not to replace >> yeah yeah >> to not delete >> this >> it's it's under or the impartial hearing. >> That one. >> Yes.

086>> To reinstate the previously deleted portion which is the um >> regarding the impartial hearing officer and I'll give you the words tomorrow. >> Thank you. >> Oh, it's under two. So, I just made I just >> There you go. I just made the motion with the amendment. I need a second. >> Second. >> You take your pick. There's at least four or five. >> Thank you. >> Any further discussion about the amendment? Okay. All those in favor of the policy as amended and the policy is P5114 suspension/expulsion um due process. Please say I >> I >> abstain. >> I'll abain. >> You're gonna abstain. Oppose. >> I like difficulty. >> All right. So, we're moving on. We're moving on to the new business. Um, and Jane, would you like to read underneath new business?

087>> If I can find that. Yes. >> Welcome to my world. >> What's here? >> Katrina, do you have that? their hand. >> I'm looking for it. >> All right. >> Okay. What number was it? >> It's uh under new business. >> C1. >> Number one. Okay. Uh I make a motion to approve an eighth grade field trip to Costa Rica April 13 to 21, 2019. Can I have a second, please? >> Second. >> I've got Jane for a second. >> That was me. >> Oh, no. That was Andrea. Sorry, I'm lying. >> All right. And so I believe our discussion is that we are actually going to have >> Miss Whitten is here to enlighten us about a proposed trip that she intends to lead uh to Costa Rica. Not this April vacation, but

088a whole year in advance April vacation. >> On a lighter note, yeah, [laughter] >> thank you for hearing my fourth presentation. regarding leading an educational international field trip for eighth graders in our district. The first three trips will have been to Central America, Southern Europe, and Quebec, Canada. Mark Russell, who is back there here tonight. Um he is going to be one of the three chaperones for the Quebec trip this April. and we feel that the 24 eighth graders from Cutler have been well prepared for the latest trip. Unfortunately, no students registered from Westside during this school year, but hopefully Westside uh students will participate in 2019. Inside the um carved [clears throat] Costa Rican bowl that I believe it's making its way around. Um yes, >> good. Okay, there are some sweet treats from

089Costa Rica for each board member. This is not a bribe, just a cultural element to share. Inside each chocolate candy will be a Costa Rican product, pineapple, orange, coffee, coconut, and there are some lava rocks in the corner of the table over there um harvested from the trip back in 2016. And u handouts are going around right now about the 2019 destination. Since PA students pass through middle school every three years, our principal at Cutler, Peter Bass, and I been talking a lot about what to do for the fourth year. And um we believe that revisiting a successful destination has made sense, especially since I was able to get a price break that's about 30% lower than it was in 2016. And as most of you know, I've lived and worked in Mexico, Costa Rica,

090Colombia, and Peru, as well as traveled to many countries in Europe, and Eastern Europe. Um, so I teach with a global perspective, use authentic materials for students to touch and taste and relate personally um true stories and experiences. That's what I want for the students of Graten also. And the earlier the better. Um, my current Spanish one students, while they're studying Costa Rica and uh, its language and culture, have also learned how to imitate a howler monkey, how to carve a pineapple without having a sharp knife in the classroom, and how Delonte manages its pineapple fields for its international export markets. This is what happens from experiences. And there is, believe me, I believe uh, no education as wonderful as travel. and experiencing the totality of another culture. So, I'm excited to propose traveling to

091Costa Rica in April of 2019 with eighth graders from both middle schools. Again, it would be promoted for both middle schools so that they too can speak and write about another part of our planet Earth and its language and culture. And I'm happy to answer any questions you might have. One of the handouts is directly from Explorica. Um, it's about the price being including every single bit that would be, including the tips and everything for $2,168 for this period of several days over a week. Um, you can see the map on the back. It's a very similar route to the one that was followed three years ago. Um, the other handout basically chronicles the middle school international field trip experiences to date. So, I would love to be able to take them back to Costa

092Rica. New kids. >> Any questions? >> Questions from the board? >> I think it was three years ago. I thought >> Yeah, this the third trip is going to be in about 50 days from now up to Quebec >> and then the fourth trip would be in 2014. Yes. The first one was 2016. >> Less expensive this year >> than last time. It's less expensive this year than the last time. >> Exactly. It's It's down by several hundred. >> That's great. >> Um, Explorica was incorporated into another uh five-star kind of world strides organization. It's sort of like their uh younger sister. I'll get some handy hand-me-downs. Maybe that's it. But it's still not a fivestar, three star, four-star kind of experience. It's very good. Nothing shley about it. It's uh experiential though. Absolutely. Kids

093uh we found for the last uh for that Costa Rican trip. They were exhausted at the end of the day. Very glad to flop in the beds. That's a good thing. Get up the next day for their fresh fruits and uh you know all the wonderful experience that we had both in the highlands and the coast. I my question is just about sort of like fundraising and and what's the and how do we plan to do that that even though um it is much less than the one in the previous year, it's still quite a bit of money and so >> it' be about double this year's um experience. Um it's down from about 3,000 for the second year experience. It's um what we did the first year will do again. I think what you're

094sampling actually is from Brit Brit TT, a very um good brand of uh chocolate and other kinds of produce in Costa Rica. So, we would partner partner with them again. We made about $1,000 to help toward expenses last time and that was when we were newbies at this. So, I think we could do more than one fundraiser through Cafe Brit and maybe some other sort of experiential things as well as selling products. >> Yes. Hi Rita, >> I I don't understand the chaperon ratio. Seven travelers per free chaperon. What does that mean? >> Um for every time there are seven students, one chaperon is able to go without um having to pay. >> Well, to me it's as if the adults could pay for this. It Why can't it be reversed? You know, like to

095so that a student could go for free. I realize you have at the bottom too, but I mean it's the adults could could pay for this trip. Most children I mean this is still very expensive and I can understand how it would be a hardship >> unless what? >> Unless maybe one of the chaperones couldn't have afforded it. [snorts] Yeah, [clears throat] >> it's also I just Rita just um kind of off the record those of us who go, we do chip in for certain things to enable the kids to go along with u you know not just little goodie bags although that's paid for us by two too but um we've chipped in for other expenses. question. >> Young excited teachers probably cannot afford this. A first year teacher, secondy year teacher, or a

096returning teacher doesn't have the funds to do this, but would love to be with the kids and I'm sure they pay a good portion of stuff out of their own pocket anyway. If [snorts] I know teachers think goes that way. >> Rita, I just want to say the educational travel companies I've contacted and I've contacted several each time. They all have uh student chaperone ratios. It can be 10 to one, 7 to1, 5 to one depending on the pricing. Um with going to a tropical area where you have to have vigilance >> and make sure everybody's being well cared for. Nobody's going to step on a viper or >> put uh you know there put the shoe on and have a scorpion in the toe. We want to make sure that we have a good

097student to faculty uh ratio. >> Yes. Um the parents who go along they do pay full freight. >> The parents who go along do pay. >> Yes. >> Oh they do? >> Yes. >> That's different than the chapron. It's different than the chaperon. So the parents aren't conser ratios for students. Students to faculty ratio. The parents are not um they pay full freight. Well, the students and the and the they're included in the in the in the calculation for the um the ratio. I guess you should say seven travelers rather to one. Yes. >> Any other questions? >> J concern. And I'm sure you've considered this, but what came to mind was um an enormous lawsuit that a private school in Connecticut just dealt with this past year with after a trip to China just

098the importance of inoculations, making sure everything medically is taken care of before you go. In that case, the private school is held responsible. when a when a child became permanently uh ill, her life has been altered totally um >> because she was not inoculated against some >> just that the school the school sent that these kids approved of their trip. Therefore, the school was deemed responsible for taking for this enormous lawsuit. >> Well, just happened >> just a heads up bitten by a spider. Yeah. Okay. >> We have u medical forms uh the kids filled out each of the three years now including uh in fact before the March meeting kids going up to uh Quebec are going to be filling them out. If there's anybody that has to self-medicate we know about that and

099I you know pen and that sort of thing. We go through all that medical information with each child. So that's well covered. Um and there's there's a med international medical form I can't remember the exact title on the top I know it's in my stack that we go for. Um we also actually Dr. Brainer and um the principal at Westside as well as the principal at Cutler developed a uh responsibilities form now um which we circulated the children have all signed off on in terms of you know responsible behavior and and that sort of thing on the trip and and we could share that with you if it would help you. Gretchen, do we have a on staff do like the school board has a doctor that would be able to look at all the

100children going and look at their health forms and go, "Oh, this one's missing this vaccine that's needed for that country." >> Our school nurse at Cutler, I can't speak for Westside. I don't teach there, but at Cutler, our school nurse looks at each prospective student going and knows the records and is thoroughly familiar with each student. And there's one particular student, two particular students we're talking about right now, even though it's just going to be a a charter bus road trip up to Quebec. >> Um, but you know, the individual issues we do look at in council with the parents. Um, I don't know if there's any kind of a disclaimer statement that's ever been given for parents to sign about their students. I don't not familiar with one. Well, different countries have different vaccines.

101So, we don't >> you investigate that before going. Yes. >> We just need to make sure that our yellow fever >> appropriately. >> Yes. Yes. The answer would be yes to that. >> Any other questions? >> Yes. So, when when you look at the map and the flights, is the travel in the country by bus? >> Yes. One's on land land in San Jose in Ala, which is the international airport. Mhm. And >> from there, we have a consistent bus throughout the trip >> going north to the volcano areas and then down to the coast and >> cloud forest and all of that. >> Yeah. I mean, it looks like it's a lot of traveling. I'm not sure just by this little tiny map, but it involves >> the country is only the size of

102West Virginia or so. >> Okay. >> So, that puts things in perspective. That helps. [laughter] >> It's not the size of the United States. >> So, it's not like you're going through Texas. No. >> Okay. All right. That's good to know. >> We're not going through Rhode Island either. What? >> I think. >> All right. Any other discussion? >> All right. All those in favor of the motion, which is to approve >> the eighth grade field trip to Costa Rica, April 13th to the 21st, 2019. Please say I. I. >> Those opposed. Abstain. The motion so carries. Thank you for that. >> Yeah, that's all I can do. All right. So, the next motion that is on the floor is >> um And Jane, are you there? >> I'm here. Yeah. >> Could you could

103you read that? >> I'm back. [laughter] You're back to approve the healthy food certification statement for 20189 and vote yes to allow food exemptions. >> Good evening. Wait, wait. I got to get a second one. Let me back up. Wait, wait. Let's do one thing. >> Your bowl is right here to the to the my right of the dice. >> Jane, thank you for reading. >> Thank you. >> Can I have a second? >> I'll make a second. >> Rita has made a second. >> Can you now provide us with the discussion? [laughter] >> Absolutely. Good ne good evening everyone. Um, and thank you for listening. This is my colleague Kate Serio. My name is Aaron Pascada. We're both teachers at Fitch High School, Spanish and I'm French. So, bon. Um, so we're really excited

104to talk to you about our trip that we're leading. And I had um the wonderful privilege to travel with Kristen last spring to Europe. So, this would be my second trip um with Graten Public Schools and Kate's first. So we are looking to ask for blessing and our trip to France and Spain for April of 2019. So we've kind of planned ahead and so forth. Um you do have the itinerary. I emailed it to you last month. There's a board of ed packet. There's a PowerPoint. So, if you would like me to kind of go over it with you, I'd be happy to do that >> or answer any questions. >> Do people have any questions? Because um did everyone get received their their stuff? Do people have any comments about that? Rita, um my

105only concern is that Barcelona there is some turmoil and would this could this trip be altered in any way if the um if there are still like some riots that are going on and if it changes over the course of the next year, >> right? So with that being said, last year when I was in Barcelona, I was right there where there was some little bit of awfulness. Um we can definitely amend the trip if we need to do that. Um this trip is through Explorica. They're absolutely wonderful. Um so that's why we've selected them and they're very coste effective. So we are we are open-minded. >> That's wonderful. I was in Barcelona also in June and it's great and I I love your trip to Normandy which I think is so important. >> Yes.

106I'm a history person so we needed to get that in there as well. >> Thank you. I I knew you were going to say that. >> Yes, I know. >> any other questions? >> So, um I'm assuming you guys have like a plan in terms of fundraising for kiddos that cannot come up with a full fair. >> We do. We have some ideas. Um and just like Kristen's trip, um our trip does include some complimentary chaperons, if you will. Uh, we have to be careful with fundraising because I can't go, as much as I would like to go to Mystic Village Cinema and ask them to do a movie night for the trip, we really can't because it's an equity issue. It's not involving, you know, the senior class of Fitch. It's involving a small

107group of students. We need 20 students to travel. So, it's really not fair to ask um the cinema, for example, to do that. I don't think it's fair to ask restaurants either to do that because once again it's a select group of students um French and Spanish students. Maybe we'll get some Latin students at well as well or students that haven't taken a language. Um so the trip we're open uh to that there is no language requirement to be on the trip. What we're thinking about perhaps are some, you know, gift wrap fundraisers, some cookie dough fundraisers. Um, a car wash. We can do a few of those. Those are a lot of fun. Um, because you have to be careful asking, you know, for money when it's kind of limited to 20 students. So,

108those are our ideas so far. >> Any other discussions? Hearing none. All those in favor of approving the Fitch High School field trip to Spain and France April 12th to the 21st in 2019, please say I. >> Those opposed abstain. Motion has carried. >> Thank you. >> Yay. Good night. >> All right. We are now moving on to Gretchen. Do you have Can you read number the motion for number three, please? >> And Mr. Ernie, if you would like. >> Mr. Kosh meter if you would to >> approach the jury. >> Nope. >> New business. >> This one. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh discussion and possible action regarding the approval of the healthy food certification statement 2018 2019 CD enclosure which I had a moment ago. So can you please read the motion, please? Oh,

109I'm sorry. To approve the healthy food certification statement 2018 2019. Vote yes to allow food exemptions. >> That's an interesting motion. >> Yeah. Well, >> can I have a can I have a second just so that we can go into discussion? >> Second. >> That's Rosemary. You're part of our discussion. >> Okay. >> Hi guy. >> Hi folks. How are you? Uh for those of you that know I'm Ernie Kashmir, the food service director and um again this is our annual uh review of the healthy food certification and we do this yearly and what this is uh does is you know uh for those of you that may not know but we are a healthy school um challenge bronze recipient. So, we get uh national recognition for that and it's because of the great policies

110that this board puts in place to make sure that our students are receiving the freshest um you know made on-site foods, our big farm to school programming, etc. So, this piece rolls right in with it by keeping um you know, by you folks certifying that yes, this is something that we want to continue doing. It just means that we're keeping out a lot of the um artificial ingredient foods that could be coming in. We use very little processed foods, if you will. We meet and exceed the state of Connecticut's um healthy nutrition meal patterns. And um you know, I do feel it's important to keep the exemptions in place. What does that mean? when you have a football game, a soccer game, or something that happens after the normal school hours, we want to be

111able to allow those fund uh raising projects to take place. That is exactly what the two folks um the traveling clubs here want to do. This allows them to do that. Um so, you know, that's what we're asking for your vote um on that. >> Excuse me, Ernie. with the healthy food certificate, is there a a financial incentive uh for the meals and could you explain that to the board? >> Absolutely. Um so because um we're we're certifying that yes, we want to follow these stringent guidelines nutritional uh nutritionally. Um what it does is it gives me the food service department an extra 10 cents for every meal that we serve, every complete lunch that we serve. That enables us to reduce our cost with our farm to school produce and stuff. That's a little

112bit more expensive than using frozen or canned. Of course, you know, we don't use any canned vegetables at all in any of our kitchens. It's always frozen or fresh. Uh and it's a pretty good split. Right now, we're using a lot of frozen due to the, you know, um weather and stuff. Um but obviously once spring kicks in, we'll start we'll start bringing stuff up again. >> And you freeze some of your own. We do a lot of our own processing during the summer. We utilize, we partner with Norwich Public Schools and we actually process our own green beans, corn on the cob, uh, beets, corn, butternut squash, and now's the time that we're retrieving it and starting to, and it's still on our menus, you know, and I think that's important for the, uh,

113families of Graten to notice that that we're still using locally sourced produce. So, that's another great thing. >> Gretchen, >> I've seen the sign at Whittleles that says partnering with Fitch. Does that still exist? It does. Yes. Again, um Gretchian, we we use uh 360 or 3605 cases of Mac apples alone this year. Um that field um as you're coming up Flanders Road just past central office on the right hand side is where we usually have our um our big banner there. That's actually our corn that's grown and it's harvested and taken to Norwood for processing cryovac and we bring it back. Um, we also got from Rick Whittle this year tons of green beans. Um, beautiful tomatoes when they're in that we're able to use for our summer meals program. Unfortunately, those beautiful, uh,

114tomatoes and stuff when they come in is during the summer when my schools are out, but when our summer feeding program is in. So, that's when we utilize things like that. >> You can't get better apples or corn. >> Any other discussion? >> We we need we need the minutes of this. So, thanks for coming, Ernie. This this is an important vote for us so that we can get that financial incentive and keep the healthy meals going and still be able to to sell snacks at football and basketball games that sort of thing. Concession stand. >> Hearing no other discussion, uh, the motion is to approve the >> I just have a question of the way it's worded. Yes, it's a little confusing and I mean even if it said the second part of it

115and a vote of yes to allow food exam I mean do you find that Andrea a little confusing the way it's wordy? >> I have to admit I didn't read it. Somebody read it. >> We Jordan and I struggle with this. It is the law [snorts] says it actually has the board has to say and it says to vote. Yes. >> Yes. It says it in in in the explanation also. All right. >> It's just sort of like it just seems that a few things are left out there. >> I know. I was going to say an affirmative vote >> then. >> Oh. Oh, that sounds better. >> Yeah, it does, but that's not what the law says. >> That's not No, it does say yes. >> We could say a and uh and a

116>> of yes to >> a vote of yes >> of yes. >> Yeah, we could sure. I'm sure they'll accept as long as we say yes >> or say to vote yes or put the to in before vote to vote yes >> to approve and vote and toote it to vote yes >> to allow. Thank you. >> All right. >> That's good. That's grammar just Andrew made it. [laughter] >> All right. So um and then so that will be amended. Does that need to be an amend amendment to change a word? Add a word. >> Yes. >> All right. So, um so I am going to put forth an amendment um to the motion which is to approve the healthy food cert certification statement for 2018 2019 and to vote yes to allow food exemptions.

117>> And that's been seconded by Rosemary. >> Nicely. >> Do we have any discussion? All those in favor of the amendment is that and I go backwards. Correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, all those in favor of the um amendment uh uh to the motion which is to approve the healthy food certification statement for 2018 2019 and to vote yes to allow food exemptions. Please say I >> I >> oppose. Abstain. Mo. Amendment has carried. Now I go back. So as as amended and so I'm am I done or do we need to No, >> you have to do that. >> now you have to vote on the on the on the amended motion. >> Okay. So now now the vote is on on the amended motion which is to approve the healthy food certification

118statement for 2018-209 and to vote yes to allow food exemptions. Can I have a second? >> Okay. >> All you need is to vote. >> Okay. All those in favor please say I. I >> oppose. Abstain. Motion so carried. >> Got it. >> That was a lesson. All right. Okay. So, what I am going to do folks for number um >> just one quick could could >> Yeah. So, could we go to five and six and come back to four? So number four, >> six is in executive session. >> Oh, well then I'm not going to go into executive session right now. All right. So we're just going to continue on. Let's see how we do. All right. So what I am going to do is I'm going to put a motion on the floor

119for an amount just so that we can get it on the table so that we can go into discussion. Okay, folks. >> Mhm. >> All right. So I am going to move to approve the fiscal year 19 budget in the amount of woo ready 77,984554. Can I get a sec? Okay. Can I get a second? >> Second. >> I'll second. >> Okay. that is based on the inf uh on our object code front sheet that we were given today which shows a 1.98 increase. That's how I got that number. I just wanted to make sure that people understood where I got that number. We are now going to go into discussion. Ken has uh a a revised history of everything the board has done since January. Uh but it's revised as of today. >> So

120everyone should have budget actually section like this uh that actually says 2% because it rounds up chart. This this actually can go in your books in the red section. This is uh this is up to date. >> Great. >> Then also there should be a schedule like this with boxes on it. Um that just this is the history that Dr. >> Yes. >> You want to walk us through the history? >> Sure. So um Oh. >> Oh. Can we wait a couple seconds? >> Okay. Uh so the history uh uh of the the work sessions that we had so far uh on the 8th of January uh we met for the first time uh to discuss the budget. Uh I did put in here the uh the FY18 final budget because the calculation uh uh

121for the increase uh depends on that. So that's in that first box. uh in the next budget work section work session on the 16th. Uh that's where we uh essentially started uh the process where we started at a 4.13% increase uh 79,630,000. uh we met and we we uh went through uh uh a number of different uh proposed reductions uh on I won't go through each one unless we want to but uh uh the 23rd, the 29th, uh the 30th uh February 5th uh and then uh the last time we met, which was the 21st of February, uh we made the uh the noted uh reductions uh which brought us to a 1.98 uh percent increase uh over FY18 which is approximately $1.516 million. Thank you. So big big picture we you started with a

122budget of 4.1%. And whittle down through all of these various meetings uh ultimately to uh tonight at 1 1.98. What you don't see on the proposal uh is anything to do with our health insurance reserve. uh which we last year used uh a part of the health insurance reserve 347,000 if I'm not mistaken. Well, actually this year we used 347,000. Um, and we did talk about it last time, but when we got back to the office, uh, Thursday after that Wednesday night meeting, both Ken and Lori came to me and said they were not confident, uh, that they had enough information. And so if you if you go back to the the health uh the health insurance uh this uh this chart uh if all goes well like exactly like last year and a and

123we actually have some less lesser claims. Uh we're going to be okay. But frankly it's a bit early to tell. We we picked up we we we actually doubled the the number of high right high >> yeah the number of large large claims which is those claims over $50,000 uh doubled in the number of them from December to January. That's somewhat concerning. Um, so my my conservative bent is saying that if we got to the end of this year, uh, and and the the in in that pink column or whatever color that is, uh, if we needed more than 11.5 million, that would have to come out of the health insurance reserve. Um, so we we we didn't want to play Russian Merlet or whatever uh with that number. Now, I if we were talking

124in late April, uh we would we will then have the February numbers and we will have uh the probably the March numbers. I I if if we had February and March, I I I I think all of us would be a little more comfortable saying we think there's going to be a certain amount of money left in our health insurance reserve. And and if you know, if we're lucky, there will be still $1.7 million left in the reserve. If that were the case, then we could the board could in fact pay for OPED out of this year, all of OPED. Um there but there is a a higher there's actual an actuarial liability of like 1.2 two million which is the that's the number that we started with once upon a time and uh we

125we met with the town I think the actuarial liability means it is po Lori maybe Ken you could help me with this it is the theoretical based on the actuarial tables we could have other postemployment benefit uh that could run to 1.2 2 million. It's probably more realistic that it's about 780 786,000 the way we were talking. Um either of those numbers would give us some leeway. U but we don't know where we are uh exactly quite yet. And so neither of us none of us uh felt uh comfortable saying that there's going to be a lot of money left over at the end of the year. So so so basically don't worry. Lori, >> and I just like to share at per Ken's point earlier, the the current OPED requirements, they're paid at the

126start of the uh budget year and previously they had been funded um because they certainly weren't as high. It's been growing over time. They were funded through savings in the plan year. So when you look at the savings on this, any savings we get are to offset our op cost for this year. So if we don't come in below the 115, we have some OPED liability that might need to come out of the reserve. So that's why we're um raising this issue before we tap into the reserve and then find out that maybe we don't have enough savings to cover that OPED responsibility that we've already paid for this year. To Ken's point, that's why we're budgeting it separately going forward so we can have a clearer picture on those expenses by carving it out

127separately. Can I make a motion? Um I >> Well, there's already a motion is on the floor. We're in discussion. We're in discussion. >> I I have a a question. what we received in our packet and what's not listed on here about 212 the new proposed reductions that haven't been voted on yet which is the object code 128 security and supervision recalculation and the OOD tuition adjustment. It seems like we once we vote for these on two I don't I I'm kind of mixed up with what this has said with the 212 and then what you have here on 212 no action on proposed reductions because we had a wait and then this is you're listing all of them underneath here on the bottom >> for what why we got down to 1.98. Eight. >>

128Is that it, >> Rita? The the security reductions can combine >> under under personnel. It's the 133. >> Oh, funny. >> Okay. Yeah, it was it was clearer to me and on this sheet that was in our consolidate and summarize. >> I see. Because I think that's something we should I mean, I can see your recalculation of personnel. It's not separated out. Yeah. And so when we talked about getting down to 1.7, that would be if we went into the healthc care accounts, is that it? >> Yes. Correct. Yeah. >> Below actually >> below. Yeah. >> So that's still a possibility. >> I guess that that was my that was going to be my question is is that at what point do um Sorry, Dr. Gene. Um, at what point did the two of you

129feel that you would have enough historic? Historica, I have no idea what historica is. No, not a clue. >> But I know what historical is. Is how much how much would you have um how much how many months do you have to have out for for you guys to feel comfortable that we could go into our healthcare reserve? Well, for a guarantee, I'd want 12 months, but um [laughter] a couple more months, >> if you're a little bit gambling, >> a couple more months uh would give us a better indication of where we think we're going to end up versus right now. I mean, the trend right now, unfortunately, is is higher. Not that it wasn't anticipated, because it was uh but we don't know exactly, you know, what that's going to look like going

130forward. Is it going to continue to go up or level off? Um, >> so do you think May we would have the information that you would need? >> Yeah, I I think we'd be in a much better uh spot to be able to to make those uh make a better prediction, >> right? >> I would just share that, you know, the spring historically the higher trend months too and we haven't gotten to those yet. So, you know, a few more months under our belt would certainly make a big difference. >> Okay, this sounds like a really >> It looks like August according to the chart we see. July and August seem like big months. >> So we could if if we if we find that we fare better. Um is it that is it that

131we could pay some of our oped which is our after employment >> other other >> other postemployment benefits. The the real the real question is if we don't have if if 11 that that pink column there if 11.49 is not enough, we don't have any other money, we have to go to the health insurance reserve, >> right? So if if we're good and we don't have to touch because of lower claims or if the claims actually come in at the expected amount and then in the past they used to pay for the OPED out of that but you know as we said the the OPED this year was 911. >> So it's it's a big number. Um, but I if if we get to the end of the year and we need more than uh

132$11.5 million, we're going to have to go to to the health insurance reserve. So, we didn't want to say, well, let's take the health insurance reserve now, then get to the end of the year and say we we're we're going to need to tap the health insurance reserve. Uh we we'd like to get closer, which would give us a a pretty good sense of where we're going to be. So, these the these greater than $50,000 claims, uh, they could level off. You know, it's it's unfortunately it was a bad bad month. >> Uh, those claims could could level off. As you if you look at if you look at the one two three the a fourth uh uh fourth column over from from the right uh you you you'll see that we were uh cost

133versus the board of ed so sorry the third column over so we were 178 under so we you know we were saving money there at least visa v the budget and but then we then August shot up we were 225 over and then 227 under, 342 under, 179 under, 171 under. [snorts] So those were good trends. That was all contributing to that 873 at the bottom of of that column. But January went to uh 104. If the next month, it could easily calm down. Actually, it did do that last year. And last year, the next month calmed down, too. We we were that the number the the bottom in the gray box here 88.5. Last year we were pretty close to that. I think we were at 85 if I'm not mistaken. So if if

134that trend continues, we're pretty good shape. If the trend uh takes off without us, uh we're in trouble. >> Well, we're not in trouble, but we certainly we don't want to jeopardize our >> health health reserve account. >> Our health reserve. Jay, >> so [clears throat] just to uh add to the good news, um the uh actuarial determined um contribution that we originally had was the 1.12 >> right >> million. So the problem is that both the town and the board are negative on our um with regard to OPED the other post-employment >> benefits um so we have an unfunded liability so should we consider going with the higher number given that our net assets right now are are actually negative in that OPE account. >> When you say the number, what number are you

135talking about? I'm trying to follow it. >> Well, we're budgeting for 786960, but the actuary originally suggested that we budget for 1.12 million. I mean, if we had a lot in in the um account, um you know, should we should we be budgeting more to make sure we're covering that liability? >> Right. It's good. I don't know. Do >> you have a take on this, War? >> Yeah, I mean Jay's correct. I mean, there was an original projection that was higher because of the fact that the OPB on the board side is running basically with without assets. We're basically playing paying the claims each year. The town, although their OPED reserve is quite high, so they do have some money there on the town side. Um so um what we're going to look at is

136ways and opportunities going forward that we can look at those o other postemployment obligations to see what we can do with help with costs in those areas. It doesn't provide immediate relief, but we're hoping that over time, over the next few years, we can do some work on those programs to see if there's a way we can start to rebuild some of that reserve on the OPED because there there's a there's a reserve for the health insurance and then there's a separate reserve for for OPED. >> So, the the theme here is that um all of our budget increase this year at the beginning was driven by fixed costs, uh, increases in in salary, benefits, um, retirement. Um, we only have 3.8% of our budget is discretionary, >> right? >> And yet all of these

137things went up over 2.5 million. So what we've spent the last couple of months doing um, in all of these special meetings is hacking away here and there. >> Yeah, you're right. and we've hacked it down to this 1.98 um in in an attempt to to not affect the students, you know, finding every opportunity we can. But we're we're on a very slippery slope because our uh projected um number of students is now up 122. >> It's not projected, it's actual. >> Oh, the actual is up. Um they're building new apartments in town. >> Um >> and so we, you know, just at this 1.98, it's very precarious. >> Um and so that's that's what we've done just to basically cover I mean we closed a school last year just to cover benefits and and

138salary increases and we don't have another school to close this year. So, um, and so I know we all know this, um, but in addition to that, because our, um, OPEB, uh, assets are actually negative, um, as painful as it is, should we consider adding to what the actuary called for? Otherwise, we're just kind of kicking that pension thing down the road, which is what we've done at the state level. >> What would that cost us? Uh the difference between the actuarial uh calculated number and the expected benefit payout is 333,000 $193. >> 333. >> If we added that to um our number that would turn out to be a 2.42% increase. So I I think when we go to the town council and the RTM, they need to know that this is the minimum

139for us to also be um uh to also be responsible for >> these these retirements >> financial obligations, >> right? We can't kicking it down the the the road. Are you are you are are you on the are you suggesting I'm sorry speaking is just not going to happen tonight. Um are you suggesting that that is something that we should that we should look at tonight is to add that 3 >> 33 31 93 >> that number. >> Yeah. I mean >> what would be the new the new uh total >> dollar total >> uh 78? No, no, sorry. The increase >> 1,849508 >> which is $200,000 less than our health insurance increase. So the whole budget goes up zero and we come in at $200,000 less than what we need for our benefits, right?

140Because the benefits you need 2,9,563. So that's where you'd be adding the 333. So >> Oh, right. That's true. >> But what >> for benefits number? >> Well, actually it work even more so than Ken. I need 2.3 million and my budget is only going up uh 1.8. Right. >> Uh that makes >> sense. That's correct. If we add if we add $333,000 to to line 11, then line 58 becomes 1,800 something. So the the 23 is what we need to be responsible for health insurance under this scenario. And the whole budget is going up $500,000 less than that. That's to say, we've cut the budget by $500,000. What was the number? 333493. >> Uh 333193. >> Me. Um I think we all thought about this since last Wednesday. I know that I have. And

141I I have also been very carefully looking at what other towns are doing as far of education expenditures are. And I I think that we're better off trying to pay what we owe. And you know, the the state of Connecticut, they're not real good mentors um when it comes to paying their debts. And I don't think we should do it either. I think we should go go at what is it 2.4. I I really do think we should. So I'm with Jay on that. What's what's the liability on on OPED that the board theoretically would have in the kitty? >> It's a negative number really. >> Oh, it's negative. Uh we're we're in the whole 668,519. I don't want to tell you what the board and the town have in terms of total unfunded acred

142liability. It's >> significant. It's extremely significant >> because it's been kicked down the the road all this time. Now, don't get me wrong, Graten actually, I'm told, is doing better than most towns in in the state in terms of the actuarial value of of their assets. We're all all in the same boat, but we're all underfunding, >> right, >> Lori? >> Yeah, Jay, you're you're correct. The unfunded liability was a multi-year uh decade worth um program when they put OPED liability in place. >> We have to have a timeout please. >> Sure. >> All right. We are going to um we are going to resume our conversation. Um and so let's recap because we had like two minutes so maybe we have all forgotten. Um, so there was a conversation that we had um which

143was um in in support of adding three um once again we're still in discussion um 333 uh 193 which would um uh >> fully fund the >> fully fund our oped >> liability which is stands yes Rosemary >> how does that change our percentage it moves it to >> 2 2.42 >> 22 >> in that case. >> So this is Gretchen. >> If we're looking at the grand list, we only have 122 extra students at the moment. >> So if we look at the grand list and we have a bunch more people that would spread out the tax burden of whatever we make the decision. Do we know where we are on the grand list? Yes, >> It's down, but we still have 122 extra students. >> Yeah. Well, the grants is based on the

144>> business. >> Yeah. The taxable property in town, and it is down again. >> Have we talked to John Riner later? The young man. >> Yeah. No. Well, yes, I've spoken to him many times, but Jay's right. the the the green list is down. I mean, but partly because the town has been losing partly because of the Fiser thing and uh >> and E moving building buildings and building up. So, >> possibly it's not as like we're spreading it out a little bit more. I think over the next year or two, >> I don't think this is going to be as hard on the individual as it has been in the past. >> Thank you. Well, well, one of one of the things if the board chose to do this and we give ourselves like

145we were saying until at least when we meet with town council uh presumably in in later April, u the board would be in a position to to to say, well, look, we we looked at our our projections and uh it would appear we could responsibly cover that liability and then some and the and and the the budget could be reduced by $300,000 which would bring it below. No, but but I'm I'm assuming it's going to be better experience than this, but probably a bad thing to assume. We we would rather see where we actually are. But I think funding the liability, you know, I'm I'm very sensitive to that. And as as as Lee said, uh that's the problem is we we live in a state where they don't fund pension liabilities and it it's

146irresponsible besides being fiscally just just really doesn't make any sense. Crazy. Yeah. >> So >> clinical term. >> Yeah. So my question is Gretchen, if I could just speak and then I will um recognize you is is what happens if if we go a couple months down and we realize that we have some monies to pay, could we not use that to balance off or or or add that 300 that 300 three that 331 I mean or is or is that does that feel not responsible? and present it as a one point whatever whatever percentage our our raise is and that we could actually in a in a couple months possibly meet that. >> Well, I'll answer your question >> if because there's no there's no projected OPED savings in this thing. So, we're we're

147saying we're going to we're going to spend $786,000. If uh if we're wrong, well, I mean, not that we're wrong, but we might have to tap into the reserve for that. And so, if you remember last time we met, we said, well, let's cut 780, which brought us would bring us down below that that was the 98 if I if I remember correctly. Um but uh Ken and Lori are saying that's it's too early to do that. That's irresponsible. Um I if we if we stick with 1.98 uh then we we we are prepared to tap into the health insurance reserve for about $800,000 which would bring the reserve down to $900,000. If the if the trend is pretty bad, uh then uh we uh uh we we would have to dip into the $900,000

148that's left lower and lower and lower, you know. So, it gets to that point. If if you went with the 2.4%, uh it is uh conceivable that we would be able to announce that. I my thought would be we would announce it to the town council and say it it would appear that we could cover OPE and so if you cut the budget you the town council cut the budget by $780,000 uh that would be absorbed it would bring us down to essentially 1.98 or even lower actually if we could uh well because if we're going up three then 79 that would actually bring us down from where we are from the discussion right now about $400,000 less. >> I think I understood half of what you were saying. >> So I um so I

149I apologize about that. Um >> well, one way is to be super conservative, which is probably when you when you don't when you're talking about unknown liabilities, it's probably good to be super conservative. Um this is correct me if you think I'm wrong. I think this is middle of the road to conservative. It is not super conservative. We were leaning towards super hopeful >> uh last meeting and and both Lori and Ken came to me and said I I I can't go along with this. That's that's too risky. Maybe that's the way [snorts] the putting more money in is is is is I'll simply say it's it's very conservative. What we have here is middle of the road. the other way is too risky. So I don't know where we I don't know where we

150go. >> Gretchen and I actually I'm gonna recognize Katrina and then Gretchen. >> What is the unfunded amount in the OPAD? Can you someone repeat that? >> The amount the actual amount >> the actual unfunded amount >> unfunded liability for the board. >> Yeah. Uh 13 million 334 >> 133 >> I'm sorry can I >> 13 334 354 >> okay and then 333 is to partially fund I think I last >> would be to fund the projected the 13 million correct me if I'm wrong the 13 million is every single one of every person that we have in the whole district that's retired gets sick on the same day and we have to pay $13 million. Right. That that's the >> Okay. All right. What's the the the >> the reasonable projection for one year

151is $1.1 million. >> That's what I wanted to know. >> That's the reasonable that's the what was the um 700 and something. What was >> that's what that's what the town finance director told us. She predicts she projects the actual claims will be. So, we're going to pay our claims. >> So, that's what they've they would if if they were if they hadn't build us and made us aware of this OPED issue, that's how much they would have taken. >> Precisely. >> Okay. >> That's that's how much they're projecting they would take. We won't get the real bill until August. >> Okay. What is our cumulative health reserve balance? >> One 1.7. >> Okay. What is our what was our health reserve balance June 30th 2017? >> That's the 1.7 >> 1.7. >> Okay. And

152so what is it from then to now? >> Well, >> what's the cumulative amount? >> Technically, because we haven't paid all the claims yet, there there there's money in there. But if the claims go as expected, if a 100% of the claims, so if if it came to 11.49 million, we wouldn't touch the 1.7 No. >> Right. Except we would have to pay OPED. >> Except for OP. >> OPE. >> So if we have to pay OPED, which is 7 786, then our our our balance would go down to about a million. >> Okay. >> Right. Okay. >> Which is what we talked [cough and clears throat] about last week, >> which is why I'm confused why we're not doing that. because it was um because they said it was way too risky because the

153the let me make sure that I got this right is that what has they don't have enough information and they're and they're concerned that if we if we take more out of that we are not going to have we're going to shoot ourselves in the foot again about dipping too far into our our health our health reserve. >> Okay. And this is where I'm confused. We have a health reserve account that had a balance on June 30th that it and all of the claims 99.9% of those claims are gone. Right. I mean that's >> Yeah. from last year. >> So that's the amount I'm talking about. >> Okay. Let me let me try it this way. On June 30th we had $1.7 million. >> Yep. >> If we have predicted perfectly there'll be $1.7 million.

154We still have to pay OPEC. But what Ken and Lori are concerned with is we don't think the claims because they went so high this past month. We don't think there's going to be 1.7 million left at at the end of the year. We're afraid there's only going to be say 1 million left and then we have to pay OPE which is 786. Now we go down to only 300,000 in our reserves. Does that make sense? Mhm. I >> if if we knew at the end of the year, which we'll tell you in April, I think better guess in April, that we actually we're we're good. We're only going to spend the the 11.49 million. Then we would say, look, we have 1.7 million in the bank. We'll pay our oped. We still have a

155million and everybody's happy. But if we if those claims come in more than 11.49, 49, we're in trouble because we have to pay the extra claims and OPE. >> Yep. >> That's that's our that that was our Thursday morning sober conversation. >> And what was the amount that's been added to the account since June 30th, 2017? >> Well, there wouldn't be anything added. >> They don't they don't calculate it exactly >> when closes, right? >> What is the Okay. And >> thank you. Cretchen. >> Okay. We fully fund it this year and then come into next year and there's leftovers. We use leftovers plus whatever. But at least we've done >> like with our health savings account. I I can only do this in micro because I can't think of numbers to say. >> So

156we have been electro has put us on a health savings account system. So, we get x amount of money every month that goes into this card. If we'd started it when we were 20, it would have lots of money in there, >> right? >> But because we're older, we have more health bills, we struggle to keep money in that account, >> right? >> If we fully fund it now, will we be saving money in the long run? >> Well, I don't think we would be saving money, but we would be responsible because >> I think responsible is really important. >> No, no. Yeah, we we we agree that we I if we have a crystal ball and it turns out that we that $11.5 million will be our claims this year, we're good and then

157we're going to pay our oped and we're still going to have a million bucks in in the bank. If on the other hand, these claims start to take off and it's more than a 11 million499, then we're in trouble. >> I I really vote for being responsible, >> Lee. Yes. And I just want I just want to add to that that for two things. Number one, we self-insure. That's number one. Number two, we it's not a matter of responsibility. It's a matter of law. We have to take care of the people who work for us. We have to >> if if we have >> 23 heart attacks and a few aneurysms, we have to pay. And if we can't do it, the town has to. >> So it has to get done. >> I I

158that's why I'd like to stay responsible. >> I'd like to >> because it it rolls down the hill. >> Rosemary with Lee. >> Rosemary. >> I think we've all understood the folly of kicking it down the road and not funding things that we should have funded for years. And we have paid a price for that. um with having to close the school to catch up and because of the >> So maybe let's stop doing that because the definition of insanity is to continue to do the same crazy behavior and expect a different outcome. >> Mhm. [snorts] >> And it's bananas, which is crazy with appeal. [laughter] >> It's okay. So, um, so right now what what's on the floor that we're discussing, um, is the 1.98% increase, which is the 77984554. >> So, I think

159we should have a vote on that number. >> Well, unless someone wants to propose another number, >> don't you first have to vote on the first number? before you get to another number. >> No, you can have different numbers. >> I think you have to vote on the latest one that was put on the table. >> Let's go with that. >> I think >> the one first from Robert the main motion changes to a motion. >> So, the last motion that the board could vote on would would be the 1.98%. But if somebody wanted to make a motion to add uh 333193 uh to to to cover the uh actuarial liability, then that number would be on the table. >> Um I'm going to do Jay, Rosemary, and Lee. Gretchen, I'll get you um after

160Lee. Um, [clears throat] >> I move that we approve the fiscal year 2019 budget in the amount of >> uh, and Ken, check me on this. >> Yep. >> 78,317,747. >> I'll second. >> Which is what percentage? >> 24 2.4. And what that does [clears throat] is from my understanding it's what the actuary says is the expected benefit plus they're determined what they've determined to be our suggested contribution. So, we start catching up on this unfunded >> because our assets now are actually th this amount would would wipe out um half the deficit in our assets this year and move us toward at least >> starting to save for the future. >> Second. >> So, that's been second by Lee. discussion on that. >> Nobody else. >> You know, the problem is we don't have

161any more room on the bottom of our history page. >> We're going to have to squeeze it in really small tomorrow. >> Turn the page. >> Any discussion? All right. All those in favor of the fiscal number of I'm going Can I >> 78? 78,31747 >> 17 what's it >> 747 >> thank you >> or 2.42% 42%. >> All right. All those in favor, please say I. >> Those opposed, >> abstain. >> No. Reed and I both. >> No, I voted no. >> Oh, no. I mean, no, we both [laughter] read and I both voted no. >> Yeah, I'm definitely voting no. >> Okay. So, >> all right. But the motion has carried. So, do we go back to the first motion? No, because that was amended. >> No, that's it. >> That's it. >>

162All right. So, we move on. >> Um, lost the sheet. All right. So, I am actually going to ask that the we haven't had the committee of the whole com uh meeting about how we're going to handle the the committee meetings and so I don't want this to be I don't want us to vote on it when we haven't had the full conversation about that. So, I'm asking for number five to um to be tabled for the following regular board meeting when after we've had a conversation at a committee of the whole meeting. >> So, move. >> All righty. And then um we do have an executive session, but I'm wondering if what we can do is that we can just go to the other parts of the of the agenda so that people can

163leave and and we can do our business. So um in uh letters and communication, Jay, do you have any >> um let's see. Uh, I just received um an uh email from a parent um who was concerned about some functionality of P school, but I understand that it is working on that and has opened a a ticket. Um they were also asking about the status of the um website, but I understand that that's in in progress. >> Okay. Rosemary. >> Um is this where we put in um what meetings and things we've attended? >> Sure. >> Okay. Um I since the last meeting I've attended a gas meeting um although I missed the one today and um I've also will be attending a meeting on sensible gun legislation tomorrow. >> Okay, great. Lee, >> I

164went to see the play The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, which was >> wonderful, difficult, and wonderful. >> And I also love the Northeast um arts festival. >> I didn't make one day, but I made the other two, and it was just wonderful. >> Great job. >> Thank you. Again, also the Northeast Academy Arts Festival was phenomenal. And um I also we we received the board received about the the art show uh mean the photo students have been working on the um the exhibit that is going to be at Mystic Seapport in conjunction with with the Williams School and that'll be March 1st through March 31st and it's the second annual student show and um I went last year and it was wonderful and I just want to bring people's attention to it again um

165this year. So, um I hope you could stop in and see it at the seapport. Katrina. >> Oh. Um I was not able to attend anything extracurricular. Um and I've gotten the same emails that have been shared with other people. Maybe a couple >> okay different ones. I've had um some contacts from a couple of Northeast teachers and they are feeling that they cannot complain publicly or they'll be I don't know flawed, whatever. Um they feel that a lot of the kids coming in in the magnet program are coming in with issues that they don't have the time to deal with because of everything else. They also feel that the magnet stuff is adds way too much to the day. They're very uncomfortable, especially in the lower grades, first, second area. They're they're just really

166stretched thin and they're very unhappy. And I'm not going to say who said what because I promised I wouldn't, but there are some very unhappy teachers that are feeling pushed. There have been incidents where students and I I'm guessing their magnet children have hit or pushed or spit on teachers or aids and they're not they're really uncomfortable with this and they don't know how to broach it with the general public or us. >> Thank you. I'll make a note of it and I'll talk to Dr. >> B. Thank you, >> Jane. >> Wow, that's a buzzkill. [laughter] >> Sorry. I really I'm so sorry, but it I knew I had to say it at some point. I wanted to say J. >> I just know that in in teaching kids these days, there's so much

167more that we all teach >> and you know, it goes way beyond the books and the and it's okay. It's not linear with kids. It there are ups and downs and problems to solve and that's life. >> I understand. >> That's life, you know. I'm sorry. >> So, do you have anything? Okay. I just have to rave about Northeast Academy. I um I continue to hear and my daughter-in-law doesn't teach in that building. She's equally happy where she is in the in another school in town. But um I'm I'm still thinking about the arts festival. The kids are eager to go back in the evening like, "Mom and dad, let's you know, we have to go back to school tonight." >> And for me it was grandma, are you going? I said, "Maggie, I'm going

168if you're going." She said, "Yeah, I'm going. Pick me up, please." Um, you know, the kids are so excited that that auditorium was chock full >> standing room only and um and what I appreciated the multi-age um groups. There were high school kids who came from Griswald to perform that night. Um >> the the elderly gentlemen. I wouldn't know any of them uh much. Um [laughter] >> the rock of aes is that >> the um >> the big band was um they're all professional musicians at one point or another in their lives. They're totally dedicated and the kids I was watching the kids young kids were just spellbound. Wow, look at these. I think I want to play, >> you know, they're just wonderful. >> One of their music teachers. >> That's the PR. Yes.

169And the teachers were there enthusiastically loving it. They're so proud to be in that building. But I'm finding the same thing in listening to my daughter-in-law talk about the challenges that they have. Yes. The great things they're doing and take they take pride in the school buildings. You know, she said, "Jane, we want to go out and buy paint and paint some of those walls." They they take real pride wherever they are. >> So, I'm just seeing very positive things. >> Thank you, Jane. >> That's right. I went to the permanent building committee and I know more about furnaces and heating systems [laughter] than I ever want to know anymore. And um I also got a um I I don't know what to do with this, so I'm going to send it to you. I

170got a an email from someone who didn't get a yearbook from 1987, something like that. I had no idea where to send that, so I'm sending it to you. >> All right. All right. >> Um I do have something to add. Um, I've um set up with my gym a um to enhance the bottle recycling for Charles Barnum and um met with Seth >> and he will be inviting the owner of my gym. So great. >> We're expanding >> the um fundraising, you know, for this for the trip. So >> awesome. >> It's official. and he cleared it with his corporation and um and it's a go. >> Thank you, Rose. Thank you for spearheading. That's been so cool. Jay, >> yeah, I'm sorry. The first time around I forgot. I was at um the

171gas meeting today and the question came up about advertising whether channel 19 could run their promos or we do we have because it's nonprofit and that sort of thing. And could we spotlight? >> I I'm getting an affirmative response from our videographer. >> Okay. All right. So, >> if it's a nonprofit, yeah, >> we could do GASP. I mean, we're part of GAP, >> right? >> Certainly, we could do that. >> Carolyn's got some videos she can send over and then >> we thought about whether we could spotlight some of the community organizations on the front of our web page, sort of >> rotate them through. Sure. Great. Yeah, that'd be great. >> Um, occasionally. And, um, so that was a a very productive meeting. >> Good. Um, and I also have to say the

172uh yeah, celebration of the arts at Northeast um was spectacular and the name of the band which included a certain Bruno Julie was As Time Goes By >> as time goes by. That's it. Yes. And my neighbor and >> in your neighborhood >> and and the um in the instrument the who Bob who teaches at Northeast Academy. The instruments. >> Yes, he's in too. I didn't know that. What? >> Is that Mr. Murphy? >> Yes, Mr. Murphy. >> Yeah. >> So, I just um I also have some communication. So, I've had multiple emails regarding transportation and bus stops, and I have referred off to um people that I need to. I've had some um I shared with you the email that I received from Mike Whitney from the RTM um and the land use and

173also um I was able to um I was there for another meeting but I ended up um hanging out for about an hour um with the teachers college was at Mary Morrison this past week and got to watch some teachers um do their thing and I thought that was very cool. Um and um I also I think we all got u asked to for read across America which is on Friday. Um and I will um be at one or two of the schools in the afternoon. >> The weather will be just fine. So I just want to move us down to because we still have um we need to go into executive session. Um but that uh the the dates are going to stay as is until we have sort of moved forward with our

174committee um stuff. just we have been chalk full busy um and so just to kind of let that know um and I think that we'll be having some more meeting dates with town bodies as the budget as the bud as the budget continues in terms of budget hearings and stuff. So I know that we'll be hearing more >> in April, >> but that will be starting in April. Okay. So, um, at this point, um, I'll take a motion that that the town council will go into executive session. And I >> does the town council. No, because that's you. Um, >> I'm going to we're going to have uh the board go into executive session. And we are in and um here if we can get the room to be cleared um quickly and um I

175we will I'm asking to invite Dr. Grineer >> any >> That's all. That's all. >> And Dr. Grineer in into our um executive session. All right. Sue, do you want to be >> in the assistant? >> She does. >> Okay. >> As much as she'd like to be part of it, it's just a quick thing. >> The other thing I I just want to acknowledge uh Mr. Knight has been I made the motion manager for how long? Since uh >> five months. So, not coming from a school district, I think it's pretty remarkable that Mr. Knight has been able to do all this. phenomenal work. Really, really amazing. [applause] >> Uh, all those in favor, please say >> I in favor of going executive session. >> I hear it. All right, we're gone. Thank you,

176Joan. All right, let's go. Thank you, Joan.